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.

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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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