FR2479980A1 - STORE BALANCE - Google Patents

Abstract

IT INCLUDES A MASS MEASURER 10 AND AN APPARATUS 20 FOR INTERPRETATION, CALCULATION AND DISPLAY. THE MEASURER 10 CONTAINS A MEMORY 30 WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE APPARATUS 20 BY A CONNECTOR 13 AND WHICH PROVIDES FOR THEIR DISPLAY IN WINDOWS THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MEASURER 10 SUCH AS THE MINIMUM WEIGHT, THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT TO BE WEIGHED, THE SENSITIVITY, ETC. SO THAT THE CALCULATION AND DISPLAY APPARATUS MAY BE COUPLED TO ANY MEASURER.

Description

The subject of the invention is a balance, in particular a store balance,

  comprising a mass measuring means - briefly called a measuring device provided with means for receiving a load, also comprising a means of interpretation and evaluation - briefly called

  apparatus or means of interpretation - which can be connected

dice to the measurer, which is used to determine the weight of a

  which is provided with reading windows for viewing

  display, including a digital display, of the determined

  mined and possibly unit and total prices from

  weighed product, these prices can be entered by a cla-

  or a similar means, as specific data

  of the weighed product and / or can be calculated from

  shot from the weight determined to give the retail price

  dividual of the weighed quantity, this balance being such

that specific data relating to characteristics

  of the meter connected by means of interpretation (these characteristics being for example the maximum load and

the minimum load the calibration unit: the type of

  truction) are indicated on the means of interpretation

tion.

  There are stipulations according to-

  which each balance must show indications

relating to the specific characteristics of the dynamometer or measurer. These indications are usually affixed on a plate fixed once and for all on the scale.

  and on which other characteristics are also indicated

  construction details such as type number and year of construction. So that customers can check the correct use of the scale, in terms of its maximum and minimum load,

  and that they can also know the precision of the indi-

  weight and price cations provided by the scale, these

  characteristic data must be perfectly legi-

and must therefore be apparent on the media.

  terpretation, in the field of vision of the customers, This is why, with each measurer of a determined type is associated a means of interpretation of appropriate particular construction. Up to now, for each type of measurer differing from another type only, for example, by the weight range, it is necessary to study and carry out a means of interpretation which is adapted to it. This requires, in sales or after-sales or repair services,

  the maintenance of a large stock of various media

  interpretation. If the measurer constitutes a set separate from the means of interpretation to which it must be linked by

  a connection line by means of electrical connectors

  ques, it is necessary then that the connectors of the measurers and means of interpretation of different kinds are incompatible in order to avoid connections for sure

errors between types that cannot be associated.

  The main purpose of the invention is to produce a balance of the kind mentioned at the start, with which there is no longer any need for differentiation by type of measurer and means of interpretation, each

  measurer among several specific types which can nevertheless

  less be associated with an appropriate means of interpretation which will also make the client aware of the characteristics

of construction of the meter.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved

  by the fact that the measurer contains a specific memory

  that with information representative of its characteristics

  construction, and that the means of interpretation

tion has bodies capable of receiving this information.

  and to subject them automatically, on the one hand, to taking into account in addition to that of the measurement signals made when determining and displaying the weight of the load, and, on the other hand, to a display

(especially digital) in reading windows.

  Thus, a given means of interpretation can be automatically adapted to a large number of meters belonging to the most different types. Thanks to the specific memory it contains, each measurer itself ensures that the means of interpretation to which it is connected will be informed about the type of construction of

  the device connected to it, and this means of interpreting

  tation will take this information into account automatically-

ment, with the measurement signals which will reach it, and will indicate the correct weights and prices in each case.

