FR2826136A1 - PROGRAMMING METHOD FOR KEY PROGRAMMABLE CLOCKS AND PROGRAMMING KEY FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for programming programmable clocks (1) in the form of a modular box provided with a screen (2) for displaying data, a programming keyboard (3) and an opening (4) for receiving a programming key (5) comprising an electronic circuit provided with at least one programmable memory loaded with a computer program, and a corresponding programming key.Process characterized in that it essentially consists to make a momentary exemption from the resident program of a programmable clock (1) by means of a programming key (5) and to replace it with a non-overwriting priority program, without intervention on the programming keyboard (3) of the 'clock (1), the removal of the programming key (5) having the effect of automatically switching the clock (1) to its initial resident program. The invention is more particularly applicable in the field of domestic electrical equipment, in particular devices for the remote control of means for actuating this domestic electrical equipment, in particular by means of programmable clocks.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to the field of household electrical equipment, in particular remote control devices for actuating means of this household electrical equipment, in particular by means of programmable clocks, and relates to a method of programming such clocks. The invention also relates to a programming key

  for the implementation of this process.

  Currently, modular clocks for controlling the actuation and triggering of various electrical devices are generally of the type with time programming of contacts with a digital interface. This programming is carried out either by means of keyboard keys fitted to the clock or by means of

fixed programs loaded at the factory.

  Such clocks make it possible to meet the needs of simple programming, commonly used in building. However, in the case where more complex functions are to be fulfilled, these

  can hardly be programmed directly.

  To overcome this drawback, key programmable clocks have been proposed, in which the insertion of an electronic key provided with a program allows the loading of this program by overwriting the resident program, following a corresponding command by means keys on the clock keyboard. These known devices do not, however, allow the initial program of the clock to be taken into account after the latter has implemented the contained program.

in the key.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a method for programming time clocks and a programming key for implementing this method making it possible to facilitate the programming of digital clocks for the end user and

  temporarily modify the resident program of said clocks.

  To this end, the method of programming programmable clocks is characterized in that it essentially consists in making a temporary derogation from the resident program of a programmable clock by means of a programming key and in substituting for it a - 2 program. overwriting forcing without intervention on the clock programming keyboard, the withdrawal of the programming key having the effect of automatically switching the clock to its program

initial resident.

  The subject of the invention is also a programming key for the implementation of this method, characterized in that it integrates an electronic circuit comprising a memory containing at least one substitution program departing from the program resident in the

  clock memory, when connecting the key to the clock.

  The invention will be better understood, thanks to the description below

  after, which relates to a preLerated embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital clock implementing the method and key according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the clock and

  the key, the skins of both being removed.

  Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings show a programmable key clock 1 in the form of a modular case provided with a screen 2 for displaying data, a programming keyboard 3 and an opening 4 of reception of a programming key 5 comprising an electronic circuit 6 provided with at least one memory

  programmable loaded by a computer program.

  In accordance with the invention, this clock 1 and the programming key 5 implement a method which essentially consists in making a temporary derogation from the resident program of the programmable clock 1 by means of the programming key 5 and replacing it with a non-overwriting forcing program, without intervention on the keyboard

programming 3 of clock 1.

  To this end, the substitution of the derogation program for the resident program is carried out by detection of the presence of the programming key 5 in the reception opening 4, by means of a non-contact device with variation in potential or triggering resistance. a software task in the central unit of the clock 1, said software task causing an interruption of the program resident in said central unit and taking into account and execution of a program residing in the programming key 5, withdrawal of the programming key 5 having - 3 the effect of automatically switching clock 1 to its program

initial resident.

  The invention also relates to a programming key 5 which integrates an electronic circuit 6 comprising a programmable memory containing at least one substitution program derogating from the program residing in the clock memory, when the key 5 is connected to the clock 1. The opening 4 of the clock 1 intended for the reception of the programming key 5 has a bottom part in the form of a plug connector 7 (figure 2), this plug connector 7 being provided of a device, not shown, for detecting a change in potential or resistance at the connection of the plug-in part of the key 5 with said plug-in connector 7. Such a device for detecting a change in potential or resistance can be in the form of a simple sensor connected to the electronic circuit of clock 1 and delivering, during a variation of potential or resistance due to the presence of the pins 5 'of the key 5, a s igniter for triggering the resident program of programmable clock 1, as well as an order to read the program from the

programming 5.

  It follows that the program normally carried out by the programmable clock 1 is instantly stopped and replaced by the program read by the microprocessor of the central unit of the clock 1 in the memory of the programming key 5. This reading of this program is continued, possibly in a loop, throughout the duration of the presence of the key 5

in opening 4 of clock 1.

  Advantageously, the introduction of the key 5 into the opening 4 of the clock housing 1 will allow the execution of the program contained in the memory of the electronic circuit 6 of the key 5 after a predetermined period of time. by means of a timer and the simultaneous stopping of the progress of the program contained in the memory of the electronic circuit of the clock 1. The switching of the reading of the program of the clock 1 towards the reading of the program of the key 5 is performed automatically by the microprocessor equipping the electronic circuit of the clock 1 after reception, by said microprocessor, of the key presence signal, when the latter is introduced into the opening 4 and into the

3s plugging part 7.

  The withdrawal of the key 5 will be detected in an identical manner and a withdrawal signal will be sent to the microprocessor of the clock 1, which will then deliver a message for continuing the progress of the program.

resident of said clock 1.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the programming method can be supplemented or replaced by an operation of loading the resident program of the programming key 5 into the memory of the clock 1 by controlling the loading via the keyboard. programming 3. In the same way, it is possible to load the resident program of clock 1 in the memory of the

programming key 5.

  The program loaded into the memory of the programming key 5 can advantageously come from a program database or from a programming carried out by means of an informatic stati on, so that it can be clearly more elaborate and more complex than the programs produced to date directly on existing clocks using their digital keyboard. I1 follows that the programming can be facilitated for the user and that the very architecture of the clock, in particular of the programming keyboard 3 can also be simplified, while obtaining the possibility of carrying out

more complex function.

  When the key 5 is inserted into the opening 4 of the programmable clock 1, its detection can appear on the display screen 2 of said clock 1 by means of a corresponding symbol or message. Screen 2, which is managed by the microprocessor of the electronic circuit of clock 1, may also indicate the presence of a

  program in the key or an incompatibility of the key with the clock.

  If key 5 is compatible with clock 1 and the user only wishes to execute the program contained in the key, clock 1 will automatically switch to the program for key 5, after a predetermined time delay. The display on screen 2 will then show the corresponding symbol or inscription. As soon as the key is removed, the

  clock 1 resident program is run again.

  In the case where the user only wishes to read, save or copy the content of the key 5, he will use the clock keyboard to carry out one or the other of the operations provided. The clock will automatically switch to the program contained in key 5 after a duration

  of predetermined time delay, after completion of the last operation.

  - 5 In the presence of a key 5 is inappropriate for use with clock l, screen 2 displays an error or program fault message and clock l continues to execute the program contained in its own memory. The user can only make backups of a program of clock 1 in the memory of the electronic circuit of key 5. At the end of a backup operation, the clock continues to execute its program, after expiration of the predetermined time delay. If the user does not confirm a save operation, the error or program fault message will remain displayed on screen 2 and the clock will continue to operate normally on the basis of

his program.

  Thanks to the invention, it is possible to carry out a programmable clock programming with relatively complex functions, by implementing a simple method allowing simultaneously a simplification of the programming means specific to the clock. This results in a simplification of the latter and of its use. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without leaving for

  as much of the scope of protection of the invention.

- 6

Claims (6)

  1. Method for programming programmable clocks (1) in the form of a modular box provided with a screen (2) for displaying data, a programming keyboard (3) and a opening (4) for receiving a programming key (5) comprising an electronic circuit (6) provided with at least one programmable memory loaded by a computer program, characterized in that it consists essentially in making a temporary derogation from the resident program of a programmable clock (1) by means of a programming key (5) and to replace it with a non-overwriting forcing program, without intervention on the programming keyboard (3) of the clock (1), the withdrawal of the programming key (5) having the effect of switching   automatically clock (1) on its initial resident program.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the substitution of the derogation program to the resident program is carried out by detection of the presence of the programming key (5) in the reception opening (4), by means of a non-contact device with variation in potential or resistance triggering a software task in the central unit of the clock (1), said software task causing an interruption of the program resident in said central unit and taking into account and the execution of a program residing in the programming key (5), the withdrawal of the programming key (5) having the effect of automatically switching the clock (1) to its program initial resident.   3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is supplemented or replaced by an operation of loading the resident program of the programming key (5) in the memory of the clock (1) by command of the loading by via the programming keyboard (3). 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is supplemented or replaced by a program loading operation   resident of the clock (1) in the memory of the programming key (5).   5. Programming key for implementing the method according to claim 1, characterized in that it incorporates an electronic circuit (6) comprising a programmable memory containing at least one substitution program derogating from the program residing in   the clock memory, when the key (5) is connected to the clock (1).   6. Programming key according to claim 5, characterized in that it cooperates with an opening (4) of the clock (l) having a bottom part in the form of a plug connector (7), this connector plug-in (7) being provided with a device for detecting a variation in potential or resistance at the connection of the part