Spatially resolving weighing system and weighing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a weighing system (70) comprising a substrate covering (10) and a plurality of containers (20, 20.1, 20.2). The substrate covering (10) is provided with a plurality of pressure detecting means (16). According to the invention, the substrate covering (10) and the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) are each equipped with locating means (14) for locating the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) on the substrate covering (10). The invention further relates to a weighing method (100) which can be carried out using such a weighing system (70). The invention likewise relates to a computer program product (35) designed therefor and to an evaluation unit equipped with same. Moreover, the invention relates to a use of a near-field communication antenna (21) as locating means (14) for locating a container (20, 20.1, 20.2), wherein the near-field communication antenna (21) is arranged in a substrate covering (10), on which the container (20, 20.1, 20.2) is positionable as intended. Furthermore, the invention relates to a simulation method (200) for simulating an operating behaviour of such a weighing system (70) and to a simulation program product (60) configured therefor.

Description

[0001]202317744 Foreign version 1 Description Spatially resolved weighing system and weighing method The invention relates to a weighing system for spatially resolved weighing and to a weighing method. The invention also relates to a computer program product for carrying out the weighing method and to an evaluation unit equipped therewith. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a near-field communication antenna. The invention further relates to an associated simulation method and a simulation program product. Patent application US 2023 / 0196325 A1 discloses an inventory system designed to record the inventory of goods in a store. The presence of a cashier at a checkout is detected, and an RFID label on an article is read. If the presence of a cashier is detected, a transaction related to the article is recorded in a goods database.If no cashier is detected, no transaction related to the article is recorded in the merchandise database. To detect the cashier's presence, a load on a printing mat and / or the proximity of a cashier's RFID label is recorded. Weighing systems are used to support various manufacturing processes. Manufacturing facilities are becoming increasingly flexible. This requires a complex conversion of the associated weighing system. There is therefore a need for a weighing system that offers a greater degree of flexibility, is cost-effective, and easy to use. At the same time, an improved data connection for such a weighing system is sought. The invention is based on the object of providing a possibility that offers an improvement in at least one of these aspects. This object is achieved by a weighing system according to the invention.The weighing system comprises a substrate 202317744 Foreign Version 2 and a plurality of containers suitable for holding a good. The good can be a piece of goods, a bulk material and / or a liquid. The substrate can be laid out, for example, on a floor or a storage area. The substrate can be designed, for example, as a mat or film. The substrate is provided with a plurality of pressure sensing means suitable for detecting a compressive stress acting on the substrate. The pressure sensing means can be designed, for example, as load cells, which can be arranged on the top or bottom of the substrate, or embedded, cast, or laminated into the substrate. Without limiting the generality, the term "locating means on the substrate" includes any arrangement of the locating means on or in the substrate.In particular, the substrate covering with the pressure sensing means can be designed as a pressure-sensitive mat, preferably as a spatially resolving pressure-sensitive mat. Furthermore, the substrate covering can be continuous or modular, i.e., comprise a plurality of substrate covering modules that can be assembled. According to the invention, the substrate covering and the containers are each provided with locating means designed and configured to locate the containers on the substrate covering. The locating means on the containers can be arranged on an outer side, an inner side, and / or within a wall of the container. The locating means in the containers are designed to interact with the locating means in the substrate covering, wherein a position of a container can be determined through this interaction.Suitable locating devices can be easily manufactured, for example by printing, as integrated components on or in a subfloor or subfloor module. This allows the weight force exerted by a container on the subfloor to be continuously monitored. Placing the container on a scale is therefore unnecessary. This allows, for example, containers to be positioned arbitrarily on the subfloor in a production facility without providing additional means for weighing the containers. Using the claimed weighing system, it is possible, for example, to monitor whether there is sufficient material in a container at a station in the production facility.Because the surface covering with the pressure sensing means and the locating means is part of the floor or the storage area covered with it for a user, the weighing system according to the invention saves space and facilitates retrofitting of the production facility. In the weighing system according to the invention, at least one locating means on the surface covering and one locating means on each container are designed to determine the position of the containers. The position determination is designed such that the corresponding containers can be distinguished from one another. In particular, based on the position determination, it can be determined which pressure sensing means is subjected to a weight force by which container. The containers can have dimensions such that at least one of the containers on the surface covering subjects several pressure sensing means to a weight force.By determining the position, even adjacent containers can be distinguished from one another, and their respective weights can be determined separately. Adjacent containers are understood to mean containers between which no further containers can be placed. In particular, adjacent containers can be containers that are adjacent to one another or that touch one another. The weighing system according to the invention thus allows for greater utilization of the surface area of ​​the subfloor and, at the same time, precise weighing for each container. In one embodiment of the claimed weighing system, the locating means with which the subfloor is provided are arranged in a grid. The locating means can, for example, be arranged as polygons such as triangles, rectangles, squares, etc.Using such a grid, in conjunction with a locating device on a container, the container can be precisely located. By locating the container on the ground, it is possible to determine which pressure sensing device the container's weight is exerted on. For example, by summing signals from the corresponding pressure sensing devices, the total weight exerted by the container and, if applicable, the goods contained therein can be determined. The grid can be uniform throughout or different in certain sections. For example, the area-related density of pressure sensing devices can be different in different sections. The higher the area-related density of pressure sensing devices, the more precisely the containers placed there can be located. This allows, among other things, the reliable automatic weighing of small containers.Furthermore, the locating devices provided on the subfloor can also be arranged in an arc. The locating devices are thus adaptable with regard to planned operation and the associated ergonomics for a user. This allows the locating devices to be used as needed, and overall increased user comfort is achieved with a reduced number of locating devices. Furthermore, the pressure sensing devices in the described weighing system can have a higher area-related density than the locating devices. Area-related density refers to the number of pressure sensing devices or locating devices per unit area of ​​the weighing system. This enables advantageous spatial resolution when determining the weight forces of containers with a minimum of locating devices. The described weighing system can therefore be manufactured cost-effectively.Furthermore, the at least one locating means attached to one of the containers can be designed to identify the associated container. For this purpose, the locating means can be coded and have an individual identification and / or a type designation of the corresponding container. The locating means belonging to the subfloor can be correspondingly designed to identify at least one of the containers in cooperation with said container. A recorded identity of the container is suitable for continuously or periodically monitoring the container and the weight force exerted by it with any goods contained therein. The locating means on the container can, for example, have a machine-readable label such as a barcode or a QR code to identify the associated container.Alternatively or additionally, the weighing system can be equipped with at least one camera with which containers can be located on the subsurface and / or a location of at least one container carried out using the locating means can be checked for plausibility. For this purpose, the weighing system can be equipped with artificial intelligence for automatic image recognition and image analysis, which receives and processes image data from the camera. In a further embodiment of the claimed weighing system, locating means belonging to the subsurface can be designed to be capable of communication with the locating means on at least one of the containers. For this purpose, the locating means can each have, for example, a near-field communication antenna, also called an NFC antenna, and / or a near-field communication sensor, also called an NFC transmitter. Alternatively or additionally, the locating means can also have an RFID antenna and / or an RFID transmitter.Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the locating means can also comprise any other form of antenna and transmitter that enables communication between the substrate and a container placed thereon. Antennas, in particular NFC antennas, can be easily manufactured quickly, flexibly, and cost-effectively by printing. Likewise, connecting cables for antennas, in particular NFC antennas, can be provided in the substrate. These, like the antennas, can be manufactured by printing. The connecting cables of the antennas can be designed to be contactable with an edge of the substrate or substrate module. The number of antennas 202317744 Foreign Version 6 on or in the substrate is thus limited only by the dimensions of the antennas and their minimum spacing. The resolution for locating the containers can therefore be easily adapted to the respective area of ​​application of the claimed weighing system.Furthermore, in the claimed weighing system, at least one container can be provided with a memory in which at least one dimension of the container is stored. The memory can be connected to the container's locating means and, for example, be readable by a locating means on the subsurface. The container's dimension can be stored, among other things, directly as a dimension or indirectly as a type designation of the container. Based on a position at which the container is located and the dimension of the associated container, it is possible to determine which area of ​​the subsurface is subjected to the weight force exerted by the corresponding container with any goods contained therein. Likewise, the dimension can be used to determine whether a detected weight force in an area of ​​the subsurface is realistic or whether a defect is present. This can be done, for example, using a digital twin of the weighing system.In the claimed weighing system, at least one of the containers can be provided with a plurality of locating means. A plurality of locating means makes it possible, among other things, to determine the orientation of the container, in particular its spatial orientation. This makes it possible to determine even more precisely how, for example, a plurality of containers are placed on the ground surface. In particular, this makes it possible to determine, for example in conjunction with a type designation of the container, from which direction the container should preferably be filled. Material logistics, for example based on autonomous robots, is further supported. The use of complex image recognition systems or level measuring devices for detecting the fill level of a container is thus unnecessary. The claimed 202317744 Foreign Version 7 weighing system thus simplifies automated production processes.Furthermore, at least one locating means on the subsurface and at least one locating means on one of the containers can be configured to determine the position of the container. The position determination can be a mutual distance determination between the at least one locating means on the subsurface and the locating means on the container. The locating means can, for example, be configured to detect the intensity of a received signal, in particular an identification signal, and to determine their distance therefrom. This allows the position of a corresponding container on the subsurface to be determined even more precisely. This increases the accuracy of weighing the containers and any goods contained therein. This further supports automatic filling of the container, for example by an autonomous robot.Alternatively or additionally, the weighing system can be configured to determine the position of the container on the subsurface based on information about the dimensions of a container and a load distribution, i.e., information about the location of detected pressure loads. The weighing system, in particular its associated evaluation unit, can accordingly be configured to determine the position of the container on the subsurface based on detected pressure loads, an identification of the associated pressure detection means, and information about the dimensions of the corresponding container. A computer program product executable on the evaluation unit can be configured accordingly for this purpose.The position determination of the containers can in particular be designed as a combination of determining the distance between a locating means on the subsurface and at least one locating means on at least one container, determining the orientation of at least one container, and / or processing at least one dimension of at least one container. The distance between a locating means on the subsurface and a locating means on a container, in combination with the orientation of the container, taking into account at least one dimension of the container, provides an exact indication of how the container is positioned on the subsurface. Accordingly, even containers located close to one another can be resolved for the claimed weighing system. The underlying problem is also solved by a weighing method according to the invention.The weighing method involves weighing containers suitable for holding goods. The container can be positioned on a subsurface, i.e., essentially placed thereon. The weighing method according to the invention comprises a first step in which a first and a second container are prepared and placed on the subsurface. By placing the containers, they, along with any goods contained therein, each exert a weight force on the subsurface. The weighing method also includes a second step in which an identification signal is emitted by one or more locating devices. The locating device(s) can be attached to the container or to the subsurface. Furthermore, the identification signal is received by a locating device in the second step. The receiving locating device is attached to the subsurface or to the container in a manner complementary to the transmitting locating device.The identification signal establishes at least one-way communication between the substrate and the container, allowing the container to be located on the substrate. The weighing method further comprises a third step in which a pressure sensing device is detected, which is loaded by the weight of a container and, if applicable, the goods contained therein, i.e., where a weight force is exerted thereby. Accordingly, the at least one detected pressure sensing device detects an existing pressure load. In a further fourth step, the weight force exerted by the containers and, if applicable, the goods contained therein is determined based on the pressure loads of the detected pressure sensing device.If several pressure sensing devices are detected, the weight force exerted by a container and any goods contained therein is determined based on one pressure load each detected by a pressure sensing device. Based on this, loading information is determined for at least one of the associated containers. The loading information can, for example, be a net weight, i.e. the difference between the gross weight of the container with any goods contained therein and the container's own weight, also called tare. The loading information to be determined can be specified and can, for example, also be the gross weight of the corresponding container with any goods contained therein. The determined weight forces and / or the loading information are output to a user and / or a data interface in the fourth step. By outputting the loading information orThe weight force can be transmitted via a data interface, for example, to a higher-level control unit that controls a manufacturing process that is carried out at least partially on the subfloor. Alternatively or additionally, the loading information can also be transmitted to a simulation program product, in particular a digital twin, with which the weighing process can be monitored. In the claimed weighing process, in the third step, based on information about at least one dimension of one of the containers, a plurality of pressure measuring devices are determined, each of which records a pressure load. Furthermore, in the fourth step, the weight force exerted by the corresponding container and any goods contained therein is determined based on the pressure loads recorded by the determined pressure measuring devices.The associated compressive stresses are combined, for example, added together. The claimed weighing method is therefore suitable for weighing containers with increased dimensions that exert compressive stresses based on multiple pressure measuring devices. Likewise, containers with complex footprints can be easily weighed using the claimed weighing method. The pressure measuring devices can be recorded serially, i.e., one after the other. Alternatively, the pressure measuring devices can be recorded essentially simultaneously, i.e., in parallel. Furthermore, in the fourth step of the claimed weighing method, a position of the corresponding container is determined and output to the user and / or the data interface. For this purpose, information about a position where the corresponding locating device(s) are attached to the corresponding container can be used.Furthermore, a distance between the locating device on the container and at least one locating device on the subsurface can be determined, and based on this, the position of the corresponding container can be determined. If there are multiple locating devices on the container, its orientation can also be determined. Furthermore, by detecting distances between at least one locating device on the container and multiple locating devices on the subsurface, a bearing can be taken, for example by triangulation or trilateration, in order to detect the position of the container. In the claimed weighing method, the position of the container can be output to the higher-level control unit via the data interface. This further supports an automated production process. In particular, it can be used to control autonomous robots, for example those used to refill a container.Furthermore, in the claimed weighing method, a temporal gradient of a pressure load can be recorded on at least one pressure measuring device. If the temporal gradient is below a predeterminable threshold value, it is detected that the pressure load is caused by a container. If the temporal gradient exceeds the predeterminable threshold value, a moving object, for example an autonomous robot or a person moving in the area of ​​a container, is detected. The claimed weighing method is thus suitable for detecting moving objects on the subsurface. Information on the detected moving objects can also be output to the higher-level control unit via the data interface. As a result, the claimed weighing method is compatible with monitoring methods orMonitoring devices can be combined, thereby further increasing occupational safety in the associated manufacturing process. Alternatively or additionally, the position of the container on the subsurface can be determined in the weighing process based on information about the dimensions of a container and a load distribution, i.e. information about the location of recorded pressure loads. A computer program used to carry out the weighing process can accordingly be designed to process recorded pressure loads, an identification of the associated pressure detection device, and information about the dimensions of the corresponding container and to determine its position on the subsurface. In addition, the positions of containers can be recorded repeatedly during a manufacturing process and used for a statistical evaluation of the manufacturing process.The claimed weighing method is suitable for supporting data-based optimization of the associated manufacturing process. In one embodiment of the claimed weighing method, the determined loading information is carried out in the fourth step with identification information for the associated container. In particular, the first, second, third, and fourth steps can be carried out for a plurality of containers. In the fourth step, the determined loading information or loading information can be provided in conjunction with a graphical position representation of the container or containers. For this purpose, for example, a map representation of the subsurface can be output to the user via a display device, 202317744 Foreign Version 12 for example a monitor, a tablet, or a smartphone. The loading information can alternatively or additionally be output in conjunction with metainformation about the associated container.Meta information can, for example, be a target value for a container's loading status, a difference to the target value, and / or whether filling of the corresponding container has already been requested or initiated. The loading information can also include a relative indication of the container's loading status, for example, a percentage loading or a duration until the container is empty if the associated manufacturing process continues as intended. Furthermore, the claimed weighing method can be carried out using a weighing system according to one of the embodiments outlined above. The features and advantages of the weighing