JP7498644B2 - Electronic clock and electronic clock display method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic watch and a display method for the electronic watch.

Some analog hand watches are powered by a battery and have a basic function operation mode that displays the time as a basic function, and an additional function operation mode that displays other functions than the time as additional functions. In such analog hand watches, the additional function operation mode generally has a large operating current and a high operating voltage, which places a large load on the battery. In such analog hand watches, it is common for the additional function operation mode to stop operating at an earlier stage than the basic function depending on the degree of battery consumption, and to continue operating the basic function for as long as possible.
In such analog hand watches, some kind of indication is necessary to enable the user to distinguish whether the additional functions of the electronic watch are in a "usable" or "unusable" state. In particular, the more important the additional functions are to the user, the more important it is for battery-powered devices to have a warning indication before they become unusable.

Regarding electronic watches, a technology is known that can prevent the load from stopping and continue normal time display for a long period of time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this technology, the electronic watch includes a secondary battery, a solar cell, a timekeeping means, a time display means, a GPS receiving circuit as a load, a battery voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage of the secondary battery, and a control circuit. When the voltage of the secondary battery drops below a first voltage, the control circuit executes a first control mode that stores data indicating that the battery level has dropped in a memory unit that stores the remaining level of the secondary battery and prohibits the start of operation of the GPS receiving circuit. When the voltage of the secondary battery drops below a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage, the control circuit executes a second control mode that warns that the timekeeping means is about to stop. To warn that the timekeeping means is about to stop, for example, a display that means "additional function stop warning" is added to the dial, and an analog hand that displays the time is controlled to move the pointer to notify the user.

JP 2013-181915 A

For electronic watches, it is important to improve the design and reduce costs. In the above-mentioned technology, an operation that is not usually necessary, such as displaying the battery consumption level, and a button function for that operation are added to the electronic watch. The longer the battery life, the less necessary the display and button function become. Since the electronic watch is added with a display and mechanism elements that are not usually necessary, there is a risk that the design will be impaired. In particular, in situations where simplicity is preferred in electronic watches, it is difficult to adopt such a display and button function.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVETION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an electronic timepiece and a display method for an electronic timepiece that can display the degree of battery consumption.

(1) In view of the above-mentioned problems, an electronic watch according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a battery, a judgment unit that judges the degree of depletion of the battery, a drive unit that drives the hands, and a display processing unit that causes the drive unit to switch between a basic function mode, which is an operating mode in which the time is displayed by the hands, and an additional function mode in which an additional function is displayed , wherein the judgment unit judges whether a state in which the additional function will no longer be able to be displayed is imminent based on the degree of depletion of the battery, and the drive unit causes the hands to perform an action when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode based on the judgment result made by the judgment unit of whether a state in which the additional function will no longer be able to be displayed is imminent, and the amount of movement and the number of times the hands are moved in one action that the drive unit causes the hands to perform are equal regardless of the judgment result of whether to stop displaying the additional function .
(2) An electronic watch according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a battery, a judgment unit which judges the degree of depletion of the battery, a drive unit which drives the hands, and a display processing unit which causes the drive unit to switch between a basic function mode which is an operating mode in which the time is displayed by the hands and an additional function mode which displays additional functions , wherein the judgment unit judges whether a state in which the additional functions will not be able to be displayed is imminent based on the degree of depletion of the battery, and the drive unit, when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, causes the hands to perform an action based on the judgment result made by the judgment unit of whether a state in which the additional functions will not be able to be displayed is imminent , and the amount of movement of the hands per unit time in each action which the drive unit causes the hands to perform differs depending on the judgment result of whether a state in which the additional functions will not be able to be displayed is imminent .
( 3 ) In an electronic timepiece according to one aspect of the present invention, the drive unit may drive the hands that display the time in the basic function mode when the additional function is displayed in the additional function mode.
( 4 ) In an electronic watch according to one aspect of the present invention, when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, the drive unit may cause the hand that displays the time in the basic function mode to perform the action .
(5 ) In an electronic watch according to one aspect of the present invention, the amount of movement of the hand per unit time in one action that the drive unit causes the hand to perform may be greater when it is determined that a state in which the additional function will no longer be able to be displayed is not imminent than when it is determined that a state in which the additional function will no longer be able to be displayed is imminent.
( 6 ) In an electronic timepiece according to one aspect of the present invention, the hands may include an hour hand and a minute hand, and the drive unit may include an hour hand drive unit that drives the hour hand, and a minute hand drive unit that drives the minute hand.
( 7 ) In an electronic timepiece according to one aspect of the present invention, the hands include an hour hand and a minute hand, and in the additional function mode, the drive unit may display the additional function using the hour hand and the minute hand.
( 8 ) In an electronic timepiece according to one aspect of the present invention, the drive unit may display a metronome in the additional function mode.
( 9 ) An electronic watch according to one aspect of the present invention is a display method executed by an electronic watch, the display method including the steps of: determining a degree of battery depletion; causing a drive unit that drives the hands to switch between a basic function mode, which is an operating mode in which the time is displayed by the hands, and an additional function mode in which an additional function is displayed; determining whether a state in which the additional function will no longer be able to be displayed is imminent based on the degree of battery depletion; and causing the drive unit to cause the hands to perform an action based on the determination result of whether a state in which the additional function will no longer be able to be displayed is imminent when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, wherein the amount of movement and the number of movements of the hands in one action that the drive unit causes the hands to perform are equal regardless of the determination result of whether to stop the display of the additional function .
(10) An electronic watch according to one aspect of the present invention is a display method executed by an electronic watch, comprising the steps of: determining the degree of battery depletion; causing a drive unit that drives the hands to switch between a basic function mode, which is an operating mode in which the time is displayed by the hands, and an additional function mode in which additional functions are displayed; determining whether a state in which the additional functions will not be able to be displayed is imminent based on the degree of battery depletion; and causing the drive unit to cause the hands to perform an action based on the determination result of whether a state in which the additional functions will not be able to be displayed is imminent when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, wherein the amount of movement of the hands per unit time in each action that the drive unit causes the hands to perform varies depending on the determination result of whether a state in which the additional functions will not be able to be displayed is imminent.

The present invention provides an electronic watch that can display the degree of battery consumption and a display method for the electronic watch.

1 is an external view showing an example of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a function of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining examples of operation modes of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a fifth example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sixth example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example 7 of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an eighth example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a ninth example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment.

Next, an electronic timepiece and a display method of the electronic timepiece according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.
In addition, "based on XX" in this application means "based on at least XX," and includes cases where it is based on other elements in addition to XX. Furthermore, "based on XX" is not limited to cases where XX is directly used, but also includes cases where it is based on XX that has been calculated or processed. "XX" is any element (for example, any information).
It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention and include various technically preferable limitations. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited thereto.

[Embodiment]
[Electronic Clock]
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The electronic watch 1 according to this embodiment is a wristwatch (electronic watch) worn on the wrist of a user, which keeps track of time and displays it on its face. The complete electronic watch 1 includes a movement 14, a dial 11, and hands 12 (hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b) in a watch case 19 having a case back and a glass 17 (not shown). The dial 11 and hands 12 are arranged so as to be visible through the glass 17.
In the illustrated example, the pointer 12 rotates around a rotation axis O. The pointer 12 is driven by a step motor via gears. In this embodiment, the direction of clockwise rotation around the rotation axis O as viewed from the glass 17 side is referred to as the forward direction (clockwise direction), and the direction of counterclockwise rotation as viewed from above is referred to as the reverse direction (counterclockwise direction).

The dial 11 is formed in a circular plate shape and has a main display area 15 for displaying the time. The main display area 15 is provided with a time scale 16 that is indicated by the hand 12.
A bezel 18 is attached around the crystal 17. On the bezel 18, a numerical value (40 to 208) indicating the tempo setting value (hereinafter referred to as the "tempo setting value") and marks (A, B♭, 440, 442, 443) indicating the reference tone setting value (hereinafter referred to as the "reference tone setting value") are displayed.
The numerical values representing the tempo sound setting value are "40" represented in 66 steps (11th minute position) and "208" represented in 294 steps (49th minute position). Here, 66 steps refers to the 66th number when there are 360 steps going clockwise from the 12 o'clock position as zero. Numeric values representing the tempo sound in a total of 39 stages are displayed every 6 steps from "40" to "208".
The marks representing the reference tone setting values are "A" at 312 steps (52nd note position), "B♭" at 330 steps (55th note position), "440" at 30 steps (5th note position), "442" at 42 steps (7th note position), and "443" at 54 steps (9th note position). Marks are displayed every two steps from 40 steps to 208 steps.

Various buttons 13 (button A 13A, button B 13B, button C 13C, button D 13D) are provided on the side of the watch case 19 for, for example, switching between modes executed by the electronic watch 1. An example of button A 13A is provided at the 8 o'clock position, an example of button B 13B is provided at the 10 o'clock position, an example of button C 13C is provided at the 2 o'clock position, and an example of button D 13D is provided at the 4 o'clock position. When the user presses any of button A 13A, button B 13B, button C 13C, or button D 13D, a process corresponding to the button pressed is executed.
Specifically, an example of the button A 13A is pressed when changing the operation mode of the electronic watch 1. When the user presses the button A 13A, the electronic watch 1 switches the operation mode among a TIME mode (basic function mode) in which the hands 12 display the time, a metronome mode (additional function mode) in which the hands move like a metronome, and a reference tone mode (another additional function mode) in which a reference tone is output.

The electronic watch 1 transitions to one of the following states based on the degree of battery depletion (hereafter referred to as the "power supply level Vbat"). The normal state is entered when the battery of the electronic watch 1 is in a normal state. The LO state is entered when the battery of the electronic watch 1 is depleted and the additional function mode operation is about to stop. The BLD state is entered when the battery of the electronic watch 1 is further depleted, the additional function mode operation is no longer possible, and the basic function mode operation is also about to stop, meaning that it is time to replace the battery. The NearEmpty state is entered when the battery of the electronic watch 1 is depleted and the remaining charge is nearly empty, causing the basic function mode operation to stop. The Empty state is entered when the battery of the electronic watch 1 is depleted and the remaining charge is nearly exhausted, causing the basic function mode operation to stop. The Empty state is entered when the battery of the electronic watch 1 is depleted and there is almost no charge remaining.

Next, cases where the power supply level Vbat of the electronic watch 1 is in each of the normal state, the LO state, the BLD state, the NearEmpty state, and the Empty state will be described.
2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functions of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. In the following description, it is assumed that the first voltage threshold Vth1>the second voltage threshold Vth2>the third voltage threshold Vth3>the fourth voltage threshold Vth4.
When the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the first voltage threshold Vth1, the electronic watch 1 determines that the power supply level Vbat is normal and transitions to the normal state (1). In the normal state, the electronic watch 1 enables the basic function mode and additional function mode operations, as well as the associated functional operations. When transitioning to the TIME mode, metronome mode, reference tone mode, or the like, the electronic watch 1 in the normal state executes a needle action with the hands corresponding to the normal state.
When the battery voltage is equal to or greater than the second voltage threshold Vth2 and less than the first voltage threshold Vth1, the electronic watch 1 determines that the power supply level Vbat is LO and transitions to the LO state (2). In the LO state, the electronic watch 1 has the same functions as in the normal state. When the electronic watch 1 in the LO state transitions to the TIME mode, metronome mode, reference tone mode, or the like, the hands of the electronic watch 1 perform a needle action according to the LO state. When the power supply level Vbat is in the normal state or LO state, the electronic watch 1 can change the mode to any of the TIME mode, metronome mode, and reference tone mode.

When the battery voltage is equal to or greater than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and less than the second threshold Vth2, the electronic watch 1 determines that the power supply level Vbat is BLD and transitions to the BLD state (3). The electronic watch 1 in the BLD state fixes the operation mode to the BLD state. In other words, the electronic watch 1 in the BLD state does not transition to the TIME mode, metronome mode, or reference tone mode even if the A button 13A is pressed. All keys are disabled in the electronic watch 1 in the BLD state. However, when transitioning from the BLD state to the normal state or the LO state, the electronic watch 1 transitions to the TIME mode, and thereafter transitions to other modes become valid.
When the battery voltage is less than the third voltage threshold Vth3, the electronic watch 1 determines that the current level Vbat is NeaEmpty and transitions to the NearEmpty state (4). When transitioning to the NearEmpty state, the electronic watch 1 does not display the time, which is a basic function, so it resets all the hands (hour hand 12a, minute hand 12b) to zero (moves the hands to the 12 o'clock position). At this time, since the battery is depleted, in the zero reset operation, the hour hand and minute hand are moved one by one in order so that they do not move at the same time. In addition, the amount of movement of the hands per unit time is made less (slower) than in the normal state. In the NearEmpty state, the electronic watch 1 continues to keep time on the internal clock. In the NearEmpty state, the functions of all keys are disabled in the electronic watch 1 to minimize battery consumption due to functional operations.
When the battery voltage falls below the fourth voltage threshold Vth4, the electronic watch 1 determines that the power supply level Vbat is Empty and transitions to the Empty state (5). The electronic watch 1 in the Empty state stops all functions. When the voltage is restored after all functions have been stopped, the electronic watch 1 in the Empty state starts up and returns to the TIME mode.
The electronic watch 1 periodically performs a process at predetermined time intervals to transition to one of the normal state, the LO state, the BLD state, the NearEmpty state, and the Empty state based on the battery power supply level Vbat described with reference to Fig. 2. Specifically, the electronic watch 1 performs the process described with reference to Fig. 2 at the timing of 0 minutes on the internal time.

Next, there will be described the operation modes of the electronic timepiece 1. As described above, the operation modes include the TIME mode, the metronome mode, and the reference tone mode.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation mode of the electronic timepiece according to the present embodiment.
The electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode will be described (1). In the TIME mode, the electronic watch 1 displays the time with the hands 12. In other words, the TIME mode is an operation mode (basic function mode) in which the electronic watch 1 executes the basic function of displaying the time with the hands 12. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the electronic watch 1 displays 10:08.
(S12-1a)
When the A button 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode executes a needle action on the hands 12 corresponding to the normal state if the battery power level is in the normal state, and transitions to the metronome mode.
(S12-1b)
When the A button 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode executes a needle action on the pointer 12 corresponding to the LO state if the battery power level is in the LO state, and transitions to the metronome mode.
(S12-1c)
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in TIME mode measures the battery voltage, and if the voltage is less than the second voltage threshold Vth2, it determines that the battery is in the INH_SOUND state, causes the hands 12 to perform a needle action corresponding to the INH_SOUND state, and forcibly transitions to TIME mode.
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in TIME mode measures the battery voltage, and if the voltage is equal to or greater than the second voltage threshold Vth2, performs the processing shown in (S12-1a) and the processing shown in (S12-1b).

The electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode allows the time to be adjusted by pressing the B button 13B for a time longer than the first time threshold and shorter than the second time threshold. The electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode allows the position of the hands 12 to be adjusted by pressing the B button 13B for a time longer than the second time threshold.
The electronic watch 1 in metronome mode will be described (2). In metronome mode, the electronic watch 1 performs metronome hand movement. In other words, the metronome mode is an operation mode (additional function mode) in which the electronic watch 1 executes additional functions other than the basic functions. In metronome mode, the electronic watch 1 displays any of the numbers 40 to 208 representing the tempo setting value with the hour hand 12a, and displays metronome hand movement with the minute hand 12b. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the electronic watch 1 in metronome mode displays the number 120 representing the tempo setting value.
When the electronic clock 1 in the metronome mode transitions to the metronome mode, it starts the metronome hand movement. When the electronic clock 1 in the metronome mode transitions to the metronome mode, it stops (turns off) the tempo sound. When the electronic clock 1 in the metronome mode transitions from the metronome mode to another operation mode, it stops the metronome hand movement and the tempo sound. The electronic clock 1 retains the tempo setting value even after switching the operation mode.
(S9-2a)
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the metronome mode executes a hand action corresponding to the normal state if the battery power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, and transitions to the reference tone mode.
(S9-2b)
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the metronome mode executes a hand action corresponding to the LO state if the battery power level Vbat is in the LO state, and transitions to the reference tone mode.

(S9-2c)
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in metronome mode measures the battery voltage, and if the battery voltage is less than the second voltage threshold Vth2, it determines that the battery is in the INH_SOUND state, executes a hand action corresponding to the INH_SOUND state, and forcibly transitions to TIME mode.
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in metronome mode measures the battery voltage, and if the voltage is greater than or equal to the second voltage threshold Vth2, performs the processing shown in (S9-2a) and the processing shown in (S9-2b).
In the metronome mode, the electronic clock 1 starts or stops the tempo sound when the B button 13B is pressed.
When the button C 13C is pressed, the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode changes the tempo setting value. When the button C 13C is pressed, the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode moves the hour hand 12a in the forward direction to match the tempo setting value displayed on the bezel 18 with the changed tempo setting value.
When the D button 13D is pressed, the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode changes the tempo setting value. When the D button 13D is pressed, the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode moves the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction to match the tempo setting value displayed on the bezel 18 with the changed tempo setting value.

(S6-3a)
When the electronic watch 1 in the metronome mode is in a state where no operation continues for a threshold time of no operation, if the battery power supply level Vbat is in a normal state, the electronic watch 1 executes a hand action corresponding to the normal state and transitions to the TIME mode.
(S6-3b)
When the electronic watch 1 in metronome mode is in a state where no operation continues for a threshold time of no operation, if the battery power supply level Vbat is in a LO state, the electronic watch 1 executes a hand action corresponding to the LO state and transitions to the TIME mode.
(S6-3c)
When the electronic watch 1 in metronome mode is in a state where no operation has occurred for the no-operation threshold time, it measures the battery voltage, and if the battery voltage is less than a second voltage threshold Vth2, it determines that the battery is in an INH_SOUND state, executes a hand action corresponding to the INH_SOUND state, causes the pointer 12 to perform an action, and forcibly transitions to TIME mode.
When the electronic watch 1 in metronome mode is in a state where no operation has occurred for the no-operation threshold time, it measures the battery voltage, and if the battery voltage is equal to or higher than the second voltage threshold Vth2, it performs the processing shown in (S6-3a) and the processing shown in (S6-3b).

The electronic clock 1 in the reference tone mode will be described (3). In the reference tone mode, the electronic clock 1 outputs a reference tone. In other words, the reference tone mode is an operation mode (additional function mode) in which the electronic clock 1 executes additional functions other than the basic functions. In the reference tone mode, the electronic clock 1 displays the note name A or B♭ of the mark representing the note name setting value of the reference tone with the hour hand 12a, and displays one of the pitches 440, 442, and 443 of the mark representing the pitch setting value of the reference tone with the minute hand 12b. Hereinafter, the reference tone setting value refers to a combination of the note name setting value and the pitch setting value of the reference tone. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the electronic clock 1 in the reference tone mode displays the note name A with the hour hand 12a, and displays the pitch 440 with the minute hand 12b.
The electronic clock 1 in the reference sound mode stops (OFF) the reference sound when switching to the reference sound mode. The electronic clock 1 in the reference sound mode stops the reference sound when switching from the reference sound mode to another operation mode. The electronic clock 1 in the reference sound mode retains the setting value of the reference sound even after switching the operation mode.

(S6-3a)
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the reference tone mode executes a hand action corresponding to the normal state if the battery power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, and transitions to the TIME mode.
(S6-3b)
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the reference tone mode executes a hand action corresponding to the LO state if the battery power level Vbat is in the LO state, and transitions to the TIME mode.
(S6-c)
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the reference tone mode measures the battery voltage, and if the battery voltage is less than the second voltage threshold Vth2, it determines that the battery is in the INH_SOUND state, causes the hands 12 to perform a needle action corresponding to the INH_SOUND state, and forcibly transitions to the TIME mode.
When button A 13A is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the reference tone mode measures the battery voltage, and if the battery voltage is greater than or equal to the second voltage threshold Vth2, performs the processing shown in (S6-3a) and the processing shown in (S6-3b).
In the reference tone mode, the electronic watch 1 starts or stops the reference tone when button B 13B is pressed.
When the C button 13C is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the reference tone mode corrects the reference tone setting value. When the C button 13C is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the reference tone mode changes the combinations of note names and pitches for specifying the reference tone displayed on the bezel 18 in the forward direction to match the corrected reference tone setting value.
When the D button 13D is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the reference tone mode corrects the reference tone setting value. When the D button 13D is pressed, the electronic watch 1 in the reference tone mode changes the combinations of note names and pitches for specifying the reference tone displayed on the bezel 18 in the reverse direction to match the corrected reference tone setting value.
The electronic clock 1 in the reference tone mode transitions to the TIME mode when no operation is performed for a no-operation threshold time.

4 is a block diagram showing an electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. The electronic timepiece 1 according to this embodiment includes a hand 12, an A button 13A, a B button 13B, a C button 13C, a D button 13D, a battery 21, a voltage detection unit 22, a determination unit 23, a display processing unit 24, a drive unit 25, a memory unit 26, a control unit 27, a detection unit 28, an oscillation unit 29, and an alarm unit 30.
The hand 12 includes an hour hand 12a and a minute hand 12b. The hand 12 displays the time in TIME mode, performs metronomic movement in metronomic mode, and displays a reference tone in reference tone mode. The hand 12 also executes an action in a predetermined case.
The A button 13A, the B button 13B, the C button 13C, and the D button 13D have been described above, so a description thereof will be omitted here.
Power is stored in the battery 21. The electronic watch 1 operates on the power stored in the battery 21.
The voltage detection unit 22 detects the voltage value of the battery 21 .
The determination unit 23 acquires the detection result of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22. The determination unit 23 judges whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is equal to or greater than the first voltage threshold Vth1 based on the acquired detection result of the voltage value of the battery 21. When the determination unit 23 judges that the voltage value of the battery 21 is not equal to or greater than the first voltage threshold Vth1, the determination unit 23 judges whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is equal to or greater than the second voltage threshold Vth2 and less than the first voltage threshold Vth1. When the determination unit 23 judges that the voltage value of the battery 21 is equal to or greater than the second voltage threshold Vth2 and not less than the first voltage threshold Vth1, the determination unit 23 judges whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is equal to or greater than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and less than the second voltage threshold Vth2.
When the determination unit 23 determines that the voltage value of the battery 21 is equal to or greater than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and not less than the second voltage threshold Vth2, it determines that the voltage value of the battery 21 is less than the fourth voltage threshold Vth4.
When at least one of the A button 13A, the B button 13B, the C button 13C, and the D button 13D is pressed, the detection unit 28 detects the at least one pressed button. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating the at least one detected pressed button.

The oscillator 29 supplies a reference signal to the controller 27. The controller 27 periodically acquires the judgment results of the first to fourth voltage thresholds of the voltage of the battery 21 by the judgment unit 23 at predetermined time intervals based on the reference signal supplied by the oscillator 29. The controller 27 sets the operating state to one of the normal state, the LO state, the BLD state, the NearEmpty state, and the Empty state based on the acquired judgment results of the first to fourth voltage thresholds of the voltage of the battery 21, and performs control based on the set operating state. A specific description will be given below.
The control unit 27 sets the state to the normal state when the determination result is equal to or greater than the first voltage threshold Vth1 based on the acquired determination result of the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set normal state. The control unit 27 sets the state to the LO state when the determination result is equal to or greater than the second voltage threshold Vth2 and less than the first voltage threshold Vth1 based on the acquired determination result of the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set LO state.

The control unit 27 sets the power supply level Vbat to the BLD state when the determination result is equal to or greater than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and less than the second threshold Vth2 based on the acquired determination result of the determination unit 23, and controls the power supply level Vbat based on the set BLD state. The control unit 27 sets the power supply level Vbat to the NearEmpty state when the determination result is less than the third voltage threshold Vth3 based on the acquired determination result of the determination unit 23, and controls the power supply level Vbat based on the set NearEmpty state.
When the determination result obtained by the determination unit 23 is less than the fourth voltage threshold Vth4, the control unit 27 sets the state to the Empty state and performs control based on the set Empty state.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating at least one pressed button, which is created by the detection unit 28. When the acquired information indicating at least one pressed button indicates that the A button 13A has been pressed, the control unit 27 sets one of the operation modes, the TIME mode, the metronome mode, and the reference tone mode, based on the operation state. The control unit 27 performs processing based on the acquired information specifying the at least one button, based on the set operation mode.

The display processing unit 24 acquires information specifying the operation mode set by the control unit 27. The display processing unit 24 creates a switching request for switching the display, including information specifying one of the operation modes, TIME mode, metronome mode, and reference tone mode, based on the acquired information specifying the operation mode. The display processing unit 24 outputs the created switching request to the drive unit 25.
The driving unit 25 has an hour hand driving unit 25a, a minute hand driving unit 25b, and an alarm driving unit 25c. The hour hand driving unit 25a drives the hour hand 12a. The minute hand driving unit 25b drives the minute hand 12b. The alarm driving unit 25c drives the alarm unit 30. The driving unit 25 acquires a switching request output by the display processing unit 24. The driving unit 25 acquires information specifying an operation mode included in the acquired switching request. At least one of the hour hand driving unit 25a and the minute hand driving unit 25b drives at least one of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b to switch the display to one of the operation modes of the TIME mode, the metronome mode, and the reference tone mode. The alarm driving unit 25c causes the alarm unit 30 to sound an alarm. The alarm unit 30 is composed of a piezoelectric buzzer, a speaker, etc., and performs an alarm.

The operation in the TIME mode will be described. The control unit 27 creates a reference timing based on a reference signal supplied by the oscillation unit 29, and outputs the created reference timing to the display processing unit 24. The display processing unit 24 creates internal time data based on the reference timing created by the control unit 27. In the TIME mode, the drive unit 25 displays the time and moves the hands based on the time data.
The operation of the metronome mode will now be described. The display processing unit 24 creates metronome hand movement timing based on the reference timing created by the control unit 27. The drive unit 25 causes the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b to perform metronome display and movement based on the metronome hand movement timing, and causes the sounding unit 30 to sound an alarm.
The operation of the reference tone mode will now be described. The display processing unit 24 displays and sounds the reference tone based on the reference timing created by the control unit 27.
The storage unit 26 is realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 26 stores computer programs.
The voltage detection unit 22, the determination unit 23, the display processing unit 24, the control unit 27, and the detection unit 28 described above are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a computer program (software) stored in the storage unit 26. In addition, some or all of these functional units may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or may be realized by cooperation between software and hardware. The computer program may be stored in a storage device in advance, or may be stored in a removable storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and may be installed by mounting the storage medium in a drive device.

(Electronic clock operation)
5 is a diagram showing a first example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. The operation of the electronic timepiece 1, mainly in the TIME mode, will be described with reference to FIG.
(Step S1-1)
This indicates that the control unit 27 has set the operating state to the TIME mode. The display processing unit 24 acquires information specifying the TIME mode set by the control unit 27. The display processing unit 24 creates a switching request including information specifying the TIME mode, requesting switching of the display, based on the acquired information specifying the TIME mode. The display processing unit 24 outputs the created switching request to the drive unit 25.
The drive unit 25 acquires the switching request output by the display processing unit 24. The drive unit 25 acquires information specifying the TIME mode included in the acquired switching request. The hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b drive the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively, based on the information specifying the TIME mode, thereby switching the display to the TIME mode.

(Step S2-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses the button B 13B for a period of time longer than the first time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the button B 13B has been pressed for a period of time longer than the first time threshold. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button B 13B has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information generated by the detection unit 28 indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed and held. The control unit 27 enables the time to be corrected based on the acquired information indicating that the B button has been pressed and held. When enabling the time to be corrected, the control unit 27 causes the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the minute hand 12b to the next minute position. After moving the minute hand 12b to the next minute position, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b to allow the user to move the minute hand 12b to select the position of the minute hand 12b.
The control unit 27 may stop the time measurement while allowing the time to be corrected. The control unit 27 may control the minute hand drive unit 25b to allow the minute hand drive unit 25b to correct the position of the minute hand 12b in one-minute increments (six steps). The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to link the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to correct the time. The control unit 27 resets the seconds of the internal time when returning to the TIME mode. The control unit 27 restarts the time measurement after resetting the seconds of the internal time.

(Step S3-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses the button C 13C after it becomes possible to adjust the time, the detection unit 28 detects that the button C 13C has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button C 13C has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that button C 13C has been pressed, which is created by the detection unit 28. Based on the acquired information indicating that button C has been pressed, the control unit 27 advances the internal time in one-minute units and controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively, in the forward direction according to the internal time, thereby correcting the time in the forward direction.
In the electronic watch 1 in TIME mode, after it becomes possible to adjust the time, when the user presses the C button 13C for a period of time longer than the third time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the C button 13C has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected C button 13C has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed and held, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed and held, thereby causing the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to fast-forward the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively, in the forward direction according to the internal time, thereby fast-forwarding and correcting the time in the direction that advances the time. When the control unit 27 no longer acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed because the C button 13C is no longer pressed, it stops the control of fast-forwarding and correcting the time in the direction that advances the time.

(Step S4-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses the D button 13D after it becomes possible to adjust the time, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed, which is created by the detection unit 28. Based on the acquired information indicating that the D button has been pressed, the control unit 27 advances the internal time in one-minute increments and controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to correct the time in the backward direction by causing the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively, in the reverse direction according to the internal time.
In the electronic watch 1 in TIME mode, after it becomes possible to adjust the time, when the user presses the D button 13D for a time longer than the third time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed and held, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b based on the acquired information indicating that the D button has been pressed and held, thereby causing the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to fast-forward the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively, in the reverse direction according to the internal time, thereby fast-forwarding and correcting the time in the direction going backwards. When the control unit 27 no longer acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed because the D button 13D is no longer pressed, it stops the control of fast-forwarding and correcting the time in the direction going backwards.

(Step S5-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses button B 13B after it becomes possible to adjust the time, the detection unit 28 detects that button B 13B has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button B 13B has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that button B 13B has been pressed, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 resets the seconds of the internal time based on the acquired information indicating that button B has been pressed. After resetting the seconds of the internal time, the control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause them to display the time.

(Step S6-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in TIME mode, after it becomes possible to adjust the time, when the user presses button B 13B for a period of time longer than the second time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that button B 13B has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button B 13B has been pressed and held. Here, the starting point of the first time threshold and the starting point of the second time threshold are the same.
The control unit 27 acquires the information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed and held, which is generated by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the drive unit 25 based on the acquired information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed and held, thereby causing the drive unit 25 to correct the position of the pointer 12.
When the control unit 27 causes the drive unit 25 to correct the position of the hands 12, it controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a to a reference position and the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the minute hand 12b to a reference position. Thereafter, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the minute hand drive unit 25b to perform a hand movement that allows the user to select the position of the minute hand 12b.

(Step S7-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses the C button 13C after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, the detection unit 28 detects that the C button 13C has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected C button 13C has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed, which is generated by the detection unit 28. Based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the minute hand 12b in the forward direction, thereby correcting the position of the minute hand 12b in one step in the direction in which the time advances. In this case, the internal time is not changed.
In the electronic watch 1 in TIME mode, after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, when the user presses the C button 13C for a time longer than the fourth time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the C button 13C has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected C button 13C has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed and held, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed and held, thereby causing the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the minute hand 12b at high speed in the forward direction, thereby correcting the position of the minute hand 12b in one step in the direction in which the time advances. When the control unit 27 no longer acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed because the C button 13C is no longer pressed, the control unit 27 stops the control of correcting the position of the minute hand 12b in one step in the direction in which the time advances.

(Step S8-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses the D button 13D after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed, which is generated by the detection unit 28. Based on the acquired information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the minute hand 12b in the reverse direction, thereby correcting the position of the minute hand 12b in one step in the direction moving back the time. In this case, the internal time is not changed.
In the electronic timepiece 1 in TIME mode, after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, when the user presses the D button 13D for a time longer than the fourth time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed and held, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b based on the acquired information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed and held, thereby causing the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the minute hand 12b at high speed in the reverse direction, thereby fast-forwarding and correcting the position of the minute hand 12b in one step in the direction moving back in time. When the control unit 27 no longer acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed because the D button 13D is no longer pressed, the control unit 27 stops the control of fast-forwarding and correcting the position of the minute hand 12b in one step in the direction moving back in time.

(Step S9-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses button B 13B after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, the detection unit 28 detects that button B 13B has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button B 13B has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires the information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the hour hand driving unit 25a based on the acquired information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed, thereby causing the hour hand driving unit 25a to correct the position of the hour hand 12a.
When correcting the position of the hour hand 12a, the control unit 27 causes the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a so that the user can select the position of the hour hand 12a. The control unit 27 may continue measuring the time while the drive unit 25a is correcting the position of the hand 12.
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses the C button 13C after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, the detection unit 28 detects that the C button 13C has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected C button 13C has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed, which is generated by the detection unit 28. Based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed, the control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a in the forward direction, thereby correcting the position of the hour hand 12a in one step in the direction in which the time advances. In this case, the internal time is not changed.

In the electronic watch 1 in TIME mode, after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, when the user presses the C button 13C for a time longer than the fourth time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the C button 13C has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected C button 13C has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed and held, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed and held, thereby causing the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a at fast forward in the forward direction, thereby fast-forwarding and correcting the position of the hour hand 12a in one step in the direction in which time advances. When the control unit 27 no longer acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed because the C button 13C is no longer pressed, the control unit 27 stops the control of fast-forwarding and correcting the position of the hour hand 12a in one step in the direction in which time advances.

In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses the D button 13D after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed, which is created by the detection unit 28. Based on the acquired information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed, the control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction, thereby correcting the position of the hour hand 12a in one step in the direction moving back in time. The internal time is not changed in this step.

In the electronic timepiece 1 in TIME mode, after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, when the user presses the D button 13D for a time longer than the fourth time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed and held, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a based on the acquired information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed and held, thereby causing the hour hand drive unit 25a to fast-forward the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction, thereby fast-forwarding and correcting the position of the hour hand 12a in one step in the direction moving back in time. When the control unit 27 no longer acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed because the D button 13D is no longer pressed, it stops the control of fast-forwarding and correcting the position of the hour hand 12a in one step in the direction moving back in time.

(Step S10-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, when the user presses button B 13B after it becomes possible to adjust the position of the hour hand 12a, the detection unit 28 detects that button B 13B has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button B 13B has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires the information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the hour hand driving unit 25a and the minute hand driving unit 25b based on the acquired information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed, thereby causing the hour hand driving unit 25a and the minute hand driving unit 25b to display the time.

(Step S11-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in TIME mode, after it became possible to adjust the position of the hands 12, the user performed no operation, and therefore the control unit 27 was unable to obtain information indicating which button was pressed from the detection unit 28. In this case, the control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause them to display the time.
(Step S12-1)
When the button A 13A is pressed with the electronic timepiece 1 in the TIME mode, the control unit 27 causes the voltage detection unit 22 to detect the power supply level of the battery 21.
(Step S12-1a)
When the power level of the battery 21 is in the normal state, the control unit 27 performs normal hand action and sets the mode to the metronome mode.
(Step S12-1b)
When the power level of the battery 21 is in the LO state, the control unit 27 executes the LO hand action and sets the mode to the metronome mode.
(Step S12-1c)
When the power level of the battery 21 is in the BLD state, the control unit 27 returns to the TIME mode.

(Step S15-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, the voltage detection unit 22 measures the voltage of the battery 21 every hour on the hour, and detects the power supply level of the battery 21 based on the measured voltage value.
The determination unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the power supply level of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22, whether the voltage of the battery 21 is equal to or higher than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and lower than the second voltage threshold Vth2.
The control unit 27 sets the power supply level Vbat to the BLD state when the voltage judgment result of the battery 21 by the judgment unit 23 is greater than or equal to the third voltage threshold Vth3 and less than the second voltage threshold Vth2, and controls it based on the set BLD state.

(Step S16-1)
In the electronic watch 1 in the TIME mode, the voltage detection unit 22 measures the voltage of the battery 21 every hour on the hour, and detects the power supply level of the battery 21 based on the measured voltage value.
The determination unit 23 determines whether or not the voltage of the battery 21 is less than a third voltage threshold Vth3 based on the detection result of the power supply level of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22.
The control unit 27 sets the battery 21 to the Near Empty state when the voltage determination result by the determination unit 23 is less than the third voltage threshold Vth3, and performs control based on the set Near Empty state.

6 is a diagram showing a second example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment of the invention. The operation of the electronic timepiece 1, mainly in the metronome mode, will be described with reference to FIG.
(Step S1-2)
This indicates that the control unit 27 has set the operating state to the metronome mode.
The display processing unit 24 acquires information specifying the metronome mode and information specifying the operating state set by the control unit 27. Based on the acquired information specifying the metronome mode and information specifying the operating state, the display processing unit 24 creates a switching request for requesting switching of the display, including information specifying the metronome mode when the information specifying the operating state is the normal state or the LO state.
The display processing unit 24 generates a switching request for switching the display, including information for specifying the metronome mode and information for starting metronome hand movement, when the information for specifying the operating state is an operating state other than the normal state or the LO state, such as the BLD state, based on the acquired information for specifying the metronome mode and information for specifying the operating state. The display processing unit 24 outputs the generated switching request to the drive unit 25.
The drive unit 25 acquires the switching request output by the display processing unit 24. The drive unit 25 acquires information specifying the metronome mode included in the acquired switching request. The hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b drive the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b based on the acquired information specifying the metronome mode, thereby switching the display to the metronome mode.

When switching the display to the metronome mode, the minute hand drive unit 25b resets the minute hand 12b to zero, and the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the previous tempo sound setting. After the minute hand drive unit 25b resets the minute hand 12b to zero and causes the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a to the previous tempo sound setting, the minute hand drive unit 25b causes the minute hand 12b to start metronome movement. When setting the metronome mode, the control unit 27 turns off the alarm sound.
The minute hand drive unit 25b performs metronome hand movement by making the minute hand 12b swing in a pendulum motion. Specifically, the minute hand drive unit 25b starts metronome hand movement by moving the minute hand 12b from the 12 o'clock position toward the 2 o'clock direction (forward direction). At this time, the control unit 27 issues a sound at the timing of the first tempo sound. Next, the minute hand drive unit 25b performs metronome hand movement by moving the minute hand 12b from the 2 o'clock side toward the 10 o'clock direction (reverse direction). The control unit 27 issues a sound at the timing of the tempo sound. For example, the tempo sound is a predetermined hand movement step position that passes the 12 o'clock position.
The drive unit 25 acquires information for specifying the metronome mode and information for starting metronome movement, which are included in the acquired switching request. The hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b drive the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b based on the acquired information for specifying the metronome mode and information for starting metronome movement, thereby switching the display to the metronome mode and starting metronome movement.

(Step S2-2)
When the user presses the button B 13B in the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode, the detection unit 28 detects that the button B 13B has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button B 13B has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed, which is generated by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 turns on or off the sound (tempo sound) based on the acquired information indicating that the B button has been pressed. When the control unit 27 turns on or off the sound (tempo sound), the display processing unit 24 and the drive unit 25 acquire information indicating that the sound (tempo sound) has been turned on or off. The display processing unit 24 and the drive unit 25 control the alarm sound based on the acquired information indicating that the sound (tempo sound) has been turned on or off. When the control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the B button has been pressed while the minute hand drive unit 25b has stopped the metronome movement of the minute hand 12b, the control unit 27 does not turn on the tempo sound. When the control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the B button has been pressed while the minute hand drive unit 25b has stopped the metronome movement of the minute hand 12b, the control unit 27 causes the minute hand drive unit 25b to start metronome movement.
The display processing unit 24 acquires information specifying the metronome mode set by the control unit 27. The display processing unit 24 creates a switching request including the information specifying the metronome mode, requesting switching of the display, based on the acquired information specifying the metronome mode. The display processing unit 24 outputs the created switching request to the drive unit 25.
The drive unit 25 acquires the switching request output by the display processing unit 24. The drive unit 25 acquires information specifying the metronome mode included in the acquired switching request. The drive unit 25 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b based on the acquired information specifying the metronome mode, thereby causing the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to switch the display to the metronome mode. The minute hand drive unit 25b causes the minute hand 12b to start metronome movement.

(Step S3-2)
In the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode, when the user presses the C button 13C, the detection unit 28 detects that the C button 13C has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected C button 13C has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed, which has been created by the detection unit 28. Based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b, thereby causing the minute hand drive unit 25b to immediately stop the metronome movement being performed by the minute hand 12b and return the minute hand 12b to zero. Based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed, the control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a, thereby causing the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a in the forward direction between the numerical values 40 to 208 that represent the tempo sound.

When a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation of either the C button 13C or the D button 13D, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the minute hand drive unit 25b to resume metronome movement. At this time, the control unit 27 starts sounding the tempo sound if the tempo sound is set to ON.
Furthermore, in the electronic watch 1 in the metronome mode, when the user presses the C button 13C for a time longer than the fifth time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the C button 13C has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected C button 13C has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed and held down, which is generated by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed and held down, to cause the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a forward in a fast-forward manner between the numerical values 40 to 208 representing the tempo sound. When the control unit 27 no longer acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed because the C button 13C is no longer pressed, the control unit 27 stops the control of fast-forwarding the hour hand 12a forward in a fast-forward manner between the numerical values 40 to 208 representing the tempo sound. When a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation of either the C button 13C or the D button 13D, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the minute hand drive unit 25b to resume metronome hand movement. At this time, the control unit 27 starts sounding the tempo sound if the tempo sound is set to on.

(Step S4-2)
In the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode, when the user presses the D button 13D, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed, which has been created by the detection unit 28. Based on the acquired information indicating that the D button has been pressed, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b, thereby causing the minute hand drive unit 25b to immediately stop the metronome movement being performed by the minute hand 12b and return the minute hand 12b to zero. Based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed, the control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a, thereby causing the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction between the numerical values 40 to 208 that represent the tempo sound.
When a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation of either the C button 13C or the D button 13D, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the minute hand drive unit 25b to resume metronome movement. At this time, the control unit 27 starts sounding the tempo sound if the tempo sound is set to ON.

Furthermore, in the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode, when the user presses the D button 13D for a time longer than the fifth time threshold, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed and held. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed and held.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed and held, which is created by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a based on the acquired information indicating that the D button has been pressed and held, thereby causing the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a at fast forward in the reverse direction between the numerical values 40 to 208 representing the tempo sound. When the control unit 27 no longer acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed because the D button 13D is no longer pressed, it stops the control of fast forwarding the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction between the numerical values 40 to 208 representing the tempo sound.
When a predetermined time has elapsed without any operation of either the C button 13C or the D button 13D, the control unit 27 controls the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the minute hand drive unit 25b to resume metronome movement. At this time, the control unit 27 starts sounding the tempo sound if the tempo sound is set to ON.

(Step S6-2)
A predetermined time period passes without any operation in the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode. The control unit 27 causes the voltage detection unit 22 to detect the power supply level of the battery 21.
(Step S6-2a)
When the power level of the battery 21 is in the normal state, the control unit 27 sets the mode to the TIME mode.
(Step S6-2b)
When the power level of the battery 21 is in the LO state, the control unit 27 sets the mode to the TIME mode.
(Step S6-2c)
When the power supply level of the battery 21 is in the INH_SOUND state, the control unit 27 sets the mode to the TIME mode.

(Step S8-2)
3 (S9-2c) can be applied. When the user presses button A 13A in the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode, the detection unit 28 detects that button A 13A has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button A 13A has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires the information indicating that the A button 13A has been pressed, which is generated by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 causes the voltage detection unit 22 to detect the voltage value of the battery 21, based on the acquired information indicating that the A button 13A has been pressed.
The determination unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22, whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is equal to or greater than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and less than the second voltage threshold Vth2.
The control unit 27 sets the battery 21 to the BLD state based on the determination result of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set BLD state. Since the operating state is the BLD state based on the acquired information indicating that the A button 13A has been pressed, the control unit 27 sets the battery 21 to the TIME mode, and performs control based on the set TIME mode.

(Step S9-2)
When the button A 13A is pressed in the electronic timepiece 1 in the metronome mode, the control unit 27 causes the voltage detection unit 22 to detect the voltage value of the battery 21.
(Step S9-2a)
When the voltage value of the battery 21 is in the normal state, the control unit 27 sets the mode to the metronome mode.
(Step S9-2b)
When the voltage value of the battery 21 is in the LO state, the control unit 27 sets the mode to the metronome mode.
(Step S9-2c)
When the voltage value of the battery 21 is in the BLD state, the control unit 27 returns to the TIME mode.

