GB2493876A

GB2493876A - Article processing device

Info

Publication number: GB2493876A
Application number: GB1221301.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yoshihiro Shirai; Kazuhiko Yamashita; Yoshihiro Asano
Original assignee: Yamato Scale Co Ltd
Current assignee: Yamato Scale Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-05-25
Filing date: 2010-05-25
Publication date: 2013-02-20
Also published as: CN202975719U; WO2011148410A1; DE212010000218U1; GB201221301D0; JP3184491U

Abstract

Provided is an article processing device capable of accurately relaying a message from a previous operator to the next operator. The disclosed article processing device possesses a device main body (1A), an operation unit (1Ba), and a control unit (21), and is provided with a microphone (8), voice recording operation means with which a voice recording operation is performed, an encoding unit (24) for converting a voice signal output from the microphone (8) to voice data if a voice recording operation has been performed, a storage unit (22) for storing the voice data, voice reproduction operation means with which a reproduction operation is performed, a decoding unit (25) for converting the voice data which has been stored in the storage unit (22) to a voice signal and outputting thereof if the reproduction operation has been performed, and a speaker (9) or earphone jack (10) for inputting the voice signal which has been output from the decoding unit (25).

Description

DESCRIPTION

tile of the Ins ention ARUCLF PROCESSING APPARATUS

Technical Field

[00011 The present mve ition it laics to an article processing apparatus mcludmg apparausesconsttutmg a production line which performs weighing, packaging, inspection, or the like of articles.

Background Art

[00021 Convent on,dIç a pwducnon Ime n a ficto y hich eghs aitides sacn as potato chip, or candie' ,uU that the articIv ii a ske1ght withu a piedetunned weight range, packages the articles and ships mit the packaged articles to a market, mdudes as article processing anparatuses, for example, a weigmng apparatus Nueh as a combination weigher, a packaging apparatus, an inspection apparatus (X-ray foreign matter detecting apparatus, metal detecting apparatus aweight inspection anparatts, etc.), a box packing appamtui, etc..

in the production line, work is carried out by operators' shifiwork. Tn the operators' shiftwork, in eases where a next operator cannot take over a present. operator's work face to face, the present operator writes messages to be communicated to the next operator, about a state of the. apparatuses or the like., on memo paper or a message board.

irthere are any messages. However, the next operator might not read the thessages, and a a result, the messages cannot he cornmurneatd t the next operathr surely [00031 Patent Literature 1 discose*s*that to communicate messagirs from a presnt operator to a next operator without the use of memo paper or a thessage board, memo information (messages) input by manipulation of a key hoard ci-the like of a manipulatton section is stored, arid displayed on a display means.

Citation Lists Patent Literature 100041 Patent Literature I: Japanese L aid-Open Patent Application PubLication No. 20G4-403 5

Summary of the Invention

Technica' Problem [00051 lit the configuration disc] used in Patent Literature i, since the memo information is dispayed on the display means, for example, an operator who does no know letters (characters), or cannot read the letters, cannot understand the memo information. Thus, the messages cannot he communicated to such an operator hi the configuration disclosed in Patent Literature I, a. notification means for notifying presence of the memo information is provided. However, even. if the notitwation means notifies presence of the memo information, the operator might riot surey displayaad see the memo intirmat.ion on the disp]ay means. If the operator actuates an apparatus to onn. a etghmg work wuhout seeing the mono fornation the Wssages cannot he: communicated to the operator.

[0006] The ptesenl inyenl.jon has been developed to solve the above mentioned problems, and an obcct of the present invention i to provide an article processing a.pparatu which is capable of surely communicating messages from a presont operator to a next operator. As used herein, the messages to be communicated from the present operator include messages rei$ing to stares of' apparatuses such as problems and inclinations of the apnaratuses, and messages relating to another apparatuses constituting a production line.

Sohfltou to Probkrn [0007] To achieve the above ohjctive. according to the present invention, there is provided an article processing apparatus inciudin.g an apparatus body fryr.pcrfonning.

predetermined processing associated with articles, a manipulation section for performing manipulation assocua,ted with, running of the apparatus body; and a control mens which.

starts the running of the apparatus body in response. to running start manipulation performed with respect to themaniptilation section; the article ptoeessing apparatus comprising a microphone which. converts a sound into a sound signaL and outputs the sound signal; a sound recording manipulation means with which sound recording manipulation is performed to record a massage relating i.o the article processing apparatus in a fonu of the sound; .a sound data creating means which converts the sound signal output from the microphone to create sound data in response to the sound recording manipulation performed with respect to the sound recording manipulation means; a sound data storage means for storing the sound data created by the sound data creating means; a sound reproduction manipulation means with which reproduction manipulation is performed to tq roduce the sound data Stored in the sound datastorage means into the sound; a sound signal reproduction means which converts the sound 4ata stored in the sound data stOrage means into the soth*4,ignal and OlJtptZtS the sound signal, in resonsc to the reprodoctiowrnanipulation petfeitned with respect to the' tonS ftpro4i1ctiOnmanipuIatiOr' meMs; and a speaker or anoiSdc:output tem,Analiøtichjs applied w1 the sound iigS' eütp!.at fret' the sound si4n*L wprqduction'means OQO8] In acwdane wit this Si"ratis*, a rn t'jcs, can reptoduce a,,rnpaage ((4.(%rSe) data)) reltig taThb *#iSprozssftrg apparatus, *b*hasbect' reoitie4 by a'pxes 4t'opetnO adlilear a apS output frem. Thraapiplc, h.'peaker.

O tit natnpIe. a hcadphor, tay be' onnet*e4 to the gntsi4e outpu; rnrmü,al,'and the next ørator'tan hear The sound*, 0* headphøne $j$c.' the itessage,,is reproduced in 0* bin pftW sound th: dii s way, thø message cern, ,icated suj, ,Jy so an t$PttvJM' taimot <cad}ttett The sound data k starett the sound dM$orage xneaMt a predetermined Me mit and stored as sound'fIlcs. In the above configuration, the sound reeoz%ting,manipulation,rncazis and the sound reproduction manipidation means may be pwvide4 at the manipulation section.

(CO®) The control means may be configured to disenait the running stwt nanpnLaiion if there' is unrc,' cçd sound data l, the sound data storage means when the ninnipg sttfl manipulation. is performed with:rçspcct't9 hemanipu1atiwi' section.

In accordance with *,is configuration, inthc' case where the uñcep;oduced sound 4saissed in the sound da:neatig,'thc running:start manipulation is 4isnabled. Ther*re, the running cannot be started unless: the totS dato is reproduced. That is, wheathc,prescnt operator records the tness*ge4(iound (voice) data')) relating to thearticle processing apparatus the nótopecatot e*nnotstartthe p!n*h!g unless','the next' operator reproduces theinessage. Therefore, the message can bLcomausicated surely, from the' present operatorto the nwthopetatot The articleprocessing apparatus may flitter comprise: a notificatioii means rot notifying presence of unreproduced sound data whert the unreproduced sound data is stored in the sound data storage means.

[0010] In accordance with this configuration, the nextopcrator can easily know whether Qr,not there is a message front the present operátot [(Xlii] Tbe article processing apparatus may comprise the'speaker; wherein the Ubntrdl means may he configured to disenable the running start manipulation and cause the sound signal reproduction means to convert unreproduced sound data into the sound signal and output the. sound signal to the speaker, if there is the unreproduced souhd data in the sound data storage metms when the runt big sarL manipub.tion is perfonried with respect to the manipulation section.

[00 1 2j in accordance with 11th configuration, in a case w.lseri the message from the.

present pemtor is not reproduced yet, the next operator can hear the message by performing the running start manipulation. in this configuration, the control means may cause the sound s grel rep] oduct m means to con' crL the unrepodr ed sound caM ante the sound, signal and output the sound signal wwc or repetitively. lithe. unreproduced sound data is repToduced repetitively, the next.opesator can.casily understand the message frp the present operator.

[0013] The article processing appafatus may beune ofapiuralityof apparatuses constituting a production line: and. a massagO relating to an apparatus constttuting the prodnction line which is other than. the article processing apparatus constituting the production lin.e may he input to the microphone in a form of the sound.

in the case of the apparatus constituting the production line:, the activated state or the like of this apparatus is affected by the state of another apparatus. Therefore, it is e fle we to communicate the message relating to another appararus.

Advantageous Effects of We invention [0014] The present invention has the above.dcscrihed configuration, and has an advantage that it is poss'ihle to provide an article processing apparatus v.hich can communicate a message surely from a present operator to a next operator.

The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention wifl more fully be apparent from tie folI'm tug detailec descr]ptlol of prefeirea e'thbodirnents with accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Fig. 1] Fig. lisa block diagram showing an exemplary schematic configuration of a production line to which an article processing apparatus according, to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an exemplary schematic configuration of a combination weigher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a view showing an exeniplaty automatic running screen image dsplaycd on a screen of a nanipuation display 4cyicc in a first example pf4ha cornbitèn woighet E$s 4] Pig. 4 is a tiSch showing an t*a layoper4iont the tiS exam1e of the combinatioaweighct tiw:5] P1w, 5 is a vicW «=hOWig an eampi*tyaiitørnic ruuztgwcea tn*gedispiayedpn astreeiiota tnathpi4atjon d ay4evicdn:asecond eampje ate tombipati4n waighet.

[Fig. 6] ig. 61* atewchart shov4ng:an.s'erni4sy operadopin the'sq,, 4 tarn$e r the combItWibp weiga [Fig,, 7) Fig. 7 isa tw th'nviug an czgmpjaty eiThctivs soun& setting screen Sage: 4isplayed on':a s teen of t$4 manipulation djspjay'4tykc of the cowhipat4on welgh#.

Denrtption of the tnvenflou [OGle] Rereinafter, prefçxre4 embodImentof the piesent invention will be. described with CØ(etence to the drawings. Throughout the drawings,, the same or cotresprnng enponen1 are desigri4ed by the same refercoce symbols and wil I not be doscribed epeitively Note t thc wcsentth wentionisnot limited tothe mtwdithcntdecribed (0017] (Embodiment) Fig. f is a block diagram twing an exemplary schematic cothgutatIonMa production lipeto which aaarticle processing' apparatus aceording to art enibodinieiitof theprcsent invention is applied.

[0018] The production lineincludes a combinationweigher 1, a packagii$ apparatus 2, a weight inspection apparatus 3, a metal detecting apparatus 4, a X-ray tbteignrnatw detecting apparatus 5, a sorting apparatus 6, and abOxkitg apparatus 7.

[0019] In the production line, articles of food such as: snacks, etc., are supplied to the combination weigher 1. Thecoinbination weigher I sequentially discharges the articles haying a weight within a predetermined weight range. Eveiy time the combfntion Weigher 1 discharges thearticles, thepackaging machine2 packages the articles wWle making bags, for example. The weight inspection apparatus 3 inspects whether or not the weight of the packaged articles falls into an allowable weight range, and transmits a sortingsignal indicating a result of the inspection to the sorting apparatus 6. After passing through the weight inspection apparatus 3, the articles are carried to the metal detecting apparatus 4, and liwthcr to the X-ray foreign matter detecting apparatus 5.

The metal detecting apparatus 4 and the X-ray foreign matter detecting apparatus 5 respectively inspect whether or not foreign matters are included in the articles carded from the weight inspection apparatus 3, and respectively transmit sorting signals ndtat ng resuts ot the inspector& to the suiting appaatus 6 Th& oiling ognel transmitted from each of the weight inspection apparatus 3. the metal detecting apparatus 4 and the Xray foreign matter detecting apparatus 5, to the sorting device 6, is a signal indicating Whether the arLicles argopd articles or inferior (defective) articles, which is a reo.Llt of detennination in the corresponding apparatus. The sorting apparatus 6 eliminates the articIc determined as the inferior articles in any one of the weight inspection apparatus 3, the metal. detecting apparatus 4 and the X-ray foreign matter detecting apparatus 5, and carries only the good articles to the box-packing apparatus 7.

A signal line of the sofl.ing signal t'ansmi.tted front each cii the weight inspection apparatps 3, the metal detecting apparatus 4 and the X-ray foreign mattc.t detecting apparatt.s 5, to the sorliv.g apparatus 6. is not illustrated in Fig. i - [0020] The comhnation weigher 1. includes an apparatus body IA, a manipulation display device I B, a controller 1(2, a microphone 8 and a speaker 9. Likewise, the packaging apparatus 2 indudes an apparatus body 2A, amrniipuiatio.n display device 213, a controller 2(2, a microphone S and a speaker 9. The weight inspection ap1aratus 3 inbiudes an apparatus body 3A. a manipulation display device 313. a controller 3(2, a micrcphone S and a speaker 9. The metal detecting apparatus 4 includes, an apparatus houy4k, a manpulanon display devLc 413, i control er 4( a microphone S and a speaker 9. !he X-ray foreign matter detecting apparatus.5 includes an apparatus body SA, a manipulation display device SB, a controller SC, a microphone 8 and.a speaker 9.

The box-packing apparatus 7 includes an apparatus body 7A, a manipulation display device 711, a controller 7C, a microphone S and a speaker 9. The sorting apparatus 6 includes an apparatus body 6A and a controller 6C.

[0021] The controllers IC, 2(2, 3C, 4C, SC, 6C, and 7C of the apparatuses are connected together by means o1 for example, LAN (local area network) cable 31, and are configured to communicate necessary information between the contro]lers oithe apparatuses.

[0022] The ardcte processing apparatuses to which the present invention is applied arc the comhmauon weigher.1, the packaging apparatus 2, the weighi inspection apparatus 3, the metal dccctig appaiatus 4, the X-iay to eignnattei dtwclmg apparatus 5 and the roxpaek rig anpatatus 7, other tim the soitmg appara1u 6 Aq one tep esentatic Of these apparati 5L-, the combma on WeT&Lr will nov' he dusci bed m detail 100131 Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an exemplary schematic eonfigurtion of the combination weigher 1.

The combination weigher 1 includes the apparatus body IA and an. operation syslein 1 vi he appaiaus both 1 & s piovided with a cornea1 dispersum fctncr Ii [cm dispei-sing artjcies supped from an. outside supplying apparatus 19 by vibraUon, at an upper portion of a center of the apparatus. Around the dispersion tbeder ii., a plurality of linear feeders 12 for feedinthe articles sent from the dispersion feeder ii to feeding hoppers 13 by vibration are provided radially, Below the linear feeders 1.2. the feeding hoppers 13 and weighing hoppers 14 are provided in..correspondence with the linear feeders 12, respectively. Each of the feeding hoppers 13 receives the articles sent from the linear feeder 12, opens its discharge gate to supply the articles to the weighing hopper 1 4 disposed thereheiow when the weighing hopper 14 is emptied. Each of the weighing hoppers 141-s attached, with a weight sensor 15 such as a load cell for measuring the weight of the articles inside of the weighing hopper 14. Each weight senor 15 outptts a measured value to the controller IC. Below the. weighing hoppers 14, a collecting chute 16 is disposed. A thnnei 17 is provided at an exit of the collecting chute 16.

The packaging apparatus 2 is disposed below the funnel 17, The weighing hoppas 14 selected to make up for a discharge combination ag will be described later opentheir discharge gates to discharge the articles. The discharged articles are sent out to the packaging apparatus 2 through the collecting chute.6 and the funnel 7, and the packaging apparatus 2 packages the articles.

Above the dispersion theder 11, a level detector 18 comprised oL for example, an ultrasonic sensor is provided to detect a layer thickness of the articles on the dispersion feeder ii.A detection signal is output from thedevel detector iS to the

S

controller IC.. The controllet IC controls the supplying apparatus 19 to maintain the articles on the dispersion feeder ii at a constant amount based on the detection.signai from the level detector 19.

The operation system iM of the combination weigher mcudes the microphone 8, the spoaket 9, and an earphone jack 10 (not shown in Fig. I) which is an outside output termina1, in the vcm,t of the screen of te mampulation diplrv device i B, in adcntion to the coptroller IC and the manipulatIon dspIay device lB..

[0024] Tht confloller C s ci Os' ,tided by, tor example a miciocomputer, etc I he controller 1C includes. a. control section 2.1 comprised of a CPU or the like of the microcomputer, a memory section 22 comprised of RAM and ROM, or the like of the niicrocornputer. a communication processing section 23 for performing communication with another apparatuse& constituting the production line of Fig. 1, via the LAN cable 31, a encoding section 24, a decoding section 25, and a clock 26 which is comprised of, for example, a real time clock, and provtdes date and. hour information (year, month, and time) to the control section 21. The control section 21 cause the CPU to execute CPU execution programs stored in. the ROM of the memory section 22, thereby controlling the operation of the supplying apparatus 19 and the operation of the overall apparatus body TA of the combination we.ihe.r, and controlling the communication processing section 23, the ccci cling section 24, and [C decoding section 25. A control means is constituted by the control section 21, a..sound data storage section. is constituted by thc storage section 22, a sound data crea ing means is constituted by the encoding section.24. And a sound signal reproducing means s constituted by Lhc decoding section.25, The control section 2.1 pertbrms a combination process to find the above stated discharge combination. In the.coinbination process, the control section 21 perkrms combination calculation based Ofl: the weight of the articles inside of each weighing hopper 14 which has been measured by the weight. sensor 15, selects one combination of the weighing hoppers 14 in which a total (combination weight) of the weights of the articles falls within a predetermined weight range, and detennines it as the discharge combination.

[0025] The manipulation display device lB is constituted by, for example, a touchscreen display. and'ncldes. a manipulation section Wa for performing a manipulation for running such as a running start manipulation and a running stop.

manipulation of the combination weigher, an input manipulation olparameters such as running conditions, etc., and a display section iBh for displaying a running speed, a combination weight. etc., on a screen (display screen). The manipulation sectiOn iBa also functions as a sound recording manjpulaflon means and a sound reproducing manipuhition means, [1)0261 The control sectiOn 21 bf the controller IC is applied with a signal as an input from the manipulation section IBa of the ruanipuation display device IS, and outputs signals such as dat.a to be displayed to the display section lOb oi'the manipulation display device 1W In the present enibodiment, the operation syinew iM neludes thc rnicrophon 8, the speaker 9, etc,. An operator pçrfirms ii specified rcordin;g rnaniptil.ation (sound re ordng manipulanun) in i e ma npu1aton euort iRa & their impulation thspiav device 18 and speaks messages toward the microphon 8. lie resulting sourd (voice) is on vetted into sound tiles and stored in the storage section 22. hr this case, the microphone 8 converts an audio sig-nal (sound) input from outside into an analog sound signal and outputs the analog sound signal to the encoding section 7.4. The cilcoding section 24 encodes the analog sound. signal into sound data (digital data), and outputs the sound data to the control sechon 21. The control section 2 I converts the. sound data urto sound files (message information) in a predetermined file format, for example.

WAVE format, assigns tile numbers to the sound files in the order of siorage, and stores the sound files in the storage section 22. The sound files are generated by adding header information according to the file farmat, or the. like, to the sound data.

The control section 21. stores the sound files in the storage section 22 in such a manner that date and hour when the sound files are stored are stored in a recording history table along with the file numbers, and lurns ON an anreproduction flag (sets unreproduction flag), A storage area of the recordin.g history table is provided within the storage section 22, and a flag area of the unreproduction flag is provided within the recording history table. The recording history table is atable containing a set of the file number, the date and hour in storage. and the unreproduction flag. Every time the sound tile is stored, the corresponding tile number and the corresponding date and hour hi storage are stored, and the unrepioduction flag is set. The date and hour are provided by the clock 26. The unreproduction flag is a flag indicating that the corresponding sound file is unreproduced, and is reset by the control section 21 when an unreproduced sound tile is reproduced.

The message infbrrnaffon stored as the sound files in the memory section 22 as oescubed above m reproduced lbr eKample b pcrfonnmg pi edetern ned iepiodueuoi manipulation with respect to the manipulation section 1 tta cf the manipulation. display device I B and emitting an audio signal (Sound) from the. speaker 9. In this case, the contro section 21 reads out sound data of a sound fiiet.o be reproduced from the storage Se(ttOC 22 and cirputs the soLud data to the decoding eAion 25 the clecothng se ion decodes: the sound data into an aniog sound signa' and outputs the analog sound sigma.! to the speaker 9. The: speaker 9 converts, the ana'og sound signal into an audio signal (supd) and outnuts the audio signal. to oniside. The anelog sound signal is also output from the decodiug section 25 to the earphone ia.dk 10. In a case Where there is a big poise, a headphone is connected to the earphone jack 10 to hear the mcssage iniormation. Thus, the operator can hear the message well.

The communication processing section 23 has a network interthee function and PAD (packet assembly/disassembly) funct.ior. For example, wlheri specified data is transmitted to another apparatus, the specified data is created into several. padcets by adding to the specified data, header information including iP address of a transmission destmation and IP address of a transmisston source. and the packets arc sent out to a network 1. The communication processing section 2.3 obtains the packets whose transmission destination address is its. own addrtss, Lien the network I oxftacts a data.

portion from the obtaired. packets and takes C e data portion to the control section 21.

Alternatively, a portion of the controller iC's tunchon for cofflroliin.g the supplying apparatus 10 and theapparatus body IA may be provided inThe apparatus body IA instead of the operation system I M. [0027] the article processing apparatuses to which the present invention is applied, other than the combination weigher 1, ic., the pa&aging apparatus 2, the weight inspection apparatus 3, the metal detecting apparatus, the X-ray foreign mattet detecting apparatus 5. and the boxpacking apparatus 7, have operation systems having the same fimction as that of the operation system IA of the combination weigher 1, except that control functions of the apparatus bodies are different.

fh.e sorting apparatus 6 includes an apparatus body.6A comprised of a conveyor Ii & t for carrying the articles, a device for eliminating the articles (inferior articles) from the conveyor and the like, the speaker 9 for emitting an effective sound as will be described ater, and the controller ôC for controlling them. the cQntroller 6C has a block configuration excluding the encoding section 24 and the clock 2.6 from the controller I C of the combination weigher of Fig. 2.

in the case where a particular siunal is transmitted and received between particular apparatuses during running of he production brie, like the above, stated sorting signal, eai:h controller has an irtnut/output circuit for the parUcllar signal. although this is not shown herein.

in the combination weigher I, for example, upon a power being ON, a log-in screen image (not shown), is displayed on the screen of the manipulation display device 18. Tiie' operator inputs an operator code and a. password defined br each individual operator, in a particular portion of the log,-in screen image, and touches a "login" key within the log-in screen image for log-irk. Thereupon., a menu screclI nnagc. (not shown) is displayed-On the menu screen image, for exampic, touch keys such as an automatic running screen image call key, an effective sound setting screen image call key, and a rnnnling condition setting screen image call key, are displayed. By touc'hin.g each touch key, the corresponding screen image is displayed.. When the operator roaches the running condition setting screen image call, key, a. running condition seui-n g screen image (not shown) used for setting a plurality of running conditions such as a targct weight of the combination weigher is displayed. When the operator touches the automatic n.nuiing screen image call 1o for example, an automatic running screen image 41 A shown in Fig. 3 or an automatic running screen image 41B shown in Fig. is displayed.

At the end of work, the operator performs a predetermined manipulation with respect to the manipulation display device IB, to step the running of the combination weigher, logs out. and finishes he work.

[0028] In first example and second example described below, a description will be given of a method. and configuration in which the operators work by shiftwo.rk, arid a present operator communicates messages to a next operator. The messages to be communicated from the present operator to the next operator include messages relating to states of apparatuses such as problems and inclinations of the apparatuses (combination weigher in the present embodiment), and messages relating to another apparatoes constituting a production iine it is very useful for the next operator to know such messages before starting the running.

(First exarnpie) Fig. 3 is a view showin.g an exemplary autonati running screen image displayer! on the screen of the manipulation display device I B in a fIrst example of'thc presen.t embodiment.

[00291 lIe automatic running screen image 41 A is displayed by touching the*a.utciatic ranninS screen image call key on the above stated menu screen image (not shown), fbr txample.

Ip the automatic running scrçe image 41A, there are displayed a kind display area 42 for dL4piaying kind, number, kind name, arid otita' of the objects (articles), a rumung.ate,disp1ay area 43 lot displaying a running state of the combination weigher, a display area 44 for displaying a combination weight, ctc., a display area 45 for displaying a vibration strength of the lii car feeder, a display area 46 fo.r displaythg a vibration strength of the dispersion feeder, and a message information presence. notification area 47 for notifying presence of unreproduced message information. In a portion under thee areas, there are displayed touch keys which are. a running start key 48 lUr starting miming of the combination weigher, a reproduction key (sound reproduction manipulation, means) 49 for reproducing the unreprod.uced message inlbrmation, a reproduction stop key 50 for slopping reproduction ol the unreproduccd message information in'the middle, a recording start key (sound recording manipulation means) 51 tar starting recording (,tonng) the messag. 1Lalomarlrn, a nwording stop cev 52 for stopping recordine of the mess"ige mininianon a rustriry key 53 for uiplavtng ahovt, stated recording history table, and.a return key 54 for returning to a screen image (e.g., menu screen image) which called the automatic finning' screen image 41A.

[00301 The present operator stops the running of the combination weigher, and thereafter the next operator'takes over the present operator's work. if there are messages to be communicated to the next operator, the present operator touches the recording start key' 51, speaks the messages toward the microphone 8, and then touches the recording stop key 52, in the middle of the running or after stopping the running, immediately before the next operator takes over the present operator's work, Upon the touch on the recording start key SI, a recording, start signal is input from the manipulafion display device I H to the control section 21. Upon the touch on the recording stop key 52, a recording stop signal is input from the manipulation display device lB to the control section 2L Receiving the recording start signal as an input, the control section 21 activates the encoding section 24, obtains sound data generated in the encoding section 24, converts the sound data into sound files., and stores the sound files in the stoiugt. stction 22 Reooiv'ng the iecording stop igual as an input, the contol section 21 &activates the encoding section 24.

[0031] When the operator touches the reproduction key 49 in the case where the Unreproduced mesAage infonmiation (srmnd flies) hi stored in the storagc tcction 22, a reproduction. eornn.iand signal is input from the manipulation display device iii to the control section 21.. Receiving the reproduction oommand signal as an input, the control section. 21 activates the decoding section 25, reads qut the nflreprodl.Lced nmssage infonnation from the storage section 22, and gives the unreproduced esage information to the decoding setiofl 2.5, and the d.ecodng section 25 o utputs an analog sound signal to the speaker, and the speaker 9 converts the analog sound signal into an audio signal and outputs the audio signal. When theoperator touches the reproduction stop key, 50 in the middle nfhe' reproduction of the message information, a reproduction stop command signal is input from the manipulation disp].ay'dcviee 1 B to the control secf.i on.21. Thus, the reproduction, operation is stopped.

[d0321 When the operator tuehes the history key 53, the recording history table stored in the storage section 22 is displayed on another window on the aulomalic running screen, image 41A. Within this. window, a reproduction key and a deletion kcy arc displayed.

When'the operator touches and seects desired'message information from the recording lth'tory table, and then touches the reproduction key; the speaker 9 reproduces the selected message information. And. when the operator touches the deletion key, the selected message information is deleted.

When the operator touches the running start key 48,. the running start signal is input from the manipulation.dispiay device I B to the control section 21. Receiving the running start signal as an input, the control section 21 determines whether or not the unreproduced message inf{)lta''Lion is stored in the storage section 22, If it is dete'nnned that the umepioduccd message intomation is not s'ored in the storage sectioi 22, thu corn ol section 21 starts no runn ng of the conihinaflon weigher. and changes the running start key48 into a running stop key displayed as, lot example, "stop nmnii." When the running stop key ii touched in Se middle of the running otthc combination wcigher, the oS lUnstop sign& is input M!m the manipulation display dàici JR to the control section 21. Therehy thecon1o1 section 21 stops therunrting of tl* Oombination weigher,, and thauges the running stop key Wth4 running start kq4S.

Atihe otherband If kis &,amincd that the utzrc.rc duced message inMati*n is stored ixz the storage section 22, When the nuining slut signal I inpu; the xantoi gectionv2X S not start the rumtg ot the tonb nado eigbeUwt reproduccs the @4uedrnsaginkm,Sn:epet1tinty ithis bas4 the c±*atJ saiisiZJ does.

ot A*ige the runxi1n stattjey48 ftsthe running tp ltey. The ccflqJ,eeion 21 4tetctmthcs wMther or not;thete i any unreproduetL message inf4nnaUkrn1 bae4 on stare of e. epr.c1uøti4flafl1th1n the reoonlMg binQly table store4, in 4,$orage secflonz2t If titere is at unrprQ4ncflon flag,sei, (he, cØmflroi' section 21 dtzniincs that rhert is unreproduced message infétmation. whereas if there is no unyeproduction flag set, the' otttrol section 21 4etennes that there is no unreproduced message information.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary operation inthe first example of the pre*. bodhnent. Fig, 4 shows an exemplary operation during a period that passes from when the. automalk njno4n screen image call key'is'touched on the mcnu screen image (not shown). displayed' on thernanipulation d spwy4evice lB unfflthc running of the'qombiaatipn weigher Is starte& This operation s carried out under control by the controller IC tconfroiseetion 21); In description bcilow, the signalis ?ibp ttrn the manipulation sect&on lEa of the manipulationdisplay device IS to the contuil section Ii;' When the above stated automatic running screen image':eall key is touched, an.

automatic running screenimage caitsignal is'inputfrom'the manipulation diptay dovice ID to the control section2i... The process goes from. step SlO to step Sit, and the control section 21 determines' whether or not thereis unreproduced message information.

