HUD Display Brightness Control via Single Knob Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display systems, such as head-up display (HUD) systems, require non-intuitive and prolonged user adjustments to achieve optimal brightness and contrast, particularly in low visibility conditions, which can lead to pilot error during critical phases of flight, and lack the ability to control symbology brightness independently of video content.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a single user-adjustable interface to receive control signals and apply algorithms to adjust pixel intensity in multiple zones, allowing for simultaneous control of brightness and contrast with minimal user input, and enable variable symbology brightness without affecting video content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a two-knob system is used to control brightness and contrast independently, then the system provides separate control for each parameter, but it requires prolonged user adjustments and non-intuitive combinations to achieve optimal display output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of brightness and contrast controlVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines brightness and contrast control into a single knob interface. The single knob accepts a control signal that simultaneously adjusts both brightness and contrast parameters through algorithmic processing, eliminating the need for separate brightness and contrast knobs and reducing adjustment time to a single intuitive motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single knob interface serves multiple functions by controlling both brightness and contrast parameters. The processor receives a single control signal from the knob and applies algorithms to adjust multiple display parameters (brightness, contrast, and pixel intensity) simultaneously, making the single interface element universal for multiple control needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If symbology is displayed at maximum pixel intensity, then the symbology is always clearly visible, but the common backlighting system cannot be reduced without dropping video content below viewable threshold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymbology visibilityVSAvoidvideo content brightness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display control into independent components: video content brightness control and symbology brightness control. The processor independently adjusts the pixel intensity of symbology overlay elements separate from the video content, allowing symbology to be displayed at reduced intensity without affecting video visibility, since each element's brightness is controlled separately rather than through a common backlight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different brightness characteristics to different parts of the display. Symbology elements can have their pixel intensity independently adjusted to be less than maximum when appropriate, while video content maintains its required brightness level. This local quality approach allows each display element to have optimized brightness characteristics for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional two-knob control is used, then separate brightness and contrast adjustment is possible, but the user interface becomes complex and requires non-intuitive combinations of control signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay parameter control flexibilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple control functions into a single knob interface. Instead of requiring separate brightness and contrast knobs, the single knob provides a unified control mechanism that adjusts multiple display parameters through algorithmic processing in the processor, reducing interface complexity while maintaining control versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameters approach by using a single control signal to adjust multiple parameters simultaneously. The processor receives one control signal from the single knob and applies algorithms to modify brightness, contrast, and pixel intensity parameters in a coordinated manner, eliminating the need for users to understand and adjust multiple independent parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9058510B1System for and method of controlling display characteristics including brightness and contrast

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A system and method for controlling display characteristics is disclosed. The system and method includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to detect video input from a sensor, receive a control signal from a user and use the input control signal to alter a level of pixel intensity in a video output. The system and method for controlling display characteristics also includes altering the video input into the video output according to an algorithm and displaying the video output signal with an altered level of pixel intensity.