Clock, especially striker clock

Abstract

A signal-generating system for a striker clock comprises a clockwork-driven hour disk (12) having conductor tracks which coact with respective contact springs of an hour switch (13) whose pattern of energization changes from one quarter hour to the next, thereby calling forth different numerical values which are stored in a first read-only memory (18) and determine the number of strikes to be emitted in any 15-minute interval when a switch (8) coupled with the minute shaft of the clock is briefly closed. A flip-flop (23) set upon such closure starts a periodically pulsed binary counter (25) which works into a comparator (20) also receiving the numerical value read out from the first memory (18); when the count matches that value, the comparator resets the flip-flop and the counter. The reading of the counter is further transmitted to a decoder (30) addressing a second read-only memory (31) which actuates selected sound emitters (37a-37f) the requisite number of times. The selection of the sound emitters proceeds under a program stored in the second memory (31 ) which could be modified, periodically under the control of the first memory (18) or manually, to vary the acoustic effect. The flip-flop, pulse counter and comparator could be replaced by a microcomputer with input connections to the clockwork-driven minute and hour switches (8, 13) and to the two memories (18, 31) and with outputs for the selective actuation of the sound emitters (37a-37f).