Network Time Synchronization Using Shared Time Difference Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for synchronizing machine times in industrial settings, such as factories, lack user convenience for setting system time, especially when high accuracy is required, as standard time from GPS receivers cannot be arbitrarily changed and time from personal computers has lower accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A communication system where two devices share common time after correcting for synchronization errors, including communication delay, allowing users to set system time arbitrarily by transmitting time difference data between them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard time from GPS receiver is used for time synchronization, then time measurement accuracy is improved, but user cannot arbitrarily set system time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the time setting function into two independent parts: (1) standard time acquisition from GPS receiver for accuracy, and (2) arbitrary time setting capability for user convenience. The control device can selectively use either the standard time from GPS or the arbitrarily set time from user input, allowing both high accuracy and user flexibility to coexist in different operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality to accept time inputs from multiple sources: it can obtain time from the GPS receiver's standard time signal, or alternatively accept arbitrary time settings from user input through its interface. This universal time acquisition capability allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, maintaining both accuracy and user convenience.
2Ease of operation
If time from personal computer is used for time synchronization, then user can arbitrarily set time, but time measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the time source functions into distinct components: the GPS receiver provides high-accuracy standard time, while the user input interface allows arbitrary time setting. The control device can selectively choose which time source to use based on operational needs, enabling users to set arbitrary times when needed while maintaining the option to use high-accuracy GPS time when precision is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device incorporates universal time acquisition capabilities by accepting time inputs from multiple sources including both the GPS receiver and user input. This multi-functional design allows the system to switch between high-accuracy GPS-based time synchronization and user-configurable arbitrary time setting, accommodating both accuracy requirements and operational flexibility needs.
3Measurement precision
If standard time from GPS is used, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but system flexibility for time adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time setting functionality into two independent modes: standard time synchronization mode using GPS receiver for high accuracy, and arbitrary time setting mode accepting user input for flexibility. The control device can operate in either mode or switch between them, allowing the system to maintain both high synchronization accuracy when needed and flexible time adjustment capability when operational requirements change.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is designed with universal time acquisition functionality that accepts time inputs from multiple sources including the GPS receiver and user input interface. This multi-functional design enables the system to adapt to different operational scenarios, maintaining both high-accuracy GPS-based synchronization and flexible user-configurable time setting capabilities within a single unified system.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system (1000) includes communication devices (10, 20) to share common time after correction of synchronization error including a communication delay with each other via a network (400). The communication device (10) includes a set time acquirer to acquire set time set by a user, a setter to set the set time as first system time, which is system time of the communication device (10), and a time difference data transmitter to transmit time difference data, which indicates a time difference between the common time and the set time, to the communication device (20). The communication device (20) includes a time difference data receiver to receive the time difference data, and a setter to set the sum of the common time and the time difference indicated by the time difference data as second system time, which is system time of the communication device (20).