Weighing Instrument Display Shift to General-Purpose Computer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weighing instruments face hardware redundancy and compliance issues when primary data entry/display functionality is subsumed into peripheral devices, making it challenging to maintain legal controls for Weights & Measures regulations.
Innovation Solution
A weighing instrument design where the primary display functionality is shifted to a general-purpose computer outside legal controls, using a controller with a weight-processing module and communications module for bi-directional encrypted communication, reducing hardware redundancy while maintaining legal compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the primary data entry/display device is integrated into the weighing instrument subject to legal controls, then compliance with Weights & Measures regulations is maintained, but hardware redundancy increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the primary data entry and display functions from the legally-controlled weighing instrument and relocates them to an external general-purpose computer. The controller retains only the essential weighing function and communicates weight data to the external computer, which handles all display and data entry operations. This extraction eliminates hardware redundancy while maintaining legal compliance through the sealed controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the external general-purpose computer serve multiple functions: it acts as the display device, data entry device, and processing unit for the weighing instrument. By utilizing the universal capabilities of a standard computer, the system eliminates the need for dedicated specialized hardware components, thereby reducing redundancy while maintaining full operational functionality.
2Device complexity
If the primary data entry/display functionality is subsumed into a peripheral device, then hardware redundancy is reduced, but maintaining legal controls becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the weighing system into two distinct parts: a sealed, legally-controlled controller that performs only weight measurement and data generation, and an unsealed external general-purpose computer that handles display and data entry. This segmentation allows the critical weighing function to remain under legal control while permitting the peripheral computer to operate without such restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communications module as an intermediary between the sealed controller and the external computer. This intermediary maintains the legal boundary by ensuring that only weight data passes from the controlled to the uncontrolled system, while allowing full bidirectional communication for display and input operations, thus preserving legal compliance architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a personal computer is used as secondary data entry/display device, then functionality is enhanced, but hardware redundancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent upgrades the secondary computer interface to become the primary data entry and display system. The general-purpose computer's universal capabilities are fully utilized for all user interaction functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated display and keyboard hardware, thereby enhancing versatility while reducing hardware redundancy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for reduced hardware redundancy and compliance with legal controls by using a general-purpose computer for primary display and data entry, ensuring accurate and secure weight measurements in commercial transactions without altering legally-relevant software.
Implementation Method 1
at least one load cell on which the weighing platform bears
Implementation Method 2
These load cells react to a force imposed on them by an object on the weigh platform
Data Source
AI summary
A commercial-transaction weighing instrument (110) subject to W&M legal controls, configured with a weighing platform (12), at least one load cell (16), a controller (120) with weight-processing (122) and communications (124) modules, and software to be implemented on a general-purpose computer with display and data entry capabilities. The general-purpose computer itself is not subject to legal controls. The weight-processing module receives data from the at least one load cell and generates output data in the nature of weight and legally-required weighment information. The communications module receives the output data of the weight-processing module and further transmits the data to a general-purpose computer (136). Software implemented on the general-purpose computer has program code for establishing encrypted bidirectional communication with the communications module and to operate as the primary display device for the weighing instrument. Software implemented on the general-purpose computer also has program code for transmitting signals from the general-purpose computer to the communications module in the nature of data or instructions for the weight processing module.