Electronic Timepiece Map Display via Near-Field Wireless Position Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable wireless communication devices and wristwatch-type electronic timepieces face challenges in providing seamless and user-friendly acquisition of map information indicating a current position, with devices being either too complex or requiring excessive operation time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a smart phone and an electronic timepiece perform near-field wireless communication to acquire operation time information, position information, and map information, allowing for quick and intuitive display of the user's position on a map, with the electronic timepiece receiving satellite radio waves and sensors for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a portable wireless communication device is used to acquire map information, then map information can be obtained, but the device becomes larger and more complex to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the functionality between two devices: the electronic timepiece (simple device) and the portable wireless communication device (complex device with mapping function). The timepiece only handles basic operations like button pressing and receives position information, while the portable device handles complex tasks like acquiring map information and displaying it. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function without requiring the timepiece to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable wireless communication device as an intermediary between the user and the electronic timepiece. This intermediary device receives position information from the timepiece, processes it, and displays map information on its own display. The intermediary handles the complex operations while the simple timepiece remains in the user's possession, solving the contradiction by offloading complexity to a dedicated intermediary.
2Loss of information
If a wireless communication device is used to acquire map information, then map information can be obtained, but more action and time are required, reducing operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the electronic timepiece continuously acquire position information in the background and store it in association with operation time. When the user presses a button, the system immediately retrieves and transmits the pre-acquired position information without requiring the user to wait for position acquisition. This preliminary preparation of position data significantly reduces the time and actions required from the user's perspective.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic timepiece performs self-service by automatically acquiring position information using its own satellite receiver and storing it without user intervention. The system autonomously manages the complex tasks of position acquisition, time association, and data transmission when triggered by a button press, eliminating the need for the user to perform multiple separate actions.
3Measurement precision
If position information is acquired without time association, then position can be obtained, but errors due to delayed position information occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by associating position information with operation time in the timepiece's memory. When a button press is detected, the system retrieves position information that corresponds to the specific operation time, creating a feedback loop that ensures the position data is timely and accurate for the user's current operation. This time-associative feedback mechanism prevents the use of delayed or outdated position information.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves operability by allowing users to easily acquire map information by pushing a button on the electronic timepiece, reducing errors due to delayed position information, and ensuring compliance with restrictions in specific areas, enhancing convenience and reducing communication processing.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic timepiece configured to receive a radio wave from a satellite and to acquire position information indicative of a current position so as to correct a time measured in the own device
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to perform wireless communication with another wireless communication device to acquire information
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an information acquisition method of a wireless communication device including a receiver configured to perform wireless communication with another wireless communication device to acquire information. The information acquisition method includes acquiring operation time information indicative of time at which the other wireless communication device receives an information acquisition instruction by an operation, acquiring position information indicative of a user position at time based on the acquired operation time information, and acquiring map information for indicating, on a map, the acquired position information.