Numerical display method

Abstract

To enable the display of numbers with a larger number of digits, including decimal places, using a display with a limited number of digits. [Solution] This is a method for displaying numbers using a display unit that has multiple digits of 7-segment displays arranged, each 7-segment display unit consisting of seven segments that light up and turn off individually, and an eighth segment that represents a decimal point, and which displays Arabic numerals by lighting up and turning off the seven segments. If the number to be displayed is less than or equal to the number of digits of the display unit, the decimal point is displayed after the integer part, and all digits, including the decimal point, are displayed in a fixed position. If the number to be displayed exceeds the number of digits of the display unit, the integer part digits, the decimal point, and the decimal part are displayed alternately.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a numerical display method for a display device that displays multiple digits of numerical values by arranging a plurality of 7-segment displays in parallel.

Background Art

[0002] A 7-segment display is composed of seven segments made of LEDs or the like, and represents Arabic numerals by lighting and extinguishing individual parts. Also, many displays have an eighth segment for representing a decimal point, which is used when displaying a number with a digit below the decimal point. Such 7-segment displays are widely used in display devices of various equipment and apparatuses.

[0003] On the other hand, in the construction industry, a target value for suppressing carbon dioxide emissions is set during the construction stage, and grasping the actual performance of carbon dioxide emissions and reduction activities during the construction stage is listed as an activity measure (the 7th edition of the "Environmental Voluntary Action Plan for the Construction Industry"). Therefore, even in an engine generator, it is required to be able to grasp the integrated amount of carbon dioxide emissions during power generation. In that case, it is necessary to grasp the emissions for each operation from start to stop, and it is also necessary to grasp the emissions for each month and for several months at each site. Therefore, as the integrated amount of carbon dioxide emissions, it is desired to be able to display up to two decimal places in the range of 0 t to 1000 t with the unit being t (ton).

[0004] Under such circumstances, for example, Patent Document 1 shows using a 7-segment display having a 4-digit number and a decimal point to display the engine speed and the cumulative operation time of an engine work vehicle. And in the display state of the engine speed, the decimal point and the numbers below the decimal point are not displayed, and in the display state of the cumulative operation time, the decimal point and the numbers below the decimal point are displayed, so that the operator can intuitively distinguish whether it is the engine speed or the cumulative operation time just by visually observing the numerical value displayed on the display.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a power generation device that utilizes renewable energy, which displays the amount of carbon dioxide reduction corresponding to the cumulative amount of electricity generated using renewable energy on a display that shows four decimal places. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-217691 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3142902 Publication [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, among the conventional numerical display methods described above, the one shown in Patent Document 1 uses a 7-segment display with four digits and a decimal point to display engine speed and cumulative operating time. When this display is used to display the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions, it can display values ​​in the range of 0t to 999.9t, but it has the problem that it can only display one decimal place. This problem can be solved by adding another decimal place, but this would increase costs, and it may not be possible if the size of the display is limited and the number of digits is restricted due to the layout of the equipment's display panel.

[0008] Furthermore, the device shown in Patent Document 2 has a 4-digit display including the decimal point, and when this display is used to display the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions, if the integer part exceeds 3 digits, the decimal part of the value will be... One problem is that if you try to display up to two decimal places, the integer part can only be displayed as one digit. Furthermore, increasing the total number of digits leads to increased costs, and this is not possible if the display panel layout of the equipment limits the size of the display unit and thus the number of digits.

[0009] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to enable the display of numerical values ​​with a larger number of digits, including decimal places, using a display with a limited number of digits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the aforementioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is a method for displaying numerical values ​​on a display device in which a 7-segment display device is arranged for multiple digits, the 7-segment display device being composed of seven segments that light up and turn off individually, and an eighth segment that represents a decimal point, wherein Arabic numerals are represented by the lighting up and turning off of the seven segments, The display is characterized in that, if the number to be displayed, including both the integer and decimal parts, is less than or equal to the number of digits of the display, a decimal point is displayed after the integer part, and all digits, including the decimal point, are fixed in the display.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention according to claim 2 of this application is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, if the number to be displayed exceeds the number of digits of the display unit, including the integer and decimal parts, the integer digits and the decimal point and decimal digits are displayed alternately.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention according to claim 3 of this application is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, if the number to be displayed exceeds the number of digits of the display unit, including the integer and decimal parts, the integer digits and the decimal point and the decimal digits are displayed alternately.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 of this application is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 3, the decimal part after a predetermined number of digits is not displayed.

[0014] Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 of this application is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, if the most significant digit of the integer part is zero, the most significant digit is not displayed.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention according to claim 6 of this application is characterized in that, in the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, the numerical value to be displayed is the cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The present invention provides the following effects. In other words, in the invention according to claim 1, if the number to be displayed, including the integer and decimal parts, is less than or equal to the number of digits of the display, a decimal point is displayed after the integer part, and all digits, including the decimal point, are fixed in display, so that a number with fewer digits can be clearly displayed on an existing display.

[0017] Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 2, in the numerical display method according to claim 1, if the numerical value to be displayed exceeds the number of digits of the display unit, including the integer and decimal parts, the integer digits and the decimal point and decimal digits are displayed alternately. This eliminates the problem of insufficient display digits when displaying numerical values ​​with many digits, such as monthly reports or cumulative values ​​for several months. Moreover, by looking at the decimal point and the digits of the number, it is immediately recognizable as the decimal part, and the digits that are subsequently displayed are recognizable as the integer part.

[0018] Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3, in the numerical display method according to claim 1, if the numerical value to be displayed exceeds the number of digits of the display unit, including the integer and decimal parts, the integer digits and decimal point and the decimal digits are displayed alternately, so that monthly reports and cumulative values ​​over several months can be displayed. This method can resolve the issue of insufficient display space when displaying numbers with many digits. Moreover, by looking at the number of digits and the decimal point, it is immediately clear that the integer part is displayed, and the subsequent number of digits is clearly the decimal part.

[0019] Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 4, the numerical display method according to claim 3 is configured to hide the decimal part up to a predetermined number of digits, so that only the necessary digits after the decimal point are displayed, making it easier to read.

[0020] In the invention according to claim 5, in the numerical display method according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, when the most significant digit of the integer part is zero, the most significant digit is not displayed, so that the number of displayed digits is reduced and it becomes easier to view.

[0021] In the invention according to claim 6, in the numerical display method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the numerical value to be displayed is the integrated carbon dioxide emission amount, so that the integrated carbon dioxide emission amount of the engine generator can be grasped.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the operation panel of an engine generator. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an engine instrument panel. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a carbon dioxide emission display composed of three 7-segment LEDs. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of display when the integrated carbon dioxide emission amount is three digits or more. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of display when the integrated carbon dioxide emission amount is \\(999.99t\\). [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing another example of display when the integrated carbon dioxide emission amount is three digits or more. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of display when the hundreds digit of the upper digit of the integer part is zero.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

Embodiment

[0024] Figure 1 shows the control panel of an engine generator. In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the control panel, 2 denotes the engine instrument panel, 3 denotes the frequency meter, 4 denotes the AC ammeter, 5 denotes the AC voltmeter, 6 denotes the voltage regulator, 7 denotes the three-phase output circuit breaker, 8 denotes the single-phase output circuit breaker, 9 denotes the power indicator light, 10 denotes the earth leakage relay, 11 denotes the panel light, 12 denotes the panel light switch, 13 denotes the starter switch, 14 denotes the preheat indicator light, 15 denotes the emergency stop button, 16 denotes the speed selector switch, 17 denotes the frequency selector switch, 18 denotes the speed regulator, 19 denotes the environmental base liquid level alarm light, 20 denotes the output voltage indicator light, and 21 denotes the carbon dioxide visualization button.

[0025] Figure 2 shows the engine instrument panel, with a magnified view of the remaining operating time indicator on the right. In Figure 2, the symbols 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j, 2k, 2m, 2n, and 2n are the indicators for switching between the engine speed, coolant temperature, air filter, battery charge voltage, and battery charge voltage.

[0026] In addition, in engine generators with an operating data recording function, the system calculates fuel consumption from the measured power output and the power generation efficiency for each model, calculates carbon dioxide emissions based on that, and then accumulates these to provide the user with the total carbon dioxide emissions. This total carbon dioxide emissions can be accessed via the carbon dioxide visualization button 21 on the control panel 1. Pressing this button displays the remaining operating time on the 2e. The 2e consists of three 7-segment LEDs, each with seven segments and an eighth segment representing the decimal point. This display can show up to 999t if only the integer part is displayed, but if two decimal places are displayed, it can only show up to a maximum of 9.99t.

[0027] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the number of digits in the total carbon dioxide emissions is three or less, including the integer and decimal parts, i.e., for amounts from 0 to 9.99t, the decimal point is displayed after the integer part, and all digits, including the decimal point, are fixed. However, when the number of digits in the total carbon dioxide emissions exceeds three, including the integer and decimal parts, the top three digits of the integer part and the decimal point and the last two digits of the decimal part are displayed alternately.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a carbon dioxide emission indicator composed of three 7-segment LEDs. This indicator consists of three 7-segment LEDs arranged in parallel, each composed of seven segments that light up or turn off individually, and an eighth segment that represents the decimal point. This carbon dioxide emission indicator can be switched from the operating time indicator 2e to the carbon dioxide emission indicator by pressing the carbon dioxide visualization button 21. When the number of digits in the total carbon dioxide emission amount, including the integer and decimal parts, is three or less, for example, 9.99t, as shown in Figure 3(B), the integer part 9 is followed by a decimal point, and then the decimal part 99 is fixed and displayed.

[0029] On the other hand, if the total carbon dioxide emissions amount exceeds three digits, including the integer and decimal parts, for example, if it is 10.00t, then, as shown in Figure 4, the top three integer digits "010" and the decimal point and decimal part ".00" are displayed alternately every second. In this case, the digit directly above the decimal point is hidden. Also, if the total carbon dioxide emissions amount is 999.99t, then, as shown in Figure 5, the top three integer digits "999" and the decimal point and decimal part ".99" (the digit directly above the decimal point is hidden) are displayed alternately every second.

[0030] This method eliminates the problem of insufficient display digits when creating monthly reports or records covering several months for each site. Moreover, the decimal point and two digits immediately indicate the decimal part, and the subsequent digits indicate the integer part. [Examples]

[0031] In this embodiment, if the total number of digits of the carbon dioxide emissions is three or less, including the integer and decimal parts, the decimal point is displayed after the integer part, as in Embodiment 1 above, and all digits, including the decimal point, are fixed. However, if the total number of digits of the carbon dioxide emissions exceeds three, including the integer and decimal parts, the upper three digits of the integer part and the decimal point are displayed alternately with the two decimal digits and one hidden digit.

[0032] If the total carbon dioxide emissions amount exceeds three digits, including the integer and decimal parts, for example, if it is 10.00t, the top three integer digits "010" and the decimal point, and the decimal part "00", are displayed alternately every second, as shown in Figure 6(A). In this case, the third lowest decimal digit is hidden. If the total carbon dioxide emissions amount is 999.99t, the top three integer digits "999" and the decimal point, and the decimal part "99" (the third lowest decimal digit is hidden) are displayed alternately every second, as shown in Figure 6(B). The reason for hiding the third lowest decimal digit is that, as explained earlier in the [Background Technology] section, it is desirable to be able to display the total carbon dioxide emissions amount to two decimal places.

[0033] This method eliminates the problem of insufficient display digits when creating monthly reports or records covering several months for each site. Moreover, the three digits and decimal point immediately indicate that it is an integer. This allows you to recognize that the two digits displayed next represent the decimal part. [Examples]

[0034] In this embodiment, if the total number of digits in the carbon dioxide emission amount exceeds three, including the integer and decimal parts, and the hundreds digit of the integer part is zero, that part is hidden. That is, if the total number of digits in the carbon dioxide emission amount exceeds three, including the integer and decimal parts, for example, if it is 10.00t, the hundreds digit of the integer part is zero, so as shown in Figure 7(A), the hundreds digit of the integer part is hidden, and the two integer digits "10" and the decimal point and decimal part ".00" are displayed alternately every second. In this case, the digit directly above the decimal point is hidden.

[0035] Figure 7(A) illustrates the case where the decimal point is placed in the decimal part, similar to Example 1. However, Figure 7(B) shows the case where the decimal point is placed in the integer part, similar to Example 2. In this case, the hundreds digit of the integer part is hidden, and the two integer digits "10" and the decimal point are displayed alternately with the decimal part "00" every second. The third lowest digit of the decimal part is hidden.

[0036] This way, the displayed numbers are kept to the bare minimum, making the display easier to read.

[0037] In the above embodiments, the explanation focused on displaying the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions in an engine generator. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various devices that display numerical values ​​including decimal points. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1 Control panel 2. Engine instrument panel 2a Engine speed indicator 2b Oil pressure indicator 2c Cooling water temperature indicator 2D Battery Charging Voltage Indicator 2e Operating time indicator 2f Reset button 2g Fuel level indicator 2h Oil Pressure Alarm Indicator 2i Cooling water temperature alarm indicator 2J Air Filter Alarm Indicator 2k Battery Charging Voltage Alarm Display 2m Total Time Display Unit 2n Total Time Display Switch Button 3 Frequency Meter 4 AC ammeter 5 AC voltmeter 6. Voltage Regulator 7. Three-phase output circuit breaker 8. Single-phase output circuit breaker 9 Power indicator 10 Earth leakage relay 11 Panel Lights 12 Panel light switch 13 Starter switch 14. Preheating indicator light 15. Emergency stop button 16 Speed ​​selector switch 17 Frequency selector switch 18 Speed ​​regulator 19. Environmentally-based liquid level warning light 20 Output Voltage Indicator Light 21. Carbon Dioxide Visualization Button

Claims

1. A method for displaying numerical values ​​on a display device having multiple digits of a 7-segment display, each consisting of seven segments that light up and turn off individually, and an eighth segment that represents a decimal point, wherein Arabic numerals are represented by the lighting up and turning off of the seven segments, A numerical display method characterized in that, if the number to be displayed, including both the integer and decimal parts, is less than or equal to the number of digits of the display, a decimal point is displayed after the integer part, and all digits, including the decimal point, are fixed in display.

2. The numerical display method according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the numerical value to be displayed exceeds the number of digits of the display unit, including the integer and decimal parts, the integer digits and the decimal point and decimal digits are displayed alternately.

3. The numerical display method according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the numerical value to be displayed exceeds the number of digits of the display unit, including the integer and decimal parts, the integer digits and decimal point and the decimal digits are displayed alternately.

4. The numerical display method according to claim 3, characterized in that the decimal part below a predetermined number of digits is not displayed.

5. The numerical display method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that if the most significant digit of the integer part is zero, the most significant digit is not displayed.

6. The numerical display method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, characterized in that the numerical value to be displayed is the cumulative amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

Images