JP3651817B2 - Taxi meter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a meter device, and more particularly, to a taximeter provided with liquid crystal display means having a liquid crystal panel and a backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional taxi meter, a liquid crystal panel is used as a display for displaying that the vehicle is being rented, and for displaying the fare in the actual vehicle (that is, when the passenger is riding and renting). There was something that was there.
[0003]
In such a liquid crystal panel, a backlight as an illuminating means is provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel in order to improve visibility for a driver or a user.
[0004]
Such a backlight is used not only in an actual vehicle but also in an empty vehicle (in other words, a state where no passenger is on the vehicle) in a constantly lit state.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the lifetime of the backlight is about 20,000 hours (however, the point in time when the luminance is halved compared to the initial value is defined as the lifetime), and the taximeter is assumed to be used for about 10 hours a day. The conventional taximeter has a lifetime of about 10 to 10 years. Therefore, with a conventional taximeter, the lifetime of the backlight (assuming that it will be used for about 10 hours per day is assumed to be 5 years) As a result, there is a technical problem that the backlight may be replaced.
[0006]
Furthermore, since the backlight is usually incorporated in the taximeter in a state of being incorporated in the liquid crystal panel and modularized, in order to replace the backlight, the disassembling and assembling process of the taximeter and the liquid crystal panel is required. There was a technical problem that involved.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and a taxi meter provided with a liquid crystal display means having a liquid crystal panel and a backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal panel is provided with a taxi vehicle running. By providing meter control means that detects the mode and executes control to turn on or off the backlight, the life of the backlight is extended, and the lifetime of the backlight is extended to the same level as the taxi meter's durable life, As a result, it is an object to avoid the replacement of the backlight as described above.
[0008]
Furthermore, it is an object to avoid the steps of disassembling and assembling the taximeter and the liquid crystal panel that have occurred with the replacement of the backlight by avoiding the replacement of the backlight as described above.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal panel 144 having a tariff display portion 144A and a monetary amount display portion 144B, a backlight 142 for illuminating the liquid crystal panel, and a backlight for driving and driving the backlight. At least a liquid crystal display means 14 having a light driver 143, an actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 and an empty vehicle mode tariff button 165 for selecting a driving mode of a taxi vehicle are provided, and the actual vehicle mode tariff button or the empty vehicle mode tariff button An operation means 16 for generating an actual empty vehicle signal for identifying which one has been selected, and two vehicle modes of an actual vehicle mode and an empty vehicle mode of the taxi vehicle based on the actual empty vehicle signal generated by the operation means. It is possible to detect at least that the vehicle is rented while the actual vehicle mode is detected. Causes display on the serial tariff display unit, a taxi meter 10 the amount obtained by performing arithmetic processing and a meter control unit 12 for controlling to display on the amount display section for fare display,
The meter control means 12 executes control to turn on the backlight while detecting the actual vehicle mode, and executes control to turn off the backlight while detecting the empty vehicle mode. The backlight control signal 12a of
The backlight driver 143 is the taximeter 10 characterized by turning on or off the backlight 142 according to the backlight control signal 12a .
[0010]
According to the meter control means 12 of the first aspect, the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended, and the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended to the same extent as the durable years of the taximeter 10. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided.
[0011]
Further, as a result of avoiding the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above, the disassembling and assembling steps of the taximeter 10 and the liquid crystal panel 144 that have been generated with the replacement of the backlight 142 until now are omitted. It becomes possible.
[0015]
In addition , the driving mode in which the backlight 142 needs to be turned on (that is, the actual vehicle mode) and the driving mode in which the backlight 142 needs to be turned off (that is, the empty vehicle mode) are set to the actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 or the empty vehicle mode. A tariff button 165 can be selected. As a result, the backlight 142 can be turned on only in the actual vehicle, the life of the backlight 142 can be extended, and the life of the backlight 142 can be extended to the same extent as the durable life of the taximeter 10. become. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a taximeter 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024]
The embodiment relates to a meter device used for displaying a fare or the like in a taxi. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal panel 144 and a backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal panel 144 (disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 144). A taximeter 10 having a liquid crystal display means.
[0025]
The tariff buttons 161 to 166 are arranged on the front surface of the taximeter 10 in consideration of the driver's operability. As the tariff buttons 161 to 166, there are provided an incoming tariff button 161, a high speed tariff button 162, a payment tariff button 163, an actual vehicle mode tariff button 164, an empty vehicle mode tariff button 165, and a display mode tariff button 166.
