WO1997036278A1

WO1997036278A1 - Scrolling display unit

Info

Publication number: WO1997036278A1
Application number: PCT/GB1997/000814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan William Robinson
Original assignee: Alan William Robinson
Priority date: 1996-03-26
Filing date: 1997-03-24
Publication date: 1997-10-02
Also published as: GB9724791D0; GB2315904B; GB2315904A

Abstract

An electronic scrooling display unit comprising an electronic control circuit and a multiple element display panel, wherein the control circuit comprises a timing unit, storage means, input means and output means, the output means being coupled to the display panel, wherein the length of the display panel is less than 5 characters in length, and wherein the control circuit is capable of providing sequential data to the display panel representing a message of a length greater than the length of the display panel. The display panel may be incorporated into a vehicle signal lamp whereupon actuation of a lamp signal input of the unit will result in energisation of a plurality, preferably at least a majority, of the elements in the panel.

Description

SCROLLING DISPLAY UNIT

The present invention relates to a scrolling dιspla> unit which may be used in a vehicle for displaying messages, and to a vehicle display lamp incoφorating such a display unit

A common problem on roads today is accidents and so-called "road rage" incidents caused by mistakes or misunderstandings between the parties driving the vehicles inv olved The lack of direct communication between dπvers, other than by use of simple body language which can easily be misinterpreted, is a fundamental reason behind such situations

It is therefore believed that more effective communication between dπvers of motor vehicles would provide for better safety on roads and produce a more effective environment for road users.

Display devices allowing communication between dπvers are known from UK Patent

Applications Nos.2,208,956 and 2,240,650 Each provides a visible alphanumeπc display panel positioned at the rear of a vehicle which can be activated by a person within the vehicle to produce clear visible messages for the driver of the vehicle behind to see Disadvantages of such an approach, however, are the high cost of providing a suitable display panel and the difficulty in mounting the dev ice within the vehicle

U.S Patent No 4.970.502 discloses a running character display of 12 characters in length, the first 12 characters remaining static on the displav tor a predetermined length of time before scrolling across the display

The applicant has found that effective communication can be achieved using a much shorter scrolling character display unit in which onlv a small number of characters, e g four or less or. preferably, three or less, can be displav ed at any one time as a message of many more characters is scrolled across the displav Surprisingly . it has been found that the human eye/brain system is still capable of discriminating messages of any given length without difficulty when only three characters or less are displaved simultaneous! v Accordingly, the invention provides an electronic scrolling display unit comprising an electronic control circuit and a multiple element display panel, wherein the control circuit comprises a timing unit, storage means, input means and output means, the output means being coupled to the display panel, wherein the length ofthe display panel is less than 5 characters in length, and wherein the control circuit is capable of providing sequential data to the display panel representing a message of a length greater than the length of the display panel.

In some cases it is preferable for the ratio of message length to the display panel length to be greater than or equal to 2: 1.

One advantage of such a short length display is that it produces overall geometries for a display signal of approximately 2: 1 to 3 : 1 in terms of the length to height ratio. This facilitates greatly improved packaging arrangements when compared with conventional length displays. As a consequence, substantially greater character heights may be adopted.

As an example, an information sign needed to fit into a 6 metre space would permit 3 metre high characters, whereas a conventional display would be limited to character sizes of 0.6 metres or less. The larger height of the characters results in the message display being more easily read.

Furthermore, the resultant display can be made inexpensively. In another form, its compactness and small size allows the display to act as a dual-function device, e.g. as a vehicle brake light or the like as well as a message display. Such a multi-function vehicle light design requires between 10% and 20% of the number of light emitting elements in conventional displays, and experiments have shown that an effective vehicle stop light is still produced if most or all of the elements are energised simultaneously.

According to another aspect, the invention provides apparatus including an electronic scrolling display panel wherein the width of the display panel is such as to display only a minimum number of characters in whole or in part simultaneously whereby the entire message is still clearlv understandable to an onlooker. According to a further aspect, the invention provides means for selecting pre-stored messages or for displaying further messages through a keyboard or through speech recognition techniques with or without a single switch input as confirmation of the voice signal. The single switch input selects operation of speech recognition for use in forming/selecting messages for display.

According to yet a further aspect ofthe invention. there is provided a vehicle signal lamp unit such as a brake, fog, tail or indicator lamp unit incoφorating a message display whereupon actuation of a lamp signal input of the unit will result in energisation of a plurality, preferably at least the majority, ofthe elements in the panel. The energisation during actuation may be continuous or alternatively may involve rapid pulsing of the energised elements.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which :-

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a message display unit in accordance with the present invention:

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a 7 x 15 display matrix with different successive energisation states; and

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating non-segmented and segment displays using the display unit of Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 1, an electronic circuit for controlling the display comprises a microcomputer circuit consisting of a central processing or timing unit 10. a program memory 12. a data memory 14 and input/output circuitry 16. In applications where only pre-recorded messages need be displayed, the control circuit may be a simpler electronic sequencer design providing fabrication cost benefits. The program and data memories 12.

14 contain a plurality of pre-defined messages which can be selected by the operator through switch means 18 connected to the input line. In order to limit the number of switches the operator must deal with, a binary arrangement consisting of 2 or 3 switches for example can be used which would permit selection of 3 or 7 messages respectively. A keyboard interface 20 is included such that the operator is able to amend or control the messages to be displayed using a keyboard 22.

Once a message has been selected the central processing unit 10 transfers the relevant data representing to each character from its memory 14 to a display buffer memory 24 such that data stored in the buffer memory 24 represents an image of the instantaneous sequential bit pattern for each character, up to the maximum number of characters capable of being displayed at one time in a display matrix 26. The first 15 bits of column data are selected from the buffer memory 24 for each row in turn, and are applied to the display matrix 26 via a column amplifier 28 and a row amplifier 30, and their corresponding latches 32. 34. whilst the appropriate row is energised and held for a predetermined time. Following each complete cycle the data within the display buffer memory 24 is shifted along one position and the whole display cycle is repeated again during which the appropriate data bits for further characters are organised within the central processing unit 10 and transferred into the display buffer memory 24. The process can be used to produce a message display capable of scrolling in any direction or alternatively remaining static. According to how the buffer memory 24. amplifiers 28. 30 and latches 32, 34 are arranged, and according to the program stored in the program memory 12, the apparatus of Figure 1 can be configured to cause a message to be moved from one end to the other ofthe display panel or up and down by illuminating the matrix elements in an appropriate sequence. It will be understood that references to the "length" ofthe display panel and the "length^*' of the a message to be displayed in this specification are to be construed as being the "length^" of each in the direction of movement of the message with respect to the panel.

A shift register can be used in place of the latches 32, 34 although latches are preferable due to the low number of columns driven by the latch to output column data, whereby the interval between subsequent column data bits is greatly reduced resulting in improved appearance of the displayed message. Referring to Figure 2. the display elements 35 are arranged in a 7 x 15 matrix. The elements are driven such that characters generally each occupy 5 columns of elements with a 1 -column spacing, resulting in a display only 2.6 characters wide. A matrix of this size can be seen in Figure 2 in which the first pan ofthe word "THANKYOU" (occupying 8 character widths) is displayed on the matrix display of 2.6 characters width in a scrolling manner, scrolling from right to left. Figure 2 shows the first 8 sequential illuminated matrix positions of the word. It will be appreciated that the size of the panel can be expressed in characters or characters and part-characters or in other ways.

The size of the display matrix 24 is such that it can be incoφorated into a vehicle brake lamp housing 36. In this arrangement the vehicle brake lamp circuit or interface bus 38 within the vehicle, which may conform to CAN or other protocol is interfaced with the message display electronics circuit at a vehicle interface 40 to cause illumination of all elements in the matrix 26 when the vehicle brake pedal 42 is depressed. Alternatively, a simple brake pedal micro-switch may initiate control of the brake function. In order to illuminate all the elements ofthe matrix 26 as required to establish a brake light function, it is necessary to set all ofthe bits in the display buffer memory 24 and to omit the data shifting sequence. Alternatively, this function can be achieved by simply setting all the column latch data bits and energising all row driving circuitry simultaneously. This effectively applies direct current to the illuminated elements, thus achieving maximum brightness. Such a signal from the interface bus 38 resulting in full illumination of the matrix 26 is able to override any message display using simple logic circuitry or by providing complex selection sequences as part ofthe overall vehicle peripheral interface arrangement.

Although a vehicle brake light/message display combination has been described it will be apparent that the message display can be combined with an indicator light, fog light or side light in the same way, using inputs 44, 46. 48 to the interface bus 38.

In the case of a vehicle fog light, side light or reverse light combined with a message display, where continuous illumination is necessary the central processing unit 10. operating in response to an instruction from the interface bus 38. will send appropriate data bits to the column amplifiers 28 and row amplifiers 30 via the display buffer memory 24 in order to cause specific elements of the matrix 26 not to be illuminated thereby- providing a "negative^"' message on a permanently illuminated background.

The flexibility of he unit is such that, in the event of failure, or other anomaly, of a pan of a vehicle light, or simply if desirable, the overall display may be re-arranged automatically by the central processing unit 10. If for example, a brake light failed, a turn indicator may be controlled in two sections such that one part continues to function as a turn inductor whilst the other part functions as a brake light. It is also possible to control the relative intensities of illumination of each ofthe elements by means ofthe row/column amplifiers 28, 30 or by adjustment of the time interval between each row of data bits transferred. Any combination of functions can be redefined in this way and alternative arrangements for illuminating groups of elements can be devised.

Figure 3 illustrates how the display and the driving circuitry may be organised to combine varying functions. The entire unit may be employed as a vehicle light or just a message may be displayed 50. or alternatively the panel may be electronically sub-divided to allow combinations of turn indicator, side/fog lamp and brake lamp as at 52. Alternatively still, a sub-section 54 of the panel may provide an exclamation signal as at 56 or a warning triangle as at 58. A sign may be flashed in conjunction with or in opposition to the turn indicator.

In territories where use of such a display is not permitted on moving vehicles, an electronic control input to the display unit via the vehicle interface 40 (Figure 1 ) may be used to prevent illumination of a message unless the vehicle is stationary. Other vehicle statuses such as a stolen vehicle status may be used to control the display of messages automaticallv.

The design of the display may incoφorate conventional incandescent bulb illumination to enhance overall appearance or to simplify the design. Where reference has been made to alphanumeric display characters throughout this description it is taken to include other graphics characters or shapes which are capable of being defined by the display matrix.

The input means may be through a speech recognition system, this is particularly advantageous when the display is incoφorated onto or within a motor vehicle and the driver has no hands free in order to be able to select messages manually.

Claims

1 . An electronic scrolling display unit comprising an electronic control circuit and a multiple element display panel, wherein the control circuit comprises a timing unit, storage means, input means and output means, the output means being coupled to the display panel, wherein the length ofthe display panel is less than 5 characters in length, and wherein the control circuit is capable of providing sequential data to the display panel representing a message of a length greater than the length ofthe display panel.

2. A unit according to claim 1. wherein the ratio of the message length to display panel length is greater than or equal to 2:1.

3. A unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display panel is in the range of 1 to 4 characters in length.

4. A unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display panel is in the range of 1 to 3 characters in length.

5. A unit according to claim 1 or 2. wherein the display panel is in the range of 1 to

2 characters in length.

6. A unit according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display panel includes means for mounting on a vehicle, so as to be visible externally ofthe vehicle.

7. A unit according to claim 6, including a signal input for coupling to a lamp control circuit of the vehicle, and arranged such that, when the said signal input is activated, a plurality of elements of the display panel are energised.

8. A unit according to claim 6. including a signal input for coupling to a lamp control circuit of the vehicle, and arranged such that, when the said signal input is activated, at least the majority ofthe display panel elements are energised.

9. A unit according to claim 7 or claim 8, constructed in the form of a vehicle rear lamp module incoφorating the display panel.

10. A unit according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the electronic control circuit is arranged to have a normal mode in which a scrolling message is displayed by successively energising elements ofthe display panel such that the characters of the message appear illuminated against a dark background, and a reversal mode in which the message is displayed by successively energising elements of the display panel such that the characters appear as dark symbols against an illuminated background, the circuitry operating in the reversal mode when the signal input is actuated, and in the normal mode when the signal input is not actuated.

1 1. A unit according to any of claims 7 to 10. wherein the signal input is a brake lamp signal input.

12. A unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the input means include a plurality of display selection switches.

13. A unit according to claim 12, arranged such that operation of the switches causes different selected messages stored in the storage means to be displayed.

14. A unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the input means include a speech recognition system for supplying, selecting or defining messages.

15. A unit according to claim 14, further comprising means for selecting speech recognition as the input means.

16. A unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the display panel is a matrix display.

17. A unit according to claim 16. wherein the matrix display incoφorates LED. LCD. gas discharge, or incandescent display elements.

18. A unit according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the electronic control circuit is arranged to display a message in the form of characters which appear to move from one end to the other or up and down depending on the geometry of the display panel as a consequence of illuminating elements of the matrix in a predetermined sequence.

19. A unit according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the electronic control circuit is arranged such that the illumination ofthe display can be varied in whole or in part.

20. A unit according to any of claims 6 to 1 1, operable to inhibit message display automatically dependent upon a predetermined vehicle status signal received in the input means.

21. A unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the input means includes a keyboard interface the electronic control circuit being arranged such that user- defined messages entered using a keyboard coupled to the keyboard interface can be displayed.

22. A unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the input means include a computer interface for connecting the unit to a computer system.

23. A unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the input means includes a switch interface for connection to display selection switches.

24. A unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the electronic control circuit comprises a microcomputer circuit including a central processing unit, memory means for storing a control program and messages for display, and input/output means for feeding display control signals to the display panel.

25. A vehicle lamp unit comprising a multiple element display panel capable of displaying messages and upon actuation of a lamp signal input of the unit, providing illumination by energisation of a plurality of the elements ofthe panel.

26. A unit according to claim 25, wherein at least a majority of the elements of the panel are energised upon actuation of a lamp signal input of the unit.

27. A lamp unit according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the display panel comprises a matrix of display elements.

28. A lamp unit according to any of claims 25 to 26. including an electronic control circuit which comprises a timing unit, storage means for storing messages, input means for receiving message selection signals and output means coupled to the display panel.