US 8,281,640 B2 · Check weight, method and system to ensure traceability of same

Abstract

A check weight (1) that is used to check a gravimetric measuring instrument, specifically a balance, or to check a further weight, is provided with a means of identification. This marking which is applied on the outside surface of the check weight includes a permanently affixed machine-readable identification code (2) which makes the specific weight piece individually recognizable. This opens the possibility for a method whereby an individually identifiable check weight can be traced back in time. A system for tracing check weights back in time includes one or more reader devices (6) that serve to record the marking, one or more processors (10) wherein the machine-readable identification code can be converted back into an identification code that can be electronically processed, and one or more data storage units, in particular a database (8) serving to store at least the data contained in the identification code.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method for tracing an identifiable check weight back in time, comprising the steps of:

establishing the identifiable check weight through the substeps of:
providing a specific weight piece;
forming an identification code whereby the specific weight piece is given an individual identity by which it can be recognized;
converting the identification code into a machine-readable code format;
affixing the converted code in the machine-readable format onto the specific weight piece as a marking;
storing the identification code in a database;
and
generating a calibration certificate that associates the specific weight piece with the identification code;
recalibrating the check weight having its identification code stored in the database;
generating a new certificate for the recalibrated check weight, based upon the recalibrating step;
and
establishing, in the database, a history file for the recalibrated check weight, based on the chronological sequence of certificate data therefor in the database.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Check weight, method and system to ensure traceability of same

Life of this patent

Check weight, method and system to ensure traceability of same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16