JP3121792B2 - 7-segment display method and apparatus, and receiving terminal - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a 7-segment display method and apparatus and a receiving terminal, and is used for a small apparatus such as a pager receiver which does not have a sufficient space for displaying received information. It is suitable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a receiving terminal such as a pager receiver has a dot display unit for displaying characters and a display control unit for controlling the display unit in order to display received information. I have.

[0003] In the receiving terminal having the above configuration, the received signal is converted into data representing characters and symbols through processing such as demodulation, and then the characters and symbols are displayed on the display unit under the control of the display control unit. That is, the received information is displayed on a dot-type display unit as ordinary characters or symbols.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional receiving terminal, since the display section is of the dot type, the configuration and wiring are complicated and bulky. Further, the display control section for controlling the display section also requires complicated control, and requires a circuit element having a function capable of coping with the complicated control. For this reason, there is a problem that the display unit and the display control unit become bulky and bulky and costly, and the receiving terminal becomes expensive and bulky.

[0005] Further, as a receiving terminal, there is also a receiving terminal that displays a number using a display unit having seven segments in which seven segments are arranged in a figure eight shape. Such a receiving terminal includes a display unit and a display unit. The control unit is small and inexpensive. However, the seven-segment display unit is developed for displaying numbers, and it is not possible to display characters and symbols in their shapes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a 7-segment display method and apparatus capable of displaying characters and symbols and realizing miniaturization and cost reduction of the apparatus, and a receiving terminal. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

In order to solve this problem, a seven-segment display method according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a seven-segment display method in which seven segments arranged in an eight-shape and selectively turned on are divided into two groups. along with the divide, go a character fifty sound
Group of 5 rows from row to row o and 10 from row a to row w
Divided into groups of rows, said one group and a pair of five rows from the lighting combined with the A line of the segment to the O line in a group of <br/> group of segments divided into two In addition to the corresponding one, the segment was divided into two
10 rows of lighting combinations of each segment in the other group of the placement of a group from the A column to the train wheel
Of a group is a one-to-one correspondence, in the lighting combination corresponding to the character string as a language information meaning of the input signal 7
One segment is selectively lit.

According to the above configuration, when a signal representing a character as linguistic information is input, the character represented by the signal and one character are input.
The seven segments are selectively turned on in a combination corresponding to one to one. This seven segment selectively lit by lighting a combination of each segment of one group, the letters to identify any of the groups from A line to O line. Also, depending on the lighting combination of the segments of the other group, the characters may be changed from row A to row W.
To identify any of the groups of. One character is specified from the group specified from the first and second viewpoints. This 7
When a plurality of segments are arranged in parallel, characters corresponding to the number of digits are simultaneously displayed. In addition, when there is information of more than the number of digits of 7 segments, it is displayed continuously with time. As a result, the linguistic information can be displayed in a simple manner using the seven segments for displaying numbers.

[0009]

In a seven-segment display method according to a second aspect of the present invention, a seven-segment array which is arranged in a figure eight shape and is selectively turned on includes a group of segments extending in the vertical direction and a group of segments extending in the horizontal direction. to divided, the Japanese syllabary of
While the lighting combinations of the three segments extending in the horizontal direction correspond one-to-one to the arrangement of the five rows from row A to row E of the characters, and the arrangement of 10 columns from row A to row W
One-to-one combination of four segments extending in the vertical direction
The lighting combination of the group of segments extending in the vertical direction and the lighting combination of the group of segments extending in the horizontal direction correspond to the character string as the linguistic information meaning of the input signal. And the segments extending to the other are selectively lit.

According to the above configuration, when a signal is input and seven segments are lit, a five-character 10 is obtained by a lighting combination of three segments extending in the horizontal direction.
Of the Japanese syllabary consisting of five lines, five lines from A to E
Identify the column . Next, by lighting combinations of four segments extending in the vertical direction, 10 rows from row A to row
Specify the array of This makes it possible to easily recognize a character represented by the seven segment lighting pattern.

[0012]

A seven-segment display device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a seven-segment display unit in which seven segments are arranged in a figure eight shape and selectively lit, and the seven segments of the seven-segment display unit are selected. And a 7-segment display control unit for turning on and off the light.
Split the two segments into two groups,
The character of the sound is group of 5 rows from row A to row O and row A
Divided into a group of 10 columns of Rawa Island to the column, the 7 segment
Cement display control unit, and a group of five rows from the lighting combined with the A line of the segment to Oh rows in one group of Group <br/>-loop segments divided into the two 1 The lighting combination of each segment in the other group of the two divided groups and the 10-row group from the row A to the row row 1 are made to correspond to each other on a one-to-one basis. Information corresponding to one to one is stored in advance, and seven segments are selectively lit by a lighting combination corresponding to a character string as linguistic information that means an input signal.

According to the above configuration, when seven segments are turned on under the control of the seven-segment display control unit based on the input signal, the combination of the segments in one of the groups causes the characters from the line A to be turned off. Go
Specify which group in the above. Next, by combining the segments of the other group, the character string
Identify any group from to. The first
Then, the character is specified by the specification from the second viewpoint. This makes it possible to easily recognize the character represented by the lighting pattern displayed on the seven-segment display unit under the control of the seven-segment display control unit.

A seven-segment display device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a seven-segment display unit in which seven segments are arranged in an eight-shape and selectively lit, and a seven-segment display unit of the seven-segment display unit. and a 7-segment display control unit that selectively lit, Rutotomoni divided into a group of four segments extending the seven segments in the vertical direction, and groups of three segments extending laterally, five
A group of 10 rows of characters and rows of rows from row A to row E
Divided into a group of 10 columns of Kurrawa to the column, the 7-segment
The segment display control unit controls the segment of the two segments.
Point for each segment in the horizontal group of loops
A light combination and a group of five rows from row A to row E are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis, and the two segments are divided.
Each segment in the vertical group of
Lighting combinations and 10 rows from row A to row W
Information in which the groups of columns correspond one-to-one is stored in advance, and the lighting combinations of the groups of segments extending in the vertical direction corresponding to the character strings as the linguistic information meaning of the input signal and extending in the horizontal direction According to a lighting combination of a group of segments, a vertically extending segment and a horizontally extending segment are selectively lighted.

According to the above configuration, when seven segments are lit by the control of the seven-segment display control unit based on the input signal, the syllabary of the Japanese syllabary is determined by the lighting combination of the three segments extending in the horizontal direction. Our
Which group from row A to row E belongs is specified. Next, by combining the lighting of the four segments extending in the vertical direction, any group from row A to row W
Specify whether they belong . This makes it possible to easily recognize a character or the like that the lighting pattern of the seven-segment display unit means.

[0017]

The receiving terminal according to the fifth invention comprises seven cells.
7 are arranged in the shape of a figure 8 and selectively lighted 7
A display means having a plurality of digits for the segment display section;
Receiving means for receiving signals from
And 7 sections of each 7 segment display section of the display means.
Is a word meaning of the signal received by the receiving means.
Selectable by combinations corresponding to character strings as word information
7-segment display according to the third or fourth invention to be turned on
A control unit is provided.

With the above configuration, when a signal is received, 7
The seven sections of the display are controlled by the segment display controller.
Points in combinations corresponding to the input characters.
Light up. Then, in the same manner as in the third or fourth invention,
The character that the lighting pattern displayed on the display means.
Identify. This allows existing display means to display numbers
To transmit linguistic information using 7 segments
Will be able to Also, the segment display control unit is simple.
It can be realized with a single arithmetic element. As a result, small and inexpensive
A communication terminal can be provided.

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a seven-segment display method and apparatus according to the present invention;

The 7-segment display method according to the present embodiment includes not only numbers but also characters and symbols by using 7 segments which are arranged in the shape of figure 8 and are selectively lit to display numbers originally. This is a display method devised for presenting information to a user.

Hereinafter, a case where the 7-segment display method is applied to a receiving terminal will be described. FIG. 1 is a comparison table showing the correspondence between the Japanese syllabary, the alphabet and the accompanying symbols and display patterns according to the present embodiment.
Is a comparison table showing symbols other than the Japanese syllabary shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a receiving terminal using the 7-segment display device according to the embodiment.

First, a receiving terminal provided with a 7-segment display device for implementing the 7-segment display method will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a receiving terminal. The receiving terminal 1 is, for example, a pager receiver or the like. A 7-segment display device 2 is built in the receiving terminal 1.

The receiving terminal 1 is configured as follows.
3 is an antenna. The antenna 3 captures a radio signal and converts it into an electric signal. This antenna 3 is a high-frequency amplifier 4
It is connected to the. This high-frequency amplifier 4 amplifies the signal captured by the antenna 3 at high frequency to generate two frequency converters 5,
6 is output. In this receiving terminal 1, since the processing system is two systems (two orthogonal systems of I system and Q system),
Two frequency converters 5, 6 are provided. further,
An oscillator 7 oscillating at a reference frequency is connected to each of the frequency converters 5 and 6 via a phase shifter 8. The phase shifter 8
The phase of the reference frequency output from the oscillator 7 to the frequency converter 5 and the phase of the reference frequency output to the frequency converter 6 are shifted by 90 degrees and output to the frequency converters 5 and 6.

At the subsequent stage of each of the frequency converters 5 and 6, filters 9 and 10 and limiters 11 and 12 are connected in this order. The filters 9 and 10 remove unnecessary frequency components from the baseband signals whose frequencies have been converted to low frequencies by the frequency converters 5 and 6. Limiter 11,
Numeral 12 equalizes the amplitudes of the signals from the filters 9 and 10.
I and Q in orthogonal relation from both limiters 11 and 12
The demodulator 13 performs a quadrature detection process on the baseband signal of the system, and outputs the obtained serial data including a data string of 0 or 1 to the 7-segment display device 2.

The seven-segment display device 2 includes a display unit 15 in which a plurality of seven-segment display units 14 (see FIG. 1) are arranged in parallel, and a seven-segment display unit 14 of the display unit 15.
The 7-segment display control section 16 for selectively lighting each of the segments and a sound generating section 17 for notifying an incoming call or the like by sound.

Here, the 7-segment display device 2 assigns a name to each block mainly for the display function, but the 7-segment display control section 16 is about to execute various processes on the received data. For example, it performs reception synchronization processing, determines whether or not received data is addressed to itself, and performs processing to separate serial data into predetermined bits constituting characters and symbols.

The seven-segment display unit 14 is configured by arranging seven segments 14A (see FIG. 1) in a figure eight shape. As is well known, each segment 14A is intended to display a numeral by being selectively lit. The display unit 15 is composed of a plurality of seven-segment display units 14 arranged therein.
The characters and symbols of the number of digits corresponding to the number of arrangements are displayed.

The 7-segment display control unit 16 controls the demodulator 1
3 is displayed on the display unit 15 based on the character and symbol information obtained by processing the signal from the third segment display unit 14 shown in FIG.
The received information is displayed in the lighting pattern of.

The lighting pattern of the seven-segment display section 14 shown in FIG. This is a lighting pattern in which one of the segments 14A that is turned on is combined.

In FIG. 1, 50 types of lighting patterns are classified by 5 rows from row A to row E and 10 columns from row A to row W, and each lighting pattern includes "A" to "N".
, And symbols associated with them, such as a cloud point.

The seven segments 14A of the seven-segment display section 14 are divided into a group of four segments 14A extending in the vertical direction and a group of three segments 14A extending in the horizontal direction.

Then, a horizontal lighting pattern based on five types of lighting combinations of three segments 14A extending in the horizontal direction is used to specify which row from row A to row E. further,
With a vertical lighting pattern based on ten types of lighting combinations of four segments 14A extending in the vertical direction, any one of rows A to W is specified. Fifty types of lighting patterns are formed by combining the five types of horizontal lighting patterns and the ten types of vertical lighting patterns. As shown in FIG. They are associated with one another. This correspondence is recorded in a pattern memory (not shown) in the seven-segment display control unit 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the Japanese syllabary and the like, lighting patterns meaning symbols required for information transmission such as lowercase letters and alphabet conversion are recorded in a pattern memory.

When the serial data from the demodulator 13 is input, the 7-segment display control section 16 cuts out the data into predetermined bits and converts it into character data (text data) representing the Japanese syllabary and symbols. Such a character data string is stored in a built-in received character information buffer (not shown).

Of the character data strings stored in the received character information buffer,
The seven-segment display control unit 16 causes the display unit 15 to display character data corresponding to the number of the seven-segment display units 14 of the display unit 15.

When the 7-segment display control section 16 displays certain character data on the 7-segment display section 14 at a corresponding position, the 7-segment display control section 16 refers to a built-in pattern memory to make one-to-one correspondence with the character or the like represented by the character data. Selects a corresponding lighting pattern from the pattern memory, and outputs a segment drive signal corresponding to the selected pattern to the 7-segment display unit 14.

The number of character data strings stored in the received character information buffer increases as reception progresses.
Accordingly, the character data string portion to be displayed is also changed, and the 7-segment display control unit 16 controls the change of the character data string to be displayed accordingly (generally, scrolling is performed).

More specifically, when the number of character data strings stored in the received character information buffer is smaller than the number of arrangements of the seven-segment display unit 14, each of the seven-segment display units 14 to be displayed is simultaneously turned on to control a series of operations. The lighting pattern is fixedly displayed. When the number of character data strings stored in the received character information buffer is larger than the number of the seven-segment display unit 14, a series of lighting patterns are displayed continuously with time so that characters and the like flow.

In the 7-segment display control section 16,
In parallel with the output to the display unit 15, a control signal is output to the sound generation unit 17 to notify that a signal has been received (incoming call).

[Operation] The receiving terminal 1 configured as described above operates as follows.

The received signal captured by the antenna 3 is amplified at high frequency by the high-frequency amplifier 4, then down-converted to the baseband frequency band by the frequency converters 5 and 6, and further unnecessary through the filters 9 and 10. The frequency components are removed, and the amplitudes are adjusted via the limiters 11 and 12. Next, the data is demodulated (orthogonal detection) by the demodulator 13, converted into a serial data string, and output to the 7-segment display control unit 16 of the 7-segment display device 2.

The 7-segment display control section 16 confirms whether or not the data is addressed to the own terminal based on the input data string. If the address is addressed to the own terminal, the input data string is divided into bits representing characters or the like. , And the obtained characters are stored in the received character information buffer.

From the string of characters and the like stored in the received character information buffer, the lighting pattern for the character string portion to be displayed at that time is specified and read out in the pattern memory (contrast table), and the segment corresponding thereto is read. The drive signal is output to the display unit 15 and the 7
The lighting control of one segment 14A is performed. Here, when the series of character strings to be displayed stored in the received character information buffer is smaller than the number of the 7-segment display sections 14 of the display section 15, each of the 7-segment display sections 14 is fixedly arranged in a series of lighting patterns. Display (no scrolling). On the other hand, after the number of stored characters and the like becomes larger than the number of the seven-segment display units 14, a series of lighting patterns are displayed continuously with time on the seven-segment display units 14 so that characters and the like flow. .

[Effects] As described above, a large number of lighting patterns are created by combining the seven segments 14A of the seven-segment display unit 14, and each lighting pattern is associated with one of the Japanese syllabary characters and accompanying symbols. Therefore, by looking at the lighting pattern of the 7-segment display unit 14, it is possible to read what it means. As a result, information can be transmitted on the seven-segment display unit 14.

Also, three segments 1 extending in the lateral direction
A combination of 4A specifies rows A to E, and a combination of four segments 14A extending in the vertical direction specifies rows A to C, so that the lighting pattern and the Japanese syllabary characters are paired. Since the correspondence is made with 1, the characters and the like that the lighting pattern means can be easily recognized.

Further, since the display section 15 for displaying the received information and the 7-segment display control section 16 for controlling the display section can be realized by elements having simple functions, the size and cost of these elements can be reduced. Can be planned.

As a result, downsizing and cost reduction of the receiving terminal 1 can be realized. Further, a compact receiving terminal 1 such as a wristwatch type or a thin card type can be manufactured at low cost. In other words, not only numbers, but also letters,
Conventionally, the receiving terminal capable of displaying has applied the display unit according to the dot system, but in the case of this embodiment, basically, the display unit 15 corresponding to the number reception is used to display characters other than numerals. And the like, and a receiving terminal capable of receiving and displaying numbers and characters can be realized in a small size and at low cost.

[Modifications] (1) In the above embodiment, the segment 14A extending in the vertical direction and the segment 14A extending in the horizontal direction of the seven-segment display unit 14 are combined according to the lighting patterns shown in FIGS. Other patterns may be combined. With this configuration, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the seven segments 14A of the seven-segment display section 14 are divided into two groups, one in the vertical direction and the other in the horizontal direction. For example, it may be divided into upper three segments (three segments arranged in a U-shape opened downward) and four lower segments (four segments arranged in a square shape). . Further, the upper and lower segments may be divided into four and three segment groups, respectively. They may be combined without being divided into two groups. Also in these cases, the lighting patterns correspond to the characters and the like on a one-to-one basis, and the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

(2) In the above embodiment, the Japanese syllabary and the symbols attached thereto are used as the information to be transmitted.
As shown in parentheses (), alphabets and other symbols may be used. Necessary information can be transmitted only by making one-to-one correspondence with the lighting pattern.

Also, the Japanese syllabary and the alphabet in the comparison table shown in FIG. 1 are stored in the memory at the same time, and a display pattern meaning a symbol designating the Japanese syllabary or the alphabet is added at the beginning of a series of display patterns. You may make it attach.

(3) In the above embodiment, the sound generator 17
Although the data reception (incoming call) is notified by sound, it may be notified by flashing or vibration of light.

(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the 7-segment display method and apparatus are applied to a receiving terminal such as a pager terminal has been described. However, the present invention can be widely applied to a display unit using 7 segments. it can. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where characters or the like are displayed on a display unit of a device having no receiving function such as a calculator.

(5) In the description of the above embodiment, what kind of element the segment element is made is not described. However, not only a liquid crystal element but also an EL element may be used. That is, as long as the display element can adopt the seven-segment configuration, the element type is not limited.

[0064]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a large number of lighting patterns are created by combining seven segments, and each lighting pattern is associated one-to-one with characters and symbols. By looking at the lighting patterns of the seven segments, it becomes possible to read the characters and the like that mean. As a result, information other than numbers can be transmitted in seven segments.

Further, the lighting pattern is determined by specifying rows A to E using a combination of three segments extending in the horizontal direction, and specifying columns A to W using a combination of four segments extending in the vertical direction. By associating the characters with the Japanese syllabary characters one-to-one, it is possible to easily recognize the characters and the like that the lighting pattern means.

Further, since the display section for displaying the received information and the 7-segment display control section for controlling the display section can be realized with elements having simple functions, the size and cost of these elements can be reduced. Can be. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the receiving terminal. Further, a compact receiving terminal such as a wristwatch type or a thin card type can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a correspondence relationship between a lighting pattern of a 7-segment display unit and Japanese syllabary or alphabetical letters according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a correspondence relationship between lighting patterns of a seven-segment display unit and symbols other than the Japanese syllabary according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a receiving terminal according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: receiving terminal, 2: 7-segment display device, 3: antenna, 4: high-frequency amplifier, 5, 6: frequency converter, 7: oscillator, 8: phase shifter, 9, 10: filter, 11, 12:
Limiter, 13: demodulator, 14: 7-segment display,
14A: segment, 15: display unit, 16: 7 segment display control unit, 17: sound generation unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04B ^7/ 24-7/26 H04Q ⁷ /00-7/38 G09F 9/30 G09G 3/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Seven segments arranged in a figure eight shape and selectively turned on are divided into two groups,
Group and A of the five lines of the character fifty sound from the A line to O line
The lighting combination of each segment in one of the two groups of segments is divided into a group of 10 columns from row to row, and
From together in matching groups of 5 rows to O lines in a one-to-one, from the A string and lighting combination of each segment in the other group of the group of segments divided in the two up wheel train A seven-segment display method, wherein ten columns are associated one-to-one with one another, and seven segments are selectively lit by a lighting combination corresponding to a character string as linguistic information that means an input signal. 2. A segment extending eight seven segments which are selectively turned on are arranged in a shape of longitudinally group, divided into a group of segments extending laterally of the Japanese syllabary character In the array of 5 rows from row a to row o,
Lighting combination of three segments extending in the horizontal direction
One-to-one correspondence and 10 rows from row A to row W
The arrangement of the four segments extending in the vertical direction corresponds to the arrangement in a one-to-one correspondence, and the lighting combination of the group of the segments extending in the vertical direction corresponding to the character string as the linguistic information meaning of the input signal and the combination in the horizontal direction 7. A lighting combination of a group of extending segments, wherein a vertically extending segment and a horizontally extending segment are selectively lit.
Segment display method. 3. A seven-segment display unit in which seven segments are arranged in a figure eight shape and selectively lit, and a seven-segment display control unit that selectively illuminates seven segments of the seven-segment display unit. Ogyoma the provided, the seven segments of the 7-segment display section with divided into two groups, the character fifty sounds from a line
Group of 5 rows and 10 rows of rows from row A to row W
Divided into a-loop, the 7-segment display control unit segment was divided into the two
The lighting combination of each segment in one of the groups of the groups is one-to-one with the group of five rows from row A to row E, and the two segments are divided into two. The lighting combination of each segment in the other group of the group and the rows from A to W
The information in which the 10-column groups are associated with each other in a one-to-one correspondence is stored in advance, and the seven segments are selectively lit by the lighting combination corresponding to the character string as the linguistic information meaning of the input signal. A seven-segment display device. 4. A seven-segment display unit in which seven segments are arranged in a figure eight shape and selectively lit, and a seven-segment display control unit that selectively illuminates seven segments of the seven-segment display unit. the provided, and the seven segments of four longitudinally extending segments <br/> DOO groups Rutotomoni divided into a group of three segments extending laterally, the Japanese syllabary characters from a line Oh line
The 7-segment display control unit divides the group into five groups, and groups into 10 columns from column A to column W.
Each segment in the horizontal group of groups
The combination of lighting and the 5 rows from row a to row o
A group with is a one-to-one correspondence of the two
Vertical group of divided segment groups
Lighting combination of each segment in
Up to 10 groups of up to 10 columns are stored in a one-to-one correspondence. The lighting combinations and the horizontal combinations of the vertically extending segment groups corresponding to the character strings as the linguistic information meaning the input signal are stored in advance. 7. A lighting combination of a group of segments extending in the direction, wherein a vertically extending segment and a horizontally extending segment are selectively lit.
Segment display device. 5. A display device comprising a plurality of digits provided with a seven-segment display unit in which seven segments are arranged in a figure eight shape and selectively lit, and a receiving unit for receiving an external signal. The receiving terminal, wherein the seven segments of each of the seven-segment display units of the display means are selectively turned on in a combination corresponding to a character string as linguistic information which means a signal received by the receiving means. A receiving terminal, comprising: the seven-segment display control unit according to claim 1.