JP6866868B2 - Display device and exhibition device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display device that displays a pattern using a light guide plate, and an exhibition device having such a display device.

At vending machines, the products they handle may be replaced from time to time. When a product is replaced, it is preferable that the price of the product or the advertisement according to the product is also changed according to the replacement. On the other hand, if a liquid crystal display or the like capable of displaying arbitrary information is mounted on the vending machine, the cost of the vending machine itself becomes high. Therefore, it has a light guide plate in which a first emission pattern is formed on one surface, and a light emitting element that injects light from a reflection surface of the light guide plate and emits light forward from the first emission pattern to display the light. A display unit and a second display unit arranged on the back side of the light guide plate and displaying light according to the second emission pattern via the light guide plate are provided, and the first and second display units are viewed from the front. , A monetary amount display device configured so that a region in which a first emission pattern is formed and a region in which a second emission pattern is formed overlap (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, a light guide plate arranged in front of the price display unit that displays the selling price of the product, a warm-color LED element and a cold-color LED element that incident light on the rear end surface of the extension portion of the light guide plate, and a light guide plate. A display device including a light emitting portion having a reflecting portion that reflects at least a part of the passing light of the light guide plate and emits it to the outside from the front surface of the light guide plate has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-2017-182205 JP-A-2015-36949

In the above technique, among a plurality of light emitting elements such as LED elements, the light emitting element to be actually turned on is set by the operator. Therefore, if the light emitting element to be turned on by the operator is erroneously set, an unintended pattern may be displayed or product information may be displayed in an unintended color.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of appropriately setting a light emitting element that illuminates the pattern according to the displayed pattern.

A display device is provided as one embodiment of the present invention. This display device is formed of a transparent member in a plate shape, one of the side surfaces is formed as a first incident surface, and a light guide plate capable of displaying the first pattern, and a lighting device to which the light guide plate is attached. Has. The lighting device includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged so as to face any side surface of the light guide plate with the light guide plate attached, and at least one switch that is turned on or off by attaching the light guide plate. And control to set a lighting pattern representing a time change of the lighting state of the lighting light emitting element or the lighting light emitting element among the plurality of light emitting elements according to the combination of the switches to be turned on among at least one switch. The light guide plate is arranged along the first pattern on one surface of the light guide plate, and the light guide plate is attached to the lighting device so that the first incident surface faces the plurality of light emitting elements. In the state, it has a plurality of prisms that emit light emitted from a lighting light emitting element among a plurality of light emitting elements, reflect light incident on the light guide plate from a first incident surface, and emit light from the other surface of the light guide plate. Moreover, it is formed so as to turn on the combination of switches corresponding to the first pattern of at least one switch.
By having such a configuration, this display device can appropriately set a light emitting element that illuminates the pattern according to the displayed pattern.

In this display device, each of at least one switch is a switch that can be switched on and off depending on whether or not it is pressed, and the light guide plate illuminates the first incident surface so as to face the plurality of light emitting elements. The first incident surface of the light guide plate is arranged so as to face the first incident surface of the light guide plate when attached to the device, and the first incident surface of the light guide plate is a combination of switches corresponding to the first pattern of at least one switch. It is preferable to have a shape that turns on.
Thereby, in this display device, the light emitting element that illuminates the displayed pattern can be appropriately set only by attaching the light guide plate to the lighting device.

Further, in this display device, another one of the side surfaces of the light guide plate is formed as a second incident surface, the light guide plate can further display the second pattern, and the second incident surface is a plurality of light emitting elements. It is preferable that the light guide plate is formed so as to turn on the combination of switches corresponding to the second pattern of at least one switch in a state where the light guide plate is attached to the lighting device so as to face the light guide plate.
As a result, the display device can display different patterns for one light guide plate by changing the direction of attachment to the lighting device, and can appropriately set a light emitting element that illuminates the pattern for each pattern to be displayed.

Further, this display device further includes a second lighting device to which the light guide plate is attached, and the side surface of the light guide plate facing the first incident surface is formed as the second incident surface, and the light guide plate is formed. Can further display the second pattern, and the second illuminating device includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged so as to face the second incident surface with the light guide plate attached, and the light guide plate. A light emitting element among a plurality of light emitting elements or a lighting light emitting element among a plurality of light emitting elements, depending on a combination of at least one switch that is turned on or off by being attached and at least one switch that is turned on. It has a control unit for setting a lighting pattern, the light guide plate is arranged on one surface of the light guide plate along the second pattern, and the second incident surface is a plurality of light emitting elements included in the second lighting device. In a state where the light guide plates are attached to the second lighting device so as to face each other, the light emitting elements emitted from the light emitting elements of the plurality of light emitting elements of the second lighting device are emitted from the second incident surface into the light guide plate. A combination of switches having a plurality of prisms that reflect incident light and emit it from the other surface of the light guide plate and corresponding to the second pattern of at least one switch of the second lighting device. It is preferably formed to be turned on.
As a result, the display device can display two patterns at the same time, and can appropriately set a light emitting element that illuminates the patterns for each displayed pattern.

