JP4463712B2 - Self-correcting clock - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic correction timepiece that receives a radio wave such as a radio broadcast including a time signal, for example, and corrects the time.

For example, a timepiece that receives a time signal included in a broadcast radio wave transmitted from a radio station and corrects the time is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-12997

In general timepieces, when selecting a broadcast radio wave including a time signal, for example, when selecting a channel manually, it is necessary to perform a complicated channel selection operation.
Further, in a watch equipped with a general automatic channel selection device, for example, a process for detecting a broadcast radio wave is performed, and then a process for determining whether or not a time signal is included in the detected broadcast radio wave is performed. It is necessary to perform a complicated process of receiving a time signal included in the broadcast radio wave based on the determination result and correcting the time.
For this reason, there is a demand for a timepiece capable of specifying a time signal included in a broadcast radio wave with high accuracy in a short time by simpler processing and correcting the time based on the time signal.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to specify a time signal included in a broadcast radio wave with high accuracy in a short time by a simple process, and to correct the time based on the time signal. It is to provide an automatic correction clock that can.

  In order to achieve the above object, an automatic correction clock of the present invention is an automatic correction clock that receives a broadcast radio wave including a time signal of a predetermined frequency for a specified time and corrects the time based on the time signal. An internal clock; broadcast radio wave reception means for receiving the broadcast radio wave at a set reception frequency; and extraction means for extracting a signal having a frequency corresponding to the time signal from the broadcast radio wave received by the broadcast radio wave reception means; If the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave reception means is controlled within a predetermined reception frequency range within the specified time and the level of the signal extracted by the extraction means is determined to be greater than or equal to a threshold value, the time signal When the internal clock time is measured based on a time signal received by the broadcast wave receiving means at the specified reception frequency at a set time And a control means for modifying the information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic correction timepiece that can specify a time signal included in a broadcast radio wave with high accuracy in a short time by a simple process and can perform time adjustment based on the time signal.

A radio-controlled timepiece 1 that employs an automatically corrected timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention has a broadcast radio wave receiving unit that receives a broadcast radio wave including a time signal of a predetermined frequency near a set hour, for example, for a specified time. The time is corrected based on the received time signal.
For example, when a broadcast signal is transmitted from a broadcasting station that includes a time signal including a specified time from the normal time (00:00), the time signal at 880 Hz is output for about 1 to 3 seconds from the normal time. The automatic correction clock detects a time signal by searching within a predetermined reception frequency range within the specified time, and includes the detected time signal at a set time, for example, at the next hour. The time is adjusted based on the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave of the received frequency.

  Moreover, the automatic correction timepiece according to the present embodiment has a standard radio wave receiving unit that receives a standard time radio signal, and corrects the time based on the received standard time radio signal.

  The broadcast radio wave according to the present invention is a broadcast radio wave including a time signal such as an AM radio broadcast radio wave, an FM radio broadcast radio wave, a television broadcast radio wave, or a satellite broadcast radio wave, and includes a time signal of a predetermined frequency. .

There are several advantages of using the time signal included in AM radio broadcasting.
1. There are multiple transmitter stations nationwide.
2. The transmission output of the AM radio broadcast radio wave is larger than that of the standard radio wave transmission station.

For example, an AM radio broadcasting station outputs an AM radio broadcast from a suburb of an urban area with a relatively large transmission output.
For example, AM radio broadcasting stations are installed in the suburbs of cities such as Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka as shown in Table 1. Radio broadcasting stations are established within 50 km from urban areas such as Sapporo, Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.
For example, AM radio broadcast radio waves are output from Tokyo-NHK first broadcast, frequency 594 kHz, transmission output 300 kW from Sakaimachi, Minamisaitama-gun, Saitama Prefecture. AM radio broadcast radio waves are being output from Tanjo, Miharacho, Minamikawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture, at the first NHK NHK broadcast, a frequency of 666 kHz, and a transmission output of 100 kW.

3. Standards relating to noise in the frequency band in which radio broadcasting is conducted are defined.
Many electronic devices such as home appliances are designed to satisfy this standard, and therefore the noise intensity output from these electronic devices is small. For this reason, the reception environment of AM radio broadcasting is good.

In addition, AM radio broadcast radio waves are defined as 525 kHz to 1605 kHz in the medium wave broadcast band, and the frequency of standard radio waves is several tens of kHz. Each radio wave can be received using the same ferrite bar antenna. Can be shared. Also, since the modulation system is the same for AM modulation, part of the AM radio broadcast and the standard time radio signal demodulation unit can be shared.
Hereinafter, the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed functional block diagram of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the radio-controlled timepiece 1 according to this embodiment includes a radio wave receiving system 11, a switch group 12, an oscillation circuit 13, a control circuit 14, a drive circuit 15, a light emitting element 16, a buffer circuit 17, and a drive. Circuit 18, display unit 20, initial time information input unit 21, power supply control circuit 22, internal battery 23, external battery 24, display 30, second hand motor 121, hour / minute hand motor 131, light detection sensor unit 140, internal clock 1401 , Memory 1402, transistors Q1 and Q2, capacitors C1201, C1202, C2 and C3, and resistance elements R1 to R4.

  The control circuit 14 corresponds to a specific example of control means according to the present invention. The memory 1402 corresponds to a specific example of the memory according to the present invention. The internal clock 1401 corresponds to a specific example of the internal clock according to the present invention.

In the present embodiment, when the time is displayed using an analog type hand, the display unit 20 includes a drive circuit 15, a light emitting element 16, a buffer circuit 17, a drive circuit 18, a display 30, a second hand motor 121, an hour / minute hand motor 131, Photodetection sensor unit 140, capacitors C2 and C3, transistors Q1 and Q2, and resistance elements R1 to R4 are provided.
Alternatively, a digital time display device (display) 30 such as a liquid crystal may be used as the display unit 20.

The radio wave reception system 11 receives broadcast radio waves at a set reception frequency, for example, under the control of the control circuit 14.
The radio wave reception system 11 performs demodulation processing transmitted from the broadcasting station and outputs the signal to the control circuit 14 as a signal S1107.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the radio wave reception system 11 includes a tuning circuit 1101, a frequency conversion circuit 1102, a local oscillation circuit 1103, a frequency control circuit 1104, an intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105, a detection circuit 1106, a time signal detection circuit. 1107, a standard radio wave (long wave) receiving circuit 1108, antennas ANT1, ANT2, and the like.

The time signal detection circuit 1107 corresponds to a specific example of extraction means according to the present invention. The standard radio wave receiving circuit 1108 corresponds to a specific example of standard radio wave receiving means according to the present invention.
The tuning circuit 1101, the frequency conversion circuit 1102, the local oscillation circuit 1103, the frequency control circuit 1104, the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105, and the detection circuit 1106 correspond to a specific example of broadcast wave receiving means according to the present invention.
The frequency conversion circuit 1102 corresponds to a specific example of frequency conversion means according to the present invention.
The intermediate frequency amplifier circuit 1105 corresponds to a specific example of automatic gain control means according to the present invention.

  The tuning circuit 1101 is composed of, for example, a capacitor, a coil, and the like, tunes to a frequency set by a signal S1104 from the frequency control circuit 1104, and generates a signal S1101 having a set tuning frequency from a broadcast radio wave received by the antenna ANT1. And output to the frequency conversion circuit 1102.

  The frequency conversion circuit 1102 subjects the signal S1101 output from the tuning circuit 1101 to frequency conversion processing based on the signal S1103a from the local oscillation circuit 1103, and outputs the result to the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 as the intermediate frequency signal S1102.

  The local oscillation circuit 1103 oscillates at a frequency corresponding to the signal S1104 output from the frequency control circuit 1104, and outputs a signal S1103 having a predetermined frequency.

  In this embodiment, the frequency conversion circuit 1102 mixes the signal S1101 and the signal S1103a to generate and output an intermediate frequency signal S1102 having a frequency of 455 Hz. The local oscillation circuit 1103 generates a signal S1103a having such a frequency as to generate the above-described intermediate frequency signal S1102 under the control of the control circuit 14.

  The frequency control circuit 1104 generates a signal S 1104 having a predetermined frequency based on the control signal CTL 141 from the control circuit 14 and outputs the signal S 1104 to the local oscillation circuit 1103.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a specific example of the radio wave reception system of the radio wave correction watch shown in FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the frequency control circuit 1104 includes a reference frequency generation circuit 401, a first frequency division circuit 402, a second frequency division circuit 403, a phase comparator 404, and a control voltage generation circuit 405.

  The reference frequency generation circuit 401 includes an oscillation circuit including a crystal resonator, for example, and generates a reference frequency signal S 401 and outputs the signal S 401 to the first frequency divider circuit 402.

  The first frequency dividing circuit 402 divides the signal S401 output from the reference frequency generating circuit 401 and outputs it to the phase comparator 404 as the signal S402.

  For example, based on a control signal CTL 141 for setting a frequency division ratio output from the control circuit 14, the second frequency dividing circuit 403 generates a signal S 1103 b output from the local oscillation circuit 1103 with the set frequency division ratio. The frequency is divided and output to the phase comparator 404 as a signal S403.

  The phase comparator 404 compares the signal S402 output from the first frequency divider circuit 402 with the signal S403 output from the second frequency divider circuit 403, and outputs a signal S404 indicating the comparison result.

The control voltage generation circuit 405 outputs a signal S1104 to the local oscillation circuit 1103 based on the signal S404 output from the phase comparator 404.
The local oscillation circuit 1103 oscillates at a frequency corresponding to the signal S1104 output from the frequency control circuit 1104, and outputs signals S1103a and S1103b having predetermined frequencies.

For example, when the control circuit 14 directly controls the control voltage generation circuit 405 to control the oscillation frequency of the local oscillation circuit 1103, it is possible to maintain an accurate frequency due to a voltage change caused by a temperature change of each device or battery consumption. It may not be possible.
On the other hand, when the configuration in which the PLL loop is formed as described above is employed, even if there is a voltage variation due to a temperature change or battery consumption, the frequency variation of the signal S1103a oscillated by the local oscillation circuit 1103 is reduced. Can be reduced.

  That is, the control circuit 14 reduces the frequency fluctuation when the signal S1101 is converted into the intermediate frequency signal S1102 by the control signal CTL141 even when there is a voltage fluctuation due to a temperature change or battery consumption. can do.

As described above, the local oscillation circuit 1103 and the frequency control circuit 1104 can be configured to generate a local oscillation signal by, for example, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) synthesizer method, but the PLL configuration is necessarily required. is not.
In the present embodiment, a high-accuracy sweep of 1 kHz unit is not always necessary, and if the oscillation frequency is swept in steps of about 1 kHz, a broadcast signal can be captured without fail. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration such as a so-called automatic channel selection system using a varicap.

  Here, the time signal included in the AM broadcast radio wave, which is a broadcast signal, will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a time signal included in a general AM radio broadcast radio wave near every hour.
For example, an AM radio broadcast wave transmitted from a radio broadcast station includes a time signal d as shown in FIG. 4 near the hour (00:00). More specifically, for example, a notice signal (pulse signal) p having a frequency of 440 Hz is AM-modulated at 57 seconds, 58, 59 seconds, and a preset frequency, for example, an 880 Hz hour signal at every hour (00:00) (Attenuation signal) d is AM-modulated. For example, the rising times T57, T58, T59, and T00 of the pulse signal p and the attenuation signal d are synchronized in seconds.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the time signal (normal time signal) d includes a time signal D having a predetermined frequency (for example, 880 Hz) for a predetermined time Td (for example, about 1 to 3 seconds).

By the way, the transmission format of the hourly signal d indicating the hour (00:00) is defined for each broadcasting station. Generally, the frequency of the time signal is 880 Hz, but depending on other broadcasting stations, a time signal of frequency 522.3 Hz or 1047 Hz is also transmitted.
In addition, a warning signal (preliminary signal) is also defined for each broadcasting station. Some broadcasting stations transmit only the time signal d shown in FIG. 4 without transmitting the warning signal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a time signal received by the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents signal level.
The prescribed time Td of the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave is prescribed for each broadcasting station.
As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the level of the time signal d rises at noon (T00), attenuates in about 1 second in the case of the time signal d1, and about 2 seconds in the case of the time signal d2. In the case of the time signal d3, it attenuates in about 3 seconds. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the prescribed times Td1 to Td3 of the hourly signals d1 to d3 differ depending on the broadcasting station.

  The intermediate frequency amplifier circuit 1105 is constituted by, for example, an automatic gain control circuit (AGC: Automatic Gain Control), amplifies the level of the signal S1102 output from the frequency conversion circuit 1102 to a set level, and is used as a signal S1105. Output to the detection circuit 1106.

Further, the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 outputs, for example, a carrier level detection signal Sagc that serves as an index indicating the magnitude of the signal S1102 to the control circuit 14.
For example, the signal Sagc generates the carrier level detection signal Sagc based on the AGC control voltage when the intermediate frequency amplifier circuit 1105 amplifies the signal S1102 to have a set magnitude. That is, the signal Sagc indicates the degree of amplification by the automatic gain control circuit.

The detection circuit 1106 detects the signal S1105 output from the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 and outputs the signal S1105 to the time signal detection circuit 1107 as the signal S1106.
For example, the detection circuit 1106 performs AM detection or FM detection on the signal S1105, and outputs the signal S1106 to the time signal detection circuit 1107. For example, AM detection of the detection circuit 1106 is detected by a commonly used detection method, for example, square detection, envelope detection, or the like.

The time signal detection circuit 1107 detects a time signal based on the signal S1106 output from the detection circuit 1106, and outputs a signal S1107 indicating the detection result to the control circuit 14.
The time signal detection circuit 1107 detects, for example, a rising edge of the level of the time signal, and outputs the detection result to the control circuit 14 as a signal S1107.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the time signal detection circuit 1107 of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG.
The time signal detection circuit 1107 includes a filter 11071 and a signal processing circuit 11072 as shown in FIG. 6, for example.
The filter 11071 extracts a signal having a frequency corresponding to the time signal from the signal S1106, for example, a signal of 880 Hz, and outputs the signal S11071 to the signal processing circuit 11072.
The signal processing circuit 11072 receives the signal S11071, performs predetermined signal processing, and outputs a signal S1107 indicating the processing result to the control circuit 14.
Specifically, for example, the signal S11071 is received, a rising edge of the signal level is detected, and the detection result is output to the control circuit 14 as a signal S1107.

  The long wave receiving circuit 1108 receives a standard time radio signal via the antenna ANT2 at the initial stage, for example, and outputs it as a signal S1108 to the control circuit 14. At the initial stage, the control circuit 14 corrects time information by the internal clock based on a signal S1108 indicating a standard time radio wave signal (also referred to as a time code) output from the long wave reception circuit 1108.

  Specifically, the long wave receiving circuit 1108 includes, for example, an RF amplifier, a detection circuit, and a waveform shaping circuit (not shown), performs amplification processing, detection processing, and the like, and outputs a standard time signal as a processing result as a signal S1108.

Japanese standard radio waves are operated under the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology. A standard radio wave transmitter that transmits standard radio waves with a frequency of 40 kHz and a standard radio wave transmitter that transmits standard radio waves with a frequency of 60 kHz are provided. It has been.
The standard time radio signal is modulated such that the level of the pulse is switched at least every second of the standard time, for example. The standard time radio signal is modulated based on a signal defined according to any of minute information, hour information, date information, leap second information, or summer time information in the standard time.

  For example, the standard radio wave received by the radio wave receiving system 11 is sent in a form as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the time code is composed of three types of signal patterns of 1, 0, and P, and is distinguished by a 100% amplitude period width in one signal pattern of 1 sec. 1, 0 and P are 500 ms, 800 ms, and 200 ms, respectively. It has become. The modulation method is amplitude modulation with a maximum value of 100% and a minimum value of 10%.

  When the reception state is good, the radio wave reception system 11 outputs a signal S1108 to the control circuit 14 as a pulse signal corresponding to the standard radio wave signal, as shown in FIG.

  This signal S1108 is composed of, for example, a high level corresponding to the first level and a low level corresponding to the second level. The control circuit 14 performs reception state evaluation processing based on the high level, the low level, the falling edge ed1 from the high level to the low level, and the rising edge ed2 from the low level to the high level. When the edges ed1 and ed2 are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as edges ed.

Next, transmission data of the long wave standard radio wave will be described.
FIG. 8 shows an example of the time code of the standard time radio signal. FIG. 8A shows a format other than 15/45 minutes, and FIG. 8B shows a format of 15 minutes and 45 minutes.
The transmission information is the accumulated date from minutes, hours, and January 1st.
The time data is transmitted at 1 bit / sec. One frame is one frame, and information on the accumulated date from the above-mentioned minute / hour / January 1 is provided as a BCD code in this frame. In addition to the 0 · 1, the transmitted data includes a marker called P code. This P code has several locations in one frame, and the minute (0 seconds), 9 seconds, 19 seconds, 29 seconds, Appears at 39, 49, 59 seconds. This P code appears continuously only once at 59 seconds and 0 seconds in one frame, and the position where this P code appears continuously becomes the minute position. In other words, since time data such as minute / hour data is determined in the frame with reference to this minute position, time data cannot be extracted unless this minute position is detected.

The switch group 12 is a specific example of operation input means operated by an operator, for example.
The switch group 12 includes a standard radio wave forced reception switch 1201 and a broadcast radio wave forced reception switch 1202, for example, as shown in FIG.
The standard radio wave forced reception switch 1201 is operated, for example, when a standard time radio signal is received and the time is adjusted, and the signal S1201 is output to the control circuit 14 in accordance with the operation. When the signal S1201 is input from the standard radio wave forced reception switch 1201, the control circuit 14 sets the standard radio wave forced reception mode, causes the standard radio wave reception circuit 1108 to receive the standard radio wave, and based on the received standard radio wave signal. The time information measured by the internal clock 1401 is corrected.

  The broadcast radio wave forced reception switch 1202 is operated, for example, when a broadcast radio wave including a time signal is received to correct the time, and outputs a signal S1202 to the control circuit 14 in accordance with the operation. When the signal S1202 is input from the broadcast radio wave forced reception switch 1202, the control circuit 14 sets the broadcast radio wave forced reception mode to the tuning circuit 1101, the frequency conversion circuit 1102, the local oscillation circuit 1103, the frequency control circuit 1104, and the intermediate circuit. The frequency amplification circuit 1105, the detection circuit 1106, the time signal detection circuit 1107, etc. perform processing for receiving the time signal, and based on the received time signal, the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 is corrected.

  The oscillation circuit 13 includes a crystal oscillator CRY and capacitors C2 and C3, and supplies a basic clock having a predetermined frequency to the control circuit 14.

The control circuit 14 controls the entire apparatus, for example.
The control circuit 14 includes an internal clock 1401 and a memory 1402 as shown in FIGS.
The internal clock 1401 includes, for example, a year information counter, a month information counter, a day information counter, a day information counter, a time counter that measures time information, a minute counter that measures minute information, and a second counter that measures second information.

The memory 1402 is used as a work space of the control circuit 14, for example. For example, the memory 1402 includes a RAM (Random access memory), a ROM (Random access memory), and the like.
The memory 1402 stores a program having a function according to the present invention. The control circuit 14 implements the function according to the present invention by executing a program.

  For example, the control circuit 14 sets the reception frequencies of the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 corresponding to a specific example of the broadcast radio wave reception means within a predetermined time in which the time signal d is included in the broadcast radio wave. When the time signal detection circuit 1107 determines that the time signal d is specified, the reception frequency information of the broadcast radio wave including the time signal d is stored in the memory 1402 and the reception frequency information stored in the memory 1402 is stored. The time information timed by the internal clock 1401 is corrected based on the time signal d included in the broadcast radio wave received at the corresponding reception frequency.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the reception frequency range of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG.
When the radio-controlled timepiece 1 according to the present embodiment receives an AM radio broadcast, the control circuit 14 defines a reception frequency range defined in advance as a reception range from 535 kHz to 1620 kHz, for example, as shown in FIG. To do.

  By the way, the time required to scan one broadcasting station includes, for example, the time for setting to the next reception frequency by frequency scanning, and the time signal d in the broadcast radio wave received at the set reception frequency. It is defined by the sum of the time for judging whether or not

  The control circuit 14 defines a frequency range that can be scanned during a specified time Td in which a time signal is included from every hour according to the time required to scan the one broadcasting station described above. .

For example, when a frequency scan is performed at a predetermined frequency interval between a regular time and a predetermined time Td including a time signal, the time required to scan one broadcast station is relatively small, that is, a scan. When the speed is relatively high, scanning from 535 kHz to 1620 kHz can be performed at a time as shown in FIG.
As the specified time Td, for example, if the sampling rate is increased to specify a signal of 880 Hz, the time required to recognize a plurality of signals of 800 Hz becomes the fastest (a plurality of waves may be required).

On the other hand, when the time required to scan one broadcast station is relatively large, that is, when the scan speed is relatively slow, it is not possible to scan from 535 kHz to 1620 kHz at a time as shown in FIG. In this case, the control circuit 14 divides the entire reception frequency range TR1 into a plurality of ranges, and performs scanning for each of the divided reception frequency ranges.
Specifically, the control circuit 14 divides the entire reception frequency range TR1 within a frequency range that can be scanned during a specified time Td including a time signal from every hour. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the entire reception frequency range TR1 is divided into a plurality of (for example, eight) reception frequency ranges R1 to R8.

  In detail, for example, when scanning is performed in a unit of 10 ms in 1 kHz increments, when the reception frequency range is 128 kHz, the time required to perform one scan is 1.28 seconds, and the scan is performed twice. The total time required to perform is 2.56 seconds.

For example, the time required for the control circuit 14 as a specific example to frequency scan one station is about 90 ms, and generally, the broadcast frequency band of AM broadcast radio waves is defined as about 9 kHz. In the meantime, if it is possible to sample all the bandwidth including the intermediate frequency of the carrier wave of the broadcast radio wave, it is possible to sample a maximum of approximately 79 waves of the time signal d of 880 Hz.
The control circuit 14 can scan a total of about 158 waves by repeating this scan twice.

  In general, since the reception level decreases as the distance from the intermediate frequency increases, a mountain-shaped distribution centering on the intermediate frequency is detected. Therefore, when the levels are compared at every 1 kHz, the detection level is the highest near the intermediate frequency. Therefore, the intermediate frequency can be substantially specified.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of specifying the time signal d by the control circuit 14 of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG.
The control circuit 14 controls the reception frequency of the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 within a predetermined reception frequency range within a specified time in which the time signal d is included in the broadcast radio wave, and the time signal detection circuit 1107 extracts. When it is determined that the signal level V is equal to or higher than the threshold value Vth, the reception frequency information is stored in the memory 1402, and the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit are received at the reception time corresponding to the reception frequency information stored in the memory 1402 at the set time. Based on the time signal d received by 1102, the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 is corrected.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the level V1 or V2 of the signal extracted by the time signal detection circuit 1107 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Vth, the control circuit 14 specifies the signal as the time signal d. When the signal level V3 is smaller than the threshold value Vth, it is determined that the signal is not the time signal d.

  The processing for specifying the time signal d is not limited to the above-described form. For example, when the ratio between the peak value of the signal level and the normal signal level V0 is larger than a predetermined value, the peak may be specified as the time signal d.

  In addition, the control circuit 14 extracts a signal having a level equal to or higher than the threshold value a plurality of times with the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 set to the same reception frequency at a plurality of different set times. In addition, a time signal included in the broadcast radio wave corresponding to the reception frequency is specified, and the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 is corrected based on the time signal.

Further, the control circuit 14 controls the reception frequency of the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 within the first reception frequency range within a specified time, and the level of the signal extracted by the time signal detection circuit 1107 is smaller than the threshold value. When it is determined, the reception frequency of the tuning circuit 1101 or the frequency conversion circuit 1102 is controlled within a second reception frequency range different from the first reception frequency range, and processing for specifying a time signal included in the broadcast radio wave is performed. Do.
For example, when the time signal d cannot be specified as a result of the search in the reception frequency range R1 shown in FIG. 9, the time signal falls within any other reception frequency range, for example, any one of the reception frequency ranges R2 to R8. Processing for specifying the signal d is performed.

When the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave is specified at a plurality of different reception frequencies, the control circuit 14 determines the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave corresponding to the plurality of different reception frequencies based on the level of the time signal. Set the signal reception order.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the time signal V1 or V2 included in the broadcast radio wave is specified at a plurality of different reception frequencies, the control circuit 14 sets the reception order in descending order of the level of the time signal. To do.

Further, the control circuit 14 stores the time signal detection circuit 1107 in the memory 1402 when the time signal detection circuit 1107 cannot extract the time signal having a level equal to or higher than the threshold value with the broadcast radio wave receiving means set to the same reception frequency at different set times. The received reception frequency information is discarded, and a process for newly specifying the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave including the time signal is performed.
Specifically, for example, even when the signal level exceeds the threshold value due to the influence of noise in the time signal detection circuit 1107 during the first scan, when the signal level higher than the threshold value cannot be extracted after the second time. Then, it is determined that the first signal is a false detection due to the influence of noise, the received frequency information is discarded, and a process for newly specifying the time signal d is performed.

Further, the control circuit 14 receives broadcast radio waves including a time signal that can be received by the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 based on the signal Sagc indicating the degree of amplification by the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 corresponding to automatic gain control means. At a set time, a reception frequency corresponding to the specified broadcast radio wave is set, and a time signal included in the broadcast radio wave received by the tuning circuit 1101 or the frequency conversion circuit 1102 is received.
Specifically, broadcast radio waves are specified in advance based on the signal Sagc by the AGC function, reception frequency information corresponding to the specified broadcast radio waves is stored in the memory 1402, and reception frequency information stored in the memory 1402 at the set time. The tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 are set to the reception frequency corresponding to the time signal, and the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave is received.

Further, the control circuit 14 corrects the time information by the internal clock 1401 based on the standard time radio wave signal received by the standard radio wave receiving circuit 1108 at the initial stage, and the tuning circuit 1101, the frequency conversion circuit 1102,. The time information of the internal clock 1401 is corrected based on the time signal received by 1107.
Specifically, the control circuit 14 includes year information, month information, day information, day of week, which is time information that the internal clock 1401 measures based on the standard time radio wave signal received by the standard radio wave (long wave) receiving circuit 1108 at the initial stage. The information, hour information, minute information, and second information are corrected, and the display time is corrected as will be described later based on the time information measured by the internal clock 1401.

  In addition, when the standard time signal can be effectively extracted from the standard time radio signal received by the standard radio wave reception circuit 1108 in the standard radio wave forced reception mode, the control circuit 14 of the internal clock 1401 is based on the standard time signal. The time signal received by the tuning circuit 1101, the frequency conversion circuit 1102,..., The time signal detection circuit 1107 when the time information is corrected and the standard time signal cannot be extracted effectively from the standard time signal received by the standard time signal reception circuit 1108. Based on this, the time information timed by the internal clock 1401 is corrected.

  In addition, the control circuit 14 corrects the display time of the display unit 20 or the display 30 based on the time information by the internal clock 1401 when the time is corrected.

The control circuit 14 performs reception timing control when receiving the AM radio broadcast radio wave.
More specifically, the control circuit 14 receives AM radio broadcast waves from a predetermined time including every hour, for example, several tens of seconds before every hour, based on time information measured by the internal clock 1401, for example, as reception timing control. Let
Generally, the accuracy of the internal clock 1401 based on the oscillation signal from the crystal oscillator is an accuracy of 10 seconds per month, so that it is possible to reliably receive the time signal as long as the reception of the radio broadcast wave is started as described above. .

  Hereinafter, for example, as the display unit 20, a so-called analog timepiece constituted by drive motors 121 and 131 and a train wheel composed of a hand wheel to which a plurality of gears and hands are attached and driven by the drive motor. The function of the control circuit 14 when employed will be briefly described.

For example, a pointer wheel such as an hour / minute wheel or a second hand wheel is formed with a light transmitting portion and a light shielding portion. Further, the pointer wheel is disposed between the light emitting element 142 and the light detection sensor unit 140.
The control circuit 14 corrects the display time based on the light on / off pattern in which the light output from the light emitting element 142 is received by the light receiving element 144 by the light shielding portion and the light transmitting portion provided in the hour / minute hand wheel. I do.

  The control circuit 14 samples a standard time radio signal (for example, 32 Hz) for a predetermined time, for example, 8 seconds in the present embodiment, and determines the reception state based on the sampling result.

  Specifically, the control circuit 14 performs sampling (for example, 32 Hz) of the signal S1108 input from the radio wave reception system 11, for example, detects the edge ed, and determines the reception state based on the presence or absence and the number of the edge ed. .

  The control circuit 14 counts various counters of the internal clock 1401 based on the basic clock by the oscillation circuit 13 when the time can be set based on the standard radio time signal received at the set reception frequency. Take control.

  When the reception state is not within the reference range, the control circuit 14 outputs the drive signal DR1 to the drive circuit 15 without outputting the control signal CTL1, and causes the light emitting element 16 as the notification means to emit light to the user. Notify that the standard radio wave signal is hardly received.

  The control circuit 14 compares the time measured by the various time counters of the internal clock 1401 with the standard time information based on the standard time radio signal received by the radio wave reception system 11, and if an error has occurred. Corrects the time counter according to the error, inputs the pulse signal P for correction to the motor 131 as the control signal CTL2 according to the correction, performs fast-forward driving, etc., and corrects the time display by the pointer. Do.

The emitter of the transistor Q2 of the drive circuit 18 is connected to the supply line of the power supply voltage Vcc, and the base is connected to the output line of the drive signal DR2 via the resistance element R3.
That is, the light emitting element 142 is connected to the drive circuit 18 so as to emit light when the low level drive signal DR2 is output from the control circuit 14.

  The initial time information input unit 21 is configured by an operation input device such as a keyboard or an operation switch, for example, and inputs time information timed by the internal clock 1401 at the initial time.

The power supply control circuit 22 converts a power supply voltage supplied from, for example, the internal battery 23 or the external battery 24 into a predetermined voltage and supplies it to each component of the radio wave correction timepiece 1.
Further, the power supply control circuit 22 outputs a signal indicating that the external battery 24 is attached to the radio-controlled timepiece 1 and supplying power or a signal indicating that the external battery 24 is not attached to the control circuit 14. .

The internal battery 23 always supplies power to the radio correction timepiece 1 to components such as the control circuit 14 and the memory 1402.
For example, the external battery 24 is not attached to the battery case 141 of the radio wave correction watch 1 at the time of shipment, but is attached to the battery case 141 of the radio wave correction watch 1 by the user at the time of product purchase, and the components such as the control circuit 14 and the memory 1402 To supply power.

The light detection sensor unit 140 is formed of, for example, a light emitting element 142 made of a light emitting diode and a light receiving element 144 made of a phototransistor.
The anode of the light emitting element 142 is connected to the other end of the resistance element R4 in the drive circuit 18 having one end connected to the collector of the pnp transistor Q2, and the cathode is grounded and connected to the emitter of the light receiving element 144. Yes.
The collector of the light receiving element 144 is connected to the control circuit 14. The connection line with the control circuit 14 is an output line to the control circuit 14 for the detection signal DT1.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. With reference to FIG. 12, the overall operation of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 will be described focusing on the operation of the control circuit 14.

In step ST1, initial setting processing and reset processing are performed.
Specifically, for example, the control circuit 14 sets each component, for example, a variable value in the memory 1402 to an initial state at the initial stage. The control circuit 14 is set to the standard radio wave forced reception mode at the initial stage.

  In step ST2, the control circuit 14 determines whether or not the standard radio wave forced reception mode is selected, and if it is determined that the standard radio wave forced reception mode is set, the process proceeds to step ST7 and the standard radio wave forced reception mode is determined. When it is determined that the mode is not the reception mode, for example, when it is determined that the reception mode is automatic (schedule) reception (standard radio wave reception mode or broadcast radio wave reception mode) or AM broadcast radio wave forced reception mode, the process proceeds to step ST4.

  In step ST4, if the control circuit 14 determines that it is in schedule reception (standard radio wave reception mode or broadcast radio wave reception mode) or AM broadcast radio wave forced reception mode, the AM broadcast radio wave forced reception process described later or automatic ( (Schedule) Receive processing is performed, and the process returns to step ST3.

  In step ST5, the control circuit 14 determines whether or not to set the standard radio wave reception mode. When it is determined that the standard radio wave reception mode is set, the control circuit 14 proceeds to the process of step ST6, and otherwise proceeds to the process of step ST3.

In step ST6, the control circuit 14 sets the standard radio wave reception mode, and returns to the process of step ST3.
In step ST7, the control circuit 14 performs the above-described standard radio wave reception (forced reception).
Specifically, the control circuit 14 sets the standard radio wave receiving circuit 1108 to the reception on state, and receives the standard time radio signal. The standard radio wave receiving circuit 1108 receives a standard time radio wave signal, for example, via the antenna ANT2 at the initial stage and outputs it to the control circuit 14 as a signal S1108.

  In step ST8, the control circuit 14 determines whether or not the standard time signal has been successfully received. Specifically, the control circuit 14 receives the standard radio signal and determines whether or not the standard time signal can be extracted effectively from the standard radio signal. If it is determined that the standard time signal has been successfully extracted after successful reception, the process proceeds to step ST9. If it is determined that reception has not been successful, the process proceeds to step ST12.

  In step ST9, the control circuit 14 sets a standard radio wave reception success history. Specifically, the control circuit 14 stores data indicating successful reception of the standard radio wave in the memory 1402 together with the reception time.

In step ST10, the control circuit 14 corrects the time information of the internal clock 1401. Specifically, the control circuit 14 corrects the time information measured by the internal clock based on the received standard time signal.
More specifically, the time information of the internal clock 1401 is corrected based on the signal S1108 output from the long wave receiving circuit 1108. At this time, year information, day information, hour information, minute information, and second information are set in the internal clock 1401 as standard time information.
The control circuit 14 corrects the display time on the display unit 20 and the display 30 based on the time information timed by the internal clock 1401.
The initial time setting described above is not limited to the above-described form. For example, the time of the internal clock 1401 may be manually set, or the time information by the internal clock 1401 may be set based on time information other than the time signal, for example, the signal S21 input from the initial time information input unit 21. Alternatively, the time information by the internal clock 1401 may be set by the time information provided from the standard time providing device via the communication network.

  In step ST11, the control circuit 14 clears (cancels) the standard radio wave forced reception mode. In detail, it shifts to the normal mode.

  In step ST12, when it is determined in step ST8 that the standard radio signal has not been successfully received successfully, the control circuit 14 determines whether or not the number of reception failures related to the standard radio signal is greater than the set number (N). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the number is greater than the set number, the process proceeds to step ST13. If it is determined that the number is less than the set number N, the process returns to step ST7.

  In step ST13, the control circuit 14 determines whether or not the external battery 24 is set. It is determined whether or not the external battery 24 is set. If it is determined that the external battery 24 is set as a result of the determination, the AM broadcast radio wave forced reception mode is set, and the process proceeds to step ST11.

  Next, the operation of specifying the time signal d after specifying the normal broadcast will be briefly described.

The control circuit 14 searches for a broadcast station that can receive the normal broadcast.
The control circuit 14 outputs to the frequency control circuit 1104 a control signal CTL 141 for performing frequency scanning within the broadcast frequency band of the broadcast radio wave.
The frequency control circuit 1104 receives the control signal CTL 141, sets a voltage for controlling the oscillation frequency of the local oscillation circuit 1103, and outputs a signal S 1104 corresponding to the voltage to the local oscillation circuit 1103.
The local oscillation circuit 1103 outputs a signal S1103a having a frequency corresponding to the signal S1104 to the frequency conversion circuit 1102. The control circuit 14 controls the reception frequency of the radio wave reception system 11 as described above.

Broadcast radio waves received by the antenna ANT1 are output to the frequency conversion circuit 1102 as a signal S1101 through the tuning circuit 1101.
The frequency conversion circuit 1102 performs frequency conversion on the signal S1101 based on the signal S1103a from the local oscillation circuit 1103, and outputs the converted signal to the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 as the intermediate frequency signal S1102.

  The intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 amplifies the level of the signal S1102 from the frequency conversion circuit 1102 so as to be a set level.

  At this time, the intermediate frequency amplifier circuit 1105 outputs, for example, a carrier level signal Sagc that serves as an index indicating the level of the signal S1102 to the control circuit 14. The carrier level detection signal Sagc is a signal indicating an AGC control voltage generated by, for example, an automatic gain control circuit.

The control circuit 14 stores the signal Sagc and the reception frequency of the radio wave reception system 11 in the memory 1402 in association with each other.
Specifically, the control circuit 14 scans all the frequencies in the broadcast radio wave band, and stores the AGC control voltage and the signal S1104 indicating the control voltage by the frequency control circuit 1104 in association with each other in the memory 1402.
Further, based on the scan result, the control circuit 14 identifies, for example, a broadcast radio wave whose broadcast radio wave reception intensity is equal to or higher than a set level. Specifically, the control circuit 14 identifies a broadcast radio wave whose carrier level detection signal Sagc is equal to or higher than a set level.
When the set time is reached, a broadcast radio wave including a time signal that can be received by the radio wave reception system 11 is specified from the specified receivable broadcast radio waves.

The control circuit 14 reads the association information stored in the memory 1402 and outputs a control signal CTL 141 that outputs a control voltage corresponding to a receivable broadcast wave to the frequency control circuit 1104.
The frequency control circuit 1104 receives the control signal CTL 141, sets a voltage for controlling the oscillation frequency of the local oscillation circuit 1103, and outputs a signal S 1104 corresponding to the voltage to the local oscillation circuit 1103.
The local oscillation circuit 1103 outputs a signal S1103a having a frequency corresponding to the signal S1104 to the frequency conversion circuit 1102. The control circuit 14 controls the reception frequency of the radio wave reception system 11 as described above.

Broadcast radio waves received by the antenna ANT1 are output to the frequency conversion circuit 1102 as a signal S1101 through the tuning circuit 1101.
The frequency conversion circuit 1102 performs frequency conversion on the signal S1101 based on the signal S1103a from the local oscillation circuit 1103, and outputs the converted signal to the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 as the intermediate frequency signal S1102.

  The intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 amplifies the level of the signal S1102 from the frequency conversion circuit 1102 to a set level, and outputs the amplified signal S1105 to the detection circuit 1106.

  At this time, the intermediate frequency amplifier circuit 1105 outputs, for example, a signal Sagc serving as an index indicating the level of the signal S1105 to the control circuit 14.

  The control circuit 14 specifies (selects) a broadcast radio wave including a receivable time signal based on the signal Sagc indicating the level of the time signal.

For example, at the set time, the control circuit 14 causes the radio wave reception system 11 to receive the specified broadcast radio wave as described above.
More specifically, as described above, the signal S1105 output via the tuning circuit 1101, the frequency conversion circuit 1102, and the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1105 is subjected to detection processing by the detection circuit 1106, and the time signal detection circuit 1107 as the signal S1106. Is output.

The time signal detection circuit 1107 detects a time signal based on the signal S1106, and outputs a detection signal S1107 indicating the rising timing of the time signal, for example, to the control circuit 14 as shown in FIG.
When the control circuit 14 corrects the time information by the internal clock based on the signal S1107 and determines that the time signal cannot be detected, the control circuit 14 resets the result of the frequency scan described above and specifies the time signal again, for example. Return to processing.

  As described above, the control circuit 14 according to the present embodiment corrects the time information by the internal clock 1401 based on the standard time radio wave signal received by the standard radio wave receiving circuit 1108 at the initial time, and the tuning circuit 1101 or Since the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 is corrected based on the time signal received by the frequency conversion circuit 1102,..., The time signal detection circuit 1107, the time information timed by the internal clock 1401 is corrected by the standard radio time signal at the initial time. In normal times, by performing reception timing control when receiving a time signal of a broadcast radio wave based on the corrected time information, it is possible to perform processing for specifying the time signal with high accuracy.

  In addition, when the standard time signal can be effectively extracted from the standard time radio signal received by the standard radio wave reception circuit 1108 in the standard radio wave forced reception mode, the control circuit 14 of the internal clock 1401 is based on the standard time signal. When the time information is corrected and the standard time signal cannot be effectively extracted from the standard time signal received by the standard time signal reception circuit 1108, the time information of the internal clock 1401 is corrected based on the time signal included in the broadcast signal. Even when the standard time signal cannot be extracted from the standard time radio signal, the time information of the internal clock 1401 can be reliably corrected based on the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the AM broadcast radio wave reception mode. With reference to FIG. 12, the operation in the AM broadcast radio wave reception mode will be described focusing on the operation of the control circuit 14.

  In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of reception frequency ranges R1 to R8 are set in accordance with the scan speed resulting from the performance of the control circuit 14, the frequency conversion circuit 1102, and the like in the total reception frequency range TR1. Stipulate.

  In step ST21, the control circuit 14 determines whether or not it is a set time, for example, a predetermined time of 21:50 to 5:10 at night, and if it is determined that it is a set time as a result of the determination. The process proceeds to step ST32, and otherwise the process proceeds to step ST22.

In step ST22, the control circuit 14 scans the reception range of any of the reception frequency ranges R1 to R8 in the total reception frequency range TR1 (also referred to as 1/8 area scan). At this time, the reception frequency range area that has not been scanned is scanned.
For example, scanning is started from a low frequency for a reception frequency range that is not received.

Specifically, in step ST23, the control circuit 14 first sets a reception time (timing) when performing a 1/8 area scan.
For example, the internal clock 1401 measures the power supply voltage supplied from the internal battery 23 when the external battery 24 is not attached, and is left without any time adjustment without receiving a standard radio signal or AM broadcast radio wave for one year, for example. In such a case, an error of up to 4 minutes may occur. Therefore, even if an error occurs due to the elapsed time from the most recent reception time to the present time, the reception time (timing) is received so that the standard time signal can be received. To control.

  At this time, if the internal clock 1401 does not hold the time information, or if the error is assumed to be an error of a predetermined time, for example, 4 minutes or more, the control circuit 14 receives the standard radio wave or manually. The display time is corrected to within 4 minutes and the next hour is awaited while moving.

  In step ST24, the control circuit 14 starts receiving the AM broadcast radio wave at the reception start time specified in step ST23 before every hour.

  In step ST25, the control circuit 14 determines whether there is a reception candidate station based on the AM broadcast radio wave received by the tuning circuit 1101, the frequency conversion circuit 1102, ..., the time signal detection circuit 1107, and, as a result of the determination, If it is determined that there is a candidate station, the process proceeds to step ST26. If it is determined that there is no reception candidate station, the process returns to step ST21, and a new time signal is generated in the next reception frequency range not scanned. A process of specifying d is performed.

  Specifically, the control circuit 14 sets the reception frequency of the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 within the reception frequency range of any one of the reception frequency ranges R1 to R8 within a specified time in which the time signal is included in the broadcast radio wave. As shown in FIG. 10, it is determined whether or not the time signal d is specified based on whether or not the level of the signal extracted by the time signal detection circuit 1107 is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

In step ST26, the control circuit 14 stores reception frequency information indicating a reception frequency corresponding to the reception candidate station in the memory 1402.
Specifically, when the control circuit 14 determines that the level of the signal extracted by the time signal detection circuit 1107 is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the control circuit 14 stores the reception frequency information by the frequency conversion circuit 1102 in the memory 1402.

  In step ST27, the control circuit 14 informs that there is a reception candidate station by blinking the light emitting diode (LED) 16 as the light emitting means at a specified time interval, for example, every 10 seconds.

  In step ST28, the control circuit 14 according to the present embodiment, for example, in order to reduce the influence of noise, the memory between the set time, for example, a predetermined time before the next hour, for example, 3 minutes before and after 3 minutes. The reception frequency corresponding to the reception frequency information stored in 1402 is set in the frequency conversion circuit 1102, and it is determined whether or not the time signal d can be received again. If it is determined that a broadcast signal having a frequency corresponding to the reception candidate broadcast station includes a time signal, the process proceeds to step ST29, and if it is determined that the signal cannot be received again, the first reception peak is noise. It is determined that there is, and the process returns to step ST21.

