Multi-Display Mode Transition via Preparation Phase

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices with multiple display units face challenges in smoothly and efficiently switching between normal and function modes, particularly in dive mode, due to constraints such as slow display changing speed and high power consumption, leading to visually undesirable displays and unnecessary power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device employs a transition through a preparation mode before switching to a function mode, allowing the second display unit to change its display content first, followed by the first display unit, optimizing the switching process and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If indicators are controlled only by water detection, then the dive mode can be activated quickly, but the indicators consume unnecessary power when submergence has not occurred and the display is visually undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speed to dive modeVSAvoidpower consumption of indicators
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a preparation mode that is activated before the actual dive mode. When water detection occurs, the device first transitions to a preparation mode where only the digital display unit changes content, while the indicators remain in their original positions. This preliminary state allows the system to prepare for dive mode activation without immediately rotating the indicators, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption and visual confusion while maintaining quick response capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the mode transition process into distinct stages: normal time display mode, preparation mode, and dive mode. This segmentation allows different display units to be controlled differently at different stages - the digital display unit can change content immediately in preparation mode, while the indicators are rotated only when actually entering dive mode, thus resolving the contradiction between quick switching and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If indicators are driven after confirmation of submergence, then power consumption is reduced, but switching to dive mode is delayed by the time required to rotate the indicators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumption of indicatorsVSAvoidswitching time to dive mode
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The preparation mode serves as a preliminary action phase where the digital display unit updates its content to indicate dive mode activation, while the physical indicators are not yet rotated. This allows the system to communicate the mode change intent immediately through the digital display without incurring the time penalty of indicator rotation, thus reducing perceived switching delay while maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple types of display units are employed, then various kinds of information can be provided efficiently, but constraints on switching between modes increase due to different driving methods and change times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation provision efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol complexity of display units
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control of different display units by introducing intermediate preparation modes. The digital display unit is controlled independently from the indicators, allowing it to update content immediately when water detection occurs, while the indicators are rotated only when the device actually enters dive mode. This segmentation simplifies the control logic for each display unit type while maintaining the ability to provide diverse information efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The preparation mode acts as an intermediary state between normal time display mode and dive mode. This intermediate state allows the system to coordinate the switching of different display units with different response characteristics, enabling the digital display to update immediately while the indicators rotate at the appropriate time, thus managing the complexity of multi-display-unit control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1862872B8Electronic device and display control method
Publication Date: 2012.02.15 CITIZEN WATCH CO LTD

AI summary

In an electronic device that includes a first display unit (28) and a second display unit (29) that differs from the first display unit (28) in at least a type, a driving method to perform a display control, and a mode of driving to perform the display control, and that displays a plurality of functions using the first display unit (28) and the second display unit (29), a change request to change from a display in a normal mode (11) to a function mode (13) is acquired, and only a display mode of the second display unit (29) is changed, when the change request is made, to a preparation mode (12) without changing a display mode of the first display unit (28) that is in the normal mode (11) when the display modes of the first display unit (28) and the second display unit (29) are to be changed based on the acquired change request.