Radio Timepiece Leap Second Acquisition via Ground Wave Notice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio timepieces face high power consumption and inefficiency in acquiring leap second correction information due to infrequent transmission frequencies from positioning satellites, leading to excessive battery drain and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A radio timepiece with a satellite radio wave receiver, a ground wave receiver, and a controller that determines the geographical area for acquiring notice information on leap second adjustments, allowing efficient reflection of leap second changes by reducing unnecessary power consumption through targeted radio wave reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radio timepiece continuously receives satellite radio waves to acquire UTC correction parameter, then the leap second correction information can be acquired, but the power consumption excessively increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by scheduling satellite radio wave reception only at specific intervals (e.g., every 12.5 minutes as per GPS transmission frequency) rather than continuously. The controller is configured to receive satellite radio waves at these periodic intervals to acquire UTC correction parameters, thereby reducing overall power consumption while ensuring timely acquisition of leap second correction information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the transmission timing of UTC correction parameter in advance based on received satellite radio wave contents. The controller predicts when the next UTC correction parameter will be transmitted and schedules reception accordingly, rather than continuously monitoring. This allows the timepiece to be ready to receive at the precise moment the correction data is available, ensuring reliability while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during idle periods.
2Reliability
If the radio timepiece arbitrarily starts and continues satellite radio wave reception to acquire UTC correction parameter, then the leap second correction can be performed, but the battery life is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing fixed reception intervals based on the known transmission frequency of UTC correction parameters from satellites. Instead of arbitrary continuous reception, the controller schedules receptions at regular periodic intervals (e.g., every 12.5 minutes for GPS), which ensures that leap second correction information is acquired reliably while significantly extending battery life by keeping the receiver off during non-reception periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the radio timepiece to autonomously determine reception timing based on pre-stored information about satellite transmission schedules. The controller uses internally stored knowledge of UTC correction parameter transmission frequencies to automatically schedule its own receptions without external control, optimizing battery usage while ensuring correction accuracy is maintained.
3Measurement precision
If the radio timepiece receives satellite radio waves at high frequency to ensure timely leap second correction, then the correction accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing periodic reception at intervals that precisely match the satellite's UTC correction parameter transmission frequency (e.g., every 12.5 minutes for GPS). This synchronization ensures that the timepiece receives correction data at the exact moments it is transmitted, achieving maximum timing accuracy without the need for continuous or high-frequency reception, thereby optimizing power consumption while maintaining correction precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using the received satellite radio wave contents to calculate and determine the exact transmission timing of the UTC correction parameter. The controller adjusts future reception schedules based on this feedback information, ensuring that subsequent receptions are timed to coincide with actual parameter transmissions. This feedback mechanism guarantees correction accuracy while preventing unnecessary receptions that would waste power.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio timepiece, including: a satellite radio wave receiver; a ground wave receiver; a memory; and a controller, wherein the controller performs area determination operation of determining whether a current position is located within a geographical range where the ground wave receiver is capable of acquiring notice information regarding implementation/non-implementation of the leap second adjustment, when the controller determines that the current position is located within the geographical range, the controller controls the ground wave receiver to acquire the notice information, the controller determines, with the notice information, whether the leap second adjustment is scheduled to be implemented at an implementation candidate timing of the leap second adjustment, and when the controller determines that the leap second adjustment is scheduled to be implemented, the controller changes the leap second correction information at or after the implementation candidate timing.