In addition, the means of interpretation uses this information.

  to display digitally, in windows of

special reading, the data concerning the characteristics

specific ticks of the measurer, so that customers will be able to see them just as conveniently as other indications concerning the weight, the individual price and the unit price of the goods. These various reading windows are advantageously arranged in an area

  in one piece arranged in the head of the inter-

  pretion, and are visible both from the seller's side and from the client's side. There is no need to make any selection or adaptation whatsoever when connecting a meter to an interpretation device. The data memory characterizing the meter is connected to the connection cable by which the measurement signals

  anyway from the measurer are transmitted to the ap-

  same interpretation. The simple act of connecting the

  Measurer has the effect that the information that characterizes it

  are received by the interpretation device which automatically adapts to it in its working mode and

when it is displayed. So for a wide variety of measures

  very different errors, only one inter-

  predation carried out in a single standardized version so that the construction and storage costs of these devices are significantly reduced. The invention allows - a given interpretation device to cooperate with any measurer without having to fear

  errors or failures in the determination and the af-

file values. The repair service is reduced, because a defective measurer can then, without problem, be immediately replaced by another

measurer available.

In addition to data characterizing the construction of the measurer, the memory can also contain other individual data relating to the measurer. Such a memory can be integrated in any location of the measurer. Instead of mounting it in the measuring enclosure, it can also be mounted in the electrical connector (or half of the connector) located at the end of the connection cord. Electronic memories are so

  space-saving that they can be mounted without difficulty

cultured in a connector boot.

The meter memory may contain

the most diverse information relating to its characteristics

artistic. In addition to the construction characteristics, such as the maximum or minimum load and the sensitivity of the meter, this memory can also contain data

specific to the maintenance of the meter. This additional data

  may be unalterable. Such unalterable data may concern for example the number and the

  date of manufacture of the device. However, we could -

also store temporary data concerning the measurer, for example the date of the next inspection

or the last repair.

We will now give a description

of two exemplary embodiments of the invention, without inten-

  limitative tion. Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a balance according to the invention with an alternative embodiment which is sketched; - Figure 2 is a view partly in section and partly with a cut away area, showing a

another example of making a balance according to the invention

  tion. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the balance is constituted by a mass measuring means 10, hereinafter briefly called a measuring device, represented here

  as a separate whole, and by means of interpretation

tion, which is connected to the meter by a connecting line or cable 11. When there are two sets

  likely to be installed independently of one another

  this connection is established by means of a plug-in connector 13 located at the end of the connection cable.

  cord 11, this connector mates with a connector

  complementary author in which it is received and which is

  located in the envelope or the casing of the inter-

  pretion 20. As shown in Figure 11 by a line

  in phantom 12, these two parts of the balance, except

see the mass meter 10 and the interpreter

tion 20, could just as easily be arranged in a common envelope. In this case, the connection cable 11 would simply be constituted by an electric line

  whose connection to the interpretation device would be

  read in any way, for example by means of

classic terminal xions.

  The mass meter 10 comprises a load plate 15 on which a product or a

  load 16 to be weighed, and under which a base is arranged

  enclosure 14 in which there is a sensor or transducer

  torque tester 17 shown diagrammatically. The one-

  it can be of any type, for example of the kind with vibrating strings or strain gauges. An input member 50, which is only shown schematically, mechanically transmits the weight of the load 16 to the measuring means inside the sensor 17, after which

a signal which depends on the charge is sent, by a li-

  electrical generator 18, to connection cable 11. In the

  O30 mass meter 10 integrated memory means

sation 305 inaccessible to unauthorized persons.

  In the present example, these storage means, briefly

  called memory, are integrated, that is to say

darisés with the envelope 14, in which they are placed,

  of the mass meter 10. This memory 30 provides information

  formations, by an electric line 19 going to the connection cable 11, and this information, like the measurement signals from the sensor 17, reaches the device

  20 by connector 13.

