JP2002139586A - Radio wave-corrected clock with power generating function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such problems that the load of power consumption is large if periodic automatic receptions are made at normal frequency during in a power saving state, and the time display becomes incorrect when the power saving state is released if the receptions are entirely prohibited. SOLUTION: A receiving operation control means 6 controls a receiving means 4 to periodically reduce the frequency of automatic receptions of standard time radio waves based on the count signals from a counting means 33 and based on the output of a power generation state detecting means 7.

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 with a power generation function having a power generation function and a function of receiving a standard time radio wave and correcting the time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in countries such as Germany, the United States, and Japan, a standard time radio wave in which time information is superimposed on a long standard radio wave of several tens of kHz has been transmitted. For example, in Japan,
A standard time radio wave with superimposed time information transmitted by applying AM modulation to a carrier wave of 40 kHz is transmitted from the Otakadoyamayama standard radio wave transmitting station under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, and this standard time radio wave is used for time correction. A radio-controlled timepiece has been commercialized as this electronic timepiece.

In order to eliminate the need for the user to replace the battery, this radio-controlled timepiece has a power generation function that combines a power generation mechanism such as a solar cell and a rechargeable secondary battery to improve the ease of use for the user. Radio-controlled watches have also been commercialized. Hereinafter, a conventional radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of a conventional radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a conventional radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a power generation unit that generates electric power using energy supplied from the outside, and 2 denotes a storage unit including a secondary battery that is a power source of all circuits. Reference numeral 3 denotes a clock circuit, which includes an oscillating circuit 31, a frequency dividing circuit 32, and time measuring means 33. Reference numeral 4 denotes a receiving unit including an antenna, which receives a standard time radio wave. Reference numeral 5 denotes time display means.
The time is displayed on the basis of the clock signal from 3. Reference numeral 6 denotes a receiving operation control unit, which controls the receiving unit 4 based on a clock signal from the clock unit 33.

Next, the operation of a conventional radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function will be described. The reference signal created by the oscillation circuit 31 is
The frequency is divided by the frequency dividing circuit 32 and input to the time counting means 33. Further, the time information acquired as a result of reception by the receiving means 4 controlled by the receiving operation control means 6 when the time counting means 33 counts a fixed time once a day, for example, is input to the time counting means 33, and accurate time information is input. Corrected to the time. Naturally, the power storage means 2 operates in a state where sufficient energy is stored, and the power generation means 1 constantly generates power under the power generation conditions so as not to stop the operation, and charges the power storage means 2.

[0006] In general, there is an electronic timepiece with a power saving function in a general electronic timepiece with a power generation function in order to extend the time of clock operation when power is not generated or not used. This electronic timepiece with a power saving function is a known technique, and an appropriate known document is Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 5-60075. Hereinafter, a conventional electronic timepiece with a power generation function with a power saving function will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a configuration of a conventional electronic timepiece with a power generation function with a power saving function will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the same components as those of the conventional radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 7 denotes a power generation state detecting means, which detects the presence or absence of power generation based on, for example, a voltage generated by the power generation means 1 and generates an "H" level power generation state signal Sh during power generation and a "L" level power generation state Sh during non-power generation. Output. Reference numeral 8 denotes a time display control unit that outputs a time display control signal Sc based on the power generation state signal Sh. For example, the time display control signal Sc is a signal of “H” level during normal operation and a signal of “L” level during power saving.

Next, the operation of a conventional electronic timepiece having a power generation function with a power saving function will be described. First, when the power generation means 1 is in the power generation state, the power generation state detection means 7 outputs an “H” level power generation state signal Sh. In response to this signal, the time display control means 8 outputs an "H" level time display control signal Sc to the time display means 5, and performs time display based on the time signal from the time means 33.

Here, when the power generation means 1 is in the non-power generation state, the power generation state detection means 7 outputs an "L" level power generation state signal Sh, and if this continues for a certain period of time, the time display control means 8 outputs "L". "Level time display control signal Sc
Is output to the time display means 5. The time display means 5 receives the time display control signal Sc and stops the time display operation.
Even if it has been placed for a long time in a state where no power is generated, when it is placed again in a power generation state, the timekeeping means 3 is maintained even during the power saving state.
Since the time measurement of 3 is continued, the correct time can be displayed again.

[0010] Therefore, even in the case of a radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function, if no power generation continues for a certain period of time or more, the time display and various function displays are stopped to use the power saving function described above. It is possible to make the clock operation time as long as possible when not generating power or when not in use.

[0011]

By the way, when a power saving function is added to a radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function as described above,
In the power-saving state, for example, when trying to receive standard time radio waves automatically at a fixed time once a day, for example, the power consumption at the time of reception increases as a power-saving load and the clock operation time is shortened. become. Therefore, there is also a method to prohibit the operation of automatically receiving the standard time radio wave at a regular time in the power saving state.In this case, the load of power consumption is reduced, but after a long time without power generation, When the power-saving state is canceled by returning to the power-generating state, the time displayed again may not be accurate due to the accuracy of quartz.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to extend the clock operation time by minimizing power consumption even in a power saving state, and to return to a power generation state after being left for a long time without power generation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function capable of displaying an accurate time even when the power saving state is released.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a power generating means for generating power from energy supplied from the outside, a power storing means for storing the power generated by the power generating means, and a reference signal. An oscillation circuit to be created, a frequency dividing circuit for inputting and dividing the reference signal, a time measuring means for measuring time by a signal from the frequency dividing circuit, and a time displaying means for displaying a time measured by the time measuring means. Receiving a standard time radio wave in an electronic timepiece having power generation state detection means for detecting the power generation state of the power generation means, and time display control means for controlling the driving of the time display means by the output of the power generation state detection means; Receiving means and receiving operation control means for controlling the operation of the receiving means, wherein the receiving operation control means reduces the power consumption of the receiving means based on the output of the power generation state detecting means; Characterized in that the Gosuru.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the same components as those of the conventional radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function and the conventional electronic timepiece with a power generation function with a power saving function are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Figure
In 1, the receiving operation control means 6 receives the signal from the time keeping means 33 and the power generation state signal Sh from the power generation state detecting means 7 and outputs a signal to the receiving means 4. When the power generation state signal Sh is at "H" level, the receiving operation control means 6 is controlled so that the receiving means 4 automatically performs reception at a fixed time, for example, once a day. Means 4 for example 10 days
Reception operation control means 6 so that reception is automatically performed at the time of rerouting.
Is controlled.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, when the power generation means 1 is in the power generation state, the power generation state detection means 7 outputs an “H” level power generation state signal Sh. In response to this signal, the time display control means 8 outputs an “H” level time display control signal Sc to the time display means 5. When the power generation state signal Sh is at “H” level, the reception operation control means 6 automatically receives the standard time radio wave at a fixed time based on the clock signal from the clock means 33 once a day. Control. The time information obtained by the reception is output to the clock means 33, and the clock means 33 is corrected to an accurate time. The time is displayed by the time display means 5 based on the clock signal of the clock means 33.

Next, when the power generation means 1 is in the non-power generation state, the power generation state detection means 7 outputs an "L" level power generation state signal Sh. 8 outputs an “L” level time display control signal Sc to the time display means 5. Here, when the power generation state signal Sh is at the “L” level, the reception operation control means 6 does not perform automatic reception every time even if the time is set based on the clock signal from the clock means 33, and does not perform the automatic reception.
Control is performed so that the receiving means 4 is activated once every 0 days. The time information obtained by the reception is counted
However, when the time display control signal Sc is at the “L” level, the time display based on the timekeeping means 33 is not performed.
Continue to stop the display. Even if it has been placed for a long time without power generation, when it is placed again in power generation status, the timekeeping of the timekeeping means 33 is continued even during the power saving state, so that the correct time can be displayed again. is there.

When the time display method is a pointer, a long-term stop may not be preferable in consideration of a mechanical pointer driving structure of the electronic timepiece. So, every 10 days
When performing automatic reception at the time of rerouting, for example, if the pointer operation is performed to the degree that the pointer is made to make a full circle, the reliability of the pointer operation will be improved even when used after a long-term power saving state.

In the above embodiment, the control of the automatic reception frequency at regular time in the power saving state has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by shortening one reception time for receiving time information, or by controlling to acquire only part of the time information to be received,
Reducing power consumption is also included in the present invention.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, by reducing the frequency of regular automatic reception in the power saving state, the power consumption due to the reception operation is suppressed as much as possible, the clock operation time is lengthened, and the power consumption is reduced. After a long time in
Accurate time display can be performed even when the power-saving state is canceled by returning to the power-generating state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conventional radio-controlled timepiece with a power generation function.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conventional electronic timepiece with a power generation function with a power saving function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power generation means 2 Power storage means 3 Clock circuit 31 Oscillation circuit 32 Frequency dividing circuit 1 Clocking means 4 Receiving means 5 Time display means 1 Reception operation control means 2 Power generation state detection means 3 Time display control means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) 2F002 AA05 AA06 AA07 AE00 AE01 AE04 BB04 CB01 CB11 DA00 EB00 ED02 FA16 FA19 GA04 GA06 2F083 AA00 AA07 CC02 DD12 DD20 JJ10 JJ12 JJ13 JJ14 JJ14 H01 JJ06 H01 JJ06 H01 BB06 LL02 LL03

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A power generating means for generating power by energy supplied from the outside, a power storage means for storing power generated by the power generating means, an oscillation circuit for generating a reference signal, and dividing the frequency by inputting the reference signal. A frequency dividing circuit, a time measuring means for measuring time by a signal from the frequency dividing circuit, a time displaying means for displaying a time measured by the time measuring means, and a power generation state detecting means for detecting a power generation state of the power generating means. An electronic timepiece having time display control means for controlling driving of the time display means based on an output of the power generation state detection means; receiving means for receiving a standard time radio wave; and reception operation control for controlling the operation of the reception means. Means, and the receiving operation control means performs control so as to reduce the power consumption of the receiving means based on the output of the power generation state detecting means. Total.