Time measurement device

Abstract

Provided is a time measuring device that prevents, with a simple configuration, the timing at which the polarity of an AC voltage applied to a liquid crystal panel is inverted at a fixed polarity inversion period and the timing at which image data is written to the liquid crystal panel from overlapping. The time measurement device includes: an event retention unit that retains an event for a period between a fixed first waiting operation time immediately before the polarity of the AC voltage is reversed and a fixed second waiting operation time immediately after the polarity of the AC voltage is reversed; a display update determination unit that determines whether or not it is necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel by the retained event after the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time have elapsed; and an image data output control unit that writes, to the liquid crystal panel, image data for which it is determined that an event for updating the display of the liquid crystal panel is necessary.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a time measuring device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, with respect to a liquid crystal panel provided in, for example, a digital electronic timepiece, in order to maintain reliability of liquid crystal, it is recommended to apply an alternating voltage that reverses polarity at a certain cycle from the outside of the liquid crystal panel to the liquid crystal panel. Further, it is recommended that the time ratio of the period during which the alternating voltage is positive and the period during which the alternating voltage is negative (positive and negative periods of the alternating voltage) is each 50% (Duty 50%). On the other hand, when the timing at which the polarity of the alternating voltage is reversed overlaps with the timing at which image data to be displayed by the liquid crystal panel is written to the liquid crystal panel, it is possible that the writing of the image data cannot be performed normally due to an increase in electrical load or the like. As a prior art that addresses this problem, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known.

[0003] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage is performed at a fixed cycle that is shifted from a reference time by a fixed time, and in a case where it is determined that the period during which the image data is transmitted is included in a transmission waiting period for the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage, the transmission of the image data is performed after the transmission waiting period elapses.

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 2, the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage is performed at a fixed polarity reversal cycle, and the image data is output in synchronization with the polarity reversal cycle and at a cycle that is 1 / n times the polarity reversal cycle.

[0005] In the technology described in Patent Document 3, in a case where the timing of the writing of the image data and the timing of the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage overlap, the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage is delayed during the output of the enable signal, and on the other hand, the output of the enable signal is delayed during the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5450784

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 6866817

[0008] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent No. 7187792

[0009] However, in the technology described in the above Patent Document 1, a process of determining whether the period during which the image data is transmitted is included in the transmission waiting period for the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage is required, and therefore the software becomes complicated.

[0010] Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 2 above, there is no problem in the period in which the display is updated in synchronization with the polarity inversion period like the time of a timepiece, but when the display is updated asynchronously with the polarity inversion period due to a button operation by a person or the like, the timing of the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage and the timing of the update of the display, that is, the timing of the output of the image data can overlap.

[0011] Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 3 above, since the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage is delayed during the output of the enable signal, the duty ratio of the positive and negative periods of the alternating voltage cannot be maintained at 50%. SUMMARY

[0012] The present application has been made in view of such circumstances, and has an object to prevent, with a simple structure, the timing at which the polarity of the alternating voltage applied to a liquid crystal panel is inverted at a fixed polarity inversion period from overlapping the timing at which image data is written to the liquid crystal panel.

[0013] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device that has a function of measuring time, writes image data to a liquid crystal panel, and thereby causes an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel, in which the time measuring device has a polarity control section that inverts the polarity of an alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel at a fixed polarity inversion period, an event receiving section that receives an event in which an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel is likely to occur, an event retaining section that retains the event received by the event receiving section during a fixed first waiting operation time immediately before the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage and a fixed second waiting operation time immediately after the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage, a display update determining section that determines whether or not the retained event necessitates an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel after the elapse of the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time, and an image data output control section that writes image data of the event determined to necessitate an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel to the liquid crystal panel, the first waiting operation time including one unit of time of the writing of image data to the liquid crystal panel and a writing prohibition time of image data immediately before the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage, and the second waiting operation time including a writing prohibition time of image data immediately after the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage.

[0014] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device, in the above-described time measuring device, the image data output control section writes, after the elapse of the second waiting operation time, a part of the image data of the event determined to necessitate an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel, which has not been written to the liquid crystal panel by the end of the first waiting operation time, to the liquid crystal panel.

[0015] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, in the above-described time measuring device, a part of image data of the event that is determined to be necessary to update display of the liquid crystal panel, in which writing to the liquid crystal panel is completed by the end of the period until the first waiting operation time, and a part of image data that is written to the liquid crystal panel after the period elapses after the second waiting operation time are written to the liquid crystal panel at different addresses.

[0016] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, in the above-described time measuring device, a part of image data of the event that is determined to be necessary to update display of the liquid crystal panel, in which writing to the liquid crystal panel is completed by the end of the period until the first waiting operation time, and a part of image data that is written to the liquid crystal panel after the period elapses after the second waiting operation time are displayed on different parts of the display region of the liquid crystal panel.

[0017] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, in the above-described time measuring device, the event is a predetermined processing request in the inside of the time measuring device that occurs after communication from a control section with a predetermined control function in the inside of the time measuring device is accepted in the inside of the time measuring device.

[0018] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, in the above-described time measuring device, the event is a predetermined processing request that is started by a hardware interrupt generated in the inside of the time measuring device by a control section with a predetermined control function in the inside of the time measuring device.

[0019] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, in the above-described time measuring device, the event is an update request of display of time measured in the inside of the time measuring device.

[0020] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, in the above-described time measuring device, the event is an update request of display of time measured in the inside of the time measuring device.

[0021] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, in the above-described time measuring device, the polarity inversion period is a value that is not an integer multiple of a fixed period in which display of the liquid crystal panel is updated due to a specific function possessed by the time measuring device.

[0022] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, in the above-described time measuring device, the event is a predetermined processing request of each button operated after operation of the button provided in the time measuring device is accepted.

[0023] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which the event is a request for a predetermined process in the inside of the time measuring device after a communication from an apparatus outside the time measuring device is accepted in the inside of the time measuring device.

[0024] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which the event is a request for a predetermined process accompanying a change in a state in the inside or outside of the time measuring device.

[0025] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which, with respect to writing of image data to the liquid crystal panel, an operation of transmission of an address indicating a display position on the liquid crystal panel, transmission of image data, and transmission of a write command is set as one write operation, image data to be displayed simultaneously in a display region of the liquid crystal panel is written by performing the one write operation a plurality of times in succession, and in a case where a timing of reversal of polarity of the alternating voltage occurs in the middle of performing the one write operation a plurality of times in succession, the one write operation being currently performed is completed, and the one write operation remaining one or a plurality of times is performed after a lapse of the second wait operation time.

[0026] One embodiment of the present application is a time measuring device in which the time measuring device is provided in a digital electronic timepiece, a combination timepiece having a function of digital display and a function of pointer display, a stopwatch, or a chronograph.

