JPS61278783A - Electronic timer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent overlapped setting of on output and off output at the same time by comparing the form of output intended to set and the form of output already set at the same time with the time intended to set and giving a warning when they differ. CONSTITUTION:A CPU3 writes time of output inputted from an operating section 1 through an input interface 2 and output programs of on output and off output. When output to be set is on (off) output, and time of off (on) output is already set at the same time with the set time in the program of an ROM5, an output form comparator detects the difference of output form and outputs to a warning device. Thus, overlapped setting, that is, output setting of different output form at the same time can be avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic timer having two or more settable on-output times and off-output times, and a time display.

(Summary of the Invention) The present invention utilizes an output format comparison means that outputs an output when there is a duplicate setting, and a warning means that operates based on the output from this output format comparison means, to increase the capacity of the display section. , it is possible to prevent on-output and off-output from being set redundantly at the same time without complicating the display circuit and its control means and increasing the cost.

(Prior art and its problems) Conventionally, the mainstream of timers configured to be able to set two or more on-output times and off-output times are mechanical timers that mechanically turn on and off contacts using synchronous motors. It was a type of timer.

In such a timer, for example, a center point is set in a groove corresponding to a desired time for on-output or off-output among a large number of grooves carved in a disk that rotates once every 24 hours.

However, in recent years, advances in semiconductor technology have led to the development of electronic timers that utilize microcomputers, ICs, and the like.

This electronic timer includes, for example, a liquid crystal display and a key switch. That is, the set time is displayed on the display section by operating a key switch, and after confirming this, the on-output setting or off-output setting is performed.

However, such conventional electronic timers have the following problems.

The display capacity of the time display section is small enough to display only one time. Therefore, when setting the on-output time or the off-output time, only the set time at that time is displayed, that is, it is not possible to check the time that has already been set. Therefore, there is a possibility that the output settings will be made redundantly at the same time as the time that has already been set.

However, when setting output in the same format, this is a so-called overwrite, so there is no problem. That is, even if on outputs are set redundantly or off outputs are set redundantly at the same time, there is no problem because the form of the timer output remains unchanged.

However, if outputs of different formats are set to overlap at the same time, the output formats will be reversed. In other words, if off output is set redundantly at a time when on output is already set, the output that should be on at that time will become off output, or at a time when off output is already set. If the ON output is set redundantly, the output that should be OFF at that time becomes ON output.

If this happens, the control of the equipment controlled by the electronic timer will be disrupted. That is, at the set time, a device that is supposed to be driven is not driven, or a device that is supposed to be stopped is not stopped.

In addition, in the case of mechanical timers, the setter is set in the groove of the disc, so it is possible to visually confirm the setter that has already been sent, and the problem of duplicate settings is essentially eliminated. Does not occur.

By the way, if the display capacity of the time display section of an electronic timer is increased so that the maximum set time of the settable number of times can be displayed at one time, the output format and settings that have already been set can be displayed. You can check the time at a glance. Therefore, duplicate output settings are avoided.

However, increasing the display capacity of the display unit in this way not only increases the cost of the display unit, but also complicates the configuration of the display circuit and increases the cost of the CPU, memory, etc. to drive the display circuit. There is a problem in that the control means also becomes complicated, which increases the cost.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of displaying data at the same time without increasing the capacity of the display unit, complicating the display circuit and its control means, and increasing costs. The purpose of this invention is to prevent overlapping settings of on output and off output.

It should be noted that time is one point, not a range of time, and overlapping settings for on output and off output at the same time will cause on output duration and off output duration. The meaning is different from the overlapping setting with time.

(Configuration and Effects of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, the electronic timer of the present invention is an electronic timer that has two or more settable on-output times and two or more settable off-output times, and is also equipped with a time display section, and the electronic timer has two or more settable on-output times and two or more settable off-output times, and is equipped with a time display section. Output format comparison means that compares the time to be attempted with the output format already set at the same time and outputs an output when the two output formats are different, and a warning that operates based on the output from this output format comparison means. It is equipped with means.

The effects of this configuration are as follows.

When setting on-output or off-output, the time to be set is displayed on the display section, but the already set on-output time or off-output time is not displayed.

If the output you are trying to set is an on output, and an off output is already set at the same time as that setting time,
The output form comparison means detects a difference in the output form and outputs it to the warning means. In addition, if the output to be set is an OFF output and the ON output is already set at the same time as the setting time, the output form comparison means detects the difference in output form and outputs it to the warning means. do.

The warning means operates based on the output from the output form comparison means and issues a warning. The operator who is aware of this warning recognizes the duplicate settings and resets the time settings again so that the duplicate settings do not occur. Therefore, the duplicate settings are avoided.

Furthermore, in order to avoid overlapping settings for ON output and OFF output, the display capacity of the display section is not increased so that all set times and all set outputs can be displayed at once; No need to increase costs. There is no significant complication of the display circuit or its control means.

From the above, according to the present invention, the capacity of the display section can be increased,
It is possible to prevent on-output and off-output from being set redundantly at the same time without complicating the display circuit and its control means and increasing costs.

(Description of Examples) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a flowchart for setting the time and output form of the electronic timer; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic timer;
FIG. 3 is an external view of the electronic timer.

