CA1057963A - Programmable signal clock with electronic appointments marking calendar - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
In programmable timing apparatus forming an electronic appointments reminder, a support formed by an insertable sheet or an insulating surface receives markings made with conductive material or by punched holes at locations corresponding with predetermined times in a given period. Each marking makes or interrupts an electrical connection between a conductive path and a bus-bar. The locations are designated by characters which indicate the respective hours and predetermined intervals in minutes of the given period. Switches driven by a rotating cam disc derive sequential timing signals at predetermined inter-vals during the given period. Apparatus is provided for auto-matically and sequentially responding to correspondence between the timing signals and the predetermined time represented by the respective marking to provide a respective time related out-put signal which is used to operate and electronic alarm. Pro-gramming positions may be provided in which conductors definer gaps which are closed by conductive marking material which is applied when a number is written into the programming position.
Coded signals are thereby derived representing the number which has been written. Electronic timing displays are also used and a memory may be incorporated to store data read from markings made on the support.

Description

i7~3 This invention relates to a proyrammable timing appara--tus which can be used to indicate appointmen-ts in a perceptible manner, for example, acoustically, vi.suall.y, or both.
U.K. Patent Specification No. 1,438,685 relates to a data storage and retrieval memory device and to a sheet of ma-t-erial adapted for use with said device, said sheet being made of non-conductive material and having conductive paths defininy gaps -to define storage positions which can be coded by conduc-tive marking material. The embodiments of the present invention show how a predetermined time output signal, whi.eh can be used for operating an alarm circuit, can be derivecl from a markiny on a support such as an insertable sheet or a pad provided with conduetive paths. They also show modifiea-tions and improvemen-ts over the invention disclosed in U.K. Patent Speeification No.
1,438,685. According to one of these modifications, a predeter-mined time is reeorded in a data storage position to produce eoded siynals whieh are compared with timing signals to provide an alarm signal output. Aeeording to another modification, pre-determined times are entered into a memory by reading markings on a support and the memory is read by sequen-tial timing signals to derive outputs at the predetermined reeorded times.
Aeeording to the broadest aspeet of the invention, a programmable timing apparatus eomprises a support thereon for reeeiving markings at loeations eorresponding with predetermin-ed times in a given period; an eleetrieally eonduetive bus bar and a plurality of eleetrieally eonduetive paths; each marking either making or interrupting an eleetrical conneetion between one of said eleetrieally eonduetive paths and said bus bar, said locations heing designated by characters which indicate the respeetive hours and predetermined intervals in minutes of 9~3~

of the given period; timing means for deriving sequential tim-ing signals at prede-termined intervals duriny said period and means for automatically and sequentially responding to corres-pondence between a respective one of said timing signals and the predetermined time represented by the respective one of said markings to provide a respective time related output signal.
~mbodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 generally illustra-tes a programmable timepiece or signal clock accordiny -to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows an appointments calendar sheet for use with the timepiece or clock shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically how the appointments calendar sheet is inserted;
Fiys. 4a to 4k show respective arrangements of conduc-tive paths, bus-bars, markings between the paths and the bus-bars and external connections for the paths on different supports;
Fig. 5 illustrates the timing means and alarm circuit according to one embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a pulse diagram for explaining the embodiment of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 illustrates a further embodiment suitable for a twenty four hour time period;
Fig. 8 illustrates a logic stage;
Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the logic stage;
Fig~ 10 shows a fur'cher embodiment in which appointments on the days of a week can be indicated in respective time per-iods of 24 hours;
Fig. 11 shows another embodiment;

~7~3 Fig. 12 shows a form Gf const]ruction for seconds pro-gramming over a period of one week;
Figs. 13a to 13c schematically illustrate an embodiment including a support designa-ting area in which a predetermined time is written in numerals;
Fig. 14 schematlcally illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in Figs. 13a to 13c, which modification includ-es a preferred alarm circuit;
Fig. 15, which appears on the same sheet as E'igs. 13b and 13c, is a pulse diagram for explaining the operation of the alarm circuit; and Fig. 16 schematically illustrates an embodiment which employs a memory for recording predetermined times from a reader.
As shown in the general illustration in Fig. 1 a pro-grammable timepiece or signal clock comprises a casing 1 having a support surface 2 for an appointments calender sheet 10 (see Fig. 2). A clamping slot 3 can be released by depressing a key 4 so that an appointments calendar sheet can be inserted into this slot and laid down on the support surface 2. In order to ensure eorrect positioning of the appointments calender sheet 10, holding pins are provided on the support surface 2. A
clock 6 installed in the casing 1 controls the electrical part of the signal clock in a manner which will be described herein-below. By means of a push-button switch 7 a signal, t ~ 57~36,3 ~hich is produced on che occurrence of appointmen-cs recorded on the appoincments calendar, can be cancelled in a manner llkewlse to be described hereinbelo~J.
As sho~n in Figure 2, electIlcally conductive path~
11 are p~ided on an appointments calendar sheet 10, an~
are electrically accessible from outside. These paths represent a determined time graduation, for exa~ple a ~ime period of 12 hours divlded into periods o~ a auarter-hour each; in order to show these time divisions optically, n~merals 13 are recorded on the appointments calendar sheet.
In addition, a bus-bar 12 is provided on the appoint~ents calendar sheet 10, while for the purpose of ma~Xing a determ1ned moment of time an electric~lly conductive marking 17 is recorded, whlch produces a short-circuit bet~een a pathl 11 and the bus-bar 12. In an area 1~! notes can be entered against the respective times to g1Ye infoxm-ation regardin~- the nature of the appointment mar~ed. The base material fo~ an appointm~nts calendar sheet is usually insulating material, for e~ample paper, on which ths con--ductive path9 11 and also the conductive bus 12 are provided.
Figure 3 shows diagrammatically that an appointments c~lendar sheet 10, curved in the direction of the arrow shown, can be inserted into the slot 3 and then laid down on the support surface 2.
Figures 4a to 4d show various forms of path~ andbus-bars and also of the marXings producing the signals.