system are directly transferable to the weighing method and vice versa. As a result, the technical advantages of the weighing method are realized to a greater extent. The object described above is equally achieved by a computer program product according to the invention.The computer program product is designed to receive and process signals from locating means and pressure measuring devices. For this purpose, the computer program product can be designed to be executable on an evaluation unit of an associated weighing system. The locating means and the pressure measuring devices are attached to a substrate. This means, among other things, that the pressure measuring devices or the locating means can be attached to a top or bottom side of the substrate. Alternatively, the pressure measuring devices or locating means can also be attached to the substrate, for example, embedded, cast, or laminated therein. The computer program product is further designed to determine a weight force exerted by a container containing a product, if any, contained therein.202317744 Foreign version 13 According to the invention, the computer program product is designed to implement a weighing method according to at least one of the embodiments outlined above. The computer program product can be monolithic, i.e., executable on a single hardware platform. Alternatively, the computer program product can be modular, i.e., comprise a plurality of subprograms that can be executed on different hardware platforms and that are designed to provide the functionality of the associated weighing method in interaction via a communicative data connection, for example a network connection, an Internet connection, and / or a mobile phone connection. The modular computer program product can, among other things, be designed to be executable on a computer cloud.Furthermore, the object is achieved by an evaluation unit according to the invention, which is designed to receive and process signals from a subsurface covering having a plurality of locating means and pressure measuring devices. For this purpose, the evaluation unit can be designed such that it can be coupled to the subsurface covering, i.e. its locating means and / or pressure measuring devices. According to the invention, the evaluation unit is equipped with a computer program product according to one of the embodiments described above. The evaluation unit can be designed such that it can be coupled to a higher-level control unit and, for this purpose, have a suitable data interface. The evaluation unit can further be provided with or connected to a display means via which information on the weighing method being carried out can be displayed to a user.Furthermore, the object set out at the outset is achieved by the inventive use of a near-field communication antenna. The near-field communication antenna is used as a locating means for a container that can be positioned on a substrate. According to the invention, the near-field communication antenna is arranged on or in the substrate 14. Accordingly, the near-field communication antenna can be attached to an underside or top side of the substrate. Alternatively, the near-field communication antenna can also be embedded, cast, or laminated into the substrate. The substrate can be configured as a weighing system according to one of the embodiments described above and / or configured to carry out a weighing method according to one of the variants outlined above. Near-field communication antennas can be manufactured quickly and cost-effectively, for example, by printing.This makes them particularly suitable for serving as reliable and sufficiently accurate locating means for a corresponding application. Accordingly, the features of the weighing system and weighing method described above are directly transferable to the use according to the invention. The problem described above is also solved by a simulation method according to the invention. The simulation method is designed to simulate the operating behavior of a weighing system. For this purpose, the simulation method has a first step in which a data set is provided in which the weighing system to be simulated is at least partially simulated. For example, the electrical and / or signaling behavior of an associated subsurface covering can be simulated using locating means and pressure measuring devices.The data set can be used, for example, to simulate the structure of the subsurface, in particular the positions of the pressure measuring devices and the locating means. The data set thus forms a virtual representation of the underlying weighing system or the part simulated thereby. In a second step, at least one operating parameter is specified which characterizes the operating behavior to be simulated. The operating parameters can include, for example, the position of a container on the subsurface, the container's own weight, and / or information about the container's loading status with a good. The operating parameter can also include information about the goods contained therein, for example a unit weight, and / or information about the removal of the goods from the container or the refilling of the goods into the container.Furthermore, the claimed simulation method comprises a third step in which a performance parameter of the simulated weighing system is determined. This is done based on the data set specified in the first step and the operating parameter specified in the second step. The performance parameter can, for example, be a weight force exerted by the container with the goods contained therein, which is determined by the weighing system and output to a user and / or a data interface. It can also be an indication of a position of the container determined by the weighing system. In a fourth step of the simulation method according to the invention, the performance parameter determined in the third step is output to a user and / or a data interface. The performance parameter can be transferred via the data interface, for example, to another simulation-oriented computer program.According to the invention, the simulated weighing system is designed according to one of the embodiments outlined above. The features of the weighing system are therefore directly transferable to the claimed simulation method, in particular the virtual representation of the weighing system used therein. The simulation method can be suitable and configured to check the plausibility of signals received from a pressure measuring device, i.e., a real pressure measuring device. This makes it possible to detect a defective pressure measuring device. The invention is based, among other things, on the surprising finding that the underlying weighing system, due to its simple structure and mode of operation, can be simulated with reduced computational effort, which in turn allows real-time monitoring of the weighing system. Alternatively or additionally, the simulation program product can be used to simulate a manufacturing process and the associated signals from pressure measuring devices.The simulation of the 202317744 Foreign Version 16 manufacturing process can include autonomous robots or people driving over or walking on the subsurface. This makes it possible, for example, to simulate the detection of existing or impending hazardous situations. The underlying weighing system is suitable for quickly and reliably distinguishing between containers and moving objects, such as autonomous robots and people. Consequently, the claimed simulation method makes it possible to determine the safety level of a planned or ongoing manufacturing process on the subsurface by simulation. In particular, it is possible to determine the number and frequency of transient compressive stresses by autonomous robots and / or people at which sufficiently accurate situation detection is no longer possible.The underlying weighing system, thanks to its simple structure, allows such simulations to be carried out quickly and precisely with relatively little computational effort. Safety tests required for planned redesigns of the manufacturing process can thereby be supported and accelerated. Furthermore, the underlying problem is solved by a simulation program product according to the invention, which is designed to simulate the operating behavior of a weighing system. According to the invention, the simulation program product is designed to carry out a simulation method according to one of the embodiments set out above. The simulation program product can be designed as a so-called digital twin of the underlying weighing system. The digital twin can be designed according to at least one of the publications US 2017 / 0268572 A1 and US 2018 / 0054376 A1.The disclosure content of US 2017 / 0268572 A1 and US 2018 / 0054376 A1 is incorporated by reference into the present application. The simulation program product can comprise a physics module in which the data set with the operating parameter can be processed and the performance parameter can be determined. 202317744 Foreign version 17 The invention is explained in more detail below using individual embodiments in figures. The figures are to be read as mutually complementary in that identical reference numerals in different figures have the same technical meaning. The features of the individual figures can also be combined with one another. Furthermore, the embodiments shown in the figures can be combined with the features outlined above.In detail: FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of the claimed weighing system; FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of the claimed weighing system; FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an underlying surface. FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of the claimed weighing system 70. The weighing system 70 comprises an underlying surface 10 on which a plurality of containers 20 are positioned, i.e. placed. FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, a first container 20.1 and a second container 20.2. The containers 20 are each suitable for receiving a product (not shown in detail). A weight force 22 is exerted on the underlying surface 10 by the containers 20 and any product contained therein. The underlying surface 10 comprises a plurality of locating means 14 which are fastened to the underlying surface 10.At least one of the locating means 14 is designed as a near-field communication antenna. The locating means 14 are suitable for communicating with locating means 14 attached to the containers 20. The locating means 14 attached to the containers 20 are symbolized as ellipses. The locating means 14 on the substrate 10 and the containers 20 are suitable for determining the distances 19 between them. At least one of the locating means 14 is designed to transmit a suitable identification signal 17, with which communication 15 can be initiated between two locating means 14. Furthermore, a locating means 14 on one of the containers 20, 20.1, 20.2 is connected to a memory (not shown in detail), in which information about the respective container 20, 20.1, 20.2 is stored and which can be transmitted to a locating means 14 on the subsurface 10.The locating means 14 are arranged on the subsurface 10 in a substantially rectangular grid. Furthermore, the subsurface 10 is provided with a plurality of pressure sensing means 16, which are arranged in a grid on the subsurface 10. The pressure sensing means 16 are designed to detect a compressive stress 18 exerted on the respective pressure sensing means 16. At least one of the pressure sensing means 16 is designed as a force measuring cell. The locating means 14 and the pressure sensing means 16 are embedded in the subsurface 10, i.e., cast or laminated therein. The locating means 14 are produced by printing and are connected via suitable lines 26 to an evaluation unit 30, which also belongs to the weighing system 70. A computer program product 35 is stored executably on the evaluation unit 30, with which a claimed weighing method 100 can be carried out.The evaluation unit 30 is connected via a communicative data connection 55 to a higher-level control unit 50, which can be used to control a manufacturing process that runs at least partially on the substrate 10. The weighing method 100 comprises a first step 110 in which the containers 20, 20.1, 20.2 to be weighed are placed, i.e., set down, on the substrate 10. The containers 20, 20.1, 20.2 can be at least partially filled with a product. The weighing method 100 further comprises a second step 120 in which an identification signal 17 is transmitted. The identification signal 17 can be transmitted by a locating device 14 on the substrate 10 and received by a locating device 14 on the container 20, 20.1, 20.2 202317744 Foreign Version 19, or vice versa. The identification signal 17 initiates communication 15 between the corresponding locating devices 14.During communication between the locating devices 14, an identification and / or a type designation of the respective container 20.1, 20.2 can be transmitted to the associated locating device 14 on the subsurface 10. For the containers 20.1, 20.2 according to FIG. 1, a communication 15 is initiated between one locating device 14 on a container 20.1, 20.2 and three locating devices 14 on the subsurface 10. By detecting the intensities of received signals at the corresponding locating devices 14, the respective distances 19 to the locating device 14 on the respective container 20.1, 20.2 are determined. The type designation and / or identification information of the containers 20.1, 20.2 determines the position of the locating means 14 on the container 20.1, 20.2 itself. Based on this, the position of the container 20.1, 20.2 is determined. The position of the containers 20.1, 20.2.2 is referenced to a planar coordinate system 23 lying in a plane of the subsurface covering 10. The weighing method 100 also includes a third step 130, in which at least one pressure sensing means 16 is detected, which is subjected to a compressive stress 18 by the weight force 22 exerted by the respective container 20.1, 20.2. For the first container 20.1, it is detected that it only applies a compressive stress 18 to a single pressure sensing means 16. For the second container 20.2, it is detected that it applies a compressive stress 18 to two pressure sensing means 16, each with a compressive stress 18. The detected compressive stresses 18 are transmitted as signals 25 to the evaluation unit 30 via the associated lines 26. The weighing method 100 also includes a fourth step 140 in which a weight of the first container 20.1 and the second container 20.2 and the respective weight force 22 exerted by the goods contained therein, if any, is determined. Based on the determined weight forces 22, loading information 27 is determined for each of the two containers 20.1, 20.2. The loading information 27 can, for example, include information about how much of the corresponding goods is in the respective container 20.1, 20.2 and / or how far a target value for the fill level of the respective container 20.1, 20.2 is exceeded or undershot. The loading information 27 can be determined taking into account a type designation of the respective container 20.1, 20.2, which includes a dead weight of the respective container 20.1, 20.2. Likewise, a position indication 24 is determined for each of the containers 20.1, 20.2.The detection and processing of the signals 25 from the locating means 14 on the subsurface 10 and the pressure detection means 16 takes place by means of a computer program product 35 that is executed on the evaluation unit 30. The computer program product 35 is designed in particular to determine the loading information 27 and the position information 24 for the containers 20.1, 20.2. The loading information 27 and the position information 24 for the containers 20.1, 20.2 are output to a user in the fourth step 140 via a display means 32 that is connected to the evaluation unit 30. Likewise, the loading information 27 and the position information 24 are output to the higher-level control unit 50 via the data interface 33. The described steps 110, 120, 130, 140 can be carried out for the containers 20.1, 20.2 one after the other or at least partially simultaneously.The number of weighable containers 20 is limited only by the data transport capacity of the lines 26 and the processing speed of the evaluation unit 30 or its computer program product 35. This allows the containers 20, 20.1, 20.2 to be monitored essentially in real time with regard to their loading status. Furthermore, in the described weighing method 100, a pressure load 18 is detected at pressure sensing means 16, which is caused by a movable object 40 embodied as an autonomous robot 42. A movement 43 is symbolized by an arrow in FIG. 1. In the weighing method 202317744 foreign version 21 100, temporal gradients of pressure stresses 18 are detected on pressure detection means 16 in order to identify whether these are caused by the moving object 40 or a container 20 without a functioning locating means 14.If the temporal gradient of a pressure stress 18 on a pressure sensing device 16 exceeds a predeterminable threshold value, it is recognized that this may have been caused by the movable object 40. If a temporal gradient of a pressure stress 18 of similar magnitude is detected on an adjacent pressure sensing device 16, the presence of the movable object 40 is detected. Correspondingly, a warning about an improper container 20 on the subsurface 10 is suppressed. The movable object 40 can thus be located in the coordinate system 23 of the subsurface 10, and an associated position information 24 is determined, which in turn is output to the higher-level control unit 50. Parallel to the described weighing method 100, a simulation method 200 runs in which the operating behavior of the weighing system 70 is simulated.A simulation program product 60 is used therein, which comprises a digital twin of at least part of the weighing system 70 and thus forms its virtual representation. During the simulation process 200, the weight forces 22 exerted by virtual representations of the containers 20.1, 20.2 and the resulting pressure stress 18 are simulated, which are recorded by the corresponding pressure detection means 16, i.e., their virtual representations. Likewise, the resulting loading information 27 is determined. Similarly, signals 25 are reproduced at corresponding locating means 14 on the subsurface 10, i.e., its virtual representation, and the resulting position information 24. Differences between the actually determined position information 24 and / or loading information 27 and the simulated position information 24 or loading information 27 are determined as performance parameters.If the differences corresponding to 202317744 foreign version 22 exceed a predeterminable tolerance value, a defective locating means 14 and / or defective pressure detection means 16 is detected. The simulation method 100 and the associated simulation program product 60 are thus designed to check the plausibility of signals 25 from a locating means 14 and / or pressure detection means 16 on the substrate 10. A second embodiment of the claimed weighing system 70 is shown schematically in a plan view in FIG. 2. The weighing system 70 comprises a substrate 10 on which a container 20 is positioned, i.e., placed. The container is suitable for receiving a product (not shown in detail). A weight force 22 is exerted on the substrate 10 by the container 20 and any product located therein. The substrate 10 comprises a plurality of locating means 14 which are attached to the substrate 10.At least one of the locating means 14 is designed as a near-field communication antenna. The locating means 14 are suitable for communicating with locating means 14 attached to the container 20. The locating means 14 attached to the container 20 are symbolized as ellipses and arranged next to one another. The locating means 14 on the underlying surface 10 and the container 20 are suitable for determining the distances 19 between them. At least one of the locating means 14 is designed to transmit a suitable identification signal 17, with which communication 15 can be initiated between two locating means 14. During the communication 15, each of the locating means 14 on the container 20 communicates with several locating means 14 on the underlying surface 10.Furthermore, at least one of the locating means 14 on the container 20 is connected to a memory (not shown in detail), in which information about the container 20 is stored and which can be transmitted to a locating means 14 on the substrate 10. The locating means 14 are arranged on the substrate 10 in a substantially rectangular grid. Furthermore, the substrate 10 is provided with a plurality of pressure sensing means 16, which are arranged in a grid on the substrate 10. The pressure sensing means 16 are designed to detect a compressive stress 18 exerted on the respective pressure sensing means 16. At least one of the pressure sensing means 16 is designed as a force measuring cell. The locating means 14 and the pressure sensing means 16 are embedded in the substrate 10, i.e., cast or laminated therein.The locating means 14 are produced by printing and are connected via suitable lines 26 to an evaluation unit 30, which also belongs to the weighing system 70. A computer program product 35 is executably stored on the evaluation unit 30, with which a claimed weighing method 100 can be carried out. The evaluation unit 30 is connected via a communicative data connection 55 to a higher-level control unit 50, with which a manufacturing process can be controlled, which runs at least partially on the substrate 10. The weighing method 100 comprises a first step 110, in which the container 20 to be weighed is placed, i.e., set down, on the substrate 10. The container 20 can be at least partially filled with a product. Furthermore, the weighing method 100 comprises a second step 120 in which an identification signal 17 is transmitted.The identification signal 17 can be transmitted by a locating device 14 on the subsurface 10 and received by a locating device 14 on the container 20, or vice versa. The identification signal 17 initiates communication 15 between the corresponding locating devices 14. During the communication between the locating devices 14, an identification information and / or a type designation of the container 20 can be transmitted to the associated locating device 14 on the subsurface 10. For the container 20 according to FIG. 2, communication 15 is initiated between the locating devices 14 attached thereto and three locating devices 14 on the subsurface 10. By detecting the intensities of received signals at the corresponding locating devices 14, the respective distances 19 to the 202317744 foreign version 24 locating devices 14 on the container 20 are determined. The type designation and / or the identification information of the containers 20.1, 20.2, the position of its locating means 14 on the container 20 itself is known. Based on this, the position of the container 20 is determined. The position of the container 20 is related to a planar coordinate system 23 that lies in a plane of the subsurface 10. Based on the positions of the locating means 14 on the container 20, an orientation of the container 20 is also determined. This makes it possible to determine even more