Pointer display device, clock, and pointer motion control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a pointer display device and a pointer motion control method that make it easier to distinguish the display state of a pointer. The pointer display device includes a pointer that moves within a certain motion range and a processor that controls the pointer motion. In a first display mode in which the pointer displays certain display content, the processor causes the pointer's retraction state to differ from its retraction state in modes other than the first display mode during a retraction motion, wherein the retraction motion temporarily retracts the pointer from a certain indication range.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application; the application number of its parent case is "2021102039190", and the name of the invention is "Pointer display device and pointer movement control method".

[0002] This application claims priority based on patent application No. 2020-029160 filed in Japan on February 25, 2020, and incorporates the entire contents of that basic application into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The technical field relates to a pointer display device, a clock, and a pointer movement control method. Background Art

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-273545

[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-273545 discloses a technique for temporarily comparing an upper pointer at a position away from a lower display range to confirm a lower display. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This embodiment is a pointer display device having:

[0007] Pointers, which act within a certain range of motion; and

[0008] a processor that controls the actions of the aforementioned pointers,

[0009] In the first display mode in which the pointer performs display of a certain display content, the processor makes the retraction state of the pointer in the retraction action different from the retraction state of the pointer in a mode other than the first display mode, wherein the retraction action is an action to temporarily retract the pointer from a certain indication range. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a front view of an electronic timepiece serving as the pointer display device according to this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of an electronic timepiece.

[0012] Figure 3 2 is a diagram showing an example of display of the measured time during diving.

[0013] Figure 4A This is a diagram illustrating an example of pointer retreat. Figure 4B This is a diagram illustrating an example of pointer retreat.

[0014] Figure 5A1 is a diagram showing an example of backoff during execution of the diving time measurement function. Figure 5B 1 is a diagram showing an example of backoff during execution of the diving time measurement function.

[0015] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing the control steps of a hand retraction control process executed by the electronic timepiece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a front view of an electronic timepiece 1 serving as a pointer display device according to this embodiment.

[0018] The electronic timepiece 1 includes a case 5 , a display screen 6 located in the center of the case 5 , push button switches B1 and B2 located on the side surface of the case 5 , a crown C1 , and the like.

[0019] The housing 5 has a cylindrical shape, open at the top and bottom. The bottom of the housing 5 is sealed by a bottom cover (not shown). The display panel 7 and a light-transmitting (usually transparent) windshield glass (not shown) covering the upper surface of the display panel 7 are located on the upper surface. The control board (not shown), the drive mechanism that operates the hands, and the battery are located between the bottom cover and the display panel 7.

[0020] The display plate 7 has markings (time characters) and scales indicating the time arranged at intervals along its periphery. Furthermore, the display plate 7 has a small window 71 at the 3 o'clock position indicated by the time characters, a small window 72 at the 7:30 position, and a small window 73 at the 10:30 position.

[0021] Arranged between the display panel 7 and the windshield are the hour hand 11 (first hand), minute hand 12 (second hand), and second hand 13 (third hand) (collectively referred to as a plurality of hands), which rotate about the approximate center of the display panel 7 (within a certain display range). A functional hand 14 rotates about the approximate center of the small window 71; an hour hand 15 and small minute hand 16 rotate about the approximate center of the small window 72; and a 24-hour hand 17 rotates about the approximate center of the small window 73. Hereinafter, some or all of the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, second hand 13, functional hand 14, hour hand 15, small minute hand 16, and 24-hour hand 17 may be collectively referred to as hands 11 to 17.

[0022] The hour hand 11, minute hand 12, and second hand 13 normally display the current time (also called the base time) at the current position (an example of the time display mode, a second display mode). When displaying the current time, the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, and second hand 13 display hours, minutes, and seconds, respectively (displaying different units of measurement). Furthermore, when the stopwatch is operating, i.e., measuring elapsed time, the hour, minute, and second display of elapsed time can also be displayed, or minutes, seconds, and fractions of a second can be displayed. Although not particularly limited, in the electronic timepiece 1, the second hand 13 is the thinnest of the hands 11-13, and the hour hand 11 is the thickest.

