JPS58144772A - Character input unit for electronic time piece - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the inputting of characters with a simple operation without increase in the external operation switch by turning a crown without pulling to select the mode, pulling and turning it to select a character and putting it back to input the character. CONSTITUTION:When a crown of an electronic wrist watch is at the normal position, with a switch S1 OFF, a signal from a setting signal formation circuit 16 is inputted into a function mode selection circuit 19. Under such a condition, with the turning of the crown, a pulse signal of UP or DN is provided by the circuit 16 from the direction of rotation thereof to select the time indication mode, the alarm indication mode and the character inputting mode. After the selection of the modes, as the crown is pulled, the switch S1 is closed to enable the setting of the contents of indication. Then, as the crown is turned, with the selection mode, the correction of the time or the selection of the character are done. After the selection of character, as the crown is putted back, and character is inputted into a character memorization circuit 10 while with the advance of an address counter 35, the subsequent address is specified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a character input device for an electronic watch, which is equipped with a character storage circuit for storing several characters.

In recent years, with the development of electronic circuit technology and electro-optical display technology, the number of additional functions that can be equipped with digital display electronic watches has increased, such as character storage registers and I/J drive type liquid crystal display devices. Electronic watches with a memo function have also been realized, which can store or display characters forming arbitrary words, names, numbers, etc., as needed.

However, in electronic watches with a memo function like the one mentioned above,
The problem is how to input the characters to be memorized from the outside, and especially for watches whose size is small and it is difficult to increase the number of external operation switches, the character input operation is extremely complicated. In other words, character input devices for electronic wristwatches with a memo function that have been proposed in the past include a first push button type switch for character selection and a memory state for storing the selected character. a second push-button type switch for inputting a plurality of characters sequentially arranged and memorizable, one by one by operating the first push-button type switch; When a desired character is selected by this operation, the character is stored in memory by operating the second push-button switch. Just doing so requires a very time-consuming operation.

Moreover, in order to input multiple characters, it is necessary to repeat the above-mentioned complicated operations, and in order to memorize the desired memo, the above-mentioned first push-button switch must be pressed an enormous number of times. I had to repeat the wave and push operation.

In addition to the above-mentioned 11th and 2nd push button type switches,
Since a switch is also required to select the function mode of the watch, the number of external operation switches increases, which causes the structure of the watch to become complicated and becomes an obstacle to miniaturizing the watch. Ta. The present invention eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional character input device as described above, and an object of the present invention is to use only one lead as an external operating member, while inputting characters into a memory circuit. To provide a character input device for an electronic watch which is extremely easy to operate and has a simple configuration.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of an electronic wristwatch equipped with a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
1(b) shows the time in the time display mode, and FIG. 1a and a mark display section 1b, and has only a crown 2 as an external operating member.Furthermore, FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the watch of this embodiment has a character input function. It is a top view which shows when it is in mode.

Next, FIG. 4 is a Pronoc diagram schematically showing the circuit configuration of the timepiece of this embodiment, in which 6 is a crystal rooting circuit, 4 is a frequency dividing circuit, and 5 is a time counter.

Further, 6 is an alarm memory for storing the alarm time, and the output side of the alarm memory 6 and the output side of the time counter 5 are connected to a coincidence detection circuit 7, and the contents of both are connected. When they match, the alarm buzzer 9 is configured to be driven by the buzzer drive circuit 8. Furthermore, 10 is a character storage circuit for storing character codes indicating characters such as numbers and alphabento as necessary.
The output side of 0 is connected to the display drive circuit 12 via the display control circuit 11 along with the output sides of the time counter 5 and the alarm memory 6, and is configured to drive the liquid crystal display device 1 described above.

On the other hand, 13 is a crown 2 provided as an external operating member.
The switch group 16 is a group of externally operated switches configured to be operated by the switch input control circuit 14.
It is connected to the.

The switch input control circuit 14 supplies setting signals, etc. to the time counter 5, alarm memory 6, and character storage circuit 10, or changes the display mode to the display control circuit 11, depending on the operation of the switch group 16. It functions to switch the display mode of the liquid crystal display device 1 by giving a selection signal.

Note that the output side of the coincidence detection circuit 7 is also connected to the display control circuit 11, and when the alarm set time arrives, the liquid crystal display device 1 temporarily enters the character display mode and the character storage circuit is connected to the display control circuit 11. 10 is configured to display characters stored in the memory.

Next, FIG. 5 is a principal circuit diagram for explaining the mutual relationship among the external operation switch group 16, the switch input control circuit 14, and the character storage circuit 10 described above. However, in FIG. 5, lines showing the connection relationship between the character storage circuit 10 and the display control circuit 11 are omitted.

The switch group 16 is composed of two switch mechanism blocks, of which the switch S1 is an externally operated switch configured to operate in conjunction with the movement of the crown 2 in the axial direction. S1 is in an open state (OFF state It) when the leash 2 is in the normal position as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the IJ and -2 are in the one-step pulled position, they are in a closed state (QN fall state).

On the other hand, the switch S2 is an external operation switch configured to operate in conjunction with the rotation of the crown 2. The switch S2 is connected to the setting signal forming circuit 16 of the switch input control circuit 14, and the switch S2 is connected to the setting signal forming circuit 16 of the switch input control circuit 14. The setting signal forming circuit 16 is configured to output an addition setting signal UP when the rotation is clockwise, and a subtraction setting signal DN when the rotation is clockwise. ing.

Further, the switch S2 and the setting signal forming circuit 16 described in AD are turned off so that they operate in exactly the same way whether the crown 2 is in the normal position or in the first clicked position.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the character storage circuit 10 is
In order to memorize letters such as numbers and alphabento, it is made up of 41 renstas, each composed of 6 pinots, and is therefore constructed so that it can memorize 4 letters.

In addition, the character input counter 61 is similarly configured with 6 pins, but the counter 31 is supplied with a setting signal to the difference between the OP setting input terminal 31u and the DOWN setting input terminal 31d. It is configured to perform either up-counting or down-counting depending on the situation.

The circuit shown in FIG. 5 operates with positive logic.

First, when crown 2 is in the normal position, switch S,
Since the AND circuits 26 and 24 are open, the AND circuits 26 and 24 are in the OFF state, and since the output side of the inverter 20 is at the [H] level, the AND circuits 17 and 18 are maintained in the ON state.

Therefore, in this state, the UP and DN setting signals from the setting signal forming circuit 16 described above are transmitted to the UP signal input terminal 19u of the functional mode selection circuit 19 via the AND circuits 17 and 18 in the f:McEON state. , down signal input terminal 19d, respectively.

In this case, the functional mode selection circuit 19 is composed of an l-bit three-stage forward/give counter or a foot register, and outputs "1" every time an 11-bit pulse signal is inputted from the input terminal 19u or 19d. The stage marked "°" is configured to shift one step to the right or left.

In other words, when IJ and -Z 2 are rotated clockwise in the above-mentioned state, every time 115 pulse signals are output from the setting signal forming circuit 16 as the setting signal UP, the upper 151 1i1
-+ [When the state rotates clockwise as shown in the diagram and vice versa (t), when the crown 2 is rotated counterclockwise, one pulse number 1 is output as the setting signal DN from the setting in/out formation circuit 16. The function mode selection circuit 19 for each function is
As in the case of 匪匪■ト匪■okatotanjiguchi, it would be 7 feet counterclockwise.

By the way, the watch 1+lj has a function mode selection circuit 19.
When is lt, 1p12J, the dot matrix display section 1a of the liquid crystal display device 1 enters the time display mode as shown in FIG.
6 becomes ON, and E! When the state is IIEI, the display section 1a goes into the alarm display mode as shown in FIG.・The F part 1a enters the character display state as shown in FIG.
becomes ON state.

Therefore, when the crown 2 is in the normal position, the desired display mode can be selected by rotating the crown 2 in any direction. [If you pull it out directly, the switch S1 will close, so the output 1111 of the output 20 (L,
) level, and the AND circuits 17 and 18 are in the OFF state, and the AND circuits 26 and 24 are in the ON state.

In this state, the setting signals UP and DN generated by the setting signal forming circuit 16 in response to the 20 rotations of the crown are used to set (correct) the display contents selected in accordance with the state of the Isome°hi mode selection circuit 19. If you do this, you will be put in a state of incompetence.

In other words, when the function mode selection circuit 19 is in the state (in the time display mode), the crown 2 is turned to 1.
If you pull it out to the stepped position, the setting signal UP or DN will be activated.
The crown 2 is turned to the right or left in order to become a signal that can be inputted to the LJ P l input signal input terminal 5u or the do w n correction signal 5d of the timekeeping counter 5 via the AND circuit 26.26 or 24.25. By rotating it in the direction, you can adjust the time in the forward or backward direction.

Further, when the d&discharge mode selection circuit 19 is in the i state (
If you pull the crown 2 to the first position while in the alarm display mode, the setting signal UP or DN will change to AN.
Up-module of alarm memory 6 via D circuit 26.28 or 24.27 - signal input terminal 6u or doy
The n correction signal input terminal 6d is now in a state where it can be input manually.

By the way, when the display mode selection circuit 19 enters the M state, that is, the character input mode is selected, the inverter 6
Since the output 11111 of No. 4 becomes the [L] level, the address specifying output 11111 is released from the forced reset holding state. Also, in this state, the AND circuit 29
．． In addition to 60, 22.66 will also be maintained in the ON state.

If you pull out the crown 2 to the 1st pull position in the character input mode described in (h), the switch S will be activated.

is closed and the Ai measurement circuits 26 and 24 are turned ON, and the character code selection setting that indicates the character that you want to input manually becomes an @ state (hereinafter referred to as the one-character manual state). First, as mentioned above, at the moment the switch S1 is closed, a rising operation type logic (one pulse signal is formed in the juice change circuit 21, and the signal is sent to the data transfer control terminal 51a of the character input counter 61 via the AND circuit 22. In order to manually enter the address (
The character code within the designated address (hereinafter referred to as the designated address) is transmitted to the character input counter 61.

That is, in the character manual mode, only at the moment when the crown 2 is pulled out to the first click position to enter the character input state, the internal medicine of the character manual counter 61 communicates with the character code within the specified address of the exchanger memory circuit 10. It is configured so that it matches the .

In this character input state, the setting signal UP or DN from +tU setting signal formation LO1 path 16 is shown by the arrow.
is, via AND circuit 26.60 or 24.29,
Since it is in a state where it can be input to the above-mentioned up setting input terminal 31u or down setting input terminal 31d, when the VC and crown 2 are rotated to the right or left, the setting signal is formed by the setting signal forming circuit 16. 1I15 pulse signal @ input terminal 3 as setting signal UP or DN
Each time a character is input to 1u or 51d, the code content in the character input counter 61 will count up or down 7.
As a result, the above code arrangement 7 is selected from among the characters ael and +m arranged in code in advance in the memory oT'r4'Q corresponding to the code contents of the input counter 61. in the addition or subtraction direction (
In other words, it is possible to arbitrarily select letters one by one (reversibly depending on the direction of rotation of the crown 2).

In addition, in the character input state described in "-", data is input into the specified address of the character storage circuit 100 in synchronization with a relatively high-frequency clock signal (or in synchronization with the minute time width delay signal of the setting signals UP and DN). ), the character code in the character input counter 61 is transmitted, so after the moment when the crown 2 is pulled out, the character code in the character memory circuit 100 is transmitted. The character code d is always selected in the character input counter 61.
This will match the content of a certain character code, so selecting a character by rotating crown 2 will be
It is clear that this can be done while looking at the display on the liquid crystal display device 1, that is, while checking visually.

In addition, after completing the selection and setting of the character code corresponding to the first (first) desired character in the character input counter 61 as described above, by pushing the crown 2 back to the reading position with the , switch S is opened. That is, at the moment when the switch S is opened and the output side of the inverter 20 reaches the level C), an 11-direction pulse signal is generated by the rising operation type logical differentiator circuit 62.

Address finger/foot counter 7/ter 6 via AND circuit 63
5, the contents of the address designation counter 65 are incremented, and as a result, the next (7142ti) address is designated in the character storage circuit 10. become.

In this state, of course, the first (
It is clear that the character code whose selection setting has already been completed in the character manual counter 61 by the above-described operation is stored in the 41st address.