Ifitis.4etermined that there is anreproduced message information, the contEol seotion 21 displays the automatic running screen image 41 A, which displays informnatioaSicating presence of the message information, for example, "there is a sound message" on the messagcinfbnnation presence notification area 47 (step S12), as shown in Fiji If it is dotenufued that there isne unreproduced message information, the control seótioñ.2 1 displays the automauc running screen rnage 4 LA in winch the message ntormatmn presence noUfication area 4715 blank (step S31). When the operator touches the running start key 4S on the automatic finning screen image 41.,\ in which themessage information presence notification area 47 is blank, the nmning stan signal is input from the manipulation display device 13 to the control section 21. The process goes from step 832.tc. step 533, and the control section 21 starts the mnni.ng of the combination weigher.

[0033] in step Si 2, the automatic running screen image 4 l.A indicating the presence. of the unreproduced message infonnation is displayed. When the operinor touches the reprodriction key 49, the reproduction command signal is input from the manipulation display device LB to the control section 2L The process goes from step 813 to step S14.

The control section. 21 reproduces the message infonnation, and resets the unreproduction flag. In step 814, the control section 2.1 reproduces unreproduced message information once. Thereafier. every time th.e operator touches the**rproduction key 49, the process goes to step Si 4, and the contw section 21 reproduces the same message information. When the operator touches the running start key 48 after the message information is reproduced, the running start signal is input from the manipulation display device IBto the cotitrol section 21. The process goes from step SI 6 to step 817. and the control section 21 starts the running of the conihina:tion weigher.

[0034] lithe operator touches the running start key $8 without touching the reproduction key 49 even though the automatic running screen image 41 A indicating the presence of the message information is displayed in step Si 2, the running start signal is input from the manipulation display device 1 B to the conirul section 21 (step S2 U. Receiving the nmning start signal as an ihput,. the control section 21 determines iether or not there is unrepmduced message irdbrmation. In this case, since there is unreproduced message information, the control section 21 dues not start the running of the combination weigher, but reproduces the unreproduced message information repetitively (step 5223, and resets the unreproductien flag. in Lhs ease, the control section 21 does not chan?e therunning start key 4H into the running stop ke\c The repetitive reproduction continues until the reproduction stop key 50 is touched. When the reproduction stop key 50 is toucued. the reproduction stop signal is input from the mampalatun display device TB to the contiol seclion 21 tsLep S24), and the piocc', goes to step Sf5.

[0035) Although the message intbrmatión presence noti fication area 47 is blank in the cast whre there is no unrqprodüceEl message intbrmatian as desoribed above, inrotinotton Indicating absse4f the unreproduced tncngc infonnation,t camp!; a message stating "there is no stiUnUtnttati& itay npflttbd. Alternatively; tb: Uiforintian td caUngpresenc/**cc ofunreptodstts*ge inftn'mat{onn2a be Ixitified M suth manner that th tfiflnion is d1spItd outb4 menu screen (rAflt after th*Ioga [0ö36) Although i,. c: isectIon 21 à... wttt1i or not there: i$ :WIOduced mssage.ithnnsion,. upon rcgepihmaflhenn$ng sart øgntd o step SW, Si, sd 2g; ft is cin whether ornot there is: ui duee4 tnessagc jth'ormaPoujiere, and thetdott. the tp is:omisd3n FIg. 4.

As desoñhedahoychifte:case where:H ei*unreproducød message n&*tatton, the running oftl*cqnbination weigbcr aniot be started, evenwlcn the operator tquche the running start key 48 (i.e., running start manipulation is dben*led).

That is, therunning of the combination weigher tannut be started, before unroproduced message formation is reproduced. As aresult, the niçsage can be communicated snreiyfrom the present operator to the next operator.

($eeond examph,) Next, the opqimlØn of the second aam$e. of the present embodiment will be deihed in the seeGad example, the prescnccotunreproduced message informatioaiS -irnied.

Fig. $: is a view showing an exemplary automatic running screen image.

di1ayed:on the screen of themanipulation display device: 18:111 the second example Of the present embodiment [O038] The automatic running screen image 4tBis:diSltyedby touching theáutUmatic running screen image callkçyon the above stated menu screen image (not shown). A difference from the automatic runningscreen image 4lAof Fig. 3 is that thtaessage information presence notificatIon area47 for notifying presence of unreprodueed message information is notprovided on the automatic running screen image 418. The other areas 41-46 andihetouchkeys 48 -54 are the same as those of the automatic runniigsereen image 41A of Fig.3 and will notbe described repetitively; Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing mi exemplary operation in the second example of the combination weigher of the present embodiment. Hg. 6 shows an exemplary operation during a period that passes from when the.a'utomaLic miming screen image call n touched en the mere e,tcen imagt (not shonn displayed or the naniprthtion thspla" di vce 18 ontil the rutting of the combinaion \%eigtier is staited I hs operat on s earned out under ontiol by the continUer IC (onuol secnon 21) J0 description below, the sigral is input from the manipulaUon section 1 Ba of the manipulation display device 18 t.o the control section 21.

00391 When the above stated automatic runni.g screen image caP key istcuched anì ant omatjc running screen image call signal is input from the manipulation display device 18 to the control section.2L The process goc from step S40 to step $41. and the control section 2.1 displays, for example., the automatic running screen ftnage 41 B of Fig. [0040] When the operator touches the reproduction key 49 on the automatic running screen image 418, a reproduction command signal is input from the manipulation display device 18 to the control section 21. The iroccss goes from step S42 to stcp $51, and the control section 21 detet-mines whether or not there is unreproduccd message inibn-j'tation. If it is determined that there is unrcpx-o*duced message infoi'mation, the process goes from step $5 I to step $52, and the control section 21 repzoduces the message information, and resets the unreproduction flag. in step $52., th control section 21 reproduee the unreprodueed. mesSage information once. Threaftcr; every time the operator touches th reproduction key' 49, the process goes from step $53 to step $52, and tl'.ie control section 21 reproduCes the same message information, When the operator touches the running start key 48 after the message inhnmati,on is reproduced, the runnIng start signal is input from the manipulation display device 1.8 to, the control section 21. The process goes from step $54 to step $55, arid the control section.21 starts the running of the combination weigher.

[0041] If it is determined that there is no u'nreproduced message infonnation in step $51, the process goes to step $61, and the control sectiob 2']. notifies that there is no message information. This notification may be perfo.rtneEl, ihr exampie by opening a small window wthicb displays in,thrmation "there is no sound message" on the automatic running screen imuge 418. or by emitting information indicating there is no message

IS

information, from the speaker 9. Then, when the opetator touches the running start key 48, the running start signal is input from flue manipulation uispiay device B to the.

control section 21, and the process goes from step S62 to step S63, and thecontrol section 21 starts the aunning of the combination weigher.

tep 341. the automatic cunning screen image 41B is displayed. If the operator touches the running start key 48 without ton hing the reproduction key 49, the finning srart signal is iiiput from the manipulation display device I B to the control section 2.1. The process goes from step S43 to step 844. and the control section 21 detc.rmines whether oi northere is unreproduced message information.. If' it is determined that there is no unreproduced message infiurmation., the. process goes to step 348, atd the eotflrtfl section 21 starts the running of the combination weigher.

if ii is uetenmned that there is unrc1roducc.d message information, in step 344, tht ØroCeSS goes to step;45 and the control scctipn 21. does not start running of the conthmaton weigher, but reproduces the unreprodtced massage information repetitively (step S45) and resets the unreproduction flag. In this case, the control section 21 does not change the running start key 48 into the running stop ke> The. repetitive reproduction continues until the reproduction stop key 50 is touched. When the reproduction stop key 50 is touched, the reproduction stop signal is input from the manipulation display devic.c I B to the control section.21 the control section 21 stops reproduction (step S47\ and the process goes to step 353.

Although. the control section 21 deteunines whether or not there is unreproduced message information, upon reception of ti.e running start signal in step 354 and step S62, it is clear whether or not there is rmreproduced ntessage information herein, and therefore, the steps are omitted from Fig. 6.

in the second example, also, in the case where there is.unreproduced message inthrmation, the running of the cuthbi,nation weigher cannot be started, even when the operator touches the running start key 48. That is, the running of the combination weigher cannot he started, before unreproduced message inthrmation is reproduced. As a result, the message can he communicated surely from the present operator to the next operator.

[0042j hi present embodiment, in both of the first example and the second example, the message from the present operator is stored as the sound files, which are reproduced in the form of sound therefore, the message can he communicated surely to even an operator who cannot read letters. The manipulation (i.e., recording manipulation) per±hmied to leave the message, is easier than input manipulation of ktters, etc., by using a letter input key, for example. it is sufficient that the microphone 8, the speaker 9, etc., as hardware are ineorporaLed into a necessary operation system, winch will not result, in a cost increase.

0043j In the first example and the second example, when the running start key 48 is touched in the case where there is unrcprodhced message information, this unreproduced message information is reproduced repetitively until the reproducti ii stop key 50 is touched. A1ternatively the message infom athn may be reproduced a. predetermined number of times.

In the above description, in the case where there is a message. to be communicated to the next operator, the present operator records the. message in the middle of the runnins or after stopping the running, immediately before the next operator takes over the present worker's work. Therefore, the operator wito touches the running start key 48 after the message has been recorded is the next operator, and the next operator hears the message. Thus, in this ease, there is ito problem, [0044] However, for example, irla case where there is a lunch, break within a work time of the present operator, and the running of the combination weigher is stopped temporarily at a time of thc lunch break, if a inessac is recorded in the temporarily stopped state or before the tctmporary stop, tht message information will b reproduced when next running is started after the temporary stop and does not beconte unrdproduced message information to the next oe.rator. To avoid this, the unr6produced message infonnation may be message information which has been recorded in a period front *hen the presnt operator logs in until tile present operator logs out. In this ease, for example, the tontrol section 21 may be configured not to set an unreproduction flag in message infonnation which has been recorded by the same operator, ic,. message information which has been recorded in a period from a particular operator logs in until this operator logs out, when this message information is stored, but to set the unreproduction flag in the message information when the particular operator logs out.

In the present embodiment, when the operator touches the effective sound setting screen image call key on the menu screen image (not shown) displayed on the screenofthenianipulation display dcvice lb, lbr ccàfl Ic, an cffcctive sound setting screeninange 61 shown in Pig. 71s displayed. When the operator touches a return key 69 on IM effective sound settlAg screen Image 61, the, Stective sound setting S$ón image 61 rtarns to the søreen 1xag,e,(e4, menu screSi image) used for the tilling effective ound setting steen hràge 61. Fig. 7 shows au oxemplary efkSve sctMd setting SAtóen Sage.

[004Sj Onme effective sow*i settzAg:*creen image 61,S'':presentMga' problematic st9e Ott Il t;1nc144 A' 0ttkt$PtAtM ftppatatu$es, eonsUttizi4g dtto ilrte ate dSpkye& nd eftecti sounds (tffectiv,qtS 1, etttive spuud2, te..) set in to,rpo*4ence withiteths: ate displayed ata right side ofth godesbndizig hems, respcthe1y.. If all Arcing do ntfafl, into ne screen £ge'4t scnta: ca* bt scrofled by us4 item sh{kke*,'62, 63 to display iiejt&førwlilch cffe4flve.stmds can bet; In anflem sele tithtdhptayar$ 64, a conttptgie cor1tp*idi31g iteM is dispiayed When the operatDr touches particular itcm seletion display area 64, the touched area is selected, and displayed by, for example, a elor ditTatt from a color of areas whichare unselected. In this statç. every time the op a touches an ttivc sappñ dis$ay setting area 45within thç scleaed'a,, the set cifeet cc sou can b sequentIy changed. lit the present qnbodi,tp'thc; Øfetjve sQunds are assigpecLwfl numbers like effective sound 1, effective wux 25 -t Data of tim respective effeciIye soun4s as socat files are p;e-stored in $T'Tc sound srage area of the storage section 22? The eflçt$ sounds may be an a1am sound or a: t00461 When the 9pe,o bitches a r prod,ction key 66 In a state:where a particular' item selection display area 64 is selected, an effective wund::corresponding'to the eIected item is emitted from th spcalcer 9. When the operatar couches areprodüction stop key 67 emission of'the'effective sound being reproducedis stopped. By reproducing the effective sound5 the set effective soun4 can be confirmed.

When the operatortouches a decision key 4$ alterthe effective sotmds have been changed, effective sounds, corresponding to the items (items displayed byscrolling the screen by using the item shift keys 62, 63) displayed on the effective sound setting screen image 61 at that point: of tij,e are set [p047] Upon the decision key 6 being touched, the controller IC stores in the storage section 22 the effective sountb corresponding tothe sec items as an effective sound setting table, and transmits, information of the effective sound setting table to the controflers 2C 7C in another apparatuses via the camniunication processing seci4ons 23.

The controllers 2C -7C up4ate eff Jive sound ssthig tables stored in the storage sections oflle controllers 2C -7C'based' on inforia ion of an. effective scuad s,g tSblt,tnuj,ntitted: Whcn a state oan it,. szcsociated with each apparatus has oc,apyed, 41w couespqp4tpg one of htcontrc ers IC' -7C causes the spàkr 9 to. eu4; an effocUve srn*pd conesponding Ip a,., item which, has occw,, In the example. of the item shown inFig. 7, firstand'sccond:items are itoinsassuciatedwftb'the combination weigher 1, third and foutth items are items associated with the packaging apparatus 2 a iftb. item isan item associated with' the weight inspection apparatus 3, and ath item is with the snrling apparatus 6., Each apparatus is configuredtedtt a content. of the item associated with the apparatus For examp1e in the cSó of the combination weigher 1, the controller IC monitors the layer thickness or the like of the articks on the dispersion feeder 11 which is detected by the level detector 18, aid thcrob3' detects that the on&htation weigher 1 is iii the state of the first or second item.

OO4sJ Altethatively, data Maudió asist,predeti''tijxtd br each itefri maybe stored jn the Storag' section 22 tej"h øontroller, and the:cGnt*lt relatthg to eaohjt*' may be th*edt'the form of'I*itguages frøni the speaker 9 *stead,otthe effective scnind. Th 9 loWs the Operator to: **itt*'tl knov"the, state,of;e".b app'',s.

[d"493 Or,,'the eftçtiwt: SOUi: or the audio assist jnay be'endtted fi" the sØ*: in anothappacatus as well astije apps tus assoclited, with, the'itesi wbithbS'oc:,,'.

In d as lAb' a' on indk"" the item wSch,has øcqne4 i* tztsinitted frorn"te eostespondng apparatus ttanothet'apparatus. This, aflns the operator to knowS item wlSh'has occurred i1teah*ppatatu% anywhere'in rheptoduction lint 04,a planned produeUcnaøount may'bepre,re*rded. Byman$pdla4mg the manipti,atiOn display device lB, a planned production qti,t on that day may be emitS in the form of sound froth the' speaker. Or,,'t trianipulation method of'the apparatus, a dealing method of ertors items to be in,'xcd, etc., maybe pvc-stored in thestonge section 22 in the of sound files. By saiaipulating the manIpulation display4ey!ce IB, the nianipidati, n:nwthod of the a'j',Is the dealing method: of errors, the items to be inspec I, etc., may be output in,thc form of.sound from the spcaktr 9. Thc operator can hear the sound via a headphone connected to the earphone jack 10, Although in the above embodiment, the present invention is mainiyapptfed to the. combination weighet 1,11 i also applied to an*ther,M'es constituting tht produøttoa line' and hatng:th',"j"4ation display 4evices The sorting apparatus 6 Which dbe tot.Slnde the.'nSpulauom display device is,piovided with titsp''S 9 for' Stuns the above statI eteødv sount Nuntetal' ino&flcatións ax4 ahernatiw c*p$Smetts ottbcprtsxtt invention will be apparent to dtosc:tilcd in. the art in view of the fpregSg desSptkon 4cr4ing1.th description Is to cstxte4 flusttve ot1y,'aaéUs'providd fpr th puxpo$ of teathing those s4ifled in the att the best a4e of'c*ying out:j:n.yption.

The details p1 the structure *n4/or'function may be qMed sstantialiy from th sphit of'the invention.

Industtiat Applicability

[OO$i)) The present invcntioj is useful as an arricis propessing apparatus or the, kike wlftcji can, surely' communicate messages from a present operator to a ext.Opej*Gr, Refrrence:.$lgns Lists taG'sU 1:'combinaSn weigher' 2 packaging ppacUs weight inspection apparatus 4 metal 4øtating apparatus 5:xray foreign matter 4etecüng apparatus 6 sorting apparatus 7 box-packing apparatup 8 microphone 9 speaker IA, 2A, 3A, tA, 5A oA, IA apparatus bçdy' 1B, 2B, 3B, 413, 58,70 manipulation displaydevice LC, 2C, SC, 4C, 5C, 6C, 7C controller 21 control section 22 storage section 23 communication processing section 24 encoding section decoding section 26 clock