JP4670233B2 - Electronic clock - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a suitable electronic time meter using the timepiece apparatus such as an analog clock.

  Conventionally, as an electronic timepiece, an analog electronic timepiece that moves a pointer by applying a drive signal to a drive motor coil (drive coil) is widely known. In addition, as an analog timepiece of this type, a standard time signal transmitted from an external standard time generator through the driving motor coil by using the driving motor coil used for hand movement also as a data receiving coil. The rate of the watch unit was adjusted (for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-7190).

  On the other hand, an analog timepiece in which a driving motor coil is also used as a data transmission coil is known (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-258464). In this analog timepiece, the movement of the hands is stopped and data is transmitted, and after the transmission is completed, the hands are fast-forwarded and corrected.

  By the way, in the prior art that transmits the clock-side data to the outside, the movement of the pointer is stopped and the driving motor coil is used as the transmission coil while transmitting the data. For this reason, the timepiece must be provided with a time reset circuit that determines whether or not data is being transmitted and stores the number of pulses of the drive signal generated while in the transmission mode. There is a problem that the circuit configuration on the side becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, the present invention is simple circuit structure, and its object is to provide an electronic time meter capable of transmitting data.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an oscillation circuit that generates a reference oscillation signal, a frequency dividing circuit that divides the reference oscillation signal generated from the oscillation circuit and outputs a frequency-divided oscillation signal, and the frequency divider circuit A drive signal generation circuit that generates a drive pulse signal based on the output divided oscillation signal, a drive coil that drives the driven unit by the drive pulse signal output from the drive signal generation circuit, and transmission data A data storage unit for storing, a data transmission signal pulse generating circuit for generating a data transmission signal based on the frequency-divided oscillation signal output from the frequency-dividing circuit and the data stored in the data storage unit; Is transmitted to an external data transmitting / receiving device via a drive coil.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the drive signal generating circuit includes: a first switching element connected between one end of the drive coil and the first power supply line; A second switching element connected between the other end and the first power supply line; a third switching element connected between one end of the drive coil and the second power supply line; The fourth switching element is connected between the end and the second power supply line, and the first switching element and the fourth switching element are simultaneously turned on, or the second switching element and the third switching element are simultaneously turned on. In this state, a data transmission signal is transmitted by passing a current through the drive coil.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission unit transmits the data transmission signal between pulses of the drive pulse signal generated by the drive signal generation circuit at substantially constant intervals. It transmits to an external data transmitter / receiver via a drive coil.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the data transmission signal is synchronized with the drive pulse signal and is transmitted to the external data transmitting / receiving device at a predetermined timing after the drive pulse signal is output. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, an operation input unit for a user to input an instruction is provided, and the transmission unit is configured to input a predetermined instruction by the operation input unit. When the above is performed, the data is transmitted to the external data transmission / reception device.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined instruction input is made by the operation input unit, the transmission unit shifts to the data transmission mode and transfers the data to the external data. Transmitting to a transmission / reception device, and when a predetermined instruction input corresponding to data transmission stop is made by the operation input unit during the data transmission mode, the data transmission mode is canceled and the data transmission is stopped. It is said.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a call signal detection unit that detects a call signal output from the external data transmission / reception device via a driving coil. When the call signal is detected by the signal detection unit, the data is transmitted to the external data transmitting / receiving device.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the driven unit is an analog timepiece unit that performs a timepiece operation with an analog hand.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the data stored in the data storage unit is operation information data of an electronic timepiece.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the data stored in the data storage unit is either identification data unique to the driven unit or personal data of the user. .

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an oscillation circuit that generates a reference oscillation signal, a frequency dividing circuit that divides the reference oscillation signal generated from the oscillation circuit and outputs a divided oscillation signal, and the frequency divider circuit A drive signal generation circuit that generates a drive pulse signal based on the output divided oscillation signal, a drive coil that drives the driven unit by the drive pulse signal output from the drive signal generation circuit, and transmission data In a data transmission method of an electronic timepiece including a data storage unit for storing, a data transmission signal is generated based on a frequency-divided oscillation signal output from a frequency-dividing circuit and data stored in the data storage unit, and is driven It is characterized in that a data transmission signal is transmitted to an external data transmission / reception device via a drive coil between pulses of a drive pulse signal generated by the signal generation circuit at substantially regular intervals. It is set to.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, an analog electronic timepiece 10 as an electronic device and a data transmission / reception device 30 that receives data output from the electronic timepiece 10 will be described as an example. The present invention is not limited to these, and communicates with an electronic device having a driving coil for driving the driven unit (corresponding to a driving motor coil for moving hands in an analog electronic timepiece) via the driving motor coil. The present invention can be applied to any data transmitting / receiving apparatus that receives data from an electronic device.

[1] Outline Configuration of Analog Electronic Timepiece First, the outline configuration of the analog electronic timepiece will be described.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the analog electronic timepiece.
The analog electronic timepiece 10 generates an oscillation circuit 11 that generates a reference oscillation signal, a frequency division circuit 12 that divides the reference oscillation signal and outputs a divided oscillation signal, and generates a drive pulse signal based on the divided oscillation signal And a driving circuit 15 for outputting a driving pulse signal to the pointer driving motor coil 14.

  Further, the analog electronic timepiece 10 stores transmission data transmitted to the data transmitting / receiving device 30, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, a flash memory, and a mask ROM, a data storage circuit 16 such as an SRAM, and a frequency dividing circuit 12. The operation state of the data transmission signal pulse generation circuit 17 that generates a pulsed data transmission signal based on the frequency-divided oscillation signal output from the data storage circuit 16 and the data stored in the data storage circuit 16 and the detection circuit 19 to be described later A control signal SP is output to the detection circuit 19 for control, and a control circuit 18 that receives the detection signal from the detection circuit 19 and controls the output of the drive signal generation circuit 13 and the data transmission signal pulse generation circuit 17 is provided. It is prepared for.

Further, the analog electronic timepiece 10 is controlled in its operating / non-operating state based on the control signal SP. When the analog electronic timepiece 10 is operating, the analog electronic timepiece 10 detects the calling signal transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving device 30 via the motor coil 14. A detection circuit 19 that outputs the signal to the control circuit 18 is provided.
The transmission data stored in the data storage circuit 16 is a unique identification number (hereinafter referred to as an ID) that the electronic timepiece 10 has.

Next, the configuration of the drive circuit 15 and the detection circuit 19 in the electronic timepiece 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
P1 and P2 are P-type channel field effect transistors (hereinafter referred to as FETs), N1 and N2 are N-type channel FETs, respectively, and the connection point between FETP1 and FETP2 is connected to the ground with voltage Vdd. At the same time, it is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 22 via the reference voltage source 21, and the connection point between the FET N1 and the FET N2 is connected to the voltage Vss. An output terminal O 1 that is a connection point between the FET P 1 and the FET N 1 is connected to one end of the motor coil 14, and an output terminal O 2 that is a connection point between the FET P 2 and the FET N 2 is the other end of the motor coil 14 and the inverted input terminal of the comparator 21. It is connected to the. Thus, the FETs P1, P2, N1, and N2 form a bridge circuit. Further, the output terminal of the comparator 22 is connected to the control circuit 18.

Here, the P-channel FET closes between the drain and the source when a signal of “L” is input to the gate and is turned on, and when the signal of “H” is input, the drain and source The gap is opened and turned off. On the other hand, the N-type channel FET, contrary to the operation of the P-type channel FET, opens the drain and source when the “L” signal is input to the gate and turns off the “H” level. When a signal is input, the drain and source are closed and turned on.
In this circuit, a current is passed through the motor coil 14 by closing the FET with a combination of FETP1 and FETN2, and FETP2 and FETN1.
That is, when the pointer is moved, a drive pulse signal is output from the drive signal generation circuit 13 to set the FET P2 and FET N1 to the on state, and a current flows as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. On the other hand, when the data transmission signal output from the data transmission signal pulse generation circuit 17 is transmitted to the outside via the motor coil 14, the FETP1 and the FETN2 are turned on so that the current flows as shown by the arrow B. It has become.
Note that the effective power needs to be lowered because the motor is not driven by the data transmission signal during data transmission. For this reason, the pulse width of the data transmission signal is set shorter than the pulse width of the motor-driven drive pulse signal that moves the pointer.

  The comparator 22 is configured as a detection circuit 19 that detects a calling signal transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving device 30. The comparator 22 receives the calling signal by the motor coil 14, reads the induced voltage induced in the motor coil 14, and compares the induced voltage with the reference voltage 21, so that the calling signal is present. The detection signal is output to the control circuit 18. Note that the level detected by the comparator 22 can be arbitrarily set by changing the reference voltage 21. In this case, the power supply path of the detection circuit 19 includes an inverter INV that inverts the control signal SP and an FET P10 that is on / off controlled by the control signal SP inverted by the inverter INV in order to cut off the power of the comparator 22. When the data is received, the FET P2 is turned off, and the power is supplied to the comparator 22 when the output terminal O2 is in a high impedance state.

[2] Schematic Configuration of Data Transmitting / Receiving Device Next, a schematic configuration of the data transmitting / receiving device will be described with reference to FIG.
The data transmitter / receiver 30 includes a control circuit 31 that performs data transmission / reception processing, a data storage circuit 32 that is connected to the control circuit 31 and stores reception data and transmission data for the electronic timepiece 10, and a data storage circuit 32. A data signal generation circuit 33 that generates a data signal in response to stored reception data and a reference oscillation signal output from an oscillation circuit (not shown), and a data signal output from the data signal generation circuit 33 to the transmission / reception coil 34 In order to switch transmission / reception of the transmission / reception coil 34 based on the switching control signal SSW output from the drive circuit 35 that outputs the signal, the detection circuit 36 that detects the signal received via the transmission / reception coil 34, and the control circuit 31. The switch 37 is provided. Here, an analog switch or a relay is used as the switch 37.

[3] Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
First, in the normal operation mode, as described above, when the FET P2 and the FET N1 are turned on, a drive pulse signal for moving the pointer is applied to the motor coil 14 every predetermined time (about 1 second) ( Step SP1-3). The pulse interval from time t0 when the pulse of the drive pulse signal falls to time t00 when the next pulse rises is a fixed time T, and this time T is set to approximately 1 second.

On the other hand, when no drive pulse signal is generated, FET P1 and FET P2 are in the on state, and the potential between the output terminals O1 and O2 of the motor coil 14 is fixed at the voltage Vdd.
At time t1 (| t0-t1 | <T) when a predetermined time has elapsed from time t0 when the pulse of the drive pulse signal falls, FET P2 is turned off and output terminal O2 is electrically floating (high impedance state) It becomes. At the same time, the FET P10 is turned on, power is supplied to the comparator 22, and the comparator 22 is activated.
Then, the electronic timepiece 10 is switched to the reception mode, and the motor coil 14 is in a state where it can receive a call signal from the outside (step SP1). Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the normal operation mode is resumed.
Similarly, the electronic timepiece 10 is again switched to the reception mode by turning off the FET P2 at an appropriate time t3. This transition to the reception mode is repeated several times (twice in FIG. 5) from time t0 when the drive pulse signal rises to time t00 when the next pulse of the drive pulse signal rises.

At time t3, the electronic timepiece 10 shifts to the reception mode, and the motor coil 14 is ready to receive the calling signal. At the same time, the FET P10 is turned on, power is supplied to the comparator 22, and the comparator 22 is activated.
When a predetermined calling signal is sent from the data transmitting / receiving device 30 to the electronic timepiece 10, the motor coil 14 receives the calling signal, and the induced voltage of the motor coil 14 is output to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 22.

On the other hand, the comparator 22 compares the input induced voltage with the reference voltage 21, and the control circuit 18 of the electronic timepiece 10 samples the output signal of the comparator 22 at a predetermined sampling timing. It is determined whether or not it has been received (step SP2).
If the control circuit 18 determines that the calling signal has been received, the control circuit 18 switches to the data transmission mode in which the FET P1 and FET N2 are turned on (step SP4).
In this data transmission mode, transmission data is read from the data storage circuit 16 (step SP5). Further, the control circuit 18 turns on FETP1 and FETN2 at time t4, and allows current to flow through a path of FETP1 → motor coil 14 → FETN2 (arrow B in FIG. 3).

The electronic timepiece 10 transmits a data transmission signal having a predetermined frequency finer than the drive pulse signal to the external data transmission / reception device 30 via the motor coil 14 (step SP6).
Here, the reception operation in the data transmitting / receiving apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the data transmission signal to be transmitted by the electronic timepiece 10 is as shown in FIG. 7A, the reception waveform in the transmission / reception coil 34 of the data transmission / reception apparatus 30 is as shown in FIG. 7B. Become.

Therefore, the detection circuit 36 compares the predetermined detection level with the received waveform level, performs waveform shaping, and outputs an output waveform as shown in FIG.
The control circuit 31 samples the output waveform of the detection circuit 36 at a sampling timing corresponding to a predetermined sampling timing signal as shown in FIG. 7D, and obtains received data (“1101011”).
On the other hand, after completing the data transmission, the electronic timepiece 10 returns to step SP3 and automatically returns to the normal operation mode in which the drive pulse signal is output to the motor coil 14 at every predetermined time T.

[4] Effects of the Embodiment As described above, according to the present embodiment, the transmission data stored in the data storage circuit 16 of the analog electronic timepiece in response to the calling signal from the data transmission / reception device 30 is handled. Is transmitted via the motor coil 14 and the drive circuit 15 for Therefore, data stored in the data storage circuit of the electronic timepiece can be transmitted to the outside without newly adding an antenna or the like.

Further, since data transmission / reception is performed between the output timings of the motor drive pulses applied every predetermined time, data transmission / reception can be performed without stopping the hand movement operation of the timepiece.
Therefore, a time reset circuit or the like that is conventionally built in an electronic timepiece can be omitted, and data transmission can be realized with a simple configuration. In addition, no additional antenna or the like is required for data transmission, and the configuration of the electronic timepiece 10 can be realized.

  Further, when the transmission data stored in the data storage circuit 16 is a unique ID of the electronic timepiece 10, the ID number assigned to the electronic timepiece 10 can be easily changed from the outside without disassembling the electronic timepiece 10. It can be identified, and it can be easily determined whether the product is in the distribution stage or whether it is fake.

Furthermore, when the transmission data is personal data such as a commuter pass boarding period and a deadline, the data transmission / reception device 30 is installed at the ticket gate, and the data transmission / reception device 30 is provided with a determination means. This eliminates the need for the user to carry the commuter pass separately from the watch and to remove it every time it passes through the ticket gate.
Also, the same effect can be obtained by using the ski lift ticket as personal data.
Further, the transmission data may be electronic device operation state information. In this case, for example, the case cover is opened from the outside by transmitting counter value information of various internal counters or operation load information. It can be useful for grasping the operating state in real time without any problems.

[5] Modified Example of Embodiment [5.1] First Modified Example Next, a first modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the first modification, the crown of the analog electronic timepiece 40 is configured as the operation input means 41.
In the electronic timepiece 40, the user can transmit data without receiving a call signal from the outside by operating the crown (operation input means 41). In this case, the configuration of the detection circuit 19 can be omitted as compared with the electronic timepiece 10 according to the embodiment, but a crown switch (not shown) is required.

[5.2] Second Modification In the above description of the embodiment, the comparator 22 is used as the calling signal detection means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an inverter circuit may be used. However, although the current consumption can be reduced, the threshold value of the detection voltage is approximately (Vdd-Vss) / 2, and the setting of the detection level is fixed.

[5.3] Third Modification In addition, although the case where the data transmission is performed only once has been described, it is needless to say that the transmission may be performed a plurality of times to improve the reliability.

[5.4] Fourth Modification Also, in the description of the above embodiment, after data transmission is performed, the normal operation mode is automatically restored. Then, the transmission mode may be continued, the output of the drive pulse signal to the drive circuit 15 may be stopped, and the data transmission may be continued. In this case, in order to return to the normal operation, the buttons and the crown may be operated from the outside.

[5.5] Fifth Modification In the description of the above embodiment, the detection circuit 19 of the electronic timepiece 10 performs signal reception (signal detection) only when the output terminal O2 is in a high impedance state. It is also possible to configure such that signal reception (signal detection) is performed with O1 and O2 alternately in a high impedance state.

[5.6] Sixth Modification Furthermore, in the description of the above-described embodiment, the analog electronic timepiece has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and includes, for example, a driving coil such as an electric toothbrush and an electric shaving. It can also be applied to various electronic devices.

[6] Another aspect of the present invention [6.1] First other aspect of the present invention A first other aspect of the present invention is an oscillation circuit that generates a reference oscillation signal and the oscillation circuit that generates the reference oscillation signal. A frequency dividing circuit that divides a reference oscillation signal and outputs a divided oscillation signal, a drive signal generation circuit that generates a drive pulse signal based on the divided oscillation signal output from the frequency division circuit, and the drive signal An operation in which a user inputs a command in a data transmission method of an electronic timepiece including a drive coil that drives a driven unit by a drive pulse signal output from a generation circuit and a data storage unit that stores data for transmission An input step, and generates a data transmission signal based on the divided oscillation signal output from the frequency divider circuit and the data stored in the data storage unit in accordance with the command input, and the drive signal generation circuit In Approximately between pulses of the driving pulse signal having a constant interval generated Ri, constituting the data transmission signal to transmit towards the external data transmitting and receiving apparatus through the driving coil.

