Method and apparatus for automatically displaying a correct time and date when initially activating a clock

• US 20040027921A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Radio Corporation (Nimble Holdings Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Radio Corporation (Nimble Holdings Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Auer, Gottfried
• Granted Patent: US 7,359,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/21
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0076 in which the time in another time-zone or in another city can be displayed at will
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/08 by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements, e.g. by using multiplexing techniques G04G9/0082 takes precedence

Abstract

Method and apparatus for automatically displaying a correct time and date when initially activating a clock. After manufacture of the clock and before it is purchased by the user, a basic data set, including the time and geographical region data, are input to the clock via an interface. The data are stored in a memory of a microcontroller. After purchase by a user, the clock is plugged into a power grid and the correct time and date are displayed without the need to set the clock.

Claims

21. A method for presetting a clock having an electronic control circuit, interface means assigned to the electronic control circuit, a time display, an electronic control circuit, and a time base, and memory cooperating with the electronic control circuit, the memory storing data necessary for displaying correct information on the display, the method comprising the steps of:

prior to distribution of the clock, loading into the clock a basic data set comprising geographical region data and time of day data in the geographical region by way of a person operating a setting means that communicates with the electronic control circuit via the interface means, each said time of day data of said basic data set being associated with a specific geographic region in which the clock is destined for use; and

updating the display by way of the time base during transport of the clock such that a correct time associated with the specific geographic region in which the clock is destined for use is displayed on the clock upon connecting the clock to a power grid;

wherein upon connecting the clock to the power grid, the basic data set is used by the electronic control circuit to automatically calculate a time associated with the specific geographic region to display on the clock at least one of a current time, a current date and a current day of the week at the specific geographic region that the clock is in use.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

setting at least one of a current time, a current date and a current day of the week associated with the region in which the clock is in use via the interface means.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

inputing current data of all time zones when setting the clock via the interface means.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the basic data set comprises calendar data.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the calendar data comprises at least one of an eternal calendar, leap years and time of switching backward and forward between summer/winter time for the specific region.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein a user of tie clock selects a time zone associated with which region the clock is located in.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the calendar data is read into the memory via the interface means.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the user of the clock sets at least one of a current time, a current date and a current day of the week associated with the specific geographic region.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the specific geographic region is a geographical region in a specific time zone.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the electronic control is a microcontroller.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the memory stores calendar data for displaying the correct date and time adjustments for daylight savings time.

32. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:

switching time data to different geographical time zones via an input which interacts with the electronic control circuit.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein the clock is a clock radio.

43. The method of claim 21, wherein the setting means comprises a personal computer.

44. The method of claim 21, wherein the interface is an electromechanical interface that connects to a personal computer.

45. The method of claim 21, wherein the basic dated set is uploaded to the clock one of prior to final assembly of the clock at a dealer and at an individual retail store by a person.

34. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

applying a back-up power source to the clock upon a main power supply failure to ensure preservation of data stored in the memory.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the back-up power source is a battery.

36. A clock having an electronic control circuit, a time display and a time base, comprising:

means for uploading a basic data set comprising geographical region data and time of day data in the geographical region to the electronic control circuit subsequent to assembly of the clock, each said time of day of said basic data set being uploaded from a setting means that is in operative communication with the electronic circuit;

memory cooperating with the electronic control circuit, said memory storing the basic data set comprising the geographical region data and the time of day data in the geographical region that is associated with a specific geographic region of a country in which the clock is destined for use; and

a device connected to the electronic circuit for powering the clock;

said device being battery buffered to provide a continuous power source during transport of the clock; and

time updating means for updating the display by way of the time base during transport of the clock such that a correct time associated with the specific geographic region in which the clock is destined for use is displayed on the clock upon connecting the clock to a power grid;

wherein upon connecting the clock to the power grid, the basic data set is used by the electronic control circuit to automatically calculate a time associated with the specific geographic region to display on the clock at least one of a current time, a current date and a current day of the week at the specific geographic region that the clock is in use.

37. The clock of claim 36, wherein the electronic control is a microcontroller.

38. The clock of claim 36, wherein the memory stores calendar data for displaying the correct date and time adjustments for daylight savings time.

39. The clock of claim 36, wherein the device for powering the clock is a battery.

40. The clock of claim 36, wherein the clock is a clock radio.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the specific region is a geographical region in a specific time zone.

42. The clock of claim 36, further comprising:

input elements cooperating with the electronic control circuit;

said input elements adapted to select at least one of a current time, a current date and a current day of the week.

46. The clock of claim 36, wherein the interface is an electromechanical interface that connects to a personal computer.