JP2009025539A - Afterimage display device and afterimage display system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display an image read by an afterimage display device largely while suppressing its upsizing or cost rising. <P>SOLUTION: This afterimage display device 1 displays the image, that is read by a plurality of light emitting elements 21 arrayed along the longitudinal direction of the housing 10(5), as the afterimage by the plurality of light emitting elements 21. The housing 10(5) of the afterimage display device 1 is connected to housings 10(6) and 10(7) of other afterimage display devices through connection mechanisms 22 and 23 so as to be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. A transmission means 37 is configured to transmit the image data 25 stored in a storage means 26 to other afterimage display devices 10(6) and 10(7) and controls other afterimage display devices 10(6) and 10(7) to emit light based on the image read by the afterimage display device 10(5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an afterimage display device and an afterimage display system.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an afterimage display device in which a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged in a substantially rod-shaped housing. This afterimage display device displays an afterimage due to light emission of a plurality of LEDs in a space in the swung range by holding and shaking one end of a substantially rod-shaped housing.

  Further, the afterimage display device of Patent Document 1 has a reading function, and can read characters and line drawings written on a paper surface using a plurality of LEDs used for light emission, and display an afterimage of the read image. The afterimage display device of Patent Document 1 further has a function of reading characters and line drawings using a part of a plurality of LEDs used for light emission, and enlarging and displaying them using all LEDs. As a result, a character or line drawing drawn at an image height smaller than the length of the afterimage display device (more precisely, the length of the range in which the plurality of LEDs are arranged) is read and enlarged and displayed by the plurality of LEDs. be able to.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-125165 (summary, detailed description of the invention, etc.)

  However, in the afterimage display device of Patent Document 1, when it is intended to ensure the image height of the afterimage, the afterimage display device must be formed to a length corresponding to the desired image height. For this reason, the afterimage display device is increased in size, and the cost is significantly increased due to an increase in the number of LEDs used.

  In addition, when the number of LEDs to be used is not increased while increasing the size of the afterimage display device in this way, the interval between the plurality of LEDs widens, and as a result, characters and line drawings having an image height shorter than that of the afterimage display device, It becomes impossible to read due to the resolution required for display. For example, when image data is generated for each LED by reading, if the number of LEDs is reduced, the resolution of reading the image will be reduced accordingly. And line drawings are not reproduced correctly.

  The present invention provides an afterimage display device and an afterimage display system that can suitably read characters and line drawings while suppressing an increase in size and cost of the afterimage display device, and can display the read image in a large size. With the goal.

  An afterimage display apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing that is long in one direction and a plurality of light emitting elements arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing, and images read by the plurality of light emitting elements. Is used to display an afterimage. The afterimage display device includes a connection mechanism for connecting the housing in parallel with the housing of another afterimage display device, a storage unit that stores image data read by the plurality of light emitting elements, and a storage unit. And transmitting means for transmitting the image data stored in the other afterimage display device to cause the other afterimage display device to emit light based on the image read by the afterimage display device.

  By adopting this configuration, the afterimage display device can be formed to a size that reads an image with the resolution required for the afterimage display, so that it does not increase in size or cost. In addition, a plurality of afterimage display devices can be connected in a line in the longitudinal direction using a connection mechanism, and light can be emitted based on an image read by one afterimage display device, so that the read image can be displayed in a large size. it can.

  The afterimage display apparatus according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the configuration of the invention described above. That is, the afterimage display device further includes image data generation means for individually controlling light emission and light reception of the plurality of light emitting elements and generating image data having a resolution in the image height direction corresponding to the number of the plurality of light emitting elements. Have. The storage means stores the image data generated by the image data generation means as image data read by a plurality of light emitting elements.

  By adopting this configuration, it is possible to arrange a plurality of light emitting elements at a predetermined density in combination with the fact that the housing can be connected to the housing of another afterimage display device. Therefore, the afterimage display device can read the data of the read image that can correctly reproduce the read character or line drawing when enlarged.

  The afterimage display system according to the present invention is formed by connecting a plurality of afterimage display apparatuses according to the above-described configurations of the invention by a connection mechanism. When each afterimage display device connected further receives image data from another connected afterimage display device, the afterimage display is performed using a part of the received image data. When controlling the light emission of a plurality of light emitting elements of the device and not receiving image data from another connected afterimage display device, using a part of the image data read by the afterimage display device, It has light emission control means for controlling light emission of the plurality of light emitting elements of the afterimage display device. A plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other controls light emission using data of one image in common.

  If this configuration is adopted, each afterimage display device, when receiving image data from another connected afterimage display device, uses the received image data in preference to the image data read by itself. To control the light emission. Therefore, a plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other can emit light based on a common image read by one afterimage display device.

  The afterimage display system according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the above-described configuration of the invention. In other words, the connected afterimage display devices are further arranged at both ends or one end in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and are electrically connected to those of other afterimage display devices connected at the part. Or it has one connector. And each light emission control means is judged based on the presence or absence of communication through each connector or its reply, the presence / absence of connection of other afterimage display devices and its own among a plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other. Based on the position, a portion in the data of the common image used for light emission control is specified, and light emission is controlled by the data of the specified portion. In addition, in the entire plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other, an image read by one afterimage display device among them is enlarged and displayed.

  If this configuration is adopted, the light emission control means of each afterimage display device connected to each other is based on the presence or absence of connection of other afterimage display devices and its own position among the plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other. A portion in common image data used for light emission control is specified. Since each light emission control unit controls light emission using the image data of the specified portion, the image read by one afterimage display device is enlarged in the whole of a plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other. Can be displayed.

