Boots – shoes – and leggings
Patent
1994-08-22
1997-05-13
Kriess, Kevin A.
Boots, shoes, and leggings
3642813, 3642817, 364260, 3642475, 3642471, 36494811, 3649331, 3649334, 3642818, 364DIG1, G06F 944
Patent
active
056301308
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to multitasking controllers comprising a microprocessor for treating, by time-sharing, a plurality of tasks each comprising a series of instructions, task storage means, such as a ROM, for storing a number of said tasks, and data storage means, such as a RAM, for storing variable data created and used by said microprocessor. The multitasking controller is suitable for use in horological applications, and it will be convenient to hereinafter disclose the invention in relation to that exemplary application. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to that application.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Many applications in the horological field are based on tasks comprising a series of sequential instructions. A microcomputer is often used to perform such tasks and thus provide a watch with its desired functionality. Existing microcomputers comprise a read-only-memory or ROM for storing the instructions of each task to be performed, a microprocessor for performing the operations necessary to carry out these instructions and a random-access-memory or RAM for storing variable data created and used by the microprocessor. The microprocessor comprises notably an arithmetic-logic-unit or ALU for performing arithmetic and logic operations and a series of registers for storing the results of these operations. Control, data and address buses connect the microprocessor, ROM, RAM and an I/O interface so as to allow communication between these elements and the exterior environment.
The realization of such tasks using a microcomputer is often difficult to achieve due to the existence of several severe constraints. Not only must each of the tasks be performed in real time, but the microcomputer must react quickly to signals created either internally or from the user. Ideally, these tasks should also be structured and executed in a way which consumes as little power as possible.
Another challenge presented to watch designers is to reconstruct the operation of a number of watch functions, which are required to occur at the same time, with tasks that require the sequential performance of a series of instructions. For example, the action of a push-button on a watch may be required to simultaneously cause the operation of a stepper motor, whilst at the same time cause a chronograph to turn.
In order to address this problem, some watches have been designed in which microcomputers are used to perform several tasks concurrently by the technique of multitasking or time-sharing. In multitasking, a portion of each task in the ROM which must be performed is allowed use of the microprocessor in turn. Rapid cycling of the tasks executed makes it appear to the user that each task is being performed continuously and simultaneously with the other tasks.
The concurrent execution of tasks by a microprocessor is conventionally done by means of a software mechanism called a scheduler. Such a mechanism is realized as a series of instructions stored in a ROM, and manages the above sequencing of the diverse tasks performed by the microprocessor.
This manner of execution, although commonly used elsewhere in the computer industry, is nevertheless not well suited to the horological domain. The burden of the extra instructions introduced by the scheduler increases the effective size of the tasks performed by the microprocessor and equally reduces its performance in terms of speed and power consumption.
In order to minimize the reduction in processing speed resulting from the additional instructions which must be performed in task management, the size of the task portions performed in turn by the microprocessor are often made several instructions long so that tasks are changed as infrequently as possible. However, this reduces the reaction time of the watch to user inputs and other requests to initiate a task, which inputs and requests can only be acted upon after several instructions of another task have been executed.
Further, the execution of many of the tasks perfor
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Lamothe Christian
Perotto Jean-Felix
Centre Electronique Horloger S.A.
Kriess Kevin A.
Toplu Lucien
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