LOADING CAR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a scale, in particular a retail scale, with a weighing module. The weighing module comprises a housing in which a load cell is housed. The load cell comprises a fixed section, a deformation section, and a movable section. The fixed section is connected to the housing, and the movable section supports a load cross with a load plate. The deformation section has a strain gauge for measuring a weight acting on the load plate.

[0002] DE 20 2011 050 040 U1 shows a household scale whose load plate is equipped with a writing surface that can be written on with a pen. The writing surface is translucent and illuminated from behind.

[0003] DE 10 2011 083 562 A1 shows a personal scale that includes a light source that is located below the load plate and illuminates the lower area of ​​the scale.

[0004] DE 10 2009 049 567 A1 shows a personal scale with a display device that provides feedback to the person being weighed as to whether he or she is standing correctly on the load plate.

[0005] Retail scales are well known to those in the trade. These scales typically include an operator display for interacting with the scale, for example, to display a weight or indicate malfunctions. The operator must navigate through various menu levels to obtain specific information about the scale's status. This is often time-consuming and unintuitive for the operator.

[0006] The object of the invention is to create a simple device that informs the operator about the technical condition of the scale and facilitates his interaction with the scale.

[0007] This object is achieved by a scale having the features of claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, a scale, in particular a retail scale, is proposed. The scale comprises a weighing module. The weighing module comprises a housing in which a load cell is accommodated. The load cell comprises a fixed section, a deformation section, and a movable section. The fixed section is connected to the housing. The movable section supports a load cross with a load plate. The deformation section has a strain gauge for measuring a weight acting on the load plate. A light strip is attached to the outer wall of the housing, essentially circumferentially around the housing. In this context, essentially circumferential means that the light strip runs around three sides and a large part of the fourth side of the housing, but that the beginning and end of the light strip do not have to be connected or meet.This also includes a distance between the beginning and end of the light band, on the side where the beginning and end meet. The scale comprises a control unit with a state machine that maps at least one technical state of the scale, whereby the control unit controls the light band based on the state of the state machine. In a first embodiment, the control unit applies a pulsed voltage to the light band when the state machine is in a first state. This means that the voltage is switched on and off regularly. This causes the light band to flash. The frequency and length of the voltage pulses are to be selected so that the human eye perceives the light band as flashing. When the state machine is in a second state, the control unit permanently applies a voltage to the light band. This means that the light band lights up continuously.

[0009] In one embodiment, the light strip consists of a flexible carrier. The LED lamps are arranged on the flexible carrier. In one embodiment, the carrier comprises one to ten LED lamps per centimeter of length.

[0010] In one embodiment, the technical state represented by the state machine is a paper supply in a printer.

[0011] In one embodiment, the technical state represented by the state machine is a difference to a target weight, which is formed by the weight determined by the load cell and the target weight. In one embodiment, the technical state represented by the state machine is an outdated software version that must be updated. In one embodiment, the technical state represented by the state machine is a speed of various weight detection steps or processing steps entered via an operator display. In one embodiment, the technical state represented by the state machine is that an operator has correctly identified themselves at the scale via the operator display.

[0012] In one embodiment, the housing is of one-piece, trough-shaped design. Those skilled in the art understand a one-piece, trough-shaped housing to be a housing shape that resembles a trough. It has a square or rectangular base, with the corners possibly being rounded. The housing has a base body, which in one embodiment is made of cast metal and can therefore also have complex shapes, in particular openings and inner walls. The length and width of the housing are significantly greater than its height. The housing comprises a base plate with side walls that are integrally formed on the base plate. The housing is open at the top and has free space inside to accommodate different modules, such as the load cell, electronic modules, and other components inside the housing. In one embodiment, the interior of the housing is covered at the top with a cover.The term "one-piece and trough-shaped" also includes a housing that has internal partitions for different compartments or stabilizing struts. It also includes a housing whose base plate is stepped in some places, so that at these points on the housing a free space is created below the base plate when the base body is placed on a flat surface. This free space is used, for example, for attaching plugs underneath the housing. The housing is also considered to be one-piece and trough-shaped if there are through-openings at various points in the base plate, especially if the stepped base plate, or side walls, for example for attaching plug sockets, feeding cables through, or mounting supports and other elements of the scale. The term "trough-shaped" is therefore only to be regarded as descriptive of the basic appearance of the housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the state machine is a finite state machine consisting of states, state transitions, and actions.

[0014] In one embodiment, the control unit comprises a memory in which a target weight is stored. The state machine is in the second state when the weight value measured by the load cell corresponds to the target weight. The state machine is in the first state when the weight value measured by the load cell deviates from the target weight. The target weight is not to be understood as a discrete weight specification. Rather, the target weight is a weight range, i.e., a discrete weight specification with a certain tolerance, for example, 5% or 10%. For example, when the scale is used in the food industry, the target weight is 190 g - 210 g. If the weight value measured by the load cell is within this range, then it corresponds to the target weight, and the state machine is in a second state.If the weight value measured by the load cell is outside this range, for example, at 180 g, the weight value measured by the load cell deviates from the target weight and the state machine is in the first state. A person skilled in the art therefore understands the term "target weight" as specifying a weight range, where the width of the weight range is small compared to the absolute weight value. In this way, the operator can interact with the scale if the light band indicates whether they need to place additional products, such as slices of food, on the scale's load plate to reach a target weight, or if the scale signals with the light band that the target weight has been reached. The scale thus guides the operator's interaction with the scale.

[0015] In one embodiment, a target piece count and an average weight per piece are stored in a memory in the control unit. The control unit determines a target weight by multiplying the target piece count by the average weight per piece. The weight measured by the load cell is then compared with the target weight. If a number of objects with the specific weight corresponding to the target piece count is placed on the scale, the target weight is reached and measured by the load cell. In this case, the state machine is in the second state. If more or fewer pieces than the target piece count of a product with a corresponding weight are on the scale, the correspondingly calculated target weight is exceeded or undercut. The weight measured by the load cell deviates from the target weight, so that the state machine is in the first state.The control unit controls the light bar accordingly. The scale thus signals to the user whether the desired quantity of a product has been counted. This allows the operator to interact with the scale by being notified via the light bar whether additional products, such as piece goods, need to be placed on the scale's load plate to reach a target quantity, or by the scale signaling with the light bar that the target quantity has been reached. The scale thus guides the operator's interaction with the scale.

[0016] In one embodiment, the operator enters the target weight, the quantity, and the specific gravity of a product to be weighed via a computer unit on the scale. The computer unit is, for example, an all-in-one PC that also serves as a touchscreen for operating the scale. However, the specific method by which this data is made available to the control unit is irrelevant to the invention.

[0017] In one embodiment, the scale comprises a printer. The printer unwinds paper, in particular direct thermal paper, from a continuous roll using a motor-driven printing roller and feeds it to a print head for direct thermal printing. The printer comprises a sensor that determines the length of the used paper. In one embodiment, the control unit of the printing roller determines the length of the used paper, since the number of revolutions of the printing roller can be determined in the control unit and the diameter of the printing roller is a known parameter. The control unit determines the difference between the original length of paper on the continuous roll and the length of paper used since the last paper roll change. This corresponds to the amount of paper still remaining on the continuous roll. The state machine remains in the second state as long as the difference is greater than a threshold value.This means that if there is still paper on the roll, the state machine remains in the second state. The state machine switches to the first state when the difference falls below a threshold. This threshold indicates that the paper supply on the continuous roll is used up or nearly used up, and the operator should insert a new paper roll. The state machine is then in the first state.

[0018] In one embodiment, the control unit comprises a receiver configured to receive data from a computing unit. The state machine of the control unit transitions from the second state to the first state when the receiver receives a signal from the computing unit indicating the need for a software update.

[0019] In one embodiment, the control unit comprises a receiver configured to receive data from a computer unit. The state machine of the control unit transitions from the second state to the first state when the receiver receives a signal from the computer unit that an operator has logged in to the computer unit for service sales using their operator ID. The state machine of the control unit transitions from the first state to the second state when the receiver receives a signal from the computer unit that an operator has logged out of the computer unit using their operator ID. The computer unit is, for example, an all-in-one PC that also serves as a touchscreen for operating the scale. However, the specific method by which this data is made available to the control unit is irrelevant to the invention.

[0020] In one embodiment, the state machine of the control unit transitions from the second state to the first state when the weight value measured by the load cell represents an overload of the load cell. The operator can then immediately remove the product from the load plate to avoid possible damage to the scale and, in particular, the load cell.

