JP3043590B2 - Information display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information display device for displaying various information to surrounding people by displaying a fixed symbol light emission pattern on display means such as a display. More specifically, road traffic signs provided throughout the city (for example,
The present invention relates to an information display device for displaying a fixed symbol light emission pattern such as a right / left turn arrow sign attached to a traffic signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A display means used in a conventional information display device for displaying various information to surrounding people by displaying a fixed symbol light emission pattern on the display means is, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of display elements (for example, light emitting diodes) are provided at predetermined positions (that is, the display positions of the arrow sign patterns) to display the fixed symbol light emission pattern (in FIG. (Hereinafter abbreviated as LEDs) in a single display row (LED row). Further, each display element (LED) constituting a single display row (LED row) is electrically connected in series.

By applying a current to this display column (LED column), each display element (LED) connected in series
Current is applied to each of the display elements (LEDs), and
A fixed symbol emission pattern (in FIG. 7, a pattern of an upward arrow sign; Δ) was generated. As a result, the pattern (↑) of the sign of the upward-pointing arrow is illuminated to be in a visible state, and various kinds of information have been notified to the surrounding persons.

The fixed symbol light emission pattern is a specific pattern whose display pattern itself does not change its shape, such as an alphanumeric character pattern, a character pattern, a graphic pattern, and a symbol (including an abbreviation symbol) pattern. Specifically, it means a road traffic sign provided in a city (for example, an arrow sign for turning right and left, a sign prohibiting entry, a sign prohibiting parking) attached to a traffic signal, and the like.

[0005]

The display means in such a conventional information display device uses a single display row (LED
Each of the display elements (LEDs) constituting each column is electrically connected in series, and therefore, any one of the display elements (L
If a defect occurs in the ED), the subsequent display elements (L
Since a sufficient lighting current is not supplied to the display element (ED), it is difficult to light the display element (LED) to a visible level,
There was a problem that the lamp was eventually extinguished.

That is, in an information display device using a single display row (LED row), a display element (LED) in a lighting state that is difficult to see or a display element (LE) in a non-lighting state.
In the case where a display state in which D) is mixed occurs, there is a possibility that a predetermined fixed-symbol light emission pattern meaning information to be notified may not be generated, so that accurate notification with high fail-safe property is difficult. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide an information display device capable of providing accurate information with high fail-safe property.

[0008]

Means for achieving the object are as follows.

(1) An information display device for displaying a fixed symbol light emitting pattern includes redundant display means (28a to 28c, 29a to 29c) having a redundant display function of displaying the same fixed symbol light emitting pattern independently and in parallel. ,
The redundant display means (28a to 28c, 29a to 29c)
A plurality of display elements are arranged in a row at a predetermined position to display the fixed symbol light emission pattern, and the display elements are electrically connected in series, and the display elements are turned on. A plurality of display columns (28a and 29a, 28b and 29
b, 28c and 29c), and the plurality of display columns (28a and 29a, 28b and 29b, 28c and 2c)
9c) is an information display device, wherein the information display device is arranged in a zigzag manner so as to intersect the longitudinal direction of each line forming the fixed symbol light emission pattern and spread over substantially the entire width of each line.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

The information display device (10b) according to the present invention uses a fixed symbol light emission pattern such as a road traffic sign (for example, an arrow sign for right / left turn attached to a traffic signal) provided on a display means such as a display. By displaying the information, various kinds of information are notified to the surrounding people, and the display has a redundant display function of displaying the same fixed symbol light emission pattern independently and in parallel.

The operation of the present invention will be described in more detail. Display columns (28a and 29a, 28b and 29b, 28c
And 29c), in which a plurality of display elements are arranged in a predetermined position in order to display a fixed symbol light emission pattern and the display elements are electrically connected in series, so that the display elements are turned on. Thus, the fixed symbol light emission pattern can be generated even with each display column alone.

Further, display columns (28a, 29a, 28b
And 29b, 28c and 29c) are not simply extended in the longitudinal direction, but are arranged in a zigzag manner so as to intersect the longitudinal direction of each line forming each fixed symbol light emitting pattern and spread over substantially the entire width of each line. Have been. For this reason,
Even if one system (display column) is turned off due to a failure, the size of the fixed symbol hardly changes, and only the illuminance decreases. Therefore, visibility in the case of a failure is good, and it is difficult for a viewer to feel uncomfortable.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is difficult to display the information to be informed because the same fixed symbol light emission pattern cannot be generated in the display column in which the defect has occurred, but the display column (28a 29a, 28b and 29b, 2
8c and 29c) are provided only in a plurality of columns, so that even if a failure occurs in any one of the display columns, the same fixed symbol light emission pattern can be generated in other normal display columns. In addition, the information to be notified can be displayed, and the information display device (10b) capable of accurate notification with high fail-safe property can be realized.

The fixed symbol light emission pattern is a specific pattern whose display pattern itself does not change its shape, such as an alphanumeric character pattern, a character pattern, a graphic pattern, and a symbol (including an abbreviation symbol) pattern. Specifically, it means a road traffic sign provided in a city (for example, an arrow sign for turning right and left, a sign prohibiting entry, a sign prohibiting parking) attached to a traffic signal, and the like.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an information display device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a same fixed symbol light emitting pattern redundantly displayed on a redundant display means 12 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of 18a (arrow sign for right / left turn attached to the traffic signal; ↑).

The information display device 10 in the present embodiment displays a fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18 such as a road traffic sign (for example, a right or left turn arrow sign attached to a traffic signal) provided on a display means such as a display. By displaying the information, various kinds of information are notified to the surrounding people.
As shown in the figure, the redundant display means 12 having a redundant display function of displaying the same fixed symbol light emitting patterns 18a independently and in parallel, and the display column driving means 16 for controlling the same fixed symbol light emitting patterns 18a are provided. Be prepared.

The fixed symbol light emission pattern is a specific pattern whose display pattern itself does not change its shape, such as an alphanumeric character pattern, a character pattern, a graphic pattern, a symbol (including an abbreviation symbol) pattern, and the like. Specifically, it means a road traffic sign provided in a town (for example, an arrow sign attached to a traffic signal for turning right or left or indicating straight ahead, a sign prohibiting entry, or a sign prohibiting parking).

The configuration of this embodiment will be described in more detail. The display column 14 is configured such that the fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18 can be generated by turning on (ie, emitting light from the LED) 14a a display element (in this embodiment, an LED is used as the display element 14a). A plurality of display elements (LEDs) 14a are arranged at predetermined positions in order to display the fixed symbol light emission pattern 18, and the display elements (LEDs) 14a are electrically connected in series.

In this embodiment, an LED is used as the display element 14a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a liquid crystal display element, a plasma display element, or an EL element may be used.
(Electroluminescence) It may be realized by a display element or the like.

The display column 14 of the present embodiment is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, a predetermined position (that is, a position where the light emission pattern can be recognized in an arrow shape) to display the light emission pattern 18 of the arrow sign for right / left turn as a fixed symbol (that is, the ↑ sign) is displayed. A plurality (specifically, 14) display elements (LEDs) 14a are arranged in rows. The 14 display elements (LEDs) 14a that form the display row 14 are electrically connected in series in a certain direction.

The display elements (LEDs) 14a that are electrically connected in series may have different emission characteristics (specifically, emission wavelengths).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the redundant display means 12 of the present embodiment includes a first display column (between terminals 1-1 ') 1
2a, a second display column (between the terminals 2-2 ') 12b, and a third display column (between the terminals 3-3') 12c (in other words, a plurality of display columns 14).

As described above, the first display column (terminal 1-
1a) 12a, second display column (between terminals 2-2 ') 12
b, each of the third display columns (between the terminals 3-3 ′) 12c is 1
Four display elements (LEDs) 14a are arranged in line, and
14 display elements (LEDs) 1 for forming each display row 14
4a are electrically connected in series in a certain direction.

The first display column 12a and the second display column 12
b, each of the third display columns 12c may have different emission characteristics (specifically, emission wavelength).

As shown in FIG. 1, the display row driving means 16 has the same fixed symbol light emission pattern (in this embodiment, the light emission pattern of the arrow sign for right / left turn; the light emission pattern of Δ) 18
a (that is, light emission of the LED) is controlled by the first display column driving circuit 16a, the second display column driving circuit 16b, and the third display column driving circuit 16c. Fixed symbol light emission pattern (in this embodiment, light emission pattern of arrow sign for right / left turn; light emission pattern of ↑) 18
The three display columns 14 are electrically connected in parallel so that a can be displayed independently and in parallel and redundantly.

The first display column drive circuit 16a, the second display column drive circuit 16b, and the third display column drive circuit 16c use constant current circuits. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A stabilizing circuit such as a circuit can be used.

It should be noted that a required amount of electrical resistance for adjusting (or calibrating) the brightness of each display row 14 to equalize the light emission brightness may be connected to the display row drive circuits 16a, 16b, 16c. In addition, each display column drive circuit 16a, 16
The power supply capabilities of b and 16c are determined by the number of display elements (LEDs) 14a to be connected, the resistance value of luminance adjustment (or calibration) electric resistance, and the like.

The display column driving means 16 of the present embodiment and each display column 14 are electrically connected in parallel. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the first display column (between terminals 1-1 ')
12a is connected to the first display column drive circuit 16a, and the second display column (between the terminals 2-2 ') 12b is connected to the second display column drive circuit 1a.
The third display column drive circuit 16c is connected to the third display column drive circuit 16c.

In this embodiment, a circuit configuration in which each display column 14 is connected to a single display column driving circuit may be used.

Next, the operation will be described. The information display device 10 according to the present embodiment displays a fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18 such as a road traffic sign (for example, an arrow sign for right / left turn attached to a traffic signal) provided in a city on a display means such as a display. In order to notify various types of information to the surrounding people, it has a redundant display function of displaying the same fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18a independently and in parallel.

The fixed symbol light emission pattern is a specific pattern such as an alphanumeric character pattern, a character pattern, a graphic pattern, a symbol (including an abbreviation symbol) pattern, etc., whose display pattern does not change its shape. Specifically, it means a road traffic sign provided in a city (for example, an arrow sign for turning right and left, a sign prohibiting entry, a sign prohibiting parking) attached to a traffic signal, and the like.

The operation of this embodiment will be described in more detail. Hereafter, arrow signs for right and left turns as fixed symbols (that is,
An example in which the light emission pattern 18 of (↑) is displayed will be described as a representative example.

The three display columns 14 (ie, a plurality of display columns) of the first display column 12a, the second display column 12b, and the third display column 12c.
Indicate that the display element 14a (in the present embodiment, an LED is used as the display element 14a) is turned on (that is, the LED is turned on).
Of the fixed symbol light emission pattern 18
Can be generated.

That is, the same fixed symbol light emitting patterns 18a are displayed independently and in parallel by providing three display columns 14 of the first display column 12a, the second display column 12b, and the third display column 12c. (Redundant display), it is possible to display information to be notified,
The information display device 10 capable of accurate notification with high fail-safe property can be realized.

The display column 14 of the present embodiment corresponds to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting pattern 18 of the arrow sign for right / left turn as a fixed symbol (that is, the ↑ sign) can be displayed.

The display row driving means 16 can control the lighting of the same fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18a (that is, the light emission of the LED).

Each of the first display column 12a, the second display column 12b, and the third display column 12c has 14 display elements (LEDs).
The first display column 12a is supplied with a drive current I1 from a first display column drive circuit (constant current circuit) 16a, as shown in FIG. The second display column 12b is supplied with a drive current I2 from a second display column drive circuit (constant current circuit) 16b, and the third display column 12c is supplied with a third display column drive circuit (constant current circuit).
The driving current I3 is supplied from 16c.

The first display column 12a, the second display column 12b, and the third display column 12c respectively include a drive current I1 and a drive current I
2. It emits light in response to the supply of the drive current I3 to generate the same fixed symbol light emission pattern (light emission pattern of right and left turn arrow signs; light emission pattern of ↑ in this embodiment) 18a.

That is, each display column 14 and the display column driving means 1
6 are electrically connected in parallel to each other, so that the same fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18 (in this embodiment, the light emitting pattern of the arrow sign for right / left turn; light emitting pattern of ↑) is displayed independently and in parallel. By realizing the display function, it is possible to display information to be notified, and it is possible to realize the information display device 10 capable of accurate notification with high fail-safe property.

The first display column drive circuit (constant current circuit)
16a, the second display column drive circuit (constant current circuit) 16b, and the third display column drive circuit (constant current circuit) 16c may be an AC circuit having a modulation (for example, pulse modulation) function or a DC circuit. . Similarly, when the display column driving circuit uses a constant power circuit or the like instead of the constant current circuit, the driving current I
1, the drive current I2 and the drive current I3 can be changed to drive power and the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the display column 14 in which a defect has occurred, the same fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18a cannot be generated, so that it is difficult to display information to be notified. Since only a plurality of columns 14 are provided, even if a failure occurs in any one of the display columns 14, the same fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18a can be generated in the other normal display columns 14. Thus, the information to be notified can be displayed, and the information display device 10 capable of accurate notification with high fail-safe property can be realized.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show a second embodiment, which is embodied from the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the information display device 10a is mounted on an indicator lamp base 20, and includes an arrowhead portion 21 and an arrow shaft portion 22 in which display elements (LEDs) are collectively arranged.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, first to third display column drive circuits 23a, 23b and 23c are provided,
To the output lines from the third display column drive circuits 23a, 23b, and 23c, respectively, and are connected to branch lines 24a, 24b, and 24c, respectively, and extend to the outer ends 21a and 21a of the arrowhead 21.

In the arrowhead portion 21, first to third display rows 25a, 25b, 25c of display elements (LEDs) arranged in parallel from the outer end portions 21a, 21a extend to the tip of the arrowhead portion 21 and are folded back there. The wires 26a, 26b, 26c are extended toward the tip of the arrow shaft portion 22, and after reaching the arrow shaft portion 22, the wires 26a, 26b, 26c are connected to the first to third display column drive circuits 23a, 23b, 23c. And constitute mutually parallel circuits.

In the arrow shaft portion 22, the wires 26a, 26
b, 26c and the distribution lines 24a, 24b, 24c,
First to third display columns 27a, 2 using display elements (LEDs)
7b and 27c are installed.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the first to third display columns 25a, 25b, 25c
And first to third display columns 27a, 27b,
Since the display elements constituting the display columns 27c are arranged in parallel with each other and the display columns are separately connected to the power supply, even if one display column is turned off due to a failure, the other display columns are turned off. Can maintain lighting, and a minimum visibility can be ensured even if the illuminance decreases.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment. In the information display device 10b of the present embodiment, in the arrowhead portion 21 and the arrow shaft portion 22, the rows are not simply extended in the longitudinal direction, but are bent in a zigzag manner so as to intersect with the longitudinal direction of each pattern. ~ 3rd display column 28a, 28
b, 28c and the first to third display columns 29a, 29b, 29c
Are arranged.

In this embodiment, the first to third display columns 28a,
28b, 28c and first to third display columns 29a, 29
When one of the systems b and 29c is turned off due to a failure, the size of the arrow hardly changes because the display elements are distributed in a plane at the arrowhead portion 21 and the arrow shaft portion 22. Only the illuminance decreases. Therefore, visibility in the case of a failure is good, and it is difficult for a viewer to feel uncomfortable.

In the above embodiment, three display columns are shown. However, it is needless to say that the number of display columns may be two or at least three or more.

[0054]

According to the information display device of the present invention,
In the display column where the failure occurred, it is difficult to display the information to be notified because the same fixed symbol light emission pattern cannot be generated, but since only a plurality of display columns are provided,
Even if a failure occurs in any one of the display columns, the same fixed symbol light emission pattern can be generated in other normal display columns, and information to be notified can be displayed. An information display device capable of providing highly accurate and accurate notification can be realized. In the case where the display columns are arranged in a zigzag manner so as to intersect in the longitudinal direction of the fixed symbol light-emitting pattern, when one system is turned off due to a failure, the display elements are distributed in the pattern in a planar manner. The size of the arrow hardly changes, the visibility in the case of a failure is good, and the viewer is less likely to feel uncomfortable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an information display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the same fixed symbol light emission pattern redundantly displayed on the redundant display means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory circuit diagram of an information display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the same fixed symbol light emission pattern redundantly displayed on the redundant display means of the information display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an information display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual explanatory circuit diagram of an information display device according to a third example of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a fixed symbol light emission pattern displayed on a conventional information display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information display apparatus 12 ... Redundant display means 12a ... First display row 12b ... Second display row 12c ... Third display row 14 ... Display row 14a ... Display element 16 ... Display row driving means 16a ... First display row driving circuit 16b: second display column drive circuit 16c: third display column drive circuit 18: fixed symbol light emitting pattern 18a: identical fixed symbol light emitting pattern

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A 3-94588 (JP, U) JP-A 63-45906 (JP, U) JP-A 61-92992 (JP, U) JP-A 49- 44170 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 61-121601 (JP, U) Registered Utility Model 300 1975 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G09G 3/14 G09F 9/33

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information display device for displaying a fixed symbol light emitting pattern, comprising: redundant display means having a redundant display function of displaying the same fixed symbol light emitting pattern independently and in parallel, wherein the redundant display means comprises: A plurality of display elements are arranged in a row at predetermined positions to display the fixed symbol light emission pattern, and the display elements are electrically connected in series,
The display device has a plurality of display columns capable of generating the fixed symbol light emission pattern by being turned on, and the plurality of display columns intersect in a longitudinal direction of each line forming the fixed symbol light emission pattern. And an information display device which is arranged in a zigzag manner so as to spread over substantially the entire width of each line.