Electronic timepiece, control method for electronic timepiece, regulating system for electronic timepiece, and regulating method for electronic timepiece

• US 6,850,468 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Fujisawa, Teruhiko, Kawaguchi, Takashi, Miyahara, Fumiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THANH S
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, THANH S
• Application Number:
  US10/288,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 368/47, 368/52
• US Class Current: 368/47
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/14 incorporating a stepping motor G04C3/02 - G04C3/12 take precedence generating timing pulses G04F5/00, G04G3/00; setting G04G5/00; synchronisation G04G7/00; generating commutating pulses in masterclocks G04C13/0463, G04C13/02; slave clocks actuated intermittently by electromechanical step advancing mechanisms G04C13/10; control circuits for stepping motors in general H02P8/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 20/00 Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 40/00 Correcting the clock frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 60/02 Antennas also serving as components of clocks or watches, e.g. motor coils

Abstract

In an analog electrical timepiece with a motor coil, when an external operating member is in a prescribed operating condition, the operating mode of the analog electrical timepiece is set to the data receive mode. Next, the analog timepiece generates a synchronization signal which is in synchronized to an external synchronization signal that is input from outside. Then, the analog electrical timepiece, when the operating mode is the data receive mode by the detection circuit, based on a synchronization signal and a data voltage signal that is a voltage signal induced around the motor coil by a data signal input from outside, generates and outputs a receive data.

Claims

1. An electronic timepiece comprising:

a coil;

a mode setting unit for switching an operation mode between a data receive mode and a normal operation mode;

a synchronization signal generating unit for generating, when said operation mode is in said data receive mode, a synchronization signal that is synchronized to an external synchronization signal transmitted from an external transmitting device; and

a received data generating unit for generating, when said operation mode is in said data receive mode, a received data on the basis of the synchronization signal and a data voltage signal induced around the coil by a transmitted data signal input from the external transmitting device, and outputting the received data;

wherein the mode setting unit shifts said operation mode to the normal operation mode when the external synchronization signal is not inputted within a predetermined period during said data receive mode.

2. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the received data generating unit comprises:

a boosting means for boosting an induced current of the coil by intermittently opening and closing a circuit path for the induced current, which passes through the coil, in the driving circuit according to the synchronization signal; and

detecting means for generating the received data by comparing the boosted induced current with a predetermined threshold.

3. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 2, wherein said boosting means comprises:

a first transistor for selectively connecting a first end of the coil to a first power supply line;

a second transistor for selectively connecting said first end of the coil to a second power supply line;

a third transistor for selectively connecting a second end of the coil and said first power supply line; and

a fourth transistor for selectively connecting said second end of the coil and said second power supply line;

wherein the boosting means boosts an induced current of the coil for detecting the received data by turning the first transistor to an ON state, turning the third and fourth transistors to an OFF state, and alternating the second transistor from an ON state to an OFF state for predetermined periods according to the synchronization signal.

4. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the coil is a motor coil;

and

wherein the boosting means is a circuit constituting an integral part of a driving circuit that drives the motor coil.

5. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coil is a motor coil.

6. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, characterized in comprising a signal input unit for inputting an input signal;

wherein the mode setting unit shifts, when said signal input is a prescribed signal determined in advance, the operation mode to the data receive mode.

7. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the signal input unit comprises an external operation unit for performing various operations;

wherein the prescribed signal is applied to the mode setting unit, when an operating condition of the external operation unit is in a prescribed operating condition determined in advance.

8. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a motor pulse output prohibit unit for prohibiting output of motor pulses to the motor coil when the operation mode is in the data receive mode;

and

wherein the coil is a motor coil.

9. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the mode setting unit shifts, when a data with a predetermined amount of bits is received after the operation mode is shifted to the data receive mode, the operation mode from the data receive mode to the normal operation mode in which the normal operation is carried out.

10. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coil is a motor coil;

wherein motor pulses are output to the motor coil at regular intervals; and

the mode setting unit sets the operation mode to the data receive mode only during a prescribed time period determined in advance of a non-output time period during which motor pulses are not output to the motor coil.

11. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a receive data storage unit for storing the receive data; and

a data storage control unit for, when a predetermined prescribed number of identical receive data is received, storing the receive data into the receive data storing unit.

12. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the receive data storage unit comprises:

a non-volatile memory unit for storing the receive data in a nonvolatile manner; and

a data writing unit for writing the receive data to the non-volatile memory unit.

13. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a comparator for, by comparing voltage of the data voltage signal and a prescribed reference voltage determined in advance, generating and outputting the receive data.

14. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a comparator operation controller unit for, only during a prescribed time period including during the data receive mode, placing the comparator in an operation enabled state.

15. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a power supply controller unit for, only during a prescribed time period including during the data receive mode, supplying operating power to the comparator.

16. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inverter for, by comparing voltage of the data voltage signal with a prescribed reference voltage determined in advance, generating and outputting the receive data.

17. An electronic timepiece comprising:

a coil;

a mode setting unit for switching an operation mode of said electronic timepiece between a data receive mode and a normal operation mode;

a synchronization signal generating unit for generating, when said operation mode is in said data receive mode, a synchronization signal that is synchronous with an external synchronization signal transmitted from an external transmitting device; and

a received data generating unit for generating, when the operation mode is in the data receive mode, a received data on the basis of the synchronization signal and a data voltage signal induced around the coil by a transmitted data signal input from the external transmitting device, and outputting the received data;

wherein the mode setting unit shifts the operation mode to the normal operation mode when a termination order is received during the data receive mode.

18. An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 17, wherein the received data generating unit comprises:

a boosting means for boosting an induced current of the coil by intermittently opening and closing a circuit path for the induced current, which passes through the coil, in the driving circuit according to the synchronization signal; and

detecting means for generating the received data by comparing the boosted induced current with a predetermined threshold.

19. A regulating system for an electronic timepiece comprising:

an electrical timepiece; and

an external transmitting device;

wherein the electrical timepiece includes;

a coil;

a mode setting unit for switching an operation mode of said electrical timepiece between a data receive mode and a normal operation mode;

a synchronization signal generating unit for generating, when said operation mode is in said data receive mode, a synchronization signal that is synchronous with an external synchronization signal transmitted from the external transmitting device; and

a received data generating unit for generating, when the operation mode is in the data receive mode, a received data on the basis of the synchronization signal and a data voltage signal induced around the coil by a transmitted data signal input from the external transmitting device, and outputting the received data;

wherein the mode setting unit shifts the operation mode to the normal operation mode when the external synchronization signal is not inputted within a predetermined period during the data receive mode; and

wherein the external transmitting device includes;

a receiver unit for receiving as a receive signal a signal transmitted via the coil of the electrical timepiece; and

a transmitter unit for generating, based on said receive signal, a regulating data signal and transmitting the result to the electrical timepiece.

20. A regulating system for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the coil of the electronic timepiece is a motor coil.

21. A control method for an electronic timepiece with a coil comprising:

a received data generating step for, when an operation mode is in a receive mode, establishing synchronization with an external synchronization signal transmitted from an external transmitter device, and for generating a received data on the basis of the synchronization signal and a data voltage signal induced around the coil by data signal input from the external transmitter device when the operation mode is the data receive mode; and

a mode setting step for shifting the operation mode of the electrical timepiece from the data receive mode to a normal operation mode, the operation mode being shifted to the normal operation mode when the synchronization signal is not inputted within a predetermined period during the data receive mode.

22. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 21, the received data generating step comprising:

a boosting step for boosting an induced current of the coil by intermittently switching an induced current, which passes through the coil, in the driving circuit according to the synchronization signal; and

a detecting step for generating the received data by comparing the chopper-boosted induced current with a predetermined threshold.

23. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 22, wherein the electronic timepiece includes:

a first transistor connecting a first end of the coil and a first power supply line;

a second transistor connecting said first end of the coil and a second power supply line;

a third transistor connecting a second end of the coil and the first power supply line; and

a fourth transistor connecting said second end of the coil and the second power supply line, and

wherein, in the boosting step, an induced current of the coil is boosted for detecting the received data by turning the first transistor to an ON state, turning the third and fourth transistors to an OFF state, and alternating the second transistor from an ON state to an OFF state for predetermined periods according to the synchronization signal.

24. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 21, characterized in comprising a signal input unit for inputting a mode transition signal,

wherein the mode setting step shifts, when the mode transition signal input via the signal input unit is a prescribed signal determined in advance, the operation mode to the data receive mode.

25. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the electrical timepiece comprises an external operating member for performing various operations;

and

the mode setting step shifts, when operating condition of the external operating member is in prescribed operating condition determined in advance, the operation mode to the data receive mode.

26. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a motor pulse output prohibit step for prohibiting of output of motor pulse to the motor coil, when the operation mode is the data receive mode;

and

wherein the coil is a motor coil.

27. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the mode setting step shifts, when a data with a predetermined amount of bits is received after the operation mode is shifted to the data receive mode, the operation mode from the data receive mode to the normal operation mode in which the normal operation is carried out.

28. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that:

the coil is a motor coil;

a motor pulse is output at constant intervals to the motor coil; and

the mode setting step sets the operation mode to the data receive mode only during a prescribed time period determined in advance of a non-output time period of the motor pulse.

29. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 21, further comprising:

a receive data storing step for storing the receive data; and

a data storage control step for, when a predetermined prescribed number of identical receive data is received, storing the receive data during the receive data storing step.

30. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that the receive data storing step comprises a data writing step for writing the receive data in a non-volatile memory of the electrical timepiece.

31. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 21;

wherein the electrical timepiece comprises a comparator for, by comparing voltage of the data voltage signal with a prescribed reference voltage determined in advance, generating and outputting the receive data; and

the control method further comprises a comparator operation control step for, only during a prescribed time period including during the data receive mode, making the comparator into an operation enabled state.

32. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 31, further comprising a power supply control step for, only during a prescribed time period including during the data receive mode, supplying operating power to the comparator.

33. A control method for an electronic timepiece with a coil comprising:

a received data generating step for, when an operation mode is in a receive mode, establishing synchronization with an external synchronization signal transmitted from an external transmitter device, and for generating a received data on the basis of the synchronization signal and a data voltage signal induced around the coil by data signal input from the external transmitter device when the operation mode is the data receive mode; and

a mode setting step for shifting the operation mode of the electrical timepiece from the data receive mode to a normal operation mode, the operation mode being shifted to the normal operation mode when a termination order is received during the data receive mode.

34. A control method for an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 33, the received data generating step comprising:

a boosting step for boosting an induced current of the coil by intermittently switching an induced current, which passes through the coil, in the driving circuit according to the synchronization signal; and

a detecting step for generating the received data by comparing the chopper-boosted induced current with a predetermined threshold.

35. A regulating method for an electronic timepiece, wherein the electronic timepiece includes a coil and a mode setting unit for shifting an operation mode between a data receive mode where data is received and a normal operation mode;

said regulating method comprising;

regulating the electrical timepiece to, when operation mode of the electrical timepiece is in said receive mode, generate a synchronization signal that uses a synchronization timing signal as a reference;

regulating the electrical timepiece to generate, based on the synchronization signal and data voltage signal induced around the coil by an input data signal, a receive data;

regulating an external device to receive a signal transmitted via the coil of the electrical timepiece as a receive signal;

regulating an external device to generate, based on the receive data, a regulating signal; and

regulating an external device to transmit to the electrical timepiece the regulating signal,

wherein the mode setting unit shifts the operation mode to the normal operation mode when a synchronization signal is not inputted within a predetermined period during the data receive mode.

36. An electronic timepiece comprising:

a coil;

a detection circuit for detecting, when an operation mode is in a data receive mode, an external synchronization signal transmitted from an external transmitting device from signals induced around the coil;

a synchronization signal generating unit for generating a synchronization signal that is synchronous with the external synchronization signal detected by the detection circuit;

a receive data generating unit for generating, when the operation mode is in the data receive mode, a receive data on the basis of the synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generating unit and a data voltage signal induced around the coil, and outputting the received data; and

a mode setting unit for switching the operation mode between the data receive mode and a normal operation mode, the mode setting unit shifting the operation mode to the normal operation mode when the external synchronization signal is not detected within a predetermined period from a start of the data receive mode.

37. An electronic timepiece comprising:

a coil;

a detection circuit for detecting, when an operation mode is in a data receive mode, an external synchronization signal transmitted from an external transmitting device from signals induced around the coil;

a synchronization signal generating unit for generating a synchronization signal that is synchronous with the external synchronization signal detected by the detection circuit;

a received data generating unit for generating, when the operation mode is in the data receive mode, a received data on the basis of the synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generating unit and a data voltage signal induced around the coil, and outputting the received data; and

a mode setting unit for switching the operation mode between the data receive mode and a normal operation mode, the mode setting unit shifting the operation mode to the normal operation mode when a termination order is received during the data receive mode.

38. A regulating system for an electronic timepiece comprising:

an electrical timepiece; and

an external transmitting device;

wherein the electrical timepiece comprises;

a coil;

a detection circuit for detecting, when an operation mode is in a data receive mode, an external synchronization signal transmitted from an external transmitting device from signals induced around the coil;

a synchronization signal generating unit for generating a synchronization signal that is synchronous with the external synchronization signal detected by the detection circuit;

a received data generating unit for generating, when the operation mode is in the data receive mode, a received data on the basis of the synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generating unit and a data voltage signal induced around the coil, and outputting the received data; and

a mode setting unit for switching the operation mode between the data receive mode and a normal operation mode, the mode setting unit shifting the operation mode to the normal operation mode when the external synchronization signal is not detected within a predetermined period from a start of the data receive mode; and

wherein the external transmitting device comprise;

a receiver unit for receiving as a receive signal a signal transmitted via the coil of the electrical timepiece; and

a transmitter unit for generating, based on the received signal, a regulating data signal and transmitting the result to the electrical timepiece.