Analog Watch Pointer Calibration via Smartphone Wireless Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analog-type watches with independently controlled hour and minute pointers face challenges in accurate time setting and calibration due to the absence of position sensing feedback, leading to potential deviations and the need for re-calibration, especially after power interruptions or shocks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a smartphone and a timepiece with stepper motor-controlled pointers, where the smartphone's graphic interface is used to move the pointers to their reference positions via wireless communication, eliminating the need for a physical time setting button and enabling intuitive calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a time setting button is used for time setting operation, then the pointers can be moved to set the time, but the operation may cause damage to the user's nails and may result in inadvertent turns leading to inaccurate setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical time setting button with a wireless communication interface (e.g., Bluetooth connection to a smartphone application). The user interacts with a graphical interface on the smartphone to set the time, which is then transmitted wirelessly to the watch. This eliminates the mechanical button entirely, avoiding nail damage and inadvertent turns, while providing precise control through digital interface elements.
2Ease of operation
If the time setting button is pushed back into the stowed position after time setting, then the watch returns to normal operation, but the button may turn inadvertently causing inaccurate setting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical button mechanism entirely by using wireless communication for time setting. The user sets the time through a smartphone application with graphical controls, and the settings are transmitted wirelessly to the watch controller. This substitution removes the source of inadvertent button turns and ensures precise pointer positioning without mechanical interference.
3Device complexity
If independently controlled pointers are used in analog-type watches, then the structure is simplified and enhanced functionalities are enabled, but the risk of inadvertent leap of pointers is increased due to open loop control without position sensing feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms to monitor and verify the actual positions of the independently controlled pointers. Position sensors detect the real-time location of each pointer and feed this information back to the controller. The controller compares the actual positions with the intended positions and makes corrective adjustments if deviations are detected, thereby preventing inadvertent leaps and ensuring accurate time display despite the simplified mechanical structure.
4Device complexity
If pointers are controlled in open loop mode without position sensing feedback, then the control system is simpler, but deviation between assumed position and actual position of pointers occurs requiring re-calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces position sensing feedback into the control system to eliminate the deviations inherent in open-loop control. Sensors continuously monitor the actual pointer positions and provide this information to the controller, which adjusts the control signals to match the assumed positions with the actual positions. This closed-loop approach maintains control system simplicity while achieving high measurement precision through automatic calibration and correction.
5Stability of the object's composition
If a reduction gear linking hour and minute pointers is used, then the mechanical structure is more traditional, but the structure becomes more complex compared to independently controlled pointers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by completely separating the control systems for the hour and minute pointers. Each pointer has its own independent stepper motor and control circuitry, eliminating the need for mechanical linkage between them. This segmentation simplifies the mechanical structure by removing the reduction gear while maintaining stable and reliable timekeeping through independent electronic control of each pointer.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for accurate and reliable calibration of the pointers, improving the accuracy of time setting and reducing the risk of pointer deviations, while also enhancing water-tightness and simplifying the mechanical structure of the watch.
Implementation Method 1
each of the pointers being controlled independently by a stepper motor
Implementation Method 2
the timepiece and the smartphone being able to be in communication through a wireless remote short-range communication link
Data Source
AI summary
An interaction method between a graphic tactile device such as a smartphone and a timepiece having at least two analog-type physical pointers is disclosed. Each of the pointers is controlled independently by a stepper motor and referenced relative to a ref-position. The timepiece comprises a control unit configured to handle time count and to control stepper motors. The smartphone has a value setting interface, and the timepiece and the smartphone communicate through a wireless remote short-range communication link. The method comprises the steps of initiating a calibration procedure, causing the minute pointer to be moved to the ref-position via the value setting interface, causing the hour pointer to be moved to the ref-position via the value setting interface, and ending the calibration procedure, and return to a normal time display, Thereby, starting from an initial unknown pointer positions, the control unit of the timepiece can accurately know the positions of pointers.