U.S. patent application number 12/107589 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for improvement to instrumentation.
This patent application is currently assigned to PURE DEPTH LIMITED. Invention is credited to Gabriel Damon Engel.
Application Number | 20090070709 12/107589 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19928730 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090070709 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Engel; Gabriel Damon |
March 12, 2009 |
IMPROVEMENT TO INSTRUMENTATION
Abstract
Methods and multi-component displays for displaying graphical
objects are disclosed. A method includes displaying a graphical
object on a first display screen of the multi-component display. In
response to an event, the graphical object is displayed on a second
display screen of the multi-component display, wherein the first
and second display screens overlap, and wherein the displaying the
graphical object on the second display screen is operable to
provide a visual indication of the event. Another method includes
displaying a first graphical object on a first display screen of
the multi-component display and displaying a second graphical
object on a second display screen of the multi-component display.
In response to an overlap of the first and second graphical
objects, the overlapping portion of the first and second graphical
objects is displayed with a visual attribute distinct from
respective visual attributes of the first and second graphical
objects.
Inventors: |
Engel; Gabriel Damon;
(Hamilton, NZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MURABITO, HAO & BARNES, LLP
TWO NORTH MARKET STREET, THIRD FLOOR
SAN JOSE
CA
95113
US
|
Assignee: |
PURE DEPTH LIMITED
Auckland
NZ
|
Family ID: |
19928730 |
Appl. No.: |
12/107589 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10489101 |
Sep 21, 2004 |
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PCT/NZ2002/000175 |
Sep 11, 2002 |
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12107589 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/790 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01D 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/790 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 11, 2001 |
NZ |
514119 |
Claims
1. A method of displaying information on a multi-component display,
said method comprising: displaying a graphical object on a first
display screen of said multi-component display; and in response to
an event, displaying said graphical object on a second display
screen of said multi-component display, wherein said first and
second display screens overlap, and wherein said displaying said
graphical object on said second display screen is operable to
provide a visual indication of said event.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: discontinuing said
display of said graphical object on said first display screen while
said graphical object is displayed on said second display
screen.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: re-displaying said
graphical object on said first display screen while discontinuing
display of said graphical object on said second display screen;
re-displaying said graphical object on said second display screen
while discontinuing display of said graphical object on said first
display screen; and repeating said re-displaying of said graphical
object on said first and second display screens at least one
time.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said event is selected from a
group consisting of an alarm and a critical situation.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said event is associated with
said graphical object.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying said graphical
object on said first and second display screens comprises
displaying said graphical object on said first and second display
screens of an instrumentation system, wherein said instrumentation
system comprises said multi-component display, wherein said method
further comprises detecting said event, and wherein said detecting
said event further comprises: monitoring at least one parameter of
said instrumentation system; determining if said at least one
parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold; and identifying said
event in response to said determining.
7. A multi-component display comprising: a first display screen for
displaying a graphical object; and a second display screen for
displaying said graphical object in response to an event, wherein
said first and second display screens overlap, and wherein said
second display screen is further operable to display said graphical
object to provide a visual indication of said event.
8. The multi-component display of claim 7, wherein said first
display screen is further operable to discontinue said display of
said graphical object while said graphical object is displayed on
said second display screen.
9. The multi-component display of claim 7, wherein said first
display screen is further operable to re-display said graphical
object while said display of said graphical object on said second
display screen is discontinued, wherein said second display screen
is further operable to re-display said graphical object while said
display of said graphical object on said first display screen is
discontinued, and wherein said first and second display screens are
further operable to repeatedly re-display said graphical object at
least one time.
10. The multi-component display of claim 7, wherein said event is
selected from a group consisting of an alarm and a critical
situation.
11. The multi-component display of claim 7, wherein said event is
associated with said graphical object.
12. The multi-component display of claim 7, wherein said first and
second display screens comprise display screens of an
instrumentation system, and wherein said event comprises a
parameter of said instrumentation system exceeding a predetermined
threshold.
13. A method of displaying information on a multi-component
display, said method comprising: displaying a first graphical
object on a first display screen of said multi-component display;
and displaying a second graphical object on a second display screen
of said multi-component display, wherein said first and second
display screens overlap; and in response to an overlap of said
first and second graphical objects, displaying said overlapping
portion of said first and second graphical objects with a visual
attribute distinct from respective visual attributes of said first
and second graphical objects.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said visual attribute comprises
a color distinct from respective colors of said first and second
graphical objects.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said visual attribute comprises
a pattern distinct from respective patterns of said first and
second graphical objects.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein said overlap of said first and
second graphical objects is associated with an event, and wherein
said visual attribute of said overlapping portion is operable to
provide a visual indication of said event.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said event is selected from a
group consisting of an alarm and a critical situation.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein said event is associated with a
graphical object selected from a group consisting of said first
graphical object and said second graphical object.
19. A multi-component display comprising: a first display screen
for displaying a first graphical object; a second display screen
for displaying a second graphical object, wherein said first and
second display screens overlap; and wherein said first and second
display screens are further operable to display said first and
second graphical objects in an overlapped arrangement, and wherein
said first and second display screens are further operable to
display an overlapping portion of said first and second graphical
objects with a visual attribute distinct from respective visual
attributes of said first and second graphical objects.
20. The multi-component display of claim 19, wherein said visual
attribute comprises a color distinct from respective colors of said
first and second graphical objects.
21. The multi-component display of claim 19, wherein said visual
attribute comprises a pattern distinct from respective patterns of
said first and second graphical objects.
22. The multi-component display of claim 19, wherein an overlap of
said first and second graphical objects is associated with an
event, and wherein said visual attribute of said overlapping
portion is operable to provide a visual indication of said
event.
23. The multi-component display of claim 22, wherein said event is
selected from a group consisting of an alarm and a critical
situation.
24. The multi-component display of claim 22, wherein said event is
associated with a graphical object selected from a group consisting
of said first graphical object and said second graphical object.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of and claims the
benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/489,101, filed Sep.
21, 2004, naming Gabriel D. Engel as the inventor, assigned to the
assignee of the present invention, and having attorney docket
number PURE-P019, which claims the benefit of PCT International
Application Number PCT/NZ02/00175, filed Sep. 11, 2002, which
claims the benefit of New Zealand Patent Application Number 514119,
filed Sep. 11, 2001. Each of these applications is incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional instrumentation systems (e.g., used by pilots,
military personnel, drivers, navigators, air traffic control etc.)
often include single-layer or single focal plane display screens
with large displayable areas. The screens display objects of many
different sizes, shapes, patterns, etc. For example, a pilot's
instrumentation screen may include landmarks, other planes, etc.,
while a military instrumentation screen may include landmarks,
friendly objects, enemy objects, etc. Additionally, the objects on
the instrumentation screen may move to indicate movement of
physical objects associated with the displayed objects.
[0003] Since the displayable area of conventional instrumentation
screens is large, and the objects displayed on the screens are
often small and numerous, critical or alarm situations are hard to
detect on conventional instrumentation systems. For example, a
military user may miss or overlook a situation where an enemy
missile has been launched which endangers friendly forces since the
user is preoccupied with another portion of the display screen
(e.g., termed a "distractor"). Accordingly, conventional
instrumentation systems provide poor preattentive awareness of
certain situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of displaying information on an instrument for
viewing by a user including: a) displaying information on a first
focal plane; b) moving the information displayed on the first focal
plane to a different focal plane when an alarm or critical
situation arises; c) then moving the information back to the first
focal plane; and d) repeating steps b) and c) in order that the
viewer of the instrument becomes aware of the displayed
information.
[0005] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided an instrument for displaying information for viewing by
a user, including a visual display system including at least two
single level screens spaced physically apart to form a multi-level
screen, and information on a first focal plane characterized in
that when an alarm or critical situation arises the information
displayed on the first focal plane moves to a different focal plane
and then back to the first focal plane in order that the viewer of
the instrument may become aware of the displayed information.
[0006] It should be understood that within the present
specification the term "information" may consist of alpha-numeric
characters, symbols, plain text, images, a combination of the same
or any other visual representation of information.
[0007] In preferred embodiments of the present invention the
information will be displayed on a multi-level three-dimensional
display device such as that disclosed in New Zealand Patent Number
505800.
[0008] However this should not be seen to be a limitation on the
present invention in any way as in other embodiments the
information may be displayed on any display device that has more
than one focal plane.
[0009] It is envisaged that within preferred embodiments of the
present invention a control circuit will have access to a number of
system parameter. When a parameter goes beyond its specified level
then the control circuit will signal to the display so that the
appropriate information displayed on the first focal plane moves to
another focal plane and then back to the first focal plane so that
the viewer may become aware of the displayed information and can
therefore can take steps to rectify the situation.
[0010] Preferably the movement of the information between focal
planes is done a number of times-sufficient for the viewer to
become aware of the displayed information.
[0011] It should be understood that throughout the present
description the term "alarm or critical situation" should be
understood to mean when a system parameter is exceeded or an
external influence has to be taken account of. For example, in a
military situation this could be the proximity of another object
such as a plane, missile, etc., or it can even be the receiving of
a signal such as a radar-lock from a missile.
[0012] Information may be moved from one focal plane to another to
provide preattentive awareness of certain situations. In this
manner, moving information from one focal plane to another may be a
very fast and effective method for inducing preattentive awareness.
In other embodiments, other techniques of making a viewer
preattentively aware may be used.
[0013] One advantage of this technique is that the viewer need only
have the information in their peripheral vision for the technique
to be effective. This fact alone improves the reaction time to an
alarm as when preattentive techniques are not used then the viewer
generally needs to focus on the alarm information in order to
comprehend its relevance or meaning.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a method of displaying information for viewing by
a user, including at least two focal planes and a control system,
the method including: a) displaying primary information in a
distinct color or pattern on a first focal plane; b) displaying
secondary information in a distinct color or pattern on at least a
second focal plane; and c) when the primary and secondary
information overlap or come into a proximity that is commensurate
with an alarm situation the displayed information will change color
or pattern so that the viewer will become aware of this
information.
[0015] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided an instrument for displaying information for
viewing by a user, including a visual display system including at
least two single level screens spaced physically apart to form a
multi-level screen, and primary information displayed in a distinct
color or pattern on the first focal plane of the instrument, and
secondary information displayed in a distinct color or pattern on
at least the second focal plane of the instrument, characterized in
that when the primary and secondary information overlap or come
into a proximity that is commensurate with an alarm situation the
displayed information will change color or pattern so that the
viewer will become aware of this information.
[0016] It should be further understood that within the present
specification the terms "primary information" and "secondary
information" are not intended to infer or suggest any hierarchical
relationship or degree of relative importance between the primary
and secondary information. In general the terms are used to
disseminate between information on different focal planes within
the display.
[0017] The term pattern is intended to mean a distinct
configuration. For example, a first pattern may be a series of
horizontal lines within the second pattern vertical lines.
[0018] The resultant new pattern formed by an overlap may be
hatched grid indicating an alarm situation.
[0019] Preferably the information is represented by color.
[0020] Due to the fact that the primary information and the
secondary information are displayed on separate focal planes within
the screen the area of overlap will automatically be a combination
of the two colors, e.g., the color of the primary information and
the color of the secondary information.
[0021] This means that no special control or software will be
necessary to change the color of the overlapped area as the image
on the second focal plane can clearly be seen through the first
focal plane as this is a transparent plane and therefore when the
secondary information passes behind part or all of the primary
information the color of the image seen by the viewer will change
accordingly.
[0022] It is understood that in preferred embodiments of the
present invention the color of the primary information and the
color of the secondary information will be quite distinct so as to
form a new distinct color when they are combined by an overlap of
the information e.g.: if the primary information was yellow and the
secondary information was blue then the overlapped area would
clearly be green, this is an easily disseminatable color from
either yellow or blue and would therefore be easily and quickly
recognized by the viewer.
[0023] In some embodiments of the present specification the
instrument will be capable of using both of the described methods
for displaying information, however this should not be seen to be a
limitation on the present invention in any way as in other
preferred embodiments only one of the methods will be able to be
displayed on the instrument.
[0024] When an alarm or critical situation is detected by the
circuits to which the instrument is connected, the circuit will
instruct the instrument to display the information as described, in
order that the viewer of the instrument will be able to
preattentively assimilate that an alarm or critical condition has
been detected.
[0025] An advantage of embodiments of the present invention is that
by using the preattentive trigger described within this
specification rather than just a flashing of the information (or a
separate lamp) the viewer of the information will be able to
assimilate the information or the condition more rapidly, which
will in turn provide the viewer with a greater time in which to
react to the situation.
[0026] It is accepted that with a lot of instruments the time in
which the viewer will need to react to the information being
displayed will be sufficient for most normal methods of relating
the alarm situation to the viewer.
[0027] However, particularly for military and avionic applications
the time in which a decision has to be reached, or remedial action
needs to be initiated, can be incredibly short and any improvement
to the viewer's reaction time or ability to assimilate the
information more readily and rapidly will provide a distinct and
possibly life-saving advantage.
[0028] Embodiments of the present invention may have many distinct
and substantial advantages over any method available before. As
stated previously, one of these is that due to the faster
perception time to an alarm situation the remedial action can be
initiated more rapidly which in turn will substantially increase
the chance of the remedial action being successful.
[0029] Another advantage is that in applications that currently use
the separate alarm panel, by using the instruments disclosed within
the present specification these panels will become obsolete
therefore freeing up space in what is generally a confined
environment.
[0030] A further advantage in these applications is that the viewer
will have less areas in which to scan for relevant information and
will therefore have lower fatigue levels than would presently be
encountered.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dual screen display in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2A shows a display of exemplary first and second
patterns in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 2B shows a display of an exemplary new pattern formed
by an overlapping of the exemplary first and second patterns in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown an instrument
containing a multi focal plane display generally indicated by arrow
1.
[0035] The instrument for displaying information or instrument
display 1 consists of a background screen (2) in a parallel
orientation with, but spaced apart from, a foreground screen
(3).
[0036] In FIG. 1 both screens (2,3) are transparent liquid crystal
displays (LCD) panels, although the invention is not necessarily
limited to the use of these displays.
[0037] A back light (4) is located behind the background screen (2)
to provide illumination for the entire instrument display (1).
[0038] Each of the screens (2,3) are capable of displaying either
primary (5) or secondary (6) information.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows the primary information (5) is displayed on the
foreground screen (3) and secondary information (6) is displayed on
the background screen (2).
[0040] It should be appreciated however that the reverse situation
is equally feasible with the primary information (5) being
displayed on the background screen (2) and the secondary
information (6) being displayed on the foreground screen (3).
[0041] It should also be appreciated that in a lot of applications
only one piece of information (5,6) will be shown on the instrument
display (1). This information (5, 6) can be on either the
background screen (2) or the foreground screen (3).
[0042] When the displayed information (5,6) reaches a critical
parameter or "alert level" the information will oscillate between
the background screen (2) and the foreground screen (3) in order
that the viewer will become preattentively aware that a critical
situation is developing or has developed already.
[0043] In applications where both primary information (5) and
secondary information (6) are present on the instrument display (1)
either of the two methods of preattentiveness may be used.
[0044] For example: [0045] a) When the primary information (5) and
the secondary information (6) overlap or come into a proximity that
is commensurate with an alarm situation the displayed information
(5,6) will change color so that the viewer will be aware of this
information. Due to the transparency of the focal planes within the
display, when the primary information (5) and the secondary
information (6) overlap the combination of their colors will be
displayed. As discussed previously if the colors of the primary
information (5) and the secondary information (6) are chosen
carefully then the color of the overlapped information (5,6) would
be obviously different to the viewer. The example mentioned earlier
was if the primary information (5) was yellow and the secondary
information (6) was blue then the color of the overlap (5,6) would
be green. FIGS. 2A and 2B show an embodiment in which the primary
and secondary information (5,6) are displayed in first and second
patterns, respectively, where an overlap of the first and second
patterns (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2B) forms new pattern (7). [0046]
b) If either the primary (5) or secondary (6) information reaches a
critical or alarm level then the appropriate information (5,6) will
oscillate between the background screen (2) and the foreground
screen (3) thereby making the viewer preattentively aware of the
situation.
[0047] Aspects of the present invention have been described by way
of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and
additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *