EP0809161A1 - Means for the accelerated correction of the time after a low supply voltage - Google Patents

Abstract

The time correction method has a microcomputer (11) which stores the measured time interval of an interruption in the normal operating voltage, allowing accelerated correction of the time after the normal operating voltage is restored by multiplying the frequency of the indexing pulses for the clock by a given factor. The stored interruption time interval held in the microprocessor is indexed backwards during the accelerated time correction, with the normal indexing frequency restored when the zero value is reached.

Description

The invention relates to a method for accelerated tracking of a time after an undervoltage according to the preamble of claim 1 or 6. The method is described, for. B. used in heating controllers of program timers to determine the correct time.

A method of the type mentioned at the outset is known from DE 43 07 854 C1, in which a mains-powered timer with a clock switching processor is described, which is fed via a mains rectifier, has a voltage divider for voltage monitoring and a storage capacitor. The switchover processor contains a quartz-controlled time counter and an electromechanical clock drive controlled by the latter periodically with clock step pulses, so that an output switch contact is switched depending on the clock position. The switchover processor contains a counter, the content of which indicates the number of periodic clock step pulses to be output, but not yet output, and which is incremented by a value for each clock step pulse to be output. When a clock step pulse has been output, the counter contents are checked to see whether all clock step pulses to be output have been output, and if not, the counter is decremented by a value and the program continues with an interrogation of the clock counter to output a further clock step pulse is.

The invention is based on the object of realizing a method of the type mentioned at the outset which makes it possible to carry out a rapid and reliable tracking of the time after an undervoltage, without the need for an up / down counter. A power failure is equivalent to an undervoltage, since it is always connected to an undervoltage.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 or 6. Advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are described in more detail below.

Fig. 1

ein Schaltbild einer Anordnung zur Nachführung einer von einer Uhr ermittelten Zeit,

Fig. 2

ein Flussdiagramm einer ersten Variante eines erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens,

Fig. 3

eine Übersicht einer zweiten Variante des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens,

Fig. 4

eine Kennlinie einer Variante zur Berücksichtigung einer Zeitdauer einer zweiten Unterspannung, welche auftritt, bevor die Zeitdauer einer ersten Unterspannung vollständig berücksichtigt wurde, und

Fig. 5

eine Kennlinie einer weiteren Variante zur Berücksichtigung der Zeitdauer der zweiten Unterspannung, welche auftritt, bevor die Zeitdauer der ersten Unterspannung vollständig berücksichtigt wurde.

Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a circuit diagram of an arrangement for tracking a time determined by a clock,

Fig. 2

2 shows a flow diagram of a first variant of a method according to the invention,

Fig. 3

an overview of a second variant of the method according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a characteristic curve of a variant for taking into account a time period of a second undervoltage, which occurs before the time period of a first undervoltage has been completely taken into account, and

Fig. 5

a characteristic curve of a further variant for taking into account the time period of the second undervoltage, which occurs before the time period of the first undervoltage has been fully taken into account.

An arrangement shown in FIG. 1 for tracking a time determined by a clock contains a z. B. from a Graetz circuit rectifier 1, a first and second voltage regulator 2 and 3, a voltage divider 4, a switching transistor 5, a base resistor 6, an emitter resistor 7, a storage capacitor 8, one controlled by a quartz 9 and in one, preferably free running counter FRC ("Free Runnung Counter") containing pulse generator 10, a microcomputer 11, a relay 12 and a clock module 13. The latter contains a clock motor 14, which, for. B. drives with adjustable riders or cams provided disc 15, the riders or cams actuate a switch contact 16 according to an adjustable and predetermined time program. The clock motor 14 is e.g. B. a stepper motor. An AC line voltage u _N feeds the voltage divider 4 and the inputs of the two voltage regulators 2 and 3 via the rectifier 1. The voltage divider 4 consists of two resistors 4a and 4b which are electrically connected in series, the series circuit 4a; 4b being connected between an output of the rectifier 1 and mass is arranged. The first voltage regulator 2 is e.g. B. a 12 volt regulator and the second voltage regulator 3 z. B. a 5 volt regulator. At the outputs of the two voltage regulators 2 and 3, a capacitor C1 or C2 is connected between the relevant output and ground. A 12 volt output voltage of the voltage regulator 2, which is based on ground, is guided on the one hand via the base resistor 6 to the base of the switching transistor 5 and on the other hand is connected to a first output 11a of the microcomputer 11 via a coil 12a of the relay 12. A 5 volt output voltage of the voltage regulator 3, which is based on ground, is passed on the one hand to a feed input 11b of the microcomputer 11 and on the other hand via a collector-emitter path of the switching transistor 5 and the emitter resistor 7 connected downstream thereof with a first pole of the storage capacitor 8 and a feed input 17 of the counter FRC connected. When AC line voltage u _{N is} present and the 12 volt output voltage of the voltage regulator 2 is present, the 5 volt output voltage of the voltage regulator 3 is charged via the switched switching transistor 5 and the emitter resistor 7 to the storage capacitor 8, the second pole of which is connected to ground and the z. B. is a so-called "super cap". An output of the voltage divider 4, ie a common connection point of the two resistors 4a and 4b, is led to a voltage monitoring input 11c of the microcomputer 11. A reset output 11d of the latter is connected to a reset input 18 of the counter FRC, the count value output 19 of which is led to a data input 11e of the microcomputer 11. On Pulse output 11f; 11g of the latter is connected to the clock motor 14 in two poles, while a further input 11h of the microcomputer 11 is connected to ground via the switch contact 16. As soon as the AC line voltage u _N and thus also the output voltage of the rectifier 1 monitored by means of the voltage divider 4 and the output voltage of the voltage divider 4 present at the voltage monitoring input 11c of the microcomputer 11 fall below a certain value, the microcomputer 11 activates the counter FRC and then switches on together with the relay 12 and the clock motor 14. Because of the capacitances C1 and C2 at the outputs of the voltage regulators 2 and 3, their output voltage only disappears after about 30 ms, so that the part of the arrangement which is still switched on is still supplied by the two voltage regulators 2 and 3 during this time. Subsequently, only the counter FRC which requires a minimum supply energy is fed, which is then fed exclusively by the storage capacitor 8. When the FRC counter is activated, it is reset to zero in normal operation. It then counts during a power failure or when there is an undervoltage in the power supply u _N clock pulses of the pulse generator 10 controlled with the aid of the quartz 9. The counter FRC, the counting input of which is thus fed by a first clock signal CL1, uses pulse counting to measure the number since the power failure or time elapsed from the beginning of the undervoltage. The microcomputer 11 is only switched on again when the AC line voltage u _N rises again and exceeds a minimum voltage. When the minimum voltage re-enters, the microcomputer 11 then adopts the counter reading of the counter FRC in its own microcomputer counter µCC ("Microcomputer Counter") and accelerates the time determined by the clock of the clock module 13, as described below, because the clock is during the power failure or undervoltage has stopped.

In all variants of the method according to the invention, the clock of the clock module 13 is supplied with voltage, equipped with a microcomputer 11 and in normal operation by means of the first clock signal CL1, the frequency of which, for. B. is 1 Hz, regularly updated. For each undervoltage A, ie also in the event of a failure of the mains voltage u _N , a value of an undervoltage period t _{u, 1 is} determined and at least stored in the microcomputer 11. Since the clock stops during undervoltage A, after the end of undervoltage A, the time is tracked in an accelerated manner by means of a fast, second clock signal CL2, and this takes into account pulses of the first clock signal CL1 that occur during a tracking time required for accelerated tracking attack. This is necessary because the frequency of the fast tracking clock signal is limited by the low motor strength of the clock motor 14 and the accelerated tracking can therefore take a very long time, e.g. B. several hours. During this relatively long tracking time, the watch must not forget its regular tracking, ie the pulses of the regular clock signal CL1 occurring during this tracking time must be counted and taken into account by the watch. In all variants, at least with each pulse of the second clock signal CL2, one is stored in the microcomputer 11 Tracking value decremented by a value one. The accelerated tracking of the time is ended when the tracking value stored in the microcomputer 11 is zero.

I

: Wiedereintritt einer Spannungsversorgung nach einer Unterspannung A.

II

: Aufbau der Speisespannungen.

III

: Der Inhalt des freilaufenden Zählers FRC wird in den Zähler µCC des Mikrocomputers 11 übernommen und dort gespeichert.

IV

: Der im Zähler µCC des Mikrocomputers 11 gespeicherte Wert wird mit einem Faktor [ ${\text{1 + 1/f}}_{\text{n}}$

] multipliziert zwecks Erzeugung eines Nachführwertes.

V

: Beschleunigte Nachführungen der Uhrzeit mittels eines schnellen Taktsignals CL2, wobei der mit dem Faktor [ ${\text{1 + 1/f}}_{\text{n}}$

] multiplizierte Wert jeweils bei jeder durch einen Impuls des schnellen Taktsignals CL2 durchgeführten Nachführung um einen Wert Eins dekrementiert wird.

IX

: Erscheinen einer weiteren, zweiten Unterspannung B, bevor eine durch die vorherige, erste Unterspannung A ausgefallene Uhrzeit vollständig nachgeführt wurde.

VI

: Multiplikation des zum Zeitpunkt der zweiten Unterspannung noch im Zähler µCC verbleibenden Nachführwertes mit einem Faktor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

}.

VII

: Der mit dem Faktor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multiplizierte Werte wird aus dem Zähler µCC des Mikrocomputers 11 in den freilaufenden Zähler FRC übernommen und dort gespeichert.

VIII

: Die zweite Unterspannung B wird voll wirksam und die Speisespannungen unterschreiten ihren minimalen, für einen korrekten Uhrenbetrieb erforderlichen Wert.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 of a first variant of the method according to the invention contains eight function blocks 21 to 28 which are connected in series in the order of their numbering, a ninth function block 29 being led to the function block 25 via a separate input. Function blocks 21 to 29 each carry out one of the following functions I to IX, which are numbered identically with Roman numerals. Here means:

I.

: Re-entry of a voltage supply after an undervoltage A.

II

: Structure of the supply voltages.

III

: The content of the free-running counter FRC is transferred to the counter µCC of the microcomputer 11 and stored there.

IV

: The value stored in the counter µCC of the microcomputer 11 is increased by a factor [ ${\text{1 + 1 / f}}_{\text{n}}$

] multiplied to generate a tracking value.

V

: Accelerated tracking of the time by means of a fast clock signal CL2, the one with the factor [ ${\text{1 + 1 / f}}_{\text{n}}$

] multiplied value is decremented by a value one for each tracking performed by a pulse of the fast clock signal CL2.

IX

: Appearance of a further, second undervoltage B before a time that has failed due to the previous, first undervoltage A has been completely updated.

VI

: Multiplication of the tracking value remaining in the µCC counter at the time of the second undervoltage by a factor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

}.

VII

: The one with the factor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} Multiplied values are taken from the counter µCC of the microcomputer 11 into the free running counter FRC and stored there.

VIII

: The second undervoltage B becomes fully effective and the supply voltages fall below their minimum value required for correct clock operation.

] multipliziert, wobei f_n die Frequenz des zweiten Taktsignals CL2 ist. In diesem Fall ist der mit dem Faktor [ ${\text{1 + 1/f}}_{\text{n}}$

] multiplizierte Wert der obenerwähnte, im Mikrocomputer 11 gespeicherte Nachführwert. Wenn vor dem Ende der beschleunigten Nachführung die nächste, zweite Unterspannung B auftritt, wird der zu diesem Zeitpunkt im Mikrocomputer 11 gespeicherte verbleibende Nachführwert der vorherigen, ersten Unterspannung A mit dem Faktor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multipliziert und dann ein Wert einer Zeitdauer der zweiten Unterspannung B ermittelt und zu dem mit dem Faktor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multiplizierten verbleibenden Nachführwert der ersten Unterspannung A hinzugefügt zwecks Erzeugung - auf die gleiche Art wie bei der ersten Unterspannung A - eines neu, anschliessend geltenden Nachführwertes. Vorzugsweise ist der Wert der Unterspannungs-Zeitdauer ein Impulszählwert des ersten Taktsignals CL1, der bevorzugt mittels des externen, z. B. freilaufenden Zählers FRC ermittelt wird. In diesem Fall wird nach dem Ende der ersten Unterspannung A ein ermittelter Impulszählwert t_u,1 des Zählers FRC in einen Speicher, z. B. µCC, des Mikrocomputers 11 übernommen und dort gespeichert. Bei der zweiten Unterspannung B wird dann der zum Zeitpunkt der zweiten Unterspannung B im Speicher des Mikrocomputers 11 verbleibende Nachführwert der ersten Unterspannung A mit dem Faktor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multipliziert und der so erhaltene Wert anschliessend in den externen Zähler FRC übernommen und dort gespeichert. Dann, ausgehend von diesem gespeicherten Wert, wird durch Impulszählung des ersten Taktsignals CL1 vom Zähler FRC eine Zeitdauer t_u,2 der zweiten Unterspannung B ermittelt und dem gespeicherten Wert hinzugefügt. Ein so erhaltener Summenwert wird nach dem Ende der zweiten Unterspannung B schliesslich in den Speicher des Mikrocomputers 11 übernommen und dort gespeichert zwecks Erzeugung - auf die gleiche Art wie bei der ersten Unterspannung A - des neu, anschliessend geltenden Nachführwertes.In the first variant of the method according to the invention, to take into account the pulses of the first clock signal CL1 that occur during the tracking time required for the accelerated tracking, the value of the undervoltage period stored in the microcomputer 11 at the beginning of the accelerated tracking is [ ${\text{1 + 1 / f}}_{\text{n}}$

] multiplies, where f _{n is} the frequency of the second clock signal CL2. In this case the one with the factor [ ${\text{1 + 1 / f}}_{\text{n}}$

