JP2004045427A - Clocking device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clocking device and a control method therefor capable of easily setting time difference. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises a time displaying part 5 displaying a time, a time display command part 34 controlling the display of the time display part 5, a receiving means 2 receiving an radio wave including time information, time counters 612, 622 counting a reference time by a clock pulse, and a time difference setting means setting the time difference in accordance with the time-difference time different from the reference time. Therein, a time-difference time display command part 341 includes a reference time display command part 342 instructing the time display corresponding to the time-difference time when the time difference is set, and a time difference setting cancel command part 344 instructing the cancel of set time difference setting. Then, the time difference setting cancel command part 344 stops the operation of the time-difference time display command part 341 to operate the reference time display command part 342 when the time information corresponding to the reference time is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a clock device and a control method of the clock device, and more particularly to a clock device having a time difference setting function and receiving a radio wave including time information, and a control method of the clock device.

A clock having a time difference setting function is known. The time difference setting function is used when the user travels between the first country and a second country having a time difference with respect to the first country.
A timepiece having such a time difference setting function performs a time difference setting according to a time display unit, a reference time counter that counts clock pulses to count a reference time as a reference, and a time difference setting amount input by an external input device. The system includes a time difference setting means and a time difference setting canceling means for canceling the time difference setting in response to a command to cancel the time difference setting from the external input device.
The reference time is, for example, the standard time of the first country, and the time difference set amount is the time difference between the first country and the second country.

In such a configuration, when the user is first in the first country, the time display section shows the reference time counted by the reference time counter. When departing from the second country, input the time difference set amount using an external input device. For example, when going to a country having a time difference of 2 hours, the time difference set amount is input as 2. Then, the time difference setting means displays a time difference time having a time difference from the reference time by fast-forwarding (or reversely rotating) the time of the time display unit according to the time difference set amount. While displaying the time difference, the time difference is updated by the clock pulse to indicate the time of the second country. Further, while the time difference is being displayed, the counter of the reference time counter updates the reference time by counting clock pulses.

When the time difference setting is canceled when returning to the first country, the time difference setting cancellation means cancels the time difference time display of the time difference setting means and displays the reference time of the reference time counter on the time display unit.
With the time difference setting function, while in the second country, the time of the second country can be displayed in consideration of the time difference set amount. Also, when returning to the first country, if the time difference setting is canceled, the reference time counted by the reference time counter can be displayed, so that it is not necessary to set the time again, which is convenient.

However, the operation of canceling the time difference setting by the external input means is very troublesome, and the operation procedure is complicated, so that there is a problem that the time difference setting function is difficult to use.
When the time difference is set, the reference time is stored by the reference time counter and is sequentially updated. However, if the time difference setting is canceled after setting the time difference for a long time, there is a problem that the time of the reference time counter may not be accurate.

A first object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems and to provide a timekeeping device and a control method of the timekeeping device that can easily cancel the time difference display. A second object of the present invention is to provide a time difference display. It is an object of the present invention to provide a timing device capable of indicating an accurate reference time at the time of release and a control method of the timing device.

The timekeeping device according to claim 1, wherein the time display means displays time, a time display instruction unit that controls time display of the time display means, a reception means that receives a radio wave including time information, and a clock pulse. In a clock device including a reference time update unit that sequentially updates a reference time that is a preset local standard time and a time difference setting unit that sets a time difference with respect to the reference time, the time display command unit includes: A reference time display command unit for commanding display of a reference time, a time difference time display command unit for commanding display of a time difference different from the time difference set for the reference time, and a time difference setting for commanding cancellation of the time difference display Comprising a cancel command unit, the time difference setting cancel command unit, when a radio wave including time information corresponding to the reference time is received, stops the operation of the time difference time display command unit, And wherein the operating the serial reference time display command unit.

According to such a configuration, when the time difference is set by the time difference setting means, the time difference time is displayed on the time display means by the time difference time display command unit. Specifically, in the case of an analog display clock, the pointer position is fast-forwarded (or reverse-rotated) by the set time difference, and in the case of a digital display clock, the pointer position is added by the time difference set at the reference time (or (Subtracted) is displayed.
The reference time update unit counts clock pulses and sequentially updates the reference time.
When the time information corresponding to the reference time is received, the operation of the time difference display instruction unit is stopped by the time difference setting release instruction unit, and the reference time display instruction unit is operated. Then, the reference time of the reference time update unit is displayed on the time display means by the reference time display command unit.

According to the present invention, since the time difference setting cancel command section is provided, when the time information corresponding to the reference time is received, the time difference time display is canceled and the reference time is displayed. Therefore, the reference time is automatically displayed when the time information is received without the user canceling the time difference setting.
For example, as radio waves, time information is currently transmitted as long-wave standard radio waves. The frequency and signal code of the radio wave of the time information differ depending on each region. If you set the time difference when you move from the receiving area of the time information to the area with the time difference, and when you return to the receiving area and recognize that the time information corresponding to the reference time has been received, I can recognize that I did. Therefore, the time information is received instead of canceling the time difference setting. Then, the time difference setting is automatically canceled, and the reference time in the reception area is displayed.
As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to perform a troublesome operation of canceling the time difference setting.
In the above description, when the time difference setting is canceled, the reference time displayed on the time display unit is the reference time sequentially updated by the reference time update unit.

The timekeeping device according to claim 2 is the timekeeping device according to claim 1, wherein when a radio wave including time information corresponding to the reference time is received, the reference time of the reference time update unit is added to the time information. The reference time display command unit causes the time display unit to display the time based on the corrected reference time.

According to such a configuration, when a time difference is set and a radio wave including time information corresponding to the reference time is received, the reference time is corrected based on the time information. When the time difference setting is canceled by receiving the time information, the corrected reference time is displayed on the time display unit.
According to the present invention, by receiving the time information, it is possible to cancel the time difference setting and to indicate an accurate reference time based on the received time information. In other words, while the conventional two-step operation of canceling the time difference setting and further adjusting the time can be performed by the one-step operation of receiving the time information, the time difference setting can be canceled and the time can be corrected. , Simple.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the timing device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the receiving unit receives a radio wave including the time information according to a preset schedule.
According to such a configuration, the time information is automatically received at the preset reception time. After the time difference is set, if you are in an area where you can receive radio waves containing time information corresponding to the reference time, the time is adjusted based on the received time information, and the time difference setting is canceled and the time difference is reset. Is displayed. Therefore, according to the present invention, not only the operation for canceling the time difference setting but also the operation for receiving the time information is not required.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the timekeeping device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the receiving unit starts forced reception of a radio wave including the time information by an operation of an external input unit. It is characterized by.
According to such a configuration, after the time difference is set, forced reception of the time information is started by the external input means in an area where radio waves including the time information can be received. Then, the time is corrected based on the received time information, the time difference setting is released, and the reference time is displayed. Therefore, according to the present invention, as soon as the vehicle enters an area where time information can be received, the time difference setting can be canceled and the reference time can be displayed. For example, the user can know the reference time immediately after returning from overseas and entering the time information receiving area.
When you enter the area where time information can be received, if you want to know the reference time, if you perform one natural operation of receiving time information, you can cancel the time difference setting and receive the time information for accurate The reference time can be displayed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the timepiece according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the time difference setting amount in the time difference setting can be set in units of one hour.
According to such a configuration, the time difference can be set with a small number of input operations. Since the standard time in each region is set with a time difference of one hour, it is sufficient for the time difference setting function to be able to be performed every hour.

The timekeeping device according to claim 6 is the timekeeping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the time display unit has a time display hand, and is based on a drive pulse signal that drives the hand. A pointer position counter for counting the pointer position, a reference time counter comprising the reference time update unit, and coincidence detecting means for detecting coincidence between the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter. When the time difference time display command section is operated, the coincidence detecting means allows a mismatch between the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter, and cancels the time difference time display. The reference time display command section outputs the drive pulse signal until the count value of the pointer position counter matches the count value of the time counter. It is characterized in.

The timekeeping device according to claim 7 is the timekeeping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The time display means has a hand for displaying time, a hand position counter for counting the hand position based on a detection signal from the hand position detection means for detecting the hand position of the hand, and the reference time updating unit. And a match detecting means for detecting a match between the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter. When the time difference time display command section is operated, the match detection is performed. The means allows a mismatch between the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter, and when the time difference time display is released, the reference time display command unit sets the count value of the pointer position counter to the The drive pulse signal is output until the count value matches the count value of the time counter.

According to such a configuration, when the time difference is set, the hands are driven to indicate the time difference corresponding to the set time difference time. At this time, the reference time counter sequentially updates the time by counting clock pulses. On the other hand, the pointer position counter counts a driving pulse signal for driving the pointer, or counts the pointer position based on a detection signal from the pointer position detecting means. For this reason, the two count values do not match, but the match detecting means allows this mismatch when the time difference setting is set.

When the time information is received, the reference time display command unit causes the count value of the pointer position counter to match the count of the time counter based on the signal output from the coincidence detecting means. For example, a drive pulse signal for driving the hands is output so that the count value of the hands position counter matches the count value of the time counter. Then, when the hands are driven to the position where the reference time is displayed, the two count values match, and the reference time is indicated. Thereafter, the hands are driven so that the count values of the time counter and the hand position counter match, and the reference time is indicated.
According to the present invention, by receiving the time information, the hands are automatically driven and the hands indicate the reference time, so that the operation of canceling the time difference setting is not required. In addition, it is possible to indicate an accurate time based on the received time information.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the timepiece according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein a power generation unit is provided, and the timepiece operates by power from the power generation unit. .
According to such a configuration, since the power generation means is provided, the power does not run out, and the operation of the timing device does not stop. The operation of receiving radio waves requires a larger amount of power than a normal clock operation. If the power is insufficient, the receiving operation does not operate normally, and time information may be erroneously received. However, according to the present invention, there is no need to worry too much about power consumption.

A method of controlling a timekeeping device according to claim 9, wherein the timekeeping device includes a time display unit that displays time and a time display command unit that controls the time display of the time display unit, and includes time information. A receiving step of receiving radio waves, a reference time updating step of sequentially updating a reference time which is a preset local standard time by counting clock pulses, and a reference time displaying step of displaying the reference time on the time display means A time difference setting step of setting a time difference with respect to the reference time, a time difference time displaying step of displaying a time difference time different from the time difference set with respect to the reference time on the time display unit, and the receiving step is performed. A time difference setting canceling step of stopping the time difference displaying step and executing the reference time displaying step.

