JP7644959B2 - Weighing device and method for controlling weighing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a weighing device and a method for controlling a weighing device.

There is a weighing device known that performs tare subtraction by storing the weight of an object other than the object being weighed, such as a bag or dish of the object being weighed, in advance, and then measures the net weight.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-009619

A zero reset may be performed if a weight other than 0 is displayed even though nothing is placed on the scale, or if the weight value is unstable. As required by the Measurement Act Inspection and Certification Regulations, performing a zero reset clears the tare weight referenced in the tare subtraction process. However, if you want to perform a zero reset in the middle of a process in which multiple objects are weighed in succession, you need to set the tare weight again, which is cumbersome.

In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic price scale in which, when a product part number is input, product data such as the product name and unit price corresponding to the input part number is read from a part number file, and one of multiple types of tare weight data previously set in correspondence with the input part number is automatically selected according to the conditions and stored in the tare memory.

In the device of Patent Document 1, tare weight data is called up together with the product's part number, so information used only for a specific product, or unique setting information specific to the current task, such as the individual values and indicated number of meat pieces that is used only on the day of the task, is cleared when the product is called up. Re-entering this unique setting information not only increases the amount of work required, but also poses the risk of input errors.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to make it easy to set the tare weight after zero reset.

In order to achieve the above object, a weighing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a weighing device that weighs an object to be weighed and outputs a tare-deducted weighing value by referring to a tare weight, and is equipped with a clearing means for clearing the referenced tare weight, a storage means for storing the tare weight immediately prior to clearing by the clearing means, and an output means for outputting the tare weight stored in the storage means immediately prior to clearing when the tare weight referenced by the clearing means is cleared.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a partially enlarged view showing a key operation unit of the weighing device, and FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing a label issuing unit that issues labels by the weighing device, and an example of an issued label. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the weighing device. 1A is a diagram showing a first example of a weighing and issuing screen, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a second example of a weighing and issuing screen displayed on the weighing device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product information call screen displayed on the weighing device. 1A is a diagram showing a first example of a pop-up screen displayed on the weighing device, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a second example of a pop-up screen displayed on the weighing device. 13A is a diagram showing a third example of a pop-up screen and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a fourth example of a pop-up screen displayed on the weighing device. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the weighing device, (a) a flowchart when a product recall operation is performed, (b) a flowchart when a tare weight is input by an operator, and (c) a flowchart when a zero reset is performed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a weighing and issuing screen displayed on a weighing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Overview of the weighing device (1) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a weighing device (also a product data management device, a weighing and pricing label issuing device, a label issuing device, and a product data processing device) 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This weighing device 1 is installed, for example, in the back yard of a store, and is a device for weighing various products.

The weighing device 1 may also be configured as a weighing and pricing device that performs a pricing process to determine the price of a product based on the weighing result, and an issuing process to issue a label on which this price is printed. The issued label is affixed to various products or product containers. The pricing process and the issuing process may be included in the hardware configuration of a single weighing device 1 together with a functional unit that performs the weighing process, or may be realized in part or in whole by different hardware configurations. In this case, the weighing device 1 has a communication processing unit that transmits data for the pricing process, including at least the weighing result, to an external device such as another terminal or server. The other terminal or server performs the pricing process based on the data.

Furthermore, the issuing process may be performed by a separate label issuing machine that is connected by wire or wirelessly. When the label issuing machine is a separate machine, product price information from an external device may be received by the label issuing machine.
In this embodiment, a case where the weighing device 1 is configured as a weighing value-added device will be described.

As shown in the figure, the weighing device 1 is configured by installing a display unit 5 and a key operation unit 7 on the top surface of the base unit 3, installing a label issuing unit 11 on the front surface of the base unit 3, and further connecting a scale unit 9 for weighing products by a cable. The base unit 3 and the scale unit 9 may be connected by wireless communication.

2A is a diagram showing the key operation unit 7. As shown in the figure, the key operation unit 7 has a numeric keypad 71 used for inputting numbers, a cancel key 73 used for canceling/correcting during a setting operation, a tare key 75 used for inputting/deleting a tare when pricing, a product number key 77 used for calling up a registered product, a unit price key 79 used for inputting a unit price when pricing or switching a fixed-price product to a measured-price product, a fixed price key 81 used for inputting a price of a fixed-price product when pricing or switching a measured-price product to a fixed-price product, and an issue key 83 for receiving input of a print instruction when issuing a label.
The key operation unit 7 also has a zero reset key 85 for adjusting the weighing value of the weighing unit 9 to zero.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), label E is discharged from label issuing unit 11 based on input to issuing key 83, etc. Label E displays the product name, as well as the price per unit amount, such as 100 g, the weight of the contents of the product, and the price of the product calculated by multiplying the price per unit amount and the weight of the contents. Label E also displays a barcode that can be read by a reading device, a best-before date or expiration date, information about the producer, information about the seller, etc.

Label E is automatically printed when the weighing value of the weighing unit 9 stabilizes. If the label printing method is set to "manual," label E is printed when the "print" key is pressed. When label E is removed from the label printing unit 11 and the next object to be weighed is placed on the weighing unit 9, weighing begins. By repeating this operation, multiple objects can be weighed in sequence and a label E corresponding to the weight of the object is printed.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the weighing device 1. The weighing device 1 includes a control unit 20, a weighing unit 9, a printing unit 40, an operation unit 50, and a reading unit 60. The weighing unit 9 includes a load cell 9a and weighs the weight of the product. The printing unit 40 includes a printing mechanism 41. The printing mechanism 41 prints labels and ejects (issues) the printed labels from the label issuing unit 11 shown in Figure 1. The operation unit 50 includes a key operation unit 7 and a display means 5. The display means 5 has a structure in which a touch panel 5b is stacked on a liquid crystal display 5a, and data can be displayed and input on the same surface. The liquid crystal display 5a is an example of an output means that displays various data. When the operator's finger touches the touch panel 5b, it detects the touched position and accepts input according to the detected position. The reading unit 60 includes a scanner 61 and reads information such as barcodes.

The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a load cell control unit 22, a printing control unit 23, an operation control unit 24, a display control unit 25, a ROM 26, a RAM 27, and a reading control unit 28. The CPU 21 is connected to each unit of the control unit 20 via a bus.

The CPU 21 reads out the control program stored in the ROM 26 and various information stored in the RAM 27, and controls each part based on the read control program and various information. The CPU 21 also stores necessary information in the RAM 27. The ROM 26 stores, for example, various information such as various programs executed by the CPU 21. The load cell control unit 22 controls the load cell 9a provided in the weighing unit 9. The printing control unit 23 controls the printing unit 40. The operation control unit 24 controls the key operation unit 7 and the touch panel 5b. The touch panel 5b issues a desired instruction by touching a specific part of the screen G1 or the like displayed on the liquid crystal display 5a, which will be described below. The display control unit 25 controls the liquid crystal display 5a. The RAM 27 is a temporary storage area that stores information used by the CPU 21. The RAM 27 is also a storage means that stores various files. The reading control unit 28 controls the scanner 61 provided in the reading unit 60.

The CPU 21 also functions as an input control unit that acquires information input to the key operation unit 7 and the touch panel 5b via the operation control unit 24. The key operation unit 7 and the touch panel 5b are each an example of an input means.

The CPU 21 also functions as an output control unit that changes the display contents of the weighing and issuing screen G1, described below, that is displayed on the touch panel 5b. The output control unit is configured to output various information to be communicated to the operator, and other methods such as sound may be used instead of or in addition to the configuration of controlling the liquid crystal display 5a to display information as described above.

Screen Example Fig. 4(a) is an example of the weighing and issuing screen G1 displayed on the liquid crystal display 5a. As shown in the figure, the weighing and issuing screen G1 displays a weighing value column G11, a product information column G12, an issuing operation column G13, a status display column G14, etc. In addition, the weighing and issuing screen G1 displays information such as the total number of labels to be issued, the number of labels to be issued, the issuing method, container identification information, the specified content volume, and the upper and lower limits of the weight of the content volume, in addition to providing a setting column G15 for accepting changes to these settings.

