WO1997007484A2

WO1997007484A2 - Stopwatch for games of chess

Info

Publication number: WO1997007484A2
Application number: PCT/DE1996/001527
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eberhard Weisheit; Rainer Paust; Hans Bodach
Original assignee: Uhren Und Feinmechanik Ruhla Gmbh
Priority date: 1995-08-17
Filing date: 1996-08-16
Publication date: 1997-02-27
Also published as: WO1997007484A3; DE19633010A1; DE29513193U1; EP0786119A2

Abstract

A stopwatch for games of chess is designed as an electronic stopwatch with preferably two analogue dials, actuating keys for each player and an electronic control of the measurement of different play times. The object of the invention is to develop a stopwatch for games of chess with parallel analogue and digital play time displays, an optimum display of the remaining play time and a direct flip-over indication of the end of the play time. For that purpose, this stopwatch for games of chess with analogue and digital play time displays and an electronic control circuit is characterised in that the play time displays are separated, arranged at determined positions in relation to each other and synchronically interconnected. To display the remaining play time and the end of the play time they have analogue flip-over displays and electronic flip-over displays arranged above, below or besides the analogue flip-over displays and synchronically connected thereto. This stopwatch also allows various play programmes to be automatically adjusted and controlled by means of an electronic programme selection table.

Description

S c h a c h u r

The invention relates to a chess clock which, as an electronic chess clock, preferably has two analog time display devices, shift and actuation keys for each player and an electronic control of the time measurement for different seasons.

Several versions of different mechanical or electronic chess clocks for different game systems, game types and programs are known. The proven and well-known game time display by pointer ensures the usual fast time information when playing using known battery-operated quartz clock drives.

Solutions are known in which the mechanical clockworks have been replaced by analog quartz clockworks and the electronic signals for controlling the quartz clockworks are used in order to achieve an accurate end-of-game display by means of controlled, precise case pointer displays. Such an electronic chess clock is described in DE 35 05 263 AI, which is based on the solution according to DE 33 12 075 AI.

These clockworks consist of a quartz-controlled electronic time module for different times for normal games as well as for flash chess games, whereby the dial can have different distances for different types of games. Each time display device is associated with a case hand, which is arranged on the dial and dimensioned so that it is raised before reaching the 12 o'clock position of the minute hand and held until it falls from the tip of the minute hand as soon as the 12 o'clock Position has reached. Because no exact coordination

ERSAΓZBLÄΓΓ (RULE 25) is possible between minute and case hands and therefore there are considerable inaccuracies in the players' thinking time and their equal opportunities, the case pointer has been assigned a locking mechanism with a pulse counter. A release impulse for the locking should enable a more exact time display. The disadvantage, however, is the high electromechanical outlay for this locking device and thus its slight susceptibility to malfunction.

More electronic chess clocks with digital

Game time display allow the display of the remaining game time taking into account game time additions or time deductions in a directly readable form. Such solutions are e.g. described in detail in the patents DE 34 27 433 AI, DE 38 20 915 AI and NL 93 00 805. With these solutions, the digital displays are also provided for recognizing the end of the season. Although these time display devices provide information about the used or still available cooling time, which is displayed precisely, they are particularly difficult to read at a glance, especially for the last minutes of the game. Since the moves in flash chess are to be carried out quickly one after the other, an optically quick and precise time display is required.

Analog and digital display of the playing time takes place according to patent specification FR 26 85 502, which includes a version with both displays. In this document FR 26 85 502, the digital and analog time display are visible in parallel and are time-synchronized with the aid of a microprocessor control. It is also possible to quickly adjust the pointers using a series of pulses

ERSÄΓZBLÄΓT (RULE 26) to apply predetermined positions and to enable a quick pointer adjustment of the analog display to the start time. The digital display enables additional information to be displayed, preferably the date, time, number of moves and the time that has passed since the start of the game. Although this known chess clock is extremely versatile due to digital and analog time display and the display of further information for the game sequence via a microprocessor control, which implements the commands of the function keys, it has disadvantages in the display of the last game section. This is in no way highlighted by the player. So these watches are not advantageous for their use in rapid or flash chess.

The object of the present invention is to develop a chess clock which, due to its structure, displays the playing time in parallel in an analog pointer display and in a digital display and optimally displays the playing time end, primarily the last part of the game and the direct end of the game by falling papers enables.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by one of two analogue time displays, an electronic control circuit, a digital time display and two

Main actuation keys existing chess clock solved, which is characterized in that the analog Spielzeit¬ each have a digital play time display arranged above, below or next to them and the known analog leaflet fall displays each have an electronic leaflet display arranged above, below or next to them for the course of the last Own game section and the end of the game. Enable two light signal displays

ERSÄΓZBLAΠ (RULE 26) According to the invention, a different colored display of the game duration, the last minute of the game and the end of the game time. With a program board, by means of further switching devices and function keys, an electronic program selection for different types of game or game or

Thinking times or rules of the game possible, whereby the selected program is visible on a program display. As is known, the digital playing time displays of the chess clock according to the invention consist of liquid crystal displays and have an hour, minute, second digital display for the remaining playing time of both players.

As is known, the analog time displays of the chess clock according to the invention are designed as a clockwork mechanism and have a minute-step circuit.

The analog leaflet drop indicator, consisting of falling leaflets, is arranged in such a way that when the minute hand is moved, it drops exactly in the 60th second immediately after the last minute step of the game time and thus immediately shows the end of the game time.

All functions, programs, display of seasons, etc. are controlled by an electronic control circuit with a microprocessor and other electronic component groups.

The sequence of the last section of the game, preferably the last minute of the game, is of essential importance for the fast optical detection for the players and is illustrated by the electronic leaflet displays, represented according to the invention as graphic diagrams.

The graphically represented electronic according to the invention

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) Falling papers can be designed as different diagrams, such as column, pie or line diagrams, but preferably as bar diagrams. The field of each bar chart according to the invention for the last section of the game, preferably the last minute of the game, is divided into several segments at intervals of seconds or several seconds and / or in different colors and brightnesses. Each digital playing time display for the remaining playing time and analogue playing time display for the activated playing time are time-synchronized for a player via a microprocessor of the electronic control circuit. Likewise, each electronic leaflet drop indicator for the last game section and the end of the game time is switched in time-synchronized fashion with the analog leaflet drop indicator for the end of the game time for each player via the microprocessor of the electronic control circuit. This means that the end of the game can be signaled twice for each player through the exact timing of the last section of the game and the immediate display of the end of the game. The successive extinction of the segments of the diagram field and the extinction of the last segment in the field of the bar diagram are clearly visible at the same time as the fall pointer falls at the end of the season.

Furthermore, it is possible according to the invention for the light signal displays of the chess clock to display colored light signals for each player via a light-emitting diode, which preferably indicates the activated playing time in one color (green), the last game section in a second color (yellow) and a third color (red) signal the end of the season. The light signal displays can be switched on and off via switches.

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26) The chess clock according to the invention also has, in addition to the known main operating buttons for the players, further switching devices which, according to a program board on the back of the watch housing, enable the selection of different game programs or rules via function buttons. The hands of each analog game time display can be automatically adjusted to predetermined positions by the electronic control circuit in accordance with the respective game program requirements. Likewise, according to the invention, the last time status of each set game program when the game is interrupted can be set and reactivated as an energy-saving stand-by state via an actuating device, so that the last program setting is always retained when the clock is switched off.

The structure of the chess clock according to the invention has significant advantages with regard to its functions and its operation. For the players, it enables a more precise, clearer and optically clearer time control thanks to the electronically controlled analog and time-synchronized digital game time and leaflet displays. The display of the last section of the game in the form of a reducible bar chart using the LCD field and the extinction of the last segment of each chart at the same time as the known, widely visible ones

Fall pointer displays provide the player and referee with clearly recognizable information from the last section of the game and indicate the end of the game time to the second. In this way, regardless of mechanical inaccuracies, the sequence of the last section of the game and the last second of the game are signaled exactly.

For the interruption of the game it is advantageous to over to have the so-called stand-by status of the clock, the latest time status and the set programming immediately available again after reactivation.

The various game programs can be set by means of a program board and function keys via the electronic program selection. All known thinking time and bonus time variants can be created using this program selection. The pointers show the activated seasons, the bonus times appear on the digital LCD display for the real remaining seasons.

The invention is to be illustrated below in several figures using exemplary embodiments of the chess clock according to the invention.

