Weighing device and weighing label application device

Abstract

To provide a weighing device configured to be switchable between a normal mode and a verification mode, and capable of performing a display suitable for verification.SOLUTION: A weighing device having a display unit that displays various information based on a measured value obtained by measuring the weight of an article by a measuring unit, is configured to be controllable so as to switch between a normal mode of displaying the various information based on a stable measured value obtained when measuring the weight of an article, and a verification mode of verifying the performance of the weighing unit to be verified by the operation of an administrator. When controlled in the verification mode, the weighing device displays history of each verification pseudo-material obtained when weighing the verification pseudo-materials.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a weighing device and a weighing label affixing device.

Background Art

[0002] A weighing device for weighing commodities is known. Also known is a device that weighs commodities during conveyance, prints weight values, prices, etc. of the commodities on a label, and affixes the label to the commodities (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is no known weighing device or weighing label affixing device that has a simple structure, can be controlled by switching between a normal mode and a calibration mode, and can perform a display suitable for calibration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The weighing device according to the present invention includes at least the following configuration. A conveyor, a weighing unit that measures the weight of an article being conveyed on the conveyor, and an output unit that outputs the measurement result of the weighing unit. The device is configured to be controllable to switch between a normal mode in which various information is output based on a stable measurement value obtained when measuring the weight of an article, and a calibration mode in which a performance calibration of the weighing unit to be calibrated is performed by an operation of an administrator. When controlled in the normal mode, the output unit outputs the measurement result in a display in a first unit, and when controlled in the calibration mode, the output unit outputs the measurement result in a display in the second unit 1 / 10 of characterized in that the measurement result is output in a display in a second unit.

[0006] The present invention is a weighing and labeling device that affixes a label to an article based on a measurement value obtained by measuring the weight of the article being transported on a conveyor belt with a weighing unit, and has an output unit that outputs the measurement result of the weighing unit. The device is configured to be controllable by switching between a normal mode, in which a label containing various information output based on a stable measurement value obtained when measuring the weight of the article being transported on a conveyor belt with the weighing unit, and a verification mode, in which the operator performs a performance verification of the weighing unit that is subject to verification. The output unit outputs the measurement result in a display of a first unit when controlled in the normal mode, and in the verification mode, in the first unit. 1 / 10 of It is characterized by outputting measurement results in a second unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an overall conceptual diagram showing an example of a weighing label application device (weighing device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of an electrical functional block for a weighing and labeling device. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a weighing and labeling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the operation of a weighing and labeling device in normal mode. (a) shows an example of the operation screen in normal mode. (b) shows an example of a label to be affixed to an item (product). [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of the operation of a weighing and labeling device. (a) is an example of the administrator authentication screen for the weighing and labeling device. (b) is an example of the settings screen for various verifications in verification mode. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the display screen for the instrument error in calibration mode. [Figure 7]This figure shows examples of how the weighing unit of a weighing label application device displays weighing values. (a) to (c) are examples of weighing values ​​(scale divisions) displayed in normal mode. (d) to (e) are examples of weighing values ​​displayed in verification mode. [Figure 8] These figures illustrate an example of the operation of a weighing and labeling device. (a) shows an example of the deviation operation display screen in the calibration mode of the weighing and labeling device. (b) shows an example of the deviation test screen in the calibration mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] A weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a display unit that displays various information based on a measurement value obtained by measuring the weight of an item in a weighing unit. This weighing device is configured to be controllable by switching between a normal mode that displays various information based on a stable measurement value obtained when measuring the weight of an item, and a verification mode in which the performance of the weighing unit to be verified is verified by an operator. When controlled in verification mode, the device displays the history of each dummy material used for verification obtained when weighing the dummy material used for verification. It is desirable to prepare and perform the testing using dummy materials (samples) of the exact weight required for each test item. However, considering the ease of transporting samples and managing the weight of each sample, it is also acceptable to prepare multiple samples (around 10) and repeatedly use them for testing. For typical test items, testing is performed in units of 10, so it is preferable to prepare 10 samples. The history display for each dummy material for testing refers to a list of weighing results for a specified unit (e.g., 10 units) when the test item is performed multiple times in a specified unit, for a total of a predetermined number of times (60 times). This is shown by displaying the history (log) of the weighing values ​​for the specified number of tests (10 times). Alternatively, a predetermined number of dummy materials (samples) for testing may be prepared, for example 60, and the test may be performed using these 60 dummy materials. Alternatively, a smaller number of dummy materials, such as 10, may be prepared, and the test may be performed by sequentially and repeatedly using these dummy materials. Alternatively, one dummy material may be prepared, and the test may be performed by sequentially and repeatedly using this one dummy material. Furthermore, the weighing device may, for example, be equipped with a scale (weighing unit) on a conveyor that transports goods, and measure the weight (mass) of the goods while they are being transported on the conveyor, or it may be used to weigh the goods using a scale without a conveyor.

[0009] Furthermore, the weighing and labeling device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a display unit that displays various information and affixes a label to an item based on a measurement value obtained by measuring the weight of the item being transported on a conveyor belt with a weighing unit. This weighing and labeling device is configured to be controllable by switching between a normal mode, in which a label is affixed to the item based on a stable measurement value obtained when the weight of the item being transported on a conveyor belt is measured with the weighing unit, and a verification mode, in which the performance verification of the weighing unit to be verified is performed by an operator. When controlled in verification mode, the device displays the history for each verification dummy material obtained when weighing the verification dummy material.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, those shown in the drawings. In the following descriptions of each drawing, parts that are common with parts already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and some redundant explanations will be omitted. The following describes an example of a weighing and labeling device employing the weighing device according to the present invention.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the weighing and labeling device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device that measures the weight (mass) of an article being transported on a conveyor belt and affixes a label to the article based on the measured value obtained. Specifically, the weighing label affixing device 100 includes a conveying table, a control device 10, a weighing unit 9, a label printing and affixing unit 160, and the like.

[0012] The conveying table has a conveying mechanism such as a conveyor for conveying articles (merchandise, etc.). On the conveying table, a conveyor 2, a conveyor 3 (weighing conveyor) equipped with a weighing unit 9, and a conveyor 4 equipped with a label printing and affixing unit 160 are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0013] The conveyor 2 has a pair of rollers R21, R22 arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the conveying direction of the conveying path, and an endless belt B2 stretched between the pair of rollers R21, R22. The conveyor 3 has a pair of rollers R31, R32 arranged at a predetermined distance apart, and an endless belt B3 stretched between the pair of rollers R31, R32. The conveyor 4 has a pair of rollers R41, R42 arranged at a predetermined distance apart, and an endless belt B4 stretched between the pair of rollers R41, R42.

[0014] Also, the conveyors 2, 3, and 4 each have drive motors M2, M3, M4 (conveyor drive units), and the rollers and endless belts of each conveyor are configured to be rotatable.

[0015] On the conveyor 3 arranged at the middle position of the conveying path, a weighing unit 9 for weighing the weight (mass) of articles (merchandise) or samples (simulated materials for inspection) placed on the endless belt B3 of this conveyor 3 is provided. The control device 10 has a control unit 1, a display operation unit 120, etc., and is provided near the conveyor 3.

[0016] Above the conveying mechanism of the conveyor 4, a label printing and affixing unit 160 is arranged. The label printing and attaching unit 160 includes a label issuing unit 161 that prints on a label and issues the label with the weight (measurement value) of the article obtained by the weighing unit 9 of the conveyor 3, the price corresponding to the weight, article information (product information) regarding the article, etc., and a label attaching unit 162 that attaches the label issued by the label issuing unit 161 to the article being weighed by the weighing unit 9 and conveyed by the conveyor 4.

[0017] In addition, on the conveyor table where the conveyors 2, 3, and 4 are provided, a plurality of detection sensors for detecting the positions of conveyed objects such as articles and samples S (simulation materials for verification), for example, transmissive or reflective photoelectric sensors, are provided. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first detection sensor 71 is disposed near the downstream end of the conveyor 2. The second detection sensor 72 is disposed near the upstream end of the conveyor 3. The third detection sensor 73 is disposed near the downstream end of the conveyor 3. The fourth detection sensor 74 is disposed near the upstream end of the conveyor 4. The fifth detection sensor 75 is disposed in the middle of the conveyor 4, specifically, near the upstream side of the label printing and attaching unit 160. Each detection sensor is provided at a predetermined position as appropriate according to the need. When an article (product) is conveyed by the conveyors 2, 3, and 4, the control unit identifies the position of the article (product) based on the detection signals from the detection sensors 71 to 75 and the conveyance speeds of the respective conveyors, and performs processes such as weighing of the article by the weighing unit 9 of the conveyor 3 and attaching a label to the article by the label printing and attaching unit 160.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electrical functional block of the weighing and label attaching apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The weighing and label attaching apparatus 100 includes a control unit 1, a storage unit 12, a display operation unit 120, an interface 20 (IF), a weighing unit 9, a drive motor M2 (conveyor drive unit), a drive motor M3 (conveyor drive unit), a drive motor M4 (conveyor drive unit), a label printing and attaching unit 160, and the like. To the control unit 1, the storage unit 12, the display operation unit 120, the interface 20 (IF), etc. are communicably connected via a communication line 1B (bus or the like). The weighing unit 9, detection sensors 71-75, drive motors (M2, M3, M4) as the conveyor drive unit, and label printing and application unit 160 are all connected to the control unit 1 via interface 20 (IF) and communication line 1B in a communicable manner. The label printing and application unit 160 includes a label issuing unit 161 and a label application unit 162. The display and operation unit 120 includes a display unit 121 and an operation unit 122. In the example shown in Figure 2, the control device 10 includes a control unit 1, a storage unit 12, a display operation unit 120, an interface 20 (IF), and the like.

[0019] The control unit 1 comprehensively controls each component of the weighing label application device 100. Furthermore, the control unit 1 executes a control program to enable the computer acting as the weighing label application device to implement the functions according to the present invention.

[0020] In detail, the control unit 1 can be controlled by switching between a normal mode, in which a label is affixed to an item based on a stable measurement value obtained when measuring the weight of an item being transported on the conveyor 3, and a testing mode, in which the performance of the conveyor being tested is performed by an operator.

[0021] Furthermore, when the control unit 1 is controlled in verification mode, it performs a process of continuously displaying the instantaneous value for verification obtained when weighing the verification dummy material (sample) being transported on the conveyor 3 on the display unit 121. Furthermore, when the control unit 1 controls the conveyor 3 in verification mode with the endless belt stopped, it may perform a process of continuously displaying the instantaneous value for verification obtained when weighing the verification dummy material (sample) on the conveyor 3 on the display unit 121.

[0022] Furthermore, when the control unit 1 is controlled in the verification mode, it performs a process to change the conveyor speed according to the verification items.

[0023] Furthermore, the control unit 1 can control the conveying rotation of the conveyor. Specifically, the control unit 1 can switch between a forward conveying method, in which the endless belt of the conveyor is rotated in the forward direction to convey items from upstream to downstream, and a reverse conveying method, in which the endless belt of the conveyor is rotated in the reverse direction to convey items from downstream to upstream. For example, in the testing mode, after transporting the test dummy material from upstream to downstream using the positive transport method, the control unit 1 switches to the reverse transport method and controls the conveyor, thereby transporting the test dummy material that was transported downstream back to the upstream side. In other words, after the dummy material for testing is transported downstream on the conveyor belt, the manager (tester, etc.) does not need to move to the downstream side of the conveyor belt, pick up the dummy material, and then move it upstream of the conveyor belt. This eliminates the need for the manager (tester, etc.) to move the dummy material upstream of the conveyor belt.

[0024] The memory unit 12 stores control programs, product information (e.g., product name), measured values ​​during inspection, inspection results, and procedure information (e.g., procedure images) showing the procedures for various inspection items. The memory unit 12 can be, for example, RAM, ROM, HDD, SSD, or a portable storage device that can be attached to the main unit of the device.

[0025] The display and operation unit 120 includes a display unit 121 and an operation unit 122. The display unit 121 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, and the operation unit 122 is an operation button, operation key, switch, touch panel, etc. The display and operation unit 120 may also be a touch panel display device.

[0026] The weighing unit 9 is installed on the conveyor 3 (weighing conveyor) and weighs the weight (mass) of items (goods) or samples (simulated materials for verification) transported by the conveyor 3, and outputs the weighing result to the control unit 1. Under normal operating conditions, the load slides onto the conveyor 3, meaning the weighing is based on an unstable equilibrium. Therefore, it takes a certain amount of time for the value measured by the weighing unit 9 to stabilize, resulting in an initial drift.

[0027] Next, an example of the operation of the weighing label application device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 3, in step ST1, the control unit determines whether or not the test mode has been selected. Specifically, if the test mode is selected from the operation input unit, the control unit 1 proceeds to the process of step ST7, and otherwise proceeds to the process of step ST2.

[0028] In step ST2, the control unit 1 controls the weighing label application device in normal mode, as described in steps ST3 to ST6.

[0029] In normal mode, the setting screen of the display operation unit 120 (touch panel display unit) includes, for example, a product name display unit D1, a price per 100g display unit D2, a weighing value display unit D3, an expiration date display unit D4, a processing date and time display unit D5, a code information display unit D6, a price display unit D7, etc., as shown in Figure 4(a).

[0030] The product name is displayed in the product name display unit D1, and the product name can be changed through operation.

[0031] The price display section D2 (price per 100g section) shows the price per unit quantity, such as 100g, and can be changed through operation.

