JPH1013605A - Electronic information display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely recognize the change of a display content and to realize high advertising effect by calling observer's attention with a lamp and a chime in connection to the rewriting operation of a still image on a display body. SOLUTION: This device is operated from a control panel 75 and the whole device is controlled by CPU 71. A magnetic display sheet into/from which data can magnetically be written/deleted is circularly transmitted by a motor 63. When a recording head 30 is driven by a driver 88 based on an external printing signal, it forms the still image on the magnetic sheet. A notification circuit 90 for notifying the observer of the rewriting of a display picture operates the lamp 91 and the chime 92 in connection to the rewriting operation of the still image on the magnetic display sheet so as to call observer's attention.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic information display device for recording and displaying a still image on a display body based on print information sent from an external host device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetically responsive magnetic display sheet has been known as a display body which develops or erases color in response to the direction and strength of a magnetic field (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 48-48).
56393, JP-A-2-146082).

[0003] Such a magnetic display sheet can draw simple characters and figures by contacting a magnet pen with a built-in magnet on the sheet surface, and can be reused many times by erasing. Has been put to practical use.

In recent years, an electronic information display device has been developed which records and displays a still image on a magnetic display sheet by a recording head forming a dot matrix magnetic field based on print information sent from an external host device. Is being done.
Since the electronic information display device can change the display content arbitrarily by remote control from an external host device, it can be installed at public facilities, stations, retail stores, etc. Can be widely announced and advertised. In addition, poster replacement work is not required, which contributes to resource saving of paper and the like, and is therefore expected to be a future bulletin board.

[0005]

In such an electronic information display device, it is possible to frequently rewrite the display contents, but generally, it is necessary to keep the printed contents displayed for a relatively long time. There are many. In particular, an image printed on a magnetic display sheet is characterized in that it is retained as it is even when the power of the apparatus is turned off.

On the other hand, when the display contents are rewritten, the sheet is conveyed and the recording head is reciprocated quietly inside the apparatus. For this reason, passersby often do not notice the change of the display contents, and there is a possibility that the advertisement effect cannot be sufficiently achieved.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic information display device capable of reliably recognizing a change in display content and achieving a high advertising effect.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a writable and erasable display body and a print signal from the outside are provided.
Recording means for forming a still image on a display, transport means for circulating and transporting the display, and a notice for calling attention to an observer in connection with a rewriting operation of a still image on the display Means for electronic information display. According to the present invention, a notice for calling the attention of the observer is given at least once before the start of the recording operation, during the recording operation and after the end of the recording operation, in connection with the rewriting operation of the still image on the display body. By doing so, the observer can surely recognize the change in the display content, and thus a high advertising effect can be achieved. In addition, as a display body that can be written and erased,
A magnetic display sheet using magnetophoresis or magnetic reversal, a photosensitive display sheet using an electrostatographic process, or the like can be used.

The present invention is characterized in that the notifying means generates a sound. According to the present invention, for example, a chime, a buzzer, music,
By generating a sound such as an announcement, the observer's attention can be directed to the display content, thereby improving the advertising effect.

[0010] The present invention is characterized in that the notifying means generates light. According to the present invention, an observer's attention can be directed to the display content by generating light by, for example, a rotating light or a blinking lamp in accordance with the rewriting operation of the display content, thereby improving the advertising effect. Can be

The present invention is characterized in that the use or non-use of the notification means can be arbitrarily set. According to the present invention, the use or non-use of the notification means can be arbitrarily set, so that the notification means can be appropriately changed according to the time zone, the place, the display content, and the like which do not need to be notified, and the advertising method can be diversified.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises storage means for storing a plurality of display images displayed on the display body, and the operating condition of the notifying means can be set for each display image. According to the present invention, since the operating condition of the notifying means can be set for each display image, use or non-use of the notification according to the content of the display image or the display condition, or switching of timbre or scale, wavelength of light, etc. The notification method such as the distribution and the blinking period can be changed as appropriate, and the advertising method can be diversified.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electronic information display device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view thereof. A driven roller 50 is disposed on the inner upper portion of the housing 1, and a driving roller 60 is disposed on the inner lower portion. A flexible and endless magnetic member is provided between the two rollers 50 and 60. The display sheet 10 is suspended. Roller 5
Numeral 0 is urged upward by an elastic member (not shown) such as a spring, and applies a constant tension to the magnetic display sheet 10 to stabilize the running of the sheet and maintain the flatness of the sheet surface. The roller 60 is driven to rotate by a motor 63 via gears 61 and 62. By driving the roller 60, the magnetic display sheet 10 is moved from bottom to top on the front side of the housing 1 (left side in FIG. 1 and rear side in FIG. 2), and from the rear side of the housing 1 (right side in FIG. In FIG. 2 (front side), circulation is performed so as to transfer from top to bottom. A display window 2 made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin or glass is formed on the front surface of the housing 1.

The recording head 30 is installed below the rear side of the magnetic display sheet 10 on the rear side of the transfer side, and receives a dot matrix toward the surface of the magnetic display sheet 10 based on a print signal from an external host device (not shown). A recording magnetic field is generated. The recording head 30 has a plurality of electromagnetic coils arranged in a staggered manner, for example, and is mounted on a carriage 31 that reciprocates in the sheet width direction. The carriage 31 is 2
Endless belt 3 suspended between two pulleys 34, 35
3 and a motor 36 that drives the pulley 35 to rotate while being guided by the two guide shafts 32.
Driven by

The erasing head 20 is composed of a permanent magnet or the like having a length equal to or larger than the sheet width. The erasing head 20 is arranged above the front transfer side of the magnetic display sheet 10 and in close contact with the back side of the magnetic display sheet 10. I have.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing the structure of the magnetic display sheet 10. On the magnetic display sheet 10, microcapsules 15 that develop color in response to magnetism are applied and fixed over the entire surface. The microcapsule 15 is composed of a high-viscosity liquid and a spherical shell that holds the liquid tightly.
In this liquid, substantially black magnetic particles and substantially white non-magnetic particles are dispersed. For example, black iron oxide (FeO) particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm are used as magnetic particles, and white titanium oxide particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm are used as nonmagnetic particles. In addition, as the high-viscosity liquid, an aqueous liquid, an oil or fat, an organic solvent including a surfactant-based solvent or the like is used, and gelatin is mainly used as a material of the spherical shell. Distributed in a range.

The microcapsules 15 are kneaded with a binder 14 made of a highly transparent synthetic rubber-based adhesive or the like, and applied to a substrate 11 made of a transparent material such as polyethylene terephthalate.
A μm capsule coating layer 12 is formed.

A protective sheet 13 made of, for example, a polypropylene long-fiber nonwoven fabric is adhered to the back surface of the capsule coating layer 12 so as to have a thickness of, for example, 300 to 1000 μm.
Seat running is facilitated.

On the other hand, the recording head 30 has a box-shaped yoke 39 made of a high magnetic permeability material, a magnetic core 37 erected inside the yoke 39 and made of a high magnetic permeability material, and an electromagnetic wave mounted on the magnetic core 37. And a plurality of magnetic cores 37 and electromagnetic coils 38 corresponding to the plurality of print dots. A number of voids are formed on the printing surface 39a of the yoke 39, and the leading end of the magnetic core 37 is positioned at the center of each void, and the leakage magnetic field is generated by the presence of the void between the magnetic core 37 and the void. Occurs.

When the electromagnetic coil 38 is selectively energized in response to a print signal, a magnetic field is generated along the axial direction of the magnetic core 37 and passes through a magnetic circuit comprising the magnetic core 37, a gap and a yoke 39. , A recording magnetic field is generated toward the magnetic display sheet 10.

