Electronic clock and display method

Abstract

Make it easy to check the battery level. [Solution] According to the present invention, the clock 1 includes a battery level acquisition unit for acquiring the remaining battery level, a first information display unit (second hand 11, minute hand 12, hour hand 13) for displaying time information, and a second information display unit (hand 14 or date wheel 15) for displaying information about the day of the week (or date) that is different from the time information. In the normal display mode for displaying time information, the second information display unit (hand 14 or date wheel 15) displays the battery level information along with the information about the day of the week (or date).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic clock and a display method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been disclosed a clock that displays the remaining battery level by rotating the second hand to a position corresponding to the charging voltage when an operation to switch to a power saving mode in which the time display is not performed by the user is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the user cannot check the remaining battery level unless an operation to switch to the power saving mode is performed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable easy checking of the remaining battery level.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an electronic clock according to the present invention includes a remaining battery level acquisition unit that acquires a remaining battery level, a first information display unit that displays first information, and a second information display unit that displays second information different from the first information, and in a normal display mode in which the first information display unit displays the first information, the second information display unit displays the information on the remaining battery level together with the second information.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the remaining battery level can be easily checked. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the appearance of the clock in this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic functional configuration of the clock. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of displaying the battery level along with the day of the week. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of displaying the battery level along with the date. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of displaying the battery level along with the date. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of displaying the battery level along with the date. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example of displaying the battery level along with the date. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferred limitations for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and illustrated examples below.

[0010] (First embodiment) The following describes a first embodiment of the present invention. Clock 1, an example of an electronic clock of the present invention, is a wristwatch-type clock, as shown in Figure 1, for example. As shown in Figure 2, Clock 1 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, an oscillator circuit 44, a frequency divider circuit 45, and a timing circuit 46. Furthermore, Clock 1 is composed of motors 31-35, gear train mechanisms 21-25, a second hand 11, a minute hand 12, an hour hand 13, a pointer 14, a date wheel 15, an operating unit 47, a battery 48, and a battery level acquisition unit 49.

[0011] The CPU 41 controls the operation of each part of the clock 1 by loading and executing a program from the ROM 42 into the RAM 43, providing time display and other functions, and switching between these functions.

[0012] For example, the CPU 41 controls the motors 31-33 to rotate at their respective predetermined speeds based on electrical signals input from the frequency divider circuit 45, thereby displaying the time using the second hand 11, minute hand 12, and hour hand 13. The CPU 41 also controls the motor 34 based on the day of the week information obtained from the timing circuit 46, causing the current day of the week to be indicated by the pointer 14. The CPU 41 also controls the motor 35 based on the date information obtained from the timing circuit 46, causing the current date to be displayed by the date wheel 15. Furthermore, the CPU 41 causes the battery level acquisition unit 49 to acquire (detect) the remaining battery level of the battery 48 at predetermined intervals (for example, every minute), and controls the motor 34 to adjust the position of the pointer 14 based on the acquired battery level. In addition, the CPU 41 switches from the normal display mode, which displays the time, to other modes (for example, world time mode, stopwatch mode, etc.) as instructed by the user via the operation unit 47. Note that the normal display mode is the default display mode and does not necessarily require the user to switch modes using the control panel 47.

[0013] ROM42 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and various data that control the operation of clock 1, such as the time display function. RAM43 is either a volatile or non-volatile memory that temporarily stores programs stored in ROM42 or temporary data necessary for controlling the operation of clock 1.

[0014] The oscillation circuit 44 generates a predetermined frequency signal using, for example, a crystal oscillator and outputs it to the frequency division circuit 45. The frequency division circuit 45 divides the frequency signal and converts it into an electrical signal per second, and outputs it to the timing circuit 46 and the CPU 41. The timing circuit 46 calculates the current date, time, and day of the week by counting the signal input from the frequency division circuit 45 and adding it to the initial value, and outputs the calculation result to the CPU 41.

[0015] The motors 31 to 35 rotate, for example, under the control of the CPU 41. The motor 31 rotates the second hand 11 around the axis O1 via a wheel train mechanism 21 which is an array of a plurality of gears. The motor 32 rotates the minute hand 12 around the axis O1 via the wheel train mechanism 22. The motor 33 rotates the hour hand 13 around the axis O1 via the wheel train mechanism 23. The motor 34 rotates the pointer 14 around the axis O2 via the wheel train mechanism 24. The motor 35 rotates the date disk 15 around the axis O1 via the wheel train mechanism 25. The motors 31 to 33 may be the same single motor. The date disk 15 is an annular plate on which the dates 1 to 31 are described along the circumference of the dial plate 6 under the dial plate 6, and displays the date overlapping the position of the display hole 16 provided in the dial plate 6 so that the user can visually recognize it.

