Level meter, level meter system, and communication adapter for level meter system

Abstract

To provide a level meter that is easy to communicate with an external device.SOLUTION: A level meter 10 includes a level determination unit and a WEB server 51. The level determination unit determines a level of a medium in a container. The WEB server 51 provides a monitor WEB screen 81 that displays the level determined by the level determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a level meter for measuring the level of a contained object, a level meter system including the level meter, and a communication adapter for the level meter system. [Background technology]

[0002] In containers that store fluid substances such as liquids, powders, and granules, level meters are sometimes used to measure the height of the interface of the substance, i.e., the level (liquid surface level, powder top surface level, etc.). Such level meters have a function to display the measured level to the user. For example, the level meter described in Patent Document 1 has a display unit that displays the measured liquid level. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-002091 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the level meter of Patent Document 1, the current value of the measured interface level is displayed numerically on the display. Here, what a level meter generally directly measures is the distance from the level meter to the interface, and in order to convert this distance to a level, information about the container (such as the height of the container) must be set appropriately. However, simply displaying the current value of the level does not allow the user to visually grasp whether the currently set information about the container is set appropriately.

[0005] Furthermore, when an external device is connected to a level meter, the external device must be capable of communicating with the level meter. In other words, unless the external device is compatible with the communication protocol used by the level meter for signal input and output, it cannot be used to display the level measured by the level meter or to change the operation settings of the level meter.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a level meter that allows easy visual understanding of settings related to a container and facilitates communication with external devices, a level meter system including the level meter, and a communication adapter for the level meter system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a level meter as an example of an embodiment of the present invention includes a detection element, a memory, a level determination unit, a display unit, an operation unit, and a web server. The detection element generates a detection signal corresponding to the level of a medium in a container. The memory stores setting information related to the container. The level determination unit acquires a detection waveform related to distance and signal strength based on the detection signal generated by the detection element, and determines the level based on the detection waveform and the setting information. The display unit displays a monitor screen showing the level determined by the level determination unit and a setting screen for setting the setting information. The operation unit accepts operation input for setting the setting information. The web server provides a monitor web screen showing the level determined by the level determination unit and a diagnostic web screen displaying the setting information in association with the detection waveform.

[0008] As another example of an embodiment of the present invention, a level meter system includes a level meter, a web server, and a communications terminal. The level meter includes a detection element that generates a detection signal corresponding to the level of a medium in a container; a memory that stores configuration information related to the container; a level determination unit that acquires a detection waveform related to distance and signal strength based on the detection signal generated by the detection element and determines the level based on the detection waveform and the configuration information; a display unit that displays a monitor screen showing the level determined by the level determination unit and a configuration screen for setting the configuration information; and an operation unit that accepts operational inputs for setting the configuration information. The web server communicates with the level meter and provides a monitor web screen showing the level determined by the level determination unit and a diagnostic web screen that displays the configuration information in association with the detection waveform. The communications terminal communicates with the web server and operates a web browser that displays the monitor web screen and the diagnostic web screen.

[0009] As another example of an embodiment of the present invention, a communication adapter for a level meter system relays communication from a level meter to a communication terminal in the above-mentioned level meter system. The communication adapter for the level meter system includes a web server. The communication adapter for the level meter system receives a signal in a first communication protocol output by the level meter, acquires level meter information including a level determined by a level determination unit, a detected waveform, and setting information, and transmits the level meter information, data for a monitor web screen, and data for a diagnostic web screen to the communication terminal using a second communication protocol accepted by the communication terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the setting information related to the container is displayed in association with the detected waveform, making it easy to visually grasp the setting information. In addition, the monitor web screen and the diagnostic web screen are provided by the web server, making it easy to communicate between the level meter and external devices equipped with a web browser. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a level meter system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a level meter is attached to a container that contains a medium. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the relationship between components included in the housing of the level meter. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the relationship between components included in a communication adapter of a level meter. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a monitor web screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a diagnostic web screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display when an adaptive function is executed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a setting web screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a web screen for a safety laser scanner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated. In the following description, terms indicating positions or directions, such as front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, may be used, but these terms are used for convenience to facilitate understanding of the embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, these terms are not limited to the strict geometric meaning of front, rear, left, right, top, bottom, etc.

[0013] A level meter system 100 including a level meter 10 as one example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the level meter system 100 of this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the level meter 10 of FIG. 1 attached to a container 70 that contains a medium 72. The level meter system 100 includes the level meter 10, a communication adapter 90, and a communication terminal 80. The level meter 10 communicates with the communication terminal 80 via the communication adapter 90. The communication adapter 90 includes a web server 91, and the web server 91 provides a web screen that is displayed on the communication terminal. Note that the level meter 10 may also include the web server 91.

[0014] The level meter 10 is a device that measures the level A of a medium 72 (for example, a liquid, a powder, or particles) that is the measurement target. The level A to be measured is the height of an interface 74 of the medium 72 in a container 70. A specific example of the level A is the distance from the bottom of the container 70 to the liquid surface of the liquid contained in the container 70. A measurement axis is set in the level meter 10, and the level meter 10 measures the level A along the measurement axis.

[0015] As an example of a usage state of the level meter 10, a container 70 in FIG. 2 contains a liquid (water, oil, chemical liquid, etc.) that becomes a medium 72 in a liquid treatment facility. For example, when the medium 72 in the container 70 is supplied to a liquid treatment process or the like, the level A of the medium 72 in the container 70 decreases. Furthermore, when the container 70 is replenished with the medium 72, the level A of the medium 72 in the container 70 increases. For example, a water inlet 75 is provided on the outer wall (top wall in FIG. 2 ) of the container 70. A water inlet 75 is fluidly connected to the container 70 via a water inlet 75. The water inlet pipe 76 is then connected to a water injector 78 (e.g., a device including a pump, a valve, etc.) provided outside the container 70. The water injector 78 is a device that supplies (injects) the medium 72 into the container 70 from outside the container 70. The water injector 78 adjusts the amount of water injected into the container 70 according to the level A of the medium 72 in the container 70. The water injection device 78 also stops injecting water depending on the level A of the medium 72 in the container 70. The water injection device 78 controls the replenishment of the medium 72 into the container 70 depending on the level A of the medium 72 in the container 70, which decreases as the medium 72 is consumed, for example, by a liquid treatment process, so that the level A of the medium 72 in the container 70 remains within a predetermined range.

[0016] The level meter 10 in FIG. 1 has a housing 15 including a base portion 15a and a terminal portion 21. The base portion 15a is arranged at one end (lower side) of the housing 15 in the longitudinal direction L (direction of the measurement axis). The terminal portion 21 is arranged at the other end in the longitudinal direction L. In FIG. 1, the display portion 20 is provided on the terminal portion 21. Furthermore, the terminal portion 21 is separable from the base portion 15a. The base portion 15a is cylindrical, while the terminal portion 21 is prismatic.

[0017] The terminal unit 21 may be fixed to the base unit 15a with fastening screws on the rear side of the display unit 20. A connector for transmitting electrical signals between the base unit 15a and the terminal unit 21 may be provided. For example, one of a pair of connectors may be provided on the base unit 15a, and the other of the pair of connectors may be provided on the terminal unit 21. By connecting the pair of connectors to each other, electrical signals can be transmitted and received between the base unit 15a and the terminal unit 21.

[0018] The sensor unit 16 is disposed at one end side in the longitudinal direction L of the housing 15 (the lower side in FIG. 1). Hereinafter, one end (lower end) of the sensor unit 16 in the longitudinal direction L will be referred to as the measurement end 40. As shown in FIG. 1, a dielectric lens is disposed at the measurement end 40. Hereinafter, the one end side in the longitudinal direction L of the level meter 10 may be referred to as the lower side, and the other end side in the longitudinal direction L may be referred to as the upper side.

[0019] 2, the sensor unit 16 in Fig. 1 measures the level A of the medium 72 with one end in the longitudinal direction L facing the medium 72. For example, when the level meter 10 measures the height of the liquid surface (interface 74) of the liquid, the longitudinal direction L of the level meter 10 is oriented in the same direction as the direction in which the height of the liquid surface changes, i.e., the vertical direction (height direction, direction of gravity).

[0020] The level meter 10 in FIG. 2 transmits a radio wave serving as a measurement signal Tx from the measurement end portion 40 toward the medium 72. The measurement signal Tx is reflected at the interface 74 of the medium 72, resulting in a reflected signal Rx, which is received at the measurement end portion 40. The level meter 10 calculates the level A of the medium 72 based on the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx. For example, when performing measurement using a Time of Flight (ToF) system, the level meter 10 calculates the distance B from the measurement end portion 40 to the interface 74 based on the difference between the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx, and calculates the level A based on the distance B. For example, when performing measurement using a radar system using FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave), the level meter 10 calculates the distance B from the measurement end portion 40 to the interface 74 based on the frequency of a waveform obtained by mixing the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx, and calculates the level A based on the distance B.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor unit 16 includes a mounting thread 18, which has threads cut into the cylindrical surface, above the measuring end 40. Furthermore, a mounting portion 17, which has a larger diameter than the mounting thread 18, is provided above the mounting thread 18. The mounting portion 17 in FIG. 1 is nut-shaped. Note that the mounting portion 17 need only be structured to enable the level meter 10 to be mounted to an object (such as a container 70 containing a liquid), and is not limited to a nut-shaped configuration. For example, the mounting portion 17 may be cylindrical with anti-slip protrusions. The anti-slip protrusions on the mounting portion 17 prevent the level meter 10 from slipping when it is rotated around the longitudinal direction L to be mounted or removed (rotational mounting / removal) from the object. Instead of the mounting portion 17 and the mounting thread 18, a mounting flange may be formed to mount the level meter 10 to the object. Even when a mounting flange is formed, the mounting portion 17 and the mounting thread 18 may also be provided.

[0022] The level meter 10 in FIG. 2 is attached to the upper side of a container 70. A mounting hole 71 is provided on the upper side of the container 70. The mounting hole 71 is a threaded hole, and the level meter 10 is attached to the container 70 by screwing the mounting screw portion 18 of the level meter 10 into the mounting hole 71. For example, a user of the level meter 10 can align the tip of the mounting screw portion 18 with the mounting hole 71 and rotate the nut-shaped mounting portion 17 to screw the mounting screw portion 18 into the mounting hole 71. Note that the structure for attaching the level meter 10 to the container 70 is not limited to this. For example, the mounting hole 71 may not be threaded, and the level meter 10 may be attached to the container 70 by screwing a separate nut onto the mounting screw portion 18 exposed inside the container 70. Alternatively, the top surface of the container 70 may be open, and the level meter 10 may be attached to a mounting bracket provided above the container 70 using a nut and the mounting screw portion 18. Furthermore, the method of attaching the level meter 10 to the container 70 is not limited to screwing using the mounting thread portion 18, and threads do not have to be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the sensor portion 16. For example, the level meter 10 may be attached to the container 70 by providing a flange on either or both of the level meter 10 and the container 70, and fastening the flange to the level meter 10 or the container 70 with bolts.

[0023] A display unit 20 is provided on the surface of the terminal unit 21 arranged on the upper side of the housing 15. The display unit 20 preferably includes an active matrix display device (active matrix display) capable of displaying various types of information. For example, the display unit 20 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). In particular, the display unit 20 preferably includes an LCD capable of color display (display in multiple colors).

[0024] The display unit 20 may also be a two-wire reflective color liquid crystal display that transmits and receives power and communicates data using two power lines. A two-wire display communicates data by varying the magnitude of the current passing through the power lines. For example, the power line current consumption varies within a range of 4-20 mA. The content of the data being transmitted and received is represented by the magnitude of this current consumption. A reflective display allows the user to view the displayed content by external light reflected on its surface. While a two-wire display requires little power consumption, a two-wire reflective color liquid crystal display can display a variety of information with little power consumption. The display unit 20 displays a monitor screen and a setting screen.

[0025] The display unit 20 displays on the monitor screen the level A of the medium 72 determined by the level determination unit of the sensor unit 16. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a bar display 22 whose length expands or contracts depending on the value of the level A is displayed on the display unit 20. The display unit 20 also displays a color gauge 24 that is color-coded in multiple colors. The length of the color gauge 24 is arranged along the expansion and contraction direction of the bar display 22. The color gauge 24 includes multiple sections (three in FIG. 1) arranged along the expansion and contraction direction of the bar display 22. The sections of the color gauge 24 correspond to multiple level ranges set for the level A of the medium 72, and the level ranges are defined by multiple level setting values ​​(e.g., threshold values) set for the level A.

[0026] The display unit 20 displays the relative position of level A with respect to the container 70 that contains the medium 72 together with a bar display 22. Specifically, the length of the bar display 22 expands or contracts depending on the value of level A of the medium 72 within a container icon 25 that resembles the container 70. The length of the bar display 22 relative to the size of the container icon 25 corresponds to the relative position of level A of the medium 72 with respect to the entire container 70. Note that setting information related to the container 70, such as dimensions, is set on a setting screen.

[0027] A bar arrow 22a is displayed at the tip (top end) in the extension / contraction direction of the bar display 22. The bar arrow 22a points to a position within the color gauge 24 that corresponds to the length of the bar display 22. The color gauge 24 indicates to which level range the measured level A belongs, out of multiple level ranges defined by the level setting values.

[0028] The color gauge 24 includes a plurality of sections. The sections of the color gauge 24 are separated into a plurality of level ranges. The sections of the color gauge 24 are arranged along the direction of increase and decrease of the level A on the display unit 20. The container icon 25 and the bar display 22 are displayed next to the color gauge 24 (alongside the color gauge 24). By displaying the color gauge 24 alongside the container icon 25 and the bar display 22 on the display unit 20, the relative position of the level setting value with respect to the container 70 is displayed together with the bar display 22.

[0029] The display unit 20 also displays an auxiliary display unit 26 that shows information other than the bar display 22 and the color gauge 24. In Fig. 1, the measured value of level A is displayed on the auxiliary display unit 26 as a height value (in mm, millimeters).

[0030] The display unit 20 also displays an output status display section 27. The output status display section 27 displays the status of a signal line whose output changes depending on the relationship between the measured level A and the level setting value. For example, if a signal is transmitted from a specific signal line when the level A exceeds a threshold value defined as the level setting value, a number corresponding to that signal line is displayed in the output status display section 27. For example, in FIG. 1, the bar arrow 22a indicates the topmost section of the three sections of the color gauge 24. This state of the display unit 20 indicates that two threshold values ​​are set as the level setting value and that the measured level A exceeds both of those threshold values.

[0031] If a signal line is provided that outputs a signal when the measured level A exceeds a threshold value, signals are output from two signal lines corresponding to the two threshold values ​​in the state shown in Fig. 1. To indicate that signals are being output from two signal lines in Fig. 1, output status display unit 27 displays numbers (here, "1" and "2") corresponding to the two signal lines that are outputting signals.

[0032] An operation unit 30 is also arranged on the same outer surface of the terminal unit 21 as the display unit 20. The operation unit 30 in FIG. 1 is arranged below the display unit 20. The operation unit 30 includes a menu key 32 and direction keys 33. The direction keys 33 have an up key 36 (up key) and a down key 35 (down key) arranged along the longitudinal direction L. The direction keys 33 also have a left key 38 (left key) and a right key 37 (right key) arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, a center key 39 (center key) is provided on the direction keys 33 at a position surrounded by the up key 36, down key 35, left key 38, and right key 37. The operation unit 30 can be used to switch between displaying a monitor screen and a setting screen.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, an indicator light 52 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base 15a connected to the underside of the terminal unit 21. The lighting state of the indicator light 52 changes depending on the measured level A of the medium 72. A user can roughly know the state of the medium 72 by visually checking the lighting state of the indicator light 52. In FIG. 1, the indicator light 52 is disposed between the terminal unit 21 and the sensor unit 16. The indicator light 52 can emit light in various colors (e.g., green, yellow, red, etc.). It is preferable that the indicator light 52 emit light in a color corresponding to the level range to which the level A measured by the level meter 10 belongs. For example, it is preferable that the indicator light 52 emit light in the same color as the color of the section indicated by the bar arrow 22a of the color gauge 24, which is color-coded for each section.

[0034] A connection part 12 is provided on the rear surface of the terminal part 21 (the part opposite the display part 20). As shown in FIG. 1, the connection part 12 has a cylindrical shape that protrudes from the rear surface of the terminal part 21. The connection part 12 is a terminal for inputting and outputting signals from the outside to the level meter 10. Furthermore, power may be input from the outside to the level meter 10 through the connection part 12. The connection part 12 may include multiple signal lines or multiple terminals. For example, signals may be output to the outside from different signal lines or different output terminals depending on the level range to which the measured level A belongs.

[0035] A communication cable 92 is connected to the connection part 12. The communication cable 92 connects the level meter 10 to a communication adapter 90 provided outside the container 70. A signal indicating the level A of the medium 72 measured by the level meter 10 is transmitted (output) to the communication adapter 90 via the communication cable 92. The communication adapter 90 receives a signal of a first communication protocol, such as a signal for IO-Link (registered trademark), output by the level meter 10. The communication adapter 90 then transmits to the communication terminal 80 a signal of a second communication protocol accepted by the communication terminal 80, such as a signal of the Ethernet standard. Communication between the communication adapter 90 and the communication terminal 80 may be performed by wired communication, but is preferably performed by wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN).

[0036] The communication terminal 80 is an external device of the level meter 10, and is capable of displaying a web screen by running a web browser. The communication terminal 80 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet device, or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0037] The WEB server 91 included in the communication adapter 90 provides a WEB screen to be displayed on the communication terminal 80 based on information indicated by a signal output by the level meter 10. There are multiple types of WEB screens provided by the WEB server 91. The communication terminal 80 can switch between and display multiple types of WEB screens. The multiple WEB screens include, for example, a monitor WEB screen, a diagnostic WEB screen, a setting WEB screen, etc.

[0038] In FIG. 1, a vertically long monitor web screen 81 is displayed on the communication terminal 80. The monitor web screen 81 shows the level A measured by the level meter 10. The monitor web screen 81 includes the bar display 22, bar arrow 22a, color gauge 24, container icon 25, auxiliary display section 26, and the like, which are similar to those of the display section 20 of the level meter 10. The web screen displayed by the communication terminal 80 includes a switching tab group 82, and the switching tab group 82 in FIG. 1 includes a monitor web screen tab 82a, a diagnosis web screen tab 82b, and a settings web screen tab 82c. In FIG. 1, the monitor web screen tab 82a is selected. When another tab included in the switching tab group 82 is selected, the communication terminal 80 displays the web screen corresponding to the selected tab.

[0039] Next, the relationships between the components of the level meter 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates an example of the relationships between the components of the level meter 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the level meter 10 includes a display unit 20, an operation unit 30, a processor 40A, a level determination unit 44, a communication control unit 45A, a communication interface 46A, a memory 50A, and an indicator light 52. The processor 40A is connected to the display unit 20, the operation unit 30, the indicator light 52, the level determination unit 44, the communication control unit 45A, and the memory 50A. The processor 40A includes a display control unit 41, a setting unit 42, and a calculation unit 43. The display control unit 41 controls the display of the display unit 20 (monitor screen, setting screen, etc.) and the indicator light 52. The setting unit 42 updates the operation of the level meter 10 and information related to the container 70 according to user instructions, level measurement results, etc. The calculation unit 43 performs various calculations within the level meter 10.

[0040] The processor 40A realizes various functions by reading and executing program data stored in the memory 50A. Program data for realizing the functions of the display control unit 41, the setting unit 42, and the calculation unit 43 is also stored in the memory 50A, but for convenience, the display control unit 41, the setting unit 42, and the calculation unit 43 are shown within the processor 40A in FIG. 3. In addition to the program data, the memory 50A also stores setting information 51 and a device type 56. The setting information 51 is information about the container 70 (such as dimensions).

[0041] The setting information 51 can be updated in accordance with a user's instruction. For example, the operation unit 30 receives an operation input for setting the setting information on a setting screen, the setting unit 42 determines the updated setting information 51 in accordance with the operation input, and the updated setting information 51 is stored in the memory 50A. The device type 56 is information indicating what type of device the level meter 10 itself is, and for example, a numerical value corresponding to the model number ("XX-X" in FIG. 1) of the level meter 10 itself is stored in the memory 50A as the device type 56. The device type 56 may also include a serial number ("12345" in FIG. 1) assigned to each individual level meter 10.

[0042] The communication control unit 45A controls communication between the level meter 10 and external devices. The communication control unit 45A generates signals for communication according to a first communication protocol, for example, the IO-Link (registered trademark) standard. The signals generated by the communication control unit 45A are then transmitted via the communication interface 46A to a communication cable 92 connected to the connection unit 12 of the level meter 10. The signals transmitted from the level meter 10 include the setting information 51 and device type 56 stored in the memory 50A, information on the level A determined by the level determination unit 44, and the like. The communication interface 46A also receives signals transmitted from external devices, and the communication control unit 45A converts the signals received by the communication interface 46A into a format suitable for processing by the processor 40A and inputs the converted signals to the processor 40A.

[0043] The level determination unit 44 includes a detection element 44a that generates a detection signal in response to the level A of the medium 72 in the container 70. The detection element 44a is, for example, an antenna-integrated MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit). An MMIC is an IC in which multiple semiconductor components that perform tasks such as transmitting and receiving radio waves and processing signals based on the transmitted and received radio waves are integrated into a single semiconductor device (one chip).

[0044] The detection element 44a transmits radio waves that become a measurement signal Tx, and receives a reflected signal Rx resulting from the measurement signal Tx being reflected at the interface 74 of the medium 72. The combination of the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx forms a detection signal that corresponds to the level A of the medium 72. The level determination unit 44 performs signal processing on the measurement signal Tx transmitted by the detection element 44a and the reflected signal Rx received by the detection element 44a as a detection signal generated by the detection element 44a. Based on this detection signal, a detection waveform is acquired that indicates the distance from the installation position (measurement end 40) of the detection element 44a to the interface 74 of the medium 72 and the signal strength of the reflected signal Rx received by the detection element 44a.

[0045] For example, in ToF measurement, the level determination unit 44 calculates the distance B from the measurement end 40 of the level meter 10 to the interface 74 based on the difference between the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx, and determines (calculates) the level A based on the distance B. Also, in radar measurement using FMCW, the level determination unit 44 calculates the distance B from the measurement end 40 to the interface 74 based on the frequency of the waveform obtained by mixing the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx, and determines (calculates) the level A based on the distance B.

[0046] The measurement signal Tx is reflected by the interface 74 of the medium 72 and becomes a reflected signal Rx, which has a waveform with a time difference relative to the measurement signal Tx. This time difference is a value that corresponds to the distance B (FIG. 2) from the measurement end 40 to the interface 74 of the medium 72. If the measurement signal Tx is a signal with a frequency that repeatedly increases and decreases over time in a constant pattern (a frequency-modulated signal), the time difference between the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx can be calculated from the frequency difference between the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx. Therefore, the level determination unit 44 can determine the level A of the medium 72 based on the combination of the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx (detection signal) and setting information related to the container 70 (such as the height of the container 70).

[0047] The setting information for the container 70 includes, for example, a bottom distance D from the level meter 10 to the bottom surface of the container 70 and a top distance C from the level meter 10 to the top surface inside the container 70 (the thickness of the top plate of the container 70 in FIG. 2 ), as shown in FIG. 2 . These setting information items may be set in advance by the setting unit 42 before measurement of the level A is started. The distance from the level meter 10 is, more precisely, the distance from a measurement reference plane (a plane where the distance value is treated as zero) that serves as the measurement reference for the level meter 10. The position of the measurement reference plane is determined in advance before use of the level meter 10 (for example, during design of the level meter 10). For example, the position where the level meter 10 is attached to the container 70 (the position of the outer top surface of the container 70 in FIG. 2 ) is determined as the measurement reference plane. In terms of the position inside the level meter 10, the bottom surface of the attachment portion 17 (the upper end of the attachment thread portion 18) is the measurement reference plane.

[0048] Depending on the measurement environment, the detection element 44a may receive a reflected signal Rx from a location other than the interface 74 of the medium 72 due to factors other than the interface 74 (e.g., equipment such as a stirrer installed in the container 70). In terms of the relationship between the distance calculated by the level determination unit 44 and the intensity of the detection signal (the reflected signal Rx, or a signal obtained by mixing the measurement signal Tx and the reflected signal Rx), it is preferable that a maximum peak is obtained corresponding to the distance B from the measurement end 40 to the interface 74. However, when the reflected signal Rx is received from a location other than the interface 74, peaks other than the maximum peak are also obtained. Such peaks other than the maximum peak tend to appear mainly in a nearby region closer to the level meter 10 (than the interface 74) and a distant region farther from the level meter 10 (than the interface 74). Therefore, it is preferable to set information about a mask region that is excluded from the detection target of the level A by the level meter 10 as the setting information 51. For example, to exclude a nearby region close to the level meter 10 from the detection target, it is preferable to set a nearby boundary closer to the level meter 10 within the range to be detected by the level A. In addition, in order to exclude a distant region far from the level meter 10 from the detection target, it is preferable to set a far boundary on the side far from the level meter 10 within the range that is the detection target of the level A.

[0049] Next, the relationship between the components of the communication adapter 90 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the components included in the communication adapter 90 of the level meter 10. The communication adapter 90 includes a web server 91. The communication adapter 90 further includes an adapter processor 40B, a communication control unit 45B, a communication interface 46B, an adapter memory 50B, a web communication control unit 93, and a web communication interface 94.

[0050] The communication interface 46B of the communication adapter 90 receives a signal of the first protocol transmitted from the communication interface 46A of the level meter 10 via the communication cable 92. The communication control unit 45B of the communication adapter 90 converts the signal of the first protocol into a format suitable for processing by the adapter processor 40B and inputs it to the adapter processor 40B.

[0051] The adapter processor 40B is connected to a communication control unit 45B, an adapter memory 50B, a WEB server 91, and a WEB communication control unit 93. The adapter processor 40B includes a device determination unit 47, a data management unit 48, and a device update unit 49.

[0052] The device determination unit 47 determines the device type of the level meter 10 by receiving information on the device type 56 from the level meter 10. For example, if the device type 56 matches information registered in advance as the model number of the level meter 10, it is determined that the device connected to the communication adapter 90 is the level meter 10. Note that the communication adapter 90 can also be connected to a device other than the level meter 10, and if the device type 56 is information corresponding to a device other than the level meter 10 (for example, a safety laser scanner), it is determined that the device connected to the communication adapter 90 is a device other than the level meter 10.

[0053] The data management unit 48 manages data (information) transmitted from the level meter 10 and data transmitted to the level meter 10. The device update unit 49 performs update processing for a program for operating the level meter 10, such as firmware for the level meter 10, when the program needs to be updated.

[0054] The adapter processor 40B implements various functions by reading and executing program data stored in the adapter memory 50B. Program data for implementing the functions of the device determination unit 47, data management unit 48, and device update unit 49 is also stored in the adapter memory 50B, but for convenience, the device determination unit 47, data management unit 48, and device update unit 49 are shown in the adapter processor 40B in FIG.

[0055] In addition to program data, adapter memory 50B stores a first WEB screen 53a, a second WEB screen 53b, comments 54, and a setting file 55. First WEB screen 53a is data for a WEB screen that is displayed on communication terminal 80 when the device connected to communication adapter 90 is level meter 10. Second WEB screen 53b is data for a WEB screen that is displayed on communication terminal 80 when the device connected to communication adapter 90 is a device other than level meter 10. It is preferable that WEB screen data be prepared individually for each type of device that can be connected to communication adapter 90. Therefore, if there are three or more types of devices that can be connected to communication adapter 90, it is preferable that three or more WEB screens be stored in adapter memory 50B.

[0056] The comment 54 is any comment written by the user. For example, the user can write a comment about the container 70 that is the measurement target of level A, a comment about the level meter 10 used for the measurement, or a comment about the entire level meter system 100, and store the comment 54 in the adapter memory 50B. The user inputs the comment 54 into the communication terminal 80, and the input comment 54 is sent from the communication terminal 80 to the communication adapter 90, where it is stored in the adapter memory 50B.

[0057] The setting file 55 is a data file that describes the setting information 51 stored in the memory 50A of the level meter 10. For example, the user can send the setting file 55 to the communication adapter 90 from the communication terminal 80. The communication adapter 90 can update the current setting information 51 to the content described in this setting file 55 via the web server 91. The communication adapter 90 can also store the current setting information 51 as the setting file 55 in the adapter memory 50B of the communication adapter 90 via the web server 91.

[0058] When the level meter 10 is connected to the communication adapter 90, the web server 91 provides a first web screen 53a as a web screen to be displayed on the communication terminal 80. The first web screen 53a includes a monitor web screen 81 that displays the level A determined by the level determination unit 44 and a diagnostic web screen 83 that displays the setting information 51 in association with the detected waveform. The first web screen 53a may also include a setting web screen 85 for updating the setting information 51. The data for the monitor web screen 81, the diagnostic web screen 83, and the setting web screen 85 are preferably integrated into the data for the single first web screen 53a. The monitor web screen 81, the diagnostic web screen 83, and the setting web screen 85 may be arbitrarily switched within the single first web screen 53a in response to a user operation (e.g., operation of the switching tab group 82). The data for the first web screen 53a may include, for example, an HTML file that describes the content included in the web screen, a CSS file that specifies the layout of the web screen, a JavaScript (registered trademark) file that enables dynamic display of the web screen, and the like. The WEB server 91 generates data for the first WEB screen 53a based on a user command transmitted from the communication terminal 80 and data transmitted from the level meter 10, and stores the data in the adapter memory 50B.

[0059] Based on the data transmitted from the level meter 10, the WEB communication control unit 93 acquires level meter information, including the level A determined by the level determination unit 44 of the level meter 10, the detection waveform generated by the detection element 44a, and the setting information 51 stored in the memory 50A of the level meter 10. The WEB communication control unit 93 then converts the level meter information and information for a WEB browser, including data on the first WEB screen 53a (such as data on the monitor WEB screen 81 and data on the diagnostic WEB screen 83), into signals conforming to a second communication protocol (e.g., Ethernet) accepted by the communication terminal 80. The WEB communication interface 94 then transmits the signals conforming to the second communication protocol to the communication terminal 80. The WEB communication interface 94 may be a wireless communication interface. The wireless communication interface wirelessly communicates with the communication terminal 80 according to a wireless communication protocol such as wireless LAN. Regarding the communication adapter 90 as a whole, the measurement data transmitted from the level meter 10 to the communication adapter 90 is converted into data for a WEB screen displayed on the communication terminal 80 and transmitted to the communication terminal 80.

[0060] Furthermore, the WEB communication control unit 93 and the WEB communication interface 94 receive signals of the second communication protocol transmitted from the communication terminal 80. The signals transmitted from the communication terminal 80 include commands (requests) from the user. The requests are processed by the adapter processor 40B and converted into commands for the level meter 10. The communication control unit 45B and the communication interface 46B of the communication adapter 90 convert the commands for the level meter 10 into signals of the first communication protocol and transmit them to the level meter 10. Looking at the communication adapter 90 as a whole, a request from the communication terminal 80 to the communication adapter 90 requesting data for a WEB screen is converted into a request for measurement data for the level meter 10 and transmitted to the level meter 10.

[0061] The web server 91 provides the first web screen 53a, which includes the monitor web screen 81 that displays information about the level meter 10 and the diagnostic web screen 83. This allows communication with the level meter 10 from any device (such as a communication terminal 80, such as a tablet device) equipped with a web browser. This eliminates the need for a dedicated device for communication with the level meter 10, facilitating communication. An IP address corresponding to the level meter 10 is set in the first web screen 53a. Specifically, when the communication terminal 80 communicates with the level meter 10, the communication terminal 80 can communicate with the level meter 10 by accessing the IP address corresponding to the level meter 10 using a web browser. If the web server 91 provides first web screens 53a with different IP addresses for different level meters 10, it becomes possible to access multiple level meters 10 from a single communication terminal 80 simply by switching the IP address. Since the level meter 10 can be accessed from any device equipped with a web browser, a variety of users can access the level meter 10. In this case, since the first WEB screen 53a also includes content that allows changes to the settings of the level meter 10 (such as the setting information 51), there is a possibility that other users may change the settings of the level meter 10 determined by a specific user. Therefore, the ability to change the settings may be limited to specific users. For example, to allow only users who know the password to access the level meter 10, the communication terminal 80 may be configured to request input of a password for accessing the level meter 10 when communication is made from the communication terminal 80 to the level meter 10 (or when a user attempts to access an element related to changing the settings of the level meter 10). The verification password (a correct password established as a password for access) is encrypted and stored in advance in the level meter 10 (particularly in the memory 50A). The password entered from the communication terminal 80 is encrypted in the same way as the verification password before being communicated. The level meter 10 accepts the password entered from the communication terminal 80 and compares the entered password with the verification password.If the entered password matches the verification password (if the correct password is presented), access to the level meter 10 from the communication terminal 80 is permitted. In this case, it is also possible to change the settings of the level meter 10 from the communication terminal 80. If the correct password is not entered, access to the level meter 10 from the communication terminal 80 is denied. Alternatively, even if access itself is possible, it may be possible to make it impossible to change the settings of the level meter 10 from a communication terminal 80 that does not present the correct password. The verification password may be changeable by a user who knows the password. If the verification password is changed, the changed password is encrypted and stored in the level meter 10.

[0062] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a monitor web screen 81 (landscape). In FIG. 1, the communication terminal 80 is positioned vertically and a vertically oriented monitor web screen 81 is displayed, whereas in FIG. 5, the communication terminal 80 is positioned horizontally and a horizontally oriented monitor web screen 81 is displayed. Whether the vertically oriented monitor web screen 81 or the horizontally oriented monitor web screen 81 is displayed may be automatically switched depending on the orientation of the communication terminal 80. For example, the communication terminal 80 may be provided with an acceleration sensor so that the communication terminal 80 can detect its own orientation (posture). In addition, the data for the monitor web screen 81 may include information (such as a CSS file) that defines the screen layout for each of the vertical and horizontal orientations.

[0063] The monitor web screen 81 includes a switching tab group 82, a level display area 81a, a device information display area 81b, an application information display area 81c, and an output status display area 81d. The level display area 81a includes the bar display 22, bar arrow 22a, color gauge 24, container icon 25, auxiliary display section 26, and the like, which are similar to the display section 20 of the level meter 10.

[0064] The device information display area 81b displays information based on the information included in the device type 56 stored in the memory 50A of the level meter 10 and the information included in the comment 54 stored in the adapter memory 50B of the communication adapter 90. Specifically, in FIG. 5, the information included in the device type 56 displays the type name of the level meter 10 (Device: Radar Level Sensor), the model number of the level meter 10 (Model: XX-XX), and the serial number (Serial: 12345). Also, the information included in the comment 54 displays the name (Name: ...) given to the level meter 10 by the user. This name can also be changed by the user on the monitor web screen 81. In FIG. 5, an "Edit" button is displayed, and the user can edit the name by operating the "Edit" button using the input function of the communication terminal 80 (for example, the touch panel function of a tablet device). The new name data edited by the user is transmitted from the communication terminal 80 to the WEB server 91 in the communication adapter 90, and the WEB server 91 stores the new name data in the adapter memory 50B as part of the comment 54 for the level meter 10.

[0065] The application information display area 81c displays supplemental information about the status of the level meter 10 that is not displayed in the level display area 81a and the device information display area 81b. The application information display area 81c in FIG. 5 displays the percentage (Percent) of the current level A relative to the full capacity (100%) of the container 70, the distance (Distance from Sensor) from the level meter 10 to the interface 74, and an application value (Application Value) defined by the user. The application value can be set arbitrarily by the user. For example, depending on the model of the level meter 10 (information included in the device type 56), the change in level A over a certain period of time or a flow rate equivalent value of the medium 72 in the container 70 can be displayed as the application value. In FIG. 5, the change in level A per hour (mm / hour) is displayed as the application value. This change is set to 0 if there is no change in level A between one hour ago and the current time. When the flow rate equivalent value is displayed as the application value, the change in level A is converted to the flow rate of the medium 72, such as the volume change per hour or the weight change per hour of the medium 72. The converted value (flow rate conversion value) is then displayed as the application value. For example, based on container information such as the volume of the container 70 and data such as the specific gravity of the medium 72, the change in level A converted into the flow rate of the medium 72 (the amount flowing out of the container 70 or the amount flowing into the container 70) is calculated. The data required for this conversion may be pre-stored in the memory 50 as setting information 51. The setting information 51 can be changed on a diagnostic web screen 83 or a setting web screen 85 (described later). The application value may also display a value obtained by converting the change in level A into the volume or weight change of the medium 72. Here, the volume or weight change may not only be the amount of change per unit time (flow rate) but also the total amount of change within a specific period (integrated value). The display field for the application value may preferably display at least one of the flow rate, volume change, and weight change, but may also display a combination of these. The application information display area 81c in FIG. 5 also displays the signal stability. This indicates how stably the value of Level A is measured by the level meter 10.In Figure 5, stability is indicated by four levels of antenna marks, and the current stability level is the third level.

[0066] The output status display area 81d displays the same information as the output status display unit 27 included in the display unit 20 of the level meter 10. Since the current value of level A shown in FIG. 5 exceeds the two threshold values ​​shown on the color gauge 24, signals are output from two signal lines (some of the multiple signal lines included in the connection unit 12) corresponding to the two threshold values. The output status display area 81d in FIG. 5 shows that the displays corresponding to the two signal lines outputting signals (here, "Out1" and "Out2") are in the "ON" state, and the other signal lines (here, "Out3", "Out4", and "Out5") are in the "OFF" state.

[0067] When the user operates the monitor WEB screen tab 82a, the diagnostic WEB screen tab 82b, or the setting WEB screen tab 82c of the switching tab group 82 displayed on the communication terminal 80, the display on the communication terminal 80 switches to the monitor WEB screen 81, the diagnostic WEB screen 83, or the setting WEB screen 85, respectively.

[0068] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a diagnostic web screen 83 that is displayed on the communication terminal 80 when the diagnostic web screen tab 82b is operated. Although the diagnostic web screen 83 shown in Fig. 6 is a horizontally long screen, the diagnostic web screen 83 may be displayed vertically depending on the orientation of the communication terminal 80. The diagnostic web screen 83 includes a switching tab group 82, a troubleshooting display area 83a, an adaptive function display area 83b, a container display area 83c, a waveform display area 83d, and a settings display area 83e.

[0069] The troubleshooting display area 83a displays information explaining how to operate the level meter 10. If a problem occurs when using the level meter 10, such as when the user does not know how to operate the level meter 10 or when measurements are not performed as intended, the user can solve the problem (troubleshoot) by performing operations in accordance with the content displayed in the troubleshooting display area 83a.

[0070] The display in the troubleshooting display area 83a shown in FIG. 6 is collapsed. If the user requires more detailed troubleshooting, the user can unfold the collapsed display (for example, by operating the ">" mark displayed at the beginning of each sentence) to obtain a more detailed explanation on how to solve the problem. The troubleshooting display area 83a may display an explanation of matters requiring attention when using the level meter 10. For example, the troubleshooting display area 83a may display a message urging the user to properly set setting information such as the upper surface distance C and the lower surface distance D described below. The troubleshooting display may be configured to switch for each user's work procedure (step).

[0071] The adaptation function display area 83b displays options regarding whether or not to execute an adaptation function (adjustment function) described below. In Fig. 6, the adaptation function is executed by selecting the option "Execute adapt function again."

[0072] The container display area 83c displays an imitation of the container 70 and the level meter 10, as well as a display according to the level A determined by the level determination unit 44. Here, the display according to the level A is a bar display whose length expands and contracts according to the measurement value of the level A. It is preferable that this bar display fluctuates according to the measurement value of the actual level A measured by the level meter 10. Furthermore, the container display area 83c displays a level display graphic 60A, an interface distance graphic 60B, a container upper surface graphic 60C, and a container lower surface graphic 60D superimposed on each other.

[0073] The level indicator graphic 60A is a graphic that indicates level A. In Fig. 6, the level indicator graphic 60A is represented by a line parallel to the bottom surface of the indicator simulating the container 70, a line parallel to the interface 74 of the indicator simulating the medium 72, an arrow extending between them, and the letter "A" attached to the arrow.

[0074] The interface distance graphic 60B is a graphic that shows the distance B (interface distance B) from (the measurement reference surface of) the level meter 10 to the interface 74. In Fig. 6, the interface distance graphic 60B is represented by a line parallel to the measurement reference surface, a line parallel to the interface 74, an arrow extending between them, and the letter "B" attached to the arrow.

[0075] The container top surface graphic 60C is a graphic that indicates the top surface distance C from (the measurement reference surface of) the level meter 10 to the top surface of the container 70. In Fig. 6, the container top surface graphic 60C is represented by a line parallel to the measurement reference surface, a line parallel to the top surface of the container 70, an arrow extending between them, and the letter "C" attached to the arrow.

[0076] The container bottom surface graphic 60D is a graphic that indicates the bottom distance D from (the measurement reference surface of) the level meter 10 to the bottom surface of the container 70. In Fig. 6, the container bottom surface graphic 60D is represented by a line parallel to the measurement reference surface, a line parallel to the bottom surface of the container 70, an arrow extending between them, and the letter "D" attached to the arrow.

[0077] The level meter 10 directly measures the interface distance B, and by subtracting this value from the bottom distance D, the value of the level A of the interface 74 of the medium 72 in the container 70 is obtained (A=DB). By displaying the level display graphic 60A, the interface distance graphic 60B, and the container bottom surface graphic 60D, it becomes easier to visually understand the relationship between the level A, the interface distance B, and the bottom surface distance D. In addition, by displaying the container top surface graphic 60C, it becomes easier to visually understand that the level meter 10 is positioned further above the top surface of the container 70.

[0078] The waveform display area 83d displays a detected waveform relating to distance and signal strength, which is acquired by the level determination unit 44 based on the detection signal generated by the detection element 44a of the level meter 10. The signal strength of the detected waveform corresponds to the signal strength of the reflected signal Rx received by the detection element 44a, and the distance of the detected waveform corresponds to the distance from the measurement reference surface of the level meter 10 to the position where the reflected signal Rx is estimated to have been reflected.

[0079] The waveform display area 83d in FIG. 6 displays a detected waveform graph P, which is a display corresponding to the detected waveform (Echo curve). The detected waveform graph P in FIG. 6 is shown with distance on the vertical axis and signal strength on the horizontal axis. The waveform display area 83d is displayed alongside the container display area 83c. The origin of the vertical axis (distance) of the detected waveform graph P in the waveform display area 83d is aligned with the height of the measurement reference surface of the level meter 10 in the container display area 83c. By setting the vertical axis of the detected waveform graph P to distance, the direction of fluctuation (height) of the level A coincides with the direction of the vertical axis of the detected waveform graph P. This makes it easier for the user to visually grasp the strength of the signal strength obtained at which position in the container 70. The waveform display area 83d also displays a learning waveform PL (Learning curve). The learning waveform PL is indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 6. The learning waveform PL represents an unnecessary waveform in the detected waveform graph P that is thought to originate from something other than the level A being measured. For example, for a detected waveform including an unwanted waveform, a peak corresponding to level A is selected using an adaptive function, etc., as described below, and the level meter 10 learns (learns) the waveform other than the selected peak as an unwanted waveform. The learned content may be stored in memory 50A. A waveform representing the learned unwanted waveform is then displayed in the waveform display area 83d as a learning waveform PL. Waveforms similar to the learning waveform PL in the detected waveform graph P are excluded from the detection target for level A. In FIG. 6, the waveform other than the peak corresponding to level A of the interface 74 is covered by the learning waveform PL. Therefore, only the peak corresponding to level A is targeted for detection. By displaying the detected waveform graph P and the learning waveform PL in the waveform display area 83d, the user can confirm whether the learning was performed correctly. For example, by confirming that the waveform other than the peak corresponding to level A in the detected waveform graph P is covered by the learning waveform PL, as shown in FIG. 6, the user can easily visually understand that the unwanted waveform has been correctly removed from the detection target by learning.

[0080] Then, a nearby mask area graphic 60E and a distant mask area graphic 60F are displayed superimposed from the container display area 83c to the waveform display area 83d. The nearby mask area graphic 60E is a graphic that indicates a nearby boundary E on the side closer to the level meter 10 within the range that is the detection target of level A by the level meter 10. Detection signals obtained at a distance closer to the level meter 10 than this nearby boundary E are excluded (masked) from the detection target of level A. In Figure 6, the nearby mask area graphic 60E is represented by a line parallel to the measurement reference plane of the level meter 10, a line parallel to the nearby boundary E, an arrow extending between them, and the letter "E" attached to the arrow.

[0081] The far mask area graphic 60F is a graphic that indicates the far boundary F, which is farther from the level meter 10, of the range that is the detection target of the level A by the level meter 10. Detection signals obtained at a distance farther from the level meter 10 than this far boundary F are excluded (masked) from the detection target of the level A. In FIG. 6, the far mask area graphic 60F is represented by a line parallel to the measurement reference plane of the level meter 10, a line parallel to the far boundary F, an arrow extending between them, and the letter "F" attached to the arrow.

[0082] The near mask area graphic 60E and the far mask area graphic 60F may be displayed in at least one of the container display area 83c and the waveform display area 83d. This graphic allows the user to easily visually grasp the range of the level A to be detected by the level meter 10.

[0083] The setting display area 83e displays information according to the setting information 51. The setting display area 83e in Fig. 6 also displays information according to the level A and the interface distance B. In Fig. 6, the level A and the interface distance B, as well as the upper surface distance C, the lower surface distance D, the near boundary E, and the far boundary F, which are part of the setting information 51, are displayed as numerical values ​​(unit: mm).

[0084] Furthermore, setting display area 83e includes an upper surface distance input field 84C, a lower surface distance input field 84D, a near boundary input field 84E, and a far boundary input field 84F as setting input fields that accept an operation to input the numerical values ​​of upper surface distance C, lower surface distance D, near boundary E, and far boundary F. The numerical values ​​of upper surface distance C, lower surface distance D, near boundary E, and far boundary F are displayed in upper surface distance input field 84C, lower surface distance input field 84D, near boundary input field 84E, and far boundary input field 84F, respectively.

[0085] The user can change the settings of the upper surface distance C, lower surface distance D, near boundary E, and far boundary F by entering new numerical values ​​for the upper surface distance C, lower surface distance D, near boundary E, and far boundary F in the lower surface distance input field 84D, near boundary input field 84E, and far boundary input field 84F, respectively, and then applying the input (by operating the ``Apply'' button).

[0086] Here, in order to prevent the reflected signal Rx reflected at the bottom surface of the container 70 from being excluded from detection when there is no medium 72 in the container 70 (when the container 70 is empty), it is preferable to set the far boundary F to a value (here, 6000 mm) greater than the bottom surface distance D (here, 4000 mm).

[0087] Similarly, when the container 70 is filled to the limit with the medium 72 (when the container 70 is full), it is preferable to set the proximity boundary E to a value (here, 700 mm) smaller than the top surface distance C (here, 1000 mm) so that the reflected signal Rx reflected near the top surface of the container 70 is not excluded from detection.

[0088] When the settings of the upper surface distance C, the lower surface distance D, the near boundary E, and the far boundary F, which are part of the setting information 51, are changed, the display of the container display area 83c and the waveform display area 83d is updated according to the changed setting information 51. Here, it is preferable that the display of the container display area 83c and the waveform display area 83d be scaled according to the changed setting information 51.

[0089] The display of the container display area 83c and the waveform display area 83d is scaled, which means that the display of the container 70 and the level meter 10 in the container display area 83c and the waveform display area 83d, and the display of the detected waveform graph P, are changed in scale so that they remain within a certain range of size.

[0090] For example, when the upper surface distance C and the lower surface distance D are changed, the size of the container 70 is changed. However, if the displayed container 70 becomes extremely large or extremely small, it becomes difficult for the user to visually grasp the change in the medium 72 in the container 70. Therefore, it is preferable that the displayed size of the container 70, etc., remains within a range of sizes that are easy for the user to visually grasp. For example, it is preferable that the display scale be changed (scaled) so that the displayed size does not fall below a predetermined minimum display size in the container display area 83c and the waveform display area 83d or does not exceed a predetermined maximum display size.

[0091] The setting display area 83e also allows the user to set the signal sensitivity. In FIG. 6, the signal sensitivity is set to "2." However, the user can change the signal sensitivity by using a pull-down list to select a desired value from pre-defined options or by directly entering a value. When the signal sensitivity is changed, the sensitivity threshold Ps (Sensitivity Threshold), displayed as a dashed-dotted line in the waveform display area 83d, changes. The level meter 10 excludes signal intensities below the sensitivity threshold Ps from its detection targets. Therefore, increasing the signal sensitivity causes the level meter 10 to respond to even slight signal intensities, whereas decreasing the signal sensitivity causes the level meter 10 to stop responding to signals of moderate intensity.

[0092] Next, the adaptation function (adjustment function) will be explained using Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the display of the communication terminal 80 when the adaptation function is executed. When the adaptation function is executed from the adaptation function display area 83b of the diagnostic web screen 83, the display of the communication terminal 80 transitions to the adaptation function screen 62 of Fig. 7.

[0093] The adaptive function screen 62 includes a container display area 83c and a waveform display area 83d. The display of the container display area 83c and the waveform display area 83d is the same as that of the diagnostic web screen 83. The adaptive function screen 62 also includes an interface option 63. The interface option 63 lists the numerical values ​​(unit: mm) of the distance (distance from the level meter 10) corresponding to the peaks appearing in the detected waveform graph P and the signal intensity at the peaks. Note that when displaying the interface option 63, it is preferable that all detected peaks are displayed without consideration of the settings (mask settings) of the near boundary E and the far boundary F, the learning waveform PL, the signal sensitivity settings, etc. However, it is also possible to take into consideration at least some of these settings. For example, it is possible to prevent the number of options from becoming too large by removing peaks that clearly do not correspond to level A from the options.

[0094] The user can adjust which peak corresponds to the level A of the measurement target by selecting the value from the interface options 63 that is deemed appropriate as the interface distance B corresponding to the level A of the actual interface 74 in the container 70. Basically, the peak with the highest signal strength (the peak at 1960 mm, which has a signal strength of 4 in FIG. 7 ) corresponds to the level A of the measurement target. However, the peak with the highest signal strength may not necessarily correspond to the level A of the measurement target (for example, if there is a structure inside the container 70 that easily reflects the measurement signal Tx). Therefore, the user should select an appropriate option from the interface options 63 taking into account the circumstances of each individual container 70. Here, if all peaks detected without taking into account mask settings, learning, etc., are displayed, the user can select the peak corresponding to the actual level A from the interface options 63, even if a peak that is removed from the detection target by mask settings, learning, etc. actually corresponds to level A. Each time the user selects an individual option from the interface options 63 on the adaptive function screen 62, the container display area 83c is redrawn so that the position of the interface 74 of the medium 72 changes according to the selected option. FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the option 63a "1960 mm" is selected. The position of the interface 74 in the container display area 83c represents a distance of 1960 mm from the level gauge 10. This makes it easier for the user to visually grasp the position of the container 70 corresponding to the distance of the selected option 63a. Furthermore, on the adaptive function screen 62, in order to indicate which peak in the detected waveform graph P corresponds to the selected option 63a, a line passing through the peak corresponding to the selected option 63a (represented by the dashed line 64 extending horizontally from the interface 74 in FIG. 7) is displayed on the detected waveform graph P in the waveform display area 83d. The position of the interface 74 in the container display area 83c and the line passing through the peaks of the detected waveform graph P in the waveform display area 83d are redrawn each time an individual option is selected from the interface options 63.For example, when option 63b with a distance of "3124 mm" is selected, the position of the interface 74 is redrawn to match the distance of option 63b, so that it is at the position represented by the virtual line 74z (two-dot chain line) within the container 70 in FIG. 7. At this time, the level display graphic 60A and the interface distance graphic 60B are also redrawn to match the distance of option 63b. Then, the line passing through the peak of the detected waveform graph P is redrawn to match the position of the line represented by the two-dot chain line 64z extending horizontally from the container display area 83c to the waveform display area 83d in FIG. 7, in order to indicate the peak corresponding to option 63b.

[0095] When the user selects an option that he or she considers appropriate from the interface options 63 and then presses the "Yes" button, the level meter 10 stores the selected option as the peak corresponding to the level A of the measurement target, and the display on the communication terminal 80 returns to the diagnostic web screen 83. The peak selection may be stored as data included in the setting information 51. If the user wishes to cancel the peak selection, the user can cancel the peak selection by operating the "Cancel adapt function" button included in the adaptive function display area 83b.

[0096] Next, the setting web screen 85 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the setting web screen 85 displayed on the communication terminal 80 when the setting web screen tab 82c is operated. The setting web screen 85 includes a setting information input / output panel 85a, a setting type classification tab 85b, and a setting item group 85c.

[0097] The setting item group 85c is a group of items for making various settings related to the operation of the level meter 10. Settings that can be set in the setting item group 85c include setting information 51 (top surface distance C, bottom surface distance D, etc.) related to the container 70, which can also be set on the diagnostic web screen 83. Other setting items include, for example, setting multiple level setting values ​​(threshold values) related to level A, PNP / NPN setting (whether the characteristics of the transistors used for the external output and external input of the level meter 10 are PNP type or NPN type), and output logic setting (whether normally open or normally closed).

[0098] The contents set in the setting item group 85c are sent to the level meter 10 by operating the "Upload" button included in the setting information input / output panel 85a, and are reflected in the actual operation of the level meter 10. On the other hand, by operating the "Download" button included in the setting information input / output panel 85a, the contents of the setting items currently applied to the level meter 10 are displayed in the setting item group 85c.

[0099] If the user owns a settings file describing the contents of the setting items that can be set in the setting item group 85c (including the setting information 51 related to the container 70), the user can send the settings file to the web server 91 by operating the “Load file” button included in the setting information input / output panel 85a. By accepting the settings file describing the contents of the setting items, including the setting information 51 related to the container 70, the web server 91 can update the contents of the setting items, including the setting information 51, stored in the memory 50A of the level meter 10 to the contents described in the settings file. If the contents of the setting items can be updated collectively using the settings file, the user would not need to operate each setting item one by one in the setting item group 85c, which would be highly convenient. Furthermore, the user can obtain the data of the settings file describing the contents of the setting items currently applied to the level meter 10 by operating the “Save file” button included in the setting information input / output panel 85a. When a user makes settings that are expected to be used repeatedly, the user can obtain the data in the setting file at that time, and in subsequent work, use the setting file to update the contents of the setting items, thereby eliminating the need to operate the setting item group 85c.

[0100] In the above embodiment, communication from the communication terminal 80 to the level meter 10 is performed via the communication adapter 90 equipped with the WEB server 91, but the level meter 10 itself may be equipped with a WEB server 91 that provides WEB screens (monitor WEB screen 81, diagnostic WEB screen 83, etc.) that can be displayed in a WEB browser. If the level meter 10 is equipped with the WEB server 91, communication can be performed directly with the level meter 10 from the communication terminal 80 using the WEB browser (without going through the communication adapter 90).

[0101] In the above, a case has been described in which a level meter 10 is connected to a communications adapter 90 equipped with a web server 91, but it is also possible to connect devices other than the level meter 10 to this communications adapter 90. If the device type 56 (FIG. 3) of the device connected to the communications adapter 90 is not that of the level meter 10, the web server 91 provides a second web screen 53b (FIG. 4) corresponding to the device other than the level meter 10. The communications terminal 80 can easily communicate with devices other than the level meter 10 by accessing the IP address corresponding to this second web screen 53b with a web browser.

[0102] An example of a device other than the level meter 10 is a safety laser scanner. A safety laser scanner is a device that uses laser light to detect when a person enters a pre-defined area (protected area, warning area, etc.). Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a web screen for a safety laser scanner. Fig. 9 shows a monitor screen 200 of the safety laser scanner.

[0103] The monitor screen 200 includes a group of screen switching tabs 210, a left camera image 255L, a right camera image 255R, and a setting area image 240. The group of screen switching tabs 210 includes a setting screen tab 211, a monitor screen tab 212, and a history screen tab 213.

[0104] When a monitor screen tab 212 is selected on the communication terminal 80 that communicates with the safety laser scanner, a monitor screen 200 is displayed. A setting area image 240 on the monitor screen 200 displays, in a bird's-eye view, the setting states of a protection area 205 and a warning area 206 that are set on a setting screen (a screen separate from the monitor screen 200) that can be accessed from the setting screen tab 211. The protection area 205 extends in front of the safety laser scanner 201, and the warning area 206 covers a slightly wider area than the protection area 205.

[0105] The left camera image 255L and the right camera image 255R show images captured by a camera provided in the safety laser scanner 201. The left camera image 255L is an image obtained by capturing an image to the left as seen from the safety laser scanner 201. The right camera image 255R is an image obtained by capturing an image to the right as seen from the safety laser scanner 201. In the left camera image 255L and the right camera image 255R, the range of the protection area 205 is displayed with shading so that the extent of the indoor area that is set as the protection area 205 can be visually seen. Furthermore, in the left camera image 255L and the right camera image 255R, the boundary of the warning area 206 is shown with a dashed line so that the extent of the indoor area that is set as the warning area 206 can be visually seen.

[0106] When the safety laser scanner 201 detects that a person has entered the warning area 206, a warning is issued to the person (such as sounding an alarm or turning on an alarm lamp). When the safety laser scanner 201 detects that a person has entered the protection area 205, safety measures are taken, such as stopping nearby machinery, to prevent danger to the person.

[0107] If the extent of the protection area 205 and the warning area 206 can be visually confirmed from a web browser, as on monitor screen 200, people visiting a facility where protection area 205 and warning area 206 have been set can know in advance the extent of the actual protection area 205 and warning area 206 indoors, and can prevent them from inadvertently entering warning area 206 and sounding an alarm, or from entering protection area 205 and stopping machinery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Level meter 15 Case 15a Base 16 Sensor section 17 Mounting part 20 Display section 21 Terminal 22 bar display 24 Color Gauge 26 Auxiliary display 30 Control section 81 Monitor WEB screen 83 Diagnostic Web Screen 85 Setting WEB screen 44 Level Determination Section 44a Detector element 52 Indicator light 70 containers 72 Medium 74 Interface 90 Communication adapter 91 Web Server 100 Level Meter System

Claims

1. a sensing element for generating a detection signal in response to the level of the medium in the container; a memory for storing setting information relating to the container; a level determination unit that acquires a detection waveform relating to distance and signal strength based on a detection signal generated by the detection element, and determines the level based on the detection waveform and the setting information; a display unit that displays a monitor screen showing the level determined by the level determination unit and a setting screen for setting the setting information; an operation unit that receives an operation input for setting the setting information; a web server that provides a monitor web screen that shows the level determined by the level determination unit and a diagnosis web screen that displays the setting information and the detected waveform in association with each other; A level meter equipped with:

2. The diagnostic web screen is a container display area where a display imitating the container and the level meter and a display according to the level determined by the level determination unit are displayed; a waveform display area where a display according to the detected waveform is performed; a setting display area where a display according to the setting information is performed; 10. The level meter of claim 1, comprising:

3. The level meter according to claim 2 , wherein the diagnostic web screen further includes a troubleshooting display area in which a display explaining how to operate the level meter is displayed.

4. The level meter according to claim 2 , wherein the displays of the container display area and the waveform display area are scaled in accordance with the setting information.

5. In at least one of the container display area and the waveform display area, a container upper surface graphic, a container lower surface graphic, a nearby mask area graphic, and a distant mask area graphic are displayed according to the setting information; the top surface figure is a figure indicating a top surface distance from the level meter to a top surface of the container, the bottom surface figure is a figure indicating a bottom surface distance from the level meter to a bottom surface of the container, the neighborhood mask region figure is a figure that indicates a neighborhood boundary on a side closer to the level meter within a range that is a target for detecting the level by the level meter, the far mask region figure is a figure indicating a far boundary of a range that is a target for detecting the level by the level meter, the far boundary being farther from the level meter; 3. The level meter according to claim 2.

6. the setting display area includes setting input fields that accept an operation to input numerical values ​​of the upper surface distance, the lower surface distance, the near boundary, and the far boundary; 6. The level meter according to claim 5, wherein the display of the container top surface graphic, the container bottom surface graphic, the near mask area graphic, and the far mask area graphic changes dynamically according to a value input in the setting input field.

7. 2. The level meter according to claim 1, wherein the web server updates the setting information stored in the memory of the level meter to the content described in the setting file by accepting a setting file describing the setting information.

8. a level meter including: a detection element that generates a detection signal corresponding to the level of a medium in a container; a memory that stores setting information related to the container; a level determination unit that acquires a detection waveform related to distance and signal strength based on the detection signal generated by the detection element and determines the level based on the detection waveform and the setting information; a display unit that displays a monitor screen showing the level determined by the level determination unit and a setting screen for setting the setting information; and an operation unit that receives operation input for setting the setting information; a web server that communicates with the level meter and provides a monitor web screen that shows the level determined by the level determination unit and a diagnostic web screen that displays the setting information and the detected waveform in association with each other; a communication terminal that communicates with the web server and operates a web browser that displays the monitor web screen and the diagnostic web screen; Level gauge system including:

9. A communication adapter for a level meter system that relays communication from the level meter to the communication terminal in the level meter system according to claim 8, The web server is provided, receiving a signal of a first communication protocol output by the level meter, and acquiring level meter information including the level determined by the level determination unit, the detected waveform, and the setting information; A communication adapter for a level meter system that transmits information for a web browser, including the level meter information, the data of the monitor web screen, and the data of the diagnostic web screen, to the communication terminal using a second communication protocol accepted by the communication terminal.

10. The communication adapter for a level meter system according to claim 9, further comprising a wireless communication interface for wirelessly communicating with the communication terminal.

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