Dynamic Communication Control for Electronic Watch Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic clocks face challenges in managing communication connections with computers, leading to inefficient power usage and inconvenience due to uniform disconnection times that may not align with user behavior, resulting in unintended disconnections.

Innovation Solution

A communication control system that dynamically adjusts connection times based on the user's behavior patterns, power generation, and charging balance, using a smartphone's advanced resources to determine optimal connection periods and display information in a user-friendly manner, allowing flexible control and power conservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If communication with computer is maintained continuously, then user convenience is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection time period is made dynamic by determining it based on charging balance information and power generation amount. The system automatically adjusts the connection duration between the electronic clock and computer, transitioning from a static fixed time period to a dynamic adaptive time period that responds to power availability conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection time period parameter is changed based on variations in charging balance and power generation amount. When power generation is sufficient, the connection time period is extended; when power is limited, the connection time period is reduced, thereby optimizing the balance between user convenience and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If communication is disconnected during night time to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates due to unintended disconnections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring charging balance information and power generation amount in real-time. This feedback allows the system to make informed decisions about connection timing, ensuring that disconnections occur only when power savings are achieved without negatively impacting user convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The connection time period is determined in advance based on predicted charging balance and power generation conditions. This preliminary determination allows the system to prepare for upcoming power availability changes, ensuring that communication is maintained during periods when power is sufficient before disconnections become necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If connection time period is set uniformly in advance, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to user behavior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidadaptability to user behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining the connection time period based on its own monitoring of charging balance information and power generation amount. This eliminates the need for complex manual configuration while achieving high adaptability to actual usage patterns and power availability conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3432090B1Electronic watch and communication control system
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 CITIZEN WATCH CO LTD
  • EP3432090B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3432090B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3432090B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an electronic clock including: a power generator; a secondary battery (26), which is to be charged with electric power generated by the power generator; a balance information transmitter (47a) configured to transmit, to a computer, balance information relating to a transition of a power generation amount or a charging balance of the secondary battery (26); a connection time period setting module (48) configured to set a connection time period of a connection with the computer based on the balance information; and a communication controller (49) configured to control a start and an end of communication to/from the computer based on the connection time period.