[0032] The measurement value display unit D3 displays the measurement value, which is the result of the measurement performed by the weighing unit. The measurement value may be, for example, the weight (mass) of a product or the weight (mass) of a sample (simulated material for verification). The expiration date display section D4 shows the product's expiration date, which can be changed through operation. The processing date and time display unit D5 (manufacturing date and time display unit) shows the processing date and time (manufacturing date and time) of the product, and can be changed by operation. The code information display unit D6 displays the product code (JAN code, etc.) of the product. Based on this product code, a barcode or similar is printed. The price display unit D7 displays the price of the product, calculated based on the measured value and the price per 100 units. The price display unit D7 may also display the price including tax. The control unit 1 stores the setting information configured via the settings screen in the storage unit.

[0033] In step ST3, the control unit 1 performs the process of transporting the item (product) by conveyor. Specifically, the operator places the item (product) on conveyor 2. Conveyor 2 transports the item (product) in the transport direction and transports it to conveyor 3.

[0034] In step ST4, the control unit 1 weighs the products on the conveyor 3 that are being transported by the conveyor 3. Then, the conveyor 3 moves the products to the conveyor 4 on the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0035] In step ST5, the control unit 1 processes the label issuance using the label printing and application unit 160. Specifically, based on the product information stored in the memory unit and the result of weighing the product (mass) using the weighing unit 9, the control unit 1 issues a label with the product information and weight (mass) printed on it using the label issuance unit 161. The label will have information about the item (product) printed on it, such as the product name (e.g., thinly sliced ​​pork belly), the price per 100g, the weight (mass) of the item (product) as measured by the weighing section 9 of the conveyor belt 3 (weighing conveyor), code information such as a barcode or 2D code, the expiration date, the date of manufacture, the name of the processor (manufacturer), and the address.

[0036] In step ST6, the label application unit 162, under the control of the control unit 1, applies the labels issued by the label issuing unit 161 to the items (products) being transported by the conveyor 4. After labeling, the control unit 1 transports the goods (products) downstream in the transport direction via the conveyor 4.

[0037] Next, we will describe an example of the operation of the weighing labeling device when the verification mode is selected. In step ST7, the control unit 1 performs administrator authentication processing. In this embodiment, the weighing label application device can only be operated by registered administrators or other persons with administrator privileges. For example, as shown in Figure 5(a), the authentication screen for switching to the verification mode (verification mode) includes an ID display input section D11 where the administrator's ID (administrator identification information) can be entered, a PW input section D12 for entering a PW (password), and input buttons D13. When the control unit 1 receives an ID and password and the input button D13 is pressed, it proceeds to step ST8.

[0038] In step ST8, the control unit 1 authenticates the administrator based on the administrator's ID and password. If authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step ST9; otherwise, the process proceeds to step ST1. In detail, for example, the memory unit stores administrator information such as the administrator's ID, password, name, biometric authentication information, and authorization information. The control unit 1 performs authentication processing based on whether the ID and password entered by the display operation unit 120 match the administrator information stored in the memory unit.

[0039] Administrator information may be stored in the memory unit of the weighing label application device, or it may be stored in the memory unit of a management server (management computer) that is connected via a communication network (communication path, etc.).

[0040] Furthermore, administrator authentication may include biometric authentication methods such as iris recognition, facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, and vein pattern recognition. Alternatively, administrator authentication may involve authentication using a portable device owned by the administrator (e.g., an administrator IC card (magnetic card), a hardware token that generates a one-time code, or a smartphone authentication app), or a security key. Additionally, multi-factor authentication combining these various authentication methods may be used as the administrator authentication process.

[0041] In step ST9, the control unit 1 transitions to the verification mode and performs processing related to the verification mode. Specifically, the control unit 1 performs processing in steps ST10 to ST14, etc.

[0042] In step ST10, the control unit 1, in the verification mode, displays the operating procedure corresponding to the selected verification item on the display unit 121. In other words, the administrator (operator) can perform various verifications by looking at the procedure corresponding to the verification item displayed on the display unit 121 and operating the weighing label application device according to the procedure.

[0043] For example, as shown in Figure 5(b), the display operation unit 120 displays a list of selectable items for the inspection of the conveyor 3. More specifically, the inspection screen shown in Figure 5(b) has operation buttons D15, etc., which allow selection of items such as instrument error, deviation, tare weight, alternative operating speed, dynamic correction, and equilibrium stability. A test status display frame D16 (test status display section) is located near the operation button D15 for each test item. This test status display frame D16 displays "Completed" if the test has been completed, and "Not yet performed" if the test has not yet been performed. The test status display frame D16 may also display "Pass" or "Fail" for each test item to indicate whether the test was passed or failed. Furthermore, the control unit 1 can display the operation buttons (D15) for the inspection items in a way that allows the inspection status to be distinguished by color. Specifically, the control unit 1 may display the operation buttons D15 for the inspection items in blue after passing the inspection, in red if they fail, and in yellow if the inspection has not yet been completed, so that the operator (inspector, etc.) can easily grasp the progress of the inspection by looking at the operation buttons D15.

[0044] Instrument error is a test in which a sample (dummy material for verification) is transported on conveyor belt 3 (weighing conveyor) and weighed by the weighing unit 9. The test then verifies whether the value obtained by subtracting the true value that should be shown from the value shown by the weighing unit 9 (measuring instrument) falls within the verification range. Instrument error can be used as an indicator of the individual accuracy of a measuring instrument, based on the difference between the true value and the false value.

[0045] The uneven load test is a verification method in which a sample (a simulated material for verification) to be weighed is placed at any position (within the measurable area) on the conveyor 3 (which has a weighing section), and it is confirmed that there is no bias in the measured value (while the conveyor is in operation).

[0046] Tare is performed by placing a sample (simulated material for verification) on conveyor 3 (weighing conveyor) with the endless belt rotation of conveyor 3 stopped, and after the tare setting operation, the weighed value measured by the weighing unit 9 is displayed on the display unit 121.

[0047] The alternative operating speed is set to an intermediate value within the operating range of conveyor 3 (weighing conveyor), for example, so that the conveying speed is half of the maximum conveying speed used. The sample (simulated material for verification) is conveyed on conveyor 3 (weighing conveyor) and verification is performed based on the weighed value measured by the weighing unit 9 (while the conveyor is running).

[0048] The dynamic compensation range (during conveyor operation) is determined by setting the sample (simulated material for verification) to the maximum transport speed (maximum transport speed used) on conveyor 3 (weighing conveyor), weighing it at the weighing section 9 of conveyor 3 while it is being transported at the maximum transport speed, and confirming whether the dynamic compensation is working within the limited dynamic compensation range. In a weighing and labeling device, there is a difference between the static weighing value obtained by weighing the sample (simulated material for verification) in the weighing unit 9 when the conveyor 3 is stopped, and the dynamic weighing value obtained by weighing the sample (simulated material for verification) in the weighing unit 9 while it is being transported by the conveyor 3. Therefore, dynamic correction processing is applied to the dynamic weighing value.

[0049] Equilibrium stability (while the conveyor is stopped) is checked on conveyor 3 (weighing conveyor) by loading the weighing unit 9 with a load up to 50% of the upper limit load of the weighing capacity or usable weighing range, disrupting the balance with a single action (such as pushing the weighing unit by hand) once the balance state is reached, and then, after releasing the hand, checking the display unit for any change in the weighed value by the weighing unit for 5 seconds.

[0050] Figure 6 shows an example of the display screen when there is an error in the calibration mode. The display screen shown in Figure 6 includes a procedure display unit D21, a measured value display unit D22, a history display unit D23, a pass / fail display unit D24, a remaining quantity display unit D25, an average value display unit D26, and the like.

[0051] The procedure display unit D21 displays the procedure, for example, "Instrument Error: Procedure 1 - Run the sample (simulated material for calibration)." The weighing value display unit D22 displays the weighing value obtained by the weighing unit 9. In the verification mode, the weighing value in verification mode is displayed on the weighing value display unit D22. The weighing value in verification mode is displayed in units of, for example, 1 / 5 or less of the scale division, preferably 1 / 10 of the scale division. Specifically, the weighing value in verification mode is displayed in units of 0.1g for every 1g scale division. It should be noted that the weighing value (instantaneous value) continuously displayed on the weighing value display unit D22 does not display a stable numerical result obtained by weighing on the weighing unit 9. Rather, the current weighing value (weight) is transmitted from the weighing unit 9 to the control unit 1 at regular intervals, and the control unit 1 displays that current weighing value in real time on the weighing value display unit D22 of the display unit. In other words, it is an instantaneous value (weighing value) for verification purposes that has not been rounded down.

