Time Information Coding Using Multi-Scale Integer Encoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing time information coding methods are inefficient for handling multi-scale time information, leading to low calculation efficiency due to the need for cumbersome string manipulation and conversion between different time scales.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for time information coding that converts time information into integers with specified bits under multiple time scales, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval by determining and coding time information into first and second integers based on different time scales, thereby improving calculation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If string-based time representation is used, then time information can be stored and displayed, but calculation efficiency deteriorates due to cumbersome string manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of time manipulation operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation of time from string format to integer format. Time information is encoded as integers where different bit ranges represent different time scales (year, month, day, hour, minute, second). This parameter transformation enables efficient bitwise operations for time calculations, resolving the contradiction between productivity and operation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical string manipulation system with a mathematical integer-based system. Instead of parsing and manipulating string representations of time, the invention uses integer arithmetic and bitwise operations to perform time calculations, significantly improving calculation efficiency and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple time scales are handled separately, then different time granularities can be represented, but processing time increases due to conversion between scales

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-scale time representation capabilityVSAvoidtime for scale conversion operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple time scale representations into a single integer structure. Different time scales (year, month, day, hour, minute, second) are encoded in different bit ranges of the same integer, allowing simultaneous representation of multiple scales without requiring separate conversion operations, thus reducing time loss while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integer-based time representation serves multiple functions simultaneously: it can represent different time granularities, perform arithmetic operations, and support various time scale conversions all within a single data structure. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If integer coding is used for time information, then calculation efficiency improves, but compatibility with existing string-based systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation efficiencyVSAvoidcompatibility with existing systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces encoding and decoding functions as intermediaries between the integer-based internal representation and string-based external systems. These intermediary functions handle the conversion seamlessly, allowing the system to enjoy the benefits of integer arithmetic while maintaining compatibility with existing string-based time handling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11544443B2Time information coding method, coded value searching method, decoding method and device

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 TONG XIAOCHONG

AI summary

A time information coding method is provided, to solve the problem of coded values low calculation efficiency, which is resulted by adopting the existing time information coding schemes. The method comprises: determining time information to be coded; coding the time information to be coded to a first integer with a specified number of bits under a first time scale; coding the first integer into a second integer with a specified number of bits under a second time scale, the second integer being as a coded value under the second time scale of the time information to be coded. A time information coding device, a searching method for coded values, a decoding method and device are also provided.