Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
  • G04G99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F10/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by electric means
  • G04F10/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by electric means by counting pulses or half-cycles of an ac

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval, as well as its use for commemorating an event.
• the heart of these modern devices is indeed an electronic oscillator whose oscillation frequency is stabilized by a piezoelectric transducer, generally made up of a quartz crystal cut so that its mechanical resonance frequency corresponds to the desired frequency.
• quartz operates at a frequency of 32,768 Hz.
• a series of fifteen successive divisions by 2 easily achievable in digital electronics by means of a sequence of rockers, makes it possible to obtain pulses beating the second.
• the chip includes, besides the functional "clock", a large number of additional functions, including, of course, those display of 'Time and date.
• Some other applications require both relatively complex functions, initialization, start, stop counting in seconds, display of an elapsed time, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, an ability to measure this time continuously for a very long period, several years, even several decades.
• the decorated side has a location for an electronic up / down counting module and a display of the time interval between the present moment and an event, past or future, in years, and / or months, and / or days and / or hours, and / or minutes, and / or seconds.
• a card showing the time elapsed since the changeover to the Euro
• a display only in days decreases the awareness of passing time, and removes a playful and beautiful component to the contemplation of the display, always animated and different, of the seconds.
• German utility model DE-29.714.171 published on November 20, 1997, in the name of R. immer et al., Teaches to definitively stop a first display of a watch at the instant when an important event occurs, so that the display of the day, date and time is frozen at this instant, while the display of the time elapsed since this event continues indefinitely on a second display.
• no technical detail is disclosed by the inventor as to how to practically perform a count over a very long period.
• Patent application GB-2,285,150 filed by the British Secretary of State for Commerce and Industry, and published on June 28, 1995, describes a time standard intended for the calibration of equipment.
• Control signals, or push-buttons start and stop the counting of the elapsed seconds, the result of which is presented by a decimal display.
• a microprocessor monitors reception and decodes the reference time signals sent by the MSF station. These signals are based on the functioning of a Cesium clock, known as an “atomic clock”.
• atomic clock known as an “atomic clock”.
• the present invention therefore aims to design a device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval of the type of those comprising a logic control unit, a time base, starting means and means for stopping the counting, a decimal display driver for this time interval, as well as the corresponding display means.
• the starting means consist of a first switch, the manipulation of which definitively opens or closes an electrical circuit.
• this first switch comprises a flexible tongue intended to be moved between an initial position and a final position by the user of the device.
• This tab has a first end capable of being grasped by the user when the counting starts.
• the second end has a conductive area.
• the intermediate part of the serrated tongue forms a rack.
• the switch works thanks to two electrical contacts which simultaneously press on the conductive zone when the tongue is in its initial position, and which become isolated from each other when the tongue is in the final position.
• the opening of the switch contacts is made irreversible by means of at least one guide of complementary shape to the rack, cooperating with it and making it impossible to move the tongue from the final position to the initial position.
• the first switch comprises a flexible link of the wire, cord, ribbon, twine, or similar type, which the user grasps by a first end when the device starts.
• the second end is attached to a conductive spring forming an anchor, which has first and second branches.
• this spring is moved between an initial position corresponding to the "closed” state of the switch, and a final position corresponding to the "open” state.
• two electrical contacts press simultaneously, one on the first branch of the anchor and the other on the second branch.
• the spring then forms a bridge between the two contacts, and the switch is "on". In its final position, the spring is released, and the contacts are isolated from each other.
• This guide indeed has a funnel-shaped section compressing the spring during movement from its initial position to its final position, but making it impossible for the spring to pass in the opposite direction. In other words, the bridge between the two contacts can never be restored.
• the device for counting and displaying a time interval in seconds comprises stop means consisting of a second switch whose manipulation opens or closes an electrical circuit definitively.
• this second switch comprises a rigid tongue intended to be moved between an initial position and a final position by a user.
• This tongue has a first end capable of being pushed by the user, a second end comprising an insulating zone, and an intermediate part comprising a lumen with straight edges.
• the operation of this switch is based on the implementation of two electrical contacts, at least one comprising a leaf spring or a coil spring, the contacts pressing simultaneously and in opposite directions on each of the faces of the insulating zone in the initial position of the tongue, and being in contact with each other through the lumen in the final position.
• the switch also comprises at least one guide cooperating with the tongue during the displacement of the latter from its initial position to its final position.
• the second switch comprises a rod intended to be moved between an initial position and a final position by a user, this rod having a first end capable of being pushed by the latter, the second end comprising a conductive tip, and a serrated intermediate portion forming a rack.
• the switch includes two electrical contacts isolated from each other in the initial position, and simultaneously pressing the conductive tip in the final position. This switching is made irreversible thanks to at least one guide surrounding the rod, and whose shape is particular.
• This guide indeed has a part of a shape complementary to that of the rod rack. By cooperating with the rack, the guide allows the rod to move from its initial position to its final position, but any reverse movement is impossible.
• the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval further comprises means for initializing the count to any predetermined value.
• these initialization means comprise one or more means for entering initialization data chosen from the group consisting of a push-button, a key or a keyboard, means of interface with the logic unit. , as well as means for processing initialization data.
• the processing means advantageously comprise an algorithm performing the conversion into seconds of the time interval between two calendar dates.
• the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention comprises means for slowing down or accelerating the counting.
• the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention comprises at least one redundant power supply.
• the device comprises a power supply module from the mains and at least one battery chosen from the group: battery, rechargeable battery, accumulator.
• the device according to the invention comprises a power supply module by at least one solar cell and at least one battery chosen from the group: battery, rechargeable battery, accumulator.
• it comprises at least two independent supplies by at least one battery chosen from the group: battery, rechargeable battery, accumulator, and means for indicating the lowest of these independent power supplies.
• the device according to the invention comprises a temporary backup power supply comprising a very large capacity capacitor, preferably greater than or equal to 1 Farad.
• the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention preferably has display means comprising at least 10 digits, that is to say capable of displaying at least up to 9,999. 999,999 seconds.
• An additional general characteristic of the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention is that it preferably comprises a logic unit consisting of a microprogrammed device, of microcontroller, microprocessor or similar type, comprising a subroutine for incrementing the counting and refreshing the display, the execution of which is triggered by an interruption generated by the time base at a rate of 1 Hz.
• the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval advantageously has a logic unit consisting of a microprogrammed device, of the microcontroller, microprocessor or similar type, comprising a subroutine of refresh of the display as a function of the time signals transmitted by a programmable clock by means of a serial link.
• the time signals in question are preferably those transmitted over the air by at least one reference time signal transmitter, chosen for example from the group: DCF77 (Germany), WVN (United States), JJY (Japan) , MSF (Great Britain).
• the time base advantageously simultaneously delivers pulses of a first frequency equal to 1 Hz, of a second frequency less than or equal to 0.5 Hz, and of a third frequency greater than or equal to 2 Hz.
• the pulses at the first, second and third frequencies are applied to this device for a nominal operating mode of the device, a correction of the advance, and a correction of the delay, respectively.
• An additional characteristic of the device for counting and displaying a time interval in seconds is that the hardware interruption or else the transmission of the time signals or of the time base pulse is validated by the starting means and inhibited by stopping means.
• a preferred use of the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention is that in which this device is arranged in an object intended to commemorate an event preferably chosen from the groups: family events (meeting, marriage, birth, death), professional events (graduation, first job, contract), personal events (travel, home ownership, disappearance of a nuisance, moving), sporting events ( record, obtaining a trophy, matches), historical events (year 2000, start of a conflict, end of a conflict). It may be a very distant event in the past, such as the death of the pharaoh All Nkhamon, for example, and not just an event in modern history.
