JP2016183909A - Satellite radio wave wrist timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a satellite radio wave wrist timepiece that has transition or return to a power save mode harmonized with a reception start of a satellite signal when the satellite radio wave wrist timepiece keeps on a state with its non-halted operation.SOLUTION: A satellite radio wave wrist timepiece includes: means that receives a satellite signal: means that modifies a time on the basis of the satellite signal: means that detects whether light brighter than any of a plurality of thresholds is input; power saving control means that sets power saving information; means that sets required reception information in accordance with a period since the satellite signal is received; means that acquires a first signal indicative of a comparison result of a first threshold with the input light when the power saving information is set, and acquires a second signal indicative of a comparison result of a second threshold with the input light when the required reception information is set and the power saving information is not set; and means that boots reception means when the input light is brighter than the second threshold. The power saving control means is configured to release the power saving information in accordance with the first signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch that operates on electric power generated by a solar cell and corrects time based on a signal received from a satellite.

  In an electronic wristwatch that operates with the power supplied by the solar cell, the amount of light received is measured from the amount of power generated by the solar cell. There is something. In recent years, a satellite radio wave watch having a function of receiving radio waves including time information from a satellite such as a GPS satellite has been put on the market as a kind of so-called radio clock. Since the satellite radio wave wristwatch is also an electronic wristwatch, it can be considered to have a power save mode.

  In Patent Document 1, when a satellite radio wave wristwatch having a power save mode is restarted from a power break state in which the operation of the control circuit is stopped and the time information is lost, the state shifts to the power save state. The illuminance threshold for determining whether to receive and to cancel the power save state is different from the illuminance threshold for determining whether to start receiving time information after the power save state is canceled It is shown.

International Publication No. 2012/132874

  When the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch is in a power break state, accurate time information is lost, and it is necessary to receive time information after returning. However, even if the satellite radio wave wristwatch is not in a power break state, it is necessary to receive time information on a regular or irregular basis in order to keep the time information accurate. Power consumption is large, and satellite radio waves are easily disturbed by obstacles. In such a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch, when it is not time to return from the power break state, conditions for shifting to and returning to the power save mode and starting conditions for receiving satellite signals including time information based on the amount of received light (environmental reception) It was not known how to establish a relationship with.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one of the purposes thereof is a condition for shifting to and returning to the power save mode when the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch is not returned from the power break state, The object is to provide a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch that is harmonized with the start conditions of environmental reception.

  A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to the present invention includes a time acquisition unit that counts time based on an internal clock, a reception unit that receives a satellite signal including a time signal from a satellite, and a satellite signal that is received by the reception unit. A correction means for correcting time, an illuminance detection means for detecting whether light brighter than any one of a plurality of threshold values including the first threshold value and the second threshold value is input, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied Power-saving control means for setting power-saving information and controlling to operate with power-saving, reception-required determining means for setting reception-required information when a predetermined period has elapsed after receiving a satellite signal, When power information is set, a first signal indicating whether light brighter than the first threshold is input from the illuminance detection means regardless of the required reception information is acquired, and the required reception information is set. Is Illuminance detection for acquiring a second signal indicating whether light brighter than a second threshold indicating light brighter than the first threshold is input from the illuminance detection means when the power saving information is not set Control means, and reception control means for starting reception by the receiving means when light brighter than the second threshold is detected, wherein the power saving control means is set with the power saving information, and The power saving information is canceled when light brighter than the first threshold is detected.

  In the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch, the illuminance detection control means, when the reception required information is set, the power saving information is not set, and the current time is included in the outdoor detection time zone, the second signal May be obtained.

  In the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch, the power saving setting unit sets power saving information when information indicating an elapsed time from power generation satisfies a predetermined condition, and the power saving setting unit includes the illuminance detection control unit. When the first signal or the second signal is acquired, information indicating an elapsed time from the time of power generation may be initialized.

  In the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch, the illuminance detection control means is configured such that the reception required information is set, the power saving information is not set, and the time is not included in the outdoor detection time zone. 1 signal is acquired, and the power saving setting means sets power saving information when the information indicating the elapsed time from the time of power generation satisfies a predetermined condition, and the power saving setting means includes the illuminance detection control means. When the first signal is acquired, information indicating an elapsed time from the time of power generation may be initialized.

  In the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch, the reception-required determining unit may set the reception-required information when a predetermined period has elapsed and a predetermined time has elapsed since the satellite signal was received.

  The satellite radio wave wrist watch may further include an updating unit that updates the outdoor detection time zone.

  According to the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to the present invention, when the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch is not restored from the power break state, the conditions for shifting to and returning to the power save mode and the conditions for starting environmental reception can be harmonized.

It is a top view which shows an example of the external appearance of the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a circuit structure of an illumination intensity detection circuit. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function which the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch concerning embodiment of this invention implement | achieves. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the aspect which detects illumination intensity, and the state of a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a control circuit performs in a power save mode. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the illumination intensity detection process by an illumination intensity detection control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a control circuit performs in normal mode. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a control circuit performs in normal mode. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the illumination intensity threshold value selected and input illumination intensity.

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

  A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 according to the present embodiment receives a radio wave including time information, and corrects the time measured by itself using the time information included in the received radio wave. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the appearance of a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1. As shown in these drawings, the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 includes an antenna 10, a receiving circuit 20, a control circuit 30, a power supply unit 40, a driving mechanism 50, a time display unit 51, a pointer 52, A dial 53, an operation unit 60, and an illuminance detection circuit 70 are included.

  The antenna 10 receives a satellite signal transmitted from a satellite as a radio wave including time information. In particular, in the present embodiment, the antenna 10 is a patch antenna that receives a radio wave having a frequency of about 1.6 GHz transmitted from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite. GPS is a kind of satellite positioning system, and is realized by a plurality of GPS satellites orbiting around the earth. Each of these GPS satellites is equipped with a high-accuracy atomic clock, and periodically transmits a satellite signal including time information measured by the atomic clock.

  The receiving circuit 20 decodes the satellite signal received by the antenna 10 and outputs a bit string (received data) indicating the contents of the satellite signal obtained as a result of the decoding. Specifically, the receiving circuit 20 includes a high frequency circuit (RF circuit) 21 and a decoding circuit 22.

  The high-frequency circuit 21 is an integrated circuit that operates at a high frequency, and amplifies and detects an analog signal received by the antenna 10 to convert it into a baseband signal. The decoding circuit 22 is an integrated circuit that performs baseband processing, decodes the baseband signal output from the high-frequency circuit 21, generates a bit string indicating the content of data received from the GPS satellite, and outputs the bit string to the control circuit 30. Output.

  The control circuit 30 is a circuit that controls various circuits and mechanisms included in the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1, and includes a microcontroller 31, a motor drive circuit 35, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 36, and a counter 37. Is done. The microcontroller 31 includes a calculation unit 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 34, and is configured by one integrated circuit, for example.

  The calculation unit 32 performs various types of information processing according to programs stored in the ROM 34. Details of the processing executed by the calculation unit 32 in the present embodiment will be described later. The RAM 33 functions as a work memory of the calculation unit 32 and data to be processed by the calculation unit 32 is written. In particular, in the present embodiment, a bit string (reception data) representing the contents of the satellite signal received by the reception circuit 20 is sequentially written in the buffer area in the RAM 33, as well as internal components such as a non-reception counter and a reception required flag described later. The values of various control registers are held.

  The RTC 36 supplies a clock signal used for timing in the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1. The counter 37 counts pulses included in the clock signal output from the RTC 36. The calculation unit 32 acquires an internal time corresponding to the number of pulses counted by the counter 37 and determines a time (display time) to be displayed on the time display unit 51.

  The motor drive circuit 35 outputs a drive signal for driving the motor included in the drive mechanism 50 according to the display time determined by the calculation unit 32. As a result, the display time generated by the control circuit 30 is displayed on the time display unit 51.

  Further, in the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 according to the present embodiment, the calculation unit 32 corrects the internal time measured by the signal supplied from the RTC 36 and the counter 37 based on the satellite signal received by the receiving circuit 20. .

  The power supply unit 40 supplies power necessary for the operation to each unit in the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1, such as the reception circuit 20, the control circuit 30, and the drive mechanism 50. The power supply unit 40 includes a solar battery 41, a secondary battery 42, and a switch Sw1.

  The solar battery 41 is disposed under the dial 53, generates power using external light such as sunlight irradiated on the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1, and supplies the generated power to the secondary battery 42. The amount of power generated by the solar cell 41 changes according to the input illuminance L of the light applied to the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1. The positive electrode of the solar cell 41 is connected to the illuminance detection circuit 70.

  The secondary battery 42 includes a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery and a battery management circuit that manages charging and discharging of the lithium ion battery and the like, and accumulates electric power generated by the solar battery 41. The accumulated power is supplied to each unit that requires power, such as the receiving circuit 20, the control circuit 30, and the drive mechanism 50. The secondary battery 42 is connected in parallel with the solar battery 41 via a switch Sw1 connected in series. Specifically, the positive electrode of the solar battery 41 and the positive electrode of the secondary battery 42 are connected via the switch Sw1. The solar battery 41 supplies power to the secondary battery 42 only while the switch Sw1 is on.

  Here, the control circuit 30 further includes a switch Sw2. The switch Sw2 controls power supply from the power supply unit 40 to the microcontroller 31. Details of this operation will be described later.

  Here, the switches Sw1 and Sw2 are, for example, CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) switch elements. The switch Sw <b> 1 is switched on / off under the control of the microcontroller 31. The switch Sw1 is a normally closed switch element that is turned on when the operation of the microcontroller 31 is stopped.

  The drive mechanism 50 includes a step motor that operates in accordance with the drive signal output from the motor drive circuit 35 described above and a train wheel, and the train wheel transmits the rotation of the step motor, thereby indicating the pointer. 52 is rotated. The time display unit 51 includes a pointer 52 and a dial 53. The pointer 52 includes an hour hand 52a, a minute hand 52b, and a second hand 52c, and when the pointer 52 rotates on the dial 53, the current time is displayed. On the dial 53, not only a scale for displaying the time but also a marker for indicating to the user whether or not the time information has been received may be displayed.

  The operation unit 60 is, for example, a crown or an operation button, and receives an operation by the user of the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 and outputs the operation content to the control circuit 30. The control circuit 30 executes various processes according to the contents of the operation input received by the operation unit 60.

  The illuminance detection circuit 70 detects the input illuminance L of the light irradiated on the solar cell 41. More specifically, the illuminance detection circuit 70 outputs a signal indicating whether or not the input illuminance L exceeds a given threshold value. This threshold value is switched to any one of the illuminance threshold value Lth1, the illuminance threshold value Lth2, and the illuminance threshold value Lth3 depending on the scene. The relationship between these three threshold values is Lth1 <Lth2 <Lth3. Note that the number of types of illuminance thresholds need not be three. For example, five types of illuminance thresholds may exist.

  The illuminance threshold value Lth1 is a threshold value for determining whether or not the solar battery 41 can generate the power required for the operation of the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 and the power required for charging the secondary battery 42, and the fluorescent lamp is turned on. If the brightness is indoors, the input illuminance L is greater than the illuminance threshold Lth1. The illuminance threshold value Lth3 is a threshold value for determining whether or not the user is outdoors, and the input illuminance L is larger than the illuminance threshold value Lth3 if the outdoor location is cloudy or sunny. The illuminance threshold value Lth2 is a threshold value corresponding to the brightness between Lth1 and Lth3, and is used when measuring the input illuminance L in more detail according to a user instruction.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the illuminance detection circuit 70. As shown in the figure, the illuminance detection circuit 70 includes one fixed resistor 71, three regulators of a first regulator 72, a second regulator 73, and a third regulator 74, a comparator 77, and switches Sw3 and Sw4. And three switch elements of Sw5.

  The comparator 77 is a comparison circuit that includes two input terminals T1 and T2 and outputs a signal indicating a result of comparing the magnitudes of voltages input to both of them. The input terminal T1 is connected to the output of the solar battery 41. One of threshold voltages Vth1, Vth2, and Vth3 is input to the input terminal T2. How the threshold voltage input to the input terminal T2 is selected will be described later. As a result, the comparator 77 outputs a signal indicating whether or not the output voltage Vhd exceeds the selected threshold voltage. Note that the output of the comparator 77 is connected to the input / output port of the microcontroller 31, and the arithmetic unit 32 acquires the output signal of the comparator 77. In the following, it is assumed that the comparator 77 outputs an H level signal when the output voltage Vhd exceeds the threshold voltage, and outputs an L level signal otherwise.

  The fixed resistor 71 is connected in parallel with the solar cell 41 without a switching element. Therefore, in this embodiment, this fixed resistor 71 is always a connection resistor for the solar cell 41. The output voltage Vhd of the solar cell 41 determined according to the input illuminance L of the light irradiated to the solar cell 41 and the resistance value R of the fixed resistor 71 is input to the input terminal T 1 of the comparator 77. Here, when the illuminance detection circuit 70 detects the illuminance, the switch Sw1 is turned off. As a result, the input illuminance L can be detected from the output voltage Vhd.

  Each of the three regulators is a constant voltage output circuit that outputs a predetermined voltage, and is connected in series with a corresponding switch element. In the following, the output voltage of the first regulator 72 is the threshold voltage Vth1, the output voltage of the second regulator 73 is the threshold voltage Vth2, and the output voltage of the third regulator 74 is the threshold voltage Vth3. The outputs of these regulators are connected to the input terminal T2 of the comparator 77 via the switches Sw3, Sw4 and Sw5, respectively. Therefore, when any one of the switches Sw3, Sw4, and Sw5 is switched on and the other two are switched off, only the output of any one regulator is selected, and the output of the selected regulator is compared with the comparator 77. To the input terminal T2.

  The switches Sw3, Sw4, and Sw5 are CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) switch elements or the like, and all of them are switched on / off by a control signal from the microcontroller 31.

  Since the connection resistor of the solar cell 41 is always the fixed resistor 71, the output voltage Vhd of the solar cell 41 increases as the input illuminance L of the light applied to the solar cell 41 increases. Therefore, by comparing the output voltage Vhd with each of the three threshold voltages having different magnitudes, the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 according to the present embodiment has different input illuminances L of the light applied to the solar cell 41. It can be determined whether each of the three illuminance thresholds has been exceeded. Specifically, in the present embodiment, when the threshold voltage Vth1 is input to the input terminal T2, when the input illuminance L exceeds the illuminance threshold Lth1, the output signal of the comparator 77 becomes H level. Similarly, when the threshold voltage Vth2 is input to the input terminal T2, the output signal of the comparator 77 is switched to the H level when the input illuminance L exceeds the illuminance threshold Lth2. In addition, when the threshold voltage Vth3 is input to the input terminal T2, when the input illuminance L exceeds the illuminance threshold Lth3, the output signal of the comparator 77 is switched to the H level.

  The number of types of threshold voltage is the same as the number of illuminance thresholds. Further, the number of regulators and switch elements changes according to the number of types of threshold voltages.

  The illuminance detection circuit 70 may select a resistance value corresponding to the fixed resistor 71 from a plurality of values instead of selecting the threshold voltage input to the input terminal T2 from the plurality of threshold voltages. In this case, the output voltage of the solar cell 41 input to the input terminal T1 may be amplified or attenuated. Even in this case, whether or not the illuminance threshold value corresponding to the resistance value is exceeded can be detected by the output signal of the comparator 77.

  Note that power is supplied from the power supply unit 40 to each of the receiving circuit 20, the motor drive circuit 35, and the illuminance detection circuit 70. For example, at least during reception of a satellite signal or detection of illuminance, It is configured to consume power only during the necessary period.

  Next, the operation of the microcontroller 31 of the control circuit 30 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing functions realized by the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1. The calculation unit 32 included in the microcontroller 31 functionally executes a program stored in the ROM 34 to functionally receive a reception necessity determination unit 31a, a satellite signal reception unit 31b, and a time as shown in FIG. A correction unit 31c, a power save control unit 31d, an illuminance detection control unit 31e, a time display control unit 31f, and a power break control unit 31g are realized.

  The reception necessity determination unit 31a sets a reception necessity flag according to whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed since the satellite signal was received to correct the internal time. Hereinafter, out of the reception of the satellite signal including the time information for correcting the internal time, the reception of the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 by detecting the ambient environment, here the illuminance, is referred to as environment reception. More specifically, the reception necessity determination unit 31a sets the value of the non-reception counter to 0 (initial state) when the satellite signal reception unit 31b receives the environment and the time correction unit 31c corrects the time. Then, the reception necessity determination unit 31a increments the value of the non-reception counter by 1 when the reception determination time such as 6:00 am is crossed, and the value of the non-reception counter further increases to a predetermined value (for example, a 7-day interval). If the time is corrected in (7), the reception required flag is set to ON in the case of 7). Here, the value of the non-reception counter in the initial state is set to 7, and the reception necessity determination unit 31a decreases the value of the non-reception counter by 1 when the reception determination time is crossed, and the value of the non-reception counter becomes 0. In this case, the reception required flag may be set to ON. Further, the reception necessity determination unit 31a stores the time when the satellite signal reception unit 31b received the environment and the time correction unit 31c corrected the time in the memory as the previous reception time, and the period from the previous reception time to the current time May be set when a predetermined period (for example, 7 days) is exceeded. Further, a non-reception counter may be used as a reception required flag. For example, it may be determined that the reception required flag is on when a special value such as 255 is included in the non-reception counter. The predetermined period is set to be longer than a period during which accurate time can be maintained even if time correction by reception is not performed. Further, the period during which the accurate time can be maintained is determined according to the time measurement accuracy of the control circuit 30 (such as the clock accuracy of the RTC 36). Note that the control unit 30 may control the motor drive circuit 35, the time display unit 51, and the like so as to notify that the expiration date of the immediately preceding reception result has expired when the period during which the accurate time can be maintained is exceeded. .

  The satellite signal receiving unit 31b receives the satellite signal transmitted from the GPS satellite (environmental reception), thereby acquiring time information data included therein. The satellite signal reception unit 31b is set with a reception flag indicating that the reception necessity determination unit 31a has determined that the environment reception is necessary, and when the satellite radio wave wristwatch 1 is determined to be outdoors, Execute the acquisition process. Whether or not the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 is outdoors is determined based on the input illuminance L applied to the solar cell 41. This determination uses the fact that the illuminance differs between indoors and outdoors during the daytime.

  The time correction unit 31c corrects the internal time measured inside the satellite radio wave wristwatch 1 using information received from the GPS satellite by the satellite signal reception unit 31b.

  The power save control unit 31d determines whether or not to shift the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 from the normal mode to the power save mode based on a signal indicating whether or not the illuminance threshold acquired by the illuminance detection control unit 31e is exceeded. In addition, it is determined whether or not to return from the power save mode to the normal mode.

  In the power save mode, the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 stops part of its operation and operates with power saving. More specifically, the operation of the second hand 52c is stopped, and the microcontroller 31 is activated at every activation interval (for example, every 10 seconds). More specifically, in the power save mode, the counter 37 turns on the switch Sw2 every time the activation interval elapses. As a result, the switch Sw2 supplies power from the power supply unit 40 to the microcontroller 31, and causes the microcontroller 31 to start processing in the power save mode at each activation interval. In the normal mode, the switch Sw2 is always on. Instead of controlling the power supply to the microcontroller 31 by the switch Sw2, the microcontroller 31 is activated by an activation signal output at every activation interval by the counter 37. The operation may be stopped by itself.

  For example, the power save control unit 31d may turn on the power save flag when shifting to the power save mode, and may turn off the power save flag when returning to the normal mode. In the case of shifting to the power save mode, the counter 37 is set so as to turn on the switch Sw2 at every activation interval. The power save control unit 31d may be set so that the processing in the power save mode is started when the microcontroller 31 is started. The process in the power save mode includes a process in which the power save control unit 31d determines whether to return from the power save mode to the normal mode.

  The illuminance detection control unit 31e determines an illuminance threshold value used for measurement, controls the illuminance detection circuit 70 to turn on the switch element corresponding to the determined illuminance threshold value among the switches Sw3 to 5, and outputs from the comparator 77 Get the signal to be played. Thereby, the illuminance detection control unit 31e acquires a signal indicating whether or not light brighter than the selected illuminance threshold is input.

  The time display control unit 31 f controls the motor drive circuit 35 so that the display time is displayed on the time display unit 51. In the power save mode, as described above, the microcontroller 31 is activated at each activation interval (for example, every 10 seconds), and at this time, the time display control unit 31f drives the motor so that the hands 52 except the second hand 52c indicate the display time. The circuit 35 is controlled. In the normal mode, the time display control unit 31f controls the motor drive circuit 35 so that the hands 52 including the second hand 52c indicate the display time.

  The power break control unit 31g performs power break control that stops the operation of the control circuit 30 when the battery voltage of the secondary battery 42 becomes a predetermined value or less. Thereby, the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 shifts to the power break state. When shifting to the power break state, time measurement is not performed and information indicating the current time is lost.

  The outdoor detection time zone updating unit 31h updates the outdoor detection time zone based on a user operation. The outdoor detection time zone is used to select an illuminance threshold value in the illuminance detection process described later, and is a time zone (daytime time zone) in which it can be determined whether or not the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 is outdoors by measuring the illuminance. It corresponds to. The outdoor detection time zone update unit 31h reflects a change in sunrise or sunset time according to the season or latitude in the outdoor detection time zone, so that a plurality of time zones (for example, 5) determined in advance by the user's operation on the operation unit 60 can be used. : 00 to 19:00, 6: 0 to 18:00, 7: 0 to 19:00), and the outdoor detection time zone is updated to the selected time zone. In addition to the user's operation, this outdoor detection time zone may be automatically set based on the calendar information when the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 holds calendar information. When the latitude is detected based on the radio wave, it may be automatically set based on the latitude. Alternatively, the outdoor detection time zone may be fixed as a certain range.

  Next, the detection of illuminance and the use of the detected illuminance will be described in more detail. The microcontroller 31 changes the mode of detecting the illuminance depending on whether or not the current time is included in the outdoor detection time zone, whether or not the power save mode is set, and whether or not a reception required flag is present.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the mode of detecting the illuminance and the state of the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1. The table shown in this figure has a power save mode column and a normal mode column, and has a row that does not require reception and a row that requires reception. A line requiring reception corresponds to a state where the reception required flag is on, and a line not requiring reception corresponds to a state where the reception required flag is off. The rows requiring reception include a daytime row and a nighttime row. Daytime shows the case where the current time belongs to the outdoor detection time zone, and nighttime shows the case where the current time does not belong to the outdoor detection time zone. The table cell specified by the column and the row describes a mode of detecting the illuminance when the condition corresponding to the row and column in which the cell exists is detected. “Threshold” in each cell in FIG. 5 indicates an illuminance threshold.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the power save mode, the illuminance detection mode is the illuminance threshold Lth1 (the level at which the secondary battery 42 can be charged) and the illuminance detection interval is regardless of the reception required flag or the current time. 10 seconds. In the normal mode, when the reception required flag is on and the current time is included in the outdoor detection time zone, the illuminance detection mode is the illuminance threshold Lth3 (level determined to be outdoors) and the detection interval. When it is 10 seconds and the reception required flag is off or the current time is not included in the outdoor detection time zone, the illuminance detection mode is the illuminance threshold Lth1 and the detection interval of 1 minute. The detection result of the illuminance acquired by the illuminance detection control unit 31e is used to determine whether or not to start environmental reception when the reception required flag is on, the normal mode, and the current time is included in the outdoor detection time zone. The normal mode is used for processing for determining whether to start the power save mode, and the power save mode is used for determining whether to return to the normal mode.

  Next, specific processing using illuminance detection and detected illuminance will be described using a processing flow. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the control circuit 30 in the power save mode. In the process shown in FIG. 6, when the microcontroller 31 is activated by the counter 37 in the power save mode, the microcontroller 31 determines whether the power save flag is on, and determines that the power save flag is on. It may be executed in some cases, or may be executed directly by activation by the counter 37.

  In the process shown in FIG. 6, first, the reception necessity determination unit 31a determines whether the current time is the reception determination time (for example, 6:00 am) and seven days or more have elapsed since the previous environment reception (step S1). S201). More specifically, the reception necessity determination unit 31a performs the reception determination time (for example, 6:00:00 am) between the previous determination in step S201 and the current determination. Is present, it is determined that the current time is the reception determination time, and the reception necessity determination unit 31a increments the non-reception counter by one. When the non-reception counter is 7, the reception necessity determination unit 31a determines that 7 days or more have elapsed since the previous reception. In addition, the reception necessity determination unit 31a may decrease the non-reception counter, and may determine that seven days or more have elapsed since the previous reception when the decreased non-reception counter is 0, When the difference between the previous time correction time and the current time is 7 days or more, the unit 31a may determine that 7 days or more have elapsed since the previous environment reception.

  If it is determined that the current time is the reception determination time and that seven days or more have elapsed since the previous environment reception (Y in step S201), the reception necessity determination unit 31a turns on the reception required flag. (Step S202). If it is determined that the current time is not the reception determination time or that seven days or more have not elapsed since the previous environment reception (N in step S201), the process in step S202 is skipped.

  Next, the illuminance detection control unit 31e selects an illuminance threshold value used for illuminance detection, and executes an illuminance detection process for detecting whether the input illuminance L is larger than the selected illuminance threshold value (step S203).

  Details of the illuminance detection processing will be described here. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of illuminance detection processing by the illuminance detection control unit 31e. First, when the power save flag is set to ON (power save mode) (Y in step S301), the illuminance detection control unit 31e is included in the illuminance detection circuit 70 and corresponds to the illuminance threshold Lth1. The switch Sw3 is turned on (step S305), and the switch Sw1 is further turned off to obtain the output of the comparator 77 (step S306). On the other hand, when the power save flag is not set (normal mode) (N in step S301), it is determined whether or not it is possible to detect whether or not the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 is outdoors. More specifically, the illuminance detection control unit 31e determines whether the reception required flag is set and the current time is included in the outdoor detection time zone (step S302), and if it is determined that the condition is satisfied ( In step S302 Y), the illuminance detection control unit 31e is included in the illuminance detection circuit 70 and turns on the switch Sw5, which is a switch element corresponding to the illuminance threshold Lth3 (step S303), and further turns off the switch Sw1. An output is acquired (step S306). If it is determined that the reception-required flag is not set or the current time is not included in the outdoor detection time zone (N in step S302), the illuminance detection control unit 31e only determines whether to shift to the power save mode. Processing for determination is performed. Specifically, the illuminance detection control unit 31e determines whether 1 minute has passed since the previous illuminance detection, and when 1 minute has passed, executes the processing of step S305 and step S306. In any case, the illuminance detection control unit 31e turns on the switch Sw1 after step S306 and turns off the switch element corresponding to the illuminance threshold, thereby maintaining the time during which the secondary battery 42 is charged. Power consumption can also be reduced.

  In the power save mode, by the illuminance detection process, the illuminance detection control unit 31e outputs a signal from the comparator 77 indicating whether or not light brighter than the illuminance threshold value Lth1 is input every 10 seconds as the activation interval (hereinafter referred to as “first signal”). ”). Thereby, for example, when the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 is taken out from a dark place by the user, the user can wait for a long time (that is, within at least 10 seconds) from the power save mode regardless of whether the user is indoors or outdoors. A return is made.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the reception required flag is not set or the current time is not included in the outdoor detection time zone as described above (N in step S302), the interval for acquiring the first signal is 1 minute. This is longer than in the power save mode or when the reception required flag is set and the current time is included in the outdoor detection time zone. This ensures a long time during which the secondary battery 42 is charged, and suppresses a decrease in the charging voltage of the secondary battery 42 as much as possible.

  When the illuminance detection process is executed in the power save mode, and the first signal acquired by the illuminance detection process indicates that the input illuminance L input to the solar cell 41 is brighter than the selected illuminance threshold Lth1 ( In step S204 (Y), the power save control unit 31d returns from the power save mode and cancels the power save flag (step S205). The reception necessity determination unit 31a does not perform processing at the timings of step S201 and step S202, determines whether or not 7 days or more have elapsed since the previous environment reception after step S205, and 7 days or more have elapsed. If necessary, a reception required flag may be set. In this case, the reception necessity determination unit 31a may determine that 7 days or more have elapsed since the previous reception when the difference between the previous time correction time and the current time is 7 days or more, or power save A value corresponding to this period may be added to the non-reception counter, and it may be determined whether seven days or more have elapsed since the previous reception based on the value of the non-reception counter.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts showing an example of processing executed by the control circuit 30 in the normal mode. The processing shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is executed every time a predetermined time interval (for example, 10 seconds) elapses in the counter 37. This process may be executed when the microcontroller 31 determines that it is not in the power saving mode, or may be directly activated based on a signal output from the counter 37.

  First, the reception necessity determination unit 31a determines whether the current time is the reception determination time and seven days or more have elapsed since the previous environment reception (step S251). If it is determined that the current time is the reception determination time and that seven days or more have elapsed since the previous environment reception (Y in step S251), the reception necessity determination unit 31a turns on the reception required flag. (Step S252). If it is determined that the current time is not the reception determination time or that seven days or more have not elapsed since the previous environment reception (N in step S251), the process in step S202 is skipped. The processing in steps S251 and S252 is the same as the processing in steps S201 and S202 in the power save mode.

  Next, the illuminance detection control unit 31e selects an illuminance threshold value used for illuminance detection, and executes an illuminance detection process for detecting whether the input illuminance L is larger than the selected illuminance threshold value (step S203). The illuminance detection process is the process described with reference to FIG.

  If the input illuminance L is brighter than the selected illuminance threshold (Y in step S254), processing relating to determination of transition to the power save mode and processing relating to the satellite signal receiving unit 31b are executed. More specifically, the power save control unit 31d resets the non-light reception counter (step S255). Here, the non-light receiving counter is information indicating a period during which light exceeding the selected illuminance threshold is not received (non-light receiving period), and is information indicating an elapsed time since the solar cell 41 last generated power. . The power save control unit 31d sets 0 to the non-light-receiving counter as initialization of the non-light-receiving counter. This is processing when the non-light receiving counter increases. When the non-light-receiving counter decreases, the power save control unit 31d may set a value corresponding to a threshold value for a non-power generation period (non-power generation period threshold value) for determining power saving in the non-light-receiving counter. Instead of initializing the non-light receiving counter, the current time in step S255 may be stored in the RAM 33 as the last power generation date. Here, the detection result based on the illuminance threshold value Lth3 suitable for determining whether to start environment reception is also used for controlling the non-light-receiving counter for measuring the non-light-receiving period.

  Furthermore, when the reception required flag is set and the current time is included in the outdoor detection time zone (Y in step S256), the satellite signal receiving unit 31b increments the outdoor counter by 1 (step S257). If the increased outdoor counter is 2 or more (Y in step S258), the satellite signal receiving unit 31b acquires the satellite signal, and the satellite radio wave wristwatch 1 based on the time information included in the acquired satellite signal. Is corrected (step S259). More specifically, in step S259, the satellite signal reception unit 31b activates the reception circuit 20, causes the reception circuit 20 to receive a satellite signal including time information, and acquires the satellite signal received from the reception circuit 20. . By using the outdoor counter, the satellite signal receiving unit 31b performs satellite signal reception and time correction when it is determined twice that the input illuminance L is brighter than the selected illuminance threshold Lth3. In order to receive the satellite signal, more power is consumed. Therefore, the satellite signal receiving unit 31b needs to start the receiving operation after it is determined that the satellite signal is definitely outdoors. For this reason, the determination condition for the shift to reception is that the input illuminance L is not brighter than the illuminance threshold Lth3 only once but the input illuminance L is brighter than the illuminance threshold Lth3 twice in succession.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S254 that the input illuminance L is darker than the selected illuminance threshold value (N in step S254), the outdoor counter is set to 0 (step S260), and whether or not to shift to the power save mode is determined. Processing for determining whether or not. Specifically, the power save control unit 31d determines whether or not the current time is the power save determination time (step S261). If the current time is determined to be the power save determination time (Y in step S261), the solar cell 41 is the last one. Whether or not to shift to the power save mode is controlled based on the information indicating the elapsed time since the power generation. The power save determination time is, for example, midnight and does not include the date. The power save control unit 31d controls to shift to the power save mode when the non-light-receiving period becomes larger than the non-power generation period threshold. Furthermore, when the voltage of the secondary battery 42 is low, the power save control unit 31d may set the elapsed time (non-power generation period threshold) until shifting to the power save mode, or the value of the non-reception counter May be set longer to set a longer period until the reception required flag is set. Thus, the period during which the secondary battery supplies power can be extended. In addition to the processing of setting the outdoor counter to 0 in step S260 in FIG. 9, when the input illuminance L exceeds the illuminance threshold value Lth1, the non-light-receiving counter may be reset. This can prevent inadvertent transition to the power save mode.

  More specifically, the value of the non-light-receiving counter is incremented by 1 (step S262), and when the value of the non-light-receiving counter is 4 or more (Y in step S263), the power save control unit 31d finally generates power. It is determined that three or more days have passed since the start (the non-light-receiving period is greater than the non-power generation period threshold). When this determination is made, the power save control unit 31d executes a process for shifting to the power save mode, and sets a power save flag (step S264). The power save control unit 31d decrements the non-light reception counter by 1 instead of steps S261 to S263, and determines whether the non-light reception period exceeds the non-power generation period threshold depending on whether the value of the non-light reception counter becomes 0 or not. Alternatively, it may be determined whether the non-light receiving period exceeds the unpowered period threshold from the difference between the last power generation time and the current time.

  Here, the determination of whether or not to shift to the power save mode is performed only once at the power save determination time (for example, midnight) per day. As a result, the position of the pointer 52 at the time of shifting to the power saving mode becomes constant, so that even if the information about the position of the needle is lost after the shifting to the power break state, it easily returns from that state. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a temporal change in the selected illuminance threshold value and the input illuminance L. In FIG. Times t1 to t6 are timings at which illuminance detection is performed, time t2 is a reception determination time, and time t1 is 10 seconds before the reception determination time. Times t3 to t6 are included in the outdoor detection time zone. For example, the time t2 is exactly 6:00 am, the time t3 is a time when the fluorescent lamp is turned on when the morning wakes up, or a window curtain is opened, and the time t5 is a time when the user goes out in the daytime. Here, the power save determination time (for example, midnight) and the reception determination time (for example, 6:00:00) are different from each other for the following reason. In the power save determination, a dark state is detected, and in the reception determination, a bright state is detected. In order for two states having this relationship to be detected by the same circuit, a power save determination time (for example, 0 am) that does not overlap with a reception time zone (for example, 6:00:00 am to 6:00:00 pm). Is set). Thereby, the comparison with the appropriate illumination intensity threshold value and the input illumination intensity L can be implemented in each determination.

  At time t1, the value of the non-reception counter is 6 and the power save mode is set, and the power save control unit 31d does not change the power save flag because the input illuminance L is darker than the illuminance threshold Lth1, and the power save mode To maintain. At time t2, the reception necessity determination unit 31a determines that seven days or more have elapsed since the previous environment reception, and sets a required reception flag. However, since the power save flag is set, the illuminance detection control unit 31e selects the illuminance threshold value Lth1, and acquires a signal indicating a comparison result between the illuminance threshold value Lth1 and the input illuminance L. At time t3, the illuminance detection control unit 31e acquires a signal indicating that the input illuminance L is brighter than the selected illuminance threshold Lth1, cancels the power save flag, and returns from the power save mode to the normal mode. . From time t4 to time t6, since it is included in the outdoor detection time zone and the reception required flag is set, the illuminance detection control unit 31e selects the illuminance threshold Lth3, and is the input illuminance L brighter than the illuminance threshold Lth3? A signal indicating whether or not is acquired. At time t5, the input illuminance L becomes brighter than the illuminance threshold value Lth3. At the next illuminance detection time t6, the satellite signal receiving unit 31b determines that the state has continued twice, receives the satellite signal, and corrects the time. The unit 31c corrects the time of the satellite radio wave wristwatch 1. Then, the reception required flag is canceled and the non-reception counter becomes 0. Thereafter, although not shown, the illuminance threshold selected by the illuminance measurement by the illuminance detection control unit 31e to measure the non-power generation period for determining whether or not to enter the power save mode is Lth1, Unlike the interval up to, the illuminance is detected at intervals of 1 minute.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch 1 according to the present embodiment controls the illuminance threshold value based on the reception required flag and the power save flag in the illuminance detection process, so that the power save mode, the normal mode, the satellite Illuminance can be detected according to the necessity of time correction by reception of a signal. Thus, for example, in the power save mode or the normal mode, it is determined whether the power save mode is shifted or returned or the start of environment reception is performed only by comparing one illuminance threshold value with the input illuminance L at regular intervals. Is possible.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Satellite radio wave watch, 10 Antenna, 20 Reception circuit, 21 High frequency circuit, 22 Decoding circuit, 30 Control circuit, 31 Microcontroller, 31a Reception necessity judgment part, 31b Satellite signal reception part, 31c Time correction part, 31d Power saving control Unit, 31e Illuminance detection control unit, 31f Time display control unit, 31g Power break control unit, 31h Outdoor detection time zone update unit, 32 arithmetic unit, 33 RAM, 34 ROM, 35 motor drive circuit, 36 RTC, 37 counter, 40 Power supply unit, 41 Solar cell, 42 Secondary battery, 50 Drive mechanism, 51 Time display unit, 52 Pointer, 52a Hour hand, 52b Minute hand, 52c Second hand, 53 Dial, 60 Operation unit, 70 Illuminance detection circuit, 71 Fixed resistance 72, first regulator, 73 second regulator, 74 3 regulator, 77 a comparator, L input illumination, Lth1, Lth2, Lth3 illuminance threshold, Sw1, Sw2, Sw3, Sw4, Sw5 switch, T1, T2 input terminal, Vhd output voltage, Vth1, Vth2, Vth3 threshold voltage.

Claims (6)

Time acquisition means for counting time based on an internal clock;
Receiving means for receiving a satellite signal including a time signal from the satellite;
Correcting means for correcting the time based on the satellite signal received by the receiving means;
Illuminance detection means for detecting whether light brighter than any of the plurality of threshold values including the first threshold value and the second threshold value is input;
A power saving control means for setting power saving information when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and controlling to operate with power saving;
A required reception determination means for setting required reception information when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after receiving a satellite signal;
When the power saving information is set, the first signal indicating whether light brighter than the first threshold is input from the illuminance detection means regardless of the reception required information is acquired, and the reception required information Is set, and when the power saving information is not set, a second signal indicating whether light brighter than a second threshold indicating light brighter than the first threshold is input from the illuminance detection means. Illuminance detection control means to obtain;
Receiving control means for starting reception by the receiving means when light brighter than the second threshold is detected;
Including
The power saving control means cancels the power saving information when the power saving information is set and light brighter than the first threshold is detected.
A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch. The satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to claim 1,
The illuminance detection control means acquires the second signal when the reception-necessary information is set, the power-saving information is not set, and the current time is included in an outdoor detection time zone,
A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch. In the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to claim 1 or 2,
The power saving control means sets the power saving information when the information indicating the elapsed time since power generation satisfies a predetermined condition,
The power saving control means initializes information indicating an elapsed time from the time of power generation when the illuminance detection control means acquires the first signal or the second signal.
A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch. The satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to claim 2,
The illuminance detection control means acquires the first signal when the reception required information is set, the power saving information is not set, and the time is not included in the outdoor detection time zone,
The power saving control means sets the power saving information when the information indicating the elapsed time since power generation satisfies a predetermined condition,
The power saving control means initializes information indicating an elapsed time from the time of power generation when the illuminance detection control means acquires the first signal.
A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch. In the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The required reception determining means sets the required reception information when a predetermined period has elapsed since the reception of the satellite signal and at a predetermined time.
A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch. In the satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to claim 2 or 4,
Update means for updating the outdoor detection time zone;
A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch.

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