JP2019148441A - Portable device - Google Patents

Abstract

To conduct time synchronization, time-zone acquisition and the like with a small loss in a portable device comprising a satellite signal reception function and a short-range radio communication function.SOLUTION: A satellite signal reception control unit 15 and a short-range radio trans-reception control unit 16 serve processing unit that executes processing on the basis of information to be processed under control by a clock control unit 1. The satellite signal reception control unit 15 in the processing unit is configure to: use a first reception unit composed of a satellite signal reception antenna 51 and a satellite signal reception unit 5; acquire the information to be processed necessary for time synchronization and the like from a first signal to be output by the first reception unit; and execute processing of the time synchronization and the like. Further, the short-range radio trans-reception control unit 16 is configured to, when the information to be processed is not obtained from the first signal in a reception state of a satellite radio wave in the first reception unit, use a second reception unit composed of a short-range radio antenna 61 and a short-range radio trans-reception unit 6, and execute the processing of the time synchronization and the like on information to be obtained from a second signal of the second reception unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device such as a wristwatch type device having a wireless communication function.

  A wristwatch type device having a function of correcting time and time zone by receiving a signal from a positioning satellite such as GPS (Global Positioning System) is known. In addition, a wristwatch type device having functions such as time correction and information acquisition by a combination of short-range wireless such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and a smartphone application is also known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for correcting time on the wristwatch side by acquiring time information from a portable information terminal using Bluetooth. For example, time correction by short-range wireless communication often requires less time and saves power than a positioning satellite as an information source.

JP 2009-118403 A

However, in a smartphone that is the main communication partner of the current wristwatch-type device, time information management differs depending on the system, and high-precision time synchronization at the subsecond level may not be implemented. On the other hand, the time correction by the satellite signal from the positioning satellite can be performed with high accuracy.
There was a problem that satellite signals could not be received indoors. That is, satellite signals are suitable for high-accuracy processing, but are not always receivable. On the other hand, there is a problem that high-precision processing cannot be performed by short-range radio.

  A portable device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first receiver that receives satellite radio waves and outputs a first signal, a second receiver that receives short-range radio waves and outputs a second signal, and a processed object A process is executed based on information, and the process is executed using the second signal when the information to be processed cannot be obtained from the first signal in the reception state of the satellite radio wave in the first receiver. And a processing unit.

  According to this aspect, the processing unit attempts to acquire the information to be processed from the first signal obtained by receiving the satellite radio wave, and in the reception status of the satellite radio wave in the first receiving unit, the processing information is determined from the first signal. Is not obtained, the process is executed using the second signal. As described above, since reception of satellite radio waves is prioritized in executing the processing, processing such as time correction can be executed with high accuracy. In addition, since the second signal can be used according to the reception status, necessary information can be acquired by short-range radio even when the satellite radio wave cannot be sufficiently received.

  In a preferred aspect, based on the processing, a type of the information to be processed and an end condition of an operation for receiving the satellite radio wave and acquiring the information to be processed from the first signal are set, and the processing unit When the reception state of the satellite radio wave satisfies the set end condition, the process using the second signal is started.

  According to this aspect, the process using the second signal can be started based on an appropriate end condition corresponding to the content of the process and the information to be processed.

  In another preferred aspect, the processing unit includes at least one of a number of satellites from which the first reception unit is receiving the satellite radio wave, a signal intensity of the satellite radio wave, and an elapsed time from the start of reception of the satellite radio wave. Based on one, it is determined whether or not the termination condition is satisfied.

  According to this aspect, the condition for switching from the process using the first signal to the process using the second signal can be flexibly set according to the situation.

  In another preferred aspect, the portable device has a time measuring unit that measures the internal time, and the processing calculates the internal time of the time measuring unit based on time difference information determined according to a time zone and time information indicating the time. A correction process, wherein when the time information and the time zone are acquired from the second signal, the processing unit specifies the time difference information based on the time zone acquired from the second signal, and The internal time is corrected based on the time information acquired from two signals and the time difference information.

  According to this aspect, when the time information and the time zone are acquired by receiving the short-range radio wave, the internal time of the time measuring unit can be corrected using the time information and the time zone. Accordingly, the internal time can be corrected in situations where it is difficult to receive satellite radio waves.

  In another preferred aspect, the portable device has a time measuring unit that measures the internal time, and the processing calculates the internal time of the time measuring unit based on time difference information determined according to a time zone and time information indicating the time. The time difference is based on the time zone acquired from the second signal when the time zone is acquired from the second signal after acquiring the time information from the first signal. Information is specified, and the internal time is corrected based on the time information acquired from the first signal and the time difference information.

  According to this aspect, when the time information is obtained by receiving the satellite radio wave and the time zone is obtained by receiving the short-range radio wave, the internal time of the time measuring unit is corrected using the time information and the time zone. be able to. Here, the time information obtained by receiving satellite radio waves is often more accurate than the time information obtained by receiving short-range radio waves. Therefore, according to this aspect, the internal time can be corrected accurately.

  In another preferred aspect, after the processing using the second signal is started, the first receiving unit continues to receive the satellite radio wave, and the operation of the second receiving unit is normally performed. After being confirmed, the first receiver stops receiving the satellite radio wave.

  According to this aspect, since it is confirmed that the operation of the second receiving unit is normally performed, the first receiving unit stops receiving the satellite radio wave, so that the processing using the processing target information is not delayed. It can be executed safely.

  In another preferable aspect, when the processing using the second signal cannot be continued after the processing using the second signal is started, the processing unit is configured to The process using the first signal is resumed.

  According to this aspect, when the process using the second signal cannot be continued, the process using the first signal of the first receiving unit is resumed, and thus the process using the processing target information is completed. Probability can be increased.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wristwatch-type device which is one Embodiment of the portable apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the navigation message of the satellite signal received in the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the navigation message. It is a figure which shows the structure of the navigation message. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process in the time synchronous mode in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the remaining part of the process in the time synchronous mode in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process in the time zone and time synchronous mode in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the remaining one part of the process in the time zone and time synchronous mode in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process in the positioning mode in the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the remaining part of the process in the positioning mode in the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wristwatch type device 100 which is an embodiment of a portable device according to the present invention. This wristwatch type device 100 has a clock display unit 2 similar to a normal wristwatch. The clock display unit 2 includes a dial, a pointer for displaying time, and the like. The wristwatch-type device 100 is a solar power generation type device, and includes a light receiving unit 41, a power generation device 42, a secondary battery 43, and a light amount detection unit 44. In the wristwatch type device 100, the power generation device 42 generates power using light obtained from the light receiving unit 41, and charges the secondary battery 43 with the power obtained by the power generation. The wristwatch type device 100 is operated by electric power supplied from the secondary battery 43. The light quantity detection unit 44 is means for detecting the light quantity received by the light receiving unit 41. In general, the light quantity detection unit includes a device such as an optical sensor or an ultraviolet sensor. However, in the case of a solar power generation system such as the present embodiment, the light amount detection unit 44 may detect the magnitude of the electric power obtained from the power generation device 42 as the light amount received by the light receiving unit 41.

  The wristwatch type device 100 includes a satellite signal receiving antenna 51 and a satellite signal receiving unit 5. The satellite signal receiving antenna 51 and the satellite signal receiving unit 5 function as a first receiving unit A that receives satellite radio waves and outputs a first signal. The satellite signal receiving antenna 51 can receive a plurality of types of satellite signals from various positioning satellites such as GPS. The satellite signal receiving unit 5 is a device that processes the received signal of the satellite signal receiving antenna 51. Information obtained by the processing of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is used by the clock control unit 1.

  In addition, the wristwatch type device 100 includes a short-range wireless antenna 61 and a short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6. The short-range wireless antenna 61 and the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 function as a second reception unit B that receives a short-range wireless radio wave and outputs a second signal. The short-range wireless antenna 61 is used for transmission / reception of short-range radio waves with a device having a built-in wireless device as a communication partner, such as a smartphone. The reception signal of the short-range wireless antenna 61 is processed by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6, and information obtained by this processing is used by the timepiece control unit 1. The clock control unit 1 also sends various types of information to the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6. The short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 transmits this information to the device built in the wireless device of the communication partner via the short-range wireless antenna 61.

  The timepiece control unit 1 is a control center of the wristwatch type device 100. The timepiece control unit 1 includes a time information generation unit 11, a satellite signal reception control unit 15, a short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16, and a display control unit 12.

  The time information generation unit 11 functions as a time measuring unit that measures the internal time by using a built-in reference clock. The time information generation unit 11 generates satellite time information from the information obtained by the satellite signal reception unit 5 and stores it in the storage unit 3 as time data. The time information generation unit 11 also corrects the internal time based on the UTC offset or time difference information.

  Each element of the clock control unit 1, particularly the satellite signal reception control unit 15 and the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16, functions as a processing unit C that executes processing based on processing target information under the control of the clock control unit 1. . The satellite signal reception control unit 15 in the processing unit C uses the first reception unit including the satellite signal reception antenna 51 and the satellite signal reception unit 5 and is necessary for time synchronization from the first signal output from the first reception unit. Process information is acquired and processing such as time synchronization is executed. Further, the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16 in the processing unit C, when the information to be processed cannot be obtained from the first signal in the reception state of the satellite radio wave in the first reception unit, Using the second receiving unit composed of the unit 6, processing such as time synchronization is executed based on information obtained from the second signal.

  The processing performed by the satellite signal reception control unit 15 includes periodic time synchronization, time synchronization according to the operation of the operator, time synchronization performed according to a reception instruction generated when a positioning instruction is generated, and positioning. There is processing. The processing performed by the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16 includes time synchronization, time zone setting or satellite signal reception processing assist processing.

  The display control unit 12 updates the time display by the clock display unit 2 in conjunction with the update of the internal time by the time information generation unit 11.

  The storage unit 3 stores time data (satellite time information) received from the satellite, local time data, UTC offset, time difference information, and the like.

  2-4 is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the navigation message transmitted by a satellite signal. As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation message is configured as data in which a main frame having a total number of 1500 bits is used as one unit. The main frame is divided into five 300-bit sub-frames sf1 to sf5. One subframe of data is transmitted in 6 seconds from each GPS satellite. Accordingly, data of one main frame is transmitted from each GPS satellite in 30 seconds.

  The subframe sf1 includes satellite correction data including week number data and satellite health status. The week number data is information representing a week including the current GPS time information. The starting point of the GPS time information is January 6, 1980, 00:00:00 in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), and the week starting on this day is the week number 0. Week number data is updated on a weekly basis. The satellite health state is a code indicating whether or not there is an abnormality in the satellite, and by checking this code, it is possible to control so as not to use the signal of the satellite with the abnormality.

  Of the five sets of subframes, subframes sf1 to sf3 contain information specific to each satellite, so the same content is repeatedly transmitted each time. Specifically, the clock correction information of the transmitting satellite itself, Orbital information (ephemeris) is included. On the other hand, the subframes sf4 and sf5 include all satellite orbit information (almanac) and ionospheric correction information, and these are divided into page units of pages 1 to 25 because of the large number of data, and are accommodated in the subframe. Is done. Since it takes 25 frames to transmit the contents of all pages, it takes 12 minutes and 30 seconds to receive all the information of the navigation message.

  Further, the subframes sf1 to sf5 include, from the top, a TLM (Telemetry) word storing 30-bit TLM (Telemetry Word) data and a HOW word storing 30-bit HOW (Hand Over Word) data. It is. Therefore, TLM words and HOW words are transmitted from GPS satellites at intervals of 6 seconds, whereas satellite correction data such as week number data, ephemeris parameters, and almanac parameters are transmitted at intervals of 30 seconds.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the TLM word includes preamble data, a TLM message, reserved bits, and parity data.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the HOW word includes GPS time information called TOW (Time of Week, also referred to as “Z count data”). In the Z count data, the elapsed time from 0 o'clock every Sunday is displayed in seconds, and it returns to 0 at 0 o'clock on the next Sunday. That is, the Z count data is information in units of seconds indicated every week from the beginning of the week. This Z count data indicates GPS time information at which the first bit of the next subframe data is transmitted. For example, the Z count data of the subframe sf1 indicates GPS time information at which the first bit of the subframe sf2 is transmitted. The HOW word also includes 3-bit data (ID code) indicating the ID of the subframe. That is, ID codes “001”, “010”, “011”, “100”, and “101” are included in the HOW words of the subframes sf1 to sf5 shown in FIG. In the case of time reception, it is only necessary to acquire the TOW of one satellite signal, and the reception time of the time information is about 3 seconds in a favorable environment.

The navigation message described above can be acquired by detecting a satellite signal from the received signal of the satellite signal receiving antenna 51, continuously tracking (tracking), and decoding.
Basic time information can be obtained by decoding the TLM word and the HOW word at the head of each of the subframes sf1 to sf5 transmitted every 6 seconds. Since each of the subframes sf1 to sf5 is transmitted at a very accurate timing, the internal time of the time information generating unit 11 is synchronized very accurately every 6 seconds by acquiring this information by the satellite signal receiving unit 5. be able to. Depending on the level of the satellite signal to be received and the timing at which decoding is started, time synchronization in about 3 seconds is possible.

  The subframes sf1 to sf3 include orbit information (ephemeris) that can accurately determine the position of the satellite that is transmitting the satellite signal. Therefore, the distance between the satellite and the wristwatch device 100 can be obtained by acquiring this ephemeris by the satellite signal receiving unit 5. Furthermore, the self-position of the wristwatch-type device 100 can be calculated by acquiring similar ephemeris from at least four satellites.

  In the present embodiment, a terminal such as a smartphone that is a partner of short-range wireless communication may operate an application that requests and obtains time and time zone information and assist information including the above-described trajectory information. it can. And the wristwatch type device 100 by this embodiment can acquire the information acquired by execution of this application from terminals, such as a smart phone.

  In general smartphones, the time zone of the current location, the current time, etc. can be acquired as standard from information from the telephone network. However, the time depends on the implementation of various systems in the smartphone, and many models often do not synchronize the time to the sub-second level. Also, when roaming a smartphone overseas, the time zone and time may not be updated correctly.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. For each operation to be described below, by appropriately using two processes, a process that uses information obtained by receiving satellite signals and a process that uses information from a communication partner using short-range radio, There are processes for correcting the time of the wristwatch-type device 100 correctly, setting a time zone corresponding to the self-position, and obtaining an accurate self-position at a higher speed.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts showing processing in the time synchronization mode executed by the timepiece control unit 1 in the present embodiment. The process in the time synchronization mode performs time synchronization based on time information, and the information to be processed is time information. First, the clock control unit 1 sets an overall process timeout period, that is, an upper limit of a time for which the process in the time synchronization mode is continued (S101). In this example, the overall process timeout period is 30 seconds.

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 terminates the satellite signal reception process, that is, the termination condition of the operation for acquiring the time information as the information to be processed from the first signal output from the first receiver A upon receiving the satellite radio wave. Is set (S102). Here, a timeout time, a tracking satellite number threshold value, and a satellite signal strength threshold value are set as termination conditions for the satellite signal reception process.

  The timeout time is the upper limit of the time for continuing the satellite signal reception process. The tracking satellite number threshold is the minimum number of satellites that receive satellite signals. The satellite signal strength threshold is a minimum signal strength value of the satellite signal received by the satellite signal receiving unit 5.

  In S102, when the purpose is time synchronization, the influence of the reception environment where the wristwatch-type device 100 is placed is determined, and a condition that the objective can be achieved at an early stage by setting the reception process is set.

  As described above, the time synchronization process using the satellite signal can be performed at intervals of 6 seconds. The shortest time required for time synchronization depends on the signal strength, antenna, performance of the satellite signal receiving unit 5, signal reception timing, and the like. If only time synchronization is used, it can be implemented by receiving a satellite signal from one satellite. However, if the received signal from the satellite is less than a certain signal strength, an error occurs in the decoding process, so that a certain signal strength is required.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the setting of S102, the state where the tracking satellite is one or more satellites and the signal level S / N is 35 or more (a level at which no decoding error occurs) is within the timeout period of 8 seconds. The end condition is that it cannot be realized. This condition generally assumes that there are no obstacles at the zenith outdoors.

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 sets the short-range wireless communication operation (S103). Here, a smartphone equipped with a Bluetooth function is assumed as a communication partner, and response timeout time and communication error control are set.

  The response timeout time is a time limit until a reply is returned when a connection confirmation, an information acquisition request, or the like is transmitted from the wristwatch device 100 to a communication partner. If communication cannot be continued even after this response timeout period is exceeded, an error occurs and it is determined that communication cannot be continued. Here, the response timeout time is 2 seconds.

  The control at the time of communication error is processing to be performed after communication is performed but connection is not possible or some error occurs. Concerning control at the time of communication error, it is possible to set how many times to retry as a fine setting, but here, mainly when communication error occurs, acquisition of information from the satellite is continued or the entire processing is terminated Set whether to do.

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 sets information used as backup data in the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S104). This backup data is the final acquired information when the satellite signal receiving unit 5 operates. Specifically, the trajectory information described above, the position information when the previous position has been acquired, the current time information, and the like. These pieces of information are used when the satellite signal reception process is performed. When valid information is held, faster time synchronization and position acquisition are possible. For example, orbit information usually takes about 18 seconds at the shortest to receive from a satellite, but the acquired information is valid for about 4 hours. Therefore, if the orbit information corresponding to the desired number of satellites within the effective time is held as backup data, positioning or the like can be realized at higher speed.

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 activates the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S110). Next, the clock controller 1 executes satellite signal search, tracking, decoding, and time information acquisition processing (S111). Next, the clock control unit 1 determines whether or not the time information that is the information to be processed has been acquired (S112). When it is determined NO in S112, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not the end condition of the entire process is satisfied, that is, whether or not the entire process timeout period set in S101 has elapsed (S113). When it is determined NO in S113, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not the satellite signal reception process end condition set in S102 is satisfied (S114). If NO is determined in S114, the timepiece control unit 1 returns to the satellite signal search, tracking, decoding, and time information acquisition process (S111).

  If YES in S112 in the repetitive operation of S111, the timepiece control unit 1 acquires time information from the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S141). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 selects information corresponding to the backup data set before activation (S104) from information such as trajectory information that can be currently acquired, and stores it in the storage unit 3 (S142). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S143). Next, the clock control unit 1 corrects the internal time of the time information generation unit 11 based on the time information acquired in S141 (S128), and ends the processing in the time synchronization mode.

  In this example, the internal time of the time information generation unit 11 is corrected. However, when synchronization is required up to date and time information, the satellite signal reception unit 5 continues to acquire the week number in the subframe sf1. The reception operation is continued, and the date information is updated after obtaining the week number.

  On the other hand, when the satellite signal reception processing end condition set in S102 is satisfied and YES is determined in S114, the clock control unit 1 activates the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 and starts control of the short-range wireless communication. (S121).

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not the communication processing by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 can be continued (S122). Specifically, when it is not possible to connect to the communication partner, or when it is possible to connect to the communication partner but information cannot be acquired from the communication partner, it is determined that the communication process cannot be continued.

  When it is determined YES in S122, the timepiece control unit 1 selects the data corresponding to the backup data set before activation (S104) from the information such as the orbit information currently acquired by the satellite signal receiving unit 5 And stored in the storage unit 3 (S123). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S124).

  Next, in the timepiece control unit 1, the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16 requests time information from a communication partner such as a smartphone via the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 (S125). Next, the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16 of the clock control unit 1 acquires time information by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 (S126). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 ends the short-range wireless communication control by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 (S127). Next, in the clock control unit 1, the time information generation unit 11 corrects the internal time of the time information generation unit 11 based on the time information acquired in S141 (S128), and the process in the time synchronization mode is ended.

  On the other hand, after starting the short-range wireless communication control in S121, if the communication process cannot be continued and it is determined NO in S122, the clock control unit 1 determines whether or not to continue the satellite signal reception process. Is determined (S131). This determination in S131 depends on the setting of the communication error control in S103. Regarding control at the time of communication error, if the setting is made to continue acquiring information from the satellite when a communication error occurs, YES is determined in S131. On the other hand, regarding the control at the time of communication error, if it is set to end the entire processing, it is determined NO in S131.

