Electronic clock

Abstract

To provide an electronic watch capable of suppressing an arithmetic load of a control circuit in a switching operation of hemisphere display modes of a moon phase display unit.SOLUTION: A control circuit 72 of an electronic watch 1 controls a moon age plate rotation direction R that is a rotation direction of a moon age plate 42 and a moon age plate rotation position (moon age plate step position S) that is a rotation position of the moon age plate 42 according to a third actuator 72c. When determining that an operation unit has performed a switching operation of a northern hemisphere display mode DN and a southern hemisphere display mode DS, and if a moon age difference of a current moon age MR based on a current moon age plate rotation position (current moon age plate step position SR) relative to a reference moon age MB is a reference moon age difference MD, the control circuit 72 makes the moon age plate 42 perform step rotation driving from the current moon age plate rotation position (current moon age plate step position SR), from the reference moon age MB to a post-switch moon age plate rotation position (post-switch moon age plate step position SC) separated by the reference moon age difference MD to an opposite side of the current moon age MR side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece. [Background technology]

[0002] Some watches have a time display section and a moon phase display section that displays the phases of the moon, i.e., the lunar phase, providing the user with a moon phase display corresponding to the age of the moon at the current date and time. The moon phase display section has a moon phase plate opening formed in the dial and a moon phase plate that displays the moon (full moon) and is driven to rotate, and the moon phase plate rotates in one direction relative to the moon phase plate opening to display the moon phase corresponding to the age of the moon.

[0003] Here, because the way the moon changes as it waxes and wanes varies depending on the latitude of the current user, the corresponding moon phase display on the watch will also vary. Specifically, the direction of change in the moon phase display over time will differ for the same date, time, and longitude (given moon age). Therefore, the position and rotation direction of the moon phase plate relative to the moon phase plate opening will differ depending on whether the user of the watch is located in the northern or southern hemisphere. For example, if the watch moves from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere, the rotation direction of the moon phase plate will be changed from the northern hemisphere rotation direction to the southern hemisphere rotation direction, and the moon phase plate will rotate from the rotation position corresponding to the northern hemisphere moon age at the current date and time to the rotation position corresponding to the southern hemisphere moon age. Conventional watches allow the user to manually change the rotation direction of the moon phase plate (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-155747 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-216547 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, when a watch moves from one hemisphere to the other, one possible method for rotating the moon phase plate from one hemisphere's lunar phase to the rotational position corresponding to the other hemisphere's lunar phase is for the user to manually operate the watch. However, this requires the user to grasp the lunar phase in the moved hemisphere, i.e., the hemisphere's lunar phase after movement, and manually operate the watch to rotate the moon phase plate to the rotational position corresponding to the hemisphere's lunar phase after movement, i.e., the post-movement rotational position. This is cumbersome for the user, and since it is preferable to automatically rotate the moon phase plate to the post-movement rotational position, it is desirable for the electronic watch to do this automatically. When an electronic watch switches between the northern hemisphere display mode and the southern hemisphere display mode of the moon phase display unit, the control circuit changes the rotational direction of the moon phase plate and rotates the moon phase plate to the post-movement rotational position. In electronic watches, it is desirable to operate them with low power consumption, but when, as in Patent Document 1, the control circuit calculates the post-shift hemispherical moon age based on the current date and time and rotates the moon age plate to the post-shift rotation position corresponding to the calculated post-shift hemispherical moon age, the calculation of the post-shift hemispherical moon age is complicated and the calculation load on the control circuit is high, so there is a problem that power consumption increases when high-load processing is performed every time the display mode is switched.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to propose an electronic timepiece that can reduce the calculation load on the control circuit when switching the display mode of the moon phase display unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the electronic timepiece in this embodiment comprises a time display unit that displays the time based on an internal time, a moon phase display unit that has at least a rotatably supported moon phase plate and displays the moon phase corresponding to the age of the moon as the moon phase plate rotates, a moon phase plate actuator that drives the moon phase plate to rotate, a control circuit that controls the moon phase plate rotation direction and the moon phase plate rotation position by the moon phase plate actuator, and a northern hemisphere display mode that displays the moon phase in at least the northern hemisphere and a southern hemisphere display mode that displays the moon phase in the southern hemisphere. and an operation unit that switches the display mode of the moon phase display unit to one of the spherical display modes, and when the control circuit determines that the operation to switch the display mode has been performed by the operation unit, and when the lunar age difference of the current lunar age based on the current lunar age plate rotation position with respect to the reference lunar age is taken as the reference lunar age difference, the control circuit causes the lunar age plate to rotate from the current lunar age plate rotation position by the lunar age plate actuator to a post-switched lunar age plate rotation position that is away from the reference lunar age on the opposite side to the current lunar age by the reference lunar age, and sets the rotation direction of the lunar age plate to the post-switched lunar age plate rotation direction that is opposite to the rotation direction of the current lunar age plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The electronic timepiece according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to reduce the calculation load on the control circuit when switching the display mode of the moon phase display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the moon phase display unit of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment (northern hemisphere display mode). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the moon phase display unit of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment (southern hemisphere display mode). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the movement of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the function display unit during the display mode switching operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the function display unit during the display mode switching operation. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the moon phase display unit during the display mode switching operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the moon phase display unit during the display mode switching operation. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the display mode switching operation of the electronic timepiece according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the moon phase display unit during the display mode switching operation in the modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the moon phase display unit during the display mode switching operation in the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram (northern hemisphere display mode) of the operation of the moon phase display unit of the electronic timepiece according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram (southern hemisphere display mode) of the operation of the moon phase display unit of the electronic timepiece according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the movement of the electronic timepiece according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the function display unit during a display mode switching operation. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the function display unit during a display mode switching operation. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the moon phase display unit during a display mode switching operation. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the moon phase display unit during a display mode switching operation. In addition, in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 (including FIGS. 10 and 11), the X direction is the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock direction of the electronic timepiece, the Y direction is the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock direction of the electronic timepiece, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is the up-down direction (thickness direction) of the electronic timepiece. O1 is the center of the electronic timepiece 1 and coincides with the axis of rotation of the hands. Moreover, the direction in the XY plane centered on O1 is called the radial direction.

[0012] The electronic watch 1 in this embodiment is an electronic watch that keeps internal time based on the output of a crystal oscillator and indicates the kept time with hands 31. The electronic watch 1 may be a multi-function electronic watch that has functions other than timekeeping, such as an alarm function or a chronograph. Furthermore, it may be a terminal-device-linked watch that is connected to an external terminal device via a communication unit via at least one of a wireless or wired connection and performs specific functions (e.g., an alarm function, a time correction function based on the internal time information of the terminal device, a notification function that notifies when email is received, etc.) based on requests set in the terminal device.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the electronic timepiece 1 comprises an exterior case 2, a time display unit 3, a moon phase display unit 4, a function display unit 5, an operation unit 6, and a movement 7. In the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, the time display unit 3 is an analog electronic wristwatch with an analog display, and the moon phase display unit 4 is a moon phase watch that displays the phases of the moon, i.e., the lunar phase. The electronic timepiece 1 will be described as a wristwatch-style watch, but it may also be of another watch style, such as a pocket watch-style watch, as long as it has the functionality of a moon phase watch.

[0014] The exterior case 2 forms the outermost shell of the electronic timepiece 1 and is composed of a case 21, a bezel 22, a crystal 23, and a back cover (not shown). The case 21 has an opening, and the time display unit 3, moon phase display unit 4, function display unit 5, and movement 7 are held in an internal space S1 within the opening. In this embodiment, the case 21 is annular, and the opening is circular and centered on the watch center O1 of the electronic timepiece 1. The shape of the opening can be any shape to match the outer shape and design of the exterior case 2 of the electronic timepiece 1. The case 21 has lugs 24 formed on its outer peripheral side surface that protrude from the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions. One end of the belt 8 is connected to the lug 24 on the 12 o'clock side, and the other end of the belt 8 is connected to the lug 24 on the 6 o'clock side.

[0015] The crystal 23 covers the upper opening on one side of the case 21, and the back cover covers the lower opening on the other side. By securing them together, the internal space S1 becomes an enclosed space, protecting the time display unit 3, moon phase display unit 4, function display unit 5, and movement 7. When securing the crystal 23 and back cover to the case 21, using a waterproof member (not shown) such as a rubber gasket increases their retention strength, improving the dustproofness and waterproofness of the electronic timepiece 1. The case 21 is made of, for example, a resin, metal, or ceramic material. The bezel 22 secures the crystal 23 to the case 21. It is annular and is secured to the annular portion of the case 21 that defines the internal space S1. The bezel 22 is located radially outward of the time display unit 3. The bezel 22 is made of, for example, a resin, metal, or ceramic material. The bezel 22 may be supported relative to the case 21 so as to be rotatable around the timepiece center O1 of the electronic timepiece 1. The crystal 23 is shaped to cover the upward opening via the bezel 22. It is inserted from above and secured to the bezel 22, and then secured to the case 21 via the bezel 22, thereby closing off the internal space S1. In this embodiment, the crystal 23 has a circular outer shape in a plan view. The crystal 23 is made of, for example, glass or a transparent resin material. The back cover has an engagement portion that is roughly the same shape as the downward opening, and is inserted from below and secured to the case 21 to close off the internal space S1. In this embodiment, the back cover has a circular outer shape. The back cover is made of, for example, the same resin, metal, or ceramic material as the case 21. The bezel 22 may be formed integrally with the case 21 as long as it does not rotate.

[0016] The time display unit 3 displays the time based on the internal time. The time display unit 3 has hands 31, a dial 32, a dial ring 33, and a date dial 34. In this embodiment, the time display unit 3 displays the internal time (at least date information, hour information, minute information, and second information) kept by the control circuit 72 of the movement 7 (described later), i.e., displays the time.

[0017] The hands 31 are supported by the movement 7 so as to be rotatable around the timepiece center O1 of the electronic timepiece 1 as the rotation axis, and are driven to rotate by the movement 7. The hands 31 are rod-shaped and made of a metal material, a resin material, or the like. In this embodiment, the hands 31 are a second hand 31a, a minute hand 31b, and an hour hand 31c, and are positioned above the dial 32 (towards the crystal 23). The hands 31 also rotate when the user operates the operating unit 6. The hands 31 can display the time based on the internal time depending on the position they are pointing to.

[0018] The dial 32 is disposed between the hands 31 and the movement 7 and protects the movement 7. The dial 32 functions to provide the user with an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the electronic timepiece 1. Hour symbols 321, 322 are provided on the surface of the dial 32 (the side facing the crystal 23). That is, the hour symbols 321, 322 are disposed so as to face the crystal 23 in the vertical direction, and can be seen by the user through the crystal 23. The user can recognize the current time based on the time display from the relative positions of the hands 31 (second hand 31a, minute hand 31b, and hour hand 31c) and the hour symbols 321, 322. The dial 32 is formed with a date plate opening 323 that allows the user to view the date plate 34 through the crystal 23. The date plate opening 323 is formed in a position facing the date plate 34 in the vertical direction of the dial 32, and penetrates the dial 32 from top to bottom. In this embodiment, the date dial opening 323 is rectangular and is formed at the "4 o'clock" position on the dial 32.

[0019] The dial 32 and dial ring 33 are positioned radially outward. The dial ring 33 is annular and positioned radially outward from the tips of the hands 31. The time display unit 3 can display information such as setting information for functions other than the time display function. Examples of information displays include the alarm function ON / OFF setting, the alarm setting time, chronograph display, time zone display, display related to reception operation, and daylight saving time setting. In this case, the dial 32 and dial ring 33 are provided with function marks (not shown), and the setting information for each function can be recognized based on the relative positions of the hands 31 (second hand 31a, minute hand 31b, hour hand 31c) and the function marks.

[0020] The date dial 34 displays the date by rotating. The date dial 34 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction, and is arranged between the dial 32 and the movement 7 in the top-bottom direction. The date dial 34 is supported by the movement 7 so as to be rotatable around the watch center O1 as an axis of rotation, and is driven to rotate by the movement 7. The date dial 34 has multiple date marks 341 formed on it. The date marks 341 are visible to the user through the date dial opening 323 and the crystal 23, and display the current date based on the internal time. In this embodiment, the day marks 341 are the numbers "1" to "31" corresponding to the days, and are formed clockwise in an area around one circumference of the date dial 34.

[0021] 1 to 3, the moon phase display unit 4 displays the moon phase corresponding to the age of the moon by rotating a moon phase plate 42. The moon phase display unit 4 has an opening 41 for the moon phase plate, the moon phase plate 42, and moon phase plate rotation direction marks 43 and 44.

[0022] The moon phase plate opening 41 allows the user to view the moon phase plate 42 through the crystal 23. In this embodiment, the moon phase plate opening 41 is formed in the dial 32. The moon phase plate opening 41 faces the moon phase plate 42 in the up-down direction and is formed in a roughly fan-shaped configuration at the 12 o'clock position in the area where the dial 32 faces the moon phase plate 42. The moon phase plate opening 41 has recesses 411, 412 formed at both ends in the moon phase plate rotation direction R. The recesses 411, 412 indicate the phases of the moon when they overlap with moon marks 421, 422 (described later) on the moon phase plate 42 in the up-down direction. Here, the moon phase plate rotation direction R is the direction around the moon phase plate center O2 of the moon phase plate 42 and has two rotation directions: a current moon phase plate rotation direction RR and a switched moon phase plate rotation direction RC, which is opposite to the current moon phase plate rotation direction RR. 2 and 3, the opening 41 for the moon phase plate (including the recesses 411 and 412) is shown by a dotted line in order to make it easier to understand the operation of the illustrated month marks 421 and 422.

[0023] The moon phase plate 42 rotates to display the phase of the moon corresponding to the age of the moon. The moon phase plate 42 is circular when viewed from the top-bottom direction and is disposed between the dial 32 and the movement 7 in the top-bottom direction. The moon phase plate 42 is rotatably supported by the movement 7 around the center O2 of the moon phase plate 42 as a rotation axis and is rotationally driven by the movement 7. Here, clockwise rotation of the moon phase plate 42 is forward rotation and counterclockwise rotation is reverse rotation, with the clockwise direction being the forward rotation direction RY and the counterclockwise direction being the reverse rotation direction RN. Two moon marks 421, 422 are formed on the surface of the moon phase plate 42 facing the dial 32, of both its top-bottom faces. The moon marks 421, 422 are formed opposite each other across the center O2 of the moon phase plate, i.e., 180 degrees apart in the direction R of rotation of the moon phase plate. In other words, the moon phase display unit 4 in this embodiment displays the moon phase corresponding to the lunar age for two synodic cycles with one rotation. The moon marks 421, 422 in this embodiment are identical (same shape, color, etc.), and the user cannot distinguish between the moon marks 421, 422 even when visually inspecting them. For example, when the electronic timepiece 1 is in the Northern Hemisphere display mode DN, which will be described later, the forward rotation direction RY of the moon phase board 42 is the current moon phase board rotation direction RR. When the current moon phase board rotation direction RR is the forward rotation direction RY, as shown in FIG. 2, one rotation of the moon phase board 42 displays the moon phase of the new moon (moon phase = 0) in the first synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 421 (the moon phase board 42 in the upper left of the figure), the moon phase of the full moon (moon phase = 15) in the first synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 421 (the moon phase board 42 in the upper right of the figure), and the new moon (moon phase = 0) in the second synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 422. The display sequentially shows the phase of the moon at the beginning of the first synodic cycle (the moon phase board 42 at the lower right of the figure, which corresponds to the position of the moon mark 421, which is the moon phase display of the new moon in the first synodic cycle), the moon phase of the full moon (moon age = 15) in the second synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 422 (the moon phase board 42 at the lower left of the figure), and the moon phase of the new moon in the first synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 421 (which corresponds to the position of the moon mark 422, which is the moon phase display of the new moon in the second synodic cycle). On the other hand, when the electronic timepiece 1 is in the southern hemisphere display mode DS, which will be described later, the reverse direction RN of the moon phase board 42 becomes the current moon phase board rotation direction RR.When the current rotation direction of the moon phase plate 42 is the reverse direction RN, as shown in FIG. 3, by rotating once, the moon phase plate 42 displays the moon phase of the new moon (moon age = 0) in the second synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 422 (the moon phase plate 42 at the upper left of the same figure), the moon phase of the full moon (moon age = 15) in the second synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 422 (the moon phase plate 42 at the lower left of the same figure), and the new moon (moon age = 0) in the first synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 421. The display shows the phase of the moon (the moon phase board 42 at the bottom right of the figure, which corresponds to the position of the moon mark 422, which is the moon phase display of the new moon in the second synodic cycle), the moon phase of the full moon (lunar age = 15) in the first synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 421 (the moon phase board 42 at the top right of the figure), and the moon phase of the new moon in the second synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 422 (which corresponds to the position of the moon mark 421, which is the moon phase display of the new moon in the first synodic cycle).

[0024] The moon phase plate rotation direction marks 43, 44 indicate the moon phase plate rotation direction R in each display mode D. The moon phase plate rotation direction marks 43, 44 are provided on the surface of the dial 32. The moon phase plate rotation direction mark 43 corresponds to the northern hemisphere display mode DN and is composed of a clockwise arrow and the abbreviated letter "N" corresponding to north. The moon phase plate rotation direction mark 44 corresponds to the southern hemisphere display mode DS and is composed of a counterclockwise arrow and the abbreviated letter "S" corresponding to south.

[0025] The function display unit 5 displays the state of the electronic timepiece 1 based on a function different from the time display function of the electronic timepiece 1, i.e., performs function display. The function display unit 5 has a function hand 51 and a function mark plate 52. In this embodiment, the function display unit 5 displays the current day of the week based on the internal time kept by the control circuit 72, i.e., day of the week display, the remaining charge of the secondary battery 76 measured by the control circuit 72, i.e., remaining charge display, and the display mode D of the moon phase display unit 4, which is either the northern hemisphere display mode DN or the southern hemisphere display mode DS stored in the control circuit 72, i.e., display mode display.

[0026] The function hand 51 is supported by the movement 7 so as to be rotatable around the center O3 of the function mark on the function mark plate 52 as a rotation axis, and is driven to rotate by the movement 7. The function hand 51 is rod-shaped and made of a metal or resin material. In this embodiment, the function hand 51 is positioned above the function mark plate 52 (towards the crystal 23). The function hand 51 rotates when the user operates the operating unit 6, i.e., indicates one of the above-mentioned function indications. The function hand 51 can indicate a function corresponding to each function depending on the position it points to.

[0027] The function mark plate 52 is disposed between the function hand 51 and the movement 7. In this embodiment, the function mark plate 52 is formed as part of the dial 32. A day mark, a remaining amount mark 522, a northern hemisphere display mode mark 523, and a southern hemisphere display mode mark 524 are provided on the surface of the function mark plate 52 (the side facing the crystal 23). In other words, the function marks 521 to 524 are disposed so as to face the crystal 23 in the vertical direction, and can be seen by the user through the crystal 23. The user can recognize the state of the electronic timepiece 1 based on the function display from the relative positions of the function hand 51 and the function marks 521 to 524. The day mark 521 displays the current day of the week based on the position of the function hand 51. The day marks 521 in this embodiment are abbreviated English letters "S," "M," "T," "W," "T," "F," and "S" corresponding to each day of the week (Sunday through Saturday), and are arranged clockwise in the area from the 2 o'clock position to the 5 o'clock position on the function mark plate 52. The remaining battery charge marks 522 indicate the remaining charge of the secondary battery 76 based on the position of the function hand 51. The remaining battery charge marks 522 in this embodiment are a first remaining battery charge graphic corresponding to the remaining charge, a second remaining battery charge graphic that is narrower in the radial direction than the first remaining battery charge graphic, a third remaining battery charge graphic that is narrower in the radial direction than the second remaining battery charge graphic, and a fourth remaining battery charge graphic that is narrower in the radial direction than the third remaining battery charge graphic, and are arranged counterclockwise in the area from the 10 o'clock position to the 6 o'clock position on the function mark plate 52. The display mode marks 523 and 524 correspond to display mode D and indicate the current display mode DR based on the position of the function hand 51. The northern hemisphere display mode mark 523 in this embodiment is the abbreviated letter "N" corresponding to north, and is formed in the 1 o'clock area of ​​the function mark plate 52. The southern hemisphere display mode mark 524 in this embodiment is the abbreviated letter "S" corresponding to south, and is formed in the 11 o'clock area of ​​the function mark plate 52. Note that the function mark plate 52 is formed as part of the dial 32, but is not limited to this and may be made of a plate material different from the dial 32.In this case, an opening for a function mark plate (not shown) is formed in the dial 32, and the function mark plate 52 is arranged between the dial 32 and the movement 7 in the vertical direction.

[0028] The operation unit 6, when operated by a user, realizes functional operations of the movement 7 based on the operation. In this embodiment, the operation unit 6 switches the display mode D of the moon phase display unit 4 from either the northern hemisphere display mode DN or the southern hemisphere display mode DS in the control circuit 72 to the other, i.e., performs a display mode switching operation. Specifically, in response to a user's operation of the operation unit 6, i.e., a display mode switching operation, the electronic timepiece 1 switches the display mode D, changes the rotational position (in this embodiment, the step position) of the moon phase plate 42 of the moon phase display unit 4, sets the subsequent moon phase plate rotation direction R to a post-switch moon phase plate rotation direction RC, which is opposite to the current moon phase plate rotation direction RR, and performs a display mode switching operation in which the function hand 51 of the function display unit 5 points to the display mode marks 523 and 524 corresponding to the switched display mode D. The operation unit 6 has a crown 61, a push button 62, and a push button 63. The crown 61 protrudes from the side of the case 21 and can be pulled out one or more times by the user and rotated around its axis. Rotating the crown 61 in a position other than the zero position (not pulled out), such as the second position, can forcibly rotate the hands 31 in the time display state and correct the time display. The push buttons 62 and 63 protrude from the side of the case 21 and can be pressed in the opposite direction by the user. When no external force is applied, the push buttons 62 and 63 maintain their protruding position. For example, pressing either one or both of the push buttons 62 and 63 can switch the day of the week display or the remaining amount display on the function display unit 5. The operating unit 6 is connected to the control circuit 72 of the movement 7 and outputs the user's operating status as an operating signal to the control circuit 72.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the movement 7 includes an antenna 71, a control circuit 72, an actuator 73, a train wheel mechanism 74, a power generation mechanism 75, a secondary battery 76, and the like, and performs the timekeeping function of the electronic timepiece 1 and other functions.

[0030] The antenna 71 receives standard radio waves. In other words, the electronic timepiece 1 is also a radio-controlled timepiece. The antenna 71 is electrically connected to a control circuit 72, and outputs the standard radio wave signal to the control circuit 72. The antenna 71 may also receive a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal output by a satellite.

[0031] The control circuit 72 controls the rotational position and direction of the hands 31, date dial 34, moon phase dial 42, and function hand 51. The control circuit 72 controls the electronic timepiece 1, measuring the internal time of the electronic timepiece 1 based on a clock signal output from an oscillator (not shown), and outputting control signals corresponding to each function. The control circuit 72 includes a receiver IC 721 and a control IC 722 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and storage units such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The receiver IC 721 processes the standard radio wave received by the antenna 71 and outputs time information (including date, hour, minute, and second information) based on the standard radio wave to the control IC 722. The control IC 722 outputs a control signal to the actuator 73 to cause the hands 31 to display the time based on the internal time being measured. The control IC 722 also corrects the internal time based on the time information output from the receiver IC 721. The oscillator is a source of oscillation for generating a reference frequency for measuring the time displayed on the electronic clock 1 and for other functional operations, and may be, for example, a quartz crystal oscillator. Because the oscillation characteristics of a quartz crystal oscillator are prone to change depending on the external temperature, a temperature compensated quartz crystal oscillator (TCXO) may also be used.

[0032] The control circuit 72 also controls the moon phase plate rotation direction R and the moon phase plate rotation position of the moon phase plate 42 using a third actuator 73c (described later) which is a moon phase plate actuator, based on the current display mode DR, which is either the northern hemisphere display mode DN or the southern hemisphere display mode DS. Here, the northern hemisphere display mode DN is a mode in which the moon phase display unit 4 is controlled to display the moon phase corresponding to the moon phase for the northern hemisphere, and the moon phase plate 42 is rotated in one of the moon phase plate rotation directions R, which in this embodiment is the forward direction RY. The southern hemisphere display mode DS is a mode in which the moon phase display unit 4 is controlled to display the moon phase corresponding to the moon phase for the southern hemisphere, and the moon phase plate 42 is rotated in the other of the moon phase plate rotation directions R, which in this embodiment is the reverse direction RN. Note that the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere moon ages at the same date, time, and longitude will be the same, but the moon phase display corresponding to the northern hemisphere moon phase and the moon phase display corresponding to the southern hemisphere moon phase will be different. In this embodiment, the control circuit 72 rotates the moon phase plate 42 in steps, so the moon phase plate rotation position is moon phase plate step position S. In other words, the moon phase plate 42 rotates in steps multiple times by the third actuator 73c, making one rotation. In this embodiment, the moon phase plate 42 rotates in 60 steps, and displays the moon phases corresponding to the lunar ages of two synodic cycles, so one synodic cycle is 30 steps. For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the step position in the 12 o'clock direction of the moon phase plate 42 is the current moon phase plate step position SR, and if the current moon phase plate step position SR in the moon phase display of the new moon (moon age M=0) in the first synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 421 is 0 (SR=0), then the current moon phase plate step position S in the moon phase display of the full moon (M=15) in the first synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 421 is 15 (SR=15), the current moon phase plate step position SR in the moon phase display of the new moon (M=0) in the second synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 422 is 30 (SR=30), and the current moon phase plate step position SR in the moon phase display of the full moon (M=15) in the second synodic cycle corresponding to the moon mark 422 is 45 (SR=45).

[0033] When the day changes based on the internal time, the control circuit 72 causes the third actuator 73c to rotate the moon phase board 42 one step, i.e., one step per day, where one step is the amount of movement of the moon phase board 42 per day. Also, once every 59 days, the control circuit 72 causes the third actuator 73c to rotate the moon phase board 42 two steps per day, rather than one step per day.

[0034] The control circuit 72 determines whether a mode switching operation, which is an operation to switch the display mode D, has been performed using the operating unit 6. In this embodiment, the control circuit 72 determines whether a mode switching operation has been performed by determining whether the push button 63 has been pressed while the crown 61 is in the first position. When the crown 61 is in the first position, the control circuit 72 drives the function hand 51 to rotate using the fourth actuator 73d to a position radially opposite the display mode marks 523 and 524 corresponding to the current display mode DR. For example, when the current display mode DR is the northern hemisphere display mode DN, the control circuit 72 drives the function hand 51 to rotate stepwise to a position radially opposite the northern hemisphere display mode mark 523, as shown in FIG. 5. When a mode switching operation is performed, the control circuit 72 changes the current display mode DR to the post-switching display mode DC. For example, when the current display mode DR is the northern hemisphere display mode DN and a mode switching operation is performed, the post-switching display mode DC becomes the southern hemisphere display mode DS, so the control circuit 72 drives the function hand 51 to rotate in a stepwise manner to a position facing the southern hemisphere display mode mark 524 in the radial direction, as shown in Figure 6.

