JP2002071856A - Timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a timepiece allowing immediate visual confirmation of a time display, even when the eyes still do not adjust to the surrounding darkness. SOLUTION: This timepiece is provided with a control circuit 301 to illuminate a dial 11 by normal lighting when a dark state is detected by a CdS sensor 14, to set first driving signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 to a pulse width (t×5) which is 5 times as long as a normal time pulse width and successively output the first driving signals DR1-1, to DR1-4 so as to emit each light emitting diode 13-1 to 13-4 in a second luminance level higher than a first luminance level for a normal illumination for fixed time, that is, 10 minutes, for instance, after a detection signal S14 of the CdS sensor 14 detects the dark state and is turned off and to output the first driving signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 by stepwise narrowing the pulse widths of the first driving signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 so as to gradually lower from the second luminance level to the first luminance level after the lapse of 10 minutes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a timepiece which illuminates a time display section when the surroundings are dark to make it easier to see the time display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, table clocks and wall clocks, which illuminate a time display section brightly when the surroundings are dark, have been put to practical use in order to make it easier to see the display time.

[0003] For example, an analog timepiece that brightens a dial uses a light / dark detector such as a CdS cell, and this light / dark detector is attached to the dial, which is a time display section of the clock, or to the side of the body of the clock. Have been placed. Further, for example, a dial as a time display unit is formed of a light guide plate, and a lighting element such as a light emitting diode is disposed inside a frame positioned around the light guide plate. When the surroundings are darkened by the light / dark detecting means (dark state is detected), the lighting element is turned on, and the entire dial is illuminated dimly and brightly.
The time display by hands is easy to see.

[0004]

By the way, the above-mentioned timepiece is configured so that the lighting element is always turned on when a dark state is detected, so that the timepiece is turned on with the minimum necessary brightness from the viewpoint of battery life. You.

[0005] Therefore, for example, when the lighting in the room is turned off and suddenly darkens, when suddenly coming to a dark place, or when waking up while sleeping in a dark place, the surrounding darkness is reduced. Since the eyes are not used to the time, there is a disadvantage that it takes time until the time display becomes visible.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a timepiece in which the time display can be immediately visually recognized even when the eyes are not used to the surrounding darkness. Is to do.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, a timepiece according to the present invention comprises a display means for displaying a time, a display means for receiving a drive signal, and having a luminance corresponding to an applied state of the drive signal. At least one illumination means for illuminating,
When the light and dark detecting means detects light and dark, and when the light and dark detecting means detects a dark state, the light is illuminated at a second luminance level higher than the first luminance level for a predetermined time, and then illuminated at the first luminance level. And control means for outputting the drive signal to the lighting means.

Further, in the present invention, there is provided a human body detecting means for detecting a human body, and the control means illuminates the illumination means at a first luminance level when the human body detecting means detects a human body. Even when the driving signal is output as described above, the driving signal is illuminated for a certain period of time at a second luminance level higher than the first luminance level, and then illuminated at the first luminance level. Output to the lighting means.

Further, in the present invention, the control means includes a second control unit.
When the luminance level is shifted from the luminance level to the first luminance level, the driving signal is output to the illumination means so that the luminance level gradually decreases.

In the present invention, the control means applies the drive signal to the plurality of illumination means at different timings.

Further, in the present invention, the light / dark detection means includes:
While receiving the second drive signal, the controller detects light / dark, and the control means outputs the second drive signal to the light / dark detector to detect light / dark, and the non-output of the second drive signal is not performed. At times, the driving signal is output to the lighting means.

According to the present invention, when the surroundings become dark and the dark state is detected by the light / dark detection means, the control means firstly causes the first brightness level of the normal brightness to be higher than the first brightness level for a certain period of time. A drive signal is output to the illumination means so as to illuminate at a luminance level of 2. As a result, since the display means is illuminated brighter than normal lighting, even if the eyes are not accustomed to the darkness, such as when the room lighting is suddenly darkened, the time is immediately set without any problem. Can be read. Then, when the illumination for a certain period of time at the second luminance level ends, the control unit outputs a drive signal to the illumination unit so as to perform illumination at the first luminance level of normal brightness.

Further, when the human body detecting means detects a human body, even if a driving signal is output so as to illuminate the illuminating means at the first luminance level, the driving signal is output for a certain period of time.
A driving signal is output to the lighting means so as to illuminate with a second luminance level higher than the first luminance level, and then illuminate with the first luminance level. Thus, even when the user suddenly comes to a dark place and the eyes are not used to the darkness, the time can be immediately read without any problem.

For example, when shifting from the second luminance level to the first luminance level, a drive signal is output to the illumination means so that the luminance level gradually decreases. Thereby, the brightness of the illumination does not immediately switch from the second brightness level to the first brightness level but gradually changes, so that while reading the time, the brightness suddenly increases even after a certain time has elapsed. The time can be easily read without change.

Further, according to the present invention, the control means
Driving signals are applied to the plurality of lighting units at different timings. As a result, illumination can be performed without increasing the instantaneous maximum current, and the battery life can be extended.

Also, according to the present invention, the control means
Output timing of the second drive signal to the light / dark detection means,
Control is performed so that the output timing of the drive signal to the illumination means is different. This makes it possible to detect light and dark without being affected by illumination by the illumination means.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a timepiece according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the timepiece according to the present invention.

The timepiece 10 according to the present embodiment has four light emitting diodes as lighting means and C as light / dark detecting means.
It has a dS sensor and an infrared sensor as a human body detecting means.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, light-emitting diodes 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, and 13 as illumination means are provided in a frame 12 around a dial 11.
-4 at equal intervals, for example at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock,
It is arranged corresponding to the 6 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position.

As shown in FIG. 2, a light guide plate 112 is attached to the front of a mounting plate 111, and
As shown in FIG. 1, numerals and marks indicating time are engraved on the surface of 12. Then, the light emitting diodes 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, as lighting means, are mounted on the frame 12 near the periphery (side surface) of the light guide plate 112.
13-4 are attached at equal intervals. The light emitting diodes 13-1 and 13-13 are arranged from the front by the front frame 121.
-2, 13-3 and 13-4 are not visible.

The light guide plate 112 is, for example, a transparent plate having a back surface as an irregular reflection surface, and light is incident on the inside by light emitting diodes 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, and 13-4 arranged at the ends. At this time, the light that has entered inside can be diffusely reflected to the front side by the irregular reflection surface on the back side, and can be seen to emit light when viewed from the front side.

The mounting plate 1 constituting the dial 11
11 includes a CdS sensor 1 as a light / dark detection unit.
4 and an infrared sensor 15 as a human body detecting means are embedded. The front glass 16 is attached to the front side of the dial 11.

The mounting plate 111 and the light guide plate 11
A pointer shaft 17 penetrates through the center of 2, and a pointer serving as a minute hand 18 or an hour hand 19 is attached to the tip of the pointer shaft 17. The timepiece movement 20 is mounted on the back side of the mounting plate 111.

On the back side of the mounting plate 111,
Light emitting diodes 13-1, 13-2 as illumination means,
13-3, 13-4, CdS sensor 14 as light / dark detection means, and infrared sensor 15 as human body detection means
Is provided with a drive control device 30 for controlling the drive.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a timepiece drive control device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drive control device 30
It has pnp bipolar transistors (hereinafter simply referred to as transistors) Q1 to Q4, resistance elements R1 to R9, a control circuit 301, a minute counter 302, a timer 303, and a waveform shaping circuit 304.

The emitter of the transistor Q1 has the power supply voltage V
_The collector is connected to the supply line of _CC , and the collector is connected to the anode of the light emitting diode 13-1 whose cathode is grounded.
1 and the base is connected to the first output terminal O1 of the control circuit 301 via the resistance element R5. The emitter of the transistor Q2 is connected to the supply line of the power supply voltage V _CC, a collector cathode connected via a resistor R2 to the anode of the light emitting diode 13-2 is grounded, the base is via a resistor element R6 control circuit 301 is connected to the second output terminal O2. Transistor Q3
The emitter is connected to the supply line of the power supply voltage V _CC, the light emitting diode 13-3 collector whose cathode is grounded
Of the control circuit 301 is connected to the anode of the control circuit 301 via a resistance element R7.
3 is connected. The emitter of the transistor Q4 is connected to the supply line of the power supply voltage V _CC, a collector cathode connected through a resistor R4 to the anode of the light emitting diode 13-4 which is grounded, the base is via a resistor R8 control circuit 301 is connected to the fourth output terminal O4.

The resistance element R9 is connected between the fifth output terminal O5 of the control circuit 301 and the CdS sensor 14, and the connection point between the resistance element R9 and the CdS sensor 14 is connected to the first input terminal of the control circuit 301. Connected to I1.

The control circuit 301 includes a light emitting diode 13-
Pulse driving of 1 to 13-4 is performed at a period of 10 ms (100 Hz). After 13 minutes, for example, after the detection signal S14 of the CdS sensor 14 detects the dark state and turns off (high level), the control circuit 301 performs the first illumination to perform the normal illumination at the first luminance level after 13 minutes. From the output terminals O1 to Q4, as shown in FIG.
First drive signals DR1-1 to DR1 having a period of 152 μs).
-4 (active at low) are sequentially output at different timings.

When the dark state is detected by the CdS sensor 14, the control circuit 301 constantly illuminates the dial 11 by lighting, but the detection signal S14 of the CdS sensor 14 detects the dark state and turns off. For a certain period of time, for example, 10 minutes, each light emitting diode 13 has a second luminance level higher than the first luminance level for normal illumination.
In order to emit light from -1 to 13-4, as shown in FIG.
The first drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 are set to have a pulse width (t × 5) that is five times that of a normal state and are sequentially output.

Then, after ten minutes have elapsed, the control circuit 301 gradually reduces the first drive signal DR1-1 to DR1-1 so as to gradually decrease from the second luminance level to the first luminance level.
DR1-4 are output with the pulse width narrowed. In particular,
From the lapse of 10 minutes to the 11th minute, as shown in FIG. 6, the first drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 are set to have a pulse width (t × 4) that is four times the normal time and are sequentially output. . From the lapse of 11 minutes to the 12th minute, as shown in FIG. 7, the first drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 are set to have a pulse width (t × 3) that is three times the normal time and are sequentially output. . From the lapse of 12 minutes to the 13th minute, as shown in FIG.
1-1 to DR1-4 are set to twice the pulse width (t ×
Set to 2) and output sequentially. Then, as described above, after 13 minutes have elapsed, the first drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 are set to the normal pulse width (t) and sequentially output as shown in FIG.

The control circuit 301 has a fifth output terminal O
5, as shown in FIG. 9A, the drive signal (second drive signal) DR2 of the CdS sensor 14 having a pulse width of 4 ms every two seconds is supplied to the CdS sensor 1 via the resistance element R9.
4 is output. The CdS sensor 14 performs a light / dark detection operation only while the drive signal DR2 is being supplied, and supplies the detection result to the first input terminal I1 of the control circuit 301 as a signal S14. The detection signal S14 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), when the dark state is detected, the level is high, and when the bright state is detected, the level is low. The reason why the detection cycle of the CdS sensor 14 is set to 4 ms in 2 seconds is to limit the through current by the input intermediate level.

The control circuit 301 has a sixth output terminal O
From FIG. 6, as shown in FIG.
Of the infrared sensor 15 having a pulse width of
(Driving signal) DR3. The infrared sensor 15 detects a human body within a desired range during a period in which the drive signal DR3 is supplied, and the detection signal S15 is output to the waveform shaping circuit 3.
The signal is input to the second input terminal I2 of the control circuit 301 via the signal line 04. Then, the control circuit 301 controls the infrared sensor 1
5, the drive signal DR1-1
DR1 to DR1-4 to drive the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 to illuminate them at the normal first luminance level, as described above, for a certain period of time as described above. The drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-1 are illuminated with the second luminance level higher than the first luminance level, and then gradually decreased in luminance level to illuminate with the first luminance level.
Until the pulse width of R1-4 is 10 minutes, t ×
5, 10 minutes later, t × 4 until 11 minutes, t × 3 from 11 minutes to 12 minutes, t × 3, 1 after 12 minutes
Control is performed to switch to t × 2 until 3 minutes and to t after 13 minutes.

Next, the operation of the drive control device having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in the control circuit 301, the minute counter 3
When it is determined that 10 ms has elapsed based on the output of the timer 303 after the initial setting of each unit (ST1) such as resetting of the 02, it is determined whether the CdS sensor 14 is on, that is, whether or not a bright state is detected. (ST3).

If it is determined in step ST3 that a dark state is detected instead of a bright state, the minute counter 302 counts up (ST4). And, if 10 minutes have not passed (ST5 to ST8),
Drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 whose pulse widths are set to t × 5 in control circuit 301 are sequentially output at different timings (ST9 to ST13). This allows
The transistors Q1 to Q4 are sequentially turned on, and the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 are sequentially controlled to emit light. The light emitted from the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 is incident on the light guide plate 112 constituting the dial 11, and the light guide plate 1
Due to the irregular reflection in the dial 12, the dial 11 is in a state of emitting light in a state brighter than a normal state, and the hands are illuminated.

Next, after waiting for 5.7 ms (ST1)
4) It is determined whether two seconds have elapsed (ST1).
5). If it is determined in step ST15 that two seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step ST2, and the above operation is repeated.

If it is determined in step ST15 that two seconds have elapsed, the second drive signal DR2 having a pulse width of 4 ms is output to the CdS sensor 14 (ST1).
6, ST17), the input of the detection signal S14 is checked, and the output of the drive signal DR2 is stopped (ST1).
8, ST19). Note that a third drive signal DR3 having a pulse width of 0.5 s is output to the infrared sensor 15 in parallel with the output of the drive signal DR2. Then, at this time, it is determined whether or not the CdS sensor 14 has detected a dark state and the infrared sensor 15 has detected a human body (ST).
20). If it is determined in step ST20 that a human body has not been detected, the process proceeds to step ST2. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST20 that a human body has been detected, the minute counter 3
02 is cleared (ST21), and the process proceeds to step ST2. That is, when a human body is detected, the same processing as in the case of the initial setting is performed.

The above operation is repeated, and in step ST5, the drive signal DR1-1 having the pulse width of 10 ms set to t × 5 until it is determined that 10 minutes have passed is determined.
-Light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 by DR1-4
Is driven.

If it is determined in step ST5 that 10 minutes have elapsed, the light-emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 are driven by the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 whose pulse width is set to t × 4. Is performed (ST22, S
T10 to ST21). In step ST6, the drive of the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 by the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 in which the pulse width of 10 ms is set to t × 4 is performed until it is determined that 11 minutes have elapsed. Will be

If it is determined in step ST6 that 11 minutes have elapsed, the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 are driven by the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 whose pulse width is set to t × 3. Is performed (ST23, S
T10 to ST21). Next, in step ST7,
Until it is determined that 12 minutes have elapsed, the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1 in which the pulse width of the 10 ms cycle is set to t × 3
-4 drives the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4.

If it is determined in step ST7 that 12 minutes have elapsed, the light-emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 are driven by the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 whose pulse widths are set to t × 2. Is performed (ST24, S
T10 to ST21). Next, in step ST8,
Until it is determined that 13 minutes have elapsed, the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1 in which the pulse width of the 10 ms cycle is set to t × 2
-4 drives the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4.

If it is determined in step ST8 that 13 minutes have elapsed, the light-emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 are driven by the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 whose pulse widths are set to normal t. Is performed (ST25,
ST10 to ST21).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the CdS sensor 14 detects a dark state, the dial 11 is constantly lit to illuminate the dial 11, but the CdS sensor 1
After the detection signal S14 of No. 4 detects the dark state and turns off, the light emitting diodes 13-1 at a second luminance level higher than the first luminance level for normal illumination for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes. To 13-4, the first drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 are set to have a pulse width (t × 5) that is five times the normal time and are sequentially output. The first drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-1 are gradually increased so as to gradually decrease from the second luminance level to the first luminance level.
Since the control circuit 301 for narrowing and outputting the pulse width of 1-4 is provided, the time can be immediately read without any problem even if the eyes are not used to the surrounding darkness. In addition, since the brightness of the illumination does not immediately switch from the second brightness level to the first brightness level but gradually changes, the brightness changes suddenly even after a certain time elapses while reading the time. The time can be read easily and reliably.

According to the present embodiment, the control circuit 30
1 denotes a light emitting diode 13-1 as a plurality of lighting means
Since the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1-4 are applied at different timings, illumination can be performed without increasing the instantaneous maximum current, and the battery life can be extended.

According to the present embodiment, the control circuit 30
Reference numeral 1 denotes the output timing of the second drive signal DR2 to the CdS sensor 14, and the drive signals DR1-1 to DR1- of the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 as a plurality of lighting units.
4 is controlled so that the output timing is different,
Light and dark can be detected without being affected by illumination by the illumination means, and there is an advantage that light and dark can be detected with high accuracy.

The driving signals DR1-1 to DR1 for the light emitting diodes 13-1 to 13-4 as a plurality of lighting means are provided.
Needless to say, the application control of -4 is not limited to the present embodiment.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the eyes are not used to the surrounding darkness, the time can be read immediately without any problem. In addition, since the brightness of the illumination does not immediately switch from the second brightness level to the first brightness level but gradually changes, the brightness suddenly changes during the reading of the time even if a certain time has elapsed. The time can be easily read without change. In addition, illumination can be performed without increasing the instantaneous maximum current, and the battery life can be extended. Furthermore, there is an advantage that the brightness can be detected without being affected by the illumination by the illumination means, and the brightness can be detected with high accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a timepiece drive control circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining a basic drive signal of the light emitting diode according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining a drive signal for causing the light emitting diode according to the present invention to emit light with high luminance.

6 is a timing chart for explaining a drive signal for causing the light emitting diode according to the present invention to emit light with the next highest luminance in the case of FIG. 5;

7 is a timing chart for explaining a drive signal for causing the light emitting diode according to the present invention to emit light at the next highest luminance in the case of FIG. 6;

8 is a timing chart for explaining a drive signal for causing the light emitting diode according to the present invention to emit light with the next highest luminance in the case of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining drive signals of a CdS sensor and an infrared sensor according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the drive control device of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Clock 11 ... Dial plate 111 ... Mounting plate 112 ... Light guide plate 12 ... Frame body 121 ... Front frame 13-1 to 13-4 ... Light emitting diode (lighting means) 14 ... CdS sensor (light / dark detection means) 15 ... Infrared sensor (Human body detecting means) 17 pointer needle 18 minute hand 19 hour hand 20 movement 30 drive control device Q1-Q4 pnp bipolar transistor R1 R9 resistive element 301 control circuit 302 minute counter 303 timer 304 Waveform shaping circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying time, at least one illuminating means for receiving a drive signal and illuminating the display means with a luminance according to an application state of the drive signal, and a light / dark detection means for detecting light / dark When the light / dark detection means detects a dark state, the light is illuminated for a predetermined time at a second luminance level higher than the first luminance level, and then illuminated at a first luminance level.
A timepiece having control means for outputting the drive signal to the lighting means. 2. A human body detecting means for detecting a human body, wherein the control means, when the human body detecting means detects a human body, drives the illuminating means to illuminate at a first luminance level. Is output at a second luminance level higher than the first luminance level for a certain period of time, and then the driving signal is transmitted to the illuminating means so as to illuminate at the first luminance level. Claim 1 to output
The clock described. 3. The control means outputs the drive signal to the lighting means so that the brightness level gradually decreases when shifting from the second brightness level to the first brightness level. Or the clock described in 2. 4. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein said control means applies said drive signal to said plurality of illumination means at different timings. 5. The light / dark detection means detects light / dark while receiving the second drive signal, and the control means outputs a second drive signal to the light / dark detection means to detect light / dark. 5. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the driving signal is output to the lighting unit when the second driving signal is not output.