System and method for evaluating sign legibility
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for evaluating the legibility of a sign configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) constructing in computer memory a sign configuration state machine, the state machine including slots for receiving and holding signals corresponding to predetermined viewing distance, font, ambient light, typeface color and background color characteristics of the sign configuration, the state machine also including a controller for retrieving signals from the slots and transmitting signals to the slots to thereby effect state transitions;
(b) computing a legibility indication for the sign configuration utilizing the state machine; and
(c) transmitting to a display device signals corresponding to the computed legibility indication.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for using information about colors, fonts, and viewing distances to predict the legibility of a sign. The invention takes into account the colors used in the sign, in order to allow the use of many different color combinations while still avoiding "strobing" from simultaneous contrast caused by complementary afterimages. A computer program accepts information such as the desired visual acuity, viewer velocity (for signs viewed from a car), font specification, ambient light strength, and the desired typeface color and background color. The program then predicts the legibility of a sign which uses the fonts and colors indicated under the given conditions. Thus, the program may be used to assess the effect of various changes on the sign'"'"'s legibility without actually rendering or building the sign, installing it, and looking at it.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for evaluating the legibility of a sign configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) constructing in computer memory a sign configuration state machine, the state machine including slots for receiving and holding signals corresponding to predetermined viewing distance, font, ambient light, typeface color and background color characteristics of the sign configuration, the state machine also including a controller for retrieving signals from the slots and transmitting signals to the slots to thereby effect state transitions; (b) computing a legibility indication for the sign configuration utilizing the state machine; and (c) transmitting to a display device signals corresponding to the computed legibility indication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for evaluating a sign configuration comprising the steps of:
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(a) fabricating a sign at a predetermined location, the sign being fabricated according to predetermined font values; (b) positioning a viewer at a distance from the fabricated sign specified by a predetermined distance value; (c) measuring the ambient light on the fabricated sign to thereby obtain a measured light value; (d) evaluating the legibility of the fabricated sign to the positioned viewer under the measured light condition to obtain a measured legibility indication; (e) constructing a state machine in a computer memory, the state machine including state signals which correspond to viewing distance, font, and light characteristics of a sign configuration; (f) running the state machine to thereby obtain a computed legibility indication based on the state signals; and (g) analyzing the computed legibility indication and the measured legibility indication to obtain an assessment. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A computer-based system for evaluating a sign configuration, said system comprising:
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means for associating signage letter heights, viewing distances, and type faces according to their combined effect on sign legibility; a keyboard for generating signals corresponding to predetermined color characteristics of the sign configuration; a sign configuration state machine in computer memory, the state machine including slots for receiving and holding signals corresponding to predetermined color characteristics of the sign configuration, the state machine also including signal generators for generating signals transmittable to the slots to thereby effect state transitions; and a display for displaying values corresponding to state machine signals. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification