Clock, method for controlling a clock, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a clock, a method for controlling the clock, and a program that enable a pointer indicating the current time in one display mode to represent a different passage of time in another display mode. [Solution] The clock 1 comprises an upper hand 40, a lower hand 50 that is longer than the upper hand 40, and a control unit 60 that operates the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in a first display mode that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode. In the second display mode, the lower hand 50 is operated to function as a minute hand, and the upper hand 40 is operated to function as a second hand.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a clock capable of switching a display mode between a TIME mode (basic function mode) in which time is displayed by hands, a metronome mode (additional function mode) in which the metronome hands move, and a reference tone mode (another additional function mode) in which a reference tone is output.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above clock, the hands indicating the current time in a certain display mode do not represent another time elapse in another display mode.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a clock, a clock control method, and a program in which the hands indicating the current time in a certain display mode can represent another time elapse in another display mode.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a clock according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a first hand, a second hand longer than the first hand, and a control unit that operates the first hand and the second hand in a first display mode that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode. In the second display mode, the second hand is operated to function as a minute hand, and the first hand is operated to function as a second hand. Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, a clock according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a second hand, a first hand provided above the second hand, and a control unit that operates the first hand and the second hand in a first display mode that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode. In the second display mode, the second hand is operated to function as a minute hand, and the first hand is operated to function as a second hand. Furthermore, in order to achieve the above objective, a clock according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises a second hand, a first hand shorter than the second hand, and a control unit that operates the first hand and the second hand in a first display mode that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode. In the second display mode, the first hand is operated to function as a second hand, and in the first display mode, the first hand is operated to function as an hour hand. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a clock, a method for controlling the clock, and a program in which a pointer indicating the current time in one display mode can represent the passage of time in another display mode. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the appearance of the clock according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a clock according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of the control unit included in the clock according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a front view showing the display unit when the control unit of the clock according to the embodiment drives the upper and lower hands in normal time display mode. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the display unit when the control unit of the clock according to the embodiment drives the upper and lower hands in sauna mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, a clock, a clock control method, and a program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] The watch 1 according to this embodiment is a wristwatch that allows the user to select between a first display mode and a second display mode by pressing a button on the control panel. Hereinafter, the configuration of the watch 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1-5, using an example where the first display mode is a normal time display mode that shows the current time, and the second display mode is a special time display mode. In the following description, the special time display mode will be described as a mode that displays a 12-minute timer for use with the watch 1 while bathing in a sauna.

[0011] Figure 1 is a front view showing the external appearance of the watch 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the line II-II shown in Figure 1. Note that in Figure 1, the band of the watch 1, which is a wristwatch, is omitted from the illustration for ease of understanding.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the clock 1 comprises a case 10, a display unit 20, and an operating unit 30.

[0013] The case 10 is made of a material such as resin or metal and has a roughly circular disc shape when viewed from the front. Inside the case 10 there is an internal space for housing various components. The top of this internal space of the case 10 is open and forms a circular opening. This forms the display section 20.

[0014] The display unit 20 includes a dial 21 for displaying the time. The dial 21 for indicating the time is housed inside the opening of the case 10, that is, in the internal space of the case 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a transparent glass plate 11 is placed to cover this internal space, that is, the opening of the case 10. The glass plate 11 is colorless and transparent and is positioned on the front side of the dial 21. As a result, the dial 21 in the internal space is visible from inside the case 10.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the dial 21 is circular in shape, and a total of 12 hour markers 22, numbered 1 through 12, are provided along its circumference to indicate the time. To indicate the time using these hour markers 22, the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50, which constitute the display unit 20, are positioned on the front side of the dial 21.

[0016] More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, an opening 23 is formed in the center of the dial 21, and components for driving the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50, such as the barrel wheel W5, are passed through this opening 23. The upper hand 40 and lower hand 50 are positioned on the front side of the dial 21, that is, above the dial 21.

[0017] In this specification, with respect to the two hands of the clock 1, namely the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50, the hand located on the front side, i.e., the upper side, for a user viewing the dial 21 of the clock 1 from the front is referred to as the upper hand 40, and the hand located below the upper hand 40 is referred to as the lower hand 50. The upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 are examples of the first and second hands as defined in this invention, but in the embodiments, they are simply referred to as the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 based on their position, and in this invention, they are not limited to being in an upper or lower position.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the hour hand 40 is formed in the shape of a thick, short, rectangular bar with rounded corners. In the hour hand 40, in order to reduce the unbalance moment, the length of the proximal end portion 46 on the side opposite to the distal end portion 45 pointing to the hour mark 22 is sufficiently long with the shaft 25 interposed therebetween. Specifically, the proximal end portion 46 has a length of more than half of the distal end portion 45. Thereby, the hour hand 40 reduces the torque during driving and suppresses the deviation when an impact is applied.

[0019] Also, in the hour hand 40, if the proximal end portion 46 is prominent, it is difficult to tell the tip of the hour hand 40. Therefore, the color, pattern, etc. of the proximal end portion 46 are made the same as those of the dial plate 21 to unify the design. Thereby, the proximal end portion 46 is made less prominent. For example, when the dial plate 21 is white or black, the proximal end portion 46 is white or black. Furthermore, in order to make the tip of the hour hand 40 easy to understand, the distal end portion 45 is provided with a color, pattern, etc. different from those of the proximal end portion 46, and the distal end portion 45 is visually prominent in terms of design. By having such a configuration, the hour hand 40 makes it easier to read the time on the dial plate 21 pointed to by the hour hand 40.

[0020] Furthermore, the hour hand 40 is connected to the fourth gear W1 shown in Fig. 2. Specifically, the fourth gear W1 is a gear that constitutes a first wheel train mechanism described later. And the fourth gear W1 rotates when the first wheel train mechanism is driven by a first stepping motor described later. The shaft 25 of the hour hand 40 is connected to such a fourth gear W1. As a result, the hour hand 40 rotates when the first stepping motor operates. The rotation direction is clockwise when viewing the dial plate 21 from above.

[0021] In contrast, the lower hand 50 is formed in the shape of a rod with rounded corners, which is thinner and longer than the upper hand 40. And, like the upper hand 40, the lower hand 50 also has the same color, pattern, etc. as the dial plate 21 for the base end side portion 56 to unify the design. Further, a different color, pattern, etc. from the base end side portion 56 is attached to the tip end side portion 55, making the tip end side portion 55 visually prominent in terms of design. Similar to the upper hand 40, the lower hand 50 is provided with such a configuration to make it easier to read the time on the dial plate 21.

[0022] Also, the lower hand 50 is connected to the second wheel W2. Specifically, the second wheel W2 is a gear that constitutes the second wheel train mechanism. And the second wheel W2 rotates when the second wheel train mechanism is driven by a second stepping motor described later. The lower hand 50 is connected to such a second wheel W2. As a result, the lower hand 50 rotates when the second stepping motor operates. The rotation direction of the lower hand 50 is the same clockwise direction as that of the upper hand 40.

[0023] The upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 rotate clockwise by means of mechanisms such as the fourth wheel W1 and the second wheel W2. And the tips of the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 indicate the time by pointing to the hour characters 22 on the dial plate 21. The time is either the current time or a special time, that is, a 12-minute timekeeping. Here, the 12-minute timekeeping refers to an instrument that measures time with a cycle of 12 minutes, for example, an instrument used to measure the bathing time in a sauna. In order to allow the user to select whether to display the current time or the 12-minute timekeeping on the clock 1, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation unit 30 is provided.

[0024] The operation unit 30 is composed of a mode switching button 31 and a reset button 32. Among these buttons, the mode switching button 31 is a button for switching between the normal time display mode and the special time display mode that displays the 12-minute timekeeping, that is, the sauna mode. The reset button 32 is a button for resetting the measurement by the 12-minute timekeeping in the sauna mode.