[0023] Around the perimeter of the small window 71 are arranged seven indicators indicating the day of the week and four indicators indicating the functional modes (here). When displaying the current time, the function hand 14 indicates any one of the day indicators to indicate the current day of the week. Indicators indicating functional modes include, for example, "ALM," "STW," "TID," and "DIV," which respectively indicate an alarm notification action at a specific time, a stopwatch action for counting elapsed time, a tidal display action, and a dive time measurement action for measuring elapsed time during a dive. When any of these functional actions is being executed, the function hand 14 indicates the indicator indicating the currently executing functional action.

[0024] Around the perimeter of the small window 72 are markers corresponding to the time display. The hour hand 15 and small minute hand 16, for example, display the world clock function when the hands 11-13 are displaying the current time. They also display the current hour and minute while other functions are in progress. The world clock function displays the current time (local time) in a pre-set time zone (or, alternatively, a city corresponding to each time zone). For example, the time zone or city can be set by placing markers for cities or time differences around the perimeter of the display screen 6 and using a hand, such as the second hand 13, to indicate these.

[0025] Around the periphery of the small window 73, there are arranged 24-hour marks, and the 24-hour hand 17 displays the current 24 hours. In addition, the 24-hour hand 17 can also display a longer time than the hour hand 11 during the stopwatch action and the diving time measurement action.

[0026] The push button switches B1 and B2 and the crown C1 constitute the operation receiving unit 47 (see Figure 2 ) is a structure that accepts external input operations. Pushbutton switches B1 and B2 output electrical signals in response to pressing. Crown C1 can be pulled out, pressed back, and rotated, outputting electrical signals corresponding to the type of operation. Crown C1 can also be configured to be rotated only when pulled out from its initial position.

[0027] Figure 2 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic timepiece 1 .

[0028] In addition to the above-mentioned hour hand 11, minute hand 12, second hand 13, function hand 14, hour hand 15, small minute hand 16 and 24-hour hand 17, the electronic timepiece 1 also includes a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit) (control unit), a memory 42, an oscillation circuit 44, a frequency division circuit 45, a timing circuit 46 (timing unit), an operation receiving unit 47, a notification action unit 48, a drive circuit 49, stepping motors 51 to 55, 57 and a gear train mechanism 31 to 35, 37.

[0029] The CPU 41 is a processor that performs various calculations and centrally controls the overall operation of the electronic timepiece 1. In the normal time display mode, the CPU 41 displays the time corresponding to the date and time calculated by the timekeeping circuit 46 using hands 11-13 and displays the day of the week using function hand 14. Furthermore, the CPU 41 calls and executes programs that control various functions, such as the stopwatch function, alarm notification function, tide display function, and dive time measurement function.

[0030] The memory 42 stores various data. The memory 42 includes, for example, non-volatile memory and volatile RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory is not particularly limited, and a flash memory can be cited as an example. It stores programs and setting data related to the operation control of the electronic timepiece 1. In addition, the setting data or the program may include information on the retraction target position in the pointer retraction action described below, as well as data on the surface rest time determined based on the diving time and maximum depth measured in the diving time measurement action. The RAM provides storage space for operations to the CPU 41, storing temporary data and updateable setting data. In addition, data that can be read, written, and updated can include schedule table data that stores whether one or more alarm notification actions are to be executed and the time of execution.

[0031] Part or all of the CPU 41 and the memory 42 can be formed and arranged on a single IC chip (control substrate, microcomputer) or the like.

[0032] The oscillation circuit 44 generates a certain frequency signal and outputs it to the frequency dividing circuit 45. As the oscillation circuit 44, a crystal oscillator or the like can be used, for example.

[0033] The frequency dividing circuit 45 divides the frequency signal input from the oscillation circuit 44 and converts it into a frequency signal (clock signal) used for the operation of the CPU 41 and outputs it. The frequency of the conversion target can also be changed according to a control command from the CPU 41 or the like.

[0034] The timer circuit 46 counts and maintains the current date and time (at least the time) based on the clock signal input from the frequency divider circuit 45. The date and time maintained by the timer circuit 46 may be numerically counted in a format unique to the electronic timepiece 1, or may be maintained in the form of year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, based on a reference date and time such as the UTC date and time. Furthermore, the time and time counting operation of the timer circuit 46 may be substantially performed by the CPU 41.

[0035] The operation reception unit 47 detects the pressed states of the push switches B1 and B2 and the pulling-out operation, the rotating operation, and the pushing-back operation of the crown C1 , converts the detected signals into electrical signals, and outputs them to the CPU 41 .

[0036] The notification unit 48 performs a notification operation to the user based on a control signal from the CPU 41. The notification unit 48 includes, for example, a buzzer output unit that generates a buzzer sound and a vibration generator that generates vibrations. The buzzer output unit and the vibration generator can each use a known structure such as a piezoelectric element or a motor with a weight.

[0037] The drive circuit 49 drives each of the stepping motors 51 to 55 and 57 based on a control signal input from the CPU 41. At appropriate timings, it outputs drive voltage pulses with a pulse width that causes the rotor to rotate relative to the stator by a predetermined angle. The width of the drive voltage pulses can be adjusted appropriately based on the control signal from the CPU 41. The drive circuit 49 can also appropriately control the drive timing of the multiple stepping motors 51 to 55 and 57.

[0038] The stepping motor 51 rotates the hour hand 11 via the gear train mechanism 31, which is a combination of gears. One stepping operation of the stepping motor 51 rotates the hour hand 11 by, for example, 1 degree. This indicates that two minutes have passed on the BT display.

[0039] The stepping motor 52 rotates the minute hand 12 via the gear train mechanism 32. One stepping operation of the stepping motor 52 rotates the minute hand 12 by, for example, 1 degree. This indicates that 10 seconds have passed on the BT display.

[0040] The stepping motors 51 and 52 are not particularly limited, and may be fast-forwarded at equal speeds in the forward rotation direction (clockwise direction) and the reverse rotation direction (counterclockwise direction).

[0041] The stepping motor 53 rotates the second hand 13 via the gear train mechanism 33. Each stepping operation of the stepping motor 53 rotates the second hand 13 by, for example, 6 degrees. This indicates that one second has passed on the BT display.

[0042] The stepping motor 54 rotates the functional pointer 14 via the gear train mechanism 34. One stepping operation of the stepping motor 54 causes the pointer 14 to rotate by, for example, 1 degree.

[0043] The stepping motor 55 rotates the hour hand 15 and the small minute hand 16 in a coordinated manner via the gear train mechanism 35. With one stepping motion of the stepping motor 55, for example, the small minute hand 16 rotates 1 degree and the hour hand 15 rotates 1 / 12 of a degree. Thus, while the small minute hand 16 rotates 360 degrees, the hour hand 15 rotates 30 degrees, indicating the elapse of one hour.

[0044] The stepping motor 57 rotates the 24-hour hand 17 via the gear train mechanism 37. Each stepping movement of the stepping motor 57 rotates the 24-hour hand 17 by, for example, 1 degree. That is, in the BT display, the 24-hour hand 17 rotates once every 4 minutes, completing one rotation in 24 hours.

[0045] In addition, the electronic timepiece 1 may further include a measuring unit having sensors for measuring water depth (water pressure), direction (magnetic north), and gravity direction, and a lighting unit for illuminating the display screen 6 .

[0046] Next, the diving time measurement function (first display mode) will be described.

[0047] Figure 3 2 is a diagram showing an example of display of the measured time during diving.

[0048] Diving generally has the following characteristics: viewing conditions are poorer than when observing and confirming the display when using a normal stopwatch function; counted time does not become extremely long (less than 1-2 hours); and accuracy of less than a second is not required. To address these characteristics, the electronic timepiece 1 displays the elapsed minutes and seconds using the minute hand 12 and the second hand 13, and synchronizes the hour hand 11 with the minute hand 12, so that the two hands 11 and 12 indicate the same position, thereby displaying the duration of the dive (indicating certain display contents). This allows the user to accurately and quickly confirm the elapsed minutes (elapsed time) even under poor viewing conditions by using the direction indicated by the hour and minute hands 11 and 12. In this case, since the 24-hour hand 17 displays two hours per rotation, this also supports dives of one hour or more.

[0049] exist Figure 3The example shown shows the function hand 14 indicating the "DIV" symbol, indicating the dive time measurement function is in effect. With the current measured time at 5 minutes and 43 seconds, the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 both indicate 5 minutes and 40 seconds, and the second hand indicates 43 seconds. Furthermore, the 24-hour hand 17 is positioned between 0 and 6 o'clock, indicating that an hour has not yet elapsed. The hour hand 15 and small minute hand 16 display the current time in their current positions in the small aperture 72.

[0050] Furthermore, the diving time measurement function can not only measure the diving time but also switch to measure the surface interval time during and after diving by operating the push button switches B1 and B2.

[0051] Next, the retraction operation of the hands 11 to 13 will be described.

[0052] Since the hands 14 to 17 are displayed in the small windows 71 to 73 on the display panel 7 below the hands 11 to 13, it may be difficult to see the indications of the hands 11 to 13 depending on their positions. In the electronic timepiece 1, when a user wishes to see the indications of the hands 14 to 17, particularly the hands 15 and 16, the operation accepting unit 47 can temporarily (for example, for a few seconds to 10 seconds) retract some or all of the hands 11 to 13 from the display positions when a user wishes to see the indications of the hands 14 to 17, particularly the hands 15 and 16.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of pointer retreat.

[0054] exist Figure 4A In the middle of the current time display shown, the minute hand 12 overlaps the small window 72, making it difficult to see the world clock display of the hour hand 15 and the small minute hand 16. In this case, the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12 can be temporarily retracted from the small windows 71 to 73 (a certain indication range). The retraction range to which the hands 11 and 12 need to be retracted and the range or position of the retraction target can be predetermined. Here, the direction of 27 minutes and the position of 57 minutes can be set as the retraction target position (specific position). For example, it is also possible to retract to the direction with the largest or the sum of the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12, or the direction with the smaller movement time or number of movement steps.

[0055] Figure 4B In this case, the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 retreat toward the 57-minute mark, making the small aperture 72, hour hand 15, and small minute hand 16 easily visible. At this point, the second hand 13 can continue to display the seconds as normal. Generally, because the second hand 13 is thin and quickly passes through the small aperture of interest, it rarely obstructs the view. In other words, the retraction operation in this case can be performed by only a portion of the hands 11 and 12.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of backoff during execution of the diving time measurement function.

[0057] like Figure 5A As shown, even during the execution of the diving time measurement function, the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12 are sometimes located above the display of the small window display, here the hour hand 15 and the small minute hand 16 located in the small window 72.

[0058] In this case, since the hour and minute hands 11, 12 are initially positioned identically, it is impossible to distinguish whether they are in the retracted state or the normal measurement state at their predetermined positions. Therefore, during the retracting operation during the dive time measurement function, the current time display (outside the first display mode) differs from the retracted state. Here, not only the hour and minute hands 11, 12, but also the second hand 13 retracts to the same position (specific position).

[0059] like Figure 5B As shown, here, the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, and second hand 13 have all retracted to the 27-minute position. This allows the user to quickly identify the hand retraction operation during the dive time measurement. Furthermore, the retraction target position can be limited to a direction that does not occur during normal time display. Furthermore, if the zero-reset operation, which aligns the hands 11-13 with the 0 o'clock direction, has a different purpose (e.g., insufficient battery capacity), the 0 o'clock direction can be excluded from the retraction direction.

[0060] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing a control procedure performed by the CPU 41 in the hand retraction control process executed by the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment.

[0061] This pointer retraction control process is started when a pointer retraction instruction is acquired in each operation mode by the operation reception unit 47 receiving a certain input operation or the like.

[0062] When the hand retraction control process starts, the CPU 41 determines whether the second hand 13 is to be retracted based on the display content (step S101 ) The CPU 41 acquires the current indicated position of each hand to be retracted (step S102 ).

[0063] The CPU 41 determines the retreat target position and determines the retreat rotation direction and number of steps from the current position of each pointer to be retreated (step S103). In addition, the retreat target position can be changed according to the display mode. For example, in the small window 71, the day of the week and the function being executed are displayed, but there is almost no need to actually confirm the function being executed during use, so it can also be set so that the pointers 11 to 13 are not retreated from the small window 71 except for the display of the current date and time. The CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 49 to perform a retreat action of fast forward movement of the retreat rotation direction and number of steps corresponding to the above determination (step S104).

[0064] After the retreat action is completed, the CPU 41 waits for a predetermined time (step S105). In addition, in addition to waiting for a predetermined time, the end of the retreat action can also be carried out by accepting a certain input operation by the operation acceptance unit 47. After the retreat is completed, the CPU 41 obtains the predetermined reset position of each pointer (step S106). The CPU 41 determines the rotation direction and the number of movement steps of each pointer from the current retreat target position to the reset predetermined position (step S107). The processing of steps S106 and S107 can also be performed before the predetermined time passes in the processing of step S105. In the case where a certain input operation is accepted and the reset position also changes due to the reset timing being staggered, the CPU 41 can also re-perform the processing of steps S106 and S107.

[0065] The CPU 41 outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 49 to fast-forward each retracted hand to its reset position (step S108 ). The CPU 41 then terminates the hand retraction control process.

[0066] In summary, the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment includes hands such as the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, and second hand 13, and a CPU 41 for controlling the movement of these hands 11-13. When executing a dive time measurement function in which the hands 11-13 display certain information, such as the duration of a dive, the CPU 41 causes the hands 11-13 to be retracted during a retraction operation, which temporarily retracts the hands 11-12 from a certain indication range that overlaps with the small windows 71-73, to differ from the retraction state of the hands 11-13 during functions other than the dive time measurement function.

[0067] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-273545, filed in Japan, discloses a technique for temporarily comparing an upper pointer at a position away from the lower display area to confirm the lower display. However, in pointer display devices capable of switching between multiple displays, a problem arises: even if the pointer is uniformly retracted from the lower display position regardless of the characteristics of the displayed content, it is difficult to distinguish whether the pointer retraction indicates a normal or abnormal display state.

[0068] However, according to the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, by appropriately varying the retracted state according to the way the hands move, the user can more easily distinguish whether the hands are retracted, displaying normally, or in an abnormal display state.

[0069] Furthermore, the electronic timepiece 1 includes a plurality of hands 11-13, and the retracted state includes a case where only a portion of the hands 11-13, such as hands 11 and 12, are retracted. Specifically, when a portion of the hands, such as the second hand 13, does not obstruct viewing of the underlying display, there is no need to excessively move the hands, thereby increasing time and power consumption. Furthermore, it is sometimes easier for the user to understand that the retraction operation is proceeding normally when a portion of the hands continues to be displayed. By not uniformly retracting all of the hands 11-13, the display state can be more appropriately and easily discerned.

[0070] Furthermore, when the dive time measurement function is in operation, the CPU 41 causes the hands 11-13 to retract to specific positions. By also retracting the second hand 13, which normally barely obstructs other displays, to a specific position, the normal display state during the dive time measurement function, in which the hour and minute hands 11, 12 move synchronously, can be more clearly distinguished from the retracted state. Furthermore, other displays can be more clearly viewed underwater.

