Pointer Controller Diver Watch Time Display Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diver's watches with analog display modes for dive time and rest time often confuse users due to similar pointer movements in both modes, making it difficult to determine whether elapsed time is displayed cumulatively or non-cumulatively.
Innovation Solution
A pointer controller with a processor that controls a display to differentiate pointer movements between cumulative and non-cumulative elapsed time display modes by inheriting or resetting previous display times, allowing distinct movements for the hour and second hands during dive time and rest time modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If similar pointer movements are used in both dive time and rest time display modes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily distinguish between cumulative and non-cumulative display modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the hour hand's movement characteristics mode-specific: in dive time mode, the hour hand moves continuously to reflect cumulative elapsed time, while in rest time mode, the hour hand resets and moves differently to indicate non-cumulative elapsed time. This localized differentiation in pointer behavior allows users to easily distinguish between modes without adding complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the hour hand moves continuously in dive time mode to show cumulative time, then the reliability of time display is improved, but the device complexity increases due to different movement controls for different modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timekeeping function with the display function by using the same hour and second hands for both telling time and displaying elapsed time. The controller integrates multiple functions into a unified pointer control system where the hour hand serves dual purposes: indicating current time and displaying cumulative elapsed time in dive mode, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Productivity
If the hour hand is used to display elapsed time in addition to its time-telling function, then the productivity of the display is improved, but the ease of operation worsens because the pointer movement becomes less intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display functionality by assigning different roles to different pointers based on mode: the second hand consistently displays seconds, while the hour hand displays either current time or elapsed time depending on the mode. This segmentation allows users to interpret pointer movements more easily by understanding which pointer represents which information in each mode, maintaining ease of operation while improving display efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A pointer controller includes at least one processor; and a display that includes a pointer. The at least one processor is configured to control the display so as to display an elapsed time, switching between (i) a first display mode for display of the elapsed time cumulatively by causing, upon resumption of display, movement of the pointer that inherits a previous display time and (ii) a second display mode for display of the elapsed time non-cumulatively by causing, upon resumption of display, movement of the pointer that does not inherit the previous display time. The movement of the pointer controlled by the at least one processor is such that the first display mode and the second display mode differ from each other in a way of movement that indicates how the pointer moves.