JP2005351769A - Time signal relay unit and time correcting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent erroneous indication of radio correction timepiece with a time signal relay unit and a time correcting system by controlling transmission of time wave signal from the time signal relay unit when wave reception state is poor. <P>SOLUTION: A wave transmission switching mode 25b is provided to the time signal relay unit 2. When the time signal relay unit is not normally receiving the wave of time information, the mode selection of transmission continuation or transmission stop is switched in a transmission RF amplifier 29 so that exact time information may be indicated at the wave correction timepiece (3) side, while informing of the reception state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a time signal relay device and a time correction system for relaying a radio signal including a time code for a radio correction timepiece that receives a radio signal and corrects the time.

  The radio-controlled timepiece receives, for example, a long wave (40 kHz) standard time radio wave that conveys Japan standard time with high accuracy, corrects the time based on the received radio wave, and displays an accurate time.

  This type of radio-controlled timepiece incorporates a receiving system circuit that receives a standard time radio signal and a control circuit that drives the pointer driving system based on the received signal to correct the time. The pointer position is corrected to a position corresponding to the time code of the received radio signal.

By the way, the radio-controlled timepiece is dedicated to receiving standard time radio waves, and often cannot be received in installation places where radio waves do not reach, such as indoors such as steel frame houses and basements. Therefore, in order to eliminate restrictions on the location of the radio-controlled timepiece, a time signal relay device that receives a standard time radio signal, modulates the received time signal with a predetermined carrier wave, and transmits it is provided. There has been proposed a technique in which the received signal is received by a radio-controlled clock and the time is corrected (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-333170).
However, even if a time signal relay device (booster) is attached, it is difficult to receive the signal due to changes in geographical conditions and environment.
For example, in both reception areas where the received radio waves are 40 KHz and 60 KHz, there are areas where the reception conditions of the received radio waves are poor, and the reception conditions are greatly affected by the topography of the area. When it is far from the key station, the ground wave is greatly attenuated, and the rate of attenuation of the air wave is small, and as a result, the air wave is relatively large. Further, when the reception clock is at a distance of 500 km from the key station, the attenuation ratio between the ground wave and the air becomes nonlinear, so that the electric field intensity becomes complicated and greatly affects the reception state.
In addition, in individual households, as a result of reducing building windows or increasing wall thickness in order to improve earthquake resistance, for example, it has become difficult to receive what has been received so far. There was also.
In addition, because a high-rise house was built in the neighborhood, it could be received even though it could have been received up to now.
Japanese Patent Application No. 5-333170

By the way, in the case of the time signal relay device as described above, even when the radio wave reception condition is poor and the electric field strength is extremely low or when it is below the noise level, the internal clock is corrected and the corrected time information of the internal clock is obtained. Was sending time information based on.
Therefore, in extreme cases, even if the time signal relay device cannot receive radio waves normally, it continues to transmit the time information of the internal clock to which the error has been accumulated in the time information relay device (booster) to the radio clock. It was. On the other hand, the radio timepiece displays that even when the time information with accumulated errors is received, it can be received regardless of whether the content is accurate or inaccurate. In other words, the time signal relay device continues to transmit the time signal even if it cannot be received, and complements even when there is no signal.
As a result, an abnormal phenomenon has occurred in which the time is different even though the radio clock is receiving and displaying.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a time signal relay device with a radio wave transmission switching mode, and transmit when the time signal relay device has not normally received time information radio waves. An object of the present invention is to provide a time signal relay device and a time correction system that perform switching between continuation and transmission stop and that the radio wave clock side displays the radio wave reception state.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a time signal relay device that relays a radio signal including a time code for a radio correction watch that receives a standard time radio signal and corrects the time. A control circuit that detects the intensity of the radio signal, compares it with a predetermined threshold value, and outputs a transmission control signal based on the comparison result, and the transmission control signal is supplied, and according to the control signal And a transmission system circuit for generating and transmitting a time radio signal including a time code.

  The present invention also provides a radio time correction clock that receives a standard time radio signal or a radio signal obtained by relaying the standard time radio signal and corrects the time according to a time code including a received signal, and the standard time radio signal. Alternatively, a time correction system including a time signal relay device that relays a radio signal including a time code for the radio correction clock that corrects the time by receiving a standard time radio signal, and the time signal relay device includes the time A detection circuit for detecting a signal level of a radio signal including a code, a signal processing circuit for comparing and determining an output level from the detection circuit with a predetermined threshold value, and processing the time code of the radio signal, and the time A mode selection switch for setting a transmission mode of a radio signal transmitted from the signal relay device, and the signal processing circuit according to a mode selected by the mode selection switch. A transmission circuit in which a transmission mode of the radio signal is determined by the control signal, and an informing means for informing a radio wave reception state in accordance with a detection level of the radio signal. A display device for displaying a reception / transmission state of the time relay device according to a transmission mode transmitted from the time signal relay device;

  In this way, the time signal is stopped from transmission or continued to be transmitted from the transmission RF amplifier 29 of the time signal relay device 2 according to the electric field strength of the input standard time radio signal, and the radio wave correction timepiece 3 In addition to notifying the accurate time display and also the radio wave reception status, the user does not recognize the time incorrectly.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a time adjustment system to which a time signal relay device according to the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the present time adjustment system includes a radio wave transmission base (hereinafter referred to as a key station) 1 that transmits a long wave (40 kHz) standard time radio wave, a time signal relay device 2, and a radio wave correction clock 3. ing. Here, an example of 40 KHz will be described, but it is clearly applied to a case of 60 KHz.

The key station 1 AM-modulates and transmits a long wave (40 kHz) standard time radio wave S1 having a format as shown in FIG.
The format of the standard time radio wave S1 of a long wave (40 kHz) transmitted from the key station 1 with high accuracy is specifically 500 ms (in 1 second (s) in the case of a “1” signal). A signal of 40 kHz is sent only for 0.5 s). In the case of a “0” signal, a signal of 40 kHz is sent for 800 ms (0.8 s) in one second (s), and a “P” signal (synchronization signal) In this case, a signal of 40 kHz is sent for 200 ms (0.2 s) in one second (s).
FIG. 2A shows a waveform example when the data is (1, 0, 1).

FIG. 3 shows an example of the time code of the standard time radio wave S1.
This example shows the 114th day of the total date from January 1 at 17:25. However, for synchronization, nine codes “0” are always continuous from the 50th second.

The time signal relay device 2 receives the standard time radio signal S1 including a time code of a predetermined frequency (40 kHz) transmitted from the key station 1 after being AM-modulated, and responds to the time code included in the received standard time radio signal. The internal clock is corrected at the time, and in the first and second transmission time zones determined in advance, each has a frequency of 40 kHz included in the same frequency band as the standard time radio signal and has the same format as the baseband signal. A first time radio signal S2a and a second time radio signal S2b having different electric field strengths, including a time code, based on the corrected internal clock, and are generated, for example, at a close or far distance indoors To the radio wave correction watch 3 installed at a position away from
In the present embodiment, for example, the first time is set to 2:38 am and the second time is set to 2:48 am.
The first intensity of the time radio signal S2a transmitted at the first time is -20 to 30 dBμV / m, and the second intensity of the time radio signal S2b transmitted at the second time is at the first time. It is −3 dBμV / m larger than the time radio signal S2a to be transmitted.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the time signal relay device 2 functions as a reception antenna 20a, a transmission antenna 20b, a reception RF amplifier 21, a detection circuit 22, a rectification circuit 23, an integration circuit 24, and a control circuit. The microcomputer 25 includes an output mode selection switch 25b of the transmission RF amplifier 29, an oscillator 26 having a frequency of 40.00 kHz, output intensity adjustment circuits 27a, 27b and 27c, a switch 28, and a transmission RF amplifier 29. .
The receiving antenna 20a, the receiving RF amplifier 21, the detecting circuit 22, the rectifying circuit 23, the integrating circuit 24, the microcomputer 25, and the mode selection switch 25b for output of the transmitting RF amplifier 29 constitute a receiving system circuit. The microcomputer 25, the oscillator 26, the output intensity adjustment circuits 27a and 27b, the switch 28, the transmission RF amplifier 29, and the transmission antenna 20b constitute a transmission system circuit.

  In the time signal repeater 2, the standard time radio signal S1 received by the receiving antenna 20a passes through the receiving RF amplifier 21, the detection circuit 22, the rectifier circuit 23, and the integration circuit 24 as shown in FIG. It is converted into a baseband signal of the standard time radio signal S1 and input to the microcomputer 25. The microcomputer 25 is provided with an output mode selection switch 25b of a transmission RF amplifier 29 for external control, and the switch 28 is switched in accordance with the selected selection mode, and a signal selected from 27a, 27b, and c is transmitted for RF transmission. The signal is supplied to the amplifier 29, where it is amplified by a predetermined factor, and a time signal is radiated through the ANT 20b.

The mode selection switch 25b for selecting the output of the microcomputer 25 and the transmission RF amplifier 29 will be described.
At the stage of installing the time signal repeater, whether to output a time signal from the transmission RF amplifier 29 shown in FIG. The mode selection switch 25b for RF amplifier output selection provided so as to be linked is switched to set a desired mode. As this mode, for example, there are a transmission stop mode and a transmission continuation mode.
In the case where the reception state is bad, the above-described mode is selected and transmission is stopped. However, as shown in FIG. 1, in addition to this, the operation state without supplying a signal to the transmission RF amplifier 29 during transmission You may make it a no signal state.

A case where the electric field intensity of the standard time radio signal S1 received by the ANT 20a is large, a case where the electric field intensity is small, and a case where the electric field intensity is below the noise level will be described.
First, a description will be given of a normal case where the time signal relay device can receive time information normally with a large electric field strength. As a result of detecting the electric field strength of the standard time radio signal S1 input from the ANT 20a, the mode selection switch 25b functions when the detection level is lower than a predetermined threshold level. The system of the time signal relay device 2 operates regardless of the function of the switch. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the input time display signal first receives a baseband signal from the integration circuit 24, decodes the time code, obtains time data such as hour / minute / 00 second, Correct (ST1).
Next, the predetermined first transmission time (for example, 2:38 am) band and second transmission time (for example, 2:48 am) band are based on the time measured by the internal clock. The time data to be transmitted is created (ST2).
Then, this time data is output as a gate pulse S25 to the control terminal of the switch 28 in the same format as the baseband signal (ST3), and the time radio signal S2a or S2b is generated and transmitted to the radio wave correction timepiece 3.
Next, the function of the mode selection switch 25b when the electric field strength is small and an accurate time signal cannot be received will be described.
In the first case, when the time signal relay device is installed, the mode selection switch 25b for selecting the output of the transmission RF amplifier 29 is selected to set the transmission stop mode. Thereby, the transmission from the RF amplifier 29 for transmission of the time signal relay device is stopped so as not to output the standard time radio wave.
In the second case, when the time signal relay device is installed, the mode selection switch 25b for selecting the output of the transmission RF amplifier 29 is selected and set to the transmission continuation mode. In this case, an accurate time signal cannot be received, but the time information in which the error is integrated by the internal clock in the time signal relay device is transmitted as it is from the transmission RF amplifier 29 to the radio timepiece via the ANT 20b.

  When the radio wave correction watch 3 is installed at a close distance of the time signal relay device 2, the output intensity adjustment circuit 27a causes the input signal saturation due to the electric field strength being too high, and normalizes the time radio signal by the time signal relay device. An oscillation signal oscillated from the oscillator 26 so that the electric field strength of the time radio wave signal S2a transmitted from the transmission antenna 20b becomes a first strength, for example, -20 to 30 dBμV / m, in order to prevent the reception failure. The output level of S26 is adjusted and output to the terminal a of the switch 28.

  When the radio wave correction watch 3 is installed at a position relatively far from the time signal relay device 2, the output intensity adjustment circuit 27b cannot receive the time radio signal normally by the time signal relay device because the electric field strength is too small. In order to prevent this, the oscillation oscillated from the oscillator 26 so that the electric field strength of the time radio signal S2b transmitted from the transmitting antenna 20b is a second strength higher than the first strength, for example, −3 dBμV / m. The output level of the signal S26 is adjusted and output to the input terminal b of the switch 28.

Further, the switch 28 is controlled by the gate pulse S25 from the microcomputer 25 so as to be switched to the input terminal c. This is because when the electric field strength is small and accurate time information cannot be received, the signal supplied to the transmission RF amplifier 29 is made zero and only the no-signal state, that is, the carrier signal.
Further, the power supply of the transmission RF amplifier 29 may be directly cut off by the gate pulse S25. In this way, the transmission RF amplifier 29 consumes a large amount of power, so the power consumption can be reduced. As a result, the battery life can be extended.

In the switch 28, when the mode selection switch 25b is set to the transmission continuation mode, the output terminal d is connected to the input terminal a in the first transmission time zone, and the output terminal d is connected to the input terminal in the second transmission time zone. b. Further, when the transmission stop mode is set by the mode selection switch, control is performed so as to be connected to the input terminal c, and the output intensity adjusting circuit 27a or the output intensity adjusting circuit 27b oscillates from the level-adjusted oscillator 26. The oscillation signal S26 is turned on / off by a gate pulse S25 from the microcomputer 25 to obtain an AM modulated RF signal.
When the transmission stop mode is set, as described above, the power of the transmission RF amplifier 29 is turned off to stop the operation, or the gate pulse S25 from the microcomputer 25 causes the output terminal d of the switch 28 to stop. Is connected to the input terminal c, and as a result, the input of the transmission RF amplifier 29 is grounded and no input signal is supplied, and the time information signal is not transmitted from the transmission RF amplifier 29.
This AM-modulated RF signal is amplified by the transmission RF amplifier 29 and transmitted from the transmission antenna 20b as a radio signal S2a or S2b having the same format as that shown in FIG.

  The time signal relay device 2 can be configured to transmit the time radio signals S2a and S2b at predetermined intervals throughout the day. However, in consideration of use with a battery power source and interference with the standard time radio signal. Thus, the present embodiment is configured to transmit once a day at a very special time, for example, 2:38 am and 2:48 am.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the time signal relay device 2 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the time signal relay device 2 measures the strength of the signal supplied from the integrating circuit 24 in the microcomputer 25, and the electric field strength corresponding to the signal level is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold level. Make a decision. This threshold level is determined by a received signal level indicating whether or not accurate time information can be received. When the received signal is larger than the threshold level, there is no problem because the time signal can be received accurately. However, when the received electric field strength is smaller than the threshold value, whether to continue or stop the transmission depends on the needs of the user. In accordance with the request, a mode is set for whether the time information is continuously output from the transmission RF amplifier 29 or the transmission is stopped. Specifically, in order to select these two modes, the user initially sets the desired mode with the mode selection switch 25b. In general, the switch is switched by an external selection switch or the like, and the result of the mode selection switch 25b is stored in the microcomputer 25 (ST10).
When the power is turned on, the standard time radio signal S1 is received, and the microcomputer 25 corrects the internal clock (ST11, ST12) and increments the internal clock (ST13).
“Increment the internal clock” means that a clock (such as a program clock of the microcomputer 25) provided in the time signal relay device 2 counts time based on the received time data. Show.

Next, it is determined whether or not the reception time of the standard time radio signal S1 is, for example, 2:36 am (ST14). If it is the reception time, the standard time radio signal S1 is received. By measuring the signal level detected by the circuit 24, the electric field strength corresponding to this detection level is measured (ST15). It is determined whether the detected electric field intensity level is greater than or less than a predetermined threshold (ST15). When the detected electric field intensity level is equal to or lower than the threshold value, the gate pulse S25 is output from the microcomputer 25 based on the information of the mode selection switch 25b, and the switch 28 is switched to the output terminal c or RF. Output of the time signal from the RF amplifier for transmission 29 is stopped by cutting off the power supply of the amplifier transmission 29 (ST16, 17).
On the other hand, when the mode selection switch 25b is set to a mode in which the output of the transmission RF amplifier 29 is continuously transmitted, the same operation as when the electric field strength is equal to or higher than the threshold value is performed. However, in this case, error time information is added, but the user who keeps time with the radio timepiece 3 recognizes from the beginning that the mode selection switch 25b of the time signal relay device 2 is set to the transmission continuation mode. Therefore, it is known that there is a possibility that there is an error in the display of the radio clock, and there is no problem.
Next, when the electric field strength is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the internal clock is corrected and the internal clock is incremented (ST19).
Next, it is determined whether or not it is the first transmission time of the time radio signal, for example, 2:38 am (ST20). If it is the transmission time, the time radio signal S2a having the first strength is transmitted. (ST21).
Then, it is determined whether or not the second transmission time of the time radio signal is, for example, 2:48 am (ST22), and if it is the transmission time, the second time radio signal S2b is transmitted. (ST23).

In principle, the radio-controlled timepiece 3 has a standard time radio signal S1 including a time code of a predetermined frequency (40 kHz) transmitted from the key station 1 after AM modulation, or a frequency 40 kHz transmitted from the time signal repeater 2. When the reception time of the standard time radio signal S1 or radio signal S2a or S2b is good upon receiving the time radio signal S2a or S2b, the pointer position is corrected at the time indicated by the time code, and the reception status is poor Notifies the user that the radio wave reception is not good.
The radio-controlled timepiece 3 decodes the first-intensity time radio signal S2a transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the first time, and if it can be timed, decodes the pointer position. Correct the position according to the time. In this case, the second time radio wave signal S2b transmitted at the second time is not received.
On the other hand, when the time radio signal S2a having the first intensity transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the first time is decoded and the time cannot be set, the pointer position is not corrected, and the second The time radio signal S2b having the second intensity transmitted in time is received.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a signal processing system circuit for a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows an overall configuration of an embodiment of a pointer position detecting device for the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the pointer position detecting device for a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention.

  In the figure, 30 is a signal processing system circuit, 31 is a time signal reception system, 32 is a reset switch, 33 is an oscillation circuit, 34 is a control circuit, 35 is a drive circuit, 36 is a light emitting element as a notification means, and 37 is a buffer. Circuit, 38 is a drive circuit, VCC is a power supply voltage, C1 to C3 are capacitors, R1 to R8 are resistance elements, 100 is a watch body, 120 is a first drive system, 130 is a second drive system, and 135 is an intermediate vehicle. A minute wheel, 140 is an optical sensor, and 150 is a manual correction system.

  The time radio wave signal receiving system 31 receives a long wave (for example, 40 kHz) including a time code signal transmitted from, for example, a key station with the receiving antenna 31a, performs predetermined signal processing, and outputs the signal as a pulse signal S31 to the control circuit 34. And a long wave receiving circuit 31b. Although not shown, the long wave reception circuit 31b includes an RF amplifier, a detection circuit, a rectification circuit, and an integration circuit, as in the reception system of the time signal relay device 2.

The reset switch 32 is turned on when various states of the control circuit 34 are returned to the initial state.
When the reset switch 32 is turned on or when a battery (not shown) is set, the radio-controlled timepiece enters the initial correction mode.

  The oscillation circuit 33 includes a crystal oscillator CRY and capacitors C2 and C3, and supplies a basic clock having a predetermined frequency to the control circuit 34.

The control circuit 34 has a minute hand counter, a second hand counter, and the like (not shown). In the initial correction mode, the control circuit 34 receives the pulse signal S31 from the time radio signal reception system 31 and, for example, determines the reception state of the received standard time radio signal. When the reception state is within the reference range as compared with a predetermined reference range, the control signals CTL1, CTL2 are output to the stepping motor 210 for the second hand and the stepping motor 410 for the hour / minute hand through the buffer 37, etc. If the initial setting of the pointer position, that is, the zero return operation is performed and the reception state is not within the reference range, the drive signal DR1 is output to the drive circuit 35 without outputting the control signals CTL1 and CTL2. Then, the light emitting element 36 as the notification means is caused to emit light to notify the user that radio wave reception is almost impossible.
When the reception state is within the reference range, after performing a zero return operation, the received radio wave signal is decoded, and as a result of decoding, the time can be set (can be reproduced as time data). The control signal CTL1, CTL2 is sent through the buffer 37 to the stepping motor 210 for the second hand according to the count control of various counters based on the basic clock by the oscillation circuit 33 and the input level of the detection signals DT1, DT2 by the light receiving element 144. And time correction control is performed by outputting to stepping motors 410 and 130 for hour and minute hands and performing rotation control.
On the other hand, when the time cannot be set as a result of decoding, the drive signals DR1 and DR2 are output to the drive circuit 35 without outputting the control signals CTL1 and CTL2, and the light emitting element 36 as the notification means is turned on. Emits light to inform the user that radio wave reception is not good.
Thereby, the operation in the initial correction mode is completed.

