Clock, control device, and control method

Abstract

To prevent a reduction in the functionality of a watch with illumination, while preventing an increase in the size of the watch.SOLUTION: A watch comprises: an illumination unit (LED) that illuminates a display screen of a display (LCD); a motor that rotates hands (hour hand, minute hand, and second hand); a control unit (microcomputer) that performs lighting control of turning on and off the illumination unit in a predetermined period and controls a drive pulse for driving the motor; and a battery that is a power supply common to the respective units of the watch. The control unit performs control so that the lighting of the illumination unit and the drive pulse do not temporally overlap each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an electronic clock is known that includes hands such as an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand, and a lighting device, and can recognize the time indicated by the hands by lighting the lighting even in the dark (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The electronic clock described in Patent Document 1 described above provides a stable power supply for the clock function by providing a power supply for lighting separately from the power supply for the clock function such as the movement of the hands, but there is a problem that the size of the clock increases. In addition, when trying to reduce the size of the clock by sharing the power supply for the movement and the power supply for the lighting, if the timing of the movement and the lighting-on timing overlap, the movement may not be performed normally or the brightness of the lighting may change due to an instantaneous voltage drop, resulting in a problem that the functionality of the clock deteriorates.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress an increase in the size of a clock with lighting while suppressing a decrease in the functionality of the clock.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a clock comprising: an illumination unit; a motor for rotating a pointer; and a control unit that controls the illumination unit to blink at a predetermined interval and controls a drive pulse for driving the motor, wherein the control unit controls the illumination unit and the drive pulse so that they do not overlap in time.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described clock, the control unit outputs the drive pulse after the illumination unit is turned off.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described clock, the control unit outputs the drive pulse after a predetermined waiting period following the turning off of the illumination unit.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described clock, the control unit determines whether or not the lighting control is being executed at the timing of driving the motor, and if the lighting control is being executed, outputs the drive pulse after the lighting unit is turned off.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described clock, the control unit further controls the braking pulse that brakes the motor.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described clock, the braking pulse coincides temporally with the illumination of the lighting unit.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described clock, the control unit outputs a first drive pulse when the lighting unit is off and not in the process of performing the lighting control, and outputs a second drive pulse having a greater driving force than the first drive pulse when the lighting control is in the process of performing the lighting control.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is that in the above-described clock, the control unit changes the brightness by changing the length of the illumination period of the illumination unit in the lighting control.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, in the above-described clock, the control unit outputs the drive pulse after switching the illumination unit from on to off, regardless of the length of the illumination period during the execution of the lighting control.

[0015] One aspect of the present invention is a clock further comprising a display unit, wherein the illumination unit illuminates the display screen of the display unit.

[0016] One aspect of the present invention is a control device for a clock comprising an illumination unit and a motor for rotating a pointer, which controls the illumination unit to blink at a predetermined period and controls a drive pulse to drive the motor, wherein the illumination unit and the drive pulse do not overlap in time.

[0017] One aspect of the present invention is a control method for a clock comprising an illumination unit and a motor for rotating a pointer, which controls the illumination unit to blink at a predetermined period and controls a drive pulse to drive the motor, wherein the illumination unit and the drive pulse do not overlap in time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of a clock with illumination while suppressing the deterioration of the clock's functionality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [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 flowchart shows an example of the procedure for a control method according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the procedure for a control method according to one embodiment. [Figure 5]A timing chart for explaining an example of a control method according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] A timing chart for explaining an example of a control method according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] A timing chart for explaining an example of a control method according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] A timing chart for explaining an example of a control method according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a control method for a plurality of motors according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a control method for a plurality of motors according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a control method for a plurality of motors according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a control method for a plurality of motors according to an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of those components may be omitted.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of the appearance of a clock according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the clock 1 of this embodiment includes a movement (not shown) containing the clock's drive part and electronic circuit part, a dial 5 with markings, an hour hand 6, a minute hand 7, and a second hand 8 (pointers), an LCD 10 (Liquid Crystal Display), an LED 20 (Light Emitting Diode) that illuminates the display screen of the LCD 10, a sensor (not shown), and an input unit 40 (operation switches 40-1, 40-2, 40-3).

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic circuit portion of the clock according to this embodiment. The configuration of the electronic circuit portion of clock 1 will be described with reference to the figure. Clock 1 comprises an oscillator circuit 50, a microcomputer 100 (control device (control unit)), an LCD 10 (display unit), an LED 20 (illumination unit), a sensor 30, a motor 60, hands (hour hand 6, minute hand 7, and second hand 8), an input unit 40 (operation switches 40-1, 40-2, 40-3), and a battery 70. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the hour hand 6, minute hand 7, and second hand 8 will be referred to as hands 6, 7, and 8.

