Instrument Display Readability via Pointer Luminance Adjustment

Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices with overlapping pointer and index images face reduced readability of the index image due to the overlap with the pointer image.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a controller that varies at least one of the pointer display mode and the index display mode when their positions coincide, such as by changing the brightness or shape of the pointer image to enhance the visibility of the index image, allowing for increased readability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the pointer image and index image are displayed to overlap, then the display area is efficiently utilized, but the readability of the index image is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoidreadability of index image

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the pointer image have different visual properties at different locations. Specifically, the pointer image has a first luminance in the region overlapping with the index image and a second luminance in the non-overlapping region, where the first luminance is lower than the second luminance. This local differentiation allows the pointer to be less obtrusive where it overlaps with the index, improving readability while maintaining visibility where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the luminance parameter of the pointer image based on its spatial relationship with the index image. By dynamically adjusting the luminance of the pointer image - lowering it in the overlap region and maintaining higher luminance in the non-overlap region - the system optimizes both the visibility of the pointer and the readability of the index image simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the brightness of the pointer image is increased to enhance visibility, then the pointer becomes more visible, but the readability of the overlapped index image deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness of pointer imageVSAvoidreadability of index image

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the pointer image have different visual properties at different locations. Specifically, the pointer image has a first luminance in the region overlapping with the index image and a second luminance in the non-overlapping region, where the first luminance is lower than the second luminance. This local differentiation allows the pointer to be less obtrusive where it overlaps with the index, improving readability while maintaining visibility where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the luminance parameter of the pointer image based on its spatial relationship with the index image. By dynamically adjusting the luminance of the pointer image - lowering it in the overlap region and maintaining higher luminance in the non-overlap region - the system optimizes both the visibility of the pointer and the readability of the index image simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8817024B2Display device for increasing the readability of an instrument image

Publication Date: 2014.08.26 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel for displaying an instrument image including an index image constituting an index and a pointer image constituting a pointer for pointing the index of the index image and a controller for displaying the instrument image on the display panel. The controller varies at least one of a pointer display mode of the pointer image and an index display mode of the index image so as to increase a readability of the index indicated by the index image when positions associated with the pointer image and the index image coincide.