unsigned char read_hour(void)
{ unsigned char temp;
 temp = readbyte(HR_RTC);
 if(temp & (1<<6))			//12 hr mode is selected if set
 return(bcd2dec(temp & ~(1<<6) & ~(1<<5)));	//strip the 6th & 5th bits: AM/PM & 12hr/24hr mode & convert the remaining
 else
 return(bcd2dec(temp));
}
unsigned char read_min(void)
{ return(bcd2dec(readbyte(MIN_RTC)));
}
unsigned char read_sec(void)
{ return(bcd2dec(readbyte(SEC_RTC)));
}