Title: Display device, tool, garden tool, especially watering computer, forestry tool or construction tool and data retrieval system
Description
This invention relates to a display device, to a tool, for example a garden tool, especially a watering computer, a forestry tool or a construction tool and to a data retrieval system.
When using a tool, for example a garden tool, especially a watering computer, a forestry tool or a construction tool, sometimes the operation of the tool is difficult, as the user or service personnel is not familiar with all the features and parts of the tool .
For example, the use of data like an instruction manual or a service manual might be necessary, wherein it is difficult to find the needed instruction manual or the service manual . When using or programming a tool or machine, users often have the need to get information out of the tool's or machine's user manual. In particular if mobile tools or mobile machines are used, in particular garden tools, forestry tools or construction tools, the user often does not have the instruction manual at hand when needed .
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to ease the handling of the operation of the tool or machine.
This object is solved by a display device, comprising
- a first display unit arranged on a tool or machine,
wherein an identification code for identification and/or retrieval of data from a server, especially from a data server, is displayed or displayable by the first display unit.
Preferably, the display device comprises
a second display unit,
wherein the second display unit comprises inputting means for inputting the identification code and/or
- wherein the second display unit comprises receiving means for receiving the data from the server and/or
wherein the second display unit comprises converting means for converting the received data into a control signal for displaying the data on the display of the second display unit.
A basic idea of the invention is to use a program on the second display unit, especially on a mobile phone, that allows to access data relating to the tool, especially the tool's or the machine's instruction manual, as nowadays users often carry a second display unit, especially a mobile phone.
Preferably, the receiving means receives the data interactively or as a single download and/or package. Preferably, a or the manual of the tool is (in part) downloaded onto the second display unit, especially onto the mobile phone or the smart phone, or could be interactively accessed from the server.
In an embodiment, the second display unit is a mobile display unit, especially a mobile phone or a smart phone. Especially, the means on the second display unit comprise a program which is preferably an app on the mobile phone or smart phone.
The identification code can preferably be a bar code, especially a two dimensional bar code, a quick response code (QR-code) or a number code.
Preferably, the inputting means is a scanner, a camera and/or a keyboard. Preferably, the camera of the mobile phone, especially of the smart phone, is used as a bar code reader (in particular for QR-codes) to
retrieve data from the server.
The access to the data, especially to the instruction manual, can
preferably be accomplished either by typing in the identification code, preferably an article number or other code related to the tool or machine, into the keyboard. Alternatively or in addition, the smart phone's camera can be used to scan the identification code on the tool or machine.
Preferably, the first display unit comprises retrieval means for displaying the identification code on the first display.
In an embodiment, the retrieval means comprises a button for displaying the identification code on the first display. Alternatively or in addition, the retrieval means can comprise a timer circuit for displaying the identification code on the first display for a predetermined time after pressing the button.
Alternatively or in addition, the retrieval means can comprise a timer circuit for providing the identification code on the first display for a predetermined time after switching on the tool .
The first display unit and/or the second display unit can preferably comprise an LCD-display or LED-display for displaying the identification code.
Preferably, by making use of the first display unit arranged on the tool, especially by making use of an LCD display, the identification code, especially a bar code, can be either be displayed for a certain period of time after energizing (switching on) of the tool or after (or while) pressing a button, especially a 'help' button.
Therefore, preferably, if the tool or machine is using a LCD-display, LED-display or another controllable display, the identification code can
be shown in the display, preferably either constantly or when pressing a button, especially a 'display' button or 'help' button.
Preferably, the data represents an instruction manual of the tool or of at least one part of the tool .
Alternatively or in addition, for displaying the identification code, the identification code, especially the article number, code or barcode, is placed on the tool or machine itself or on the housing of the tool, for example by attaching a tag. The tag is preferably wear-resistant.
In an embodiment, the first display unit can consist of or comprise a printed area and/or a stamped area and/or an attached tag for displaying the identification code.
Preferably, the identification code, especially the article number or code, can be printed or stamped onto the tool or machine itself.
The object of the invention is further solved by a tool, especially by a mobile tool, or by a garden tool, especially by a watering computer, by a forestry tool or a construction tool with a display device according to the invention.
The object of the invention is further solved by a plurality of variations of a tool with a display device according to the invention,
wherein the variations of the tool differ by their functionality, wherein preferably each of the variations corresponds to a determined production period of the tool,
wherein the identification code comprises means for identifying a variation of the tool .
A change of the software (which is often denominated as firm ware) of the tool or machine during the life cycle of the tool or machine can result in different functionalities of the tool or machine. A display device according to the invention preferably allows to access the data, especially the manual, of the tool or machine that is most up-to-date. On the other hand if the tool or machine is not up-dated, this invention allows to access the correct 'old' version of the data, especially the manual of the tool, so that preferably the received data corresponds to the actual software of the tool or machine.
The object of the invention is further solved by a watering device, preferably a watering computer,
comprising a passage for water flow,
- wherein the passage comprises, preferably at its ends, connections for water inlet and water outlet,
wherein the watering device comprises a regulating unit for regulating the water flow rate through the passage,
wherein preferably the watering device comprises means for programming the water flow rate dependent on the time, especially dependent on at least one time of each day and/or dependent on at least one time of at least one predetermined day of the week,
wherein the watering device comprises a display device according to the invention.
This object of the invention is further solved by a data retrieval system, comprising at least one server and at least one tool with at least one display device according to the invention,
- preferably comprising a first display unit and at least one second display unit according to the invention.
The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which
FIG. 1 shows the means of an embodiment of the invention
schematically; in which shows a tool according to an embodiment of the invention and in which shows a first display unit according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows a data retrieval system according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a server 50 and a tool 30 with a display device 1. The display device 1 comprises a first display 10 unit and a second display unit 20.
The first display unit 10 comprises a first display 15 and is arranged on the tool 30. An identification code 16 for identification and/or retrieval of data from the data server 50 is displayed or displayable by the first display unit 10.
The display device 1 comprises a second display unit 20 with a second display 24. The second display unit 20 comprises inputting means 21 for inputting the identification code 16. Furthermore, the second display unit comprises receiving means 22 for receiving the data from the server 50.
In addition, the second display unit 20 comprises converting means 23 for converting the received data into a control signal for displaying the data on the display 24 of the second display unit 20.
The receiving means 22 receives the data from the server 50 as a sin download or package. Alternatively, the data may also be received interactively by the receiving means 22 from the server 50.
The second display unit 20 is a mobile display unit, which is preferably arranged separate from the tool and/or the first display unit 10. In the embodiment, the second display unit 20 can be a mobile phone, which can also be denominated as a smart phone.
The identification code 16 can be a bar code or a number code. In the embodiment, the identification code 16 is a two dimensional bar code, which is also denominated as a quick response code (QR code).
The inputting means 21 of the second display unit 20 in the embodiment can be a scanner, a camera and/or a keyboard.
The first display unit 10 in the embodiment comprises retrieval means 11 for displaying the identification code 16 on the display 15 of the first display unit 10. The retrieval means 11 comprises a button 12 for displaying the identification code 16 on the display 15.
The retrieval means 11 can further comprise a timer circuit 13 for displaying the identification code 16 on the first display 15 for a predetermined time after pressing the button 12.
The retrieval means 11 can further comprise, alternatively or in addition, a timer circuit 13 for providing the identification code 16 on the display 15 of the first display unit 10 for a predetermined time after switching on the tool 1.
The data which is provided on the server 50 represents an instruction manual of the tool 30 or of at least an instruction manual of a part of the tool 30.
The first display unit 10 comprises, in the embodiment, an LCD-display or LED-display as first display 15. Furthermore, the second display 24 of the second display unit 20 is an LCD-display or LED-display.
As an alternative, the first display unit 10 can consist of or comprise a printed area, a stamped area and/or an attached tag which shows the identification code.
The embodiment also relates to a plurality of variations of a tool 30 with a display device 1 according to the invention.
The variations of the tool differ by their functionality. Each of the variations can correspond to a determined production period of the tool 30. A change of the software (firm ware) during the life cycle of the tool or machine 30 can result in different functionalities. An embodiment according to this invention allows to access the data, especially the manual of the tool 30, that is most up-to-date.
On the other hand, if the tool or machine 30 is not up-dated, an embodiment according to this invention allows to access the correct 'old' version of the data, especially the manual of the tool 30. For determining the actual variation of the tool 30, the identification code 16 comprises means for identifying the variation of the tool 30.
The tool 30 can be a garden tool, especially a watering computer, a forestry tool or a construction tool with a display device 1 according to the invention.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a watering device 40 as a possible embodiment of the invention, preferably a watering computer. The watering computer 40 as shown in FIG. 2 comprises a passage 41 for water flow.
The passage 41 comprises, preferably at its upper end, a connection for water inlet 42 as well as, preferably at its lower end, a connection for water outlet 43.
The watering device 40 comprises a regulating unit 44 for regulating the flow rate of water flowing through the passage 41.
The watering device 40 comprises means for programming the flow rate dependent on the time, especially dependent on at least one time of each day and/or dependent on at least one time of at least one predetermined day of the week.
For data input, the watering device 40 comprises a button 12. For displaying data, the watering device 40 comprises a display device 1 according to the invention.
Reference Signs
I Display device
10 First display unit
I I Retrieval means
12 Button
13 Timer circuit
15 First display
16 Identification code
20 Second display unit
21 Inputting means
22 Receiving means
23 Converting means
24 Second display
30 Tool
40 Watering device
41 Passage
42 Water inlet
43 Water outlet
44 Regulating unit
50 Data server