(Step S11-2)
In the electronic watch 1 in the metrohm mode, the voltage detection unit 22 detects the power supply level Vbat of the battery 21 every hour on the hour.
The determination unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22, whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is equal to or greater than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and less than the second voltage threshold Vth2.
The control unit 27 sets the battery 21 to the BLD state based on the result of the determination of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set BLD state.
(Step S12-2)
In the electronic watch 1 in the metrohm mode, the voltage detection unit 22 detects the power supply level Vbat of the battery 21 every hour on the hour.
The determination unit 23 determines whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is less than the third voltage threshold Vth3 based on the detection result of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22.
The control unit 27 sets the battery 21 to the Near Empty state based on the result of the determination of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set Near Empty state.

7 is a diagram showing a third example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. The operation of the electronic timepiece 1, mainly in the reference tone mode, will be described with reference to FIG.
(Step S1-3)
This indicates that the control unit 27 has set the operating state to the reference tone mode.
The display processing unit 24 acquires information specifying the reference sound mode set by the control unit 27. The display processing unit 24 creates a switching request including the information specifying the reference sound mode, requesting switching of the display, based on the acquired information specifying the reference sound mode. The display processing unit 24 outputs the created switching request to the drive unit 25.
The drive unit 25 acquires the switching request output by the display processing unit 24. The drive unit 25 acquires information specifying the reference tone mode included in the acquired switching request. The hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b drive the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively, based on the acquired information specifying the reference tone mode, thereby switching the display to the reference tone mode.
When the display is switched to the reference tone mode, the control unit 27 stops the sound of the reference tone (turns it off). The hour hand driving unit 25a and the minute hand driving unit 25b cause the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively, to point to the mark representing the reference tone.

(Step S2-3)
In the electronic timepiece 1 in the reference tone mode, when the user presses button B 13B while the electronic timepiece 1 is being controlled based on the reference tone mode, the detection unit 28 detects that button B 13B has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected button B 13B has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires the information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed, which is generated by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 causes the voltage detection unit 22 to detect a voltage value based on the acquired information indicating that the B button 13B has been pressed.
The determination unit 23 determines whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is less than the second voltage threshold Vth2 based on the detection result of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22.
The control unit 27 turns on or off the alarm sound when the determined voltage value is equal to or greater than the second voltage threshold Vth2 based on the determination result by the determination unit 23.
The control unit 27 switches the sound alert to off or maintains the off state when the obtained judgment result is less than the second threshold value Vth2 based on the acquired judgment result. The control unit 27 times out and stops the sound alert when a predetermined timeout period has elapsed since the electronic watch 1 was set to the metronome mode or since the sound alert was started by pressing the B button 13B.

(Step S3-3)
In the electronic timepiece 1 in the reference tone mode, when the user presses the C button 13C while the electronic timepiece 1 is being controlled based on the reference tone mode, the detection unit 28 detects that the C button 13C has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected C button 13C has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the C button 13C has been pressed, which is generated by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 suspends the sound of the reference tone based on the acquired information indicating that the C button has been pressed. After suspending the sound of the reference tone, the control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a in the normal direction between A and B♭, and the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the minute hand 12b in the normal direction between 440, 442, and 443, thereby correcting the reference tone setting value. The hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b move the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b in the order of A440, A442, A443, B♭440, B♭442, and B♭443. When the reference sound setting is on, the control unit 27 immediately starts sounding the reference sound after the movement of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b is completed. When the reference sound is switched, the control unit 27 extends the timeout period. The control unit 27 retains the reference sound setting even after switching the operation mode.

(Step S4-3)
In the electronic timepiece 1 in the reference tone mode, when the user presses the D button 13D while the electronic timepiece 1 is being controlled based on the reference tone mode, the detection unit 28 detects that the D button 13D has been pressed. The detection unit 28 creates information indicating that the detected D button 13D has been pressed.
The control unit 27 acquires information indicating that the D button 13D has been pressed, which is generated by the detection unit 28. The control unit 27 suspends the sound of the reference tone based on the acquired information indicating that the D button has been pressed. After suspending the sound of the reference tone, the control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the hour hand drive unit 25a to move the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction between A and B♭, and the minute hand drive unit 25b to move the minute hand 12b in the reverse direction between 440, 442, and 443, thereby correcting the reference tone setting value.
The hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b move the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b in the following order: B♭443, B♭442, B♭440, A443, A442, A440. When the reference tone setting is on, the control unit 27 immediately starts sounding the reference tone after the movement of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b is completed. When the reference tone is switched, the control unit 27 extends the timeout period. The control unit 27 retains the reference tone setting even after switching the operation mode.

(Step S5-3)
When the button A 13A is pressed in the reference tone mode of the electronic timepiece 1, the control unit 27 causes the voltage detection unit 22 to detect the voltage value of the battery 21.
(Step S5-3a)
When the voltage value of the battery 21 is in the normal state, the control unit 27 sets the mode to the TIME mode.
(Step S5-3b)
When the voltage value of the battery 21 is in the LO state, the control unit 27 sets the mode to the TIME mode.
(Step S5-3c)
When the power level of the battery 21 is in the BLD state, the control unit 27 returns to the TIME mode.
(Step S8-3)
When the control unit 27 does not receive information indicating which button has been pressed for a predetermined period of time, it sets the mode to the TIME mode and performs control based on the set TIME mode.
(Step S9-3)
In the electronic timepiece 1 in the reference tone mode, when it is controlled based on the reference tone mode, the voltage detection unit 22 detects the voltage value of the battery 21 every hour on the hour.
The determination unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22, whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is equal to or greater than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and less than the second voltage threshold Vth2.
The control unit 27 sets the battery 21 to the BLD state based on the result of the determination of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set BLD state.
(Step S10-3)
In the electronic timepiece 1 in the reference tone mode, when it is controlled based on the reference tone mode, the voltage detection unit 22 detects the voltage value of the battery 21 every hour on the hour.
The determination unit 23 determines whether or not the voltage value of the battery 21 is less than the third voltage threshold Vth3 based on the detection result of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22.
The control unit 27 sets the battery 21 to the Near Empty state based on the result of the determination of the voltage value of the battery 21 by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set Near Empty state.

8 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. The operation of the electronic timepiece 1, mainly in the operating state, will be described with reference to FIG.
(Step S1-4)
In an electronic watch 1 in any one of the operating modes of TIME mode, reference tone mode, or metronome mode, a voltage detection unit 22 detects the voltage of a battery 21 every hour on the hour when the electronic watch 1 is being controlled based on any one of the TIME mode, reference tone mode, or metronome mode.
The determination unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the voltage of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22, whether or not the charge voltage of the battery 21 is equal to or higher than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and lower than the second voltage threshold Vth2.
The control unit 27 sets the BLD state based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set BLD state. The control unit 27 causes the detection unit 28 to disable all buttons.
The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to display the current time on the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively.

(Step S2-4)
In the electronic watch 1 in the BLD state, the voltage detection unit 22 detects the voltage of the battery 21 every hour on the hour.
The determination unit 23 determines whether or not the voltage of the battery 21 is less than the third voltage threshold Vth3 based on the detection result of the voltage of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22.
The control unit 27 sets the NearEmpty state based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set NearEmpty state.
(Step S3-4)
In an electronic watch 1 in any one of the operating modes of TIME mode, reference tone mode, or metronome mode, a voltage detection unit 22 detects the voltage of a battery 21 every hour on the hour when the electronic watch 1 is being controlled based on any one of the TIME mode, reference tone mode, or metronome mode.
The determination unit 23 determines whether or not the voltage of the battery 21 is less than the third voltage threshold Vth3 based on the detection result of the voltage of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22.
The control unit 27 sets the battery 21 to the Near Empty state based on the result of the determination of the voltage of the battery 21 by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set Near Empty state. The control unit 27 causes the detection unit 28 to disable all buttons. The control unit 27 stops the motor hand movement.
The control unit 27 controls the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to cause the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b to return the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b to zero, respectively.

(Step S4-4)
In the electronic watch 1 in the NearEmpty state, the voltage detection unit 22 detects the voltage of the battery 21 every hour on the hour.
The determination unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the voltage of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22, whether the voltage of the battery 21 is equal to or higher than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and lower than the second voltage threshold Vth2.
The control unit 27 acquires the result of the determination by the determination unit 23. The control unit 27 sets the BLD state based on the acquired determination result, and performs control based on the set BLD state.
(Step S5-4)
In an electronic timepiece 1 in either the BLD state or the NearEmpty state, the voltage detection unit 22 detects the voltage of the battery 21 every hour on the hour.
The determination unit 23 determines, based on the detection result of the voltage of the battery 21 by the voltage detection unit 22, whether the voltage of the battery 21 is equal to or higher than the third voltage threshold Vth3 and lower than the second voltage threshold Vth2.
The control unit 27 sets the TIME mode based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 23, and performs control based on the set TIME mode.

9 explains the hand action when the operation mode of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment is changed when the power supply level Vbat is in the normal state and in the LO state. Here, as an example, the case where the operation mode is changed at the time of 10:08 and 3:40 will be explained.
(Step S1-5)
In the electronic timepiece 1, the hour and minute hands move to the zero-reset position in the shortest possible distance. Specifically, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the zero-reset position in the shortest possible distance. The minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the zero-reset position in the shortest possible distance.
(Step S2-5)
In the electronic timepiece 1, the hour hand 12a moves to the 10 o'clock position, and the minute hand 12b moves to the 2 o'clock position. The amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a moving to the 10 o'clock position differs depending on the current operation mode. The amount of movement per unit time of the minute hand 12b moving to the 2 o'clock position differs depending on the current operation mode. Here, as an example, the explanation will continue with a case where the amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b in the normal state is greater than the amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b in the LO state.
When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the hour hand driving unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the 10 o'clock position by a first hand movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the hour hand driving unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the 10 o'clock position by a second hand movement amount that is smaller than the first hand movement amount per unit time.
When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the 2 o'clock position by a first hand movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the 2 o'clock position by a second hand movement amount per unit time.

(Step S3-5)
In the electronic timepiece 1, the hour hand 12a moves to the 2 o'clock position, and the minute hand 12b moves to the 10 o'clock position. The amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a moving to the 2 o'clock position differs depending on the current operation mode. The amount of movement per unit time of the minute hand 12b moving to the 10 o'clock position differs depending on the current operation mode. Here, as an example, the explanation will continue with a case where the amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b in the normal state is greater than the amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b in the LO state.
When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the 2 o'clock position by a first hand movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the 2 o'clock position by a second hand movement amount per unit time.
When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the 10 o'clock position by a first hand movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the 10 o'clock position by a second hand movement amount per unit time.

(Step S4-5)
In the electronic timepiece 1, the hour hand 12a moves to the zero reset position, and the minute hand 12b moves to the zero reset position. The amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a moving to the zero reset position differs depending on the current operation mode. The amount of movement per unit time of the minute hand 12b moving to the zero reset position differs depending on the current operation mode.
Here, as an example, the explanation will be continued on the case where the movement amount per unit time of the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b in the normal state is greater than the movement amount per unit time of the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b in the LO state. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the zero return position at a first movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the zero return position at a second movement amount per unit time.
The minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the zero reset position by a first needle movement amount per unit time when the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, and moves the minute hand 12b to the zero reset position by a second needle movement amount per unit time when the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state.

(Step S5-5)
In the electronic timepiece 1, in the metronome mode, the hour hand 12a moves to the position of the number representing the tempo sound in the shortest possible movement. The amount of movement of the hour hand 12a per unit time to move to the position of the number representing the tempo sound is the same regardless of the current operation mode. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the tempo position by a first amount of movement per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the tempo position by a first amount of movement per unit time.
(Step S6-5)
In the electronic timepiece 1, in the reference tone mode, the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b each move to the position of the mark representing the reference tone in the shortest possible distance and stop there. The amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b that move to the position of the mark representing the reference tone is the same regardless of the current operation mode.
When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the position of the mark representing the reference tone by a first hand movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the position of the mark representing the reference tone by a first hand movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the position of the mark representing the reference tone by a first hand movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the position of the mark representing the reference tone by a first hand movement amount per unit time.

(Step S7-5)
In the electronic watch 1, in the TIME mode, the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b each move to the hour digit position by the shortest distance and stop. The amount of movement per unit time of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b that move to the hour digit position is the same regardless of the current operation mode. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the hour digit position by a first movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a to the hour digit position by a first movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the normal state, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the hour digit position by a first movement amount per unit time. When the current power supply level Vbat is in the LO state, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b to the hour digits by a first hand movement amount per unit time.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a sixth example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. The operation of switching the operation mode of the electronic timepiece 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Here, as an example, the electronic timepiece 1 measures the battery voltage when switching the operation mode, and if the battery voltage is less than the second voltage threshold Vth2, determines that the battery is in the INH_SOUND state, and describes the hand action corresponding to the INH_SOUND state.
The hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b rotate the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b, respectively, in the forward and reverse directions within a range of ±6 steps based on the current position three times at the second needle movement amount per unit time. After that, the hour hand drive unit 25a and the minute hand drive unit 25b display the current time.

(In TIME mode)
In the electronic clock 1 in the TIME mode, the hour hand driving section 25a and the minute hand driving section 25b respectively cause the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b to display the hour digits 10:08 (1a).
The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a six steps in the forward direction by a third needle movement per unit time, and the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b six steps in the reverse direction by a third needle movement per unit time (1b). The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a six steps in the reverse direction by a third needle movement per unit time, and the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b six steps in the forward direction by a third needle movement per unit time (1c). The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a six steps in the forward direction by a third needle movement per unit time, and the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b six steps in the reverse direction by a third needle movement per unit time (1d).
The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction by six steps by the third hand movement amount per unit time, and the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b in the forward direction by six steps by the third hand movement amount per unit time (1e).
The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a six steps in the forward direction by the third needle movement per unit time, and the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b six steps in the reverse direction by the third needle movement per unit time (1f). The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a six steps in the reverse direction by the third needle movement per unit time, and the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b six steps in the forward direction by the third needle movement per unit time (1g).
The hour hand driving unit 25a and the minute hand driving unit 25b each display the current hour digit (1a).

(in Metrohm mode)
The operations in the TIME mode can also be applied to the electronic clock 1 in the metronome mode (2a to 2g).
(In reference tone mode)
The operations in the TIME mode can also be applied to the electronic clock 1 in the reference tone mode (3a to 3g).

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing Example 7 of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. With reference to Fig. 11, the operation of the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b of the electronic timepiece 1 moving to the zero reset position will be described. The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a along the shortest path at a third hand movement amount per unit time to reset to zero. After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b along the shortest path at the third hand movement amount per unit time to reset to zero.
The electronic timepiece 1 indicates 10:08 (1a). The hour hand drive unit 25a resets the hour hand 12a to zero in the forward direction by the third hand movement per unit time (1b). After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b resets the minute hand 12b to zero in the reverse direction by the third hand movement per unit time (1c).
The electronic timepiece 1 indicates 10:35 (2a). The hour hand drive unit 25a resets the hour hand 12a to zero by the third needle movement per unit time in the forward direction (2b). After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b resets the minute hand 12b to zero by the third needle movement per unit time in the forward direction (2c).
The electronic timepiece 1 indicates 5:15 (3a). The hour hand drive unit 25a resets the hour hand 12a to zero by the third hand movement per unit time in the reverse direction (3b). After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b resets the minute hand 12b to zero by the third hand movement per unit time in the reverse direction (3c).

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an eighth example of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. With reference to Fig. 12, the operation of the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b of the electronic timepiece 1 moving back from the zero position will be described. The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a along the shortest path at a third hand movement amount per unit time to the current hour digit. After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b along the shortest path at the third hand movement amount per unit time to the current hour digit.
In the electronic timepiece 1, the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b are reset to zero (1a). The electronic timepiece 1 returns to 10:08. The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction to the 10:00 digit at the third hand movement amount per unit time (1b). After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b in the reverse direction to the 8:00 digit at the third hand movement amount per unit time (1c).
In the electronic timepiece 1, the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b are reset to zero (2a). The electronic timepiece 1 returns to 10:35. The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a in the reverse direction to the 10 o'clock digit at the third hand movement amount per unit time (2b). After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b in the reverse direction to the 35 minute digit at the third hand movement amount per unit time (2c).
In the electronic timepiece 1, the hour hand 12a and minute hand 12b are reset to zero (3a). The electronic timepiece 1 returns to 5:15. The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a in the forward direction by the third hand movement amount per unit time to the 5 o'clock digit (3b). After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b in the reverse direction by the third hand movement amount per unit time to the 15 minute digit (3c).

Figure 13 is a diagram showing Example 9 of the operation of the electronic timepiece according to this embodiment. With reference to Figure 13, the hand action when a button is pressed in the BLD state will be described. The hour hand drive unit 25a moves the hour hand 12a along the shortest path at the third hand movement amount per unit time to the current hour digit. After that, the minute hand drive unit 25b moves the minute hand 12b along the shortest path at the third hand movement amount per unit time to the current hour digit.

In the above embodiment, in the action when the operation mode of the electronic watch 1 is changed, the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b move to the zero position in the shortest possible movement, and then the hour hand 12a moves to the 10 o'clock position, and the minute hand 12b moves to the 2 o'clock position. However, this is not limited to this example. For example, after the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b move to the zero position in the shortest possible movement, the hour hand 12a may move to a position corresponding to any time from later than 10 o'clock to midnight, and the minute hand 12b may move to a position corresponding to any time from midnight to less than 2 o'clock, or the hour hand 12a may move to a position corresponding to any time from 6 o'clock to less than 10 o'clock, and the minute hand 12b may move to a position corresponding to any time from later than 2 o'clock to 6 o'clock.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, in the action when the operation mode of the electronic watch 1 is changed, the hour hand 12a moves to the 10 o'clock position, the minute hand 12b moves to the 2 o'clock position, and then the hour hand 12a moves to the 2 o'clock position and the minute hand 12b moves to the 10 o'clock position. However, this is not limited to the above example. For example, the hour hand 12a may move to a position corresponding to any time after midnight and less than 2 o'clock, and the minute hand 12b may move to a position corresponding to any time from later than 10 o'clock to midnight, or the hour hand 12a may move to a position corresponding to any time from later than 2 o'clock to 6 o'clock, and the minute hand 12b may move to a position corresponding to any time from 6 o'clock to less than 10 o'clock.

In the above embodiment, as an example, the case where the movement amount per unit time of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b in the normal state is greater than the movement amount per unit time of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b in the LO state has been described, but this is not limited to the example. For example, the movement amount per unit time of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b in the normal state may be less than the movement amount per unit time of the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b in the LO state.
In the above-described embodiment, as an example, the electronic timepiece 1 measures the battery power level Vbat when the operation mode is changed, and if the battery power level Vbat is less than the second voltage threshold Vth2, the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b move three times in the forward and reverse directions in a range of plus or minus six steps based on the current position at the third needle movement amount per unit time, but this is not limited to the example. For example, the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b may move one to two times or four or more times in the forward and reverse directions in a range of plus or minus one to five or seven or more steps based on the current position at the third needle movement amount per unit time.
In the above-described embodiment, the no-operation threshold time in the metronome mode and the no-operation threshold time in the reference tone mode may be the same or different.
In the above-described embodiment, the first time threshold, the second time threshold, the third time threshold, the fourth time threshold and the fifth time threshold may be different values, or at least two of them may be the same value.

The electronic timepiece 1 according to the embodiment includes a battery 21, a determination unit 23 that determines the degree of consumption of the battery 21, a drive unit 25 that drives the hands 12, and a display processing unit 24 that causes the drive unit 25 to switch between a basic function mode as a TIME mode, which is an operating mode that displays the time using the hands 12, and an additional function mode as a metronome mode or a reference tone mode that displays additional functions. When switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, the drive unit 25 causes the hands 12 to execute an action based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 23 of the degree of consumption.
By configuring in this manner, when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, the electronic watch 1 can display the degree of consumption of the battery 21 by causing the hands 12 to perform an action based on the results of determining the degree of consumption.
Furthermore, when the additional function is displayed in the additional function mode, the drive unit 25 drives the hands that display the time in the basic function mode. By configuring in this way, the additional function can be displayed by the hands that display the time in the basic function mode, so that the design of the electronic clock 1 can be simplified.
Furthermore, when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, the drive unit 25 causes the hands that display the time in the basic function mode to execute an action. By configuring in this way, an action can be executed when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, so that the degree of consumption of the battery 21 can be displayed when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode.
In addition, the judgment unit 23 further judges whether or not to stop the display of the additional functions based on the degree of consumption of the battery 21, and when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, the drive unit 25 causes the hand 12 to perform an action based on the judgment result by the judgment unit 23 of whether or not to stop the display of the additional functions, and the amount of movement and the number of movements of the hand in one action that the drive unit 25 causes the hand 12 to perform are equal regardless of the judgment result of whether or not to stop the display of the additional functions.
By configuring it in this way, the electronic watch 1 can have the hand 12 execute an action based on the result of the decision as to whether or not to stop displaying the additional functions when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, thereby displaying the degree of consumption of the battery 21. Furthermore, the electronic watch 1 can make the amount of movement and the number of movements of the hand 12 in one action executed by the hand 12 equal regardless of the result of the decision as to whether or not to stop displaying the additional functions, so it can display the degree of consumption of the battery 21 with an action in which the amount of movement and the number of movements of the hand are equal.

In addition, the judgment unit 23 further judges whether or not to stop the display of the additional functions based on the degree of consumption of the battery 21, and when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, the drive unit 25 causes the hand 12 to perform an action based on the judgment result by the judgment unit 23 of whether or not to stop the display of the additional functions, and the amount of movement of the hand per unit time in one action that the drive unit 25 causes the hand 12 to perform differs depending on the judgment result of whether or not to stop the display of the additional functions.
By configuring in this way, when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, the electronic watch 1 can have the hands 12 execute an action based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 23 of whether or not to stop displaying the additional functions, thereby displaying the degree of consumption of the battery 21. Furthermore, the electronic watch 1 can display the degree of consumption of the battery 21 with actions that differ in the amount of movement of the hands per unit time in one action executed by the hands 12, since the amount of movement of the hands per unit time differs depending on the result of the determination of whether or not to stop displaying the additional functions.
Furthermore, the movement of the hand per unit time in one action executed by the driver 25 to the hand 12 is greater when it is determined that the display of the additional function is not to be stopped than when it is determined that the display of the additional function is to be stopped. By configuring in this way, the electronic watch 1 can display the degree of consumption of the battery 21 with an action executed by the hand 12 that is greater when it is determined that the display of the additional function is not to be stopped than when it is determined that the display of the additional function is to be stopped.
Moreover, the hands 12 include an hour hand 12a and a minute hand 12b, and the drive unit 25 includes an hour hand drive unit 25a that drives the hour hand 12a and a minute hand drive unit 25b that drives the minute hand 12b. With this configuration, the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b can be driven independently without being linked, so that the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b can be made to perform any action.
Furthermore, the hands 12 include an hour hand 12a and a minute hand 12b, and in the additional function mode, the drive unit 25 displays the additional function using the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b. With this configuration, the additional function can be displayed using the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b.
In the additional function mode, the driving unit 25 also displays a metronome. With this configuration, the metronome can be displayed by the hour hand 12a and the minute hand 12b.

The electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment is not limited to wristwatches, but can be widely applied to various devices having electronic timepiece functions.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications include, for example, those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, those that are within the scope of the equivalents, and the like.
For example, a computer program for implementing the functions of the electronic watch 1 described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Note that the term "computer system" may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.
In addition, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a storage device such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a hard disk built into a computer system.
Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a computer program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.
The program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
The program may be for implementing part of the functions described above.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program).

1...electronic watch, 11...dial, 12...hand, 12a...hour hand, 12b...minute hand, 13A...A button, 13B...B button, 13C...C button, 13D...D button, 14...movement, 15...main display area, 16...time scale, 17...crystal, 18...bezel, 19...watch case, 21...battery, 22...voltage detection unit, 23...judgment unit, 24...display processing unit, 25...drive unit, 25a...hour hand drive unit, 25b...minute hand drive unit, 25c...alarm drive unit, 26...storage unit, 27...control unit, 28...detection unit, 29...oscillating unit, 30...alarm unit

Claims (10)

Batteries and
A determination unit that determines a degree of consumption of the battery;
A drive unit that drives the pointer;
a display processing unit that switches the driving unit between a basic function mode, which is an operation mode that displays the time by using hands, and an additional function mode that displays an additional function;
the determination unit determines whether or not a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent based on the degree of consumption of the battery;
the driving unit, when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, causes the pointer to execute an action based on a result of the determination by the determination unit as to whether or not a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent ;
An electronic timepiece , wherein the amount of movement and the number of times the hand is moved in one action executed by the drive unit is the same regardless of the result of the determination as to whether or not to stop displaying the additional function. Batteries and
A determination unit that determines a degree of consumption of the battery;
A drive unit that drives the pointer;
a display processing unit that switches the driving unit between a basic function mode, which is an operation mode that displays the time by using hands, and an additional function mode that displays an additional function;
the determination unit determines whether or not a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent based on the degree of consumption of the battery;
the driving unit, when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, causes the pointer to execute an action based on a result of the determination by the determination unit as to whether or not a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent ;
The electronic timepiece, wherein the amount of movement of the hand per unit time in one action executed by the drive unit varies depending on a determination result as to whether or not a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent. 3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit drives the hands that display the time in the basic function mode when the additional function is displayed in the additional function mode. 4. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein, when switching from the basic function mode to the additional function mode, the drive unit causes the hands that display the time in the basic function mode to execute the action. 3. The electronic watch according to claim 2, wherein the amount of movement of the hand per unit time in one of the actions executed by the drive unit is greater when it is determined that a state in which the additional function will no longer be able to be displayed is imminent than when it is determined that a state in which the additional function will no longer be able to be displayed is imminent. The hands include an hour hand and a minute hand,
6. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit comprises an hour hand drive unit that drives the hour hand, and a minute hand drive unit that drives the minute hand. The hands include an hour hand and a minute hand,
7. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit, in the additional function mode, indicates the additional function by the hour hand and the minute hand. 8. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit displays a metronome in the additional function mode. A display method performed by an electronic watch, comprising:
determining a degree of battery depletion;
A step of switching a drive unit that drives the hands between a basic function mode, which is an operation mode that displays time by the hands, and an additional function mode that displays an additional function;
determining whether a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent based on the degree of consumption of the battery;
and a step of causing the indicator to execute an action based on a determination result of whether or not a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent when the driving unit switches from the basic function mode to the additional function mode ,
A display method , wherein the movement amount and the number of movements of the pointer in one action executed by the drive unit are equal regardless of the result of the determination as to whether or not to stop displaying the additional function . A display method performed by an electronic watch, comprising:
determining a degree of battery depletion;
A step of switching a drive unit that drives the hands between a basic function mode, which is an operation mode that displays time by the hands, and an additional function mode that displays an additional function;
determining whether a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent based on the degree of consumption of the battery;
and a step of causing the indicator to execute an action based on a determination result of whether or not a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent when the driving unit switches from the basic function mode to the additional function mode ,
The display method, wherein the amount of movement of the hand per unit time in one action executed by the drive unit varies depending on a determination result of whether or not a state in which the additional function cannot be displayed is imminent .

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