[0021] In one embodiment, the state machine of the control unit is in the second state when the load cell performs a number of weighing operations per unit of time that is above a threshold value stored in the control unit. The state machine of the control unit is in a first state when the load cell performs a number of weighing operations per unit of time that is below the threshold value. The state machine thus monitors the speed with which an operator interacts with the scale, in particular how many weighing operations an operator performs per unit of time. A weighing operation is detected, for example, when the load cell records a weight value and then the weight value returns to zero or to the preload of the load plate and load cross.

[0022] In one embodiment, the state machine is in the first state when the weight value measured by the load cell deviates downwards from the target weight. The state machine is in a third state when the weight value measured by the load cell deviates upwards from the target weight. The control unit applies a pulsed voltage to the light strip when the state machine is in a first state. In this case, the voltage pulses have a first frequency. The control unit applies a pulsed voltage to the light strip when the state machine is in a third state. In this case, the voltage pulses have a second frequency. The first frequency and the second frequency differ. In one embodiment, the first frequency is lower than the second frequency. This causes the light strip to flash slowly when the target weight is not reached.The light band flashes quickly when the target weight is exceeded. The illuminated band lights up continuously when the target weight is reached. The scale thus enables the operator to use guided human-machine interaction. The operator can place additional products, such as sausage slices, on the load plate or remove products, such as sausage slices, from the load plate based on the control unit's control of the illuminated band and the resulting rapid or slow flashing until the difference between the target weight and the measured weight value, which is calculated in the control unit, falls below a threshold and the target weight is therefore considered reached. This causes the control unit to switch to an operating mode in which a permanent voltage is applied to the illuminated band by the control unit.The same applies to piece goods, when the operator is required to separate, i.e., count, a certain number of products using the load plate. For a large number of desired products, for example, 100 screws, a target weight is calculated in the control unit based on the specific gravity of a screw, and the scale enables the operator to use guided human-machine interaction to create a quantity from a certain number of piece goods, for example, 100 screws, on the load plate.

[0023] In one embodiment, the light strip runs around the housing once, in particular the light strip runs around the housing once in the upper region of its side walls, whereby there can be a small gap between the start and end of the light strip in relation to the length of the light strip. The scale comprises a load plate which is placed on the load cross. The outer edges of the load plate extend over the load cross and down over the upper edge of the housing so that the load plate floats like a lid on top of the housing. In one embodiment, the light strip is located in the upper region of the side walls of the housing, but below the edges of the load plate. In one embodiment, the light strip is attached to the upper edge of the housing in such a way that it is covered by the projecting edges of the load plate. In this case, the light from the light strip shines diffusely from under the downward projecting edges of the load plate.

[0024] In one embodiment, electrical cables for controlling the LED lamps are integrated into the flexible carrier material of the light strip.

[0025] In one embodiment, the LED lamps generate light in the wavelength range from 230 nm to 500 nm. The carrier with the LED lamps is coated with phosphor. In particular, the light strip is coated with phosphor on the side where the LED lamps are attached. Phosphor converts the blue or ultraviolet light from the LED lamps into white light.

[0026] It is particularly important to note that not every LED light source is or was coated with phosphor individually, but rather that the LED light sources are first mounted on the support and then the entire side of the support is coated with phosphor. This significantly increases the density of LED light sources per length of the light strip, resulting in a very homogeneous lighting effect. This also means that the illumination from the LED light sources is approximately 170° relative to the plane of the light strip, meaning the light is visible even from very acute angles.

[0027] In one embodiment, the flexible carrier has a layer of adhesive material on the side opposite the LED illuminants. In one embodiment, this layer is a layer of thermally conductive adhesive material. The light strip is attached, in particular glued, to the housing with the adhesive material. The heat generated by the LED illuminants is dissipated to the housing via the layer of adhesive material, in particular via the thermally conductive adhesive material.

[0028] The adhesive material adheres to a surface made of uncoated and / or coated cast metal, so that the housing can be coated or uncoated at the point where the light strip is glued.

[0029] In one embodiment, the light strip is electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit controls the light strip with a DC voltage in the range of 6 volts to 36 volts, in particular 12 volts or 24 volts.

[0030] In one embodiment, the housing comprises a recess or a one-sided recess, which is arranged circumferentially in the upper housing area on the outside of the housing, into which the light strip is glued. A recess is understood to be a depression in the housing wall in the form of a groove. A one-sided recess refers to an edge, which is present, for example, in a sloping housing wall. The edge forms a depression whose rear end is a vertical plane for accommodating the light strip.

[0031] In one embodiment, the scale includes a diffuser mounted on the outside of the housing and covering the recess. The diffuser scatters the light from the LEDs, making it appear as if they were separate light sources, rather than a single, homogenous light source. Furthermore, the diffuser ensures that the light strip appears equally bright from every viewing angle. The diffuser enhances the effect of the phosphor or silicone.

[0032] In one embodiment, the diffuser is made of a translucent material. In one embodiment, the translucent material is a translucent polycarbonate.

[0033] In one embodiment, the diffuser includes a structure on its exterior. This structure makes the diffuser opaque from the outside toward the housing. However, the diffuser is translucent from the housing side toward the outside.

[0034] In one embodiment, the diffuser is designed as a ring. The ring has the dimensions of the housing in the area of ​​the recess. The ring is positively attached to the housing above the recess. In particular, the ring is attached with a locking mechanism. In one embodiment, the diffuser covers the recess. In one embodiment, the diffuser is glued or screwed to the housing.

[0035] In one embodiment, the distance between the LED illuminants and the inside of the diffuser is less than 3 mm. In one embodiment, the distance between the LED illuminants and the inside of the diffuser is less than 1 mm.

[0036] Some embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example in the drawings and described below. They show, in schematic representations: Fig. 1A shop scale according to the invention in a first embodiment, Fig. 2A shop scale according to the invention in a second embodiment, Fig. 3A section of a shop scale according to the invention, and Fig. 4A representation of the control unit with the state machine of the shop scale.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a scale 10 according to the invention according to a first embodiment. The scale comprises a weighing module with a housing 18 in which a load cell is housed. The load cell carries a load cross, which in turn carries a load plate 11. The load plate 11 has a downwardly projecting edge that projects beyond the upper edge of the housing 18. A stand 15 is attached to the weighing module and carries a printer 12 with a label output 16. The printer 12 has a transmitter 121 that transmits the paper length on a full paper roll. The printer 12 has a transmitter 123 that transmits the current paper consumption, which is determined by the rotation of a printing roller. The printer 12 has a transmitter 122 that sends a reset signal when a new paper roll is inserted into the printer 12.The stand 15 also supports an operator display 13, which is designed as a touchscreen, and a customer display 14 opposite the operator display 13. The operator display 13 is an all-in-one PC and includes a computer unit that ensures the computer-implemented functions 131 or operator inputs 130, 132, 133, 134 of the scale. The weighing module rests on four feet 17 attached to its corners. A light strip 19 is attached around the outer edge of the housing 18, which is controlled by a control unit depending on the technical status of the scale.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a scale 20 according to the invention according to a second embodiment. The scale comprises a weighing module with a housing 28 in which a load cell is housed. The load cell carries a load cross, which in turn carries a load plate 21. The load plate 21 has a downwardly projecting edge that projects beyond the upper edge of the housing 28. The weighing module rests on a frame 25 that carries a printer 22 with a label output 26. The printer 22 has a transmitter 221 that transmits the paper length on a full paper roll. The printer 22 has a transmitter 223 that transmits the current paper consumption, which is determined by the rotation of a printing roller. The printer 22 has a transmitter 222 that sends a reset signal when a new paper roll is inserted into the printer 22.The frame 25 also supports an operator display 23, which is designed as a touchscreen, and a customer display 24 opposite the operator display 23. The operator display 23 is an all-in-one PC and comprises a computer unit that ensures the computer-implemented functions 230 or operator inputs 230, 232, 233, 234 of the scale. A light strip 29 is attached around the outer edge of the housing 28 and is controlled by a control unit depending on the technical status of the scale.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a section through the housing 18, 28 of a scale 10, 20. The housing 18, 28 is a cast metal housing and can take on complex shapes. Inside the housing 18, 28, a load cell 30 is screwed to a base 35 with screws 34. The load cell 30 comprises a fixed section 31 screwed to the housing 18, 28, a deformation section 32, and a movable section 33, on which a load cross 39 is attached with a fastening 38. The load cross 39 supports the load plate 11, 21 of the scale, with rubber buffers 40 being attached between the load cross 39 and the load plate 11, 21. The load plate 11, 21 includes a bend 50 at its edges, so that the load plate 11, 21 projects laterally downwards over the upper edges of the housing 18, 28. The weight of a product on the load plate 11, 21 and also the weight of the load cross 39 and the load plate 11, 21 itself thus act on the movable section 33 of the load cell 30.This leads to a mechanical deformation of the deformation section 32, which is measured by strain gauges 36 attached to the deformation section 32. The measured deformation is determined by an evaluation unit 37 and converted into a weight value for the product. The interior of the housing 18, 28, which houses the load cell 30 and also a control unit 51 and possibly other components of the scale such as the power supply and the like, is covered by a cover 41.

[0040] The housing 18, 28 consists of a base plate and four upwardly projecting side walls. The housing is made of cast metal and thus formed in one piece. The transition between the base plate and the side walls is beveled. A recess 44 is provided in the upper area of ​​the side walls, so that a vertical outer wall 47 is slightly set back from the side walls of the housing 18, 28. The carrier 42 of the light strip 19, 29 is glued to this vertical outer wall 47. The carrier 42 is made of flexible material and can therefore also be guided around the corners of the housing 18, 28 in the recess 44. In this context, "flexible" means that the carrier 42 can be bent at least perpendicular to the plane in which the carrier 42 runs, but not necessarily in the plane of the carrier 42 itself. LED lamps 43 are mounted on the carrier 42.The LED lamps 43 can be mounted longitudinally on the support 42 at a density of up to ten LED lamps 43 per cm. The support 42 and LED lamps 43 are covered on the side of the LED lamps with a protective layer 48 made of silicone or phosphor. The protective layer 48 is not only applied to the LED lamps 43 themselves before their mounting on the support 42, but is also applied over the support 42 and the LED lamps 42 after the LED lamps 43 have been mounted on the support 42. This allows a higher density of LED lamps 43 on the support 42 to be achieved, and the beam angle for homogeneous light from each LED lamp 43 increases to approximately 170°.A protective layer 48 made of silicone is applied when the LED illuminants 43 generate light in the wavelength range from 450 nm to 500 nm, 500 nm to 570 nm, or 610 nm to 760 nm, and the different LED illuminants 43 are arranged in regular arrays on the carrier 42. This allows the light strip 19, 29 to be illuminated in RGB colors via the control unit 51. A protective layer 48 made of phosphor is applied when the LED illuminants 43 emit light in the wavelength range from 230 nm to 500 nm (ultraviolet to blue light). The protective layer 48 made of phosphor makes this light visible to the operator as white light.

[0041] The recess 44 with carrier 42, LED lamps 43, and protective layer 48 is covered by a diffuser 49. The diffuser 49 provides mechanical protection for the light strip 19, 29 and simultaneously refracts the light, so that the light strip 19, 29 acts like a homogeneous light source. For this purpose, the diffuser 49 can be structured, i.e., surface-treated, on its outer surface. The effect that the light strip 19, 29 acts like a homogeneous light source is caused by the high density of LED lamps 43 and by the shared protective layer 48 made of silicone or phosphor on the LED lamps 43, and is reinforced or completed by the diffuser 49 and the external structuring of the diffuser 49. The diffuser 49 rests on surfaces 45, 46 of the housing 18, 28 above and below the recess 44 and is glued to these surfaces 45, 46, locked thereto with a snap-in connection or screwed thereto.The diffuser 49 is an annular component that is slid over the housing 18, 28 from below and fits snugly onto the side walls of the housing 18, 28. The diffuser 49 is made of translucent material, in particular translucent polycarbonate.

[0042] The control unit 51 comprises a state machine 52 that represents at least one technical state of the scale. The control unit controls the light strip 19, 29 based on the state of the state machine 52.

[0043] The technical state represented by the state machine can be a paper supply in a printer, a difference to a target weight formed by the weight determined by the load cell and the target weight, an outdated software version that requires updates, the speed of various weight recording steps or processing steps entered via an operator display, or whether an operator has correctly identified themselves at the scale via the operator display. Depending on the state of the state machine based on various input parameters from the load cell, sensors, or the scale controller, the light strip can be controlled, for example, in different colors (red, yellow, green) for an RGB light strip, or as illuminated or flashing for a monochrome light strip.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the control unit 51 and the state machine 52 implemented in the control unit. Fig. 4 Various state machines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 52g are shown, all or only some of which can be implemented in a control unit 51 of a scale 10, 20 according to the invention. Each state machine 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 52g is assigned a control module 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e, 51f, which interacts with the corresponding state machine 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 52g and is part of the control unit 51.