Next, the principle of magnetic recording / display and erasure will be described. When the recording head 30 is brought close to the surface of the magnetic display sheet 10 where the substrate 11 is located, and a recording magnetic field is generated based on a print signal, the magnetic particles dispersed in the microcapsules 15 are attracted to the substrate 11 and the pressure is reduced. Thereby, the non-magnetic particles move to the protective sheet 13 side.
Then, when viewed from the front side of the magnetic display sheet 10, the portion to which the recording magnetic field is applied is observed to have a substantially black color. By applying the magnetic field in a dot matrix using the recording head 30, characters and symbols can be displayed. Can be recorded.

Next, when the erasing head 20 is brought close to the back side of the magnetic display sheet 10, that is, the side where the protective sheet 13 is located, the magnetic particles dispersed in the microcapsules 15 are attracted to the protective sheet 13 side, and the pressure is reduced. As a result, the non-magnetic particles move toward the base 11. Then, when viewed from the front side of the magnetic display sheet 10, the portion to which the erasing magnetic field is applied becomes substantially white, and the erasing magnetic field is uniformly erased by applying the erasing magnetic field to the entire sheet width.

As the above-mentioned high-viscosity liquid in the microcapsule 15, a liquid having a predetermined viscosity is selected in order to maintain a display state of magnetic particles moved to the back side or the front side by applying a magnetic field. That is, if the viscosity of the liquid is low, the display state is prevented from being disturbed by the particles that have once moved to the front side or the back side settling or moving due to vibration or the like. Therefore, the above-described recording head 3
The magnetic attraction force in the zero and erasing heads 20 needs to be greater than the yield value due to the viscosity of the liquid, and thereby writing and erasing of a display are performed.

Next, the operation of the entire apparatus will be described. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, first, before printing is started, the magnetic display sheet 10 is circulated at a constant speed and the erase head 20 is rotated.
To erase the entire surface. Next, a print signal is received from an external host device, and each time the development of image data for one print line is completed, the recording head 30 is moved for several milliseconds to several hundred milliseconds while moving in the sheet width direction. The magnetic printing is performed by applying the pulse current described above and applying a dot matrix magnetic field to the surface of the magnetic display sheet 10.

When printing of one line is completed, the magnetic display sheet 10 is moved by a predetermined feed pitch and stopped, and then printing is performed based on the image data developed for the next printing line. Thus, the development of the image data, the recording head 30
The image of one sheet is formed while repeating the serial printing and the intermittent feeding of the magnetic display sheet 10.

Next, when a new image is printed, the magnetic display sheet 10 is circulated at a constant speed to erase the entire surface by the erasing head 20, and then the recording head 3 is printed.
Performs serial printing with 0.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electronic information display device according to the present invention. The electronic information display device includes a CPU (central processing unit) 71 for controlling the operation of the entire device according to a predetermined program, a clock circuit 72 for generating a clock for determining the operation timing, and a timer circuit 73 for measuring the elapsed time. Operation panel 7 including various switches, display LEDs (light emitting diodes), etc.
5 and an input / output (I /
O) A circuit 74 and an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM) for storing programs and data.
mory) 76 and E for storing data in a rewritable manner
EPROM (Erasable Electrically Programmable Read)
Only Memory) 77, a system control circuit 78 for managing display-related management and control related to the entire apparatus such as initial operation control at power-on, and an interface circuit for communicating with external devices. 80, an interface (I / F) control circuit 79 for controlling the interface circuit 80, a motor control circuit 83 for controlling the number of rotations and the direction of rotation of the motors 36 and 63, and a head for controlling the operation of the recording head 30 A control circuit 84 and a RAM (Random) for temporarily storing various data such as print data
Access Memory) 85, a memory control circuit 86 for controlling a use area of each of the memories 76, 77, 85, and a motor 3
6, 63 and a driver circuit 88 for driving the recording head 30, a driver control circuit 87 for controlling the driver circuit 88, and a bus 70 for interconnecting the circuits.

The interface circuit 80 is a facsimile modem (facsimile modem) for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from another facsimile apparatus via a transmission line such as a telephone line.
81 and a serial communication circuit 82 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from another computer in accordance with a communication standard such as RS232C.
And

A notifying circuit 90 for notifying the observer that the display image has been rewritten is connected to the input / output circuit 74. The notifying circuit 90 includes a lamp 91 for flashing light, a chime 92 for generating a chime sound, and Is provided.

FIGS. 5 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operation. First, in step a1 of FIG.
Represents the EPROM 76 and the EEPROM as shown in FIG.
Data is taken out from various kinds of setting information stored in advance in M77 and initialized in the RAM 85. Here, the total number of pages P
Is the number of pages of the image stored in the RAM 85, and the initial value is 8
It is. The designated page number N is the page number of the currently displayed image, which is an initial value at the time of shipment from the factory and 0 which means no designation in a non-display state. The timer value T is a time when the timer circuit 73 measures the time and generates a timer interrupt. The initial value is 0, which means that the timer interrupt is generated immediately after the power is turned on. The chime permission flag CE is
This is for setting whether or not to perform the chime operation. The initial value is 1 which means that the operation is performed.

Next, in step a2, it is determined whether or not there is an incoming fax. If there is no incoming fax, the process proceeds to step a4, and it is determined whether or not there is a timer interrupt for determining the timing of switching the current display image to the next image. If there is no timer interrupt, the process returns to step a2, and waits in a loop until a facsimile incoming call of step a2 or a timer interrupt of step a4 occurs.

When a facsimile call is received in step a2,
At step a3, a data processing routine is executed. Also,
When a timer interrupt occurs in step a4, an interrupt processing routine is executed in step a5.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a data processing routine of step a3. First, in step b1, the FAX modem 81 starts receiving the FAX data, and determines in step b2 whether the reception of the image data of the first page is completed. In Step b3, data is received for each scanning line, and Step b3
In step 4, the received data is stored in the input buffer set in the RAM 85. When the reception of the image data for one page is completed, the facsimile reception operation is completed and the line is disconnected in step b5.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a transmission original. A display condition designation area Ra for setting an operation condition for displaying an image is secured at a leading portion (for example, about 10 mm in length of A4 size paper) of the transmission original, and an image to be transmitted following this area Ra is secured. An image area Rb for drawing is formed. In the display condition designation area Ra, a mark column M1 for entering the page number of this document, two-digit mark columns M2 and M3 for entering the display time of the image described in the image region Rb, operating conditions of the chime, That is, a mark column M4 for instructing to sound a chime every time the image is displayed, a mark column M5 for instructing not to sound a chime when displaying an image, and sounding of a chime only for the first time immediately after updating an image. A mark field M6 for designating and a mark field M7 for designating not to sound a chime at all are formed. The user forms an image to be transmitted in the image area Rb, and enters image display conditions and the presence / absence of a chime in each of the mark columns M1 to M7 by numbers or painting. FA
The X modem 81 collectively receives the display condition designation area Ra and the image area Rb shown in FIG. 9 as one image data.

Returning to FIG. 6, when the reception of such image data is completed in step b5, in step b6 C
The PU 71 determines whether or not the mark sections M7 and M8 have been painted, that is, whether or not there has been an instruction to turn off all the chimes or turn on all the chimes. Next, in step b7,
If there is an instruction to turn off all the chimes, the chime permission flag CE is set to 0 in step b8. If there is no instruction to turn off all the chimes, the process proceeds to step b81.

Next, in step b81, if there is an instruction to turn on the chime, the chime permission flag is set to 1 in step b82.
Set to. On the other hand, if there is no instruction to turn on all the chimes, the process proceeds to step b9.

In step b9, the remaining mark fields M
Characters written in 1 to M3 are analyzed using an automatic character recognition processing program or the like, page numbers and display times are determined, and whether or not the mark fields M4 to M6 are painted is analyzed to determine whether a chime is designated. Is determined. Next, step b1
In the case of 0 to b11, the data relating to the determined page number, display time and chime designation is associated with the received image data and R
Store it in AM85.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the format of data stored in the RAM 85. In the RAM 85, a display image storage area for eight pages is secured according to the initial value P = 8 of the total number of pages, and designation information corresponding to each image data is also stored. For example, the image data (shown by the illustration of the sun and the mountains) of the transmission original shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the display image storage area corresponding to the second page, and further, in accordance with the display condition specification shown in FIG. The data of the number 2, the chime designation only for the first time, the display time of 10 minutes, and the chime flag F of 0 are stored as image attribute data.

When a plurality of display images are stored in this manner, the presence or absence of a chime operation can be set for each display image, so that the degree of freedom of the notification method increases.

When the data processing routine of FIG. 6 ends,
It returns to step a4 of FIG. In this way, every time one image is transmitted, the display conditions are stored in the RAM 85 together with the image data, so that a total of eight pages of images can be stored. By increasing the storage capacity of the RAM 85 or using a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk together, the number of image storage pages and the total number of pages in the initial setting can be increased.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the interrupt processing routine of step a5. When the timer circuit 73 generates an interrupt, the page number (designated page number) N being displayed is read in step c1 and set to the display number L. The designated page number N in the non-display state is 0.
Next, in step c2, the display number L is incremented by one. If the display number L exceeds the total number of pages P in step c3, in step c4, if an interrupt occurs in the non-display state, the next step c5 The display number L is set to 0 so that the search for an image can be stopped, and if an interrupt occurs in the image display state, the search for the presence or absence of an image on the first page can be performed.

Next, in step c5, N = L is determined, and the search is stopped when the search for the next image to be displayed has been completed, and the image display is stopped when there is no image data to be displayed in the display image storage area. Processing is in progress. Step c5
In, if no image data exists in the display image storage area corresponding to the display number L, the process returns to step c2 for displaying the next image. At this time, the designated page number N is EEP
It is also written in the ROM 77 and used as an initial setting value at the next power-on.

If image data corresponding to the display number L exists in step c6, the display number L is set to the designated page number N in step c7, and the display processing of the image data corresponding to the designated page number N is performed in step c8. Execute

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display processing routine of step c8. First, in step d1, the lamp 91 for rewriting display is turned on, and then step d
In step 2, the image data corresponding to the designated page number N is read into the print buffer set in the RAM 85, and the process proceeds to step d.
At 3, the recording head 30 performs magnetic recording based on the image data in the print buffer while transporting the magnetic display sheet 10. In step d4, it is determined whether or not the recording operation for one page has been completed. When the recording operation has been completed, the magnetic display sheet 10 is transported to the display area corresponding to the display window 2 in step d5.

Next, at step d6, the chime permission flag C is set.
E is determined, and if the permission flag CE = 1, step d is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step 7, wherein the chime designation and the chime flag F in the designation information corresponding to the image data of the designated page number N are read. The chime flag F is set for each image data and sets whether or not the chime operation has been performed in the past. When the image data is received, the chime flag F indicates that the chime operation corresponding to the image data has not been performed in the past. F = 0 is set. If the chime designation is not off, the process proceeds to step d9. If the chime designation is only for the first time, the process proceeds to step d10. Further, the chime flag F is determined to determine whether or not the display is the first time.
In step 1, the chime 92 is operated to generate a chime sound, and in step d12, a chime flag F = 1 is set.

On the other hand, the chime permission flag CE = 0 in step d6, the chime designation is off in step d8, and the chime designation is only the first time and the chime flag is not 0 (not the first display) in step d10. Step d without ringing the chime 92
Go to step 13.