The control circuit 34 controls the normal correction mode after completing the operation of the initial correction mode.
In the normal correction mode, drive power from a power source (not shown) is supplied to the time radio signal reception system 31 for 5 minutes before and after every hour so that the standard time radio signal S1 from the key station 1 can be received every hour. The time radio signal receiving system 31 is powered by a power source (not shown) for 5 minutes before and after 2:38 am so that the time radio signal S2a of the first intensity from the time signal relay device 2 can be received. Drive power is supplied.
Then, the control circuit 34 decodes the time radio signal S2a having the first intensity transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the first time, and when the time can be set, the time when the pointer position is decoded. Correct the position according to.
In this case, the second time radio wave signal S2b transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the second time is not received. That is, the driving power from the power source (not shown) is not supplied to the time radio signal reception system 31 for 5 minutes before and after 2:48 am.
On the other hand, when the time radio signal S2a having the first intensity transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the first time is decoded and the time cannot be set, the pointer position is not corrected, and the second In order to receive the time radio signal S2b having the second intensity transmitted in time, the time radio signal reception system 31 is supplied with driving power from a power source (not shown) for 1 minute before and after 2:48 am.
Then, the control circuit 34 decodes the time radio signal S2b having the second intensity transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the second time, and when the time can be set, the time when the pointer position is decoded. Correct the position according to.

  Thus, when the control circuit 34 receives the standard time radio signal S1, for example, the standard time radio signal from the key station 1 is prevented so that the radio signals S2a and S2b from the time signal relay device 2 do not become jamming radio waves. Control is performed so that the receivable time zone of S1 and the receivable time zones of the radio signals S2a and S2b from the time signal relay device 2 are different.

In the normal correction mode, the control circuit 34 receives the standard time radio signal S1 from the key station 1 in principle and decodes the radio signal. When the decoding can be timed, the oscillation circuit The control signals CTL1 and CTL2 are supplied to the stepping motor 210 for the second hand and the hour / minute hands via the buffer 37 according to the count control of various counters based on the basic clock 33 and the input levels of the detection signals DT1 and DT2 by the light receiving element 144. The time correction control is performed by outputting to the stepping motor 410 and performing the rotation control, and the standard radio wave normal reception flag indicating that the standard time radio wave is normally received is set.
When the standard radio wave normal reception flag is set, the time radio signal reception system does not receive the time radio signal S2a from the time signal relay device 2, that is, between 1 minute before and after 2:38 am The drive power is not supplied to the power supply 31 (not shown), the standard radio wave normal reception flag is reset, and the standard time radio signal S1 from the key station 1 at every hour is received to correct the time.

On the other hand, if it is impossible to make the time as a result of decoding, for example, the drive signals DR1 and DR2 are output to the drive circuit 35 without outputting the control signals CTL1 and CTL2, and the light emitting element 36 as notification means is output. Is emitted to notify the user that radio wave reception is not good.
In this case, as described above, the time radio signal S2a is received from the time signal relay device 2, and when it is normally received, the time is corrected according to the time code of the time radio signal S2a obtained as a result of decoding. I do.
If the signal cannot be normally received, it is determined that the installation position of the time signal relay device 2 is inappropriate. For example, the drive signal DR1 is output without outputting the control signals CTL1, CTL2.
Is output to the drive circuit 35 to cause the light emitting element 36 as a notification means to emit light and notify the user.
When the time cannot be set based on the time radio signal S2a, the time radio signal S2b transmitted at the second time is received and the time is corrected as described above. However, if it is impossible to set the time, it is determined that the installation position of the time signal relay device 2 is inappropriate and, for example, the drive signal DR1 is output to the drive circuit 35 without outputting the control signals CTL1, CTL2. Then, the light emitting element 36 as the notification means is caused to emit light to notify the user.
Further, when the signal is not transmitted from the time signal relay device 2, that is, when there is no signal at all, the user is similarly notified. At this time, in particular, the user is informed that the transmission is stopped from the time signal relay device 2 and warns that there is a possibility that the radio-controlled timepiece 3 is erroneously displayed.
Then, after the time adjustment is completed, or when reception of the time radio signal S2b transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the second time is not normal, and the user is notified by causing the light emitting element 36 to emit light, The standard radio wave normal reception flag is reset, the standard time radio signal S1 from the key station 1 at every hour is received, and the mode returns to the time correction mode.

The drive circuit 35 is composed of an npn transistor Q1 and resistance elements R1 and R2.
The collector of the transistor Q1 is connected to the cathode of the light emitting element 36 made of a light emitting diode, the emitter is grounded, and the base is connected to the output line of the drive signal DR1 of the control circuit 34 via the resistance element R2.
The resistance element R1 is connected to the supply line of the power supply voltage VCC and the anode of the light emitting element 36.
That is, the light emitting element 36 is connected to the drive circuit 35 so as to emit light when the high level drive signals DR1 and DR2 are output from the control circuit 34.

  The drive circuit 38 is composed of npn transistors Q2 and Q3 and resistance elements R5 to R8.

Next, a specific configuration of the movement of the radio-controlled timepiece and the pointer position detection system will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the watch 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.

  The watch body 100 includes a lower case 111 as a second case and an upper case 112 as a first case that are connected to face each other to form an outline, and a space formed by the lower case 111 and the upper case 112. A middle plate 113 arranged in a state of being connected to the lower case 111 at a substantially central portion, and a first drive system with respect to predetermined positions of the lower case 111, the middle plate 113, and the upper case 112 in the space. A (second hand drive system) 120, a second drive system (hour / minute hand drive system) 130, a light detection sensor 140, a manual correction system 150, and the like are fixed or pivotally supported.

  The second hand drive system 120 and the hour / minute hand drive system 130 correspond to time display means according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first drive system 120 includes a substantially U-shaped stator 121a, a drive coil 121b wound around one leg piece of the stator 121a, and a rotation between the other magnetic pole of the stator 121a. First stepping motor 121 configured by a freely arranged rotor 121c and a first fifth transmission gear (first detection gear) in which a large-diameter gear 122a meshes with a pinion 121d of the rotor 121c. A wheel 122 and a second hand wheel 123 as a second detection gear (first pointer wheel) meshed with the small gear 122b of the first fifth wheel 122 are configured.
Here, in the second hand stepping motor 121, the stator 121a is mounted and fixed on the intermediate plate 113, and the rotor 121c is pivotally supported by the intermediate plate 113 and the upper case 112. The output control signal CTL1 of the control circuit 14 is provided. The rotation direction, rotation angle, and rotation speed are controlled based on the above.

  The first fifth wheel 122 has 60 teeth on the large gear 122a and 15 teeth on the small gear 122b, and is rotatably supported by the intermediate plate 113 and the upper case 112. The large-diameter gear 122a meshes with the rotor 121c (pinion 121d) of the second hand stepping motor 121 to reduce the rotational speed of the rotor 121c to a predetermined speed. As shown in FIG. 9, the first fifth wheel & pinion 122 has three circular transparent holes arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (center angle α1 is 120 °) in a region overlapping the second hand wheel 123. A hole 122c is formed. The through-hole 122c not only allows the detection light of the light detection sensor 140 to pass, but at least one of them is used as a positioning hole (determining hole) when assembling the first fifth wheel & pinion 122. is there.

  In the second hand wheel 123, the large-diameter gear 123a has 60 teeth, one end of the shaft portion is pivotally supported by the upper case 112, and the second hand passes through the middle plate 113 to the lower case 111 side. A shaft 123b is press-fitted, and this second hand shaft 123b is inserted inside a minute hand pipe 134p described later, and a second hand is attached to the tip thereof. As shown in FIG. 12, the second hand wheel 123 has eleven circular shapes arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (center angle α2 is 30 °) in a region overlapping with the first fifth wheel & pinion 122 by rotation. A through-hole 123c formed and a positioning light-shielding portion 123d having a different pitch at only one place (the central angle between the through-hole 123c and the through-hole 123c is 60 °) are formed. The second hand is configured to indicate the hour when the through hole 122c of the first fifth wheel & pinion 122 first faces the through hole 123c after facing the positioning light-shielding portion 123d.

The through-hole 123c not only allows the detection light of the light detection sensor 140 to pass through, but at least one of them is used as a positioning hole (determining hole) when the second hand wheel 123 is assembled.
Further, inside these through-holes 123c, arc-shaped biasing springs 123e that are long in the circumferential direction and project in the direction of the rotation axis are defined by the cutout holes 123f. The arcuate urging spring 123e urges the second hand wheel 123 in the rotation axis direction.

  Here, the positioning light-shielding portion 123d is formed at a position away from the notch hole 123f in the circumferential direction, that is, at a region where the two notch holes 123f are separated from each other. Accordingly, a sufficient distance between the cutout hole 123f and the positioning light-shielding portion 123d can be secured, so that the detection light does not circulate into the cutout hole 123f in the region of the positioning light-shielding portion 123d, and the positioning light-shielding portion 123d reliably Detection light can be blocked. That is, since the positioning light-shielding portion 123d is formed at a position away from the region where the notch hole 123f is prone to erroneous detection due to detection light wraparound, the positioning light-shielding portion 123d is moved to the rotational angle position of the second hand wheel 122. By using this for positioning, reliable positioning can be performed.

  In the second hand wheel 123, as shown in FIG. 12, instead of providing a plurality (11) of through holes 123c, as shown in FIG. 13, a through hole 123c at a position facing the positioning light-shielding portion 123d in the radial direction. Other through-holes 123c may be formed integrally with the cut-out holes 123g, respectively. According to this, it is possible to further ensure the passage of the detection light in the portion where the detection light is allowed to pass, and to reduce the waste of the material forming the second hand wheel 123.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10, the second drive system 130 includes a substantially U-shaped stator 131a, a drive coil 131b wound around one leg piece of the stator 131a, and the stator 131a. The second fifth wheel & pinion 132 as an intermediate gear having a large-diameter gear 132a meshed with a pinion 131d of the rotor 131c and an hour / minute hand stepping motor 131 constituted by a rotor 131c rotatably arranged between the other magnetic poles of And a third transmission wheel 133 as a second transmission gear (third detection gear) in which the large-diameter gear 133a meshes with the small-diameter gear 132b of the second fifth wheel 132, and the small-diameter gear 133b of the third wheel 133. A minute hand wheel 134 as a fourth detection gear (second pointer wheel) meshed with the large diameter gear 134a and a small diameter gear 134b of the minute hand wheel 134 are provided with a large diameter gear 135a. A minute wheel 135 of the day as an intermediate gear engaged, is constituted by the hour wheel 136 of the fifth detection gear in mesh with the small diameter gear 135b of the minute wheel 135 of the day (second hand wheel).
Here, in the hour / minute hand stepping motor 131, the stator 131 a is mounted and fixed on the intermediate plate 113, and the rotor 131 c is pivotally supported by the intermediate plate 113 and the upper case 112. The rotation direction, rotation angle, and rotation speed are controlled based on the above.

  The second fifth wheel & pinion 132 is formed such that the number of teeth of the large diameter gear 132a is 60 and the number of teeth of the small diameter gear 132b is 15, and is pivotally supported by the intermediate plate 113 and the upper case 112, and the large diameter gear 132a. Meshes with the rotor 131c (pinion 131d) of the hour / minute hand stepping motor 131 to reduce the rotational speed of the rotor 131c to a predetermined speed. As the second fifth wheel & pinion 132, the above-mentioned first fifth wheel & pinion 122 may be used, that is, the one provided with the through hole 122c may be used. Thereby, parts can be shared and the cost of the product can be reduced.

  In the third wheel 133, the large-diameter gear 133a has 60 teeth and the small-diameter gear 133b has ten teeth. One end of the shaft portion is pivotally supported by the upper case 112, and the other end side is the middle plate 113. It is rotatably arranged in a penetrating state, and the rotation of the second fifth wheel & pinion 132 is decelerated and transmitted to the minute hand wheel 134. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the third wheel & pinion 133 is arranged at equal intervals (center angle α3 is 36 °) in the circumferential direction in a region overlapping with the second hand wheel 123 and the first fifth wheel & pinion 122 by rotation. Ten circular through holes 133c are formed. This through-hole 133c not only allows the detection light of the light detection sensor 140 to pass, but at least one of them is used as a positioning hole (determining hole) when the third wheel 133 is assembled.

  In the minute hand wheel 134, the large-diameter gear 134a has 60 teeth and the small-diameter gear 134b has 14 teeth, and the minute hand pipe 134p, in which the small-diameter gear 134b is integrally formed, is formed at the side surface. It is formed so as to have a substantially T-shape when viewed. One end portion of the minute hand pipe 134p is pivotally supported by the intermediate plate 113, and the other end side shaft portion is rotatably inserted into an hour hand pipe 136p of an hour hand wheel 136 described later. Further, the minute hand pipe 134p penetrates the lower case 111 and protrudes toward the dial face of the timepiece, and a minute hand is attached to the tip thereof.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the minute hand wheel 134 has three arc-shaped through holes that are long in the circumferential direction in a region overlapping with the second hand wheel 123, the first fifth wheel 122, and the third wheel 133 by rotation. 134c, 134d, and 134e are formed. The arc-shaped through-hole 134c and the arc-shaped through-hole 134d are formed with a center angle α5 separated by 30 °, and the arc-shaped through-hole 134d and the arc-shaped through-hole 134e are formed with a center angle α6 separated by 30 °. Further, the arc-shaped through hole 134e and the arc-shaped through hole 134c are formed at a central angle α7 and separated by 60 °. That is, the light-shielding portion A having the widest width is formed between the arc-shaped through hole 134e and the arc-shaped through hole 134c, and between the arc-shaped through hole 134c and the arc-shaped through hole 134d and between the arc-shaped through hole 134d and A light shielding part B narrower than the light shielding part A is formed between the arcuate through hole 134e.

  The arc-shaped through-hole 134c is formed by a circular portion 134c1 on one end side, a wide arc portion 134c2 extending from the other end side, and a narrow arc portion 134c3 connecting the two. The circular portion 134c1 defined by the narrow circular arc portion 134c3 is used not only for passing the detection light but also as a positioning hole (determining hole) when the minute hand wheel 134 is assembled.

