Clock saver apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. Apparatus for restoring clock operations in an appliance clock subsequent to a power outage, said apparatus comprising a microprocessor coupled to non-volatile memory, said microprocessor configured to:
- detect a predetermined condition associated with a power outage;
store clock data in said non-volatile memory upon detection of the predetermined condition;
upon restoration of power, determine whether the power outage duration was less than a predetermined time period; and
if the power outage duration was less than said predetermined time period, restore clock operations using the stored clock data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Clock saver apparatus and methods which enable the restoration of clock operations in the event that a power outage is brief and without requiring that an operator reset the clock are described. In one embodiment, the clock is restored to a time setting equal to the time at which the power outage was detected. For example, if the power outage is detected at 11:08:32 a.m., then the restored time after restoration of power is set at 11:08:32 a.m. In another embodiment, the clock is restored to a time setting equal to the time at which the power outage was detected plus the determined time duration of the power outage. For example, if the power outage is detected at 11:08:32 a.m., and if the power outage duration is 15 seconds, then the restored time after restoration of power is set at 11:08:47 a.m.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. Apparatus for restoring clock operations in an appliance clock subsequent to a power outage, said apparatus comprising a microprocessor coupled to non-volatile memory, said microprocessor configured to:
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detect a predetermined condition associated with a power outage;
store clock data in said non-volatile memory upon detection of the predetermined condition;
upon restoration of power, determine whether the power outage duration was less than a predetermined time period; and
if the power outage duration was less than said predetermined time period, restore clock operations using the stored clock data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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- 14. Apparatus for restoring clock operations in an appliance clock subsequent to a power outage, said apparatus comprising a microprocessor, a user interface coupled to said microprocessor, and a time determining circuit coupled to said microprocessor for measuring an elapsed time from loss of power to said microprocessor and restoration of power to said microprocessor, said microprocessor comprises a power failure detection timer, said microprocessor configured to reset said power failure detection timer upon detection of a zero crossing of an AC signal supplying power to said microprocessor.
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19. A method for restoring clock operations in an appliance, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a predetermined condition associated with a power outage;
storing clock data upon detection of the predetermined condition;
upon restoration of power, determining whether the power outage duration was less than a predetermined time period; and
if the power outage duration was less than the predetermined time period, restoring clock operations using the stored clock data. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. Apparatus for restoring clock operations in an appliance clock subsequent to a power outage, said apparatus comprising a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory coupled to said microprocessor, said microprocessor comprising a first port and a second port, said first port normally set to high during operation of said microprocessor, said microprocessor further comprising an on-board analog to digital converter, said second port coupled to said converter, said apparatus further comprising a user interface coupled to said microprocessor, and a power outage time determining circuit coupled to said microprocessor for measuring an elapsed time from loss of power to said microprocessor and restoration of power to said microprocessor, said power outage time determining circuit comprising a capacitor coupled to said first port of said microprocessor for receiving a charge during microprocessor operations, said capacitor coupled to said second port so that a signal representative of a charge stored in said capacitor is supplied to said second port, said microprocessor configured to:
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detect a predetermined condition associated with the power outage;
store clock data in said non-volatile memory upon detection of said predetermined condition;
upon restoration of power, determine whether the power outage duration was less than a predetermined time period; and
if the power outage duration was less than said predetermined time period, restore clock operations using the stored clock data. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A microprocessor for controlling operation of an appliance clock for an oven subsequent to a power failure, said microprocessor programmed to:
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determine whether the power failure occurred while cooking;
if the power failure did not occur while cooking, and if the length of the power failure was less than a predetermined time, then restoring clock operation without requiring a user to input clock entries; and
if the power failure did occur while cooking, and if the length of the power failure was greater than a predetermined time, then requiring a user to input clock entries before restoring clock operation. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
if the power failure did not occur while cooking, and if the length of the power failure was less than a first predetermined time, then restoring clock operation without requiring a user to input clock entries; and
if the power failure did occur while cooking, and if the length of the power failure was greater than a second predetermined time different than the first predetermined time, then requiring a user to input clock entries before restoring clock operation.
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37. A microprocessor for controlling operation of an appliance clock for an oven subsequent to a power failure, said microprocessor programmed to:
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determine whether the power failure occurred while cooking;
if the power failure occurred while cooking, then requiring a user to input an entry before restoring operation; and
if the length of the power failure was less than a predetermined time, then restoring clock operation without requiring a user to input clock entries. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification