Electronic Level Display With Color-Coded Feedback in Low Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing level detection methods, such as bubble and digital levels, face challenges in accuracy, intuitiveness, and visibility, particularly in low-light conditions, requiring significant user skill and time to achieve precise level adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An electronic level system with sensing elements, a controller, and an array of output display elements that intuitively indicate levelness through color-coded indicators, adjusting visibility based on environmental conditions and providing precise sensitivity adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a bubble level is used to detect levelness, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but the visibility is poor in low-light conditions and the precision is difficult to discern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bubble level system with an electronic sensing system using accelerometers or gyroscopes to detect levelness. This substitution eliminates the visibility and precision problems of bubble levels while maintaining the simplicity of the device through integrated electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded LED indicators that change color or illuminate to indicate the direction and degree of levelness. This provides clear visual feedback in all lighting conditions, resolving the visibility issue of traditional bubble levels while maintaining ease of operation.
2Illumination intensity
If a digital level is used to display levelness, then the visibility is improved, but the display is non-intuitive and requires significant user skill and time to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded LED indicators where different colors or illumination patterns intuitively indicate the direction and magnitude of levelness deviations. This provides immediate, intuitive visual feedback that requires minimal user skill, unlike traditional digital displays that show raw numerical data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time visual feedback through LED indicators that dynamically respond to the levelness state. The feedback is designed to be immediately interpretable by users, showing both the current levelness status and the direction needed for correction, thereby reducing the learning curve and operational difficulty.
3Device complexity
If a bubble level is used, then the device is simple, but the user difficulty increases due to the non-intuitive display and requirement for clear line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bubble level with an electronic sensing system that provides digital output. This substitution maintains device simplicity while eliminating the need for clear line of sight and intuitive visual analysis, as the electronic display provides unambiguous information about levelness status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded LED indicators that provide unambiguous visual information about levelness. The color coding system makes the display immediately intuitive, eliminating the need for user analysis of bubble position proximity to center, and removing the requirement for clear line of sight in low-light conditions.
4Device complexity
If traditional level displays are used, then the device is simple, but the time required for accurate level detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual bubble level reading with electronic sensing and display, enabling instant digital readout of levelness data. This eliminates the time required for visual analysis and interpretation, providing immediate feedback that significantly reduces detection time while maintaining device simplicity through integrated electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback through LED indicators that immediately respond to levelness changes. This continuous visual feedback eliminates the need for repeated manual readings and analyses, providing instant information about the current levelness state and the direction needed for correction, thereby reducing the overall time required for accurate level detection.
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
Enhances level detection accuracy, improves user intuitiveness, and increases efficiency by providing clear, adaptive visual feedback for precise level adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sensing elements configured to detect levelness of the electronic level
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for electronic levels are disclosed. An electronic level can include one or more sensing elements configured to detect levelness of the electronic level. The electronic level can include a display including multiple output display elements arranged in an array that extends in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the electronic level and configured to display an indication of the levelness of the electronic level. The electronic level can include a controller coupled with the one or more sensing elements and the multiple output display elements. The controller may be configured to activate the one or more sensing elements to detect the levelness and activate one or more of the multiple output display elements to display the indication based on the levelness.