  The afterimage display system according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the components of the invention described above. That is, each connected afterimage display device further detects a sphere that moves within a predetermined range in accordance with the swing of the afterimage display device, and a sphere at one end in the swing direction of the afterimage display device with respect to the predetermined range. Detecting means. Then, each light emission control unit starts light emission control of the plurality of light emitting elements after a predetermined elapsed time from the change timing with reference to the timing when the detection unit detects no sphere from presence to absence. A plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other individually control light emission.

  If this structure is adopted, even if each light emission control unit performs light emission control separately based on separate sphere detection in a plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other, their control start timings are substantially aligned. be able to. If, for example, the timing at which the detection means changes from presence to absence of the sphere is used as a reference, the swing start timing is to be detected. In this case, the timing at which the spheres start moving in a plurality of afterimage display devices is likely to be blurred due to the difference in the speed at which the sphere starts swinging or the position of each sphere in the radial direction of the swing. On the other hand, as in this configuration, by using the timing at which the sphere changes from being absent to being present as a reference, that is, by using the timing at the end of the swing as a reference, the difference in the speed of the swing start and the swing of each sphere Less affected by differences in radial position. As a result, in this configuration, even if each light emission control unit separately performs light emission control based on separate sphere detection in a plurality of afterimage display devices, their control start timings can be substantially aligned.

  The afterimage display system according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the components of the invention described above. In other words, each connected afterimage display device is provided with an operation switch in a portion of the housing that is exposed when another afterimage display device is connected. Each transmission unit transmits image data stored in the storage unit to another afterimage display device when the operation switch is operated. A plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other controls light emission by commonly using image data stored in the operation switch operated.

  If this configuration is employed, the image data read by the afterimage display device is used in common by a plurality of afterimage display devices by operating the operation switch. The user can easily select a desired image to be displayed by the same operation as when an image is displayed by one afterimage display device. In addition, since all the images stored in the plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other can be used, the number of images that can be displayed in a state where the plurality of afterimage display devices are connected is multiplied by the number of connections. can do. That is, when the number of connected afterimage display devices is n (integer), the number is n times.

  The afterimage display system according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the components of the invention described above. That is, each connected afterimage display device has a battery housing that is detachably connected to the housing. And, in a state where they are connected to each other, one of the plurality of afterimage display devices is connected to the housing and the battery housing housing, and the remaining afterimage display devices are housings from which the battery housing is removed. Only connected. In addition, the plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other operate by power feeding by the battery housing of the one afterimage display device.

  If this structure is employ | adopted, the some afterimage display apparatus connected mutually can be light-emitted by the electric power feeding from one battery accommodating housing. By connecting a plurality of afterimage display devices so that one battery housing becomes a grip, the centers of gravity of the plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other are close to the hand, making it easy to swing. Further, since it is not necessary to store a battery in the housing of each afterimage display device, the housing can be slimmed (thinned and miniaturized), and moreover, a plurality of afterimage display devices are used in a slim shape. A plurality of light emitting diodes can be arranged in each housing so that the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged at substantially equal intervals.

  In the present invention, since a plurality of afterimage display devices can be connected, it is possible to suitably read characters, line drawings, and the like while suppressing an increase in size and cost of each afterimage display device. Moreover, the afterimage display device can display the read image in a large size by connecting a plurality of afterimage display devices.

  Hereinafter, an afterimage display apparatus and an afterimage display system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an afterimage display apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the afterimage display device 1 of FIG. The afterimage display device 1 includes a main body housing 10 as a housing, and a battery housing 11 that is detachably connected to the main body housing 10.

  FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a state (afterimage display system) in which the main body housing 10 and the battery housing 11 of the afterimage display device 1 of FIG. 1 are disassembled. The main body housing 10 and the battery housing 11 have a substantially cylindrical elongated bar shape that is long in one direction. The main body housing 10 is formed to have a length of about 8 to 15 cm, for example, as a lateral length in FIG. The battery housing housing 11 houses, for example, two AA batteries, and has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector 41 at the lower end thereof.

  On the side surface of the main body housing 10, a plurality of bullet-type LEDs 21 are arranged in a row at high density along the longitudinal direction. The bullet-type LED 21 is a light-emitting element, and has a larger amount of emitted light than a surface-mounted LED, and has excellent visibility from a distance. In addition, the plurality of LEDs 21 are arranged at a high density without intervals so that a reading resolution necessary for obtaining image data for enlarged display described later can be obtained.

  A pair of guide members 12 are disposed on the left and right sides of the plurality of LEDs 21. The guide member 12 is disposed so as to extend from one end in the longitudinal direction of the main body housing 10 to the other end. The plurality of LEDs 21 are accommodated between the pair of guide members 12. Thereby, when the main body housing 10 is placed on a table or the like with the plurality of LEDs 21 facing downward, the plurality of LEDs 21 are separated from the desk or paper.

  Further, a female connector 22 as a kind of connector is disposed on one end surface (the right side surface in FIG. 3) of the main body housing 10 and the other end surface in the long direction (in FIG. 3). On the left side), a male connector 23 as a kind of connector is disposed. In the afterimage display device 1 according to this embodiment, the female connector 22 and the male connector 23 constitute a coupling mechanism.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion (the right portion in FIG. 1) of the main body housing 10 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the male connector 23 of the main body housing 10 of another afterimage display device 1 can be connected to the female connector 22. 5A is a diagram showing a state before the main body housing 10 of another afterimage display device 1 is connected to the afterimage display device 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is the afterimage of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state (afterimage display system) after connecting the main body housing 10 of the other afterimage display apparatus 1 with respect to the display apparatus 1. FIG. In the state of FIG. 5B, the male connector 23 of the main body housing 10 of another afterimage display device 1 is connected to the female connector 22 of the main body housing 10 in FIG. By connecting the female connector 22 and the male connector 23, the two afterimage display devices 1 are connected.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a lower part (the left part in FIG. 1) of the main body housing 10 in FIG. To the male connector 23, the female connector 22 of the main body housing 10 of another afterimage display device 1 or the female connector 22 of the battery housing housing 11 (see FIG. 3) can be connected.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configured when three main body housings 10 and one battery housing 11 are connected. That is, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit when three afterimage display devices 1 of FIG. 1 are connected. In the following description, the lower main body housing 10 (5) and the battery housing 11 in FIG. 7 are those of the first afterimage display device 5 (1), and the middle main body housing 10 (6) in FIG. ) Is assumed to be that of the second afterimage display device 6 (1), and the upper body housing 10 (7) in FIG. 7 is assumed to be that of the third afterimage display device 7 (1).

  When three afterimage display devices 1 of FIG. 1 are connected, the plurality of LEDs 21 are arranged in a line at a length of about 24 to 45 cm. Further, the plurality of LEDs 21 remain at the intervals in one afterimage display device 1 and are arranged at a high density interval so as to obtain a reading resolution necessary for display. By connecting a plurality of main body housings 10 with a plurality of afterimage display devices 1, it is not necessary to increase the number of LEDs 21 used in each afterimage display device 1. There is almost no cost increase. Each afterimage display device 1 can be manufactured at the same cost as a conventional afterimage display device having the same length.

  The battery housing 11 includes a battery box 44 in addition to the female connector 22 and the USB connector 41 described above. The battery box 44 can accommodate two AA batteries, for example. The battery box 44 is connected to the female connector 22. The USB connector 41 is connected to the female connector 22.

  Each main body housing 10 includes a plurality of LEDs 21, a female connector 22 and a male connector 23, a memory 26 as a storage means for storing a swing detection sensor 24, image data 25, an operation switch 27, a microcomputer 28. Etc.

  In each main body housing 10, the male connector 23 and the female connector 22 are connected to a power plane 29 and a ground plane 30 of each main body housing 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the female connector 22 of the battery housing 11 of the first afterimage display device 5 (1) and the male connector 23 of the main body housing 10 of the first afterimage display device 5 (1) are connected. The female connector 22 of the main body housing 10 of the second afterimage display device 6 (1) and the male connector 23 of the main body housing 10 of the second afterimage display device 6 (1) are connected, and the second afterimage display device 6 (1 ) Of the main body housing 10 and the male connector 23 of the main body housing 10 of the third afterimage display device 7 (1) are connected to each other, so that the power plane 29 and the ground plane of the three afterimage display devices 1 are connected. 30 is connected to the battery box 44. The plurality of LEDs 21, the shake detection sensor 24, the memory 26, the operation switch 27, the microcomputer 28, and the like of each afterimage display device 1 are powered by the power supplied from the battery box 44 via the power plane 29 and the ground plane 30. Operate.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the swing detection sensor 24 in the main body housing 10 in FIG. The swing detection sensor 24 includes a sensor housing 51, a substantially cylindrical hollow portion 52 formed in the sensor housing 51, a rubber ball 53 as a sphere movably accommodated in the hollow portion 52, and a hollow portion. And a transmission type photodetecting element 54 as a detecting means for optically detecting the presence / absence of the rubber ball 53 at one end side of 52. The swing detection sensor 24 is disposed in the main body housing 10 in such a posture that the hollow portion 52 is in a direction along the swing direction (left and right direction in FIG. 8) of the afterimage display device 1. Further, the swing detection sensor 24 is preferably disposed closer to the distal end side (upper side in FIG. 8) of the main body housing 10. The transmission type photodetecting element 54 is disposed on one end side (left side in FIG. 8) of the hollow portion 52 and outputs a detection signal of the presence or absence of the rubber ball 53 at the position on the one end side to the microcomputer 28. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation switch 27 is disposed on the back side of the main body housing 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation switch 27 outputs an operation signal that changes according to an operation by the user to the microcomputer 28.

  In addition to this, a plurality of LEDs 21, a memory 26, and the like are connected to the microcomputer 28. A male connector 23 and a female connector 22 are connected to the microcomputer 28. The male connector 23 and the female connector 22 are connected to separate terminals 31 and 32 of the microcomputer 28. Hereinafter, when these two terminals are distinguished from each other, a terminal connected to the female connector 22 is referred to as a CH1 terminal 31, and a terminal connected to the male connector 23 is referred to as a CH2 terminal 32.

  The microcomputer 28 includes a buffer memory 33, a timer 34, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and the like. The CPU reads and executes a control program (not shown) stored in the memory 26 or the like. Thereby, the microcomputer 28 implements functions such as a reading control unit 35 as an image data generation unit, a light emission control unit 36 as a light emission control unit, and a communication control unit 37 as a transmission unit.

  Note that a control program (not shown) stored in the memory 26 or the like is stored in the memory 26 or the like after the afterimage display device 1 is shipped, even if it is stored in the memory 26 or the like before the afterimage display device 1 is shipped. It may be what was done. The control program stored in the memory 26 or the like after shipment may be provided to the user by a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), or may be interactive such as the Internet. It may be downloaded through a typical communication line. The control program obtained after shipment may be installed in the memory 26 using a personal computer connected to the USB connector 41 or the like. Furthermore, a part of the control program may be stored in the memory 26 or the like after shipment.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of reading characters and figures by one afterimage display device 1. The paper surface of FIG. 9 corresponds to, for example, a desk top plate, and a paper 61 on which characters “LOVE” are printed is placed on the top plate. In this state, after performing a predetermined reading start operation, the user moves the afterimage display device 1 so that the plurality of LEDs 21 pass on the paper on which the characters “LOVE” are printed. During this time, the reading control unit 35 individually controls light emission and light reception by the plurality of LEDs 21 of the afterimage display device 1 to read the characters “LOVE” with high resolution. The reading control unit 35 stores image data 25 obtained by reading in the memory 26.

  As a result, the memory 26 stores high-resolution image data 25 corresponding to the characters “LOVE” read by the reading control unit 35. The memory 26 stores image data 25 of resolution (resolution in the image height direction) obtained by dividing the length of the plurality of LEDs 21 in the arrangement direction by the number of the LEDs 21.

  In the image data 25 based on this reading, the number of data in the image height direction is the number corresponding to the number of the plurality of LEDs 21. That is, the resolution in the image height direction of the image data 25 is a resolution corresponding to the number of the plurality of LEDs 21. Since the plurality of LEDs 21 are arranged at a high density, the reading resolution is ensured, and the characters and line drawings read when enlarged are reproduced with sufficient resolution.

  When a predetermined reading start operation is performed, the light emission control unit 36 reads the image data 25 used for light emission from the memory 26 and stores it in the buffer memory 33. In addition, the light emission control unit 36 causes the timer 34 to measure the time based on the timing at which the detection signal output from the transmission type light detection element 54 of the swing detection sensor 24 changes from the absence of the rubber ball 53 to the presence. Further, when a predetermined time is measured by the timer 34, the light emission control unit 36 performs control to individually emit the plurality of LEDs 21 using the image data 25 stored in the buffer memory 33.

  With this light emission control, for example, when the image data 25 corresponding to the characters “LOVE” is stored in the buffer memory 33, the light emission control unit 36 performs the shake detection sensor 24 by swinging or turning back the afterimage display device 1. Based on the timing at which the detected output changes from the absence of the rubber ball 53 to the presence, the plurality of LEDs 21 are blinked individually based on the data 25 of the “LOVE” image after a predetermined measurement time. Thereby, the afterimage of the character “LOVE” is displayed in the space where the afterimage display device 1 is shaken.

  When the operation switch 27 is operated, the communication control unit 37 transmits the image data 25 stored in the buffer memory 33 from the female connector 22. The communication control unit 37 monitors the terminal (CH2 terminal 32 in FIG. 7) of the microcomputer 28 connected to the male connector 23, and receives communication data (image data 25 and the like) from this terminal. When receiving the image data 25, the communication control unit 37 overwrites the buffer memory 33 with the received image data 25.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of communication data transmitted and received by the communication control unit 37. This communication data is for transmitting and receiving image data 25, and is composed of a data signal transmission command, a block number, and image data 25. The data signal transmission command is a command indicating that the communication data is image data 25. The block number specifies the transmission destination of this communication data. For example, in FIG. 7, the block number “1” is assigned to the lower body housing 10 (5), the block number “2” is assigned to the middle body housing 10 (6), and the upper body housing 10 (7 ) Is assigned a block number “3”, one of the block numbers is designated in the communication data. When a block number (for example, “0”) that does not exist in the communication data is designated, all the connected communication control units 37 interpret the communication data as being addressed to the communication data and receive it. May be. As a result, the same image data 25 can be multicast-transmitted (broadcast transmission) to all the main housings 10 connected.

  Next, the operation of the afterimage display apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described. In the following description, mainly three afterimage display devices 1 are connected as shown in FIG. 7, and the three afterimage display devices 1 generate image data 25 read by one of the afterimage display devices 1. A case where the enlarged display is performed will be described.

  When three afterimage display devices 1 are connected as shown in FIG. 7, the power plane 29 and the ground plane 30 are connected to the battery housing 11 by the male connector 23 and the female connector 22, respectively. The microcomputers 28 and the like of the three afterimage display devices 1 start to operate on the stored power of the battery housed in the battery housing 11. Each microcomputer 28 implements functions such as a reading control unit 35, a light emission control unit 36, a timer 34, and a communication control unit 37.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication control unit 37. When each of the communication control units 37 of the three afterimage display devices 1 is activated, the communication control unit 37 waits for operation of the operation switch 27 and reception of communication data through the CH2 terminal 32 (steps ST1 and ST2).

  Then, when the operation switch 27 of the lower body housing 10 (5) which is the hand side in FIG. 7 is operated, the lower communication control unit 37 determines that the operation switch 27 has been operated (in step ST1). Yes). And the lower communication control part 37 preserve | saves the block number 1 in the memory 26 (step ST3), and transmits from the CH1 terminal 31 (step ST4). The block number 1 is transmitted as communication data via the female connector 22 of the lower body housing 10 (5) and the male connector 23 of the middle body housing 10 (6). To the CH2 terminal 32 of the microcomputer 28.

  The middle communication control unit 37 determines that communication data has been received through the CH2 terminal 32 (Yes in step ST2). Then, the middle communication control unit 37 stores the received block number 1 plus 1 (that is, block number 2) in the memory 26 as its own block number (steps ST10 and ST11), and sends a reply to the CH2 terminal. 32 (step ST12). The reply is transmitted to the CH1 terminal 31 of the microcomputer 28 of the lower body housing 10 (5).

  If a reply is received by the CH1 terminal 31 before the predetermined time-out period has elapsed (Yes in step ST6), the lower communication control unit 37 is in a connected operation mode in which the operation switch 27 is operated as a master. The mode determination result 38 is stored in the memory 26 (step ST7).

  In the case where light is emitted from one afterimage display device 1 as shown in FIG. 8, unlike the case of the connection in FIG. 7, the communication control unit 37 assigns block number 1 to CH <b> 1 based on the operation of the operation switch 27. Although it transmits from the terminal 31 (step ST1, ST3, ST4), the response (reply) is not received. In this case, based on the elapse of a predetermined time-out time (Yes in step ST5), the communication control unit 37 determines that the operation switch 27 is operated in the single operation mode that is the master, and the mode. The determination result 38 is stored in the memory 26 (step ST8).

  Returning to FIG. The communication control unit 37 of the middle main housing 10 (6) returns a reply to the lower communication control unit 37 that the block number 1 has been received (step ST12), and then sets its own block number 2 to CH1. It transmits from the terminal 31 (step ST13). The block number 2 is transmitted as communication data via the female connector 22 of the middle main housing 10 (6) and the male connector 23 of the upper main housing 10 (7). It is transmitted to the CH2 terminal 32 of the microcomputer 28.

  The upper communication control unit 37 determines that communication data has been received through the CH2 terminal 32 (Yes in step ST2). The upper communication control unit 37 stores the received block number 2 plus 1 (that is, the block number 3) in the memory 26 as its own block number (steps ST10 and ST11), and sends a reply to the CH2 terminal. 32 (step ST12). The reply is transmitted to the CH1 terminal 31 of the microcomputer 28 in the middle main body housing 10 (6).

  If a reply is received by the CH1 terminal 31 before the predetermined time-out period elapses (Yes in step ST15), the middle communication control unit 37 determines that it is a connected operation mode in which it is a slave at an intermediate position. The mode determination result 38 is stored in the memory 26 (step ST16).

  Unlike the case of FIG. 7, when the upper body housing 10 (7) is not connected to the middle body housing 10 (6), that is, when only two afterimage display devices 1 are connected, FIG. The middle communication control unit 37 transmits block number 2 from the CH1 terminal 31 based on reception of block number 1 from the lower communication control unit 37 (steps ST2, ST10, ST11, ST12, ST13). The response (reply) is not received. In this case, the middle communication control unit 37 in FIG. 7 determines that it is a connected operation mode in which it is the upper slave of the two, based on the elapse of a predetermined timeout time (Yes in step ST14). Then, the mode determination result 38 is stored in the memory 26 (step ST17).

  In step ST12, after returning a reply to the central communication control unit 37 that the block number 2 has been received, the upper communication control unit 37 transmits its own block number 3 from the CH1 terminal 31 ( Step ST13). In FIG. 7, no other communication control unit 37 is connected on the upper communication control unit 37. Therefore, the upper communication control unit 37 does not receive a response (reply). In this case, based on the elapse of a predetermined timeout time (Yes in step ST14), the upper communication control unit 37 determines that it is a connected operation mode in which it is a slave at the highest position, and determines the mode. The result 38 is stored in the memory 26 (step ST17).

  With the above processing, the communication control unit 37 of each afterimage display device 1 according to this embodiment is connected to whether or not another afterimage display device 1 is connected and other afterimage display devices 1 are connected at the time of activation. Further, it determines its own position in the connection.

  In addition, the flowchart of FIG. 11 shows the determination method in the case where the number of connected afterimage display devices 1 is limited to three or less. Even when the number of afterimage display devices 1 to be connected is not limited to three or less, the communication control unit 37 that has determined that the connected operation mode is a slave at the highest position, for example, has its own highest block number. Is returned to all other communication control units 37, so that each communication control unit 37 can determine the respective positions in a state where a plurality of afterimage display devices 1 are connected.

  That is, for example, when four afterimage display devices 1 are connected, the communication control unit 37 of the second afterimage display device 1 has its own block number 2 and the block number 4 returned from the highest one. Based on the above, it can be determined that it is the second position among the four connections. And the communication control part 37 of the 2nd afterimage display apparatus 1 should just judge finally that it is the connection operation mode which is a 2nd slave of four. Further, the communication control unit 37 of the third afterimage display device 1 may make a final determination that it is the connected operation mode in which the third afterimage display device 1 is the third slave among the four.

  Based on the operation of the operation switch 27, connection confirmation communication is performed by the plurality of communication control units 37 described above. On the other hand, the lower light emission control unit 36 operated by the operation switch 27 displays image data used for light emission. 25 is read from the memory 26 and stored in the buffer memory 33. The lower light emission control unit 36 reads the image data 25 stored in the memory 26 in the order corresponding to the number of operations of the operation switch 27 and stores it in the buffer memory 33. Note that image data 25 obtained by reading by the reading control unit 35 is stored in the memory 26. That is, the memory 26 stores image data 25 read by the plurality of LEDs 21 in one afterimage display device 1.

  When new image data 25 is stored in the buffer memory 33, the lower communication control unit 37 outputs the image data 25 stored in the buffer memory 33 from the CH 1 terminal 31. The image data 25 stored in the lower buffer memory 33 is received by the middle communication control unit 37 as communication data. The middle communication control unit 37 stores the received image data 25 in the middle buffer memory 33 and outputs it from the CH1 terminal 31. The image data 25 stored in the middle buffer memory 33 is received by the upper communication control unit 37 as communication data. The upper communication control unit 37 stores the received image data 25 in the upper buffer memory 33.

  Through the transmission / reception processing of the image data 25 described above, the image data 25 generated by reading by the lower afterimage display device 1 is commonly stored in the three buffer memories 33 in FIG. Therefore, for example, even if the image data 25 read by each of the middle buffer memory 33 and the upper buffer memory 33 before this communication is stored, the respective image data 25 is stored in the image received by communication. The data 25 is overwritten. Image data 25 received by communication is preferentially used for light emission control.

  Thereafter, the user holds the battery housing 11 with his / her hand and shakes the afterimage display system in which the three afterimage display devices 1 of FIG. Within the sensor housing 51 of each main body housing 10, the rubber ball 53 moves to the left and right according to the swing. The rubber ball 53 starts to move to the right with a delay when the afterimage display system is shaken to the right, and starts to move to the left with a delay when the afterimage display system is shaken to the left. The transmission type light detecting element 54 detects the presence or absence of the rubber ball 53 on one end side of the hollow portion 52.

  When the timer 34 measures a predetermined time with reference to the timing when the detection signal of the transmission type light detecting element 54 changes from the absence of the rubber ball 53 to the presence, the light emission control unit 36 of each main body housing 10 stores the buffer memory 33. Using the stored image data 25, a control for individually emitting the plurality of LEDs 21 is executed. Each light emission control unit 36 refers to the mode determination result 38 by the communication control unit 37 stored in the memory 26, and uses the image data 25 in the range corresponding to the mode determination result 38, and thereby the plurality of LEDs 21. Individual light emission control is executed.

  Specifically, the communication control unit 37 on the lower side of FIG. 7 determines that the operation mode of the operation switch 27 is the connected operation mode in which the user is the master. In this case, the lower light emission control unit 36 performs light emission control for each of the plurality of LEDs 21 in groups of three using only the lower third of the image data 25.

  Further, the middle communication control unit 37 in FIG. 7 determines that it is in the connection operation mode in which the communication control unit 37 is a slave at an intermediate position. In this case, the middle light emission control unit 36 executes light emission control individually for each group of the plurality of LEDs 21 using only one third of the middle data in the image data 25.

  Further, the communication control unit 37 on the upper side in FIG. 7 determines that it is in the connection operation mode in which it is the slave at the highest position. In this case, the upper light emission control unit 36 performs light emission control individually for each group of the plurality of LEDs 21 by using only the upper third of the image data 25.

  If the highest block number is returned, each light emission control unit 36 divides the image data 25 by the number of the highest block number and corresponds to its own block number counted from the lower side. The light emission control may be executed individually for the plurality of LEDs 21 using only the order data. The plurality of LEDs 21 may be individually controlled to emit light for each set of the number of the highest block numbers. Thereby, even when the number of connected afterimage display devices 1 is not limited to three or less, the light emission control unit 36 of the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 can enlarge and display one image as a whole.

  By the light emission control described above, the plurality of connected afterimage display devices 1 can enlarge and display afterimages of images read by one afterimage display device 1 using all the LEDs 21. An image read by one afterimage display device 1 is enlarged by the number of connected afterimage display devices 1 and displayed as an afterimage.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an image of 3 × enlargement display by the three afterimage display devices 1 (afterimage display system) of FIG. The three connected afterimage display devices 1 are shaken with the battery housing 11 in hand. Each light emission control unit 36 controls light emission individually for each group of three LEDs 21 using the common image data 25. Thus, as is apparent from a comparison between FIG. 12 and FIG. 9, the read “LOVE” characters are displayed with an image height magnified three times.

  As described above, the afterimage display device 1 according to this embodiment includes the male connector 23 and the female connector 22 for connecting the main body housing 10 and the main body housing 10 of another afterimage display device 1 side by side in the longitudinal direction. A memory 26 that stores image data 25 read by the plurality of LEDs 21, and a communication control unit 37 that transmits the image data 25 stored in the memory 26 to another afterimage display device 1. And the some light emission control part 36 connected controls the light emission of each LED21 based on the image which one afterimage display apparatus 1 read.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, since a plurality of afterimage display devices 1 can be connected, each afterimage display device 1 is formed to a size that reads an image at a resolution required for afterimage display. Can do. Therefore, there is no increase in the size and cost of each afterimage display device 1. Moreover, since the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 are connected in the longitudinal direction by using the male connector 23 and the female connector 22 and light is emitted based on the images read by the one afterimage display device 1, it is higher than the read image. A larger image can be displayed depending on the image height.

  Further, in this embodiment, the plurality of LEDs 21 are arranged at high density without leaving a space between each other. The reading control unit 35 individually controls light emission and light reception of the plurality of LEDs 21 and generates image data 25 having a resolution in the image height direction corresponding to the number of the plurality of LEDs 21. Therefore, it is possible to read the image data 25 having a resolution that can reproduce the characters and line drawings read when the images are enlarged as the images read by the plurality of LEDs 21. In addition, characters and figures to be displayed in an enlarged manner may be conveniently described in a size smaller than the display size (the size of one main body housing 10).

  In addition, when the light emission control unit 36 of this embodiment receives image data 25 from another connected afterimage display device 1, the light emission control unit 36 obtains the received image data 25 from the image data 25 read by itself. Use with priority to control light emission. Therefore, a plurality of afterimage display devices 1 connected to each other can emit light based on a common image read by one afterimage display device 1 simply by connecting them.

  Moreover, the communication control part 37 of this embodiment is mutually connected with the presence or absence of the connection of the other afterimage display apparatus 1 based on the presence or absence of the communication via the connection of the male connector 23 and the female connector 22, or the reply. The light emission control unit 36 identifies a portion in the common image data 25 used for light emission control based on the determination, and is connected to each other. The plurality of afterimage display devices 1 enlarge and display an image read by one afterimage display device 1 as a whole.

  Therefore, the light emission control unit 36 of each connected afterimage display device 1 controls the light emission based on the presence / absence of connection of the other afterimage display devices 1 and its own position in the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 connected to each other. A portion in the common image data 25 used in the above is specified. Since each light emission control unit 36 controls light emission using the image data 25 of the specified portion, the entire afterimage display device 1 connected to each other reads the afterimage display device 1. The enlarged image can be displayed.

  In addition, each afterimage display device 1 of this embodiment includes a rubber ball 53 that moves in a predetermined range according to the swing of the afterimage display device 1 and one end of the afterimage display device 1 in the swing direction with respect to the predetermined range. And a transmission type photodetecting element 54 for detecting the rubber ball 53. Each light emission control unit 36 controls the light emission of the plurality of LEDs 21 after a predetermined elapsed time from the change timing with reference to the timing at which the detection of the rubber ball 53 by the transmission type light detection element 54 has changed from none to yes. Start.

  Accordingly, in the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 connected to each other, even when each light emission control unit 36 performs light emission control separately based on detection of different rubber balls 53, the control start timings thereof are substantially aligned. Can do.

  If, for example, the timing at which the detection of the rubber ball 53 by the transmission type photodetecting element 54 is changed from the presence to the absence is used as a reference, the swing start timing is to be detected. In this case, the timing at which the rubber balls 53 start to move in the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 is likely to be blurred due to a difference in the swinging start speed, a connected position, and the like.

  On the other hand, as in this embodiment, the speed at the beginning of the swing is determined by using the timing at which the rubber ball 53 is changed from being absent as a reference, that is, by using the timing at the end of the swing (transfer) as a reference. Less affected by differences in height and connected positions. As a result, in this embodiment, in each of the plurality of afterimage display devices 1, although the respective light emission control units 36 separately control the light emission based on the detection of the different rubber balls 53, those controls are performed. The start timing can be substantially aligned. Spaces in which afterimages are displayed by the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 are not shifted from each other, and the read characters and figures can be recognized as afterimages under individual light emission control.

  Each afterimage display device 1 of this embodiment has a battery housing 11 that is detachably connected to the main body housing 10. The main body housing 10 of each afterimage display device 1 is connected to the main body housing 10 of another afterimage display device 1 after removing the battery housing housing 11 from the battery housing housing 11 of the other afterimage display device 1. Emits light when power is supplied.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 connected to each other can emit light by power feeding from one battery housing 11. By connecting the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 so that one battery housing 11 serves as a grip, the centers of gravity of the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 connected to each other are close to each other and are easy to swing. Further, since it is not necessary to store a battery in each main body housing 10, the main body housing 10 can be slimmed, and the plurality of LEDs 21 by the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 are substantially equal in a slimmed shape. A plurality of LEDs 21 can be arranged in each main body housing 10 so as to be arranged at intervals.

  The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. is there. For example, the afterimage display device of the present invention is not limited to the individual afterimage display devices 1 and 71, but a plurality of afterimage display devices 1 or a part thereof connected as described above, and a plurality of afterimage display devices as will be described later. A device to which the device 71 or a part thereof is connected is also an object.

  In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of connected afterimage display apparatuses 1 perform enlarged display by using the image data 25 read by one of the afterimage display apparatuses 1 among them. In addition to this, for example, the plurality of connected afterimage display apparatuses 1 receive image data 25 as communication data from a computer terminal (not shown) connected to the USB connector 41, and display the afterimage using this data. You may do it. In addition, for example, the plurality of connected afterimage display apparatuses 1 receive individual image data 25 divided and processed by the number of connections in a computer terminal (not shown), and use the image data 25 of each image. An afterimage may be displayed.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a modified example of communication data transmitted / received by a plurality of connected communication control units 37. This communication data includes three image data 25. Each image data 25 is associated with a data signal transmission command and a block number. By using communication data in such a format, a computer terminal (not shown) or the like can individually transmit image data 25 to a plurality of connected communication control units 37.

  In the above embodiment, when the lower operation switch 27 in FIG. 7 is operated, the image data 25 stored in the lower buffer memory 33 is converted into the middle buffer memory 33 and the upper buffer memory. 33 to be stored. In addition to this, for example, when the middle operation switch 27 in FIG. 7 is operated, the image data 25 stored in the middle buffer memory 33 is transferred to the lower buffer memory 33 and the upper buffer memory 33. Alternatively, the image data 25 stored in the upper buffer memory 33 may be stored in the middle buffer memory 33 and the upper buffer memory 33 by operating the upper operation switch 27 in FIG. It may be transmitted to the lower buffer memory 33 and stored.

  In the case of this modification, image data 25 read by the afterimage display device 1 in which the operation switch 27 is operated is used in common by the plurality of afterimage display devices 1. The user can easily select a desired image to be displayed by the same operation as when an image is displayed by one afterimage display device 1. Further, since all the images stored in the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 connected to each other can be used, the number of images that can be displayed in a state in which the plurality of afterimage display devices 1 are connected is one afterimage. The number of images that can be displayed by the display device 1 is multiplied by the number of connections.

  In the above-described embodiment, each afterimage display device 1 includes the main body housing 10 and the battery housing housing 11, and when connecting, only the main body housing 10 is connected to the other main body housing 10. In addition, for example, each afterimage display device 1 may have a configuration in which a plurality of LEDs 21 and a battery box 44 are disposed in one housing.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an afterimage display device 71 according to a modification. 14A is a front view, FIG. 14B is a right side view, FIG. 14C is a rear view, and FIG. 14D is a left side view. An afterimage display device 71 according to the modification of FIG. 14 includes a main body housing 72 having a plurality of LEDs 21 and a battery box 44, and a grip cap 73 for covering the male connector 23 (not shown) protruding from the lower end of the main body housing 72. And having. The main body housing 72 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in one direction, the battery box 44 is disposed on one surface (the wide left side surface), and the other surface (the narrow front surface). A plurality of LEDs 21 are arranged. In addition, three operation switches 74 are disposed on the right side surface.

  Further, when the afterimage display device 71 according to the modification of FIG. 14 is connected to the afterimage display device 71 according to another modification, the main body housing 72 from which the grip cap 73 is removed is connected to another main body housing 72. The two main body housings 72 to be connected are connected by the connection between the male connector 23 and the female connector 22 as in the above embodiment, and are further firmly connected by the screw lock mechanism 75. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state (afterimage display system) in which the main body housing 72 of the afterimage display apparatus 71 according to another modification is connected to the afterimage display apparatus 71 according to the modification of FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the afterimage display devices 1 and 71 are shaken by being held in a human hand. In addition to this, for example, the afterimage display devices 1 and 71 may be attached to a machine that rotates, and may be rotationally driven by this machine.

  Further, the afterimage display devices 1 and 71 may be connected in the horizontal direction so that the reading resolution is doubled, and then connected in the long direction when displayed to be enlarged and displayed. When doing so, two or more lateral connections and subsequent two or more longitudinal connections can also be employed.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used in an afterimage display device that displays an afterimage when shaken in order to achieve both a reading function and an enlarged display function at a high level.

It is a front view which shows the afterimage display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the afterimage display apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the housing disassembled state of the afterimage display apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper portion of a main body housing in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the method of connecting two or more afterimage display apparatuses of FIG. It is a see-through | perspective enlarged view which shows the lower part of the main body housing in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electric circuit of the afterimage display system which connected three main body housings and one battery accommodating housing. It is a perspective view which shows the swing detection sensor in the main body housing in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reading method by one afterimage display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the communication data which the communication control part in FIG. 7 transmits / receives. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication control part in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows 3 time enlarged display by the afterimage display system (afterimage display system in which three afterimage display apparatuses are connected) of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the communication data which several communication control parts in an afterimage display system transmit / receive. It is a figure which shows the afterimage display apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the connection state (afterimage display system) which connected the afterimage display apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1,71 Afterimage display device 10,72 Body housing (housing)
11 Battery Housing 21 LED (Light Emitting Element)
23 Male connector (part of coupling mechanism, a kind of connector)
22 Female connector (part of the coupling mechanism, a kind of connector)
26 Memory (storage means)
27 Operation switch 35 Reading control unit (image data generating means)
36 Light emission control unit (light emission control means)
37 Communication control unit (transmission means)
53 Rubber ball (sphere)
54 Transmission-type photodetection element (detection means)

Claims (7)

An afterimage display having a housing long in one direction and a plurality of light emitting elements arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing, and displaying an image read by the plurality of light emitting elements by the plurality of light emitting elements. A device,
A connection mechanism for connecting the housing side by side with the housing of another afterimage display device in the longitudinal direction;
Storage means for storing image data read by the plurality of light emitting elements;
Transmitting means for transmitting the image data stored in the storage means to the other afterimage display device, and causing the other afterimage display device to emit light based on the image read by the afterimage display device. thing,
An afterimage display device characterized by the above. Image data generating means for individually controlling light emission and light reception of the plurality of light emitting elements and generating image data having a resolution in an image height direction corresponding to the number of the plurality of light emitting elements;
The storage means stores the image data generated by the image data generation means as image data read by the plurality of light emitting elements;
The afterimage display device according to claim 1. An afterimage display system comprising a plurality of afterimage display devices according to claim 1 connected by the connecting mechanism,
Each afterimage display device
When image data is received from the other afterimage display device to be connected, a part of the received image data is used to control light emission of the plurality of light emitting elements of the afterimage display device. When the image data is not received from the other afterimage display device to be connected, the plurality of light emitting elements of the afterimage display device using a part of the image data read by the afterimage display device Having light emission control means for controlling the light emission of
The plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other control light emission using data of one image in common,
An afterimage display system characterized by Each afterimage display device
Two or one connector which is disposed at both ends or one end in the longitudinal direction of the housing and is electrically connected to that of the other afterimage display device connected at the part;
Each of the light emission control means is determined based on the presence or absence of communication through each of the connectors or its reply, and whether or not the other afterimage display devices are connected and the plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other. Based on the position of, the portion in the data of the common image used for the light emission control is specified, and the light emission is controlled by the data of the specified portion,
An enlarged display of an image read by one afterimage display device among the plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other;
The afterimage display system according to claim 3. Each afterimage display device
A sphere that moves within a predetermined range in accordance with the swing of the afterimage display device;
Detecting means for detecting the sphere at one end in the swing direction of the afterimage display device for the predetermined range,
Each of the light emission control means starts light emission control of the plurality of light emitting elements after a predetermined elapsed time from the change timing on the basis of the timing at which the detection of the sphere by the detection means has changed from absence to presence,
The plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other individually control light emission;
The afterimage display system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: Each afterimage display device is provided with an operation switch in a portion of the housing exposed in a state where the other afterimage display device is connected,
Each of the transmission means transmits the image data stored in the storage means to the other afterimage display device when the operation switch is operated,
The plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other control light emission by commonly using the image data stored in the operation switch operated,
The afterimage display system according to any one of claims 3 to 5. Each afterimage display device has a battery housing that is detachably connected to the housing,
In a state of being connected to each other, one of the plurality of afterimage display devices is connected to the housing and the battery housing housing, and the remaining afterimage display devices are removed from the battery housing housing. Only the housing is connected,
The plurality of afterimage display devices connected to each other operate by power feeding by the battery housing of the one afterimage display device;
The afterimage display system according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

Images