JP2006322903A - Electronic timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a timepiece moving the time of an arbitrary time slot with arbitrary sense of time. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic timepiece is provided with at least an oscillation circuit 1 outputting a reference clock; a dividing circuit 2 dividing the reference clock at a prescribed dividing ratio; an input 3 for setting a virtual time; a count number of times calculation part 4 calculating the frequency count number on the basis of the set time; a frequency counter 5 counting the clock divided by the dividing circuit until it reaches the count number calculated by the count number of times calculator; a pulse generator 6 outputting a pulse signal when the counting is finished; a clocking counter 7 acquiring the pulse signal and starting clocking of second-count, minute-count, and hour-count; an indicator 8 acquiring and indicating the clocking condition; a processing control unit 9 controlling these functional parts; and a constant voltage circuit 10 supplying a power supply voltage to these functional parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece, and more particularly, to an electronic timepiece capable of operating time at an arbitrary time interval for an arbitrary time zone.

Conventionally, various types of electronic timepieces and radio timepieces have been proposed, and in addition to the normal mode in which the time is operated by accurately measuring the time, the mode can advance the time earlier than the accurate time. There is a watch with For such a watch, when the time setting button is pressed in order to set the time accurately at the time of initial setting, etc., information related to the standard time is received by radio waves, and the second hand is set earlier than usual until the current time is reached. A rotating radio timepiece is known. Further, Patent Document 1 is an electronic timepiece that uses the output of an oscillator as a time reference. When the display time is delayed from the current time or advanced earlier by use, the time is changed from the normal time by switching the mode. An electronic timepiece correction technique that can be advanced as soon as possible and can be corrected quickly and easily to the correct time is disclosed.
JP 2004-325316 A

  By the way, the human sense of time is vague, and depending on how you spend it, you may feel that time is progressing faster, or conversely, you feel that you are traveling slowly. To. Then, if the clock time is operated at an arbitrary time interval, that is, virtual time, and if the clock time is operated in virtual time by the clock, that is, the virtual time is known, the same time can be spent with a different sense. It is possible and convenient. That is, if the time is advanced earlier than the real time, for example, the difference between the real time and the virtual time can be used effectively. Further, if the time is advanced later than the actual time, for example, it is possible to spend time with a relaxed feeling recognizing that there is a margin than the actual time.

  However, the conventional electronic timepiece has only a function of advancing the time earlier than usual only in order to set the time accurately.

 Accordingly, the present invention provides an electronic timepiece capable of operating time in an arbitrary time zone at an arbitrary time interval.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a time measuring means for measuring time, a display section for displaying the time measured by the time measuring means, an arbitrary virtual time different from real time, the virtual Time is measured based on the virtual start time for starting the operation of the time in time and the virtual end time for stopping the operation of the time in the virtual time, and the virtual time input from the input unit And a control unit for controlling the time measuring means.

 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an oscillation circuit that outputs a reference clock, a frequency dividing circuit that divides the reference clock by a predetermined frequency dividing ratio, an input unit that sets a virtual time, and the setting A count number calculation unit that calculates a frequency count number based on the time that has been generated, and a frequency counter unit that counts the clock divided by the frequency divider circuit until the count number calculated by the count number calculation unit is reached; , A pulse generator that outputs a pulse signal when the count ends, a time counter that acquires the pulse signal and starts counting seconds, minutes, and hours, and acquires and displays the timed state It is characterized by comprising at least a display unit, a processing control unit for controlling these function units, and a constant voltage circuit for supplying a power supply voltage to these function units.

 A third aspect of the present invention is the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the input unit includes a time input unit for inputting a virtual start time, a virtual end time, and a virtual time, and the count number calculating means Subtracts the virtual start time from the virtual end time, divides the result by the virtual time, and further multiplies the result by the clock count per second in normal time, It outputs to the said frequency counter part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

 According to the present invention, a certain real time can be felt long or short. Especially when the time is felt short, the difference between the real time and the virtual time occurs, so that time can be created without giving the user a sense of incongruity, and the user can use the time effectively. .

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic timepiece according to the first embodiment of the invention.

  The electronic timepiece includes an oscillation circuit 1 that outputs a reference clock, a frequency dividing circuit 2 that divides the reference clock by a predetermined frequency dividing ratio, an input unit 3 for setting a virtual time, and a set time. Count frequency calculation unit 4 that calculates the frequency count number based on the frequency count unit 5 that counts the clock frequency-divided by the frequency dividing circuit 2 until the count number calculated by the count frequency calculation unit 4 is reached, and this count Is completed, a pulse generator 6 that outputs a pulse signal, a clock counter 7 that acquires the pulse signal and starts counting seconds, minutes, and hours, and a display that acquires and displays this timing state 8, a processing control unit 9 that controls these functional units, and a constant voltage circuit 10 that supplies a power supply voltage to these functional units.

  Here, the oscillation circuit 1 is a circuit that includes a crystal resonator, a capacitor, a resistor, and an amplification element, and outputs a generated oscillation signal as a reference clock. In this embodiment, the oscillation circuit 1 outputs a frequency of 12.8 MHz as a reference clock. As a type of vibrator constituting the oscillation circuit 1, a ceramic vibrator can be cited in addition to the above-described crystal vibrator. In addition to the oscillation circuit having the above-described configuration, the oscillation circuit 1 includes an RC oscillation circuit, a crystal oscillator built-in oscillator, a crystal oscillator / frequency divider built-in oscillator, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop), and the like. It is done. These vibrators and oscillation circuits are selected in a timely manner in consideration of required frequency accuracy, power consumption, or cost.

  The frequency dividing circuit 2 is a circuit that receives a reference clock signal acquired from the oscillation circuit 1 and performs frequency division at a predetermined frequency dividing ratio in synchronization with the clock signal. The divided clock signal is output to the frequency counter.

  The frequency counter is a functional unit that obtains the frequency-divided clock signal from the frequency dividing circuit 2, obtains the count number from the counter number calculation unit, and counts this frequency by the count number. When the count ends, a count end signal is output to the process control unit 9.

  The input unit 3 includes a normal mode selection button for displaying the actual time, a virtual mode setting button for displaying the virtual time, a second setting unit button for setting the virtual start time, virtual end time, and virtual time, and minute setting. At least a part button time setting part button is provided.

  When obtaining the virtual start time, virtual end time, and virtual time from the processing control unit 9, the count number calculation unit 4 calculates the count number based on the following equation (1) and outputs the value to the frequency counter. .

Count count =
{(Virtual end time B−virtual start time A) / virtual time C} × 3125 (1)
The count calculation unit 4 and the process control unit 9 constitute a control unit in claim 1.

 The pulse generation unit 6 is a functional unit that generates a pulse signal and outputs it to a time counter when a pulse generation instruction is acquired from the processing control unit 9.

 The time counter includes a second counter, a minute counter, and an hour counter, and is a functional unit that starts counting of the second counter when a pulse signal is acquired from the pulse generator 6. The count of the minute counter is carried simultaneously with the completion of 60 counts by the second counter. This is repeated, and when the count number of the minute counter reaches 60 times, the count of the hour count is carried.

 The oscillation circuit 1, the frequency dividing circuit 2, the frequency counter unit 5, the pulse generation unit 6, and the time counter unit 7 constitute time measuring means in claim 1.

  The display control unit 11 is a functional unit that acquires the second counter value, the minute counter value, and the hour counter value from the processing control unit 9, converts them into character codes, and outputs them to the display unit 8.

  The display unit 8 includes a second display unit, a minute display unit, an hour display unit, and a character display unit. When a character code is acquired from the display control unit 11, a numerical value or a character corresponding to the code is displayed on the display unit. It is a functional unit that displays each segment by emitting light.

 The storage unit 12 is a functional unit that temporarily stores a program describing a processing procedure and data to be processed, and delivers a machine instruction and data of the program according to a request from the processing control unit 9.

  The constant voltage circuit 10 is a means for supplying a stable power supply voltage to these electronic circuits. In particular, the power supply voltage of a circuit portion having a high operating frequency (for example, an oscillation circuit, a frequency divider circuit) is supplied to the constant voltage circuit 10. It is a circuit that stabilizes the timepiece by supplying a low voltage that has been made constant.

  Next, a processing procedure of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S1, when the power is turned on, the constant voltage circuit 10 starts supplying power to each function. In step S2, the count value of the frequency counter unit is set to an initial value (D = 0), and at the same time, the second counter S, minute counter M, and hour counter H are also initial values (S = 0, M = 0, H = 0). Set to

 In step S3, the process control unit 9 detects which one of the normal mode selection button and the virtual mode selection button of the input unit 3 is selected. If it is detected that the normal mode selection button is selected, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is detected that the virtual mode selection button is selected, the process proceeds to step S20 (FIG. 3).

 In step S4, the processing control unit 9 divides the 12.8 MHz reference clock signal output from the oscillation circuit 1 to 3.125 KHz by the frequency dividing circuit 2, and outputs the divided frequency to the frequency counter unit. The frequency counter unit counts this frequency and determines whether or not the current count value D has reached 3125. If the count value D has not yet reached 3125, the process proceeds to step S5, 1 is added to D, and the processes of steps S3 and S4 are repeated again. When it is detected that D = 3125 has been reached, a pulse signal is output in step S6.

 In step S7, the count counting unit, when acquiring the pulse signal, adds 1 to the second counter value S, and outputs this value to the display unit 8 in step S8. Here, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the second counter has reached 60. If not, the process returns to S3 and repeats the processes of S3 to S8. If it is detected that S = 60, the process proceeds to step S10.

 In steps S <b> 10 to S <b> 11, the minute counter of the count counter unit adds 1 to M to carry, and outputs this value to the display unit 8.

 In step S12, it is determined whether or not the minute counter has reached 60. If not, the process returns to S3 and repeats the processes from S3 to S11. If it is detected that M = 60, the process proceeds to step S13.

 In steps S <b> 13 to S <b> 14, the H counter adds 1 to H to carry and outputs this value to the display unit 8.

 In step S15, it is determined whether or not the hour counter has reached 24. If not, the process returns to S3 and repeats the processes from S3 to S14. If it is detected that H = 24, the process returns to step S2.

 The above process is the timekeeping process in the normal mode. Next, the virtual mode process will be described.

 When it is detected that the virtual mode selection button is selected in step S2 of FIG. 2, virtual start time A, virtual end time B, and virtual time C are further acquired from the input unit 3 in step S20.

  In step S21, the counter number calculation unit subtracts the virtual start time A from the virtual end time B, divides this by the virtual time C, and multiplies the resulting value by 3125 to obtain the count number X. The value X is obtained and output to the frequency counter unit.

  In step S22, the process control unit 9 detects whether or not the current time is a virtual start time. If the virtual start time is reached, the process proceeds to step S23. If the virtual start time has not yet been reached, Returning to step S4 (FIG. 2), the normal mode is continuously counted.

 In step S23, the processing control unit 9 divides the 12.8 MHz reference clock signal output from the oscillation circuit 1 to 3.125 KHz by the frequency dividing circuit 2, and whether the count value D reaches X or not. Judge whether or not. If not yet reached, the process proceeds to step S24, 1 is added to D, and the process of step S23 is repeated again.

  In step S25, when the process control unit 9 detects that D = X is reached in step S23, the process control unit 9 outputs a pulse signal from the pulse generation unit 6.

 In step S26, when 1 is added to the value S of the second counter, this value is output to the display unit 8 in step S27.

 Here, in step S28, the process control unit 9 detects whether or not the virtual end time has been reached. If it is determined that the virtual end time has not yet been reached, the process control unit 9 proceeds to step S29. If it is detected that the virtual end time has been reached, the process returns to S4 (FIG. 2) to start the normal mode timing.

 In step S29, the process controller 9 determines whether or not the second counter of the time counter 7 has reached 60. If not, the process controller 9 returns to S23 and repeats the processes in S23 to S28, and S = 60. If this is detected, the process proceeds to step S29.

 In steps S <b> 30 to S <b> 31, the minute counter adds 1 to M to carry and outputs this value to the display unit 8.

 In step S32, the process controller 9 determines whether or not the minute counter has reached 60. If not, the process controller 9 returns to S23 and repeats the processes from S23 to S31. If it is detected that M = 60, the process proceeds to step S33.

 In steps S <b> 33 to S <b> 34, the H counter adds 1 to H to carry and outputs this value to the display unit 8. In step S35, it is determined whether or not the hour counter has reached 24. If not, the process returns to S23 to repeat the processing from S23 to S34. If it is detected that H = 24, the process returns to step S2 (FIG. 2).

  When the user sets the virtual start time A, virtual end time B, and virtual time C by the above virtual time processing, the time from the virtual start time A to the virtual end time B can be freely expanded and contracted for display. it can. As a result, a certain real time can be felt long or short. Further, as a result of making the time feel short, the amount is accumulated, and the accumulation of time can be finally reduced without giving the user a sense of incongruity.

  Next, a specific usage method will be described.

  Here, if the current time is 12:00 and the meeting time with a person is 14:00, we would like to advance the 1 hour time from 13:00 to 14:00 and arrive at the waiting time with a margin. To do.

 In this case, first, the virtual mode selection button of the electronic timepiece of the invention is selected, then the virtual start time A (13:00) and the virtual end time B (14:00) are input, and the virtual time C is set to 65 minutes. Set. At this time, the number of counts is (60 [min] / 65 [min]) × 3125 = about 2885 times according to the equation (1), so this is set in the frequency counter unit 5 to perform counting.

 As a result, if it is normally counted 3125 times, it is regarded as 1 second when it is counted 2885 times, so it is counted as about 8% to 9% per second. If this is accumulated in minutes, hours, etc., an extra time of 5 minutes is finally created. That is, the electronic timepiece of the present invention displays 14:00, but the current time is 13:55.

 For this reason, if the user goes to the meeting place as usual according to the timekeeping of the electronic timepiece of the present invention, when the electronic timepiece displays 14:00, it switches to about 13:55 of the current time, and thus 5 minutes. Can arrive before. The feature of the present invention is that, unlike the case where the time is advanced by 5 minutes in advance, the time is gradually expanded and contracted within a certain range of time, so that it is possible to control the time without giving the human sense unreasonable. It is in a point that can be done.

 From this reason, when the electronic timepiece of the present invention is used as a pacemaker for a marathon, the timepiece can be advanced only while it is running, and the timing is naturally performed without any burden, so that the psychological state of the runner is not burdened. There is a possibility of improving the recording.

 Moreover, if the time is advanced by about 5% for all the 24 hours of measurement per day, a time of about 1 hour per day can be obtained. As a result, a sense of spending 25 hours can be obtained.

 In the present embodiment, the time to advance is expanded and contracted by changing the frequency count in the frequency counter unit 5 without changing the frequency after frequency division by the frequency dividing circuit 2. By changing the frequency of frequency division by the frequency divider circuit according to the virtual time and changing the frequency after frequency division, the time to advance without changing the frequency count frequency may be expanded or contracted.

 In this embodiment, the time is displayed in a digital format, but may be displayed in an analog format. Specifically, the second hand of the pointer for displaying the time may be rotated by 6 degrees for each pulse generated by the pulse generator 6. In addition, when the second hand of the hand movement motor for operating the second hand is operated in real time, the speed obtained by multiplying the value obtained by dividing the virtual start time by the virtual time and the value obtained by subtracting the virtual start time from the virtual end time. The applied voltage value may be changed by controlling a power source that applies a voltage to the hand movement motor so as to rotate the hand movement motor. In this case, the power supply and the control device that controls the power supply constitute time measuring means.

 The electronic timepiece according to the present invention described above can be applied to any watch such as a wristwatch, a table clock, and a wall clock, and may be incorporated into a mobile phone or a car clock as required.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic timepiece which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the time measuring process at the time of normal mode selection of the electronic timepiece which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the time measuring process at the time of virtual mode selection of the electronic timepiece which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Oscillation circuit 2 ... Frequency dividing circuit 3 ... Input part 4 ... Count frequency calculation part 5 ... Frequency counter part 6 ... Pulse generation part 7 ... Time counter part 8 ... Display part 9 ... Processing control part 10 ... Constant voltage circuit 11 ... Display control unit 12 ... storage unit

Claims (3)

A time measuring means for measuring time;
A display unit for displaying the time measured by the time measuring means;
An input unit for inputting an arbitrary virtual time different from the real time, a virtual start time for starting the operation of the time at the virtual time, and a virtual end time for stopping the operation of the time at the virtual time;
An electronic timepiece comprising: a control unit that controls the time measuring unit so as to time the time based on the virtual time input from the input unit. An oscillation circuit that outputs a reference clock; and
A frequency dividing circuit for dividing the reference clock by a predetermined frequency dividing ratio;
An input unit for setting the virtual time;
A count calculation unit for calculating a frequency count based on the set time;
A frequency counter unit that counts the clock divided by the frequency divider circuit until the count number calculated by the count number calculation unit is reached;
A pulse generator that outputs a pulse signal when the count is completed;
A time counter unit that acquires the pulse signal and starts counting time in seconds, minutes, and hours, and
A display unit for acquiring and displaying the timekeeping state;
A processing control unit for controlling these functional units;
An electronic timepiece having at least a constant voltage circuit for supplying a power supply voltage to these functional units. The input unit includes a time input unit for inputting a virtual start time, a virtual end time, and a virtual time,
The count number calculation means is obtained by subtracting the virtual start time from the virtual end time, dividing the result by the virtual time, and further multiplying the result by the number of clock counts per second during normal time. 3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 2, wherein a new count number is output to the frequency counter unit.

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