Clock, control device, and control method

Abstract

To improve visibility of a measurement result from a sensor in a watch that displays the measurement result on a display screen.SOLUTION: A watch comprises: a display (LCD) that displays a measurement result from a sensor; an illumination unit (LED) that illuminates a display screen of the display; and a control unit (microcomputer) that turns on and off the illumination unit in a predetermined period and controls the display of the measurement result on the display. The control unit does not update the display of the measurement result on the display while turning on and off the illumination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, an electronic clock that measures physical quantities such as air pressure, azimuth, acceleration, and gravity direction and digitally displays the measurement results is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Depending on the update timing of the digital display of the measurement result, the measurement result of the electronic clock described in Patent Document 1 above may be difficult to view.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the visibility of the measurement result.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a clock including a display unit that displays a measurement result of a sensor, a lighting unit that illuminates a display screen of the display unit, and a control unit that blinks the lighting unit at a predetermined cycle and controls the display of the measurement result of the display unit, wherein the control unit does not update the display of the measurement result of the display unit while the lighting unit is on.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the clock described above, wherein the control unit updates the display of the measurement result of the display unit after the lighting unit is turned off.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is that in the above-described clock, the control unit updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the illumination unit is turned off, and updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit before the illumination unit is turned on.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a clock in which the control unit updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the illumination unit is turned off, and does not update the display of the measurement result on the display unit before the illumination unit is turned on.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described clock, the control unit makes the illumination period shorter than the illumination period.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is that in the above-described clock, the control unit sets the time intervals for updating the display of the measurement result on the display unit to equal intervals.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention is the above-described clock, wherein the first operating mode updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the illumination unit is turned off, and updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit before the illumination unit is turned on; the second operating mode updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the illumination unit is turned off, and does not update the display of the measurement result on the display unit before the illumination unit is turned on; and the control unit switches between the first operating mode and the second operating mode according to the state of the clock.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is that, in the above-described clock, the state of the clock is the remaining battery level of the clock.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is a control device for a clock comprising a display unit for displaying the measurement results of a sensor and an illumination unit for illuminating the display screen of the display unit, wherein the illumination unit blinks at a predetermined interval and controls the display of the measurement results on the display unit, and the control device does not update the display of the measurement results on the display unit while the illumination unit is lit.

[0015] One aspect of the present invention is a control method for a clock comprising a display unit for displaying the measurement results of a sensor and an illumination unit for illuminating the display screen of the display unit, wherein the illumination unit blinks at a predetermined period and controls the display of the measurement results of the display unit, and the display of the measurement results of the display unit is not updated while the illumination unit is lit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the effect of improving the visibility of measurement results can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is an external view showing an example of the appearance of a clock according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of the electronic circuit portion of a clock according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a timing chart illustrating an example of a control method according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a timing chart illustrating an example of a control method according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a timing chart used to explain conventional technology. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplication of these components may be omitted.

[0019] Figure 1 is an external view showing an example of the appearance of the clock according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the clock 1 of the present embodiment includes a movement (not shown) including a driving part and an electronic circuit part of the clock, a dial 5 having a scale, an hour hand 6, a minute hand 7, and a second hand 8, an LCD 10 (Liquid Crystal Display), an LED 20 (Light Emitting Diode) that illuminates the display screen of the LCD 10, and a sensor (not shown) inside a clock case composed of a back cover and glass of the clock case not shown.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic circuit part of the clock according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the electronic circuit part of the clock 1 will be described while referring to this figure. The clock 1 includes an oscillation circuit 50, a microcomputer 100 (control device (control unit)), an LCD 10 (display unit), an LED 20 (lighting unit), a sensor 30, and an input unit 40.

[0021] The microcomputer 100 includes a core CPU 101 (central processing unit), a ROM 102 (read only memory), a RAM 103 (random access memory), an LCD control circuit 104, an LCD driver 105, an LED control circuit 106, an LED driver 107, a sensor control circuit 108, and an input control circuit 109. The core CPU 101 is connected to the ROM 102 so as to be able to read data from the ROM 102. Also, the core CPU 101 is connected to the RAM 103 so as to be able to write and read data to and from the RAM 103. Also, the core CPU 101 is connected so as to be able to transmit and receive data to and from the LCD control circuit 104, the LED control circuit 106, the sensor control circuit 108, and the input control circuit 109. The LCD control circuit 104 is connected to the LCD driver 105. The LED control circuit 106 is connected to the LED driver 107.

[0022] The oscillation circuit 50 generates a clock signal having an operating frequency used by the core CPU 101. The core CPU 101 operates using the clock signal generated by the oscillation circuit 50.

[0023] ROM 102 stores computer programs executed by the core CPU 101. The control functions of the microcomputer 100 are realized when the core CPU 101 executes the computer programs stored in ROM 102. Alternatively, a writable non-volatile memory such as EEPROM or flash memory may be provided instead of or in addition to ROM 102. RAM 103 is memory for temporary data storage accessed by the core CPU 101.

[0024] The LCD control circuit 104 controls the LCD 10 via the LCD driver 105. The core CPU 101 sends display data to be displayed on the LCD 10 to the LCD control circuit 104. The LCD control circuit 104 controls the LCD 10 to display the display data received from the core CPU 101. As a result, the display data is displayed on the display screen of the LCD 10.

[0025] The LED control circuit 106 controls the LED 20 via the LED driver 107. The core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn the LED 20 on and off. The LED control circuit 106 turns the LED 20 on and off according to the on and off instructions from the core CPU 101. As a result, the LED 20 blinks.

[0026] The sensor control circuit 108 controls the sensor 30. The sensor 30 is a sensor that measures physical quantities such as water depth, altitude, atmospheric pressure, direction, acceleration, and direction of gravity. Alternatively, the sensor 30 may be a sensor that measures the heart rate, steps taken, etc., of a user wearing a watch 1 that can be worn on a person's arm, etc. The core CPU 101 instructs the sensor control circuit 108 to initialize the sensor 30, start measurement, stop measurement, etc. The sensor control circuit 108 initializes the sensor 30, starts measurement, and stops measurement according to the instructions from the core CPU 101. As a result, the sensor 30 initializes, starts measurement, and stops measurement.

[0027] The measurement data obtained by the sensor 30 is transmitted to the core CPU 101 via the sensor control circuit 108. The core CPU 101 transmits measurement result display data, which indicates the measurement result of the sensor 30 shown in the measurement data received from the sensor control circuit 108, to the LCD control circuit 104. The LCD control circuit 104 controls the LCD 10 to display the measurement result display data received from the core CPU 101. As a result, the measurement result display data (i.e., the measurement result of the sensor 30) is displayed on the LCD 10's display screen.

[0028] Next, an example of the control method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a timing chart for illustrating an example of the control method according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the core CPU 101 blinks the LED 20 that illuminates the display screen of the LCD 10 at a predetermined period. In the example in Figure 3, the LED 20 blinks repeatedly at a 2-second cycle (lit for 0.8 seconds and then off for 1.2 seconds). By blinking the LED 20 at a predetermined period in this way, power consumption can be reduced compared to when the LED 20 is kept lit.

[0029] The LED control circuit 106 controls the illumination state of the LED 20 by supplying current to the LED 20 using pulse width modulation (PWM). Specifically, when the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn on the LED 20, it supplies a current with a predetermined duty cycle to the LED 20. As a result, the LED 20 lights up with a predetermined duty cycle. When the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn off the LED 20, it stops supplying current to the LED 20 (or sets the duty cycle to zero). As a result, the LED 20 turns off. The duty cycle of the current supplied to the LED 20 adjusts the brightness illuminating the display screen of the LCD 10. When watch 1 is used underwater, such as a diver's watch, the flashing cycle of LED 20, the ratio of on-time to off-time, and the duty cycle during the on-time are adjusted to make the LCD 10 display screen easily visible even in dark places such as underwater. The flashing cycle of LED 20, the ratio of on-time to off-time, and the duty cycle during the on-time are stored in ROM 102 as setting parameters in advance.

[0030] The blinking period of LED20 may be N times the measurement period of sensor30 (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2). In the example in Figure 3, the blinking period of LED20 is twice the measurement period of sensor30 (1 second), which is 2 seconds.

[0031] Furthermore, the duration for which LED 20 is lit may be less than or equal to the measurement period of sensor 30. In the example shown in Figure 3, the duration for which LED 20 is lit is 0.8 seconds, which is less than or equal to the measurement period of sensor 30 (1 second).

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, by making the illumination period of LED 20 shorter than the off period, the power consumption of LED 20 can be reduced, and the battery life of clock 1 can be extended.

[0033] The core CPU 101 displays the measurement results, which are measured at regular intervals by the sensor 30, on the LCD 10. In this example, the sensor 30 measures the water depth at 1-second intervals. The core CPU 101 receives the measurement results from the sensor 30 at 1-second intervals. When the core CPU 101 displays the measurement results from the sensor 30 received at 1-second intervals on the LCD 10, it does not update the display of the measurement results on the LCD 10 while the LED 20 is lit.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the core CPU 101 updates the display of the measurement result on LED 20 after LED 20 is turned off. More specifically, while LED 20 is blinking, the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn off LED 20, and then sends the measurement result display data to the LCD control circuit 104. As a result, the display of the measurement result on LCD 10 is updated after LED 20 switches from on to off.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the core CPU 101 may update the display of the measurement result for LED 20 after LED 20 is turned off, and may also update the display of the measurement result for LED 20 before LED 20 is turned on. More specifically, while LED 20 is blinking, the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn off LED 20, and then transmits the measurement result display data to the LCD control circuit 104. Next, before instructing the LED control circuit 106 to turn on LED 20, the core CPU 101 transmits the following measurement result display data to the LCD control circuit 104. Then, after transmitting the measurement result display data, the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn on LED 20.

[0036] Next, with reference to Figure 4, another example of the control method according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a timing chart for illustrating an example of the control method according to this embodiment. In Figure 4, as in Figure 3, the core CPU 101 blinks the LED 20 that illuminates the display screen of the LCD 10 at a predetermined period. In the example in Figure 3, the LED 20 blinks repeatedly at a 2-second cycle (lit for 0.8 seconds, then off for 1.2 seconds).

[0037] The core CPU 101 displays the measurement results, which are measured at regular intervals by the sensor 30, on the LCD 10. As an example here, as in Figure 3, the sensor 30 measures the water depth at 1-second intervals. The core CPU 101 receives the measurement results from the sensor 30 at 1-second intervals. When the core CPU 101 displays the measurement results from the sensor 30 received at 1-second intervals on the LCD 10, it does not update the display of the measurement results on the LCD 10 while the LED 20 is lit.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the core CPU 101 updates the display of the measurement result for LED 20 after LED 20 is turned off, and does not update the display of the measurement result for LED 20 before LED 20 is turned on. More specifically, while LED 20 is blinking, the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn off LED 20 and then sends the measurement result display data to the LCD control circuit 104. Next, the core CPU 101 does not send the next measurement result display data to the LCD control circuit 104 before instructing the LED control circuit 106 to turn on LED 20. Then, the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn on LED 20. Therefore, the display of the measurement result on the LCD 10 is updated only after LCD 10 is turned off, and not before LCD 10 is turned on.

[0039] Furthermore, measurements A1 and A2 of the sensor 30 related to the measurement result display data that is not transmitted from the core CPU 101 to the LCD control circuit 104 do not need to be performed. Specifically, the core CPU 101 instructs the sensor control circuit 108 to stop measuring the sensor 30 at a timing before measurements A1 and A2 are performed, and then instructs the sensor control circuit 108 to start measuring the sensor 30 at the original measurement timing.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the core CPU 101 may set the time interval for updating the measurement result display on the LCD 10 to equal intervals. In the example in Figure 4, the time interval for updating the measurement result display on the LCD 10 is 2 seconds. When the update interval for the measurement result display on the LCD 10 is equal, visibility is improved.

[0041] Furthermore, the clock 1 may be provided with a first operating mode and a second operating mode, and the first and second operating modes may be switched depending on the state of the clock 1. The first operating mode, as shown in Figure 3, updates the display of the measurement results on the LCD 10 after the LED 20 is turned off, and updates the display of the measurement results on the LCD 10 before the LED 20 is turned on. The second operating mode, as shown in Figure 4, updates the display of the measurement results on the LCD 10 after the LED 20 is turned off, and does not update the display of the measurement results on the LCD 10 before the LED 20 is turned on.

[0042] The core CPU 101 switches between a first operating mode and a second operating mode depending on the state of clock 1. For example, the core CPU 101 switches between the first operating mode and the second operating mode depending on the battery level of clock 1. More specifically, the core CPU 101 operates in the first operating mode when the battery level of clock 1 is above a predetermined threshold, and operates in the second operating mode when the battery level of clock 1 is below a predetermined threshold.

[0043] Here, we will explain the conventional technology with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a timing chart illustrating the conventional technology. Conventionally, as shown in Figure 5, the measurement result (water depth in the example in Figure 5) displayed on the LCD is updated immediately after the measurement is completed. In order to make the LCD display screen easier to see even in dark places such as underwater, the LED illuminating the LCD display screen may be blinked at a predetermined period, as shown in Figure 5. However, in the conventional technology, as shown in Figure 5, the measurement result displayed on the LCD is updated even while the LED is lit. While the LED is lit, the user is likely to be looking at the measurement result displayed on the LCD screen, and if the measurement result displayed on the LCD changes at this time, it can cause the user to perceive the display as flickering, making it difficult for the user to read the measurement result.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, the microcomputer 100 (control device, control unit) does not update the display of the measurement results on the LCD 10 (display unit) while the LED 20 (illumination unit) is lit. For example, in dark places such as underwater, when the LED20 is lit, the measurement results displayed on the LCD10 screen are easy for the user to see, but when the LED20 is off, the measurement results displayed on the LCD10 screen are difficult for the user to see. In this embodiment, the clock 1 does not change the measurement results displayed on the LCD 10 while the LED 20 is lit, which makes it easier for the user to see the measurement results displayed on the LCD 10's display screen. As a result, the flickering of the LCD 10's display is reduced, making it easier for the user to read the measurement results displayed on the screen, and improving the visibility of the measurement results displayed on the LCD 10's display screen.

[0045] Furthermore, all or part of the functions of the clock 1 described above may be recorded as a program on a computer-readable recording medium, and this program may be executed by a computer system. The computer system shall include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs (Read Only Memory), and CD-ROMs, storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems, and volatile memory (Random Access Memory: RAM) provided by servers on networks such as the Internet. Note that volatile memory is an example of a recording medium that retains a program for a certain period of time.

[0046] Furthermore, the aforementioned program may be transmitted to other computer systems via a transmission medium, such as a network like the Internet or a communication line like a telephone line.

[0047] Furthermore, the above program may be a program that implements all or part of the functions described above. The program that implements part of the above functions may be a program that can implement the above functions in combination with a program pre-recorded in the computer system, a so-called differential program.

[0048] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments described above, and design changes and the like are also included as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1...Clock, 10...LCD, 20...LED, 30...Sensor, 40...Input section, 50...Oscillator circuit, 100...Microcomputer, 101...Core CPU, 102...ROM, 103...RAM, 104...LCD control circuit, 105...LCD driver, 106...LED control circuit, 107...LED driver, 108...Sensor control circuit, 109...Input control circuit

Claims

1. A display unit that shows the measurement results of the sensor, A lighting unit that illuminates the display screen of the aforementioned display unit, A control unit that causes the illumination unit to blink at a predetermined interval and controls the display of the measurement results on the display unit, Equipped with, The control unit does not update the display of the measurement result on the display unit while the illumination unit is lit. clock.

2. The control unit updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the lighting unit is turned off. The clock according to claim 1.

3. The control unit updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the illumination unit is turned off, and updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit before the illumination unit is turned on. The clock according to claim 1.

4. The control unit updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the illumination unit is turned off, and does not update the display of the measurement result on the display unit before the illumination unit is turned on. The clock according to claim 1.

5. The control unit makes the lighting period of the lighting unit shorter than the off period. The clock according to claim 1.

6. The control unit sets the time intervals for updating the display of the measurement results on the display unit to equal intervals. The clock according to claim 1.

7. The first operating mode updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the illumination unit is turned off, and updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit before the illumination unit is turned on. And, The second operating mode updates the display of the measurement result on the display unit after the illumination unit is turned off, and does not update the display of the measurement result on the display unit before the illumination unit is turned on. And, The control unit switches between the first operating mode and the second operating mode according to the state of the clock. The clock according to claim 1.

8. The state of the aforementioned clock is the remaining battery level of the clock. The clock according to claim 7.

9. A display unit that shows the measurement results of the sensor, A lighting unit that illuminates the display screen of the aforementioned display unit, A control device for a clock equipped with the following, which causes the illumination unit to blink at a predetermined interval and controls the display of the measurement result on the display unit: The display of the measurement result on the display unit is not updated while the illumination unit is lit. Control device.

10. A display unit that shows the measurement results of the sensor, A lighting unit that illuminates the display screen of the aforementioned display unit, A control method for a clock equipped with the following features, which involves flashing the illumination unit at a predetermined interval and controlling the display of the measurement result on the display unit: The display of the measurement result on the display unit is not updated while the illumination unit is lit. Control method.

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