Variable light indicator
AssigneeJohnson Controls Technology Company
InventorsJonathan Frens, Scott Meyers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An indicator assembly is disclosed having a first light source and a second light source positioned relative to a surface. An overlap region may be formed between the first light source and second light source depending upon the relative intensity of the light sources, which may be used to convey information to a user and/or to provide an alternative visual indicator of a gauge.
Claims44
An apparatus for visual indication comprising:
- a gauge including a surface;
- a first light source positioned along the surface at a first location to illuminate a first portion of the surface, wherein the first light source has a first light color;
- a second light source positioned along the surface at a second location to illuminate a second portion of the surface, wherein the second light source has a second light color;
- and
- a processing circuit configured to:
- receive a vehicle input relating to a position of a pointer of the gauge adjacent to the surface;
- determine intensity levels for the first light source and the second light source to indicate the position of the pointer such that an overlap region defined by the first portion and the second portion aligns with the position of the pointer, the overlap region defined based on the intensity levels of the first light source and second light source and having at least one of (i) an intensity level different from at least one of an intensity level of the first light source or an intensity level of the second light source or (ii) a color different from at least one of the first light color or the second light color;
- and
- activate the first light source at a first intensity level and the second light source at a third intensity level based on the determination of the intensity levels of the first light source and the second light source;
- and
- in response to a movement of the indicator as determined based on the vehicle input, (i) decrease a first intensity of the first light source from the first intensity level to a second intensity level;
- and (ii) increase a second intensity of the second light source from the third intensity level to a fourth intensity level.
A method of visual indication using a system comprising a gauge including a surface, a first light source associated with a first portion of the surface, and a second light source associated with a second portion of the surface, wherein the first light source has a first light color, and wherein the second light source has a second light color, the method comprising:
- receiving a vehicle input relating to a position of an indicator adjacent to the surface;
- determining intensity levels for the first light source and the second light source to indicate the position of the indicator such that an overlap region defined by the first portion and the second portion aligns with the position of the indicator, the overlap region defined based on the intensity levels of the first light source and second light source and having at least one of (i) an intensity level different from at least one of an intensity level of the first light source or an intensity level of the second light source or (ii) a color different from at least one of the first light color or the second light color;
- and
- activating the first light source at a first intensity level and the second light source at a third intensity level based on the determination of the intensity levels of the first light source and the second light source;
- and
- in response to a movement of the indicator as determined based on the vehicle input, (i) decreasing a first intensity of the first light source from the first intensity level to a second intensity level;
- and (ii) increasing a second intensity of the second light source from the third intensity level to a fourth intensity level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.