JP2001282187A - Method for transmitting display data on information display board and information display device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for transmitting display data on an information display board and an information display device which can transfer display data even to the blocks after a block where an abnormality occurs, and also permits to reduce the number of cables, and further eliminates the need for a waterproof connector. SOLUTION: The information display board 1 is constructed by dividing a display plane into plural pieces of square blocks, and fitting a display unit 4 constituted by two-dimensionally arranging plural pieces of display elements in each divided block position, and the display data are transmitted by connecting own display unit with the other ones 4 located on the vertical and horizontal sides thereof via an optical receiving and transmitting part, sequentially transferring the display data to each display unit via the optical receiving and transmitting parts while horizontally (or vertically) scanning each divided block position, forming a signal transmission route detouring an abnormal display unit via the optical receiving and transmitting part connected vertically and horizontally and transmitting the display data to the display units after the abnormal one via the detour when the abnormal display unit exists on the way of the transmission.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for transmitting display data on an information display panel and an information display device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an L for displaying traffic information or the like is used.
An information display board such as an ED display board has a display surface of an arbitrary size by creating each LED unit in a block unit divided into a certain size and arranging the required number of block-configured LED units in a plane. Can be formed. However, in the case of this information display board, cables and waterproof connectors are required as many as the number of divided blocks, and there is a problem that the workability of assembly and maintenance is reduced.

Further, in the conventional system configuration, display data is transferred in a state where display units # 1 to #n are all connected in series. There was a problem that display data could not be sent to the block and information could not be displayed.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is possible to transfer display data to a block subsequent to a block in which an abnormality has occurred, and to reduce the number of cables. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for transmitting display data on an information display board, which does not require a waterproof connector or the like, and an information display device using the same.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a display data transmission method for an information display panel according to the present invention comprises dividing a display surface into a plurality of grid-like blocks, An information display board is formed by fitting a display unit configured by arranging a plurality of display elements in a plane at each of the divided block positions. Connected to other display units located by signal transmission lines,
Display data is sequentially transferred to each display unit through the optical transmission path while scanning each block position divided into a grid pattern in the horizontal direction (or the vertical direction), and there is a display unit in which an abnormality occurs during transmission. In this case, a signal transmission route that bypasses the display unit in which the abnormality has occurred is formed through the optical transmission path connected in the up, down, left, and right directions, and display data is displayed on display units subsequent to the display unit in which the abnormality has occurred through the bypass route. It is configured to transfer.

In the information display device of the present invention, the information display surface is divided into a plurality of grid-like blocks, and a display unit is fitted in each block position divided into the grid. A display unit that includes an information display plate and is fitted into each of the block positions, a display unit that visually displays information corresponding to the received display data, a display drive unit that drives the display unit to light up, It has a control unit for controlling the operation, and four light receiving / emitting units for transmitting / receiving optical signals provided on four side walls of the rectangular display unit case at the top, bottom, left and right, and in a grid pattern. Each of the display units fitted into each of the divided block positions is mutually connected to other display units located above, below, right and left by the four light receiving and emitting units, respectively, and the control unit outputs an optical signal. I will send it on The display data is sequentially transferred to an adjacent display unit along a horizontal (or vertical) scanning direction, and when the transferred display data is its own display data, the display data is fetched and read. Displayed on the display unit, and when an abnormality has occurred in another display unit, a route is formed to bypass the display unit in which the abnormality has occurred through one of the upper, lower, left, and right light receiving / emitting units. The display data is transferred to display units subsequent to the display unit in which an abnormality has occurred through the bypass route.

In the case of such a method and apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), when an abnormality occurs in any of the display units 4 fitted into the information display panel 1,
The display data can be transferred to the display units subsequent to the display unit 4 in which the abnormality has occurred, through the bypass route. For this reason, the blocks whose display is turned off can be limited to the display unit in which the abnormality has occurred, and the influence on the display information can be minimized. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a display data transfer route in a normal state where no abnormality has occurred, and FIG. 7B is a display data transfer route in the case where an abnormality has occurred in the central display unit 4 and has failed. It is a figure showing the example of.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an information display device according to the present invention which is constructed by applying the method of the present invention.
Reference numeral denotes an information display board (for example, a road information display board), and reference numeral 2 denotes a display controller which transmits display data, such as traffic congestion status, to an information display board 1 through an optical cable 3 with an optical signal.

The information display panel 1 has its entire display surface divided into a plurality of grid-like blocks, and the positions of the respective blocks divided into a grid are shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). The display units 4 each having a thin rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 1 are fitted, and one information display plate is constituted by the plurality of fitted display units.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the display unit 4 is provided with light receiving / emitting portions 404a to 404d for optical communication at four locations on the upper, lower, left and right side walls of the unit body. When the information display panel 1 is fitted into each block position, the light receiving / emitting portions of the adjacent display units 4 are connected to each other.
4a to 404d are configured to enable optical communication with display units in any direction of up, down, left, and right.

The display unit 4 is configured to correspond to, for example, one character of a display character. As shown in FIG. A display unit 402 in which light-emitting elements 401 are arranged vertically and horizontally, a lighting drive unit 403 for controlling the blinking of each light-emitting element 401 of the display unit 402 to light up and display a desired character or pattern, Of the four light receiving / emitting portions 404a to 404 provided on the side wall surfaces of
4d, optical transmission / reception units 405a to 405d provided corresponding to the respective light receiving / emitting units, and a control unit 406.

The control unit 406 controls the operation of the entire display unit. The control unit 406 controls data among a processor 407 such as a CPU and a DSP, a storage element 408 such as a RAM and a ROM, and optical transmission / reception units 405a to 405d. It comprises a communication unit 409 for exchanging information, and an I / O (input / output interface) unit 410 for connecting between the lighting drive unit 403 and the processor 407. [I] Normal Operation Next, the operation of the information display device having the above configuration will be described.

First, the normal operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the address assignment of the display unit fitted on the information display panel, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the normal operation.

In order to make the explanation easy to understand, the information display panel 1 has nine display units 4 as shown in FIG.
Are arranged in three rows and three columns vertically and horizontally. The IDs (identification numbers) of the nine display units 4 are given by two-dimensional coordinates (X, Y) as shown. Further, the display data sent from the display controller 2 (see FIG. 1) to the information display panel 1 is (0,0) → (1,0) → (2,0) along the horizontal scanning line. ) → (0,1) →
(1,1) → (2,1) → (0,2) → (1,2) →
(2, 2).

First, when the data for (0,0) is sent from the display controller 2 to the information display board 1 while being carried on an optical signal, the data for (0,0) is located at the position (0,0). The light is transmitted from the light transmission / reception unit 404 a of the display unit 4 to the light transmission / reception unit 405 a and sent to the control unit 406 through the communication unit 409.

The control unit 406, having received the (0,0) data, uses the processor 407 and a processing program stored in the storage element 408 to change the Y value of the identification number of the received data to the ID of its own ID. It is determined whether the value is larger than the Y value (step S1 in FIG. 5). In this case, the transmitted display data is for (0, 0), and its own ID is (0, 0). Therefore, since Y = 0 of the received data is not larger than Y = 0 of the own ID, the process shifts to step S2 (N side of step S1).

Next, the control unit 406 determines whether or not the X value of the identification number of the data is larger than the X value of its own ID = (0,0) (step S2). In this case, the transmitted display data is for (0,0),
D is (0,0). Therefore, X =
Since 0 is not larger than X = 0 of its own ID (N side in step S2), the control unit 406 determines that the received data is display data for itself, and converts the display data to display data for own. Is stored in the storage element 408 (step S3).

Next, when the data for (1, 0) is sent from the display controller 2, the display unit 4 at the (0, 0) position is sent.
The control unit 406 determines whether the Y value of the identification number of the received data is greater than the Y value of its own ID (step S1). In this case, the transmitted display data is for (1, 0), and its own ID is (0, 0).
Therefore, Y = 0 of the received data is Y = 0 of the own ID.
Since it is not larger, the process proceeds to step S2 (N side of step S1).

Next, the control unit 406 determines whether or not the X value of the identification number of the data is larger than the X value of its own ID = (0, 0) (step S2). In this case, the transmitted display data is for (1, 0),
D is (0,0). Therefore, X =
1 is greater than X = 0 of its own ID (step S
(Y side of No. 2), it is determined that the received data is not display data for itself, and the process proceeds to step S4.

The control unit 406 determines in step S4
The received (1,0) data is transferred to the display unit 4 (see FIG. 4) at the next (1,0) position through the communication unit 409, the optical transmission / reception unit 405c, and the light transmission / reception unit 404c. I do. When the transfer ends normally, (1,
A normal end signal is returned from the display unit 4 at the (0) position to the display unit 4 at the (0,0) position.

The data for (1,0) is transferred (1,
In step S5, the display unit 4 at the position 0) is
The X value of the identification number of the data is its own ID = (1, 0)
It is determined whether the value is larger than the X value. In this case, the transferred display data is for (1, 0), and its own ID is (1, 0). Therefore, X of the received data
Since = 1 is not larger than X = 1 of its own ID (N side of step S5), the control unit 406 of the display unit 4 at the (1, 0) position indicates that the received data is its own display data. Is determined, and the display data is taken into the storage element 408 as display data for the user (step S6).

Next, when the data for (2,0) is sent from the display controller 2, the display unit 4 at the (0,0) position is sent.
The control unit 406 determines whether the Y value of the identification number of the received data is greater than the Y value of its own ID (step S1). In this case, the transmitted display data is for (2, 0), and its own ID is (0, 0).
Therefore, Y = 0 of the received data is Y = 0 of the own ID.
Since it is not larger, the process proceeds to step S2 (N side of step S1).

Next, the control unit 406 determines whether or not the X value of the identification number of the data is larger than the X value of its own ID = (0,0) (step S2). In this case, the sent display data is for (2,0),
D is (0,0). Therefore, X =
2 is greater than X = 0 of its own ID (step S
(Y side of No. 2), it is determined that the received data is not display data for itself, and the process proceeds to step S4.

The control unit 406 determines in step S4
The received (2,0) data is transferred to the display unit 4 at the (1,0) position in the next stage. When the transfer ends normally, a normal end signal is returned from the display unit 4 at the (1,0) position to the display unit 4 at the (0,0) position.

The data for (2, 0) is transferred (1,
In step S5, the display unit 4 at the position 0) is
The X value of the identification number of the data is its own ID = (1, 0)
It is determined whether the value is larger than the X value. In this case, the sent display data is for (2), and its own ID
Is (1, 0). Therefore, X = 2 of the received data
Is larger than X = 1 of its own ID (step S5
On the Y side), it is determined that the received data is not display data for itself, and the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the control unit 406
The received (2,0) data is transferred to the display unit 4 at the next (2,0) position. When the transfer ends normally, a normal end signal is returned from the display unit 4 at the (2,0) position to the display unit 4 at the (1,0) position.

The data for (2,0) is transferred (2,0).
In step S8, the display unit 4 at the position 0) is
The X value of the identification number of the data is its own ID = (2,0)
It is determined whether the value is larger than the X value. In this case, the transferred display data is for (2, 0), and its own ID is (2, 0). Therefore, X of the received data
= 2 is not larger than the own ID X = 2 (N side of step S8), the control unit 406 of the display unit 4 at the (2,0) position indicates that the received data is its own display data. Then, the display data is taken into the storage element 408 as display data for the user (step S9).

With the above processing, the received display data is stored in the three display units 4 on the first row (the row of Y = 0) of the information display panel 1.

Subsequently, from the display controller 2, the display data (0, 1), (1, 1), (2, 1) for the three display units 4 in the second row (Y = 1 row) are displayed. ) Are sequentially transmitted, and each time these display data are transmitted, the same processing as described above is sequentially repeated in steps S1 and S10 to S19, and the information is arranged on the second line of the information display panel 1. The received display data is stored in the three display units 4.

Further, from the display controller 2, the third line (Y
= 2), the display data (0, 2), (1, 2), and (2, 2) for the three display units 4 are sequentially transmitted. These display data are transmitted. Each time, the same processing as described above is sequentially repeated in steps S1, S10, S11 and steps S20 to S29, and the received display data is displayed on the three display units 4 arranged in the third row of the information display panel 1. It is memorized.

When the transfer of the display data for all nine display units in three rows and three columns is completed as described above, when the lighting power is supplied from the display controller 2, for example, "Speed, drop!" , And nine characters of information such as "" are displayed. [II] Operation at the time of occurrence of abnormality Next, the operation when the display unit 4 at the position (1, 1) of the information display panel 1 shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Note that the flowchart of FIG.
1) Only a portion for setting a detour route when an abnormality occurs in the position display unit 4 is written. The flowchart of the entire process is shown in FIG.
May be replaced with the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, the operation of the display unit 4 in the first row (the row of Y = 0) and the third row (the row of Y = 2) in which no abnormality occurs is the same as that in the normal state described above. Therefore, the description is omitted, and the display data (0, 1), (1, 2) for the three display units in the second row (the row of Y = 2)
Only the operation when 1) and (2, 1) are sent will be described below.

From the display controller 2 (see FIG. 1) to (0, 1)
When the application data is sent, the processing of steps S1, S10, and S11 in the flowchart of FIG.
The (0, 1) data is transferred to the display unit 4 at the (0, 1) position through the display unit 4 at the (0, 0) position, and the Y value of the (0, 1) data is set to (0, 1). 1) After it is determined that the value is not larger than the Y value of the display unit at the position, the process proceeds to step S31 in FIG.

Then, in step S31 of FIG.
The X value of the identification number of the data is its own ID = (0, 1)
It is determined whether the value is larger than the X value. In this case, the transferred display data is for (0, 1), and its own ID is (0, 1). Therefore, X of the received data
Since = 0 is not larger than X = 0 of its own ID (N side of step S31), the control unit 406 of the display unit 4 at the (0, 1) position indicates that the received data is its own display data. Is determined, and the display data is taken in as personal display data (step S32).

Next, when the data for (1, 1) is sent from the display controller 2, after the same processing as described above, the processing shifts to step S31 in FIG. Then, in step S31, the control unit 406 of the display unit 4 at the position (0, 1) determines whether or not the X value of the identification number of the data is larger than the X value of its own ID = (0, 1). Is determined. In this case, the sent display data is (1, 1)
And its own ID is (0, 1). Accordingly, since X = 1 of the received data is larger than X = 0 of the own ID (Y side in step S31), it is determined that the received data is not the display data for oneself, and the process proceeds to step S33. I do.

In step S33, the control unit 406 of the display unit 4 at the (0,1) position converts the received (1,1) data into the display unit 4 at the next (1,1) position (FIG. 3). Transfer). In our case,
Since the display unit 4 at the position (1,1) is in an abnormal state, the display unit 4 at the position (1,1) cannot receive the transferred data for (1,1).

Therefore, the display unit 4 at the (0, 1) position
When the control unit 406 confirms that the normal end signal has not been returned within the prescribed time, the control unit 406 immediately precedes the abnormality occurrence signal indicating that the display unit 4 at the position (1, 1) is in the abnormal state. Is returned to the display unit 4 at the (0,0) position (step S34).

The display unit 4 at the (0,0) position that has received the abnormality occurrence signal transmits the data for the next (2,1) sent to the display unit 4 at the (0,1) position instead of the display unit 4 at the (0,1) position.
The data is transferred to the display unit 4 at the (1, 0) position (step S35). And when the transfer is completed successfully,
A normal end signal is returned from the display unit 4 at the (1,0) position to the display unit 4 at the (0,0) position.

The data for (2,1) has been transferred (1,2).
The display unit 4 at the position (0) transfers the data for (2,1) to the display unit 4 at the position (2,0) (step S36). And when the transfer is completed successfully,
A normal end signal is returned from the display unit 4 at the (2,0) position to the display unit 4 at the (1,0) position.

Next, the display unit 4 at the (2,0) position
Transfers the data for (2,1) to the display unit 4 at the position (2,1) (step S37). And
When the transfer ends normally, a normal end signal is returned from the display unit 4 at the (2,1) position to the display unit 4 at the (2,0) position.

The data for (2,1) has been transferred (2,1).
1) The position display unit 4 captures the data after confirming that the data is its own data (step S3).
8). Thereby, the display unit 4 at the (2, 1) position
Display data is transferred correctly to

As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the display unit 4, the display data for the display units subsequent to the display unit at the position where the abnormality has occurred are obtained while bypassing the display unit in which the abnormality has occurred. The position is transferred to the display unit.

As a result, in the nine display units 4 of three rows and three columns of the information display panel 1 shown in FIG.
1) Only the display unit 4 at the position is turned off. For example, the above-mentioned character display of "speed, drop!" Is displayed in a state where only one character has disappeared, such as "speed □ drop!" (□ is a light-off position), thereby minimizing damage to display information. be able to. On the other hand, in the case of the conventional information display device, the display data is not transferred to the display unit after the display unit where the error occurred in the line where the error occurred, so the display characters are "speed". Depending on the position where the abnormality has occurred, there is a possibility that the display contents cannot be recognized.

In the above embodiment, the scanning direction of the display units 4 arranged in a grid pattern is the horizontal direction (X direction).
However, it can be realized in the same manner even if it is taken vertically (Y direction).

In the case of the above embodiment, the signal transmission routes that bypass the display unit are (0, 0), (1,
(0), (2,0), (2,1), the method of forming on the upper side was proposed, but (0,0), (0,1), (0,
2), (1, 2), (2, 2), and (2, 1) can be formed on the lower side as well as (1, 0), (2, 0), (2,1) is (0,1),
This can be done by reading (0, 2), (1, 2), (2, 1) and replacing step S38 with (2, 2). In addition, even when the display units in which the abnormality has occurred are continuous, it may be programmed in advance to form a new signal transmission route for display units that are separated from each other by a plurality of rows and a plurality of rows. For example, it is possible to transfer display data from four directions of up, down, left, and right in response to any abnormality.

Further, the case where an LED is used as the light emitting element 401 has been exemplified. However, the display element is not limited to this, and other display elements such as an incandescent lamp, an EL (electroluminescence) element, and a liquid crystal display element may be used. An element can be used. Which display element is used may be determined depending on the purpose and use of information display. Further, color display can be performed.

[0049]

According to the method and apparatus of the present invention described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained. (1) Since an optical communication system is used for data transmission and a light receiving / emitting unit is used instead of the conventional electrode contact type connector, troubles due to poor contact can be eliminated. Further, even in the case of an outdoor installation type, it is not necessary to use a waterproof connector as in the related art. (2) Since the display units are directly connected to each other, the work time can be reduced when the display units are attached to the housing. (3) Since display data is exchanged in four directions, up, down, left, and right, even if one block fails, data can be transmitted without affecting other blocks. Therefore, information can be displayed only by turning off the minimum number of blocks. (4) Because the input / output interface can be shared,
The number of data lines from the control unit can be reduced. (5) In the case of the conventional wireless system or metal cable system, there is a possibility of malfunction due to external interference radio waves and noise. However, the present invention provides a method of transmitting data by optical communication using one-to-one opposing light receiving / emitting units. Because of this, there is no external influence. (6) By changing the number of blocks used, information display boards of various sizes can be realized. In addition, the common use of parts makes it possible to reduce inventory and shorten delivery time. (7) As long as the position of the light receiving / emitting unit and the format of data transmission are unified, for example, a display unit composed of a monochromatic red light emitting element and a light emitting element capable of displaying three colors of red, green, and blue (full color) It is possible to configure an information display plate in which different types of display units are integrated, such as a display unit made of.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an information display device according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a structure of a display unit, wherein FIG. 2A is a front view and FIG. 2B is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electric circuit configuration of a display unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of address assignment of a display unit fitted to an information display plate.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation in a normal state.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation when an abnormality occurs.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of display data transfer routes according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 7A shows a normal state and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information display board 2 Display controller 3 Optical cable 4 Display unit 401 Light emitting element 402 Display section 403 Lighting drive section 404a-404d Light receiving / emitting section 405a-405d Optical transmitting / receiving section 406 Control section 407 Processor 408 Storage element 409 Communication section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09G 3/20 680 G09G 3/20 680E F term (Reference) 5B069 AA17 BA06 LA04 LA18 5C080 AA07 BB07 CC06 DD23 DD27 DD28 FF13 JJ02 JJ05 JJ06 JJ07 5C094 AA38 AA41 BA21 CA19 CA24 DB06 5H180 EE01 GG02 HH14 HH29

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A display unit comprising a display surface divided into a plurality of grid-like blocks, and a plurality of display elements arranged in a plane at each block position divided into a grid. To form an information display board. Each of the fitted display units is connected to other display units located at the upper, lower, left and right sides thereof by optical transmission paths, and divided into a grid pattern. The display data is sequentially transferred to each display unit through the optical transmission path while scanning each of the block positions in the horizontal direction (or the vertical direction). Forming a signal transmission route that bypasses the display unit in which the abnormality has occurred through the optical transmission path connected to the display unit, and the display unit in which the abnormality has occurred through the bypass route. Transferring display data to the display unit of (1). 2. An information display panel comprising: a display surface for information divided into a plurality of grid-like blocks; and a display unit fitted into each of the divided blocks on the grid. Each display unit fitted in the block position has a display unit for visually displaying information corresponding to the received display data, a display drive unit for driving the display unit to light up, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the display unit. And four light receiving / emitting portions for transmitting / receiving optical signals provided on four side walls of the display unit case having a rectangular shape, for transmitting and receiving optical signals, and each block position divided into a grid pattern. The display unit fitted into the display unit is mutually connected to the other display units located at the top, bottom, left, and right of each other by the four light receiving / emitting units, and the control unit transmits display data transmitted on an optical signal. The horizontal (or vertical (Directly) along the scanning direction and sequentially transfer to the next display unit, and when the transferred display data is its own display data, fetch the display data and display it on the display unit; and When an abnormality has occurred in another display unit, a route that bypasses the display unit in which the abnormality has occurred is formed through one of the light receiving and emitting units on the upper, lower, left, and right sides, and the abnormality occurs through the detour route. Transferring display data to display units subsequent to the display unit.