  When it is determined NO in S131, the timepiece control unit 1 selects the data corresponding to the backup data from the information such as the orbit information currently acquired by the satellite signal reception unit 5 and stores it in the storage unit 3. (S132). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal reception unit 5 (S133), and ends the processing in the time synchronization mode.

  On the other hand, if YES is determined in S131, the timepiece control unit 1 returns to the satellite signal search, tracking, decoding, and time information acquisition process (S111). At this stage, in the wristwatch-type device 100, the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is not stopped. Therefore, the process of S111 can be executed quickly.

  On the other hand, if the overall process timeout period has elapsed and the determination in step S113 is YES, the timepiece control unit 1 is set before activation from information such as orbit information currently acquired by the satellite signal reception unit 5 (S104). ) Is selected and stored in the storage unit 3 (S132). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal reception unit 5 (S133), and ends the processing in the time synchronization mode.

  As described above, in the time synchronization mode, when it is difficult to acquire time information by receiving satellite signals, short-range wireless communication is activated and time information is acquired from the partner of the short-range wireless communication. In the time synchronization mode, when it is difficult to continue the communication process after starting the short-range wireless communication, the satellite signal reception process is executed again. In the time synchronization mode, the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is not stopped when the short-range wireless communication is activated, so that the satellite signal reception process can be easily resumed when it is difficult to continue the short-range wireless communication.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts showing processing in the time zone / time synchronization mode executed by the timepiece control unit 1 in the present embodiment. The processing in the time zone / time synchronization mode is to perform time zone setting based on position information and time synchronization based on time information and time zone, and the information to be processed is time information and position information. First, the timepiece control unit 1 sets an overall process timeout period, that is, an upper limit of the time for which the process in the time zone / time synchronization mode is continued (S201). In this example, the overall process timeout period is 60 seconds. Next, the timepiece control unit 1 acquires time information and position information, which are information to be processed, from the satellite signal reception processing end condition, that is, the first signal output from the first receiver A upon receiving the satellite radio wave. An end condition for the operation to be performed is set (S202). Here, as a satellite signal reception processing end condition, a timeout time, a tracking satellite number threshold, a satellite signal strength threshold, and a condition after time synchronization are set.

  Here, the timeout time, the tracking satellite number threshold value, and the satellite signal strength threshold value are as described in the processing in the time synchronization mode.

  Since the time zone is obtained from information on the current position of the wristwatch-type device 100, it is necessary to obtain the current position of the wristwatch-type device 100 in this time zone / time synchronization mode. Further, the time can be acquired by the same process as that described in the time synchronization mode.

  Therefore, in S202 of the time zone / time synchronization mode, the minimum necessary condition for self-location acquisition is set. In this example, the condition that the tracking satellites are 4 satellites or more and the S / N of the signal level of each satellite is 35 or more (a level at which no decoding error occurs) cannot be realized within 10 seconds of the timeout period. It is said.

  Although the time-out condition here is set as short as 10 seconds, the normal positioning requires at least 18 seconds for acquiring the above-mentioned trajectory information. Therefore, if the time-out time is set to 10 seconds, the purpose cannot be achieved. Activation under such conditions is usually called a cold start.

However, when valid orbit information is stored in the backup data, positioning in 3 seconds or less is possible, depending on conditions. The activation under such a condition that the effective information can be obtained and used by some method and can be measured at high speed (time measurement) is called hot start. The setting condition in S202 of the present embodiment is basically a setting that assumes a hot start condition.
The start condition for starting the processing of the processing unit C such as cold start or hot start is as follows:
It is determined according to the first signal obtained by receiving satellite radio waves in the past.

  Further, as a setting item in S202 that was not in the time synchronization mode, there is a condition after time synchronization. This post-time synchronization condition is a setting for whether or not to end the satellite signal reception process when at least the time synchronization process is completed in the satellite signal reception process. In this setting, if the setting is such that the satellite signal reception process is to be terminated (valid), it is possible to immediately shift from the satellite signal reception process to the short-range radio.

  By providing such a setting, time synchronization is performed by receiving highly accurate satellite signals, and time zone information acquisition is performed by short-range wireless communication that does not depend on the satellite reception environment. You can also specify from the beginning. For example, if such a setting is not the hot start condition described above, there is a high possibility that early position acquisition cannot be expected. In such a case, a setting such as enabling the condition setting after time synchronization can be considered. In this embodiment, this setting is not completed (invalid), and the reception process is continued until other termination conditions are satisfied.

  As the end condition set in S202, when the purpose is time synchronization, the influence of the reception environment in which the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is placed can be determined and the reception process can be continued to achieve the purpose early. Possible conditions are set. As described above, the time synchronization process using the satellite can be performed at intervals of 6 seconds. Further, if only time synchronization is performed, it can be executed by receiving a satellite signal from one satellite. On the other hand, if the received signal from the satellite is below a certain level of signal strength, an error occurs in the decoding process, so that a reasonable signal strength is required. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the termination condition is that a state in which the number of tracking satellites is one or more and the signal level S / N is 35 or more (a level at which no decoding error occurs) cannot be realized within the timeout time. Yes.

  This termination condition is generally assumed when there are no obstacles at the zenith outdoors. Although the shortest time required for time synchronization depends on the signal strength, antenna, performance of the satellite signal receiving unit 5, signal reception timing, and the like, time synchronization may be possible in about 4 seconds at the shortest.

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 sets the short-range wireless communication operation (S203). Specifically, as in the time synchronization mode, a response timeout time and a communication error time control are set. Here, the response timeout time is 2 seconds. Regarding communication error control, whether to continue acquiring information from the satellite when a communication error occurs or whether to end the entire process is set. Next, the clock controller 1 sets the backup data of the satellite signal receiver 5 as in the time synchronization mode (S204).

  Next, the clock control unit 1 activates the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S210), starts searching, tracking, and decoding the satellite signal, and performs time information acquisition and position calculation processing (S211). In the repetitive operation of S211, the clock control unit 1 determines whether or not time information that is one piece of information to be processed has been calculated (S212).

  When it is determined YES in S212, the timepiece control unit 1 corrects the internal time of the time information generation unit 11 based on the acquired time information (S213). Then, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not position information that is another piece of information to be processed has been acquired (S214). If it is determined NO in S212, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not position information has been acquired without executing S213 (S214).

  When it is determined NO in S214, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not the entire process timeout time set in S201 has elapsed (S215). When it is determined NO in S215, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not the satellite signal reception process end condition set in S202 is satisfied (S216). If NO is determined in S216, the timepiece control unit 1 returns to the satellite signal search, tracking, decoding, and time information acquisition process (S211).

  When it is determined YES in S214, the timepiece control unit 1 acquires position information from the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S241). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 selects the data corresponding to the backup data from the information such as the trajectory information that can be currently acquired, and stores it in the storage unit 3 (S242). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S243). Next, in the timepiece control unit 1, the time information generation unit 11 acquires time zone information corresponding to the position information acquired in S241 (S244).

  Next, the clock control unit 1 corrects the internal time of the time information generation unit 11 with the time difference data associated with the time zone information acquired in S244 (S228), and ends the processing in the time zone / time synchronization mode. .

  On the other hand, when the satellite signal reception processing end condition set in S202 is satisfied and YES is determined in S216, the clock control unit 1 activates the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 and starts control of the short-range wireless communication. (S221).

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not communication processing by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 can be continued (S222). Specifically, when it is not possible to connect to the communication partner, or when it is possible to connect to the communication partner but information cannot be acquired from the communication partner, it is determined that the communication process cannot be continued.

  When it is determined YES in S222, the timepiece control unit 1 selects the data corresponding to the backup data from the information such as the orbit information currently acquired by the satellite signal reception unit 5 and stores it in the storage unit 3. (S223). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S224).

  Next, in the timepiece control unit 1, the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16 requests a time zone and time information from a communication partner such as a smartphone via the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 (S225). Next, the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16 of the timepiece control unit 1 acquires the time zone and time information by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 (S226). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 ends the short-range wireless communication control by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 (S227). Next, the clock control unit 1 corrects the time information acquired in S226 by using the time difference data associated with the time zone acquired in S226, and uses the time zone and the corrected time information to change the watch type. The time zone of the device 100 and the internal time of the time information generator 11 are corrected (S228), and the processing in the time zone / time synchronization mode is terminated.

  On the other hand, after starting control of short-range wireless communication in S221, communication processing cannot be continued, and when it is determined NO in S222, the clock control unit 1 ends control of short-range wireless communication ( S231) It is determined whether or not to continue the satellite signal reception process (S232). The determination of S232 depends on the setting of the communication time error control of S203. Regarding control at the time of communication error, if the setting is made to continue acquiring information from the satellite when a communication error occurs, YES is determined in S232. On the other hand, regarding the control at the time of communication error, if the setting is made to end the entire process, NO is determined in S232.

  When it is determined NO in S232, the timepiece control unit 1 selects the data corresponding to the backup data from the information such as the orbit information currently acquired by the satellite signal reception unit 5 and stores it in the storage unit 3. (S233). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S234). Next, in the timepiece control unit 1, the time information generation unit 11 corrects the time zone and time information (S228), and the processing in the time zone / time synchronization mode ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined YES in S232, the timepiece control unit 1 returns to satellite signal search, tracking, decoding, time information acquisition, and position calculation processing (S211). At this stage, in the wristwatch-type device 100, the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is not stopped. Therefore, the process of S211 can be executed quickly.

  On the other hand, if the overall processing time-out period has elapsed and it is determined YES in S215, the clock control unit 1 corresponds to the backup data from the information such as the orbit information currently acquired by the satellite signal receiving unit 5. Is selected and stored in the storage unit 3 (S233). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S234). Next, in the timepiece control unit 1, the time information generation unit 11 corrects the time zone and time information (S228), and the processing in the time zone / time synchronization mode ends.