precisely in which area of ​​the subsurface 10 the container 20 rests and exerts compressive stresses 18 on the pressure sensing means 16. This makes it even more reliable to assign the pressure sensing means 16 to a specific container 20. This also allows an increased number of containers 20 to be placed close together on the subsurface 10 and to weigh them precisely.For this purpose, the identification information and / or type designation of the container 20 can also be used, which includes at least one dimension of the container 20, so that an outline of a contact surface of the container 20 with the substrate 10 is specified or determinable. The weighing method 100 also includes a third step 130, in which at least one pressure sensing means 16 is detected, which is subjected to a compressive stress 18 by the weight force 22 exerted by the container 20. It is detected that the container 20 is subjected to two pressure sensing means 16, each subjected to a compressive stress 18. The detected pressure stresses 18 are transmitted as signals 25 to the evaluation unit 30 via the associated lines 26. The weighing method 100 also includes a fourth step 140 in which a weight force 22 exerted by the container 20 and any goods contained therein is determined.Based on the determined weight force 22, loading information 27 is determined for the container 20. The loading information 27 can, for example, include information about how much of the corresponding material 25 is in the container 20 and / or how far a target value for the fill level of the container 20 is exceeded or undershot. The loading information 27 can be determined taking into account a type designation of the container 20, which includes a dead weight of the container 20. Likewise, a position information 24 is determined for the container 20. The detection and processing of the signals 25 from the locating means 14 on the subsurface 10 and the pressure detection means 16 takes place by means of a computer program product 35 that is executed on the evaluation unit 30.The computer program product 35 is particularly designed to determine the loading information 27 and the position information 24 for the container 20. The loading information 27 and the position information 24 for the container 20 are output to a user in the fourth step 140 via a display means 32 connected to the evaluation unit 30. Likewise, the loading information 27 and the position information 24 are output to the higher-level control unit 50 via the data interface 33. The described steps 110, 120, 130, 140 can be performed for other containers in succession in addition to the container 20 or at least partially simultaneously. The number of weighable containers 20 is limited only by the data transport capacity of the lines 26 and the processing speed of the evaluation unit 30 or its computer program product 35.As a result, containers 20 can be monitored essentially in real time with regard to their loading status. Parallel to the described weighing method 100, a simulation method 200 runs, in which the operating behavior of the weighing system 70 is simulated. A simulation program product 60 is used therein, which comprises a digital twin of at least part of the weighing system 70 and thus forms its virtual representation. During the simulation method 200, the weight force 22 exerted by the virtual representation of the container 20 and the resulting pressure stress 18 are simulated, which are recorded by the corresponding pressure detection means 16, i.e., their virtual representations. Likewise, the loading information 27 determined therefrom is determined.Likewise, signals 25 at corresponding locating means 14 on the subsurface 10, i.e., its virtual representation, and the resulting position information 24 are simulated. Differences between the actually determined position information 24 and / or the loading information 27 and the simulated position information 24 or loading information 27 are determined as performance parameters. If the corresponding differences exceed a predeterminable tolerance value, a defective locating means 14 and / or defective pressure detection means 16 is detected. The simulation method 100 and the associated simulation program product 60 are thus designed to verify the plausibility of signals 25 from a locating means 14 and / or pressure detection means 16 on the subsurface 10. FIG. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a subsurface 10 in a sectional view.The embodiment according to FIG. 3 can be combined completely or partially with the embodiments according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. The substrate covering 14 has a locating means 14 arranged on its upper side 11. The locating means 14 is partially recessed into the upper side 11 and partially protrudes from the upper side 11. The locating means 14 attached to the upper side 11 in this way can be easily inspected and replaced by a user. Furthermore, attenuation of communication 15, in particular identification signals 17, by the material of the substrate covering 10 for the locating means 14 on the upper side 11 is minimized. As a result, the locating means 14 along the upper side 11 has an increased range for communication 15 with a locating means 14 on a container 20. The greater the range of the locating means 14 during communication 15, the fewer locating means 14 are necessary in the subsurface 10.In particular, consideration of electromagnetic damping properties of the material of the substrate 10 is unnecessary, allowing a wider range of materials to be used advantageously. 202317744 Foreign Version 27 A further locating means 14 is essentially embedded centrally in the substrate 10 and completely surrounded by its material. This protects the locating means 14 against damage caused by excessive compressive stresses 18. Damage to the locating means 14 embedded centrally in the substrate 10 during installation of the associated weighing system 70 is thus avoided. Furthermore, the corresponding locating means 14 is protected to an increased extent against excessive compressive stresses 18 exerted by weight forces 22 of containers 20. In addition, the substrate covering 10 has a locating means 14 which is attached to its underside 13.The locating means 14 is partially embedded in the subfloor 10 on its underside 13 and partially protrudes from the underside 13. The fastening of the locating means 14 to the underside 13 can be designed essentially analogously to the fastening of the locating means 14 to the top side 11. The locating means 14 attached to the underside 13 is protected to a further extent from excessive compressive stresses 18 caused by weight forces 22 exerted by containers 20. Locating means 14 can thus be attached to the subfloor 10 shown in different ways. The subfloor 10 can be adapted for different applications with regard to the range of the individual or all locating means 14 and their need for physical protection. The associated weighing system 70 therefore has a wide range of applications.The locating means 14, as shown in FIG. 3, can be used in the variants shown in any combination in weighing systems 70 as in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. The weighing system 70 is accordingly designed to carry out a weighing method 100, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The locating means 14 according to FIG. 3 are designed as near-field communication antennas 21, for example so-called NFC antennas, which can be produced by printing. The structure and / or the functioning of the substrate 10 can be simulated in a simulation program product 60. The simulation program product 60 is designed to carry out a simulation method 200 with which the operating behavior of the weighing system 70 or at least of the substrate 10 can be simulated.

Claims

202317744 Foreign version 29 Patent claims 1. Weighing system (70), comprising a substrate (10) on a floor and a plurality of containers (20, 20.1, 20.2), wherein the substrate (10) is provided with a plurality of pressure detection means (16), wherein the substrate (10) and the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) are each equipped with locating means (14) for locating the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) on the substrate (10), characterized in that at least one locating means (14) on the substrate (10) and one locating means (14) on each container (20, 20.1, 20.2) are used to determine the position of the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2), wherein the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) can be distinguished from one another by position determination.

2. Weighing system (70) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locating means (14) are arranged in a grid on the subsurface (10). 3.Weighing system (70) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one locating means (14) on one of the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) is designed to identify the associated container (20, 20.1, 20.2).

4. Weighing system (70) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locating means (14) on the subsurface (10) are designed to be capable of communicating with locating means (14) on containers (20, 20.1, 20.2).

5. Weighing system (70) according to one of claims 1 to 4, at least one container (20, 20.1, 20.2) is equipped with a memory in which a dimension of the container (20, 20.1, 20.2) is stored.

6. Weighing system (70) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the containers (20, 20.1,. 202317744 Foreign version 30 20.2) is equipped with a plurality of locating means (14) for determining its orientation.

7. Weighing system (70) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one locating means (14) on the subsurface (10) and one locating means (14) on a container (20, 20.1, 20.2) are designed to determine mutual distances.

8. Weighing method (100) for containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) for receiving a good, which containers can be positioned on a subsurface (10), comprising the steps: a) placing a first and a second container (20, 20.1, 20.2) on the subsurface (10); b) transmitting an identification signal (17) by a locating means (14) attached to the substrate (10) or by locating means attached to the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2); receiving the identification signal (17) by a locating means (14) on the substrate (10) or on the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2).2); c) detecting at least one pressure sensing means (16) which is loaded by the weight of the respective container (20, 20.1, 20.2) and detecting a pressure load (18) on the pressure sensing means (16); d) determining weight forces (22) exerted by the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) and a respective item located therein, determining loading information (27) for at least one of the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) and outputting the determined weight forces (22) and / or the loading information (27) to a user and / or a data interface (33); characterized in that in step c) based on an indication of at least one dimension of at least one container. 202317744 Foreign Version 31 (20, 20.1, 20.2) a plurality of pressure detection means (16) are determined, wherein in step d) a position and an orientation of at least one container (20, 20.1, 20.2) are determined and the weight forces (22) exerted by the container (20, 20.1, 20.2) and the respective goods located therein are determined based on pressure stresses (18) that are detected at the determined pressure detection means (16).

9. Weighing method (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that in step d) the determined weight force () is output with an identification information of the container (20, 20.1, 20.2).

10. Weighing method (100) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that in step d) the position of at least one of the containers (20, 20.1, 20.2) is output to the user and / or the data interface (33). 11.Weighing method (100) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the weighing method (100) is carried out by means of a weighing system (70) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

12. Computer program product (35) for receiving and processing signals (25) from locating means (14) and pressure detection means (16) on a subsurface covering (10), wherein the computer program product (35) is designed to determine at least one weight force (22) exerted by a container (20, 20.1, 20.2) with a product located therein, characterized in that the computer program product (35) is designed to carry out a weighing method (100) according to one of claims 8 to 11.

13. Evaluation unit (30) which is designed to receive and process signals (25) from a subsurface covering (10) with a plurality of locating means (14) and pressure detection means (16), characterized in that the. 202317744 Foreign version 32 Evaluation unit (30) is equipped with a computer program product (35) according to claim 12.

14. Use of a near-field communication antenna (21) as a locating means (14) for a container (20, 20.1, 20.2), characterized in that the near-field communication antenna (21) is arranged in a subsurface covering (10) on which the container (20, 20.1, 20.2) can be positioned. 15.Simulation method (200) for simulating an operating behavior of a weighing system (70), comprising the steps: a) providing a data set by which the weighing system (70) to be simulated is at least partially mapped; b) specifying at least one operating parameter by which the operating behavior to be simulated is characterized; c) determining at least one performance parameter of the simulated weighing system (70) based on the data set and the operating parameter; d) outputting the determined performance parameter to a user and / or a data interface (33); characterized in that the simulated weighing system (70) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 7.

16. Simulation program product (60) is designed to simulate an operating behavior of a weighing system (70), characterized in that the simulation program product (60) is designed to carry out a simulation method (200) according to claim 15.

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