.. . . . . ..
' _ . . , ., . ,.,, _,_,, . ,_ . .__ _ _,_ . . _._ _, ,,, __, _ _ . , .__ _,_ _ _ , _ _ _ ,,,. , ,,, ,, ,, . , .~ . .. , ,.
, . ,. , ,, ,, , _ 1~57~
According to Figure 4a, the paths for the time gradua-tion are in the form of parallel linear elements lla, while the bus-bar 12a runs vertically past their end faces. The ex-ternal connection of the paths lla is made by means of fixed contacts 15a, which are situated inside the slot 3 in accordance with Figure 1 and are firrnly pressed on to the paths. From these con-tacts 15a leads 16a extend to the electrical part of the appoint-ments calendar; this electrical part will be described later on.
The paths lla and the bus-bar 12a can be selectively bridged by markings 17a, which can be made by hand, so that an electrical short-circuit is made between the paths and the bus-bar.
According to Figure 4b, contacts 15b can be directly pressed against an appointments calendar sheet 10 which has no paths or bus-bar; a bus-bar 12b likewise runs past their end faces. The bus-bar and the contacts 15b are then incorporated in the signal clock. Leads 16b run out direct from these con-tacts 15b. Here again selective electrical bridging between contacts 15b and the bus-bar 12b can be effected by markings 17b which are electrically conductive and can be made by hand.
In the embodirnent shown in Figure 4c, paths llc together with a bus-bar 12c form a comb-like structure, while contacts 15c, from which leads 16c run out, are disposed on the paths llc. In this embodiment the marking necessary for producing a signal is in the form of holes which are punched in the paths llc or accomplished by partly erasing the paths.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 4d, paths lld and a bus-bar 12d, likewise in the form of a comb, are formed ~L(35~9~3 directly on a suppor-t surface, while leads 16d are fastened to the paths lld. In this arrangement a signal can be given in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in Figure 4a, but directly on the support surface 2.
Figures 4e-4h illustrate an embodiment which may be used with a wristwatch. The face of a watch 300 includes a transparent cover 301 circumferentially surrounded by a trans-parent rotatable bezel 302. The inner edge of bezel 302 has teeth 303 which are engaged by a spring arm 304. The pitch of the tee th corresponds with a predetermined timing inter-val, for example, 15 minute intervals in either a twelve or twenty four hour period depending on the display of the watch.
The bezel includes a slot 305 which is wide enough to receive the point of a pencil or some other device for making a mark-ing with conductive material. The marking is made on a rim 306 of the watch casing, which rim has a surface enabling a pencil mark to be made and subsequently erased. At least one other slot 307 is provided in the bezel 302 which is wide enough to receive a small eraser for removing a marking made on the rim 306. A circuit bus-bar 308 and series of conduc-tive paths 309 are provided at radial intervals on the annular surface of the rim 306, the paths being spaced from the bus-bar to define a gap which can be connected by conductive mark-ing material.
In use, the bezel 302 is rotated until slot 305 is locat-ed at a predetermined time, for example 9.45 a.m. where a mark-ing is made on the surface of the rim 306 closing the gap between a respective conductive path and the bus-bar 308. When the watch indicates 9.45 a.m. an alarm is given. The marking is ~57~i3 removed by rotating the bezel 302 until one of the slo-ts 307 is coincident with the marking to enable the use of an eraser.
As an alternative to making a marking on the surface of the rim 306 with a pencil, use can be made of a pressure sensitive layer which optically records a marking and which can be cleared by releasing the marking pressure. Such a device is generally known, per se, and includes a transparent sheet covering a semi-transparent adhesive sheet, such as waxed paper, which overlies a black backing layer. When pressure ls applied by a pointed instrument, such as the point of a pencil, the semi-transparent sheet adheres to the backing layer making the marking visible. The marking is erased by separating the semi-transparent layer from the backing sheet by moving a separating strip between them. Such a device is described in greater detail in the following embodiment.
In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4i-4k, a calendar card 310 is of multi-layered construction as shown in Fig. 4j.
TheSe layers include a transparent sheet 311, a semi-transparent sheet 312, an adhesive coating or layer 313, a black base 314, a conductive base 315 (such as a sheet of soft copper), a conductive adhesive layer or coating 316, an insulating sheet 317 with a plurality of holes 317', a layer 318 including conductive paths and a base 319. A pair of separator strips 320 are provided between sheet 312 and the adhesive layer 313 and between the layer 318 including conductive paths and the insulating sheet 317. The separator strips extend across a column of holes 317' shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4i.
Card 310 is marked in predetermined time intervals (12.00, 12.15, 12.30...... 11.30, 11.45 as shown), a hole 317' 57~3 corresponding with each of these markings. When a marking is made with a pointed ins-trument above one of the holes 317', the marking is made visible by adhesion between the adhesive layer 313 and sheet 312 and a corresponding connection is made between a respective conductive path 318 and the conductive base 315 by contact with the conductive adhesive 316. The con-ductive base 315 form a bus-bar connected to a pad 321 and the conductive paths 318 are connected to respective pads 322 shown along the edge of the card 310 in Figure 4g. A series of spring arms 323 contact pads 322 when the card 310 is inserted in the programmable signal clock. Contacts 323 are sequentially connected, as previously described, and as schematically re-presented by a moving contact 324. The visible markings caus-ed by adhesion between layer 313 and sheet 312 and the contacts made between the conductive base 315, conductive adhesive layer 316 and conductive paths 318 are removed by sliding the separa-tors 320 which releases the respective adhesive contacts. Figure 4k shows the disconnected state between layers 315, 318.
As an alternative, the layers 315-319 shown in Figure 4k may be used with areplaceable plain sheet, including a column of marked times and marking locations as shown on card 310, to-gether with spaces for diary entries. In this case, layers 315-319 are provided beneath a support pad for the replaceable sheet, the sheet being secured in the correct position by a clamping device and guides as in the embodiment described with reference to Figure 2.
In a fur~her alternative (not illustrated), the conduc-tive sheet 315 and conductive adhesive layer 316 are replaced by a sheet containing a series of bistable switching elements, ~7~

such as diaphragms which can be urge!d lnto one of each of two stable positions. Either the diaphragms are conductive or are positioned over a ccnductive layer which is uryed into resilient contact with the conductive paths 318 to make the required contact. Separa-tors 320 may be used to return the diaphragms to a starting position.
Figure 5 shows details of a form of construction of a pulse generator 20 for producing a signal in pulse form, which corresponds to a given time graduation, and also of an output circuit for operating an indicator element.
The pulse generator contains a rotary switch 21, which acts as pulse distributor and which has contacts 22 disposed on a circle and also a rotating contact arm 23, coupled to the shaft of the hours hand of a eloek (not shown), eoming sueees-sively into eleetrieal eontaet with the eontacts.
The contacts 22 are electrically conneeted to the paths 11 on an appointments ealendar sheet 10 by way of the lead 16 and eontaet 15 e~plained in connection with Figures 4a to 4d.
The number of contacts 22 corresponds to the time graduation provided on the appointments ealendar sheet 10. If the time graduation on the appointments calendar sheet 10 as shown in Figure 2 is equal to a period of twelve hours, for example from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., each hour being divided into quarter-hours, four contacts 22 will be provided on the rotary switeh 21 for eaeh hour, that is to say the rotary switch will have a total of 48 contacts. The contact arm 23 will make one eomplete revolution in twelve hours, so that it will pass over one eon-tact 22 every quarter-hour.

~, ~0~79~;3 In addition, the pulse yenerator 20 contains a change-over switch 24 (= pulse transmitter) which acts as pulse trans-mitter and has two switch contacts 25 and 26 and also a switch arm 27 adapted to be switched over between these switch contacts.
The switch arm 27 is connected to a voltage source U, while the switch contact 25 is connected to the contact arm 23 of the rotary switch 21.
In addition, the switch arm 27 of the change-over switch 24 is operatively connected to a cam disc 28 which is provided with four cams 29 spaced equally apart on its circum-ference. This cam disc 28 is coupled to the shaft of the minutes hand of the clock (not shown) and performs one com-plete revolution every hcur. Every time a cam 29 comes into engagement with the switch arm 27 of the change-over switch 24, the latter is connected to the switch contact 25. When a cam 29 runs off the switch arm 27, the latter is switched over to the switch contact 26.
If the rotation of the contact arm 23 of the rotary switch 21 is now synchronised with the rotation of the cam disc 28 in such a manner that the switch arm 27 is connected to the switch contact 25 when the contact arm 23 has run on to a contact 22, the paths 11 on the appointments calendar sheet 10 receive a signal from the voltage source U. This signal is in pulse form, since it begins with the previously mentioned electrical connection through the change-over switch 24 and the rotary switch 21 and ends on the interruption of this connection.

79~3 At the poin~ at which a conductive mar]~ing 17 on the appointment calendar sheet is situated bet~7een a path 11 and the bus-bar ]2, this signal can be trans-mitted via the bus~bar 12 and passe~. to the input of the output circuit 30.
This output circuit 30 contains a flip-flop 31 and aiso an amplifier 33 which is connected to the output of t~is flip-flop and which operates an~`indicator qlement 33. This indicator element is pre~erably in the form of a sound generatorO
When the flip-flop 31 (for example C~IOS co~po-nent ~013) in the output circuit 30 is operate~ at its S-input by a signal in pulse form from the bus-bar 12, it produces at 'ts output a signal which operates the sound transmitter 33 by way of the amplifier 32. ~1hen ~a cam 29 of the cam disc 28 has run off the switch arm 27 of the change-over switch 24, the switch arm 27 switches over to the switch contact 26. Thus a signal rrom the voltage source U is applied to this switch contact 26 This signal is transmitted through an R-input to the flip~flop 31, so that the latter is reset, that is to say the signal operating the sound transm;tter 33 also disappears.
In order to obtain defined indication times the running of the contact arm 23 of the rotary switch 71 is synchronised to that of the cam disc 28 in such a manner that the switch arm ~7 of the change-over switch ~0 is switched over to the s~ c'n contact 25 precisely ~rhen the contact arm 2~ is situated in the middle OL h contact 27. This time sequence can be seen from the tirne cycle diagrams in Figure 6 in which t signifies the time~ ~ccording to the top diagram in Figure 6, the contact arm 23 runs on to a contac-t 2~ at the mo.~ent t and runs off it at the moment t2. ~ccording to the ~otto~
diagram in Figure 6, the switch arm Z7 of the change-over switch 24 is switched over to the switch contact 25 in - lO the middle between the tir,le points tl and t2, that is to say at the moment tl'. ~t each moment oE time t2' a cam 24 has run off the switch arm 27, so that the latter is switched over from the switch contact 25 to the switch contact 26. Electrical pulses I20 having a duration f t2' - tl' are thus transmitted to the switch contact 22.
- By suitable shaping of the cams 29 of the cam disc 28 the duration of the pulses I20 can be fixed, so that the sound transmitter 33 also transmits an acoustic signal for a predetermined period of time. Ihis predeter-mined period of time may ~or exa~ple be within the range fro~ six to twelve minutes.
In order to enable the sound transmitter 33 also to be switched off ~anually, the reset input R (connec-ted to the switch contact 26) of the flip-flop 31 can be connected by way of a s~Jitch 7 to a ~oltage source V~
so tha~ the flip-flop can be reset in order to interrupt the acoustic signals even before a cam 29 runs off the ., . . -- .. _ ~ _ ~ . . ~. _ . _, .. . , .... ... _. _ .. , . , .. . .. , .. . _ _.. , . ... , _ .... . , .... _ . _ _. .. _ _ . . .. .... . . _. _ __ 357~

switch arm 27. The swit~h 7 here corresponds to the push-button switch 7 in Fi~ure 1.
Instead o a flip-flop 31 in the output circuit 30 according to Figure 5, a switchiny transistor, ~hich switches on the sound generator 33 ~Ihen operated by a signal in pulse form from the bus-bar 12, may for example also he provided.
With an appointments calendar sheet 10 of ~he ~ind illustrated in Figure 2, an appointment indication can be effected within a -time period of t~elve hours, for example from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the aid oE a circuit of the kind shown in Figure 5. If with an appointments calenda~ sheet of this kind the indication of appointments is to be extended to a time period of 24 ilours, additional action must ~e taken in order to make ît possible to switch over from one period of twelve hours to another period of twelve hours.
The embodiment illustrated in ~igure 7 is suita~le for taking this action.
In this embodiment the appointments calendar sheet 10 carries two additionalPath9 111 and 112, each of which applies to a twelve hour period, It will be assumed that thePathS 111 is a daytiMe paths,for example for the period from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.~ and the pathsll2 is a nighttime path~ for example for the period from 6 p,~. to 6 a.m. In this arran~ement the path 111 is in particular fi,ced to the bus-bar 12, while a path 112 can be conductively connected to the bus-bar by a rnarking 170. Both path9 can also be connected to the bus-~ar by their corresponding marlcings.
These paths 111 and 112 are connected to s~ritch contacts 51 and 52 of a change-over switch 50. ~his change-over switch is in addition provided with a switch arm 53, which can be switched over between the switch contacts 51 and 52. ~ ca~ disc 40 is operatively connected to this switch arm 53 and carries on its periphery cams ~1 which are separated from one another by gaps 42. This cam disc 40 ma~es one complete revolution within a week. The ca~ disc 40 is adapted to be operated stepwise by a Maltese cross drive (Geneva movement). The cam disc carries inscriptions and displa-is through a window 6a in Figure 1 the days and nights of a week. The width oE the cams 41 and of the gap~42 is so selected that a cam 41 and a gap 42 correspond in each case to , a twelve hour period. On the switch arm 53 of the day/
night change-over switch 50 is provided'a projection 54 - 20 which engages the cam 41 on the rotation of the cam disc 40, whereby the switch arm 53 is switched over to the switch contact 52. When a cam 41 runs off the pro-jection 54, the latter passes into a gap 42, so that the switch arm 53 is switched over to the contact 51.
~ hen in the manner illustrated the switch arm 53 lies against the stJitch contact 52 for the twelve hour night period and when the corresponding pa-th 112 on the .. ..

i7~

appointments calendar sheet 10 is conductively connected to the bus-bar 12 by the mar~ing 170, an output pulse is transmitted to an output terminal 61 of the switch arm 53 ~henever a ~ime yraduation path~ll is connected by a marking 17 to the bus-bar 12~ Furthermo e, the output pulse is then also applied to a terminal 60 o~
the bus-bar 12 independently of the day/night change-over switch 50.
The situation is similar when the s~itch ar~ 53 oE the da~/niyht change-over s~litch is switched over to the switch contact 51 for a twelve hour day period, since an output pulce then passes from thepaths 111 to the terminal 61. The output pulses are transmitt~d through leads 51', 52' to the s~itch con'acts 51 an~ 52.
In order now to make it possible to distinguish between the respective two output pulses at the terminal 60 and 61 for the respective twelve hour period, a logical stage (not shown in Figure 5) is inserted upst~eam of the flip-flop 31 in the output circuit 30.
Arrangements for a logical stage of this kind ~re shcwn in Figures ~ and 9.
In the arrangement sho~n in Figure 8 the lo~ical stage contains two AND gates 70 and 73, each of which has two inputs 71, 72 and 74, 75 repectively. The outputs of these two AND gates 73 and 73 are connected in parallel to a terminal 76. One input of each of the t~o AND gates 70 and 73, namely the input 72 and the input 75, 7~

are conjointly connected to the output ~erminal 60 oE
the bus_bar 12 in the arrangement shown in Figure 8. The other two inputs of the I~ND gates 70 and 73, namely the inpu~s 71 and 74, are conjointly connected to the out-put terminal 61 of the s~itch arr~ 53 of the day~night change-over switch in the arrangement shown in Figure 8.
In order to indicate in Figure 9 that t'ne switch ar~ 53 switches over between the s~itch contacts 51 and 52, the corresponding reference numerals of these switch contacts are added in brac~ets at the inputs 71 and 79 of the AND gates 70 and 73.
If the marking 170 ~or the twelve hour night period is now absent rrom the appointments calendar sheet 10 according to Figure 7 an~ if the switch arm 53 lies against the switch contact 51 for the twelve hour -day period, the inputs 71 and 72 of the ~ND gate 70 will receive a pulse when the pulse generator 20 according to Figure.7 operates a time graduation mar~ 11 which is operatively connected by a ~arking 17 to the bus-bar 12.
The AND gate 70 then switches through, so that this pulse is also applied to the output terminal 76.
The acoustic indication of the appointment note is then given in the manner described with reference to Figure 5.
The situation is Similar trhen the switch arm 53 of the day/night change-over switch has switched over .
. - 17 - . .

