JP7398779B2 - weighing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a weighing machine.

In supermarkets and the like, products such as foods are sold by weight. In selling by weight, a desired amount of products is placed on a weighing device, the weight of the products is measured, and a price is calculated based on the measured value and unit price (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-173217

In the weighing device, when a worker or the like performs an operation to determine the price after weighing the product, for example, a label on which the price and the like are written is issued. Such weighing devices are required to have further improved operability.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a weighing device with improved operability.

A weighing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a weighing section that measures the weight of a product placed on a placing section, and a calculation section that calculates a price of the product based on the weight of the product weighed by the weighing section. and a control unit that determines the price calculated by the calculation unit when the product is removed from the placement unit.

In the weighing device according to one aspect of the present invention, when the product is removed from the placement section, the price calculated by the calculation section is determined. Thereby, in the weighing device, the price of the product is automatically determined without the need for any operation to determine the price of the product. Therefore, since the weighing machine does not require any operation to determine the price, operability can be improved.

In one embodiment, the printing unit includes a printing unit that issues a label on which the price calculated by the calculation unit is printed, and the control unit fixes the price and prints the price when the product is removed from the placement unit. The issued label may be issued by the issuing department. This configuration allows the issuing unit to issue a label without performing any operation for issuing a label. Therefore, since the weighing machine does not require any operation to generate a label, it is possible to improve the operability.

In one embodiment, the control unit includes an output unit that outputs the price calculated by the calculation unit, and the control unit determines the price when the product is removed from the placement unit, and causes the price to be output from the output unit. It's okay. With this configuration, for example, by outputting the price to a predetermined server device managed by a store equipped with a weighing machine, it is possible to make payment using a credit card or the like registered in advance by the customer. This makes it possible to omit payment at the store. Further, by outputting the price to the payment machine installed in the store by the output unit, it becomes possible to pay at the payment machine without going through the cash register.

In one embodiment, the control unit may determine whether the product has been removed from the placement unit based on a change in the measured value of the product in the weighing unit. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately and quickly determine that the product has been removed from the placement section.

In one embodiment, the control unit controls the control unit when the stable weight value of the product in the weighing unit changes by a threshold value or more, when the weight value changes from the stable weight value to zero, and when the weight value changes from the stable weight value to zero, and It may be determined that the product has been removed from the placement section if at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: the value decreases from the stable weighing value. With this configuration, it is not determined that the product has been removed even if there is a slight change in the measured value due to vibration or the like. Therefore, the weighing machine can more reliably determine that the product has been removed from the placement section.

In one embodiment, the control unit may determine that the product has been removed from the placement unit when the measured value becomes lower than the stable measured value by a threshold value or more. With this configuration, when the product is lifted from the platform, it is determined that the product has been removed from the platform. Therefore, in the weighing machine, it is possible to increase the amount of the product while the product is placed on the placement section.

In one embodiment, the control unit includes an image capturing unit that captures an image of the product placed on the platform, and the control unit determines whether the product has been removed from the platform based on the image captured by the image capturing unit. You can judge. With this configuration, it can be appropriately determined that the product has been removed from the placement section.

In one embodiment, the calculation unit includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the product placed on the placement unit, and an estimation unit that estimates the type of the product based on the image captured by the imaging unit, and the calculation unit includes: The price of the product estimated by the estimation unit may be calculated. With this configuration, the product is estimated and the price is calculated without the operator having to specify (select) the product. Therefore, the weighing machine does not require any operation for specifying the product, so that the operability can be further improved.

In one embodiment, the estimating unit determines whether or not the position of the product is determined on the placement unit based on the plurality of images captured by the imaging unit, and when determining that the position of the product is determined, the estimating unit The product type may be estimated based on the one image for which it has been determined that the product type has been determined. With this configuration, the type of product is estimated based on the image when the position of the product is determined, that is, the image of the product stably placed on the placement section, so the type of product can be estimated with high accuracy. .

In one embodiment, the device includes a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit, and the display unit may display one image. In this configuration, the image used for estimating the product is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, it is possible to check for defects such as the worker's hand appearing in the image, for example.

In one embodiment, after the first image is displayed on the display section, the estimation section includes an operation section that receives an input instructing the estimating section to estimate the product again, and the estimating section receives the input of the instruction. In this case, the type of product may be estimated based on an image newly captured by the imaging unit. If the position of the product is shifted or the worker's hand is reflected in the image displayed on the display unit, the type of product may not be estimated accurately. In the weighing machine, when the operation section receives an input of an instruction, the estimating section estimates the type of product based on the image newly captured by the imaging section. Thereby, the weighing machine can accurately estimate the type of product.

In one embodiment, the estimation unit estimates a plurality of product candidates, the display unit displays the plurality of product candidates, and the operation unit specifies one product from among the plurality of product candidates. The calculation unit may calculate the price of the product specified by the operation unit. With this configuration, the worker can select the type of product. Therefore, the weighing machine can reliably avoid calculating a price based on a product different from the actual product.

In one embodiment, the estimation unit sets a ranking among the plurality of product candidates in descending order of probability that the product is placed on the placement unit, and the display unit sets a ranking based on the ranking set by the estimation unit. , multiple product candidates may be displayed. With this configuration, product candidates are displayed on the display unit in descending order of probability, allowing the operator to easily specify the product.

In one embodiment, the lighting unit includes an illumination unit that irradiates light to the mounting unit, the imaging unit is disposed above the mounting unit, the lighting unit is located above the mounting unit, Further, the light may be arranged such that the optical axis of the light is incident on the mounting portion at an angle. With this configuration, for example, when the product is irradiated with light, it is possible to suppress the light reflected by the product from being reflected in the image captured by the imaging unit.

In one embodiment, two illumination units are provided, and each of the two illumination units is located above the placement unit with the imaging unit sandwiched between them, and emits light to the placement unit. The optical axes may be inclined and may be arranged such that the optical axes are incident on each other so as to intersect with each other. With this configuration, in a configuration including two illumination units, it is possible to suppress light reflected by the product from being reflected in an image captured by the imaging unit.

In one embodiment, it has an illumination section that irradiates light to the mounting section, and a support body in which an imaging section, an illumination section, and a measuring section are arranged, and the imaging section is placed on the mounting section in the support body. The illumination section is located above the mounting section and is arranged so that the axis in the photographing direction is inclined with respect to the mounting section. The light may be arranged so that the optical axis of the light is inclined. In this configuration, since the imaging section, the illumination section, and the weighing section are integrally provided on the support body, the mobility of the weighing section can be increased, so that the degree of freedom in layout in a store or the like can be increased. Further, the imaging section is arranged so that the axis of the photographing direction is inclined with respect to the mounting section, and the illumination section is arranged so that the optical axis enters the mounting section at an angle. . With this configuration, when the product is irradiated with light, it is possible to suppress the light reflected by the product from being reflected in the image captured by the imaging unit.

In one embodiment, the imaging unit and the illumination unit are arranged in two areas of the mounting surface that are divided by a first straight line passing through the center of the mounting surface when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the mounting section. It may be arranged on the second straight line orthogonal to the first straight line on the side of one of the regions. With this configuration, it is possible to further suppress the light reflected by the product from being reflected in the image captured by the imaging unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, operability can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a weighing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the weighing machine. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a camera, a first lighting section, and a second lighting section arranged in the housing. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the weighing device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a neural network. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel display of the control device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel display of the control device. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel display of the control device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display device. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel display of the control device. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel display of the control device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel display of the control device. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the support. FIG. 15 is a side view of the support shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the weighing platform, the camera, and the lighting section. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the weighing platform, the camera, and the lighting section. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a camera and a lighting section in the holding section.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the weighing machine 1 includes a weighing device 2, a control device 3, a display device 4, and a camera (imaging section) 5. The weighing device 2 and the control device 3 are communicably connected to each other. The control device 3 and camera 5 are communicably connected. The weighing device 2 and the display device 4 are communicably connected.

The weighing device 2 is an electronic scale. The weighing device 2 has a function of weighing the product S (see FIG. 3) and issuing a label LC to be attached to the weighed product S. In this embodiment, the product S is a container P containing an article G such as food. Here, the container P has a transparent lid. The lid is colored or colorless and is made of a material that transmits light. The camera 5 images the article G in the container P by imaging the light that has passed through the lid of the container P.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the weighing device 2 is housed in a housing 10. The housing 10 includes a housing section 11, a holding section 12, and a connecting section 13. The housing section 11 houses the weighing device 2 . The accommodating portion 11 has a box shape. The housing section 11 is provided with a first opening 11a that exposes the weighing platform 21a of the weighing section 21 of the weighing device 2, and a second opening 11b that exposes the operation section 22 of the weighing device 2.

A control device 3 , a camera 5 , a first illumination section 6 , and a second illumination section 7 are arranged in the holding section 12 . The holding part 12 is arranged on the accommodating part 11. The control device 3 is arranged on the holding part 12. The connecting part 13 connects the accommodating part 11 and the holding part 12. The connecting portion 13 extends along the vertical direction. A display device 4 is arranged on the back side of the connecting part 13. The display device 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display device 4 displays information to customers.

The camera 5 is disposed above the weighing platform 21a (described later) of the weighing device 2 at a position facing the weighing platform 21a. The camera 5 outputs captured image data to the control device 3.

The first lighting section 6 and the second lighting section 7 are, for example, LED lighting. As shown in FIG. 3, the first illumination section 6 and the second illumination section 7 are arranged above the weighing platform 21a of the weighing device 2 at positions facing the weighing platform 21a. The first illumination section 6 and the second illumination section 7 are arranged so that the optical axis of the emitted light is inclined and incident on the weighing table 21a. Further, the first illumination section 6 and the second illumination section 7 are arranged so that the optical axes of the emitted light intersect with each other. The first lighting section 6 and the second lighting section 7 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the housing 10. Specifically, the first illumination section 6 and the second illumination section 7 are arranged at positions sandwiching the camera 5 therebetween in the width direction of the housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the weighing device 2 includes a control unit 20, a weighing section 21, an operation section 22, and a label issuing section 23.

The control unit 20 is a part that controls various operations in the weighing device 2, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 20 controls the display on a touch panel display 22a, which will be described later.

The weighing section 21 includes a weighing platform (mounting section) 21a, a load cell, a signal processing circuit, and a transmission module (not shown). The product S is placed on the weighing platform 21a. The load cell is provided below the weighing platform 21a. The load cell converts mechanical strain generated when an object to be weighed is placed on the weighing platform 21a into an electrical signal. The signal processing circuit amplifies the electrical signal output from the load cell and converts it into a digital signal. The transmitting module outputs a digital signal to the control unit 20.

The operation unit 22 includes a touch panel display 22a and fixed keys 22b. Under the control of the control unit 20, the touch panel display 22a displays information related to the product S to be weighed in the weighing device 2, basic information necessary for operating the weighing device 2, and the like. The fixed keys 22b include a "unit price" key, a "fixed price" key, a "tare" key, a "print" key, a "call" key, etc. necessary for the charge scale, and these are appropriately arranged along with numeric keys. .

The label issuing unit 23 issues a label LC. The label issuing unit 23 prints product information based on print information output from an output unit 29, which will be described later, and issues a label LC. In this embodiment, the label issuing unit 23 issues what is called a mount-less label.

The control unit 20 includes an input section 25, a storage section 26, a calculation section 27, a control section 28, and an output section 29.

The input unit 25 inputs the number information output from the control device 3. The input unit 25 outputs the input number information to the calculation unit 27.

The storage unit 26 stores a product master. The product master stores product related information for each product S. The product master is a table in which product numbers, product names, unit prices, fixed prices, etc. are associated with each other. The product master can be updated (changed).

The calculation unit 27 calculates the price of the product S. When the calculation unit 27 receives the number information output from the input unit 25, it refers to the product master based on the product number included in the number information. The calculation unit 27 acquires the unit price of the product S corresponding to the product number from the product master. The calculation unit 27 calculates the price of the product S based on the measured value output from the measurement unit 21 and the unit price of the product. When the calculation unit 27 receives the confirmation information from the control unit 28, it confirms the price and outputs the print information to the label issuing unit 23. The printed information includes at least information indicating the product name, weight, and price. Further, the calculation unit 27 outputs display information for displaying the calculated price on the touch panel display 22a to the touch panel display 22a.

The control unit 28 determines the price calculated by the calculation unit 27 when the product S is removed from the weighing platform 21a. The control unit 28 determines whether the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a. The control unit 28 determines whether the product S has been removed from the weighing table 21a based on the measured value of the product S in the weighing unit 21. Specifically, after the weighing value output from the weighing section 21 becomes stable, the control section 28 changes the weighing value from the stable weighing value (not 0 (zero)) when the weighing is stable to "0 (zero)". ”, it is determined that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a. The control unit 28 may determine that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a when the weighing value becomes "0" even for a moment, or may determine that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a when the weighing value becomes "0" for a predetermined time. It may be determined that the product S has been removed from 21a. When the control unit 28 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a, it outputs confirmation information to the output unit 29. The confirmation information is information that instructs the calculation unit 27 to fix the price. The output unit 29 outputs the confirmed information to the calculation unit 27.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 3 includes a control unit 30 and a touch panel display 31. Control unit 30 controls the display on touch panel display 31. The control device 3 may be a tablet terminal or the like in which the control unit 30 and the touch panel display 31 are integrated, or may be a computer.

The control unit 30 is a part that controls various operations in the control device 3, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 30 includes an input section 32, an estimation section 33, a control section 34, a storage section 35, and an output section 36.

The input unit 32 inputs image data output from the camera 5. The input unit 32 outputs the input image data to the estimation unit 33. At this time, the data output to the estimation unit 33 is the image data output from the camera 5, in which only the area corresponding to the product S (the product S or the product S and its surroundings) is extracted. There may be. The input unit 32 also inputs a learned model transmitted from a server device (not shown) and stores it in the storage unit 35. A learned model is a model generated by machine learning.

The estimation unit 33 estimates the type of the product S (article G) placed on the weighing device 2 based on the image data (article G in the image data) captured by the camera 5. The estimation unit 33 detects that the product S is placed on the weighing table 21a of the weighing device 2 based on the image data output from the input unit 32. Specifically, the estimation unit 33 determines whether the product S is placed on the basis of the difference (background difference) between the image data output from the input unit 32 and a base image (background image) stored in advance. Detect that. Specifically, the estimating unit 33 determines that the product S has been placed when the degree of change from the base image in the image data is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

When determining that the product S has been placed, the estimating unit 33 determines whether or not the product S has been placed stably. That is, the estimation unit 33 determines whether the position of the product S has been determined. The estimating unit 33 determines whether the placement of the product S is stable, for example, by using an inter-frame difference method of continuous image data. Specifically, the estimating unit 33 determines whether the product S It is determined that the placement is stable. When the estimating unit 33 determines that the placement of the product S is stable, it estimates the product S based on the image (one image) in the image data determined to be stable.

In this embodiment, the estimation unit 33 estimates the product S using a learned model. The trained model predicts and outputs the product indicated by the image based on the image data by clustering. The trained model includes a neural network NW used for clustering. The trained model may include a convolutional neural network. Furthermore, the trained model may include a neural network with multiple layers (for example, eight or more layers). That is, a trained model may be generated by deep learning.

As shown in FIG. 6, the neural network NW includes, for example, a first layer that is an input layer, second, third, and fourth layers that are intermediate layers (hidden layers), and an output layer. It consists of a fifth layer. The first layer outputs the input value x=(x0, x1, x2, . . . xp), which has p parameters as elements, to the second layer as it is. Each of the second, third, and fourth layers converts the total input into an output using an activation function and passes the output to the next layer. The fifth layer also converts the total input into an output using an activation function, and this output is an output vector y=(y ₀ , y ₁ , . . . , y _q ) of the neural network whose elements are q parameters.

In this embodiment, the neural network NW inputs the pixel value of each pixel of the image and outputs information indicating the estimation result of the product S. The input layer of the neural network NW is provided with neurons corresponding to the number of pixels of the image. The output layer of the neural network NW is provided with neurons for outputting information related to the estimation result of the product S. The product S can be estimated based on the output values of neurons in the output layer. The output value of the neuron is, for example, a value between 0 and 1. In this case, the larger the neuron value (the closer the value is to 1), the higher the possibility that it is the image product, and the smaller the neuron value (the closer the value is to 0), the more likely it is the image product. It shows that it is low. That is, when the neuron value is large, the probability that the product is the product S is high, and when the neuron value is low, the probability that the product is the product S is low.

The estimation unit 33 inputs an image based on the image data to the trained model. The estimation unit 33 may normalize the input image. Image normalization is performed by, for example, reducing, enlarging, or trimming the image. Furthermore, the estimation unit 33 may perform various types of processing on the input image, such as adjusting the contrast, changing the color, and changing the format. The estimation unit 33 acquires an estimation result including an output value output from the neural network NW in response to inputting an image to the neural network NW of the learned model. The estimation results include all types of products registered in the product master.

The estimation unit 33 ranks candidate products based on the estimation results. Specifically, the estimation unit 33 ranks the products in descending order of the neuron value. The estimation unit 33 generates estimation information in which product numbers and ranks are associated with each other for all types of products. The estimation unit 33 outputs image information and estimation information of the image used for estimation processing to the control unit 34.

When the image information and estimation information are output from the estimation section 33, the control section 34 causes the touch panel display 31 to display the image information and estimation information. The control unit 34 controls the display on the touch panel display 31 based on the input received on the touch panel display 31. Specifically, the control unit 34 causes one screen displayed on the touch panel display 31 to display an image of the product S based on the image information. The control unit 34 displays, on one screen, the product name of the product with the highest rank among the product candidates in the estimation information. Details of the control of the touch panel display 31 by the control unit 34 will be described later. The control unit 34 outputs number information indicating the product number to the output unit 36 based on the estimated information or the input received on the touch panel display 31. The output unit 36 outputs the number information to the weighing device 2.

The storage unit 35 stores a product master. This product master is configured to include the same content as the product master stored in the storage unit 26 of the weighing device 2. The storage unit 35 stores learned models. The storage unit 35 stores trained models acquired via a storage medium, a network, or the like.

Next, the operation of the weighing machine 1 will be explained. In the following description, an example will be explained in which a store clerk operates the weighing machine 1 as an operator.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the product S is not placed on the weighing device 2, the control device 3 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen D1 prompting the user to place the product S. At this time, the touch panel display 22a of the weighing device 2 displays, for example, text such as "Please place the product." When the product S is placed on the weighing table 21a of the weighing device 2 by the worker, the control device 3 performs estimation processing for the product S.

When the control device 3 executes the estimation process for the product S, the control device 3 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen D2, as shown in FIG. Based on the estimated information, the control device 3 displays an image G1 of the product S and a plurality of (five in this embodiment) selection buttons B3 on the screen D2. Candidate product names of the product S are displayed on the selection button B3. The product name of the selection button B3 is displayed based on the ranking of the estimation results. Specifically, product names are displayed on the selection buttons B3 in descending order of rank from the top. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the product name "AAAA" has the highest rank, and the product name "CCCCC" has the lowest rank. In other words, it is assumed that the most likely product S placed on the weighing device 2 is "AAAAAA", and the fifth most likely product S is "CCCCC". It shows. In the initial setting (the state in which the screen D2 is initially displayed), the control device 3 selects the selection button B3 of the product with the highest rank. When selected, the selection button B3 is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other selection buttons B3. For example, when the selection button B3 is selected, it is displayed in a different color from the other selection buttons B3. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the "AAAAAA" selection button B3 is selected. The control device 3 outputs number information based on the selected selection button B3 to the weighing device 2.

When the selection button B3 is selected on the screen D2, the weighing device 2 displays the screen D4 on the touch panel display 22a, as shown in FIG. Screen D4 displays at least the product name (AAAAA), the weight of product S (325g), the unit price of product S per 100g "200 yen", and the price of product S "650 yen". . Also, on the display device 4, the product name, the weight of the product S, the unit price per 100 g of the product S, and the price of the product S are displayed.

The control device 3 displays button B1 and button B2 on screen D2. "Back" is displayed on button B1. “List” is displayed on button B2.

On the screen D2, if the product S displayed in the image G1 matches the product name of the selected selection button B3 (e.g. "AAAA"), the worker selects the weighing device 2. The product S is removed from the weighing platform 21a. If the product S displayed in the image G1 and the product name of the selected selection button B3 do not match, the worker presses another selection button B3 to specify the product, and then The product S is removed from the weighing table 21a of the weighing device 2. When the weighing device 2 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a, it issues a label LC. The worker attaches the issued label LC to the product S.

On the screen D2, the worker presses the button B1 if there is a problem with the product S displayed in the image G1. When the button B1 is pressed, the control device 3 acquires new image data captured by the camera 5. The control device 3 performs the process of estimating the product S again based on the acquired image data, and displays the process result on the screen D2.

If the product name corresponding to product S is not displayed on selection button B3 on screen D2, the worker presses button B2. When button B2 is pressed, control device 3 displays screen D3 as shown in FIG. 10. A plurality of (ten in this embodiment) selection buttons B4 are displayed on the screen D3. A product name is displayed on the selection button B4. The product name of the selection button B4 is displayed based on the product number. The list screen D3 displays a number of selection buttons B4 corresponding to the number of products registered in the product master. The list screen D4 may be displayed across multiple screens. When selected, the selection button B4 is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other selection buttons B4. Note that products with a low probability may not be displayed on the list screen D3. In other words, products whose neuron value is less than or equal to a threshold value may not be displayed.

After selecting the selection button B4 on the screen D3, the operator removes the product S from the weighing table 21a of the weighing device 2. When the weighing device 2 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a, it issues a label LC. When the label LC is issued in the weighing device 2, the control device 3 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen D1 shown in FIG.

As explained above, in the weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the product S is removed from the weighing platform 21a, the price calculated by the calculation unit 27 of the weighing device 2 is determined, and the price is printed. The label issuing unit 23 issues the label LC. Thereby, in the weighing machine 1, the label issuing unit 23 can issue the label LC without performing any operation for issuing the label LC. Therefore, the weighing machine 1 does not require any operation to generate the label LC, so that operability can be improved.

In the weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 28 of the weighing device 2 determines whether or not the product S has been removed from the weighing table 21a based on the change in the measured value of the product in the weighing unit 21. . Specifically, the control unit 28 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a when the measured value in the weighing unit 21 becomes zero. With this configuration, it is not determined that the product S has been removed even if there is a slight change in the measured value due to vibration or the like. Therefore, the weighing machine 1 can more reliably determine that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a. Furthermore, when the product S is lifted from the weighing platform 21a, it is determined that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a, so it is possible to increase the amount of the product S while the product S is placed on the weighing platform 21a. It becomes possible.

The weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a camera 5 that captures an image of the product S placed on the weighing platform 21a. The control device 3 includes an estimation unit 33 that estimates the type of product S based on the image captured by the camera 5. The calculation unit 27 of the weighing device 2 calculates the price of the product S estimated by the estimation unit 33. With this configuration, the product S is estimated and the price is calculated without the operator having to specify (select) the product S. Therefore, in the weighing machine 1, an operation for specifying the product S is not required, so that operability can be further improved.

In the weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the estimating unit 33 determines whether the position of the product S on the weighing platform 21a is determined based on the plurality of images captured by the camera 5, and determines whether the position of the product S is determined. If it is determined that the position has been determined, the type of product S is estimated based on the one image for which the position has been determined to be determined. In this configuration, the type of the product S is estimated based on the image when the position of the product S is determined, that is, the image of the product stably placed on the weighing platform 21a, so the type of the product S can be estimated with high accuracy. be able to.

In the weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 3 includes a touch panel display 31 that displays an image captured by the camera 5. The touch panel display 31 displays an image of the product S. In this configuration, the image used for estimating the product S is displayed on the touch panel display 31. Therefore, it is possible to check for defects such as the worker's hand appearing in the image, for example.

In the weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the touch panel display 31 displays an image of the product S, and then receives an input instructing the estimation unit 33 to estimate the product S again. The estimating unit 33 estimates the type of product S based on the image newly captured by the camera 5 when the touch panel display 31 receives the input of the instruction. If the position of the product S is shifted or the worker's hand is reflected in the image displayed on the touch panel display 31, the type of the product S may not be estimated accurately. There is. In the weighing machine 1, the estimation unit 33 estimates the type of the product S based on the image newly captured by the camera 5 when the touch panel display 31 receives the input of the instruction. Thereby, the weighing machine 1 can accurately estimate the type of product S.

In the weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the estimation unit 33 estimates a plurality of product candidates. The touch panel display 31 displays a plurality of product candidates and accepts an input specifying one product from among the plurality of product candidates. The calculation unit 27 calculates the price of the product specified by the touch panel display 31. With this configuration, the worker can select the type of product. Therefore, the weighing machine 1 can reliably avoid calculating the price based on a product different from the actual product S.