[0023] The battery 70 is a common power source for all parts of the clock 1 shown in Figure 2. Therefore, in the clock 1 according to this embodiment, one battery 70 is the power source for clock functions such as the movement of the hands, as well as the power source for illumination.

[0024] The microcomputer 100 comprises a core CPU 101 (central processing unit), ROM 102 (read-only memory), RAM 103 (random access memory), LCD control circuit 104, LCD driver 105, LED control circuit 106, LED driver 107, sensor control circuit 108, motor control circuit 110, motor driver 111, and input control circuit 109. The core CPU 101 is connected to ROM 102 so that data can be read from ROM 102. The core CPU 101 is also connected to RAM 103 so that data can be written to and read from RAM 103. Furthermore, the core CPU 101 is connected to the LCD control circuit 104, LED control circuit 106, motor control circuit 110, and input control circuit 109 so that data can be sent and received. The LCD control circuit 104 is connected to the LCD driver 105. The LED control circuit 106 is connected to the LED driver 107. The motor control circuit 110 is connected to the motor driver 111.

[0025] The oscillator circuit 50 generates a clock signal at the operating frequency used by the core CPU 101. The core CPU 101 operates using the clock signal generated by the oscillator circuit 50.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The sensor control circuit 108 controls the sensor 30. 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. The measurement data obtained from 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 display of the measurement result display data received from the core CPU 101 on the LCD 10. As a result, the measurement result display data (i.e., the measurement result of the sensor 30) is displayed on the display screen of the LCD 10.

[0029] Sensor 30 is a sensor that measures physical quantities such as water depth, altitude, atmospheric pressure, direction, acceleration, and direction of gravity. Alternatively, 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 wrist. Figure 1 shows an example of the measurement results of sensor 30, with water depth displayed on the LCD 10's screen.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The input control circuit 109 transmits operation information, such as the user's operation of the input unit 40 (operation switches 40-1, 40-2, 40-3), to the core CPU 101. Based on the operation information received from the input control circuit 109, the core CPU 101 performs predetermined control corresponding to that operation information. If the operation information received from the input control circuit 109 is predetermined lighting operation information, the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to light up the LED 20. On the other hand, if the operation information received from the input control circuit 109 is predetermined turning off operation information, the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn off the LED 20.

[0032] When the LED control circuit 106 receives a command from the core CPU 101 to turn on the LED 20, it performs lighting control to blink the LED 20 at a predetermined interval. While this lighting control is being performed, the LED 20 is in a lit state, blinking at a predetermined interval.

[0033] In controlling the lighting of LED20, the LED control circuit 106 controls the lighting state of LED20 by supplying current to LED20 using pulse width modulation (PWM). Specifically, when the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to light up LED20 (turn PWM on and off), it supplies current with a predetermined duty cycle to LED20. As a result, LED20 lights up at a brightness corresponding to the predetermined duty cycle. When the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn off LED20, it stops supplying current to LED20 (or sets the duty cycle to zero). As a result, LED20 turns off. The duty cycle of the current supplied to LED20 adjusts the brightness at which LED20 illuminates the display screen of LCD10 (the luminance of LED20).

[0034] In addition, other LEDs besides the LED20 that illuminates the display screen of the LCD10 may be provided. For example, an LED that illuminates the dial 5 may be provided. The LED control circuit 106 controls the LED that illuminates the dial 5 to blink at a predetermined period, just as the LED20 that illuminates the display screen of the LCD10.

[0035] The motor control circuit 110 controls the motor 60 via the motor driver 111. The motor 60 is the motor that rotates the pointers 6, 7, and 8. The core CPU 101 instructs the motor control circuit 110 to drive the motor 60. The motor control circuit 110 performs drive control to drive the motor 60 according to the drive instruction from the core CPU 101. In this drive control, the motor control circuit 110 outputs drive pulses to the motor 60 via the motor driver 111. The motor 60 is driven by the drive pulses. As the motor 60 is driven, the pointers 6, 7, and 8 rotate.

[0036] The motor control circuit 110 may also output a braking pulse to the motor 60 via the motor driver 111 following the drive pulse. The motor 60 is braked by the braking pulse. By braking the motor 60, the oscillations associated with the rotation of pointers 6, 7, and 8 are suppressed.

[0037] Next, the control method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of the procedure of the control method according to this embodiment.

[0038] First, the motor control stage of the control method according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 3. When it is time to drive the motor 60 (motor drive timing), the core CPU 101 starts the process shown in Figure 3.

[0039] (Step S11) The core CPU 101 instructs the motor control circuit 110 to set the drive pulse for driving the motor 60 (motor drive pulse setting), the drive direction for driving the motor 60 (motor drive direction setting), and the drive frequency for driving the motor 60 (motor drive frequency setting).

[0040] (Step S12) The core CPU 101 determines whether or not the LED 20 is currently being controlled (LED 20 is lit). If the result of this determination is that LED 20 is lit (Step S12, YES), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if LED 20 is not lit (off state) (Step S12, NO), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0041] (Step S13) The core CPU 101 sets the motor drive start hold flag to ON. The motor drive start hold flag is stored in RAM 103. After this, the process shown in Figure 3 is terminated.

[0042] (Step S14) The core CPU 101 sets the motor drive start when the LED 20 is off. Once the motor drive start is set, a drive command signal instructing the motor 60 to be driven is sent from the core CPU 101 to the motor control circuit 110. When the motor control circuit 110 receives the drive command signal from the core CPU 101, it outputs a drive pulse to the motor 60 via the motor driver 111. This drive pulse drives the motor 60, and the operation of the motor 60 causes the pointers 6, 7, and 8 to rotate.

[0043] (Step S15) The core CPU 101 sets the motor drive start hold flag to off (OFF). After this, the process shown in Figure 3 is terminated.

[0044] Next, the LED control stage of the control method according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 4. When the timing for turning on the PWM of the LED 20 (LED PWM ON timing) is reached, the core CPU 101 starts the process shown in Figure 4.

[0045] (Step S21) The core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn on the PWM of LED 20 (LED light ON). When the LED control circuit 106 receives the instruction from the core CPU 101 to turn on the PWM of LED 20, it starts supplying current to LED 20. When current is supplied to LED 20, LED 20 lights up.

[0046] (Step S22) The core CPU 101 waits for a pulse width corresponding to a predetermined duty cycle (PWM ON time wait). During this "PWM ON time wait" period, current is continuously supplied to the LED 20, and the LED 20 remains lit.

[0047] (Step S23) When the "PWM ON time wait" is finished, the core CPU 101 instructs the LED control circuit 106 to turn off the PWM of LED 20 (LED light OFF). When the LED control circuit 106 is instructed by the core CPU 101 to turn off the PWM of LED 20, it cuts off the supply of current to LED 20. When the supply of current to LED 20 is cut off, LED 20 changes from lit to off.

[0048] Steps S21-S23 supply LED20 with a current of a predetermined duty cycle. As a result, LED20 lights up at the predetermined duty cycle.

[0049] (Step S24) After the "LED light OFF" message, the core CPU 101 determines whether the motor drive start hold flag is on or off. If the motor drive start hold flag is on (Step S24, YES), the process proceeds to Step S25. On the other hand, if the motor drive start hold flag is off (Step S24, NO), the process shown in Figure 4 is terminated. When the motor drive start hold flag is on, it means that the motor drive start is being held back. When the motor drive start hold flag is off, it means that the motor drive start is not being held back.

[0050] (Step S25) The core CPU 101 waits for a predetermined waiting time (waiting).

[0051] (Step S26) When the "waiting time" is finished, the core CPU 101 sets the motor drive start when the PWM of LED 20 is in the off state ("LED light OFF"). Once the motor drive start is set, a drive command signal instructing the motor 60 to be driven is sent from the core CPU 101 to the motor control circuit 110. When the motor control circuit 110 receives the drive command signal from the core CPU 101, it outputs a drive pulse to the motor 60 via the motor driver 111. This drive pulse drives the motor 60, and the operation of the motor 60 causes the pointers 6, 7, and 8 to rotate.

[0052] (Step S27) The core CPU 101 sets the motor drive start hold flag to off. After this, the process shown in Figure 4 is terminated.

[0053] Figure 5 is a timing chart illustrating an example of the control method according to this embodiment. In Figure 5, the PWM pulse Wa that supplies current to the LED 20 has a pulse width of 1 millisecond and a period of 10 milliseconds. Therefore, the LED 20 lights up with a duty cycle of 1 millisecond for the PWM on time (actual lighting time of the LED 20) and 9 milliseconds for the PWM off time of the LED 20 (actual off time of the LED 20).

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, when the drive pulse Wb1 is output at the motor drive timing, the drive pulse Wb1 overlaps in time with the PWM pulse Wa. When the drive pulse Wb1 and the PWM pulse Wa overlap in time, the supply voltage of the battery 70, which is a common power source for the LED 20 and the motor 60, temporarily drops significantly during motor drive. As a result, the motor 60 may not have enough driving force to rotate the pointers 6, 7, and 8 properly, which can lead to the problem of not being able to display the correct time.

[0055] To solve this problem, in this embodiment, the core CPU 101 controls the LED 20 so that the lighting of the LED and the driving pulse do not overlap in time, as shown in the driving pulse Wb2 in Figure 5. The driving pulse Wb2 shown in Figure 5 does not overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa.

[0056] Note that the braking pulse output following the drive pulse may overlap in time with the illumination of LED 20. This is because braking the motor 60 consumes little power. The braking pulse output following the drive pulse Wb2 shown in Figure 5 overlaps in time with the PWM pulse Wa.

[0057] Figure 6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of the control method according to this embodiment. In Figure 6, similar to Figure 5, the PWM pulse Wa that supplies current to the LED 20 has a pulse width of 1 millisecond and a period of 10 milliseconds. Therefore, the LED 20 lights up with a duty cycle of 1 millisecond for the PWM on time (actual lighting time of the LED 20) and 9 milliseconds for the PWM off time of the LED 20 (actual off time of the LED 20).

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, the core CPU 101 controls the LED 20 so that the illumination and the drive pulses Wc1 and Wc2 do not overlap in time. The drive pulses Wc1 and Wc2 shown in Figure 6 do not overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa. The core CPU 101 controls the drive pulses so that they start outputting within the time range Tw shown in Figure 6. The start timing of the time range Tw is the end timing of the first on-time of the LED 20's PWM. The end timing of the time range Tw is the latest drive pulse output start timing required to complete the output of the drive pulses by the start timing of the second on-time following the first on-time of the LED 20's PWM. The pulse width of the drive pulses is determined by the motor drive pulse setting at the motor drive timing. If the drive pulses start outputting within the time range Tw, the drive pulses do not overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa, as shown in the drive pulses Wc1 and Wc2 in Figure 6. In other words, the core CPU 101 of this embodiment controls the PWM pulse of the LED 20 (e.g., PWM pulse Wa) and the drive pulse of the motor 60 (e.g., drive pulse Wc1) so that they do not overlap in time, by changing the timing of the drive pulse Wc1 without changing the timing of the PWM pulse Wa of the LED 20. In this case, if you want to control the PWM pulse of LED20 and the drive pulse of motor 60 so that they do not overlap in time, you can change the timing of the PWM pulse of LED20. However, when controlling the illumination of LED20 using PWM control, if the illumination timing deviates from the initial fixed-cycle illumination timing, it can cause increased flickering of the LED20's illumination. For this reason, it is preferable not to deviate from the initial illumination timing of LED20. In this embodiment, the core CPU 101 can control the timing of the drive pulse Wc1 without changing the timing of the PWM pulse Wa of the LED 20, thereby suppressing flickering of the LED 20's illumination and ensuring that the PWM pulse of the LED 20 and the drive pulse of the motor 60 do not overlap in time.

[0059] Figure 7 is a timing chart illustrating an example of the control method according to this embodiment. In Figure 7, the PWM pulse Wa1 that supplies current to the LED 20 has a pulse width of 1 millisecond and a period of 10 milliseconds, similar to Figure 5. Therefore, the LED 20 lights up with the PWM pulse Wa1 with a duty cycle of 1 millisecond for the PWM on time (actual lighting time of the LED 20) and 9 milliseconds for the PWM off time of the LED 20 (actual off time of the LED 20).

[0060] The core CPU 101 changes the duty cycle of the PWM (the ratio of the PWM on time to the off time) to adjust the brightness (luminance of the LED 20) that illuminates the display screen of the LCD 10 with the LED 20. In Figure 7, PWM pulse Wa2 is shown, in which the period remains unchanged at 10 milliseconds, but the pulse width is changed to 3 milliseconds compared to PWM pulse Wa1. With PWM pulse Wa2, the brightness that illuminates the display screen of the LCD 10 with the LED 20 can be increased compared to PWM pulse Wa1.

[0061] The core CPU 101 controls the LED 20 so that the illumination and the drive pulse do not overlap in time, even when the PWM on-time is changed. As shown in Figure 7, even when the PWM on-time changes from PWM pulse Wa1 to PWM pulse Wa2, the drive pulse Wd does not overlap in time with PWM pulse Wa2.

[0062] The clock 1 may have multiple brightness modes for the LED 20, depending on the conditions under which the clock 1 is used. For example, the brightness modes for the LED 20 may include a first brightness mode for use in bright environments such as outdoors during the day or indoors with lighting, and a second brightness mode for use in dark environments such as outdoors at night or indoors without lighting. The core CPU 101 adjusts the brightness of the LED 20 to be lower in the second brightness mode than in the first brightness mode. In the second brightness mode, the core CPU 101 may alternately repeat at a predetermined interval a state in which the LED 20 blinks at a predetermined interval (a state in which the LED 20 is controlled by PWM control) and a state in which the LED 20 is not lit (an off state). Alternatively, the core CPU 101 may alternately repeat the lit state and the off state in both the first and second brightness modes, with a longer repetition period in the second brightness mode than in the first brightness mode. The first brightness mode and the second brightness mode may be selected by the user by operating the input unit 40 (operation switches 40-1, 40-2, 40-3), or the core CPU 101 may select based on the measurement results of the sensor 30 provided by the clock 1.

[0063] Furthermore, the core CPU 101 may be controlled to output a drive pulse with greater driving force when the LED 20 is lit (when the LED 20 is being controlled by PWM control), compared to when the LED 20 is not lit (off). This control ensures that the drive pulse in the lit state (second drive pulse) has greater driving force than the drive pulse in the off state (first drive pulse). The first drive pulse in the off state may be a drive pulse with reduced power based on the rotation detection result of the motor 60.

[0064] Figure 8 is a timing chart illustrating an example of the control method according to this embodiment. In Figure 8, similar to Figure 5, the PWM pulse Wa that supplies current to the LED 20 has a pulse width of 1 millisecond and a period of 10 milliseconds. Therefore, the LED 20 lights up with a duty cycle of 1 millisecond for the PWM on time (actual lighting time of the LED 20) and 9 milliseconds for the PWM off time of the LED 20 (actual off time of the LED 20).

[0065] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the clock 1 includes motors 60 corresponding to the hour hand 6, minute hand 7, and second hand 8. A motor driver 111 is provided for each of the motors 60 corresponding to the hour hand 6, minute hand 7, and second hand 8. The motor control circuit 110 outputs drive pulses to each of the motors 60 corresponding to the hour hand 6, minute hand 7, and second hand 8 via each motor driver 111. The second hand drive pulse We1 is output to the second hand drive motor 60 that rotates the second hand 8. The minute hand drive pulse We2 is output to the minute hand drive motor 60 that rotates the minute hand 7. The hour hand drive pulse We3 is output to the hour hand drive motor 60 that rotates the hour hand 6.

[0066] The core CPU 101 controls each drive pulse We1, We2, and We3 so that they do not overlap in time with the illumination of the LED 20. When it is time for the motor drive of the hour hand 6, minute hand 7, and second hand 8, the core CPU 101 controls the output of the second hand drive pulse We1 to the second hand drive motor 60 after the PWM on time of the LED 20 has ended. The second hand drive pulse We1 does not overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa. However, the braking pulse output immediately following the second hand drive pulse We1 does overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa.

[0067] Next, the core CPU 101 controls the minute hand drive motor 60 to output the minute hand drive pulse We2 after the PWM on time of the next LED 20 has finished outputting the second hand drive pulse We1 and the braking pulse. The minute hand drive pulse We2 does not overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa. However, the braking pulse output immediately following the minute hand drive pulse We2 does overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa.

[0068] Next, the core CPU 101 controls the system to output the hour hand drive pulse We3 to the hour hand drive motor 60 only after the PWM on-time of the next LED 20 has finished outputting the minute hand drive pulse We2 and the braking pulse. The hour hand drive pulse We3 does not overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa. However, the braking pulse output immediately following the hour hand drive pulse We3 does overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa.

[0069] Even when motor 60 is a two-coil motor, the drive pulses for each coil are output after the PWM on-time of LED 20 has ended. The drive pulses for each coil do not overlap in time with the PWM pulse Wa.

[0070] Figures 9-12 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a control procedure for multiple motors 60. The control method for multiple motors 60 will be explained with reference to Figures 9-12.

[0071] First, referring to Figure 9, the motor drive request stage of the control method for multiple motors 60 will be explained. When the core CPU 101 reaches the exact second timing, it starts the process shown in Figure 9.

