Chromatically enhanced display

• US 20060055630A1
• Filed: 09/15/2004
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ng, Fook Chuin, Ko, Choon Guan, Cheang, Tak Meng, Chew, Choon Keat
• Application Number:
  US10/941,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20060055630A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/44
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/005 Indication of measured value by colour change
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/22 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/28 using temperature feedback

Abstract

A display and method for displaying data are disclosed. The display includes a light source and a gauge that displays a quantity. The gauge is illuminated by the light source that has a color specified by a first control signal. A controller generates the first control signal based on the quantity such that the light source generates light of a first color if the quantity is within a first range and light of a second color if the quantity is in a second range. In one embodiment, the light source is characterized by an intensity specified by a second control signal, and the controller generates a second control signal based on the quantity such that the light intensity has a first intensity value when the quantity is in a third range and a second intensity value when the quantity is in a fourth range.

Claims

1. A display comprising:

a light source that generates light of a color specified by a first control signal;

a gauge that displays a quantity, said gauge being illuminated by said light source;

a controller that generates said first control signal based on said quantity such that said light source generates light of a first color if said quantity is within a first range and light of a second color if said quantity is in a second range.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a plurality of LEDs.

3. The display of claim 1 wherein said light generated by said light source is characterized by an intensity specified by a second control signal and wherein said controller generates said second control signal based on said quantity such that said light intensity has a first value when said quantity is in a third range and a second value when said quantity is in a fourth range.

4. The display of claim 1 wherein said light intensity has a time varying pattern in said fourth range.

5. The display of claim 1 wherein said controller comprises a database for storing said first and second range.

6. The display of claim 5 further comprising an input port for receiving global positioning data, said database storing said first and second ranges as a function of said global positioning data.

7. The display of claim 1 wherein said controller comprises an input device for receiving said first and second range from an operator.

8. A display comprising a plurality of component displays, each component display comprising:

a light source that generates light of a color specified by a first control signal;

a gauge that displays a quantity, said gauge being illuminated by said light source;

a controller that generates said first control signal based on said quantity such that said light source generates light of a first color if said quantity is within a first range and light of a second color if said quantity is in a second range.

9. The display of claim 8 wherein said light generated by said light source is characterized by an intensity specified by a second control signal and wherein said controller generates said second control signal based on said quantity such that said light intensity has a first value when said quantity is in a third range and a second value when said quantity is in a fourth range.

10. The display of claim 8 wherein said light intensity in one of said component displays has a time varying pattern in said fourth range.

11. The display of claim 8 wherein said controller in one of said component displays comprises a database for storing said first and second range.

12. The display of claim 11 wherein said controller in one of said component displays comprises an input port for receiving global positioning data, said database storing said first and second ranges as a function of said global positioning data.

13. The display of claim 8 wherein said controller in one of said component displays comprises an input device for receiving said first and second range from an operator.

14. A display comprising:

a light source that generates light of a color specified by a first control signal; and

a plurality of component displays, each component display comprising a gauge that displays a quantity, said gauge being illuminated by said light source, said display further comprising;

a controller that stores a first range and a second range for said quantity displayed by each gauge, said first and second ranges being particular to that gauge and that generates said first control signal based on said quantities displayed by said gauges such that said light source generates light of a first color if said quantities are within said first range specified for each gauge and light of a second color if any of said quantities is in said second range specified for that gauge.

15. The display of claim 14 wherein said controller also monitors a detector having an output that is not displayed on said display and wherein said controller alters said color of said light if said detector output is in a predetermined range.

16. The display of claim 14 wherein said light generated by said light source is characterized by an intensity specified by a second control signal and wherein said controller stores a second range and a third range for said quantity displayed by each gauge, said third and fourth ranges being particular to that gauge and said controller generates said second control signal based on said quantities displayed by said gauges such that said light source generates light of a first intensity if said quantities are within said third range specified for each gauge and light of a second intensity if any of said quantities is in said third range specified for that gauge.

17. The display of claim 14 wherein said light intensity has a time varying pattern if one of said quantities is in said fourth range for that quantity.

18. The display of claim 14 wherein said controller comprises a database for storing said first and second ranges for each of said gauges.

19. The display of claim 18 wherein said controller comprises an input port for receiving global positioning data, said database storing said first and second ranges for one of said gauges as a function of said global positioning data.

20. The display of claim 14 wherein said controller comprises an input device for receiving one of said first and second ranges from an operator.

21. A method for displaying data representing a quantity comprising:

displaying said quantity in a gauge that is illuminated by light of a first color and intensity if said quantity is within a first range; and

causing said gauge to be illuminated by a light of a second color if said quantity is within in a second range.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising altering said intensity of said light if said quantity is in a third range.

23. The display of claim 21 wherein said light intensity has a time varying pattern if said quantity is in a fourth range.