Scale for determining the weight of an item within a predetermined time
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorsSeymour Feinland, Gerald C. Freeman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A scale for fast determination of weights including a platform and a load cell transducer. Output of the transducer is converted to a digital signal, processed by a low pass digital filter, and weights computed as a function of the sequence of digital signals by means of an algorithm which compares a first estimate of the weight to the break points of a postal rate chart and uses the first estimate if it is not within a predetermined distance of a break point, and otherwise determines a second, more accurate estimate. The platform and transducers are combined to form a structure which does not have any significant resources below the cut-off frequency of the filter.
Claims6
A scale comprising:
- a) means for supporting an item to be weighted, said supporting means further comprising,
- a1) a pan for receiving said item;
- a2) transducer means for generating an output representative of the instantaneous response of said support means, said pan and said transducer being connected to form a structure;
- and
- b) means for receiving said output of said transducer means and for determining the weight of said item as a function of said output;
- wherein,
- c) the average time for determining the weight of a representative series of said items is approximately equal to a predetermined time;
- wherein,
- d) the stiffness of said structure is sufficiently great in relation to the mass of said structure that said structure has no substantial resonances below a predetermined frequency, the period of said frequency being substantially less than said predetermined time wherein,
- e) said output of said transducer means is processed by a low pass filter, said filter having a cut off frequency less than said predetermined frequency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.