[0035] When a mode switching operation is performed, the control circuit 72 drives the moon phase plate 42 to rotate in steps using the third actuator 73c from the reference moon phase MB to a post-switch moon phase plate step position SC corresponding to a post-switch moon phase plate rotation position corresponding to a post-switch moon phase MC that is separated by the reference moon phase difference MD on the opposite side from the reference moon phase MB, where MD is the moon phase difference between the current moon phase MR based on the current moon phase plate step position SR corresponding to the current moon phase plate rotation position relative to the reference moon phase MB. Furthermore, when a mode switching operation is performed, the control circuit 72 sets the moon phase plate rotation direction R to a post-switch moon phase plate rotation direction RC, which is opposite to the current moon phase plate rotation direction RR. Here, the reference moon phase MB corresponds to the lunar phase display of a full moon and is the center of one synodic cycle, i.e., half the number of moon phases in one synodic cycle. Furthermore, the reference lunar age MB refers to the reference lunar age corresponding to the synodic cycle at the current lunar age MR when the lunar phase display unit 4 displays lunar phases corresponding to two synodic cycle periods with one rotation of the lunar age plate 42. In this embodiment, the total number of lunar ages in one synodic cycle is 30, from lunar age = 0 to lunar age = 29, so the reference lunar age MB is set to 15. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the current lunar age plate step position SR of the lunar age plate 42 is 6 (SR = 6) and the corresponding current lunar age MR is 6 (MR = 6), if a mode switching operation is performed, the reference lunar age difference MDB (= |MB - MR|), which is the difference in age between the reference lunar age MB and the current lunar age MR, becomes 9 (MD = 9). In this case, the post-switching lunar age MC, which is 9 lunar ages away from the reference lunar age MB on the current lunar age MR side (to the left of the dotted lunar display in the figure) and the opposite side (to the right in the figure), becomes 24 (MC = 24). The post-switching lunar age MC can be calculated by MA-MR, where MA is the number of lunar ages in one synodic cycle. The moon-age board 42 in this embodiment has two post-switching lunar age board step positions SC corresponding to the post-switching lunar age MC, the same as the number of synodic cycles. This is because the moon-age board 42 can display the phases of the moon for two synodic cycles.Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, there is a first post-switching lunar age board step position SC1 which is a post-switching lunar age board step position SC in the current lunar age board rotation direction RR relative to the current lunar age board step position SR, and as shown in Fig. 8, there is a second post-switching lunar age board step position SC2 which is a post-switching lunar age board step position SC in the post-switching lunar age board rotation direction RC relative to the current lunar age board step position SR. For example, the post-switching lunar age board step position SC corresponding to the post-switching lunar age MC (=24) for the current lunar age MR (=6) corresponding to the current lunar age board step position SR (=6, lunar phases are displayed by the lunar mark 421) is the first post-switching lunar age board step position SC1 (=24, lunar phases are displayed by the lunar mark 421) as shown in Fig. 7, and the second post-switching lunar age board step position SC2 (=54, lunar phases are displayed by the lunar mark 422) as shown in Fig. 8. The first post-switching lunar age plate step position SC1 can be calculated by SA1-SR, where SA1 is the number of steps of the lunar age plate 42 that corresponds to the number of lunar ages in one synodic cycle. The second post-switching lunar age plate step position SC2 can be calculated by SA2-SR, where SA2 is the number of steps of the lunar age plate 42 that corresponds to the number of lunar ages in two synodic cycles. The current direction step difference SDR between the current lunar age plate step position SR and the first post-switching lunar age plate step position SC1 when rotated in the current lunar age plate rotation direction RR is 18, and the post-switching direction step difference SDC between the current lunar age plate step position SR and the second post-switching lunar age plate step position SC2 when rotated in the post-switching lunar age plate rotation direction RC is 12. Therefore, the post-switching direction step difference SDC is smaller than the current direction step difference SDR when rotating the lunar age plate 42 stepwise.

[0036] The control circuit 72 rotates the age board 42 in the current age board rotation direction RR from the current age board step position SR corresponding to the current age board rotation position to the post-switch age board step position SC corresponding to the post-switch age board rotation position, if the current direction step difference SDR, which is the rotation angle of the age board 42 when the age board 42 is rotated in the current age board rotation direction RR from the current age board step position SR corresponding to the current age board rotation position to the post-switch age board step position SC corresponding to the post-switch age board rotation position, is less than a predetermined number of steps SDT corresponding to the predetermined rotation angle, thereby rotating the age board 42 in the current age board rotation direction RR, thereby driving the age board 42 in a step rotation from the current age board step position SR to the post-switch age board step position SC, if the current direction step difference SDR is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of steps SDT. Here, the predetermined number of steps SDT corresponding to the predetermined rotation angle is set based on at least one of the difference (|SDR-SDC|) between the current direction step difference SDR corresponding to the current direction rotation angle and the post-switch direction step difference SDC corresponding to the post-switch rotation angle, which is the rotation angle of the moon board 42 when the moon board 42 is rotated in the post-switch moon board rotation direction RC from the current moon board step position SR corresponding to the current moon board rotation position to the post-switch moon board step position SC corresponding to the post-switch moon board rotation position, and the power consumption of the electronic watch 1 when switching the moon board rotation direction R. In this embodiment, the predetermined number of steps SDT is set based on both the difference (|SDR-SDC|) between the current direction step difference SDR and the post-switch direction step difference SDC, and the power consumption of the electronic watch 1 when switching the moon board rotation direction R, and is set to 22. When the moon board 42 is rotated multiple steps in the same moon board rotation direction R, the power consumption of the electronic watch 1 is smaller when the number of steps is smaller. In addition, the power consumption of the electronic watch 1 may be greater when rotating the moon phase plate 42 one step in the switched moon phase plate rotation direction RC than when rotating the moon phase plate 42 one step in the current moon phase plate rotation direction RR.Therefore, even if the post-switching direction step difference SDC is smaller than the current direction step difference SDR, considering the difference in power consumption depending on the moon phase plate rotation direction R, the power consumption in the display mode switching operation may be greater if the moon phase plate rotation direction R is switched and the moon phase plate 42 is rotated by the post-switching direction step difference SDC steps. Therefore, the electronic watch 1 of this embodiment sets the predetermined number of steps SDT based on both the difference between the current direction step difference SDR and the post-switching direction step difference SDC (|SDR-SDC|) and the difference in power consumption of the electronic watch 1 depending on the moon phase plate rotation direction R, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0037] The actuator 73 rotates the hands 31, the date indicator 34, the moon phase indicator 42, and the function hand 51. The actuator 73 includes a drive circuit, a drive unit, etc. A control signal from the control circuit 72 is input to the drive circuit, which outputs a drive signal based on the input control signal to the drive unit, which then drives the drive unit based on the input drive signal. The actuator 73 in this embodiment is a motor capable of step rotation drive, such as a stepping motor or electric motor, and is composed of a first actuator 73a that rotates the second hand 31a, a second actuator 73b that rotates the minute hand 31b and the hour hand 31c, a third actuator 73c that is a moon phase indicator actuator that rotates the moon phase indicator 42, and a fourth actuator 73d that rotates the function hand 51 and the date indicator 34.

[0038] The train wheel mechanism 74 transmits the driving force output by the actuator 73 to the hands 31, the date indicator 34, the moon phase indicator 42, and the function hand 51. The train wheel mechanism 74 includes train gears and the like, and one end is connected to the actuator 73 and the other end is connected to the hands 31, the date indicator 34, the moon phase indicator 42, and the function hand 51. The train wheel mechanism 74 in this embodiment is made up of a first train wheel mechanism 74a that connects the first actuator 73 and the second hand 31a, a second train wheel mechanism 74b that connects the second actuator 73b and the minute hand 31b and the hour hand 31c, a third train wheel mechanism 74c that connects the third actuator 73c and the moon phase indicator 42, and a fourth train wheel mechanism 74d that connects the fourth actuator 73c and the function hand 51 and the date indicator 34.

