Dynamic Button Reassignment for Electronic Timepiece Function Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic timepieces, especially wristwatches, face limitations due to a limited number of operation receiving units, restricting the complexity and combination of operations, making it cumbersome to perform various function operations without compromising operational convenience.
Innovation Solution
An electronic timepiece with a plurality of operation receiving units, including a function switching operation unit, that communicates with an external device via Bluetooth to dynamically assign operations and transmit control requests, allowing for more versatile function switching and operation combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If an exclusive operation receiving unit is provided for switching functions, then function switching can be performed promptly, but the number of operation receiving units available for other operations is reduced and operation types are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reassignment of operation receiving units based on the current function mode. The control unit changes the assignment of operation receiving units according to the selected function, allowing the same physical button to serve different purposes in different modes. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by providing dedicated function switching capability when needed while maintaining full operational versatility in each specific mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operation receiving units are assigned to multiple operations, then more operations can be performed with limited buttons, but combination operations become cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning operation receiving units to specific operations based on the current function mode before the user needs to perform the operation. When a function mode is selected, the control unit automatically configures the operation receiving units for that mode, so users can directly perform operations without needing to remember complex combination sequences. This reduces operational complexity while maintaining high versatility.
3Volume of moving object
If the number of operation receiving units is limited, then the device remains compact and wearable, but the complexity and combination of operations are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing operation receiving units that can perform multiple functions depending on the current mode. Each operation receiving unit is configured by the control unit to correspond to different operations in different function modes, allowing a small number of physical buttons to control a large variety of operations. This maintains compact device size while achieving high operational complexity and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic timepiece, including: a first operation unit; a first communication unit; and a first control unit, wherein one of the plurality of the operation receiving units is a function switching operation receiving unit, i) when a first input signal is input, the first control unit assigns the operation receiving units including the function switching operation receiving unit as external device operation receiving units according to predetermined operation processing to be executed by the external device, ii) when an input operation to the operation receiving units is detected, the first control unit transmits an operation request according to the operation processing corresponding to the input operation to the external device via the first communication unit, and iii) when a second input signal is input, the first control unit ends assignment of the operation receiving units as the external device operation receiving units.