JP2019158734A - Clocking device, clocking system, and clocking method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a clocking device, clocking system and clocking method that enable other clocking device to receive time information even when time information is corrected.SOLUTION: A clocking device comprises: a reception unit that receives a reception signal including reference time information for correcting clocking data; a correction unit 201 that corrects clocking data on the reference time information included in the reception signal received by the reception unit; a clocking unit 202 that conducts clocking on the basis of the clocking data corrected by the correction unit 201; and a transmission unit 203 that, when the clock data is corrected a prescribed time width or more by the correction unit 201, transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information at a pre-correction transmission time based on the clocking data before corrected by the correction unit 201 to other clocking device receiving the transmission signal at the pre-correction transmission time serving a prescribed reception period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a timing device, a timing system, and a timing method.

A clocking system capable of correcting time of each timekeeping device by layering a plurality of timekeeping devices and sequentially transmitting time information from a timekeeping device in an upper hierarchy to a timekeeping device in a lower hierarchy in a relay manner. Are known. In such a timekeeping system, time information is transmitted from a parent device, which is a higher-level timing device, to a child device, which is a lower-level timing device, by one-way communication. For example, near field communication is used for the one-way communication. The slave unit refers to transmission timing information included in the transmission data together with time information, and determines automatic reception timing for receiving transmission data from the master unit thereafter.
In such a timekeeping system, a network can be easily constructed as compared to bidirectional communication in which timekeeping devices are paired. For example, a timing device that can automatically construct an appropriate link relationship between timing devices is known (Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-257484 A

In the timing system as described above, in order to reduce power consumption, the slave unit starts a reception operation, for example, two seconds before the transmission timing of the master unit. In addition, the master unit may not be able to correct the time for some reason, and may correct the time for 2 seconds or more when reception succeeds thereafter. Usually, the rate of the clock is about 1 second at the maximum daily difference. For example, in a parent device that acquires time information from a smartphone, when the user goes on a business trip or a trip, the time is not corrected. When the user reconnects with the smartphone after returning home and the time is corrected for 2 seconds or more, the timing when the parent device transmits time information, and the timing when the child device connected to the parent device receives the time information Will shift more than 2 seconds. For this reason, there has been a problem that the slave unit connected to the master unit cannot receive time information.
In the time measuring device described in Patent Document 1, the reception start time is advanced according to the elapsed time from the last successful reception of time information. However, since the slave unit cannot be reconnected until a predetermined time elapses, it is insufficient as a countermeasure.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a time measuring device, a time measuring system, and a time measuring method in which another time measuring device can receive time information even when the time information is corrected.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a reception unit that receives a reception signal including reference time information for correcting timekeeping data, and the reception unit receives the received signal. Based on the reference time information included in the received signal, a correction unit that corrects the time data, a time unit that measures time based on the time data corrected by the correction unit, and the time data by the correction unit Is corrected at a predetermined time width or more, the transmission signal including the reference time information at the transmission timing before correction based on the timing data before correction by the correction unit is transmitted at the transmission timing before correction which is a predetermined reception timing. And a transmission unit that transmits the transmission signal to another timing device that receives the transmission signal.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the above timing device, in addition to the transmission timing before correction, the transmission unit may store the reference time information at a corrected transmission timing based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit. Send more.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above timing device, the transmission unit corrects the reception timing of the transmission signal when the time measurement data is corrected by the correction unit over a predetermined time width. Instruction information for instructing to change to the post-correction transmission timing based on the timing data is transmitted at the pre-correction transmission timing.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the timing device, the predetermined time width is determined according to a time width of the predetermined reception time.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the timing device, the transmission unit stops transmitting the reference time information at the transmission timing before correction when a predetermined time has elapsed.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a timing system including a plurality of the timing devices described above.

  One embodiment of the present invention is based on a reception procedure for receiving a reception signal including reference time information for correcting timing data, and the reference time information included in the reception signal received in the reception procedure. A correction procedure for correcting the timing data, a timing procedure for measuring time based on the timing data corrected in the correction procedure, and the correction when the timing data is corrected over a predetermined time width in the correction procedure. Transmit the transmission signal including the reference time information at the transmission timing before correction based on the timing data before being corrected in the procedure to another timing device that receives the transmission signal at the transmission timing before correction that is a predetermined reception timing. And a transmission procedure.

  According to the present invention, even when the time information is corrected, another time measuring device can receive the time information.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the time measuring system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the timing chart accompanying the time correction which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the reference time information and communication channel which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the time measuring device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the display panel P of the display apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the control part which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the pre-processing for the time information reception which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the long wave reception process in the main | base station mode which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the near field communication process in the main | base station mode which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the short distance reception process in the subunit | mobile_unit mode which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time measuring process of the normal time which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process for the time correction of the normal time of the subunit | mobile_unit which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process for the time correction of the normal time of the subunit | mobile_unit which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the control part which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the timing chart accompanying the time correction which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the process for the time correction of the normal time of the subunit | mobile_unit which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the timing chart accompanied with the conventional time correction.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a timing system S according to the present embodiment. The timing system S includes a plurality of timing devices C1 to C6, and the timing devices C1 to C6 constitute a tree-type network.
Hereinafter, one of the timing devices C1 to C6 may be referred to as a timing device C.

  This network has a hierarchy indicated by layers, and time information is sequentially transmitted from the time measuring device C in the upper layer to the time measuring device C in the lower layer. When the time measuring device C of each layer receives the time information from the time measuring device C of the higher layer, the time measuring device C of the own layer corrects the time of its own device. Thereby, the time measuring devices C1 to C6 constituting the time measuring system S maintain accurate time.

The timing devices C1 to C6 provided in the timing system S are, for example, radio timepieces installed in an office building or a factory. A radio-controlled watch may not be able to receive standard radio waves depending on the installation location.
Therefore, in the timing system S, the timing devices C1 to C6 are divided into a master unit that receives a standard radio wave and a slave unit that receives a reference time signal from the master unit. Here, the reference time signal is a received signal including the reference time information B. The reference time information B is time information for correcting time measurement data. The timing device C1 serving as a parent device is installed at a window or the like where standard radio waves are easily received. On the other hand, the timing device C2 and the timing device C3 that are slave units are set on the back side of the building and receive a reception signal from the timing device C1 that is the master unit.
In the timekeeping system S, the information source of time information is, for example, the smartphone SM.

In the timekeeping system S, when the time measuring device C receives the reference time signal from the time measuring device C in the higher layer, the time measuring device C continues to receive the received signal from the time measuring device C in the higher layer at a predetermined reception timing. An upper layer transmission apparatus that transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B to the timing apparatus C is referred to as a reference transmission apparatus.
Here, in the timekeeping system S, the time measuring device C1 may not be able to correct the time for some reason, and after that, when the reference time signal is received, it may correct the time of 2 seconds or more. The rate of the time measuring device C is about 1 second as a maximum daily difference. The time correction of the timing system S will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart with time correction according to the present embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the time indicated by the time measurement data of the time measurement device C1, the time measurement device C2, and the time measurement device C4 is delayed by 5 seconds with respect to the time indicated by the time information held by the smartphone SM. The transmission timing and the reception timing described below are times based on the time indicated by the timing data held by each timing device C.

  The smartphone SM acquires time information by connecting to a time server, and then transmits time information at time information transmission timing TS1. Here, the time information transmission timing TS1 is 2:55:05 as the time indicated by the timing data of the smartphone SM.

The timing device C1 receives time information from the smartphone SM at the reception timing RS1. Here, the reception timing RS1 is 2:55:00 in the time indicated by the timing data of the timing device C1.
When the time measuring device C1 receives the time information, the time measuring device C1 corrects the time indicated by the time measuring data of the own device by 5 seconds. Therefore, when receiving the time information, the time measuring device C1 corrects the time indicated by the time measuring data from 2:55:05 to 2:55:05. That is, the time measuring device C1 corrects the time data for 2 seconds or more.

The timing device C1 transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B at the corrected transmission timing TA1. Here, the corrected transmission timing TA1 is 3:00:05 as the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C1.
When the time data is corrected for 2 seconds or more, the time measuring device C1 transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B at the transmission timing TB1 before correction in addition to the transmission timing TA1 after correction. Here, the transmission timing TB1 before correction is 3:00:10 as the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C1.

  On the other hand, the time measuring device C2 having the time measuring device C1 as the reference transmission device receives the reference time signal from the time measuring device C1 at the reception timing RB2 before correction. Here, the reception timing RB2 before correction is 3:00:05 as the time indicated by the timing data before correction of the timing device C2. In order to reduce power consumption, the time measuring device C2 starts scanning two seconds before the transmission timing at which the reference transmission device transmits a transmission signal, and continues reception for a maximum of four seconds. A period during which the timing device C2 continues to receive from the reference transmission device is referred to as a scan window W2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the length of the scan window W2 is 4 seconds or less.

  When receiving the reference time signal from the timing device C1, the timing device C2 corrects the time indicated by the timing data from 3:00:05 to 3:00:10. That is, the time measuring device C2 corrects the time data for 2 seconds or more.

When the time data is corrected for 2 seconds or more, the time measuring device C2 transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B at the transmission timing TB2 before correction in addition to the transmission timing TA2 after correction. Here, the corrected transmission timing TA2 is 3:10:35 as the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C2, and the transmission timing TB2 before correction is indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C2. The time is 3:10:40.
Thereafter, similarly, when the time data is corrected for 2 seconds or more, the timing device C transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B at the transmission timing before correction in addition to the transmission timing after correction.

Here, for comparison, the time correction of the timekeeping system S0 according to the prior art will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart with conventional time correction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, as in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the time indicated by the timing data of the timing device C10, the timing device C20, and the timing device C40 is in relation to the time indicated by the time information held by the smartphone SM0. Each is delayed by 5 seconds.

  When the time measuring device C10 receives the time information, the time measuring device C10 corrects the time indicated by the time measuring data of the own device by 5 seconds. Therefore, when the time measuring device C10 receives the time information, it corrects the time indicated by the time measuring data from 2:55:05 to 2:55:05. That is, the time measuring device C10 corrects the time data for 2 seconds or more.

  The time measuring device C10 transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B at the transmission timing TA10. Here, the transmission timing TA10 is 3:00:05 as the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C10.

  On the other hand, the timing device C20 using the timing device C10 as a reference transmission device starts scanning the reference time signal in the scan window W20 from 2 seconds before the reception timing RB20. Here, the reception timing RB20 is 3:00:05 as the time indicated by the timing data before correction of the timing device C20. The time indicated by the timing data before correction of the timing device C20 is 3:00:05, and the time indicated by the timing data after correction of the timing device C10 is 3:00:10.

  Therefore, the timing device C10 transmits the transmission signal at 3:00:05 at the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C10, and therefore the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C10. Thus, the time measuring device C20 that starts scanning from 3:00:08, which is 2 seconds before 3:00:10, cannot receive the reference time signal from the time measuring device C10.

That is, in the timing system S0, when the timing device C10 corrects the time data for 2 seconds or more, the timing device C20 using the timing device C10 as the reference transmission device cannot receive the reference time signal from the timing device C10.
On the other hand, in the timing system S of FIG. 2, as described above, the timing device C1 includes the reference time information B at the transmission timing before correction in addition to the transmission timing after correction when the time data is corrected for 2 seconds or more. Send a transmission signal. Therefore, even when the timing device C1 corrects the time data for 2 seconds or more, the timing device C2 can receive the reference time signal from the timing device C1.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the timing system S will be continued.
In the timekeeping system S, one-way communication in short-range wireless communication is used during transmission. This short-range wireless communication is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE). The transmission data includes layer information indicating the network hierarchy. The timing devices C2 to C6 add 1 to the value of the layer received at the time of initial reception to make the layer of its own device. Thereafter, the timing devices C2 to C6 acquire only transmission data having a layer value smaller than the layer value of the own device, and a tree-type network is constructed.

  In the timekeeping system S, by using one-way communication, troubles such as pairing in short-distance communication and IP address setting in a general network can be saved, and a parent-child clock system can be easily realized as compared with them.

  The time measuring device C1, which is a parent device, acquires time information by receiving a standard radio wave such as JJY (registered trademark) by long wave reception. Or the time measuring device C1 which is a main | base station acquires time information from a smart phone by near field communication. The information source from which the time measuring device C1 obtains time information is set by the user. Also, the user sets whether the timing device C functions as the parent device or the child device in the timing system S.

  The timing device C1 corrects the timing data of the own device based on the acquired time information. The timing device C1 generates reference time information B based on the corrected timing data. The time measuring device C1 transmits the reference time signal including the generated reference time information B to the time measuring device C2 and the time measuring device C3 in the lower layer through the transmission channel 0.

Here, the reference time information B and the communication channel will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reference time information B and the communication channel according to the present embodiment. The reference time information B includes layer information B1, transmission channel information B2, time information B3, and station information B4.

  The layer information B1 is information for specifying the layer where the timing device C that transmitted the reference time information B is located. The layer information B1 has a range of 0 to 99, for example.

  The transmission channel information B2 is information for specifying a communication channel through which the reference time information B is transmitted. For example, when 60 communication channels are prepared, for example, a value corresponding to the communication channel among values 0 to 59 is set in the transmission channel information B2.

The time information B3 is information indicating time such as year, month, date, hour, minute, second, day of the week, and the like.
The station information B4 is information indicating on which information source the time information B3 is corrected. The station information B4 is information indicating, for example, UTC, JJY (40 kHz; East / Fukushima Transmitting Station), JJY (60 kHz, West / Kyushu Transmitting Station), a smart phone, and manual adjustment.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the timing system S will be continued.
In the timekeeping system S, in order to prevent interference, a time slot TS is provided every 10 seconds to determine the transmission timing of the reference time information B from the layer and the transmission CH, thereby preventing the transmission timing from overlapping between a plurality of transmission apparatuses. Yes. Here, the transmission CH means not a frequency but a time-slotted time slot, and is set at random from numbers 0 to 59. An example of the transmission timing is represented by Expression (1).

  Unlike BLE bidirectional communication that prevents interference by frequency hopping, in BLE one-way communication, when a broadcaster that is a transmission device transmits an advertisement packet that is transmission data, three frequencies are sequentially switched and transmitted. If the timing overlaps, the possibility of interference will increase. In the timing system S, the transmission timing is prevented from overlapping by the equation (1).

  The timing device C2 having a layer value of 1 receives the reference time information B from the timing device C1 having a layer value of 0. The timing device C2 corrects the timing data of its own device based on the time information B3 included in the reference time information B. The timing device C2 generates reference time information B based on the corrected timing data. The timing device C2 transmits the generated reference time information B to the timing device C4 whose layer value is 2. Here, the timing device C2 uses a transmission channel 3 different from the transmission channel 0 used by the upper layer timing device C1 for transmission.

  Hereinafter, similarly, the timing device C of each layer receives the reference time information B from the timing device C of the layer whose layer value is smaller by 1, and based on the time information B3 included in the received reference time information B Correct the time data of your device. The timing device C generates reference time information B based on the corrected timing data. The timing device C uses a transmission channel that is different from the transmission channel used by the upper layer timing device C whose layer value is smaller by 1, and uses the generated reference time information B as a lower layer whose layer value is larger by 1. To the timing device C.

  In addition to the timing device C, a timing device that does not have the function of transmitting the reference time information B may be arranged in the timing system S as necessary.

Next, the configuration of the timing device C will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the timing device C according to the present embodiment. The timing device C includes a long wave receiving circuit 1, a power supply circuit 2, a connector 3, a main device 4, and a display device 5.

The long wave receiving circuit 1 receives and demodulates a standard radio wave JJY or satellite radio wave (UTC) including time information, and outputs digital reception information to the main device 4 via the connector 3.
The power supply circuit 2 includes an AC (alternating current) adapter connection plug 21 and a battery 22, and supplies direct current power from the AC adapter or the battery 22 to the main device 4 via the connector 3.

  The display device 5 includes a segment-structured display panel P (for example, a liquid crystal display panel), and displays information such as time information and radio wave transmission / reception status.

Here, the display on the display panel P of the display device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on the display panel P of the display device 5 according to the present embodiment. The display panel P includes a morning display segment P1, an afternoon display segment P2, a TL mark segment P3, a time display segment P4, a separator segment P5, a minute display segment P6, a second display segment P7, a master unit mode mark segment P8, and an information source. It includes a mark segment P9, a BLE mark segment P10, an antenna mark segment P11, a reception level segment P12, a battery mark segment P13, a month display segment P14, a day display segment P15, and a day of week display segment P16.

The morning display segment P1 and the afternoon display segment P2 display the distinction between morning and afternoon when the time is displayed for 12 hours.
The TL mark segment P3 is a display segment for displaying that the reference time signal can be received from the timing device C of the higher layer. Further, by switching the display mode of this TL mark segment P3, it is displayed that it is being received, is being transmitted, and the like.
The time display segment P4, the separator segment P5, the minute display segment P6, and the second display segment P7 display the current time in the format of “hour: minute second”.

  The master unit mode mark segment P8 displays whether the timing device C is set to the master unit mode or the slave unit mode. When the timing device C is set to the master mode, the letter “P” in the master-slave mode mark segment P8 lights up. On the other hand, when the timing device C is set to the slave mode, the letter “C” in the master-slave mode mark segment P8 is lit.

  The information source mark segment P9 displays whether or not the standard radio signal is received within a predetermined time, and if it is received, whether the information source is the west station, the east station, or UTC. For example, when the timing device C receives JJY 60 kHz and uses it for time adjustment within 24 hours, the W mark segment is lit. When the timing device C receives JJY 40 kHz and uses it for time adjustment within 24 hours, the E mark segment is lit. If the timing device C receives UTC and uses it for time adjustment within 24 hours, the U mark segment is lit.

The BLE mark segment P10 displays whether time information is received from the smartphone by short-range wireless communication such as BLE.
The antenna mark segment P11 and the reception level segment P12 are segments for displaying the strength of the received radio wave.
The battery mark segment P13 is a segment for displaying the voltage state of the battery 22.
The month display segment P14, the day display segment P15, and the day of the week display segment P16 are segments for displaying the month, day, and day of the week.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description of the configuration of the timing device C will be continued.
The main device 4 includes a voltage detector 6, a regulator 7, a switch group 8, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit 9, a crystal resonator 10, and a control unit 11.

The voltage detector 6 detects the output voltage of the power supply circuit 2 and supplies the detected value to the control unit 11.
The regulator 7 stabilizes the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 2 and supplies it to the main device 4.

  The switch group 8 includes a plurality of switches such as a RESET switch, a RECV switch, and a MODE switch. The switch group 8 supplies various information and instructions to the control unit 11 in accordance with the on / off of the switch by the user's operation, the length of the on time, and the like.

When the RESET switch is operated, the control unit 11 is in an initial state.
When the RECV switch is operated, a manual reception process for receiving a reference time signal for a predetermined time is executed.
When the MODE switch is operated, three modes are switched between a long wave receiving parent device mode for receiving long waves, a BLE parent device mode for acquiring time information by reception from a smartphone by BLE, and a child device mode. It should be noted that it is possible to automatically select whether to acquire the time information using long wave reception or BLE reception in the parent device mode by switching between the two modes of the parent device mode and the child device mode.

The RF circuit 9 receives a reference time signal that is a reception signal including the reference time information B transmitted from the time measuring device C of the higher layer under the control of the control unit 11. The RF circuit 9 demodulates the received reference time signal and outputs it to the control unit 11. Further, the RF circuit 9 transmits the reference time information B to the time measuring device C in the lower layer using a transmission channel different from the reception channel.
The crystal unit 10 oscillates at a predetermined oscillation frequency and supplies an oscillation signal to the control unit 11.

  The control unit 11 controls the entire operation of the timing device C. The control unit 11 performs a time measurement operation based on the oscillation signal of the crystal resonator 10, a time data correction operation based on the reference time signal received from the reference transmission device, and a reference time information based on the corrected time data via the RF circuit 9. Transmission, display control of various information on the display device 5, processing to respond to operation input of the switch group 8, and the like are performed.

Here, the configuration of the control unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the control unit 11 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 11 includes a processor 20, a time data acquisition unit 30, an encoder 40, a decoder 50, a key input unit 60, a voltage data input unit 70, and a register group 80.

The processor 20 includes a correction unit 201, a timing unit 202, a parent device mode control unit 203, a communication control unit 204, and a display control unit 205. The processor 20 causes the correction unit 201, the timing unit 202, the parent device mode control unit 203, the communication control unit 204, and the display control unit 205 to perform processing.
The processor 20 is realized by a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

The correction unit 201 corrects the time measurement data based on the reference time information B included in the reference time signal that is the received signal received by the RF circuit 9.
The timer unit 202 measures time based on the time data corrected by the correcting unit 201.

The communication control unit 204 controls reception of a reception signal by the RF circuit 9 and transmission of a reference time signal by the RF circuit 9.
The display control unit 205 performs display control of various information on the display device 5.

  The time data acquisition unit 30 counts the oscillation signal from the crystal resonator 10, acquires time data at regular time intervals, and outputs a time interrupt signal to the processor 20. Here, the fixed time is, for example, 100 ms.

The encoder 40 encodes the transmission target data supplied from the processor 20, for example, the reference time information B, generates a baseband signal, and supplies the baseband signal to the RF circuit 9.
The decoder 50 decodes the reception signals received by the long wave reception circuit 1 and the RF circuit 9, for example, demodulates a baseband signal of standard time information or reference time information B, and supplies the demodulated signal to the processor 20.

The key input unit 60 decodes an on / off signal input according to the operation of the switch group 8 and supplies the decoded signal to the processor 20.
The voltage data input unit 70 outputs the voltage value detected by the voltage detector 6 to the processor 20.

  The register group 80 includes a master unit mode register 801, a timing data register 802, a reception channel register 803, a transmission channel register 804, a layer register 805, and a continuous reception failure count register 806.

The master unit mode register 801 stores master unit mode setting information. The parent device mode setting information indicates whether the time measuring device C is set to the long wave reception parent device mode, the BLE parent device mode, or the child device mode.
The time data register 802 stores information indicating the current time being timed by the time measuring device C as time data. Here, the information indicating the current time is information indicating month / day / hour / minute / second / day of the week.

  The time data register 802 stores correction time width information indicating the time width in which the time data has been corrected. The time width in which the time data is corrected is the difference between the time indicated by the time data stored in the time data register 802 and the time indicated by the reference time information B.

  For example, when the time indicated by the time data stored in the time data register 802 is 2:55:00 and the time indicated by the reference time information B is 2:55:05, the time when the time data is corrected The width is 5 seconds. On the other hand, when the time indicated by the time data stored in the time data register 802 is 2:55:05 and the time indicated by the reference time information B is 2:55:00, the time when the time data is corrected The width is minus 5 seconds.

