Method for programming timer to execute timing operations

• US 6,708,135 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AAB, Inc., SSAC LLC (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ABB Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Morris, Robert C. Jr., Carroll, Dan S., Volz, Kenneth C., Southworth, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lau, Tung S
• Application Number:
  US10/037,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20020152412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 702/176, 700/12, 340/870, 710/1, 379/102, 713/168
• US Class Current: 702/176
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/006 for operating at a number of different times cigar or cigarette receptacles or boxes with means for limiting the frequency of smoking A24F15/005
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

In the present invention, several timer functions (e.g. delay on make, delay on break, recycle, single shot, etc.) are expressed in terms of a series of timer subfunctions, and code segments are developed for each identified subfunction. A program of a timer is established to include a plurality of subfunction code segments and a subfunction ordering table for determining the ordering of execution for the subfunction code segments. The ordering of subfunctions of the subfunction ordering table may be selectable in accordance with a model number input received at a program builder system adapted for use in programming the programmable timer. In one embodiment, the programming method provides for reprogramming of a timer including a control circuit having a one-time programmable processor.

Claims

1. A method for making a timer module that performs a desired timer function, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a programmable timer module having a power supply circuit, an output circuit, and a programmable control circuit adapted to control at least one function of at least one of said power supply circuit, and said output circuit;

establishing a program builder system for building a timer operating program for transmission to said timer module, said program builder system adapted to build a timer operating program including a plurality of timer subfunction code segments each corresponding to a different subfunction, wherein said program builder system includes a lookup table correlating each of a plurality of timer functions with a specific set of said subfunctions, wherein said program builder system is adapted to receive a timer function request input, and wherein said program builder system is adapted to build a subfunction ordering table based on said function request input and based on timer subfunctions correlated with said function request in said lookup table;

making available a model number data page correlating a plurality timer model numbers with information respecting said timer model numbers;

presenting a function request to said program builder system so that said program builder system develops for incorporation into said timer operating program a subfunction ordering table in accordance with said function request input, wherein said presenting step includes the step of selecting a timer model number based on said information of said model number data page; and

loading said timer-operating program into said timer module.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said program builder system is at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said loading step is executed by a customer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said program builder system is at a supplier'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said loading step is executed by a supplier.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said model number data page is electronically displayed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and provided on at least one paper substrate.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is selected from the group consisting of a delay on make timer function, a delay on break timer function, a single shot timer function, a recycle timer function, and an interval timer function.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said establishing step includes the step of establishing said builder system so that said builder system makes said timer operating program with blank code segments adapted to accommodate at least one new subfunction ordering table, whereby said module can be reprogrammed in accordance with a new desired timer function without recruiting of a plurality of said subfunction code segments.

9. A method for making a timer module that performs a desired timer function, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a programmable timer module having a power supply circuit, an output circuit, and a programmable control circuit adapted to control at least one function of at least one of said power supply circuit, and said output circuit;

establishing a program builder system for building a timer operating program for transmission to said timer module, said program builder system adapted to build a timer operating program including a plurality of timer subfunction code segments each corresponding to a different subfunction, wherein said program builder system includes a lookup table correlating each of a plurality of timer functions with a specific set of said subfunctions, wherein said program builder system is adapted to receive a timer function request input, wherein said program builder system is adapted to build a subfunction ordering table based on said function request input and based on timer subfunctions correlated with said function request in said lookup table, and wherein each of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is selected from the group consisting of a delay on make timer function, a delay on break timer function, a single shot timer function, a recycle timer function, and an interval timer function;

presenting a function request to said program builder system so that said program builder system develops for incorporation into said timer operating program a subfunction ordering table in accordance with said function request input; and

loading said timer-operating program into said timer module.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said program builder system is at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said loading step is executed by a customer.

11. The method of claim 9, said program builder system is at a supplier'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said loading step is executed by a supplier.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said model number data page is electronically displayed.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and provided on at least one paper substrate.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of making available a model number data page correlating a plurality timer model numbers with information respecting said timer model numbers.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said establishing step includes the step of establishing said builder system so that said builder system makes said timer operating program with blank code segments adapted to accommodate at least one new subfunction ordering table, whereby said module can be reprogrammed in accordance with a new desired timer function without rewriting of a plurality of said subfunction code segments.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is a delay on make timer function.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is a delay on break timer function.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is a single shot timer function.

20. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is a recycle timer function.

21. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is an interval timer function.

22. A method for making a timer module that performs a desired timer function, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a programmable timer module having a power supply circuit, an output circuit, and a programmable control circuit adapted to control at least one function of at least one of said power supply circuit, and said output circuit;

establishing a program builder system for building a timer operating program for transmission to said timer module, said program builder system adapted to build a timer operating program including a plurality of timer subfunction code segments each corresponding to a different subfunction, wherein said program builder system includes a lookup table correlating each of a plurality of timer functions with a specific set of said subfunctions, wherein said program builder system is adapted to receive a timer function request input, and wherein said program builder system is adapted to build a subfunction ordering table based on said function request input and based on timer subfunctions correlated with said function request in said lookup table, and wherein said establishing step includes the step of establishing said builder system so that said builder system makes said timer operating program with blank code segments adapted to accommodate at least one new subfunction ordering table, whereby said module can be reprogrammed in accordance with a new desired timer function without rewriting of a plurality of said subfunction code segments;

presenting a function request to said program builder system so that said program builder system develops for incorporation into said timer operating program a subfunction ordering table in accordance with said function request input; and

loading said timer-operating program into said timer module.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said program builder system is at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said loading step is executed by a customer.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said program builder system is at a supplier'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said loading step is executed by a supplier.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and wherein said model number data page is electronically displayed.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer at a customer'"'"'s place of business, and provided on at least one paper substrate.

28. A timer module comprising:

an output circuit; and

a control circuit including a one-time programmable memory, said one-time programmable memory storing thereon an operating program for operating a timer, said program including;

a plurality of subfunction code segments each of said subfunction code segments corresponding to a different timer subfunction; and

a subfunction ordering table determining an ordering of subfunctions for execution of said subfunction code segments,

wherein said operating program includes a reprogramming status code section, wherein said reprogramming status code section is adapted to be read to determine a number of times said module has been reprogrammed.

29. The module of claim 28, wherein said module is adapted to receive a display-equipped device which displays an indicator indicating a number of times said timer module has been reprogrammed.

30. The module of claim 28, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module.

31. The module of claim 28, wherein said program includes reprogramming status code section, wherein said reprogramming status code section is adapted to be read to determine a number of times said module has been reprogrammed.

32. The module of claim 28, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module, said program builder system having stored thereon a lookup table correlating timer functions with lists of subfunctions.

33. The module of claim 28, wherein said program further includes at least one blank code segment for accommodating a new subfunction ordering table without requiring rewriting of any subfunction code segment of said program.

34. The module of claim 28, further comprising a single housing encapsulating said output circuit and said control circuit.

35. The module of claim 28, wherein said at least one of said plurality subfunction code segments is a subfunction selected from the group consisting of a “

turn load on” and

“

turn load off”

subfunction.

36. The module of claim 28, wherein said program further includes at least one timer operating parameter code segment, said operating parameter code segment, selected from the group consisting of a timer range code segment a fixed/adjustable code segment, and a fixed time delay code segment.

37. The module of claim 28, wherein said control circuit includes an 8 bit microprocessor.

38. A timer module comprising:

an output circuit; and

a control circuit including a programmable memory, said programmable memory storing thereon an operating program for operating a timer, said program including

a plurality of subfunction code segments each of said subfunction code segments corresponding to a different timer subfunction; and

a subfunction ordering table determining an ordering of subfunctions for execution of said subfunction code segments,

wherein said subfunction ordering table establishes an ordering for execution of said subfunction code segments so that a timer function is executed by execution of said ordering of subfunction code segments.

39. The module of claim 38, wherein said executed timer function is selected from the group consisting of a delay on make timer function, a delay on break timer function, a single shot timer function, a recycle timer function, and an interval timer function.

40. The module of claim 38, wherein said memory is a one-time programmable memory.

41. The module of claim 38, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module.

42. The module of claim 38, wherein said program includes reprogramming status code section, wherein said reprogramming status code section is adapted to be read to determine a number of times said module has been reprogrammed.

43. The module of claim 38, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module, said program builder system having stored thereon a lookup table correlating timer functions with lists of subfunctions.

44. The module of claim 38, wherein said program further includes at least one blank code segment for accommodating a new subfunction ordering table without requiring rewriting of any subfunction code segment of said program.

45. The module of claim 38, further comprising a single housing encapsulating said output circuit and said control circuit.

46. The module of claim 38, wherein said at least one of said plurality subfunction code segments is a subfunction selected from the group consisting of a “

turn load on” and

“

turn load off”

subfunction.

47. The module of claim 38, wherein said program further includes at least one timer operating parameter code segment, said operating parameter code segment selected from the group consisting of a timer range code segment, a fixed/adjustable code segment, and a fixed time delay code segment.

48. The module of claim 38, wherein said control circuit includes an 8 bit microprocessor.

49. A timer module comprising:

an output circuit; and

a control circuit including a programmable memory, said programmable memory storing thereon an operating program for operating a timer, said program including

a plurality of subfunction code segments each of said subfunction code segments corresponding to a different timer subfunction; and

a subfunction ordering table determining an ordering of subfunctions for execution of said subfunction code segments,

wherein said operating program further includes at least one blank code segment for accommodating a new subfunction ordering table, without requiring rewriting of any subfunction code segment of said program.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said memory is a one-time programmable memory.

