Processing system, writing system of real-time clock device, and function setting method for real-time clock device

Abstract

To provide a processing system that allows a user to select and determine functions of a real-time clock device.SOLUTION: A processing system 100 includes: a receiving unit 110 that receives function selection information of a programmable real-time clock device 400 from a user terminal 200 via a network NW; a processing unit 120 that generates, on the basis of the function selection information, writing information for setting functions of the real-time clock device 400; and a transmission unit 130 that transmits the writing information to the user terminal 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing system, a writing system for a real-time clock device, a function setting method for a real-time clock device, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known real-time clocks that allow users to make selections. Patent Document 1 discloses a real-time clock that allows users to set the type of event to be stored together with a timestamp depending on the type of application. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-161717 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Real-time clock devices include multiple functions, each with its own set of settings. It would be inconvenient for users to select from a lineup of real-time clock devices with as many possible combinations of functions and settings. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a system that allows users to select the functions they need for a single real-time clock device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a processing system including a receiving unit that receives function selection information for a programmable real-time clock device from a user terminal via a network, a processing unit that generates write information for setting the functions of the real-time clock device based on the function selection information, and a transmitting unit that transmits the write information to the user terminal.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a writing system for a real-time clock device, including the above-mentioned processing system, the user terminal, and a writing device communicatively connected to the user terminal and writing the writing information to the non-volatile memory of the real-time clock device.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for setting functions of a real-time clock device, comprising receiving function selection information of a programmable real-time clock device from a user terminal via a network, generating write information for setting the functions of the real-time clock device based on the function selection information, and transmitting the write information to the user terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a real-time clock device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a writing system for a real-time clock device. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of display for selecting functions of a real-time clock device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating an example of a display for selecting functions of the real-time clock device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating an example of a display for selecting functions of the real-time clock device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating an example of a display for selecting functions of the real-time clock device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying characteristic information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the scope of the claims, and not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential components.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a processing system 100 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the processing system 100 is connected to a user terminal 200 via a network NW. Specifically, the network NW is a public communication network such as the Internet, but may also include an intranet in part. Furthermore, although the processing system 100 in FIG. 1 is illustrated as including one user terminal 200, it may also include multiple user terminals 200.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , processing system 100 includes a receiving unit 110, a processing unit 120, and a transmitting unit 130. Processing system 100 is a system managed by the manufacturer of real-time clock device 400 (described later) and is realized by a server or the like that functions as receiving unit 110, processing unit 120, and transmitting unit 130. Hereinafter, the manufacturer of real-time clock device 400 will be simply referred to as the "manufacturer." The server here refers to a server used by the manufacturer, and may be, for example, a physical server owned by the manufacturer or a cloud server located outside the manufacturer's base. The cloud server here may be a server managed by the manufacturer, a server under a usage contract with the manufacturer, or a server under a management contract with another party.

[0012] The receiving unit 110 is a communication interface that is communicatively connected to an external device via a network NW. The receiving unit 110 can be implemented as a standalone semiconductor device having a communication function conforming to a predetermined communication standard, or it may be implemented as part of a semiconductor device that also has other functions. The predetermined communication standard may be, for example, a wired communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but it may also be another communication standard. In the following description, a "communication connection conforming to a communication standard" will be referred to as a "communication connection" or simply as a "connection," as appropriate. The receiving unit 110 of this embodiment receives function selection information for the real-time clock device 400 from the user terminal 200, as will be described in detail below.

[0013] The processing unit 120 performs processing for each unit of the processing system 100. The processing unit 120 is configured with the following hardware. The hardware includes a circuit for processing digital signals, but may also include a circuit for processing analog signals. For example, the hardware can be configured with one or more circuit devices mounted on a circuit board and one or more circuit elements. The one or more circuit devices are, for example, an integrated circuit (IC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The one or more circuit elements are, for example, a resistor, a capacitor, etc. The processing unit 120 is also realized by including at least one of the following processors. The processing unit 120 includes a memory that stores information (not shown) and a processor that operates based on the information stored in the memory. The information is, for example, a program and various types of data. The processor includes hardware. Various types of processors can be used, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). The memory may be a semiconductor memory such as a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a register, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), or an optical storage device such as an optical disk drive. For example, the memory stores computer-readable instructions, and the processor executes these instructions to realize some or all of the functions of each unit of the processing system 100 as processing. The instructions here may be instructions from an instruction set that constitutes a program, or instructions that instruct the hardware circuitry of the processor to operate.

[0014] The processing unit 120 of this embodiment generates write information for setting the functions of the real time clock device 400 based on the function selection information received by the receiving unit 110, as will be described in detail later.

[0015] The transmitter 130 is a communication interface similar to the receiver 110. That is, like the receiver 110, the transmitter 130 can be realized by a semiconductor device having a communication function conforming to a predetermined communication standard. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates the receiver 110 and the transmitter 130 as separate functional blocks, this does not preclude the receiver 110 and the transmitter 130 from being configured by a single semiconductor device. The same applies to FIG. 3 described below. Note that when the processing system 100 is a cloud system, the processing system 100 may include one or more computers connected to the network NW. In this case, each computer may include the receiver 110, the processing unit 120, and the transmitter 130. Alternatively, the receiver 110 and the transmitter 130 may be realized by a communication device for connecting the entire cloud system to the network NW.

[0016] User terminal 200 is a terminal used by a user, and although a personal computer is exemplified in this embodiment, application to mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablets is not precluded. Although not shown, user terminal 200 includes a processor equivalent to the above-mentioned processing unit 120 and functions as a user terminal processing unit. Similarly, although not shown, user terminal 200 includes a communication interface equivalent to the above-mentioned receiving unit 110 and functions as a user terminal receiving unit. Similarly, although not shown, user terminal 200 includes a communication interface equivalent to the above-mentioned transmitting unit 130 and functions as a user terminal transmitting unit.

[0017] In this embodiment, a user refers to a person who uses the real-time clock device 400 (described below) and can also be referred to as a customer of the manufacturer. A customer refers to, for example, a person who has purchased the real-time clock device 400 from the manufacturer or the organization to which that person belongs, but also includes so-called potential customers or the organization to which the potential customer belongs. While customers are primarily assumed to be corporations, they can also be individuals as long as they have the potential to purchase a certain number of real-time clock devices 400. A purchase history of the real-time clock device 400 includes not only the sale of the real-time clock device 400 but also the provision of services related to technical support for the real-time clock device 400. A potential customer refers, for example, to a person who is interested in the real-time clock device 400 sold by the manufacturer and who may purchase the real-time clock device 400 in the near future.

[0018] In this embodiment, the various external devices that a user as a customer connects to the real-time clock device 400 are collectively referred to as host devices (not shown). The real-time clock device 400 of this embodiment is able to operate using a backup element (not shown), which will be described later, even when the power supply voltage from the main power supply of the host device (not shown) is temporarily cut off because the host device (not shown) has entered a sleep state, for example.

[0019] The main configuration of a real-time clock device 400 according to the method of this embodiment will be described using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a circuit device included in the real-time clock device 400. In other words, the circuit device shown in Figure 2 is realized as, for example, an IC chip, and is modularized as the real-time clock device 400 by further including a specific package. In other words, Figure 2 can be considered to be a diagram of the real-time clock device 400 with the portion related to the package omitted.

[0020] As will be described later, the method of this embodiment relates to a programmable real-time clock device 400, but not all functions of the real-time clock device 400 need to be programmable; only some functions may be programmable. For example, the timekeeping function described later can operate without requiring a program. On the other hand, the functions shown in FIG. 4 and other figures are programmable.

[0021] 2 is a diagram for explaining the main components related to the method of this embodiment among the components included in the real-time clock device 400, and other components are omitted as appropriate. As an example, the temperature sensor 440 shown in FIG. 2 is shown as a representative component included in a temperature detection circuit (not shown), and components other than the temperature sensor 440 are omitted from the illustration. Also, for example, power supply lines supplying power to various circuits are omitted from the illustration in FIG. 2. Components not shown in FIG. 2 will be explained below with supplementary information as necessary.

[0022] The circuit device shown in FIG. 2 includes a processor 410, a clock signal generating circuit 420, a power supply control circuit 430, a voltage sensor 432, a temperature sensor 440, a non-volatile memory 450, an interface circuit 452, a memory 460, an interrupt generating circuit 470, and an event trigger circuit 480.

[0023] 2 includes terminals XI, XQ, TVDD, TVBAT, TVOUT, TEVIN1, TEVIN2, TINT, TCE, TSCK, and TSDA. These terminals will be described together with the above-described circuitry. To be more precise, terminals such as terminal TINT are connected to external terminals (not shown) of the package, which are in turn connected to terminals (not shown) on the host device side. Therefore, signals are input and output between these terminals and the host device (not shown) via the external terminals (not shown) of the package. However, to simplify the description below, it may be stated that "signals are input and output between these terminals and the host device (not shown)."

[0024] The processor 410 performs various processes of the circuit device shown in Fig. 2. The processor 410 includes hardware. Various types of processors such as the CPU, GPU, and DSP described above can be used. That is, the processor 410 of this embodiment operates based on a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 450 described below.

[0025] The clock signal generation circuit 420 oscillates the oscillator 422. For example, the clock signal generation circuit 420 is electrically connected to terminals XI and XQ and generates a clock signal by oscillating the oscillator 422. For example, the clock signal generation circuit 420 drives the oscillator 422 via a signal line connected to terminals XI and XQ, causing the oscillator 422 to oscillate. For example, the clock signal generation circuit 420 includes an oscillation driver circuit (not shown) provided between terminals XI and XQ. For example, the clock signal generation circuit 420 can be realized by transistors such as bipolar transistors that realize the driver circuit, and active elements such as capacitors and resistors. The clock signal generation circuit 420 can employ various types of oscillator circuits, such as a Pierce type, Colpitts type, inverter type, or Hartley type. The clock signal generation circuit 420 can also include a variable capacitance circuit (not shown), and the oscillation frequency can be adjusted by adjusting the capacitance of the variable capacitance circuit.

[0026] The vibrator 422 is an element that generates mechanical vibrations in response to an electrical signal. The vibrator 422 can be realized by a vibrating piece such as a quartz crystal vibrating piece. For example, the vibrator 422 can be realized by a quartz crystal vibrating piece that vibrates in a thickness-shear mode, such as an AT-cut or SC-cut cut angle, a tuning-fork type quartz crystal vibrating piece, or a double-ended tuning-fork type quartz crystal vibrating piece. Note that the vibrator 422 of this embodiment can also be realized by various vibrating pieces, such as a vibrating piece other than a thickness-shear type, tuning-fork type, or double-ended tuning-fork type, or a piezoelectric vibrating piece formed from a material other than quartz. For example, the vibrator 422 can be a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) resonator or a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) resonator, which is a silicon vibrator formed using a silicon substrate.

[0027] The clock signal generated in this manner enables the timekeeping and calendar functions of the real-time clock device 400. For example, the real-time clock device 400 includes a timekeeping circuit (not shown) that performs timekeeping processing based on the clock signal described above to generate time information. For example, the timekeeping circuit (not shown) includes a frequency divider circuit (not shown) that divides the clock signal from the clock signal generating circuit to output a divided clock signal, and a time counter (not shown) that performs timekeeping count processing based on the divided clock signal, thereby generating time information indicating, for example, the current time. The time information, which is timekeeping data, can include data indicating seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years, but may also include milliseconds and weeks. Note that a millisecond here may be 1 / 1024 of a second. For example, the time counter (not shown) has counters for counting seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, etc., and generates time information through the counting processing of these counters. Note that the processor 410 may also function as a timekeeping circuit (not shown). Thus, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the real-time clock device 400 includes a clock signal generating circuit 420 that generates a clock signal used for timekeeping.

[0028] The processor 410 may perform time stamp processing based on the generated time information. The time stamp processing refers to, for example, processing in which, in response to the occurrence of an event, data identifying the event is associated with time data at which the event occurred and stored in the memory 460 (described below). Information associating the data identifying the event with the time data at which the event occurred is referred to as time stamp information. The processor 410 may also output the time stamp information to a host device (not shown) via the interface circuit 452 (described below). For example, when the host device (not shown) returns from a sleep state, the host device (not shown) performs serial communication with the real-time clock device 400 (described below). The host device (not shown) can then receive time stamp information generated during the sleep state from the real-time clock device 400, thereby identifying events that occurred during the sleep state.

[0029] The power supply control circuit 430 is a circuit that performs various power supply controls, such as switching control of the power supply voltage. The power supply control circuit 430 can also be called a power supply switching control circuit or a charge control circuit. The power supply control circuit 430 selects the main power supply voltage VDD or the backup power supply voltage VBAT using a method described below, and outputs the selected power supply voltage from the terminal TVOUT as the internal power supply voltage VOUT. That is, although not shown, for example, the power supply control circuit 430 supplies a predetermined operating voltage obtained by dividing the internal power supply voltage VOUT using a regulator (not shown) or the like to the clock signal generation circuit 420. Similarly, the predetermined operating voltage is supplied from the power supply control circuit 430 to the voltage sensor 432, the temperature sensor 440, the nonvolatile memory 450, the interface circuit 452, the memory 460, the interrupt generation circuit 470, and the event trigger circuit 480.

[0030] The main power supply voltage VDD is supplied from a main power supply (not shown) connected to the terminal TVDD. The main power supply (not shown) is, for example, an independent external power supply, but may also be a power supply included in the host device (not shown). The backup power supply voltage VBAT is supplied from a backup element (not shown) connected to the terminal TVBAT. For example, when the main power supply voltage VDD is supplied to the real-time clock device 400 from the main power supply (not shown), the internal power supply voltage VOUT is the main power supply voltage VDD. If the supply of the main power supply voltage VDD from the main power supply (not shown) to the real-time clock device 400 is interrupted, the internal power supply voltage VOUT immediately switches to the backup power supply voltage VBAT. As a result, for example, the clock signal generation circuit 420, the timekeeping circuit (not shown), etc. can continue to receive power even while the supply of the main power supply voltage VDD from the main power supply (not shown) is interrupted, and therefore can continue their timekeeping operations.

[0031] The backup element (not shown) is an element for maintaining the backup power supply voltage VBAT, and is, for example, a secondary battery or a supercapacitor. Examples of secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, metal lithium batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, sodium ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, all-solid-state batteries, and semi-solid-state batteries. Supercapacitors are also called large-capacity capacitors, and include, for example, electric double-layer capacitors, pseudocapacitors, and hybrid capacitors. If the charging control described below is not performed, a primary battery may be used as the backup element (not shown).

[0032] The voltage sensor 432 is included in a voltage detection circuit (not shown) and outputs the analog backup power supply voltage VBAT input via the power supply control circuit 430 to the processor 410 as digital voltage data using a method described below. The voltage detection circuit (not shown) may further include a comparison circuit (not shown). For example, the comparison circuit (not shown) includes a comparator or the like and compares the voltage value of the main power supply voltage VDD with a threshold voltage value for detecting a voltage drop of the main power supply voltage VDD. The comparison circuit (not shown) then outputs a high-level comparison result signal to the processor 410 when the voltage value of the main power supply voltage VDD is equal to or greater than the threshold voltage value, and outputs a low-level comparison result signal to the processor 410 when the voltage value of the main power supply voltage VDD is less than the threshold voltage value. The processor 410 then transmits an instruction signal to the power supply control circuit 430 to switch the internal power supply voltage VOUT from the main power supply voltage VDD to the backup power supply voltage VBAT, for example, based on the input low-level comparison result signal. Then, the power supply control circuit 430 controls a switch (not shown) or the like based on the instruction signal received from the processor 410, and switches the internal power supply voltage VOUT from the main power supply voltage VDD to the backup power supply voltage VBAT.

[0033] The voltage sensor 432 includes, for example, a current supply circuit (not shown), an oscillation circuit (not shown), a counter circuit (not shown), and an arithmetic circuit (not shown). The current supply circuit (not shown) supplies a supply current having a current value corresponding to the voltage value of the input analog backup power supply voltage VBAT to the oscillation circuit (not shown). The oscillation circuit (not shown) outputs a clock signal having an oscillation frequency corresponding to the current value of the supplied supply current to the counter circuit (not shown). The counter circuit (not shown) performs a counting process to count the clock signal input from the oscillation circuit (not shown) for a given period, and outputs count value data based on the counting process to the arithmetic circuit (not shown). The arithmetic circuit (not shown) calculates digital voltage data corresponding to the voltage value of the analog backup power supply voltage VBAT based on the received count value.

[0034] The processor 410 receives digital voltage data corresponding to the backup power supply voltage VBAT. The processor 410 compares the received voltage data with each threshold voltage data stored in the nonvolatile memory 450 and performs control based on the comparison result. The threshold voltage data is voltage data used to determine the state of a backup element (not shown). For example, voltage data related to a threshold for determining whether the backup element (not shown) is fully charged is referred to as full-charge threshold voltage data. Similarly, voltage data related to a threshold for determining whether the backup element (not shown) needs to be recharged is referred to as recharge threshold voltage data. Similarly, voltage data related to a threshold for determining whether the backup element (not shown) is over-discharged is referred to as over-discharge threshold voltage data. For example, the processor 410 compares the received voltage data with the recharge threshold voltage data. If the processor 410 determines that the received voltage data is lower than the recharge threshold voltage data, it outputs an instruction signal to the power supply control circuit 430 to control a switch (not shown) or the like to connect the main power supply (not shown) and the backup element (not shown). As described above, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the power supply control circuit 430 performs charging control based on a comparison between the backup power supply voltage VBAT from the backup element and the threshold voltage.

[0035] Furthermore, for example, the processor 410 compares the received voltage data with full-charge threshold voltage data. If the processor 410 determines that the received voltage data is higher than the full-charge threshold voltage data, it outputs an instruction signal to the power supply control circuit 430 to control a switch (not shown) or the like to stop charging the backup element (not shown) from the main power supply (not shown). Note that the above-mentioned recharge threshold voltage data, full-charge threshold voltage data, etc. may be of multiple types depending on the type of backup element (not shown), and the user can select appropriate data using the method described below. As such, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the real-time clock device 400 includes a power supply control circuit that controls charging of the backup element using the main power supply voltage.

[0036] Although the above describes an example in which voltage sensor 432 outputs digital voltage data based on backup power supply voltage VBAT, the digital voltage data that can be output by voltage sensor 432 is not limited to this. For example, although not shown, a circuit device may be configured so that digital voltage data for the main power supply voltage VDD and the internal power supply voltage VOUT can also be output from voltage sensor 432 in the same manner as in the case of the backup power supply voltage VBAT described above.

[0037] The temperature sensor 440 outputs temperature detection data to the processor 410. More specifically, the temperature sensor 440 is included in a temperature detection circuit (not shown). The temperature sensor 440 generates a temperature-dependent voltage using a circuit element having temperature dependency, and outputs an analog temperature detection voltage based on a temperature-independent voltage. An A / D conversion circuit (not shown) included in the temperature detection circuit then A / D-converts the temperature detection voltage and outputs digital temperature detection data to the processor.

[0038] The processor 410 functions as a temperature compensation circuit and outputs temperature compensation data to the clock signal generation circuit 420 based on the received temperature detection data to maintain the frequency of the clock signal generation circuit 420 constant regardless of temperature. For example, the processor 410 extracts temperature compensation data corresponding to the received temperature detection data from a lookup table that tabulates the temperature characteristics of the oscillation frequency, and outputs the temperature compensation data to the clock signal generation circuit 420. In this case, the lookup table may be stored in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 450. Alternatively, the processor 410 may output the temperature compensation data by substituting the temperature detection data into a polynomial function that approximates the temperature characteristics of the oscillation frequency. This reduces the variation in the oscillation frequency of the clock signal generation circuit 420. Increasing the frequency at which such temperature compensation data is output increases the accuracy of the oscillation frequency of the clock signal generation circuit 420, but increases the power consumption of the real-time clock device 400.

[0039] The nonvolatile memory 450 is, for example, a flash memory made up of MONOS (Metal Oxide Nitride Oxide Silicon) memory cells, but may also be an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) made up of floating gate memory cells. The nonvolatile memory 450 contains data such as an instruction set for operating the real-time clock device 400, and may further contain the above-mentioned various threshold voltage data, data related to temperature compensation, etc.

[0040] The interface circuit 452 communicates with an external processing device based on a given communication standard. For example, the interface circuit 452 performs serial communication using I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) or SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface). When performing serial communication using SPI, the host device (not shown) is the main device, and the real-time clock device 400 is the replica. For example, the interface circuit 452 performs serial communication based on data transferred via the terminal TSDA and a clock signal input via the terminal TSCK. When performing serial communication using three-wire SPI, the terminal TSDA serves as a data input / output terminal, and the terminal TCE serves as a chip select terminal. The interface circuit 452 also functions as an interface with the writing device 300, which will be described later, when writing write information, which will be described later, to the nonvolatile memory 450.

[0041] The memory 460 functions as a working memory for the processor 410. The memory 460 may also store digital voltage data corresponding to the backup power supply voltage VBAT described above and timestamp data described below. The memory 460 is specifically a volatile memory, such as an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), but various other volatile memories such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) can also be used.

[0042] The interrupt generating circuit 470 outputs an interrupt signal via the terminal TINT based on a command output from the processor 410. This allows the output interrupt signal to be sent to, for example, a host device (not shown). This allows the host device (not shown) to perform a predetermined interrupt process. For example, the processor 410 compares the value of the digital voltage data corresponding to the backup power supply voltage VBAT with the value of the overdischarge voltage data stored in the nonvolatile memory 450. If the processor 410 determines that the value of the digital voltage data is lower than the value of the overdischarge voltage data, the processor 410 controls the interrupt generating circuit 470 to output an interrupt signal. In this way, the host device (not shown) that receives the interrupt signal can detect a drop in the backup voltage provided by the backup element (not shown).

[0043] The event trigger circuit 480 outputs an event trigger signal to the processor 410. In response to the event trigger signal, the processor 410 selects at least one of multiple types of event data as target event data to be stored, and selects time data generated by a timing circuit (not shown) as target time data to be stored. The processor 410 then performs timestamp processing, which associates the target time data with the target event data and stores them in the memory 460.

[0044] For example, the event trigger circuit 480 outputs an event trigger signal corresponding to an input signal input from a host device (not shown). As an example, when the event trigger circuit 480 detects a rising edge that satisfies a predetermined condition in the input signal input to the terminal TEVIN1, it outputs a corresponding event trigger signal. The types of events are classified according to the states of the terminals TEVIN1 and TEVIN2 connected to the event trigger circuit 480. The event trigger circuit 480 may also output an event trigger signal when the host device (not shown) accesses the interface circuit 452. The event trigger circuit 480 may also output an event trigger signal when a predetermined condition related to the internal state of the real-time clock device 400 is satisfied. The predetermined condition may be, for example, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 440 being outside a predetermined temperature range, or the voltage detected by the voltage sensor 432 being outside a predetermined voltage range.

[0045] In this way, the functions of the above-described real-time clock device 400 can be selected by the user. In other words, since the specifications of the real-time clock device 400 are ultimately determined by the user's judgment, the vendor sells the real-time clock device 400 in a state where the user can select the functions.

[0046] Therefore, for example, the manufacturer may distribute predetermined software to users to allow them to consider the specifications of the real-time clock device 400. The software may be, for example, a program that installs the predetermined software on the user terminal 200, which can be downloaded from a web page specified by the manufacturer. Alternatively, the predetermined software may function as part of a writing program, which will be described later.

[0047] For example, although not shown in FIG. 1, when a user launches the predetermined software, a dedicated setting screen is displayed on the display unit 210 of the user terminal 200. It is assumed that the predetermined software operates when the user terminal 200 is connected to the processing system 100 via the network NW. Therefore, when using the predetermined software, the user is assumed to have agreed with the manufacturer that function selection information will be transmitted from the user terminal 200 to the processing system 100 and that writing information will be transmitted from the processing system 100 to the user terminal 200. Furthermore, for example, the user may, if necessary, make a promise with the manufacturer that the function selection information will be managed as confidential information. The same applies when generating function selection information using a writing device 300, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0048] Then, on the dedicated setting screen, the user selects selectable items for the various functions of the real-time clock device 400. As a result, function selection information is generated.

