-unsigned int st_get_ticks(void);
-void st_pause_ticks_init(void);
-void st_pause_ticks_start(void);
-void st_pause_ticks_stop(void);
-void timer_init(timer_type* ptimer, bool st_ticks);
-void timer_start(timer_type* ptimer, unsigned int period);
-void timer_stop(timer_type* ptimer);
-/*======================================================================
- int timer_check(timer_type* ptimer);
-
- param : pointer to a timer which needs to be checked
- return: NO = the timer is not started
- or it is over
- YES = otherwise
-======================================================================*/
-int timer_check(timer_type* ptimer);
-int timer_started(timer_type* ptimer);
-/*======================================================================
- int timer_get_left(timer_type* ptimer);
+ /** returns the period of the timer or 0 if it isn't started */
+ float get_period() const
+ { return period; }
+ float get_timeleft() const
+ { return period - (global_time - cycle_start); }
+ float get_timegone() const
+ { return global_time - cycle_start; }
+ bool started() const
+ { return period != 0 && get_timeleft() > 0; }