Electronic Watch Time Synchronization via GPS and NTP Offset
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy of time displayed on wristwatch-type terminal devices is compromised when the time data from carrier networks is incorrect, as it relies on the cell-phone's time data, which may not be reliable.
Innovation Solution
A communication system utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for short-range wireless communication between a central device, such as a smartphone, and a peripheral device, like an electronic watch, where the central device receives time information from satellite systems like GPS and NTP servers to calculate and transmit accurate time data, including offset and location-based time differences, to the peripheral device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wristwatch-type terminal device relies on time data from the carrier network via cell-phone, then the device can obtain time information through wireless communication, but the accuracy of the displayed time deteriorates when the carrier network time data is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a satellite positioning system (GPS) as an intermediary time source. The wristwatch-type terminal device directly receives time data from GPS satellites through its satellite receiving unit, bypassing the unreliable carrier network path. This intermediary time source provides a more reliable reference that resolves the contradiction between maintaining wireless communication dependency and ensuring time accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time data source parameter from carrier network (unreliable) to satellite positioning system (reliable). By switching the reference time source to GPS satellites, the system maintains wireless communication functionality while fundamentally improving time data reliability and display accuracy simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If the wristwatch-type terminal device uses time data from the carrier network, then the device can synchronize time through the cell-phone connection, but the time correction capability deteriorates when the source time data is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces GPS satellite time data as an intermediary reference that directly synchronizes the wristwatch-type terminal device's internal clock. This eliminates dependency on the cell-phone and carrier network for time synchronization, maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving time correction reliability through direct satellite time acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The wristwatch-type terminal device performs self-service time synchronization by directly receiving time data from GPS satellites through its own satellite receiving unit. This eliminates the need for intermediary time transmission through the cell-phone, allowing the device to independently and reliably correct its own time without depending on potentially inaccurate carrier network data.
3Device complexity
If the device depends on cell-phone time information, then the wireless communication system can maintain simple time transmission, but the overall system reliability deteriorates when the cell-phone time data is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The wristwatch-type terminal device incorporates dual functionality: it maintains its wireless communication capabilities for data transmission while also integrating a satellite receiving unit for direct time acquisition. This multi-functionality allows the device to use the simple wireless communication path for other purposes while obtaining reliable time data independently from GPS satellites, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and time reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A communication system (1) comprises a central (100) and a peripheral (200). The central (100) receives location information and time information from NTP servers (10) and a location server (30). The central (100) creates first offset information of the time measured by its own device and the time information received from the NTP servers (10). The central (100) acquires from map information a time difference corresponding to a location presented by the location information received from the location server (30). The central (100) creates first updated time information based on the time measured by its own device, first offset information, and time difference corresponding to the location presented by the location information received from location server (30) and transmits the first updated time information to the peripheral (200). The peripheral (200) changes the time displayed by its own device based on the received first updated time information.