[0016] The operation unit 47 includes buttons B1 to B2 etc. shown in FIG. 1, receives a pressing operation from the user, and outputs a signal corresponding to the pressing operation to the CPU 41. The operation unit 47 also includes a knob C1.

[0017] The battery 48 supplies power to each part of the clock 1. The battery 48 is, for example, a secondary battery charged by a solar cell (not shown) built under the translucent dial plate 6. The battery remaining amount acquisition unit 49 acquires the remaining amount of the battery 48 and outputs it to the CPU 41.

[0018] [[ID=The clock 1 shown in Figure 1 has a dial 6 inside its casing 2, the top of which is covered by a transparent crystal glass (not shown). In this embodiment, the dial 6 is circular, as shown in Figure 1, and has hour markers 61 (indices) and scales 62, a second hand 11, a minute hand 12, and an hour hand 13 arranged along the circumference of the dial 6. The second hand 11, minute hand 12, and hour hand 13 (first pointers) are a first display unit that displays time information (first information) by rotating around an axis O1 provided at the center of the dial 6 and appropriately pointing to the hour markers 61 or scales 62.

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(a), the dial 6 has an indicator display area 63 corresponding to each day of the week (an area with a predetermined width shown by a dotted line in Figure 3(a), centered on the scale for each day of the week (indicator) Su, M, T, W, T, F, and S). The pointer 14 (second pointer) is a second display unit that displays the day of the week (second information) by rotating around axis O2 and pointing to the indicator display area 63 corresponding to the day of the week for today. Figures 3(a) to 3(d) are enlarged views of the area shown by the dashed line in Figure 1.

[0020] Here, within each indicator display area 63, a battery remaining level (stage of the remaining battery level) is associated. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(a), on the right side of each indicator display area 63, H (high) of the battery remaining level is assigned, in the center, M (middle) of the battery remaining level is assigned, and on the left side, L (low) is assigned. When the pointer 14 indicates the indicator display area 63 corresponding to the day of the week today, it indicates the position corresponding to the battery remaining level within the indicator display area 63 corresponding to the relevant day of the week, thereby displaying the information on the remaining battery level. That is, the pointer 14 displays the information on the remaining battery level together with the information on the day of the week. Specifically, the CPU 41 controls the motor 34 based on the remaining battery level acquired by the battery remaining level acquisition unit 49 at predetermined intervals to determine the position indicated by the pointer 14 within the indicator display area 63, so that the pointer 14 displays the day of the week today at a position corresponding to the remaining battery level. When displaying the information on the remaining battery level together with information that does not change throughout the day, such as the information on the day of the week, since the indicator display area 63 for displaying the information on the remaining battery level does not switch frequently during the day, the user can more easily check the remaining battery level.

[0021] In this way, in the clock 1, when displaying the day of the week today by the pointer 14, by changing the display mode by the pointer 14 according to the remaining battery level (changing the position indicated by the pointer 14), the remaining battery level can be displayed together with the information on the day of the week. Therefore, even in a clock (analog clock) with a limited amount of information that can be displayed, since the user can always check the remaining battery level without any operation in the normal display mode for displaying the time, the user can easily check the remaining battery level and the convenience can be improved. Also, when the remaining battery level decreases, the user can notice it quickly. Also, when the remaining battery level is extremely low, it is possible to prevent the problem that the clock stops operating because the remaining battery level runs out when an operation for displaying the remaining battery level is performed. Also, since the information on the remaining battery level is displayed together with the information on the day of the week using the same pointer 14 for displaying the information on the day of the week, the remaining battery level can be displayed without providing a dedicated pointer, motor, space, etc. for displaying the remaining battery level.

[0022] Furthermore, each indicator display area 63 may display a battery level indicator representing the battery level (H, M, L). For example, as shown in Figure 3(b), the areas corresponding to H, M, and L in each indicator display area 63 may display corresponding colors (different colors from each other) as the battery level indicator 63a. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3(c), an arc may be displayed in each indicator display area 63, with H displayed on the right side of the arc and L on the left side as the battery level indicator 63b. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3(d), each indicator display area 63 may display a shape as the battery level indicator 63c, where the right side corresponding to H is higher and the left side corresponding to L is lower. Alternatively, numerical values ​​such as 100%, 50%, and 0% may be displayed as the battery level indicator. This allows the user to easily recognize which battery level the pointer 14 is indicating.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment (including the second embodiment), the clock 1 is configured to be switchable from the normal display mode, which displays the time, to other modes by operating the operation unit 47. However, it is also possible to have only the normal display mode, which displays the time, and not have any other modes.

