Horizontal adjustment device and drug inspection device

Abstract

The present invention provides a horizontal adjustment device that allows the operator to perform horizontal adjustment of a weighing scale without having to directly visually inspect the scale. [Solution] The horizontal adjustment device 100 has an adjuster 2 that adjusts the tilt of the measuring surface 101 of the weighing scale 10 with respect to the horizontal HD. The horizontal adjustment device 100 includes a detector 31 and a guide 32. The detector 31 is mounted on a mounting surface 13 that has a certain angle with respect to the measuring surface 101. The detector 31 detects the tilt of the measuring surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD based on the tilt of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the horizontal HD. The guide 32 guides the amount to adjust the adjuster 2 so that the tilt of the measuring surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is within the measurable range HD, if the tilt of the measuring surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD detected by the detector 31 does not bring the weight of the object to be measured 9 within the measurable range HD.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a horizontal adjustment device for performing a horizontal adjustment operation of a weighing scale that weighs the weight of a drug provided in a facility or the like that handles drugs, and a drug inspection device including the horizontal adjustment device.

Background Art

[0002] In facilities that handle drugs such as pharmacies, drugs based on prescriptions written by doctors are provided to patients. Since various problems occur when inappropriate drugs not based on prescriptions are provided to patients, pharmacists (operators) who provide drugs appropriately monitor whether appropriate drugs based on prescriptions are being provided. In recent years, for the purpose of reducing the burden of drug provision work for operators, the number of facilities introducing drug inspection devices that assist in the inspection work performed by operators has been increasing. Such drug inspection devices assist the inspection work performed by operators by identifying whether the drug provided to the patient is an appropriate drug and recording the drug provided to the patient.

[0003] The drug inspection device of Patent Document 1 is an example of a drug inspection device and includes a measuring instrument (scale) for weighing the weight of a drug prepared by an operator. In the drug inspection device of Patent Document 1, based on the weight of the drug measured by the measuring instrument, it is confirmed whether the drug prepared by the operator is an appropriate amount.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, weighing scales, such as those used in the drug auditing device described in Patent Document 1, may not be able to weigh drugs with sufficient accuracy due to disturbances from the surrounding environment, specifically the influence of wind. If a windbreak is installed around the weighing scale to mitigate the effects of wind, the windbreak obstructs the operator's direct view of the weighing scale. As a result, the operator cannot perform the horizontal adjustment of the weighing scale while visually checking the level indicator. Consequently, the operator must alternate between visually checking the level indicator and performing the horizontal adjustment of the weighing scale, which increases the difficulty of the horizontal adjustment process. Furthermore, while the horizontal adjustment of the weighing scale is performed using, for example, the level indicator attached to the weighing scale, some operators may not know how to perform the horizontal adjustment in relation to the level indicator's display.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a horizontal adjustment device and a chemical inspection device that enable the operator to perform horizontal adjustment work on a weighing scale without having to directly visually inspect the weighing scale. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a horizontal adjustment device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention is provided. A weighing scale having a weighing surface on which an object to be weighed is placed, and weighing the weight of the object placed on the weighing surface, comprising a horizontal adjustment device having an adjuster capable of adjusting the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction, comprising a detector capable of detecting the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction, and a guide that, when the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction detected by the detector is outside the measurable range in which the weight of the object to be weighed can be measured with a weighing accuracy suitable for the object to be weighed, guides the amount of adjustment of the adjuster so that the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction comes within the measurable range, further comprising a mounting surface that forms a certain angle with the weighing surface and on which the detector can be attached, wherein the detector is located on the mounting surface The weighing scale comprises a sensor capable of measuring tilt in the horizontal direction, a calculation unit that calculates the difference between the measurement result of the sensor and the tilt of the mounting surface relative to the weighing surface when the tilt of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction is within the measurable range, and sets the difference as the tilt of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction, and further comprises a housing capable of housing the weighing scale, the mounting surface being provided on the outside of the housing, and further comprises an information processing terminal having the detector and the guide device, the information processing terminal being attached to the mounting surface of the housing, and the adjuster being provided such that at least a portion of it is located on the outside of the housing, and the tilt of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction is adjustable from outside the housing. It is characterized by the following.

[0008] According to the horizontal adjustment device of the present invention, the guide device guides the operator to adjust the adjuster by an amount such that the tilt of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction is within the weighable range.

[0009] Furthermore, preferably, the horizontal adjustment device according to the present invention The system comprises an information processing terminal having the detector and the guide device. It is characterized by the following.

[0010] In this case, The structure of the horizontal adjustment device will be simplified. .

[0011] Furthermore, preferably, the horizontal adjustment device according to the present invention In this configuration, the guide device provides guidance indicating that adjustment of the adjuster is necessary when the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction detected by the detector is outside the weighable range. It is characterized by the following.

[0012] In this case, when weighing the object to be weighed using a weighing scale, the operator can determine whether the tilt of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction is outside the weighable range.

[0013] Preferably, the horizontal adjustment device according to the present invention further comprises a mounting surface that forms a certain angle with the weighing surface and to which the detector can be attached, wherein the detector includes a sensor capable of measuring the inclination of the mounting surface with respect to the horizontal direction, and a calculation unit that calculates the difference between the measurement result of the sensor and the inclination of the mounting surface with respect to the weighing surface when the inclination of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction is within the measurable range, and sets the difference as the inclination of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0014] In this case, even if the inclination of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction differs from the inclination of the mounting surface relative to the horizontal direction, the detector can still detect the inclination of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction.

[0015] Furthermore, preferably, the horizontal adjustment device according to the present invention In this case, the guide device, when there are multiple adjusters, lists at least two or more candidates for the adjuster to be adjusted, and provides guidance on the adjustment amount for each of the candidates. It is characterized by the following.

[0016] In this case, Even if one of the adjusters guided by the guide machine has been adjusted to its limit and no further adjustment is possible, the weighing surface can still be adjusted using another adjustable adjuster. .

[0017] Furthermore, preferably, in the horizontal adjustment device according to the present invention, The guidance device has at least one of the following: a screen that displays the adjustment amount of the adjuster, or a speaker that notifies the adjustment amount of the adjuster by sound. It is characterized by the following.

[0018] In this case, Operators can understand the instructions for leveling the weighing surface by visually observing the screen or by listening to the speaker. .

[0019] Furthermore, another example of an embodiment of the present invention is a drug auditing device that assists in auditing whether a suitable drug is provided by identifying whether a provided drug is a suitable drug based on the weight of the provided drug and recording the provided drug, and is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned horizontal adjustment device.

[0020] In this case, information necessary for the horizontal adjustment operation of the weighing scale of the medicine inspection device is guided to the operator of the medicine inspection device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the horizontal adjustment device and the medicine inspection device of the present invention, an operator can grasp the adjustment amount of the adjuster such that the inclination of the weighing surface in the horizontal direction falls within the measurable range by the guidance of the guide device. Therefore, the operator can perform the horizontal adjustment operation of the weighing scale without directly visually checking the weighing scale.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the horizontal adjustment device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of the horizontal adjustment device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the information processing terminal. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal adjustment device according to the embodiment, and shows the inclination of the mounting surface with respect to the weighing surface when the weighing surface is within the measurable range. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal adjustment device according to the embodiment, and shows a state where the weighing surface of the weighing scale is outside the measurable range. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram schematically showing the guide device in the case of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal adjustment device according to the embodiment, and shows a state where the weighing surface of the weighing scale has entered the measurable range after adjustment by the adjuster. [Figure 8] It is a block diagram schematically showing the guide device in the case of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the horizontal adjustment device according to the embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, a horizontal adjustment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] The horizontal adjustment device 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a device for performing horizontal adjustment work on the weighing scale 10.

[0025] The horizontal adjustment device 100 can be used, for example, as part of a drug auditing device. A drug auditing device is a device that assists the auditing work performed by an operator by identifying whether the drug provided to a drug consumer, such as a patient, is the appropriate drug based on the prescription, and by recording the drug provided to the consumer. In identifying the drug, the drug auditing device identifies the type and quantity of the drug. For example, regarding the type of drug, the drug auditing device photographs the drug 91 shown in Figure 1 with a camera or the like (not shown), and analyzes the captured image to identify whether the type of drug 91 captured in the image matches the type of drug described on the prescription. Regarding the quantity of the drug, the device identifies whether the amount of drug described on the prescription has been provided based on the weight of the drug 91 captured in the image. Recording of the drug 91 is done by saving the captured image of the drug 91.

[0026] The weighing scale 10 has a weighing surface 101 on which the object to be weighed 9 is placed, and the weight of the object to be weighed 9 can be measured by placing the object on the weighing surface 101. Figures 1 and 2 show an electric top-loading balance as an example of the weighing scale 10, and Figure 1 shows a drug 91 and a tray 92 on which the drug 91 is placed as an example of the object to be weighed 9.

[0027] A weighing scale 10 having a weighing surface 101 will underestimate the weight of the object 9 placed on the weighing surface 101 if the weighing surface 101 is tilted with respect to the horizontal direction HD (the direction perpendicular to the downward direction LD, which is the direction of gravity). Therefore, when weighing the object 9 with the weighing scale 10, it is preferable that the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal direction HD is within the weighable range MR, which allows for weighing with a suitable weighing accuracy for the object 9, as shown in Figure 2. The weighable range MR is defined by tilting a reference plane (not shown) along the horizontal direction HD with respect to an arbitrary point (not shown).

[0028] When the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR, the operator adjusts the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD to bring the weighing surface 101 within the weighable range MR in order to weigh the object 9 with a weighing accuracy suitable for the object 9. In other words, the horizontal adjustment operation of the weighing scale 10 is the operation in which the operator adjusts the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD to bring the tilt of the weighing surface 101 within the weighable range MR.

[0029] The horizontal adjustment device 100 according to this embodiment provides the operator with the information necessary to perform the horizontal adjustment work. Therefore, with the horizontal adjustment device 100, the operator can grasp the information necessary to perform the horizontal adjustment work on the weighing scale 10 without directly looking at the weighing scale 10, and perform the horizontal adjustment work on the weighing scale 10.

[0030] The structure of the horizontal adjustment device 100 will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the horizontal adjustment device 100 is installed and used on a mounting surface G. The mounting surface G is, for example, the top surface of a platform on which objects are placed or the floor surface of a facility. The horizontal adjustment device 100 comprises a housing 1 capable of housing a weighing scale 10, an adjuster 2 provided so that at least a portion of it is positioned on the outside of the housing 1 (between the housing 1 and the "mounting surface G"), and an information processing terminal 3 attached to the outside of the housing 1.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the housing 1 is a hollow box with a door 11 that can be opened and closed. The internal space 110 of the housing 1, which is the hollow part of the box, is large enough to accommodate a weighing scale 10 with the object to be weighed 9 on it. The housing 1 has an opening 111 that leads to the internal space 110. The door 11 can close the opening 111 from the outside of the housing 1, and the opening 111 is opened or closed by opening and closing the door 11.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the lower part of the enclosure 1 has a lower wall 12 that separates the internal space 110 of the enclosure 1 from the external space of the enclosure 1, and the outside of the enclosure 1 has a mounting surface 13 to which an information processing terminal 3 can be attached.

[0034] The lower wall 12 has a lower surface 121 located on the outside of the housing 1 and facing the installation surface G, a bottom surface 122 located on the inside of the housing 1, and a through hole 123 that penetrates the lower wall 12 downwards LD. A weighing scale 10 is placed on the bottom surface 122. As shown in Figure 1, the object to be weighed 9 is placed on the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10 housed in the internal space 110 of the housing 1 through an opening 111 that is opened when the door 11 of the housing 1 is opened. The through hole 123 is positioned away from the perpendicular CL passing through the center CP of the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10 placed on the bottom surface 122. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the through hole 123 is provided so as to penetrate the lower wall 12 downwards LD from each of the four corners of the bottom surface 122, as partially shown. Four nuts 124 are provided on the bottom surface 122, as partially shown. Each nut 124 is fixed to the bottom surface 122 such that its screw holes communicate with each of the through holes 123 provided at the four corners of the bottom surface 122.

[0035] The mounting surface 13 is a surface that forms a certain angle with the weighing surface 101. The angle between the weighing surface 101 and the mounting surface 13 includes 0°. In other words, the mounting surface 13 may be parallel to the weighing surface 101. In the embodiments shown in Figures 2 and 4, the mounting surface 13 is a surface provided on a base 131 that protrudes from the outer upper surface 130 of the housing 1. Note that the mounting surface 13 does not necessarily have to be provided on a base 131 that protrudes from the outer upper surface 130 of the housing 1, as long as it forms a certain angle with the weighing surface 101. For example, it may be provided on the side surface 132 of the housing 1 (see Figure 1) or on a surface other than the housing 1 (not shown).

[0036] The adjuster 2 is a member that supports the housing 1, and a portion of it protrudes downward LD from the lower surface 121 of the housing 1. The adjuster 2 shown in Figure 2 has a threaded portion 21, which is fixed to the housing 1 by being screwed into the threaded hole of a nut 124 through a through hole 123 provided in the lower wall 12 of the housing 1. The amount of protrusion from the lower surface 121 of the housing 1 can be adjusted by rotating such an adjuster 2 from the outside of the housing 1. In this embodiment, four adjusters 2 are provided as shown in part, and each adjuster 2 is screwed into each of the four nuts 124 fixed to the housing 1.

[0037] The lower end 22 of the adjuster 2, which protrudes from the outside of the housing 1, is placed on the mounting surface G. As described above, each of the four adjusters 2 is screwed into a nut 124 fixed at a position away from the perpendicular CL passing through the center CP of the weighing surface 101. Therefore, when an operator adjusts the amount the adjusters 2 protrude from the bottom surface 121 of the housing 1, the distance between the mounting surface G and the bottom surface 121 at a position away from the perpendicular CL changes, and the inclination of the bottom surface 122 with respect to the horizontal direction HD is adjusted. By adjusting the inclination of the bottom surface 122 with respect to the horizontal direction HD, the inclination of the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10, which is placed on the bottom surface 122, with respect to the horizontal direction HD is also adjusted.

[0038] Although it has been explained that the adjuster 2 has a structure in which its threaded portion 21 is screwed into a nut 124 fixed to the housing 1, it can be fixed to the housing 1 in any way as long as the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD can be adjusted from the outside of the housing 1. For example, the adjuster 2 may be fixed to the housing 1 by screwing its threaded portion 21 into a screw hole (not shown) provided in the lower wall 12 of the housing 1. Furthermore, the adjuster 2 does not necessarily have to have a structure with a threaded portion 21. For example, the adjuster 2 may be a structure having a cylinder mechanism that can be extended using air pressure or hydraulic pressure. Such a structure can be provided between the housing 1 and the mounting surface G so that the tilt of the bottom surface 122 of the housing 1 can be adjusted from the outside of the housing 1, thereby adjusting the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the information processing terminal 3 is mounted on the mounting surface 13 of the housing 1. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing terminal 3 has a detector 31 that detects the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD (see Figure 2), and a guide device 32 that guides the operator to adjust the amount of the adjuster 2 (see Figure 2) based on the detection result DR of the detector 31. The information processing terminal 3 includes, for example, a tablet-type terminal. Since the detector 31 and the guide device 32 are provided in the information processing terminal 3, there is no need to separately mount the detector 31 and the guide device 32 on the housing 1. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the structure of the horizontal adjustment device 100 is simplified. Although it has been explained that the detector 31 and the guide device 32 are implemented on the same hardware, the information processing terminal 3, the detector 31 may be implemented on different hardware from the guide device 32.

[0040] Furthermore, preferably, as shown in Figure 4, the information processing terminal 3 is detachably attached to the mounting surface 13. In this embodiment, for illustrative purposes, one housing 1 supported by the adjuster 2 is shown, but if the information processing terminal 3 is detachably attached to the mounting surface 13, there is an advantage in that one information processing terminal 3 can be used by attaching it to multiple housings 1 (not shown).

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the detector 31 includes a sensor 311 that measures the inclination of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the horizontal HD (see Figure 2), and a calculation unit 312 that calculates the inclination of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD (see Figure 2) from the measurement result SR of the sensor 311.

[0042] The tilt of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the horizontal HD measured by the sensor 311 (measurement result SR) includes the magnitude α1 of the tilt of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the horizontal HD (see Figure 2) and the direction α2 of the tilt of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the horizontal HD (see Figure 2). The sensor 311 may include, for example, a gyro sensor.

[0043] The calculation unit 312 calculates the difference between the measurement result SR from the sensor 311 and the inclination of the mounting surface 13 relative to the weighing surface 101 (see Figure 4) when the inclination of the weighing surface 101 relative to the horizontal HD is within the weighable range MR.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, when the inclination of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is within the weighable range MR, the inclination of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the weighing surface 101 includes the magnitude θ1 of the inclination of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD and the direction θ2 of the inclination with respect to the weighing surface 101. The magnitude θ1 and direction θ2 of the inclination of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the horizontal HD are defined, for example, by the assumed value of the angle between the base surface 122 and the mounting surface 13 when the weighing scale 10 is placed on the base surface 122 under ideal conditions. This assumed value includes, for example, a value that takes into account the design dimensions of the housing 1. Alternatively, the magnitude θ1 and direction θ2 of the inclination of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the weighing surface 101 may be determined by actual measurement when the inclination of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is within the weighable range MR.

[0045] The calculation unit 312 calculates the measurement result SR of the sensor 311 and the difference in the inclination of the mounting surface 13 relative to the weighing surface 101 when the inclination of the weighing surface 101 relative to the horizontal HD is within the measurable range MR, thereby deriving the magnitude γ1 of the inclination of the weighing surface 101 relative to the horizontal HD and the direction γ2 of the inclination of the weighing surface 101 relative to the horizontal HD, as shown in Figure 2. Hereafter, the magnitude γ1 and direction γ2 of the inclination of the weighing surface 101 relative to the horizontal HD, calculated and derived by the calculation unit 312, will be referred to as the detection result DR.

[0046] The guide device 32 in Figure 3 includes a derivation unit 321 that derives information necessary for the worker to perform horizontal adjustment work based on the detection result DR, and a screen 322 and a speaker 323 for guiding the worker with the information derived by the derivation unit 321.

[0047] The derivation unit 321 derives, as horizontal adjustment information GI, which is information necessary for the operator to perform the horizontal adjustment work, candidate adjusters 2 (see Figure 2) that the operator should adjust in order to bring the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD within the weighable range MR, and the adjustment amount of the candidate adjusters 2.

[0048] Specifically, the information GI for horizontal adjustment work is derived as follows. First, the derivation unit 321 has in advance stored the correspondence between the adjustment amount of each adjuster 2 shown in Figure 2 and the change in the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD. The change in the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD stored in the derivation unit 321 includes the change in the magnitude of the tilt γ1 and the change in the direction of the tilt γ2. Then, the derivation unit 321 compares the detection result DR with the change in the tilt of the weighing surface 101 due to the adjustment of each adjuster 2, and derives the information GI for horizontal adjustment work by selecting a candidate adjuster 2 to be adjusted and the adjustment amount of that adjuster 2 so that the operator can place the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD within the measurable range MR. Furthermore, the GI information for horizontal adjustment work and the method for deriving it by the derivation unit 321 are not limited to the above. The GI information for horizontal adjustment work can be any information necessary for the worker to perform the horizontal adjustment work, and any method can be used to derive that information.

[0049] Furthermore, the derivation unit 321 may derive warning information CI in addition to information GI for horizontal adjustment work. The derivation unit 321 derives warning information CI when the detection result DR indicates that the inclination of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR. Warning information CI is information that makes the operator aware that adjustment of the adjuster 2 is necessary. Warning information CI can be any information that makes the operator aware that adjustment of the adjuster 2 is necessary. For example, warning information CI may be information that the inclination of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, screen 322 displays information GI for horizontal adjustment work using image information 32V such as patterns and characters so that the operator can visually recognize it. In an example of the display of screen 322 shown in Figure 3, a simplified plan view pattern 1V of the housing 1 and a schematic spirit level 15V (virtual spirit level) are shown in the center of pattern 1V of the housing 1. At the four corners of pattern 1V of the housing 1, arc-shaped patterns A, B, C, and D, which are modeled after each adjuster 2, are shown. Next to pattern 1V of the housing 1, there is space to display information GI for horizontal adjustment work in text. Hereafter, in order to associate the adjuster patterns A, B, C, and D displayed on screen 322 with the adjusters 2 (see Figure 2) protruding from the bottom surface 121 of the housing 1 shown in Figure 2, the adjusters 2 protruding from the bottom surface 121 of the housing 1 may be referred to as adjusters 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. Specifically, adjuster symbol A shown on screen 322 in Figure 3 corresponds to adjuster 2A in Figure 2. Furthermore, adjuster symbol B in Figure 3 corresponds to adjuster 2B in Figure 2, and so on. The remaining symbols C and D shown in Figure 3 also have a similar correspondence, although they are not shown in Figure 2.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, speaker 323 emits sound 32S to allow the operator to perceive the information GI for horizontal adjustment work by hearing. As a result, the operator can grasp the information GI for horizontal adjustment work while visually observing adjuster 2, which has the advantage of allowing the operator to perform horizontal adjustment work while visually observing adjuster 2 without having to visually observe image information 32V.

[0052] The guidance device 32 only needs to have at least one of either a screen 322 or a speaker 323. By transmitting information GI for horizontal adjustment work to the worker through either the screen 322 or the speaker 323, the worker can perform the horizontal adjustment work on the weighing scale 10 without having to directly look at the weighing scale 10. Furthermore, in conventional horizontal adjustment work on the weighing scale 10 using a spirit level, the worker had to determine which adjuster 2 to adjust and the amount of adjustment of that adjuster 2 based on the display of the spirit level. However, since the screen 322 or speaker 323 provides information GI for horizontal adjustment work, the worker does not need to determine which adjuster 2 to adjust and the amount of adjustment of that adjuster 2. As a result, the horizontal adjustment device 100 has the advantage that even workers who are not familiar with the horizontal adjustment work on the weighing scale 10 can easily perform the horizontal adjustment work on the weighing scale 10.

[0053] Furthermore, when the output unit 321 outputs warning information CI, the screen 322 displays the warning information CI as image information (not shown), similar to how information GI for horizontal adjustment work is displayed to the operator. Similarly, the speaker 323 also emits the warning information CI as sound (not shown). As a result, the operator can determine whether the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from weighing the object 9 with the weighing scale 10 when the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR.

[0054] Preferably, the information processing terminal 3 further includes a determination unit 33 that determines whether or not the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured by the weighing scale 10, as shown in Figure 3. The state in which the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured by the weighing scale 10 includes the state in which the operator is performing a horizontal adjustment operation, and the state in which the object to be weighed 9 is placed on the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10. The determination unit 33 has, for example, an input device into which the operator can input information, and a processing device that can process the input information. In the case of such a determination unit 33, the operator first inputs information into the input device regarding whether or not the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured by the weighing scale 10. Then, the processing device determines whether or not the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured by the weighing scale 10 based on the information input by the operator.

[0055] The determination unit 33 is not limited to a combination of an input device and a processing device; it can be any device that can determine whether or not the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured by the weighing scale 10. For example, the determination unit 33 may have a camera (not shown) capable of photographing the weighing surface 101 and a processing device (not shown) that analyzes the image captured by the camera. Such a determination unit 33 determines whether or not the object to be weighed 9 is on the weighing surface 101 as captured by the camera by performing image analysis with the processing device. If the image analysis shows that the object to be weighed 9 is on the weighing surface 101, the processing device determines that the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured by the weighing scale 10. On the other hand, if the image analysis shows that the object to be weighed 9 is not on the weighing surface 101, the processing device determines that the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is not being measured by the weighing scale 10.

[0056] Furthermore, if the determination unit 33 has a camera and a processing device, it can determine whether the drug 91 or the tray 92 shown in Figure 1 is on the weighing surface 101. In other words, such a determination unit 33 has the advantage of being able to specifically specify the object to be weighed 9. For example, if drug 91 is specified as the object to be weighed 9, the determination unit 33 will determine whether or not the weight of the drug is being measured, regardless of whether or not the tray 92 is on the weighing surface 101. Hereafter, the result of the determination unit 33's determination of whether or not the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured by the weighing scale 10 will be referred to as the determination result PR.

[0057] Preferably, the output unit 321 of the guide device 32 switches the information to be output based on the judgment result PR. Therefore, the output unit 321 can switch the information to be output according to the situation corresponding to the judgment result PR. This has the advantage that the screen 322 or speaker 323 can guide the operator with information appropriate to the situation corresponding to the judgment result PR. Specifically, if the judgment result PR is that the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being weighed by the weighing scale 10, and the detection result DR is that the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR, the output unit 321 outputs warning information CI instead of information GI for horizontal adjustment work.

[0058] Screen 322 displays warning information CI as image information (not shown), similar to how information GI for horizontal adjustment work is displayed to the operator. Similarly, speaker 323 also emits warning information CI as sound (not shown). As a result, the operator can determine whether the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR when weighing the object 9 with the weighing scale 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from weighing the object 9 with the weighing scale 10 when the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR. Thus, by using the horizontal adjustment device 100 as part of a drug auditing device (not shown), it is possible to prevent the drug auditing device from malfunctioning and incorrectly identifying the quantity of the drug.

[0059] Let's explain with a specific example how malfunctions of the drug auditing device can be prevented. For example, as explained in the specific example of the determination unit 33, if a horizontal adjustment device 100 equipped with a determination unit 33 having a camera and a processing device is part of the drug auditing device (not shown), the determination unit 33 can determine whether or not the drug 91 (see Figure 1) is on the weighing surface 101, as described above. Therefore, in a drug auditing device equipped with such a determination unit 33 and a horizontal adjustment device 100, when the drug 91 is placed on the weighing surface 101, the determination unit 33 determines that the weight of the drug 91, which is the object to be weighed, can be measured by the weighing scale 10. Thus, when the drug 91 is placed on the weighing surface 101, the output unit 321 outputs warning information CI, and at least one of the screen 322 or speaker 323 guides the operator to the warning information CI. On the other hand, if the drug 91 is not placed on the weighing surface 101, the determination unit 33 determines that the weight of the drug 91, which is the object to be weighed, cannot be measured by the weighing scale 10. Therefore, the warning information CI is not derived by the derivation unit 321. Consequently, the warning information CI is not communicated to the operator. In other words, the warning information CI is communicated to the operator only when the drug 91 is placed on the weighing scale 10 of the drug auditing device in order to audit the drug 91. As a result, it is possible to prevent the warning information CI from being communicated to the operator when the operator is not performing the task of auditing the drug 91.

[0060] The operation of the horizontal adjustment device 100 will be explained with reference to Figures 1, 3, and 5 to 9.

[0061] Figure 5 shows the case where the tilt of the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR. As shown in Figure 9, when the horizontal adjustment device 100 starts processing (START), first in steps S1 and S6, the determination unit 33 shown in Figure 3 determines whether or not the weighing scale 10 is weighing the object 9 shown in Figure 1.

[0062] In step S1, the determination unit 33 determines whether the worker is performing a horizontal adjustment operation, which is an example of a state in which the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured with the weighing scale 10. If the determination result is PR (YES), indicating that the worker is performing a horizontal adjustment operation, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0063] In step S2, the sensor 311 of the detector 31 shown in Figure 3 measures the magnitude α1 and direction α2 of the tilt of the mounting surface 13 with respect to the horizontal HD, as shown in Figure 5. The calculation unit 312 shown in Figure 3 calculates the magnitude γ1 and direction γ2 of the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD based on the measurement result SR from the sensor 311, and obtains the detection result DR. The calculation unit 312 outputs the detection result DR to the derivation unit 321 of the guide device 32.

[0064] If the detection result DR indicates that the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is within the measurable range MR (NO), the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, described later, the weighing scale 10 is in a state where it can weigh the object 9 with a weighing accuracy suitable for the object 9. On the other hand, if the detection result DR indicates that the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the measurable range MR (YES), the derivation unit 321 derives information GI for horizontal adjustment work in step S3 and guides the operator.

[0065] In step S3, the derivation unit 321 shown in Figure 6 derives information GI for horizontal adjustment work based on the detection result DR. Preferably, if there are multiple adjusters 2 (see Figure 5), the derivation unit 321 lists at least two or more candidates for adjuster 2 to be adjusted and derives the adjustment amount for each of the candidates. In this way, even if one of the candidate adjuster 2 derived by the derivation unit 321 is in an unadjustable state, the operator can adjust the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD by adjusting one of the other candidate adjusters 2.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the output unit 321 outputs information GI for horizontal adjustment work to the screen 322 and speaker 323. The screen 322 and speaker 323 guide the operator with information GI for horizontal adjustment work.

[0067] Specifically, the screen 322 shown in Figure 6 displays two candidate adjusters 2 that should be adjusted.

[0068] Screen 322 indicates that adjuster 2A, shown in Figure 5, should be adjusted by displaying the text "Adjuster A" as the first candidate. In addition to indicating the adjuster 2 to be adjusted, screen 322 may also indicate the position of adjuster 2A to the operator. For example, screen 322 may display the text "Adjuster in the back left" (not shown), or it may highlight the corresponding diagram A for adjuster 2A to be adjusted (for example, by coloring it red). The amount of adjustment for adjuster 2A shown in Figure 5 is indicated to the operator by displaying "Rotate 2 turns clockwise" on screen 322 in Figure 6. In this way, by displaying the information GI for horizontal adjustment work on screen 322, the operator can understand which adjuster 2 needs to be adjusted and by how much. As a result, the operator can perform the horizontal adjustment of the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10 without having to directly visually inspect the weighing scale 10 housed in the casing 1 or having to determine the adjustment amount of the adjuster 2 themselves.

[0069] Screen 322 displays the text "Adjuster B" as the second option, indicating that adjuster 2B, shown in Figure 5, should be adjusted. In this way, by showing two candidates for adjuster 2 that should be adjusted, even if adjuster 2A is fully extended to its limit and has reached the limit of its adjustment range, making it impossible to rotate adjuster 2A clockwise, the operator can perform the horizontal adjustment by adjusting adjuster 2B instead.

[0070] Furthermore, a sound 32S with the same content as the text information displayed on screen 322 is emitted from speaker 323. Therefore, the operator can visually confirm which adjuster 2 to adjust and the amount of adjustment for that candidate adjuster 2 in order to bring the weighing surface 101 within the weighable range MR, while observing the adjuster 2. As a result, the operator does not need to interrupt the adjuster 2 adjustment work, which is performed in a posture that allows them to view the bottom of the housing 1, and then change their posture to check the information GI for horizontal adjustment work in order to confirm which adjuster 2 to adjust and the amount of adjustment for that adjuster 2.

[0071] As the operator adjusts the adjuster 2 as instructed on screen 322 or speaker 323, the information GI for the horizontal adjustment operation shown on screen 322 or speaker 323 is updated according to the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD, as shown in step S4 in Figure 9. Then, as a result of the operator's adjustment of adjuster 2, when the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD falls within the weighable range MR, as shown in Figure 7, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0072] In step S5, for example, as shown in Figure 8, the screen 322 or speaker 323 indicates that the weighing scale 10 can weigh the object 9. When the guidance shown in Figure 8 is given by the screen 322 or speaker 323, the weighing scale 10 can weigh the object 9 placed on the weighing surface 101 with a weighing accuracy suitable for the object 9. In this state, for example, if the horizontal adjustment device 100 is part of the drug auditing device, the weighing scale 10 of the drug auditing device can weigh the drug 91 with a weighing accuracy suitable for identifying the quantity of drug 91 shown in Figure 1. As a result, the drug auditing device can identify the quantity of drug 91 without error. The processing of the horizontal adjustment device 100 ends (END) with step S5 as the last step.

[0073] By the way, in step S1 shown in Figure 9, if the determination result is PR (NO), indicating that the worker is not performing the horizontal adjustment work, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the determination unit 33 determines whether or not the object to be weighed 9 is placed on the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10, which is an example of the state in which the weight of the object to be weighed 9 is being measured by the weighing scale 10.

[0074] In step S6, if the determination result is PR (NO), indicating that the object to be weighed 9 is not on the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the determination result is PR (YES), indicating that the object to be weighed 9 is on the weighing surface 101 of the weighing scale 10, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0075] In step S7, the detection result DR is output from the detector 31 (see Figure 3) to the output unit 321 of the guide device 32, similar to step S2. If the detection result DR indicates that the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is within the weighable range MR (NO), the output unit 321 does not derive the warning information CI. The process then returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the detection result DR indicates that the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR (YES), the output unit 321 derives the warning information CI. The warning information CI is output to the screen 322 and the speaker 323. The process then proceeds to step S8.

[0076] In step S8, the screen 322 and speaker 323 inform the operator of the warning information CI. Then, the process returns to step S1.

[0077] As described above, the horizontal adjustment device 100 of the embodiment provides the operator with information GI for horizontal adjustment work or warning information CI when the tilt of the weighing surface 101 with respect to the horizontal HD is outside the weighable range MR. Therefore, the operator can not only determine whether the weighing scale 10 is in a state where it can weigh the weight of the object to be weighed 9 with a suitable weighing accuracy, but also perform the necessary horizontal adjustment work on the weighing scale 10 to weigh the weight of the object to be weighed 9 with a suitable weighing accuracy. [Industrial applicability]

[0078] The present invention provides a horizontal adjustment device for a weighing scale, and can be used not only in drug auditing devices but also in drug identification devices that confirm that the appropriate amount of drug has been prepared based on the weight of the drug. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 cabinet 2 adjusters 3. Information Processing Terminal 10 Weight scale 13 Mounting surface 31 detectors 32 Information devices 33 Judgment section 103 Weighing surface 311 Sensor 312 Arithmetic section 321 Derivation part 322 screens 323 Speakers HD horizontal LD downward direction MR measurable range

Claims

1. A weighing scale having a weighing surface on which an object to be weighed is placed, and weighing the weight of the object placed on the weighing surface, wherein the horizontal adjustment device is equipped with an adjuster that can adjust the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction, A detector capable of detecting the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction, When the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction detected by the detector is outside the weighable range that allows the weight of the object to be weighed to be measured with a weighing accuracy suitable for the object to be weighed, a guide device is provided to guide the amount of adjustment of the adjuster so that the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction comes within the weighable range. Equipped with, The mounting surface, which is at a certain angle to the aforementioned measuring surface, further comprises a mounting surface on which the detector can be attached, The detector is A sensor capable of measuring the inclination of the mounting surface with respect to the horizontal direction, A calculation unit calculates the difference between the measurement result of the sensor and the inclination of the mounting surface relative to the weighing surface when the inclination of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction is within the measurable range, and sets the difference as the inclination of the weighing surface relative to the horizontal direction. It has, The enclosure further comprises the aforementioned weighing scale, The mounting surface is provided on the outside of the housing, The information processing terminal further comprises the detector and the guide device, and the information processing terminal is mounted on the mounting surface of the housing. A horizontal adjustment device characterized in that the adjuster is provided such that at least a portion of it is located outside the housing, and the tilt of the weighing surface with respect to the horizontal direction can be adjusted from outside the housing.

2. The aforementioned guide device is The horizontal adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides guidance indicating that adjustment of the adjuster is necessary when the tilt of the weighing surface detected by the detector with respect to the horizontal direction is outside the weighable range.

3. The horizontal adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when there are multiple adjusters, the guide device identifies at least two or more candidates for the adjuster to be adjusted, and guides the amount of adjustment for each of the candidates.

4. The horizontal adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guidance device has at least one of a screen that displays the amount of adjustment of the adjuster, or a speaker that notifies the amount of adjustment of the adjuster by sound.

5. A drug auditing device that assists in auditing whether a suitable drug is provided by identifying whether the provided drug is an appropriate drug based on the weight of the provided drug and recording the provided drug, A drug auditing device characterized by comprising the horizontal adjustment device described in claim 1.

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