First, the blocks in FIG. 2 will be explained.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an operation unit for setting the output time, ON output, and OFF output by manual key operation; 2 is an input interface connected to the operation unit 1; 3 is a CPU connected to the input interface 2; and 4 is connected to the CPU 3. RAM, 5
is a ROM connected to the CPU 3, 6 is a clock generator connected to the CPU 3, 7 is an output interface connected to the CPU 3, 8 is an output section (relay output section) connected to the output interface 7, and 9 is an output This is a display unit connected to the interface 7.

The CPU 3 has a function of writing into the RAM 4 the output time and output programs for ON output and OFF output that are input from the operation unit 1 via the input interface 2.

It also has a function of generating the current time by counting the clocks generated from the clock generator 6 according to a program written in the ROM 5.

The CPU 3 compares the current time with the on-output time or the off-output time stored in the RAM 4 according to the settings, and when the two times match, outputs the on-output or off-output to the output section 8 via the output interface 7. It has a function of outputting to the corresponding relay and updating the current output display on the display section 9.

Further, the CPU 3 has a function of instructing the display unit 9 to display the time to be set, the current time, and the output format when inputting an output program from the operation unit 1.

The RAM 4 has a storage capacity necessary to store at least two or more combinations of on outputs, off outputs, and corresponding set times. Specifically, the electronic timer of this embodiment has two output terminals in its output section 8, and the RAM 4 stores separate output programs output from each input terminal.

, in the program of ROM5, if the output to be set is ON output and OFF output is already set at the same time as the setting time, the output form comparison means detects a difference in the output form and issues a warning. If the output to be output to the means or the output to be set is an OFF output, and the ON output is already set at the same time as the setting time, the output form comparison means detects a difference in the output form. This includes a step of outputting to a warning means. This step and the function of the CPU 3 that executes this step are the output form comparison means in the structure of the invention.

The program in the ROM 5 also includes a step of rapidly blinking the display on the display section 9 in a shorter cycle than the normal blinking cycle, based on the output from the output form comparing means. This step and the function of the CPU 3 that executes this step are warning means in the structure of the invention.

Next, FIG. 3 will be explained.

The display section 9 is provided at the center of the surface of the main body 10 of the electronic timer. This display section 9 is a liquid crystal display. In FIG. 3, the time display 9a.

This shows a state in which the output status display 9b and day of the week display 9c are displayed.

Around the display section 9, various keys 1a to 1e are provided on the surface of the main body 10. Mode key ia is used to switch between time setting mode, output program mode, and day of the week setting mode.

The write key 1b is used to set the hour and minute, on-output setting, and off-output setting. The PLUS key IC is used to update the hour, minute, and day of the week one by one and to set the ON output. The minus key Id sets the hour, minute, and day of the week to 1.
This is used to set up updates to be sent forward one by one and off output settings. The cycle key 1e is used to set an output program that repeats on and off at a constant cycle within a specific time. These keys 1a to 1e constitute an operation section l.

11.12 is a manual output control switch provided corresponding to each of the two output terminals, and is used for RUN mode to operate the CPU 3 and perform the timer function, and forcibly keep the output on at all times. It is possible to switch between an ON mode in which the output is turned off and an OFF mode in which the output is forcibly turned off at all times.

Next, the operation of setting an output program in the electronic timer of this embodiment will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart relates to an output program for one of the two output terminals.

In step (2), the on-output time or off-output time to be set is input using the operation unit l.

In step (2), input the output form, ie, on output or off output.

It is determined whether the time has already been set at the same time as the time to be set in step (2). Y
In the case of ES, proceed to step ■. At the time to be set in step (2), it is determined whether the output format to be set and the output format that has already been set are the same, or in other words, whether the two output formats are different. In other words, whether the output you are trying to set is an on output and an off output has already been set at the same time as the setting time, and whether the output you are trying to set is an off output and the time is the same as the setting time. Determine whether the on output is already set to the time.

In other words, it is determined whether there are duplicate settings for different types of output.

In this judgment, if there is a duplicate setting, the process moves to step (2), and an error display command is issued to the display section 9. This error display is performed by rapidly blinking the display time. After confirming the high-speed blink, the operator returns to step (3) and resets the time and output format settings. This avoids duplicate settings.

If the same time is not set as determined in step ■,
Proceed to step ■ and determine whether an error message is being displayed. If an error display has been displayed first, proceed to step
After issuing the command, it moves on to other processing. If no error display has been performed first, the process proceeds directly to other processing.

In this flowchart, step (2) and step (2) correspond to the output form comparison means in the constitution of the invention, and step (2) corresponds to the warning means in the constitution of the invention.

As described above, it is possible to avoid duplicate settings, that is, output settings with different output formats being performed at the same time.

The present invention also includes, as an embodiment, a warning means configured to link the output status display 9b or the day of the week display 9C, turn on or blink a lamp, or sound an alarm such as a buzzer. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a flowchart for setting the time and output form of the electronic timer; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic timer; and FIG. is an external view of an electronic timer. 1...Operation unit, 3...CPU, 4...RAM, 5
ROM, 6... Clock generator, 8...
Output section, 9...display section

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Settable on output time and off output time to 2
An electronic timer with a time display and a time display, which compares the output format to be set with the output format already set at the same time as the time to be set, and outputs both outputs. An electronic timer comprising an output form comparing means for outputting an output when the forms are different, and a warning means operating based on the output from the output form comparing means. (2) Claim No. (2) wherein the warning means blinks the time display on the display section.
Electronic timer described in section 1). (3) Claim No. 3, wherein the warning means is a horn.
Electronic timer described in section 1).