Electronic Timepiece Power Management via Dynamic Receiver Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic timepieces face challenges in maintaining accurate timekeeping when battery voltage is low, as the power required for satellite signal reception is significantly higher than standard time signal reception, leading to potential system shutdown and increased time deviation.

Innovation Solution

An electronic timepiece with both satellite and standard time signal receivers, featuring a reserve power detector and controllers that manage power usage based on set thresholds, prioritizing standard time signal reception when battery voltage is low and satellite signal reception when sufficient, to minimize shutdown risks and maintain accurate timekeeping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the satellite signal receiver is operated to acquire time information, then the timekeeping accuracy is improved, but the battery voltage drops significantly due to high power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimekeeping accuracyVSAvoidbattery voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic selection between satellite signal receiver and standard time signal receiver based on real-time battery voltage conditions. When battery voltage is sufficient, the satellite signal receiver is activated for high-precision timekeeping; when voltage drops below threshold, the system automatically switches to the standard time signal receiver, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that resolves the contradiction between accuracy and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameter (receiver type) based on battery voltage threshold. By monitoring battery voltage and switching between two receivers with different power consumption characteristics, the system maintains timekeeping functionality across varying power conditions without shutting down, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining accuracy and conserving energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the satellite signal receiver is operated when battery voltage is low, then time information can be acquired, but the system may shut down due to insufficient power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime information acquisitionVSAvoidsystem shutdown risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of battery voltage before activating the satellite signal receiver. By checking whether the voltage meets the threshold requirement in advance, the system prevents activation under insufficient power conditions, thereby avoiding system shutdown and ensuring reliable time information acquisition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors battery voltage and uses this feedback to control the operation of the satellite signal receiver. When voltage drops below the threshold, the feedback mechanism automatically prevents receiver operation, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates shutdown risk while ensuring time information can be acquired when conditions permit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the standard time signal receiver is used instead of satellite signal receiver, then power consumption is reduced, but the probability of acquiring time information decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtime information acquisition probability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functionality architecture where the timepiece can receive time information from two different sources: satellite signals and standard time signals. This universal capability allows the system to adapt to different signal availability conditions and power states, ensuring time information acquisition probability is maintained by switching between functions based on environmental and power conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9897979B2Electronic timepiece and control method of an electronic timepiece

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An electronic timepiece having a satellite signal receiver; a standard time signal receiver; a storage battery; a voltage detection circuit that detects the remaining capacity of the storage battery; a satellite signal reception controller; and a standard time signal reception controller. The satellite signal reception controller operates the satellite signal receiver when the battery capacity detected by the voltage detection circuit is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the automatic reception condition is met. The standard time signal reception controller operates the standard time signal receiver when the automatic reception condition for the standard time signal is met whether the reserve power is greater than or equal to the first threshold and when the reserve power is less than the first threshold.