RU2298239C2 - Digital segmented universal indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: engineering of equipment for displaying visual information, possible use in equipment for digital visual counting of values being measured.

SUBSTANCE: in accordance to invention, working position of indicator on a plane may be either horizontal or vertical. For visual counting of digital information, four-segment indicator is used, making it possible to reduce dimensions of decimal sign, while preserving resolution capacity for its reproduction.

EFFECT: increased information capacity of standard digital seven-segment indicator from one decimal digit to two decimal digits.

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Description

The present invention relates to means of information display (SDI), a significant area of application of which is represented by digital sign-synthesizing (ZSI) indicators.

The universal digital segment indicator can be used in all means of displaying information: measuring devices for displaying electrical and non-electrical quantities, computers, in medical devices with digital readout, etc.

The development of systems for the automatic collection and processing of information, software control systems, telemetry, computer technology, instrumentation, recording equipment and other devices has led to the creation of a wide range of various types of FSS. They represent the most effective and promising class of electronic equipment intended for converting electrical signals into visible images that reproduce information in a form convenient for visual perception.

ZSI allows you to synthesize the Arabic numerals from 0 to 9, one or two decimal points, as well as individual letters of the Russian and Latin alphabets. However, it is recommended to use the ZSI only for digital information [1], because the necessary letter formats are not maintained, some of them have similar styles with numbers, which can lead to errors in the perception of information.

The display of purely digital information is necessary in various devices of computing and measuring equipment. These are the most widespread types of ZSI, which are built either by arranging single-digit devices, which are a variety of miniature designs (watches, stopwatch), or in the form of ready-made multi-digit displays (for example, calculators), or in the form of large-sized wall screens of large area and stadium displays.

Fields of application of ZSI are diverse and almost unlimited, especially when profitability and small dimensions are a decisive factor. The disadvantages, for example, of semiconductor ZSI (PP ZSI) should include: relatively high energy consumption and high cost [1].

To expand the areas of application of FDI, it is necessary to reduce the power consumption (especially semiconductor FDI), to reduce their total cost, taking into account the control schemes of the elements (segments) of the indicators.

The aim of the invention is: 1. to increase the visual information capacity of a standard constructive digital segment indicator; 2, reducing manufacturing costs, reducing the size and power consumption per one decimal place of a constructive digital segment indicator; 3. the possibility of any installation of a constructive digital segment indicator on the plane: horizontal or vertical.

This goal is achieved by the fact that, using a 4-segment visual display of decimal digits, it is possible to display two digits of decimal digits on one standard constructive digital segment indicator designed to display one decimal digit.

To do this, we compare the overall dimensions of the digital signs of two ZSI (figa, fig.1b): ALS324A (the overall size of the sign in mm is 4.9 × 7.5) and ALS334 (the overall size of the sign in mm is 5.2 × 12, 0), used with the same standard plastic case type KI5-4 (figa, fig.2b, fig.2k) with flexible flat leads in the amount of 14 pieces located on the rear side of the housing [2].

For these types of ZSI, the minimum sign size in width is 4.9 mm (ALS324A), the maximum - 5.2 mm (ALS334); the minimum size of the sign in height is 7.5 mm (ALS324A), the maximum - 12.0 mm (ALS334).

For clarity, comparing the overall dimensions of the signs of these two types of ZSI on the same standard housing, we bring the overall dimensions of the signs to convenient comparative values with them that are multiples of 1 mm. This will facilitate the implementation of the drawings, in which the overall dimensions of the characters will be displayed in whole units of length, and the information field of the FIA will be quantized by single areas (1 mm ² or conventional units - cells of the information field of the indicator), which will help to compare the sizes of the characters without putting down the sizes. Moreover, the dimensions of the width and height of the compared characters should not go beyond the minimum and maximum sizes of the characters (width 4.9-5.2 and height 7.0-12.0) of the above-mentioned ZSI [2].

For new ones (we will call them CPI-A-1 / 7K, CPI-B-1 / 7K) proposed for the consideration of digital signs of ZSI, the overall dimensions of the characters will be: 5.0 × 8.0 and 5.0 × 12 (Fig. 1a, fig.1b, fig.1zh, fig.1z), respectively.

The values of the ratio of the width of the sign to the height (for CPI-A-1 / 7K is 0.63: 1, and for CPI-B-1 / 7K 0.42: 1) do not go beyond the maximum (0.67: 1 - for ALS330B) and the minimum (0.39: 1 - for IVL2-8 / 12) values (figa, fig.1b).

In the four-segment display of decimal digits (Fig.2m), when only the lower or upper half (Fig.1d) of the seven-segment mark (Fig.1d) is considered, their effective angular size remains the same, but the geometric size in height is two times smaller . The ratios of the width of such a four-segment mark to the height are shown in the II column of the table (figa, fig.1b), and the conventionally named signs (CPI-A-2 / 4K, CPI-B-2 / 4K) are shown in fig.1k and FIG. 1 l, the overall dimensions of the digital characters of which are 5.0 × 6.0 and 5.0 × 4.0, respectively. The digital values of the ratio of the width of the four-segment sign to its height have changed (1.25: 1 and 0.83: 1) compared to the seven-segment display, but they do not go beyond the limit values of these values (1.34: 1 and 0.78: 1) for the upper or lower halves of the seven-segment mark (column II of the table) given for comparison ZSI ALS330V and IVL2-8 / 12, respectively.

Visually, neither the width of the sign nor half of its previous (seven-segment) height has changed. There was only the opportunity to reduce eye strain when determining only one lower (or upper) half of the seven-segment mark, in the absence of the upper (or lower) half of it, one of which is now missing in the four-segment display of decimal digits.

Figure 1c shows an example of the indicator IVL1-8 / 12, which occupies a middle position between the compared indicators (ALS330A and IVL2-8 / 12), in which the ratio of the width of the sign to its height is 0.5: 1. An equivalent of such an indicator with the same ratio of sign width to height on the KI5-4 case can be represented by a seven-segment indicator, conventionally called CPI-V-1 / 7K (figv, fig.1i) and a four-segment indicator of CPI-B- derived from it 2/4 with the ratio of the width of the sign to the height equal to 1.0: 1 (Fig.1c, Fig.1m, Fig.1p). The same ratio of the width of the sign to the height of the upper or lower half of the seven-segment sign IVL1-8 / 12.

When you turn fig.1k (CPI-A-2 / 4K) 90 degrees, the width of the sign (CPI-A * -2 / 4K) became less than its height (fig.1n) and now the parameter in the II column of figa of the table (0 , 8: 1) - the ratio of the width of the sign to the height - should not be lower than the smallest value given for comparison of the ZSI. From the table we see that the smallest (0.78: 1) value is “the ratio of the width of the sign to its half height” (column II of the table - fig. 1b) in the ZSI IVL2-8 / 12.

When you turn fig.1m (CPI-V-2 / 4K) 90 degrees the width of the sign (CPI-B * -2 / 4K) became greater than its height (fig.1p) and now the parameter in the II column of fig.1b of the table (1 , 2: 1) - the ratio of the width of the sign to the height - should not be higher than the largest value given for comparison of ZSI. From the table we see that the greatest (1.34: 1) value "the ratio of the width of the sign to its half height" (column II of the table - figa) at ALS330V.

Thus, the overall dimensions of the new signs shown do not exceed the overall dimensions of the signs used with the standard KI5-4 case, and the ratio of the width of these four-segment signs to the height does not exceed the permissible limits of the ratio of the width of the sign to the four-segment half of its height of the compared seven-segment signs (Fig. 1a , figb - column II of the table).

We transfer the overall dimensions (5.0 × 8.0 and 5.0 × 12.0) of seven-segment characters (Fig. 1g, Fig. 1z), conventionally named ZSI (CPI-A-1 / 7K and CPI-B-1 / 7K) to the housing KI5-4 (figa, fig.2b). The width of the digital signs is the same, and the height is different (figv, fig.2 g). Overall dimensions (5.0 × 12.0) of the digital sign ZSI IPC-B-1 / 7K (figs, 2g) allow you to place two digital signs ZSI IPC-A-2 / 4K (fig.2e), overall the dimensions of each of which are 5.0 × 4.0 (Fig. 1k), leaving a gap between them of 4.0 mm. The resolution of perception of two four-segment characters (fig.2d, fig.2e), not worse than the resolution of perception of one seven-segment character (pigv). The overall dimensions of two four-segment marks (fig.2d, fig.2e) do not exceed the dimensions of one seven-segment mark ALS334 on the same KI5-4 case (fig.2g).

To increase the size of the signs, for example, in height (with a vertical arrangement of the indicator), due to only the distance between the signs, you can apply a two-color (each color has its own color) display (Fig. 2l). And the greater the color contrast between these colors, the closer we can place these signs, the larger the height of these signs will be, limited only by the size of the indicator body.

If you now turn the KI5-4 case 90 degrees (clockwise or counterclockwise), then only the ratio of the width of the sign to the height will change (Fig.2i), which, however, as can be seen from the above, does not go beyond the acceptable for the compared indicators , limits. The ability to install the indicator in both horizontal and vertical operating position creates the condition for the universality of the layout of such indicators in multi-digit display devices.

Using for layout (Fig. 3), for example, three indicators of a digital segmented universal, it is possible to more freely control the size of the information field provided for the placement of digital ZSI, placing them either vertically (Fig. 3a) or horizontally (Fig. 3b). In addition, for some operators, it is more favorable to identify numbers whose width of the sign is less than its height (figa), while for other operators, on the contrary, it is more favorable to recognize numbers when the width of the sign is greater than its height (fig.3b). Thus, from the point of view of ergonomics, the choice of horizontal or vertical position creates a favorable condition for working with digital information.

On figv shows the layout of the three two-tone universal digital indicators, in which the width of the sign is equal to its height. The increased dimensions of the digital characters in height in comparison with the digital characters of the single-color indicator (Fig.3b) are explained by the use of different colors for two vertically adjacent characters. On this indicator, either two three-digit various digital information is reproduced, each of which is displayed in its own color, or one with an increased number of digits and its line-by-line reading.

To control a seven-segment indicator (ALS321, ALS324A, ALS338, ALS334) with a decimal point (Fig.4c), 10 out of 14 [2] control leads (Fig.4a) located on the KI5-4 case are used. To control two bits of a four-segment indicator (Fig. 4d) with decimal points, only two additional (tenth and eleventh) outputs were required (Fig. 4b). Two more conclusions remained unused: the third and fifth.

In order to freely place a four-segment indicator with a decimal point on the plane both in horizontal and vertical position, the decimal point should be located in the center of the information field occupied by the sign (Fig.2e, Fig.2i). Such an arrangement of the decimal point within the boundaries of the digital sign display can be seen [2], for example, in the indicators ALSZ 11, ALS329, ALS33O, IVL1-8 / 12, etc.

The control signals (Fig. 5 - a1, b1, c1, d1) by elements of one category (for example, the first) of the indicator (Fig. 4d is the upper digital sign) are received through the control terminals (Fig. 5b) of it (14, 13, 2, 1, respectively) on the segments of the same name (A1, B1, C1, D1), when the latter is installed in a vertical working position (Fig. 4d, Fig. 5b). When the indicator is installed in a horizontal (Fig. 4d) operating position (when it is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise), the control signals (a1, b1, c1, d1) must be connected to its control terminals 13, 2, 1, 14, respectively for flashing segments (B1, C1, D1, A1). The connection can be made during installation, depending on the operating position of the indicator according to the table (figa), or carried out through the control circuit of the iconic elements of the indicator (fig.5b).

The operation of the control circuit. With the vertical working position of the indicator (Fig.4g) at the entrance of "vert. ust. ”of the control circuit (FIG. 5b), a logical“ 1 ”is supplied, allowing the passage of control signals a1, b1, c1, d1 to the control terminals of the indicator 14, 13, 2, 1 and segments A1, B1, C1, D1 (FIG. 4b), respectively. At the entrance of "horiz. ust. "of the control circuit in this case, a logical" 0 "is applied. With the horizontal working position of the indicator (fig.4d) at the entrance of "horiz. ust. ”of the control circuit (Fig. 5b), a logical“ 1 ”is supplied, allowing the passage of control signals a1, b1, c1, d1 to the control terminals of the indicator 13, 2, 1, 14 and segments B1, C1, D1, A1, respectively. At the entrance of “vert. ust. "of the control circuit in this case, a logical" 0 "is applied. The circuit uses AND-NOT logic elements with an open collector output.

The highlighting of combinations of segments of the first digits (A1, B1, C1, D1) of the indicator with vertical (Fig. 4d) and horizontal (Fig. 4e) working positions for symbols, for example, displaying the equivalents of Arabic numerals 2 and 4 will be as follows:

2 - B1, C1; 4 - C1, D1 - vertical working position of the indicator (fig.4e);

2 - C1, D1; 4 - D1, A1 - horizontal operating position of the indicator (Fig.4zh).

Thus, the informational efficiency of using the KI5-4 case doubled, the technological costs, overall dimensions of digital signs and the power consumption of the two-digit indicator remained almost the same as when using the KI5-4 case for one digital discharge. In addition, it became possible to place such an indicator in both horizontal and vertical positions. Seven-segment digital indicators are located on the plane only in a vertical position.

Literature

1. N.I. Vukolov, A.N. Mikhailov. Sign-synthesizing indicators. Directory. Moscow: Radio and communications. 1987 year

2. B.L. Lisitsyn. Domestic display devices and their foreign counterparts. Moscow: Radio and communications. 1993 year

Claims (1)

A universal digital segment indicator containing four-segment signs with decimal points designed to display digital information, and the indicator can occupy any working position on the plane: vertical or horizontal, characterized in that when the indicator moves from a vertical working position to a horizontal working position in the plane of its installation, the ratio of the linear size of the horizontal segment to the linear size of the vertical segment, which determines the ratio the width of the sign to its height from the value A / B (where A is the linear size of the horizontal segment, B is the linear size of the vertical segment - Fig. 4 g), with the vertical working position of the indicator to the value B / A (where B is the linear size of the horizontal segment, A is the linear size of the vertical segment - fig.4d) with the horizontal working position of the indicator, and the control signals a1, b1, c1, d1 and a2, b2, c2, d2 come in with the vertical (conclusions 14, 13, 2, 1 and 10, 8, 7, 6) and when horizontal, when rotated in the plane of its installation by 90 ° counterclockwise (you water 13, 2, 1, 14 and 8, 7, 6, 10), with the operating positions of the indicator (figa, fig.4g, fig.4d), on the upper horizontal, right vertical, lower horizontal, left vertical segments of the first and second digits, respectively, while the decimal point is located in the center of symmetry of the information field of each familiarity.

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