JP2008107312A - Radio-controlled timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein, when a timepiece is moved to an area with time difference, it cannot display the standard time in the area of the moving destination when a user does not perform operation of forcibly receiving the standard time radio wave of the moving destination. <P>SOLUTION: The radio-controlled timepiece comprises a time information acquiring means that previously stores receiving information of a plurality of standard time radio waves of different frequencies, selects one from such receiving information, and acquires time information, an atmospheric pressure detecting means for detecting atmospheric pressure, and a movement determining means for calculating the moving time based on the atmospheric pressure variation time and its value and determining whether the user moves long. The time information acquiring means, based on the determination by the movement determining means, selects other receiving information different from the receiving information for which time information is acquired last time, and acquires the time information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio-controlled timepiece that can acquire time information by receiving radio waves having standard time information. More specifically, the present invention relates to a radio-controlled timepiece that quickly acquires standard time information of a local area without special operation even when the user moves to an area having a time difference.

  In recent years, a radio-controlled timepiece that acquires time information by receiving radio waves having standard time information (hereinafter, standard time radio waves) has been used as means for obtaining more accurate time. The standard time information is generally based on a cesium atomic clock, and a radio-controlled clock that corrects the time based on the cesium atomic clock is known to show a very accurate time.

  Such radio-controlled timepieces are different in each country such as Japan, Germany, UK, USA, etc. because the standard time radio frequency, decoding protocol, and time code format are different. Watches are often prepared. The time code format refers to the data length, the order of data of year, month, and time, the format of the data, etc., and is different for each country.

In recent years, a radio-controlled timepiece has been proposed that corrects time by selecting an appropriate frequency and data format according to the type of received standard time radio wave (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 provides a time information acquisition method capable of automatically receiving a time information signal in a good reception state from a plurality of radio signals without forcing the user to select a frequency. . In addition, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2 provides an automatic correction timepiece that can select a frequency that can be automatically received from standard time radio waves having different frequencies including standard time information and can correct the time according to the standard radio signal. .

  By using the prior art shown in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, it is possible to appropriately select a frequency and a data format of a plurality of regions and countries each time, and to correct and display the standard time of the country.

  On the other hand, a technique for correcting the time by detecting that the user of the radio-controlled timepiece has moved has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 3 recognizes the fact that the user of the radio-controlled timepiece has moved by measuring the atmospheric pressure when moving by an aircraft, and further, positional information by GPS (Global Positioning System). In addition, the standard time of the region or country is displayed according to the time information.

JP 2002-296374 A (page 8, FIG. 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-75561 (page 18, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-221449 (page 10, FIG. 3)

By the way, a general radio-controlled timepiece automatically receives a standard time radio wave without any user operation and corrects the time. At this time, a built-in receiving circuit is driven to receive the standard time radio wave. Since this receiving circuit is equipped with an amplifier circuit or the like, the power consumption is relatively high at the time of driving. When the receiving circuit is driven, if there is an influence of external noise, reception of the standard time radio wave often fails, and power consumption increases when reception retry (re-execution) is repeated.

External noise is known to be emitted from electronic devices, vehicles, power transmission lines, and the like, and is usually difficult to avoid when a user has a social life.
For this reason, in a general radio-controlled timepiece, time correction is performed by attempting to receive a standard time radio wave in a time zone when the user and the surrounding noise sources are not operating, for example, at midnight. By doing so, it becomes difficult to be affected by external noise, and standard time radio waves can be received without retrying.

The conventional techniques shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are also the same, and the time is corrected once a day at midnight in order to eliminate the influence of external noise as much as possible. For this reason, when the user of the watch moves to an area with a time difference during the day, the time is not automatically corrected until 24 hours after the time is corrected immediately before. Therefore, the time of the original area is continuously displayed.
In order to prevent this, the user himself / herself must operate the clock to forcibly receive the standard time radio wave provided in the area where the user has moved.

The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 3 discloses that a user's movement is detected by measuring atmospheric pressure, and further, GPS is installed to update time information, but a large antenna is required. Due to the GPS, there is a problem that the watch itself becomes large and the device becomes expensive.
Furthermore, it is generally known that GPS satellite radio waves are difficult to receive indoors, and there is a problem that its use is actually limited.

  In order to solve these problems, an object of the present invention is to automatically detect a standard time radio wave triggered by detecting the movement when moving to an area having a time difference and detecting the movement. An object of the present invention is to provide a radio-controlled timepiece having means capable of performing the above.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following configuration.

  A radio-controlled timepiece that receives standard time radio waves, acquires time information, and corrects the time. It stores multiple pieces of reception information for receiving standard time radio waves, and selects one of the received information. Based on the travel time obtained from the time information acquisition means for acquiring the time information, the atmospheric pressure detection means for detecting the external atmospheric pressure, and the detected atmospheric pressure and the time information when the detection is performed, the movement of the user The time information acquisition means selects another reception information different from the reception information from which the previous time information was obtained based on the determination of the movement determination means. It is characterized by acquiring.

  An input means is provided, personal information is input from the input means, and the movement determining means refers to the personal information when selecting the received information.

  The atmospheric pressure detecting means is a piezoelectric element or a strain sensor element provided in a watch body having a structure sealed from the outside, and a change in electromotive force generated by a change in the shape of a part of the watch body caused by a change in external atmospheric pressure or An electrical signal is output as a change in external atmospheric pressure by detecting a change in capacitance value.

  The piezoelectric element also serves as a means for generating a buzzer sound.

  The strain sensor element is characterized in that an insulator or gas is sandwiched between two opposing electrodes.

The radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention stores reception information of a plurality of standard time radio waves with different frequency information and time code format of the standard time radio wave, and selects one of these reception information to correct the time. Time information acquisition means for performing pressure measurement, atmospheric pressure detection means for detecting atmospheric pressure, and movement determination means for calculating a movement time from the time when the atmospheric pressure changed and its value to determine whether the user has greatly moved. ing.
Based on the determination by the movement determination unit, the time information acquisition unit selects one piece of reception information different from the reception information obtained from the previous time information and corrects the time.
The user can immediately update the time information to the time of the area after moving to the area with the time difference without performing a special operation.

[Description of configuration of radio wave correction watch of the present invention: FIG. 1]
The radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores information on a plurality of standard time radio waves, for example, a tuning frequency and a decoding protocol, an atmospheric pressure detection unit that acquires external atmospheric pressure, and an output of the external atmospheric pressure detection unit. Movement determining means for determining movement by aircraft.
The atmospheric pressure detection means is for grasping the decompressed state that occurs during movement by the aircraft, and the movement judging means that grasps the decompressed state makes a judgment that the movement by the aircraft has been performed, and the time information obtaining means Instructs reception of standard time radio waves.
At this time, the time information acquisition unit that receives the standard time radio wave can try to tune a plurality of standard time radio waves by referring to the contents of the storage unit, and finally select an appropriate standard time radio wave.
Furthermore, when selecting the standard time radio wave, the standard time radio wave is selected more efficiently by placing the standard time radio wave in the region at a distance corresponding to the travel time estimated from the change in pressure of the external air pressure at the top. be able to.

  The best mode for carrying out the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention. 100 is time information acquisition means, 101 is atmospheric pressure detection means, 102 is movement determination means, 103 is standard time radio wave information storage section, 104 is personal information storage section, 105 is in-clock information storage section, 106 is input means, 107 is Time measuring means 108 is a storage means.

The standard time radio wave information storage unit 103 stores reception information for receiving standard time radio waves. The reception information includes a country name, an identification signal, a standard time radio frequency, and the like, and also includes information of a time code format that is different for each region and country.
The personal information storage unit 104 stores personal information such as the user's whereabouts and foreign names where the user frequently visits.
The in-clock information storage unit 105 stores the atmospheric pressure information measured by the atmospheric pressure detecting means 101 and the time information measured by the time measuring means 107.
The storage means 108 includes a standard time radio wave information storage unit 103, a personal information storage unit 104, and an in-clock information storage unit 105. For example, an EEPROM (electrically rewritable ROM) can be used. .
It should be noted that parts not necessary for the description such as means for notifying time, an antenna, and a receiving circuit are omitted.

