Smartwatch Time Difference Display with Segmented Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece technologies do not provide an intuitive display of time differences between multiple cities, making it difficult for users to understand the time disparities visually.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device, such as a smartwatch, acquires location information for a hometown and a current city, calculates the time difference, and displays this information using a graphical representation like an arrow on a circular display, with attributes like length and color varying based on the differential amount, along with a day-night depiction on a map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple city time information is displayed simultaneously on one dial using time scale and longitude scale with arrows, then the location and current time information for multiple cities are displayed, but the display is not very intuitive and readily understandable by users
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple independent visual elements: a first indicator for the first city, a second indicator for the second city, and a differential indicator showing the time difference. Each indicator can be independently positioned and styled, allowing users to understand multiple pieces of information separately rather than trying to interpret a single complex display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of display by adding a differential indicator that visually represents the time difference between cities. This differential amount is displayed as a separate visual element that extends from one indicator to another, adding spatial depth and relationship context to the display. The differential indicator can be positioned at different orientations (e.g., radially outward, tangentially) to provide intuitive visual cues about time relationships.
2Loss of information
If differential information is displayed with continuously varied attributes, then the time difference between locations is visually represented, but the display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The differential indicator utilizes color variations to encode time difference information. The color of the differential indicator can change based on the magnitude or direction of the time difference, providing an intuitive visual cue that requires no additional text or numerical display. This allows rich information communication through a simple visual element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous variation of visual parameters (such as length, orientation, or color intensity) of the differential indicator to represent the differential amount. For example, the length of the differential indicator may be proportional to the time difference, or its orientation may indicate the direction of time offset. These parameter changes provide a scalable and flexible way to display differential information without requiring complex additional structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece wrist terminal includes: a setting processing unit; a location information acquisition unit; a related information acquisition unit; a time difference calculation processing unit; and an output control unit. The setting processing unit acquires a first location. The location information acquisition unit acquires a second location that is different from the first location. The related information acquisition unit acquires information related to the first location. The related information acquisition unit also acquires information related to the second location. The time difference calculation processing unit generates differential information in accordance with the information related to the first location and the information related to the second location. The output control unit controls the output unit so as to display an object that represents the differential information, at least one of attributes of the object displayed being continuously varied in accordance with a differential amount representing the differential information.