JP3648876B2 - Electronic measuring instrument - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic measuring device such as an electronic balance, and more particularly to an electronic measuring device that can be connected to an intelligent external device such as a personal computer to exchange signals.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, an electronic measuring instrument such as an electronic balance has a communication port for an external device, and is connected to a host computer such as a personal computer via the communication port. For example, when a data transmission command is received from the host, measurement data is received. May be used, such as sending to the host.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, a personal computer normally has only one communication port for communication with the electronic measuring device as described above. Therefore, when connecting a plurality of electronic measuring devices to one personal computer. Conventionally, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 8, for example, a multiplexer 81 is connected to the communication port of the personal computer 80 in order to expand the number of communication ports of the personal computer 80 to the number of electronic measuring devices to be connected. Depending on the number of units to be connected, it is necessary to connect several multiplexers 81 to the multiplexer 81 and connect the electronic measuring devices 82 to the multiplexers 81 in parallel.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to connect a plurality of electronic measuring devices substantially to an ordinary personal computer or the like having only one communication port with an inexpensive configuration without using a device such as a multiplexer. Then, it is providing the electronic measuring device with the structure which can enable communication between each electronic measuring device and the personal computer as a host.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The electronic measuring instrument according to the present invention achieves the above object by adopting the following configuration.
[0006]
That is, the electronic measuring instrument of the present invention has at least two communication ports with the outside, and is configured to output signals having the same contents from the respective communication ports when signals are output. Also, address storage means for storing its own address, address comparison means for comparing the address included in the input signal with its own address, each signal output to the outside within a predetermined number of times in the past and this time input A signal comparison means for comparing the signals and a control means for performing data processing according to the comparison result of each of the comparison means are provided, and the control means is configured to operate in accordance with the following rules A to D.
[0007]
A. When the address comparison means determines that the address included in the input signal is a self address, data processing is performed according to the content included in the signal, and transmission of the data after the processing is requested. In this case, the data is output from each communication port together with its own address.
[0008]
B. When the address comparison means determines that the address included in the input signal is a higher address than the self address, the input signal is ignored.
[0009]
C. When the address comparing means determines that the address included in the input signal is a lower address than the self address, the input signal is output as it is from each communication port.
[0010]
D. When it is determined by the signal comparison means that the signal input this time matches the output signals to the outside within the past predetermined number of times, the signal input this time is ignored.
[0011]
Here, in the present invention, “having at least two communication ports” means that there are two communication ports independent of each other, one internal circuit, and two or more of the one port. Also included are those wired in parallel with the communication connector.
[0012]
Further, in the present invention, the upper address and the lower address are addresses assigned to the side closer to the personal computer or the like in a series connection state as described later with respect to an intelligent external device such as a personal computer. The address on the far side is defined as the lower order.
[0013]
Further, in the present invention, “ignoring the input signal” means that nothing is done by the input of the signal, that is, the input signal is discarded without processing or storing the signal or transferring the signal at all. Means.
[0014]
When a plurality of electronic measuring devices of the present invention configured as described above are connected to one personal computer or the like, each electronic measuring device is connected in series as illustrated in FIG. That is, only one uppermost electronic measuring device # 4 is directly connected to the communication port of the personal computer. In addition, each electronic measuring device is individually preliminarily set with an address (for example, # 4 to # 1). When a personal computer gives a command or the like to each electronic measuring device individually, the address is sent from the communication port. Outputs commands, etc. along with corresponding addresses.
[0015]
In such a connection state, when a command or the like is supplied together with the address from the personal computer to the electronic measuring device # 2 having a predetermined address, the electronic measuring devices # 4 and # 3 having an address higher than that address. Since the input content is output as it is from each communication port (regulation C), the command is input to the electronic measuring device # 2 at the corresponding address through the electronic measuring device # 4 and # 3 of the higher address, and the command Etc., data processing is performed (regulation A).
[0016]
Here, in the electronic measuring device having an address higher than the electronic measuring device # 2 to which the command or the like is supplied, for example, the # 3 device, the # 2 device is connected to the # 2 device via the # 4 device in accordance with the provision C. When a signal is received, the signal is transmitted not only to the lower # 2 device but also to the higher # 4 device. Accordingly, in the device # 4, the same signal as that already input and output from the personal computer is input again. In this case, the input signal is ignored by the regulation D, so the same signal is input. However, there is no problem of going through the system many times.
[0017]
Further, when the command or the like supplied to the # 2 device is a measurement data transmission command of the # 2 device, the data is transmitted according to the command. Are output from each communication port (regulation A), and are output equally to the upper and lower # 3 and # 1 devices. At this time, upper device # 3 outputs the signal to devices # 4 and # 2 in accordance with operation rule C. In # 4, since the input contents are output to the device # 3 and the personal computer as they are in accordance with the rule C, the data from the device # 2 is transmitted to the personal computer. At this time, the measurement data of the # 2 device output from the # 4 device to the # 3 device is ignored in accordance with the regulation D, and is supplied from the # 2 device to the lower # 1 device. Since the measured data is ignored in accordance with the provision B, there is no problem of repeated transmission of the measured data output from the measuring device to the personal computer.
[0018]
In the present invention, it is necessary to assign an address to each of a plurality of electronic measuring instruments in advance. This address assignment is performed according to the configuration described in claim 2, that is, address data is input together with a specific command. When the signal containing the specific command is input for the first time, the address data is stored in the address storage means as its own address, and the address data is changed to the lower side by an amount equivalent to 1 count of the address. Then, the address data after the change is output from each communication port together with the specific command only when the change result is an address corresponding to the higher order side including the lowest address set in advance. In addition, when a signal including a specific command is input for the second time or later, the input signal is By providing a configured address setting means to, it can be performed extremely easily and reliably.
[0019]
In the case where the above address setting means is provided, for example, when n electronic measuring devices are connected to a personal computer, a specific command, for example, \ and numerical data n, for example, are output as address data from the personal computer. As a result, for example, when the higher address side, that is, the closer to the personal computer, the numerical value that is the address data is made larger, and the lower side is set to have an address that is smaller by one count than the upper side. The uppermost device stores n as its own address, and commands \ and n-1 are output from each communication port. In response to this, the lower electronic measuring device stores n-1 as its own address, and simultaneously outputs the commands ¥ and n-2 from each communication port and supplies them to the upper and lower devices. The upper device ignores the command \ input for the second time, and the lower device stores n-2 as its own address and simultaneously outputs the commands \ and n-3 from each communication port. To do. In this way, it is only necessary to output address data with a count corresponding to the number of connected electronic measuring devices together with a specific command from a personal computer, and to all electronic measuring devices connected to the series from the upper side. An address smaller by one count is automatically set to the side, and it is possible to easily and surely set an address for each device without providing a hardware configuration for setting an address in each electronic measuring device.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment when the present invention is applied to an electronic balance.
[0021]
The load detection unit 1 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the load on the pan 1 a, and the output signal is digitized by the AD converter 2 and then taken into the control unit 3. The control unit 3 is mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33 and an input / output port 34. The input / output port 34 includes the A / D converter 2, the display 4 for displaying the measured value, and various switches 5 necessary for the electronic balance such as tare processing and span calibration command. Two level converters 6a and 6b for transmission and reception are connected. Two transmission ports TX1 and TX2 are connected to the transmission level converter 6a, and two reception ports RX1 and RX2 are connected to the reception level converter 6b. The transmission port TX1 and the reception port RX1 is integrated into one connector to form a first communication port 7, and transmission port TX2 and reception port RX2 are integrated to form a second communication port 8.
[0022]
The load data taken into the control unit 3 every moment via the A-D converter 2 is used for well-known averaging calculation, tare processing, and conversion into a mass value according to the program written in the ROM 32. The measured value is determined by the above calculation and displayed on the display 4.
[0023]
In addition to the program for determining the measurement value as described above, the ROM 32 stores a communication program and an address setting program, which will be described later.
Now, the electronic balance according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a single personal computer 10 in a series, as shown in a block diagram in FIG. The personal computer 10 can function as a host computer for all electronic balances.
[0024]
As shown in the figure, this connection is performed by connecting the communication ports 7 or 8 of the electronic balances located on both sides to the two communication ports 7 and 8 of each electronic balance. Note that the top electronic balance directly connected to the personal computer 10 has two communication ports 7 or 8 connected to one communication port 11 provided in the personal computer 10.
[0025]
In the example of FIG. 2, four electronic balances are connected to a personal computer. As shown in the figure, each electronic balance has addresses # 4 to # 1, that is, higher numbers closer to the personal computer 10. Large addresses are preset and stored in the respective RAMs 33. The personal computer 10 is set to output an address of the corresponding electronic balance together with the command when supplying a command or the like to an arbitrary electronic balance among the electronic balances. The address setting for each electronic balance is performed by software by an address setting program that is activated when a specific command is supplied from the personal computer 10, and this setting will be described in detail later.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the communication program written in the ROM 32 of each electronic balance. Hereinafter, the communication operation in the connected state shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to this figure.
[0027]
This communication program is executed by interrupt processing when a signal including address data comes from outside during the execution of the above-described normal measurement program. When a signal including an address is input from one of the two communication ports 7 and 8, first, the input signal is compared with each signal output by itself within the past predetermined number of times (ST1). If the current input signal coincides with either one, the signal is ignored, the program started by the input signal is terminated, and the next signal input is awaited (ST2). If the current input signal does not match any of the output signals within a predetermined number of times in the past, the address contained in the input signal is compared with its own address (ST3). If the address included in the input signal is an address higher than its own address, the input signal is output as it is from both of the two communication ports 7 and 8 (ST4). If the address included in the input signal is lower than its own address, the process proceeds to ST2, ignores the input signal, ends the program, and waits for the input of the next signal. On the other hand, if the address included in the input signal matches the own address, processing according to the content of the input signal is executed (ST5). At this time, if the content of the input signal includes, for example, a transmission request such as measurement data, the self-address is attached to the requested data and output from both of the two communication ports 7 and 8. (ST6, ST7).
[0028]
When the electronic balances # 4 to # 1 perform communication operations in accordance with the communication program described above, each electronic balance # 4 to # 1 has one personal computer 10 as shown in a specific operation example below. As in the case of being connected substantially in parallel, signals can be exchanged between the individual electronic balances # 4 to # 1 and the personal computer 10.
[0029]
4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the specific operation.
The example of FIG. 4 shows an example in which the personal computer 10 collects data of the electronic balance # 1 at the lowest address. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 described later, the corresponding ST number in the program of FIG. 3 is assigned to each communication operation.
[0030]
In this example, the personal computer 10 outputs a signal “# 1-out” by adding the address # 1 of the corresponding device to a command “out” requesting data transmission, for example. This signal is first input to an electronic balance # 4 directly connected to the personal computer 10. In this electronic balance # 4, ST4 is executed through ST1 and ST3 in FIG. 3, and the input signal is directly used as an electronic balance. The data is output to the balance # 3 and the personal computer 10. At this time, by providing a routine corresponding to ST1 and ST2 in the program shown in FIG. 3 in the software of the personal computer 10, the input signal from the electronic balance # 4 can be ignored.
[0031]
In the electronic balance # 3, when the signal “# 1-out” is input, ST4 is executed in the same manner as described above, and the input signal is output to the electronic balances # 4 and # 2 as they are. In the electronic balance # 4, the input signal is ignored by ST1 and ST2 in FIG. 3. On the other hand, in the electronic balance # 2, by inputting the signal “# 1-out”, the input signal is directly used as the electronic balance # 3 by ST4. Output to # 1. In the electronic balance # 3, the input signal is ignored by ST1 and ST2.
[0032]
When the “# 1-out” signal is input to the electronic balance # 1, according to ST5 to ST7, the own address # 1 is attached to the data and the “# 1-data” signal is output. This signal “# 1-data” is input to the electronic balance # 2, and the electronic balance # 2 outputs the signal as it is to the electronic balances # 3 and # 1 in accordance with ST4. The electronic balance # 1 ignores the input signal according to ST1 and ST2, but the electronic balance # 3 outputs the signal “# 1−data” as it is to the electronic balances # 4 and # 2 according to ST4. At this time, the electronic balance # 2 ignores the signal in accordance with ST1 and ST2, and the electronic balance # 4 outputs the signal to the personal computer 10 and the electronic balance # 3 in accordance with ST4, whereby data from the electronic balance # 1 is output. Reaches the personal computer 10. This signal is ignored in accordance with ST1 and ST2 in the electronic balance # 3.
[0033]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which a data transmission command similar to the above is given to the electronic balance # 3.
In this case, the personal computer 10 outputs a signal “# 3-out”. The signal is output to the personal computer 10 and the electronic balance # 3 by ST4 of the electronic balance # 4, and the personal computer 10 ignores the signal. However, in the electronic balance # 3, “# 3-data” according to ST5 to ST7. Are output to the electronic balances # 4 and # 2. In the electronic balance # 2, the input signal is ignored in accordance with ST3 and ST2, but in the electronic balance # 4, the input signal “# 3-data” is output to the personal computer 10 and the electronic balance # 3 in accordance with ST4. Data from the electronic balance # 3 reaches the personal computer 10. In the electronic balance # 3, the signal “# 3-data” from the electronic balance # 4 is ignored by ST1 and ST2.
[0034]
As described above, with a plurality of electronic balances connected in series to one personal computer 10 having one communication port, the individual electronic balance and the personal computer 10 are substantially connected. Direct signal exchange is possible.
[0035]
Next, an address setting program written in the ROM 32 of each electronic balance will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents.
This address setting program is activated by interrupt processing when a specific command (for example, \) is supplied from the personal computer 10 with each electronic balance connected to the personal computer 10 in a series as shown in FIG. To do. In the personal computer 10, address data corresponding to the most significant address corresponding to the number of connected balances together with the above-mentioned specific command ¥ when setting the address (in the example of FIG. 2, the number of connected units is 4 and the address is represented by numerical values 4 to 1). In addition, an address having a larger numerical value is set on the upper side closer to the personal computer 10, and therefore, the highest-order address outputs address data corresponding to 4).
[0036]
Now, in each electronic balance, when the signal “¥ n” including the command ¥ and the address data n as described above is input, it is determined whether or not the input of the signal with the command ¥ is the first time ( (ST21) If it is not the first time, the input signal is ignored (ST22). If the input of the signal with a \ is the first time, the address data n following the command \ is stored in the RAM 33 as its own address data (ST23), and at the same time, an amount equivalent to one count of the address is subtracted from the data n (ST24). ) Only when the address data n ′ after the subtraction is greater than or equal to the address set as the lowest address in advance, the command data is added to the address data n ′ after the subtraction, and the communication ports 7 and 8 (ST25, ST26). When the address data n ′ after subtraction is less than the address set as the lowest address in advance, for example, when the address is expressed by a numerical value and the lowest address is set to 1, n ′ = 0 The program is terminated without executing ST26.
[0037]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the communication operation of each device when the addresses # 4 to # 1 are set for the respective electronic balances as shown in FIG. 2 in the connection state shown in FIG. In this case, the number of electronic balances connected to the personal computer 10 is 4, and since the address is represented by a numerical value, a signal “¥ 4” is output from the personal computer 10. In this case, the lowest address is set to 1 in advance.
[0038]
The signal “¥ 4” is input to an electronic balance directly connected to the personal computer 10, and this electronic balance executes ST21 to ST23 and stores # 4 as its own address. The electronic balance # 4 outputs a signal “¥ 3” from each communication port after subtracting one count of address data in ST24 to ST26. This output is input to the personal computer 10 and the downstream electronic balance, and the downstream electronic balance stores # 3 as its own address by ST21 and ST23 in response to this input signal, and at the same time, the upstream electronic balance by ST24 to ST26. A “¥ 2” signal is output to the electronic balance # 4 and the downstream electronic balance.
[0039]
In the electronic balance # 4, since the input of the signal with the command \ is the second time, the input signal is ignored in ST21 and ST22. However, in the electronic balance on the downstream side, the input of the signal "\ 2" causes the ST21 to be ignored. , ST23 stores # 2 as its own address, and outputs a signal “¥ 1” to the electronic balance # 3 and the downstream electronic balance through ST24 to ST26.
[0040]
In the electronic balance # 3, the input signal is ignored by ST21 and ST22 in the same manner as described above, but the electronic balance on the downstream side stores # 1 as its own address by ST21 and ST23. Further, in this electronic balance # 1, the address data is subtracted by 1 count in ST24, but the subtraction result is 0, which is less than the preset lowest address. Is not output.
[0041]
As described above, by outputting the address data corresponding to the most significant address corresponding to the number of connected electronic balances together with the specific command ¥ from the personal computer 10, all the electronic balances are connected to each other. An address corresponding to is set.
[0042]
In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, it should be particularly noted that each electronic balance is hardware-added with no additions except that two level converters and two connectors for communication ports are provided. In addition, an arbitrary number of electronic balances can be connected to one personal computer as a host computer without adding any hardware to the personal computer 10. Compared to the case where electronic balances are connected in parallel, an equivalent function can be achieved with an inexpensive configuration.
[0043]
Further, as in the above embodiment, one level converter 6a or 6b is connected to one input terminal and one output terminal of the input / output port 34 of each electronic balance, and each level conversion is performed. By connecting the transmission ports TX1 and TX2 of the two communication ports 7 and 8 or the reception ports RX1 and RX2 to the devices 6a and 6b, respectively, as compared with the case where the input end and the output end are assigned to each transmission / reception port. There is an advantage that the number of level converters can be halved and the number of interrupt ports can be saved. In the present invention, such a connection is made possible by outputting the same signal from two communication ports, and even if a signal is input from either of the two communication ports, This is because they are handled in exactly the same way. However, as a matter of course, the present invention can use two communication ports 7 and 8 that are independent of each other.
[0044]
In the above example, the address is represented by a numerical value, and the numerical value is increased as the higher address closer to the personal computer. Of course, the numerical value may be smaller as the higher address. In this case, in the address setting program, when address data is supplied to one electronic measuring instrument together with the first specific command, the address data is stored as its own address, and 1 is added to the supplied address data. After adding only the count, it may be configured to output to the outside together with the specific command.
[0045]
In addition, the address is not necessarily a numerical value as in the above example. In short, if the data can be identified by upper / lower order and can be changed by an amount equivalent to one count, for example, “A” is used. It goes without saying that an arbitrary form of address can be adopted, such as an address being represented by an array of characters, each address being indicated by the number of characters.
[0046]
Furthermore, the present invention does not necessarily have the address setting program illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, each electronic balance is provided with a dip switch for address setting, and the address setting is performed artificially. However, by providing an address setting program, it is not only unnecessary to add such hardware, but it is also useful in that an artificial address setting error can be prevented.
[0047]
Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied not only to an electronic balance but also to any electronic measuring device as long as it is a measuring device including an intelligent element such as a CPU.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, any hardware addition such as a multiplexer or the like can be added to a personal computer simply by providing at least two communication ports in an electronic measuring device and writing a required communication program. It is possible to connect a plurality of electronic measuring devices to the series without having to perform desired communication between each electronic measuring device and a personal computer, thereby reducing the cost of the connected system as a whole. Can be suppressed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment when the present invention is applied to an electronic balance.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a plurality of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is connected to one personal computer.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of a communication program written in ROM 32 in the embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of communication operation between devices in the connection state of FIG. 2;
5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of communication operation between devices in the connection state of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of an address setting program written in the ROM 32 in the embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example of each device when the address setting program is operated in the connection state of FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example in the case where a plurality of conventional electronic measuring devices are connected to one personal computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Load detector
3 Control unit
31 CPU
32 ROM
33 RAM
34 I / O ports
6a, 6b level converter
7 First communication port
8 Second communication port
TX1, TX2 transmission port
RX1, RX2 receiving port
10 Personal computer
11 Communication port
# 1 to # 4 Electronic balance

Claims (2)

An electronic measuring device that transmits and receives signals by connecting to intelligent external devices such as personal computers and has at least two communication ports with the outside. Address storage means for storing its own address, address comparison means for comparing the address contained in the input signal with its own address, and externally within a predetermined number of times in the past A signal comparison means for comparing each output signal and the signal input this time, and a control means for performing data processing according to the comparison result by each comparison means,
The control means is
When the address comparison means determines that the address included in the input signal is a self-address, data processing is performed according to the processing content included in the signal, and transmission of data after the processing is requested. If that is the case, output the data along with its own address from each communication port,
When the address comparison means determines that the address included in the input signal is an address higher than the self address, the input signal is ignored,
When the address comparison means determines that the address included in the input signal is a lower address than the self address, the input signal is output as it is from each communication port, and
When it is determined by the signal comparison means that the signal input this time and the signal output to the outside for a predetermined number of times in the past coincide with each other, the signal input this time is ignored.
Electronic measuring instrument characterized by operating as follows. 2. The electronic storage device according to claim 1, wherein when address data is input together with a specific command, when the signal including the specific command is input for the first time, the address storage means uses the address data as its own address. And the address data is changed to the lower side by an amount equivalent to one count of the address, and the change result includes data corresponding to the higher side address including the lowest address set in advance. The address data after the change is output from each communication port together with the specific command only in the case of the above, and the input signal is ignored when the signal including the specific command is input for the second time or later. An electronic measuring device comprising an address setting means.

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