JPS6229979Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to small portable information devices with a timekeeping mechanism, such as portable wristwatches and pager watches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, with the rapid development of electronic technology, especially semiconductor technology, information devices have become smaller and more multi-functional.

In small portable information devices, it is conceivable to use a CPU system to incorporate a large amount of information, but it is difficult to process and manipulate such a large amount of information, so it is not possible to use a CPU system designed for large systems. A compact version of the CPU system has not been put into practical use.

Problems that the invention aims to solve: If a CPU is used to count the time, the CPU is constantly running, which requires a large amount of power consumption. This required a complex system that temporarily stores the data and operates the clock intermittently so as not to interfere with the operation of additional functions, and the problem was that it took up a lot of space on the IC.

In this case, a memory data buffer is also required for time counting, and as additional functions are added or changed, it is important to consider how to operate those functions and how to change the operation of the watch accordingly. When you do that, it becomes a problem. For example, as the number of additional functions increases, it is necessary to consider various cases of easy-to-use operations, memorize them all, and make them operable, which requires a large amount of storage capacity.

Purpose The purpose of this invention is to provide a compact portable information device using a CPU system that performs time counting while
It has a configuration that makes efficient use of the CPU system and is suitable for miniaturization, requires less storage capacity to handle many functions, and has a timekeeping function that allows you to select operations that suit the function and support a variety of usability. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a small portable information device.

Means for Solving the Object In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electronic watch equipped with a CPU, in which the time counter is operated separately without being controlled by the CPU.
The first ROM stores information for operating and controlling the ROM.
and a second ROM whose information can be rewritten using an external writing device.The first ROM is used to control operations such as time, and the second ROM is used to control operations such as time. In this case, we created a configuration that allows information to be rewritten from outside.

Function Next, the present invention will be explained in detail based on the drawings.

A multi-function watch (hereinafter abbreviated as a watch) that has many functions other than a clock function, such as calculation, memo, and index functions, will be explained as an example.

FIG. 1 is a hardware diagram showing the present invention.

1 is the key, 2 is the key encoder, and 3 is the CPU.
(Central processing unit), 4 is a speed control unit, 5 is a display control unit, 6 is a first ROM, 7 is a time counter, 8
is a memory addressing section, 9 is a second ROM,
10 is a memory data buffer, 11 is a display section, 1
Reference numeral 2 represents a crystal clock pulse generator, and reference numeral 13 represents a writing device or coupler that allows input from the outside. In the display section 11 made of a mosaic display body,
Normally, the month and day information from the time counter 7 is displayed, but when a predetermined operation is performed using the key 1 (for example, the crown switch), the key encoder 2 writes the operation input signal to the first ROM 6. According to the programmed program, the CPU 3, which controls the entire clock, converts it into an instruction input signal, and according to this signal, the CPU 3 sends the display control unit 5 the information that is written in the second ROM 9 instead of the date information. A switching signal is sent to display information regarding the month and day (for example, information such as that February 2nd is a birthday). At the same time, the CPU 3
The address of the information to be retrieved in the second ROM 9 is sent to the memory addressing section 8 from the date information and the information in the first ROM 6. Information corresponding to this address is sent from the second ROM 9 to the memory data buffer 10. The contents of the memory data buffer 10 are controlled by the display control unit 5.
It is converted into a signal that controls the display section 11.

Here, the time counting section 7 counts the time independently based on the signal from the crystal clock pulse generation section 12, and sends the counted contents directly to the display control section 5.
It is configured to display on the display unit 11 under the control of No. 3. On the other hand, information on additional functions is stored in the second
When stored in the ROM and displayed, the CPU 3 sends the address of the information to be retrieved to the memory addressing section 8, and after sending the information corresponding to that address once to the memory data buffer 10, the display control section 5 It is now being sent to

In other words, since the time is not counted by the CPU 3 here, there is a difference in how the time and additional function information are displayed. The time can be counted independently not by the CPU 3 but by the time counter 7, so even if the time is being counted, the CPU 3
can be used to pause or activate other functions, which is very convenient. Since the CPU does not operate all the time, it consumes less power and does not require a memory data buffer for time counting. Further, the second ROM 9 is rewritable and information can be updated. Further, by using a writing device or a coupler 13, it is also possible to input from the outside. The speed control unit 4 is used to control the display sweep speed according to key input or a program. In the example shown in Fig. 1, instructions to the watch are given by keys, which are connected via wires or electromagnetic waves.
Information is not stored in instructions from other systems or in the watch itself, and in the same way as instruction input.
It is also possible to receive information from other external systems and display it using the display unit of the present invention.