[0039] The power generation mechanism 75 generates electricity using external energy and supplies the generated power to electronic components such as the secondary battery 76 and the control circuit 72. The power generation mechanism 75 may use a photoelectric conversion element that converts light energy, a thermoelectric conversion element that converts thermal energy, or a mechanoelectric conversion element that generates electricity from mechanical motion such as vibration energy.

[0040] The secondary battery 76 can store the power generated by the power generation mechanism 75 and is a power source that supplies the power to the control circuit 72, the actuator 73, other electronic components, etc. For example, a lithium ion battery, an all-solid-state battery, etc. can be used as the secondary battery 76.

[0041] Next, the display mode switching operation of the electronic watch 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the display mode switching operation of the electronic watch in this embodiment. Note that the display mode switching operation of the electronic watch 1 in this embodiment will be described including the step rotation drive operation of the moon phase board 42. First, the control circuit 72 determines whether the crown 61 is in the first position (step ST1). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether the user intends to operate the operating unit 6 to perform the display mode switching operation or confirm display mode D.

[0042] Next, when the control circuit 72 determines that the crown 61 is not at the first step (step ST1: NO), it determines whether the date has been changed (step ST2). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether the date information has counted up by one count based on the internal time, thereby determining whether to perform step rotation drive of the moon phase board 42.

[0043] Next, when the control circuit 72 determines that the day has changed (step ST2: Yes), it determines whether the count N of the moon phase board 42 is 58 (step ST3). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether the moon phase board 42 has been rotated two steps before one rotation of 60 steps (60 days), that is, 58 steps. Note that when the control circuit 72 determines that the day has not changed (step ST2: No), it ends this control cycle and moves on to the next control cycle.

[0044] Next, when the control circuit 72 determines that the count N of the moon age board 42 is not 58 (step ST3: No), it drives and rotates the moon age board 42 by one step (step ST4).

[0045] Next, the control circuit 72 increments the count N of the age board 42 by one count (step ST5), ends this control cycle, and moves to the next control cycle.

[0046] Furthermore, when the control circuit 72 determines that the count N of the moon age board 42 is 58 (step ST3: Yes), it drives and rotates the moon age board 42 by two steps (step ST4).

[0047] Next, the control circuit 72 resets the count N of the moon phase board 42 to 0 (step ST6), ends this control cycle, and moves on to the next control cycle. That is, the control circuit 72 rotates the moon phase board 42 two steps per rotation during one rotation of the moon phase board 42.

[0048] Furthermore, when the control circuit 72 determines that the crown 61 is at the first step position (step ST1: Yes), it drives the function hand 51 to rotate stepwise based on the current display mode DR (step ST8).

[0049] Next, the control circuit 72 determines whether or not the push button 63 has been pressed (step ST9). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether or not the user intends to perform a display mode switching operation.

[0050] Next, if the control circuit 72 determines that the push button 63 has been pressed (step ST9: Yes), it determines whether the current display mode DR is the northern hemisphere display mode DN (step ST10). If the control circuit 72 determines that the push button 63 has not been pressed (step ST9: No), it repeats the determination of whether the crown 61 is in the first position, i.e., step ST1.

[0051] Next, when the control circuit 72 determines that the current display mode DR is the northern hemisphere display mode DN (step ST10: Yes), it changes the display mode D from the northern hemisphere display mode DN to the southern hemisphere display mode DS, and sets the post-switch display mode DC to the southern hemisphere display mode DS (step ST11).

[0052] Furthermore, if the control circuit 72 determines that the current display mode DR is not the northern hemisphere display mode DN (step ST10: No), it changes the display mode D from the southern hemisphere display mode DN to the northern hemisphere display mode DN, and sets the post-switch display mode DC to the northern hemisphere display mode DN (step ST12).

[0053] Next, the control circuit 72 acquires the current moon phase board step position SR (step ST13).

[0054] Next, the control circuit 72 calculates a post-switching lunar board step position SC based on the current lunar board step position SR (step ST14). Here, the control circuit 72 calculates a first post-switching lunar board step position SC1 in the current lunar board rotation direction RR with respect to the current lunar board step position SR.

[0055] Next, the control circuit 72 calculates the current direction step difference SDR based on the current moon phase board step position SR and the first post-switch moon phase board step position SC1 (step ST15).

[0056] Next, the control circuit 72 determines whether the current direction step difference SDR is less than the predetermined number of steps SDT (step ST16). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether power consumption of the electronic timepiece 1 can be reduced by driving the moon plate 42 to rotate in either the current moon plate rotation direction RR or the post-switch moon plate rotation direction RC up to the post-switch moon plate step position SC.

[0057] Next, if the control circuit 72 determines that the current direction step difference SDR is less than the predetermined number of steps SDT (step ST16: Yes), it drives the moon age board 42 to rotate in a step-by-step manner in the current moon age board rotation direction RR to the post-switch moon age board step position SC, i.e., the first post-switch moon age board step position SC1 (step ST17). For example, if the display mode before the display mode switching operation was the Northern Hemisphere mode DN and SDT=22 (predetermined rotation angle 132 degrees), when the switching operation is performed at the current moon age MR=10, the current direction step difference SDR=10, which is less than the predetermined number of steps SDT=22, and so the moon age board 42 is rotated in a step-by-step manner in the current moon age board rotation direction RR to the first post-switch moon age board step position SC1.

[0058] Furthermore, if the control circuit 72 determines that the current direction step difference SDR is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of steps SDT (step ST16: No), it drives the moon phase board 42 to rotate in a step-by-step manner in the post-switching moon phase board rotation direction RC to the post-switching moon phase board step position SC, i.e., the second post-switching moon phase board step position SC2 (step ST20). For example, if the display mode before the display mode switching operation was the Northern Hemisphere mode DN and SDT=22 (predetermined rotation angle 132 degrees), when the switching operation is performed at the current moon phase MR=3, the current direction step difference SDR=24, which is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of steps SDT=22, and so the moon phase board 42 is rotated in a step-by-step manner in the post-switching moon phase board rotation direction RC to the second post-switching moon phase board step position SC2.

[0059] Next, the control circuit 72 changes the moon phase board rotation direction R to the post-switch moon phase board rotation direction RC (step ST18). Here, the control circuit 72 changes the current display mode DR to the post-switch display mode DC.

[0060] Next, the control circuit 72 drives the function hand 51 to rotate in steps based on the post-switching display mode DC (step ST19), ends this control cycle, and moves on to the next control cycle. Note that in this embodiment, the step rotation of the function hand 51 based on the post-switching display mode DC (step ST19) is performed after the moon phase board rotation direction R is changed to the post-switching moon phase board rotation direction RC (step ST18), but this is not limited to this, and may be performed from after it is determined that the push button 63 has been pressed (step ST9: Yes) until the current moon phase board step position SR is obtained (step ST13), that is, immediately after switching to display mode D.

[0061] As described above, the electronic watch 1 in this embodiment uses the third actuator 73c to drive the moon phase plate 42 in step rotation from the reference moon age MB to the post-switch moon phase plate step position SC corresponding to the post-switch moon phase plate rotation position corresponding to the post-switch moon age MC that is away from the reference moon age difference MD on the opposite side from the current moon age side. Therefore, the calculation load on the control circuit 72 in switching the display mode of the moon phase display unit 4 can be reduced compared to when the post-switch moon phase age is calculated based on the internal time and the moon phase plate is rotated to the post-switch moon phase plate rotation position corresponding to the calculated post-switch moon phase age.

[0062] Furthermore, in the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, the moon phase plate 42 rotates once in 60 steps, and the control circuit 72 rotates the moon phase plate 42 one step per day, rotating it two steps per day once every 59 days. This means that the moon phase plate 42 completes two synodic cycles in 59 days, making one synodic cycle 29.5 days, which is closer to the actual lunar mean synodic cycle of 29.530589 than when one synodic cycle is 30 days. Therefore, even if one synodic cycle on the moon phase plate 42 is 30 days, it can be made closer to the mean synodic cycle of 29.530589, and the error between the displayed moon phase and the actual lunar phase can be reduced.

[0063] In this embodiment, the control circuit 72 rotates the age board 42 in the current age board rotation direction RR if the current direction step difference SDR, which is the rotation angle of the age board 42 when rotated in the current age board rotation direction RR from the current age board step position SR to the post-switch age board step position SC corresponding to the post-switch age board rotation position, is less than a predetermined number of steps SDT corresponding to the predetermined rotation angle, and rotates the age board 42 in the post-switch age board rotation direction RC if the current direction step difference SDR is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of steps SDT. However, the control circuit 72 may also rotate the age board 42 in the forward direction RY if the forward direction step difference SDY, which is the rotation angle of the age board 42 when rotated in the forward direction RY from the current age board step position SR to the post-switch age board step position SC corresponding to the post-switch age board rotation position, is less than a predetermined number of steps SDT corresponding to the predetermined rotation angle, and rotate the age board 42 in the reverse direction RN if the forward direction step difference SDY is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of steps SDT. In this case, the predetermined number of steps SDT, which is the predetermined rotation angle, may be set based on the difference between the forward direction step difference SDY, which is the forward direction rotation angle, and the forward direction step difference SDN, which is the rotation angle of the moon age board when the moon age board 42 is rotated in the reverse direction RN from the current moon age board step position SR to the switched moon age board step position SC, and the difference in power consumption depending on the moon age board rotation direction R. Normally, the power consumption of the electronic timepiece 1 is greater when rotating the moon age board 42 one step in the reverse direction RN than when rotating the moon age board 42 one step in the forward direction RN. Therefore, since the predetermined number of steps SDT is set based on both the difference (|SDY-SDN|) between the forward direction step difference SDY and the reverse direction step difference SDN and the difference in power consumption of the electronic timepiece 1 depending on the moon age board rotation direction R (forward direction RY, reverse direction RN), power consumption can be reduced.

[0064] Furthermore, although the predetermined number of steps SDT in this embodiment is a fixed value, it is not limited to this and may be varied based on the current display mode DR. For example, the predetermined number of steps SDT may have a different value when the current display mode DR is the northern hemisphere display mode DN than when the current display mode DR is the southern hemisphere display mode DN.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the month marks 421, 422 are the same, but this is not limited thereto, and the month marks 421, 422 may be different from each other. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the moon phase display unit during a display mode switching operation in a modified example, in which the current moon phase plate rotation position and the post-switch moon phase plate rotation position are displayed with the same moon mark. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the moon phase display unit during a display mode switching operation in a modified example, in which the current moon phase plate rotation position and the post-switch moon phase plate rotation position are displayed with different moon marks. 10 and 11, for example, the colors of the moon marks 421, 422 may be different from each other so that the user can visually distinguish them. In this case, for example, the post-switching moon age board step position SC corresponding to the post-switching moon age MC (=24) for the current moon age MR (=6) corresponding to the current moon age board step position SR (=6, moon phases are displayed by the moon mark 421) may be a first post-switching moon age board step position SC1 (=24, moon phases are displayed by the moon mark 421) as shown in Fig. 10, or a second post-switching moon age board step position SC2 (=54, moon phases are displayed by the moon mark 422) as shown in Fig. 11. When the moon marks 421, 422 are different from each other, even if the moon phase board 42 is rotated from the current moon phase board step position SR (= 6) to the first post-switch moon phase board step position SC1 (= 24), the moon mark used to display the moon phase will be the moon mark 421 used for the same synodic cycle, and this will not cause any discomfort to the user viewing the moon phase display unit 4. On the other hand, when the moon phase board 42 is rotated from the current moon phase board step position SR (= 6) to the second post-switch moon phase board step position SC2 (= 54), the moon mark used to display the moon phase will change from the moon mark 421 to the moon mark 422 used for a synodic cycle different from the synodic cycle before the switching operation, and this will cause discomfort to the user viewing the moon phase display unit 4. When the control circuit 72 determines that a display mode switching operation has been performed using the operating unit 6, it rotates the moon phase board 42 from the current moon phase board rotation position SR to the post-switch moon phase board step position SC1, SC2, which is the post-switch moon phase board rotation position corresponding to the moon marks 421, 422 that display the moon phase of the synodic cycle at the current moon phase MR, out of the first post-switch moon phase board step position SC1 and the second post-switch moon phase board step position SC2, thereby preventing the user viewing the moon phase display unit 4 from feeling uncomfortable. Specifically, when the display mode is the Northern Hemisphere mode DN and the current lunar age MR based on the current lunar age plate step position SR is less than the reference lunar age MB (MR < MB), the control circuit 72 rotates and drives in the forward rotation direction RY from the current lunar age plate step position SR to the post-switching lunar age plate step position SC. Also, when the display mode is the Northern Hemisphere mode DN and the current lunar age MR based on the current lunar age plate step position SR exceeds the reference lunar age MB (MR > MB), the control circuit 72 rotates and drives in the reverse rotation direction RN from the current lunar age plate step position SR to the post-switching lunar age plate step position SC. <> Also, when the display mode is the Southern Hemisphere mode DS and the current lunar age MR based on the current lunar age plate step position SR is less than the reference lunar age MB (MR < MB), the control circuit 72 rotates and drives in the reverse rotation direction RN from the current lunar age plate step position SR to the post-switching lunar age plate step position SC. Also, when the display mode is the Southern Hemisphere mode DS and the current lunar age MR based on the current lunar age plate step position SR exceeds the reference lunar age MB (MR > MB), the control circuit 72 rotates and drives in the forward rotation direction RY from the current lunar age plate step position SR to the post-switching lunar age plate step position SC. <> <>

[0066] <> Also, in the present embodiment, the lunar age plate 42 rotates step by step by one step per day, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the lunar age plate 42 may rotate step by step by n steps per day (n > 1). In this case, when the lunar age plate 42 rotates once in 60 steps by rotating step by step by one step per day, it will rotate once in 60 × n steps by rotating step by step by n steps per day. <> <>

