Timepiece Time Zone Switching via Independent Seconds Hand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watches with multiple time zones are cumbersome to use for quickly switching between time zones, requiring sustained user attention and complex commands, making it inconvenient to check the time in another zone without adjusting the watch.
Innovation Solution
A timepiece with hour and minute hands driven by electric motors and a seconds hand driven independently, controlled by a microcontroller to temporarily display another time zone and automatically return to the initial time zone, allowing quick zone changes and consultations using intuitive commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional time zone changing methods are used with superimposed hands and multiple commands, then the watch can display multiple time zones, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming requiring sustained user attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the time zone changing process into distinct phases: activation phase (pressing crown to enter time zone selection mode), selection phase (rotating crown to select target time zone), and execution phase (automatic switching with visual feedback). This segmentation allows each phase to be handled with a simple, intuitive action rather than requiring sustained complex manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator (the seconds hand or dedicated indicator) that shows the currently selected time zone during the changing process. This intermediary provides immediate feedback to the user, eliminating the need for sustained attention and multiple confirmation steps required in traditional methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple commands and waiting periods are required to change time zones, then time zone switching is possible, but the process takes significant time before displaying the chosen zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions automatically: when the user activates time zone changing mode, the watch immediately begins processing and prepares the target time zone display. The seconds hand or indicator starts moving to show the selected zone without requiring the user to wait for confirmation prompts or additional command sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates unnecessary intermediate steps and waiting periods from the time zone changing process. Instead of requiring the user to hold commands for 10 seconds or navigate through multiple menu levels, the watch rushes through the switching process by detecting the user's intent (crown rotation or button press) and immediately executing the time zone change with continuous visual feedback.
3Ease of operation
If the seconds hand is used to indicate time zone selection during changing, then visual feedback is provided, but the seconds display function is temporarily lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the seconds hand as an intermediary indicator that temporarily assumes the role of time zone selector during the changing process. This intermediary function provides clear visual feedback about the selected time zone while the actual seconds display is paused or shown in a different format, allowing the user to understand the selection without permanent loss of time information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic alternation between the seconds hand's normal time-telling function and its temporary time zone indication function. During time zone changing mode, the seconds hand periodically indicates different time zones as the user rotates the crown, then returns to normal seconds display after the change is complete. This periodic switching maintains both functions at different times without permanent conflict.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for changing the time zone shown on a timepiece (1) from an initial time zone to a changed time zone, comprising the following steps: a time zone change command is input by the user (268) by means of the crown; the time in the changed time zone is indicated via the hour hand and the minute hand (274), wherein the seconds hand (22) indicates a town within the selected time zone; the timepiece is automatically reset (280) to the initial time zone and the time in the initial time zone indicated (202), or the time in the changed time zone is retained via a user command.