JPH11327489A - Character display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a character display device of which constitution is simple and adjustment is easy, also constitution of a control device is simple, and which can be installed at an arbitrary place and is inexpensive. SOLUTION: Light emitting rivets 201 -20n to which address setting lines are sequentially connected in series are arranged in a matrix state, and an address is set to each light emitting rivet 201 -20n using an address setting pulse sequentially propagated in this address setting line. Set addresses are stored in non- volatile memories in a control section of each light emitting rivet 20. After that, display characters are decided, addresses of light emitting rivets for displaying character patterns are obtained, and transmitted to a light emitting control device 11 through a communication channel and the like. The light emitting control device 11 transmits light emitting conditions and addresses of light emitting rivets to each light emitting rivets 20, and sends out a light emitting pulse. Thereby, only a desired light emitting rivet is emitted, and a desired character is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a large-sized display device for displaying any visually recognizable pattern of characters, figures, symbols, etc. (hereinafter referred to as characters including all of them). In particular, the present invention relates to a character display device that can be embedded in a road or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a display device for displaying characters relatively large so as to be recognizable from a distant place, there are, for example, a device for notifying traffic-related information such as traffic congestion information on a road to a passing vehicle or a station. For example, there are devices for notifying the approach or destination of a train, and devices for advertising that are arranged on the side of a building and display information such as advertisements, news, and weather forecasts. In recent years, relatively small devices that are provided at stores such as retail stores and restaurants and display information about stores and advertisements have become widespread.

Conventionally, such a device has an LED chip, an LED lamp, or various lamps arranged in a matrix, decodes data of characters to be displayed input from the outside, and responds to a display pattern. The signal is converted into a signal, and a light emitting unit such as an LED is scanned and driven based on the converted signal using a predetermined driving clock to display a desired character.

[0004]

However, in such a display device, processing such as data signal processing, light emission timing adjustment, and luminance balance adjustment of each light emitting unit such as an LED is sequentially required, and control is difficult. However, there is a problem that the control device is complicated and large-scale. In particular, this problem becomes more remarkable as the number of display dots increases and the display section becomes larger. In addition, such display devices are vulnerable to vibration and shock, and also require a heat dissipation design,
There is also a problem that the installation place is limited. Also,
A basic unit is composed of a display unit and a light emission control unit, and it is necessary to combine the basic unit as a unit to increase the size. Therefore, as the size increases,
There is also a problem that the product price increases proportionally.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a simple configuration and easy adjustment of the device, and a simple configuration of the control device. An object of the present invention is to provide a character display device that can be installed and that is inexpensive.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a character display device of the present invention is a character display device that selectively emits light from a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged light emitting devices to display desired characters. A predetermined common signal line, a plurality of light emitting devices sequentially connected by a selection signal line sequentially connected in series, each receiving a predetermined selection signal via the selection signal line, Applying the selection signal to a subsequent light emitting device, the plurality of light emitting devices that sequentially propagate the selection signal, and applying the selection signal to the first light emitting device of the plurality of light emitting devices, the plurality of light emitting devices An address signal of the light emitting device is applied to the light emitting device to which the selection signal that is sequentially propagated is applied through the common signal line, and the plurality of light emitting devices are used by using the set address signal. Depending on the device As characters Nozomu is displayed, and a control device for setting the light emitting condition for each light emitting device.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A character display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a usage pattern and a schematic configuration of the character display device will be described with reference to FIGS. The character display device according to the first embodiment includes:
This is a character display device in which a light emitting unit is embedded on a road surface immediately before an intersection, a crosswalk, or the like, and displays characters for calling attention to a driver so that the driver can visually recognize the light emitting unit.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a pedestrian crossing 2 and its pedestrian crossing 2
When the traffic light 3 for controlling the traffic of the car is provided, the display unit 12 is arranged immediately before the pedestrian crossing 2 to more clearly notify the state of the traffic light 3 to the driver of the car. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 (A), when the traffic light 3 is blue, the character "Caution" is displayed to alert the driver when proceeding. Also, as shown in FIG.
When the traffic light 3 is yellow or red, a display "Stop" is displayed to instruct the driver to stop.

The character display device 10 has a light emission control device 11 and a display unit 12, as shown in FIG. Display 1
As described above, 2 is buried immediately before the pedestrian crossing 2 of the road 1, and a plurality (n (35 in the example of FIG. 2)) of light emitting tacks (sometimes referred to as light emitting units) 20 are provided. _-1 to 2
0 _-n are arranged in a matrix as shown in FIG. 2 so that desired characters and the like can be displayed. In addition,
Each light emitting stud 20 _-i (i = 1 to n) is arranged in a matrix, but their connection is connected in series by a common signal line or a signal line connected in series. It has become.

Each of the light emitting studs 20- _i is used to draw attention at night or the like, and to make it easy to visually recognize the shape of a road such as a curve.
It has a configuration similar to that of a normal light emitting stud that is embedded and used in a roadside zone, a road edge, or the like. Therefore, normal operation can be ensured even if a vehicle or a person passes through the upper portion, the road surface temperature becomes extremely high or low due to the season or weather, or if the road surface is exposed to water or the like. In FIG. 2, for simplicity of explanation, 5
Although 35 light emitting studs 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-35 having a × 7 configuration are shown, in order to display characters as shown in FIG.
For example, 8x8, 16x16 or 2 per character
It is preferable that the light emitting studs are arranged in a configuration such as 4 × 24.

The light emission control device 11 has n light emission tacks 20 _-1.
20 so that the desired character in _-n is displayed at a desired timing, for example in conjunction with a control device of the traffic signal 3, an apparatus for controlling the light emission tacks 20 _-1 to 20 _-n, Figure 1 As shown, for example, it is installed on a structure on the road 1 or the sidewalk 4 near the display unit 12, such as a support pole or a telephone pole on which the traffic light 3 is installed. The control device 11
Is connected to a host device such as a personal computer not shown via any communication means, the data relating to the display character from the host device is input, based on this, the light emitting tack 20 as described above _{- 1 to} 20 _-n are controlled.

Next, the configuration of the character display device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a character display device 1.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the 0 ’. As described above, the character display device 10 has the light emission control device 11 and the n light emission tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n forming the display unit 12. As described above, the light emission control device 11 controls the n light emitting tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , that is, sets the operation mode and triggers the light emitting tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n to actually emit light. For example, application of a light emission pulse is performed. Also, n light emitting studs 20
For example, _{-1 to} 20 _-n are embedded in a road in a matrix as shown in FIG. 2 and emit light based on a control signal from the light emission control device 11.

The light emission control device 11 and the n light emission tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n are connected to a power supply line 51,
Light emission pulse signal line 52, control pulse signal line 53
And an address setting line 54. The power supply line 51, the light emission pulse signal line 52, and the control pulse signal line 53 are each driven by the light emission control device 11, and each light emission tack 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n
Are wirings connected in parallel. The power supply line 51 has n
Wiring for supplying power to the light emitting studs 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n .

The light emission pulse signal line 52 is
_{When -1 to} 20- _n is in a normal operation, a light emission pulse serving as a trigger for the light emission is transmitted, and when the light emitting rivets 20-1 to 20 _{- n} are set to an operation, a signal line through which data such as operating conditions is transferred. It is. The control pulse signal line 53 is a signal line for designating whether the signal transmitted through the light emission pulse signal line 52 is a pulse for controlling the light emission of the light emission tack 20- _i as described above or data such as operating conditions. is there. In the present embodiment, when the signal transmitted on the control pulse signal line 53 is at the H level, the signal transmitted on the light emission pulse signal line 52 is data for operation setting, and the control pulse signal line 53 is transmitted. When the signal to be transmitted is at the L level, the signal transmitted through the light emission pulse signal line 52 is a light emission pulse.

The address setting line 54 is a light emission control device.
11 th to n th luminous tack 20_-nUp to a cascade
The connected signal lines. That is, first, the light emission control device
The first light emitting stud 20 from the mounting 11_-1First address for
Setting line 54_-1Are wired, and then the first light emission
Tack 20_-1From the second luminous stud 20_-2The second address
Setting line 54_-2Are wired. Thereafter, similarly,
(i-1) first light emitting stud 20_-i-1From the i-th luminous stud 20
_-iAddress setting line 54 for _-iIs wiring
And the n-th light emitting stud 20_-nAre sequentially connected.

Each luminous stud 20_-iIs the light emitting stud 20_-i-1
Address setting line 54_-iA predetermined number of addresses via
When a pulse is input, the input of that pulse is completed
Rear, light emitting stud 20_{-i + 1}Address setting line for
54_{-i + 1}A similar number of address setting pulses
Output. As a result, the address setting line 54_-1~ 54
_-n, Address setting pulses are sequentially propagated. So
Luminous stud 20_-1~ 20_-nAddress setting for each
The address setting pulse propagated in this way is
N light emitting studs 20 being applied_-1~ 20 _-nInside
Any one of them is transmitted via the light emission pulse signal line 52.
This is performed by transferring address data. In addition, this
The flow of each of these signals will be described later in detail.

The structure of the light emitting studs 20 _-i (i = 1 to n) will be described in more detail. Each light emitting stud 20- _i is connected to the light emitting portion 21.
_-i and the control unit 30 _-i . The light emitting section 21 _-i has a plurality of LEDs, and emits light with a light quantity enough to confirm light emission even from a remote place such as a road, for example, by a drive signal from the control section 30 _-i . The control unit 30 _-i receives the light emitting unit 21 _-i based on a control signal from the light emission control device 11.
Control the emission of light.

Control unit 30_-iIs one channel as shown in FIG.
This is a circuit with a built-in microcomputer. FIG.
As shown in FIG._-iIs the interface section 3
1_-i, ROM33 _-i, EEPROM34_-i, LED driver
Iva 35_-iAnd microcomputer 36_-iHave
You.

The interface unit 31- _i is connected to each signal input from the light emission control device 11 through the light emission pulse signal line 52 and the control pulse signal line 53, and to the light emission control device 11 or the light emission stud 20- _{i- at the} preceding stage. _The signal input from address ₁ via the address setting line 54 is transmitted to the control unit 3
0 _{-i This} is an interface that takes in the inside. The interface unit 31- _i is connected to the microcomputer 36.
Based on the instruction _-i, the downstream of the light emitting studs 20 _{-i + 1,} through the address setting line 54 _{-i + 1,} and outputs the address setting pulse.

The ROM 33 _-i of the control unit 30 _-i is a memory in which the procedure of processing performed by the microcomputer 36 _-i is recorded.

The EEPROM 34- _i is a memory for storing an address for designating the light-emitting tack 20- _i set in the light-emitting tack 20- _i , various operation modes, operating conditions, and the like.
Since the EEPROM 34- _i is a non-volatile memory, once set data is not lost even when the power is turned off.

The LED driver 35 _-i drives an LED constituting the light emitting unit 21 _-i based on a control signal from the microcomputer 36 _-i so that the light emitting unit 21 _-i actually emits a desired light. I do.

The microcomputer 36- _i controls the light emitting stud 20- _i based on the operation mode and the light emission pulse set by the light emission control device 11 so that the desired light emission is actually performed in the light emitting section 21- _i . Control each part.

Next, the operation of the character display device 10 will be described. First, the light emission control device 11 and each light emission tack 20 _-i
Will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, n light emitting tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-1
The process of the light emission control device 11 when an address is set for _-n , an operation condition is set, and then light emission is performed will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the process is started (step S10), and the light emission control unit 11 turns on the address setting line 54 _-1 between the first light emitting rivet 20 _-1,
A process of setting an address for each of the light emitting tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n is started (step S11). Then check the control pulse signal line 53 (step S12), and outputs the first bit of the first address information of the light-emitting studs 20 _-1 to the emission pulse signal line 52 (step S13). And
When the command pulse and the data pulse having the predetermined width are output, they are turned off (step S14).

[0025] Repeat the process of step S12~ step S14, 8-bit data, i.e., it outputs the first 8-bit address for emitting tacks 20 _-1 (step S15). When the 8-bit address output is completed, the address output first one, that is, output of the address of the first light emitting rivet 20 _-1 (step S1
6), the light emission control unit 11 turns off the address setting line 54 _-1 (step S17).

Then, after step S18, step S
Returning to 12 of processing, the processing of address setting for the second light emitting rivets 20 _-2. That is, a command pulse is turned on for the control pulse signal line 53 (step S1).
2) 1-bit data is set (step S1)
3) After the predetermined pulse widths are secured, the process of turning them off (step S14) is repeated for 8 bits (step S15). At this time, the second light emitting stud 2
0 _-2 addressing lines 54 _-2 inputted to, because the first light emitting rivet 20 _-1 to drive the light emission control unit 11 does not perform the process of turning on the address setting pulse.

In this manner, the n light emitting studs 20_-1~ 2
0_-nAre output to all the addresses (step S
18) Outputting predetermined end data, and_-1~
20 _-nNotify that the address setting process has been completed
(Step S19). Output of this end data is also restricted first.
After the control pulse signal line 53 is turned on,
This is performed by outputting end data to the signal line 52.

After outputting the end data,
The operation designation data is output to each of the light emitting tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n . As described above, the operation designation data is output by turning on the control pulse signal line 53 and then outputting end data to the light emission pulse signal line 52.
The operation designating data to be transferred here to the respective light emitting stud 20 _-1 to 20 _-n, using the address of each light emitting stud 20 _-1 to 20 _-n previously set, by setting the respective different data may be, luminous studs 20 _-1 to 20 each emitting stud as a result by referring to the address set in _-n 20 _-1 to 20 _-n
May set the same data that performs different operations.

When the transfer of the operation specifying data is completed, the control pulse signal line 53 is turned off,
By turning on the light emission pulse signal line 52 at a desired cycle and a predetermined duty, desired light emission can be performed on the light emitting tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n .

Next, the processing in each of the light emitting studs 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n will be described with reference to FIG. First, when power is supplied through the power supply line 51, the light-emitting tack 2
0- _i starts the operation (step S30). First, it is checked whether the signal input via the control pulse signal line 53 is on or off (step S31). If the command pulse has been turned on (step S3
1) Then, the address setting line 54- _i is checked (step S32). If the address setting pulse is also turned on, it is determined that the address is input, and the address is input from the light emission pulse signal line 52. 8 bits of data are obtained (step S33).

The own address data of 8 bits
After obtaining the data, the light emitting stud 20 _{-i + 1}Address to
Setting line 54_{-i + 1}Is turned on (step S34),
The light emission pulse signal line 52 is monitored and the next 8 bits are monitored.
Wait for the transfer of the data (step S35). This
At the time, the next stage light emitting stud 20_{-i + 1}Address is set to
Is Then, the transfer of the 8-bit data is completed.
(Step S35), the light emitting tack 20_{-i + 1}Ad for
Less setting line 54_{-i + 1}Is turned off (step S3
6). Next, the end data is transferred, that is,
Luminous stud 20_-1~ 20_-nAddress to all of
Wait for the process of setting the data to end (step S3
7), exit from address setting mode operation and return to normal processing
Return.

If the command pulse is on in step S31 and the address setting pulse is off in step S32, it is determined that the data being transferred is data specifying an operation mode (step S3).
2). Therefore, data indicating the operation mode input via the light emission pulse signal line 52 is received (step S38), and the operation mode is set in the light emitting tack 20- _i based on the data (step S39).

If the command pulse is off at step S31, the light emission pulse signal line 52 is monitored to check whether the light emission pulse is on (step S40). Then, when the light emission pulse is on, a predetermined LED of the light emitting section 21- _i is turned on to emit light in accordance with the already set operation mode (step S41).
When the light emission pulse is off, the LE of the light emitting unit 21- _i
D is turned off (step S42). As described above, the light emitting studs 20- _i operate, thereby emitting light in a desired form according to the set operation mode.

Next, a signal flow when an address is set to the light emitting tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n by the processing described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described with reference to FIG. I do. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the light emission control device from 11, via a first addressing line 54 _-1, the first light emitting tack 20 _-1 address setting pulses, the first luminous studs 2
_Applied to 0-1. When the address setting pulse is on, the command pulse on the control pulse signal line 53 is turned on, and the address data is transferred via the light emission pulse signal line 52. At this time, the signals of the light emitting pulse signal line 52 and the control pulse signal line 53 are observed in all the light emitting studs 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n , but the address setting pulse is input only to the first light emitting stud 20 _-1. since not only the first light emitting rivet 20 _-1 to acquire the address data at this time.

[0035] After this manner 8 output bits of the address data is completed, light emission control unit 11 ends the output of the address setting pulse for the first light emitting rivet 20 _-1. As a result, this time, the first light emitting stud 20 _-1 is connected to the second light emitting stud 20 _-2 by the second address setting line 54 _-2.
, An address setting pulse is applied. Then, in accordance with the address setting pulse, the light emission control device 11
Turns on the control pulse signal line 53, by placing the address data to the light emitting pulse signal line 52, and sets the address to the second light emitting rivets 20 _-2.

As described above, each of the light emitting studs 20 _-i sequentially turns on the address setting line 54 _-i at the _subsequent stage, so that the address setting pulse is sequentially propagated, and the n light emitting studs 20 _-1 are sequentially turned on.
An address setting pulse is applied to any one of .about.20- _n . Therefore, by setting an address using this address setting pulse, an address corresponding to the position where the address setting line 54 is arranged is not dependent on the configuration of the light emitting tack 20 _-i itself, and each light emitting tack 20 _{-1 is set.} Can be set to ~ 20- _n .

Next, the statement set by such processing
The operation mode of the character display device 10 will be described. Character table
Although various operations can be considered as the operation of the indicating device 10,
The most basic operation is to emit light according to the state of the emission pulse.
This is the operation in the synchronous light emission mode to be performed. In this mode of operation
As shown in FIG. 8, while the light emission pulse is on,
20 _-iLight emitting part 21_-iFlashes and stops when turned off.
Stop. Therefore, light emission for any period and any period
Can emit light at an arbitrary duty.

Further, in order to display "attention" and "stop" according to the state of the traffic light 3 as shown in FIG. 1, an operation in the position designation synchronous light emission mode is performed. In this mode, a light emission address command is output from the light emission control device 11, and the light emission tacks 20- _i to emit light are designated, so that a plurality of designated light emission tacks 20- _i emit light synchronously. That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, first, the position of the light emitting tack to emit light is designated by a position lighting instruction command, for example, a light emitting tack. After that, a normal synchronous light emission is instructed by the light emission pulse. As a result, thereafter, only the light emitting studs emit light in synchronization with the light emitting pulse.

Therefore, for example, when the traffic light 3 turns blue, the light emitting studs 20 _-1 to 20 _-1 .
Light emitting stud 2 corresponding to the character line of "Caution" in 20- _n
When 0- _i is instructed to emit light by a position lighting instruction command and a light emission pulse is input, the word "caution" is displayed on the road surface. When the traffic light 3 turns yellow, the light emitting stud 20- _i corresponding to the character line portion of "stop" is _displayed.
Is instructed to emit light by a position lighting instruction command and a light emission pulse is input, so that the word "stop" is displayed on the road surface. In addition, in the case of light emission of any character, when a light emission pulse as shown in FIG. 9B is input, each character is displayed blinking.

Finally, the operation of the character display device 10 will be described. First, after the light emitting tacks 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n are installed, the light emitting control device 11 is provided by the method described above.
Then, an address is set to each of the light emitting studs 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n . The set address is stored in the control unit 30 of each light emitting stud 20- _i.
-i is stored in the EEPROM 34 _-i . When this setting is completed, in the host device (not shown), display characters are determined, the character pattern is decoded, a pattern to emit light is determined, an address of a light-emitting stud to emit light is determined, and a communication line (not shown) is connected. The light is transmitted to the light emission control device 11 via the control unit. Based on this, the light emission control device 11 transmits the light emission condition and the address of the light emission tack to be emitted to each light emission tack 20- _i . Then, by transmitting the light emitting pulse, only the desired light emitting stud 20- _i emits light, and a desired character is displayed.

As described above, in the character display device 10 of the present embodiment, since the control section including the memory is mounted on each light emitting unit (light emitting stud), the light emitting condition and the light emitting condition are transmitted from the control device to the light emitting unit. Characters can be displayed only by transmitting the address of the light emitting unit to be lightened, and light emission control becomes very easy. Further, since each light emitting unit is connected by an electric wire, the light emitting unit can be easily installed at an arbitrary place on a wall surface or a road surface as long as the light emitting unit can be attached.

Further, since the address of each light-emitting unit is set after installation, if the light-emitting unit is made detachable with a connector, for example, the number of display dots can be freely increased or decreased, and the number of display dots can be flexibly adjusted according to the application. Can be. In addition, since each light emitting unit may be the same device without any different configuration or setting, the light emitting unit can be manufactured efficiently. In addition, since there is no distinction of light emitting units, the light emitting units can be installed very easily.
It is easy to replace the light emitting unit when it breaks down or is damaged.

Second Embodiment A character display device 10 according to a first embodiment forms a display section 12 by embedding a light emitting stud on a road surface and displays desired characters. . However, the display unit 12 may be formed at any place other than the road surface. Also,
Although the character display device 10 according to the first embodiment uses power supplied to normal commercial power as a power source, a power source such as a solar battery is used for a device installed outdoors. It is suitable. Therefore, as a second embodiment of the present invention, like the character display device 10 according to the first embodiment, a character display device that is provided on a road or the like and displays characters that call attention to a driver of a car or the like is displayed. In particular, a character display device in which a character display portion is formed on a guard rail 5 on a road shoulder and driven by a solar cell is illustrated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a use form and a schematic configuration of a character display device 10b according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the character display device 10b according to the second embodiment uses the guardrail 5 at the curved portion to surely inform the driver that the road is curved.
Is provided with a display section 12 so that the character "Caution" blinks. A light-emission control device 11 and a solar cell panel 14 are provided on a support 6 provided near the guard rail 5. The character display device 10b has a battery (not shown), and the power generated during the day by the solar cell panel 14 is stored in the battery and used for the operation of the control device 11 and the display unit 12 at night. It is. The light emission control device 11 and the display unit 12 have the same configuration as that of the character display device 10 described above.

In such a configuration, the electric power generated by the solar cell panel 14 is applied to the control device 11 and further applied to the light emitting units 20 _{-1 to} 20 _-n of the display unit 12 via the power supply line 51. Then, the same operation as the character display device 10 of the first embodiment is performed. As described above, the character display device 10b according to the second embodiment has the first configuration except that the installation location of the display unit 12 and the use of the solar cell panel 14 are different.
The configuration is the same as that of the character display device 10 of the embodiment, and it is of course possible to change the character and display the same as the character display device 10.

By the way, as described above, the solar cell panel 14
Is advantageous in that usable power is limited, and that if the power consumption is small, the solar cell panel 14 and the battery provided can be downsized. Therefore, it is preferable that the character display device 10b operates in the power saving mode. The operation of the character display device 10b in the power saving mode will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the light emitting unit 21- _i usually contains a plurality of LEDs. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), LED22 _-i four systems in the light emitting unit 21 _-i, 23 _-i, 2
It is assumed that 4- _i and 25- _i are provided.

In such a configuration, when the operation in the power saving mode is designated, as shown in FIG.
Even if a continuous ON signal is input as a light emission pulse, light emission is performed while sequentially switching with a plurality of LEDs. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 11B, the upper LEDs of the upper left LED 22 _-i and the upper LED 24 _-i emit light simultaneously for a predetermined period, and the lower left LED 23 _-i and the lower right LED L _-i.
The lower LED of the ED25- _i is lit while the upper LED is not lit. At this time, the light emission of each LED is controlled so that the lighting periods of the switched LEDs do not overlap.

By controlling the light emission of each LED as described above,
The power consumption and the peak current are each halved compared to the normal lighting, and the light emitting unit can be operated with a small current. Therefore, this mode is particularly effective when a solar power source is used as in the character display device 10b. It should be noted that the amount of light is actually slightly reduced by performing such an operation, but there is not much difference visually. Also, by making the blinking cycle faster, flickering or the like is not felt on the visual characteristics, and there is no practical problem.

As described above, in the character display device of the present invention, the installation place of the display unit may be any suitable place.
Also, the power supply is commercial power, solar power (solar cell),
Any other power source may be used.

Third Embodiment In each of the first and second embodiments described above, a device for displaying a character with monochromatic light is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a device capable of color display. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a character display device 10c capable of performing color display. This character display device 10c includes a light emission control device 11 and a display unit 1 like the character display devices 10 and 10b of the first and second embodiments.
The display unit 12 further includes a plurality of light emitting units 2
This is a configuration in which 0 _{-1 to} 20 _-n are arranged in a matrix.
Each of the light emitting portions 21 _-i of the light emitting unit 20 _-i has three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) as shown in the figure.
LEDs that emit colors are provided so as to be independently controllable. Therefore, by selectively emitting these LEDs, characters can be displayed in full color. It is clear that the character display device 10c having such a configuration is also within the scope of the present invention. Such a character display device 10c is preferably used for decoration, amusement, and the like.

Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described first to third embodiments, and various other suitable modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the light-emitting body provided in the light-emitting unit of the light-emitting unit is LE.
Although D was used, any other light emitter may be used. For example, a flash tube or a normal light bulb may be used.

The address assigned to each light emitting unit (light emitting stud) may be a normal address such as a serial number of 0 origin or 1 origin, or an arbitrary number. Further, the same address may be assigned to the light-emitting units having the same light-emitting condition, and the light emission of each light-emitting unit may be controlled using the address thus assigned.

The input of information such as display characters and light emission conditions to the light emission control device 11 can be set by any method other than those input from the host device via the communication line as in the present embodiment. May be. For example, by receiving a signal from an external device such as a sensor, a switch, a timer, or the like, conditions such as a character, an emission color, lighting / non-lighting, and lighting time may be set.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The structure is simple and the adjustment of the device is easy, and the structure of the control device is also simple.It can be installed at any place including the place where the temperature becomes high due to vibration or impact, and it is cheaper. The present invention provides a character display device which is easy to manufacture and install, can detect and repair failures quickly and easily, and can be easily installed even when a large number of light emitting studs are used. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a use mode of a character display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a character display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the character display device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the light emitting tack shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a control device of the character display device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of a light emitting tack of the character display device illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the character display device shown in FIG. 3;
It is a figure showing the flow of the signal at the time of setting an address to each light emitting tack.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the character display device shown in FIG. 3 in a synchronous light emission mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the character display device shown in FIG. 3 in the position designation synchronous light emission mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a use mode of the character display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the character display device shown in FIG. 10 in a power saving mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a character display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Roadway 2 ... Crosswalk 3 ... Traffic light 4 ... Sidewalk 5 ... Guardrail 10 ... Character display device 11 ... Light emission control device 20 ... Light emission tack (light emission unit) 21 ... Light emission part 22 ... Upper left LED 23 ... Lower left LED 24 ... Upper right LED 25 ... lower right LED 30 ... controller 31 ... interface unit 33 ... ROM 34 ... EEPROM 35 ... LED driver 36 ... microcomputer 14 ... solar cell panel 51 ... power supply line 52 ... light emission pulse signal line 53 ... control pulse signal line 54 ... Address setting line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuhiko Watanabe 8-8 Higashida-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside NKK Easy and G-Opto-Electronics Co., Ltd. 831-2 Japan Mektron, Inc.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A character display device for displaying desired characters by selectively emitting light from a plurality of light emitting devices arranged two-dimensionally, and sequentially connected in series with a predetermined common signal line. A plurality of light emitting devices sequentially connected by a selection signal line that is, when each receives a predetermined selection signal via the selection signal line, applying the selection signal to the subsequent light emitting device,
The plurality of light-emitting devices that sequentially propagate the selection signal, and the selection signal that is applied to a first-stage light-emitting device of the plurality of light-emitting devices, and the selection signal that is sequentially propagated through the plurality of light-emitting devices is applied. Applying an address signal of the light emitting device to the light emitting device via the common signal line,
A character display device comprising: a control device that sets a light emission condition for each of the light emitting devices so that a desired character is displayed by the plurality of light emitting devices using the set address signal.