Timepiece Time Correction Status Display Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional timepieces face challenges in reliably indicating the success or failure of time correction to users, particularly after a date change, due to the limitations of internal flags used for presenting time correction status.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece configuration that employs additional flags and a timer to accurately display the success or failure of time correction, using a YN hand counter to indicate successful time correction within a predetermined period, improving reliability and user satisfaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single internal flag is used to indicate time correction status, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of presenting time correction success or failure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the time correction status indication into two separate flags: a first flag (YN hand counter) that indicates whether time information was successfully received, and a second flag that indicates whether the time changing operation was successful within a predetermined period. This segmentation allows each flag to track a specific aspect of the time correction process independently, resolving the contradiction by improving reliability through detailed tracking while maintaining manageable complexity through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a timer as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between signal reception and time correction completion. The timer measures whether the time changing operation completes within a predetermined period, acting as a mediator that translates the asynchronous operation of time correction into a measurable temporal parameter. This intermediary mechanism enables reliable status indication without directly increasing flag complexity.
2Measurement precision
If time correction status is indicated immediately, then the response speed is improved, but the accuracy of status indication deteriorates after date changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by setting the first flag (YN hand counter) immediately when time information is successfully received from the signal receiver, before the time changing operation completes. This preliminary flag setting captures the reception status at the moment it occurs, ensuring accurate recording without delay. The subsequent time-based flag then determines the final status indication, resolving the contradiction by capturing status information at the precise moment it becomes relevant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the second flag is set based on whether the time changing operation completes within a predetermined period after the first flag is set. This feedback loop continuously monitors the time correction process and updates the status indication accordingly, ensuring that the most current and accurate status is presented to the user while maintaining a clear temporal relationship between reception and completion events.
3Loss of information
If the second hand continuously updates to show time correction status, then the information freshness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent hand movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by having the second hand move to indicate time correction status only when the flags indicate a status change, rather than continuously updating. The status indication occurs periodically at meaningful transition points (when reception succeeds or when the predetermined period expires), providing fresh information without requiring constant hand movement. This periodic update approach maintains information freshness while improving ease of operation by reducing unnecessary mechanical activity.
Data Source
AI summary
A timepiece includes a clock circuit, a signal receiver configured to receive signals including time information, a processor configured to control a changing operation of changing a current time measured by the clock circuit based on the time information obtained from the signal receiver and controls a presenting operation of whether or not the changing operation is successful. The processor controls the changing operation based on a first flag indicating whether or not the signal receiver successfully receives the time information. The processor controls the presenting operation based on a second flag indicating whether or not the changing operation is successful within a predetermined period of time.