JP2726832B2 - Display synchronizer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display synchronizer for synchronizing display switching timings of a plurality of display devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a line display device using a liquid crystal dot matrix used as a message board, the display time of each message is predetermined in accordance with the number of characters to be displayed. Therefore, display time data is stored together with the display data for each message, and the message is displayed for a time corresponding to the display time data. For example, when displaying a text such as "Hello!", The display time should be about 8 seconds, and! When displaying a mark such as, the display time is set according to the number of characters to be displayed, such as 3 seconds.

When a plurality of the above-described line display devices are used, and their display switching timings are synchronized to display related messages respectively, one of them is used as a master and the display switching timing is synchronized with the master-side display switching timing. Thus, the display of the row display device on the slave side is switched.

[0004]

However, in the above-described apparatus, a different message is set for each line display device, and each display time is naturally different. Therefore, in synchronization with the display of the message on the master line display device. Switching between other displays causes inconvenience.

[0005] In addition, the line display device is often used for advertisements such as news and new product introductions, and such media often displays various kinds of information in a time frame. To cope with such an application, accurate time management such as 10 seconds or 15 seconds is required for each information. However, the display time varies depending on the display content and the display device due to a difference in the processing speed required for the display and the CPU operation clock, and accurate time management cannot be performed.

It is an object of the present invention to optimally manage the display times of a plurality of display devices collectively and to synchronize the display switching timing of each display device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a display control means for starting preparation of a desired display by a display means by receiving a display signal and outputting a confirmation signal when the preparation of the display is completed is provided. A plurality of display devices respectively provided, and after outputting the display signal, when a confirmation signal is output from all of the plurality of display control means, the prepared display is displayed on the plurality of display means for a desired time. The above object is achieved by providing a control means for executing the above.

Then, after outputting the display signal at a desired time, when all of the plurality of display control means output confirmation signals, the control means causes the plurality of display means to execute the prepared display. The above purpose is achieved by providing.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a display unit which constitutes a display means. In this embodiment, an LCD for row display in which liquid crystal display elements are arranged horizontally in a matrix is used. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display data storage circuit, which comprises a RAM or the like, has a plurality of channels, and stores display data for displaying a desired message or character for each channel and display time designation data for designating the display time. ing. This display time designation data is set according to the number of characters of each display data, as in the conventional case. Reference numeral 3 denotes a channel data storage circuit, which is composed of a RAM or the like, and sequentially stores channel data storing desired display data in accordance with the display order when the display is performed by the LCD 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a display control circuit constituting a display control means, for example, a CPU, a RO
When the preparation for display on the LCD 1 is completed, it outputs a confirmation signal and controls various operations related to display. Reference numeral 5 denotes a display drive unit, which includes a drive circuit for driving the LCD 1, a drive voltage generation circuit for liquid crystal, and a control circuit for providing display data to each drive circuit. LCD 1, display data storage circuit 2, channel data storage circuit 3, display control circuit 4, display drive unit 5
And the display device 6. 7, 8, and 9 are display devices.
These have the same configuration as the display device 6. That is,
Reference numerals 10, 11, and 12 denote display units formed of LCDs for displaying rows.
13, 14, 15 are display data storage circuits, 16, 17,
18 is a channel data storage circuit, 19, 20, and 21 are display control circuits, and 22, 23, and 24 are display drive units. 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a schedule storage circuit, which comprises a RAM or the like, and stores display time data of each display data in display order. The display time data is used when the display on each of the display devices 6 to 9 is simultaneously switched. 26 is a timer circuit for measuring a desired time. Reference numeral 27 denotes a control circuit constituting a control means, which comprises a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like, and controls various operations. Reference numeral 28 denotes a confirmation signal detection circuit, which outputs a detection output when confirmation signals are output from all of the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21. Reference numeral 29 denotes an input unit which comprises a keyboard or the like, and displays data stored in the display data storage circuits 2, 13, 14, 15; channel data stored in the channel data storage circuits 3, 16, 17, 18; The display time data of each display data stored in the storage circuit 25 is written.
Note that the control circuit 27 outputs a reset signal when the writing of various data by the input unit 29 is completed.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, the configuration of the schedule storage circuit 20, the timer circuit 21, the control circuit 22, and the confirmation signal detection circuit 23 is set as the master side, and each of the display devices 6,
Let 7, 8 and 9 be slaves, respectively. Figures 2, 3, 7
Shows the operation on the master side, and FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show the operation on the slave side.

First, a description will be given mainly with reference to FIGS.

When power is turned on or desired data is input by the input unit 29, the master side controls the control circuit 27 for designating schedule data in the schedule storage circuit 25.
Initialize the schedule pointer in (step 2)
a). Specifically, the schedule pointer is set to 1 and the display time data of the first display stored in the schedule storage circuit 25 is designated.

Then, the slave is initialized (step 2b). The specific operation of step 2b will be described with reference to FIG.

The control circuit 27 outputs a reset signal "1" from the output terminal A to the slave side, that is, the display devices 6, 7, 8, 9
(Step 3a), and then the confirmation signal detection circuit 2
Wait for output from step 8 (step 3b). That is, it waits for confirmation signals to be output from all of the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21.

The display devices 6, 7, 8, 9 on the slave side are:
Similar to the master side, the operation described later shown in FIG. 4 is executed by turning on the power or inputting desired data by the input unit 29.

The display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21 designate the channel data stored first in the channel data storage circuits 3, 16, 17, and 18, respectively (step 4).
a), read out the designated channel data, read out the display data corresponding to the read channel data and the display time designation data from the display data storage circuits 2, 13, 14, 15 (step 4b), and , 22,
The read display data is output to each of 23 and 24 to prepare for display (step 4c).

Then, a synchronous command waiting operation is performed (step 4d). The specific operation of step 4d will be described with reference to FIG.

When step 4c is completed, the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21 respectively control the control circuit 2 on the master side.
It is determined whether a reset signal or a display signal has been input from step 7 (steps 5a and 5b).

In this case, since the reset signal "1" has been input from the control circuit 27 (see step 3a), the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21 complete the synchronous command waiting operation and initialize. Instruction processing is performed (step 4e). The specific operation of step 4e will be described with reference to FIG.

Each of the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21 receives the reset signal "1" and receives the confirmation signal "1".
(Step 6a), and waits for the reset signal to be turned off, that is, "0" (step 6b).

When all of the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21 output the confirmation signal "1", the confirmation signal detection circuit 2
8, a detection output "1" is generated (step 3b). By the output "1" of the confirmation signal detection circuit 28, the control circuit 27 on the master side resets the reset signal to all the display devices 6,
When it is determined that the signal has been transmitted to 7, 8, and 9, the output of the reset signal is stopped (step 3c), that is, the reset signal is set to "0", and the slave initialization instruction (step 2b) is ended.

Display control circuits 4, 19, 2 on the slave side
In steps 0 and 21, the output of the confirmation signal is stopped by stopping the generation of the reset signal "1" (step 6c), the initialization command processing (step 4e) is completed, and the process returns to step 4a, and the same as above is performed. The operation is performed, and the synchronous command waiting operation is performed again (step 4d). That is, the control circuit 2
It is determined whether a reset signal or a display signal has been input from step 7 (steps 5a and 5b). That is, when the reset signal “1” is input to each of the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9, each of the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9 outputs a confirmation signal “1”, and all the display devices 6, 7, and When the confirmation signal "1" is output from 8, 9, the output of the reset signal is stopped.

When step 2b ends, that is, when the output of the reset signal is stopped, the master side controls the control circuit 27.
Reads the designated display time data from the schedule storage circuit 25 (step 2c) and starts display (step 2d). The specific operation of step 2d will be described with reference to FIG.

The control circuit 27 outputs the display signal "1" from the output terminal B to the slave side, that is, the display devices 6, 7, 8, 9 (step 7a).
(Step 7b). That is, it waits for confirmation signals to be output from all of the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21.

Since the display signal "1" is input to the slave side in step 7a (step 5b), each of the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21 receives the display signal "1" and receives the confirmation signal "1". Is output (step 5
c) Then, wait for the display signal to be turned off, that is, "0" (step 5d).

When all of the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21 output the confirmation signal "1", the confirmation signal detection circuit 2
8, a detection output "1" is generated (step 7b), and by the output "1" of the confirmation signal detection circuit 28, the control circuit 27 on the master side causes all the display devices 6, 7, 8, 9 to display. When it is determined that the preparation is completed, the output of the display signal is stopped (step 7c), that is, the display signal is set to "0",
The display start command (step 2d) ends.

Then, the control circuit 27 determines the time corresponding to the read display time data, that is, the display devices 6, 7,.
8 and 9 set the display time of the display ready for display to the timer circuit 26 and operate it (steps 2e and 2).
f). At this time, the control circuit 27 does not execute the next operation until the timer circuit 26 counts the set time (step 2g). That is, while the timer circuit 26 counts the set time, it is in a standby state.

When the timer circuit 26 counts the set time, the schedule pointer in the control circuit 27 is advanced by one (step 2h), that is, the display time data for specifying the display time of the next display is specified. If there is display time data (step 2i), step 2c
Then, the same operation as described above is performed, and a display signal for executing the next display is output. If the display time data does not exist, the process returns to step 2a.

Display control circuits 4, 19, 2 on the slave side
In steps 0 and 21, the generation of the display signal "1" is stopped in step 7c, so that the output of the confirmation signal is stopped (step 5e), and the synchronous command waiting operation (step 4d) ends. Then, the display drivers 5, 22, 23, and 24 are operated to display the display contents ready for display (step 4f). That is, each display device 6,
7, 8, and 9 start displaying at the same time.

That is, when the display signal “1” is input to each of the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9, each of the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9
9 outputs a confirmation signal "1" when the display is ready, and when the confirmation signal "1" is output from all the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9, stops outputting the display signal, When the display signal stops, each of the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9 starts displaying.

At this time, the display control circuits 4, 19, 20,
21 executes display while scanning the synchronization command (step 4g). That is, display is executed while scanning whether a reset signal or a confirmation signal is input.

Each of the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9 ends a predetermined display without inputting a reset signal or a display signal during display (steps 4h, 4i, and 4j), that is, the timer circuit 26 on the master side. Before the end of the counting of the set time, if the time specified by the display time designation data provided according to each display data has elapsed since the start of the display, and the predetermined display ends, Each display control circuit 4, 1
9, 20, 21 are channel data storage circuits 3, 16, 1
The next channel data is read from 7 and 18, respectively (step 4k). If the channel data exists (step 4m), the process returns to step 4b and performs the same operation as described above. That is, in a state where the preparation for the next display is completed, the input of the display signal “1” is waited.

If the timer circuit 26 has finished counting the set time during the display operation (step 4i), the control circuit 27 outputs the display signal "1". , 19, 20, and 21 respectively stop the current display and perform the operations after step 4k.

When a reset signal is input during the display operation by operating the input unit 29 or the like, the display control circuits 4, 19, 20, and 21 respectively stop the current display and perform the operations after step 4e. Perform

Therefore, the line display LC on the slave side is
D1, 10, 11, and 12 are arranged in order from the top, and when one sentence is divided into lines by these display devices and displayed for each page, for example, the display devices 6, 7, 8, 9
The first page displays "Tomorrow's weather will be rain.", "...", "When you go out", and "Don't forget your umbrella". , The time from the start of the display to the end of the display, that is, the display time specification data is 22 seconds, 10 seconds, 16 seconds, and 17 seconds, respectively.
Seconds, the display time data of the first page (timer time set in the timer circuit 26) is 20 seconds, and the display of the second page is "...", "from December 30 to January 5,", The operation in the case of "It will be a vacation.", "..." is as follows.

The display devices 7, 8, and 9 are "...",
After the display of "When you go out" and "Don't forget your umbrella" are completed, the next "From December 30 to January 5", "It will be a vacation.", "..." Is waiting for the display signal to be input, and when the timer circuit 26 counts 20 seconds and the display signal is output,
Outputs a confirmation signal.

When the display device 6 outputs the display signal,
The display of "Tomorrow's weather will be raining" is being executed, but this display is stopped. And the next “…”
Is prepared, and a confirmation signal is output when the preparation for the display is completed. When the confirmation signals are output from the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9, that is, all the display devices 6, 7, and
When the display preparations for 8 and 9 are completed, the control circuit 27 sets the display signal to "0". Thereby, the display devices 6, 7, 8,
9 sets the confirmation signal to "0" and simultaneously sets "..." and "December 3".
From 0th to January 5th "," It will be a vacation. ",
The display of “……” starts.

Therefore, even if the display contents having different display times are displayed on a plurality of display devices, the timing of switching the display is synchronized, and the display devices 6, 7, 8, and 9 are arranged in one page divided for each page. Text can be accurately time managed and displayed.

The display time data for designating the display time is desirably the longest display time from the start of display to the end of display among display contents to be displayed simultaneously.

In the above, display time data is stored,
The example in which the display is switched to the next display when the time corresponding to the display time data has elapsed since the start of the display has been described, but the display switching time data is stored next, and when the switching time comes, An example of switching the display will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 30 denotes a schedule storage circuit, which comprises a RAM or the like, and stores display time data of each display data in display order. Reference numeral 31 denotes a clock circuit, a clock circuit for measuring the current time, a time storage circuit including a RAM for storing time data, and a coincidence detection circuit for detecting the coincidence between the time data stored in the time storage circuit and the clock time of the clock circuit. Etc. The components having the same numbers as those in FIG. 1 are the same.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, when the control circuit 27 finishes the display start (step 9d), the control circuit 27 reads the designated time data from the schedule storage circuit 25, and
The read time data is stored in the time storage circuit in the clock circuit 31 (step 9e).

When the read time data and the current time match (step 9f), a match detection signal is output from the match detection circuit in the clock circuit 31 to the control circuit 27.

The control circuit 27 advances the schedule pointer by one in response to the input of the coincidence detection signal (step 9).
g), that is, display time data specifying the display time of the next display in the schedule storage circuit 30;
The same operation as in the above embodiment is performed.

As described above, the switching of the display of the plurality of display devices can be synchronized, so that when a series of sentences is displayed for each page using the plurality of display devices, the display of each page is switched. Synchronous, accurate display for each page.

In each of the above examples, there are shown examples in which the number of display devices on the slave side is four, but the number is not limited to the above.
It can be changed as appropriate.

In the above example, the display of each display device is rewritten all at once. However, the display time of each display device is specified by the display time designation data. Can also be used individually.

In the above description, an example of a display device in which one sentence is divided into lines and displayed for each page has been described. However, a plurality of display units are installed in different places, and the display is simultaneously switched at desired times. The present invention may be applied to objects.

In this embodiment, an LCD for row display is used as the display section. However, the display section is not limited to this, and may be a dot matrix LED or the like, and can be changed as appropriate.

In the above example, a multi-stage display device is used as the display device on the slave side. However, the display device on the slave side is not limited to the above, and can be appropriately changed.

[0053]

According to the present invention, the preparation of the desired display by the display means is started by receiving the display signal.
When the preparation for the display is completed, a plurality of display devices each including a display control unit that outputs a confirmation signal, and after outputting the display signal, confirmation signals are output from all of the plurality of display control units. In this case, by providing the plurality of display units with a control unit for executing the prepared display for a desired time, the display switching timing of the plurality of display devices can be synchronized, and the display time can be managed. .

Then, after outputting the display signal at a desired time, when a confirmation signal is output from all of the plurality of display control means, a control means for causing the plurality of display means to execute the prepared display is provided. With this arrangement, the display switching timing of the plurality of display devices can be synchronized at a desired time, and the display time can be managed in the same manner as described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 display means 4 display control means 6 display device 7 display device 8 display device 9 display device 10 display means 19 display control means 11 display means 20 display control means 12 display means 21 display control means

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of display devices each having display control means for starting preparation of a desired display by a display means by receiving a display signal and outputting a confirmation signal when the preparation of the display is completed. And a control means for causing the plurality of display means to execute the prepared display for a desired time when a confirmation signal is output from all of the plurality of display control means after outputting the display signal. A display synchronizer, characterized in that: 2. A plurality of display devices each comprising: display control means for starting preparation of a desired display by a display means by receiving a display signal and outputting a confirmation signal when the preparation of the display is completed. And after outputting the display signal at a desired time, when a confirmation signal is output from all of the plurality of display control means, the control means causing the plurality of display means to execute the prepared display. A display synchronizer, characterized in that: