JPS62254188A - Programming unit for dot matrix display decoder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for programming a decoder of a display device, such as a dot matrix display of a lift floor level indicator.

The dot matrix display device is controlled by a device called a decoder consisting of a non-volatile memory that decodes any character or string of characters transmitted based on the memory location address. The contents of the memory are read out and the individual dots are turned on or off based on this to generate a character on the display that is determined by the contents of the memory.

The decoder circuit that numerically indicates the floor on which a lift is located in a building, for example, at the location of a lift call button, is made of non-volatile memory that retains information even when the power is turned off, so it can be programmed in sequence at the factory. It is common to create a decoder using a dedicated memory (ROM) or by programming a so-called programmable read-only memory (PROM, EPROM) by the user.

In this way, it is possible to obtain a display decoder that works reliably, but with various special indications such as the total number of floors, basement, first floor, mezzanine, etc., and symbols in foreign languages such as Chinese or Japanese. For example in the floor level display of a lift, it is necessary to have a large number of child programmed memories available, as well as for special requests or changes to the standard display (e.g. Roman numerals or symbols instead of standard floor numerals). is difficult or completely impossible to deal with.

With the development of semiconductor memories, so-called electrically reprogrammable read-only memories (EEPROMs) are now available. It is an object of the invention to provide a means by which this type of memory can be used in a dot matrix display memory decoder to easily and quickly display any symbol on any floor level display even in the field. .

The dot matrix display decoder programming device of the present invention includes a symbol matrix that is a matrix corresponding to a dot matrix display and can form a desired symbol, and a switch that selects an address of a decoder memory for the formed desired symbol. and programming logic for controlling the memory circuit in a dot matrix display decoder, and a parallel interface for transferring image information contained within the symbol matrix to the memory circuit in a parallel mode.

In an advantageous embodiment of the programming device according to the invention, the programming logic has bidirectional data transfer characteristics, making it possible to put the memory circuit of the decoder into a write mode or a read mode, and the parallel interface is bidirectional. The symbols stored in the decoder memory can then be read out on a display device corresponding to a dot matrix display device in continuous mode.

The programming device of the present invention provides several advantages. - Programming the decoder does not require the design of specific symbolic logic for each job.

- Programming of floor level symbols does not require high technical skill.

- Floor level symbols can be easily changed without the need for writing changes or hardware changes.

The cost of the decoder itself can be minimized because the intelligence necessary to perform one programming step is built into the programming device.

The invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the connections between a programming device 3, a decoder 1 controlling the display, and two dot matrix display devices. The decoder l includes a non-volatile EPROM-type serial-only memory, into which the bit pattern corresponding to the floor-level symbol is stored. decoder l is connected to a data bus (not shown) from the lift control system;
This data bus carries information about the position of the lift within the lift shaft. The position information obtained from this bus supplies an initial address corresponding to the lift position and a write command to the decoder 1 to start the decoding process, resulting in a predetermined number of memories starting from the initial address in the EPROM memory. The floor level symbols stored in a plurality of columns in position 1 are sequentially transferred to the dot matrix display device 2 one column at a time. This dot matrix display device is an assembly comprising two 5x7 dot matrices realized, for example, in LED technology. The programming device 3 is connected to the decoder 1 via a flat cable (parallel data transfer mode).

Transfer of each floor level symbol can be accomplished using conventional sequential logic or a microprocessor. This transfer has a repeating character, which allows a dot matrix display without the need to use a hold circuit.

The operation of repeatedly writing an EPROM one column at a time at a predetermined frequency is advantageous in terms of power consumption compared to simultaneous driving of all matrix dots belonging to one floor level symbol. In one example of the invention, each column has seven pixels, and these pixels can be represented by seven bits.

Generally, a data word (byte) transferred in parallel mode has 8 bits, so that the last bit can be ignored or used for checking (so-called parity checking). These bits are, for example,
It can be interpreted as causing the light to emit light, and quenching the light by IIOII. Thus, for example, the information contained in the center column of the symbol matrix corresponding to the number "4" can be represented by bytes 0001010 (from bottom to top).

In programming, these 5 bytes are stored in EPROM.
For example, "4°° (3rd
Achieve the store in memory of the codes that generate the numbers in Figure).

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the programming device 3. 4 a microprocessor including memory and a clock oscillator; 5 a supply voltage source (battery); 6 a parallel interface logic for reading the state of the matrix keys and switches of the programming device; and 7 a parallel interface logic for controlling the display of the programming device. ,
Reference numeral 8 denotes a parallel interface circuit for establishing connection with the floor level display decoder 1. The interaction and data transfer protocols between the simple functional blocks that make up a microprocessor are obvious to data processing experts and will not be discussed in detail here.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a control panel of the programming device. In this example, a 5×7 key matrix array 9 corresponding to one dot matrix display device 2 is provided.
This allows a desired floor level symbol to be formed. Each switch 10 has an LED display element 11 which indicates whether the corresponding key has been pressed or not in connection with the programming process and which display is selected in the successive mode of the EPROM memory. Display the symbol programmed for. Advantageously, the switches in the switch matrix array are pulse-action pushbuttons. The control panel further includes two
An LED display 12 is provided to indicate which of the dot matrix display devices 2 has been selected for processing, and a switch 13 for making this selection is also provided.

