JP2017156145A - Electronic clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic clock capable of more effectively presenting a change of display contents respectively caused by a plurality of pointers which interlock and rotate to a user.SOLUTION: An electronic clock includes: a first pointer which is provided to be rotatable; a second pointer which is provided so as to interlock with a rotation of the first pointer and rotate at a rotation angle smaller than the rotation angle of the first pointer; and a CPU which controls the rotations of the first pointer and the second pointer. The CPU performs a movement between at least two indication positions by the first pointer by rotating in a predetermined first rotational direction when allowing the first pointer to indicate at least two indication positions relating to a second function operation in order while controlling the second pointer to perform display relating to a first function operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece that displays time using hands.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are electronic timepieces that can perform display and operations related to various functions in addition to time display. Functions other than the time display include, for example, an alarm notification function, a display setting operation of the alarm notification set time, a stopwatch function, a timer function, a display function of a physical quantity measured and calculated using various measurement sensors, an external Examples include a notification function based on schedule information and status information acquired from the device.

  Such display related to a plurality of functional operations can often be made in parallel with a plurality of types in correspondence with user convenience. However, analog electronic timepieces that display using hands, especially wrist watches such as wristwatches, have an upper limit on the number of hands that can be mounted, and there are separate hands and display areas corresponding to each function. Is often difficult. In view of this, there has conventionally been a technique in which some or all of the function displays to be displayed are sequentially switched. A plurality of functional operations to be switched are sequentially selected according to a pressing operation of a predetermined push button switch by the user, for example.

  In addition, some analog electronic timepieces that perform such multi-function display use one of the hands to perform status display indicating which function type is currently performing a display operation. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for informing the user of the current setting mode by instructing a position corresponding to a setting mode such as an alarm notification setting or a setting for interrupting a pointer operation with a second hand.

  However, due to restrictions on power consumption, design, size, etc., in an electronic timepiece that operates a plurality of hands in conjunction with an operating unit such as a common motor, a plurality of displays and status displays related to any functional operation are simultaneously performed. In some cases, the plurality of hands are simultaneously used for display and status display related to different functional operations. In such a case, conventionally, a control operation in which a pointer having a large rotation angle is rotated in response to an operation of a pointer having a small rotation angle with respect to a predetermined driving amount by the operation unit among the pointers operating in conjunction with each other. Has been done.

JP 2002-328184 A

  However, in an electronic timepiece in which a plurality of hands are rotated in conjunction with each other, the plurality of hands are caused to perform display or status display related to different functional operations, and one display sequentially transits between a plurality of states. If the movement direction of the pointer related to the transition is complicated by the change direction of the display content indicated by the other pointer, it becomes difficult for the user to read the change in the display content and effectively There is a problem that it cannot be shown.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece capable of more effectively showing a user a change in display content due to each of a plurality of hands rotating in conjunction with each other.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A first pointer provided rotatably,
In conjunction with the rotation of the first pointer, a second pointer provided to rotate at a rotation angle smaller than the rotation angle with respect to the rotation angle of the first pointer;
A control unit for controlling rotation of the first pointer and the second pointer;
With
The control unit causes the first pointer to sequentially indicate at least two instruction positions related to the second functional operation while the second pointer performs display related to the first functional operation. In this case, the electronic timepiece is characterized in that the movement between the at least two designated positions by the first pointer is performed by rotation in the first rotation direction.

  According to the present invention, in the electronic timepiece, there is an effect that a change in display contents due to each of a plurality of hands rotating in conjunction can be more effectively shown to the user.

It is a front view which shows the electronic timepiece of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of an electronic timepiece. It is a chart which shows the example of the setting information which can be set with an electronic timepiece. It is a chart which shows the communication classification in an electronic timepiece. It is a figure showing an example of movement of a pointer at the time of communication connection operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the communication connection control process performed with an electronic timepiece. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of the indication state of the minute hand and the second hand at the time of the communication connection operation according to the communication connection time.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of an electronic timepiece according to the invention.

The electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment is an analog electronic timepiece that displays time and date using hands, and is a wristwatch type that can be attached to an arm via a band (not shown).
The electronic timepiece 1 includes a dial 11, a casing 12, an hour hand 2, a minute hand 3 (second hand), a second hand 4 (first hand), a date indicator 5, a small hour hand 6, and a small minute hand. 7, a crown C1, push button switches B2 and B3, and the like.

  The hour hand 2, the minute hand 3 and the second hand 4 are provided so as to be rotatable (rotatable) with respect to the same axis in a plane substantially parallel to the dial 11 above the dial 11 (front side). On the dial 11, a plurality of signs for indicating various information such as time are provided, and the time according to the positional relationship between the direction (indicated position) indicated by the hour hand 2, the minute hand 3, and the second hand 4 and the sign. And various information can be read.

  The small hour hand 6 and the small minute hand 7 rotate with respect to the same rotation axis inside the small window 111 provided on the surface (front side surface) of the dial 11, and the signs provided on the small window 111. Various information is read according to the positional relationship. The small hour hand 6 and the small minute hand 7 are not particularly limited, but are used here to display local time (world clock) in a preset region, alarm notification set time, and the like.

  The date dial 5 is a rotating disc provided on the back side of the dial 11 substantially in parallel with the dial 11, and the surface side of the date dial 5 (the side facing the dial 11) has a circumference. The signs “1” to “31” are provided at regular intervals. Any of these signs is selectively exposed from the opening 112 provided on the dial 11 so that a date corresponding to the exposed numerical value is indicated.

  The push button switches B2 and B3 are provided on the side surface (9 o'clock side) of the casing 12, and generate input operation signals when pressed. The crown C1 is provided on the side of the casing 12 on the side opposite to the push button switches B2 and B3 (3 o'clock side), and an input operation signal corresponding to an operation that is pulled out of the casing 12, rotated, or pushed back. Is generated. In the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment, the crown C1 can be pulled out in two stages.

  The dial 11 includes a block mark provided circumferentially near the outer edge at an interval of 30 degrees on the front side (front side), a scale provided at intervals of 6 degrees between the block signs, and a part of the scale (In this case, “A” at 47 seconds, “P” at 52 seconds, “R” at 18 seconds, “F” at 23 seconds, “C” at 28 seconds) )). The block indicator corresponds to the direction indicating each hour from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock, and simultaneously shows intervals of 5 minutes and 5 seconds. The scale and the character mark indicate directions in units of 1 minute and 1 second, respectively. The character signs “A” and “P” are signs indicating morning (AM) and afternoon (PM), respectively. When a predetermined input operation is performed on the crown C1 or the push button switches B2 and B3, the character mark “A” or “P” is displayed on the second hand 4 until the second hand 4 is released by a predetermined time or a predetermined input operation. By pointing these points, the morning and afternoon of the time (alarm notification setting time and world clock time) indicated by the small hour hand 6 and the small minute hand 7 are indicated. The character signs “R”, “F”, and “C” are pointed to by the second hand 4, and, as will be described in detail later, the wireless communication unit 49 (see FIG. 2) is connected to an external electronic device. Indicates the communication connection status.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment.
The electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment includes a train wheel mechanism in addition to the hour hand 2, minute hand 3, second hand 4, date wheel 5, small hour hand 6 and small minute hand 7 (hereinafter collectively referred to as hands 2-7). 71-73, stepping motors 81-83, drive circuit 51, CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit) (control unit), ROM 42 (Read Only Memory), RAM 43 (Random Access Memory), oscillation circuit 44, A frequency dividing circuit 45, a time measuring circuit 46 (time measuring unit), a notification operation unit 47, an operation receiving unit 48, a wireless communication unit 49, an antenna 50, a power supply unit 52, and the like are provided.

  As a processor, the CPU 41 performs various arithmetic processes and controls the overall operation of the electronic timepiece 1. Further, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal for causing the driving circuit 51 to move the hands 2 to 7 respectively.

The ROM 42 stores various programs executed by the CPU 41 and initial setting data used by the various programs. These programs and initial setting data are read out, executed, and used by the CPU 41 when the electronic timepiece 1 is activated or as necessary.
The ROM 42 may be various non-volatile memories such as a flash memory that is partially or entirely rewritable and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory).
The RAM 43 provides a working memory space to the CPU 41 and stores temporary data. The temporary data includes connection destination information 43a for communication by the wireless communication unit 49, setting information 43b acquired from the connection destination, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a chart showing an example of setting information 43b that can be set in the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment.
Here, alarm notification settings, local time settings, schedule notification settings, and communication settings can be set and stored.
The alarm notification setting includes information regarding whether or not to perform an alarm notification operation (for example, outputting a beep sound in a predetermined pattern) at a set time and information related to the alarm notification setting time. When the alarm notification operation is set to ON, the alarm notification operation is performed at the set alarm notification setting time.

The local time setting is the setting of the local time (basic clock) of the current location displayed using the hands 2 to 5 and the setting of the local time (world clock) of any region in the world displayed using the hands 6 and 7. And including.
The setting contents include information on the time zones of the basic clock and the world clock, the implementation time of daylight saving time, and the implementation period and implementation shift time when implemented. For example, the world clock is calculated and displayed by calculating the time difference with respect to the date and time counted as the basic clock based on these local time settings.

  The schedule notification setting includes notification on / off setting and notification type setting for performing a predetermined notification operation at a predetermined time on a set day. As the notification date, for example, the date on which the notification operation is to be performed can be simply set. In addition, as the notification type, various types of notification operations that can be executed by the notification operation unit 47 and the pointers 2 to 7 can be determined.

  The communication setting includes a setting of timing for performing communication connection with the electronic device in order to obtain date / time information for automatically correcting the date / time of the electronic timepiece 1 from an external electronic device. For example, when a communication connection is made four times a day every 6 hours, the first communication connection timing can be set to 1 am. Alternatively, the communication connection at midnight can be omitted, and it can be set at 7 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 17 o'clock, 23 o'clock, etc., respectively. Also, as the acquisition timing of the setting information, for example, it can be set together with the communication connection at 7 o'clock related to the acquisition of the date / time information. Alternatively, the setting information acquisition timing may be set at 9:30, for example, separately from the date / time information acquisition timing.

  The power supply unit 52 supplies power necessary for the operation to each unit of the CPU 41 and the electronic timepiece 1. The power supply unit 52 is not particularly limited. For example, the power supply unit 52 holds a combination of a solar panel and a secondary battery as a battery (power source), and enables long-term and stable power supply from the battery. It is.

  The oscillation circuit 44 generates a predetermined frequency signal and outputs it to the frequency dividing circuit 45. The frequency divider 45 divides the frequency signal input from the oscillation circuit 44, generates a signal having a frequency set by a control signal from the CPU 41, and outputs the signal to the CPU 41. The frequency dividing circuit 45 generates a predetermined frequency signal (for example, 1 second signal) and outputs it to the time measuring circuit 46.

  The timer circuit 46 is a counter that counts the input frequency signal and counts the date and time (current time). This counter is not limited to a counter circuit as a hardware configuration, and may be a RAM that stores the date and time counted by software by the CPU 41.

The notification operation unit 47 performs a predetermined notification operation according to a control signal from the CPU 41.
The notification operation unit 47 is not particularly limited, and includes, for example, a beep sound generation unit having a piezoelectric element that generates a beep sound and a vibration generation unit having a motor with a weight that generates vibration.

  The operation reception unit 48 receives an external operation by the user, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the CPU 41 as an input signal. The operation receiving unit 48 includes the push button switches B2 and B3 described above. The CPU 41 switches the display contents by the hands 2 to 7 according to the operation contents from the outside to the push button switches B2 and B3 and the crown C1, for example, the basic clock display by the hands 2 to 5 and the hands 6 and 7 Whether to switch the world clock display by, to display the alarm notification set time by the hands 6 and 7, or to perform various settings, for example, whether or not to perform the daylight saving time implementation of the basic clock or the world clock, or whether to perform the alarm notification operation Or change the alarm notification set time.

  Based on the control of the CPU 41, the wireless communication unit 49 performs short-range wireless communication with an external electronic device via the antenna 50, in this case, information transmission / reception by Bluetooth (registered trademark: Bluetooth). The wireless communication unit 49 according to the present embodiment is configured such that power supply is controlled independently of the other parts of the electronic timepiece 1, and power is not supplied during a period when the operation of the wireless communication unit 49 is not performed. . Further, between the electronic timepiece 1 and an external electronic device, a communication connection is limited only when information is transmitted / received and when a user manually performs an input operation related to a connection command. Is released. Therefore, the duration of the communication connection state by the wireless communication unit 49 in the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment is not limited to the upper limit of the configuration of the electronic timepiece 1, but is normally assumed to be about several minutes or less.

  The stepping motors 81 to 83 are step-driven based on the voltage waveform of the drive pulse input from the drive circuit 51, for example, the rotor is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the stator, and the corresponding pointers 2 to 7 are rotated forward. It can be rotated (rotated) by a predetermined angle in the direction or the reverse direction. The stepping motors 81 to 83 of the present embodiment are capable of fast-forward rotation of up to 80 pps (Pulse per Second) in the forward rotation direction (clockwise direction), and the reverse rotation direction (the direction opposite to the normal rotation direction). Fast-forward rotation of 32pps is possible at the maximum.

  The wheel train mechanisms 71 to 73 are gear trains that transmit the rotation operations of the stepping motors 81 to 83 to the corresponding hands 2 to 7 and rotate them by a predetermined angle. The train wheel mechanism 71 transmits the rotation operation of the stepping motor 81 to the second hand 4 and the minute hand 3. The train wheel mechanism 72 transmits the rotation operation of the stepping motor 82 to the hour hand 2 and the date indicator 5. The train wheel mechanism 73 transmits the rotation operation of the stepping motor 83 to the small hour hand 6 and the small minute hand 7.

In the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment, every time the stepping motor 81 is driven by one step, the second hand 4 rotates by 6 degrees (rotation angle of the first pointer), and the minute hand 3 is 1 in conjunction with this. Rotate every 10 degrees (rotation angle smaller than the rotation angle of the first pointer). Accordingly, the second hand 4 is moved every second in the case of time display (display related to the first function operation) and rotated 360 degrees in 1 minute, and accordingly, the minute hand 3 is 6 degrees in 1 minute. It rotates 360 degrees in 1 hour.
Further, the hour hand 2 rotates by 0.5 degrees every time the stepping motor 82 is driven one step. The date indicator 5 rotates by 3/62 degrees in conjunction with the rotation of the hour hand 2 between the 10 o'clock position and the 2 o'clock position every time the hour hand 2 makes two rounds. Accordingly, the hour hand 2 is moved every minute when the time is displayed, and rotates 30 degrees in one hour, and rotates 360 degrees in 12 hours. Along with this, the date indicator 5 moves 240 degrees 360/31 degrees in 4 hours from 22:00 to 2 o'clock, that is, an angle rotation according to the interval of the date sign.
Each time the stepping motor 83 is driven one step, the small minute hand 7 rotates by 6 degrees, and the small hour hand 6 rotates by 0.5 degrees in conjunction with this. Therefore, in the case of time display (including world clock display etc.), the small minute hand 7 is moved every minute and rotated 360 degrees in one hour, and accordingly, the small hour hand 6 is 30 in one hour. Rotate 360 degrees in 12 hours.

  The drive circuit 51 outputs drive pulses to the stepping motors 81 to 83 based on the control signal input from the CPU 41. This drive circuit 51 adjusts the timing as appropriate when the control signal for simultaneously operating a plurality of stepping motors 81 to 83 is obtained from the CPU 41, and sets the peak voltage of the drive pulse and the pulse width of the peak voltage output. Can be adjusted.

