Dual mode timer-counter

US5475621A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Pitney Bowes Inc. · US

Inventors

• Young W. Lee · Orange, US
• Sungwon Moh · Wilton, US
• Arno Muller · Westport, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 9, 1993
• Grant date: Dec 12, 1995
• Expiry date: Dec 9, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G04G15/003
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A programmable timer circuit which is integrated into an application specific integrated circuit includes a programmable timer counter. The programmable timer counter receives count data which is written to registers of the integrated circuit and is caused to initiate a count until that count is reached in response to clock signal. A programmable microprocessor is provided for controlling the programmable timer circuit and reading count data and mode data from non-volatile memory units in response to the microprocessor's programming and writing the count data and mode data into the registers of the application specific integrated circuit. In response to the mode data the programmable timer circuit assumes either a one shot mode or a continuos mode when the programmable timer.