Electronic Timepiece Battery Power Management via Dynamic Display Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic timepieces face challenges in reducing power consumption when the battery level is low, as they continue to display and measure physical quantities, leading to increased power usage and potential inability to display the current time.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a processor with an action controller that prevents switching to display modes and measurement operations when the battery level is below a certain threshold, allowing only essential functions to conserve power, and adjusting the number of measurements and display digits based on battery level to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic timepiece continues to measure and display physical quantities when battery level is low, then the measurement and display functions are maintained, but power consumption increases and the device may fail to display current time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of measurement and display operations based on battery voltage levels. The control unit monitors battery voltage and dynamically changes the operational state of the measurement unit and display unit - switching from normal operation to power-saving mode when voltage drops below thresholds, and back to normal operation when voltage is restored. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible enough to maintain reliability when needed while conserving energy when battery level is low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (measurement frequency, display update frequency, or operational state) based on battery voltage levels. When battery voltage drops below a first threshold, the control unit changes the parameter to reduce power consumption by stopping or reducing measurement and display operations. When voltage rises above the threshold, parameters are restored to maintain full functionality. This parameter-based adaptation allows the system to balance reliability and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic timepiece reduces measurement and display operations to save power, then power consumption decreases, but measurement precision and display information completeness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively maintaining or reducing specific operations based on battery level. Instead of completely shutting down all functions, the system performs partial measurements or partial displays - for example, measuring less frequently or displaying only essential information - which consumes less power while still providing some measurement precision and information completeness. This partial operation approach resolves the contradiction by finding a middle ground between full operation and complete shutdown.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic timepiece reduces the number of display digits or measurement updates, then power consumption is reduced, but information completeness and user utility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the level of information displayed and measured based on battery voltage thresholds. When voltage is sufficient, the system displays complete information and performs full measurements. When voltage drops below thresholds, the system dynamically reduces information display (fewer digits, less frequent updates) and measurement frequency, thereby reducing power consumption while adapting information completeness to available energy levels.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic timepiece includes a measuring section that measures a predetermined measurement item, a display capable of displaying the result of the measurement performed by the measuring section, a battery that supplies electric power for driving the measuring section and the display, and a processor including an action controller that prevents switching to a display mode that causes the display to display the measurement result in a case where the remaining battery level of the battery is lower than a predetermined value.