Method for setting measuring instruments, measuring systems, and equipment numbers

Abstract

For weighing instruments that lack operating controls such as DIP switches, the ability to set an instrument number for multiple weighing instruments from a single display unit, or for weighing instruments that do not have an instrument number, without requiring cumbersome procedures. [Solution] Measuring device according to one embodiment (101, 102...10 30 ) Based on the received command, the weighing unit (111, 112, ...11 30 Processing unit (121, 122, ... 12) that processes and returns the mass of the items loaded onto the load. 30 ) is equipped with a processing unit (121, 122, ... 12 30 ) responds to a first command instructing that the metering value under no load be stored as the zero point, to the metering unit (111, 112, ... 11 30 In response to a second command instructing the system to store the current weighing value of the ) as the zero point and set the instrument number, the system uses the zero point to weigh the metering unit (111, 112, ... 11 30 The mass of the newly loaded weight is determined, and the calculated mass is converted to an integer and stored as the machine's equipment number.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a measuring instrument, a measuring system, and a method for setting an instrument number. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional weighing system is known in which multiple weighing instruments, each assigned a different device number, are connected to a single control display unit in a communication-enabled manner. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-118903 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] In conventional weighing systems where multiple weighing instruments are connected to a single display unit via communication lines such as CAN bus or RS-485, it is necessary to pre-set an instrument number for each weighing instrument to identify it.

[0005] These device numbers can be set via control panels such as DIP switches if each measuring instrument is equipped with such panels. However, if no such control panels are installed, it is necessary to connect one display unit to one measuring instrument and set the device number for each measuring instrument from the display unit.

[0006] Therefore, when assigning an instrument number to all measuring instruments, it was necessary to switch between connected instruments one after another and set them sequentially, which was troublesome, time-consuming, and sometimes prone to setting errors.

[0007] Similar problems can also occur when replacing a specific measuring instrument or connecting a new measuring instrument among multiple instruments.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and for a weighing instrument without an operation unit such as a dip switch, it is possible to set a device number for a plurality of weighing instruments from a single display, or for a weighing instrument without a device number, without troublesome work. An object of the present invention is to provide a weighing instrument, a weighing system, and a method for setting a device number.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A weighing instrument according to an embodiment is a weighing instrument including a processing unit that processes and returns the mass of an article loaded on a weighing unit based on a received command. The processing unit stores the current weighing value of the weighing unit as a zero point in response to a first command instructing to store the weighing value in a no-load state as a zero point, and uses the zero point to determine the mass of a newly loaded weight on the weighing unit in response to a second command instructing to set a device number, and stores the obtained mass converted to an integer as the device number of the self-device.

[0010] A weighing instrument according to an embodiment is a weighing instrument including a processing unit that processes and returns the mass of an article loaded on a weighing unit based on a received command. After receiving a setting command instructing to set N as the device number, when the processing unit detects a change in the weighing value of the weighing unit, the processing unit stores N as the device number of the self-device.

[0011] A weighing system according to an embodiment is a weighing system that communicates between the plurality of weighing instruments described above and a single operation display. After transmitting the first command to all the weighing instruments, when weights of different masses are loaded on all the weighing instruments, the operation display transmits the second command to all the weighing instruments.

[0012] One embodiment of the method for setting the device number is a method for setting the device number of each weighing instrument in a weighing system that communicates between one operation indicator and a plurality of weighing instruments, and the gist of the method is to set each of the weighing instruments to an unloaded state; to send a first command to each of the unloaded weighing instruments instructing it to store the unloaded weighing value as the zero point; to store the current weighing value as the zero point in response to the first command in each of the weighing instruments; to load each of the weighing instruments with known weights of different masses; to send a second command to each of the weighing instruments instructing it to set a device number; and to store the mass of the newly loaded weight on the weighing unit in response to the second command in each of the weighing instruments as the device number of the instrument.

[0013] One embodiment of the method for setting the device number is a method for setting the device number of each measuring instrument in a weighing system that communicates between one operation display and multiple measuring instruments, and the gist of the method is as follows: the operation display transmits a setting command to each of the measuring instruments instructing them to set the device number to N; each of the measuring instruments detects a change in the measured value of the weighing unit in response to the setting command; touches a measuring instrument that does not have a device number to change the measured value of the measuring instrument; the measuring instrument that detected the change in measured value stores its own device number as N and then transmits a message to each of the other measuring instruments indicating that the device number setting is complete; and each of the measuring instruments that received the message indicating that the device number setting is complete cancels the mode for detecting a change in its own measured value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a weighing instrument, a weighing system, and a method for setting an instrument number that allows setting an instrument number for multiple weighing instruments from a single display unit, or for weighing instruments that do not have an instrument number, without requiring any troublesome work, even for weighing instruments that do not have an operating part such as a DIP switch. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of the weighing system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the weighing system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the weighing system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the weighing system 1 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the weighing system 1 according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of dimensions, etc., may differ from those of reality. Therefore, specific dimensions, etc., should be determined by referring to the following description. Furthermore, there may be parts in the drawings where the relationships and ratios of dimensions differ from those of other parts. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustration.

[0017] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the weighing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the weighing system 1 according to this embodiment, Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the weighing system 1 according to the first embodiment, and Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the weighing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the weighing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of weighing devices 101, 102... 10 30 , 30 ,

[0022] , , 30 , , 30 , , , 30 , 30 , ,

[0021] , 30 , 30 ,

[0023] , and one operation display 20. In Fig. 1, an example is shown of a case where the weighing system 1 includes 30 weighing devices 101, 102... 10 30 However, the present invention is applicable to cases where the weighing system 1 includes an arbitrary number of weighing devices.

[0019] Here, different device numbers are set for the plurality of weighing devices 101, 102... 10 30 and they are arranged in order of the device numbers.

[0020] Also, the plurality of weighing devices 101, 102,... 10 30 and one operation display 20 are communicably connected. For example, the plurality of weighing devices 101, 102... 10 30 are connected by daisy chain. Therefore, in this case, power is supplied from the operation display 20 to each of the weighing devices 101, 102... 10 30 Alternatively, instead of such cable connection, they may be communicably connected wirelessly. In this case, a battery is mounted on each of the weighing devices 101, 102... 10 30

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, each of the weighing devices 101, 102... 10 30 has a weighing unit 111, 112,... 11 30 and a processing unit 121, 122,... 12 30

[0022] Each processing unit 121, 122,... 12 30 processes and returns the mass of the article loaded on each weighing unit 111, 112,... 11 30 based on the received command.

[0023] The operation display 20 is a terminal operated by an operator, and gives various instructions to each of the weighing devices 101, 102,... 10 30 and, for each of the weighing devices 101, 102,... 1030 From there, the weight signals of the loaded goods are received by the weighing instruments 101, 102, ... 10 30 It can be displayed separately.

[0024] For example, as shown in Figure 1, the operation display unit 20 is equipped with a touch panel, and the operator can operate the touch panel to control the weighing instruments 101, 102...10 30 It is possible to issue various instructions to each of them, and to receive and display weight signals.

[0025] The operator can control all 101, 102...10 by operating the control display 20. 30 In response, a first command is transmitted instructing the device to store the measured value under no load as the zero point, and a second command is transmitted instructing the device to set the device number, thereby enabling all 101, 102...10 30 You can set the device number.

[0026] Specifically, the operation display unit 20 controls all weighing instruments 101, 102...10 30 After transmitting the above-mentioned first command, all measuring instruments 101, 102...10 30 The second command described above is transmitted when weights of different masses are loaded onto the device.

[0027] Each processing unit 121, 122, ... 12 30 When the first command described above is obtained from the operation display 20, each weighing unit 111, 112, ... 11 is operated according to the obtained first command. 30 The current measured value is stored as the zero point.

[0028] Also, each processing unit 121, 122, ... 12 30 When the second command is obtained from the operation indicator 20, the system uses the zero point to control each weighing unit 111, 112, ... 11 in accordance with the obtained second command. 30 The mass of the newly added weight is determined, and the calculated mass is converted to an integer and stored as the machine's equipment number.

[0029] In the example shown in Figure 2, a 10g weight is placed on the weighing section 111 of weighing instrument 101, and a 20g weight is placed on the weighing section 112 of weighing instrument 102. 30 Measuring section 11 30 A 300g weight is loaded onto it.

[0030] In this state, the operation display unit 20 shows multiple weighing instruments 101, 102...10 30 When the above-mentioned second command is transmitted simultaneously to each measuring instrument 101, 102...10 30 This sets an integer corresponding to the weight of the player's own machine as the machine's device number in non-volatile memory.

[0031] For example, weighing instrument 101 with a 10g weight loaded on weighing unit 111 sets its own instrument number to "1", and weighing instrument 102 with a 20g weight loaded on weighing unit 112 sets its own instrument number to "2", and weighing unit 11 30 A weighing scale 10 with a 300g weight placed on it. 30 The device's unit number is set to "30". In this case, the conversion from the weight's mass to an integer is done using a conversion table such that, for example, if the weight's mass is greater than 5g but less than 15g, the unit number is set to "1", and if the weight's mass is greater than 15g but less than 25g, the unit number is set to "2".

[0032] Therefore, according to the above configuration, one operation display unit 20 is connected to 30 weighing instruments 101, 102...10 30 Even with connected shelves, the device numbers can be set efficiently.

[0033] An example of the operation of the weighing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 3.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, in step S1001, all measuring instruments 101, 102...10 30 Assume that the system is under no-load conditions.

[0035] In step S1002, the operation indicator 20 is connected to all weighing instruments 101, 102...10 via a daisy chain. 30 They simultaneously send the first command to all of them.

[0036] In step S1003, each measuring instrument 101, 102...10 30 In accordance with the first command obtained from the operation display 20, each weighing unit 111, 112, ... 11 30 The current measured value is stored as the zero point.

[0037] In step S1004, the operator measures all weighing instruments 101, 102...10 30 The weighing section 111, 112, ... 11 30 Each of these is loaded with a weight of a different mass.

[0038] In step S1005, the operation indicator 20 is connected to all weighing instruments 101, 102...10 via a daisy chain. 30 In response, a second command is sent simultaneously.

[0039] In step S1006, each measuring instrument 101, 102...10 30 These are the weighing units 111, 112, ...11 30 The mass of the weight loaded onto the device is determined, and an integer corresponding to that weight (i.e., the calculated mass converted to an integer) is set as the device's instrument number.

[0040] (Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the weighing system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the weighing system 1 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0041] In this embodiment, each processing unit 121, 122, ... 12 30 After receiving a setting command from the operation display unit 20 instructing that the device number be set to N, the weighing units 101, 102...10 30 If a change in the measured value is detected, the number N is stored as the device number of the unit.

[0042] In this case, the change in the measured value refers to each measuring unit 111, 112, ... 11 30 This refers to changes in the measured value due to vibrations applied or the loading of weights (calculators).

[0043] Therefore, for example, if the operator touches the weighing instrument 102 (see Figure 4) or places a weight on the weighing instrument 102, the weighing instrument 102 determines that it has been designated and stores the received instrument number N as its own instrument number in its non-volatile memory.

[0044] An example of the operation of the weighing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 5. In the example in Figure 5, the initial state is that all weighing instruments 101, 102...10 30 It shall be assumed that it does not have an equipment number.

[0045] In step S2001, the operation indicator 20 is connected to all weighing instruments 101, 102...10 via a daisy chain. 30 A setting command is sent to all of them simultaneously, instructing them to set the device number to N.

[0046] In step S2002, each measuring instrument 101, 102...10 30 In accordance with the setting command obtained from the operation display unit 20, each weighing unit 111, 112, ... 11 30 Start monitoring changes in the measured value.

[0047] In step S2003, when the weighing unit 112 detects a change in the weighed value, it stores its own device number as N, and then in step S2004, it daisy-chains the operation display unit 20 and other weighing devices 101...10. 30 Send a message to the recipient confirming that the device number has been set up.

[0048] In step S2005, each measuring instrument 101...10 receives notification of the completion of such setting. 30 This disables the mode that detects changes in the measured value of the own machine.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the embodiments described above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be restrictive in any way to the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1…Weighing system 101, 102, 10 30 …Weighing instrument 111, 112, 11 30 …Measuring section 121, 122, 12 30 ...processor 20...Operation display

Claims

1. A weighing device equipped with a processing unit that processes and returns the mass of an item loaded onto the weighing unit based on a received command, The aforementioned processing unit, In response to a first command instructing the metering unit to store the measured value under no-load conditions as the zero point, the current measured value of the metering unit is stored as the zero point. A weighing instrument that, in response to a second command instructing it to set an instrument number, uses the zero point to determine the mass of a weight newly loaded onto the weighing unit, converts the determined mass to an integer, and stores the result as the instrument number of the instrument.

2. A weighing device equipped with a processing unit that processes and returns the mass of an item loaded onto the weighing unit based on a received command, A measuring instrument in which, after receiving a setting command instructing the processing unit to set the device number to N, and then detecting a change in the measured value of the measuring unit, stores N as the device number of the instrument itself.

3. A weighing system that communicates between a plurality of weighing instruments and a single operation display unit as described in claim 1, The aforementioned operation indicator is A weighing system that, after transmitting the first command to all of the weighing instruments, transmits the second command to each of the weighing instruments if a weight of a different mass is loaded onto each of them.

4. A method for setting the device number of each measuring instrument in a weighing system that communicates between one operation display unit and multiple measuring instruments, A step of bringing each of the aforementioned measuring instruments into an unloaded state, The operation indicator transmits a first command to each of the measuring instruments in an unloaded state, instructing them to store the unloaded measurement value as the zero point. Each of the aforementioned measuring instruments stores the current measured value as the zero point in response to the first command, A step of loading known weights of different masses onto each of the weighing instruments, The operation display unit transmits a second command to each of the measuring instruments, instructing them to set an instrument number. A method for setting an instrument number, comprising the steps of each of the aforementioned weighing instruments determining the mass of a weight newly loaded onto the weighing unit in response to the second command, and storing the determined mass converted into an integer as the instrument number of the instrument.

5. A method for setting the device number of each measuring instrument in a weighing system that communicates between one operation display unit and multiple measuring instruments, The operation display unit transmits a setting command to each of the measuring instruments, instructing them to set the instrument number to N. Each of the aforementioned measuring instruments includes the step of detecting a change in the measured value of the measuring unit in accordance with the setting command, A step of touching a measuring instrument that does not have the aforementioned instrument number and changing the measured value of the measuring instrument, The process involves a measuring instrument that detects a change in the measured value, stores its own instrument number as N, and then transmits a message to each of the other measuring instruments indicating that the instrument number setting is complete. A method for setting an instrument number, comprising the step of each of the measuring instruments that has received notification that the setting of the instrument number is complete, deactivating the mode for detecting changes in its own measured value.

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