51. The module of claim 49, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module.

52. The module of claim 49, wherein said program includes reprogramming status code section, wherein said reprogramming status code section is adapted to be read to determine a number of times said module has been reprogrammed.

53. The module of claim 49 wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module, said program builder system having stored thereon a lookup table correlating timer functions with lists of subfunctions.

54. The module of claim 49, wherein said program further includes at least one blank code segment for accommodating a new subfunction ordering table, without requiring rewriting of any subfunction code segment of said program.

55. The module of claim 49, further comprising a single housing encapsulating said output circuit and said control circuit.

56. The module of claim 49, wherein said at least one of said plurality subfunction code segments is a subfunction selected from the group consisting of a “

turn load on” and

“

turn load off”

subfunction.

57. The module of claim 49, wherein said program further includes at least one timer operating parameter code segment, said operating parameter code segment selected from the group consisting of a timer range code segment, a fixed/adjustable code segment, and a fixed time delay code segment.

58. The module of claim 49, wherein said control circuit includes an 8 bit microprocessor.

59. A timer module comprising:

an output circuit; and

a control circuit including a programmable memory, said programmable memory storing thereon an operating program for operating a timer, said program including

a plurality of subfunction code segments each of said subfunction code segments corresponding to a different timer subfunction; and

a subfunction ordering table determining an ordering of subfunctions for execution of said subfunction code segments,

wherein said program further includes at least one timer operating parameter code segment, said operating parameter code segment selected from the group consisting of a timer range code segment, a fixed/adjustable code segment, and a fixed time delay code segment.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said memory is a one-time programmable memory.

61. The module of claim 59, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module.

62. The module of claim 59, wherein said program includes reprogramming status code section, wherein said reprogramming status code section is adapted to be read to determine a number of times said module has been reprogrammed.

63. The module of claim 59, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module, said program builder system having stored thereon a lookup table correlating timer functions with lists of subfunctions.

64. The module of claim 59, wherein program further includes at least one blank code segment for accommodating a new subfunction ordering table, without requiring rewriting of any subfunction code segment of said program.

65. The module of claim 59, further comprising a single housing encapsulating said output circuit, and said control circuit.

66. The module of claim 59, wherein said at least one of said plurality subfunction code segments is a subfunction selected from the group consisting of a “

turn load on” and

“

turn load off”

subfunction.

67. The module of claim 59, wherein said program further includes at least one timer operating parameter code segment, said operating parameter code segment selected from the group consisting of a timer range code segment a fixed/adjustable code segment, and a fixed time delay code segment.

68. The module of claim 59, wherein said control circuit includes an 8 bit microprocessor.

69. A timer module comprising:

an output circuit; and

a control circuit including a programmable memory, said programmable memory storing thereon an operating program for operating a timer, said program including

a plurality of subfunction code segments, each of said subfunction code segments corresponding to a different timer subfunction; and

a subfunction ordering table determining an ordering of subfunctions for execution of said subfunction code segments,

wherein a timer function is established by execution of said subfunction code segments in accordance with said ordering table, wherein said established timer function is a timer function selected from the group consisting of a delay on make timer function, a delay on break timer function, a single shot timer function, a recycle timer function, and an interval timer function.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is a delay on make timer function.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is a delay on break timer function.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is a single shot timer function.

73. The method of claim 69, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is a recycle timer function.

74. The method of claim 69, wherein at least one function of said plurality of timer functions of said lookup table is an interval timer function.

75. The method of claim 69, wherein said memory is a one-time programmable memory.

76. The module of claim 69, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, and wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module.

77. The module of claim 69, wherein said program includes reprogramming status code section, and wherein said reprogramming status code section is adapted to be read to determine a number of times said module has been reprogrammed.

78. The module of claim 69, wherein said module is adapted for communication with a program builder system, wherein said subfunction ordering table is established using a program builder system in breakable communication with said timer module, said program builder system having stored thereon a lookup table correlating timer functions with lists of subfunctions.

79. The module of claim 69, wherein said program further includes at least one blank code segment for accommodating a new subfunction ordering table without requiring rewriting of any subfunction code segment of said program.

80. The module of claim 69, further comprising a single housing encapsulating said output circuit and said control circuit.

81. The module of claim 69, wherein said at least one of said plurality subfunction code segments is a subfunction selected from the group consisting of a “

turn load on” and

“

turn load off”

subfunction.

82. The module of claim 69, wherein said program further includes at least one timer operating parameter code segment, said operating parameter code segment selected from the group consisting of a timer range code segment a fixed/adjustable code segment, and a fixed time delay code segment.

83. The module of claim 69, wherein said control circuit includes an 8 bit microprocessor.

84. A method for programming a plurality of processor-controlled timers, wherein each of said timers has a low-cost processor system, and wherein each timer is to have a different timer function, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) defining each of said different timer functions in terms of a set of timer subfunctions wherein each of said different timer functions is selected from the group consisting of a delay on make timer function, a delay on break timer function, a single shot timer function, a recycle timer function, and an interval timer function;

(b) creating a list of timer subfunctions, said list of timer subfunctions comprising the sum of all subfunctions defined in step (a);

(c) developing a program code segment for each of said timer subfunctions of said list created in step (b);

(d) loading each program code segment developed in step (c) into each of said plurality of timers; and

(e) storing a subfunction ordering table into each of said plurality of timers.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein said loading step is carried out by a customer.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein said loading step is carried out by a supplier.

87. The method of claim 84, wherein said establishing step further includes the step of making available a model number data page correlating timer functions with information respecting said timer functions, and wherein said selecting step is executed in accordance with information of said model number data page.

88. The method of claim 84, wherein said establishing step further includes the step of making available an electronically displayed model number data page correlating timer functions with information respecting said timer functions, and wherein said selecting step is executed in accordance with information of said model number data page.

89. The method of claim 84, wherein at least one subfunction defined more than once in step (a) is expressed in said list created in step (b) less than its number of incidence.

90. The method of claim 84, wherein said storing step includes the step of leaving a blank code segment in at least one of said timers for accommodating a new subfunction ordering table so that said at least one timer can be reprogrammed to perform a new function without requiring rewriting any of said plurality of subfunction code segments.

91. The method of claim 84, wherein said developing step includes the step of developing a code segment selected from the group consisting of a “

turn load on”

code input, and a “

turn load off”

code segment.

92. The method of claim 84, wherein said method further comprises the step of programming a reprogramming status code segment into each of said plurality of timers.

93. The method of claim 84, wherein said method further comprises the step of programming a reprogramming status code segment into each of said plurality of timers, and wherein said method includes the step of configuring said reprogramming status code segment of each of said timers so that a reprogramming status or said each timer can be changed by over-writing an “

all zero”

line of code into said reprogramming status code segment.

94. A method for programming a plurality of processor-controlled timers, wherein each of said timers has a low-cost processor system, and wherein each timer is to have a different timer function, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) defining each of said different timer functions in terms of a set of timer subfunctions;

(b) creating a list of timer subfunctions, said list of timer subfunctions comprising the sum of all subfunctions defined in step (a);

(c) developing a program code segment for each of said timer subfunctions of said list created in step (b);

(d) loading each program code segment developed in step (c) into each of said plurality of timers;

(e) making available a model number data page correlating timer functions with information respecting said timer functions;

(e) selecting a subfunction ordering table for input into at least one of said timers utilizing information of said model number data page; and

(f) storing a subfunction ordering table into each of said plurality of timers.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein said loading step is carried out by a customer.

96. The method of claim 94, wherein said loading step is carried out by a supplier.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein said loading step is carried out by a customer, and wherein said model number data page is made available to a customer.

98. The method of claim 94, wherein said loading step is carried out by a supplier and wherein model number data page is made available to a customer.

99. The method of claim 94, wherein at least one subfunction defined more than once in step (a) is expressed in said list created in step (b) less than its number of incidence.

100. The method of claim 94, wherein said establishing step further includes the step of making available a model number data page correlating timer function with information respecting said timer functions, and wherein said selecting step is executed in accordance with information of said model number data page.

101. The method of claim 94, wherein said establishing step further includes the step of making available an electronically displayed model number data page correlating timer function with information respecting said timer functions, and wherein said selecting step is executed in accordance with information of said model number data page.

102. The method of claim 94, wherein said storing step includes the step of leaving a blank code segment in at least one of said timers for accommodating a new subfunction ordering table so that said at least one timer can be reprogrammed to perform a new function without requiring rewriting any of said plurality of subfunction code segments.

103. The method of claim 94, wherein said developing step includes the step of developing a code segment selected from the group consisting of a “

turn load on”

code input, and a “

turn load off”

code segment.

104. The method of claim 94, wherein said method further comprises the step of programming a reprogramming status code segment into each of said plurality of timers.

105. The method of claim 94, wherein said method further comprises the step of programming a reprogramming status code segment into each of said plurality of timers, and wherein said method includes the step of configuring said reprogramming status code segment of each of said timers so that a reprogramming status of said each timer can be changed by over-writing an “

all zero”

line of code into said reprogramming status code segment.