Clock components, clocks, clock control methods and programs

Abstract

To enable easy measurement of the elapsed time. [Solution] The clock component is used in a clock that displays the time by a pointer, and has a plurality of markers arranged in a ring at the position indicated by the pointer, and the plurality of markers constitute two or more groups of markers, each consisting of a first number of markers with different display modes from each other, and each of the two or more groups of markers has the same arrangement of display modes in the first number of markers. The clock comprises a dial indicated by a pointer and a control unit, and when the control unit starts a timer mode that measures the elapsed time of a predetermined period of time, it causes a display on the dial to allow the user to identify at least one of the start timing of starting the timer mode and the end timing after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start timing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece part, a timepiece, a timepiece control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a timepiece designed such that a user can know the length of the elapsed time based on the position of a continuously rotating pointer, such as a 12-minute clock used in a sauna (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the timepiece as described above, since the position of the pointer at the start time of measuring the elapsed time is not necessarily an easy-to-understand position such as the exact time, the position of the pointer when the desired time has elapsed is also difficult to understand. For this reason, the above prior art has a problem that it is not easy to measure the elapse of a predetermined time.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable easy measurement of the elapse of a predetermined time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a timepiece part according to the present invention is a timepiece part used for a timepiece that displays time by a pointer, wherein a plurality of markings are provided in an annular arrangement at a position indicated by the pointer, and the plurality of markings constitute two or more marking groups each consisting of a first number of markings having different display modes from each other, Each of the two or more groups of signs has the same arrangement of display patterns as the first number of signs.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the clock according to the present invention Guidelines and, The dial indicated by the aforementioned guide, Control unit and Equipped with, The control unit, When a timer mode for measuring the elapsed time is started, the dial displays at least one of the start timing of the timer mode and the end timing, which is the time elapsed from the start timing, so that the user can identify them. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the elapsed time of a predetermined period can be easily measured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the appearance of an electronic clock according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic clock according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a close-up view of the markings on the bezel. [Figure 4] This figure shows the appearance of an electronic clock according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic clock according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electronic clock according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the bezel configuration according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the positional relationship between the bezel and the color wheel in the first state. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the positional relationship between the bezel and the color wheel in the second state. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the timer mode control process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the control procedure of other timer mode control processes according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing the appearance of an electronic clock according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the timer mode control process according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the timer mode control process according to the fifth embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. First, the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic clock 1 (clock) according to the first embodiment includes a main body 2 and two bands 3 attached to the main body 2. The electronic clock 1 is a wristwatch that is worn on the user's wrist by winding the band 3 around the wrist and used. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the electronic clock 1 includes a CPU 11 (Central Processing Unit) (control unit, control means), a RAM 12 (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 13, a display unit 20, a timekeeping unit 30, and an operation unit 40. Each part of the electronic clock 1 is connected via a data transmission path such as a bus. The configuration shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the main body 2.

[0011] The CPU 11 is a processor that reads and executes the program 131 stored in the storage unit 13 and controls the operation of the electronic clock 1 by performing various arithmetic processes. Note that the electronic clock 1 may have a plurality of processors (for example, a plurality of CPUs), and the plurality of processes executed by the CPU 11 in the present embodiment may be executed by the plurality of processors. In this case, the control unit is configured by the plurality of processors. In this case, the plurality of processors may be involved in common processes, or the plurality of processors may independently execute different processes in parallel. The RAM 12 provides a working memory space for the CPU 11 and stores temporary data. The storage unit 13 is a non-temporary recording medium readable by the CPU 11 as a computer and stores the program 131 and various data. The storage unit 13 has a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, for example. The program 131 is stored in the storage unit 13 in the form of program code readable by a computer.

[0012] [[ID=③]] The display unit 20 includes an hour hand 21, a minute hand 22, and a second hand 23 that rotate around the rotation axis 28 shown in FIG. 1. The hour hand 21, the minute hand 22, and the second hand 23 correspond to the "plurality of hands" and are also collectively referred to as "hands 21 to 23" below. The display unit 20 also has a dial plate 27 disposed on the back side of the hands 21 to 23. The dial plate 27 is provided with 12 hour characters corresponding to the exact time at positions that divide the circular outer periphery of the dial plate 27 into 12 equal parts. Each hour character has one of the numbers from "1" to "12" and a bar-shaped mark indicating the position of the hour character. However, the form of the hour character is not limited to this.

