Electronic clock

Abstract

To provide an electronic watch capable of automatically correcting internal moon age information on the basis of obtained time difference.SOLUTION: An electronic watch 1 comprises: a time display part 3 performing time display based on an internal timer; a moon phase display part 4 including a moon age plate 42 rotatably supported, and performing moon phase display according to moon age A by the rotation of the moon age plate 42; a third actuator 73c rotating and driving the moon age plate 42; an operation part 6 as time difference information acquisition means for acquiring time difference information about time difference TD; and a control circuit 72 rotating and driving the moon age plate 42 on the basis of the internal moon age information with the third actuator 73c. The internal moon age information corresponds to a rotational position to a reference position of the moon age plate 42. The control circuit 72 corrects the internal moon age information on the basis of the time difference information acquired by the operation part 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic clock. [Background technology]

[0002] Some watches have a time display section and a moon phase display section that shows the phases of the moon, providing the user with a moon phase display corresponding to the current date. The moon phase display section has an opening for a moon phase plate formed in the dial and a moon phase plate that displays the moon (full moon) and rotates. The moon phase display is performed by the moon phase plate rotating relative to the opening in one direction.

[0003] One possible method for correcting the moon phase display on a clock is for the user to manually rotate the moon phase disc. However, if done manually, the user must first determine the moon phase for the current date, then manually operate the clock and rotate the moon phase disc to the position corresponding to the moon phase display, which is cumbersome for the user. Therefore, it is preferable to automatically calculate the moon phase for the current date and rotate the moon phase disc based on the calculated moon phase (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-194461 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] While some clocks adjust the time based on time differences, using the time at a given location (e.g., Coordinated Universal Time) as a reference, if the user of the clock moves and a time difference occurs, it is necessary to adjust not only the time but also the lunar phase, and it is desirable that this adjustment be done automatically.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to propose an electronic clock capable of automatically correcting internal lunar age information based on the acquired time difference.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A time display unit that displays the time based on internal timekeeping, a moon phase display unit having a rotatably supported lunar age plate that displays a moon phase corresponding to the lunar age when the lunar age plate rotates, an actuator for the lunar age plate that rotationally drives the lunar age plate, a time difference information acquisition means for acquiring time difference information regarding the time difference, and a control circuit that rotationally drives the lunar age plate by the actuator for the lunar age plate based on internal lunar age information, wherein the internal lunar age information corresponds to the rotational position of the lunar age plate with respect to the reference position, and the control circuit corrects the internal lunar age information based on the time difference information acquired by the time difference information acquisition means.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] The electronic clock according to the present invention has the effect of being able to automatically correct internal lunar age information based on the acquired time difference.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic clock in an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of the moon phase display unit of the electronic clock in the embodiment (Northern Hemisphere display mode). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the moon phase display unit of the electronic clock in the embodiment (Southern Hemisphere display mode). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the movement of the electronic clock in the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the electronic clock in the time difference correction mode. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the lunar age calculation operation of the electronic clock in the embodiment. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram regarding the error in lunar phase (without period correction). [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram regarding the error in lunar phase (with period correction). [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram regarding errors in lunar phase (with period correction, without time zone correction). [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram regarding errors in lunar phase (with period correction and time zone correction). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments described below include those that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art or that are substantially identical.

[0011] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is an overall diagram of the electronic clock in the embodiment. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the lunar phase display unit of the electronic clock in the embodiment (Northern Hemisphere display mode). Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the lunar phase display unit of the electronic clock in the embodiment (Southern Hemisphere display mode). Figure 4 is a block diagram of the movement of the electronic clock in the embodiment. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the electronic clock in time zone correction mode. In Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5, the X direction is the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock direction of the electronic clock, the Y direction is the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock direction of the electronic clock, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is the vertical direction (thickness direction) of the electronic clock. O1 is the center of the electronic clock 1 and coincides with the rotation axis of the pointer. The direction in the XY plane centered on O1 is defined as the radial direction.

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

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the electronic clock 1 comprises an outer 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 this embodiment, the electronic clock 1 is an analog electronic wristwatch with an analog time display unit 3, and a moon phase display unit 4 that displays the phases of the moon, i.e., the lunar phase. Although the electronic clock 1 is described as a wristwatch, it may be any other type of watch, such as a pocket watch, as long as it has the function of a moon phase watch.

[0014] The outer case 2 constitutes the outermost casing of the electronic watch 1 and is composed of a case 21, a bezel 22, a crystal 23, and a case back (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 the internal space S1 which is the space inside the opening. In this embodiment, the case 21 is annular, and the opening is circular in shape with the clock center O1 of the electronic watch 1 at its center. The shape of the opening can be any shape to match the external shape and design of the outer case 2 of the electronic watch 1. The case 21 is provided with end caps 24 that protrude from the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock directions on the outer circumference. One end of the belt 8 is connected to the end cap 24 on the 12 o'clock side, and the other end of the belt 8 is connected to the end cap 24 on the 6 o'clock side.

[0015] The crystal 23 covers the upper opening on one side of the opening in the case 21, and the case back covers the lower opening on the other side. By fixing these together, the internal space S1 becomes a closed space, thus protecting the time display unit 3, the moon phase display unit 4, the function display unit 5, and the movement 7. When fixing the crystal 23 and the case back to the case 21, waterproof members such as rubber gaskets (not shown) are used to increase the holding force and improve the dustproof and waterproof properties of the electronic watch 1. The case 21 is made of, for example, a resin material, a metal material, or a ceramic material. The bezel 22 fixes the crystal 23 to the case 21 and is formed in an annular shape, fixed to the annular part of the case 21 that constitutes the internal space S1. The bezel 22 is located radially outward from the time display unit 3. The bezel 22 is made of, for example, a resin material, a metal material, or a ceramic material. The bezel 22 may be rotatably supported on the case 21 around the clock center O1 of the electronic clock 1. The crystal 23 is shaped to cover the upper opening via the bezel 22, and closes the internal space S1 by being inserted from the upper side and fixed to the bezel 22, and then fixed to the case 21 via the bezel 22. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the crystal 23 in plan view is circular. The crystal 23 is made of, for example, glass or a transparent resin material. The case back has an engaging portion that is substantially the same shape as the lower opening, and closes the internal space S1 by being inserted from the lower side and fixed to the case 21. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the case back is circular. The case back is made of, for example, a resin material, a metal material, or a ceramic material, similar to the case 21. The bezel 22 may be formed integrally with the case 21 if it does not rotate.

[0016] The time display unit 3 displays the time based on the internal time and time difference. The time display unit 3 includes a pointer 31, a dial 32, a bezel ring 33, and a date plate 34. In this embodiment, the time display unit 3 displays the time related to the day, hour, minute, and second of the internal time measured by the control circuit 72 of the movement 7, which will be described later. Here, the internal time includes the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second.

[0017] The pointer 31 is supported by the movement 7 so as to be rotatable around the clock center O1 of the electronic clock 1 as its axis of rotation, and is rotationally driven by the movement 7. The pointer 31 is rod-shaped and is made of a metal material, resin material, or the like. In this embodiment, the pointer 31 is the second hand 31a, the minute hand 31b, and the hour hand 31c, and is positioned above the dial 32 (towards the crystal 23). The pointer 31 can also be rotated by the user operating the operation unit 6. The pointer 31 can display the time based on the internal time according to the position it points to.

[0018] The dial 32 is positioned between the hands 31 and the movement 7, protecting the movement 7. The dial 32 has the function of giving the user an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the electronic clock 1. Hour markers 321, 322, and 323 are provided on the surface of the dial 32 (the side facing the crystal 23). In other words, hour markers 321 to 323 are positioned 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 by the relative position of the hands 31 (second hand 31a, minute hand 31b, and hour hand 31c) and the hour markers 321 to 323. In this embodiment, the seconds are displayed when one of the hour markers 321 to 323 faces the second hand 31a, the minutes are displayed by the relative position of the hour markers 321 to 323 and the minute hand 31b, and the hours are displayed by the relative position of the hour markers 321 to 323 and the hour hand 31c. The dial 32 has a date plate opening 324 formed therein, which allows the user to view the date plate 34 through the crystal 23. The date plate opening 324 is formed in the vertical direction of the dial 32, opposite the date plate 34, and penetrates the dial 32 vertically. In this embodiment, the date plate opening 324 is rectangular in shape and is formed at the "4 o'clock" position on the dial 32.

[0019] The inner ring 33 is positioned radially outward from the dial 32. The inner ring 33 is formed in an annular shape and is positioned radially outward from the tip of the hand 31. The time display unit 3 in this embodiment can display information according to the time zone correction function. The information displayed is a time zone display, and time zone correction marks 331 to 335 are provided on the inner ring 33. The time zone correction mark 331 indicates the reference time zone, i.e., a time zone of 0, and also indicates the positive or negative direction of the time zone according to the rotation direction of the hand 31, and is formed at the position where the second hand 31a points to 0 seconds. The time zone correction mark 332 indicates a time zone that is 5 in the positive direction relative to the reference time zone, i.e., a time zone of +5, and is formed at the position where the second hand 31a points to 5 seconds. The time zone correction mark 333 indicates a time zone that is 10 in the positive direction relative to the reference time zone, i.e., a time zone of +10, and is formed at the position where the second hand 31a points to 10 seconds. The time zone adjustment mark 334 indicates a time zone difference of -5, which is 5 seconds away from the reference time zone, and is formed at the position where the second hand 31a points to 55 seconds. The time zone adjustment mark 335 indicates a time zone difference of -10, which is 10 seconds away from the reference time zone, and is formed at the position where the second hand 31a points to 50 seconds. The time display unit 3 can also display information such as setting information corresponding to functions other than time display. Examples of information that can be displayed include the ON / OFF setting of the alarm function, the alarm setting time, chronograph display, time zone display, display related to reception operation, and daylight saving time setting display. In this case, the dial 32 and the inner ring 33 are provided with function marks (not shown), and the relative position of the hands 31 (second hand 31a, minute hand 31b, hour hand 31c) and the function marks allows recognition of the setting information of each function based on the information display.

[0020] The date plate 34 displays the date by rotating. The date plate 34 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from above and below, and is positioned between the dial 32 and the movement 7 in the vertical direction. The date plate 34 is supported by the movement 7 so as to be rotatable with the clock center O1 as the axis of rotation, and is rotated by the movement 7. Multiple date marks 341 are formed on the date plate 34. The date marks 341 are visible to the user through the date plate opening 324 and the crystal 23, and display the current date based on the internal time. In this embodiment, the date marks 341 are the numbers "1" to "31" corresponding to the day, and are formed clockwise in a region of one full rotation around the date plate 34.

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

[0022] The moon phase indicator opening 41 allows the user to view the moon phase indicator 42 through the crystal 23. In this embodiment, the moon phase indicator opening 41 is formed in the dial 32. The moon phase indicator opening 41 faces the moon phase indicator 42 in the vertical direction, and is formed in a roughly fan shape at the 12 o'clock position in the area where the dial 32 faces the moon phase indicator 42. The moon phase indicator opening 41 has recesses 411 and 412 formed at both ends in the moon phase indicator rotation direction R. The recesses 411 and 412 display the phases of the moon when they overlap vertically with the moon marks 421 and 422 on the moon phase indicator 42, which will be described later. In Figures 2 and 3, the moon phase indicator opening 41 (including the recesses 411 and 412) is shown with a dotted line to make the operation of the illustrated moon marks 421 and 422 easier to understand.

