Time Maintenance System for Synchronization Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex and geographically extended machine-based systems, timing and synchronization across distributed elements can be lost due to communication failures or time-correction events, leading to undetected timing drift and potential visual artifacts or performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A time maintenance system that monitors and synchronizes operational elements by receiving time reference information, analyzing it against a known correct state, and displaying fault indicators for unsynchronized elements, allowing for automated correction of synchronization faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual verification of time synchronization is performed for each operational element, then accuracy of time verification is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs time verification by having operational elements self-report their time reference status. The time maintenance system receives and processes these self-provided time reference information without requiring manual intervention, enabling automated verification that maintains accuracy while reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where operational elements provide time reference information to the time maintenance system, which then compares this information against known correct timing states and provides feedback about synchronization status. This automated feedback loop enables rapid verification without manual checking.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of time synchronization is implemented, then reliability of system operation is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time verification function from complex manual monitoring processes and implements it as a dedicated time maintenance system that operates independently. This extracted function continuously monitors time reference information without interfering with normal operational elements, maintaining reliability while managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The time maintenance system serves as an intermediary between operational elements and the central time reference. It receives time reference information from operational elements, compares it against known correct states, and manages synchronization status without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If automated time verification is implemented, then productivity of time maintenance operations is improved, but measurement precision and detection accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with automated electronic time verification. The time maintenance system electronically receives, processes, and compares time reference information automatically, significantly improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision through computational accuracy rather than human judgment.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for synchronizing time in a machine-based system. The technique includes receiving time reference information for a first operational element included in the system; analyzing the time reference information against a known correct timing state for the first operational element; determining that the first operational element is not properly synchronized based on the time reference information and the known correct timing state; and in response to determining that the first operational element is not properly synchronized, causing a fault indicator associated with the first operational element to be displayed on a machine that monitors a plurality of operational elements included in the system.