The atmospheric pressure detection means 101 is a means for measuring the pressure of the outside air of the watch. As the atmospheric pressure detecting means 101, a normally known pressure sensor or the like can be used. As a pressure sensor, for example, a sensor that detects a change in resistance value that occurs when a piezoresistive element provided on a semiconductor substrate is deformed in accordance with a change in external air pressure is known.

  On the other hand, in the case of other sensor systems, it is necessary to apply a voltage or pass a current during measurement, so in a watch with a limited battery capacity, measuring the pressure at all times may reduce the battery life. There is. In that case, an algorithm that measures the external air pressure at regular intervals such as 30 minutes or 1 hour may be employed.

The external atmospheric pressure information detected by the atmospheric pressure detection means 101 is sent to and stored in the timepiece information storage unit 105 and also sent to the movement determination means 102.
The movement determination unit 102 sends an instruction to the time information acquisition unit 100 to receive the standard time radio wave when a certain condition is satisfied.
This fixed condition is a case where a long distance movement with a time difference, for example, a movement by an aircraft is considered.

  A material for determining such long-distance movement is a change in atmospheric pressure. This utilizes the fact that the air pressure in the cabin is reduced within a range where passengers do not feel uncomfortable while the aircraft is flying, and this reduced pressure state is detected and recognized as the movement of the aircraft. In general, the cabin is often maintained at about 0.8 atm.

[Explanation of time correction procedure: Fig. 1]
Next, the time correction procedure of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention will be described.
First, the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention automatically receives a standard time radio wave, which has been conventionally known, and an automatic mode in which the time is adjusted, and the user manually operates the clock to receive the standard time radio wave. In the following description, it is assumed that a manual mode for correcting the time is installed.

  First, regardless of the automatic mode or the manual mode, the reception information In used when the previous time adjustment was performed is stored. The reception information In will be described later.

  The input means 106 is operated to cause the atmospheric pressure detection means 101 to measure the atmospheric pressure. The measured atmospheric pressure information P0 is sent to the in-clock information storage unit 105, and at the same time, the time (current time) T0 at that time is sent from the time measuring means 107 to the in-clock information storage unit 105 and stored therein.

When the depressurized state continues for a certain time (for example, 10 minutes), the atmospheric pressure detecting means 101 detects the atmospheric pressure, and the measured atmospheric pressure information P1 is sent to the in-clock information storage unit 105. Is sent to the in-watch information storage unit 105 and stored therein.
After that, the atmospheric pressure detection means 101 detects the atmospheric pressure at regular intervals (for example, 60 minutes), and the atmospheric pressure information Pm1 to Pmend at each regular time and the times Tm1 to Tmend at that time are stored in the in-clock information storage unit 105. Send and memorize.

  Eventually, when the user gets off the aircraft, the atmospheric pressure around the user increases. The atmospheric pressure detection means 101 detects the situation. The atmospheric pressure information Pn measured by the atmospheric pressure detecting means 101 is sent to the in-clock information storage unit 105, and at the same time, the time Tn at that time is sent from the time measuring means 107 to the in-clock information storage unit 105 and stored therein.

The movement determination means 102 depressurizes from the time T1 when the atmospheric pressure information P1 when the depressurization first elapses for a certain period of time and the time Tn when the atmospheric pressure information Pn when the atmospheric pressure rises after getting off the aircraft is measured. Find the time you had. The time during which the pressure has been reduced may be calculated from times Tm1 to Tmend.
In any case, the time during which the decompressed state continues is calculated from the atmospheric pressure information and the accompanying time information, and the time is set as the movement time Tt. It is determined whether or not the standard time radio wave is received based on the length of the movement time Tt. The travel time Tt is sent to and stored in the in-watch information storage unit 105.
That is, the longer the movement time Tt, the higher the probability that the movement is a long distance with a time difference. Therefore, it is determined that there is a higher possibility that the time difference will deviate from the current time T0.

When the movement determination unit 102 recognizes that “the long distance has been moved” from the movement time Tt and, as a result, determines that “the time information needs to be updated”, the time information acquisition unit 100 reads the standard time signal. Try to receive
However, since it is determined by the movement determination means 102 that “the user has moved a long distance”, the user can move to a region with a standard time signal that is different from the standard time signal received in the region where the user has stayed. Most likely moved.
Therefore, the time information acquisition unit 100 refers to the content of the standard time radio wave information storage unit 103 that stores reception information necessary for receiving a plurality of standard time radio waves, and provides the standard provided in the area. Select the one that matches the time signal, and receive the standard time signal based on the received information.

The reception information here indicates a tuning frequency for receiving a standard time radio wave, a protocol used when decoding a received signal into time information, and the like.
Even if the frequency of the standard time radio wave is the same, it is necessary to have reception information corresponding to each region and country because the time code format is different for each region and country. The standard time radio wave information storage unit 103 stores such reception information in advance. The time information acquisition means 100 selects the received information and receives a suitable standard time radio wave.

The selection of reception information stored in the standard time radio wave information storage unit 103 is performed as follows.
That is, the distance to the movement destination is calculated from the movement time Tt stored in the in-clock information storage unit 105. For example, if the travel time Tt is 60 minutes, there is a high possibility of being in Japan, and if the travel time Tt is several hours, the possibility of being overseas is high.
Therefore, the travel time Tt, the area or country where the arrival is likely, and the reception information necessary for receiving the standard time radio wave used therein are stored in the standard time radio wave information storage unit 103 and used. The stored reception information is exemplified as shown in FIG.

The reception information shown in FIG. 2 stores a region (or country) and the type and frequency of a standard time radio wave identification signal used therein, or a time code format, etc. as one piece of reception information. It shows a certain state.
For example, the reception information I1 stores that Japan is the area, the identification signal is JJY (registered trademark), and the standard time radio frequency is 40.0 KHz. Although not shown, a time code format for obtaining time information from the standard time signal is also stored.
The reason why the reception information is required for each region (or country) is that, as described above, the time code format is different even if the frequency of the same standard time radio wave is used.

[Replacement of received information: Fig. 2]
The time information acquisition means 100 normally selects the reception information stored in the standard time radio wave information storage unit 103 shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, reception information is selected in the order of reception information I1, I2, I3, I4, I5, I6, I7, and I8.
However, in order to find the target reception information earlier, in addition to the reception information for each region (or country) as shown in FIG. 2, the travel time Tt is associated with the region (or country). For example, if the travel time Tt is 3 hours, the possibility of arrival in China is high. Such related information is also stored in the standard time radio wave information storage unit 103.

And in order to receive the standard time electric wave provided in the area (or country) with high possibility of arrival, the time information acquisition means 100 changes the order which selects reception information. Usually, the received information I1, I2, I3,. . . The selection order is changed depending on the movement time Tt.
In the above example, when the travel time Tt is 3 hours, it is necessary to use the reception information I3 or I4 to receive the standard time radio wave in China when it is associated with a high possibility of being in China. Therefore, the head of the reception information to be selected is the reception information I3, I4, and the next selection is made in order from the next, and the reception information I1, I2 which is domestic information is the last in the selection order. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the reception information is selected in the order of reception information I3, I4, I5, I6, I7, I8, I1, and I2.

  Thus, by changing the selection order of the reception information, the reception information necessary for receiving the standard time radio wave can be quickly selected, and the time can be corrected in a short time.

The moved user does not know how long he / she has stayed in the area (or country). Therefore, when the time is newly corrected, regardless of the automatic mode or the manual mode, the reception information In used for the previous time correction is used as the head of the selection order to attempt the time correction.
For example, if the reception information I3 is used for reception of the previous standard time radio wave, the reception information I3 is first used, and the selection order of the reception information stored in the standard time radio wave information storage unit 103 is switched.

  Also, by storing the user's personal information in advance, the received information can be selected more efficiently. Information such as the user's whereabouts and frequently visited foreign countries is stored in the personal information storage unit 104 from the input means 106. For example, the residence is “Japan”, the frequently visited foreign country is “USA”, and these pieces of information are stored as personal information PA1.

When the movement determination unit 102 recognizes that “the long distance has been moved” from the movement time Tt and, as a result, determines that “time information needs to be updated”, the time information acquisition unit 100 The distance to the destination is calculated from the travel time Tt stored in the storage unit 105. At this time, the personal information PA1 is referred to from the personal information storage unit 104.
If the personal information PA1 stores “Japan” and the frequently visited foreign country is “USA”, for example, even if the travel time Tt is 8 hours, the travel time Tt is assumed to be the United States, and the standard time signal The selection order of the reception information stored in the information storage unit 103 is changed, and the reception information I8 is used first. Of course, the reception information I1 and I2, which are domestic information, are set last in the selection order. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the reception information is selected in the order of reception information I8, I3, I4, I5, I6, I7, I1, and I2.

  Further, as described above, if the travel time Tt is associated with the region or the country, the order of the reception information of the countries having the same travel time by the aircraft can be further changed using this. . That is, according to the above-described example, the reception information is selected in the order of reception information I8, I5, I6, I7, I3, I4, I1, and I2.

  As described above, when updating the time information, the time can be corrected more quickly by changing the selection order of the received information to be used while referring to the personal information.

Even if the result of calculating the region or country moved from the travel time Tt as described above is incorrect, the reception information (reception information I1 and I2 in the description) corresponding to the region where the user originally belongs is used. Therefore, there is no problem in practical use.
In addition, when the user stays at the summit for a long time by climbing or the like, the travel time Tt becomes longer, but in reality, the travel time may be hardly moved. Even in such a case, there is no practical problem.

  Note that a plurality of personal information can be input and stored. In that case, personal information PA2, PA3,. . . Are stored in the personal information storage unit 104 and can be handled as independent personal information. In using the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention, the personal information PA1 to PAn can be selected using the input means 106.

[Description of P0 setting]
In the configuration described above, the input unit 106 is operated to cause the atmospheric pressure detection unit 101 to measure the atmospheric pressure, and the atmospheric pressure information P0 is measured. However, the measurement of the atmospheric pressure information P0 does not involve operating the input unit 106. You can. Based on the time information of the time measuring means 107, the atmospheric pressure detecting means 101 may be operated intermittently at regular intervals to constantly update the atmospheric pressure information P0.

  Furthermore, depending on the sensor used for the atmospheric pressure detection means 101, the detection signal of the sensor may be easily used. For example, when using a piezoelectric element. It is only necessary to update the atmospheric pressure information P0 together with the operation of the atmospheric pressure detecting means 101, using a signal obtained from a physical quantity due to a change in atmospheric pressure applied to the piezoelectric element as a trigger. An example of using a piezoelectric element for the atmospheric pressure detection means 101 will be described later.

[Configuration of radio-controlled watch and explanation of atmospheric pressure detection means: FIG. 3]
Next, the configuration of the radio-controlled timepiece and the atmospheric pressure detection means of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention.
In FIG. 3, 300 is a main body of a radio-controlled timepiece, 301 is a case, 302 is a movement, 303 is a windshield, 304 is a back cover, 305 is a sensor element for detecting atmospheric pressure, 306 is an electrical contact, 307 and 308 are pointers , 309 are gaps in the main body 1.

  As the sensor element 305, for example, a piezoelectric element can be used. The sensor element 305 is provided inside the main body 300 and in contact with the back cover 304.

  The movement 302 includes an electronic circuit (not shown), and a part of the electronic circuit and the sensor element 305 are connected by an electrical contact 306. If a band (not shown) is attached to the main body 300 so that it can be locked to the user's arm, the main body 300 becomes a wristwatch. In addition, if a stand (not shown) is attached to the main body 300 so that it can be placed on a table, the table clock can be carried on a trip or the like.

  FIG. 3A shows a state in which the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention is in a normal pressure state, that is, a normal atmospheric pressure state, while FIG. 3B shows a state in which the outside air is in a reduced pressure state. ing. The outside air is in a decompressed state, that is, a state in which the air is in an aircraft. As shown in FIG. 3B, since the external air pressure is reduced, the back cover 304 is deformed (expanded), and the gap 309 inside the case 301 is enlarged.

  The sensor element 305 is deformed together with the deformation of the back cover 304. At this time, since the sensor element 305 uses a piezoelectric element, an electromotive force corresponding to the deformation is generated, and this signal is further sent to an electronic circuit (not shown) incorporated in the movement 302 via the electrical contact 306. Calculated as atmospheric pressure.

When a piezoelectric element is used as the atmospheric pressure detection means, the sensor itself has high impedance, and detection by electromotive force due to strain is possible. Therefore, there is a feature that power consumption is low even when the pressure is constantly measured.
If the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention has a buzzer sound generation function, this piezoelectric element can also be used as a buzzer sound generating means. By doing so, the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention can be further downsized.

  Furthermore, as described above, when a piezoelectric element is used as the atmospheric pressure detection means, the atmospheric pressure information P0 can be acquired using a voltage generated when strain is applied to the piezoelectric element as a trigger. In this way, for example, even when the movement by the aircraft is started, there is no need to use the switch means, and there is an effect that the user can correct the time at the movement destination without performing any operation.

[Description of barometric pressure detecting means: FIGS. 3 and 4]
Next, an example in which a strain sensor element is used as the atmospheric pressure detection means of the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a strain sensor element used in the atmospheric pressure detecting means of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention.
In FIG. 4, 400 is a strain sensor element, 401 is a first electrode, 402 is a second electrode, 403 is a spacer for maintaining a distance between the first electrode 401 and the second electrode 402, and 404 is a first electrode. A gap between the electrode 401 and the second electrode 402. Reference numeral 405 denotes a central portion of the strain sensor element 400.

Although the first electrode 401 and the second electrode 402 are not particularly limited, they are made of metal foil. The air gap 404 is not limited as long as it does not hinder the deformation of the strain sensor element 400, and may be a gas or a liquid. Of course, an elastic material such as an elastomer may be used. The spacer 403 only needs to have such strength that the gap 404 can be maintained in a state where no stress is applied to the strain sensor element, and the spacer 403 can be made of plastic, although not particularly limited.
The first electrode 401 and the second electrode 402 are provided with lead wires (not shown) and are connected to a detection circuit (not shown).

When the strain sensor element 400 is used as the sensor element 305 shown in FIG. 3, the strain sensor element 400 is provided inside the main body 300 and in contact with the back cover 304.
4A shows the strain sensor element 400 when the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention is at normal pressure, that is, at normal atmospheric pressure, while FIG. 4B shows when the outside air is in a reduced pressure state. The state of the strain sensor element 400 is shown. As already described, the state in which the outside air is in a reduced pressure state corresponds to a state where the user is in an aircraft.

As shown in FIG. 4B, since the outside air pressure is reduced, the back cover 304 is deformed (expanded), the gap 309 inside the case 301 becomes large, and the strain sensor element 400 is With the deformation of 304, both are deformed. At this time, in the strain sensor element 400, due to the difference in curvature between the first electrode 401 and the second electrode 402, the gap 404 between both electrodes decreases as shown in FIG. In particular, the gap 404 in the central portion 405 is narrowed.
For this reason, the electrostatic capacitance value between the 1st electrode 401 and the 2nd electrode 402 also increases. By observing this capacitance value, it is possible to detect the deformation of the back cover 304, that is, the change in the external pressure.
That is, the change amount of the external air pressure can be known as the change amount of the capacitance value. Since there is a correlation between these two amounts of change, if the conversion table is prepared, the absolute value of the external pressure can be obtained from the absolute value of the capacitance value of the strain sensor element 400.

As described above, when compared with an example in which a piezoelectric element is used as a sensor element, the piezoelectric sensor can detect only a changed differential amount, whereas the strain sensor element 400 has an advantage that an absolute value of such pressure can be detected. is there. This is effective when the pressure is intermittently measured, and there is an advantage that the power consumption is reduced.

[Description of barometric pressure detecting means: FIGS. 3 and 5]
Next, an example in which another strain sensor element is used as the atmospheric pressure detection means of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a strain sensor element used in the atmospheric pressure detecting means of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the present invention.
In FIG. 5, 500 is a strain sensor element, 501 is an upper electrode, 502 is a lower electrode, 503 is a spacer for maintaining a space between the upper 501 and the lower electrode 502, and 504 is between the upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 502. It is a void. Reference numerals 505 and 506 denote sheet-like substrates. Reference numeral 507 denotes a metal wiring. Reference numeral 508 denotes a central portion of the strain sensor element 500.

Although the upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 402 are not particularly limited, they are made of metal foil. These are provided on the sheet-like substrates 505 and 506, respectively. Although the sheet-like substrates 505 and 506 are not particularly limited, resin sheets can be used. The gap 504 may be anything that does not hinder the deformation of the strain sensor element 500, and may be gas or liquid. Of course, an elastic material such as an elastomer may be used. In addition, liquid crystal can be sealed. The spacer 503 is only required to have such a strength that the gap 504 can be maintained in a state in which no stress is applied to the strain sensor element.
The upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 502 are connected to a metal wiring 507 at the upper part of the sheet-like substrates 505 and 506, and are connected to a detection circuit (not shown).

When the strain sensor element 500 is used as the sensor element 305 shown in FIG. 3, the strain sensor element 500 is provided inside the main body 300 and in contact with the back cover 304.
FIG. 5A shows the strain sensor element 500 when the radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention is at normal pressure, that is, at normal atmospheric pressure, while FIG. 5B shows when the outside air is in a reduced pressure state. The state of the strain sensor element 500 is shown. As already described, the state in which the outside air is in a reduced pressure state corresponds to a state where the user is in an aircraft.

As shown in FIG. 5B, since the external air pressure is reduced, the back cover 304 is deformed (expanded), the gap 309 inside the case 301 becomes large, and the strain sensor element 500 is formed of the back cover. With the deformation of 304, both are deformed. At this time, in the strain sensor element 500, due to the difference in curvature between the upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 502, the gap 504 between both electrodes decreases as shown in FIG. In particular, the gap 504 in the central portion 508 is narrowed.
For this reason, the electrostatic capacitance value between the upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 502 also increases. By observing this capacitance value, it is possible to detect the deformation of the back cover 304, that is, the change in the external pressure.
That is, the change amount of the external air pressure can be known as the change amount of the capacitance value. Since there is a correlation between these two amounts of change, if the conversion table is prepared, the absolute value of the external pressure can be obtained from the absolute value of the capacitance value of the strain sensor element 500.

The difference from the strain sensor element 400 shown in FIG. 4 described above is that the upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 402 are provided on the sheet-like substrates 505 and 506, respectively, and the durability of the upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 402 is high. That's what it means.
Even if the upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 402 are made of a particularly thin metal foil, the metal foil will not be broken by the sheet-like substrates 505 and 506.

An example in which the strain sensor elements 400 and 500 described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are used as sensor elements is not limited to the above description. Instead of the back cover 304 shown in FIG. 3, the strain sensor elements 400 and 500 may be provided with, for example, a means for deforming according to the atmospheric pressure state of the outside air on the side of the windshield glass 303 so as to be in contact therewith. What is important is that a structural deformation due to a change in atmospheric pressure is transmitted to the strain sensor elements 400 and 500.

Further, the strain sensor element 500 may be provided outside the case 301. Of course, you may connect via the mediating material which mediates connection with case 301. FIG.
If air is sealed in the gap 504 inside the strain sensor element 500, the gap 504 expands as the external air pressure decreases, and the capacitance value between the upper electrode 501 and the lower electrode 502 decreases. By observing this capacitance value, it is possible to detect the deformation of the back cover 304, that is, the change in the external air pressure.

  Such a modification can be freely performed by changing the material and type of the insulator and gas sealed in the gaps 404 and 504. Of course, the material of the sheet-like substrates 505 and 506, the thickness of the substrate, and the like can be changed.

  Further, although not shown, a capacitance value storage means for storing the capacitance value may be provided. The capacitance values of the strain sensor elements 400 and 500 always change according to the deformation. For this reason, if the capacitance value does not change beyond a certain level, the capacitance value is set and stored as a threshold value such as not adopting the capacitance value. In this way, it is possible to reliably know a drop in atmospheric pressure by comparison with the threshold value, and it is possible to reliably detect boarding of an aircraft and the like.

  The radio-controlled timepiece of the present invention can adjust the time to the standard time of the destination without a simple operation or operation even when moving to an area with a time difference. For this reason, it is suitable for a wristwatch type radio wave correction timepiece possessed by a user who has many opportunities to travel a long distance.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the radio wave correction timepiece of the present invention. It is a table | surface explaining the reception information memorize | stored in the standard time radio wave information storage part of the radio wave correction timepiece of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the atmospheric | air pressure detection means in the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the example which uses a strain sensor element for the atmospheric pressure detection means in the radio wave correction timepiece of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the example which uses another distortion sensor element for the atmospheric | air pressure detection means in the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Time information acquisition means 101 Atmospheric pressure detection means 102 Movement judgment means 103 Standard time radio wave information memory | storage part 104 Personal information memory | storage part 105 In-clock information memory | storage part 106 Input means 107 Timekeeping means 108 Storage means 300 Main body of a radio wave correction timepiece 301 Case 302 Movement 303 Windshield 304 Back Cover 305 Sensor Element 306 Pressure Sensor 306 Electric Contact 307 and 308 Pointer 309 Gap 400 and 500 Strain Sensor Element 401 First Electrode 402 Second Electrode 403 and 503 Spacer 404 and 504 Gap 501 Above Electrode 502 Lower electrode 505, 506 Sheet substrate

Claims (5)

A radio-controlled timepiece that receives standard time radio waves, acquires time information, and corrects the time,
A plurality of pieces of reception information for receiving the standard time radio wave, and time information acquisition means for selecting one of the reception information and acquiring the time information;
Atmospheric pressure detection means for detecting external atmospheric pressure;
Based on the travel time obtained from the detected atmospheric pressure and the time information when the detection was performed, movement determination means for determining whether or not the user has moved,
The time information acquisition means acquires the time information by selecting the reception information different from the reception information from which the previous time information was obtained based on the determination of the movement determination means. clock. Provide input means, input personal information from the input means,
2. The radio-controlled timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the movement determining means selects the received information with reference to the personal information. The atmospheric pressure detection means is a piezoelectric element or a strain sensor element provided in a watch body having a structure sealed from the outside,
An electrical signal is output as a change in the external air pressure by detecting a change in electromotive force or a change in capacitance value caused by a change in the shape of a part of the watch body caused by a change in the external air pressure. The radio wave correction timepiece according to claim 1 or 2.   The radio-controlled timepiece according to claim 3, wherein the piezoelectric element also serves as a means for generating a buzzer sound.   The radio wave correction timepiece according to claim 3, wherein the strain sensor element includes an insulator or a gas sandwiched between two opposing electrodes.

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