JP2008175599A - Weighing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To take simply weighing data into a personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: This weighing apparatus 10 is equipped with a weighing part 11 for measuring the weight of a weighing object placed on a weighing dish, a display part 12 of the weighing data, a key switch part 13, and an operation processing part 14. The weighing apparatus 10 has a communication port 16 connectable to the personal computer 20, and a controller 17 interposed between the communication port 16 and the output side of the operation processing part 14. An external apparatus connected to a communication port 25 on the personal computer 20 side sets to be recognized as an input means similar to a keyboard which is an input means of the personal computer, and each communication port 17, 25 is electrically connected together by a USB cable 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a weighing device, and more particularly to a technique for facilitating counting of measurement values.

  For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is proposed that a weighing device capable of sending weighing data transfers the measured value to a personal computer and uses it for calculating the nutritional value and calories of the food.

  By the way, a general measuring / metering device generally has a command level communication function as a product specification. When these devices are connected to a personal computer, the above-described communication function is used to connect to the personal computer.

  In this case, it is necessary to set software related to communication, and there are many troubles such as failure to capture data, and it is difficult to easily collect data. On the other hand, in the case of a weighing device having a relatively simple configuration such as an electronic balance, there is a strong demand for connecting to a personal computer as easily as possible and transmitting only weighing data.

  However, the currently provided communication means have the following technical problems to meet such demands.

JP-A-11-142223

  That is, at present, there are RS-232C, LAN (Ethernet (registered trademark)), and USB as communication means between the weighing device and the personal computer, but these have the following problems. First, with RS-232C, many recent personal computers, especially notebook personal computers, do not have this terminal, and LAN requires knowledge of the LAN, such as setting an IP address. In addition, in USB, in order to connect a weighing device to a personal computer, it is generally necessary to install a driver and software, which makes it difficult to employ.

  Currently, USB converters that convert serial data and USB data are commonly used when connecting weighing equipment to a personal computer. However, it is necessary to install a driver, which is compatible with each personal computer and OS. There was a problem that the operation was not stable due to the problem, and the reliability was low.

  On the other hand, the measuring device may leave a calibration result and a calibration history as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-84319. However, when the measuring device is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, it is surely related to quality. Since information must be left, the communication method is a big problem in information management.

  In a weighing system, various devices are generally connected to one host computer at the same time, and the use of dedicated driver software for each device makes it difficult to verify the system as seen from the host computer. Therefore, it is generally not allowed.

  In addition, a USB memory can be connected to the weighing device side, and data can be written directly to the USB memory. To add a function that allows the USB memory to be used on the weighing device side, an advanced system must be used. It must be created, cannot be easily adopted, and is expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is that it does not require complicated operations such as driver and software installation and communication knowledge, and weighing data. It is to provide a weighing device that can be easily and reliably loaded into a personal computer.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a weighing device including a weighing unit, a display unit, a key switch unit, and an arithmetic processing unit that controls each of the units. A connectable communication port, and a controller interposed between the communication port and the output side of the arithmetic processing unit, and the external device is a CPU-equipped external device such as a personal computer or a PLC, The weighing device connected to the communication port on the external device side is set to be recognized as an input unit similar to a keyboard that is an input unit of the external device, and the communication ports are electrically connected. I did it.

  In the weighing device configured as described above, the weighing device electrically connected to the personal computer via the communication port is set to be recognized as the input means similar to the keyboard as the input means of the personal computer. Therefore, the weighing device itself is used as the input means of the personal computer, and when the weighing data of the weighing device is output, it is input to the personal computer as it is.

  Therefore, for example, if spreadsheet software (Excel, registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) is started up on the personal computer side, the measurement data can be input and displayed in the table. Such a function does not require complicated operations such as driver and software installation, and knowledge of communication, and allows the weighing data to be easily imported into a personal computer.

  In addition, since the weighing instrument has substantially the same input means as the keyboard, it is possible to control the personal computer by the operation on the weighing equipment side. For example, the cursor position on the personal computer can be adjusted by the key operation on the weighing equipment side. It is also possible to move or select the input position of the weighing data.

  The display unit can display that communication is possible between the weighing device and the personal computer when the communication ports are electrically connected. The display form in this case can display a dedicated character representing a communicable state or the like, or can substitute an existing display. It is also possible to add a notation to the key sheet that forms the outer periphery of the display unit and make the notation recognizable by lighting / flashing characters such as arrows. Furthermore, it is also possible to recognize the state of the user by transmitting a voice.

  The communication port and the controller can be integrated with a weighing device body of the weighing device.

  The CPU-equipped external device such as the personal computer / PLC can have a function for outputting a measured value and an operation switch for executing the function.

  The weighing device can have a function of outputting information necessary for establishing traceability of the weighing device, such as a calibration result and a calibration history.

  According to the weighing device of the present invention, complicated operation such as driver and software installation and communication knowledge are unnecessary, and weighing data (including calibration results and calibration history) can be easily imported into a personal computer. .

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of a weighing device according to the present invention. The weighing device 10 shown in these drawings is, for example, an electronic balance, and a weighing unit 11 that measures the weight of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan as shown in a block diagram of the overall configuration in FIG. A weighing data display unit 12, a key switch unit 13, and an arithmetic processing unit 14.

  The arithmetic processing unit 14 displays the value measured by the measuring unit 11 on the display unit 12 as measurement data, and performs various arithmetic processes. In the case of the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 15 is connected to the weighing device 10, and temperature measurement during measurement is possible.

  The weighing device 10 also has a communication port (USB port) 16 that can be connected to the personal computer 20 and a controller (USB controller) 17 interposed between the communication port 16 and the output side of the arithmetic processing unit 14. is doing. In this embodiment, the communication port 16 and the controller (USB controller) 17 are integrated with the main body of the weighing device 10.

The personal computer 20 includes a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an input unit (keyboard) 23, an arithmetic processing unit 24, a communication port (USB port) 25, and the like, and has a known configuration.
For example, if the OS of the personal computer 20 is Windows 98 (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) or later, the personal computer 20 and the weighing device 10 are connected to each other by connecting the USB cable 30 between the communication ports 17 and 25 so that they are electrically connected. Connected.

  FIG. 2 shows a procedure for connecting the personal computer 20 in such a use environment to the weighing device 10 so that the weighing device 10 can be handled in the same manner as the input unit (keyboard) 23 of the personal computer 20, and thereafter weighing. The procedure at the time of sending the weighing data on the device 10 side to the personal computer 20 is shown. When the procedure starts, first, the USB cable 30 is inserted into the communication ports 17 and 25, and the personal computer 20 and the weighing device 10 are connected (S1).

  When this connection is made, the personal computer 20 sends a signal to the weighing device 10 side in order to recognize the connected USB device. In response to this, the weighing device 10 sends a signal to be sent when the keyboard is connected to the personal computer 20 to the personal computer 20 via the USB controller 16, whereby the personal computer 20 sends a keyboard to the communication port 25. It is recognized that the same input unit 23 is connected.

  In subsequent S2, it is determined whether or not it has been connected before, and if it has not been connected, the process proceeds to S3. In S3, the personal computer 20 performs automatic driver installation. In this case, if the OS is a personal computer 20 of Windows 98 (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) or later, a human interface device (HID) such as a keyboard or a mouse is equipped with a driver as a standard equipment. For this reason, when the weighing device 10 is connected, the personal computer 20 automatically installs the driver.

  Since installation of such a driver is performed only once at the beginning of connection, if the personal computer 20 and the weighing device 10 have been connected in the past, this operation is not performed and the process proceeds to S4.

  Through the above steps, when the personal computer 20 recognizes the weighing device 10 as an input unit and the weighing device 10 can be used as an input unit (S4), the personal computer 20 is displayed on the display unit 12 of the weighing device 10 in S5. Displays the status recognized by, and informs the operator that the connection is complete.

  An example of the display form on the display unit 12 at this time is shown in FIG. In the example shown in the figure, the USB character is surrounded by a square frame in the upper left part of the display unit 12 to display this state.

  Next, on the personal computer 20 side, an application for inputting measurement data, for example, Excel for spreadsheet (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) is activated (S6). In this state, a measurement sample is placed on the weighing device 10 and is weighed by the weighing unit 11 (S7).

  When the weighing data is obtained and the data output switch of the key switch unit 13 is pressed, it is sent from the output unit of the arithmetic processing unit 14 to the personal computer 20 side. The signal at this time is the same signal as when the weighing data is input by the keyboard. Receiving this, the personal computer 20 inputs the measurement value into the application and displays it (S8, S9).

  In the next S10, it is determined whether or not the repeated weighing is performed. If repeated weighing is performed, the process returns to S7, and the weighing is continued. If not repeated, the weighing ends.

  Now, according to the weighing device 10 configured as described above, the weighing device 10 electrically connected to the personal computer 20 via the communication ports 17 and 25 is the same as the keyboard as input means of the personal computer 20. Since it is set so as to be recognized as an input means, the weighing device 10 itself becomes the input means of the personal computer 20, and when the weighing data of the weighing device 10 is output, it is directly input to the personal computer 20.

  Therefore, for example, if spreadsheet software (Excel, registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) is started up on the personal computer 20 side, the measurement data can be input and displayed in the table. Such a function does not require complicated operations such as driver and software installation and knowledge of communication, and allows weighing data to be easily imported into the personal computer 20.

  Further, since the weighing device 10 becomes the same input means as the keyboard, it becomes possible to control the personal computer 20 by operating the weighing device 10. For example, the cursor position of the personal computer 20 can be changed by the key operation on the weighing device 10 side. It is also possible to move or select the input position of the weighing data.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the weighing instrument 10 is provided with a calibration function, and the calibration operation is performed when the calibration operation is performed. Results and the like can be displayed and stored on the personal computer 20 side.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the procedure from S1 to S6 is the same as the example shown in FIG. 2, so the description thereof is omitted and the procedure from S11 to S13 will be described below.

  When the activation of the application software on the personal computer 20 side is completed in S6, the weighing device 10 is set to the calibration mode in S11, and the built-in weight or the outer partial weight is placed on the weighing pan, and the calibration weight is measured.

  When the measurement value of the calibration weight is obtained, the calculation processing unit 14 performs processing such as determination of the calibration result, and the result is transmitted from the weighing device 10 to the personal computer 20 side. The calibration result is input and displayed manually at a predetermined position above. Even when such a calibration operation is performed, the weighing device 10 of the present embodiment exhibits the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

  The following is realized by using the function of the weighing device 10 according to the present invention.

(A) The statistical calculation result can be sent to the personal computer 20.
When weighing with a plurality of weighing devices 10, the weighing device 10 can calculate the maximum value, average value, standard deviation, etc., and send the results to the personal computer 20 for display. In this case, a plurality of weighing devices 10 may be connected in parallel to the personal computer 20 and the weighing data of each weighing device 10 may be displayed at different parts of the spreadsheet software, or the total value of these may be displayed. it can.

(B) Calibration results and operator data can be sent to the personal computer 20.
If it is necessary to leave the calibration history, for example, if a file for saving the calibration history is opened and the calibration result is sent from the weighing device 10, the calibration result can be added to the file. You can keep a record of when and who calibrated. In addition, the possibility of not being able to keep a record due to a communication failure is reduced.

(C) Sensor information inside the weighing device 10 can be sent to the personal computer 20.
Data such as a temperature sensor built in for correction of the weighing device 10 can also be sent to the personal computer 20. If such weighing conditions are sent, it is possible to monitor the state when weighing.

  In the above embodiment, the personal computer 20 is illustrated as an external device connected to the weighing device 10, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and the weighing is connected to the communication port on the external device side. Any function that can be set so that the device 10 is recognized as an input unit similar to a keyboard that is an input unit of the external device may be used. For example, a CPU-equipped external device such as a PLC may be used.

  According to the weighing device according to the present invention, since the weighing data can be easily taken into the personal computer, the usage of the weighing device can be expanded and effectively used.

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of the measuring device concerning this invention. It is a flowchart figure of the procedure which makes the measuring device which can use a measuring instrument which can use this invention in a usable state. It is a flowchart figure of the other procedure which makes the measuring device which can use a measurement apparatus which concerns on this invention usable. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display of the display part of the measuring instrument which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Weighing apparatus 11 Weighing part 12 Display part 13 Key switch part 14 Arithmetic processing part 16 USB controller 17 Communication port 20 Personal computer 25 Communication port 30 USB cable

Claims (5)

In a weighing device comprising a weighing unit, a display unit, a key switch unit, and an arithmetic processing unit for controlling these units,
The weighing device has a communication port connectable with an external device, and a controller interposed between the communication port and the output side of the arithmetic processing unit,
The external device is a CPU-equipped external device such as a personal computer or a PLC, and recognizes the weighing device connected to the communication port on the external device side as an input means similar to a keyboard as an input means of the external device. The weighing device is configured to electrically connect between the communication ports.   The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays that the weighing device and the external device can communicate when the communication ports are electrically connected.   The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the communication port and the controller are integrated with a weighing device main body of the weighing device.   2. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the weighing device has a function for outputting a measured value to an external device equipped with a CPU such as a personal computer / PLC and an operation switch for executing the function. .   The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the weighing device has a function of outputting information necessary for establishing traceability of the weighing device, such as a calibration result and a calibration history.

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