Item inspection equipment and item sorting equipment

Abstract

To provide an article inspection device and an article selection apparatus that allow a user to grasp the correspondence relationship between multiple inspectors and the inspection results displayed in a list on a display device without physically interfering with the inspectors.SOLUTION: An article inspection device includes: multiple inspectors 12 that inspect multiple articles that have been conveyed separately and independently; a control unit 21 that controls the multiple inspectors 12; and a light-emitting body 16 that is provided correspondingly to each inspector. The control unit 21 causes a display device 22 to display an inspection result image showing the inspection result of the inspector for each inspector, and controls the light emission mode of the light-emitting body 16 provided correspondingly to each inspector such that the difference between the light-emitting body 16 provided correspondingly to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image selected by an input device 23 and the light-emitting body 16 provided correspondingly to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device 23 can be seen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article inspection device and an article selection device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a conventional item inspection device that includes a plurality of conveying means for conveying items that belong to the same lot and that are supplied to the device; a plurality of inspection means provided on each conveying means for inspecting the items; a plurality of sorting means provided on each conveying means that can be selectively set to a passing position where the items are supplied to a subsequent process, a waiting position where the items are evacuated, or a rejection position where the items are rejected; and a control means that controls each sorting means so that, based on the inspection results of the items by each inspection means, if it is determined that the items conveyed by all the conveying means are acceptable, all the sorting means are set to the passing position, and if it is determined that the items conveyed by at least one conveying means are unacceptable, the sorting means of that conveying means is set to the rejection position and the other sorting means are set to the waiting position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5711011 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such an article inspection device can monitor the inspection status of an article by displaying a list of inspection results from an inspection means (hereinafter referred to as "inspector") on a display device. When inspection results from multiple inspectors are displayed on a display device in a list, it can be difficult to understand the correspondence between the multiple inspectors and the inspection results displayed on the display device. Specifically, in many such article inspection devices, the display device displays a fixed numbered order from 1 to 6 (when there are six transport lanes), but the actual order of the transport lanes is random. This is because each scale on each transport lane is assigned a fixed number from 1 to 6 in advance, and although the scales are arranged in numerical order at the start of operation, the locations of the transport lanes are swapped due to operational conditions, maintenance, etc.

[0005] The correspondence between the multiple inspection instruments and the inspection results displayed in a list on the display device can be understood by physically interfering with the inspection instruments, for example, by having a specific inspection instrument inspect a reference object. However, depending on the installation location of the item inspection instrument and the operating status of the item inspection instrument, it may be difficult to physically intervene with the inspection instrument.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an item inspection device and an item sorting device that allow a user to grasp the correspondence between multiple inspection devices and the inspection results displayed in a list on a display device without physically interfering with the inspection devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The article inspection device of the present invention comprises a plurality of inspectors (12) that inspect a plurality of articles that are transported separately and independently, a control unit (21) that controls the plurality of inspectors, a display device (22), an input device (23), and an illuminant (16) provided corresponding to each of the inspectors, and the control unit is configured to display an inspection result image (30) representing the inspection result of the inspector on the display device for each of the inspectors, and to control the light emission mode of the illuminant provided corresponding to each of the inspectors so that the difference between the illuminant provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device and the illuminant provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device can be visually recognized.

[0008] With this configuration, the item inspection device of the present invention controls the light-emitting mode of the light-emitting element provided for each inspection device so that, among the inspection result images showing the inspection results of multiple inspection devices, the difference between the light-emitting element provided for the inspection device corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device and the light-emitting element provided for the inspection device corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device can be visually recognized, thereby allowing the correspondence between the multiple inspection devices and the inspection results displayed in a list on the display device to be understood without physically interfering with the inspection devices.

[0009] In addition, in the item inspection device of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to illuminate the light-emitting element provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device, and to extinguish the light-emitting element provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device.

[0010] With this configuration, the item inspection device of the present invention can control the light emission mode of the light emitter provided corresponding to each inspection device so that the difference between the light emitter provided corresponding to the inspection device corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device and the light emitter provided corresponding to the inspection device corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device can be visually recognized.

[0011] In addition, in the item inspection device of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to turn off the light-emitting element provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device, and to turn on the light-emitting element provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device.

[0012] With this configuration, the item inspection device of the present invention can control the light emission mode of the light emitter provided corresponding to each inspection device so that the difference between the light emitter provided corresponding to the inspection device corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device and the light emitter provided corresponding to the inspection device corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device can be visually recognized.

[0013] In addition, in the item inspection device of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to cause the light-emitting element provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device to emit light in a first light color, and to cause the light-emitting element provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device to emit light in a second light color different from the first light color.

[0014] With this configuration, the item inspection device of the present invention can control the light emission mode of the light emitter provided corresponding to each inspection device so that the difference between the light emitter provided corresponding to the inspection device corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device and the light emitter provided corresponding to the inspection device corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device can be visually recognized.

[0015] In the article inspection device of the present invention, the inspector may be configured as a weighing device that measures the weight of the article.

[0016] With this configuration, the item inspection device of the present invention can grasp the correspondence between multiple weighing devices and the inspection results displayed in a list on the display device without physically interfering with the weighing devices.

[0017] An article sorting device of the present invention includes the above-described article inspection device, and is configured to sort articles inspected by the article inspection device in accordance with the inspection results of the article inspection device.

[0018] With this configuration, the article selection device of the present invention can make it possible to grasp the correspondence between multiple inspection devices and the inspection results displayed in a list on the display device without physically interfering with the inspection devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The present invention can provide an item inspection device and an item sorting device that can grasp the correspondence between multiple inspection devices and the inspection results displayed in a list on a display device without physically interfering with the inspection devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of an article selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the article selection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of an article selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of an article selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a monitor screen displayed on the display device of the article selection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a seal setting screen displayed on the display device of the article selection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an all-line seal setting screen displayed on the display device of the article selection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an individual line sealing setting screen displayed on the display device of the article selection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a line selection screen displayed on the display device of the article selection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a main body conveyor speed upper limit registration screen displayed on the display device of the article selection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example in which an article inspection device according to the present invention is applied to an article sorting device will be described.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the article sorting device 1 has a support table 2, a conveying device 3 provided on top of the support table 2, and a cover 5 that opens in the conveying direction of the conveying device 3 and covers the top and sides of the conveying device 3. In Fig. 1, the article sorting device 1 is shown with the side surface of the cover 5 on the front side removed.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the conveying device 3 has a series of conveying units 4a to 4f arranged in parallel in the conveying direction. In Fig. 2, the article selecting device 1 is shown in a state where the cover 5 is removed.

[0024] In this embodiment, the article sorting device 1 is described as being provided with six transport units, but the article sorting device of the present invention may be provided with two or more transport units. Hereinafter, the transport units 4a to 4f will also be collectively referred to as "transport unit 4."

[0025] The transport unit 4 has an inlet section 10a that receives and stabilizes articles supplied from a filling machine (not shown) installed outside the article sorting device 1, a measuring section 10b that measures the weight of the articles transported from the inlet section 10a, and a sorting section 10c that sorts the articles transported from the measuring section 10b. The inlet section 10a, the measuring section 10b, and the sorting section 10c are each composed of a belt conveyor that transports articles on a belt.

[0026] 1, the transport unit 4 has motors 11a to 11c that drive the belt conveyors that make up the approach section 10a, the measuring section 10b, and the sorting section 10c, respectively. The transport unit 4 is provided with a weighing device 12 that measures the weight of the article being transported by the measuring section 10b, and a light emitter 16 corresponding to the weighing device 12.

