EP0764895B1 - Générateur sonore, notamment pour pièce d'horlogerie - Google Patents

Générateur sonore, notamment pour pièce d'horlogerie Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0764895B1
EP0764895B1 EP96114707A EP96114707A EP0764895B1 EP 0764895 B1 EP0764895 B1 EP 0764895B1 EP 96114707 A EP96114707 A EP 96114707A EP 96114707 A EP96114707 A EP 96114707A EP 0764895 B1 EP0764895 B1 EP 0764895B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sound generator
generator according
capacitor
current mirror
control
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96114707A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0764895A1 (fr
Inventor
Rudolf Bugmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Original Assignee
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG, Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches filed Critical Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Publication of EP0764895A1 publication Critical patent/EP0764895A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0764895B1 publication Critical patent/EP0764895B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G13/00—Producing acoustic time signals
    • G04G13/02—Producing acoustic time signals at preselected times, e.g. alarm clocks
    • G04G13/021—Details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/02—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos
    • G10H1/04—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation
    • G10H1/053—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only
    • G10H1/057—Means for controlling the tone frequencies, e.g. attack or decay; Means for producing special musical effects, e.g. vibratos or glissandos by additional modulation during execution only by envelope-forming circuits

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a generator sound system comprising an acoustic system having preferably a piezoelectric element or electromagnetic as a transducer of the sounds to be produced.
  • the invention relates to a sound generator intended to generate a short melody so, for example, that it can be used as an alarm in a timepiece.
  • a sound generator of this type is known from the patent US 4,567,806.
  • the acoustic system here a sound transducer
  • a controlled current source such as a semiconductor component whose electrode command receives a melody signal composed of pulses having the frequency of the musical note to be produced and of which the amplitude is gradually decreasing during one predetermined evanescent time. This decrease is planned to improve the sound quality of the note produced and allows this quality to be compared to that of which the human ear is used to when listening of certain musical instruments.
  • the evanescence of the note produced is obtained in providing in the control circuit of the semiconductor component a capacity that is charged whenever a note must be produced and discharged during the time of production of the note that is to say to the rhythm of the frequency of this note and with amplitude pulses decreasing.
  • This form of control signal occurs naturally echoes in the main circuit of the semiconductor component and, consequently, in the sound transducer.
  • An object of the invention is to propose a generator sound of the kind briefly described above, but lacking of the disadvantages mentioned.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide such a generator which is inexpensive and easy to achieve.
  • the subject of the invention is therefore a sound generator, especially to serve as an alarm in a room watchmaking, intended to generate sounds at amplitude variable, and including an acoustic system mounted in series with a controlled current source, the electrode control of said controlled current source being connected to a control circuit comprising a capacity and capable of providing a control signal having a frequency determining the note to be produced and having a envelope corresponding to said variable amplitude, said generator being characterized in that said circuit control also includes a programmable current mirror whose output branch supplies said control electrode, and an input branch of which is connected in series with said capacity.
  • the sound generator is intended more particularly to be incorporated as alarm generator in a wristwatch, alarm to reproduce a series of notes forming a melody.
  • the generator sound comprises a first part 1 advantageously integrated with the watch circuit on the same chip semiconductor material.
  • a second part 2 is made with discrete components for which must therefore each find room in the movement of the watch. We naturally try to reduce this place necessary as much as possible.
  • This second part 2 of the sound generator comprises an acoustic system A comprising a transducer 3, of preferably piezoelectric, connected in parallel to a self 4 which is intended, in a manner known per se, for produce an overvoltage on the transducer 3, each time applied pulse.
  • This parallel mounting of the transducer 3 and the choke 4 is connected in series with the collector-emitter path of a current source controlled, for example a bipolar transistor 5 of the type NPN, and intended as a discrete component.
  • the emitter of this bipolar transistor 5 is connected to the ground, while a battery 6 is connected between the assembly in aforementioned parallel and ground.
  • the sound transducer 3 can also be of the type electromagnetic.
  • a capacitor 7 called “envelope capacity” is connected between terminal 8 of part 1 of the sound generator and ground.
  • This part 1 comprises two other terminals by means of which it is connected to part 2.
  • One of them, referenced 9 is connected to the base of the transistor 5, while the other terminal, referenced 10, is connected to the battery positive terminal 6.
  • the latter supplies the supply potential V DD of all the functional units of part 1 of the integrated circuit.
  • the other supply potential V SS is grounded. All the power connections of these functional units are clearly shown in the diagram in FIG. 1 and they will therefore not be discussed further in the following.
  • the sound generator includes a current mirror programmable realized using MOS transistors and generally designated by the reference 11.
  • This mirror of current has an output branch 12 in which the source-drain paths are inserted, respectively drain-source of three transistors, namely a transistor M2 type P (the mirror output), a transistor M1 of P type also and an N type M3 transistor (the switches).
  • Terminal 9 is connected to the node between transistors M2 and M3 and therefore controls the electrode command, which is in the example therefore the basis, of bipolar transistor 5.
  • the output 12 of the current mirror 11 thus provides the base-emitter current of this transistor.
  • the current mirror 11 also includes three input branches 13, 14 and 15 qualified respectively of "long”, “medium” and “short” in this description for reasons that will appear in the following this one.
  • the first 13 of these input branches, the branch "long”, also includes in series the source-drain paths, drain-source respectively of three transistors, know a P type M5 transistor (the mirror input), a transistor M4, also of type P and a transistor M6 of type N (switches).
  • the gates of the transistors M1, M3 and M4 are connected to each other by forming a node 16.
  • the gates of the transistors M2 and M5 are connected to each other and also to the drain of the transistor M5.
  • the gate of transistor M6 is connected to a circuit of two inverters 17 and 18 in series, the input of which is connected to a terminal 19 called “long drive " leading outwards from this part of the integrated circuit.
  • the drain of transistor M6 is connected to a node 20, the input of the current mirror, to which terminal 8 is also connected, in other words the envelope capacity 7.
  • the middle drive branch 14 comprises the source-drain series paths of two P-type transistors M7 and M8.
  • the gate of transistor M8 is also connected to this node 20.
  • a similar arrangement is planned for branch 15 short attack and it includes the transistors M9 and M10.
  • the transistors M2, M5, M8 and M10 therefore form a mirror programmable current.
  • Programming is done using transistors M7 and M9.
  • the grids of the M1 transistors, M3 and M4 are connected to a control terminal 21 called of "melody", by means of two inverters 22 and 23 in series.
  • the gates of the transistors M7 and M9 are respectively connected to the outputs of two NAND gates 24 and 25.
  • the first inputs of these gates are connected to the output of the inverter 22.
  • the other input of the NAND gate 24 is connected to a control terminal 26 "medium attack " .
  • the other input of the NAND gate 25 is connected to the output of an inverter 27 whose input is connected to the output of a NAND gate 28.
  • a first input of the latter is connected to the terminal 26, while the other input of this door is connected to a terminal 29 "short drive".
  • the melody signal is applied to terminal 21. It can be generated for example by a counter of pulses (not shown) which successively provides pulse trains of predetermined duration and appropriate frequencies to reproduce notes from the desired melody.
  • the corresponding signal is applied via the inverters 22 and 23 on the grids of the transistors M1, M3 and M4 and through NAND gates 24, 25 on the grids of the transistors M7 and M9. Entrance and the output of the current mirror 11 are therefore activated and deactivated at the rate of these pulse trains.
  • the transistor M6 is connected to the input 20 of the current mirror 11 and is connected in parallel to the envelope capacitor 7.
  • the potential of terminal 19 can pass from the potential V DD to the potential V SS and vice versa. As long as it remains at the potential V DD , the transistor M6 is conductive, therefore the input 20 of the current mirror is forced to V SS , and the capacitor 7 is short-circuited; the envelope function is thus inhibited.
  • the terminals 26 and 29 being forced to V SS , the application of the potential V SS to the terminal 19 has the effect of rendering the transistor M6 non-conductive so that the capacitor 7, hitherto discharged, is charged by means of '' a series of current pulses flowing in the first input branch 13 of the current mirror 11. These current pulses have an amplitude varying from one pulse to another depending on the charge curve of the capacitor 7.
  • this branch 13 can be assimilated to an RC circuit, in combination with the capacitor 7.
  • the ratio of the currents that can flow in the respective branches 12 and 13 of the mirror 11 is determined by construction based on ratios dimensions of the transistors that make up the mirror.
  • the train pulses flowing into the base of the transistor bipolar 5 has an envelope of the same shape as that of the branch 13 current. This in turn is reflected in the main circuit of transistor 5 of so that transducer 3 also receives a train of identical-looking pulses.
  • the branches 14 and 15 make it possible to modify the ratio of the current mirror 11 as a function of the control signals applied to the terminals 26 and 29. For example, if the average attack is chosen by forcing the terminal 26 to the potential V DD , the branch 14 is connected in parallel to the branch 13. As a result, the ratio of the mirror and therefore also of the currents will be reduced as a function of the dimensional relationships chosen for the transistors of the three branches 12, 13 and 14 then active. You can choose a ratio of 7, for example.
  • FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, the shapes waves obtained by replacing the transducer 3 and the self 4 by the equivalent resistance of the self.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Control Of Electrical Variables (AREA)
EP96114707A 1995-09-21 1996-09-13 Générateur sonore, notamment pour pièce d'horlogerie Expired - Lifetime EP0764895B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH02669/95A CH689243B5 (fr) 1995-09-21 1995-09-21 Générateur sonore, notamment pour pièce d'horlogerie.
CH2669/95 1995-09-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0764895A1 EP0764895A1 (fr) 1997-03-26
EP0764895B1 true EP0764895B1 (fr) 1999-04-21

Family

ID=4238914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96114707A Expired - Lifetime EP0764895B1 (fr) 1995-09-21 1996-09-13 Générateur sonore, notamment pour pièce d'horlogerie

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US5668783A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
EP (1) EP0764895B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JP4037930B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA2186069A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH689243B5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE69602146T2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SG (1) SG63663A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
TW (1) TW317630B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4236437A (en) * 1979-03-26 1980-12-02 Kimball International, Inc. Organ brass pulse keyer
JPS57211087A (en) * 1981-06-22 1982-12-24 Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd Boosting circuit of electronic timepiece element
JPS5946691A (ja) * 1982-09-09 1984-03-16 セイコーエプソン株式会社 音響発生回路
US4796503A (en) * 1987-06-15 1989-01-10 Industrial Technology Research Institute Amplification circuit for electronic tone generator
US5493543A (en) * 1994-11-07 1996-02-20 Timex Corporation Capacitive charge pump driver circuit for piezoelectric alarm

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH689243B5 (fr) 1999-07-15
HK1013691A1 (en) 1999-09-03
US5668783A (en) 1997-09-16
JP4037930B2 (ja) 2008-01-23
DE69602146D1 (de) 1999-05-27
CA2186069A1 (en) 1997-03-22
TW317630B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1997-10-11
JPH09127269A (ja) 1997-05-16
EP0764895A1 (fr) 1997-03-26
SG63663A1 (en) 1999-03-30
DE69602146T2 (de) 1999-11-18
CH689243GA3 (fr) 1999-01-15

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