As a specific embodiment, when displaying image data corresponding to page number 2 shown in FIG. 10, the chime is designated only for the first time, and the chime flag F is 0, so that the chime is sounded when display processing is performed. become.

When the image data corresponding to page number 3 is displayed, the chime is designated only for the first time, and the chime flag F is 1, indicating that the display has been performed in the past. It will not ring.

When the image data corresponding to page number 1 is displayed, the chime designation is On, and a chime is sounded when the display processing is performed irrespective of the chime flag F. Even in this case, if the chime permission flag CE = 0 for setting the operation of the chime of the entire display device, the chime is not sounded in preference to the chime designation which is a setting for each image data.

Next, after the rewrite display lamp 91 is turned off in step d13, the display time corresponding to the designated page number N is read in step d14, and the process proceeds to step d15.
Then, the display time is set in the timer circuit 73 to set the time until the next timer interrupt. In step d16, the timer circuit 73 starts counting time. In this way, until the next timer interrupt occurs, that is, the timer circuit 7
The current image display continues until the display time set to 3 elapses.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of mounting a lamp 91 for rewriting display. A lamp 91 is installed on the upper part of the housing 1 of the electronic information display device, and as shown in FIG.
By turning on the light before the start of the image recording operation and turning off the light after the end of the recording operation, it is possible to reliably notify the observer of the update of the display image.

In the above description, an example in which the lamp 91 or the chime 92 is used as the notifying means has been described. However, a buzzer may be used, or a sound such as music or announcement may be generated by a speaker. Simple text information may be displayed by using a light or a neon sign, or by using a light emitting diode array.

When the notification operation at the time of updating the display image becomes frequent and causes discomfort, it may be selectively stopped from among a plurality of notification means, and the date and time, weather conditions,
The presence or absence of the notification operation may be changed according to the installation environment.

[0054]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, at least one of before, during and after the start of the recording operation, related to the rewriting operation of the still image on the magnetic display. By giving a notice to call attention to the observer, the observer can surely recognize the change in the display content, and thus a high advertising effect can be achieved.

In accordance with the rewriting operation of the display contents,
For example, by generating a sound such as a chime, a buzzer, music, or an announcement, the observer's attention can be directed to the display content, thereby improving the advertising effect.

In accordance with the rewriting operation of the display contents,
For example, by generating light by a rotating light, blinking of a lamp, or the like, the attention of the observer can be directed to the display content, and the advertising effect can be improved.

The use or non-use of the notifying means can be set arbitrarily, or when a plurality of display images are stored, the operating conditions of the notifying means can be set for each display image. The presence or absence of notification and the notification method can be changed as appropriate according to the conditions, and the advertising method can be diversified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electronic information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing an electronic information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing a structure of a magnetic display sheet 10.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electronic information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a data processing routine of step a3.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an interrupt processing routine of step a5.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a display processing routine of step c7.

FIG. 9 is an example of a transmission original.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a format of data stored in a RAM 85.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of mounting a lamp 91 for rewriting display.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of various setting information stored in an EPROM 76 and an EEPROM 77.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 housing 2 display window 10 magnetic display sheet 20 erasing head 30 recording head 31 carriage 36, 63 motor 50, 60 roller 71 CPU 73 timer circuit 74 input / output circuit 80 interface circuit 85 RAM

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A writable and erasable display body, recording means for forming a still image on the display body based on an external print signal, and transport means for circulating and transporting the display body An electronic information display device comprising: a notification unit for calling attention to an observer in connection with a rewriting operation of a still image on a display body. 2. The electronic information display device according to claim 1, wherein said notification means generates a sound. 3. The electronic information display device according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means generates light. 4. The electronic information display device according to claim 1, wherein the use or non-use of the notification means can be arbitrarily set. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit for storing a plurality of display images displayed on the display, wherein an operation condition of the notifying unit can be set for each display image. Electronic information display device.