[0027] According to the present application, the following effect can be obtained: the timing of reversal of polarity of the alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel and the timing of writing of image data to the liquid crystal panel can be prevented from overlapping with a simple structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a structure example of a time measuring device of one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 is a timing chart showing an action example of a time measuring device of one embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 is a timing chart showing an action example of a time measuring device of one embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 is a timing chart showing an action example of a time measuring device of one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5 is a timing chart showing an action example of a time measuring device of one embodiment.

[0033] Figure 6 FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0034] Figure 7 FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0035] Figure 8 FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0036] Figure 9 FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0037] Figure 10 FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0038] Figure 11 FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0039] Figure 12 FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0040] Figure 13 FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0041] Figure 14 FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0042] Figure 15 FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0043] Figure 16 FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by the time measuring apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0044] Explanation of reference signs

[0045] 1: time measuring device; 10: oscillator; 20: quartz oscillator; 100: first control device; 200: second control device; 300: display module; 30: button; 40: power supply; 41: voltage conversion circuit; 42: power supply control circuit; 43: display portion power supply control circuit; 101, 201: oscillation circuit; 102, 202: frequency division circuit; 103, 203: timer circuit; 104: wireless communication circuit; 105: first control portion; 106, 206: ROM; 107, 207: RAM; 108, 109, 209: communication circuit; 110, 208: input circuit; 111, 210: output circuit; 121: event reception portion; 122: event reservation portion; 123: display update determination portion; 124: image data output control portion; 125: polarity control portion; 204: 1 kHz counter circuit; 205: second control portion; 221: time counting portion; 222: stopwatch (STW) counting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0047] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a time measuring device 1 of one embodiment. The time measuring device 1 has an oscillator 10, a quartz oscillator 20, a first control device 100, a second control device 200, a display module 300, a button 30, a power supply (battery) 40, a voltage conversion circuit 41, a power supply control circuit 42, and a display portion power supply control circuit 43.

[0048] The first control device 100 mainly performs control of the display module 300. The second control device 200 mainly performs measurement of time. The oscillator 10 generates a signal of a frequency that is a basis of an operating frequency of the first control device 100. The oscillator 10 can be a quartz oscillator, or can be an oscillator of a kind other than a quartz oscillator. The quartz oscillator 20 generates a signal of a frequency that is a basis of an operating frequency of the second control device 200. The frequency of the signal generated by the quartz oscillator 20 is, for example, 32.768 kHz.

[0049] The display module 300 has a liquid crystal panel 301, an image data (image Data) input circuit 302, a polarity signal input circuit 303, and a reset signal input circuit 304.

[0050] The liquid crystal panel 301 displays the image data written from the first control device 100 via the image data input circuit 302. The display region of the liquid crystal panel 301 is arranged with a plurality of pixels for displaying an image. A storage element storing the image data and a display element displaying the image data stored in the storage element are provided in each pixel. The liquid crystal panel 301 is a so-called MIP (Memory in Pixel) liquid crystal.

[0051] The polarity signal input circuit 303 receives a polarity inversion signal (VCOM signal) from the first control device 100. The VCOM signal is a signal indicating an inversion timing at which the polarity of the alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301 is inverted at a fixed cycle. The alternating voltage whose polarity is inverted at the inversion timing indicated by the VCOM signal is applied to the liquid crystal panel 301. Thereby, the alternating voltage whose polarity is inverted at a fixed cycle is applied to the liquid crystal panel 301. This contributes to the reliability of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0052] Further, preferably, the time ratio of the period during which the alternating voltage of the VCOM signal is positive to the period during which the alternating voltage is negative (positive and negative periods of the alternating voltage) is 50% each (duty ratio 50%). By the duty ratio of the positive and negative periods of the alternating voltage of the VCOM signal being 50%, the alternating voltage whose polarity is inverted at a duty ratio of 50% of the positive and negative periods of the alternating voltage is applied to the liquid crystal panel 301. This contributes to the reliability of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0053] The reset signal input circuit 304 receives a reset signal that resets the display module 300 from the first control device 100. The display module 300 is reset in accordance with the reset signal received by the reset signal input circuit 304.

[0054] The button 30 is a button operated by the user. The user is able to cause the time measuring device 1 to perform a prescribed action by operating the button 30.

[0055] The power supply 40 supplies the electric power consumed by the time measuring device 1. The voltage conversion circuit 41 converts the voltage of the power supply 40 to the operating voltage (for example, 3.3 V) of the first control device 100, the second control device 200, and the display module 300. The power supply control circuit 42 performs power supply control with respect to the first control device 100. The display portion power supply control circuit 43 performs power supply control with respect to the display module 300. The power supply 40 is, for example, a button lithium battery (CR battery: 3 V). Further, the voltage conversion circuit 41 is constituted by a self-oscillation type DCDC conversion circuit using an inductor or a charge pump type voltage step-up circuit using a capacitor.

[0056] The first control device 100 has an oscillator circuit 101, a frequency division circuit 102, a timer circuit 103, a wireless communication circuit 104, a first control section 105, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 106, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 107, communication circuits 108, 109, N input circuits 110, and an output circuit 111.

[0057] The oscillator circuit 101 generates a signal of a prescribed frequency based on a signal of a frequency generated by the vibrator 10. The frequency division circuit 102 frequency-divides the signal of the prescribed frequency generated by the oscillator circuit 101 to generate a signal of an operating frequency of the first control section 105. The timer circuit 103 measures a prescribed timer time using the signal of the prescribed frequency generated by the oscillator circuit 101. The timer circuit 103 generates a hardware interrupt "timer interrupt" to the first control section 105 when the timing of the prescribed timer time is completed.

[0058] The wireless communication circuit 104 performs wireless communication with an external device of the time measuring device 1.

[0059] The first control section 105 has a function of mainly controlling the display module 300 among the control functions of the time measuring device 1. The first control section 105 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that realizes various functions by executing a program stored in the ROM 106. The first control section 105 has an event reception section 121, an event reservation section 122, a display update determination section 123, an image data output control section 124, and a polarity control section 125 as functional sections thereof.

[0060] The ROM 106 stores data such as a program to be executed by the CPU of the first control section 105, and default values of various parameters. The RAM 107 is a memory for temporarily storing data used by the first control section 105.

[0061] The communication circuit 108 performs communication with the display module 300 for writing image data to a liquid crystal panel.

[0062] The communication circuit 109 performs communication with the second control device 200. The communication circuit 109 receives, for example, timer data from the second control device 200.

[0063] The input circuit 110 receives a signal output from the corresponding output circuit 210 of the second control device 200. For example, a certain input circuit 110 receives a display update timing signal output from the corresponding output circuit 210 of the second control device 200. For example, a certain input circuit 110 receives a button input notification signal output from the corresponding output circuit 210 of the second control device 200.

[0064] The output circuit 111 transmits the VCOM signal to the display module 300. Further, the output circuit 111 transmits the reset signal to the display module 300. Further, the output circuit 111 transmits a signal for controlling the power source of the display module 300 to the display section power source control circuit 43.

[0065] The polarity control section 125 reverses the polarity of the alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301 at a fixed polarity reversal period (for example, 0.99 seconds) in accordance with the interrupt signal from the timer circuit 103. Also, the polarity control section 125 can reverse the polarity of the alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301 at a duty ratio of 50% of the positive and negative periods of the alternating voltage. The polarity control section 125 transmits the VCOM signal to the display module 300 through the output circuit 111. For example, the polarity control section 125 transmits the VCOM signal for reversing the polarity of the alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301 at a fixed polarity reversal period and at a duty ratio of 50% of the positive and negative periods of the alternating voltage to the display module 300 through the output circuit 111.

[0066] The event receiving section 121 receives an event in which the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is likely to be updated.

[0067] For example, the event is a prescribed processing request in the inside of the time measuring device 1 that occurs after communication is received from a control section having a prescribed control function in the inside of the time measuring device 1 is received in the inside of the time measuring device 1. As the control section having a prescribed control function in the inside of the time measuring device 1, the second control section 205 described later can be cited. The second control section 205 has a function of controlling the measurement of time (time keeping section 221 and stopwatch (STW) keeping section 222). For example, the event is a processing request for updating the time that occurs after the first control section 105 receives a notification of the update of the time from the time keeping section 221.

[0068] For example, the event is a prescribed processing request that is started by a hardware interrupt generated in the inside of the time measuring device 1 with respect to a control section having a prescribed control function in the inside of the time measuring device 1. As the control section having a prescribed control function in the inside of the time measuring device 1, the second control section 205 (time keeping section 221 and STW keeping section 222) can be cited. For example, the event is a processing request for updating the display of the stopwatch time that is started by a hardware interrupt (for example, an interrupt signal at a prescribed frequency of 1 Hz, 10 Hz, etc.) generated with respect to the STW keeping section 222.

[0069] For example, the event is a request for updating the display of the time measured in the inside of the time measuring device 1. For example, the event is a request for updating the display of the time measured in the inside of the time measuring device 1.

[0070] Further, the event can also be an event caused by the outside of the time measuring device 1.

[0071] For example, the event is a prescribed processing request of each button operated after the operation of the button 30 is accepted.

[0072] For example, the event is a prescribed processing request of the inside of the time measuring device 1 that occurs after the communication from the device outside the time measuring device 1 is accepted in the inside of the time measuring device 1. For example, the event is a prescribed processing request of display update that occurs after the wireless communication circuit 104 accepts the wireless communication from the device outside the time measuring device 1.

[0073] For example, the event is a prescribed processing request that occurs with the change of the state of the inside or the outside of the time measuring device 1.

[0074] The polarity inversion period can also be set to a value that is a non-integer multiple of the fixed period of display update of the liquid crystal panel 301 that occurs due to a specific function that the time measuring device 1 has. For example, the polarity inversion period is set to a value that is a non-integer multiple of the fixed period of displaying the time of day that the time measuring device 1 measures. For example, the polarity inversion period is set to a value that is a non-integer multiple of the fixed period of displaying the time (e.g., the time of a stopwatch, etc.) that the time measuring device 1 measures. For example, in the case where the update period of the display of the time of day is 1 Hz, the polarity inversion period is set to a value that is a non-integer multiple of 0.91 to 0.99 times 1 Hz. For example, in the case where the period of making the display of the time of day, etc. flicker is 8 Hz, the polarity inversion period is set to a value that is a non-integer multiple of 7.28 to 7.92 times 8 Hz. For example, in the case where the update period of the display of the time of a stopwatch is 10 Hz, the polarity inversion period is set to a value that is a non-integer multiple of 9.1 to 9.9 times 10 Hz. Thereby, in the case where the event is an event that is caused by the outside of the time measuring device 1, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the timing of the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301 overlaps with the timing of the update of the display, i.e., the timing of the output of the image data. In addition, the value of the non-integer multiple is not to the extent that is generated due to the frequency deviation of the quartz oscillator 20, the oscillator 10. For example, the period of 0.99 seconds that is obtained by setting the polarity inversion period to 0.99 times 1 Hz corresponds to an amount of 328 cycle periods of the 32768 Hz period of the oscillation circuit 101, is larger than the frequency deviation, and is a range that can be controlled to a desired value.

[0075] The event retention section 122 retains the event accepted by the event accepting section 121 during a fixed first waiting operation time immediately before the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301 and a fixed second waiting operation time immediately after the polarity inversion of the alternating voltage. The event retention section 122 is, for example, a hardware interrupt generation function, a queue of events, etc. in the first control section 105.

[0076] The first waiting operation time includes one unit of time of image data writing of the liquid crystal panel 301 and an image data writing prohibition time immediately before polarity inversion of an alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301. In the present embodiment, the first waiting operation time is a total time of one unit of time of image data writing of the liquid crystal panel 301 and the image data writing prohibition time immediately before polarity inversion of an alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0077] One unit of time of image data writing of the liquid crystal panel 301 is time taken for one writing operation which is set to be performed once or repeatedly performed a plurality of times of operations of transmission of an address indicating a display position on the liquid crystal panel 301, transmission of image data, and transmission of a writing command. An example of one unit of time of image data writing of the liquid crystal panel 301 is 1 row of an array of a plurality of pixels of a display region of the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0078] The second waiting operation time includes an image data writing prohibition time immediately after polarity inversion of an alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301. In the present embodiment, the second waiting operation time is the image data writing prohibition time immediately after polarity inversion of an alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0079] The display update determination section 123 determines whether or not an event makes it necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. The display update determination section 123 determines whether or not the retained event makes it necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 after a period of time elapses from the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time.

[0080] The image data output control section 124 writes image data of an event determined to make it necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 to the liquid crystal panel 301. The image data output control section 124 writes, to the liquid crystal panel 301, a portion of image data of an event determined to make it necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 which has not been written to the liquid crystal panel 301 until the end of the period of time of the first waiting operation time, among the image data, after a period of time elapses from the second waiting operation time.

[0081] The second control device 200 has an oscillation circuit 201, a frequency division circuit 202, a timer circuit 203, a 1 kHz counter circuit 204, a second control section 205, a ROM 206, a RAM 207, an input circuit 208, a communication circuit 209, and N output circuits 210.

[0082] The oscillation circuit 201 generates a signal of a prescribed frequency from a signal of a frequency generated by the quartz oscillator 20. The frequency dividing circuit 202 divides the signal of the prescribed frequency generated by the oscillation circuit 201 to generate a signal of an operating frequency of the second control device 200. Further, the frequency dividing circuit 202 divides the signal of the prescribed frequency generated by the oscillation circuit 201 to generate a signal of an operating frequency of the 1 kHz counter circuit 204. The frequency dividing circuit 202 generates a 1 Hz interrupt signal required for updating of display of the time. Further, the frequency dividing circuit 202 generates an 8 Hz interrupt signal required for flickering display at the time of time correction and the like. The frequency dividing circuit 202 resets its operation from a reset signal from the second control section 205, for example, by a second adjustment operation of the time. However, at this time, since the timer circuit 103 is not reset, the timing of the polarity inversion of the VCOM signal does not change.

[0083] The timer circuit 203 measures a prescribed timer time using the signal of the prescribed frequency generated by the oscillation circuit 201. The timer circuit 203 generates a hardware interrupt "timer interrupt" to the second control section 205 at the time of completion of the measurement of the prescribed timer time. The 1 kHz counter circuit 204 counts in base 10 from 2048 Hz generated by the frequency dividing circuit 202 to generate a 10 Hz interrupt signal and a 1 Hz interrupt signal of the 1 kHz counter circuit 204 required for display update of the stopwatch. The 10 Hz interrupt signal and the 1 Hz interrupt signal of the 1 kHz counter circuit 204 generate respective hardware interrupts to the second control section 205.

[0084] The second control section 205 has a function of mainly controlling the measurement of time among the control functions of the time measuring device 1. The second control section 205 has a CPU, and realizes various functions by executing a program stored in the ROM 206. The second control section 205 has a time measuring section 221 and a stopwatch (STW) measuring section 222 as its functional sections.

[0085] The ROM 206 stores a program executed by the CPU of the second control section 205, default values of various parameters, and the like. The RAM 207 is a memory for temporary storage of data used by the second control section 205.

[0086] The time measuring section 221 measures the time. The STW measuring section 222 measures the time of the stopwatch.

[0087] The input circuit 208 receives a signal indicating the state of the button 30 operated by the user. The communication circuit 209 performs communication with the first control device 100. The communication circuit 209, for example, transmits the timekeeping data to the first control device 100. The output circuit 210 outputs a signal to the corresponding input circuit 110 of the first control device 100. For example, a certain output circuit 210 outputs a display update timing signal to the corresponding input circuit 110 of the first control device 100. For example, a certain output circuit 210 outputs a button input notification signal to the corresponding input circuit 110 of the first control device 100.

[0088] Next, the operation of the time measuring device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0089] Referring to Figures 2-6 , an example of the operation of the time measuring device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Figures 2-6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of the operation of the time measuring device 1 of the present embodiment.

[0090] [Operation Example A1]

[0091] In Figure 2 , operation example A1 is a case where the polarity of the VCOM signal does not reverse during the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In operation example A1, as illustrated in Figure 3 , when an event occurs, since it is not during the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time, it is immediately determined that it is necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 according to the event that has occurred, and the writing of the image data to the liquid crystal panel 301 is performed.

[0092] In the present embodiment, when the image data is written to the liquid crystal panel 301, one writing operation in which the transmission of the address indicating the display position on the liquid crystal panel 301, the transmission of the image data, and the transmission of the write command are performed once or repeatedly performed a plurality of times is performed, and by consecutively performing the one writing operation a plurality of times, the image data that is simultaneously displayed in the display region of the liquid crystal panel 301 is written. In Figure 3 , the image data that is simultaneously displayed in the first to ninth rows of the display region of the liquid crystal panel 301 is written to the liquid crystal panel 301 by consecutively performing the writing operation in units of one row nine times.

[0093] [Operation Example A2]

[0094] In Figure 2 , operation example A2 is a case where the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 does not occur during the reversal of the polarity of the VCOM signal. In operation example A2, as illustrated in Figure 4As exemplified, when the timing of the VCOM timer that measures the fixed polarity inversion period is up, the polarity of the VCOM signal is inverted after waiting for the first waiting operation time. After the polarity of the VCOM signal is inverted, the second waiting operation time is waited for. In addition, during the period of the first waiting operation time after the start and one unit time of the image data write immediately after that and the period of the second waiting operation time, the image data write to the liquid crystal panel 301 is forcibly prohibited by setting the chip select signal (Chip Select Signal) SCS to the liquid crystal panel 301 to be invalid (LOW).

[0095] [Action Example A3]

[0096] In Figure 2 , Action Example A3 is a case where the polarity of the VCOM signal is inverted in the process of updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In Action Example A3, as exemplified in Figure 5 , the image data up to the nth line in the image data of the event that is determined to be necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is completed to the liquid crystal panel 301 by the end of the period of the first waiting operation time, but the image data after the "n+1"th line is not completed to the liquid crystal panel 301 by the end of the period of the first waiting operation time. As for the image data after the "n+1"th line, which is the part of the image data that is not completed to the liquid crystal panel 301 by the end of the period of the first waiting operation time, the write is performed to the liquid crystal panel 301 after the period of the second waiting operation time.

[0097] The part of the image data up to the nth line in the image data of the event that is determined to be necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 (the image data up to the nth line in the example of Figure 5 ) and the part of the image data after the "n+1"th line that is written to the liquid crystal panel 301 after the period of the second waiting operation time (the image data after the "n+1"th line in the example of Figure 5 ) are written to different addresses of the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0098] The part of the image data up to the nth line in the image data of the event that is determined to be necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 (the image data up to the nth line in the example of Figure 5 ) and the part of the image data after the "n+1"th line that is written to the liquid crystal panel 301 after the period of the second waiting operation time (the image data after the "n+1"th line in the example of Figure 5 ) are displayed on different parts of the display region of the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0099] A write operation is defined as the action of sending the address of the display position on the LCD panel 301, sending image data, and sending the write command once or repeatedly. If, during the middle of multiple consecutive write operations, the polarity of the AC voltage applied to the LCD panel 301 reverses, the currently executed write operation is completed. Figure 5 The example of writing image data in row n), after the second wait time, performs one or more remaining write operations. Figure 5 (The example shows the image data writing action after line "n+1").

[0100] [Action Example A4]

[0101] exist Figure 2 In example A4, the event involving an update to the display of the LCD panel 301 occurs during the polarity reversal of the VCOM signal. In example A4, as... Figure 6 As illustrated, even if an event occurs, the event is retained during the first waiting time and the second waiting time. Then, after the first and second waiting times have elapsed, it is determined whether the retained event necessitates updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Next, image data of the event determined to require updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is written to the liquid crystal panel 301. This writing to the liquid crystal panel 301 occurs after the second waiting time has elapsed.

[0102] Reference Figures 7-16 This section explains the processing flow performed by the time measuring device 1 in this embodiment. Figures 7-16 This is a diagram showing the processing flow executed by the time measuring device 1 of this embodiment. Hereinafter, the first control unit 105 will be referred to as "control unit 1" and the second control unit 205 will be referred to as "control unit 2".

[0103] [Processing flow related to power connection of control unit 1]

[0104] Reference Figure 7 This section explains the processing flow related to powering on the first control unit 105. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the processing flow related to the power-on of the first control unit 105 in this embodiment.

[0105] (Step S101) Control unit 2 turns on the power supply of control unit 1.

[0106] (Step S102) Control unit 1 performs its own initialization process.

[0107] (Step S103) The control section 1 turns on the power of the display module 300 (display section).

[0108] (Step S104) The image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 writes initial image data to the liquid crystal panel 301. The initial image data is, for example, image data for non-full screen display or the like.

[0109] (Step S105) The polarity control section 125 of the control section 1 starts a timer (VCOM timer) for polarity inversion of the VCOM signal. The VCOM timer is a timer that measures a fixed polarity inversion period.

[0110] (Step S106) The control section 1 notifies the control section 2 of completion of its startup.

[0111] (Step S107) The control section 2 notifies the control section 1 of the current state (mode or the like) of each function, the current time.

[0112] (Step S108) The control section 1 performs a prescribed update of display of the liquid crystal panel 301 in accordance with the mode of each function. For example, in the case where the current mode is a time display mode, display of the current time is performed.

[0113] [Process flow related to power-off of control section 1]

[0114] Referring to Figure 8 , a process flow related to power-off of the first control section 105 will be described. Figure 8 is a view showing a process flow related to power-off of the first control section 105 of the present embodiment.

[0115] (Step S201) The control section 2 notifies the control section 1 of power-off in advance.

[0116] (Step S202) The control section 1 sets all control ports of the display module 300 to invalid output (LOW output, low output).

[0117] (Step S203) The control section 1 turns off the power of the display module 300.

[0118] (Step S204) The control section 1 notifies the control section 2 of completion of preparation for power-off and the current state (mode or the like) of each function.

[0119] (Step S205) The control section 2 turns off the power of the control section 1.

[0120] [Process flow related to polarity inversion of VCOM signal]

[0121] Referring to Figure 9 , a process flow related to polarity inversion of the VCOM signal will be described.Figure 9 is a view showing a processing flow related to the polarity inversion of the VCOM signal of the present embodiment.

[0122] (Step S301) The polarity control section 125 of the control section 1 determines whether or not the VCOM timer has counted up. In the case where the VCOM timer has counted up, the processing proceeds to step S302. In the case where the VCOM timer has not counted up, the processing returns to step S301.

[0123] (Step S302) The polarity control section 125 restarts the VCOM timer.

[0124] (Step S303) The polarity control section 125 waits for the first waiting operation time.

[0125] (Step S304) The polarity control section 125 inverts the polarity of the VCOM signal after the elapse of the first waiting operation time.

[0126] (Step S305) The polarity control section 125 waits for the second waiting operation time.

[0127] (Step S306) The polarity control section 125 determines whether or not there is a reserved event. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is an event registered in the following-mentioned reserved event information. The event registered in the reserved event information is a "reserved event". In the case where there is a reserved event (in the case where there is an event registered in the reserved event information), the processing proceeds to step S307, and in the case where there is no reserved event (in the case where there is no event registered in the reserved event information), the processing returns to step S301.

[0128] (Step S307) The display update determination section 123 of the control section 1 determines whether or not the reserved event necessitates updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In the case where the reserved event necessitates updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301, the image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 writes the image data of the reserved event to the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0129] [Processing flow related to updating of the display of the liquid crystal panel]

[0130] Referring to Figure 10 , the processing flow related to updating of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 will be described. Figure 10 is a view showing a processing flow related to updating of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 of the present embodiment.

[0131] (Step S401) The image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 generates image data of an event necessitating updating of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0132] (Step S402) The image data output control section 124 determines the area in the display area of the liquid crystal panel 301 in which the display is updated (the area in which the image data is rewritten (addressed)).

[0133] (Step S403) The image data output control section 124 makes the chip select signal SCS to the liquid crystal panel 301 active (HIGH).

[0134] (Step S404) The image data output control section 124 waits for a prescribed waiting time immediately after the chip select signal SCS is made active (HIGH).

[0135] (Step S405) The image data output control section 124 sends the address indicating the display position on the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0136] (Step S406) The image data output control section 124 sends the image data.

[0137] (Step S407) The image data output control section 124 sends the image data write signal (write command).

[0138] (Step S408) The image data output control section 124 determines whether the writing of all of the event's image data is complete. In the case where the writing of all of the event's image data is complete, the processing ends. On the other hand, in the case where there remains image data for which the writing is not yet complete, the processing proceeds to Step S409. Figure 10

[0139] (Step S409) The image data output control section 124 determines whether it is in the period of the first waiting operation time. In the case where it is in the period of the first waiting operation time, the processing proceeds to Step S410. On the other hand, in the case where it is not in the period of the first waiting operation time, the processing proceeds to Step S405, and the writing of the image data for which the writing is not yet complete to the liquid crystal panel 301 is performed.

[0140] (Step S410) The image data output control section 124 determines whether it is in the period of the first waiting operation time or the second waiting operation time. In the case where it is in the period of the first waiting operation time or the second waiting operation time (Step S410, Yes), the waiting is performed until the period of the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time ends. On the other hand, in the case where the period of the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time ends (Step S410, No), the processing proceeds to Step S405, and the writing of the image data for which the writing is not yet complete to the liquid crystal panel 301 is performed.

[0141] [Processing flow related to time counting]

[0142] Referring to Figure 11 ​, which shows a processing flow related to the time counting of the present embodiment. Figure 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow related to the time counting of the present embodiment.

[0143] (Step S501) The time counting section 221 of the control section 2 determines whether or not the 1 Hz interrupt signal has been generated. In the case where the 1 Hz interrupt signal has been generated (step S501, YES), the processing proceeds to step S502. In the case where the 1 Hz interrupt signal has not been generated (step S501, NO), the processing of step S501 is continued.

[0144] (Step S502) The time counting section 221 adds 1 second to the held time (internal time).

[0145] (Step S503) The time counting section 221 notifies the control section 1 of the time update. The event accepting section 121 of the control section 1 accepts the notification (event) of the time update from the control section 2.

[0146] (Step S504) The display update determining section 123 of the control section 1 determines whether or not it is in the period of the 1st waiting operation time or the 2nd waiting operation time. In the case where it is in the period of the 1st waiting operation time or the 2nd waiting operation time (step S504, YES), the processing proceeds to step S505. On the other hand, in the case where it is not in the period of the 1st waiting operation time and the 2nd waiting operation time (step S504, NO), the processing proceeds to step S506.

[0147] (Step S505) The event retaining section 122 of the control section 1 retains the event "notification of time update" accepted by the event accepting section 121. Specifically, the event "notification of time update" is registered in the retained event information. Then, after the period of the 2nd waiting operation time ends, the processing of Figure 9 (step S306), it is determined that there is a retained event, the processing proceeds to step S307, and in order to execute the retained notification / event processing, i.e., the notification of time update, the processing proceeds to Figure 11 (step S506).

[0148] (Step S506) The display update determining section 123 determines whether or not the event "notification of time update" accepted by the event accepting section 121 necessitates the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In the case where it is determined that the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is necessary, the processing proceeds to step S507. For example, in the case where the current display is time display, it is determined that the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is necessary. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is unnecessary, the processing of Figure 11 is ended. For example, in the case where the current display does not include time display, it is determined that the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is unnecessary.

[0149] (step S507) The image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 executes display update processing of the event "notification of time update" judged to be necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Figure 10 ).

[0150] [Processing flow related to button operation]

[0151] With reference to Figure 12 , the processing flow related to button operation will be described. Figure 12 is a view showing the processing flow related to button operation of the present embodiment.

[0152] (step S601) The control section 2 judges whether or not the button 30 is pressed (whether or not the button 30 is operated). In the case where it is judged that the button 30 is pressed, step S602 is entered. On the other hand, in the case where it is not judged that the button 30 is pressed, step S601 is continued.

[0153] (step S602) The control section 2 judges whether or not the control section 1 is in the state of power on. In the case where the control section 1 is in the state of power on, step S604 is entered. On the other hand, in the case where the control section 1 is not in the state of power on, step S603 is entered.

[0154] (step S603) The control section 2 turns on the power of the control section 1.

[0155] (step S604) The control section 2 notifies the control section 1 of the case where the button 30 is pressed and information of the button 30 determined to be pressed. The event accepting section 121 of the control section 1 accepts the notification (event) of button operation from the control section 2.

[0156] (step S605) The display update judging section 123 of the control section 1 judges whether or not it is in the period of the 1st waiting operation time or the 2nd waiting operation time. In the case where it is in the period of the 1st waiting operation time or the 2nd waiting operation time (step S605, Yes), step S606 is entered. On the other hand, in the case where it is not in the period of the 1st waiting operation time and the 2nd waiting operation time (step S605, No), step S607 is entered.

[0157] (step S606) The event retaining section 122 of the control section 1 retains the event "notification of button operation" accepted by the event accepting section 121. Specifically, the event "notification of button operation" is registered in the retained event information. Then, after the period of the 2nd waiting operation time ends, in step S306 of Figure 9 , it is judged that there is a retained event, step S307 is entered, and in order to execute the retained notification / event processing, i.e., the notification of button operation, step S308 is entered. Figure 12The process of step S607.

[0158] (Step S607) The control section 1 executes the prescribed button processing of each button operated, indicated by the event "notification of button operation".

[0159] (Step S608) The display update judging section 123 of the control section 1 judges whether the event "notification of button operation" accepted by the event accepting section 121 necessitates updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In the case where it is judged that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 needs to be updated, step S609 is entered. For example, in the case of a button operation of display mode switching, it is judged that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 needs to be updated. On the other hand, in the case where it is judged that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 does not need to be updated, the process of step S607 is ended. Figure 12 For example, in the case of a button operation of starting the illumination of the back light, it is judged that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 does not need to be updated.

[0160] (Step S609) The image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 executes the display update processing (S609) of the event "notification of button operation" judged to necessitate updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Figure 10

[0161] [Flow of processing related to stopwatch (STW) timing]

[0162] The flow of processing related to stopwatch timing will be described with reference to Figure 13 . Figure 13 is a view showing the flow of processing related to stopwatch timing of the present embodiment.

[0163] (Step S701) The STW timing section 222 of the control section 2 judges whether the button 30 indicating the start of a stopwatch (STW start button 30) is pressed (whether the STW start button 30 is operated). In the case where it is judged that the STW start button 30 is pressed, step S702 is entered. On the other hand, in the case where it is not judged that the STW start button 30 is pressed, step S701 is continued.

[0164] (Step S702) The STW timing section 222 starts a 1 kHz timer.

[0165] (Step S703) The STW timing section 222 notifies the control section 1 of the start of a stopwatch. The event accepting section 121 of the control section 1 accepts the notification (event) of the start of a stopwatch from the control section 2.

[0166] ​(Step S704) The display update determination section 123 of the control section 1 determines whether or not it is in the period of the first waiting operation time or the second waiting operation time. In the case of being in the period of the first waiting operation time or the second waiting operation time (step S704, Yes), the process proceeds to step S705. On the other hand, in the case of not being in the period of the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time (step S704, No), the process proceeds to step S706.

[0167] (Step S705) The event reservation section 122 of the control section 1 reserves the event "notification of start of stopwatch" accepted by the event accepting section 121. Specifically, the event "notification of start of stopwatch" is registered in the reserved event information. Then, after the period of the second waiting operation time ends, the process proceeds to step S706. Figure 9 In step S306, it is determined that there is a reserved event, the process proceeds to step S307, and in order to execute the reserved notification / event processing, i.e., the notification of start of stopwatch, the process proceeds to step S308. Figure 13 In step S706.

[0168] (Step S706) The display update determination section 123 determines whether or not the event "notification of start of stopwatch" accepted by the event accepting section 121 necessitates update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In the case of determining that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 needs to be updated, the process proceeds to step S707. For example, in the case where there is an icon indicating the operation state of the stopwatch, it is determined that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 needs to be updated. On the other hand, in the case of determining that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 does not need to be updated, the process proceeds to step S708. For example, in the case where there is no icon indicating the operation state of the stopwatch and the measurement unit is 1 second, the next display update timing is 1 second later, and thus it is determined that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 does not need to be updated.

[0169] (Step S707) The image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 executes the display update processing (S707) of the event "notification of start of stopwatch" determined to necessitate update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Figure 10 Thereby, the liquid crystal panel 301 displays information indicating the start of measurement of the stopwatch.

[0170] (Step S708) The STW timing section 222 of the control section 2 determines whether or not it is the 10 Hz timing by the 1 kHz timer. In the case of determining that it is the 10 Hz timing, the process proceeds to step S709. On the other hand, in the case of not determining that it is the 10 Hz timing, the process continues with step S708.

[0171] (Step S709) The STW timing section 222 adds 0.1 seconds to the held stopwatch time (STW time).

[0172] (Step S710) The STW timer section 222 notifies the control section 1 of the update of the display of the STW time (addition of 0.1 seconds to the STW time). The event accepting section 121 of the control section 1 accepts the notification (event) of the update of the display of the STW time from the control section 2.

[0173] (Step S711) The display update judging section 123 of the control section 1 judges whether or not it is in the period of the first waiting operation time or the second waiting operation time. In the case of being in the period of the first waiting operation time or the second waiting operation time (Step S711, Yes), the processing proceeds to Step S712. On the other hand, in the case of not being in the period of the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time (Step S711, No), the processing proceeds to Step S713.

[0174] (Step S712) The event retaining section 122 of the control section 1 retains the event "notification of the update of the display of the STW time" accepted by the event accepting section 121. Specifically, the event "notification of the update of the display of the STW time" is registered in the retained event information. Then, after the period of the second waiting operation time ends, the processing proceeds to Step S306 in order to execute the retained notification / event processing, i.e., the notification of the update of the display of the STW time. Figure 9 Figure 13

[0175] (Step S713) The display update judging section 123 judges whether or not the event "notification of the update of the display of the STW time" accepted by the event accepting section 121 necessitates the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In the case of judging that the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is necessary, the processing proceeds to Step S714. For example, in the case where the measuring unit of the stopwatch is 0.1 seconds, it is judged that the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is necessary. On the other hand, in the case of judging that the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is unnecessary, the processing returns to Step S708. For example, in the case where the measuring unit of the stopwatch is 1 second and the displayed measured value is not changed (changed by 0.8 seconds), it is judged that the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is unnecessary.

[0176] (Step S714) The image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 executes the display update processing (update of the display of the stopwatch on the liquid crystal panel 301) of the event "notification of the update of the display of the STW time" judged to necessitate the update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Figure 10 ). Thus, the time of the stopwatch displayed on the liquid crystal panel 301 is updated. After Step S714, the processing returns to Step S708.

[0177] [Processing flow related to the reset of the stopwatch (STW)]

[0178] Referring to​​Figure 14 FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow related to the reset of the stopwatch according to the present embodiment. Figure 14 FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow related to the reset of the stopwatch according to the present embodiment.

[0179] (STW reset button 30) is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process of step S801 is continued.

[0180] (STW reset button 30) is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process of step S801 is continued.

[0181] (STW reset button 30) is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process of step S801 is continued.

[0182] (STW reset button 30) is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process of step S801 is continued.

[0183] (STW reset button 30) is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process of step S801 is continued. Figure 9 (STW reset button 30) is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process of step S801 is continued. Figure 14 (STW reset button 30) is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process of step S801 is continued.

[0184] (STW reset button 30) is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW reset button 30 is pressed, the process of step S801 is continued. Figure 14the measurement value is less than 1 second, it is determined that there is no need to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0185] (step S807), the image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 performs display update processing (step S808) of the event "reset notification of the stopwatch" determined to be necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Figure 10 Thereby, the initial time of the stopwatch is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0186] [Processing flow related to the split (SPLIT) of the stopwatch (STW)]

[0187] With reference to Figure 15 , the processing flow related to the split of the stopwatch will be described. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the processing flow related to the split of the stopwatch according to the present embodiment.

[0188] (step S901), the STW timing section 222 of the control section 2 determines whether the button 30 indicating the split of the stopwatch (STW split button 30) is pressed (whether the STW split button 30 is operated). In a case where it is determined that the STW split button 30 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S902. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW split button 30 is pressed, the process of step S901 is continued.

[0189] (step S902), the STW timing section 222 acquires the STW time from the 1 kHz timer.

[0190] (step S903), the STW timing section 222 performs update of the STW time by less than 0.1 second.

[0191] (step S904), the STW timing section 222 notifies the control section 1 of the split acquisition and the split time. The event reception section 121 of the control section 1 receives the notification (event) of the split acquisition from the control section 2.

[0192] (step S905), the display update determination section 123 of the control section 1 determines whether it is in the period of the 1st waiting operation time or the 2nd waiting operation time. In a case where it is in the period of the 1st waiting operation time or the 2nd waiting operation time (step S905, Yes), the process proceeds to step S906. On the other hand, in a case where it is not in the period of the 1st waiting operation time and the 2nd waiting operation time (step S905, No), the process proceeds to step S907.

[0193] (step S906), the event reservation section 122 of the control section 1 reserves the event "notification of the split acquisition" received by the event reception section 121. Specifically, the event "notification of the split acquisition" is registered in the reserved event information. Then, after the period of the 2nd waiting operation time ends, the event "notification of the split acquisition" is notified to the display update determination section 123.Figure 9 In step S306, it is determined that there is a reserved event, and the processing proceeds to step S307 to execute the notification / reserved event processing for the notification of the segment acquired by the stopwatch, and the processing proceeds to Figure 15 of step S907.

[0194] (step S907) The control section 1 calculates the lap time based on the last acquired segment time and the present acquired segment time.

[0195] (step S908) The display update determining section 123 determines whether the event "notification of segment acquired" accepted by the event accepting section 121 necessitates updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In a case where it is determined that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 needs to be updated, the processing proceeds to step S909. For example, in a case where the measurement unit of the stopwatch is 0.1 seconds, it is determined that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 needs to be updated. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 does not need to be updated, the processing ends. Figure 15 For example, in a case where the measurement unit of the stopwatch is 1 second and the displayed measurement value does not change (change of less than 1 second such as 0.8 seconds), it is determined that the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 does not need to be updated.

[0196] (step S909) The image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 executes the display update processing (S909) of the event "notification of segment acquired" determined to necessitate updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Figure 10 Thereby, the present acquired segment time and the lap time of the stopwatch are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0197] [Processing flow related to the stop of the stopwatch (STW)]

[0198] The processing flow related to the stop of the stopwatch will be described with reference to Figure 16 . Figure 16 is a view illustrating the processing flow related to the stop of the stopwatch according to the present embodiment.

[0199] (step S1001) The STW timing section 222 of the control section 2 determines whether the button 30 instructing the stop of the stopwatch (STW stop button 30) is pressed (whether the STW stop button 30 is operated). In a case where it is determined that the STW stop button 30 is pressed, the processing proceeds to step S1002. On the other hand, in a case where it is not determined that the STW stop button 30 is pressed, the processing of step S1001 is continued.

[0200] (step S1002) The STW timing section 222 stops the 1 kHz timer.

[0201] (step S1003) The STW timing section 222 acquires the STW time from the 1 kHz timer.

[0202] (Step S1004) The STW timer 222 performs an update of the STW time by less than 0.1 second.

[0203] (Step S1005) The STW timer 222 notifies the control section 1 of the stop of the stopwatch and the STW time at the stop (stop time). The event reception section 121 of the control section 1 receives the notification (event) of the stop of the stopwatch from the control section 2.

[0204] (Step S1006) The display update determination section 123 of the control section 1 determines whether or not it is in the period of the first waiting operation time or the second waiting operation time. In the case of being in the period of the first waiting operation time or the second waiting operation time (Step S1006, Yes), the processing proceeds to Step S1007. On the other hand, in the case of not being in the period of the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time (Step S1006, No), the processing proceeds to Step S1008.

[0205] (Step S1007) The event reservation section 122 of the control section 1 reserves the event "notification of the stop of the stopwatch" received by the event reception section 121. Specifically, the event "notification of the stop of the stopwatch" is registered in the reserved event information. Then, after the period of the second waiting operation time ends, the processing proceeds to Step S1008 in Figure 9 Step S306, it is determined that there is a reserved event, the processing proceeds to Step S307, and in order to execute the reserved notification / event processing, the processing proceeds to Figure 16 Step S1008.

[0206] (Step S1008) The display update determination section 123 determines whether or not the event "notification of the stop of the stopwatch" received by the event reception section 121 necessitates an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. In the case of determining that it is necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301, the processing proceeds to Step S1009. For example, in the case where the measured value of the stopwatch is updated, it is determined that it is necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. On the other hand, in the case of determining that it is not necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301, the processing ends. For example, in the case where the measured unit of the stopwatch is 1 second and the displayed measured value is not changed (change of less than 1 second such as 0.8 seconds), it is determined that it is not necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Figure 16

[0207] (Step S1009) The image data output control section 124 of the control section 1 executes the display update processing (Step S1009) of the event "notification of the stop of the stopwatch" determined to be necessary to update the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Figure 10 ). Thereby, the stop time is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0208] ​According to this embodiment, during a fixed first waiting period immediately preceding the polarity reversal of the VCOM signal and a fixed second waiting period immediately following the polarity reversal of the VCOM signal, events received by the event receiving unit 121 are retained. After the first and second waiting periods have elapsed, it is determined whether the retained event necessitates updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301. Image data of events determined to require updating the display of the liquid crystal panel 301 is written to the liquid crystal panel 301. Therefore, since it is not necessary to determine whether the period for transmitting image data is included in the transmission waiting period for polarity reversal of the AC voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301, the software can be simplified.

[0209] According to this embodiment, since the duty cycle of the positive and negative periods of the AC voltage of the VCOM signal can be set to 50%, it helps to maintain the reliability of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal panel 301.

[0210] According to this embodiment, by setting the polarity reversal period of the VCOM signal to a value that is not an integer multiple of the fixed period of the display update of the liquid crystal panel 301 caused by the specific function of the time measuring device 1, the possibility of overlap between the timing of the polarity reversal of the AC voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel 301 and the timing of the display update, i.e., the timing of the output of image data, can be reduced when the event is caused by an external event of the time measuring device 1 (e.g., user button operation).

[0211] Alternatively, the time measuring device 1 can also be installed in digital electronic clocks, combination clocks with digital display function and pointer display function, stopwatches or timers.

[0212] In addition, Figure 1 In the structural example, the function of the time measuring device 1 is divided into a first control device 100 and a second control device 200. However, the function of the time measuring device 1 can also be realized by one control device (one CPU) or by two or more control devices (two or more CPUs).

[0213] In addition, Figure 1 In one example, the voltage conversion circuit 41 is configured to convert the voltage of the power supply 40 into the operating voltage of the first control device 100, the second control device 200, and the display module 300. However, it can also be configured such that the first control device 100 and the second control device 200 are directly driven by the power supply (battery) 40, and only the display module 300 is converted into the operating voltage by the voltage conversion circuit 41.

[0214] In addition, Figure 1In the configuration example of the first control device 100, the control section 1 is configured to notify the control section 2 of the current state (mode, etc.) in the case where the power supply of the control section 1 is turned off, but the first control device 100 can be configured to have a nonvolatile memory added thereto, and the control section 1 can save the current state (mode, etc.) in the nonvolatile memory.

[0215] Further, a computer program for realizing the functions of the time measuring device described above can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and a computer system can read and execute the program recorded in the recording medium. Here, the "computer system" can include an OS, a peripheral device, and the like.

[0216] Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a floppy disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a removable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system.

[0217] Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when the program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet, a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0218] Further, the above-described program can be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet, a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0219] Further, the above-described program can be used to realize a part of the above-described functions. Further, it can be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-described functions by being combined with a program already recorded in a computer system.

[0220] The above-described embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and design changes and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present application are also included.

Claims

1. A time measuring device having a function of measuring time, writing image data to a liquid crystal panel, thereby causing an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel, wherein, The time measuring device has: a polarity control section that reverses the polarity of an alternating voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel at a fixed polarity reversal period; an event receiving section that receives an event that can cause an update of a display of the liquid crystal panel; an event retaining section that retains the event received by the event receiving section during a fixed first waiting operation time immediately before a polarity reversal of the alternating voltage and a fixed second waiting operation time immediately after the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage; a display update determining section that determines whether the retained event necessitates an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel after the passage of the first waiting operation time and the second waiting operation time; and an image data output control section that writes image data of the event determined to necessitate an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel to the liquid crystal panel, the first waiting operation time includes one unit of time of image data writing to the liquid crystal panel and an image data writing prohibition time immediately before the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage, the second waiting operation time includes an image data writing prohibition time immediately after the polarity reversal of the alternating voltage.

2. The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the image data output control section writes, to the liquid crystal panel, a portion of the image data of the event determined to necessitate an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel that has not completed writing to the liquid crystal panel by the end of the first waiting operation time after the passage of the second waiting operation time.

3. The time measuring device according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the image data of the event determined to necessitate an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel that has completed writing to the liquid crystal panel by the end of the first waiting operation time is written to the liquid crystal panel at a different address than a portion of the image data written to the liquid crystal panel after the passage of the second waiting operation time.

4. The time measuring device according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the image data of the event determined to necessitate an update of the display of the liquid crystal panel that has completed writing to the liquid crystal panel by the end of the first waiting operation time is displayed on a different portion of a display area of the liquid crystal panel than a portion of the image data written to the liquid crystal panel after the passage of the second waiting operation time.

5. The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the event is a prescribed processing request within the time measuring device that occurs after a communication from a control section within the time measuring device having a prescribed control function is received within the time measuring device.

6. The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the event is a prescribed processing request that is initiated by a hardware interrupt generated within the time measuring device with respect to a control section within the time measuring device having a prescribed control function.

7. The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the event is a request for updating of display of time measured inside the time measuring device.

8. The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the event is a request for updating of display of time of day measured inside the time measuring device.

9. The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the polarity inversion period is a value that is not an integer multiple of a fixed period of display update of the liquid crystal panel that occurs due to a specific function possessed by the time measuring device.

10. The time measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the event is a prescribed processing request for each button operated after an operation to a button possessed by the time measuring device is accepted.

11. The time measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the event is a prescribed processing request inside the time measuring device that occurs after a communication from a device outside the time measuring device is accepted inside the time measuring device.

12. The time measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the event is a prescribed processing request that occurs in conjunction with a change in state inside or outside the time measuring device.

13. The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein when writing image data to the liquid crystal panel, an operation of transmitting an address indicating a display position on the liquid crystal panel, transmitting image data, and transmitting a write command is set as one write operation, and by successively performing the one write operation a plurality of times, image data that is simultaneously displayed in a display region of the liquid crystal panel is written, in a case where a timing of polarity inversion of the alternating voltage occurs midway through successively performing the one write operation a plurality of times, the one write operation that is currently being performed is completed, and the one write operation that remains one or a plurality of times is performed after a period of time elapses after the second waiting operation time.

14. The time measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the time measuring device is provided in a digital electronic timepiece, a combination timepiece having a digital display function and a pointer display function, a stopwatch, or a chronograph.

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