Watch Managing Auxiliary Scoring Phases

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing timekeeping devices for sports, such as watches, primarily focus on time measurement and do not account for penalties or additional scoring systems, which are crucial in sports like equestrian show jumping where time and penalties both impact the outcome.

Innovation Solution

A watch with an electronic movement that includes display and control mechanisms to manage multiple operating phases, allowing for the calculation and display of time and penalties, enabling users to select different scoring modes and settings for equestrian activities, including penalty settings and time limits, and to track competitions accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a watch is designed to measure only time for sports activities, then the device complexity remains low and ease of operation is maintained, but the adaptability to different scoring systems (such as equestrian show jumping with penalties) is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different scoring systemsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The watch is designed to perform multiple functions: it can measure time duration and simultaneously record penalty events. The device allows switching between different operational modes (chronograph mode for time-only measurement and competition mode for time plus penalties). This multi-functionality enables the same device to adapt to various scoring systems without requiring separate specialized devices for each sport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The watch incorporates dynamic configuration capabilities where users can programmatically define different scoring systems with varying parameters (reference times, penalty values, elimination thresholds). The device can switch between pre-programmed scoring systems (such as scoring system A and C for show jumping) and allow customization of parameters, making it adaptable to different competition rules without hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a watch includes features to track both time and penalties for equestrian competitions, then the adaptability to scoring systems improves, but the device complexity increases due to multiple operating phases and settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to scoring systemsVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The watch allows users to pre-program competition parameters before the actual event. Users can set reference times, define penalty values, establish elimination thresholds, and configure scoring system rules in advance. This preliminary configuration reduces the complexity during actual competition use, as the device automatically applies these pre-set parameters during time measurement and penalty recording without requiring complex real-time calculations or user interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The watch provides continuous feedback through its display system, showing elapsed time, accumulated penalties, and current scoring status. The device can visually indicate when reference times are exceeded, when elimination thresholds are approached, and provide real-time scoring information. This feedback mechanism simplifies operation by automatically tracking and displaying competition status, reducing the cognitive load on users during high-pressure competition situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3092532B1Portable object for managing an auxiliary activity
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE
  • EP3092532B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3092532B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3A
  • EP3092532B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a watch (1) comprising an electronic module (6) driving display means (4) for the analogue display, on a dial, of at least one auxiliary function as well as the normal display of the current time, said at least one function being controlled by control means (5) and comprising at least one phase using at least one operating mode wherein the duration of said phase is measured.