JP2021092457A - Timepiece, timepiece control program, and timepiece control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a timepiece, timepiece control program, and timepiece control method capable of effectively utilizing electric energy generated by a battery.SOLUTION: A timepiece 1 is configured to: acquire voltage data representing a voltage of a battery 16 for supplying electric energy to a power supply 18 for rotating a hand 19; determine whether the voltage represented by the voltage data is included in any of a high voltage range where the power supply 18 can rotate the hand 19 in both of a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction that is inverse to the first rotation direction and causes the power supply 18 to consume electric energy more than a case of rotating the hand 19 in the first rotation direction, and a low voltage range where the power supply 18 can rotate the hand 19 only in the first rotation direction; and control the power supply 18 to make different at least one of a direction of rotating the hand 19 and an angular speed of rotating the hand, between a case where it is determined that the voltage represented by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range and a case where it is determined to be included in the low voltage range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a clock, a clock control program and a clock control method.

Nowadays, in addition to the function of displaying the time by the hour hand, the minute hand and the second hand, the clock has an additional function other than the function of displaying the time by the hour hand, the minute hand, the second hand and at least one of the pointers different from these three pointers. It is widely distributed. Examples of the timepiece having such an additional function include an electronic timepiece disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent No. 6164240

The electronic clock disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a secondary battery, a battery voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of the secondary battery, a pointer for indicating a day of the week, and an operating means. Further, this guideline is configured to be able to indicate the remaining battery level based on the voltage of the secondary battery detected by the battery voltage detecting means, and indicates the remaining battery level when the operating means is operated.

However, in general, functions other than the function of displaying the time require a higher voltage for the battery than the function of displaying the time. Therefore, in the above-mentioned electronic clock, the voltage of the secondary battery sets the lower limit of the voltage required to maintain the state in which the pointer indicating the remaining battery level can be rotated in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction. It needs to be controlled so that it does not fall below. However, when the electronic clock described above is controlled in this way, the electric energy generated by the secondary battery may be left over.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clock, a clock control program, and a clock control method capable of effectively utilizing the electric energy generated by a battery.

In order to achieve the above object, the clock according to one aspect of the present invention includes a voltage data acquisition unit that acquires voltage data indicating the voltage of a battery that supplies electric energy to a power source that rotates a pointer, a first rotation direction, and a voltage data acquisition unit. The power source rotates the pointer in both directions, which is opposite to the first rotation direction and causes the power source to consume a larger electric energy than when the pointer is rotated in the first rotation direction. A voltage determination unit for determining which of the high voltage range to be obtained and the low voltage range in which the power source can rotate the pointer only in the first rotation direction includes the voltage indicated by the voltage data, and the voltage data. When it is determined that the voltage indicated by the above voltage range is included in the high voltage range, and when it is determined that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the direction in which the pointer is rotated and the said A power source control unit that controls the power source so as to make at least one of the angular velocities for rotating the pointer different is provided.

Further, in the timepiece according to one aspect of the present invention, when the power source control unit determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the power source control unit may display the time in a mode different from that of displaying the time. The power source may be controlled so as to rotate the pointer in the first rotation direction.

Further, in the timepiece according to one aspect of the present invention, the pointer includes at least two of an hour hand, a minute hand, a second hand and a display hand having a function other than the function of displaying the time, and the power source control unit is When it is determined that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the power source is controlled so as to rotate only one of the pointers in a manner different from the case of displaying the time. May be good.

Further, in the timepiece according to one aspect of the present invention, the pointer may include a display hand having a function other than the function of displaying the time and having a rotatable range of less than 360 degrees on the dial. ..

Further, in the clock according to one aspect of the present invention, the pointer is at least one of the hour hand, the minute hand and the second hand, and the power source control unit includes the voltage indicated by the voltage data in the low voltage range. If it is determined, the power source may be controlled so as to rotate the pointer in a mode different from the case of displaying the time and at an angular velocity equal to the case of displaying the time.

In order to achieve the above object, the clock control program according to one aspect of the present invention acquires voltage data indicating the voltage of a battery that supplies electric energy to a power source for rotating a pointer to a control circuit mounted on the clock. The voltage data acquisition function and the second rotation direction, which is opposite to the first rotation direction and the first rotation direction, and causes the power source to consume a larger electric energy than when the pointer is rotated in the first rotation direction. Which of the high voltage range in which the power source can rotate the pointer and the low voltage range in which the power source can rotate the pointer only in the first rotation direction includes the voltage indicated by the voltage data. When it is determined that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range, and when it is determined that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range. As a result, a power source control function for controlling the power source so that at least one of the direction in which the pointer is rotated and the angular speed at which the pointer is rotated is different is realized.