According to such a configuration, when the time difference is set, the time difference is displayed on the time display means in a time difference time display step corresponding to the set time difference time. Specifically, in the case of an analog display clock, the pointer position is fast-forwarded (or reverse-rotated) by the set time difference, and in the case of a digital display clock, the pointer position is added by the time difference set at the reference time (or The result of subtraction is displayed.
In the reference time updating step, the reference time is sequentially updated by counting clock pulses.
Also, when the time information is received in the receiving step, the display of the time difference in the time difference display step is stopped by the time difference setting releasing step, and the reference time to be updated in the reference time updating step is displayed in the time display section by the reference time displaying step. I do.

According to the present invention, since the time difference setting release step is provided, when the time information is received, the time difference setting is released and the reference time is displayed. Therefore, even if the user does not cancel the time difference setting, the reference time is automatically displayed when the radio wave including the time information is received.
For example, as the radio wave including the time information, the time information is currently transmitted as a long wave standard radio wave. The time difference is set when moving from the reception area of the time information to the area having the time difference, and when returning to the reception area again, the time information is received instead of canceling the time difference setting. Then, the time difference setting is automatically canceled and the reference time in the reception area is displayed.
As described above, according to the present invention, the reference time can be displayed by performing the operation of receiving the time information instead of the troublesome operation of canceling the time difference setting.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the timepiece control method according to the ninth aspect, wherein the reference time of the reference time update step is received between the receiving step and the time difference setting canceling step. And a reference time adjustment step for adjusting the time based on the obtained time information.

に お い て In such a configuration, a radio wave including time information is received in the receiving step. Then, the reference time of the reference time update step is corrected based on the received time information. When the time information is received, the time difference setting is released, and the corrected reference time is displayed in the reference time display step. Therefore, when canceling the time difference setting, if the time information is received instead of the time difference setting canceling operation, the time difference setting is canceled and the reference time based on the time information can be displayed.

A method for controlling a timekeeping device according to claim 11 is the method for controlling a timekeeping device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a schedule for receiving a radio wave including time information in advance is set before the receiving step. And a receiving time determining step of determining that the receiving time has been reached based on the received time.

According to this configuration, after the time difference is set, if the user is in an area where radio waves including time information can be received, the time information is automatically received at a preset reception time. Then, the time is corrected according to the received time information, the time difference setting is released, and the reference time is displayed. Therefore, according to the present invention, not only the operation for canceling the time difference setting but also the operation for receiving the time information is not required. Even if the user forgets to operate, the time difference setting can be automatically canceled and the reference time can be displayed.

A control method of a timekeeping device according to a twelfth aspect is the control method of the timekeeping device according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, wherein the reception step is forcibly performed by an external input unit before the reception step. It is characterized in that a forced reception start step for starting is provided.

According to such a configuration, after the time difference is set, the time information is received by the forced reception start step in an area where radio waves including the time information can be received. Then, the time is corrected based on the received time information, the time difference setting is released, and the reference time is displayed. Therefore, according to the present invention, as soon as the vehicle enters an area where time information can be received, the time difference setting can be canceled and the reference time can be displayed. For example, the user can know the reference time immediately after returning from overseas and entering the time information receiving area.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a radio timepiece as a first embodiment according to the timepiece of the present invention.
The radio-controlled timepiece 1 includes a receiving unit 2 for receiving a radio wave including time information, a central control unit 3 for controlling the entire apparatus, and a drive for receiving a signal from the central control unit 3 and displaying a time on a time display unit 5. It comprises a circuit section 4, a counter section 6 for counting time, a power supply section 7 for supplying power to the apparatus, and an external input device 8 such as a crown.

The receiving means 2 includes an antenna 21 for receiving radio waves, a receiving circuit 22 for processing information received by the antenna 21, and a storage circuit 28 for storing data processed by the receiving circuit 22.
FIG. 2 shows a time code format of a long-wave standard radio signal on which time information is superimposed as radio waves.
In this time code format, one signal is transmitted every second, and one record is formed in 60 seconds.
As shown in FIG. 3, the time code format of the long-wave standard radio signal includes, as items, a minute of the current time, an hour, a total day from January 1 of the current year, a year (last two digits of the Christian era), a day of the week, and Leap seconds are included. The value of each item is constituted by a combination of numerical values assigned for each second, and ON / OFF of this combination is determined from the type of signal.

(3) As shown in FIG. 3, there are three types of signals transmitted as long-wave standard radio signals, and signals representing "1", "0" or "P" are transmitted. The types of these signals are determined based on the length of the amplitude modulation time of each signal. FIG. 3A shows a signal waveform in which the type of the signal is "1". When the amplitude continues for 0.5 seconds from the rise of the signal, it is determined that the type of the signal is "1". . FIG. 3B shows a signal waveform in which the type of the signal is “0”. When the amplitude continues for 0.8 seconds from the rise of the signal, the signal is determined to be the “0” signal. FIG. 3C shows a signal waveform in which the type of the signal is “P”. If the amplitude continues for 0.2 seconds from the rise of the signal, the signal is determined to be the “P” signal.

