Patents Assigned to Viac Inc.
  • Patent number: 4961533
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically determining the weight of a plurality of articles, each of the articles having a surface portion with a unique element thereon, comprises a plurality of assemblies and a computer. Each assembly includes a surface for supporting an article, a transducer in operative contact with the supporting surface for producing an output signal indicative of the weight of an article placed on the supporting surface, and a sensor in operative relationship with an article on the supporting surface for producing an output signal indicative of the unique element on the surface portion of the article. A computer receives the transducer output signals and the sensor output signals and, for each article on the supporting surfaces, computes the weight of the article based on the transducer output signal and identifies the article based on the sensor output signal. The apparatus is especially useful as an inventory control system for a bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Viac Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Teller, Richard Sheryll, Lance Ong