Program input and/or time setting device

• US 4,449,832 A
• Filed: 03/17/1982
• Issued: 05/22/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dieter Graesslin Feinwerktechnik
• Original Assignee: Dieter Graesslin Feinwerktechnik
• Inventors: Kammerer, Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US06/359,036
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 368/9, 368/62, 368/69-70, 368/72-74, 368/155-156, 368/185, 368/187, 368/306, 368/308, 368/319-321, 368/107-113, 340/347 P, 340/672, 340/347 AD
• US Class Current: 368/187
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/007 Electromechanical contact-making and breaking devices acting as pulse generators for setting
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/00 Time-pieces comprising means to be operated at preselected times or after preselected time intervals G04G11/00, G04G13/00 take precedence; electronic timers G04F1/005; pulse delay circuits H03K5/13; electronic time-delay switches H03K17/28; electronic time-programme switches which automatically terminate their operation after the programme is completed H03K17/296

Abstract

Manually actuatable means are provided for programming or time setting a digital-electronic time switch device which utilizes an analog program input eliminating the need for a separate data display terminal. The time setting system includes a manually adjustable dial assembly having at least one adjustable indicator arm movable about an annular time marking scale and connected through a train to a command encoder. The command encoder includes a wheel connected to the dial train for forward or backward rotation. The wheel is suitably constructed, such as by radial slits to code dial assembly settings for triggering a digital information transducer, such as an opto-electronic device, which signals an electronic counter. The electronic counter adjusts the device data memory by specific time units in relation to the digital information received by the command encoder. The dial assembly inherently indicates the adjusted time setting to the operator in readily observable analog form.

Claims

1. Apparatus for setting a digital-electronic time switch system comprising a command encoder means for emitting digital signals to a data memory means for controlling said time switch means, said command encoder means having transducer means for converting mechanical rotational movement in a forward or reverse direction into digital signals, and an adjustable dial assembly comprising a dial face formed with an annular time scale, at least one dial arm means selectively rotatable in forward and reverse directions about said dial face, and a train means mechanically connecting said dial arm means and said transducer means for varying the digital signals to said data memory, said transducer means comprising a rotatable slotted disk, a light barrier means for receiving an annular edge of said disk and generating light pulses by passage of said disk slots therethrough, and a pulse counter means connected to said light barrier means for converting said light pulses into digital signals and said light barrier means having a fork-shaped housing portion defining an opening through which said disk slots are passed, one arm of said housing portion containing a light transmitter and the other arm of said housing portion containing a pair of adjacent receivers for intercepting light from said transmitter passed through said disk slots, such that when one receiver is engaged by light from said transmitter the other receiver is shaded by said disk enabling said light barrier means to discern relative direction of movement of said disk.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light pulses represent individual, specific time intervals.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dial arm means are manually adjustable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said command encoder means and said dial assembly is in the form of a modular unit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dial assembly comprises a plurality of said dial arm means each respectively associated with one said train means and one said transducer means.

6. Apparatus for setting a digitalelectronic time switch system comprising a command encoder means for emitting digital signals to a data memory means for controlling said time switch means, said command encoder means having transducer means for converting mechanical rotational movement in a forward or reverse direction into digital signals, and an adjustable dial assembly comprising a dial face formed with an annular time scale, at least one dial arm means selectively rotatable in forward and reverse directions about said dial face, and a train means mechanically connecting said dial arm means and said transducer means for varying the digital signals to said data memory, wherein said transducer means comprises two pulse generator wheels disposed for rotation on a common shaft, each wheel being formed with respective direction locking means such that each wheel is only rotatable in a direction opposite of the other, and electromechanical contact means respectively associated with each wheel for emitting pulse signals upon rotation of said each wheel, and said train means comprises a control knob connected to said common shaft.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said pulse signals represent individual, specific time intervals.