Dual Microcomputer Architecture for Electronic Timepiece Power Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic timepieces with additional functions such as activity and vital sign measurements, location tracking, and communication face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and processing loads, particularly when switching between low and high-load operations, which can lead to instability and increased power usage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual microcomputer system where a first microcomputer with low arithmetic processing capacity and low power consumption handles basic timekeeping and display functions, while a second microcomputer with higher processing capacity handles high-load operations like satellite radio wave reception and measurement processing, allowing for efficient load distribution and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single microcomputer with high arithmetic processing capacity is used to handle additional functions, then processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases and stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the microcomputer system into two separate microcomputers: a first microcomputer dedicated to timepiece functions and a second microcomputer for additional functions. This segmentation allows each processor to be optimized for its specific workload, enabling the system to handle high-processing tasks without requiring the first microcomputer to consume excessive power, thus resolving the contradiction between processing capability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The second microcomputer acts as an intermediary that handles high-load operations (satellite radio wave reception, measurement processing) before transferring processed data to the first microcomputer. This intermediary approach allows the timepiece to access high-capability processing when needed while maintaining low power consumption for core timekeeping functions.
2Device complexity
If a single microcomputer handles all functions, then device complexity is reduced, but processing performance for additional functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing responsibilities into two microcomputers with distinct roles. The first microcomputer handles timepiece functions with lower processing requirements, while the second microcomputer handles additional functions requiring higher processing performance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing complexity appropriately rather than concentrating all processing demands on a single processor.
Solution Approach 2:
While maintaining functional specialization, the system achieves a form of universality where the second microcomputer can handle various high-load tasks (satellite reception, measurements, communications) that may not be actively used simultaneously. This allows the system to possess high processing capability across multiple potential functions without requiring all to operate at full capacity continuously.
3Productivity
If the first microcomputer handles high-load operations, then processing capability is improved, but timekeeping stability deteriorates due to excessive load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent clearly segments the workload by assigning timekeeping-critical operations exclusively to the first microcomputer and high-load additional functions to the second microcomputer. This segmentation ensures that the first microcomputer never experiences excessive load that could compromise timekeeping stability, while still providing access to high processing capability through the second microcomputer when additional functions are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The second microcomputer serves as an intermediary processing layer that absorbs high-load operations before they can impact the first microcomputer's timekeeping functions. By processing satellite radio waves, measurements, and other high-demand tasks in advance or in parallel, the second microcomputer protects the timekeeping stability of the first microcomputer while maintaining overall system processing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic timepiece including: a first processor that controls a clocking operation; a second processor that has an arithmetic processing capacity higher than an arithmetic processing capacity of the first processor; and an information acquisition circuit that is controlled by the second processor.