JP2002174689A - Timer device and method of correcting time thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct the time of a timer device using time signals in such a way as to reduce errors in the detection of time signals, while providing a wide range of correction through a simple procedure. SOLUTION: A voice signal of a predetermined frequency, including a broadcast time signal, is digitized by an A/D converter 23 and inputted to the processing circuit 11 of the timer device and time signals are detected by a control part 24 during a predetermined period of detection of the time signals. When the time signal is detected, the time of a correcting timer (second timer) 22 is set to match the detected time signal while an internal clock (first timer) 21 is left intact. After the predetermined period of detection of the time signals has elapsed, the time signals detected during that period are identified, and if a plurality of time signals are detected, the time is corrected so that the time of the internal clock 21 coincides with the time of the correcting timer 22 set to match the time signal which has a minimal difference from the time of the internal clock 21 before correction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a timer device for activating a video device, an audio device, a premises broadcasting device, a chime, and the like at a designated time, and more particularly to time correction of the timer device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A timer device of this type has a built-in clock in its function, so that when a set time comes, a power is turned on or a predetermined function is operated. I have. Since the built-in clock of the timer device is deviated with time due to an error, time correction is required. As a method of adjusting the time of a timer device, a method of automatically correcting a built-in clock in accordance with a time signal of a TV broadcast or a radio broadcast using a time signal of a TV broadcast has been widely used as a simple and appropriate method.

In a simple time correction method using a time signal,
A predetermined time signal detection period is provided, a TV broadcast or a radio broadcast is received, a specific frequency of a time signal is detected from a received signal detected within the period, and a built-in clock is set to the detected time. However, this method has the following problems. When using a time signal for time adjustment, if the detection period of the time signal is shortened so that unnecessary signals are not mistaken for the time signal, the time signal cannot be detected if there is a large error in the built-in clock and initial (manual) setting. On the contrary, if the detection period of the time signal is extended, other audio signals may be erroneously detected as the time signal.

Therefore, conventionally, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-83284, the timing of the output of a band-pass filter that passes only a specific frequency including a time signal is finely controlled so that an unnecessary wave of the time signal can be obtained. An unnecessary wave reducing circuit for reducing the time signal is provided, and the time signal is detected by detecting the frequency and time interval of a plurality of forecast sound signals received before the time signal together with the time signal as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-159560. It has been proposed to judge the coincidence with a pattern to eliminate erroneous detection of a time signal and reduce malfunctions in time correction.

[0005]

In the above conventional example, in the simple time correction method, if the detection period of the time signal is lengthened, an audio signal or noise in the broadcast may be erroneously detected as a time signal signal. However, if the detection period of the time signal is shortened to prevent erroneous detection, there is a problem that the width of time that can be corrected is narrowed. On the other hand, in the conventional time correction method such as that described in the above publication, erroneous detection of the time signal can be reduced, but complicated control and complicated procedures are required for accurate detection of the time signal. There are problems such as becoming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. In time correction using a time signal, time correction with a small error detection of a time signal can be performed by a simple procedure while having a wide time correction range. It is an object of the present invention to provide a possible timer device and a time correction method thereof.

[0007]

According to the present invention, first, a first timer for counting a time for timer control, a time signal detecting means for detecting a time signal for time correction, and a time signal detected by the time signal detecting means. A second timer for setting a time according to the time signal detected by the time signal is compared with a time signal detected by the time signal detection means during a predetermined time signal detection period, and a time signal having a minimum error from the time of the first timer before correction is determined. And a time correction control unit that corrects the time of the first timer so as to match the time of the second timer using the time of the second timer set in accordance with (1).

Second, the time correction control means includes:
When a time signal is detected during the time signal detection period, the first
The time of the timer is kept as it is, and the second timer is set in accordance with the time of the detected time signal. Thirdly, when the time signal is detected only once during the time signal detection period, the time correction control means sets the first time so as to coincide with the time of the second timer set in accordance with the time signal. It is characterized in that the time of the timer is corrected. Alternatively, fourthly, when a plurality of time signals are detected during the time signal detection period, the time correction control unit sets the time signal in accordance with a time signal having a minimum error from the time of the first timer among the plurality of time signals. The time of the first timer is corrected so as to match the time of the second timer.

Fifthly, the present invention provides a time signal detecting step for detecting a time signal for time correction and a second timer provided separately from the first timer for counting the time for timer control. A time signal setting step of setting the time in accordance with the time signal detected in the step, and a time signal detected during a predetermined time signal detection period are compared and determined, and an error between the time of the first timer before correction and the time signal is minimized. A time correction method for a timer device, comprising: a time correction step of correcting the first timer to match the time of the second timer using the time of the second timer set together.

Sixth, in the time signal setting step, when a time signal is detected during the time signal detection period, the time of the first timer is kept as it is, and the time of the detected time signal is set to the second timer. It is characterized by setting according to. Seventh, in the time signal setting step, when the time signal is detected during the time signal detection period, the time of the first timer is kept as it is, and when the time signal is detected first, the time before correction is corrected. The error of the time signal detection time before and after the time of one timer is compared, and when the error of the time signal detection time after the time is small, the time of the second timer is set in accordance with the time signal detection time after, When the error is large, the time of the second timer is kept as it is.

Eighth, in the time correction step, when a time signal is detected only once during the time signal detection period, the time signal is set so as to coincide with the time of the second timer set in accordance with the time signal. It is characterized in that the time of the first timer is corrected. Alternatively, ninth, in the time correction step, when a plurality of time signals are detected during the time signal detection period, the time error is set to be the minimum time error of the first timer among the plurality of time signals. The time of the first timer is corrected so as to match the time of the second timer.

Tenthly, in the time correction step, the time of the first timer is corrected so as to match the time of the second timer after the elapse of the time signal detection period.

As described above, without correcting the first timer which directly counts the time for timer control by detecting the time signal, the second timer is first set in accordance with the time signal during the time signal detection period, and the time signal detection period elapses. Later, by correcting the time of the first timer to the time of the second timer set to the time at which the error is minimized, the time signal detection period is extended to provide a wide time correction range, and the optimum time correction range in the time correction range is provided. The time can be corrected. Then, erroneous detection of the time signal can be prevented in this wide time correction range, and accurate time correction can be performed with a simple procedure.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part relating to time correction in a timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside a processing circuit of FIG.

The timer device of the present embodiment is generally called a program timer or the like, and outputs a timer control signal at a predetermined time set in advance by a user or the like to instruct activation of the target device or operation of a predetermined function. is there. The timer device may be an independent device separate from the target device, or may be a built-in timer integrated with the target device.

The timer device includes a CPU and the like, includes a processing circuit 11 having a timer built therein, a tuner 12 for receiving a TV or FM broadcast including a time signal, and a time signal from a received audio signal. A time correction function is realized by including a bandpass filter 13 for extracting only a frequency component (for example, 880 Hz) of a signal and a rectifying circuit 14 for shaping an output of the bandpass filter 13. Note that the tuner 12 may be built in the device,
It may be provided outside.

The processing circuit 11 includes a plurality of timers, an internal clock (first timer) 21 for counting the time for timer control and a correction timer (second timer) 22 for time correction. , An A / D converter 23 that converts an audio signal input to a digital signal into a digital signal, a control unit 24 that performs control processing of each unit and has a function as a time correction control unit, and a storage unit 2 that stores various setting information and the like.
5. It has an external interface 26 for exchanging signals with the outside. The time signal detecting means described in the claims comprises a tuner 12, a bandpass filter 13, a rectifier circuit 14, an A / D converter 23 of the processing circuit 11, and a control unit 24.

This timer device measures time using the internal clock 21 as a main timer, and executes a timer control signal via an external interface 26 at a predetermined time by a process of a control unit 24 based on setting information stored in a storage unit 25. Is output. When performing time correction, tuner 1
The audio signal including the time signal in the broadcast received in 2 is input to the A / D converter 23 through the band pass filter 13 and the rectifier circuit 14, and the time signal converted into a digital signal is used. In this case, after the correction timer 22 is once set and corrected based on the time signal by the processing of the control unit 24, the time of the internal clock 21 is appropriately adjusted according to a procedure described later. By using the A / D converter 23, the detection reference value can be easily set and changed according to the broadcast reception level in the area.

Next, detection of the time signal will be described with reference to FIG. Here, for the sake of convenience, a description will be given by schematically showing a detected audio signal such as a time signal as an analog signal waveform. In the control unit 24 of the processing circuit 11, the predetermined frequency (for example, 8
If the audio signal of 80 Hz continues for a predetermined time (for example, 1 sec) or more (signal duration T ≧ 1 sec), it is determined to be a time signal. Thus, if there is an audio signal shorter than the predetermined time (signal duration time T <1 sec), it is ignored as a noise component, thereby preventing erroneous detection of noise as a time signal.

Generally, a time signal of a TV broadcast or the like is 440H
Forecast sound by sine wave of z 3 times in total 3 to 1 second before the hour,
The signal pattern is transmitted for about 0.1 second at a time, and a time signal with a 880 Hz sine wave is continuously transmitted for about 3 seconds at the hour. When detecting the time signal, it is desirable that the rise time Δtr of the time signal (including the delay time of this system) can be corrected as a hardware error. It is desirable that the threshold level L of the time signal detection can be changed. These correction values and set values may be appropriately set at the time of assembling the apparatus or during subsequent use.

Next, the procedure of time correction in this embodiment will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, when a time signal is detected during a predetermined time signal detection period before and after the time signal is transmitted from the broadcasting station, first, the internal clock 21 is left as it is so as not to make a direct correction, and the correction timer 22
Is set according to the time signal (time signal setting step). Then, after a predetermined time signal detection period before and after the transmission of the time signal has elapsed, if a time signal is detected only once during this period, the internal time is adjusted so as to match the time of the correction timer 22 according to the time signal. The clock 21 is corrected (time correction step).

If a time signal is detected a plurality of times during the time signal detection period, such as when there is an audio signal similar to the time signal sound, the time signal closest to the time of the internal clock 21 before the correction is the correct time signal detection. The internal clock 21 is corrected to the time of the correction timer 22 according to the time signal. As a correction procedure of the correction timer 22, first, a time signal broadcast time closest to the time of the internal clock 21 before correction (for example, 12: 00: 0
0) is first set as the correction reference time. Next, time signal detection is started. Then, when the first time signal is detected, the correction reference time is set in the correction timer 22. Thereafter, every time a time signal is detected, the internal clock 21
Is compared with the correction reference time. Only when the error between the correction reference time and the time of the internal clock 21 is smaller at the time of detection of the time after the detection of the previous time, the correction timer 22 is set to the correction reference time. Set again according to the time. Specific examples are shown below.

FIG. 4 shows a procedure when a time signal is detected only once during the time signal detection period. FIG. 4 shows the flow of processing in the vertical direction as time elapses. In this example, 5 minutes before and after the time signal transmission time at the time of the internal clock 21 before the correction is set as the time signal detection period. The correction reference time is set to 12:00:00. Note that the time signal detection period is a time correction range of the timer device.

First, when the internal clock 21 is 5 minutes before the time signal of 12:00 (11:55:00), 12:00 which is the time signal broadcast time closest to 11:55 is set as the correction reference time. (10
1). Next, the control unit 24 opens a time signal detection window and starts detecting a time signal (102). Here, opening the time signal detection window indicates a state in which a broadcast is being received from the tuner 12. Thereafter, when a time signal is detected (103), the correction timer 22 is set to a correction reference time (12:00:00 in this case) in accordance with the time signal (1).
04). At this time, the internal clock 21 is left as it is (1
05). Here, a case where a time signal is detected when the time of the internal clock 21 is (11:59:30) is shown.

Then, when the internal clock 21 reaches (12:05:00) (106), the control unit 24 sets the time signal detection period (11: 5
In the period from 5 to 12:05), it is checked whether the number of times of detection of the time signal is only one, and this is regarded as a correct time signal, and a correction instruction for adjusting the internal clock 21 to the detected time signal is output (107). ). Here, when the time signal detection count is only one, 5 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed since the correction timer 22 was set to 12:00:00, and the time ( 12:05:30) according to the detected time signal (108). Therefore, the internal clock 21 is corrected to (12:05:30) in accordance with the time of the correction timer 22 (109). At this time, the time signal detection window is closed and the time signal detection and time correction are terminated (110).

FIG. 5 shows a procedure when a time signal is detected a plurality of times during the time signal detection period. The time signal detection period, the correction reference time, and the display format of the figure are the same as those in FIG.

5 minutes before the hourly clock at 12:00 (11: 5
5:00), 12:00, which is the time signal broadcast time closest to 11:55, is set as the correction reference time (121). Next, the control unit 24 opens a time signal detection window and starts detecting a time signal (122). Thereafter, when the first time signal is detected (123), the correction timer 22 is set to the correction reference time (12:00:00) in accordance with the time signal (12).
4). At this time, the internal clock 21 is left as it is (12
5). Here, the time of the internal clock 21 is (11:59:20) (1
1:59:30) (12:02:00) shows a case where the same signal pattern as the time signal is detected three times in total.

When the time signal of the second time is detected when the time of the internal clock 21 is (11:59:30) (126), the time of this time signal detection is corrected by the previous time signal detection (123). Since the error from the correction reference time of the internal clock 21 is smaller than the time when the reference time 22 is set as the correction reference time, the correction timer 22 is again set to the correction reference time (12: 00: 0
0) (127). At this time, the internal clock 21 is left as it is (128). And internal clock 2
If the third time signal is detected when the time 1 is (12:02:00) (129), the time of this time signal detection is set to the correction timer 22 by the previous time signal detection (123, 126). Since the error of the internal clock 21 with respect to the correction reference time is greater than the calculated time, the correction timer 22 is left as it is (130). At this time, the time of the correction timer 22 is 2 minutes and 30 seconds after the detection of the second time signal (12:02:30). In addition, the internal clock 21 is left as it is (13).
1).

Then, when the internal clock 21 reaches (12:05:00) (132), the control unit 24 sets the time signal detection period (11: 5
5-12: 05), the number of times of detection of the time signal and the detection time are checked, and the internal clock 21 is added to the time signal of the minimum error detected.
A correction instruction is output to adjust (133). If the number of time signal detections is plural, the above-described correction timer 2
As a result of the correction setting procedure 2, the time (12:05:30) of the correction timer 22 at that time is adjusted to the time signal with the smallest error from the correction reference time of the internal clock 21 ( 134). Therefore, the internal clock 21 is corrected to (12:05:30) in accordance with the time of the correction timer 22 (1.
35). At this time, the time signal detection window is closed to terminate the time signal detection and time correction (136).

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment in which a part of the time correction procedure is changed will be described below. In the second embodiment, only the difference value from the correction reference time at the time signal detection is set in the correction timer 22, and the difference value of the correction timer 22 is updated only when the difference value is smaller than the previous detection. That is, when a time signal is detected, a difference value between the time signal detection time and the correction reference time is recorded, and the difference value of the correction timer 22 is adjusted to the time signal only when the difference value is smaller than the previous difference value. To correct. And
When the next time signal is detected, the new difference value at this time is compared with the previous difference value, and the difference value of the correction timer 22 is corrected only when the difference value is small. On the other hand, if the difference value is larger than that at the time of the previous detection, the correction timer 22 is left as it is so that the difference value is not corrected.

When the above procedure is repeated during the time signal detection period (between 11:55 and 12:05), the time signal detection time starts after the correction reference time (at (12:00:00) in the internal clock 21 before correction). Is increased, the difference value of the correction timer 22 is corrected only once. After the end of the time signal detection period, the final difference value remaining in the correction timer 22 is necessarily the difference value from the time signal closest to the correction reference time (the time of the internal clock 21). After the end of the time signal detection period, the internal clock 21 is corrected by advancing or delaying the internal clock 21 by the final difference value. Therefore, the second
According to the embodiment, there is no need to count times such as hours, minutes, and seconds during the time signal detection period, and only a difference count of ± minutes, minutes, seconds is required. It becomes feasible. Further, in any of the embodiments, even if the number of times of the time signal detection in the time signal detection period is only one or a plurality of times, similarly, the correction timer 22 is adjusted in accordance with the difference value that results in the minimum error with respect to the correction reference time. Is corrected, and the internal clock 21 can be corrected to the time of the correction timer 22 after the end of the time signal detection period.

As described above, in the above procedure, the time difference between the time of the internal clock 21 before the correction and the time when the number of times of detection of the time signal in the time signal detection period is only one or a plurality of times is the smallest. The correction timer 22 is set in accordance with the detected time signal, and the internal clock 21 is corrected in accordance with the time of the correction timer 22 after the elapse of the time signal detection period. Therefore, in the present embodiment, ±
Although a wide time correction range is provided by taking a time signal detection period of 5 minutes for a total of 10 minutes, erroneous detection of the time signal can be prevented, and accurate time correction can be performed with a simple procedure.

In the above-described procedure of the present embodiment, when a time signal is erroneously detected in a range where an error is smaller than the difference between the actual time signal and the internal clock, the internal time is adjusted according to the time when the erroneous detection is performed. The clock is corrected, but the amount of deviation of the internal clock per day is small, and the time correction procedure does not go in the direction of increasing the error.
Appropriate time correction can be performed without any particular problem.

Here, FIG. 6 shows an application example in which the timer device of the present embodiment is applied to a broadcasting device for private broadcasting or the like.

The timer device 50 is used by being connected to a center device 51 of a broadcasting device. This broadcasting device includes a center device 51 for switching input / output of an audio signal, a microphone 52 for audio input, a sound source device 53 such as a CD player for reproducing BGM, an amplifier 54 for output amplification, and an amplifier 54 for audio output. The speaker 55 and the like are connected and configured.
The center device 51 includes a built-in sound source 61 that reproduces and outputs chimes, BGM, and the like, a matrix 62 that performs input / output switching of audio signal paths, and a control unit 63 that controls each unit. Note that the microphone 52, the sound source device 53, the amplifier 54, the speaker 55, and the like are provided in appropriate quantities according to the specifications of the installation location and the like.

In the broadcasting device having such a configuration, the matrix 6 is controlled by the control unit 63 of the center device 51.
2 by switching the path connection state, the built-in sound source 61,
The signal input from the external microphone 52 and the sound source device 53 is switched, and the signal output destination amplifier 54 and the speaker 55 are switched. As a result, a target sound source can be reproduced and output at a target place, and a private broadcast including voice, BGM, chime, and the like can be performed. Various signals such as a control signal and a sound signal in this device can realize each function using not only an analog signal but also a digital data signal.

In this system configuration, a timer control signal is transmitted from the timer device 50 to the center device 51,
It can be started at a predetermined time to broadcast BGM or chimes. At this time, the timer control signal is transmitted to the sound source device 5.
It is also possible to send the data to the amplifier 3 or the amplifier 54 to activate a target device or operate a target function at a predetermined time.

