Electronic Timepiece Satellite Positioning Data Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic timepieces face inefficiencies in positioning due to the need for frequent updates of satellite ephemeris data, leading to increased work and delayed position specification, especially when using predicted positional information for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
An electronic timepiece with a radio wave receiver, communicator, and storage that updates predicted positional information from an external device at a predetermined timing before the end of its effective period, optimizing data acquisition and reducing unnecessary work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If predicted positional information is acquired for a relatively long period, then positioning information availability is improved, but unnecessary work increases if data is not acquired efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring predicted positional information in advance from external devices before the effective period expires. The electronic timepiece proactively requests and stores updated ephemeris data from servers or other timepieces before the current data becomes invalid, ensuring continuous positioning capability without last-minute rushes that would increase unnecessary work.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the electronic timepiece monitors the effective period of stored predicted positional information and automatically triggers data acquisition when thresholds are approached. This feedback loop ensures efficient timing of data updates, preventing both premature acquisition (wasting resources) and delayed acquisition (compromising positioning availability).
2Reliability
If ephemeris data is acquired at normal positioning intervals, then positioning function is maintained, but time is required until current position is specified when update frequency is broad
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by performing preliminary acquisition of ephemeris data from external sources before it is needed for positioning. By pre-loading predicted positional information with extended effective periods, the system ensures that when positioning is required, current position can be specified immediately without waiting for data updates, thus eliminating positioning specification delay while maintaining reliable positioning function.
3Ease of operation
If data request to server is concentrated at update timing of ephemeris, then data acquisition is simplified, but network load and acquisition failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by distributing data acquisition across multiple sources and time periods. Instead of concentrating all requests at server update timing, the system divides the acquisition task: some data is obtained from servers at optimized intervals, while other predicted positional information is exchanged with nearby electronic timepieces. This segmentation reduces network load concentration and provides alternative acquisition paths, improving reliability without complicating the overall acquisition process.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic timepiece includes a radio wave receiver which receives radio waves from a positioning satellite, a communicator which performs communication with an external device, a storage which stores predicted positional information of the positioning satellite acquired from a source other than the positioning satellite, and a processor configured to update the predicted positional information stored in the storage by causing the communicator to acquire the predicted positional information from the external device at or after a specified timing corresponding to an update period of the predicted positional information, the specified timing being a timing before an end of an effective period of the stored predicted positional information, and the update period being determined in advance in the external device.