[0024] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which the display mode when indicating today's day of the week by the pointer 14 is changed according to the remaining battery level. In the second embodiment, an example will be given in which the display mode when indicating today's date by the date wheel 15 is changed according to the remaining battery level.

[0025] In the second embodiment, the date wheel 15 displays three characters of different sizes for each of the dates 1 to 31, as shown in Figure 4. The size of the date characters represents the battery level. For example, large characters represent the battery level H (High), medium-sized characters represent the battery level M (Middle), and small characters represent the battery level L (Low). When displaying today's date, the date wheel 15 displays the battery level by displaying the date in characters of a size corresponding to the battery level. Specifically, the CPU 41 controls the motor 35 to adjust the position of the date wheel 15 based on the battery level acquired by the battery level acquisition unit 49 at predetermined intervals, causing the date wheel 15 to display today's date in characters of a size corresponding to the battery level. The date wheel 15 is a second display unit that displays today's date (second information) by rotating around the axis O1 and changing the display manner of today's date according to the battery level. Since the date information remains constant throughout the day, the way the date is displayed on the day wheel 15 changes depending on the remaining battery level.

[0026] Alternatively, the date wheel 15 may have three different colored characters for each date from 1 to 31, as shown in Figure 5. The color of the date characters represents the battery level. For example, dark characters represent a battery level of H (High), medium-dark characters represent a battery level of M (Middle), and light-colored characters represent a battery level of L (Low). Alternatively, for example, green characters may represent a battery level of H (High), yellow characters represent a battery level of M (Middle), and red characters represent a battery level of L (Low). When displaying today's date, the date wheel 15 displays the battery level by displaying the date in characters of a color corresponding to the battery level. Specifically, the CPU 41 controls the motor 35 to adjust the position of the date wheel 15 based on the battery level acquired by the battery level acquisition unit 49 at predetermined intervals, causing the date wheel 15 to display today's date in characters of a color corresponding to the battery level.

[0027] Alternatively, the date wheel 15 may have a second date wheel with multiple colors representing battery level displayed below a semi-transparent first date wheel with dates 1 to 31 inscribed on it. In this date wheel 15, because the first date wheel is semi-transparent, the color of the second date wheel is visible as the background color of the date, as shown in Figure 6. The background color of the date represents the battery level. For example, a dark background color represents a battery level of H (High), a medium-dark background color represents a battery level of M (Middle), and a light background color represents a battery level of L (Low). Alternatively, for example, a green background color may represent a battery level of H (High), a yellow background color represents a battery level of M (Middle), and a red background color represents a battery level of L (Low). When displaying today's date, the date wheel 15 displays the battery level by displaying the date with a background color corresponding to the battery level. Specifically, the CPU 41 controls the motor 35 at predetermined intervals based on the remaining battery level acquired by the battery level acquisition unit 49 to adjust the position of the second sun wheel of the sun wheel 15, thereby displaying today's date on the sun wheel 15 in characters with a background color corresponding to the battery level. In this case, compared to a system where three characters of different colors are written on the sun wheel 15 for each of the dates from 1 to 31, fewer characters are needed on the sun wheel 15, thus reducing the size of the sun wheel 15.

[0028] Alternatively, the date wheel 15 may have indicators (H, M, L) representing the battery level next to each of the dates from 1 to 31, as shown in Figure 7. When displaying today's date, the date wheel 15 displays the battery level by positioning the indicator corresponding to the battery level in the center of the display hole 16 (the center of the width W in the direction in which the characters move within the display hole 16). Specifically, the CPU 41 controls the motor 35 at predetermined intervals based on the remaining battery level acquired by the battery level acquisition unit 49 to adjust the position of the date wheel 15, thereby displaying today's date on the date wheel 15 at a position corresponding to the battery level.

[0029] Thus, in the clock 1 of the second embodiment, when displaying today's date using the date wheel 15, the display mode of the date wheel 15 is changed according to the remaining battery level, thereby displaying the remaining battery level along with the date information. Therefore, even in a clock with a limited amount of information that can be displayed (analog clock), the battery level can be checked at all times without user operation in the normal display mode that displays the time, thus improving convenience by allowing the user to easily check the remaining battery level. In addition, the user can quickly notice when the battery level is low. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the malfunction of the clock stopping working due to the battery running out when the battery level is extremely low, by performing an operation to display the remaining battery level. Moreover, since the display mode of the date wheel 15 for displaying date information is changed according to the remaining battery level, the battery level can be displayed without providing a dedicated pointer, motor, space, etc. for displaying the remaining battery level.

