Timepiece Identification via Vibration Heartbeat Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece identification systems lack an efficient method to uniquely identify and maintain the power reserve of mechanical timepieces, particularly in a maintenance station setting.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize vibration signals to create a unique 'heartbeat profile' for each timepiece, allowing for identification and power reserve management through vibration analysis and machine learning techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional identification methods are used for timepieces, then the identification process is simple, but the system cannot accurately capture power reserve depletion characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by using a probe to physically contact the timepiece case and induce vibrations in the movement components. The vibration sensor then captures these mechanical vibrations, which contain information about power reserve depletion. This allows precise measurement of power reserve characteristics through mechanical means rather than electronic sensors alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical identification methods with a hybrid system combining mechanical vibration induction and electronic signal processing. The vibration sensor and processor substitute for simple visual or manual inspection, enabling automated capture and analysis of power reserve characteristics through vibration signal processing.
2Measurement precision
If vibration sensors are used to capture power reserve characteristics, then identification accuracy improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically capturing vibration signals, processing them to extract power reserve characteristics, and generating identification data without requiring manual intervention. The maintenance station autonomously completes the identification process, reducing operational complexity despite the sophisticated sensing and processing involved.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is pre-positioned to contact the timepiece case at specific locations optimized for vibration transmission. The system is prepared with the vibration sensor and processing algorithms ready to immediately capture and analyze power reserve characteristics when a timepiece is placed on the maintenance station, streamlining the operational process.
3Measurement precision
If multiple vibration signals are captured and processed, then the heartbeat profile accuracy improves, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures vibration signals throughout the power reserve depletion process, maintaining continuous monitoring rather than taking discrete measurements. This continuous action ensures comprehensive data collection for accurate heartbeat profile generation while optimizing the registration period through efficient signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rapidly processes vibration signals to extract power reserve characteristics, speeding through the analysis phase. By efficiently processing the captured signals and generating identification data quickly, the system minimizes the time required for registration while maintaining profile accuracy.
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
Enables accurate identification of timepieces and maintains their power reserve by analyzing vibration patterns, ensuring optimal operating conditions and extending the lifespan of the timepieces.
Implementation Method 1
capturing a first set of vibration signals characterizing power reserve depletion in a first movement of the first unverified timepiece
Data Source
AI summary
A method for uniquely identifying a timepiece includes, during a timepiece identification period: accessing a library of heartbeat profiles, associated with a population of verified timepieces, defined prior to the timepiece identification period; at a timepiece maintenance station, triggering a probe to contact an unverified timepiece arranged within the timepiece maintenance station; at a vibration sensor coupled to the probe, capturing a vibration signal representing vibrations generated by a movement of the unverified timepiece; extracting a timeseries of periodic characteristics from the vibration signal; and, in response to the timeseries of periodic characteristics approximating periodic characteristics represented in a power reserve range within a heartbeat profile, in the library of heartbeat profiles, identifying the unverified timepiece as a verified timepiece specified for the heartbeat profile.