Input-output method and device for combinational weighing system

Claim 1

A control unit for a combinational weighing system with a plurality of article batch handling units each serving to receive an article batch, to output a weight value signal indicative of the weight of said article batch, and to discharge said article batch in response to a discharge signal, said control unit comprising head computers individually associated with said article batch handling units to control the operation thereof, a main computer which controls the overall operation of said system and serves to monitor said weight value signals, a calculation computer which serves to perform combinational calculation by receiving said weight value signals, to select a combination of said article batch handling units by said combinational calculation, and to cause said selected article batch handling units to discharge, a RAM for storing various data, a decoder, and an input-output device including display means for displaying menus showing parameters, values of which can be set or reset, input means for receiving data for setting or resetting operating conditions of said system, and an input-output computer which serves to transmit input data communicating signals according to an input through said input means and to cause newly received operating conditions of said system to be stored in said RAM and displayed by said display means, said decoder serving to transmit an interrupt signal to said calculation computer when said newly received operating conditions are stored in said RAM and to said main computer when new weight value data indicated by said weight value signal are stored in said RAM, said main computer being programmed to transmit condition setting signals to said head computers concurrently with said discharge signals to effect changes in operating conditions of said system according to said input data communicating signals.