, . ._,, , .. , _,, , ., _,, , , ,. _ . .. ~ _ , , ... .,, ~ ~ _ . ~ .. ~ . . .. .. _ , . , _ _ _.. _ , , _ . , . ,.
, _ _ _ . _ . . . . . _, , _ __ to tne switch contact 53 for the twelve hour night period and when the marking 170 for the night period is present.
The inputs 74 and 75 of the AND gate 73 then receive a pulse, which is transmitted through this gate to the out-put terminal 76.
Instead of the AND gates 70 and 73, a D-flip-flop known per se may alternatively be used in another embodi-ment of the invention. An arrangement of a flip-flop of this kind is shown diagrammatically in Figure 9. A D-flip-flop 80 of this kind has a data input D, a timing inpu-t CL, a setting input S, a resetting input R, and outputs Q and Q. The logical value fed in at the data input D is transmitted to the output Q during a timing pulse at the timing input CL. Setting and resetting are effected in-dependently of the timing by signals at the inputs S
and R.
In the logical stage for processing the output pulses at the terminals 60 and 61 of the arrangement shown in Figure 7, two such D-flip-flops are provided.
In Figure 9 only the coupling for the switch position in which the switch arm 53 lies against the switch contact 51 within the twelve hour daytime period is shown. The situation is similar for the coupling of the other D-flip-flop (not shown) for the twelve hour night period.
An extension of the arrangement shown in Figure 7, 3, in ~Jhich appointments can ~e indicated acoustically in two t~elve-hour periods for each day of a week is illustrated in Figure 10~ In thiCi embodiment paths 11~, each of which represents a t~elve-hour period for a day of the week, are provided on an appointrnents calendar sheet 10 additionally to the time pa-ths 11.
These path3 113 are to be selectively connected to the bus-bar 12 by markings 171. For the operation of these paths a contact wheel 90 is provided, which on its periphery carries contacts 91 and a contact arm 92 running over these contacts. The contact arm 92 makes one complete revolution within a wee~. For each t~o twelve-hour period.~of a day of the week two contacts 91 are here provided, and are coupled by leads 16 and contacts 15 to the path3 113. ~he contact wheel 90 ~hus has a total of fourteen contacts for one ~lee1{. In this arrangement a determined appointment is notified by means of the pulse generator 2C, as in the embodiment shown in ~igure 8, ~hile the corresponding pulses can be ta~en off from a terminal 101 connected to the contact arm 92 and from an output terminal 100 of the bus-bar 12.
In addition to the embodiments descr bed above, it is in general possible within the scope of the in~ention for time marking pulses to be produced for any desired period of time, for example for years, months, ~eeksJ
days, hours, minutes, and seconds, by means of contact wheels of the kind described, in which case path3 ~ould . , . , , . , . _ , . . .. .

, _, , , . _, . . . . ., ~ .. ~ .. , . . .. ._ . ... .. .. .. ..

7~s~ .

have to be provided on appoin~ents calendar shcets for the respective corresponding periods of ti~e.
Furthermore, the pulse gener~tor may consi~st entirely of integrated circuits (IC).
~ igure ll illustrates a variant of this Isind The pulse generator consists of a frequency divicler 100 and the pulse distributor of a ring counter 102.
The frequency divider 100 divi~es one-minute pulses into fifteen-rninute ti~ing pulses, which operat~
the ring counter 102. The ring counter, for example CMOS component 4017, has 48 stages in the form of known bistable flip-flops. For each timing pulse at the input I
the H-level is raised ~y one stage. This gives the follo~ing function diagram:

OUTPVTS
(6.00) (6.15) (6,30) 17.30)(]7.45 .
1st timing pulse at 6.00 hours H ~ L L J
2nd timing pulse at 6.15 hours ~ H L ~ L
3rd timing pulse at 6~30 hours L L H L L

......
47th timing pulse at 17,30 hours ~ ~ L H
48th timing pulse at 17.45 hours L L L ~ H

The H-level is passed to the inputsof flip-flops 104 and 106 by ~ay of the corresponding markings and the bus-bar. The flip-flop serves the functions previously de~scribed, By means of a switch S2 at the R input 96;3 the rin~ counter 102 can b~ ~eroised, ~hile by rneans o~
a s~itch Sl it can be acvanced manually. Figure 12 shows a variant for seconds proyramrning over a period of one week. Six ring counters 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 and 122 are connected in series. I'he functions of the ring counters are:

Seconds units 112 SeCondS tens 114 Minutes units 116 Minu~s tens 118 Hours 120 Days 122 The first ring counter 112 is ~ decimal rirlg counter having ten outputs ( for example C~IOS 4017 type), whose ~unctionis to count ten seconds (seconds uni~). At the input E2 a one-second timing pulse train is fed in. It will be assu~ed that all the ring counters have been reset to ~ero and have logical positive operation. ~or each timing pulse at the input E2 the H-level is advanced by one step. After the eleventh second the output O of the ring counter 112 has reached the H-le~el again and the output U2 (carry out) has supplied a timing pulse to the second ring counter 114. Thus the seconds tens 114 have been advanced by one step, that is to say the output 1 is in the H state, The ring counters are effective only for a tirning trans~ition froln L to H. The hours counter has 24 steps and the days counter 7 steps. All the ring counters count continuously the corre~sponding tirning pulses weel~ by wee~. By rneans of the s~iitch Sl the ., . . , .. ., .. . , ., _ , . . . . .. . . . .

7~

counters can be reset by way of the R-input, or each ring counter can be reset individually by means of separate switches.
Similarly, the counters can be advanced manually by means of S-inputs (not shown~ or by the timing pulses. As previously described, all the outputs are connected to the conductive paths either directly or by way of an active element serving as driver. As shown in Figure 12, the output M of the days counter 122 is connected by way of a transistor 144 to the paths 126. The markings bridge -the paths 126 and the bus-bar 128. Six markings make the program: Monday 13.00 hours, 09 minutes, 58 seconds. By using TTL ring counters, only when all the counters come into this state will an H-level occur at the output 130. The bus-bar can be graduated in accordance with the number of counters, as indicated in Figure 12 by the references 132a to 132f. Each bus-bar is alternatively connected to the corresponding input a-f of an AND gate 134 or 140. A solution of this kind provides the advantage that a multiplicity of signal time points (on bars 132a-f, 138a-f, etc.) can be programmed on a sheet and the respective paths can be connected via the respective counters to the same pulse generator.~ 130, 136, and 142 are outputs, 148 is the sheet. A respective light emitting diode 146 (LED), which is connected to each output of each ring counter, is used as an optical indicator of the state of the ring counter or the time. Each ring counter may alternatively be a demultiplexer, at the input of which a BCD time signal input (not shown) is fed in.

~, ~igs. 13 and 14 illus-trate embodiments includlng mean3 for analog and digital programming.
In the embodiments ~hown in Figs. 13a-13c, predetermined times are recor~ed either by making conduc-tive marking3 149, or by writing numerals 150 with conductive marking material in prearranged positions, on an insulating support. The markings 149 are made in gaps 151 between conductive paths 152a-152 and corresponding bus bars 153, 154 on the surface of the support. Each conductive path 152a-152~ passes below the bus bar 15~ and the ~urface of -the insulating support as ~hown by -the broken lines 155.
~ Bus bars 153, 154 are connected to a day/night selector 156 which selec-ts either bus bar 153 or bu~ bar 154 in accordance wi-th a day and nigh-t period re~pectively. Each of the conductive paths 152a-152x correspondswi-th prede-termined times, for example, separated by intervals of 15 minutes, in accordance with the day or night period selected. In the example shown, the gaps adjacent bus bar 153 correspond wi-th the time~ from 6.00 a.m. -17.45 p.m. during the day and the gaps adjacent bus bar 154 correspond with the times 18.00 p.m. - 5.45 a.m. the next day.
Referring to the numerals 150 which are written with conductive material in pr~arranged positions, each of these positions is defined by the outline of a bu~ bar 157a-157d.
Fig. 13b represents one of these positions. Each of -the bus bars 157a-157d is connected to a common lead 158.
Referring to Fig. 13b, a series o~ conductive ~aths 159a-159f are connected to bus bar 157a and extend inwardly of the region defined by the bus bar 157a. Path 159f is connected to a path 159g which extends to the centre of the region-defined 30 by the bus bar 157a. ~lternativelY, pa-th 159g can be separate .. ... , ., . _ _ _ . , . _ _ , . ,,, . , _ _ _ , . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .

~57~;3 from path 159f but connected to bus bar 157a. Fur-ther conductive path3 160a-160g are spaced from and ]ie adjacent the respective paths 159a-159g. Each path 160a-160g is connected to a re~pective lead 161a~ lg. Each o-~ the leads 161a-161g corresponds with an element 162a-162g o-f a digital display cell, such as an IED or liquid crystal cell, as illustrat-ed in Fig. 13c. A series of these cells is provided in a display 163 of a digital timing device 164. When~ a numeral is written in the position shown in Fig. 13b, contacts are made between certain pairs of the paths 159, 160 for providing an outpu-t on line 161a-161g correspond with a 7-segment coded output from the digital display cell shown in Fig. 13c. For example, if the numeral 2 is written in the position shown in Fig. 13b, a connection i9 made between the paths designa-ted by the characters a, b, g, e and d which will be seen to correspond with the number 2 if one traces the outline of the same charac-ters on the elements of the display cell shown in Figure 13c.
The timing unit 164 includes an oscillator 165, a divider 166, setting logic 167, minute and hour divider~ 168 and 169 and a driver 171 connected to the di~play 16~. As this timing unit is generally known in the art, no detailed description will be given. However, according to this embodiment, dividers 168 and 169 provide respective binary-coded output ~ignals9 corresponding with the numbers shown on the display 163, on multi-wire line~ 172a-172d respectively. The ~ignal on line 172a-172d respectively represent the minute units, the minute tens, the hour units and the hour tens. ~ines 172a-172d are connected to a binary/decimal decoder 174.
Decoder 174 provides outputs on lines 175a-175x, connected to re~pective paths 152a-152~, a~ the time intervals marked on the insulating support; in this example 6.00 a.m. - 17.45 p.m. and 13.00 p.m. - 5.45 a.m., at 15 minute intervals. When one of - - 2~ -~7~

these timing signals corresponds with a predetermined time shown by a marking 149 across a gap 151, an output signal passes along the respective bus-bars 153 or 154 to the selec'cor 156. The selector 156 passes this output to an OR-gate 179 if the output corresponds with the correct day or night period which has been selected. The selector may comprise, for example, logical gates of flip-flops which change state automatically in response to suitable signals on lines 177, 178 derived from the decoder 174.
When the decoder 174 includes complimentary metal oxide semi-conductor logic (CMOS), it is necessary to provide trans-mission ga-tes or three state devices (TREE) 173 due to the logi-cal output levels available with CMOS circuits.
The binary coded signals on lines 172a-172d are also pro-vided as parallel outputs on multi-wire lines 181a-181d to res-pective binary/7-segment signal decoders 181a-]81d. The output of each decoder 181a-181d corresponds with a signal derived from each of the display elements 162 of the respective display cell (exemplified by Figure 13c) in display 163. The decoder outputs are supplied to respective comparators 184a-184d, each of which may include, for example, a plurality of exclusive OR or NOR (EX-OR or EX-NOR) gates, each gate having one input connected -to a re-spective decoder output and one input connected to a respective line 161a-161g for the corresponding position as shown in Fig. 13b.
Comparators 184a-184d are respectively supplied with 7-segment coded signals from lines 161a-161g for each of the posi-tions defined by the bus-bars 157a-157d. When a numeral in one of the display cells of display 163 corresponds with respective num-eral 150, the respective comparator 184 provides an output to an AND-gate 185. Thus, at a predetermined time designed by the num-eral 150 (23.56 in the example), each comparator 184a-184d pro-duces an output causing coincidence at the inpu-ts to AND-gate 185.
AND-gate 185 is connected to the OR-gate 179 which produces an i,3 output when there is no input from the selector 156 but there is an output from AND-gate 185. The output of OR-gate 179 is prvvid-ed as a signal which is used, for example, -to actuate an alarm circui-t (not shown) whic'n provides an audible, or visible alarm or both during the periods between the times designated by marks 149 on the insula-ting support. A preferred alarm circuit is des-cribed with reference to Figure 14.
In the embodiment shown by Figure 14 the time signal is decoded directly from the display. ~'he embodiment incllldes a tim-ing unit (not shown) having a driver 190 connected to a display 191. Display 191 includes a series of display cells which indicate the tens and units of the hours and minutes respectively and which are connected to multi-wire lines 192, 193 to provide correspond-ing 7-segment coded signals. When the display 191 is of the LCD
type, which is AC driven, the AC component must be separated from the 7-segment coded signals, for example, by using EX-OR gates (not shown). An a.m./p.m. display cell 198 is connected to a two-wire line 212. Predetermined times are entered by writing numerals with conductive marking material in each of a series of poSitiOnS
194a-194d. Each of these positions is provided with conductive paths and bus-bars as exemplified by Figure 13b to supply 7-seg-ment coded signals on lines 195a-195d to a comparator unit 196.
Comparatox unit 196 is similar in operation to that of the com-parators 184 and AND-gate 185 of Figure 13. Lines 192, 193 from the display 191 are also connected to the comparator unit 196 which produces an output signal when the numerals in the display 191 correspond with the numerals in the positions 194a-194d. The output signals on line 197 is used to operate an alarm circuit (not shown).
This embodiment is adapted for a twelve hour system by providing an a.m./p.m. display cell l9R and by coding with mark-ings at selec-tor gaps l99a and l99p. If the selector 199 is mark-~57~,3 ed in the a.m. mode, the comparator unit 196 produces ~n output sign~l on coincidence of a pr~determined a.m. -time indic~ted by the display cell 198 and written in the po~itions 194.

An output si~nal is similarly produced in the p.m. mode.

~ ines 213 and lines 192 are connected to a 7-segment/
decimal decoder 201. ~ines 193 are connected to ano-ther 7-segment/
decimal decoder 202. Decoder 202 provides a decimally coded outpu-t according to a predetermined subdivision o~ the hour~
for e~ample, it has four outputs ~or the minute~ corresponding to 00, 15, 30 and 45 of the display 191. Decoder 201 produce~
outputs corresponding wi-th each hour, ~or example, 1-12, shown on the display 191 for a.m./p.m. respecJivel~.
A matrix 203 includes a series of conduc-tive paths 204a 204d connected to respective outputs of decoder 202. Each o-~
these paths is orthogonal to groups o~ conductive paths 205a-205L
which correspond to the su~divisions o~ twelve hours. The paths 204, 205 are provided on an insula-ting support and are thereby insulated ~rom each other. However, the paths de-~ine a serie~
o~ gaps 206 which may be joined by a conductive mark 207 to provide a signal at the input of a respective OR-gate 208a~208~.
~ach OR-gate 208 is connected to one input of a respective ~ND-gate 209a-209~. The other input of each ~ND-ga-te 209 is oonnected to a re~pective output of decoder 201.
The insulating support of the matrix 203 includes a series of characters 210, 211 representing the hours from 1-12 and the minutes 00, 15, ~0 and 45 respectively. Thus, the mark 207 represents the time 12.15. The support also includes conductive paths 212, 213 leading to a.m./p.m. selector gaps 214. In the drawing, a mark 215 connects the a.m. gap to designate 9 for example, 12. 15 a.m. ~ th respec-t to mark 207.

A~-gates 209 are connected to corresponding inputs o~
an OR-gate 216 having an output co~nected to line 218.

~5~
In operation, when ~ mark 207 is made on the m~-trix 203 to represent a predetermined -time, and this -time is indicated on display 191, an output is produced on OR-gate 2]6. Thi~
output is supplied on line 218 to an alarm circuit de~cribed below.
If one of the gaps 206 is acciden-tally touched at the correct time, this may cause an output at O~-gate 216. In order to avoid it the inpu-ts of OR-gates 208 may be connected to respective resistors 219 to reduce -the sensitivity of the matrix to touch.
The alarm circuit referred to above comprises ~or ex~mple, a plur~lity of delay or D flip-flops 21~, 220, 224, 225 and 226.
Flip-flop 219 is connected to flip-flop 220 ~or operating an acou~tic indicator including gate 221, amplifier 222 and loud-speaker 223. Flip-flop 224 is connected to flip-flop 220 for operating a visual indicator 225 i~ required. Flip-flops 219, 220 and 224 are reset by means comprising flip-flops 225, 226, an OR-gate 227,an A~D-gate 228, a manually operated switch 229 and an OR-gate 230.
Flip-flop 219 i~ ~ocked at 1 second intervals from the timing unit which drives display 191. When a data input is applied on line 218, the next clock pulse transfars the data to the output line 231 thereby setting flip-~lop 219. This arrangement i~ used to avoid spurious indication if the display 191 is of the ~CD
type requiring ~-C operation. The operation of the alarm circuit will be understood from the following description ta~en in conjunction wi,h timing diagram o~ Fig 15.
Referring to Fig. 15:
(a) represents a five minu~e timing interval on display 191.
tb) represents the output of OR-gate 216 on line 218.

i3 (c) represents -the input to flip-flop 225.
(d) represents the output of flip-flop 220.
(e) represen-ts the output of fl,ip-~lop 226.
The first pulse (b) at 00 mimltes sets flip-flop 219 after a short delay caused by the clock pulse. The output on line 231 sets flip-flop 220 producing a high o-u-tput at (d). The output at (d) is supplied as one input -to an AND-gate 221, the other inputs including a 1 second clock pulse and a lkHz slgnal respectively. This arrangement produces coincidence at 5 second intervals when an output is present on line (d) to cause a varying sound signal from -the loudspeaker 22~. The high output (d) also sets flip-flop 224 causing the indicator 225 to be li-t.
OR-gate 230 receives alternate input signal,s at 5 minu-te int0rvals ~rom the timing unit including displa,y 191. These signals may be derived from the minu-te unit indication each time a zero or five appears in the display. This produces the pulse output (c) shown in Fig. 15. At time 05 minutes, flip-flop 225 changes state producing an input to OR-gate 227 which resets flip-flops 219, 220. This terminates the first pulse (d) shown in Fig. 15 thereby terminating the sound signal from loudspeaker 22~. The visual indicator 225 remains on until i-t iB reset manually by switch 229.
Switch 229 is operated by a biased push button to produce a short pulse causing an output frcm flip-flop 226 as represented by (e) in Fig, 15. This pulse resets flip-flop 224 extinguishin~ the indicator 265. If the sound indicator has not been ~topped, pulse (e) supplied to OR-gate 227 will reset ~lip-flops 219, 220 thereby terminating the sound indication.
Thus, as soon as a user is aware cf an indication of a preset time, switch 229 is close~ to stop the indication. After closing t - 29 switch 229, flip-flop 225 sta~s in a se-t sta-te unless the-re is an output from OR-gate 2309 thereby providing a coincident input to AND~gate 228 to reset flip--flop 226. ~lip-flop 225 transfer3 a data input (d) to its outpu-t, therleby reset-ting, when clGcked by a zero or five minute signal input ~c).
Fig. 16 shows an embodiment which includes a memory 240 for storing data relating to predetermined times entered on a card 241. Characters are printed in the card 241 to represent minute intervals 00, 15, 30, 45 along the upper edge and hour 1o intervals 1-12 along one side. A co_umn of` control markings 260 are preprinted with conductive in~, agai~st the respective hour characters. Columns of boxes 261 are preprinted ~nth non-conductive ink, under the respective minute characters. ~hese boxes represent a coordinate system wherein a marking i~ made in the required bo~, in the correct column and row, to represent a prede-termined time. The memory 240, which is a so-called "active memory", includes a plurality of bistable cells 262 arranged in a corresponding coordinate system. Various markings242 shown on card 241 represent these predetermined times. These markings may be made with conductive material when, for example, they are se~sed by spaced brushes, or they may just be opa~ue when boxes 261 are printed with ink for example, green ink which can~ot be sensed by a photosensitive device having a low optical response to green light. In the embodiment shown5 a series f spaced brushes 243,positioned to correspond with the respective column of hour control markings and the minute markings, are mounted on a support which is moveableover the card 241.
Alternatively, means may be provided for moving the card 241 beneath such a support.
3o A pair of stationary contacts 244 are actuated when the contacts ~43 are moved in the direction of arrow 245. This causes an input to an OR-gate 246 which operates a trigger or . . ~ .. .. . , . _A _,, . ,, ... , .,,, . _ ,,, .. ~_, _ _ , ,-- --, .. _ ,., _ _ . , . _ .. _ .. . ~ __ . _, _ _ _ _ . _ . _ ~ S7~ ~ 3 one-shot circuit 247 whicn changes the s-t;ate of a -f:Lip--flop 248.
The output of~lip-~lop 248 causes selectors 249 and 252 to be swi-tched into a "~rite" mode, ~Jhereby the da-ta on card 241 is written into~emory 240. ~he con-trol markings repreisenting the hours 12, 1 ------- 11 are sensed by brushes 250, which brushes are mounted on the same support as b~ushes 243. The sensed out~ut is applied to a serial/parallel converter 251, which includes a divide-by-12 counter providing 12 decoded ou-tput~
(on a 12 hour system) which are supplied to 2 selector 252 to address the sens0d da-ta to the contact bis-table cell 262 in memory 240. Thus, where the brushes 24~, 250 are passed over the card 241, data corresponding iJith the markings 24~ is stored ir the corresponding memory cells 262. To avoid errors, a contact bounce eliminator 263 is connec-ted to each of the brushes 24~ to ensure that the outputs supplied to selector 240 correspond only with the markings 242. When photosensitive devices replace brushes 243, the boxes 26~ represent amplifier~ and triggers pulse genera-tors.
When the contacts 24~, 250 have been passed over card 24i, a set of contacts 253 are actuated causing flip-~lop 248 to change selectors 249, 252 into a "reading" mode. Selector 249 then receives an input from a decoder 254, which is cormected to a timing unit. Decoder 254 provide~ 00, 15, 30 and 45 minute timlng signals on lines 255. These signals correspond with -the minute on a display o-~ the timing unit. Similarly, decoder 256 is connected to the timing unit to provide a series of 1-12 hour timing signals on a multi-wire line 257 connected -to selector 252.
Decoders 254, 256 may be 7-segment or binary/declmal decoders depending on the timing unit which is used.
'0 In th~ "reading mode"7 selecto-~ 249, 252 enter a re~ding si~nal into memor~ 240 at 15 minute intervals. When there is coincide-nce be-t~reen one o~ these reading signals ~nd d~t~ stored ~, 7~3 in the corresponding bistable cell O-L' memo~J 240~'~,1h2-(. cellproduces an output signal on line 258 9 IrhUS 9 a serial output is supplied -to line 258 corre3ponding ~.rith the programmed timss marked on card 241 to opera-te an alarm circui-t such as that described ririth reference to Fig. 1.4.
It ~ill be appreciated, ~Then comparing t'Qe embodimsnts o-f Figs. 13 and 14 wi+,h the embodiment of Fig. 169 tha-t t,he former emplo~ on-line or real time reading oE the programmed information whereas the latter emplo~s off-line readinrg.

.~

_~z- ~.
_ _ _ . . . .. . . . . . .. . . .
, _ , . ., . ~ . _ ~ , , _,,, _ , _. ,, . , , , ,, _,,, ,_ ,, ,_ _

Claims (60)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Programmable timing apparatus comprising a support thereon for receiving markings at locations corresponding with predetermined times in a given period; an electrically conduc-tive bus-bar and a plurality of electrically conductive paths;
each marking either making or interrupting an electrical con-nection between one of said electrically conductive paths and said bus-bar, said locations being designated by characters which indicate the respective hours and predetermined intervals in minutes of the given period; timing means for deriving se-quential timing signals at predetermined intervals during said period and means for automatically and sequentially responding to correspondence between said timing signals and the predeter-mined time represented by the respective one of said markings to provide a respective time related output signal.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which is in the form of an electronic appointments reminder.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the support is such that, at least in one position on said appara-tus, said markings can be updated and are visible prior to se-quential comparison or scanning with said timing signals.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said support is an insertable sheet made of insulating material, said mark-ings being made with conductive material on said sheet.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said paths and said bus-bar are printed on said sheet.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said paths and said bus-bar are provided in the form of pressure contacts for contacting the markings on said sheet, said pressure con-tacts being formed in a clamping strip for securing said sheet.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said support is an insertable sheet, said markings being made by holes punch-ed in respective conductive paths printed on said sheet.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said paths and said bus-bar are provided on an insulating surface of the apparatus.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4 comprising means for clamping said sheet in a predetermined position on a supporting pad, said clamping means including a plurality of contacts for contacting said paths and said bus-bar.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said paths are arranged parallel to one another in a column, the bus-bar extending alongside the parallel paths and being spaced from the ends of the paths such that the gaps so formed can be bridg-ed by markings made with conductive material.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 in the form of a watch, said paths and said bus-bar being provided on the surface of a peripheral rim of the watch.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the body of the watch is circular and the body is provided with a rotatable bezel which is coupled to a ratchet, the bezel including a slot for inserting the point of an instrument for making said marking whereby one of the paths is connected to the bus-bar.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the bezel includes another slot for inserting an eraser to remove the marking.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the bus-bar is in the form of a conductive layer which is urged into releas-able adhesive contact with a conductive path.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each marking is made on an insertable sheet over a respective releasable contact.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which each releas-able contact comprises a bistable diaphragm.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which the support is made of multi-layered construction including a pressure sensi-tive layer for visibly indicating the marking, the support includ-ing a separator for releasing the contact with the conductive path and for erasing the visible indication.

18. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which the marking is made on an insertable sheet over the respective releasable contact.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the timing means comprises a shift register which is advanced in time with each predetermined interval.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the timing means includes:
a rotary switch having contacts which are disposed in a circle and the number of which is equal to a quarter hour graduation within twelve hours, each of said contacts being coupled to a conductive path, said switch having a rotating con-tact arm which is electrically connected in succession to the contacts and which performs one complete revolution in twelve hours;
a change-over switch having first and second switch contacts and a switch arm which is connected to a voltage source and is adapted to be switched over between said first and second switch contacts, said first switch contact being connected to the contact arm of the rotary switch;
and a rotating cam disc which has four cams spaced equally apart on its periphery and which performs one complete revolution per hour, its cams being disposed in proximity to the change-over switch in such a manner that they successively engage the switch arm of the change-over switch to switch it over once every quarter-hour for a predetermined period of time to said first switch contact thereby successively connecting the contacts of the rotary switch and the respective conductive paths to the voltage source.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which rotation of the contact arm of the rotary switch and of the cam disc are synchronised in such a manner that the switch arm of the change-over switch is switched over to said first contact when the ro-tating contact arm is traversing a contact of the rotary switch.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 in which the predeter-mined period of time within which the switch arm of the change-over switch is switched over to said first switch contact is de-termined by the shape of the cams of the cam disc.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 in which the predeter-mined period of time is within the range of the period of time that the rotating contact arm is traversing a contact of the ro-tary switch.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the contact arm of the rotary switch is coupled to the shaft of the hours hard of a clock and the cam disc is coupled to the shaft of the minutes hand of the clock.

25. Apparatus according to claim 20 including an alarm circuit for receiving the predetermined time output signal, said alarm circuit including a flip-flop of which one actuating input is coupled to the bus-bar, a reset output being coupled to the second switch contact of the change-over switch and its output being coupled to an indicator element; a timing signal on said bus-bar setting the flip-flop to transmit an output signal for operating the indicator element, and connection of the voltage source by way of the switch arm of the change-over switch and said second switch contact causing the flip-flop to be reset to isolate the indicator element.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 in which the flip-flop is adapted to be reset by means of a manually operated contact.

27. Apparatus according to claim 25 in which an output circuit for receiving the predetermined time output signal con-tains a switching transistor having a control electrode coupled to the bus-bar.

28. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said given period is twelve hours, and including two additional conductive paths, each being for a twelve hour period, which additional paths can be selectively connected to the bus-bar by means of markings, a day/night change-over switch having two switch con-tacts and a switch arm adapted to be switched over between these contacts, one switch contact of the day/night change-over switch being coupled to one additional conductive path for one twelve hour period and the other switch contact being coupled to the other additional conductive path for the other twelve hour per-iod, a cam disc which makes one complete revolution in a week and which carries on its periphery seven cams spaced apart in the peripheral direction, the width and spacing of these cams being selected such that the width of one cam and of one space corresponds to a day (twenty-four hours) and that said cam disc is operatively connected to the switch arm of the day/night change-over switch in such a manner that when a cam runs on to said switch arm the latter is switched over to the switch con-tact for one twelve hour period and when a space between two cams is adjacent said switch arm, it is switched over to the switch contact for the other twelve hour period.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28 in which a conductive path for a twelve hour period is fastened to the bus-bar.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29 in which there are provided, for each day of the week, two conductive paths for each of two twelve hour periods, the apparatus including a con-tact disc having two contacts for each day of the week on its periphery and a contact arm making one complete revolution per week, and of the two contacts for each day of the week, one is connected to the conductive path of the corresponding day of the week for one twelve hour period and the other is connected to the conductive path of the corresponding day of the week for the other twelve hour period.

31. Apparatus according to claim 30 including a logical stage comprising two AND-gates, of each of which one input is coupled to the switch arm of the day/night change-over switch or to the contact arm of the contact disc, whilst another input is coupled to the bus-bar, the outputs of the AND-gates being conjointly coupled to a flip-flop for actuating an alarm or to a switching transistor for actuating an indicator.

32. Apparatus according to claim 30 including a logical stage comprising two flip-flops, of each of which one input is coupled to the switch arm of the day/night change-over switch or to the contact arm of the contact disc whilst the other inputs are coupled to the bus-bar, the outputs of the flip-flops being conjointly coupled to means for actuating an alarm or to a switch-ing transistor for actuating an indicator.

33. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the timing means comprises an integrated circuit: frequency divider and a ring counter.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33 in which the ring counter can be reset to zero by means of a first switch and can be advanced by means of a second switch.

35. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which for seconds programming over a period of one week, six serially connected ring counters are provided, which respectively represent seconds units, seconds tens, minutes units, minutes tens, hours and days.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35 in which a plurality of bus-bars are subdivided in accordance with the number of ring counters.

37. Apparatus according to claim 36 in which for a plurality of marking locations, a corresponding number of sub-divided bus-bars are provided.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37 in which the sub-divided bus-bars are coupled to AND-gates.

39. Apparatus according to claim 38 in which light emit-ting diodes are provided for indicating the counting state of the ring counters.

40. Apparatus according to claim 1 including numeric recognition means having a series of numeric programming posi-tions, in each of which programming positions a numeral can be written with conductive marking material, the numerals representing a predetermined time; each of said posi-tions including a plurality of conductors defining gaps which are closed by the conductive marking material for deriving coded signals representing the respective numeral.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40 in which said gaps are disposed at locations corresponding with each indicating ele-ment of a numeric display cell.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41 in which each numeric programming position comprises a bus-bar in the form of a loop which defines a region within which the numeral is written, a first group of conductive paths connected to said bus-bar and directed radially inwardly of said loop, and a second group of conductive paths; each member of said second group of conductive paths being adjacent to, and spaced from, a respective member of the first group of conductive paths to define elongate gaps, said gaps being transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the respective elements of a corresponding 7-segment display cell.

43. Apparatus according to claim 42 in which said timing means includes a digital display having a plurality of 7-segment display cells for indicating the tens and units of hours and minutes in real time.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43 including comparator means for comparing coded signals derived from each display cell with coded signals derived from the respective programming posi-tions whereby the predetermined time output signal is derived when the time indicated by the display corresponds with the time written in numerals in the programming positions.

45. Apparatus according to claim 44 in which said support for receiving markings includes at least one bus-bar and a plura-lity of conductive paths which define gaps therewith, said gaps being designated with characters which represent time graduations in said given period; said timing means being operable to derive coded timing signals which are supplied to an addressing circuit connected to each of said conductive paths.

46. Apparatus according to claim 45 including an a.m./
p.m. selector whereby the predetermined time output signal is produced only when the markings correspond with preset time in a respective a.m. or p.m. period.

47. Apparatus according to claim 46 wherein the selector comprises conductive paths defining gaps respectively represent-ing a.m. and p.m. periods.

48. Apparatus according to claim 47 wherein the timing means includes an a.m./p.m. display cell, said a.m./p.m. display cell and said selector being connected to a comparator for de-termining either the a.m. or the p.m. period of the predetermin-ed times designated by said markings.

49. Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein said support for receiving the markings includes a matrix of gaps between conductive paths, which gaps are joined by said markings to de-signate a predetermined time, a first group of the conductive paths designating predetermined intervals in minutes in a one hour period and a second group of said conductive paths designat-ing the hours in a twelve or twenty-four hour period.

50. Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein the timing means includes a display having cells respectively representing the tens and units of the hours and minutes in real time, said first group of conductive paths being connected through a first decoder to the cells representing the tens and units of the minutes in the display, the second group of conductive paths being connected through gating means and a second decoder to the cells representing the tens and units of the hours in the display, said gating means being enabled by coincidence between a signal from the first decoder, which signal is conducted by a conductive mark in one of said gaps, and a signal from the second decoder, when the display indicates the predetermined time cor-responding with said conductive mark.

51. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the timing means includes a display having cells representing the tens and units of the hours and minutes respectively, said cells being connected to respective first and second decoders for producing coded timing signals representing each hour and predetermined intervals in minutes in a one hour period indicated by the dis-play, the apparatus including a reader for reading markings dis-posed on said support at locations corresponding with said pre-determined times, a memory for storing data derived from the reader, and means for entering said coded timing signals into the memory to produce the predetermined time output signal when any one of the coded timing signals corresponds with the pre-determined time stored in the memory.

52. Apparatus according to claim 51 in which the reader includes a plurality of sensors which are mounted for relative movement with respect to said support for receiving said mark-ings, said sensors being disposed at locations corresponding with columns of markings representing each hour and the predetermined intervals in minutes in a one hour period.

53. Apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said support includes preprinted control markings representing each hour, which control markings are designated by characters representing said hours, and columns of locations for receiving marking mat-erial to record the predetermined intervals in minutes in rows corresponding with the preprinted hour control markings.

54. Apparatus according to claim 53 wherein each sensor is a photosensitive device for sensing opaque markings on said support.

55. Apparatus according to claim 53 wherein the reader includes means for sensing relative movement between said sup-port and the sensors for deriving a signal to actuate addressing circuits for entering data from the reader into the memory, and subsequently to actuate the addressing circuits for entering the coded timing signals into the memory.

56. Apparatus according to claim 55 including an alarm circuit comprising bistable circuit means responsive to the pre-determined time output signal for operating an alarm, and re-setting means which can be manually operated to reset the bist-able circuit means to terminate the alarm.

57. Apparatus according to claim 56 wherein said bistable circuit means includes automatic resetting means responsive to timing signals produced at predetermined minute intervals for terminating the alarm.

58. Apparatus according to claim 57 wherein the automatic setting means comprises a bistable circuit response to the output of an OR-gate which is connected to a display cell for indicat-ing minute units, the input to the OR-gate being responsive to coded signals representing different predetermined minute units whereby the alarm is terminated automatically within an interval, in minutes, depending on the difference between said predetermin-ed minute units.

59. Apparatus according to claim 58 in which the alarm comprises a sound signal generator and an AND-gate connected to the sound signal generator, the AND-gate including an input for receiving pulses corresponding with predetermined second units in real time, an input for receiving a pulsating signal at a giv-en frequency and an input for receiving the output signal from the bistable circuit means, whereby the sound signal generator is pulsed at a predetermined frequency to give the alarm.

60. Apparatus according to claim 59 including a visual alarm indicator which is reset by manual operation of the reset-ting means, the visual alarm remaining energised when the sound alarm is terminated.