JPS5821185A - Electronic watch with game function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an electronic watch with game functions which do not affect the display functions of the time, etc. by making simultaneous use of a radial analog display part and a digital display part of dot matrices. CONSTITUTION:When a game mode is selected by operating a mode selection switch S1, a game function circuit is activated by a ring counter. Then, radial segments 3c for analog displaying of the time are successively selectively displayed and turned. On the other hand, the display by a target mark 6a formed of dots for digital time displaying of dot matrices moves. When a control switch S3 is operated upon coinciding of the leading end of the segments 3c and the mark 6a, the high level output through an AND gate which is open, etc. advance a score counter stepwise and control the production of buzzer sounds. The electronic watch with game functions that do not affect the display functions of the time, etc. is provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece equipped with at least a game function as one of its additional functions.

In recent years, with advances in display technology using liquid crystal display devices and electronic circuit technology, the display formats and types of additional functions provided in so-called digital display type electronic watches are rapidly diversifying.

For example, in terms of display format, an attempt was made to display alphabets in an easy-to-read font by using a dot-matrix (IJ) type liquid crystal display device, or an analog device with a group of bar-shaped segment patterns arranged radially. Efforts have been made to use a liquid crystal display device, etc. for electro-optical time display, and in terms of additional functions, in addition to general functions such as alarms and stopwatches. In addition, electronic watches have been realized that are equipped with special additional functions such as game functions to increase added value.

On the other hand, especially in small electronic timepieces such as wristwatches, two liquid crystal display parts are stacked in order to make effective use of the limited display area and enable various forms of display. A so-called multi-layer display type liquid crystal display device is provided, and a structure in which one of the liquid crystal display portions is selectively used to perform display as necessary has also been realized.

However, with regard to the above-mentioned multi-layer display type liquid crystal display device, since one of the display sections is simply selected and used depending on needs and preferences, for example, a digital display state and an electro-optical analog display are used. Although it is useful to expand the range of selection within the range of existing display formats, such as selecting the state according to preference, it is not possible to dramatically increase the density of displayed information in one selected display state. Increase or
It has not been effective in realizing new display formats.

On the other hand, regarding existing electronic clocks with game functions, there are limits to the display formats that can be realized using conventional display devices, which ultimately limits the types of games that can be added. As a matter of fact, it has not been possible to create an attractive game within the scope of use of conventional display technology.

Furthermore, even if you go to great lengths to provide a special display pattern on the display device for game functions, in that case, the original important function of displaying the time etc. may be impaired. This results in a very poor display function for the clock.

The purpose of the present invention is to make the display form sufficiently attractive without impairing the display function such as time, which is originally important for a watch, and at the same time, to provide a novel display form for game functions. By providing high information density and freedom, the goal is to realize a product that is highly satisfying both as a watch and as a game device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 6 show an electronic wristwatch with a game function according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of the watch in its analog time display mode, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display pattern of the first liquid crystal display section of the watch of this example.

Further, FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views showing the appearance of the clock of this example in the digital time display mode and the game mode, respectively.

The watch of this example has a so-called multi-layer liquid crystal display device consisting of a first and second liquid crystal display section stacked one above the other, and an external operating member provided on the side of the watch case. Push button type 7 inch S for mode selection,
and two push button type switches S2 provided on the front.
, S3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the first liquid crystal display section includes a group of bar-shaped display segment patterns 6 on the inner circumferential side arranged radially around the center part 2 over the entire circumference, and a group of bar-shaped display segment patterns 6 on the inner circumference side. It has an analog display section 1 and a digital display section 5, each consisting of a group of bar-shaped display segment patterns 4 on the outer circumference side arranged radially over the entire circumference. Each segment pattern group 6.4 is composed of 60 segment patterns.

Further, a second liquid crystal display section, which is a so-called dot matrix type display section configured by a group of small square display segments arranged in row and column directions, is arranged above or below the first liquid crystal display section. Although they are arranged in a stacked manner, in this example, the dot matrix display section is arranged over substantially the entire region overlapping with the analog display section 1, avoiding the region overlapping with the digital display section 5.

On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the circuit configuration of the timepiece of this example, and FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a specific example of the game function circuit. In Figure 5.6, 1
1 is a crystal oscillation circuit, 12 is a frequency dividing circuit, 16 is a time system counter, 14 is a calendar system counter, 15 is an alarm memory for storing the alarm set time, and 16 is added to the clock of this example. This is a game function circuit for executing the game function.゛The display drive outputs of the time counter 16, calendar counter 14, alarm memory 15, and game function circuit 16 are input to the multiplex drive circuit 21 via the display 'iii control circuit 17, and Display section 1
, a digital display section 5, and a dot matrix display section 6.

In Fig. 5.6, in order to facilitate understanding of the explanation, the display i1i controllable control circuit 7 is shown as an analog display display control circuit 18, a digital display light display control circuit 19, a dot 7 matrix or a multiplex drive. The circuit 21 is connected to an analog display drive circuit 22, a digital display drive circuit 26, and a dot matrix).
Although the IJ display unit drive circuit 24 is shown as a separate model, in reality, for example, it is also possible to multiplex drive the analog display unit 1 and the digital display unit 5 together. .

On the other hand, the mode selection switch S1 described above is connected to the display mode selection links S2 and S3 via the logic differentiator circuit 26.
are connected to the input control circuit 60 via logic differentiating circuits 28 and 29, respectively.

Further, the output from the human control circuit 60 is the correction signal input terminal of the time system counter 16, the calendar system counter 14, the alarm memory 15, and the game function circuit 16.
It is configured to be input to the input terminal of.

Note that the output of the display mode selection ring counter 27 described above is input to the input control circuit 60 as a switch input control signal, and is applied to the switches S2 and S3.

Display control circuit 17 and multiplex drive circuit 2 control switching of input functions and also use display mode selection signals as display mode selection signals.
1 is also input to control the switching of the display state of the liquid crystal display section 25.

Furthermore, the output sides of the aforementioned time system counter 16 and alarm memory 15 are connected to a minus number output circuit 61, and when the contents of both coincide, that is, when the cent time of the alarm has arrived, an audible sound is output. Drive signal forming circuit 6
2 drives a sounding body 66 such as a speaker.

In this example, a part of the output side of the game function circuit 16 is also connected to the sound/drive signal forming circuit 62, and is configured to generate sound as necessary when executing the game. has been done.

Next, the operation of the timepiece of this example will be explained.

First, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the display mode selection ring counter 27 is in the state (■), the time is displayed on the analog display section 1 of the liquid crystal display section 25, and the digital display section 5, the calendar is controlled to be displayed.

That is, in this state, the analog display section control circuit 18 selects the output of the time system counter 16 and inputs it to the analog display section +g movement circuit 22.
selects the output of the calendar counter 14 and inputs it to the digital display drive circuit 26, and the dot matrix display 6 is controlled so as to be in a completely non-display state, so the clock is not shown in FIG. The display mode will be different.

In FIG. 1, segment pattern 3b of each segment pattern group constituting the analog display section 1 is shown.
A state in which 3:29 is displayed is shown by 3a and 4a.

Also, in this state, the AND circuit 64 of the input control circuit 60
is in the ON state, the minute, hour, month, day, and day of the week are sequentially selected as correction targets by the time/calendar correction control circuit 68 each time switch S2 is closed, and each time switch S3 is closed, The modification target selected in the modification process is configured to be modified incrementally.

Next, once the display mode selection switch S is closed from the above state, the display mode selection ring counter 27 is
Shifting by one step to the IEEI state, the dot matrix display section 6 of the liquid crystal display section 25 displays the time, and the digital display section 5 is controlled to display the alarm set □ time.

That is, in this state, the dosotomato-IJx display control circuit 20 selects the output of the time system counter 1 and inputs it to the dot matrix display drive circuit 24, and the digital display control circuit 19 selects the output of the time system counter 1 and inputs it to the dot matrix display drive circuit 24. Since the analog display section 1 is selected and inputted to the digital display section drive circuit 26, and the analog display section 1 is controlled to be in a completely non-display state, the watch enters the display mode as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, the dot matrix display section B indicates 3:29:56.

Also, in this state, the AND circuit 65 of the input control circuit 60
is in the ON state, each time the switch S2 is closed, the time/alarm seven-step time correction control circuit 69
The seconds, minutes, hours, and minutes and hours of the alarm cent time are sequentially selected as correction targets, and each time switch S3 is closed, the selected correction targets are corrected in increments (however, seconds are corrected back to zero). It is configured to

That is, the timepiece of this example is constructed so that the hour 1 can be adjusted in either of the states shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

Furthermore, when the display mode selection switch S is closed again from the above state, the display mode selection ring counter 2
In step 7, the clock is shifted by one step to the EEEj state, and the clock is controlled to the game mode, and all of the analog display section 1, digital display section 5, and dot matrix display section B, which constitute the liquid crystal display section 25, are used simultaneously. , a game mode display as shown in FIG. 4 will be performed.

That is, in this state, each output from the game function circuit 16 is selected by the display control circuit 17 and input to the multiplex drive circuit 21, but more specifically, each output from the game function circuit 16 is selected by the display control circuit 17 and input to the multiplex drive circuit 21. The output is selected by the analog display control circuit 18 and input to the analog display drive circuit 22, and the game number counter 4
6 and the output of the score counter 51 are selected by the digital display control circuit 19 and input to the digital display drive circuit 26, and the output of the gaming decoder 48 is selected by the dot matrix display control circuit 20 and input to the dot matrix display. It will be input to the drive circuit 24.

Regarding the digital display section 5, the content of the score counter 51 is displayed on the left display section 5a shown in FIG.
In addition, the display section 5b on the right side displays the number of games counter 4.
The contents of 6 will be displayed respectively.

The operation of the game will be briefly explained below.

When the game mode is first selected as described above, the output side of the inverter 40 and the output side of the OR circuit 41 are logically set to the L state, and the flip-flop circuit (hereinafter referred to as F
(abbreviated as F) 42 from the forced reset state. (However, in this state, the FF 42 is maintained in the centered state unless the switch S3 is operated as described later.) Also, in the switch input control circuit 60, the A
Since the ND circuits 36 and 67 are in the ON state, the pulse signals formed by the differential-nine circuits 28 and 29 when the switches S2 and S3 are closed are also input to the game function circuit 16.

When the aforementioned switch S2 is closed in this state, the differential circuit 2
8 is input to the reset state R of the game counter 44, the number of games counter 46, and the score counter 51 through the AND circuit 66, so that each of these counters 44, 46, 51 are all reset to zero and are ready to start the game.

Note that in this state, since the FF 42 is still in the reset state, the AND circuits 43 and 49 are maintained in the OFF state.

Next, when the switch S3 is closed, one pulse signal formed by the differentiating circuit 29 is passed through the AND circuit 67 to F'F4.
However, since the AND circuit 49 is in the OFF state when the pulse signal is input, the pulse signal does not pass through the AND circuit 49, and first the FF 42 is inverted to the cent state. . As a result, the AND circuits 43 and 49 are now turned on, and the 4 Hz output signal from the frequency divider circuit 12 is immediately input to the game counter 44 via the AND circuit 46, which is now in the 0'N state. The game has now started.

That is, in this state, the game counter 44 consisting of a sexagesimal counter starts counting the signals of 4 tlz indicated by -, and the contents of the count are displayed on the analog display section 1.

Therefore, in this state, one of the bar-shaped segment patterns on the inside of the analog display section 1 is in the display state (lit state), and as the count progresses on the game counter 44, it is in the above display state. One segment pattern moves one segment at a time in the direction of the arrow.

On the other hand, the count output of the game counter 44 is also input to a specific value detection circuit 47 and a game decoder 48, and the decoder 48 responds to the count output of the game counter 44 as shown in FIG. Using the donmatrix display section 6, mark the target mark at a seemingly random position.
It functions to display the image 6a.

Further, the specific value detection circuit 47 is configured such that the output side is normally at the L level, and the output becomes the H level only when it is detected that the count content of the game counter 44 has reached a specific value. However, the decoder 48
is a game counter.

When the count content of the counter 44 reaches a value that causes the output of the specific value detection circuit 47 to go to H level, the bar-shaped segment pattern on the analog display section 1 that is in the display state corresponds to the value. , is configured to display the target pattern 6a.

Therefore, for example, if 18'' is set as the specific value, and the output side of the specific value detection circuit 47 becomes H level when the count content of the game counter 44 reaches '18', Among the rod-shaped segment patterns B, 18 are arranged from directly above in the direction of arrow A.
At the same time that the segment pattern 6C becomes displayed (lit), the target mark 6a is displayed at the position indicated by the pattern 3C.

On the other hand, when the output chi of the specific value detection circuit 47 becomes "H", A
, the ND circuit 50 is in the ON state, but at other times K
Conversely, since the output of the specific value detection circuit 47 is L, the AND circuit 50 is maintained in the OFF state.

Note that the output side of the AND circuit 50 is a score counter 51.
and is connected to the acoustic drive signal forming circuit 62.

By the way, with the above premise, the person playing the game sees a bar-shaped segment in a lit state that moves one step at a time at a speed of 411z after the start of the game, and lights up and turns off at random positions. Pay attention to the target mark, and when the target mark 6a is displayed at the position indicated by the illuminated bar segment pattern, make an effort to immediately close the switch S3. That is, if the switch S3 is successfully closed within a short time while the above conditions are satisfied, the differentiating circuit 29
Since one pulse signal formed by At the same time, a predetermined sound is generated by the sounding body 33, clearly indicating that the game has been successful. Conversely, if the above conditions are not met and the output side of the specific value detection circuit 47 is at the L level, the AN
If the switch S is closed when the D circuit 50 is in the OFF state, one pulse signal formed by the differentiating circuit 29 will be A.
Since it is input only to the game count counter 46 via the ND circuits 37, 49, and 50, it is simply displayed that the game count has increased by one.

In this way, the game number counter 46 counts the number of times the switch S3 is closed after the start of the game, but the carry signal from the sexagesimal game counter 44 is also input via the OR circuit 45. Even if the game player does not close the switch S3, the count is amplified every time the lit bar-shaped segment pattern goes around once.
After all, after the start of the game, when the sum of the number of times the switch S3 is closed and the number of times the lit bar-shaped segment pattern is rotated reaches a predetermined value, the output side C6 of the game number counter 46 reaches level ■4. It will be reversed.

As a result, since the output side of the OR circuit 41 also becomes ■I,
The FF 42 is automatically reversed to the reset state, the AND circuits 46 and 49 are also turned off, and the game is ended. Furthermore, if it is desired to start the game again, it is obvious that the switch S2 should be closed in advance to reset the game counter 44, the number of games counter 46, and the score counter 51 to zero, and then the switch S3 should be closed. .

Even after starting the game, if the switch S2 is closed, the game counter 44, the number of games counter 46, and the score counter 51 are immediately reset to zero, and at the same time, the FF 44 is also reset to start the next game. The game will be interrupted with preparations made for this.

As described above, according to the present invention, when executing a game added to a watch, both the matrix type display section and the analog display section are used simultaneously to create a very novel and unique display. Since the states can be obtained, it is possible to diversify the types of games that can be added to the watch, and to make the content of the games complex and interesting.

In other words, according to the present invention, by simultaneously utilizing the unique display shape inherent to the analog display section and the large degree of display freedom of the matrix display section, the liquid crystal display that has been used in conventional watches can be used. It has become possible to realize various display formats that could never be achieved with display devices, and by using these display formats, we can increase the types of games that can be played on the watch, and make games more complex and interesting. It can be made into something. Moreover, in the present invention, when the analog display section and the matrix type display section are used independently, it is possible to display the time, etc. in a sufficiently individual and satisfying display form, and the game function is improved. By placing too much emphasis on the display for this purpose, on the contrary, it does not impair the originally important function of displaying time, etc., and in normal use, the analog display state (Fig. 1) To make it even more appealing as a watch, since it is possible to arbitrarily select and switch between the display states of the matrix type display section (Fig. 3) according to need and preference. I can do it.

The so-called multi-layer liquid crystal display device used in the present invention has a two-layer liquid crystal display section by holding a liquid crystal layer in each of two gaps formed between three laminated substrates. Even if the type consists of 2
It is also possible to use any of the types that consist of a two-layer liquid crystal display section by stacking two liquid crystal display sections that hold a liquid crystal layer in the gap formed between two substrates. It is.

In the latter case, if both of the two-layer liquid crystal display sections are twisted nematic type liquid crystal display sections, two
By interposing a polarizing plate between two liquid crystal display sections, it is also possible to create a type using three polarizing plates in total.

Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented using not only a twisted nematic type liquid crystal (or a guest-host type liquid crystal, etc.), but also a guest-host type liquid crystal display unit with mutually different display colors as a two-layer liquid crystal display section. A type liquid crystal part was used.

It is also possible to make one of them a twisted nematic type and the other a guess j host type.

It should be noted that the specific content of the game in the above-mentioned embodiments is only a very simplified example for ease of explanation, and the specific content of the game is as follows.
It is clear that various games can be constructed according to the present invention without being limited to the embodiments described above.

Further, the game function circuit shown in FIG. 6 is composed of a logic circuit that is a combination of general gates, etc., but the game function circuit in the present invention is a so-called RAM.
-It is also possible to use the circuit configuration of ROM W,
In that case, it is easier to complicate the content of the game.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as a matrix type display section,
Although a dot matrix type display section consisting of a group of display segment patterns of small squares is used, it is also possible to use a dot matrix type display section consisting of a group of display segment patterns other than squares, such as circles, rectangles, ellipses, etc. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a matrix type display section in which display segment patterns having different shapes are arranged in the row direction and the column direction.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 6 show an electronic wristwatch with a game function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the appearance of the timepiece in analog time display mode. 2 is a plan view showing a display pattern of the first liquid crystal display section of the timepiece shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are plan views showing the appearance in a digital time display mode and a game mode, respectively. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the circuit configuration of the timepiece. FIG. 6 shows one example of the game function circuit shown in FIG. 5.
...Analog display section, 3.4...Bar-shaped display segment pattern group, 5.
...Digital display section, 6...Don matrix display section, 6a...
...Target mark, 11...Crystal oscillation circuit,
12... Frequency division circuit, 13... Time system counter, 14... Calendar system counter 115... Alarm memory, 16... Game Functional circuit, 17... Display control circuit, 18... Analog display section display control circuit, 19.
...Digital display unit display control circuit, 20...
・・Donotoma, Trix display unit display control circuit, 21・・
...Multiplex drive circuit, 22... Analog display section drive circuit, 26... Digital display section drive circuit, 24... Dot matrix display section drive circuit, 25・・・・・・Liquid crystal display device, 27・・・・・・Ring counter for display mode selection,
60... Switch input control circuit, 31...
...-Number structure circuit, 62... Acoustic drive signal forming circuit, 66...
...Sounding body, 44...Game counter, 46...Game count counter, 48...
...Game decoder, 51...4-point counter, S, ...Display mode selection switch. Fig. 2 DD S JP-A-58-21185 (8) Fig. 5 1-26 H:1:L 27 2 ■ ) 17.21 1-1833 i 30 932 VSS '"□" 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] An electronic watch equipped with at least a game function as one of its additional functions, comprising: a first liquid crystal display section including at least an analog display section consisting of a group of radially arranged display segment patterns; a second liquid crystal display section including at least a matrix type display section stacked on the display section and consisting of a group of display segments arranged in the row and column directions; and a mode selection for selecting a display mode according to the operation of an external operation member. a display control circuit for controlling display states of the first and second liquid crystal display sections according to the mode selection circuit; and a game function circuit for executing the game function; When a game mode is selected by the circuit, both the analog display section and the matrix display section are used simultaneously to display the game mode according to the output from the game function circuit. Electronic clock with game function.