Patent US3619876A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5058691A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5058691A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Infrared detector for ensuring correct weighing
Assignee: W G ASSOCIATES A PARTNERSHIP OF
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Filing: 1990-04-02
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2010-04-02
Abstract
Abstract Parallel infrared beams are directed along opposite edges of an electronic scale which has its weighing platform mounted flush with a supermarket check-out counter. In the event that an object being weighed overhangs the scale and contacts the counter, it will break one or more beams. Means are provided for detecting the interruption of a beam and a disable control signal is generated. Normally, an electronic cash register is connected to an output of the scale for computing the price of a weighed object. However, when the disable signal is generated, communication between the scale and the electronic cash register is disabled, thereby preventing computation of an incorrectly weighed object.
Inventors
- 👤 Rafi Sela
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/52; G01G21/00; G01G21/22; G01G23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A system for ensuring accurate weighing with an electronic scale, the system comprising: means for simultaneously transmitting light beams along at least two opposite edges of the scale weighing platform; receiving means for simultaneously detecting the transmitted light beams when objects being weighed are located entirely within the beam; the receiving means detecting an interruption of one or more light beams by an object overhanding the scale weighing platform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A system for ensuring accurate weighing with an electronic scale, the system comprising: means for simultaneously transmitting light beams along at least two opposite edges of the scale weighing platform; receiving means for simultaneously detecting the transmitted light beams when objects being weighed are located entirely within the beam; the receiving means detecting an interruption of one or more light beams by an object overhanding the scale weighing platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 together with means connected to the receiving means for generating a signal for disabling a computational device connected to the scale, the device normally computing a purchase price for the weighed object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A supermarket check-out system comprising: an electrical cash register; an electronic scale having a weighing platform generally located flush with the surface of a check-out counter, the length of which defines a longitudinal direction; means connecting the output of the scale to the input of the electronic cash register for computing the price of a weighed object; means for transmitting light beams along at least the longitudinal edges of the weighing platform; means for receiving the transmitted light beam when objects being weighed are located entirely within the beam; means connected between the receiving means and the electronic cash register for conducting a disablingh signal thereto, when at least one beam is interrupted, which prevents the computation of price for an incorrectly weighed item.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
A supermarket check-out system comprising: an electrical cash register; an electronic scale having a weighing platform generally located flush with the surface of a check-out counter, the length of which defines a longitudinal direction; means connecting the output of the scale to the input of the electronic cash register for computing the price of a weighed object; means for transmitting light beams along at least the longitudinal edges of the weighing platform; means for receiving the transmitted light beam when objects being weighed are located entirely within the beam; means connected between the receiving means and the electronic cash register for conducting a disablingh signal thereto, when at least one beam is interrupted, which prevents the computation of price for an incorrectly weighed item.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system set forth in claim 3 wherein the transmitting means transmits light along the entire periphery of the weighing platform.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for preventing price computation by an electronic cash register of an erroneous weighed item on an electronic scale, the method comprising the steps: directing IR beams along at least the longitudinal edges of a scale weighing platform, the platform being generally flush with a check-out counter surface, the length of which defines the longitudinal direction; normally computing the price of a weighed item with the electronic cash register; detecting when an overhand object being weighed interrupts at least one beam; and disabling computation of an overhanging object undergoing weighing.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for preventing price computation by an electronic cash register of an erroneous weighed item on an electronic scale, the method comprising the steps: directing IR beams along at least the longitudinal edges of a scale weighing platform, the platform being generally flush with a check-out counter surface, the length of which defines the longitudinal direction; normally computing the price of a weighed item with the electronic cash register; detecting when an overhand object being weighed interrupts at least one beam; and disabling computation of an overhanging object undergoing weighing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method set forth in claim 5 wherein IR beams are directed around the entire periphery of the weighing platform.
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) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |