GB2212953A

GB2212953A - Universal timepiece with a calculating function

Info

Publication number: GB2212953A
Application number: GB8827311A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tetsuro Suzuki; Maki Kubota
Original assignee: Seikosha KK
Current assignee: Seikosha KK
Priority date: 1987-11-24
Filing date: 1988-11-23
Publication date: 1989-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2008-11-23
Also published as: GB8827311D0; GB2212953B; KR890008643A; KR910006437B1; JPH01136092A; HK114393A

Abstract

A universal timepiece with a calculating function comprises designation switches (1), respectively corresponding to chief cities which have time differences therebetween, for informing time of day at each city, register keys (2), and a rate memory circuit (5) for storing monetary exchange rates in various cities with respect to the currency in the specific city. A control circuit (9) converts the currency in any designated city into the currency in any other city in response to registration of the currency in the said designated city by said register keys (2) and a respective designation switch (1) for designating said designated city. Informing means (10) such as a display device, selectively inform the result of the calculation carried out by the control circuit and time of day at the city designated through said designation switch. <IMAGE>

Description

UNIVERSAL TIMEPIECE WITH A CALCULATING FUNCTION This invention relates to universal timepieces with a calculating function.

Due to the nature of their business, businessmen and the like who are active internationally often need to know the time of day in various countries in the world and to convert the currency of a specific country into that of various other countries in the world. In such a case, it is conventional practice to determine time of day in each country in the world using a universal timepiece and then convert the currency in a specific country into that of various other countries in the world using the calculating function of a separate calculator on the basis of exchange rates obtained and memorised by referring to a newspaper or the like.

Since in the prior art a universal timepiece and a calculator are two separate devices, these devices are bulky to carry for a businessman or the like who needs both of them. Further, when conversion is made on the basis of an exchange rate, it is possible to use only the calculating function of the calculator. Accordingly, to perform exchange rate calculation for a plurality of countries, the operation is particularly troublesome and time consuming.

The present invention seeks to provide a universal timepiece with a calculating function which is convenient for portable use and which enables exchange rate calculation to be readily and reliably carried out.

Although the present invention is primarily directed to any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or steps, herein disclosed and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings, nevertheless, according to one particular aspect of the present invention to which, however, the invention is in no way restricted, there is provided a universal timepiece with a calculating function comprising: designation switches, respectively corresponding to a plurality of chief cities which have time differences therebetween, for informing time of day at each city; register keys; a rate memory circuit for storing exchange rates in various cities with respect to the currency in a specific city; a control circuit for converting the currency in any designated city into the currency in another city in response to registration of the currency ;n said designated city by said register keys and a respective designation switch for designating said designated city; and informing means for selectively informing the result of the calculation carried out by said control circuit and time of day at the city designated to said designation switch.

In one embodiment the arrangement is such that, in operation, said control circuit converts the currency in any designated city into the currency in said specific city in response to registration of the currency in said designated city by said register keys and operation of both the designation switch for designating said designated city and a first calculation key.

In another embodiment the arrangement is such that, in operation, said control circuit converts the currency in said specific city into the currency in any designated city in response to registration of the currency in said specific city by said register keys and operation of both a designation switch for designating said designated city and a second calculation key.

In a further embodiment the arrangement is such that, in operation, said control circuit converts the currency in any first desired city into the currency in a second different desired city in response to registration of the currency in said first city by said register keys and operation of both the designation switch for designating said first city and a designation switch for designating said second city.

The invention is illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a universal timepiece according to the present invention with a calculating function; Figure 2 is a front view showing a specific example of the universal timepiece of Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are flow charts used to describe the operation of the universal timepiece shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a universal timepiece according to the present invention with a calculating function; Figure 6 is a flow chart used to describe the operation of the universal timepiece of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a further embodiment of a universal timepiece according to the present invention with a calculating function; and Figures 8 and 9 are flow charts used to describe the operation of the universal timepiece of Figure 7.

Throughout the drawings like parts have been designated by the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated one embodiment of a universal timepiece according to the present. invention with a calculating function. The universal timepiece has designation switches 1 corresponding with major or chief cities on a panel having a world map drawn thereon. Register keys 2 are for inputting numerical data. A timing circuit 3 determines time of day in a specific city which is used as a reference. A time difference memory circuit 4 stores time differences between the specific city and the chief cities. A rate memory circuit 5 stores exchange rates in the chief cities with respect to the currency in the specific city. A register 6 holds the numerical data input through the register keys 2, a register 7 holds a result of calculation, and a CPU (central control circuit) 8 effects various kinds of control.The registers 6, 7 and the CPU 8 together constitute a control circuit 9. Informing means 10 informs the various kinds of information on the basis of a signal from the CPU 8. In this embodiment, the informing means is a display device. A mode switch 11 is used for changing over between a plurality of modes.

Figure 2 shows one practical example of the display panel, the keys 2 and the informing means 10.

The designation switches 1 are touch switches which are marked with the names of cities and the respective units of currency. The informing means 10 is a liquid crystal panel to display time of day in a certain city in a normal state. According to need, the display is changed for display of currency.

The operation of the universal timepiece of Figures 1 and 2 will next be explained. First, when it is used as a universal timepiece, the mode switch 11 is set to a position WORLD TIME and the user touches the designation switch 1 for a designated city the time of day of which it is desired to know. In consequence, time of day at the designated city is calculated on the basis of the time of day at the specific city which is determined in the timing circuit 3 and the time difference between the specific city and the designated city which has previously been stored in the time difference memory circuit 4. A signal representing the calculated time of day is output to the informing means 10, so that the time of day at the designated city is displayed on the informing means 10.The number marked on each designation switch 1 is displayed by two digits at the left hand end of the informing means 10 to indicate the city the time of day of which is being displayed.

The operation which is conducted when exchange rate calculation is performed will now be explained with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 3. The mode switch 11 is changed over to a position CAL and the currency in the designated city (other than the specific city) is input using the register keys 2. In consequence, the input numerical value of the currency is held in the register 6 and a confirmation sound "P!" is generated from a sounding device (not shown). In addition, the numerical value of the designated city is displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [1]).

Next, the designation switch 1 for the designated city is touched. In consequence, the exchange rate in the designated city which has been stored in the rate memory circuit 5 and the numerical value held in the register 6 are read out and input to the CPU 8 where the two values are multiplied together. Then, the register 6 is reset. The result of the calculation is held in the register 7 and a confirmation sound "P!" is generated from the sounding device. In addition, the calculation result is displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [2)).

For example, in the case where the specific city is Tokyo, while the designated city is New York, and 15 dollars is to be converted into yen, 15 is first input through the register keys 2 and the designation switch for New York is subsequently touched. In consequence, the exchange rate "1 dollar = 140 yen" which has been stored in the rate memory circuit 5 is read out to calculate 15 x 140 = 2,100 yen and the result of the calculation is displayed on the informing means 10.

By virtue of the foregoing operation, if the mode switch 11 is changed over to the position WORLD TIME the time of day at each of the chief cities can be known, whereas, if the mode switch 11 is changed over to the position CAL, it is possible to convert readily and reliably the currency in the designated city other than the specific city into the currency in the specific city.

The operation which is conducted when an exchange rate in each of the chief cities is set will next be explained with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 4. When the mode switch 11 is changed over to a position RATE SET and an exchange rate is input through the register keys 2, the input numerical value is held in the register 6 and a confirmation sound "P!" is generated from the sounding device (Routine [3)).

Subsequently, the designation switch 1 for a designated city for which an exchange rate is desired to be set is touched. In consequence, the numerical value held in the register 6 is stored in the memory for the designated city in the rate memory circuit 5 under the control of the CPU 8 and a confirmation sound "P!" is generated from the sounding device (Routine [41).

For example, in the case where Tokyo is the specific city and an exchange rate (1 dollar = 140 yen) in New York is to be set, 140 is input through the register keys 2 and the designation switch 1 for New York is subsequently touched. On the other hand, in the case where New Yock is the specific city and an exchange rate (1 yen = 0.007 dollar) in Tokyo is to be set, 0.007 is input through the register keys 2 and the designation switch 1 for Tokyo is subsequently touched.

By the foregoing operation, it is possible to set an exchange rate in each of the chief cities.

Another embodiment of a universal timepiece according to the present invention wit a calculating function will be described with reference to Figure 5.

A first key 12 is used not only to carry out multiplication but also to convert, for example, dollars into yen with Tokyo being defined as a specific city. A second key 13 is used not only to carry out division but also to convert, for example, yen to dollars with Tokyo being defined as a specific city. The reference numerals 1 to 11 denote the same elements as those shown in Figure 1.

The operation of the universal timepiece of Figure 5 will now be explained with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 6. When the mode switch 11 is changed over to the position CAL, the first key 12 can be used as a multiplication key having its normal calculating function and the second key 13 can also be used as a division key.

In the case where the currency in a designated city other than the specific city is to be converted into the currency in the specific city on the basis of an exchange rate, the currency in the designated city is input through the register keys 2. In consequence, the input numerical value is held in the register 6 and also displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [5]).

When the first key 12 is touched, "1" is set in an x judging flag (Routine [6)), and when the designation switch 1 for the designated city is touched subsequently, the exchange rate in the designated city which has been stored in the rate memory circuit 5 is read out by the CPU 8 and displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [7)). Next, an equals key (not shown) is touched. Then, since the x+ judging flag is "1", the exchange rate in the designated city read out from the rate memory circuit 5 and the numerical value held in the register 6 are multiplied together in the CPU 8 and the result of the calculation is held in the register 7 and also displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [8]).

For example, in the case where 75 dollars is to be converted into yen on the assumption that the specific city is Tokyo, while the designated city is New York, and the exchange rate has been set at "1 dollar = 140 yen", 75 is input through the register keys 2 and then the first key 12 is touched. Next, the designation switch 1 for New York is touched and then the equals key is touched. In consequence, 10,500 is displayed on the informing means 10 and thus 75 dollars is known to be 10,500 yen.

In the case where the currency in the specific city is to be converted into the currency in a designated city other than the specific city, the currency in the specific city is input through the register keys 2. In consequence, the input numerical value is held in the register 6 and also displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [5]). When the second key 13 is touched, "2" is set in the x+ judging flag (Routine t9]), and when the designation switch 1 for the designated city is subsequently touched, exchange rate in the designated city which has been stored in the rate memory circuit 5 is read out by the CPU 8 and displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [7]).

Next, the equals key is touched. Then, since the x+ judging flag is "2", the numerical value held in the register 6 is divided by the exchange rate in the designated city which has been read out from the rate memory circuit 5 in the CPU 8, and the result of the calculation is held in the register 7 and also displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [10]).

In the case where 10,500 yen is to be converted into dollars on the assumption that the specific city is Tokyo, while the designated city is New York, and the exchange rate has been set at "1 dollar = 140 yen 10,500 is input through the register keys 2 and then the second key 13 is touched. Next, the designation switch 1 for New York is touched and then the equals key is touched. In consequence, 75 is displayed on the informing means 10 and thus 10,500 yen is known to be 75 dollars.

By virtue of the foregoing operation, it is possible to readily and reliably convert the currency in a designated city other than a specific city into the currency in the specific city and also convert the currency in the specific city into the currency in a designated city other than the specific city.

It should be noted that the operations which are respectively conducted when the device is used as a universal timepiece and when an exchange rate is set are the same as those in the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

Another embodiment of a universal timepiece according to the present invention with a calculating function will be described with reference to Figure 7.

In this embodiment, the currency in any desired city may be converted into the currency in any other desired city in response to registration of the currency in a first city which is conducted through the register keys 2 and operation of both the designation switch 1 for the first city and the designation switch 1 for a second city.

In Figure 7, reference numeral 14 denotes a register for holding both the city number of the first city and the city number of the second city.

The operation which is conducted when exchange rate calculation is performed will next be explained with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 8.

Exchange rates in various cities with respect to the currency in any desired reference city have been set in the rate memory circuit 5 in advance. When the mode switch 11 is changed over to the position CAL and the currency in any desired first city is input through the register keys 2, the input numerical value is held in the register 6 and also displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [11]). When the designation switch 1 for the first city is touched subsequently, the city number thereof is held in the register 14 and the symbol mark representing the currency unit which corresponds to the city number is displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [12]). Next, the designation switch 1 for a second city the currency into which the currency in the first city is desired to be converted is touched. In consequence, the city number of the second city is held in the register 14.Then, the exchange rate corresponding to the first city number which has been held in the register 14 is read out from the rate memory circuit 5 and the read out exchange rate and the numerical value held in the register 6 are multiplied together to convert the currency into the currency in the reference city. Next, the exchange rate corresponding to the second city number which has been held in the register 14 is read out from the rate memory circuit 5 and a value which has been converted into the currency in the reference city is divided by the read out exchange rate and thereby converted into the currency in the city corresponding to the second city number held in the register 14.The result of the calculation is displayed on the informing means 10 together with the symbol mark representing the unit of currency in the city corresponding to the second city number held in the register 14.

In the case where 10 dollars is to be converted into pesos on the assumption that the reference city is Tokyo and the exchange rate in New York has been set at "1 dollar = 140 yen", while the exchange rate in Mexico City has been set at "1 pesos = 7 yen", 10 is input through the register keys 2 and the designation switch 1 for New York is touched and then the designation switch 1 for Mexico is touched. In consequence, 200 is displayed on the information means 10 together with the symbol mark representing the unit of currency in Mexico City and thus 10 dollars is known to be 200 pesos.

By virtue of the foregoing operation, it is possible to convert readily and reliably the currency in any desired city into the currency in any other desired city simply by changing over the mode switch 11 to the position CAL.

It should be noted that the operation of the device which is conducted when it is used as a universal timepiece is the same as in the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

The operation which is conducted when an exchange rate in each of the chief cities is set will next be explained with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 9. When the mode switch 11 is changed over to ,he position RATE SET and then an exchange rate is input through the register keys 2, the input numerical value is held in the register 6 and also displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [14]). When the designation switch 1 for a city for which an exchange rate is desired to be set is touched subsequently, the numerical value held in the register 6 is stored in the memory for said city in the rate memory circuit 5 under the control of the CPU 8 and the symbol mark representing the unit of currency in said city is displayed on the informing means 10 (Routine [15)).

It should be noted that in the first embodiment of Figure 1 rate exchange calculation is carried out in such a manner that in the case where the specific city is Tokyo and U.S. dollars is to be converted into Japanese yen, registration is first made through the register keys 2 and then the designation switch 1 for New York is touched. However, this order is not necessarily exclusive and the order may be such that the designation switch 1 for New York is first touched and then the register keys 2 are actuated.

In the second embodiment of Figure 5, when the specific city is Tokyo and U.S. dollars is to be converted into Japanese yen, registration is first made through the register keys 2 and then the first key 12 and the designation switch 1 for New York are successively touched. However, the mentioned order is not necessarily exclusive and the order may be such that the designation switch 1 for New York is first touched and then the first key 12 and the register keys 2 are successively actuated. The order may also be such that the designation switch 1 for New York is first touched and then the register keys 2 and the first key 12 are successively actuated. Other orders may also be adopted.Although in the case where Japanese yen is to be converted into U.S. dollars the registration is first made through the register keys 2 and the second key 13 and the designation switch 1 for New York are successively touched, the mentioned order is not necessarily exclusive and the order may be such that the designation switch 1 for New York is first touched and then the second key 13 and the register keys 2 are successively actuated. The order may also be such that the designation switch 1 for New York is first touched and then the register keys 2 and the second key 13 are successively actuated. Other orders may also be adopted.

In the third embodiment of Figure 7, when the reference city is Tokyo and U.S. dollars are to be converted into pesos, registration is first made through the register keys 2 and then the designation switch 1 for New York and the designation switch 1 for Mexico City are successively touched. However, the mentioned order is not necessarily exclusive and the order may be such that the designation switch 1 for New York is first touched and then the register keys 2 and the designation switch 1 for Mexico City are successively actuated. The order may also be such that the designation switch 1 for New York is first touched and then the designation switch 1 for Mexico City and the register keys 2 are successively actuated. Other orders may also be adopted.

Although in each of the foregoing embodiments of the present invention a display means is employed as the informing means 10, it is also possible to employ a method wherein information is given in the form of a voice using a sounding device.

According to the present invention, it is possible optionally to perform exchange rate calculation for converting the currency in any desired city into the currency in a city other than said desired city by using designation switches provided corresponding with the chief cities in the world for informing time of day at each of the cities and by actuating at least the designation switches and register keys. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the troublesomeness of separately carrying a universal timepiece and a calculator which has heretofore been experienced. The universal timepiece according to the present invention is compact and convenient for portable use and enables exchange rate calculation to be speedily and reliably carried out with a simple operation.

Claims

1. A universal timepiece with a calculating function comprising: designation switches, respectively corresponding to a plurality of chief cities which have time differences therebetween, for informing time of day at each city; register keys; a rate memory circuit for storing exchange rates in various cities with respect to the currency in a specific city; a control circuit for converting the currency in any designated city into the currency in another city in response to registration of the currency in said designated city by said register keys and a respective designation switch for designating said designated city; and informing means for selectively informing the result of the calculation carried out by said control circuit and time of day at the city designated to said designation switch.

2. A universal timepiece as claimed in claim 1 in which the arrangement is such that, in operation, said control circuit converts the currency in any designated city into the currency in said specific city in response to registration of the currency in said designated city by said register keys and operation of both the designation switch for designating said designated city and a first calculation key.

3. A universal timepiece as claimed in claim 1 in which the arrangement is such that, in operation, said control circuit converts the currency in said specific city into the currency in any designated city in response to registration of the currency in said specific city by said register keys and operation of both a designation switch for designating said designated city and a second calculation key.

4. A universal timepiece as claimed in claim 1 in which the arrangement is such that, in operation, said control circuit converts the currency in any first desired city into the currency in a second different desired city in response to registration of the currency in said first city by said register keys and operation of both the designation switch for designating said first city and a designation switch for designating said second city.

5. A universal timepiece with a calculating function substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

6. Any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or steps, hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings, irrespective of whether the present claim is within the scope of or relates to the same, or a different, invention from that of the preceding claims.