Scale Automatic Offline Indication Color Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scales in supermarkets may go offline without operators recognizing the issue, leading to inaccurate pricing of food products due to lack of updated pricing information, as the operators are not alerted to the network disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a color display on the scale's operator interface to change its color condition between online and offline states, providing a visual indication of the scale's status, and optionally includes audio or visual alerts to notify operators of an offline condition, with a controller monitoring the communications interface to determine the scale's status and adjust the display accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the scale is connected to the store network to receive pricing updates, then pricing accuracy is improved, but the scale may go offline without operator recognition, leading to loss of information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes to the display interface to indicate the scale's online/offline status. The display changes color (e.g., green for online, red for offline) to provide immediate visual feedback to operators about the scale's network connection status, preventing information loss about offline conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the scale continuously monitors its network connection status and provides real-time visual feedback through the display. The controller checks the communications interface status and updates the display accordingly, ensuring operators are immediately informed of offline conditions.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the scale operates independently without network connection, then operational continuity is improved, but pricing information becomes outdated, reducing pricing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The display uses color changes to indicate when the scale is operating in offline mode versus online mode. This visual indication allows operators to understand the current pricing accuracy level and take appropriate actions to restore network connection when needed.
3Device complexity
If no visual indication is provided for offline status, then device complexity is reduced, but operator awareness of the problem is lost, leading to continued use of outdated pricing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes in the existing display interface to indicate offline status, adding minimal complexity to the device while effectively communicating the offline state to operators. This approach leverages the existing display hardware without requiring additional complex indication systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A scale and associated method automatically identify when a food product pricing scale is in an offline condition and changes a color condition on the scale display to alert scale operators of the offline condition.