Patent US3556235A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3556235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photocell checking circuit for optical weighing scale
Assignee: Hobart Manfacturing Co
•
Filing: 1969-09-15
•
Granted: 1971-01-19
•
Expires: 1989-09-15
Abstract
Abstract In a computing weighing scale including photoelectric transducers for converting the weight of a commodity into electrical signals, computing means responsive to the output from the photoelectric transducers, and means for indicating the output from the computing means, a testing circuit is included for determining if all of the photoelectric transducers respond properly to illumination. The testing circuit includes means for illuminating all of the transducers in accordance with a predetermined pattern, preferably simultaneously, circuit means for checking each transducer individually for an electrical output indicating that the transducer responds properly to illumination, and means for indicating if any transducer fails to respond properly to illumination. In one embodiment, the transducers are provided with light from the same source as used in the weighing operation while in another embodiment a separate lamp is provided located near the transducers. Photocell checking may be initiated at several different times, such as once during each scale operation, periodically as determined by a counter, whenever the scale reads below a predetermined weight, when the scale is first turned on, or when any change is made in the means for printing the name of the commodity being weighed.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth C Allen
- 👤 Edwin E Boshinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G23/00; G01G23/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a weighing scale including optical means for converting the weight of a commodity into electrical signals, said means including: a light source; an optical chart having marks thereon representing the weight of the commodity; a plurality of photoelectric transducers positioned to receive light projected by said light source from said optical chart as modified by said marks; the improvement comprising: means for illuminating all said photoelectric transducers in accordance with a predetermined pattern; circuit means for checking each said photoelectric transducer individually for an electrical output indicating that said photoelectric transducer responds to illumination; and output means connected to said circuit means for providing an output when any of said photoelectric transducers fails to respond properly to exposure to light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a weighing scale including optical means for converting the weight of a commodity into electrical signals, said means including: a light source; an optical chart having marks thereon representing the weight of the commodity; a plurality of photoelectric transducers positioned to receive light projected by said light source from said optical chart as modified by said marks; the improvement comprising: means for illuminating all said photoelectric transducers in accordance with a predetermined pattern; circuit means for checking each said photoelectric transducer individually for an electrical output indicating that said photoelectric transducer responds to illumination; and output means connected to said circuit means for providing an output when any of said photoelectric transducers fails to respond properly to exposure to light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The scale of claim 1 wherein said means for illuminating all said photoelectric transducers includes a transparent portion at a predetermined location on said optical chart through which light from said light source is projected simultaneously onto all said photoelectric transducers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The scale of claim 1 wherein means for illuminating all said photoelectric transducers includes a second light source positioned to illuminate all of said photoelectric transducers simultaneously regardless of the position of said optical chart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The scale of claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes a flip-flop which is placed in a first condition during the checking of said photoelectric transducers and which is placed in a second conDition only if all of said photoelectric transducers respond properly to exposure to said illumination at the completion of said predetermined pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The scale of claim 4 further including means for computing the price of the commodity and for indicating or printing the weight, price per unit weight, and/or total price, said scale further including means responding to said flip-flop to prevent completion of said scale operation if any one of said photoelectric transducers fails.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a computing weighing scale including readout means for converting the weight of a commodity into electrical signals, means responsive to the output of said readout means for computing the total price of the commodity, and means for indicating the output from said computing means, said readout means including: , a scale platform adapted to receive the commodity; , a light source; , an optical chart connected to and movable in response to the weight of the commodity on said platform, said chart having marks thereon representing the weight of the commodity; and , a plurality of photoelectric transducers positioned to receive light projected by said light source from said optical chart as modified by said marks; , the improvement comprising: means for testing said photoelectric transducers for proper operation, said means including; means for illuminating all of said photoelectric transducers in accordance with a predetermined pattern; circuit means for checking each said photoelectric transducer individually for an electrical output indicating that said photoelectric transducer responds to illumination; and output means connected to said circuit means for providing an output when any one of said photoelectric transducers fails to respond properly to said illumination.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
194 words
In a computing weighing scale including readout means for converting the weight of a commodity into electrical signals, means responsive to the output of said readout means for computing the total price of the commodity, and means for indicating the output from said computing means, said readout means including: , a scale platform adapted to receive the commodity; , a light source; , an optical chart connected to and movable in response to the weight of the commodity on said platform, said chart having marks thereon representing the weight of the commodity; and , a plurality of photoelectric transducers positioned to receive light projected by said light source from said optical chart as modified by said marks; , the improvement comprising: means for testing said photoelectric transducers for proper operation, said means including; means for illuminating all of said photoelectric transducers in accordance with a predetermined pattern; circuit means for checking each said photoelectric transducer individually for an electrical output indicating that said photoelectric transducer responds to illumination; and output means connected to said circuit means for providing an output when any one of said photoelectric transducers fails to respond properly to said illumination.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The scale of claim 6 wherein said means for illuminating all of said photoelectric transducers includes a second light source positioned to illuminate all of said photoelectric transducers simultaneously regardless of the position of said optical chart.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The scale of claim 6 wherein said means for illuminating all said photoelectric transducers includes a transparent portion at a predetermined location on said optical chart through which light from said light source is projected simultaneously onto all said photoelectric transducers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The scale of claim 6 further including means responsive to said output means for preventing an output from said computing means from being applied to said indicating means if any one of said photoelectric transducers fails to respond properly to illumination.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The scale of claim 6 further including: means for counting the number of weighing operations performed by said scale and for producing an output after a predetermined number of said operations; and means responsive to said counting means for initiating the testing of said photoelectric transducers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The scale of claim 6 further including: means for indicating the commodity being weighed; and means responsive to a change in said commodity indicating means for initiating the testing of said photoelectric transducers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The scale of claim 6 further including manual switch means for initiating the testing of said photoelectric transducers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The scale of claim 6 further including circuit means for initiating the testing of said photoelectric transducers each time power is applied to said scale.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The scale of claim 6 including: sensing means for providing an output at the end of the computing cycle; and means responsive to said sensing means for initiating the testing of said photoelectric transducers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The scale of claim 14 further including means for preventing said indicating means from indicating the output of said computing means if any one of said photoelectric transducers fails to respond properly to illumination.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2797614A
Cited
US3042128A
Cited
US3038080A
Cited
US3044691A
Cited
US3335367A
Cited
US3447617A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |