U.S. patent number 3,788,058 [Application Number 05/264,185] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-29 for electronic digital clock apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Mitsuo Aihara, Hideharu Egawa, Gijun Idei, Atsushi Onoyama, Seigo Suzuki, Eiichi Yamaga.
United States Patent |
3,788,058 |
Idei , et al. |
January 29, 1974 |
ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CLOCK APPARATUS
Abstract
A plurality of shift registers for storing time information
represented by numbers consisting of a plurality of digits are
connected to an adder to form a closed loop. The time information
stored in the shift registers is circulated through the closed loop
in a minimum unit length of time. When the adder is supplied with
information on the minimum unit length of time, it receives a
single addition pulse per minimum unit length of time. A decoder is
supplied with four bit outputs from a shift register corresponding
to a particular digit position, and outputs from the decoder are
supplied to a plurality of digit indicators in common. The digit
indicators are successively impressed with operating voltage to
display time information periodically.
Inventors: |
Idei; Gijun (Yokohama,
JA), Onoyama; Atsushi (Yokohama, JA),
Aihara; Mitsuo (Tokyo, JA), Suzuki; Seigo
(Yokohama, JA), Egawa; Hideharu (Tokyo,
JA), Yamaga; Eiichi (Hatogaya, JA) |
Assignee: |
Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co.,
Ltd. (Kawasaki-shi, JA)
|
Family
ID: |
12700882 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/264,185 |
Filed: |
June 19, 1972 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 23, 1971 [JA] |
|
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46-44779 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
368/87; 968/904;
968/955 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G04G
9/082 (20130101); G04G 3/025 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G04G
3/02 (20060101); G04G 9/00 (20060101); G04G
9/08 (20060101); G04G 3/00 (20060101); G04c
003/00 (); G04b 019/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;58/23R,5R
;307/225R,221R ;235/925H,925T |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wilkinson; Richard B.
Assistant Examiner: Jackmon; Edith Simmons
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Flynn & Frishauf
Claims
We claim:
1. An electronic digital clock apparatus comprising:
shift register means for storing time information represented by a
plurality of digits, said shift register means having stages equal
to said digits in number;
generating means for generating pulses;
an adder means connected to said shift register means to form a
closed loop therewith, said adder means including two input
terminals, the first one of which being adapted to receive time
information stored in said shift register means and the second one
of which being adapted to receive one pulse as an addition input
from said generating means when said first input terminal receives
that portion of the time information stored in said shift register
means which corresponds to a predetermined minimum unit length of
time, said adder means comprising:
a two-input EXCLUSIVE OR means including a first input terminal for
receiving said outputs from said shift register means and a second
input terminal for receiving said addition input;
an AND means having two input terminals which are respectively
connected to those of said EXCLUSIVE OR means;
a delay means for receiving an output from said AND means to
produce an output after a predetermined time interval; and
an OR gate means for coupling said output from said delay means and
said addition input to said second input terminal of said EXCLUSIVE
OR means;
shift pulse generating means for circulating time information
stored in said shift register means through said closed loop per
the minimum unit length of time;
a decoder means connected to said shift register means for decoding
outputs from a predetermined stage of said shift register means;
and
a plurality of digit indicators connected to receive outputs from
said decoder means for displaying time information stored in said
shift register means.
2. An electronic digital clock apparatus comprising:
shift register means for storing time information represented by a
plurality of digits, said shift register means having stages equal
to said digits in number;
generating means for generating pulses;
an adder means connected to said shift register means to form a
closed loop therewith, said adder means including two input
terminals, the first one of which being adapted to receive time
information stored in said shift register means and the second one
of which being adapted to receive one pulse as an addition input
from said generating means when said first input terminal receives
that portion of the time information stored in said shift register
means which corresponds to a predetermined minimum unit length of
time;
shift pulse generating means for circulating time information
stored in said shift register means through said closed loop per
the minimum unit length of time;
detector means connected to a predetermined stage of said shift
register means for detecting whether outputs from said stage
correspond to a predetermined number, said detector means producing
an output when said outputs correspond to said predetermined
number;
reset gate means connected to the output side of said predetermined
stage within said closed loop for resetting successive outputs from
said predetermined stage in response to said output from said
detector means;
an AND gate means for coupling said output from said detector means
and said addition input to said second input terminal of said adder
means;
a decoder means connected to said shift register means for decoding
outputs from a predetermined stage of said shift register means;
and
a plurality of digit indicators connected to receive outputs from
said decoder means for displaying time information stored in said
shift register means.
3. A clock apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said detector
means includes means for holding said detection output for a
predetermined time interval.
4. An electronic digital clock apparatus comprising:
shift register means for storing time information represented by a
plurality of digits, said shift register means having stages equal
to said digits in number;
generating means for generating pulses;
an adder means connected to said shift register means to form a
closed loop therewith, said adder means including two input
terminals, the first one of which being adapted to receive time
information stored in said shift register means and the second one
of which being adapted to receive one pulse as an addition input
from said generating means when said first input terminal receives
that portion of the time information stored in said shift register
means which corresponds to a predetermined minimum unit length of
time;
shift pulse generating means for circulating time information
stored in said shift register means through said closed loop per
the minimum unit length of time;
selector means for selecting the use of said clock apparatus either
as a 12-hour or as a 24 hour system;
detector means connected to outputs of two adjacent stages of said
shift register means for detecting whether numerical information
stored in said two stages of said shift register means corresponds
to a number 12 or 24 in response to selection by means of said
selector means, said detector means producing an output where the
numerical information stored in said two adjacent stages
corresponds to the number 12 or 24;
first and second reset gate means connected to the respective
output sides of said two stages of said shift register means within
said closed loop resetting successive outputs from each of said two
adjacent stages of said shift register means in response to said
detection output from said detector means;
a decoder means connected to said shift register means for decoding
outputs from a predetermined stage of said shift register means;
and
a plurality of digit indicators connected to receive outputs from
said decoder means for displaying time information stored in said
shift register means.
5. A clock apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said detector
means includes means for holding its output for a predetermined
time interval.
6. A clock apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said adder means
comprises two-input EXCLUSIVE OR means including a first input
terminal for receiving said outputs from said shift register means
and a second input terminal for receiving said addition input; an
AND means having two input terminals which are respectively
connected to those of said EXCLUSIVE OR means; a delay means for
receiving an output from said AND means to produce an output after
a predetermined time interval; and an OR gate means for sending
said output from said delay means and said addition input to said
second input terminal of said EXCLUSIVE OR means.
7. A clock apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said adder means
comprises two-input EXCLUSIVE OR means including a first input
terminal for receiving said outputs from said shift register means
and a second input terminal for receiving said addition input; an
AND means having two input terminals which are respectively
connected to those of said EXCLUSIVE OR means a delay means for
receiving an output from said AND means to produce an output after
a predetermined time interval; and an OR gate means for sending
said output from said delay means and said addition input to said
second input terminal of said EXCLUSIVE OR means.
8. A clock apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:
detector means connected to a predetermined stage of said shift
register means for detecting whether outputs from said stage
correspond to a predetermined number, said detector means producing
an output when said outputs correspond to said predetermined
number
reset gate means connected to the output side of said predetermined
stage within said closed loop for resetting successive outputs from
said predetermined stage in response to said output from said
detector means; and
an AND gate means for coupling said output from said detector means
and said addition input to said second input terminal of said adder
means.
9. A clock apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
predetermined number is 6.
10. A clock apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
predetermined number is 10.
11. A clock apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said detector
means includes means for holding said detection output for a
predetermined time interval.
12. A clock apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:
selector means for selecting the use of said clock apparatus either
as a 12-hour or as a 24-hour system;
detector means connected to outputs of two adjacent stages of said
shift register means for detecting whether numerical information
stored in said two stages of said shift register means corresponds
to a number 12 or 24 in response to selection by means of said
selector means, said detector means producing an output where the
numerical information stored in said two adjacent stages
corresponds to the number 12 or 24; and
first and second reset gate means connected to the respective
output sides of said two stages of said shift register means within
said closed loop for resetting successive outputs from each of said
two adjacent stages of said shift register means in response to
said detection output from said detector means.
13. A clock apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said detector
means includes means for holding its output for a predetermined
time interval.
14. A clock apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shift
register means is of dynamic type.
15. A clock apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each stage of
said shift register means includes four register elements.
Description
This invention relates to an electronic digital clock apparatus and
more particularly to an electronic digital clock apparatus whose
arrangement is adapted for incorporation of integrated
circuitry.
In an electronic digital clock apparatus proposed to date outputs
from a crystal oscillator having a very stable oscillation
frequency are frequency-divided by a frequency divider to obtain a
pulse train having a single unit pulse per minimum unit length of
time, for example, per second. The unit pulse is conducted to a
plurality of cascade-connected counters. Where time is to be
indicated in three categories of hours, minutes and seconds, there
are required six counters. In this case, counters for storing
digits representing each second, minute and hour may be of a
decimal type, and counters for storing digits denoting 10-orders of
seconds and minutes have to be of 6-scale type. Further, according
as there is used a 12-hour or 24-hour clock, there is required a
binary or ternary counter in order to store digits showing
10-orders of hours. Outputs from each counter are connected to the
corresponding decoder, an output from which in turn is supplied to
the corresponding digit indicator. There are generally required 7
to 10 decoder outputs, though the number varies with the
construction of electrodes included in the digit indicators
used.
According to the aforementioned arrangement of the prior art
electronic digital clock apparatus, there have to be provided
decoders in the same number as counters. Further, there have to be
used numerous leads for connecting counters with decoders as well
as for connecting decoders with the digit indicators. For the above
reason and due to the complicated counter arrangement, there are
required a large chip and numerous terminals in order to
incorporate the clock apparatus into integrated circuitry.
Accordingly, the prior art clock apparatus is not suitable for
integrated circuit version.
Another conventional electronic digital clock apparatus uses a
single common decoder instead of plural decoders as required in the
preceding case. Outputs from the common decoder are connected to
all plural digit indicators. Between the counters and the common
decoder is provided a matrix circuit. There is further provided a
scanner for generating sequential pulses in the same number as
digit indicators under control by an output from a frequency
divider. Outputs from the scanner is conducted to the matrix
circuit so as to cause outputs from a given counter to be
selectively supplied to the common decoder as well as to the
corresponding plural digit indicators, thereby impressing operating
voltage on a digit indicator corresponding to the counter connected
to said common decoder. The plural digit indicators display digits
in turn or dynamically by means of the common decoder and scanner.
According to this second prior art clock apparatus, leads
connecting the digit indicators with the common decoder naturally
decrease in number. On the other hand, there must be additionally
used a matrix circuit, requiring a certain number of leads to
connect the matrix circuit with the counters. Therefore, the
arrangement of the second type of the prior art clock apparatus is
neither adapted for employment of integrated circuitry.
Accordingly, the arrangement of both conventional clock apparatuses
present difficulties in designing a very compact electronic digital
clock apparatus resembling an ordinary watch or wrist watch.
It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an
electronic digital clock apparatus of sufficiently simple
construction easily to admit of the application of integrated
circuitry.
Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic digital
clock apparatus which uses an addition circuit simple in
construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided an electronic
digital clock apparatus comprising: shift register means for
storing time information represented by a plurality of digits, said
shift register means having stages equal to the digits in number;
generating means for generating pulses; an adder means connected to
the shift register means to form a closed loop therewith, the adder
means including two input terminals, the first one of which being
adapted to receive time information stored in the shift register
means and the second one of which being adapted to receive one
pulse as an addition input from the pulse generating means when the
first input terminal receives that portion of the time information
stored in the shift register means which corresponds to a
predetermined minimum unit length of time; shift pulse generating
means for circulating time information stored in the shift register
means through the closed loop per the minimum unit length of time;
a decoder means connected to the shift register means to decoder
outputs from a predetermined stage of the shift register means; and
a plurality of digit indicators for displaying time information
stored in the shift register means upon receipt of outputs from the
decoder means.
One characteristic of the electronic digital clock apparatus of
this invention is that shift register means is connected to an
adder to form a closed loop. Time information stored in the shift
register means and representing a plurality of digits is circulated
through the closed loop per minimum unit length of time. When one
input terminal of the adder is supplied with information denoting
the minimum unit length of time, the other input terminal is
impressed with one addition pulse per the unit time to effect
clockwise addition.
According to this invention, outputs from a predetermined stage of
shift register means have only to be conducted to a common decoder,
realizing the prominent decrease of required connection leads.
Another characteristic of the electronic digital clock apparatus of
the invention is that the adder is of simple construction which
adds a number of "1" per minimum unit length of time to the time
information already obtained. Where there arises a carry output in
clockwise addition, the sum output always denotes zero. The carry
output is added to the time information on a digit of the next
higher order. Therefore, it does not happen that the carry output
and the unit pulse for addition of a number of 1 are simultaneously
supplied to the adder. Therefore, there is not required an adder
with three input terminals used in ordinary full addition. The
adder included in the digital clock apparatus of this invention
consists of an EXCLUSIVE OR circuit with two input terminals, AND
gate with two input terminals for carry operation and one bit time
delay means.
The present invention can be more fully understood from the
following detailed description when taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic digital clock apparatus
according to an embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows waveforms of various pulses by way of explaining the
operation of the circuit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 indicates the electrode pattern of a digit indicator which
may be used with the clock apparatus of the invention; and
FIG. 5 illustrates the display of time information by means of a
plurality of digit indicators having the electrode pattern shown in
FIG. 4.
There will now be described an electronic digital clock apparatus
according to this invention, wherein time information is given in
six digits, for example. In this case, time information consists of
three categories of hours, minutes and seconds, each including two
digits, so that the minimum unit length of time is one second.
Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 represents a crystal
oscillator including a crystal oscillation element 12. Sinusoidal
outputs from the crystal oscillator 11 are subjected to
frequency-division by a frequency divider 13. The frequency divided
output is supplied to a shift pulse generator 14 to produce two
shift pulses .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 having different phases.
The shift pulses .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 are generated at an
interval of a one-bit time, respectively. An output from the shift
pulse generator 14 is connected to a bit pulse generator 15 to
produce four sequential bit pulses B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.4 and
B.sub.8 shown in FIG. 3. These bit pulses have a binary
significance of 1, 2, 4 and 8 respectively, and are generated for a
one bit time.
Upon receipt of an output from the bit pulse generator 15, a digit
pulse generator 16 produces six sequential digit pulses D.sub.1 to
D.sub.6 shown in FIG. 3. Each digit pulse is generated at an
interval of the minimum unit length of time, that is, one second.
Namely, the duration of each digit pulse is one digit time or 1/6
sec.
Where it is desired to indicate time information at the rate of
1/100 sec., each digit pulse is chosen to be generated at an
interval of 1/100 sec. corresponding to the unit length of time in
this case.
Now let it be assumed that where one digit time is 1/6 sec., the
frequency divider 13 includes six cascade-connected flip-flop
circuits and in consequence has a frequency division coefficient of
64. Then the oscillation frequency of the crystal oscillator 11 is
chosen to be 1.536 KHz. Where it is desired to obtain time
information consisting of eight digits and varying per 1/100 sec.,
then the frequency of the crystal oscillator 11 may be set at 25.6
KHz (frequency division coefficient of 8) or 204.8 KHz (frequency
division coefficient of 64).
The method of generating the aforementioned shift pulses
.phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2, bit pulses B.sub.1 to B.sub.4 and
digit pulses D.sub.1 to D.sub.6 is already well known in the art
and description thereof is omitted.
Reference numerals 17, 18 and 19 represent six stage dynamic shift
registers. Numeral 17 denotes a four digit or stage shift
registers, and numerals 18 and 19 one-digit registers. Each stage
of shift registers for storing one digit included in time
information stores the value of the digit in the form of a binary
coded decimal (BCD) number and in consequence consists of four bit
shift register elements.
The fundamental construction of the clock apparatus of this
invention is characterized in that an adder 20 is connected to the
shift registers 17, 18 and 19 to form a closed loop therewith. The
adder 20 has two input terminals 21 and 22 and two output terminals
23 and 24. The time information stored in the shift registers 17,
18 and 19 is circulated through the closed loop by the shift pulses
.phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 in the minimum unit length of time via
the first input terminal 21 of the adder 20, adder 20 and the first
output terminal 23 in turn.
The second output terminal 24 of the adder 20 is intended to
produce a carry output which is conducted through an adder gate 25
to the second input terminal 22 of the adder 20. The second input
terminal 22 is supplied with one addition pulse per minimum unit
length of time when the first input terminal 21 receives, as
described later, time information on the minimum unit length of
time from the shift register 18, thereby adding a number 1 per
minimum unit length of time to the first bit portion of time
information on the unit time stored in the shift register 18.
Namely, the stored content of the shift registers increases by one
per second.
Four bit outputs from the one digit shift register 19 corresponding
to a predetermined digit position are supplied to a decoder through
a one digit time delay means or parallel-in-parallel-out shift
register 26. In this case, the decoder 27 has seven output
terminals A to G which are jointly connected to the numeral
electrodes of plural digit indicators (there are provided six
indicators in this case.) The decoder 27 having seven outputs A to
G is intended for use with digit indicators each provided with an
electrode assembly formed of seven segmental electrodes as shown in
FIG. 4. Output A from the decoder 27 is connected to the A segment
of the assembly, output B from the decoder 27 to the B segment and
the other outputs to the corresponding segments. Where, among the
seven output terminals of the decoder 27, for example, the
terminals A, F, G, C and D are supplied with output signals from
the decoder 27, then preparation is being made selectively to
display a digit "5" as apparent from FIG. 4. Each of the indicators
includes a common electrode facing the numerical electrode
assembly. This common electrode is supplied with the corresponding
one of the sequential digit pulses D.sub.1 to D.sub.6 generated by
the digit pulse generator 16 as an operating voltage. As apparent
from the waveforms shown in FIG. 3, the indicators successively
display digits corresponding to outputs from the decoder 27
periodically for a one digit time interval. FIG. 5 illustrates a
pattern of time information including six digits.
To render the electronic clock apparatus compact, the indicator
should preferably be constituted by light emitting diodes prepared
from gallium phosphide capable of emitting light with small current
or diodes prepared from gallium arsenide-phosphide capable of
projecting more intense light. Also liquid crystal is effective to
render the resultant indicator compact and reduce power
consumption. Obviously, it is also possible to use display tubes
commercially known as "Nixie" which includes ten electrodes, each
shaped like Arabic numerals. In this case the decoder has ten
output terminals corresponding to ten numeral-shaped
electrodes.
The construction of the aforementioned dynamic display system
including a decoder and indicators is already known to those
skilled in the art and description thereof is omitted.
In the case of 6-digit time information, the least significant
digit and the third digit therefrom are only required to indicate a
number up to 10, and the second and fourth digits a number up to 6
respectively. Therefore, bit outputs from the one-digit shift
register 19 are supplied to a detector 30 for detecting numbers 10
and 6. This detector 30 generates a detection output when a number
stored in the one-digit shift register 19 is 10 or 6. The output
from the detector 30 is conducted to a reset gate 31 connected to
the output of the register 19 within the closed loop to reset or
clear the outputs therefrom. When the shift register 19 is stored
with a numeral 10 or 6, this is the time for the digit of the next
higher order to be increased by one. To this end, a detection
output from the detector 30 is supplied as a carry signal to the
second input terminal 22 of the adder 20 through an adder gate
25.
The electronic digital clock apparatus of this invention may be
selectively used either as a 12-hour or 24-hour system. To this
end, the present clock apparatus is provided with a selector 32 and
a detector 33 connected to the output of the selector 32 as well as
of the one-digit shift registers 18 and 19 jointly denoting two
adjacent digits, the detector 33 being capable of detecting whether
the contents of the registers 18 and 19 collectively represent a
number 12 or 24. Where there is chosen a 12-hour system by the
selector 32, the detector 33 produces an output only when the
registers 18 and 19 jointly indicate a number 12. Where there is
chosen a 24-hour system, the detector 33 generates an output only
when the registers 18 and 19 collectively show a number 24. In
either case, an output from the detector 33 is conducted to a reset
gate 34 connected to the output of the register 18 within the
closed loop and also to the reset gate 31 connected to the output
of the register 19 to reset or clear the outputs of both registers
18 and 19.
There will now be described the clock apparatus of FIG. 1 by
reference to the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 2. The same
parts of both figures are denoted by the same numerals.