In order to achieve the above object, the clock control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a voltage data acquisition step of acquiring voltage data indicating the voltage of a battery that supplies electric energy to a power source that rotates a pointer, and a first rotation. The power source directs the pointer in both the direction and the second rotation direction, which is opposite to the first rotation direction and causes the power source to consume more electrical energy than when the pointer is rotated in the first rotation direction. A voltage determination step for determining whether the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range that can be rotated or the low voltage range in which the power source can rotate the pointer only in the first rotation direction, and the above. The direction in which the pointer is rotated depending on whether the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range or the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range. And a power source control step that controls the power source so that at least one of the angular speeds at which the pointer is rotated is different.

According to the present invention, the electric energy generated by the battery can be effectively utilized.

It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the timepiece which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the power source drive circuit and the power source which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the drive signal which is output in order to rotate the pointer in the first rotation direction by the clock which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the drive signal which is output in order to rotate the pointer in the second rotation direction by the clock which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the button and the pointer provided with the timepiece which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process executed by the clock which concerns on embodiment.

An example of the clock according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a clock according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the clock 1 includes an oscillation circuit 11, a frequency dividing circuit 12, an input circuit 13, a control circuit 14, a drive signal generation circuit 15, a battery 16, a power source drive circuit 17, and the like. A power source 18 and a pointer 19 are provided.

The oscillation circuit 11 generates a signal having a predetermined frequency and transmits it to the frequency dividing circuit 12. The frequency dividing circuit 12 divides the signal received from the oscillation circuit 11 to generate a clock signal that serves as a reference for timekeeping, and transmits the clock signal to the control circuit 14. The input circuit 13 receives the signal generated by the user operating the clock 1 and transmits it to the control circuit 14. Such a signal is generated, for example, when the user presses the button 13A, the button 13B or the button 13C shown in FIG. 1 or keeps pressing the button 13C for a certain period of time or longer. The user is, for example, an end user.

The control circuit 14 transmits a control signal to each part of the clock 1 based on the clock signal or the like received from the frequency dividing circuit 12, and controls the operation of each part of the clock 1. Further, the control circuit 14 includes a voltage data acquisition circuit 141, a voltage determination circuit 142, and a power source control circuit 143. Details of each of the voltage data acquisition circuit 141, the voltage determination circuit 142, and the power source control circuit 143 will be described later.

The drive signal generation circuit 15 transmits a drive signal to the power source drive circuit 17 based on the control signal received from the control circuit 14. The drive signal is, for example, a comb-shaped voltage pulse including a high-level gate signal or a low-level gate signal, or a rectangular voltage pulse. Further, the drive signal generation circuit 15 can adjust the duty ratio of the drive signal by adjusting the ratio of the high-level gate signal and the low-level gate signal.

The battery 16 is, for example, a silver oxide battery, an alkaline button battery, or a lithium battery, and supplies the electric energy required for the drive signal generation circuit 15 to generate the drive signal to the drive signal generation circuit 15. The battery 16 may supply electric energy not only to the drive signal generation circuit 15 but also to at least one of the oscillation circuit 11, the frequency dividing circuit 12, the input circuit 13, and the control circuit 14.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a power source drive circuit and a power source according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the power source drive circuit 17 includes a transistor TP1, a transistor TP2, a transistor TP3, a transistor TP4, a transistor TN1, a transistor TN2, a detection resistor Rs1, a detection resistor Rs2, and a terminal ОUT1. And a terminal ОUT2.

Transistor TP1, transistor TP2, transistor TP3 and transistor TP4 are P-channel MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor), which turn on when a high-level gate signal is received and receive a low-level gate signal. Then it turns off. Further, the transistor TN1 and the transistor TN2 are N-channel MOSFETs, and are turned off when a high-level gate signal is received and turned on when a low-level gate signal is received. The high-level potential is a potential equal to VDD, which is the power supply voltage of the power source drive circuit 17. The low-level potential is 0 V or a potential equal to VSS, which is a reference voltage.

The drains of the transistor TP1, the transistor TP2, the transistor TP3, and the transistor TP4 are electrically connected to each other, and VDD, which is the power supply voltage of the power source drive circuit 17, is supplied. The source of the transistor TP3 is electrically connected to one end of the detection resistor Rs1. Further, the source of the transistor TP1, the source of the transistor TN1, and the other end of the detection resistor Rs1 are electrically connected to the terminal ОUT1. The source of the transistor TP4 is electrically connected to one end of the detection resistor Rs2. Further, the source of the transistor TP4, the source of the transistor TN2, and the other end of the detection resistor Rs2 are electrically connected to the terminal ОUT2. The sources of the transistor TN1 and the transistor TN2 are electrically connected to each other, and VSS which is 0V or a reference voltage is supplied. The detection resistor Rs1 and the detection resistor Rs2 are used to detect the rotational state of the rotor 22, which will be described later.

The power source 18 includes at least one single-coil stepping motor 2. The stepping motor 2 rotates, for example, at least one of the hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, and the display hand 192 having a function other than the function of displaying the time, which will be described later, in the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction on the dial D. .. The first rotation direction referred to here is the clockwise direction. On the other hand, the second rotation direction referred to here is a counterclockwise direction which is a rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and is at least the hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, and the display hand 192 having a function other than the function of displaying the time. The power source 18 consumes more electric energy than when one is rotated in the first rotation direction. In the following description, a case where the stepping motor 2 shown in FIG. 2 rotates the display hand 192 will be described as an example, but the same applies to the case where the hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, and the like are rotated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the stepping motor 2 includes a stator 21, a rotor 22, a rotor accommodating through hole 23, an inner notch 24, an inner notch 25, an outer notch 26, and an outer notch 27. , A magnetic core 28, and a coil 29.

The stator 21 is a member that is curved in a U shape and is made of a magnetic material. The rotor 22 is formed in a columnar shape, and is inserted into the rotor accommodating through hole 23 formed in the stator 21 in a rotatable state. Further, since the rotor 22 is magnetized, it has an N pole and an S pole. The rotor 22 rotates the display needle 192 in the first rotation direction described above via the train wheel by rotating in the forward rotation direction, and rotates the display needle 192 via the train wheel by rotating in the reverse direction. Rotate in two rotation directions.

The inner notch 24 and the inner notch 25 are notches formed in the wall surface of the rotor accommodating through hole 23, and form the maximum point of the magnetic potential. As a result, the inner notch 24 and the inner notch 25 determine the stop position of the rotor 22 with respect to the stator 21. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the coil 29 is not excited, the rotor 22 stands still at a position where the magnetic pole axis is orthogonal to the line segment connecting the inner notch 24 and the inner notch 25.

The outer notch 26 and the outer notch 27 are notches formed on the inside and outside of the curved stator 21, respectively, and form a supersaturated portion between the outer notch 26 and the rotor accommodating through hole 23. The supersaturated portion is a portion that is not magnetically saturated by the magnetic flux of the rotor 22, but is magnetically saturated when the coil 29 is excited, and the magnetic resistance increases.

The magnetic core 28 is a rod-shaped member made of a magnetic material, and is joined to both ends of the stator 210. The coil 29 is wound around a magnetic core 28, one end thereof is connected to the terminal ОUT1, and the other end is connected to the terminal ОUT2.

Next, an example of a case where the clock 1 according to the embodiment rotates the display hand 192 in the first rotation direction and a case where the display hand 192 rotates in the second rotation direction will be described.

When the power source drive circuit 17 is stationary in a state where the magnetic pole axis of the rotor 22 is orthogonal to the line segment connecting the inner notch 24 and the inner notch 25, the power source drive circuit 17 has a high-level gate signal or low from the drive signal generation circuit 15. Receive the level gate signal. Transistor TP1, transistor TP2, transistor TP3, and transistor TP4 are turned off when a high-level gate signal is applied and turned on when a low-level gate signal is applied. Transistors TN1 and TN2 are turned on when a high level gate signal is applied and turned off when a low level gate signal is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a drive signal output for the clock according to the embodiment to rotate the pointer in the first rotation direction. Drive signal generating circuit 15, when rotating the display hand 192 in a first rotational direction in a state the rotor 22 with its N pole theta ₀ direction, as shown in FIG. 3, the comb teeth-shaped voltage pulse to the terminal OUT2 Generate P2. The length of the voltage pulse P2 is less than 1 second.