[0030] As described above, the clock 1 of the present invention includes a battery level acquisition unit 49 for acquiring the remaining battery level, a first information display unit (second hand 11, minute hand 12, hour hand 13) for displaying time information, and a second information display unit (hand 14 or date wheel 15) for displaying information about the day of the week (or date) that is different from the time information. In the normal display mode for displaying time information, the second information display unit displays the battery level information along with the day of the week (or date) information. Therefore, the user can easily check the remaining battery level without having to operate the clock while the time is being displayed.

[0031] For example, the pointer 14 or the date wheel 15 displays the battery level information along with the day of the week or date information by changing the display mode of the day of the week or date information according to the battery level. Therefore, the battery level can be displayed without providing a dedicated pointer, motor, space, etc. for displaying the battery level.

[0032] For example, the date wheel 15 displays battery level information along with the date by changing the size, color, background color, or position of the date display according to the battery level. Therefore, the battery level can be displayed without providing a dedicated pointer, motor, space, etc. for displaying the battery level.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, the pointer 14 is a pointer that displays the day of the week by pointing to one of several indicator display areas 63 corresponding to multiple different indicators. By determining the position that the pointer 14 points to in the indicator display area 63 according to the remaining battery level, it displays the battery level information along with the day of the week information. Therefore, the battery level can be displayed without providing a dedicated pointer, motor, space, etc. for displaying the battery level.

[0034] Furthermore, the indicator display area 63 displays a battery level indicator 63a (or 63b, 63c) that shows the level of remaining battery power. The pointer 14 points to the appropriate battery level indicator 63a (or 63b, 63c) in the indicator display area 63, thereby displaying the battery level information along with the day of the week information. Therefore, the battery level can be displayed in an easy-to-read manner.

[0035] The descriptions in the above embodiments are merely preferred examples of embodiments of the present invention and are not limited thereto. For example, the above embodiments were described using the application of the present invention to a clock 1 as an example, but the present invention may be applied to other electronic devices.

[0036] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes the case where the "indicator" in the present invention is the day of the week, the "indicator" may be, for example, a mode name, and is not particularly limited. Also, the color of the battery level indicator 63a, the text color of the sun wheel 15, and the background color of the sun wheel 15 described above are just examples and are not limited to those described above. In addition, although the above embodiment describes the CPU 41 adjusting the position of the pointer 14 or sun wheel 15 based on the battery level acquired by the battery level acquisition unit 49 at predetermined intervals, the position of the pointer 13 or sun wheel 15 may be adjusted when the battery level acquired by the battery level acquisition unit 49 reaches a predetermined threshold. In this case, the frequency of adjusting the position of the pointer 13 or sun wheel 15 can be reduced, thereby saving power.

[0037] Furthermore, the detailed configuration and operation of clock 1 can also be modified as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0038] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is determined based on the claims. Furthermore, equivalent scopes of the present invention that have been modified from the claims but are not related to the essence of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1 Clock, 2 Case, 11 Second hand, 12 Minute hand, 13 Hour hand, 14 Hands, 15 Date wheel, 49 Battery level indicator

Claims

1. A battery level acquisition unit that acquires the remaining battery level, A first information display unit that displays the first information, It comprises a second information display unit that displays second information different from the first information, In the normal display mode in which the first information is displayed by the first information display unit, the second information display unit displays the battery level information together with the second information. An electronic clock characterized by the following features.

2. The second information display unit displays the battery level information together with the second information by changing the display mode of the second information according to the battery level. The electronic clock according to claim 1.

3. The first piece of information is time, The first information display unit is a first pointer that indicates time information. The electronic clock according to claim 1.

4. The second piece of information mentioned above is information that does not change throughout the day. The electronic clock according to claim 1.

5. The second piece of information mentioned above is the date, The second information display unit is a date display unit, and displays the date along with the battery level information by changing the display mode of the date according to the battery level. The electronic clock according to claim 2.

6. The second information display unit displays the battery level information along with the date by changing the font size, font color, background color, or display position of the date according to the battery level. The electronic clock according to claim 5.

7. The second information display unit includes a second pointer that displays the second information by pointing to one of a plurality of indicator display areas corresponding to a plurality of different indicators, and displays the battery level information together with the second information by determining the position pointed to by the second pointer in the indicator display area according to the battery level. The electronic clock according to claim 2.

8. The indicator display area displays a battery level indicator showing the remaining battery level, and the second indicator points to the battery level indicator corresponding to the remaining battery level in the indicator display area, thereby displaying the battery level information together with the second information. The electronic clock according to claim 7.

9. It has an operating section, The normal display mode is a mode that allows the first information to be displayed without requiring operation of the control unit. The electronic clock according to claim 1.

10. The electronic clock, in normal display mode, displays first information by a first information display unit, and displays the second information and acquired battery level information by a second information display unit that displays second information different from the first information. A method of display characterized by the following features.

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