Indication device

Abstract

This application discloses a display device capable of effectively communicating content to facility users. [Solution] This disclosure provides a display device comprising a display unit that displays information on a display panel, and a support unit that supports the display unit in front of the air conditioning outlet of an air conditioner installed on the ceiling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application discloses a display device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various display devices for displaying advertisements, guides, etc. have been installed in facilities used by the public, such as stations, buildings, stores, and plazas. The information displayed on such display devices is usually prepared by an advertiser or an operator of the facility and input into the display device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When it is desired to draw the attention of facility users to the display content of a display device, it is usually proposed to install the display device at a location where it is easily visible to users. However, various exhibits, posters, decorations, furniture, and other various items are often installed at locations where they are easily visible to users. Therefore, even if a display device is installed at a location where it is easily visible to users, there is a possibility that the display content will not be noticed.

[0005] In this regard, in a location where it is difficult for users to see, there are few other things that distract the users' line of sight. Therefore, if a display device is installed in such a location, there is a high possibility that users will notice the display content. However, it is not easy to direct the users' line of sight to the display device installed in such a location.

[0006] Therefore, this application discloses a display device that can effectively appeal to the display content to facility users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To address the above issues, this disclosure provides a display unit for displaying information on a display panel, positioned in front of the air conditioning outlet of an air conditioner installed on the ceiling.

[0008] More specifically, this disclosure relates to a display device comprising a display unit that displays information on a display panel, and a support portion that supports the display unit in front of an air conditioning outlet of an air conditioner installed on the ceiling.

[0009] Since the ceiling is a place that is not easily visible to users, there are usually few other things that would distract their attention. Therefore, if a user's gaze is drawn to a display device installed on the ceiling, there is a high probability that they will pay attention to the content displayed on the display unit's panel. Furthermore, since air conditioners are responsible for blowing cool or warm air from the air vents towards the floor, users standing below the air conditioner will be hit by the cool or warm air flowing from the ceiling. Therefore, in areas where air conditioners are installed, users standing below the air conditioner are more likely to look at the air conditioner because they are concerned about the cool or warm air blowing on them, compared to areas where there are no air conditioners. Consequently, if the above-mentioned display device is installed in such a location, the user's gaze is more likely to be drawn to the display unit's panel. As a result, this display device can effectively appeal to users with the content displayed on the display unit's panel.

[0010] Furthermore, the above-mentioned display device may be positioned in front of the air conditioning outlet and may further include a panel that receives the air blown out from the air conditioning outlet. This makes it possible to adjust the direction of the air blown out from the air conditioning outlet.

[0011] Furthermore, the display unit may also have a wireless communication unit for receiving display data. This would allow the display data to be input to the display device wirelessly.

[0012] Furthermore, the display unit may include a sensor for detecting wind and a processing unit that calculates the display time of the displayed advertisement for advertising fees in conjunction with the detection state of the sensor. This would make it possible to conduct an advertising distribution business using a display device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The above-mentioned display device allows for the effective communication of information to facility users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a view of the display device from an oblique angle above. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the display device viewed from a diagonal angle below. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the functional blocks of the display unit. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an example of a display device attached to an air conditioner. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a modified example of the display device, viewed from an oblique angle above. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a modified example of the display device viewed from a diagonal angle below. [Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates a modified example of the display device attached to an air conditioner. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. The embodiments described below are just one form of this disclosure and do not limit the technical scope of this disclosure to the embodiments described below.

[0016] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a view of the display device 1 seen from diagonally above. Also, FIG. 2 is a view of the display device 1 seen from diagonally below. The display device 1 is a device that displays various information and can adjust the wind direction of the air blown out from the air-conditioning outlet of a ceiling-embedded air conditioner attached to the ceiling. For this reason, the display device 1 is arranged in front of the air-conditioning outlet, and includes a wind direction adjustment plate 2 (an example of the "front plate portion" in the present application) that receives the air blown out from the air-conditioning outlet, a support arm 3 (an example of the "support portion" in the present application) that supports the wind direction adjustment plate 2 in front of the air-conditioning outlet, a base 4 for fixing the support arm 3 to the air conditioner, and a display unit 5 that displays various information.

[0017] The wind direction adjustment plate 2 is formed of plastic or other synthetic resin, and its overall shape is substantially rectangular and shaped like a shallow-bottomed container. Also, the wind direction adjustment plate 2 has wall portions erected at right angles to the main surface portion at both longitudinal edges and the remaining one side edge except for one side edge of the main surface portion that forms the main plane. Further, the wind direction adjustment plate 2 is provided with reinforcing ribs arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the main surface portion, and divides the wind direction adjustment plate 2 having an overall shape of a shallow-bottomed container into three sections. And each reinforcing rib is provided with a hinge for attaching the support arm 3 to the wind direction adjustment plate 2 so as to be rotatable about one axis. Similar hinges are also provided at the connecting portion between the support arm 3 and the base 4. Therefore, the wind direction adjustment plate 2 supported via the support arm 3 by the base 4 fixed to the air conditioner can be adjusted to some extent freely in terms of the position and angle (posture) with respect to the air-conditioning outlet by the hinge provided at the connecting portion between the wind direction adjustment plate 2 and the support arm 3 and the hinge provided at the connecting portion between the support arm 3 and the base 4.

[0018] The display unit 5 is a display panel that covers substantially the entire area of the main surface portion on the lower surface side of the wind direction adjustment plate 2 It is a unit that forms a loop. The display unit 5 may be in a form that fits into an attachment space for a display panel defined by a concave depression formed on the lower surface side of the wind direction adjustment plate 2, or may be in a form that is directly attached to the flat surface forming the lower surface of the wind direction adjustment plate 2, or alternatively, the display panel of the display unit 5 itself may form the wind direction adjustment plate 2.

[0019] As the display panel of the display unit 5, a dot matrix LED panel in which light-emitting diodes are arranged vertically and horizontally, a liquid crystal panel with a backlight, an organic EL panel, and various other display panels can be applied. The display panel can display characters, figures, symbols, and various other information.

[0020] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the display unit 5. The display unit 5 is an electronic device having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a display panel, a power supply circuit, a wireless communication interface, etc. The power supply circuit of the display unit 5 may be in a form of being powered from the building power line wired near the location where the display device 1 is installed, or may be in a form of being powered from a battery built-in or externally connected to the display unit 5, or may be in a form of being powered from a solar cell provided in the display unit 5, or alternatively, may be in a form of being powered from a generator that generates electricity by the wind of the air blown out from the air outlet of the display device 1.

[0021] The display unit 5 realizes the following various functional blocks by the CPU executing a computer program developed in the memory.

[0022] The data receiving unit 51 (an example of a "wireless communication unit" as referred to in this application) is a functional unit responsible for receiving and processing data for information to be displayed on the display panel. When the data receiving unit 51 receives display data sent from a source via wireless communication at the wireless communication interface, the CPU stores the data in memory. Also, when display data is input to the data receiving unit 51 from a cable or storage device connected to the terminals of the display unit 5, the CPU stores the data in memory. The wireless communication interface may, for example, receive data from a wireless mobile terminal such as a smartphone near the display device 1 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth®, or receive data from a server on the Internet via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or receive data via infrared or other short-range communication means.

[0023] The display processing unit 52 is a functional unit responsible for displaying information on the display panel. When the power to the display unit 5 is turned on, the display processing unit 52 is responsible for the CPU to read the display data stored in memory and drawing it on the display panel. The display processing unit 52 can also display information related to various settings of the display unit 5 on the display panel.

[0024] The management unit 53 is a functional unit responsible for various management functions of the display unit 5. For example, the management unit 53 receives requests from a wireless mobile terminal to change the settings of the display unit 5, manages the display time of advertisements displayed by the display processing unit 52, and is responsible for starting and stopping the display unit 5 at start and stop times set by the user of the display unit 5.

[0025] Figure 4 illustrates the display device 1 mounted on the air conditioner C. The display device 1 is mounted, for example, on a ceiling-mounted, recessed air conditioner C, as shown in Figure 4. The display device 1 is mounted so that the airflow adjustment plate 2 is supported by the support arm 3 in front of the air conditioner outlet F. This makes the display content of the display panel of the display unit 5 visible to a person standing below the display device 1.

[0026] If you want to draw attention to the content being displayed, you would typically place it in a location that is easily visible to users. The device will be installed. However, since various exhibits, notices, decorations, fixtures, and other items are often placed in locations easily visible to users, there is a possibility that the displayed content will not attract attention if the display device is installed in such a location. In this respect, since the display device 1 is installed on the ceiling, a location that is not easily visible to users, there are few other things around the display device 1 that would distract the user's attention. Therefore, if a user's gaze is directed towards the display device 1 installed on the ceiling, there is a high probability that the user will pay attention to the displayed content on the display panel of the display unit 5. Furthermore, regarding the user's gaze being directed towards the display device 1 installed on the ceiling, since the display device 1 is installed on the air conditioner C, it can be said that the user's gaze is more likely to be directed towards it compared to locations where the air conditioner C is not present.

[0027] In other words, since the air conditioner C is responsible for blowing cool or warm air from the air outlet F towards the floor, users standing below the air conditioner C will be hit by the cool or warm air flowing from the ceiling. Therefore, in areas where the air conditioner C is installed, users standing below the air conditioner C are more likely to be concerned about the cool or warm air blowing on them and will look towards the air conditioner C compared to areas where the air conditioner C is not installed. Consequently, if the display device 1 is installed in such a location, users' eyes are more likely to be directed towards the display panel of the display unit 5. As a result, with the display device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to effectively appeal to users with the content displayed on the display panel of the display unit 5.

[0028] <Variation> Note that the display device 1 is not limited to the above-described form. The display device 1 may be modified as follows, for example.

[0029] Figure 5 is a view of a modified version of the display device 1 from an oblique angle above. Figure 6 is a view of a modified version of the display device 1 from an oblique angle below. The display device 11 of this modified version, like the embodiment described above, displays various information and is a device that can adjust the airflow direction of the air blown out from the air outlet F of the ceiling-mounted air conditioner C. That is, the display device 11 of this modified version, like the embodiment described above, comprises an airflow adjustment plate 12, a support arm 13, a base 14, and a display unit 15. The main difference between the display device 11 of this modified version and the display device 1 of the embodiment described above lies in the shape of the airflow adjustment plate 12. That is, in the embodiment described above, the airflow adjustment plate 2 is roughly rectangular and has the shape of a shallow container, whereas the airflow adjustment plate 12 of this modified version has an airflow adjustment plate portion 12A and a rod-shaped portion 12B. The airflow adjustment plate portion 12A has a plate surface that can adjust the direction of the airflow and is a plate-shaped portion positioned in front of the elongated air conditioning outlet F from which conditioned air is blown into the air conditioner C, extending along the longitudinal direction of the air conditioning outlet F. The airflow adjustment plate portion 12A is a plate-shaped portion that has an overall rectangular shape. The rod-shaped portion 12B extends in a rod shape along the portion corresponding to one of the two long sides of this rectangle. The rod-shaped portion 12B extends in a rod shape along the edge of the airflow adjustment plate portion 12A and its surface is a portion that resembles the outer circumferential surface of a cylinder. Therefore, the airflow adjustment plate portion 12A is projected from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder formed by the rod-shaped portion 12B, and the airflow adjustment plate 12 has a shape in which the plate-shaped airflow adjustment plate portion 12A abuts against the cylindrical rod-shaped portion 12B.

[0030] The rod-shaped portion 12B has an internal containment space capable of housing a volatile active ingredient component. Therefore, the outer surface of the rod-shaped portion 12B is provided with ventilation holes that connect the inside and outside of the containment space. Furthermore, both ends of the rod-shaped portion 12B have openings for inserting and removing the active ingredient component, which are normally closed with lids. The ventilation holes are elongated holes extending in the direction of airflow from the air conditioning outlet F. Numerous ventilation holes are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped portion 12B. At the boundary between the rod-shaped portion 12B and the airflow adjustment plate portion 12A, the ventilation holes are formed to span both the rod-shaped portion 12B and the airflow adjustment plate portion 12A. Note that the ventilation holes may be omitted. For example, if the rod-shaped portion 12B is made of a breathable material, the active ingredient can be diffused even if the ventilation holes are omitted.

[0031] The display device 11 of this modified example is provided with a display unit 15, similar to the display unit 5 of the above embodiment. The display unit 15 is a unit that forms a display panel over almost the entire main surface on the lower side of the wind direction adjustment plate 2. The display unit 15 may be configured to fit into a mounting space for the display panel defined by a concave recess formed on the lower side of the wind direction adjustment plate portion 12A, or it may be configured to be directly attached to the flat surface forming the lower surface of the rod-shaped portion 12B, or the display panel of the display unit 15 itself may form the wind direction adjustment plate portion 12A.

[0032] The display unit 15 in this modified example is an electronic device having a CPU, memory, display panel, power supply circuit, wireless communication interface, etc., similar to the display unit 5 in the above embodiment. The CPU executes a computer program loaded into the memory, thereby realizing the same functions as the data receiving unit 51, display processing unit 52, and management unit 53 shown in Figure 3.

[0033] Figure 7 illustrates a modified version of the display device 1 attached to an air conditioner C. The display device 11 is attached, for example, to a ceiling-mounted, recessed air conditioner C, as shown in Figure 7. Similar to the display device 1 of the embodiment, the display content of the display panel of the display unit 15 of the display device 11 is visible to a person standing below the display device 11. This makes it possible to effectively communicate the display content of the display panel of the display unit 15 to the user.

[0034] The display devices disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments or modifications described above. The display devices disclosed herein may be further modified versions of the embodiments or modifications described above.

[0035] For example, the management unit 53 may calculate the number of hours the display panels of the display units 5 and 15 display advertisements for advertising fees and provide the calculated data to businesses that distribute advertisements using the display devices 1 and 11 (in this modified example, the management unit 53 is an example of a "processing unit" as defined in this application). In this case, the management unit 53 may display advertisements continuously while the power of the display devices 1 and 11 is on, or it may use a sensor to detect whether or not there is air blowing out from the air outlet F of the air conditioner C, and display advertisements in conjunction with the detection state of the sensor.

[0036] Furthermore, while the above embodiments and modifications illustrate a configuration in which the display device 1 is installed on a ceiling-mounted, recessed air conditioner C, the display device 1 may also be installed on a non-recessed air conditioner installed on the ceiling. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] C··Air conditioner F...Air conditioning outlet 1,11·Display device 2,12...Wind direction adjustment plate 3,13 ··Support arm 4,14··Base 5,15··Display Unit 12A...Wind direction adjustment plate part 12B · Rod-shaped part 51. Data Reception Department 52. Display Processing Unit 53··Management Department

Claims

1. A display unit that displays information on a display panel, The system includes a support portion that supports the display unit in front of the air conditioning outlet of an air conditioner installed on the ceiling, Display device.

2. The system further comprises a panel positioned in front of the air conditioning outlet and receiving the air blown out from the air conditioning outlet, The display panel is provided on the faceplate portion, The display device according to claim 1.

3. The display unit has a wireless communication unit that receives display data. The display device according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned display unit is A sensor that detects wind, The system includes a processing unit that calculates the number of display hours for an advertisement, linked to the detection state of the aforementioned sensor, for use as advertising fees. The display device according to claim 1.

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