JP2008241329A - Electronic circuit for watch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic circuit for watches having a system reset function, which solves the problem that an electronic circuit by conventional techniques of providing an exclusive switch means for system reset and of separately connecting a means for changing functions, can not be used as a circuit for watches. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic circuit for watches has a first storage means for storing a plurality of operation programs necessary for watch operation, a second storage means for storing key assignment information concerning system reset operation of a watch, and an input circuit for receiving input signals from external switch means, compares information input from the input circuit with the key assignment information concerning system reset of the watch, and performs the system reset operation when the contents of these pieces of information coincide. By using such a configuration as this, system reset can be performed surely, even if the number of providable external switch means is restricted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic circuit that performs an operation related to a system reset based on information input from an external switch means to an input circuit, and more particularly to an electronic circuit for a watch.

  In recent years, the functions of watches have diversified. With the increase in functionality, the operation has become complicated. However, in order to activate the function or operation of the watch, the function is operated by operating the external switch means. These operations include, for example, a stopwatch function, an operation such as water depth measurement and altitude measurement, a forced reception operation of a radio wave reception function, and reception confirmation.

  In general, portable devices such as small-sized information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs have become more multifunctional and may require complicated operations, but many operate external switch means in the same way as watches, The function is operating. There are many proposals for the configuration of information input to such portable devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[Description of operation of the prior art: FIG. 2]
The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a mobile phone body. 21 is a wireless unit, 22 is a control unit, 23 is a memory unit, 24 is a functional unit dedicated memory unit, 25 is a touch panel unit, 26 is a display unit, 27 is an audio unit, 28 is an external connector, and 31 is a hard reset switch. . These are elements constituting the mobile phone body 20. 29 is a cable, and 30 is a function changing device.

In the prior art shown in the patent document, a function changing device 30 provided separately from the mobile phone main body 20 is connected to an external connector 28 which is a component of the mobile phone main body 20 by a cable 29.
By operating the function changing device 30, each key of the touch panel unit 25 stored in the function unit dedicated memory unit 24 and the function assigned to the key can be changed. In addition, the operational feeling of the mobile phone body 20 can be changed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-229719 (page 3, FIG. 1)

By the way, a watch has a smaller casing than a mobile phone or a small information terminal, and disturbances such as noise and static electricity entering from the outside are often transmitted to an internal circuit board. For this reason, an internal electronic circuit may cause a malfunction.
In order to solve such problems, the fundamental solution is to prevent external disturbance from reaching the internal electronic circuit, but in reality it is difficult to completely prevent the external disturbance from entering, and after a malfunction occurs. It is important how quickly to recover from the malfunction state.
For this reason, it is widely used to perform system reset that temporarily resets the state of the system.

The operation of resetting the watch system must be promptly operated in order to recover from the malfunction state as soon as possible after the malfunction has occurred. For example, the crown-like switch means provided in the watch is operated once. If the system is reset by a simple operation such as pressing it, a problem will occur.
This is a case where the operation is mistakenly performed in the normal use state of the clock, and the system is reset unexpectedly. It is inconvenient if the system is easily reset, such as when holding the watch, wearing it on the wrist, or touching another object in use.
In many cases, when the system is reset, time information, calendar information, etc. are lost, and the initial state is restored. When a system reset due to an erroneous operation frequently occurs, an operation such as time adjustment is required each time, and the convenience as a clock is deteriorated.

  Therefore, in a state where the watch is normally used, it is necessary to prevent the system reset from being erroneously operated. Therefore, it is necessary to consider providing an external switch means dedicated to system reset.

By the way, as a feature of the timepiece, there are many cases where there are restrictions on the location and the number of external switch means in order to match the decoration and user's preference. For example, in a watch that prioritizes design, it may be required to reduce the number of external switch means.
In addition, as a structural feature of the timepiece, since an electronic circuit is configured on a fine and small-area substrate, there are cases where restrictions are imposed on the space and the number of arrangement of the external switch means.

  Under such circumstances, the watch cannot be provided with an external switch means dedicated to system reset in the watch body, although it is known that a system reset may be necessary to recover from a malfunctioning state due to disturbance.

  In addition, even if the function assigned to the switch means such as the touch panel is changed by connecting the function changing device to the outside as in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, the function changing device is originally added to the watch. An external connector to be connected cannot be installed.

  Accordingly, there has been a strong demand for a means for assigning a function such as a system reset to an electronic device that is small and vulnerable to disturbances such as a watch and requires a system reset without increasing the number of external switch means.

  The electronic circuit for a timepiece according to the present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned demand, and the purpose thereof is to incorporate a system reset function even in a situation where a system reset dedicated switch cannot be provided as the electronic circuit for a timepiece. It is to balance the function and taste of the watch.

  As a means for solving the above-described problems, the timepiece electronic circuit employs the structure described below.

  First storage means for storing a plurality of operation programs necessary for the clock operation and an operation program for the clock reset operation, and key assignment information for the reset operation for resetting all or some functions of the clock. 2 having a storage means and an input circuit for receiving an input signal from at least one external switch means, the information inputted from the input circuit is compared with the key assignment information, and the contents of these information match. The operation program relating to the reset operation is called to execute the reset operation of the watch.

  The key assignment information includes information indicating an on or off state of the switch means.

  The first storage means and the second storage means are stored in different storage areas of the same memory means.

  The first storage means and the second storage means are MONOS type semiconductor nonvolatile memories.

The timepiece electronic circuit of the present invention performs a reset operation by comparing an input signal from the external switch means with previously stored key assignment information. The key assignment information can be freely changed without using a separate external device.
As a result, according to the electronic circuit for a watch of the present invention, decorativeness is generally required, and even in a watch that requires a variety of designs in accordance with user's preference, the design and diversity are impaired. It is possible to perform the reset without fail.

[Overall description: Fig. 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a timepiece electronic circuit according to the present invention. The timepiece electronic circuit of the present invention will be described as a semiconductor integrated circuit in which the circuit is integrated on a semiconductor substrate.

  In FIG. 1, 11 is a timepiece semiconductor integrated circuit, and 12a to 12c are external switch means. Reference numeral 13 denotes a pad for connecting the external switch means 12a to 12c to the timepiece semiconductor integrated circuit 11. Reference numeral 14 denotes first storage means for storing a plurality of operation programs. A logic circuit 15 controls the operation of the watch. Reference numeral 16 denotes an input circuit for receiving input signals from the external switch means 12a to 12c. Reference numeral 18 denotes second storage means for storing key assignment information relating to the system reset operation of the clock circuit. Reference numeral 17 denotes a comparison circuit that compares the signal from the input circuit 16 with the signal from the second storage means 18 that stores key assignment information relating to the system reset operation of the clock circuit.

  The timepiece semiconductor integrated circuit 11 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown), and this circuit board is incorporated in a timepiece exterior (not shown) together with a time notification means (not shown). Such a functional component in which components constituting a circuit board and a watch are combined into one is sometimes called a movement.

  The watch exterior is provided with external switch means 12a to 12c, and in the example shown in FIG. 1, three are provided. The external switch means 12a to 12c are not particularly limited, but have a push button structure, and of course, have a known watch switch structure such as a waterproof specification, and the number of the same depends on the watch specification. It can be changed accordingly.

  One end of each of the external switch means 12a to 12c is connected to the reference power supply VDD, and the other end is connected to a pad 13 provided in the watch semiconductor integrated circuit 11 by wiring means (not shown). The pad 13 is connected to the input circuit 16, and the input circuit 16 receives input signals from the external switch means 12 a to 12 c through the pad 13.

  The first storage means 14 stores a plurality of operation programs necessary for the clock operation and operation programs related to the system reset operation. An operation program for comparing information input from external switch means 12a to 12c, which will be described later, and key assignment information stored in the second storage means 18 is also stored. Of course, the hand movement program used by the logic circuit 15 to operate as a clock is also stored.

In addition to such a program, a program for controlling additional functions of the clock is also stored. For example, the functions of stopwatch, water depth measurement, altitude measurement, forced reception operation of radio wave reception function and reception confirmation, etc. Of course, the programs stored according to the clock specifications are different.
The first storage unit 14 is not particularly limited, and a memory unit such as a ROM, a rewritable PROM, and an electrically rewritable EEPROM can be used.

The second storage unit 18 is a storage unit that stores key assignment information related to the system reset operation of the logic circuit 15. A program for executing the system reset operation itself is stored in the first storage unit 14.
The operation for system reset varies depending on the clock specifications. Stores key assignment information related to system reset operation suitable for the clock being used.
The system reset operation refers to, for example, a display reset operation related to display or an all reset operation that performs an all reset of the system. In short, it is an operation that resets all or some of the functions of the watch, and these are collectively referred to as a system reset operation.
The second storage means 18 stores key assignment information necessary for starting the system reset operation. The input patterns of the external switch means 12a to 12c (for example, what switch is pressed and how many times) are stored as key assignment information.

  The second storage unit 18 is not particularly limited as in the case of the first storage unit 14, but memory means such as a ROM, a rewritable PROM, and an electrically rewritable EEPROM can be used. The MONOS type semiconductor nonvolatile memory can be used together with the storage means 14.

  When the same memory means is used for the first storage means 14 and the second storage means 18, these two storage means can be used by dividing the area of one memory means. In that case, the storage addresses of the memory means may be divided. For example, the contents of the first storage means 14 are stored in the upper address space of the memory means, and the contents of the second storage means 18 are stored in the lower address space.

  The key assignment information stored in the second storage means 18 can be freely changed. The first storage means 14 stores a key assignment changing operation program necessary for the operation relating to the change of the key assignment information. The external switch means 12a to 12c can be operated to change freely according to the specifications of the timepiece or the usage state of the user.

  The comparison circuit 17 is a circuit that compares the information input from the input circuit 16 with the contents of the second storage means 18 that stores key assignment information related to the system reset operation of the logic circuit 15.

  In addition to a circuit for operating as a clock circuit, the logic circuit 15 is also provided with a control circuit (not shown). By the operation of this control circuit, the external switch means 12a to 12c, the input circuit 16, the comparison circuit 17, the first storage means 14, and the second storage means 18 can operate. In FIG. 1, the flow of these electric signals is indicated by arrows.

[Description of operation]
Next, the operation of the timepiece electronic circuit of the present invention will be described. Switch operation information inputted by the watch user's operation from the external switch means 12a to 12c is a first storage means 14 for storing a plurality of operation programs in the watch semiconductor integrated circuit 11 via the pad 13. And input circuit 16.

When the input information matches an instruction in a plurality of operation programs stored therein, a program that operates according to the corresponding instruction among the plurality of operation programs is executed.
For example, the first storage means 14 includes a stopwatch operation program “activate the stopwatch function”, a timer operation program “activate the timer”, and a calendar operation program “activate the calendar function”. Assume that it is stored.

  When a button operation corresponding to these operation programs is performed by operating the external switch means 12a to 12c, the operation program is executed. For example, when the external switch means 12a is continuously pressed twice, the stopwatch function is activated, when the external switch means 12b is continuously pressed twice, the timer function is activated, and when the external switch means 12c is continuously pressed twice, the calendar function is activated. Is set in advance so that the corresponding function is activated when these operations are performed.

  When the input information does not match any command in the plurality of operation programs, the operation program does not operate and a normal clock movement operation is performed.

  When the input information matches the key assignment information related to the system reset operation of the clock circuit stored in the second storage means 18, a system reset command is output from the comparison circuit 17 and a system reset among a plurality of operation programs is output. The program is executed and the system reset operation of the clock circuit functions.

For example, the first storage means 14 stores a display reset operation program related to the display “reset only the time notification means” and an all reset operation program related to the system all reset “reset the entire system”. To do.
The second storage means 18 stores operation patterns (key assignments) of the external switch means 12a to 12c. When an operation pattern of the external switch means corresponding to these operation programs is input, the operation program is executed.

  For example, when the external switch unit 12a and the external switch unit 12b are simultaneously pressed once, the display reset operation program is started, and when the external switch unit 12a, the external switch unit 12b and the external switch unit 12c are pressed once at the same time, the all reset operation is performed. It is set in advance that the program is activated, and the corresponding function is activated when these operations are performed.

  As described above, in the timepiece electronic circuit of the present invention, the operation program itself relating to the reset is stored in the first storage means 14, and the operation from the external switch means 12a to 12c for starting the operation program relating to the reset is performed. The key assignment information regarding the pattern is stored in the second storage means 18.

  The key assignment information stored in the second storage means 18 can be freely changed. It can be changed according to the specifications of the watch and the usage state of the user. In particular, since the user can change the key assignment information according to his / her preference, disturbances such as noise, static electricity, and impact from the external environment occur in the actual use environment, and even if the watch malfunctions, It can be reset.

Such characteristics of the electronic circuit for a timepiece according to the present invention can be applied to the physical habit of the user who uses the timepiece equipped with this circuit. For example, the user's dominant arm. If the user's dominant arm is the left hand, the watch is often worn on the right wrist. At this time, by changing the operation pattern of the external switch means for resetting according to the dominant hand, it is possible to quickly reset even if the timepiece malfunctions.

  In addition, in the timepiece equipped with the electronic circuit for timepiece of the present invention, even if it is a favorite timepiece, it is not necessary to separately provide an operation switch necessary for resetting, so the design as a timepiece is limited. I don't have to.

  In the case of an electronic circuit for a watch, when the electronic circuit malfunctions due to use in a harsh environment that is caused by being carried by a person and the clock operation program runs out of control, a command by an operation from the external switch means 12a to 12c The operation program cannot be controlled. It is necessary to perform a system reset operation in order to return the timepiece electronic circuit to the initial state and to obtain a normal operation.

  In that case, the key assignment information that matches the key assignment of the system reset operation stored in the second storage means 18 is input from the external switch means 12a to 12c, so that there are a plurality of information stored in the first storage means 14. It is possible to execute a reset program among the operation programs.

  The first storage means 14 also stores a program for changing key assignments. The key assignment for the system reset operation stored in the second storage means 18 is performed by operating the external switch means 12a to 12c. It can be changed freely. If the second storage means 18 is configured using a MONOS type semiconductor nonvolatile memory, in particular, the information relating to the key assignment change can be erased and stored at a low voltage, and the timepiece electronic circuit of the present invention is mounted. The power consumption of the watch can be reduced.

  According to the electronic circuit for a watch of the present invention, a function that resets the system without impairing the design in a watch that is generally required to be decorative and that requires a variety of designs according to the user's preference. Can have. In particular, the disturbance that causes the system to be reset becomes stronger as the timepiece becomes smaller. For this reason, it is suitable as an electronic circuit for a wristwatch that requires downsizing.

It is a block diagram explaining the electronic circuit for timepieces of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the prior art shown in patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Clock electronic circuit 12a-12c External switch means 13 Pad 14 1st memory | storage means 15 Logic circuit 16 Input circuit 17 Comparison circuit 18 2nd memory | storage means

Claims (4)

First storage means for storing a plurality of operation programs necessary for a clock operation and an operation program related to a clock reset operation;
Second storage means for storing key assignment information relating to a reset operation for resetting all or some of the functions of the watch;
An input circuit for receiving an input signal from at least one external switch means;
Comparing the information input from the input circuit with the key assignment information, and when the contents of these pieces of information match, the operation program related to the reset operation is called to execute the reset operation of the watch Electronic circuit.   2. The timepiece electronic circuit according to claim 1, wherein the key assignment information includes information indicating an on or off state of the switch means.   The timepiece electronic circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first storage means and the second storage means are stored in different storage areas of the same memory means.   4. The timepiece electronic circuit according to claim 3, wherein the first storage means and the second storage means are MONOS type semiconductor nonvolatile memories.

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