Smart Watch Time Zone Update via GPS Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart watches lack the ability to independently update their time zone, relying on mobile terminals to determine the current time zone, which limits their functionality in displaying correct time at any location.

Innovation Solution

A method where the smart watch determines its own position using GPS and sends longitude and latitude data to a mobile terminal, which then sends this data to a network server to obtain time zone information, allowing the smart watch to update its time zone via Bluetooth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the smart watch relies on the mobile terminal to determine the current time zone, then the mobile terminal can provide time zone information, but the smart watch cannot independently update its time zone at any location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime zone update capabilityVSAvoidsystem dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smart watch activates its GPS positioning module to acquire its own longitude and latitude data, then sends this data to the mobile terminal which forwards it to a network server. The server returns time zone data that the smart watch uses to update its own time zone independently, without requiring the mobile terminal to determine the time zone first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The time zone update function is segmented into independent components: the smart watch handles positioning and data transmission, the mobile terminal handles data forwarding, and the network server handles time zone calculation. This segmentation allows the smart watch to gain independent time zone update capability while maintaining a relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the smart watch uses GPS positioning to determine location and update time zone independently, then the smart watch can display correct time at any location, but the system requires additional positioning and network communication functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime zone accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smart watch utilizes its existing GPS positioning module, which was originally designed for location tracking, to acquire longitude and latitude data for time zone determination. This multi-functional use of the GPS module enables accurate time zone updates without adding dedicated hardware, maintaining system simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal acts as an intermediary between the smart watch and the network server. The smart watch sends positioning data to the mobile terminal, which forwards it to the server and receives the time zone data back, then relays it to the smart watch. This intermediary approach allows the smart watch to access network resources without requiring direct network connectivity, simplifying the smart watch's system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10788796B2Automatic time zone updating method and system for bluetooth watch

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 HUIZHOU TCL MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

A method and system for automatically updating a current time zone of a smart watch by using the smart watch to acquire longitude and latitude data corresponding to a current location of the smart watch and to provide the longitude and latitude data to a mobile terminal to generate time zone information that is then provided to the smart watch.