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US3852953A - Control and synchronisation of clocks - Google Patents

Control and synchronisation of clocks Download PDF

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Publication number
US3852953A
US3852953A US00349662A US34966273A US3852953A US 3852953 A US3852953 A US 3852953A US 00349662 A US00349662 A US 00349662A US 34966273 A US34966273 A US 34966273A US 3852953 A US3852953 A US 3852953A
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United States
Prior art keywords
information
date
slave
displayed
central station
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00349662A
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English (en)
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S Mischiatti
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0005—Transmission of control signals
    • G04G9/0011—Transmission of control signals using coded signals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R20/00—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
    • G04R20/08—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal the radio signal being broadcast from a long-wave call sign, e.g. DCF77, JJY40, JJY60, MSF60 or WWVB
    • G04R20/12—Decoding time data; Circuits therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R40/00—Correcting the clock frequency
    • G04R40/02—Correcting the clock frequency by phase locking

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A plurality of slave clocks are controlled and synchronised from a central station which transmits to each slave clock frequent coded signals each of which conveys in coded form complete information as to the time, and possibly also the date, to be displayed by each slave clock.
  • One object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling and synchronising a plurality of slave clocks which method overcomes the abovementioned defects.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for controlling a plurality of slave clocks.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for controlling a plurality of slave clocks wherein synchronism is automatically maintained.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for controlling a' plurality of slave clocks wherein all the slave clocks will display the correct time on restoration of power after a failure.
  • a method of controlling and synchronising a plurality of slave clocks wherein a central station transmits to each slave clock coded signals, each said signal conveying in coded form complete information as to the time to be displayed by the slave clocks, the display of each slave clock being up-dated on reception of each said signal.
  • a system for controlling and synchronising slave clocks comprising a plurality of slave clocks; and a central station for transmitting to each slave clock coded signals, each said signal conveying in coded form complete information as to the time to be displayed by the slave clocks; each slave clock comprising means to display time, a receiver for receiving said signals, means to derive information as to the time displayed by said slave clock, means to compare said deis not in any way dependent on the display prior to reception of that signal.
  • the signals may be transmitted by cable or by radio, so that in the later case the system can extend to a very substantial geographical area.
  • the control station may derive said coded signals in dependence on a central clock using a stable frequency generator or from timing information derived from an astronomical observatory or a radio station. Said signals are preferably transmitted at a frequency of one per'second.
  • Each slave clock may display the time in seconds, minutes and hours, and the date in days of the week, days of the month and months.
  • the code used for said coded signals must be such as to provide individual coded signals for each second of a four year time cycle; that is to say including a leap year day.
  • the code may be the so-called ASCII code or a form of binary-coded decimal.
  • FIG. 1 shows the dial ofa slave wall clock, displaying the time and the date
  • FIG. 2 shows in schematic form part of a system according to the present invention.
  • the dial ofa slave wall clock is shown, the dial displaying hours, minutes and seconds, and furthermore days of the week, days of the month and the month.
  • the time and the day of month is displayed digitally using the well known flap type digital indicators, each of which is driven for example by an electric motor. As such indicators are known they will not be described further herein.
  • the time can if desired be displayed by hands.
  • the date can of course be omitted if a time display only is required.
  • the complete system includes a central station transmitter T and for each slave clock a receiver R.
  • the transmitter T is located such that it can be used for an unlimited number of receivers R located remote from the transmitter T.
  • The'transmitter T includes an input at which timing signals arrive by radio or cable, with a frequency of one signal each second.
  • the timing signal can arrive from any suitablesource.
  • the source can be an astronomical observatory or a radio transmitter which transmits signals at one second intervals, or the source can be local and derive the required time information from a stable frequency generator.
  • An oscillator 2 generates a carrier frequency which is supplied to a line 3 and .thence to a set of six binary counters C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6. In each signal transmitted by the transmitter T this carrier frequency is modulated by seven words each of eight bits.
  • the counter Cl relates to seconds and steps once each second; a complete cycle is 60 steps. For each step it supplies a binary output in ASCII code or in some other binary code, such as binary-coded decimal.
  • the counter C2 relates to minutes and it is activated each sixtieth step of the counter C1. For each minute it supplies a binary output.' I
  • the counter C3 relates to hours and it is activated each sixtieth step of the counter C2.
  • the counter C4 relates to the days of the week and it is activated each twenty-fourth step of the counter C3.
  • the counter C5 relates to days of the month and it also is activated each twenty-fourth step of the counter C3.
  • the counter C5 is controlled by a co-ordinator which takes into account the variable number of days in each month, and by a counter 5 which takes into account the leap year day.
  • the counter C6 relates to months and is activated at the end of each variable cycle of the counter C5.
  • the counters C1 to C6 therefore provide a four year time cycle, updated each second.
  • the data from the counters C1 to C6 is prepared for transmission by a parallel-to-serial converter 6 or a scanner which derives for transmission six eight bit words in series each second. Before each train of six words is placed a seventh word for synchronisation purposes, this being derived from a synchroniser 7. This word indicates the beginning of each train.
  • the complete train of words is then transmitted by the transmitter T to each receiver R by a cable, such as a two-wire cable or, preferably, by radio.
  • the receiver R includes a serial-to-parallel convertor 7 to convert the data to parallel form, and an electronic sweeping scanner 8 which directs each eight bit word to a respective coder associated with a component display unit of the complete display.
  • coders S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6 relating respectively to seconds, minutes, hours, days of the week, days of the month and months.
  • the serial-to-parallel converter 7' supplies the data to a comparator 9 whereby the incoming data is compared with data representing the current display of the various display units. When the incoming data corresponds to the data representing the current display, the display is left undisturbed.
  • a memory 10 is activated and operates a motor of the relevant display unit until correspondance is again detected. There is thus updating of the display each second, and if lack of correspondance in any component part of the display is detected the relevant motor is operated until there is correspondance.
  • one slave clock 11 might display onlyhours and minutes, the. relevant data being selected and processed by its own receiver R11 comprising the hour and minute coders.
  • Another slave clock 12 might additionally display seconds, the data being derived by a receiver R12.
  • Another slave clock 13 might additionally display the day of the month, the data being derived by a receiver R13; whilst a slave clock 14 with a receiver R14 might display all the data.
  • Systems in accordance with the invention can be modified or extended to take in other time-dependent functions such as controlling working times of staff. If associated with an attendance card system and a calculator then payments due to staff can be calculated. Reminder dates can be pre-set up to four years ahead, working cycles can be registered and the meeting of delivery dates can be checked.
  • a system for controlling and synchronising slave clocks comprising a plurality of slave clocks; and a central station for transmitting to each slave clock coded signals, each said signal conveying in coded form complete information as to the time to be displayed by the slave clocks; each slave clock comprising means to display time, a receiver for receiving said signals, means to derive information as to the time displayed by said slave clock, means to compare said derived information with said information conveyed by each saidv signal, and means to up-date the time displayed by said slave clock when said compared information does not correspond.
  • each said signal additionally conveys in coded form complete information as to the date to be displayed by the slave clocks; and wherein at least one of said plurality of slave clocks further comprises means to display the date, means to derive information as to the date displayed by said slave clock, means to compare said derived date information with said date information conveyed by each said signal, and means to up-date the date displayed by said slave clock when said compared date information does not correspond.
  • each said signal comprises a train of words in ASCII code.
  • each said signal comprises a train of words in binary-coded decimal.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)
US00349662A 1972-04-12 1973-04-09 Control and synchronisation of clocks Expired - Lifetime US3852953A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT7236/72A IT957184B (it) 1972-04-12 1972-04-12 Apparecchiatura elettronica per il comando e la sincronizzazione locale o universale di orologi

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3852953A true US3852953A (en) 1974-12-10

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ID=11124887

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00349662A Expired - Lifetime US3852953A (en) 1972-04-12 1973-04-09 Control and synchronisation of clocks

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3852953A (it)
JP (1) JPS4948359A (it)
DE (1) DE2318529A1 (it)
ES (1) ES413400A1 (it)
FR (1) FR2180020B1 (it)
GB (1) GB1424857A (it)
IT (1) IT957184B (it)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4051663A (en) * 1973-12-05 1977-10-04 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Electronic timepiece
US4165605A (en) * 1976-05-29 1979-08-28 Casio Computer Co. Ltd. Electronic timepiece
US4322831A (en) * 1978-06-06 1982-03-30 Simplex Time Recorder Co. Programmed digital secondary clock
US4440501A (en) * 1980-06-19 1984-04-03 Werner Schulz Method of automatic adjustment of self-contained radio-clock by means of time mark
EP0204851A2 (de) * 1984-06-07 1986-12-17 Kieninger & Obergfell Fabrik für technische Laufwerke und Apparate GmbH & Co. Elektrische Uhr
US5130956A (en) * 1990-07-17 1992-07-14 Masahiro Ueda Clock
FR2677468A1 (fr) * 1991-06-05 1992-12-11 Diehl Gmbh & Co Dispositif de synchronisation pour une minuterie.
US5649381A (en) * 1993-06-23 1997-07-22 Presmatec S.A. Personal object carrying medical details
US6421302B1 (en) 2000-07-11 2002-07-16 Richard C. Wimberly Digital time indicator
US6426920B2 (en) 1997-09-26 2002-07-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for setting initial time of operating system clock
US6751163B1 (en) * 1998-06-30 2004-06-15 Sony Corporation Clock adjusting method and electronic equipment using the method
USD752623S1 (en) * 2014-09-01 2016-03-29 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD753696S1 (en) * 2014-09-01 2016-04-12 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD786913S1 (en) 2014-09-01 2017-05-16 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD842741S1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2019-03-12 Tomtom International B.V. Display panel of a digital watch showing time and date

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS53149603A (en) * 1977-06-01 1978-12-27 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Non-core armature
GB2155215A (en) * 1984-03-02 1985-09-18 Europ Electronic Syst Ltd Improvements in analog clocks
GB2311879A (en) * 1996-04-03 1997-10-08 Adrian Guy Warden Mains slave clock
EP2676389B1 (en) * 2011-02-15 2016-08-24 Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) Method of providing a path delay asymmetry for time synchronization between a master and a slave clock across a communciation network

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3194003A (en) * 1963-11-13 1965-07-13 Vogel And Company P Solid state electronic timepiece
US3530663A (en) * 1967-09-01 1970-09-29 Patek Philippe Sa Automatic and continuous time adjusting device for a clock
US3541552A (en) * 1968-07-26 1970-11-17 Us Navy Synchronization system
US3681914A (en) * 1970-04-30 1972-08-08 Quasar Microsystems Inc Digital master clock

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1158368A (en) * 1966-11-28 1969-07-16 Nii Chasovoj Promy Automatically Synchronised Time Indicating System

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3194003A (en) * 1963-11-13 1965-07-13 Vogel And Company P Solid state electronic timepiece
US3530663A (en) * 1967-09-01 1970-09-29 Patek Philippe Sa Automatic and continuous time adjusting device for a clock
US3541552A (en) * 1968-07-26 1970-11-17 Us Navy Synchronization system
US3681914A (en) * 1970-04-30 1972-08-08 Quasar Microsystems Inc Digital master clock

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4051663A (en) * 1973-12-05 1977-10-04 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Electronic timepiece
US4165605A (en) * 1976-05-29 1979-08-28 Casio Computer Co. Ltd. Electronic timepiece
US4322831A (en) * 1978-06-06 1982-03-30 Simplex Time Recorder Co. Programmed digital secondary clock
US4440501A (en) * 1980-06-19 1984-04-03 Werner Schulz Method of automatic adjustment of self-contained radio-clock by means of time mark
EP0204851A2 (de) * 1984-06-07 1986-12-17 Kieninger & Obergfell Fabrik für technische Laufwerke und Apparate GmbH & Co. Elektrische Uhr
EP0204851A3 (de) * 1984-06-07 1988-03-23 Kieninger & Obergfell Fabrik für technische Laufwerke und Apparate GmbH & Co. Elektrische Uhr
US5130956A (en) * 1990-07-17 1992-07-14 Masahiro Ueda Clock
FR2677468A1 (fr) * 1991-06-05 1992-12-11 Diehl Gmbh & Co Dispositif de synchronisation pour une minuterie.
US5649381A (en) * 1993-06-23 1997-07-22 Presmatec S.A. Personal object carrying medical details
US6426920B2 (en) 1997-09-26 2002-07-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for setting initial time of operating system clock
US6751163B1 (en) * 1998-06-30 2004-06-15 Sony Corporation Clock adjusting method and electronic equipment using the method
US6421302B1 (en) 2000-07-11 2002-07-16 Richard C. Wimberly Digital time indicator
USD752623S1 (en) * 2014-09-01 2016-03-29 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD753696S1 (en) * 2014-09-01 2016-04-12 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD774538S1 (en) 2014-09-01 2016-12-20 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD784390S1 (en) 2014-09-01 2017-04-18 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with animated graphical user interface
USD786913S1 (en) 2014-09-01 2017-05-16 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD804516S1 (en) 2014-09-01 2017-12-05 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD807906S1 (en) 2014-09-01 2018-01-16 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with animated graphical user interface
USD844654S1 (en) 2014-09-01 2019-04-02 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD1002660S1 (en) 2014-09-01 2023-10-24 Apple Inc. Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
USD842741S1 (en) * 2015-09-03 2019-03-12 Tomtom International B.V. Display panel of a digital watch showing time and date

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES413400A1 (es) 1976-01-16
GB1424857A (en) 1976-02-11
FR2180020A1 (it) 1973-11-23
JPS4948359A (it) 1974-05-10
FR2180020B1 (it) 1976-05-21
IT957184B (it) 1973-10-10
DE2318529A1 (de) 1973-10-31

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