In this case, the light guide plate has a curved portion curved so as to project toward the other surface side between the first incident surface and the second incident surface, and forms the first pattern. The plurality of prisms are provided on the first incident surface side of the curved portion in the curved portion, and the plurality of prisms forming the second pattern are second than the center of the curved portion in the curved portion. It is preferably provided on the incident surface side.
As a result, the display device can make the visible pattern different depending on the direction in which the light guide plate is observed.

As another embodiment of the present invention, an exhibition device is provided. This exhibition device has a mounting portion on which the object to be exhibited is placed and a display device arranged in front of the object to be exhibited. The display device is formed of a transparent member in a plate shape and is one of the side surfaces. One is formed as a first incident surface, one surface is arranged so as to face the object to be exhibited, and has a light guide plate capable of displaying the first pattern and a lighting device to which the light guide plate is attached. The lighting device includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged so as to face any side surface of the light guide plate with the light guide plate attached, and at least one that is turned on or off by attaching the light guide plate. Depending on the combination of the switch and the switch that is turned on among at least one switch, a lighting pattern that represents the time change of the lighting state of the lighting light emitting element or the lighting light emitting element among the plurality of light emitting elements is set. The light guide plate has a control unit, and the light guide plate is arranged on one surface of the light guide plate along a first pattern, and the light guide plate is attached to the lighting device so that the first incident surface faces a plurality of light emitting elements. In this state, it has a plurality of prisms that emit light emitted from a lighting light emitting element among a plurality of light emitting elements, reflect light incident on the light guide plate from a first incident surface, and emit light from the other surface of the light guide plate. And, it is formed so as to turn on the combination of switches corresponding to the first pattern of at least one switch.
By having such a configuration, this exhibition device can appropriately set a light source for illuminating the pattern according to the pattern displayed together with the object to be exhibited.

It is a schematic perspective view of the vending machine which mounted the display device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of a display device. It is sectional drawing of the lighting device in the state which the light guide plate is attached to the lighting device. (A) is a figure which shows an example of a reference table. (B) to (d) are diagrams showing an example of the relationship between the shape of the incident surface and the combination of the light emitting elements that are lit, respectively. It is a partial enlarged view of a part of a light guide plate viewed from the front. It is a schematic side sectional view of the light guide plate in the line indicated by the arrow AA'in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship between the position of a pattern formed on a light guide plate, and a light emitting element which lights up according to a modification. It is a figure which shows an example of the reference table by the modification. It is a figure which shows another example of the pattern formed on the light guide plate by a modification. It is a figure which shows an example of the reference table by another modification. (A) and (b) are schematic front views of the light guide plate according to another modification. (A) is a schematic perspective view of the display device according to still another modified example, and (b) is a schematic front view of the display device according to still another modified example.

Hereinafter, the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This display device is formed in a plate shape and reflects light propagating inside on one surface toward the observer side along a displayed pattern (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a display pattern). It has a light guide plate provided with a plurality of arranged prisms, and a lighting device to which the light guide plate is attached. The lighting device is formed with an insertion port into which one end of the light guide plate on the incident surface side is inserted, and in the insertion port, a plurality of light emitting elements arranged so as to face the entrance surface of the light guide plate and the light guide plate. A plurality of tactile switches arranged so as to face the incident surface of the above are provided. One end of the light guide plate on the incident surface side is one of a plurality of tactile switches according to the display pattern formed on the light guide plate when the light guide plate is inserted and attached to the insertion port of the lighting device. Is formed to press. Then, the lighting device sets the light emitting element to be turned on among the plurality of light emitting elements and the lighting pattern representing the time change of the lighting state according to the combination of the pressed tactile switch among the plurality of tactile switches. Thereby, this display device can appropriately set the light emitting element that illuminates the pattern according to the displayed pattern.
In the following, for convenience of explanation, the side facing the observer is the front side, and the opposite side is the back side.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vending machine on which a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted. The vending machine 100 is an example of an exhibition device, and includes a three-stage product display shelf 111 provided in the upper half of the front surface, a plurality of selection buttons 112 provided below each of the product display shelves 111, and a plurality of selection buttons 112. A housing 110 having a money input port 113 provided on the front surface, a product take-out port 114 provided on the lower side of the front surface, and a change return port 115, and a plurality of cases provided on the front surfaces of the product display shelves 111. It has a display device 121 of. The product display shelf 111 is an example of a mounting unit for mounting an object to be displayed. Further, the vending machine 100 has a storage (not shown) for storing products of the same type as the product sample 131 displayed on the product display shelf 111, and products from the storage to the product outlet 114 inside the housing 110. It has a transport mechanism (not shown) for transporting and a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the entire vending machine 100. The control circuit is connected to a sensor that recognizes the money inserted from the money insertion slot 113, and the amount of the inserted money is the observer of the selection buttons 112 (in this example, the user of the vending machine 100). If the price of the product corresponding to the selection button pressed by is equal to or greater than the amount of the product, the transport mechanism is controlled so that the product is transported from the hangar to the product outlet 114. Further, when the amount of money inserted is larger than the amount of the product corresponding to the selected button pressed, the control circuit transfers the difference between the amount of money inserted and the amount of the product to the change return port 115. return.

Each of the plurality of display devices 121 is displayed on the front surface of the product sample 131 for each product sample 131 placed on the product display shelf 111, and each of the plurality of display devices 121 can display the pattern used for the advertisement of the product sample 131. ing. The display devices 121 may display the same pattern, or may display patterns different from each other.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the display device 121. Further, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device in a state where the light guide plate is attached to the lighting device. Since all the display devices 121 have the same structure, one display device will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the display device 121 includes a light guide plate 11 and a lighting device 12. Further, the lighting device 12 includes a housing 13, a plurality of light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n (where n is an integer of 2 or more), and at least one tactile switch 15-1 to 15-m (however, m). Has an integer of 1 or more, m = 3) in the illustrated example, and a control unit 16. The plurality of light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n, at least one tactile switch 15-1 to 15-m, and the control unit 16 are attached to, for example, a substrate (not shown) provided in the housing 13. .. Then, each light emitting element and each tactile switch are connected to the control unit 16 via a signal line formed on the substrate.

The light guide plate 11 is a member formed in a plate shape that is transparent to the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n. The light guide plate 11 is formed by molding a resin that is transparent to visible light, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate, and cycloolefin polymer. In the present embodiment, the light guide plate 11 is arranged substantially parallel to the front surface of the housing 110 on the front surface side of the product sample 131 installed on the product display shelf 111 in a state of being attached to the lighting device 12. As described above, the light guide plate 11 is provided with a pattern 21 that can be displayed by lighting the corresponding light emitting element among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n. That is, the light guide plate 11 propagates the light from the lit light emitting element inside the light emitting element 14-1 to 14-n while the corresponding light emitting element is lit, and is formed on the back side thereof. The pattern 21 that emits light can be visually recognized by the observer by reflecting the light toward the observer located on the front side by a plurality of prisms (details will be described later) arranged so as to form the pattern 21. .. Further, since the light guide plate 11 is a transparent member, the pattern 21 is superimposed on the product sample 131 located on the back side of the light guide plate 11 for the observer located on the front side of the vending machine 100. Is displayed in.
The details of the light guide plate 11 will be described later.

The housing 13 of the lighting device 12 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an insertion port 13a for attaching the light guide plate 11 is formed on one surface of the housing 13. The light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12 by inserting one end of the light guide plate 11 on the incident surface 11a side to the innermost part of the insertion port 13a.

Each of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n is an element that emits visible light, and can be, for example, a light emitting diode. In the present embodiment, when the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12, each light emitting element faces the incident surface 11a, which is one of the side walls of the light emitting element. Are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the incident surface 11a. The light emitted by each of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n may be white light or light having a specific color such as red, blue, or yellow. In the present embodiment, the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n are classified into a predetermined number of groups arranged adjacent to each other, and each light emitting element included in the group is light of a different color from each other. Emit. For example, in FIG. 3, for each group, from the left, a light emitting element that emits white light, a light emitting element that emits red light, a light emitting element that emits yellow light, a light emitting element that emits green light, and a light emitting element that emits blue light. They are arranged in the order of the elements. The arrangement of each light emitting element is not limited to this example, and a plurality of light emitting elements emitting light of the same color may be arranged so as to be adjacent to each other.

The light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n are turned on or off according to the control signal from the control unit 16. Then, while the control unit 16 lights any of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n, the light emitted from the light emitting element enters the light guide plate 11 via the incident surface 11a. After being incident and propagating in the light guide plate 11, it is reflected by a plurality of prisms forming a pattern 21 provided on the diffusion surface 11b on the back surface side of the light guide plate 11 and emitted from the emission surface 11c on the front side.

The tactile switches 15-1 to 15-m are arranged in the insertion port 13a of the lighting device 12 so as to face the incident surface 11a of the light guide plate 11 in a state where the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12. .. In the present embodiment, the tactile switches 15-1 to 15-m are arranged around the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n so as to be arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the incident surface 11a. Then, in a state where the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12, the incident surface 11a having a shape corresponding to the pattern formed on the light guide plate 11 among the tactile switches 15-1 to 15-m forms the pattern. The corresponding tactile switch is pressed to turn it on. Then, the tactile switch turned on outputs a signal indicating that it is turned on to the control unit 16. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the entrance surface 11a of the light guide plate 11 presses and turns on the tactile switch 15-1 and the tactile switch 15-2. On the other hand, the tactile switch 15-3 is not pressed and remains off. It should be noted that each tactile switch may be configured to be turned on when not pressed and turned off when pressed.

The control unit 16 has a processor and a non-volatile semiconductor memory, and controls lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n of the lighting device 12. In the present embodiment, the control unit 16 specifies a light emitting element and a lighting pattern among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n to be turned on according to the combination of the tactile switches turned on.

Therefore, for example, the semiconductor memory of the control unit 16 stores in advance a combination of tactile switches to be turned on, a combination of light emitting elements to be turned on, and a reference table showing a lighting pattern. The control unit 16 refers to the reference table and specifies the combination of light emitting elements and the lighting pattern corresponding to the combination of the tactile switches to be turned on, which is represented by the signal received from each tactile switch. Then, the control unit 16 lights each light emitting element included in the specified combination of light emitting elements according to the specified lighting pattern.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a reference table. The leftmost column of the reference table 400 represents the on / off of the tactile switch 15-1 (denoted as switch A for convenience). Similarly, the second column from the left of the reference table 400 represents the on / off of the tactile switch 15-2 (referred to as switch B for convenience), and the third column from the left of the reference table 400 is the tactile switch 15. Indicates on / off of -3 (referred to as switch C for convenience). The second column from the right of the reference table 400 represents a combination of light emitting elements to be lit and a lighting pattern. The rightmost column of the reference table 400 represents a pattern to be displayed provided on the light guide plate 11. The rightmost column may be omitted. As shown in the reference table 400, in this example, the light emitting element to be lit is set so that the light emitting color differs depending on the combination of the tactile switches pressed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the pattern 21 is “clogged”, the entrance surface 11a of the light guide plate 11 has the tactile switch 15-1 turned on, and the tactile switch 15-2, It has a shape in which 15-3 is turned off. Therefore, in the reference table 400, as shown in the second row from the top, the control unit 16 constantly lights the light emitting element that emits cold-colored light among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n, and other light emitting elements. Keep the light emitting element off. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the pattern 21 is "soon to be replaced", the entrance surface 11a of the light guide plate 11 has the tactile switch 15-1 turned off, and the tactile switches 15-2 and 15 It has a shape in which -3 is turned on. Therefore, in the reference table 400, as shown in the second column from the bottom, the control unit 16 blinks the light emitting element that emits green light among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n, and emits another light. Leave the element off. Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the pattern 21 is a "new product", the incident surface 11a of the light guide plate 11 has a shape in which all tactile switches are turned on. Therefore, in the reference table 400, as shown in the bottom row, the control unit 16 may always turn on all of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n.

Hereinafter, the details of the light guide plate 11 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a part of the light guide plate 11 as viewed from the front. Further, FIG. 6 is a schematic side sectional view of the light guide plate 11 in the line indicated by the arrow AA'in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one side surface of the light guide plate 11 faces the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n and guides the light emitted from the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n. It is formed as an incident surface 11a for being incident on the light plate 11.

Further, the incident surface 11a faces each tactile switch in a state where the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) to 4 (d), the incident surface 11a is formed in the tactile switches 15-1 to 15-m with the light guide plate 11 attached to the lighting device 12. It is formed so as to press the tactile switch corresponding to the pattern 21 formed on the light guide plate 11. Further, of the incident surface 11a, the portion of the tactile switches 15-1 to 15-m facing the tactile switch that is not pressed is formed in a notch shape. Therefore, when the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12, only the tactile switches 15-1 to 15-m corresponding to the pattern 21 are pressed. Therefore, only the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12, and the lighting device 12 obtains a light emitting element corresponding to the pattern 21 formed on the light guide plate 11 among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n. It is possible to light according to the lighting pattern according to.

According to the modified example, the portion of the tactile switches 15-1 to 15-m facing the pressed tactile switch protrudes toward the tactile switch side from the other portion of the incident surface 11a. The incident surface 11a may be formed. Also in this case, of the tactile switches 15-1 to 15-m, only the tactile switch corresponding to the pattern 21 is pressed.

The light from the lit light emitting element among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n is incident on the inside of the light guide plate 11 from the incident surface 11a. Then, the light from the lit light emitting element propagating inside the light guide plate 11 is totally reflected by the plurality of prisms 22 formed on the diffusion surface 11b located on the back surface side of the light guide plate 11, and then the light guide plate is used. The light is emitted from the exit surface 11c, which is located on the front side of the 11 and faces the diffusion surface 11b. The plurality of prisms 22 are arranged along the pattern 21 so as to form the pattern 21. Therefore, the observer can visually recognize the pattern 21 that appears to emit light on the surface of the light guide plate 11 while the light emitting element corresponding to the pattern 21 is lit. It should be noted that in FIGS. 5 and 6, the size of each prism 22 and the thickness of the light guide plate 11 are exaggerated in order to improve the legibility of the drawings.

The plurality of prisms 22 are arranged in a staggered pattern or in a grid pattern in the pattern 21, or are randomly arranged so that the arrangement density of the prisms is constant in the pattern 21. When providing light and darkness in the pattern 21, even if the arrangement density of the prism 22 is adjusted for each position in the pattern 21 so that the brighter portion in the pattern 21 has a higher arrangement density of the prism 22. Good.

Each of the plurality of prisms 22 is formed, for example, as a substantially triangular groove having a predetermined length on the diffusion surface 11b. The predetermined length is set to such a length that a plurality of prisms can be arranged for the pattern 21, for example, about several tens of μm to several hundreds of μm. Each of the plurality of prisms 22 forms a predetermined angle (hereinafter referred to as an inclination angle) with respect to the diffusion surface 11b, and totally reflects and emits the light from the corresponding light emitting element incident on the light guide plate 11. It has a reflecting surface 22a emitted from the surface 11c.

The inclination angle α of the reflecting surface 22a of each prism 22 forming the pattern 21 is such that when the observer looks at the vending machine 100 from the front side of the vending machine 100, the light reflected by each prism 22 is observed by the observer. For example, it is set to 30 ° to 50 ° so as to face toward.

Further, in each of the plurality of prisms 22, the reflecting surface 22a faces any of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n corresponding to the pattern 21 on the surface parallel to the diffusion surface 11b. It is arranged like this.

By arranging each of the plurality of prisms 22 in this way, each prism 22 receives light from the corresponding light emitting element among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n among the light incident from the incident surface 11a. Can be reflected so as to face the front direction of the light guide plate 11. On the other hand, among the light incident from the incident surface 11a, light other than the corresponding light emitting element, for example, stray light, is emitted at a relatively large angle with respect to the emitted surface 11c even if it is reflected by the prism 22. Since it is emitted from 11c, the light is difficult to be observed by an observer located in front of the light guide plate 11. Therefore, the display device 121 can show the pattern 21 to the observer only while the corresponding light emitting element is lit.

As described above, in this display device, the incident surface of the light guide plate on which the pattern displayed on the light guide plate is formed is a tactile switch corresponding to the pattern among the plurality of tactile switches of the lighting device. It has a shape to be pressed. Therefore, only by attaching the light guide plate to the lighting device, the tactile switch corresponding to the pattern formed on the light guide plate is pressed, and the lighting device lights the light emitting element corresponding to the pressed tactile switch. Therefore, in this display device, the light emitting element that illuminates the pattern can be appropriately set according to the displayed pattern.

According to the modified example, only one of the combination of light emitting elements and the lighting pattern to be lit is set according to the shape of the incident surface of the light guide plate, that is, according to the combination of the tactile switches to be pressed. The other may be preset regardless of the combination of tactile switches to be pressed.

Alternatively, the position of the pattern formed on the light guide plate may be different depending on the pattern. In this case, the lighting device may light the light emitting elements at different positions depending on the position of the pattern.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the position of the pattern formed on the light guide plate 11 and the lighting element of the light emitting element according to this modification. In this modification, the position of the pattern 21 formed on the light guide plate 11 is provided at a different position in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in the drawing) of the incident surface 11a for each light guide plate 11. For example, as shown in the figure, in one light guide plate, the pattern 21 is formed near the center of the incident surface 11a in the longitudinal direction. In this case, among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n, only the light emitting elements included in the group 141 near the center need to be lit. Further, in other light guide plates, the pattern 21 is formed on the left side of the center of the incident surface 11a in the longitudinal direction. In this case, among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n, only the light emitting elements included in the group 142 located on the left side of the center need to be lit. Also in this modification, the light emitting element to be lit is set by the combination of the tactile switches pressed by the light guide plate 11 inserted into the lighting device 12.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a reference table according to this modified example. The reference table 800 is the same as the reference table 400 shown in FIG. 4, except that the rightmost column represents the position of the pattern and the combination of the light emitting elements to be lit is different. In the reference table 800, the rightmost column may be omitted.

For example, when the pattern 21 is formed on the left side of the light guide plate 11, the tactile switch 15-1 is turned on and the tactile switches 15-2 and 15-3 are turned on as shown in the second row from the top in the reference table 800. The incident surface 11a of the light guide plate 11 is formed so that Therefore, the control unit 16 constantly lights a predetermined number (five in this example) of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n in order from the left side, and causes the other light emitting elements to be turned on. Leave it off. Further, when the pattern 21 is formed near the center and on the right side of the light guide plate 11, the tactile switch 15-1 is turned off and the tactile switch 15-2, as shown in the second row from the bottom in the reference table 800, is turned off. The incident surface 11a of the light guide plate 11 is formed so that 15-3 is turned on. Therefore, the control unit 16 constantly lights a predetermined number (9 in this example) of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n in order from the right side, and causes the other light emitting elements to be turned on. Leave it off. Further, when the pattern 21 is formed over the entire surface of the light guide plate 11, the incident surface 11a of the light guide plate 11 is formed so that all the tactile switches are turned on, as shown in the bottom row of the reference table 800. Will be done. Therefore, the control unit 16 constantly turns on all the light emitting elements that emit red light among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n, and keeps the other light emitting elements turned off.

The control unit 16 may control each light emitting element so that the light emitting elements that emit light of different colors are lit according to the position of the pattern. For example, when the pattern 21 is formed on the left side of the light guide plate 11, the control unit 16 lights a light emitting element that emits blue light, which is provided at the same position as the position of the pattern in the longitudinal direction of the incident surface 11a. On the other hand, when the pattern 21 is formed on the right side of the light guide plate 11, the control unit 16 is provided at the same position as the position of the pattern in the longitudinal direction of the incident surface 11a, and is a light emitting element that emits red light. May be turned on.

Further, according to another modification, the pattern 21 formed on the light guide plate 11 may have a plurality of sub-patterns. Then, the lighting pattern of each light emitting element may be controlled so that the order of the shining sub-patterns among the plurality of sub-patterns is changed according to the combination of the pressed tactile switches.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the pattern formed on the light guide plate 11 according to this modified example. In this modification, the pattern 21 formed on the light guide plate 11 includes sub-patterns 211-1 to 211-s (s is an integer of 2 or more). In this case as well, as in the above embodiment, the diffusion surface 11b of the light guide plate 11 may be provided with a plurality of prisms 22 arranged along the sub-pattern for each sub-pattern. Then, for each sub-pattern, each prism is formed so that the reflecting surface of each prism arranged along the sub-pattern faces the corresponding light emitting element among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n. Just do it. Therefore, the control unit 16 can show any one of the sub-patterns 211-1 to 211-s in order by changing the light emitting elements to be lit in order. Therefore, the display device 121 can express like an animation.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a reference table according to this modified example. In the reference table 1000, FIG. 4 shows, except that the second column from the right end represents the lighting pattern, the rightmost column represents the content of the lighting pattern, and the lighting pattern indicates the lighting order of each light emitting element. It is the same as the reference table 400. The rightmost column may be omitted in the reference table 1000 as well.

In this example, as the lighting pattern, the order of the light emitting elements to be lit may be shown among the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n. For example, as a lighting pattern, identification numbers of individual light emitting elements may be indicated for each lighting order. Then, the control unit 16 may turn on the individual light emitting elements in order at regular intervals according to the order. Further, the lighting pattern may include a period in which each light emitting element is lit. In this case, the control unit 16 may light the individual light emitting elements only for the period indicated by the lighting pattern. Further, the control unit 16 may repeatedly light each light emitting element according to a lighting pattern set by a combination of tactile switches pressed by the light guide plate 11 inserted into the lighting device 12.

In still another modification, a plurality of patterns may be formed on one light guide plate. Then, different side surfaces of the light guide plate may be formed as incident surfaces for each pattern.

11 (a) and 11 (b) are schematic front views of the light guide plate according to this modification. In this modification, two patterns 21-1 and 21-2 are formed on the light guide plate 11. Two of the side surfaces of the light guide plate 11 are formed as incident surfaces 11a and 11d, respectively. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the pattern 21-1 is displayed, the incident surface 11a faces the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n and the tactile switch 15-1 to 15-m. , The light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the pattern 21-2 is displayed, the incident surface 11d faces the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n and the tactile switch 15-1 to 15-m. As described above, the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12. Then, the incident surface 11a is lit so that the light emitting element corresponding to the pattern 21-1 of the light emitting elements 14-1 to 14-n lights according to the corresponding lighting pattern, as in the above embodiment. It is formed so as to press the tactile switch corresponding to the light emitting element and the lighting pattern. For example, the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12 so that the incident surface 11a faces each tactile switch and each light emitting element, and the incident surface 11a holds the tactile switch 15-1 and the tactile switch 15-3. The incident surface 11a is formed so as to be pressed. Further, the incident surface 11d is such that the incident surface 11d presses all the tactile switches while the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12 so that the incident surface 11d faces each tactile switch and each light emitting element. Is formed.

In this modified example as well, a plurality of prisms 22 arranged along the patterns for each of the patterns 21-1 and 21-2 may be formed on the diffusion surface 11b of the light guide plate 11. Each prism arranged along the pattern 21-1 is provided so that its reflecting surface faces the incident surface 11a. As a result, when the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12 so that the incident surface 11a faces each tactile switch and each light emitting element, each prism arranged along the pattern 21-1 corresponds to the light emitting. Since the light from the element is reflected toward the front side, the pattern 21-1 is displayed.

Similarly, each prism arranged along the pattern 21-2 is provided so that its reflecting surface faces the incident surface 11d. As a result, when the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12 so that the incident surface 11d faces each tactile switch and each light emitting element, each prism arranged along the pattern 21-2 corresponds to the light emitting. Since the light from the element is reflected toward the front side, the pattern 21-2 is displayed.

According to this modification, the display device can display different patterns only by changing the orientation of the light guide plate attached to the lighting device, and can appropriately set the light emitting element to be lit according to the displayed pattern. In this modified example, the number of patterns to be displayed may be 3 or 4. Then, different side surfaces of the light guide plate may be formed as incident surfaces corresponding to the patterns for each displayed pattern.

According to still another modification, the display device may have two lighting devices so as to face each other with the light guide plate in between.

FIG. 12A is a schematic perspective view of the display device according to this modification, and FIG. 12B is a schematic front view of the display device according to this modification. In this modification, the display device 121a has a light guide plate 11 and two lighting devices 12-1 and 12-2. The two lighting devices 12-1 and 12-2 can have the same configuration as the lighting device 12 in the above embodiment.

In this modification, two patterns 21-1 and 21-2 are formed on the light guide plate 11. Further, two side surfaces of the light guide plate 11 facing each other are formed as incident surfaces 11a and 11d, respectively. The light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12-1 so that the incident surface 11a faces each light emitting element and each tactile switch of the lighting device 12-1. Further, the light guide plate 11 is attached to the lighting device 12-2 so that the incident surface 11d faces each light emitting element and each tactile switch of the lighting device 12-2.

Further, the incident surface 11a is formed so that a combination of tactile switches for lighting the light emitting element corresponding to the pattern 21-1 of the tactile switches of the lighting device 12-1 is pressed. Similarly, the incident surface 11d is formed so that the combination of the tactile switches that light the light emitting element corresponding to the pattern 21-2 of the tactile switches of the lighting device 12-2 is pressed. Further, each prism arranged along the pattern 21-1 is provided so that its reflecting surface faces the incident surface 11a. Similarly, each prism arranged along the pattern 21-2 is provided so that its reflecting surface faces the incident surface 11d.

Therefore, among the light emitting elements of the lighting device 12-1, the light emitted from the light emitting element corresponding to the pattern 21-1 is incident on the light guide plate 11 from the incident surface 11a, and the incident light is along the pattern 21-1. It is reflected by each prism arranged in the above direction and emitted from the exit surface 11c on the front side. Therefore, the observer can visually recognize the pattern 21-1. Similarly, among the light emitting elements of the lighting device 12-2, the light emitted from the light emitting element corresponding to the pattern 21-2 is incident on the light guide plate 11 from the incident surface 11d, and the incident light is incident on the pattern 21-2. It is reflected by each prism arranged along the line and is emitted from the exit surface 11c on the front side. Therefore, the observer can also visually recognize the pattern 21-2.

Further, in this modification, the light guide plate 11 is curved between the incident surface 11a and the incident surface 11d so as to be convex toward the front side, that is, to project toward the exit surface 11c side. Then, in the curved portion 11e, each prism forming the pattern 21-1 is provided on the incident surface 11a side (lower side in FIG. 12B) from the center of the curved portion 11e, while the curved portion 11e of the curved portion 11e. Each prism forming the pattern 21-2 is provided on the incident surface 11d side (upper side in FIG. 12B) from the center. Therefore, the light incident on the light guide plate 11 from the incident surface 11a and reflected by each prism forming the pattern 21-1 is emitted from the light emitting surface 11c of the light guide plate 11 from the front to the lower side. This is because the light is reflected by each prism forming the pattern 21-1 and the angle of the upward light with respect to the emitting surface 11c is small, and the light is totally reflected by the emitting surface 11c and is not emitted from the light guide plate 11. Is. Similarly, the light incident on the light guide plate 11 from the incident surface 11d and reflected by each prism forming the pattern 21-2 is emitted from the light emitting surface 11c of the light guide plate 11 from the front to the upper side. Therefore, according to this modification, the display device can change the visible pattern according to the direction in which the observer looks at the light guide plate 11. Further, since the light guide plate 11 is formed so as to be curved, the light guide plate 11 can be bent to some extent, so that the light guide plate 11 can be easily attached to each of the two lighting devices.

In the above embodiment or each modification, the lighting device may be provided with another switch for identifying the pattern formed on the light guide plate by inserting the light guide plate instead of the tactile switch. .. For example, a photosensor may be used as such a switch. In this case, each photosensor may have, for example, a light source and a light receiving element provided so as to face each other with the light guide plate 11 interposed therebetween, with the light guide plate 11 attached to the lighting device. Each photosensor outputs a signal to the control unit 16 indicating that it is turned off when the light receiving element can receive light from the corresponding light source, and turns on when the light receiving element cannot receive light from the corresponding light source. A signal indicating that the signal is to be output is output to the control unit 16.

With the light guide plate 11 attached to the lighting device, the light from the light source does not reach the light receiving element for the photo sensor that is turned on, for example, the diffusion surface 11b at the position of the photo sensor. Alternatively, a mask that blocks light from the light source of the photo sensor may be provided on at least one of the exit surfaces 11c. Thereby, as in the above embodiment, by attaching the light guide plate to the lighting device, the display device can appropriately set the light emitting element that illuminates the pattern according to the displayed pattern. Further, in this example, regardless of the pattern formed on the light guide plate, the shape of the incident surface may be the same, and instead, a mask may be provided at a predetermined position, which facilitates the production of the light guide plate.

The display device according to the above embodiment or modification may be mounted on various display devices other than vending machines.

As described above, a person skilled in the art can make various changes within the scope of the present invention according to the embodiment.

100 Vending machine 110 Housing 111 Product display shelf 112 Select button 113 Money input port 114 Product outlet 115 Change return port 121, 121a Display device 131 Product sample 11 Light guide plate 11a, 11d Incident surface 11b Diffusion surface 11c Exit surface 11e Curved Parts 12, 12-1, 12-2 Lighting device 13 Housing 13a Insertion port 14-1 to 14-n Light emitting element 15-1 to 15-m Tactile switch 16 Control parts 21, 21-1, 21-2 Pattern 22 Prism 22a Reflective surface

Claims (3)

A light guide plate formed of a transparent member in a plate shape, one of the side surfaces of which is formed as a first incident surface, and a light guide plate capable of displaying the first pattern.
It has a lighting device to which the light guide plate is attached.
The lighting device includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged so as to face any side surface of the light guide plate with the light guide plate attached.
At least one switch that turns on or off when the light guide plate is attached,
A lighting pattern representing a time change of the lighting state of the lighting light emitting element of the plurality of light emitting elements or the lighting light emitting element is set according to the combination of the switches to be turned on among the at least one switch. Has a control unit
The light guide plate
In a state where the light guide plate is arranged on one surface of the light guide plate along the first pattern and the light guide plate is attached to the lighting device so that the first incident surface faces the plurality of light emitting elements. The present invention has a plurality of prisms that emit light emitted from a lighting light emitting element among the plurality of light emitting elements, reflect light incident on the light guide plate from the first incident surface, and emit light from the other surface of the light guide plate. And, it is formed so as to turn on the combination of switches corresponding to the first pattern of the at least one switch .
The other one of the side surfaces of the light guide plate is formed as a second incident surface, the light guide plate can further display the second pattern, and the light guide plate has the plurality of second incident surfaces. The light guide plate is attached to the lighting device so as to face the light emitting element of the light emitting element, and is formed so as to turn on the combination of the switches corresponding to the second pattern of the at least one switch. , Display device. Each of the at least one switch is a switch that can be switched on and off depending on whether or not it is pressed, and the light guide plate illuminates the light guide plate so that the first incident surface faces the plurality of light emitting elements. It is arranged so as to face the first incident surface of the light guide plate in a state of being attached to the device.
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first incident surface of the light guide plate has a shape that turns on a combination of switches corresponding to the first pattern of the at least one switch. The mounting part on which the object to be exhibited is placed and
A display device placed in front of the object to be exhibited and
Have,
The display device is
It is formed in a plate shape with a transparent member, one of the side surfaces is formed as a first incident surface, one surface is arranged so as to face the object to be exhibited, and the first pattern can be displayed. Light plate and
It has a lighting device to which the light guide plate is attached.
The lighting device includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged so as to face any side surface of the light guide plate with the light guide plate attached.
At least one switch that turns on or off when the light guide plate is attached,
A lighting pattern representing a time change of the lighting state of the lighting light emitting element of the plurality of light emitting elements or the lighting light emitting element is set according to the combination of the switches to be turned on among the at least one switch. Has a control unit
The light guide plate
A state in which the light guide plate is arranged on the one surface of the light guide plate along the first pattern, and the light guide plate is attached to the lighting device so that the first incident surface faces the plurality of light emitting elements. In the above, a plurality of prisms that are emitted from a lighting light emitting element among the plurality of light emitting elements, reflect light incident on the light guide plate from the first incident surface, and are emitted from the other surface of the light guide plate. It is formed to have and to turn on the combination of switches corresponding to the first pattern of the at least one switch .
The other one of the side surfaces of the light guide plate is formed as a second incident surface, the light guide plate can further display the second pattern, and the light guide plate has the plurality of second incident surfaces. The light guide plate is attached to the lighting device so as to face the light emitting element of the light emitting element, and is formed so as to turn on the combination of the switches corresponding to the second pattern of the at least one switch. , Exhibition equipment.

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