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Patent 1051933 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 1051933
(21) Application Number: 251378
(54) English Title: DIGITAL SCALE WITH MEANS TO SHIFT DISPLAYED WEIGHT TO SHOW FRACTION OF LEAST NORMALLY DISPLAYED GRADUATION
(54) French Title: BALANCE NUMERIQUE AVEC DISPOSITIF PERMETTANT DE DECALER L'AFFICHAGE POUR FAIRE VOIR LE CHIFFRE SIGNIFICATIF SUIVANT
Status: Expired
Bibliographic Data
Abstracts

English Abstract



ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved electronic apparatus for accurately
weighing, computing a value and printing a label showing the
weight, the price per unit weight and the computed value of each
of a plurality of successive articles. The scale generates a
predetermined number of significant weight digits which are used
in computing values and at least one additional least signifi-
cant weight digit. A digital indicator is provided for normally
displaying the significant digits of the corrected net article
weight obtained from the measured gross article weight less the zero
correction factor and any tare weight. The displayed weight mat
be shifted and the correcting of errors inhibited to permit dis-
playing the additional least significant weight digit while
checking or manually aligning the zero of the uncorrected scale
output.

- 1 -


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. Weight measuring and indicating apparatus comprising,
in combination, scale means for generating a digital weight signal
having a first predetermined number of digits, digital weight
indicator means for displaying a second predetermined number of
weight digits less than the first predetermined number of weight
digits, said digital weight indicator means normally displaying
the second predetermined number of most significant digits of
the weight signal, and means for causing said digital weight
indicator means to display the second predetermined number of
least significant digits of the weight signal whereby the zero
accuracy of the scale means is displayed when zero weight is on
said scale means.
2. Weight measuring and indicating apparatus, as set
forth in claim 1, wherein said scale means includes a load cell
having an output proportional to a weight being measured, and
wherein means is provided for automatically correcting for error
in the load cell output, and including means for inhibiting said
error correcting means whenever said digital weight indicator
means is displaying the least significant digits of the weight
signal.
3. Weight measuring and indicating apparatus comprising,
in combination, scale means for generating a digital weight signal
having a first predetermined number of digits, said scale means
including means for manually adjusting the digital weight signal
to zero, digital weight indicator means for normally displaying
a second predetermined number of weight digits less than the
first predetermined number of weight digits, said digital weight
indicator means normally displaying the most significant digits

121


-122-
of the weight signal, and means for causing said digital weight
indicator means to display the least significant digits of the
weight signal while said scale means is adjusted to zero whereby
said scale means is accurately adjusted while zero weight is on
said scale means.
4. Weight measuring and indicating apparatus, as set
forth in claim 3, wherein said scale means includes a load cell
having an output proportional to a weight being measured, and
wherein means is provided for automatically correcting for error
in the load cell output, and including means for inhibiting said
error correcting means whenever said digital weight indicator
means is displaying the least significant digits of the weight
signal.
5. Measuring apparatus comprising, in combination,
scale means for generating a digital weight signal having a first
predetermined number of digits corresponding to the weight of an
article, said scale means including means for manually adjusting
the digital weight signal to zero, digital weight indicator means
for displaying a second predetermined number of weight digits
less than the first predetermined number of weight digits, said
digital weight indicator means normally displaying the second
predetermined number of the most significant digits of the weight
signal, means for causing said digital weight indicator means to
display the second predetermined number of the least significant
digits of the weight signal while said scale means is adjusted to
zero whereby the zero accuracy of the scale means is displayed
for accurate adjustment while zero weight is on said scale means,
means for computing an article value from the second predetermined
number of the most significant digits of the weight signal and a
preselected price per unit weight, and means for printing an
article label including the second predetermined number of the
most significant digits of the weight signal and the computed
value.

6. Weight measuring and indicating apparatus comprising,
in combination, scale means for generating a digital weight signal
having a first predetermined number of digits, digital weight
indicator means for displaying a second predetermined number of
digital weight signals less than the first predetermined number of
digital weight signals, said digital weight indicator means
normally displaying the second predetermined number of the most
significant digits of the digital weight signal for each weight
measurement, and means for displaying a number of digital weight
signals including a digital weight signal representing a fraction
of the least significant digit of the digital weight signals
normally displayed for each weight measurement to indicate the
accuracy of the adjustments of the scale means to a fraction of the
least significant digit normally displayed for each weight measure-
ment.
7. Weight measuring and indicating apparatus comprising,
in combination, scale means for generating a first predetermined
number of digital place weight signals, digital weight indicator
means for displaying a second predetermined number of digital
place weight signals less than the first predetermined number of
digital place weight signals, switching means, control means
responsive to said switching means and interconnected with said
scale means and with said digital weight indicator means, said
control means comprising means for (1) normally displaying by
said digital weight indicator means the second predetermined
number of the most significant digits of the digital place
weight signal for each weight measurement, and for (2) displaying
by said digital weight indicator means a number of digital place
weight signals including a digital place weight signal repre-
senting a fraction of the least significant digital place of the

123

digital place weight signals normally displayed for each weight
measurement to indicate the accuracy of the adjustments of the
scale means to a fraction of the least significant digit of the
normally displayed digital place weight signals.
8. An improved measuring apparatus comprising, in
combination, programmed control means including a memory, scale
means for generating a digital weight signal having a predeter-
mined number of digits corresponding to the weight of an article,
said programmed control means comprising means for entering a digital
weight signal into said memory, weight indicating means responsive
to said programmed control means for displaying from said memory
either a predetermined number of the most significant weight
digits less than said predetermined number of weight digits or for
displaying from said memory a predetermined number of the least
significant digits less than said predetermined number of weight
digits, and switching means having first and second positions,
said programmed control means also comprising means responsive to
said switching means for causing said weight indicating means
to display said predetermined number of most significant weight
digits from said memory when said switching means is in its first
position and for causing said weight indicating means to display
said predetermined number of least significant digits from said
memory when said switching means is in its second position.

124

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.



CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
This is related to Canadian application Serial No.
212,690, filed October 30, 1974, now abandoned.
This application discloses features claimed in and
also claims features disclosed in the following copending
Canadian patent applications: the application of R. C. Loshbough,
Serial No. 251,376 filed April 29, 1976 for "Motion Detecting
Scale" which is related to the prior filed application Serial
~o. 212,623 filed October 30, 1974, now abandoned; the applica-

tion of R. C. hoshbough et al., Serial No. 251,492 filed April 29,
1976 for "Digital Weight Measuring and Computing Apparatus With
Automatic Zero Correction" which is related to application Serial
No. 212,706 filed October 30, 1974, now abandoned; the applica-
tion of R. C. Loshbough et al., Serial No. 251,481 filed April 29,
1976 for "Value Computing Scale" which application is related to
the prior filed application Serial ~o. 212,587 filed October 29,
1974; the application of G. D. Robaszkiewicz, Serial ~o. 251,377
filed April 29, 1976 for "Apparatus for Isolating Errors in
Printed Records" which application is related to the prior filed
application Serial No. 212,704 filed October 30, 1974; the
application of R. C. Loshbough et al., Serial ~o. 251,420 filed
April 29, 1976 for "Scale with Manual Tare Entry" which applica-
tion is related to the prior filed application Serial No. 212,646
filed October 30, 1974, now abandoned; and the application of
G. D. Robaszkiewicz, Serial ~o. 251,418 filed April 29, 1976 for
"Clear and Restart Arrangement for Digital Measuring Apparatus"
which application is related to the prior filed application
Serial No. 212,691 filed October 30, 1974, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE I~VENTIO~
This invention relates to weight measuring and value
computing apparatus and more particularly to improved apparatus

1051g33
for weighing, computing a value and printing an article label
showing the weight, price per unit weight and computed value of
each of a plurality of successive articles. Apparatus i3
provided for indicating centering of the indicated zero within
a fraction of the least significant indicated weight increment
while the scale is empty.
In recent years the demand for increased efficiency
has created the need for high speed measuring apparatus capable
o~ automatically weighing successive articles and, for each
weighed article, computing a value based upon a predetermined
price per unit weight and printing an article label bearing
such weight, price per unit weight and computed value. Such
measuring apparatus is commonly used, for example, in super-
market meat departments. After a butcher cuts and divides meat
into package portions, the meat may be automatically packaged
and subsequently labeled by automatic weight measuring, value
computing and label printing apparatus.
In the past, apparatus for weighing an article, com-
puting an article price and printing an article label have
2Q included a combination of mechanical, optical and electrical
elements. A typical prior art system of this type is described
in United States Patent 3,384,193 which issued on May 21, 1968
to William C. Susor et al and United States Patent 3,453,422
which issued on July 1, 1969 to William C. Susor. This system
includes a mechanical-optical scale which generates a digital
signal corresponding to an article weight. A computer multiplies
the measured weight by a price per unit weight, using a partial
products method of multiplication, to obtain the article's value.
The measured weight data, the price data and the computed value
data are the~ supplied to a printer for producing an article label.

10~1933
Although systems of this type have been extremely
successful, there has been a need for faster-operating and more
accurate systems. Entirely electronic scale systems using
load cells for generating analog weight signals have been
developed to meet these needs. The analog weight signal is
digitized and the digitized weight is displayed on a digital
indicator and supplied to a value computer. Electronic scale
systems of this type must be manually checked and set to zero
while no article is present on the scale platform. The zero
setting must be checked and readjusted periodically because of
long term drift caused, for example, by temperature changes and
component ageing. However, prior art systems of this type have
not permitted accurate determination and adjustment of the scale
zero because the displayed weight is rounded off to the nearest
digit. Even though the weight indicator displays a weight of
zero, the scale system may be on the verge of changing to plus
or minus one since there has been no means for centering the
scale output within the zero increment.



SUMMARY OF THE INVE~TIO~
In accordance with the pres~ent invention, improved
apparatus is provided to facilitate manually zeroing the scale
including the electronic apparatus which is provided for
successively measuring the weight of articles to be labeled,
for computing an article value from each measured weight and a
price per unit weight supplied to the apparatus, and, for each
weighed article, for printing a label bearing the measured
weight, the computed value and the price per unit weight used
for computing such value. The apparatus is capable of operating
at a high speed with a high degree of accuracy in the measured

weight and the computed value.




4 -

1051933
The present invention relates to weight measuring
and indicating ~pparatus comprising, in combination~ 5cale
means for generating a digital weig~lt signal having a f-lrst
predetermined number of digits, digital weight indicator
means for displaying a second predetermined number of weight digits
less than the first predetermined number of weight digits, the
digital weight indicator means normally displaying the second
predetermined number of most significant digits of the weight
~ignal, and means for causing the digital weight indicator
meRns to display the second predetermined number of least
significant digits of the weight signal whereby the zero
accuracy of the scale means is displayed when zero weight is
on the scale means.
In a further aspect the present invention relates to
measuring and indicating apparatus comprising, in combination,
scale means for generating a digital weight signal having a
~ first predetermined number of digits digital weight indicator
means for displaying a second predetermined number of digital
weight signals less than the first predetermined number of
~0 digital weight signals, the digital weight indicator means
normally displaying the second predetermined number of the
most significant digits of the digital weight signal for
each weight measuremeut, and means for displaying a number of
digital weight signals including a digital weight signal
representing a fraction of the least significant digit of the
digital weight signals normally displayed for each weight
mea~urement to indicate the accuracy of the adjustments of
the scale means to a fraction of the least significant digit
normally displayed for each weight measurement.




B 4a -
jvi>/rw

- ~ ,, ;, . .

1051933
In a still further aspect the present invention
relates to an improved measuring apparatus comprising, in
combination, programmed control means including a memory,
scale means for generatillg a digital weight signal having a

predetermined number of digits corresponding to the weight
Q~JS
of an arcicle, the programmed control means comprising~for
entering a d:Lgital weight signal into the memory, weight
indicating means responslve to the programmed control means
for displaying from the memory either a predetermined number
of the most significant weight digits less than the predetermined
number of weight digits or for displaying from the memory a
predetermined number of the least significant digits less
than the predetermined number of weight digits, and switching
means having first and second positions, the programmed control
means also comprising means responsive to the switching means
for causing the weight indicating means to display the
predetermined number of most significant weight digits from
said memory when the switching means is in its first position
and for causing the weight indicating means to display the
~0 predetermined number of least significant digits from the
memory when the switching means is in its second position.




~ - 4b -


jvb/rw

1~51g33
A predetermined number of signi~icant weight digits
are generated by the scale for use in computing an article
value and for display. In addition, the scale generates at
least one additional weight digit of a lesser significance for
use in automatic and manual correction of zero errors. The
additional weight digit is a fraction of the smallest significant
weight digit.
According to the present invention, the manual
actuation of a switch disables circuitry in the microcomputer
which automatically zeros the scale output and also causes the
weight digits appearing on the digital display to be shifted
such that the additional weight digit and only a portion of the
significant weight digits are indicated. One or more of the
most significant ones of the weight digits are not displayed.
However, these weight digits will be zero even when the scale
output deviates from zero by a considerable amount. While the
switch is actuated to shift the displayed weight, the scale is
calibrated to center the output on zero to within a small frac-
tion of the smallest significant weight digit. When the apparatus
is thereafter returned to a normal operating and display mode of
operation, small deviations from zero in the scale output caused,
for example, by a long term output drift resulting from component
ageing, by temperature changes and by wander in the load cell
output, are compensated for automatically.
The accuracy of the scale zero will be appreciated
from the following example. If the displayed weight is indicated
to two decimal places or to one one-hundredth of a pound, then
the display will show zero weight for actual weights ranging from
-0.005 to +0.0049 pound. This is because the displayed weight
must be rounded off to the nearest digit. By shifting the

1051933
displayed weisht by only one decimal place and readjusting the
displayed weight to zero, the scale will be centered such that
the actual deviation from zero is limited to the range of from
-0.0005 to +0.00049 pound. This highly accurate zero setting
is maintained after the displayed weight is shifted back to the
normal display mode. Thereafter, any zero wander or drift will
be compensated for automatically in the microcomputer through
the use of a zero error correction factor.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWI~GS
Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of apparatus
embodying the principles of the present invention for weighing,
computing a value and printing a label showing the weight, price
per unit weight and computed value of each of a plurality of
successive articles;



Fig. 2, composed of Figs. 2A - 2~, shows a flow
diagram illustrating the operating sequence of apparatus
embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a
switch arrangement for entering data into apparatus for
weighing, computing a value and printing a label for each of
a plurality of successive articles;

Fig. 3A shows a multiplex interface between the
analog-to-digital converter and the microcomputer multiplex
input interface.




Fig. 4, composed of Figs. 4A - 4C, is a schematic




- 6 -

10~1933
logic diagram of circuitry for controlling the operating
sequence and computing a value in apparatus for weighlng,
computing a value and printing a label for each of a
plurality of successive articles;
Fig. 5 is a schematic logic diagram showing multi-
plexing circuitry for supplying data to a digital weight
display;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a printer for use in
apparatus according to the present invention; and
1~ Fig. 7 is a diagram of one possible memory location
arrangement in the random access memory in the microcomputer
of the exemplary apparatus of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to
Fig. 1, a block diagram is shown of apparatus 10 embodying
the principles of the present invention for weighing arti,cles
and, for each weighed article, for computing a value based upon
a predetermined price per unit weight and subsequently printing
an article label bearing the weight, the price per unit weight
and the computed value for the article. The weight of each
article is measured by a scale 11. Although the scale 11 may
be of various known designs using mechanics, optics and
electronics, it is preferably an electronic scale of the type
shown in United States Patent 3,709,309 which issued on
January 9, 1973 to Williams, Jr. et al.
The scale 11 generally comprises a load cell 12 which




mb/-~' 7

'~
'

lOS1933

generates an analoy output signal proportional to the weight of
an article placed on a platter or weight platform 13. The
analog output from the load cell 12 is applied to an analog-to-
digital converter 14 which has a digital output corresponding
to the gross weight of the article on the platter 13. The
digital weight signal from the converter 14 is preferably in a
binary coded decimal (BCD) format which is particularly desirable
for use in computing an article value. The binary coded decimal
(BCD) format comprises four binary digits for each decimal digit.
The weights given to the binary digits are 1, 2, 4, 8 respec-
tively of each decimal digit. The converter 14 may be arranged
to provide any desired number of decimal digits, depending upon
the maximum weight to be weighed on the scale and also upon an
increment represented by the least significant decimal digit.
In the exemplary embodiment described herein, as well as in the
exemplary embodiment set forth in the above-identified patent to
Williams, Jr. et al, it is assumed that five decimal digits will
be supplied by the analog-to-digital converter 14.
The above-identified patent to Williams, Jr. et al
discloses circuitry for automatically canceling unwanted direct
current signals from the direct current or analog signals from
the load cell, sensor, transducer, or strain gauge. In addition,
this patent discloses circuitry for automatically zeroing the
analog portion of the system while the transducer output is
momentarily interrupted and for filling in gaps in the analog
signal resulting from interruption of the transducer or strain
gauge oùtput.
As explained in the above-identified patent to
Williams, Jr. et al, it is sometimes desirable to indicate a
negative weight from the overall arrangement from the scale




. ~

~51~33
load cell through the converter and digital control arrangement.
Thus, when the scale has been corrected to read net weight
and the container and the commodity are both removed from the
platter, the scale should indicate a negative weight equal to
the weight of the container which is the tare weight for which
the scale has been adjusted. The overall arrangement in
accordance with the exemplary embodiment of this invention
is accordingly arranged to indicate a negative weight under
these circumstances and also under other conditions described
herein.
However, the arrangement for making the various analog
corrections described in the above-identified patent to Williams,
Jr. et al do not prevent the zero output display of the scale
from varying or wandering in a random manner.
In accordance with the present invention, the digital
output or display from the scale mechanism is further corrected
in the manner described herein to correct for the random wandering
of the zero display of the scale.
A digital weight signal from the scale 11 is applied
to a control unit 15 through interface circuits of Fig. 3A and
circuits 24 of Fig. 4B. The control unit 15 includes an input/
output buffer and memory 16 which receives the digital weight
data through the interface circuits of Fig. 3A and the
circuits 24 from the scale 11. Data input switches 17 are also
connected to the input/output buffer and memory 16. The data
input switches 17 include a manually operated keyboard for
entering price data, a printer mode switch and tare weight
switches. The input/output buffer and memory 16 functions as an
interface with an arithmetic logic unit 18. A sequence controller ~`
19 càuses the arithmetic logic unit 18 and data memory or

1()51933
registers 20 to compute the value of each weighed article
and to supply such value through the input/output buffer
and memory 16 to a printer 21. The arithmetic logic unit 18,
the sequence controller 19 and the data registers 20 are
preferably included in an integrated circuit microcomputer,
as will be discussed in greater detail below.
The value is computed from a price per unit weight
which is obtained either from the data input switches 17 or
from a commodity plate inserted into the printer 21. The
commodity plate automatically supplies price information to
the input/output buffer 16 in a manner similar to that described
in United States Patent 3,459,272 which issued to Susor on
August 5, 1969. The commodity plate includes raised type
for use in printing the commodity or article name on a label.
Price per unit weight information is encoded on the commodity
plate by means of the presence or absence of a plurality of
holes or notches at predetermined locations. An optical or
other suitable type of reader is provided in the printer 21
for sensing the presence or absence of the holes and for
converting the price per unit weight information to a BCD
output. The weight data from the scale is corrected for any
tare weight and zero error by the arithmetic logic unit 18
and supplied to the printer 21 and to a digital weight display
22. After a steady state weight reading is received by the
logic unit 15 from the scale 11, the sequence controller l9
causes the arithmetic logic unit 18 to compute an article
value. The computed article value, the net article weight and
the price per unit weight information are used by the printer
21. The sequence controller 19 controls data output to the
printer and initiates printing a label.



mb/~ 10 -

1~51~33

After a label is printed, the sequence controller lg
will normally inhibit the arithmetic logic unit 18 until the
label has been removed from the printer 21 and a motion - no
motion cycle has appeared on the scale 11 to indicate that the
weighed article has been removed and a new article has been
placed on the scale 11. The sequence controller 19 may also
inhibit the arithmetic logic unit 18 in the event of the oacur-
rence of various conditions. For example, if the price or tare
information is changed, the apparatus 10 is adapted to go into
a "lock" condition which prevents printing a label until a
'`lock'` switch is manually actuated to extinguish an indicator
light. Such an interlock prevents an accidental change in price
or tare weight data, as when an operator accidentally bumps one
of the switches 17. Another interlock may be provided to pre-

vent printing a label if data print wheels are not properly
set up to the correct value, weight and price data. Still
another interlock may prevent printing an erroneous label in
the event that either the maximum weight capacity of the scale
11 or the maximum value capacity has been exceeded.
For convenience, the apparatus 10 is adapted for
operating in several different modes. The different modes of
operation affect the manner in which the printer 21 prints a
label. The data input switches 17 include the mode switch
which permits selecting either `'single", "demand" or a
`'continuous" mode of operation for printing labels in which
the value is computed for each weighed article. In the single
mode of operation, the ~pparatus 10 must be manually actuated
for each label which is printed. In the demand mode of opera- ;~
tion, a new label is printed each time a printed label is
removed from the printer 21 and the scale 11 has gone through a

motion - no motion cycle to cause the computation of a new value.


lOS1933
In the continuous mode of operation, the printer 21 will con-
tinuously print labels all bearing the same weight, price per
unit weight and value. The mode switch may further include
"price by count" modes of ~single~ 'demand" and "continuous".
In the price by count mode of operation, the printer 21 will
print labels bearing a count or factor of the number of pieces
in each article or package to be labeled and the total price for
this number of pieces. For example, a grocery store may pac~age
six oranges or six pears together. If the package price is, for
example, six for $1.29, then the label will be printed bearing
the legend "$1.29" in the place of the article value and "6/$1.29"
in place o~ the price per unit weight.
In the following description of an exemplary embodi-
ment of the present invention, it is assumed that the automatic
zero correction feature will work within a range of -0.005 pounds
and +0.005 pounds. However, these limits may obviously be
changed to any desired value. In addition, an expanded range
switch or button is provided which will allow the zero correcting
feature to operate within other weight limits. For example, by
operating this expanded range button under certain circumstances,
the automatic zero correcting arrangement may be employed to
correct in the range from 0.105 pounds and 0.095 pounds. However,
the arrangement in accordance with this invention is also arranged
to prevent any operation of the zero correcting arrangement if
the indication of the weight on the scale platter or pan exceeds
0.6 pounds.
Also, a ready lamp or other indicator is provided
which is turned on when indication from the scale is within
+0.002 pounds and -0.002 pounds for a predetermined interval of
time. The lamp is employed to indicate that the scale is
properly correc~ed and in condition to weigh another object or
commodity. The automatic zero wander correction does not stop

at 0.002 pounds, but continues on to be corrected to zero
- 12 -



lOS1933accurately. The automatically operated correcting feature
operates sufficiently rapid so that correction will all be
completed prior to the time the ready lamp is turned on and
thus prior to the time an object or commodity to be weighed is
placed on the platter or pan to be weighed.
It is obvious that the predetermined limits of -0.002
and +0.002 pounds, +0.005 pounds and -0.005 pounds and the
limits of 0.6 and -0.6 pound have been arbitrarily set or
selected and that any other set of suitable limits may be
selected and provided by obvious minor changes in the control
equipment in accordance with the present invention.
Turning now to Figs. 2A through 2~, a flow diagram is
shown for an exemplary operating sequence of the apparatus 10 for
measuring the weight of an article, computing from the measured
weight and a price per unit weight the article value and printing
an article label. The flow diagram consists of a series of
diamonds or rhombuses and rectangles. Each diamond corresponds
to a question having either a yes or a no answer which may be
obtained by conventional methods. Each rectangular block cor-
responds to the performance of a specific function such ascausing a label to be printed. The numbers placed in the circles
to the top and left of the blocks represent input locations.
For example, an "A2" in a circle on the left of the flow diagram
in Fig. 2A represents an input to the second block from the top
in sheet A of Fig. 2. The numbers in the circles to the right
of the blocks in the flow diagram represent an output connected
to a different location in the flow diagram. For example, the ;~
first or uppermost block in Fig. 2A has an output to "El" if
the answer to the question is no. This indicates that if the
answer is no, a jump is made to El or the input on the first
block in sheet E of Fig. 2.


- 13 -

1051933
For convenience, Fig. 2 has been ~eparated into parts
A through J. Generally speaking, Fig. 2A covers the basic cycling
of the apparatus 10. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined
sequence of conditions, the cycle is completed with a print pulse.
S Fig. 2B represents the logic of a check of various interlocks for
the occurrence of new data. Fig. 2C shows the sequence of opera-
tions for the operation of the lock switch which must be pressed
when data is changed and the printer 21 is in the "single" mode
of operation. Fig. 2D shows the logic for checking the setting
of the service switch which affects the weight display 22 and for
checking for the presence of excess weight and excess value.
Fig. 2E generally represents the operation of the scale motion
detector. Fig. 2F shows the operation of the "expand" switch
which permits checking the accuracy of scale zero and of the
auto-zero capture range expand switch. Fig. 2G shows the opera-
tion of the auto-zero correction circuitry, of the price by count
logic and of the value computation. Fig. 2H shows the manner in
which the condition of value, price and weight blanking switches
are checked and the sequence in which the outputs are actually
blanked. Fig. 2I shows the manner in which tare weight is
manually entered into the apparatus 10. Fig. 2J shows the sequence
of operations for transferring weight signals from the analog-to-
digital converter to the microcomputer.
As previously indicated, Fig. 2A shows the basic opera-
ting cycle for the apparatus 10. Each new cycle is initiated at
the input Al to a block 25. If motion has been present on the
~, output from the scale 11 during the previous cycle of the
apparatus 10, a motion flag MOT~F will be set. The motion flag
MOT~F may, for example, consist of a bit stored in a memory or
the state of a flip-flop or a latch. If the motion flag MOTNF
is not set, the logic jumps to the El input while if the motion
flag MOTNF is set, the logic proceeds to a block 26. The logic
must proceed through the block 26 before a label can be printed.
- 14 -


1051933Thus, the block 25 requires a motion - no motion cycle before ~
label is printed. In the block 26, the presence of a motion flag
MOTNF is again checked. If the flag is still present, the cycle
again turns to the El input while if the flag is not present, the
logic proceeds to a block 27 which checks to see if the printer
is in a demand or continuous mode of operation as set on a mode
switch. If the system is operating in a demand or continuous
mode, the logic proceeds to the A5 input, while if it is in a
single mode, logic proceeds to a block 28.
In the block 28, a check is made on whether or not
the printer 21 is set up to inhibit the recognition of a motion -
no motion function if a previously printed label has not been
removed from the printer. If the motion detector is not inhibited,
logic proceeds to A7 while if it is inhibited by the printer 21,
a check is made in block 29 on whether or not a new weight
measurement is required by the printer 21 due to a lack of veri-
fication in the data supplied to the printer 21. If a reweigh
is required, the logic proceeds to A7 while if reweigh is not
required, a block 30 checks to see if print data is stored in
the printer 21. If print data is stored, the system returns to
Al while if print data is not stored, it proceeds to a block 31
which checks on whether or not a "no tare weight" key has been
pressed. If the no t æ e key is pressed, a block 32 checks to
see if the price per pound data is equal to zero. If the price
per pound data is equal to zero, a block 33 outputs a "print"
pulse to the printer 21 for printing a label and the cycle returns
, to Al. This fu~ction is provided to allow printing of labels
i when the weight is equal to or less than 0.1 pound, for testing.
If either the no tare key is not pressed or the price
per pound is not equal to zero, the system proceeds from the
blocks 31 or 32, respectively, to a block 34 which checks to
see if the net weight from the scale 11 is greater than 0.1
pound. If the net weight is not greater than 0.1 pound, it is
- 15 -


1051933assumed that an article is not present on the scale platfor~ 13
and the system returns to Al. If an article greater than one-
tenth pound is present on the scale platform 13, a block 35 check~
to see if a SET latch or flip-flop is true. If it is true, it
indicates that the system interlocks have been broken and the
cycle returns to Al. If SET is not true, a block 36 checks to
see if the net weight is positive. If the net weight should for
any reason be negative, such as when a tare weight is entered
into the apparatus 10 and a package or article has not yet been
placed upon the scale platform 13, the cycle returns to Al. If
the net weight is positive, a block 37 checks to see if an
OVERCAP latch or flip-flop is true. OVERCAP is trued when the
weight capacity of the apparatus 10 has been exceeded.
For the following description, it will be assumed that
the apparatus lO is capable of measuring up to thirty pounds so
that OVERCAP will be true if a weight greater than thirty pounds
is placed upon the scale platform 13. If OVERCAP is true, the
cycle returns to Al. If the capacity of the apparatus 10 has
not been exceeded, a "print" pulse is outputed at a block 38.
From block 38 control is returned to Al. When the control is
transferred to Al5, block 39 causes the system to read all
external inputs including the mode switch, the tare weight
switches, the price switches, the price by count switches, the
auto-price input from the printe~ and any weight input from the
scale ll. After the external inputs are read, a block 40 checks
to see if the apparatus lO is in a "price by count" mode. If
the apparatus lO is in the price by count mode, logic proceeds to
B3 while if it is not in this mode, a block 41 checks to see if
auto-price data has been received from the printer 21. As pre-

viously indicated, the auto-price data may be supplied from a
commodity plate inserted into the printer 21. If auto-price data
is received from the printer 21, a block 42 checks to see if the
price data during the last cycle was also auto-price data
- 16 -



1051933
received from the printer 21. If not, the sy~tem proceeds to
B7. If the last price wa~ also rom the printer, a block 43
reads and stores the auto-price data inputs from the printer 21.
The system then proceeds to Bl.
Turning now to Fig. 2B, the logic is shown for checking
the various interlocks. From the input Bl, a block 46 checks
for correct parity in auto-price data received from the printer.
If there is a parity error, the logic proceeds to B7. If there
is no parity error, the logic proceeds to a block 47. If the
printer 21 is operating in a manual mode, the diagram in Fig. 2B
is entered through B2, wherein a block 48 checks on whether or
not the last cycle was also in the manual mode. If not, the
cycle proceeds to B7 while if the last cycle was also manual,
the logic also proceeds to the block 47. The block 47 checks
on whether or not the price data input has changed. If no
change has occurred, a block 49 checks an interlock on the
printer door. If the printer door is open, the logic proceeds
to B7 while if it is not open, a check is made by a block 50 on
whether or not an auto-zero inhibit signal is received from the
printer 21. If no inhibit signal is received, the cycle pro-
ceeds to B8.
Returning to the b`lock 47, if the price input data has
changed, at a block 51 the new price input data is moved to a
price per pound output memory, hereinafter referred to as
"P/LB OUT". The cycle then proceeds to a block 52 and an inter-
lock flag I~TF is set. The cycle also proceeds to the block 52
from the block 50 if an auto-zero inhibit is received from the
printer 21. The interlock flag INTF may consist of the setting
of a latch or a flip-flop or a bit stored in a memory. The
presence of the flag indicates the occurrence of an interlock
such as a change in the printer mode, the opening of the printer
door or the presence of an auto-zero inhibit signal. After the
interlock flag INTF is set at the block 52, a block 53 checks to
- 17 -


lOS1933

see if an "auto-tare" switch has been actuated. If not, the logic
proceeds to Il for manuall~ entering a tare weight~ If the
auto-tare switch has been pushed, a block 54 updates the tare
weight by storing the current measured weight in a TARE memory
and again sets the interlock flag INTF. A block 55 then checks
to see if the print mode has changed. If not, the logic proceeds
to B12 while if the mode has changed, a block 56 updates a
"print mode out" signal which indicates when the printer 21 is
in the demand or continuous modes of operation. A check is then
made at a block 57 to see if the interlock flag I~TF is set. If
not, the logic jumps to Cl. If the interlock flag I~TF was set,
a block 58 clears the interlock flag I~TF and sets an "initialize"
flag I~ITF. Thus, the initialize flag I~ITF is set whenever
either the price input or the tare weight input has changed. This
flag inhibits the printing of a label until the lock switch is
manually actuated, thus preventing an erroneous change in the
tare weight or price data. After the initialize flag I~ITF is
set, a block 59 trues the SET latch to indicate that the inter-
locks have been broken and the system proceeds to C5.
Fig. 2C shows logic relating to operation of the lock
switch which must be actuated when the initialize flag INITF is
set. A block 62 checks to see if the initialize flag I~ITF is
set. If not, the cycle jumps to CS. If the initialize flag
I~ITF is set, a block 63 checks to see if the mode switch is
in the demand or continuous mode. If the mode switch is in
either of these modes, the cycle again proceeds to C5. If not,
a block 64 checks to see if the lock switch is pressed. If not,
the cycle proceeds to C5. If the lock switch is pressed, a
block 65 clears the initialize flag INITF and clears the SET
latch and continues with the C5 input to a block 66. The block
66 returns the cycle back to either Al or A2, whichever was the

original point of origin for arriving to the block 66.


- 18 -

1051933
The logic of Fig. 2D checks the setting o a 3ervice
switch which permits isolating price and value errors in printed
labels between the printer and the logic unit which calculates
and stores this data, and also checks for the presence of either
an excessive weight or an excessive value which may cause an
error in the output from the apparatus 10. From the D1 input,
a block 69 checks to see if the service switch is in a "display
price" position. If so, a block 70 transfers the price data
stored in the P/LB OUT memory into a WEIGHT OUT memory wherein
such price data is displayed on the digital weight display 22.
If the service switch was not in the "display price" position,
a block 71 checks to see if the service switch is in the "display
valuel' position. If not, the cycle proceeds to D3 while if it
is in this position, the cycle proceeds to a block 72 which
causes a transfer of value data stored in a VALUE OUT memory
into the WEIGHT OUT memory for displaying the value data on the
digital weight display 22. Thus, if an error is present in the
price shown on the print¢d label and the service switch is in
the display price position, a comparison may readily be made
between the price appearing on the digital weight display 22 and
the price appearing on the printed label. If these prices are
not identical, the serviceman will know that the error is due to
a fault in the printer 21. If the data is identical, the service-
man will know that the error is caused in the logic unit 15. A
2~ similar check may be made on the computed value.
The D3 input as well as the outputs from the blocks 70
a~d 72 are applied to a block 73 which turns on a "ZERO" light.
The ZERO light indicates that the scale is properly zeroed to
within 1/4 of the least significant displayed weight digit.
A block 74 then outputs all data and the printer mode to the
printer 21. Subsequently, a block 75 checks to see if the
maximum value capacity of the apparatus 10 has been exceeded.

-- 19 --

l~S~33
If the maximum value has been exceeded, a block 76 will set
an OVERVALUE latch or flip-flop or store a bit in a memory
location. After the ~lock 76 has set OvERVALUE or if the logic
jumped to D7 because the maximum value capacity was not exceeded,
a block 77 checks to see if the maximum weight capacity of the
scale 11 has been exceeded. I~ not, the cycle will proceed to
CS where it is returned to either Al or A2. If the maximum
capacity of the scale 11 has been exceeded, a block 78 sets an
OVERCAP latch or flip-flop or stores a bit in a memory location
and an OVERCAPACIT~ flip-flop or latch is set to turn on an
indicator light. The cycle then returns through C5 to either
Al or A2.
In Fig. 2E, a check is made to see if weight data
read from the scale 11 is legitimate, i.e., no analog-to-digital
lS conversion is occurring in the converter 14. I not, a check is
made on whether or not a zero expand switch is actuated. If
weight data is legitimate, a motion check is made to see if the
data has been consistent or steady for a predetermined number of
cycles.
From an input El, a block 81 checks to see if a Tl
flag is set. The Tl flag is set whenever new weight data has
been read from the scale 11 into the logic unit 15. If the Tl
flag is not set, a block 82 checks to see if a clock signal Tl
is true. A true Tl represents a time interval during which weight
data is not permitted to change. The apparatus 10 may, for
example, operate on a 200 millisecond cycle. Tl may be set
true for an arbitrary time interval, such as true for 60 milli-
seconds out of each cycle and false or the remaining 140 milli-
seconds. If Tl is true, logic proceeds from the block 82 to
E4, while if Tl is not true a block 83 sets the Tl flag and the
logic proceeds to E4. At E4, a block 84 checks to see if a
"zero expand" switch is actuated. If not, the logic returns to
A15 while if the zero expand switch is actuated, a block 85 sets
- 20 -



1051g33the interlock flag INTF and the logic return~ to A15. The zero
expand switch is used for checking the accuracy and adjusting
the weight zero when no weight is present on the platform 13 on
the scale 11. When the zero expand switch is closed, the weight
displayed on the digital weight display 22 is shifted by one
decimal point. Thus, if the scale normally has a maximum reading
of 30.00 pounds, the displayed weight will be shifted over to
display X.XXX pounds or to display as low as l/lOOOth of a pound.
If the Tl flag TlF is set when the logic reaches the
block 81, a block 86 checks to see if Tl is true. If not, the
logic returns to E4. If Tl is true, a block 87 clears the Tl
flag TlF. A block 88 then causes a weight reading to be entered
into the logic unit 15. ~ext block 96 causes the tare timer
state to be read out from the tare timer storage space in the
RAM 187. Then in accordance with block 97, if the count in the
tare timer is not zero it is reduced by one as indicated in
block 97A and the control advances to block 89. If the count
recorded in the tare timer is zero the control advances directly
to block 89. After the weight is read out and the tare timer
decremented if required as described above, block 89 checks the
memory or switches for the setting of the motion detector count
and the motion detector band. The motion detector count is the
number of cycles or repetitions which must occur with no motion
present before a label is printed. For example, switches may
be set to establish that the apparatus 10 must cycle without
motion at least twice or at least three times before a label can
be printed. The band is the amount of permissible change during
a no motion condition. For example, it may be determined that
it is desirable to have a weight reading maintained within plus
or minus 0.005 pound for a no motion condition. This results in
a range of 0.01 pound for the motion detector regardless of the
measured weight. This arrangement eliminates prior art problems
in obtaining a uniform motion detector sensitivity for all weight
- 21 -


1051933
measurements. The prior art optical motion detector3 have nothad a uniform sensitivity~ After the count and band ~or the
motion detector are determined, a block 90 calculates the weight
minus the sum of the target plus the band. If this value i5
positive, then motion is present. The block 90 al~o determines
the weight minus the sum of the target minus the band. If this
sum is negative, then motion al~o is present. The target is
taken to be the last weight reading.
If the block 90 calculates that there is motion, then
a block 91 transfers the logic to Fl while if motion is not pres-
ent, a block g2 checks to see if a motion flag MOT~F was set
during the last cycle of the apparatus 10. If the motion flag is
clear, logic proceeds to F2 while if a motion flag is present, a
block 93 increments by one a no motion counter. After the coun-

ter is incremented, a block 94 compares the total count with theno motion count determined at the block 89. If the contents of
the counter is not equal to or greater than this count, the
cycle proceeds to F2 while if it is greater than or equal to the
count, the motion flag MOT~F is cleared at a block 95. The cycle
then proceeds to F2.
In Fig. 2F, sequence of operations is shown for the
operating sequence of the zero expand, the auto-zero capture
range expand and the weight overcapacity check. The Fl input,
which is entered if motion is present, is applied to a block 98
which clears the no motion counter and sets the motion flag MOT~F.
After the flag is set, a block 99 updates the target and sub-
tracts a digital weight of eight pounds. The output from the
load cell 12 and the scale 11 preferably is always positive since
it is in a digital format. Some types of analog-to-digital
converters 14, such as a dual slope integrating converter, are
more accurate if used in a range wherein they only have a
positive output. This may be accomplished by offsetting the out-
put from the scale 11 to fall within the range of from 8 pounds

- 22 -



1051933to 38 pounds. Thus, the zero iQ arbitrarily off3et by 8 pounds.
The block 99 subtracts an initial weight of eight pounds from
the scale reading to zero the weight signal when no weight is
present on the platter 13. After the eight pounds is subtracted,
a block 100 checks to see whether or not the zero expand switch
is actuated or true. If the zero expand switch is actuated, a
block 101 moves the four least significant digits of the meas-
ured weight, or the digits X.XXX pounds, to the WEIGHT OUT memory
and clears an AUTO-ZERO correction counter. Thus, the digital
weight display 22 will now show the true zero weight setting of
the apparatus 10 to within one-tenth of a normal weight gradua-
tion. Since the auto-zero operation is inhibited, a block 102
turns off the ZERO light and logic jumps to Dl.
I the zero expand switch is not closed, sequence pro-
ceeds from the block 100 to a block 103 which checks to see if an
"auto-zero capture range expand" switch is closed. If not,
sequence proceeds to F6. ~ormally, the weight reading used by
the apparatus 10 for calculating a value is automatically zeroed
if the weight from the scale 11 is less than 0.005 pound when no
weight is present on the platter 13. However, when the auto-
zero capture range expand switch is closed, a block l04 will
check to determine if the weight recorded in the raw weight
register is equal to or less than 0.6 pound.
If the weight reading is greater than 0.6 pound, the
sequence jumps to G7. If it is less, block 106 causes this
weight, up to 0.6 pound, to be recorded in the zero error correc-
tion register in the AUTO-ZERO register. The weight is then
corrected at a block 105 by the contents of the AUTO-ZERO register
and moved to the WEIGHT OUT memory.
After the zero is corrected, a check is made to see
i~ the maximum weight capacity of the apparatus 10 has been
exceeded. Such maximum capacity has arbitrarily been set at
.
- 23 -

1051933
thirty pounds which is generally ~ufficient ~or apparatus of
the type described when used in the meat department of a grocery
store. A block 107 checks to see if the corrected weight stored
in the WEIGHT ouT memory is greater than thirty pounds. If it
is, a block 108 sets an OVERCAP latch, flip-flop or similar
memory device. If the maximum weight is not exceeded, a block
109 clears OVERCAP. slocks 108 and 109 are connected to a block
110 which checks to see if a motion flag MOT~F is present. If
not, logic proceeds to Gl, while if motion is present, a block
111 checks to see if SET is true. If SET is true, the logic
proceeds to G7 while if it is not true, a block 112 blanks the
weight output and the logic proceeds to Dl.
Fig. 2G shows the sequence of operations of the auto-
zero correction circuitry, of the price by count mode of opera-
lS tion and of the value computation if a mode other than price bycount is selected. A correction is automatically made to errors
in the scale zero when the absolute value of the previously
corrected weight is less than 0.005 pound. A total correction
may be made up to 0.6 pound in 0.001 pound increments, or in
other suitable incremental values. Furthermore, gross zero
corrections of up to 0.6 pound may be made by use of the zero
capture range expand switch which stores correction weight up
to 0.6 pound to be stored in an AUTO-ZERO memory.
The Gl input to a block 115 is compared to see if the
absolute value of the corrected weight is less than or equal to
0~005 pound. If not, a block 116 clears the l/4 graduation flag
to turn off a light which indicates that the weight reading used
by the logic unit 15 for computing a value is within l/4 of one
graduation displayed on the digital weight display 22. From the
block 116, sequence of operations proceeds to G7, skipping any
changes in the contents or correction factors stored in an AUTO-
ZERO correction register. If the absolute value of the corrected
weight is less than or equal to 0.005 pound, a block 117 checks
- 24 -


1~)51933
to see if the absolute weight is less than or equal to 0.002
pound. If not, a block 118 sets the zero count register to
twelve which in turn causes the 1/4 graduation indicator light
to be turned off later in the cycle.
If the absolute value of the corrected weight is less
than 0.002 pound, a block 120 indicates that the count stored
in the zero count register is read out of this register but also
remains stored in this register. In accordance with block 119,
the zero count register is checked to determine if zero is
recorded in this register. If the count is zero, block 132checks the weight to determine if the weight is zero. If it is,
the sequence jumps to G7. If the weight is not zero, the
sequence continues to block 121. If the count in the zero
count register is not zero, block 114 indicates that the count
in this register is incremented by one. Thereafter, the sequence
goes to block 132 and then as described.
After the 1/4 graduation flag is set at the block 120,
or after the logic has jumped to G5, a block 121 checks to see
if the total auto-zero correction factor stored in the AUTO-ZERO
register is less than or equal to 0.6 pound, the maximum permis-
sible correction factor. If the correction factor is greater than
or equal to 0.6 pound, no change is made in the correction factor
and the logic jumps to G7, while if it is less than 0.6 pound the
factor stored in AUTO-ZERO is modified by 0.001 pound at a block
122. After the sequence of operations jumps to G7 or after the
AUTO-ZERO correction factor is modified in the block 122, a block
1~3 causes the tare weight stored in the TARE memory to be sub-
tracted from the corrected scale weight and the four most signi-
ficant weight digits are moved to WEIGHT OUT. Thus, it will be
apparent that an auto-zero correction is made regardless of the
fact that a tare w~ight may have previously been entered into the
apparatus 10.

- 25 -

~0~1933
After weight data is stored in WEIGHT OUT, a block 124
checks to see if the printer mode switch has been set to a
price by count mode of operation. If not, the logic jumps to
G12 and subsequently a value is computed. If the apparatus 10
is in a price by count mode, a block 125 causes a factor or
count received from the price by count switch to be stored in
the P/LB OUT memory for supplying to the printer. A block 126
then checks to see if the price by count factor has changed from
the last cycle of the apparatus 10. If a change has occurred,
a jump is made to A15 and all external inputs are again read.
If no change has occurred, a block 127 causes the price per
pound data entered through the price switches to be stored in the
VALUE OUT memory. If the logic has jumped to G12 and price per
pound data from the switches or from the printer is present, the
price per pound data is moved to the P/LB OUT memory location at
a block 128 and zeros are forced into a register which stores
the price by count factor read from the input switches 17. A
block 129 then computes a value by multiplying the contents of
the P/LB OUT memory by the contents of the WEIGHT OUT memory and
stores the answer in the VALUE OUT memory. After the value is
computed and stored, a block 130 compares this value with $100,
the maximum value capacity of the apparatus 10. This maximum
value has been arbitrarily selected to limit the number of print
wheels required by the printer since measuring apparatus of this
type, when used for labeling meat in the meat department of a
groc~ry store, will normally not be required to exceed $100. If
the computed value is greater than $100, a block 131 writes zeros
in the VALUE CUT memory and the logic jumps to C5 while if the
maximum permissible value has not been exceeded, the logic jumps
to Hl.




- 26 -

1051933
In some instanceq, an operator of the apparatus 10 may
wish to print a label which does not include all three of the
price, the weight and the vaLue. The weight, for example, is
blanked whenever the apparatus 10 is operating in a price by
count mode. Or, it may be desired to print a label bearing only
the weight. This may be desirable in a wholesale operation where
the wholesale purchaser will reprice the article for retail ~ales.
Th~refore, the apparatus 10 may be provided with manual ~witches
which permit selectively blanking the price, the weight and the
value from the printed label. The logic for performing these
functions is shown in Fig. 2H.
The Hl input is connected to a block 134 which checks
to see if a "blank price" switch has been actuated. If the
switch is actuated, a block 135 causes blanks or numbers which
index the print wheels to blank spaces to be stored in the
P/LB OUT memory location. If the blank price switch is not
actuated, or after blanks have been stored in the P/LB OUT memory,
a block 136 checks to see if a "blank weight" switch has been
actuated. If the blank weight switch is actuated, a block 137
checks to see if the apparatus 10 is operating in a price by
count mode. If the apparatus 10 is in the price by count mode,
the weight will already have been blanked and logic jumps to H6
while if it is not in the price by count mode, a block 138
blanks the WEIGHT OUT memory. If the blanX weight switch was
not actuated, a block 139 checks to see if the scale is in the
price by count mode. If not, logic jumps to H6 while if it is
in this mode, the block 138 will blank the WEIGHT OUT memory.
If the WEIGHT OUT memory has been blanked or the logic has
jumped to H6, a bloc~ 140 checks to see if a "blank value"
switch has been actuated and, if not, the logic jumps to Dl
while if it is actuated, a block 141 blanks the VALUE OUT memory
and the logic then jumps to Dl.




- 27 _

105~933
Fig. 2I shows the manner in which the tare weight i8
manually entered into the apparatus 10. The tare weight, which
is stored in the TARE memory, is subtracted from the measured
gross article weight for obtaining a net weight used in com-
puting a value. A check is made at a block 144 to see if a~Ino tare" switch has been pushed. If the no tare switch is
pushed, the TARE memory is cleared and the interlock flag I~TF
is set at a block 145 and the logic then jumps to B10. If the
no tare switch was not pushed when the logic was at the block
144, a block 146 checks to see if any other tare switch is pushed.
If not, the logic jumps to B10 while if a tare switch is pushed,
the block 147 checks to see if a three second time interval has
elapsed since the last tare switch was pushed. If three seconds
has elapsed, a block 148 clears the TARE memory and, subsequently,
the tare weight represented by the pushed tare switch is stored
in the TARE memory and the interlock flag I~TF is set. If the
three second interval has not elapsed when the block 147 is
reached, the contents of the TARE memory are updated by adding
the tare value represented by the pushed tare switch to the
contents of the TARE memory. Thus, the tare weight stored in
the TARE memory will then represent the accumulation of tare
weights from two tare switches. For example, an operator may
push a 0.10 pound tare switch and a 0.06 pound tare switch within
a three second time interval and the total tare weight stored
in the TARE memory will equal 0.16 pound. From the block 149,
the logic returns to B10. The three second time interval was
selected on the basis that most people can select and push two
switches in this interval. Of course, a different time interval
may be used.
Fig. 2J shows an exemplary sub-routine or sequence of
operations for causing weight signals received from the analog-


- 28 -

~051933
to-digital convert0r to be entered in the weight registers of the
microprocessor employed in the present invention. The ~ub-
routine or sequence of operation~ shown in Fig. 2J are repre-
sented in Fig. 2E by bloc~ 88.
The remaining drawings show details of logic and cir-
cuitry of an exemplary embodiment of the invention or performing
the functions described in the description of Fig. 2. Turning
first to Fig. 3, the input switches 17 including the price,
printer mode and tare weight data input switches are shown in
detail. Price by count data, price per unit weight data, tare
weight data and printer mode data is all supplied to the input/
output buffer and memory 16 in the control unit 15 on nine switch
buses 155 which represent the digits one through nine. It will
be apparent that no bus is needed for a zero entry which corres-
ponds to the absence of a signal on any of the nine buses 155.When the apparatus 10 is operated in a price by ccunt mode, a
count or factor is entered through a price by count switch 156.
The price by count switch 156 is as a two-wafer or two-pole
rotary switch having eleven contacts for selectively entering a
count two through a count twelve. It will be appreciated that
a count of one would not normally be used nor is there normally
a need for a count greater than twelve, although this may be
accomplished by providing additional contacts on the switch 156.
A count of two through a count of nine is entered into the control
unit 15 by setting the switch 156 and strobing or grounding a
strobe line 157 while a count of ten, eleven or twelve is
entered by setting the switch 156 and strobing a strobe line 158.
When the price by count switch 156 is set to a factor between two
and nine, a signal on the strobe line 157 causes an appropriate
output on one of the nine switch buses 155. Similarly, when a



