EP2063328A2 - Electronic circuit for managing the operation of peripheral elements of a watch - Google Patents

Abstract

The circuit (1) has a processor (2) i.e. CPU, connected to a non-volatile memory (3) e.g. flash memory. Connection units constituted by multiplexers (6a, 6b) and a communication bus (7) connect peripheral controllers (4), the processor and the memory to communicate information relating to operation of a watch with each other. An initialization unit (8) i.e. programmable memory, acts on the controllers to initialize the controllers by sending data without intervention of the processor and by permitting the controllers to execute operations independent of the processor and the memory. An independent claim is also included for method for actuating an electronic circuit of a watch.

Description

The present invention generally relates to an electronic circuit for managing the operation of a watch having several functions. These functions are performed by different devices, each of these devices being controlled by a controller. The electronic circuit comprises a processor connected to a non-volatile memory that contains instructions to be made, peripheral controllers for interacting with watch peripherals, and connection means arranged to allow peripheral controllers to the non-volatile memory and the processor communicating information relating to the operation of said watch, with each other.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

It is known in the prior art electronic watch circuits for managing this watch, that is to say for example to count the seconds, to rotate the hands or to manage the manual action of the user on the buttons of said watch. The electronic circuits according to the prior art comprise a processor associated with a non-volatile memory storing program lines necessary for the operation of the watch, as well as peripheral controllers. These device controllers are responsible for making the connection between the devices of the watch such as the motor / needle assembly, the chain of division or others.

The management of a watch in this type of electronic circuit is totally under the control of the processor by whom all communications between the different elements are done. An example, in the case of a start of the chronograph by the user, by pressing the appropriate button, this support will cause a change of state of the corresponding signal. This change of state reaches the processor which will then process this information to then access the memory, seek the corresponding instruction and execute it by ordering the relevant devices to act in adequacy with this instruction.

Such management nevertheless raises a certain number of problems in the field of watchmaking. Indeed, one of the major concerns of the watch industry is to increase the life of the battery of an electronic watch. However management according to the prior art implies that the processor is very often in operation. For example, just for the display of the time, the processor must be running every second to increment the time and make the change on the display system. This necessarily implies a significant power consumption thereby reducing the life of the battery.

Another problem of this management comes from the fact that the connection means for the transfer of information, are arranged so that all communications pass through said processor. Thus each watch circuit is specifically wired according to the functions it has. This entails significant inventory risks of electronic watch circuits in the event that they have not had the expected success.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an electronic watch circuit which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, namely large consumptions and a lack of flexibility, said circuit being intended to execute operations independently of the processor and / or the memory nonvolatile.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an electronic circuit for managing the operation of a watch cited above, which is characterized in that further includes initialization means that can act on the device controllers to initialize them and enable them to perform operations independently of the processor and / or the nonvolatile memory.

Advantageous embodiments of the electronic circuit are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 10.

An advantage of the circuit according to the invention is that an initialization means is able to act on the peripheral controllers to initialize them and enable them to execute operations independently of the processor and / or the non-volatile memory. This ensures that on the one hand, it is possible for the peripherals to be autonomous with respect to the processor with or without the non-volatile memory without closing the door to a reintegration of said processor in the management of the operation of the watch. On the other hand, this allows a reduction of the power consumption which would go from 7.6 μA during a management according to the prior art to a consumption of the order of 400nA in the case of management according to the present invention.

Finally, another advantage of the present invention is to guarantee a flexibility of the electronic watch circuit so that according to the present invention, the number of applications in the circuit is not fixed. This allows a series of manufacturing to another, less worry about inventory problems since the circuit is flexible enough to implement applications other than the original ones and therefore use this circuit in many products.

The present invention also relates to a method for initializing an electronic watch circuit so that the latter can be managed without the processor and the non-volatile memory where the code lines coding the applications are stored, are put into operation. .

For this purpose, this method is characterized in that an access to the initialization means is performed, then a reading of the data therein is made for then executed which allows the initialization of the controllers of peripherals.

The advantage of this method comes from the fact that there is only the initialization means to be modified according to the applications that one wishes to implant in the watch.

A particular step of the process is the subject of the dependent claim 12.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1 représente de manière schématique le circuit électronique de montre selon la présente invention.

The purposes, advantages and characteristics of the electronic watch circuit and its actuation method will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the invention given solely by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated. by the appended drawing in which:

• the figure 1 schematically represents the electronic watch circuit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, all the parts of the electronic circuit which are well known to a person skilled in the art in this technical field will be explained only in a simplified manner. Said electronic circuit is mainly intended for the operation of elements or peripherals of the watch.

The figure 1 schematically represents the electronic watch circuit 1 according to the present invention. This circuit 1 manages the operation of a watch and comprises in the same chip, a processor 2 communicating with a non-volatile memory 3, peripheral controllers 4 communicating outside the electronic circuit 1 with the peripherals of the watch and communicating with the receiver. internal circuit itself via connecting means 6a, 6b and 7. These connecting means 6a, 6b and 7 allow peripheral controllers to communicate with each other but also with the processor 2 and therefore also with the non-volatile memory 3.

The electronic circuit 1 is powered by a voltage source, typically a battery, whose voltage is preferably 1.55V although a voltage other than this may be used. Of course, other power supply means are possible.

Regarding the nonvolatile memory 3, the technology used for it may be a nonvolatile memory technology 3 allowing the realization of a nonvolatile memory 3 of Flash or EEPROM type. These non-volatile memories 3 allow rewriting of the data in the case of partial or total reprogramming according to the evolution of the electronic watch circuit 1 in time.

Nevertheless, all types of nonvolatile memories can be used. The choice of one type of memory compared to another is based on characteristics of size, capacity, power consumption see access performance and reading of each type of memory considered.

This non-volatile memory 3 is intended to contain lines of codes of the instructions used for the operation of the watch. These instructions can be divided into two categories: standard instructions and specific instructions. Standard instructions are those instructions of the watch that are most commonly used or that are permanently integrated into electronic watch systems. For example, instructions for incrementing the time, displaying the time, the date or even the chronograph functions. Conversely, specific instructions are those instructions which are not necessary for the proper functioning of the watch or which are not all the time implanted in watches such as the instructions for managing a transceiver, instructions for use. external sensor controls, meteorological function management instructions, etc. Preferably, it is arranged for the non-volatile memory 3 to be consists of two distinct areas: a first where the standard instructions are written and a second where the specific instructions are written.

The peripheral designation is given for the systems of the watch which are useful for the operation of said watch and the realization of the functions that the latter proposes. For example, as a device always present, the quartz accompanied by its division chain for timing the different elements. It can also be noted that the present circuit 1 comprises a single oscillator for clocking all the elements of the watch. Other devices may be the motor systems of the hands or the display screen depending on whether it is an analog watch or digital. It is also possible to mention the inputs / outputs, that is to say the different buttons of the watch, while optional peripherals can be the engine systems of a chronograph or the management systems of any function using a sensor like a compass or altimeter or whatever.

Each device is thus connected to a peripheral controller 4 located in said electronic watch circuit 1. These controllers each include an initialization register 5 for setting certain internal data to each peripheral such as, for example, the characteristics of the driving pulses: frequency , length or other in the case of the device controller of the driving pulse generator.

As can be seen on the figure 1 , the different elements of the electronic circuit 1 are connected to each other via the connecting means 6a, 6b and 7. These are represented on the figure 1 partly by 2 multiplexers 6a and 6b. These multiplexers 6a and 6b are called initialization multiplexer 6a for the one which serves above all to allow initialization of the initialization registers 5 of the peripheral controllers 4, and the operating multiplexer 6b, for the one which serves for its part. allow the flow of data between the different elements when the circuit 1 is in normal operation.

The two multiplexers 6a and 6b are connected to the different elements by communication buses 7. Among the elements connected together via the multiplexers 6a and 6b and the communication buses 7, there is the processor 2 which is also capable of communicating with the 4. This is because the circuit 1 may optionally be independent of processor 2 and nonvolatile memory 3. It will also be pointed out that other connection means 6a, 6b and 7 may be used in the electronic watch circuit 1 according to the present invention.

As noted above, the present circuit 1 differs from what is currently known by the presence of an initialization means 8 for configuring the peripheral controllers 4 and the connecting means 6a, 6b and 7 that is say the multiplexers 6a and 6b, so that the peripherals can operate completely independently of the processor 2 and the non-volatile memory 3. This initialization means 8 is represented on the figure 1 as a programmable memory 8 containing the initialization data to be implemented in the initialization registers 5 of the peripheral controllers 4 and the initialization data of the connecting means 6a and 6b. This programmable memory 8 is connected to the initialization registers 5 of the peripheral controllers 4 via the initialization multiplexer 6a and a communication bus 7. This initialization means 8, the peripheral controllers 4 and the connection means 6a, 6b and 7 form the autonomous assembly 9 used for the watch to operate without intervention of the processor 2 and the non-volatile memory 3.

The initialization instructions that are set in the boot registers 5 of the peripheral controllers 4 are the following data. As data implanted in the various initialization registers, we first find the specific characteristics of the devices such as those mentioned before, these not contributing to the decrease in the power consumption of circuit 1, that is to say, not contributing to make the peripherals autonomous. The problem is solved by the implementation of instructions configuring the inputs / outputs of each device controller 4.

Indeed, each device controller 4 has a series of inputs / outputs allowing it on the one hand to communicate with the device that corresponds to it, that is to say to receive information from the latter and other part to communicate with the processor 2, that is to say to transmit information to the processor 2 and to receive the data of the latter to be transmitted to the device. But what has just been described just before corresponds to what happens in a circuit according to the prior art. Indeed, this is the example of the case where you engage the chronograph by pressing a button. In this example, pressing the button will generate a change of state of the corresponding variable, this change of state will then be transmitted to the processor 2 via the device controller 4 which manages the different buttons. Following this, the processor 2 will process this information, that is to say, interpret what this change of state means and act accordingly, that is to say execute the instruction that manages the chronograph and transmit it to the corresponding peripherals, namely the chronograph and chronograph hands and motor as well as the clock.

