Radio-Controlled Timepiece Simple Pulse Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio-controlled timepieces that adjust time based on differences between pulse level changes and internal clock seconds cannot accurately determine if the internal time is slow or fast, leading to potential incorrect adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A radio-controlled timepiece with a simple time adjustment mechanism that detects the reference timing of rectangular wave pulses and calculates offsets, allowing for adjustments within a tolerance range to determine if the internal time is slow or fast, and adjusts accordingly, reducing power consumption by shortening the reception time to approximately 10-30 seconds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the time is adjusted based only on the difference between when the pulse level of the standard time signal changes and the seconds value of the internal clock, then the time adjustment process is simplified and can be performed quickly, but it becomes impossible to determine whether the internal time is slow or fast compared with real time, leading to potential incorrect adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing the direction of time offset (whether internal time is fast or slow) from the previous full time code reception in advance. This stored directional information is then used during subsequent simple adjustment processes to correctly interpret the offset magnitude and apply the appropriate correction, resolving the contradiction between quick adjustment and accurate determination of time drift direction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between full time code reception (periodically to re-establish accurate time and determine offset direction) and simple pulse-based adjustment (frequently for routine time corrections). This periodic full reception ensures the directional information is refreshed while allowing frequent simple adjustments to maintain time accuracy, balancing speed and reliability
2Reliability
If the full time code is received continuously for several minutes to ensure accurate time adjustment, then the reliability of time adjustment is improved, but the power consumption and time required for adjustment increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time adjustment process into two distinct modes: full time code reception for comprehensive time synchronization and determination of offset direction, and simple pulse-based adjustment for routine time corrections. By dividing the adjustment process into these segments, the system can use the power-intensive full reception only when necessary (periodically) while relying on the low-power simple adjustment for most routine corrections, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only the essential one-second pulse timing information from the time signal for routine adjustments, rather than receiving the complete time code. This partial reception approach provides sufficient information for small time corrections when combined with stored directional data, eliminating the need for excessive power consumption associated with full time code reception for every adjustment
3Reliability
If the reception means is driven continuously to receive the full time code, then the time adjustment reliability is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the reception mode flexible and adaptable rather than fixed. The reception control dynamically selects between full time code reception and simple pulse-based adjustment based on operational conditions, allowing the system to optimize between reliability and simplicity on demand. This dynamic approach enables the device to use complex full reception when needed for reliability while relying on simpler methods during normal operation, reducing overall device complexity requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-controlled timepiece can adjust the time with a short reception process while also reducing the likelihood of incorrect adjustment. The radio-controlled timepiece has a reception control means 31, time information updating means 32, time adjustment storage means 33, and time display means. The reception control means 31 has a simple time adjustment means 330 that is driven within a predetermined time of the last successful signal reception, and a normal time adjustment means 320 that is driven when this predetermined time has passed. The simple time adjustment means 330 has a pulse timing detection unit 331, a offset calculation unit 332, a offset evaluation unit 333, and a seconds information adjustment unit 334. The pulse timing detection unit 331 detects the reference timing, which is the timing of the rising edge or falling edge of rectangular wave pulses in the received time code. The offset calculation unit 332 calculates the difference between this reference timing and the timing of the seconds unit in the internally kept time. The offset evaluation unit 333 determines if this offset is within a tolerance range. The seconds information adjustment unit 334 adjusts the seconds unit of the internal time based on the offset if the offset is within the tolerance range.