[0026]
The incoming car tariff button 161 is a button that is pressed when the taxi vehicle picks up the passenger, and at this time, the liquid crystal panel 144 displays a tariff to the effect of “receiving car”.
[0027]
The high-speed tariff button 162 is a button that is pressed when the taxi vehicle uses the highway. At this time, the fare is not added according to the time but is added only by the distance and the liquid crystal panel 144 has [ ] Is displayed.
[0028]
The payment tariff button 163 is a button that is pressed when the fare is settled. At this time, the charge for the fare is stopped, and the liquid crystal panel 144 displays the fare amount [fare xxx Yen] and the [clearing] A tariff display is displayed.
[0029]
The actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 is a button that is pressed when a passenger rides on a taxi vehicle. At this time, a tariff display indicating [rental] is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 144.
[0030]
The empty vehicle mode tariff button 165 is a button that is pressed when a passenger gets out of the taxi vehicle. At this time, the liquid crystal panel 144 displays a tariff indicating “empty vehicle”.
[0031]
The display mode tariff button 166 is a button that is pressed when selecting display or non-display on the liquid crystal panel 144. At this time, the liquid crystal panel 144 displays a tariff display indicating [display ON] or [display OFF]. Made.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, a backlight 142 as an illuminating means is provided on the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 144 in order to improve the visibility for the driver and the user.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the taximeter 10 of FIG.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 2, the taximeter 10 of the present embodiment includes a meter control unit 12, a liquid crystal display unit 14, an operation unit 16, and a charge ROM 18 as main parts.
[0035]
The liquid crystal display means 14 includes a backlight 142 (specifically, it is desirable to use a cold cathode tube), a backlight driver (CFL driver) 143, a liquid crystal panel (LCD: generic term for liquid crystal panel) 144, and an LCD driver 145. It is configured as the main part.
[0036]
The charge ROM 18 is a storage means that stores unit price data for calculating a fare and can be read at any time. The charge ROM 18 is mainly composed of an EEPROM that can be electrically stored and rewritten at any time. Yes.
[0037]
The operation means 16 is an operation means for the driver to select a tariff, and as the tariff buttons 161 to 166, in addition to the above-described incoming tariff button 161, high-speed tariff button 162, and payment tariff button 163, an actual vehicle mode is selected. A tariff button 164 and an empty vehicle mode tariff button 165 are configured as main parts.
[0038]
Further, the operation means 16 is configured to generate an actual empty vehicle signal for identifying whether the actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 or the empty vehicle mode tariff button 165 is selected, and to supply the actual empty vehicle signal to the meter control means 12. Has been.
[0039]
According to the operation means 16 as described above, the driving mode in which the backlight 142 needs to be turned on (that is, the actual vehicle mode) and the driving mode in which the backlight 142 needs to be turned off (that is, the empty vehicle mode) are set. The vehicle mode tariff button 164 or the empty vehicle mode tariff button 165 can be selected. Thereby, the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended, and the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended to the same extent as the durable life of the taximeter 10. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided.
[0040]
Furthermore the operating means 16, in addition to the empty car mode tariff button 16 5, a display mode tariff button 166 for selecting the display operation in the liquid crystal panel 144.
[0041]
As a result, it becomes possible to select the empty vehicle mode using the display mode tariff button 166, and the display operation on the liquid crystal panel 144 can be stopped according to the selection of the empty vehicle mode, thereby extending the life of the backlight 142. In addition, the life of the liquid crystal panel 144 can be extended.
[0042]
The backlight driver (CFL driver) 143 is configured to turn on or off the backlight 142 in accordance with the backlight control signal 12a. In this embodiment, an inverter system is used.
[0043]
According to such a backlight driver 143, the backlight 142 can be turned on according to the selection of the actual vehicle mode, and the backlight 142 can be turned off according to the selection of the empty vehicle mode. Thereby, the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended, and the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended to the same extent as the durable life of the taximeter 10. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided.
[0044]
The power source 17 is means for supplying electric power 17 a to the CFL driver 143 and the meter control means 12.
[0045]
Further, the meter control means 12 can detect at least two vehicle modes, ie, a real vehicle mode and an empty vehicle mode, as the driving mode of the taxi vehicle, and controls to turn on the backlight 142 while the actual vehicle mode is detected. While performing, it is comprised so that the backlight control signal 12a for performing the control which extinguishes the backlight 142 may be produced | generated while the empty vehicle mode is detected.
[0046]
According to such meter control means 12, the backlight 142 can be turned on only in the actual vehicle, the life of the backlight 142 is extended, and the backlight is as long as the durable life of the taximeter 10. The lifetime of 142 can be extended. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided.
[0047]
3A is a diagram illustrating the lighting state of the backlight 142 in the taximeter 10 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the lighting state of the backlight 142 in the taximeter 10 of FIG. is there.
[0048]
The meter control means 12 is configured to select a display operation on the liquid crystal panel 144 in response to pressing of the display mode tariff button 166 when executing control for turning on or off the backlight 142.
[0049]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the control for turning on the backlight 142 is executed, the liquid crystal panel 144 displays the amount display portion 134B in response to the pressing of the display mode tariff button 166. The fare amount [fare xxx yen] is displayed, and a tariff display indicating [rental] is displayed on the tariff display portion 144A .
[0050]
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3B, when executing the control to turn off the backlight 142, a tariff display indicating “empty” is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 144 in response to pressing of the display mode tariff button 166. Is made. In this embodiment, when the empty mode using the display mode tariff button 166 is selected at this time, the liquid crystal panel 144 is controlled to be in a non-display state.
[0051]
According to such meter control means 12, it becomes possible to select the empty vehicle mode using the display mode tariff button 166, and the display operation on the liquid crystal panel 144 can be stopped according to the selection of the empty vehicle mode. Thus, in addition to extending the lifetime of the backlight 142, the lifetime of the liquid crystal panel 144 can be increased.
[0052]
Further, the meter control means 12 is configured so that a display operation on the liquid crystal panel 144 can be selected.
[0053]
Further, the meter control means 12 is connected to the speed sensor 20 in order to integrate the travel distance of the taxi vehicle in accordance with the speed pulse signal 20a related to the vehicle speed information.
[0054]
Further, the meter control means 12 exchanges billing information and tacho data with an external system device (specifically, printer or workstation W / S) 22 provided outside, or updates data in the charge ROM 18. And an external input / output interface (I / F) for this purpose is provided.
[0055]
Such meter control means 12 has means for detecting the driving mode of the taxi vehicle and executing control to turn on or turn off the backlight 142, and is composed mainly of a microcomputer.
[0056]
As an example, considering that the taxi vehicle's idle time is about half of the business hours, the lifetime of the backlight 142 is about 10 years when it is assumed that it will be used for about 10 hours a day. Twice the lifetime.
[0057]
That is, according to such meter control means 12, the lifetime of the backlight 142 is about 20,000 hours, and when the taxi meter 10 is assumed to be used for about 10 hours per day, Even if it is assumed that it is about 10 years, it is possible to extend the lifetime of the backlight 142 as long as the durability of the taximeter 10. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided. Further, as a result of avoiding the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above, the disassembling and assembling steps of the taximeter 10 and the liquid crystal panel 144 that have been generated with the replacement of the backlight 142 until now are omitted. It becomes possible.
[0058]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of turning on and off the backlight 142 in the taximeter 10 of FIG.
[0059]
When the control operation for turning on and off the backlight 142 is started, the meter control means 12 checks the value of the state flag F. The state flag F is a state display variable in which the logical value = 1 during the control operation of turning on the backlight 142 and the logical value = 0 during the control operation of turning off the backlight 142.
[0060]
First, the meter control means 12 checks the status flag F in order to determine whether the backlight 142 is in the lighting control operation or the extinguishing control operation.
[0061]
When the status flag F is the logical value 1 (Y in step S1), it is determined that the backlight 142 is in the lighting control operation, and the calculation process for displaying the fare is executed (step S5).
[0062]
When the state flag F is a logical value 0 (N in step S1), it is determined that the backlight 142 is in the control operation of turning off, and the actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 on the operation means 16 is used to determine the traveling mode. Is detected (step S2).
[0063]
If the actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 has not been pressed (step S2 is not pressed), it is determined whether or not the operation key has been turned to the ACC (accessory) position (step S9).
[0064]
The operating means 16 can generate an actual empty vehicle signal 16a for identifying whether the actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 is pressed or whether the empty vehicle mode tariff button 165 is pressed. Therefore, the meter control means 12 detects whether or not the actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 is pressed (step S5), and generates the backlight control signal 12a corresponding to the actual empty vehicle signal.
[0065]
Specifically, when the actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 is pressed (step S2 is pressed), a control command for turning on the backlight 142 is generated as the backlight control signal 12a.
[0066]
At this time, the backlight driver 143 turns on the backlight 142 in accordance with the backlight control signal 12a (step S3).
[0067]
Subsequently, the meter control means 12 changes the logical value of the state flag F from 0 to 1 (step S4), and executes a calculation process for displaying the fare (step S5).
[0068]
Subsequently, the meter control means 12 detects whether or not the empty vehicle mode tariff button 165 is pressed (step S6).
[0069]
When the empty vehicle mode tariff button 165 is pressed (step S6 is pressed), a control command for turning off the backlight 142 is generated as the backlight control signal 12a.
[0070]
At this time, the backlight driver 143 turns off the backlight 142 in accordance with the backlight control signal 12a (step S7).
[0071]
Subsequently, the meter control means 12 changes the logical value of the status flag F from 1 to 0 (step S8), and determines whether or not the operation key is turned to the position of ACC (accessory) (step S9).
[0072]
When the operation key is turned to the ACC (accessory) position (step S9 is ON), the meter control unit 12 returns to step S1 again and continues the control operation of turning on and off the backlight 142.
[0073]
When the operation key is turned to the ACC (accessory) position (OFF in step S9), the meter control means 12 determines that the use of the taximeter 10 is finished, and the backlight 142 is turned on and off. The control operation is terminated.
[0074]
According to such a control operation of turning on and off the backlight 142, the lifetime of the backlight 142 is about 20,000 hours, and the durability of the taximeter 10 is assumed when the backlight 142 is used for about 10 hours a day. Even if it is assumed that the number of years is about 6 to 10 years, it is possible to extend the lifetime of the backlight 142 that is about the same as the durable life of the taximeter 10. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided. Further, as a result of avoiding the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above, the disassembling and assembling steps of the taximeter 10 and the liquid crystal panel 144 that have been generated with the replacement of the backlight 142 until now are omitted. It becomes possible.
[0075]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended, and the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended to the same extent as the durable years of the taximeter 10. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided.
[0076]
Further, as a result of avoiding the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above, the disassembling and assembling steps of the taximeter 10 and the liquid crystal panel 144 that have been generated with the replacement of the backlight 142 until now are omitted. It becomes possible.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
According to the meter control means 12 of the first aspect, the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended, and the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended to the same extent as the durable years of the taximeter 10. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided.
[0078]
Further, as a result of avoiding the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above, the disassembling and assembling steps of the taximeter 10 and the liquid crystal panel 144 that have been generated with the replacement of the backlight 142 until now are omitted. It becomes possible.
[0080]
In addition , the driving mode in which the backlight 142 needs to be turned on (that is, the actual vehicle mode) and the driving mode in which the backlight 142 needs to be turned off (that is, the empty vehicle mode) are set to the actual vehicle mode tariff button 164 or the empty vehicle mode. A tariff button 165 can be selected. Thereby, the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended, and the lifetime of the backlight 142 can be extended to the same extent as the durable life of the taximeter 10. As a result, the replacement of the backlight 142 as described above can be avoided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a taximeter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the taximeter of FIG.
3A is a diagram for explaining a lighting state of the backlight in the taximeter of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining a lighting state of the backlight in the taximeter of FIG. is there.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation for turning on and off the backlight in the taximeter of FIG. 1; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Taximeter 12 Meter control means 12a Backlight control signal 14 Liquid crystal display means 142 Backlight 143 Backlight driver 144 Liquid crystal panel 16 Operation means 16a Real vehicle signal 164 Actual vehicle mode tariff button 165 Empty vehicle mode tariff button 166 Display mode tariff button

Claims (1)

Liquid crystal display means having a liquid crystal panel in which a tariff display portion and a price display portion are formed, a backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal panel, and a backlight driver for driving and driving the backlight, and a taxi vehicle An operation for generating an actual vehicle signal for identifying whether the actual vehicle mode tariff button or the empty vehicle mode tariff button is provided, at least an actual vehicle mode tariff button and an empty vehicle mode tariff button for selecting a travel mode are provided. And at least two vehicle modes of the taxi vehicle can be detected on the basis of the actual empty vehicle signal generated by the operating means, and while the actual vehicle mode is detected, Is displayed on the tariff display section, and the money obtained by executing the calculation process for the fare display The A taxi meter and a meter control unit means for controlling to display on the amount display section,
The meter control means executes control to turn on the backlight while detecting the actual vehicle mode, and performs control to turn off the backlight while detecting the empty vehicle mode. Generate backlight control signal,
The taximeter according to claim 1, wherein the backlight driver turns on or off the backlight according to the backlight control signal .

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