Method and apparatus for automatically displaying a correct time and date when initially activating a clock
DCFirst Claim
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1. A clock having a microcontroller, a display and a time base generator producing a time reference, comprising:
- an electromechanical interface connecting a computer setting means directly to the microcontroller for uploading a basic data set comprising at least time of day data associated with a specific geographical region to the microcontroller subsequent to manufacture of the clock;
memory cooperating with the microcontroller, said memory storing the basic data set associated with a specific-geographic region; and
a power supply connected to the microcontroller for powering the clock;
said power supply having a battery for providing continuous power so the function of the microcontroller and the time base generator are ensured during transport of the clock; and
said microcontroller using the time reference of the time base generator to update the time during transport of the clock wherein,upon connecting the power supply to power, the microcontroller causes the display of the clock to show at least the current time in the specific geographic region.
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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.
26 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A clock having a microcontroller, a display and a time base generator producing a time reference, comprising:
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an electromechanical interface connecting a computer setting means directly to the microcontroller for uploading a basic data set comprising at least time of day data associated with a specific geographical region to the microcontroller subsequent to manufacture of the clock; memory cooperating with the microcontroller, said memory storing the basic data set associated with a specific-geographic region; and a power supply connected to the microcontroller for powering the clock;
said power supply having a battery for providing continuous power so the function of the microcontroller and the time base generator are ensured during transport of the clock; andsaid microcontroller using the time reference of the time base generator to update the time during transport of the clock wherein, upon connecting the power supply to power, the microcontroller causes the display of the clock to show at least the current time in the specific geographic region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for presetting a clock having a microcontroller, an electromechanical interface connected directly to the microcontroller, a display, a time base generator, a memory cooperating with the microcontroller, a power supply, and a back-up power source, the method comprising the steps of:
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prior to distribution of the clock, but subsequent to manufacture of portions of the clock, loading into the memory via the interface from a computer setting means a basic data set comprising time of day data for a specific geographical region; calculating the current time in the microcontroller from said time base generator and said basic data set during transport thereof to ensure that the correct time associated with the specific geographic region is maintained, while said back-up power source is connected to said microcontroller and said time base generator, and said power supply is disconnected; and connecting the power supply so as to energize the clock and display the current time in the specific geographic region. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An electronic clock comprising:
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a display; a time base generator that generates a time base signal; memory; a microcontroller which generates a varying time signal based on data stored in said memory and the time base signal, the time base signal being capable of being directed to said display; a battery providing power to ensure the function of said time base generator and said microcontroller during transport of the clock; and an electromechanical interface connected directly to the microcontroller through which varying time value data, associated with a particular time zone, may be electronically uploaded from a computer setting means into said memory to set the time generated by said microcontroller, whereby said varying time signal is maintained as long as said battery is providing power to said time base generator and said microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of presetting an electronic clock having a time base generator that generates a time base signal, a memory, a microcontroller, a battery for providing power to at least said time base generator and said microcontroller, and a power supply for providing power to at least the display, comprising the steps of:
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connecting the battery to at least said time base generator and microcontroller to ensure their function during transport of the clock; after manufacture of the clock and connection of the battery, electronically loading into the memory from a computer setting means via an electromechanical interface connected directly to the microcontroller, varying time value data valid in a particular time zone; causing the microcontroller to use the time value data in the memory and the time base signal from the time base generator to generate a variable time signal valid for the time in the particular time zone; and upon supplying power from the power supply to the display, causing the display to show the time in the particular time zone without having to specifically manually set the clock. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An electronic clock having a microcontroller comprising:
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a memory; an electromechanical interface connected from a computer setting means directly to the microcontroller for uploading a basic data set comprising time of day data associated with a particular time zone into the memory; a time base generator for generating a time increment signal; a microcontroller for receiving the data set from memory and the time increment signal for generating a current time signal; a power supply having a back-up battery adapted to ensure the function of the microcontroller and the time base generator during transport of the clock; and a display for indicating the current time, based on the current time signal received from the microcontroller, said display adapted to be powered by the power supply when the latter is connected. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification