JP4923020B2 - Timed apparatus and timed method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a timed technique, and more particularly to a timed apparatus and a timed method thereof.

The fixed-time device can be set to an arbitrary time to turn on or off the power supply energy of the electronic product as necessary, and to display the functions of the electronic product on time. It is what brings.
Currently, on-market time devices are generally divided into two types: mechanical time devices and electronic time devices.
Among these, the mechanical time measuring device usually sets a time measuring range by a plug-in pin or a press-type setting pin.

FIG. 1 shows a panel of an existing mechanical timer.
The mechanical timer panel 10 is provided with a power switch 11 and a press setting device 12.
Among these, the press setting device 12 includes a regular plate 13, an arrow 14, a setting pin 15, and an outlet 16.
The first portion 131 of the scheduled plate 13 corresponds to the morning time, and the second portion 132 corresponds to the afternoon time.
The setting pin 15 is divided into 96 small setting pins, and 24 hours are divided into corresponding time stages. For example, the time for each small setting pin to control is 15 minutes.
When setting the time range, the current time is indicated by the arrow 14 by first turning the timed plate 13 clockwise. For example, if the current time is 8 o'clock, the arrow 14 points to the number “8” of the first portion 131 of the scheduled plate 13, and if the current time is 22:00, the second portion 132 of the scheduled plate 13 Arrow 14 points to the number “10”.
Then press the corresponding small setting pin according to the required start time. Each press takes 15 minutes. For example, when the current time is 8 o'clock and an electronic product (not shown) is set to operate from 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock, the four setting pins corresponding to the hourly plate 13 corresponding to 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock are pushed. Finally, when the power switch 11 is turned on and the plug of the electronic product is inserted into the outlet 16, the mechanical timer is started and the power switch timer is automatically set.

  However, this timer is noisy at the time of operation, is troublesome to manufacture, is complicated, and it is difficult to provide convenient use by an intuitive operation interface.

  In addition, the current electronic timer displays the normal timer selection screen at the time of setting, and then sets the time range by pressing multiple setting keys, which also provides convenient use with an intuitive operation interface Can not do it.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a timed apparatus and a timed method that can overcome the drawbacks of the existing technology and can intuitively set the timed time.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a timed apparatus and a timed method capable of intuitively setting a time measuring time, which overcome the drawbacks of the existing technology.

In order to achieve the above object, a timed apparatus of the present invention includes an operation interface made of a transparent plate, a non-contact sensor module, and a microprocessor.
The operation interface has a surface which is subjected to a surface treatment with a non-contact signal reflecting material or a non-contact signal absorbing material based on a timing range to be set, and a first area of the surface allows a non-contact signal to pass.
The non-contact sensor module includes a non-contact emission device that emits the non-contact signal to the first area, and a non-contact reception device that receives the non-contact signal from the first area. A plurality of counting signals corresponding to the surface treatment of the first area are generated based on the signal.
The microprocessor is coupled to the non-contact sensor module and receives the count signal, thereby setting a time count based on the count signal.

The scheduled method of the present invention includes the following steps.
First, surface treatment with a non-contact signal reflecting material or a non-contact signal absorbing material is performed based on a time measurement range to be set in the first area on the surface of the operation interface composed of a transparent plate .
Next, a non-contact signal is emitted to the first area by a non-contact emitting device, and the non-contact signal from the first area is received by a non-contact receiving device.
Next, a plurality of count signals corresponding to the surface treatment of the first area are generated based on the received non-contact signal .
Finally, the time measurement is set based on the count signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first area has a plurality of scales, and each scale represents one time point .

  In an embodiment of the present invention, the microprocessor controls the non-contact sensor module and activates the corresponding operation interface, thereby generating a count signal each time the non-contact signal is on any scale of the first area. .

  In an embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact sensor module is an infrared distance sensor module, a visible light sensor, or a sonic distance sensor module.

  In an embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact signal is an infrared signal, a visible light signal, or an ultrasonic signal.

As described above, the present invention is made of a transparent plate and is subjected to a surface treatment on the operation interface surface where the surface treatment is performed by the non-contact signal reflecting material or the non-contact signal absorbing material based on the time measurement range to be set. In addition, by setting the first area and using the non-contact sensor module and the microprocessor in combination, it is possible to intuitively set the time keeping time.

The present invention is a first area that is made of a transparent plate and is surface-treated on the surface of the operation interface that is surface-treated with a non-contact signal reflecting material or a non-contact signal absorbing material based on a time range to be set. In addition, since the non-contact sensor module and the microprocessor are used in combination, the timekeeping time can be set intuitively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the function of the timed device of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation interface of the timed device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  This will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 simultaneously.

The scheduled device 100 in this embodiment includes an operation interface 2, an infrared distance sensor module 3, and a microprocessor 5.
In this embodiment, the non-contact sensor module of the present invention will be described only by the infrared distance sensor module 3.
The non-contact module of the present invention is another optical sensor or sonic distance sensor module.

On the operation interface 2, a setting key 24, a reset key 25, a plurality of instruction lamps 2801 to 2824, a power input unit 26, and a connection portion 27 are provided.
The setting key 24, the reset key 25, and the plurality of instruction lamps 2801 to 2824 of the operation interface 2 described above are coupled to the microprocessor 5 by a coupler.
The operation interface 2 has a surface 21, and the first area 22 of the surface 21 is surface-treated.
A plurality of scales 2301 to 2324 are installed in the first area 22.
In this embodiment, by providing a total of 24 scales, each scale 2301 to 2324 controls 1 hour, corresponding to 24 hours of the day.
Although the 24 scales 2301 to 2324 in FIG. 3 are arranged in a straight line, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement method. For example, the 24 scales can be arranged in several rows.

  When the setting of the time measuring range is completed, the set key 24 is pressed to activate the time measuring device 100. When resetting the timing range, the reset key 25 is pressed.

The power supply input unit 26 is connected to an external power supply (not shown), and the connection portion 27 is electrically connected to an electronic product (not shown). Turn the product on or off.
In the present embodiment, the setting key 24 and the reset key 25 are installed on the surface 21, and the power input unit 26 and the connection part 27 are installed on both sides of the operation interface 2. It can be installed at any position on the interface 2.

The above-described instruction lamps 2801 to 2824 correspond to the positions of the scales 2301 to 2324, respectively.
When the microprocessor 5 receives the count signal generated by the infrared distance sensor module 3, it is instructed through a scale that has been surface-treated intuitively by turning on the corresponding indicator lamp.
For example, when the surface treatment material 4 is applied to the scales 2309 to 2311, the corresponding indicator lamps 2809 to 2811 are turned on.

The infrared distance sensor module 3 is coupled to the microprocessor 5 by a coupler.
The infrared distance sensor module 3 includes an infrared emitting device 31 and an infrared receiving device 32.
In addition, since the clock device 100 includes a clock (not shown) and is supplied with power by a battery (not shown) inside the timer device 100, the power input unit 26 of the timer device 100 is connected to an external power source. Even if not connected to the watch, the watch still indicates the current time.
When the power input unit 26 is connected to an external power source, the external power source charges the battery. Of course, the battery can be an ordinary dry battery.
Hereinafter, the operation of each part of the timed device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the scheduled method of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the infrared distance sensor module of the timed device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 simultaneously.
The surface treatment is selectively performed on the first area 22 based on the timing range to be set. For example, if the time range to be set is 24 hours a day, the surface treatment is performed on all the scales 2301 to 2324 in the entire first area 22.
When the set time range is from 9:00 to 11:00, the corresponding first area 22 is processed. That is, the surface treatment is performed on the scales 2309 to 2311 between 9 o'clock and 11 o'clock in the first area 22. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a line is put on the scales 2309 to 2311 between 9 o'clock and 11 o'clock with a black whiteboard marker. That is, a layer of infrared signal absorbing material is applied.
It is also possible to combine different non-contact signal sensor modules. That is, other non-contact signal reflecting material or non-contact signal absorbing material is applied or pasted.
When the setting is completed, the set key 24 is pressed to activate the scheduled device 100.

The infrared distance sensor module 3 senses a non-contact signal of the first area 22 on the surface via the operation interface 2.
For example, as shown in step S <b> 41, the infrared emitting device 31 emits an infrared signal R <b> 1 to the first area 22.
Specifically, when the number of the infrared distance sensor module 3 is less than the number of the scales 2301 to 2324 in the first area 22, the microprocessor 5 controls the infrared distance sensor module 3 to activate the corresponding operation interface 2. In response to the movement of the infrared distance sensor module 3, the infrared signal R <b> 1 is emitted in order on all the scales 2301 to 2324 to measure whether or not the scales 2301 to 2324 are surface-treated.

When the number of the infrared distance sensor module 3 is the number of the scales 2301 to 2324 in the corresponding first area 22, the infrared distance sensor module 3 measures the state of the corresponding scale.
Then, the scheduled device 100 acquires the statuses of all the scales 2301 to 2324 in the first area 22.
In the present embodiment, the timed device 100 will be described only when it includes the infrared distance sensor module 3.
As shown in FIG. 5, the start point P <b> 1 of the infrared distance sensor module 3 corresponds to the scale 2301.
The infrared emitting device 31 emits an infrared signal R1 to the scale 2301, and then the microprocessor 5 controls the infrared distance sensor module 3, so that the infrared ray emitting device 31 sequentially follows the slide rail 6 along the first direction D1 at a constant speed. To the scales 2302 to 2324.
In this way, the states of the 24 scales 2301 to 2324 in the first area 22 are measured.
Further, the microprocessor 5 controls the infrared distance sensor module 3 and rotates it along the vertical axis to measure the state of the 24 scales 2301 to 2324 in the first area 22 in order. You can also.

In this embodiment, the operation interface 2 is a transparent acrylic plate.
When the infrared signal R1 is emitted to the portion covered with the surface treatment material 4, a reflection phenomenon occurs, and the infrared receiver 32 receives the reflected infrared signal R2.
Conversely, when the infrared signal R1 is fired in the other part of the first area 22 that is not surface-treated, most of the infrared signal R1 passes through the operation interface 2 and the infrared receiver 32 is only partially Only the reflected infrared signal R2 is received.
As described above, the microprocessor 5 provided in the present embodiment determines whether the surface of the first area 22 is surface-treated based on the reflected infrared signal R2 received by the infrared receiver 32. A corresponding counting signal (step S42) is generated.

That is, the microprocessor 5 determines whether the surface of the first area 22 has been surface-treated based on the intensity of the reflected infrared signal R2 received by the infrared receiver 32, thereby generating a corresponding count signal.
For example, when the infrared signal R1 is emitted to a portion where the surface treatment of the first area 22 is performed, the intensity of the reflected infrared signal R2 received by the infrared receiver 32 is not subjected to the surface treatment in the first area 22. It is relatively strong or strong compared to the reflected infrared signal R2 received when fired on the part.
The microprocessor 5 generates a count signal based on the intensity of the reflected infrared signal R2 received by the infrared receiver 32.

  Based on the same principle, in other embodiments, when the non-contact sensor module provided by the embodiments is a sonic sensor, the microprocessor 5 determines the surface of the first area 22 based on the intensity of the reflected signal received by the sonic sensor. It is also possible to determine whether the surface has been surface treated and generate a corresponding counting signal.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the infrared ray emitting device 31 is at the start point P1 and the infrared signal R1 is emitted to the scale 2301, the surface treatment is not performed depending on the position of the scale 2301, so the infrared receiving device 32 is The received reflected infrared signal R2 is very weak (since most of the infrared signal R1 passes through the transparent acrylic plate), and at this time, the infrared receiver 32 generates a count signal “0”.
In the same principle, when the infrared ray emitting device 31 emits the infrared signal R1 to a scale not subjected to surface treatment such as the other scale 2324 in the first area 22, the infrared receiving device 32 counts the count signal “0”. "Is generated.

When the infrared distance sensor module 3 moves to the first point P2 of the corresponding scale 2309 on the slide rail 6 along the first direction D1, the infrared emitting device 31 emits an infrared signal R1 to the scale 2309.
Since the surface treatment material 4 has already been applied at the position of the scale 2309, the infrared receiving device 32 receives the reflected infrared signal R2 reflected and returned from the position of the scale 2309 and generates the count signal “1”. .
Similarly, the infrared receiver 32 receives the reflected infrared signal R2 reflected and returned from the positions of the scales 2310 and 2311, respectively, and generates a count signal “1”.
When the position of the infrared distance sensor module 3 is the goal point P3 or when the reset key 25 is pressed, the whole measurement process is completed. At this time, the microprocessor 5 controls the infrared distance sensor module 3 to perform the second direction. Return to the start point P1 along D2.

In this embodiment, the surface treatment material 4 is used to reflect an infrared signal.
The infrared receiver 32 responds depending on whether or not the reflected infrared signal R2 is received, and generates a count signal “1” or “0”.
In other embodiments, the surface treatment material can be used to enhance or absorb infrared signals.
Corresponding to the strength of the infrared signal R2 received by the infrared receiver 32, the count signal “1” or “0” can be generated.
On the same principle, in another embodiment, the surface treatment material enhances or absorbs the sound signal, and responds by the strength of the reflected sound signal received by the sound sensor of the non-contact sensor module, and the counting signal “1” or “ It is also possible to generate 0 ″.

In step S43, the microprocessor 5 can receive the count signals obtained in step S42 in order, and set the time count of the time measuring device 100 based on these count signals.
A comparison table (not shown) is stored in the microprocessor 5, and this comparison table displays a correspondence relationship between combinations of various count signals and timing times.
In this embodiment, the microprocessor 5 receives 24 count signals in the order, and the combination is “000000001110000000000000”.
Thereby, the microprocessor 5 sets the time keeping time of the fixed time device 100 from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock by examining the comparison table.
The clock inside the timed device 100 displays the current time without turning off the power. Therefore, if the connecting portion 27 of the timed device 100 is already electrically connected to the electronic product, the operation time of the electronic product can be accurately determined. Can be controlled.

Further, in the above-described step S42, the surface treatment material 4 can absorb an infrared signal, and the embodiment in the case of using a plurality of visible light sensors as a non-contact sensor module is as shown in FIG. is there.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the visible light sensor of the timed device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The scheduled apparatus provided by the present embodiment and the above-described embodiment are similar, but the above-described infrared distance sensor module 3 ′ is replaced with a plurality of visible light sensors 701 to 724.
In addition, a comparison table (not shown) is stored in the timed device or microprocessor.
Among these, the comparison table stores the correspondence relationship between the visible light sensor, the scale, and the time setting.

In this embodiment, the external light passes through the operation interface 2 of a transparent acrylic plate, for example.
The surface treatment material 4 is applied on the scales 2310 to 2313 on the operation interface 2 to absorb external light.
For this reason, as for the visible light sensors 710, 711, 712, and 713, the received external light is almost zero.
Therefore, the time signal generated by the visible light sensors 701 to 724 is, for example, “111111111000011111111111”.
Therefore, the microprocessor sets the timekeeping time of the timed device from 10:00 to 13:00 by examining the comparison table.

Of course, in other embodiments, it is possible to install only one visible light sensor.
The above-described microprocessor controls the movement of the visible light sensor by controlling the motor, so that the visible light sensor performs sensoring on each scale and generates a corresponding timing signal. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first area subjected to the surface treatment is installed on the surface of the operation interface, and furthermore, by using the combination of the non-contact sensor module and the microprocessor, the time measurement can be intuitively performed. It is possible to set.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and there are design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. However, it is included in the present invention.

It is the figure which showed the panel of the existing mechanical timer. It is the block diagram which showed the function of the fixed time apparatus in the preferable Example by this invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation interface of a timed device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of a scheduled method in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operating state of an infrared sensor module of a timed method apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the operating state of the visible light sensor of the timetable apparatus in the other preferable Example by this invention.

10 Timer panel
11 Power switch 12 Press setting device
13 Time plate 131 First part 132 Second part 14 Arrow 15 Setting pin 16 Outlet 100 Timed device 2 Operation interface 21 Surface 22 First area 2301 to 2324 Scale 24 Setting key 25 Reset key 26 Power input part 27 Connection part 2801 to 2824 Instruction Lamp 3, 3 'Infrared distance sensor module 31 Infrared emitting device 32 Infrared receiving device 4 Surface treatment material 5 Microprocessor 6 Slide rails 701-724 Visible light sensor D1 First direction D2 Second direction P1 Start point P2 First point P3 Goal Point R1 Infrared signal R2 Reflected infrared signal

Claims (12)

The first area of the surface is composed of a transparent plate material that allows a non-contact signal to pass through, and surface treatment with a non-contact signal reflecting material or a non-contact signal absorbing material is performed based on a time range to be set. and operating interface to be subjected,
A non-contact emitting device for emitting the non-contact signal to the first area; and a non-contact receiving device for receiving the non-contact signal from the first area, and based on the received non-contact signal A non-contact sensor module for generating a plurality of counting signals corresponding to the surface treatment of the first area ;
And a microprocessor that is coupled to the non-contact sensor module and receives the count signal to set a time count based on the count signal. The first area has a plurality of scales,
2. A timed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each scale represents one time point. The microprocessor controls the non-contact sensor module and activates a corresponding operation interface, thereby generating a count signal each time the non-contact signal passes through any scale in the first area. The timed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The timeless apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact sensor module is an infrared distance sensor module, a visible light sensor, or a sonic distance sensor module. The timeless apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact signal is an infrared signal, a visible light signal, or an ultrasonic signal. 2. The timed apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the surface treatment is performed by applying a layer of a non-contact signal reflecting material or a non-contact signal absorbing material to a part of the first area. The operation interface includes a setting key and a reset key,
The timed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation interface is connected to the microprocessor. The operation interface includes a plurality of instruction lamps,
The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the time measuring time is indicated. A step of performing a surface treatment with a non-contact signal reflecting material or a non-contact signal absorbing material based on a timing range to be set in the first area of the operation interface surface composed of a transparent plate ;
Emitting a non-contact signal to the first area by a non-contact emitting device and receiving the non-contact signal from the first area by a non-contact receiving device ;
Generating a plurality of counting signals corresponding to the surface treatment of the first area based on the received non-contact signal ;
A timed method comprising the step of setting a time measurement based on the counting signal. The first area has a plurality of scales,
The method according to claim 9 , wherein each scale represents one time point. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the non-contact signal is an infrared signal, a visible light signal, or an ultrasonic signal. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the surface treatment is performed by applying a layer of a non-contact signal reflecting material or a non-contact signal absorbing material to a part of the first area.

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