Drive control system for stepping motor

• US 4,283,783 A
• Filed: 11/21/1979
• Issued: 08/11/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Limited (Citizen Electronics Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Limited (Citizen Electronics Company Limited)
• Inventors: Kanno, Fumio, Nakajima, Fumio, Yamada, Kenji, Machida, Takayasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US06/096,450
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 58/4 A, 58/23 R, 58/23 D, 58/58, 318/696, 368/76, 368/80, 368/85-87, 368/200-202, 368/217-219, 368/155-157
• US Class Current: 368/76
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/143 Means to reduce power consumption by reducing pulse width or amplitude and related problems, e.g. detection of unwanted or missing step

Abstract

In an electronic timepiece having a stepping motor which drives time indicating means, a system is provided for detecting an increase in the load torque on the stepping motor above a predetermined level. When such an increase is detected, the conditions for detection of the load on the stepping motor are changed, and thereafter drive pulses of increased power are applied to the stepping motor. When the increased load is removed, this is detected under the new set of detection conditions, and a return to the original detection conditions is executed, with the drive pulse power being returned to the original level. Stability of control is thereby provided, together with immediate response to increased load on the stepping motor.

Claims

1. An electronic timepiece powered by a battery, comprising, in combination:

a source of a standard frequency signal;

a frequency divider circuit responsive to said standard frequency signal for producing a unit time signal comprising a train of pulses;

waveform converter means responsive to said unit time signal in conjunction with a relatively high frequency signal produced by said frequency divider circuit for producing a drive input signal;

a drive circuit responsive to said drive input signal for producing a drive signal;

a stepping motor having a drive coil coupled to receive said drive signal, and periodically actuated by said drive signal to rotate a rotor thereof through a predetermined angle;

time indicating means driven by said stepping motor for indicating time information;

a sampling signal generating circuit for generating sampling signal pulses of a different phase in dependence on a state of said stepping motor; and

a detection circuit having input terminals coupled across said stepping motor drive coil and responsive to said sampling signal pulses for detecting the amplitude of a voltage developed across said drive coil during a sampling interval and producing a status control signal at first and second logic levels in dependence on said detected drive coil voltage;

said waveform converter means including means responsive to said first logic level of the status control signal for producing a first drive input signal to cause said drive circuit to drive said stepping motor in a first operating state, and responsive to said second logic level of the status control signal for producing a second drive input signal to cause said drive circuit to drive said stepping motor in a second operating state.

2. An electronic timepiece according to claim 1, in which said drive input signal comprises bursts of relatively high frequency pulses, and in which said sampling signal generation circuit generates an interruption signal comprising a train of pulses each generated after a predetermined time interval following one of said drive input signal pulses and generates said sampling signal pulses, each occuring during a corresponding one of said interruption pulses, said interruption pulses being applied to said drive circuit for thereby establishing an open circuit condition across said stepping motor.

3. An electronic timepiece according to claim 2, in which said detection circuit further produces a counter control signal comprising a pulse produced when said detected drive coil voltage is detected to be above a threshold level during said sampling

interval and further comprising:

a phase initialization circuit comprising a counter circuit, means for resetting said counter circuit to a predetermined initial count when power is initially applied to said electronic timepiece, and means for applying said unit time signal pulses to said counter circuit to be counted therein after power is initially applied to said electronic timepiece and for inhibiting further input of said unit time signal pulses to said counter subsequent to the occurrance of a first one of said counter control signal pulses after power is initially applied to said electronic timepiece; and

a phase shifting circuit having a plurality of cascaded stages and responsive to said unit time signal pulses and to a clock signal produced by said frequency divider circuit for producing a succession of pulses of successively delayed phase from successive ones of said cascaded stages following each of said unit time signal pulses;

said sampling signal generating circuit being coupled to receive said status control signal and said successively delayed pulses from said phase shifting circuit and being responsive thereto for producing each of said interruption signal pulses and said sampling signal pulses after a first predetermined time interval following each of said drive input signal pulse bursts when said status control signal is at said first logic level, and being further responsive thereto for producing each of said interruption signal pulses and said sampling signal pulses after a second predetermined time interval following each of said drive input signal pulse bursts when said status control signal is at said second logic level, said first and second predetermined time intervals being different in duration.

4. An electronic timepiece according to claim 3, wherein said phase shifting circuit comprises a shift register circuit having reset terminals thereof coupled to receive said unit time signal pulses and having a clock input terminal coupled to receive said clock signal from said frequency divider circuit.

5. An electronic timepiece according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said reset means of said phase initialization circuit comprises a flip-flop having an output terminal coupled to one potential of said battery and a clock input terminal coupled to receive a clock signal from said frequency divider circuit and a first gate circuit coupled to receive an output signal from said flip-flop at one input thereof and to receive said battery potential at another input thereof, with the output of said first gate circuit being applied to a reset terminal of said counter circuit of said phase initialization circuit for resetting the contents thereof when power is initially applied to said electronic timepiece, and wherein said means for applying said unit time signal pulses to said counter circuit of said phase initialization circuit comprise a flip-flop circuit having a reset terminal coupled to receive said counter control signal pulses and a set terminal coupled to receive the output from said flip-flop of said reset means, and a second gate circuit having a first input coupled to receive said unit time signal pulses and a second input coupled to receive an output from said flip-flop circuit, the output of said second gate circuit being applied to a clock input terminal of said phase initialization circuit, said second gate circuit thereby controlling input of said unit time signal pulses to said phase initialization circuit counter in accordance with the state of said flip-flop circuit.

6. An electronic timepiece according to claim 5, in which said sampling signal generating circuit comprises a first selector gate circuit coupled to receive a plurality of combinations of said phase initialization circuit counter output signals and said phase shifting circuit output signals for thereby producing a plurality of output signals, and a second selector gate circuit controlled by said status control signal and coupled to receive said output signals from said first selector gate circuit, and responsive to said status control signal for producing said interruption signal pulses and said sampling signal pulses after said first predetermined time interval following each of said drive input signal pulse bursts when said status control signal is at the first logic level, and for producing said interruption signal pulses and said sampling signal pulses after said second predetermined time interval following each of said drive input pulse bursts when said status control signal is at said second logic level.

7. An electronic timepiece according to claim 3, in which said detection circuit comprises:

a pair of inverters, each having an input connected to a corresponding end of said stepping motor drive coil;

a selector gate circuit coupled to receive output signals from said inverters, and conrolled by said sampling signal pulses for producing said counter control signal when a voltage developed across said stepping motor drive coil exceeds a threshold level of either of said pair of inverters during one of said sampling signal pulses;

a first flip-flop having a reset terminal coupled to receive said counter control signal at a reset terminal thereof and coupled to receive said unit time signal pulses at a set terminal thereof;

a first gate circuit coupled to receive an output from said first flip-flop at a first input thereof, and coupled to receive a clock signal from said frequency divider circuit at a second input terminal thereof;

a second flip-flop coupled to receive an output of said first gate circuit at a reset terminal thereof, for producing said status control signal at an output; and

a counter circuit coupled to receive said status control signal at a reset terminal thereof, for being forcibly reset to a count value whereby an output is produced at said first logic level while said status control signal is at said first logic level, said output signal of said counter circuit being applied to a set terminal of said second flip-flop, said counter circuit further having a count input terminal coupled to receive said unit time signal pulses.

8. An electronic timepiece according to claim 1, in which said detection circuit detects the amplitude of said voltage developed across said drive coil during said sampling interval of a predetermined duration occurring after each periodic actuation of said stepping motor by said drive signal, said detection circuit operating in a normal detection status when a relatively low load torque is applied to said stepping motor and in an increased drive detection status when a relatively high load torque is applied to said stepping motor;

said normal detection status being characterized in that a drive signal of relatively low power is applied to said drive coil and in that a transition to said increased drive detection status is executed by said control and detection circuit means when the amplitude of said detection signal falls below a first predetermined amplitude, and said increased drive detection status being characterized in that a drive signal of relatively high power is applied to said drive coil and in that a transition to said normal detection status is executed by said control and detection circuit means when the amplitude of said detection signal goes above a second predetermined amplitude.

9. An electronic timepiece according to claim 8, in which said detection circuit produces said status control signal which is at a first logic level potential during said normal detection status and is at a second logic level potential during said increased drive detection status, said status control signal being applied to said waveform converter circuit, which is responsive thereto for applying a first drive input signal to said drive circuit when said status control signal is at said first logic level potential and for applying a second drive input signal to said drive circuit when said status control signal is at said second logic level potential, said drive circuit being responsive to said first drive input signal for applying a drive signal of relatively low power to said drive coil, and responsive to said second drive input signal for applying a drive signal of relatively high power to said drive coil.

10. An electronic timepiece according to claim 9, in which said sampling interval begins after a predetermined time interval following the start of one of said periodic actuations of said stepping motor by said drive signal, and in which the duration of said predetermined time interval is identical in said normal detection status and in said increased drive detection status, and furthermore in which said second predetermined amplitude of said detection signal is higher than said first predetermined amplitude thereof.

11. An electronic timepiece according to claim 9, in which said sampling interval in said normal detection status is initiated after a first predetermined time interval following the start of one of said periodic actuations of said stepping motor by said drive signal, and in which said sampling interval in said increased drive detection status is initiated after a second predetermined time interval following the start of one of said periodic actuations of said stepping motor by said drive signal, and in which the duration of each of said first predetermined time intervals is different from that of each of said second predetermined time intervals, and furthermore in which said first predetermined amplitude and said second predetermined amplitude of said detection signal are identical.

12. An electronic timepiece according to claim 9, in which said drive signal comprises a train of drive pulses of alternating polarity.

13. An electronic timepiece according to claim 12, in which each of said drive pulses consists of a single uninterrupted pulse, and in which the duration of each of said drive pulses is increased and decreased in order to increase and decrease respectively the drive power applied to said stepping motor.

14. An electronic timepiece according to claim 12, in which each of said drive pulses comprises a burst of a predetermined number of relaively high frequency pulses, and in which the duty cycle of said relatively high frequency pulses is increased and decreased respectively in order to increase and decrease the drive power applied to said stepping motor.

15. An electronic timepiece according to claim 12, in which the timing of said sampling interval is determined by said sampling signal pulses, comprising a pulse of predetermined duration which is generated after a predetermined time interval following each of said drive pulses, said detection circuit being responsive to said sampling signal pulses for comparing the amplitude of said detection signal from said drive coil with a detection threshold voltage level.

16. An electronic timepiece according to claim 15, in which said sampling signal generation circuit generates an interruption signal comprising a pulse of predetermined duration which is generated during at least a portion of the duration of a sampling signal pulse, said drive circuit being responsive to said interruption signal in conjunction with said drive input signal for establishing an open circuit condition across said drive coil during each of said interruption signal pulses, and for establishing a short-circuit condition across said drive coil from the termination of a drive pulse to the start of an interruption pulse and from the termination of an interruption signal pulse to the start of the succeeding drive pulse.

17. An electronic timepiece according to claim 16, and further comprising means for connecting a predetermined high value of resistance between at least one end of said drive coil and ground potential during each of said interruption pulses.

18. An electronic timepiece according to claim 17, in which said connecting means comprises a transistor connected between ground potential and one terminal of a fixed resistor, with the other terminal of said resistor being connected to said at least one end of the drive coil, and with said interruption signal being applied to a control terminal of said transistor.

19. An electronic timepiece according to claim 15, in which each of said sampling signal pulses is generated during a predetermined one of a plurality of cycles of damped angular oscillation executed by said rotor of said stepping motor subsequent to the termination of a drive pulse.

20. An electronic timepiece according to claim 19, in which the timing of initiation of said sampling signal pulse during said cycle of angular oscillation of the rotor is controlled by said waveform converter circuit in accordance with a logic level potential of said status control signal.

21. An electronic timepiece according to claim 20, in which said waveform converter circuit is responsive to a transition of said status control signal from said first logic level potential to said second logic level potential when an increased load is applied to said stepping motor for producing a drive pulse of increased power, with the timing of said increased power drive pulse being such tha rotation of said stepping motor rotor in response thereto will occur only if said rotor has failed to be rotated by a drive pulse applied immediately prior to said transition of the status control signal to said second logic level potential, and such that the effect of said increased power drive pulse will be substantially cancelled by an electromotive force generated in said drive coil by angular oscillation of said rotor if said rotor has been rotated by said drive pulse applied immediately prior to said transition of the status control signal to said second logic level potential.

22. In an electronic timepiece having a standard frequency timebase signal source, a frequency divider circuit responsive to a timebase signal produced by said standard frequency timebase signal source for producing a unit time signal, drive circuit means for producing a drive signal, a stepping motor having a drive coil and a rotor, said stepping motor being periodically actuated by said drive signal to rotate said rotor through a predetermined angle, and time indicating means driven by said stepping motor for indicating time information, a drive control system for controlling said drive signal in accordance with a load torque applied to said stepping motor, comprising:

control and detection circuit means coupled to said drive circuit means and said frequency divider circuit for detecting the amplitude of a detection signal voltage developed across said drive coil during a sampling interval of predetermined duration occurring after each periodic actuation of said stepping motor by said drive signal, said control and detection circuit means operating in a normal detection status when a relatively low load torque is applied to said stepping motor and in an increased drive detection status when a relatively high load torque is applied to said stepping motor, said normal detection status being characterized in that a drive signal of relatively low power is applied to said drive coil and in that a transition to said increased drive detection status is executed by said control and detection circuit means when the amplitude of said detection signal falls below a first predetermined amplitude, and said increased drive detection status being characterized in that a drive signal of relatively high power is applied to said drive coil and in that a transition to said normal detection status is executed by said control and detection circuit means when the amplitude of said detection signal goes above a second predetermined amplitude.

23. An electronic timepiece according to claim 22, in which said control and detection circuit means comprises a waveform converter circuit coupled between said frequency divider circuit and said drive circuit, and a detection circuit coupled to receive said detection signal from said drive coil, and in which said detection circuit produces a status control signal which is at a first logic level potential during said normal detection status and is at a second logic level potential during said increased drive detection status, said status control signal being applied to said waveform converter circuit, which is responsive thereto for applying a first drive input signal to said drive circuit when said status control signal is at said first logic level potential and for applying a second drive input signal to said drive circuit when said status control signal is at said second logic level potential, said drive circuit being responsive to said first drive input signal for applying a drive signal of relatively low power to said drive coil, and responsive to said second drive input signal for applying a drive signal of relatively high power to said drive coil.

24. An electronic timepiece according to claim 23, in which each of said sampling intervals begins after a predetermined time interval following the start of one of said periodic actuations of said stepping motor by said drive signal, and in which the duration of said predetermined time interval is identical in said normal detection status and in said increased drive detection status, and furthermore in which said second predetermined amplitude of said detection signal is higher than said first predetermined amplitude thereof.

25. An electronic timepiece according to claim 23, in which each of said sampling intervals in said normal detection status is initiated after a first pedetermined time interval following the start of one of said periodic actuations of said stepping motor by said drive signal, and in which each of said sampling intervals in said increased drive detection status is initiated after a second predetermined time interval following the start of one of said periodic actuations of said stepping motor by said drive signal, and in which the duration of each of said first predetermined time intervals is different from that of each of said second predetermined time intervals, and furthermore in which said first predetermined amplitude and said second predetermined amplitude of said detection signal are identical.

26. An electronic timepiece according to claim 23, in which said drive signal comprises a train of drive pulses of alternating polarity.

27. An electronic timepiece according to claim 26, in which each of said drive pulses consists of a single uninterrupted pulse, and in which the duration of each of said drive pulses is increased and decreased in order to increase and decrease respectively the drive power applied to said stepping motor.

28. An electronic timepiece according to claim 26, in which each of said drive pulses comprises a burst of a predetermined number of relatively high frequency pulses, and in which the duty cycle of said relatively high frequency pulses is increased and decreased respectively in order to increase and decrease the drive power applied to said stepping motor.

29. An electronic timepiece according to claim 26, in which the timing of said sampling intervals is determined by a sampling signal generated by said waveform converter circuit, comprising a pulse of predetermined duration which is generated after a predetermined time interval following each of said drive pulses, said detection circuit being responsive to said sampling signal for comparing the amplitude of said detection signal from said drive coil with a detection threshold voltage level.

30. An electronic timepiece according to claim 29, in which said waveform converter circuit further generates an interruption signal comprising a pulse of predetermined duration which is generated during at least a portion of the duration of a sampling signal pulse, said drive circuit being responsive to said interruption signal in conjunction with said drive input signal for establishing an open circuit condition across said drive coil during each of said interruption signal pulses, and for establishing a short-circuit condition across said drive coil from the termination of a drive pulse to the start of an interruption pulse and from the termination of an interruption signal pulse to the start of the succeeding drive pulse.

31. An electronic timepiece according to claim 30, and further comprising means for connecting a predetermined high value of resistance between at least one end of said drive coil and ground potential during each of said interruption pulses.

32. An electronic timepiece according to claim 31, in which said connecting means comprises a transistor connected between ground potential and one terminal of a fixed resistor, with the other terminal of said resistor being connected to said at least one end of the drive coil, and with said interruption signal being applied to a control terminal of said transistor.

33. An electronic timepiece according to claim 29, in which each of said sampling signal pulses is generated during a predetermined one of a plurality of cycles of damped angular oscillation executed by said rotor of said stepping motor subsequent to the termination of a drive pulse.

34. An electronic timepiece according to claim 33, in which the timing of initiation of said sampling signal pulse during said cycle of angular oscillation of the rotor is controlled by said waveform converter circuit in accordance with a logic level potential of said status control signal.

35. An electronic timepiece according to claim 34, in which said waveform converter circuit is responsive to a transition of said status control signal from said first logic level potential to said second logic level potential when an increased load is applied to said stepping motor for producing a drive pulse of increased power, with the timing of said increased power drive pulse being such that rotation of said stepping motor rotor in response thereto will occur only if said rotor has failed to be rotated by a drive pulse applied immediately prior to said transition of the status control signal to said second logic level potential, and such that the effect of said increased power drive pulse will be substantially cancelled by an electromotive force generated in said drive coil by angular oscillation of said rotor if said rotor has been rotated by said drive pulse applied immediately prior to said transition of the status control signal to said second logic level potential.

36. An electronic timepiece according to claim 34, and further comprising phase initialization means coupled to said waveform converter circuit for providing automatic adjustment of the phase of said interruption signal and said sampling signal to suitable values when a supply voltage is initially applied to said electronic timepiece circuit.

37. An electronic timepiece according to claim 36, in which said phase initialization means comprises:

a counter circuit having a plurality of output leads;

a first flip-flop circuit coupled to receive a counter control signal from said detection circuit, said first flip-flop circuit being responsive to said control signal for being reset to produce an output at a first logic level potential, said counter control signal being produced by said detection circuit when said detection signal amplitude exceeds said detection threshold level;

a first gate circuit coupled to receive said output signal from said first flip-flop circuit and a first clock signal comprising a pulse which is generated each time one of said drive pulses is produced, and having an output terminal coupled to a clock input terminal of said counter circuit, said first gate circuit being inhibited from transferring said first clock signal to said counter circuit when said first flip-flop circuit output is at said first logic level potential, and being enabled to pass said first clock signal to said counter circuit when said first flip-flop circuit output signal is at a second logic level potential;

a second flip-flop circuit having an input terminal connected to said second logic level potential and a clock input terminal connected to receive a second clock signal, whereby an output terminal of said second flip-flop circuit goes initially to said second logic level potential immediately subsequent to initial application of supply power to said electronic timepiece circuit, and thereafter goes to said first logic level potential;

a second gate circuit coupled to said second logic level potential and to said output terminal of the second flip-flop circuit, for producing a signal comprising a pulse of short duration at said second logic level potential when supply power is initially applied to said timepiece circuit;

said second gate circuit output being coupled to said first flip-flop circuit for setting said first flip-flop circuit to an initial condition in which said second logic level potential is initially applied therefrom to said first gate circuit, and further being coupled to said counter circuit for setting a count state thereof to a predetermined initial value when power is initially applied to said electronic timepiece circuit;

phase shifting circuit means comprising a shift register circuit coupled to receive a third clock signal, and responsive thereto for producing a plurality of signals of successively varying phase;

sampling signal generating circuit means comprising first selector gate means and second selector gate means coupled to receive said output signals from said counter clock and said phase shifting circuit, said first selector gate means producing an output signal comprising a pulse whose timing is determined within a first range of phase variation in accordance with the count state of said counter circuit, and said second selector gate means producing an output signal comprising a pulse whose timing is determined within a second range of phase variation in accordance with said count state of said counter circuit; and

third selector gate circuit means coupled to receive said outputs of said first and second selector gate means, and controlled by said status control signal for selecting the output of said first selector gate means when said status control signal is at said first logic level potential and for selecting the output of said second selector gate circuit means when said status control signal is at said second logic level potential, the output of said third selector gate circuit means being utilized as said sampling signal.

38. An electronic timepiece comprising, in combination:

a standard frequency oscillator for providing a timebase signal;

a frequency divider circuit responsive to said timebase signal for providing a unit time signal and a plurality of timing signals;

a normal drive input signal generating circuit responsive to said unit time signal for providing a normal drive input signal;

an increased drive input signal generating circuit responsive to said unit time signal for providing an increased drive input signal comprising a pulse train of greater pulse width than that of pulses in said normal drive input signal;

selector circuit means coupled to receive said normal drive input signal and said increased drive input signal;

an interruption signal generating circuit responsive to a timing signal from said frequency divider circuit for producing an interruption signal, comprising a pulse of short duration which is generated after a predetermined time interval following the leading edge of a pulse of said normal drive input signal and said increased drive input signal;

a gate circuit coupled to receive said normal drive signal and said increased drive input signal from said selector circuit and further coupled to receive said interruption signal;

a stepping motor having a drive coil;

time indicating means driven by said stepping motor for indicating time information;

a drive circuit having output terminals coupled to said stepping motor drive coil and having first input terminals coupled to receive said normal drive input signal and said increased drive input signal from said selector circuit and second input terminals coupled to an output terminal of said circuit;

a sampling signal generating circuit responsive to a timing signal from said frequency divider circuit for producing a sampling signal comprising a pulse of short duration synchronized with said interruption signal and overlapping said interruption signal pulse to at least a partial extent;

a detection circuit having input terminals coupled to said drive coil, said detection circuit being responsive to said sampling signal for detecting a detection signal voltage generated by said drive coil when an open-circuit condition is established between the terminals thereof by said drive circuit in response to said interruption signal applied through said gate circuit during a sampling interval of duration defined by the pulse width of a pulse of said sampling signal, said detection circuit being responsive to an increase of said detection signal voltage above a predetermined detection threshold during said sampling interval for producing a status control signal at a first logic level potential, and being responsive to said detection signal voltage being below said predetermined detection threshold level for producing said status control signal at a second logic level potential;

said selector circuit being responsive to said first logic level state of said status control signal for applying said normal drive input signal to said drive circuit and responsive to said second logic level state of said status control signal for applying said increased drive input signal to said drive circuit, said sampling signal generating circuit being responsive to said first logic level of the status control signal for producing sampling signal pulses at a first predetermined timing after the leading edge of each pulse of said normal drive input signal and responsive to said second logic level state of the status control signal for producing sampling pulse at a second predetermined timing after the leading edge of each pulse of said increased drive input signal, and said interruption signal generating circuit being responsive to said first and second logic level states of said status control signal for producing interruption signal pulses at a first and second predetermined timing respectively following the leading edge of a pulse of said normal drive input signal and said increased drive input signal respectively.

39. An electronic timepiece comprising, in combination:

a standard frequency oscillator circuit for providing a timebase signal;

a frequency divider circuit responsive to said timebase signal for producing a unit time signal and a plurality of timing signals;

a selector circuit coupled to receive timing signals from said frequency divider circuit and controlled by a status control signal, for producing a modulation signal of relatively low duty cycle when said status control signal is at a first logic level potential and producing a modulation signal of relatively high duty cycle when said status control signal is at a second logic level potential, said modulation signal comprising a pulse train of substantially higher frequency than said unit time signal;

a first gate circuit for receiving said modulation signal and said unit time signal, for thereby producing a drive input signal comprising periodically repeated bursts of pulses, by modulating said unit time signal with said modulation signal;

a stepping motor having a drive coil;

time indicating means driven by said stepping motor for indicating time information;

circuit means coupled to receive said timing signals from said frequency divider circuit, for producing an interruption signal comprising a pulse of short duration generated after a predetermined time interval following each of said drive input signal pulse bursts, and for producing a sampling signal comprising a pulse of short duration synchronized with said interruption signal and at least partially overlapping a pulse of said interruption signal in time;

a second gate circuit coupled to receive said drive input signal and said interruption signal;

a drive circuit having first input terminals coupled to receive said drive input signal and second input terminals coupled to the output of said second gate circuit, and having output terminals coupled across said drive coil of the stepping motor, said drive circuit being responsive to said drive input signal for applying a drive signal of relatively low power to said drive coil when said modulation signal is of relatively low duty cycle and a drive signal of relatively high power to said drive coil when said modulation signal is of relatively high duty cycle, said drive circuit being further responsive to the output of said second gate circuit for establishing a short-circuit condition across said drive coil from the termination of each pulse burst of said drive signal to the start of a succeeding interruption signal pulse, and from the termination of an interruption signal pulse to the start of a succeeding drive signal pulse burst, and also for establishing an open-circuit condition across said drive coil during each of said interruption signal pulses;

a detection circuit having first and second input inverters coupled to said drive coil for detecting a detection signal produced by said drive coil when open-circuited by said drive circuit, said first input inverter producing an output signal when said detection signal amplitude exceeds a first predetermined threshold voltage thereof and said second input inverter producing an output signal when said detection signal amplitude exceeds a second predetermined threshold voltage thereof, said second threshold voltage being higher than said first threshold voltage, a second selector circuit coupled to receive said first and second input inverter output signals, being responsive to said first and second logic level states of said status control signal for transferring said output signals of said first and second input inverters respectively to an output terminal thereof, a third selector gate circuit coupled to receive the output of said second selector circuit and controlled by said sampling pulse for transferring output signals from said second selector circuit to an output terminal thereof during a sampling interval defined by the duration of a sampling signal pulse, and a flip-flop circuit for producing said status control signal, said flip-flop circuit being responsive to the output of said third selector circuit for producing said status control signal at said first logic level potential while output signals are produced from said third selector circuit and producing said status control signal at said second logic level potential in the absence of output signals being produced from said third selector circuit.