Electronic Timepiece Azimuth Display Using Solar Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic timepieces fail to provide a simple, easy-to-read, economical, and compact device that offers a global scientific representation of the celestial dome, accurately correlates legal time with the Sun's direction, and displays astronomical information suitable for use anywhere, while being intuitive and accurate.
Innovation Solution
An electronic timepiece device with a processing unit that determines geo-location and time parameters, calculates local horizontal coordinates of the Sun and celestial bodies, and uses a dial with a variable indicator pointer to show the Sun's direction and time, along with a display system that visualizes astronomical information, including celestial positions and phenomena.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical planetarium mechanism is used to indicate celestial body positions, then astronomical information is provided, but the device becomes extremely complex, expensive, and significantly larger than a classic wristwatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical planetarium mechanism with an electronic processing unit that calculates celestial body positions using software algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for intricate mechanical gears and movements while maintaining astronomical accuracy, directly resolving the contradiction between providing reliable astronomical information and keeping device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic processing unit serves multiple functions: it calculates positions of multiple celestial bodies (Sun, Moon, planets), determines their coordinates in different reference systems (equatorial, ecliptic, horizontal), and provides this information through a simplified digital interface. This multi-functionality consolidates what would require separate mechanical mechanisms into a single versatile electronic system.
2Loss of information
If multiple pointers and rotating bezels are used to display celestial body positions relative to zodiac constellations, then astronomical position information is provided, but reading the information becomes difficult and requires special astronomical knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded visual indicators to represent different celestial bodies and their positions. The processing unit displays celestial information with distinct visual markers that are immediately recognizable, eliminating the need for users to interpret complex pointer positions or rotate bezels. This visual encoding makes astronomical information accessible to users without specialized knowledge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital display interface that acts as an intermediary between the complex astronomical calculations and the user. Instead of directly showing pointer positions or constellation relationships, the system translates this data into user-friendly visual representations with clear labels and indicators, making the information easily readable and interpretable.
3Loss of information
If zodiac constellation symbols are used to indicate celestial body positions, then astronomical position data is provided, but the user must recognize star aggregates to locate celestial bodies in the sky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference parameter system from traditional zodiac constellations (which require astronomical knowledge) to a simplified coordinate system with clear directional indicators. The processing unit calculates and displays positions using intuitive parameters such as azimuth and altitude angles, along with cardinal directions, making the information accessible to general users without requiring them to recognize star patterns or understand constellation boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic timepiece device including an electronic processing unit determining first, geolocation parameters and second parameters concerning the current legal standard time, and establishing local horizontal coordinates of the Sun from predetermined calculation rules stored in a memory of the electronic processing unit. The device also has a dial equipped with a casing enclosing all or part of the electronic processing unit and equipped with a display system displaying at least one indicator hand having an orientation that varies over time such that the angle formed between the indicator hand and a first fixed reference axis of the dial is equal, at each instant, to the azimuth of the Sun established by the processing unit, and a time scale calculated by the electronic processing unit and displayed at the periphery of the dial in the form of a plurality of time points positioned, with respect to the first fixed reference axis, as a function of the azimuth of the Sun respectively at the times of which the time points are representative. Thus the indicator needle simultaneously indicates, at each instant, a representation of the relative directions of the Sun and of the cardinal point of the culmination of the Sun and the current legal time.