JP2009074892A - Radio-controlled timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio-controlled timepiece that is superior in sensitivity, by orienting an antenna in a correct direction and enhancing the antenna output, while reducing electric power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: The radio-controlled timepiece is provided with a bearing detection means for detecting a current bearing of the timepiece; a memory means for storing information of a predetermined approximately optimal bearing; and a mechanism for operating the orientation of the antenna. By orienting the antenna in a substantially optimal bearing and enhancing the antenna output, it is possible to provide the radio-controlled timepiece that is superior in sensitivity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio-controlled timepiece having a function of receiving a predetermined radio wave including time information and correcting the time based on the information.

  A radio-controlled timepiece is a function that receives a standard radio wave (eg, 40 kHz radio wave) containing time information and date information from a cesium atomic clock with an accuracy of 1 second per million and corrects the time error. It is a watch equipped with. For this reason, it is possible to always display an accurate time as compared with a quartz timepiece in which an error of about 20 seconds per month is generated, and it is possible to save time and effort.

In the radio-controlled timepiece, reception performance is determined by antenna characteristics and reception circuit characteristics.
As the type of receiving antenna, the standard radio wave has a long wavelength of around 5 km, and it is difficult to resonate in the wavelength direction inside the wristwatch. Therefore, it is common to use a coiled bar antenna with a conducting wire wound around a ferromagnetic core. Is. An electromotive force is obtained in the coil by the magnetic flux passing through the bar antenna.

  The receiving circuit detects time information based on the output of the receiving antenna and transmits it to the watch movement. A timepiece movement is a composite part in which circuit elements such as a battery and a time measuring circuit necessary for timepiece operation are combined into one unit. In some cases, time display means such as a dial or a liquid crystal display device may be included.

  However, the output of the receiving antenna varies greatly depending on the direction of arrival of radio waves. In other words, the radio-controlled timepiece can maintain accuracy by periodically receiving standard radio waves, but in order to receive standard radio waves stably and regularly, the antenna should be correctly pointed toward the radio wave source. There must be.

In particular, in a place where radio waves are difficult to reach, a place far away from a radio wave source, or an environment where other radio waves that cause noise exist, whether or not reception is possible depends on the direction of the antenna.
Since the clock-type radio-controlled timepiece also has an element as an interior of the room, it is not desirable that the direction in which it can be installed is limited. Also, watch-type radio-controlled timepieces are frequently directed in a specific direction. It is very cumbersome and ruins the advantage of a radio-controlled watch that does not require time adjustment. From such a point of view, a conventional technique is known in which the direction of the receiving antenna is movable in an optimum direction separately from the radio-controlled timepiece main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, and has been rewritten so as not to depart from the gist thereof for easy explanation. In FIG. 9, 101 is a radio-controlled timepiece, 102 is an antenna core, 103 is a winding portion wound around the antenna core 102, 104 is a motor for driving an antenna, 105 is an electronic circuit portion, and 106 is a winding with the antenna core 102. It is a support frame that supports the portion 103 and the electronic circuit portion 105. The antenna 110 is configured by the antenna core 102 and the winding portion 103.

The winding portion 103 is actually wound with fine wires in an orderly manner, but is shown in a cylindrical shape for easy viewing. The antenna driving motor 104 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit unit 105. The electronic circuit unit 105 and the antenna 110 are fixed to the support frame 106, and these are collectively referred to as an antenna unit 111. Further, parts not necessary for the description are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the prior art shown in Patent Document 1, the antenna unit 111 is first fixed at the position shown in FIG. 9A, and the output of the antenna 110 is measured by the electronic circuit unit 105. The antenna unit 111 is rotated 90 degrees using the driving motor 104 and fixed at the position shown in FIG. 9B, and the output of the antenna 110 is measured by the electronic circuit unit 105.
Thereafter, based on the output measured at the position of FIG. 9A and the output measured at the position of FIG. 9B, the electronic circuit unit 105 calculates the direction in which the output of the antenna 110 is highest, and drives the antenna. The antenna unit 111 is oriented in the optimum direction using the motor 104 for use. The direction in which the output of the antenna 110 becomes the highest is the position shown in FIG.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-167074 (pages 6-7, FIG. 3)

  The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 can increase the substantial sensitivity of the radio-controlled timepiece by directing the antenna in an optimal direction. However, the inventors have studied and found that these structures have problems.

The antenna has a bar antenna shape in which a coil is formed by winding a thin wire around its core. In general, the longitudinal direction of such an antenna is often the optimum direction of the antenna.
The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines the optimal direction based on the output of the antenna. In order to determine the optimal direction in this way, the antenna unit 111 is moved so that the longitudinal directions of the antennas are orthogonal to each other. It is necessary to measure the strength.
Therefore, the antenna must be rotated at least 90 degrees in the receiving operation. However, since a large component such as an antenna requires a large amount of power to move, it is not desirable in a device such as a watch that requires frequent replacement of a battery.

  In principle, it is possible to determine the optimal direction by detecting the output at an angle smaller than 90 degrees, but the smaller the angle, the greater the output measurement accuracy and the processing power required for calculation. Therefore, it is not desirable particularly in a wristwatch-type radio-controlled timepiece in which the size of an electronic circuit that can be mounted is limited.

  In particular, especially in a situation where reception is possible only at an approximately optimum angle, the radio wave intensity itself is usually weak and the S / N ratio is small, that is, the signal detection capability limit of the radio wave correction watch has been reached. Therefore, it is quite difficult to separate the signal components and detect their intensities with sufficient accuracy to accurately determine the optimum angle in such a state.

  In other words, if the receiving circuit has the ability to detect the signal accurately enough to determine the optimum angle from the difference in signal intensity at different angles, such a state has a sufficiently high S / N ratio. In the first place, it is not always necessary to arrange the antenna at the optimum angle, but it is possible to receive sufficiently, and conversely, if the angle is not changed, sufficient reception is not possible. Therefore, in such a situation, the electronic circuit does not have an accurate signal detection capability sufficient to accurately determine the optimum angle from the signal intensity difference at different angles.

  This situation becomes even more prominent when an output at an angle smaller than 90 degrees is detected in order to reduce power consumption. Therefore, in the method described in the prior art shown in Patent Document 1, if the receivable range is to be expanded, the angle difference for output detection cannot be reduced, and the rotation angle is temporarily set to 90 degrees. However, the effect of expanding the receivable range is insignificant.

  In summary, according to the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to rotate the antenna 90 degrees for each reception, which increases the power consumption, and thus the battery life is reduced. However, it is not satisfactory in terms of the improvement of the receivable range.

  The technical problem of the present invention is to solve such a problem and to provide a mechanism for directing the antenna in an optimum direction, and to obtain a sufficient standard radio wave reception level without depending on the installation direction. The object is to provide a radio-controlled watch that can be secured.

  In order to achieve the above object, the radio-controlled timepiece antenna of the present invention employs the following configuration.

A radio-controlled timepiece that has an antenna and receiving means for receiving a standard radio wave, receives the standard radio wave, obtains time information, and notifies the time,
Memory means for storing azimuth information including the approximate optimum azimuth of predetermined standard radio waves, azimuth detection means for detecting the azimuth and detecting the current azimuth in which the radio-controlled timepiece is facing, and from the antenna design stage It has a marker for notifying the direction in which the standard radio wave is most easily received on the antenna structure that is known in advance, an orientation notification means, and a control means, and when receiving the standard radio wave, the control means In consideration of the approximate optimum azimuth included in the azimuth information stored in the memory means, the difference information is calculated and notified by the azimuth notifying means, and the notification signal that prompts the marker and the azimuth notifying means to point in the same direction. Is output.

  An azimuth changing means for changing the direction of the antenna is provided, and the control means changes the direction of the antenna by controlling the azimuth changing means based on the difference information when receiving the notification signal.

  The memory means stores a plurality of predetermined azimuth information, has an input means, and receives one of the azimuth information based on the information inputted from the input means when receiving the standard radio wave. One is selected and used as direction information.

  The radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention can detect the almost optimal direction without moving the antenna each time, and can point the antenna in the optimal direction in a short time after starting the reception operation. The radio-controlled timepiece configured in this way does not require a large amount of power consumption for reception, and does not use standard radio waves for the determination of the approximate optimum direction, so it affects the performance limit of the receiving circuit itself. Not.

  The radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention can substantially improve the sensitivity of the radio-controlled timepiece without substantially increasing the reception time and power consumption, and greatly contributes to its spread.

  The radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention will be described taking a wristwatch type as an example.

[Drawings of the structure of the radio-controlled watch: Figs. 1 and 2]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the structure of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the radio-controlled timepiece enters a reception preparation state, and FIG. The state of the reception preparation state after receiving is shown. The prescribed operation will be described later.
Note that the direction notifying means will be described as using a pointer provided in the timepiece. This guide will be described using the second hand as an example.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a watch exterior, 2 is a bezel provided on the windshield means side (not shown) of the watch exterior, 3 is a marker imprinted on the bezel 2, and 4 is a second time provided in the radio-controlled watch in advance. The second hand 5 is an antenna core made of a magnetic material, 6 is a winding portion wound around the antenna core 5, 7 is an antenna constituted by the antenna core 5 and the winding portion 6, and 8 is direction information. , 9 is a control means for controlling the second hand 4, 10 is a transmission path for transmitting the azimuth information obtained by the direction detection means 8 to the control means 9, and 11 is the central axis of the second hand 4. , 12 is a hook for connecting the radio-controlled timepiece and a band (not shown), and 99 is a memory means provided in the control means 9.

In addition to the second hand 4, the radio-controlled timepiece is usually provided with a display device such as a plurality of hands and a date board for displaying various information, but is not related to the present invention. Omitted.
Further, although the winding portion 6 is actually wound with a thin wire, it is omitted in the drawing.

[Overview]
The virtual straight line indicated by the dotted line A indicates the directivity axis of the antenna 7, the virtual straight line indicated by the dotted line B connects the marker 3 and the central axis 4, and the virtual straight line indicated by the dotted line C is approximately optimal. It shows the direction. In FIG. 1, the second hand 4 is in the pointing direction.
The directional axis indicated by the virtual straight line A is an axis indicating the direction of the magnetic flux so that the magnetic flux is most likely to flow into the antenna 7, and the most standard radio wave on the antenna structure known in advance from the antenna design stage. It is the direction that makes reception easier. Details will be described later.
The approximate optimum azimuth is an azimuth estimated with high probability as the direction of the magnetic flux component of the standard radio wave, and details will be described later.
Unless otherwise specified, the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention is assumed to be placed horizontally with respect to the ground.

The marker 3 is provided on the bezel 2 in advance so that the virtual straight line A and the virtual straight line B are parallel to each other. The marker 3 imitates a triangle in FIG. 1, but may be an arrow or the like, and the pointing direction is parallel to the virtual straight line A.
In other words, the user cannot know the virtual straight line A that is the directional axis of the antenna 7 unless the antenna 7 is exposed to the dial due to the design of the watch. The marker 3 is a mark provided for that purpose.

  The memory means 99 stores azimuth information including a substantially optimal azimuth of a predetermined standard radio wave.

When the radio wave correction watch is instructed to receive a standard radio wave by operating a push button (not shown) from the user, the current direction is detected by the direction detection unit 8, and the information is transmitted to the control unit 9 through the transmission path 10. Sent.
The control means 9 calculates the difference between the current azimuth and the approximate optimum azimuth included in the azimuth information stored in the memory means 99. For example, information (difference information) is calculated as to how many times the current radio-controlled timepiece is deviated from the direction in which the radio-controlled timepiece is facing to the almost optimal direction.

And since the virtual straight line C shows a substantially optimal azimuth | direction, it controls so that an azimuth | direction notification means points the direction of this virtual straight line C.
Since the direction notification means is the pointer 4 in the example shown in FIG. 1, the direction notification means rotates around the central axis 11 and points to the virtual straight line C. This state is the reception preparation state shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, a notification signal that prompts the direction indicated by the pointer 4 and the pointing axis indicated by the virtual straight line A to be in the same direction is output. This state is the reception preparation state shown in FIG.

  This notification signal can be used in combination with, for example, notification by sound such as voice or alarm sound, notification by light using a light emitting means (not shown), notification by characters by displaying characters on a display (not shown), and the like.

The bezel 2 and the antenna 7 are interlocked. That is, when the user rotates the bezel 2, the antenna 7 can be rotated, and the virtual straight line A and the virtual straight line B are always parallel.
In addition, as a method of interlocking the bezel 2 and the antenna 7 in this way, a widely known method such as a mechanical method using a gear or a control using a sensor or a motor can be used. Details are omitted.

When the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention is ready for reception in FIG. 1, the user further rotates the bezel 2. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, by matching the marker 3 with the virtual straight line C, the virtual straight line B and the virtual straight line C overlap when the watch is viewed from the windshield side (not shown). This is the default operation. In FIG. 2, the overlap between the virtual straight line B and the virtual straight line C is displayed as “C + B”.
At this time, as already described, since the virtual straight line A and the virtual straight line B are parallel, the virtual straight line A and the virtual straight line C are parallel.

  Since the virtual straight line A coincides with the directional axis of the antenna 7 and the virtual straight line C coincides with the approximately optimal azimuth, the user can make the directional axis and the approximately optimal azimuth parallel by this operation. it can. That is, the antenna 7 can be directed in the direction in which it is estimated that the antenna 7 is most likely to take the magnetic flux component of the standard radio wave.

  When the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention reaches the stage shown in FIG. 2 by user operation, the radio wave receiving electronic circuit connected to the antenna 7 operates and shifts to the receiving operation. The time information is detected from the signal and the time information stored in the memory is corrected in advance. However, the configuration and control related to such operations are used in widely known radio-controlled timepieces. Is omitted.

  In order to inform the electronic circuit of the radio-controlled timepiece that the stage of FIG. 2 has been reached, angle detection means is provided on either the bezel 2 or the antenna 7 and the virtual straight line A or virtual straight line B matches the virtual straight line C. After confirming the above, it is possible to send a signal as a trigger for starting the receiving operation to the electronic circuit. However, the rotating operation of the bezel from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2 is extremely easy and can be completed in a few seconds. Since it is clear that the control means 9 completes the operation of directing the second hand 4 in the optimum direction and enters the state shown in FIG. 1, the electronic circuit is automatically operated after about 10 seconds. It does not matter as a configuration. Any means can use a widely known method.

[Description of antenna pointing axis: Fig. 3]
3 is a diagram for explaining the imaginary straight line A, that is, the directional axis of the antenna 7. FIG. 3 (a) is a diagram for explaining the same antenna as the antenna 7 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. ) Is a diagram illustrating antennas having different shapes. Since the same numbers are given to the configurations already described, description thereof is omitted.

  The directional axis of the antenna is an axis that represents the direction of magnetic flux where the sensitivity of the antenna is the best. In other words, it is a virtual axis that maximizes the output of the antenna when the direction of the antenna is changed variously for the same intensity of radio waves, and when the magnetic flux component of the radio wave is parallel to the directional axis of the antenna. .

  In the case of a magnetic bar antenna for receiving a standard radio wave, the directing axis generally coincides with the longitudinal direction of the winding portion 6 as shown in FIG. 3 (a), but as shown in FIG. 3 (b). In addition, if the longitudinal direction of the winding portion 6 and the overall longitudinal direction of the antenna core 5 are greatly different, they do not necessarily coincide with the longitudinal direction of the winding portion 6.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of jewelry for radio-controlled watches, radio-controlled watches with metal exteriors are increasing, and in such watches, the antenna output is extremely low because an antenna is provided in the metal exterior. There is a tendency, and there are many cases where the antenna is specially devised in order to increase sensitivity as much as possible, and in combination with the execution of such an idea inside the watch, which is a limited space, various Is used. The antenna shown in FIG. 3B is such an antenna, and the antenna core 5 is extended to have a wing shape.

  In other words, the directivity axis of the antenna changes variously depending on the shape of the antenna and the physical properties of the constituent materials, so it cannot be generally stated. However, the directivity axis of the antenna can be experimentally grasped by estimating the antenna by simulation at the time of designing the antenna, or measuring the output after changing the orientation of the antenna in the TEM cell after manufacturing. In any case, the marker 3 can be easily positioned because it can be easily known before the radio-controlled timepiece is assembled.

[Explanation of optimum orientation: Fig. 4]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the approximate optimum azimuth, and shows a case where Japan is used as an example of an area where the radio-controlled timepiece is used. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 21 denotes an Otakado or Yama radio tower, and 22 denotes a Haganeyama radio tower. In Japan, a radio correction clock receives a standard radio wave from either of these two radio towers and performs a time adjustment operation. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, in an elongated area such as the Japanese archipelago, the arrival direction of standard radio waves is generally limited to the north-northeast or south-southwest in most areas.

  Since the radio tower stands perpendicular to the ground, the magnetic flux component of the standard radio wave is parallel to the ground and spreads in concentric lines of magnetic force centered on the radio tower. Therefore, the magnetic flux component of the standard radio wave is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the arrival direction of the radio wave, and in the example shown in FIG. 4, it is east-southeast with respect to north-northeast and west-southwest with respect to south-southwest. When the magnetic bar antenna is used to obtain the magnetic flux, the output does not change even if the magnetic bar antenna is reversed 180 degrees.