  The hour hand wheel 136 has a large gear 136a having 40 teeth, and a cylindrical hour hand pipe 136p is integrally attached to the center of the hour hand wheel 136a. The minute hand pipe 134p is disposed inside the hour hand pipe 136p. It is inserted. The hour hand pipe 136p is inserted into a bearing hole 111a formed in the lower case 111 and pivotally supported. The tip of the hour hand pipe 136p penetrates the lower case 111 to the dial face of the watch. It protrudes and has an hour hand attached to its tip.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the hour hand wheel 136 includes three pieces that are long in the circumferential direction in the region where the second hand wheel 123, the first fifth wheel 122, the third wheel 133, and the minute hand wheel 134 overlap by rotation. Arc-shaped through holes 136c, 136d, and 136e are formed. The arc-shaped through-hole 136c and the arc-shaped through-hole 136d are formed with a central angle α8 of 45 ° apart, and the arc-shaped through-hole 136d and the arc-shaped through-hole 136e are formed with a central angle α9 of 60 ° apart. Further, the arc-shaped through hole 136e and the arc-shaped through hole 136c are formed at a central angle α10 and separated by 30 °, and the arc-shaped through holes 136c, 136d, and 136e have a length of the central angle β1 + β2, β3 and β4 are set to be 75 °, 60 °, and 90 °, respectively. That is, the narrowest light-shielding portion C is formed between the arc-shaped through-hole 136e and the arc-shaped through-hole 136c, and the light-shielding portion C is located between the arc-shaped through-hole 136c and the arc-shaped through-hole 136d. A wide light-shielding portion D is formed, and a light-shielding portion E wider than the light-shielding portion D is formed between the arc-shaped through hole 136d and the arc-shaped through-hole 136e.

  In addition, the arc-shaped through hole 136c connects the circular portion 136c1 located at a center angle β1 of 7.5 ° from one end side and the wide arc portion 136c2 extending from the other end side, and connects the both. It is formed by a narrow arc portion 136c3 located on both sides. The circular portion 136c1 defined by the narrow arc portion 136c3 is used not only for passing detection light but also as a positioning hole (determining hole) when the hour hand wheel 136 is assembled.

  The minute wheel 135 has 42 teeth for the large-diameter gear 135a and 10 teeth for the small-diameter gear 135b, and is pivotally supported with respect to the protrusion 111b formed on the lower case 111. The large-diameter gear 135a meshes with the small-diameter gear 134b formed on the minute hand pipe 134p, and the small-diameter gear 135b meshes with the hour hand wheel 136 (136a) to decelerate the rotation of the minute hand wheel 134 and to set the hour hand It is transmitted to the car 136.

As shown in FIG. 7, the light detection sensor 140 (300) has a light emitting element 142 formed of a light emitting diode attached to a circuit board 141 fixed to the wall surface of the upper case 112, and the light emitting element 142 so as to face the light emitting element 142. And a light receiving element 144 made of a phototransistor attached to a circuit board 143 fixed to the wall surface of the lower case 111.
The anode of the light emitting element 142 (310) is connected to Vcc via the resistor R5, the cathode is connected to the collector of the npn transistor Q2, and the emitter is grounded. A control signal is supplied from resistance element R6 in drive circuit 38 to npn transistor Q2.
The collector of the light receiving element 144 (320) is connected to the Vcc via the control circuit 34 and the resistor R3. The connection line with the control circuit 34 is an output line for the detection signal DT2 to the control circuit 34. The emitter is grounded.
That is, the light emitting element 142 is connected to the drive circuit 38 so that it emits light when the high level drive signal DR2 is output from the control circuit 34, and receives the light from the light receiving element 320 and sends the signal (DT2) to the control circuit 34. To supply.
The light detection sensor 900 in FIG. 6 operates in the same manner.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the first fifth wheel 122, second hand wheel 123, third wheel 133, minute hand wheel 134, and hour hand wheel 136 are all arranged at the same time in plan view. And the through-hole 122c of the 1st fifth wheel 122, the through-hole 133c of the third wheel 133, the through-hole 123c of the second hand wheel 123, the through-hole 134c (134d, 134e) of the minute hand wheel 134, and the through-hole of the hour hand wheel 136 When 136c (136d, 136e) overlaps, the detection light emitted from the light emitting element 142 is received by the light receiving element 144, and it is output that the second hand, the minute hand, and the hour hand indicate the position such as the hour. It has become.

Further, the light emitting element 142 is disposed in an attachment recess 112c as a first arrangement portion formed so as to open to the outside of the upper case 112, and a circular through hole having a predetermined diameter is formed on the bottom surface of the attachment recess 112c. A hole 112d is formed. The circular through-hole 112d has a property that the detection light emitted from the light emitting element 142 spreads in a divergent shape, and therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection by blocking only the light that has converged by blocking the light of the spread. It is to make.
Similarly, the light receiving element 144 is disposed in an attachment recess 111c as a second arrangement portion formed so as to open to the outside of the lower case 111, and a circular shape having a predetermined diameter is formed on the bottom surface of the attachment recess 111c. A through hole 111d is opened. The circular through-hole 111d emits from the light-emitting element 142 and allows only light that has passed through the through-hole to pass as much as possible to prevent erroneous detection.

  When attaching the first fifth wheel 122, the third wheel 133, the second hand wheel 123, the minute hand wheel 134, and the hour hand wheel 136, a predetermined positioning pin is used as the circular through hole 111d of the lower case 111, and the positioning. The assembly is sequentially performed so as to penetrate the through hole and the circular through hole 112d of the upper case 112. After the upper case 112 and the lower case 111 are joined and integrated, the positioning pin is pulled out, the light emitting element 142 is attached to the attachment recess 112c where the through hole 112d is located, and the attachment recess where the through hole 111d is located The light receiving element 144 is attached to 112c.

  As a result, the through holes 112d and 111d are completely closed, and external light can be prevented from entering the internal space defined by the upper case 112 and the lower case 111. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to the intrusion of external light, and since both the positioning hole at the time of assembly and the light detection through hole are combined, these holes are provided in comparison with the case where they are provided separately. Centralization and downsizing of the device can be performed.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the manual correction system 150 includes a date wheel 135 that meshes with the small-diameter gear 134b of the minute hand wheel 134 and the large-diameter gear 136a of the hour hand wheel 136, and the reverse wheel 135 of this day. And a manual correction shaft 151 having a gear 151a meshing with the large-diameter gear 135a. The manual correction shaft 151 is positioned outside the upper case 112 and penetrates a head 151b that can be directly touched by a user and an opening 112e that extends from the head 151b and is formed in the upper case 112. It consists of a columnar portion 151c that is pivotally supported with respect to a protrusion 111e formed on the lower case 111, and a gear 151a is formed in a lower region of the columnar portion 151c.

  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-described second drive system 130, the minute hand wheel 134 via the minute wheel 135. When the second drive system 130 is not operated, the pointer position can be manually corrected by rotating the head 151b with a finger.

  As described above, since the second hand shaft 123b of the second hand wheel 123 is inserted into the minute hand pipe 134p of the minute hand wheel 134 and the minute hand pipe 134p of the minute hand wheel 134 is inserted into the hour hand pipe 136p of the hour hand wheel 136, the second hand wheel 123. The minute hand wheel 134 and the hour hand wheel 136 have the same rotation center axis, and when the time is displayed, the second hand rotates once every 60 seconds, the minute hand rotates once every 60 minutes, and the hour hand moves. Driven to rotate once every 12 hours.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a groove serving as a first index for positioning extending at a predetermined width in the radial direction is formed at the tip of the minute hand pipe 134p of the minute hand wheel 134 and the tip of the hour hand pipe 136p of the hour hand wheel 136. 134 g and a groove 136 g as a second index are formed. The groove 134g and the groove 136g are set so as to indicate a predetermined time, for example, 12:00 when aligned.

  By providing such a positioning index, even if the minute hand wheel 134 and the hour hand wheel 136 are surrounded by the lower case 111 and the upper case 112 and covered, the grooves 134g and 136g can be preliminarily aligned. Since it can be seen that it indicates the approximate time that has been set, the minute hand and hour hand can be easily attached based on that state, eliminating the need for other alignment and position confirmation processes. Manufacturing time and inspection time can be shortened. Note that the positioning index is not limited to the above groove, but may be a mark such as a potch.

Next, the time correction control operation with the above configuration will be described.
Here, a normal mode operation of the minute hand system will be described as an example.

From the key station 1, a long wave (40 kHz) standard time radio wave S1 having a format as shown in FIG.
The standard time radio signal S1 transmitted from the key station 1 is received by the reception antennas 20a and 31a of the time signal repeater 2 and the radio correction clock 3.

  In the time signal relay device 2, the standard time radio wave S1 received by the receiving antenna 20a passes through the reception RF amplifier 21, the detection circuit 22, the rectification circuit 23, and the integration circuit 24, and the standard as shown in FIG. The time radio wave signal S 1 is converted into a baseband signal and input to the microcomputer 25.

The microcomputer 25 receives the baseband signal from the integration circuit 24, decodes the time code, obtains time data such as hour / minute / 00 second, and corrects the internal clock.
The first transmission time (for example, 2:38 am) band and the second transmission time (for example, 2:48 am) band determined in advance are based on the time measured by the internal clock, Time data to be transmitted is created.
This time data is output as a gate pulse S25 to the control terminal of the switch 28 in the same format as the baseband signal.
In the switch 28, the output terminal d is connected to the input terminal a in the first transmission time zone, and the output terminal d is connected to the input terminal b in the second transmission time zone.
When the electric field strength is large and exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the information set in the mode selection switch 25b is stored in the computer 25. Based on this set information, the gate pulse S25 is output, and this gate The switch 28 is controlled by the pulse S25. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the output terminal d is connected to the input terminal a or b. Therefore, the radio signals S2a and S2b are transmitted from the transmission RF amplifier 29.
Therefore, in the first transmission time zone, the oscillation signal S26 oscillated from the level-adjusted oscillator 26 in the output intensity adjustment circuit 27a is turned on / off by the gate pulse S25 by the microcomputer 25, and the AM modulated RF signal. Is obtained.
The AM-modulated RF signal is amplified by the transmission RF amplifier 29 and transmitted from the transmission antenna 20b as the time radio wave signal S2a having the first intensity in the same format as shown in FIG.

Next, in the second transmission time zone, the oscillation signal S26 oscillated from the level-adjusted oscillator 26 in the output intensity adjustment circuit 27b is turned on / off by the gate pulse S25 by the microcomputer 25, and the AM modulated RF signal. Is obtained.
This AM modulated RF signal is amplified by the transmission RF amplifier 29 and transmitted from the transmission antenna 20b as a time radio signal S2b having the second intensity in the same format as shown in FIG. 2A.

  When the electric field strength is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold level, when the mode selection switch 25b is set to stop transmission of radio waves including time information from the time signal relay device 2, the transmission RF amplifier 29 is turned off. Does not work. Alternatively, since the input terminal of the transmission RF amplifier 29 is connected to the ground (GND) of the input terminal c and the output terminal d of the switch 28 is connected to the ground (GND) of the input terminal c, no signal is supplied from the input terminal and only the carrier frequency without time information. It becomes. Therefore, in any case, the time radio signal is not transmitted from the transmission RF amplifier 29.

In the radio-controlled timepiece 3, the control circuit 34 is not shown in the time radio signal reception system 31 for 1 minute before and after every hour so that the standard time radio signal S1 from the key station 1 can be received every hour. Drive power from the power supply is supplied.
Thereby, a long wave (for example, 40 kHz) including the time code signal from the key station received by the receiving antenna 31a of the time radio signal receiving system 31 is subjected to predetermined signal processing by the long wave receiving circuit 31b and controlled as a pulse signal S31. It is output to the circuit 34.

In the control circuit 34, when the received radio signal is decoded and it is determined that the reception is normal as a result of the decoding, the count control of various counters and the light detection sensor 140 (300, 300) are performed based on the basic clock by the oscillation circuit 33. 900), the control signals CTL1 and CTL2 are output to the stepping motor 210 for the second hand and the stepping motor 410 for the hour and minute hands through the buffer 37 in accordance with the input levels of the detection signals DT1 and DT2 by performing rotation control. Time correction control is performed.
Then, a standard radio wave normal reception flag indicating that the standard time radio wave has been normally received is set.

If it is determined that the reception is not normal reception, not the reception time of the standard time radio signal S1, or if the standard radio wave normal reception flag is set, the reception time of the time radio signal S2a from the time signal relay device 2 is set. It is determined whether or not it is a certain 2:38 am (including 1 minute before and after).
Here, if it is determined that it is the reception time of the time radio signal S2a, and the standard radio wave normal reception flag is set, the time radio signal reception is performed within 1 minute before and after 2:38 am. Driving power is not supplied to the system 31 by a power source (not shown), the standard radio wave normal reception flag is reset, and the process proceeds to normal processing.

On the other hand, when the standard radio wave normal reception flag is not set, the time radio signal is received for 1 minute before and after 2:38 am so that the time radio signal S2a from the time signal relay device 2 can be received. Driving power from a power source (not shown) is supplied to the system 31.
At this time, in the case of normal reception in FIG. 6, the control is performed according to the count control of various counters based on the basic clock by the oscillation circuit 33 and the input levels of the detection signals DT1 and DT2 by the light detection sensors 300 and 900. The signals CTL1, CTL2 are output to the stepping motor 210 for the second hand and the stepping motor 410 for the hour / minute hands through the buffer 37, and the time adjustment control is performed by performing the rotation control.
In this case, the radio-controlled timepiece 3 is disposed at a relatively close distance from the time signal relay device 2 and has been successfully received, so that the second signal transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the second time is transmitted. No strong time signal is received. In other words, for one minute before and after 2:48 am, no driving power is supplied to the time radio signal reception system 31 by a power source (not shown).

When the time signal cannot be timed as a result of decoding the first strength time radio signal S2a transmitted from the time signal repeater 2 at the first time, the pointer position is not corrected, and the second The time radio wave signal S2b having the second intensity transmitted at the time is received. That is, driving power from a power source (not shown) is supplied to the time radio signal receiving system 31 for 1 minute before and after 2:48 am.
Then, when the time radio signal S2b having the second intensity transmitted from the time signal relay device 2 at the second time is decoded and can be timed, the control circuit 34 generates a basic clock by the oscillation circuit 33. The control signals CTL1 and CTL2 are stepped for the second hand through the buffer 37 in accordance with the count control of various counters and the input levels of the detection signals DT1 and DT2 by the first and second reflection type optical sensors 300 and 900 based on Time correction control is performed by outputting to the motor 210 and the stepping motor 410 for hour and minute hands and performing rotation control.
In this case, the radio-controlled timepiece 3 is arranged at a position far from the time signal relay device 2.

  On the other hand, when the reception is not normal, it is determined that the installation position of the time signal relay device 2 is inappropriate. For example, the drive signal DR1 is output to the drive circuit 35 without outputting the control signals CTL1, CTL2, and the light emitting element 36 is emitted to notify the user.

  Further, when the signal is not transmitted from the time signal relay device 2, that is, when there is no signal at all, the radio wave correction timepiece 3 similarly notifies the user. At this time, in particular, the user is informed specifically that the transmission from the time signal relay device 2 is stopped, and a warning is given that there is a possibility that the radio wave correction clock 3 is erroneously displayed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time signal relay device 2 is provided with the mode selection switch for selecting the transmission mode of the transmission RF amplifier 29, and this mode selection switch 25b is set according to the user's request. The standard time radio signal S1 including a time code of a predetermined frequency (40 kHz) transmitted from the key station 1 by AM modulation is received, and the electric field strength of the received standard time radio signal is below a predetermined threshold level. At this time, the transmission output from the transmission RF amplifier 29 is stopped or only the carrier frequency without time information is transmitted.
On the other hand, when the mode selection switch 25b is set to continue transmission, the accumulated error time information is transmitted from the transmission RF amplifier 29 as it is.
In this way, the time signal is stopped from transmission or continued to be transmitted from the transmission RF amplifier 29 of the time signal relay device 2 according to the electric field strength of the input standard time radio signal, and the radio wave correction timepiece 3 In addition to notifying the accurate time display and also the radio wave reception status, the user does not recognize the time incorrectly.

  Further, when the time radio signal is stopped from being transmitted from the transmission RF amplifier 29 of the time signal relay device 2 in accordance with the electric field strength of the standard time radio signal input as time information, the transmission output for cutting off the power of the transmission RF amplifier 29 is stopped. There is an advantage that the power consumption of the system circuit can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the time correction system to which the time signal relay apparatus which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the principal part waveform of the time correction system to which the time signal relay apparatus which concerns on this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the time code of standard time radio wave signal S1. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the outline | summary of the process of the microcomputer in the time signal relay apparatus based on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the whole operation | movement in the time signal relay apparatus based on this invention. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a signal processing system circuit of a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention. 1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of a pointer position detection device for a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the radio wave correction watch illustrated in FIG. 7. It is a top view which shows the 1st drive system which drives the second hand which is a part of radio wave correction timepiece. It is a top view which shows the 2nd drive system which drives the minute hand and hour hand which are a part of radio wave correction timepieces. It is a top view which shows the 1st 5th wheel which makes a part of 1st drive system which drives a second hand. It is a top view which shows the second hand wheel which makes a part of 1st drive system which drives a second hand. It is a top view which shows the other example of the second hand wheel which makes a part of 1st drive system which drives a second hand. It is a top view which shows the 3rd wheel which forms a part of 2nd drive system which drives a minute hand and an hour hand. It is a top view which shows the minute hand wheel which makes a part of 2nd drive system which drives a minute hand and an hour hand. It is a top view which shows the hour hand wheel which makes a part of 2nd drive system which drives a minute hand and an hour hand. It is an end view which shows the front-end | tip part of a minute hand pipe and an hour hand pipe.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Radio wave transmission base (key station), 2 and 2A ... Time signal relay apparatus, 20a ... Reception antenna, 20b ... Transmission antenna, 21 ... Reception RF amplifier, 22 ... Detection circuit, 23 ... Rectification circuit, 24 ... Integration circuit , 25 ... microcomputer, 25b ... mode selection switch, 26 ... oscillator of frequency 40.00kHz, 27a, 27b ... output intensity adjustment circuit, 28 ... switch, 29 ... RF amplifier for transmission, 3 ... radio wave correction clock, 30 ... signal Processing system circuit 31... Time radio signal reception system 32. Forced reception mode signal generator 33. Oscillation circuit 34. Control circuit 35. Drive circuit 36. Light emitting element as notification means 37 37 Buffer circuit 38 ... Drive circuit 100 ... Timepiece body 110 ... Long wave receiving circuit 111r ... 40 kHz receiving circuit 112r ... 60 kHz receiving circuit 1 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lower case, 112 ... Upper case, 113 ... Middle plate, 120 ... 1st drive system (second hand drive system), 121 ... Second hand motor (first drive source), 122 ... 1st fifth wheel (1st Transmission gear, first detection gear), 122c... Through-hole, 123... Second hand wheel (second detection gear, first pointer wheel), 123c... Through-hole, 123d ... positioning light-shielding portion, 123e. ... notch hole, 123g ... notch hole, 130 ... second drive system (hour / minute hand drive system), 131 ... hour / minute hand motor (second drive source), 132 ... second fifth wheel, 133c ... through hole , 134... Minute hand wheel (fourth detection gear, second pointer wheel), 134c... Arc-shaped through hole, 134d... Arc-shaped through hole, 134e... Arc-shaped through hole, 134g ... groove (first index), 134p. Minute hand pipe, 135 ... minute wheel, 136 ... hour hand wheel (fifth detection gear, second finger Needle wheel) 136c ... arc-shaped through hole, 136d ... arc-shaped through-hole, 136e ... arc-shaped through-hole, 136g ... groove (second index), 136p ... hour hand pipe, 140 ... light detection sensor, 142 ... light emitting element, 143 ... Circuit board, 144 ... Light receiving element, 150 ... Manual correction system, 151 ... Manual correction shaft, 151b ... Head, VCC ... Power supply voltage, C1-C3 ... Capacitor, R1-R8 ... Resistance element.

Claims (6)

A time signal relay device that relays a radio signal including a time code for a radio correction clock that receives a standard time radio signal and corrects the time,
A control circuit that receives the standard time radio signal, detects the intensity of the radio signal, compares it with a predetermined threshold value, and outputs a transmission control signal based on the comparison result;
A time signal relay device comprising: a transmission system circuit that is supplied with the transmission control signal and generates and transmits a time radio signal including a time code in accordance with the control signal. The time signal relay device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes a mode selection switch that selects a transmission mode in which transmission is continued or stopped in the transmission system circuit. The time signal relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein transmission is stopped from the transmission system circuit when the standard time radio signal is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value. The time signal relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the time signal relay device includes notification means for notifying a radio wave state. A radio time correction clock that receives a radio signal obtained by relaying a standard time radio signal or a standard time radio signal, and corrects the time according to the time code including the received signal;
A time correction system including a time signal relay device that relays a radio signal including a time code for the radio correction clock that receives the standard time radio signal or the standard time radio signal and corrects the time,
The time signal relay device is
A detection circuit for detecting a signal level of a radio signal including the time code;
A signal processing circuit for comparing and judging the output level from the detection circuit with a predetermined threshold value, and for processing the time code of the radio wave signal;
A mode selection switch for setting a transmission mode of a radio signal transmitted from the time signal relay device;
A transmission system circuit in which a transmission mode of the radio signal is determined by a control signal from the signal processing circuit according to a mode selected by the mode selection switch;
Informing means for informing the radio wave reception state according to the detection level of the radio wave signal,
Have
The above radio-controlled watch
A time correction system comprising: a display device that displays a reception transmission state of the time relay device according to a transmission mode transmitted from the time signal relay device. The time correction system according to claim 5, wherein the display device displays the reception state when the reception state of the time signal relay device is equal to or less than a threshold value.

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