• the counting is advantageously initialized at a value supplied to the user, as a function of the date of this event and of the current date, by a first specific external software operating preferably on a local microcomputer or on a remote data server, in particular on the Internet, or by an operator of a service company. It also proves to be advantageous to use the device according to the invention by arranging it in an object intended to commemorate the advent of a particular value of a time interval, for example 1,000,000,000 or 7,777,777,777 seconds.
• a second specific external software preferably operating on a local microcomputer or on a remote data server, in particular on the Internet, or an operator of a service company, provides the user with the date at which will be displayed this particular value according to this particular value, the initial value of the count, and the current date.
• the counting of the device is initialized to a value supplied to the user, as a function of the particular value to be observed, of the current date, and of the date on which this particular value must be displayed, by a third specific external software. preferably also operating on a local microcomputer or on a remote data server, in particular on the Internet, or by the operator of a service company.
• Figure 1 is a general block diagram of the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention in a first technology, based in particular on electromechanical elements.
• Figure 2 is a general block diagram of the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention in a second technology, based in particular on electronic components.
• Figures 3a and 3b are schematic views of a switch controlled by a flexible tab, respectively in the "closed” and “open” state, implemented in the device according to the invention, in particular as starting means of counting acting irreversibly.
• Figure 3c is a bottom view of the flexible tab showing the conductive area.
• FIGs 4a and 4c are schematic views of a switch controlled by a string, respectively in the "closed” and “open” state, implemented in the device according to one invention, in particular as an alternative embodiment of the means of irreversible starting.
• Figure 4b shows this type of switch during final opening under the action of one user.
• Figures 5a and 5b are schematic views of a switch controlled by a rod, respectively in the state
• FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic views of a switch controlled by a rigid tongue, respectively in the "open” and “closed” state, implemented in the device according to the invention, in particular as means of final stop counting, and using a leaf spring.
• FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate the same type of switch, but in which a coil spring is used.
• FIG. 8 is a diagram of the most general electronic architecture of the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention using a microcontroller or a microprocessor operating on interruption of a data base. time.
• FIG. 9 is a diagram of the electronic architecture of the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention using a microcontroller or a microprocessor communicating via a serial link with a time base.
• FIG. 10 is a diagram of the electronic architecture of the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention, implementing the preexisting elements of a desktop computer or a calculator.
• Figure 11 is a diagram of a time base whose nominal frequency can be doubled or halved by means of two push buttons.
• the aim of the present invention is to offer in a continuous, irreversible and strictly exact manner, the possibility of viewing the elapsed seconds relating to a chosen past or present event, whether the reference date is before or after the start of the era. Christian. This invention makes it possible to keep a link at any time with the chosen and commemorated event.
• the user can stop the flow of seconds and freeze the display at the time he has chosen.
• the following orders of magnitude are given for the record: an hour is expressed in seconds with 4 digits (3600 seconds),
• the choice of the second as a unit of measurement allows to overcome the complexity of counting a time interval in years, months, days, hours, minutes, seconds. Over a long period, leap years must indeed be taken into account. A year is made up of 366 days if it is a leap while it only has 365 in the case reverse. Ignoring this difference creates a considerable difference of 86,400 seconds every four years.
• the power supply 1 is made up of at least two batteries, which can replace one another, so that the permanent power supply of the invention is ensured, without stopping the process.
• a Cadmium-Nickel type backup supplements it, however, in order to mitigate the consequences of cuts or displacements of the device.
• the commissioning system 2 constitutes the irreversible current transmission system. Initially, the current flows directly from the power supply 1 to the initializer 3, which is thus supplied. Once the commissioning system 2 is activated, the contact is established definitively, as indicated by arrow 8, to supply the time base 5.
• the commissioning system 2 feeds the time base 5 so that the flow of the seconds on the display 7 is ensured.
