Satellite Signal Reception Scheduling for Wearable Time Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Satellite signal receiving devices, such as GPS-enabled wristwatches, face challenges in reliably executing satellite signal reception processes due to environmental factors like indoor usage, weather conditions, and solar panel coverage, leading to inefficient power consumption and time accuracy issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a scheduled reception control unit that sets a daily reception time based on past successful reception times, combining illuminance detection, time-based, and manual reception processes to increase the likelihood of successful satellite signal acquisition, while adapting the reception time if consecutive failures occur.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If satellite signal reception is executed continuously or frequently, then time accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reception execution determination unit determines whether to execute satellite signal reception based on periodic patterns in user behavior (e.g., typical outdoor activity times). The system schedules reception attempts at specific periods when the wearable device is likely to be outdoors, rather than continuously or on fixed time intervals, thereby balancing time accuracy maintenance with power conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from illuminance sensor data and reception history to dynamically adjust reception execution decisions. When recent reception results indicate good signal availability or when illuminance patterns suggest the user is outdoors, the system is more likely to execute reception. This feedback mechanism optimizes the balance between maintaining accurate time and conserving battery power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If satellite signal reception is executed based on solar panel power output, then power consumption is reduced, but reception reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses illuminance sensor data for multiple purposes: not only to determine whether to execute reception (replacing solar panel power output assessment) but also to infer user behavior patterns and outdoor activity timing. This multi-functional use of illuminance data improves reception reliability by providing more consistent environmental context compared to solar panel power output, which varies with panel coverage and charging state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter used for reception decision-making from solar panel power output to illuminance level. This parameter change is critical because illuminance directly correlates with outdoor lighting conditions and user activity patterns, providing a more reliable indicator for determining optimal reception timing without being affected by solar panel coverage or charging status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If reception process is skipped in low power conditions, then power consumption is reduced, but time accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtime accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of reception necessity by analyzing illuminance patterns and user behavior before executing reception. By predicting optimal reception opportunities in advance based on historical data and current environmental conditions, the system ensures that reception is executed at the most appropriate moments, maintaining time accuracy while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reception execution determination dynamically adjusts reception decisions based on real-time illuminance data, reception history, and inferred user behavior. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions, increasing reception likelihood when conditions favor successful signal acquisition and reducing reception attempts when power conservation is prioritized, thereby maintaining time accuracy efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the reliability of satellite signal reception, reduces wasteful power consumption, and maintains time accuracy by optimizing the reception process based on user behavior and environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

solar panel power output corresponds to the illuminance of the light incident to the solar panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

receive satellite signals from positioning information satellites such as GPS satellites

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2565732B1Satellite signal receiving device and electronic device
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP2565732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2565732B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2565732B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A satellite signal reception device can reliably execute a satellite signal reception process. The satellite signal reception device has a reception time setting unit 71 that sets a reception time; a timekeeping unit that keeps internal time; and a scheduled reception control unit 72 that executes a time-based reception process that operates the reception unit when the time kept by the timekeeping unit reaches the reception time. By having a scheduled reception control unit 72, the reception process can be executed when the internal time goes to the reception time set by the reception time setting unit 71. The reception process is therefore executed once a day. The satellite signal reception process can therefore be executed reliably without being affected by how the device is used, the season, weather, or other factors.