The measurement value column G11 has a tare weight column G11a, a measurement value column G11b, a tare subtraction status display column G11c, a unit price column G11d, and a price column G11e.

The tare weight field G11a displays the tare weight value referenced in the tare subtraction process. The measurement value field G11b displays the tare value subtracted from the value measured by the weighing unit 9. In the figure, the tare weight is 5 and there is no object to be weighed on the weighing unit 9, so the measurement value is displayed as "-5". Furthermore, when the measurement value after tare subtraction is displayed in the measurement value field G11b, a display is displayed in the measurement value field G11b indicating that tare subtraction is being performed. In the figure, the tare subtraction status display field G11c located in the upper left of the measurement value field G11b displays "Zero point tare subtraction in progress".

When the zero reset process is input via the key operation unit 7 or touch panel 5b, "0" is displayed in the tare weight field G11a and the measured value field G11b. In addition, the display in the tare subtraction status display field G11c is turned off.

The unit price column G11d is a column that displays the unit price of the called-up product, i.e., the price per unit weight. Here, the price per 100g is displayed. The price column G11e displays the price of the product, calculated based on the unit price and the weight value of the product.

The product information field G12 displays product information such as the product name, delivery method, product number, store number, expiration date, and production date.
As shown in FIG. 5, product information is determined by selection on a product information calling screen G2. A delivery service, product number, and store number are input on the product information calling screen G2. Product information can be called by directly inputting a product number, by selecting by referring to a pre-stored product list, by calling up product numbers before or after the currently displayed product, by calling up using a preset key, and the like. Product classifications are also stored, and the information may be called up from product classifications or sub-classifications. Furthermore, by selecting a group (also called a "line") that is pre-registered according to various sale periods, etc., it may be possible to call up products belonging to that line.

Furthermore, product information for products to be priced by weight may be called up from the history of products for which pricing and label printing have been performed. Here, a configuration may be adopted in which by selecting a date from a date selection screen, product names for which the selected date was the final pricing date can be extracted. At this time, aside from the date selection screen, a history of products for which labels were printed on the same day may be displayed by pressing an icon labeled "Today's work." Furthermore, the information may be called up by searching for a phrase. Furthermore, products with a high number of label printings or product information calls may be displayed in descending order, and a product may be selected from the display. Furthermore, information on a product may be called up by scanning the product's barcode.

The weighing and printing screen G1 in Fig. 4(a) shows a state in which label printing is stopped and key operations are accepted. When the zero reset key 85 of the key operation unit 7 is pressed, a pop-up screen G3 shown in Fig. 6(a) is displayed.
4B shows the weighing and printing screen G1b when a label is being printed. When this screen is displayed, part of the printing operation field G13 and the setting field G15 are grayed out, and no input is accepted other than the "Stop printing" button.

The background of the weighing value column G11 and the product information column G12 changes to a different color when a label is being printed and when label printing is stopped. With this configuration, it is clear at a glance whether the weighing device 1 is printing a label. Furthermore, when label printing is stopped, input is possible using the key operation unit 7, so by checking the background color, it is possible to determine whether key operation is possible.

Functional Section Here, the configuration of the software resources of the weighing device 1 will be described together with examples of screens that are displayed by the operation of the software resources.
The weighing device 1 shown in Fig. 5 includes a control unit 20, which includes a calculation unit such as a CPU 21 for executing information processing, and storage devices such as a RAM 27 and a ROM 26, and thus includes at least a storage unit, a weighing unit, a clear unit, an output control unit, an input control unit, and a determination unit as software resources. The control unit 20 executes a computer program that controls the weighing device 1. The computer program can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or can be provided by recording it on various computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM.

The memory unit is a functional unit that stores at least the tare weight. The memory unit has a product master storage unit that stores a product master that has information about the product, a reference value storage unit that stores a reference value of the tare weight referenced by the weighing unit separately from the product master, and a previous value storage unit that stores the reference value immediately before performing a zero reset, i.e., the previous value. The reference value of the tare weight stored in the reference value storage unit and the previous value stored in the previous value storage unit are stored independently of the product.

