Smartphone Timepiece Log Analysis for On-Demand Abnormality Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery-operated timepieces, such as wristwatches, fail to notify users of abnormalities beyond voltage reduction at user-desired timings, and the timing of abnormality detection does not align with user needs.

Innovation Solution

A determination system using a smartphone and electronic timepiece connected via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for self-checking, which acquires log data to determine battery, electricity generation, and magnetism status, allowing user-controlled abnormality detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electronic timepiece determines abnormality at a specific predetermined timing, then the system can automatically detect issues, but the user cannot obtain abnormality determination results at their desired timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser-controlled abnormality detection timingVSAvoiduser waiting time for abnormality detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The abnormality determination timing is made dynamic and adjustable by the user. The control section allows the user to set their desired timing for abnormality determination, transforming the fixed predetermined timing into a flexible, user-adaptable parameter. This resolves the contradiction by enabling users to initiate abnormality checks at convenient moments rather than waiting for system-defined intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If the electronic timepiece only notifies voltage reduction through second hand movement changes, then the notification mechanism is simple, but the user cannot ascertain other abnormalities beyond battery voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of abnormality informationVSAvoidnotification system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system is enhanced to serve multiple functions. Beyond the traditional second hand movement changes for voltage notification, the system now performs comprehensive abnormality determinations including battery voltage, electricity generation capability, and magnetism effects. The control section coordinates multiple detection functions and integrates their results, allowing a single notification mechanism to convey diverse abnormality information types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control section acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple detection functions (voltage detection, generation capability detection, magnetism effect detection) and the notification mechanism. It aggregates information from various sources and presents a comprehensive abnormality status to the user, enabling the simple notification interface to convey complex diagnostic information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the electronic timepiece performs comprehensive abnormality detection including battery, electricity generation, and magnetism, then the diagnostic capability is enhanced, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabnormality detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption for detection functions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The comprehensive abnormality detection is performed periodically rather than continuously. The control section executes detection cycles at predetermined intervals, allowing the timepiece to maintain enhanced diagnostic capabilities while managing power consumption. Between detection cycles, the system operates in a lower-power state, and users can initiate additional checks at their convenience without requiring constant monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3872580B1Electronic apparatus, determination system, determination method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP3872580B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872580B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872580B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A smartphone includes at least one processor. The processor acquires, from a time display device, log data of the time display device, and determines, based on the acquired log data and with an input command from a user received by the smartphone as a trigger, a status of whether the time display device is abnormal.