• the initializer 3 is an optional part which makes it possible to enter, before the time base 5 is put into service, a predetermined number on the display 7 corresponding to the time in seconds separating the instant of the triggering of the the event to commemorate.
• this number is done using a keyboard, a coding wheel, or two push buttons, one allowing to increment the digit on which one is positioned, the other allowing to shift the position of
• the deactivation system 4 another optional part of the device, is a permanent switch making it possible, as indicated by the arrow 9, to irreversibly switch the initial contact towards a contact bypassing the time base 5, which has the effect to definitively fix on display 7 the number which was registered there.
• the time base 5 delivers signals at the rate of one pulse per second in the display driver 6, which transmits the information on the display 7 in order to read the count on at least ten digits.
• the commissioning 2 and decommissioning 4 systems are preferably manually operated reversers according to
• the display driver 6 and the display 7 are advantageously combined in a single electromechanical device of the “pulse counter” type, the display of which persists even in the absence of a power supply.
• Another embodiment of the device for counting and displaying in seconds a time interval according to the invention is based profitably entirely on electronic components.
• the general scheme of the device is given in
• a power supply 10 provides the one or more voltages V necessary for the operation of the various electronic modules comprising:
• the power supply 10 consists of batteries, rechargeable batteries or rechargeable batteries according to the particular variant embodiments.
• the device according to the invention also comprises a redundant power supply 16, that is to say that in the event of failure of the main power supply 10, another power supply 16 is capable of supplying the energy necessary for the modules 11, 12 , 13, 14, 15. This redundancy is obtained in different ways depending on the variants.
• the simplest variant is that in which there are two independent batteries, the device being capable of operating on one or the other of the batteries.
• An indicator light consisting of a light-emitting diode (led), or a mark on the display 14, indicates the weakest battery to be recharged or replaced.
• a suitable mechanical arrangement of the power supply prevents the user from removing the two batteries simultaneously.
• the power supply 10 implements in a manner known per se a solar cell associated with a buffer accumulator.
• the solar cell has a simple function of saving the power supply 10 during a battery change, the user normally not performing this operation, in the dark.
• the same backup function is also advantageously carried out by a capacitor of large capacity, called “super-capacitor", for example of 1 Farad.
• the devices comprising a display 14 of large dimensions and / or very bright are preferably supplied by the 220V or 110V electrical network.
• the function of the battery supply 10 is in this case to overcome a power failure, or to supply current during the movement of the device.
• the power supply 10 produces the voltages V necessary for the system from the installation of the batteries by the user, or from the connection to the mains, in anticipation of the next or immediate use of the counting and display device in seconds according to the invention.
• the counting in itself is triggered by a first switch 17, the manipulation of which definitively opens an electrical circuit associated with the time base 12, such as those represented in FIGS. 3 and 4.
• the mechanical structure of one or the another of these counting trigger switches 17 is adapted to the particular use of the object for commemorative purposes in which they are integrated.
• the gesture must be symbolic. Meeting this criterion, the switches 17 have either a flexible tongue 18 or a flexible link 19 which the user must draw with a broad gesture.
• the device according to the invention must be able to function for a long period.
• the triggering factor is therefore the rupture of an electrical connection rather than the establishment of a contact, which is likely to oxidize over time.
• the electrical structure of the switches 17 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is established taking into account this reliability constraint.
• Figure 3a shows the tongue 18 in place at its initial position in this first switch 17 produced according to a preferred mode.
• the second end 21 of the tongue 20, internal to the switch 17, is in contact on one side with a support 22, and has on the opposite side a conductive area 23.
• Two separate electrical contacts 24 simultaneously press on this conductive area 23 Included between the first 20 and the second ends 21, a serrated intermediate part forms a rack 25.
• Guides 26 lead the tongue 18 from the inside of the switch 17 to the outside. At least one of them has a shape complementary to the rack 25 and cooperates with it.
• FIG. 3c clearly shows the strip-shaped tongue with the conductive zone 23 and the rack 25.
