Oscilloscope casing structure

An oscilloscope of the following type is disclosed. Even though a main unit of the oscilloscope is horizontally placed, a display can be adjusted at an optimal angle. Also, while the main unit remains in such a position, press buttons can be depressed stably. An operating section is covered in the case of carrying the oscilloscope and knobs of the operating section, and the like, can be kept out of the way, thereby not hampering portability. An oscilloscope casing is divided into a display section and an operating section. A part of the top surface of the main unit is lowered and the operating section is placed on the lowered surface. The display section doubles as a cover for the operating section and is pivotally fixed to the top surface of the main unit via a hinge so as to freely open and close. The display section has a display screen inside and forms the top surface of the main unit and covers the operating section outside when the display section is closed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a portable oscilloscope casing structure 
and to a digital color oscilloscope which is improved in operational 
performance. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Conventionally, in addition to a typically-shaped portable oscilloscope, a 
further downsized oscilloscope is available such that it is actuated by a 
battery and employs a plane-type display, such as a liquid crystal 
display. 
FIGS. 15 and 16 show one example of a portable digital oscilloscope using 
such a plane-type display. FIG. 15 is a plan view of such an oscilloscope. 
FIG. 16 is a side view of the oscilloscope in its standing position. As is 
seen from FIGS. 15 and 16, the conventional digital oscilloscope is 
characterized in than an operating surface 17 and a display surface 15 are 
integrally formed with each other on the same plane. A viewing angle 
adjustment mechanism for observing the display surface 15 is constructed 
in such a way that a stand 16 arranged at the rear of the main unit is 
used to raise and support a bottom 14 of the main unit. The adjustment 
range of the stand 16 is from one to two steps. 
Accordingly, the stand 16 is used to tilt the operating surface 15. In 
order to make the surface of the oscilloscope casing as even as possible 
for achieving easy carrying, press button switches and volumes are largely 
used for the operating system. 
However, the conventional oscilloscope described above presents the 
following first problem. It has a narrow adjustment range for obtaining an 
optimal angle to observe the display surface. The operator has to take the 
trouble to move his/her own viewpoint in order to obtain an optimal 
viewing angle. Besides, while the oscilloscope is tilted, the main unit is 
unstable so that it is likely to be moved by the depression of a button. 
The press buttons are largely used so that it is particularly difficult to 
make fine adjustments with fingers for adjusting the position of a 
waveform, or the like. The use of turning knobs might solve such a 
problem, but at the same time, it would produce protrusions on the 
operating surface, which might be inconvenient in the way of carrying the 
oscilloscope. 
In terms of operational performance, there has been suggested the following 
techniques of differentiating the channels in the conventional 
multi-channel input digital color oscilloscope: colors of the display 
waveforms are determined corresponding to the channels; the probe tips and 
the connecting portions between the probes and the oscilloscope are marked 
in various colors; and the input channels are displayed on the display 
screen by way of letters, or the like. 
Although these techniques have respective advantages, the operator is 
required to use the oscilloscope, in consideration of the corresponding 
relationships between the waveform input probes and the input panels and 
those between the panels and the waveform display colors, thereby easily 
leading to erroneous operations and measurements. 
Japanese Utility Model Unexamined Publication No. 4-43270 discloses a color 
oscilloscope of the type which displays in color signal waveforms of a 
plurality of channels which are input through a plurality of probes, and 
further describes the following technique. Each of the probes connected to 
such a color oscilloscope has color-designated information generating 
means for sending information which is related to a display color 
allocated to each of the probes. The resultant color-designated 
information is read by the oscilloscope, thereby determining the display 
color of the signal waveform. 
According to the above-noted technique, the operator can perform the 
measurements while corresponding the probe color to the display color on 
the oscilloscope screen, thereby preventing erroneous operations and 
measurements. 
However, according to the above-noted conventional are, although the 
operator can prevent erroneous operations and measurements when 
manipulating the above type of oscilloscope, it is necessary that the 
probes are provided with the color-designated information generating means 
for sending information related to the display color and that the main 
unit of the oscilloscope is provided with color information reading means, 
such as a color sensor, a memory, a CPU, and the like. 
Also, the conventional art presents the following second problem. Even 
though the display color is changed corresponding to the probe as 
described above, the operator might not be able to see the probe which is 
visually hidden, in which case, the operator has to visually confirm the 
corresponding relationship between the part to be measured and the display 
color. Besides, there might be the possibility of changing the 
corresponding relationship between the channel and the display color every 
time a measurement is performed, thereby easily bringing about erroneous 
operations and measurements. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, in order to solve the foregoing first problem, an object of a 
first aspect of the present invention is to provide an oscilloscope casing 
in which a display section can be adjusted at an optimal angle while a 
main unit is stably placed. 
To this end, the oscilloscope casing is divided into a display section and 
a main unit which is largely used as an operating section. A part of the 
top surface of the main unit is lowered one step and the operating section 
is arranged on such a lowered surface. The display section doubles as a 
cover for the operating section and is pivotally fixed to the top surface 
of the main unit via a hinge so as to freely open and close. The display 
section has a display screen inside and forms the top surface of the main 
unit and covers the operating section outside when the display section is 
closed. 
With the above-mentioned construction, the display section can be raised to 
a desired position for observation when measurements are being performed. 
The main unit can be stably placed horizontally and the oscilloscope 
casing does not lie down caused by the depression of a press button since 
a force is applied in the direction in which the main unit is stably 
placed. 
Moreover, the display section doubles as a cover for the operating section 
in the case of carrying the oscilloscope casing. Consequently, knobs, as 
well as press button switches, can be arranged to project from the 
operating section and also keep out of the way of carrying the casing. 
An object of a second aspect of the present invention is to provide an 
oscilloscope which solves the foregoing second problem without requiring 
new electrical means, thereby eliminating erroneous operations and 
measurements. 
In order to eliminate erroneous operations and measurements of a 
multi-channel input oscilloscope, at least a waveform display and a panel 
of the operating section are matched in the same color corresponding to 
each of channels, thereby enhancing operational performance. 
As a result, the input factor in the measurements of the oscilloscope, that 
is, the color of the operating section, can be associated with the 
measurement output factor, that is, the waveform display color, thereby 
obtaining a reliable corresponding relationship between a waveform to be 
displayed, measured and manipulated, and the resultant display waveform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described. FIGS. 1-10 
illustrate an embodiment of a first aspect according to the present 
invention. 
Reference will first be made to the primary drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial 
cutaway side view of an oscilloscope casing and illustrates the display 
section being opened. FIG. 2 is a plan (top) view of the casing with the 
display section removed for illustration. FIG. 3 is a front view of the 
casing with the display section removed for illustration. FIG. 4 is a rear 
view of the casing. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the casing with the 
display section in an opened position. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the 
casing with the display section in a closed position. 
As is clearly seen from the above-mentioned drawings, the oscilloscope of 
the present invention largely comprises a main unit A in which electronic 
circuits (not shown) for the oscilloscope install and a display section B. 
The main unit A further includes a unit base 1 and a unit cover 2, while 
the display section B includes a display housing 3 and a display screen 4. 
As is seen from FIGS. 1 and 3, a front portion comprising substantially 
half of the top surface of the main unit A (toward the operator) is formed 
lower than the rear half, and an operating section 20 is arranged on the 
lowered front surface. The display section B doubling as a cover for this 
operating section 20 is pivotally fixed to the main unit A via a hinge 19 
so as to freely open and close in the direction indicated by the arrow X. 
The display section B comprises the display housing 3 and the display 
screen 4, which contains display (not shown), such as an EL or a liquid 
crystal display. The external surface of the display section B forms the 
top surface of the main unit A when the display section B is closed. It is 
also used as a cover for protecting the operating section 20 and the 
display screen 4. 
A detailed description will now be given of the embodiment. 
An explanation will first be given of the operating section 20. In 
consideration of the need to close the display section B and the 
operational performance thereof, the operating section 20 arranged at the 
front part of the unit cover 2 has low-profile operational push buttons 8 
at the center and high-profile turning knobs 9 on the right and left 
sides. The low-profile operational push buttons 8 are arranged at the 
center of the operating section 20 because a display unit (not shown) is 
placed substantially at the center of the display housing 3, which center 
portion must be prevented from being dented. In contrast thereto, the 
display unit is not included within the right and left sides of the 
housing 3, which side portions can thus be dented. Taking the advantage of 
these side portions, in this embodiment, recesses 18 are arranged on the 
right and left sides of the display screen 4 in a size so as not to 
contact the protrusions of the operational turning knobs 9 when the 
display section B is closed (See FIGS. 1 and 8). The high-profile turning 
knobs 9 can accordingly be placed to fit into these recesses 8, thereby 
enabling the adjustment of portions which are difficult to be finely 
adjusted by the press buttons. 
FIG. 10 illustrates the enlarged operating section 20. The operational 
turning knobs 9 include vertical position knobs 9-1 and 9-2 (CH1 POSITION, 
CH2 POSITION) for adjusting the display position of a waveform, a cursor 
position adjustment knob 9-3 (MEASURE VARIABLES), a delay adjustment knob 
9-4 (HORIZONTAL DELAY), and a trigger level adjustment knob 9-5 (TRIGGER 
LEVEL). These knobs are turned so as to perform the fine adjustments which 
are difficult to achieve by push buttons, thereby significantly improving 
operational performance. Further, the knobs are arranged on the right and 
left sides of the operating section 20, thereby also ergonomically 
enhancing operational performance. 
According to the foregoing description, in this embodiment, the turning 
knobs having good operational performance are not in the way because the 
recesses 18 provided for the display section B can accommodate the 
protrusions of the knobs when the casing is carried, that is, when the 
display section is closed, thus preventing the knobs from being damaged in 
the case of carrying the casing, thereby enhancing portability and easy 
handling. 
The arrangement of input/output terminals will now be explained. 
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the casing structure of this embodiment has 
input terminals 10 for electrical signals to be observed on the front 
surface of the main unit A and output terminals 11 and 12 and a power 
source terminal 13, which are connected to peripheral equipment, on the 
rear surface thereof. More specifically, one output terminal 11 is 
connected to an external printer, while the other output terminal 12, 
which is an RS-232C terminal, is connected to an external computer. The 
power supply terminal 13 is used for charging a battery (not shown) 
contained in the main unit A. 
As is seen from the drawings, such as FIGS. 3 and 4, because of an intimate 
relationship with an object, the input terminals 10 are horizontally 
placed at the center of the front surface of the main unit cover 2 and the 
base 1, taking operational performance into consideration. That is, since 
the input terminals 10 are placed in the above-mentioned position, the 
operator can easily recognize which probe signal is connected to which 
channel input terminal, thus avoiding a mismatch between a part to be 
measured and an input terminal. 
Moreover, as is seen from the drawings, such as FIGS. 1 and 2, the input 
terminals 10 are placed one step further inward than the front surface 
with a view to enhancing portability in the case of carrying the casing 
and easy handling, and to also protecting the terminals from external 
shock. Similarly, for the same reasons, the outermost surfaces of the 
output terminals 11 and 12 and the power supply terminal 13 are also at 
substantially the same level as the rear surface. Accordingly, the 
protrusions of the input/output terminals are not shown on the plan (top) 
views and side views. Instead of being placed on the rear surface, the 
output terminals and the power source terminal may also be placed on the 
right and left lateral surfaces. 
A description will now be given of the construction of a pivot mechanism of 
the main unit A and the display section B. 
As has been discussed in the foregoing description, the display section B 
of the oscilloscope of the present invention has a pivot bearing of the 
hinge 19 which is placed substantially at the rear of the display section 
B. 
Such a pivot bearing is arranged so that while observations are being made, 
the operator can hold the display screen 4 of the display section, which 
doubles as a cover, at a desired angle in a range from upward to rearward, 
as viewed from the front surface of the main unit, so as to pivot 
(indicated by the arrow X) and fix the display at an optimal viewing angle 
position. A mechanism for fixing the display at a desired angle can be 
realized by a known lock mechanism-equipped hinge which is widely used for 
word processors, and the like, and an explanation thereof will thus be 
omitted. 
A slope 21 (See FIGS. 1, 2 and 9), which tilts forward and downward as 
viewed from the front surface of the main unit, is arranged at the lateral 
center of the main unit cover 2. Such a slope 21 serves as a stopper when 
the display section B is opened to its maximum angle. A mounting plate 5a 
in FIG. 5 is provided for a stationary shaft 5 for pivoting the hinge 19 
so as to be secured to the main unit A, while a portion 19a of the hinge 
19 is inserted into a pivot bearing hole 22 provided for the display 
housing 3 of the display section B, in the direction indicated by the 
arrow Y. The entire stationary shaft 5 is formed in a hollow tube-like 
shape so as to receive electrical signal cables 23 for connecting the main 
unit A and the display section B. In addition, the stationary shaft 5 is 
axially provided with a slit 6, which remarkably improves in the 
oscilloscope manufacturing process the workability for attaching the 
electrical signal cables 23 for connecting a circuit contained in the main 
unit A of the oscilloscope and with a circuit contained in the display 
housing 3. 
The construction of a ventilation system will now be explained. 
This embodiment has a ventilating portion positioned at the lateral center 
of the top surface of the casing, other than that of the cover for the 
operating section, and the ventilating portion has a cross section formed 
of projections and depressions. Ventilating slots are arranged on the 
lateral surfaces of the above-noted depressions. 
A more detailed description will be given with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 
9. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the ventilating portion of 
the oscilloscope casing. FIG. 7 is a sectional view along line VII--VII of 
FIG. 6. As is seen from FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, ventilating slots 7 having a 
cross section formed of projections and depressions are arranged in the 
rear part of the main unit cover 2 in order to dissipate heat. As is seen 
from FIG. 7, the above-mentioned ventilating slots 7 are arranged on the 
lateral surfaces of the depressions for the purpose of preventing dust 
from entering the casing from the top surface. 
As is clearly understood from the foregoing description, the oscilloscope 
casing of a first aspect of the present invention offers the following 
numerous advantages as a portable oscilloscope. 
Even though the main unit of the oscilloscope is kept in the horizontally 
stable position, the display used for observing the waveform can be 
adjusted at an optimal angle. Furthermore, while the display remains in 
such a position, the buttons can be depressed stably since a force is not 
applied along the movement of the main unit. Also, the turning knobs are 
employed for the portions required for the fine adjustments, thereby 
significantly improving operational performance. The operating section can 
be covered with the display section in the case of carrying the 
oscilloscope casing, thus keeping the knobs of the operating section, or 
the like, out of the way, thereby not hampering portability. 
A description will now be given of a second aspect of the present 
invention. 
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
The same elements as those shown in FIGS. 1-10 have been given the same 
reference numerals as in FIGS. 1-10. FIG. 11 illustrates waveforms 45 and 
46 of channels 1 and 2, respectively, and color displays 47 and 48 
designating the channels 1 and 2, respectively. 
It will be assumed that the respective waveforms 45 and 46 of the channels 
1 and 2 in FIG. 11 are, for example, blue and green, respectively. 
A description will now be given of the construction of the operating 
section 20. 
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the operating section 20. The channel 1 
comprises a vertical position knob 36 (CH1 POSITION), a vertical axis 
sensitivity adjustment press button 38 (VOLTS/DIV), a waveform display 
on/off press button switch 41 and an input connection change-over press 
button switch 42. A color-coding channel display 34 is set to the color of 
the display waveform 45, for example, blue, in this embodiment. The 
channel 2 comprises a vertical position knob 37 (CH2 POSITION), a vertical 
axis sensitivity adjustment press button switch 39 (VOLTS/DIV), a waveform 
display on/off press button switch 41 and an input connection change-over 
press button switch 43. A color-coding channel display 35 is set to the 
color of the display waveform 46, for example, green, in this embodiment. 
The waveforms displayed on the oscilloscope have predetermined colors 
corresponding to the channels. As stated above, the waveforms 45 and 46 of 
the channels 1 and 2 are displayed in blue and green, respectively. It is 
now assumed, for example, that the movement of the green waveform 46 is 
desired. The operating section 20 is observed to find out that the same 
color as that of the waveform is indicated on the color-coding channel 
display 35 and to instantaneously recognize that the green color 
corresponds to the channel 2. Therefore, the position knob 37 is turned to 
allow the green waveform of the channel 2 to move without fail. The same 
is applied to the manipulation of the input connection change-over 
switches 42 and 43 and that of the vertical axis sensitivity change-over 
switches 38 and 39. 
As is seen from FIG. 11, the display screen 4 shows the channel color 
displays 47 (channel 1) and 48 (channel 2), thereby further clarifying the 
corresponding relationships between the display waveforms and the 
channels. For example, when the display waveform is extended off screen by 
the position adjustment knob, the color displays 47 and 48 are observed to 
immediately understand which channel display disappears from the screen. 
FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The 
channel displays 34' and 35' are formed and colored on the entire surface 
of each of the channel operating portions of the whole operating section 
20, thereby further clarifying the corresponding relationships between the 
channels and the colors of the display waveforms. 
FIG. 14 illustrates still another embodiment of an oscilloscope according 
to the present invention which is more typically shaped compared to the 
oscilloscope shown in FIG. 11. 
The present invention is also applicable to such a typically-shaped 
oscilloscope. In this embodiment, in addition to the color-coding channel 
display 34' and 35' of the operating section, the probe system, such as 
probe input portions 49 (channel 1) and 50 (channel 2), cables 51 (channel 
1) and 52 (channel 2) and probe connectors 53 (channel 1) and 54 (channel 
2), are consistently colored corresponding to the respective channel 
colors. Instead of coloring the entire probe system including the cables 
corresponding to the channels, the probe input portions 49 and 50 only may 
be partially or entirely colored. Further, the probe connectors 53 and 54 
may also be colored corresponding to the probe input portions 49 and 50. 
Such probe coloring is certainly applicable to the oscilloscope shown in 
FIG. 11, in which case, the color displays corresponding to the channels 
may be performed near probe connectors 55 and 56, or alternatively, the 
letters of "CH1" and "CH2" may be colored corresponding to the channel 
colors. Such a modification is performed to prevent the foregoing 
connection mismatch which might occur when a probe is connected to a 
connector by corresponding the probe color to the channel. 
As is clearly understood from the foregoing description, according to a 
second aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to immediately 
and intuitively recognize a corresponding relationship between the display 
waveform and the operating section, thereby significantly enhancing 
operational performance.