  As described above, in the time zone / time synchronization mode, when it is difficult to acquire position information by receiving satellite signals, short-range wireless communication is activated, and the time zone and time information from the partner of short-range wireless communication Is acquired. In the time zone / time synchronization mode, when it is difficult to continue the communication process after the short-range wireless communication is activated, the satellite signal reception process is executed again. In the time zone / time synchronization mode, since the operation of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is not stopped when the short-range wireless communication is activated, the satellite signal reception process can be easily resumed when it is difficult to continue the short-range wireless communication. Can do.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing in the positioning mode in the present embodiment. The information acquired in this positioning mode is not time zones but self-position information with higher accuracy. The purpose of using this positioning mode is not to adjust the time but to provide position information for applications that require accurate current position information. For example, it is possible to store the current position and display the position by some method later, or to navigate the stored position as a destination.

  In the positioning mode, the timepiece control unit 1 sets an overall process timeout period, that is, an upper limit of the time for continuing the process in the time zone / time synchronization mode (S301). In this example, the overall process timeout period is 60 seconds.

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 sets the short-range wireless communication operation (S302). Specifically, as in the time synchronization mode, a response timeout time and a communication error time control are set. Here, the response timeout time is 2 seconds. Regarding the control at the time of communication error, it is set whether the information acquisition is continued by the satellite signal reception process or the whole process is ended when the communication process of the short-range wireless communication cannot be continued in S312 described later. . Next, the clock control unit 1 sets the backup data of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 as in the time synchronization mode (S303).

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not the current state of the satellite signal receiving unit 5 satisfies a hot start condition that allows high-speed position acquisition as described above (S303). When it is determined NO in S303, the timepiece control unit 1 starts control of communication processing of the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 (S311), and determines whether communication processing of short-range wireless communication can be continued (S311). S312). Specifically, when it is not possible to connect to the communication partner, or when it is possible to connect to the communication partner but information cannot be acquired from the communication partner, it is determined that the communication process cannot be continued.

  When it is determined YES in S312, in the timepiece control unit 1, the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16 transmits a request for assist information to the communication partner smartphone by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6 (S313). Next, in the timepiece control unit 1, the short-range wireless transmission / reception control unit 16 acquires assist information from the communication partner smartphone by the short-range wireless transmission / reception unit 6, and sets the assist information in the time information generation unit 11 (S314). By obtaining this assist information, the hot start condition can be satisfied, and the performance is improved, for example, the position acquisition becomes faster. Next, the timepiece control unit 1 ends the control of the short-range wireless communication (S315).

  Next, the timepiece control unit 1 activates the satellite signal receiving unit 5 (S331). Next, the clock control unit 1 performs search, tracking, and decoding of the satellite signal by the satellite signal receiving unit 5, and executes time synchronization and position calculation processing (S332). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not position information has been acquired (S333).

  When it is determined NO in S333, the timepiece control unit 1 determines whether or not the end condition of the entire process is satisfied, that is, whether or not the entire process timeout period has elapsed (S334). When it is determined NO in S334, the timepiece control unit 1 returns to the satellite signal search, tracking, decoding, time synchronization, and position calculation processing (S332).

  On the other hand, when it is determined YES in S334, the timepiece control unit 1 selects information corresponding to the backup data from the information such as the orbit information currently acquired by the satellite signal reception unit 5 and stores it in the storage unit 3. Save (S337). Next, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal reception unit 5 (S338), and ends the processing in the positioning mode.

  If the position information can be acquired from the satellite signal and the determination in S333 is YES, the timepiece control unit 1 acquires the position information from the satellite signal reception unit 5 (S335), and the position information acquired by the application using the position information. Is provided (S336). Next, the clock control unit 1 stores the backup data in the storage unit 3 (S337), stops the operation of the satellite signal reception unit 5 (S338), and ends the processing in the positioning mode.

  If it is determined in S311 that communication processing cannot be continued after starting control of short-range wireless communication in S311, the clock control unit 1 ends control of short-range wireless communication (S321), and performs satellite signal reception processing. It is determined whether or not to shift (S322). The determination in S322 depends on the setting of the communication error control in S302 described above. Regarding the control at the time of communication error, if the setting for continuing the information acquisition by the satellite signal reception process is made, it is determined as YES in S322. Regarding the communication error control, if the setting is made to end the entire process, NO is determined in S322.

  If it is determined NO in S322, the timepiece control unit 1 stops the operation of the satellite signal reception unit 5 (S338) and ends the processing in the positioning mode.

  If it is determined NO in S322, the timepiece control unit 1 executes satellite signal reception processing (S331 to S338) for acquiring position information.

  If it is determined in S304 described above that hot start is possible, the timepiece control unit 1 does not execute the short-range wireless communication processing (S312 to S315), and acquires a satellite for acquiring position information. Signal reception processing (S331 to S338) is executed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the wristwatch type device 100 is provided with a function for receiving signals from a positioning satellite system such as GPS, and in addition to this, a short-range wireless function. And in the wristwatch-type device 100, the satellite signal reception function such as time synchronization and time zone acquisition is preferentially realized, and by the execution mode, the number of satellites of the received signal, the signal level, and the start condition setting of the receiver, When it was judged that it would be better to achieve the purpose using short-range wireless communication, processing was performed using information obtained by short-range wireless communication. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform time synchronization and time zone acquisition with less loss than the prior art.

  Further, even when the short-range wireless communication processing results in an error, the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is operated until immediately before, so that the processing using the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is resumed without time loss. be able to. Further, even in the case of time zone acquisition, since the satellite signal receiving unit 5 is first operated, there is an effect that only the time update can be performed more accurately.

  In this embodiment, by setting the satellite signal reception processing end condition for each mode, when it is determined that the reception environment is good, time information and position information are acquired by the satellite signal reception processing, and time synchronization is performed. And time zone setting. In this case, time synchronization and time zone setting can be realized faster and more accurately than when using short-range wireless communication.

  As described above, priority is given to the reception of satellite radio waves in executing the processing, so that processing such as time correction can be executed with high accuracy. Also, since short-range wireless communication can be used according to the reception status, short-range wireless radio waves can be used in consideration of, for example, required time and power consumption. As described above, the process using the positioning satellite and the process using the short-range wireless communication can be appropriately performed while taking advantage of each other.

<Other embodiments>
While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, other embodiments are possible for the present invention. For example:

(1) In the time zone / time synchronization mode (FIGS. 7 and 8) of the above embodiment, after the time information is acquired using the satellite signal reception process (S213), the termination condition of the satellite signal reception process is satisfied. By doing so (S216), short-range wireless communication control is started (S221), and time zone and time information may be acquired (S226). In this case, in the above embodiment, the internal time is corrected using the time difference information corresponding to the time zone acquired by the short-range wireless communication and the time information acquired by the short-range wireless communication (S228). However, instead of doing this, when time information can be acquired by satellite signal reception processing, priority is given to this time information, time difference information corresponding to the time zone acquired by short-range wireless communication, and satellite The internal time may be corrected using the time information acquired by the signal reception process. In this case, the time information obtained by the satellite signal reception processing is often more accurate than the time information obtained by the short-range wireless communication, so that accurate time synchronization is possible.

(2) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a wristwatch type device, but the present invention is also applicable to a portable device other than a wristwatch type device. For example, the portable device is an electronic device such as a pulse meter that is mounted on the user's arm and measures a pulse, or a GPS logger that is mounted on the user's arm and measures and accumulates the current position when the user runs. It may be. Further, for example, a portable receiver used for mountain climbing or the like may be used.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the wristwatch type device receives a GPS satellite signal in order to obtain time information. However, the watch-type device may receive other satellite signals in order to obtain time information. For example, in order to obtain time information, signals of Galileo, Glonus, BeiDou, Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), and Quasi-Zenith Satellite (Michibiki) may be used in addition to GPS. These signals are collectively called GNSS (Compass Navigation Satellite System).

(4) Although the communication by Bluetooth was mentioned as an example of near field communication in the said embodiment, Wi-Fi which uses a 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz band may be sufficient as near field communication.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Watch-type device, 51 ... Satellite signal receiving antenna, 5 ... Satellite signal receiving part, 61 ... Short-distance wireless antenna, 6 ... Short-distance wireless transmission / reception part, 1 ... Clock control part, 2 ... Clock display part, 3 ... Memory , 41 ... light receiving part, 42 ... power generation device, 43 ... secondary battery, 44 ... light quantity detection part, 11 ... time information generation part, 15 ... satellite signal reception control part, 16 ... short-range wireless transmission / reception control part, 12 ... Display control unit.

Claims (7)

A first receiver for receiving satellite radio waves and outputting a first signal;
A second receiver for receiving a short-range radio wave and outputting a second signal;
If the processing information is obtained from the first signal in the reception state of the satellite radio wave in the first receiving unit, the processing is performed using the second signal. And a processing unit that executes the portable device. Based on the processing, the type of the information to be processed and the end condition of the operation for receiving the satellite radio wave and acquiring the information to be processed from the first signal are set,
The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit starts the processing using the second signal when the reception state of the satellite radio wave satisfies the set end condition.   The processing unit is based on at least one of the number of satellites from which the first receiving unit is receiving the satellite radio wave, the signal strength of the satellite radio wave, and the elapsed time from the start of reception of the satellite radio wave, The portable device according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not the termination condition is satisfied. Has a timekeeping section that keeps track of the internal time,
The process is a process of correcting the internal time of the timekeeping unit based on time difference information determined according to a time zone and time information indicating time.
When the processing unit acquires the time information and the time zone from the second signal, the processing unit specifies the time difference information based on the time zone acquired from the second signal, and acquires the time information from the second signal. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the internal time is corrected based on time information and the time difference information. Has a timekeeping section that keeps track of the internal time,
The process is a process of correcting the internal time of the timekeeping unit based on time difference information determined according to a time zone and time information indicating time.
When the processing unit acquires time information from the first signal and then acquires a time zone from the second signal, the processing unit specifies the time difference information based on the time zone acquired from the second signal, and The mobile device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the internal time is corrected based on the time information acquired from the first signal and the time difference information. After the processing using the second signal is started, the first receiving unit continues to receive the satellite radio wave,
The first receiving unit stops receiving the satellite radio wave after confirming that the operation of the second receiving unit is normally performed. Portable device. When the processing using the second signal cannot be continued after the processing using the second signal is started, the processing unit uses the first signal of the first receiving unit. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the process is resumed.

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