[0072] (Step S101) The core CPU 101 determines the timing for driving the second hand drive motor 60 (second motor drive timing). If the result of this determination is that it is the second motor drive timing (Step S101, YES), the process proceeds to step S102; otherwise (Step S101, NO), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0073] (Step S102) The core CPU 101 sets the second motor drive request flag to ON. The second motor drive request flag is stored in RAM 103. After this, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0074] (Step S103) The core CPU 101 sets the seconds motor drive request flag to off. After this, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0075] (Step S104) The core CPU 101 determines the timing for driving the minute hand drive motor 60 (minute motor drive timing). If the result of this determination is that it is the minute motor drive timing (Step S104, YES), the process proceeds to step S105; otherwise (Step S104, NO), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0076] (Step S105) The core CPU 101 sets the minute motor drive request flag to ON. The minute motor drive request flag is stored in RAM 103. After this, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0077] (Step S106) The core CPU 101 sets the minute motor drive request flag to off. After this, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0078] (Step S107) The core CPU 101 determines the timing for driving the hour hand drive motor 60 (hour motor drive timing). If the result of this determination is that it is the hour motor drive timing (Step S107, YES), the process proceeds to step S108; otherwise (Step S107, NO), the process proceeds to step S109.

[0079] (Step S108) The core CPU 101 sets the motor drive request flag to ON. The motor drive request flag is stored in the RAM 103. After this, the process shown in Figure 9 is terminated.

[0080] (Step S109) The core CPU 101 sets the motor drive request flag to off. After this, the process shown in Figure 9 is terminated.

[0081] Next, the motor control stages of the control method for multiple motors 60 will be explained with reference to Figures 10-12. When the motor drive request confirmation timing arrives, the core CPU 101 starts the processing shown in Figures 10-12.

[0082] (Step S201, Figure 10) The core CPU 101 determines whether the second motor drive request flag is on or off. If the second motor drive request flag is on (Step S201, YES), the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if the second motor drive request flag is off (Step S201, NO), the process proceeds to step S211 (Figure 11).

[0083] (Step S202, Figure 10) The core CPU 101 sets the second motor drive request flag to off.

[0084] (Step S203, Figure 10) The core CPU 101 instructs the motor control circuit 110 to set the drive pulse for driving the second hand drive motor 60 (motor drive pulse setting), the drive direction for driving the second hand drive motor 60 (motor drive direction setting), and the drive frequency for driving the second hand drive motor 60 (motor drive frequency setting).

[0085] (Step S204, Figure 10) The core CPU 101 determines whether or not the LED 20 is currently being controlled (LED 20 is lit). If the result of this determination is that LED 20 is lit (Step S204, YES), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if LED 20 is not lit (off state) (Step S204, NO), the process proceeds to step S206.

[0086] (Step S205, Figure 10) The core CPU 101 sets the "second motor drive start hold" flag to ON. The "second motor drive start hold" flag is stored in the RAM 103. After this, the process proceeds to step S207.

[0087] (Step S206, Figure 10) The core CPU 101 sets the motor drive start for the second hand drive motor 60 while the LED 20 is off. Once the motor drive start for the second hand drive motor 60 is set, a drive instruction signal is sent from the core CPU 101 to the motor control circuit 110 to instruct the second hand drive motor 60 to drive. When the motor control circuit 110 receives the drive instruction signal for the second hand drive motor 60 from the core CPU 101, it outputs a second hand drive pulse We1 to the second hand drive motor 60 via the motor driver 111 corresponding to the second hand drive motor 60. This second hand drive pulse We1 drives the second hand drive motor 60, and the second hand 8 rotates as the second hand drive motor 60 is driven.

[0088] (Step S207, Figure 10) The core CPU 101 determines that the output of the second hand drive pulse We1 is complete. The completion of the output of the second hand drive pulse We1 is determined when a time equivalent to the pulse width of the second hand drive pulse We1 has elapsed. If the completion of the output of the second hand drive pulse We1 is determined (Step S207, YES), the process proceeds to step S211 (Figure 11).

[0089] (Step S211, Figure 11) The core CPU 101 determines whether the minute motor drive request flag is on or off. If the minute motor drive request flag is on (Step S211, YES), the process proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if the minute motor drive request flag is off (Step S211, NO), the process proceeds to step S221 (Figure 12).

[0090] (Step S212, Figure 11) The core CPU 101 sets the minute motor drive request flag to off.

[0091] (Step S213, Figure 11) The core CPU 101 instructs the motor control circuit 110 to set the drive pulse for driving the minute hand drive motor 60 (motor drive pulse setting), the drive direction for driving the minute hand drive motor 60 (motor drive direction setting), and the drive frequency for driving the minute hand drive motor 60 (motor drive frequency setting).

[0092] (Step S214, Figure 11) The core CPU 101 determines whether or not the LED 20 is currently being controlled (LED 20 is lit). If the result of this determination is that LED 20 is lit (Step S214, YES), the process proceeds to step S215. On the other hand, if LED 20 is not lit (off state) (Step S214, NO), the process proceeds to step S216.

[0093] (Step S215, Figure 11) The core CPU 101 sets the minute motor drive start hold flag to ON. The minute motor drive start hold flag is stored in RAM 103. After this, the process proceeds to step S217.

[0094] (Step S216, Figure 11) The core CPU 101 sets the start of motor drive for the minute hand drive motor 60 while the LED 20 is off. Once the start of motor drive for the minute hand drive motor 60 is set, a drive instruction signal is sent from the core CPU 101 to the motor control circuit 110 to instruct the minute hand drive motor 60 to be driven. When the motor control circuit 110 receives the drive instruction signal for the minute hand drive motor 60 from the core CPU 101, it outputs a minute hand drive pulse We2 to the minute hand drive motor 60 via the motor driver 111 corresponding to the minute hand drive motor 60. This minute hand drive pulse We2 drives the minute hand drive motor 60, and the minute hand 7 rotates as the minute hand drive motor 60 is driven.

[0095] (Step S217, Figure 11) The core CPU 101 determines that the output of the minute hand drive pulse We2 is complete. The completion of the output of the minute hand drive pulse We2 is determined when a time equivalent to the pulse width of the minute hand drive pulse We2 has elapsed. If the completion of the output of the minute hand drive pulse We2 is determined (Step S217, YES), the process proceeds to step S221 (Figure 12).

[0096] (Step S221, Figure 12) The core CPU 101 determines whether the motor drive request flag is on or off. If the motor drive request flag is on (Step S221, YES), the process proceeds to step S222. On the other hand, if the motor drive request flag is off (Step S221, NO), the process shown in Figures 10-12 is terminated.

[0097] (Step S222, Figure 12) The core CPU 101 sets the motor drive request flag to off.

[0098] (Step S223, Figure 12) The core CPU 101 instructs the motor control circuit 110 to set the drive pulse for driving the hour hand drive motor 60 (motor drive pulse setting), the drive direction for driving the hour hand drive motor 60 (motor drive direction setting), and the drive frequency for driving the hour hand drive motor 60 (motor drive frequency setting).

[0099] (Step S224, Figure 12) The core CPU 101 determines whether or not the LED 20 is currently being controlled (LED 20 is lit). If the result of this determination is that LED 20 is lit (Step S224, YES), the process proceeds to step S225. On the other hand, if LED 20 is not lit (off state) (Step S224, NO), the process proceeds to step S226.

[0100] (Step S225, Figure 12) The core CPU 101 sets the time motor drive start hold flag to ON. The time motor drive start hold flag is stored in RAM 103. After this, the process proceeds to step S227.

[0101] (Step S226, Figure 12) The core CPU 101 sets the start of motor drive for the hour hand drive motor 60 while the LED 20 is off. Once the start of motor drive for the hour hand drive motor 60 is set, a drive instruction signal is sent from the core CPU 101 to the motor control circuit 110 to instruct the hour hand drive motor 60 to be driven. When the motor control circuit 110 receives the drive instruction signal for the hour hand drive motor 60 from the core CPU 101, it outputs an hour hand drive pulse We3 to the hour hand drive motor 60 via the motor driver 111 corresponding to the hour hand drive motor 60. This hour hand drive pulse We3 drives the hour hand drive motor 60, and the hour hand 6 rotates as the hour hand drive motor 60 is driven.

[0102] (Step S227, Figure 12) The core CPU 101 determines that the output of the hour hand drive pulse We3 is complete. The completion of the output of the hour hand drive pulse We3 is determined when a time equivalent to the pulse width of the hour hand drive pulse We3 has elapsed. When the completion of the output of the hour hand drive pulse We3 is determined (Step S227, YES), the process shown in Figures 10-12 is terminated.

[0103] The above describes the motor drive request stage and motor control stage of the control method for multiple motors 60. The LED control stage of the control method for multiple motors 60 is the same as the LED control stage in Figure 4 described above.

[0104] As described above, according to this embodiment, the microcomputer 100 (control device, control unit) controls the operation so that the illumination of the LED 20 (illumination unit) and the drive pulses that drive the motor 60 that rotates the hands 6, 7, and 8 do not overlap in time. Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the illumination of the LED 20 and the driving of the motor 60 do not overlap in time, it is possible to suppress a temporary drop in the supply voltage of the battery 70, which is a common power source for all parts of the clock 1, when the motor is driven. As a result, even if the clock 1 does not have multiple batteries 70, it is possible to stably secure the driving force of the motor 60 and rotate the hands 6, 7, and 8 normally to display the correct time. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the clock 1 does not need to have multiple batteries, so it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the illuminated clock while suppressing a decrease in the functionality of the clock.

[0105] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a temporary drop in the supply voltage of the battery 70 when the motor is driven can be suppressed, so that the driving force of the motor 60 can be secured even at lower supply voltages. As a result, the time for which the motor can be driven using the battery 70 of the clock 1 is extended, and the clock 1 can be used for a longer period of time.

[0106] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a temporary drop in the supply voltage of the battery 70 during motor operation can be suppressed, thereby reducing the burden on the battery 70 during motor operation. This suppresses the deterioration of the battery performance of the battery 70 and extends the replacement period of the battery 70 in the clock 1.

[0107] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the drive pulse is output after the LED 20 is turned off (after the PWM of the LED 20 is turned off), even if the length of the on-time of the PWM of the LED 20 is changed to change the brightness of the LED 20, it is possible to prevent the lighting of the LED 20 and the driving of the motor 60 from overlapping in time.

[0108] In the embodiment described above, the timing of outputting the drive pulse was shifted from the initial motor drive timing in order to prevent the lighting of the LED 20 and the drive pulse from overlapping in time. However, the timing of lighting the LED 20 may also be shifted from the initial lighting timing.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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]

[0113] 1…Clock, 6,7,8…Handles, 10…LCD, 20…LED, 30…Sensor, 40…Input section, 50…Oscillation circuit, 60…Motor, 70…Battery, 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, 110…Motor control circuit, 111…Motor driver

Claims

1. Lighting section, A motor that rotates the pointer, A control unit that controls the lighting of the illumination unit to blink at a predetermined interval and controls the drive pulses that drive the motor, Equipped with, The control unit controls the timing of the drive pulse output to prevent the illumination of the lighting unit from overlapping in time. clock.

2. The control unit lights up the illumination unit in a continuous manner according to the predetermined period. The clock according to claim 1.

3. The control unit outputs the drive pulse after the lighting unit is turned off. The clock according to claim 1.

4. The control unit turns off the lighting unit and then outputs the drive pulse after a predetermined waiting period. The clock according to claim 3.

5. The control unit determines whether the lighting control is being executed at the timing of driving the motor, and if the lighting control is being executed, it outputs the drive pulse after the lighting unit is turned off. The clock according to claim 1.

6. The control unit further controls the braking pulses that brake the motor. The clock according to claim 1.

7. The braking pulse coincides in time with the illumination of the lighting unit. The clock according to claim 6.

8. The control unit, While the lighting unit is off and the aforementioned lighting control is not being executed, the first drive pulse is output. During the execution of the aforementioned lighting control, a second drive pulse is output that has a greater driving force than the first drive pulse. The clock according to claim 1.

9. The control unit, in the lighting control, changes the brightness by changing the length of the lighting period of the lighting unit. The clock according to claim 1.

10. Regardless of the length of the illumination period of the illumination unit during the execution of the lighting control, the control unit outputs the drive pulse after switching from illumination to extinguishing the illumination unit. The clock according to claim 1.

11. It also includes a display unit, The lighting unit illuminates the display screen of the display unit. The clock according to claim 1.

12. Lighting section, A motor that rotates the pointer, A control device for a clock equipped with the above, which controls the lighting to blink the illumination unit at a predetermined period and controls the drive pulses that drive the motor, The timing of the output of the drive pulse is changed to control the lighting of the illumination unit and the drive pulse so that they do not overlap in time. Control device.

13. Lighting section, A motor that rotates the pointer, A control method for a clock equipped with the above, which performs lighting control to blink the illumination unit at a predetermined period and controls the drive pulse that drives the motor, The timing of the output of the drive pulse is changed to control the lighting of the illumination unit and the drive pulse so that they do not overlap in time. Control method.

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