Display device and computer program
The display device adjusts display modes based on illuminance to maintain visibility by enlarging images and altering line or color combinations, addressing visibility issues in varying light conditions.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RINNAI CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-09
Smart Images
Figure 0007887328000001 
Figure 0007887328000002 
Figure 0007887328000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
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[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a display device capable of displaying a screen.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a display device that switches the display mode of characters between a normal mode and an inverted mode. The inverted mode is a mode that inverts the color of the characters and the color of the background from the normal mode. In Patent Document 1, in order to improve visibility, the thickness of the characters in the inverted mode is made thicker than the thickness of the characters in the normal mode.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] Making the characters thicker contributes to improving the visibility of the characters in the inverted mode. However, when making the characters with a relatively small display size thicker at the time of switching the display mode, there is a possibility that the strokes overlap and the characters are crushed. Also, even when making the characters with a complex shape such as Chinese characters thicker at the time of switching the display mode, there is a possibility that the strokes overlap and the characters are crushed.
[0005] This specification provides a technology for suppressing a decrease in the visibility of an image in a second mode compared to an image in a first mode in a display device capable of switching the display mode of a screen between a first mode with a bright background and a second mode with a dark background.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] In a first example of this technology, the display device may include a display unit configured to display a screen, and a switching control unit that switches the display mode of the screen displayed by the display unit between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the first mode is a mode in which a first image having a first color is displayed on a background having a second color that is brighter than the first color, and the second mode is a mode in which a second image having a third color is displayed on a background having a fourth color that is darker than the third color, the first image represents specific information, the second image represents the same specific information as the first image, the form of the second image is the same as the form of the first image, and the display size of the second image is larger than the display size of the first image.
[0007] According to the above configuration, when the form of the second image is the same as the form of the first image, the display size of the second image in the second aspect becomes larger than the display size of the first image in the first aspect. This makes it possible to suppress the decrease in visibility of the image in the second aspect compared to the visibility of the image in the first aspect.
[0008] In a second example of the present technology, the display device may include a display unit configured to display a screen, and a switching control unit that switches the display mode of the screen displayed by the display unit between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the first mode is a mode in which a first image having a first color is displayed on a background having a second color that is brighter than the first color, and the second mode is a mode in which a second image having a third color is displayed on a background having a fourth color that is darker than the third color, the first image represents specific information, the second image represents the same specific information as the first image, in the first image the specific information is represented in a first appearance, and in the second image the specific information is represented in a second appearance, and at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors in the second appearance is different from at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors in the first appearance, and the switching control unit.
[0009] There are various images with different appearances that convey specific information. In this situation, the combination of lines that is easily visible against a bright background may differ from the combination of lines that is easily visible against a dark background. Also, in this situation, the number of colors that is easily visible against a bright background may differ from the number of colors that are easily visible against a dark background. According to the above configuration, by making at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors of the second image in the second embodiment different from at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors of the first image in the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the decrease in visibility of the image in the second embodiment compared to the visibility of the image in the first embodiment.
[0010] In the third example, in the second example described above, the second appearance may represent the specific information with fewer line combinations than the first appearance.
[0011] Generally, the second embodiment, which has a dark background, is used when the area around the display device is dark. When the area around the display device is dark, a large number of lines representing the image can strain the user's eyes, and the user may find it difficult to see the image. With the above configuration, by reducing the number of lines, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the visibility of the image in the second embodiment.
[0012] In the fourth example, in the second or third example above, the first appearance may represent the specific information using characters used in the first language, and the second appearance may represent the specific information using characters used in a second language different from the first language.
[0013] According to the above configuration, by changing from characters used in the first language to characters used in the second language, the combination of lines used to draw the image's appearance can be changed without altering the meaning of the image.
[0014] In the fifth example, in the second or third example described above, the specific information may be represented using a graphic in the first appearance, and the specific information may be represented using text in the second appearance.
[0015] According to the above configuration, by changing shapes to text, the combination of lines that make up the appearance of an image can be changed without altering the meaning of the image.
[0016] In the sixth example, in the fifth example above, the character may be an alphabet character.
[0017] In the seventh example, in the second or third example described above, the first appearance may use characters to represent the specific information, and the second appearance may use graphics to represent the specific information.
[0018] According to the above configuration, by changing from text to shapes, the combination of lines that make up the appearance of an image can be changed without altering the meaning of the image.
[0019] In the eighth example, in the second or third example above, the first appearance may represent the specific information using a three-dimensional figure, and the second appearance may represent the specific information using a two-dimensional figure.
[0020] According to the above configuration, by changing from a three-dimensional figure to a two-dimensional figure, the combination of lines that make up the appearance of the image can be changed without altering the meaning of the image.
[0021] In the ninth example, in the second or third example above, the first appearance may represent the specific information using the first design, and the second appearance may represent the specific information using a second design different from the first design.
[0022] According to the above configuration, by changing from the first design to the second design, the combination of lines that make up the appearance of the image can be changed without changing the meaning of the image.
[0023] In the 10th example, in at least one of the 2nd to 9th examples described above, the number of colors in the second appearance may be less than the number of colors in the first appearance.
[0024] Generally, the second mode having a dark background is used when the surrounding of the display device is dark. When the surrounding of the display device is dark, if the number of colors representing the image is large, it becomes a burden on the user's eyes, and the user may feel it difficult to visually recognize the image. According to the above configuration, by reducing the number of colors, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the image in the second mode.
[0025] In the 11th example, in at least one of the 1st to 10th examples described above, the display device further includes an illuminance sensor that measures the illuminance around the display device, and the switching control unit uses, as a trigger, that the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor falls below a predetermined value in a state where the display mode of the screen is the first mode, and may switch the display mode of the screen from the first mode to the second mode.
[0026] Generally, the first mode having a bright background is used when the surrounding of the display device is bright, and the second mode having a dark background is used when the surrounding of the display device is dark. According to the above configuration, by using the illuminance sensor, the switching from the first mode to the second mode can be automatically executed. The convenience for the user is improved.
[0027] The 12th example is a mobile terminal including at least one display device of the 1st to 11th examples described above.
[0028] The computer program for the above terminal device and the control method for the above terminal device are also novel and useful.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0029] [Figure 1] Shows a block diagram of a remote control system. [Figure 2] This shows the screen in a brightly lit environment. [Figure 3] This shows the screen in a dark environment. [Figure 4] Here are some other examples of the screen when the surroundings are bright. [Figure 5] Another specific example of an image on the screen, C1, is shown. [Figure 6] Another specific example of an image on the screen, C2, is shown. [Figure 7] Another specific example of an image on the screen, C3, is shown. [Figure 8] Another specific example of an image on the screen, C4, is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0030] (Configuration of remote control system 2; Figure 1) As shown in Figure 1, the remote control system 2 comprises a router 12, a kitchen remote control 14, a bathroom remote control 16, a water heater 18, a panel heater 20, floor heating 22, a bathroom heating and drying unit 24, a bathtub 26, a mobile terminal 100, and a server 200. The router 12, kitchen remote control 14, bathroom remote control 16, water heater 18, panel heater 20, floor heating 22, bathroom heating and drying unit 24, and bathtub 26 are installed in the house 10. In Figure 1, wireless communication is shown with thin dashed lines, and connections by piping are shown with solid lines.
[0031] Router 12 can perform wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi® method. Router 12 can communicate with kitchen remote control 14. Kitchen remote control 14 is located in the kitchen of house 10. Kitchen remote control 14 can communicate with router 12 and water heater 18. Bathroom remote control 16 is located in the bathroom of house 10. By operating kitchen remote control 14 and bathroom remote control 16, the user can input instructions for operating devices in house 10 (e.g., water heater 18, panel heater 20) and setting the water temperature, etc. Although not shown in the diagram, a remote control for controlling the bathroom heating and drying unit 24 may be located in the dressing room, a remote control for controlling the floor heating 22 may be located in the room where the floor heating 22 is installed, and a remote control for controlling the panel heater 20 may be located in the room where the panel heater 20 is installed.
[0032] The water heater 18 is a heating device that heats water to produce hot water. The water heater 18 may be equipped with only a gas heat source, only a heat pump heat source, or both a gas heat source and a heat pump heat source.
[0033] The water heater 18 is capable of performing a filling operation to supply hot water to the bathtub 26, a reheating operation to heat the water in the bathtub 26, a cleaning operation to supply hot water to the bathtub 26 to clean the bathtub 26, and a cleaning and filling operation which is performed immediately after the cleaning operation.
[0034] Furthermore, the water heater 18 can supply hot water to the panel heater 20, the floor heating 22, and the bathroom heating and drying unit 24. Each of the devices 20, 22, and 24 uses the hot water supplied from the water heater 18 to perform heating operations.
[0035] Furthermore, the water heater 18 is configured to communicate with the panel heater 20, the floor heating 22, and the bathroom heating and drying unit 24. Based on the results of communication with each of the devices 20, 22, and 24, the water heater 18 adjusts the amount and temperature of the hot water supplied to each of the devices 20, 22, and 24.
[0036] The panel heater 20 is placed inside the house 10. The panel heater 20 is capable of performing heater heating operation to warm the room in which it is set.
[0037] The floor heating system 22 is installed in the room of the house 10. The floor heating system 22 is capable of performing floor heating operation, which heats the floor of the room in which the floor heating system 22 is set.
[0038] The bathroom heater / dryer 24 is installed on the ceiling of the bathroom. The bathroom heater / dryer 24 is capable of performing bathroom heating operation to warm the bathroom, bathroom drying operation to dry the bathroom, bathroom cooling operation to blow cool air into the bathroom, and bathroom ventilation operation to ventilate the air in the bathroom.
[0039] (Configuration of mobile device 100) The mobile terminal 100 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, or notebook PC. The mobile terminal 100 comprises a display unit 102, an operation unit 104, a communication interface 106, an illuminance sensor 108, and a control unit 110. The display unit 102 is a display for displaying various information and also functions as a so-called touch panel (i.e., an operation unit). The operation unit 104 has multiple keys. The user can input various instructions to the mobile terminal 100 by operating the operation unit 104. The communication interface 106 is an interface for performing communication with a server (e.g., 200) on the Internet 4 via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi® or cellular communication (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.). The illuminance sensor 108 measures the illuminance around the mobile terminal 100.
[0040] The control unit 110 comprises a CPU 112 and a memory 114. The CPU 112 controls the operation of the mobile terminal 100 according to the OS program 116 and application program 118 stored in the memory 114. The OS program 116 is a program for executing the basic processing of the mobile terminal 100. The application program 118 is an application program for remotely controlling multiple devices (e.g., 18, 20, 22, 24) within the house 10 by sending control signals to the kitchen remote control 14. Hereafter, the application will be simply referred to as "app". The app 118 is provided by the vendor of the water heater 18.
[0041] (Server 200 configuration) Server 200 is a device for mediating communication between router 12 and mobile terminal 100. Server 200 is installed on the Internet 4 by the vendor of water heater 18. Server 200 stores various information for performing remote control of multiple devices within house 10, such as user account information for the multiple devices, identification information for each device, and model names indicating the models of each device. Server 200 also stores history information showing the history of remote control of each device.
[0042] (Screen displayed by app 118; Figures 2-4) Referring to Figures 2 to 6, the screen 300 that the CPU 112 displays on the display unit 102 according to the application 118 will be described below. For the sake of ease of understanding, the actions that the CPU 112 performs according to the application 118 will be described from the perspective of the application 118, rather than from the perspective of the CPU 112. Also, all communication performed by the mobile terminal 100 is performed via the communication interface 106. For this reason, the phrase "via the communication interface 106" will be omitted below.
[0043] When an instruction to launch application 118 is input to the control unit 104, application 118 is launched. Application 118 receives status information from the kitchen remote control 14, indicating the current operating status of each of the multiple devices in the house 10. When application 118 receives multiple status information from the kitchen remote control 14, it displays the screen 300 on the display unit 102. The contents of the screen 300 are updated each time new status information is received from the kitchen remote control 14. The status information is updated, for example, by a pull refresh, which is performed by swiping the screen 300 downwards.
[0044] Figure 2 shows an example of the screen 300 when the surroundings of the mobile terminal 100 are bright. The display mode of the screen 300 shown in Figure 2 displays an image having a first color (e.g., 316a) on a background having a second color that is brighter than the first color. Here, the first color is, for example, black, and the second color is, for example, white. The screen 300 shown in Figure 4 is an example of displaying different information than that in Figure 2, using the same display mode as in Figure 2. The display modes shown in Figures 2 and 4 will be referred to as "bright environment mode" below.
[0045] Figure 3 shows an example of the screen 300 when the surroundings of the mobile terminal 100 are dark. The display mode of the screen 300 shown in Figure 3 displays an image having a third color (e.g., 316a) on a background having a fourth color that is darker than the third color. Here, the third color is, for example, white, and the fourth color is, for example, black. The display mode of the screen 300 shown in Figure 3 is a mode used as so-called dark mode. The display mode shown in Figure 3 is an inverted version of the color combination of the display mode shown in Figure 2. The display mode shown in Figure 3 will be referred to as "dark mode" below.
[0046] For example, when the display mode of the screen 300 is in a bright-room state, the application 118 switches the display mode of the screen 300 from a bright-room state to a dark-room state when the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor 108 falls below a predetermined value. Also, when the display mode of the screen 300 is in a dark-room state, the application 118 switches the display mode of the screen 300 from a dark-room state to a bright-room state when the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor 108 exceeds a predetermined value. With this configuration, the switching between bright-room and dark-room states can be performed automatically using the illuminance sensor 108. This improves user convenience.
[0047] (Screen 300 configuration; Figures 2-4) As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the screen 300 comprises an upper display area 302, a central display area 310 located below the upper display area 302, and a lower display area 330 located below the central display area 310.
[0048] (Upper display area 302; Figures 2-4) The upper display area 302 displays three tab images 304a, 304b, and 304c. Each of the tab images 304a to 304c represents a group classified by the application 118.
[0049] Tab image 304a shows the first group, in which two bathroom-related devices, a water heater 18 and a bathroom heater / dryer 24, are classified as the first group. Tab image 304b shows the second group, in which one or more floor heating units 22 installed in the house 10 are classified as the second group. Tab image 304c shows the third group, in which one or more panel heaters 20 installed in the house 10 are classified as the third group.
[0050] Tab image 304a includes group status image 306a. Group status image 306a is a circular image. A basic color is assigned to group status image 306a when neither of the two bath-related devices classified as the first group is currently in operation. On the other hand, a specific color is assigned to group status image 306a when at least one of the two bath-related devices classified as the first group is currently in operation.
[0051] In Figures 2 and 4, which show the light-room configuration, each of the tab images 304a to 304c is drawn with black lines on a white background. In the light-room configuration, the base color of the group state image 306a is, for example, white, the same as the background, and the specific color of the group state image 306a is, for example, red. On the other hand, in Figure 3, which shows the dark-room configuration, each of the tab images 304a to 304c is drawn with white lines on a black background. In the dark-room configuration, the base color is, for example, black, the same as the background, and the specific color is, for example, red. In the modified version, the specific color in the dark-room configuration may be a different color from the specific color in the light-room configuration, or it may be a color of the same color as the specific color in the light-room configuration (for example, pink).
[0052] Tab image 304b, like tab image 304a, includes group status image 306b, and tab image 304c, like tab image 304a, includes group status image 306c.
[0053] The user can select one of the three tab images 304a to 304c in the upper display area 302. The central display area 310 displays a status image corresponding to the tab image selected by the user from the three tab images 304a to 304c. The status image shows all operating states of one or more devices classified as a group indicated by the tab image selected by the user.
[0054] (Central display area 310; Figures 2-4) Figures 2 and 3 show the state images displayed in the central display area 310 when the tab image 304a representing the first group is selected. Figure 4 shows the state image displayed in the central display area 310 when the tab image 304a representing the second group is selected.
[0055] As shown in Figure 2, the status image corresponding to tab image 304a includes schematic image 312, button images 314a to 314b, and button images 316a to 316d. Note that Figures 2 and 3 show only a portion of the status image corresponding to tab image 304a. The remaining portion of the status image corresponding to tab image 304a is displayed within the central display area 310 by swiping the central display area 310 up or down. The status image corresponding to tab image 304a also includes images other than the schematic image 312, button images 314a to 314b, and button images 316a to 316d mentioned above.
[0056] Schematic image 312 is a schematic representation of the bathtub 26. By viewing schematic image 312, the user can recognize that the currently displayed state image represents the state of the bath-related equipment.
[0057] In Figure 2, which shows the bright-room configuration, the schematic image 312 is drawn with black lines on a white background, and the color inside the schematic image 312 is the same white as the background. In other words, in the bright-room configuration, the schematic image 312, which has black lines, is displayed on a background that is white, which is brighter than black.
[0058] On the other hand, in Figure 3, which shows the dark environment, the schematic image 312 is drawn with black lines on a black background, and the interior color of the schematic image 312 is white, which is different from the background. That is, although the color of the lines and the interior color of the schematic image 312 do not change between the bright environment and the dark environment, in the dark environment, the schematic image 312, which has a white interior, is displayed on a background that is black, which is darker than white.
[0059] Furthermore, the schematic image 312 in Figure 3 is a diagram obtained by enlarging the schematic image 312 in Figure 2 at a predetermined magnification ratio. The predetermined magnification ratio is, for example, 1.2.
[0060] According to the configuration of this embodiment, the display size of the schematic image 312 in the dark environment is larger than the display size of the schematic image 312 in the bright environment, without changing the shape of the schematic image 312. This makes it possible to suppress the decrease in visibility of the schematic image 312 in the dark environment compared to the visibility of the schematic image 312 in the bright environment.
[0061] Furthermore, button image 314a is configured to receive instructions to remotely set the temperature of the hot water supplied to the bathtub 26. Button image 314b is configured to receive instructions to remotely set the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 26.
[0062] Furthermore, button image 316a is configured to remotely receive instructions to perform the bath filling operation. Button images 316b, 316c, and 316d correspond to the reheating operation, washing operation, and washing bath filling operation, respectively, and are configured to receive instructions to start the corresponding operation. Note that the word "Automatic" in Figures 2 to 6 refers to the bath filling operation, and the word "Automatic" is displayed near button image 314a on screen 300.
[0063] When any of the button images 314a-314b or 316a-316d is selected, app 118 sends a control signal corresponding to the selected button image to the kitchen remote control 14. As a result, the kitchen remote control 14 controls the bath-related devices according to the control signal received from app 118. The control signal indicates, for example, a change in the water temperature, a change in the amount of water, or the start of the bath filling operation.
[0064] Furthermore, button image 316a includes an icon 318a indicating the hot water filling operation. Button images 316b, 316c, and 316d also each include an icon (symbol omitted) indicating the corresponding operation, similar to button image 316a.
[0065] In Figure 2, which shows the illuminated state, when the bath filling operation is not currently running, icon 318a is drawn with black lines on a white background. On the other hand, when the bath filling operation is currently running, icon 318a is drawn with lines of a predetermined color different from black, such as red, on a gray background. The predetermined color indicates that the bath filling operation is currently running. Note that the above white and gray are merely examples. Furthermore, by changing the background color of button image 316a from white to gray, it is possible to emphasize and inform that the bath filling operation is currently running. In the modified version, the background color of button image 316a may remain unchanged.
[0066] On the other hand, in Figure 3, which shows the dark environment, icon 318a when the bath filling operation is not currently running is drawn with a white line on a black background. On the other hand, icon 318a when the bath filling operation is currently running is drawn with a predetermined color different from white, such as red, on a gray background. In modifications, the predetermined color in the dark environment may be a different color from the predetermined color in the bright environment, or it may be a color of the same type as the predetermined color in the bright environment (for example, pink). In other modifications, the background color of button image 316a in the dark environment may be different from the background color in the bright environment. For example, when the bath filling operation is currently running, the background in the bright environment may be light gray, and the background in the dark environment may be dark gray.
[0067] Each of the button images 316b to 316d, like button image 316a, changes color depending on whether it is in a bright or dark environment. The color of the lines drawn on each icon in button images 316a to 316d is determined by the application 118 using state information received from the kitchen remote control 14.
[0068] Furthermore, in Figure 2, which shows the bright-room configuration, icon 318a is represented by a combination of a planar figure and the alphabetical letters "AUTO". On the other hand, in Figure 3, which shows the dark-room configuration, icon 318a does not have a planar figure but is represented by the letters "AUTO". The appearance of icon 318a in Figure 3 represents the bath filling operation with fewer lines than in Figure 2.
[0069] When the surroundings of the mobile terminal 100 are dark, a large number of lines representing an image can strain the user's eyes, making it difficult for the user to see the image clearly. According to the configuration of this embodiment, when the surroundings of the mobile terminal 100 are dark and the screen 300 is displayed in a dark environment, the number of lines representing the icons 318a can be reduced, thereby suppressing the decrease in the visibility of the image in a dark environment.
[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the status image corresponding to the tab image 304b, unlike in Figure 2, includes six button images 402a to 402f. The display mode of screen 300 in Figure 4 is the bright-room mode. In this embodiment, six floor heating units 22 are installed in the house 10. Button image 402c includes an icon 404c that indicates the current operating status of one of the six floor heating units 22 (hereinafter referred to as "floor heating unit 22c"). The background color of button image 402c and the color assigned to icon 404c are the same as those of icon 318a, except that they are determined by the current operating status of floor heating unit 22c. In addition, button image 402c has the function of a button for remotely controlling floor heating unit 22c, and is configured to accept both instructions to start the operation of floor heating unit 22c and instructions to stop the operation of floor heating unit 22c. Adjacent to button image 402c, there is also a setting button for setting the temperature of floor heating unit 22c. Of the six button images 402a to 402f, each of the remaining five button images, excluding button image 402c, also includes an icon indicating the current operating status of the corresponding floor heating unit 22, similar to button image 402c. In Figure 4, the symbols for the icons of the remaining five button images are omitted. Also, each of the remaining five button images, similar to button image 402c, has a setting button adjacent to it for setting the temperature of the corresponding floor heating unit 22. Although not shown in the illustration, the display mode of screen 300, which includes the status image corresponding to tab image 304b, can also be switched between a bright-room mode and a dark-room mode, similar to Figures 2 and 3.
[0071] (Lower display area 330; Figures 2-4) The lower display area 330 contains four icons 332a to 332d. Icon 332a is for remotely controlling multiple devices within the house 10 and checking the operating status of multiple devices, and the word "operation" in the diagram means remote control and checking the operating status. Icon 332b is for setting timers for the operation of multiple devices within the house 10, and the word "timer" in the diagram means timer setting. Icon 332c is for accessing the server 200 and displaying the history of remote control of multiple devices within the house 10, and the word "history" in the diagram means displaying the remote control history. Icon 332d is for configuring various settings of the application 118, and the word "account" in the diagram means various settings of the application 118.
[0072] Figures 2 and 3 show an example of what happens when icon 332a is selected. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when icon 332a is selected, a screen 300 is displayed, which includes the upper display area 302, the central display area 310, and the lower display area 330. Although not shown in the illustration, when icon 332b is selected, a screen 300 is also displayed, which includes the three display areas 302, 310, and 330. When icon 332b is selected, input fields for entering timer settings for multiple devices within the house 10 are displayed in the central display area 310.
[0073] Although not shown in the diagram, if icon 332c or 332d is selected, a screen 300 is displayed that includes a lower display area 330 and other display areas in place of the upper display area 302 and the central display area 310. If icon 332c is selected, the other display area includes the remote control history, and if icon 332d is selected, the other display area includes multiple buttons for viewing or changing various settings of the application 118 (e.g., account information).
[0074] (Other examples of images; Figures 5-8) Another specific example of changing the appearance of an image in the bright state and the dark state to suppress the decrease in visibility in the dark state will be described. The button image 600 in FIG. 5 is another specific example C1 of a button image corresponding to the washing operation. The button image 600 includes an icon 600a. In the bright state, the icon 600a is represented by an appearance having the Chinese character "washing". On the other hand, in the dark state, the icon 600a is represented by an appearance having a planar figure without the Chinese character "washing". The planar figure shown in FIG. 5 is designed to remind the user of the washing operation. The combination of the drawn lines of the icon 600a is less in the dark state than in the bright state.
[0075] According to the specific example C1, by changing from a figure to a character, the combination of the drawn lines of the appearance of the icon 600a can be changed without changing the meaning of the image, "washing operation".
[0076] The button image 602 in FIG. 6 is another specific example C2 of a button image corresponding to the preheating operation. The button image 602 includes an icon 602a. In the bright state, the icon 602a is represented by an appearance having the Chinese character "automatic". On the other hand, in the dark state, the icon 602a is represented by an appearance having the alphabetic character "AUTO" instead of the Chinese character "automatic". The character "AUTO" is the English translation of the character "automatic". Chinese characters are characters used in Japanese, Chinese, etc., and alphabetic characters are characters used in English, French, etc. The combination of the drawn lines of the icon 600a is less in the dark state than in the bright state.
[0077] According to the specific example C2, by changing from a Chinese character to an alphabetic character, the combination of the drawn lines of the appearance of the icon 600a can be changed without changing the meaning of the image, "preheating operation".
[0078] The schematic image 604 in Figure 7 is another specific example C3 of an image schematically representing the bathtub 26. In a brightly lit environment, the schematic image 604 is represented with a three-dimensional appearance. On the other hand, in a darkly lit environment, the schematic image 604 is represented with a two-dimensional appearance. The combination of lines drawn in the schematic image 604 is fewer in the darkly lit environment than in the brightly lit environment. Both the three-dimensional and two-dimensional figures are designed so that the user can recall the bathtub 26.
[0079] According to specific example C3, the combination of lines that make up the appearance of schematic image 604 can be changed without altering the meaning of schematic image 604, thereby suppressing the decrease in visibility due to dark conditions.
[0080] The schematic image 606 in Figure 8 is another specific example C4 of an image schematically representing a bathtub 26. The schematic image 606 in Figure 8 is the same as the schematic image 604 in the bright-room view of Figure 7, except that it has a water image 606a representing the hot water supplied to the bathtub 26. In the bright-room view, the schematic image 606 is drawn with black lines, the inside of the water image 606a is represented by a first specific color, and the inside of the part of the schematic image 606 other than the water image 606a is represented by a second specific color. The first specific color is, for example, light blue, and the second specific color is, for example, white. Note that the above black, light blue, and white are merely examples. In the bright-room view, the schematic image 604 is represented by three colors: black, the first specific color, and the second specific color.
[0081] On the other hand, schematic image 606 in the dark environment is the same as schematic image 606 in the bright environment, except that the inside of the hot water image 606a is represented by a second specific color instead of the first specific color. In the dark environment, schematic image 604 is represented by two colors: black and the second specific color.
[0082] When the surroundings of the mobile device 100 are dark, a large number of colors used to represent an image can strain the user's eyes, making it difficult for the user to see the image clearly. According to specific example C4, reducing the number of colors in the schematic image 606 can suppress the decrease in visibility in dark conditions.
[0083] The change in display size in dark conditions in the schematic images 312 of Figures 2 and 3 may also be applied to other images besides the schematic images, such as the group image in the upper display area 302, the button image in the central display area 310, and the icon in the lower display area 330. Similarly, the change in appearance in dark conditions for the button images in Figures 2 to 6 may also be applied to other images besides the button images, such as the schematic image in the central display area 310, the group image in the upper display area 302, and the icon in the lower display area 330. Furthermore, the change in appearance in dark conditions for the schematic images in Figures 7 and 8 may also be applied to other images besides the schematic images, such as the button image in the central display area 310, the group image in the upper display area 302, and the icon in the lower display area 330. Additionally, the change in appearance due to changes in line combinations in Figures 2 to 7 and the change in appearance due to changes in the number of colors in Figure 8 may be combined.
[0084] (Effects of this embodiment) There are various images with different appearances that represent specific information (e.g., "bathtub filling operation"), such as text and graphics. In this situation, the combination of lines that is easily visible against a bright background may differ from the combination of lines that is easily visible against a dark background. Also, in this situation, the number of colors that is easily visible against a bright background may differ from the number of colors that are easily visible against a dark background. As shown in the specific examples in Figures 2 to 7, the combination of lines in an image in a dark environment can be made different from the combination of lines in a bright environment. Also, as shown in the specific example in Figure 8, the number of colors in an image in a dark environment can be made different from the number of colors in a bright environment. By making at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors in an image in a dark environment different from at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors in an image in a bright environment, it is possible to suppress the decrease in visibility of the image in a dark environment compared to the visibility of the image in a bright environment.
[0085] (Correspondence) The combination of the display unit 102 and the control unit 110 is an example of a "display device". The display unit 102, the illuminance sensor 108, and the control unit 110 are examples of a "display unit," an "illuminance sensor," and a "switching control unit," respectively. The application 118 and the mobile terminal 100 are examples of a "computer program" and a "mobile terminal," respectively. The screen 300, the bright-room mode, and the dark-room mode are examples of a "screen," a "first mode," and a "second mode," respectively.
[0086] In the specific examples in Figures 2 and 3, the button image 316a in Figure 2, the button image 316a in Figure 3, and "Bath Filling Operation" are examples of the "first image," the "second image," and "specific information," respectively. The appearance represented by the combination of shapes and text in Figure 2 and the appearance represented by text in Figure 3 are examples of the "first appearance (and first design)" and the "second appearance (and second design)," respectively.
[0087] In the specific example C1 of Figure 5, the button image 600 in a brightly lit environment, the button image 600 in a dark environment, and "Washing Operation" are examples of the "first image," the "second image," and "specific information," respectively. The appearance represented by text in a brightly lit environment and the appearance represented by a graphic in a dark environment are examples of the "first appearance (and first design)" and the "second appearance (and second design)," respectively.
[0088] In specific example C2 of Figure 6, the button image 602 in the bright light state, the button image 602 in the dark state state, and "Hot water filling operation" are examples of the "first image," the "second image," and "specific information," respectively. The appearance represented by kanji in the bright light state and the appearance represented by alphabet in the dark state state are examples of the "first appearance (and first design)" and the "second appearance (and second design)," respectively. Japanese and English are examples of the "first type of language" and the "second type of language," respectively.
[0089] In specific example C3 of Figure 7, schematic image 604 of the bright-room configuration, schematic image 604 of the dark-room configuration, and "bathtub" are examples of the "first image," "second image," and "specific information," respectively. The three-dimensional appearance represented in the bright-room configuration and the two-dimensional appearance represented in the dark-room configuration are examples of the "first appearance (and first design)" and "second appearance (and second design)," respectively.
[0090] In specific example C4 of Figure 8, the schematic image 606 of the bright-room configuration, the schematic image 606 of the dark-room configuration, and the "bathtub" are examples of the "first image," the "second image," and "specific information," respectively. The appearance represented by the three-colored figures and the appearance represented by the two-colored figures are examples of the "first appearance (and first design)" and the "second appearance (and second design)," respectively.
[0091] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of each of the above embodiments are listed below.
[0092] (Modification 1) The "display device" is not limited to the mobile terminal 100, but may also be a device installed in, for example, a desktop PC, a wall-mounted remote control such as the kitchen remote control 14, a handheld remote control, a smart speaker, etc.
[0093] (Modification 2) The mobile terminal 100 does not need to be equipped with an illuminance sensor 108. In this modification, the mobile terminal 100 may change the display mode of the screen 300 between a bright room mode and a dark room mode according to instructions input by the user to the operation unit 104.
[0094] (Modification 3) The "screen" is not limited to the screen 300 for controlling the device inside the house 10, but may also be, for example, a screen of a website unrelated to the control of the device.
[0095] (Modification 4) As a specific example different from the specific examples shown in Figures 2 to 8, the image in the bright-light configuration may be represented with an appearance that includes characters such as hiragana, katakana, or English. On the other hand, the image in the dark-light configuration may be represented with characters different from those used in the bright-light configuration, such as hiragana, katakana, or kanji. It is sufficient that the combination of lines in the appearance representing the image in the dark-light configuration is different from the combination of lines in the appearance representing the image in the bright-light configuration. "Different combination of lines" includes not only a reduction in the number of line combinations but also an increase in the number of line combinations.
[0096] (Modification 5) As a specific example different from the examples shown in Figures 2 to 8, the number of colors representing the appearance of the image in dark conditions may be less than the number of colors representing the appearance of the image in bright conditions. "Different number of colors" includes not only a decrease in the number of colors but also an increase in the number of colors.
[0097] (Modification 6) As a specific example different from the specific examples shown in Figures 2 to 8, the outline of the image in the dark state may be a different shape from the outline of the image in the bright state, for example, a rectangle, etc., from the circle in the button image 316a. In this modification, the outline in the bright state and the outline in the dark state are examples of the "first design" and the "second design," respectively.
[0098] The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself. [Explanation of symbols]
[0099] 2: Remote control system 4: Internet 10: House 12: Router 14: Kitchen remote control 16: Bathroom remote control 18: Water heater 20: Panel heater 22: Underfloor heating 24: Bathroom heater / dryer 26: Bathtub 100: Mobile devices 102: Display section 104:Operation unit 106: Communication I / F 108: Illuminance sensor 110: Control Unit 112: CPU 114: Memory 116: OS Program 118: App 134: Memory 200: Server 300: Screen 302: Upper display area 304a~304c: Tab images 306a~306c: Group status images 310: Central display area 312:Schematic image 314a, 314b: Button images 316a~316d: Button images 318a: Icon 330: Lower display area 332a~332d: Icons 402a~402f: Button images 404c : Icon 600: Button image 600a: Icon 602: Button image 602a: Icon 604:Schematic image 606:Schematic image 606a: Hot spring image
Claims
1. A display device, A display unit configured to display a screen, An illuminance sensor for measuring the illuminance around the display device, A switching control unit that switches the display mode of the screen displayed by the display unit between a first mode and a second mode, The first embodiment is an embodiment in which a first image having a first color is displayed on a background having a second color that is brighter than the first color, The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a second image having a third color is displayed on a background having a fourth color that is darker than the third color, The aforementioned first image represents the first piece of information. The second image represents the same first information as the first image. The second image form is identical to the first image form. The display size of the second image is larger than the display size of the first image. The switching control unit and, Equipped with, The switching control unit is a display device that, when the display mode of the screen is in the first mode, is triggered by the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor falling below a predetermined value, switches the display mode of the screen from the first mode to the second mode.
2. The first embodiment further comprises displaying a third image having a fifth color on a background having a second color that is brighter than the fifth color, The second embodiment further comprises displaying a fourth image having a sixth color on a background having a fourth color that is darker than the sixth color, The third image above represents the second piece of information. The fourth image above represents the same information as the third image above, In the third image, the second information is represented by the first appearance. In the fourth image, the second information is represented by a second appearance. The display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors in the second appearance is different from at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors in the first appearance.
3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the second appearance represents the second information using fewer combinations of lines than the first appearance.
4. In the first appearance, the second information is represented using characters used in the first language, The display device according to claim 2, wherein the second appearance uses characters used in a second language different from the first language to represent the second information.
5. In the first appearance, the second information is represented using a graphic, The display device according to claim 2, wherein the second appearance uses characters to represent the second information.
6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the characters are alphabetic.
7. In the first appearance, the second information is represented using characters. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the second appearance uses a graphic to represent the second information.
8. The first appearance represents the second information using a three-dimensional figure, The display device according to claim 2, wherein the second appearance represents the second information using a planar figure.
9. The first appearance represents the second information using the first design, The display device according to claim 2, wherein the second appearance represents the second information using a second design different from the first design.
10. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the number of colors in the second appearance is less than the number of colors in the first appearance.
11. A portable terminal comprising the display device described in any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. A computer program for a display device, The aforementioned display device is A display unit configured to display a screen, An illuminance sensor for measuring the illuminance around the display device, Equipped with a computer, The aforementioned computer program controls the computer in the following ways: A switching control unit that switches the display mode of the screen displayed by the display unit between a first mode and a second mode, The first embodiment is an embodiment in which a first image having a first color is displayed on a background having a second color that is brighter than the first color, The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a second image having a third color is displayed on a background having a fourth color that is darker than the third color, The aforementioned first image represents the first piece of information. The second image represents the same first information as the first image. The second image form is identical to the first image form. The display size of the second image is larger than the display size of the first image. The switching control unit and, To make it function as, The switching control unit is a computer program that, when the display mode of the screen is in the first mode, is triggered by the illuminance measured by the illuminance sensor falling below a predetermined value, switches the display mode of the screen from the first mode to the second mode.
13. The first embodiment further comprises displaying a third image having a fifth color on a background having a second color that is brighter than the fifth color, The second embodiment further comprises displaying a fourth image having a sixth color on a background having a fourth color that is darker than the sixth color, The third image above represents the second piece of information. The fourth image above represents the same information as the third image above, In the third image, the second information is represented by the first appearance. In the fourth image, the second information is represented by a second appearance. The computer program according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors in the second appearance is different from at least one of the combination of lines and the number of colors in the first appearance.