  The reception channel register 803 stores reception channel designation data (for example, any one of the above-described values 0 to 59), received data, and the like for designating a communication channel for receiving the reference time information from the time measuring device C in the upper layer. . In the case of the time measuring device C1 in which the value of the layer where the time measuring device C of the upper layer does not exist is 0, the time type such as the standard time and the information indicating the information source from which the time information is acquired are stored. Here, the information indicating the information source from which the time information has been acquired is information indicating the type of standard radio wave (UTC, JJY East Transmitting Station, JJY West Transmitting Station, etc.) and a smartphone.

  The transmission channel register 804 stores transmission channel designation data (for example, any one of the above-described values 0 to 59) for designating a transmission channel for transmitting the reference time information B to the lower layer timing device C. The channel designation data stored in the transmission channel register 804 is transmitted as the transmission channel information B2 in the reference time information B.

  The layer register 805 stores layer data (for example, any value from 0 to 99 that is a range taken by the layer information B1 described above) indicating which layer of the plurality of layers the timing device C is located.

  The continuous reception failure frequency register 806 stores the number of continuous reception failures, which is the number of times that the reference time information B from the timer device C of the higher layer could not be received continuously. In the case of the timing device C1 having a layer value of 0 in which the upper layer timing device C does not exist, the number of times that the standard radio wave signal could not be continuously received is stored.

(Arrangement)
A user arranges a plurality of timing devices C constituting the timing system S in a distance range where communication by the RF circuit 9 is possible, and turns on the power.

(Initial operation)
When the power is turned on, the timing device C starts preprocessing for receiving time information together with other initialization operations. This pre-processing is also started when the RESET switch of the switch group 8 is operated and the control unit 11 is in the initial state.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of preprocessing for time information reception according to the present embodiment.
Step S100: The master-slave device mode control unit 203 determines whether or not the timing device C is set to the master-device mode. Here, the master mode is either the long wave reception master mode or the BLE master mode.

  The parent device mode control unit 203 acquires the parent device mode setting information from the parent device mode register 801. When the master unit mode control unit 203 determines that the acquired master unit mode setting information indicates either the long wave receiving master mode or the BLE master mode (step S100; YES), the processor 20 executes the process of step S101.

  On the other hand, when the parent device mode control unit 203 determines that the acquired parent device mode setting information indicates neither the long wave receiving parent device mode nor the BLE parent device mode (step S100; NO). The processor 20 executes the handset mode short-distance reception process in step S104. The slave mode short distance reception process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 100, the base unit mode control unit 203 supplies base unit mode setting information to the display control unit 205. The display control unit 205 uses the master unit mode mark segment P8 for the display device 5 in accordance with the master unit mode setting information supplied from the master unit mode control unit 203, so that the time measuring device C is the master unit. Whether the mode is set or the slave mode is displayed.

Step S101: The master device mode control unit 203 determines whether or not the timing device C is set to the long wave reception master mode. When the master unit mode control unit 203 determines that the master unit mode setting information indicates the long wave reception master mode (step S101; YES), the processor 20 executes the long wave reception process of step S102. The long wave reception process will be described later with reference to FIG.
On the other hand, when the parent device mode control unit 203 determines that the parent device mode setting information does not indicate the long wave reception parent device mode (step S101; NO), the processor 20 closes to the parent device mode in step S103. The distance communication process is executed. The master mode short-range communication processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a long wave reception process in the master mode according to the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 7 is the long wave reception process of step S102 shown in FIG.
Step S200: The communication control unit 204 controls the long wave receiving circuit 1 to receive the standard radio wave broadcast at 60 kHz from the JJY Kyushu transmitting station. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 30 seconds. The communication control unit 204 causes the decoder 50 to decode the reception signal received by the long wave reception circuit 1 and obtains standard time information.

Step S201: The communication control unit 204 controls the long wave receiving circuit 1 to receive a standard radio wave broadcast at 40 kHz from the JJY Fukushima transmitting station. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 30 seconds. The communication control unit 204 causes the decoder 50 to decode the reception signal received by the long wave reception circuit 1 and obtains standard time information.

Step S202: When the communication control unit 204 determines that the long wave receiving circuit 1 can receive both 60 kHz and 40 kHz standard radio waves and has obtained a decoded signal (step S202; YES), it executes the process of step S208. To do. On the other hand, when determining that the long wave receiving circuit 1 has not received both the standard radio waves of 60 kHz and 40 kHz (step S202; NO), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S203.

Step S203: If the communication control unit 204 determines that the long wave receiving circuit 1 has received the standard radio wave of 60 kHz (step S203; YES), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S209. On the other hand, if the communication control unit 204 determines that the long wave receiving circuit 1 has not received the standard radio wave of 60 kHz (step S203; NO), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S204.

Step S204: When the communication control unit 204 determines that the long wave receiving circuit 1 has received the standard radio wave of 40 kHz (step S204; YES), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S210. On the other hand, if the communication control unit 204 determines that the long wave receiving circuit 1 has not received the standard radio wave of 40 kHz (step S204; NO), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S205.

Step S205: When the long wave reception circuit 1 cannot receive the standard radio wave, the communication control unit 204 causes the long wave reception circuit 1 to receive UTC from a GPS satellite or the like.
Step S206: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not the long wave receiving circuit 1 has received UTC. When the communication control unit 204 determines that the long wave receiving circuit 1 has received UTC (step S206; YES), the processor 20 executes the process of step S211.
On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that the longwave reception circuit 1 has not received UTC (step S206; NO), the processor 20 executes the process of step S207.

Step S207: The communication control unit 204 executes long wave reception failure processing. The communication control unit 204 supplies a signal indicating that long wave reception has failed to the display control unit 205.
Based on the signal supplied by the communication control unit 204, the display control unit 205 causes the display device 5 to display that the longwave reception has failed using the antenna mark segment P11 and the reception level segment P12. Here, for example, the display device 5 blinks the antenna mark segment P11 and turns off the reception level segment P12.

Step S208: The communication control unit 204 selects one transmitting station that can receive more stably. Thereafter, the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S211.

Step S209: The communication control unit 204 selects a west transmitting station (Kyushu). Thereafter, the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S211.

Step S210: The communication control unit 204 selects an east transmitting station (Fukushima). Thereafter, the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S211.

Step S211: The processor 20 executes a long wave reception initial setting process.
The timer unit 202 sets time data based on the received standard radio wave in the time data register 802.
The communication control unit 204 sets, in the reception channel register 803, information indicating that the time type is a standard radio wave and the east-west transmitting station. Further, the communication control unit 204 sets 0 as a layer value in the layer register 805. The communication control unit 204 resets the continuous reception failure count stored in the continuous reception failure count register 806.

  In addition, the display control unit 205 causes the display device 5 to display time data stored in the time data register 802, information indicating the reception state, and the battery state. Here, the display contents of the display panel P of the display device 5 include, for example, the AM / PM display by the AM display segment P1 and the PM display segment P2, the time display segment P4, the segment segment P5, the minute display segment P6, and the second display segment. P7, month display segment P14, date display segment P15, day of the week display segment P16, year, month, day, hour, minute and second day of the week display, information source mark segment P9 for display of standard radio wave information source, reception level segment P12 for reception of standard radio waves Display of the status, and display of the power supply state based on the detection value of the voltage detector 6 taken in via the voltage data input unit 70.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a short-range communication process in the parent device mode according to the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 9 is the master mode short-range communication process in step S103 shown in FIG.

Step S300: The communication control unit 204 activates the RF circuit 9.
Step S301: The communication control unit 204 causes the RF circuit 9 to intermittently transmit an advertisement signal for connection with a smartphone for a predetermined time. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 30 seconds.

Step S302: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not the RF circuit 9 has connected to the smartphone and has received a short distance time signal. When the communication control unit 204 determines that the RF circuit 9 has received the short-distance time signal (step S302; YES), the processor 20 executes the process of step S307. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that the RF circuit 9 has not received the short distance time signal (step S302; NO), the processor 20 executes the process of step S303.

Step S303: The communication control unit 204 increments the continuous reception failure count stored in the continuous reception failure count register 806 by one.

Step S304: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not the number of continuous reception failures stored in the continuous reception failure number register 806 is a predetermined number or more. Here, the predetermined number of times is, for example, 17 times.
When the communication control unit 204 determines that the number of continuous reception failures stored in the continuous reception failure number register 806 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, short-range communication failure processing in step S305 is executed. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that the number of continuous reception failures stored in the continuous reception failure number register 806 is not a predetermined number or more, the process of step S306 is executed.

Step S305: The communication control unit 204 executes near field communication failure processing. The communication control unit 204 supplies a signal indicating that the near field communication has failed to the display control unit 205.
Based on the signal supplied by the communication control unit 204, the display control unit 205 uses the BLE mark segment P10, the antenna mark segment P11, and the reception level segment P12 on the display device 5 to indicate that the near field communication has failed. Display. Here, for example, the display device 5 turns on the BLE mark segment P10, blinks the antenna mark segment P11, and turns off the reception level segment P12.

Step S306: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the last time that the RF circuit 9 received the short distance time signal. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 10 minutes.
When the communication control unit 204 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the RF circuit 9 finally performed the operation of receiving the short-distance time signal (step S306; YES), the communication control unit 204 performs step S301. Repeat the process. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that a predetermined time has not elapsed since the last time the RF circuit 9 received the short distance time signal (step S306; NO), the communication control unit 204 The process of step S306 is repeated.

Step S307: The processor 20 executes a near field communication initial setting process.
The timing unit 202 sets timing data based on the received short distance time signal in the timing data register 802.
The communication control unit 204 sets information indicating the time received from a smartphone or the like as the time type in the reception channel register 803. Further, the communication control unit 204 sets 0 as a layer value in the layer register 805. The communication control unit 204 resets the continuous reception failure count stored in the continuous reception failure count register 806.

  In addition, the display control unit 205 causes the display device 5 to display time data stored in the time data register 802, information indicating the reception state, and the battery state. Here, the display contents of the display panel P of the display device 5 include, for example, the AM / PM display by the AM display segment P1 and the PM display segment P2, the time display segment P4, the segment segment P5, the minute display segment P6, and the second display segment. P7, month display segment P14, date display segment P15, and day display segment P16 display of year / month / day / hour / minute / second day of the week, BLE mark segment P10 indicating that time information has been acquired from the smartphone, and reception level segment P12 short distance Display of the reception state of the communication radio wave, display of the power state based on the detection value of the voltage detector 6 taken in via the voltage data input unit 70, and the like.

  In addition, when switching between the two modes of the parent device mode and the child device mode and automatically selecting whether to acquire the time information using the long wave reception or the BLE reception in the parent device mode, for example, FIG. When the long wave reception process in step S102 of step 7 fails, the master mode short-range communication process in step S103 may be executed. In another example, the long wave reception process of step S102 may be executed when the master mode short-range communication process of step S103 of FIG. 7 fails.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of short-distance reception processing in the slave mode according to the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 10 is a slave mode short-distance reception process in step S104 shown in FIG.

Step S400: The communication control unit 204 activates the RF circuit 9.
Step S401: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not the RF circuit 9 has received a short-distance time signal. When the communication control unit 204 determines that the RF circuit 9 has received the short distance time signal (step S401; YES), the reference time information B is acquired from the decoder 50. After that, the processor 20 executes the process of step S402.
On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that the RF circuit 9 has not received the short distance time signal (step S401; NO), the processor 20 executes the process of step S403.

Step S402: The correction unit 201 corrects the time measurement data. The correction unit 201 acquires the reference time information B from the communication control unit 204. The correction unit 201 corrects the time data stored in the time data register 802 based on the time information included in the acquired reference time information B.

Step S403: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the RF circuit 9 was activated. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 24 hours. However, the predetermined time may be changed depending on the number of layers of the timing system S.
If the communication control unit 204 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the RF circuit 9 was activated (step S403; YES), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S404. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the RF circuit 9 was activated (step S403; NO), the communication control unit 204 repeats the process of step S401.

Step S404: The communication control unit 204 executes a timeout process. The communication control unit 204 supplies a signal indicating that reception of the reception signal has failed to the display control unit 205.
Based on the signal supplied by the communication control unit 204, the display control unit 205 causes the display device 5 to display that reception of the received signal has failed using the antenna mark segment P11 and the reception level segment P12. Here, for example, the display device 5 blinks the antenna mark segment P11 and turns off the reception level segment P12. The user may change the position of the timing device C and install it again in response to the timing device C failing to receive the received signal.
Thereafter, the communication control unit 204 repeats the process of step S401.

(Normal operation)
During normal operation, the time measurement data acquisition unit 30 of the control unit 11 uses a time signal interruption for updating the time measurement every time a certain time (for example, 50 ms) is measured using the oscillation signal of the crystal unit 10. A signal is supplied to the processor 20. In response to this timing signal, the processor 20 starts the process shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a normal time measurement process according to the present embodiment.

Step S500: The timing unit 202 updates the timing data stored in the timing data register 802.
Step S501: The timing unit 202 causes the display control unit 205 to execute processing such as updating display information of the display device 5.

In addition, the time measuring unit 202 sends a time interruption signal for receiving a reference time signal to the processor 20 every time a predetermined time (for example, 500 ms) has elapsed.
In response to this timing interrupt signal, the processor 20 starts the processing shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for correcting the normal time of the slave unit according to the present embodiment.

Step S600: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not the current time is the reception timing of the reference time signal.
Here, the communication control unit 204 calculates the reception timing from the above-described equation (1) based on the layer value of its own device stored in the layer register 805 and the reception channel stored in the reception channel register 803. To do. The reception timing is the transmission timing of the reference transmission device.

  The communication control unit 204 acquires time data stored in the time data register 802. The communication control unit 204 compares the calculated reception timing with the current time indicated by the acquired timing data, and determines whether or not the current time is a predetermined time before the reception timing. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 2 seconds.

  If the communication control unit 204 determines that the current time is the reception timing of the reference time signal (step S600; YES), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S601. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that the current time is not the reception timing of the reference time signal (step S600; NO), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S603.

Step S601: The communication control unit 204 causes the RF circuit 9 to receive a reference time signal. Here, the communication control unit 204 causes the RF circuit 9 to receive the reference time signal with the length of the scan window W as an upper limit. The length of the scan window W is, for example, 4 seconds.
The communication control unit 204 acquires the reference time information B from the decoder 50.

Step S602: The correction unit 201 updates the time data stored in the time data register 802 based on the reference time information B supplied from the communication control unit 204.
The correction unit 201 stores the corrected time width in the time data register 802 as the corrected time width information.

Step S603: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not the current time is the corrected transmission timing TA. Here, the corrected transmission timing TA is the transmission timing of the reference time signal based on the time measurement data corrected by the correction unit 201 in step S603.

Here, the communication control unit 204 corrects the transmission timing after correction from the above-described equation (1) based on the layer value of the own device stored in the layer register 805 and the transmission channel stored in the transmission channel register 804. TA is calculated.
The communication control unit 204 acquires time data stored in the time data register 802. The communication control unit 204 compares the calculated corrected transmission timing TA with the current time indicated by the acquired timing data, and determines whether or not the current time is the corrected transmission timing TA.

  If the communication control unit 204 determines that the current time is the corrected transmission timing TA (step S603; YES), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S604. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that the current time is not the corrected transmission timing TA (step S603; NO), the process of step S606 is executed.

Step S604: The time measuring unit 202 generates reference time information B. The time measuring unit 202 includes a layer value indicated by the layer information stored in the layer register 805, a transmission channel indicated by the transmission channel designation data stored in the transmission channel register 804, and a time indicated by the time measurement data stored in the time measurement data register 802. Based on the information and information indicating the information source of the time information stored in the reception channel register 803, the reference time information B is generated.
The time measuring unit 202 supplies the generated reference time information B to the communication control unit 204.

Step S605: The communication control unit 204 causes the RF circuit 9 to transmit a reference time signal. Here, the communication control unit 204 causes the encoder 40 to encode the reference time information B supplied from the time measuring unit 202, and supplies it to the RF circuit 9.

Step S606: The correction unit 201 determines whether or not the time measurement data has been corrected by a predetermined time width or more. Here, the predetermined time width is, for example, 2 seconds.
The predetermined time width is determined based on the length of the scan window W, for example. The scan window W is a time width of the transmission timing TB before correction that is a predetermined reception timing. That is, the predetermined time width is determined according to the time width of the predetermined reception time.

The correction unit 201 determines whether or not the time data has been corrected by a predetermined time width or more by comparing the absolute value of the time width indicated by the correction time width information stored in the time data register 802 with a predetermined time. To do. When the absolute value of the time width indicated by the correction time width information stored in the time data register 802 is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, the correction unit 201 determines that the time data has been corrected more than the predetermined time width.
On the other hand, when the absolute value of the time width indicated by the correction time width information stored in the time data register 802 is less than the predetermined time, the correction unit 201 determines that the time data is not corrected more than the predetermined time width. .

  When the correction unit 201 determines that the time measurement data has been corrected by a predetermined time width or more (step S606; YES), the processor 20 executes the process of step S607. On the other hand, when the correction unit 201 determines that the time measurement data has not been corrected by a predetermined time width or more (step S606; NO), the processor 20 ends the process.

Step S607: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not the current time is the transmission timing TB before correction. Here, the transmission timing TB before correction is the transmission timing of the reference time signal based on the timing data before being corrected by the correction unit 201 in step S603.

The communication control unit 204 sets the time after the corrected transmission timing TA by the time width indicated by the corrected time width information stored in the time data register 802 as the transmission timing TB before correction.
The communication control unit 204 acquires time data stored in the time data register 802. The communication control unit 204 compares the calculated transmission timing TB before correction with the current time indicated by the acquired timing data, and determines whether or not the current time is the transmission timing TB before correction.

  If the communication control unit 204 determines that the current time is the transmission timing TB before correction (step S607; YES), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S608. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204 determines that the current time is not the transmission timing TB before correction (step S607; NO), the processor 20 ends the process.

Step S608: The communication control unit 204 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the first transmission at the transmission timing TB before correction. Here, the predetermined time is, for example, 24 hours. According to the transmission timing of the equation (1) described above, the clock device C transmits the reference time signal every 3 hours, so 24 hours is the time when the eighth transmission timing arrives.

  When the communication control unit 204 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the first transmission at the transmission timing TB before correction (step S608; YES), the processor 20 executes the process of step S609. On the other hand, if the communication control unit 204 determines that a predetermined time has not elapsed since the first transmission at the transmission timing TB before correction (step S608; NO), the communication control unit 204 executes the process of step S604.

  Therefore, when the timekeeping data is corrected by the correction unit 201 by a predetermined time width or more, the communication control unit 204, via the RF circuit 9, at the transmission timing TB before correction based on the time data before correction by the correction unit 201. A transmission signal including the reference time information B is transmitted to another timing device C that receives the transmission signal at a transmission timing TB before correction that is a predetermined reception timing.

  Further, as described in steps S603 to S605, the communication control unit 204, via the RF circuit 9, in addition to the transmission timing TB before correction, the transmission timing TA after correction based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit 201. The reference time information B is further transmitted at.

Step S609: The correction unit 201 resets the correction time width information stored in the time data register 802. Thereafter, the processor 20 ends the process.
Therefore, the communication control unit 204 stops transmitting the reference time information B at the transmission timing TB before correction when a predetermined time has elapsed.

As described above, the timing device C according to the present embodiment includes the reception unit (communication control unit 204), the correction unit 201, the timing unit 202, and the transmission unit (communication control unit 204).
The reception unit (communication control unit 204) receives a reception signal including reference time information B for correcting the time measurement data.
The correction unit 201 corrects the time measurement data based on the reference time information B included in the reception signal received by the reception unit (communication control unit 204).
The timer unit 202 measures time based on the time data corrected by the correcting unit 201.
The transmission unit (communication control unit 204), when the timing data is corrected by the correction unit 201 by a predetermined time width or more, sets the reference time information B at the transmission timing TB before correction based on the timing data before the correction unit 201 corrects. The transmission signal that is included is transmitted to another timing device C that receives the transmission signal at a transmission timing TB before correction that is a predetermined reception timing.

  With this configuration, in the timing device C according to the present embodiment, even when the time information is corrected by a predetermined time width or more, the other timing device C receives a transmission signal including the reference time information B before correction. Since the transmission can be performed at the transmission timing TB, the other time measuring device C can receive the time information even when the time information is corrected.

In addition to the transmission timing TB before correction, the transmission unit (communication control unit 204) further transmits the reference time information B at the corrected transmission timing TA based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit 201.
With this configuration, the timing device C according to the present embodiment corrects the transmission timing after correction when the time information is corrected by a predetermined time width or more and the time data of the other time measuring devices C are not shifted by a predetermined time width or more. Since the reference time information B can be transmitted in the TA, when the time information is corrected more than a predetermined time width and the time measurement data of the other time measuring apparatus C is not shifted more than the predetermined time width, the other time measuring apparatus Can be received.

In the time measuring device C according to the present embodiment, the predetermined time width is determined according to the time width of a predetermined reception time when the other time measuring device C receives the transmission signal.
With this configuration, in the timing device C according to the present embodiment, the transmission signal including the reference time information B at the transmission timing TB before correction according to the time width of a predetermined reception time at which the other timing device C receives the transmission signal. Since it is determined whether or not to transmit the transmission signal, the time width of the predetermined reception timing at which the other timing device C receives the transmission signal is also corrected when the reference time signal can be received at the corrected transmission timing TA. It is possible to prevent the transmission signal including the reference time information B from being transmitted at the previous transmission timing TB and increase the power consumption by repeating a plurality of transmission operations.

In the timing device C according to the present embodiment, the transmission unit (communication control unit 204) stops transmitting the reference time information B at the transmission timing TB before correction when a predetermined time has elapsed.
With this configuration, in the timing device C according to the present embodiment, after the reception timing at which the other timing device C receives the transmission signal is corrected to the corrected transmission timing TA, the reference time information B at the transmission timing TB before correction Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power consumption from increasing by repeating a plurality of transmission operations.

In addition, the timing system S according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of timing devices C.
With this configuration, in the timing system S according to the present embodiment, even when the time information of the timing device C is corrected by a predetermined time width or more, the other timing devices C transmit the transmission signal including the reference time information B. Since it can transmit at the transmission timing TB before correction to receive, even if it is a case where time information is corrected, the other time measuring apparatus C can receive time information.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the first embodiment, the timing device transmits a transmission signal including reference time information at the transmission timing before correction when the timing data is corrected by a predetermined time width or more, and in addition to the transmission timing before correction, the correction is performed. The case where the reference time information is further transmitted at the later transmission timing has been described. In the present embodiment, when the timekeeping data is corrected by a predetermined time width or more, the timing device transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information at the transmission timing before correction, and does not transmit the reference time information at the transmission timing after correction. Will be explained.
The timing system according to this embodiment is referred to as a timing system Sa, and the timing device is referred to as a timing device Ca. The processor provided in the control unit of the timing device Ca is referred to as a processor 20a, and the communication control unit provided in the processor 20a is referred to as a communication control unit 204a.