[0013] It should be noted that the tag you provided was translated as <000009③> in the above content, which may be a misrepresentation of the original tag. If this is not what you intended, please correct it and let me know.As shown in Figure 2, the display unit 20 further includes gear train mechanisms 241, 242, and 243, which are multiple gear trains connected to the hour hand 21, minute hand 22, and second hand 23, respectively; stepping motors 251, 252, and 253, which rotate the gear train mechanisms 241, 242, and 243, respectively; and a motor drive circuit 26, which drives the stepping motors 251, 252, and 253. The hour hand 21 rotates in increments of an angle corresponding to one second in response to the stepping motor 251 transmitted via the gear train mechanism 241. The minute hand 22 rotates in increments of an angle corresponding to one second in response to the stepping motor 252 transmitted via the gear train mechanism 242. The second hand 23 rotates in increments of an angle corresponding to one second in response to the stepping motor 253 transmitted via the gear train mechanism 243. The rotation angle of the second hand 23 corresponding to 1 second is 6 degrees, the rotation angle of the minute hand 22 is 1 / 60 of the rotation angle of the second hand 23, and the rotation angle of the hour hand 21 is 1 / 12 of the rotation angle of the minute hand. Stepping motors 251 to 253 are each driven in steps based on the voltage waveform of the drive pulse input from the motor drive circuit 26, causing the pointers 21 to 23 to rotate by the predetermined rotation angles described above in the forward direction (time advances) or the reverse direction (time reverses). While the time is being displayed, stepping motors 251 to 253 are driven by a drive pulse of 1 pps (pulses per second). The motor drive circuit 26 outputs drive voltage pulses with appropriate timing and pulse width to drive stepping motors 251, 252, and 253 in steps, respectively, in response to the control signal input from the CPU 11.

[0014] The timing unit 30 includes an oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit, and a timing circuit, etc. The timing unit 30 counts and holds the current date and time by having the frequency divider circuit divide the clock signal generated by the oscillator circuit, and then having the timing circuit count the divided signal.

[0015] The operating unit 40 has operating means such as the operating buttons 41 and crown 42 shown in Figure 1, and outputs an operating signal to the CPU 11 corresponding to the operation performed on the operating means.

[0016] The electronic clock 1 of this embodiment is configured to allow users of a sauna to easily measure the elapsed time of 12 minutes (a predetermined time), which is considered the typical time for bathing in a sauna. The configuration for this time measurement will be described below. As shown in Figure 1, the main body 2 of the electronic clock 1 is equipped with a bezel 60 (a clock component) that surrounds the outer circumference of the circular display unit 20. The bezel 60 is annular when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the dial 27. Hereinafter, viewing from a direction perpendicular to the dial 27 will be referred to as a "plan view". On the viewing surface of the bezel 60, a plurality of markers 50 are provided, arranged in an annular pattern at positions indicated by the minute hand 22. A total of 60 markers 50 are provided at positions that divide the bezel 60 into 60 equal parts in the circumferential direction. Each of the 60 markers 50 contains one of the numbers from "0" to "59", which are arranged in ascending order with respect to the rotation direction of the minute hand 22. In other words, the markers 50 indicated by the minute hand 22 at 0 to 59 minutes past the hour each contain the numbers "0" to "59". The marker 50 at the 0-minute (12 o'clock) position may be replaced with "60" instead of "0". That is, each of the 60 markers 50 may contain one of the numbers from "1" to "60". Furthermore, each marker 50 includes a scale indicated by the minute hand 22. As shown in Figure 1, if a scale is included in the marker 50, the minute scale on the dial 27 may be omitted. In this embodiment, the markers 50 are printed or engraved on the surface of the bezel 60.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the 60 markers 50 constitute two or more (five in this embodiment) marker groups 51. Each marker group 51 consists of a first number of markers 50 with different display patterns. The first number is a divisor of "60", and all 60 markers 50 belong to one of the marker groups 51 without any remainder. In this embodiment, the first number is 12, and the 60 markers 50 constitute five marker groups 51. Of the five marker groups 51, the first marker group 51 consists of markers 50 from "1" to "12", the second marker group 51 consists of markers 50 from "13" to "24", the third marker group 51 consists of markers 50 from "25" to "36", the fourth marker group 51 consists of markers 50 from "37" to "48", and the fifth marker group 51 consists of markers 50 from "49" to "59" and "0". Furthermore, the 12 markers 50 that make up the marker group 51 have different colors as display modes. In each of the five marker groups 51, the arrangement of colors (the order of the colors) of the 12 markers 50 is the same in the direction of rotation of the minute hand 22. In other words, markers 50 whose remainder when the number of the marker 50 is divided by 12 are the same color. Therefore, when the minute hand 22 is pointing to a marker 50 of a certain color at a certain point in time (for example, the marker 50 labeled "3" in Figure 3), the color of the marker 50 that the minute hand 22 points to 12 minutes later (for example, the marker 50 labeled "15") will be the same as the aforementioned color. Thus, by remembering the color of the marker 50 that the minute hand 22 was pointing to when the user entered the sauna (for example, the marker 50 labeled "3"), the user can easily recognize that 12 minutes have passed since entering the sauna when the minute hand 22 next points to a marker 50 of the same color (for example, the marker 50 labeled "15"). In the following, among the signs 50 belonging to different signs 51, signs 50 that have the same color will be referred to as "corresponding signs 50".

[0018] As shown in Figure 4, each of the indicators 50 constituting each indicator group 51 may include one of the numbers from 1 to a first number (in this embodiment, "12") arranged in ascending order with respect to the rotation direction of the minute hand 22. That is, each of the indicators 50 constituting each indicator group 51 may include one of the numbers from "1" to "12", and the numbers of the indicators 50 may be configured to repeat the numbers from "1" to "12" with respect to the rotation direction of the minute hand 22. In the configuration of Figure 4, the colors of indicators 50 with the same number will be the same. In other words, corresponding indicators 50 in each indicator group 51 will have the same number and color. Also, in the configuration of Figure 4, the number itself (the shape of the number) can be considered as the display mode of the indicator 50. That is, in each indicator group 51, the arrangement of numbers as an arrangement of display modes of the 12 indicators 50 is the same, so indicators 50 with the same number can be recognized as corresponding indicators 50. Therefore, in the configuration of Figure 4, all indicators 50 may be the same color. Furthermore, the first number of markers 50 that make up the marker group 51 may be a number other than "12" among the divisors of "60".

[0019] Furthermore, the bezel 60 may be removable from the main body 2, and multiple different bezels 60 may be interchangeable. For example, by preparing four bezels 60, each with 6, 10, 12, and 15 markers constituting a single marker group 51 (first number), and swapping them as needed, it is possible to measure 6 minutes, 10 minutes, 12 minutes, and 15 minutes, respectively.

[0020] As described above, the bezel 60 as a watch component according to the first embodiment is used in an electronic clock 1 that displays the time by hands 21 to 23, and is provided with a plurality of markers 50 arranged in a ring shape at positions indicated by the minute hand 22. The plurality of markers 50 constitute two or more marker groups 51, each consisting of a first number of markers 50 with different colors as display modes, and each of the two or more marker groups 51 has the same color arrangement in the first number of markers. This makes it possible to easily measure a predetermined time when the minute hand 22 moves between two markers 50 of the same color. That is, by remembering the color of the marker 50 that the minute hand 22 was indicating at a certain starting timing, it is possible to recognize that a predetermined time (12 minutes in this embodiment) has elapsed from the starting timing when the minute hand 22 next indicates a marker 50 of the same color.

[0021] Furthermore, the multiple markers 50 consist of 60 markers 50, each containing one of either the numbers "0" to "59" or the numbers "1" to "60," arranged in ascending order with respect to the rotation direction of the minute hand 22. This makes it easy to determine the time the minute hand 22 has moved between the markers 50 by looking at the difference in the numbers of the markers 50. The markers 50 can also be used as a scale to indicate the position of the minute hand 22.

[0022] Furthermore, in the configuration shown in Figure 4, the number of markers 50 constituting the marker group 51 (first number) is a divisor of 60, and each of the first number of markers 50 constituting the marker group 51 contains one of the numbers from "1" to the aforementioned divisor, arranged in ascending order with respect to the rotation direction of the minute hand 22. This makes it possible to easily measure a predetermined time during which the minute hand 22 moves between two markers 50 with the same number. In other words, by remembering the number of the marker 50 that the minute hand 22 was pointing to at a certain starting point, it is possible to recognize that a predetermined time (12 minutes in this embodiment) has elapsed from the starting point when the minute hand 22 next points to a marker 50 with the same number.

[0023] Furthermore, by using color as the display method for the sign 50, the location of the corresponding sign 50 in each sign group 51 can be intuitively identified.

[0024] Furthermore, the electronic clock 1 includes a bezel 60 as a clock component and hands 21-23. With such an electronic clock 1, while displaying the current time, a predetermined time can be easily measured based on the positional relationship between the mark 50 on the bezel 60 and the minute hand 22.

[0025] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the points common to the first embodiment will be omitted from the description. As shown in Figure 5, the display unit 20 of the electronic clock 1 according to the second embodiment further comprises a color wheel 70, a gear train mechanism 244, and a stepping motor 254. The color wheel 70 is a disc-shaped member that rotates around a rotation axis 28 common to the hands 21 to 23. The color wheel 70 rotates in accordance with the stepping operation of the stepping motor 254 transmitted via the gear train mechanism 244. The stepping motor 254 is driven by a motor drive circuit 26. The motor drive circuit 26, the stepping motor 254, and the gear train mechanism 244 constitute a rotation drive unit 29 that rotates the color wheel 70. Alternatively, the gear train mechanism 244 and the crown 42 may be connected via gears, and the color wheel 70 may be rotated by rotating the crown 42 while it is pulled out to a predetermined number of steps. In this case, the stepping motor 254 can be omitted.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the main body 2 comprises a housing 81 that houses the components shown in Figure 5, and a transparent windshield glass 83 that seals the space formed by the housing 81. A module 82 containing a motor drive circuit 26, stepping motors 251-254, and gear train mechanisms 241-244 is housed in the space on the back side of the housing 81 behind the dial 27. The color wheel 70 is located on the back side of the dial 27, that is, between the dial 27 and the module 82. Since the dial 27 is opaque, the portion of the color wheel 70 that overlaps with the dial 27 is not visible to the user. The diameter of the color wheel 70 is larger than the diameter of the dial 27, and the color wheel 70 extends to a position that overlaps with the bezel 60 in a plan view. The bezel 60 has a transparent hole 61 in a portion that overlaps with the color wheel 70 in a plan view. The housing 81 also has a transparent hole 811 at a position that overlaps with the transparent hole 61. Therefore, a portion of the color wheel 70 is exposed through the through-holes 61 and 811. The user can see the portion of the color wheel 70 exposed through the through-hole 61.

[0027] As shown in Figure 7, in the second embodiment, the 60 markers 50 provided on the bezel 60 (member) alternate between 6 (second number) first markers 50a and 6 (second number) second markers 50b in the direction of rotation of the minute hand 22. Of these, the first markers 50a are printed or engraved on the surface of the bezel 60. The color of the first markers 50a is the same as the color of the marker 50 corresponding to the first markers 50a among the 60 markers 50 in the first embodiment (see Figure 3). For example, the color arrangement of the first markers 50a labeled "1" to "6" shown in Figure 7 is the same as the color arrangement of the markers 50 labeled "1" to "6" shown in Figure 3. On the other hand, a through-hole 61 cut out along the outline of the number is provided at the position of each second marker 50b. Therefore, when viewed on its own, the numbers of the second markers 50b are the through-holes 61 and are not colored.

[0028] As shown in Figure 8, the color wheel 70 has 60 color regions 71 that radiate from the center. Each color region 71 is a sector with equal central angles and is colored with a predetermined color. The order of the colors in the 60 color regions 71 is the same as the order of the colors in the 60 markers 50 in Figure 3. Therefore, the order of the colors in the 60 color regions 71 is an order in which 12 different colors are repeated 5 times. When the bezel 60 is placed on the color wheel 70, the color of one color region 71 is exposed through the through-hole 61 of one of the second markers 50b. The color exposed through the through-hole 61 becomes the color of the second marker 50b. In the second embodiment, the bezel 60 and the color wheel 70 constitute a "watch component". Note that the color wheel 70 only needs to be colored in the portion that overlaps with the through-hole 61 in a plan view, and other parts may be achromatic. Furthermore, notches or openings may be provided in parts that do not overlap with the through-hole 61 in a plan view, for purposes such as weight reduction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 8, the state in which the color wheel 70 is stopped at a first rotation angle in which the color of the first marker 50a and the color of the color region 71 that overlaps with the first marker 50a in a plan view are the same is referred to as the first state. In the first state, the color exposed from the through-hole 61 of each second marker 50b is the same as the color of the marker 50 corresponding to the second marker 50b in the first embodiment. For example, the color arrangement of the second markers 50b labeled "7" to "12" in Figure 8 is the same as the color arrangement of the markers 50 labeled "7" to "12" in Figure 3. Therefore, in the first state, the colors of the 12 adjacent markers 50 (6 first markers 50a and 6 second markers 50b) are different from each other, so the marker group 51 is composed of 12 markers 50 consisting of 6 first markers 50a and 6 second markers 50b. Therefore, in the first state, similar to the first embodiment, the time it takes for the minute hand 22 to move between two indicators 50 of the same color is 12 minutes. Thus, by remembering the color of the indicator 50 that the minute hand 22 was pointing to when the user entered the sauna, it is possible to recognize that 12 minutes have passed since entering the sauna when the minute hand 22 next points to an indicator 50 of the same color.

[0030] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, the state in which the color wheel 70 is rotated by 36 degrees (an angle corresponding to the 6 color regions 71) from the state in Figure 8 (the state in which the color wheel 70 is at the second rotation angle) is referred to as the second state. In the second state, the colors exposed from the through-holes 61 of the 6 second markers 50b are the same as the colors of the 6 first markers 50a. For example, the arrangement of colors in the first markers 50a labeled "1" to "6" is the same as the arrangement of colors in the second markers 50b labeled "7" to "12". Therefore, in the second state, a group of markers 51 is formed by 6 adjacent first markers 50a, and a group of markers 51 is formed by 6 adjacent second markers 50b. That is, the number of markers 50 constituting one group of markers 51 (first number) becomes 6, which is half of the number in the first state. For this reason, in the second state, the time it takes for the minute hand 22 to move between two markers 50 with the same color is 6 minutes. Therefore, by remembering the color of the indicator 50 indicated by the minute hand 22 at the time of entering the sauna, it is possible to recognize that 6 minutes have passed since entering the sauna when the minute hand 22 next indicates the same colored indicator 50.

[0031] As described above, the watch component according to the second embodiment consists of a bezel 60 and a color wheel 70. The plurality of markers 50 alternately consist of 6 (second number) first markers 50a and 6 (second number) second markers 50b in the direction of rotation of the minute hand 22. The bezel 60 is provided with the first markers 50a and through holes 61 at the positions of the second markers 50b. The color wheel 70 is rotatable around a rotation axis 28 common to the hands 21-23, with a portion of it exposed through the through holes 61, and the color scheme is determined so that the color exposed through the through holes 61 corresponds to the color of the second marker 50b. The color scheme of the color wheel 70 is further defined such that when the color wheel 70 is at a first rotation angle, the arrangement of colors in the six first markers 50a and the arrangement of colors in the six second markers 50b are different, resulting in a first state, and when the color wheel 70 is at a second rotation angle, the arrangement of colors in the six first markers 50a and the arrangement of colors in the six second markers 50b are identical, resulting in a second state. With this configuration, in the first state, a group of markers 51 is composed of 12 markers 50, and in the second state, a group of markers 51 is composed of 6 markers 50. That is, in the second state, the number of markers 50 included in one group of markers 51 is half that of the first state. Therefore, in the first state, the minute hand 22 moves between two markers 50 with the same color in 12 minutes, so 12 minutes can be measured. Also, in the second state, the minute hand 22 moves between two markers 50 with the same color in 6 minutes, so 6 minutes can be measured. In other words, by rotating the color wheel 70 to switch between the first and second states, the length of time being measured can be changed. For example, an experienced sauna user could use the color wheel 70 in the first state to measure 12 minutes, while a sauna beginner could use the color wheel 70 in the second state to measure 6 minutes.

[0032] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the points common to the first embodiment will be omitted from the explanation. The third embodiment may be combined with the second embodiment, or with the fourth or fifth embodiment which will be described later. In the third embodiment, the CPU 11 switches the operating mode of the electronic clock 1 between a time display mode that displays the current time and a timer mode for measuring the elapsed time of a predetermined period of time. For example, when a predetermined operation (such as a long press) is performed on a predetermined operation button 41, the CPU 11 switches the operating mode of the electronic clock 1 between the time display mode and the timer mode. Note that the trigger for switching modes is not limited to an operation on the operation button 41. For example, the CPU 11 may switch from the time display mode to the timer mode when the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) of the electronic clock 1 becomes equal to or above a predetermined temperature corresponding to the room temperature of a sauna. The CPU 11 also causes a display on the dial 27 that allows the user to identify the start timing when the timer mode was started. Specifically, the CPU 11 causes the second hand 23 to indicate the position that the minute hand 22 was indicating at the start time, throughout the duration of the timer mode. This allows the user to identify the indicator 50 that the minute hand 22 was indicating at the start time from the position of the second hand 23. Therefore, the user can identify the color of the indicator 50 that the minute hand 22 was indicating at the start time without having to remember its color.

[0033] To achieve this operation, the CPU 11 executes the timer mode control process shown in Figure 10. When the timer mode control process starts, the CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether a predetermined start operation for starting the timer mode has been performed (step S101). If it is determined that a start operation has been performed ("YES" in step S101), the CPU 11 moves the second hand 23 to the position of the minute hand 22 at that point, i.e., the start timing of the timer mode, and stops it (step S102). Here, the CPU 11 operates the stepping motor 253 by sending a control signal to the motor drive circuit 26, rotating the gear train mechanism 243 and moving the second hand 23. The CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether a predetermined end operation for ending the time display mode has been performed (step S103). This end operation may be an operation for starting the time display mode. If it is determined that the termination operation has been performed ("YES" in step S103), the CPU 11 sends a control signal to the motor drive circuit 26 to move the second hand 23 to the current time position and restart the movement of the second hand for displaying the seconds (step S104). When step S104 is completed, the CPU 11 terminates the timer mode control process.

[0034] In a different configuration from the above, the CPU 11 may display on the dial 27 a message that allows the user to identify the end time, which is the time after a predetermined period has elapsed from the start time of the timer mode. Specifically, the CPU 11 may have the second hand 23 indicate the position indicated by the minute hand 22 at the end time during the duration of the timer mode. This allows the user to recognize that 12 minutes have elapsed from the start time when the minute hand 22 overlaps with the second hand 23. Therefore, time can be measured without having to remember the color of the indicator 50 that the minute hand 22 was indicating at the start time.

[0035] To achieve this operation, the CPU 11 executes the timer mode control process shown in Figure 11. In this timer mode control process, if it is determined that the timer mode has been started ("YES" in step S101), the CPU 11 derives the position of the minute hand 22 at a predetermined time from that point, i.e., at the end of the timer mode, and moves the second hand 23 to the derived position and stops it (step S102a). Subsequent processing is the same as the timer mode control process in Figure 10.