FIG. 1: the front view as an overall view with analog and digital playing time displays, analog and electronic leaflet displays. FIG. 2: the back according to FIG. 1

Figure 3: the front view as an overall view with analog and digital game time displays, electronic leaflet displays Figure 4: the back of Figure 3 Figure 5: the circuit diagram for digital

Playtime displays and electronic leaflet drop displays on the display Figure 6: the analog leaflet drop display according to Figure 1.

The chess clock according to the invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as an exemplary embodiment. she

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) consists essentially of the known components of the analog game time display 4, ie of two clock movements, of the known main actuation buttons 5 for the players, of an electronic control circuit with a microprocessor and of various electronic digital display fields for controlling the course of the game. All mechanical and electronic components are housed in one housing. In addition to the analog pointer displays 4, which have a minute-step switching of the analog-electronic pointer time display and, according to the selected program according to program field 13, display the activated program playing time, the watch has a digital playing time display 3 for each player as a liquid crystal display for displaying the remaining playing time in hours - minutes - seconds. According to FIG. 1, this digital playing time display 3 is preferably arranged above the analog playing time display 4. Furthermore, the chess clock according to FIG. 1 has an analog leaflet display 2 for each player for the exact and clear representation of the last section of the game, preferably the last minute of the game

Fall pointers within the analogue time display 4 and an electronic leaflet fall indicator 1 each. These analog leaflet fall indicators 2 with the mechanical falling leaflets are arranged in such a way that they fall exactly in the 60th second immediately after the last minute step has been carried out by moving the minute hands 11 of each pointer display 4. The electronic leaflet drop indicators 1 are in the form of so-called bar diagrams according to FIG. 1 below the pointer indicators 4 and show the course of the last game section, preferably the last minute of the game, divided into individual segments for one or more seconds each. The bar graphs of the electronic leaflet display 1 are in individual

REPLACEMENT BLAΓΓ (RULE 26) Segments, preferably subdivided for every second or every third second, and can be designed in different colors and / or light-dark gradations. The consumption of the last minute of the game is shown graphically and / or optically by the electronic bar diagrams by gradually deleting individual segments in the field of each diagram, for example in discrete seconds. The disappearance of the last segment of the bar graph can also be signaled by lighting up (flashing) the entire field of leaflets and / or a light emitting diode display 9 as the end of the playing time.

Since each analogue playing time display 4 for the activated playing time is time-synchronized with the corresponding digital playing time display 3 for the remaining playing time and each electronic leaflet drop display 1 for the last minute of the game and the end of the playing time with the analog leaflet falling display 2 for the end of the playing time via a microprocessor of the electronic control circuit 6 are switched on, the end of the playing time is also indicated optically to the second by deleting the last segment in the field of each bar diagram and at exactly the same time by dropping the leaf falling pointer 2 on the dial of the pointer display 4 in the last second.

In addition, it is possible for each player to have a light signal indicator 9 (FIG. 3) using a light-emitting diode to display colored light signals, so that a player's active pointer indicator 4 preferably indicates the activated playing time by a green indicator light 9, the last stage of the game signaled by a yellow signal indicator 9 and the end of the game by a red signal indicator 9.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) Each minute hand 11 of an active analogue time display 4, ie the active hand clock, moves forward in minute steps in accordance with the active times of the player due to the minute cycle. The digital playing time display 3 provides information on the progress of the used up playing time, that is, counts down and always shows the remaining playing time of each player, taking into account bonus times. The light signal display 9 can be switched on and off via switch 10.

FIGS. 2 and 5 show that the chess clock according to the invention has 5 further switching devices 8 as function keys in addition to the main operating keys, in order, inter alia, to to select an active game program from a large number of different game programs according to program board 13 on the back of the watch case (FIG. 2). The selected activated program can be read on the program display 7 on the front of the clock. About this electronic program selection according to the

Program board 13, the hands of each analog game time display 4 are automatically and electronically set electronically to the intended game position by the electronic control circuit 6 (FIG. 5), and the associated digital game time display 3 immediately and synchronously shows the total remaining game time. When changing the program, an automatic quick pointer adjustment to a new start time is possible.

In the last minute of the game (according to the example), the bar diagrams, which can be arranged both vertically (Figure 3) and horizontally (Figure 1), also show the time consumption e.g. accurate to the second

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) graphically and / or optically.

If the game is interrupted, it is possible to put the last time for each player into a power-saving sleep state (stand-by) for the set game programming via a corresponding actuating device, so that the last program setting is retained and can be reactivated again at any time.

FIGS. 3 and 5 show an embodiment of the clock in which the program display 7, the digital time display 3 and the electronic leaflet display 1 together represent an electronic display 12.

Throughout the game, the programmable electronics maintain the synchronicity between the pointer display and the electronic display. As a result, the combination according to the invention of optically quickly ascertainable analog time displays and the exact information of digital time representation accurate to the second is possible, which also enables the active programmable game programs for chess to be expanded.

REPLACEMENT BLUE (RULE 26) List of the reference symbols used

1 electronic leaflet display

2 analog leaflet display 3 digital playing time display

4 analogue time display

5 main operation buttons

6 electronic control circuit

7 Program display 8 additional switching devices

9 light signal display

10 switches for light signal display

11 minute hand

12 electronic display 13 program board

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26)

Claims

claims

1. Chess clock, consisting of two analog game time displays as pointer displays, an electronic control circuit, a digital game time display and two main actuation buttons, characterized in that they

- For both analogue game time displays (4) separately, a digital game time display (3) arranged above, below or next to them,

the known analog leaflet fall indicators (2) arranged on the analogue time of day displays (4) for the end of the season and two electronic leaflet displays (1) arranged above, below or next to these for the end of the last game section and the end of the season,

- two light signal displays (9) for a different colored display of the activated playing time, the last game section and the end of the playing time, - a program display (7) and electronic program selection with a program board (13) for different playing times and

- The known main control buttons (5), an electronic control circuit (6) and other switching devices (8).

2. Chess clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the digital game time displays (3) preferably consist of an LCD display and have an hour - minute - second digital display for the remaining game times of both players.

3. chess clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the analog time displays (4) as known

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) Pointer clockwork are formed and have a minute-step circuit of the analog-electronic pointer time display.

4. Chess clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the analog leaflet fall indicators (2) are designed as known mechanical fall leaflets and are arranged so that they move immediately after movement of the minute hand (11) each analog time display (4)

Execution of the last minute step falls exactly in the 60th second.

5. Chess clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic leaflet displays (1) are designed as graphic diagrams, preferably as Balken¬ diagrams, and the field of each diagram for the last game section, preferably the last minute of the game, in individual segments for one or several seconds, in the same or different color and / or brightness.

6. Chess clock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each analog game time display (4) for the activated playing time of a selected game program visible via the program display (7) with the digital playing time display (3) for the remaining playing time via a microprocessor of the electronic Control circuit (6) is switched time-synchronized.

7. chess clock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) that each electronic leaflet indicator (1) for the last part of the game and the end of the season is time-synchronized with the analog leaflet fall indicator (2) for the end of the season via the microprocessor of the electronic control circuit (6).

8. chess clock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each electronic leaflet display (1) 0 by step-by-step extinction of individual segments in the field of each diagram shows the timing of the last game section.

9. chess clock according to one of claims 1 and 8, 5 characterized in that each electronic leaflet display (1) by the last segment in the field of the diagram and the associated analog leaflet display (2) by dropping the fall pointer in the last 0 second the end of the game Show at the same time.

10. Chess clock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each light signal display (9) via a light-emitting diode 5 displays 5 colored light signals, preferably in one color the activated playing time, in a second color the last game section and in a third color Signal the end of the game time and that the light signal display (9) can be switched on and off via switches (10). 0

11. Chess clock according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in addition to the main operating buttons (5)

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26) Has switching devices (8) as function keys and a program board (13) for game programming.

12. chess clock according to one of claims 1 to 11,

5 characterized in that the pointer of each analog time display (4) by the electronic control circuit (6) via the electronic program selection according to the program board (13) automatically according to the respective

10 program requirements can be set to the intended positions.

13. Chess clock according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the last time of each set game programming when the game is interrupted by an actuating device as a power-saving stand-by state can be set and reactivated.

20 14. Chess clock according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the program display (7), the digital game time displays (3) and the electronic leaflet display (1) as an electronic

25 display (12) are shown.

REPLACEMENT BLAπ (RULE 26)