Also in this broadcasting device, by performing the time correction of the timer device 50 using the above-described time correction procedure, erroneous detection of a time signal can be prevented in a wide time correction range, and accurate time correction can be performed in a simple procedure. Therefore, it becomes possible to always execute a private broadcast or the like at an accurate time.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the time correction using the time signal, the timer device capable of performing the time correction with a small error detection of the time signal while having a wide correction range by a simple procedure. And its time correction method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part relating to time correction in a timer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of a processing circuit of the timer device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a signal waveform at the time of detecting a time signal.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a time correction procedure when a time signal is detected only once during the time signal detection period.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a flow of a time correction procedure when a time signal is detected a plurality of times during the time signal detection period.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an application example in which the timer device according to the present embodiment is applied to a broadcasting device for private broadcasting or the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 processing circuit (CPU) 12 tuner 13 band pass filter 14 rectifier circuit 21 internal clock (first timer) 22 correction timer (second timer) 23 A / D converter 24 control unit 25 storage unit 26 external interface

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A first timer for counting time for timer control.
A timer, a time signal detecting means for detecting a time signal for time correction, a second timer for setting a time in accordance with the time signal detected by the time signal detecting means, and a time signal detected by the time signal detecting means during a predetermined time signal detecting period. The time signal is compared and determined, and the time of the second timer is set to match the time of the second timer using the time of the second timer set in accordance with the time signal having the smallest error from the time of the first timer before correction. A timer device comprising: a time correction control unit configured to correct the time of one timer. 2. The time correction control means, when a time signal is detected during the time signal detection period, keeps the time of the first timer as it is, and adjusts the second timer to the time of the detected time signal. The timer device according to claim 1, wherein the timer device is set. 3. The time correction control means, wherein when the time signal is detected only once during the time signal detection period, the first timer is controlled so as to coincide with the time of the second timer set in accordance with the time signal. 2. The timer device according to claim 1, wherein the time is corrected. 4. When a plurality of time signals are detected during the time signal detection period, the time correction control means sets the time signal in accordance with a time signal having a minimum error from the time of a first timer among the plurality of time signals. The time of the first timer is corrected so as to match the time of the second timer.
The timer device as described in the above. 5. A time signal detecting step for detecting a time signal for time correction, and a second timer provided separately from a first timer for counting a time for timer control, in accordance with the time signal detected in the time signal detecting step. A time signal setting step of setting the time by using a second time timer which is set in accordance with a time signal having a minimum error from the time of the first timer before correction by comparing and determining a time signal detected during a predetermined time signal detection period. A time correcting step of correcting the first timer so as to match the time of the second timer using the time of the second timer. 6. In the time signal setting step, when a time signal is detected during the time signal detection period, the time of the first timer is kept as it is, and the second timer is set in accordance with the time of the detected time signal. 6. The time correction method for a timer device according to claim 5, wherein: 7. In the time signal setting step, when a time signal is detected during the time signal detection period, the time of the first timer is kept as it is, and when the time signal is detected first,
The error of the time signal detection time before and after the time of the first timer before the correction is compared, and if the error of the time signal detection time after the time is small, the time of the second timer is changed to the time signal detection time after. 6. The time correction method for a timer device according to claim 5, wherein the time is set together, and when the error is large, the time of the second timer is kept as it is. 8. In the time correction step, when a time signal is detected only once during the time signal detection period, the first timer is set so as to match the time of the second timer set in accordance with the time signal. 6. The time correction method for a timer device according to claim 5, wherein the time is corrected. 9. In the time correction step, when a plurality of time signals are detected during the time signal detection period, a time signal set according to a time signal having a minimum error from the time of a first timer among the plurality of time signals. 6. The time correction method for a timer device according to claim 5, wherein the time of the first timer is corrected so as to match the time of two timers. 10. The timer device according to claim 7, wherein in the time correction step, the time of the first timer is corrected so as to match the time of the second timer after the elapse of the time signal detection period. Time correction method.