JP2017067733A - Dimension weight measurement device with camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dimension weight measurement device with camera that can obtain dimension data on a product item associated by an identification code of the product item, weight data thereon, and image data on an outer surface thereof.SOLUTION: In an upper side frame 241 of a frame body 24 of a dimension weight measurement device, a camera is provided so as to take photographs downward, and a programmable display instrument 23 is provided that displays an operation screen on a front side of a base stand 21. A commercial product is loaded on instantaneously light-adjusted glass 22, a picture-taking button on the operation screen is pushed to take photographs of the commercial product by the camera, and then, a photographed image is taken in the programmable display instrument 23. A measurement start button on the operation screen is pushed to move the frame body 24, dimension data on the commercial product is measured, and then, measurement data is taken in the programmable display instrument 23. The programmable display instrument 23 is configured to hold a camera image and the measurement data with the camera image and the measurement data associated via an identification code of the commercial product. The instantaneously light-adjusted glass 22 is made non-transparent upon camera shooting, and made transparent upon measuring dimensions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera that measures the size and weight of an article and outputs the image data of the article together with the measurement data together with the identification code of the article, and is registered in a product master, a picking list, etc. It is possible to provide the data to be processed.

The distribution center inspects and stores the received products. When an order is received from a customer, the selected product is selected from the stored products (picking), and the picked product is inspected for mistakes. Deliver to the shipping destination.
The picking work is generally performed manually by an operator according to a picking list printed out or a picking list displayed on a digital display or a handy terminal.
The picking list is created by associating the attribute information of the product registered in the product master and the shelf position information of the product with the ordered product information, and the product code, product name, shipping destination, product shelf position, picking Includes information such as quantity.
The product master has detailed product attribute information such as product name, receipt product name, size, weight, color, manufacturer code, standard selling price, expiration date, registration date, disposal date, number of cases, etc. It is registered.

The size of the product registered in the product master can be measured by a dimension measuring device described in Patent Document 1 below.
As shown in FIG. 11A (side view) and FIG. 11B (front view), this apparatus places a base 1 and an article W to be measured provided on the base 1. Glass plate 2, frame 4 surrounding glass plate 2, driving means for reciprocating frame 4 in the X direction in FIG. 11A, and light emission arranged at equal intervals on lower frame 4b of frame 4 An element 8 and light receiving elements 5 arranged at equal intervals on the upper frame 4a of the frame 4 are provided.
In this apparatus, when the frame 4 is moved, the dimension of the article W is measured by detecting the position (light blocking position) of the light receiving element 5 where the luminous flux of the light emitting element 8 is blocked by the article W and does not reach. The dimension of the article W in the X direction is calculated based on the moving distance of the frame 4 while the light receiving element 5 is in the light blocking state, and the dimension of the article W in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction is It is calculated based on the distance from end to end of the light receiving elements 5 in the light blocking state among the light receiving elements 5 arranged in the upper frame 4a of the body 4.
Moreover, in this apparatus, as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to measure the weight of the article W together with the dimensions of the article W on the glass plate 2 by providing the weighing unit 8 in the base 1. It is described in Patent Document 2.

In Patent Document 3 below, as shown in FIG. 13, an array of light emitting elements is provided on one of the upper and lower frames of the frame body 4, and an array of light receiving elements is provided on the other side, and one of the left and right frames of the frame body 4 is provided. It is described that the length, width, and height of an article W are measured by providing an array of light emitting elements and an array of light receiving elements on the other side. In addition, in the apparatus of Patent Document 3, unlike in Patent Document 1, the frame 4 is fixed and the article W is moved. However, the configuration of Patent Document 3 can also be applied to the apparatus of Patent Document 1. It is self-explanatory.
Further, in Patent Document 3, as shown in FIG. 14, the position of the light receiving element in the light blocking state when the article W and the frame body 4 are relatively moved is sequentially stored, and a silhouette image of the article W is obtained. It is described to obtain. 14A shows a silhouette pattern of a plan view of the article W detected by the light receiving elements arranged on one of the upper and lower frames of the frame 4, and FIG. 14B shows the left and right silhouette patterns of the frame 4. The silhouette pattern of the side view of the article | item W detected by the light receiving element arranged in one side of the frame is shown.

