Quick answer
7-segment displays commonly represent arabic numbers and some english letters, while 16-segment displays can show arabic numbers, capital letters, and lowercase letters. Both types of displays are used in everyday products for information display and settings. Each segment is a unit forming digits or letters.
Table of Contents
How to Represent Numbers and Letters in 7-segment and 16-segment LED display?
The 7-segment display and 16-segment display are commonly used in everyday life to represent information in Arabic numbers and English letters. While the 16-segment display can show complete Arabic numbers, capital letters, and lowercase English letters, the 7-segment display, primarily designed for Arabic numbers, can also represent some English alphabet letters. Each segment in a 7-segment or 16-segment display is an individual unit used to form digits. In practical product applications, these displays are often used for product settings and information display.
Use a 7-segment display to represent information
Example and Truth Tables for Arabic Numbers 0-9 on a 7-Segment Display.
The most common application of a 7-segment display is to represent numbers. The example below demonstrates how a 0.56″ diamond-shaped 7-segment display (( 0.56″ Single SMD LED 7-Segment Display | Diamond Seg.) is used to display Arabic numbers 0-9. Engineers can use the provided resources, including a detailed truth table (PDF), to create programs that control these displays. By referring to these materials, readers can design their own products, such as moving information signs on running machines, determining how to display the numbers on a 7-segment display.
Example and Truth Tables for various formations of upper and lower case English letters and 7-segment display words on a 7-Segment Display.
In addition to displaying Arabic numbers, 7-segment displays can also represent some uppercase English letters. When cost is a concern and a 16-segment display is not necessary, products often use 7-segment displays to show English characters by assembling specific segments to form letters or abbreviations. While the 7-segment display can only represent a limited set of English letters, it is commonly used in cases where simplicity and cost-effectiveness are prioritized. The mixing of uppercase and lowercase letters is often seen in single-word displays. The tables below provide examples of how the 7-segment display can be used to represent English letters, both uppercase and lowercase (PDF)).
To program 7-segment displays to show individual words, engineers need a truth table, just as they do for representing numbers. The accompanying illustration shows how a 0.56″ diamond-shaped 7-segment display (0.56″ Single SMD LED 7-Segment Display | Diamond Seg.) can be used to display uppercase and lowercase English letters, along with a truth table for guidance. This resource is invaluable for engineers during product design.
Display Arabic numbers using an alphanumeric display.
Alphanumeric displays are primarily categorized into 14-segment and 16-segment displays, both capable of showing complete uppercase and lowercase English characters. In this article, we will focus on the more intricate 16-segment display to demonstrate its ability to represent a wide range of numbers and letters.
The 16-segment display represents the various formations of Arabic numbers from 0 to 9..
Both 16-segment and 7-segment displays can represent Arabic numbers from 0 to 9. However, the 16-segment display offers more detailed representations. The following illustration provides deformation tables for Arabic numbers using the 16-segment display. The top row shows the numbers as represented by a 7-segment display, while the row below demonstrates how the same numbers appear on a 16-segment display. Designers can choose the appropriate digital font based on the specific application of their product.
Example and Truth Tables for Capital English Letters on a 16-Segment Display
The 16-segment display is specifically designed to represent capital letters of the English alphabet. The illustration below demonstrates how a 16-segment display is used to show these letters. It also includes a truth table that assigns values to each letter, making it easier for engineers to implement in their designs.
The 16-segment display represents the various formations of Capital English letters.
In addition to the previous example of capital English alphabets, the 16-segment display provides various English text styles to accommodate a wide range of product applications or information representation. The following illustration presents several common variations of capital letters, enabling readers to select the appropriate style according to their specific needs.
Example and Truth Tables for Lowercase English Letters on a 16-Segment Display
In addition to the earlier examples, the 16-segment display offers multiple text styles to suit different product applications or information displays. The following illustration shows several common variations of capital letters, allowing readers to select the style that best fits their needs.
The 16-segment display represents the various formations of Lowercase English letters.
In addition to the previous examples, the 16-segment display provides multiple styles of lowercase English letters to suit different product applications or information displays. The following illustration shows several common variations of lowercase letters, allowing readers to choose the style that best fits their needs.
Examples of LED Display products in real life.
Gogoro S2 dash board｜7-segment display
The Gogoro S2 electric scooter features three different sizes of 7-segment displays on its dashboard: large, medium, and small. These displays are used to show essential information such as speed, battery level, and mode settings. Also, the 7-segment display is used to display three English words: HELLO, GO, and SEE YA.
Timebirds Count down meter timers｜7-Segment Display
Timebirds is a movement countdown timer designed by an Australian team, primarily for activities like weight training and cycling, where it displays countdowns. The device includes buttons for adjusting workout modes. The left side of the timer features a 7-segment display that shows different workout modes. For example, it can display modes like “UP,” “DN,” “NT,” “TABATA,” “FG-BAD,” and “CL.” For more details, you can refer to the Timebirds product page, which introduces nine workout modes.
Running machine’s information moving sign｜14-segment display
The treadmill displays running time, distance, speed, and incline using a row of numbers. When the running mode is activated, these numbers appear on the screen. However, when the alphanumeric display mode is selected, a 14-segment display is used as a moving sign to show both complete Arabic numbers and English letters. Product designers can also choose different fonts to present information based on their specific requirements.
When the running machine is unused, these 14 segment displays serve as moving sign to indicate how the user should activate the running machine to use it.
Microwave Oven｜7-Segment display
Microwave ovens typically use a four-digit 7-segment display to indicate the cooking time, such as “2:10”. This display can be replaced with the Opto Plus P/N OPS-Q4011YG (0.4″ Quad THT LED 7-Segment Display | Colon & Diamond Seg.), offering a similar functionality. The 7-segment display is primarily used for showing microwave time and also displays English information for mode settings. For instance, “dEF1” and “dEF2” are used to select thaw modes, “100P” adjusts the microwave power, and “0.5” kg indicates the weight for thawing. Integrated into the overall design, the 7-segment display helps users easily understand the microwave’s current state. Below is a description of the product’s operation, which can serve as a reference for design.
The 7-segment display represents an example application in English｜A simple Microwave oven operation flow chart.
7-segment vs 16-segment display – what each can show
| Capability | 7-segment display | 16-segment display |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic numbers | Yes | Yes |
| Uppercase letters | Some / limited English letters | Yes (capital letters) |
| Lowercase letters | Limited | Yes |
Conclusion
Both the 7-segment display and alphanumeric displays can represent Arabic numbers. However, while the 7-segment display can only show a limited set of English letters, alphanumeric displays can represent all uppercase and lowercase letters. Different English fonts can also be selected depending on the product’s needs. It’s important to note that 14-segment and 16-segment displays, both types of alphanumeric displays, are more expensive. For products that don’t require extensive information display, using a 7-segment display with thoughtful design can offer an intuitive user experience and help reduce production costs.
Opto Plus LED Corp. specializes in the design, production, and manufacturing of LED displays, with over 15 years of industry experience. We offer tailored recommendations based on your product type, whether it’s for standard LED display products, Standard LED Display product customization, or full custom LED displays. From samples to mass production, we provide the best solutions to help you design products cost-effectively. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at sales@opledtw.com or fill out the form on our Contact Us page.
FAQ
7-segment displays are mainly used to show Arabic numerals. They can also show some uppercase and lowercase English letters, but often mix them to form words or abbreviations.
16-segment displays can show complete Arabic numerals, uppercase English letters, and most lowercase English letters.
Engineers need to use a Truth Table to write programs that control which light-emitting areas turn on or off to display the required numbers or letters. The article provides truth tables for 7-segment displays to show Arabic numerals and letters, as well as truth tables for 16-segment displays to show numbers and letters.
These are aliases for 14-segment and 16-segment displays. Because they can display a full range of numbers and English letters, they are called “alphanumeric displays”.
7-segment displays are commonly found in products like microwave ovens, sports timers, and electric vehicle dashboards. For example, the Gogoro S2 electric scooter dashboard uses a 7-segment display to show speed and words like “HELLO” and “GO”. Microwaves often use a four-digit 7-segment display for information like time and defrost mode.
14-segment displays can be used for scrolling information on a treadmill, showing a full range of numbers and letters when not in running mode.
Both 7-segment and alphanumeric displays can show numbers, but 16-segment displays are more expensive. If a product doesn’t need to display a lot of complex information, using a 7-segment display with a good design can still provide an intuitive user experience and save on production costs.
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