Abstract: A bathroom scale with a multi-digit seven segment display of the sensed weight including a movable weighing platform, a lever bridge system and a bias spring resisting and deforming under the load on the platform, a movable code carrier which may rotate, a gear system between the bias spring bridge linkage and code carrier, a code strip with a multiplicity of transparent and opaque areas arranged in a code, an indexing system to stop the code carrier only a predetermined code implements, the indexing system including a magnet or lock, and a generally ladder shaped latch defining indexing implements stopping the code carrier at predetermined positions, a yieldable member in the gearing system, a multi-digit seven segment display including stacked light transmitting plates with light inlets adjacent the code strip of the carrier and light outlets directing light for viewing in a direction orthogonally of the stacked plates.

Abstract: In an object weighing system, apparatus for automatically adjusting the zero-reference value of a weight-representing signal to a desired value equal to that signal level which would produce an indication of zero weight by the system. To accomplish this, the absolute value of the signal is detected and applied to a voltage-to-frequency converter, the pulses from which are counted in an up/down binary counter only when no object is being weighed; the direction of count is controlled by a polarity-representing signal applied to the voltage-to-frequency converter. The instantaneous running count in the counter is applied to a digital-to-analog converter, to produce a correction signal of substantially the same magnitude as the amount by which the zero-reference value departs from said desired value. This correction signal is combined with the unadjusted weight-representing signal in the polarity to drive the zero-reference value toward said desired value.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus having an evaluating device connected to the movement for determining the weight value of a load to be weighed from a series of continuously repeated weight measurements which includes a store or memory for the individual results of the weight measurements and a digital indicating device controlled thereby which shows that particular weight value from the measurement series, for which a certain minimum number of the latest consecutive individual results in the measurement series are the same.

Abstract: In known scales, switching from a fine to a course measurement range automatically decreases the resolution by at least one place. Since the change in range takes place in dependence upon the total weight applied to the scale, displayed values after taring still lack at least one significant digit relative to the fine indication. In the present invention this digit is reactivated automatically upon activation of the tare key if the weight after taring is less than the predetermined fine range limiting weight.

Abstract: A scale with a digital computing device and a digital display, in particular for weighing bulk goods, in which the weighing result is determined as a mean value over a measuring cycle, comprising means for assessing the difference between the results of two consecutive measuring cycles, means for comparing this difference with a pre-determined value and means for controlling the length of the measuring cycles in function of this comparison.

Abstract: An electronic weighing apparatus, is provided with a load cell which is responsive to the weight of an article being weighed. A preamplifier amplifies the analog output signal from the load cell which is representative of the weight of the article, by a predetermined amplification factor. An analog-to-digital converter converts the amplified weight representing analog output signal into a digital signal representative of the weight. The analog-to-digital converter has an enhanced resolution which may be as high as five times the resolution of a conventional A/D converter. An adder adds a first predetermined digital signal representative of the decimal value "2" to the weight representing digital signal. A divider divides the sum output from the adder by a second predetermined digital signal representative of the decimal value "5".

Abstract: A system for processing cyclic signal pairs generated by an optical transducer to provide an accurate measurement of the displacement of one member with respect to a reference is suitable for determining weight by measuring spring scale tare deflection. The system includes a pair of comparator Schmitt trigger circuits for shaping pulse waveform signals. The pulse signals are processed by fully clocked digital circuits including edge discriminators to generate multiple count pulses which are processed by combination logic for direction determination. Further processing includes sign determination (positive-negative) and zero identification circuits to provide up and down pulses which are filtered and fed to up/down counter stages. Counter stage information is decoded for feedback control and processing logic indication.

Abstract: The present electronic weighing apparatus comprises a load convertor, a direct current amplifier for amplifying the converted output, an analog-digital converter controlled by an enable signal for the analog-digital converting of the output from the dc amplifier, an enable signal generator for providing a periodical conversion enable signal to the analog-digital converter, and a digital display for displaying the output from the analog-digital converter. A zero tracking circuit is connected between the A/D converter and the display and comprises a storing circuit responsive to a store enable signal for storing the output from the analog-digital converter, a digital subtracter for evaluating the difference between the output from the analog-digital converter and the output from the storing circuit. The output from the digital subtracter is applied to the digital display as the weighed output. A zero judging or sensing circuit determines whether the output from the digital subtracter is zero.

Abstract: An electronic tare system used in an electrical balance of the type which generates an electrical signal representing a mass being weighed for application to a digital read out or other display is capable of bipolar operation over a range much greater than that of the balance by generating and storing a digital value in response to the combined analog signals at an electrical summing junction coupled to receive both the electrical signal from the balance and an analog electrical signal generated from the stored digital value. An up-down counter coupled through a digital-to-analog converter to the summing junction counts in response to the output of a high gain amplifier coupled in a feedback loop to the output of the summing junction during the first portion of a tare mode of operation until the output of the digital-to-analog converter to the summing junction effectively equals and nulls the signal from the balance.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic scale which may, for example, be used as a bathroom scale, medical room scale, or otherwise. The scale provides a digital display of the weight of an object placed or positioned on a weighing platform and can provide said display in terms of the conventional system or the metric system by varying the time base or gate as applied to a counter. The counter has another input which provides a frequency related to the object's weight; which frequency is counted in accordance with the duration of the time gate, to enable a digital display of the weight.Apparatus is shown for providing a time base for the scale and employs two voltage to frequency converters, one to provide a frequency related to the weight of an object and the other to provide a time base; both of which vary according to supply fluctuations. The circuitry provides a number of pulses to the counter indicative of the true weight and independent of the supply voltage.

Abstract: An electronic weighing apparatus, comprising: a scale mechanism having a weighing plate for placing an article being weighed, a slit plate provided to be moved associated with the weight of said article on said weighing plate and having a series of slit equally spaced in the moving direction, a light source provided at one side of said slit plate, a photodetector provided at the other side of said slit plate opposite to said light source, whereby a pulse train is generated from said photodetector the number of which pulses is associated with the movement of the slit plate and thus with the weight of said article, a counter for counting the number of pulses of said pulse train for providing the weight value, a display for displaying the weight value in said counter, a zero point detecting circuit for detecting the weighing plate having returned to the zero point, a balanced state detecting circuit for detecting said weighing plate having reached a balanced state, a measurement start switch, a first AND gate re

Abstract: System for providing a digital indication of the load on a scale, utilizing a relative position transducer to produce two output signals which vary between fixed levels in response to incremental displacements of the output indicator of the scale. The two signals are phase encoded in that one of the signals leads the other, depending upon the direction of displacement. The two signals are processed to determine the occurrence and direction of each increment of displacement, and the count in a digital counter is incremented or decremented in response to each increment according to the direction of the displacement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computing scale system utilizing an integrated circuit microcomputer for computing the value of a product being weighed and for controlling the operation of a label printer associated therewith. The microcomputer operates with 4-bit words, and there is provided a multiplexing network for multiplexing weight, price, and status information into the microcomputer. Weight readings are made by a bank of photosensors, which read the position of a chart moveable in response to weight on the scale platter. Means are provided for performing a parity check on the data read by the weight photocells, and the data so read is converted from Gray code to BCD code by a table lookup routine. The scale system may print labels having weight and computed value, zero weight and fixed value, or weight and fixed value. The scale has both selectable price and weight dead zone capability with adjustable range. There is a motion detection routine employing a variable settling time.

Abstract: A floor scale for measuring body weight having a scale base, a foot platform, an electronic digital weighing system for producing a digital display indicative of the weight applied to the scale platform, and a power switch for controlling the application of power to the electronic digital display system. A weigh cycle control is provided including a kick bar mounted on the scale base at one side of the scale for movement in a generally horizontal direction and adapted to be actuated by the foot of a person before mounting the foot platform, a momentary contact type switch mounted on the scale base for actuation by the kick bar and a timer operated by the momentary contact switch for maintaining the application of power to the electronic digital weighing system for a preselected time interval sufficient for a weighing operation.

Abstract: The electronic measuring system includes a novel power supply which may receive power from a D.C. or A.C. source but which is particularly adapted to convert D.C. battery power to higher voltage pulses to drive a transducer. During intervals between transducer power pulses, an automatic drift compensation system stores an indication of system drift for use during a subsequent power pulse period. The system includes stability sensing means which render the system inoperative for measurement purposes when the signal from the measuring transducer is unstable. To compensate for a loss of time, the system automatically operates for a short period at a rapid rate subsequent to a period of input signal unstability.A novel indicator system and indicator control unit is employed wherein up-down counters are controlled in the indicator for rounding purposes.

Abstract: Scale with a digital display and an additional analogue display, the latter comprising at least one group of optically activable elements forming a row, each element corresponding to a value range of results of weighing operations, the length of the higher order range being at least ten times the length of the lower order range, all elements corresponding to value ranges lower than the value range to be displayed being activated.

Abstract: A weighing machine with a digital display and having a lever and coded disc that rotate about a common axis. The disc is constrained to rotate in the direction of the lever after a preset time delay, the lever rotating a distance related to the weight of an object placed on the machine. Indicia on the disc are counted during the time interval between initiation of disc rotation and the striking of a contact on the disc with a contact on the lever, the number of counts defining the weight of the object.

Abstract: A system for the automatic zero setting of scales having digital display of the weight is provided so that at tare weight of a bridge mechanism connected to a weighing pan of the scale the display will be as closely equal to zero as possible. Amplifiers and a voltage/frequency transducer are connected to the electrical measuring bridge. A presettable counter connects with the voltage/frequency transducer. The counter is preset so that at tare weight of the bridge mechanism the reading of the scale will be as close to zero as possible. In the path of the information going to the counter a correction unit is arranged. The count provided by the counter is observed by a differentiating unit for detecting deviations of a given magnitude in one direction or the other from a count value which produces a zero indication. The differentiating unit then supplies the correction order and direction of correction to the correction unit.

Abstract: Highly accurate and versatile computing scale which is particularly suitable for postal use. The platform of the scale is mounted on and supported by a single load cell in a system requiring no levers, pivots or other moving parts. Weight readings are averaged on a moving average basis, and in one preferred embodiment the scale has an accuracy on the order of 1/32 ounce over a range of 70 pounds. With no load on the scale, any drift is cancelled by increasing or decreasing the net weight reading in small increments during successive counting cycles to maintain an accurate zero reference. The scale includes a keyboard through which a postal clerk can enter information about the destination and type of service desired, and a zip code to postal zone converter is included for automatically determining the postal zone from the zip code. Digital displays indicate the weight and postage to both the clerk and customer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a weighing and computing system for determining and displaying the total net price of a series of commodity items including items to be weighed for determining individual net prices from unit weight prices and items of fixed net prices which are not to be weighed. The system includes a weighing mechanism comprising a platform upon which a commodity item to be weighed is placed for providing reference and gross weight signals corresponding to the load on the platform with the reference weight signals corresponding to the total load of all previous commodities in the series which have been weighed and the gross weight signals corresponding to the total load of all said previous commodities weighed and the load of the next commodity in the series to be weighed and a selectively operable unit price means for providing a rate signal corresponding to a unit weight price for a commodity to be weighed or an item net price signal for a commodity of fixed net price.

Abstract: Tare adjusting apparatus for a computing scale includes a tare adjustment knob for establishing the no-load reference position of the scale and thus compensating for the weight of the packaging material of the product being weighed. A sensing circuit includes a switch for detecting when the tare adjustment knob is adjusted or set to zero and an oscillator circuit for determining when the tare adjustment knob is manually touched. A tare warning lamp is controlled by a control circuit which is responsive to the sensing circuit for lighting the tare warning lamp if the operator should touch the tare adjustment knob during a weighing operation. The tare warning lamp is lit before each weighing operation by the control circuit and is extinguished only when the tare adjustment knob is adjusted or set to zero. Thus the operator is reminded that the proper tare setting may need to be reset after each weighing operation.

Abstract: A flexure scale is made of compact, inexpensive construction and includes a load frame which is supported via flexures from a stationary support frame. The load frame includes two oppositely directed beam arms which are displaced when a load is placed on the load frame. The two beam arms are connected together to permit a summation of their displacements and the longer beam arm is secured at the free end to the support frame by means of a spring which proportionally restrains the displacement of the beam arm. A linear variable differential transformer is mounted on the support frame to emit signals corresponding to the displacements of the beam arms to a digital readout means. The electrical output of this transformer is adjusted to produce a fixed output for a standard load.A system composed of a multiplicity of these scales requires only a single read-out means.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for detecting and dispensing articles of preselected weights suspended from shackles movable along a path by conveyor means. The apparatus comprises scale means for successively weighing the shackles and articles at a weighing station along the path, mechanical to electrical transducer means coupled with the scale means for generating analog electrical signals indicative of the sensed weights, and means for digitizing the analog electrical signals. The apparatus further comprises digital computer means for comparing the digitized electrical signals with sets of digital word bits indicative of a preselected set of weight ranges, and for generating article release command signals indicative of weight ranges in which the sensed article weights are computed to lie.

Abstract: A patient weighing system for automatically providing a visual display of stantaneous patient weight includes a bed assembly for receiving the patient which is supported by weight responsive means producing analog signals as a function of instantaneous total weight. The analog signals are converted to commensurate digital signals. A first storage register stores the digital signal representative of the weight of the bed assembly without the patient. A second storage register stores the digital signals representative of the total weight of the bed assembly including the patient. A difference digital signal is developed which is representative of the difference between the digital signals stored in the first and second storage registers, providing a net or remainder digital signal which is a function of patient weight.

Abstract: A digital decadic indicator for measured values in which the object of the invention is to indicate along with the measured values the associated accidental so-called Gaussian measurement error. This is achieved by providing in the indicator a means for indicating by electronic methods the measurement error. The unit used for the electronic calculation is advantageously built into the measuring device.

Abstract: Improved electronic scale system for weighing, computing a value and printing a label showing the weight, price per unit weight and the computed value for each of a plurality of successive articles. An integrated circuit microcomputer is periodically supplied with the article weight from a load cell scale and is supplied with the price per unit weight either from a manual keyboard or automatically from a commodity plate in a label printer. After the system corrects for scale error, checks for scale no motion, compensates for any tare weight and checks various interlocks, the microcomputer computes an article value. A no motion signal is generated by the microcomputer when a predetermined number of successive weight measurements deviate from one another by no more than a predetermined small fractional weight less than the least significant weight digit used by the microcomputer in computing an article value.

Abstract: An electronic scale apparatus for use in determining the net weight of an object placed on a weighing scale features selecting means operable for generating a digital signal corresponding to the dead weight of the object, digital to analog conversion means coupled to the selecting means and operable for producing a first analog signal corresponding to the digital signal, the weighing scale being operable for producing a second analog signal corresponding to the gross weight of the object, a differential amplifier coupled to the conversion means and to the weighing scale and being operable for producing a third analog signal substantially equal to the difference between the first and second analog signals, whereby the third analog signal represents the net weight of the object.

Abstract: An electronic digital readout diet scale including means for accurately detecting and displaying minute changes of weight in a dieter accurate to small fractions of pounds is described. One embodiment comprises a transducer for generating a signal representing the weight of the dieter, and means for storing a signal representing a reference weight for the dieter. These signals are applied to a time gated oscillator whose output in turn is applied to an up-down counter. The counter is responsive to the oscillator output signals to display the dieter's weight or change in weight, and provides a digital display of current weight or weight change. A switching device, either manual or automatic with a time delay, first couples the transducer output to the counter to display the current weight of a user and then couples the storage means to the counter to decrease the displayed weight by the reference weight, whereby the relative change of weight of the user may be displayed.

Abstract: An optical shaft encoder is mounted on a mechanical scale with direct coupling between the encoder and the scale pointer. The shaft encoder generates an up or down pulse train, depending on the direction of rotation of the scale shaft. The pulse train is shaped and decoded to determine the direction of rotation. The pulses are then multiplied and/or divided as necessary to provide range scaling for a given scale capacity. The range scaled pulse train then drives a binary tally counter and a BCD counter. The BCD counter output is utilized to produce a selected number of extra pulses which are added or subtracted from the tally counter. The BCD counter corrects for a scale shaft rotation of less than 360.degree. between zero and a full scale reading. The output from the tally counters are provided to a set of seven-segment decimal counters. These counters produce outputs used to drive digital displays.

Abstract: Improved electronic apparatus for weighing, computing a value and printing a label showing the weight, the price per unit weight and the computed value of each of a plurality of successive commodities. An integrated circuit microcomputer is supplied with the article weight from a load cell scale and with the price per unit weight either from a manual keyboard or automatically from a commodity plate in a label printer. The microcomputer includes an arithmetic logic unit, data registers and a sequence controller which is programmed to cause the microcomputer to correct for scale errors, to check for no motion of the scale, to compensate the measured gross weight for any tare weight, to check various interlocks, to compute an article value and to cause a label to be printed for the article. Input data to the microcomputer and output data from the microcomputer is multiplexed through interface circuitry.

Abstract: Highly accurate and versatile computing scale which is particularly suitable for postal use. The platform of the scale is mounted on and supported by a single load cell in a system requiring no levers, pivots or other moving parts. Weight readings are averaged on a moving average basis, and in one preferred embodiment the scale has an accuracy on the order of 1/32 ounce over a range of 70 pounds. With no load on the scale, any drift is cancelled by increasing or decreasing the net weight reading in small increments during successive counting cycles to maintain an accurate zero reference. The scale includes a keyboard through which a postal clerk can enter information about the destination and type of service desired, and a zip code to postal zone converter is included for automatically determining the postal zone from the zip code. Digital displays indicate the weight and postage to both the clerk and customer.

Abstract: In a plural scale system such as a parts counter having a minor scale for measuring the weight of a known number of sample parts and a major scale for measuring the weight of an unknown number of parts to be counted, apparatus for indicating when the scales are zeroed. Circuitry is provided for automatically correcting the weight outputs from each scale for a limited amount of zero errors. A digital display indicates the corrected weight on one of the scales. When the corrected weight on any of the other scales is on zero, an indicator light associated with such scale is illuminated.