Furthermore, if you pull out the crown 2 to the first click position again from the current state, the character code located within the second landing, which is the specified address in the character memory 141 circuit 10, will be used for character input. The information is transmitted to the counter 61, and the second character can be selected and set using the same operation as the first character described above.
This results in T syndrome.

Furthermore, the same applies to the selection settings for the 34th and subsequent characters.

In this embodiment, when the crown 2 is in the 1st pull position and is in the manual operation state, the clothing section 1
Among a, the characters according to the character code within the specified area of the character storage circuit 10 are displayed. Therefore, when manually operating characters, it is possible to easily identify which display digit is the input target.

When you have finished inputting all the desired characters, return the crown 2 to its normal position and rotate it to return to the time display mode.
) level, the addressing counter 35
is held in a reset state. For now, let's take a look at the number of characters: 1. After completing the settings, if you need to modify some of the characters, repeat the operation of pulling out and pushing in the Lease 2 an appropriate number of times without rotating it while the character input mode is selected. After recalling the address of the place you want to correct, by rotating the crown and resetting the selection of the correct character, you can select the correct character without affecting the characters stored in other addresses. It is clear that only the characters of can be memorized and modified.

As described in [] below, according to the present invention, the function mode can be selected, the character code corresponding to the desired character can be selected and set, and the address designation means can be used to designate the address of the character storage circuit simply by operating the crown. All stepping motions can be performed easily and quickly. That is, according to the present invention, for example, in the normal position, a character manual mode is selected by rotating the crown, and then in that state, by pulling out the crown and rotating it, the character code corresponding to the desired character can be selected and set. However, by further pushing the crown back to its normal position, it becomes possible to memorize a desired character with an extremely simple operation, such as advancing the contents of the addressing means. In addition, since only one crown is required as an external operating member,
The structure of the watch is also simplified, making it possible to downsize the watch itself, and for example, it becomes possible to easily add a character-powered device to a small wristwatch for women.

In the above-mentioned implementation, the addressing means is configured to advance in conjunction with the operation of the switch S1 when the crown is pushed back from the pulled out position to the normal position. It is clear that the addressing means may be configured to advance in conjunction with the operation of the switch S.

Alternatively, as a first switch, you can add a so-called pull switch that is activated when the crown is pulled further outward than the 1α position of the first pull, or a switch for a two-step pull type crown that can distinguish between three axial positions. It is also possible to configure the address designation means so that the contents of the address designation means are incremented as soon as the crown is pulled out to the outside of the first click position by using the above. In addition, in the case of a configuration such as Hidden, it may be configured so that when the crown is pulled out and then released from the hand, it will automatically return to the 1st pull position, or it may be configured so that it automatically returns to the 1st pull position. It is also possible to configure the content of the addressing means to be read at the timing when the writing device is pushed back to the one-stage pulled-out position after being pulled out to the first position.

Furthermore, in either configuration, the character code in the character input counter is transmitted to the designated address of the character storage circuit in conjunction with the movement of the crown in the axial direction, that is, the operation of switch S. It is clear that the configuration may be configured such that the information is stored in the same way.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, an addition setting signal and a subtraction setting signal are selectively formed depending on the direction of rotation of the crown, and the character code can be selectively corrected in the up direction or down direction using this setting signal. Because of this configuration, character code selection and setting can be done effortlessly and quickly.

Moreover, by configuring only the character input counter as a circuit that performs an amplifier-down counting operation and supplying the setting signal to the character input counter, a desired character code is selected and set within the input counter. At the same time, since the set character code is sent to a register at a designated address in the character storage circuit to be stored and held, the circuit configuration itself becomes very simple.

In contrast, all the registers constituting the character memory circuit are configured to perform up/down/count operations, and each register is configured to selectively supply a tJn itch setting signal and a subtraction setting signal to each register. In this case, the circuit becomes extremely complicated and requires a large number of circuit elements.

In other words, the circuit configuration of a register (counter) that performs up/down counting operations is complex and has a large number of elements, but according to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of registers in the character storage circuit can be reduced. No matter how much the character input counter increases (7x+t), the complexity of the overall circuit configuration can be kept to a minimum because only the character input counter needs to be a circuit that substantially performs up-down counting operations.

