Timepiece, display control method and computer program product

Abstract

The present invention provides a timepiece characterized by comprising: a first display unit having hands; a second display unit; a solar cell panel disposed at a position where external light can be shielded by the pointer at which the time is being displayed; and a control unit that controls operation modes of the first display unit and the second display unit, the control unit switching the operation modes between a first mode in which a time is displayed by the pointer of the first display unit and a second mode in which a time is displayed by the pointer of the second display unit. In the second mode, the pointer is retracted to a predetermined retracted position at which the outside light shielded by the pointer is less than in the first mode, and the time is displayed by the second display unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece, a display control method and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] Conventional watches, such as those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-57366, can charge secondary batteries using electricity generated by solar panels. In such watches, when the shadows cast by hands such as the hour and minute hands are cast on the solar panels, power generation efficiency decreases. Therefore, a technique is known in which, when the remaining battery charge is low, the hands are retracted to a position where the solar panel's power generation efficiency is less likely to decrease, thereby efficiently charging the secondary battery.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology has a problem in that the time cannot be displayed while the hands are retracted. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a clock is characterized in that it comprises: a first display unit having a pointer; a second display unit; a solar panel, which is arranged at a position where external light can be blocked by the pointer that is displaying the time; and a control unit, which controls the operation modes of the first display unit and the second display unit, the control unit switching the operation mode between a first mode and a second mode, in which the time is displayed by the pointer of the first display unit in the first mode, and in which the pointer is retreated to a specified retreat position where the external light blocked by the pointer is less than that in the first mode, and the time is displayed by the second display unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of an electronic watch.

[0006] Figure 2 It is a plan view showing a first display unit, a second display unit, a third display unit, etc. of the electronic timepiece.

[0007] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic watch in section AA.

[0008] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic timepiece operating in the second mode.

[0009] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing the control steps of the operation mode control process.

[0010] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining a method for determining a retreat position in Modification 1.

[0011] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of temporal changes in the electromotive force of the solar panel when the hands make one rotation.

[0012] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing an electronic timepiece according to a second modification example operating in the second mode.

[0013] Figure 9 It is a front view of the electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 10 This is a front view of the electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment operating in the second mode.

[0015] Figure 11 It is a front view of another electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 12 This is a front view of another electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment operating in the second mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] (First embodiment)

[0019] <Structure of electronic watch>

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of an electronic watch 1 (timepiece). The electronic watch 1 is a wristwatch (wearable device) worn on a user's wrist using a strap (not shown). The electronic watch 1 includes a first display unit 10, a second display unit 20, a third display unit 30, a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 42 (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 43, a timekeeping unit 50, an operating unit 61, a motion sensor 62, a solar panel 71, a secondary battery 72, and a charging control unit 73. The various components of the electronic watch 1 are connected via a communication path such as a bus and operate using power supplied by the secondary battery 72.

[0021] Figure 21 is a top view showing the first display unit 10, the second display unit 20 and the third display unit 30 of the electronic watch 1. The first display unit 10 has an hour hand 11, a minute hand 12 and a second hand 13 that rotate around a rotation axis 101 located at the center of the circular dial 81. Hereinafter, the hour hand 11, the minute hand 12 and the second hand 13 are collectively referred to as pointers 11 to 13. The first display unit 10 displays the time in an analog manner through the pointers 11 to 13. The second display unit 20 is arranged on the 6 o'clock direction side of the rotation axis 101. The second display unit 20 has a segmented liquid crystal panel that digitally displays information such as time, date, and day of the week. The third display unit 30 is arranged on the upper right side of the rotation axis 101 (on the 1:30 direction side). The third display unit 30 has a segmented liquid crystal panel that displays a second segment 31 indicating the passage of seconds, a retreat position mark 32 described later (see Figure 4 )wait.

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic watch 1 in section AA. Figure 3 The structure shown is also housed in a housing (not shown), and the opening on the display surface side of the housing is sealed by a transparent windshield (not shown). The electronic watch 1 has a module 82 that stores a structure for operating the first display unit 10, the second display unit 20, and the third display unit 30. The pointers 11 to 13 rotate independently according to the rotation of the rotation shaft 101 installed on the module 82. The solar cell panel 71 and the dial 81 are stacked in sequence on the surface of the pointers 11 to 13 side (display surface side) of the module 82. The dial 81 is provided with Figure 2 The decorative components, such as the logo 811 shown, are formed by a light-transmitting member (a translucent member) as a portion other than the decorative components, forming a light-transmitting portion 810. Therefore, external light that passes through the light-transmitting portion 810 of the dial 81 enters the solar cell panel 71. Alternatively, the decorative components may be translucent.

[0023] Hereinafter, the situation of observing the electronic watch 1 from the direction perpendicular to the solar cell panel 71 (the extending direction of the rotation axis 101) will be referred to as a top view. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the area where the solar cell panel 71 and the dial 81 overlap with the second display unit 20 in a plan view becomes an opening. Figure 3 Although not shown in the figure, the area where the solar panel 71 and the dial 81 overlap with the third display unit 30 when viewed from above also becomes an opening. That is, the solar panel 71 is provided in an area that does not overlap with the second display unit 20 and the third display unit 30 when viewed from above. Figure 2In the figure, the area where the solar panel 71 is installed is colored. Since the hands 11-13 rotate on the solar panel 71, the hands 11-13 displaying the time can block external light from entering the solar panel 71. Therefore, the solar panel 71 is located in a position where the hands 11-13 displaying the time can block external light. In other words, the solar panel 71 is located in a position where the shadows of the hands 11-13 cover a portion of the solar panel 71 when viewed from above.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the first display unit 10 further includes: a plurality of gear trains, namely, wheel train mechanisms 121, 122, and 123, connected to the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, and second hand 13, respectively; stepping motors 111, 112, and 113, which rotate the wheel train mechanisms 121, 122, and 123, respectively; and a motor drive circuit 110 that drives the stepping motors 111, 112, and 113. The hour hand 11 rotates by an angle corresponding to one second per step based on the stepping motion of the stepping motor 111 transmitted via the wheel train mechanism 121. The minute hand 12 rotates by an angle corresponding to one second per step based on the stepping motion of the stepping motor 112 transmitted via the wheel train mechanism 122. The second hand 13 rotates by an angle corresponding to one second per step based on the stepping motion of the stepping motor 113 transmitted via the wheel train mechanism 123. The rotation angle of the second hand 13 corresponding to 1 second is 6 degrees, the rotation angle of the minute hand 12 is 1 / 60 of the rotation angle of the second hand 13 , and the rotation angle of the hour hand 11 is 1 / 12 of the rotation angle of the minute hand.

[0025] Stepper motors 111-113 are driven in steps based on the voltage waveform of the drive pulses input from the motor drive circuit 110, causing the hands 11-13 to rotate in the forward direction (forwarding the time) or reverse direction (reversing the time) by the predetermined rotation angle each time. When displaying the time, stepper motors 111-113 are driven by drive pulses of 1 pps (pulse per second). Furthermore, stepper motors 111-113 can be driven in both the forward and reverse directions using drive pulses of several tens to several hundred pps at their fastest speed, causing the hands 11-13 to rotate rapidly in the forward or reverse directions. Furthermore, the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, and second hand 13 are connected to separate gear trains and stepper motors, allowing them to rotate independently of each other. The motor drive circuit 110 drives each of the stepper motors 111-113 based on control signals input from the CPU 41, outputting drive voltage pulses for stepping at appropriate timing and pulse widths.

[0026] The second display unit 20 and the third display unit 30 each include a liquid crystal panel and a driving circuit for the liquid crystal panel. The second display unit 20 and the third display unit 30 perform the above-mentioned segment display on the liquid crystal panel according to the control signal and image data sent from the CPU 41 to the driving circuit.

[0027] The CPU 41 is a processor that functions as a control unit. This control unit reads and executes the program 431 stored in the storage unit 43 to perform various calculations, thereby controlling the operation of the electronic timepiece 1. In addition, the electronic timepiece 1 may also have multiple processors (for example, multiple CPUs), and these multiple processors may also perform the multiple processes performed by the CPU 41 of this embodiment. In this case, the control unit is composed of multiple processors. In this case, multiple processors can participate in a common process, or multiple processors can independently execute different processes in parallel. The RAM 42 provides storage space for the CPU 41 for operation and stores temporary data.

[0028] The storage unit 43 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 41, which functions as a computer, and stores various data, such as a program 431 and setting data 432. The storage unit 43 comprises, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The program 431 is stored in the storage unit 43 in the form of computer-readable program code. The setting data 432 stores data related to various operational settings of the electronic timepiece 1.

[0029] The timer unit 50 includes an oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit, a timer circuit, etc. In the timer unit 50, the frequency divider circuit divides the frequency of the clock signal generated by the oscillator circuit, and the timer circuit counts the divided signal to derive and store the current date and time.

[0030] The operation unit 61 includes operation means such as operation buttons and a crown (not shown), and outputs an operation signal corresponding to an operation performed on the operation means to the CPU 41 .

[0031] The motion sensor 62 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor and a three-axis angular velocity sensor, and detects acceleration and angular velocity generated by the user's wrist movement in the electronic timepiece 1. The CPU 41 determines whether the electronic timepiece 1 is worn by the user based on the acceleration and angular velocity detected by the motion sensor 62.

[0032] The solar cell panel 71 has a plurality of solar cells (not shown) connected in series. Each solar cell generates an electromotive force by the photoelectric effect according to the incidence of external light, so the solar cell panel 71 outputs the sum of the electromotive forces of the plurality of solar cells. The shape of each solar cell can be, for example, Figure 2The circle formed by the dial 81 shown may be a generally sector-shaped shape divided by radially extending dividing lines, or may be a spiral shape starting from the position of the rotation axis 101. However, the shapes of the plurality of solar cells may be different from each other so that the solar cell panel 71 is provided in an area that does not overlap with the second display unit 20 and the third display unit 30.

[0033] The secondary battery 72 is a battery capable of charging and discharging, and is charged by a current flowing into the secondary battery 72 due to the electromotive force of the solar cell panel 71 .

[0034] The charging control unit 73 is electrically connected to the solar panel 71 and the secondary battery 72, and controls the charging operation from the solar panel 71 to the secondary battery 72 in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the CPU 41. Furthermore, the charging control unit 73 detects the electromotive force of the solar panel 71 in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the CPU 41, and transmits the detection result to the CPU 41. The charging control unit 73 may also detect the remaining battery charge of the secondary battery 72.

[0035] The electronic watch 1 may also have Figure 1 The components not shown in the figure include, for example, a communication unit for communicating with an external device, and a position information acquisition unit for receiving and decoding radio waves transmitted from positioning satellites to calculate the current position.

[0036] <Electronic Watch Movement>

[0037] Next, the operation of the electronic watch 1 will be described. As described above, in the electronic watch 1 of this embodiment, the rotating hands 11-13 can overlap with the solar panel 71 when viewed from above. Therefore, when external light is blocked by the hands 11-13 and the shadows of the hands 11-13 are cast on the solar panel 71, the power generation efficiency and electromotive force of the solar panel 71 decrease, and the charging efficiency of the secondary battery 72 decreases. In a combined model having an analog first display 10 and a digital second display 20 and third display 30, as in this embodiment, it is impossible to install the solar panel 71 in the area of ​​the second display 20 and third display 30. Therefore, if the limited area of ​​the solar panel 71 is blocked by the hands 11-13, the power generation efficiency is likely to decrease. This problem also becomes significant in designs where the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 are thick and large.

[0038] Therefore, in the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, the operating modes of the first display unit 10, the second display unit 20, and the third display unit 30 can be switched between a normal first mode and a second mode for suppressing a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 71. The CPU 41 controls the switching of the operating modes.

[0039] The first mode is a mode for normal time display. Figure 2 As shown, the CPU 41 causes the first display unit 10 to display the time (hour, minute, and second), the second display unit 20 to display the date and day of the week, and the third display unit 30 to display the seconds 31. In the first mode, the information displayed on the second display unit 20 is not limited to the date and day of the week, but may be any information other than the time.

[0040] When the transition condition to the prescribed second mode is satisfied during the operation in the first mode, the CPU 41 transitions the operation mode to the second mode. The transition condition to the second mode can be set to be satisfied in at least one of the following situations: the user performs an operation to instruct the transition to the second mode; the time is in a predetermined time period (for example, daytime) when higher power generation efficiency can be obtained; the electronic watch 1 is detected to be removed from the user's wrist based on the detection result of the motion sensor 62; the solar cell panel 71 detects strong light (the electromotive force becomes above a certain upper limit value); and the battery remaining capacity of the secondary battery 72 is less than a predetermined first reference value. In the second mode, as Figure 4 As shown, the CPU 41 retracts the hands 11-13 to a predetermined retracted position where the hands 11-13 block less external light than in the first mode, and causes them to remain stationary. Furthermore, the CPU 41 digitally displays the time on the second display 20. Furthermore, the CPU 41 displays a retracted position indicator 32 on the third display 30 in addition to the seconds segment 31. Here, the retracted position indicator 32 is composed of the letter "S," indicating that the solar panel 71 is currently charging.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, the CPU 41 retracts the hands 11-13 to the same retracted position so that they overlap. In this retracted position, a portion of each of the hands 11-13 overlaps the third display unit 30. Furthermore, the retracted position is where the hands 11-13 do not overlap the second display unit 20 and is determined to be the position where the area of ​​external light blocked by the hands 11-13 on the solar panel 71 is minimized. In other words, the retracted position is determined to be the position where the area of ​​overlap between the third display unit 30 and the hands 11-13 is maximized when viewed perpendicular to the solar panel 71. This ensures that less external light entering the solar panel 71 is blocked by the hands 11-13 than in the first mode. By retracting the hands 11-13 to this retracted position, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 71 can be maximized without interfering with the time display on the second display unit 20. The retracted position indicator 32 is displayed at the position indicated by the hands 11-13 in the retracted position. In other words, the CPU 41 indicates the retreat position mark 32 via the hands 11 to 13 in the second mode.

[0042] When a predetermined transition condition to the first mode is satisfied during operation in the second mode, the CPU 41 transitions the operation mode to the first mode. The transition condition to the first mode can be satisfied when at least one of the following conditions is met: a user instructing a transition to the first mode; a predetermined time period (e.g., nighttime) during which power generation efficiency is reduced; detection by the motion sensor 62 that the electronic watch 1 is worn on the user's wrist; a decrease in light detected by the solar panel 71 (electromotive force below a certain lower limit); and a predetermined second reference value or higher. The second reference value may be the same as or different from the first reference value.

[0043] Next, the operation mode control process executed by the CPU 41 to realize the above-mentioned operation will be described. Figure 5 : is a flowchart showing the control steps of the action mode control process. The action mode control process starts when the electronic watch 1 is started. When the action mode control process starts, the CPU 41 starts the transfer process to the first mode (step S1). That is, the CPU 41 sends a control signal to the motor drive circuit 110 to activate the stepping motors 111 to 113, thereby displaying the current time of the timing unit through the pointers 11 to 13 of the first display unit 10 (step S2). In addition, the CPU 41 sends a control signal to the drive circuit of the second display unit 20 to display the date and day of the week through the second display unit 20 (step S3). In addition, the CPU 41 sends a control signal to the drive circuit of the third display unit 30 to display the second segment 31 through the third display unit 30, and does not display the retreat position mark 32 (step S4).

[0044] The CPU 41 repeatedly determines whether the above-mentioned transition condition to the second mode is met (step S5). If it is determined that the transition condition is met ("yes" in step S5), it starts the transition process to the second mode (step S6). That is, the CPU 41 moves the pointers 11 to 13 of the first display unit 10 to the retreat position (step S7). Here, the CPU 41 obtains the information of the retreat position by referring to the setting data 432, and sends a control signal to the motor drive circuit 110 to activate the stepping motors 111 to 113, thereby causing the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, and second hand 13 to independently fast-forward in the forward or reverse direction to the retreat position. In addition, the CPU 41 sends a control signal to the drive circuit of the second display unit 20, causing the second display unit 20 to display the time (step S8). In addition, the CPU 41 sends a control signal to the drive circuit of the third display unit 30, causing the retreat position indicator 32 to be displayed on the third display unit 30 (step S9).

[0045] The CPU 41 repeatedly determines whether the above-mentioned transition condition to the first mode is met (step S10). When it is determined that the transition condition is met ("Yes" in step S10), the CPU 41 determines whether an operation to disconnect the power supply of the electronic watch 1 has been performed (step S11). When it is determined that the operation has not been performed ("No" in step S11), the CPU 41 returns the process to step S1. When it is determined that the operation has been performed ("Yes" in step S11), the action mode control process ends. In addition, in the case where the power-off operation is not set, the CPU 41 may also transfer to step S1 when the branch is "Yes" in step S10. That is, the loop process of steps S1 to S10 may be repeatedly performed until the power of the secondary battery 72 is exhausted.

[0046] <Variation 1>

[0047] Next, a first variation of the first embodiment will be described. The differences between this variation and the first embodiment will be described below. In the aforementioned embodiment, the retracted position for the second mode is pre-set and registered in the setting data 432. However, in this variation, when the second mode is switched, an appropriate retracted position that achieves high power generation efficiency is determined. This variation is described using the example of an electronic timepiece 1 that does not include the third display unit 30.

[0048] Figure 6 This figure illustrates the method for determining the retreat position in Modification 1. In this modification, when transitioning to the second mode, the CPU 41 rotates the hands 11-13 one revolution in an overlapping manner, obtaining the temporal changes in the electromotive force of the solar panel 71 from the charging control unit 73. The speed of the hands 11-13 during one revolution can be appropriately determined based on the response speed of the changes in the electromotive force of the solar panel 71; for example, it can be set to several times the normal rotation speed of the second hand 13. Alternatively, only the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 of the hands 11-13 can be rotated one revolution, while the second hand 13 continues its normal time display operation. This is because the second hand 13, being thinner than the minute hand 12, has less impact on the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 71.

[0049] Figure 7 1 is a diagram showing an example of temporal changes in the electromotive force of the solar cell panel 71 when the hands 11 to 13 rotate once. Figure 7 The horizontal axis represents the rotation angle of the pointers 11 to 13 when the 12 o'clock direction is set to 0°. In addition, the angle range R represents the range in which the pointers 11 to 13 overlap with a portion of the second display unit 20. Figure 7As shown, the electromotive force at each angle is not necessarily constant. For example, if the shadow of an object other than hands 11-13 falls on solar panel 71, the electromotive force will be higher when the shadow of the objects other than hands 11-13 overlaps with the solar panel 71 compared to when the shadow of the objects 11-13 does not overlap with the objects 11-13. Situations where shadows of objects other than hands 11-13 are cast include situations where external light is incident from an angle relative to the direction perpendicular to solar panel 71, casting a shadow on the side walls or bezel of the case, or situations where the electronic watch 1 is located between a sunny and a shady area.

[0050] Based on the temporal change of the obtained electromotive force, the CPU 41 determines the position of the pointers 11 to 13 where the electromotive force becomes a size that satisfies the prescribed condition as the retreat position. The prescribed condition can be, for example, the electromotive force is the largest except for the electromotive force in the angle range R. Alternatively, the electromotive force can be set to be above a prescribed reference value, excluding the electromotive force in the angle range R. Figure 7 In the example, the CPU 41 determines the angle A at which the electromotive force of the solar panel 71 is the highest from the angles other than the angle range R, and determines the position corresponding to the determined angle A as the retreat position. In this modification, since the retreat position identifier cannot be indicated by the pointers 11 to 13 retreating to the retreat position, the CPU 41 causes the second display unit 20 to display the retreat position identifier 23. Alternatively, a functional pointer omitted from the illustration may be provided, and the retreat position identifier may be indicated by the functional pointer. The process of determining the retreat position by the above-mentioned method and retracting the pointers 11 to 13 may be performed only once when transferring to the second mode, or may be repeatedly performed at a predetermined frequency (for example, once every hour, etc.) during the period of operation in the second mode.

[0051] <Variation 2>

[0052] Next, a modification example 2 of the first embodiment will be described. The differences between this modification example and the first embodiment will be described below. Modification example 2 can also be combined with modification example 1. In this modification example, the case where the electronic watch 1 does not have the third display unit 30 is described as an example. In the above embodiment, the retreat position is determined in such a way that the pointers 11 to 13 do not overlap with the second display unit 20 and overlap with the third display unit 30. However, in the case where there is no third display unit 30 and the solar cell panel 71 is provided in the entire area except the second display unit 20, from the viewpoint of suppressing the reduction in power generation efficiency, it is preferable to determine the retreat position as a position where the pointers 11 to 13 overlap with the second display unit 20. In addition, even if there is an area other than the second display unit 20 where the solar cell panel 71 is not provided, this modification example can be applied.

[0053] Figure 8FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic watch 1 according to a second modification example in which the electronic watch 1 operates in the second mode. Figure 8 As shown, in this modification, the position where a part of the pointers 11 to 13 overlaps with a part of the second display unit 20 is determined as the retracted position. In addition, the CPU 41 displays the time in the area where the pointers 11 to 13 do not overlap in the second display unit 20. The second display unit 20 of this modification has a dot matrix liquid crystal panel in which pixels are arranged in a matrix. The CPU 41 determines the range of pixels in the second display unit 20 where the pointers 11 to 13 do not overlap, and sends a control signal and image data for displaying the time within this range to the second display unit 20. Figure 8 In the process, the CPU 41 causes the second display unit 20 to display the retracted position mark 23. Alternatively, a function pointer (not shown) may be provided to indicate the retracted position mark.

[0054] <Effect>

[0055] As described above, the electronic timepiece 1 of the first embodiment includes: a first display unit 10 having hands 11-13; a second display unit 20; a solar panel 71 positioned so that the hands 11-13 displaying the time block external light; and a CPU 41 that controls the operating modes of the first and second display units 10 and 20. The CPU 41 switches the operating mode between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the hands 11-13 of the first display unit 10 display the time. In the second mode, the hands 11-13 are retracted to a predetermined retracted position where the hands 11-13 block less external light than in the first mode, while the second display unit 20 displays the time. Thus, in the second mode, by retracting the hour and minute hands 11-13 to the retracted positions, the solar panel 71's power generation efficiency can be suppressed, while the second display unit 20 can display the time. Furthermore, by operating in the second mode, the daily power generation amount and the charge level of the secondary battery 72 can be increased, thereby enabling the addition of additional functions that were previously impossible due to power consumption constraints. Furthermore, the electronic timepiece 1 can be miniaturized, the areas of the second display portion 20 and the third display portion 30 can be increased, or the widths of the hands 11 to 13 can be thickened, thereby increasing the design and degree of freedom of design.

[0056] Furthermore, hands 11-13 include hour hand 11 and minute hand 12. In the second mode, CPU 41 retracts hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 to the same retracted position so that they overlap. This minimizes the area of ​​the shadows cast by hour hand 11 and minute hand 12, thereby more effectively suppressing a decrease in the power generation efficiency of solar panel 71.

[0057] Furthermore, in Modification 1, the CPU 41 rotates the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 one revolution in an overlapping state to obtain the temporal change in the electromotive force of the solar panel 71. The CPU 41 then determines the position of the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 at which the electromotive force reaches a level that satisfies a predetermined condition as the retracted position. This allows the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 to be retracted to the optimal retracted position that effectively reduces power generation efficiency, for example, in situations where light is incident on only a portion of the dial 81 or when light is incident on the dial from an oblique direction.

[0058] Furthermore, in the second mode, the CPU 41 causes the hands 11 to 13 to indicate the evacuation position marker 23 or 32 indicating that the second mode is in operation. This can reduce the possibility of misunderstanding that the first display unit 10 is displaying the time in the second mode.

[0059] The electronic timepiece 1 also includes a third display portion 30, and the solar panel 71 is disposed within a range that does not overlap the third display portion 30 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar panel 71. Furthermore, in the second mode, the CPU 41 retracts the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 to a retracted position where a portion of the hands 11 to 13 overlaps the third display portion 30. This effectively reduces the area of ​​the portion where the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 overlap the solar panel 71.

[0060] Furthermore, in the second mode, the CPU 41 displays the retracted position indicator 32 on the third display unit 30, indicating that the device is operating in the second mode, and also displays the retracted position indicator 32 via the hands 11 to 13. This reduces the risk of misperception that the first display unit 10 is displaying the time in the second mode. Furthermore, by displaying the retracted position indicator 32 only in the second mode, the design of the electronic timepiece 1 in the first mode can be maintained.

[0061] Furthermore, the solar panel 71 is positioned so as to not overlap at least a portion of the second display unit 20 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar panel 71. The retracted position is where the hands 11-13 do not overlap the second display unit 20, and is the position of the solar panel 71 where the area of ​​external light blocked by the hands 11-13 is minimized. This effectively minimizes the area of ​​overlap between the hands 11-13 and the solar panel 71, without obstructing the display of the time on the second display unit 20.

[0062] Furthermore, in the second mode, the CPU 41 of Modification 2 retracts the hands 11-13 to a retracted position where a portion of the hands 11-13 overlaps a portion of the second display unit 20, and displays the time in an area of ​​the second display unit 20 where the hands 11-13 do not overlap. This effectively reduces the area of ​​the portion where the hour and minute hands 11-13 overlap the solar panel 71. Furthermore, even when the hands 11-13 partially overlap the second display unit 20, the time can still be displayed visually on the second display unit 20.

[0063] Furthermore, the control method of the electronic timepiece 1 according to this embodiment switches the operating modes of the first display unit 10 and the second display unit 20 between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the time is displayed by the hands 11 to 13 of the first display unit 10. In the second mode, the hands 11 to 13 are retracted to a predetermined retracted position where the hands 11 to 13 block less external light than in the first mode, and the time is displayed on the second display unit 20. Thus, in the second mode, by retracting the hands 11 to 13 to the retracted position, a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 71 can be suppressed, while the time can be displayed on the second display unit 20.

[0064] Furthermore, program 431 of this embodiment causes CPU 41 to function as a control unit that controls the operating modes of first display unit 10 and second display unit 20. This control unit switches the operating mode between a first mode, in which the hands 11 to 13 of first display unit 10 display the time, and a second mode, in which the hands 11 to 13 are retracted to a predetermined retracted position where they block less external light than in the first mode, while the time is displayed on second display unit 20. Thus, in the second mode, by retracting hands 11 to 13 to the retracted position, the power generation efficiency of solar cell panel 71 can be suppressed, while the time can be displayed on second display unit 20.

[0065] (Second embodiment)

[0066] Next, the second embodiment will be described. Below, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the common structures with the first embodiment will be omitted. Furthermore, the second embodiment may also combine at least one of the first and second modifications of the first embodiment.

[0067] Figure 9This is an electronic watch 1 according to the second embodiment, and is a front view of the electronic watch 1 operating in the first mode. The second display unit 20 of this embodiment has a secondary hour hand 21 and a secondary minute hand 22, which display the time. For example, while the first display unit 10 displays the current time, the second display unit 20 displays the local time (world time) of a pre-set city in the world. The area of ​​the secondary hour hand 21 is smaller than that of the hour hand 11, and the area of ​​the secondary minute hand 22 is smaller than that of the minute hand 12. Here, the area of ​​the hour hand 11, minute hand 12, secondary hour hand 21, and secondary minute hand 22 refers to the area occupied by each hand when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar cell panel 71.

[0068] The third display unit 30 includes a function pointer 33. The function pointer 33 indicates various symbols to display the operation mode. The symbols indicated by the function pointer 33 include "SW" indicating the stopwatch mode, "WT" indicating the world time display mode, "TM" indicating the timer mode, and "S" indicating the second mode (see FIG. Figure 10 ) etc. In this embodiment, the mark “S” corresponds to the retreat position mark 32 .

[0069] The second display unit 20 is circular and positioned on the 6 o'clock side of the rotation axis 101. The third display unit 30 is circular and positioned on the 12 o'clock side of the rotation axis 101. Similar to the first display unit 10 of the first embodiment, both the second and third display units 20 and 30 include a stepping motor driven by a motor drive circuit 110 and a gear train mechanism that transmits the stepping motion of the stepping motor to the auxiliary hour hand 21 and auxiliary minute hand 22 or the functional hand 33. The auxiliary hour hand 21 and auxiliary minute hand 22 can also rotate in conjunction with each other. Specifically, the auxiliary hour hand 21 and auxiliary minute hand 22 can be connected to respective gear train mechanisms for the auxiliary hour hand 21 and auxiliary minute hand 22, which transmit the stepping motion of a common stepping motor.

[0070] The solar panel 71 of this embodiment is located within a region that overlaps the circular second and third display sections 20 and 30 when viewed from above. This solar panel 71 located within the inner dial (second and third display sections 20 and 30) is also referred to as an inner dial solar panel. The inner dial solar panel offers the advantage of enhancing the design of the dial 81 located outside the second and third display sections 20 and 30.

[0071] Figure 10This is a front view of an electronic watch 1 according to a second embodiment operating in the second mode. In this embodiment, in the second mode, the CPU 41 retracts the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 of the first display unit 10 to the retracted position, while the auxiliary hour hand 21 and auxiliary minute hand 22 of the second display unit 20 display the time. Since the second display unit 20 does not have a second hand, the CPU 41 rotates the second hand 13 of the first display unit 10 to display the seconds, similar to the first mode. However, this is not limiting; all of the hands 11-13 may also be retracted to the retracted position.

[0072] Because the inner dial solar panel generates electricity using a relatively small area, its power generation efficiency is significantly reduced when a portion is obscured by the hour and minute hands 11 and 12. Therefore, the retracted position is determined to be a position where the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 do not overlap with the second and third display units 20 and 30 (i.e., a position where they do not overlap with the solar panel 71). A retracted position indicator 812 is provided at the position indicated by the hands 11 to 13 in the retracted position on the dial 81. In other words, in the second mode, the CPU 41 indicates the retracted position indicator 812 via the hands 11 to 13. Furthermore, in the second mode, the CPU 41 indicates the retracted position indicator 32 via the functional hand 33.

[0073] Retreat to Figure 10 The hour and minute hands 11 and 12 in their retracted positions indicate a position between 2 and 3 o'clock, close to 3 o'clock. This configuration of the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 differs from any other possible configurations for displaying the time. This configuration is achieved by enabling the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 to rotate independently. By retracting the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 to this retracted position, the user can intuitively recognize that the first display unit 10 is not displaying the time.

[0074] Figure 11 FIG. 1 is another electronic timepiece 1 according to the second embodiment, and is a front view of the electronic timepiece 1 operating in the first mode. Figure 11 In the electronic watch 1 shown, an annular decorative portion 813 is provided around the second display portion 20 of the dial 81, and an annular decorative portion 814 is provided around the third display portion 30. The decorative portions 813 and 814 are made of opaque components and serve as light-shielding portions. The portion of the dial 81 other than the decorative portions 813, 814, and the logo 811 serves as a light-transmitting portion 810 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 The decorative portion 813 is marked with a time indicating the time displayed by the second display portion 20. The decorative portion 814 is marked with a mark indicating the third display portion 30.

[0075] The solar panel 71 is provided in a range that does not overlap with the decorative portions 813 and 814 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar panel. That is, the solar panel 71 is provided in a range that overlaps with the interior of the second display portion 20 on the inner side of the decorative portion 813, the interior of the third display portion 30 on the inner side of the decorative portion 814, and the area outside the decorative portions 813 and 814 in the dial 81. In this specification, "the range in which the solar panel 71 is provided" refers to the range in which light incident from a direction perpendicular to the solar panel 71 and from the display surface side is received by the solar panel 71. Therefore, the solar panel 71 may also extend to a range that partially overlaps with the back side of the decorative portions 813 and 814. In this manner, the range in which the solar panel 71 is provided also becomes Figure 12 The range of coloring in .

[0076] Figure 12 It shows Figure 11 The electronic timepiece 1 is shown as a front view in a state where it is operating in the second mode. Figure 12 The retracted position of the electronic watch 1 shown is set so that a portion of the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 overlap with decorative portions 813 and 814. The area where decorative portions 813 and 814 are located does not contribute to power generation by the solar panel 71. Therefore, by retracting the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 so that they partially overlap with decorative portions 813 and 814, a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 71 can be suppressed. Furthermore, a retracted position indicator 812 is provided at the position on the dial 81 indicated by the hands 11 to 13 in the retracted position.

[0077] <Effect>

[0078] As described above, the second display unit 20 of the electronic timepiece 1 according to the second embodiment includes the auxiliary hour hand 21, which has a smaller area than the hour hand 11, and the auxiliary minute hand 22, which has a smaller area than the minute hand 12. Furthermore, the solar panel 71 is positioned at least within the range that overlaps the second display unit 20 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar panel 71. In the second mode, the CPU 41 retracts the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 to a retracted position where they do not overlap the second display unit 20. Consequently, in the electronic timepiece 1 using an inner dial solar panel, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 71 while still displaying the time on the second display unit 20.

[0079] In the second mode, the CPU 41 displays the hours and minutes on the second display unit 20 and the seconds on the first display unit 10. Thus, even if the second display unit 20 does not have a seconds hand, seconds can still be displayed in the second mode.

[0080] Furthermore, the CPU 41 can independently rotate the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12. In the second mode, the CPU 41 retracts the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 to a retracted position that differs from any possible configuration of the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 in the time display. This allows the user to intuitively recognize that the first display unit 10 is not displaying the time. Therefore, in the second mode, it is less likely to mistakenly believe that the first display unit 10 is displaying the time.

[0081] Furthermore, a dial 81 is provided between the hands 11-13 and the solar panel 71. This dial 81 has a light-transmitting portion 810 and light-blocking decorative portions 813 and 814. The solar panel 71 is positioned so that it does not overlap with the decorative portions 813 and 814 when viewed perpendicular to the solar panel 71. In the second mode, the CPU 41 retracts the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 to a retracted position where a portion of the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 overlap with the decorative portions 813 and 814. This effectively reduces the area of ​​the hour and minute hands 11 and 12 overlapping with the solar panel 71 by utilizing the decorative portions 813 and 814.

[0082] (other)

[0083] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be made. For example, in the first embodiment Figure 4 And the modification 2 Figure 8 While the second hand 13 is shown as retracting to the retracted position along with the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12, this is not limiting. Since the second hand 13, being thinner than the minute hand 12, has less impact on the power generation efficiency of the solar panel 71, in the second mode, only the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12 may be retracted to the retracted position, while the second hand 13 rotates to display the seconds as in the first mode. Furthermore, instead of indicating the retracted position markers 23, 32, or 812 via the hour hand 11 and minute hand 12, the second hand 13 may indicate the retracted position markers 23, 32, or 812 positioned or displayed at any desired position.

[0084] In addition, the example of retreating the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12 to the same retreat position is described. However, if there are two or more retreat positions that effectively avoid a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 71, the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12 may be retreated to different retreat positions.

[0085] Furthermore, although the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12 are configured to rotate independently, the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12 may be configured to rotate in conjunction with each other.

[0086] The area where the solar cell panel 71 is provided is not limited to the areas exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications, and may be any area as long as the hour hand 11 and the minute hand 12 displaying the time can block external light.

[0087] Furthermore, although a wristwatch is illustrated as the electronic timepiece 1 , other types of timepieces such as a table clock and a wall clock may also be used.

[0088] In addition, the above description discloses an example of using the flash memory of the storage unit 43 as a computer-readable medium for the program of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, information recording media such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), and CD-ROMs can be used. In addition, as a medium for providing the data of the program of the present invention via a communication line, a carrier wave (carrier wave) is also applicable to the present invention.

[0089] Furthermore, it is understood that the detailed structure and detailed operation of each component of the electronic timepiece 1 in the above-described embodiment can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0090] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims

1. A timepiece, characterized in that: have: a first display portion having a pointer; a second display portion; a solar cell panel disposed at a position where external light can be shielded by the hands that are displaying the time; and a control unit that controls the operation modes of the first display unit and the second display unit, The control unit switches the action mode between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the time is displayed by the pointer of the first display unit. In the second mode, the pointer is retreated to a specified retreat position where the pointer blocks less external light than in the first mode, and the time is displayed by the second display unit.

2. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein: The hands include an hour hand and a minute hand. In the second mode, the control unit retracts the hour hand and the minute hand to the same retracted position so that the hour hand and the minute hand overlap.

3. The timepiece according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit rotates the hour hand and the minute hand one revolution in an overlapping state to obtain a temporal change in the electromotive force of the solar cell panel, and determines the position of the hour hand and the minute hand where the electromotive force reaches a magnitude satisfying a predetermined condition as the retracted position.

4. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that In the second mode, the control unit causes the pointer to indicate a predetermined mark indicating that the device is operating in the second mode.

5. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that It also has a third display unit. The solar cell panel is arranged in a range that does not overlap with the third display portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar cell panel. In the second mode, the control unit retracts the pointer to the retraction position where a portion of the pointer overlaps the third display unit.

6. The timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that In the second mode, the control unit causes the third display unit to display a predetermined mark indicating that the operation is being performed in the second mode, and causes the pointer to indicate the mark.

7. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The solar cell panel is provided in at least a portion of a range that does not overlap with the second display portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar cell panel. The retracted position is a position where the pointer does not overlap with the second display portion, and is a position where the area of ​​the portion of the solar cell panel where the external light is shielded by the pointer is the smallest.

8. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that In the second mode, the control unit retracts the pointer to the retracted position where a portion of the pointer overlaps a portion of the second display unit, and displays the time in an area of ​​the second display unit where the pointer does not overlap.

9. The timepiece according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The second display portion includes a subsidiary hour hand smaller in area than the hour hand and a subsidiary minute hand smaller in area than the minute hand. The solar cell panel is at least provided in a range overlapping with the second display portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar cell panel. In the second mode, the control unit retracts the hour hand and the minute hand to the retracted position where the hour hand and the minute hand do not overlap with the second display unit.

10. The timepiece according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The control unit can independently rotate the hour hand and the minute hand. In the second mode, the control unit retracts the hour hand and the minute hand to the retracted position where the arrangement of the hour hand and the minute hand is different from any arrangement that can appear in the time display.

11. The timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that A dial is provided between the pointer and the solar cell panel, the dial having a light-transmitting portion for transmitting light and a light-shielding portion for shielding light. The solar cell panel is arranged in a range that does not overlap with the shielding portion when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the solar cell panel. In the second mode, the control unit retracts the pointer to the retraction position where a portion of the pointer overlaps with the shielding portion.

12. A display control method, executed by a computer, for a clock comprising: a first display unit having hands; a second display unit; and a solar panel disposed at a position where the hands displaying the time can block external light. The display control method is characterized in that: The operation modes of the first display unit and the second display unit are switched between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the time is displayed by the pointer of the first display unit. In the second mode, the pointer is retreated to a specified retreat position where the external light blocked by the pointer is less than that in the first mode, and the time is displayed by the second display unit.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that The program causes a computer of a clock to function as a control unit, the clock comprising a first display unit having hands, a second display unit, and a solar panel disposed at a position where external light can be blocked by the hands displaying the time, the control unit controlling the operation modes of the first display unit and the second display unit. The control unit switches the action mode between a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the time is displayed by the pointer of the first display unit, and in the second mode, the pointer is retreated to a prescribed retreat position where the pointer blocks less external light than in the first mode, and the time is displayed by the second display unit.

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