The product master stores product information, price information, etc. in association with product identification information (PLU code). The product master also stores the tare weight specified for each product, i.e., the specified weight of the tare. Since the type of tare in which a product is stored is often fixed, this configuration makes it easy to set the tare weight by simply retrieving the product from the product master.

The value stored in the previous value storage unit is the tare weight set immediately before the zero reset is performed. For example, when a product stored in the product master is called up, both the previous value and the reference value are the specified weight. Also, when the tare weight is determined by pressing the tare key 75, both the reference value and the previous value are the determined tare weight. When a zero reset is then performed, the reference value in the reference value storage unit becomes 0, whereas the previous value stored in the previous value storage unit is the reference value set immediately before the zero reset is performed, i.e., the specified weight or the determined weight. Also, when the tare weight is input by the operator by pressing the tare key 75, and the input value is determined to be outside the specified range by the determination unit described later, the previous value is the same as the reference value that was set immediately before the tare weight was input.

When a call-up operation is performed for a product whose specified tare weight registered in the product master is 0, the previous value and reference value become 0. The system may be configured to prohibit the printing of a label when the reference value is 0, and even in this case, an exception may be set to allow the printing of a label when the reference value is 0.

The weighing unit is a functional unit that weighs the object to be weighed placed on the scale unit 9. The weighing unit refers to the tare weight reference value, performs tare subtraction processing from the weighing result, and displays the weight of the contents on the display means 5.

The clearing unit is a functional unit that clears the weighing value from the weighing unit 9 based on a "zero reset" command being input via input means such as the key operation unit 7 and the touch panel 5b. In other words, the clearing unit performs a zero reset, and the weighing value displayed on the display means 5 becomes 0. The clearing unit also resets the tare weight reference value stored in the reference value storage unit to 0. This process complies with the requirements of the Measurement Act Certification and Inspection Regulations.

The output control unit outputs the tare weight stored in the previous value storage unit, i.e., the previous value, when the clearing unit clears the weighing value measured by the weighing unit 9. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6(a), a pop-up screen G3 is displayed superimposed on the weighing issue screen G1, which is an operation screen operated by the operator.
It should be noted that each of the pop-up screens described below may be configured so that the screen displayed on the display means 5 transitions to the content shown on the pop-up screen, instead of being displayed superimposed on part or all of the screen displayed immediately before.

The pop-up screen G3 displays that the tare weight has been cleared due to a zero reset, and that the tare weight will be reset. The pop-up screen G3 also displays the previous value ("7" in this figure). If the previous value is to be used as the tare weight for subsequent weighings, a message is displayed prompting the user to press the "Confirm" button.

When the operator presses the "Confirm" button via the key operation unit 7 or touch panel 5b, the input control unit accepts this input and determines the reference value for the tare weight. In other words, the previous value displayed is stored in the reference value storage unit and is referenced as the reference value for the tare weight in subsequent weighings. With this configuration, the tare weight can be easily set even after the tare has been cleared by a zero reset. This reference value is displayed in the tare weight field G11a on the weighing issue screen G1.

As shown in FIG. 6(b), if the tare weight is not set, a pop-up screen G4 may be displayed to notify an error. The weighing device 1 may be configured to prohibit label printing when the tare weight is zero, and similarly display the pop-up screen G4. This pop-up screen G4 also displays the previous tare weight. This configuration also simplifies resetting, as the operator can check the tare weight that was referenced immediately before the zero reset before resetting it.

When the "Confirm" button is pressed on the pop-up screen G4, for example, the pop-up screen G5 shown in FIG. 7(a) is displayed. This pop-up screen G5 is a screen that accepts the numerical input of the tare weight. The operator can input the tare weight via the numeric keypad 71. At this time, the operator may memorize the tare weight written on the pop-up screen G4 that was displayed immediately before, and input it on the pop-up screen G5.

The pop-up screen G5 may also be displayed if the tare key 75 is pressed when label printing is stopped. This operation is performed, for example, in the back room of a supermarket when the product remains the same but the tray runs out of stock and a different tray needs to be used.

The judgment unit is a functional unit that judges whether the tare weight input by the operator's operation is within a specified range. The judgment unit issues an error notification if the tare weight input on the pop-up screen G5 is not within the specified range. For example, the judgment unit may notify the operator by displaying an error screen on the liquid crystal display 5a via the display control unit, or by using a suitable configuration that the operator can sense, such as a beep or voice, or light.

The judgment unit may refer to the specified weight of the container for the product stored in the product master, and may report an error if the input container weight is smaller than the specified weight. In other words, the judgment unit may report an error if the input container weight is too small compared to the specified weight, that is, if a predetermined threshold value smaller than the specified weight is set and the weight is smaller than the specified threshold. This is because the trays used by the seller of the product are determined to some extent in advance, and it is unlikely that a tray lighter than the specified weight will be used. Also, if the container weight is set to a value smaller than the specified weight, and the actual container weight is the same as the specified weight, more contents will be placed on the container, which could reduce the seller's sales and cause losses.

The determination unit may report an error if the input tare weight is greater than a specified weight. The determination unit may also report an error if the input tare weight is too large compared to the specified weight, i.e., if a predetermined threshold value greater than the specified weight is set and the weight is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Processing Flow The processing flow for storing and outputting the previous value will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in Fig. 8(a), when a product is called up from the product master (step S11), the specified container weight of the product stored in the product master is stored as a reference value and a previous value (step S12). Also, as shown in Fig. 8(b), when a container weight is input via the input means by the operator (step S21), the input weight is stored as a reference value and a previous value (step S22).

As shown in FIG. 8(c), when a zero reset is input (step S31), the measurement value and the reference value are set to 0 (step S32). Next, the previous value is output via the output means (step S33).

The weighing value device according to this embodiment makes it easy to set the tare weight after zero reset.

●Weight value marking device (2)
Here, the second embodiment of the measuring device according to the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment will not be described and the same reference numerals will be used where appropriate.
As shown in Fig. 9, in the weighing and issuing screen G101 in this embodiment, a tare weight setting field G151 is provided in the setting field G15. When this tare weight setting field G151 is selected and the numeric keypad 71 is pressed, the tare weight is set. At this time, the previous value may be displayed on the screen. With this configuration, the tare weight can be easily set even after a zero reset.

●Weight value marking device (3)
Here, a third embodiment of the weighing value tagging device according to the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, when a zero reset is performed, a tare weight measurement screen is displayed. With this configuration, even if the reference value becomes 0 due to the zero reset process, the tare weight can be measured and set immediately, which is convenient.

Overview of the embodiment The present invention relates to a metered value attaching device and a method for controlling the metered value attaching device.

There is a weighing device known that performs tare subtraction by storing the weight of an object other than the object being weighed, such as a bag or dish of the object being weighed, in advance, and then measures the net weight.

Patent document 1 is JP 04-009619 A.

A zero reset may be performed if a weight other than 0 is displayed even though nothing is placed on the scale, or if the weight value is unstable. As required by the Measurement Act Inspection and Certification Regulations, performing a zero reset clears the tare weight referenced in the tare subtraction process. However, if you want to perform a zero reset in the middle of a process in which multiple objects are weighed in succession, you need to set the tare weight again, which is cumbersome.

In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic price scale in which, when a product part number is input, product data such as the product name and unit price corresponding to the input part number is read from a part number file, and one of multiple types of tare weight data previously set in correspondence with the input part number is automatically selected according to the conditions and stored in the tare memory.

In the device of Patent Document 1, tare weight data is called up together with the product's part number, so information used only for a specific product, or unique setting information specific to the current task, such as the individual values and indicated number of meat pieces that is used only on the day of the task, is cleared when the product is called up. Re-entering this unique setting information not only increases the amount of work required, but also poses the risk of input errors.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to make it easy to set the tare weight after zero reset.

In order to achieve the above object, a weighing value assignment device according to one aspect of the present invention is a weighing value assignment device that weighs an object to be weighed and outputs a tare-deducted weighing value by referring to a tare weight, and is equipped with a clearing means for clearing the referenced tare weight, a storage means for storing the tare weight immediately prior to clearing by the clearing means, and an output means for outputting the tare weight stored in the storage means immediately prior to clearing when the referenced tare weight is cleared by the clearing means.

The output means may display the tare weight stored in the storage means immediately before the clearing on an operation screen operated by an operator.

The device may further include an input means for receiving input regarding the tare weight, and the storage means may store the tare weight determined by an operator's operation via the input means.

The device may further include a determination means for determining whether the tare weight input via the input means is within a predetermined range, and the determination means may be configured to notify an error if the tare weight is not within the predetermined range.

The determination means may be configured to notify an error if the tare weight is not set and to output the tare weight immediately before the clearing.

The storage means may store a product master that stores information about the product in addition to the reference value for the tare weight, and the product master may store a standard tare weight that is specified for each product, and the determination means may notify an error if the input tare weight is smaller than the standard weight.

In order to achieve the above object, a control method for a weighing and price-adding device according to another aspect of the present invention is a control method for a weighing and price-adding device that weighs an object to be weighed and displays a tare-deducted weighing value by referring to a tare weight, and includes a clearing step in which the referenced tare weight is cleared, a storage step in which the tare weight immediately before being cleared by the clearing step is stored, and an output step in which, when the referenced tare weight is cleared by the clearing step, the tare weight immediately before being cleared that is stored in the storage step is output.

The weighing device of the present invention allows you to easily set the tare weight after zero reset.

1 Measurement value attaching device 5 Display means (output means)
7 Key operation section 85 Zero reset key 9 Weighing section 11 Label issuing section G1 Screen with measurement value G3 Pop-up screen G4 Pop-up screen G5 Pop-up screen G6 Pop-up screen

Claims (5)

A setting means for setting a tare weight when weighing an object to be weighed;
a weighing means for weighing the object to be weighed and outputting a tare-subtracted weight value by referring to the tare weight;
a clearing means for clearing the tare weight and the weighed value ;
a storage means for storing the tare weight immediately before being cleared by the clearing means;
a printing means for printing information on the object to be weighed, including the weight value;
A display means;
Equipped with
The display means includes:
When the clearing is performed by the clearing means, a first notification image is displayed to indicate that the clearing has been performed and the value of the tare weight immediately before the clearing which is stored in the memory means;
The printing means includes:
If the tare weight is not set after the clearing is performed, printing of the information on the object to be weighed is restricted.
Weighing device. When a predetermined operation is performed on the first notification image, the container weight immediately before the clearing is set to the setting means.
2. The weighing device of claim 1. When the container weight has not been set after the clearing is performed, the display means displays a second notification image indicating that the container weight has not been set and the value of the container weight immediately before the clearing that is stored in the storage means.
3. A weighing device according to claim 1 or 2. The setting means can set the inputted arbitrary tare weight after the clearing is performed,
the storage means stores a product master that stores information about the product in addition to the container weight immediately before the clearing;
The product master stores a specified container weight for each product,
When the input container weight value is smaller than the specified weight value, the display means displays a third notification image for notifying the user that the input container weight value is smaller than the specified weight value and the specified weight value.
A weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A setting step for setting a tare weight when weighing an object to be weighed;
a weighing step of weighing the object to be weighed and outputting a tare-subtracted weight value by referring to the tare weight;
a clearing step in which the tare weight and the weighed value are cleared;
a storage step for storing the tare weight immediately before being cleared by the clearing step;
a printing step of printing information about the object to be weighed including the weight value;
A display step;
Including,
The display step includes:
When the clearing step is performed , a first notification image is displayed to indicate that the clearing step has been performed and the value of the tare weight immediately before the clearing step that is stored in the storage step.
The printing step includes:
If the tare weight is not set after the clearing is performed, printing of the information on the object to be weighed is restricted.
A method for controlling a weighing device.

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