- 29 -

lOS1933
signal is applied on the strobe line 158 and the price by count
switch 156 is set to a factor of ten, eleven or twelve, a signal
will also appear on one of the switch buses 155.
The apparatus 10 i5 designed for calculating an article
value from price per unit weight data having three significant
digits or from $0.01 up to $9.99 per pound. The price per unit
weight data is manually entered through three switches 159-161.
Each of the price switches 159-161 is a ten-contact rotary switch.
A contact representing zero is not connected while contacts on
the switches representing the digits one through nine are con-
nected to corresponding ones of the nine switch buses 155. The
switch 159 is used for entering pennies, or the least significant
digit of the price data. A strobe line 162 is connected for
providing a signal on the common terminal of the penny switch 159.
When a signal is applied on the strobe line 162, the penny price
data is entered on the connected one of the switch buses 155. The
switch 160 is provided for entering dimes price data when a signal
is received on a dime strobe line 163. Similarly, the switch 161
is connected for supplying dollar price data when a signal is
received on a strobe line 164. Thus, price data up to a maximum
of $9.99 per pound may be entered through the three price switches
159-161. Of course, it will be apparent that the number of price
switches may be varied to meet other requirements for the apparatus
10 and the monetary units represented by the price switches may
be changed to the local currency where the apparatus 10 is used.
Tare weight is entered into the logic unit 15 by means
of nine momentar~ contact tare switches 165 which enter tare
weight in l/lOOth pound increments from 0.01 pound to 0.09 pound
and a switch 166 which enters a tare weight of 0.10 pound. A
signal is periodically applied by the logic unit 15 on a strobe
line 167 which is connected to the l/lOOth pound tare switches
165. These switches 165 are normally open push button switches.
In the event that one of the switches 165 is pushed when a signal
- 30 -


1051933
appears on the ~trobe line 167, an output appears on the
associated one of the switch buses 155. A strobe line 168 is con-
nected to the 0.10 pound tare switch 166, also a push button
switch, and to an "auto-tare" switch 170 and a "no tare" switch
171. In the event that any of the switches 166, 170 or 171 is
pushed when a signal appears on the strobe line 168, an output
will appear on an associated one of the switch buses 155.
The apparatus 10 is designed for operation with a key-
board tare weight ranging from a minrmum of 0.01 pound to a
maximum of 0.19 pound. This is accomplished by providing a
timing circuit in the control unit 15 which is initiated whenever
one of the switches 165 or 166 is actuated. If one of the
switches 165 is actuated and within the measured time interval
the switch 166 is actuated, the tare weights for the two switches
are summed. Similarly, if the switch 166 is actuated first and
within the measured time interval one of the switches 165 is
actuated, the total of the two tare weights is again summed.
If two of the tare switches 165 are actuated within the time
interval, only the most recent value is entered. The time
interval may, for example, be about three seconds which should
afford sufficient time for an operator to select and actuate
two of the tare switches 165 and 166. If a greater time elapses,
only the most recent are weight entered through a switch 165 or
166 is accepted by the control unit 15.
A printer mode switch 172 also supplies data over the
switch buses 155. The printer mode switch 172 is a rotary switch
having a common terminal connected to a printer mode strobe 173.
When a signal is received over the strobe 173, an output appears
on one of the switch buses 155, depending upon the setting of
the mode switch 172. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
the printar mode switch permits selecting between a "single"
mode, a "demand" mode, a "continuous" mode, a "price by count-
i single" mode, a "price by count-demand" mode and a "price by
- 31 -

1051933
cou~t-continuous" mode. In either of the single modes of opera-
tion, a single label is printed each time an article is weighed.
The printer is actuated each time the scale goes through a motion -
no motion cycle, a value is computed and the previous label has
S been removed from the printer 21. In the demand modes of opera-
tion, labels are printed as previous ones are removed from the
printer. In the continuous modes of operation, the printer will
continuously print a series of labels having the same weight,
price per unit weight and value until printing is manually
10 terminated.
The switches 17 also include an "auto-price" switch
17~. When price information is to be supplied automatically from
a commodity plate in the printer, the auto-price switch 174 is
actuated. When the switch 174 is actuated, an indicator light
15 175 is automatically illuminated to annunciate this fact. A
switch 176 is provided for expanding the capture range of the
auto-zero circuitry from a normal range of zero plus or minus
0.005 pound to up to plus or minus 0.6 pound. The switch 176 is
a momentary push button switch. A switch 177 is provided for
inhibiting operation of the auto-zero circuitry to permit govern-
ment inspectors to check the weighing accuracy of the apparatus
10. F~nally, a switch 178 is provided for expanding the weight
reading shown on the digital weight display 22. The zero expand
switch is normally used by maintenance people in calibrating the
zero weight setting for the apparatus 10. When the zero expand
switch 178 is actuated, the displayed weight which is normally
in a format of X5~ pounds is shifted over by one digit to dis-
play a weight reading of X.XXX pounds. This permits calibrating
the scale zero to within l/lOOOth of a pound. Finally, the
switches 17 include a "lock" switch 179. Any time there is a
change in data entered into the apparatus 10 other than weight
data, the apparatus 10 moves from what is normally referred to as
a "ready" state to a "set" state to indicate that an interlock
-- 32 --

1051933
has been broken. The locX switch 179 must be manually actuated
to return the apparatus 10 to the ready state. Thus, an operator
cannot accidentally bump one of the tare switches 165 and 166 or
the price switches 159-161 after the apparatus 10 is in the ready
state and print erroneous labels.
Fig. 3A shows an exemplary arrangement for multiplexing
the output decimal digits from the analog-to-digital converter of
the above-identified Williams, Jr. et al patent so that this infor-
mation may be transmitted over four data conductors or leads.
In addition, four address leads are required to indicate which
of the decimal digits is being transmitted over the four common
leads at any particular instant or interval of time.
While both the above-identified patents to Williams, Jr.
et al and the present exemplary embodiment of the invention show
five decimal digits, it is obvious that any suitable number of
decimal digits may be employed merely by increasing the number
of counterstages and latches and related equipment.
The arrangement shown in Fig. 3A is controlled by a
source of control signals 350. This source of signals may be an
oscillator or any other source of control or clock signals which
may be derived from the analog-to-digital converter such as a
clock source of this converter which would be divided down to a
much slower pulse or clock rate.
The clock source 350 is further divided by five by equip-
ment 351 which may be of any suitable form. The output of thisdividing circuit as shown in Fig. 3A comprises a binary output
having conductors 1, 2 and 4. This is the weight of the signals
output from the frequency divider 351. These signals are then
applied to the multiplexing interface circuits 352, 353, 354 and
355 which may be all the same. These devices are arranged to
switch the five input leads shown to the one output lead under
control of the input binary address signals on conductors 1, 2
and 4. Thus, when the conductors 1, 2 and 4 are all zero, the
- 33 -


1051933
input leads Al, A2, A4 and A8 are connected respectively toWT. DATA 1, WT. DATA 2, WT~ DATA 4 and WT. DATA 8 leads. When a
one signal is applied to the conductor 1 input address conductor
and the other two address conductors are zero, then the Bl, B2,
S B4 and B8 input leads are connected to the respective WT. DATA 1
lead, the WT. DATA 2, WT. DATA 4 and WT. DATA 8 conductors,
respectively. In a similar manner, the other input conductors
of these switching devices are connected to the output weight
data leads.
The input leads Al, A2, A4 and A8 are connected to the
our binary output leads from the first decade of latches 136 of
the above-identified patent to Williams, Jr. et al. Similarly,
the input conductors Bl, B2, B4 and B8 are connected to the four
binary output leads from the second decade of latches 137. The
remaining input leads are similarly connected to the corresponding
binary leads of the other output decade latches 138, 139 and 140
of the above-identified Williams, Jr. et al patent.
In addition, the output binary coded signals over con-
ductors 1, 2 and 4 from the divider 351 are connected to a transla-
ting circuit arrangement 356 such that when all zeros are appliedon the leads 1, 2 and 4, zero will be also applied to the digit
selector leads DIG SEL B, DIG SEL C, DIG SEL D A~D DIG SEL E thus
indicating that the first decade signals appear on the weight
data leads WT. DATA 1, WT. DATA 2, WT. DAT~ 4 and WT. DATA 8.
When a one is applied to the number one lead, a one or voltage
signal will be applied to the DIG SE~ B conductor thus indicating
that the B decade signal will be transmitted over the WT DATA 1,
WT. DATA 2, WT. DATA 4 and WT. DATA 8 leads. Similarly, a one
si~nal will be applied to the digit selector leads C, D and E
when the corresponding weight data signal of these decimal digits
; is applied to the WT. DATA 1, WT. DATA 2, WT. DATA 4 and WT. DAT~
8 leads.
The switching devices for switching any one of the input
- 34 -

.

"

~ 051933lines to an output line are similar to the eight-line to one-line
decoders 198, 199, 200, 202 of Fig. 4B except that the last three
of the eight-line conductors are not connected. Similarly, the
dividing arrangements 351 and the translating arrangement 356 are
well-known and commercially available.
Details of an exemplary control unit 15 are shown in
Fig. 4. Fig. 4 consists of Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C which are
arranged as shown on the first sheet of the drawings. In an exemp-
lary embodiment of the invention the control unit 15 is a micro-

computer 185 which functions to compute the value of each weighedarticle and to control the operating sequence of the apparatus 10.
The microcomputer 185, for example, may be of a type commercially
available in integrated circuits and in the exemplary embodiment
described herein the microcomputer 185 comprises a Model MCS-4
Microcomputer Set manufactured by Intel Corporation of Santa
Clara, California. Such a microcomputer employed in the exemplary
embodiment of the present invention described herein includes a
central processing unit (CPU) 186, a random access memory (RAM)
187 and five read only memories (ROM) 188-192. In the exemplary
arrangement described herein, the CPU 186 is an Intel Type 4004
integrated circuit, the R~M 187 is an Intel Type 4002 integrated
circuit and the ROM's 188-192 are Intel Type 4001 integrated
circuits. ~owever, it will be -ap~reciated that other commercially
available integrated circuit microcomputers or other types of
commercially available computers will operate in accordance with
tha principles described herein.
m ese various CPU, RAM and ROM units are interconnected
in the manner shown in Fig. 4A, as required in order ~or these
units to cooperate one with another as required by the circuit con-

figurations of these standard commercially available units. Theconnections are clearly described in the Users Manual for the MCS-4
Microcomputer Set published by the Intel corporation. Briefly, the
ROM's, R~M and the CPU are all interconnected in parallel by the
- 35 -



1051933
data buq system shown at the top of Fig. 4A. These connectionsare in accordance with the requirements of the computer as com-
mercially available. These connections permit the cooperation
between the ROM's, the RAM and the CPU. Thus, the CPU will trans-

mit an address over the bus system which defines a storage spacein one of the ROM's, for example. The ROM having this storage
space has internal control circuitry which will respond to this
address and in turn cause information stored at the designated
address to be transmitted back over the data bus system to the CPU
which then responds to this information in the usual manner.
The storage portion of the RAM, the ROM's and the sequence
controlling portion of the CPU comprise the sequence controller 19
shown in Fig. 1. Arithmetic unit 18 of Fig. 1 comprises the arith-
metic unit of the CPU 186. The data registers 20 also comprise
registers in the CPU 186 and the registers in the RAM 187. Input/
output ports of the ROM's 188-192 and the RAM 187 and the related
equipment comprise the input/output buffer and memory 16 shown in
Fig. 1.
The read only memory units referred to herein as ROM's
188-192 store fixed data and also store a series of control orders
or instructions for contr~olling the operating sequence of the entire
apparatus 10. These orders or instructions, as is well understood
by persons of ordinary skill in the programming and computer art,
control the central processing unit CPU 186. These orders or in-
structions are readily obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the
programming and computer art from the flow charts of Fig. 2A-2J by
translation of the flow charts into computer language as required
~y the particular microcomputer and set forth in the instructions
in the users manual for the respective computer. A program listing
for performing the operations specified in Figs. 2A-2~ is attached
as an Appendix to this specification. The program in the Appendix
is in the language required for an Intel MCS-4 microcomputer, as
specified in the Users Manual for the MCS-4 Microcomputer Set.

- 36 -



-` ~051~33

Fig. 7 shows the storage area~ o~ the RAM 187 and the
storage areas assigned to various registers for controlling input
and output data, as well as process data, so that the data con-
trol apparatus will operate to automatically correct the zero
indication of the scale in accordance with the present invention.
The control orders or instructions control the CPU 186
so that it will obtain the necessary fixed information from the
ROM's 188-192 as well as the re~uired control orders and instruc-
tions and obtain the data from the RAM 187 and from the various
input devices so that the correct weight of each weighed article
will be accurately determined and then, after various conditions
are met, its value computed, and after the value is computed and
various other conditions are met, causes a label to be printed.
The data used by the microcomputer 185 consists of data
from the switch buses 155, data from the scale 11, data from the
printer 21 and data from various interlocks. Four address out-
puts 193 from the R~M 187 are connected through inverters 194 to
four address buses 195. Address information and other data
supplied from the RAM 187 to the address buses 195 determines
the data supplied to the microcomputer 185 and the data supplied
from the control unit 15 to the printer 21. External data from,
or example, the switches 17, is supplied to the microcomputer
185 on four input data buses 196 connected to the ROM 188. At
the proper time interval, the external input data on the buses
196 passes through the ROM 188 onto four input/output data buses
197 connected in parallel with the five ROM's 188-192, the R~M
187 and the CPU 186.
The external input data is multiplexed onto the buses
196 by means of four 8-line to l-line decoders 198-201 and a
decimal-to-binary coded decimal (BCD) decoder 202. Each of the
four 8-line to l-line decoders 198-201 has a single output con-
nected to a different one of the external input data buses 196
connected to the ROM 188. Three of the four data address buses
- 37 _

lOS1933
195 from the RAM 187 are connected in parallel to the four
decoders 198-201 for selecting the inputs to the decoders lg8-
201 which are connected simultaneou~ly to the buses 196. Thus,
corresponding ones of the eight inputs to the four decoders 198-
201 are connected to the outputs for such decoders. The zeroinputs for each of the four decoders 198-201 are connected to
the four outputs from the decimal-to-BCD decoder 202. When a
zero address is supplied to the data select inputs of the decoders
198-201, the nine switch buses 155 are connected in series through
the decimal-to-~CD decoder 202 and the line zero inputs of the
decoders 198-201 to the four data input buses 196 to the micro-
computer 185.
While the switch buses 155 are connected to the
microcomputer 185, signals are sequentially applied to the price
switch strobes 162-164, the price by count strobes 157 and 158,
the tare switch strobes 167 and 168 and the mode switch strobe
173 for entering this data into the microcomputer 185. The
strobe signals are applied on these strobe lines from a BCD-to-
decimal decoder 203. m e ROM 190 has four data outputs 204 con-
nected respectively through four inverters 205 to four address
buses 206. The address buses 206 supply address data to the BCD-
to-decimal decoder 203 for sequentially scanning the ten outputs
which strobe the price switch strobes 162-164, the price by count
strobes 157 and 158, the tare switch strobes 167 and 168 and the
mode switch strobe 173.
When price per unit weight data is received in an
automatic mode from a commodity plate in the printer 21, such
data is received over four lines 210-213. The four lines 210-
213 are connected, respectively to the line one inputs on the
8-line to l-line decoders 198-201. Four weight digit selection
inputs 214-217 are connected to the line two inputs to the
decoders 198-201, respectively, and four weight data lines 218-
221 are connected, respectively, to the line three inputs to the
- 38 -

1051933
decoders 198-201. The data appearing on the digit selection
inputs 214-217 identifie~ which weight digit is present on the
weight data lines 218-221. The weight data appearing on the
lines 218-221 at any given time is a single digit of weight in a
BCD format. If five digits of weight are to be received from the
scale 11, the five weight digits are sequentially read by
alternately receiving the digit selection data on the lines 214-
217 and the actual weight data on the lines 218-221.
Interlock information is supplied to the microcomputer
185 by means of the line four through line six inputs of the
decoders 198-200 and the line four through line seven inputs of
the decoder 201. The line four input to the decoder 198 receives
data from the lock switch 179, the line five input is connected
to a motion detector inhibit output from a manual print switch in
the printer 21 and the line six input receives a "reweigh" signal
from the printer 21. The line four input to the decoder 199 is
connected to a price contact on a service switch which, when
actuated, connects the line four input to ground. When the
service switch is actuated, price data is shifted into a weight
memory for displaying on the digital weight display 22. The
line five input to the decoder 199 is connected to a lead 222
which receives a signal when a label is printed, as will be dis-
cussed in greater detail below. The line six input to the
decoder 199 is connected to receive an acknowledgment signal from
the printer 21 when print data for a label has been stored.
The line four input to the decoder 200 is connected to
a value contact on the service switch which, when actuated,
causes the computed value to be shown on the digital weight dis-
play 22. The line five input to the decoder 200 is connected
to the auto-price switch 174 and through an amplifier 223 to the
auto-price indicator 175. When the apparatus 10 is operated with
an auto-price received from the printer 21, a parity check is
made to verify the accuracy of the price per unit weight data.
- 39 -

1051933
An auto-price parity signal is applied on a line 224 to the line
six input to the decoder 200. The printer door has an interlock
switch connected to the line four input to the decoder 201. This
interlock prevents accidental actuation of the printer while an
S operator has the door open for changing commodity plates or for
maintenance. The line five input to the decoder 201 i3 connected
~o the zero expand switch 178 (Fig. 3), the line six input is
connected to the Tl clock (not shown) which provides a pulse
signal to indicate the time interval during which weight data
may be read from the scale 11. As previously indicated in the
discussion of Fig. 2, the Tl clock may have a 200 millisecond
cycle, comprised of 60 milliseconds in which weight data may be
read from the scale 11 and 140 milliseconds in which new weight
data is measured by the scale 11. Finally, the line seven input
to the decoder 201 is connected to the capture range expand
switch 176.
The line seven inputs to the decoders 198-200 are
connected to three switches 225-227, respectively. One of the - -
switches 225-227 is closed to establish the number of sequential
hits or no motion cycles of the motion detector before a label
is printed. The switches may, for example, indicate that only
a single hit is reguired if the switch 225 is closed, two hits
are reguired if the switch 226 is closed and three hits are
reguired if the switch 227 is closed.
Output data from the microcomputer 185 is stored within
a random access memory 228. Weight, price and computed value
data is supplied to the RAM 228 from the RAM 187 in the micro-
computer 185 over the buses 195. Address information for storing
data in the R~M 228 is supplied from the ROM 190 over the buses
206. The buses 206 are connected through an address selector 229
to address inputs on the R~M 228. The ROM 189 is connected over
a line 230 to an input to the address selector 229 for connecting
the buses 206 to the RAM 228 for supplying a data storage or
- 40 -

105~933
write address or for connectlng four buses 231 to the ~AM 228
for supplying a xeadout address. Thus, when weight data or price
data is supplied to the microcomputer 185, such data i3 algo
stored in the RAM 228 and when a value is computed, the computed
value is also stored in the RAM 228. The ROM 189 enables writing
or storing data in the RAM 228 by applying a "write enable"
signal through an amplifier 236 to a line 237. The RAM 228 has
four output buses 232 which are connected in parallel for supply-
ing data to the printer 21 and to the weight display 22. The
output buses 232 are also connected through three exclusive OR
gates 233-235 for generating a parity bit from the output data.
A BCD signal is generated in the printer corresponding to the
setting of each print wheel in the printer 21. A parity bit
generated from the setting of each print wheel is compared with
the corresponding parity bit from the gates 233-235 for verifying
the accuracy of the printer setup. If there is a lack of parity,
a "reweigh" signal is applied from the printer 21 to the line
six input to the decoder 198.
As indicated above, an output address is supplied to
the RAM 228 over the readout address buses 231. The output
address buses 231 are also connected to supply an output data
address to the weight display 22 and are connected through ampli-
fiers 240 to supply address data on outputs 240' to the printer
21. An address is applied on the buses 231 from a four bit
address counter 241. A clock signal is applied from a clock
source (not shown) to a decade counter 242. One output of the
counter 242 is applied through an inverter 243 for counting up
the four bit address counter 241. A different output from the
decade counter 242 is applied through an inverter 244 for
supplying a clock signal to the printer 21.