] multiplied the above-mentioned tracking value stored in the microcomputer 11. If the next, second undervoltage B occurs before the end of the accelerated tracking, the remaining tracking value of the previous, first undervoltage A stored in the microcomputer 11 at this time is multiplied by the factor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multiplied and then a value of a period of time of the second undervoltage B is determined and to which the factor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multiplied remaining tracking value of the first undervoltage A added for the purpose Generation - in the same way as for the first undervoltage A - of a new, then valid tracking value. Preferably, the value of the undervoltage period is a pulse count of the first clock signal CL1, which is preferably by means of the external, e.g. B. free running counter FRC is determined. In this case, after the end of the first undervoltage A, a determined pulse counter value t _{u, 1 of} the counter FRC is stored in a memory, for. B. µCC, the microcomputer 11 and stored there. In the case of the second undervoltage B, the tracking value of the first undervoltage A remaining in the memory of the microcomputer 11 at the time of the second undervoltage B is then multiplied by the factor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multiplied and the value thus obtained is then transferred to the external counter FRC and stored there. Then, starting from this stored value, a time period t _{u, 2 of} the second undervoltage B is determined by counting the first clock signal CL1 from the counter FRC and added to the stored value. A total value obtained in this way is finally transferred to the memory of the microcomputer 11 after the end of the second undervoltage B and stored there for the purpose of generating - in the same way as for the first undervoltage A - the new, subsequently applicable tracking value.

In the second variant of the method according to the invention (see FIG. 3), the accelerated tracking is interrupted at the time of an upcoming regular tracking 31 in order to carry out the regular tracking 31, in order to then continue if it has not yet ended. For this purpose, the accelerated tracking is preferably divided into a number of shorter trackings 32 ₁ to 32 _{n + 1} and the regular tracker 31 is timed correctly before or after one of the shorter trackings 32 ₁ , ..., 32 _{n + 1} or between two successive ones shorter trackings 32 _n and 32 _{n + 1} performed. The accelerated tracking takes place again at the frequency f _{n of} the second clock signal CL2, the pulses of which decrement the tracking value stored in the microcomputer 11 by the value one when they appear. Since several such decrementations generally take place during each of the shorter trackings 32 ₁ ,..., 32 _{n + 1} , a time interval T _n between two successive shorter trackings is preferably a multiple of a period T _{n of} the second clock signal CL2. The time interval T _n is z. B. 125 ms, which corresponds to a frequency f _n of 8 Hz of the second clock signal CL2 in the case of periodically performed shorter trackings 32 ₁ , ..., 32 _{n + 1} . The time interval between two successive periodic regular updates is equal to a period T1 = 1 s of the first clock signal CL1 when its frequency is 1 Hz. The period T1 of the first clock signal CL1 is preferably a multiple of the period T _{n of} the second clock signal CL2, assumed to be synchronous, with which the shorter trackings 32 ₁ ,..., 32 _{n + 1 are} carried out. The regular tracking 31 then occurs correctly instead of a simultaneous shorter tracking 32 _{n + 1} , while the latter subsequently, a period T _n of z. B. delayed 125 msec of the second clock signal CL2, is made up. In the overview of the second variant of the invention shown in FIG. 3 The method shows two successive regular updates 30 and 31, between which several, e.g. B. m shorter trackings 32 ₁ , 32 ₂ , ..., 32 _{n are} interposed. At least one further shorter update 32 _{n + 1} follows the regular update 31 if, at the time of the latter, the current accelerated updates were not yet complete.

In a first sub-variant of the second variant according to the invention, two mutually interlocked, centrally timed interrupt signals are present for the microcomputer 11, which are active during the accelerated tracking on an identical, clock-controlling pulse output 11f; 11g of the microcomputer 11 (see FIG. 1). At the same time as the pulses of the first clock signal CL1, a first of the two interrupt signals for regular tracking 30 and 31 is triggered, while between the pulses of the first clock signal CL1 at regular time intervals T _n each [f _n -1] second interrupt signals for the shorter ones Tracking 32 ₁ , 32 ₂ , ... and 32 _{n + 1 can be} triggered.

In a second sub-variant of the second variant according to the invention, a single interrupt signal is present for the microcomputer 11, which during regular tracking 30 or 31 in time with the first clock signal CL1 and during accelerated tracking 32 ₁ , .32 ₂ , ... or 32 _{n + 1 is called} in time with the second clock signal CL2.

• Wenn bis zum Beginn der zweiten Unterspannung B höchstens eine Hälfte der zwischen den Anfängen der beiden Unterspannungen A und B liegenden Zeitdauer t_u,1 + t_zw nachgeführt wurde, wird - bei einem Erscheinen der zweiten Unterspannung B vor dem Ende der beschleunigten Nachführung - der Wert der Zeitdauer t_u,2 der zweiten Unterspannung B ermittelt und zu einem Wert einer zwischen den Anfängen der beiden Unterspannungen A und B liegenden Zeitdauer t_u,1 + t_zw hinzugefügt zwecks Erzeugung des neu, anschliessend geltenden Nachführwertes. Dabei ist t_zw der Zeitabstand zwischen den beiden Unterspannungen A und B. Der Wert der Unterspannungs-Zeitdauer t_u,1 bzw. t_u,2 ist bevorzugt jeweils ein Impulszählwert des ersten Taktsignals CL1, der mittels des externen Zählers FRC ermittelt wird. Nach dem Ende der ersten Unterspannung A wird der ermittelte Impulszählwert wie bisher in den Speicher, z. B. µCC, des Mikrocomputers 11 übernommen und dort gespeichert. Bei der zweiten Unterspannung B wird dann, ausgehend von dem im externen Zähler FRC gespeicherten Wert der zwischen den Anfängen der beiden Unterspannungen A und B liegenden Zeitdauer t_u,1 + t_zw, durch Impulszählung im externen Zähler FRC der Wert der Zeitdauer t_u,2 der zweiten Unterspannung B hinzugefügt. Ein so erhaltener Summenwert t_u,1 + t_zw + t_u,2 wird schliesslich nach dem Ende der zweiten Unterspannung B in den Speicher µCC des Mikrocomputers 11 übernommen und dort gespeichert zwecks Erzeugung des neu, anschliessend geltenden Nachführwertes. Dies ist prinzipiell und kennlinienmässig in der Fig. 4 dargestellt, wo der Inhalt des Zählers FRC bzw. µCC in Funktion der Zeit t dargestellt ist. Während der ersten Unterspannung A steigt der Impulszählwert des Zählers FRC entlang einer Geraden MN linear an. Nach dem Ende der ersten Unterspannung A sinkt der im Zähler µCC gespeicherte Nachführwert im Laufe der Zeit t (gestrichelt dargestellt). Bevor 50% der Zeit t_u,1 + t_zw beschleunigt nachgeführt ist, d. h. im Kennlinienpunkt D, erscheint die zweite Unterspannung B. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt ist nur ein Teil t_n der Zeitdauer t_u,1 der ersten Unterspannung A nachgeführt. Während der zweiten Unterspannung B müsste der Impulszählwert des Zählers FRC eigentlich korrekter Weise entlang einer zu MN parallelen Geraden DS (Sollwert) linear ansteigen, was jedoch nur möglich ist, wenn der Zähler FRC mit dem Gegenwert des verbleibenden Nachführwertes der erste Unterspannung A ladbar wäre, was nicht der Fall ist. Daher veranlasst der Mikrocomputer 11 zur Berücksichtigung der zweiten Unterspannung B, dass beim Erreichen des Kennlinienpunktes D der Betriebspunkt der Anordnung unverzüglich wieder zurück auf die linear ansteigende Kennlinie MN des Zählers FRC springt und sich anschliessend auf diese nach oben bewegt (Istwert). Dadurch entsteht ein positiver Fehler F in der von der Uhr gemessenen Zeit: Die Uhr geht nach einer vollständigen Nachführung nach der zweiten Unterspannung B um maximal der halben Summe der Zeitdauer t_u,1 der ersten Unterspannung A und der zwischen den beiden Unterspannungen A und B liegenden Zeit t_zw vor.
• Wenn dagegen bis zum Beginn der zweiten Unterspannung B mindestens eine Häfte der zwischen den Anfängen der beiden Unterspannungen A und B liegenden Zeitdauer t_u,1 + t_zw nachgeführt wurde, wird - bei einem Erscheinen der zweiten Unterspannung B vor dem Ende der beschleunigten Nachführung - der Wert der Zeitdauer t_u,2 der zweiten Unterspannung B als neu, anschliessend geltenden Nachführwert ermittelt. Der Wert der Unterspannungs-Zeitdauer t_u,1 bzw. t_u,2 ist bevorzugt wiederjeweils ein Impulszählwert des ersten Taktsignals CL1, der mittels des externen Zählers FRC ermittelt wird. Nach dem Ende der ersten Unterspannung A wird der ermittelte Impulszählwert in den Speicher µCC des Mikrocomputers 11 übernommen und dort gespeichert. Bei der zweiten Unterspannung B wird der externe Zähler FRC auf Null zurückgestellt und durch Impulszählung der Wert der Zeitdauer t_u,2 der zweiten Unterspannung B ermittelt und zum vorhandenen Wert Null hinzugefügt. Nach dem Ende der zweiten Unterspannung B wird der so erhaltene Impulszählwert in den Speicher µCC des Mikrocomputers 11 übernommen und dort gespeichert zwecks Erzeugung des neu, anschliessend geltenden Nachführwertes. Dies ist prinzipiell und kennlinienmässig in der Fig. 5 dargestellt, wo wieder der Inhalt des Zählers FRC bzw. µCC in Funktion der Zeit t dargestellt ist. Die Fig. 5 ähnelt der Fig. 4 mit dem Unterschied, dass nach dem Ende der ersten Unterspannung A im Kennlinienpunkt D mehr als 50% der Zeit t_u,1 + t_zw beschleunigt nachgeführt ist, obwohl zu diesem Zeitpunkt wiederum nur ein Teil t_n der Zeitdauer t_u,1 der ersten Unterspannung A nachgeführt ist. Während der zweiten Unterspannung B müsste der Impulszählwert im Zähler FRC eigentlich korrekter Weise gemäss der Geraden DS (Sollwert) parallel zu MN linear ansteigen, was jedoch wieder nur möglich ist, wenn der Zähler FRC mit dem Gegenwert des verbleibenden Nachführwertes der erste Unterspannung A ladbar wäre, was nicht der Fall ist. Daher veranlasst der Mikrocomputer 11 zur Berücksichtigung der zweiten Unterspannung B, dass beim Erreichen des Kennlinienpunktes D der Zähler FRC auf Null zurückgestellt wird, so dass der Betriebspunkt der Anordnung auf Null springt und von dort ausgehend sich anschliessend auf einer parallel zur Kennlinie MN des Zählers FRC verlaufenden Kennlinie RT nach oben bewegt (Istwert). Dadurch entsteht ein negativer Fehler F in der von der Uhr gemessenen Zeit: Die Uhr geht nach einer vollständigen Nachführung nach der zweiten Unterspannung B um maximal der halben Summe der Zeitdauer t_u,1 der ersten Unterspannung A und der zwischen den beiden Unterspannungen A und B liegenden Zeit t_zw nach.

Durch diese Vorgehensweise wird der Fehler F möglichst klein gehalten. Es ist dabei wichtig, dass die Zeit t_zw zwischen den beiden Unterspannungen A und B mitberücksichtigt wird, da während dieser Zeit ebenfalls reguläre Nachführungen anfallen können, die in der Steuerung der Uhr berücksichtigt werden müssen.If no value can be loaded into the counter FRC, the method according to the invention is preferably modified in all variants and sub-variants according to one of the two following methods:

• If until the beginning of the second undervoltage B at most half of the time period t _{u, 1} + t _zw lying between the beginnings of the two undervoltage A and B has been tracked, if the second undervoltage B appears before the end of the accelerated tracking, the The value of the time period t _{u, 2 of} the second undervoltage B is determined and added to a value of a time period t _{u, 1} + t _zw lying between the beginnings of the two undervoltage levels A in order to generate the new, subsequently valid tracking value. Here, t _{zw is} the time interval between the two undervoltage A and B. The value of the undervoltage period t _{u, 1} or t _{u, 2} is preferably a pulse count of the first clock signal CL1, which is determined by means of the external counter FRC. After the end of the first undervoltage A, the determined pulse count is as before in the memory, for. B. µCC, the microcomputer 11 and stored there. At the second undervoltage B, starting from the value stored in the external counter FRC, the time period t _{u, 1} + t _zw lying between the beginnings of the two undervoltage levels A and B, the value of the time period t _{u, 2 added to} the second undervoltage B. A total value t _{u, 1} + t _zw + t _{u, 2 obtained in this way} is finally transferred to the memory μCC of the microcomputer 11 after the end of the second undervoltage B and stored there for the purpose of generating the new, subsequently valid tracking value. This is shown in principle and in terms of characteristics in FIG. 4, where the content of the counter FRC or .mu.CC is shown as a function of time t. During the first undervoltage A, the pulse count of the counter FRC increases linearly along a straight line MN. After the end of the first undervoltage A, the tracking value stored in the counter µCC decreases over time t (shown in dashed lines). The second undervoltage B appears before 50% of the time t _{u, 1} + t _{zw is} accelerated, ie at the characteristic point D. At this time, only a part t _{n of} the time duration t _{u, 1 of} the first undervoltage A is tracked. During the second undervoltage B, the pulse count value of the counter FRC would actually have to increase linearly correctly along a straight line DS (setpoint) parallel to MN, but this is only possible if the counter FRC could be loaded with the equivalent value of the remaining tracking value of the first undervoltage A, which is not the case. Therefore, the microcomputer 11 takes into account the second undervoltage B that, when the characteristic point D is reached, the operating point of the arrangement jumps back immediately to the linearly increasing characteristic curve MN of the counter FRC and then moves upwards to this (actual value). This creates a positive error F in the time measured by the watch: after a complete tracking after the second undervoltage B, the watch moves by a maximum of half the time duration t _{u, 1 of} the first undervoltage A and that between the two undervoltage A and B. lying time t _zw .
• If, on the other hand, at least one half of the time t _{u, 1} + t _zw between the beginning of the two undervoltage A and B has been tracked up to the start of the second undervoltage B, if the second undervoltage B appears before the end of the accelerated tracking, the value of the time period t _{u, 2 of} the second undervoltage B is determined as a new, subsequently applicable tracking value. The value of the undervoltage period t _{u, 1} or t _{u, 2} is again preferably a pulse count of the first clock signal CL1, which is determined by means of the external counter FRC. After the end of the first undervoltage A, the pulse count determined is transferred to the memory μCC of the microcomputer 11 and stored there. At the second undervoltage B, the external counter FRC is reset to zero and the value of the time duration t _{u, 2 of} the second undervoltage B is determined by pulse counting and added to the existing value zero. After the end of the second undervoltage B, the pulse count value obtained in this way is transferred to the memory μCC of the microcomputer 11 and stored there for the purpose of generating the new, subsequently valid tracking value. This is shown in principle and in terms of characteristics in FIG. 5, where the content of the counter FRC or .mu.C is again shown as a function of time t. FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 with the difference that after the end of the first undervoltage A in the characteristic point D more than 50% of the time t _{u, 1} + t _{zw is} tracked in an accelerated manner, although at this point in time only a part t _{n of} the period t _{u, 1 of} the first undervoltage A is tracked. During the second undervoltage B, the pulse count value in the counter FRC should actually be linear according to the straight line DS (setpoint) parallel to MN increase, but this is only possible again if the counter FRC could be loaded with the equivalent value of the remaining tracking value of the first undervoltage A, which is not the case. Therefore, taking into account the second undervoltage B, the microcomputer 11 causes the counter FRC to be reset to zero when the characteristic point D is reached, so that the operating point of the arrangement jumps to zero and, from there, subsequently on a parallel to the characteristic curve MN of the counter FRC characteristic curve RT moves upwards (actual value). This results in a negative error F in the time measured by the clock: after a complete tracking after the second undervoltage B, the clock goes by a maximum of half the time duration t _{u, 1 of} the first undervoltage A and that between the two undervoltage A and B. lying time t _zw after.

With this procedure, the error F is kept as small as possible. It is important that the time t _zw between the two undervoltage A and B is also taken into account, since regular tracking can also occur during this time, which must be taken into account in the control of the clock.

Claims (15)

Method for accelerated tracking of a time after an undervoltage (A), wherein a clock is powered by voltage, equipped with a microcomputer (11) and is regularly tracked in normal operation by means of a first clock signal (CL1), a value of an undervoltage period (t _{u, 1} ) is determined and stored in the microcomputer (11), after an end of the undervoltage (A), the time is updated in an accelerated manner by means of a second clock signal (CL2), taking into account pulses of the first clock signal (CL1) that occur during a tracking time required for the accelerated tracking, - With each pulse of the second clock signal (CL2) a tracking value stored in the microcomputer (11) is decremented by a value one, and the accelerated tracking of the time has ended when the tracking value stored in the microcomputer (11) is zero,
characterized,
that the accelerated tracking is interrupted at the time of an upcoming regular tracking (31) in order to carry out the regular tracking (31) in order to then continue. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the accelerated tracking is divided into a number of shorter trackings (32 ₁ to 32 _{n + 1} ) and the regular tracking (31) is correct in time before or after one of the shorter trackings (32 ₁ , ... , 32 _{n + 1} ) or between two successive shorter trackings (32 _n , 32 _{n + 1} ). Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that a period (T1) of the first clock signal (CL1) is a multiple of a period (T _n ) of the synchronous second clock signal (CL2) with which the shorter trackings (32 ₁ to 32 _{n + 1} ), and that the regular tracking (31) occurs at the correct time instead of a simultaneous shorter tracking (32 _{n + 1} ), the latter subsequently being made up, delayed by a period (T _n ) of the second clock signal (CL2). A method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that - that for the microcomputer (11) there are two interlocked, centrally timed interrupt signals which are effective during the accelerated tracking on an identical, clock-controlling pulse output (11f; 11g) of the microcomputer (11), - That at the same time as the pulses of the first clock signal (CL1) a first of the two interrupt signals for regular tracking (30, 31) is triggered and - That between the pulses of the first clock signal (CL1) at regular time intervals (T _n ) in each case [f _n -1] second interrupt signals for the shorter trackings (32 ₁ to 32 _{n + 1} ) are triggered, where f _{n is} the frequency of the second Clock signal (CL2) is. Method according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that an interrupt signal is present for the microcomputer (11), which during regular tracking (30, 31) in time with the first clock signal (CL1) and during accelerated tracking in time with the second clock signal (CL2) is called. Method for accelerated tracking of a time after an undervoltage (A), wherein a clock is powered by voltage, equipped with a microcomputer (11) and is regularly tracked in normal operation by means of a first clock signal (CL1), a value of an undervoltage period (t _{u, 1} ) is determined and stored in the microcomputer (11), after an end of the undervoltage (A), the time is updated in an accelerated manner by means of a second clock signal (CL2), taking into account pulses of the first clock signal (CL1) that occur during a tracking time required for the accelerated tracking, - With each pulse of the second clock signal (CL2) a tracking value stored in the microcomputer (11) is decremented by a value one, and the accelerated tracking of the time has ended when the tracking value stored in the microcomputer (11) is zero,
characterized, - That to take into account the pulses of the first clock signal (CL1) occurring during the time required for the accelerated tracking at the beginning of the accelerated tracking, the value of the undervoltage period stored in the microcomputer (11) by a factor [ ${\text{1 + 1 / f}}_{\text{n}}$

] is multiplied, where f _{n is} a frequency of the second clock signal (CL2), and - that the factor [ ${\text{1 + 1 / f}}_{\text{n}}$

] multiplied value of the undervoltage period (t _{u, 1} ) is the tracking value stored in the microcomputer (11). A method according to claim 6, characterized in that, at the next, second undervoltage (B) before the end of the accelerated tracking, a remaining tracking value of the first undervoltage (A) stored at this time in the microcomputer (11) with a factor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} is multiplied and then a value of a time period of the second undervoltage (B) is determined and to which the factor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multiplied remaining tracking value of the first undervoltage (A) is added in order to generate a new tracking value that is then valid. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the value of the undervoltage period (t _{u, 1} , t _{u, 2} ) is in each case a pulse count of the first clock signal (CL1), which is determined by means of an external counter (FRC), that after the end of the first undervoltage (A), the pulse count determined is transferred to a memory (.mu.CC) of the microcomputer (11) and stored there, - that with the second undervoltage (B) the factor { ${\text{f}}_{\text{n}}{\text{/ [1 + f}}_{\text{n}}\text{]}$

} multiplied remaining tracking value of the first undervoltage (A) in the external counter (FRC) and stored there and that the time period (t _{u, 2} ) of the second undervoltage (B) is then added, starting from this stored value, by pulse counting, - Which total value after the end of the second undervoltage (B) in the memory (µCC) of the microcomputer (11) is accepted and stored there for the purpose of generating the new, then valid tracking value. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, for a next, second undervoltage (B) before the end of the accelerated tracking, a value of a time period (t _{u, 2} ) of the second undervoltage (B) is determined and one Value of a time period (t _{u, 1} + t _zw ) between the beginning of the two undervoltage (A, B) is added in order to generate a new, subsequently valid tracking value, if by the beginning of the second undervoltage (B) at most half of the between the beginning of the two undervoltage (A, B) time period (t _{u, 1} + t _zw ) was tracked. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the value of the undervoltage period (t _{u, 1} , t _{u, 2} ) is in each case a pulse count of the first clock signal (CL1), which is determined by means of an external counter (FRC), that after the end of the first undervoltage (A), the pulse count determined is transferred to a memory (.mu.CC) of the microcomputer (11) and stored there, - That with the second undervoltage (B), starting from the value stored in the external counter (FRC), the time period (t _{u, 1} + t _zw ) between the beginning of the two undervoltage (A, B), by pulse counting in the external counter (FRC) the value of the period (t _{u, 2} ) of the second undervoltage (B) is added, - Which total value (t _{u, 1} + t _zw + t _{u, 2} ) after the end of the second undervoltage (B) in the memory (µCC) of the microcomputer (11) and stored there for the purpose of generating the new, then valid tracking value . Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, with a next, second undervoltage (B) before the end of the accelerated tracking, a value of a time period (t _{u, 2} ) of the second undervoltage (B) is then new applicable tracking value it is determined if, by the beginning of the second undervoltage (B), at least one half of a time period (t _{u, 1} + t _zw ) lying between the beginning of the two undervoltage (A, B) has been tracked. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the value of the undervoltage period (t _{u, 1} , t _{u, 2} ) is in each case a pulse count of the first clock signal (CL1), which is determined by means of an external counter (FRC), that after the end of the previous, first undervoltage (A), the pulse count value determined is transferred to a memory (.mu.CC) of the microcomputer (11) and stored there, that the external counter (FRC) in the second undervoltage (B) is reset to zero and the value of the time duration (t _{u, 2} ) of the second undervoltage (B) is determined by pulse counting, - Which is taken over after the end of the second undervoltage (B) in the memory (µCC) of the microcomputer (11) and stored there for the purpose of generating the new, then valid tracking value. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the value of the undervoltage period (t _{u, 1} , t _{u, 2} ) is in each case a pulse count value of the first clock signal (CL1). Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the pulse count value is determined by means of a counter (FRC), the counting input of which is fed by the first clock signal (CL1). A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the counter (FRC) is a free-running external counter and after the end of the undervoltage (A, B) the pulse count value of the undervoltage period (t _{u, 1} , t _{u, 2) determined by it} ) in a memory (µCC) of the microcomputer (11) and stored there.

Images