In the weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the estimating unit 33 ranks the plurality of product candidates in descending order of the probability that the product S is the product S placed on the weighing table 32a. The touch panel display 31 displays a plurality of product candidates based on the ranking set by the estimation unit 33. With this configuration, product candidates are displayed on the touch panel display 31 in descending order of probability, allowing the operator to easily specify the product.

The weighing machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes at least a first illumination section 6 and a second illumination section 7 that irradiate light onto the weighing platform 21a. The camera 5 is arranged above the weighing platform 21a. The first illumination unit 6 and the second illumination unit 7 are located above the weighing platform 21a with the camera 5 between them, and are arranged so that the optical axis of the light is incident on the weighing platform 21a at an angle. has been done. With this configuration, for example, when the product S is irradiated with light, it is possible to suppress the light reflected by the product S from being reflected in the image captured by the camera 5.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

In the embodiment described above, an example has been described in which a store clerk operates the weighing machine 1 as an operator. However, the weighing machine 1 may be operated by a customer. The operation of the weighing machine 1 when a customer operates the weighing machine 1 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the product S is not placed on the weighing device 2, the control device 3 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen D1 prompting the user to place the product S. When the product S is placed on the weighing table 21a of the weighing device 2 by the worker, the control device 3 performs estimation processing for the product S.

When the control device 3 executes the estimation process for the product S, the control device 3 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen D5, as shown in FIG. Based on the processing result of the estimation process, the control device 3 causes a text display section T1 that displays the product name of the product S, an image G2 of the product S, a button B5, and a button B6 to be displayed on the screen D5. . "Back" is displayed on button B5. “List” is displayed on button B6.

If the product S displayed in the image G2 matches the product name displayed on the screen D5, the worker removes the product S from the weighing platform 21a of the weighing device 2. When the weighing device 2 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a, it issues a label LC. The worker attaches the issued label LC to the product S.

The operator presses button B1 on screen D5 if there is a problem with the product S displayed in image G2. When the button B1 is pressed, the control device 3 acquires the image data captured by the camera 5 again. The control device 3 performs a process of estimating the product S based on the acquired image data, and displays the process result on the screen D5.

On screen D2, if the product S displayed in image G2 and the displayed product name do not match, the worker presses button B6. When button B6 is pressed, control device 3 displays screen D6 as shown in FIG. 12. A plurality of (six in this embodiment) icons A are displayed on the screen D6. Icon A displays a text display section T2 that displays the product name, and an image G3 that shows the product S corresponding to the product name displayed on the text display section T2. Icon A is displayed based on the product number. The list screen D6 displays a number of icons A corresponding to the number of products registered in the product master. The list screen D6 may be displayed across multiple screens.

The operator selects the icon A corresponding to the product S to be weighed on the screen D6. When icon A is selected, control device 3 displays screen D7 as shown in FIG. 13. The selected icon A is enlarged and displayed on the screen D7. After the icon A is displayed on the screen D7, the worker removes the product S from the weighing platform 21a of the weighing device 2. When the weighing device 2 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a, it issues a label LC. When the label LC is issued in the weighing device 2, the control device 3 causes the touch panel display 31 to display a screen D1 shown in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the control device 3 displays the screen D5 on the touch panel display 31 when the estimation process for the product S is performed, and displays the screen D6 when the button B6 is pressed on the screen D5. did. However, the control device 3 may switch the display on the touch panel display 31 based on the processing result of the estimation process for the product S. Specifically, in the processing result of the estimation process, the control device 3 displays screen D5 when the output value of the neuron is equal to or higher than the threshold value, and displays screen D6 when the output value is lower than the threshold value. It's okay.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 28 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a when the measured value output from the weighing unit 21 becomes “0” after it becomes stable. Explained as an example. However, in the measuring unit 21, if the measured value becomes smaller than the stable measured value when the measurement is stable by more than a threshold value, or if the amount of change in the measured value from the stable measured value is equal to or more than the threshold value, If the measured value decreases from the stable measured value, or if at least one of these conditions is satisfied, it may be determined that the product S has been removed from the weighing table 21a. The case where the amount of change in the measured value from the stable measured value is equal to or greater than the threshold value includes the case where the measured value becomes large and the case where the measured value becomes small.

The control unit 28 performs the following process when determining whether the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a based on the amount of change in the measured value from the stable measured value. After the control unit 28 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing table 21a and causes the label issuing unit 23 to issue the label LC, the control unit 28 sends confirmation information to the calculating unit 27 until the weight value becomes “0”. is not output. That is, the control unit 28 does not permit the next label LC to be issued until the measured value becomes "0". This makes it possible to avoid issuing multiple labels LC for the same product S.

In the embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the estimation unit 33 detects that the product S is placed on the weighing table 21a of the weighing device 2 based on the image data output from the input unit 32. However, the estimation unit 33 may detect that the product S is placed on the weighing table 21 a of the weighing device 2 based on the measured value of the weighing unit 21 of the weighing device 2 . Furthermore, the estimating unit 33 determines that the product S has been placed on the weighing table 21a of the weighing device 2 based on the image data output from the input unit 32 and the measured value of the weighing unit 21 of the weighing device 2. May be detected.

In the embodiment described above, the estimating unit 33 of the control device 3 uses an inter-frame difference method of continuous image data to determine whether or not the placement of the product S is stable. However, the estimating unit 33 may determine whether the placement of the product S is stable based on the measured value of the measuring unit 21 of the weighing device 2. Furthermore, the estimating unit 33 may determine whether or not the product S is placed stably based on the inter-frame difference method of continuous image data and the measured value of the measuring unit 21 of the measuring device 2. .

In the embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the product S placed on the weighing platform 21a is estimated based on image data captured by the camera 5. However, the product S may be selected using the operation section 22 of the weighing device 2. That is, the weighing machine 1 does not need to include the control device 3 and the camera 5. In this configuration, the weighing device 2 issues the label LC when it is determined that the product S is removed from the weighing table 21a after the product S is selected on the touch panel display 22a of the operation unit 22. As a usage scenario, for example, in face-to-face sales by weight, it is possible to imagine a situation where a worker increases or decreases the weight of a product in a container to a desired weight. The operator (the clerk or the customer himself/herself) selects (inputs) the type of product using the operation unit 22 and places the container (product) on the weighing stand 21a. Then, the operator increases or decreases the weight of the product in the container depending on the customer's request, etc., and removes the container (product) from the weighing table 21a when the operator recognizes that the desired weight has been reached. In this case, the control unit 28 controls the product based on the measured value (specifically, when the measured value changes from a stable measured value to 0, or when the measured value is limited to a predetermined threshold value or more from a stable measured value). It is possible to configure the label issuing unit 23 to issue a label LC (or send price information to the server) upon determining that the label LC has been removed. This eliminates the need for the operator to perform a separate input operation to start label issuance (or price information transmission), thereby eliminating the need for the operator to perform an operation for issuing the label LC.

In the embodiment described above, the removal of the product S from the weighing table 21a is determined based on the measured value of the weighing section 21, as an example. However, whether the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a may be determined based on the image captured by the camera 5. In this configuration, the control device 3 determines whether the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a based on the base image (background image) and the image data output from the camera 5.

Specifically, the control device 3 makes the determination based on the degree of similarity (difference) with the base image. When the product S is placed on the weighing platform 21a, the similarity between the image data and the base image is low, and when the product S is not placed on the weighing platform 21a, the similarity between the image data and the base image is low. The degree of similarity between the image and the base image increases. If the degree of similarity is less than or equal to the threshold, the control device 3 determines that the product S is placed on the weighing platform 21a. If the degree of similarity is higher than the threshold, the control device 3 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a. When the control device 3 determines that the product S has been removed from the weighing stand 21a, it outputs information to that effect to the weighing device 2. When the weighing device 2 receives the information output from the control device 3, it issues a label LC. Note that, after the product S is placed on the weighing platform 21a and the product S is estimated, if a change occurs from the image in which the product S was estimated (for example, the similarity is It may be determined that the product S has been removed from the weighing platform 21a when the change in value is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Furthermore, when comparing the degree of similarity between the base image (or the previous image) and the current image, each image may be appropriately reduced from the captured image and then compared. In this case, the load on the similarity calculation process is reduced, and erroneous judgments due to slight positional deviations of the imaged object within the image are reduced. Also, when comparing the similarity between the base image (or the previous image) and the current image, the range of comparison is limited to the area recognized as a product (and its surroundings), rather than the entire imaged area. You may.

In the embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the estimation unit 33 determines whether the position of the product S has been determined based on the inter-frame difference method of continuous image data. However, the method for determining whether the position of the product S has been determined is not limited to this. For example, the estimating unit 33 may determine that the position of the product S has been determined when the measured value of the measuring unit 21 is stable for a certain period of time or more.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the weighing device 2 issues the label LC when the product S is removed from the weighing platform 21a. However, when the product S is removed from the weighing table 21a, the weighing device 2 may transmit price information including at least the price of the product to a predetermined server device. Specifically, the control unit 28 of the weighing device 2 causes the output unit 29 to output information including the price when the product S is removed from the weighing platform 21a.

With this configuration, for example, by transmitting price information to a predetermined server device managed by the store, payment can be made using a credit card or the like that the customer has registered in advance. This allows you to omit payment at the store. In addition, by outputting the price to the payment machine installed in the store by the output unit 29, it becomes possible to pay at the payment machine without going through the cash register, and it is possible to automatically add the price to the bill for other products. You can add.

In the embodiment described above, the touch panel display 31 of the control device 3 is arranged on the holding part 12 of the housing 10 as an example. However, the touch panel display 31 may be placed at a position other than the holding section 12. It is preferable that the touch panel display 31 is arranged near the weighing device 2.

In the embodiment described above, the estimating unit 33 estimates the type of product S using a learned model as an example. However, the estimation unit 33 may estimate the type of product S, for example, by matching with sample images.

In the embodiment described above, the weighing machine 1 is provided with the display device 4 as an example. However, for example, when a customer operates the weighing machine 1, the display device 4 may not be provided.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the weighing device 2 weighs the product S and the control device 3 estimates the product S. However, one device may have the functions of the weighing device 2 and the control device 3.

In the embodiment described above, an example in which the weighing device 2 and the control device 3 are provided in the housing 10 has been described. However, the form of the weighing machine 1 is not limited to this. The weighing device 2 (weighing stand 21a) and the control device 3 may be provided separately in the form of a so-called separate scale.

In the embodiment described above, a configuration including two first illumination sections 6 and two second illumination sections 7 has been described as an example. However, the lighting section may be one (for example, one of the two first lighting sections 6 and second lighting section 7, or one on which the worker stands when looking from the weighing platform 21a when the worker carries out the loading. (e.g., above the position where the weighing platform 21a is sandwiched between the operator and the operator) or a plurality (three or more) may be provided.

In the embodiment described above, an example was explained in which the weight of the product S in which the product G was stored in the container P was measured. However, the product S may be fruits and vegetables that are not stored in a container. In addition, although an example has been described in which the camera 5 images the article G in the container P by imaging the light transmitted through the transparent lid of the container P, an opaque container (package ) products may be imaged. In this case, the estimating unit 33 may estimate the type of product based on the appearance of the product S (eg, printing on an opaque package).

In the embodiment described above, the camera 5, the first illumination section 6, and the second illumination section 7 are arranged in the housing 10, and the measuring section 21 is provided integrally with the measuring device 2. However, as shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, or FIG. 18, the camera 5A, the lighting section 45, and the measuring section 21 may be arranged on the support body 40.

The support body 40 has a base portion 41, a support portion 42, and a holding portion 43. The base portion 41 is a plate-like member. The base portion 41 has, for example, a rectangular shape. At the bottom of the base portion 41, support legs 41a are provided. A plurality of support legs 41a are provided on the base portion 41 (for example, at four locations). The support leg 41a has a mechanism that allows the height position of the base portion 41 to be adjusted. By operating the support legs 41a, the height position of the base portion 41 can be adjusted (adjust the base portion 41 to be horizontal).

The support portion 42 is a columnar member. The support portion 42 is erected on the base portion 41 and extends in the vertical direction. The support portion 42 is disposed at the rear of the base portion 41 and at the center of the base portion 41 in the width direction. The support portion 42 has a hollow structure. This allows cables and the like to be passed through the support portion 42. In the example shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, one support portion 42 is shown, but there may be a plurality of support portions 42.

Furthermore, the support portion 42 may be configured to be expandable and contractible. In this case, it is preferable that the support part 42 has an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the height (length) in stages, for example. Thereby, it is possible to adjust the distance between the camera 5A and the illumination section 45, which will be described later, and the weighing section 21 (weighing table 21a). For example, when replacing the weighing platform 21a with one that has a relatively large area, or when it is necessary to image a relatively large (large area) product, the camera 5A and the illumination unit 45 are placed in the imaging range of the weighing platform 21a. It is desirable to lengthen the support part 42 so that it can accommodate the weight and products, and move it further away from the weighing platform 21a. On the other hand, when replacing the weighing platform 21a with one that has a relatively small area, or when capturing an image of a relatively small (small area) product, the camera 5A and the illumination unit 45 are configured so that the area occupied by the product that falls within the imaging range is It is desirable to shorten the support part 42 and bring it closer to the weighing platform 21a so that the product is larger or the light of the illumination hits the product as strongly as possible.

The holding part 43 is provided at the upper end of the support part 42. The holding portion 43 has a box shape. The front and rear surfaces (side surfaces) of the holding part 43 are inclined at about 30 degrees with respect to the supporting part 42, for example. The holding part 43 may be swingably provided on the support part 42. Thereby, the holding part 43 can adjust the inclination angle with respect to the base part 41 and the support part 42. The holding portion 43 has an open end on the base portion 41 side. The opening of the holding part 43 is arranged at a position facing the base part 41.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the measuring section 21 is arranged on the base section 41. The measuring section 21 is arranged on the front side of the base section 41. The weighing platform 21a of the weighing section 21 may be colored, for example, blue. This makes it possible to appropriately separate the product S and the weighing platform 21a (background) in the image captured by the camera 5A. An adjuster 21b may be provided at the bottom of the measuring section 21. The adjusters 21b are arranged, for example, at the four corners of the bottom of the measuring section 21. The adjuster 21b has a mechanism that can adjust the height position of the measuring section 21. By operating the adjuster 21b, the height position of the measuring section 21 (the measuring platform 21a) can be adjusted (adjusting the measuring section 21 (the measuring platform 21a) so that it is horizontal).

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the camera 5A and the illumination section 45 are arranged on the holding section 43. Thereby, the camera 5A and the illumination section 45 are located above the weighing section 21 (weighing stand 21a). Further, the camera 5A and the illumination section 45 are located on the rear side of the base section 41 (measuring section 21). As shown in FIG. 15, for example, the camera 5A and the illumination unit 45 are located on the rear side of the center of the weighing platform 21a in a side view. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the camera 5A and the illumination unit 45 are connected to the first straight line passing through the center C of the mounting surface 21s of the weighing platform 21a when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21s. It is arranged on one area A1 side of two areas A1 and A2 of the mounting surface 21s divided by L1. The camera 5A and the illumination unit 45 are arranged on a second straight line L2 orthogonal to the first straight line L1. In this embodiment, the mounting surface 21s has a substantially rectangular shape. The first straight line L1 extends parallel to one side of the mounting surface 21s, and the second straight line L2 extends parallel to the other side of the mounting surface 21s. As shown in FIG. 17, the camera 5A is arranged such that the axis of the photographing direction is inclined with respect to the weighing platform 21a. The axis of the photographing direction is, for example, an axis along the extending direction of a straight line perpendicular to the center of the lens surface of the lens 44. The illumination unit 45 is arranged so that the optical axis of the irradiated light is obliquely incident on the weighing platform 21a. In this embodiment, the camera 5A and the illumination unit 45 are arranged so that the axis of the photographing direction and the optical axis do not intersect with each other. Further, the angle and height of the camera 5A are adjusted so that the imaging range and the entire weighing section 21 (weighing platform 21a) substantially coincide with each other.

The holding part 43, the internal camera 5A, and the illumination part 45 may be configured so that the inclination angle with respect to the support part 42 can be changed. The inclination angles of the holding part 43, the internal camera 5A, and the illumination part 45 are changed according to the size (area) and height of the product so that the product is appropriately placed within the imaging range.

As shown in FIG. 18, the lens 44 of the camera 5A is arranged approximately at the center of the holding part 43 when looking at the holding part 43 from the opening side. The lighting section 45 is, for example, an LED lighting. The illumination section 45 extends along the width direction of the holding section 43 (horizontal direction in FIG. 18). In the illumination section 45, a plurality of LED elements are two-dimensionally arranged at predetermined intervals. Thereby, light is uniformly irradiated from the illumination section 45. Therefore, the product that appears in the captured image will appear with approximately the same brightness no matter where it is placed. Thereby, product recognition processing can be performed with high accuracy. Note that the illumination section 45 may be divided into a plurality of parts.

The illumination unit 45 is arranged in front of the lens 44 of the camera 5A. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 17, the height position of the illumination unit 45 with respect to the weighing platform 21a becomes higher than the camera 5A. In other words, the height position of the camera 5A with respect to the weighing platform 21a is lower than that of the illumination unit 45. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the light from the illumination section 45 from directly hitting the camera 5A (lens 44). Therefore, it is possible to avoid a problem in which the product cannot be properly imaged due to light directly hitting the camera 5A (for example, in a captured image, blown-out highlights occur in a portion where direct light is captured).

Furthermore, the illumination unit 45 is arranged at a position closer to the vertically upper center of the weighing platform 21a (furthermore, the imaging area of the camera 5A adjusted to almost match the weighing platform 21a) compared to the camera 5A. That will happen. Therefore, the light emitted from the illumination unit 45 becomes more perpendicular to the mounting surface of the weighing platform 21a. As a result, more light emitted from the illumination part 45 and diffused by the product will be incident on the camera 5A compared to the case where the illumination part 45 is arranged behind the lens 44 of the camera 5A. Therefore, the product reflected in the image captured by the camera 5A becomes clearer.

The holding part 43 has a transparent plate 46. The transparent plate 46 is arranged so as to close the opening of the holding part 43. The transparent plate 46 covers the entire area of the illumination section 45 so that the illumination section 45 cannot be directly touched. The transparent plate 46 is provided with a lens hole 46a and a ventilation hole 46b. The lens hole 46a has, for example, a circular shape. A lens 44 of the camera 5A is located in the lens hole 46a. The lens 44 is arranged to protrude from the transparent plate 46 in the lens hole 46a. Therefore, the transparent plate 46 does not hinder imaging by the camera 5A. Further, the ventilation hole 46b has, for example, a circular shape. A plurality of ventilation holes 46b are provided. The ventilation hole 46b allows the heat inside the holding part 43 to escape and suppresses heat buildup inside the holding part 43. The ventilation hole 46b is not provided at a position facing the lighting section 45. Therefore, the ventilation hole 46b does not directly interfere with the light irradiated by the illumination unit 45, and does not affect the intensity of the irradiation light (for example, cause unevenness in the irradiation intensity).

In the above configuration, the measuring section 21, the camera 5A, and the illumination section 45 are integrally held on the support body 40. In this way, by providing the weighing section 21, the camera 5A, and the lighting section 45 separately from the weighing device 2, the mobility of the weighing section 21 can be increased, so that the degree of freedom in layout in the store can be increased. can. Further, since the measuring section 21, the camera 5A, and the illuminating section 45 are integrally held by the support body 40, there is no need to move the camera 5A and the illuminating section 45 separately from the measuring section 21. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability. Furthermore, it becomes possible to achieve compactness.

The camera 5A is located above the weighing platform 21a on the support body 40, and is arranged such that its axis in the photographing direction is inclined with respect to the weighing platform 21a. The illumination unit 45 is located above the weighing platform 21a on the support body 40, and is arranged such that its optical axis is incident on the weighing platform 21a with an oblique angle. With this configuration, when the product is irradiated with light, the light reflected by the product (particularly in the case of a product in a container, reflected by the lid of the container that is approximately parallel to the mounting surface of the weighing table 21a). It is possible to suppress the reflected light) from being reflected in the image captured by the camera 5A. Further, the camera 5A and the illumination section 45 are arranged so that the axis of the camera 5A in the photographing direction and the optical axis of the light from the illumination section 45 do not intersect. With this configuration, it is possible to further suppress the light reflected by the product from being reflected in the image captured by the camera 5A.

The illumination unit 45 is arranged at a position closer to the center of the weighing platform 21a than the camera 5A in the front-rear direction. This allows the product to be illuminated appropriately. Therefore, the product can be imaged more clearly. As a result, the accuracy of product estimation can be improved.

One or more supports 40 may be provided in the weighing machine 1. That is, a plurality of measuring sections 21 may be provided. In a configuration including a plurality of supports 40, for example, the measuring section 21 used by the operator is switched and used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Weighing machine, 2... Weighing device, 3... Control device, 5, 5A... Camera (imaging part), 6... First lighting part, 7... Second lighting part, 21... Weighing part, 21a... Weighing platform (mounting unit) 23... Label issuing section, 27... Calculating section, 28... Control section, 29... Output section, 31... Touch panel display (display section, operation section), 33... Estimating section, 34... Control section, 40... Support Body, 45...Lighting Department, S...Product.

Claims (13)

a measuring section that measures the weight of the product placed on the placing section;
a calculation unit that calculates the price of the product based on the weight of the product weighed by the weighing unit;
an imaging unit that captures an image of the product placed on the placement unit;
a control unit that fixes the price calculated by the calculation unit when the product is removed from the storage unit ,
The control unit is a weighing machine that determines whether or not the product has been removed from the placement unit based on an image captured by the imaging unit . comprising an issuing unit that issues a label on which the price calculated by the calculation unit is printed;
The control unit, when determining that the product has been removed from the storage unit, determines the price and causes the issuing unit to issue the label on which the price is printed. Weighing machine. comprising an output unit that outputs the price calculated by the calculation unit,
The weighing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit determines that the product has been removed from the storage unit, the control unit determines the price and outputs the price from the output unit. an estimation unit that estimates the type of the product based on the image captured by the imaging unit,
The weighing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the price of the product estimated by the estimation unit. The estimation unit is
Determining whether or not the position of the product has been determined in the placement unit based on the plurality of images captured by the imaging unit;
5. The weighing machine according to claim 4 , wherein when it is determined that the position of the product is determined, the type of the product is estimated based on the one image for which the position is determined to be determined. comprising a display unit that displays the image captured by the imaging unit,
The weighing machine according to claim 5 , wherein the display section displays one of the images. an operation unit that receives an input instructing the estimation unit to estimate the product again after the one image is displayed on the display unit;
The weighing machine according to claim 6 , wherein the estimation section estimates the type of the product based on an image newly captured by the imaging section when the operation section receives the input of the instruction. The estimating unit estimates a plurality of product candidates,
The display unit displays a plurality of product candidates,
The operation unit receives an input specifying one of the product candidates from among the plurality of product candidates;
The weighing machine according to claim 7 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the price of the product specified by the operation unit. The estimation unit sets a ranking among the plurality of product candidates in descending order of probability that the product is the product placed in the placement unit,
The weighing machine according to claim 8 , wherein the display section displays a plurality of product candidates based on the ranking set by the estimation section. comprising an illumination unit that irradiates light to the mounting unit,
The imaging unit is arranged above the placement unit,
Any one of claims 4 to 8 , wherein the illumination unit is located above the mounting unit and is arranged such that the optical axis of the light is incident at an angle with respect to the mounting unit. The weighing machine described in item (1) above. Two lighting units are provided,
Each of the two illumination units is located above the mounting unit with the imaging unit between them, and the optical axis of the light is inclined with respect to the mounting unit, and the optical axes are mutually opposite to each other. 11. The weighing machine according to claim 10 , wherein the weighing machine is arranged so that the incidence crosses. an illumination unit that irradiates light to the mounting unit;
a support body on which the imaging unit, the illumination unit, and the measurement unit are arranged,
The imaging section is located above the mounting section in the support body, and is arranged such that an axis in the photographing direction is inclined with respect to the mounting section,
The illumination section is located above the mounting section in the support body, and is arranged such that the optical axis of the light is incident on the mounting section at an angle . 9. The weighing machine according to any one of 9 . The imaging section and the illumination section are arranged in two regions of the mounting surface that are divided by a first straight line passing through the center of the mounting surface when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the mounting section. The weighing machine according to claim 12 , wherein the weighing machine is disposed on a second straight line orthogonal to the first straight line on one of the areas.

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