Sensor device and display method

Abstract

To provide a sensor device that displays information on hierarchized items in an easily comprehensible manner.SOLUTION: A sensor device with a display unit capable of displaying an image is provided, the display unit being configured to display an n-th (n represents a natural number of 1 or greater) hierarchy menu of a plurality of hierarchically structured menus together with a hierarchy indicator indicating the n-th hierarchy on a screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor device and a display method. [Background technology]

[0002] Various sensor devices such as fiber sensors or photoelectric sensors are equipped with a display unit for displaying information. Patent Document 1 discloses a photoelectric sensor equipped with a display unit consisting of a 7-segment LED and multiple LEDs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-183219 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The number of configurable items in sensor devices is increasing, and the setting items are organized in a hierarchy. However, because sensor devices are small in size and have small display areas, it is not possible to display hierarchical items in a tree structure, as is the case with, for example, a PC. In other words, it is difficult for sensor devices to display information about hierarchical items in a way that is easy for users to understand, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to display information relating to hierarchical items in a sensor device in a more easily understandable manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sensor device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a sensor device equipped with a display unit capable of displaying images, and the display unit displays on a screen a menu at the nth level (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) of a plurality of menus having a hierarchical structure, along with a hierarchical indicator indicating the nth level.

[0007] A display method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a display method in a display unit capable of displaying an image provided in a sensor device, in which a hierarchical indicator indicating the nth hierarchical level (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) menu among a plurality of menus having a hierarchical structure is displayed on the screen of the display unit.

[0008] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, in a sensor device, information relating to hierarchical items can be displayed in a more easily understandable manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a fiber sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a plan view (top view) showing the appearance of a fiber sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 is a bottom view showing the appearance of a fiber sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1D] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a fiber sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 is a rear view showing the appearance of a fiber sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1F] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing the appearance of a fiber sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1G] FIG. 1 is a right side view showing the appearance of a fiber sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of a setting menu and setting items according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a hierarchy indicator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4A]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an animation on a screen when descending a hierarchy according to the present embodiment; [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an animation on a screen when ascending a floor according to the present embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modified example of a hierarchy indicator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modified example of a hierarchy indicator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third modified example of a hierarchy indicator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of a hierarchy indicator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a hierarchical level indicator indicating hierarchical levels by numbers according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical indicator indicating a hierarchy by numbering a setting menu according to the present embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of display of an item indicator according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a transition indicator according to the present embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 shows an example of a setting mode screen and an operation mode screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a change in the screen when transitioning from an operation mode screen to a threshold adjustment screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an interrupt screen according to the present embodiment; [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation mode screen when the zero set according to the present embodiment is ON; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) <Fiber sensor configuration> FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the appearance of a fiber sensor 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1B is a plan view (top view) showing the appearance of the fiber sensor 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1C is a bottom view showing the appearance of the fiber sensor 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1D is a front view showing the appearance of the fiber sensor 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1E is a rear view showing the appearance of the fiber sensor 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1F is a left side view showing the appearance of the fiber sensor 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1G is a right side view showing the appearance of the fiber sensor 1 according to this embodiment.

[0013] 1F, the fiber sensor 1 includes a light-projecting optical fiber connection part 3 to which a light-projecting optical fiber is connected, and a light-receiving optical fiber connection part 4 to which a light-receiving optical fiber is connected. The fiber sensor 1 projects light into the light-projecting optical fiber, measures the light received by the light-receiving optical fiber (amount of incident light), and detects changes in the environment where the light is projected (for example, the presence or absence of an object, etc.).

[0014] 1A and 1B, the fiber sensor 1 includes a housing 2 in the shape of a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped, and a display unit 5 and an operation unit 6 provided side by side on the top surface (first surface) of the housing 2. The first surface on which the display unit 5 and the operation unit 6 are provided may be the surface with the smallest ratio of short side to long side (short side / long side) (i.e., the thinnest surface) among the six surfaces constituting the housing 2. This allows the user to easily operate the fiber sensor 1 while looking at the display unit 5, and also allows for a compact fiber sensor 1 to be realized.

[0015] 1B, the display unit 5 has a rectangular screen 10 whose horizontal sides are longer than its vertical sides. The display unit 5 may be configured by a matrix display such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display or a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0016] 1B, the operation unit 6 is configured with multiple buttons such as a + button, a SET button, a - button, a MODE button, or a CANCEL button. However, the operation unit 6 is not limited to the button configuration shown in the drawing, and may have any mechanism that accepts user operations.

[0017] 1A and 1B, the direction of the horizontal side (longitudinal direction) of the display unit 5 is defined as the X axis, the direction of the vertical side (short-side direction) of the display unit 5 is defined as the Y axis, and the direction perpendicular to the screen 10 of the display unit 5 is defined as the Z axis. Also, for convenience of explanation, in the description of the screen 10 of the display unit 5, the negative direction of the X axis may be referred to as "left," the positive direction of the X axis as "right," the positive direction of the Y axis as "up," and the negative direction of the Y axis as "down." Note that these directional expressions are used for convenience of explanation and are not intended to limit the orientation of the structure during actual use.

[0018] Various pieces of information are displayed on the screen 10 of the display unit 5. In the following, for the sake of convenience, it may be stated that the display unit 5 mainly displays information, but this may be interpreted as a control unit (not shown) provided inside the fiber sensor 1 causing the display unit 5 to display information. The control unit has a processor and memory, and may cause the display unit 5 to display information by executing a predetermined computer program.

[0019] Furthermore, the fiber sensor 1 is an example of various sensor devices, and the contents of this embodiment are applicable to various sensor devices that include a display unit 5.

[0020] <Hierarchical structure of setting menu and setting items> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of setting menus and setting items according to the present embodiment.

[0021] The fiber sensor 1 has a setting menu for setting various parameters. The user can use the operation unit 6 to select from the setting menu displayed on the display unit 5 and perform various settings.

[0022] The setting menu according to this embodiment has a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 2. For example, FIG. 2 shows the following: "Setting menu A" and "Setting menu B" belong to the first layer. "Setting menu A" in the first layer has "Setting menu C," "Setting menu D," and "Setting menu E" belonging to it in the second layer. "Setting menu C" in the second layer has "Setting menu F" and "Setting menu G" belonging to it in the third layer. "Setting menu F" in the third layer has "Setting item A" and "Setting item B" belonging to it as setting items. Note that in FIG. 2, lower layers or setting items belonging to "Setting menu B," "Setting menu D," "Setting menu E," and "Setting menu G" are omitted.

[0023] When the first-level setting menu is displayed on the display unit 5, the user can press the + button (or the - button) to select "Setting menu A" or "Setting menu B" belonging to the first level.

[0024] When the user presses the SET button while the first-level "settings menu A" is displayed on the display unit 5, the display unit 5 displays a second-level setting menu belonging to the first-level "settings menu A." When the second-level setting menu is displayed on the display unit 5, the user can select "settings menu C," "settings menu D," or "settings menu E" belonging to the second level by pressing the + button (or - button). Note that the multiple setting menus included in the levels may have a loop structure. For example, when the user presses the + button while "settings menu E" is displayed on the display unit 5, "settings menu C" may be displayed. For example, when the user presses the - button while "settings menu C" is displayed on the display unit 5, "settings menu E" may be displayed.

[0025] When the user presses the SET button while the second-level "settings menu C" is displayed on the display unit 5, the display unit 5 displays the third-level setting menu that belongs to the second-level "settings menu C." When the third-level setting menu is displayed on the display unit 5, the user can select "settings menu F" or "settings menu G" that belongs to the third level by pressing the + button (or - button).

[0026] When the user operates the SET button while the third-level "setting menu F" is displayed on the display unit, the display unit 5 displays the setting items belonging to that "setting menu F." When a setting item is displayed on the display unit 5, the user can press the + button (or - button) to select "setting item A" or "setting item B" belonging to that setting item, and then press the SET button to set the displayed setting item.

[0027] In this way, the user can operate the operation unit 6 to navigate through the hierarchical setting menu to set the desired setting item.

[0028] The highest level (i.e., the first level) may contain at least the setting menus that the user frequently uses and other setting menus. This allows the user to quickly reach the setting menus that they frequently use. Furthermore, the number of setting menus in each level may be greater the deeper the level. This allows a large number of types of setting menus to be provided to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0029] However, simply displaying a setting menu on the display unit 5 does not allow the user to recognize the hierarchy of the setting menu being displayed on the display unit 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, a method is described for allowing the user to recognize the hierarchy of the setting menu being displayed on the display unit 5. Note that the hierarchical structure shown in Fig. 2 is an example, and the number of setting menus and the number of hierarchies may be any number, and there are no restrictions on the hierarchical structure of the setting menus or setting items.

[0030] <hierarchy indicator> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the hierarchy indicator 50 according to this embodiment.

[0031] 3, the display unit 5 displays the setting menu 40 on the screen 10, and also displays a hierarchical indicator 50 on the left edge of the screen 10, which indicates the hierarchical level of the setting menu 40 being displayed. The display unit 5 displays only one setting menu 40 on the screen 10. This is because, due to the small size of the screen 10, if multiple setting menus 40 were to be displayed, the characters would be too small and difficult for the user to read. However, the display unit 5 may display multiple setting menus on the screen 10.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the hierarchical level indicator 50 has the shape of a vertical bar, and may include as many vertical bars as the number of levels to which the currently displayed setting menu belongs.

[0033] For example, as shown on a screen 10A, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchy indicator 50, which is a single vertical bar 51, on the left edge of the screen 10A while the "Settings Menu A" of the first hierarchy is being displayed.

[0034] For example, as shown on a screen 10B, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchy indicator 50 consisting of two vertical bars 51 aligned at the left end of the screen 10B while the "Settings Menu C" of the second hierarchy is being displayed.

[0035] For example, as shown on a screen 10C, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchy indicator 50 consisting of three vertical bars 51 aligned at the left end of the screen 10C while the "Settings Menu F" of the third hierarchy is being displayed.

[0036] That is, the display unit 5 displays the nth hierarchical level setting menu 40 in the center of the screen 10, and also displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 consisting of n vertical bars 51 lined up on the left edge of the screen 10, where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1. This allows the user to recognize the hierarchical level to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs, from the number of vertical bars 51 on the hierarchical level indicator 50 displayed on the left edge of the screen 10. The hierarchical level indicator 50 may also be displayed on the right edge of the screen 10.

[0037] 3, the length of the vertical bars 51 of the hierarchy indicator 50 may become shorter as the hierarchy level becomes deeper. That is, the length of the vertical bar 51 corresponding to the (n+1)th hierarchy level in the hierarchy indicator 50 may be shorter than the length of the vertical bar 51 corresponding to the nth hierarchy level. This allows the user to easily identify the hierarchy level to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs, from the number and length of the vertical bars 51 of the hierarchy indicator 50 displayed on the left edge of the screen 10.

[0038] <Animation when transitioning between layers> FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of animation on screen 10 when descending a hierarchy according to the present embodiment.

[0039] When the user presses the SET button while the "Settings Menu A" of the first layer is displayed on the screen 10 of the display unit 5, as shown in FIG. 4A, the display unit 5 displays an animation on the screen 10 in which the "Settings Menu C" of the second layer scrolls in from right to left, overwriting the currently displayed "Settings Menu A" of the first layer. At this time, a vertical bar 51B is arranged at the left end of the scrolling-in "Settings Menu C" of the second layer, and when the scrolling-in is complete, the vertical bar 51B is arranged to the right of the vertical bar 51A of the layer indicator 50 that was displayed in the first layer, and becomes the layer indicator 50 of the second layer (i.e., two vertical bars 51A, 51B). The scroll-in animation means that the image of the settings menu and the vertical bars appears to the user to be moving from right to left within the screen 10.

[0040] This allows the user to easily recognize the transition from the first layer to the second layer (that is, the transition to a lower layer) through the animation of the vertical bar 51B scrolling in.

[0041] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of animation on screen 10 when moving up a hierarchy according to the present embodiment.

[0042] When the user presses the CANCEL button while the "Settings Menu C" of the second layer is displayed on the screen 10 of the display unit 5, the display unit 5 displays an animation in which the "Settings Menu C" of the second layer scrolls out from left to right, and the "Settings Menu A" of the first layer appears on the screen 10, as shown in FIG. 4B. At this time, the vertical bar 51B at the right end of the layer indicator 50 of the second layer also scrolls out together with the "Settings Menu C." Then, when the scrolling out is complete, the layer indicator 50 becomes a single vertical bar 51A indicating the first layer. The scrolling out animation means that the image of the settings menu and the vertical bars appears to the user as if they are moving from left to right within the screen 10.

[0043] This allows the user to easily recognize the transition from the second layer to the first layer (that is, the transition to a higher layer) through the animation of the vertical bar 51B scrolling out.

[0044] <Modifications of the hierarchy indicator> The hierarchy indicator 50 is not limited to the display shown in Fig. 3. Some modified examples of the hierarchy indicator 50 are shown below.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the hierarchical indicator 50 according to the present embodiment.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the hierarchical level indicator 50 has the shape of a point, and may include the same number of points as the number of levels to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs.

[0047] For example, as shown on a screen 10D, the display unit 5 displays a layer indicator 50, which is a single dot 52, on the left edge of the screen 10D while the "Setting Menu A" of the first layer is being displayed.

[0048] For example, as shown on a screen 10E, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchy indicator 50 consisting of two dots 52 arranged vertically at the left edge of the screen 10E while the "Settings Menu C" of the second hierarchy is being displayed.

[0049] For example, as shown on a screen 10F, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchy indicator 50 consisting of three dots 52 arranged vertically on the left edge of the screen 10F while the "Settings Menu F" of the third hierarchy is being displayed.

[0050] That is, the display unit 5 displays the nth hierarchical level setting menu 40 in the center of the screen 10, and also displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 with n dots 52 arranged vertically on the left edge of the screen 10. This allows the user to recognize the number of hierarchical levels to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs, from the number of dots 52 on the hierarchical level indicator 50 displayed on the left edge of the screen 10.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the hierarchy indicator 50 according to the present embodiment.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, the hierarchical level indicator 50 has a dot shape and may include the same number of dots 52 as the number of levels to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs.

[0053] For example, as shown on a screen 10G, the display unit 5 displays a layer indicator 50, which is a single dot 52, on the left edge of the screen 10G while the "Setting Menu A" of the first layer is being displayed.

[0054] For example, as shown on a screen 10H, the display unit 5 displays a layer indicator 50 consisting of two dots 52 arranged horizontally at the left edge of the screen 10H while the "Settings Menu C" of the second layer is being displayed.

[0055] For example, as shown on a screen 10I, the display unit 5 displays a layer indicator 50 consisting of three dots 52 arranged horizontally on the left edge of the screen 10I while the "Settings Menu F" of the third layer is being displayed.

[0056] That is, the display unit 5 displays the nth hierarchical level setting menu 40 in the center of the screen 10, and also displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 with n dots 52 arranged horizontally on the left edge of the screen 10. This allows the user to recognize the hierarchical level to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs, from the number of dots 52 on the hierarchical level indicator 50 displayed on the left side of the screen 10.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the hierarchical indicator 50 according to the present embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, the hierarchical level indicator 50 has the shape of a vertical bar, and may include the same number of vertical bars as the number of levels to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs.

[0059] For example, as shown on a screen 10J, the display unit 5 displays a layer indicator 50, which is a single vertical bar 53A, on the left edge of the screen 10J while the "Settings Menu A" of the first layer is being displayed.

[0060] For example, as shown on screen 10K, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 consisting of two vertical bars 53A and 53B aligned horizontally at the left edge of screen 10K while displaying the "Settings Menu C" of the second hierarchical level. The second vertical bar 53B is displayed vertically offset from the first vertical bar 53A.

[0061] For example, as shown on screen 10L, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 consisting of three vertical bars 53A, 53B, and 53C aligned horizontally at the left edge of screen 10L while displaying the "Settings Menu F" of the third hierarchical level. The third vertical bar 53C is displayed vertically offset from the second vertical bar 53B.

[0062] That is, the display unit 5 displays the nth hierarchical level setting menu 40 in the center of the screen 10, and also displays a hierarchical level indicator 50, consisting of n vertical bars aligned and vertically offset from one another, on the left edge of the screen 10. This allows the user to easily recognize the level number to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs, from the number of vertical bars of the hierarchical level indicator 50 displayed on the left edge of the screen 10 and the offset between the vertical bars.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of the hierarchy indicator 50 according to the present embodiment.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 8, the hierarchical level indicator 50 has the shape of a vertical bar, and may include the same number of vertical bars as the number of levels to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs.

[0065] For example, as shown on a screen 10M, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchy indicator 50, which is a single vertical bar 54A, on the left edge of the screen 10M while the "Settings Menu A" of the first hierarchy is being displayed.

[0066] For example, as shown on screen 10N, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 consisting of two vertical bars 54A and 54B aligned vertically at the left edge of screen 10N while displaying the "Settings Menu C" of the second hierarchical level. The length of the second vertical bar 54B may be shorter than the length of the first vertical bar 54A.

[0067] For example, as shown on a screen 10P, the display unit 5 displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 consisting of three vertical bars 54A, 54B, and 54C aligned vertically at the left end of the screen 10P while the "Settings Menu F" of the third hierarchical level is being displayed. The length of the third vertical bar 54C may be shorter than the length of the second vertical bar 54B.

[0068] That is, the display unit 5 displays the nth hierarchical level setting menu 40 in the center of the screen 10, and also displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 with n vertical bars aligned vertically on the left edge of the screen 10. This allows the user to easily recognize the level number to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs, from the number and length of the vertical bars of the hierarchical level indicator 50 displayed on the left edge of the screen 10.

[0069] <Level indicator showing the level with numbers> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a hierarchical level indicator 50 indicating hierarchical levels by numbers according to this embodiment.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9, the hierarchical level indicator 50 may include a number indicating the number of levels to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs.

[0071] For example, as shown on a screen 10Q, the display unit 5 displays the layer indicator 50 "1" on the left edge of the screen 10Q while the "Settings Menu A" of the first layer is being displayed.

[0072] For example, as shown on a screen 10R, the display unit 5 displays a layer indicator 50 of "2" on the left edge of the screen 10R while the "Settings Menu C" of the second layer is being displayed.

[0073] For example, as shown on a screen 10S, the display unit 5 displays the layer indicator 50 "3" on the left edge of the screen 10S while the "Settings Menu F" of the third layer is being displayed.

[0074] In FIG. 9, a vertical bar hierarchical indicator is displayed together with the numeric hierarchical indicator 50, but when the numeric hierarchical indicator 50 is displayed, the vertical bar hierarchical indicator does not have to be displayed.

[0075] That is, the display unit 5 displays the n-th hierarchical level setting menu 40 in the center of the screen 10, and also displays a hierarchical level indicator 50 with the number "n" on the left edge of the screen 10. This allows the user to recognize the number of the hierarchical level to which the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10 belongs, from the number on the hierarchical level indicator 50 displayed on the left edge of the screen 10.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical indicator indicating a hierarchy by numbering in a setting menu according to the present embodiment.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 10, the hierarchy indicator 50 may include a number indicating the number of the setting menu 40 currently displayed on the screen 10.

[0078] For example, as shown on a screen 10T, the display unit 5 displays a layer indicator 50 of "1" on the left edge of the screen 10T while displaying the "Settings Menu A" of the first layer. Here, "1" is the number of "Settings Menu A."

[0079] For example, as shown on screen 10U, display unit 5 displays hierarchical level indicator 50 "2" on the left edge of screen 10U while displaying "Settings Menu B" on the first hierarchical level. Here, "2" is the number of "Settings Menu B."

[0080] For example, as shown on screen 10V, display unit 5 displays hierarchical indicator 50 "2-1" on the left edge of screen 10V while displaying "Setting Menu H" of the second hierarchical level, which belongs to "Setting Menu B" of the first hierarchical level. Here, the number on the left side of "2-1" indicates the number of "Setting Menu B" of the higher hierarchical level (first hierarchical level), and the number on the right side of "2-1" indicates the number of "Setting Menu H" of the hierarchical level (second hierarchical level) that is being displayed.

[0081] For example, as shown on screen 10W, display unit 5 displays hierarchical indicator 50 "2-2" on the left edge of screen 10W while displaying "Setting Menu I" of the second hierarchical level, which belongs to "Setting Menu B" of the first hierarchical level. Here, the number on the left side of "2-2" indicates the number of "Setting Menu B" of the higher hierarchical level (first hierarchical level), and the number on the right side of "2-2" indicates the number of "Setting Menu I" of the hierarchical level (second hierarchical level) that is being displayed.

[0082] In this way, the numbers separated by hyphens indicate the number of the setting menu 40, and the number of hyphens indicates the number of levels. For example, the level indicator 50 for the third level may be displayed as "2-2-1." Note that the separator is not limited to a hyphen, and may be any symbol, such as a slash, a dot, or an underline.

[0083] That is, the display unit 5 displays the n-th hierarchical setting menu 40 in the center of the screen 10, and also displays a hierarchical indicator 50 on the left edge of the screen 10, in which the number of the currently displayed setting menu 40 is separated by a separator such as a hyphen. This allows the user to recognize the number of the hierarchical level to which the currently displayed setting menu 40 belongs, from the number of separators in the hierarchical indicator 50 displayed on the left edge of the screen 10. The user can also recognize the number of the currently displayed setting menu 40 from the number on the hierarchical indicator 50. Therefore, for example, by indicating the number of the setting menu in a manual, the user can quickly search the manual for an explanation corresponding to the currently displayed setting menu 40 on the screen 10.

[0084] <item indicator> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of the item indicator 60 according to this embodiment.

[0085] 11, the display unit 5 displays an item indicator 60 indicating that a setting item is being displayed at the bottom of the screen 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the item indicator 60 has the shape of a horizontal bar 61. The horizontal bar 61 may be a dotted line.

[0086] For example, as shown on a screen 10X, the display unit 5 displays an item indicator 60, which is a dotted horizontal bar 61, at the bottom of the screen 10X while "setting item A" is being displayed.

[0087] For example, as shown on a screen 10Y, the display unit 5 displays an item indicator 60, which is a dotted horizontal bar 61, at the bottom of the screen 10Y that is displaying "setting item B."

[0088] This allows the user to recognize that a setting item is being displayed on screen 10 from item indicator 60 displayed at the bottom of screen 10. That is, from the hierarchy indicator 50 or item indicator 60 displayed on screen 10, the user can easily identify whether what is being displayed on screen 10 is a setting menu or a setting item. Note that display unit 5 does not need to display hierarchy indicator 50 on screen 10 when item indicator 60 is being displayed on screen 10.

[0089] <Transition indicator> FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the transition indicator 70 according to this embodiment.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 12, the display unit 5 displays a transition indicator 70 at the right end of the screen 10, which is the end opposite the hierarchy indicator 50, to indicate whether or not the currently displayed setting menu 40 has a lower hierarchy setting menu.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 12, a transition indicator 70A indicating that a setting menu exists in a lower layer may have the shape of a right-facing triangle.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 12, a transition indicator 70B indicating that there is no setting menu in the lower hierarchical level (that is, that the next item is a setting item) may have a square shape.

[0093] This allows the user to recognize from the shape of the transition indicator 70 whether or not the currently displayed setting menu has a lower-level setting menu.

[0094] The display unit 5 may display the transition indicator 70A indicating that a setting menu exists in a lower hierarchical level, but may not display the transition indicator 70B indicating that a setting menu does not exist in a lower hierarchical level (i.e., that the next item is a setting item). In this case, the user can recognize that the next item is a setting item because the transition indicator 70A indicating that a setting menu exists in a lower hierarchical level is not displayed on the right edge of the screen 10.

[0095] Alternatively, the display unit 5 may display the transition indicator 70B indicating that there is no setting menu in the lower hierarchical level (i.e., that the next item is a setting item), and may not display the transition indicator 70A indicating that there is a setting menu in the lower hierarchical level. In this case, the user can recognize that there is a setting menu in the lower hierarchical level because the transition indicator 70B indicating that there is no setting menu in the lower hierarchical level is not displayed on the right edge of the screen 10.

[0096] <Operation mode screen> FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting mode screen 100 and an operation mode screen 200 according to this embodiment.

[0097] The fiber sensor 1 has a setting mode in which various settings are made by operating the setting menu shown in Fig. 2, and an operation mode in which the amount of incident light is measured. Hereinafter, the screen 10 of the display unit 5 in the setting mode will be referred to as a setting mode screen 100, and the screen 10 of the display unit 5 in the operation mode will be referred to as an operation mode screen 200.

[0098] As described above, the display unit 5 may display the setting mode screen 100 with the hierarchy indicator 50, the item indicator 60, the transition indicator 70, and the like in addition to the setting menu or setting items.

[0099] The display unit 5 displays the measured incident light amount (number) in the incident light amount area 201 and the set threshold (number) in the threshold area 202 as the operation mode screen 200. That is, the areas of the display unit 5 used to display the hierarchy indicator 50, item indicator 60, transition indicator 70, etc. on the setting mode screen 100 may be used as the incident light amount area 201 and the threshold area 202 on the operation mode screen 200. This makes it possible to ensure a wide area for displaying information on the operation mode screen 200.

[0100] The threshold value is used to determine, for example, the presence or absence of an object from the measured amount of incident light. For example, when the fiber sensor 1 is used as a transmission-type sensor, the control unit determines that an object is present when the amount of incident light (i.e., the amount of received light) is less than the threshold value, and determines that an object is not present when the amount of incident light is equal to or greater than the threshold value. For example, when the fiber sensor 1 is used as a reflective-type sensor, the control unit determines that an object is present when the amount of incident light (i.e., the amount of received light) is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and determines that an object is not present when the amount of incident light is less than the threshold value.

[0101] <When transitioning from the operation mode screen to the threshold adjustment screen> FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the change in the screen when transitioning from the operation mode screen 200 to the threshold adjustment screen 300 according to this embodiment.

[0102] The user can change the threshold value displayed in the threshold value area 202 of the operation mode screen 200. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation mode screen 200 via the operation unit 6, the display unit 5 switches the display to a threshold value adjustment screen 300 for adjusting the threshold value in the threshold value area 202. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14 , the display unit 5 may display a notification screen 310 while switching the display from the operation mode screen 200 to the threshold value adjustment screen 300.

[0103] For example, when the user presses the + button (or the − button) on the operation mode screen 200, the display unit 5 displays a notification screen 310 indicating that the display will be switched to the threshold adjustment screen 300.

[0104] When the user presses the + button (or the - button or the set button) on the notification screen 310, the display unit 5 switches the display to the threshold adjustment screen 300. On the threshold adjustment screen 300, the numbers in the threshold area 202 flash, indicating that adjustment is possible. This allows the user to easily recognize by looking at the notification screen 310 that the display has switched from the operation mode screen 200 to the threshold adjustment screen 300.

[0105] When the user presses the mode button on the notification screen 310, the display unit 5 may return the display to the operation mode screen 200. When the user completes threshold setting on the threshold adjustment screen 300, the display unit 5 may switch the display directly to the operation mode screen 200 without going through the notification screen 310.

[0106] <Interrupt screen> FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an interrupt screen 320 according to this embodiment.

[0107] When an error notification or a temporary notification occurs on the operation mode screen 200 or the setting mode screen 100, the display unit 5 displays an interruption screen 320. The user can see the interruption screen 320 and recognize that an error or the like has occurred.

[0108] 15, the notification content of the interruption screen 320 may be surrounded by an outer frame 321. This allows the user to easily recognize that what is being displayed on the screen 10 is the interruption screen 320 by looking at the outer frame 321.

[0109] <Operation mode screen with zero set ON> FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the operation mode screen 200 when the zero set according to this embodiment is ON.

[0110] When the zero set is OFF, the display unit 5 displays the measured amount of incident light directly in the incident light amount area 201, and when the zero set is ON, the display unit 5 displays the measured amount of incident light as it is in the incident light amount area 201, with a specific incident light amount set to 0 (i.e., offset by a specific incident light amount). The user can set the zero set ON / OFF.

[0111] For example, when the zero set is ON, the display unit 5 displays the zero set ON indicator 80 between the threshold area 202 and the incident light amount area 201, as shown on the operation mode screen 200A. The zero set ON indicator 80 may be, for example, a "z" mark as shown in Fig. 16. However, the zero set ON indicator 80 may be any mark.

[0112] Furthermore, when the zero set is ON, the display unit 5 may display an underline 81 below the incident light amount (number) displayed in the incident light amount area 201, as shown on the operation mode screen 200A.

[0113] This allows the user to easily recognize whether the operation mode screen 200 being displayed has zero set to ON or OFF.

[0114] (Summary of this embodiment) The above description of the present embodiment discloses the following techniques.

[0115] <Technology 1> A sensor device (e.g., fiber sensor 1) according to one embodiment includes a display unit (5) capable of displaying images, and the display unit displays on a screen (10) a menu at the nth level (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1) of a plurality of menus (e.g., setting menus) having a hierarchical structure, together with a level indicator (50) indicating the nth level. This allows the user to easily recognize the hierarchy of the menu currently being displayed on the screen from the hierarchy indicator displayed on the screen.

[0116] <Technology 2> In the sensor device described in Technique 1, the screen has a rectangular shape with its horizontal side longer than its vertical side, and the display unit displays the hierarchy indicator on the vertical end of the screen. This allows the hierarchical indicator to be displayed on the screen while ensuring a display area for the menu on the screen.

[0117] <Technology 3> In the sensor device according to Technique 2, the layer indicator indicating the nth layer includes n vertical bars. This allows the user to recognize the hierarchy of the menu currently displayed on the screen from the number of vertical bars displayed on the screen.

[0118] <Technology 4> In the sensor device according to Technique 3, the n vertical bars are arranged in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction. This allows the user to easily recognize the number of vertical bars displayed on the screen, and to easily recognize the hierarchy of the menu being displayed on the screen.

[0119] <Technology 5> In the sensor device according to Technique 3 or 4, of the n vertical bars, the vertical bar corresponding to the (n+1)th layer is shorter than the vertical bar corresponding to the nth layer. This allows the user to easily recognize the hierarchy of the menu being displayed on the screen from the number and length of the vertical bars displayed on the screen.

[0120] <Technology 6> In the sensor device described in any one of Techniques 3 to 5, when transitioning from a menu at the nth hierarchical level to a menu at the n+1th hierarchical level, the display unit displays an animation on the screen in which the menu at the nth hierarchical level scrolls out in a predetermined horizontal direction and the menu at the n+1th hierarchical level scrolls in in the same predetermined horizontal direction. This allows the user to easily recognize that a transition to a lower layer is in progress by seeing the scroll-in animation.

[0121] <Technology 7> In the sensor device described in Technology 6, the display unit places a vertical bar newly added at the n+1th layer between the nth layer menu and the n+1th layer menu, and the vertical bar scrolls in in the predetermined horizontal direction together with the n+1th layer menu, and displays an animation on the screen that becomes part of a layer indicator indicating the n+1th layer. This allows the user to easily recognize that a transition from the nth layer to the n+1th layer is occurring by viewing the scroll-in animation.

[0122] <Technology 8> In the sensor device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 7, the menu includes setting items, and the display unit displays, together with the setting items, an item indicator on the screen indicating that the setting items are being displayed. This allows the user to recognize from the item indicator displayed on the screen that what is displayed on the screen is not a menu but a setting item.

[0123] <Technology 9> In the sensor device according to any one of the first to eighth techniques, the hierarchical level indicator indicating the nth hierarchical level is a number indicating n. This allows the user to recognize the hierarchy of the menu currently being displayed on the screen from the number n displayed on the screen.

[0124] <Technology 10> In the sensor device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 9, when a menu at the nth hierarchical level has a menu belonging to the n+1th hierarchical level, the display unit displays on the screen, together with the menu at the nth hierarchical level, a transition indicator indicating that transition to a lower hierarchical level is possible. This allows the user to recognize the existence of a lower level from the transition indicator displayed on the screen.

[0125] <Technology 11> In the sensor device described in any one of Techniques 1 to 10, when the menu of the nth layer does not have a menu belonging to the n+1th layer, the display unit displays on the screen the menu of the nth layer together with a transition indicator indicating that transition to a lower layer is not possible. This allows the user to recognize from the transition indicator displayed on the screen that there is no lower layer.

[0126] <Technology 12> In the sensor device according to any one of the first to eleventh techniques, the display unit displays only one of the menus on the screen. This allows the menu to be displayed on the screen in an easy-to-read manner.

[0127] <Technology 13> In the sensor device described in any one of Techniques 2 to 12, when the display unit displays the menu, the vertical edge of the screen is used to display the hierarchical indicator, and when the display unit displays a value related to the sensor measurement, the vertical edge of the screen is used to display the value related to the sensor measurement, not the hierarchical indicator. This ensures that there is a sufficient display area on the screen for values ​​related to the sensor measurements.

[0128] <Technology 14> In the sensor device according to any one of the first to thirteenth techniques, the plurality of menus having a hierarchical structure have, at the highest level, a menu that is frequently used by the user and other menus. This allows the user to easily access frequently used menus.

[0129] <Technology 15> In the sensor device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the display unit is arranged alongside the operation unit (6) on a first surface of a housing having a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. This allows a small-sized sensor device to be realized that is easy for the user to operate while looking at the display unit.

[0130] <Technology 16> In one embodiment, a display method in a display unit (5) capable of displaying an image provided in a sensor device (e.g., a fiber sensor 1) displays, on a screen (10) of the display unit, a menu at the nth level (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1) of a plurality of menus (e.g., a setting menu) having a hierarchical structure, together with a level indicator indicating the nth level. This allows the user to easily recognize the hierarchy of the menu currently being displayed on the screen from the hierarchy indicator displayed on the screen.

[0131] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0132] The technology of the present disclosure is useful for displaying information on a screen provided in a sensor device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1 Fiber sensor 2. Case 3. Light emitting fiber connection 4. Receiving fiber connection 5 Display section 6 Control section 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 10I, 10J, 10K, 10L, 10M, 10N, 10P, 10Q, 10R, 10S, 10T, 10U, 10V, 10W, 10X, 10Y Screen 40 Settings Menu 50 Hierarchical Indicators 51, 51A, 51B, 53A, 53B, 53C, 54A, 54B, 54C Vertical bar 52 points 60 Item Indicators 61 Horizontal bar 70, 70A, 70B Transition Indicators 80 Zero set ON indicator 81 Underline 100 Setting mode screen 200,200A operation mode screen 201 Light incident area 202 Threshold Region 300 Threshold adjustment screen 310 Notification screen 320 Interrupt Screen 321 Outer Frame

Claims

1. A sensor device having a display unit capable of displaying an image, the display unit displays on a screen a menu of an nth hierarchical level (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1) among a plurality of menus having a hierarchical structure, together with a hierarchical level indicator indicating the nth hierarchical level. Sensor device.

2. The screen has a rectangular shape with its horizontal sides longer than its vertical sides, the display unit displays the hierarchy indicator at an end of the vertical side of the screen. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

3. The hierarchical level indicator indicating the nth hierarchical level includes n vertical bars. The sensor device according to claim 2 .

4. The n vertical bars are arranged horizontally or vertically. The sensor device according to claim 3 .

5. Among the n vertical bars, the vertical bar corresponding to the (n+1)th layer is shorter than the vertical bar corresponding to the nth layer. The sensor device according to claim 3 .

6. When transitioning from a menu in the nth layer to a menu in the n+1th layer, the display unit displays an animation on the screen in which the menu in the nth layer scrolls out in a predetermined horizontal direction and the menu in the n+1th layer scrolls in in the predetermined horizontal direction. The sensor device according to claim 3 .

7. the display unit arranges a vertical bar newly added at the n+1th layer between the menu of the nth layer and the menu of the n+1th layer, and scrolls in the vertical bar together with the menu of the n+1th layer in the predetermined horizontal direction, and displays an animation on the screen that becomes part of a layer indicator indicating the n+1th layer. The sensor device according to claim 6.

8. the menu includes a setting item, the display unit displays, on the screen, together with the setting item, an item indicator indicating that the setting item is being displayed. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

9. The hierarchical level indicator indicating the nth hierarchical level is a number indicating n. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

10. When the menu of the nth layer has a menu belonging to the (n+1)th layer, the display unit displays on the screen the menu of the nth layer and a transition indicator indicating that transition to a lower layer is possible. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

11. When the menu of the nth layer does not have a menu belonging to the (n+1)th layer, the display unit displays on the screen the menu of the nth layer and a transition indicator indicating that transition to a lower layer is not possible. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

12. the display unit displays only one of the menus on the screen; The sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The display unit When displaying the menu, the vertical edge of the screen is used to display the hierarchy indicator; When displaying values ​​related to the sensor measurements, the vertical edge of the screen is used for displaying the values ​​related to the sensor measurements, rather than for displaying the hierarchical indicator. The sensor device according to claim 2 .

14. The plurality of menus having a hierarchical structure have, at the highest level, a menu frequently used by the user and other menus. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

15. The display unit is disposed alongside the operation unit on a first surface of a housing having a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

16. A display method for a display unit capable of displaying an image provided in a sensor device, comprising: a hierarchical indicator indicating the nth hierarchical level is displayed on the screen of the display unit together with a menu of the nth hierarchical level (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1) among a plurality of hierarchically structured menus; Display method.

Images