JPH09146478A - Display method by seven segments - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and momentarily grasp the outline of overall information in a visual way by serially or selectively controlling and lighting a continuous array part of each segment for analog indication. SOLUTION: A segment display part 23 at a lower row digitally indicates preset temperature by use of numeric values. Also, a seven-segment display part 22 at an upper row analogously shows a deviation between the preset temperature and actually measured temperature. Namely, among each segment piece 24 of segment pieces 22A to 22C, all the segment pieces 24 adjacent to each other and continuously arrayed in a right ascending and slantwise direction are made to light. In this state, the, the adjacent segment pieces 24 are continuously made to flash in sequence along a right upward or left downward direction from a reference segment piece 24A. According to this construction, a flashing part comes to expand or contract continuously in steps along the right upward or left downward direction from the reference segment piece 24A, thereby analogously indicating the variation of the deviation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a seven-segment display method for displaying numerical values such as a set temperature in a temperature controller and a deviation value between the set temperature and an actually measured temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, as a method of displaying a quantity such as a temperature, there are a digital display and an analog display. For example, in the temperature controller,
The deviation value from the set temperature or the measured temperature is displayed, and as its display means, there is an analog display using a bar graph display device or a digital display using a seven segment.

The display method of the temperature controller using analog display or digital display will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

A display device 1 for a temperature controller shown in FIG. 6 includes a seven segment display section 2 for displaying a set temperature and a bar graph display section 3 for displaying a deviation between a measured temperature and a set temperature.
It is composed of Seven segment display unit 2
It consists of three seven segments 4, and the set temperature is digitally displayed by numbers. Bar graph display section 3
Is composed of seven bar graph display pieces 5 provided in parallel, and the left and right directions are turned on with the central bar graph display piece 5A as the center. Specifically, for example, when the measured temperature is lower than the set temperature, the bar graph display piece 5 on the left side is turned on, and when the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature, the bar graph display piece 5 on the right side is turned on to display the deviation value. It is designed to be displayed in analog.

The display device 6 of the temperature controller shown in FIG. 7 comprises a seven segment display section 2 similar to the above and a deviation meter 7. The deviation meter 7 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape, and is lit in a chained manner to the left and right with the central portion as a boundary. That is, the lighting portion 7A is displayed as a rod-like shape that expands and contracts to the left and right with the central portion as a boundary to indicate the magnitude of the deviation value.

A display device 8 of the temperature controller shown in FIG. 8 is constructed by arranging the bun-segment display portions 2 in two stages vertically. As a result, the set temperature is digitally displayed on the lower seven-segment display unit 2 and the deviation value is digitally displayed on the upper seven-segment display unit 2.

[0007]

By the way, the means for displaying the magnitude of the deviation value by using the bar graph display unit 3 and the deviation meter 7 can easily recognize the variation amount visually. It is a very effective display means. However, in this case, it is possible to know only the rough quantity of the whole, and it is not possible to know or display accurate numerical information.

There is also a display device 8 in which the seven segment display portions 2 are arranged in two stages in order to display the information such as the accurate quantity, but in this case, the overall rough quantity can be easily adjusted. I can't figure it out. That is, although an accurate numerical value can be displayed, it is not suitable for easily and instantaneously grasping the rough condition of the current deviation value.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to display quantitative information as digitally accurate numerical values and to easily and visually grasp rough general information. It is intended to provide a display method by the displayed seven segment.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first invention is to arrange a plurality of seven segments in parallel, and selectively control the lighting of individual segment pieces of each of the seven segments to obtain a normal number. In the display method by the seven segment for displaying, in addition to the normal numerical display, the continuous lighting of the segment pieces is controlled in a chained manner, or the lighting is selectively controlled to perform an analog display. Is characterized by.

A second aspect of the invention is to arrange a plurality of seven segments in parallel, and to control the lighting of the continuously arranged portions of each segment piece in a chained manner, or selectively control the lighting to display an analog display. Is characterized by.

According to the first aspect of the invention, when the quantity information is digitally displayed as an accurate numerical value, the seven segment is displayed in a normal usage mode. As a result, it is possible to display accurate quantity information using numbers.

Further, in order to make it possible to visually and easily grasp the general general information, the display is switched to analog display. That is, the quantity information is displayed as an analog variation amount by controlling the lighting of the continuously arranged portions of each segment piece. The segment pieces may be arranged in any of the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the diagonal direction. That is, only the vertically long segment pieces that are continuously arranged in the horizontal direction are taken out to control lighting, or only the horizontally long segment pieces that are continuously arranged in the vertical direction are taken out and controlled to light up, or adjacent to each other in an oblique direction. Only the segment pieces that are lined up continuously are taken out and the lighting is controlled.

These segment pieces are controlled to be lit in a chain or selectively lit to perform analog display. Here, the chained lighting control is a lighting display control method in which the adjacent segment pieces are sequentially lighted from the reference position so that the lighting portion looks like a rod and expands and contracts from the reference position. Further, the selective lighting control is a lighting display control method in which a segment piece is selected and lit according to the amount of change desired to be displayed, and the lit portion moves from the reference position to the left, right, up and down. In this case, the segment piece deviated from the reference position by the distance corresponding to the change amount or the like is selected and lit, and the change amount or the like is displayed as the deviation amount from the reference position.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the seven segments arranged in parallel are used to perform purely analog display without numerical display. This can also be done using existing Seven Segments. That is, it becomes possible to perform analog display on the existing seven segment used to display the numerical value.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The display method by the seven segment of the present invention can be used to display various kinds of quantity information. Here, the set temperature in the temperature controller and its setting are set in the same manner as the above-mentioned conventional technique. The case of displaying the deviation value between the temperature and the actually measured temperature will be described as an example.

First, a display device used for implementing the display method by the seven segment according to the present embodiment will be described.

The overall structure of the temperature controller 11 is as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 12 in the figure is a CPU for controlling the whole. The CPU 12 includes an input unit 13 and a temperature sensor 1.
4, the temperature control unit 15, and the display device 16 are connected via interfaces 17, 18, 19, and 20, respectively. The input unit 13 is composed of a keyboard or the like, and inputs a set temperature, a display mode switching instruction between digital display and analog display, and the like. The temperature sensor 14 measures the actual temperature,
That is, the current actual temperature is measured. The temperature controller 15
It consists of a heater and heat pump, etc., and actually raises and lowers the temperature.

The display device 16 displays the set temperature input by the input unit 13 and the deviation value between the actually measured temperature measured by the temperature sensor 14 and the set temperature. The structure of the display device 16 is the same as that of the display device 8 of the prior art. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the display device 16 is configured by arranging two seven-segment display units 22 and 23 in two stages, upper and lower. Of these, the upper seven-segment display unit 22 displays the deviation value between the set temperature and the measured temperature, and the lower seven-segment display unit 23 displays the set temperature.

Each of the seven segment display sections 22 and 23 is
Seven segments 22A, 22 arranged in parallel
B, 22C, 23A, 23B, 23C. Furthermore, each seven segment 22A-23C
Are arranged so that each of the seven segment pieces 24 is arranged vertically and horizontally so as to form a figure 8. Each of these segment pieces 24 is individually controlled to light up, and a number from 0 to 9 is displayed.

The CPU 12 stores a function of controlling each of the above parts. Specifically, the overall control function shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the display control functions of the seven segment display units 22 and 23 of the display device 16 described below are stored.

The display control function of the seven segment display sections 22 and 23 is to mean that each of the seven segments 22A, 22B and 2
2C, 23A, 23B, and 23C are used to digitally display numbers, or the segment pieces 24 are individually turned on and controlled to display the quantity in an analog manner. Specifically, it is as follows.

The lower seven-segment display section 23 of the display device 16 digitally displays the set temperature numerically. That is, in order to accurately display the quantity information digitally, the lighting control of the seven segment is performed in a normal usage mode, and the correct quantity information is displayed by using numbers.

The upper seven-segment display unit 22 numerically displays the deviation value between the actually measured temperature and the set temperature, and also analogically displays the change in the amount. That is, the deviation value between the measured temperature and the set temperature is a numerical value that constantly changes, and usually a fine numerical value is unnecessary and a rough change amount can be known. An analog display is provided for easy and instant understanding. Specifically, each of the seven segments 22A, 22B, 22
The lighting control is performed on the continuously arranged portions of the segment pieces 24 of C, 23A, 23B, and 23C. In this case, only the segment pieces 24 (blackened portions in FIG. 1) which are adjacent and continuously arranged in an obliquely upward right direction are taken out, and these pieces are chained to be controlled for lighting to perform analog display. Here, the chained lighting control is the following control method. That is, all of the segment pieces 24 arranged in the diagonally upward right direction are turned on in advance, and in this state, the adjacent segment pieces 24 are replaced with the reference segment pieces 24A.
Is a control method of sequentially and sequentially blinking in the upper right direction or the lower left direction. As a result, the blinking portion continuously expands and contracts from the reference segment piece 24A in the upper right direction or the lower left direction in a stepwise manner, and the change amount of the deviation value is displayed in an analog manner.

[Display Method Using Seven Segments] The display method using the seven segments according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the temperature controller 11 is activated and initialization is performed (step 1). In this initial setting, the set temperature and the display mode (mode of digital display or analog display) are set. Specifically, the operator inputs the set temperature and the display mode from the input unit 13. In the input of the display mode, the flag is set depending on whether it is the digital display or the analog display. It should be noted that this initial setting may be the same as the setting made at the end of the previous operation of the temperature controller 11.

Then, it is judged whether or not the set temperature is changed (step 2). This processing can function effectively from the second processing onward regardless of the start-up time.
Here, if the set temperature is changed, the numerical display of the lower seven-segment display unit 23 is switched according to the instruction (step 3).

If it is determined in step 2 that the set temperature has not been changed, the process proceeds to step 4. In step 4, it is determined whether the display mode has been switched.
When the display mode is switched, the display mode flag is switched (step 5).

If the display mode has not been switched, the process proceeds directly to step 6. In step 6, the temperature sensor 14 captures the measured temperature. Next, the deviation value between the fetched measured temperature and the set temperature is calculated (step 7).

Then, it is judged whether the display mode is digital display or analog display based on the flag (step 8). In the case of digital display, the process proceeds to step 9 to perform digital display control described later. In the case of analog display, the process proceeds to step 10 to perform analog display control described later.

Next, the temperature controller 15 is controlled to adjust the temperature so that the deviation value becomes small, that is, the measured temperature approaches the set temperature (step 11).

Thereafter, the process returns to step 2 and the same processing as described above is repeated.

The digital display control is as follows. This digital display control is a normal numerical display control, and the set temperature and the deviation value are displayed numerically according to the original display function of the seven segment display units 22 and 23. Specifically, each of the seven segments 22A-23C
The lighting is controlled by a normal usage mode. Then, when the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature, for example, the numerical value of the deviation value is displayed as a positive value, and when the actual measured temperature is lower than the set temperature, the numerical value of the deviation value is displayed as a negative value.

The analog display control is as follows.
Regarding the display control of the lower seven-segment display unit 23, the set temperature is displayed as a number in the same manner as the digital display control. Then, analog display control is performed on the upper seven-segment display unit 22. This analog display control is specifically performed by each seven segment 22.
Among the segments A to 22C, the segment pieces 24 described above, that is, the segment pieces 2 that are continuously arranged side by side in the diagonal direction.
Lighting control is performed by using the portion of No. 4. That is, of these segment pieces 24, the blinking portion is expanded in a chain in the lower left direction or the upper right direction around the central segment piece 24A.

Specifically, it is performed as follows. Except for the segment piece 24A at the center, all the segment pieces 24 arranged in the diagonal direction are turned on in advance. The segment piece 24A at the center is made to blink. In this state, when the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature with the central segment piece 24A as the center, the central segment piece 24A and the upper right direction are arranged in proportion to the magnitude of the deviation value. Each segment piece 24 is blinked. That is, when the deviation value is small, only the central segment piece 24A and, for example, the one segment piece 24 on the right side are made to blink. When the deviation value is a little larger than this, in addition to the two segment pieces 24A, 24, the segment piece 2 on the right side is further added.
Make 4 blink. Thus, the central segment piece 24
Lighting control is performed so that a stepwise blinking portion extends to the upper right centering on A. When the measured temperature is lower than the set temperature, contrary to the above case, the blinking portion extends to the lower left stepwise. Thereby, it is possible to visually grasp at a glance whether the measured temperature is higher or lower than the set temperature, or whether the deviation value is large or small. Further, the actual measured temperature and the rough value of the deviation value can be grasped at a glance.

When it is desired to obtain accurate numerical information regarding the deviation value, a digital display instruction is input from the input unit 13 to switch to digital display. As a result, it is judged in step 8 that the digital display is instructed, and the digital display control in step 9 is performed.

[Effect] As described above, the analog display of the upper seven-segment display section 22 makes it possible to easily and instantly visually grasp the general information about the deviation value. At the same time, it is possible to digitally display the upper seven-segment display unit 22, and it becomes possible to know accurate numerical information of the deviation value.

[Modification] In the above embodiment, as the segment piece 24 for analog display of the upper seven-segment display section 22, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion arranged continuously in an oblique direction is used. However, the arrangement of the segment pieces 24 is not limited to the diagonal direction, but may be the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, only the vertically long segment pieces 24 continuously arranged in the horizontal direction are taken out to control lighting, or as shown in FIG. 3, the horizontally long segment pieces continuously arranged in the vertical direction. You may make it take out only 24 and carry out lighting control. These segment pieces 24
Are controlled in a chained manner as described above, or selectively controlled in a manner described later to display an analog display.

Here, the selective lighting control is a display method in which the segment piece 24 is selected according to the amount of change desired to be displayed and blinked, and the blinking portion is moved from the reference position to the left, right, up and down. . According to the above-described embodiment, when the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature, the specific segment piece 24 to the right of the central segment piece 24 is blinked according to the magnitude of the deviation value. When the measured temperature is lower than the set temperature, the left specific segment piece 24 is made to blink. This makes it possible to visually grasp at a glance how the measured temperature is in relation to the set temperature by operating in the same manner as in the above embodiment. It goes without saying that this selective lighting control may be applied to the above embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the whole is turned on in advance and the corresponding part is controlled to blink according to the change in the deviation value. You may control so that a certain part may be lighted. Further, it is also possible to initially turn off the whole and control to turn on or blink a necessary part. Lighting can be controlled by various combinations of lighting, blinking, and extinguishing.

Further, the lighting control of the present embodiment can be applied to the existing seven segment display portions (22, 23) provided for displaying numerical values. That is, the display control method of the existing seven-segment display unit for displaying numerical values may be changed to allow analog display as in the above-described embodiment.

[0042]

As described in detail above, according to the display method by the seven segment of the present invention, in addition to the normal numeral display, the continuously arranged portions of the segment pieces are controlled to be lit in a chain. Or, the lighting is selectively controlled to display the analog display. By displaying the analog display, it is possible to visually and easily and instantly grasp the general information about the quantity information to be displayed. At the same time, the digital display makes it possible to grasp the accurate numerical value of the quantity information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a display device used in a display method by a seven segment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a display device according to a first modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a display device according to a second modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram showing a temperature controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall control function of the temperature controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a display device according to a first conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a display device according to a second conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a display device according to a third conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

16: display device, 22: upper seven-segment display unit, 23: lower seven-segment display unit, 22A, 2
2B, 22C, 23A, 23B, 23C: Seven segment, 24: Segment piece.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A display method using a seven segment, in which a plurality of seven segments are arranged in parallel, and individual segments of each of the seven segments are selectively light-controlled to display normal numbers, in addition to the normal number display, A display method according to a seven segment, characterized in that the consecutively arranged portions of the respective segment pieces are controlled to be turned on in a chained manner or selectively turned on for analog display. 2. A plurality of seven segments are provided side by side, and a portion of each segment piece which is continuously arranged is controlled to be lit in a chained manner, or selectively lit to be controlled to perform an analog display. Display method by seven segment.