WEIGHING APPARATUS AND WEIGHING METHOD USING THE SAME WEIGHING APPARATUS

A weighing apparatus includes a level gauge, a weight sensor, a accelerometer configured to detect acceleration changes of two axes of x, y on a virtual horizontal plane of the weight sensor, a storage unit configured to store reference outputs of the two axes of the accelerometer when the weight sensor is horizontal and at a reference position and temperature, and an arithmetic processing unit, where the level gauge includes a light emitting unit configured to make the inside luminescent, the arithmetic processing unit compares current outputs of the accelerometer of the weighing apparatus with the reference outputs, and detects an output change occurring in the x and/or y as a tilt of the weighing apparatus, and the light emitting unit is configured to be capable of switching between a first operation mode when the weighing apparatus is horizontal and a second operation mode when a tilt is detected.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a weighing apparatus capable of notifying a user of the necessity for a horizontal adjustment, and a weighing method using the same weighing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Literature 1 discloses a weighing apparatus including a level gauge with a light that emits light with a light bulb as illustrated inFIG.1, and this weighing apparatus can make a horizontal adjustment even at the time of installation in a dark place.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Published Examined Utility Model Application No. S54-32934

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The weighing apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is convenient in the point that a horizontal adjustment thereof is possible even in a dark place. However, the light of the conventional level gauge is insufficient as a means that alerts a user of the necessity for a horizontal adjustment of the weighing apparatus even though the light can make a bubble more visible, and there has been a problem that the user uses the weighing apparatus without making a horizontal adjustment and accurate weighing is not performed. Therefore, it is preferable that if the level gauge installed for the purpose of horizontal adjustments can make a user strongly recognize the necessity for a horizontal adjustment corresponding to a tilt level of the installed weighing apparatus, the user will be urged to make a horizontal adjustment.

In view of the above-described problem, the present invention provides a weighing apparatus capable of notifying a user of a horizontal state of a weighing apparatus detected independently of a level gauge, by a light emission mode of the level gauge caused by a light emitting unit, and a weighing method using the same weighing apparatus.

Solution to Problem

A weighing apparatus includes a level gauge configured to indicate whether horizontal installation of the weighing apparatus is suitable, a weight sensor, a multi-axial accelerometer configured to detect acceleration changes of two axes of x, y by setting the x-axis and y-axis on a virtual horizontal plane of the weight sensor and setting a z-axis in a direction orthogonal to the virtual horizontal plane, a storage unit configured to store reference outputs of the two axes of the multi-axial accelerometer when the weight sensor is installed horizontally and at a reference position at a reference temperature, and an arithmetic processing unit, where the level gauge includes a light emitting unit configured to make the inside luminescent when turned on, the arithmetic processing unit compares current outputs of the two axes generated in the multi-axial accelerometer at an installation position of the weighing apparatus with the reference outputs, and detects an output change occurring in the x-axis and/or y-axis of the multi-axial accelerometer as a tilt occurring in the weighing apparatus, and the light emitting unit is configured be capable of switching between a first operation mode when the weighing apparatus is installed horizontally and a second operation mode when a tilt of the weighing apparatus is detected.

(Operation) When the light emitting unit operates in the first operation mode, the light emitting unit is maintained in a turned-off mode in the daytime or in a first turned-on mode at night, for example, with which the level gauge indicates that the weighing apparatus has been installed in a horizontal state, and when the light emitting unit operates in the second operation mode, the light emitting unit is turned on even in the daytime or changed into a second turned-on mode different from the first turned-on mode at night, for example, with which the level gauge indicates that the weighing apparatus has a tilt.

It is preferable that the arithmetic processing unit determines a tilt level of the weighing apparatus from the output change, and gradually changes a light emission mode in the second operation mode based on the tilt level.

(Operation) With a gradual change in the light emission mode of the level gauge based on the tilt level of the weighing apparatus, a user is notified of the tilt level of the installed weighing apparatus.