[0027] In this embodiment, the weighing device 12 constitutes the inspection instrument of the present invention and is constituted by an electromagnetic force balance scale. The weighing device 12 outputs a weight measurement signal according to the measurement result. However, the weighing device 12 may also be constituted by an electric resistance wire scale.

[0028] The light emitter 16 is provided at a position that can be seen from outside the article selecting device 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In this embodiment, the light emitter 16 is made up of an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0029] The sorting section 10c is arranged so that it can swing between a horizontal state (position indicated by reference symbol 13a in the figure) and a downwardly inclined state (position indicated by reference symbol 13b in the figure) around the end on the measuring section 10b side.

[0030] 3, the sorting unit 10c is provided with an actuator 14 that swings the sorting unit 10c. The actuator 14 switches the state of the sorting unit 10c between a horizontal state and a downwardly inclined state.

[0031] 1 and 3, a sensor 15 for detecting an article being conveyed from the approach section 10a to the measurement section 10b is provided on the inner surface of the cover 5 above the area between the approach section 10a and the measurement section 10b.

[0032] 4, the article selection device 1 has control boards 20a to 20f provided in the transport units 4a to 4f, and a control unit 21 that controls the control boards 20a to 20f. Hereinafter, the control boards 20a to 20f will also be collectively referred to as "control board 20."

[0033] The control board 20 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, registered trademark), an input / output port, and a communication port. The CPU of the control board 20 functions by executing a program stored in the ROM or EEPROM.

[0034] The motors 11a to 11c, the weighing device 12, the actuator 14, and the sensor 15 are connected to the input / output ports of the control board 20. Note that, although Fig. 4 shows that the motors 11a to 11c, the weighing device 12, the actuator 14, and the sensor 15 are connected to the input / output ports of the control board 20a, the corresponding motors 11a to 11c, the weighing device 12, the actuator 14, and the sensor 15 are also connected to the input / output ports of the control boards 20b to 20f in the same way as the input / output ports of the control board 20a.

[0035] The control board 20 controls the actuator 14 to switch the destination of the item depending on whether the weight of the item being transported by the measurement unit 10b is within a specified range. Specifically, when a set time has elapsed since the item was detected by the sensor 15, the control board 20 determines whether the weight of the item being transported by the measurement unit 10b is within a specified range based on weight data corresponding to the weight measurement signal output from the weighing device 12.

[0036] The EEPROM of the control board 20 stores line parameters related to the weighing device 12, such as the weighing section speed coefficient relative to the conveying speed of the measurement section 10b and sensitivity calibration data of the weighing device 12. The control board 20 determines the set time based on the line parameters stored in the EEPROM.

[0037] When the control board 20 determines that the weight of the item being transported by the measuring section 10b is within a specified range, it controls the actuator 14 to bring the sorting section 10c of the corresponding transport unit 4 into a horizontal position.

[0038] When the control board 20 determines that the weight of the item being transported by the measuring section 10b is not within the specified range, it controls the actuator 14 to tilt the sorting section 10c of the corresponding transport unit 4 downward.

[0039] As a result, articles whose weight is within the specified range are transported horizontally from sorting unit 10c, and articles whose weight is outside the specified range are transported downward from sorting unit 10c. Note that control board 20 may also control actuator 14 so that articles whose weight is within the specified range are transported downward from sorting unit 10c, and articles whose weight is outside the specified range are transported horizontally from sorting unit 10c.

[0040] The control unit 21 is configured by, for example, a computer unit having a CPU, ROM, RAM, a hard disk drive, an input / output port, and a communication port. The ROM and hard disk drive of this computer unit store a program for causing the computer unit to function as the control unit 21.

[0041] That is, the CPU loads the programs stored in the ROM and the hard disk drive into the RAM and executes the programs loaded into the RAM, whereby the computer unit functions as the control unit 21.

[0042] A display device 22 and an input device 23 are connected to the input / output ports of the control unit 21. In this embodiment, the display device 22 and the input device 23 are integrated into one unit by a touch panel unit 24. In this embodiment, the touch panel unit 24 is provided on the upper surface of the cover 5 (see FIG. 1).

[0043] The control unit 21 and each control board 20 are connected via a communication port. The control unit 21 controls each control board 20 via the communication port. For example, the control unit 21 can calibrate the sensitivity of the weighing devices 12 connected to each control board 20 collectively or individually.

[0044] The hard disk drive of the control unit 21 stores device parameters including usage range parameters related to the usage range such as the upper and lower limits of the usage weighing range and the upper limit of the main body conveyor speed, display parameters related to mass display such as the scale interval and decimal point position, zero set parameters related to zero setting such as the auto zero set range, and measurement parameters common to each conveying unit 4 related to the weighing device 12 such as the conveyor length of the measuring section 10b.

[0045] The hard disk drive of the control unit 21 also stores the line parameters stored in the EEPROM of each control board 20. When the article selection device 1 is powered on, the control unit 21 reads out the line parameters stored in the EEPROM of each control board 20, and stores the line parameters for each control board 20 (i.e., for each weighing device 12) in the hard disk drive.

[0046] The control unit 21 can change the line parameters for each control board 20. When the line parameters are changed, the control unit 21 updates the line parameters stored in the hard disk drive of the control unit 21 and the line parameters stored in the EEPROM of the corresponding control board 20.

[0047] Each control board 20 transmits to the control unit 21 information indicating the measurement results of the items by the weighing device 12 and the determination result as to whether the weight of the items is within a specified range. Based on the information received from each control board 20, the control unit 21 displays a monitoring screen on the display device 22.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 21 displays on the monitoring screen for each weighing device 12 an inspection result image 30 showing the measurement results of the item by the weighing device 12 and the determination result as to whether the weight of the item is within a specified range.

[0049] When an inspection result image 30 is selected (e.g., tapped) by the input device 23, the control unit 21 controls the light emission mode of the light emitting body 16 provided corresponding to each weighing device 12 so that the difference between the light emitting body 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the inspection result image 30 selected by the input device 23 and the light emitting body 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the inspection result image 30 not selected by the input device 23 can be visually recognized.

[0050] The light emitters 16 provided corresponding to the weighing devices 12 may be turned off or may emit light when not controlled by the control unit 21. The control unit 21 controls the light emission mode of the light emitters 16 provided corresponding to the weighing devices 12 during the period in which the inspection result image 30 is selected by the input device 23.

[0051] In addition, the control unit 21 may be configured to control the light emission mode of the light-emitting body 16 provided corresponding to each weighing device 12 for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) after the inspection result image 30 is selected by the input device 23.

[0052] In addition, the control unit 21 may be configured to control the light emission mode of the light-emitting body 16 provided corresponding to each weighing device 12 from the time the test result image 30 is selected by the input device 23 until the test result image 30 selected by the input device 23 is selected again.

[0053] In this embodiment, the control unit 21 causes the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 selected by the input device 23 to light up or blink, and turns off the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 not selected by the input device 23.

[0054] In addition, the control unit 21 may turn off or blink the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 selected by the input device 23, and may light up the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 not selected by the input device 23.

[0055] Alternatively, each light-emitting element 16 may be constructed of a full-color LED, and the control unit 21 may cause the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 selected by the input device 23 to emit or blink in a first light color (e.g., red), and cause the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 not selected by the input device 23 to emit in a second light color (e.g., blue) different from the first light color.

[0056] When the measured mass of the item sorting device 1 is to be used for transactions or certification, it must pass an inspection to determine whether it complies with the technical standards for structure or instrument error stipulated in the Measurement Act as a specified measuring instrument. In addition, since the item sorting device 1 has multiple weighing devices 12, inspection is conducted for each weighing device 12.

[0057] If a malfunction occurs in one of the multiple weighing devices 12, the item sorting device 1 cannot be used until the malfunctioning weighing device 12 is adjusted or replaced and passes inspection.