[0071] Furthermore, the specific positions of the hands 11 to 13 are identical. That is, by retracting the three hands 11 to 13 to the same position, the user can easily recognize that the hands 11 to 13 are performing a special action. In particular, the user can easily recognize that the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12, which were originally overlapping, have transitioned normally to the retracted state.

[0072] Furthermore, the plurality of hands 11 to 13 include an hour hand 11 , a minute hand 12 , and a second hand 13 . When the diving time measurement function is executed, the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12 synchronously indicate the same position.

[0073] Specifically, during the dive time measurement function, a special display operation is performed to synchronize the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 to indicate the same position. This allows the retraction operation used to reveal the display obscured by the hands 11-13 to be set differently from the normal retraction operation. This makes it easier to clearly indicate that the retraction of the hands 11-13 is normal and not abnormal. This is particularly true in situations where visibility is limited, such as underwater, but the user does not want to waste time checking the display. This allows the user to quickly verify that the retraction of the hands 11-13 is normal.

[0074] Furthermore, in the diving time measurement function, the CPU 41 displays the elapsed time in the direction indicated by both the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12. This allows the measured time to be displayed in minutes, making it easier to see when measuring a short period of time and the hourly display by the hour hand 11 is not important.

[0075] Furthermore, in a second display mode different from the dive time measurement function, such as the normal current time display, the CPU 41 displays different unit quantities using the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12. In other words, in this case, the retracted state display is easily understood simply by the movement of the hour and minute hands 11, 12 to their retracted positions. In contrast, in the dive time measurement function, the retracted state display is differentiated by, for example, the additional retraction of the second hand 13, allowing the user to easily understand that the retracted state corresponds to the normal display state.

[0076] Furthermore, the CPU 41 may cause the second hand 13 to continue the display operation in the second display mode instead of retreating it.

[0077] By maintaining the movement of one hand 13, the user is generally informed that the hand movement is not abnormal but rather an intentional temporary movement of the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 to their target retraction positions. In particular, because the second hand 13 is relatively thin, even if it does not retract, it is unlikely to obstruct the viewing of other displays. Furthermore, retraction is often performed after the display contents of the hands 11-13 are known, allowing for viewing of other displays. Therefore, even if the movement of the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 is temporarily suspended, there is no problem. However, since seconds continue to elapse during the retraction operation, the user can continue to receive the minimum necessary information.

[0078] Furthermore, the designated area designated as the retraction target is the area within which display actions are performed by pointers other than pointers 11 to 13, here the area within small windows 71 to 73, and this can be changed depending on the display mode. If the retraction target positions are limited to a uniform and relatively small number of positions, the retraction state can be easily indicated, but the retraction action may take longer depending on the situation. Therefore, by not excessively increasing the amount of retraction action, the retraction time can be extended without waste, allowing the user to quickly return to the normal display after briefly and easily viewing the required information.

[0079] Furthermore, the electronic device 100 includes a timer circuit 46 that counts the current time. During normal display of the current time, the CPU 41 uses hands 11-13 to display the current time counted by the timer circuit 46. In other words, the electronic device 100 can be an electronic timepiece. In electronic timepieces that display multiple functions, the display of the currently important current time can become an obstruction. Therefore, by controlling the hands 11-13 related to the time display to more appropriately retract according to the displayed content, more information can be efficiently displayed within the compact display screen 6, allowing the user to easily view and confirm the displayed content.

[0080] Furthermore, the pointer movement control method of this embodiment includes a retraction setting step. In a dive time measurement function in which the hands 11 to 13 display certain display content, such as the duration of a dive, the retraction setting step causes the retraction state of the hands 11 to 13 during the retraction operation to differ from the retraction state of the hands 11 to 13 in functions other than the dive time measurement function. The retraction operation is an operation in which the hands 11 and 12 are temporarily retracted from a certain indication range.

[0081] As can be seen from this, the pointers 11-13 are flexibly and clearly retracted relative to the operational status of the currently executed function. This allows the user to more easily discern whether the pointer display status is normal or abnormal. In particular, in situations where visibility is limited underwater but the user does not want to waste time checking the display, the user can quickly verify that the pointers 11-13 have been properly retracted.

[0082] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiment, the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 are overlapped and moved synchronously during the diving time measurement operation. However, two other hands, such as the minute hand 12 and the second hand 13, may be overlapped and moved synchronously.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the description is made assuming that the display screen 6 has three small windows 71 to 73 and is blocked by the movement of the pointers 11 to 13, but the display in the small window can also be a digital display based on the small display screen. Furthermore, the number of small windows is not limited to three. It can be four or more, or it can be two. Furthermore, the small window is not limited to a circular shape. For example, the small window can be semicircular or in the shape of an arc within a certain angle range, or it can be in a rectangular shape such as a rectangle. Furthermore, the position and size of the small window are not particularly limited to the range that can be retracted.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the pointers are retracted from the small windows 71 to 73 is described, but the present invention is not limited to the case where the pointers are retracted from all the small windows 71 to 73. The pointers 11 to 13 may be retracted only from the small window 72.

[0086] Furthermore, the retreat target position may not be limited to a predetermined predetermined position. As long as it is possible to retreat from the small windows 71 to 73, a position where the time required for retreat is shorter may be appropriately set as the retreat target position within the range in which retreat is possible. Furthermore, the retreat target positions of the pointers 11 to 13 may not be the same position. The retreat target position may also be determined in such a manner that the relative positional relationship of the pointers 11 to 13 becomes a predetermined position other than the same position (for example, arranged at angular intervals in a fixed order, etc.). Alternatively, the pointers 11 to 13 may retreat to the closer of the retreat positions of 27 minutes and 57 minutes, respectively.

[0087] Furthermore, while the above embodiment illustrates that the second hand 13 is continuously displayed during normal time display, which is an operation other than dive time measurement, it is also possible to display the on / off setting of the alarm notification operation and maintain the display during other display operations, such as the alarm time setting operation. In other words, in this case, the display operation of the second hand 13 continues, but no regular movement occurs. Even in such a display state, the retraction target position of the second hand 13 can be determined so that it is easily distinguishable from the stopped state of the second hand 13 during the retraction operation during dive time measurement. Furthermore, the display position of the on / off setting of the alarm notification operation is determined at a position that is easily distinguishable from the retraction target position of the second hand 13.

[0088] Furthermore, not limited to the measurement of diving time, when the display content is temporarily less than the number of hands, for example, when two hands are used to display the direction, the display operation mode can be switched to synchronize the two hands to display the same position.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pointer temporarily stops at a specific position outside a certain indication range in the retracted state, but the present invention is not limited to this. During the retracted state, the pointer may be continuously moved outside a certain indication range. For example, the pointer may be caused to reciprocate within a specific range outside a certain indication range a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the hands subject to retraction are the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, and second hand 13, but this is not limited to this. Four or more hands subject to retraction may also be provided. In this case, the number of hands that can be retracted is not limited to two or three, but may be four or more.

[0091] Furthermore, the number of pointers may be two or less. In the case of two pointers, in the retracted state, by switching the number of pointers moving outside the predetermined indication range to one or two, the display state of the pointers can be easily understood.

[0092] Furthermore, if there is only one pointer, in the retracted state, for example, the mode in which the pointer performs a predetermined motion outside of the indication range may be different from the mode in which the pointer indicates a specific position outside of the indication range, depending on the action mode, thereby clearly indicating the pointer's display state. For example, if the pointer indicated a certain position before the retracting action, the pointer may be caused to perform the aforementioned motion in the retracted state, and if the pointer has been moving regularly, the pointer may be caused to indicate the aforementioned specific position in the retracted state. This allows the user to easily discern the transition from the original display state to the retracted state.

[0093] Furthermore, while the above embodiment uses the electronic timepiece 1 as an example, other display devices capable of displaying multiple pointers are also possible. That is, the display object is not limited to the time or elapsed time. Various physical quantities measured by sensors, values ​​derived from these physical quantities, or stages determined by them can also be displayed. Furthermore, as with the aforementioned tidal conditions, the display can be determined based on the date and time, current location, and the like.

[0094] In addition, the specific configurations, contents of processing operations, steps, etc. shown in the above-mentioned embodiments can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0095] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

[0096] Hereinafter, the inventions described in the claims originally attached to the present application will be supplemented. The item numbers of the claims described in the supplementary notes are the same as the item numbers of the claims originally attached to the present application.

Claims

1. A pointer display device comprising: A plurality of pointers are driven to rotate about a first rotation axis and indicate first information within a first pointer range; a small hand that is driven to rotate about a second rotation axis different from the plurality of hands and indicates second information different from the first information within a second pointer range different from the first pointer range; and A control unit that controls the movements of the multiple pointers and the small needle. Operate in the first display mode and the second display mode, The pointer display device is characterized in that In the first display mode, the control unit moves the plurality of pointers in an overlapping state. When the control unit temporarily retracts one or more of the plurality of pointers from the second pointer range of the small hand, a retraction state of the one or more pointers differs between the first display mode and the second display mode.

2. The pointer display device according to claim 1, wherein: The retraction state includes a case where part of the plurality of pointers is retracted.

3. The pointer display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the first display mode, all of the plurality of pointers are moved.

4. The pointer display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the first display mode, the control unit moves the plurality of pointers to the same position.

5. The pointer display device according to claim 4, characterized in that In the first display mode, the control unit displays the elapsed time in the direction indicated by both the first pointer and the second pointer.

6. The pointer display device according to claim 5, characterized in that In the second display mode, the control unit displays different unit quantities using the first pointer and the second pointer.

7. The pointer display device according to claim 6, characterized in that: In the second display mode, the control unit controls the second pointer to continue displaying rather than retracting.

8. The pointer display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first display mode is a diving time measurement function, and the second display mode is a time display mode.

9. The pointer display device according to claim 8, characterized in that A timing unit for counting the current time is provided. In the time display mode, the control unit displays the current time counted by the timekeeping unit using the plurality of hands.

10. The pointer display device according to claim 1, wherein: When one or more of the plurality of pointers are temporarily retracted from the second pointer range of the small hand while the pointer display device is operating in the first display mode, one or more first number pointers are retracted. When the pointer display device is operated in the second display mode, when one or more pointers among the plurality of pointers are temporarily retracted from the second pointer range of the small hand, one or more pointers of a second number different from the first number are retracted.

11. The pointer display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of pointers are mounted on the first rotation shaft so as to move above the small pointer.

12. The pointer display device according to claim 1, wherein: When a predetermined operation by the user is accepted, one or more pointers among the plurality of pointers are temporarily retracted from the second pointer range of the small hand.

13. A timepiece, characterized in that: A pointer display device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is provided.

14. A pointer motion control method for a pointer display device having a plurality of pointers and small hands and operating in a first display mode and a second display mode, wherein: The plurality of pointers are driven to rotate about a first rotation axis and indicate first information within a first pointer range; the small pointer is driven to rotate about a second rotation axis different from the plurality of pointers and indicates second information different from the first information within a second pointer range different from the first pointer range. It is characterized by: The pointer motion control method includes the following steps: In the first display mode, the plurality of pointers are moved in an overlapping state; and When one or more of the plurality of pointers are temporarily retracted from the second pointer range of the small hand, the retracted state of the one or more pointers is different between the first display mode and the second display mode.

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