JPH0343599B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a device that performs output control such as on and off according to a predetermined schedule and automates the heating and cooling of buildings and schools, time signals, etc. This invention relates to a so-called weak programmer that can perform the output control.

A weekly programmer is generally equipped with a plurality of output terminals, and each of these output terminals is equipped with means for storing a predetermined program to perform output control for each day of the week and each time of the week.

Normally, a memory is used as this storage means, but an input device is also provided as a means for writing and rewriting the memory so that programs can be stored according to the operator's intentions. Further, as elements constituting this week programmer, a day/time counter and a readout circuit are required for reading and outputting the stored contents corresponding to the current day of the week and time.

A conceptual block diagram of a week programmer mainly composed of these elements is shown in Fig. 1, which includes a memory 1, an input key 2 as an input means, a day/time counter 3, a readout circuit 4, and other parts. Generally, a display circuit 5 and a control circuit (not shown) for controlling these elements are added.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a weak programmer, which is the premise of this invention, configured using a microcomputer.

The main elements that make up the system are a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 10, a ROM 11 that stores system programs, a RAM 12 that serves as a system work area, a day/time counter 13, and a program memory that follows a schedule for each day of the week and time. Memorize ivy data
These are a RAM 14, I/Os 15 to 17, a display 18, an output circuit 19 including an output terminal, and an input key 20. Each element is connected by a system bus 21 consisting of address, data, and control buses.

In the RAM 14, a plurality of blocks are stored, with the memory contents shown in FIG. 3 as one block, in priority order, for example, in order of output number, then in order of days of the week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc.). It is possible to change the contents, write a new block, erase a specific block, etc. by operating the input key 20. Here, the stored content of one block consists of four pieces of data: output number, day of the week, time, and output status, and the output status is composed of data corresponding to on, off, or pulse output.

When not in a special state, day/time counter 1
3 is the current day of the week and time, and RAM14
A block corresponding to the day of the week and time data of the counter 13 is always searched from a plurality of blocks stored in the block, and when a corresponding block is searched, the output number stored in that block is searched.
The output data stored in the output status area is sent to the terminal of. For example, output No. at 8:00 on Monday.
When executing a schedule to turn on the terminal "1" and turn it off at 13:00 on the same day, when the counter 13 reaches 8:00 on Monday, the block shown in Figure 4 A is searched and the on-data is Output circuit 19
while counter 13 is on Monday and
At 13:00, the block shown in FIG. Note that if the output state area of a certain block specifies pulse, when the day of the week and time of the block comes, the output circuit 19 outputs an ON signal for a certain period of time.
It is designed to be sent to

As described above, output data is sent to any output terminal according to a preset schedule.

However, such a weak programmer requires memory blocks (see Figure 3) that individually correspond to on and off output data, so it is possible to repeatedly turn on and off a certain output terminal within a day. If you want to do this, the number of memory blocks corresponding to the terminal and day of the week alone will take up a considerable number of blocks. In particular, when a load is turned on and off at a constant duty cycle for energy-saving operation, the number of memory blocks corresponding to the same day of the week at the same output terminal may reach several dozen. system cost,
It goes without saying that such a state is not desirable, especially from the viewpoint of reducing memory costs.

In view of the above circumstances, the main object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of memory used without degrading the functions of the device, thereby improving the memory usage efficiency and reducing the price of the device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a weak programmer which is an embodiment of the present invention.

The difference in configuration from Figure 2 is in the memory.
RAM 22 is added, an upper limit temperature sensor 23 and a lower limit temperature sensor 24 are provided, and I/O is installed to import the detected data into the system.
The point is that O25 is added. Also, RAM
The memory contents stored in block units in block 14 are also stored in the third block.
It may be different from what is shown in the figure. FIG. 6 shows the contents of this memory. As shown in the figure, one block is
It is composed of seven storage areas for storing each element: output number, day of the week, time, output status, duty flag, duty pattern number, and duty pattern number addition/subtraction execution flag. This configuration has a duty flag area and a duty pattern number area added to the area shown in FIG. As is clear from the explanation below, the duty flag provides data that determines whether or not to refer to the duty pattern number in the execution of the block; for example, if the data is "1", it is not referenced. However, it has a function to substantially change the content of the data in the output status area so that it is not referenced if the data is "0". In other words, when referring to the duty pattern number, the data stored in the output status area of the relevant block is considered to be the start time of duty operation, and the output data to be executed at that time is the data stored in another memory. Replaced by utility pattern data.

FIG. 7 shows the storage contents of the RAM 22 in which a plurality of duty pattern data are stored.

The duty pattern is determined by the cycle time that specifies the repetition time and the on time that specifies the output on time within one cycle.
Several data with different patterns are stored in the , and numbers are assigned to these patterns. For example, if the duty pattern No. is "2", the duty pattern has a cycle time of 30
minutes, on-time is 15 minutes. If "1" is stored in the duty flag (see Figure 6) of a certain block and duty pattern No. "2" is also stored, when the block is executed, The output data is pulsed output data with a cycle time of 30 minutes and an on time of 15 minutes. In this case, the data stored in the output status area of the block becomes the duty operation start time.

Also, if the duty pattern number of the same block is changed from "2" to "3" using the input key 20, the execution duty pattern will be changed to the number of the RAM 22.
Replaced with “3” pattern, cycle time
Output data is 30 minutes and on-time is 20 minutes. It goes without saying that by rewriting the duty flag from "1" to "0", the data in the output state area is validated as output data regardless of the data in the duty pattern number.

In this way, repeated output can be easily performed with a single memory block.

Furthermore, this weak programmer is designed to automatically adjust the duty pattern number stored in a specific memory block using an external temperature sensor. In order to realize this function, in addition to the above-described duty pattern table, a pattern number addition/subtraction table is stored in the RAM 22. This table shows that when the outputs of the sensors 23 and 24 are "1", the pattern numbers are incremented by "-1" and "+1", respectively. Therefore, when the sensor 23 becomes "1", the duty pattern number of the memory block whose duty pattern number addition/subtraction execution flag is set becomes "-".
1", and conversely, when the sensor 24 becomes "1", the pattern No. is incremented by "+1". Here, sensor 23 is the upper limit temperature sensor, sensor 24
Since is a temperature sensor, also the pattern
Since the on-time increases as the number increases (see Figure 7), when the sensor location reaches the upper limit temperature, the execution output data of a specific memory block will have a shorter on-time than the normal repeated pulse data. changes to repeated pulse data that is one rank shorter, and when the lower limit temperature is reached, it changes to repeated pulse data that is one rank longer. Such an operation makes it possible to automatically change the operating duty and perform temperature control when, for example, an air conditioner is operated intermittently.

Next, more specific operations of the above-described weak programmer will be explained with reference to FIG. 9 and subsequent figures.

FIG. 9 shows the main keys of the input keys 20 used in this weak programmer.

First, the functions of each key will be explained in order.

"OUT"...Key for setting the output number "WEEK"...Key for setting the day of the week "TIME"...Key for setting the time "SUN/O"..."/9"...Numeric key for specifying numbers and days of the week Then, the day of the week can be specified by operating the "WEEK" key.

"ENTER"...Key for writing program data "ON"...Set the output data to "ON" when setting program data Output data setting key "OFF"...Set the output data to "OFF" when setting program data Output data setting key "PLS" to set...Output data setting key "MEMO・CL" to set the output data to "PULSE" when setting program data...Data stored in RAM 14, 22 (program, table preset data) ) Erase key "READ"... Memory data of RAM14, 22 (program, table preset data)
Read key "Repeat"...Duty pattern reference designation key When writing a program to RAM14 block by block, among the above keys, use the "OUT" key, "WEEK" key, "TIME" key, numerical value Key,
Use the output data setting key, "ENTER" key, "Repeat" key, etc. For example, at 8:00 on Monday
When turning No. 5 output terminal “ON”,
"OUT", "5", "WEEK", "MON", "TIME",
Operate the keys in the order of "8", "ON", and "ENTER". Also, from 8:00 on Monday, when output terminal No. 5 is repeatedly turned "ON" and "OFF" in the form of duty pattern No. 2, "OUT", "5",
"WEEK", "MON", "TIME", "8", "ON"
(or "OFF", "PLS"), "ENTER", "Repeat",
Operate the keys in the order of "2" and "ENTER".

FIG. 10 shows the control procedure for writing this program. Note that the presetting of the duty pattern will be described later.

Step n ₁ (hereinafter step n _x is simply referred to as n _x )
Now, it is determined whether the first key operated in the write operation is the "OUT" key. Here, if it is the "OUT" key, proceed to n ₂ and output
We will accept the number, and then we will accept the days of the week in the following order.
n ₃ , time reception n ₄ , output data reception
Execute n ₅ , determine that the "ENTER" key has been operated at n ₆ , and write the data received at n ₂ to n ₅ to the memory of the RAM 14 at n ₇ . Subsequently, at _n8 , it is determined whether or not the "repeat" key is pressed for the next operation, but if there is no operation, writing of one block is completed. If the ``Repeat'' key is pressed, the process advances to <sub>n9</sub> and accepts the duty pattern number.It determines that the ``ENTER'' key in _n10 has been operated and accepts the _duty pattern number in _n11 . Save the data to RAM1
Write to memory 4. In this case, the address is made to be the same block as the block in which data _n2 to _n5 are written, and "1" is also written to the duty flag area at the same time.

As described above, when progressing from the start to end 1, the duty flag is not set, so the data in the output status area becomes the output data as is, and when progressing from the start to end 2, the duty flag is not set. Therefore, the output state data is ignored, and the duty pattern number stored in the same block is referred to for the output data.

Here, the duty pattern preset operation and operation will be explained.

The duty pattern preset is “Repeat”.
After operating the keys, specify the duty pattern number, cycle time, and on-time in this order, and finally press the "ENTER" key.

FIG. 11 shows the control procedure accompanying this operation.

First, at _n20 , it is determined whether or not the "repeat" key has been operated, and at _n21 , _n22 , and _n23 , the duty pattern number, cycle time, and on-time are accepted, respectively. Once they have been accepted
At _n24 , it is determined whether or not the "ENTER" key has been operated, and when it has been operated, the process advances to _n25 , where the data received at _n21 to _n23 is written. Note that this writing is performed in a predetermined area of the RAM 22.

In addition, the RAM 22 also has a pattern shown in Fig. 8.
The No. addition/subtraction table is also written in a predetermined area, but this writing operation and operation can be performed using other function keys (not shown), the "ENTER" key, and numeric keys to create the above-mentioned duty pattern. Since this can be easily done in the same way as in the case of , it will not be described in detail here.

Now, by repeating the write operation described above, it is possible to freely store multiple pieces of program data, duty patterns, etc. Next, we will explain the operation when executing the program stored in this way. I will explain about it.

As mentioned above, when the program is executed, the content of the built-in day of the week/time counter 13 is compared with the day of the week and time data of each of a plurality of blocks stored in the RAM 14. In other words, the day of the week and time data corresponding to the counter 13 are compared. Searches for blocks stored in the memory, and outputs the output when a matching block is found.
This is done by sending output data to the No. terminal.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the control procedure for this operation.

First, n ₃₀ is a step to search for blocks in which the day of the week and time that matches the day of the week and time counter 13 are stored.As mentioned above, the search is performed in descending order of output number,
The events are then held in order of the days of the week.

When a block whose day of the week and time match those of the counter 13 is detected, the process proceeds to _n31 , where the stored contents of the duty flag area of that block are determined.
Here, if the flag is not set, proceed to n ₃₂ , execute the output data (data stored in the output status area) of that block, and repeat it again.
Return to n ₃₀ and search for the next block. However, if the flag is set, the process proceeds to _n33 and the execution output data is replaced.

First, the duty pattern number of the block is read, and if the duty pattern number addition/subtraction execution flag of that block is set, the states of the sensors 23 and 24 are detected at _n35 and _n36 , and the upper limit temperature sensor 23 is set. If is ON, set the pattern number to "-1" with n ₃₇
However, if the lower limit temperature sensor 24 is ON, the pattern number is incremented by "+1" in _n38 . If both of these sensors are OFF, or if the duty pattern number addition/subtraction execution flag of the block concerned is not set, the current duty pattern number will be the target. Next, use n ₃₉ to specify the cycle time and on-time corresponding to the duty pattern No.
The duty pattern data in the RAM 22 is read out, and the data is executed as output data at _n40 .

In this way, a program for a certain output terminal is executed, and a program for each output terminal is also executed in the same way. More specifically, every time the contents of the day/time counter 13 change, all blocks stored in the RAM 14 are searched, and programs are executed in the order of output numbers for all of the searched blocks. The procedure shown in FIG. 12 will be repeated. The time required to process these steps can be almost ignored since the number of output terminals required for a weak programmer is not that large, and therefore the time required to process these steps can be almost ignored.
All off fluctuations occur at the same time.

In the above example, two sensors were used to automatically change the duty pattern number to "+1" or "-1", but the input key 20
It goes without saying that the magnitude of the change can be changed arbitrarily using . Moreover, two or more sensors may be used, and it is also possible to use not only a temperature sensor but also various sensors depending on the object to be controlled. Furthermore, by using the input key 20 without using a sensor,
It is also possible to directly specify the number of additions and subtractions to the duty pattern number and its implementation.

As described above, according to the present invention, the output data of each block stored in the program memory (RAM 14) is controlled by duty pattern data representing continuous output states stored in another memory (RAM 22). Since the program memory capacity can be reduced, the cycle time and on-time of continuous output data can be changed as desired by simply changing the duty pattern number stored in the block. It is possible to change to . Therefore, it is extremely easy to change the output data, which has the effect of greatly improving operability. In addition, by appropriately setting the duty pattern number of each block, it is possible to easily reduce the instantaneous power required for multiple controlled objects to operate simultaneously, thereby saving energy and reducing contract power. It has usefulness.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a weak programmer which is the premise of this invention, and are a conceptual block diagram and a block diagram using a microcomputer, respectively. Also, Figure 3 shows the program memory in the weak programmer shown in Figure 2.
The contents of one block stored in the RAM 14 are shown, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show examples thereof. Fifth
The figure is a block diagram of a weak programmer that is an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows the contents of one block stored in the program memory (RAM 14) of the programmer, and Figure 7 shows the contents of another memory (RAM 22). The duty pattern table stored in the same memory (RAM2) is shown in Figure 8.
2) shows the pattern number addition/subtraction table stored in FIG. Furthermore, FIG. 9 shows the main input keys used by the weak programmer, and also shows the 10th key.
Figures 1 through 12 are flowcharts showing the operating procedure of this weak programmer. 10...CPU, 13...Day/time counter, 14...RAM (program memory), 19
...Output circuit, 20...Input key, 22...
RAM.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first memory that stores a plurality of output terminals, an output number specifying any one of the plurality of output terminals, a day of the week, a time, and an output state for each output data; It has a day of the week/time counter that stores the time, and the day of the week of the memory contents of the counter,
In a week programmer that reads output data corresponding to a time from the first memory and outputs the contents of the output state of the output data to an output terminal specified by the output number of the output data, the output A second memory is provided for storing a plurality of duty pattern data specifying on/off repetition times, and the output state of the output data stored in the first memory is stored in the second memory. A weak programmer characterized in that it can be replaced with any of the duty pattern data.