On the other hand, when the character code is configured to be selected and set in an amplifier-down manner as described above, the switch S2 and the setting signal forming circuit that are linked to the rotation of IJ and - are installed in the setting signal forming circuit. A configuration that has a function of discriminating the rotational direction of the crown according to the operation of S2 and forming an addition setting signal or a subtraction setting signal according to the discrimination combination, or a pulse signal train that directly follows the rotation of the crown. A switch or circuit for detecting the direction of rotation of the crown, a pair of gate means, etc. to control ON/OFF according to the detection result of the rotation direction of the crown, and a switch or circuit for detecting the direction of rotation of the crown. By turning on one of the gate means and outputting the pulse signal train through the turned on gate means, the signal for addition and subtraction is output depending on the direction of rotation of the crown. It is also possible to use a setting signal forming circuit configured to form and output a setting signal.

[Alternatively, a switch mechanism configured to perform different operations depending on the direction of rotation of the crown may be provided, or a switch mechanism may be configured such that different switch contacts operate depending on the direction of rotation of the crown. By providing a switch mechanism, the setting signal forming circuit may be configured to separately form an addition setting signal or a subtraction setting signal from the beginning depending on the difference in the direction of rotation of the crown. is clear.

Also, if you want to configure it so that both numbers and alphabets can be entered, for example, 04-)14+2...
・・・→9eAeB→C・・・・・・4+X→Y→Z
It is only necessary to arrange the character codes in a circular manner, such as OO, so that one character code can be sequentially selected as the crown is rotated.

Furthermore, the character input counter and address designation means described above do not necessarily need to be constructed as a statically connected up/down counter;
It is also possible to configure it in a so-called microcomputer format, which is also called an OM-RAM type, CPU type, etc., and the character storage circuit can also be configured in a RAM.

Note that the present invention is not limited to character input devices that simply store words, etc. in a watch for a long period of time (such as those provided in so-called electronic translators, etc.).
It is clear that it can also be used as a character input device for storing character codes manually entered only temporarily as needed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures fJ1 to 5 show examples of the present invention. Figures 1 (a,) and (b) are thousand-sided diagrams showing the appearance of the watch, and Figure 1 (a) shows the time display mode. When you are in the
Figure (b) shows the alarm display mode. Second
The figure and FIG. 3 are 1000-sided views showing the appearance of the watch when it is in the clothing mode. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the outline of the circuit configuration of the timepiece, and FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the main part configuration. 1... Liquid crystal display device 1a... Dot matrix display section 2... Crown 10... Character storage circuit 11...
・Display control circuit 12...Display drive circuit 16・
...External operation switch group 14...Switch human control circuit 16...
Setting signal forming circuit 19...Function mode selection circuit 61...Character manual counter 31a...
...Data transfer control terminal 31u...up setting input terminal

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An electronic watch equipped with a character storage circuit for storing a plurality of character codes indicating numbers, alphabets, etc. an IJ, which is set to -, an Ml switch that is linked to the axial position of the crown, and a second switch that operates in conjunction with the rotation of the crown;
a function mode selection means for selectively setting the function mode of the watch; an addressing means for specifying the address of the character storage circuit; and a function mode selection means for specifying the address of the character storage circuit. A character manual input/output switch for selecting and setting a character code to be stored in an address, and a mode selection state of the function mode selection means are sent to the second switch when the IJ and -z are in the normal position. an input control means that provides a function of manually inputting the key to change the number, and a state in which the function mode selection means selects the character input mode ("when the crown is set at a predetermined pull-out position; , an input control means for providing the second switch with a function of inputting a signal for selecting and setting a desired character code in the character input counter; The code is configured to be given within an address specified by the addressing means of the character storage circuit, and in the character input mode, the code is
1. A character input device for an electronic watch, characterized in that the content of the address designation means is incremented in accordance with the operation of a switch 1z. (2) The input control means is configured as a character input counter or a circuit means for substantially performing an amplifier down count, and the input control means is configured such that when the mode selection means selects the character manual mode, the IJ, -z is set to a predetermined drawer. control means for providing the second switch with an input function for causing the contents of the character input counter to count up or down depending on the direction of rotation of the IJ and -Z when set to the position; A character input device for an electronic timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that: