Wearable Terminal Time Synchronization via Centralized Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor network systems face challenges in synchronizing the internal clocks of multiple terminals due to communication delays, leading to deviations in time measurements, which hinders the analysis of terminal data on a unified time axis.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a terminal data correction unit that adjusts terminal time data by using a linear regression equation based on detection order data, dividing data into groups to account for noise and missing data, and correcting intervals to ensure synchronization across terminals, thereby eliminating communication delay-induced deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If terminal time correction is performed based on time data from terminal management apparatus, then time synchronization is improved, but communication delay causes terminal times to deviate from each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time correction process into two independent parts: (1) each terminal independently corrects its time based on time data received from the terminal management apparatus, and (2) the information processing apparatus separately corrects the terminal time data to compensate for communication delays. This segmentation allows each terminal to maintain its own correction timeline while the central apparatus coordinates the overall synchronization, resolving the contradiction between individual time correction and global time consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the information processing apparatus as an intermediary that receives terminal data, corrects time deviations caused by communication delays, and returns corrected data. This intermediary role allows the system to acknowledge the inevitable communication delays while still achieving accurate time synchronization through coordinated correction processes at both terminal and central apparatus levels.
2Measurement precision
If terminal time data is corrected to synchronize clocks, then time axis alignment is improved, but communication delays cause intervals between terminal times to become uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the information processing apparatus receives terminal time data, analyzes the intervals between consecutive time measurements, and applies corrective adjustments. The system continuously monitors time interval uniformity and provides feedback corrections to align terminal times, ensuring that communication delays do not result in uneven time intervals on the shared time axis.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If regular time correction is performed at predetermined intervals, then time synchronization is maintained, but communication delays accumulate and increase time deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having terminals perform time correction in advance based on time data received from the terminal management apparatus before actual operations begin. The information processing apparatus also preliminarily identifies and corrects for communication delay patterns, allowing terminals to operate with accurate time synchronization from the start without accumulating delays during regular operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Each of wearable terminals includes a terminal time correction unit configured to correct terminal time of a terminal clock unit based on time data externally acquired, a terminal data generation unit configured to generate terminal data at a predetermined data generation time interval counted based on an output signal of an oscillation circuit, and a data transmission/reception unit configured to transmit the terminal data to an analysis apparatus. The analysis apparatus includes a terminal data correction unit configured to correct, for each of the wearable terminals, terminal time data of the plurality of pieces of terminal data received from each of the wearable terminals. The terminal data correction unit corrects the terminal time data of the plurality of pieces of terminal data in such a way that intervals between the terminal time data of the plurality of pieces of terminal data become even on the time axis.