[0045] The first control module 51a receives a target weight 130, 230 from an input device of the scale 10, 20, for example, the operator display 13, 23. Alternatively, the first control module 51a receives a target quantity 134, 234 of products and a specific weight 133, 233 per product from an input device 13, 23 of the scale 10, 20. The first control module 51a calculates a target weight from the target quantity 134, 234 and the specific weight 133, 233 per product. The first control module 51a can determine a weight range from the target weight, which includes tolerances, whereby the entire weight range is then considered the target weight. Furthermore, the first control module 51a receives weight values ​​determined by the load cell 30. If a weight value determined by the load cell 30 corresponds to the target weight, the first state machine 52a switches or remains in a second state 52a2.If the weight determined by the load cell 30 does not correspond to the target weight, the first state machine 52a switches or remains in the first state 52a1. The state transitions between the first state 52a1 and the second state 52a2 are indicated in the drawing, although the remaining in the corresponding state is not indicated separately for reasons of clarity.

[0046] The second control module 51b receives a paper length 121, 221 from a printer 12, 22, which is present on a continuous roll of direct thermal paper, as well as a reset signal 122, 222, which indicates that a full direct thermal roll has been newly inserted into the printer. The second control module 51b continuously receives information 123, 223 from the printer 12, 22 regarding how much paper is being fed to the print head via the motor-driven print roller. This corresponds to the used direct thermal paper. The second control module 51b calculates the difference between the paper length 121, 221 on the continuous roll and the used paper 123, 223. If this difference is smaller than a threshold value, in particular zero, i.e., the paper supply of the label roll has been used up, the second control module 51b switches the second state machine 52b to the first state 52b1.If this difference is greater than a threshold value, in particular greater than zero, i.e., the paper on the continuous label roll has not yet been used up, the second state machine 52b remains in the second state 52b2. If a paper roll is refilled and the second control module 51b receives a corresponding reset signal 122, 222 from the printer 12, 22, the second control module 51b moves the second state machine 52b to the second state 52b2.

[0047] The third control module 51c receives a request 131, 231 to update the software from a computer unit of the scale 10, 20, which is integrated, for example, in the operator display 13, 23 of the scale as an all-in-one computer. The third control module 51c causes the third state machine 52c to transition to the first state 52c1. If the third control module 51c receives from the scale 10, 20 that the updates have been installed, the third control module 51c causes the third state machine 52c to transition to the second state 52c2.

[0048] The fourth control module 51d receives information 132, 232 from a computer unit of the scale 10, 20, which is integrated, for example, in the operator display 13, 23 of the scale as an all-in-one computer, indicating whether an operator is currently logged on to the scale for service sales. If an operator has logged on, the fourth control module 51d causes the fourth state machine 52d to transition to the first state 52d1. If the fourth control module 51d receives information 132, 232 from the scale 10, 20 indicating that the operator has completed the operating process and the scale is thus free for further operators, the fourth control module 51d causes the fourth state machine 52d to transition to the second state 52d2.

[0049] If the load cell 30 is loaded during operation with objects that exceed the maximum permissible weight of the load cell 30, this represents an overload situation. In this case, the load cell 30 issues a corresponding warning signal. The fifth control module 51e receives a warning signal from the load cell 30, which represents an overload situation, and causes the fifth state machine 52e to transition to the first state 52e1. If the fifth control module 51e no longer receives an overload signal from the load cell 30, the fifth control module 51e causes the fifth state machine 52e to transition to the second state 52d2.

[0050] The sixth control module 51f receives a threshold value 135, 235 from a computer unit of the scale 10, 20, which is integrated, for example, in the operator display 13, 23 of the scale as an all-in-one computer, indicating how many weighings an operator must perform per unit of time. Furthermore, the sixth control module 51f continuously receives the weighings from the load cell 30. The sixth control module calculates from this whether the required number of weighings per unit of time is achieved by the operator. The sixth control module 51f places the sixth state machine 52f in the first state 52f1 if the threshold value 135, 235 is not reached. The sixth control module 51f places the sixth state machine 52f in the second state 52f2 if the threshold value 135, 235 is reached or exceeded.

[0051] The seventh control module receives a target weight from an input device of the scale 10, 20, for example, the operator display 13, 23. Alternatively, the seventh control module receives a target quantity of products and a specific weight per product from an input device 13, 23 of the scale 10, 20. The seventh control module calculates a target weight from the target quantity and the specific weight per product. The seventh control module can determine a weight range from the target weight, which includes tolerances, whereby the entire weight range is then considered the target weight. The seventh control module and the data received by the seventh control module, such as the target weight, target quantity, or specific weight per product, are stored in Fig. 4not shown for reasons of clarity. A representation would be analogous to the representation of the first control module 51a. Furthermore, the seventh control module receives weight values ​​determined by the load cell 30. If a weight value determined by the load cell 30 corresponds to the target weight, the seventh state machine 52g switches or remains in a second state 52g2. If the weight determined by the load cell 30 falls below the target weight, the seventh state machine 52g switches or remains in the first state 52g1. If the weight determined by the load cell 30 exceeds the target weight, the seventh state machine 52g switches or remains in the third state 52g3.

[0052] The control device 51 comprises controllers 53, 54 that control and supply voltage to the light strip 19, 29. A selection must be made in advance as to which of the state machines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f will supply the controller with an input signal at a given time and which controller 53, 54 will control the light strip 19, 29. The light strip 19, 29 can only display the state of one state machine at a time. This selection is made by the operator on the operator display 13, 23. The first to sixth state machines 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f are connected to the first controller 53. The seventh state machine is connected to the second controller 54.

[0053] If the light strip 19, 29 is a light strip 19, 29 with illuminants 43 in the wavelength range from 230 nm to 500 nm (monochrome light strip), the following applies: If the first controller 53 controls the light strip 19, 29 and the selected state machine 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f is in a first state 52a1, 52b1, 52c1, 52d1, 52e1, 52f1, the controller 53a applies a pulsed voltage to the light strip. The light strip 19, 29 flashes. If the selected state machine 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f is in a second state 52a2, 52b2, 52c2, 52d2, 52e2, 52f2, the controller 53b applies a permanent voltage to the light strip. The light strip 19, 29 illuminates.

[0054] If the second controller 54 controls the light strip 19, 29 and the seventh state machine is in a first state 52g1, the light strip is supplied with a pulsed voltage of a first frequency by the controller 54a. The light strip 19, 29 flashes slowly. If the seventh state machine is in a third state 52g3, the light strip is supplied with a pulsed voltage of a second frequency by the controller 54c. The light strip 19, 29 flashes quickly. If the seventh state machine 52g is in a second state 52g2, the light strip is supplied with a permanent voltage by the controller 54b. The light strip 19, 29 lights up.

[0055] In the event that the light strip 19, 29 is a light strip 19, 29 with a group of second LED illuminants 43 with a wavelength range of 500°nm to 570°nm (green light) and a group of third LED illuminants 43 with a wavelength range of 610°nm to 760°nm (red light), the following applies: If the first controller 53 controls the light strip 19, 29 and the selected state machine 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f is in a first state 52a1, 52b1, 52c1, 52d1, 52e1, 52f1, the group of third LED illuminants 43 of the light strip is supplied with a permanent voltage by the controller 53a. The light strip 19, 29 glows red. If the selected state machine 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f is in a second state 52a2, 52b2, 52c2, 52d2, 52e2, 52f2, the group of second LEDs 43 of the light strip is supplied with a permanent voltage by the controller 53b. The light strip 19, 29 glows green.

[0056] If the second controller 54 controls the light strip 19, 29 and the seventh state machine is in a first state 52f1, the group of second LED lamps 43 and the group of third LED lamps 43 of the light strip are supplied with a permanent voltage by the controller 54a. The light strip 19, 29 lights up yellow. If the seventh state machine is in a third state 52f3, the group of third LED lamps 43 of the light strip is supplied with a permanent voltage by the controller 54c. The light strip 19, 29 lights up red. If the seventh state machine 52f is in a second state 52f2, the group of second LED lamps 43 of the light strip is supplied with a permanent voltage by the controller 53b. The light strip 19, 29 lights up green.

[0057] The functions of various elements shown in the drawings, including the functional blocks, may be implemented by dedicated hardware or by generic hardware capable of executing software in conjunction with the corresponding software. If the functions are provided by a processor, they may be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or multiple generic processors that may in turn be shared. The functions may be provided, without limitation, by a digital signal processor (DSP), network processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), read-only memory (ROM) with stored software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile memory.

Claims

1. Scale (10, 20), in particular retail scale, having a weighing module, wherein the weighing module comprises a housing (18, 28), in which a load cell (30) is accommodated, wherein the load cell (30) comprises a fixed section (31), a deformation section (32) and a movable section (33), wherein the fixed section (31) is connected to the housing (18, 28) and the movable section (33) carries a load cross (39) with a load plate (11, 21), wherein the deformation section (32) has a strain gauge (36) for measuring a weight acting on the load plate (11, 21), characterized in that a luminous strip (19, 29) is attached to the outer wall (47) of the housing, and is attached to the housing (18, 28) substantially circumferentially, and in that the scale comprise a control unit (51) comprising a state machine (52) which represents at least one technical state of the scale, wherein the control unit (51) controls the luminous strip (19, 29) on the basis of the state of the state machine (52), and in that the control unit applies a voltage to the luminous strip in a pulsed manner if the state machine (52) is in a first state (52a1, 52b1, 52c1, 52d1, 52e1, 52f1, 52g1), and permanently applies a voltage to the luminous strip if the state machine (52) is in a second state (52a2, 52b2, 52c2, 52d2, 52e2, 52f2, 52g2).

2. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to Claim 1, characterized in that a target weight is stored in a memory in the control unit, and in that the state machine is in the second state if the weight value measured by the load cell corresponds to the target weight, and the state machine is in the first state if the weight value measured by the load cell differs from the target weight.

3. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to Claim 2, characterized in that a target number of items and an average weight per item are stored in a memory in the control unit, and in that the control unit calculates a target weight by multiplying the target number of items by the average weight per item.

4. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the scale comprise a printer, which unrolls paper, in particular direct thermal printing paper, from a continuous roll using a motor-driven printing roller and feeds it to a printhead for direct thermal printing, and in that the printer comprises a sensor that determines the length of the paper consumed, and in that the control unit forms the difference from the paper length originally present on the continuous roll minus the length of the paper consumed since the last paper roll change, and in that the state machine remains in the second state as long as the difference is greater than a threshold value and the state machine switches to the first state if the difference is less than the threshold value.

5. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit comprises a receiver designed for receiving data from a computer unit, wherein the state machine of the control unit transitions from the second state to the first state if the receiver receives from the computer unit a signal indicating the need for a software update.

6. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control unit comprises a receiver designed for receiving data from a computer unit, wherein the state machine of the control unit transitions from the second state to the first state if the receiver receives from the computer unit a signal that an operator has logged on to the computer unit using their operator identifier for the purpose of serviced sales, and in that the state machine of the control unit transitions from the first state to the second state if the receiver receives from the computer unit a signal that an operator has logged off from the computer unit using their operator identifier.

7. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to any of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the state machine of the control unit changes from the second state to the first state if the weight value measured by the load cell represents an overload of the load cell.

8. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to any of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the state machine of the control unit is in the second state if the load cell carries out a number of weighing operations per unit time which is above a threshold value stored in the control unit, and the state machine of the control unit is in a first state if the load cell carries out a number of weighing operations per unit time which is below the threshold value.

9. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the state machine is in the first state if the weight value measured by the load cell differs downwards from the target weight, and in that the state machine is in a third state if the weight value measured by the load cell differs upwards from the target weight, and in that the control unit applies a voltage to the luminous strip in a pulsed manner with a first frequency if the state machine is in a first state, and in that the control unit applies a voltage to the luminous strip in a pulsed manner with a second frequency if the state machine is in a third state, wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are different.

10. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to Claim 9, characterized in that the second frequency is higher than the first frequency.

11. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the LED illuminants generate light in the wavelength range of 230 nm to 500 nm and are coated in particular with phosphor, wherein in particular the luminous strip is coated with phosphor on the side on which the LED illuminants are attached.

12. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the luminous strip consists of a flexible carrier, on which the LED illuminants are arranged, wherein the carrier comprises in particular one to ten LED illuminants per cm length.

13. Scale, in particular retail scale, according to any of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the housing comprises a cutout or a single-sided cutout provided circumferentially in the upper housing region on the outer side of the housing, into which the luminous strip is adhesively bonded, wherein the scale comprise a diffuser which is attached to the outside of the housing and covers the cutout.