Multimode Electronic Caliper Display Configuration for Ratiometric Measurement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic calipers with ratiometric measuring modes face issues with the optimal positioning of the decimal point and number of decimal places displayed, leading to difficulties in reading ratios due to varying measurement ranges and resolutions.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves determining the optimal decimal point position and number of decimal places in real-time based on the reference dimension, ensuring a persistent display that corresponds to the internal measurement resolution, allowing for easy and reliable ratiometric measurements by adjusting the increment for the least significant digit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the decimal point position is allowed to float or vary as the current measurement changes, then the display can adapt to different measurement values, but it becomes difficult for the user to read the displayed ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay adaptation to measurement valuesVSAvoiduser readability of displayed ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the decimal point position dynamic rather than fixed. The decimal point automatically adjusts its position based on the magnitude of the current measurement and the reference dimension, allowing the display to adapt to different measurement ranges while maintaining optimal readability. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling both adaptability to varying measurements and ease of reading through intelligent positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a fixed number of decimal places is displayed, then the display format remains simple and consistent, but it may have inappropriate or invalid resolution for part of the available measuring range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay format simplicityVSAvoidresolution appropriateness for measuring range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a static fixed decimal places approach to a dynamic decimal places approach. The number of decimal places automatically adjusts based on the current measurement value and reference dimension, ensuring that the display provides appropriate resolution for the entire measuring range. This maintains display simplicity while achieving measurement precision through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of decimal places from a fixed value to a variable that adapts to measurement conditions. By dynamically modifying the number of decimal places based on the current measurement and reference dimension, the system optimizes resolution for different parts of the measuring range without increasing overall display complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the number of decimal places is increased to provide higher resolution, then the measurement precision improves, but the display becomes more complex and harder to read

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveratio measurement resolutionVSAvoiddisplay readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamic adjustment of decimal places to balance precision and readability. The display automatically increases or decreases the number of decimal places based on the magnitude of the ratio being displayed, ensuring high precision when needed while maintaining simplicity and readability when the ratio is straightforward. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between precision and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the decimal point position is optimized for each reference dimension, then the readability and reliability of ratiometric measurements improve, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveratiometric measurement readabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity for decimal point optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having the system automatically optimize the decimal point position based on the current measurement and reference dimension without requiring user intervention. The system self-adjusts the display format to provide optimal readability and reliability, reducing the burden on the user while maintaining high measurement quality. This automated self-optimization improves readability without significantly increasing user-perceived system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8745108B2Display configuration for multimode electronic calipers having a ratiometric measurement mode

Publication Date: 2014.06.03 MITUTOYO CORP

AI summary

A multimode electronic measuring instrument is provided that includes a ratiometric mode of operation. During the ratiometric mode, a desired dimension is established as a stored reference dimension Xref. After the reference dimension is stored in memory, subsequent ratiometric measurement readouts will equal a current measurement distance Xcurr divided by the reference dimension Xref. A persistent number of decimal places used to the right of the decimal point as seen on a display is determined based on a current reference dimension Xref, an increment used for the least significant digit, and an internal measurement resolution of the multimode electronic measuring instrument.