Display control device, display control method, and computer-readable recording medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a display control device, a display control method, and a computer-readable recording medium. The display control device differs in display mode between a first display mode and a second display mode. The first display mode displays elapsed time cumulatively, inheriting the previous display time when display is restarted, while the second display mode displays elapsed time cumulatively, without inheriting the previous display time when display is restarted.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application filed on February 23, 2021, with application number 202110204813.2 and invention name “Pointer control device and pointer control method”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a display control device and a display control method, and a computer-readable recording medium. Background Art

[0003] Diving watches, which are durable wristwatches capable of operating even in high-pressure environments, have become widespread. Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-534674 discloses an analog watch that displays time using hands. Some known diving watches have two display modes: a diving time mode and a rest time mode, and feature a function that switches between these modes to display the measured elapsed time.

[0004] The dive time display mode is used to display a diver's dive time. In this mode, the dive time display is cumulative. Specifically, even when the dive time display mode ends, the dive time is saved. When the dive time display mode is restarted, the dive time is measured and displayed starting from the last time it ended.

[0005] Meanwhile, the rest time display mode is used to display a diver's rest time. In this mode, the display is non-cumulative. Specifically, in this mode, the measured time is reset each time the display ends. When the rest time display mode is restarted, the rest time is measured and displayed starting from 0.

[0006] Divers must accurately understand their dive time and rest time. Therefore, in a dive watch with a dive time display mode and a rest time display mode, it is important for the diver to reliably determine which display mode is currently displaying the elapsed time. However, in the analog dive watch disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-534674, the display is limited, making it difficult for the diver to determine which display mode is currently being displayed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been completed in view of the above-mentioned actual situation, and its purpose is to provide a pointer control device and a pointer control method, in which, in a pointer control device that displays time by a pointer, a user can reliably determine whether the elapsed time is displayed cumulatively or non-cumulatively.

[0008] The first embodiment of the present invention provides a display control device, which makes the display mode different in a first display mode and a second display mode. The first display mode inherits the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner. The second display mode does not inherit the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner instead.

[0009] The second embodiment of the present invention provides a display control method, which makes the display mode different in the first display mode and the second display mode. The first display mode inherits the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner. The second display mode does not inherit the last display time when the display is restarted but displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner instead.

[0010] A third embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, wherein the program causes the computer to perform the following processing: making the display mode different in a first display mode and a second display mode, wherein the first display mode inherits the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time cumulatively, and the second display mode does not inherit the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time cumulatively instead.

[0011] According to the present invention, in a pointer control device that displays time using hands, a user can reliably determine whether the elapsed time is displayed cumulatively or non-cumulatively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is an external view of a dive watch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a diving watch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a diagram for explaining the elapsed time display process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the elapsed time display process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B This is a diagram (part 1) showing a display example of the main display unit during elapsed time display processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6A 、 Figure 6B This is a diagram (part 2) showing a display example of the main display unit during the elapsed time display process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of the main display unit during elapsed time display processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the main display unit during elapsed time display processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0021] Figure 1 This is an external view of a diver's watch 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The diver's watch 1 includes a water-resistant case 10 with a top surface made of tempered glass, and an operating unit 20 (push button switches 21-23) located on the side of the case 10. Inside the case 10 are a main display 30, a sub-display 40, a 24-hour display 50, and a mode selection unit 60, all visible through the tempered glass.

[0022] The main display unit 30 includes a dial 31 with markings and scales indicating the time, and hands (hour hand 32, minute hand 33, and second hand 34) rotatably mounted at the center of the dial 31. In clock mode, the hour hand 32, minute hand 33, and second hand 34 indicate the current time (hour, minute, and second). In diver mode, described later, the minute hand 33 indicates the measured elapsed time (dive time or rest time). The minute hand 33 is an example of the first hand of the present invention. Furthermore, in this case, the hour hand 32 and second hand 34 are controlled to operate differently depending on whether the dive time or rest time is being displayed. At least one of the hour hand 32 and second hand 34 is an example of the second hand of the present invention. Details of the display on the main display unit 30 in diver mode will be described later.

[0023] The sub-display 40 is positioned at the 8 o'clock position relative to the main display 30 and includes a dial 41 with markings and graduations indicating the time, and hands (hour hand 42 and minute hand 43) rotatably mounted in the center of the dial 41. In the sub-display 40, as in the main display 30, the hour hand 42 and minute hand 43 on the dial 41 indicate the current time (hour and minute). Furthermore, the sub-display 40 can also display the current time in a designated time zone.

[0024] The 24-hour display 50 is located at the 10 o'clock position on the main display 30 and includes a dial 51 with markings and graduations indicating the time, and a hand 52 rotatably mounted in the center of the dial 51. The hand 52 operates in conjunction with the hour hand 32 of the main display 30 to indicate the current time (hour), rotating once every 24 hours. Specifically, when the hour hand 32 of the main display 30 rotates twice (elapses 24 hours), the hand 52 rotates once.

[0025] The mode selection unit 60 is provided at the 3 o'clock position of the main display unit 30 and is used to select various modes of the diving watch 1. The mode selection unit 60 includes a dial 61 and a pointer 62 rotatably mounted at the center of the dial 61. Letters corresponding to the day of the week, letters corresponding to various modes, etc. are displayed at predetermined intervals around the dial 61. For example, ST, TR, AL, D, AT, STD, and DST on the dial correspond to the stopwatch mode, timer mode, alarm mode, diver mode, automatic mode, standard time mode, and daylight saving time mode, respectively. When the user of the diving watch 1, i.e., the diver, performs a specific operation from the operating unit 20, the pointer 62 rotates, and the diving watch 1 can be set to the mode corresponding to the letter indicated by the pointer 62. For example, in Figure 1 In the example, the hand 62 indicates D on the dial 61, and thus the diving watch 1 is set to the diver mode. In the normal watch mode, the hand 62 is controlled so as to indicate the letter corresponding to the current day of the week from the letters indicating the day of the week (SU, MO, TH, WE, TH, FR, SA).

[0026] Here, the diver mode, one of the modes of the diving watch 1, will be described. Diver mode is used by divers when diving or resting. Diver mode also includes a dive time display mode and a rest time display mode as sub-modes. The dive time display mode and the rest time display mode are switched each time the diver performs a specific operation on the operating unit 20.

[0027] The dive time display mode is a sub-mode for displaying a diver's dive time. In the dive time display mode, the measured dive time (in minutes) is indicated by the minute hand 33 of the main display unit 30. Furthermore, the dive time display in the dive time display mode is cumulative. Therefore, when the dive time display mode is switched from the dive time display mode to the rest time display mode, the dive time display ends. Thereafter, when the dive time display mode is restarted, the dive time display begins at the time the previous display ended. Furthermore, in the dive time display mode, the hour hand 32 moves in an overlapping manner with the minute hand 33. Therefore, in the dive time display mode, the hour hand 32 and minute hand 33 perform the same movements. Meanwhile, the second hand 34 performs the same movements as in the clock mode. The dive time display mode is an example of the first display mode of the present invention.

[0028] The rest time display mode is a sub-mode for displaying the rest time of the diver. In the rest time display mode, as in the dive time display mode, the minute hand 33 of the main display unit 30 indicates the measured rest time (minutes). In addition, the display of the rest time in the rest time display mode is performed in a non-cumulative manner. Therefore, if the rest time display mode is switched from the rest time display mode to the dive time display mode, the display of the rest time ends. After that, if the rest time display mode is restarted, the rest time displayed last is reset and the rest time is displayed starting from 0. In addition, in the rest time display mode, the second hand 34 rotates in the opposite direction to the normal direction (i.e., counterclockwise). On the other hand, the hour hand 32 performs the same action as in the clock mode. The rest time display mode is an example of the second display mode of the present invention.

[0029] Next, use Figure 2 The internal structure of the dive watch 1 will be described. As an internal structure, the dive watch 1 includes first to sixth stepping motors 71 to 76 , a drive circuit 77 , a timing circuit 81 , a communication unit 82 , a power supply unit 83 , and a control unit 90 .

[0030] The first to third stepping motors 71 to 73 drive the hour hand 32, minute hand 33, and second hand 34 of the main display unit 30 via one or more gears.

[0031] The third stepping motors 71 to 73 are driven so that they can each operate independently.

[0032] The fourth stepping motor 74 drives the hour hand 42 and minute hand 43 of the sub-display unit 40 via one or more gears. The fifth stepping motor 75 drives the pointer 52 of the 24-hour display unit 50 via one or more gears. The sixth stepping motor 76 drives the pointer 62 of the mode selection unit 60 via one or more gears.

[0033] The drive circuit 77 drives the first to sixth stepping motors 71 to 76 based on a command from the control unit 90 .

[0034] The timer circuit 81 includes an oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit, and other components to count the current time. The oscillator circuit uses a circuit that oscillates in combination with a resonator such as a quartz crystal. This circuit generates a unique frequency signal and outputs it to the frequency divider circuit. The frequency divider circuit divides the signal input from the oscillator circuit into a frequency signal and outputs it. The timer circuit 81 counts the number of times the predetermined frequency signal output from the frequency divider circuit occurs and adds this to the initial time to calculate the current time. Furthermore, the timer circuit 81 corrects the current time based on time information received from the communication unit 82.

[0035] The communication unit 82 receives time information. This information includes time information transmitted by GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and time information based on standard frequency time signals. The communication unit 82 is composed of a wireless communication module such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0036] The power supply unit 83 includes a transparent solar cell panel provided on the upper surface of the housing 10 , and supplies electric power to the diving watch 1 .

[0037] The control unit 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processor, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control unit 90 reads programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes them, thereby functioning as the elapsed time display unit 91 and the hand control unit 92.

[0038] The elapsed time display unit switches between a diving time display mode and a rest time display mode, and displays the elapsed time (diving time, rest time) corresponding to the switched display mode via the minute hand 33 .

[0039] The hand control unit 92 controls the hands of the diving watch. For example, the hand control unit 92 controls the movement of the hour hand 32 and the second hand 34 so that the movement patterns differ between the period of display in the diving time display mode and the period of display in the rest time display mode.

[0040] Next, use Figures 3 to 8B , an example is given to illustrate the operation of displaying the elapsed time of the diver's diving time and rest time in the diving table 1. Figure 3 As shown, the diver performs two dives and rests alternately from time t1 (10:00) to time t5 (11:15). During this period, the control unit 90 of the diving watch 1 executes Figure 4 The elapsed time display process is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Figures 5A to 8B Indicates the main display unit 30 of the diving watch 1 at any time point from time t1 to time t5. Figures 5A to 8B , the sub-display portion 40 , the 24-hour display portion 50 , and the mode selection portion 60 arranged on the main display portion 30 are not shown.

[0041] First, the diver operates the operating unit 20 of the diving watch 1 before time t1, and the pointer 62 of the mode selection unit 60 points to D on the dial 61. In response to this operation, the control unit 90 sets the diving watch 1 to the diver mode ( Figure 4 , step S10).

[0042] Next, at time t1, the diver operates the operating unit 20 to switch the sub-mode to the dive time display mode and begins diving. In response to this operation, the control unit 90 switches the sub-mode to the dive time display mode, starts measuring the dive time from 0 minutes, and displays the measured dive time with the minute hand 33 (step S20).

[0043] Figure 5A This figure shows the main display unit 30 immediately after switching to the dive time display mode at time t1. No dive time was measured before the start time of the first dive, so the minute hand 33 indicates 0 minutes. Furthermore, the hour hand 32 is controlled to overlap with the minute hand 33. Subsequently, during the dive time display mode, the control unit 90 controls the minute hand 33 to display the measured dive time in minutes and controls the hour hand 32 to maintain its overlap with the minute hand 33. In other words, during the dive time display mode, the hour hand 32 and minute hand 33 perform the same movements. Furthermore, the second hand 34, similar to the clock mode, is controlled to rotate clockwise once every 60 seconds during the dive time display mode.

[0044] Then, when the diver at time t2 (10:20) Figure 5B When the display confirms that the dive time has reached 20 minutes, the diver ends the first dive and ascends to the surface. The diver then operates the operating unit 20 to switch the sub-mode to the rest time display mode and rests. In response to this operation, the control unit 90 switches the sub-mode to the rest time display mode, starts measuring the rest time from 0 minutes, and displays the measured rest time on the minute hand 33 (step S30). Furthermore, the control unit 90 stores the measured dive time of 20 minutes in RAM, etc.

[0045] Figure 6A The main display unit 30 is shown immediately after switching to the rest time display mode at time t2. Since it is the rest start time, the minute hand 33 indicates 0 minutes. Subsequently, during the rest time display mode, the control unit 90 controls the minute hand 33 so that the measured rest time is displayed in minutes. Furthermore, during the rest time display mode, the control unit 90 controls the second hand 34 so that it rotates counterclockwise once every 60 seconds, as indicated by the dotted arrow in the figure. Similarly, as in the clock mode, the hour hand 32 is controlled to indicate the current hour.

[0046] Then, at time t3 (10:30), if the diver Figure 6B The displayed display confirms that the rest time has reached 10 minutes, and the rest time is ended. The diver then operates the operating unit 20 to switch the sub-mode to the dive time display mode and begins a second dive. In response to this operation, the control unit 90 switches the sub-mode to the dive time display mode, begins measuring the dive time from the first dive time, i.e., 20 minutes, and displays the measured dive time with the minute hand 33 (step S40).

[0047] Figure 7A This shows the main display 30 immediately after switching to the dive time display mode at time t3. Since it is the start time of the second dive, the minute hand 33 indicates the last measured dive time, 20 minutes, and the hour hand 32 overlaps with the minute hand 33. Subsequently, the minute hand 33 is controlled to indicate the dive time measured by adding the remaining 20 minutes. Furthermore, the hour hand 32 is controlled to overlap with the minute hand 33, and the second hand 34 is controlled to rotate clockwise, similar to the clock mode.

[0048] Then, when the diver at time t4 (11:00) Figure 7B When the displayed display confirms that the second dive time has reached 30 minutes (the total dive time with the first dive time is 50 minutes), the diver ends the second dive and ascends to the surface. The diver then operates the operating unit 20 to switch the sub-mode to the rest time display mode and rests. In response to this operation, the control unit 90 switches the sub-mode to the rest time display mode, starts measuring the rest time from 0 minutes, and displays the measured rest time on the minute hand 33 (step S50).

[0049] Figure 8A This shows the main display unit 30 immediately after switching to the rest time display mode at time t4. Unlike the dive time display mode, in the rest time display mode, the measured time is reset each time measurement is started, so the minute hand 33 indicates 0 minutes. Thereafter, during the rest time display mode, the control unit 90 controls the minute hand 33 to display the measured rest time in minutes and controls the second hand 34 to rotate counterclockwise once every 60 seconds.

[0050] Then, when the diver at time t5 (11:15) Figure 8B When the display shows that the second rest time has reached 15 minutes, the rest period ends. The diver then operates the pointer 62 of the mode selection unit 60 from the operating unit 20 to end the diver mode. In response to this operation, the control unit 90 ends the diver mode (step S60) and controls the hour hand 32, minute hand 33, and second hand 34 of the main display unit 30 to indicate the current time. This concludes the elapsed time display process.

[0051] Thus, the diving watch 1 of this embodiment has two display modes: a dive time display mode that displays elapsed time cumulatively and a rest time display mode that displays elapsed time non-cumulatively. In both display modes, the minute hand 33 displays the measured time. Meanwhile, the hour hand 32 and second hand 34 behave differently when displayed in the dive time display mode and when displayed in the rest time display mode. Specifically, when displayed in the dive time display mode, the hour hand 32 is controlled to overlap with the minute hand 33, but this control is not performed when displayed in the rest time display mode. Furthermore, when displayed in the dive time display mode, the second hand 34 is controlled to rotate clockwise, like a conventional clock, but when measuring in the rest time display mode, the second hand 34 is controlled to rotate counterclockwise. Therefore, based on these differences in the movement of the hour hand 32 and second hand 34, a diver can reliably determine whether the elapsed time is being displayed cumulatively (dive time display) or non-cumulatively (rest time display). Furthermore, even when the time is displayed in the dive time display mode or the rest time display mode, the diver can still know the current time using the sub-display 40. Divers must accurately understand their dive time and rest time. Therefore, in a dive watch with both a dive time display mode and a rest time display mode, it is important for the diver to reliably determine which display mode is currently displaying the elapsed time. However, in the analog dive watch disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-534674, the display is limited, making it difficult for the diver to determine which display mode is currently being displayed.

[0052] According to the present embodiment, in a pointer control device that displays time using hands, a user can reliably determine whether the elapsed time is displayed cumulatively or non-cumulatively.

[0053] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0054] For example, the manner in which the hour hand 32 and second hand 34 of the main display unit 30 are made to move differently between the dive time display mode and the rest time display mode is arbitrary and can be adopted in various forms. For example, the movement of the hour hand 32 and second hand 34 in the dive time display mode and the rest time display mode may be reversed from that in the above embodiment.

[0055] Furthermore, the movement speeds of the hour hand 32 and the second hand 34 may be different between the dive time display mode and the rest time display mode. Furthermore, the second hand 34 may be moved continuously in one display mode (continuous second hand) and moved in steps of one to several seconds in the other display mode (stepped second hand).

[0056] For example, in the above embodiment, the diving time and rest time are displayed by the minute hand 33 of the main display unit 30 in the diving time display mode and the rest time display mode. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and these times may be displayed by the hour hand 32 or the second hand 34.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the dive time display mode and the rest time display mode are described as sub-modes of the diver mode. However, the diver may directly select the dive time display mode and the rest time display mode from the mode selection unit 60 without going through the diver mode.

[0058] Alternatively, the diving watch 1 may have the functions of an air pressure gauge and a water pressure gauge, and in the diver mode, determine whether the diver is diving based on these measured values, and automatically switch between the dive time display mode and the rest time display mode based on the determination result, so as to measure the dive time and rest time.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described diving watch 1. The present invention is applicable to pointer control devices such as all clocks that have cumulative display modes and non-cumulative display modes and display time using pointers.

[0060] The present invention can be implemented in various embodiments and variations without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is represented by the scope of the patent application rather than the embodiment. Moreover, various variations implemented within the scope of the patent application and the meaning of inventions equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0061] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the present invention includes inventions described in the scope of claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display control device, characterized in that: The display methods are different in the first display mode and the second display mode. The first display mode inherits the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner. The second display mode does not inherit the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner. The display mode is the movement mode of the pointer.

2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The display control device includes a processor, The pointers include a first pointer and a second pointer, The processor displays the elapsed time by at least the first pointer controlled by the processor, and controls the movement of the second pointer so that the movement manner is different during the display in the first display mode and during the display in the second display mode.

3. The display control device according to claim 2, wherein: The processor causes the second pointer to move in a different direction during display in the first display mode and during display in the second display mode.

4. The display control device according to claim 2, wherein: The processor performs first control so that the second pointer overlaps the first pointer in display in one of the first display mode and the second display mode, and does not perform the first control in the other display mode.

5. The display control device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The processor makes the movement speed of the second pointer different between a period of display in the first display mode and a period of display in the second display mode.

6. The display control device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The processor causes the second pointer to continuously move during display in one of the first display mode and the second display mode, and causes the second pointer to move stepwise at predetermined time intervals in the other display mode.

7. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein: The first display mode is a display mode for displaying the dive time of the diver, The second display mode is a display mode for displaying the rest time of the diver.

8. The display control device according to claim 7, wherein: The first display mode and the second display mode belong to a diver mode.

9. The display control device according to claim 7, wherein: The display control device has a barometer or a water pressure gauge, In the first display mode, whether the diver is diving is determined based on the measured value of the barometer or the water pressure gauge, and the first display mode and the second display mode are switched based on the determination result to measure the elapsed time.

10. The display control device according to claim 2, wherein: The first pointer is a minute hand, and the second pointer is at least one of an hour hand and a second hand.

11. The display control device according to claim 10, wherein: In the first display mode, the hour hand and the minute hand move in an overlapping manner and perform the same action.

12. A display control method, characterized in that: The display methods are different in the first display mode and the second display mode. The first display mode inherits the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner. The second display mode does not inherit the last display time when the display is restarted but displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner. The display method is the movement method of the pointer.

13. A computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, characterized in that: The program causes the computer to execute the following processing: The display methods are different in the first display mode and the second display mode. The first display mode inherits the last display time when the display is restarted and displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner. The second display mode does not inherit the last display time when the display is restarted but displays the elapsed time in a cumulative manner. The display method is the movement method of the pointer.

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