Next, functional operations in the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment, setting is performed by an application program (hereinafter referred to as an application) corresponding to a communication connection destination electronic device (here, mainly a smartphone is assumed) set as the connection destination information 43a. The setting information related to the set operation setting is received and acquired, and held as setting information 43b. The operation set in association with the timing at the timing set in the setting information 43b is performed by a part or all of the notification operation unit 47 and the hands 2-7.
The application relating to the creation and transmission of the setting information may be created based on any known technique, and is transmitted and received in the format of the setting information 43b of the electronic timepiece 1.

  Similarly, in the electronic timepiece 1, communication settings that are set using an application in an electronic device that is a communication connection destination are acquired and held as setting information 43 b. Then, a date and time information acquisition operation is performed in which communication connection is established with the electronic device at the acquisition timing of the date and time information determined by the communication setting, and date and time information is acquired from the electronic device. In the electronic timepiece 1, the date and time correction operation is performed to correct the date and time of the clock circuit 46 according to the date and time information acquired by the date and time information acquisition operation and to correct the time to be displayed by the hands.

Further, there is a terminal search operation as a functional operation that is separate from the functional operation and date correction operation that are set as the setting information 43b.
In the terminal search operation (also referred to as “Find Me operation”), communication connection with an electronic device preset as a communication connection destination of the electronic timepiece 1 is performed in the connection destination information 43a, and a predetermined notification operation, here, is performed. The user is informed of the location of the electronic device by mainly outputting sound.

  In the electronic timepiece 1, a communication connection operation with an electronic device by short-range wireless communication is performed according to a function operation different from these time display operations and the setting thereof. When performing this communication connection operation, the electronic timepiece 1 performs a communication connection state notification operation indicating that the communication connection is being attempted or the communication connection has been established. This notification operation is performed here by instructing the character markers “R”, “F”, and “C” shown in FIG. The character indicator “R” (the first designated position among at least two designated positions in the display relating to the second functional operation) is designated between the reception of the command for the communication connection operation and the establishment of the connection. The character mark “F” is instructed between the start of the communication connection and the establishment of the connection related to the terminal search operation. The character indicator “C” (the last designated position among at least two designated positions in the display related to the second functional operation) is designated between the establishment of the communication connection and the release of the communication connection. In other words, here, character signs corresponding to two or three states are instructed in order between the reception of the command for the communication connection operation and the cancellation of the communication connection.

FIG. 4 is a chart showing types of communication connections in the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment.
In the electronic timepiece 1, the date and time information acquisition operation, the setting information acquisition operation, the terminal search operation, and the manual connection operation are described as the operation types of the communication connection operation (second function operation) executed along with various function operations. is there.
In the date / time information acquisition operation, the processing is automatically started at a preset timing in accordance with the date / time correction operation, communication connection is established, and communication connection is released as soon as date / time information is acquired. Note that the date and time information can be acquired by a manual operation, and can also be performed when another type of communication connection is made.

  In the setting information acquisition operation, as a setting operation related to various notification operations, processing is automatically started at a preset timing to establish a communication connection, and as soon as the setting information is acquired and the setting information 43b is updated, the communication connection is established. Is released. The setting information acquisition operation may be performed together with the date / time information acquisition operation. For example, in one out of four date / time information acquisition operations, both the date / time information and the setting information are acquired. Also good. The setting information may be acquired by being transmitted from the electronic device based on a user operation on the electronic device when a manual connection operation is performed.

  The terminal search operation is started when the user continuously presses a predetermined push button switch, here, the push button switch B3 for a predetermined time (3 seconds), establishes a communication connection, and establishes a communication connection. To perform a predetermined notification operation. The communication connection with the electronic device is automatically performed after a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds after the communication connection is established, or when the user performs a manual operation to cancel the communication connection with the electronic timepiece 1 or the electronic device. Is released.

  The manual connection operation is started when the push button switch B3 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time (1.5 seconds or more and less than 3 seconds) by the user, and communication connection is established. When the electronic timepiece 1 and the electronic device are communicatively connected by a manual connection operation, the electronic timepiece 1 automatically performs date / time information acquisition operation. In addition, various operations can be performed by causing the user to perform an operation command related to the electronic timepiece 1 that can be executed using a predetermined application installed in the electronic device. Examples of commands that can be executed by the application include transmission of the setting information described above, acquisition of the battery state of the electronic timepiece 1, and the pointer position of the electronic timepiece 1 (that is, the pointer position set by the control unit and the actual pointer. For example, a setting for correcting the deviation from the position indicated by. The communication connection in this case is maintained until the user releases the communication connection using the electronic timepiece 1 or the electronic device. If there is no communication from the electronic timepiece 1 or the electronic device for a predetermined time or more, the communication connection may be automatically released.

  In the electronic timepiece 1, the operation related to the time display in which the hour hand 2 and the minute hand 3 display the hour and minute of the current time even while the second hand 4 is displaying the communication connection state (display related to the second function operation). (First functional operation) can be performed. However, in the electronic timepiece 1, the second hand 4 and the minute hand 3 rotate in conjunction with the operation of the stepping motor 81. Therefore, when the minute hand 3 is moved to the correct position as much as possible, the position of the second hand 4 is moved. When the time elapses without the position of the second hand 4 being moved, it is necessary to rotate the second hand 4 in the rotation direction considering the position of the minute hand 3 corresponding to the current time.

  At this time, the function operation (communication connection operation) state (communication connection operation) is switched sequentially (in order) between a plurality of states such as connection command reception, connection operation for terminal search, and communication connection establishment state. On the way, if the second hand 4 moves back and forth according to the value or state that should be originally indicated by the minute hand 3, it becomes difficult for the user to know the state change indicated by the second hand 4. Therefore, in the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment, in the middle of switching between the plurality of states, the forward rotation direction (always) without considering the change of the minute value (minute value) at the current time to be indicated by the minute hand 3. The second hand 4 is fast-forwarded to a position corresponding to each state in the clockwise direction, the first rotation direction, and the rotation direction (second rotation direction) related to the current time display function of the minute hand 3. Then, after the transition to the final state, that is, the communication connection establishment state, the second hand 4 and the minute hand 3 are moved to the position of the minute hand 3 which is equal to the minute value of the current time after a predetermined time, here, 3 seconds elapses. Operate the loop fast forward operation.

Further, in the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment, when the second hand 4 is moved from the position of the second value (second value) of the current time to the position of the character marker indicating the reception state, it is always fast-forwarded in the forward direction. As a result, when the current time counted by the time measuring circuit 46 is correct, the time hand 2 and the minute hand 3 display a substantially accurate time with an advance of less than 1 minute, and from the start of the communication connection operation to the establishment of the communication connection, In many cases, the minute value displayed by the minute hand 3 is not delayed from the current time.
Further, when the current time becomes 0 second of each minute and the minute value of the current time advances from the minute value displayed by the minute hand 3 while the communication connection establishment state is maintained, the second hand The position indicated by the minute hand 3 is advanced by 1 minute by rapidly rotating 4 in the forward direction.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement of the pointer during the communication connection operation.
Here, when a communication connection command is received at 10: 5: 30, the second hand 4 moves in the forward direction from the state where the hands 2-4 indicate 10: 5: 30 (FIG. 5 (a)). By fast-forwarding and moving to the position of the character mark “R”, 10: 6: 18 is indicated (FIG. 5B). The fast feed speed at this time is 80 pps, and it takes 0.6 seconds to move the second hand 4 and the minute hand 3 by 48 steps.

  When the communication connection is established at 10: 5: 31 after the communication connection operation is started, the second hand 4 is further fast-forwarded in the forward rotation direction to be fast-forwarded to the position of the character mark “C”. Then, 10: 6: 28 is indicated (FIG. 5C). At this time, it takes 0.125 seconds to move the second hand 4 and the minute hand 3 by 10 steps. After that, when 3 seconds elapse and 10: 5: 34, the minute hand 3 is fast-forwarded once in the reverse direction to indicate “5 minutes”, and 10: 5: 28 is indicated (FIG. 5 (d )).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the CPU 41 of the communication connection control process executed by the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment.
This communication connection control process is performed when the CPU 41 needs to establish a communication connection with an electronic device in the control process related to various function operations and setting operations, and when a communication connection command is issued by the user pressing the push button switch B3. Triggered when detected.
When the communication connection control process is started, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 51 to move the second hand 4 to the position of the character mark “R”, that is, the 18-second position. On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that the push button switch B3 is continuously pressed for 3 seconds or more and is an execution request for the terminal search operation, the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 51 to display the character mark “R”. From the position, the second hand 4 is moved forward and forward to the position of the character marker “F”, that is, the 23-second position (step S101). The CPU 41 refers to the connection destination information 43a to acquire information on the connection destination electronic device (step S102), and causes the wireless communication unit 49 to start a communication connection operation (step S103).

  The CPU 41 determines whether or not a communication connection with the connection destination electronic device has been established (step S104). If it is determined that the communication connection has not been established ("NO" in step S104), the CPU 41 proceeds to step S103. Return to the process. If it is determined that it has been established (“YES” in step S104), the CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 51 to rotate the second hand 4 forward to the position of the character marker “C”, that is, to the 28-second position. Fast forward movement is performed (step S105).

  The CPU 41 performs transmission / reception of predetermined information and / or information transmitted / requested from the electronic device in the functional operation being executed with the current communication connection operation (step S111). If there is no information to be transmitted / received at the time of executing step S111, the process of step S111 is omitted. The CPU 41 determines whether or not a communication connection release command has been accepted, or whether or not information transmission / reception with a predetermined content has been completed (step S112). When it is determined that the communication connection release operation has not been accepted and information transmission / reception of predetermined contents has not been completed (“NO” in step S112), the CPU 41 determines that the communication connection has been established 3 It is determined whether or not the second has elapsed (step S113).

  If it is determined that 3 seconds have not elapsed ("NO" in step S113), the process of the CPU 41 returns to step S111. If it is determined that 3 seconds have elapsed ("YES" in step S113), the CPU 41 determines whether or not the determination process is in the first step S113 after 3 seconds, that is, "YES" for the first time in step S113. It is discriminated whether or not it has branched to "" (step S114). If it is determined that the determination processing is the first determination processing in step S113 after 3 seconds (“YES” in step S114), the CPU 41 obtains the current time counted by the time counting circuit 46 and sends it to the drive circuit 51. A control signal is output, and the hands 3 and 4 are fast-forwarded and moved to the 28-second position (position of the character mark “C”) that is the same as the current minute value (step S115). Then, the process of the CPU 41 returns to the process of step S111.

  If it is not the determination process in the first step S113 after 3 seconds, that is, it is determined in step S113 that the branch to “YES” is the second or later (“NO” in step S114), the CPU 41 Determines whether the current time is 0 second of each minute and whether the minute value of the current time is different from (or deviated from) the minute value indicated by the minute hand 3 (step S116). If it is determined that the current time is 0 second of each minute and the minute value of the current time is different from the minute value indicated by the minute hand 3 ("YES" in step S116), the CPU 41 determines that the drive circuit 51 The control signal is output and the second hand 4 is forward-turned in the forward direction to make the minute value of the current time coincide with the minute value indicated by the minute hand 3 (step S117). Then, the process of the CPU 41 returns to step S111. If it is determined that the current time is not 0 second of each minute, or the minute value of the current time and the minute value indicated by the minute hand 3 are not different (equal) ("NO" in step S116) The process of the CPU 41 returns to step S111.

  When it is determined in the determination process in step S112 that a communication connection release operation has been accepted or transmission / reception of predetermined information has been completed (“YES” in step S112), the CPU 41 causes the wireless communication unit 49 to The communication connection with the electronic device is released (step S121), and then a control signal is output to the drive circuit 51 to quickly move the hands 2 to 4 to positions corresponding to the current time (step S122). Then, the CPU 41 ends the communication connection control process.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a change example of the indication state of the minute hand and the second hand during the communication connection operation according to the communication connection time.
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the communication connection is disconnected in less than 3 seconds, at the timing t10 when the communication connection command is received, the second hand 4 is correctly positioned at the position of the character mark “R” according to the type of communication connection. The forward / reverse movement is performed, and the forward / reverse movement is further moved to the position of the character marker “F” according to the situation (step S101). Then, the connection destination information is acquired (step S102), the communication connection with the electronic device is started (step S103), and at the timing t20 when the communication connection is established (“YES” in step S104), the second hand 4 is set correctly. The character is moved to the position of the character marker “C” (step S105).

  After the necessary information is transmitted / received (step S111) and before 3 seconds elapse from the establishment of the communication connection (“NO” in step S113), a connection release command is generated at timing t30 (“YES” in step S112). ) After the communication connection release operation is performed (step S121), the minute hand 3 and the second hand 4 are moved to the normal current time display position by fast-forwarding (step S122).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, when the communication connection is continued for 3 seconds or more, at the timing t10 when the communication connection command is received, the second hand 4 is rotated forward to the position of the character mark “R” according to the type of the communication connection. Fast forward movement is performed, and forward forward movement is further moved to the position of the character marker “F” according to the situation (step S101). Then, the connection destination information is acquired (step S102), the communication connection with the electronic device is started (step S103), and at the timing t20 when the communication connection is established (“YES” in step S104), the second hand 4 is set correctly. The character is moved to the position of the character marker “C” (step S105).

  After necessary information is transmitted / received (step S111), the communication connection is not released (“NO” in step S112), and at timing t21 when three seconds have elapsed from the establishment of the communication connection (“YES” in step S113), step "YES" in S114), the second hand 4 is fast-turned around the minute position in accordance with the minute value of the current time to the position where the second hand 4 indicates the character mark "C" (step S115). Thereafter (“YES” in step S113, “NO” in step S114), a communication connection release command is generated at timing t30 before the current time reaches 0 seconds per hour (“NO” in step S116) ( After the communication connection is released (step S121), the minute hand 3 and the second hand 4 are moved to the normal current time display position by fast-forwarding (step S122).

  As shown in FIG. 7C, when the communication connection state is maintained for a long time as the minute value of the current time changes during communication connection, the second hand 4 is marked with the character mark “at the timing t10 when the communication connection command is received. The forward rotation fast-forward movement is performed to the position “R”, and the forward rotation rapid-forward movement is further performed to the position of the character marker “F” according to the situation (step S101). Then, the connection destination information is acquired (step S102), the communication connection with the electronic device is started (step S103), and at the timing t20 when the communication connection is established (“YES” in step S104), the second hand 4 is set correctly. The character is moved to the position of the character marker “C” (step S105).

  After necessary information is transmitted / received (step S111), the communication connection is not released (“NO” in step S112), and at timing t21 when three seconds have elapsed from the establishment of the communication connection (“YES” in step S113), step In S114, “YES”), the second hand 4 is reciprocally fast-forwarded to a position where the second hand 4 indicates the character marker “C” within the minute position that matches the minute value of the current time (step S115). Further, the time elapses without the communication connection being released (“NO” in step S112, “YES” in step S113, “NO” in step S114), and the current time becomes 0 seconds per hour, and the timing t22 If the minute value is changed to a value different from the minute value indicated by the minute hand 3 (“YES” in step S116), the second hand 4 is forward-turned forward and forward (step S117), and the minute indicated by the minute hand 3 is reached. The value is advanced by 1 minute to coincide with the minute value of the current time, and the second hand 4 is continuously instructed with the character mark “C”.

  Thereafter, after the communication connection is released at the timing t30 when the communication connection is released (“YES” in step S112) (step S121), the minute hand 3 and the second hand 4 move to the normal current time display position by fast-forwarding. (Step S122).

As described above, the electronic timepiece 1 of the present embodiment is configured to rotate relative to the second hand 4 provided to be rotatable and the rotation angle (for example, 6 degrees) of the second hand 4 in conjunction with the rotation of the second hand 4. The CPU 41 includes a minute hand 3 provided so as to turn smaller than the rotation angle (for example, 0.1 degree), and a CPU 41 (processor) that controls the turning of the second hand 4 and the minute hand 3. While the minute hand 3 is performing display related to the current time display operation as the first functional operation, at least two indication positions (character mark R related to the communication connection operation as the second functional operation are performed on the second hand 4. , C) in order, the movement between the at least two indicated positions by the second hand 4 is performed by rotation in the forward rotation direction (first rotation direction).
As described above, when the display related to the different function types is performed in parallel with each of the interlocking hands, the mode change display on the minute hand 3 side is sequentially performed by rotating in the same direction, thereby moving the second hand 4. Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the movement for the movement from the movement linked to the movement of the minute hand 3, and thus the user can more easily read the change in the display contents by each of the plurality of pointers rotating in conjunction with each other. It can be shown effectively.
Even when the display related to the functional operation by the minute hand 3 can be moved in both the forward direction and the reverse direction, the first hand can be limited by moving the second hand 4 only in the forward direction. The movement of the second hand 4 associated with the movement of the minute hand 3 relating to the functional operation and the movement of the second hand 4 relating to the second functional operation are more easily distinguished and easily understood.

  Further, the order in which at least two designated positions (here, the character markers R and C) are designated by the second hand 4 is determined in advance. Thereby, since the user can recognize in advance the movement range, movement distance, and the like when moving between the hands, it is easier to distinguish the movement linked to the time display by the minute hand 3.

  In addition, a second rotation direction of the minute hand 3 relating to the first function operation (time display), that is, a forward rotation direction (clockwise) is determined in advance, and the second rotation direction of the second hand 4 is the first rotation direction. It is determined in the same direction as the two rotation directions. This reduces the need for the second hand 4 to rotate in the direction opposite to the first rotation direction (counterclockwise) with the passage of time. It is possible to perform the pointer operation with less.

  Further, since the first turning direction of the second hand 4 is clockwise, it is difficult to cause a sense of incongruity as the pointer operation of the analog electronic timepiece using the hands. Moreover, in an analog electronic timepiece, the clockwise rotation speed is often set fast, and in this case, it is easy to quickly move the pointer.

  Further, since the first hand is the second hand and the second hand is the minute hand, the multi-function display can be effectively performed using the hand which is a basic in the electronic timepiece.

  In addition, the timekeeping circuit 46 for counting the current time is provided, and the first functional operation by the minute hand 3 is an operation related to the time display according to the current time counted by the timekeeping circuit 46. While performing the display, the second hand 4 can display the display related to other functional operations appropriately and without difficulty. Therefore, the electronic timepiece 1 can perform multi-function display in parallel without impairing the function as a timepiece.

  Further, the CPU 41 indicates that the last indicated position (character mark C) of at least two specified positions (character marks R and C) is indicated by the second hand 4 and a predetermined time (here, 3 seconds) has elapsed. The minute hand 3 is rotated to a position corresponding to the current time counted by the time counting circuit 46 and the last indicated position (character marker C) is indicated to the second hand 4. That is, during the switching of the status display by the second hand 4, the time display is prioritized over the accuracy of the display while the time display is being performed, and the time display is performed after reaching the last status display and performing the display for an appropriate time. In order to make it more accurate, since the pointer operation is performed with priority given to the display with higher priority while continuing the time display, necessary information can be provided to the user more effectively.

  Further, when the CPU 41 instructs the second pointing hand 4 to indicate the first pointing position (character marking R) of at least two pointing positions (character markings R and C), the second hand 4 is moved in the first rotation direction (clockwise). Turn to. That is, not only the movement between a plurality of designated positions, but also the movement to the first designated position, by aligning the second hand 4 by fast-forwarding in the same direction, it is possible to perform display related to functional operations that are more uniform and easy to see. I can do it.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, the functional operation indicated by the minute hand 3 is not limited to the display operation of the current time. For example, the display operation related to the stopwatch function or the timer function may be performed by the minute hand 3.
Similarly, the display related to the functional operation instructed by the second hand 4 is not limited to the display related to the communication connection state. For example, the progress state of the measurement state by the sensor, the radio wave reception state other than the short-range wireless communication, for example, the radio wave reception state from the GPS satellite, the positioning operation, the progress state of the date / time information acquisition operation, and the like may be used. Further, the display related to the functional operation indicated by the second hand 4 may be interlocked with the display related to the functional operation indicated by the minute hand 3.

  Moreover, although the case where the separate display is performed in parallel by the second hand 4 and the minute hand 3 that rotate in conjunction with each other has been described as an example in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, different indicators such as the small minute hand 7 and the small hour hand 6 that rotate in conjunction with each other may be displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, it is predetermined that the character marker “R”, the character marker “F”, and the character marker “C” are displayed in this order. It may be a thing.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the communication connection state is displayed by the second hand 4, it is predetermined that the second hand 4 is rotated in the forward rotation direction. However, the position of the character mark “R” and the character mark “ The position of “C” may be provided in reverse, and may be determined in advance to rotate in the reverse direction. In addition, any rotation direction may be selected according to the content of the display related to the functional operation instructed by the second hand 4 for each series of state display by the minute hand 3.

  In the above embodiment, the second character 4 is instructed to indicate the last character indicator “C”, and after 3 seconds, the fast-forward operation for correcting the minute value indicated by the minute hand 3 is performed. The timing for correcting the position of the minute hand 3 related to the first functional operation may be adjusted according to the situation, such as waiting until the timing of. Alternatively, if the display content does not cause a slight misalignment, is the display related to the second functional operation by the second hand 4 terminated, or is the display content itself related to the first functional operation by the minute hand 3 changed? Other than the above conditions, the position of the minute hand 3 may not be corrected.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the second character 4 is instructed to indicate the first character marker “R”, the forward rotation direction is the same as when moving from the character marker “R” to the character marker “C”. However, the moving direction to the first character marker “R” may be different.

  In the above embodiment, the CPU 41 performs all operations as the control unit (processor). However, processing by a hardware circuit such as a dedicated logic circuit may be included.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case of communication connection by Bluetooth has been described as an example, but the same operation is performed in the electronic timepiece 1 when communication connection is made with an external electronic device using another communication protocol. Can be performed. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to transmission / reception of information but also to an electronic timepiece that only receives transmission radio waves unilaterally and acquires necessary information.
In addition, specific details such as the configuration, the control procedure, and the display example shown in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the scope of claims attached to the application of this application will be added below. The item numbers of the claims described in the appendix are as set forth in the claims attached to the application of this application.

[Appendix]
<Claim 1>
A first pointer provided rotatably,
In conjunction with the rotation of the first pointer, a second pointer provided to rotate at a rotation angle smaller than the rotation angle with respect to the rotation angle of the first pointer;
A control unit for controlling rotation of the first pointer and the second pointer;
With
The control unit causes the first pointer to sequentially indicate at least two instruction positions related to the second functional operation while the second pointer performs display related to the first functional operation. In this case, the electronic timepiece is characterized in that the movement between the at least two designated positions by the first pointer is performed by rotation in the first rotation direction.
<Claim 2>
2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the order in which the at least two indication positions are indicated by the first pointer is predetermined.
<Claim 3>
A second rotation direction of the second pointer related to the first functional operation is determined in advance, and the first rotation direction is determined in the same direction as the second rotation direction. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1 or 2.
<Claim 4>
3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the first rotation direction is clockwise.
<Claim 5>
The first pointer is a second hand;
The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the second hand is a minute hand.
<Claim 6>
It has a timer that counts the current time,
The electronic timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first functional operation is an operation related to a time display according to a current time counted by the time measuring unit.
<Claim 7>
The control unit, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last indicated position of the at least two indicated positions is indicated by the first pointer, the position corresponding to the current time counted by the time measuring unit. The electronic timepiece according to claim 6, wherein the second pointer is rotated and the first indicating hand is instructed to indicate the last indicating position.
<Claim 8>
The control unit rotates the first pointer in the first rotation direction when the first pointing position of the at least two pointing positions is indicated by the first pointer. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1.

1 Electronic Clock 2 Hour Hand 3 Minute Hand 4 Second Hand 5 Date Wheel 6 Small Hour Hand 7 Small Minute Hand 11 Dial 111 Small Window 112 Opening 12 Casing 41 CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
43a Connection destination information 43b Setting information 44 Oscillation circuit 45 Frequency dividing circuit 46 Timekeeping circuit 47 Notification operation unit 48 Operation reception unit 49 Wireless communication unit 50 Antenna 51 Drive circuit 52 Power supply units 71-73 Train train mechanisms 81-83 Stepping motor B2 , B3 Pushbutton switch C1 Crown

Claims (8)

A first pointer provided rotatably,
In conjunction with the rotation of the first pointer, a second pointer provided to rotate at a rotation angle smaller than the rotation angle with respect to the rotation angle of the first pointer;
A control unit for controlling rotation of the first pointer and the second pointer;
With
The control unit causes the first pointer to sequentially indicate at least two instruction positions related to the second functional operation while the second pointer performs display related to the first functional operation. In this case, the electronic timepiece is characterized in that the movement between the at least two designated positions by the first pointer is performed by rotation in the first rotation direction.   2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the order in which the at least two indication positions are indicated by the first pointer is predetermined.   A second rotation direction of the second pointer related to the first functional operation is determined in advance, and the first rotation direction is determined in the same direction as the second rotation direction. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1 or 2.   3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the first rotation direction is clockwise. The first pointer is a second hand;
The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the second hand is a minute hand. It has a timer that counts the current time,
The electronic timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first functional operation is an operation related to a time display according to a current time counted by the time measuring unit. The control unit, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last indicated position of the at least two indicated positions is indicated by the first pointer, the position corresponding to the current time counted by the time measuring unit. The electronic timepiece according to claim 6, wherein the second pointer is rotated and the first indicating hand is instructed to indicate the last indicating position.   The control unit rotates the first pointer in the first rotation direction when the first pointing position of the at least two pointing positions is indicated by the first pointer. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1.

Images