Counting device

Abstract

To avoid an error in article acceptance determination caused by not inputting the declared number of articles in advance.SOLUTION: A counter 1 according to an embodiment counts the total number of a plurality of articles by dividing the weight of the articles by the unit weight of the article, and the counter 1 comprises: an input unit 13 that receives input of the declared number of articles; a setting unit 14 that sets upper and lower limit ranges to consider that the counted total number is the same as the declared number; a subtotal key that outputs the counted total number; and a control unit 15 that, when the subtotal key is operated, if the declared number is not input yet, inhibits the output of the total number.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a counting device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a counting device for counting a large number of articles (postal items to be deposited), even if there is a difference between the declared number of the brought-in articles (the number declared by the bringer) and the total number after actual counting, based on whether the difference between the two is within the set upper and lower limit ranges, it is determined whether to accept the brought-in articles.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional counting device, the above-mentioned declared number can be input at an arbitrary timing until the counting is completed.

[0005] However, in the conventional counting device, since the above-mentioned upper and lower limit ranges are configured to be calculated based on the ratio of the declared number, when the declared number is not input, the upper and lower limit ranges will be in an unset state.

[0006] In such a state, regardless of the total number of the brought-in articles, it is always determined that it is within the upper and lower limit ranges (that is, acceptable). Therefore, if the subtotal key is pressed while forgetting to input the declared number, even if the total number is actually not within the upper and lower limit ranges, there is a problem that it is erroneously determined to be acceptable.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a counting device that can avoid errors in the acceptance determination of goods due to forgetting to input the number of declared items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of the counting device is a counting device that counts the total number of items by dividing the weight of a plurality of items by the weight of each individual item, and comprises: an input unit for inputting the declared number of items; a setting unit for setting upper and lower limits for which the counted total number is considered to be the declared number; a subtotal key for outputting the counted total number; and a control unit that, when the subtotal key is operated and the declared number is not input, prohibits the output of the total number. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a counting device that can avoid errors in the acceptance determination of goods due to forgetting to input the number of declared items. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a counting device 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a counting device 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 of the counting device 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 12 of the counting device 1 according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of dimensions, etc., may differ from those of reality. Therefore, specific dimensions, etc., should be determined by referring to the following description. Furthermore, there may be parts in the drawings where the relationships and ratios of dimensions differ from those of other parts. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustration.

[0012] (First Embodiment) The counting device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0013] The counting device 1 according to this embodiment is configured to count the total number of items by dividing the weight of multiple items by the weight of each individual item.

[0014] In this embodiment, the counting device 1 is described as counting the total number of mail items brought in in large quantities, such as those placed in carts, containers, or bags. However, the present invention is not limited to this case and can also be applied to cases in which the counting device 1 counts the total number of other items.

[0015] In this embodiment, it is assumed that each of these mail items has approximately the same weight. Examples of such mail items include credit card statements and direct mail.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, the counting device 1 according to this embodiment includes a counting unit 11, a display unit 12, an input unit 13, a setting unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0017] The counting unit 11 is configured to weigh multiple pieces of mail (items), and then divide the weighed weight of each piece of mail by its individual weight to count the total number of pieces of mail.

[0018] Specifically, when a plurality of postal items are brought in in a state of being put into a wrapper, the counting unit 11 starts weighing in that state and is configured to weigh the weight of the plurality of postal items in the state of being put into the wrapper (hereinafter, the total weight of the postal items).

[0019] After that, the counting unit 11 is configured to divide the weight of the postal items obtained by subtracting the weight of the wrapper from the total weight of the postal items weighed as described above by the weight of a single postal item to count the total number of postal items.

[0020] Note that the counting unit 11 can also count the total number of postal items included in a plurality of wrappers. In such a case, after weighing the total weight of the postal items contained in the plurality of wrappers, the counting unit 11 divides the weight of the postal items obtained by subtracting the weight of the plurality of wrappers from the total weight of the weighed postal items by the weight of a single postal item to count the total number of postal items.

[0021] The display unit 12 is configured to display a screen (for example, the screens shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 described later, etc.) for performing various operations in such a counting device 1.

[0022] The input unit 13 is configured to input the declared number of the brought-in postal items (the declared number of articles).

[0023] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the input unit 13 includes a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values from 0 to 9, a decimal point key for inputting a decimal point (the key described as "." in FIG. 1), and a delete key for deleting the numerical value input by the numeric keypad (the key described as "Delete" in FIG. 1).

[0024] The setting unit 14 is configured to set an upper and lower limit range (that is, an upper limit value and a lower limit value) for regarding that the total number of postal items counted by the counting unit 11 is the same as the declared number.

[0025] In other words, if the total number of mail items counted by the counting unit 11 falls within the upper and lower limits, the mail items are deemed acceptable for acceptance; if the total number of mail items does not fall within the upper and lower limits, the mail items are deemed unacceptable for acceptance.

[0026] For example, the upper and lower limits set by the setting unit 14 are displayed on the screen shown in Figure 3.

[0027] The control unit 15 is configured to perform various controls on the counting device 1.

[0028] Furthermore, the counting device 1 may also include, for example, function keys F1 to F4, a zero-point key (labeled "Zero" in Figure 1) for setting the current weighing state as zero (0g), a tare key (labeled "Tare" in Figure 1) used for setting the tare weight, a call key (labeled "Call" in Figure 1) for retrieving registered products, and a subtotal key, as shown in Figure 1.

[0029] Here, the subtotal key is a key that outputs the total number of mail items counted by the counting unit 11.

[0030] For example, the subtotal key may be any of the function keys F1 to F4 mentioned above. Alternatively, the subtotal key may be represented by the "Subtotal" button on the screen shown in Figure 4.

[0031] The control unit 15 is configured to prohibit the output of the total number of mail items if the number of mail items declared is not entered when the subtotal key is operated (for example, pressed).

[0032] Furthermore, the setting unit 14 may be configured to set the above-mentioned upper and lower limit ranges based on the number of declared mail items entered via the input unit 13 before the subtotal key is operated.

[0033] With this configuration, it is possible to set appropriate upper and lower limits depending on the number of mail items declared.

[0034] Furthermore, the setting unit 14 may be configured to set the above-mentioned upper and lower limits by multiplying the number of declared mail items entered by a predetermined ratio. This predetermined ratio may be configured to be set by the setting unit 14, or it may be a fixed ratio.

[0035] With this configuration, the upper and lower limits can be automatically set according to the number of mail items declared in the input section.

[0036] The setting unit 14 may be configured to set the above-mentioned upper and lower limit ranges based on the upper and lower limit values ​​input via the input unit 13.

[0037] An example of the operation of the counting device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, in step S101, the worker places the mailed items, tare-packaged, onto the counting unit 11. Here, the counting unit 11 weighs the total weight of the mail, including the weight of the tare, as described above.

[0039] In step S102, the worker inputs the number of mail items to be declared via the input unit 13.

[0040] Specifically, the worker enters the number of mail items to be declared using the numeric keypad, and then touches the "Number of Items Declared" on the screen shown in Figure 3, which is displayed by the display unit 12.

[0041] In step S103, the setting unit 14 sets upper and lower limits according to the number of mail items declared.

[0042] Here, the operator enters the tare weight using the numeric keypad and then presses the aforementioned tare key, allowing the counting unit 11 to subtract the tare weight from the total weight of the mail and then count the total number of mail items.

[0043] In step S104, when the operator presses the subtotal key (or touches "Subtotal" on the screen shown in Figure 4), in step S105, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the number of declared mail items has been entered.

[0044] If the number of mail items to be declared is entered, this operation proceeds to step S106; otherwise, this operation proceeds to step S107.

[0045] In step S106, the display unit 12 displays (outputs) the total number of mail items in the "Number of Items" section of the screen shown in Figure 3.

[0046] In step S107, the display unit 12 displays an error message instead of showing the total number of mail items.

[0047] Furthermore, the display unit 12 indicates that the mail can be accepted if the total number of mail items counted by the counting unit 11 falls within the upper and lower limits, and indicates that the mail cannot be accepted if the total number of mail items falls outside the upper and lower limits.

[0048] According to this embodiment, by prohibiting the display of the subtotal (the total number of mail items) when the number of declared items has not been entered, it is possible to prevent errors in acceptance judgment due to forgetting to enter the number of declared items without restricting the timing of entering the number of declared items (from the start of counting until just before the subtotal).

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

[0050] 1…Counting device 11…Counting section 12...Display section 13...Input section 14…Settings section 15…Control Unit

Claims

1. A counting device that counts the total number of items by dividing the weight of multiple items by the weight of each individual item, An input unit for entering the declared quantity of the aforementioned items, A setting unit that sets upper and lower limits for determining whether the counted total number is equal to the declared number, A subtotal key that outputs the counted total number, A counting device comprising: a control unit that, when the subtotal key is operated, prohibits the output of the total number if the declared number has not been entered; and

2. The counting device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the upper and lower limit range based on the declared number entered via the input unit before the subtotal key is operated.

3. The counting device according to claim 2, wherein the setting unit sets the upper and lower limit range by multiplying the input declared number by a predetermined ratio.

Images