JPH11183666A - Radio wave corrected watch and time display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately display time by forming a time code signal with the same frequency as that of a standard radio wave according to the reception condition of past standard radio wave at a preset radio wave generation time and transmitting a pseudo standard radio wave from a transmission means. SOLUTION: A radio wave corrected watch controls motors 25 and 27 for second and hour/minute electronic clock hands 25 and 27 being mounted to a movement 21 via a buffer 23 for driving a motor by a microcomputer 11. While a normal movement of the clock continues, it is judged whether, for example automatic correction time being set to each of 8, 12, and 24 hours and a radio wave transmission time being set separately have been reached or not. When the automatic correction time has been reached, a standard radio wave is received and the Japanese standard time based on a code analysis is read, and a specific time pseudo radio wave is transmitted when a set radio wave transmission time has been reached by an oscillator 41 for transmission, a modulation switch 45, a selection switch 51, and the like, thus accurately reading time by the pseudo standard radio wave at the radio wave transmission time even by a radio wave correction watch that is installed nearby and is not able to receive the standard radio wave.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio-controlled timepiece that corrects a display time using a long standard radio wave.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, a radio-controlled timepiece that uses a long-wave standard radio wave (JG2AS) that conveys the Japan Standard Time with high accuracy and displays the time with an extremely small difference from the Japanese Standard Time is used. This radio-controlled timepiece has a bar antenna for receiving a standard radio wave having a carrier frequency of 40 kHz, and has a reception demodulator for demodulating a data signal such as a time code from the received standard radio wave.

In this radio-controlled timepiece, a time counter for counting a one-hertz second signal formed by a crystal oscillator and a frequency divider, and a microcomputer for decoding a time code from a data signal demodulated by reception demodulation means are provided. And receives the standard radio wave and analyzes the time code for each required time. Furthermore, when the radio-controlled timepiece analyzes the accurate Japan Standard Time based on the time code, it reads the Japan Standard Time into the time counter, precisely adjusts the time counter value, and sets the time counter value to 1 second. The count value of the time counter is displayed while increasing each time.

An analog radio-controlled timepiece that displays the time by driving the hands has a bar antenna and a receiving / demodulating means, and also has a built-in microcomputer for decoding the time code and controlling the hands driving motor. It is a body. This analog radio-controlled timepiece includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a bar antenna 13 for receiving a standard radio wave, a reception demodulator 15 for demodulating a data signal such as a time code signal from the standard radio wave, It has a microcomputer 11 for analyzing a code and controlling a pointer driving motor.

[0005] The microcomputer 11 has a second hand motor 25 and an hour / minute hand motor 27 incorporated in the movement 21.
Is connected, and an output pulse from the microcomputer 11 is applied to the second hand motor 25 and the hour / minute hand motor 27 via the motor drive buffer 23. The movement 21 also has an hour / minute hand sensor 33 for detecting the hand position where the hour hand and the minute hand indicate 0:00, and a second hand sensor 31 for detecting the hand position where the second hand indicates 0 second. The sensor 33 for the second hand and the sensor 31 for the second hand are also connected to the microcomputer 11.

A reset switch 19 and a crystal oscillation circuit 17 are also connected to the microcomputer 11.
The microcomputer 11 has a function as a level detecting means for detecting the output level of the receiving and demodulating means 15 and an analyzing means for decoding a signal code contained in the standard radio wave. Among them, a function as time setting means for setting an accurate current time in a time counter of the clock body based on the time code is also provided, and time data based on a time code based on a standard radio wave is set to 1 A time counter that advances the count value every second is provided. Further, comparing means for comparing the count value of the time counter with the value of the current time indicated by the hands, the second hand motor 25 is driven by one step every second, and the hour and minute hands are every ten seconds. Motor 27
A display counter for storing the current time indicated by the hands by counting the number of pulses output to the second hand motor 25 and the hour / minute hand motor 27 while having a function as main control means for driving the second hand one step. The microcomputer 11 also has

The main control means not only controls the second hand to advance by one step every one second and the hour and minute hands by one step every ten seconds, but also controls the hour and minute hands every ten seconds.
It also controls fast-forwarding to perform steps of up to 20 steps. This fast-forward control detects the coincidence between the count value of the time counter and the count value of the display counter, and performs a fast-forward correction of fast-forwarding the hands until the count values of both counters match.
This is executed in the case of the zero-return control in which fast-forwarding is performed until 31 detects the 0 position of the second hand and until the hour / minute hand sensor 33 detects the 0 position of the hour hand and the minute hand.

In some timepieces, a minute hand motor and an hour hand motor are provided in addition to the second hand motor 25, and the three hands drive and control the second hand, minute hand and hour hand individually. In this radio-controlled timepiece, a standard radio wave is received by the bar antenna 13 or the like, a time code signal or the like is demodulated from the standard radio wave by the reception / demodulation means 15, and the demodulated signal is input to the microcomputer 11 to analyze the time code. Then, each data of hour, minute, and second is set in a time counter. The microcomputer 11 operates the microcomputer 11 by an output of an oscillation circuit 17 such as a crystal oscillator that outputs an accurate reference frequency signal,
The microcomputer 11 performs various controls and operations as analysis means and main control means.

The microcomputer 11 performs a control operation when a battery is inserted or a reset switch.
When 19 is operated, as shown in FIG. 7, first, initial setting (S111) is performed, and return-to-zero control (S113) is performed. This zero-return control outputs a motor driving pulse having a frequency of 10 Hz or 20 Hz to the second hand motor 25 and the hour / minute hand motor 27, and outputs the motor driving buffer 23.
A drive pulse voltage is applied to each of the motors 25 and 27 via the controller to quickly feed the motors 25 and 27.

Further, in the zero-return control, the second hand sensor 31 and the hour / minute hand sensor 33 are operated every time one motor drive pulse is output to the second hand motor 25 and the hour / minute hand motor 27, respectively.
The second hand sensor 31 detects whether the second hand has reached the zero position, and the hour / minute hand sensor 33 detects whether the hour hand and the minute hand have reached the zero position. When the second hand sensor 31 detects that the second hand has reached the 0 second position, the output of the motor drive pulse to the second hand motor 25 is stopped, and the hour hand and minute hand are set to 0 by the hour / minute hand sensor 33.
The second hand motor when detecting that the hour and minute positions have been reached
The output of the motor drive pulse to 25 is stopped.

After the second hand and the hour / minute hand have been rapidly advanced to the zero position by the zero-return control in this way, the microcomputer
Numeral 11 is used to analyze the time code and the like demodulated by the reception / demodulation means 15 after receiving the standard radio wave by the bar antenna 13 and to read the time in Japan Standard Time (S115). The JG2AS standard radio wave defined by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications forms a reference marker signal for 0 to 0.2 seconds as shown in FIG.
A position marker signal of 0.2 seconds is formed every 10 seconds such as 9 seconds, 19 seconds, and 29 seconds, and a minute data signal is generated in 1 to 8 seconds, and an hour data signal is generated in 12 to 18 seconds. Is formed as a day data signal between 22 seconds and 33 seconds, and various other data signals are also inserted into each second. The signal for 0.8 seconds is converted to a binary "0", A signal of 0.5 seconds is defined as a binary number "1", and a signal of a predetermined binary code is included in one minute, so that the rising of the reference marker signal is exactly adjusted to 0 seconds.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the reading of the Japanese standard time is synchronized with the marker signal and the rising edge of the data signal for one second (S201), and it is determined whether or not the synchronization has been achieved (S202). If the synchronization is established, the 0-second position is detected (S203), and the determination as to whether the current position is the 0-second position (S204) is performed by detecting the reference marker signal.

When the 0-second position is detected, the pulse width of the code signal is measured (S206) while determining whether or not the level of the data signal is at the H level (S205).
The binary data signal is converted into time data by converting each of the minute data signal and the hour data signal into 0 or 1 according to the duration of the H level (S207). It is determined whether or not the last data has been read (S208), and finally, whether or not the time data has an appropriate numerical value is determined (S209).

Further, the time data is an inappropriate numerical value, for example, the minute data is a numerical value of 60 or more, or the hour data is 2 or more.
When the number becomes 4 or more, the standard time signal is analyzed and the time is read again. The standard time signal is read in accordance with the reading of the Japan Standard Time based on the analysis of the data signal, and the standard time signal is transmitted and received every second. The time reading (S115) is continued for a required time.

When the time data of Japan Standard Time is read as an appropriate numerical value, the time data is preset in a time counter (S211), and a 1 Hertz second signal is corrected to correct an error of 1 second or less. The dividing circuit and the second counter to be formed are reset to 0 seconds (S21).
5) The standard radio wave reception and time reading (S115) are terminated.

After receiving the standard radio wave and reading the time (S115) for a required time or resetting the second counter in the standard radio wave receiving and reading the time (S115), as shown in FIG. It is determined whether presetting to the time counter, that is, time reading has been performed (S1).
17), when the time is read, fast forward correction (S119) is performed in which the time corresponding to the value of the time counter that counts up every second by presetting Japan Standard Time is displayed by the hands. .

In this fast-forward correction, it is determined whether or not the respective count values of the time counter and the display counter match. If the count values do not match, the value of the display counter is increased by 1 while outputting a motor drive pulse. It is determined whether or not the respective count values of both counters match, and if they do not match, the motor drive pulse is output to continue the correction of the fast-forward correction, and if they match, the normal hand operation (S120) is performed. What you do.

In this fast-forward correction, a motor drive pulse is output once to the hour / minute hand motor 27 every time the motor drive pulse is output to the second hand motor 25 a predetermined number of times, such as 10 or 20 times. When the time counter and the display counter are separated into an hour / minute counter and a second counter, and the hour / minute hand is fast-forwarded by the hour / minute hand motor 27, the hour / minute counter of the time counter and the hour / minute counter of the display counter are used. In some cases, the second hand motor 25 is fast-forward-driven until the count value of the second counter of the time counter and the second counter of the display counter match while the count value of the second counter and the second counter of the time counter match.

After the time in Japan Standard Time is displayed by the hands, the second hand is driven every second, and the normal hand (S120) for driving the minute hand and the hour hand every ten seconds or several tens of seconds is performed. Based on the determination of whether the time is the automatic correction time (S121), when the automatic correction time comes, the standard time reception and code analysis are performed for the required time of several minutes to about 10 minutes, and the Japan Standard Time is stored in the time counter. The preset time is read (S123). Further, it is determined whether the time data has been read by presetting the time counter or the like (S125). If the time reading such as the presetting has been performed on the time counter, the time data of Japan Standard Time and the pointer are read. It is determined whether or not the display data of the display time coincides with the display time (S127). If an error occurs, the display is corrected (S129).

When there is no time difference, the normal hand operation (S
Returning to step 120), it is determined whether or not the next automatic correction time has been reached (S121). If there is a time difference, the display is corrected (S129). This display correction (S1
29) Compares the count value of the time counter with the count value of the display counter, corrects the fast-forward when the count value of the time counter is large, and corrects the steps such as the second hand when the count value of the display counter is large. Stop the advance and repeat the comparison of the count value of the time counter and the count value of the display counter, and stop the advance of the second hand or the like until the count value of the time counter matches the count value of the display counter, Alternatively, there is a device in which the count values of the display counters are sequentially reduced while the output terminals are switched to reverse the second hand motor 25 and the like, so that the count values of both counters match.

In this way, the radio-controlled timepiece sets the hands at 0: 0: 0 when replacing or resetting the battery.
While driving the second hand every second, it receives the standard time signal, analyzes the time code, etc., presets the time in Japan Standard Time to the time counter, reads the time and displays the Japanese Standard Time. The hands are controlled to move the hands.
The standard time is received once or several times a day and the time is read by analyzing the code to correct the error between the displayed time and the Japan Standard Time, so that the correct time is always displayed.

[0022]

As described above, the standard radio wave is received at predetermined time intervals, the time code is analyzed, the Japan Standard Time is preset in the time counter, and the second is also made coincident with the Japanese Standard Time. The radio-controlled clock that reads the time can always display the correct time,
Its use is increasing.

However, even if the carrier frequency is set to 40 kilohertz, when a radio-controlled timepiece that receives the standard radio wave is installed inside a building or in an underground shopping mall, the arrangement of windows and entrances of the building and the like is required. Depending on the location of the clock, the standard radio wave could not be received properly.
For this reason, the installation place of the radio-controlled timepiece has been restricted.

The present invention provides a clock body which reduces such a restriction and facilitates installation of a radio-controlled timepiece for displaying accurate time.

[0025]

According to the present invention, there is provided a transmitting means capable of forming a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as a standard radio wave, and according to a reception condition of a past standard radio wave at a preset radio wave generating time. A radio-controlled timepiece having control means for transmitting a pseudo standard radio wave from said transmitting means.

Therefore, a pseudo standard radio wave can be transmitted from the transmitting means according to the past reception status of the standard radio wave,
When the same radio-controlled clock is nearby, a time code with an accurate time is transmitted by a pseudo-standard radio to a radio-corrected clock installed at a location where the standard radio wave from the transmitting station cannot be received correctly. The time data can be corrected so as to cause the display of.

Further, the present invention has a transmitting means capable of forming a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as the standard radio wave, and when the standard radio wave is received and the Japan Standard Time is read by code analysis at the automatic correction time. At the next automatic correction time, the transmission means is activated for the required time and the pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted, and at the automatic correction time, even if the standard radio wave is received and the code analysis is performed for the required time, the Japanese standard time cannot be read. In this case, the radio-controlled timepiece has a control means for repeatedly receiving the standard radio wave and reading the time by code analysis even at the next automatic correction time.

As described above, when the automatic correction processing for reading the Japan Standard Time by performing the reception of the standard radio wave and the code analysis is performed and the Japanese Standard Time cannot be read, the standard correction is performed at the next automatic correction. Repeated reception of radio waves and time reading, and after performing the automatic correction process, when reading Japan Standard Time, the same radio-corrected clock is nearby because a pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted at the next automatic correction time. When a radio-controlled clock is installed in a location where it cannot receive the standard radio signal from the transmitting station correctly, the correct time can be read from the radio-controlled clock and the display of the correct time can be maintained. It is also possible to maintain accurate time display on other radio-controlled timepieces.

According to the present invention, there is provided transmitting means capable of forming a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as the standard radio wave, and the transmitting means is provided at a preset radio wave generation time in accordance with the past reception situation of the standard radio wave. And a time display system using a plurality of radio-controlled timepieces having control means for transmitting a pseudo standard radio wave from a plurality of radio-controlled timepieces.

As described above, in a system using a plurality of radio-controlled timepieces for transmitting a pseudo standard radio wave, if one radio-controlled timepiece can correctly receive the standard radio wave, the standard radio wave from the transmitting station cannot be correctly received. For the radio-controlled clock installed at the installation location, the time code of the exact time is transmitted by the pseudo standard radio wave, and the time data can be corrected so that the accurate time is displayed, so all the clocks in the system The exact time can always be displayed on the body.

Further, since the radio wave transmission times of the respective radio-controlled clocks are different, pseudo standard radio waves are simultaneously transmitted from a large number of clock bodies, and one radio-controlled clock simultaneously receives a plurality of strong pseudo standard radio waves. Can be avoided.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention is also capable of transmitting a standard radio wave. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. It has a transmission oscillator 41 connected to the reception / demodulation means 15 via the transmission / reception means 15 and forming a carrier signal of 40 kHz.

The second hand motor 25 and the hour / minute hand motor 27 attached to the movement 21 via the motor drive buffer 23 are controlled by the microcomputer 11 serving as control means.
And the second hand sensor 31 and the hour / minute hand sensor 33
Performing a zero-zero control for detecting the second position and the 0:00 position is the same as in the related art. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when power is turned on or reset, first, initial settings are performed (S1).
11), the second hand and the hour / minute hand are set to the 0 position by the return-to-zero control (S113), the standard radio wave reception and time reading by code analysis are performed for several minutes to 10 minutes (S115), and the Japan Standard Time is preset in the time counter. It is determined whether or not the time reading for resetting the second counter or the like has been performed (S
117). When the time data of the Japan Standard Time is preset in the time counter and the time reading for resetting the second counter and the like is performed, the fast-forward correction (S119) for matching the hands to the value of the time counter is performed, and thereafter, every one second. The normal hand movement (S120) in which the second hand is driven every one second and the hour and minute hands are driven one step at a time every 10 seconds is the same as in the related art.

Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined automatic correction time, such as every eight hours, every twelve hours, or every twenty-four hours, has been reached (S121), and it is determined whether it is a radio wave transmission time (S131). ), The normal hand operation (S120) is continued. The radio wave transmission time is set to a specific time about once a day separately from the automatic correction time.

In the radio-controlled timepiece, when the time reaches the automatic correction time, reception of the standard time signal and reading of the time based on the code analysis (S123) are performed for about 10 minutes, and the time counter is preset and the second counter is reset. It is determined whether or not time reading such as has been performed (S125).
When the time is read, the value of the time counter and the value of the display counter are compared to determine whether there is a difference between the time data of Japan Standard Time and the display time by the hands (S12).
7) If there is a time difference, the display time is corrected (S129).
Is performed in the same manner as in the related art.

When the time cannot be read based on the code analysis within the required time, when there is no difference between the read Japan Standard Time and the displayed time, and when the time difference is further corrected, Returning to the hand operation (S120) is the same as in the related art. However, when the set radio wave transmission time comes, the time code is analyzed at the time of the previous automatic correction time to determine whether or not the Japan Standard Time has been preset in the time counter, that is, whether or not the time has been read. (S133).

The determination as to whether or not the previous reading was successful (S133) is made by determining the Japan Standard Time at the last automatic correction time by analyzing a predetermined time such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes. Presets the Japan Standard Time as a time counter and determines whether or not the time reading for resetting the seconds counter etc. has been performed.If the previous automatic correction time could not read the Japan Standard Time, the standard time will be reset again. The reception of the radio wave and the reading of the time based on the code analysis (S123) are performed for a predetermined time.

Then, at the previous automatic correction time, when the time counter for presetting Japan Standard Time to the time counter and resetting the second counter and the like has been executed, a radio wave is transmitted (S135). As a process for transmitting the radio wave (S135), the transmission oscillator 41 is operated to output the same carrier signal of 40 kHz as the standard radio wave from the transmission oscillator 41, and a standard signal is generated based on the count time of the time counter. Modulation switches that form code signals such as hour data, minute data, and marker signals that are the same as the time code signals of radio waves, and that match the carrier formed by the transmission oscillator 41 and amplified by the amplifier 43 with the code signals such as time data At 45, a pseudo standard radio wave is formed, and the changeover switch 51 is controlled to connect the bar antenna 13 to the reception / demodulation means 15 with the bar antenna 13 and the output driver 47.
Switch to the connection with the
In addition, the power is supplied to the bar antenna 13 via the coupling capacitor 49.

As described above, this radio-controlled timepiece has a transmitting oscillator 41, a modulation switch 45, a changeover switch 51, and a transmitting means such as a transmission / reception bar antenna 13.
When the standard time signal is received and the Japan Standard Time is read by code analysis at the automatic correction time, the pseudo standard time signal is transmitted for the required time when the set radio wave transmission time is reached,
If the standard time cannot be read even after receiving and analyzing the standard time for the required time at the automatic correction time, the time at which the standard time is set and the time when the standard time is read by the standard time reception and analysis Reading is performed repeatedly.

Therefore, if the radio-controlled timepiece is installed indoors, the reception of the standard radio wave and the analysis of the code are performed at a predetermined automatic correction time, and when the time is read according to Japan Standard Time, the set radio-wave transmission time is set. Transmits the standard radio wave, the radio-controlled clock installed near the radio-controlled clock does not receive the standard radio wave from the transmitting station at the auto-corrected time. When the transmission time comes, it is possible to read the accurate time by the pseudo standard radio wave.

If the radio-controlled timepiece is already installed nearby, when the radio-controlled timepiece is newly installed, the new installation location is a place where the reception condition of the standard radio wave from the transmitting station is not good. However, if it is a place that can correctly receive the pseudo standard radio wave transmitted by the existing radio correction clock,
A radio-controlled timepiece is installed at this position, and when the transmission time of the radio wave comes, the correct time data can be read and the accurate time can be displayed.

As described above, the control shown in FIG. 2 receives the standard radio wave for the required time at a predetermined automatic correction time set once or several times a day, and receives the standard radio wave. When the time is correctly read based on the code analysis, a pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted at the radio wave transmission time. It can be modified to be displayed.

Therefore, when a plurality of such radio-controlled timepieces are used, if one clock body correctly receives the standard radio wave from the transmitting station, an accurate time is always displayed on all the clock bodies by the pseudo standard radio wave. A time display system that can be operated can be provided. In addition, when the radio-controlled clock transmits a pseudo standard radio wave, it is not limited to the case where the reading of Japanese Standard Time was performed at the time of the immediately preceding automatic correction, but the automatic correction at several automatic correction times before the radio-wave transmission time. In the correction, if the Japanese Standard Time has been read even once, a time code based on the value of the time counter may be formed and the pseudo standard radio wave may be transmitted.

In another embodiment, only the automatic correction time for receiving the standard radio wave and reading the time is set without setting the transmission time of the pseudo standard radio wave, so that the standard radio wave can be correctly received. In this case, the time reading based on the analysis of the time code and the transmission of the pseudo standard radio wave are alternately performed at each automatic correction time. In this control example, as shown in FIG. 3, when power is turned on or reset, first, initialization is performed (S111), the second hand and the hour / minute hand are set to the 0 position by the return-to-zero control (S113), and the reception of the standard radio wave and the Time reading by code analysis is performed for several minutes to 10 minutes (S1
15), Judgment as to whether or not time reading has been performed (S117)
When the time is read, a fast-forward correction (S119) for matching the hands to the value of the time counter is performed, and then the second hand is driven every one second and the hour and minute hands are driven one step at a time every ten seconds. Performing the hand movement (S120) is the same as in the conventional and the above embodiments.

Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined automatic correction time such as every 8 hours or every 12 hours has been reached (S12).
The normal hand operation (S120) is continued while repeating 1), and when the automatic correction time is reached, first, the time code is analyzed at the previous automatic correction time to determine whether the Japan Standard Time has been preset in the time counter. The determination, that is, the determination of whether or not the time has been read (S122).

The determination as to whether or not the previous reading was successful (S122) is performed by obtaining the Japan Standard Time by analyzing the predetermined time such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes at the previous automatic correction time. It is to judge whether or not the time reading for presetting the Japan Standard Time to the time counter and resetting the second counter and the like has been performed. If the reading of the Japan Standard Time cannot be performed at the previous automatic correction time, the reception of the standard time signal and the reading of the time based on the code analysis (S123) are performed again for a predetermined time.

When the time is read based on the reception of the standard radio wave and the code analysis (S123), whether or not the reading, which is a determination as to whether or not the time has been adjusted by reading the Japan Standard Time into the time counter, is performed. Is determined (S12
5) When the time is read, it is determined whether there is a difference from the display time (S127), and when there is a time difference, the display time is corrected (S129). Same as the form.

However, if the previous automatic correction time presets the Japan Standard Time to the time counter and performs the time reading for resetting the second counter and the like, it is determined whether or not the previous reading was successful (S122). ), A radio wave is transmitted (S135). The transmission of this radio wave (S135) is similar to the above-described embodiment, in which the transmission oscillator 41 is operated to output the same carrier signal of 40 kHz as the standard radio wave from the transmission oscillator 41. Form a code signal such as hour data, minute data, and a marker signal that is the same as the time code signal of the standard radio wave on the basis of the carrier wave formed by the transmission oscillator 41 and amplified by the amplifier 43 into a code signal such as time data. Simultaneously, the pseudo standard radio wave is formed by being intermittently switched by the modulation switch 45, and by controlling the changeover switch 51, the connection between the bar antenna 13 and the reception demodulation means 15 is switched to the connection between the bar antenna 13 and the output driver 47, The pseudo standard signal is supplied to the bar antenna 13 via the output driver 47 and the coupling capacitor 49.

After transmitting the pseudo standard radio wave for a required time such as 5 minutes or 10 minutes, the reading flag is reset and the time counter for presetting Japan Standard Time to the time counter is reset to the state when the time reading was not performed. At the next automatic correction time, the reception of the standard time signal and the time reading (S123) based on the code analysis are performed. As described above, in this embodiment, the transmission oscillator 41, the modulation switch 45, the changeover switch 51, and the transmission / reception bar antenna
A radio-controlled timepiece having a transmission means such as 13
When the standard time is received and the Japan Standard Time is read by code analysis at the automatic correction time, a pseudo standard time signal is transmitted for the required time at the next automatic correction time, and the standard time signal is transmitted for the required time at the automatic correction time. If the reception and analysis fails to read Japanese Standard Time, it has control means to repeat the time reading, which is the reading of Japan Standard Time by receiving and analyzing standard radio waves, at the next automatic correction time. is there.

Therefore, if the radio-controlled timepiece is installed indoors, reception of the standard radio wave and code analysis are performed at a predetermined automatic correction time, and when the standard time is read, the next automatic correction time is set. A radio-controlled clock that cannot receive the standard radio wave from the transmitting station correctly because it transmits a pseudo-standard radio wave, and the radio-controlled clock that is installed near the radio-corrected clock has an accurate time based on the pseudo-standard radio wave. Can be read.

If the radio-controlled timepiece is already installed nearby, when the radio-controlled timepiece is newly installed, the new installation location is a place where the reception condition of the standard radio wave from the transmitting station is not good. However, if it is a place that can correctly receive the pseudo standard radio wave transmitted by the existing radio correction clock,
When the radio-controlled timepiece is installed at this position and the time is automatically corrected, the correct time data can be read and accurate time display can be performed.

In the control shown in FIG. 3, a standard time signal is received for a required time at a predetermined automatic correction time set once or several times a day. When the reading of the time based on the analysis is normally performed, the reception and transmission of the standard radio wave are repeated at each automatic correction time so that the pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted at the next automatic correction time. In this embodiment, only one of several automatic correction times is set so that a pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted instead of reading the time based on code analysis.

As shown in FIG. 4, the radio-controlled timepiece is controlled by first performing initial settings (S111), returning the second hand and the hour / minute hand to the zero position by performing a zero-return control (S113).
The reception of the standard time signal and the reading of the time (S115) are performed for several minutes, and further, it is determined whether or not the time for presetting the Japan Standard Time to the time counter has been read (S117), and it is determined that the time data has been read. At this time, the fast-forward correction that matches the hands with the value of the time counter (S11)
After performing step 9), the normal hand operation (S120) is performed in which the second hand is driven every one second and the hour and minute hands are driven one step every 10 seconds, which is the same as the conventional and the above-described embodiments. .

Further, it is also possible to continue the normal hand operation (S120) while repeating the determination (S121) as to whether or not a predetermined automatic correction time set in advance by the initial setting has been reached, according to the conventional and second embodiments. Is the same as Further, while repeating the determination (S121) of whether or not a predetermined automatic correction time such as every 8 hours or every 12 hours has been reached, the normal hand operation (S121) is performed.
120), and when the automatic correction time is reached, first,
Analyzing the time code at the time of the previous automatic correction time and determining whether or not the time counter has been preset to Japan Standard Time,
That is, it is determined whether or not the time has been read (S122).
Is performed in the same manner as in the related art and the second embodiment.

If the reading of the Japan Standard Time could not be performed at the previous automatic correction time, the reception of the standard time signal and the reading of the time based on the code analysis (S123) are performed again for a predetermined time, and the Japan Standard Time is set to the time counter. It is determined whether or not reading has been performed, which is a determination of whether or not 0 seconds have been set (S125). If time has been read, it is determined whether or not there is a difference from the display time (S125). S12
7) If there is a time difference, the display time is corrected (S129).
This is the same as in the conventional and the above-described embodiments.

However, at the previous automatic correction time, when the Japan Standard Time is preset in the time counter and the time reading for resetting the second counter and the like is being executed, it is determined whether or not the time is the transmission time of the radio wave (S131). If the time is the transmission time of the radio wave, the radio wave is transmitted (S135). As described above, in this embodiment, the automatic correction time is set several times a day.
For example, one time in the daytime is set as a radio wave transmission time.

Accordingly, by setting a specific one of the several automatic correction times including the night time when the radio wave condition is generally good as the radio wave transmission time, the reading of the Japanese standard time is performed and the correct time is obtained. From the watch body displaying, a pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted, and among other radio-controlled watches,
It is possible to read an accurate time code into a clock body having difficulty in receiving a standard radio wave correctly.

As described above, by reducing the number of times of transmission of the pseudo standard radio wave by setting only one of the several automatic correction times to the radio wave transmission time, there is an advantage that battery consumption can be reduced. . Further, as in the control in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and the third embodiment shown in FIG. When a time display system is formed by combining a plurality of clocks, the transmission time of the pseudo standard radio wave of each radio-controlled clock may be set to be different.

As described above, when a plurality of radio-controlled timepieces are combined, the number of clock bodies transmitting radio waves at the same time is reduced by making the radio wave generation times different, so that a plurality of pseudo standard radio waves read the time. It is possible to prevent strong reception by the clock body, and to easily and reliably analyze the time code. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the transmission times of all the combined radio-controlled clocks are different from each other. May be a time display system using a radio-controlled clock with a different transmission time.

In the control shown in FIG. 4, a standard radio wave of a required time is received at a predetermined automatic correction time set once or several times a day. In the fourth embodiment, when the standard radio wave is received at the time of the previous automatic correction and the time is read normally based on the code analysis, the pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted. When the reading of the Japanese Standard Time cannot be performed at the predetermined automatic correction time according to the setting, the re-automatic correction time is newly set, and the standard radio wave is received again after the required time has elapsed.

In this radio-controlled timepiece, for example, 1:00 am when the radio wave condition becomes good is preset as an automatic correction time, and at 1:00 a.m. at first, standard radio wave reception and code analysis are performed.
If it is unable to read Japan Standard Time, it will receive the standard time signal and analyze the code every hour, and it will be set to repeat the reception and time reading up to 5 or 7 times until the time can be read. Things.

As shown in FIG. 5, for the control of the radio-controlled timepiece, first, an initial setting is performed (S111), and the second hand and the hour / minute hand are set to the zero position by the zero-return control (S113).
The reception of the standard time signal and the reading of the time (S115) are performed for several minutes, and further, it is determined whether or not the time for presetting the Japan Standard Time to the time counter has been read (S117), and it is determined that the time data has been read. At this time, the fast-forward correction that matches the hands with the value of the time counter (S11)
After performing step 9), the normal hand operation (S120) is performed in which the second hand is driven every one second and the hour and minute hands are driven one step every 10 seconds, which is the same as the conventional and the above-described embodiments. .

Further, the normal hand operation (S120) can be continued while repeating the judgment (S121) as to whether or not a predetermined automatic correction time set in advance by the initial setting has been reached. This is the same as the embodiment. And
When the automatic correction time comes, the standard time signal is received and code analysis is performed. When the standard time is decoded, the time is read out by presetting to a time counter and adjusting the time to 0 seconds (S123). It is determined whether or not the reading has been completed (S125). If the time reading has been completed, it is determined whether or not there is a difference between the current time in Japan Standard Time and the displayed time (S127). Performing display correction (S129) is the same as in the related art and the first embodiment.

However, when the Japanese Standard Time could not be read within the required time, the fact that the time could not be read is recorded (S141), and the number of times that the time could not be read is 5
It is determined whether or not the number of times is the maximum number of times such as seven times or seven times (S143). If the number of times is the maximum number of times, the record of the number of times that reading was not possible is cleared (S151) and the process returns to the normal hand operation (S120). If the maximum number of times has not been set, the automatic correction time is set again, such as one hour later (S145).

Therefore, when the time cannot be read even after the standard radio wave reception and the code analysis are performed at a predetermined time such as 1:00 am, the standard radio wave reception and the time read are repeated every hour, and a maximum of five times Alternatively, the reception of the standard radio wave and the reading of the time are repeated up to seven times so that the time is displayed accurately by the morning in accordance with the Japan Standard Time. or,
As described above, when the display is corrected (S129),
When it is determined that there is no time difference by determining whether there is a time difference (S127), the automatic correction time is set again (S127).
145), normal hand movement until the re-automatic correction time (S14
The determination (S149) of whether or not the automatic re-correction time has been reached is repeated while performing 7). Then, when the required time such as one hour has elapsed and the re-automatic correction time has been reached, it is determined whether or not the time reading for presetting the Japan Standard Time to the time counter at the time of the previous time reading and resetting the second counter and the like was performed. A determination is made (S122). When the time is not read, the process returns to the process of receiving the standard time signal and reading the time by code analysis (S123) again.
Also, if the previous reading of the Japan Standard Time was performed, the value of the time counter is decoded to transmit the pseudo standard radio wave (S
135) is performed for the required time, the record of the number of times that the time cannot be read is cleared (S151), and the normal hand operation (S12) is performed.
0), the determination (S121) as to whether or not the initially set automatic correction time has been reached is repeated, and the normal hand movement (S121) is performed.
120).

Therefore, this radio-controlled timepiece receives the standard radio wave and reads the time based on the code analysis at the time of the automatic correction according to the initial setting, such as once a day.
If it is not possible to preset the Japan Standard Time to the time counter within the required time such as about a minute, it repeats the automatic correction of receiving the standard time signal and reading the time again after a predetermined time such as one hour later. When the time reading for presetting the Japan Standard Time to the time counter is performed, the pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted for a required time at the time of re-automatic correction which is the next automatic correction time.

The transmission of the pseudo standard radio wave is performed only once, and once the radio wave is transmitted (S135), the standard radio wave is received and the time is read at the automatic correction time set by the initial setting (S123). It is to return to. As described above, the radio-controlled timepiece that receives the standard radio wave and reads the time intensively at midnight (S123), and transmits the pseudo standard radio wave only once while making the time displayed by the hands accurate, reduces the battery consumption. It is possible to cause at least as many radio-controlled clocks to display accurate time.

Therefore, when installing the radio-controlled timepiece, if the same radio-controlled timepiece is already installed nearby, the newly installed radio-controlled timepiece is difficult to receive the standard radio wave from the transmitting station. Even if the location is a place where the pseudo standard radio wave transmitted from the existing radio-controlled timepiece can be correctly received, correct time display can be performed by re-automatic correction and accurate display can be continued.

The forced output switch 55 is a changeover switch.
In addition to the switching of 51 and the operation of the transmission oscillator 41, a time code is formed from the value of the time counter to transmit the pseudo standard radio wave only for the required time. When installing near the radio-controlled clock, even if the newly installed clock body cannot receive the standard radio wave from the transmitting station, operate the reset switch 19 of the newly installed clock body, and By operating a compulsory switch of the radio-controlled timepiece, a pseudo-standard radio wave is output from the radio-controlled timepiece and the time of a newly installed clock body can be set.

Further, the radio-controlled timepiece reads the Japan Standard Time by receiving the standard radio wave and analyzing the code, and when transmitting the pseudo standard radio wave, forms a new time code signal from the count value of the time counter. Since the signal is transmitted on a carrier wave of 40 kHz, a pseudo standard radio wave can be transmitted by a time code signal containing no noise.

Therefore, unlike the case where the standard radio wave from the transmitting station is simply amplified, the radio-controlled timepiece that receives the pseudo standard radio wave reproduces the time code signal due to noise during processing such as 1-second synchronization and code analysis. There is an advantage that the reading of the time can be easily performed. The above control example is an analog timepiece in which the hands are driven by the second hand motor 25 or the hour / minute hand motor 27, but a digital value that displays the time on a liquid crystal display device or the like using a decode driver with the value of a time counter is used. Even if it is a timepiece, it also receives a standard radio wave, and when reading the time, it sends a pseudo standard radio wave,
Similarly, it is possible to cause other radio-controlled timepieces to display accurate time.

When the accuracy of the crystal oscillation circuit 17 for forming the clock signal of the microcomputer 11 as the control means is high, the interval of the automatic correction time is increased, and the automatic correction is performed once every several days. In some cases, the pseudo standard radio wave is transmitted while the time display is maintained.

[0073]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting means capable of forming a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as a standard radio wave. This is a radio-controlled timepiece having control means for transmitting a corresponding pseudo-standard radio wave.

Therefore, this radio-controlled timepiece can be used even when it is difficult to correctly receive a standard radio wave from a transmitting station when the same radio-controlled timepiece is already installed.
If it is a position that can receive radio waves from other radio-controlled watches, this radio-controlled watch can be installed and expanded, and the correct time can be read by using pseudo-standard radio waves from other radio-controlled watches to maintain the correct time display. Thus, the radio-controlled timepiece can be a radio-controlled timepiece in which the installation location is rarely limited as the installation location of the radio-controlled timepiece.

Further, since the radio wave generation time is set in advance, by limiting the number of transmissions, it is possible to prevent an increase in power consumption. Further, the present invention according to claim 2 has transmitting means capable of forming a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as the standard radio wave, and when the standard radio wave is received and the time is read at the automatic correction time, the next time. When the automatic correction time activates the transmitting means for the required time to transmit the pseudo standard radio wave, and when the standard time reception and analysis for the required time at the automatic correction time fail to read the Japan Standard Time. Is a radio-controlled timepiece having control means for repeatedly receiving a standard radio wave and reading the time at the next automatic correction time.

Therefore, this radio-controlled timepiece can be used even when it is difficult to correctly receive a standard radio wave from a transmitting station when the same radio-controlled timepiece is already installed.
If it is a position that can receive radio waves from other radio-controlled watches, this radio-controlled watch can be installed and expanded, and the correct time can be read by using pseudo-standard radio waves from other radio-controlled watches to maintain the correct time display. Thus, the radio-controlled timepiece can be a radio-controlled timepiece in which the installation location is rarely limited as the installation location of the radio-controlled timepiece.

Further, the present invention according to claim 3 comprises a plurality of radio-controlled timepieces, each of which has a transmitting means capable of forming a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as the standard radio wave, A clock body having control means for transmitting a pseudo standard radio wave from said transmitting means in accordance with a past reception time of a standard radio wave at a preset radio wave generation time, wherein the radio wave generation time of each radio-corrected clock is different. Is set as the time display system set to the time.

Therefore, since the time display system is a combination of a plurality of radio-controlled clocks having different generation times of the pseudo-standard radio wave, if one radio-controlled clock receives the standard radio wave from the transmitting station, the pseudo-standard radio wave is generated. The time can be read more accurately, and the display of the accurate time can be maintained in all clock bodies. At the same time, the number of clock bodies transmitting the pseudo standard radio wave can be reduced, and the radio wave correction clock for reading the time can easily and reliably perform the reception analysis of the pseudo standard radio wave.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a circuit block of a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an overall control operation of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing an overall control operation of a radio-controlled timepiece according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a time chart illustrating an overall control operation of a radio-controlled timepiece according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an overall control operation of a radio-controlled timepiece according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit block of a conventional radio-controlled timepiece.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the overall control operation of a conventional radio-controlled timepiece.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a code format of a Japanese standard radio wave.

FIG. 9 is a time chart illustrating an example of a radio wave analysis process in a conventional radio-controlled timepiece.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 11 microcomputer 13 bar antenna 15 reception demodulation means 17 crystal oscillation circuit 19 reset switch 21 movement 23 motor drive buffer 25 second hand motor 27 hour and minute hand motor 31 second hand sensor 33 hour and minute hand sensor 41 transmission oscillator 43 amplifier 45 modulation Switch 47 Output driver 49 Coupling capacitor 51 Changeover switch 55 Forced output switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] A transmitting means for generating a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as that of the standard radio wave, wherein the transmitting means generates a pseudo standard radio wave at a preset radio wave generation time in accordance with the reception status of the past standard radio wave. A radio-controlled timepiece having control means for transmitting a signal. 2. A transmission means capable of forming a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as the standard radio wave. When the standard time is received and the standard time is read by code analysis at the automatic correction time, the next automatic correction is performed. At the time, the transmitting means is operated for the required time to transmit the pseudo standard radio wave, and when the standard time cannot be read even when the standard time is received and analyzed for the required time at the automatic correction time, the next time, the next time. A radio-controlled timepiece having control means for repeatedly receiving a standard radio wave and reading the standard time by analysis at the automatic correction time. 3. A radio-controlled timepiece comprising a plurality of radio-controlled timepieces, each radio-controlled timepiece having transmission means capable of forming a time code signal having the same carrier frequency as a standard radiowave, A clock body having control means for transmitting a pseudo standard radio wave from the transmitting means according to the reception status of the standard radio wave, wherein the radio wave generation time of each radio wave correction clock is set to a different time. Time display system.