Set parameter memory means and time recorder

A set parameter memory and a time recorder enable parameter setting to be readily effected in compliance with an individual user's demand. The set parameter memory has a memory circuit for storing set parameters for time supervision, and a terminal unit for transmission and/or reception of the set parameters. A time recorder has a connector unit which enables a terminal unit of a set parameter memory to be detachably connected thereto, a second memory circuit for storing set parameters, and a control circuit for writing set parameters stored in the set parameter memory to the second memory circuit. The time recorder may also be constructed with a connector unit which enables a terminal unit of a set parameter memory to be detachably connected thereto, a second memory circuit for storing set parameters, an operation unit for setting transmission and/or reception of set parameters, and a control circuit that effects control such that, when transmission and/or reception of the set parameters is set at the operation unit, the control circuit allows transfer of the set parameters between the set parameter memory and the second memory circuit, and upon completion of the transmission and/or reception of the set parameters, the control circuit inhibits the transfer of the set parameters between the set parameter memory and the second memory circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a set parameter memory means and a time 
recorder. 
In conventional time recorders, various kinds of parameters, e.g., opening 
hour, closing hour, etc., are set by a keying operation or the like 
conducted by each individual user because these parameters vary according 
to the user. 
Recently, duty service patterns at offices have been diversified due to the 
introduction of flextime, for example, and therefore a large number of 
parameters have been needed. As a result, the parameter setting method has 
become complicated, and it is in many cases difficult for users to effect 
parameter setting. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a set parameter memory 
means and a time recorder which enable parameter setting to be readily 
effected in compliance with each individual user's demand. 
In accordance with the present invention, a set parameter memory means 
comprises a memory circuit for storing set parameters for time 
supervision, and a terminal unit for transmission and/or reception of the 
set parameters. 
Further, in accordance with the present invention, a time recorder 
comprises a connector unit which enables a terminal unit of a set 
parameter memory means to be detachably connected thereto, a second memory 
circuit for storing set parameters, and a control circuit for writing set 
parameters stored in the set parameter memory means in the second memory 
circuit. 
The present invention also provides a time recorder comprising a connector 
unit which enables a terminal unit of a set parameter memory means to be 
detachably connected thereto, a second memory circuit for storing set 
parameters, an operation unit for setting transmission and/or reception of 
set parameters, and a control circuit that effects control such that, when 
transmission and/or reception of the set parameters is set at the 
operation unit, the control circuit allows transfer of the set parameters 
between the set parameter memory means and the second memory circuit, and 
upon completion of the transmission and/or reception of the set 
parameters, the control circuit inhibits the transfer of the set 
parameters between the set parameter memory means and the second memory 
circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference 
to the drawings. 
Referring to FIG. 1, a set parameter memory means 1 has a memory circuit 1a 
for storing set parameters, for example, opening hour and other necessary 
parameters, and a terminal unit 1b for transmission and reception of the 
set parameters. The memory circuit 1a comprises an E.sup.2 ROM, for 
example, which has previously been loaded with the following set 
parameters for time supervision by the manufacturer in accordance with 
duty service patterns at each particular office or the like in which the 
system is employed: 
(1) time table information representative of office hours, e.g., opening 
hour, closing hour, etc.; 
(2) information concerning print positions, e.g., closing day, line feed 
time, and print column designation; and 
(3) information concerning a method for calculating overtime hours. 
The system includes a connector unit 2 for connecting the terminal unit 1b, 
a second memory circuit 3 for storing set parameters, e.g., opening hour 
and other necessary parameters, a control circuit 4 that controls 
transmission and reception of the set parameters and a time supervising 
operation, a switching circuits that controls electrical connection 
between the connector unit 2 and the control circuit 4, and an operation 
unit 6 comprising a plurality of keys for effecting transmission and 
reception of the set parameters and setting parameters, e.g., opening hour 
and other necessary parameters. These elements constitute in combination a 
time recorder. 
An operation of transmission and reception of set parameters between the 
set parameter memory means 1 and the second memory circuit 3 will now be 
explained with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2. First, initiation of 
"load" or "save" of set parameters is designated by actuating the 
operation unit 6. In response to this designation, the control circuit 4 
activates the switching circuit 5 to interconnect the connector unit 2 and 
the control circuit 4 (Step A). 
Subsequently, the control circuit 4 judges whether or not the terminal unit 
1b of the set parameter memory means 1 is connected to the connector unit 
2. If the terminal unit 1b is not connected to the connector unit 2, a 
predetermined error alarm is given (Step B). 
On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the terminal unit 1b is 
connected to the connector unit 2, an operation is executed in accordance 
with "load" or "save" designated through the operation unit 6. 
If "load" is designated, the control circuit 4 first reads out check data 
for judging whether or not the set parameters in the memory circuit 1a are 
to be used for this time recorder and then compares it with check data 
stored in advance in the second memory circuit 3. The check data 
represents the name of the model of time recorder for which the set 
parameters may be used, the version number, etc., and it is stored in the 
memory circuit 1a. If the two pieces of check data disagree with one 
another, a predetermined error alarm is given (Step C). If the pieces of 
check data are coincident with one another, on the other hand, the set 
parameters in the memory circuit 1a are read out and loaded into the 
second memory circuit 3 (Step D). 
Thus, it is possible for the user to set various kinds of parameters simply 
by attaching the set parameter memory means 1 to the time recorder and 
actuating the keys for loading. Accordingly, a complicated keying 
operation is not needed, and thus extremely great advantages are provided 
in practical use. 
In factories, offices, etc., a large number of time recorders of the same 
type are used, and it is therefore necessary to set common parameters in 
each of the time recorders. In such a case, it is only necessary to set 
the parameters in the time recorders successively with a single memory 
means in the manner described above. However, duty service patterns, e.g., 
opening hour, closing hour, etc., are often changed. In such a case, the 
parameters in the second memory circuit 3 of each time recorder may be 
changed by a method that has heretofore been used. However, it is 
considerably troublesome to execute a change of a parameter for all the 
time recorders by repeating the same keying operation. Therefore, in such 
a case, the change of a parameter is executed by a keying operation for 
the second memory circuit 3 of only one time recorder, and the changed 
parameters are saved to the memory means 1. In this way, for the other 
time recorders, change of a parameter can be readily executed simply by 
loading the parameters in the memory means 1 to the time recorders by the 
procedure described above. 
To execute a "save" operation, "save" is designated through the operation 
unit 6. As a result, the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2 is 
executed. More specifically, the check data stored in the second memory 
circuit 3 is read out and written to the memory circuit 1a at Step E, and 
then the set parameters in the second memory circuit 3 are saved to the 
memory circuit 1a (Step F). 
Upon completion of the operation at Step D or Step F for the "load" or 
"save" operation, the control circuit 4 activates the switching circuit 5 
to cut off the connector unit 2 from the control circuit 4 (Step G). In 
other words, the connector unit 2 and the control circuit 4 are connected 
to one another only when the data "load" or "save" operation is executed. 
By the above-described operation, transmission and reception of parameters 
are performed between the memory circuit 1a and the second memory circuit 
3. That is, in a "load" process, the parameters stored in the memory 
circuit 1a are copied to the second memory circuit 3, and the time 
recorder operates on the basis of these parameters. In a "save" process, 
the parameters stored in the second memory circuit 3 are copied to the 
memory circuit 1a, and these parameters can be set in other time 
recorders. 
According to the present invention, set parameters are stored in a 
detachable set parameter memory means in advance, so that the parameters 
can be readily set in a plurality of time recorders using the set 
parameter memory means. In addition, if parameters that are set to a 
specific time recorder are copied in the set parameter memory means, it is 
possible to readily set the same parameters in other time recorders. 
Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example 
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that 
various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the 
art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications depart from the 
scope of the invention, they should be construed as being included 
therein.