JP2010107358A - Apparatus for inspecting or weighing article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a worker to easily and quickly call a desired function from among a plurality of the functions which an apparatus has. <P>SOLUTION: An inspection or weighing apparatus includes: a controller 30 for calling one from among a plurality of types of the functions required for the operation control and management of an apparatus body 21 by the operation of a switch panel 31, and displaying a screen that corresponds to the function on a display 32; a function type display 50a that causes a person to recognize one among a plurality of the types of the functions required for the operation control and management of the apparatus body 21; a function-calling card 50, held by the worker and storing function code information 51 corresponding to the function-type display and externally read; a code information reading means 35 for reading the function-code information of the card 50; and a function direct call means 33c for directly calling the function, corresponding to the read function code information and displaying the screen that corresponds to the function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In a device that is installed in a production line for goods, particularly foods, etc. and inspects and measures the contamination of foreign matter, an operator can easily and quickly call a desired function from the many functions that the device has. It relates to technology to make it possible.

  In the production line for foods, etc., there are devices that automatically perform weighing and various inspections during the transportation of articles. In the case of inspection devices, for example, the presence or absence of foreign matter by a metal detector, the weight by a weight sorter, etc. Inspection of excess or deficiency of the product is performed, and articles that fail the inspection are excluded from the line. Further, in the case of a weighing device, for example, a plurality of articles are collected into a desired amount as in a combination weighing machine, or a label or the like on which a measured value is printed is attached.

  In such inspection and weighing devices, in addition to operations for starting and stopping operations, functions for setting and changing inspection and weighing conditions, and regular operation modes for continuously inspecting and weighing articles In order to check the operating status of the device, it has many functions, such as a confirmation mode switching function that inspects and weighs articles once, and a function to display inspection and weighing statistics. The calling is performed by a controller that controls the apparatus main body.

  The controller basically includes a control unit including a display unit, an operation unit, and an interface necessary for controlling the computer and the apparatus main body. The function is designated by the operation of the operation unit. The corresponding screen is displayed on the display unit.

  An apparatus having such a function is disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-311583

  However, the operation of calling a desired function from the many functions hierarchized as described above is very complicated, and there is a problem that it is difficult for an unaccustomed person to call a desired function.

  Also, depending on the function, operator authentication may be required, but the input operation is troublesome.

  An object of the present invention is to solve this problem and to provide an apparatus that allows an operator to easily and quickly call a desired function from many functions of the apparatus.

In order to achieve the object, an apparatus for inspecting or weighing the article of the present invention comprises:
An apparatus body (21) for inspecting or weighing an article;
An operation unit and a display unit are provided to control the apparatus main body based on preset information, and to operate any of a plurality of types of functions necessary for operation control and management of the apparatus main body. In an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article provided with a controller (30) that is called by an operation of the unit and displays a screen corresponding to the function on the display unit,
A function type display that allows a person to recognize one of a plurality of types of functions required for operation control and management of the apparatus main body is provided, and function code information associated with the function type display can be read from the outside. A stored function call card (50) possessed by the worker;
Code information reading means (3524a, 24b, 37, 38, 39) for reading the function code information of the function calling card;
Function direct calling means (33c) provided in the controller and directly calling a function corresponding to the function code information read by the code information reading means and displaying a screen corresponding to the function on the display unit. It is characterized by that.

According to the present invention, an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 2 is an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 1,
The function code information of the function calling card is printed on the surface with a barcode (51),
The code information reading means is a bar code reader (35).

According to the present invention, an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 3 is an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 1,
The function calling card is a non-contact type IC card, and function code information is stored in an internal IC chip (53).
The code information reading means of the controller is a non-contact type IC card reader (37).

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 1,
The function calling card is a card equipped with an RF-ID tag (54), and is configured to transmit function code information as a high frequency signal.
The code information reading means of the controller is an RF-ID tag reader (38).

According to the present invention, an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 5 is an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 1,
The apparatus main body is provided with a conveyance path for article conveyance, and a light projecting and receiving device (24a, 24b) for detecting passage of the article through the conveyance path,
The function code information of the function calling card is represented by the interval or number of slits (51a) or holes (51b) provided in a line along one side of the card, and the light emitting / receiving function also serving as the code information reading means It can be read by a device.

  Thus, in the present invention, the function code information stored in the function call card 50 can be read and executed directly by the code information reading means of the apparatus, so that the function corresponding to the function code information can be directly called and executed. An operator can easily and quickly call a desired function from the many functions of the apparatus, and even an unfamiliar person can efficiently perform various operations.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a weight sorting apparatus 20 as an example of an apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  The weight sorting device 20 is composed of a device main body portion 21 having a mechanism for weighing articles while being transported and performing sorting based on the weighing result, and a controller 30 for performing operation management, signal processing, and the like of the device main body portion 21. ing.

  The apparatus main body 21 receives the articles W carried out from the preceding line 11 at one end and conveys them to the other end, and supports the weighing conveyor 22 and carries it into the weighing conveyor 22. A weighing device 23 that outputs a weight signal corresponding to the total load with the article W, a loading sensor 24 that detects the loading timing of the article W into the weighing conveyor 22, a sorting conveyor 25 that is continuous with the weighing conveyor 22, and an exclusion signal The sorting machine 26 is configured to exclude the articles received on the sorting conveyor 25 from the sorting conveyor 25 and prevent the articles from being conveyed to the subsequent line 12. Although not shown here, the carry-in sensor 24 is composed of a projector that emits light that crosses the transport surface of the conveyor and a light receiver that receives the light, and the light to the light receiver is blocked by the article. This is detected by the output signal of the light receiver.

  The controller 30 is for performing setting processing of each parameter necessary for weighing and sorting determination on an article, control processing for the apparatus main body 21 based on the set parameters, and the like. Are provided in the vicinity of the apparatus main body 21. The outer surface of the controller 30 is provided with a touch panel type display 32 having a transparent switch panel 31 integrally provided on the surface as an operation unit, and is composed of an interface and the like to the computer and the apparatus main body 21. The control device 33 is provided.

  A large number of transparent switch electrodes (not shown) are arranged vertically and horizontally on the switch panel 31 so that information on a position touched by a finger among positions on the panel surface can be detected.

  The controller 33 of the controller 30 calls one of a plurality of types of functions necessary for operation control and management of the apparatus main body 21 by operating the switch panel 31 and causes the display 32 to display a screen corresponding to the function. .

  On the front surface of the controller 30, a bar code reader 35 is provided as code information reading means for reading out the function code information stored in the function calling card 50.

  The function call card 50 is provided with a function type display 50a that allows a person to recognize one of a plurality of types of functions necessary for operation control and management of the apparatus main body 21 (for example, characters and pictures). Function code information F associated with the type display is stored so as to be readable from the outside. Here, it is assumed that the function code information F is recorded at a predetermined position in the form of a two-dimensional barcode 51.

  The bar code reader 35 includes positioning means 35a for positioning the function calling card 50 at a predetermined position and image information of the two-dimensional bar code 51 displayed at the predetermined position of the positioned function calling card 50. The image sensor 35b to be acquired and the code conversion means 35c that scans the image acquired by the image sensor 35b and reads the function code information F are configured.

  Here, for example, the positioning means 35a simply displays the outer shape of the card on the operation surface, contacts the card with the operation surface so as to overlap the display, and a frame shape surrounding the card from the operation surface (not necessarily continuous). A method that allows the card to protrude into the frame and accepts the card in the frame, or a method that allows the operation surface to form a recessed portion that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the card and that is recessed in the thickness direction, and allows the recessed portion to accept the card. Etc. can be adopted. Then, the image sensor 35b reads the two-dimensional barcode recorded at a predetermined position on the card in contact with the operation surface as described above from the inside of the operation surface. Here, in order to frequently perform cleaning with an apparatus that handles food, the hole for image reading of the image sensor 35b is covered with a transparent body such as glass or resin, and waterproofness is maintained. In the case of a one-dimensional barcode, a scanning optical sensor may be used.

  The function code information stored in the function calling card 50 may include information (ID) for identifying the owner or rank information on management authority for the device in addition to the information for identifying the function.

  The function code information F read by the bar code reader 35 is input to the control device 33.

  The control device 33 is configured by a computer, and normally performs setting processing of each parameter necessary for weighing and sorting determination according to a main program, control processing for the device main body 21 based on the set parameters, and the like. .

  The control device 33 calls many functions necessary for device control and management (which are themselves defined in the program) in a predetermined sequence according to the operation of the switch panel 31. Programmed in advance so as to proceed hierarchically from a simple setting function to a more detailed setting function.

  Here, the mode in which the switch to the desired function is performed by operating the switch panel 31 as described above is the sequential function transition mode, the means for performing this sequential function transition mode is the normal function transition means 33a, and each executable function is It is assumed that it is accommodated in the functional block 33b.

  On the other hand, when receiving the function code information F read by the bar code reader 35 as described above, the control device 33 has a function corresponding to the input function code information F. Function direct calling means 33c for calling directly from the block 33b and displaying a key for executing the function and necessary information on the display unit 32 is provided.

  However, the function direct calling means 33c is the information that specifies the relationship between the current device state (actual operation, test operation, or stopped) and the specified function, and the owner included in the function code information ( ID) or rank information of management authority for the device may limit the calling of the function.

  For example, if the selection parameter is switched to another type during actual operation of the apparatus, the current inspection type will be erroneously determined, so that the parameter change function is rejected, and that fact is displayed on the display 32. Displayed temporarily. Note that the parameter change function is valid during the test operation or when stopped.

  Further, the function code information of the function calling card 50 for reading out the function requiring authentication includes ID information for identifying the card holder, access right order information, etc., and the ID information and access right in advance. Information is registered in the device, the card ID and the registered ID are collated, and if it is OK, the function reading is executed. If the collation is not registered, the fact is displayed on the display 32 and the function reading is performed. To refuse. Also, the function reading is executed or rejected depending on the presence or absence of the access right.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 33. Hereinafter, the operation of the control device 33 will be described according to this flowchart. First, as described above, the normal control operation mode (normal control operation) is set, and various operation modes are switched, parameters are set, statistics are checked, etc. Each function can be executed in accordance with a predetermined operation procedure according to the main program (S1).

  In this state, when the function code information of the function calling card 50 is read, it is determined whether or not the function can be executed at present (S2). This determination includes not only the restriction based on the operation mode but also the determination of the ID mismatch and the presence / absence of the access right as described above. If the function cannot be executed, it can be determined by sound, voice or display. An invalidity notification is made and the control returns to the normal control operation (S4).

  If it is determined that the function can be executed, the function designated by the card is directly called and executed, and when an end operation is performed for the function, the normal control operation is resumed (S5, S6). .

  As described above, since the function code information stored in the function call card 50 in the barcode format is read by the barcode reader 35 of the apparatus, the function corresponding to the function code information is directly called. An operator can easily and quickly call a desired function from the many functions of the apparatus, and even an unfamiliar person can efficiently perform various operations.

  In the above embodiment, the function code information corresponding to the function is printed as the two-dimensional barcode 51 (or one-dimensional barcode) on the function calling card 50 on which the function type display 50a that can be recognized by a person is given. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the function calling card is a non-contact type IC card, the function code information is stored in the internal IC chip 53, and the code information reading means of the controller 30 is not used. A contact-type IC card reader 37 may be used.

  Further, as this non-contact type card, as shown in FIG. 4, an RF-ID (high frequency signal identification) tag 54 may be incorporated, and in this case, an RF-ID tag reading unit is used as a code information reading unit of the controller 30. A container 38 is used.

  In the above embodiment, the function type is displayed on the surface of the card in a state that can be recognized by a person, i.e., characters and pictures, and code information corresponding to the function is recorded in another format. It is also possible to combine both. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the function type display 50a of the function calling card 50 is a character, the image data of this character is read by the image sensor 39b in a state where the card is positioned by the positioning means 39a of the character reader 39, A method of decoding the image by the character recognition means 39c and converting the resulting character code into function code information by the coat conversion means 39d may be used.

  Further, in the case where a sensor for optically detecting the carry-in of an article is provided as in the apparatus main body 21 of the above-described embodiment, this can also be used as a code information reading unit.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the light projector 24a and the light receiver 24b facing each other across the conveyance path of the weighing conveyor 22 are provided, for example, as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. The function calling card 50 indicated by the interval or number of slits 51a or holes 51b provided in a line along the long side of the card and indicated by an arrow 52 indicating the moving direction is thrown as shown in FIG. The function code information can be read by moving between the light receivers. However, the card 50 is moved in the direction of the arrow 52 displayed.

  However, in this case, as shown in FIG. 6, identification means 36 for identifying the output of the light receiver 24 b due to the passage of the article W and the output of the light receiver 24 b due to the movement of the card 50 is required. As this identification means 36, a system comprising a filter for reducing the notch interval of the card 50 and increasing the moving speed, increasing the frequency of the light receiver output as compared with the case of passing the article, and identifying the difference in the frequency, Alternatively, a method may be considered in which a specific header code indicating that it is function code information is provided at the head, and when this header code is input, the subsequent code is determined to be function code information. If the projector / receiver included in the apparatus main body is used as described above, the apparatus configuration can be further simplified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the weight sorting device. However, the metal detection device that detects the metal mixed in the article while the article is being transported, and the X-ray is used to include the non-metal contamination. The present invention can be similarly applied to an X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects articles and a combination weighing apparatus that collects a plurality of articles within a predetermined weight range.

Configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the principal part of embodiment of this invention. Configuration of another embodiment of the present invention Configuration of another embodiment of the present invention Configuration of another embodiment of the present invention Configuration diagram when using both emitter and receiver The figure which shows the structural example of the card | curd used in the case of the example of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  20... Weight sorting device, 21... Device main body, 22... Weighing conveyor, 23 ....... weighing device, 24 .. carry-in sensor, 24 a. …… Sorter, 30 …… Controller, 31 …… Switch panel, 32 …… Display, 33 …… Control device, 33 a …… Normal function transition means, 33 b …… Function block, 33 c …… Function direct call means, 35 ... Bar code reader, 35a ... Positioning means, 35b ... Image sensor, 35c ... Code conversion means, 36 ... Identification means, 37 ... IC card reader, 38 ... RF-ID tag reader , 39... Character reader, 50... Function calling card, 50 a... Function type display, 51... Two-dimensional barcode, 51 a .. slit, 51 b. IC chip, 54 ...... RF-ID tag

Claims (5)

An apparatus body (21) for inspecting or weighing an article;
An operation unit and a display unit are provided to control the apparatus main body based on preset information, and to operate any of a plurality of types of functions necessary for operation control and management of the apparatus main body. In an apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article provided with a controller (30) that is called by an operation of the unit and displays a screen corresponding to the function on the display unit,
A function type display that allows a person to recognize one of a plurality of types of functions required for operation control and management of the apparatus main body is provided, and function code information associated with the function type display can be read from the outside. A stored function call card (50) possessed by the worker;
Code information reading means (3524a, 24b, 37, 38, 39) for reading the function code information of the function calling card;
Function direct calling means (33c) provided in the controller and directly calling a function corresponding to the function code information read by the code information reading means and displaying a screen corresponding to the function on the display unit. A device for inspecting or weighing an article characterized by The function code information of the function calling card is printed on the surface with a barcode (51),
The apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 1, wherein the code information reading means is a bar code reader (35). The function calling card is a non-contact type IC card, and function code information is stored in an internal IC chip (53).
2. The apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 1, wherein the function code information reading means of the controller is a non-contact type IC card reader (37). The function calling card is a card equipped with an RF-ID tag (54), and is configured to transmit function code information as a high frequency signal.
The apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 1, wherein the code information reading means of the controller is an RF-ID tag reader (38). The apparatus main body is provided with a conveyance path for article conveyance, and a light projecting and receiving device (24a, 24b) for detecting passage of the article through the conveyance path,
The function code information of the function calling card is represented by the interval or number of slits (51a) or holes (51b) provided in a line along one side of the card, and the light emitting / receiving function also serving as the code information reading means 2. The apparatus for inspecting or weighing an article according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is readable by a container.

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