Integrated RTC Module Network Time Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electronic apparatuses that use separate real-time clock (RTC) devices with crystal oscillators and batteries increase manufacturing costs due to the need for additional components.
Innovation Solution
A time information providing apparatus that includes a power supply, a clock oscillator, a communicator, and a real-time clock (RTC) module, where the controller manages the generation of clock signals and transmission of time requests over a network to a content providing server, allowing for accurate time recording and generation without the need for a separate RTC device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate RTC device with crystal oscillator and battery is used, then accurate time information can be provided, but manufacturing costs increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the RTC functionality with the main processor by integrating the crystal oscillator and RTC module directly into the processor chip, eliminating the need for separate RTC devices. This merging reduces component count while maintaining timekeeping accuracy through the integrated oscillation and time recording functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor is designed to perform multiple functions including both main processing operations and RTC timekeeping functions. The integrated RTC module shares the processor's resources and infrastructure, allowing the same hardware platform to handle both computational tasks and time information provision without requiring dedicated separate components.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a separate RTC device with battery is used, then time information can be maintained continuously, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply architecture by using the main processor's power management system to supply power to the integrated RTC module, eliminating the need for a separate battery component. This integration maintains continuous timekeeping capability while reducing component count and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated RTC module utilizes the processor's own power supply infrastructure and operational framework to maintain timekeeping functions. The system serves itself by using existing power management circuits and control logic to sustain RTC operations without requiring external dedicated power components.
3Measurement precision
If network communication is added for time synchronization, then accurate time information can be provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communicator module is designed to perform multiple functions including data transmission, reception, and time synchronization operations. By integrating time synchronization capabilities into the existing communication infrastructure, the system achieves accurate time information without adding dedicated time synchronization hardware, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A time information providing apparatus includes a power supply; a clock oscillator configured to generate a clock signal; a communicator configured to transmit a current-time information request to a content providing server or receive a current-time information response corresponding to the current-time information request from the content providing server via the network; a real-time clock (RTC) module configured to generate real-time information representing an actual time; and a controller configured to, in response to the power supply supplying power, control the clock oscillator to generate a clock signal, apply the clock signal to the RTC module, and control the communicator to transmit the current-time information request, and in response to the communicator receiving the current-time information response, control the RTC module to record current-time information based on the current-time information response, and control the RTC module to generate the real-time information by using the clock signal and the current-time information.