[0049] The user then transmits function selection information from the user terminal 200 to the processing system 100 using a method described below. The transmitted function selection information is received via the receiving unit 110, and the processing unit 120 generates writing information based on the received function selection information. For example, the processing unit 120 performs processes such as generating source code based on the function selection information, converting the source code into binary data understandable by the processor 410, and adding address information of the non-volatile memory 450 to be written to the binary data. In this way, the writing information is generated. The processing unit 120 then transmits the generated writing information to the user terminal 200 via the transmitting unit 130. This allows the user to obtain the writing information. This allows the user to write the obtained writing information to the non-volatile memory 450 at any time.

[0050] From the above, the processing system 100 of this embodiment includes a receiving unit 110 that receives function selection information for the programmable real-time clock device 400 from the user terminal 200 via the network NW, a processing unit 120 that generates write information for setting the functions of the real-time clock device 400 based on the function selection information, and a transmitting unit 130 that transmits the write information to the user terminal 200.

[0051] As described above, the processing system 100 of this embodiment includes the receiving unit 110 and transmitting unit 130, and is therefore able to transmit and receive data to and from the user terminal 200 via the network NW. Furthermore, the processing system 100 of this embodiment includes the processing unit 120, and is therefore able to generate write information based on function selection information of the programmable real-time clock device 400. This allows for the user terminal 200 to automatically receive write information by transmitting function selection information from the user terminal 200, thereby improving the convenience of the programmable real-time clock device 400.

[0052] Although the real-time clock device 400 includes multiple functions, the details of which functions a user will use, or the details of the settings for the functions that the user will use, vary from user to user. This results in a vast number of possible combinations, placing a heavy burden on manufacturers. Furthermore, ordering a customized real-time clock device 400 after carefully considering the specifications of the real-time clock device 400 is inconvenient for the user, resulting in a lack of usability for the real-time clock device 400. In this regard, by applying the method of this embodiment, a user can determine function selection information for the programmable real-time clock device 400 and automatically obtain write information based on the determined function selection information. This allows the user to easily configure the functions of the programmable real-time clock device 400. This improves the usability of the real-time clock device 400.

[0053] The technique of this embodiment may also be realized as a function setting method for the real-time clock device 400. That is, this embodiment relates to a function setting method for the real-time clock device 400, which receives function selection information for the programmable real-time clock device 400 from the user terminal 200 via the network NW, generates writing information for setting the functions of the real-time clock device 400 based on the function selection information, and transmits the writing information to the user terminal 200. By doing so, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those described above.

[0054] Furthermore, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the write information may be information written to the nonvolatile memory 450 of the real-time clock device 400. In this way, even if the power supply to the real-time clock device 400 is stopped, evaluation of the real-time clock device 400 can be continued when power is supplied again.

[0055] The method of this embodiment is not limited to the above, and various modifications are possible, such as adding components, etc. For example, the processing system 100 of this embodiment may be configured to be included in the writing system 10 of the real-time clock device 400 shown in FIG. 3 in order to write the generated writing information to the real-time clock device 400.

[0056] 3, user terminal 200 includes a display unit 210 and is further connected to writing device 300. If user terminal 200 is a personal computer, display unit 210 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like. Writing device 300 is a device that writes writing information to real-time clock device 400. For example, writing device 300 includes, on a circuit board, an interface for connecting to user terminal 200 and a socket into which the package of real-time clock device 400 fits. In other words, writing device 300 includes an interface circuit similar to interface circuit 452 described above.

[0057] For example, if a user is considering evaluating the programmable real-time clock device 400, the user contacts the manufacturer and receives an evaluation sample and a writing device 300 from the manufacturer. The user then starts writing software on, for example, the user terminal 200 and uses the writing software to write writing information to the evaluation sample. The user can install the writing software into the user terminal 200 using, for example, a CD-ROM or the like that comes with the writing device 300. Alternatively, the user can download an installation program for the writing software from a web page specified by the manufacturer. Alternatively, the writing software can be automatically installed into the user terminal 200 when the user terminal 200 and the writing device 300 are connected via, for example, a USB cable that comes with the writing device 300.

[0058] The writing software may also have the same functions as the predetermined software described above. For example, when a user starts the writing software, a screen related to the writing software is displayed on the display unit 210. The user then performs an operation to select a function of the real-time clock device 400 on the displayed screen. As a result, as described above, function selection information is transmitted from the user terminal 200 to the processing system 100, and writing information corresponding to the function selection information is transmitted from the processing system 100 to the user terminal 200. The user then operates the user terminal 200 and writes the received writing information into the non-volatile memory 450 using the writing device 300 connected to the user terminal 200.

[0059] As described above, the writing system 10 for the real-time clock device 400 of this embodiment includes the above-described processing system 100, the user terminal 200, and the writing device 300 that is communicatively connected to the user terminal 200 and writes writing information to the non-volatile memory 450 of the real-time clock device 400. This allows the user to select a function of the real-time clock device 400, thereby creating a mechanism for immediately writing writing information based on the selected function to the non-volatile memory 450 of the real-time clock device 400. This improves the convenience of the real-time clock device 400.

[0060] When the user terminal processing unit receives writing information corresponding to the function selection information, it may automatically perform processing to write the received writing information to non-volatile memory 450. Thus, in the function setting method for real-time clock device 400 of this embodiment, user terminal 200 receives writing information and writes the received writing information to non-volatile memory 450 of real-time clock device 400 via writing device 300. In this way, a system can be established in which, by the user selecting a function for real-time clock device 400, writing information based on the selected function is automatically written to non-volatile memory 450 of real-time clock device 400.

[0061] Furthermore, the screen related to the predetermined software described above may be, for example, like the example screen shown in Fig. 4. The example screen in Fig. 4 includes images related to a plurality of setting items. The plurality of setting items include, for example, a setting item related to temperature control shown in A1, a setting item related to temperature sensor output shown in A2, a setting item related to voltage sensor output shown in A3, a setting item related to interrupt output shown in A4, a setting item related to power supply switching shown in A5, and a setting item related to timestamps shown in A6.

[0062] In this embodiment, "temperature regulation" refers to adjusting the clock frequency output from the clock signal generation circuit 420 in response to temperature fluctuations around the real-time clock device 400. Specifically, as described above, the processor 410 transmits temperature compensation data to the clock signal generation circuit 420, which adjusts the variable capacitance of a variable capacitance circuit (not shown) included in the clock signal generation circuit 420. This maintains the frequency of the clock signal output from the clock signal generation circuit 420 within a certain range. This improves the accuracy of the timekeeping functions described above.

[0063] The setting items shown in A1 to A6 in FIG. 4 will be described in more detail using FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. The setting item A10 in FIG. 5 is a more detailed representation of the setting item A1 in FIG. 4, the setting item A20 in FIG. 5 is a more detailed representation of the setting item A2 in FIG. 4, and the setting item A30 in FIG. 5 is a more detailed representation of the setting item A3 in FIG. 4. Similarly, the setting item A40 in FIG. 6 is a more detailed representation of the setting item A4 in FIG. 4, and the setting item A50 in FIG. 6 is a more detailed representation of the setting item A5 in FIG. 4. Similarly, the setting item A60 in FIG. 7 is a more detailed representation of the setting item A6 in FIG. 4.

[0064] More specifically, the image shown in A10 of FIG. 5 includes a radio button image for selecting whether or not to control the temperature shown in A11, a drop-down image for selecting accuracy shown in A18, and a drop-down image for selecting frequency shown in A19. For example, if the user selects the "Yes" radio button, the real-time clock device 400 controls the temperature. In the settings shown in FIG. 5, the processor 410 outputs temperature compensation data every 0.2 seconds to ensure that the frequency of the clock signal output from the clock signal generation circuit 420 does not deviate from the set frequency range of ±3 ppm. Thus, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the function selection information is information for selecting the frequency accuracy of the clock signal. This allows the user to set the frequency accuracy of the clock signal of the real-time clock device 400 based on their own needs.

[0065] More specifically, the image shown in A20 in FIG. 5 includes a radio button image shown in A21 for setting whether or not to output the temperature sensor, and a drop-down image shown in A28 for selecting the accuracy. The accuracy shown in A28 is the accuracy of the temperature value digitally output from the temperature sensor 440. Note that if the user selects "Yes" in the radio button image related to A11, the radio button image related to A21 may also be set to "Yes."

[0066] More specifically, the image shown in A30 in FIG. 5 includes a radio button image shown in A31 for selecting whether or not to output the voltage sensor, a drop-down image shown in A38 for selecting accuracy, and a drop-down image shown in A39 for selecting frequency. Furthermore, the image shown in A30 includes checkbox images shown in A32, A33, and A34 for selecting the voltages to be detected by the voltage sensor 432. Examples of voltages to be detected by the voltage sensor 432 include the main power supply voltage VDD, the backup power supply voltage VBAT, and the internal power supply voltage VOUT. In the settings shown in FIG. 5, the processor 410 controls the voltage sensor 432 to output digital data of the main power supply voltage VDD, the backup power supply voltage VBAT, and the internal power supply voltage VOUT every second with an accuracy of ±0.15 V.

[0067] The image shown at A40 in FIG. 6 includes, for example, a radio button image for setting whether or not to output an interrupt shown at A41, a check box image shown at A42, a check box image shown at A43, a check box image shown at A44, a check box image shown at A45, a check box image shown at A46, and a text field image shown at A47. For example, when a user checks the check box shown at A42, a program is created so that an event indicating that the charging of the backup element is complete occurs as an interrupt event. That is, when the charging of the backup element is complete, the processor 410 controls the interrupt generating circuit 470 to output an interrupt signal from the terminal TINT. Similarly, when the check box shown at A43 is checked, the processor 410 controls the interrupt generating circuit 470 to output an interrupt signal from the terminal TINT when it determines that the backup element (not shown) needs to be recharged. Similarly, when the check box shown at A44 is checked, the processor 410 controls the interrupt generating circuit 470 to output an interrupt signal from the terminal TINT when it determines that the backup element (not shown) is over-discharged.

[0068] If the checkbox indicated by A45 is checked, the processor 410 controls the interrupt generation circuit 470 to output an interrupt signal from the terminal TINT when timestamp processing is performed. If the checkbox indicated by A46 is checked, the processor 410 controls the interrupt generation circuit 470 to output an interrupt signal from the terminal TINT when the number of times timestamp processing has been performed matches the number entered in the text field of A47.

[0069] 6 includes, for example, a radio button image A51 for setting whether or not to switch the power supply. That is, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the function selection information is operation setting information for the power supply control circuit 430. In this way, the user can set the operation of the power supply control circuit 430 taking into consideration the user's circumstances.

[0070] 6 includes a pull-down menu image A52 for selecting a voltage value related to full-charge threshold voltage data, a pull-down menu image A53 for selecting a voltage value related to recharge threshold voltage data, and a pull-down menu image A54 for selecting a voltage value related to over-discharge voltage data. Thus, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the operational setting information is threshold voltage setting information. This allows an appropriate threshold voltage to be set depending on the backup element (not shown) included in the real-time clock device 400.

[0071] The image shown in A60 in FIG. 7 includes, for example, a radio button image shown in A61 for setting whether or not to include a timestamp, a group of checkbox images shown in A62, a checkbox image shown in A63, a checkbox image shown in A64, and a checkbox image shown in A65. The group of checkboxes shown in A62 includes checkboxes for setting time data related to the timestamp. For example, when the checkbox shown in A63 is checked, the processor 410 performs timestamp processing, for example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 440 is outside a predetermined range. Furthermore, when the checkbox shown in A64 is checked, the processor 410 performs timestamp processing, for example, when voltage data related to the backup power supply voltage VBAT detected by the voltage sensor 432 falls below a predetermined value. Furthermore, when the checkbox shown in A65 is checked, the processor 410 performs timestamp processing for all acquired events. The image shown in A60 also includes an image related to detailed setting items for acquired events, as shown in A66. The image of A66 includes, for example, as shown in A67, a checkbox image for selecting an input terminal to be connected to the event trigger circuit 480, and, as shown in A68, a checkbox image for selecting an input terminal (for example, terminal TSDA) to be input to the interface circuit 452. For example, in the case of the settings shown in Fig. 7, even if the event trigger circuit 480 receives a signal input via terminal EVIN2, the processor 410 does not perform timestamp processing.

[0072] The user sets the setting items in FIGS. 5 to 7 by, for example, operating a keyboard (not shown) or the like of user terminal 200, and selects the button image A7 in FIG. 4. This causes the user terminal processing unit (not shown) to generate a characteristic information generation instruction and transmit the generated characteristic information generation instruction to receiving unit 110 via a user terminal transmitting unit (not shown). The characteristic information instruction here includes function selection information. More specifically, for example, a packet of communication data transmitted from the user terminal transmitting unit (not shown) to receiving unit 110 includes data for causing processing unit 120 to start generating characteristic information, as well as data related to the setting items set by the user for the setting items in FIGS. 5 to 7. In other words, the function selection information is information selected by the user for the setting items in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0073] Then, the processing unit 120 generates characteristic information based on the function selection information when the characteristic information generation instruction is issued. In other words, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, when the receiving unit 110 receives the characteristic information generation instruction from the user terminal 200 via the network NW, the processing unit 120 generates characteristic information based on the function selection information when the characteristic information generation instruction is issued.

[0074] The processing unit 120 then analyzes the communication data packet received by the receiving unit 110 and acquires data related to the setting items set by the user on the user terminal 200. The processing unit 120 generates characteristic information for the real-time clock device 400 based on the acquired data related to the setting items. In other words, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the processing unit 120 generates characteristic information for the real-time clock device 400 when the function selected by the user is set in the real-time clock device 400 based on the function selection information. In this way, a mechanism can be established for generating characteristic information for the real-time clock device 400 corresponding to the function selected by the user.

[0075] Then, processing unit 120 transmits the characteristic information of real-time clock device 400 to user terminal 200 via transmission unit 130. More specifically, for example, processing unit 120 performs a process of creating web page data related to the characteristic information and a process of transmitting the created web page data to user terminal 200 via transmission unit 130.

[0076] The communication packet relating to the transmitted web page data may further include command data for causing a user terminal processing unit (not shown) to launch a web browser and display the web page. As a result, the user terminal processing unit (not shown) receives the web page data via a user terminal receiving unit (not shown), launches a web browser, and displays a web page relating to the received characteristic information. Furthermore, the characteristic information does not have to be web page data, and various modifications are possible, as long as it is data that can be displayed on the screen of the writing program. In this way, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the processing unit 120 performs processing to display the characteristic information on the display unit 210 of the user terminal 200. In this way, the user can view the characteristic information based on the function selection information through the display unit 210.

[0077] FIG. 8 is an example screen displaying characteristic information displayed on the display unit 210. FIG. 8 shows time-series data of current consumption values ​​estimated by simulation. In the time-series data, peaks appear in the waveform based on the time-series data, as indicated by A71, due to the operation of various modules related to temperature control, for example. For example, by selecting a high frequency indicated by A19 in FIG. 5, the user can view time-series data in which the intervals between the peaks indicated by A71 in FIG. 8 become narrower. Furthermore, the predicted average current value indicated by A72 and the predicted peak current value indicated by A73 are displayed. Thus, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, the characteristic information is power consumption information. This allows the user to grasp the power consumption information of the real-time clock device 400 corresponding to the set functions. The predicted average current value is also referred to as a Typ value (typical value), and the predicted peak current value is also referred to as a Max value (maximum value). Although the characteristic information is power consumption information in this embodiment, it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the characteristic information may be startup time information indicating the startup time from when the real-time clock device 400 is powered on until it is able to output time information.

[0078] By viewing the characteristic information shown in Fig. 8, the user can determine the optimal specifications for the real-time clock device 400, taking into consideration the balance between the selected functions, the expected power consumption, and the backup elements to be used. Finally, if the user determines that the characteristic information acquired by pressing the button image A7 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the characteristic information desired by the user, the user presses the button image A8 in Fig. 4. This causes the user terminal processing unit to transmit a command to generate information for writing to the processing system 100. The packet of transmission data related to the command to generate information for writing contains data related to the function selection information.

[0079] When the processing unit 120 receives an instruction to generate information to write via the receiving unit 110, the processing unit 120 generates information to write based on the function selection information included in the instruction to generate information to write. Thus, in the processing system 100 of this embodiment, when the receiving unit 110 receives an instruction to generate information to write from the user terminal 200 via the network NW, the processing unit 120 generates information to write based on the function selection information at the time the instruction to generate information to write was made. In this way, a mechanism can be constructed in which characteristic information is generated based on a characteristic information instruction made on the user terminal 200 side, and information to write is generated based on an instruction to generate information to write made on the user terminal 200 side.

[0080] Processing unit 120 then transmits the generated information to be written to user terminal 200 via transmission unit 130. As a result, the received information to be written is written to non-volatile memory 450 of real-time clock device 400. This allows the user to evaluate real-time clock device 400 having the desired specifications.

[0081] As described above, the processing system of this embodiment includes a receiving unit that receives function selection information of a programmable real-time clock device from a user terminal via a network, a processing unit that generates write information for setting the functions of the real-time clock device based on the function selection information, and a transmitting unit that transmits the write information to the user terminal.

[0082] In this way, since the write information is generated based on the function selection information of the programmable real-time clock device, a system can be established in which the user terminal device can automatically receive the write information by transmitting the function selection information from the user terminal device, thereby improving the convenience of the programmable real-time clock device.

[0083] In addition, the processing unit may generate characteristic information of the real-time clock device when the function selected by the user is set in the real-time clock device based on the function selection information, and the transmitting unit may transmit the characteristic information to the user terminal.

[0084] In this way, a mechanism can be established for generating characteristic information of the real-time clock device corresponding to the function selected by the user.

[0085] The characteristic information may also be power consumption information.

[0086] In this way, the user can grasp the power consumption information of the real-time clock device corresponding to the set function.

[0087] Furthermore, when the receiving unit receives a characteristic information generation instruction from the user terminal via the network, the processing unit may generate characteristic information based on function selection information at the time the characteristic information generation instruction was made. Furthermore, when the receiving unit receives a characteristic information generation instruction from the user terminal via the network, the processing unit may generate information to write based on function selection information at the time the information to write generation instruction was made.

[0088] By doing this, a mechanism can be established in which characteristic information is generated based on characteristic information instructions given on the user terminal side, and information to be written is generated based on instructions to generate information to be written given on the user terminal side.

[0089] The processing unit may also perform processing to display the characteristic information on a display unit of the user terminal.

[0090] In this way, the user can view the property information based on the function selection information through the display unit.

[0091] The real-time clock device may also include a clock signal generation circuit that generates a clock signal used for timekeeping, and the function selection information may be information that selects the frequency precision of the clock signal.

[0092] In this way, the frequency accuracy of the clock signal of the real-time clock device can be set taking into consideration the user's circumstances.

[0093] The real-time clock device may also include a power supply control circuit that controls charging of the backup element using the main power supply voltage, and the function selection information may be operation setting information for the power supply control circuit.

[0094] In this way, the user can set the operation of the power supply control circuit in consideration of the user's circumstances.

[0095] The power supply control circuit may also perform charging control based on a comparison between the backup power supply voltage from the backup element and a threshold voltage, and the operation setting information may be setting information for the threshold voltage.

[0096] In this way, an appropriate threshold voltage can be set depending on the backup element included in the real-time clock device.

[0097] The information to be written may also be information to be written into the non-volatile memory of the real-time clock device.

[0098] In this way, even if the power supply to the real-time clock device is stopped, when power is supplied again, evaluation of the real-time clock device can be continued.

[0099] This embodiment also relates to a writing system for a real-time clock device, which includes the above-mentioned processing system, a user terminal, and a writing device that is communicatively connected to the user terminal and writes writing information into the non-volatile memory of the real-time clock device.

[0100] In this way, a user can select a function of the real-time clock device, and a mechanism can be established in which writing information based on the selected function is immediately written to the non-volatile memory of the real-time clock device.

[0101] This embodiment also relates to a function setting method for a real-time clock device, which receives function selection information for a programmable real-time clock device from a user terminal via a network, generates write information for setting the functions of the real-time clock device based on the function selection information, and transmits the write information to the user terminal.

[0102] In addition to the above-described method for setting the functions of the real-time clock device, this embodiment may also include a method in which the user terminal receives writing information and writes the received writing information to the non-volatile memory of the real-time clock device via the writing device 300.

[0103] In this way, a user can select a function of the real-time clock device, and create a mechanism that automatically writes write information based on the selected function into the non-volatile memory of the real-time clock device.

[0104] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and advantages of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings with a different term having a broader or similar meaning may be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. Furthermore, all combinations of the present embodiment and modifications are also intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations and operations of the processing system, the writing system for the real-time clock device, and the function setting method for the real-time clock device are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10...writing system for real-time clock device, 100...processing system, 110...receiving unit, 120...processing unit, 130...transmitting unit, 200...user terminal, 210...display unit, 300...writing device, 400...real-time clock device, 410...processor, 420...clock signal generation circuit, 420...power supply control circuit, 432...voltage sensor, 440...temperature sensor, 450...non-volatile memory, 452...interface circuit, 460...memory, 470...interrupt signal generation circuit, 480...event trigger circuit, NW...network, VBAT...backup power supply voltage, VDD...main power supply voltage, VOUT...internal power supply voltage, XI, XQ, TVDD, TVBAT, TVOUT, TEVIN1, TEVIN2, TINT, TCE, TSCK, TSDA...terminal

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives function selection information of the programmable real-time clock device from a user terminal via a network; a processing unit that generates, based on the function selection information, write information for setting the functions of the real-time clock device; a transmitting unit that transmits the writing information to the user terminal; A processing system comprising:

2. 2. The processing system according to claim 1, the processing unit generates characteristic information of the real-time clock device when the function selected by the user is set in the real-time clock device based on the function selection information; The processing system is characterized in that the transmitting unit transmits the characteristic information to the user terminal.

3. 3. The processing system according to claim 2, The processing system, wherein the characteristic information is power consumption information.

4. 3. The processing system according to claim 2, The processing unit When the receiving unit receives a characteristic information generation instruction from the user terminal via the network, the receiving unit generates the characteristic information based on the function selection information at the time when the characteristic information generation instruction was issued; A processing system characterized in that when the receiving unit receives a writing information generation instruction from the user terminal via the network, it generates the writing information based on the function selection information at the time the writing information generation instruction was made.

5. 3. The processing system according to claim 2, The processing system is characterized in that the processing unit performs processing to display the characteristic information on a display unit of the user terminal.

6. 2. The processing system according to claim 1, the real-time clock device includes a clock signal generating circuit that generates a clock signal used for timekeeping; The processing system, wherein the function selection information is information for selecting a frequency precision of the clock signal.

7. 2. The processing system according to claim 1, the real-time clock device includes a power supply control circuit that controls charging of a backup element using a main power supply voltage; The processing system, wherein the function selection information is operation setting information for the power supply control circuit.

8. 8. The processing system according to claim 7, the power supply control circuit performs the charging control based on a comparison between a backup power supply voltage from the backup element and a threshold voltage; The processing system, wherein the operation setting information is setting information for the threshold voltage.

9. 2. The processing system according to claim 1, A processing system characterized in that the information to be written is information to be written into a nonvolatile memory of the real-time clock device.

10. A processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9; the user terminal; a writing device communicatively connected to the user terminal and configured to write the information to be written into the non-volatile memory of the real-time clock device; 1. A writing system for a real-time clock device, comprising:

11. receiving function selection information of the programmable real-time clock device from the user terminal via the network; generating write information for setting a function of the real-time clock device based on the function selection information; A method for setting functions of a real-time clock device, characterized in that the writing information is transmitted to the user terminal.

12. 12. The method for setting functions of a real-time clock device according to claim 11, The user terminal: A function setting method for a real-time clock device, comprising receiving the write information and writing the received write information into the nonvolatile memory of the real-time clock device via a writing device.

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