JP2003035788A - Electronic timepiece and its drive method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a controller (CPU) from falling in malfunction state of microcomputer by making driving the power consumption to exceed accumulated power in the case that the controller (CPU) drives an hour and minute hands drive part from a forced microcomputer stopping state of output voltage in a power save 2 state (PS2). SOLUTION: In the power save 2 state (SP2), the controller 121 detects the output voltage of a secondary battery 113 or primary battery 213 with a voltage detection means 114. In the case of the output voltage of 1.25 V or less, the controller 121 switches the state of the electronic timepiece to a power save 1 state (PS1).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to power saving of an electronic timepiece, and more particularly to an electronic timepiece using a power save function and a driving method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electric energy for driving a pointer of an electronic timepiece is generally composed of a primary battery such as a button battery or a power generating means such as photoelectric power generation by a solar cell or thermoelectric power generation by a heat element and the generated electric energy. It is supplied from either one or both of the secondary batteries having a storage means for storing electricity. In addition, electronic timepieces stop the movement of hands temporarily to minimize energy consumption for the purpose of power saving in response to voltage drop of the power supply when not in use or when non-power generation state continues for a long time. It has a power save function. With these functions, the electronic timepiece can be used for a long period of time even in a non-power generation state.

A conventional electronic timepiece having the above power saving function and its driving method will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system block diagram using a secondary battery of an electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art. FIG. 4 shows that the remaining time of the battery of the electronic timepiece according to the invention and the related art is fully charged (L
3) An external view showing a state. FIG. 5 is an external view showing a state in which the remaining battery capacity of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art is in the medium charge (L2) state. FIG. 6 is an external view showing a state where the battery of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art has a low remaining capacity (L1). FIG. 7 is an external view showing the state (PS1) of the power save 1 of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art. FIG. 8 is an external view showing the state (PS2) of the power save 2 of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art. FIG. 9 is an external view showing a charging warning state by a liquid crystal display of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art. FIG. 10 is an external view showing a charging warning state by the hands (second hand) of the electronic timepiece according to the invention and the related art. FIG. 11 is a system block diagram using a primary battery of an electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a conventional output voltage drop. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a method of driving an electronic timepiece using a conventional secondary battery.

As shown in FIG. 1, this electronic timepiece 100 is shown.
Is a power supply device 110, which is a solar cell power generation that converts light energy into electric energy, an automatic winding power generation that converts mechanical energy of a rotary weight into electrical energy, or a thermocouple is laminated to generate power by a temperature difference between both ends thereof. Power generation means 111 including temperature difference power generation, and this power generation means 111
The generated power obtained from the above is stored in the secondary battery 113, and the electronic timepiece 100 is driven by the stored voltage.

Next, the control device (CPU) 121 of the control means 120 for timing or calculating time information or function information of the electronic timepiece 100 and outputting time information or function information for outputting information is connected to these. RAM1
22 and processing and storage of various generated data incremented by the ROM 123. In addition, the control device (C
The PU) 121 controls the display of the display unit 130 connected to them, which is capable of analog display and digital display.
The display means 130 is provided with an hour / minute display section 131 composed of an hour hand h and a minute hand m and a second display section 132 composed of a second hand s as an analog display, and a liquid crystal display section 133 as a digital display. Further, it has an operation switch 140 for operating the control device (CPU) 121 in conjunction with the crown.

Next, the output voltage reduction and power saving function of the electronic timepiece 100 will be described. Usually, electronic timepiece 10
0 is the voltage detection means 11 based on the control of the control means 120.
When 4 detects that the output voltage is 1.4 V or more, the liquid crystal display unit 133 that displays the hour and minute LCDs while displaying the hour and minute hands and the second hand in the normal operation state is displayed. However, when the power generation means 111 is a solar cell power generation, the light is blocked for some reason, so that the power generation detection means 112 causes the power generation means 111 to generate non-power generation for 2 seconds, which is the power generation deterioration detection information, six times, and detects it. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the second hand s is stopped at the 12 o'clock position and the liquid crystal display unit 133 is in the non-display state, which is the first power saving operation state in which the power consumption is lower than the normal operation state. Set to the power save 1 state (PS1). This power save 1 state (PS1) is canceled under the following conditions.
That is, the power generation detection means 112 detects the power generation state of the power generation means 111, or a release means (not shown) provided in advance.
Is released by a predetermined switch operation of the operation switch 140.

Next, the state of the power save 2 will be described. The electronic timepiece 100 is in a non-power generation state in which the light of the solar cell power generation which is the power generation means 111 is continuously cut off without releasing the state (PS1) of the power save 1 which is the first power saving operation state. In addition to the state of power save 1 (PS1) (second hand s stopped and liquid crystal display unit 133 not displayed), when the non-power generation state is continuously detected after four hours after midnight, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the minute hand m and the hour hand h are stopped at the 12 o'clock position, and the state of the power save 2 is the second power saving operation state (PS1) that consumes less power than the state of the power save 1 (PS1) described above.
2). This PS2 is canceled under the following conditions. That is, the power generation detecting means 112 is released by detecting the power generation state of the power generating means 111.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, an electronic timepiece 100 is provided.
When the output voltage of the secondary battery 113, which is the driving energy source, is detected to be 1.25 V or less, the charging warning display state is entered, and the charging warning display (CHARGE) 134 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 133 as shown in FIG. Displayed to prompt the user to charge. (In this FIG. 9 as well, the second hand s is in a stopped state when the output voltage of the secondary battery 113 is 1.25 V or less.) Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a charging warning display (CHARGE) 134 is provided. Alternatively, by stopping the second hand s at the predetermined charging warning display position 135, it is possible to display the charging warning prompting the charging.

Further, when the output voltage of the secondary battery 113 is further lowered from the charge warning display state described above to fall below the output voltage of 1.15 V, the microcomputer is forced to stop. In this state, the control device (CPU) 12 of the control means 120
In No. 1, in order to prevent the output voltage 0.9V which is in the inoperable state of the microcomputer from being interrupted, only the minimum necessary operation of the oscillation circuit in the control means 120 is performed.
If the output voltage is 0.9 V or less, the controller (CP
U) 121 becomes uncontrollable and does not function as an electronic timepiece. Also, even if the battery is charged from this state, the time does not automatically return to normal.

Next, a method of driving the electronic timepiece 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be explained. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the conventional embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a driving method of the electronic timepiece 100 according to the conventional embodiment. In this flowchart, step S7 and step S
19 corresponds to PS2 in FIG. Further, steps S11, S13 and S15 correspond to the remaining capacity display of the secondary battery 113 in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, respectively,
Further, step S16 corresponds to the charging warning display state of FIGS. 9 and 10. Hereinafter, a driving method of the conventional electronic timepiece 100 will be described with reference to this flowchart.

First, the control device 121 refers to the contents of the set initial value. When the flag F1 is "0" which is the initial value, it is determined that the state is not the power save 1 state (PS1), and when it is "1", the state of the power save 1 (PS
It is determined to be 1). Similarly, the flag F2 is in the power save 2 state (PS2) when the initial value is "0".
If it is not “1”, it is determined to be in the power save 2 state (PS2). Therefore, in step S1, both the flag F1 and the flag F2 are initialized and set to the initial value "0", so that the electronic timepiece 100 first executes the normal hand movement.

Next, in step S2, the control device 121 determines whether or not the hand movement state of the electronic timepiece 100 is in the power save 1 state (PS1) "ON" condition described above. If the determination result is “YES”, the flag F2 is determined in step S3.
Is set to the value "1", and then is there a PS2 "ON" condition in step S4? To judge. And the judgment result is "YES"
If it is, the process proceeds to step S5. However, if the determination result is “NO”, the process proceeds to step S6. On the contrary, when the result of the determination is "NO", which is "0", it is determined in step S6 whether or not the hand movement state of the electronic timepiece 100 is the flag F2 = 1.

Further, the control device 121 confirms the values of the flags F1 and F2 in step S5 and sets the flag F2 to the value "1".
Is set, the value "0" is set in the flag F1, and the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the value of the flag F2 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the value is "1". If the determination result is "YES", it is determined to be PS2, and the hour hand h, as shown in FIG. The minute hand m and the second hand s are stopped at the 12 o'clock position, the flow proceeds to step S7, hour and minute counting is performed, and the RAM 122 continues to count the current time and hour. Further, the process proceeds to step S19, and the current time of the second is stored in the RAM 122.
The count continues at step S20 and the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the power generation detecting means 11
Does 2 have power generation? If the result is "YES", the process returns to step S1. If the determination result is "NO", the process proceeds to step S21. Is there a switch operation in step S21? If the judgment result is “YES”, the step S
22, the value of the flag F1 is set to "0" in step S22, and the process returns to step S2. If the determination result is "NO", the value of the flag F1 remains "1" in step S2.
Return to.

On the other hand, in step S6, the determination result is "NO".
If it is (not in the PS2 state), the process proceeds to step S8, the value of the flag F1 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the value is "1". If the determination result is "YES", the control device 121 performs the hour / minute hand normal hand movement in step S9. If the determination result in step S8 is "NO", the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the controller 12
Reference numeral 1 denotes the output voltage of the secondary battery 113, which is a voltage detecting means 114.
It is determined whether or not the output voltage is 1.4 V or more as a result of the detection in step 1. If the determination result is “YES”, step S11
As shown in FIG. 4, the remaining power display unit L of the liquid crystal display unit 133 displays the segments L3 (SEG.L3) and L2 as a result of the processing of steps S13 and S15.
(SEG.L2) and L1 (SEG.L1) are all displayed,
It indicates that the secondary battery 113 is fully charged. Then, the process proceeds to step S17, the second hand is normally moved, and the process proceeds to step S18.

However, in step S10, the determination result is "N
If it is “O”, that is, if the output voltage is less than 1.4 V, the process proceeds to step S12, and the control device 121 detects the output voltage of the secondary battery 113 again by the voltage detection means 114, and outputs the output voltage 1. Determine if it is 3V or higher. When the determination result is “YES”, the process proceeds to step S13, and as a result of the process of step S15 thereafter, the remaining power display unit L of the liquid crystal display unit 133 displays the segment L2 as shown in FIG.
(SEG.L2) and L1 (SEG.L1) are displayed to show that the secondary battery 113 is still in the charging state. And
In step S17, the second hand is normally moved to step S1.
Go to 8.

However, in step S12, the determination result is "N
If it is “O”, that is, if the output voltage is smaller than 1.3 V, the process proceeds to step S14, and the control device 121 detects the output voltage of the secondary battery 113 again by the voltage detection means 114, and outputs the output voltage 1. Judge whether it is 25V or more. If the determination result is “YES”, the process proceeds to step S15, and as shown in FIG. 6, the remaining capacity display portion L of the liquid crystal display portion 133 is displayed.
Only the segment L1 (SEG.L1) of No. 1 is displayed, indicating that the charge capacity of the secondary battery 113 is small. Then, the process proceeds to step S17, the second hand is normally moved, and the process proceeds to step S18.

Further, in step S14, the judgment result is "N
If it is “O”, that is, if the output voltage is smaller than 1.25 V, the control device 121 displays the charging warning display (CHARGE) 134 in the segment (SEG.) Display as shown in FIG. Prompt a warning. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to stop the second hand s at a predetermined charging warning display position 135 to give a charging warning. This display method causes the charging warning display (CHARGE) 134 as described above. Compared to the segment (SEG.) Display method, the amount of power consumption can be slightly reduced because the liquid crystal is not driven. Also, step S1
After the charging warning is issued in step 6, the process proceeds to step S18, the hour and minute hands are normally moved, the hour and minute LCD is displayed, and the process returns to step S1. After that, the above is repeated.

[0020]

However, the conventional electronic timepiece 100 described above has the following problems. When the electronic timepiece 100 is driven in the power save 2 state (PS2) and the voltage detecting means 114 detects the voltage drop detection information of the output voltage 1.25V or less, the power save 2 state (PS2) continues. Although the drive state is kept in the power save 2 state (PS1), this is a preferable method considering the drive power consumption in the power save 2 state (PS2). For example, the output voltage is 1.15 V or less and 0.9 V or more. In the microcomputer forced stop state during the period, the control device (CPU) 121 activates the automatic time return function when the output voltage is slightly charged from around 0.9V, and the hour / minute hand drive unit 131 drives the hour hand h and the minute hand m. If the driving power consumption exceeds the power stored by charging the secondary battery 113 by the power generation means 111, the output voltage is 0.9 V or less. Issued by the control means 120
However, there is a drawback that the electronic timepiece 100 loses functions such as time information and function information due to the microcomputer becoming inoperable.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above problems, and its purpose is to make an electronic timepiece 1
00 is in the microcomputer forced stop state between the output voltage 1.15V or less and the output voltage 0.9V or more by the voltage detection means 114, and even if the battery 00 is slightly charged from around the output voltage 0.9V, the microcomputer is inoperable. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece and a driving method thereof.

[0022]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electronic timepiece according to the present invention comprises a display means for displaying the result of measuring or calculating time information or function information, and operation control of the electronic timepiece. For controlling the control means, a power supply device for driving the electronic timepiece, and a voltage drop detection means for generating voltage drop detection information when the voltage of the power supply device drops below a predetermined voltage. Based on one of the normal operation state, the first power saving operation state that consumes less power than the normal operation state, and the second power saving operation state that consumes less power than the first power saving operation state The electronic timepiece is configured to switch the driving state from the second power saving operating state to the first power saving operating state when the voltage drop detection information is generated during driving in the second power saving operating state. The features.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, in the electronic timepiece according to the present invention, the display means is composed of a plurality of display portions, and the second power saving operation state is more than the first power saving operation state. Is configured so that the plurality of display units are stopped more.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, in the electronic timepiece according to the present invention, the second power saving operation state is stopped in the first power saving operation state and the second power saving operation state is in the second power saving operation state. It is characterized in that it is configured such that either one of the minute information display portion and the hour information display portion is stopped in addition to the above.

In order to achieve the above object, the electronic timepiece and the driving method thereof according to the present invention display time information or function information for measuring or calculating time information or function information and outputting the information. Display means, control means for controlling the operation of the timepiece circuit, a power supply device for driving an electronic timepiece, and a voltage drop that generates voltage drop detection information when the voltage of the power supply device drops below a predetermined voltage. And a normal operating state based on the control of the control means, a first power saving operating state that consumes less power than the normal operating state, and a second power saving that consumes less power than the first power saving operating state. In the electronic timepiece that is driven in any one of the power saving operation states, when the voltage drop detection information is generated during driving in the second power saving operation state, the first power saving operation is performed from the second power saving operation state. Characterized in that the drive control to the energy-saving operating condition so as to switch the drive state.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an electronic timepiece and a driving method thereof according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The detailed description of the same configuration as the conventional configuration will be omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, an electronic timepiece 100 is provided.
When the output voltage is detected to be 1.25 V or less, the charging warning display state is displayed, and as shown in FIG.
A charging warning display (CHARGE) 134 is digitally displayed on the screen to prompt the user to charge. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, by stopping the second hand s at a predetermined charging warning display position 135, a charging warning display prompting charging can be performed.

When the output voltage (V) of the secondary battery 113 falls below the output voltage 1.15V, the microcomputer is forcibly stopped and the control device (CPU) 121 of the control means 120 is
The microcomputer is inoperable. In order to prevent the output voltage 0.9V from being interrupted, only the minimum necessary operation is performed. However, when the output voltage is 0.9 V or less, the control device (CPU) 121 becomes uncontrollable, and the time does not automatically return to normal even if it is charged from this state.

Next, a method of driving the electronic timepiece 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 12. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a driving method of an electronic timepiece using the secondary battery according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a driving method of an electronic timepiece using the primary battery according to the present invention.

A method of driving the electronic timepiece 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 12. In FIG. 3, the same elements as those in the flowchart of FIG. 13 of the conventional electronic timepiece driving method are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

When the result of the determination in step S21 is "NO", that is, when there is no switch operation, the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the control device 121 detects the output voltage of the secondary battery 113 or the primary battery 213 by the voltage detection means 114, and outputs the output voltage of 1.25.
It is determined whether it is V or more. If the determination result is “YES”, the process proceeds to step S24, and in step S24, both the flag F1 and the flag F2 are set to the value “0”, and the state of power save 2 (PS2) is switched to the state of power save 1 (PS1). . Returning to step S2, normal hand movement is executed. Further, in step S23, the determination result is "N
When it is “O”, that is, when the output voltage is lower than 1.25 V, the process directly returns to step S2. After that, the above is repeated.

As described above, according to the electronic timepiece and the driving method thereof of the present invention, the state of power save 2 (PS
The control device (CPU) that is 2) switches to the power save 1 state (PS1) when the output voltage of the secondary battery detects 1.25 V or less. At this point, the hour hand and minute hand return to the current time, and the voltage drop thereafter causes the control unit (CPU) to set the automatic time from the output voltage of 0.9V or more from the microcomputer forced stop state of 0.9V or more and the output voltage of 1.15V or less. Since the power consumption for driving the hour hand and the minute hand to the current time does not occur when the reset function is activated, the power consumption does not exceed the stored power due to charging the secondary battery by the power generation means, and therefore, the output voltage near 0.9V If the control unit (CPU) can provide an electronic timepiece and a driving method thereof that are less likely to be in a microcomputer inoperable state even if the automatic time recovery function is activated, the power generating means is a primary battery. In comparison with the conventional primary battery, it is possible to significantly extend the time to the microcomputer inoperable state where the output voltage is 0.9 V or less.

[0033]

As described above, the present invention is effective in avoiding the control circuit of an electronic timepiece from becoming inoperable or achieving a longer life of the timepiece.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram using a secondary battery of an electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an output voltage drop of the electronic timepiece according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of driving an electronic timepiece using the secondary battery according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing a state in which the remaining battery capacity of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art is fully charged (L3).

FIG. 5 is an external view showing a state where the remaining capacity of the battery of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art is in the middle charge (L2) state.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a state where the battery of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art has a low remaining capacity (L1).

FIG. 7 is an external view showing a state (PS1) of a power save 1 of the electronic timepiece according to the invention and the related art.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing a state (PS2) of power save 2 of the electronic timepiece according to the invention and the related art.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing a charging warning state by a liquid crystal display of the electronic timepiece according to the invention and the related art.

FIG. 10 is an external view showing a charging warning state by the hands (second hand) of the electronic timepiece according to the invention and the related art.

FIG. 11 is a system block diagram using a primary battery of an electronic timepiece according to the present invention and the related art.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a method of driving an electronic timepiece using the primary battery according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a conventional output voltage drop.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a method of driving an electronic timepiece using a conventional secondary battery.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 electronic clock 110 power supply 111 power generation means 112 power generation detection means 113 secondary battery 120 control means 121 Control Unit (CPU) 122 RAM 123 ROM 130 display means 131 hour display 132 seconds display 133 LCD display 134 Charging warning display (CHARGE) 135 Charge warning display position 140 operation switch 210 power supply 213 primary battery h hour hand m minute hand s second hand

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Igarashi             6-12 Tanashi-cho, Nishi-Tokyo, Tokyo             Chisun Watch Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kihara             6-12 Tanashi-cho, Nishi-Tokyo, Tokyo             Chisun Watch Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eiki Murakami             6-12 Tanashi-cho, Nishi-Tokyo, Tokyo             Chisun Watch Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2F002 AA07 AA12 AD03 AD06 AD07                       AE01 AE03 BA04 DA00 EA01                       EB03 ED01 ED02 EE08 GA04                 2F084 AA06 AA07 BB06 BB09 CC03                       GG04 HH03 HH06 HH15 HH16                       HH17 HH23 JJ02 JJ04 KK02                       LL03

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying the result of timekeeping or calculation of time information or functional information, a control means for controlling the operation of an electronic timepiece, a power supply device for driving the electronic timepiece, and a voltage of the power supply device. A first power-saving operation state in which a normal operation state is provided based on the control of the control means, and a power consumption is lower than the normal operation state, provided with a voltage drop detection unit that generates voltage drop detection information when the voltage drops below a predetermined voltage. ,
In the electronic timepiece that is driven in any one of the second power saving operation states that consumes less power than the first power saving operation state, the voltage drop detection information is generated during driving in the second power saving operation state. The electronic timepiece is configured so as to switch the driving state from the second power saving operation state to the first power saving operation state. 2. The display means comprises a plurality of display parts, and the second power saving operation state is more stopped than the first power saving operation state. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The first power-saving operation state stops the second information display section, and the second power-saving operation state stops the second information display section, and either the minute information or the hour information display section. The electronic timepiece according to claim 2, wherein one of them is stopped. 4. A display means for displaying time information, function information, etc. for measuring or calculating time information, function information, etc. and outputting the information, control means for controlling the operation of the clock circuit, and an electronic timepiece. A power supply device to be driven, and a voltage drop detection means for generating voltage drop detection information when the voltage of the power supply device falls below a predetermined voltage, and a normal operation state based on the control of the control means, the normal operation state In the electronic timepiece that is driven in any one of the first power saving operation state that consumes less power and the second power save operating state that consumes less power than the first power save operating state, The electronic time is characterized in that drive control is performed so as to switch the drive state from the second power saving operation state to the first power saving operation state when the voltage drop detection information is generated during driving in the operation state. How to control the meter.