When a comb-shaped voltage pulse P2 is generated at the terminal OUT2, a drive current flows through the paths of VDD, transistor TP1, terminal ОUT1, coil 29, terminal ОUT2, transistor TN2, and VSS, and the magnetic flux shown in FIG. 2 flows through the coil 29. Φ _C is generated. By N-pole and S pole of the rotor 22 to repel the respective magnetic flux [Phi _C N poles and S poles generated in the stator 21, the rotor 22, before the outer notch 27 from a state with its N pole theta ₀ direction It rotates in the forward rotation direction and stops until the north pole is directed to.

Then, the rotor 22 rotates in the reverse direction from the state where the north pole is directed in front of the outer notch 27, repeats the rotation in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction, and finally the north pole is directed _{in the θ 1 direction.} Stop at. The behavior of the rotor 22 is caused by the magnetic potential formed by the inner notch 24 and the inner notch 25.

Further, when the rotor 22 is _{rotated 180 degrees in the first rotation direction from the state where the north pole is directed in the θ 1} direction, the drive signal generation circuit 15 generates a voltage pulse similar to the voltage pulse P2 at the terminal OUT1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a drive signal output for the clock according to the embodiment to rotate the pointer in the second rotation direction. Drive signal generating circuit 15, when rotating the display hand 192 in a second rotational direction in a state the rotor 22 with its N pole theta ₀ direction, as shown in FIG. 4, the comb teeth-shaped voltage pulse to the terminal OUT2 P11 is generated, a comb-shaped voltage pulse P12 is generated at the terminal OUT1, and a comb-shaped voltage pulse P13 is generated at the terminal OUT2. The length of the voltage pulse P12 is, for example, twice the length of the voltage pulse P11. The length of the voltage pulse P13 is, for example, four times the length of the voltage pulse P11. Further, the total length of the voltage pulse P11, the voltage pulse P12, and the voltage pulse P13 is shorter than 1 second.

When a comb-shaped voltage pulse P11 is generated at the terminal OUT2, a drive current flows through the paths of VDD, transistor TP1, terminal ОUT1, coil 29, terminal ОUT2, transistor TN2, and VSS, and the magnetic flux shown in FIG. 2 flows through the coil 29. Φ _C is generated. By N-pole and S pole of the rotor 22 to repel the respective magnetic flux [Phi _C N poles and S poles generated in the stator 21, the rotor 22 has an outer and an inner notch 25 from a state with its N pole theta ₀ direction It rotates in the forward rotation direction and stops until the north pole is directed between the notch 26 and the notch 26.

When a comb-shaped voltage pulse P12 is generated at the terminal OUT1, a drive current flows through the paths of VDD, transistor TP2, terminal ОUT2, coil 29, terminal ОUT1, transistor TN1, and VSS, and the magnetic flux shown in FIG. 2 flows through the coil 29. A magnetic flux is generated in the direction opposite to Φ _C. The north and south poles generated in the stator 21 by the magnetic flux repel the north and south poles of the rotor 22, respectively. Further, the state in which the rotor 22 has the north pole directed between the inner notch 25 and the outer notch 26 is equal to the state in which the rotor 22 is located near the maximum point of the magnetic potential formed by the inner notch 25. Therefore, the rotor 22 rotates in the reverse direction from a state in which the north pole is directed between the inner notch 25 and the outer notch 26 to a state in which the north pole is directed in the vicinity of the inner notch 24.

When a comb-shaped voltage pulse P13 is generated at the terminal OUT2, a drive current flows through the paths of VDD, transistor TP1, terminal ОUT1, coil 29, terminal ОUT2, transistor TN2, and VSS, and the magnetic flux shown in FIG. 2 flows through the coil 29. Φ _C is generated. The north and south poles generated in the stator 21 by the magnetic flux Φ _C repel the north and south poles of the rotor 22, respectively. Further, the state in which the rotor 22 has the north pole directed toward the inner notch 24 is equal to the state in which the rotor 22 is located near the maximum point of the magnetic potential formed by the inner notch 24. Therefore, the rotor 22 rotates in the reverse direction and stops from the state where the north pole is directed to the vicinity of the inner notch 24 to the state where the north pole is directed to the front of the inner notch 25.

Then, the rotor 22 rotates and stops in the forward rotation direction from the state in which the north pole is directed in front of the inner notch 25 to the state in which the north pole is directed in front of the outer notch 27, and stops in the reverse rotation direction and the forward rotation direction. The rotation is repeated, and finally the vehicle stops with the north pole directed _{in the θ 1 direction.} The behavior of the rotor 22 is caused by the magnetic potential formed by the inner notch 24 and the inner notch 25.

Further, when the rotor 22 is _{rotated 180 degrees in the first rotation direction from the state where the north pole is directed in the θ 1} direction, the drive signal generation circuit 15 generates a voltage pulse similar to the voltage pulse P11 at the terminal OUT1 to generate a voltage. A voltage pulse similar to the pulse P12 is generated at the terminal OUT2, and a voltage pulse similar to the voltage pulse P13 is generated at the terminal OUT1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a button and a pointer included in the timepiece according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the clock 1 includes a dial D, a button 13A, a button 13B, a button 13C, an hour hand 191H, a minute hand 191M, a shaft 191X, a display hand 192, and a shaft 192X. ..

The hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, and the display hand 192 are all included in the pointer 19 described above. The hour hand 191H and the minute hand 191M are attached to the shaft 191X. Further, the shaft 191X may be attached with a second hand. On the other hand, the display hand 192 is attached to a shaft 192X whose position on the dial D is different from that of the shaft 191X.

The display hand 192 has a function other than the function of displaying the time. As such a function, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the time currently displayed by the hour hand 191H and the minute hand 191M is Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York. And the function to display which city of London the time is. Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York and London are indicated by "P", "H", "T", "N" and "L" on the dial D shown in FIG. 5, respectively.

The display hand 192 rotates in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction at a position where the height with respect to the widest surface of the dial D is lower or higher than the pointer 19. However, the display needle 192 is longer than the distance between the shaft 191X and the shaft 192X. Therefore, when the display hand 192 rotates at the height at which the shaft 191X exists, it hits the shaft 191X on the dial D, so that the rotatable range on the dial D is less than 360 degrees. The display hand 192 is on the dial D when it rotates at the height where the shaft 191X exists or when it is shorter than the distance between the shaft 191X and the shaft 192X, unless there is another obstructive object. The rotatable range is 360 degrees.

Next, the voltage data acquisition circuit 141, the voltage determination circuit 142, and the power source control unit 143 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

The voltage data acquisition circuit 141 acquires voltage data indicating the voltage of the battery 16 that supplies electric energy to the power source 18 that rotates the pointer 19. The voltage data is generated by measuring the voltage of the battery 16 by an arbitrary measuring means, and may be stored in a storage medium mounted on the clock 1. The voltage data acquisition circuit 141 may directly acquire the voltage data generated by any measuring means, or may acquire the voltage data from the storage medium mounted on the clock 1.

The voltage determination circuit 142 has a high voltage range in which the power source 18 can rotate the pointer 19 in both the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction, and a low voltage in which the power source 18 can rotate the pointer 19 only in the first rotation direction. Determine which of the ranges includes the voltage indicated by the voltage data.

In the high voltage range, since the voltage of the battery 16 is high, the power source 18 can rotate the pointer 19 in both the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction by using the electric energy generated by the battery 16. The voltage range is 16. When the voltage of the battery 16 is included in the high voltage range, the power source control circuit 143 has a function of using a needle that is moved in the second rotation direction, a function of using a needle that is moved at the same time as another needle, and the like. It is possible to realize a function of using a hand that is moved at an angular velocity faster than the angular velocity of the pointer 19 when displaying the time.

The low voltage range is the voltage range of the battery 16 in which the power source 18 can rotate the pointer 19 only in the first rotation direction by using the electric energy generated by the battery 16 because the voltage of the battery 16 is low. is there. When the voltage of the battery 16 is included in the low voltage range, the power source control circuit 143 can be realized only for the function of displaying the time by using at least one of the hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, and the second hand (not shown).

The boundary between the high voltage range and the low voltage range is, for example, a range in which the power source 18 can normally realize at least a part of the functions of the watch 1 and at least a part of the functions that can be normally realized in the high voltage range. Is a boundary with a range in which the power source 18 cannot be normally realized.

The power source control unit 143 determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range and the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range. The power source 18 is controlled via the drive signal generation circuit 15 and the power source drive circuit 17 so that at least one of the direction of rotation and the angular speed at which the pointer 19 is rotated is different.

For example, when the power source control unit 143 determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the power source controls the power source so as to rotate the pointer 19 in the first rotation direction in a manner different from the case of displaying the time. 18 is controlled. More specifically, when the power source control unit 143 determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the "P", "H", "T", and "T" shown in FIG. The indicator hands 192 pointing to "N" and "L" are rotated in the first rotation direction until they point to the 9 o'clock direction. The clock 1 thus notifies the user that the voltage of the battery 16 is included in the low voltage range.

In such an operation, when the rotatable range of the display hand 192 is less than 360 degrees, the 9 o'clock position, which is the position of the display hand 192 indicating that the voltage of the battery 16 is included in the low voltage range, is set. It is possible to rotate the battery in the first rotation direction because the battery is located at a position that can be reached in a shorter time with respect to any position such as "P" shown in FIG.

On the contrary, such an operation is at 9 o'clock, which is the position of the display hand 192 indicating that the voltage of the battery 16 is included in the low voltage range when the rotatable range of the display hand 192 is 360 degrees. It can be realized only by rotating the display needle 192 in the first rotation direction regardless of the relative positional relationship between the position and the position such as “P” shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the power source control unit 143 determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range, the operation of the power source 18 is not particularly limited, and the hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, the second hand (not shown), and the power source control unit 143 do not particularly limit the operation of the power source 18. The indicator needle 192 is rotated as usual.

Next, an example of the operation of the clock according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the clock according to the embodiment.

In step S10, the voltage data acquisition circuit 141 acquires voltage data indicating the voltage of the battery 16 that supplies electrical energy to the power source 18 that rotates the pointer 19.

In step S20, the voltage determination circuit 142 determines whether or not the voltage indicated by the voltage data acquired in step S10 is included in the low voltage range. When the voltage determination circuit 142 determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data acquired in step S10 is included in the low voltage range (step S20: YES), the process proceeds to step S30. On the other hand, when the voltage determination circuit 142 determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data acquired in step S10 is not included in the low voltage range (step S20: YES), that is, the voltage indicated by the voltage data is in the high voltage range. When it is determined that the voltage is included in (step S20: NO), the process is terminated.

In step S30, the power source control unit 143 controls the power source 18 so as to rotate the pointer 19 in the first rotation direction in a manner different from the case of displaying the time.

The clock 1 according to the embodiment has been described above. The clock 1 has a direction for rotating the pointer 19 and an angular speed for rotating the pointer 19 depending on whether the voltage of the battery 16 indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range or the voltage is included in the low voltage range. The power source 18 is controlled so that at least one of them is different. As a result, the watch 1 lowers the boundary between the high voltage range and the low voltage range, expands the range in which the power source 18 can normally realize at least a part of the functions, and generates the electric energy generated by the battery. It can be made possible to utilize it effectively.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the first rotation direction is the clockwise direction and the second rotation direction is the counterclockwise direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first rotation direction may be a counterclockwise direction, and the second rotation direction may be a clockwise direction. However, even in this case, the second rotation direction has a larger electric energy than the case where at least one of the hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, and the display hand 192 having a function other than the function of displaying the time is rotated in the first rotation direction. Is consumed by the power source 18.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the power source control unit 143 rotates the pointer in the first rotation direction in a manner different from the case where the time is displayed. The power source 18 is controlled so as to be operated, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the power source control unit 143 determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, and the pointer 19 sets at least two of the hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, the second hand and the display hand 192 (not shown). If included, the power source 18 may be controlled to rotate only one of the pointers 19 in a manner different from displaying the time. Specifically, in such a case, the power source control unit 143 may rotate the second hand (not shown) in the first rotation direction by 2 seconds. Further, when the power control unit 143 rotates the display hand 192 in such a case, the display hand 192 does not have a function of displaying the time, so that the display hand 192 can be rotated in any manner. The clock 1 thus notifies the user that the voltage of the battery 16 is included in the low voltage range. Even in such an operation, the clock 1 exerts the same effect as the above-mentioned effect.

Alternatively, the power source control unit 143 determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, and sets the time when the pointer 19 is at least one of the hour hand 191H, the minute hand 191M, and the second hand (not shown). The power source may be controlled so as to rotate the pointer in a mode different from the display and at the same angular velocity as when displaying the time. The clock 1 thus notifies the user that the voltage of the battery 16 is included in the low voltage range. Even in such an operation, the clock 1 exerts the same effect as the above-mentioned effect.

Further, all or a part of the functions included in the clock 1 described above may be recorded as a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and this program may be executed by the computer system. The computer system shall include hardware such as peripheral devices. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, portable media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and CD-ROM, storage devices such as hard disks built in computer systems, and the Internet. It is a volatile memory (Random Access Memory: RAM) provided in a server or the like on a network. The volatile memory is an example of a recording medium that holds a program for a certain period of time.

Further, the above-mentioned program may be transmitted to another computer system by a transmission medium such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

Further, the above-mentioned program may be a program that realizes all or a part of the above-mentioned functions. The program that realizes a part of the above-mentioned functions may be a program that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program recorded in advance in the computer system, that is, a so-called difference program.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and design changes and the like are included without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 ... Clock, 11 ... Oscillation circuit, 12 ... Frequency division circuit, 13 ... Input circuit, 13A, 13B, 13C ... Button, 14 ... Control circuit, 141 ... Voltage data acquisition circuit, 142 ... Voltage judgment circuit, 143 ... Power source Control circuit, 15 ... drive signal generation circuit, 16 ... battery, 17 ... power source drive circuit, 18 ... power source, 19 ... pointer, 191M ... minute hand, 191H ... hour hand, 191X ... axis, 192 ... display hand, 192X ... axis 2, 2 ... Stepping motor, 21 ... Stator, 22 ... Rotor, 23 ... Rotor storage through hole, 24, 25 ... Inner notch, 26, 27 ... Outer notch, 28 ... Magnetic core, 29 ... Coil, D ... Dial, OUT1 , OUT2 ... Terminal, Rs1, Rs2 ... Detection resistor, TN1, TN2, TP1, TP2, TP3, TP4 ... Transistor

Claims (7)

A voltage data acquisition unit that acquires voltage data indicating the voltage of the battery that supplies electrical energy to the power source that rotates the pointer,
The power source is opposite to the first rotation direction and the first rotation direction, and causes the power source to consume more electric energy than when the pointer is rotated in the first rotation direction. A voltage determination unit that determines whether the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range in which the pointer can be rotated or in the low voltage range in which the power source can rotate the pointer only in the first rotation direction. When,
The pointer is rotated depending on whether the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range or the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range. A power source control unit that controls the power source so that at least one of the direction and the angular speed at which the pointer is rotated is different.
A clock equipped with. When the power source control unit determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the power source control unit rotates the pointer in the first rotation direction in a manner different from the case of displaying the time. Control the power source,
The clock according to claim 1. The pointer includes at least two of an hour hand, a minute hand, a second hand and a display hand having a function other than the function of displaying the time.
When the power source control unit determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the power source control unit rotates only one of the pointers in a manner different from the case of displaying the time. Control the power source,
The clock according to claim 1. The pointer has a function other than the function of displaying the time, and includes a display hand having a rotatable range of less than 360 degrees on the dial.
The clock according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The pointer is at least one of an hour hand, a minute hand and a second hand.
When the power source control unit determines that the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range, the power source control unit performs the pointer in a mode different from the case of displaying the time and at an angular velocity equal to the case of displaying the time. Control the power source to rotate,
The clock according to claim 1. In the control circuit mounted on the clock,
A voltage data acquisition function that acquires voltage data indicating the voltage of the battery that supplies electrical energy to the power source that rotates the pointer, and
The power source is opposite to the first rotation direction and the first rotation direction, and causes the power source to consume more electric energy than when the pointer is rotated in the first rotation direction. A voltage determination function for determining which of the high voltage range in which the pointer can be rotated and the low voltage range in which the power source can rotate the pointer includes the voltage indicated by the voltage data only in the first rotation direction. When,
The pointer is rotated depending on whether the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range or the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range. A power source control function that controls the power source so that at least one of the direction and the angular speed at which the pointer is rotated is different.
A clock control program that realizes. A voltage data acquisition step to acquire voltage data indicating the voltage of a battery that supplies electrical energy to the power source that rotates the pointer, and
The power source is opposite to the first rotation direction and the first rotation direction, and causes the power source to consume a larger electric energy than when the pointer is rotated in the first rotation direction. A voltage determination step for determining whether the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range in which the pointer can be rotated or in the low voltage range in which the power source can rotate the pointer only in the first rotation direction. When,
The pointer is rotated depending on whether the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the high voltage range or the voltage indicated by the voltage data is included in the low voltage range. A power source control step that controls the power source so that at least one of the direction and the angular speed at which the pointer is rotated is different.
Clock control methods including.

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