[0067] <> Also, in the present embodiment, the lunar age plate 42 performs a lunar phase display corresponding to the lunar age for two synodic cycles in one rotation, but it is not limited to this, and the lunar age plate 42 may perform a lunar phase display corresponding to the lunar age for one synodic cycle in one rotation. In this case, the post-switching lunar age plate step position SC is the number of synodic cycles, that is, one. <> <>

[0068] <> In this embodiment, the control circuit 72 rotates the moon age board 42 one step per day and once every 59 days, two steps per day. However, this is not limited to this. The moon age board 42 may be rotated two steps per day once every two months based on the internal time. In this embodiment, the moon age board 42 rotates once in 60 steps. However, this is not limited to this. It may rotate once in an even number of steps. For example, the moon age board 42 may rotate once in 58 steps. In this case, when the control circuit 72 determines that the count N of the moon age board 42 is 58, it rotates the moon age board 42 one step, but does not set the count N of the moon age board 42 to 0. If it determines that the day is changing, it does not rotate the moon age board 42 one step, and sets the count N of the moon age board 42 to 0. The moon age board 42 may rotate once in odd-numbered steps. For example, the moon age board 42 may rotate once in 59 steps. In this case, the reference age MB is set to 14.5.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the current moon age plate step position SR of the moon age plate 42 is manually set by the user, but this is not limiting. The control circuit 72 may correct the current moon age plate step position SR based on the received time information (including year information, month information, and day information). Specifically, the control circuit 72 calculates the corrected moon age W by (number of days from the reference date X + moon age on the reference date Y)%29.53 = corrected moon age W. For example, if X is 1593 and Y is 14.7, W is 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1. Electronic Clock 2 outer case 21 Torso 22 bezel 23 Windshield 24 Pre-can 3 Time display section 31 Guidelines 32 Dial 321,322 hour characters 323 Opening for day plate 33 Endpaper ring 34 day board 341 Day Mark 4 Moon phase display 41 Opening for moon phase board 421,422 recess 42 Moon Phase Board 421,422 Month Mark 43,44 Moon phase plate rotation direction mark 5 Function display section 51 Function hand 52 Function mark plate 6 Control section 61 Crown 62,63 Push button 7. Movement 71 Antenna 72 Control circuit 73 Actuator 73a First Actuator 73b Second actuator 73c Third actuator (actuator for moon phase board) 73d 4th actuator 74 Wheel train mechanism 74a 1st wheel train mechanism 74b 2nd wheel train mechanism 74c 3rd wheel train mechanism 74d 4th wheel train mechanism 75 Power Generation Mechanism 76 Secondary battery 8. Belt O1 Watch Center O2 Moon Phase Center O3 Functional mark center

Claims

1. a time display unit that displays the time based on the internal time; a moon phase display unit having at least a rotatably supported moon phase plate, the moon phase display unit displaying the moon phase corresponding to the age of the moon by rotating the moon phase plate; an actuator for rotating the moon phase board; a control circuit for controlling the moon board rotation direction and the moon board rotation position by the moon board actuator; an operation unit for switching the display mode of the moon phase display unit to either a northern hemisphere display mode for displaying at least the moon phase in the northern hemisphere or a southern hemisphere display mode for displaying the moon phase in the southern hemisphere; Equipped with The control circuit When it is determined that the operation for switching the display mode has been performed by the operation unit, When the lunar age difference of the current lunar age based on the current lunar age plate rotation position with respect to the reference lunar age is defined as the reference lunar age difference, the lunar age plate is rotated by the lunar age plate actuator from the current lunar age plate rotation position to a post-switched lunar age plate rotation position that is away from the reference lunar age on the opposite side to the current lunar age side by the reference lunar age difference, and the lunar age plate rotation direction is set to a post-switched lunar age plate rotation direction that is opposite to the current lunar age plate rotation direction. An electronic watch characterized by:

2. The control circuit When the current direction rotation angle, which is the rotation angle of the moon age board when the moon age board is rotated in the current moon age board rotation direction from the current moon age board rotation position to the switched moon age board rotation position, is equal to or greater than a predetermined rotation angle, the moon age board is rotated in the switched moon age board rotation direction, Rotating the moon phase board from the current moon phase board rotation position to the switched moon phase board rotation position; 2. The electronic watch according to claim 1.

3. The predetermined rotation angle is The angle is set based on at least one of a difference between the current direction rotation angle and a post-switching rotation angle, which is a rotation angle of the moon phase board when the moon phase board is rotated from the current moon phase board rotation position to the post-switching moon phase board rotation position in the post-switching moon phase board rotation direction, and a difference in power consumption depending on the moon phase board rotation direction.

3. The electronic watch according to claim 2.

4. The control circuit When the moon board is rotated in the forward direction of the moon board actuator from the current moon board rotation position to the switched moon board rotation position, if the forward rotation angle, which is the rotation angle of the moon board, is equal to or greater than a predetermined rotation angle, the moon board is rotated in a reverse direction, which is the opposite direction to the forward rotation direction, Rotating the moon phase board from the current moon phase board rotation position to the switched moon phase board rotation position; 2. The electronic watch according to claim 1.

5. The predetermined rotation angle is The angle is set based on at least one of a difference between the forward rotation angle and a reverse rotation angle, which is the rotation angle of the moon phase board when the moon phase board is rotated in the reverse direction from the current moon phase board rotation position to the switched moon phase board rotation position, and a difference in power consumption depending on the moon phase board rotation direction.

5. The electronic watch according to claim 4.

6. the lunar phase display unit displays the lunar phase corresponding to the lunar age for two or more synodic cycles per one rotation of the lunar phase plate, The post-switching moon age board rotation position is a first post-switching moon age board rotation position that is the post-switching moon age board rotation position in the current moon age board rotation direction relative to the current moon age board rotation position, and a second post-switching moon age board rotation position that is the post-switching moon age board rotation position in the post-switching moon age board rotation direction relative to the current moon age board rotation position.

6. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1.

7. the moon phase board actuator drives the moon phase board to rotate in steps, the lunar phase display unit displays the lunar phase corresponding to the lunar age for two synodic cycles per one rotation of the lunar age plate, The moon phase board rotates once in 60 steps, The control circuit The moon phase board is rotationally driven by the moon phase board actuator at one step per day, The moon phase plate is rotated in two steps per day by the actuator once every 59 days or once every two months.

7. The electronic watch according to claim 6.

8. the moon phase display unit displays the moon phase corresponding to the lunar age for two synodic cycles per one rotation of the moon phase plate, and the two moon marks formed on the moon phase plate are different from each other; the post-switching moon age board rotation position is a first post-switching moon age board rotation position that is the post-switching moon age board rotation position in the current moon age board rotation direction relative to the current moon age board rotation position, and a second post-switching moon age board rotation position that is the post-switching moon age board rotation position in the post-switching moon age board rotation direction relative to the current moon age board rotation position, The control circuit When it is determined that the operation for switching the display mode has been performed by the operation unit, the moon phase plate is rotated by the moon phase plate actuator from the current moon phase plate rotation position to the switched moon phase plate rotation position corresponding to the moon mark that displays the lunar phase of the synodic cycle at the current moon age, out of the two switched moon phase plate rotation positions; 2. The electronic watch according to claim 1.

Images