Metering devices, measuring systems and wireless communication devices

Abstract

To provide a weighing device capable of transmitting a weighing value by sonic communication without generating an unpleasant sound. [Solution] A weighing device (1) equipped with a weighing mechanism that determines the weighing value of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan and a buzzer (20) that outputs an audible sound, is provided with a sound signal generating unit (80) that generates a sound signal indicative of the weighing value and outputs the sound signal from the buzzer (20), and a mode switching unit (70) that switches between a normal mode in which the weighing mechanism determines the weighing value and then emits a sound from the buzzer (20) to notify the end of weighing, and an acoustic communication mode in which the weighing mechanism determines the weighing value and then outputs a sound signal indicative of the weighing value from the buzzer (20), and the sound signal generating unit (80) generates the sound signal by modulating the frequency and sweeping the frequency between a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weighing device, a weighing system, and a wireless communication device, and more particularly to a weighing device, a weighing system, and a wireless communication device having an acoustic communication function for transmitting an acoustic signal, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various balances equipped with wireless communication functions have become widespread. Common wireless communication standards include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark), and once initial setup is performed, weight value signals can be automatically received by a receiving device such as a PC or smartphone. This allows weight value data to be stored in the receiving device, making it easy to evaluate and analyze the weight values. Such a balance equipped with Bluetooth wireless communication functions is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0003] However, when using wireless communication as described above, a wireless communication device is required on the balance, which raises the problem of higher costs. Furthermore, development must be done to comply with the wireless communication function standards, which increases the time and cost involved. Especially in today's profusion of wireless communication standards, development and additional devices are required every time a wireless communication function is changed or added. For this reason, it is desirable to use the buzzer already installed on the balance or the microphone already installed on a smartphone for wireless transmission. As a method of communication using an existing buzzer or the like, sonic communication has attracted attention, and various products are on the market. For example, a thermometer using sonic communication uses an existing buzzer in the thermometer and an existing microphone in a smartphone to transmit measurement data to the smartphone. Such a thermometer is disclosed, for example, on an internet website (Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7240560 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] A webpage on the Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. website (Healthcare Store) presenting the "Ultrasonic Communication Thermometer MC-6800B Kenonkun" [searched June 13, 2025], Internet <URL:https: / / store.healthcare.omron.co.jp / item / MC_6800B.html?srsltid=AfmBOooO83AaQZBQC_H3e8wNvQJgZiO1ISSem0cEaqRHMVvUZ7DFHJGk> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above-mentioned sound wave communication has a problem in that it is prone to generating harsh sounds because it does not take into account the sound wave characteristics of the buzzer. For example, the above-mentioned sound wave communication generates a harsh buzzer sound like "jailing" while outputting the sound wave signal. Additionally, the environment in which a balance is used is usually quiet, so if an annoying buzzer sounds, it can be even more unpleasant.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a weighing device that can transmit a measurement value via acoustic communication without generating an unpleasant sound, and a weighing system that includes such a weighing device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device that can perform sonic communication without generating harsh sounds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, comprises a weighing mechanism for determining the weight of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan, a buzzer for outputting an audible sound,a sound wave signal generating unit that generates a sound wave signal indicating the measured value and outputs the sound wave signal from the buzzer; A weighing device comprising: and an external information terminal that receives the sonic signal from the weighing device, wherein the weighing device a mode switching unit for switching between a normal mode in which the buzzer emits a sound to notify completion of measurement after the weighing mechanism has determined a weight value, and a sonic communication mode in which the buzzer outputs a sonic signal indicating the weight value after the weighing mechanism has determined the weight value, and the sonic signal generating unit generates the sonic signal by modulating the frequency and sweeping the frequency between a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency. The information terminal performs a filter process in which the first frequency in the sound wave signal is set to a pass band and the second frequency in the sound wave signal is set to a pass band outside, and acquires the metric value by extracting only the gain of the first frequency. It is characterized by:

[0009] The above configuration was adopted for the following reasons. While the inventors of the present application were developing a weighing system equipped with a function to output a sound wave signal indicating a measurement value from a buzzer, they discovered that, as described above, conventional sonic communication that outputs a sound wave signal from a buzzer has the problem of "being prone to producing an unpleasant buzzer sound." Furthermore, while developing the above product, the inventors of the present application discovered that if sound waves are generated by smoothly sweeping the frequency between two frequencies (i.e., if sound waves are generated by slowly sweeping and switching the frequency), measurement value signals can be transmitted and received without generating an unpleasant buzzer sound, even in acoustic communication that outputs an acoustic signal from a buzzer.In other words, they discovered that, while turning the output of a sound signal on and off using an amplitude modulation method, as in conventional acoustic communication, generates an unpleasant buzzer sound, using a method that sweeps the frequency eliminates the unpleasant buzzer sound. Furthermore, the configuration of the weighing device of the present invention allows sonic communication to be performed without generating an unpleasant buzzer sound.

[0010] The present invention also provides a weighing system having the weighing device and an external information terminal that receives an acoustic signal from the weighing device, wherein the information terminal performs a filter process that sets the first frequency in the acoustic signal within the passband and sets the second frequency in the acoustic signal outside the passband, and obtains the weighing value by extracting only the gain of the first frequency.

[0011] As described above, in the present invention, an external information terminal that receives a sound wave signal performs a filter process that passes only the first frequency of the sound wave signal. With this configuration, the external information terminal can acquire a metric value expressed as on / off from a sound wave signal (a sound wave signal that indicates a metric value) that is swept between two frequencies simply by distinguishing between the first frequency and the second frequency. In other words, according to the present invention, a metric value can be transmitted simply by distinguishing between the first frequency and the second frequency.

[0012] Preferably, the weighing device also includes a light that illuminates while the buzzer is outputting the sound wave signal. With this configuration, the user can know that a sound wave signal is being output by the light being illuminated. In other words, although the present invention has the problem that it is difficult to tell the output status of a sound wave signal because the harsh buzzer sound is gone, the light being illuminated makes it possible to know the output status of a sound wave signal.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable that the light be a light emitting means that emits light depending on the horizontal state of the case that houses the weighing mechanism. With this configuration, the sound wave output status can be monitored using the light on the horizontal mechanism provided in the measurement device. In other words, with this configuration, existing components of the measurement device can be used, thereby reducing costs.

[0014] The present invention also provides a buzzer that outputs an audible sound; Showing various data a sound wave signal generating unit that generates a sound wave signal and outputs the sound wave signal from the buzzer; and an external information terminal that receives the sound wave signal from the wireless communication device, The sound wave signal generating unit generates the sound wave signal by modulating the frequency and sweeping the frequency between a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency. The information terminal is characterized in that it performs filtering processing in which the first frequency in the sound wave signal is set to a pass band and the second frequency in the sound wave signal is set to a pass band outside, and acquires the data by extracting only the gain of the first frequency.

[0015] According to the present invention, a wireless communication device can be provided that can perform acoustic communication without generating harsh sounds, by smoothly sweeping the frequency between two frequencies to generate acoustic waves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a weighing device that can transmit a weighing value by acoustic communication without generating an unpleasant sound, and a weighing system that includes the weighing device. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless communication device that can perform sonic communication without generating harsh sounds. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a weighing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating the sound wave signals generated by a weighing device constituting a weighing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating the sound wave signals generated by a conventional method, and (b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the sound wave signals generated by the weighing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing of a sound wave signal performed by an external information terminal on the receiving side of the weighing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A weighing system including a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of the weighing system of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the sound wave signal generated by the weighing device constituting the weighing system of this embodiment, where (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating the sound wave signal generated by a conventional method, and (b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the sound wave signal generated by the weighing device of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of the sound wave signal performed by an external information terminal on the receiving side of the weighing system of this embodiment.

[0019] Overall structure First, the configuration of the weighing system of this embodiment will be described.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the weighing system of this embodiment includes a weighing mechanism that determines the weighing value of an object placed on a weighing pan (not shown) and a buzzer 20 that outputs an audible sound, as well as a weighing device 1 that generates a sound signal indicating the weighing value and outputs the sound signal from the buzzer 20, and an information terminal 100 that receives the sound signal output by the weighing device 1 and displays the weighing value indicated by the received sound signal. The following describes the configurations of the weighing device 1 and the information terminal 100 that make up the weighing system.

[0021] 《Measuring device 1》 The weighing device 1 includes a weighing sensor 10 that detects the load of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan (not shown) and outputs load data indicating the load, a buzzer 20 that outputs an audible sound, a leveling mechanism 30 with a light, a display unit 40 that displays the weighing value, etc., an operation unit 50 that accepts various operations from the user, a weighing value calculation unit 60 that calculates the weighing value of the object to be weighed from the load data output by the weighing sensor 10, a mode switching unit 70, and an acoustic signal generation unit 80 that generates an acoustic signal indicating the weighing value and causes the buzzer 20 to output the acoustic signal. The "weighing sensor 10 and the weight value calculation unit 60" constitute a weighing mechanism that calculates the weight value of an object placed on the weighing pan.

[0022] In addition, the components of the weighing device 1 (weighing sensor 10, buzzer 20, lighted horizontal mechanism 30, display unit 40, operation unit 50, weighing value calculation unit 60, mode switching unit 70 and sound signal generation unit 80) are housed in an approximately hollow box-shaped case (not shown). The display unit 40 is housed in a case with the display screen exposed from the case, and the operation unit 50 is housed in a case with the operation buttons exposed from the case.

[0023] Furthermore, the weighing device 1 of this embodiment has an "ultrasonic communication mode in which, after calculating a weight value, a sonic signal indicating the weight value is generated and the generated sonic signal is output from the buzzer 20," and a "normal mode in which, after calculating a weight value, a sonic signal is not generated and a weighing completion sound (audible sound) is output from the buzzer 20." The mode switching unit 70 is configured to set either the "ultrasonic communication mode" or the "normal mode." Each component of the weighing device 1 will be described below. The weighing sensor 10, the buzzer 20, the lighted leveling mechanism 30, the display unit 40, and the operation unit 50 are well-known technologies, and therefore their explanation will be simplified.

[0024] The weighing sensor 10 detects the load of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan (not shown). The load detected by the weighing sensor 10 is output to the weighing value calculation unit 60 as A / D converted weighing data. The weighing sensor 10 may be, for example, an electromagnetic balance type, a strain gauge type, or an electrostatic capacitance type.

[0025] The buzzer 20 is an electronic component that converts an electrical signal into sound, and is the same as that installed in existing weighing devices, thermometers, etc.

[0026] The leveling mechanism 30 with light (light emitting means) is used to set the weighing device 1 in a horizontal position, and the light emits light depending on the horizontal position of the case.

[0027] The display unit 40 is configured with a liquid crystal display device or the like having a touch panel display screen (such as a liquid crystal screen), and has the function of displaying the measurement values ​​and the function of accepting various operations from the user. The display unit 40 is also connected to the measurement value calculation unit 60, and exchanges various data with the measurement value calculation unit 60.

[0028] The operation unit 50 is configured with operation buttons (such as a power button for turning the power on / off and a mode setting button for setting the mode ("sonic communication mode" and "normal mode"). The operation unit 50 is connected to the measurement value calculation unit 60 and the mode switching unit 70, and exchanges various data with the measurement value calculation unit 60 and the mode switching unit 70.

[0029] The measurement value calculation unit 60 receives the load data output by the measurement sensor 10, calculates the measurement value of the object to be measured from the load data, generates display data indicating the calculated measurement value, outputs the display data to the display unit 40, and causes the display unit 40 to display the display data indicating the measurement value. Furthermore, when the weight value calculation unit 60 calculates the weight value of the object to be measured, it accesses a mode table, which will be described later, and checks the mode set in the mode setting unit 70 .

[0030] If the set mode is "sonic communication mode", the measurement value calculation unit 60 requests the sound signal generation unit 80 to generate a sound signal. If the set mode is "normal mode", the measurement value calculation unit 60 sends an output command to the buzzer 20 to output a measurement completion notification sound that notifies the completion of measurement, causing the buzzer 20 to output the measurement completion notification sound.

[0031] The mode switching unit 70 has a mode table, accepts a mode setting (either "normal mode" or "ultrasonic communication mode") from the user via the operation unit 50, and registers the accepted mode in the mode table. In the initial setting state, "normal mode" is registered in the mode table. Specifically, when the mode switching unit 70 receives a change in the set mode from the user via the operation unit 50, it updates the mode registered in the mode table to the received mode.

[0032] When the sound wave signal generating unit 80 receives a "sound wave signal generation request" from the metric value calculating unit 60, it uses the metric value calculated by the metric value calculating unit 60 to generate a sound wave signal indicating the metric value. Specifically, the sound wave signal generating unit 80 generates coded data from the metric value that represents the metric value as 0 and 1, and generates a sound wave signal by sweeping the frequency, treating different first and second frequencies as codes of 0 and 1. Then, the sound wave signal generating unit 80 outputs a sound wave signal to the buzzer 30, causing the buzzer 30 to output the sound wave signal.

[0033] Furthermore, while the sound wave signal generating unit 80 is causing the buzzer 30 to output a sound wave signal, it sends a light emission signal to the lighted leveling mechanism 30, causing the light of the lighted leveling mechanism 30 to emit light. That is, in this embodiment, while the buzzer 30 is outputting a sound wave signal, the light of the leveling mechanism 30 is emitting light. When the output of the sound wave signal from the buzzer 30 stops, the emitting light is turned off. With this configuration, the user can know that a sound wave signal is being output by the light being emitted. That is, although the weighing device 1 of this embodiment has the problem that the annoying buzzer sound is gone and it is difficult to tell the output status of the sound wave signal, the light being emitted allows the user to know the output status of the sound wave signal.

[0034] Furthermore, as described above, the sound wave signal generated by the sound wave signal generating unit 80 is not generated by turning a signal of a specific frequency on and off to encode a metric value, but by modulating the frequency and sweeping the frequency between a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency. Hereinafter, the sound wave signal of this embodiment will be described in comparison with the sound wave signal of the prior art with reference to FIG.

[0035] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2(a), the sound wave signal of the prior art represents data in which a metric value is coded (coded into "0" and "1") by turning on and off a signal of a specific frequency (for example, 17 kHz, a frequency that is difficult for humans to hear). When the buzzer 20 outputs a sound wave signal that turns a specific frequency on and off, the audible band expands when the signal turns on and off, producing a harsh, "jamly" buzzer sound.

[0036] On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the sound wave signal generating unit 80 sweeps to the first frequency (16 kHz) when on, and sweeps to the second frequency (17 kHz) when off, so that the measurement value is expressed as a signal on / off. That is, the sound wave signal generating unit 80 generates a sound wave signal (a sound wave signal indicating a measurement value) by modulating the frequency and sweeping the frequency between two different frequencies (a first frequency (e.g., 16 kHz) and a second frequency (e.g., 17 kHz)). When switching between the first frequency (16 kHz) and the second frequency (17 kHz), the sound wave signal generating unit 80 generates the sound wave signal by slowly sweeping and switching the frequency. In the illustrated example, the first frequency (for example, 16 kHz) indicates "1" and the second frequency (for example, 17 kHz) indicates "0."

[0037] In this embodiment, when a sound wave signal is output from the buzzer 30, the generation of harsh buzzer sounds is suppressed (the "crunching" buzzer sounds are suppressed), and only a mosquito-like sound is generated.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, there are no particular limitations on the hardware configuration of the "measurement value calculation unit 60, mode switching unit 70, and sound wave signal generation unit 80," but for example, the "measurement value calculation unit 60, mode switching unit 70, and sound wave signal generation unit 80" can be configured by a circuit board having a CPU, memory (main memory device, auxiliary memory device), and an I / O interface. In this case, the auxiliary storage device stores a program for realizing the functions of the "measurement value calculation unit 60, mode switching unit 70, and sound wave signal generation unit 80." The functions of the "measurement value calculation unit 60, mode switching unit 70, and sound wave signal generation unit 80" are realized by the CPU loading the program stored in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executing it. The above-mentioned mode table is stored in the above-mentioned memory.

[0039] Information terminal 100 Next, the configuration of the information terminal 100 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the information terminal 100 is an information processing device having a CPU and memory, and is configured from a smartphone, a personal computer, etc., and includes an acoustic signal processing unit 110, a measurement information generating unit 120, a microphone 130 that receives the acoustic signal output from the weighing device 1, a display unit 140 configured from an LCD display, an organic EL display, etc., and an operation unit 150 configured from operation buttons, a touch panel, etc. The "sound wave signal processing" performed by the information terminal 100 will be described below.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the sound wave signal output from the weighing device 1 is received by the microphone 130 and output from the microphone 130 to the sound wave signal processing unit 110. The sound signal processing unit 110 performs filtering in which the first frequency (16 kHz) in the sound signal received by the microphone 130 is set as the passband and the second frequency (17 kHz) in the sound signal is set as outside the passband, extracts only the gain of the first frequency, and then extracts the contour of the first frequency and encodes it as "0 / 1".

[0041] Specifically, the sound wave signal processing unit 110 has a band-pass filter unit 110a, a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) unit 110b, and an encoding unit 110c. The bandpass filter unit 110a extracts only the first frequency (16 kHz) from the sound wave signal received by the microphone . The DFT unit 110b extracts the contour of the first frequency (16 kHz) from the data from which the bandpass filter unit 110a has extracted only the first frequency (16 kHz). The encoding unit 110c encodes the data obtained by the DFT unit 110b from which the contour of the first frequency (16 kHz) has been extracted into “0 / 1”, and outputs the encoded data to the metric information generating unit 120.

[0042] The metric information generator 120 generates image data indicating the metric value using the "encoded data" sent from the encoder 110c, and outputs the image data to the display 140. As a result, the metric value measured by the weighing device 1 is displayed on the display screen of the display 140.

[0043] The memory of the information terminal 100 stores a program (application) for realizing the functions of the "sound wave signal generating unit 110 and the metric information generating unit 120." The functions of the "sound wave signal generating unit 110 and the metric information generating unit 120" are realized by the CPU of the information terminal 100 executing the program. The microphone 130, the display unit 140, and the operation unit 150 are well-known components, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a weighing device 1 that can transmit a weighing value via acoustic communication without generating an unpleasant sound, and a weighing system that includes the weighing device 1.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a wireless communication device including a buzzer 20 that outputs an audible sound, and a sound signal generator 80 that generates sound signals indicative of various data and outputs the sound signals from the buzzer 20. In this case, the sound signal generator 80 generates the sound signals by modulating the frequency and sweeping the frequency between a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency. In this case, sound communication using the buzzer 20 can also reliably transmit various data via sound communication without generating any harsh sounds.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the weighing device 1 measures the load of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a measuring device that measures a physical quantity. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a measurement device that includes a measurement means for measuring biological information such as body temperature and blood pressure, and a buzzer 20 for outputting audible sounds, and that includes a sound signal generating unit 80 that generates a sound signal indicating a measurement value and outputs the sound signal from the buzzer 20, and a mode switching unit 70 that switches between a normal mode in which the measurement means obtains a measurement value and then emits a sound from the buzzer 20 to notify the end of measurement, and a sound communication mode in which the measurement means obtains a measurement value and then outputs a sound signal indicating the measurement value from the buzzer 20, and that generates a code of 0 and 1 from the measurement value by sweeping the frequency with different first and second frequencies as the codes of 0 and 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...Measuring device 10...Weight sensor 20...Buzzer 30...Leveling mechanism with light 40…Display section 50...Operation unit 60...Weight value calculation section 70...Mode switching section 80...sound wave signal generating unit 100...Information terminal 110...sound wave signal processing unit 110a...Band pass filter section 110b…DFT section 110c...encoding section 120...Metric information generation section 130...Mike 140...Display section 150...Operation unit

Claims

1. a weighing mechanism for determining the weight of an object placed on a weighing pan; and a buzzer for outputting an audible sound. A weighing system comprising: a weighing device having a sound signal generating unit that generates a sound signal indicating the weighing value and outputs the sound signal from the buzzer; and an external information terminal that receives the sound signal from the weighing device, the weighing device includes a mode switching unit that switches between a normal mode in which the weighing mechanism determines a weight value and then issues a sound from the buzzer to notify the completion of weighing, and an acoustic communication mode in which the weighing mechanism determines a weight value and then outputs a sound signal indicating the weight value from the buzzer, the sound wave signal generating unit is configured to generate the sound wave signal by modulating a frequency and sweeping the frequency between a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency; The information terminal is configured to perform filtering processing in which the first frequency in the sound wave signal is set within the passband and the second frequency in the sound wave signal is set outside the passband, and to obtain the measurement value by extracting only the gain of the first frequency.

2. 2. The weighing system of claim 1, further comprising a light that illuminates while said buzzer is outputting said sound wave signal.

3. 3. The weighing device according to claim 2, wherein the light is a light emitting means that emits light depending on the horizontal state of a case that houses the weighing mechanism.

4. A wireless communication system having a wireless communication device including a buzzer that outputs audible sounds, a sound wave signal generating unit that generates sound wave signals indicating various data and outputs the sound wave signals from the buzzer, and an external information terminal that receives the sound wave signals from the wireless communication device, the sound wave signal generating unit is configured to generate the sound wave signal by modulating a frequency and sweeping the frequency between a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency; The information terminal is configured to perform filtering processing in which the first frequency in the sound wave signal is set within the passband and the second frequency in the sound wave signal is set outside the passband, and to acquire the data by extracting only the gain of the first frequency.

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