Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Synchronization of clock or timing signals – data – or pulses
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-30
2001-06-26
Swann, Tod (Department: 2132)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Synchronization of clock or timing signals, data, or pulses
C713S194000, C713S500000, C713S503000, C713S600000, C713S178000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253331
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a timer apparatus which is arranged so that a power source, a timer unit for outputting time information and a control unit for controlling the timer unit are molded, and a time can be changed, and relates to a computer having such the timer apparatus.
In a system utilizing a computer such as a remittance system and electronic filing document transmission system, since an outputted time occasionally has important meaning, it is desired that the computer is provided with a timer apparatus in which a time is not changed incorrectly.
As a technique for preventing an incorrect change of a time in a timer apparatus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,752 discloses a digital time authentication apparatus in which a whole apparatus is fixed integrally by an epoxy resin and a switch is provided so as to be embedded into the epoxy resin and when the switch is turned on, the apparatus is exploded by a physical destruction activity, or a digital time authentication apparatus which performs signature communication and encryption communication in order to make it difficult to change software from an input terminal.
However, in the digital time authentication apparatus in which the switch is provided so as to be embedded into the epoxy resin, an input terminal can be dug out by X-raying so that the switch is not turned on, and in the digital time authentication apparatus which performs signature communication and encryption communication, a skilled cracker can find signature and cipher key.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is devised from the view of the above situation, in first through sixth aspects, it is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost timer apparatus in which it is not necessary to use a physical self-explosion apparatus and to mount a processor for executing complicated processes, and a time is not changed incorrectly.
In the seventh and eleventh aspects, it is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost timer apparatus which can prevent an incorrect change in time due to operating and exchanging a power source.
In the eighth through tenth aspects, it is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost timer apparatus which can improve reliability of printed time.
In the twelfth aspect, it is an object of the present invention to provide a computer having a low-cost timer apparatus in which a timer is not changed incorrectly without using a physical self-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor for executing a complicated process.
The timer apparatus of the present invention basically has a power source, a timer unit for outputting time information to which a time is set via a setting terminal, and a control unit for controlling the timer unit in which a program is written from the outside via a write terminal, and they are molded integrally.
In the timer apparatus according to the first aspect, after a program for permitting set of a time in the timer unit is written to the control unit via the write terminal, the write terminal is disconnected, the power source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally.
In the timer apparatus of the first aspect, after a time is once set via the setting terminal, the control unit prohibits set of a time according to the program, but since the write terminal for changing the program has been disconnected, it is impossible to change the program. As a result, a low-cost timer apparatus in which a time is not changed incorrectly can be realized without using a physical self-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor for performing a complicated processor.
The timer apparatus according to the second aspect is arranged so that the control unit includes a portion formed as a temperature fuse of the write terminal and heating means in the vicinity of the temperature fuse, and after the program for permitting set of a time in the timer unit only once is written to the control unit via the write terminal, the temperature fuse is fused by the heating means, and the power source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally.
In the timer apparatus of the second aspect, after a time is once set via the setting terminal, the control unit prohibits set of a time according to the program, but since the write terminal for changing the program has been fused, it is impossible to change the program. As a result, a low-cost timer apparatus in which a time is not change incorrectly can be realized without using a physical self-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor for performing a complicated process.
The timer apparatus according to the third aspect is arranged so that after a program for permitting set of a time in the timer unit only once is written to the control unit via a write terminal, the write terminal is disconnected and after a time is set via a setting terminal, the setting terminal is disconnected, and a power source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally.
In the timer apparatus of the third aspect, after the program is written from the outside to the control unit via the write terminal, the write terminal is disconnected. Then, after a time is set via the setting terminal, the setting terminal is disconnected, and the power source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally. In this state, since the setting terminal for changing a time has been disconnected, the time cannot be changed. As a result, a low-cost timer apparatus in which a time is not changed incorrectly can be realized without using a physical self-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor for performing a complicated process.
The timer apparatus according to the fourth aspect has a portion formed as a temperature fuse of the write terminal inside the control unit, first heating means in the vicinity of the temperature fuse, a portion formed as a temperature fuse of the setting terminal inside the timer unit and second heating means in the vicinity of the temperature fuse. After a program for permitting set of a time in the timer unit only once is written to the control unit via the write terminal, the temperature fuse of the write terminal is fused by the first heating means, and after a time is set via the setting terminal, the temperature fuse of the setting terminal is fused, and the power source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally.
In the timer apparatus of the fourth aspect, after the program is written from the outside to the control unit via the write terminal, the portion formed as the temperature fuse of the write terminal is fused by the first heating means. Moreover, after a time is set via the setting terminal, the portion formed as the temperature fuse of the setting terminal is fused. Thereafter, the power source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally. In this state, the program cannot be changed and a time cannot be changed. As a result, a low-cost timer apparatus in which a time is not changed incorrectly can be realized without using a physical self-explosion apparatus and without mounting a processor for performing a complicated process.
The timer apparatus according to the fifth aspect has a portion formed as a temperature fuse of the write terminal inside the control unit and heating means in the vicinity of the temperature fuse, and a power source, timer unit and control unit are molded integrally. A program for permitting set of a time in the timer unit only once is written to the control unit via the write terminal.
In the timer apparatus of the fifth aspect, when after the program, which includes means for prohibiting set of a time and to which a time is once set via the setting terminal, is written from the outside to the control unit via the write terminal, the temperature fuse is fused by the heating means, the write terminal for changing the program is fused, so the program cannot be changed. As a result, a low-cost timer apparatus in which a time is not changed incorrectly can be realized without using a physical self-explosion apparatus and wit
Fujitsu Limited
Staas & Halsey , LLP
Sulpizio Ronald
Swann Tod
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