GNSS Time Verification for Aerosol-Generating Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices, particularly aerosol-generating devices, face challenges in maintaining accurate timekeeping due to the inaccuracy and drift of internal timekeeping devices, which affects the timestamping of collected data and device control, and external time correction methods like internet connectivity or radio signals are often unreliable or unavailable.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a real-time clock and a GNSS receiver to receive satellite signals from a global navigation satellite system for determining and selectively adjusting the device time value, ensuring accurate timestamping and device control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If internal timekeeping devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but time measurement precision deteriorates due to drift and inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces satellite signals as an intermediary reference source to correct the internal timekeeping device. The GNSS receiver receives satellite signals containing precise time information, which serves as a mediator to adjust and verify the device time value, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If external time correction methods like internet connectivity or radio signals are used, then time measurement precision improves, but reliability deteriorates due to unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs GNSS satellite signals which serve multiple functions: providing precise time information for timestamping, enabling device localization, and offering universal coverage worldwide. This multi-functional approach ensures reliability across different environments where internet or radio time signals may be unavailable.
3Measurement precision
If GNSS receiver is added to receive satellite signals, then time measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the time verification function from the full GNSS capability set. The system receives satellite signals specifically for determining device time value, without requiring complete GNSS positioning functionality, thereby reducing the complexity increase while maintaining time precision improvement.
4Ease of operation
If device time value is not verified, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of information occurs due to inaccurate timestamping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the device time value is continuously verified against satellite-provided time references. This feedback loop ensures accurate timestamping of collected data without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while preventing information loss due to timing errors.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device, comprising a controller and/or a processor, a timekeeping device, and a GNSS receiver, wherein the electronic device is an aerosol-generating device or a companion device configured to charge an aerosol-generating device with electrical energy, wherein the electronic device is configured to: receive a satellite signal from a global navigation satellite system, GNSS, satellite; determine a satellite time value from the satellite signal; and selectively adjust the device time value using the satellite time value.