[0025] The mode switching button 31 and the reset button 32 are located on the outer circumference of the case 10, flanking the lug 12 for connecting to the band. When pressed by the user, the mode switching button 31 and the reset button 32 output a switching signal or a reset signal. This causes the mode switching button 31 and the reset button 32 to cause the control unit 60 to switch modes or reset the measurement of the 12-minute timer.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the control unit 60 will be described with reference to Figure 3. In addition to describing the configuration of the control unit 60, the following description will also explain the operation of switching modes and the operation of resetting the 12-minute counter. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the control unit 60 provided in the clock 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a front view showing the display unit 20 when the control unit 60 drives the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in normal time display mode. Figure 5 is a front view showing the display unit 20 when the control unit 60 drives the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in sauna mode. For ease of understanding, Figure 3 also shows other components of the clock 1 in addition to the control unit 60.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 60 includes a computer comprising a CPU 61, a storage unit 62 consisting of ROM (Read Only Memory) and the like, and RAM (Random Access Memory) 63. The control unit 60 performs various controls on the clock 1 by reading various programs 64 stored in the storage unit 62, for example in ROM, into the RAM 63 and executing them.

[0028] For example, the control unit 60 reads and executes the pointer control program stored in the memory unit 62 to measure the time in the normal time display mode and the sauna mode described above.

[0029] In detail, the clock 1 comprises an oscillator circuit 71, a frequency divider circuit 72, and a timing circuit 73. The control unit 60 uses these circuits to measure the time in each mode.

[0030] To explain each circuit in more detail, the oscillation circuit 71 includes, for example, a crystal oscillator and generates a unique frequency signal which it outputs to the frequency divider circuit 72. The frequency divider circuit 72 divides the frequency signal output from the oscillation circuit 71 and outputs it to the timing circuit 73 and the control unit 60. Furthermore, the timing circuit 73 measures the time by adding time to the initial time input from the control unit 60. That is, the timing circuit 73 counts the number of times the frequency signal output from the frequency divider circuit 72 is generated and adds it to the initial time to count the current time. The control unit 60 outputs the initial time for either the normal time display mode or the sauna mode to the timing circuit 73 and causes the timing circuit 73 to measure the time. The control unit 60 then acquires the time measured by the timing circuit 73. The control unit 60 also stores the measured time in the timing information storage area 65 provided in the storage unit 62. Through these operations, the control unit 60 measures the time in both the normal time display mode and the sauna mode.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 60 reads and executes the above-described pointer control program, thereby moving the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 based on the time obtained from the timing circuit 73.

[0032] In detail, when the mode switching button 31 is pressed, it outputs a switching signal. When the control unit 60 receives this switching signal, it assumes that a new mode has been selected. That is, if the current mode is the normal time display mode, it assumes that the sauna mode has been selected. Or, if the current mode is the sauna mode, it assumes that the normal time display mode has been selected. Based on the selected mode, the control unit 60 moves the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 using either the normal time display mode or the sauna mode display method. After the clock 1 is started up for battery replacement or the like, the control unit 60 assumes that the normal time display mode has been selected from the normal time display mode and the sauna mode.

[0033] When the normal time display mode is selected, the control unit 60 causes the upper hand 40 to function as the hour hand and the lower hand 50 to function as the minute hand.

[0034] The control of the upper needle 40 and lower needle 50 by the control unit 60 will be described in detail. As mentioned above, the upper needle 40 is connected to the fourth wheel W1, which constitutes the first gear train mechanism 41, via a shaft 25. The first gear train mechanism 41 is driven by the first stepping motor 42 shown in Figure 3. With this configuration, the upper needle 40 is driven in 6° steps. Specifically, the first stepping motor 42 is driven by a pulse signal from the first drive circuit 43, which receives power from the power supply 74. As a result, the upper needle 40 rotates in 6° / pulse steps.

[0035] When the normal time display mode is selected, the control unit 60 drives the first stepping motor 42 at a rate of 12 minutes / pulse via the first drive circuit 43. As a result, the control unit 60 moves the upper hand 40 by one division on the dial 21 every 12 minutes, that is, it moves the hand in steps. Consequently, as shown by arrow A1 in Figure 4, the control unit 60 advances the upper hand 40 by one hour marker 22 per hour. In this way, the control unit 60 operates the upper hand 40 as the hour hand when the normal time display mode is selected.

[0036] Furthermore, as described above, the lower needle 50 is connected to the second wheel W2 that constitutes the second gear train mechanism 51 shown in Figure 3. The second gear train mechanism 51 is driven independently of the first stepping motor 42 by a second stepping motor 52. With this configuration, the lower needle 50 is driven in 1° steps. Specifically, the second stepping motor 52 is driven by a pulse signal from a second drive circuit 53, which is separate from the first drive circuit 43 described above and receives power from a power supply 74. As a result, unlike the upper needle 40, the lower needle 50 rotates in 1° / pulse steps.

[0037] When the normal time display mode is selected, the control unit 60 drives the second stepping motor 52 via the second drive circuit 53 at a rate of 10 seconds / pulse. As a result, the control unit 60 moves the lower hand 50 at a rotational speed that advances the dial 21 by one division every minute (see arrow A2 in Figure 4). In other words, the lower hand 50 is made to sweep at the above rotational speed. Note that this sweeping motion is simulated. As a result, when the normal time display mode is selected, the control unit 60 operates the lower hand 50 as the minute hand.

[0038] As described above, the control unit 60 measures time in both the normal time display mode and the sauna mode. When the normal time display mode is selected, the control unit 60 reads the time measurement result in the normal time display mode from the timing information storage area 65 of the storage unit 62 and moves the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50 to display the corresponding time. As a result, the control unit 60 displays the hour unit of the time on the upper hand 40 and the minute unit of the time on the lower hand 50. Consequently, the display unit 20 displays the time.

[0039] In response to this, the control unit 60, when sauna mode is selected, causes the upper hand 40 to function as the second hand and the lower hand 50 to function as the minute hand.

[0040] In more detail, when sauna mode is selected, the control unit 60 drives the first stepping motor 42 in the first drive circuit 43 at a rate of 1 second / pulse. As described above, the first stepping motor 42 rotates the upper hand 40 in steps of 6° / pulse. As a result, the control unit 60 moves the upper hand 40 by one division on the dial 21 in one second, as shown by arrow A3 in Figure 5. Consequently, the control unit 60 operates the upper hand 40 as the second hand when sauna mode is selected.

[0041] Furthermore, when sauna mode is selected, the control unit 60 drives the second stepping motor 52 to the second drive circuit 53 at a rate of 2 seconds / pulse. As described above, the second stepping motor 52 rotates the lower hand 50 in steps of 1° / pulse. As a result, the control unit 60 advances the lower hand 50 by 30° per minute, or by 22 hour markers per minute, as shown by arrow A4 in Figure 5. In sauna mode, the clock 1 operates as a 12-minute counter, where 22 hour markers correspond to one minute. Through the above control, the control unit 60 operates the lower hand 50 as the minute hand.

[0042] Furthermore, when sauna mode is selected, the control unit 60 reads the time measurement result from the normal time display mode from the timing information storage area 65 of the storage unit 62 and moves the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50 to display the corresponding time. As a result, the control unit 60 displays the seconds unit of the 12-minute counter on the upper hand 40 and the minutes unit of the 12-minute counter on the lower hand 50. Consequently, the display unit 20 displays the time of the 12-minute counter.

[0043] Furthermore, when the normal time display mode or sauna mode is selected, and the reset button 32 on the operation unit 30 is pressed, the control unit 60 sets the initial time for sauna mode, which is input to the timing circuit 73, to 0 minutes and 0 seconds. Then, it inputs this initial time to the timing circuit 73 to measure the time. As a result, the control unit 60 resets the time for sauna mode. Furthermore, as a result of the time measurement result being 0 minutes and 0 seconds, the control unit 60 moves the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 to display a time of 0 minutes and 0 seconds. As a result, the control unit 60 resets the time on the 12-minute counter of the display unit 20.

[0044] As described above, in the clock 1, the control unit 60 makes the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 function as hour and minute hands, or as second and minute hands, depending on the mode switching performed by the mode switching button 31.

[0045] On the other hand, as described above, the upper hand 40 is driven by being connected to the fourth wheel W1 via the shaft 25. The lower hand 50 is driven by being connected to the second wheel W2. As a result, the upper hand 40 rotates in larger steps than the lower hand 50. Conventional wristwatch hands include hour hands that are thick or of normal thickness and short, minute hands that are of normal thickness and long, and second hands that are thin and long. However, if any of these hour, minute, or second hand types are appropriately adopted for the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50 driven in this way, it may be undesirable from the viewpoint of torque during driving, visibility of the hands, and pulse control. Therefore, the inventor considered which type of hands is desirable for the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50 of the watch 1, and formed the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50 in the shape described above. The results of this consideration are shown in Table 1.

[0046] [Table 1]

[0047] Table 1 shows the evaluation of the use of hour, minute, and second-hand type pointers for the upper hand 40 or lower hand 50 when using them as the second, minute, or hour hand in sauna mode or normal time display mode. The hour-hand type is a pointer that is thick or of normal thickness and short in shape; the minute-hand type is a pointer that is of normal thickness but long in shape; and the second-hand type is a pointer that is thin and long in shape. The evaluation is based on a comprehensive assessment of the magnitude of the torque during driving, the visibility of the pointers, and the controllability with pulse control. As described below, a rating of "×" indicates a combination that should always be avoided, and a rating of "△" indicates a combination that should be avoided if possible.

[0048] For example, if the upper hand 40 is shaped like a minute hand, it will be driven by the fourth wheel W1, and the large torque will make it difficult to drive (see the "×" column in Table 1). Also, if an hour-hand type pointer is used as a minute hand in sauna mode or normal time display mode, the pointer is short, making it difficult to recognize the minutes indicated, which may cause visibility problems (see the "△" column in Table 1). Also, if a second-hand type pointer is used as a minute hand in sauna mode or normal time display mode, the minute hand is thin, which may cause discomfort to the user (see the "△" column in Table 1). Also, if a second-hand type pointer is used as an hour hand in normal time display mode, the hour hand is thin and long, which may cause discomfort to the user (see the "△" column in Table 1). Furthermore, when the lower hand 50 is used as the second hand in sauna mode, the lower hand 50 is driven by the second wheel W2. Therefore, in order to rotate the lower hand 50 at a speed of 6° / second, pulse control at a frequency of 6 pulses / second becomes necessary. As a result, power consumption increases, and pulse control becomes difficult (see the "×" column in Table 1).

[0049] Considering the above, in sauna mode, it is desirable that the upper hand 40 functions as the second hand and that its upper hand 40 is of the hour hand type (see the "○" column in Table 1). Also in the same mode, it is desirable that the lower hand 50 functions as the minute hand and that its lower hand 50 is of the minute hand type (see the "○" column in Table 1). Furthermore, in normal time display mode, it is desirable that the upper hand 40 functions as the hour hand and that its upper hand 40 is of the hour hand type (see the "○" column in Table 1). In addition, in the same mode, it is desirable that the lower hand 50 functions as the minute hand and that its lower hand 50 is of the minute hand type (see the "○" column in Table 1). Based on these evaluation results, in clock 1, the upper hand 40 is of the hour hand type and the lower hand 50 is of the minute hand type. As a result, the upper hand 40 is the same thickness as or thicker than the lower hand 50 and shorter in length than the lower hand 50. Furthermore, the lower hand 50 is the same thickness as or thinner than the upper hand 40, and longer than the upper hand 40. As a result, in watch 1, the torque when driving the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 is within a desirable range, and the visibility of the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 is high. In addition, pulse control when driving the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 is easy, and power consumption is low. By setting the pointer type of the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in this way, the various problems mentioned above can be solved.

[0050] As described above, in the clock 1 according to the embodiment, the display unit 20 has an upper hand 40 and a lower hand 50 that is longer than the upper hand 40. The control unit 60 operates the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in either a normal time display mode in which the upper hand 40 functions as the hour hand and the lower hand 50 functions as the minute hand, or a sauna mode in which the upper hand 40 functions as the second hand and the lower hand 50 functions as the minute hand. Furthermore, in both the normal time display mode and the sauna mode, the control unit 60 operates the upper hand 40 in steps that are larger than those of the lower hand 50. For this reason, power consumption is low in both the normal time display mode and the sauna mode.

[0051] Furthermore, the clock 1 includes an upper hand 40, a lower hand 50 that is longer than the upper hand 40, and a control unit 60 that operates the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in a normal time display mode (first display mode) that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a sauna mode (second display mode) that shows a different time progression than the normal time display mode. In sauna mode (second display mode), the control unit 60 operates the longer lower hand 50 to function as a minute hand, and the shorter upper hand 40 to function as a second hand. Since the shorter upper hand 40 is used as the second hand, it is easier to move than if a longer hand were used as the second hand, and the displacement of the second hand due to shocks can also be suppressed. Moreover, in this clock 1, the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50, which are the hands that show the current time in the normal time display mode, can represent minutes and seconds, which are different time progressions, in sauna mode.