The signal indicating “1” is in the “ON” state, and the numerical value associated with the item is to be added when calculating the hour and minute. In FIG. 2, an item in which “N” is written on the time code format of the longwave standard radio signal indicates a state in which a signal representing “1” has been transmitted.
When a signal other than “1” is transmitted, the state is “OFF”, indicating that the numerical value associated with the item is not subject to addition when calculating hours and minutes.
For example, when the long wave standard radio signal is transmitted as “1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1” for 8 seconds corresponding to the minute, the current time minute is “40 + 10 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 57”. Minutes. Items in which "P" is written on the time code format of the long wave standard radio signal are fixed items, and are used for synchronizing the long wave standard radio signal with the time code format. The “P” at the beginning of the time code corresponds to the rising of the correct minute (0 seconds per minute), indicates that the second is “00” seconds, and indicates that the minute is switched to the next minute. .
By the way, since the long-wave standard radio wave is based on the cesium atomic clock, a radio-controlled clock that receives this long-wave standard radio wave and corrects the time can obtain a very high accuracy of an error of one second per 100,000 years.

As shown in FIG. 4, in Japan, long-wave standard radio signals are transmitted from Otakadoyama, Fukushima (40 kHz) and Mt. Hagane, Saga (60 kHz).
Since the reception area where the transmitted time information can be received is limited to the vicinity of Japan as shown in FIG. 4, if the user goes outside this reception area, for example, overseas, the time information of Japan cannot be received. Conversely, when the user enters the reception area and receives the signal of the long-wave standard radio wave, it can be recognized that he / she is in Japan.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reception circuit 22 includes an amplification circuit 23 for amplifying the long-wave standard radio signal received by the antenna 21 and a band-pass filter 24 for extracting only a desired frequency component from the amplified long-wave standard radio signal. And a demodulation circuit 25 for smoothing and demodulating the long-wave standard radio signal, an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuit 26 for controlling the gain of the amplifier circuit 23 and controlling the reception level of the long-wave standard radio signal to be constant. And a decoding circuit 27 for decoding and outputting the long-wave standard radio signal. With such a configuration, the receiving step is performed by the receiving circuit.
The time information received and signal-processed by the receiving circuit 22 is output to the storage circuit 28 and stored.
The receiving circuit 22 starts receiving time information by a preset schedule or a forced receiving operation by the external input device 8.

As shown in FIG. 1, the central control unit 3 includes a pulse synthesizing circuit 31, a time difference set amount storage unit 32, a reception schedule storage unit 33, and a time display command unit 34.
The pulse synthesizing circuit 31 divides a reference pulse from a reference oscillator 311 such as a crystal oscillator to generate a clock pulse, and generates a pulse signal having a different pulse width and timing from the reference pulse.
The time difference set amount storage unit 32 stores the time difference set amount input by the external input device 8. Since the time difference set amount can be set in units of one hour, the time difference set amount storage unit 32 only needs to be provided with a memory capable of storing data in units of one hour.

The reception schedule storage unit 33 stores the reception start time of the reception circuit 22 set in advance. For example, it is set to start the operation of the reception circuit 22 every day at 2:00 am. When the reception time is reached, a reception control signal is output from the central control unit 3 and the reception circuit 22 starts receiving time information.

The time display command unit 34 includes a time difference time display command unit 341, a reference time display command unit 342, a time difference setting command unit 343, and a time difference setting release command unit 344.
The time display command section 34 outputs a second drive pulse signal a which is output once per second to drive the second hand and an hour / minute drive pulse signal b which is output once per minute and drives the hour / minute hand to the drive circuit section 4. Output to control the driving of the hands.
The time difference time display command unit 341 supplies a control pulse to the drive circuit unit 4 to display a time difference time on the time display unit 5 according to the time difference set amount stored in the time difference set amount storage unit 32 after the time difference has been set. I do. Specifically, according to the time difference set amount, a drive pulse signal for fast-forwarding (or reverse rotation) the hands is output, and a second drive pulse signal a for driving the second hand and a minute drive pulse signal b for driving the hour and minute hands are output. Output.

The reference time display command section 342 performs a reference time display step of supplying a control pulse for causing the time display section 5 to display the reference time counted by the counter section 6 to the drive circuit section 4. Specifically, a second drive pulse signal a for driving the second hand and an hour / minute drive pulse signal b for driving the hour / minute hand are output so as to display the reference time.
The time difference setting command unit 343 recognizes that the time difference has been set by the external input device 8, stops the operation of the reference time display command unit 342, and operates the time difference time display command unit 341. Specifically, it outputs a signal for stopping the drive pulse signal from the reference time display command unit 342, and further causes the time difference display command unit 341 to output a drive pulse signal for displaying the time difference time.

When the reception circuit 22 receives the time information normally, the time difference setting release command unit 344 performs a time difference setting release step of stopping the operation of the time difference time display command unit 341 and operating the reference time display command unit 342. . Specifically, it outputs a signal for stopping the drive pulse signal from the time difference display instruction section 341 and further causes the reference time display instruction section 342 to output a drive pulse signal for displaying the reference time.

The drive circuit section 4 receives a drive pulse signal (second drive pulse signal a) from the time display command section 34 and outputs a pulse signal, and stepping driven by the pulse signal from the second drive circuit 41 A second motor 411 having a motor, an hour / minute drive circuit 42 that receives a drive pulse signal (hour / minute drive pulse signal b) from the time display command unit 34 and outputs a pulse signal, and a pulse signal from the hour / minute drive circuit 42 And a time / minute motor 421 provided with a stepping motor driven by the motor.
The time display unit 5 includes a second hand indicating the second and an hour hand and a minute hand indicating the hour and minute. The second hand is driven by the second motor 411, and the hour hand and the minute hand are driven by the hour / minute motor 421.

The counter section 6 includes a second counter circuit section 61 for counting seconds in time and an hour / minute counter circuit section 62 for counting hours and minutes.
The second counter circuit section 61 includes a second position counter 611, a second time counter 612, and a second coincidence detection circuit 613.
The second position counter 611 and the second time counter 612 are both counters that loop in 60 seconds. The second position counter 611 counts a drive pulse signal (second drive pulse signal a) supplied from the time display command unit 34 to the second drive circuit 41. That is, by counting the driving pulse signal for driving the second hand, the second time indicated by the second hand is counted.

The second time counter 612 counts 1 Hz pulses (clock pulses) that are divided by the pulse synthesizing circuit 31 and output through the time display command unit 34. That is, the second time counter 612 counts the second time among the reference times. When the time information is received by the receiving circuit 22, the second time counter 612 corrects the count value of the second time according to the time information (reference time correction step).
The second coincidence detection circuit 613 detects coincidence of the count values of the second position counter 611 and the second time counter 612, and outputs a signal to the reference time display command unit 342 of the central control unit 3 according to the detection result.

The hour / minute counter circuit section 62 includes an hour / minute position counter 621, an hour / minute time counter 622, and an hour / minute coincidence detection circuit 623.
The hour / minute position counter 621 and the hour / minute time counter 622 are both counters that loop in 24 hours. The hour / minute position counter 621 counts a drive pulse signal (hour / minute drive pulse signal b) supplied from the time display command unit 34 to the hour / minute drive circuit 42. That is, by counting the driving pulse signals for driving the hour hand and the minute hand, the hour and minute time indicated by the hour hand and the minute hand are counted.

The hour / minute time counter 622 counts 1 Hz pulses (clock pulses) divided by the pulse synthesizing circuit 31 and output via the time display command unit 34 (exactly, when 1 Hz is counted 60 times, 1 count is counted). Do). That is, the hour / minute time counter 622 counts the hour / minute time among the reference times. When the receiving circuit 22 receives the time information, the hour / minute time counter 622 corrects the count value of the hour / minute time according to the time information (reference time adjusting step).
The hour / minute coincidence detection circuit 623 detects coincidence of the count values of the hour / minute position counter 621 and the hour / minute time counter 622, and outputs a signal to the reference time display command unit 342 of the central control unit 3 according to the detection result. .

The second position counter 611 and the hour / minute position counter 621 constitute a pointer position counter, the second time counter 612 and the hour / minute time counter 622 constitute a time counter as a reference time update unit, and the second coincidence detection circuit 613 and the hour The minute coincidence detecting circuit 623 constitutes a coincidence detecting means.

The power supply unit 7 includes a power generation device 71 as power generation means, and a high-capacity secondary power supply 72 that stores the power generated by the power generation device 71.
The external input device 8 as an external input means includes a crown and the like, and performs a time difference set amount, a receiving operation, a time adjustment, and the like. Here, the time difference setting means includes the external input device 8 and the time difference set amount storage unit 32. Further, the time difference setting can be canceled by operating the external input device 8.

The operation of the radio controlled timepiece 1 having such a configuration will be described.
The normal reference time display will be described.
Normally, the reference time is displayed on the time display unit 5 by the reference time display instruction unit 342. The second coincidence detection circuit 613 detects a state of coincidence between the count value of the reference time counted by the second time counter 612 and the count value of the second hand position counted by the second position counter 611. Based on this detection result, the reference time display command unit 342 outputs the second drive pulse signal a so that the count value of the second position counter 611 matches the count value of the second time counter 612. In response to the second drive pulse signal a, the second drive circuit 41 outputs a pulse signal to the second motor 411 to drive the second hand.
Similarly, for the hour and minute, the reference time display command unit 342 outputs the hour and minute drive pulse signal b so that the count value of the hour and minute position counter 621 matches the count value counted by the hour and minute time counter 622. A pulse signal is output from the hour / minute drive circuit 42 to the hour / minute motor 421 according to the minute drive pulse signal b, and the hour hand and the minute hand are driven.

The operation when the time information is received will be described.
When the reception means 2 reaches the reception start time stored in the reception schedule storage unit 33, the reception means 2 starts receiving time information. Alternatively, it is also possible to forcibly start (forcibly receive) an operation of starting the reception operation by the external input device 8.
When the receiving unit 2 receives the time information, the time information is processed by the receiving circuit 22 and then stored in the storage circuit 28. At this time, the reception of the time information is performed a predetermined number of times, and it is determined whether or not the received time information is normally received. Specifically, since the time information is one record in 60 seconds, it is determined whether or not the received time information has an interval of 60 seconds.
The time information that can be received by the receiving means 2 corresponds to a reference time which is a preset local standard time. Since the frequency and signal code of the radio wave vary depending on the type of the time information, the reception circuit 22 cannot process the signal. As described above, when the signal cannot be processed by the receiving circuit 22, it is not recognized that the signal has been received normally.
The received time information is output to the second time counter 612 and the hour / minute time counter 622, and the count values of the second time counter 612 and the hour / minute time counter 622 are corrected. Further, a signal indicating that the time information has been normally received is output from the storage circuit 28 to the time difference setting release command unit 344 of the central control unit 3.

The case where the time difference is set and the time difference is displayed will be described.
When the set time difference is input by the external input device 8, the input time difference set amount is stored in the set time difference storage unit 32. Further, in response to a signal from the time difference setting command unit 343, the operation of the reference time display command unit 342 is stopped, and a command is output to display the time difference according to the time difference set amount stored by the time difference time display command unit 341. Then, the hands are driven by the time difference set amount. Specifically, a drive pulse signal (second drive pulse signal a, hour / minute drive pulse signal b) for fast-forwarding or reversely rotating the hands is displayed as a time difference time display command unit 341 so as to display a time difference time corresponding to the time difference set amount. Output from A pulse signal is output from the second drive circuit 41 and the hour / minute drive circuit 42 according to the drive pulse signal, the second motor 411 and the hour / minute motor 421 are driven, and the hands indicate the time difference.
At this time, the second position counter 611 and the hour / minute position counter 621 count the second drive pulse signal a and the hour / minute drive pulse signal b, respectively, while the second time counter 612 and the hour / minute time counter 622 count 1 Hz. Therefore, the two count values do not match. When the time difference is set, the second coincidence detection circuit 613 allows the count values of the second position counter 611 and the second time counter 612 not to coincide with each other. 621 and the count value of the hour / minute time counter 622 are allowed to be different.

The operation when the time information is normally received after the time difference is set will be described.
When the time information is normally received after the time difference is set, a signal indicating that the time information has been correctly received is output from the storage circuit 28 to the time difference setting release command unit 344, and the time difference setting release command unit 344 sets the time difference setting. Is output. That is, the operation of the time difference display instruction unit 341 is stopped, and the reference time display instruction unit 342 is activated. Then, the reference time counted by the second time counter 612 and the hour / minute time counter 622 is displayed on the time display unit 5. At this time, the operation of correcting the reference time counted by the second time counter 612 and the hour / minute time counter 622 based on the received time information and the operation of displaying the reference time on the time display unit 5 are as described above. It is. When the time difference time display is canceled, the time difference set amount stored in the time difference set amount storage unit 32 may be deleted or may be retained.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the operation of the radio-controlled timepiece 1.
First, when a time having a time difference from the reference time is desired to be displayed on the time display unit 5 such as when going overseas, the time difference is input by the external input device 8. Then, in the time difference setting step ST1, the input time difference setting amount is stored in the time difference setting amount storage unit 32. The time difference is displayed on the time display unit 5 in the time difference time display step ST2 according to the stored time difference. If you go abroad in this state, you can know the time difference.

Next, in ST3, it is determined that the reception time has been reached (reception time determination step). If the time has arrived, the time information is received by the receiving means 2 in the receiving step ST4. In ST5, it is determined whether the received time information is normally received. Specifically, a plurality of pieces of time information are received, and it is determined whether or not the time information received from the second time onward is data as expected with respect to the first time information or not. Further, it is also possible to judge the accuracy of the reception by appropriately using the check by the parity bit included in the received time information and the position of “P” (position marker). When the time information corresponding to the reference time can be received, that is, when the vehicle returns to the area where the reference time can be received, it is determined that the reception has been normally performed. Conversely, if the user is in an area having a time difference, the time information cannot be normally received.

If it is determined in ST5 that the reception has been performed normally, the reference time is corrected based on the received time information in ST6. That is, the count values of the second time counter 612 and the hour / minute time counter 622 are corrected according to the received time information.
When the time information is normally received and the reference time is corrected (ST6), a time difference setting release step ST7 is subsequently performed. In the time difference setting release step ST7, a time difference setting release command is output from the time difference setting release command unit 344, and the operation of the time difference time display command unit 341 is stopped. When the time difference setting release step ST7 is performed, a reference time display step ST8 is performed, a reference time display command is output by the reference time display command section 342, and the reference time is displayed on the time display section 5.

If it is determined in ST3 that the reception time has not arrived, it is determined in ST9 whether a forced reception operation (forced reception start step) is performed. When the forced receiving operation is performed, the receiving step ST4 is performed, and the process proceeds in the same manner.
If no forced reception operation is performed in ST9, the time difference display (ST2) is continued.
If it is determined in ST5 that the reception of the time information has not been performed normally, the time difference display (ST2) is continuously performed.

As described above, according to the radio controlled timepiece 1 having such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the time difference setting cancel command section 344 is provided, when the time information is normally received, the display of the time difference is automatically changed to the display of the reference time. Therefore, for example, when returning from an overseas country having a time difference, there is no need to bother canceling the time difference setting.
Further, since the time difference setting is canceled by receiving the time information, there is no need to receive the time information and correct the time after the time difference setting is canceled.
If the reception of the time information is performed according to a preset schedule, an accurate reference time is displayed in accordance with the received time information without any special operation by the user.
When the time difference setting is set due to an erroneous operation performed by the user unintentionally, there is a risk that the user may mistakenly change the time without noticing that the display time is the time difference time. However, according to the present embodiment, if the time information is received by the set automatic reception, the time difference setting is automatically canceled and the reference time is displayed. Therefore, the time difference display set by the user's erroneous operation can be automatically corrected to the reference time display, and the user does not mistake the time. Further, when the user notices that the time difference has been set due to an erroneous operation, the time difference setting can be canceled by a simple method of receiving the time information, and the reference time can be displayed.
If the user performs a forced reception operation for forcibly receiving time information, an accurate reference time can be known as soon as the user enters a time information reception area from overseas.

(2nd Embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a radio-controlled timepiece as a timing device according to the present invention.
The basic configuration of the radio-controlled timepiece 11 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and differs from the first embodiment in the following points. The time display section 5 is a digital display, the counter section 6 is composed of only the time counter 63, the power supply section 7 is composed of the battery 73, and the drive circuit section 4 outputs a signal for controlling the display of the time display section 5. It is a point to do.
The display method of the time display unit 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can be digitally displayed such as an LCD or an LED.
The time counter 63 counts the 1 Hz pulse signal from the pulse synthesis circuit 31 and corrects the count value based on the time information received by the receiving means 2.

According to such a configuration, normally, the reference time display command unit 342 displays the reference time on the time display unit 5 based on the count value of the time counter 63. If the time difference is set, the time difference display command unit 341 displays the time difference on the time display unit 5. This is to add and display the set time difference set amount to the count value of the time counter 63.
When the time information is normally received, the operation of the time difference display instruction unit 341 is stopped by the time difference setting release instruction unit 344, and the reference time display instruction unit 342 performs the operation based on the count value of the time counter 63. The reference time is displayed.

に お い て The second embodiment can also provide the same effects as the first embodiment. In other words, even if the user does not bother canceling the time difference setting, when the time information is received, the time difference setting is automatically canceled and the reference time is displayed. Further, the displayed reference time can be accurate based on the time information.

It should be noted that the timing device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
In the above embodiment, when the time information is received when the time difference is set, the reference time is corrected based on the received time information, and the corrected reference time is displayed. By comparing the counter values of the counters (second time counter 612, hourly minute time counter 622) with the counter values, and if the error between the two is within a predetermined range, the reference time of the time counter may be displayed without correction.

In the first embodiment, the drive circuit unit 4 has a two-motor configuration including the second motor 411 and the second drive circuit 41 for driving the second hand, and the hour / minute motor 421 and the hour / minute drive circuit 42 for driving the minute hand hour hand. The motor may be one. When one motor is used, only one counter unit 6 is required.
Although the second position counter 611 and the hour / minute position counter 621 count the position of the hands by counting the pulse signals output from the drive circuit section 4, a hand position detecting means for detecting the positions of the hands is provided. The data may be set in the second position counter 611 and the hour / minute position counter 621 based on the detection result.

In the first embodiment, the power generation device 71 is a power generation device that generates power by rotating a rotor by the movement of a rotating weight, a power generation device using a piezoelectric element, and the temperature between body temperature and outside air temperature when a watch is worn on an arm. A thermoelectric generator utilizing the difference or a solar power generator 9 shown in FIG. 8 may be used.
In the second embodiment, it goes without saying that various power generation means may be used instead of the battery 73.

The signal received by the receiving means 2 is not limited to the long-wave standard radio wave, but may be an FM radio wave, a GPS (Global Positioning System), or the like. It goes without saying that the configuration of the antenna 21 is appropriately changed depending on the type of radio wave to be received.
Further, the time information is not limited to the time information of Japan. Of course, time information of each country such as Germany (DCF-77), United Kingdom (MSF), and the United States (WWVB) may be received.
In this case, if you are initially in Japan, set the standard time to Japan Standard Time, set the time difference when you depart to a second country where time information is not transmitted, and then receive time information in the United States. The United States standard time may be used as the reference time.

In the above embodiment, the time difference display command 341, the reference time display command 342, the time difference setting command 343, the time difference setting release command 344, the time difference set amount storage 32, and the reception schedule storage 33 are a CPU, a ROM / ROM. The computer may be configured with a RAM or the like, and the control illustrated in FIG. 6 may be performed by incorporating a predetermined program into the computer. In this way, the set value can be easily changed. For example, the reception schedule and the time difference set amount can be easily changed.
In the first embodiment, the second position counter 611, the second time counter 612, the second coincidence detection circuit 613, the hour / minute position counter 621, the hour / minute time counter 622, and the hour / minute coincidence detection circuit 623 are configured by a CPU, a ROM / RAM, and the like. And a predetermined program may be incorporated in the computer.

Other aspects of the present invention are described below.
According to a first aspect, a computer is incorporated in a timekeeping device including time display means for displaying time, and a time display command unit for controlling time display of the time display means. Receiving means for receiving, a reference time update unit for sequentially updating a reference time which is a preset local standard time by counting clock pulses, and a reference time display command unit for displaying the reference time on the time display means. A time difference setting means for setting a time difference with respect to the reference time, a time difference time display command unit for displaying on the time display means a time difference different from the time difference set for the reference time, and the reference time by the receiving means. When the time information corresponding to the time is received, the operation of the time difference time display command section is stopped and the time difference setting is released to operate the reference time display command section. A control program of the timing device to function as a step.