  In most places in Japan, the magnetic flux component of the standard radio wave is generally facing east-southeast. Of course, there may be some azimuth changes due to location, reflection and scattering, but the standard radio wave is a long wave with a wavelength as long as several kilometers, so it is relatively insensitive to reflection and scattering. As described above, since the output of the antenna has a small change around the directivity axis, these influences can be almost ignored.

In areas close to the radio tower, the direction of arrival of standard radio waves varies greatly depending on the location, but in the area close to the radio tower in this way, the output of standard radio waves that have arrived in the first place is high, so the antenna points in the optimal direction. Even if not, it can be received sufficiently. Furthermore, even if one of the radio towers is near, it will be far from the other radio tower, so the standard radio wave in the north-northeast or generally south-south-west direction will end up. Even if a radio-controlled watch is used at a location located just east-southeast or west-southwest of the tower, it can receive radio waves sufficiently.
This point can be used because there are no points located in east-southeast or west-southwest as seen from both radio towers.

  The standard radio wave received by the radio-controlled watch is not limited to the example in Japan shown in FIG. 4, and in many other countries, the number of radio towers that transmit standard radio waves is small. Standard radio waves come from almost the same direction in this area. For example, in Europe, there are radio towers in the UK and Germany, but when receiving these standard radio waves in France, you want to receive UK radio waves from north-northwest, and if you want to receive German radio waves, north-east. It can be roughly estimated that radio waves arrive from.

  As the azimuth detecting means, for example, a magnetic sensor used for an electronic compass that is widely available easily can be used. Generally, since these magnetic sensors have a size of only about 1 mm, they are small with respect to the timepiece itself, can be easily mounted in a limited space inside the timepiece, and consume less power.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second head is used to indicate the optimum direction, but it is needless to say that the second hand is not necessarily indicated. Other display mechanisms provided in advance in the watch can be used, or a dedicated display mechanism may be provided to indicate the optimum direction.
However, in general, the second hand can be rotated at the highest speed among the display devices provided in the timepiece, and can be moved separately from other display hands. The most suitable.

  Most modern radio-controlled timepieces have a receiving circuit that automatically operates at a specific time and performs a receiving operation. However, when this mechanism is incorporated in the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention, this automatic reception is possible. During operation, it is not necessary to move the second hand 4. This is because it is not always possible for the user to operate the radio-controlled timepiece during the automatic reception operation. In addition, it is possible to prevent the second hand 4 from performing extra operations to consume power.

  Of course, an alarm mechanism or the like may be provided to notify the user of the automatic reception time and wait for the state shown in FIG. In such a case, unlike the case where the user starts the receiving operation by his / her own intention, the time is not necessarily in a state where the watch can be operated immediately, so the time until the receiving operation is started from the state of FIG. It is desirable to take a longer time than when the reception operation is started from the state of FIG.

In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the antenna 7 is rotated through the bezel 2 by interlocking the operations of the bezel 2 and the antenna 7. Of course, if the user can adjust the directional axis of the antenna 7 to the optimum direction. Since it is good, it is not always necessary to rotate the antenna 7 via the bezel 2.
For example, if the watch exterior 1 is not a round shape but a square timepiece, the bezel 2 cannot be rotated. In such a case, there is a mechanism for rotating the antenna 7 through a crown for adjusting the time. do it.

  Furthermore, a configuration in which means for rotating the antenna 7 is not provided may be employed. In other words, even when the antenna 7 is fixed to the radio wave correction watch and cannot be rotated, it is necessary to make the directional axis of the antenna recognizable from the outside (for example, the directional axis of the antenna 7 is set to 12 o'clock of the watch − 6 o'clock direction, inform the user in advance by describing it in the manual, etc.), from the state shown in FIG. It is possible to make them parallel.

  The output characteristics depending on the angle of the antenna have small fluctuations in the vicinity of the directivity axis, and even if the output characteristics are slightly deviated from the directivity axis, the output is not greatly reduced. Therefore, even if the user looks at the direction indicated by the second hand 4 and rotates the radio-controlled timepiece, sufficient sensitivity can be obtained.

  By the way, the directivity axis of the antenna is not necessarily constant with respect to the direction of the antenna. For example, when members made of a magnetic material or metal are present inside the radio-controlled timepiece, the directivity axis is affected by the positional relationship with these members. In most cases, these effects are extremely small. However, watches with many motors due to their multi-function type, especially watches with high anti-magnetic performance, have a large magnetic effect on the antenna, and the antenna's directional axis In some cases, the variation with respect to the antenna direction becomes so large that it cannot be ignored. In such a case, it is necessary to adjust the interlocking relationship between the bezel 2 and the antenna 7 or the orientation indicated by the second hand 4.

  That is, assuming that the rotation of the bezel 2 and the rotation of the antenna 7 are performed completely the same, for example, when the virtual straight line B is in the direction of 3 o'clock 9 o'clock, the pointing axis is in the direction of 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock. Even if it exists, when the virtual straight line B is in the direction of 12 o'clock-6 o'clock, the pointing axis may be in the direction of 11 o'clock-5 o'clock. Therefore, when the virtual straight line B is in the direction of 12: 00-6 o'clock, the antenna 7 is rotated by mechanical and electronic means so that the directing axis is also in the direction of 12: 00-6 o'clock.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to adjust the display of the second hand 4 as an easier method. That is, when the approximate optimum azimuth is 11 o'clock -5 o'clock and the second hand 4 shows the azimuth of 6 o'clock, the antenna directing axis becomes 11 o'clock -5 o'clock by making the virtual straight line B parallel to that azimuth. Therefore, the directional axis can be directed to the almost optimal azimuth. This method is easy to execute because the second hand 4 is operated by an electronic circuit.
In any case, the variation of the directional axis can be easily examined in advance by the above-described method, and therefore can be removed, like the directional axis itself.

  What is important is to derive an approximate optimum orientation based on the orientation, and to rotate the antenna so that the maximum output can be obtained when it is assumed that magnetic flux flows in the approximate optimum orientation.

  In the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention, the azimuth detecting means 8 is used for directing the antenna 7 to the approximate optimum angle, and the second hand 4 is configured to notify the approximate optimum angle. The user may be notified by the notified means.

  In the example shown in the figure, an example in which the structure of the present invention is applied to a wristwatch-type radio-controlled timepiece is shown, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to a clock-type radio-controlled timepiece. However, in the case of the table clock type, the dial is generally oriented horizontally, and therefore the rotation axis of the bezel 2 is horizontal. Therefore, the input mechanism for rotating the antenna 7 is not the bezel 2, Designing the dial in the upper part of the table clock is easier because there is no change in the direction of rotation.

As described above, in the present invention, since the estimation of the approximate optimum azimuth and the reception of the standard radio wave are performed based on the separate magnetic information, the estimation accuracy of the approximate optimum azimuth is affected by the limit of the reception capability of the receiving circuit. In other words, the user can easily adjust the direction of the antenna directly to the almost optimal direction without burdening the power consumption.

  The radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention informs the user of the approximate optimum direction by rotating the second hand, and makes the directional axis of the antenna coincide with the approximate optimal direction by user operation. Next, an operation flow when the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention receives a standard radio wave will be described with reference to a flowchart.

In the normal state in which the standard radio wave is not received, the second hand 4 displays the time held by the time circuit in the timepiece. The time circuit in the timepiece always measures the current time using widely known time measuring means that divides a source clock generated by using a crystal oscillator or the like and represents a predetermined time.
First, the second hand position in a state where the current time is displayed is defined as the current time position, and the second hand position in which the direction indicated by the second hand 4 is parallel to the approximate optimum azimuth is defined as the approximate optimum azimuth position.

  There are two timings for receiving time information by receiving a standard radio wave. One is when the user using the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention receives at an arbitrary time, and the other is when the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention receives at a preset time. The former starts reception when a switch operation such as a user operating a crown or a button prepared on the exterior of the watch is performed. The latter arbitrary time set in advance is set as the automatic reception time.

[Example of second hand drive 1: FIGS. 1, 2, and 5]
As shown in FIG. 5, when a standard radio wave is received, when the switch operation (S1a) is performed or when a predetermined time (S1b) which is an automatic reception time is reached, the second hand position is displayed as the current time. Move from the time position to the approximate optimum azimuth position.

In order to move the second hand 4 to the approximately optimum azimuth position, the hand movement control means is used. The hand movement control means obtains information about which direction a specific direction (for example, north) is oriented in the timepiece, acquired by the direction detection means 8, and the approximate optimum stored in the predetermined memory means 99. Based on the azimuth information and the time information held by the time circuit in the timepiece, it is calculated how much the second hand 4 can be moved to reach the almost optimal azimuth position.
The hand movement control means moves the second hand based on the calculation result.

Such control takes into consideration the positional relationship of the second hand 4 between the current time position and the approximate optimum azimuth position, such as whether to rotate forward (so-called clockwise) or reverse, in addition to the rotational speed during rotation. As appropriate.
Needless to say, such determination and control are determined in various ways depending on the driving method of the hands of the radio-controlled timepiece. However, the rotation control of the second hand 4 is, for example, the normal time of a known timepiece that displays the time by the hands. A technique widely used for switching the display from the time to the alarm setting time can be used.

The hand movement control means rotates the second hand 4 by the calculated amount so as to place the second hand 4 at a substantially optimal azimuth position and to make it stationary. This state is the needle position state shown in FIG.
When the second hand 4 is stationary, the user can perceive this, and by rotating the bezel 2, the position of the tip of the marker 3 and the second hand 3 can be adjusted (S3).
The time information of the standard radio wave can be obtained by operating the radio wave receiving circuit of the radio wave correction timepiece after a predetermined time has elapsed and taking in an electric signal generated by the electromotive force generated in the winding section 3.

The time correction means of the radio-controlled clock is performed using a known time correction method. When the reception is successful (S4), the time correction means is obtained by receiving a value indicating the time information of the time circuit in the clock. The value is changed (S5).
If reception fails (S6), the time is not corrected and the time of the time circuit in the watch is left as it is.

  When the success or failure of the reception of the standard radio wave is confirmed and the reception operation is completed, a difference between values indicating the position information from the reception time hand position at which the second hand 4 is currently present to the hand position at the time indicated by the time circuit in the clock is calculated. The hand movement control means rotates the second hand 4 to the time display position after the time correction according to the difference between the values indicating the calculated position information (S7). Thereafter, the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention performs normal hand movement (S8).

[Description of Another Structure in First Embodiment: FIG. 6]
Next, another example of the structure of the first embodiment of the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, 14 is an azimuth needle, 15 is an axis of the azimuth needle, 13 is a disk, and 16 is a marking line provided on the disk. In addition, since the same number is provided to the structure already demonstrated, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The compass 14 rotates in the same manner as a normal compass, as long as the compass 15 rotates and the compass 15 is perpendicular to the ground. Point north and south. The disk 13 is bonded to the azimuth magnetic needle 14 and rotates together with the azimuth magnetic needle 14. Of course, the disk 13 is sufficiently light so as not to prevent the azimuth needle 14 from facing north and south.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the example in which the azimuth detecting means 8 and the approximate optimum azimuth notifying means are separately provided has been described. However, in the example shown in FIG. 6, an example in which these are collectively shown is shown. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, a light disk 13 is provided on the azimuth magnetic needle 14 to notify the approximate optimum azimuth. Since the mechanism such as the reception preparation operation is the same as that already described, description thereof is omitted.

  For example, in the case of Japan, the approximate optimum azimuth is east-southeast, and therefore, the marking line 16 is inserted in a portion indicating east-southeast on the disk 13 provided on the azimuth magnet. In this way, the user can know the approximate optimum orientation without consuming any power and keeping the watch horizontal and quiet.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the disk 13 is used, but it is needless to say that the structure may be used to notify the approximate optimum azimuth using another shape such as a needle. However, especially in Japan, the near-optimal direction is almost perpendicular to the north-south direction, so whether you use a disk or a needle, use a magnetic material so that it does not affect the direction magnetic needle. desirable.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the azimuth needle 14 is hidden by the disk 13 and is not visible to the user, and only the azimuth of the marking line 16 is notified to the user. In addition to the optimum azimuth, it may be configured to notify the user as azimuth information.

  In this structure, the disk 13 that cannot be used except for indicating the direction must be provided so that it can be seen by the user, and is influenced by the motor and other magnetic members that are originally provided with the direction magnetic hand 14 in the watch. So that they are spaced from these members. Therefore, especially in the case of a wristwatch-type radio-controlled timepiece, the space on the dial may be pressed. Therefore, it is suitable for a relatively large timepiece.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the azimuth detecting means 8 and the substantially optimal azimuth notifying means are combined into one, but a configuration in which the antennas 7 are combined into one is also possible. That is, the antenna 7 is also rotated by the torque that the azimuth hour hand 14 is oriented in the north-south direction.

  As a method of doing this, a method of mechanically connecting the azimuth hour hand 14 and the antenna 7 via a gear or the like or by directly bonding them, or the antenna core 5 itself is made of a magnetic material. A method of magnetizing the antenna core 5 itself using the above is conceivable. In any case, since the antenna 7 is a member having a relatively large mass inside the watch, in order to rotate the antenna 7 using the geomagnetism, it is required that the size and the magnetic force as the azimuth magnetic needle are sufficiently strong. Is done.

Since the time information of the standard radio wave is a signal component of the magnetic flux, since only the static magnetic flux is added even in this way, it does not itself become signal noise. However, in recent years, amorphous magnetic materials that are widely used as antenna components for wristwatch-type radio-controlled timepieces are particularly susceptible to magnetic saturation. There is a possibility that the sensitivity as an antenna is lowered by the emitted magnetic flux.
In addition, the amorphous magnetic material used in the wristwatch-type radio-controlled timepiece cannot be magnetized because of its low holding power.

  In general, in order to increase the torque going to the north and south of the azimuth magnetic needle, it is better to make it rod-like and magnetize along the longitudinal direction, but when the optimum azimuth is almost perpendicular to the north and south like Japan, the antenna Since the longitudinal direction of the antenna must be stable in the direction perpendicular to the north and south, a method of magnetizing the antenna itself is not suitable. The method of magnetizing the antenna is suitable for areas where the near-optimal azimuth has an angle close to north-south.For example, Czechoslovakia is located on the right side of Germany, so the arrival direction of the radio wave is west. The optimum direction is the north-south direction.

  In this way, the antenna 7 can be oriented in a substantially optimal direction without increasing any power consumption.

[Description of the structure of the radio-controlled watch: Fig. 7]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, 30 is a clock mechanism unit for notifying the user of the time, 31 is a driving unit for rotating the antenna 7, 32 is a rotation center of the antenna 7, and 33 is a receiving unit for processing a signal from the antenna 7. , 34 is a controller having a memory function that obtains information from the azimuth detecting unit 8 and sends an appropriate command to the drive unit 31 and stores the current angle of the antenna, and 35 is a drive that transmits information from the controller 34 to the drive unit 32. An information transmission path 40 is a clock transmission path for transmitting information from the receiving unit 33 to the clock mechanism 30. In addition, since the same number is provided to the same structure, description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the first embodiment that has already been described, the configuration is such that the antenna 7 is directed to the approximate optimum direction by informing the user of the approximate optimum direction and operating the direction of the antenna 7 by the user. In the second embodiment, the series of operations are automatically performed by a power mechanism provided in the radio-controlled timepiece.
That is, when the input from the user by a push button or a predetermined time comes, the direction detection means 8 detects the current timepiece direction, and the drive unit 31 is stored in the memory means 99. The antenna 7 is directed to the approximately optimum azimuth and the receiving operation is started.
Since the difference from the structure described in the first embodiment is the difference between whether the second hand is directed to the approximately optimum orientation or the antenna itself, detailed description using a flow diagram or the like is omitted.

In the invention described in the first embodiment, after completion of the reception operation, the second hand 4 shifts to normal operation and continues to move. However, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the antenna 7 is rotated after the reception operation is completed. Since there is no need, the position of the antenna 7 when the reception operation is completed is stored in the memory.

  Further, in the structure described in the first embodiment, after the second hand 4 stops in the almost optimal direction, it takes time for the user to rotate the bezel 2, so it is necessary to wait until the reception operation is started. However, in the structure described in the second embodiment of the present invention, when the antenna 7 is rotated and stopped, the directivity axis of the antenna 7 is already in the almost optimal direction, so that the operation shifts to the receiving operation as it is. can do.

  The angle information of the antenna 7 stored in the memory is updated every time it is received. However, since the antenna 7 has a larger mass than the display member such as the second hand 4 that is usually provided in the timepiece, Errors due to accuracy accumulate, and there may be a difference between the value stored in the memory and the actual value. For this reason, it is desirable that the driving unit 31 of the antenna 7 be a mechanism that hardly causes an error due to slippage, such as a stepping motor or a gear transmission mechanism.

  Or it is good also as a structure which periodically measures the present angle of the antenna 7 regularly and overwrites a memory with the angle sensor mounted beforehand. As these, a mechanism that is widely known as a mechanism for correcting a shift in the timepiece hand position can be used.

Further, the angle may be adjusted by pressing the antenna 7 against the stopper by providing a stopper so that the antenna 7 does not turn beyond a predetermined angle. For example, if a stopper is provided so that the antenna 7 does not rotate 180 degrees or more and power is supplied to the drive unit 31 enough to rotate the antenna 7 180 degrees or more, the antenna 7 stops at an angle of 180 degrees. become.
After this, the angle information of 180 degrees may be overwritten as the current angle information of the antenna 7 in the memory. Unlike the second hand, the antenna 7 does not need to rotate for many weeks (it can be rotated about 180 degrees in order to point in an arbitrary direction), so such a method can be used. .

Since the reception operation needs to be performed a plurality of times in order to accumulate the error of the antenna angle, such an update operation may be performed once every several receptions, and power consumption is not greatly affected.
In addition, how many times the receiving operation is performed and how many times these updating operations are performed can be determined based on the working accuracy and impact resistance of the antenna rotation mechanism, or the displacement of the needle position due to the impact can be determined. If the timepiece has a function to be corrected, it may be configured such that when a shift in the hand position is detected, it is determined that a large impact has been received and the updating operation is performed simultaneously.

  The configuration described in the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the example described in the first embodiment, because the radio-controlled timepiece itself automatically corrects the direction of the antenna. The antenna orientation can be corrected not only when the reception preparation operation starts but also when the clock automatically enters the reception preparation operation at a predetermined time. Therefore, unlike the example described in the first embodiment, when an input from the user is received, the same operation is performed at both of the determined automatic reception times.

  In the method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the antenna 7 itself is rotated by the drive unit 31, so that the power consumed is larger than that in the first embodiment. However, instead of moving to the receiving operation after changing the position of the antenna 7 to estimate the optimum direction, the directivity axis is turned to the shortest toward the almost optimum direction from the beginning. Is small.

  As is clear from the above description, the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention calculates the approximate optimum angle of the antenna based on the direction and directs the antenna directly in that direction, so that the time until detection of the optimum angle can be shortened. As a result, power consumption during reception can be suppressed.

[Description of watch structure: FIG. 8]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the radio-controlled timepiece of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is for explaining a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention, and is a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece as viewed from the windshield means side (not shown). In addition, in order to make it easy to see the figure, a configuration that does not need to be explained, such as a watch clock mechanism, is omitted.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 36 denotes a plurality of country names and place names engraved on the bezel 2, 37 a rotation detecting means for detecting the current angle of the bezel 2, and 38 a rotation for transmitting information of the rotation detecting means 37 to the controller 34. It is a transmission path. A specific method for detecting the rotation angle is omitted because a well-known method can be used.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8, the user can rotate the bezel 2 to match the name of the city or place where the user is currently located, for example, in the 12 o'clock direction of the clock. Then, during the reception preparation operation, the approximate optimum orientation described in the second embodiment changes based on what angle the bezel 2 is at.
That is, when the user operates the bezel 2, information on the current position is given to the controller 34 through the rotation detecting means 37, and the optimum position at the current position is selected from a plurality of optimum directions stored in advance in the memory means 99 based on the information. The azimuth data is read out and used as the optimum azimuth in the reception preparation operation.

For example, if the user is in France, as shown in FIG. 8, if the bezel 2 is rotated so that France comes to the 12 o'clock position (the bezel 2 is rotated and the position indicated as “France” is changed to the 12 o'clock position). ), The rotation detection means 37 transmits the information to the controller 34.
Since the controller 34 is at 12 o'clock in France, the controller reads out a predetermined approximate optimum direction of France from the memory means 99 as the approximate optimum direction of the current magnetic flux, and thereafter the configuration described in the second embodiment. A similar operation is performed.
As described above, when you are in France, the direction of the standard radio wave coming from Germany is generally northeast, so the approximate optimum direction of the magnetic flux component is northwest. The same applies when receiving radio waves from the United Kingdom.

  If the user knows the country and city where the user is at the time of reception, the direction of arrival of the standard radio wave is generally determined. Not only in Europe but also in the United States, radio wave sources currently exist only in Colorado, so the arrival direction of standard radio waves is generally determined if the user is in which state.

  Therefore, not only a radio-controlled watch used in a long and narrow area such as the Japanese archipelago, but as shown in the third embodiment of the present invention, if a mechanism for inputting the country or city where the user is present is used, The same effect as the second embodiment can be obtained in a wide range of the world.

The optimum azimuth information may be individually stored in the memory according to all the place names 36 described in the bezel 2, but may be configured to be calculated inside the radio-controlled timepiece based on the optimum azimuth information of some areas. I do not care. For example, based on the optimum azimuth between the A area and the B area, the optimum azimuth of the C area sandwiched between the A area and the B area can be obtained.

  The positional relationship on the bezel 2 of a plurality of place names 36 engraved on the bezel 2 is preferably related to the direction to the radio wave transmission source in each region. That is, for example, when the area A is true north of the radio wave transmission source, the area B is northeast of the radio wave transmission source, and the area C is northwest of the radio wave transmission source, It is desirable to engrave A region in between.

In this way, the operation becomes intuitive, and the rotation angle of the bezel 2 decreases when moving at a short distance, and the operation becomes easier, but the bezel 2 rotates accidentally slightly by some impact. Even if it is, the influence can be reduced.
Further, in this way, when a sufficient number of place names cannot be engraved due to a space problem on the bezel 2 or a design problem, the user can make a fine adjustment by judging the current location by himself / herself. In other words, for example, although there is a user in the C area located between the A area and the B area, because the space of the bezel 2 is limited, the bezel 2 can only be engraved with the A area and the B area. Even if not, the user can input position information indicating that the area is the C area on the watch side by aligning the bezel 2 so that the center of the engraving between the A area and the B area is in the 12 o'clock direction. It is.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the current location is input to the radio-controlled timepiece by the bezel 2, but it may be possible to adopt a configuration in which the current location is input by other means, for example, operation of the mode selector switch. There is no.
Further, as in the second embodiment, the antenna 7 is automatically driven by the driving device, but the present input means and the antenna rotating means are provided separately, and the invention described in the first embodiment is provided. Thus, the antenna 7 may be manually rotated. For example, there is a method in which position information is input by the bezel 2 and the antenna is rotated by rotating the crown.

Of course, the method according to the invention has no effect in Germany or the UK. Of course, the same effect can be obtained by enabling detailed regional input in Germany or the UK, but unlike Japan, Germany and the UK are not extremely slender, and the radio tower itself is also the land. Because it is located approximately in the center, it is not far away from the radio tower anywhere in the country, and it can be fully received with the current radio-controlled watch in most places in the country.
For this reason, when the bezel 2 is set to Germany or the United Kingdom, the reception preparation operation is not performed, and the reception operation may be directly performed like a conventional radio wave correction watch. In this way, it is possible to provide a radio-controlled timepiece that can be used in a wide range without omitting Germany and the United Kingdom from the coverage area.

  In some countries and regions, one tower is overwhelmingly closer. Since radio waves attenuate with distance, in such cases, radio waves emitted from a nearby radio tower are naturally easier to receive (of course, depending on the output of the radio wave itself). In the configuration described in the embodiment of the present invention, since the user inputs the current position to the watch through the rotation of the bezel 2, on the watch side, the reception priority derived from such a distance relationship between the area and the radio tower. If this information is also included in advance, this can be used effectively during the receiving operation.

For example, Czechoslovakia is located right next to Germany. In such a case, when the bezel 2 is set to Czechoslovakia, the reception operation first enters a reception preparation operation for receiving German radio waves (Germany is next to Czechoslovakia, so If you cannot receive radio waves from Germany after entering the receiving operation,
A reception preparation operation for receiving British radio waves is started.
Since the probability of reception by the first reception operation is very high compared to the second reception operation, in many cases, the entire reception operation is completed at the first time, and the number of times of performing the second reception operation is reduced. In this way, the time required for the receiving operation can be shortened, and the power consumption can be further reduced.

  The third embodiment of the present invention is an improvement of the second embodiment so as to be able to cope with a plurality of areas, but an improvement to the first embodiment can be similarly performed. That is, in the first embodiment, only one marker 3 is engraved on the bezel 2, but this is a bezel 2 in which a plurality of place names 36 are engraved like the bezel 2 of the third embodiment. It is. The country name and place name on the bezel 2 are made to correspond to the direction indicated by the azimuth magnetic needle. That is, when the reception preparation operation is started, the second hand 4 is directed in the north direction, and when the French inscription on the bezel 2 is aligned with the position of the second hand 4, the antenna directing axis and the French direction on the bezel 2 are shifted. Therefore, the antenna directivity axis should be oriented to the northwest.

  In this way, the user looks at the bezel 2 on which the country name and region name are written, rotates the ring to his current position, and adjusts the antenna pointing axis to the current position. It can be directed to the optimal orientation.

  In this method, since the clock cannot automatically switch the direction for two radio towers, two stamps are required for each country name and place name. In other words, the French inscription for German radio reception must be located in the northwest and the French inscription for British radio reception in the northeast separately.

  Similarly, it is possible to combine the third embodiment and the second modification of the first embodiment. That is, it is only necessary for the user to be able to operate the angle difference between the azimuth magnetic needle and the antenna pointing axis in accordance with the current position. Of course, in the method of magnetizing the antenna 7 itself, it is difficult to freely manipulate the relationship between the antenna directing axis and the axis as the azimuth magnetic needle, so this method is not suitable, but the azimuth magnetic needle and the antenna 7 are separated. It is possible to manipulate the relationship between the two.

  The radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention utilizes the fact that the arrival direction of the standard radio wave is limited at a long distance from the radio wave transmission source. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a device that uses radio waves coming from a limited direction because the number of radio wave transmission sources is limited or the use area has an elongated shape.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the antenna in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the approximate optimal azimuth | direction of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the prior art shown in patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Watch exterior 2 Bezel 3 Marker 4 Second hand 5 Antenna core 6 Winding part 7 Antenna 8 Direction detection means 9 Control means 10 Transmission path 11 Axis 12 Lifting foot 13 Disc 14 Directional magnetic needle 15 Azimuth magnetic needle axis 16 Marking line 21 Radio tower 22 Hagayamayama radio tower 30 Clock mechanism section 31 Drive section 32 Center of antenna rotation 33 Receiver section 34 Controller 35 Drive information transmission path 36 Country name, place name stamp 37 Rotation detection means 38 Rotation transmission path 40 Clock transmission path 99 Memory means

Claims (3)

A radio-controlled timepiece that has an antenna and receiving means for receiving a standard radio wave, receives the standard radio wave, obtains time information, and notifies the time;
Memory means for storing azimuth information including a generally optimal azimuth of a predetermined standard radio wave;
Azimuth detecting means for detecting the azimuth and detecting the current azimuth in which the radio-controlled timepiece is facing,
A marker for notifying the direction in which the standard radio wave is most easily received on the antenna structure that is known in advance from the design stage of the antenna;
Direction notification means;
Control means;
Have
When receiving the standard radio wave,
The control means calculates the difference information in consideration of the current azimuth and the approximate optimum azimuth included in the azimuth information stored in the memory means, and notifies the azimuth notification means,
A radio-controlled timepiece that outputs a notification signal that prompts the marker and the direction notification means to face the same direction. Having a direction changing means for changing the direction of the antenna;
2. The radio-controlled timepiece according to claim 1, wherein, when receiving the notification signal, the control unit controls the direction changing unit based on the difference information to change the direction of the antenna. The memory means stores a plurality of predetermined orientation information,
Comprising input means;
When receiving the standard radio wave,
The radio-controlled timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the plurality of azimuth information is selected based on information input from the input means and used as the azimuth information.

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