[0052] Furthermore, the clock 1 includes a lower hand 50, an upper hand 40 located above the lower hand 50, and a control unit 60 that operates the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in a normal time display mode (first display mode) that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a sauna mode (second display mode) that shows a different time progression than the normal time display mode. In sauna mode (second display mode), the control unit 60 operates the lower hand 50 to function as a minute hand and the upper hand 40 to function as a second hand. Since the lower hand 50 is located on the second wheel, controlling it to function as a second hand is difficult (due to the control of 6° / second; 6 pulses / second). However, the upper hand 40 is located on the fourth wheel. Therefore, in the clock 1, there is no particular difficulty in controlling the upper hand 40 to function as a second hand, just like in a typical clock. As a result, the clock 1 has excellent controllability for the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50. Furthermore, in this clock 1, the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50, which indicate the current time in normal time display mode, can also represent minutes and seconds, which are different periods of time, in sauna mode.

[0053] Furthermore, the clock 1 includes a lower hand 50, an upper hand 40 shorter than the lower hand 50, and a control unit 60 that operates the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in a normal time display mode (first display mode) that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a sauna mode (second display mode) that shows a different time progression than the normal time display mode. The control unit 60 operates the upper hand 40 to function as a second hand in sauna mode (second display mode), and operates the upper hand 40 to function as an hour hand in normal time display mode (first display mode). In sauna mode (second display mode), since the shorter upper hand 40 is used as the second hand, it is easier to move than if a longer hand were used as the second hand, and displacement of the second hand due to shock can also be suppressed. In normal time display mode (first display mode), The length of the hour hand is matched to that of a typical clock, so the user will not feel any discomfort, or the risk of discomfort is minimized. Furthermore, in this clock 1, the upper hand 40 and lower hand 50, which indicate the current time in normal time display mode, can represent minutes and seconds, which are different periods of time, in sauna mode.

[0054] Furthermore, in the case of the upper hand 40, the base end portion 56 opposite the tip end portion 55, with the shaft 25 in between, has a length of more than half the length of the tip end portion 55. As a result, the unbalance moment is small, and torque during rotational operation can be reduced. Also, displacement when an impact is applied can be suppressed. Moreover, even if the base end portion 46 is made sufficiently long to reduce the unbalance moment, the color, pattern, etc. of the base end portion 46 can be made the same as the dial 21 to unify the design and make the base end portion 46 less conspicuous, thereby making it easier to read the time on the dial 21 pointed to by the upper hand 40.

[0055] The clock 1 is equipped with a notification unit 75 for informing the user of the time. The notification unit 75 has a speaker and may emit sound to perform, for example, an alarm function. In that case, for example, an alarm sound may be emitted every 12 minutes in sauna mode to inform the user that 12 minutes have passed.

[0056] Furthermore, since the power supply 74 of the clock 1 consumes little power, it is desirable that it be battery-powered. For example, the power supply 74 may be a button cell battery. Alternatively, the power supply 74 may be a solar cell. This is because, due to the low power consumption of the clock 1, such a battery can supply sufficient power.

[0057] Although the clock 1, control method for the clock 1, and program according to embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the clock 1, control method for the clock 1, and program are not limited thereto.

[0058] For example, in the embodiment, the clock 1 employs an hour hand type for the upper hand 40 and a minute hand type for the lower hand 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, in sauna mode, the clock 1 may have an upper hand 40 that functions as a second hand, and the upper hand 40 may be of the second hand type (see the "○" column in Table 1). Also in the same mode, the lower hand 50 may function as a minute hand, and the lower hand 50 may be of the minute hand type (see the "○" column in Table 1). Also, in normal time display mode, the upper hand 40 may function as a minute hand, and the upper hand 40 may be of the second hand type (see the "△" column in Table 1). Furthermore, in the same mode, the lower hand 50 may function as an hour hand, and the lower hand 50 may be of the minute hand type (see the "△" column in Table 1). Based on these evaluation results, the clock 1 may employ an upper hand 40 that functions as a second hand type and a lower hand 50 that functions as a minute hand type.

[0059] For example, in one embodiment, the clock 1 has an upper hand 40 and a lower hand 50 on the display unit 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the display unit 20 only needs to have a first hand and a second hand that is longer than the first hand. For example, in addition to the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50, the display unit 20 may further have a pointer that functions as a second hand in normal time display mode.

[0060] Furthermore, while the clock 1 in this embodiment is a wristwatch, the present invention is not limited to this. The clock 1 may be in a form other than a wristwatch, such as a desk clock or a pocket watch.

[0061] In this embodiment, the control unit 60 selects either the normal time display mode or the sauna mode based on the output of the mode switching button 31 and operates the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In this invention, the control unit 60 operates the first and second hands in either a first display mode in which the first hand functions as the hour hand and the second hand functions as the minute hand, or a second display mode in which the first hand functions as the second hand and the second hand functions as the minute hand, and furthermore, it operates the first hand in steps larger than those of the second hand. For this reason, the control unit 60 may operate the upper hand 40 and the lower hand 50 in modes other than the normal time display mode and the sauna mode. Note that the 12-minute timer in sauna mode may be used for purposes other than measuring the elapsed time of 12 minutes, and may be used for purposes other than sauna bathing.

[0062] Furthermore, although the sauna mode in this embodiment is a 12-minute timer, as described above, in this invention, the second display mode only needs to be a mode in which the first hand functions as a second hand and the second hand functions as a minute hand, so the sauna mode may measure a time other than 12 minutes. In addition, in the second display mode, it is preferable that the second hand described above completes one rotation in a shorter time than in the first display mode.

[0063] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1…Watch, 10…Case, 11…Glass plate, 12…Lug, 20…Display unit, 21…Dial, 22…Hour markers, 23…Opening, 25…Shaft, 30…Operating unit, 31…Mode switching button, 32…Reset button, 40…Upper hand (first hand), 41…First gear train mechanism, 42…First stepping motor (first drive unit), 43…First drive circuit, 45…Tip end portion (first part), 46…Base end portion (second part) 50...Lower needle (second needle), 51...Second gear train mechanism, 52...Second stepping motor (second drive unit), 53...Second drive circuit, 55...Tip end part, 56...Base end part, 60...Control unit, 61...CPU, 62...Memory unit, 63...RAM, 64...Program, 65...Time information storage area, 71...Oscillation circuit, 72...Frequency divider circuit, 73...Time circuit, 75...Notification unit, W1...4th wheel, W2...2nd wheel, W5...Cylinder wheel.

Claims

1. The first needle, A second needle that is longer than the first needle, The device includes a control unit that operates the first hand and the second hand in a first display mode that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode, In the second display mode, the second hand is operated to function as a minute hand, and the first hand is operated to function as a second hand. clock.

2. The second needle, A first needle is provided above the second needle, The device includes a control unit that operates the first hand and the second hand in a first display mode that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode, In the second display mode, the second hand is operated to function as a minute hand, and the first hand is operated to function as a second hand. clock.

3. The second needle, A first needle that is shorter than the second needle, The device includes a control unit that operates the first hand and the second hand in a first display mode that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode, In the second display mode, the first hand is operated to function as a second hand. In the first display mode, the first hand is operated to function as an hour hand. clock.

4. The first hand has a second portion that is on the opposite side of the shaft from the first portion that points to the hour markers, which is provided along the circumference of the display section on which the first and second hands are provided, and has a length of more than half the length of the first portion. A clock according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned display unit has a dial on which the hour markers are provided. The second portion of the first hand is the same color as the dial. The clock according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned first needle is located on the fourth car, The aforementioned second needle is located on the second car. A clock according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The first needle rotates in larger steps than the second needle. A clock according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. A method for controlling a clock comprising a first hand and a second hand longer than the first hand, The first and second hands are operated in a first display mode that shows the current time (hours and minutes) and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode, and In the second display mode, the second hand is operated to function as a minute hand, and the first hand is operated to function as a second hand. How to control a clock.

9. A computer that controls the rotation of a first hand and a second hand that is longer than the first hand in a clock, The first hand and the second hand are operated in a first display mode that shows the current time in hours and minutes, and a second display mode that shows a different time progression than the first display mode. In the second display mode, the second hand is operated to function as a minute hand, and the first hand is operated to function as a second hand, A program to execute.

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