A customer is asking for a product that I am
having trouble finding. I also might rather build it if I knew what
was needed.
Best way to explain is this: We've all been at a service desk where
we've had to
"take a number" to mark our place in line. Then they may also have a
good sized
digital display for the public to see which number is being served so
you know
your position "in queue".

Well a customer (business) would like something like this where the
employee can
increase or decrease the displayed value (max of two digits) with the
push of an
up or down button . A clear or reset button would also be helpful.

Another feature desired would be to "light up" another indicator,
maybe the decimal
point, on the display to indicate another condition that may become
involved.
Also it would be desirable to have a smaller LED display at the
operator's desk
to see and confirm the value being sent to the larger display which
may not
be easily seen from their location.

I'm hoping someone here may have the knowledge to help me with a
diagram
and parts needed (maybe a source as well for the LED displays) With a
schematic and any comments regarding the design, I think I could
construct
the project.

Many thanks in advance !

Harlan wrote:
A customer is asking for a product that I am
having trouble finding. I also might rather build it if I knew what
was needed.

It's pretty much an off the shelf item, I'm not sure why you would want
to build it.

A different system I have seen here (in Israel) at my HMO is a system
where the numbers are displayed on an LCD computer screen. The system
behind it is Windows (occasional BSOD), and they use some sort of screen
multiplier device to get several of them.

The post office uses the large LED dot matrix displays with an arrow to
point to the open teller and a flashing light at the window. Very similar
to a bank. It ALWAYS is out of sync with reality, it's impossible to tell
if a person is just slow getting out of their chairs and getting to the
window or they went home, or the numbers are out of sync, so the tellers
go through them too quickly. :-(

Geoff.

--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson N3OWJ/4X1GM
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to misquote it.

On 2/22/2011 9:05 AM, Harlan wrote:
A customer is asking for a product that I am
having trouble finding. I also might rather build it if I knew what
was needed.
Best way to explain is this: We've all been at a service desk where
we've had to
"take a number" to mark our place in line. Then they may also have a
good sized
digital display for the public to see which number is being served so
you know
your position "in queue".

Another feature desired would be to "light up" another indicator,
maybe the decimal
point, on the display to indicate another condition that may become
involved.
Also it would be desirable to have a smaller LED display at the
operator's desk
to see and confirm the value being sent to the larger display which
may not
be easily seen from their location.

I'm hoping someone here may have the knowledge to help me with a
diagram
and parts needed (maybe a source as well for the LED displays) With a
schematic and any comments regarding the design, I think I could
construct the project.

Google:

"take a number" display

Decide how much of your/his time/money you want to throw at
the various solutions offered, there.

"Harlan" schreef in bericht
...
A customer is asking for a product that I am
having trouble finding. I also might rather build it if I knew what
was needed.
Best way to explain is this: We've all been at a service desk where
we've had to
"take a number" to mark our place in line. Then they may also have a
good sized
digital display for the public to see which number is being served so
you know
your position "in queue".

Well a customer (business) would like something like this where the
employee can
increase or decrease the displayed value (max of two digits) with the
push of an
up or down button . A clear or reset button would also be helpful.

Another feature desired would be to "light up" another indicator,
maybe the decimal
point, on the display to indicate another condition that may become
involved.
Also it would be desirable to have a smaller LED display at the
operator's desk
to see and confirm the value being sent to the larger display which
may not
be easily seen from their location.

I'm hoping someone here may have the knowledge to help me with a
diagram
and parts needed (maybe a source as well for the LED displays) With a
schematic and any comments regarding the design, I think I could
construct
the project.

Many thanks in advance !


Guess there are plenty of businesses selling shop- and couter furniture that
can provide this type of equipment. You just have to find the right
companies in your area.

In my experience it is seldom worth the trouble to design a product that can
be bought on the market. Nevertheless it can be done. You need a small box
for the small display, the pushbuttons and a transmitter. Then a large box
for a receiver and the large display. Plus a two or more wire cable between
them. The electronics can be build using TTL or CMOS logic though I'd prefer
microcontrollers. All the stuff you need can be bought on the internet.
Farnell, Mouser and Digikey are only some of the providers.

Of course I can build you a prototype for the friendly price of $400,-

petrus bitbyter

On Feb 22, 8:05*am, Harlan wrote:

Well a customer (business) would like [take-a-number display] where the
employee can
increase or decrease the displayed value (max of two digits) with the
push of an
up or down button . A clear or reset button would also be helpful.

Another feature desired would be to "light up" another indicator,

Also it would be desirable to have a smaller LED display at the
operator's desk

These systems are available pre-built, of course. For the displays,
just buy a big bag of LEDs and connect series to make seven-segment
displays of any size you want (it's relatively easy to find drivers
for such
things). For the 'other indicator' just pull more LEDs from the big
bag.
Prebuilt displays aren't anything more complex than that, just molded
into a plastic block.

And if a desk doesn't have easy view of the main display, consider the
truck-mirror-addon convex mirrors at the local auto-parts store; hang
a few
in appropriate locations, and anyone's desk can have line-of-sight to
the
big numbers (though, mirror-reversed).

If you want to get elaborate, you could put a CCTV camera on the main
display and plop a few repeater screens around the office (or even in
the
restrooms and other places patrons might wander).