[0036] The CPU 11 may also display on the dial 27 such that the user can identify both the start and end timings of the timer mode. For example, the CPU 11 may have the second hand 23 indicate the position indicated by the minute hand 22 at the start timing, and the hour hand 21 indicate the position indicated by the minute hand 22 at the end timing. In the third embodiment, since the elapsed time can be measured without using the positional relationship between the bezel 60's marker 50 and the minute hand 22, the bezel 60's marker 50 may be omitted.

[0037] As described above, the electronic clock 1 according to the third embodiment comprises a dial 27 indicated by hands 21 to 23 and a CPU 11. When the CPU 11 starts a timer mode that measures the elapsed time of a predetermined period, it causes the dial 27 to display at least one of the start timing of the timer mode and the end timing, which is the time after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start timing, so that the user can identify it. By displaying the start timing, the user can easily determine the elapsed time from the start timing. Furthermore, by displaying the end timing, the user can easily recognize that the end timing has arrived, that is, that a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the start timing.

[0038] Furthermore, the CPU 11 causes one of the hands 21 to 23 (excluding the minute hand 22) to indicate at least one of the positions indicated by the minute hand 22 at the start timing and the position indicated by the minute hand 22 at the end timing during the timer mode. This makes it possible to intuitively and clearly indicate at least one of the start timing and the end timing.

[0039] Furthermore, in the clock control method according to the third embodiment, the CPU 11 causes the dial 27 to display, in the manner described above, at least one of the start timing and the end timing so that the user can identify it. In addition, the program 131 according to the third embodiment causes the CPU 11 to function as a control means for performing the above control. This allows the user to easily identify the elapsed time from the start timing and to easily recognize that a predetermined time has elapsed from the start timing.

[0040] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the display for the user to recognize the start timing and / or end timing. The differences from the third embodiment will be described below. As shown in Figure 12, the dial 27 according to the fourth embodiment is provided with a through-hole 271. In addition, a color wheel 70 similar to that of the second embodiment is provided on the back side of the dial 27. However, the color wheel 70 only needs to be large enough to overlap the through-hole 271 in a plan view, and does not need to extend to a position where it overlaps with the bezel 60. The color scheme of the color wheel 70 is determined so that the color of one of the indicators 50 is exposed from the through-hole 271 depending on the rotation angle of the color wheel 70. The CPU 11 rotates the color wheel 70 so that the same color as the indicator 50 indicated by the minute hand 22 is exposed from the through-hole 271 at the end timing of the timer mode. For example, as shown in Figure 12, if the minute hand 22 is pointing to the "3" indicator 50 at the start of the timer mode, the CPU 11 rotates the color wheel 70 so that the color of the "15" indicator 50 indicated by the minute hand 22 is exposed through the through-hole 271 at the end of the timer mode 12 minutes later. This allows the user to recognize that the timer mode has ended, that is, that 12 minutes have elapsed since the start, when the color exposed through the through-hole 271 matches the color of the indicator 50 indicated by the minute hand 22. In the fourth embodiment, the arrangement of the colors of the indicators 50 does not have to be repeated in units of indicator groups 51; for example, the colors of all 60 indicators 50 may be different from each other. In other words, one indicator group 51 may be composed of 60 indicators 50. In this case, the predetermined time measured in timer mode may be any time set in advance by the user.

[0041] To achieve this operation, the CPU 11 executes the timer mode control process shown in Figure 13. When the timer mode control process starts, the CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether a predetermined start operation to start the timer mode has been performed (step S201). If it is determined that a start operation has been performed ("YES" in step S201), the CPU 11 identifies the color of the indicator 50 that the minute hand 22 will indicate after a predetermined time from that point in time (step S202). After that, the CPU 11 rotates the color wheel 70 so that the identified color is exposed from the through-hole 271 (step S203). For example, the CPU 11 refers to table data (not shown) which is registered in association with the rotation angle of the color wheel 70 and the color exposed from the through-hole 271, and determines the amount of rotation of the color wheel 70 in step S203 based on this table data, the current rotation angle of the color wheel 70, and the color identified in step S202. The CPU 11 then sends a control signal to the motor drive circuit 26 of the rotation drive unit 29 to rotate the color wheel 70 by the determined amount of rotation. After that, the CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether or not a predetermined termination operation to end the time display mode has been performed (step S204), and if it determines that the termination operation has been performed ("YES" in step S204), it terminates the timer mode control process.

[0042] In a different configuration from the above, the CPU 11 may rotate the color wheel 70 so that the same color as the indicator 50 indicated by the minute hand 22 at the start of the timer mode is exposed through the through-hole 271. This allows the user to identify the color of the indicator 50 indicated by the minute hand 22 at the start time without having to remember it. Therefore, the elapsed time from the start time can be determined by the difference between the position of the colored indicator 50 exposed through the through-hole 271 and the position of the indicator 50 currently indicated by the minute hand 22.

[0043] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the configuration and rotation control of the color wheel 70. The differences from the fourth embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, the color scheme of the color wheel 70 is determined so that one of the colors from the gradient from blue to red is exposed from the through-hole 271 depending on the rotation angle of the color wheel 70. Blue is a color predetermined to correspond to the start timing, and red is a color predetermined to correspond to the end timing. The distribution of colors in the color wheel 70 and the size of the through-hole 271 may be determined so that one color is exposed from the through-hole 271 depending on the rotation angle of the color wheel 70. The CPU 11 rotates the color wheel 70 by the rotation drive unit 29 during the timer mode so that the blue color of the color wheel 70 is exposed from the through-hole 271 at the start timing of the timer mode, and the red color of the color wheel 70 is exposed from the through-hole 271 at the end timing of the timer mode. This allows the user to easily recognize that the end time has arrived, that is, that a predetermined time has elapsed from the start time, by the color of the color wheel 70 exposed through the through-hole 271 changing to red. In the fifth embodiment, the user can also recognize that a predetermined time has elapsed without using the positional relationship between the bezel 60 marker 50 and the minute hand 22, so the bezel 60 marker 50 may be omitted.

[0044] To achieve this operation, the CPU 11 executes the timer mode control process shown in Figure 14. When the timer mode control process starts, the CPU 11 sends a control signal to the motor drive circuit 26 of the rotary drive unit 29 to rotate the color wheel 70 to a position where the color corresponding to the start timing (blue) is exposed from the through-hole 271 (step S301). The CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether a predetermined start operation for starting the timer mode has been performed (step S302). If it determines that a start operation has been performed (YES in step S302), the CPU 11 sends a control signal to the motor drive circuit 26 of the rotary drive unit 29 to rotate the color wheel 70 at a rotation speed such that the color corresponding to the end timing (red) is exposed from the through-hole 271 after a predetermined time (step S303). After that, the CPU 11 repeatedly determines whether a predetermined end operation for ending the time display mode has been performed (step S304), and if it determines that an end operation has been performed (YES in step S304), it terminates the timer mode control process.

[0045] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the embodiments described above, the mark 50 is shown to include numbers, but it is not limited to this, and the mark 50 may include letters, figures, symbols, or combinations thereof. Also, the mark 50 may be a simple colored area that does not include numbers or letters. Furthermore, the display mode of the mark 50 is shown to be the color of the mark 50, but it is not limited to this. For example, the display mode may be a pattern such as hatching or dots, or the length of the scale included in the mark 50, or a combination of these and color.

[0046] Furthermore, although an example has been given in which the markings 50 are provided on the bezel 60, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the markings 50 may be provided on the dial 27 instead of the bezel 60. In this case, the markings 50 may be directly printed or engraved on the dial 27, or the markings 50 may be formed by through-holes provided in the dial 27. In these cases, the dial 27 corresponds to the "watch component". Also, as in the second embodiment, some of the markings 50 on the dial 27 may be formed by through-holes, and the colors of the color wheel 70 may be exposed through these through-holes. In this case, the dial 27 and the color wheel 70 correspond to the "watch component".

[0047] Furthermore, the number of markers 50 is not limited to 60; depending on the application, there may be more than 60 or fewer than 60. For example, in the case of measuring time in 3-minute increments, 20 markers 50 may be provided at positions corresponding to the 3-minute markings on the dial 27.

[0048] Furthermore, although a wristwatch was used as an example of the electronic clock 1 in the above embodiment, it is not limited to this, and may also be a wall clock, a desk clock, a pocket watch, etc.

[0049] Furthermore, while the above description discloses an example in which the flash memory of the storage unit 13 is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, the invention is not limited to this example. Other computer-readable mediums that can be used include information recording media such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), and CD-ROMs. In addition, a carrier wave can also be used as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0050] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration and operation of each component of the electronic clock 1 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1…Electronic clock (clock), 11…CPU (control unit, control means), 21…Hour hand (pointer), 22…Minute hand (pointer), 23…Second hand (pointer), 27…Dial, 271…Transmitted hole, 29…Rotating drive unit, 50…Marker, 50a…First mark, 50b…Second mark, 51…Marker group, 60…Bezel (clock part), 61…Transmitted hole, 70…Color wheel

Claims

1. A clock component used in a clock that displays the time using a pointer, Multiple signs are provided in a ring-shaped arrangement at the positions indicated by the aforementioned guidelines. The aforementioned plurality of signs constitute two or more sign groups, each consisting of a first number of signs with different display modes. Each of the two or more groups of signs has the same arrangement of display patterns as the first number of signs. Watch parts.

2. The plurality of markers consist of 60 markers, each containing one of either the numbers 0 to 59 or the numbers 1 to 60, arranged in ascending order with respect to the rotation direction of the pointer. The watch component according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned group of signs consists of 60 signs. The first number is a divisor of 60, and each of the two or more marker groups comprising the first number includes one of the numbers from 1 to the divisor, arranged in ascending order with respect to the rotation direction of the pointer. The watch component according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned display mode is the color of the sign. The watch component according to claim 1.

5. The plurality of markers are arranged alternately with respect to the rotation direction of the pointer, with respect to a second number of first markers and a second number of second markers. The aforementioned watch component is A member having the first marker provided and through holes provided at the positions of the second markers, A color wheel that is rotatable around a common axis of rotation with the pointer, with a portion of it exposed through the perforations, and whose color scheme is determined such that the color exposed through the perforations becomes the color of the second indicator, Equipped with, The color scheme of the color wheel is further defined such that, when the color wheel is at a first rotation angle, it enters a first state in which the arrangement of colors in the second number of first indicators is different from the arrangement of colors in the second number of second indicators, and when the color wheel is at a second rotation angle different from the first rotation angle, it enters a second state in which the arrangement of colors in the second number of first indicators is the same from the arrangement of colors in the second number of second indicators. The watch component according to claim 4.

6. The watch component described in claim 1, The aforementioned guidelines, A watch equipped with [a specific feature / ability].

7. The dial indicated by the aforementioned guide, Control unit and Equipped with, The control unit, When a timer mode for measuring the elapsed time is started, the dial displays at least one of the start timing of the timer mode and the end timing, which is the time elapsed from the start timing, so that the user can identify them. The clock according to claim 6.

8. The system includes multiple pointers, including a minute hand, The control unit causes at least one of the positions indicated by the minute hand at the start timing and the position indicated by the minute hand at the end timing to be indicated by any of the plurality of pointers, excluding the minute hand, during the duration of the timer mode. The clock according to claim 7.

9. A color wheel that can rotate around a common axis of rotation with the aforementioned pointer, and whose color scheme is determined such that different colors are exposed through a perforated hole in the dial depending on the rotation angle, A rotational drive unit that rotates the aforementioned color wheel, Equipped with, The aforementioned display method is the color of the sign, The control unit rotates the color wheel by the rotation drive unit so that the same color as the color of the sign indicated by the pointer at the start timing, or the same color as the color of the sign indicated by the pointer at the end timing, is exposed from the through hole. The clock according to claim 7.

10. A color wheel that can rotate around a common axis of rotation with the aforementioned pointer, and whose color scheme is determined such that different colors are exposed through a perforated hole in the dial depending on the rotation angle, A rotational drive unit that rotates the aforementioned color wheel, Equipped with, The control unit rotates the color wheel by the rotation drive unit during the timer mode period such that a color predetermined to correspond to the termination timing is exposed from the through-hole at the termination timing. The clock according to claim 7.

11. Guidelines and, The dial indicated by the aforementioned guide, Control unit and Equipped with, The control unit, When a timer mode for measuring the elapsed time is started, the dial displays at least one of the start timing of the timer mode and the end timing, which is the time elapsed from the start timing, so that the user can identify them. clock.

12. The system includes multiple pointers, including a minute hand, The control unit causes at least one of the positions indicated by the minute hand at the start timing and the position indicated by the minute hand at the end timing to be indicated by any of the plurality of pointers, excluding the minute hand, during the duration of the timer mode. The clock according to claim 11.

13. A watch component having multiple markers arranged in a ring at the positions indicated by the aforementioned guideline, A color wheel that can rotate around a common axis of rotation with the aforementioned pointer, and whose color scheme is determined such that different colors are exposed through a perforated hole in the dial depending on the rotation angle, A rotational drive unit that rotates the aforementioned color wheel, Equipped with, The aforementioned plurality of signs each constitute one or more groups of signs, each consisting of a first number of signs of different colors. The control unit rotates the color wheel by the rotation drive unit so that the same color as the color of the sign indicated by the pointer at the start timing, or the same color as the color of the sign indicated by the pointer at the end timing, is exposed from the through hole. The clock according to claim 11.

14. A color wheel that can rotate around a common axis of rotation with the aforementioned pointer, and whose color scheme is determined such that different colors are exposed through a perforated hole in the dial depending on the rotation angle, A rotational drive unit that rotates the aforementioned color wheel, Equipped with, The control unit rotates the color wheel by the rotation drive unit during the timer mode period such that a color predetermined to correspond to the termination timing is exposed from the through-hole at the termination timing. The clock according to claim 11.

15. A method for controlling a clock, which is equipped with a pointer and a dial indicated by the pointer, and which is performed by a computer of the clock, When a timer mode for measuring the elapsed time is started, the dial displays at least one of the start timing of the timer mode and the end timing, which is the time elapsed from the start timing, so that the user can identify them. How to control a clock.

16. A computer for a clock, which includes a pointer and a dial indicated by the pointer, is made to function as a control means. The control means is When a timer mode for measuring the elapsed time is started, the dial displays at least one of the start timing of the timer mode and the end timing, which is the time elapsed from the start timing, so that the user can identify them. program.

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