According to a second aspect, a computer is incorporated in a timekeeping device including time display means for displaying time, and a time display command unit for controlling time display of the time display means. The computer transmits radio waves including time information. Receiving means for receiving, a reference time update unit for sequentially updating a reference time which is a preset local standard time by counting clock pulses, and a reference time display command unit for displaying the reference time on the time display means. A time difference setting means for setting a time difference with respect to the reference time, a time difference time display command unit for displaying on the time display means a time difference different from the time difference set for the reference time, and the reference time by the receiving means. When the time information corresponding to is received, the operation of the time difference time display command unit is stopped and the time difference setting solution for operating the reference time display command unit is stopped. A readable recording medium according to recording a computer a control program of the timing device to function as a unit.

In a third aspect, in the program according to the first aspect, the time display means has a time display hand, and the program causes the computer to operate the computer based on a drive pulse signal for driving the hand. A pointer position counter for counting the pointer position, a reference time counter comprising the reference time update unit, and a coincidence detecting means for detecting coincidence between the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter. When the time difference time display command unit is operated, the coincidence detecting means allows a mismatch between the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter, and when the time difference time display is released, The reference time display command unit sets the count value of the pointer position counter to a value equal to the count value of the time counter. A control program of the timing device and outputting the dynamic pulse signal.

According to a fourth aspect, in the recording medium according to the second aspect, the time display means has hands for displaying time, and the program recorded on the recording medium drives the computer and drives the hands. A pointer position counter that counts the pointer position based on the drive pulse signal to be driven; a reference time counter that includes the reference time update unit; and detection of a match between the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter. When the time difference time display command section is operated, the match detection means allows a mismatch between the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter. When the display is cancelled, the reference time display command unit changes the count value of the pointer position counter to the count value of the time counter. A readable recording medium according to recording a computer a control program of the timing device and outputs the drive pulse signals to match.

According to a fifth aspect, in the program according to the first aspect, the time display means has a time display hand, and the program causes the computer to detect a hand position of the hand. A pointer position counter that counts the pointer position based on the detection signal from the means, a reference time counter that includes the reference time update unit, and a check that the count value of the pointer position counter matches the count value of the reference time counter. When the time difference time display command section is operated, the match detection means allows the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter to be inconsistent. When the time display is cancelled, the reference time display command unit sets the count value of the pointer position counter to the count value of the time counter. A control program of the timing device and outputs the drive pulse signals to match the value.

According to a sixth aspect, in the recording medium according to the second aspect, the time display means has a pointer for displaying time, and the program recorded on the recording medium is configured to control the computer by executing A pointer position counter for counting the pointer position based on a detection signal from a pointer position detecting means for detecting a pointer position, a reference time counter including the reference time updating unit, a count value of the pointer position counter and the reference time When the time difference display command section is operated, the coincidence detecting means functions as coincidence detecting means for detecting coincidence with the count value of the counter, and the coincidence detecting means calculates the count value of the pointer position counter and the count value of the reference time counter. When the time difference display is cancelled, the reference time display command unit sets the count value of the pointer position counter to the previous value. A readable recording medium according to recording a computer a control program of the timing device and outputs the drive pulse signals to match the count value of the time counter.

According to the timekeeping device and the method for controlling the timekeeping device of the present invention as described above, the excellent effect that the time difference setting can be easily canceled and the accurate reference time can be indicated can be obtained.

It is a figure showing a 1st embodiment of a clock device of the present invention. It is a figure showing the time code format of a long wave standard wave. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating types of signals in a time code format. It is a figure which shows the receiving area of a long wave standard wave. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a receiving circuit according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the first embodiment. It is a figure showing a 2nd embodiment of a clock device of the present invention. This is an example in which a solar cell is used as a power supply unit.

Explanation of reference numerals

Reference numerals 1, 11: radio clock (time measuring means, electronic equipment), 2: receiving means, 3: central control section, 5: time display section (time display means), 8: external input device (external input means), 9: sun Photovoltaic power generation (power generation means), 21 antenna, 34 time display command section, 63 time counter (reference time update section), 71 power generation device (power generation means), 341 time difference time display command section, 342 reference time Display command part, 343: Time difference setting command part, 344: Time difference setting release command part, 611: Second position counter (hand position counter), 612: Second time counter (reference time updating part), 613: Second coincidence detection circuit (Match) Detecting means), 621: hour / minute position counter (hand position counter), 622: hour / minute time counter (reference time updating unit), 623 ... hour / minute coincidence detecting circuit (hand position counter), ST1: time difference setting step, ST ... time difference time display step, ST4 ... receiving step, ST6 ... reference time correction process, ST7 ... time difference setting cancellation process, ST8 ... the reference time display step.

Claims (1)

Time display means for displaying time, a computer is incorporated in a timekeeping device including a time display command unit for controlling the time display of the time display means, the computer, receiving means for receiving a radio wave including time information, A reference time update unit that counts clock pulses and sequentially updates a reference time that is a preset local standard time; a reference time display command unit that displays the reference time on the time display unit; and a time difference from the reference time. A time difference setting means for setting, a time difference time display command unit for causing the time display means to display a time difference different from the time difference set with respect to the reference time, and time information corresponding to the reference time by the receiving means. Functions as a time difference setting canceling unit that stops the operation of the time difference display command unit when the reception is performed and operates the reference time display command unit. A control program of the timing device for.

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