JP5830888B2 - Altimeter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an altimeter that measures an atmospheric pressure to calculate an altitude.

  There has been an altimeter that measures altitude by measuring atmospheric pressure. In such an altimeter, generally, a reference altitude is set in order to correct a measurement value deviation using a reference amount. The reference altitude is set, for example, when a user knows an accurate altitude and the user inputs an accurate altitude value at that point into the altimeter. At the time of this setting, the atmospheric pressure is measured in parallel in the altimeter, and accurate altitude value data and corresponding atmospheric pressure data are recorded in the internal memory as correction data.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle altimeter capable of setting a reference altitude.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-000013

  In competitions such as mountain marathons and trail running that continue to run in the mountains for a long time, the altitude may be checked at each point during the run. In addition, in a mountain where such a competition is held, there may be a point with an altitude reference sign along the route.

  When calculating altitude from atmospheric pressure, the error in altitude calculated by changes in temperature and weather conditions also changes. Therefore, when it is desired to always check an accurate altitude in a mountain marathon or trail running, it is necessary to set a reference altitude many times at many points where the accurate altitude is known.

  However, it is difficult for the user to stop and input the altitude value and set the reference altitude at many points where the accurate altitude is known during the competition.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an altimeter that can accurately set an altitude by setting a reference altitude as appropriate without compromising the user's extra effort in a competition that continues to run on a mountain for a long time. There is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
Atmospheric pressure measuring means for measuring atmospheric pressure;
Altitude calculating means for calculating altitude based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure measuring means, the reference atmospheric pressure setting data and the reference altitude setting data relating to a predetermined reference point ,
A time measuring means for measuring the time from the start;
A switch to obtain a lap or split time;
An intermediate time calculating means for calculating a lap time or a split time when the switch unit is operated during the time measurement of the time measuring means;
In the altimeter with
Altitude storage means for storing altitudes of a plurality of lap points or split points specified in advance;
Each time the lap time or split time is calculated by operating the switch unit, the reference pressure setting data and the altitude corresponding to the lap point or split point stored in the altitude storage means are used. a reference altitude change means for updating the Ku the reference altitude setting data,
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, altitude values of a plurality of lap points or a plurality of split points are stored in advance in the altitude storage means, so that the lap time or split time is reached during the time measurement and the lap time or split time is reached. By performing the operation for obtaining the reference altitude, the reference altitude is automatically set. Therefore, the reference altitude setting data is updated at multiple points without any extra work during the time measurement, and even if the temperature and weather conditions change midway, accurate altitude measurement is always performed. Can be performed.

It is a block diagram showing the whole electronic timepiece with an altimeter function of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a data chart which shows a specific example of the time and altitude data table provided in RAM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the control processing for every 1 Hz performed by CPU. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the key process performed by step S7 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic timepiece having a function as an altimeter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment has a function of an altimeter and a stopwatch, and is a timepiece that can be worn on a user's arm or the like. The electronic timepiece 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 that performs overall control of the device, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11 that provides a working memory space to the CPU 10, a control program executed by the CPU 10, A ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 in which control data is stored, an oscillation circuit 13 and a frequency dividing circuit 14 for supplying a signal of a constant frequency to the CPU 10, and a plurality of operation keys are input from outside. A key unit (switch unit) 15, a display unit (display unit) 16 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying time and altitude, a pressure sensor 17 as an atmospheric pressure measuring unit for measuring atmospheric pressure, and a sensor of the pressure sensor 17 An A / D conversion circuit 18 for converting the output into digital data is provided.

  The pressure sensor 17 and the A / D conversion circuit 18 operate when an operation signal is sent from the CPU 10, and a sensor output representing atmospheric pressure is sent from the pressure sensor 17 to the A / D conversion circuit 18. The sensor output is converted into digital data by the conversion circuit 18 and sent to the CPU 10.

  The key unit 15 is provided with a mode switching key for switching the operation mode and display mode of the electronic timepiece 1. The operation mode or display mode to be switched includes a time display mode for displaying the current time, a stopwatch mode for displaying the measurement time and lap time from the start, an altimeter mode for measuring and displaying altitude, There is a data input mode that inputs accurate altitude data at the lap point.

  The key section 15 includes a start / stop key for starting and stopping time measurement of the stopwatch, a lap key for obtaining and recording a lap time during the time measurement of the stopwatch, and a data input mode. There are provided an up key, a down key, an input key, etc. for raising and lowering an input value and inputting data. Each of the above keys may be provided as a dedicated key, or may be provided so that one key also serves as a key for inputting different operation contents.

  FIG. 2 shows a data chart of the time / altitude data table 11a of the RAM 11.

  The RAM 11 is provided with a time / altitude data table 11a. The data table 11a stores various data used in time display, stopwatch, and altitude measurement. Specifically, among the storage units of the time / altitude data table 11a, the current time storage unit a stores time data representing the current time by being always counted up by the CPU 10 at a constant cycle. The stopwatch time storage unit b stores time data that represents an elapsed time that is counted up by the CPU 10 at a constant period during time measurement in the stopwatch mode.

  The atmospheric pressure data measured by the pressure sensor 17 at the time of the latest altitude measurement is stored in the measured atmospheric pressure storage unit c, and the altitude data calculated at the time of the latest altitude measurement is stored in the current altitude storage unit d. Is done. The atmospheric pressure data measured at the reference point where the accurate altitude (for example, the accurate altitude above sea level) is known is stored in the reference atmospheric pressure storage unit e, and the accurate altitude ( For example, data representing an accurate sea level altitude) is stored.

  The start altitude storage unit g, lap 1 to lap 10 altitude storage unit k functions as altitude storage means, and is a storage unit in which data is input by the user before a mountain marathon or trail running. In these storage units, accurate altitude values of a plurality of lap points at which start points and lap times specified in advance by the user are input and stored.

  The lap 1 to lap 10 hour storage unit j stores the lap time acquired by operating the lap key during time measurement in the stopwatch mode, such as in a mountain marathon or trail running.

  Next, the operation of the electronic timepiece 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of control processing for every 1 Hz executed by the CPU 10.

  The control processing program is stored in the ROM 12 and is repeatedly executed by the CPU 10 based on the input of the 1 Hz signal sent from the frequency dividing circuit 14 at a cycle of 1 second. When this control process is started, first, the CPU 10 performs a time measurement process (step S1) for counting up the value of the current time storage unit a of the time / altitude data table 11a by one second. Next, it is determined whether or not the time measurement of the stopwatch is being started (step S2). If the time is being started, a time counting process for counting up the value of the stopwatch time storage unit b by one second (step S3: time measuring means) To go to the next. On the other hand, if it is not already started, it proceeds to the next.

  Next, the CPU 10 determines whether the operation mode is the altimeter mode (step S4). If the altimeter mode is selected, the CPU 10 first operates the pressure sensor 17 and the A / D conversion circuit 18 to measure the atmospheric pressure. The measured atmospheric pressure storage unit c of the data table 11a is stored (step S5). Subsequently, the current altitude is calculated from the measured atmospheric pressure and the values of the reference atmospheric pressure storage unit e and the reference altitude storage unit f of the data table 11a and stored in the current altitude storage unit d (step S6: altitude calculation means).

  More specifically, the calculation of the altitude in step S6 is performed by converting the difference between the value in the reference atmospheric pressure storage unit e and the measured atmospheric pressure into an altitude difference using a predetermined function or conversion table for obtaining the altitude difference from the atmospheric pressure difference. This difference is added to the value of the reference altitude storage unit f.

  Alternatively, the absolute altitude of the reference point corresponding to the value of the reference atmospheric pressure storage unit e is included by using a predetermined function or conversion table for obtaining the absolute altitude (eg, altitude above sea level) including a certain error from the atmospheric pressure. And the above-mentioned constant error is obtained by comparing with an accurate altitude value in the reference altitude storage unit f. Further, the absolute height including a certain error is calculated from the atmospheric pressure measured in step S5 using the above function or conversion table, and the error is removed by subtracting the certain error previously obtained from this value. Processing can also be performed to calculate the absolute altitude.

  When calculating the altitude at the measurement point using the latter method, the atmospheric pressure data measured at the reference point and the accurate altitude data at the reference point are always stored as reference altitude information. It is not necessary, and if the above-mentioned constant error is calculated from these data, only this constant error data may be stored.

  And if the altitude of a measurement point is calculated and memorize | stored by the calculation process of step S6, it will progress to the next. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the altimeter mode is not selected, the processes in steps S5 and S6 are skipped and the process proceeds directly.

  Next, the CPU 10 performs key processing corresponding to the input from the key unit 15 (step S7). The key processing will be described in detail later.

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 performs a process of causing the display unit 16 to output display contents corresponding to the current operation mode and display mode (step S8). That is, if you are in time display mode, display the current time, if you are in stopwatch mode, display the measurement time and lap time according to the operation, if you are in altimeter mode, display the measured altitude, Output each. The altitude display control means is constituted by the control processing in steps S4 to S6 and S8 in the altimeter mode. Then, the control process in FIG. 3 is terminated, and this control process is executed again when the next 1 Hz signal is input.

  FIG. 4 shows a detailed flowchart of the key processing executed in step S7 of FIG.

  This key processing is repeatedly executed at intervals of 1 second in the control processing every 1 Hz. When the CPU 10 confirms an input signal from the key unit 15 and any key input is confirmed. In addition, processing corresponding to this key input is executed. By repeatedly executing this key processing at intervals of 1 second, individual processing and a series of processing corresponding to key operations performed by the user during the operation of the electronic timepiece 1 are realized.

  When shifting to the key processing, the CPU 10 first determines whether or not a start / stop key has been input (step S11). As a result, if it is determined that there is this key input, the CPU 10 subsequently executes processing (steps S12 to S18) corresponding to this key input.

  That is, first, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the time measurement of the stopwatch is currently stopped in order to determine whether this key input means input of a start key or input of a stop key. (Step S12). If it is not stopped, it can be regarded as an input of the stop key, and therefore processing for stopping the time measurement such as turning off the time measurement execution flag is performed (step S13).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is stopped in the determination process in step S12, it can be regarded as an input of a start key, and therefore, a process for starting time measurement such as turning on a time measurement execution flag is performed (step S14). Subsequently, a variable i representing a lap point number is initialized to zero (step S15). Further, the CPU 10 operates the pressure sensor 17 and the A / D conversion circuit 18 to measure the atmospheric pressure (step S16), and stores the measured value in the reference atmospheric pressure storage unit e of the time / altitude data table 11a (step S17). ) The value of the reference altitude storage unit f in the time / altitude data table 11a is changed to the value of the start altitude storage unit g (step S18). When the processing corresponding to this key input (steps S12 to S18) is executed, one key processing is terminated.

  By the processing in steps S17 and S18, for example, in the case of a mountain marathon or trail running, the start / stop key is operated at a predetermined start point and the time measurement of the stopwatch is started. The barometric pressure and altitude data of the point are registered as reference altitude data used for subsequent altitude calculation. With this processing, in the subsequent altitude measurement processing, the reference altitude data that matches the current temperature and weather conditions is used, and an accurate altitude is calculated.

  The process of updating the reference amount data in steps S16 to S18 is executed only when there is input data in the start altitude storage part g of the time / altitude data table 11a, and is omitted when there is no input data. You may be made to do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the input key determination process in step S11 that the start / stop key is not input, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a lap key is input (step S19). As a result, if it is determined that there is this key input, the CPU 10 subsequently executes processing (steps S20 to S25) corresponding to the lap key input.

  That is, first, the CPU 10 updates the value of the variable i representing the number of the lap point, and calculates the required time from the previous lap point (start point in the case of the first lap point) to the current lap point. (Step S21: intermediate time calculation means), this lap time is stored in the ith of the lap 1 to lap 10 hour storage unit j (step S22).

  Subsequently, the pressure sensor 17 and the A / D conversion circuit 18 are operated to measure the atmospheric pressure (step S23), and the measured value is stored in the reference atmospheric pressure storage unit e of the time / altitude data table 11a (step S24). The value of the reference altitude storage unit f in the time / altitude data table 11a is changed to the value stored in the ith of the lap 1 to lap 10 altitude storage unit k (step S25). The reference altitude changing means is constituted by the processing means in steps S23 to S25. When the processing corresponding to the lap key input (steps S20 to S25) is executed, one key processing is terminated.

  When the lap key is operated at the lap point designated by the user in advance during mountain marathon or trail running and the lap time is acquired by the processing of steps S24 and S25, the pressure and altitude data at this lap point is acquired. Are registered as reference altitude data used for subsequent altitude calculation. With this registration process, in the subsequent altitude measurement process, reference altitude data that matches the current temperature and weather conditions is used, and an accurate altitude is calculated.

  The process of updating the reference amount data in steps S23 to S25 is executed only when there is input data at the i-th position in the lap 1 to lap 10 altitude storage section k of the time / altitude data table 11a. If there is no, it may be omitted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the key input determination process in steps S11 and S19 that neither the start / stop key input nor the lap key input is performed, the input corresponding to the other key and the process corresponding to the other key input are determined. Is executed (step S26). When there is no other key input or when the processing corresponding to the other key input is completed, the one-time key processing is ended.

  In the other key processing in step S26, this processing is repeatedly executed every second, so that the user switches the operation mode of the electronic timepiece 1 to the data input mode and inputs various data. Is also realized. For example, the other key processing of step S26 is repeatedly executed, so that the start altitude storage unit g and the lap 1 to lap 10 altitude storage unit k of the time / altitude data table 11a are recorded on the day before a mountain marathon or trail running. In addition, a process in which the user inputs accurate altitude data of the start point and the lap point is also realized.

  As described above, according to the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, every time the lap key is operated to acquire the lap time by storing the accurate altitude of the lap point in the time / altitude data table 11a in advance. The reference altitude is automatically set at the lap point. Therefore, even during a mountain marathon or a trail running competition, the reference altitude is set at an appropriate interval without causing the user to perform complicated operations, and an accurate altitude can always be obtained by altitude measurement.

  Specifically, each time the lap key is operated, the data of the lap 1 to lap 10 altitude storage unit k is transferred to the reference altitude storage unit f, and the atmospheric pressure is measured and the measurement data is stored in the reference atmospheric pressure storage unit e. The stored reference altitude is stored. Therefore, using these data, it is possible to perform an accurate altitude measurement with errors removed.

  The electronic timepiece 1 is set to the altimeter mode, and the altitude is periodically measured and displayed on the display unit 16 so that it can be run while checking the altitude at each time point during a mountain marathon or a trail running competition. It becomes possible.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the reference altitude is automatically set by the operation of acquiring the lap time. However, instead of the lap time, the split time (the required time from the start to the predetermined halfway point) The same reference altitude may be automatically set by an operation for acquiring ().

  In addition, a function mode in which the reference altitude is automatically set in accordance with the acquisition operation of the lap time and split time and a function mode in which the reference altitude is not automatically set can be selectively switched. May be. In addition, the details shown in the embodiments can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. The invention described in the scope of claims attached to the application of this application will be added below. The item numbers of the claims described in the appendix are as set forth in the claims attached to the application of this application.
[Appendix]
<Claim 1>
Atmospheric pressure measuring means for measuring atmospheric pressure;
Altitude calculation means for calculating the altitude based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure measurement means and the setting data of the reference altitude,
A time measuring means for measuring the time from the start;
A switch to obtain a lap or split time;
An intermediate time calculating means for calculating a lap time or a split time when the switch unit is operated during the time measurement of the time measuring means;
In the altimeter with
Altitude storage means for storing altitudes of a plurality of lap points or split points specified in advance;
Each time the switch unit is operated and the lap time or split time is calculated, the reference altitude setting data is updated based on the altitude corresponding to the lap or split point stored in the altitude storage means. A reference altitude changing means to
An altimeter characterized by comprising.
<Claim 2>
The reference altitude setting data includes
Contains setting data that represents the altitude of any point that is the reference point and the pressure at that point,
The reference altitude changing means is
Each time the lap time or split time is calculated by operating the switch unit, the altitude setting data of the reference point is changed to altitude data stored in the altitude storage means, and the atmospheric pressure measurement means The altimeter according to claim 1, wherein the atmospheric pressure is measured and the setting data of the atmospheric pressure at the reference point is changed to the measured atmospheric pressure data.
<Claim 3>
The altitude calculating means includes
Calculating an altitude difference between the measurement point and the reference point from a difference between the atmospheric pressure at the reference point and the atmospheric pressure measured at the measurement point by the atmospheric pressure measurement means, and adding the difference in altitude to the altitude of the reference point The altimeter according to claim 2, wherein an altitude at the measurement point is calculated.
<Claim 4>
The altitude calculating means includes
The atmospheric pressure value measured at the measurement point by the atmospheric pressure measuring means is converted into an altitude value including an error by a predetermined conversion process, and an error of the predetermined conversion process is obtained from the atmospheric pressure and the altitude of the reference point, and the error The altimeter according to claim 2, wherein the altitude at the measurement point is calculated by subtracting the obtained error from an altitude value including.
<Claim 5>
Display means for displaying information;
The altitude display control means for causing the display means to display altitude information calculated by performing the measurement of the atmospheric pressure by the atmospheric pressure measuring means and the calculation of the altitude by the altitude calculating means. The altimeter according to any one of 1 to 4.

1 Electronic clock 10 CPU
11 RAM
11a Time / altitude data table e Reference atmospheric pressure storage unit f Reference altitude storage unit g Start altitude storage unit k Lap 1 to Lap 10 Altitude storage unit 12 ROM
13 Oscillation circuit 14 Dividing circuit 15 Key part 16 Display part 17 Pressure sensor 18 A / D conversion circuit

Claims (6)

Atmospheric pressure measuring means for measuring atmospheric pressure;
Altitude calculating means for calculating altitude based on the atmospheric pressure measured by the atmospheric pressure measuring means, the reference atmospheric pressure setting data and the reference altitude setting data relating to a predetermined reference point ,
A time measuring means for measuring the time from the start;
A switch to obtain a lap or split time;
An intermediate time calculating means for calculating a lap time or a split time when the switch unit is operated during the time measurement of the time measuring means;
In the altimeter with
Altitude storage means for storing altitudes of a plurality of lap points or split points specified in advance;
Each time the lap time or split time is calculated by operating the switch unit, the reference pressure setting data and the altitude corresponding to the lap point or split point stored in the altitude storage means are used. a reference altitude change means for updating the Ku the reference altitude setting data,
An altimeter characterized by comprising. The reference altitude changing means causes the atmospheric pressure measuring means to measure the atmospheric pressure every time the switch unit is operated and the lap time or split time is calculated, and after measuring the atmospheric pressure by the atmospheric pressure measuring means , The altimeter according to claim 1, wherein the setting data and the setting data of the reference altitude are updated. Before Symbol reference altitude change means,
Every time the lap time or split time the switch unit is operated is calculated, as well as changes in altitude data stored in the advanced storage device configuration data of the standards high degree, the pressure measuring means by measuring the pressure, the altimeter according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that to change the data of the group Junki pressure setting data measured pressure to. The altitude calculating means includes
The difference in altitude between the measurement point and the reference point is calculated from the difference between the set data of the reference atmospheric pressure and the atmospheric pressure measured at the measurement point by the atmospheric pressure measuring means, and this altitude difference is added to the altitude of the reference point The altimeter according to claim 3, wherein the altitude at the measurement point is calculated. The altitude calculating means includes
The atmospheric pressure value measured at the measurement point by the atmospheric pressure measuring means is converted into an altitude value including an error by a predetermined conversion process, and the error of the predetermined conversion process from the reference atmospheric pressure setting data and the reference altitude setting data 4. The altimeter according to claim 3, wherein the altitude at the measurement point is calculated by subtracting the calculated error from the altitude value including the error. Display means for displaying information;
The altitude display control means for causing the display means to display altitude information calculated by performing the measurement of the atmospheric pressure by the atmospheric pressure measuring means and the calculation of the altitude by the altitude calculating means. The altimeter according to any one of 1 to 5.

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