JP2005030894A - Radio-controlled clock - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio-controlled clock for receiving a standard time radio wave signal with high sensitivity even if a loop antenna having directivity as a reception antenna is used. <P>SOLUTION: The radio-controlled clock is provided with a second hand drive system for driving a second hand; an hour/minute hand drive system for driving hour/minute hands; a clock body section; a coreless loop antenna 1101 arranged rotatably at the clock body section; a long wave reception circuit for receiving the standard time radio wave signal via the loop antenna 1101; an antenna rotation section 1104 for rotating the loop antenna 1101 at a position, where the long wave reception circuit can receive the standard time radio wave signal; and a control circuit for correcting display time by driving the second hand drive system and the hour/minute hand drive system, based on the standard time radio wave signal received by the long wave reception circuit 1104 via the loop antenna 1101. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a radio-controlled timepiece that receives a standard time radio signal by a coreless loop antenna and corrects time information, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a standard radio wave transmission frequency of 40kHz from the standard radio wave transmission station of Mt. Otakaya on the border between Tamura-gun, Fukushima Prefecture and Kawauchi-mura, Futaba-gun, and a standard radio wave transmission on Mt. Hagane, located on the border between Fukuoka Prefecture and Saga Prefecture A standard radio wave with a frequency of 60 kHz is transmitted from the station. This standard radio wave includes a standard time code including a time code, a cumulative code, a day code, and a year code.
A radio-controlled timepiece that corrects the time display by the hands based on a standard time code (also referred to as a standard time signal) included in the standard radio wave is known.
In conventional radio-controlled timepieces, for example, a ferrite core antenna with a core has been used as an antenna unit that receives standard radio waves. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-272482 (FIG. 1-24)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, in the conventional radio-controlled timepiece, the ferrite antenna is used as the receiving antenna unit, and thus there is a problem that the thickness of the antenna unit becomes large and it is difficult to reduce the thickness.
By the way, for example, when a loop antenna is used for the antenna unit, since the loop antenna has directivity, it may be difficult to receive the standard time radio signal depending on the angle between the antenna and the standard radio wave transmission station.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is a radio wave that can receive a standard time radio wave signal with high sensitivity even when a directional loop antenna is used as a receiving antenna. To provide a modified watch.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an aspect of the present invention relates to a watch main body, a coreless loop antenna, receiving means for receiving a standard time radio signal via the loop antenna, and an antenna capable of rotating the loop antenna. Rotating means and control means for correcting a display time based on the standard time radio signal received by the receiving means via the loop antenna.
[0007]
According to an aspect of the present invention, the receiving means receives a standard time radio signal via a loop antenna.
The antenna rotating means can rotate the loop antenna.
The control means corrects the display time based on the standard time radio signal received by the receiving means via the loop antenna.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The radio-controlled timepiece according to the embodiment of the present invention has, for example, a coreless loop antenna as a receiving antenna, and the antenna rotating unit rotates the loop antenna to a position where the receiving unit can receive a standard time radio signal.
Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
FIG. 1 is an electrical functional block diagram of a first embodiment of a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention. 2 is a configuration diagram of the movement of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a cross section of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.
[0010]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the radio wave correction watch 1 according to the present embodiment includes a standard radio wave reception system 11, a time correction switch 12, an oscillation circuit 13, a control circuit 14, a drive circuit 15, a light emitting element 16, and a buffer circuit 17. , A drive circuit 18, a timepiece main body 100, a second hand motor 121, an hour / minute hand motor 131, a light detection sensor unit 140, a manual correction system 150, transistors Q1 and Q2, and resistance elements R1 to R5.
[0011]
The standard radio wave reception system 11 receives standard radio waves (also called standard time radio signals) including standard time information (also called time codes) transmitted from a standard radio wave transmission station (not shown), for example, and performs predetermined processing. The pulse signal S11 is output to the control circuit 14.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the standard radio wave receiving system 11 includes an antenna unit 1101, a matching unit 1102, a long wave receiving circuit 1103, and an antenna rotating unit 1104.
The antenna unit 1101 is configured by a coreless loop antenna, for example, and receives a standard time radio wave signal.
The matching unit 1102 is configured by a capacitor (not shown), for example, and is connected to the loop antenna 1101 to form a resonance circuit that resonates with the frequency of the carrier wave of the standard time radio signal, and the received standard time radio signal is signal S1102. Is output to the long wave receiving circuit 1103.
[0012]
The antenna rotating unit 1104 can rotate, for example, the loop antenna 1110 of the antenna unit. Specifically, for example, the antenna rotating unit 1104 rotates the loop antenna 1101 to a position where the long wave receiving circuit 1103 can receive the standard time radio wave signal based on the control signal CTL11 from the control circuit 14.
[0013]
4A is a front view of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4B is a back side view, and FIG. 5A is a back side in a protective case of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5B are right sectional views of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.
[0014]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a dial 201, a second hand 202 as a pointer, a minute hand 203, And an hour hand 204 is provided. A windshield 303 is provided on the front face of the watch.
[0015]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a protective case 302 is provided on the back surface of the radio-controlled timepiece 1, and a mechanical mechanism (movement) is provided inside the protective case 302 as shown in FIGS. ) 100 and a coreless loop antenna 1101 and an antenna rotating unit 1104 are formed as the antenna unit of the standard radio wave receiving system 11. In the present embodiment, as shown in the drawing, an antenna rotating portion 1104 is provided on the dial (cum plate) 201 at the lower right portion of the movement 100, and the loop antenna 1101 is rotatably held at the upper portion thereof.
[0016]
The loop antenna 1101 and the antenna rotating unit 1104 as the antenna unit are not limited to the above-described forms.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a specific example of the antenna unit and the antenna rotating unit of the radio-controlled timepiece.
[0017]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the loop antenna 1101 is provided on the gear base 11011.
As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the antenna rotating unit 1104 includes a gear 1104a that meshes with the gear base 11011 and an antenna driving motor 1104b that rotationally drives the gear 1104a.
The antenna driving motor 1104b rotates the loop antenna 1101 through the gear 1104a and the gear base 11011 based on the signal CTL11 from the control circuit 14, for example. At this time, for example, the rotation axis direction R1101 of the loop antenna 1101 is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
In the present embodiment, for example, the antenna driving motor 1104b can rotate in the forward / reverse rotation direction, and the loop antenna 1101 can rotate in the forward / reverse rotation direction.
[0018]
FIG. 7 is a top view for explaining the directivity of the loop antenna shown in FIGS.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the directivity of the loop antenna 1101 is such that the reception sensitivity dir1101 is minimum in the vertical direction Rmin with respect to the plane formed by the loop antenna 1101, and in the vertical direction Rmin, The reception sensitivity dir1101 is the maximum.
Further, the reception sensitivity of the standard time radio signal by the loop antenna 1101 is substantially proportional to the area of the coil portion (loop portion) formed by the loop antenna 1101. The loop antenna 1101 can receive a standard time radio signal with higher sensitivity as its area increases.
For this reason, the reception sensitivity of the standard time radio signal greatly varies depending on the directivity and the area of the coil portion as described above.
[0019]
The shape, installation position, and the like of the loop antenna 1101 are determined in consideration of physical constraints such as space, reception directivity, reception sensitivity, and the like for rotating the loop antenna 1101.
[0020]
Japanese standard radio waves are operated by the Communications Research Laboratory (CRL), a standard radio transmitter that transmits standard radio waves with a frequency of 40 kHz, and standard radio wave transmitters that transmit standard radio waves with a frequency of 60 kHz. A place is provided.
The standard radio wave received by the standard radio wave receiving system 11 is sent in a form as shown in FIG.
[0021]
Specifically, the time code is composed of three types of signal patterns of 1, 0, and P, and is distinguished by a 100% amplitude period width in one signal pattern of 1 sec. 1, 0 and P are 500 ms, 800 ms, and 200 ms, respectively. It has become. The modulation method is amplitude modulation with a maximum value of 100% and a minimum value of 10%.
[0022]
When the reception state is good, the standard radio wave receiving system 11 outputs a signal S11 as a pulse signal corresponding to the standard radio wave signal to the control circuit 14, as shown in FIG. 8B.
[0023]
The signal S11 is composed of, for example, a high level corresponding to the first level and a low level corresponding to the second level. The control circuit 14 performs reception state evaluation processing based on the high level and the low level, the falling edge ed1 from the high level to the low level, and the rising edge ed2 from the low level to the high level. When the edges ed1 and ed2 are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as edges ed.
[0024]
Next, transmission data of the long wave standard radio wave will be described.
FIG. 9 shows an example of the time code of the standard time radio signal. FIG. 9A shows a format other than 15 and 45 minutes per hour, and FIG. 9B shows a format of 15 minutes and 45 minutes per hour.
The transmission information is the accumulated date from minutes, hours, and January 1st.
The time data is transmitted at 1 bit / sec. One frame is one frame, and information on the accumulated date from the above-mentioned minute / hour / January 1 is provided as a BCD code in this frame. In addition to the 0 · 1, the transmitted data includes a marker called P code. This P code has several locations in one frame, and the minute (0 seconds), 9 seconds, 19 seconds, 29 seconds, Appears at 39, 49, 59 seconds. This P code appears continuously only once at 59 seconds and 0 seconds in one frame, and the position where this P code appears continuously becomes the minute position. In other words, since time data such as minute / hour data is determined in the frame with reference to this minute position, time data cannot be extracted unless this minute position is detected.
[0025]
The time adjustment switch 12 is operated, for example, when adjusting the time, and outputs a signal S12 to the control circuit 14 in accordance with the operation. When the signal S12 is input from the time adjustment switch 12, the control circuit 14 corrects the time.
[0026]
The oscillation circuit 13 includes a crystal oscillator CRY and capacitors C2 and C3, and supplies a basic clock having a predetermined frequency to the control circuit 14.
[0027]
The control circuit 14 has an internal clock 1401 and a memory 1402.
The internal clock 1401 includes, for example, an hour counter, a minute counter, and a second counter.
[0028]
The memory 1402 is used as a work space of the control circuit 14, for example. For example, the memory 1402 includes a RAM (Random access memory) or the like.
[0029]
The control circuit 14 corrects the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 based on the standard time radio wave signal received by the long wave reception circuit 1103 via the loop antenna 1101 and the matching unit 1102 of the antenna unit, and The drive signals CTL1 and CTL2 corresponding to the time information timed at 1401 are output to correct the time display by the hands.
Further, the control circuit 14 sends a control signal CTL11 for rotating the loop antenna 1101 to a position where the long wave receiving circuit 1103 can receive the standard time radio signal based on the reception state of the standard time radio signal. Output. The antenna rotating unit 1104 rotates the loop antenna 1101 based on the control signal CTL11 so that the standard radio wave signal can be received.
[0030]
For example, when the time adjustment switch 12 is operated in the initial state, the control circuit 14 performs the origin detection processing of the pointer wheel and outputs the drive signals CTL1 and CTL2 corresponding to the time information measured by the internal clock 1401. Then, the time is displayed using the hands.
The control circuit 14 performs the phase detection process of the hour / minute hand wheel and the second hand wheel, the origin search process of the second hand, the origin search process of the hour / minute hand, and detects the position of each hand wheel after a predetermined time. Set a guideline.
[0031]
For example, the phase adjustment processing is performed by setting the hour / minute hands to a position where the light output from the light emitting element 142 passes through the light transmitting portion provided in the hour / minute hand wheel and the light transmitting portion provided in the second hand wheel. Drive the car and the second hand wheel.
In the second hand origin search process, the light output from the light emitting element 142 is received by the light receiving element 144 by the light shielding portion and the light transmitting portion provided in the second hand wheel, and the origin is searched based on the light on / off pattern. The
As will be described later, the hour / minute hand origin search process is a light on / off pattern in which the light output from the light emitting element 142 is received by the light receiving element 144 by the light shielding portion and the light transmitting portion provided in the hour / minute hand wheel. The position is searched based on.
[0032]
For example, the control circuit 14 samples the signal S11 input from the standard radio wave reception system 11 (for example, 32 Hz), detects the edge ed, and determines the reception state based on the presence or absence and the number of the edge ed.
[0033]
The control circuit 14 counts various counters of the internal clock 1401 based on the basic clock by the oscillation circuit 13 when the time can be set based on the standard radio time signal received at the set reception frequency. Take control.
[0034]
When the reception state is not within the reference range, the control circuit 14 outputs the drive signal DR1 to the drive circuit 15 without outputting the control signal CTL1, and causes the light emitting element 16 as the notification means to emit light to the user. Notify that the standard radio wave signal is hardly received.
[0035]
When the control circuit 14 compares the time measured by various time counters of the internal clock 1401 with the standard time information based on the standard time radio signal received by the standard radio signal receiving system 11, an error has occurred. In this case, the time counter is corrected according to the error, the pulse signal P for correction is input to the motor 131 as the control signal CTL2 according to the correction, and fast-forward driving is performed to correct the time display by the pointer. I do.
[0036]
The drive circuit 15 includes a pnp transistor Q1 and resistors R1 and R2.
The base of the transistor Q1 is connected to the output line of the drive signal DR1 of the control circuit 14 via the resistor element R1, the collector is connected to the anode of the light emitting element 16 made of, for example, a light emitting diode, and the emitter is connected via the resistor element R2. Power supply voltage V _CC Connected to the supply line. The cathode of the light emitting element 16 is grounded.
The light emitting element 16 blinks in response to the drive signal DR1 output from the control circuit 14 at regular intervals.
[0037]
The drive circuit 18 is a drive circuit for the light transmission type photodetection sensor 140, and includes, for example, a pnp type transistor Q2 and resistance elements R3 and R4.
The emitter of the transistor Q2 is the power supply voltage V _CC The base is connected to the output line of the drive signal DR2 of the control circuit 14 via the resistance element R3, and the collector is connected to the light transmission type photodetection sensor 140 via the resistance element R4.
The drive circuit 18 supplies power to the light transmission type photodetection sensor 140 when the drive signal DR <b> 2 is output from the control circuit 14.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 3, the light transmission type light detection sensor 140 is attached to the upper case 112 so as to face the light emitting element 142 and the light emitting element 142 made of a light emitting diode attached to the lower case 111, for example. And a light receiving element 144 made of a phototransistor.
[0039]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sixth wheel 126, the second hand wheel 123, the third wheel 133, the minute hand wheel 134, and the hour hand wheel 136 are all disposed at the same time. When the long hole of the sixth wheel 126, the long hole of the second hand wheel 123, the long hole of the third wheel 133, the long hole of the minute hand wheel 134, and the long hole of the hour hand wheel overlap, the light emitting element 142 emits the light. The detected light is received by the light receiving element 144, and the light transmission type light detection sensor 140 is turned on.
The control circuit 14 detects the position of the pointer according to the state of the light transmission type light detection sensor 140.
[0040]
The anode of the light emitting element 142 is connected to the other end of the resistance element R4 in the drive circuit 18 having one end connected to the collector of the pnp transistor Q2, and the cathode is grounded and connected to the emitter of the light receiving element 144.
[0041]
The collector of the light receiving element 144 is connected to the control circuit 14. The connection line to the control circuit 14 is an output line for the detection signal DT1 to the control circuit 14, and this output line is connected to the power supply voltage V via the resistor R5. _CC Connected to the supply line.
The light emitting element 142 is connected to the drive circuit 18 so as to emit light when a low level drive signal DR2 is output from the control circuit 14.
[0042]
Next, a specific configuration of the movement of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 and the pointer position detection system will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the timepiece main body 100 has a lower case 111, an upper case 112 that are connected to face each other to form an outline, and a lower space in a space formed by the lower case 111 and the upper case 112. An intermediate plate 113 is provided in a state of being connected to the case 111.
[0043]
A first driving system for driving a second hand as a first pointer with respect to predetermined positions of the lower case 111, the middle plate 113, and the upper case 112 in the space, that is, a second hand driving system 120 and a second pointer. A second drive system for driving the hour / minute hands, that is, an hour / minute hand drive system 130, a light transmission type light detection sensor 140, a manual correction system 150 for manually correcting the time, and the like are fixed or pivotally supported. ing.
[0044]
As described above, the second hand drive system 120 includes the stator 121a, the drive coil 121b wound around the leg piece on one side of the stator 121a, and the rotor that is rotatably rotated between the other magnetic poles of the stator 121a. No. 6 as a first detection gear (first transmission gear) meshed with the seventh wheel 127 and a seventh wheel 127 engaged with the pinion 121d of the rotor 121c, the second hand motor 121 constituted by 121c. The vehicle 126, a first fifth wheel 122 as an intermediate wheel meshed with the sixth wheel 126, and a second hand wheel 123 as a second detection gear meshed with the first fifth wheel 122 Has been.
[0045]
Here, the rotation direction, the rotation angle, and the rotation speed of the second hand motor 121 are controlled based on the control signal CTL 1 output from the control circuit 14. In the present embodiment, as a minimum unit when considering the movement of the drive system, it is referred to as one step that the control circuit 14 oscillates a pulse signal once to drive the motors 121 and 131 in pulses. . The actual length of the interval between steps is different between normal hand movement and fast-forwarding at time adjustment, and also differs between the second hand drive system and the hour / minute hand drive system.
[0046]
In the continuous hand movement, it is necessary to increase the reduction ratio from the rotor 121c to the second hand wheel 123 in order to smoothly move the second hand, that is, the second hand wheel 123 to which the second hand is attached. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first fifth wheel 122 is meshed as an intermediate wheel between the sixth wheel 126 serving as the first detection gear and the second hand wheel 123 serving as the second detection gear. I earn. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the sixth wheel is 40 steps / rotation, the second hand wheel is 960 steps / rotation, and the reduction ratio from the rotor 121c to the second hand wheel 123 is 1/480.
In this embodiment, the second hand reference position is detected by using a transmission portion and a light shielding portion provided on the sixth wheel 126 and the second hand wheel 123.
[0047]
The reference position of the second hand, that is, the second hand wheel 123 is obtained using only the sixth wheel 126 and the second hand wheel 123. The method focuses on one point where the long holes of the 6th wheel 126 and the second hand wheel 123 overlap and detects detection light for position detection there, and the 6th wheel 126 and the second hand wheel 123 are detected. The reference position is detected by discriminating the ON / OFF pattern of the light detection sensor generated by the long hole and the light shielding portion.
[0048]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hour / minute hand driving system 130 as the second driving system includes a substantially U-shaped stator 131a, a driving coil 131b wound around one leg piece of the stator 131a, An hour and minute hand motor 131 constituted by a rotor 131c rotatably supported between the other magnetic poles of the stator 131a, a second fifth wheel 132 as an intermediate wheel meshing with a pinion 131d of the rotor 131c, As a third detection gear 133 (second transmission gear) meshed with the second fifth wheel 132, and as a fourth detection gear (second pointer wheel) meshed with the third wheel 133 A minute hand wheel 134, a minute wheel 135 as an intermediate wheel meshed with the minute hand wheel 134, and an hour hand wheel 136 as a fifth detection gear (second pointer wheel) meshed with the minute wheel 135 Consists of To have.
[0049]
Here, the rotation direction, the rotation angle, and the rotation speed of the hour / minute hand motor 131 are controlled based on the control signal CTL 2 output from the control circuit 14.
The third wheel & pinion 133 has three arc-shaped long holes having a predetermined width in the radial direction and extending by a predetermined length in the circumferential direction, and a portion between the long holes. A certain light shielding part is alternately arranged concentrically around the rotation axis of the third wheel & pinion 133.
[0050]
The minute hand wheel 134 has three arc-shaped long holes having a predetermined width in the radial direction and extending by a predetermined length in the circumferential direction, and a light shielding part between the long holes. The portions are alternately arranged concentrically around the rotation axis of the minute hand wheel 134.
[0051]
The hour hand wheel 136 has three arc-shaped long holes having a predetermined width in the radial direction and extending by a predetermined length in the circumferential direction, and a light shielding portion between the long holes. The portions are alternately arranged concentrically around the rotation axis of the hour hand wheel 136.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, the third wheel & pinion 133 is provided with three long holes as a transmission part for detecting the reference position. As in the case of the second hand wheel 123, in order to determine the reference position, the ON / OFF pattern of the light detection sensor generated by the long hole and the light shielding portion of the third wheel 133 and the minute hand wheel 134 is distinguished, and the minute hand according to the pattern. The reference position, for example, 0 minute, and the position indicating the reference position of the hour hand, for example, 0:00 are detected.
[0053]
The manual correction system 150 includes a minute wheel 135 that meshes with the minute hand wheel 134 and the hour hand wheel 136 described above, and a manual correction shaft 151 that meshes with the minute wheel 135 of this date. The manual correction shaft 151 is positioned outside the upper case 112 and has a head 151b that can be directly touched by a user.
The manual correction shaft 151 is configured to rotate in the same phase as the minute hand wheel 134, and when the minute hand wheel 134 is driven by the above-mentioned hour / minute hand driving system 130, the minute hand wheel 134 is connected via the minute wheel 135. The pointer position can be manually corrected by rotating the head 151b with a finger when the hour / minute hand drive system 130 is not in operation.
[0054]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the hand position detection process of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. The pointer position detection process will be described with reference to FIG.
An hour / minute pulse signal output pattern is set from the control circuit 14 (ST101), and the drive signal DR2 is output to the drive circuit 18 at a low level. Accordingly, the transistor Q2 is turned on, and detection light is emitted from the light emitting element 142, that is, the light emitting diode.
[0055]
Subsequently, the control signal CTL1 is output from the control circuit 14, the second hand motor 121 is pulse-driven (ST102), the light receiving element 144, that is, the phototransistor is turned on, and the detection signal DT1 is at a high level (power supply voltage V _cc It is determined whether or not the level has been switched to the low level (ST103).
[0056]
Here, when the detection signal DT1 from the phototransistor is held at a high level, the detection signal DT1 from the phototransistor is at a high level (power supply every time the number of pulses is added to perform step driving. Voltage V _cc It is determined whether or not the level has been switched from low to low (ST104 to ST106).
Even when the number of pulses reaches 9, the detection signal DT1 output from the phototransistor remains at the high level (power supply voltage V _cc If the level does not switch to the low level, the hour / minute hand motor 131 is driven by one step (pulse) (ST107), and then the second hand motor 121 is step-driven again (ST102), and the second hand wheel 123 is rotationally driven. Is done.
[0057]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST103 that the detection signal DT1 from the phototransistor has switched from the high level to the low level, the second hand wheel 123 is fast-forwarded (ST108), and the comparison with the output pattern stored in advance in the control circuit 14 is performed. Performed (ST109).
As a result of the comparison, if the obtained output pattern does not match the stored output pattern, the process returns to step ST108, and the second hand wheel 123 is fast-forwarded again.
[0058]
On the other hand, if the obtained output pattern matches the stored output pattern, the output of the phototransistor is then output at that time (when the level of the detection signal DT1 is not switched to the low level by the phototransistor even at the fifth step). At the time of switching to low level), the output of the control signal CTL1 is stopped, and the circuit driving of the second hand wheel 123 is stopped. Then, the second hand wheel 123 stops at the zero return position (ST110). At this time, the second hand is corrected to a position at a predetermined time, for example, the hour (0 second), and the second hand origin searching process ends.
[0059]
Subsequently, the control signal CTL2 is output from the control circuit 14, only the hour / minute hand motor 131 is pulse-driven at a predetermined output frequency, and the minute hand wheel 134 is fast-forwarded (ST111).
[0060]
Then, the output pattern from the phototransistor is compared with the output pattern stored in advance in the control circuit 14 (ST112).
As a result of the comparison, if the obtained output pattern does not match the stored output pattern, the process returns to step ST111, and the minute hand wheel 134 is fast-forwarded again.
[0061]
On the other hand, if the obtained output pattern matches the stored output pattern as a result of the comparison in step ST112, the output of the control signal CTL2 is stopped at that time, and the hour / minute hand motor 131 is stopped. Then, the driving of the minute hand wheel 134 and the hour hand wheel 136 is stopped (ST113).
[0062]
Here, the position detection processing of the hour / minute hand wheel by comparing the output pattern with the output pattern stored in advance is performed by matching with any of the three types of patterns.
[0063]
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an output pattern of detection light of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.
That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, the output pattern of the phototransistor by the minute hand wheel 134 is an alternating width of two narrow B portions and one wide A portion as the off width where the light shielding portion acts. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11B, the output pattern of the phototransistor by the hour hand wheel 136 has three types of D-parts, E-parts, and C-parts in which the light-shielding part acts. Is a pattern that appears alternately at a predetermined interval. As shown in FIG. 11C, an output pattern obtained by combining the two is a pattern in which the D portion, the B portion, and the A portion are combined, and the E portion, Three types of patterns, which are a combination of the B part and the A part and a pattern of the C part, the B part, and the A part, appear at predetermined intervals.
In the pattern shown in FIG. 11, the pattern portion that is turned on is actually a portion that is turned off by the light blocking portion of the third wheel & pinion 133, and thus has a tooth-missing pattern.
[0064]
Further, for example, the reference positions of the minute hand wheel 134 and the hour hand wheel 136 are set to positions of 0:00, 4:00, and 8:00 as shown in FIG.
[0065]
When a pattern consisting of a combination of D part, B part and A part is confirmed, for example, 4:00, for example, when a pattern consisting of a combination of E part, B part and A part is confirmed, for example, 8:00, If a pattern composed of a combination of part C, part B and part A is confirmed, for example, it is set in advance as 12:00, for example, when any one of these patterns is detected, the hour / minute hand motor 131 is set. Is stopped, the time of the minute hand wheel 134 and the hour hand wheel 136, that is, the minute hand and the hour hand can be adjusted to a predetermined time.
[0066]
After the hour / minute hand motor 131 is stopped, the drive signal DR2 by the control circuit 14 is switched to a high level.
Thereby, the transistor Q2 of the drive circuit 18 is turned off, and the light emission of the light emitting diode is stopped (ST114).
[0067]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. The overall operation of the radio-controlled timepiece will be described with reference to FIG.
First, a counter Nr indicating the number of times the angle of the loop antenna 1101 has been corrected in advance, that is, the number of times the loop antenna 1101 has been rotated, is initialized and set to zero.
For example, at the initial time, when the time adjustment switch 12 is operated, and when a preset reception time is reached, the control circuit 14 receives the standard time radio signal received by the loop antenna 1101 of the antenna unit as the matching unit 1102 and It is input via the long wave receiving circuit 1103 (ST201).
In the control circuit 14, the count value of the counter Nr is incremented by 1, and the count value of the counter Nr is compared with a predetermined value (ST202). It is assumed that it cannot be received, and the display time is not corrected by the pointer.
On the other hand, when the count value of the counter Nr is smaller than the predetermined value in step ST202, the process proceeds to step ST203.
[0068]
In step ST203, the control circuit 14 determines whether the reception state of the standard time radio signal received by the long wave reception circuit 1103 via the loop antenna 1101 and the matching unit 1102 is good, and determines that the reception sensitivity is not good. If it is, the control signal CTL11 is output to the antenna rotation unit 1104. For example, when the control signal CTL11 is input, the antenna rotating unit 1104 rotates the loop antenna 1101 by a predetermined angle, for example, 30 degrees (ST204), and returns to step ST201.
[0069]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST203 that the reception state is good, the control circuit 14 corrects the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 based on the received standard time radio signal, and has been described above. After the train wheel position detection process is performed as described above (ST205), a predetermined signal CTL2 is applied to the hour / minute hand motor 131 and a signal CTL1 is applied to the second hand motor 121 based on the time information timed by the internal clock 1401. Then, the standard time is displayed on the second hand 202, the minute hand 203, and the hour hand 204 to correct the display time (ST206).
[0070]
As described above, the second hand drive system 120 that drives the second hand, the hour / minute hand drive system 130 that drives the hour / minute hands, the watch body, the coreless loop antenna 1101, and the standard time radio signal via the loop antenna 1101. Received by the long wave receiving circuit 1104 via the loop antenna 1101, the antenna rotating unit 1104 for rotating the loop antenna 1101 to a position where the long wave receiving circuit 1103 can receive the standard time radio wave signal, and the loop antenna 1101. Since the control circuit 14 for correcting the display time by driving the second hand drive system 120 and the hour / minute hand drive system 130 based on the standard time radio wave signal is provided, a loop antenna is used as a receiving antenna. In addition, the standard time radio signal can be received with high sensitivity.
[0071]
Further, the control circuit 14 causes the antenna rotating unit 1104 to rotate the loop antenna 1101 to a position where the long wave receiving circuit 1103 can receive the standard time radio signal based on the reception state of the standard time radio signal. It can be received with high sensitivity at the position.
[0072]
Further, since the antenna rotating unit 1104 rotates the loop antenna 1101 so that the direction of the rotation axis is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the loop antenna can be rotated to a position where the reception sensitivity is optimal.
[0073]
FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a second embodiment of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the invention. FIG. 13A is a rear view of the radio-controlled timepiece 1a according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a right side view of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.
[0074]
The difference between the radio-controlled timepiece 1a according to the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the shape of the loop antenna 1101a is different and the installation positions of the loop antenna 1101a and the antenna rotating unit 1104 are different. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described.
[0075]
For example, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the loop antenna 1101 a and the antenna rotating unit 1104 are provided at the center of the back plate 302.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the loop antenna 1101a has a concave portion 1101b at the center portion of the loop portion so that the loop antenna 1101a does not come into contact with the movement 100 provided at the center portion of the back surface when rotated. Is formed.
Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.
[0076]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the movement 100, the loop antenna 1101 and the antenna rotating unit 1104 are formed in a straight line when viewed from the back side, and the recess 1101b is provided in the loop antenna 1101a. Therefore, even when the loop antenna 1101a is installed at the center or when the loop antenna 1101a rotates, it does not contact the movement 100 provided at the center of the back surface.
Further, compared to the first embodiment, the loop portion can be formed longer in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the loop antenna 1101.
[0077]
FIG. 14 is a back view for explaining a third embodiment of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the invention. FIG. 15 is a top view of the radio-controlled timepiece 1c shown in FIG.
The difference between the radio-controlled timepiece 1c according to the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the shape of the loop antenna 1101c is different. Only the differences will be described.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the loop antenna 1101 c according to the present embodiment is formed in a substantially circular shape inside the protective case 302 in accordance with the shape of the peripheral portion of the exterior portion 301. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the lower portion of the loop antenna is formed in a linear shape, and is held rotatably by the antenna rotating unit 1104.
[0078]
Further, the loop antenna 1101c is a part of the watch housing portion and is disposed at a position where the rotation angle is regulated to a predetermined angle.
Specifically, for example, the loop antenna 1101c and the receiving plate (also called a dial plate) 201 are arranged at positions separated by a predetermined distance. In this way, the antenna rotating unit 1104 can rotate the loop antenna 1101c by a predetermined distance, that is, rotate by a predetermined angle θ.
[0079]
Only the differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described with respect to the operation of the radio-controlled timepiece 1c having the above configuration.
In the initial state, for example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the loop antenna 1101c is set at an angle parallel to the receiving plate 201.
When the reception state of the standard time radio signal received by the loop antenna 1101c is not good, the control circuit 14 outputs the control signal CTL11 to the antenna rotating unit 1104, and the loop antenna 1101c is output to the loop antenna rotating unit 1104. As shown in (b), when the position parallel to the receiving plate 201 is 0 degree, the angle is rotated by θ.
[0080]
If the reception sensitivity of the standard time radio signal received in this state is not good, the control circuit 14 outputs the control signal CTL11 to the antenna rotation unit 1104 and causes the loop antenna rotation unit 1104 to reversely rotate the loop antenna 1101c. If the parallel position is 0 degree, the angle is set to -θ.
[0081]
The control of the control circuit 4 is not limited to this form. For example, when the reception state of the standard time radio signal received by the loop antenna 1101c is not good, the control circuit 14 outputs the control signal CTL11 to the antenna rotating unit 1104, and makes the loop antenna 1101c parallel to the loop antenna rotating unit 1104. If the position is 0 degree, the position may be rotated by an angle smaller than the angle θ, and the loop antenna 1101c may be gradually rotated to the angle θ several times and stopped at a good angle in the reception state. The same applies to the opposite angle.
[0082]
As described above, in this embodiment, the loop antenna 1101c is formed in a substantially circular shape along the shape of the peripheral portion of the exterior portion 301 inside the protective case 302, so that the area of the loop portion is the first. Since it is larger than the first and second embodiments, the reception sensitivity is high.
Furthermore, the loop antenna 1101c is a part of the back side of the watch housing 301 and is disposed at a position where the rotation angle is regulated by a predetermined angle. The antenna rotation unit 1104 can rotate the loop antenna 1101c by an angle θ. Therefore, the directivity of the loop antenna can be changed by the angle θ, and the standard time radio signal can be optimally received within the angle range.
In addition, it is possible to provide a radio-controlled timepiece having a thin antenna unit as compared with the first and second embodiments.
[0083]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and various suitable modifications can be made.
In the present embodiment, the loop antenna is rotated by the drive motor, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the antenna angle may be set manually.
[0084]
In the present embodiment, the loop antenna is formed on the upper part of the antenna rotating unit, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the loop antenna may be rotatably held at the lower portion of the antenna fixing portion so as to be suspended by the antenna fixing portion.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radio-controlled timepiece that can receive a standard time radio signal with high sensitivity even when a directional loop antenna is used as a receiving antenna.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an electrical functional block diagram of a first embodiment of a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention.
2 is a configuration diagram of the movement of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a cross section of the radio wave correction watch shown in FIG. 2;
4 is an overall view of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 1. FIG. (A) is a front view of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is a back view.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the radio wave correction watch shown in FIG. 1; (A) is a back view in the protective case of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 4 (b), and (b) is a right sectional view of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a specific example of an antenna unit and an antenna rotation unit of the radio-controlled timepiece.
7 is a top view for explaining the directivity of the loop antenna shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a radio wave reception state in the control circuit according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows an example of a time code of a standard time radio signal. (A) shows formats other than 15 and 45 minutes per hour, and (b) shows formats for 15 minutes and 45 minutes per hour.
10 is a flowchart showing a hand position detection process of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.
11 is a diagram for explaining an output pattern of detection light of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the invention. (A) is a back view of the radio-controlled timepiece 1a according to the second embodiment, and (b) is a right side view of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 13 (a).
FIG. 14 is a back view for explaining a third embodiment of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the invention.
15 is a top view of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1c ... Radio correction clock, 11 ... Standard radio wave reception system, 12 ... Time correction switch, 13 ... Oscillation circuit, 14 ... Control circuit, 15 ... Drive circuit, 16 ... Light emitting element, 17 ... Buffer circuit, 18 ... Drive circuit 100 ... Timepiece body (mechanical mechanism: movement) 111 ... Lower case 112 ... Upper case 113 ... Medium plate 120 ... First drive system (second hand drive system) 121 ... Second hand motor (first (Drive source), 122 ... first fifth wheel (first transmission gear, first detection gear), 123 ... second hand wheel (second detection gear, first pointer wheel), 126 ... sixth wheel, 127 ... 7th wheel, 130 ... second drive system (hour / minute hand drive system), 131 ... hour / minute hand motor (second drive source), 132 ... second 5th wheel, 133 ... third wheel, 134 ... minute hand wheel ( Second hand wheel, 135 ... Sunlight wheel, 136 ... Hour hand wheel (second hand wheel) , 140 ... light detection sensor, 142 ... light emitting element, 143 ... circuit board, 144 ... light receiving element, 150 ... manual correction system, 151 ... manual correction shaft, 201 ... dial (cum plate), 202 ... second hand, 203 ... minute hand, 204 ... hour hand, 301 ... housing part (exterior part), 1101, 1101a, 1101c ... antenna part (loop antenna), 1102 ... matching part, 1103 ... long wave receiving circuit, 1104 ... antenna rotating part, 1401 ... inside Clock, 1402 ... Memory.

Claims (3)

The watch body,
With a coreless loop antenna,
Receiving means for receiving a standard time radio signal via the loop antenna;
An antenna rotating means capable of rotating the loop antenna;
A radio-controlled timepiece having control means for correcting a display time based on the standard time radio signal received by the receiving means via the loop antenna. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the antenna rotating unit to rotate the loop antenna to a position where the receiving unit can receive the standard time radio signal based on a reception state of the standard time radio signal. Radio correction clock. The loop antenna is a part of the watch housing part and is arranged at a position where the rotation angle is regulated to a predetermined angle,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the antenna rotating unit to rotate the loop antenna to a position where the receiving unit can receive the standard time radio signal based on a reception state of the standard time radio signal. Radio correction clock.

Images