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US3709309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic weighing system with digital readout
Assignee: Reliance Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-09-30
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-09-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved electronic weighing system with a digital readout. A transducer establishes an analog signal corresponding to an unknown weight. The analog signal is amplified, digitized with an analog-to-digital converter and applied to the digital readout. Circuitry is provided for automatically zeroing the analog portion of the system while the transducer output is momentarily interrupted and for filling gaps in the analog signal resulting from the interruption of the transducer output. The digital portion of the system also includes tare weight provisions for modifying the indicated weight, and circuitry for changing the range and the resolution or increment of the weighing system.
Inventors
- 👤 R Williams
- 👤 R Loshbough
- 👤 S Deitemeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G3/00; G01G3/12; G01G3/14; G01G3/142; G01G3/147; H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S177/00; Y10S177/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An electronic weighing system comprising, in combination, transducer means for establishing an analog signal corresponding to an unknown weight, means for amplifying such analog signal, means for indicating the weight corresponding to the amplified analog signal, means for periodically interrupting the analog signal, means operable while the analog signal is interrupted for setting the output of said amplifying means to zero, and means operable while the analog signal is interrupted for causing said indicating means to indicate the weight corresponding to the amplified analog signal prior to interruption of the analog signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An electronic weighing system comprising, in combination, transducer means for establishing an analog signal corresponding to an unknown weight, means for amplifying such analog signal, means for indicating the weight corresponding to the amplified analog signal, means for periodically interrupting the analog signal, means operable while the analog signal is interrupted for setting the output of said amplifying means to zero, and means operable while the analog signal is interrupted for causing said indicating means to indicate the weight corresponding to the amplified analog signal prior to interruption of the analog signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicating means includes a digital readout, and converter means for generating from the amplified analog signal a digital signal corresponding to the unknown weight, and means for applying the digital signal to said digital readout.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 1, and including low pass filter means for averaging signals applied to said indicating means, said filter means having a cut-off frequency below the frequency at which the analog signal is periodically interrupted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 3, wherein said indicating means includes a digital readout, converter means for generating from the filtered signals a digital signal correSponding to the unknown weight, and means for applying the digital signal to said digital readout.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 4, wherein said converter means generates a pulse train having a pulse count proportional to the unknown weight, and wherein said means for applying the digital signal to said digital readout includes means for counting the number of pulses in the pulse train, and means for applying such pulse count to said digital readout.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 5, wherein said counting means includes an up-down counter, means for storing an initial predetermined count in said counter, means for counting said counter down from the initial count with at least a portion of the pulses in the pulse train, means for detecting if the counter reaches a predetermined minimum count, and means for counting said counter up from such minimum count with any remaining pulses in the pulse train.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 5, and including means for changing the number of pulses in the pulse train generated by said converter means whereby the range of said weighing system is changed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 4, wherein said converter means comprises an integrator, means controlling said integrator to integrate the filtered signal for a predetermined time interval and subsequently to integrate a reference voltage having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the filtered signal until the output of the integrator reaches a predetermined level wherein the time interval required to integrate said reference voltage is a function of the unknown weight, and means for generating a train of clock pulses during the time interval in which the reference voltage is integrated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 8, wherein said converter means further includes means for counting the number of clock pulses in the clock pulse train, means for storing such clock pulse count, and means for applying the stored count to said digital readout.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 9, and including means for causing a count corresponding to only a portion of the number of clock pulses generated to be stored in said storage means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electronic weighing system, as defined in claim 9, and including means for storing a predetermined count in said counting means prior to integrating said reference voltage, and means for subtracting the stored predetermined count from the clock pulse count.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |