JP6711893B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece having a power saving function.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electronic timepiece having a function of generating power with light or kinetic energy, it is a well-known technique and widely used to set a power-saving state in which a display operation or an additional function is stopped when a non-power generation state continues .. A technology related to the operation in such a power saving state has been widely applied. For example, in the case of a photovoltaic power generation radio-controlled timepiece, reception is performed in a non-power saving state, and reception is prohibited in a power saving state to suppress power consumption. Technology exists (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3313215 (Fig. 5)

In a pointer-type electronic timepiece, the second hand driven every second consumes a considerable amount of power. Therefore, in contrast to a general pointer type timepiece that operates the hour hand, minute hand, and second hand with a single motor, a motor that drives the second hand alone and a motor that operates the hour and minute hands are effective in order to effectively save power. There is a timepiece that is separately prepared and shifts to a power saving state when a non-power generation state is detected for a short time (for example, less than 1 hour).

Although the power saving effect is improved with such a timepiece, for example, a radio-controlled timepiece has a function of automatically receiving at night when there is less noise, but when receiving, no kinetic energy can be obtained due to darkness or non-carrying. Therefore, there is a problem that the automatic reception function does not operate because it is in a power saving state.

Also, there is an alarm as a typical function of the watch, but if the ringing operation is stopped during the power saving period, the power saving effect can be effectively obtained even if it is not used for a long time, but the power saving state can be achieved in a short time. In the case of the setting that shifts, there was a problem that the function of the alarm could not be fulfilled due to a power saving state every night.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece capable of appropriately controlling the transition to the power saving state and eliminating the inconvenience to the user, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an electronic timepiece according to the present invention has a timekeeping means, at least a display means for displaying the timekeeping content of the timekeeping means, and an additional function realizing an additional function other than the timekeeping. Means, a normal state in which the display means and the additional function realizing means are operated, a power saving state in which at least a part of the display means is stopped under a predetermined condition, and a power saving standby state in which the transition to the power saving state is postponed. , and a control means for performing control of switching the said control unit sets the operation flag whether infeasible if the specific additional functions can be executed, by referring to the operation flag If the specific additional functions can be executed, even if the predetermined condition switches to the power saving standby state, the control means, the specific additional function
Is operated, the specific additional function is set to be inexecutable.

Further, the control means is characterized by switching from the power saving standby state to the power saving state after the operation of the specific additional function .

Also, the control unit, when the power saving state is released, and it characterized by setting feasible the specific additional functions.

The specific additional function is a radio wave receiving function of receiving a radio wave to which time information is added .

Further, the radio wave receiving function is performed at a predetermined time.

Moreover, until said radio wave reception function to succeed, it is characterized by that executable maintaining the specific additional functions.

Further, when the reception by the radio wave reception function fails, the switching from the power saving standby state to the power saving state is postponed, and after the repeated reception by the radio wave reception function reaches a predetermined number or a grace period, the power saving is performed. It is characterized in that the standby state is switched to the power saving state .

Further, in the power saving state, a reception result by the radio wave receiving function is displayed on the display means .

Further, it is characterized in that there are a plurality of the additional function realizing means .

Further, in the power saving standby state, after all the operations of the plurality of additional function realizing means are completed, the mode is switched to the power saving state .

Further, among the plurality of additional function realizing means, a specific additional function realizing means is not set as a postponement condition for switching to the power saving state even if it is in operation or in an operable state . .

Further, the specific additional function realizing means is controlled to be operable even in the power saving state .

Further, it is characterized in that the specific additional function operable in the power saving state can be set by an external operation .

Further, the power storage means, a power generation means for charging the power storage means, and a power generation detection means for detecting a power generation state of the power generation means are provided. The feature is that it is a condition for switching.

According to the present invention, as described above, in the transition to the power saving state, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience for the user by performing the operation management for each function mounted on the watch and measuring the transition timing. It has the effect of obtaining a clock.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the functional structure of the electronic timepiece concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the power saving state transfer procedure concerning embodiment of this invention. 5 is a time chart showing an example of a power saving state transition operation according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the power saving state transfer procedure concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a time chart showing an example of a power saving state transition operation according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of an electronic timepiece according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of electronic timepiece according to the invention]
First, the functional configuration of the electronic timepiece will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the electronic timepiece 100 includes a control unit 101, a function management unit 102, a function unit 103, a clock unit 104, a display unit 105, a power generation unit 106, a power storage unit 107, and a power generation detection unit 108. It is a configuration including,.

The control unit 101 controls the entire electronic timepiece 100.

The functional unit 103 is a functional block that realizes an additional function such as an alarm and a radio wave reception function other than time measurement. The type and number of functions are arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, there are two types: a radio wave reception function and an alarm. Hereinafter, the radio wave reception function will be referred to as function A and the alarm will be referred to as function B.

The function management unit 102 manages whether or not to operate each function of the function unit 103 having at least one or more additional functions, and outputs a signal necessary for control to the control unit 101. Specifically, when the function unit 103 has the function A and the function B, the function management unit 102 stores the operation availability for each of the function A and the function B individually, and outputs the stored content to the control unit 101. Upon receiving this output, the control unit 101 issues an instruction to the functional unit 103 to execute the operation, if there is an operation instruction.

FIG. 1 shows one form of stored contents. “Type” and “operation flag” are stored for each function. The type of function stored as "type" has a fixed value for each model. Two values of "impossible" and "execution" are stored in the "operation flag". The function for which "execution" is written is executed if the predetermined conditions for executing the function are met. On the other hand, the function in which "impossible" is written is prohibited from being executed even if the predetermined condition for executing the function is satisfied. The part corresponding to the "operation flag" functions as a flag for controlling the function and is appropriately rewritten according to the situation.

The function management unit 102 inputs the operation permission/inhibition change command output from the control unit 101, and changes the stored content. As a specific example, when the power generation detection unit 108 outputs that the power generation or the non-power generation continues for less than the predetermined time, the function management unit 102 outputs the operation permission/inhibition change command from the control unit 101 to the function unit 103. When the signal indicating that each function is enabled is stored, the state of “execution” is stored, and the control unit 101 executes each function of the function unit 103 according to the stored contents of the function management unit 102. Conversely, when the power generation detection unit 108 is in the non-power generation state, the control unit 101 outputs an operation command to the corresponding function in the function unit 103 when the function management unit 102 has an operable function, and after the operation ends. The function management unit 102 outputs a command to disable the completed function. That is, the function management unit 102 receives a signal indicating that the operation is disabled from the control unit 101, and stores the “disabled” state.

The clock unit 104 divides the crystal oscillation circuit (not shown) and the oscillation frequency generated by the crystal oscillation circuit to generate a 1-second signal and clocks the time.

The display unit 105 displays the timekeeping signal output from the timekeeping unit 104 with a pointer, liquid crystal, or the like.

The power generation unit 106 has a mechanism for generating power with a solar cell that generates light, a power generation device that converts kinetic energy into electric energy, or a thermoelectric power generation element.

The power storage unit 107 is a secondary battery or the like that stores the power generation energy of the power generation unit 106.

The power generation detection unit 108 detects the power generation state of the power generation unit 106 and outputs the result to the control unit 101.

[First Embodiment of the Present Invention]
Next, a specific operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The functional unit 103 in the electronic timepiece 100 will be described as a timepiece having functions A and B.

The control unit 101 confirms the output of the power generation detection unit 108, and when the power generation or the non-power generation state continues for less than the predetermined time (step S101: No), all the functions in the electronic timepiece can be operated. Therefore, the operation flags of the functions A and B are set to "execute" (step S102). It should be noted that this path is also passed when detecting that power is being generated and canceling the power saving state in the power saving state described later. In the case of canceling the power saving state, the operation flags of the function A and the function B are rewritten from "disable" to "execute". Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the power saving state is set (step S112), and if the power saving state is set (step S112: YES), the display content of the display unit 105 is set to the time measured by the time counting unit 104, etc. The restoration process of is executed (step S113). Then, with respect to the time display update and the execution commands for the functions A and B, the respective functions are operated (step S103).

On the contrary, when the non-power generation state continues for the predetermined time (step S101: Yes), the control unit 101 determines whether or not it is possible to shift to the power saving state, but when there is a function to be operated (step S104: No). , After the operation is executed, it shifts to the power saving state. The presence or absence of the function to be operated is determined by the operation flag stored in the function management unit 102 and prepared for each function. When the function A has an execution command, that is, when the operation flag of the function A is “execution” (step S105: Yes), the control unit 101 outputs the execution command of the function A in the function unit 103 (step S106). ) Then, after the operation is completed, the operation flag of the function A is output to the function management unit 102 so that the setting is changed to “inoperable”. Upon receiving the instruction, the function management unit 102 stores the operation flag of the function A as "inoperable" (step S107).

Subsequently, if there is an execution command in the function B and there is an instruction, that is, if the operation flag of the function B is “execution” (step S108: Yes), the control unit 101 determines that the function B in the function unit 103 is the same. Is output (step S109), and is output to the function management unit 102 to change the setting of the operation flag of the function B to “disabled” after the operation is completed. Upon receiving the instruction, the function management unit 102 stores the operation flag of the function B in the "inoperable" state (step S110).

As described above, when the operation flags are “execution”, the function is operated, and when all the operation flags are “disabled” (step S104: Yes), the control unit 101 performs the function as the power saving state transition processing. All the operations in the unit 103 are stopped, and further, the hand movement is stopped in the case of the pointer type display, and the liquid crystal drive is stopped in the case of the digital display (step S111).

Here, the function A will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3, assuming that the function B is a radio wave reception function, the function B is an alarm, and the predetermined time for continuing the non-power generation state is 1 hour.

When the power generation state or the non-power generation state continues for less than the predetermined time (less than 1 hour), the radio wave reception function and the operation flag of the alarm are stored in the function management unit 102 as “execute”, and the radio wave reception function is in the middle of the night (for example, The clock 100 performs normal operation, such as automatic reception at 2:00) and sounding an alarm at a time set by the user (for example, 5:00).

When the non-power generation state continues from the normal use state for 1 hour from 22:00 to 23:00 as shown in FIG. 3, the timepiece 100 shifts from the normal use state to the power saving standby state. Further, when the non-power generation state continues and at 2:00, the operation flag of the radio wave reception is “execution”, so the automatic reception is performed in the middle of the night, and after completion, the operation flag of the radio wave reception is set to “disable”. 101 issues a command to the function management unit 102, and the function management unit 102 stores “impossible”. Further, when the non-power generation state continues and reaches 5:00, the control unit 101 causes the function management unit 102 to set the operation flag of the alarm to “disable” after sounding the alarm because the operation flag of the alarm is “execution”. And the function management unit 102 stores “impossible”. With this, all the operation flags become “disabled”, the control unit 101 stops the hand movement in the case of the pointer type display, stops the liquid crystal drive in the case of the digital display, and shifts the electronic timepiece 100 to the power saving state. In the power saving state, the operation flags of the radio wave reception and the alarm in the function management unit 102 continue to be in the “disabled” state. The timer unit 104 continues to measure time even during power saving. After that, when the power generation is detected, the control unit 101 cancels the power saving state, updates the display of the display unit 105 so that the clock time of the clock unit 104 is reached, and sets the operation flag of radio wave reception and alarm to “execute”. It issues a command to the management unit 102. The function management unit 102 changes the content of the operation flag according to the instruction, and thereafter performs normal operation.

The above is an example of applying the radio wave correction function and the alarm as the functions when there are a plurality of functions. However, the radio wave correction function alone, the alarm only function or the three or more functions may be used. It may be a function other than the alarm, such as a chronograph or a timer.

In the above description, the transition to the power saving state disables all the functions of the function unit 103, but the present invention is not limited to this. If some functions become inoperable, the transition to the power saving state occurs. Is also good. For example, when the functional unit 103 has a radio wave correction function and an alarm function, if the operation flag of the alarm function is “execution” and the operation flag of the radio wave correction function is “disabled”, the power saving state may be entered. By doing so, the function required by the user may be operated even in the power saving state. For example, in the above case, the power saving state is entered after the reception is completed, so that the power saving state can be lengthened and more power saving can be achieved.

Further, although not shown, for each function in the function unit 103, the user may be allowed to select a function that he/she wants to operate during power saving by using a switch or other external operating means, and conversely, a function that does not operate in a power saving state is used. The person may select it.

The function selected to function even during power saving is excluded from the determination of the shift to the power saving state in step S104.

FIG. 4 shows a case where the display unit 105 is a pointer type display in the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in the case of specifications that transition to a power saving state by either not being able to operate all functions or being "not possible" for some functions as described above, for example, when a radio wave correction function and an alarm are installed, When both the radio reception and the alarm are inoperable and shifts to the power saving state, all the functions are instructed by the second hand to the position (all off) indicating the inoperability, and stop, the operation flag of the radio reception is "inoperable", the alarm operation flag If is set to "power saving" by "execute", the reception Off position is instructed by the second hand and stopped. By doing so, it is possible to notify the user whether the inoperability of the function in the power saving state is the full function or the partial function. When the function used by the external operation means can be selected, a position (alarm Off or the like) indicating inoperability may be set for each function. In addition, when displaying, even if there is one motor for the hour hand, minute hand, and second hand, if the motor for the second hand and the motor for the hour hand and minute hand are provided separately, or other configurations may be used, and they may be provided separately. In the power saving state, the second hand may be stopped or the second hand and the hour/minute hands may be stopped. Further, the display means may be digital display or the like.

In the above, the embodiment showing the function of "inoperable" during the power saving is shown, but for example, the success or failure of the reception may be shown during the power saving. By doing so, the user can confirm the reception result before entering the power saving state during power saving.

As described above, according to the electronic timepiece according to the present embodiment, when the non-use period continues and shifts to the power saving state, it is possible to immediately shift to the power saving state when the predetermined non-power generation time continues. Instead, by operating the function before the shift and shifting to the power saving state, it is possible to provide an electronic timepiece in which the user does not feel inconvenient and the power saving effect is high. Further, it is possible to provide an electronic timepiece in which the user does not feel inconvenienced even by operating a necessary function even in the power saving state and the power saving effect is high.

[Second Embodiment of the Invention]
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of another operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the description of FIG. 5, the electronic timepiece 100 has the same function C1 as the function in the function unit 103 in FIG.

The control unit 101 confirms the output of the power generation detection unit 108, and if power generation or the non-power generation state is continuing for less than the predetermined time (step S201: No), the function C in the electronic timepiece should be operable. , Is output to the function management unit 102 to set the operation flag of the function C to “execute” (step S202). It should be noted that this path is also passed when detecting that power is being generated and canceling the power saving state in the power saving state described later. When the power saving state is released, the operation flag of the function C is rewritten from "disable" to "execute". Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the power saving state is set (step S207), and if the power saving state is set (step S207: YES), the display content of the display unit 105 is set to the time measured by the time counting unit 104, etc. The restoration process of is executed (step S208). Then, the time display is updated and the function C is operated (step S203).

Conversely, when the non-power generation state continues for the predetermined time (step S201: Yes), the control unit 101 operates the function C (step S204). After that, when the operation of the function C is completed, the control unit 101 outputs to the function management unit 102 so that the operation flag of the function C is set to “inoperable”. Upon receiving the instruction, the function management unit 102 stores the operation flag of the function C in the "operation disabled" state (step S205). After that, the power saving state is entered, and the operation of the function unit 103 is stopped during non-power generation, and further, the hand movement is stopped in the case of the pointer type display, and the liquid crystal drive is stopped in the case of the digital display. (Step S206).

Here, the case where the function C is the function of receiving the position information and the time information from the GPS satellites and the default time for continuing the non-power generation state is 15 days will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

Since GPS reception consumes a very large amount of electric power, it is necessary to set the specifications for automatic reception several times a day, which is typical for long-wave standard radio timepieces, to balance the charging and consumption of a wristwatch with a power generation function. Therefore, it is preferable to start the reception by a switch input or the like at a timing when the user needs an accurate time, because the operation is stopped early. In the GPS reception timepiece having such specifications, when the non-power generation state in which there is no kinetic energy is continued for 15 days from the normal use state by placing it in a dark place or removing the timepiece, the time of the electronic timepiece 100 is measured during that time. Since the time is measured with the time accuracy by the unit 104, an error of about ±20 seconds per month occurs in a general electronic timepiece using a crystal oscillator, and if there is no time adjustment by reception for 15 days, it will be about ±10 seconds. An error occurs. Here, when the non-power generation state is detected for 15 days, it shifts from the normal use state to the power saving standby state, and automatically shifts the time by GPS reception to shift to the power saving state. When power is generated later and the power saving state is released, it is possible to provide the user with a more accurate time of about ±3 seconds with respect to an error of about ±13 seconds that is not received.

In the above description, reception is performed once before shifting to the power saving state, but the invention is not limited to this. If reception fails, the reception may be repeated after that. May set an optimal time interval each time according to the situation. This is an effective means for GPS reception because the satellite arrangement may be inappropriate for the receiving point.

Further, the repeated reception may be continued until it is successful, or a predetermined number of times or a grace period may be reached.

Further, the GPS reception clock stores satellite orbit information, and if it is optimal to receive it immediately when the non-power generation state has continued for a predetermined time, it will be received. You may make it wait until reception start until.

Further, reception may be started when the attitude of the clock is detected by an azimuth meter, a gyro sensor, etc., and the satellite arrangement is optimized for the directivity of the antenna.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the display unit 105 is a pointer type display in the second embodiment of the present invention. When the non-power generation state continues for a predetermined time, the reception operation before the transition to the power saving state is started, and the display stops the second hand at the position of "receiving". After that, when the reception is completed, the second hand is stopped in the "power saving state" to inform the user of the power saving state.

The above is the case where the reception is performed once before the transition to the power saving state. However, in the other method described above, that is, when the reception is repeated until it succeeds, if the non-power generation state continues for the predetermined time, Stop the second hand at the "medium" position. If the reception is unsuccessful, the second hand is stopped at the “power saving transition standby” position, and then the second hand is stopped at the “power saving state” position if reception is successful until reception is successful. The display until the reception is successful may be received in the "power saving standby state", or the display may be updated to "receiving" during reception.

Further, when the repeated reception is performed up to a predetermined number of times or a grace period, and when the reception is unsuccessful and the power saving state is entered, the second hand is stopped at the “power saving state” position. Further, although not shown, the second hand may be stopped at another new position indicating the "power saving state of reception failure".

In addition, when waiting for the optimum condition for reception after the non-power generation state has continued for the specified time, the second hand is stopped at the position of "power saving transition standby" during standby, and "receiving" is started almost at the same time as the start of reception. The second hand may be stopped at the position of, and if the reception is successful, it may shift to the "power saving state", or the reception may be started at the "power saving transition standby" position without displaying "Receiving". good.

An example of the display in the second embodiment has been described above in detail, but the display method may be a digital method or another method. It is needless to say that the structure of the motor for the pointer type display may be the same as or different from the contents shown in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Regarding the power saving transition standby, when the battery voltage is high, the power saving transition standby time is lengthened, for example, the alarm is enabled for several days, and then transitions to the power saving state. The control may be such as to secure the time until the stop.

As described above, according to the electronic timepiece according to the present embodiment, when the non-use period continues and shifts to the power saving state, it is possible to operate the function before shifting to the power saving state and then shift to the power saving state. Thus, it is possible to provide an electronic timepiece that is not inconvenient for the user and has a high power saving effect.

101 control unit 102 function management unit 103 function unit 104 timekeeping unit 105 display unit 108 power generation detection unit

Claims (14)

Timekeeping means,
Display means for displaying at least the timekeeping content of the timekeeping means,
Additional function realizing means for realizing additional functions other than timing,
Switching between a normal state in which the display unit and the additional function implementing unit are operated, a power saving state in which at least a part of the display unit is stopped under a predetermined condition, and a power saving standby state in which the transition to the power saving state is postponed And a control means for controlling,
Wherein the control unit sets the operation flag whether infeasible if the specific additional functions can be executed,
If the specific additional functions by referring to the operation flag is feasible, even when the predetermined condition switches to the power saving standby state,
The electronic device , wherein the control means sets the specific additional function to be inexecutable after the specific additional function operates . The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches from the power saving standby state to the power saving state after the specific additional function operates. Wherein, the electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the power saving state is released, and sets feasible the specific additional functions. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the specific additional function is a radio wave receiving function of receiving a radio wave to which time information is added. The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the radio wave reception function is performed at a predetermined time. The electronic device according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the distance from the radio wave receiving function is successful, characterized in that executable maintaining the specific additional functions. If the radio wave reception function fails, switching from the power saving standby state to the power saving state is postponed,
The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the power saving standby state is switched to the power saving state after a predetermined number of times or a grace period has been received by the radio wave receiving function. The electronic device according to any one of claims 4 to 7 , wherein a reception result by the radio wave reception function is displayed on the display unit in the power saving state. Electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the additional function realizing unit there are multiple. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein in the power saving standby state, the operation is switched to the power saving state after all the operations of the plurality of additional function implementing units are completed. Among the plurality of additional function realizing means, a specific additional function realizing means is
The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the postponement condition for switching to the power saving state is not set even when the electronic device is in operation or in an operable state. The electronic device according to claim 11 , wherein the specific additional function realizing unit is controlled to be operable even in the power saving state. The electronic device according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein the specific additional function operable in the power saving state can be set by an external operation. A power storage means, and a power generation means for charging the power storage means,
A power generation detection means for detecting a power generation state of the power generation means,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the power generation detection unit detects non-power generation as a condition for switching to the power saving state.

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