Abstract:
A layered graphical display is provided. The layered graphical display comprises a plurality of graphics, wherein one or more of said plurality of graphics is overlaid onto one or more other graphics of said plurality of graphics. The layered graphical display also comprises a shaded region behind each of said one or more overlying graphics which distinguishes the one or more overlying graphics from the one or more other graphics.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to graphical displays and, in particular, to improving the readability of graphics displayed.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Over the years, graphical displays have become more versatile. Graphical displays are now used in a variety of different applications including displays in vehicles, such as airplanes and automobiles, and displays in personal electronic devices, such as cellular phones and notebook computers. This versatility is due in large part to the development and improvement of new technology such as liquid crystal displays (LCD). For example, a modem active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) can provide similar performance to a full-color cathode ray tube (CRT) display while requiring less power and occupying significantly less space than a CRT display.  
         [0003]     Often, these displays will contain various graphics layered on top of each other. In aircraft, for example, flight information may be overlaid on a background display of the terrain and sky. Similarly, displays in automobiles may overlay speedometer or fuel indicator graphics on a background display of the road or a map. Typically the visibility of the displays is adversely affected by bright ambient light such as sunlight. This is particularly true of LCD displays. It is also often difficult in bright ambient light to distinguish between the various graphics overlaid on the same display. The difficulty in distinguishing graphics not only reduces the utility of the display but it also creates serious risks of accident when the operator of a vehicle is unable to distinguish pertinent information from less important information in an emergency situation. Many methods have been developed to attempt to address the visibility of the display in bright ambient light. Yet, these methods are addressed generally only at increasing the visibility of the display as a whole. These methods do not address the specific problem of improving a viewer&#39;s ability in bright ambient light to distinguish between various graphics overlaid on the same display.  
         [0004]     For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a display which improves the readability of graphics on a display enabling the viewer to easily distinguish between various graphics overlaid on the same display particularly in the presence of bright ambient light.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Embodiments of the present invention solve problems with the readability of graphics on a display enabling viewers to easily distinguish between various graphics overlaid on the same display.  
         [0006]     In one embodiment, a layered graphical display is provided. The layered graphical display comprises a plurality of graphics, wherein one or more of said plurality of graphics is overlaid onto one or more other graphics of said plurality of graphics. The layered graphical display also comprises a shaded region behind each of said one or more overlying graphics which distinguishes the one or more overlying graphics from the one or more other graphics.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment, layered graphical display is provided. The layered graphical display comprises means for displaying two or more graphics on a display element, wherein at least one of said two or more graphics is overlaid onto at least one other graphic of said two or more graphics. The layered graphical display also comprises means for calculating a shaded region for display on a display element, means for calculating an outline for display on a display element and means for displaying said calculated shaded region behind the at least one graphic overlaid onto at least one other graphic, said shaded region distinguishing the at least one overlaid graphic from the at least one other graphic. Additionally, the layered graphical display comprises means for displaying said calculated outline around said shaded region and the at least one graphic overlaid onto at least one other graphic.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, a method for improving the readability of graphics on a display is provided. The method comprises displaying a plurality of graphics on a display, wherein one or more graphics of said plurality of graphics is overlaid onto one or more other graphics of said plurality of graphics. The method also comprises selecting which of the one or more overlying graphics to shade with a shaded region, selecting which of the one or more overlying graphics to outline, rendering the shaded region for the selected overlying graphics, and rendering the outline for the selected overlying graphics.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for improving the readability of graphics on a display is provided. The method comprises selecting a first group of one or more graphics on a display to shade with a shaded region for each graphic selected and selecting a second group of one or more graphics on a display to substantially surround with an outline for each graphic selected. The method also comprises selecting a transparency level and a color for the one or more shaded regions and selecting a transparency level and a color for the one or more outlines. The method further comprises rendering the shaded region with the selected transparency level and color for each graphic in the first group, and rendering the outline with the selected transparency level and color for each graphic in the second group. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a graphic to be displayed on a display element.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1B  shows other graphics to be displayed on a display element.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1C  is an image of a conventional graphical display.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an image of a graphical display according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an image of a graphical display according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an image of a graphical display according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing a method of improving the readability of overlaid graphics according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a graphical display system according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that although the specific embodiments illustrated below are directed at aircraft for purposes of explanation, the method and apparatus may be used in various embodiments employing various types of displays, such as displays in space craft, automobiles, and hand held electronic devices, etc. Moreover, the present invention is suitable for use on CRT, LCD or any other existing or later developed display technology. It should also be understood that the exemplary method illustrated may include additional or fewer steps or may be performed in the context of a larger processing scheme. Furthermore, the method presented in the drawing figures or the specification is not to be construed as limiting the order in which the individual steps may be performed. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.  
         [0019]     FIG  1 A is a graphic to be displayed on a display element. In this embodiment, graphic  104  represents terrain and sky for display on an aircraft display element. In other embodiments, other appropriate graphics, such as road images, maps, personal photos, etc. are used depending the application and display element.  FIG. 1B  shows other graphics for display on a display element. In this embodiment, graphics  102 - 1  . . .  102 -N represent directional headings for display on an aircraft display element. In other embodiments, other appropriate graphics, such as speedometer readings, fuel gauges, phone numbers, etc. are used depending on the application and display element.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1C  is an image of a conventional graphical display which combines the graphics from  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As shown in  FIG. 1C , graphics  102 - 1  . . .  102 -N are overlaid on graphic  104 . It is difficult in  FIG. 1C  to distinguish some of graphics  102 - 1  . . .  102 -N from graphic  104 . The difficulty in distinguishing graphics is increased as the ambient light becomes brighter. Current attempts at improving the visibility of displays are focused on improving visibility of the display as a whole. They do not address this specific difficulty of distinguishing overlaid graphics on the same display with the advantages of the embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 2-4  are images of a graphical display according to embodiments of the present invention. For purposes of explanation, the same graphics from  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are used in  FIGS. 2-4 . In these embodiments a display for use in aircraft is used. However, it will be understood by one of skill in the art that, in other embodiments, displays suitable for handheld electronic devices, automobiles, etc. employ the present invention to improve the ability to distinguish between graphics overlaid on the same display.  
         [0022]     In  FIG. 2 , graphics  202 - 1  . . .  202 -N are shaded with shaded region  208 - 1  . . . 208 -N and outlined by outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N, respectively. In other embodiments, graphics  202 - 1  . . .  202 -N are only shaded by shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N or, alternatively, only outlined by outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N, respectively. In some embodiments, the transparency level of shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N and the transparency level of outline  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N are adjustable from completely transparent to completely opaque.  
         [0023]     The embodiment in  FIG. 2  sets the transparency level of both shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N and outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N at completely opaque. The embodiment in  FIG. 3  uses a semi-transparent level for both shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N and outline  210 - 1  . . . 210 -N. The embodiment in  FIG. 4  sets the transparency level for shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N to completely transparent and the transparency level of outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N to completely opaque. In some embodiments, the transparency level of shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N and the transparency level of outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N are independently adjustable. In other embodiments, the transparency level of shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N and the transparency level of outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N are mutually adjustable. Additionally, in other embodiments, the color of shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N and the color of outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N are adjustable across the full color spectrum. In some embodiments, the color of shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N and the color of outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N are independently adjustable. In other embodiments, the color of shaded region  208 - 1  . . .  208 -N and the color of outline  210 - 1  . . .  210 -N are mutually adjustable.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing a method of improving the readability of overlaid graphics according to one embodiment of the present invention. Instructions for carrying out the various methods, process tasks, calculations, control functions, and the generation of display signals and other data used in the operation of the display system are implemented in software programs, firmware or computer readable instructions. These instructions are typically stored on any appropriate medium used for storage of computer readable instructions such as floppy disks, conventional hard disks, CD-ROM, flash memory ROM, nonvolatile ROM, RAM, and other like medium.  
         [0025]     The method begins at  502  with graphics overlaid on the same display. At  504 , the graphics which are to be shaded with a shaded region are selected. The graphics which are shaded have a shaded region behind the graphics as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . In some embodiments, this selection is accomplished through manual selection by a user. In other embodiments, the selection may be preset to a default value. At  506 , the graphics which are to be outlined are selected. The graphics which are outlined have an outline around the graphic and shaded region, if applicable, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . The outline substantially surrounds the graphic and shaded region, if applicable. In some embodiments, the graphics which are outlined are the same as the graphics which are shaded. In other embodiments, the graphics which are outlined are not the same as the graphics which are shaded. In yet other embodiments, some of the graphics which are outlined are the same as the graphics which are shaded while others are not. In some embodiments, the selection is made manually by a user in real-time. In other embodiments, the selection is set to a default value.  
         [0026]     At  508 , the transparency level for the outlines and shaded regions is selected. The level of transparency in some embodiments ranges from completely transparent to completely opaque. In some embodiments, the level of transparency selected for the outlines is mutually selected with the transparency level of the shaded regions. In other embodiments, the transparency level of the outlines is selected separately from the transparency level of the shaded regions. In yet other embodiments, the transparency level for each outline and each shaded region is independently selected and adjusted. The transparency level, in some embodiments, is manually selected and adjusted by a user. In other embodiments, the transparency level is set to a default value.  
         [0027]     At  510 , the color of the outlines and shaded regions is selected. The color range available in some embodiments is the full visible color spectrum. In other embodiments, a limited color range is used. For example, when the display itself has limited color capabilities or when there is a need to conserve resources, embodiments using a limited color range are appropriate. In some embodiments, the color for each outline and each shaded region is independently selected and adjusted. The color, in some embodiments, is manually selected and adjusted by a user. The colors selected for the outlines and the shaded regions are typically different.  
         [0028]     At  512 , the shaded regions and outlines are rendered for the selected graphics. In some embodiments, the shaded regions and outlines will only be rendered when a user decides to render them. In other embodiments, the shaded regions and outlines are rendered automatically whenever the selected graphics are displayed. At  514 , input is received to determine if adjustments are necessary. In some embodiments, this input and corresponding adjustments are manually entered by a user. The adjustments include adjustments to the selection of graphics to be shaded, the selection of graphics to be outlined, the transparency levels, and the color of the shaded regions and outlines. In some embodiments, all of the above mentioned selections are adjusted when necessary. In other embodiments, only certain selections are adjustable. In yet other embodiments, no input is received and none of the selections are adjustable.  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a graphical display system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 6 , an exemplary graphical display system  600  includes processor  602  configured to provide data for display to display element  610 . One or more data sources are coupled to processor  602 . These data sources include, but are not limited to, sensors  604 , user input element  606  and memory  608 . In some embodiments, one or more of these data sources are omitted. Sensors  604  are typically used to provide data to processor  602  for display on display element  610  and for use by processor  602  in determining what graphics to display. For example, in some embodiments, sensors  604  provide data regarding temperature, altitude, location, etc. as well as photographs and digital images for display on display element  610 . In other embodiments, processor  602  uses data received from sensors  604 , such as location, speed, etc., to determine the graphics to display, such as which terrain, street, airport, etc. In yet other embodiments, sensors  604  are used to receive data to determine the appropriate transparency level and color of the shaded regions and outlines as discussed above.  
         [0030]     User input element  606  includes, but is not limited to, keyboards, electronic mice, touch screens, microphones, etc. In some embodiments, user input element  606  comprises more than one type of input element. In other embodiments, display system  600  does not include user input element  606 . User input element  606  is used to provide user feedback to display system  600 . Such feedback includes, but is not limited to, user selection of graphics to be outlined and shaded, user selection of transparency levels and user selection of outline and shading color.  
         [0031]     Memory  608  includes any type of suitable medium such as floppy disks, conventional hard disks, CD-ROM, flash memory ROM, nonvolatile ROM, RAM, or other suitable medium. Processor  602  and memory  608  are coupled together allowing processor  602  to write to and store data in memory  608  as well as retrieve stored data from memory  608 . In one embodiment, memory  608  stores data received by processor  602  from sensors  604  and user input element  606 . In other embodiments, memory  608  temporarily stores data to be transmitted from processor  602  to display element  610 . In other embodiments, memory  608  is used to store a database of graphics for retrieval by processor  602  and display on display element  610 .  
         [0032]     Processor  602  includes or interfaces with hardware components that support the graphics display system. By way of example and not by way of limitation, these hardware components include one or more microprocessors, memories, storage devices, interface cards, and other standard components known in the art. Additionally, processor  602  includes or functions with software programs, firmware or computer readable instructions for carrying out various methods, process tasks, calculations, control functions, and the generation of display signals and other data used in the operation of the display system. These instructions are typically stored on any appropriate medium used for storage of computer readable instructions such as floppy disks, conventional hard disks, CD-ROM, flash ROM, nonvolatile ROM, RAM, and other like medium. In some embodiments, these instructions are stored on memory  608 .  
         [0033]     Display element  610  includes any display element suitable for displaying the various symbols and information for the operation of embodiments of the present invention. There are many known display elements that are suitable for this task, such as various CRT, active matrix LCD and passive matrix LCD display systems. Processor  602  sends appropriate signals and data to display element  610 . These signals and data instruct display element  610  which graphics to display and include instructions for displaying the shading and outlining necessary for the operation of embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0034]     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. For example, although the specific embodiments illustrated are directed at aircraft, the method and apparatus may be used in various embodiments employing various types of displays, such as displays in space craft, automobiles, and hand held electronic devices, etc. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.