Measurement instrument, especially for level or pressure measurement with speech assistance

The invention relates to a measurement instrument, especially for level and pressure measurement with a controller (9), which is connected to a memory unit (8), an input unit (11), and also an output unit (12). Here, the output unit (12) is embodied as an acoustic output unit. According to the invention, operator and/or operating parameters are stored in the memory unit (8) and can be output as audible speech signals from the output unit (12) by activating the input unit (11).

The invention relates to a measurement instrument, especially a level or pressure measurement instrument according to the preamble of Claim1.

Such level measurement instruments are sold, e.g., under the name VEGAFLEX series 60 by the applicant. Pressure measurement instruments are sold by the applicant under the name VEGABAR.

Level measurement instruments and pressure measurement instruments, such as pressure measurement instruments, vibration measurement instruments, etc., usually require some information that must be reported to the level measurement instrument by the user for the instrument to function correctly. This information can be, e.g., on the one hand, an equalization, which converts the measured physical parameter into a parameter desired by the user (e.g., from meters into volume percent) or on the other hand, parameters, which report the environmental conditions, in which the instrument is used, to the level measurement instrument (e.g., the filling material in the container).

Until now, this information has been input either by means of a PC, which is equipped with suitable software or which must be connected to the level measurement instrument, or by means of buttons located on the level measurement instrument supported by a display2that is also provided on the level measurement instrument. However, the size of the display2in the latter variant is limited as a condition of the structural size of the measurement instrument, so that the display must be limited to essential information, e.g., the parameters to be set. Context-related auxiliary functions for the menu visible in display2thus cannot be displayed on the same display2, with the result that this information must be taken from a separate, printed operating manual enclosed with the measurement instrument.

According to this invention, in practice this situation represents a problem, because the operating manual is not always to be found in the immediate vicinity of the level measurement instrument.

The present invention begins here.

The goal of the invention is to make a separate operating manual for the start-up of a measurement instrument unnecessary and nevertheless still to provide the user with information on the operator and operating parameters during the parameterization of the measurement instrument.

This goal is realized according to the invention by the features mentioned in Claim1.

By means of a loudspeaker and/or headphones7, the user receives audible assistance in the form of speech signals, which give information on operator or operating parameters, so that detailed visual representation, as well as context-related auxiliary functions in the display2of the level measurement instrument, can be eliminated. Furthermore, an operating manual enclosed with the measurement instrument is no longer absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, the user is in the position to operate the measurement instrument in a qualified way. The use of a measurement instrument according to the invention is intended especially for situations in which the measurement instrument can be accessed only with difficulty (e.g., on silos). In such situations, the user must dedicate more attention to his safety or he is fitted with corresponding instrument poles, which make carrying along an operating manual, as well as finding corresponding passages in this manual, impossible.

Refinements of the invention are the object of the subordinate claims.

In one especially advantageous configuration of the invention, there is a first transmitting and receiving unit5for the wireless transmission of the audible speech signals to the output device12. Therefore, cables, e.g., to headphones7, which were often found to be a nuisance to the user, because they could sometimes considerably restrict his freedom of movement, can be eliminated.

A preferred field of application of the invention includes level or pressure measurement instruments.

Unless otherwise indicated, the same reference symbols designate equivalent parts with equivalent meaning in the following figures.

FIG. 1shows a top view of a level measurement instrument. In the middle of the housing cover1of the level measurement instrument, which is, e.g., round, there is a display2; directly underneath this part are the input buttons3. These buttons permit the user to input the information necessary for correct functioning of the level measurement instrument supported visually by the display2. Above the display2is a socket4to which headphones or a loudspeaker7can be attached. By means of these headphones or loudspeaker7, audible speech signals, which make it easier for the user to carry out the input by means of the input buttons3, are transmitted to the user.

FIG. 2shows a somewhat different configuration of the level measurement instrument, which is essentially oriented, however, to the variant shown inFIG. 1. One difference is the expansion of the input buttons3by a repeat button6, which can be pressed to repeat the last audible speech signal. This function is important because under some circumstances the field of application of this level measurement instrument can lead to increased noise effects. Another difference is the built-in interface5, by means of which the wireless, audible signals can be received, e.g., by headphones. For the wireless transmission of audible signals, infrared or Bluetooth® technology can be used. A corresponding receiver part, which was shown as a separate unit inFIG. 2for reasons of easier illustration, is found on the headphones7.

FIG. 3shows the schematic setup of the level measurement instrument. The central component is a microprocessor9as a controller. Attached to this are an input unit11in the form of input buttons3and an output unit12in the form of a digital-to-analog converter10connected to a loudspeaker7. The speech signals are stored in several regions of a memory unit8. By using several regions, it is possible to output the speech signals in several languages, as well as in different levels of detail.

If the level measurement instrument is mounted on a container whose level is to be measured, the user reports information that is necessary for exact measurement, e.g., what type of filling material is in the container, to the measurement instrument by means of the input buttons3. To perform this data input, the user must find the correct menu item with which he can perform his input, by means of a menu that is visible on the display2. Now, during the operation the user receives explanations on the menu shown on the display2and/or the steps to be completed, such as the possible button presses, through speech commands.

FIG. 4shows a section from the menu visible in display2. If the user reaches this point, he could hear, e.g., the following spoken text: “Linearization curve—The linearization curve calculates a volume-proportional percentage from the height-proportional percentage. If the 100% calibration agrees with the top edge of the container and the 0% calibration agrees with the bottom edge of the container, you can use the predefined curves of a round tank lying in a horizontal position or a spherical tank. If not, under ‘freely programmable’ you can input a matching curve.—To set a different value, press OK.”

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS