WO2012090015A2 - Device for providing first and second information - Google Patents

Device for providing first and second information Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012090015A2
WO2012090015A2 PCT/IB2010/003371 IB2010003371W WO2012090015A2 WO 2012090015 A2 WO2012090015 A2 WO 2012090015A2 IB 2010003371 W IB2010003371 W IB 2010003371W WO 2012090015 A2 WO2012090015 A2 WO 2012090015A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
area
information
sub
pointer
provider
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2010/003371
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2012090015A3 (en
Inventor
Hans Pieter VAN BOMMEL
Jan Peter VAN BOMMEL
Original Assignee
Van Bommel Hans Pieter
Van Bommel Jan Peter
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Van Bommel Hans Pieter, Van Bommel Jan Peter filed Critical Van Bommel Hans Pieter
Priority to PCT/IB2010/003371 priority Critical patent/WO2012090015A2/en
Publication of WO2012090015A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012090015A2/en
Publication of WO2012090015A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012090015A3/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D13/00—Component parts of indicators for measuring arrangements not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D13/22—Pointers, e.g. settable pointer
    • G01D13/26—Pointers, e.g. settable pointer adapted to perform a further operation, e.g. making electrical contact
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/21—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays
    • B60K35/213—Virtual instruments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/21—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays
    • B60K35/215—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor using visual output, e.g. blinking lights or matrix displays characterised by the combination of multiple visual outputs, e.g. combined instruments with analogue meters and additional displays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/28—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/20—Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
    • B60K35/29—Instruments characterised by the way in which information is handled, e.g. showing information on plural displays or prioritising information according to driving conditions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/60—Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/80—Arrangements for controlling instruments
    • B60K35/81—Arrangements for controlling instruments for controlling displays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D7/00—Indicating measured values
    • G01D7/002—Indicating measured values giving both analog and numerical indication
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/16—Type of output information
    • B60K2360/172—Driving mode indication
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/18—Information management
    • B60K2360/186—Displaying information according to relevancy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K2360/00—Indexing scheme associated with groups B60K35/00 or B60K37/00 relating to details of instruments or dashboards
    • B60K2360/60—Structural details of dashboards or instruments
    • B60K2360/68—Features of instruments
    • B60K2360/698—Pointers of combined instruments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2200/00—Type of vehicle
    • B60Y2200/10—Road Vehicles
    • B60Y2200/12—Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for providing first and second information, and also relates to a system comprising a device, to a method for providing first and second information via a device, to a computer program product for providing first and second information via a device, and to a medium for storing and comprising a computer program product.
  • Such a device examples include meters such as tachometers and speedometers, indicators such as speed indicators, counters such as revolution counters, clocks, watches and other devices that provide first and second information.
  • meters such as tachometers and speedometers
  • indicators such as speed indicators
  • counters such as revolution counters, clocks
  • watches and other devices that provide first and second information.
  • Other examples of such a device are devices for displaying information such as tacho information, speed
  • a prior art device for providing first and second information is of common general knowledge.
  • Such a prior art device comprises for example one or more providers for providing the first and second information.
  • a first example of such a prior art device is a speedometer in for example a vehicle.
  • This speedometer indicates a value of a speed (first information) of the vehicle.
  • the speedometer for example comprises a circular area and an indicator that has its point of rotation somewhere in the center of this area. A part of the circular area is used for indicating the speed.
  • the indicator points to a position situated in the left lower corner of the speedometer (for example seven o'clock or south south west), and at maximum speed, the indicator points to a position situated in the right lower corner of the speedometer (for example five o'clock or south south east).
  • the indicator will move clockwise
  • at decreasing speed the indicator will move anti-clockwise.
  • This speedometer further indicates somewhere in the circular area a value of a covered distance (second information) of the vehicle.
  • a covered distance second information
  • mechanical or electrical digits are used, for example four or six digits.
  • the digits are for example located above the center of the circular area of the speedometer.
  • the indicator might cover at least a part of at least one of the digits, and it will be more difficult or even impossible to read the covered distance.
  • a second example of such a prior art device is a wrist watch.
  • This wrist watch indicates a value of a time (first information).
  • the wrist watch for example comprises a circular area and an indicator that has its point of rotation somewhere in the center of this area.
  • the indicator for example indicates the hours (or the minutes).
  • the entire circular area is used for indicating the time.
  • the indicator points to a position situated at the top of the wrist watch (north), and at six o'clock (or half an hour), the indicator points to a position situated at the bottom of the wrist watch (south). This indicator usually moves clockwise.
  • This wrist watch further indicates somewhere in the circular area a value of a date (second information).
  • a date for example mechanical or electrical digits are used, for example two digits. These digits are for example located at a position situated right from the center of the circular area of the wrist watch (east). As a result, at three o'clock (or a quarter of an hour), the indicator might cover at least a part of at least one of the digits, and it will be more difficult or even impossible to read the date.
  • the known device is disadvantageous, inter alia, owing to the fact that it is relatively user unfriendly. It is relatively user unfriendly owing to the fact that the first and second information are provided in a non-related way.
  • the device for providing first and second information is defined by the device comprising a first provider for providing the first information within an area, the device comprising a second provider for providing the second information within a sub-area of the area, and the device comprising a controller for, in response to a value of the first information, controlling a location of the sub-area.
  • the first provider provides the first information within the area
  • the second provider provides the second information within the sub-area of the area.
  • a device comprising a controller that, in dependence of the value of the first information, controls the location of the sub-area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, is relatively user friendly.
  • An additional advantage might be that a change in the location of the sub-area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, might draw additional attention to a change in the value of the first information.
  • the area may for example correspond with a surface of for example the
  • the area may be of any kind of shape and the sub-area may be of any kind of shape.
  • An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the first provider comprising a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information, the second provider comprising a display circuit for displaying the second information.
  • the first information is provided by pointing to its value
  • the second information is provided by displaying it.
  • the pointer may be a rotating pointer such as for example the pointer of a speedometer or a tachometer or such as for example the hand of a clock etc. or may be a non-rotating pointer such as for example an old-fashioned speedometer that moves from left to right and back etc.
  • An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the pointer- position corresponding with a further sub-area of the area, and the controller being arranged to reduce and/or minimize a time-interval during which the further sub-area and the sub-area overlap.
  • the pointer-position corresponds with and/or occupies a further sub-area of the area, and the controller reduces the time-interval during which the further sub-area and the sub-area overlap, preferably minimizes this time- interval, preferably to zero.
  • the pointer In case of the device according to the invention comprising a speedometer, at a speed between minimum speed and for example half speed, the pointer will be in a left part of the speedometer and the digits can be displayed in a right part of the speedometer. At a speed between for example half speed and maximum speed, the pointer will be in a right part of the speedometer and the digits can be displayed in a left part of the speedometer.
  • the hand indicating the hours (or the minutes) will be in a left part of the wrist watch and the digits can be shown in a right part of the wrist watch.
  • the hand indicating the hours (or the minutes) will be in a right part of the wrist watch and the digits can be shown in a left part of the wrist watch.
  • An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the display circuit comprising one display whereby different parts of the display correspond with different locations of the sub-area, and/or the display circuit comprising different displays whereby the different displays correspond with different locations of the sub-area.
  • the display circuit comprises one display only, different parts of the display may correspond with different locations of the sub-area.
  • each display may correspond with one or more locations of the sub-area.
  • a technology for shifting a location of a sub-area may be derived from technologies used for shifting an icon on a desktop or for shifting a smaller window in a larger window (first mouse signal for left mouse click on, second mouse signal for shifting the mouse, third mouse signal for left mouse click off, whereby the value of the first information is to be used for simulating said mouse signals, for example through calculating, looking up, converting etc.) or from other technologies.
  • the display circuit comprises different displays, the different displays may correspond with different locations of the sub-area.
  • a technology for activating one or more displays and deactivating one or more other displays may be derived from switching technologies used for switching signals (a switch for switching a power supply signal or for switching display signals or for switching activation / deactivation signals for a display, whereby the value of the first information is to be used for controlling the switch, for example through calculating, looking up, converting etc.) or from other technologies.
  • An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the pointer being a mechanical pointer whereby the different pointer-positions correspond with different rotations of the mechanical pointer, or the pointer being a non-mechanical pointer whereby the different pointer-positions correspond with different rotations of the non- mechanical pointer.
  • the pointer is a mechanical pointer and in case the display circuit comprises one display only, the display may need to be provided with a hole for the point of rotation of the pointer.
  • the pointer is a mechanical pointer and in case the display circuit comprises different displays, the displays may be situated for example left and right or above and below or left, right and above etc. the point of rotation of the pointer.
  • the pointer is a non-mechanical pointer
  • the pointer may form part of the display circuit and may be displayed via the display circuit, or the pointer may not form part of the display circuit, for example in case the pointer is projected on the display circuit. Therefore, a device in the form of a head-up display whereby at least one the first and second information is projected on a surface is not to be excluded.
  • An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by said controlling comprising moving the location of the sub-area in correspondence with a movement of the pointer.
  • an overlap between the further sub-area and the sub-area is avoided by keeping both sub-areas at a relatively fixed distance from each other.
  • An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the second provider comprising a display circuit for displaying the second information, and at least a part of the display circuit either displaying a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information or taking the place of at least a part of a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information or being in the form of a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information.
  • the display circuit displays a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information
  • the device does not need any mechanical (moving) components.
  • the display circuit takes the place of at least a part of or is in the form of a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information
  • the display circuit is a moveable display circuit.
  • the indicator that indicates (points to) the speed (first information) can be left out, and the sub-area in which the covered distance (second information) is provided can take the place of the end of the indicator. This way, in the sub-area, the covered distance is provided, and via the location of the sub-area, the speed is provided.
  • the indicator that indicates (points to) the time (first information) such as the minutes or the hours can be left out, and the sub-area in which the date (second information) is provided can take the place of the end of the indicator.
  • first information such as the minutes or the hours
  • second information the sub-area in which the date (second information) is provided
  • the second information is provided directly, and the first information is provided indirectly, via the location of the second information.
  • An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the second provider comprising a display circuit for displaying the second information within the sub- area of the area, a surface of the display circuit being the area, the location of the sub-area of the area pointing to or indicating the value of the first information.
  • the second information is provided directly, and the first information is provided indirectly, via the location of the second information.
  • an indication of the new channel (second information) is for example displayed for about five seconds, in a prior art situation for example in the right upper corner.
  • first information for example by moving this displayed indication horizontally from 0:00 to 12:00 from the right upper corner to the left upper corner, and by moving this displayed indication horizontally from 12:00 to 24:00 from the left upper corner to the right upper corner
  • first information for example by moving this displayed indication horizontally from 0:00 to 12:00 from the right upper corner to the left upper corner, and by moving this displayed indication horizontally from 12:00 to 24:00 from the left upper corner to the right upper corner
  • a user not only gets to see the indication of the new channel for about five seconds, but the user also gets an impression of the time.
  • Other durations than five seconds, further dependencies such as a dependency on minutes that for example introduces and/or results in a vertical movement, and a provision of additional information such as for example a time table and/or a scale etc. are not to be excluded.
  • a further embodiment of the device according to the invention might be defined by the controller being arranged to detect the value of the first information and/or the pointer- position and/or being arranged to process the value of the first information and/or the pointer-position.
  • the controller controls (at least a part of) the device to avoid that (at least a part of) the device cannot be used and/or to reduce and/or minimize a time that (at least a part of) the device cannot be used and/or to improve a use of (at least a part of) the device and/or to increase a user friendliness of (at least a part of) the device.
  • the value of the first information may be indicated by a word or a text or a figure or a number or a sign etc.
  • the second information may be indicated by a word or a text or a figure or a number or a sign etc.
  • Each information may define a speed or a revolution count or a distance or a time or a date or a fuel-amount or a fuel-consumption or a temperature or a pressure or a condition or a mode or a height or a compass-direction or a count etc.
  • the first and second information will be different (kinds of) information.
  • a sub-area and a further sub-area of an area are parts of this area.
  • Embodiments of the system according to the invention and of the method according to the invention and of the computer program product according to the invention and of the medium according to the invention correspond with the embodiments of the device according to the invention.
  • the invention is based upon an insight, inter alia, that first and second information in an area will usually have a less static and more dynamic character, and is based upon a basic idea, inter alia, that a location of a sub-area of the area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, is to be changed in response to (a change in) the value of the first information, to increase a user friendliness.
  • the invention solves a problem, inter alia, to provide a device that is relatively user friendly, and is further advantageous, inter alia, in that a change in the location of the sub- area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, might draw additional attention to a change in the value of the first information, and in that an increased user friendliness may increase an efficiency of the device and/or a safety of a person using the device.
  • Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a first embodiment of a device
  • Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically a second embodiment of the device
  • Fig. 3 shows a speedometer in a first situation
  • Fig. 4 shows the speedometer in a second situation
  • Fig. 5 shows another speedometer
  • Fig. 6 shows a clock
  • Fig. 7 shows a revolution counter in a first situation
  • Fig. 8 shows the revolution counter in a second situation
  • Fig. 9 shows a yet further speedometer in two different situations
  • Fig. 10 shows a television screen at three moments in time.
  • a first embodiment of a device 101 for providing first and second information is shown.
  • the device 101 comprises a first provider 1 11 for providing the first information.
  • the first provider 1 11 receives a first information signal via a link 121.
  • the device 101 also comprises a second provider 112 for providing the second information.
  • the second provider 1 12 receives a second information signal via a link 122.
  • the device 101 further comprises a controller 1 13 for, in response to control data, controlling at least a part of the second provider 1 12.
  • the controller 1 13 receives a first control signal from the first provider 111 via a link 123 and supplies a second control signal to the second provider 112 via a link 124.
  • the link 123 may be left out, in which case the controller 1 13 is to be coupled to the link 121, directly or indirectly via another unit.
  • the controller 113 may further be coupled to the link 122, directly or indirectly via another unit.
  • the device 201 comprises a first provider 211 for providing the first information.
  • the device 201 also comprises a second provider 212 for providing the second information.
  • the device 201 further comprises a controller 213 for, in response to control data, controlling at least a part of the second provider 212.
  • the controller 213 receives a first information signal via a link 221 and receives a second information via a link 222 and supplies a first control signal to the first provider 21 1 via a link 223 and supplies a second control signal to the second provider 212 via a link 224.
  • the link 223 may be left out, in which case the first provider 21 1 is to be coupled to the link 221, directly or indirectly via another unit.
  • the second provider 212 may further be coupled to the link 222, directly or indirectly via another unit.
  • the first information is provided within an area
  • the second information is provided within a sub-area of the area
  • the controller controls, in response to a value of the first information, a location of the sub-area.
  • the first provider 111, 211 comprises a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information
  • the second provider 1 12, 212 comprises a display circuit for displaying the second information.
  • a speedometer of for example a car is shown in a first situation.
  • the device 101, 201 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a speedometer
  • the first provider 1 11 , 211 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a mechanical pointer 51
  • the second provider 112, 212 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a display 61.
  • the mechanical pointer 51 provides the first information 1 such as the speed of the car by pointing to a value of this first information 1, here 80 km/h, within an area 21 , here the surface of the speedometer.
  • the display 61 provides the second information 1 1, 12 such as for example an oil temperature, an outside temperature, a covered distance etc.
  • this second information 11 , 12 in sub-areas 31 , 32 of the area 21.
  • these sub-areas 31 , 32 are parts of the display 61.
  • the mechanical pointer 51 has a surface that corresponds with a further sub-area 41 of the area 21.
  • the area 21 may be (a bit) smaller than the surface of the speedometer.
  • the speedometer as already discussed for the Fig. 3 is shown in a second situation.
  • the second situation differs from the first situation in that a driver of the car has increased the speed up to 160 km/h.
  • the mechanical pointer 51 provides the first information 1 by pointing to a value of this first information 1 , here 160 km/h. Owing to the fact that a pointer-position of the mechanical pointer 51 in the Fig. 4 would have partly covered the sub-area 31 as located in the Fig. 3, in the Fig. 4 this sub-area 31 has been shifted from a right upper position to a left upper position. Thereto, the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig.
  • the sub-area 32 has, in response to a value of the first information 1 , controlled a location of the sub-area 31.
  • a location of the sub-area 32 does not need to be changed here. But in case the driver further increases the speed of the car up to for example 220 km/h, the sub-area 32 may be shifted from a right lower position to a left lower position. At the same time, the sub-area 31 may be shifted back to the right upper position, or not. In general, other positions and/or shifts of the sub-areas 31 , 32 are possible and are not to be excluded.
  • the controller 113, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 is arranged to reduce a first time-interval during which the further sub-area 41 and the sub-area 31 overlap and is arranged to reduce a second time-interval during which the further sub-area 41 and the sub- area 32 overlap.
  • each time-interval is minimized, preferably to zero, such that no overlap takes place.
  • the second information 11 and 12 provided via the sub- areas 31 and 32 will be visible to the driver for a longer time, preferably for all the time and not covered by any pointer-position.
  • a technology for shifting a location of a sub-area may be derived from technologies used for shifting an icon on a desktop or for shifting a smaller window in a larger window on a screen.
  • a first mouse signal for example corresponds with an activation of a left mouse click
  • a second mouse signal for example corresponds with shifting the mouse
  • a third mouse signal for example corresponds with a deactivation of the left mouse click.
  • the value of the first information may then be used for simulating said mouse signals, for example through calculating, looking up, converting etc.
  • Other technologies are not to be excluded. For the Fig.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 may calculate a new display image in which the sub-area 31 has been shifted to the left or may order the second provider 112, 212 to calculate a new display image in which the sub-area 31 has been shifted to the left etc.
  • FIG. 5 another speedometer is shown.
  • This other speedometer differs from the one shown in the Fig. 3 and 4 in that the display 61 has been replaced by two separate displays 62 and 63.
  • the left display 62 is activated, and this left display 62 forms a sub-area 33 in which second information 13 is provided.
  • the right display 63 has been deactivated.
  • the controller 113, 213 as shown in the Fig.
  • the controller 113 , 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 is arranged to reduce a third time-interval during which the further sub-area 41 and the sub-area 33 overlap.
  • this third time-interval is minimized, preferably to zero, such that no overlap takes place.
  • the second information 13 provided via the sub-area 33 will be visible to the driver for a longer time, preferably for all the time and not covered by any pointer-position.
  • a technology for activating one or more displays and deactivating one or more other displays may be derived from switching technologies used for switching signals.
  • One or more switches may be used for switching power supply signals destined for the displays or for switching display signals destined for the displays or for switching activation / deactivation signals for the displays.
  • the value of the first information may then be used for controlling the one or more switches, for example through calculating, looking up, converting etc.
  • Other technologies are not to be excluded.
  • a clock is shown.
  • the device 101, 201 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a clock
  • the first provider 1 11, 211 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises three mechanical pointers 52-54
  • the second provider 1 12, 212 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises four displays 64-67.
  • the mechanical pointers 52-54 provide the first information 2-4 such as the hours, the minutes and the seconds of a day, by pointing to the values of this first information 2-4, within an area 22, here the surface of the clock.
  • One of the displays 64-67 provides the second information 14 such as for example a date, a day, a week, a year, a time zone, a second time, an air pressure, a compass direction etc.
  • this second information 14 by displaying this second information 14 in a sub-area 34 of the area 22.
  • the sub-area 34 corresponds with one of the four displays 64-67. This one display 64 has been activated, the other three displays 65-67 have been deactivated.
  • the mechanical pointers 52-54 have surfaces that correspond with further sub-areas 42-44 of the area 22.
  • the area 22 may be (a bit) smaller than the surface of the clock.
  • the time is one hour, twenty-five minutes and forty-two seconds.
  • the display 64 is not covered by any one of the three pointers 52-54, and therefore this display 64 has been activated, the other three displays 65-67 have been deactivated.
  • the pointer 54 will start covering the display 64 and will stop covering the display 67. Therefore, the sub-area 34 has to be shifted from its left upper position to the left lower position.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 will, in response to a value of the first information 2-4, deactivate the left upper display 64 and activate the left lower display 67, to control a location of the sub-area 34.
  • other and/or more positions of other and/or more displays are possible and are not to be excluded.
  • the controller 113, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 is arranged to reduce a fourth time-interval during which the further sub-areas 42-44 and the sub-area 34 overlap.
  • this fourth time-interval is minimized, preferably to zero, such that no overlap takes place.
  • the second information 14 provided via the sub-area 34 will be visible to the user for a longer time, preferably for all the time and not covered by any pointer-position.
  • a revolution counter of for example a motorbike is shown in a first situation.
  • the device 101, 201 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a revolution counter
  • the first provider 1 11 , 211 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises an electrical pointer 55
  • the second provider 1 12, 212 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a display 68.
  • the electrical pointer 55 may form part of this display 68 or may form part of another display not shown in which case at least one of the displays will need to be at least partly transparent.
  • the electrical pointer 55 provides the first information 5 such as the revolution count of the motorbike by pointing to a value of this first information 5, here 4000, within an area 23, here the surface of the revolution counter.
  • the display 68 provides the second information 15 such as for example a fuel state in a sub-area 35, an outside temperature in a sub-area 36, a light state in a sub-area 37 and a covered distance / driving time in a sub- area 38 etc. by displaying this second information 15 in the sub-areas 35-38 of the area 23.
  • these sub-areas 35-38 are parts of the display 68.
  • the electrical pointer 55 has a surface that corresponds with a further sub-area 45 of the area 23.
  • the area 23 may be (a bit) smaller than the surface of the revolution counter.
  • the revolution counter as already discussed for the Fig. 7 is shown in a second situation.
  • the second situation differs from the first situation in that a biker on the motorbike has increased the revolution count up to 8000.
  • the electrical pointer 55 provides the first information 5 by pointing to a value of this first information 5, here 8000.
  • the electrical pointer 55 has been rotated for about 90 degrees.
  • a pointer-position of the electrical pointer 55 and/or the further sub-area 45 in the Fig. 8 would have partly covered one or more of the sub-areas 37 and/or 38 as located in the Fig. 7, in the Fig. 8 the locations of these sub-areas 37 and/or 38 have been rotated about the same amount of degrees.
  • the locations of one or more of the sub- areas 35 and/or 36 may be rotated about the same amount of degrees as well, as shown in the Fig. 8.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 has, in response to a value of the first information 5, controlled the locations of the sub-areas 35-38.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 has, in response to a value of the first information 5, controlled the locations of the sub-areas 35-38.
  • other positions and/or shifts of the sub-areas 35-38 are possible and are not to be excluded.
  • Fig. 8 compared to the Fig.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 may be arranged to detect the value of the first information 1-5 and/or the pointer-position of the pointer 51 -55 and/or may be arranged to process the value of the first information 1 -5 and/or the pointer- position of the pointer 51 -55.
  • a detection of the value and/or the pointer-position may comprise a precise detection or a less precise detection such as a range detection (in what range is the value and/or the pointer-position situated).
  • Processing the value and/or the pointer-position may include filtering the value and/or the pointer-position and may include introducing a threshold that needs to be exceeded by the value and/or the pointer- position before a change in the value and/or the pointer-position results in a change of the location and may include introducing hysteresis to avoid that the location is changed too often and may include performing a calculation of a function and/or a conversion of the value and/or the pointer-position to scale it etc.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 may for example comprise a detector for detecting the value or the pointer-position and may for example comprise a calculator for calculating the location of the sub-area, in which sub-area the second information is to be displayed, and may for example comprise a table for looking up the location and may for example comprise a converter for converting the value or the pointer-position into the location and may for example comprise a filter for filtering the value or the pointer-position and may for example comprise a comparator for comparing the value or the pointer-position with one or more thresholds etc.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 may be an analog controller, a digital controller or a mixture of both, and the controller 1 13, 213 may be a hardware controller, a software controller or a mixture of both.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 may form part of the first provider 1 11 , 21 1 or of the second provider 1 12, 212.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 may alternatively comprise the first provider 11 1, 21 1 and/or of the second provider 112, 212.
  • the first provider 11 1, 211 and the second provider 1 12, 212 may be combined.
  • further units and/or further links and/or further blocks may be introduced.
  • each sub-area 31-38 is at least partly situated in a pointer-area that is defined by a collection of each further area 41-45 for all possible pointer-positions.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 may, in addition to controlling a location of the sub-area 31-38, further control other aspects of this sub-area 31-38, such as a color, a size, a brightness etc. This may be done in response to and/or in dependence of the value of the first information 1-5 or not.
  • the change of the location of the sub-area 31, 32 and 35-38 may be done relatively quickly, faster than the human eye can follow, or may be done relatively slowly, such that the human eye can follow.
  • the content of the sub-area 31 , 32 and 35-38 will usually not be rotated when the sub-area 31, 32 and 35-38 is being moved, but it is not to be excluded that this content is rotated when the sub-area 31, 32 and 35-38 is being moved, for example in case the device 101, 201 has a pointer with relatively small pointer rotations or in case the content of the sub-area 31, 32 and 35-38 does not suffer from rotations.
  • the change of the location of the sub-area 33 (34) by deactivating one of the displays 62 and 63 (64-67) and activating the other one of the displays 62 and 63 (64-67) may be done relatively quickly, faster than the human eye can follow, or may be done relatively slowly, such that the human eye can follow, for example by decreasing a contrast or a brightness etc. of said one display and by increasing a contrast or a brightness etc. of said other one display. So, temporarily, even both may be visible to the user. Similar technology may be introduced into the embodiments shown in the Fig. 3, 4, 7 and 8.
  • a yet further speedometer 70 is shown in two different situations.
  • a driver is driving about 100 km/h as indicated by the first information 1
  • his fuel situation is such that the car has a reach of about 403 km.
  • a pointer 56 is pointing to the speed (100 km h) and a display 69 is displaying the reach (403 km) as indicated by the second information 16.
  • the second provider 112, 212 comprises a display circuit 69 for displaying the second information 16, whereby at least a part of the display circuit 69 takes the place of at least a part of a pointer 56 or is in the form of a pointer 56 for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information 1.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 is formed by a controlling unit for controlling a mechanical movement of the pointer 56 / display circuit 69.
  • the entire yet further speedometer 70 may be a display circuit for displaying a pointer 56 for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information 1.
  • the controller 1 13, 213 is formed by a controlling unit for driving the display circuit and/or for controlling an electrical display function.
  • a television screen is shown at three moments in time.
  • a user decides to select channel no. 91 to watch a football match.
  • its number is shown for example for about five or ten seconds, as usual, or for about any other amount of time. Owing to the fact that it is twelve o'clock, this number is now for example shown in the left upper corner of the screen.
  • a user decides to select channel no. 94 to watch a movie. In response to a selection of this channel, its number is shown for example for about five or ten seconds etc.
  • this number is now for example shown in the upper middle of the screen.
  • a user decides to select channel no. 97 to watch the news.
  • its number is shown for example for about five or ten seconds etc.
  • this number is now for example shown in the right upper corner of the screen. So, a user not only gets to see the indication of the new channel for about five or ten seconds, but the user also gets an impression of the actual time.
  • the second information 17 (the channel number) is provided directly, and the first information 2 (the actual time) is provided indirectly, via the location of the second information 17.
  • Other durations than five or ten seconds, other dependencies comprising more or fewer steps, further dependencies such as a dependency on minutes that for example introduces and/or results in a vertical movement, and a provision of additional information such as for example a time table and/or a scale etc. are not to be excluded.
  • a location of a sub-area of an area is defined to be controlled in case a location of a centre of the sub-area can be changed / shifted within the area. Such a change / shift may be accompanied by a change in size of the sub-area or not.
  • the centre of the sub-area may be any kind of centre, such as an averaged centre, a weighted centre and an arithmetical centre.

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Abstract

A device (101, 201) comprises a first provider (111, 211) for providing first information (1-5) within an area (21-23) and a second provider (112, 212) for providing second information (11-15) within a sub-area (31-38) of the area (21-23) and a controller (113, 213) for, in response to a value of the first information (1-5), controlling a location of the sub-area (31-38). Preferably, the first provider (111, 211) comprises a pointer (51-56) for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information (1-5) and the second provider (1 12, 212) comprises a display circuit (61-69) for displaying the second information (11-15). Preferably, the pointer-position corresponds with a further sub-area (41-45) of the area (21-23) and the controller (113, 213) reduces and/or minimizes a time- interval during which the further sub-area (41-45) and the sub-area (31-38) overlap. Preferably, different locations of the sub-area (31-38) correspond with different parts of one display or with different displays of the display circuit (61-69).

Description

Device for providing first and second information
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for providing first and second information, and also relates to a system comprising a device, to a method for providing first and second information via a device, to a computer program product for providing first and second information via a device, and to a medium for storing and comprising a computer program product.
Examples of such a device are meters such as tachometers and speedometers, indicators such as speed indicators, counters such as revolution counters, clocks, watches and other devices that provide first and second information. Other examples of such a device are devices for displaying information such as tacho information, speed
information, revolution information, time information, date information and other information. Examples of such a system are cars, bikes, boats, planes and other
transportation devices. Other examples of such a system are consumer products and non- consumer products.
A prior art device for providing first and second information is of common general knowledge. Such a prior art device comprises for example one or more providers for providing the first and second information.
A first example of such a prior art device is a speedometer in for example a vehicle. This speedometer indicates a value of a speed (first information) of the vehicle. The speedometer for example comprises a circular area and an indicator that has its point of rotation somewhere in the center of this area. A part of the circular area is used for indicating the speed. At minimum speed, the indicator points to a position situated in the left lower corner of the speedometer (for example seven o'clock or south south west), and at maximum speed, the indicator points to a position situated in the right lower corner of the speedometer (for example five o'clock or south south east). At increasing speed, the indicator will move clockwise, at decreasing speed, the indicator will move anti-clockwise.
This speedometer further indicates somewhere in the circular area a value of a covered distance (second information) of the vehicle. Thereto, for example mechanical or electrical digits are used, for example four or six digits. To allow a person to read the indicated value of the covered distance at speed zero, the digits are for example located above the center of the circular area of the speedometer. As a result, at certain speeds between the minimum speed and the maximum speed, the indicator might cover at least a part of at least one of the digits, and it will be more difficult or even impossible to read the covered distance.
A second example of such a prior art device is a wrist watch. This wrist watch indicates a value of a time (first information). The wrist watch for example comprises a circular area and an indicator that has its point of rotation somewhere in the center of this area. The indicator for example indicates the hours (or the minutes). The entire circular area is used for indicating the time. At twelve o'clock (or a full hour), the indicator points to a position situated at the top of the wrist watch (north), and at six o'clock (or half an hour), the indicator points to a position situated at the bottom of the wrist watch (south). This indicator usually moves clockwise.
This wrist watch further indicates somewhere in the circular area a value of a date (second information). Thereto, for example mechanical or electrical digits are used, for example two digits. These digits are for example located at a position situated right from the center of the circular area of the wrist watch (east). As a result, at three o'clock (or a quarter of an hour), the indicator might cover at least a part of at least one of the digits, and it will be more difficult or even impossible to read the date.
The known device is disadvantageous, inter alia, owing to the fact that it is relatively user unfriendly. It is relatively user unfriendly owing to the fact that the first and second information are provided in a non-related way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention, inter alia, to provide a device that is relatively user friendly.
Further objects of the invention are, inter alia, to provide a system and a method and a computer program product and a medium that are relatively user friendly.
According to a first aspect, the device for providing first and second information is defined by the device comprising a first provider for providing the first information within an area, the device comprising a second provider for providing the second information within a sub-area of the area, and the device comprising a controller for, in response to a value of the first information, controlling a location of the sub-area. The first provider provides the first information within the area, and the second provider provides the second information within the sub-area of the area. These first and second providers may be different providers or may form parts of one provider. By having added a controller for, in response to (a change in) a value of the first information, controlling a location of the sub-area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, a dependency between the value of the first information and the location at which the second information is provided has been introduced. In other words, the controller controls the location of the sub-area in dependence of (a change in) the value of the first information. By looking to the location at which the second information is provided, a user automatically gets an impression of (the change in) the value of the first information. This increases the user friendliness. A device comprising a controller that, in dependence of the value of the first information, controls the location of the sub-area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, is relatively user friendly.
An additional advantage might be that a change in the location of the sub-area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, might draw additional attention to a change in the value of the first information.
The area may for example correspond with a surface of for example the
speedometer or the tachometer or the clock or the television etc. and the area may be of any kind of shape and the sub-area may be of any kind of shape.
So, a problem of how to increase a user friendliness has been solved by having introduced a provision of the first and second information in a related way.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the first provider comprising a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information, the second provider comprising a display circuit for displaying the second information. According to this embodiment, the first information is provided by pointing to its value, and the second information is provided by displaying it. The pointer may be a rotating pointer such as for example the pointer of a speedometer or a tachometer or such as for example the hand of a clock etc. or may be a non-rotating pointer such as for example an old-fashioned speedometer that moves from left to right and back etc.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the pointer- position corresponding with a further sub-area of the area, and the controller being arranged to reduce and/or minimize a time-interval during which the further sub-area and the sub-area overlap. According to this embodiment, the pointer-position corresponds with and/or occupies a further sub-area of the area, and the controller reduces the time-interval during which the further sub-area and the sub-area overlap, preferably minimizes this time- interval, preferably to zero.
In case of the device according to the invention comprising a speedometer, at a speed between minimum speed and for example half speed, the pointer will be in a left part of the speedometer and the digits can be displayed in a right part of the speedometer. At a speed between for example half speed and maximum speed, the pointer will be in a right part of the speedometer and the digits can be displayed in a left part of the speedometer.
In case of the device according to the invention comprising a wrist watch, at a time between six o'clock and twelve o'clock (or a second half of an hour), the hand indicating the hours (or the minutes) will be in a left part of the wrist watch and the digits can be shown in a right part of the wrist watch. At a time between twelve o'clock and six o'clock (or a first half of an hour), the hand indicating the hours (or the minutes) will be in a right part of the wrist watch and the digits can be shown in a left part of the wrist watch.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the display circuit comprising one display whereby different parts of the display correspond with different locations of the sub-area, and/or the display circuit comprising different displays whereby the different displays correspond with different locations of the sub-area. In case the display circuit comprises one display only, different parts of the display may correspond with different locations of the sub-area. In case the display circuit comprises two or more displays, each display may correspond with one or more locations of the sub- area.
A technology for shifting a location of a sub-area may be derived from technologies used for shifting an icon on a desktop or for shifting a smaller window in a larger window (first mouse signal for left mouse click on, second mouse signal for shifting the mouse, third mouse signal for left mouse click off, whereby the value of the first information is to be used for simulating said mouse signals, for example through calculating, looking up, converting etc.) or from other technologies. In case the display circuit comprises different displays, the different displays may correspond with different locations of the sub-area. A technology for activating one or more displays and deactivating one or more other displays may be derived from switching technologies used for switching signals (a switch for switching a power supply signal or for switching display signals or for switching activation / deactivation signals for a display, whereby the value of the first information is to be used for controlling the switch, for example through calculating, looking up, converting etc.) or from other technologies.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the pointer being a mechanical pointer whereby the different pointer-positions correspond with different rotations of the mechanical pointer, or the pointer being a non-mechanical pointer whereby the different pointer-positions correspond with different rotations of the non- mechanical pointer. In case the pointer is a mechanical pointer and in case the display circuit comprises one display only, the display may need to be provided with a hole for the point of rotation of the pointer. In case the pointer is a mechanical pointer and in case the display circuit comprises different displays, the displays may be situated for example left and right or above and below or left, right and above etc. the point of rotation of the pointer. In case the pointer is a non-mechanical pointer, the pointer may form part of the display circuit and may be displayed via the display circuit, or the pointer may not form part of the display circuit, for example in case the pointer is projected on the display circuit. Therefore, a device in the form of a head-up display whereby at least one the first and second information is projected on a surface is not to be excluded.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by said controlling comprising moving the location of the sub-area in correspondence with a movement of the pointer. According to this embodiment, an overlap between the further sub-area and the sub-area is avoided by keeping both sub-areas at a relatively fixed distance from each other. In other words, according to this embodiment, there is a relatively fixed relationship between both sub-areas. This embodiment is highly advantageous owing to the fact that a user of the device can get (an overview of) the data more quickly compared to a prior art situation.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the second provider comprising a display circuit for displaying the second information, and at least a part of the display circuit either displaying a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information or taking the place of at least a part of a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information or being in the form of a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information. In case the display circuit displays a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information, the device does not need any mechanical (moving) components. In case the display circuit takes the place of at least a part of or is in the form of a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information, the display circuit is a moveable display circuit.
In case of the device according to the invention comprising a speedometer, the indicator (pointer) that indicates (points to) the speed (first information) can be left out, and the sub-area in which the covered distance (second information) is provided can take the place of the end of the indicator. This way, in the sub-area, the covered distance is provided, and via the location of the sub-area, the speed is provided.
In case of the device according to the invention comprising a wrist watch, the indicator (pointer) that indicates (points to) the time (first information) such as the minutes or the hours can be left out, and the sub-area in which the date (second information) is provided can take the place of the end of the indicator. This way, in the sub-area, the date is provided, and via the location of the sub-area, the time (for example in minutes or in hours) is provided.
In the two examples described above, the second information is provided directly, and the first information is provided indirectly, via the location of the second information.
An embodiment of the device according to the invention is defined by the second provider comprising a display circuit for displaying the second information within the sub- area of the area, a surface of the display circuit being the area, the location of the sub-area of the area pointing to or indicating the value of the first information. Here, again, the second information is provided directly, and the first information is provided indirectly, via the location of the second information.
In case of the system according to the invention comprising a television, each time the channel is changed, an indication of the new channel (second information) is for example displayed for about five seconds, in a prior art situation for example in the right upper corner. By making the location of the displayed indication of the new channel dependent on the time (first information), for example by moving this displayed indication horizontally from 0:00 to 12:00 from the right upper corner to the left upper corner, and by moving this displayed indication horizontally from 12:00 to 24:00 from the left upper corner to the right upper corner, each time the channel is changed, a user not only gets to see the indication of the new channel for about five seconds, but the user also gets an impression of the time. Other durations than five seconds, further dependencies such as a dependency on minutes that for example introduces and/or results in a vertical movement, and a provision of additional information such as for example a time table and/or a scale etc. are not to be excluded.
A further embodiment of the device according to the invention might be defined by the controller being arranged to detect the value of the first information and/or the pointer- position and/or being arranged to process the value of the first information and/or the pointer-position.
So, the controller controls (at least a part of) the device to avoid that (at least a part of) the device cannot be used and/or to reduce and/or minimize a time that (at least a part of) the device cannot be used and/or to improve a use of (at least a part of) the device and/or to increase a user friendliness of (at least a part of) the device. The value of the first information may be indicated by a word or a text or a figure or a number or a sign etc. The second information may be indicated by a word or a text or a figure or a number or a sign etc. Each information may define a speed or a revolution count or a distance or a time or a date or a fuel-amount or a fuel-consumption or a temperature or a pressure or a condition or a mode or a height or a compass-direction or a count etc. Usually, the first and second information will be different (kinds of) information. A sub-area and a further sub-area of an area are parts of this area.
Embodiments of the system according to the invention and of the method according to the invention and of the computer program product according to the invention and of the medium according to the invention correspond with the embodiments of the device according to the invention.
Prior art information could be found in WO2008/125694, US6791905, US6490230, US6324124 and US6147933.
The invention is based upon an insight, inter alia, that first and second information in an area will usually have a less static and more dynamic character, and is based upon a basic idea, inter alia, that a location of a sub-area of the area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, is to be changed in response to (a change in) the value of the first information, to increase a user friendliness.
The invention solves a problem, inter alia, to provide a device that is relatively user friendly, and is further advantageous, inter alia, in that a change in the location of the sub- area, in which sub-area the second information is provided, might draw additional attention to a change in the value of the first information, and in that an increased user friendliness may increase an efficiency of the device and/or a safety of a person using the device. These and other aspects of the invention will be discussed with reference to the embodiments(s) described hereinafter and shown in the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a first embodiment of a device,
Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically a second embodiment of the device,
Fig. 3 shows a speedometer in a first situation,
Fig. 4 shows the speedometer in a second situation,
Fig. 5 shows another speedometer,
Fig. 6 shows a clock,
Fig. 7 shows a revolution counter in a first situation,
Fig. 8 shows the revolution counter in a second situation,
Fig. 9 shows a yet further speedometer in two different situations, and
Fig. 10 shows a television screen at three moments in time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the Fig. 1, a first embodiment of a device 101 for providing first and second information is shown. The device 101 comprises a first provider 1 11 for providing the first information. Thereto, the first provider 1 11 receives a first information signal via a link 121. The device 101 also comprises a second provider 112 for providing the second information. Thereto, the second provider 1 12 receives a second information signal via a link 122. The device 101 further comprises a controller 1 13 for, in response to control data, controlling at least a part of the second provider 1 12. Thereto, the controller 1 13 receives a first control signal from the first provider 111 via a link 123 and supplies a second control signal to the second provider 112 via a link 124. Alternatively, the link 123 may be left out, in which case the controller 1 13 is to be coupled to the link 121, directly or indirectly via another unit. The controller 113 may further be coupled to the link 122, directly or indirectly via another unit.
In the Fig. 2, a second embodiment of a device 201 for providing first and second information is shown. The device 201 comprises a first provider 211 for providing the first information. The device 201 also comprises a second provider 212 for providing the second information. The device 201 further comprises a controller 213 for, in response to control data, controlling at least a part of the second provider 212. Thereto, the controller 213 receives a first information signal via a link 221 and receives a second information via a link 222 and supplies a first control signal to the first provider 21 1 via a link 223 and supplies a second control signal to the second provider 212 via a link 224. Alternatively, the link 223 may be left out, in which case the first provider 21 1 is to be coupled to the link 221, directly or indirectly via another unit. The second provider 212 may further be coupled to the link 222, directly or indirectly via another unit.
As shown in the Fig. 3-8, the first information is provided within an area, the second information is provided within a sub-area of the area, and the controller controls, in response to a value of the first information, a location of the sub-area. Preferably, the first provider 111, 211 comprises a pointer for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information, and preferably the second provider 1 12, 212 comprises a display circuit for displaying the second information.
In the Fig. 3, a speedometer of for example a car is shown in a first situation. Here, the device 101, 201 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a speedometer, and the first provider 1 11 , 211 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a mechanical pointer 51 , and the second provider 112, 212 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a display 61. The mechanical pointer 51 provides the first information 1 such as the speed of the car by pointing to a value of this first information 1, here 80 km/h, within an area 21 , here the surface of the speedometer. The display 61 provides the second information 1 1, 12 such as for example an oil temperature, an outside temperature, a covered distance etc. by displaying this second information 11 , 12 in sub-areas 31 , 32 of the area 21. Here, these sub-areas 31 , 32 are parts of the display 61. The mechanical pointer 51 has a surface that corresponds with a further sub-area 41 of the area 21. Alternatively, the area 21 may be (a bit) smaller than the surface of the speedometer.
In the Fig. 4, the speedometer as already discussed for the Fig. 3 is shown in a second situation. The second situation differs from the first situation in that a driver of the car has increased the speed up to 160 km/h. The mechanical pointer 51 provides the first information 1 by pointing to a value of this first information 1 , here 160 km/h. Owing to the fact that a pointer-position of the mechanical pointer 51 in the Fig. 4 would have partly covered the sub-area 31 as located in the Fig. 3, in the Fig. 4 this sub-area 31 has been shifted from a right upper position to a left upper position. Thereto, the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 has, in response to a value of the first information 1 , controlled a location of the sub-area 31. A location of the sub-area 32 does not need to be changed here. But in case the driver further increases the speed of the car up to for example 220 km/h, the sub-area 32 may be shifted from a right lower position to a left lower position. At the same time, the sub-area 31 may be shifted back to the right upper position, or not. In general, other positions and/or shifts of the sub-areas 31 , 32 are possible and are not to be excluded.
So, the controller 113, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 is arranged to reduce a first time-interval during which the further sub-area 41 and the sub-area 31 overlap and is arranged to reduce a second time-interval during which the further sub-area 41 and the sub- area 32 overlap. Preferably, each time-interval is minimized, preferably to zero, such that no overlap takes place. As a result, the second information 11 and 12 provided via the sub- areas 31 and 32 will be visible to the driver for a longer time, preferably for all the time and not covered by any pointer-position.
A technology for shifting a location of a sub-area may be derived from technologies used for shifting an icon on a desktop or for shifting a smaller window in a larger window on a screen. A first mouse signal for example corresponds with an activation of a left mouse click, a second mouse signal for example corresponds with shifting the mouse, and a third mouse signal for example corresponds with a deactivation of the left mouse click. The value of the first information may then be used for simulating said mouse signals, for example through calculating, looking up, converting etc. Other technologies are not to be excluded. For the Fig. 3 and 4 this would mean that, in case the speed is increased from 80 km/h to 160 km/h, three simulated mouse signals are to be generated by the controller 113, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2, that result in the sub-area 31 being shifted to the left.
Alternatively, the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 may calculate a new display image in which the sub-area 31 has been shifted to the left or may order the second provider 112, 212 to calculate a new display image in which the sub-area 31 has been shifted to the left etc.
In the Fig. 5, another speedometer is shown. This other speedometer differs from the one shown in the Fig. 3 and 4 in that the display 61 has been replaced by two separate displays 62 and 63. At 160 km/h, the left display 62 is activated, and this left display 62 forms a sub-area 33 in which second information 13 is provided. The right display 63 has been deactivated. In case the driver decreases the speed of the car from 160 km/h back to 80 km/h, a pointer-position of the mechanical pointer 51 in the Fig. 5 will partly cover the left display 62. To avoid this, the sub-area 33 has to be shifted to the right. Thereto, the controller 113, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 will, in response to a value of the first information 1 , deactivate the left display 62 and activate the right display 63, to control a location of the sub-area 33. In general, other and/or more positions of other and/or more displays 62, 63 are possible and are not to be excluded.
So, the controller 113 , 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 is arranged to reduce a third time-interval during which the further sub-area 41 and the sub-area 33 overlap. Preferably, this third time-interval is minimized, preferably to zero, such that no overlap takes place. As a result, the second information 13 provided via the sub-area 33 will be visible to the driver for a longer time, preferably for all the time and not covered by any pointer-position.
A technology for activating one or more displays and deactivating one or more other displays may be derived from switching technologies used for switching signals. One or more switches may be used for switching power supply signals destined for the displays or for switching display signals destined for the displays or for switching activation / deactivation signals for the displays. The value of the first information may then be used for controlling the one or more switches, for example through calculating, looking up, converting etc. Other technologies are not to be excluded.
In the Fig. 6, a clock is shown. Here, the device 101, 201 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a clock, and the first provider 1 11, 211 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises three mechanical pointers 52-54, and the second provider 1 12, 212 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises four displays 64-67. The mechanical pointers 52-54 provide the first information 2-4 such as the hours, the minutes and the seconds of a day, by pointing to the values of this first information 2-4, within an area 22, here the surface of the clock. One of the displays 64-67 provides the second information 14 such as for example a date, a day, a week, a year, a time zone, a second time, an air pressure, a compass direction etc. by displaying this second information 14 in a sub-area 34 of the area 22. Here, the sub-area 34 corresponds with one of the four displays 64-67. This one display 64 has been activated, the other three displays 65-67 have been deactivated. The mechanical pointers 52-54 have surfaces that correspond with further sub-areas 42-44 of the area 22. Alternatively, the area 22 may be (a bit) smaller than the surface of the clock.
In the Fig. 6, the time is one hour, twenty-five minutes and forty-two seconds.
Therefore, the display 64 is not covered by any one of the three pointers 52-54, and therefore this display 64 has been activated, the other three displays 65-67 have been deactivated. At forty-five seconds, three seconds from the time shown, the pointer 54 will start covering the display 64 and will stop covering the display 67. Therefore, the sub-area 34 has to be shifted from its left upper position to the left lower position. Thereto, the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 will, in response to a value of the first information 2-4, deactivate the left upper display 64 and activate the left lower display 67, to control a location of the sub-area 34. In general, other and/or more positions of other and/or more displays are possible and are not to be excluded.
So, the controller 113, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 is arranged to reduce a fourth time-interval during which the further sub-areas 42-44 and the sub-area 34 overlap. Preferably, this fourth time-interval is minimized, preferably to zero, such that no overlap takes place. As a result, the second information 14 provided via the sub-area 34 will be visible to the user for a longer time, preferably for all the time and not covered by any pointer-position.
In the Fig. 7, a revolution counter of for example a motorbike is shown in a first situation. Here, the device 101, 201 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a revolution counter, and the first provider 1 11 , 211 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises an electrical pointer 55, and the second provider 1 12, 212 shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprises a display 68. The electrical pointer 55 may form part of this display 68 or may form part of another display not shown in which case at least one of the displays will need to be at least partly transparent. The electrical pointer 55 provides the first information 5 such as the revolution count of the motorbike by pointing to a value of this first information 5, here 4000, within an area 23, here the surface of the revolution counter. The display 68 provides the second information 15 such as for example a fuel state in a sub-area 35, an outside temperature in a sub-area 36, a light state in a sub-area 37 and a covered distance / driving time in a sub- area 38 etc. by displaying this second information 15 in the sub-areas 35-38 of the area 23. Here, these sub-areas 35-38 are parts of the display 68. The electrical pointer 55 has a surface that corresponds with a further sub-area 45 of the area 23. Alternatively, the area 23 may be (a bit) smaller than the surface of the revolution counter.
In the Fig. 8, the revolution counter as already discussed for the Fig. 7 is shown in a second situation. The second situation differs from the first situation in that a biker on the motorbike has increased the revolution count up to 8000. The electrical pointer 55 provides the first information 5 by pointing to a value of this first information 5, here 8000.
Compared to the Fig. 7, the electrical pointer 55 has been rotated for about 90 degrees. To prevent that a pointer-position of the electrical pointer 55 and/or the further sub-area 45 in the Fig. 8 would have partly covered one or more of the sub-areas 37 and/or 38 as located in the Fig. 7, in the Fig. 8 the locations of these sub-areas 37 and/or 38 have been rotated about the same amount of degrees. Alternatively and/or in addition, to allow the biker to get an overview of the available data more quickly, the locations of one or more of the sub- areas 35 and/or 36 may be rotated about the same amount of degrees as well, as shown in the Fig. 8. In case one or more of the sub-areas 35-38 stay close to for example the ending half of the pointer 55 at a for example more or less fixed distance, relatively independently from a pointer-position, the biker will get the data more quickly, which will increase a safety of the biker and of other road users much.
Thereto, the controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 has, in response to a value of the first information 5, controlled the locations of the sub-areas 35-38. In general, other positions and/or shifts of the sub-areas 35-38 are possible and are not to be excluded. Further, as can be derived, in the Fig. 8, compared to the Fig. 7, the fuel state in the sub- area 35 has been changed from "OK" to "GET FUEL" as indicated by the fuel sign, the outside temperature in the sub-area 36 has increased from five degrees Celsius to eight degrees Celsius, the light state in the sub-area 37 has been changed from "ON" to "OFF" and the covered distance / driving time in the sub-area 38 has been changed from 188.6 km / 2 hours 7 minutes to 321.7 km / 3 hours 4 minutes.
The controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 may be arranged to detect the value of the first information 1-5 and/or the pointer-position of the pointer 51 -55 and/or may be arranged to process the value of the first information 1 -5 and/or the pointer- position of the pointer 51 -55. A detection of the value and/or the pointer-position may comprise a precise detection or a less precise detection such as a range detection (in what range is the value and/or the pointer-position situated). Processing the value and/or the pointer-position may include filtering the value and/or the pointer-position and may include introducing a threshold that needs to be exceeded by the value and/or the pointer- position before a change in the value and/or the pointer-position results in a change of the location and may include introducing hysteresis to avoid that the location is changed too often and may include performing a calculation of a function and/or a conversion of the value and/or the pointer-position to scale it etc.
Thereto, the controller 1 13, 213 may for example comprise a detector for detecting the value or the pointer-position and may for example comprise a calculator for calculating the location of the sub-area, in which sub-area the second information is to be displayed, and may for example comprise a table for looking up the location and may for example comprise a converter for converting the value or the pointer-position into the location and may for example comprise a filter for filtering the value or the pointer-position and may for example comprise a comparator for comparing the value or the pointer-position with one or more thresholds etc. The controller 1 13, 213 may be an analog controller, a digital controller or a mixture of both, and the controller 1 13, 213 may be a hardware controller, a software controller or a mixture of both.
Alternatively, in the Fig. 1 and 2, the controller 1 13, 213 may form part of the first provider 1 11 , 21 1 or of the second provider 1 12, 212. The controller 1 13, 213 may alternatively comprise the first provider 11 1, 21 1 and/or of the second provider 112, 212. The first provider 11 1, 211 and the second provider 1 12, 212 may be combined. In the Fig. 1 and 2 and their alternatives, further units and/or further links and/or further blocks may be introduced.
In the Fig. 3-8, each sub-area 31-38 is at least partly situated in a pointer-area that is defined by a collection of each further area 41-45 for all possible pointer-positions. The controller 1 13, 213 as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 may, in addition to controlling a location of the sub-area 31-38, further control other aspects of this sub-area 31-38, such as a color, a size, a brightness etc. This may be done in response to and/or in dependence of the value of the first information 1-5 or not.
In the Fig. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the change of the location of the sub-area 31, 32 and 35-38 may be done relatively quickly, faster than the human eye can follow, or may be done relatively slowly, such that the human eye can follow. The content of the sub-area 31 , 32 and 35-38 will usually not be rotated when the sub-area 31, 32 and 35-38 is being moved, but it is not to be excluded that this content is rotated when the sub-area 31, 32 and 35-38 is being moved, for example in case the device 101, 201 has a pointer with relatively small pointer rotations or in case the content of the sub-area 31, 32 and 35-38 does not suffer from rotations.
In the Fig. 5 (6), the change of the location of the sub-area 33 (34) by deactivating one of the displays 62 and 63 (64-67) and activating the other one of the displays 62 and 63 (64-67) may be done relatively quickly, faster than the human eye can follow, or may be done relatively slowly, such that the human eye can follow, for example by decreasing a contrast or a brightness etc. of said one display and by increasing a contrast or a brightness etc. of said other one display. So, temporarily, even both may be visible to the user. Similar technology may be introduced into the embodiments shown in the Fig. 3, 4, 7 and 8.
In the Fig. 9, a yet further speedometer 70 is shown in two different situations. In a first situation (upper Figure), a driver is driving about 100 km/h as indicated by the first information 1, and his fuel situation is such that the car has a reach of about 403 km. A pointer 56 is pointing to the speed (100 km h) and a display 69 is displaying the reach (403 km) as indicated by the second information 16. Here, the second provider 112, 212 comprises a display circuit 69 for displaying the second information 16, whereby at least a part of the display circuit 69 takes the place of at least a part of a pointer 56 or is in the form of a pointer 56 for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information 1. In this case, the controller 1 13, 213 is formed by a controlling unit for controlling a mechanical movement of the pointer 56 / display circuit 69. Alternatively, the entire yet further speedometer 70 may be a display circuit for displaying a pointer 56 for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information 1. In that case, the controller 1 13, 213 is formed by a controlling unit for driving the display circuit and/or for controlling an electrical display function.
In a second situation (lower Figure) shortly after the first situation, the driver has increased the speed and is driving about 150 km/h as indicated by the first information 1. Owing to the fact that an increased speed corresponds with an increased fuel consumption that results in a decreased reach, the car now has a reach of about 246 km. The pointer 56 is pointing to the speed (150 km/h) and the display circuit 69 is displaying the reach (246 km) as indicated by the second information 16.
In the Fig. 10, a television screen is shown at three moments in time. At twelve o'clock (12:00 - upper Figure), a user decides to select channel no. 91 to watch a football match. In response to a selection of this channel, its number is shown for example for about five or ten seconds, as usual, or for about any other amount of time. Owing to the fact that it is twelve o'clock, this number is now for example shown in the left upper corner of the screen. At eighteen o'clock (18:00 - middle Figure), a user decides to select channel no. 94 to watch a movie. In response to a selection of this channel, its number is shown for example for about five or ten seconds etc. Owing to the fact that it is eighteen o'clock, this number is now for example shown in the upper middle of the screen. At twenty-four o'clock (24:00 - lower Figure), a user decides to select channel no. 97 to watch the news. In response to a selection of this channel, its number is shown for example for about five or ten seconds etc. Owing to the fact that it is twenty-four o'clock, this number is now for example shown in the right upper corner of the screen. So, a user not only gets to see the indication of the new channel for about five or ten seconds, but the user also gets an impression of the actual time. The second information 17 (the channel number) is provided directly, and the first information 2 (the actual time) is provided indirectly, via the location of the second information 17. Other durations than five or ten seconds, other dependencies comprising more or fewer steps, further dependencies such as a dependency on minutes that for example introduces and/or results in a vertical movement, and a provision of additional information such as for example a time table and/or a scale etc. are not to be excluded.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the description, such illustration and description only have an illustrative or exemplary function. Any part of any embodiment and any part of any further embodiment may be combined into a new embodiment. A location of a sub-area of an area is defined to be controlled in case a location of a centre of the sub-area can be changed / shifted within the area. Such a change / shift may be accompanied by a change in size of the sub-area or not. The centre of the sub-area may be any kind of centre, such as an averaged centre, a weighted centre and an arithmetical centre.
In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps or functions, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude two or more. Any reference signs in the claims should not be looked at as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A device (101 , 201) for providing first (1-5) and second (11-17) information, the device (101 , 201) comprising a first provider (1 11, 211) for providing the first information (1-5) within an area (21-23), the device (101, 201) comprising a second provider (1 12, 212) for providing the second information (1 1-17) within a sub-area (31-38) of the area (21-23), and the device (101, 201 ) comprising a controller (1 13, 213) for, in response to a value of the first information (1-5), controlling a location of the sub-area (31-38).
2. A device (101, 201) according to claim 1, the first provider (11 1 , 211) comprising a pointer (51 -56) for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information (1- 5), the second provider (1 12, 212) comprising a display circuit (61-69) for displaying the second information (1 1-15).
3. A device (101, 201) according to claim 2, the pointer-position corresponding with a further sub-area (41-45) of the area (21-23), and the controller (113, 213) being arranged to reduce and/or minimize a time-interval during which the further sub-area (41-45) and the sub-area (31-38) overlap.
4. A device (101 , 201) according to claim 2, the display circuit (61-69) comprising one display whereby different parts of the display correspond with different locations of the sub-area (31-38), and/or the display circuit (61 -69) comprising different displays whereby the different displays correspond with different locations of the sub-area (31 -38).
5. A device (101, 201) according to claim 2, the pointer (51-55) being a mechanical pointer whereby different pointer-positions correspond with different rotations of the mechanical pointer, or the pointer (51-55) being a non-mechanical pointer whereby different pointer-positions correspond with different rotations of the non-mechanical pointer.
6. A device (101 , 201) according to claim 2, said controlling comprising moving the location of the sub-area (31 -38) in correspondence with a movement of the pointer (51 -56).
7. A device (101 , 201) according to claim 1, the second provider (1 12, 212) comprising a display circuit (69) for displaying the second information (16), and at least a part of the display circuit (69) either displaying a pointer (56) for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information (1) or taking the place of at least a part of a pointer (56) for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information (1) or being in the form of a pointer (56) for, in a pointer-position, pointing to the value of the first information (1).
8. A device (101 , 201) according to claim 1 , the second provider (112, 212) comprising a display circuit for displaying the second information (17) within the sub-area of the area, a surface of the display circuit being the area, the location of the sub-area of the area pointing to or indicating the value of the first information (2).
9. A system comprising a device (101, 201 ) according to claim 1.
10. A method for providing first (1 -5) and second (11-15) information via a device (101, 201 ), the device (101, 201) comprising a first provider (1 11, 21 1) for providing the first information (1-5) within an area (21 -23), the device (101 , 201) comprising a second provider (1 12, 212) for providing the second information (1 1-15) within a sub-area (31-38) of the area (21-23), and the method comprising a step of, in response to a value of the first information (1-5), controlling a location of the sub-area (31-38).
11. A computer program product for providing first (1-5) and second (1 1-15) information via a device (101, 201), the device (101 , 201) comprising a first provider (11 1, 21 1) for providing the first information (1-5) within an area (21-23), the device (101, 201) comprising a second provider (112, 212) for providing the second information (1 1-15) within a sub-area (31-38) of the area (21-23), and the computer program product comprising a function of, in response to a value of the first information (1-5), controlling a location of the sub-area (31-38).
12. A medium for storing and comprising a computer program product according to claim 1 1.
PCT/IB2010/003371 2010-12-28 2010-12-28 Device for providing first and second information WO2012090015A2 (en)

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