Timepiece Component Image Management for Pointer Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack an efficient method for managing component images of timepieces, particularly in adjusting and correcting displaced pointers due to impacts or magnetic forces, which affects the accuracy and usability of analog timepieces.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that includes a management server and user terminal for acquiring and setting component information and images, allowing for efficient management and correction of timepiece components by associating common images across multiple types of timepieces, utilizing short-range communication for synchronization and correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate component images are managed for each timepiece model, then the accuracy of component representation is improved, but the device complexity and data management burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent image accuracyVSAvoiddata management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The component image management is segmented into common components (shared across multiple models) and model-specific components (unique to each model). This segmentation allows the system to manage only the necessary variations while reusing common elements, reducing overall data complexity while maintaining accuracy for each specific component type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by creating a common component image library that can be applied across multiple timepiece models. Instead of creating separate complete image sets for each model, the system uses a universal base of common components that can be selectively combined with model-specific variations, thereby simplifying data management while preserving model accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If manual adjustment methods are used for displaced pointers, then the correction process is simple, but the time required and user effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrection process simplicityVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated image processing system. The system automatically detects displaced pointers, calculates correction amounts, and applies corrections to component images through computational processing, substituting the mechanical manual adjustment process with an automated digital system that reduces both time and user effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically detecting and correcting displaced pointers without requiring user intervention. The correction process is autonomously performed by the information processing apparatus, which identifies the displacement, calculates the necessary correction, and applies it to the component images, thereby serving itself rather than requiring manual user adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If complete component images are stored for every timepiece model, then the representation accuracy is improved, but the data capacity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent representation accuracyVSAvoiddata capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges common component images into a shared library that serves multiple timepiece models. Instead of storing separate complete component image sets for each model, the system combines and reuses common components across models, significantly reducing the total data capacity required while maintaining accurate representation of each model's specific components through selective combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12547124B2Information processing apparatus, recording medium, and component management method

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A management server serving as an information processing apparatus includes ROM or RAM that stores programs, and at least one processor executing the stored programs. The processor is configured to execute processing including: acquiring the component information comprising at least one selected from the 24-hour meter or the small clock or the 24-hour meter or the date window or the function display board provided on the board surface of the timepiece, which points a symbol indicating certain information or displays the certain information, and the component image such as the 24-hour meter image or the small clock image or the 24-hour meter image or the date window image or the function display board image corresponding to the component information; and setting the component image which is common to a plurality of types of timepieces by associating the component information with the plurality of types of the timepieces.