JP2005084519A - Illumination rod, and method of blinking illumination rod - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is difficult for a viewing person to read image like characters, patterns, etc., since a flag part fixed to an illumination rod is shaken when a user uses and shakes the illumination rod, and then the image of the characters, patterns, etc., drawn on the flag part moves. <P>SOLUTION: This illumination rod is reciprocally moved crossing its length almost along a virtual arc. The illumination rode has a plurality of light emission bodies which are arranged along the length of the light emission rod and displays the image, an angular speed sensor which detects the angular speed of the reciprocal movement of the light emission rod, and a control part which calculates cycles of the reciprocal movement of the illumination rod from the angular speed detected by the angular speed sensor and determines a portion of the image that the plurality of light emission bodies should blink in order according to the angular speed and cycles of the reciprocal movement of the illumination rod to finish displaying the image within a cycle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a light-emitting rod that a user holds and moves to guide traffic, for example, and a method of blinking the light-emitting rod.

A conventional light-emitting rod for displaying an image such as a character or a design has a rod-like configuration in which a grip portion and an illumination portion are connected as described in Patent Document 1, and a flag portion is provided on the illumination portion. By irradiating the illumination light of the illumination unit onto the character or design drawn on the flag unit, the image of the character or design is displayed, so that a person who should visually recognize can be visually recognized.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-32003

  However, according to the configuration of the conventional light emitting rod described above, when the user uses the light emitting rod by shaking, the flag portion fixed to the light emitting rod is also shaken at the same time. And images such as symbols move, and it is difficult for a person who should visually recognize images such as characters and symbols.

In order to solve such a problem, the light-emitting rod of the present invention is a light-emitting rod that displays an image by reciprocating in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting rod along a virtual substantially arc. A plurality of light emitters arranged along the longitudinal direction of the bar for displaying the image, an angular velocity sensor for detecting an angular velocity of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod, and the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity sensor Calculating the cycle of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod, and sequentially flashing the light emitters based on the angular velocity and the cycle of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod to complete the display of the image within the cycle. And a control unit for determining a part of the image to be generated.
According to the light emitting rod of the present invention, based on the angular velocity detected from the reciprocating light emitting rod and the cycle of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod calculated from the angular velocity, the light emitting rod should blink so as to complete the display within the previous period. Determine part of the image. A part of the image is sequentially blinked in accordance with the position of the light emitting rod, and the display of the image is completed within the cycle. Therefore, even if the light-emitting rod is moving, the image viewed from the viewer becomes an apparent still image and can be viewed.

Preferably, the image is a light-emitting rod that is selected and displayed from image information stored in a storage device provided in the control unit.
In this way, it is possible to select and display a desired image from the stored image information.

The plurality of light emitters, the angular velocity sensor, and the control unit may be housed in at least one housing.
In this way, by storing each constituent part in the housing, it is possible to perform reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod while protecting the constituent parts from being affected by the function.

In addition, it is desirable that the plurality of light emitters are provided between adjacent light emitters via a light shield.
In this way, a clear image can be displayed without being interfered by lighting of adjacent light emitters.

The plurality of light emitters may be arranged at approximately equal intervals.
By arranging a plurality of light emitters at approximately equal intervals in this way, it is possible to form a well-organized image in the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting rod, and it is possible to easily create image data.

The flashing method of the light-emitting rod of the present invention is a light-emitting rod that displays an image by reciprocating in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting rod along a virtual substantially arc, and in the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting rod. A flashing method of the light-emitting rod provided with a plurality of light emitters arranged along the line, the step of detecting the angular velocity of the reciprocating movement of the light-emitting rod, and based on the detected angular velocity Calculating the period of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod, and the plurality of light emitters based on the angular velocity and the period of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting bar to complete the display of the image within the period. Sequentially flashing to display a part of the image.
According to the flashing method of the light-emitting rod of the present invention, the display is completed within the previous period based on the angular velocity detected from the reciprocating light-emitting rod and the cycle of the reciprocating movement of the light-emitting rod calculated from the angular velocity. Determine the part of the image that should flash. A part of the image is sequentially blinked in accordance with the position of the light emitting rod, and the display of the image is completed within the cycle. Therefore, even if the light-emitting rod is moving, the image viewed from the viewer becomes an apparent still image and can be viewed.

  Hereinafter, examples of a light emitting rod according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following examples.

== Example of overall unit configuration ==
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an embodiment of a light emitting rod according to the present invention.
The light emitting rod 100 includes an angular velocity sensor 40, a control unit 50, a light emitting unit 60, an operation unit 70, and a power supply unit 80.

