JP2009156623A - Weighing and packaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a weighing and packaging system which reduces the labor and time relating to design of software for performing remote operation of a combination balance and a packing apparatus from any one of them. <P>SOLUTION: The weighing and packaging system 100 includes; the combination balance 99 equipped with a combination balance body 19, a weighing controller 16, and a web server 51; the packer 80 equipped with a packer body 87, a packaging controller 81 which also has a function as a web client 52 using a web browser 53, and a packing operation display 88; and a communications network 63 for connecting the web server 51 and the web client 52 (packaging controller 81). The web client 52 receives a web page file for displaying a web page that displays information concerning the combination balance 99 from the server 51 by using the web browser 53, and displays the web page on the operation display 88, which functions as a display input section of the web client 52. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a weighing and packaging system including a combination weigher and a packaging machine that cooperates with the combination weigher.

  Conventionally, a combination weigher and a packaging machine are constructed as a weighing and packaging system by combining them. The combination weigher provided in the weighing and packaging system combines various weighing values of articles (objects to be weighed) in a plurality of weighing containers, and from these combinations, the combination whose total weight is closest to the target weight is selected. The article is selected and discharged from the weighing container of the selected combination. Similarly, the packaging machine sequentially wraps the articles discharged from the combination weigher.

  In the weighing and packaging system, when the manufacturers of the combination weigher and the packaging machine are different from each other, both are designed and manufactured independently, and the control unit and the operation indicator are individually provided. This operation indicator inputs the operating conditions (target weight, allowable deviation, target packaging bag length, etc.) and the operating status (combined weight, operating speed, etc.) to the control unit of the combination weigher or packaging machine. To display.

  In general, in a weighing and packaging system, a packaging machine is arranged below the combination scale so that an object to be weighed that falls from the combination scale can be received by the packaging machine. Therefore, the operation indicator of the combination weigher and the operation indicator of the packaging machine are vertically separated. If the items to be packed in the weighing and packaging system change, it is necessary to select and set the applicable conditions from the operating conditions registered on the operation indicators of both the combination weigher and the packaging machine. Each time, the worker had to move to the place where each operation indicator was installed.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a weighing and packaging system in which operation indicators are combined into one. The weighing and packaging system described in Patent Document 1 includes an input unit, a display unit, and a control unit, and the control unit cooperates with the combination weigher and the operation data specified by the input unit. While supplying to a packaging machine, it is comprised so that the operating condition data supplied from the said combination scale and the said packaging machine may be displayed on the said display part. In other words, the operation indicator having both the input unit and the display unit is configured to give operating conditions to the combination weigher and the packaging machine and to display both operating states.

By the way, Patent Document 2 proposes an electronic fee scale system in which an electronic fee scale and a computer terminal can be connected using a WWW (World Wide Web) browser. According to the present invention, an electronic fee balance is provided with an HTML format screen file for storing display screen information, and a computer terminal is connected to the electronic charge balance using a web browser, and the display screen information is displayed from the screen file. Is displayed on the screen display unit of the terminal.
JP 62-103254 A JP 2001-202569 A

  In the case where a combination setting scale and a packaging machine are provided with a single setting indicator as in the weighing and packaging system described in Patent Document 1, they must be designed and manufactured in association with each other. However, many of the weighing and packaging systems are currently designed and manufactured independently by manufacturers different from combination weighers and packaging machines. In order for such a combination weigher and the packaging machine to cooperate as a system, software created based on a common communication protocol is incorporated into the control unit of the combination weigher and the packaging machine so that they can communicate with each other. To send and receive information. There are infinite combinations of combination weighers and packaging machines, and time loss such as meeting time and software creation time for negotiating communication protocols for each weighing and packaging system has occurred. Furthermore, the combination weighing machine and the packaging machine may have different operating systems (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) set in the microcomputers provided in each, and in this case, it is necessary to create software for each. was there.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a weighing and packaging system that can reduce labor and time for designing software.

  A weighing and packaging system according to the present invention includes a combination weighing body that includes a plurality of weighing containers and performs combination weighing and discharges an article of a target weight, and controls the combination weighing body in accordance with preset operating conditions. And a combination control unit that receives a measurement value of the measurement container and performs a combination calculation, a combination weigher including a web server storing a web page file that conforms to HTML, and the combination weigher in cooperation with the combination weigher. A packaging machine body for packaging the articles discharged from the packaging machine, a packaging control unit for controlling the packaging machine body, an operation signal input to the packaging control unit, and an output signal display from the packaging control unit A communication network that connects the web server and the web browser in a communicable manner with a packaging machine including a packaging operation indicator, a web browser that uses the packaging operation indicator as a display input unit, and The web server has an extension function for receiving a request from the web browser and creating a document including at least information related to the operation status of the combination weigher, and the web server includes the web server A web page file including the document is transmitted to the web browser in response to a request from the browser.

  In the weighing and packaging system, the web browser has an extended function of creating an XML file including a predetermined message based on information input through the display input unit and transmitting the XML file to the web server. The web server has an extended function of receiving the XML file, sending an ACK signal to the web browser and responding, and passing a message included in the XML file to the measurement control unit.

  The message may include information for operating operation or stop of the combination weigher.

  The message may include information for setting operating conditions of the combination weigher.

  A weighing and packaging system according to the present invention includes a combination weighing body that includes a plurality of weighing containers and performs combination weighing and discharges an article of a target weight, and controls the combination weighing body in accordance with preset operating conditions. And a weighing control unit that receives a measurement value of the weighing container and performs a combination operation, a weighing operation indicator that inputs an operation signal to the weighing control unit and displays an output signal from the weighing control unit, and A combination weigher provided with a web browser using a weighing operation display as a display input unit, a packaging machine body for packaging articles discharged from the combination weigher in cooperation with the combination weigher, and control of the packaging machine body A communication network that connects the web server and the web browser so that they can communicate with each other, and a packaging machine that includes a web server storing a web page file compliant with HTML And the web server has an extension function of receiving a request from the web browser and creating a document including at least information related to the operating status of the packaging machine, and the web server includes the web server A web page file including the document is transmitted to the web browser in response to a request from the browser.

  In the weighing and packaging system according to the present invention, the web browser creates an XML file including a predetermined message based on information input via the display input unit and transmits the XML file to the web server. The web server has an extended function of receiving the XML file, sending an ACK signal to the web browser and responding, and passing a message included in the XML file to the packaging control unit. is there.

  The message may include information for operating the packaging machine to operate or stop.

  The message may include information for setting operating conditions of the packaging machine.

  The present invention has the following effects.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to remotely monitor a combination weigher (or packaging machine) through a web page displayed on a display input unit using a web browser. Data and programs necessary for remote monitoring of the combination weigher (or packaging machine) are all supplied from the combination weigher (or packaging machine) via the communication network, and data browsing and program execution are not performed. It can be executed using a commercially available web browser. Therefore, the packaging machine (or combination weigher) does not require dedicated software other than browser software in order to remotely monitor or remotely operate the combination weigher (or packaging machine), and the control unit of the packaging machine and the combination weigher. The OS to be installed is not selected.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a combination weigher of a weighing and packaging system, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a packaging machine of the weighing and packaging system, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the weighing and packaging system It is.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the weighing and packaging system 100 according to the present embodiment is combined with a combination weigher 99, a supply device 1 for supplying an article (object to be weighed) to the combination weigher 99, and a combination weigher 99. And a packaging machine 80 for packaging the weighed articles. Hereinafter, the structure of these components will be described.

[Supply device 1 and combination scale 99]
First, the hardware configuration of the supply device 1 and the combination weigher 99 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

  The supply device 1 is a trough (a large and slender container) to which a vibrator 2 is attached, and articles are supplied to the trough from another device not shown. The supply device 1 feeds articles onto the dispersion feeder 3 of the combination weigher 99 by appropriately vibrating the trough with the vibrator 2.

  The combination weigher 99 includes a combination weigher body that discharges articles having a target weight by combination weighing, a weighing control unit 16 that controls the combination weigher body and performs a combination operation, an operation signal input to the weighing control unit 16, and a weighing control unit. 16 is provided with a weighing operation indicator 17 for displaying the output signal from 16. The combination weigher body includes a dispersion feeder 3, a vibrator 4, a linear feeder 5, a vibrator 6, a supply hopper 7, a weighing hopper 8, a weight sensor 9, a collective chute 10, and a collective funnel 11.

  A conical dispersion feeder 3 having a vibrator 4 is provided on the upper part of the combination balance 99. Above the dispersion feeder 3, a level sensor 18 for detecting the amount of articles on the dispersion feeder 3 is provided. Is provided. The dispersion feeder 3 disperses the articles supplied from the supply device 1 radially by vibrations from the vibrator 4. Around the dispersion feeder 3, a plurality of rectilinear feeders 5 provided with vibrators 6 are provided radially. The rectilinear feeder 5 sends the articles sent from the dispersion feeder 3 to the supply hoppers 7 by the vibration of the vibrator 6. A supply hopper 7 is provided on the article delivery side of the linear feeder 5, and a weighing hopper 8 as a weighing container is provided below each supply hopper 7. The plurality of supply hoppers 7 and the weighing hoppers 8 are provided corresponding to each other and arranged in a circle. The supply hopper 7 receives the articles sent from the linear feeder 5, and opens the gate 7a when the weighing hopper 8 disposed below the hopper 7 is empty, and puts the articles into the weighing hopper 8. A weight sensor 9 such as a load cell is attached to the weighing hopper 8, and the weight of the article in the weighing hopper 8 is measured by the weight sensor 9.

  Upon receiving the measurement value (detection signal) from the weight sensor 9, the measurement control unit 16 obtains a combination of hoppers to be discharged from the plurality of measurement hoppers 8 by combining calculation of the measurement values of the respective measurement hoppers 8. When a discharge permission signal from the packaging machine 80 is input to the weighing control unit 16, the weighing control unit 16 outputs a discharge command to the weighing hopper 8 selected for the combination. Articles discharged from the weighing hopper 8 when the gate 8a of the weighing hopper 8 is opened are discharged to the collecting chute 10 provided below the weighing hopper 8, and the collecting funnel 11 disposed below the collecting chute 10 is discharged. It passes through and is put into the packaging machine 80.

  Then, the structure of the control system of the supply apparatus 1 and the combination scale 99 is demonstrated.

  The measurement control unit 16 includes a calculation unit 21 including a CPU and the like, and a storage unit 22 including a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 22 includes an operating condition registration table 31, an operating condition table 32, an operating data register 33, a display buffer 34, and the like. The operation condition registration table 31 stores a large number of operation condition data (for example, operation condition data number, product name, target weight value, supply machine amplitude, etc.). One operating condition data selected from the operating condition registration table 31 is written in the operating condition table 32, and the combination weigher body 19 is controlled based on the operating condition data written in the operating condition table 32. . The operating data register 33 stores operating status data of the combination weigher body 19 during operation. Necessary data among the operation status data is written in the display buffer 34, and this data is displayed on the weighing operation display 17.

  The calculation unit 21 executes the operation program stored in the storage unit 22 to control the entire supply device 1 and the combination weigher 99 and perform combination calculation. In the combination calculation, one combination of the weighing hoppers 8 to be discharged from the plurality of weighing hoppers 8 is obtained. The arithmetic unit 21 controls the operations of the vibrator 4 of the dispersion feeder 3 and the vibrator 6 of the linear feeder 5 through the vibration control unit 12, and the vibrator 2 of the supply device 1 through the vibration control unit 12. To control the operation. Further, the calculation unit 21 controls a pulse motor (not shown) for opening and closing the gates 7 a and 8 a of the supply hopper 7 and the weighing hopper 8 via the gate driving unit 14. Further, the calculation unit 21 acquires a measurement value by the weight sensor 9 attached to the weighing hopper 8 via the A / D conversion unit 13. Further, the calculation unit 21 inputs a signal from the level sensor 18 via the interface 20, detects the amount of articles on the dispersion feeder 3 based on the signal, and the quantity of the articles is from a predetermined amount (threshold). When the number is reduced, by operating the vibrator 2 of the supply device 1 via the vibration control unit 12, the supply device 1 is controlled so that a predetermined amount or more of articles are always supplied onto the dispersion feeder 3. Further, the calculation unit 21 transmits and receives a discharge permission signal and a discharge completion signal to and from the packaging machine 80 via the first communication unit 15.

  In addition, a weighing operation indicator 17 having both functions as a display unit and an operation input unit is connected to the calculation unit 21. The weighing operation indicator 17 includes, for example, a touch screen type display unit, and the operation operation and operation conditions of the combination weigher 99 can be input on the screen. The touch key operation on the weighing operation display 17 is input to the calculation unit 21, and a screen corresponding to the image display signal output from the calculation unit 21 is displayed on the weighing operation display 17. The weighing operation indicator 17 is usually operated so that an operation status display screen showing a target weight value of the combination scale 99, a combination calculation result, and the like, and a setting screen for setting operation parameters and the like are displayed. Can be switched.

[Packaging machine 80]
Next, the structure of the packaging machine 80 is demonstrated using FIG.2 and FIG.3.

  First, the hardware configuration of the packaging machine 80 will be described. The packaging machine 80, for example, fills and packs an article put from the combination balance 99 into a bag while manufacturing the bag. The packaging machine 80 cooperates with the combination weigher 99 to wrap an article discharged from the combination weigher 99, a packaging control unit 81 that controls the packaging machine body, and an operation signal to the packaging control unit 81. And a packaging operation indicator 88 for displaying an output signal from the packaging control unit 81.

  In the packaging machine main body, a vertical sealing heater 43 for heat-sealing the packaging film 42 in a cylindrical shape, a vertical sealing air cylinder 44 for driving the heater 43 forward and backward, and a cylindrical packaging film 42 on the lower side. A pull belt 45 to be sent out, a horizontal seal heater 46 for performing a horizontal seal after filling the objects to be weighed supplied from the collective chute 10 of the combination scale 99, and air cylinders 47 and 47 for horizontal seal for driving the heater 46 forward and backward. A cutter 48 for cutting the packaging film 42 after the horizontal sealing and a cutter air cylinder 49 for driving the cutter 48 are included.

  Then, the structure of the control system of the packaging machine 80 is demonstrated.

  The packaging control unit 81 of the packaging machine 80 includes a calculation unit 82 composed of a CPU and the like, and a storage unit 83 composed of a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. The storage unit 83 stores a packaging machine operation program, a number of operation parameter data as operation setting data, and the like.

  The calculating part 82 performs the operation program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 83, and controls the whole packaging machine. That is, the calculation unit 82 of the packaging control unit 81 controls the operations of the vertical sealing air cylinder 44, the horizontal sealing air cylinder 47, the cutter air cylinder 49, and the pull belt 45 via the operation control unit 85. Further, the calculation unit 82 acquires a measurement value by a temperature controller provided in the vertical seal heater 43 and the horizontal seal heater 46 via the A / D conversion unit 86. Further, the calculation unit 82 transmits / receives a discharge permission signal and a discharge completion signal and transmits / receives various information to / from the combination weigher 99 via the first communication unit 84.

  In addition, the packaging control unit 81 is connected with a packaging operation indicator 88 having both functions as display means and operation input means. The packaging operation indicator 88 includes, for example, a touch screen type display unit, and the operation operation and operation conditions of the packaging machine 80 can be input on the screen. An operation on the packaging operation indicator 88 is input to the packaging control unit 81, and an output signal such as data output from the packaging control unit 81 is displayed on the packaging operation indicator 88. The packaging operation indicator 88 usually displays an operation status display screen showing the operating status of the packaging machine 80, and sets settings such as the set temperature and operating time of each seal unit, the operating time of the cutter, and the delay time of various operations. It can be switched by operation so as to display a setting screen or the like to be performed.

  Further, in addition to the above, the packaging operation indicator 88 displays the operation status display screen of the combination weigher 99 to remotely monitor the combination weigher 99, or displays the setting screen of the combination weigher 99 to remotely control the combination weigher 99. Can be operated. The configuration of the remote operation system for remotely operating (remote monitoring) the combination scale 99 with the packaging operation indicator 88 will be described in detail later.

[Operation of Weighing and Packaging System 100]
The operation of the weighing and packaging system 100 configured as described above will be described.

  First, the articles are supplied by the supply device 1 onto the dispersion feeder 3 of the combination weigher. Then, the articles are sent to the supply hoppers 7 that are radially dispersed by the vibration of the dispersion feeder 3 and arranged in a plurality of circles via the linear feeder 5 that follows the dispersion feeder 3. When the weighing hopper 8 located below each supply hopper 7 is empty, the articles of each supply hopper 7 are put into the weighing hopper 8.

  The weighing control unit 16 performs a combination calculation based on the weight values measured by the respective weight sensors 9. In this combination calculation, a combination in which the sum of the weight values of the articles weighed by the weight sensor 9 is within a predetermined weight range (allowable weight range with respect to the target weight) among the plurality of weighing hoppers 1 Ask. Then, when a discharge permission signal is input from the packaging machine 80 via the first communication unit 15, the weighing control unit 16 opens and closes the gate of the weighing hopper 8 selected for the combination obtained by the combination calculation, and opens the article. While discharging onto the collecting chute 10, a discharge completion signal is output to the packaging machine 80 via the first communication unit 15. The articles are collected on the collecting chute 10 by the sliding funnel 11 and sent to the packaging machine 80. In the packaging machine 80, an operation such as a sealing operation is performed based on the input timing of the discharge completion signal from the combination weigher 99.

[Remote operation system]
Here, a system configuration of a remote operation system for remotely operating the combination scale 99 with the packaging operation indicator 88 will be described. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the remote control system.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the combination scale 99 is provided with a server 51. The server 51 can be configured by a computer including a calculation unit including a CPU and the like, and a storage unit including a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. In this computer, WWW (World Wide Web) server software is installed, and the server 51 functions as a web server. The server 51 is connected to the measurement control unit 16 and can read and write information. In FIG. 3, the server 51 and the measurement control unit 16 are expressed independently, but the server 51 and the measurement control unit 16 may be configured by the same computer.

  On the other hand, WWW browser software is installed in the calculation unit 82 of the packaging control unit 81 of the packaging machine 80, and the packaging control unit 81 functions as a web client including the web browser 53. Hereinafter, the packaging control unit 81 of the packaging machine 80 is referred to as “client 52”, and the packaging operation indicator 88 is referred to as “display input unit 56” of the client 52. In this embodiment, the client 52 including the web browser 53 is configured by installing WWW browser software in the calculation unit 82 of the packaging control unit 81. However, a computer different from the calculation unit 82 is used as the client. 52 can also be provided.

  The server 51 and the client 52 are communicably connected via a second communication network 63 which is a wireless or wired communication network such as a LAN (local area network). With the above configuration, a client server model including the server 51 and the client 52 including the web browser 53 is constructed between the combination weigher 99 and the packaging machine 80. In this client-server model, processing proceeds in such a manner that the client 52 transmits a request to the server 51 and the server 51 returns a response thereto.

  The server 51 stores a plurality of web page files 71. The web page file 71 includes an HTML document, a style sheet, and image data. Here, the “HTML document” refers to data written in a language compliant with HTML such as HTML or XML or XHTML. When the client 52 reads out the HTML document using the function of the web browser 53, A web page is displayed on the display input unit 56. Various processes are incorporated in the HTML document, and the server 51 and the client 52 can perform dynamic processing linked to a web page by using the extended function.

  Among the processes incorporated in the HTML document, the processes performed on the server 51 side include an operation status information creation process, a setting screen creation process, a setting information reception process, and an operation request reception process. This is performed by the creating unit 72, the setting screen creating unit 73, the setting information receiving unit 74, and the operation request receiving unit 75, respectively. The server 51 is, for example, a program written in C language or Perl via CGI (Common Gateway Interface), an ASP (Active Server Pages) in which the program is embedded in HTML, or a Java via Java (registered trademark) servlet. By executing the (registered trademark) program on the server 51, in addition to the unique web page transmission function, the operation status information creating unit 72, the setting screen creating unit 73, the setting information receiving unit 74, or the operation request receiving unit 75 Has extended functions.

  Of the processes incorporated in the HTML document, processes performed on the client 52 side include a setting information transmission process and an operation request transmission process, which are performed by the setting information transmission unit 54 and the operation request transmission unit 55 of the client 52. Each done. The client 52 executes, for example, a Java (registered trademark) program on the web browser 53 via a Java (registered trademark) applet, and in addition to a unique web page browsing function, the setting information transmission unit 54 or operation request transmission The unit 55 has an extended function.

  The operation status information creation processing, setting screen creation processing, setting information reception processing, operation request reception processing, setting information transmission processing, and operation request transmission processing will be described in detail later.

  The web browser 53 of the client 52 functions as a web client that communicates with the server 51 using HTTP to obtain information corresponding to the designated URI, and serves as a parser that analyzes the obtained information according to the type. A function as a renderer that performs display on the display unit by appropriately arranging characters and images based on the function and the analysis result is provided. Further, in order to function as the setting information transmission unit 54 or the operation request transmission unit 55, a function as an interface and an application program are added to the web browser 53. This can be realized by adding a plug-in module such as Java (registered trademark) plug-in or AdobeFlash (registered trademark) to the web browser 53, for example.

  Here, processing operations of the server 51 and the client 52 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of web page display processing, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic operation page of the combination scale, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of operation request transmission / reception processing, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart of setting information transmission / reception processing.

  The client 52 is set to open the home page of the server 51 when the web browser 53 is activated. A series of processes performed between the server 51 and the client 52 in order to view (display) a predetermined web page with the display input unit 56 of the client 52 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the client 52 uses the function of the web browser 53 to access the server 51 and requests transmission of a web page file for displaying a desired page (here, a home page) (see FIG. 5). Step S01). Upon receiving the request from the client 52, the transmission unit 70 of the server 51 (Step S21) reads or creates a web page file in response to this request (Step S22), and transmits it using the HTTP protocol (Step S23). The client 52 that has received the web page file (step S02) analyzes the received web page file and displays the web page in the browser window of the display input unit 56 (step S03).

  Such a series of processing for displaying a predetermined web page on the display input unit 56 of the client 52 is common when another web page of the home page is displayed on the display input unit 56 of the client 52. Description of this series of processing is omitted.

  The home page displayed on the display input unit 56 of the client 52 in the above flow is provided with a hyperlink that moves to the automatic operation page. When the movement instruction to the automatic operation page is input to the client 52 by the packaging operation indicator 88, the client 52 displays the automatic operation page on the display input unit 56 using the function of the web browser 53. The homepage can also be an automatic operation page.

  In FIG. 6, an example of the automatic operation page of the combination scale 99 displayed on the display input unit 56 is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the automatic operation page 131 of the combination weigher 99 displayed on the packaging operation indicator 88 includes each operation status of the feeder strength display unit 116, the measurement status display unit 117, and the measurement result display unit 118. A display field is provided. The feeder strength display unit 116 includes the vibration strength of the vibrator 6 of the linear feeder 5 (strength of the linear feeder), the vibration strength of the vibrator 2 of the supply device 1 (strength of the main feeder), and the driving time of these feeders. It is shown. The weighing status display unit 117 shows the result of the combination calculation (combination weight) in the weighing control unit 16, the measurement speed, and the deficiency, appropriate amount, and excess amount with respect to the target weight. For example, 89.5 p / m shown in the weighing status display unit 117 means that the combination weigher is operating at a speed at which 89.5 packs are discharged per minute. The weighing result display unit 118 shows a target weight, an average weight, a standard deviation, and a cumulative pack number.

  The HTML document that displays each of these driving status display fields is generated by the driving status information creation unit 72. That is, the transmission unit 70 of the server 51 that has received a page transmission request from the web browser 53 of the client 52 passes the request to the driving situation information creation unit 72, and the driving situation information creation unit 72 that has received the request receives the corresponding HTML. A document is generated and passed to the transmission unit 70, and the transmission unit 70 transmits a web page file including the HTML document to the client 52. At this time, the operation status information creating unit 72 is a weighing control unit for each combination weighing of the articles in the combination weigher 99 based on the information written in the operating data register 33, the operation condition registration table 31, and the display buffer 34. The result of the combination calculation in 16 and the operation condition are acquired, and an HTML document for displaying each operation status display column is generated. Each operation status display field on the automatic operation page, that is, a frame for displaying each operation status is preferably configured to be updated at a short interval every predetermined time. 99 driving conditions can be monitored.

  Further, the automatic operation page 131 is provided with operation units such as a full discharge operation button 114, a calibration operation button 115, and a run / stop operation button 119. When the operation unit provided in the automatic operation page 131 is operated (clicked) while the automatic operation page 131 is displayed on the packaging operation indicator 88 of the client 52, an interrupt signal for an operation request is generated, The client 52 performs processing for the operation request. A command is set in each operation unit. For example, when the all discharge operation button 114 is operated, a request for discharging all articles from the weighing hopper 8 is input to the client 52 when the types handled by the combination weigher 99 are changed. When the calibration operation button 115 is operated, a request for zero calibration or span calibration of the combination weigher 99 is input to the client 52, and when the operation / stop operation button 119 is operated, the operation of the combination weigher 99 is operated or stopped. 52 is input.

  Here, a flow of processing performed by the server 51 and the client 52 when the operation unit is operated will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when any one of the operation units displayed on the display input unit 56 of the client 52 is operated, this operation is input to the client 52 via the display input unit 56 (step S31). The client 52 to which the operation has been input starts an operation request transmission process. Note that the program for the operation request transmission unit 55 to execute the operation request transmission process can be included in the HTML document of the automatic operation page 131 or the web page file thereof.

  The operation request transmission unit 55 of the client 52 that has started the operation request transmission process transmits the operation request to the transmission unit 70 of the server 51 as an XML file described in XML (step S32). The transmission unit 70 that has received the XML file (step S51) passes the XML file to the operation request reception unit 75. The operation request receiving unit 75 that has received the XML file starts operation request reception processing, returns an ACK (Acknowledgment) signal to the transmission unit 70, and the transmission unit 70 that has received the ACK signal transmits this ACK signal to the client 52. (Step S52). The web browser 53 of the client 52 that has received the ACK signal (step S33) displays that the setting information has been received on the display input unit 56 (step S34). In addition, the operation request receiving unit 75 converts the data included in the received XML file into a machine language and passes it to the measurement control unit 16 (step S53). Upon receiving the operation request, the weighing control unit 16 inputs an input signal based on the operation request to the combination weigher body 19. As a result, the combination balance 99 performs an operation based on the operation request input from the client 52.

  Further, the automatic operation page 131 is provided with each screen switching unit of a manual button 112, a program setting button 113, a full discharge operation button 114, and a calibration operation button 115. A hyperlink is set for each screen switching unit. When any one of the screen switching units is operated by the client 52, the client 52 is operated by the display input unit 56 using the function of the web browser 53. The web page corresponding to the screen switching unit is displayed.

  For example, when the manual button 112 is operated, a manual operation setting page in which an operation for checking by individually moving a feeder or a hopper of the combination weigher 99 is displayed on the display input unit 56. When the program setting button 113 is operated, an operation condition setting page that allows the operation parameters of the combination balance 99 to be input and changed by the operation is displayed on the display input unit 56. When the histogram display button 120 is operated, a histogram display page in which the total data of the pack is displayed as a histogram is displayed on the display input unit 56. When the return button 121 is operated, an operation status display screen of the packaging machine 80 is displayed on the display input unit 56. The web page files of the manual operation setting page, the operation condition setting page, and the histogram display page are all stored in the server 51.

  Here, the flow of processing between the server 51 and the client 52 when setting the operation condition on the operation condition setting page will be described.

  When the program setting button 113 of the automatic operation page 131 displayed on the display input unit 56 of the client 52 is operated, the web browser 53 of the client 52 transmits a request to display the operation condition setting page to the transmission unit 70 of the server 51. To do. Upon receiving this request, the transmission unit 70 passes the request to the setting screen creation unit 73, and the setting screen creation unit 73 that has received the request starts a setting screen creation process. In the setting screen creation process, a web page file of the operation condition setting page is created with reference to the operation condition registration table 31 and the operation condition table 32, and is passed to the transmission unit 70. The transmission unit 70 transmits the created web page file to the client 52. The web browser 53 of the client 52 that has received the web page file analyzes the data contained therein and displays the operating condition setting page on the display input unit 56.

  The operation condition setting page displayed on the display input unit 56 as described above is provided with an input field for inputting or selecting an operation condition of the combination weigher 99. The operation condition setting page is preferably configured so that the operation condition can be selected from the operation conditions registered in the operation condition registration table 31 according to the article to be weighed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when setting information is input to the client 52 via the display input unit 56 of the client 52 (step S36), the setting information transmitting unit 54 starts setting information transmission processing in the client 52. . The program for the setting information transmission unit 54 to execute the setting information transmission process can be included in the HTML document of the operation condition setting page or the web page file thereof. The setting information transmission unit 54 of the client 52 that has started the setting information transmission process converts the setting information input in the input field into an XML file described in XML and transmits it to the transmission unit 70 of the server 51 (step S36). The transmission unit 70 that has received the XML file (step S56) passes the XML file to the setting information reception unit 74. The setting information receiving unit 74 that has received the XML file starts setting information receiving processing, returns an ACK (Acknowledgment) signal to the transmitting unit 70, and the transmitting unit 70 that has received the ACK signal transmits this ACK signal to the client 52. (Step S57). The web browser 53 of the client 52 that has received the ACK signal (step S38) displays on the display input unit 56 that the setting information has been received (step S39). Further, the setting information receiving unit 74 converts the data included in the received XML file into a machine language and passes it to the measurement control unit 16 (step S58). The measurement control unit 16 that has received the setting information rewrites the operating condition table 32 based on the setting information. Thereby, based on the setting information set by the client 52, the operating conditions of the combination weigher 99 are changed, and the operation of the combination weigher 99 is started based on the changed operating conditions.

  As described above, in the weighing and packaging system 100 configured as described above, the relationship between the weighing control unit 16 that controls the combination balance 99 and the packaging control unit 81 that remotely monitors and remotely operates the combination balance 99 is as follows. This corresponds to the relationship between the server 51 and the client 52 that browses the web page provided by the server 51 using the web browser 53. That is, the client 52 obtains the web page file 71 from the server 51 using the web browser 53, and performs various information exchanges including operation requests with the server 51 using the obtained web page file 71. As described above, the data and programs necessary for the client 52 to remotely monitor or remotely operate the combination balance 99 are all supplied from the server 51 via the second communication network 63, and further, the data browsing and programs are performed. Can be executed by using a commercially available web browser 53. Therefore, the client 52 does not require dedicated software other than browser software in order to remotely monitor or remotely operate the combination balance 99, and does not select an OS installed in the client 52.

  In the present embodiment, the combination balance 99 is remotely operated and remotely monitored by the packaging operation indicator 88 of the packaging machine 80. However, the weighing operation indicator 17 of the combination balance 99 is 80 can be configured to be remotely operated and remotely monitored.

  In this case, in the above-described remote operation system of the weighing and packaging system 100, the positions of the server 51 and the client 52 are reversed between the combination scale 99 and the packaging machine 80, and between the server 51 and the client 52 described above. The same processing is performed. That is, the server 51 is provided in the packaging machine 80, and the weighing control unit 16 of the combination weigher 99 becomes the client 52 provided with the web browser 53, and shows information related to the packaging machine 80 including the automatic operation page of the packaging machine 80. The web page can be viewed using the web browser 53 on the weighing operation display 17 of the combination scale 99. The automatic operation page of the packaging machine 80 includes the operating conditions such as the set temperature and operation time of each seal part, the operation time of the cutter, and the delay time of various operations, the number of packages, the packaging speed, and the seal part. The operating status such as temperature is displayed.

  The present invention is useful for a weighing and packaging system that includes a combination weigher that discharges articles weighed in combination and a packaging machine that packages the articles discharged from the combination weigher, which are independently designed and manufactured.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the combination scale of a measurement and a packaging system. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the packaging machine of a measurement and a packaging system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a measurement and a packaging system. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of a remote control system. It is a flowchart of a web page display process. It is a figure which shows an example of the automatic operation page of a combination scale. It is a flowchart of an operation request transmission / reception process. It is a flowchart of a setting information transmission / reception process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply apparatus 2 Vibrator 3 Dispersion feeder 4 Vibrator 5 Straight advance feeder 6 Vibrator 7 Supply hopper 8 Weighing hopper 9 Weight sensor 10 Collective chute 11 Collective funnel 12 Vibration control part 13 A / D conversion part 14 Gate drive part 15 Communication part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 Measurement control part 17 Measurement operation indicator 18 Level sensor 21 Calculation part 22 Storage part 51 Server 52 Client 53 Web browser 63 Second communication network 70 Transmission part 80 Packaging machine 81 Packaging control part 82 Calculation part 83 Storage part 84 Communication part 85 Operation control unit 86 A / D conversion unit 87 Packaging machine body 88 Packaging operation indicator 90 First communication network 99 Combination weigher 100 Weighing and packaging system

Claims (8)

A combination weigher body equipped with a plurality of weighing containers and discharging a target weight of articles, and controlling the combination weigher body in accordance with preset operating conditions and receiving a measurement value of the weighing container A combination weigher comprising a weighing control unit for performing a combination calculation, and a web server storing a web page file compliant with HTML;
A packaging machine body that wraps articles discharged from the combination scale in cooperation with the combination weigher, a packaging control unit that controls the packaging machine body, an input of an operation signal to the packaging control unit, and the packaging A packaging machine including a packaging operation indicator for displaying an output signal from the control unit, and a web browser using the packaging operation indicator as a display input unit;
A communication network for communicatively connecting the web server and the web browser;
The web server has an extended function of receiving a request from the web browser and creating a document including at least information related to the operation status of the combination weigher,
The web server is configured to send a web page file including the document to the web browser in response to a request from the web browser.
Weighing and packaging system. The web browser has an extended function of creating an XML file including a predetermined message based on information input via the display input unit and transmitting the XML file to the web server;
The web server has an extended function of receiving the XML file, sending an ACK signal to the web browser and responding, and passing a message included in the XML file to the measurement control unit.
The weighing and packaging system according to claim 1. The message includes information for operating the combination weigher to operate or stop.
The weighing and packaging system according to claim 2. The message includes information for setting operating conditions of the combination weigher.
The weighing and packaging system according to claim 2. A combination weigher body equipped with a plurality of weighing containers and discharging a target weight of articles, and controlling the combination weigher body in accordance with preset operating conditions and receiving a measurement value of the weighing container A weighing control unit that performs combination calculation, a weighing operation indicator that inputs an operation signal to the weighing control unit and displays an output signal from the weighing control unit, and the weighing operation indicator serves as a display input unit A combination weigher with a web browser;
A packaging machine body for packaging the articles discharged from the combination scale in cooperation with the combination weigher, a packaging control unit for controlling the packaging machine body, and a web server storing a web page file compliant with HTML A packaging machine with
A communication network for communicatively connecting the web server and the web browser;
The web server has an extended function of receiving a request from the web browser and creating a document including at least information relating to the operating status of the packaging machine,
The web server is configured to send a web page file including the document to the web browser in response to a request from the web browser.
Weighing and packaging system. The web browser has an extended function of creating an XML file including a predetermined message based on information input via the display input unit and transmitting the XML file to the web server;
The web server has an extended function of receiving the XML file, sending an ACK signal to the web browser and responding, and passing a message included in the XML file to the packaging control unit.
6. A weighing and packaging system according to claim 5. The message includes information for operating the packaging machine to operate or stop.
7. A weighing and packaging system according to claim 6. The message includes information for setting operating conditions of the packaging machine.
7. A weighing and packaging system according to claim 6.

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