Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device having a collimated light source, capable of displaying a plurality of pieces of information (patterns).SOLUTION: The display device comprises: a light source device having a plurality of light source elements and capable of irradiating a plurality of collimated lights based on light emitted from each of the plurality of light source elements; a display picture plate having a plurality of patterns, provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of collimated lights; and a condenser lens irradiated with the light passed through the display picture plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to displays, and is particularly applicable to displays with collimated light sources. [Background technology]

[0002] Typical emergency lights have a unit structure where light is projected from behind the panel of the picture you want to display, causing the panel itself to light up and reveal the picture. In this case, a single unit can only display one picture, making it difficult to display multiple pieces of information. It is possible to place a monitor (LCD screen) or similar device to display multiple pieces of information, but this requires a considerable size to increase visibility, which in turn incurs costs.

[0003] In addition, although this is not normally necessary in small private spaces such as elevators, if you want to display guide lights or status indicators in the event of a problem, you will need to place monitors or dot display devices within the small private space and display the indicators. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-222381 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-102901 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that enables a display device equipped with a collimated light source to display multiple pieces of information (images). Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A brief summary of the representative aspects of the present invention is as follows.

[0007] That is, the display device is a light source device having a plurality of light source elements and capable of irradiating a plurality of collimated beams based on light emitted from each of the plurality of light source elements; a display plate having a plurality of patterns provided corresponding to each of the plurality of collimated light beams; and a condenser lens onto which the light passing through the display plate is irradiated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a drive circuit for the light-emitting element of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of projection of a picture on the display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration using one display device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration using three display devices. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a configuration using three display devices. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of displaying a dynamic picture. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the replacement of the display plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The disclosure is merely an example, and any appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily make while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention.

[0011] (Embodiment) The display device according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display device according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display device according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a drive circuit for the light-emitting elements in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of illuminating a pattern on the display device according to an embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the display device 1 includes a light source device 2, a display plate 3, and a housing 5 equipped with a condenser lens 4. Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the display device 1, a schematic plan view of the light source device 2, a schematic plan view of the display plate 3, and a schematic plan view of the condenser lens 4 when the display device 1 is viewed from above.

[0013] The light source device 2 has a plurality of light source elements 6 (61-64) and is configured to be able to emit a plurality of collimated light beams based on the light emitted from each of the plurality of light source elements 6 (61-64). The collimated light beams can be generated, for example, by using optical components (not shown) such as collimating lenses to convert the light emitted from the light source elements 6, but this is not limitative. Various methods can be used to generate the collimated light beams. The light source device 2 forms collimated light beams CL with a light distribution angle θ of ±3 degrees, for example, based on the light emitted from each light source element 6.

[0014] Each of the light source elements 61-64 may be configured, for example, by an LED (Light Emitting Diode), which is a light emitting element. In this example, the light source elements 61-64 are arranged in a matrix. In this example, the light source device 2 has a length (height) L2Z in the third direction Z of, for example, 50 mm, a length (width) L2X in the first direction X in a top view of, for example, 30 mm, and a length (depth) L2Y in the second direction Y intersecting (or perpendicular to) the first direction X of, for example, 30 mm. The third direction Z is a direction intersecting (or perpendicular to) the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0015] The display plate 3 has a plurality of patterns 31-34 corresponding to the plurality of collimated lights CL generated based on the light emitted by the plurality of light source elements 61-64 of the light source device 2. The display plate 3 can be constructed, for example, by printing a desired pattern on a transparent film. The pattern is a translucent pattern. Of the plurality of patterns 31-34, the length (width) L3X of one pattern (31) in the first direction X is, for example, 6 mm, and the length (depth) L3Y of one pattern (31) in the second direction Y is, for example, 6 mm. In this example, the plurality of patterns 31-34 are arranged in a matrix configuration, since the light source elements 61-64 are arranged in a matrix configuration. Furthermore, as will be described later, if the light source elements are arranged in a line, the plurality of patterns will be arranged in a line corresponding thereto.

[0016] Image 31 is a guide map showing the direction and distance to the parking lot. Image 32 is a guide map showing an area where wireless LAN can be used free of charge. Image 33 is a guide map showing an area where entry is prohibited. Image 34 is a guide map showing an area where entry is permitted. Image 31 corresponds to light source element 61, and the projection or non-projection of image 31 is controlled based on the control of light emission and non-emission of light from light source element 61. Image 32 corresponds to light source element 62, and the projection or non-projection of image 32 is controlled based on the control of light emission and non-emission of light from light source element 62. Image 33 corresponds to light source element 63, and the projection or non-projection of image 33 is controlled based on the control of light emission and non-emission of light from light source element 63. Image 34 corresponds to light source element 64, and the projection or non-projection of image 34 is controlled based on the control of light emission and non-emission of light from light source element 64. Note that light emission can be rephrased as lighting, and non-emission as non-lighting.

[0017] The display picture plate 3 is detachably attached to the irradiation surface 21 of the plurality of collimated lights of the light source device 2. This is to make it possible to change the display picture plate 3 to another display picture plate with a different design, as will be described later.

[0018] The housing 5 has four side walls and a hollow rectangular columnar (prism-like) shape. The condenser lens 4 is attached to the top side of the housing 5, and the light source device 2 is fitted into the housing 5 from the bottom. Light passing through the patterns 31-34 on the display plate 3 is irradiated onto the condenser lens 4. The housing 5 is attached to the light source device 2 by a fixing member 7 so that the distance between the display plate 3 and the condenser lens 4 can be adjusted in the third direction Z according to the focal length of the condenser lens 4. The fixing member 7 can be, for example, a screw. The condenser lens 4 can be, for example, a convex lens or a Fresnel lens. If the focal length of the condenser lens 4 is, for example, 40 mm, the length (height) L1Z of the light source device 2 in the third direction Z is, for example, 91 mm.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 1 is installed on the ceiling or the like with the condensing lens 4 of the display device 1 facing a flat surface such as a wall 15 in a room, which will be the display area (or the illuminated surface) of the image. When the light source elements 61-64 of the display device 1 are illuminated, images 31-34 are displayed in the display area. The distance (illumination distance) between the wall 15 and the condensing lens 4 and the illuminated dimensions of the image can be determined arbitrarily based on the focal length of the condensing lens 4 used. Note that when the image is enlarged using a lens with condensing properties, the image displayed on the wall 15 will be the image that is inverted vertically and horizontally of the display plate 3.

[0020] In this way, since the images 31-34 are displayed on the wall 15, a display board (such as a plate or monitor) is not required. Furthermore, when the display device 1 is not lit, the distance between the display image plate 3 and the condenser lens 4 is minimized and the display device 1 is fixed with the fixing member 7, resulting in a compact external shape (the length (height) L1Z in FIG. 1 can be shortened), which has a good design and appearance. Furthermore, because the display device 1 has a simple structure, it can be manufactured very inexpensively.

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a drive circuit 17 for the light-emitting element of FIG. 1. The drive circuit 17 includes a control circuit CNTC and switch circuits SW1-SW4. The switch circuits SW1-SW4 are electrically connected to the light source elements 61-64, respectively, and control whether or not to supply a power supply potential VDD, which is a first potential, and a ground potential GND, which is a second potential lower than the first potential, to the corresponding light source elements (61-64) based on the signal levels of control signals CS1-CS4 output by the control circuit CNTC. When the signal levels of the control signals CS1-CS4 are high (active level), the switch circuits SW1-SW4 supply the power supply potential VDD and the ground potential GND to the light source elements 61-64, thereby lighting the light source elements 61-64. When the signal levels of the control signals CS1-CS4 are low (inactive level), the switch circuits SW1-SW4 do not supply the power supply potential VDD and the ground potential GND to the light source elements 61-64, thereby turning the light source elements 61-64 off. The control circuit CNTC is configured to be able to individually control the signal levels of the control signals CS1-CS4, so that the light source elements 61-64 can be individually controlled by the control circuit CNTC to emit or not emit light.

[0022] Therefore, the control circuit CNTC of the drive circuit 17 can perform the following controls 1) to 5). Control 1) All four light source elements 61-64 are turned on. Control 2) Of the four light source elements 61-64, any three light source elements are turned on, and the remaining one light source element is turned off. Control 3) Of the four light source elements 61-64, any two light source elements are turned on, and the other two light source elements are turned off. Control 4) Of the four light source elements 61-64, any one light source element is turned on, and the other three light source elements are turned off. Control 5) All four light source elements 61-64 are turned off.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows examples 41-48 of illumination of the wall 15 when the control 1)-4) is performed on the patterns 31-34 of the display plate 3.

[0024] Illumination example 41 is control 1), in which all of light source elements 61-64 are lit, so that all of pictures 31-34 are illuminated onto wall 15. Illumination example 42 is control 2), in which light source elements 61, 62, and 64 are turned on and light source element 63 is turned off, so that pictures 31, 32, and 34 are projected onto wall 15. Illumination example 43 is control 2), in which light source elements 61, 62, and 63 are lit and light source element 64 is not lit, so that patterns 31, 32, and 33 are lit onto wall 15. Illumination example 44 is control 2), in which light source elements 62, 63, and 64 are lit and light source element 61 is not lit, so that patterns 32, 33, and 34 are lit onto wall 15. Illumination example 45 is control 2), in which light source elements 61, 63, and 64 are turned on and light source element 62 is turned off, so that pictures 31, 33, and 34 are projected onto wall 15. The illumination example 46 is control 4), in which the light source element 62 is lit and the light source elements 61, 63, and 64 are not lit, so that the picture 32 is illuminated onto the wall 15. Illumination example 47 is control 3), in which light source elements 61 and 62 are turned on and light source elements 63 and 64 are turned off, so that pictures 31 and 32 are projected onto wall 15. Illumination example 48 is control 3), in which light source elements 61 and 64 are turned on and light source elements 62 and 63 are turned off, so that pictures 31 and 34 are projected onto wall 15.

[0025] In this way, it is possible to simultaneously light up multiple (all, three, two, etc.) of the multiple light source elements (61-64) and simultaneously display corresponding images, thereby diversifying the images displayed on the wall 15.

[0026] Next, using Figures 5, 6, and 7, we will explain an example of the configuration of a display device when illuminating three different images 31, 32, and 33 onto a wall 15. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration using one display device. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration using three display devices. Figure 7 is a diagram showing another example of a configuration using three display devices. To simplify the drawings, Figures 5, 6, and 7 show the configuration of the display device schematically, and only the light source device and display plate are depicted as the display device.

[0027] 5, in this example, the display device 1a includes a light source device 2a including light source elements 61, 62, and 63, and a display plate 3a including pictures 31, 32, and 33. When all of the light source elements 61, 62, and 63 are turned on, the pictures 31, 32, and 33 are projected onto the wall 15. In the display plate 3a, the picture 31 is a guide map indicating an emergency exit, the picture 32 is a guide map indicating a right arrow, and the picture 33 is a guide map indicating that an earthquake has occurred.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which three display devices 1a (1a1, 1a2, 1a3) shown in FIG. 5 are arranged side by side. The configurations of display devices 1a1, 1a2, and 1a3 are the same as that of display device 1a. Here, in display device 1a1, light source element 61 of display device 1a1 is turned on to project image 31 onto wall 15. In display device 1a2, light source element 62 of display device 1a2 is turned on to project image 32 onto wall 15. In addition, in display device 1a3, light source element 63 of display device 1a3 is turned on to project image 33 onto wall 15. As a result, images 31, 32, and 33 similar to those in FIG. 5 can be projected onto wall 15.

[0029] 7, one display device 1b (1b1, 1b2, 1b3) is configured to include a light source device 2b (2b1, 2b2, 2b3) including one light source element 61 and a display plate 3b including one picture. The display plate 3b1 of the display device 1b1 has a picture 31. The display plate 3b3 of the display device 1b2 has a picture 32. The display plate 3b3 of the display device 1b3 has a picture 33. By arranging the display devices 1b1, 1b2, and 1b3 side by side and turning on the light source elements 61 of the display devices 1b1, 1b2, and 1b3, it is possible to project pictures 31, 32, and 33 similar to those in FIG. 5 onto the wall 15.

[0030] In this way, when projecting three similar images 31, 32, and 33 onto the wall 15, there are three examples of display device configurations as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7. Therefore, the optimal display device configuration example can be selected taking into consideration the available space for installing the display device, the cost of the display device, and so on.

[0031] Next, an example of the configuration of a display device that allows dynamic picture display will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of displaying a dynamic picture.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 8, the display plate 3c of the display device 1c has three identical patterns 31, 32, and 33. In this example, the three patterns 31, 32, and 33 are right-pointing arrows (⇒). The light source device 2a of the display device 1c includes light source elements 61, 62, and 63.

[0033] Here, the control circuit CNTC of the drive circuit 17 sequentially causes the three light source elements 61, 62, and 63 to emit light one by one (to emit light in order). That is, first, the light source element 61 is turned on from off and then turned off again (first operation: OP1). Then, the light source element 62 is turned on from off and then turned off again (second operation: OP2). Then, the light source element 63 is turned on from off and then turned off again (third operation: OP3). Thereafter, the first operation OP1, the second operation OP2, and the third operation OP3 are repeatedly performed. This allows the multiple light source elements to emit light one by one in order, thereby dynamically displaying the corresponding patterns. Therefore, an effective and impressive dynamic pattern can be displayed.

[0034] Next, the replacement of the display picture plate will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the replacement of the display picture plate.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9, the display plate 3 provided on the light source device 2a can be replaced with display plate 3a or display plate 3e. Display plate 3e features weather notification images 35, 36, and 37. Here, for example, image 35 represents a sunny day, image 36 represents a thunderstorm, and image 37 represents a snowy day. Because the display plates can be replaced, various images can be projected onto the wall 15. By preparing various display plates for evacuation guidance, warnings, weather forecasts, facility guides, advertising, and event guidance, it is possible to display images according to the purpose. Display plates can also be changed periodically or at different times.

[0036] All display devices that can be implemented by a person skilled in the art by appropriately modifying the design based on the display device described above as an embodiment of the present disclosure also fall within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the gist of the present disclosure.

[0037] Within the scope of the concept of the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art may conceive of various modifications and alterations, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, to the above-described embodiments, a person skilled in the art may appropriately add, delete, or change the design of components, or add, omit, or change the conditions of steps, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they include the gist of the present disclosure.

[0038] Furthermore, other effects and advantages brought about by the aspects described in this embodiment that are clear from the description in this specification or that can be appropriately thought of by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present disclosure.

[0039] Various disclosures can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1: display device, 2: light source device, 3: display picture plate, 4: condenser lens, 5: housing, 6, 61, 62, 63, 64: light source element, 31, 32, 33, 34: picture.

Claims

1. a light source device having a plurality of light source elements and capable of irradiating a plurality of collimated beams based on light emitted from each of the plurality of light source elements; a display plate having a plurality of patterns provided corresponding to each of the plurality of collimated light beams; a condenser lens onto which light passing through the display plate is irradiated.

2. 2. The display device according to claim 1, the light source device has an irradiation surface onto which the plurality of collimated beams are irradiated, The display device, wherein the display plate is detachably attached to the irradiation surface.

3. 3. The display device according to claim 2, The optical system further includes a rectangular pillar-shaped housing having the condenser lens attached to an upper surface thereof, the light source device is fitted into the housing from below, The display device, wherein the housing is attached to the light source device such that the distance between the display plate and the condenser lens is adjustable.

4. 2. The display device according to claim 1, The display device, wherein the plurality of light source elements can be individually controlled to emit light or not emit light.

5. 5. The display device according to claim 4, A display device that simultaneously displays corresponding images by simultaneously emitting light from a plurality of the light source elements.

6. 5. The display device according to claim 4, The display device causes the plurality of light source elements to emit light one by one in sequence, dynamically displaying corresponding images.

Images