It is preferable that the arithmetic processing unit determines which of a plurality of successive numerical value ranges 1, 2 . . . n to determine a tilt level an output change Xh, Yh in the x-axis and/or y-axis of the multi-axial accelerometer falls within in the following equations (1) and (2), and the light emitting unit makes the level gauge emit light in a light emission mode that differs according to the numerical value range that the output change Xh, Yh falls within.

provided that
Xout (θ): x component to be output from the multi-axial accelerometer at an angle θ
Yout (θ): y component to be output from the multi-axial accelerometer at an angle θ
Xout (0): x component of reference output of the multi-axial accelerometer
Yout (0): y component of reference output of the multi-axial accelerometer

(Operation) A tilt level is determined from the output change Xh, Yh in the x-axis and/or y-axis of the multi-axial accelerometer calculated by the arithmetic processing unit, and the level gauge emits light in a light emission mode that differs for each tilt level.

It is preferable that the arithmetic processing unit changes a flashing speed of the light emitting unit in a stepwise manner according to a detected change of the tilt level in the second operation mode.

(Operation) A change in flashing speed of the level gauge caused by the light emitting unit indicates deterioration or improvement of the horizontal adjustment.

It is preferable that the arithmetic processing unit changes a turning-on intensity of the light emitting unit in a stepwise manner according to a detected change of the tilt level in the second operation mode.

(Operation) A change in turning-on intensity of the light emitting unit of the level gauge caused by the light emitting unit indicates deterioration or improvement of the horizontal adjustment.

It is preferable that the light emitting unit in the weighing apparatus is configured to be capable of making the level gauge emit light in a plurality of different colors, and the arithmetic processing unit makes the light emitting unit emit light in different colors in a stepwise manner according to a detected change of the tilt level in the second operation mode.

(Operation) A change in turning-on color of the level gauge caused by the light emitting unit indicates deterioration or improvement of the horizontal adjustment.

A weighing method using a weighing apparatus including a level gauge including a light emitting unit configured to make the inside luminescent when turned on, a weight sensor, a multi-axial accelerometer configured to detect acceleration changes of two axes of x, y by setting the x-axis and y-axis on a virtual horizontal plane of the weight sensor and setting a z-axis in a direction orthogonal to the virtual horizontal plane, a storage unit configured to store reference outputs of the two axes of the multi-axial accelerometer when the weight sensor is installed horizontally and at a reference position at a reference temperature, and an arithmetic processing unit, where the arithmetic processing unit executes a current output acquiring step in which current outputs on the two axes generated in the multi-axial accelerometer at an installation position of the weighing apparatus are acquired, an output change acquiring step in which the current outputs are compared with the reference outputs and an output change occurring in the x-axis and/or y-axis of the multi-axial accelerometer is acquired, a tilt detecting step in which whether the weighing apparatus has a tilt is detected based on the output change, and an installed state notifying step in which the light emitting unit is operated in either a first operation mode or a second operation mode based on whether a tilt has been detected.

(Operation) The level gauge illuminated by the light emitting unit operated in a first operation mode indicates that the weighing apparatus has been installed in a horizontal state, and the level gauge illuminated by the light emitting unit operated in a second operation mode different from the first operation mode indicates that the weighing apparatus has a tilt.

It is preferable that the arithmetic processing unit executes the installed state notifying step and operates the light emitting unit in the second operation mode, and executes a tilt level determining step in which a tilt level of the weighing apparatus is determined from the output change, and a tilt level notifying step in which the light emitting unit is made to emit light in a light emission mode that gradually changes according to an increase/decrease in the tilt level, the mode differing for each determined level of the tilt level.

(Operation) A gradual change in the light emission mode of the level gauge based on a tilt level of the weighing apparatus notifies a user of the tilt level of the installed weighing apparatus.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the weighing apparatus, a user is made to visually recognize a change from the first operation mode to the second operation mode occurring in the light emitting unit of the level gauge, for example, a change from a turned-off state to a turned-on state in the daytime, or a change in turning-on mode at night, and the user is alerted that the weighing apparatus has been installed in a tilting state when the light emitting unit is operating in the second operation mode, and accordingly, the necessity for a horizontal adjustment can be strongly impressed upon the user.

According to the weighing apparatus, a user who makes a horizontal adjustment can gradually recognize a tilt level change by visually recognizing, in addition to a position of a bubble of the level gauge, a change in light emission mode that occurs gradually, and therefore the user can easily recognize whether the installation of the weighing apparatus is coming closer to horizontality or is tilting further.

According to the weighing apparatus, a user who makes a horizontal adjustment can easily recognize that the tilt of the installed weighing apparatus has deteriorated or the tilt has been improved and the weighing apparatus has come closer to horizontality by visually recognizing, in addition to a position of a bubble of the level gauge, a stepwise change in flashing speed of the level gauge caused by the light emitting unit.

According to the weighing apparatus, a user who makes a horizontal adjustment can easily recognize that the tilt of the installed weighing apparatus has deteriorated or the tilt has been improved and the weighing apparatus has come closer to horizontality by visually recognizing, in addition to a position of a bubble of the level gauge, a stepwise change in turning-on intensity of the level gauge caused by the light emitting unit.

According to the weighing apparatus, a user who makes a horizontal adjustment can easily recognize that the tilt of the installed weighing apparatus has deteriorated or the tilt has been improved and the weighing apparatus has come closer to horizontality by visually recognizing, in addition to a position of a bubble of the level gauge, a change in light emission color of the level gauge caused by the light emitting unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a weighing apparatus1for carrying out a weighing method of the present invention, andFIG.2is a plan view of the weighing apparatus1. The weighing apparatus1is configured with an operation and display unit2, a main body unit3, and a junction portion8joining these units.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the operation and display unit2includes a display unit4consisting of a liquid crystal screen or an organic EL screen, etc., and a plurality of operation buttons5. The main body unit3includes a main body case6, a weighing pan7, and a level gauge9. The display unit4displays a weighed value and a weighing result, etc., of a weighing object loaded on the weighing pan7, and the plurality of operation buttons5of the weighing apparatus are used based on their respective roles for changing settings of the weighing apparatus1such as changing display contents on the display unit4, changing a weighing mode of the weighing apparatus1, and resetting a weighed value, etc. Inside the main body case6, a weighing mechanism13described later, etc., are accommodated. The weighing pan7is provided in the weighing mechanism13, and is loaded with a weighing object.

For the level gauge9, a container9dis filled with a liquid9bin a state where one bubble9cis formed inside the container, and is closed at an upper end opening by a transparent or semi-transparent top cover9aon which an adjustment reference circle9eis formed. Inside a case16at a rear end of the main body unit3, an accommodation portion15that fixes the level gauge9is provided in an integral manner. The accommodation portion15is formed into a hollow columnar shape having an inner circumferential wall15dand a bottom portion15e,and is lidded from above by a light diffusion portion15c.The light diffusion portion15cis formed into a flange shape from acrylic resin or the like provided with frosting over an entire region except for a region of a transparent circular translucent portion15bat a center, and integrally includes a cylindrical projection portion15c1projecting downward along an outer circumference of the translucent portion15b.The level gauge9is fixed to a center of the bottom portion15einside the accommodation portion15. The top cover9ais installed in a state of contact with the entirety of the cylindrical projection portion15c1of the light diffusion portion15c,while being spaced from the translucent portion15b.Also, the accommodation portion15is covered from above by a circular sheet17that is slightly larger than an inner diameter of the inner circumferential wall15d.The sheet17is formed of an opaque non-translucent portion17aand a transparent translucent portion17bformed at a center of the non-translucent portion17a(the translucent portion17bmay be a circular through hole). The sheet17includes the translucent portion17bdisposed along an outer circumference of the translucent portion15b,and is disposed so as to cover the light diffusion portion15cby the non-translucent portion17a.

The bubble9cand the adjustment reference circle9eof the level gauge9are exposed to the outside through the translucent portion15band the translucent portion17b.The bubble9cis positioned at a center of the adjustment reference circle9eof the level gauge9when the weighing apparatus1is installed horizontally. On the inner circumferential wall15dof the accommodation portion15, an LED10as a light emitting unit configured to emit light toward the light diffusion portion15cis disposed. On the bottom portion15einside the accommodation portion15, a large number of fine bumps and dips are formed. Irradiation light L1by the LED10is applied toward the bottom portion15ehaving bumps and dips, and irregularly reflected inside the accommodation portion15c.Further, the irregularly reflected light L2is diffused inside the frosted light diffusion portion15ctoward the translucent portion15band is shielded from above by the non-translucent portion17aof the sheet17, and accordingly, the light is entirely applied to the level gauge9and brightly illuminates the bubble9cand the adjustment reference circle9e.The light emitted by the LED10is irregularly reflected by the bumps and dips of the bottom portion15einside the accommodation portion15, and illuminates the inside of the level gauge9by diffused light made by further being transmitted through the light diffusion portion15c,so that a problem in which a line of light is generated inside the level gauge9and causes difficulty in viewing the bubble9cand the adjustment reference circle9edoes not occur. The LED10is preferably formed to be capable of switching a light emission color by being provided with a multi-color light emitting unit, however, the light emission color may be a single color. The light emitting unit of the level gauge9is not limited to the LED10, and may use a light emitting device light source such as a laser diode or a bulb as long as the light emitting unit of the level gauge9is configured to be capable of emitting light in a single color or multiple colors.

Next, with reference toFIGS.1to3, a detailed overall configuration of the weighing apparatus1of the present invention will be described. The operation and display unit2includes, in addition to the display unit4and the operation buttons5installed so as to be exposed to the outside, an arithmetic processing unit11and a storage unit12inside. The arithmetic processing unit11consists of an arithmetic control device such as a CPU. The display unit4, the operation buttons5, and the storage unit12are respectively connected to the arithmetic processing unit11and controlled by the arithmetic processing unit11.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the main body unit3includes the level gauge9, and a weighing mechanism13inside. The weighing mechanism13is an electromagnetic weighing mechanism, and includes a weight sensor14a,a Roberval mechanism14b,an A/D converter18, and a multi-axial accelerometer28.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the weighing pan7is provided in the Roberval mechanism14b,and the Roberval mechanism14bis connected to the weight sensor14a.The Roberval mechanism14bis a mechanism that transmits a load of a weighing object applied onto the weighing pan7to the weight sensor14a.The weight sensor14ais connected to the arithmetic processing unit11via the A/D converter18, and is controlled by the arithmetic processing unit11.

The multi-axial accelerometer28illustrated inFIG.3consists of a capacitance type biaxial accelerometer or triaxial accelerometer such as an MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) sensor that generates a voltage change according to changes in installation direction, installation height, and environmental temperature of an installation location, and is connected to the arithmetic processing unit11. The multi-axial accelerometer28fixed to the weighing apparatus1detects output values of gravitational accelerations and tilt angles of two axes of x, y from voltage value changes occurring when the weighing apparatus is installed at a measurement site from a reference position.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the operation and display unit2includes the arithmetic processing unit11and the storage unit12inside. The arithmetic processing unit11is an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU, and includes a current output acquiring unit19, an output change acquiring unit20, a tilt determining unit21, a light emission control unit22, and an elapsed time acquiring unit23. The display unit4and the operation buttons5are respectively connected to the arithmetic processing unit11, and display contents and display/hiding of the display contents of the display unit4are controlled by the arithmetic processing unit11. Turning-on/off and light emission color selection of the LED10of the level gauge9are controlled by the light emission control unit22of the arithmetic processing unit11.

In the storage unit12, Xout (0) and Yout (0) as output values of angles of the x-axis and y-axis of the incorporated multi-axial accelerometer28when the weighing apparatus1is installed horizontally are stored in advance as reference outputs.

Next, Example 1 of a tilt detecting method using the weighing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.4. When a user installs the weighing apparatus1at a measurement site and plugs an AC adapter (not illustrated) into an outlet, the arithmetic processing unit11of the weighing apparatus1executes a current output acquiring step S1by the current output acquiring unit19, and acquires current outputs: Xout (θ) and Yout (θ) related to angles of the x-axis and y-axis of the multi-axial accelerometer28measured at the measurement site.

Next, the arithmetic processing unit11executes an output change acquiring step S2by the output change acquiring unit20, and calculates an output change Xh, Yh occurring in the x-axis and/or y-axis of the multi-axial accelerometer28from the current outputs acquired at the installation location and reference outputs at the time of horizontal installation read from the storage unit12by using the following equations (1) and (2).

Subsequently, the arithmetic processing unit11executes a tilt detecting step S3by the tilt detecting unit21, and detects whether Xh and/or Yh of the installed weighing apparatus1is at a numerical value within a predetermined threshold range approximating 0 from which the weighing apparatus1can be determined to have been installed horizontally. Specifically, when 0≤Xh≤a0 and 0≤Yh≤a0 (a0 is a limit value from which horizontality can be determined) are reached, the tilt determining unit21determines that the weighing apparatus has been installed horizontally based on Xh and Yh being both at numerical values within the threshold range, and when Xh>a0 or Yh>a0 is reached, the tilt determining unit21determines that the weighing apparatus has been installed in a tilting state based on either Xh or Yh being at a numerical value outside the threshold range.

When horizontal installation of the weighing apparatus1is detected based on Xh and Yh being both at numerical values within the threshold range, the arithmetic processing unit11executes a horizontality notifying step S4as an installed state notifying step by the light emission control unit22, and operates the LED10in a first operation mode. Specifically, by maintaining the LED10in a turned-off mode or turning the LED10on, the arithmetic processing unit11notifies a user that it is unnecessary to make a horizontal adjustment of the installed weighing apparatus1. The arithmetic processing unit11acquires an elapsed time of the first operation mode by the elapsed time acquiring unit23, and terminates the first operation mode of the LED10by executing a horizontality notification terminating step S5by the light emission control unit22after the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, after 10 seconds elapse from the start of the first operation mode) in which the user is believed to have sufficiently confirmed the horizontal installation of the weighing apparatus1. At this time, the light emission control unit22turns the LED10off when the first operation mode is a turned-on state. Then, the arithmetic processing unit11shifts the weighing apparatus into a weighable state, and weighing by the user is performed.

On the other hand, when the arithmetic processing unit11detects installation of the weighing apparatus1in a tilting state based on Xh or Yh being at a numerical value outside the threshold range in the tilt detecting step S3, the arithmetic processing unit11operates the LED10in the second operation mode by the light emission control unit22based on further tilt determination results by the tilt determining unit21.

Specifically, the arithmetic processing unit11executes tilt level determining steps S6, S7. . . . Sn as part of the installed state notifying step in order by the tilt detecting unit21, and determines which of a first threshold range to an nth threshold range either larger numerical value of the numerical values of Xh and Yh falls within. Here, the ranges from a first threshold to an nth threshold are ranges obtained by equally dividing a range from a limit value a0 from which horizontality can be determined to a limit value an from which a tilt is detectable by n, and are the first threshold range being set as a0<Xh≤a1 or a0<Yh≤a1, the second threshold range being set as a1<Xh≤a2 or a1<Yh≤a2, . . . the nth threshold range being set as a (n-1)<Xh≤an or a (n-1)<Yh≤an. Tilt levels of the installed weighing apparatus1are set as a first tilt level, a second tilt level . . . an nth tilt level by respectively corresponding to the first threshold, the second threshold . . . the nth threshold. A tilt of the installed weighing apparatus1becomes minimum at the first tilt level, and the tilt increases as the tilt level number becomes larger, and becomes maximum at the nth tilt level.

When the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh falls within the first threshold range and is the first tilt level in the tilt level determining step S6, the arithmetic processing unit11executes a tilt level notifying step S6′ by the light emission control unit22, and makes the LED10flash at a first speed. On the other hand, when the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh is outside the first threshold range, the arithmetic processing unit11makes the tilt determining unit21execute the tilt level determining step S7. When the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh falls within the second threshold range and is the second tilt level in Step S7, the arithmetic processing unit11executes a tilt level notifying step S7′ by the light emission control unit22, and makes the LED10flash at a second speed higher than the first speed. On the other hand, when the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh is outside the second threshold range, the arithmetic processing unit11executes a step of determining whether the value falls within the next threshold range by the tilt determining unit21. By executing the tilt level determining steps S6to Sn in order in this way, the tilt determining unit21of the arithmetic processing unit11judges which of the first to nth threshold ranges either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh falls within to determine a tilt level, and the light emission control unit22makes the LED10flash at a speed corresponding to the tilt level by executing a corresponding tilt level notifying step. When either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh reaches the nth tilt level that is the maximum tilt level of the weighing apparatus1(the tilt level determining step Sn), the arithmetic processing unit11executes a step Sn′ by the light emission control unit22, and makes the LED10flash at a highest nth speed.

In Example 1, a flashing speed of the level gauge9that is illuminated by the LED10increases as the tilt level goes higher, and the flashing speed increases, in such a manner as the first speed (lowest)<the second speed (slightly higher than the first speed)< . . . <the n-1th speed (slightly lower than the nth speed)<the nth speed (highest), as the tilt of the installed weighing apparatus1increases.

The user visually recognizes a flashing speed of the level gauge9caused by the LED10, and is made strongly aware that the tilt of the weighing apparatus1increases as the flashing speed increases, and accordingly, the user is urged to make a horizontal adjustment. The arithmetic processing unit11of the weighing apparatus1executes any of the tilt level notifying steps S6′, S7′ . . . . Sn′ by the light emission control unit22, and then repeatedly executes Step S3by the tilt level determining unit based on a horizontal adjustment made by the user, and as long as a tilt is determined, the arithmetic processing unit11repeatedly makes determinations of the tilt determining steps S6to Sn and flashing of the LED10at any of the speeds of the tilt level notifying steps S6′ to Sn′. The flashing speed of the LED10gradually changes based on deterioration or improvement of the horizontal adjustment made by the user, so that the user can recognize that the horizontal adjustment has deteriorated further based on an increase in flashing speed of the LED10, and that the horizontal adjustment has been improved and the apparatus has come closer to horizontality based on a decrease in flashing speed.

When the tilt determining unit21of the arithmetic processing unit11detects that both of Xh and Yh are both at numerical values within the threshold range due to a horizontal adjustment made by the user, the tilt determining unit21determines that the weighing apparatus1has been reinstalled horizontally, and executes the horizontality notifying step S4by the light emission control unit22and operates the LED10in the first operation mode. At this time, the LED10shifts from the flashing state to a turned-off state or a turned-on state, and notifies the user that the horizontal adjustment of the installed weighing apparatus1has been completed. After a predetermined time elapses, the arithmetic processing unit11terminates the first operation mode of the LED10by executing the horizontality notification terminating step S5by the light emission control unit22, and shifts the weighing apparatus into a weighable state, and accordingly, weighing by the user is performed.

In Example 1, the necessity for a horizontal adjustment is indicated to a user by a flashing speed of the level gauge9just after the power supply is turned on. The user is made more strongly aware that the weighing apparatus11has been installed on a tilt as the flashing speed of the level gauge9increases, and accordingly, the user is urged to make a horizontal adjustment. In the weighing apparatus1, in the second operation mode of the LED10, it is also possible that as the tilt level goes higher from the first tilt level to the nth tilt level, the corresponding LED flashing speed is decreased. In this case, based on a stepwise increase in flashing speed of the LED according to a decrease in tilt level, the user can be made to recognize that the horizontal adjustment is coming to an end.

Next, with reference toFIG.5, Example 2 of a tilt detecting method using the weighing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In the tilt detecting method of Example 2, except that the first operation mode of the LED10in the horizontality notifying step S4and turning-on/off modes of the LED10in tilt level notifying steps S6″, S7″ . . . . Sn″ in the second operation mode are different, means common to Example 1 is carried out. In the horizontality notifying step S4of Example 2, the LED10that operates in the first operation mode is maintained in a turned-off state or a flashing state. In the second operation mode of the LED10in Example 1, by increasing the flashing speed of the LED10as a tilt level of the weighing apparatus1determined from either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh goes higher, improvement or deterioration of the tilt level is notified to a user, however, in the second operation mode of Example 2, as the tilt level goes higher, the light emission intensity of the LED10is increased in a stepwise manner.

In Example 2, the following processing is performed specifically in the second operation mode. First, the arithmetic processing unit11executes the tilt level determining steps S6, S7. . . . Sn in order by the tilt determining unit21, and determines which of the first threshold range to the nth threshold range either larger numerical value of the numerical values of Xh and Yh falls within. The first threshold range to the nth threshold range and the corresponding first tilt level to nth tilt level are the same as in Example 1. When the tilt level determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh falls within the first threshold range and is the first tilt level in the tilt level determining step S6, the arithmetic processing unit11executes the tilt level notifying step S6″ by the light emission control unit22, and turns the LED10on at a first intensity. On the other hand, when the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh is outside the first threshold range, the arithmetic processing unit11makes the tilt determining unit21execute the tilt level determining step S7. When it is determined that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh falls within the second threshold range and is the second tilt level, the arithmetic processing unit11makes the light emission control unit22execute the tilt level notifying step S7″, and turns the LED10on at a second intensity higher than the first intensity.

On the other hand, when the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh is outside the second threshold range, the arithmetic processing unit11executes a tilt level determining step of determining whether the value falls within the next threshold range by the tilt level determining unit21. In this way, by executing the tilt level determining steps S6to Sn in order, the tilt determining unit21of the arithmetic processing unit11determines a tilt level of the installed weighing apparatus1from either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh, and the light emission control unit22turns the LED10on with a brightness corresponding to the tilt level by executing a tilt level notifying step corresponding to the tilt level. When either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh reaches the nth tilt level that is the maximum tilt level of the weighing apparatus1(Step Sn), the arithmetic processing unit11executes the tilt level notifying step Sn″ by the light emission control unit22and turns the LED10on at the highest nth intensity.

In Example 2, the LED10is turned on with a brightness that increases, in such a manner as a first intensity (darkest although turned on)<a second intensity (slightly brighter than the first intensity)< . . . <an n-1th intensity (slightly darker than an nth intensity)<the nth intensity (brightest), as the tilt of the installed weighing apparatus1increases. A user visually recognizes the brightness of the level gauge9illuminated by the LED10, and makes a horizontal adjustment by being made strongly aware that the more brightly the level gauge is illuminated, the larger the tilt of the weighing apparatus1is. After executing any of Steps S6″, S7″ . . . . Sn″ by the light emission control unit22, the arithmetic processing unit11of the weighing apparatus1repeatedly executes the tilt detecting step S3by the tilt determining unit21in association with a horizontal adjustment made by the user, and as long as a tilt is determined, repeats determinations of the tilt level determining steps S6to Sn and turning-on of the LED10according to an intensity (brightness) of any of the tilt level notifying steps S6″ to Sn″. The brightness of the LED10gradually changes based on deterioration or improvement of the horizontal adjustment made by the user, so that the user can recognize that the horizontal adjustment has deteriorated more as the irradiation intensity of the LED10increases and the LED becomes brighter, and that the horizontal adjustment has been improved and the apparatus has come closer to horizontality as the irradiation intensity decreases and the LED becomes darker.

When the tilt determining unit21of the arithmetic processing unit11detects that both of Xh and Yh are at numerical values within the threshold range due to the horizontal adjustment made by the user, the tilt determining unit21determines that the weighing apparatus1has been reinstalled horizontally, and executes the horizontality notifying step S4by the light emission control unit22and operates the LED10in the first operation mode. At this time, the light emission control unit22shifts the LED10into a turned-off state or a flashing state by executing the horizontality notification terminating step S5, and notifies the user that the horizontal adjustment of the installed weighing apparatus1has been completed. After a predetermined time elapses, the arithmetic processing unit11terminates the first operation mode of the LED10by executing the horizontality notification terminating step S5by the light emission control unit22, and shifts the weighing apparatus into a weighable state, and accordingly, weighing by the user is performed.

Next, Example 3 of a tilt detecting method using the weighing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.6. In the tilt detecting method of Example 3, except that the first operation mode of the LED10in the horizontality notifying step S4and turning-on/off modes of the LED10in tilt level notifying steps S6′″, S7′″, . . . . Sn′″ are different, means common to Example 1 is carried out. The LED10that operates in the first operation mode in the horizontality notifying step S4of Example 3 is configured to be capable of being turned on in multiple colors, and is maintained turned-on in green as an example. In a second operation mode of Example 3, at the first tilt level that is the smallest, the LED10is turned on in yellow (first color), and as the tilt level increases, the LED10is turned on in orange made by adding a large amount of red to yellow (a second color to an n-1th color), and at the nth tilt level that is the largest, the LED10is turned on in red (an nth color).

In Example 3, the following processing is performed specifically in the second operation mode. First, the arithmetic processing unit11executes the tilt level determining steps S6, S7. . . . Sn in order by the tilt determining unit21, and determines which of the first threshold range to the nth threshold range either larger numerical value of the numerical values of Xh and Yh falls within. The first threshold range to the nth threshold range and the corresponding first tilt level to nth tilt level are the same as in Example 1. In the tilt level determining step S6, when the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh falls within the first threshold range and determines the first tilt level, the arithmetic processing unit11executes the tilt level notifying step S6″′ by the light emission control unit22, and turns the LED10on in yellow (first color). On the other hand, when the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh is outside the first threshold range, the arithmetic processing unit11executes the tilt level determining step S7by the tilt determining unit21. When it is determined that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh falls within the second threshold range and is the second tilt level, the arithmetic processing unit11executes the tilt level notifying step S7″′ by the light emission control unit22, and turns the LED10on in orange (second color) made by slightly adding red to yellow.

On the other hand, when the tilt determining unit21determines that either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh is outside the second threshold range, the arithmetic processing unit11executes a tilt level determining step of determining whether the value falls within the next threshold range by the tilt determining unit21. The tilt determining unit21of the arithmetic processing unit11determines a tilt level of the installed weighing apparatus1from either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh by executing the tilt level determining steps S6to Sn in order, and makes the LED10emit light in a color (from the first color to the nth color) corresponding to the tilt level (from the first tilt level to the nth tilt level). Specifically, as the tilt level goes higher, the light emission control unit22of the arithmetic processing unit11controls the LED10so as to emit light in orange that is gradually made to be more reddish (from a second tilt level to an n-1th tilt level) from yellow (first tilt level) each time the tilt level rises by 1. Then, when either larger numerical value of Xh or Yh reaches the nth tilt level that is the maximum tilt level of the weighing apparatus1(Step Sn), the light emission control unit22of the arithmetic processing unit11executes the tilt level notifying step Sn″ and turns the LED10on in red (the nth tilt level).

In Example 3, the LED10is turned on in a color that changes from yellow to reddish orange as the tilt of the installed weighing apparatus1increases, and is turned on in red at the time of a maximum tilt, where the color changes, in such a manner as a first color (yellow)<a second color (orange made by slightly adding red to yellow)<a third color (orange a little more reddish than the second color) . . .<an n-1th color (orange a little less reddish than red)<an nth color (red). A user visually recognizes that a light emission color of the level gauge9illuminated by the LED10becomes more reddish from yellow in a stepwise manner according to an increase in tilt level and changes from orange to red, and is urged to make a horizontal adjustment by being made strongly aware that the tilt of the weighing apparatus1becomes larger as the reddishness of orange increases. After executing any of the tilt level notifying steps S6″′, S7″′ . . . . Sn″′ by the light emission control unit22, the arithmetic processing unit11of the weighing apparatus1repeatedly executes the tilt detecting step S3by the tilt determining unit21in association with a horizontal adjustment made by the user, and as long as a tilt is determined, repeats determinations of the tilt level determining steps S6to Sn and turning-on of the LED10in any of colors of the tilt level notifying steps S6″′ to Sn″. The light emission color of the LED10gradually changes based on deterioration or improvement of the horizontal adjustment made by the user, so that the user can recognize that the horizontal adjustment has deteriorated more as the light emission color of the LED10gets closer to red from orange, and that the horizontal adjustment has been improved and the apparatus has come closer to horizontality as the light emission color of the LED10gets closer to yellow from orange.

When the tilt determining unit21of the arithmetic processing unit11detects that both of Xh and Yh are at numerical values within the threshold range due to the horizontal adjustment made by the user, the tilt determining unit21determines that the weighing apparatus1has been reinstalled horizontally, and executes the horizontality notifying step S4by the light emission control unit22and operates the LED10in the first operation mode. At this time, the light emission control unit22notifies the user that the horizontal adjustment of the installed weighing apparatus1has been completed by changing the light emission color into a turned-on state of the LED10in green from yellow. After a predetermined time elapses, the arithmetic processing unit11terminates the first operation mode (turns off the green light emission) of the LED10by executing the horizontality notification terminating step S5by the light emission control unit22, and shifts the weighing apparatus into a weighable state, and accordingly, weighing by the user is performed.

In Example 3, three or more colors are provided as the light emission color of the LED10so that the light emission color is green in the first operation mode, and the light emission color in the second operation mode is orange that gradually changes from yellow to red, however, a simple mode may be applied in which the light emission colors of the LED10are three colors in total including one green color in the first operation mode and two yellow and red colors in the second operation mode, and in the second operation mode, the LED10emits light in red when the tilt is large, and emits light in yellow when the tilt is small. The light emission colors of the LED10are not limited to green, yellow, and red, and may be a combination of a large variety of colors.

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