In this case, it is a balance calculating prices. The interpretation apparatus 20 includes a keyboard 21 for entering a price per kilogram, and includes various selection keys

  22 which are of a usual type with regard to their

  ception and their function. In addition to a calculator for

measurement signals and the information entering them, the ap-

similar interpretation 20 also includes a large display area 23 arranged both on the side of the seller (this side being that where the keyboard 21 is located) and on the opposite side which is the customer side, not visible on the Figure 1. This display area 21 is located at least in the extent of the reading windows mentioned below. The display is advantageously digital, and for this purpose a conventional electrical representation of the figures is used, by segments. The individual weight of the

  load 16, coming from measurement and information signals

  coming from the connection cable 11, is indicated

in a first reading window 24. Next to it

  here is another reading window 25 indicating

  the unit price entered by the keyboard 21. A calculation

  conventional teur provided in the apparatus 20 performs, on the basis of the data displayed in windows 24 and 25, the display, in a neighboring window 26, of the sale price

which, in this case, is expressed in DM (Deutsche Mark).

  In addition, a small window 27, for reading the tare, can be provided. In addition, in display area 23,

  a range 28 for digital display - by segments -

  specific data relating to the characteristics of the mass meter 10, which will be explained in detail

  during the description of the exemplary embodiment

in Figure 2.

  As can be seen in Figure 1, other display means can also be provided in the display area 23. Optionally, they are only arranged on the seller's side. To these means belongs the display 35 of the code numbers typed on the keyboard for consulting a directory of prices stored in a memory of the interpretation device, the sales price being able to be called in code numbers, depending on the order of the numbers, by pressing the keyboard 21, and, appearing immediately - in the form of unit prices or

  price per piece - in the reading window 25 or 26.

  Arranged on either side of this display 35 of listed prices, windows 36 and 37 indicate the items or references assigned to two different sellers who can each use the scale and who, in a conventional manner, make it known which of them is preparing to carry out the next sale operation, this identification being caused, for example, by actuation of the selection keys 22 which are assigned to them. Indicator lights 38, 39 arranged above

windows 36, 37 indicate that of the two sellers

what is affected the current use of the balance.

  Another indicator light 40 lights up if there is introduction

tion of the weight of a tare, the value thereof appears

  then being in the reading window 27 already mentioned.

Other indicator lights 41, 42, 43 indicate the state

from the battery, the end of the paper supply for a print

mantis not represented, or the formation of the total

of a sale encompassing several items, this sale can

  before, for example, have been counted and indicated item by item in windows 36, 37 and appear, as

  final amount in the reading window 26 and be im-

  awarded on a ticket from the mentioned printer. A last indicator light 44 can signal mobilization

of the interpretation device.

  The particular mode of operation of the invention is illustrated in connection with an alternative embodiment of the balance shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. With respect to the example of embodiment according to FIG. 1, that of FIG. 2 differs in that the data memory 30 already mentioned is arranged inside

the casing or boot of connector 13 on the side of the

mass error, i.e. in the connector or half

  connector through which the connection cable 11 ends. This semi-connector 13 has a plurality of pins

  which are conjugated female coupling organs-

the complementary 46 belonging to a half-connector

located in the envelope of the interpretation device.

  While some of the connector pins transmit directly, through the aforementioned power line 18,

  the measurement pulses from the torque sensor, the

  data memory 30 is connected to other pins which,

  as indicated by memory tripartition, transmits-

  try several pieces of information - three in the case

  present - which, of course, takes place in co-

  goddess. Here for the sake of clarity of the drawing, there is shown diagrammatically

  three parts 51, 52, 53 of the memory. These in-

training is transmitted, in the form of electrical impulses

triques, to the interpreter 20, by the connector

tor 13 and the coupling member 47. In the interpretation apparatus, this information is brought, by

  lines 48, to a receiving member 29, shown diagrammatically

  which decodes this information and uses it, in combination with the incoming measurement signals which are a function of the load, to calculate the exact value of the weight and control, by output lines 49, at least

once, the digit segments light up in the window

  read 24 to make the numeric value readable

  load weight, 1.234 kg in this case.

  This weight value is used conventionally, in

  combination with the price per kg, in an app calculator

attached to the interpretation device 20, to determine

  the charge price, which is displayed in window 26.

  The receiving organ 29 has other li-

output pins 34 going to display area 28, already

  mentioned, which reveals the specific characteristics

of the dynamometer 10 used. This display area

24? 998Q

  28 includes three reading windows which can present

  different significant figures, as shown.

From the construction diagram already described, the information

the information contained in part 51 of the memory is displayed in a first reading window 31, after

  decoding in the receiving member 29 and appropriate ignition

  requested segments of the digital display in this window

  tre 31 in which the maximum load of the

mass meter, namely 10 kg in this example.

  Similarly, the information contained in the middle part 52 of the memory is displayed in a reading window 32 indicating the minimum charge which,

  in this example, is 30 g. minimum weight allowed-

sible. Finally, one last piece of information contained in the

  part 53 of the memory goes, analogously, to a third

or

  fifth reading window 33 / the standard unit is displayed

  of the dynamometer 10, this unit being the indication of the sensitivity of the balance. In this example, the value

2 g appears.

As already said at the beginning, we can thus

  if display or call at will to display on any interpretation device 20 connected and constructed according to the invention, a plurality of data characterizing the mass meters. This additional data, such as for example the date of the next inspection, or the production number of the mass meter 10, may appear in the display area, advantageously at the

  following a call that may be caused by an action

  property on the keyboard 21.-It is not essential to provide other reading windows for this, on the contrary, because this can be obtained by switching the function of the windows which also provide other functions of display. For this purpose, a manually operable switching member is sufficient. Ea variant, a

such a switching device could be automatically validated

  only during the balance breaks, so that

247998.0

other desired data is displayed in the various windows. It goes without saying that the control members according to the invention need not necessarily be produced solely as data memories. The information could also be sent in another way, in the form of electrical voltages or currents, to

  receiving members 29 belonging to the inter-

  pretion 20. For example, these control devices

may consist of resistance or bridge arrangements of which

the meaning would be understood by the receiving bodies

  tion and input into the apparatus 20, by an appropriate command

requested by the calculation and display organs.

  It is obvious that the memory 30 con-

  holds fixed values which cannot be manipulated which, in the event of an attempt at falsification, result in destruction which results in the failure of the display immediately

visually identifiable by customers.

Claims (5)

REVENDIOATIONB   1) Balance, in particular store scale, comprising a mass measuring means, called a measurer, provided with means for receiving a load, and an interpretation-evaluation means, called an interpretation means, which can be connected to the measurer and used to   determine the weight of a load, this means of interpretation tion having reading windows for a display, in particular for a digital display, of the determined weight   and possibly prices of the weighed product, the prices for   before being introduced using a keyboard as product-specific and / or calculable data   according to the weight determined to give the selling price   individual te of the weighed quantity, this balance being such as specific data relating to characteristics   of the meter connected by means of interpretation (such as the maximum and minimum load, the unit calibration, type of construction) can be found quées on the means of interpretation, characterized in that the measurer (10) contains a specific memory (30) provided with information representative of its characteristics construction, and that the means of interpretation   tion (20) includes bodies that receive this information   and which automatically submit this rela-   tives to the specific characteristics of the meter, on the one hand to taking into account in addition to that of the signals relating to the determination and affi-   weight of the weighed product, and, on the other hand, a display in reading windows (31, 32, 33) this   display being in particular digital.   2) Balance according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory of. data (30) is integrated in the electrical connector (13) located at the end of the connection cable (11) of the meter (10). 3) Balance according to any one   of claims 1, 2, characterized in that the mem-   re (30) contains unalterable data (such as number and date of manufacture), relating to the maintenance of the measurer, and / or data valid for a period of time and concerning the measurer, such as dates   last repair and next inspection. 4) Balance according to any one   of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is provided with switching means having a rest position and a working position, these means causing, in po-   rest position, the use of reading windows to display the weight and / or the price and, in working position, the use of the same reading windows to display the specific data of the balance. ) Balance according to claim 4, characterized in that the switching means are ma- manually operable between their rest position at their working position.   6) Balance according to claim 4,   characterized in that the switching means are com-   automatically mutable from their rest position to their working position during balance breaks.