  When the timing device Ca according to the present embodiment is compared with the timing device C according to the first embodiment, the operation of the communication control unit 204a of the processor 20a provided in the control unit of the timing device Ca is shown in FIG. The operation of the communication control unit 204 is different. Here, the functions of other components are the same as those in the first embodiment. The description of the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and in the second embodiment, description will be made focusing on parts different from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing for correcting the time at the normal time of the child device according to the present embodiment. Note that the processes in step S700, step S701, step S702, step S705, and step S706 are the same as the processes in step S600, step S601, step S602, step S604, and step S605 in FIG. Omitted.

Step S703: The process of the correction unit 201 is the same as the process of step S606 in FIG. 12, but the process after the process of step S703 is different.
When the correction unit 201 determines that the time measurement data has been corrected by a predetermined time width or more (step S703; YES), the processor 20a executes the process of step S707. On the other hand, when the correction unit 201 determines that the time measurement data has not been corrected by the predetermined time width or more (step S703; NO), the processor 20a executes the process of step S704.

Step S704: The processing of the communication control unit 204a is the same as the processing of step S603 in FIG. 12, but the processing after the processing of step S704 is different.
If the communication control unit 204a determines that the current time is the corrected transmission timing TA (step S704; YES), the communication control unit 204a executes the process of step S705. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204a determines that the current time is not the corrected transmission timing TA (step S704; NO), the processor 20 ends the process.

Step S707: The processing of the communication control unit 204a is the same as the processing of step S607 in FIG. 12, but the processing after the processing of step S707 is different.
If the communication control unit 204a determines that the current time is the transmission timing TB before correction (step S707; YES), the communication control unit 204a executes the process of step S705. On the other hand, when the communication control unit 204a determines that the current time is not the transmission timing TB before correction (step S707; NO), the processor 20 ends the process.

  As described above, the communication control unit 204a outputs the reference time signal at either the post-correction transmission timing TA or the pre-correction transmission timing TB depending on whether or not the time measurement data is corrected by a predetermined time width or more. Send.

  In the process illustrated in FIG. 13, the communication control unit 204a may stop transmitting the reference time information B at the transmission timing TB before correction when a predetermined time has elapsed. For example, if the communication control unit 204a determines in step S707 that the current time is the transmission timing TB before correction, the communication control unit 204a may perform the processing in steps S608 and S609 in FIG.

As described above, in the timing device Ca according to the present embodiment, the transmission timing before correction based on the timing data before the correction unit 201 corrects when the correction unit 201 corrects the time measurement data by a predetermined time width or more. In TB, the transmission signal including the reference time information B is transmitted to another timing device C that receives the transmission signal at a transmission timing TB before correction that is a predetermined reception timing. On the other hand, when the timing data is corrected by the correction unit 201 over a predetermined time width, the timing device Ca according to the present embodiment uses the reference time information B at the corrected transmission timing TA based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit 201. Do not send.
With this configuration, the timing device Ca according to the present embodiment can transmit the reference time information B at both the post-correction transmission timing TA and the pre-correction transmission timing TB, thereby preventing an increase in power consumption.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the time measuring device transmits a transmission signal including reference time information at the transmission timing before correction when the time measurement data is corrected by a predetermined time width or more. Did. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the timing device transmits instruction information for changing a scan window for receiving a transmission signal at a transmission timing before correction when the timing data is corrected by a predetermined time width or more.
The timing system according to the present embodiment is referred to as a timing system Sb, the timing device as the timing device Cb, and the control unit of the timing device Cb as the control unit 11b.

With reference to FIG. 14, the structure of the control part 11b of the timing device Cb is demonstrated.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the control unit 11b according to the present embodiment. The control unit 11b includes a processor 20b, a timing data acquisition unit 30, an encoder 40, a decoder 50, a key input unit 60, a voltage data input unit 70, and a register group 80.

  The processor 20b includes a correction unit 201, a timing unit 202, a parent device mode control unit 203, a communication control unit 204b, a display control unit 205, and an instruction information generation unit 206b. The processor 20b causes the correction unit 201, the timing unit 202, the parent device mode control unit 203, the communication control unit 204b, the display control unit 205, and the instruction information generation unit 206b to perform processing.

  When the timing device Cb according to the present embodiment is compared with the timing device C according to the first embodiment, the communication control unit 204b and the instruction information generation unit 206b are different. Here, the functions of other components are the same as those in the first embodiment. The description of the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and in the third embodiment, the description will focus on parts that are different from the first embodiment.

  The instruction information generation unit 206b generates instruction information. Here, the instruction information is information for instructing to change the reception timing of the transmission signal to the corrected transmission timing TA based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit 201. Changing the reception timing of the transmission signal means, for example, expanding the size of the scan window W in a direction to advance the reception timing or to increase the reception timing.

  The communication control unit 204b controls reception of a reception signal by the RF circuit 9 and transmission of a reference time signal by the RF circuit 9. Further, the communication control unit 204b controls transmission of instruction information by the RF circuit 9.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart with time correction according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the time indicated by the time measurement data of the time measuring device C1b and the time measuring device C2b is delayed by 5 seconds with respect to the time indicated by the time information held by the smartphone SM. The transmission timing and the reception timing described below are times based on the time indicated by the time data held by each time measuring device Cb.

  The smartphone SM transmits the radio wave information at the time information transmission timing TS1 after obtaining the time information by connecting to the time server. Here, the time information transmission timing TS1 is 2:55:05 as the time indicated by the timing data of the smartphone SM.

The timing device C1b receives time information from the smartphone SM at the reception timing RS1. Here, the reception timing RS1 is 2:55:00 in the time indicated by the timing data of the timing device C1b.
When the time measuring device C1b receives the time information, the time measuring device C1b performs a correction to advance the time indicated by the time measuring data of the own device by 5 seconds. Therefore, when the time measuring device C1b receives the time information, it corrects the time indicated by the time measuring data from 2:55:05 to 2:55:05. That is, the time measuring device C1 corrects the time data for 2 seconds or more.

The timing device C1b transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B at the corrected transmission timing TA1-1. Here, the corrected transmission timing TA1-1 is 3:00:05 as the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C1.
When the time data is corrected for 2 seconds or more, the time measuring device C1b transmits a transmission signal including instruction information at the transmission timing TB1-1 before correction in addition to the transmission timing TA1-1 after correction. Here, the transmission timing TB1-1 before correction is 3:00:10 as the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C1.

  On the other hand, the time measuring device C2b having the time measuring device C1b as the reference transmitting device receives the transmission signal including the instruction information from the time measuring device C1b at the pre-correction reception timing RB2-1. Here, the reception timing RB2-1 before correction is 3:00:05 as the time indicated by the timing data before correction of the timing device C2. In order to reduce power consumption, the time measuring device C2b starts scanning from 2 seconds before the transmission timing at which the reference transmission device transmits a transmission signal, and continues reception for a maximum of 4 seconds. A period during which the timing device C2b continues to receive from the reference transmission device is referred to as a scan window W2-1. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the length of the scan window W2-1 is 4 seconds or less.

  When the time measuring device C2b receives the instruction information from the time measuring device C1b, the time measuring device C2b widens the scan window W2 to advance the reception timing by, for example, 3 seconds.

  The timing device C2b transmits a transmission signal including the instruction information at the transmission timing TB2-1 before correction. Here, the timing device C2b cannot receive the reference time signal transmitted by the timing device C1b at the corrected transmission timing TA1-1. Therefore, the timing device C2b transmits the transmission signal at the transmission timing TB2-1 before correction in which the timing data is not corrected. Send.

  The smartphone SM acquires time information by connecting to a time server, and then transmits time information at time information transmission timing TS2. Here, the time information transmission timing TS2 is 3 hours after the time information transmission timing TS1, and is 5:55:05 as the time indicated by the timing data of the smartphone SM.

The timing device C1b receives time information from the smartphone SM at the reception timing RS2. Here, the reception timing RS2 is 5:55:05 as the time indicated by the timing data of the timing device C1b.
The timing device C1b does not correct the timing data because the time indicated by the received time information matches the time indicated by the timing data of the own device.

  The timing device C1b transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B at the corrected transmission timing TA1-2. Here, the corrected transmission timing TA1-2 is 6:00:05 as the time indicated by the timing data of the timing device C1b.

  The timing device C2b receives a transmission signal including the reference time information B from the timing device C1b at a time earlier by the scan window W2-2 from the pre-correction reception timing RB2-2. Here, the pre-correction reception timing RB2-2 is 6:00:05 as the time indicated by the timing data of the timing device C2b. The scan window W2-2 is expanded in a direction to advance the reception timing by 3 seconds compared to the scan window W2-1. Accordingly, the timing device C2b transmits the transmission signal including the reference time information B at 6:00:00, which is 5 seconds earlier than the time indicated by the timing data of the timing device C2b than the reception timing RB2-2 before correction. Can be received.

  When receiving the reference time signal from the timing device C1b, the timing device C2b corrects the time indicated by the timing data from 6:00:00 to 6:00:05. That is, the time measuring device C2 corrects the time data for 2 seconds or more.

The timing device C2b transmits a transmission signal including the reference time information B at the corrected transmission timing TA2-2. Here, the corrected transmission timing TA2-2 is 6:10:35 as the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C2b.
When the time data is corrected for 2 seconds or more, the timing device C2b transmits a transmission signal including instruction information at the transmission timing TB2-2 before correction in addition to the transmission timing TA2-2 after correction. Here, the transmission timing TB2-2 before correction is 6:10:40 as the time indicated by the corrected timing data of the timing device C2b.

Next, processing for transmitting instruction information will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for correcting the normal time of the slave unit according to the present embodiment. In addition, each process of step S800, step S801, step S802, step S803, step S804, step S805, step S806, and step S807 is the same as step S600, step S601, step S602, step S603, step S604 in FIG. Since it is the same as each process of S605, step S606, and step S607, description is abbreviate | omitted.

Step S808: The instruction information generation unit 206b generates instruction information. Here, the instruction information generation unit 206b generates instruction information based on the corrected time width information stored in the time data register 802.

The instruction information generation unit 206b generates instruction information indicating that the scan window W is expanded in a direction for advancing the reception timing for the time indicated by the correction time width information. For example, when the time measurement data is advanced by 5 seconds, the correction time width information indicates 5 seconds as the time width. When the correction time width information indicates 5 seconds as the time width, the instruction information indicates that the scan window W is expanded in a direction of advancing the reception timing by 5 seconds.
In another example, when the timing data is delayed by 5 seconds, the correction time width information indicates minus 5 seconds as the time width. When the correction time width information indicates minus 5 seconds as the time width, the instruction information indicates that the scan window W is expanded in a direction of delaying the reception timing by 5 seconds.

Step S805: The communication control unit 204b causes the RF circuit 9 to transmit a transmission signal including instruction information. Here, the communication control unit 204b causes the encoder 40 to encode the instruction information supplied from the instruction information generating unit 206b and supply the instruction information to the RF circuit 9.
Therefore, the communication control unit 204b changes the reception timing of the transmission signal to the corrected transmission timing based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit 201 when the correction unit 201 corrects the time measurement data by a predetermined time width or more. The instruction information to be instructed is transmitted at the transmission timing TB before correction.

As described above, the timing device Cb according to the present embodiment includes the transmission unit (communication control unit 204b).
The transmission unit (communication control unit 204b) changes the reception timing of the transmission signal to the corrected transmission timing based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit 201 when the correction unit 201 corrects the time measurement data by a predetermined time width or more. Instructing information is transmitted at the transmission timing TB before correction.

  With this configuration, the timing device Cb according to the present embodiment instructs other timing devices C to change the reception timing of the transmission signal even when the time information is corrected by a predetermined time width or more. Therefore, even when the time information is corrected, the other time measuring device Cb can receive the time information.

Note that the timing device C, the timing device Ca, and a part of the timing device Cb in the above-described embodiment, for example, the correction unit 201, the timing unit 202, the master unit mode control unit 203, the communication control unit 204, and the communication control unit 204a. The communication control unit 204b, the display control unit 205, and the instruction information generation unit 206b may be realized by a computer. In that case, the program for realizing the control function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read by the computer system and executed. Here, the “computer system” is a computer system built in the timing device C, the timing device Ca, and the timing device Cb, and includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” is a medium that dynamically holds a program for a short time, such as a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, In this case, a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or a client may be included that holds a program for a certain period of time. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.
Moreover, you may implement | achieve part or all of the timing device C in the embodiment mentioned above, the timing device Ca, and the timing device Cb as integrated circuits, such as LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each functional block of the timing device C, the timing device Ca, and the timing device Cb may be individually made into a processor, or a part or all of them may be integrated into a processor. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. In addition, when an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to the advancement of semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on the technology may be used.

  As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is possible to

S, Sa, Sb ... timing system, C, Ca, Cb, C1, C1b, C2, C2b, C3, C4, C5, C6 ... timing device, 1 ... long wave receiving circuit, 2 ... power supply circuit, 21 ... AC (alternating current) ) Adapter connection plug, 22 ... Battery, 3 ... Connector, 4 ... Main device, 5 ... Display device, 6 ... Voltage detector, 7 ... Regulator, 8 ... Switch group, 9 ... RF circuit, 10 ... Crystal resonator, 11, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11a, 11b ... Control part, 20, 20a, 20b ... Processor, 201 ... Correction part, 202 ... Timekeeping part, 203 ... Master-slave unit mode control part, 204, 204a, 204b ... Communication control part, 205 ... Display control part , 206b ... Instruction information generation unit, 30 ... Timing data acquisition unit, 40 ... Encoder, 50 ... Decoder, 60 ... Key input unit, 70 ... Voltage data input unit, 80 ... Register group, 801 ... Master unit Dorejisuta, 802 ... timing data register, 803 ... reception channel register, 804 ... transmission channel register, 805 ... layer register, 806 ... continuous reception failure count register, P ... display panel

Claims (7)

A receiving unit for receiving a reception signal including reference time information for correcting timekeeping data;
Based on the reference time information included in the reception signal received by the reception unit, a correction unit for correcting the time measurement data,
A timing unit for measuring time based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit;
When the timekeeping data is corrected by the correction unit over a predetermined time width, a transmission signal including the reference time information is transmitted at a predetermined reception time at a transmission timing before correction based on the time data before the correction unit corrects. A transmission unit that transmits to the other timing device that receives the transmission signal at the transmission timing before correction,
A timing device. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit further transmits the reference time information at a corrected transmission timing based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit in addition to the transmission timing before correction. The transmission unit changes the reception timing of the transmission signal to a corrected transmission timing based on the timing data corrected by the correction unit when the timing data is corrected by the correction unit by a predetermined time width or more. The time measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction information to be instructed is transmitted at the transmission timing before correction. The time measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined time width is determined according to a time width of the predetermined reception time. The time measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the transmission unit stops transmitting the reference time information at the transmission timing before correction. A timekeeping system comprising a plurality of timekeeping devices according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A reception procedure for receiving a reception signal including reference time information for correcting timekeeping data;
A correction procedure for correcting the time measurement data based on the reference time information included in the reception signal received in the reception procedure;
A timing procedure for measuring time based on the timing data corrected in the correction procedure;
When the timing data is corrected by a predetermined time width or more in the correction procedure, a transmission signal including the reference time information at a transmission timing before correction based on the timing data before being corrected in the correction procedure A transmission procedure for transmitting to another timing device that receives the transmission signal at a transmission timing before correction that is a time;
A timekeeping method.

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