In FIG. 2a, the month, day, hours, minutes, and seconds of the display section of a clock are displayed using a mosaic display. Here, numbers are displayed in each case, but this display part is 15 as shown in Figure 2b.
These display bodies can display numbers, alphabets, and katakana by controlling the lighting of the display. FIGS. 2e and 2d show examples in which each display body is configured in a dot type and a segment type, respectively. Figure 3a
indicates a situation in which other information is displayed instead of information corresponding to the month and day, and at this time, the other display sections are off. As shown in FIG. 3b, the displayed characters automatically change with the passage of time to display the information ``TEIKIMANKI'' (term expiry). In other words, in order to represent information consisting of a large number of characters in a limited space, it is necessary to make the display body smaller.
Although it is possible to use a large number of display bodies, it becomes difficult to read and is not practical. If the display used to display the month and day is used to appropriately divide and display information in time as shown in FIG. 3b, the information can be known after a certain period of time has elapsed. Furthermore,
As shown in FIG. 4, if the information is displayed repeatedly, it becomes even easier to view.

Information can be displayed not only by the methods shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 but also temporally and spatially as shown in FIG. 5. That is, the text written on the tape is displayed as if it were viewed through several squares while moving the tape. At this time, if one unit of information is displayed repeatedly, it becomes easier to see.
Furthermore, in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, if the speed of temporal modulation is variable or can be changed manually, the ease of viewing and the reliability of reading will be improved. This displays a series of information, such as the schedule for the month and day, in sequence while changing the display speed, fast forwarding unnecessary information, and stopping important information. You can also check it. Furthermore, spatially, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire surface or a part of the display section is expanded or contracted from the normal state in FIG. 6a to maximize the limited space as shown in FIG. 6b. It can also be used for a limited time. This is done by arranging the display bodies in a mosaic pattern as shown in Figure 6c, and in the normal state, the characters ``te'' and ``ma'' are represented by one character in the display body in the areas numbered 5-1 and 5-3, respectively. Display it, and in the scaled state, set it to 5-2, 5-4
It may be configured in advance so that it is displayed in the display body of the area.

Effects of the invention As explained above, according to the invention, the following effects can be obtained.

Since the time counter is operated separately from the CPU, there is no need to constantly run the CPU to count seconds or sub-seconds, which consumes a lot of power. Power consumption can be reduced.

As if the CPU were to perform all the time and additional functions, a complex circuit system such as alternate operation or intermittent drive to reduce power consumption would be unnecessary, and the circuit configuration would be simple and compact.

Since a second ROM is provided that can be rewritten using a writing device that allows external input, it is possible to choose from among many functions and incorporate the necessary functions, and the memory capacity is also small, reducing the space occupied by the IC. Can be made smaller.

Since the operation is controlled by a rewritable second ROM, it can be easily changed to one with an operation method suitable for the rewritten function, and an easy-to-use information device can be obtained without changing the IC each time. It's convenient.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the present invention, Figure 2a
is an example of a display as a clock; b, c, and d are diagrams showing an example of the arrangement and configuration of the display; Fig. 3a is an example in which other information is displayed instead of month and date; b is a time display. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between progress and display; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the display is repeated; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing temporally and spatially modulated display; FIGS. 6 a, b 1 shows a situation in which a spatially modulated display is scaled up and down, and c shows the area of the mosaic display used for scaling up and down. 1...Key, 2...Key encoder, 3...
CPU, 4... Speed control section, 5... Display control section, 6... First ROM, 7... Time counting section, 8
...Memory addressing section, 9...Second
ROM, 10...Memory data buffer, 11...
...Display body, 12...Crystal clock pulse generation section,
13... Writing device or coupler.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A small portable information device that is controlled by a CPU system and has a timekeeping function includes a crystal clock pulse generator 12 and a time counter 7 that is connected to the crystal clock pulse generator and counts the clock pulses and outputs the time. , a key 1 for inputting an operation, a key encoder 2 connected to the key and generating an instruction input signal corresponding to the input operation, a first ROM 6 storing information for operation control, calculations, calculated values, and memos. A second device that stores data information such as
The ROM 9 is connected to the second ROM, and the address for retrieving the information stored therein is set to the second ROM.
Memory addressing section 8 that instructs the ROM of
and a memory buffer 1 connected to the second ROM 9 to receive and temporarily hold data information corresponding to a specified address from the memory addressing section.
0, and the CPU is connected to the key encoder, the first ROM, the time counting section, and the memory addressing section, and receives an instruction input signal from the key encoder and reads the instruction input signal. a time setting means for extracting operation control information from the first ROM corresponding to the first ROM and setting time information for the time counter based on the information; A small portable information device having a timekeeping mechanism, further comprising data information reading means for outputting the address corresponding to an instruction input signal to the memory addressing section.