JP2003344573A - Electronic clock - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make more surely detectable that a user has seen an electronic watch. <P>SOLUTION: In a state wherein a user 200 does not see a wrist watch, a pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 cannot detect an infrared ray for the user 200 because a cover member 202 is located between the sensor 206 and a window 102. When the user 200 brings the wrist watch near to the face by inclining the watch by a specified angle to see the watch, the cover member 202 is rotated by action of a weight 204 so that the cover is removed from between the sensor 206 and the window 102. Then, the sensor 206 detects the infrared ray from the user 200 through the window 102, and detects the user seeing the watch. A display part 103 is actuated to display time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece that operates using a battery as a power source, and more particularly to an electronic timepiece having a function of detecting the presence of a person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an electronic timepiece that operates using a battery as a power source, a digital display type electronic wristwatch equipped with a display element with a large display power, a digital display type electronic wristwatch equipped with a backlight that consumes a large amount of power, Various electronic timepieces such as an analog display type electronic wristwatch in which a time hand is rotated by a motor are used. In an electronic wristwatch equipped with a display element with a large display power or an electronic wristwatch equipped with a backlight that consumes a large amount of power, if the display or backlight illumination is constantly performed, the power consumption will be great and the battery life will be extremely long. There is a problem of shortening. Also in the case of an analog display type electronic timepiece, if the display hand is constantly driven to rotate by a motor, there is a problem that the power consumption is great and the battery life becomes extremely short.

In order to solve this problem and reduce the power consumption, a pyroelectric infrared sensor is used to detect that the electronic timepiece is positioned in front of the face of the person. It is conceivable that the display is turned on only when it is positioned in front of the face. With this configuration, the controlled unit such as the display unit is controlled only when the user wants to know the time, etc., so that the power consumption can be reduced and the battery life can be extended. become.

[0004]

However, even if another person passes near the user, such as when walking in a crowd of people, as long as the person is within the detection area of the pyroelectric infrared sensor, there is a person. Is detected, and as a result, there is a problem that the controlled part is controlled and power is wasted.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible for a user to more reliably detect that he or she has seen an electronic timepiece. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to more reliably detect that a user watches an electronic timepiece, and to automatically reduce power consumption.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic timepiece comprising a timepiece movement and a battery for supplying driving power to the timepiece movement, the electronic timepiece being integrated with the case body. And a window portion that transmits infrared rays emitted by a person, a pyroelectric infrared sensor provided in the case body for detecting the infrared ray through the window portion, and an inclination angle of the case body. First
When the inclination angle is, the pyroelectric infrared sensor is in the first state in which the infrared rays can be detected through the window portion, and when the inclination angle of the case body is the second inclination angle, There is provided an electronic timepiece, characterized in that the electric infrared sensor comprises shutter means which is in a second state in which the infrared ray cannot be detected through the window portion. The shutter means is in a first state in which the pyroelectric infrared sensor can detect infrared rays through the window when the inclination angle of the case body is the first inclination angle, and the inclination angle of the case body is the first state. When the inclination angle is 2, the pyroelectric infrared sensor enters the second state in which the infrared ray cannot be detected through the window portion.

The shutter means comprises a cover member rotatably held at a predetermined position of the case body, and an elastic member for urging the cover member in a predetermined direction. When the case body is at the first tilt angle, the case body rotates against the biasing force of the elastic member so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor can detect the infrared rays through the window portion. The case main body may be rotated by the urging force of the elastic member when the case body is at the second inclination angle so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor cannot detect the infrared rays through the window. . Further, the shutter means includes a cover member and an elastic member that biases the cover member so as to slide in a predetermined direction, and the cover member is such that the case body has the first inclination angle. At this time, the pyroelectric infrared sensor slides against the urging force of the elastic member so that the infrared ray can be detected through the window portion, and the case body has the second inclination angle. At this time, the pyroelectric infrared sensor may be slid by the urging force of the elastic member so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor cannot detect the infrared light through the window.

The cover member may be integrally provided with a weight having a predetermined weight. The shutter means includes an elastic member having one end attached to a predetermined position of the case body, and a cover member integrally provided on the other end of the elastic member, and the elastic member is When the case body has the first inclination angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor bends so that the infrared rays can be detected through the window, and when the case body has the second inclination angle. The pyroelectric infrared sensor may be configured to return so that the infrared ray cannot be detected through the window.

The cover member is formed by a disc-shaped member having a notch at one end, and the center of the disc-shaped member is integrally provided at the other end of the elastic member. When the case body is at the first inclination angle, the notch is located between the window portion and the pyroelectric infrared sensor, so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor can detect the infrared light through the window portion. When the case body has the second tilt angle, the discoid member is located between the window portion and the pyroelectric infrared sensor, so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor passes through the window portion. Alternatively, the infrared ray may not be detected. Further, it may be configured to include a controlled unit and a control unit that drives the controlled unit when the pyroelectric infrared sensor detects infrared rays through the window.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of a digital display type electronic wrist watch, which is common to each embodiment described later. It is a block diagram used. In FIG. 1, the electronic wristwatch is a case body 10 including an infrared shielding member.
1, a window portion 102 that transmits at least infrared rays having a wavelength emitted by the human body, a display portion 103 as a controlled portion, and a band 10
It is equipped with 4. The display unit 103 is a liquid crystal display device (LC
It is a digital display device configured by D) and digitally displaying the time and the like. The electronic timepiece is an electronic timepiece in which a timepiece movement and a battery for supplying drive power to the timepiece movement are arranged in the case body 101.

The window portion 102 is formed integrally with the case body 101 and has a lens. As described later, a pyroelectric infrared sensor for detecting the presence of a person is provided inside the case body 101 at a position facing the window 102. The pyroelectric infrared sensor is covered with a case body 101 formed of an infrared shielding member, and is arranged so as to have a directivity within a predetermined range by being arranged at a position facing the window 102. The pyroelectric infrared sensor is configured to detect infrared rays having a wavelength radiated from human skin.

The detection directivity of the pyroelectric infrared sensor is set so as to be in a range in which the face of the user is located when the user confirms the time of the watch (wristwatch in this embodiment). There is. Further, the detection distance of the pyroelectric infrared sensor is set to correspond to a general distance between the arm and the face when the user confirms the time of the wristwatch. As a result, the pyroelectric infrared sensor is arranged to detect the presence of a person in a predetermined range of space through the window 102, and as a result, indirectly, for the user to confirm the time. It is configured so that whether or not the watch is being watched can be detected more accurately.

FIG. 2 shows an appearance side view of the electronic wristwatch according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a state in which the structure of the shutter means changes, in which a person (user) 200 and an electronic wristwatch case main body 101 are relative to each other. In the diagram shown in correspondence with different inclination angles, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. Incidentally, FIG.
(A) shows a state where the inclination angle of the case body 101 with respect to the person 200 is the second inclination angle (the shutter means for preventing the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 from detecting infrared rays from the person 200 through the window 102). 2 state), the same figure (d)
Is the first inclination angle of the case body 101 with respect to the person 200.
Of the tilt angle (the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206
(A first state of the shutter means for enabling the infrared rays from the person 200 to be detected via 02), and FIG.
(C) is an intermediate state between the state of the second inclination angle and the state of the first inclination angle.

The shutter means is a circuit board 205 fixed at a predetermined position of the case body 101, a pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 attached to the circuit board 205, and an elastic member (one end of which is attached at a predetermined position of the case body 101). For example, a leaf spring 201, a rotary shaft 203 attached to a predetermined position of the case body 101, a cover member 2 having a weight 204 at an end and rotatably arranged on the rotary shaft 203.
It is equipped with 02. The weight 204 may be omitted by forming the cover member 202 to have a predetermined weight. As a result, the shutter means is provided integrally with the case body 101, and the window portion 10 that transmits the infrared rays emitted by the person 200 is transmitted.
2 and a pyroelectric infrared sensor 2 provided in the case body 101 for detecting the infrared rays through the window 102.
06, and the inclination angle of the case body 101 is the first inclination angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 is in the first state in which the infrared rays can be detected through the window portion 102, and When the tilt angle is the second tilt angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 is configured to be in the second state in which the infrared ray cannot be detected through the window 102.

When the wristwatch is worn on the arm of the user 200 and the wristwatch, that is, the case body 101 is not tilted at all (the second tilt angle), as shown in FIG. Since the cover member 202 is located between the infrared sensor 206 of the mold and the window 102, the infrared sensor 206 of the pyroelectric type cannot detect infrared rays through the window 102 (the shutter means is in the second state). is there).
When the user 200 gradually brings the watch closer to his or her face while rotating the arm to see the time, the case body 1
01 rotates, the cover member 202 rotates about the rotation shaft 203 by the weight 204, and the relative inclination angle between the case main body 101 and the person 200 changes, so that FIG. 2A to FIG. , Gradually change to (c),
Position where the user 200 normally confirms the time ((d) in the figure)
become.

In the state shown in FIG. 1D, the case body 101 is inclined at a first inclination angle with respect to the person 200, and the cover member 202 is provided between the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 and the window 102. Since it is not located, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 can detect infrared rays from the user 200 through the window 102 (the shutter means is in the first state). When the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 detects an infrared ray from the user 200 through the window 102, a control unit (not shown) controls the lighting of the controlled display unit 103 to display the current time. To do. After the user 200 confirms the time, by returning the arm to the original position, as shown in FIG.
After changing to (c) and (b) in the figure, the process returns to (a) in the figure. At this time, the cover member 2 is urged by the urging force of the elastic member 201.
02 is returned to the initial position shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 and the window portion 10 are usually used.
Since the cover member 202 exists between the two, it is possible to prevent the possibility of erroneous detection even in the presence of people. User 2
The case main body 101 is set at a predetermined tilt angle position with respect to 00, so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor 206 and the window 10
Since the cover member 202 does not exist between the two, it is possible to more reliably detect that the user watches the electronic timepiece. Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically reduce the power consumption.

FIG. 3 shows the external side view of the electronic wristwatch according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the manner in which the configuration of the shutter means changes, in relation to the relative inclination angle between the person 200 and the electronic wristwatch case body 101. In the diagram shown in association with each other, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In addition, FIG.
A state in which the inclination angle of the case body 101 with respect to 0 is the second inclination angle (the second state of the shutter means that prevents the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 from detecting infrared rays from the person 200 through the window 102), FIG. 3D shows a state in which the case body 101 is tilted at a first tilt angle with respect to the person 200 (the shutter means that allows the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 to detect infrared rays from the person 200 through the window 102). (The first state), and FIGS. 7 (b) and 7 (c) show the second state.
Is an intermediate state between the state of the inclination angle of 1 and the state of the first inclination angle.

The shutter means is a circuit board 304 fixed to a predetermined position of the case body 101, a pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 attached to the circuit board 304, and an elastic member (one end of which is attached to a predetermined position of the case body 101). For example, a coil spring) 301, a weight 303, and a cover member 302 attached to the elastic member 301 are provided. The weight 303 may be omitted by forming the cover member 302 to have a predetermined weight. As a result, the shutter means is provided integrally with the case body 101, and the window portion 102 that transmits infrared rays emitted by the person 200 and the case body 101 are provided to detect the infrared rays through the window portion 102. When the tilt angle of the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 and the case body 101 is the first tilt angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 enters the first state in which the infrared light can be detected through the window 102. At the same time, when the inclination angle of the case body 101 is the second inclination angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 is configured to be in the second state in which the infrared rays cannot be detected through the window 102. .

When the wristwatch is worn on the arm of the user 200 and the wristwatch, that is, the case body 101 is not tilted at all (the state of the second tilt angle), as shown in FIG. Since the cover member 302 is located between the infrared sensor 305 and the window 102, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 cannot detect infrared rays through the window 102 (the shutter means is in the second state). is there).
When the user 200 gradually brings the watch closer to his or her face while rotating the arm to see the time, the case body 1
01 rotates to change the relative inclination angle between the case body 101 and the user 200, and the weight 303 causes the cover member 302 to slide toward the elastic member 301 against the biasing force of the elastic member 301. 3 (a) gradually changes from FIG. 3 (a) to FIG. 3 (b) and FIG. 3 (c), and the position is the position where the user normally confirms the time (FIG. 3 (d)).

In the state of FIG. 3D, the inclination angle of the case body 101 with respect to the person 200 is the first inclination angle, and the cover member 302 is provided between the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 and the window 102. Since it is not located, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 can detect infrared rays from the user 200 through the window 102 (the shutter means is in the first state). When the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 detects infrared rays from the user 200 through the window 102, the control unit (not shown) controls the lighting of the controlled display unit 103 to display the current time. To do. After the user 200 confirms the time, by returning the arm to the original position, as shown in FIG.
After changing to (c) and (b) in the figure, the process returns to (a) in the figure. At this time, the cover member 2 is urged by the urging force of the elastic member 201.
02 slides and is returned to the initial position shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, normally, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 and the window portion 10 are provided.
Since the cover member 302 exists between the two, it is possible to prevent the possibility of erroneous detection even in the presence of people. User 2
The case main body 101 is set at a predetermined tilt angle position with respect to 00, so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor 305 and the window 10
Since the cover member 302 does not exist between the two, it is possible to more reliably detect that the user watches the electronic timepiece. Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically reduce the power consumption.

FIG. 4 shows the external side view of the electronic wristwatch according to the third embodiment of the present invention and the manner in which the configuration of the shutter means changes according to the relative inclination angle between the person 200 and the electronic wristwatch case body 101. In the diagram shown in association with each other, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In addition, FIG.
A state in which the inclination angle of the case main body 101 with respect to 0 is the second inclination angle (the second state of the shutter means that prevents the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 from detecting infrared rays from the person 200 through the window 102), FIG. 3D shows a state in which the case body 101 is tilted at a first tilt angle with respect to the person 200 (the shutter means that allows the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 to detect infrared rays from the person 200 through the window 102). (The first state), and FIGS. 7 (b) and 7 (c) show the second state.
Is an intermediate state between the state of the inclination angle of 1 and the state of the first inclination angle.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the shutter means in the third embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. Incidentally, FIG. 5A is a diagram in which the shutter means is in the second state, FIG. 5B is a diagram in which the shutter means is in the first state, and FIGS. 5C to 5E.
Are diagrams in other states. The shutter means is a circuit board 40 fixed at a predetermined position of the case body 101.
3, a pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 attached to the circuit board 403, an elastic member (for example, a coil spring) 401 having one end attached to a predetermined position of the circuit board 403, a notch 404 at one end, and the center of which is an elastic member. 40
1. A cover member 40 made of a disc-shaped member attached to
Equipped with 2.

As a result, the shutter means is provided integrally with the case body 101, and the window portion 102 for transmitting infrared rays emitted by the person 200 and the case body 101 are provided, and the infrared rays are emitted through the window portion 102. When the tilt angle of the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 for detecting and the case main body 101 is the first tilt angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405.
Which enables the infrared ray to be detected through the window 102.
When the tilt angle of the case body 101 is the second tilt angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 is set to the second state in which the infrared rays cannot be detected through the window 102. It is configured.

With the wristwatch worn on the arm of the user 200, that is, in the state where the wristwatch, that is, the case body 101 is not tilted at all (the state of the second tilt angle), FIG. 4A and FIG. As shown, since the cover member 402 is positioned between the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 and the window 102, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 cannot detect infrared rays through the window 102 (shutter means). Is in the second state). When the user 200 gradually turns the watch closer to his or her face while rotating the arm in order to see the time, the case body 101 rotates and the relative inclination angle between the case body 101 and the user 200 is changed. As the cover member 402 changes, the elastic member 401 bends due to the weight of the cover member 402,
The cover member 402 is displaced downward (away from the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405) and gradually changes from the state of FIG. 4A to the states of FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C, and the user sets the time. The position is normally checked ((d) in the figure). In addition, FIG.
The state shown in FIG.

In the state shown in FIGS. 4D and 5B, the inclination angle of the case body 101 with respect to the person 200 is the first inclination angle, and there is a gap between the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 and the window portion 102. Since the cover member 402 is not located in (the cutout portion 404 exists), the pyroelectric infrared sensor 40
5 can detect infrared rays from the user 200 through the window 102 (the shutter means is in the first state). The pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 is used by the user 2 through the window 102.
Control unit (not shown) when infrared rays from 00 are detected
Displays the current time by controlling the lighting of the display unit 103 that is the controlled unit. After the user 200 confirms the time, by returning the arm to the original position, the state changes from FIG. 4D to FIG. 4C and FIG. 4B, and returns to FIG. Also,
Returning to FIG. 5A from FIG. At this time, the cover member 402 is returned to the initial position shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A by the elastic member 401.

Incidentally, when the timepiece is not tilted downward, but is tilted in other directions, the positional relationship between the cover member 402 and the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 is shown in FIGS. However, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 does not look through the cutout 404 and the cover member 402 exists between the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 and the window 102. Infrared sensor 405 is user 2
Infrared rays from 00 cannot be detected. Therefore, since the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 can detect infrared rays when the user is looking at the timepiece to check the time, it is possible to further inform the user 200 that he is looking at the timepiece. It is possible to reliably detect.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405 and the window portion 10 are usually used.
Since the cover member 402 exists between the two, it is possible to prevent the possibility of erroneous detection even in the presence of people. User 2
00, the pyroelectric infrared sensor 405
Since the cover member 402 does not exist between the window 102 and the window 102, it is possible to more reliably detect that the user looks at the electronic timepiece. Therefore, it becomes possible to automatically reduce the power consumption. In the present embodiment, the example of the digital display unit 103 is given as the controlled unit. However, the backlight of the display device, the driving motor for the time hand and the like in the analog electronic timepiece is configured as the controlled unit. May be.

[0030]

According to the electronic timepiece of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably detect that the user has seen the electronic timepiece. Further, according to the electronic timepiece of the invention, it is possible to more reliably detect that the user has seen the electronic timepiece, and it is possible to automatically reduce the power consumption.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 ... Main body case 102 ... Window 103 ... Display unit as controlled unit 104 ... band 200 ... User 201, 301, 401 ... Elastic member 202, 302, 402 ... Cover member 203 ... Rotation axis 204, 303 ... weight 205, 304, 403 ... Circuit board 206, 305, 405 ... Pyroelectric infrared sensor 404 ... Notch

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electronic timepiece in which a timepiece movement and a battery for supplying drive power to the timepiece movement are arranged in a case body, wherein the case body is integrally provided and transmits infrared rays emitted by a person. And a pyroelectric infrared sensor provided in the case main body for detecting the infrared rays through the window, and when the inclination angle of the case main body is the first inclination angle, When the electric infrared sensor is in the first state in which the infrared ray can be detected through the window portion and the tilt angle of the case body is the second tilt angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor causes the window portion to move. An electronic timepiece comprising: a shutter unit that is in a second state in which the infrared ray cannot be detected via the electronic timepiece. 2. The shutter means comprises a cover member that is rotatably held at a predetermined position of the case body, and an elastic member that biases the cover member in a predetermined direction. , The case body rotates against the biasing force of the elastic member when the first inclination angle is set, so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor can detect the infrared rays through the window portion, The case body is the second
2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the pyroelectric infrared sensor is prevented from detecting the infrared ray through the window portion when the elastic member is rotated by the urging force of the elastic member at the inclination angle of 2. . 3. The shutter means comprises a cover member and an elastic member for urging the cover member so as to slide in a predetermined direction, and the cover member has the case main body having the first structure. At the angle of inclination, the pyroelectric infrared sensor slides against the urging force of the elastic member so that the infrared ray can be detected through the window portion, and the case main body is configured to detect the infrared ray. 2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the pyroelectric infrared sensor is slid by the biasing force of the elastic member so that the infrared ray cannot be detected through the window when the tilt angle is set. . 4. The electronic timepiece according to claim 2, wherein a weight having a predetermined weight is integrally provided on the cover member. 5. The shutter means comprises an elastic member whose one end is attached to a predetermined position of the case body, and a cover member which is integrally provided at the other end of the elastic member. When the case body has the first inclination angle, the pyroelectric infrared sensor bends so that the infrared rays can be detected through the window portion, and the case body has the second inclination angle. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein at the time of, the pyroelectric infrared sensor returns so that the infrared ray cannot be detected through the window portion. 6. The cover member is formed by a disc-shaped member having a notch at one end, and the center of the disc-shaped member is integrally provided at the other end of the elastic member. When the case body is at the first inclination angle, the notch is located between the window portion and the pyroelectric infrared sensor, so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor can detect the infrared light through the window portion. When the case body has the second tilt angle, the discoid member is located between the window portion and the pyroelectric infrared sensor, so that the pyroelectric infrared sensor passes through the window portion. 6. The electronic timepiece according to claim 5, wherein the infrared light cannot be detected by the above. 7. A controlled part, and a control means for driving the controlled part when the pyroelectric infrared sensor detects infrared rays through the window part. 7. The electronic timepiece described in any one of 1 to 6.