Function expanding method for small-sized display device
The function expanding method for a display device comprises: a step of preparing a plurality of types of function expanding modules; a step of selecting a function expanding module or modules from the plurality of types of function expanding modules; and a step of stacking the selected single or plurality of function expanding module(s) to a rear part of the display device at will, and connecting the module(s) by using expanding connector(s).
1. A display device unit, comprising
a display device that is provided with a first internal circuit and configured to operate by itself, and
a plurality of function expanding modules, each of which comprises a second internal circuit for outputting a function expanding signal required for expanding an input operation function with respect to said display device by a user, and an operation key for the user to input operations, wherein:
said display device and said plurality of function expanding modules respectively comprise an expanding connector for electrically connecting said respective first and second internal circuits by being mechanically connected to each other, under a state where each of said function expanding modules is stacked at a rear part of said display device,
said display device is configured to operate by itself without said modules being stacked,
said input operation function of said display device is configured to be expanded by outputting said function expanding signal to said display device from said function expanding modules when said display device and respective internal circuits of each of said function expanding modules are connected through both of said expanding connectors under a state where said modules are loaded by being stacked, and
the operation key is electrically connected to the second internal circuit and the second internal circuit is configured to output the function expanding signal to the display device for operating the display device according to the input by the user to the operation key.
2. A display device unit, comprising:
a display device that comprises a display screen on its front side, an expanding connector on its rear part side, and an internal circuit as a human-machine interface (HMI) of a control system to be used by said display device itself;
a bezel that comprises an opening capable of housing said display device, operation keys for a user to input operations, an output-side expanding connector at a bottom part of said opening, and an input-side expanding connector on its rear part side; and
a function expanding module that comprises on its front side an expanding connector that can be connected to said input-side expanding connector, wherein:
said display device is configured to operate even by itself without being housed in said opening of said bezel,
said display device is configured to operate with said operation keys of said bezel,
a function of said display device is expanded by a circuit built in said function expanding module under a state where said display device is housed in said opening of said bezel,
said output-side expanding connector of said bezel is connected to said expanding connector of said display device, while said function expanding module is loaded on said rear part of said bezel and said input-side expanding connector of said bezel is connected to said expanding connector of said function expanding module, and
the operation keys of the bezel are electrically connected to the built-in circuit and the built-in circuit is configured to output a function expanding signal to the display device for operating the display device according to the input by the user to the operation keys of the bezel.