  The angular velocity sensor 40 detects an angular velocity generated when the light emitting rod 100 is moved by being shaken or the like, and transmits the angular velocity signal to the control unit 50 as an angular velocity signal.

The control unit 50 includes a swing direction inversion detection circuit 51, an angular velocity absolute value voltage generation circuit 52, an addition circuit 53, a voltage control oscillation circuit (also referred to as “VCO”) 54, a data interface 55, and an image data memory. 56 and a control circuit 57.
The swing direction inversion detection circuit 51 determines the output of the angular velocity sensor 40, detects the swing direction of the light emitting rod 100, and outputs a swing direction inversion pulse and a swing direction signal.
The angular velocity absolute value voltage generation circuit 52 generates an absolute value voltage of an angular velocity that changes in the plus or minus direction depending on the moving direction of the light emitting rod 100.
The adder circuit 53 adds the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity sensor 40 and the moving period of the light emitting rod 100 detected by the swing direction inversion circuit 51 to output a timing signal.
The voltage controlled oscillation circuit (also referred to as “VCO”) 54 outputs a clock signal based on the timing signal output from the adder circuit 53.
The data interface 55 processes image information input from the external input device 90 and outputs the processed image information to the image data memory 56.
The image data memory 56 stores various image information input from the data interface 55.
The control circuit 57 including the D / A conversion circuit includes information on an image selected from the image data memory 56 by an operation button of the operation unit 70 described later, a clock signal output from the voltage control oscillation circuit 54, and a swing direction inversion detection circuit 51. A blinking signal is output to the plurality of light emitters 110 based on the swing direction reversal pulse and the swing direction signal output from.
In addition, an external device 90 for inputting image data can be connected to the data interface 55 of the control unit 50.

  The light emitting unit 60 is configured by aligning a plurality of light emitters 110. The light emitter 110 blinks according to the blink instruction from the control unit 50.

  The operation unit 70 includes an operation button and an operation circuit (not shown). The operation unit 70 processes an instruction given by the operation button using the operation circuit and transmits the instruction command to the control unit 50 as an instruction command.

  The power supply unit 80 supplies power to the control unit 50. The power supply unit 80 preferably uses a direct current power source such as a rechargeable battery or a dry battery, but may be used after being converted into a direct current using an alternating current power source.

== Example of unit structure ==
Next, the structure of the light emitting rod of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a light emitting rod.

The light emitting rod 100 includes a grip part 101 and a light emitting part 102.
The gripping part 101 is an electronic component (not shown) constituting an angular velocity sensor 40 for measuring the angular velocity and a control part 50 on a wiring pattern (not shown) provided on a substrate 103 made of epoxy resin as an example. ) And a plurality of batteries 105 constituting the power supply unit 80 are connected and housed in the gripping unit housing 106. A battery cover 107 is provided at the end of the gripping part housing 106. In addition, operation buttons 108 constituting an operation unit are also connected to the substrate 103.

The light emitting unit 102 is provided with a light emitting unit housing 109 along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting rod 100. Inside the light emitting unit housing 109, for example, a plurality of light emitting bodies 110 made of light emitting elements such as LEDs are provided along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting unit housing 109. Each of the plurality of light emitters 110 is electrically connected to the substrate 103 by a connection line 111. In addition, a light-blocking body 112 made of a light-blocking material is provided between all the light-emitting bodies (shown by the light-emitting body 110 and the light-emitting body 110a as an example in FIG. 2). The light shield 112 is provided to prevent interference of light emission of the adjacent light emitters 110.
Further, the light emitting unit casing 109 has a window opening portion, which is not shown, facing the plurality of light emitters 110, and is provided with a translucent member, for example, a transparent glass cover 113. Therefore, the plurality of light emitters 110 can be viewed from the outside through the cover 113. An end cover 114 is provided at the end of the light emitting unit housing 109.

== Description of operation ==
Next, the operation of the light-emitting rod of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the output waveform. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a blinking example.

  Prior to the operation, as a preparatory step not included in the flowchart of FIG. 3, information on the image of the character or design desired to be displayed as an image is stored in the image data memory 56 from the external device 90 via the data interface 55 of the control unit 50. . The image data memory 56 can store information on images of a plurality of characters and symbols.

Next, an image to be displayed is selected by operating the operation unit 70 (step S12). In this example, description will be made using an example in which display of two characters “accident” is selected.
Next, by starting to swing the light emitting rod 100 held by the user, the reciprocating movement (swing) of the light emitting rod 100 is started (step S14). In this example, the light-emitting rod 100 starts moving from the position of the left end indicated by P0 in FIG. 5, and moves toward the position of the right end indicated by Pn (step S16). In the light emitting rod 100, the angular velocity sensor 40 detects the angular velocity (step S18).

  When the light-emitting rod 100 reaches the right end position indicated by Pn (step S20) and reverses the moving direction, the angular velocity sensor output changes from the plus direction to the minus direction as shown in FIG. Here, when the angular velocity sensor output crosses the reference line of plus and minus 0, the swing direction inversion pulse shown in FIG. 4B is outputted (step S22).

Subsequently, the control unit 50 determines whether or not an inversion pulse has been output (step S24). Here, if the inversion pulse is not detected, the control operation is stopped assuming that the light-emitting rod is not moved (step S42). When the inversion pulse is detected, the cycle is calculated (step S26). Here, the period of the first movement is from the movement start to the first inversion pulse.
The light-emitting rod 100 whose direction of movement is reversed moves in the position direction of the left end indicated by P0 (step S28). The light emitting rod 100 detects the angular velocity while moving (step S30), and in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 50, the plurality of light emitters 110 blink sequentially to form an image (step S32).
A method for controlling blinking of the plurality of light emitters 110 will be described later.

  The light emitting rod 100 that continues to move reaches the position of the left end indicated by P0 (step S34). When the light-emitting rod 100 reaches the position of the left end indicated by P0 and reverses the moving direction, the angular velocity sensor output changes from the minus direction to the plus direction as shown in FIG. Here, when the angular velocity sensor output crosses the reference line of the output voltage 0, the swing direction inversion pulse shown in FIG. 4B is output (step S36).

  Next, the procedure determines whether there is an inversion pulse (step S38). Here, if the inversion pulse is not detected, the control operation is stopped assuming that the light-emitting rod is not moved (step S42). When the inversion pulse is detected, the cycle is calculated (step S40). Here, the period from the first inversion pulse to the second inversion pulse is the second movement cycle.

  After calculating the second cycle period, the procedure returns to step S28, and thereafter, while repeating the movement and inversion of the light-emitting rod 100, display of characters / designs by blinking of the plurality of light-emitting bodies 110 (in this example, “accident” "Is displayed).

== Explanation of blinking method ==
Here, a blinking method of the light emitter will be described.
The control unit 50 uses the angular velocity absolute value voltage generation circuit 52 to convert the angular velocity detected when the light-emitting rod 100 moves for the first time from P1 to P0, and outputs the absolute value as the absolute value of the angular velocity. The control unit 50 predicts the period of the next movement from P0 to P1 (second movement) based on the obtained first movement period, and outputs it as a voltage value. The voltage value corresponding to the period is generated by a D / A conversion circuit 58 provided in the control unit 50. A voltage-controlled oscillation circuit (VCO) 54 outputs a VCO output signal shown in FIG. 4 (f) based on the light emission timing signal calculated by adding the voltage value of the generated period and the absolute value voltage of the angular velocity in the addition circuit 53. To do.

  The control unit 50 uses the VCO output signal as a clock source to create a blinking signal for a plurality of light emitters by the control circuit 57 and output the flashing signal to the plurality of light emitters 110. For example, when the light emitting rod 100 reaches the position of Pn-1, the light emitters # 1, # 2, and # 15 shown in FIG. 5 are turned on, and the light emitting rod 100 is positioned at the next position of Pn-2. If so, the # 1 and # 2 light emitters that were lit at the position of Pn-1 are turned off, and the # 3, # 4, # 12, # 13, # 14, and # 15 light emitters are lit. To do. In this example, a matrix-like image is constructed. Thereafter, the control is performed so that the image display is completed in one cycle by sequentially turning on and off. In the third movement, the light emitters 110 sequentially blink in the order of P0, P1, and P2, and images are displayed sequentially from the opposite direction to the second movement.

As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 6, control when the moving speed of the light emitting rod 100 is increased during the movement will be described. FIG. 6A shows a case where the light emitting rod is moving at a constant speed. If a constant angular velocity (absolute value of angular velocity) is detected, the VCO output is also output at regular intervals. Accordingly, blinking signals are also output at regular intervals. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the moving speed of the light emitting rod 100 changes during the movement, the absolute value of the detected angular speed also changes. For example, when the moving speed increases, the absolute value of the detected angular speed increases, and the VCO output interval becomes close. Contrary to the above, if the moving speed of the light emitting rod 100 becomes slow during the movement, the absolute value of the detected angular speed becomes small and the interval of the VCO output becomes rough. Since the blinking signals of the plurality of light emitters 110 are created using this VCO output as a clock source, the blinking interval of the plurality of light emitters 110 is shortened when the moving speed of the light emitting rod 100 is high, and the movement of the light emitting rod 100 is performed. Longer when the speed is slow. In other words, the blinking intervals of the plurality of light emitters 110 are determined in inverse proportion to the absolute value of the measured angular velocity.
Therefore, even if the moving speed of the light emitting rod 100 changes during the movement, it is possible to display characters and symbols at substantially the same position.

As described above, the light emitting rod of this embodiment obtains the light emission timing signal based on the reversal period of the moving direction obtained from the angular velocity detected by reciprocating the light emitting rod. Since the light emission timing signal is used as a clock source to control the blinking of a plurality of light emitters, a partial image obtained by temporally dividing an image such as a character or a pattern is matched with the moving speed and direction of the light emitting rod. Can be drawn sequentially. That is, even if the light-emitting rod is moving, the image can produce a desired image that appears to be a still image. Therefore, it is possible for a person to visually recognize an image such as a character or a design.
Further, by selecting an image by, for example, operating a button, the type of image display can be easily changed.

  In the embodiment, the case has been described in which two cases of the gripping part case and the light emitting part case are joined. However, the case is integrated, or three or more cases are joined. It is also possible to replace the configuration described above.

  In the embodiment, the number of light emitters has been described as 21 light emitters. However, the number of light emitters is not limited to this, and any number of character / design images can be formed. Good.

  In addition, the luminescent color of the illuminant is not limited to the same color, and a light-emitting element capable of changing color can be used, or a multi-color light-emitting element can be arranged. One light emitter may be composed of a plurality of light emitting elements.

Further, the light emitter may be provided separately from the light emitter and the light emitting element, instead of the light emitting element as the light emitter in the light emitting portion. A configuration in which the light emitting element is provided in another part other than the part of the light emitter and the light emitter is formed using a light guide member such as an optical fiber is also possible.
In addition, the light emitting element is not limited to an LED (light emitting diode), and a self light emitting element such as a miniature light bulb or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) light emitting element is desirable.

The power supply unit may use an AC power supply instead of a battery (dry battery, rechargeable battery).
It is also possible to use an alternating current power source and convert it into a direct current by an AC adapter or the like.

  The light-emitting rod of the present invention is effective in visually appealing precautions and the like, especially when used for traffic control and crowd control at night. Moreover, if it is used for a more compact light-emitting rod, it can also be applied as a small pen-type lighting device as an example, and if it is used in a concert venue etc., display using characters and designs is possible, as an expression method It is effective.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the angular velocity measuring unit of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a light emitting rod. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the output waveform. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a blinking example. FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating details of the output waveform.

Explanation of symbols

100 luminous rod
40 Measuring section 50 Control section 51 Swing direction inversion detection circuit 52 Angular velocity absolute value voltage generation circuit 53 Addition circuit 54 Voltage control oscillation circuit 55 Data interface 56 Image data memory 57 Control circuit 58 D / A conversion circuit 60 Light emitting section
70 Operation unit 80 Power supply unit 90 External device (input device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Holding part 102 Light emission part 103 Board | substrate 105 Battery 106 Holding part housing | casing 107 Battery cover 108 Operation button 109 Light emission part housing | casing 110 Light emitter 110a Other adjacent light emitters 111 Connection line 112 Light shield 113 Cover 114 End cover

Claims (6)

A light-emitting rod that displays an image by reciprocating in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting rod along a virtual substantially arc,
A plurality of light emitters arranged along the longitudinal direction of the light emitting rod for displaying the image;
An angular velocity sensor for detecting an angular velocity of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod;
The cycle of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod is calculated from the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity sensor, and the angular velocity and the cycle of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod are calculated in order to complete the display of the image within the cycle. A control unit for determining a part of the image to be blinked sequentially on the plurality of light emitters,
A light emitting rod characterized by comprising: The light-emitting rod according to claim 1,
The light-emitting rod, wherein the image is selected and displayed from image information stored in a storage device provided in the control unit. The light-emitting rod according to claim 1,
The light emitting rod, wherein the plurality of light emitters, the angular velocity sensor, and the control unit are housed in at least one housing. The light-emitting rod according to claim 1,
The light emitting rod, wherein the plurality of light emitters are provided between light emitters adjacent to each other via a light shield. The light-emitting rod according to claim 1,
The light emitting rod, wherein the plurality of light emitters are arranged at approximately equal intervals. A light-emitting rod that displays an image by reciprocating in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting rod along a virtual substantially arc, and is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting rod to display the image A flashing method of a light emitting rod with a plurality of light emitters,
Detecting an angular velocity of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod;
Calculating a period of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod based on the detected angular velocity;
Displaying a part of the image by sequentially flashing the plurality of light emitters based on the angular velocity and the cycle of the reciprocating movement of the light emitting rod to complete the display of the image within the cycle; ,
A flashing method of a light emitting rod characterized by comprising:

Images