Altitude Display Device Using Color-Changing LED for Skydiving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Skydivers face challenges in determining the appropriate time to deploy their parachute during a jump, as existing methods lack a reliable and intuitive visual cue for altitude and time remaining.
Innovation Solution
An altitude display device that emits a continuously changing color, sequencing through the colors of the rainbow, allowing skydivers to visually track their altitude and anticipate the parachute deployment altitude by correlating color changes with specific altitudes, using an altimeter, microcontroller, and light-emitting diodes with a refresh rate imperceptible to the human eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional altimeter is used to display altitude numerically, then the device provides precise altitude measurement, but the skydiver cannot quickly and intuitively determine the appropriate time to deploy the parachute
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes in an LED display to represent different altitude ranges. As the skydiver descends, the LED transitions through different colors (e.g., green, yellow, orange, red) corresponding to specific altitude zones. This provides immediate, intuitive visual feedback about altitude without requiring the skydiver to interpret numerical data, directly addressing the need for easier operation while preserving altitude information through color coding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the one-dimensional numerical altitude display into a two-dimensional visual representation by adding the color dimension. Instead of merely displaying a number, the system uses color hue to encode altitude information, creating a more intuitive visual interface that skydivers can quickly comprehend during freefall.
2Illumination intensity
If the visual display refresh rate is increased to show continuous color change, then the color transition appears smooth and continuous to the human eye, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic refreshing of the LED display at a rate between 30-60 Hz, which is above the human eye's flicker fusion threshold. This periodic action creates the illusion of continuous color change while actually updating the display in discrete steps, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to truly continuous operation. The microcontroller efficiently manages power by activating the LED only during necessary refresh cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a clear, intuitive visual signal for skydivers to estimate their altitude and anticipate the parachute deployment time, enhancing safety and performance by allowing them to prepare within the brief deployment window.
Implementation Method 1
The visual display may include at least one light emitting diode capable of emitting a range of colors
Implementation Method 2
The light may be emitted at a refresh rate that may be imperceptible to the human eye, such that the light may appear to continuously blend from one color to the next
Data Source
AI summary
An altitude display device is provided for use when skydiving. The altitude display device may include an altimeter operative to determine an altitude of the altimeter and to generate an altitude signal representative of the determined altitude. The altitude display device may additionally include a visual display in operative communication with the altimeter to receive the altitude signal, with the visual display emitting a visual display signal at a rate that is imperceptible to a human user, and having a color representative of the altitude signal. The visual display signal may be variable in color within a prescribed color range associated with a prescribed altitude range, such that a change in altitude within the prescribed altitude range, as determined by the altimeter, correlates to a change in color of the visual display signal emitted by the visual display within the prescribed color range.