  In step ST29, the control circuit 14 corrects the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 based on the time signal received at the reception frequency. Specifically, the control circuit 14 determines the difference between the time when the time signal d is received and the correct time (00:00) of the time information timed by the internal clock 1401 based on the time information timed by the internal timepiece 1401. The time information is corrected so as to be preferably zero so as to decrease.

  In step ST30, based on the time information timed by the internal clock, the control circuit 14 performs a process of correcting the display time on the display unit 20 and the display 30 so that the time information matches the display time.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST31 that the set time is a predetermined time, for example, 21:50 to 5:10 at night, the control circuit 14 defines the light emitting diode (LED) 16 that is a light emitting means. By flashing every 4 seconds, for example, every 4 seconds, a time signal is included in the broadcast radio wave of the frequency corresponding to the reception candidate broadcast station, and a notification indicating that the display time and the display time have been corrected normally I do.

  In step ST32, the control circuit 14 scans a plurality of reception frequency ranges R1 to R8 in the total reception frequency range TR1 at night, and selects a predetermined number of reception candidate broadcast stations, for example, two stations for each reception frequency range. Identify. Specifically, at the time of this selection, for example, reception frequencies corresponding to reception candidate stations are specified in order of the level of the level of the received time signal.

In step ST33, the control circuit 14 determines the priority order of the frequencies corresponding to the reception candidate broadcast stations, for example, in descending order based on the level of the time signal corresponding to each of the 16 stations in total in each of the eight areas. Set.
This priority order is used, for example, when setting a reception frequency when performing automatic reception.

  In step ST34, the control circuit 14 ends the series of forced reception modes, shifts to the normal automatic reception mode, and waits until the next automatic reception time.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the automatic reception mode of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation related to the time adjustment at the set time in the automatic reception mode of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 with reference to FIG.

  In step ST41, in the automatic reception mode, the control circuit 14 determines whether it is before a specified time of the set time, for example, 5 minutes before, and proceeds to step ST42 if it is determined that it is before the specified time of the set time. In other cases, the process returns to step ST41.

  In step ST42, the control circuit 14 receives the time signal from the tuning circuit 1101, the frequency conversion circuit 1102,..., The time signal detection circuit 1107 at the reception frequency corresponding to the reception frequency information stored in the memory 1402 as described above. If it is determined that the signal has been received, the process proceeds to step ST43. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step ST46. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the level of the signal extracted by the time signal detection circuit 1107 is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

In step ST43, when determining that the time signal has been received, the control circuit 14 corrects the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 based on the received time signal.
In step ST44, the control circuit 14 corrects the display time on the display unit 20 and the display 30 based on the time information counted by the internal clock 1401.
In step ST45, the control circuit 14 receives the time signal d by blinking the light emitting diode (LED) 16 as the light emitting means at a specified time interval, for example, every 4 seconds, and based on the time signal d. Notify that the time has been adjusted correctly.

  In step ST46, when it is determined in step ST42 that the time signal is not received, the control circuit 14 determines whether or not it can be received continuously for a set time (for example, 8 days), and cannot receive the set time continuously. Is determined, the process proceeds to step ST47, and otherwise, the process returns to step ST41.

In step ST47, the control circuit 14 stops receiving the broadcast radio wave and discards the reception frequency information stored in the memory 1402.
In step ST <b> 48, the control circuit 14 performs a process of newly specifying the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave including the time signal. For example, the process is shifted to the above-described AM broadcast radio wave forced reception mode, and the process of newly specifying the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave including the time signal is performed.

  As described above, the tuning circuit in which the control circuit 14 receives a broadcast radio wave including a predetermined time signal including a predetermined time signal corresponding to an embodiment of the broadcast radio wave receiving means at the set reception frequency. 1101, a frequency conversion circuit 1102,..., A detection circuit 1106, a time signal detection circuit 1107 for extracting a signal having a frequency corresponding to the time signal from the broadcast radio wave received by the broadcast radio wave reception means, and a broadcast radio wave reception means within a specified time. The reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave including the time signal is specified and set when it is determined that the level of the signal extracted by the time signal detection circuit 1107 is equal to or higher than the threshold value. Control for correcting the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 based on the time signal received by the broadcast radio wave receiving means at the specified reception frequency at the time Since there is provided the road 14, to identify the time signal contained in the high precision airwaves in a short time by a simple process, it is possible to perform time correction based on the time signal.

  More specifically, the control circuit 14 determines a sub-area within a predetermined area between a predetermined time before and after the time when the time signal is broadcast, for example, around 10 minutes before the hour, based on time information from the internal clock. If the time signal is detected based on whether a time signal with a level equal to or higher than a threshold is detected, and the time signal is detected, the broadcast radio wave that includes the time signal in the memory is detected. Corresponding to the received frequency information stored in the memory 1402 during a predetermined time before and after the next hour, which is a scheduled time when a time signal is output from a broadcasting station, for example, after a predetermined time. When the frequency conversion circuit 1102 is set to the reception frequency, the broadcast radio wave is received again at the frequency of the detected time signal, and the level of the reception signal is higher than the threshold based on the received broadcast radio wave It is determined that the time signal has been received, and based on the time information timed by the internal clock 1401, the time when the time signal was detected (00:00 indicating the hour), and the time information timed by the internal clock 1401 The time information timed by the internal clock 1401 is corrected so that the difference between the time signals is preferably zero, so that the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave is identified with high accuracy in a short time by simple processing, and the time signal The time can be corrected based on the above.

  Further, for example, from the initial state where the reception frequency is not set in advance, the radio wave correction timepiece according to the present embodiment of the present invention can be performed without performing complicated operations such as manually setting the frequency corresponding to the broadcast radio wave including the time signal. In 1, the broadcast radio wave including the time signal can be reliably specified automatically from the state where the receivable frequency is not stored in the memory in the initial state. Further, the time information measured by the internal clock can be corrected based on the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave.

  In addition, the control circuit 14 extracts a signal having a level equal to or higher than the threshold value by the time signal detection circuit 1107 with the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 set to the same reception frequency at a plurality of different set times. In this case, the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave corresponding to the reception frequency is specified, and the time information measured by the internal clock 1401 is corrected based on the time signal, so even if there is an influence such as noise, The time signal d can be specified with high accuracy.

  Further, the control circuit 14 controls the reception frequency of the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 within the first reception frequency range within a specified time in which the broadcast signal includes the time signal d, and the time signal detection circuit 1107 When it is determined that the level of the extracted signal is smaller than the threshold value, the reception frequency of the tuning circuit 1101 or the frequency conversion circuit 1102 is controlled within a second reception frequency range different from the first reception frequency range to Is performed, that is, when the time signal d cannot be specified within the first reception frequency range, the time signal d is specified within the second reception frequency range that is not searched next. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the time signal d can be specified in a short time compared to the case of searching one station at a time, for example.

  In addition, when the control circuit 14 specifies the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave at a plurality of different reception frequencies, the control circuit 14 includes the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave corresponding to the plurality of different reception frequencies based on the level of the time signal. For example, by setting the reception order in descending order, the time signal d can be received more reliably and the time can be adjusted.

  In addition, the control circuit 14 sets the time signal detection circuit 1107 at a different set time when the tuning signal 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 are set to the same reception frequency, and the time signal detection circuit 1107 cannot extract a time signal at a level equal to or higher than the threshold value. Since the reception frequency information stored in the memory 1402 is discarded and the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave including the time signal is newly specified, the influence of noise is reduced, and the time signal d is more accurately obtained. Can be identified.

  Also, a frequency conversion circuit 1102 that converts broadcast radio waves into an intermediate frequency signal S1102, and an intermediate frequency that amplifies the intermediate frequency signal S1102 output from the frequency conversion circuit 1102 to a set level and outputs a signal Sagc indicating the degree of amplification. The control circuit 14 specifies a broadcast radio wave including a time signal receivable by the tuning circuit 1101 and the frequency conversion circuit 1102 based on the signal Sagc indicating the degree of amplification by the intermediate frequency amplification circuit 1107. If the reception signal corresponding to the specified broadcast radio wave is set at the set time and the time signal contained in the broadcast radio wave is received, the reception frequency of the broadcast station is specified in advance, and the specified reception frequency By specifying the broadcast radio wave including the time signal d from the broadcast radio wave, the time signal d is specified at a higher speed. It can be.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and various suitable modifications can be made.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 14 controls the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave reception means within a predetermined reception frequency range within a specified time, and whether the level of the signal extracted by the extraction means is equal to or higher than a threshold value. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the time signal detection circuit 1107 may realize the above function.

  In the present embodiment, an analog time display using a pointer is performed as the display unit 20, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, a display unit 30 that performs digital time display such as a liquid crystal display device may be provided.

  Further, the control circuit 14, for example, sets the reception frequency range in a state in which the time signal level can be effectively detected by attenuation from the rising point of the level of the time signal, and the scan speed (frequency that can be scanned effectively per unit time). May be defined in the reception frequency range corresponding to about 70% or more of the product.

  Further, the function of the filter 11091 in the time signal detection circuit 1107 may be realized by signal processing of the control circuit 14, for example. In this case, for example, when the control circuit 14 detects a desired single frequency included in the time signal in the audio signal of the broadcast signal, it is in the vicinity of twice the desired frequency in the time-series sampling data of the audio signal. The data appearing at the frequency is alternately multiplied and multiplied by the coefficient of the opposite sign, and the presence / absence of the desired frequency component is determined by the change in the integration, and the time signal d is specified.

Further, the set time for receiving the broadcast radio wave including the time signal and adjusting the time is not limited to the above-described form.
Moreover, the broadcasting station which the radio wave receiving system 11 receives is not limited to the above-described form.

It is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a radio wave correction timepiece according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed functional block diagram of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a specific example of a radio wave reception system of the radio wave correction watch illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows one specific example of the time signal included in the vicinity of every hour on the general AM radio broadcast electric wave. It is a figure for demonstrating the time signal which the radio wave correction timepiece 1 shown in FIG. 1 receives. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a time signal detection circuit 1107 of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the electromagnetic wave reception state in the control circuit which concerns on this invention. An example of a time code of a standard time radio signal is shown. (A) shows formats other than 15 and 45 minutes per hour, and (b) shows formats for 15 minutes and 45 minutes per hour. It is a figure for demonstrating the receiving frequency range by the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which specifies the time signal d by the control circuit 14 of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the radio-controlled timepiece shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 shown in FIG. 1 in an AM broadcast radio wave reception mode. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in an automatic reception mode of the radio wave correction watch 1 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Radio wave correction clock, 11 ... Radio wave reception system, 12 ... Switch group, 13 ... Oscillation circuit, 14 ... Control circuit, 15 ... Drive circuit, 16 ... Light emitting element, 17 ... Buffer circuit, 18 ... Drive circuit, 20 ... Display 121, second hand motor (first drive source), 131, hour / minute hand motor (second drive source), 140, photodetection sensor, 142, light emitting element, 144, light receiving element, 1101, tuning circuit, 1102 ... Frequency conversion circuit, 1103 ... Local oscillation circuit, 1104 ... Frequency control circuit, 1105 ... Intermediate frequency amplifier circuit, 1106 ... Detection circuit, 1107 ... Time signal detection circuit, 1108 ... Standard radio wave (long wave) reception circuit, 1401 ... Internal clock, 1402 …memory.

Claims (9)

An automatic correction timepiece that receives a broadcast radio wave including a time signal of a predetermined frequency for a specified time and corrects the time based on the time signal,
An internal clock,
Broadcast radio wave receiving means for receiving the broadcast radio wave at a set reception frequency;
Extraction means for extracting a signal of a frequency corresponding to the time signal from the broadcast radio wave received by the broadcast radio wave reception means;
If the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave reception means is controlled within a predetermined reception frequency range within the specified time and the level of the signal extracted by the extraction means is determined to be greater than or equal to a threshold value, the time signal Control means for correcting the time information measured by the internal clock based on a time signal received by the broadcast radio wave reception means at the specified reception frequency at a set time With automatic correction clock. When it is determined that the level of the signal extracted by the extraction means is equal to or higher than a threshold value, the memory has reception frequency information indicating the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave including the specified time signal,
The control means corrects the time information measured by the internal clock based on a time signal received by the broadcast radio wave reception means at a reception frequency corresponding to the reception frequency information held by the memory at the set time. The automatic correction timepiece according to claim 1. The control means sets the reception frequency when the extraction means extracts a signal having a level equal to or higher than the threshold value at a plurality of different set times in a state where the broadcast radio wave reception means is set to the reception frequency. The automatic correction timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a time signal included in a corresponding broadcast radio wave is specified, and time information measured by the internal timepiece is corrected based on the time signal. The control unit controls the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave reception unit within a first reception frequency range within the specified time, and determines that the level of the signal extracted by the extraction unit is smaller than a threshold value. The process of specifying the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave by controlling the reception frequency of the broadcast radio wave reception means within the second reception frequency range different from the first reception frequency range. The automatic correction timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The control means is included in the broadcast radio waves corresponding to the plurality of different reception frequencies based on the level of the time signal when the time signal included in the broadcast radio waves is specified at a plurality of different reception frequencies. The automatic correction timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a reception order of time signal signals is set. The control means is stored in the memory when the extraction means cannot extract a time signal having a level equal to or higher than the threshold at a different set time when the broadcast radio wave reception means is set to the reception frequency. The automatic correction timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a process of newly specifying a reception frequency of a broadcast radio wave including the time signal is performed instead of the received frequency information. The broadcast radio wave receiving means is
Frequency conversion means for converting the broadcast radio wave into an intermediate frequency signal;
Automatic gain control means for amplifying the intermediate frequency signal output from the frequency conversion means to a set level and outputting a signal indicating the degree of amplification,
The control means specifies a broadcast radio wave including a time signal receivable by the broadcast radio wave reception means based on a signal indicating the degree of amplification by the automatic gain control means, and at the set time, the specified broadcast radio wave The automatic correction timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the time signal included in the broadcast radio wave is received by the broadcast radio wave reception means. It has a standard radio wave receiving means for receiving standard time radio signals,
The control means corrects time information by the internal clock based on the standard time radio signal received by the standard radio wave reception means at an initial time, and based on a time signal received by the broadcast radio wave reception means at normal time, The automatic correction timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein time information timed by the timepiece is corrected. When the standard time signal can be effectively extracted from the standard time radio signal received by the standard radio wave reception unit in the standard radio wave forced reception mode, the control unit can extract the time of the internal clock based on the standard time signal. When the standard time signal cannot be effectively extracted from the standard time radio signal received by the standard radio wave receiving means after correcting the information, the time information of the internal clock is obtained based on the time signal received by the broadcast radio wave receiving means. The automatic correction timepiece according to claim 8 to be corrected.

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