Weighing instrument using a general-purpose computer as the primary display and data entry

An instrument (110) for weighing an object in a commercial transaction, calibrated and subject to legal controls, comprising:

• a weighing platform (12), sized and adapted to receive the object;
• at least one load cell (16) on which the weighing platform bears;
• a controller (120), comprising:
• a weight-processing module (122), in communication with each of the at least one load cells to receive output signals therefrom and to generate weight and weighment information output data;
• and
• a communications module (124) in bi-directional communication with the weight processing module to receive weight output signals and legally required weighment information therefrom and to transmit data or instructions thereto, the communications module further in bi-directional encrypted communication with a general purpose computer (136) that is not subject to legal controls to receive data therefrom and to transmit data thereto;
• and
• software, implemented on or externally hosted for the general-purpose computer, the software having program code for:
• establishing encrypted bidirectional communication with the communications module;
• transmitting signals from the general-purpose computer to the communications module in the nature of data or instructions for the weight processing module;
• receiving the weight and weighment information output data from the communications module;
• and
• displaying the weight and weighment information output data on the general-purpose computer as a primary display.