[6.2] Second Other Aspect of the Present Invention According to a second other aspect of the present invention, an oscillation circuit that generates a reference oscillation signal and a reference oscillation signal that is generated from the oscillation circuit are divided and divided. A frequency dividing circuit that outputs a frequency oscillation signal, a drive signal generation circuit that generates a drive pulse signal based on the frequency oscillation signal output from the frequency divider circuit, and a drive pulse signal that is output from the drive signal generation circuit In a data transmission method of an electronic timepiece comprising a drive coil for driving a driven unit by a data storage unit for storing data for transmission, a call signal output from an external data transmitter / receiver is transmitted via the drive coil. A call signal detection step for detecting the call signal, and detecting a call signal based on the frequency-divided oscillation signal output from the frequency divider circuit and the data stored in the data storage unit. A data transmission signal is generated, and the data transmission signal is transmitted to the external data transmitting / receiving device via the drive coil between the pulses of the drive pulse signal generated by the drive signal generation circuit at substantially constant intervals. Configure.

It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the analog electronic timepiece and data transmission / reception apparatus by embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an analog electronic timepiece according to an embodiment. It is a circuit block diagram which shows a drive circuit and a detection circuit. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a data transmitter / receiver. It is a timing chart which shows operation of an embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the data transmitter / receiver of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the analog electronic timepiece by a 1st modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,40 ... Analog electronic timepiece 11 ... Oscillation circuit 12 ... Frequency division circuit 13 ... Drive signal generation circuit 14 ... Motor coil 15 ... Drive circuit 16 ... Data storage circuit 17 ... Data transmission signal pulse generation circuit 18... Control circuit 19... Detection circuit 30... Data transmission / reception device 34... Transmission / reception coil 41.
P1, P2, N1, N2 ... Field effect transistor (FET)

Claims (10)

An oscillation circuit for generating a reference oscillation signal;
A frequency dividing circuit that divides a reference oscillation signal generated from the oscillation circuit and outputs a divided oscillation signal;
A drive signal generation circuit that generates a drive pulse signal based on the divided oscillation signal output from the frequency divider circuit;
A drive coil for driving the driven unit by a drive pulse signal output from the drive signal generation circuit;
Data storage means for storing data for transmission;
A data transmission signal pulse generation circuit that generates a data transmission signal based on the frequency-divided oscillation signal output from the frequency-dividing circuit and the data stored in the data storage means;
Transmitting means for transmitting to the external data transmission / reception device via the drive coil,
An electronic timepiece characterized in that a pulse width of the data transmission signal is set shorter than a pulse width of the drive pulse signal. In the electronic timepiece according to claim 1,
The drive signal generation circuit is connected between a first switching element connected between one end of the drive coil and a first power supply line, and between the other end of the drive coil and the first power supply line. A second switching element, a third switching element connected between one end of the drive coil and a second power supply line, and between the other end of the drive coil and the second power supply line. And the first switching element and the fourth switching element are simultaneously turned on, or the second switching element and the third switching element are simultaneously turned on, and the driving coil. An electronic timepiece characterized by transmitting a current transmission signal to the data transmission signal. In the electronic timepiece according to claim 1 or 2,
The transmission means transmits the data transmission signal to the external data transmission / reception device via the drive coil between the pulses of the drive pulse signal generated by the drive signal generation circuit at substantially constant intervals. An electronic watch. In the electronic timepiece according to claim 3,
The electronic timepiece is characterized in that the data transmission signal is synchronized with the drive pulse signal and is transmitted to an external data transmission / reception device at a predetermined timing after the output of the drive pulse signal. In the electronic timepiece according to claim 1 or 2,
Comprising an operation input means for the user to input instructions;
The electronic timepiece is characterized in that the transmission means transmits data to the external data transmitting / receiving device when a predetermined instruction is input by the operation input means. The electronic timepiece according to claim 5,
The transmission unit shifts to the data transmission mode when the predetermined instruction is input by the operation input unit, transmits data to the external data transmission / reception device, and performs the operation during the data transmission mode. An electronic timepiece characterized by canceling the data transmission mode and stopping the data transmission when a predetermined instruction input corresponding to the data transmission suspension is made by the input means. In the electronic timepiece according to claim 1,
Call signal detection means for detecting a call signal output from an external data transmitting / receiving device via the drive coil, and the transmission means transmits data to the external when the call signal is detected by the call signal detection means. An electronic timepiece characterized by transmitting to a data transmitting / receiving device. In the electronic timepiece according to claim 1,
The electronic timepiece is characterized in that the driven unit is an analog timepiece unit that performs a timepiece operation with an analog hand. In the electronic timepiece according to claim 1,
An electronic timepiece characterized in that the data stored in the data storage means is operation information data of the electronic timepiece. In the electronic timepiece according to claim 1,
The data stored in the data storage means is any one of identification data unique to the driven unit and personal data of the user.

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