Thumbwheel switch 14 is used to select and indicate the floor level being processed. The total number of floor levels is indicated on an index wheel that rotates with switch 14. The microprocessor 4 reads the state of the switch 14, converts it to an address in the EPROM, calls up the symbol corresponding to this address on the display, and/or stores the symbol in the correct memory location after modification if necessary.

The reset button 15 is used to remove erroneous symbol shapes from the key matrix 9 during the programming step, and the switch 16 selects the functional mode of the device (continue or write), the selected mode being the LED It is displayed on the display 17. Once the symbol has been completed in the key matrix 9, the programming key 18 is pressed to transfer this symbol to the EFROM memory of the decoder 1. When a key 18 is pressed, the corresponding display 19 lights up.

This decoder programming device operates as follows.

- the operator connects the programming device 3 to the dot matrix display decoder 1 with a flat cable 20 (FIG. 3);
Select the number of floor levels (e.g. 24th floor in Figure 3); one operator selects the display device to be programmed by pressing switch 1.
3 and type the desired floor level symbol in the symbol matrix 9; after completion, press the programming key 18 to carry out the programming of the display decoder 1; - repeat this sequence for each floor as it relates to new lift installations; Repeat for each display device 2.

In the modification process, only the symbols to be modified are reprogrammed.

Alternatively, the programming process for new lift equipment can be completed at the factory by performing the same procedures described above. Operator presses switch 16
When you select "Read" mode using
The ED display element displays the existing symbol of the selected floor level. In this way, all inspection procedures can be carried out quite easily.

Another method of realizing the symbol matrix 9 is to configure this matrix only with the LED display elements 11 without using the switches 10. In this case, the light pen 21 is required to indicate the selected matrix dot. Normally, a matrix display device continuously sends pulses to the display driver, and the light image generated by the display element determined by the bit pattern of the input terminal of the driver is visible to the human eye as a continuous shining image. It is controlled to emit light sequentially depending on the frequency. This programming mode is called scanning,
In this mode of operation, the extinction display elements are also effectively polled every cycle.

These display elements also receive small pulses that cause them to emit light at a level that is typically below the viewing threshold of the human eye. However, due to the photoresistance mounted on the light pen 21, the light is quenched.

The moment when the LED display element emits light is observed, and based on the time at which this is announced by the light pen, the microprocessor 4 can deduce which display element was pointed at by the light pen. This is because all display elements are polled. Therefore, in this alternative embodiment the symbol matrix 9 can also have the same appearance as in FIG. Set up a line.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and that various modifications and changes can be made.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration for programming using the programming device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the programming device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the control panel of the programming device of the present invention. be. 1 - Decoder 2 - Dot matrix display 3 - Programming device 4 - Microprocessor 5 - Supply voltage source (battery) 6.7 - Parallel interface logic 8 - Parallel interface circuit 9 - Symbol matrix (key matrix) array) 10-
Switch 11--L ED display element 12-L
ED display 13-Selection switch 14-Thumbwheel switch 15-Reset button 16-Selection switch 17-L
ED display 18-programming switch 19...-LED display

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A device for programming a decoder (1) of a dot matrix display device (2) of a floor level indicator of a lift, which is a matrix device corresponding to the dot matrix display device, whereby a desired a symbol matrix device (9) capable of forming symbols; a switch (14) for selecting the address of a memory in said decoder for the desired symbol formed; and a memory in the decoder (1) of said dot matrix display device. programming logic (4-7) for controlling the circuit and a parallel interface (8) for transferring image information contained in the symbol matrix device (9) to the memory circuit in a parallel mode; Characteristic programming device. 2. The symbol matrix device (9) is an LED display element (
11) and a switch (10) comprising a decoder (
1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to be programmed or to display a programmed symbol. 3. The symbol matrix device (9) is an LED display element (
11) to display programmed or programmed symbols, and the state of these display elements can be changed with a light pen when the decoder (1) is in write mode. An apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The programming logic (4-7) has bidirectional data transfer characteristics to enable the memory circuit of the decoder (1) to be in a write mode or a read mode, and the parallel interface (8) has a bidirectional data transfer characteristic. Claims characterized in that it is bidirectional so that the symbols stored in the memory of the decoder (1) can be read out in reading mode on a display device corresponding to the dot matrix display device (2). The device according to any one of items 1 to 3.