Instrument Panel Pointer Rendering via Texture Atlas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display methods for instrument panels struggle to clearly and efficiently render moving pointers due to limitations in frame rate and processor power, leading to visibility issues such as aliasing errors and stroboscopic effects, which require high computing power and are difficult to read.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a texture atlas to pre-compute and store different pointer forms, allowing for quick retrieval and rendering of pointers with varying speeds and motion blur, reducing computational complexity and power consumption by rendering the same pre-computed images independently of movement and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional display methods compute pointer position in real-time based on instrument status, then the pointer can be displayed at its current position, but the display becomes difficult to read at high speeds due to aliasing errors and stroboscopic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes pointer forms for various instrument statuses and stores them in a texture atlas before runtime. During display, the system retrieves pre-computed pointer forms matching the current instrument status rather than computing positions in real-time. This preliminary preparation eliminates aliasing errors and stroboscopic effects by ensuring pointer forms are already optimized for their respective positions, thereby maintaining both position accuracy and display readability.
2Ease of operation
If multiple pointer forms are displayed simultaneously to show past positions and speed, then the pointer speed can be illustrated for the observer, but it becomes difficult to read the exact pointer position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual qualities to different parts of the pointer display. The current pointer position is displayed with high brightness, saturation, and sharpness, while past pointer positions are displayed with reduced brightness and opacity. This local differentiation allows observers to easily distinguish the current position from historical positions, maintaining position clarity while still providing speed visualization through the trail of past positions.
3Speed
If motion blur is applied to represent quickly moving pointers, then the display can handle high speeds, but the representation spreads the object over a range causing visible jumps when changing from single to blurred representation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of pointer form selection based on instrument status rather than applying continuous motion blur. Pre-computed pointer forms are stored for various status values, and the system retrieves the appropriate form based on the current status. This discrete parameter-based approach maintains display consistency by avoiding the spread and visible jumps associated with continuous motion blur, while still effectively representing high-speed pointer movements through the availability of pre-computed forms for various speeds.
4Ease of operation
If jitter is deliberately displayed to show pointer speed, then the speed can be illustrated, but multiple simultaneous pointers make it difficult to discern the exact position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual qualities to different parts of the pointer display. The current pointer position is displayed with high brightness, saturation, and sharpness, while past pointer positions are displayed with reduced brightness and opacity. This local differentiation allows observers to easily distinguish the current position from historical positions, maintaining position discernibility while still providing speed visualization through the trail of past positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displaying a pointer in an instrument panel is described. The method comprises retrieving a current instrument status of an instrument of the instrument panel that is to be displayed, determining a pointer form on the basis of the current instrument status, retrieving of the determined pointer form from a texture atlas, and rendering the pointer in the instrument panel with the retrieved pointer form. There is further described a device for displaying an instrument panel, which device comprises a display module configured to display at least one instrument panel having at least one pointer instrument, and a controller configured to carry out the method using the display module. A vehicle having such a device is also disclosed.