Automatically setting a clock of a network-connected apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-connected appliances require manual updates for daylight saving time changes, which is inconvenient and burdensome for both users and service platforms, especially when there are millions of devices involved.
Innovation Solution
A network interface unit (NIU) within the appliance calculates local time using standard time and time-zone offset, with periodic updates from a service platform, allowing the appliance to automatically adjust for daylight saving time changes without constant communication with the service platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the service platform sends frequent time update messages to all connected appliances, then the time synchronization accuracy is improved, but the network traffic and platform burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having appliances pre-fetch time information during idle periods rather than waiting for urgent updates. The appliance receives time data from the service platform in advance and stores it locally, so when daylight saving time changes occur, the appliance can quickly apply the pre-fetched time information without requiring real-time communication with the platform. This reduces the burden on the service platform during critical time change moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by having appliances periodically check for and download time information from the service platform at scheduled intervals. Instead of continuous or event-driven communication that generates heavy traffic, the appliance autonomously initiates periodic updates during low-traffic periods, balancing time synchronization accuracy with reduced network burden on the service platform.
2Productivity
If the appliance autonomously calculates local time using standard time and time-zone offset, then the communication frequency with service platform is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the appliance to autonomously calculate its local time using the standard time and time-zone offset information received from the service platform. The appliance's processor independently performs the time zone conversion and daylight saving time adjustment calculations without requiring continuous platform intervention. This reduces communication frequency while distributing the computational burden from the service platform to the end devices.
3Measurement precision
If manual updates are required for daylight saving time changes, then the time setting accuracy is maintained, but the user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the appliance automatically detect daylight saving time transitions and apply appropriate time adjustments based on pre-fetched or periodically updated time information from the service platform. The system monitors time changes autonomously and adjusts the appliance's internal clock without requiring user intervention, thereby maintaining time accuracy while significantly improving user convenience.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is provided that includes a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of operations. The apparatus is caused to receive time information over a packet-switched computer network, with the time information including a current standard time, time-zone offset and timestamps that define a predetermined timeframe. The apparatus is caused to calculate a current local time from the current standard time and time-zone offset, and including an adjustment of the current local time in instances in which the timestamps indicate that the current standard time is within the predetermined timeframe. And the apparatus is caused to cause a clock to be set to the current local time.