As is well known, the dynamic shift registers 17, 18 and 19 have
their contents shifted in turn to the right in response to write-in
pulses .phi..sub.1 and read-out pulses .phi..sub.2, causing 6-digit
time information to be successively supplied to the adder 20,
starting with that portion of the information which denotes the
minimum unit length of time. The constituent element of the dynamic
shift register should preferably consist of field effect
transistors suitable for integration of circuitry. Particularly
where the dynamic shift register is formed of complementary field
effect transistor assemblies, or the so-called C-MOS FET, then
there can be used a relatively low operating voltage, offering
advantage in rendering the clock apparatus compact. In this case
there are required, as is well known, not only shift pulses
.phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 but also their complements .phi..sub.1
and .phi..sub.2.
Time information on the minimum unit length of time is supplied to
the first input terminal of the adder 20 from the register 18
through a reset gate 34, when there is generated a digit pulse
D.sub.1 shown in FIG. 3. When the input terminal 21 receives the
first bit output of the minimum unit time information from the
register 18, then the second input 22 is supplied with a bit pulse
B.sub.1 having a binary significance of 1 as an addition input
through an AND gate 40 and OR gate 41 included in the adder gate
25. The AND gate 40 has an input terminal for receiving the bit
pulse B.sub.1 and another input terminal for receiving the digit
pulse D.sub.1. Obviously, therefore, the bit pulse B.sub.1 is
supplied to the adder 20 once per operating cycle of the shift
register or during the minimum unit length of time.
Addition is carried out in an EXCLUSIVE OR circuit 42, an output
from which is conducted through the output lead 23 to the register
19. Where the initial bit output from the register 18 denotes 1,
there obviously arises a carry operation. To this end, an AND gate
43 for the carry operation is connected to the two input terminals
21 and 22 of the EXCLUSIVE OR circuit 42. An output from the AND
gate 43 is conducted to the second input terminal 22 of the adder
20 through a one-bit dynamic shift register or delayed flip-flop 44
and the OR gate 41. The delayed flip-flop 44 is supplied with shift
pulses .phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 and conducts the output from the
AND gate 43 as a carry input to the adder 20 when the adder 20 is
supplied with the second bit output from the register 18.
Four bit outputs of one digit received by the register 19 are
further conducted to the decoder 27 through the
parallel-in-parallel-out register 26, which is also supplied with a
write-in pulse B.sub.8 .phi..sub.1 and read-out pulse B.sub.8 shown
in FIG. 3. When outputs from the register 19 are supplied to the
register 26 in the manner shown in FIG. 2, then bit outputs having
binary significances of 1, 2, 4 and 8 are written into the register
26 by the write-in pulse B.sub.8 .phi..sub.1 and read out therefrom
by the rear edge of the read-out pulse B.sub.8. The register 26
holds the outputs read out therefrom for a one-digit time
interval.
Bit outputs from the register 19 having binary significances of 2
and 4 are supplied to an AND gate 45 included in the detector 30
for detecting a number 6. The AND gate 45 is supplied with digit
pulses D.sub.2 and D.sub.4 through an OR gate 46. Therefore, when
the contents of the second and fourth digits from the least
significant digit of time information are supplied to the register
19 while the digit pulses D.sub.1 and D.sub.4 are generated, then
the aforementioned detector 30 detects whether the contents of both
digits denote a number 6. Where the number 6 is detected, the AND
gate 45 produces an output. Bit outputs from the register 19 having
binary significances of 2 and 8 are connected to an AND gate 47 to
detect whether the first and third or fifth digits of time
information represent a number 10. Where the content of the digits
is 10, the AND gate 47 produces an output. Detection of the number
10 is effected when the contents of the first and third or fifth
digits are supplied to the register 19, that is, when there are
generated digit pulses D.sub.1 and D.sub.3 or D.sub.5, so that the
AND gate 47 may be supplied with the digit pulses D.sub.1 and
D.sub.3 or D.sub.5 through an OR gate corresponding to the OR gate
46.
Outputs from the AND gates 45 and 47 are supplied to a delayed
flip-flop 49 through an OR gate 48. The flip-flop 49 causes outputs
from the AND gates 45 and 47 to be written therein by the write-in
pulse B.sub.8 .phi..sub.1 and read out therefrom by the rear edge
of the read-out pulse B.sub.8, and holds the output thus read out
for a one-digit time interval. While essentially consisting of a
one-bit dynamic shift register, the flip-flop 49 may be formed of a
semistatic shift register provided on its output side with a
circuit for holding its output for a one-digit time interval. Such
semistatic shift register is already known to those skilled in the
art.
An output from the flip-flop 49 is conducted through a NOR gate 51
to an AND gate 50 included in the reset gate 31. Upon receipt of an
output from the flip-flop 49, the AND gate 50 is rendered
nonconductive. Accordingly, four-bit information on one digit
stored in the register 19 is successively supplied to the AND gate
50 for a one-digit time interval to be reset or cleared. An output
from the flip-flop 49 is supplied, together with a bit pulse
B.sub.1, to an AND gate 52 included in the adder gate 25. An output
from the AND gate 52 is conducted through the OR gate 41 to the
second input terminal 22 of the adder 20. Where, therefore, time
information on a particular digit stored in the shift register 19
represents a number 10 or 6, the time information stored in the
shift register 18 or the next higher order digit receives a carry
signal when the first bit output from the register 18 enters the
adder 20.
The aforementioned selector 32 for choosing a 12- or 24-hours
system includes, for example, a single pole-double throw switch 55,
which may be of electronic type. One fixed contact of the switch 55
is grounded and the other fixed contact is connected to a power
source 56. The movable contact of the switch 55 is directly
connected to a first AND gate 57 included in the aforesaid detector
33, and further to a second AND gate 58 through an inverter 59. The
first AND gate 57 is supplied, as shown, with a bit output from the
register 18 having a binary significance of 2, as well as with a
bit output from the register 19 bearing a binary significance of 4.
On the other hand, the second AND gate 58 is supplied with a bit
output from the register 18 having a binary significance of 1 and
also a bit output from the register 19 having a binary significance
of 2.
Where the movable contact of the switch 55 is connected, as shown
in FIG. 2, to the grounded fixed contact in order to choose a
12-hour system, then the first AND gate 57 is disabled. Conversely
where there is desired a 24-hour system, the movable contact of the
switch 55 is switched over to the fixed contact connected to the
power source 56 to disable the AND gate 58.
Where, in the case of a 12-hour system, the register 18 is supplied
with time information on a digit 1 and the register 19 with time
information on a digit 2, then the second AND gate 58 produces an
output. Where, in the case of a 24-hour system, the register 18 is
supplied with time information on a digit 2 and the register 19
with time information on a digit 4, then the first AND gate 57
generates an output.
Outputs from the first and second AND gates 57 and 58 are conducted
to a delayed flip-flop 62 through an OR gate 60 and AND gate 61,
which in turn is supplied with a digit pulse D.sub.5. The time
information of two digits on hours are stored in the registers 18
and 19 when the digit pulse D.sub.5 exists. Where the digit pulse
D.sub.5 is generated, the flip-flop 62 causes an output from the
first or second AND gate 57 or 58 to be written therein by the
write-in pulse B.sub.8 .phi..sub.1, and read out therefrom by the
rear edge of the read-out pulse B.sub.8 and holds an output thus
read out for one digit time interval. An output from the flip-flop
62 is supplied through an inverter 64 to an AND gate 63 included in
the reset gate 34 and also through the NOR gate 51 to the AND gate
50 included in the reset gate 31. As the result, both AND gates 63
and 50 are disabled to reset or clear the successive four bit
outputs from the registers 18 and 19.
The circuitry of an electronic digital clock apparatus according to
this invention is adapted to be integrated, particularly on a large
scale. For the integration, field effect transistors are
preferred.
The clock apparatus of this invention permits incorporation of not
only compensation circuits required for time information on numbers
10, 6, 12 and 24 as mentioned above, but also a circuit for
resetting contents of all digit positions in time information, a
circuit for resetting only contents of specified digit positions, a
circuit for holding off the operation of adding a number 1 to any
of the digits, that is, a stopwatch circuit, a time correction
circuit and a time setting circuit. All various circuits required
for such type of clock apparatus can be compactly integrated into a
single chip as small as only four square millimeters.
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