[0052] In this embodiment, the history display unit D23 displays a list of the history (log) of the measured values ​​(measured values ​​in the verification mode) obtained by the weighing unit 9 when the sample (simulated material for verification) is weighed by the weighing unit 9 in the verification mode. Specifically, the history display unit D23 can display all or part of the history of measured values ​​(measured values ​​in the verification mode) for a predetermined number of times (e.g., 60 times). In detail, the history display unit D23 displays the history of stable values ​​of the measured values ​​for each sample (simulated material for verification) measured by the weighing unit 9. Furthermore, an upper or lower limit may be set for the measured value during verification (measured value in verification mode), and if the corresponding measured value is obtained, the display method may be changed, such as by inverting the color. In addition, if the measured value shown by the weighing unit is clearly inappropriate, the control unit may determine whether the measured value is correct or not each time and perform control to stop the verification process itself midway through. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6, the history display unit D23 displays the number of times, the measured value (measured value for normal mode), the measured value for the verification mode, and any other values ​​required depending on the verification item. The number displayed in the history display section D23 represents the number of tests (number of examinations). The measured value in the history display unit D23 is the numerical value measured in normal mode (measured value for normal mode), and is the numerical value displayed on the display unit screen when in normal mode (for example, the numerical value displayed in the measured value display unit D3 shown in Figure 4). The measured value in the verification mode of the history display unit D23 is the stable value of the measured value for each sample (simulated material for verification) measured by the weighing unit 9. The numerical values ​​required for the calibration are those displayed in accordance with the calibration item. In the example shown in Figure 6, these are the numerical values ​​for the instrument error during calibration, displaying the difference between the normal measurement value and the measurement value in calibration mode (for example, using the measurement value in calibration mode as the reference). Note that the display format of these "numerical values ​​required for calibration" differs for each calibration item.

[0053] The control unit 1 determines whether the instrument error test is successful or not based on the average value of the measured values ​​(measured values ​​in test mode) obtained by weighing the sample (simulated material for testing) a predetermined number of times (for example, 60 times) using the weighing unit. If the average value is within the test tolerance, the control unit 1 displays a pass / fail indicator on the pass / fail display unit D24, and otherwise displays a failing indicator.

[0054] The remaining quantity display unit D25 displays the number of tests performed using the sample (simulated material for testing) (e.g., 60 times) and the remaining quantity (e.g., 30 times), and can display the remaining quantity as a countdown.

[0055] The average value display unit D26 can display the average value of the measured values ​​from tests performed up to that point, as well as the progress of the tests performed up to that point.

[0056] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the scale division and the measured values ​​in the calibration mode. In detail, when the weighing unit weighs an item or sample (simulated material for verification), in normal mode the scale is displayed as shown in Figures 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c), for example (a scale that can be used for trade and certification). In verification mode, the weighed value in verification mode is displayed in units of 1 / 10 of the scale, as shown in Figures 7(d), 7(e), and 7(f). In detail, for the weight printed on product labels used in commercial transactions, a stable measurement value after the initial drift of the weighing unit is naturally required. On the other hand, since the initial drift of the weighing conveyor itself is also monitored during verification, the display unit 121 will continuously display the instantaneous value for verification. In this embodiment, the instantaneous value for verification is displayed as the weighed value in verification mode. For example, when a dummy material for verification weighing approximately 500g is transported, the display unit 121 displays a value of approximately 500g after the initial drift each time the material passes through the conveyor, then the value becomes 0, and then the value of approximately 500g is displayed again after the initial drift. In reality, the administrator (operator) monitors not the continuous changes in the complete measured value, which are not visible to the administrator (operator), but rather the changes in the measured value as discrete values ​​sampled at predetermined intervals.

[0057] Figure 8 shows an example of the screen when the test mode (test mode) is off-center. In detail, the display screen shown in Figure 8(a) includes a procedure display unit D31, a procedure image display unit D32, a start button D33, and the like. The procedure display unit D31 displays the procedure for offsetting the sample. Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 8(a), the procedure display unit D31 displays "Offsetting Procedure 1 Place the sample on the upstream side in the direction of travel," etc.

[0058] The procedure image display unit D32 displays the procedure for when the device is positioned as an image. In detail, in the example shown in Figure 8(a), the direction of transport of the sample S by the endless belt B3 of the conveyor 3 is shown from right to left, and the width direction of the conveyor 3 (the vertical direction shown in Figure 8(a)) is shown to be perpendicular to the transport direction. For example, prepare 10 to 60 samples S. The width of sample S is half the width w of the endless belt B3. Furthermore, the procedure image display unit D32 shows the placement positions of the samples S. Specifically, it indicates that the first sample S is placed at a position (placement position) slightly to the right in the conveying direction of the endless belt B3 of the conveyor, and the next sample S is placed at a position (placement position) slightly to the left. From the third sample onward, the placement positions of the samples S are slightly to the right, slightly to the left, slightly to the right, slightly to the left, ...

[0059] When the start button D33 is pressed, the control unit 1 starts the offsetting process and performs weighing for verification in the weighing unit 9 while the sample S is transported by the conveyor 3.

[0060] When the device is positioned off-center, as shown in Figure 8(b), the measured value display unit D35 displays the measured value for the verification mode obtained by the weighing unit. In addition, the history display unit D36 displays all or part of the history of measured values ​​(measured values ​​for verification) obtained by the weighing unit for a predetermined number of times (e.g., 60 times). The pass / fail display unit D37 shows the pass / fail result of the test.

[0061] In step ST11, the control unit 1 performs conveyor control according to the verification item. For example, it operates the conveyor in the case of instrument error and stops the conveyor in the case of equilibrium stability.

[0062] In step ST12, the control unit 1 performs weighing processing according to the items of the verification. In detail, the control unit 1 performs processing according to the instrument error, biased load, alternative operating speed, dynamic correction, etc., while the conveyor is in operation. Furthermore, the control unit 1 performs processing such as tare and balancing while the conveyor is stopped.

[0063] In step ST13, the control unit 1 performs a process to display instantaneous values ​​and stable values ​​as measured values ​​by the weighing unit 9 on the display unit 121. The control unit 1 also displays a list of measured values ​​on the display unit.

[0064] In step ST14, the control unit 1 displays an operable button on the display unit, such as a "End Verification" button (not shown) or a "Next Verification" button (not shown). If the "Next Verification" button is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST9. If the "End Verification" button is pressed, the verification process is terminated.

[0065] Furthermore, if the weighing unit 9 fails the verification process midway, the control unit 1 may cancel the verification. In addition, if the verification is canceled, the control unit 1 may display an alert to that effect on the display unit 121.

[0066] <Summary of Embodiments> [Technical field] This invention relates to a weighing device and a weighing label application device. [Background technology] Weighing devices for weighing goods are known. Furthermore, there are known devices that weigh goods during transport, print the weight and price of the goods on a label, and affix the label to the goods (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-267232 [Overview of the prefecture] [Problems the invention aims to solve] However, no weighing device or weighing labeling device is known that has a simple structure, can be controlled by switching between normal mode and verification mode, and can display information suitable for verification. [Means for solving the problem] (1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a weighing device having a display unit 121 that displays various information based on a measurement value obtained by measuring the weight of an item with a weighing unit 9, and is configured to be controllable by switching between a normal mode that displays various information based on a stable measurement value obtained when measuring the weight of an item, and a verification mode in which the performance verification of the weighing unit 9 to be verified is performed by the operator, and when controlled in the verification mode, the history of each verification dummy material obtained when weighing the verification dummy material is displayed. In detail, the weighing device has a control unit 1 that can be switched between a normal mode, which displays various information based on stable measurement values ​​obtained when measuring the weight of an item, and a verification mode, which allows the administrator to perform a performance verification of the weighing unit 9 that is subject to verification. When controlled in the verification mode, the control unit 1 displays the history of each dummy material used for verification, obtained when weighing the dummy material used for verification, via the display unit 121. In other words, it is possible to provide a weighing device that can be configured to switch between a normal mode and a verification mode, and that can display a reading suitable for verification.

[0067] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is the weighing device described in (1), wherein the display unit 121 further displays instantaneous values ​​for verification in a continuous manner. In other words, it is possible to provide a weighing device that can perform high-precision calibration of the weighing section when controlled in calibration mode.

[0068] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is a weighing device as described in (1) or (2), wherein the display unit 121 can further display information related to verification, for example, as shown in Figures 5(b), 6, and 8. In other words, the administrator (operator, etc.) can view information related to the verification, such as the verification procedure, and easily proceed with the verification according to the procedure, and can also view the measured value of the measurement result from the weighing unit.

[0069] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is a weighing device described in any of (1) to (3), further comprising a conveyor (conveyor 3, etc.), wherein the weighing unit 9 measures the weight of an item being transported on the conveyor (conveyor 3), and the display unit 121 displays various information based on the obtained measurement value. The weighing device also has a control unit 1 that controls the speed of the conveyor (conveyor 3, etc.), and the control unit 1 is capable of changing the transport speed of the conveyor (conveyor 3, etc.) according to the items of the verification. In other words, the control unit 1 can change the conveying speed of the conveyors (conveyor 3 and, if necessary, conveyors 2, 4, etc.) according to the inspection item, without the administrator (operator) having to manually adjust the speed of conveyor 3, etc. for each inspection item. By optimally controlling the conveying speed of the conveyors according to the inspection item, each inspection item can be performed with high precision.

[0070] (5) In one aspect of this embodiment, in the weighing device described in (4), the control unit 1 is capable of making the conveying speeds of the conveyor 3 of the weighing unit 9 that is subject to inspection and the conveyors that are not subject to inspection (such as conveyor 2 and conveyor 4) different, depending on the inspection items. In other words, for example, when transporting multiple dummy materials (samples) for testing sequentially at predetermined intervals to conveyor 2 (e.g., an infeed conveyor), conveyor 3 (a weighing conveyor), conveyor 4 (e.g., a conveyor equipped with a label printing and application section 160), etc., and performing testing on conveyor 3, by controlling the transport speeds of conveyors 2 and 4 to be slower than the transport speed of conveyor 3 (a weighing conveyor), it is possible to provide a weighing device that can easily perform various tests even when there are relatively few dummy materials (samples) for testing.

[0071] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is a weighing labeling device 100 which affixes a label to an item based on a measurement value obtained by measuring the weight of the item being transported on a conveyor 3 with a weighing unit 9, and has a display unit 121 that displays various information, and is configured to be controllable by switching between a normal mode in which a label to the item is affixed to the item based on a stable measurement value obtained when the weight of the item being transported on the conveyor 3 is measured with the weighing unit 9, and a verification mode in which the performance verification (weighing performance verification) of the weighing unit 9 that is subject to verification is performed by an operator. In other words, the weighing labeling device 100 has a control unit 1 which can be controlled by switching between a normal mode and a verification mode. When the control unit 1 is controlled in the verification mode, it displays the history for each of the verification dummy materials obtained when weighing the weight of the verification dummy materials. In other words, a weighing and labeling device 100 can be provided that is configured to allow switching between a normal mode and a verification mode, and can perform verification with high accuracy when controlled in the verification mode.

[0072] Furthermore, when the number of dummy materials (samples) to be used for testing is set by an operation signal from the operation input unit, the control unit 1 may control the conveying speed of the conveyor according to the number of dummy materials (samples) for testing. For example, when performing 60 weighings for verification using 10 samples, the number of samples is set to 10, and the control unit 1 transports the 10 samples sequentially at the first transport speed to verify the conveyor, and then controls the conveyor to change to a slower speed (second transport speed). When the 10 samples that have moved downstream are moved upstream and used again to continue the verification, the control unit 1 changes the conveyor to the first transport speed and continues the conveyor verification. When the specified number of weighings for verification (60 times) is completed, the control unit 1 stops the drive of the conveyor. The number of samples and the number of weighings for testing are not limited to the examples described above.

[0073] Furthermore, the control of the conveyor during inspection is not limited to the embodiments described above. The display and operation unit may be provided with buttons (GUI or physical buttons, etc.) to adjust the conveyor speed to low speed, normal speed, high speed, etc., and the control unit may control the conveyor speed in response to the button operation.

[0074] Alternatively, the memory unit may store a conveyor control pattern associated with each test item, and the control unit may, in test mode, read the conveyor control pattern corresponding to the test item from the memory unit and control the conveyor's transport speed, stopping, etc., according to that control pattern.

[0075] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, the embodiments shown in the figures above can be combined, provided there are no particular inconsistencies or problems in terms of purpose, structure, etc. Furthermore, each figure can represent an independent embodiment, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a single embodiment formed by combining each figure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1…Control Unit 2... Conveyor 3…Conveyor (weighing conveyor) 4... Conveyor 9...Measuring part 10...Control device 12...Storage section 100... Weighing and labeling device 120...Display operation section 121...Display section 122...Operation unit 160... Label printing and application section 161...Label Printing Department 162... Label application area M2, M3, M4... Drive motors (conveyor drive unit)

Claims

1. Conveyor, A weighing unit for measuring the weight of items being transported on the conveyor, An output unit that outputs the measurement results from the weighing unit, Equipped with, The system is configured to be controllable by switching between a normal mode, which displays various information based on stable measurement values ​​obtained when measuring the weight of an item, and a verification mode, which allows the administrator to perform a performance verification of the weighing unit that is subject to verification. The output unit is, When controlled in the normal mode described above, the measurement results are output in the first unit display. When controlled in the aforementioned calibration mode, the measurement results are output in a second unit which is 1 / 10 of the first unit. A weighing device characterized by the following features.

2. The system includes a control unit that controls the speed of the conveyor, If controlled in the aforementioned verification mode, The weight of an item is measured when the conveyor is controlled at a predetermined speed. The weighing device according to feature 1.

3. The control unit, When controlled in testing mode, the speed of the conveyor is controlled to a predetermined speed. The weighing label application device according to feature 2.

4. A weighing and labeling device that measures the weight of an item being transported on a conveyor belt using a weighing unit, affixes a label to the item based on the measured value, and has an output unit that outputs the measurement result from the weighing unit, The system is configured to be controllable by switching between a normal mode, in which a label containing various information output based on a stable measurement value obtained when the weight of an item being transported on a conveyor is measured by the weighing unit, and a verification mode, in which the performance of the weighing unit to be verified is performed by the operator. The output unit is, When controlled in the normal mode described above, the measurement results are output in the first unit display. When controlled in the aforementioned calibration mode, the measurement results are output in a second unit which is 1 / 10 of the first unit. A weighing label application device characterized by the following features.

Images