Japanese Patent No. 3746769 Japanese Patent No. 4242735 Japanese Patent No. 5588153

Picking work spends the most time in the logistics center. Mistakes in the picking of goods are absolutely unacceptable. Therefore, the product code of the product taken from the shelf is matched with the product code of the picking list to prevent the occurrence of picking mistakes.If the product is mistaken, the product is returned to the shelf and a new product is placed. It is necessary to remove from the shelf, which causes an increase in work time. In addition, working time is extended due to fear of picking mistakes and careful determination of whether or not the product taken out from the shelf matches the product on the picking list.
In particular, if the product handled is a pharmaceutical product, the number of items is large, it is difficult to distinguish by product shape, and picking mistakes may be related to human life. There is a tendency to become.

  Such a delay factor of picking work can be improved by placing an image of the outer surface of a product to be picked on a picking list or displaying the image on a digital display or a handy terminal. This is because the operator can quickly determine whether the product is to be picked by looking at the outer surface of the product.

  The present invention was devised in consideration of such circumstances, and is data that can be registered in a product master, a picking list, etc., and is the size data, weight data, and outer surface data of an article linked to the identification code of the article. An object of the present invention is to provide a dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera capable of obtaining image data.

The present invention includes a frame having opposing upper and lower frame portions and opposing left and right frame portions, a base that supports the lower portion of the frame, and upper and lower frame portions and left and right frame portions of the frame body. An article to be measured that relatively moves through the space, a plurality of first light emitting elements arranged on one opposing surface of the upper and lower frame parts, and a first light emitting element on the other of the upper and lower frame parts A plurality of first light receiving elements arranged to face each other, a plurality of second light emitting elements arranged on one facing surface of the left and right frame parts, and a second light emission on the other of the left and right frame parts A dimensional weight measuring apparatus comprising: a plurality of second light receiving elements arranged so as to face the element; and a weigher provided inside the base for measuring the weight of an object to be measured. Programmable to display the operation screen provided on the base and the camera provided to copy the object to be measured on the frame of the body A programmable indicator that captures an image of a camera that has photographed the article to be measured, measures the dimension data of the article to be measured measured through relative movement between the article to be measured and the frame, and a weighing instrument. The weight data of the article to be measured measured in step 1 is taken in, and the camera image, dimension data and weight data, and the identification code of the article to be measured are linked and held.
With this apparatus, it is possible to obtain dimensional data, weight data, and outer surface image data of an article linked to an identification code of the article, which can be registered in a merchandise master or a picking list.

  Moreover, in the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of this invention, the identification code of the to-be-measured article is read with a barcode reader, and is taken in a programmable display.

Moreover, in the dimension weight measuring apparatus with a camera of this invention, a programmable display is provided with the display area which displays the identification code of a to-be-measured article, the image of a camera, dimension data, and weight data, These data are displayed in this display area. The data of the article to be measured selected from the articles to be measured in which is held is displayed.
Data previously stored and registered in the programmable display can also be recalled and displayed.

Moreover, in the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of this invention, the image of the camera displayed on the display area can be taken again.
When only the display on the surface of the product is changed, the camera image can be updated by calling data previously recorded and held in the programmable display.

In the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to the present invention, the silhouette image of the measured article is captured and displayed on the programmable display device together with the dimension data of the measured article when the measured article and the frame are relatively moved. Displayed in the area.
By displaying the silhouette image of the article to be measured at the time of relative movement between the article to be measured and the frame, the operator can confirm how far the dimension data has been taken into the programmable display. . The finally obtained silhouette image is linked to the identification code of the article to be measured.

Moreover, in the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of this invention, it is equipped with the glass plate which mounts to-be-measured articles, and the frame surrounding a glass plate can move to the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of a 1st light receiving element. It is desirable to be supported by the base.
In the case of this method, since the article to be measured does not move, there is no vibration applied to the article to be measured. Therefore, precise measurement is possible.

Further, in the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of the present invention, the glass plate is constituted by an instantaneous light control glass plate, and the instantaneous light control glass plate is made non-transparent when the object to be measured is photographed. It is preferable to make the frame transparent when the frame body moves to obtain the above.
When measuring the dimensions of the moving frame, it is necessary to make the glass plate transparent so that the luminous flux of the light emitting element passes through the glass plate and reaches the light receiving element. If it is transparent, the inside of the base is reflected, so it is desirable to make it non-transparent.

Moreover, in the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of this invention, it is desirable to provide an antireflection film on the mounting surface of the article to be measured of the instantaneous light control glass plate.
It is desirable to prevent objects other than the object to be measured from being reflected on the instantaneous light control glass plate when the object to be measured is photographed by the camera.

  By using the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of the present invention, attribute data such as the size and weight of an article can be easily associated with image data on the outer surface of the article. Then, by registering the attribute data of the article associated with the image data of the outer surface of the article in the merchandise master or the picking list, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the picking work.

The perspective view of the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Front view (a) of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and AA position sectional view (b) Illustration of instantaneous light control glass Block diagram showing the configuration of the programmable display Block diagram showing the configuration of the dimensional weight measuring unit The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of FIG. The figure which shows the display screen of the programmable indicator The figure which shows the display screen of FIG. 7 when a photography button is pushed. The figure which shows the display screen of Figure 7 when the dimension / weight measurement is done Diagram showing image data and measurement data linked to barcode data Diagram showing a conventional dimension measuring device Diagram showing a conventional dimensional weight measuring device The figure which shows the frame of the conventional dimensional weight measuring apparatus in which the pair of the light emitting element and the light receiving element was provided in the upper and lower frames and the left and right frames of the frame Illustration explaining silhouette image

FIG. 1 shows a dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. This apparatus is equipped with a base 21, an instantaneous light control glass plate 22 on which the object to be measured W is placed, and an instantaneous light control similar to the frame 4 in FIG. 11B. A frame body 24 surrounding the glass plate 22, drive means (not shown) for reciprocating the frame body 24 in the X direction in FIG. 1, and a programmable display 23 arranged on the front side of the base 21 are provided.
Similar to the frame 4 in FIG. 11B, a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged at equal intervals on the lower frame of the frame 24, and a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged at equal intervals on the upper frame 241 of the frame 24. Has been. Similarly to the frame 4 in FIG. 13, a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged at equal intervals on one of the left and right frame portions 243 and 244, and a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged at equal intervals on the other side. Further, the weighing unit 8 is provided inside the base 21 as in FIG.
FIG. 2A is a front view of the apparatus seen from the direction B in FIG. 1, and a camera 25 is installed at a position A-A of the upper frame 241 so as to face obliquely downward. A cross-sectional view at the A-A position is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the instantaneous light control glass plate 22, a liquid crystal sheet 223 is sandwiched between a pair of transparent glasses 221 through a transparent electrode film 222. When a voltage is applied to the transparent electrode film 222, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal sheet 223 are aligned, and light is transmitted through the instantaneous light control glass plate 22. On the other hand, when the application of voltage is stopped, the state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal sheet 223 changes to block light.

  The programmable display 23 includes a display screen capable of graphic display and a touch panel superimposed on the display screen. The display content of the display screen and the operation position on the touch panel are associated with each other in advance by the program. By touching the touch panel at the display position of the switch, button, etc. displayed on the display screen, the operation content set by the program is obtained. The corresponding instruction data is transmitted to the external device.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the programmable display 23 provided in the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of this embodiment.
The programmable display 23 is connected to the dimension / weight measuring unit main body 30 for measuring the dimensions and weight of the article to be measured, the barcode reader 50 for reading the barcode attached to the article to be measured, and the camera 25. , Give them the necessary instructions, and capture the data they have acquired.

  In order to perform such operations, the programmable display 23 stores an external device connection I / F 230 that transmits and receives data to and from the dimensional weight measuring unit body 30 and the barcode reader 50, and a program that defines the operation of the programmable display 23. ROM 232, RAM 233 for storing various calculation results as appropriate, camera controller 237 for controlling camera 25, touch panel controller 235 for fetching instructions by pressing operations on touch panel 236, and contents displayed on display 250 are held. A video RAM 238, a graphic controller 239 that performs display corresponding to the content held in the video RAM 238 on the display 250, a CPU 231 that controls the entire programmable display 23, and a performance stored in the RAM 233. The results in the storage medium, the storage medium I / F 234 to output.

FIG. 7 shows a display screen of the display 250 of the programmable display 23. In the bar code display area 254, bar code data taken from the bar code reader 50 is displayed. In the image data display area 255, an image captured from the camera 25 and a silhouette image created by the dimensional weight measuring unit main body 30 are displayed. In the measurement data display area 256, dimension data and weight data measured by the dimension / weight measuring unit body 30 are displayed. The shooting button 251 is operated when capturing a still image of the camera 25. The measurement start button 252 is operated when instructing the dimension / weight measurement unit main body 30 to start measurement of dimensions / weight. The recorded data read button 253 is operated when reading the stored image data and measurement data.
The camera image is taken for registration in the product master and the picking list, and the silhouette image is created and displayed in order to confirm the measurement state of the dimension data in the dimension / weight measuring unit body 30.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the dimensional weight measuring unit main body 30. The dimensional weight measuring unit main body 30 applies a voltage to the frame body driving unit 307 that moves the frame body 24 according to an instruction from the programmable display 23 and the instantaneous light control glass 22 when the frame body 24 is driven. Based on the movement distance of the frame body 24 while the light-control element 303 arranged in the upper frame 241 of the frame body 24 is in the light blocking state when the frame body 24 is driven. Then, the dimension (length) in the X direction of the article to be measured is calculated, and the distance from end to end of the light receiving elements in the light blocking state among the light receiving elements 308 arranged on the upper frame 241 of the frame body 24 is calculated. Based on this, the dimension (width) of the article to be measured in the Y direction is calculated, and among the light receiving elements 308 arranged in the left frame 243 (or the right frame 244) of the frame 24, the light receiving element in the light blocking state is positioned at the highest position. Dimension meter that calculates the dimension of the article to be measured in the height direction based on The silhouette image of the plan view of the article to be measured is created from the position of the light receiving element 308 of the upper frame 241 that is in the light blocking state with the movement of the frame body 24 and the light of the frame 24 with the movement of the frame 24. A silhouette image creation unit 306 that creates a silhouette image of a side view of the article to be measured from the position of the light receiving element 308 in the left frame 243 (or right frame 244) that is in the blocked state, and a weighing unit that measures the weight of the article to be measured 304, a ROM 301 in which a program for defining the operation of the dimension / weight measuring unit main body 30 is stored, a RAM 302 in which various calculation results are appropriately stored, a control unit 300 for controlling the entire dimension / weight measuring unit main body 30, Created by the communication unit 310 that receives an instruction from the programmable display 23 and transmits measurement data to the programmable display 23 and the silhouette image creation unit 306 Ruetto and an image data transmission unit 309 to be transmitted to the programmable display device 23 an image.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera.
When the operator reads the barcode attached to the target product using the barcode reader (step 1), the barcode data is taken into the programmable display 23 and displayed in the barcode display area 254 (step). 2).
The operator places the target product on the instantaneous light control glass 22 of the dimension / weight measuring unit main body 30 (step 3). At this time, the instantaneous light control glass 22 is in a non-transparent state. The camera 25 takes a moving image of the target product, and the moving image is displayed in the image data display area 255 of the programmable display 23 (step 4).

While watching this video, the operator adjusts the position and orientation of the target product on the instantaneous light control glass 22 so that the outer surface of the target product is well captured by the camera 25, and then the shooting button 251 of the programmable display 23. (Step 5). The programmable display 23 captures the image of the camera 25 and displays a still image in the image data display area 255 (step 6).
FIG. 8 shows a display on the display 250 of the programmable display 23 when the shooting button 251 is pressed.

Next, when the operator presses the measurement start button of the programmable display 23 (step 7), a measurement instruction is sent from the programmable display 23 to the dimensional weight measuring unit main body 30, and instantaneous dimming of the dimensional weight measuring unit main body 30 is performed. The glass transparency switching unit 303 applies voltage to the instantaneous light control glass 22 to make it transparent (step 8). Further, the display of the image data display area 255 of the programmable display 23 is switched from the still image of the camera 25 to the silhouette image (step 9).
The frame driving unit 307 of the dimension / weight measuring unit main body 30 moves the frame 24, the dimension measuring unit 305 measures the dimensions of the target product, and the silhouette image creating unit 306 creates a silhouette image (step 10). The silhouette images created by the silhouette image creation unit 306 are sequentially taken into the programmable display 23 and displayed in the image data display area 255.

When the dimension measurement is finished (step 11), the programmable display 23 takes in the dimension data and displays it in the measurement data display area 256 (step 12). At this time, the entire silhouette image of the target product is displayed in the image data display area 255 (step 13). The operator can confirm from the silhouette image that the dimension measurement has been completed.
In addition, when the measurement start button is pressed, the measuring unit 304 of the dimension / weight measuring unit main body 30 measures the weight of the target product (step 14), and the programmable display 23 takes in the measurement data and the measurement data display region 256. (Step 15).
FIG. 9 shows a display on the display 250 of the programmable display 23 when the measurement by the dimensional weight measuring unit main body 30 is completed.
In FIG. 9, the silhouette image of the plan view and the silhouette image of the side view of the target product are displayed in the image data display area 255, but only the silhouette image of the plan view or only the silhouette image of the side view is displayed. You may do it.
Further, when the outer shape of the target product is an irregular shape other than a quadrangle, in addition to the silhouette image, a minimum quadrangle surrounding the outer shape may be displayed.

The CPU 231 of the programmable display 23 associates the captured camera still image, silhouette image, weight data, and dimension data with the barcode data (step 16) and stores it in the RAM 233 (step 17).
FIG. 10 shows data stored in the RAM 233.
The data associated with the barcode data is recorded on a recording medium attached to the recording medium I / F 234 of the programmable display 23 and sent to the host apparatus, or transmitted to the host apparatus via wireless or wired communication. Is done. The host device registers necessary data, such as barcode data, still images, weights, dimensions, etc., in the product master or picking list.

  Further, by operating the recorded data read button 253 of the display 250 of the programmable display 23, the data of the target product previously stored in the RAM 233 can be read and displayed on the display 250. For example, when only the display on the surface of the target product is changed, the past data of the target product can be read, and the image of the target product can be retaken by the camera 25 and updated.

As described above, in the dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera, attribute data such as the size and weight of the article can be easily associated with the image data of the outer surface of the article.
In addition, since the photographing of the outer surface of the article by the camera 25 is performed in a state where the instantaneous light control glass 22 is not transparent, the inside of the base 21 is not reflected and the outer surface of the article can be clearly photographed. On the other hand, at the time of measuring the dimensions of the article, the instantaneous light control glass 22 is made transparent, so that there is no problem in receiving the light flux of the light emitting element in the light receiving element.

Note that an antireflection film may be further provided on the surface of the instantaneous light control glass 22 to prevent objects other than the target article from being reflected on the instantaneous light control glass plate.
In addition, here, the description has been given of the apparatus in which the frame moves with respect to the fixed target product. However, the present invention also applies to the apparatus in which the target product moves with respect to the fixed frame. Applicable.

  The dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera of the present invention can easily link image data of the outer surface of a product and attribute data such as the size and weight of the product via a product code, and can be used as a product master or a picking list. It can be widely used in distribution centers that create products and manufacturers that deliver product masters together with products.

21 Base 22 Instantaneous Dimming Glass Plate 23 Programmable Display 24 Frame 25 Camera 30 Dimension Weight Measurement Unit Main Body 50 Barcode Reader 221 Transparent Glass 222 Transparent Electrode Film 223 Liquid Crystal Sheet 230 External Device Connection I / F
231 CPU
232 ROM
233 RAM
234 Storage media I / F
235 Touch Panel Controller 236 Touch Panel 237 Camera Controller 238 Video RAM
239 Graphic controller 241 Upper frame 243 Left frame 244 Right frame 250 Display 251 Shooting button 252 Measurement start button 253 Recorded data read button 254 Bar code display area 255 Image data display area 256 Measurement data display area 300 Control section 301 ROM
302 RAM
303 Instantaneous light control glass transparency switching unit 304 Measuring unit 305 Dimension measurement unit 306 Silhouette image creation unit 307 Frame body driving unit 308 Light receiving element 309 Image data transmission unit 310 Communication unit

Claims (8)

A frame having opposing upper and lower frame parts and opposing left and right frame parts;
A base that supports a lower portion of the frame;
An article to be measured that relatively moves through a space constituted by the upper and lower frame portions and the left and right frame portions of the frame; and
A plurality of first light emitting elements arranged on one opposing surface of the upper and lower frame parts;
A plurality of first light receiving elements arranged on the other of the upper and lower frame portions so as to face the first light emitting elements;
A plurality of second light emitting elements arranged on one facing surface of the left and right frame portions;
A plurality of second light receiving elements arranged on the other of the left and right frame portions so as to face the second light emitting elements;
A weigher provided inside the base for measuring the weight of the article to be measured;
A dimensional weight measuring device comprising:
A camera provided to copy the article to be measured to the frame portion of the frame;
A programmable display provided on the base for displaying an operation screen;
Have
The programmable display is
Capture an image of the camera that captured the article to be measured,
Incorporating the dimension data of the article to be measured measured through relative movement between the article to be measured and the frame, and the weight data of the article to be measured measured by the weighing instrument,
The image of the camera, the dimension data and the weight data, and the identification code of the article to be measured are linked and held.
Dimensional weight measuring device with a camera. The dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to claim 1,
The identification code of the article to be measured is read by a bar code reader and taken into the programmable display.
Dimensional weight measuring device with a camera. The dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to claim 2,
The programmable display includes a display area for displaying the identification code of the article to be measured, a camera image, dimension data, and weight data. The display area includes a display area in which the data is held. The data of the article to be measured selected from is displayed.
Dimensional weight measuring device with a camera. It is a dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to claim 3,
The camera image displayed in the display area can be retaken.
Dimensional weight measuring device with a camera. It is a dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to claim 3,
In the programmable display, when the measured article and the frame are relatively moved, a silhouette image of the measured article is taken together with the dimension data of the measured article and displayed in the display area.
Dimensional weight measuring device with a camera. A dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A glass plate on which the article to be measured is placed;
The frame body surrounding the glass plate is supported by the base so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the first light receiving elements.
Dimensional weight measuring device with a camera. The dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to claim 6,
The glass plate is made of an instantaneous light control glass plate, the instantaneous light control glass plate becomes non-transparent when photographing the object to be measured, and the frame body is used to obtain dimensional data of the object to be measured. Become transparent when moving,
Dimensional weight measuring device with a camera. It is a dimensional weight measuring apparatus with a camera according to claim 7,
Having an antireflection film on the mounting surface of the measured article of the instantaneous light control glass plate,
Dimensional weight measuring device with a camera.