Timepiece Movable Horizon Sun Position Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watches with sunrise and sunset displays are not compatible with tropical or equatorial regions due to their fixed display settings, which do not account for varying day lengths caused by Earth's tilt, leading to inaccurate sun position representations.
Innovation Solution
A watch with a movable horizon display and geolocation capabilities, using a mobile telephony device to receive geolocation signals and calculate the user's latitude, allowing for a dynamic and accurate depiction of the sun's position relative to the horizon based on the user's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed sunrise and sunset display is used in the watch, then the display structure is simple, but the display accuracy deteriorates for tropical or equatorial regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the horizon display movable rather than fixed. The horizon can be adjusted to different positions corresponding to different latitudes, allowing the watch to accurately display sun position for various geographical locations. This transforms the static display structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different user locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of horizon position to accommodate different latitudes. By allowing the horizon to be positioned at different angles relative to the sun display, the system can accurately represent sunrise and sunset times for various geographical locations, from temperate to tropical and equatorial regions.
2Measurement precision
If the watch uses a movable horizon display adjusted to user location, then the sun position display accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile telephony device as an intermediary to provide geolocation data to the watch. Instead of the watch independently determining user location through complex sensors and processing, the mobile device serves as a mediator that provides location information via communication interface, simplifying the watch's internal complexity while maintaining high display accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical location detection systems with electronic communication. Instead of using complex mechanical or optical sensors to determine user location, the system uses electronic communication with a mobile telephony device to receive geolocation data, reducing mechanical complexity while achieving the same functional goal.
3Ease of operation
If the watch automatically receives geolocation data from mobile device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the watch receive and store geolocation data in advance from the mobile device. The location information is obtained beforehand and stored in memory, allowing the display to be automatically configured without requiring continuous energy-consuming communication or processing operations during actual use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically using the stored geolocation data to configure the horizon position without requiring user intervention. The watch autonomously adjusts the display based on pre-received location information, eliminating the need for manual input while minimizing ongoing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece including a timepiece movement and sunrise and sunset indicating device that take account of the date and geolocation of the user, the device including a first device for receiving the current date, a second device for receiving a geolocation signal, and a disc bearing a representation of the sun, arranged to be capable of pivoting about an axis passing through the centre of the disc. The sunrise and sunset indicating device include a movable horizon arranged to move above the disc and to indicate the position of the sun with respect to the horizon.