However, the present invention differs from the prior art in that, in the case of the example above, the change of state of the actuated button variable will be sent directly to the peripherals so that they can fulfill their purpose. function. Thus, we get rid of a transfer and processing of information by the processor 2 which on the one hand, allows us to save time of cycles and on the other hand, allows us to gain in consumption since n There is no need to turn on processor 2 to perform these tasks.

As a result, a method for starting the electronic watch circuit 1 and more generally the watch has been developed. Indeed, at start-up, all systems are normally off, so initialization of the boot registers 5 of the peripheral controllers 4 can not be performed. Thus, it is provided in the electronic circuit 1 of the present invention to put a management controller further responsible for starting the circuit 1. For this, the management controller presented above will access the programmable memory 8 containing the data. initialization, read this data to finally transfer this data to the initialization registers 5 of the device controllers 4 intended for them. Once this process is complete, the watch goes into operation.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that it is not necessarily the management controller that orders the initialization of the registers 5 of the peripheral controllers 4. Thus, this reading of the programmable memory 8 and the operations that follow can be performed automatically when the power is turned on. Another solution is to define in the memory a bit whose value allows either an automatic initialization or an initialization by the management controller.

It has been said previously that the electronic watch circuit 1 had the possibility of using the processor 2 in order to execute specific instructions. But it should be noted that the processor 2 can also be turned on to execute standard instructions if necessary. Therefore, we will explain below the process so that the processor 2 is used for the purpose of executing these instructions.

Indeed, the processor 2 must be able to be reset at any time as soon as an instruction that it is specific or standard, must be executed by said processor 2. For this, it is expected that each device can be able to send an interruption signal via the connection means 6a, 6b and 7 to the processor 2. This interrupt signal enables the operation of the processor 2 so that to execute the instructions stored in the nonvolatile memory 3. To do this, the interrupt signal, once received by the processor 2, will trigger the awakening of the latter, which will then go from a passive mode to a active mode where he can perform tasks. Thus the processor 2 will access the non-volatile memory, read the corresponding instruction and then execute it, once this instruction has been executed, the processor 2 will be able to switch from an active mode to a passive mode in order to reduce the overall power consumption of the electronic watch circuit 1. Preferably, this embodiment, where an interruption signal is used to allow the execution of instructions by the processor 2, is used for the execution of specific instructions.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention set forth above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

An electronic circuit for managing the operation of a watch (1), said circuit comprising a processor (2) connected to a non-volatile memory (3), which contains instructions to be made, peripheral controllers (4) for interacting with watch peripherals, and link means (6a, 6b and 7) arranged to enable the peripheral controllers, the nonvolatile memory and the processor to communicate information relating to the operation of said watch with each other, characterized in that said watch electronic circuit further comprises an initialization means (8) capable of acting on the peripheral controllers to initialize them by sending them data without intervention of the processor (2) and enabling them to execute operations independently of the processor and / or the non-volatile memory. Electronic circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that the initialization means (8) is a programmable memory (8) in which configuration data of the peripheral controllers (4) are stored in order to be able to initialize said controllers. according to characteristics specific to each device and / or the inputs / outputs of each device controller with the other elements of the electronic circuit (1). Electronic circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that the configuration of the peripheral controllers (4) is ordered by a management controller. Electronic circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that the configuration of the peripheral controllers (4) is capable of being performed automatically at the start of the electronic circuit (1). Electronic circuit according to Claim 2, characterized in that the configuration of the peripheral controllers (4) is controlled according to the value of a bit written in said programmable memory (8). Electronic circuit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connecting means (6a, 6b and 7) comprise at least one communication bus (7) and at least one multiplexer (6a, 6b) configured by means of data of the initialization means (8) and arranged to manage the communications of the different elements of the electronic circuit (1) with each other. Electronic circuit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the processor (2) is able to switch from a passive mode to an active mode in which it can execute instructions following the generation of an interrupt from a device. Electronic circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that during the generation of an interrupt, the non-volatile memory (3) also switches from a passive mode to an active mode for communicating with the processor (2). Electronic circuit according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the non-volatile memory (3) is divided into two zones, a first zone for holding standard application code lines and a second zone for containing lines. specific application codes. Electronic circuit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a single oscillator is used to clock all the elements of the circuit (1). Method for actuating an electronic watch circuit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, at startup, the steps: to access the initialization means (8), to read data stored in the initialization means (8), to execute configuration instructions stored in the initialization means. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that when the processor (2) switches from a passive mode to an active mode where it can execute instructions, the method comprises the steps of: receiving an interrupt signal from at least one device of the watch, this signal being transmitted to the processor via the connecting means (6a, 6b and 7), - turn on the processor (2), executing the instruction corresponding to the interrupt signal, by the processor (2), and - Put in the passive mode the processor (2) at the end of the execution of the instruction.

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