JPH0321893A - Game timer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the merit of an analog system which is easy to read time and the merit of a digital system which can be made multifunctional as to the game timer which is used for Japanese chess, ordinary chess, etc. CONSTITUTION:A control circuit 8 consists of a CPU 81, digital timers 82a and 82b, contact data storage circuits 83a and 83b, and a display driving circuit 85 for a digital display part 6. Analog movements 9a and 9b which drive the hands of an analog display part, changeover switches 10a and 10b which are turned on and off with changeover buttons, a clock pulse generating circuit 11 which generates a reference signal, and a voice synthesizing circuit 12 which voices second counting are connected to the CPU 81. Voice data outputted by the circuit 12 is passed through a D/A converter 13 and an amplifier 14 and voiced from a voicing device such as a speaker.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a game clock used in games such as Go, Shogi, Chess, etc., which are played with a time limit.

[Prior Art] The most well-known conventional game clock is equipped with two spring clocks, and the game time is set in advance on each clock.
At the same time as the game begins, the second player presses a push button, which causes the first player's clock to start operating and start moving. When the first player finishes making a move and presses a push button, the first player's clock stops, and at the same time the second player's clock starts operating and starts moving its hands. As each player presses his or her own button in this way, the time available to each player decreases.

However, there were problems with this game clock, such as the inability to read the countdown and the inability to warn players that the time was about to run out.

To address this problem, all-electronic digital game clocks have recently been proposed. For example, Jikko 57-26
The all-electronic digital game clock disclosed in Publication No. 228 uses a microcomputer or the like to calculate each set time, stores the results in RAM, and displays the remaining time on a digital display via a decoder and driver. It is to be displayed. It has a countdown mechanism that performs a countdown when a predetermined countdown time is reached, and returns to the predetermined countdown time when the countdown starts within the time, and is further equipped with a warning device that issues an alarm when the time is about to run out. It is something that exists.

Furthermore, it is also possible to make full use of speech synthesis technology to perform countdowns, etc.
It has been proposed in Publication No. 06484 and the like. However, these were still all-electronic digital game clocks in terms of display.

[Problem to be solved] Because the all-electronic digital game clock is digital, it is very troublesome to set it up, and moreover, it is impossible to read the time intuitively, so it is difficult to read the remaining time in an instant at a critical moment. It has problems that make it unsuitable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game clock that combines the advantages of an analog type, which makes it easy to read the time, and the advantages of a digital type, which allows multi-functions.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the game clock of the present invention includes a pair of analog display sections each having a short hand and a long hand, and a digital display section arranged in parallel thereto; A pair of analog movements that drive the pointer of the analog display, a switching button that is alternately pressed down by players, and a switching button that is opened and closed by the switching button to stop one of the analog movements and start the other. A pair of changeover switches, a signal generating means that is provided in the analog movement and generates a trigger signal a predetermined time before the minute hand passes the "12" position on the dial of the analog display, and It also includes a control circuit that controls driving of the digital display section. This control circuit consists of a digital timer that sets time data corresponding to a predetermined time when a trigger signal is generated, and a digital timer that subtracts the time data as time runs out, and a drive that displays the contents of the digital timer on a digital display. It is equipped with a circuit. Additionally, a sound device is provided to generate a warning when the digital timer times out.

Furthermore, the control circuit is provided with a skip number storage circuit that stores the number of times the trigger signal is skipped.

In addition, the digital timer is configured such that a predetermined countdown time is subsequently set after the digital timer times out, and when the countdown time is started within this countdown time, the countdown time is reset.

The passage of time, such as countdowns, is notified by voice from a sound generating device via a voice synthesis circuit. [Embodiment] The details of the present invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. . In addition, in the following explanation, the subscript a after the reference sign
, b mean those for the two players A and B, respectively.

In Fig. 1, an analog display section 2 is provided on the front side of a case 1 of the game watch, and a pair of switching buttons 3a and 3b, which are pressed down alternately by players, are arranged on the top side. be. The analog display section 2 has a short hand 4.
a, 4b and long hands 5a, 5b, which can be set at a predetermined time by means of a hand turning means (not shown).

A digital display section 6 is arranged below the analog display section 2 in parallel. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2, the digital display section 6 includes second display sections 61a and 6lb, and skip number display sections 62a and 62b for displaying the number of skips, which will be described later.

A key manual means 7 for setting the digital display section 6 is provided below the digital display section 6. The key manual means 7 includes slide-type second setting switches 71a and 7lb for setting the countdown time when using the countdown rule, and a push-button type skip switch 72 for setting the number of skips.
It consists of On the left and right side, there is a power switch SW1
and a volume adjustment switch SW2.

In FIG. 3, the control circuit 8 is a central processing unit (hereinafter r
It is called CPUJ-. ) 81 and digital timer 82a
, 82b, contact data storage circuits 83a, 83b, skip number storage circuits 84a, 84b, and digital display section 6.
The display drive circuit 85 is composed of a display drive circuit 85 and a display drive circuit 85. Furthermore, C.P.
The U81 includes analog movements 9a and 9b that respectively drive the hands of the analog display section 2 shown in the first diagram, and a first
A changeover switch 10a, which is opened and closed by the illustrated changeover buttons 3a and 3b. 10b, a clock pulse generation circuit 11 constituted by a crystal oscillator or the like for generating a reference signal, and a voice synthesis circuit 12 for performing a countdown or the like by voice. The audio data output from the audio synthesis circuit 12 is output as audio from a sounding device 15 such as a speaker via a D/A converter 13 and an amplifier 14.

The changeover switches tea and 10b are used to control the stop and start of the analog movements 9a and 9b. That is, when the changeover button 3a is pressed, the changeover switch 10a is opened and the changeover switch 10b is closed. As a result, the analog movement 9a stops operating, while the analog movement 9b starts operating. Conversely, when the other changeover button 3b is pressed, the changeover switch 10a closes, and the changeover switch 1
0b opens. This allows the analog movement 9
b stops operating, while analog movement 9a starts operating.

In the analog movements 9a, 9b, digital timers 82a, 82b are set at a predetermined time (5 minutes in this embodiment) before the long hands 5a, 5b pass the "12" position on the dial of the analog display section 2. Signal generating means 16 (FIG. 4) are provided for generating a trigger signal a for actuating the trigger signal a. This signal generating means 16 is connected to a cam 1 that rotates once every 60 minutes.
61, a switch piece 164 supported by the holder 163,
165. Switch piece 164.16
5 is normally closed, but opens when the switch piece 165 is pushed up by a protrusion 162 formed on the outer periphery of the cam 161 to generate the contact signal shown in FIG. The rising edge of this contact signal is used as the trigger signal a.

Contact data storage circuit 83a in FIG. The contact signal (FIG. 5) of the signal generating means 16 and the data of the changeover switches 10a and 10b are sequentially stored and updated in the memory 83b.

The digital timers 82a and 82b are set to "5 minutes" in accordance with the generation timing of the trigger signal a, but when counting down, the second set switches 71a and 71a shown in FIGS. 7l
The countdown time (number of seconds) selected by b is set.

The skip number storage circuits 84a and 84b store the number of skips (the number of times the trigger signal a is disabled) set by the skip switches 72 shown in the first and second figures, and when the remaining time exceeds one hour, used.

Next, the operation will be explained.

The general operation of the game clock of the present invention is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, but the details will be explained according to the individual rules.

First, a case of a losing rule in which the game ends when time runs out will be explained.

Prior to playing a game, initial settings are performed by operating the key manual means 7, etc. When performing key manual operation, the changeover buttons 3a, 3b shown in the first figure are set to the neutral position, and the changeover switches 10a, 10b shown in the third figure are set to the neutral position. Both are in open state. For example, when the game time is 2 hours and 45 minutes,
Set the long hands 5a, 5b to the 15 minute position, and turn the short hands 4a, 4
Align b to the "12" position directly above. The skip switch 72 is operated to display "2" on each of the skip number display sections 62a and 62b. As a result, the skip number "2" is stored in the skip number storage circuits 84a and 84b.

In addition, the second set switches 71a and 7lb are both “0”.
” position. At this time, the seconds display section 61a, 6lb
rOJ. rOJ is displayed.

Then, when player B, who is in the last position, presses the switching button 3b,
Anonymous movemen}9a of player A, who is the first player, starts operating. When player A starts playing and presses the switching button 3a, player A's analog movement 9a stops and player B's analog movement 9b starts operating. This is repeated alternately, and the time available for each decreases.

Here, when player A's long hand 5a is at the "55 minute" position, that is, 5 minutes before the hour, a trigger signal a is generated from the analog movement 9a. However, here, the skip number stored in the skip number storage circuit 84a is subtracted by 1, and the trigger signal a of 5 minutes before is simply skipped, and there is no change in the operation of the electric circuit. The same applies to player B.

If this operation is repeated and the stored content of the skip number storage circuit 84a or 84b becomes rOJ, this means that the remaining time has become "5 minutes". For the first time, the digital timer 82a or 82b is
5 minutes” is set and operation begins. At the same time, the voice synthesis circuit 12 operates, and the sounding device 15 outputs "Remaining 5".
It's minutes. is announced. That is, in the game clock of the present invention, when the remaining time is less than 5 minutes, the analog movements 9a, 9b and the digital timers 84a, 84b operate in parallel; however, from this point on, the digital timer 828 or 82b The operation is controlled based on the

That is, from now on, each time the IHz signal from the clock pulse generation circuit 11 arrives, the CPU 81 subtracts the value of the digital timer 82a or 82b. Then, when the remaining time on the digital timer 82a or 82b reaches one minute, the speech synthesis circuit 12 is activated and the sounding device 15 outputs "One minute remaining."

, and the second display section 61a or 6 shown in the second figure is notified.
“60” is displayed in lb. After this, this second display section 6
The display contents of 1a or 6lb are counted down as time passes. Then, at the moment when the display content of the seconds display section 61a or 6lb becomes "0", that is, when the time is over, the digital timer 82a or 82b
operation stops, and the seconds display section 61a or 6lb shows "0".
'' will be displayed blinking, and the voice synthesis circuit 12 will be activated and the sounding device 15 will beeping, ``Beep! Beep! It's time.''

This will notify you that your time has run out. This ends the game.

Next, we will explain the case of the countdown rule.In this case, an analog clock is not used, and the second set switch 7 shown in the second figure is used.
Operate 1a and 7lb to set the desired countdown time to ``30 seconds'',
"40 seconds" or "60 seconds" is selected. If the countdown time "30 seconds" is selected, the second display parts 61a, 6l
"30" is initially displayed in b. As a result, "30 seconds" is set in each of the digital timers 32a and 82b. Furthermore, by operating the skip switch 72, the skip number display section 62a. 62b is made to display "1" respectively.

One second after the start of the game, the display on the second display section 61a or 61b changes to "1" and counts up every second.
10 seconds "20 seconds゜" 2, 3, 4, ... 8, 9
, and a voice is emitted. When the start is made within the countdown time, "30 seconds" is set again in the digital timer 82a or 82b. This is repeated and when one side exceeds the countdown time, the digital timer 8
2a or 82b stops, and the seconds display section 61a or 6lb flashes "30", and at the same time, the voice synthesis circuit 12 is activated and the sounding device 15 emits "Beep! Beep! It's time." A notification is sent to notify that the time has run out.This ends the game.

Note that if there is a difference in ability between players A and B, it is also possible to set different countdown times as a handicap.

That is, player A's countdown time is set to "40 seconds", player B's time is set to 30 seconds, and so on. In this case, the seconds display section 61a displays "40" and the seconds display section 6lb displays "30".
' will be displayed respectively.

The ten second reading rule is a combination of the above-mentioned losing rule and the countdown rule, so for example, in a game where the time limit is 1 hour and 20 minutes and the remaining countdown is 30 seconds, the long hands 5a and 5b. to the "40 minute" position, and set the hour hands 3a, 3b to the "12" position directly above. Operate the skip switch 72 to display the skip number display section 6
"1" is displayed on each of 2a and 62b. Also, operate the second set switches 71a and 7lb to set both to "30".
"30" on the second display sections 61a and 6lb, respectively.
" is displayed. This digital timer 82a, 8
In 2b, the countdown time of 30 seconds is reset after the allotted time is exceeded. I'm going to growl.

In this case, the above two rules are continuously performed. If either player exceeds the allotted time of 1 hour and 20 minutes, the digital timer 82a or 8
The operation of 2b is stopped, the speech synthesis circuit 12 is activated, and the sounding device 15 notifies that "the countdown begins."

After that, the countdown operation described above continues.

[Effects] According to the present invention configured as described above, the remaining time can be intuitively read on the analog display, and at the end of the game, the digital display can clearly display down to the second; Since all functions are processed using electronic circuit technology, we have created a game clock that is extremely easy to use, combining the advantages of an analog system that makes it easy to read the time, and the advantages of a digital system that allows for multi-functions. It can be applied to various game rules. Further, since a means for skipping the trigger signal is provided, it is possible to easily cope with a game lasting more than one hour.

Furthermore, since the display by the digital display unit is for a limited period of time at the final stage, it has the advantage of low current consumption.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of main parts, FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the signal generating means, FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of a contact signal generated from the signal generating means, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart. 2...Analog display section, 3a, 3b...Switching button, 4a, 4b...
...Hour hand, 5a, 5b...Long hand, 6...Digital display section, 72...Skip switch, 8...Control circuit, 82a, 82b... Digital timer 8 1 4a, 9a, Oa, 8 1 b... Skip number memory circuit, b... Analog movement, b...
Changeover switch, 2...Speech synthesis circuit, 5...Sound generating device, 6...Signal generation means, a...Trigger signal. Applicant Seiko Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Kazuko Matsuda ■ Zusaimon

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A pair of analog display sections equipped with hour and minute hands, a digital display section arranged in parallel with these, and a pair of analog movements that drive the hands of the analog display section, which are alternately pressed by players. a changeover button that can be lowered; a pair of changeover switches that are opened and closed by the changeover button to stop one of the analog movements and start the other; and a dial plate of the analog display provided within the analog movement. of"
a signal generating means that generates a trigger signal a predetermined time before the long hand passes through the position 12; a control circuit that is started by the trigger signal and controls driving of the digital display section; a digital timer in which time data corresponding to the predetermined time is set by generation of a signal, and the time data is subtracted by consumption of the predetermined time; and a display drive circuit that displays the contents of the digital timer on the digital display section. A game clock characterized in that it is provided with: and a sounding device that generates a warning when the digital timer times out. (2) The game clock according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes a skip number storage circuit in which the number of times the trigger signal is skipped is stored. (3) In claim 1 or 2, the digital timer is set with a predetermined countdown time after the digital timer times out, and when started within this countdown time, the countdown time is restarted. A game clock characterized in that it can be set. (4) A game clock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a voice synthesis circuit for notifying the passage of time such as the countdown by voice via the sound generating device.