Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for enabling devices to determine the time zone in which they are located. A mobile device may receive location information from one or more sources. Based thereon, the current location of the mobile device may be determined in terms of latitude and longitude. The indication of the current location may be converted to an index value according to a Hilbert curve (or other space-filling curve), and the index value applied to a time zone index file to determine the local time zone. A time zone setting of the mobile device may be updated accordingly. Furthermore, “geofencing” may be used by the mobile device to detect movement towards and through a time zone boundary, leading to a new time zone determination being initiated.

A method for determining a period in a vehicle using several time sources.

A method for determining a period in a vehicle using several time sources.

An electronic timepiece includes a radio wave receiver, a communication unit, a memory and a processor. The radio wave receiver receives radio waves from positioning satellites. The communication unit communicates with an external device. The memory stores a program and predicted positional information on the positioning satellites. Based on the program stored in the memory, the processor shifts the timepiece between a normal operation state and a power saving state in which operation of the timepiece is restricted, depending on a status of the timepiece. In response to an elapsed time from a valid period of the predicted positional information exceeding a predetermined reference time during the power saving state, the processor causes the communication unit to receive updated data of the predicted positional information and other information from the external device when shifting the timepiece from the power saving state to the normal operation state.

An electronic timepiece includes a radio wave receiver, a communication unit, a memory and a processor. The radio wave receiver receives radio waves from positioning satellites. The communication unit communicates with an external device. The memory stores a program and predicted positional information on the positioning satellites. Based on the program stored in the memory, the processor shifts the timepiece between a normal operation state and a power saving state in which operation of the timepiece is restricted, depending on a status of the timepiece. In response to an elapsed time from a valid period of the predicted positional information exceeding a predetermined reference time during the power saving state, the processor causes the communication unit to receive updated data of the predicted positional information and other information from the external device when shifting the timepiece from the power saving state to the normal operation state.

In some implementations, a device may receive, via a universal serial bus (USB) interface, configuration information and a supply of power from a network device. The device may receive, via an antenna that is external to the device, a first signal indicating timing information. The device may generate, based on the first signal, a second signal and a third signal, wherein the second signal comprises a one pulse per second signal and the third signal comprises a ten-megahertz signal. The device may provide, to the network device, the second signal and the third signal. The device may receive, via an input port, a clock signal to provide an extended holdover functionality to the network device.

In some implementations, a device may receive, via a universal serial bus (USB) interface, configuration information and a supply of power from a network device. The device may receive, via an antenna that is external to the device, a first signal indicating timing information. The device may generate, based on the first signal, a second signal and a third signal, wherein the second signal comprises a one pulse per second signal and the third signal comprises a ten-megahertz signal. The device may provide, to the network device, the second signal and the third signal. The device may receive, via an input port, a clock signal to provide an extended holdover functionality to the network device.

The electronic timepiece has a receiver that receives standard time signals; a detector that samples the received signal and detects the signal level; a calculator that computes, based on the detected signal level, the total signal width of a first level signal in 1-second, and the continuous time of the second level signal; and a code evaluator that determines the code transmitted in the signal based on the calculated total. The signal contains a first code and a second code in which the total signal width of the first level signal in 1 second is the same; the first code is a code that transmits the first level signal in 1 second; the second code is a code that transmits two first level signals separated by a second level signal in 1 second.

The electronic timepiece has a receiver that receives standard time signals; a detector that samples the received signal and detects the signal level; a calculator that computes, based on the detected signal level, the total signal width of a first level signal in 1-second, and the continuous time of the second level signal; and a code evaluator that determines the code transmitted in the signal based on the calculated total. The signal contains a first code and a second code in which the total signal width of the first level signal in 1 second is the same; the first code is a code that transmits the first level signal in 1 second; the second code is a code that transmits two first level signals separated by a second level signal in 1 second.

A method for synchronizing time within a local, networked system including a first device and a least one second device. The first device uses a short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio communications protocol to advertise a time that is being maintained by a first clock of the first device. The second device uses the received time to discipline a second clock of the second device such that the second clock of the second device is generally synchronized to the first clock of the first device.