[0058] For this reason, the article selection device 1 is configured to be able to individually and independently perform inspection for each weighing device 12. Specifically, the control unit 21 is configured to be able to individually and independently set an inspection state for each weighing device 12 to either an uninspected state in which the weighing device has not passed inspection, or a inspected state in which the weighing device has passed inspection.

[0059] The control unit 21 stores in a hard disk drive the inspection status of the article selection device 1 and the inspection status of each weighing device 12. Furthermore, each control board 20 stores in an EEPROM the inspection status of the corresponding weighing device 12.

[0060] For example, if a malfunction occurs in the weighing device 12 provided in the transport unit 4a, the inspection state of the weighing device 12 provided in the transport unit 4a is set to an uninspected state, and the inspection state of the article sorting device 1 and the inspection states of the weighing devices 12 provided in the transport units 4b to 4f are maintained as inspected states. Therefore, the article sorting device 1 can be used as long as the weighing device 12 provided in the transport unit 4a is not used.

[0061] When the item sorting device 1 is powered on, the control unit 21 reads the inspection status stored in the EEPROM of each control board 20 when the item sorting device 1 is powered on, and updates the inspection status stored in the hard disk drive for each control board 20 (i.e., for each weighing device 12).

[0062] When the item sorting device 1 is in a certified state, changes to device parameters, execution of the function to calibrate the sensitivity of the weighing devices 12 connected to each control board 20 collectively or individually, clearing of the history representing the log of the certification state, and changes to the line parameters of all control boards 20 are prohibited.

[0063] On the other hand, when the item sorting device 1 is in an uncalibrated state, it is permitted to change the device parameters, execute the function of calibrating the sensitivity of the weighing devices 12 connected to each control board 20 collectively or individually, clear the history representing the log of the calibration state, and change the line parameters of all control boards 20.

[0064] When the weighing device 12 is in a certified state, execution of the function to calibrate the sensitivity of the weighing device 12 and changes to the line parameters of the corresponding control board 20 are prohibited. On the other hand, when the weighing device 12 is in an uncertified state, execution of the function to calibrate the sensitivity of the weighing device 12 and changes to the line parameters of the corresponding control board 20 are permitted.

[0065] In this way, when the article sorting device 1 or the weighing device 12 is in a certified state, that is, when the article sorting device 1 is in normal use, processing related to adjustment of the article sorting device 1 or the weighing device 12 that has been set to the certified state is prohibited. For this reason, in the following explanation, setting the device to the "certified state" is also referred to as "sealing."

[0066] On the other hand, when the item sorting device 1 or the weighing device 12 is in an uncertified state, that is, when part of the item sorting device 1 or the weighing device 12 is unusable, processing related to adjustment of the item sorting device 1 or the unusable weighing device 12 is permitted. For this reason, in the following explanation, setting the device in an "uncertified state" is also referred to as "releasing" the "seal."

[0067] 5, when there is a weighing device 12 that has been set to an unverified state, i.e., a weighing device 12 that has been unsealed, among the weighing devices 12 provided in each of the plurality of transport units 4a to 4f, the control unit 21 displays a warning image on at least a part of the monitoring screen. In this embodiment, the control unit 21 causes the "?" mark icon 31 that is always displayed on the monitoring screen to blink as a warning image.

[0068] In this way, by displaying the warning image on at least a part of the monitoring screen, it is possible to warn that an unsealed weighing device 12 may be in use. Furthermore, by displaying the warning image on at least a part of the monitoring screen, if a maintenance person who maintains the article sorting device 1 adjusts or replaces the weighing device 12 and then forgets to seal the adjusted or replaced weighing device 12, it is possible to warn that sealing has been forgotten.

[0069] The sealing and unsealing of the article selecting device 1 or the weighing device 12 will be described below with reference to examples of screens displayed on the display device 22 by the control unit 21.

[0070] For example, if a malfunction occurs in the weighing device 12 provided in the transport unit 4, a maintenance person will remove the seal on the article selection device 1 or the weighing device 12. The control unit 21 authenticates the maintenance person by displaying on the display device 22 an authentication screen that can be accessed from the monitoring screen.

[0071] In this embodiment, authentication is performed by password authentication. However, authentication may also be performed by IC tag authentication, two-dimensional barcode authentication, fingerprint authentication, face authentication, iris authentication, or a combination of these.

[0072] When the authentication is complete, the control unit 21 displays a seal setting screen as shown in Fig. 6 on the display device 22. On the seal setting screen, it is possible to select either sealing / unsealing the article sorting device 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "all lines") or sealing / unsealing a selected weighing device 12 (hereinafter also referred to as "line").

[0073] When sealing / unsealing all lines is selected on the seal setting screen, the control unit 21 causes the display device 22 to display the all line seal setting screen as shown in Fig. 7. The all line seal setting screen allows the user to select whether to seal all lines or unseal all lines.

[0074] When "Release sealing of all lines" is selected on the all line sealing setting screen, the control unit 21 releases the seals on all lines. That is, the control unit 21 releases the seals on the article selecting device 1 and all weighing devices 12.

[0075] When sealing of all lines is selected on the all line sealing setting screen, the control unit 21 seals all lines. That is, the control unit 21 seals the article selecting device 1 and all weighing devices 12.

[0076] When a line is selected and sealing / unsealing is selected on the sealing setting screen shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 21 causes the display device 22 to display an individual line sealing setting screen as shown in Fig. 8. On the individual line sealing setting screen, it is possible to select whether to select a line and seal it, or to select a line and unseal it.

[0077] When either "Select a line and seal" or "Select a line and release seal" is selected on the individual line sealing setting screen, the control unit 21 causes the display device 22 to display a line selection screen as shown in FIG.

[0078] On the line selection screen, the control unit 21 displays an image representing the measurement results of the weighing device 12 on the line selection screen in correspondence with the image representing the line options. In this way, by displaying an image representing the measurement results of the weighing device 12 on the line selection screen in correspondence with the image representing the line options, the weighing device 12 of the line being selected as the target for setting to an unverified state or a verified state can measure the weight of a reference object such as a weight with a known weight, allowing the maintenance person to confirm that the line being selected is correct.

[0079] In addition, when an image representing the measurement results of a weighing device 12 is selected by the input device 23 on the line selection screen, the control unit 21 may control the light emission mode of the light emitting body 16 provided corresponding to each weighing device 12 so that the difference between the light emitting body 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the image selected by the input device 23 and the light emitting body 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the image not selected by the input device 23 can be visually recognized, just as when the inspection result image 30 on the monitoring screen (see Figure 5) is selected by the input device 23.

[0080] By configuring it in this way, the maintenance person can confirm that the line he or she is about to select as the target for setting to an unverified or verified state is correct without physically interfering with the weighing device 12.

[0081] On the line selection screen, the control unit 21 displays an image representing the measurement results of the weighing device 12 on the line selection screen in correspondence with the image representing the line options. In this way, by displaying an image representing the measurement results of the weighing device 12 on the line selection screen in correspondence with the image representing the line options, the weighing device 12 of the line being selected as the target for setting to an unverified state or a verified state can measure the weight of a reference object such as a weight with a known weight, allowing the maintenance person to confirm that the line being selected is correct.

[0082] When a line is selected on the line selection screen, the control unit 21 seals the line selected on the line selection screen shown in Fig. 9 or releases the seal on the selected line, depending on the selection result on the individual line sealing setting screen shown in Fig. 8. That is, the control unit 21 seals the selected weighing device 12 or releases the seal on the selected line.

[0083] While the seal of the article sorting device 1 or the weighing device 12 is removed, the unsealed weighing device 12 is adjusted or replaced. For example, while the seal of the article sorting device 1 is removed, it is permitted to change the device parameters, to execute a function to calibrate the sensitivity of the weighing devices 12 connected to each control board 20 collectively or individually, to clear the history that shows the log of the inspection status, and to change the line parameters of all control boards 20. Furthermore, while the seal of the weighing device 12 is removed, it is permitted to execute a function to calibrate the sensitivity of the weighing device 12 and to change the line parameters of the corresponding control board 20.

[0084] For example, while the seal on the item sorting device 1 is released, the control unit 21 allows the display device 22 to display a screen for changing device parameters, such as a main body conveyor speed upper limit registration screen for setting the main body conveyor speed upper limit value as shown in Figure 10.

[0085] After the item sorting device 1 or the weighing device 12 is sealed, an inspector inspects the weighing devices 12 that have been unsealed, and if any weighing devices 12 do not pass the inspection, a maintenance person unseals the weighing devices 12 that did not pass the inspection, adjusts or replaces the unsealed weighing devices 12, and then seals them again.

[0086] The item sorting device 1 can be connected to a host computer that centrally manages multiple inspection devices including the item sorting device 1. In response to instructions from the host computer, the item sorting device 1 may seal the item sorting device 1 or the weighing device 12, release the seal on the item sorting device 1 or the weighing device 12, change device parameters, change line parameters, and the like.

[0087] As described above, in this embodiment, the light emission mode of the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to each weighing device 12 is controlled so that, among the test result images 30 showing the measurement results of multiple weighing devices 12, the difference between the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 selected by the input device 23 and the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 not selected by the input device 23 can be visually recognized. Therefore, the correspondence between the multiple weighing devices 12 and the test results displayed in a list on the display device can be grasped without physically interfering with the weighing devices 12.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 selected by the input device 23 is illuminated, and the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 not selected by the input device 23 is turned off, so that the light-emitting state of the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to each weighing device 12 can be controlled so that the difference between the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 selected by the input device 23 and the light-emitting element 16 provided corresponding to the weighing device 12 corresponding to the test result image 30 not selected by the input device 23 can be visually recognized.

[0089] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1. Item sorting device 12 Weighing equipment (inspection equipment) 16 Luminous Object 21 Control Unit 22 Display device 23 Input Devices 30 Test result images

Claims

1. a plurality of inspectors (12) for inspecting a plurality of articles that have been transported separately and independently; a control unit (21) for controlling the plurality of inspection devices; a display device (22); an input device (23); and a light emitter (16) provided corresponding to each of the inspectors, The control unit displaying an inspection result image (30) representing the inspection result of the inspection device on the display device for each of the inspection devices; The light emitting state of the light emitting body provided corresponding to each of the inspectors is controlled so that a difference between the light emitting body provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image selected by the input device and the light emitting body provided corresponding to the inspector corresponding to the inspection result image not selected by the input device can be visually recognized. An article inspection device characterized by:

2. The control unit causes the light emitters provided corresponding to the inspectors corresponding to the inspection result images selected by the input device to emit light, and turns off the light emitters provided corresponding to the inspectors corresponding to the inspection result images not selected by the input device.

2. The article inspection device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit turns off the light emitters provided corresponding to the inspectors corresponding to the inspection result images selected by the input device, and turns on the light emitters provided corresponding to the inspectors corresponding to the inspection result images not selected by the input device.

2. The article inspection device according to claim 1.

4. The control unit causes the light emitters provided corresponding to the inspectors corresponding to the inspection result images selected by the input device to emit light in a first emission color, and causes the light emitters provided corresponding to the inspectors corresponding to the inspection result images not selected by the input device to emit light in a second emission color different from the first emission color.

2. The article inspection device according to claim 1.

5. The inspection device is configured with a weighing device that measures the weight of the item.

2. The article inspection device according to claim 1.

6. An article inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an article sorting device that sorts the articles inspected by the article inspection device in accordance with the inspection results of the article inspection device;

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