• the rack 25 is formed directly in the material of the tongue 18, which is preferably a flexible and resistant plastic material used in a known manner. for the manufacture of collars or closures for packaging.
• FIG. 4a An alternative embodiment of an irreversible switch 17, initially in the "closed” state, is shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c.
• the switch 17 includes a flexible link 19 such as a wire, a cord, a ribbon, or a string, one end 28 of which is capable of being grasped by the user, and the second end 29 of which is attached to a conductive spring 30 in the form of an anchor with two branches.
• the spring 30 the branches of which are initially wedged between supports 31 inside the switch 17 provided with electrical contacts 32, forms a conductive bridge between these contacts 32.
• the counting stop is triggered by a second switch 35 which must obey a reliability constraint opposite to that of the first switch 17.
• the final state must be reliable while, for the second switch 35, in order that the counting is not stopped prematurely, it is imperative that it is the initial state which retains its properties for a long period.
• Models of switches 35 satisfying this condition are shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.
• a preferred embodiment of this second switch 35 is shown in Figures 5a and 5b.
• a rack 36 is implemented as a non-return element in a similar manner to the arrangement of the first switch described in connection with Figures 3a and 3b.
• the switch 35 comprises a rod 37 guided in translation between an initial position and a final position.
• a first end 38 of the rod 37 is flush with the outer wall 39 of the object where the device according to the invention is integrated.
• the second end 40 of the rod 37 is provided with a conductive tip 41, facing two electrical contacts 42.
• the intermediate part 43 of the rod 37 is serrated and forms the non-return rack 36.
• the two electrical contacts 47 are advantageously made one in the form of a conductive pad 53 on a support, the other in the form of a conductive spring leaf 54, folded in a hook as shown in Figures 6a and 6b .
• the spring leaf 54 is replaced by a coil spring 55, as shown in Figures 7a and 7b.
• switches 17, 35 described above are particularly suitable for controlling the device according to the invention produced in a technology based on modern electronic components, and of which Figures 8, 9 and 10 show examples of architecture.
• Figure 8 shows a system where the logic control unit
• 11 consists of a microprocessor or a microcontroller
• a bus 58 with a time base 59, a display driver 60, a display 61 and an initialization module 62.
• CMOS Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor in English
• the family implemented is preferably the 4000 series, or derived, which has most of the common binary logic functions. All modules 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, are compatible with this technology and powered by a positive voltage Vcc of 3V to 18V with respect to ground 63 provided by one power • 10.
• Vcc positive voltage
• This family is a family with positive logic, that is to say that the logic "1" corresponds to a voltage level above a threshold, and the "0" corresponds to a voltage level below this threshold.
• the input threshold for a CMOS gate is 50% of the supply voltage Vcc.
• the microcontroller 57 operates by interruption. That is to say that a low logic level applied to the interrupt input INT (the bar indicates that the interrupt is active at the low level) triggers the execution of a subroutine capable of processing this interruption.
• Figure 8 shows that the interrupt IN is generated by an AND gate 64 with two inputs to which is applied, on the one hand, an INT0 interrupt possibly produced by the initialization module 62 and, on the other hand, the signal of an AND-NON 65 gate with two inputs.
• This output signal is the complement to 1 of the clock signal CLK at the frequency of 1 Hz produced by the time base 59, validated or not by the start switch 17 and the final stop switch 35.
• the AND-NON gate 65 having one of its inputs at level 0, always has a level 1 at output, whether the CLK clock pulses are present or not. In this case, only the INTO interrupts generated by the initialization module 62 are received by the microcontroller 57.
• the interrupt processing routine selects the initialization module 62 by bringing a CSO line from one of the microcontroller's output ports to the high level. 57, which allows the latter to read the data placed on the bus 58 by the module 62.
• the module 62 preferably comprises a digital keyboard, having one or more function keys.
• This keyboard makes it possible to enter the initial value of the count, to validate this value, and also, as will be specified below, the values of the corrections to be made to the display 61 during the count.
• the data coming from the initialization module 62 are read on the bus 58 by the microcontroller 57, and are processed; the result of this processing is displayed on the display 61 via the driver 60 which will have been selected on the bus by another selection signal CS2 generated by another line CS2 of an output port.
• a software lock prevents a new execution of the initialization subroutine after the validation of the initial count value.
• the first switch 17 is open, as is the second switch 35.
• the interrupt routine checks that the initialization module has not placed data on the bus 58 by selecting via CSO signal. In this case, the routine increments a register memorizing the number of seconds elapsed since the triggering of the counting, and refreshes the display 61 via the pilot 60 selected in turn via a signal CS2. If it appears that data has been placed on the bus 58 at the time when the initialization module has been selected by the signal CSO, this is information tending to correct the display, and the routine processes it in result.
• the second switch 35 is actuated.
• the corresponding input of door AND-NO 65 is put to ground 63.
• the clock pulses CLK are no longer transmitted to the interrupt input INT of the microcontroller 57, the second counter is no longer incremented, and the display 61 freezes.
• the INT interrupt is masked by a time counter internal to the microcontroller 57, in the absence of an interruption for more than a few seconds during the normal operating phase following startup.
• the display 61 is preferably an LED display, or liquid crystal display, controlled by a decoding and control circuit 60 interface with the bus 58. Many models are suitable, that the skilled person will select without particular difficulties.
• the time base 59 generates pulses beating the second with very high stability.
• the programmable crystal oscillators of the reference series SPG from the company EPSON are particularly suitable.
• the reference model 8651B, powered at 5 V, has an output frequency of 1 Hz, precise to 5 parts per million, and whose drift is less than 3 parts per million per year.
• FIG. 9 presents a variant of the electronic architecture of the device according to the invention adapted to the implementation of a time base 67 communicating with a microcontroller 68 by an interface of the "serial" SPI type.
• This type of time base 67 generates a data frame representing the value of a time count maintained in an internal register or received from a reference time standard.
• the reference elapsed time counter DS1602 of the Dallas Semiconductor Company transmits on a "serial" type port the state of an internal second counter on 32 bits, and is therefore able to virtually count the seconds during over 125 years.
• This circuit is supplied with 5 V and has an RST input for authorizing or inhibiting the output data.
• the first switch 17 authorizes the transmission of the counting data at the time of starting by passing the RST input to logic level 1.
• the second switch 35 inhibits data transmission by bringing the RST input to ground 63.
• the microcontroller 68 transmits on one of its ports 69 to the display driver 13 the data sent by the time base 67 when it occurs.
• the microcontroller 68 communicates by another port 70 with an initialization module 71 operating in interruption.
• a low level applied to the INT interrupt input of the microcontroller 68 when a key on the keyboard is pressed, or on a button, of the initializer 71 triggers, as in the previous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the execution of a subroutine displaying the initial count value if no data has been sent on the serial link, or taking into account the corrections being counted otherwise.
• the INT interrupt is masked when no more data appears on the SPI link after the normal operating period, which means that the device has been permanently stopped.
• a time base 67 of very high precision and stability is constituted by a module 67 for receiving reference time signals transmitted for example by stations DCF77 in Germany, WVB in the USA, JJY in Japan or MSF in UK.
• the time signals transmitted are based on the operation of a Cesium clock, that is to say on a primary standard defining the second.
• the signals received are transmitted on the "serial" type interface of the microcontroller 68 which decodes them to display the time elapsed since the start of this transmission controlled by the first switch 17 acting on a validation input of the module 67.
• this type are sold by the company MICRO ANALOG SYSTEMS under the reference MAS9178 for example.
• the first monostable 78 with Schmitt flip-flop at input generates a pulse Q0 of calibrated duration on the rising edge of the charging voltage of a capacitor 80 connected by a resistor 81 to the supply voltage Vcc at the time of power-up of the device.
• the second monostable 79 produces a Ql pulse on the falling edge of the Q0 pulse.
• the 4538 series 4000 precision double monostable is particularly suitable for these functions.
• a pre-existing calculator model such as those with a mixed supply 76 by battery and by solar cell *, the supply 76 then has the reliability required to ensure operation for a very long time.
• the time base 82 is advantageously of the same type as that described in connection with the assembly of FIG. 8, that is to say generating pulses of 1 Hz.
• the time base shown in the figure is preferably used Figure 11 in order to have a simple way to make corrections to the display by delaying or accelerating the counting.
• an oscillator 84 Quartz 85 86 outputs a square clock signal at 32.768 Hz. This signal is applied to the input of a binary counter 14 bits '87 performing a division by 2 14, c' i.e. by 16,384. The output signal therefore has a frequency of 2 Hz.
• a reference circuit 4060 of the 4000 series which incorporates both a 14-bit binary counter and an oscillator controlled by an external quartz.
• the output signal is applied to a first flip-flop 88 of type D, on the one hand, and to the input of an OR gate 89, on the other hand.
• the operation of this first flip-flop 88 is controlled by a first push button 90, open at rest, capable of bringing its RESET input to the high level, normally maintained at the low level by a resistor connected to ground 63.
• the output Q of the first flip-flop 88 is connected, on the one hand to the clock input C of a second flip-flop 91 of type D, and, on the other hand, to the OR gate 89.
• the operation of this second flip-flop 91 is controlled by a second push button 92, open at rest, capable of bringing its RESET input to the low level, normally maintained at the high level by a resistor connected to the power source Vcc.
• the output signal of the time base shown in Figure 11 results from the combination, in a NOR gate 93, of the output signal Q of the second flip-flop 91 and the output of the preceding OR gate 89.
• the reference circuit 4013 of the 4000 series is well suited to an optimized implementation because it includes in the same housing the two rockers D necessary for assembly.
• the reference circuit 4000 is also advantageous, since it comprises two OR gates and an inverter making it possible to produce the OR gate 89 and the OU-NO gate 93.
• the pushbuttons 90, 92 are at rest, the first flip-flop 88 whose l the RESET input is grounded while the second flip-flop 91 whose RESET input is at the high level is stopped.
• the frequency of the signal at 2 Hz from the divider 87 is therefore still divided by 2.
• the combination of the square signals at 1 Hz and at 2 Hz in the OR gate 89 creates pulses with falling edges at the input of the OR gate. NO 93 of frequency 1 Hz. Positive pulses at the frequency of 1 Hz are therefore present at the output of the gate YES-NO 93.
• the RESET input of the first flip-flop 88 goes high. This flip-flop 88 stops working. The output frequency of the time base is then 2 Hz.
• the RESET input of the second flip-flop 91 goes low.
• This flip-flop 91 enters into operation and generates output signals of frequency 0.5 Hz.
• the combination of square signals of frequencies 2 Hz, 1 Hz and 0.5 Hz in the OR 89 and OU-NON 93 gates creates output pulses at the frequency of 0.5 Hz.
• buttons 90, 92 Without stopping the counting and scrolling of the seconds on the display 61, the user is therefore able, thanks to these two buttons 90, 92, to compensate for an advance or a delay of the device.
• the invention is not limited to the preferential embodiments described above. On the contrary, it embraces all possible variants of implementation.
• the irreversible switches 17 and 35 can be made in a large number of different ways.
• the means used to limit the consumption of the device during operation in particular the standby of the initialization module 62, 71, or after the final shutdown, in particular the automatic switching off of the time base 59, 67, 82, would not depart from the scope of the present invention.
• These means are in fact known per se from the components used, such as the reference elapsed time counter DS1602, or the module for receiving time signals MAS9178.
• Certain microcontrollers or microprocessors 57, 68 also have standby or stop functions, automatic or controlled.

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