JP4603705B2 - Electronic clock - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, electronic watches that correct the time by rotating the crown have been commercialized. The correction method is that the mechanical switch is activated by the rotating operation, and the correction signal generated by the correction signal generation circuit via the input circuit. And the time etc. are corrected. In addition, a switch discriminating means for discriminating that the operation has been performed twice within a predetermined time is provided, and an early correction signal is generated from the correction signal generating circuit in response to the output of the switch discriminating means so that the time etc. An electronic timepiece is proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-3271. In addition, this publication discloses that the forward / reverse rotation of the pointer is controlled according to the direction of rotation by taking a contact corresponding to the left / right rotation of the crown. This disclosure covers the difficulty in operating the mechanical switch continuously with the rotation of the crown, and allows the time to be corrected quickly with the easy-to-operate crown rotation. Accordingly, the forward / reverse rotation of the pointer can be easily controlled.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above configuration only discloses that the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the pointer are controlled according to the crown rotation direction. In general, in the crown 14 configured as shown in FIG. 5 of the publication, the operation speed is slower in the left rotation than in the right rotation. Therefore, if the switch discriminating means for discriminating that the operation has been performed twice within a predetermined time is set to the predetermined time without any distinction between the clockwise rotation operation and the left rotation operation of the crown, for example, it is easy to quickly correct in the right rotation, There is a problem that it is difficult to enter with left rotation. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece that solves such a problem and that does not impair the operability even in a right rotation operation and a left rotation operation with different rotation speeds.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.
An oscillator that generates a reference signal, and a clock circuit that outputs a clock signal using the signal from the oscillator as an input;
Display means for displaying the time signal;
Two switch means for correcting the content of the timekeeping circuit;
Switch discrimination means for discriminating that the two switch means are operated at least twice within a predetermined time;
A continuous correction signal generating circuit that outputs a continuous correction signal in accordance with the determination signal of the switch determination means and quickly corrects the contents of the time counting circuit ;
In an electronic watch having
A separate said switching determination means corresponding to each of the two switching means provided,
The predetermined time is varied for each of the separate switch discriminating means .
[0005]
Further, the two switch means are switch means that are operated by a clockwise rotation operation and a left rotation operation of the crown , respectively .
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the pointer is stepped forward in the forward rotation direction by the clockwise rotation operation of the crown (not shown), and is stepped in the reverse rotation direction by the left rotation operation. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of an electronic timepiece according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an oscillator including an oscillation circuit that uses a crystal resonator as a reference signal, and reference numeral 2 denotes a frequency dividing circuit that inputs an oscillation signal from the oscillator 1 and outputs a frequency-divided signal S21, S22 and a 1-second signal 1S as a timing signal. It is. Reference numeral 3 denotes a time measuring circuit including a second counter 3a, a minute counter 3b, and an hour counter 3c, which inputs a 1 second signal 1S from the frequency dividing circuit 2 and outputs second time information S30 and hour / minute time information S31. The second counter 3a is initialized to 00 seconds by a crown pulling position signal S52 output by a crown pulling operation described later, and prohibits the input of the 1 second signal 1S. Further, the minute counter 3b and the hour counter 3c can be corrected by a time normal rotation correction signal S11 or a time reverse correction signal S12 described later.
[0007]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a hand position conversion circuit which inputs second time information S30 and hour / minute time information S31 and outputs hour / minute hand conversion information S22 converted into a hand position. Since the minute hand 21b supported by the minute wheel of a reduction gear train B20, which will be described later, is operated for 15 seconds, the hour / minute hand conversion information S22 is output in units of 15 seconds.
[0008]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a switch group that operates in conjunction with the external operation member. The switch SWa operates in conjunction with the pulling position of the crown (not shown), the switch SWb operates in the clockwise rotation operation of the crown, and the left rotation operation. The switch SWc is operated. Reference numeral 5 denotes a switch input circuit, which inputs the above-described switches and outputs a crown pulling position signal S52, a right rotation operation signal S51, and a left rotation operation signal S50.
[0009]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a correction signal generation circuit which inputs the crown pulling position signal S52, the right rotation operation signal S51, and the left rotation operation signal S50 of the switch input circuit 5, and corrects normal rotation by the right rotation operation at the crown pulling position. The reverse correction signal S61 is output by the signal S60 and the left rotation operation. Reference numeral 7 denotes a switch discriminating means A. When the forward rotation correction signal S60 is input, the timer 7a that counts the frequency-divided signal S21 starts to measure the input interval, and when the normal rotation correction signal S60 is input again before the time is up. The switch discrimination signal S7 is output. 8 is a switch discriminating means B. When the reverse rotation correction signal S61 is input, the timer 8a that counts the divided signal S21 starts to measure the input interval, and when the reverse rotation correction signal S61 is input again before the time is up, A discrimination signal S8 is output. The set value of the timer 8a is set larger than the set value of the timer 7a.
[0010]
Reference numeral 9 denotes a continuous correction signal generating circuit A, which outputs a normal rotation continuous correction signal S9 along the frequency-divided signal S22 by a switch determination signal S7 output from the switch determination means A7. Reference numeral 10 denotes a continuous correction signal generation circuit B, which outputs a reverse continuous correction signal S10 along the frequency-divided signal S22 in response to a switch determination signal S8 output from the switch determination means B8. Reference numeral 11 denotes an OR circuit A which receives the normal rotation correction signal S60 and the normal rotation continuous correction signal S9 and outputs the time normal rotation correction signal S11. An OR circuit B 12 receives the reverse correction signal S61 and the continuous reverse correction signal S10, and outputs the time reverse correction signal S12.
[0011]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a drive signal generating circuit A, which is composed of a storage circuit and a comparison circuit, which compares and calculates the previously stored second timekeeping information S30 (current hand position) and new second timekeeping information S30 (target hand position). The number of pulses is output as drive signal S13. Reference numeral 14 denotes a converter drive circuit A that alternately outputs drive pulses having different polarities, and outputs a drive pulse S14 corresponding to the drive signal S13 from the drive signal generation circuit A13. Reference numeral 15 denotes a step motor driven by alternating drive pulses from the converter drive circuit A14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a reduction gear train A meshed with the step motor 15, and the second wheel constituting a part of the reduction gear train 16A. Second display is performed by the second hand 21a supported by the lens.
[0012]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a drive signal generation circuit B, which includes a storage circuit and a comparison circuit, and compares and calculates the previously stored hour / minute hand conversion information S22 (current hand position) and new hour / minute hand conversion information S22 (target needle position). The number of differential pulses up to the target needle position is output as the drive signal S17. As the drive signal S17, a forward rotation signal or a reverse rotation signal is selected for shortening the arrival time to the target needle position. Reference numeral 18 denotes a converter drive circuit B that alternately outputs drive pulses having different polarities, and outputs a drive pulse S18 corresponding to the drive signal S17 from the drive signal generation circuit B17. Reference numeral 19 denotes a step motor driven by alternating drive pulses from the converter drive circuit B18. Reference numeral 20 denotes a reduction gear train B engaged with the step motor 19, and a minute wheel constituting a part of the reduction gear train B20. The minute hand 21b and the hour hand 21c supported by the hour wheel display the minute and hour.
[0013]
Next, the time adjustment operation of the electronic timepiece having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Explaining the above operation, the switch SWa is operated at the crown pulling position, and the switch input circuit 5 outputs the crown pulling position signal S52. The second counter 3a is reset and outputs 00 seconds as the second timekeeping information S30 and stops counting. The drive signal generation circuit A13 outputs the number of differential pulses as the drive signal S13. The converter drive circuit A14 drives the step motor 15 to return the second hand 21a supported by the second hand wheel of the reduction gear train A16 to zero (move to 12 o'clock position).
[0014]
When the crown clockwise rotation operation is performed in this state (the crown pulling position), the switch SWb is activated and the switch input circuit 5 outputs the clockwise rotation operation signal S51. The correction signal generation circuit 6 receives the right rotation operation signal S51 and outputs a normal rotation correction signal S60, and the OR circuit A11 outputs a time normal rotation correction signal S11 in increments of +1 minute. The minute counter 3b adds 1 minute in accordance with the forward rotation correction signal S11, the hour counter 3c is corrected in conjunction with the minute counter 3b, and the timer circuit 3 outputs the corrected hour / minute time information S31. The hand position conversion circuit 22 for inputting the second timekeeping information S30 and the hour / minute timekeeping information S31 outputs new hour / minute hand conversion information S22, and the drive signal generation circuit B17 outputs the drive signal S17 having the difference pulse number 4 (+1 minute unit). Output. The converter drive circuit B18 drives the step motor 19 to operate the minute wheel 21b and hour hand 21c supported by the minute wheel and the hour wheel of the reduction wheel train B20, and corrects in increments of +1 minute. The normal rotation continuous correction signal S9, which is one input of the OR circuit A11, is not output because it is not determined as a continuous input by the switch determination means A7.
[0015]
Next, the case where the crown clockwise rotation operation is continuously performed will be described. The switch SWb operates intermittently, and the correction signal generation circuit 6 intermittently outputs the normal rotation correction signal S60 via the switch input circuit 5. As described above, in the first normal rotation correction signal S60, the OR circuit A11 outputs the time normal rotation correction signal S11 in increments of +1 minute. At the same time, the switch discriminating means A7 counts the frequency-divided signal S21 and starts measuring the input interval. The switch discriminating means A7 outputs the switch discriminating signal S7 when the next forward rotation correction signal S60 is inputted before the timer 7a that counts the frequency-divided signal S21 counts up. The continuous correction signal generation circuit A9 outputs a normal rotation continuous correction signal S9 in response to the switch determination signal S7, and the OR circuit A11 outputs a continuous time normal rotation correction signal S11 including the normal rotation correction signal S60. The timekeeping circuit 3 is continuously corrected by the minute counter 3b, outputs the corrected hour / minute timekeeping information S31, the hour / minute hand conversion information S22 is converted by the hand position conversion circuit 22, and the hour / minute corrected by the drive signal generation circuit B17. Is displayed by the minute hand 21b and the hour hand 21c. The continuous correction can be stopped by releasing the crown clockwise rotation operation, the counterclockwise rotation operation, or the crown pulling position. The illustration is omitted because it is complicated.
[0016]
In the above, +1 minute unit and continuous time forward correction by the crown clockwise rotation operation will be described, and next, -1 minute unit and continuous time reverse correction by the crown left rotation operation will be described. Only the switch discriminating means B8 will be described because it is the same as in the clockwise rotation operation. The switch discriminating means B8 counts the frequency division signal S21 with the first reverse correction signal S61 and starts measuring the input interval. The switch discriminating means B8 outputs the switch discriminating signal S8 when the next reverse correction signal S61 is inputted before the timer 8a that counts the frequency division signal S21 counts up. Here, since the timer 8a is set to a value larger than that of the timer 7a, the switch determination signal S8 is output with the same feeling as in the forward rotation operation even when the reverse rotation speed is low. The continuous correction signal generation circuit A10 outputs a reverse rotation continuous correction signal S10 in response to the switch determination signal S8, and the OR circuit A12 outputs a continuous time reverse correction signal S12 including the reverse rotation correction signal S61. The timekeeping circuit 3 is continuously corrected by the minute counter 3b, outputs the corrected hour / minute timekeeping information S31, the hour / minute hand conversion information S22 is converted by the hand position conversion circuit 22, and the hour / minute corrected by the drive signal generation circuit B17. Is displayed by the minute hand 21b and the hour hand 21c. Similar to the clockwise rotation, the continuous correction can be stopped by releasing the clockwise clockwise rotation operation, the counterclockwise rotation operation, or the crown pulling position.
[0017]
When the crown pulling is canceled at the current minute and the hour by the above method, the resetting of the second counter 3a is canceled and the one-second count is started. At the same time, the second hand 21a starts moving for one second and enters a normal use state.
[0018]
Although the time correction has been described above, it goes without saying that it can be applied to other operations such as time difference correction. The same effect can be obtained by setting the timers 7a and 8a of the switch discriminating means to the same value and setting the count signal of the timer 7a earlier than the count signal of the timer 8a. Further, the set values of the timers 7a and 8a can be set from the outside.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the crown rotation operation switch discriminating means is provided for each of the right rotation operation and the left rotation operation, the difference between the operation speeds of both can be absorbed and stable operability can be realized. . Further, even in a general push switch, it is effective when there is a time difference in operability depending on the installation position or the like, and an electronic timepiece that is easy to operate can be supplied.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Switch input circuit 6 Correction signal generation circuit 7 Switch discrimination means A
8 Switch discrimination means B
9 Continuous correction signal generator A
10 Continuous correction signal generator B
17 Drive signal generation circuit B
18 Converter drive circuit B
21b Minute hand 21c Hour hand 22 Needle position conversion circuit

Claims (2)

An oscillator that generates a reference signal, and a clock circuit that outputs a clock signal using the signal from the oscillator as an input;
Display means for displaying the time signal;
Two switch means for correcting the content of the timekeeping circuit;
Switch discriminating means for discriminating that the two switch means are operated at least twice within a predetermined time;
A continuous correction signal generating circuit for quickly correcting the content of the time counting circuit by outputting a continuous correction signal by the determination signal of the switch determining means ;
In an electronic watch having
A separate said switching determination means corresponding to each of the two switching means provided,
An electronic timepiece characterized in that the predetermined time is varied in each of the separate switch discriminating means . 2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the two switch means are switch means which are operated by a clockwise rotation operation and a left rotation operation of the crown , respectively .

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