JP2006158080A - Electronic equipment, control method and program therefor, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment wherein excess of generated voltage and driving voltage is prevented, and changing of the operation mode of the equipment is appropriately controlled, and also to provide a control method and program for the electronic equipment, and a recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic equipment has a power generating means 10, power storing means 11 and 12, a power generation detection circuit 67, a voltage detection circuit 65, a limiter circuit 62, and a mode controlling means 70. When the limiter circuit 62 is in operation or the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit 65 becomes equal to or higher than a preset voltage, the operation mode is prohibited from transitioning to power saving mode though power is being generated. Thus, mode change operation is performed with reliability. The operation of the limiter circuit 62 is thereby prevented from being prohibited though power is being generated or sufficient power is stored in the power storing means. The application of voltage exceeding the breakdown voltages of the power storing means 11 and 12, a movement hand control circuit 4A, or a time displaying means 5, is prevented without fail. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, a method for controlling the electronic device, a program for controlling the electronic device, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  In recent years, a small-sized and portable electronic device such as a wristwatch type has a built-in power generation device such as a solar battery and operates without battery replacement. These electronic devices have a function of temporarily charging the power generated by the power generation device to a power storage device such as a large-capacitance capacitor. When power generation is not performed, the drive system is driven by the power discharged from the capacitor. It has become so. In such an electronic device, a limiter circuit for limiting the applied voltage so that the power generation voltage of the power generation device does not exceed the withstand voltage of the power storage device or the drive voltage does not exceed the withstand voltage of the drive system. Is provided. This limiter circuit is electrically disconnected from the power generation device at the front stage of the power storage device, the output of the power generation device is short-circuited so that the generated voltage is not transmitted to the rear stage, and is electrically disconnected from the drive system at the rear stage of the power supply device. This prevents the generation voltage exceeding the withstand voltage of the power storage device from being applied or the drive voltage exceeding the withstand voltage of the drive system from being applied.

  On the other hand, in an electronic device with a built-in power generation device, when the power generation device has been in a non-power generation state for a predetermined time or more in order to stably supply power, the state is detected and the operation mode of the drive system Some have a mode switching function that shifts from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode. However, when the limiter circuit is in the operating state (limiter on state), the electrical information of the power generation device is not transmitted to the subsequent stage at all. Therefore, the power generation state of the power generation device can be detected once the power saving mode is entered. Therefore, there is a possibility that the normal operation mode cannot be restored. Thus, an electronic device to which a function for surely returning to the normal operation mode is added has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 includes a limiter control unit that prohibits the operation of the limiter circuit when the operation mode of the drive system is the power saving mode. When the limiter control means shifts to the power saving mode, the limiter circuit is set to the non-operating state (limiter off state), so that the electrical information of the power generator is transmitted to the subsequent stage and the power generation state of the power generator is changed. Since it can be detected, it is possible to detect the power generation state and reliably return to the normal operation mode.

JP 2000-236633 A

  However, in the electronic device of Patent Document 1, although the operation of the limiter circuit is prohibited when the operation mode of the drive system is in the power saving mode, the operation of the mode switching function when the limiter circuit is in the operating state is as follows. There is a problem like this. That is, if the limiter circuit operates in a state where the power generation device is generating power, the power generation state of the power generation device cannot be detected as described above, and it is determined that the non-power generation state appears. If it continues for a predetermined time or more, it may shift to the power saving mode. If the power saving mode is entered in such a state, the operation of the limiter circuit is automatically prohibited in spite of the actual power generation state. It will be applied, which is a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a control method thereof, a control method program, and a recording medium capable of appropriately switching and controlling the operation mode of the device while preventing an excess of a generated voltage and a drive voltage. .

  An electronic device according to the present invention includes a power generation unit that generates power by converting external energy into electrical energy, a power storage unit that stores electrical energy generated by the power generation unit, and an electric power supplied from the power storage unit. Driven means driven by energy; power generation detection means for detecting whether the power generation means is generating power; voltage detection means for detecting the power generation voltage in the power generation means or the power storage voltage in the power storage means; A limiter unit connected in parallel to the power generation unit and the power storage unit, and configured to limit a voltage of electric energy supplied to the power storage unit based on a detection result of the voltage detection unit to a preset limit voltage or less; Based on the detection result of the detection means, the operation mode of the driven means is either the normal operation mode or the power saving mode. And a mode transition control for prohibiting transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode by the mode control means when the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means. Means.

  Further, the electronic device of the present invention is supplied from the power generation means for generating power by converting external energy into electric energy, the power storage means for storing the electric energy generated by the power generation means, and the power storage means. Driven means driven by electrical energy, power generation detection means for detecting whether the power generation means is generating power, voltage detection means for detecting the power generation voltage in the power generation means or the power storage voltage in the power storage means Limiter means for limiting the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means based on a detection result of the voltage detection means to be equal to or lower than a preset limit voltage, and the detection target based on the detection result of the power generation detection means. Mode control means for setting the operation mode of the drive means to one of a normal operation mode and a power saving mode; Mode transition control means for prohibiting transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode by the mode control means when the voltage detected by the means becomes equal to or higher than a preset set voltage equal to or lower than the limit voltage. It may be configured.

  According to the present invention, when the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means (that is, during the operation of the limiter means), or the voltage detected by the voltage detection means is the set voltage. In this case, the mode control means can prevent the transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode. In other words, when the limiter operates or is charged more than the set voltage, it can be prevented that it is judged that it is actually in a non-power generation state and the power saving mode is entered even though power is actually generated. Thus, the mode transition operation can be surely executed. Therefore, the operation of the limiter means is not prohibited despite the power generation state as in the past, and it is possible to reliably prevent the voltage exceeding the withstand voltage of the power storage means and the driven means from being applied. can do.

In this case, in the electronic device of the present invention, the mode control unit has a non-power generation time measurement unit that measures a non-power generation time based on an output of the power generation detection unit, and the output of the non-power generation time measurement unit is equal to or longer than a set time. In this case, the operation mode of the driven means is shifted from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode, and the non-power generation time measurement means is configured such that the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means. Or when the voltage detected by the voltage detection means is equal to or higher than a preset set voltage equal to or lower than the limit voltage, the measurement of the non-power generation time is temporarily stopped or the measurement value is initialized. preferable.
According to such a configuration, the power generation device is configured to shift to the power saving mode if power is not generated for a set time or more, and the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit is the limit voltage while the limiter unit is operating. When the voltage exceeds the following preset voltage, that is, when sufficient electrical energy is stored in the storage means, stop the measurement of the non-power generation time measurement means or initialize the measurement value By doing so, it is possible to reliably prevent the apparent non-power generation state from being determined as non-power generation and shifting to the power saving mode.

Further, the electronic device of the present invention is an electronic timepiece in which the driven means is configured to have a time measuring means for measuring a time by inputting a reference clock and a time display means for displaying the time. Is preferred.
According to such a configuration, in the electronic timepiece having the driven means such as the time measuring means and the time display means, the voltage exceeding the withstand voltage of the driven means is prevented from being applied as described above. The operation mode can be reliably transferred. At this time, the time display means may be an analog display type having a pointer or the like, or a digital display type having an LCD or the like.

In the electronic apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the time display unit is an analog type that displays the time by moving hands, and the mode control unit stops moving the time display units in the power saving mode.
According to such a configuration, when the voltage of the power storage means charged by the power generation means decreases, the hand movement is stopped, thereby reducing power consumption and realizing a long-time operation. The time display means is an analog type that is mechanically driven. By stopping the hand movement in the power saving mode, the energy consumption can be greatly reduced as compared with the digital display type.

In the electronic device of the present invention, it is preferable that the time display means includes at least a minute hand or a second hand, and the mode control means moves the minute hand or the second hand to a preset position to stop the hand movement.
According to such a configuration, since the minute hand or the second hand is stopped at a predetermined position, the user can grasp that the mode has shifted to the power saving mode, and can easily take necessary measures such as generating power with the power generation means. Can be done. In addition, if the power saving mode is displayed using the minute hand or the second hand, there is no need to provide a special pointer or a liquid crystal panel in order to perform the display, so the number of parts can be reduced and the cost increase can be suppressed. .

Furthermore, in the electronic device of the present invention, receiving means for receiving wireless information including time information, correction control means for correcting the time measuring means to the received time information, and reception control means for controlling the reception state by the receiving means, It is preferable that the driven means is configured.
According to such a configuration, the radio-controlled timepiece is configured, and if the automatic reception state continues even if the hand movement is stopped in the power saving mode, the time measuring means can be updated with the received time information. When returning to the operation mode, it is possible to return to the correct current time.

  On the other hand, the method for controlling an electronic device according to the present invention includes a power generation unit that generates power by converting external energy into electrical energy, a power storage unit that stores electrical energy generated by the power generation unit, and the power storage unit. A driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the power generation means, a power generation detection means for detecting whether or not the power generation means is generating power, and a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means. A voltage detection unit, a limiter connected in parallel to the power generation unit and the power storage unit, and limits a voltage of electrical energy supplied to the power storage unit to a predetermined voltage or less based on a detection result of the voltage detection unit And an operation mode of the driven means based on a detection result of the power generation detection means and a normal operation mode and a power saving mode. An electronic device control method comprising: a mode control means for setting to any one of the first and second modes, wherein when the voltage of electrical energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means, the mode control means The transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode by the means is prohibited.

  In addition, the electronic device control method of the present invention includes a power generation unit that generates power by converting external energy into electrical energy, a power storage unit that stores electrical energy generated by the power generation unit, and the power storage unit. A driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the power generation means, a power generation detection means for detecting whether or not the power generation means is generating power, and a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means. Based on voltage detection means, limiter means for limiting the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means based on the detection result of the voltage detection means to be equal to or lower than a preset limit voltage, and based on the detection result of the power generation detection means Mode control means for setting the operation mode of the driven means to either a normal operation mode or a power saving mode; A control method for an electronic device comprising: when the voltage detected by the voltage detection means is equal to or higher than a preset setting voltage equal to or lower than the limit voltage, the power control mode is changed from the normal operation mode by the mode control means. It may be configured to prohibit the transition to.

  According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to prevent the apparent non-power generation state from being determined as non-power generation and shift to the power saving mode, and the breakdown voltage of the power storage means and the driven means is exceeded. It is possible to reliably prevent the voltage from being applied.

At this time, in the electronic device control method according to the present invention, the mode control unit includes a non-power generation time measurement unit that measures a non-power generation time based on an output of the power generation detection unit, and an output of the non-power generation time measurement unit is When the set time is exceeded, the operation mode of the driven unit is shifted from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode, and the non-power generation time measurement unit is configured such that the voltage of the electrical energy supplied to the power storage unit is the limiter unit. When the voltage is detected by the voltage detection means, or when the voltage detected by the voltage detection means becomes equal to or higher than a preset set voltage equal to or lower than the limit voltage, the non-power generation time measurement is temporarily stopped or the measurement value is initialized. It is preferable to do.
According to such a configuration, as described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the apparent non-power generation state from being determined as non-power generation and shifting to the power saving mode.

  On the other hand, the electronic device control method program of the present invention includes a power generation unit that generates power by converting external energy into electrical energy, a power storage unit that stores electrical energy generated by the power generation unit, and the power storage unit. A driven means driven by electric energy supplied from the means; a power generation detection means for detecting whether or not the power generation means is generating power; and a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means Voltage detecting means that is connected in parallel to the power generating means and the power storage means, and the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means is limited to a preset limit voltage or less based on the detection result of the voltage detection means. Based on the detection results of the limiter means and the power generation detection means, the operation mode of the driven means is the normal operation mode. A control method program for an electronic device comprising a mode control means for setting to any one of a power saving mode and a voltage of electrical energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means, Prohibiting the transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode by the mode control means is executed.

  The electronic device control method program according to the present invention includes a power generation unit that generates power by converting external energy into electrical energy, a power storage unit that stores electrical energy generated by the power generation unit, and the power storage unit. A driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the means; a power generation detection means for detecting whether or not the power generation means is generating power; and a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means Voltage detection means for limiting, a limiter means for limiting the voltage of electrical energy supplied to the power storage means based on a detection result of the voltage detection means to a preset limit voltage or less, and a detection result of the power generation detection means. Based on the mode control, the operation mode of the driven means is set to either the normal operation mode or the power saving mode. A control method program for an electronic device comprising: a normal control by the mode control means when the voltage detected by the voltage detection means is equal to or higher than a preset set voltage equal to or lower than the limit voltage; It may be configured to execute prohibition of transition from the operation mode to the power saving mode.

  According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to prevent the apparent non-power generation state from being determined as non-power generation and shift to the power saving mode, and the breakdown voltage of the power storage means and the driven means is exceeded. It is possible to reliably prevent the voltage from being applied.

The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium on which the above-described program is recorded.
According to such a configuration, even when the control method program is changed or improved, the program can be updated by causing the computer incorporated in the electronic device to easily read the program.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to provide an electronic device, a control method thereof, a control method program, and a recording medium that can appropriately switch and control the operation mode of the device while preventing an excess of the generated voltage and the drive voltage. Can do.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a radio-controlled timepiece 1 that is an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The radio-controlled timepiece 1 is of an analog display type, and includes a receiving unit 2 as a receiving unit that receives wireless information including time information, a reference signal generating unit 3 that generates a reference clock, and a control that controls the entire apparatus. The circuit 4 and time display means 5 for displaying time and the like are provided.

The receiving unit 2 includes an antenna 21 that receives wireless information including time information, a receiving circuit 22 that processes (amplifies, demodulates, etc.) the wireless information received by the antenna 21, and time information from a signal processed by the receiving circuit 22. And a receiving power supply circuit 24 for supplying power to the receiving circuit 22. The reception unit 2 is controlled by a reception control means 25 that controls the radio wave reception process by controlling the driving of the reception power supply circuit 24.
Note that, as the wireless information including the time information, a long wave standard radio wave (JJY) or the like can be used.

The reception circuit 22 starts receiving time information when the reception power supply circuit 24 is activated by a signal from the reception control means 25, and outputs the received time information to the decoding circuit 23. The time information decoded by the decoding circuit 23 is output to the reception time storage means 43.
The reception control means 25 operates the reception power supply circuit 24 to perform reception processing when a preset automatic reception time is reached or when a forced reception operation is performed by the user.

The reference signal generation unit 3 includes an oscillation circuit 31 configured by a crystal resonator and the like, and a frequency division circuit 32 that divides a pulse from the oscillation circuit 31 to generate a reference clock (1 Hz or the like). . The generated reference clock is output to the clock control means 41.

The control circuit 4 includes a microcomputer (computer), and includes a hand movement control circuit 4A, a power supply control circuit 4B, and a mode control means 70. Here, the driven means of the present invention comprises the hand movement control circuit 4A and the time display means 5, and the operation modes of these hand movement control circuit 4A and the time display means 5 are set to the normal operation mode and the power saving by the mode control means 70. It is set to one of the modes (power save mode).
The hand movement control circuit 4A includes the decoding circuit 23, the reception power supply circuit 24, the reception control means 25, the oscillation circuit 31, and the frequency dividing circuit 32, as well as the time measurement control means 41, the hand position storage means 42, the reception time storage means 43, the hand movement A calendar drive control means 44 is provided.

The time display means 5 is an analog time instruction means, and includes a dial 51 having a scale, an hour hand 52, a minute hand 53, a second hand 54, and a date indicator. The date wheel can be viewed from the date display window 55 formed on the dial 51.
The time display means 5 further includes driving means such as an hour / minute hand motor for driving the hour hand 52 and the minute hand 53, a second motor for driving the second hand 54, a date indicator motor for driving the date indicator, and the like. These are controlled by the hand movement / calendar drive control means 44.

The clock control means 41 measures time based on a reference signal (reference clock) input from the frequency divider circuit 32. The timekeeping control means 41 outputs a predetermined pulse signal to the hand position storage means 42 according to the timekeeping time, and the hand position storage means 42 outputs a drive signal to the hand movement / calendar drive control means 44 according to the input. Thus, the hand movement in the time display means 5 is controlled.
Therefore, the timekeeping control means 41 constitutes a timekeeping means and a hand movement control means.

For this reason, the timing control means 41 includes internal counters for hour, minute, second, and calendar that are counted up by the reference signal input from the frequency dividing circuit 32.
The hand position storage means 42 includes hour, minute, second, and calendar position counters corresponding to the hands of the time display means 5 and the position of the date indicator.

The reception time storage means 43 includes hour, minute, second and calendar time counters for storing received time information. The time information stored in the reception time storage means 43 is set in an internal counter of the timekeeping control means 41. Therefore, the reception time storage means 43 constitutes a correction control means for correcting the time measuring means with the received time information.
In this embodiment, the hand movement / calendar drive control means 44 is a drive circuit that drives and controls a second motor for driving the second hand 54, an hour / minute hand motor for driving the hour hand 52, the minute hand 53, and a date wheel motor for driving the date dial. It is configured with.

  The timekeeping control means 41 outputs a drive signal for driving the second motor every second during the normal hand movement to the hand position storage means 42 to update the second counter corresponding to the position of the second hand. Similarly, a drive signal for driving the hour / minute hand motor is output to the hand position storage means 42 every minute to update the hour / minute hand counter. Further, a driving signal for driving the date dial driving means is output to the hand position storage means 42 every 24 hours to update the calendar counter. The hand movement calendar drive control means 44 drives each motor by outputting a drive signal to the hand movement calendar drive control means 44 at the same time as each counter is updated by the input of each drive signal. To do. Therefore, if each pointer or date indicator and each counter of the hand position storage means 42 are synchronized in advance, the pointer, date indicator and each counter are synchronized by the drive signal output from the timing control means 41 thereafter. Driven. For this reason, the needle position storage means 42 stores the positions of the hands and the like.

  When the time information received by the reception time storage means 43 is stored in the reception time storage means 43, the clock control means 41 compares the time information with the information in the hand position storage means 42, and according to the difference amount. The drive signal is output to the needle position storage means 42. Accordingly, the stored information in the pointer and hand position storage means 42 is corrected to the received time information (current time), and thereafter the normal hand movement is restored.

The power supply control circuit 4B controls the solar battery 10 as a power generation means, the secondary battery 11 as a power storage means, and the capacitor 12, and includes a backflow prevention circuit 61, a limiter circuit 62 as a limiter means, and an immediate start circuit 63. A charge control circuit 64, a voltage detection circuit 65 as voltage detection means, a charge detection circuit 66, and a power generation detection circuit 67 as power generation detection means.
As shown in FIG. 2, the backflow prevention circuit 61 is a general backflow prevention circuit composed of a diode or the like.
The limiter circuit 62 is a switch for preventing the secondary battery 11 from being overcharged. The limiter circuit 62 is turned on when the voltage of the power storage unit becomes a predetermined voltage, for example, 2.1 to 2.2 V or more, and the both ends of the solar cell 10 are switched. Short circuit. The limiter circuit 62 is connected in parallel to an intermediate position between the solar cell 10 and the power storage means (secondary battery 11 and capacitor 12). When the limiter circuit 62 is turned on (short-circuited) by this connection, the solar cell 10 generates power. Even if the operation is continued, the generated voltage becomes substantially zero, and the generated power detection circuit 67 cannot detect the generated voltage, that is, it is in an apparent non-power generation state.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the immediate start circuit 63 includes two diodes 81 and 82 connected in series to the secondary battery 11, and a first transistor 83 that functions as a switch connected in parallel to the diode 81. And a second transistor 84 functioning as a switch connected in parallel with the two diodes 81 and 82.
When there is no power generation for a long time and the voltage of the power storage means decreases and the oscillation circuit 31 stops, the transistors 83 and 84 are turned off and immediately set to the start state. When the solar cell 10 generates power in this state and the generated power is supplied, the transistors 83 and 84 are turned off, so that the current is supplied to the secondary battery 11 through the diodes 81 and 82. For this reason, an electromotive voltage is generated in the diodes 81 and 82 connected in series to the secondary battery 11, so that the apparent voltage of the secondary battery 11 rises and the oscillation circuit 31 that requires a predetermined voltage for driving. Etc. can be activated quickly, and activation of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 can be accelerated.

  To release the immediate start circuit 63, first, when the radio-controlled timepiece 1 is activated, the first transistor 83 is turned on. In this state, the voltage of the secondary battery 11 is a predetermined voltage (for example, 1.0 V). Then, the second transistor 84 may be turned on.

The voltage detection circuit 65 detects whether or not the voltage of the secondary battery 11 has immediately reached the start release voltage (1.0 V) based on the sampling signal from the charge control circuit 64 and also turns on the limiter circuit 62. It is detected whether or not (2.2 V), and the detection result is fed back to the charge control circuit 64.
The charge detection circuit 66 monitors the voltage of the secondary battery 11 and detects whether or not charging is in progress.
The power generation detection circuit 67 monitors the solar cell 10 as power generation means and detects whether or not power generation is in progress. Here, the power generation detection circuit 67 outputs a non-power generation state when the limiter circuit 62 is operating (limiter on), that is, when the voltage of the electrical energy supplied to the power storage means is limited. You may do it.
Since each of these detection circuits 65 to 67 can be a known one that has been conventionally used, a description thereof will be omitted.
The charge control circuit 64 controls the limiter circuit 62 and the immediate start circuit 63 based on the outputs of the detection circuits 65 to 67 to control the charging of the storage means by the solar cell 10.

The mode control means 70 has a counter (not shown) as a non-power generation time measuring means for measuring the non-power generation time based on the output of the power generation detection circuit 67, and the non-power generation time that is the output of this counter is a preset time ( For example, when it becomes 72 hours or more, the operation mode of the hand movement control circuit 4A and the time display means 5 is shifted from the normal operation (display) mode to the power save (power saving) mode. On the other hand, if the solar cell 10 is generating power, the mode control means 70 shifts the operation mode from the power save mode to the normal operation mode based on the output of the power generation detection circuit 67.
Further, the mode control means 70 changes from the normal operation mode to the power save mode when the limiter circuit 62 is operating or when the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit 65 becomes a set voltage (for example, 2.0 V) or more. Mode transition control means 71 for prohibiting the transition to. Here, the set voltage is a voltage that is lower than the limit voltage (2.2 V) by the limiter circuit 62 and exceeds the electronic device system down voltage (0.8 V in the case of the watch of the present embodiment). Set by. In consideration of both the excess of the applied voltage and the system down on the safe side, the set voltage is set to an intermediate voltage between the limiter limit voltage (2.2 V) and the system down voltage (0.8 V) (for example, 1.. 5V) may be set.

  Here, the hand movement control circuit 4A, the power supply control circuit 4B, and the mode control means 70 may be configured by appropriate circuit elements or the like, but are configured by a microcomputer in this embodiment. That is, each means and circuit are configured by causing a microcomputer having a CPU and a memory (ROM, RAM, etc.) to read and operate a predetermined program.

Of the operations of the control circuit 4 in the radio-controlled timepiece 1 having the above-described configuration, the mode switching operation for switching the operation mode by the mode control means 70 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The mode control means 70 determines whether or not the operation mode of the hand movement control circuit 4A and the time display means 5 is the power save mode (step 1, hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S).
When the power saving mode is set in S1 (Y in S1), it is determined whether the solar cell 10 is generating power using the power generation detection circuit 67 (S2). When it is determined in S2 that power generation is not being performed (non-power generation state) (in the case of N in S2), the mode switching is terminated.
When the power generation is being performed in S2 (in the case of Y in S2), the operation mode is canceled from the power save mode and shifted to the normal operation mode (S3). That is, a driving signal is output from the time measuring control means 41 to the hand position storage means 42, the stored information in the hand position storage means 42 is corrected to the current time, and the time display means 5 displays via the hand movement / calendar drive control means 44. Is returned to the current time and returned to normal operation (S4).

If the power save mode is not set in S1 (N in S1), the mode shift control means 71 determines whether or not the limiter circuit 62 is operating (limiter ON) (S5). When the limiter circuit 62 is not operating in S5 (limiter OFF) (in the case of N in S5), it is determined from the output of the power generation detection circuit 67 whether or not it is in a non-power generation state (S6).
When the limiter is ON in S5 (Y in S5) or not in the non-power generation state (during power generation) in S6 (N in S6), the counter of the mode control means 70 is cleared (reset, initialization). (S7), and the mode switching ends. In S7, in addition to resetting the counter that is the measurement value of the non-power generation time, the previous measurement value may be held, that is, the count-up may be temporarily stopped.

When the limiter is not ON in S5 (N in S5) and in the non-power generation state in S6 (Y in S6), the counter of the mode control means 70 is increased (counted up), that is, the non-power generation time. Is started (or restarted) (S8). Then, it is determined whether or not the non-power generation time which is the output of the counter has reached a predetermined time (72 hours) (S9). If the predetermined time has not been reached (N in S9), the mode switching is terminated. To do.
If the power generation detection circuit 67 outputs a non-power generation state during operation of the limiter circuit 62, it is determined in S6 that it is in a non-power generation state, and S8 is executed.

When the counter reaches a predetermined time or more in S9 (Y in S9), the operation mode of the hand movement control circuit 4A and the time display means 5 is shifted to the power save mode (S10), and the hand movement of the time display means 5 is performed. Is stopped (S11), and the mode switching is terminated.
In the present embodiment, when the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, the hand movement control circuit 4A stops the second hand 54 at the 15-second position by the time measuring control means 41. The hour / minute hand and calendar (date wheel) are stopped at the current position. On the other hand, the automatic reception process by the reception control means 25 is continued as usual. Therefore, the internal counter of the clock control means 41 is also updated with the received time information. That is, the time keeping control means 41 keeps counting the correct time, but since the drive signal is not output from the time keeping control means 41 to the hand position storage means 42, the counter value of the hand position storage means 42 is not updated and remains stopped. Yes, each pointer also remains stopped.

  The mode switching process as described above is executed at a predetermined sampling interval, and the state of the normal operation mode set in S3 or the state of the power save mode set in S11 is continued unless the mode is switched again. . In such a mode switching process, when the limiter circuit 62 is operating in S5, the transition from the normal operation mode to the power save mode is prohibited.

Note that the mode switching process by the mode control means 70 of the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be executed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.
That is, instead of S5 in FIG. 4, the mode transition control means 71 determines whether or not the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit 65 is equal to or lower than the set voltage (2.0 V) (S5A), and detects the detected voltage. If S is not less than the set voltage (N in S5A), S7 is executed. If the detected voltage is less than the set voltage (Y in S5A), S6 is executed. That is, when the detected voltage becomes equal to or higher than the set voltage, the transition from the normal operation mode to the power save mode is prohibited.
Then, if it is determined whether or not to shift to the power saving mode based on the determination in S5A, the limiter circuit 62 includes the solar cell 10 and the storage means (secondary battery 11 and capacitor 12) as described above. May be connected in parallel, or may not be connected in parallel. That is, the limiter means may be connected in series between the power generation means and the power storage means.

According to this embodiment, there are the following effects.
(1) When the limiter circuit 62 is in operation (S5) or when the detection voltage of the voltage detection circuit 65 is equal to or higher than the set voltage (S5A), it is judged that the power generation state is apparently non-power generation and the power is saved from the normal operation mode. The mode switching operation can be surely executed without shifting to the mode. Therefore, the operation of the limiter circuit 62 is not prohibited regardless of the power generation state or the state where the power storage means (secondary battery 11 and capacitor 12) is sufficiently charged, and the power storage means and the hand movement control circuit are not prohibited. 4A, the voltage exceeding the withstand voltage of the time display means 5 can be reliably prevented from being applied.

  (2) If the non-power generation state exceeds the set time by the counter of the mode control means 70, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode and the limiter circuit 62 is operating (S5) or the detection voltage of the voltage detection circuit 65 is set to the set voltage. If this is the case (S5A), it is certain that the counter is cleared or the count-up is temporarily stopped, so that the apparent non-power generation state is determined to be non-power generation even though power is actually generated. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the shift to the power saving mode despite power generation.

  (3) In the power save mode, the mode control means 70 stops the movement of the time display means 5, so that the power consumption is reduced and the operation is continued for a long time in the non-power generation state where the solar battery 10 is not generating power. A possible electronic watch can be realized.

  (4) When the mode is switched to the power save mode, the second hand 54 is stopped at the 15-second position by the hand movement control circuit 4A, so that the user can grasp that the mode has been switched to the power save mode. Necessary measures such as power generation can be easily performed. Further, if the power save mode is displayed using the second hand 54 of the time display means 5, it is not necessary to provide a special pointer or a liquid crystal panel to perform the display, so the number of parts can be reduced and the cost is increased. Can be suppressed.

  (5) The electronic device is the radio wave correction timepiece 1 including the receiving unit 2, the reception time storage unit 43 for correcting the pointer of the time display unit 5 to the received time information, and the reception control unit 25 for controlling the reception state. Thus, if the automatic reception state continues even if the hand movement is stopped in the power save mode, the time display means 5 can be updated with the received time information, so when returning from the power save mode to the normal operation mode, It is possible to return to the correct current time.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The deformation | transformation as shown below is also included.
For example, in each of the above embodiments, the radio wave correction timepiece 1 as an electronic device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a normal electronic timepiece having no radio wave correction function and various electronic devices. Here, as the electronic device, a portable electronic device that is particularly required to be downsized is suitable, and examples thereof include a mobile phone, a PDA, a small computer, a personal computer, a camera, and a digital camera.
Further, the time display means 5 is not limited to one using a pointer, but may be one using a thin display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or an organic EL panel. However, if the time display means is a mechanically driven pointer, the effect of the present invention is great in that energy consumption can be significantly reduced by stopping the hand movement.

The power generation means is not limited to the solar cell 10, and various power generation devices such as a power generation device using a rotating weight, a power generation device driven by a spring, and a power generation device having a thermocouple and generating power at a temperature difference can be used. .
The transition to the normal operation mode is not limited to the case where the power generation detection circuit 67 determines that the solar cell 10 is generating power, but may be due to a user's switch operation.
The voltage detection circuit 65 is not limited to the one that detects the voltage of the power storage means (secondary battery 11), but may be one that detects the voltage of the capacitor 12, and further detects the power generation voltage of the power generation device (solar cell 10). You may do it.

Furthermore, in the present invention, a CPU, a memory, and the like are arranged in the radio-controlled timepiece 1 so as to function as a computer, and the hand movement control circuit 4A and the power supply control circuit 4B are configured by this computer. You may comprise by.
However, if it is configured by a computer, the conditions can be easily changed simply by changing the program, so that there is an advantage that appropriate control according to various radio-controlled timepieces 1 can be easily performed.
In order to incorporate data such as a predetermined program and set values into the computer in the radio-controlled timepiece 1, it is usually sufficient to store in advance in a memory such as a RAM or ROM incorporated in the radio-controlled timepiece 1. Further, the program and data may be installed later. In this case, a recording medium such as a memory card or a CD-ROM may be directly inserted into the radio-controlled timepiece 1, or a device that reads these recording media may be externally connected to the radio-controlled timepiece 1. Further, a program may be supplied and installed by communication by connecting a LAN cable, a telephone line or the like to the radio-controlled timepiece 1 or using the antenna 21.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The circuit diagram which shows the limiter circuit of this embodiment. The circuit diagram which shows the immediate start circuit of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of mode switching of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the mode switching operation | movement of this embodiment different from FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Radio wave correction clock, 2 ... Receiving part, 5 ... Time display means, 10 ... Solar cell as power generation means, 11 ... Secondary battery as power storage means, 12 ... Capacitor as power storage means, 21 ... Antenna, 22 ... Reception circuit 25... Reception control means 41... Timekeeping control means 42... Hand position storage means 43 .. reception time storage means as correction control means 44 44 hand / calendar drive control means 51. Hour hand, 53 ... minute hand, 54 ... second hand, 62 ... limiter circuit, 65 ... voltage detection circuit, 67 ... power generation detection circuit, 70 ... mode control means, 71 ... mode transition control means.

Claims (13)

Power generation means for generating power by converting external energy into electrical energy;
Power storage means for storing electrical energy generated by the power generation means;
Driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the power storage means;
Power generation detection means for detecting whether or not power generation in the power generation means,
Voltage detection means for detecting a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means;
Limiter means connected in parallel to the power generation means and the power storage means, and limits the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means based on the detection result of the voltage detection means to a preset limit voltage or less.
Mode control means for setting the operation mode of the driven means to a normal operation mode or a power saving mode based on the detection result of the power generation detection means;
Mode transition control means for prohibiting transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode by the mode control means when the voltage of the electrical energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means; Electronic equipment characterized by Power generation means for generating power by converting external energy into electrical energy;
Power storage means for storing electrical energy generated by the power generation means;
Driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the power storage means;
Power generation detection means for detecting whether or not power generation in the power generation means,
Voltage detection means for detecting a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means;
Limiter means for limiting the voltage of the electrical energy supplied to the power storage means based on the detection result of the voltage detection means to be equal to or lower than a preset limit voltage;
Mode control means for setting the operation mode of the driven means to a normal operation mode or a power saving mode based on the detection result of the power generation detection means;
Mode transition control means for prohibiting transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode by the mode control means when the voltage detected by the voltage detection means is equal to or higher than a preset set voltage equal to or lower than the limit voltage; An electronic device comprising: The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The mode control means has a non-power generation time measurement means for measuring a non-power generation time based on an output of the power generation detection means, and the driven means when the output of the non-power generation time measurement means exceeds a set time. The operation mode is shifted from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode.
The non-power generation time measuring means is set in advance when the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means, or the voltage detected by the voltage detection means is set below the limit voltage An electronic apparatus characterized by temporarily stopping measurement of a non-power generation time or initializing a measurement value when a set voltage is exceeded. In the electronic device in any one of Claims 1-3,
An electronic apparatus comprising: an electronic timepiece having time measuring means for inputting a reference clock to measure time and time display means for displaying the time, wherein the driven means is configured. The electronic device according to claim 4,
The time display means is an analog type that displays the time by hand movement,
The mode control means stops electronic movement of the time display means in the power saving mode. The electronic device according to claim 5,
The time display means includes at least a minute hand or a second hand,
The mode control means moves the minute hand or the second hand to a preset position and stops the hand movement. The electronic device according to claim 5 or 6,
Receiving means for receiving wireless information including time information; correction control means for correcting the timekeeping means to the received time information; and reception control means for controlling a reception state by the receiving means. An electronic device characterized by comprising: Power generation means for generating power by converting external energy into electrical energy;
Power storage means for storing electrical energy generated by the power generation means;
Driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the power storage means;
Power generation detection means for detecting whether or not power generation in the power generation means,
Voltage detection means for detecting a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means;
Limiter means connected in parallel to the power generation means and the power storage means, and limits the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means based on the detection result of the voltage detection means to a preset limit voltage or less.
A mode control means for setting the operation mode of the driven means to one of a normal operation mode and a power saving mode based on a detection result of the power generation detection means,
A method for controlling an electronic device, wherein when the voltage of electric energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means, the mode control means prohibits the transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode. . Power generation means for generating power by converting external energy into electrical energy;
Power storage means for storing electrical energy generated by the power generation means;
Driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the power storage means;
Power generation detection means for detecting whether or not power generation in the power generation means,
Voltage detection means for detecting a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means;
Limiter means for limiting the voltage of the electrical energy supplied to the power storage means based on the detection result of the voltage detection means to be equal to or lower than a preset limit voltage;
A mode control means for setting the operation mode of the driven means to one of a normal operation mode and a power saving mode based on a detection result of the power generation detection means,
When the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit is equal to or higher than a preset voltage that is equal to or lower than the limit voltage, the mode control unit prohibits transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode. Control method of electronic equipment. In the control method of the electronic device of Claim 8 or Claim 9,
The mode control means has a non-power generation time measurement means for measuring a non-power generation time based on an output of the power generation detection means, and the driven means when the output of the non-power generation time measurement means exceeds a set time. The operation mode is shifted from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode.
The non-power generation time measuring means is set in advance when the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means, or the voltage detected by the voltage detection means is set below the limit voltage A method for controlling an electronic device, characterized by temporarily stopping measurement of a non-power generation time or initializing a measurement value when a voltage exceeds a set voltage. Power generation means for generating power by converting external energy into electrical energy;
Power storage means for storing electrical energy generated by the power generation means;
Driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the power storage means;
Power generation detection means for detecting whether or not power generation in the power generation means,
Voltage detection means for detecting a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means;
Limiter means connected in parallel to the power generation means and the power storage means, and limits the voltage of the electric energy supplied to the power storage means based on the detection result of the voltage detection means to a preset limit voltage or less.
A control method program for an electronic device comprising: mode control means for setting an operation mode of the driven means to either a normal operation mode or a power saving mode based on a detection result of the power generation detection means;
An electronic device that, when the voltage of electric energy supplied to the power storage means is limited by the limiter means, prohibits the mode control means from shifting from a normal operation mode to a power saving mode. Device control method program. Power generation means for generating power by converting external energy into electrical energy;
Power storage means for storing electrical energy generated by the power generation means;
Driven means driven by electrical energy supplied from the power storage means;
Power generation detection means for detecting whether or not power generation in the power generation means,
Voltage detection means for detecting a power generation voltage in the power generation means or a power storage voltage in the power storage means;
Limiter means for limiting the voltage of the electrical energy supplied to the power storage means based on the detection result of the voltage detection means to be equal to or lower than a preset limit voltage;
A control method program for an electronic device comprising: mode control means for setting an operation mode of the driven means to either a normal operation mode or a power saving mode based on a detection result of the power generation detection means;
When the voltage detected by the voltage detecting means becomes equal to or higher than a preset set voltage that is equal to or lower than the limit voltage, the mode control means prohibits the transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode. An electronic device control method program characterized by the above.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 11 or 12 is recorded.

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