[0023] The lunar phase plate 42 displays the lunar phase corresponding to the lunar age by rotating. The lunar phase plate 42 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from above and below, and is positioned between the dial 32 and the movement 7 in the vertical direction. The lunar phase plate 42 is supported by the movement 7 so as to be rotatable around its center O2 and is rotated by the movement 7. Here, clockwise rotation of the lunar phase plate 42 is forward rotation, and counterclockwise rotation is reverse rotation, and in the rotation direction R of the lunar phase plate, the clockwise direction is the forward rotation direction RY, and the counterclockwise direction is the reverse rotation direction RN. Of the two surfaces of the lunar phase plate 42 in the vertical direction, two moon marks 421 and 422 are formed on the surface facing the dial 32. The moon marks 421 and 422 are formed opposite each other with the center O2 of the lunar phase plate in between, that is, 180 degrees apart in the rotation direction R of the lunar phase plate. In other words, the lunar phase display unit 4 in this embodiment displays the lunar phase corresponding to two synodic periods in one rotation. The moon marks 421 and 422 in this embodiment are identical (same shape, color, etc.), and a user cannot distinguish between them by sight. For example, if the electronic clock 1 is in the Northern Hemisphere display mode DN described later, the lunar phase plate 42 rotates in the forward direction RY, and as shown in Figure 2, one rotation displays the lunar phase of the new moon (lunar age = 0) in the first synodic period corresponding to moon mark 421 (lunar phase plate 42 in the upper left of the figure), the lunar phase of the full moon (lunar age = 15) in the first synodic period corresponding to moon mark 421 (lunar phase plate 42 in the upper right of the figure), and the lunar phase of the second synodic period corresponding to moon mark 422. The following phases are displayed in order: the lunar phase of the new moon (lunar age = 0) (which also corresponds to the lunar phase of the new moon in the first synodic period, corresponding to lunar age plate 42 and moon mark 421 in the lower right of the same figure), the lunar phase of the full moon (lunar age = 15) in the second synodic period, corresponding to moon mark 422 (lunar age plate 42 in the lower left of the same figure), and the lunar phase of the new moon in the first synodic period, corresponding to moon mark 421 (which also corresponds to the lunar phase of the new moon in the second synodic period, corresponding to moon mark 422).On the other hand, when the electronic clock 1 is in the Southern Hemisphere display mode DS, as described later, the lunar phase plate 42 rotates in the reverse direction RN, and as shown in Figure 3, one rotation displays the lunar phase of the new moon (lunar age = 0) in the second synodic period corresponding to the moon mark 422 (lunar phase plate 42 in the upper left of the same figure), the lunar phase of the full moon (lunar age = 15) in the second synodic period corresponding to the moon mark 422 (lunar phase plate 42 in the lower left of the same figure), and the lunar phase of the first synodic period corresponding to the moon mark 421. The lunar phase display for the new moon (lunar age = 0) is shown in order (this is also the lunar phase display for the new moon in the second synodic period, corresponding to lunar age plate 42 in the lower right of the diagram and moon mark 422), the lunar phase display for the full moon (lunar age = 15) in the first synodic period, corresponding to moon mark 421 (lunar age plate 42 in the upper right of the diagram), and the lunar phase display for the new moon in the second synodic period, corresponding to moon mark 422 (this is also the lunar phase display for the new moon in the first synodic period, corresponding to moon mark 421).

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

[0025] The function display unit 5 displays the status of the electronic clock 1 based on a function different from the time display function of the electronic clock 1, i.e., it displays the function. 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 measured by the control circuit 72, i.e., day of the week display; displays the remaining charge of the secondary battery 76 measured by the control circuit 72, i.e., remaining charge display; and displays the hemisphere display mode D of the lunar 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., hemisphere display mode display.

[0026] The function hand 51 is supported by the movement 7 so as to be rotatable around the function mark center O3 of the function mark plate 52 as its axis of rotation, and is rotationally driven by the movement 7. The function hand 51 is rod-shaped and is made of a metal material, resin material, or the like. In this embodiment, the function hand 51 is positioned above the function mark plate 52 (towards the crystal 23). The function hand 51 is rotated by the user's operation of the operation unit 6, that is, it indicates one of the above-mentioned function displays. Depending on the position it points to, the function hand 51 can display a function corresponding to each function.

[0027] The function mark plate 52 is positioned 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. On the surface of the function mark plate 52 (the side facing the crystal 23), there are a day of the week mark, a remaining battery mark 522, a Northern Hemisphere display mode mark 523, and a Southern Hemisphere display mode mark 524. In other words, the function marks 521 to 524 are positioned 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 clock 1 based on the function display by the relative position of the function hand 51 and the function marks 521 to 524. The day of the week mark 521 displays the current day of the week based on the position of the function hand 51. In this embodiment, the day of the week marks 521 are the abbreviated English letters "S", "M", "T", "W", "T", "F", and "S" corresponding to each day of the week (Sunday to Saturday), and are formed clockwise in the area from the 2 o'clock to the 5 o'clock position on the function mark plate 52. The remaining charge marks 522 indicate the remaining charge of the secondary battery 76 based on the position of the function hand 51. In this embodiment, the remaining charge marks 522 are a first remaining charge figure corresponding to the remaining charge, a second remaining charge figure that is narrower in the radial direction than the first remaining charge figure, a third remaining charge figure that is narrower in the radial direction than the second remaining charge figure, and a fourth remaining charge figure that is narrower in the radial direction than the third remaining charge figure, and are formed counterclockwise in the area from the 10 o'clock to the 6 o'clock position on the function mark plate 52. The hemispherical display mode marks 523 and 524 correspond to hemispherical display mode D, and display the current display mode DR in hemispherical display mode based on the position of the function hand 51. In this embodiment, the Northern Hemisphere display mode mark 523 is the abbreviated English letter "N" corresponding to North, and is formed in the 1 o'clock position area of ​​the function mark plate 52. In this embodiment, the Southern Hemisphere display mode mark 524 is the abbreviated English letter "S" corresponding to South, and is formed in the 11 o'clock position area of ​​the function mark plate 52. 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 different plate material than 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 positioned vertically between the dial 32 and the movement 7.

[0028] The operation unit 6 enables the movement 7 to perform functional actions based on user input. The operation unit 6 gives various instructions to the control circuit 72. In this embodiment, the operation unit 6 is a means for acquiring time difference information. The operation unit 6 gives a lunar phase calculation instruction to the control circuit 72, which is an instruction for calculating the lunar phase A. Specifically, the electronic clock 1 drives the hands 31 to indicate either the time difference correction marks 331-335 or the hour markers 321-323 corresponding to the time difference information, based on the user's operation of the operation unit 6, i.e., the operation in time difference correction mode (lunar phase calculation instruction). Based on the time difference information corresponding to the instructed time difference correction marks 331-335 or hour digits 321-323, the time difference information stored in the memory unit 723 of the control circuit 72 is updated. The lunar phase A is calculated using this updated time difference information or the time difference information before and after the update. Based on the calculated lunar phase A, a lunar phase correction operation is performed in time difference correction mode, which changes the rotation position of the lunar phase plate 42 of the lunar phase display unit 4, in this embodiment, to change the step position. The operation unit 6 also instructs the control circuit 72 to switch the hemisphere display mode D of the lunar phase display unit 4 from either the northern hemisphere display mode DN or the southern hemisphere display mode DS to the other. Here, the northern hemisphere display mode DN is a mode that controls the lunar phase display unit 4 to display the lunar phase corresponding to the lunar phase for the northern hemisphere, and drives the lunar phase plate 42 to rotate in one of the lunar phase plate rotation directions R, in this embodiment the forward rotation direction RY. The Southern Hemisphere display mode DS is a mode that controls the lunar phase display unit 4 to display the lunar phase corresponding to the lunar age for the Southern Hemisphere, and rotates the lunar age plate 42 in the other direction of the lunar age plate rotation R, which in this embodiment is the reverse direction RN. Note that the lunar age for the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere at the same date and time and longitude will be the same, but the lunar phase display corresponding to the lunar phase for the Northern Hemisphere and the lunar phase display corresponding to the lunar phase for the Southern Hemisphere will be different.Specifically, the electronic clock 1 switches the hemispherical display mode D by operating the operation unit 6 by the user, changing the rotation position of the lunar phase plate 42 of the lunar phase display unit 4, in this embodiment, the step position, so that the rotation direction of the lunar phase plate 42 thereafter is the opposite of the current rotation direction, and the function hand 51 of the function display unit 5 points to the hemispherical display mode marks 523, 524 corresponding to the switched hemispherical display mode D. The operation unit 6 has a crown 61, a push button 62, and a push button 63. The crown 61 is formed to protrude from the side of the case 21 and can be pulled out by the user in one or more steps in the protruding direction and rotated around its axis. By rotating the crown 61 in a position different from the 0 position (not pulled out in the protruding direction), for example, the 2nd position, the hand 31 in the time display state can be forcibly rotated, and the time display can be corrected. The push buttons 62 and 63 are formed to protrude from the side of the body 21 and can be pressed in the opposite direction to the protrusion direction by the user. When no external force is applied, the push buttons 62 and 63 remain in a protruding state in the protrusion direction. By pressing either one or both of the push buttons 62 and 63, for example, the day of the week display or the remaining battery level display on the function display unit 5 can be switched. The operation unit 6 is connected to the control circuit 72 of the movement 7 and outputs the user's operating state as an operation signal to the control circuit 72.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, movement 7 includes an antenna 71, a control circuit 72, an actuator 73, a gear train mechanism 74, a power generation mechanism 75, a secondary battery 76, etc., and performs the timekeeping function and other functional operations of the electronic clock 1.

[0030] Antenna 71 receives standard radio waves. In other words, electronic clock 1 is also a radio-controlled clock. Antenna 71 is electrically connected to control circuit 72, and the standard radio wave signal is output to control circuit 72. Antenna 71 may also receive GPS (GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) signals output by satellites.

[0031] The control circuit 72 controls the rotational position and direction of the pointer 31, the date plate 34, the moon phase plate 42, and the function hand 51. The control circuit 72 is a circuit that controls the electronic clock 1, and based on a clock signal output from an oscillator (not shown), it measures the internal time of the electronic clock 1, stores the time difference TD, and outputs control signals according to each function. The control circuit 72 has a receiving IC 721 and a control IC 722 which includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The receiving IC 721 processes the standard radio wave signal received by the antenna 71 and outputs time information (including year information, month information, day information, hour information, minute information, second information, and time difference information) based on the standard radio wave to the control IC 722. Based on the internal timing, that is, based on the internal time which is the result of internal timing, the control IC 722 outputs a control signal to the actuator 73 to cause the pointer 31 to display the time. The control IC 722 also corrects the internal time based on the time information output from the receiver IC 721. Here, the time information is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and includes year information corresponding to the year (Gregorian calendar), information corresponding to the month, day information corresponding to the day, minute information corresponding to the minute, second information corresponding to the second, and time difference information corresponding to the time difference TD. In other words, the time difference TD is based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), with the time difference corresponding to Coordinated Universal Time (reference time difference) set to 0, and the east longitude side being positive and the west longitude side being negative. The oscillator is a source oscillator for generating a reference frequency for timing the displayed time of the electronic clock 1 and other functional operations, and for example, a quartz crystal oscillator can be used. Since the oscillation characteristics of a quartz crystal oscillator are easily affected by external temperature, a temperature-compensated quartz crystal oscillator (TCXO) may also be used.

[0032] The control circuit 72 rotates the lunar phase plate 42 using a third actuator 73c, which will be described later, and is a lunar phase plate actuator, based on internal lunar phase information. In this embodiment, the control circuit 72 stores internal lunar phase information corresponding to the rotational position of the lunar phase plate 42 relative to its reference position. Based on the lunar phase A, the control circuit 72 controls the lunar phase plate rotation direction R, which is the direction of rotation of the lunar phase plate 42, and the lunar phase plate rotation position (internal lunar phase information), which is the rotational position of the lunar phase plate 42 relative to its reference position, using a third actuator 73c, which will be described later, and is a lunar phase plate actuator. In this embodiment, the control circuit 72 rotates the lunar phase plate 42 in steps, so the lunar phase plate rotation position is the lunar phase plate step position S. In other words, the lunar phase plate 42 completes one rotation by being rotated in steps multiple times by the third actuator 73c. In this embodiment, the lunar phase plate 42 rotates once in 60 steps and displays the lunar phase corresponding to two synodic periods, so one synodic period is 30 steps. For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the current lunar phase plate step position SR is defined as the step position at the 12 o'clock direction of the lunar phase plate 42. If the current lunar phase plate step position SR in the lunar phase display for the new moon (lunar age M=0) in the first synodic period corresponding to lunar mark 421 is set to 0 (SR=0), then the current lunar phase plate step position SR in the lunar phase display for the full moon (M=15) in the first synodic period corresponding to lunar mark 421 is set to 15 (SR=15), the current lunar phase plate step position SR in the lunar phase display for the new moon (M=0) in the second synodic period corresponding to lunar mark 422 is set to 30 (SR=30), and the current lunar phase plate step position SR in the lunar phase display for the full moon (M=15) in the second synodic period corresponding to lunar mark 422 is set to 45 (SR=45).

[0033] When the day is changed based on the internal time, the control circuit 72 rotates the lunar age plate 42 by one step by the third actuator 73c, that is, rotates it by one step per day. One step is the amount by which the lunar age plate 42 operates per day. Further, the control circuit 72 rotates the lunar age plate 42 by two steps instead of one step per day by the third actuator 73c once every 59 days.

[0034] The control circuit 72 is a lunar age calculation unit that calculates the lunar age A based on the internal time which is the result of internal timekeeping and the acquired time difference TD. The control circuit 72 in the present embodiment calculates the lunar age A based on the lunar age calculation instruction by the operation unit 6. Specifically, when the user operates the operation unit 6, the control circuit 72, in the time difference correction mode for correcting the time difference TD stored in the electronic clock 1, that is, the current time difference TD, takes the fact that the time difference correction mode has been entered as the lunar age calculation instruction by the operation unit 6 and calculates the lunar age A. The control circuit 72 calculates the lunar age A based on the internal time, the acquired time difference TD (stored time difference TD), and the following formulas (3) and (4). However, A is the lunar age, Y is the year (Gregorian calendar), D is the day, and C m is determined based on the following [Table 1]. Also, C x is determined based on the time difference TD and is either 0 or 1. In the present embodiment, C x is set to 0 when the time difference TD is 0 or more, and 1 when the time difference TD is -1 or less. Also, C z is determined based on the cycle and is either 0 or 1. In the present embodiment, C z is y set to 1 when C y is 7 or more, and 0 when C x and the correction value C zThis is an addition to the above. The Metonic cycle is one of the cycles in which the lunar phases coincide on a given date, and it is a cycle in which 19 solar years is approximately equal to 235 synodic periods (synodic months) (one cycle is 19 years). A=(C y ×11+C m +D+C x +C z )%30····(3) C y =(Y-2006)%19····(4) [Table 1]

[0035] Here, C y If it is 7 or more, then C z The reason for adding +1 to lunar age A is determined by how closely the lunar age error between the calculated lunar age A and the actual lunar age falls within ±1 day over the next several decades. y The average annual error for a year where =0 is a delay of 0.15 days, and from the formula C y Each increase of 1 results in a delay of 0.056 days. It is preferable to apply a +1 day correction when the cumulative value of this delay exceeds 0.5 days. Dividing the value obtained by subtracting the average annual error of 0.15 days from 0.5 days by 0.056 gives approximately 6.25 days, so the timing for applying the +1 day correction is C y A range of 7 or greater is appropriate.

[0036] Also, if the time difference TD is -1 or less, C xThe correction of lunar age A is calculated from the increase in lunar age due to time difference. For every one-hour decrease in time difference, the lunar age at a given date and time at that location increases by 1 ÷ 24 = 0.042 days. When the lunar age calculation formula is optimized for Japan (UTC+9), the lunar age increases by 0.5 days due to time difference at -0.5 ÷ 0.042 = -12, which corresponds to a time difference of 12 hours from Japan. Therefore, the boundary at which the difference between the actual lunar age and the displayed lunar age is smallest by correcting the calculation result by +1 is +9 - 12 = -3, i.e., UTC-3. On the other hand, if we try to display the lunar age as an integer from 0 to 29, the clock will display a full moon when the calculated lunar age is 15. However, the actual lunar age of a full moon is approximately 14.75 days on average, so the frequency of displaying a full moon on the day of the full moon is highest when the calculated result is +0.25 days compared to the actual lunar age. The boundary at which a +1 correction is applied to the lunar phase calculation result to increase the frequency of displaying a full moon on full moon days is (-0.5 + 0.25) ÷ 0.42 = -6, so +9 - 6 = +3, which is UTC+3. If we try to satisfy both of these points, the midpoint between them, UTC±0, is an appropriate boundary.

[0037] The control circuit 72 determines whether the time difference has been corrected by the user in the time difference correction mode via the operation unit 6. In this embodiment, the control circuit 72 determines whether the time difference has been corrected by determining whether the crown 61 has been rotated when the crown 61 is in the first position. When the crown 61 is in the first position, the control circuit 72 drives the second hand 31a to rotate in steps using the first actuator 73a, which will be described later, based on the stored time difference TD. Specifically, the control circuit 72 moves the second hand 31a from its current position to a position opposite the hour markers 321 to 323 that correspond to the time difference TD. In time zone correction mode, hour markers 321 to 323 are defined such that hour marker 321 (the hour marker corresponding to 12 o'clock) corresponds to a time zone of 0, the clockwise direction relative to hour marker 321 is defined as the positive direction of time zone TD, and the counterclockwise direction relative to hour marker 321 is defined as the negative direction of time zone TD, with the time zone TD between adjacent hour markers 321 to 323 being defined as a 1-hour difference. For example, if the stored time zone is 9, the control circuit 72, as shown in Figure 5, drives the second hand 31a to rotate in steps using the first actuator 73a to a position opposite the hour markers 321 to 323 corresponding to 9 seconds.

[0038] The actuator 73 rotates the pointer 31, the date plate 34, the moon phase plate 42, and the function hand 51. The actuator 73 includes a drive circuit and a drive unit, and a control signal from the control circuit 72 is input to the drive circuit, a drive signal based on the input control signal is output to the drive unit, and the drive unit is driven 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 an electric motor, and consists 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 which is a lunar phase plate actuator that rotates the moon phase plate 42, and a fourth actuator 73d that rotates the function hand 51 and the date plate 34.

[0039] The gear train mechanism 74 transmits the driving force output by the actuator 73 to the pointer 31, date plate 34, moon phase plate 42, and function hand 51. The gear train mechanism 74 includes gear train gears, etc., with one end connected to the actuator 73 and the other end connected to the pointer 31, date plate 34, moon phase plate 42, and function hand 51. In this embodiment, the gear train mechanism 74 consists of a first gear train mechanism 74a connecting the first actuator 73 and the second hand 31a, a second gear train mechanism 74b connecting the second actuator 73b and the minute hand 31b and hour hand 31c, a third gear train mechanism 74c connecting the third actuator 73c and the moon phase plate 42, and a fourth gear train mechanism 74d connecting the fourth actuator 73c and the function hand 51 and date plate 34.

[0040] The power generation mechanism 75 generates electricity using external energy and supplies the generated power to electronic components such as a secondary battery 76 and a control circuit 72. The power generation mechanism 75 can utilize photoelectric conversion elements that convert light energy, thermoelectric conversion elements that convert thermal energy, and mechoelectric conversion elements that generate electricity from mechanical motion such as vibration energy.

[0041] The secondary battery 76 can store the electricity generated by the power generation mechanism 75 and also serves as a power source to supply power to the control circuit 72, actuator 73, and other electronic components. For example, a lithium-ion battery or a solid-state battery can be used as the secondary battery 76.

[0042] Next, the calculation of lunar phase A by the electronic clock 1 will be explained. In this embodiment, the electronic clock 1 calculates lunar phase A when the time difference TD is corrected in the time difference correction mode. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the lunar phase calculation operation of the electronic clock in this embodiment. The calculation operation of lunar phase A in the time difference correction mode of the electronic clock 1 in this embodiment will also be explained including the step rotation drive operation of the lunar phase plate 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 operation unit 6 in order to correct the time difference.

[0043] Next, the control circuit 72 determines that the crown 61 is not in the first position (step ST1: NO) and then determines whether the date has been changed (step ST2). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether or not to perform step rotation of the moon phase plate 42 by determining whether or not the date information has been counted up by one count based on the internal time.

[0044] Next, when the control circuit 72 determines that the day has changed (step ST2: Yes), it determines whether the count N of the lunar phase plate 42 is 58 (step ST3). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether the lunar phase plate 42 has rotated 58 steps, which is two steps before one rotation of 60 steps (60 days). If the control circuit 72 determines that the day has not changed (step ST2: No), it terminates this control cycle and moves on to the next control cycle.

[0045] Next, the control circuit 72 determines that the count N of the lunar phase plate 42 is not 58 (step ST3: No), and then rotates the lunar phase plate 42 by one step (step ST4).

[0046] Next, the control circuit 72 increments the count N on the lunar phase plate 42 by 1 count (step ST5), ending this control cycle and moving on to the next control cycle.

[0047] Furthermore, when the control circuit 72 determines that the count N of the lunar age plate 42 is 58 (step ST3: Yes), it rotates the lunar age plate 42 by two steps (step ST4).

[0048] Next, the control circuit 72 resets the count N of the lunar phase plate 42 to 0 (step ST6), ending this control cycle and moving on to the next control cycle. In other words, the control circuit 72 rotates the lunar phase plate 42 by two steps once during one rotation.

[0049] Furthermore, when the control circuit 72 determines that the crown 61 is in the first position (step ST1: Yes), it drives the second hand 31a to rotate in steps based on the time difference TD (step ST8). In this case, when the control circuit 72 is in time difference correction mode, it moves the second hand 31a from its current position to a position opposite the hour markers 321 to 323 that correspond to the stored time difference TD, thereby displaying the time difference to the user.

[0050] Next, the control circuit 72 determines whether the crown 61 has been rotated (step ST9). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether the user intends to correct the time difference.

[0051] Next, when the control circuit 72 determines that the crown 61 has been rotated (step ST9: Yes), it drives the second hand 31a to rotate in steps based on the rotation of the crown 61 (step ST10). Here, the user rotates the crown 61 to move the second hand 31a from a position opposite the hour markers 321-323 corresponding to the stored time difference TD to a position opposite the hour markers 321-323 corresponding to the corrected time difference TD, thereby driving the second hand 31a to rotate in steps.

[0052] Next, the control circuit 72 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step ST11). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether the time limit has elapsed for the user to correct the time difference TD when in time difference correction mode. For example, the control circuit 72 has a counter that counts 1 every 0.5 seconds, and determines whether 3 counts, i.e., 1.5 seconds, have elapsed.

[0053] Furthermore, if the control circuit 72 determines that the crown 61 is not being rotated (step ST9: No), it determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step ST11).

[0054] Next, the control circuit 72 stores the time difference TD based on the current position of the second hand 31a (step ST12). Here, if the time difference TD is corrected by the rotation of the crown 61, the control circuit 72 stores the corrected time difference TD; if the time difference TD is not corrected by the non-rotation of the crown 61, it stores the previously stored time difference TD again.

[0055] Next, the control circuit 72 calculates the lunar phase A based on the stored time difference TD (step ST13). Here, the control circuit 72 calculates the lunar phase A based on either the corrected time difference TD or the stored time difference TD again.

[0056] Next, the control circuit 72 drives the hour hand 31c and minute hand 31b to rotate in steps based on the time difference TD (step ST14). Here, in the time difference correction mode, if the time difference TD is corrected, the control circuit 72 displays the time corresponding to the current time difference TD using the time display unit 3, based on the internal time and the difference between the time difference TD before correction and the time difference TD after correction.

[0057] Next, the control circuit 72 determines whether or not to rotate the lunar age plate 42 based on the calculated lunar age A (step ST15). Here, the control circuit 72 determines whether or not there is a difference between the current lunar age plate step position SR corresponding to the internal lunar age information and the calculated lunar age plate step position SC corresponding to the calculated lunar age A.

[0058] Next, when the control circuit 72 determines that it is time to rotate the lunar age plate 42 (step ST15: Yes), it drives the lunar age plate 42 to rotate in steps based on the calculated lunar age A (step ST16).

[0059] Next, the control circuit 72 determines whether or not to rotate the date plate 34 (step ST17). Here, in the time difference correction mode, if the time difference TD is corrected, the control circuit 72 determines, based on the internal time, the time difference TD before correction, and the time difference TD after correction, whether or not the time displayed by the time display unit 3 will cross into the next day by advancing the time or by going back in time.

[0060] Furthermore, if the control circuit 72 determines that the lunar phase plate 42 will not be rotated (step ST15: No), it determines whether or not to rotate the solar phase plate 34 (step ST17).

[0061] Next, when the control circuit 72 determines that the date plate 34 should be rotated (step ST17: Yes), it drives the date plate 34 to rotate in steps (step 18). Here, in the time difference correction mode, if the time difference TD is corrected and the time crosses into the next day, the control circuit 72 drives the date plate 34 to rotate in steps of one degree according to the direction of the difference between the corrected time difference TD and the time difference TD before correction, i.e., in the positive or negative direction.

[0062] Next, the control circuit 72 determines whether the crown 61 is in the first position (step ST1), and repeats steps ST8 to ST18 until it determines that the crown 61 is not in the first position (step ST1: NO).

[0063] As described above, the electronic clock 1 in this embodiment calculates the lunar age A using the internal time, the acquired time difference TD, and the above-mentioned equations (3) and (4). Therefore, the lunar age A is calculated using a simplified lunar age calculation formula based on the Metonic period. Here, the above-mentioned equations (3) and (4) are calculation formulas based only on integers, and the lunar age A is calculated as an integer. Therefore, the computational load when calculating the lunar age A in the electronic clock 1 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the electronic clock 1 in this embodiment applies a correction value C, which is determined based on the time difference TD, to the simplified lunar age calculation formula based on the Metonic period. x By performing corrections using this method, the time difference TD, i.e., the lunar phase error based on longitude, can be suppressed, and the lunar phase A can be calculated with high accuracy. Furthermore, the electronic clock 1 in this embodiment uses a correction value C, which is determined based on the period, for the simplified lunar phase calculation formula based on the Metonic period. z By performing this correction, it is possible to suppress the lunar age error that occurs in the simplified lunar age calculation formula based on the Metonic cycle, and to calculate a more accurate lunar age A.

[0064] This section explains the difference between the actual lunar phase and the lunar phase calculated by an electronic clock, depending on whether or not periodic correction is applied. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram regarding the lunar phase error (without periodic correction). Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram regarding the lunar phase error (with periodic correction). In Figures 7 and 8, the vertical axis represents the error [days] between the actual lunar phase and the calculated lunar phase A, and the horizontal axis represents the year [year] (from 2023 to 2044), comparing the actual lunar phase with the calculated lunar phase A. In Figure 7, the time difference TD is 9, and the correction value C is determined based on the period. z This shows the error in the calculated lunar age A when no correction is applied. Figure 8 shows the time difference TD is 9 and the correction value C is determined based on the period. z This shows the error in the calculated lunar age A after applying the correction.

[0065] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, at the same time difference TD, C z If correction is made by C, z Compared to cases without correction, the error is within ±1 day. Specifically, the percentage of cases where the error is within ±1 day between 2023 and 2044 is C z 66.3% of cases did not involve correction by C z The result after applying the correction was 88.9%.

[0066] Next, we will explain the error in the calculated lunar age due to the presence or absence of time zone correction. In the following explanation, we will assume that periodic correction has been applied. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram regarding the error in lunar age (with periodic correction, without time zone correction). Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram regarding the error in lunar age (with periodic correction, with time zone correction). Similar to Figures 7 and 8, the vertical axis of Figures 9 and 10 represents the error [days] between the actual lunar age and the calculated lunar age A, and the horizontal axis represents the year [year] (from 2023 to 2044), comparing the actual lunar age with the calculated lunar age A.

[0067] Figure 9 shows a time difference TD of -10 and a correction value C determined based on the period. zThe correction is performed by and the correction value C is determined based on the time difference TD. x This shows the error in the calculated lunar age A when no correction is applied. Figure 10 shows the time difference TD is -10 and the correction value C is determined based on the period. z The correction is performed by and the correction value C is determined based on the time difference TD. x This shows the error in the calculated lunar age A after applying the corrections.

[0068] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, at the same time difference TD, C z Correction is performed by C x If correction is made by C, z Correction is performed by C x Compared to cases where no correction is applied, the proportion of periods in which the error is within ±1 day is higher. Specifically, from 2023 to 2044, the proportion of periods in which the error is within ±1 day is C x 55.0% of cases were not corrected by C z The accuracy was 88.3% when correction was applied. Therefore, when correction is applied based on the time difference TD, it is possible to calculate the lunar age A with better accuracy than when correction is applied based on the period.

[0069] Furthermore, if the user moves to a different time zone, the moon phase display on the moon phase plate 42 can be accurately performed by the user performing a time zone adjustment operation.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electronic clock 1's control circuit 72 calculates the lunar age A based on the lunar age calculation instruction from the operation unit 6. This reduces the frequency of calculating the lunar age A, and thus reduces the frequency of step rotation driving the lunar age plate 42 based on the calculated lunar age A. This suppresses the power consumption of the control circuit 72.

[0071] In this embodiment, the lunar age A is calculated by performing corrections based on the time difference TD and the period using the internal time, the acquired time difference TD, and the above formulas (3) and (4), but it is not limited to this. The control circuit 72 may also calculate the lunar age A by performing corrections based only on the time difference TD using the internal time, which is the result of internal timing, the acquired time difference TD (stored time difference TD), and the following formulas (1) and (2). However, A is the lunar age, Y is the year, D is the day, C m The following [Table 1] is determined. Also, C x This is determined based on the time difference TD and is either 0 or 1. C in this embodiment x The value is set to 0 if the time difference TD is 0 or greater, and to 1 if the time difference TD is -1 or less. Also, % is calculated by dividing the expression on the right by the value on the left. A=(Cy×11+Cm+D+Cx)%30...(1) Cy=(Y-2006)%19····(2) [Table 1] The above equations (1) and (2) are simplified lunar age calculation formulas based on the Metonic cycle, and a correction value C related to the time difference TD is used to accurately calculate lunar age A. x This is achieved by adding the following. In the electronic clock 1, the calculation of the lunar age A can be reduced by using the internal time, the acquired time difference TD, and the above equations (1) and (2). Furthermore, the electronic clock 1 in this embodiment uses a correction value C, which is determined based on the time difference TD, for the simplified lunar age calculation formula based on the Metonic period. x By performing corrections using this method, the time difference TD, i.e., the lunar phase error based on longitude, can be suppressed, and the lunar phase A can be calculated with high accuracy. Furthermore, the electronic clock 1 in this embodiment uses a correction value C, which is determined based on the period, for the simplified lunar phase calculation formula based on the Metonic period. z By performing this correction, it is possible to suppress the lunar age error that occurs in the simplified lunar age calculation formula based on the Metonic cycle, and to calculate a highly accurate lunar age A.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when calculating the lunar age A, a correction based on the time difference TD, i.e., a time difference correction, is performed, but it is not limited to this. When the internal time difference information is changed, the control circuit 72 may correct the internal lunar age information when transitioning from the time difference before the change to the time difference after the change, if a predetermined time difference is crossed. For example, in the time difference correction mode, when transitioning from the stored time difference TD to the corrected time difference TD, if a predetermined time difference, in this case time difference 0, is crossed, the control circuit 72 may add to the lunar age A if the value obtained by subtracting the stored time difference TD from the corrected time difference TD is negative, for example, by adding +1 to lunar age A; if it is positive, it may subtract from the lunar age A, for example, by subtracting -1 to lunar age A. In this case, the lunar age A can also be corrected by rotating the lunar age plate 42 based on the correction without calculating the lunar age A, thus reducing the computational load in the time difference correction mode and enabling the display of the lunar age in accordance with the change in time difference.

[0073] Furthermore, when the internal time difference information is changed, the control circuit 72 may correct the internal lunar phase information if the absolute value of the difference between the time difference before the change and the time difference after the change exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, in the time difference correction mode, if the time difference difference value, which is the absolute value of the time difference difference obtained by subtracting the stored time difference TD from the corrected time difference TD, exceeds the threshold 12, the control circuit 72 may add to the lunar phase A if the value obtained by subtracting the stored time difference TD from the corrected time difference TD is negative, for example, by adding +1 to lunar phase A, or subtract from the lunar phase A if it is positive, for example, by subtracting -1 to lunar phase A. In this case, the lunar phase A can also be corrected by rotating the lunar phase plate 42 based on the correction without calculating lunar phase A, thereby reducing the computational load in the time difference correction mode and enabling the display of the lunar phase in accordance with the change in time difference.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control circuit 72 calculates the lunar age A when the time difference correction mode is activated by the user's operation of the operation unit 6, but is not limited to this, and may automatically calculate the lunar age A. For example, when the electronic clock 1 acquires time information from an external source, the control circuit 72 may calculate the lunar age A each time the operation to acquire time information is performed. Also, when the electronic clock 1 crosses into the next day, i.e., when the date changes, the control circuit 72 may calculate the lunar age A each time the date changes. Here, date changes include date changes based on internal timing, date changes by automatically changing internal time difference information, and date changes by changing the ON / OFF status of daylight saving time. Furthermore, when the hemispheric display mode D is switched, the control circuit 72 may calculate the lunar age A each time the hemispheric display mode D is switched.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when calculating the lunar age A, a correction is made based on the time difference TD, but the invention is not limited to this. Even if the electronic clock 1 has a lunar phase display unit 4 and the control circuit 72 does not calculate the lunar age A, that is, even if the lunar age plate 42 is rotated by the operation of the operation unit 6 to display the lunar age corresponding to the current lunar age, the lunar age A may be corrected in the time difference correction mode by rotating the lunar age plate 42 based on the acquired time difference TD.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, information display corresponding to the time difference correction function is provided on the return ring 33, but it is not limited to this, and a time difference correction mark may be provided on the function mark plate 52 of the function display unit 5, and the function hand 51 may point to it when in time difference correction mode.

[0077] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes the case where the time zone correction mode is performed in the Northern Hemisphere display mode DN, it is not limited to this, and the time zone correction mode can also be performed in the Southern Hemisphere display mode DS. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Electronic clock 2. Outer case 21 Torso 22 Bezel 23. Windshield 24 Tip 3 Time display section 31 Guidelines 32 Dial 321~323 hour character 324 Opening for Nichiban 33 Inner Ring 34 day board 341 days 4 Moon phase display 41. Opening for lunar age plate 411,412 recess 42 Lunar Age Plate 421,422 Month Mark 43, 44 Lunar phase plate rotation direction mark 5 Function display section 51 function hands 52 Function Mark Plate 6 Control section 61 Crown 62, 63 Push buttons 7 Movements 71 Antenna 72 Control circuits 73 Actuators 73a First Actuator 73b Second actuator 73c Third actuator (actuator for lunar phase plate) 73d Fourth 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 belts O1 Clock Center O2 Lunar Age Plate Center O3 Function Mark Center

Claims

1. A time display unit that displays the time based on internal timing, A lunar phase display unit having a rotatably supported lunar phase plate, which displays the lunar phase corresponding to the lunar age as the lunar phase plate rotates, An actuator for the lunar age plate that rotates the lunar age plate, A means for acquiring time zone information related to time zones, The system includes a control circuit that rotates the lunar age plate using an actuator for the lunar age plate based on internal lunar age information, The internal lunar phase information corresponds to the rotational position of the lunar phase plate relative to the reference position, The control circuit modifies the internal lunar phase information based on the time difference information acquired by the time difference information acquisition means. An electronic clock characterized by the following features.

2. The control circuit modifies the internal lunar phase information when the internal time difference information is changed, and when the transition from the time difference before the change to the time difference after the change crosses a predetermined time difference. If the difference between the time difference before the change and the time difference after the change is negative, the adjustment is made by adding the lunar age; if it is positive, the adjustment is made by subtracting the lunar age. The electronic clock according to claim 1.

3. The control circuit modifies the internal lunar phase information when the internal time difference information is changed, and the absolute value of the difference between the time difference before the change and the time difference after the change exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the difference between the time difference before the change and the time difference after the change is negative, the adjustment is made by adding the lunar age; if it is positive, the adjustment is made by subtracting the lunar age. The electronic clock according to claim 1.

4. The control circuit includes a lunar phase calculation unit that calculates the internal lunar phase information based on the internal timing and the acquired time difference. The electronic clock according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned control circuit is The internal timekeeping, the acquired time difference, and a 19-year lunar phase calculation formula based on the Metonic cycle are used to calculate the lunar phase as internal lunar phase information. The electronic clock according to claim 4.

6. The formulas for calculating the lunar phase over a 19-year cycle based on the aforementioned Metonic cycle are given by equations (1) and (2). The electronic clock according to claim 5. However, A is the lunar phase, Y is the year, D is the day, C ｍ The following [Table 1] is used to determine C ｘ This is determined based on the aforementioned time difference and is either 0 or 1, while % is calculated by taking the remainder obtained by dividing the expression on the right by the value on the left. A=(C ｙ ×11+C ｍ +D+C ｘ )%30・・・・(1) C ｙ =(Y-2006)%19・・・・(2) Table 1

7. The formulas for calculating the lunar phase over a 19-year cycle based on the aforementioned Metonic cycle are given by equations (3) and (4). The electronic clock according to claim 5. However, A is the month age, Y is the year, D is the day, and C ｍ is determined based on the following [Table 1], and C ｘ is determined based on the time difference, and is either 0 or 1, and C ｚ is C ｙ is determined based on the value in C, and is either 0 or 1, and % obtains the remainder when the right formula is divided by the left value. A=(C ｙ ×11+C ｍ +D+C ｘ +C ｚ )%30・・・・(3) C ｙ =(Y-2006)%19・・・・(4) Table 1

8. Said C ｚ C ｙ If it is 7 or more, it is set to 1, C ｙ If it is 6 or less, then it is set to 0. The electronic clock according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned time difference is based on Coordinated Universal Time. Said C ｘ If the time difference is 0 or greater, it is set to 0, and if the time difference is -1 or less, it is set to 1. The electronic clock according to claim 6 or 7.

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