JP2555502B2 - Radio-corrected clock and its reception time setting method and time correction method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio-controlled timepiece, a reception time setting method and a time correction method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the United States and Germany, one day, hour, and minute
A radio wave is generated by superimposing time information represented by a digital signal with a second cycle, and a watch that receives this radio wave and is used for time adjustment is commercially available. Currently, in Japan, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, standard radio waves with experimentally superimposed time information are transmitted. This time information is a digital signal in which 1 minute is 1 frame and 1 second is 1 bit, and indicates the day, hour, and minute. There is a plan to start transmitting time information by radio waves in the near future, and there is an increasing demand for clocks that use this radio wave to correct the time. Conventional radio-controlled timepieces perform radio-wave reception and time-correction operations at regular time intervals or at time points only in order to reduce unnecessary power consumption.

[0003]

In the above conventional timepiece,
Regardless of the radio wave reception state, the time of radio wave reception was predetermined. Therefore, if the electric field strength is weak at that time, the time information may not be properly received. That is, power is consumed for useless reception operation.

A first object of the present invention is to receive radio waves well.
Radio wave repair that automatically selects the available time and performs reception operation
To provide a true clock.

A second object of the present invention is to obtain radio waves within a day.
Is stored as the time when the best reception was possible
To provide a method for setting the reception time of the radio-controlled timepiece
It

A third object of the present invention is to make radio waves the best.
Can memorize the receivable time as the reception time, when at that time
Of the radio-controlled timepiece that can correct the time accurately by the time information
It is to provide a time adjustment method.

A fourth object of the present invention is to make radio waves the best.
When the radio wave is corrected so that the receivable time can be accurately detected and stored
It is to provide a method for setting the reception time of the meter.

A fifth object of the present invention is to make radio waves the best.
Receivable time can be accurately detected and stored, and it can be updated
To provide a time correction method for radio-controlled timepieces
is there.

[0009]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention detects the time at which the above-mentioned radio wave can be received most favorably by the time means for notifying the time, the receiving means for receiving the radio wave containing the time information, and the receiving means. The radio wave correction means is provided with a detection means for storing the data and a time correction means for correcting the time notified by the time notification means based on the time information contained in the radio wave received at the time detected by the detection means. A receiving unit that constitutes a timepiece and receives a radio wave including time information is operated at a desired time or at a desired time, and the reception state at that time is detected, and
The time at which the radio wave can be received most favorably in the day is stored as the reception time, and the receiving means for receiving the radio wave including the time information is operated at every desired time or at the desired time,
Detecting a time and receiving state at that time, and stored in the reception time of the best receivable time the radio waves, the
The receiving means is operated at the stored reception time, the time is corrected based on the time information included in the radio wave received at that time, and the reception means for receiving the radio wave including the time information is set at a desired time or It is operated at a desired time, and the time and reception state at that time are all or selectively accumulated in the storage means, and the time corresponding to the best reception state accumulated in this storage means is set as the reception time, Further, the receiving means for receiving the radio wave including the time information is operated at a desired time or at a desired time, and the time and the reception state at that time are accumulated in the memory means in whole or in a selective manner, and are accumulated in this memory means. The received time is the time corresponding to the best received state, the time is corrected based on the time information included in the radio wave received at this received time, and the receiving state at the time correction is detected. By updating the stored contents of the storage means Te, it is to solve the above problems.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this example, the time at which the radio wave having the strongest electric field strength is received in 24 hours is set as the reception time.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a time signal means for visually informing the time by digital display or analog display by means of a pointer or for aurally informing the time by voice.
The receiving means is a receiving means for receiving a radio wave including time information in which day, hour, and minute are represented by a digital signal having a cycle of 1 second, and is composed of an antenna 2a and a receiving circuit 2b for performing detection. Reference numeral 3 is a counter for counting the number of times the radio wave is received by the receiving means 2, and 4 is the electric field strength of the radio wave received by the receiving means 2, and it is determined whether or not it is a predetermined value (50 decibels in this example) or more. The electric field strength detection means 5 for making a judgment is a buffer for temporarily storing electric field strength data and time information each time a radio wave is received.
Reference numeral 6 is a reception state storage means for selectively storing electric field intensity data and time data. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3A, up to five types of electric field intensity data and time data can be stored respectively. A storage area is provided. Reference numeral 7 is a time correction means for correcting the time notified by the time notification means 1 based on the time information contained in the radio wave received by the reception means 2, and 8 is a control means for controlling the reception time setting and the time correction operation. is there. Electric field strength detection means 4, buffer 5,
The reception state storage means 6 and the control means 8 constitute a detection means 9 for detecting the time at which the radio wave can be best received. Reference numeral 10 is an alarm means such as a buzzer.

Next, according to the flow chart of FIG.
The reception time setting and time correction operation will be described.

First, when the power is turned on, the contents stored in the buffer 5 and the reception state storage means 6 are cleared and the count value N of the counter 3 is reset to "0" under the control of the control means 8.

Subsequently, the receiving circuit 2 is controlled by the control means 8.
The power of b is turned on and the reception means 2 starts receiving the electric wave, and the electric field strength detection means 4 determines whether or not the electric field strength of the electric wave is 50 decibels or more (step A).

If the detected electric field intensity is 50 decibels or more, the control means 8 fetches the electric field intensity data and the time information contained in the received radio wave and stores it in the buffer 5 (step B).

Subsequently, the control means 8 determines whether or not the electric field strength data and time data of the radio waves received at the same time in the past are stored in the reception state storage means 6 (step C).

Since no data is currently stored in the reception state storage means 6, as shown in FIG. 3B, the time based on the electric field intensity data and the time information stored in the buffer 5 is stored. The data is stored in the reception state storage means 6 (step D), and the notification time of the notification means 1 is corrected based on the time information stored in the buffer 5 (step E).

Subsequently, the count value of the counter 3 is incremented to "1" (step F).

Next, since the count value of the counter 3 is smaller than "24", the power of the receiving circuit 2b is turned off to stop the reception of the radio wave for 1 hour (step G).

After one hour, the power of the receiving circuit 2b is turned on to receive the radio wave again, and if the electric field intensity of the received radio wave is 50 decibels or more, the electric field intensity data and the time data are obtained in the same manner as above. Reception state storage means 6
And the time is corrected based on the time information stored in the buffer 5 (steps A to E). Then, the count value of the counter 3 is incremented to "2".
(Step F). It should be noted that, as shown in (c) of FIG. 3, the reception state storage means 6 stores data in descending order of electric field strength.

If it is determined in step A that the electric field strength of the received radio wave is less than 50 decibels, then the radio wave data received at the same time in the past is stored in the reception state storage means 6. It is determined whether or not (step H). If the data at the same time in the past is not stored, for example, if the radio wave is received every hour after the power is turned on and 24 hours have not passed, the process proceeds to step F and the count value of the counter 3 is changed. Increment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3D, when a radio wave having an electric field strength of 50 decibels or more is received while data is stored in all the storage areas of the reception state storage means 6, The minimum data of the stored electric field intensity data is compared with the electric field intensity data received this time and stored in the buffer 5 (step I). Note that the electric field strength data of the radio wave received this time is x, and the minimum electric field strength data of the reception state storage means 6 is y.

When it is determined in step I that the electric field intensity data x stored in the buffer 5 is larger, the minimum electric field intensity data y is erased from the reception state storage means 6 (step J), and the storage thereof is performed. The electric field intensity data x is stored in the area, and the time is corrected based on the time information stored in the buffer 5 at that time (step E).

In this way, radio waves are received every hour and data is taken in when the electric field strength is 50 decibels or more, and when the count value of the counter 3 becomes "24", that is, for 24 hours. When the reception operation is completed, the power of the reception circuit 2b is turned off to stop the reception of radio waves (step K).

Thus, up to five types of electric field strength data and time data are stored in the reception state storage means 6 in the order of increasing electric field strength at the time when a radio wave having an electric field strength of 50 decibels or more is received during 24 hours.

Subsequently, the control means 8 determines whether or not the data is stored in the reception state storage means 6 (step L).

If it is determined in step L that the data is not stored, the alarm means 10 gives an alarm notification (step M). That is, even if 24 hours have passed, a radio wave having an electric field strength of 50 decibels or more cannot be received, and an alarm is notified when the data is not stored, whereby the user cannot properly receive the time information throughout the day. You can understand this and change the place where the watch is installed to deal with it.

When the time in which the reception state is good is detected as described above, the control means 8 then determines whether the time corresponding to the maximum electric field strength stored in the reception state storage means 6 and the time of the timekeeping means 1. Matching is determined (step N).

When the above two times coincide, the power of the receiving circuit 2b is turned on and the receiving means 2 receives the radio wave. When the electric field strength of the received radio wave is 50 decibels or more, each data is fetched in the same manner as described above, and in step C, the control means 8 causes the reception state storage means 6 to receive each data of the radio waves received at the same time in the past. Is stored. If it is stored, the electric field strength data is rewritten to the electric field strength data obtained in this reception (step O), the time is then corrected, and the count value of the counter 3 is incremented (step F).

Next, since the count value of the counter 3 is equal to or more than "24" after the detection operation of the time when the reception is good during 24 hours, the process proceeds to step K to stop the reception, and then proceeds to step N to receive the signal. The reception standby state is set until the time of the maximum electric field strength stored in the state storage means 6 is reached. When the electric field strength data rewritten in step O is not the maximum among the electric field strength data stored in the reception state storage means 6, the time of the newly maximized electric field strength data becomes the reception time.

On the other hand, when the electric field strength of the radio wave received at the time of the maximum electric field strength data is smaller than 50 decibels, the process proceeds to step H, and the control means 8 receives the reception state storage means 6 at the same time in the past. It is determined whether radio wave data is stored. If it is stored, the electric field strength data and the time data are deleted at the same time as the reception failure of the radio wave (step P).

Next, the control means 8 determines whether or not the data is still stored in the reception state storage means 6 (step Q). If stored, steps F, L
After that, the process proceeds to step N to enter the reception standby state until the time of the maximum electric field intensity data in the stored data.

On the other hand, when it is judged that there is no data in step Q, for example, the electric field strength of the received radio wave continues to be less than 50 decibels at the time of the maximum electric field strength data stored in the reception state storage means 6. When the data is erased one after another, and finally all the data is erased, the count value of the counter 3 is reset to "0" (step R), the process proceeds to step G, and one hour later, the radio wave Receive. In this case, since the count value of the counter 3 has been reset to "0", radio wave reception is repeated every hour until 24 hours have passed, as in the above. That is,
If all the data in the reception state storage means 6 is erased, the operation of detecting the time when the reception state is good is performed again.

As described above, the time when the reception state is good in one day is automatically detected, and the time is automatically adjusted at that time.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this example, the time when the electric field strength is 50 decibels or more and the number of times of time information acquisition error is small is set as the reception time.

In FIG. 4, the elements having the same numbers as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same elements. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a buffer for temporarily storing the time information contained in the radio wave and the data of the number of error in fetching the time information every reception of the radio wave. Reference numeral 12 is a reception state storage means for selectively storing the error count data and time data, and a storage area is provided so that each data can be stored up to 5 types like the reception state storage means 6 of the first embodiment. It is provided. Reference numeral 13 is a control means for setting the reception time and controlling the time correction operation. t is a memory that stores time information for three frames and is divided into three storage areas t1 to t3, and one storage area stores time information for one frame. c is a counter that counts the number of errors in the received time information. The electric field strength detection means 4, the buffer 11, the reception state storage means 12, the control means 13, the memory t and the counter c constitute the detection means 9.

Next, according to the flow chart of FIG.
The reception time setting and time correction operation will be described.

First, when the power is turned on, the contents stored in the buffer 11 and the reception state storage means 12 are cleared and the count value N of the counter 3 is reset to "0" under the control of the control means 8.

Subsequently, the receiving means 2 starts receiving the electric wave, and the electric field strength detecting means 4 detects whether the electric field strength of the electric wave is 50 decibels or more (step # 1).

Next, if the detected electric field strength is 50 decibels or more, the control means 8 fetches the time information contained in the received radio wave to detect the error number, and the error number data and the time information are stored in the buffer 11. (Step # 2).

Here, the error number detecting operation in step # 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the count value of the counter c is set to "0" and the stored contents of the memory t are cleared. Then, the time information for three frames is received. That is, reception is performed for 3 minutes. The received time information is sequentially stored in the storage areas t1 to t3 of the memory t for each frame. When the reception of three frames is completed, the time information obtained by adding 1 minute to the time information at t1 is compared with the time information at t2 to determine whether they match. If they do not match, the count value of the counter c is incremented by one. Next, the time information obtained by adding 2 minutes to the time information at t1 and the time information at t3 are compared with each other to determine whether they match. If they do not match, the count value of the counter c is incremented by one. Next, the time information obtained by adding 1 minute to the time information at t2 and the time information at t3 are compared with each other to determine whether they match. If they do not match, the count value of the counter c is incremented by one. Through the above operation, the number of errors in the received time information is detected. That is, when neither the time interval between t1 and t2 nor the time interval between t2 and t3 is 1 minute, the count value of the counter c becomes “3”, the reception state is poor at this time, and the time interval between t1 and t2. Is 1 minute or the time interval between t2 and t3 is 1 minute or t1 and t3
If the time interval of is any one of 2 minutes, the counter c
Has a count value of "2", and at this time the reception status is good,
When the time interval between t1 and t2 is 1 minute, the time interval between t2 and t3 is 1 minute, and the time interval between t1 and t3 is 2 minutes, the count value of the counter c is “0”, and the reception state at this time is Be the best. That is, whether or not the received time information is correct is determined depending on whether or not each time interval of the time information from t1 to t3 is correct.

Upon completion of the error number detecting operation, the control means 13 subsequently determines whether or not the data at the same time in the past is stored in the reception state storage means 12 (step # 3). .

Since no data is currently stored in the reception state storage means 12, the reception state storage means 11 stores time data based on the error count data and the time information stored in the buffer 11 ( (Step # 4), the notification time of the notification means 1 is corrected based on the time information stored in the buffer 11 (step # 5), and then the count value of the counter 3 is incremented to "1". (Step # 6).

Next, since the count value of the counter 3 is smaller than "24" now, the reception state storage means 1 is continued.
It is determined whether or not there is an empty area in which data is not stored in 2 (step # 7).

Now, since there is an empty area, the power supply of the receiving circuit 2b is turned off to stop the reception of the radio wave for 1 hour (step # 8).

After one hour, the power of the receiving circuit 2b is turned on to receive the radio wave again. If the electric field strength of the received radio wave is 50 decibels or more, the error count data and the time data are obtained in the same manner as above. The time is corrected based on the time information stored in the reception state storage means 12 and the buffer 11 (steps # 1 to #).
5). Then, the count value of the counter 3 is incremented to "2" (step # 6). It should be noted that the reception state storage means 12 stores data in ascending order of the number of errors.

If it is determined in step # 1 that the electric field strength of the received radio wave is less than 50 decibels, then the radio wave data received at the same time in the past is stored in the reception state storage means 12. It is determined whether or not (step # 9). If the data at the same time in the past is not stored, for example, if the radio wave is received every hour after the power is turned on and 24 hours have not passed, the process proceeds to step # 6 and the count value of the counter 3 is continued. Is incremented.

In this way, radio waves are received every hour and data is taken in when the electric field strength is 50 decibels or more, and when the count value of the counter 3 becomes "24", that is, for 24 hours. When the reception operation is completed, or when there is no free area in the reception state storage means 12, the power of the reception circuit 2b is turned off to stop the reception of radio waves (step # 10).

Thus, up to five types of data of the time when the radio wave having the electric field strength of 50 decibels or more is received and the error number of time information fetching at that time are stored in the reception state storage means 12.

Subsequently, the control means 13 determines whether or not data is stored in the reception state storage means 12 (step # 11).

When it is determined in step # 11 that the data is not stored, the alarm means 10 gives an alarm notification (step # 12). That is,
Even when 24 hours have passed, radio waves with a field strength of 50 dB or more cannot be received, and an alarm notification is given when the data is not stored, which shows that the user cannot receive the time information throughout the day. It can be dealt with by changing the place where the clock is installed.

When the time in which the reception state is good is detected as described above, the control means 13 then determines whether the time corresponding to the minimum error count stored in the reception state storage means 12 and the time of the timekeeping means 1. Matches are determined (step # 1)
3).

When the both times match, the receiving circuit 2b is turned on and the receiving means 2 receives the radio wave. When the electric field strength of the received radio wave is 50 decibels or more, each data is fetched in the same manner as described above, and then each data of the radio waves received at the same time in the past is stored in the reception state storage means 12 by the control means 13. It is determined whether or not (step # 3). If stored, the error count data is rewritten to the error count data obtained in this reception (step # 14), the time is then corrected, and the count value of the counter 3 is incremented (step # 6).

Next, after the time when the reception state is good is detected, the count value of the counter 3 is "24" or more or there is no free area in the reception state storage means 12, so the process proceeds to step # 10 to receive. Then, the process proceeds to step # 13 to enter the reception standby state until the time of the minimum number of errors stored in the reception state storage means 12 is reached. If the error count data rewritten in step # 14 becomes the smallest among the data stored in the reception state storage means 12, the time of the newly minimized error count data becomes the reception time.

On the other hand, if the electric field strength of the radio wave received at the time of the above-mentioned minimum error count data is less than 50 decibels, the process proceeds to step # 9 and the control means 13 receives the reception state storage means 12 at the same time in the past. It is determined whether or not the data of the received radio wave is stored. If it is stored, the time data and the error count data are erased at the same time as the radio wave reception failure (step # 1).
5).

Next, the control means 13 determines whether or not the data is still stored in the reception state storage means 12 (step # 16). If it is stored, the process proceeds to step # 13 via steps # 6 and # 11, and the reception standby state is set until the minimum error count data in the stored data is reached.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no data in step # 16, for example, the case where the electric field strength of the received radio wave is less than 50 decibels continues at the time of the minimum error count data stored in the reception state storage means 12. When all the data is finally erased, the count value of the counter 3 is reset to "0" (step # 17), and the process proceeds to step # 8 for 1 hour. Receive the radio wave later. In this case, counter 3
Since the count value of is reset to "0", there is no free area in the reception state storage means 12 as in the above.
Radio reception is repeated every hour until 24 hours have passed.
That is, if all the data in the reception state storage means 12 is erased, the operation of detecting the time when the reception state is good is performed again.

As described above, the time when the reception state is good is automatically detected, and the time is automatically adjusted to that time.

In each of the above embodiments, the time when the reception state is good is detected within 24 hours, but the time zone to be investigated may be set arbitrarily.

In each of the above embodiments, the reception state storage means 6 and 12 can store up to five types of time data, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only one type of time with the best reception state is stored. Alternatively, the electric field strength or the number of reception errors and the time data for all receptions during 24 hours may be stored so that the time of the best reception state can be selected. .

In the second embodiment, the memory t is supposed to store time information for three frames.
Not limited to this, the storage capacity may be set arbitrarily.

Further, in the error number detecting operation of the second embodiment, the time information is compared on a frame-by-frame basis, but may be compared on a predetermined bit basis. For example, the time information obtained by adding 2 minutes to the time information at t1 and the time information obtained by adding 1 minute to the time information at t2 and the time information at t3 are set to 1
Bit-by-bit comparison is performed, and if there is matching information among the three, the matching information is regarded as correct information, and if there is no matching information, the time is regarded as reception failure.

[0063]

According to the first aspect of the invention , the reception time is set because the time when the radio wave reception state is the best is detected and stored , and the time is automatically adjusted to that time. time information together with the time can be saved is not performed is a time correction to not be received well, trough which wasteful power consumption
There is no inconvenience.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the desired time
Each time or at the desired time, activate the receiving means to receive at that time.
The best radio wave in a day to detect the communication status
Receivable time can be reliably detected and stored,
It is possible to set the reception time of the radio-controlled timepiece to the best time.
it can.

According to the invention of claim 3, the desired time is
Each time or at the desired time, activate the receiving means to receive at that time.
Detects the signal status and can receive the best radio waves in a day
Available time is detected and stored, and the received power at that time is received.
Since the time is adjusted based on the time information included in the wave,
Accurate time information based on accurate time information
Can be modified.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the desired time is
All or select the reception status at each or desired time
And remember the best
The reception time is set as the reception time so that the best reception
It is possible to set the delivery time.

According to the invention of claim 5, the desired time is
All or select the reception status at each or desired time
And remember the best
The reception time is set as the reception time.
Corrects the time according to the time information included in the radio waves received by
It was carried out, yet in the detection and stores the received state at the time of time correction
To ensure that the time is adjusted to the best
It can be done, and even if the reception status changes, it can be automatically updated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Notification means 2 Reception means 6, 12 Reception state storage means 7 Time adjustment means 9 Detection means

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A timekeeping means for informing time, a receiving means for receiving a radio wave including time information, a detecting means for detecting and storing a time at which the radio wave can be best received by the receiving means, A radio-controlled timepiece comprising: time correction means for correcting the time notified by the notification means based on time information contained in the radio wave received at the time stored in the detection means. 2. A time when the receiving means for receiving a radio wave including time information is operated at a desired time or at a desired time, the reception state at that time is detected, and the radio wave can be received most favorably in one day. reception time setting method of a radio-controlled timepiece and to store in the reception time of. 3. Receiving means for receiving a radio wave including time information
At every desired time or at the desired time.
Detects the time and reception status and receives the above radio waves best.
The reliable time is stored as the reception time, and this stored
A time adjustment method for a radio-controlled timepiece, characterized in that the receiving means is operated at a reception time and the time is corrected based on time information included in the radio wave received at that time. 4. A receiving means for receiving a radio wave containing time information is operated at a desired time or at a desired time, and the time and the reception state at that time are accumulated in a storage means in whole or in a selective manner. A reception time setting method for a radio-controlled timepiece, wherein a time corresponding to the best reception state accumulated in the means is set as a reception time. 5. A receiving means for receiving a radio wave including time information is operated at a desired time or at a desired time, and the time and the reception state at that time are accumulated in a storage means in a total or selective manner. The time corresponding to the best reception state accumulated in the means is set as the reception time, and the time is corrected based on the time information included in the radio wave received at this reception time,
A time correction method for a radio-controlled timepiece, characterized in that the reception state at the time correction is detected and the contents stored in the storage means are updated.