- 41 -

105~933
An output 245 from the ROM 189 in the microcomputer 185
is connected through an inverter 246 to a line 247 which enables
quad bistable latches 248. When the latches 248 are enabled,
data present on the address and data buses 195 from the RAM 187
is set into the latches 248. One output 249 from the latcheR 248
is a memory update request. The memory update request line 249
is connected to a ~AND gate 250. The ~AND gate 250 has an output
connected through an AND gate 251 to an enable input on the four
bit address counter 241. The address selection line 230 con-
nected from the ROM 189 is also connected to a second input of
the A~D gate 251. A signal is applied on the line 230 to the
AND gate 251 at the same time the readout address lines 231 are
connected to the RAM 228. If the output of the ~AND gate 250 is
high at the same time, the A~D gate 251 will enable the four bit
address counter 241 for supplying a sequence of addresses for
reading data from the RAM 228. The ~AND gate 250 also has four
inputs connected to the address buses from the counter 241 and
a printer off input from the printer which is high when the
printer is off. Thus, when the bistable latches 248 are set to
apply a signal on the memory update request line 249 or when the
printer is off, the address counter 241 will cycle whenever a
signal is received from the ROM 189 on the line 230. Once a
cycle is started by a signal on either the memory update request
line 249 or by a pulse on the printer off line, the address
counter 241 will continue to cycle until all of the address buses
231 go to a logic zero.
The bistable latches 248 also include an output 252
which indicates when the weight reading is below zero. The
output 252 is connected through an inverter 253 to supply a
MI~US sign output 254 to the printer 21 and also to the weight
display 22. Still another output 255 from the latches 248 is
connected through an inverter 256 to an output 257 which
illuminates an out-of-range indicator lamp. A fourth output 258
- 42 -

1051933
from the latches 248 is connected through a ~AND gate ~59 to
illuminate a ready indicator lamp. A "print stored" input 260
from the printer 21 is connected through an inverter 261 to a
second input of the ~AND gate 259. The output 25B from the
latches 248 is also connected through an inverter 262 to a line
263 which supplies a SET signal to the printer. The line 263 is
also connected through an amplifier 264 for illuminating a SET
indicator lamp. The printer also supplies the REWEIGH signal on
a line 265 through an amplifier 266 to illuminate a "weigh again"
indicator lamp, a "take label" signal over a line 267 through an
amplifier 268 to a take label indicator lamp and an "add label"
signal over a line 269 through an amplifier 270 to an add label
indicator lamp. An indicator is also provided for indicating
when the apparatus 10 is operating within the weight zero limit
or within a predetermined fraction of a weight graduation of zero.
This has previously been referred to as the 1/~ graduation lamp.
The ROM 192 has a single output 271 which is connected through an
inverter 272 to a line 273. The line 273 is connected through an
inverter 274 for energizing the zero limit indicator lamp.
During normal operation of the microcomputer 185, the
ROM 189 applies a periodic pulse on the line 247 for resetting
the bistable latches 248. This pulse will appear once each time
the microcomputer 185 goes through a complete program cycle.
In typical operation of the microcomputer 185, the pulse will
appear at about 0.2 second intervals. However, it is possible
for a noise pulse or some other disturbance to cause the central
processing unit 186 to end up at an incorrect or nonexistent
address. In such event, the microcomputer 185 becomes "hung up"
and is in effect "dead". When this condition occurs, the micro-
computer 185 must be restarted before a label can be printed.Timing circuitry is provided for automatically restarting the
microcomputer 185 in the event that two sequential periodic
pulses are missing from the line 247.
- 43 -


~051933

The line 247 is connected through an inverter 281, acurrent limiting resistor 282 and a diode 283 to the input of a
threshold or level detector 284. The input of the thre~hold
detector 284 is also connected through a high value resistor 285
to a voltage source and through a capacitor 286 to ground. When
the voltage on the input of the threshold detector 284 is below
a predetermined level, the threshold detector 284 will have a
high or positive output. However, if the input of the threshold
detector 284 exceeds a predetermined voltage level, the output
of the threshold detector 284 will go negative. The capacitor 286
is charged at a relatively slow rate through the resistor 285.
Each time a cycle pulse appears on the line 247, the inverter 281
will have a low output for rapidly discharging the capacitor 286
through the diode 283 and the current limiting resistor 282. Under
normal operation of the microcomputer 185, the cycle pulses on
the line 247 maintain the charge on the capacitor 286 below the
threshoLd level of the detector 284. However, in the event of
two seq~ential cycle pulses failing to appear on the line 247,
the capacitor 286 will become sufficiently charged as to cause
the threshold detector 284 to change states.
When the output of the threshold detector 284 goes
negative, a capacitor 287 is discharged through a diode 288 and
a current limiting resistor 289. A decrease in the voltage on
the capacitor 287 causes a second threshold detector 290 to change
from a negative to a positive output which is applied through a
resistor 291 to the base of a transistor 292. The transistor 292
then switches states of conduction for applying a recycle or
restart signal on a line 293 connected in parallel to the CPU
186, the RAM 187 and the ROM's 188-192 in the microcomputer 185.
A resistor 294 and a diode 295 are connected in series between
the input and the output of the threshold detector 284. After
the threshold level is reached and the output of the detector 284
goes negative, the capacitor 286 is discharged through the
- 44 -

~051933
resistor 294 and the diode 295 until the output from the detector
again becomes positive. The capacitor 287 is then charged
through a resistor 296, thereby causing the outputs of the
detector 290 and the transistor 292 to change. If two more
cycle pulses are absent from the line 247, the capacitor 286
will again become charged sufficiently for the outputs of the
detectors 284 and 290 and the transistor 292 to change states,
applying another clear and restart signal to the microcomputer 185.
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing one of many possible
memory location arrangements in the random access memory RAM 187
of the exemplary arrangement of the apparatus of the present
invention.
As indicated in Fig. 7, the RAM is provided with four
memory register areas. Each of these memory register areas is
lS arranged to store four binary digit words which in the exemplary
embodiment described herein usually are coded to represent a
decimal digit. Each memory area 16 is arranged to store 16 of
- these four binary digit numbers or other information. The
register areas are selected by address designated "4 HIGH" above
each one of the areas. Thus, the address of the first area is
0000. The address for the other three memory register areas is
shown above each of these register areas. In addition, each of
the four binary digits forming a word or number in each of the
areas is assigned an address, which address is shown to the left
of the first memory area. As indicated, the address for the
memory areas comprise the first four high numbers, or binary
digits of the address, while the address of the individual words
or numbers within each area is designated by an address designated
"4 LOW". Thus, at least certain of the same address symbols may
be employed to designate both memory areas and also the words
within the memory areas. Thus, two addresses are distinguished
by th~ir location in the addresses as is well known by persons of

ordinary skill in the art of microcomputer operation.
- 45 -



~051~33
The RAM 187 also include~ four status regi3ters shownin the lower part of Fig. 7. Each of the status registers has
an address similar to the corresponding memory register area as
indicated above each of the status registers. The rectangles in
the status registers represent a storage space for a single binary
digit or bit. Thus, each of the status registers may store four
four-bit binary words. In addition, each of the bits of each
of the words may be employed to store a binary bit which is
independent of the other binary bits of a particular word at the
particular address. In other words, as indicated, the zero
correction sign bit, 714, is used to store the sign of the zero
correction. This bit is stored in this bit space independently
of the information stored in the other three bits spaces of the
last word of the first status register.
As indicated in Fig. 7, the first five word spaces 710
in the first register space are employed to store the five binary
coded decimal digits of the raw weight received from the weighing
apparatus and are designated raw register. The next five four-
bit register word spaces 735 are employed to store the five
decimal digits of the motion target weight. The next word, or
register space 726, is employed to store the count or number of
hits employed to determine whether or not there is motion upon
the platter of the scale. The last five word spaces 711 are
employed as a zero correction register and store the five BCD
digits employed to correct the zero indication of the scale.
The other register spaces are designated to indicate the manner
in which the particular register spaces are employed.
The various status register spaces shown at the bottom
of Fig. 7 are similarly designated with the name of the bit or
bits employed to record the v æious information required to
provide the v æious features of the present invention, as
described herein.




- 46 -

1051933
OPERATION OF ~HE SYSTEM
As described in the above-identified patent to Williams,
Jr. et al, the sensor controlled by the load cell 12 of the scale
provides an output voltage which represents the load on the load
cell, which in turn is a function of the load on the scale. This
output voltage is then amplified and processed so as to remove an
unwanted direct current component and to reduce or remove unwanted
variations in this voltage so that the voltage accurately repre-
sents the load on the load cell and the load on the scale. This
analog voltage is then employed to control an analog/digital
converter 14.
Also the analog-to-digital converter employed in the
exemplar~ system described herein, in addition to generating a
digital signal representing the weight on the scale to be dis-

played also generates a digital signal representing a fraction ofthe weight represented by the least significant digit of the
displayed weight. In the exemplary embodiment described herein,
it is assumed that this additional signal represents tenths of
the weight represented by the least significant digit displayed.
However, this additional digital signal may represent any other
suitable or desirable fraction of the weight represented by the
least significant digit displayed.
The analog-to-digital converter in effect samples this
corrected analog voltage at repeatedly recurring instants of time.
These sample voltages are then employed to control the output of
the digital converter. Thus the output of the digital converter
is a digital signal which accurately represents the load on the
load cell and thus the load on the scale. In the exemplary
arrangement described in the above-identified patent to Williams,
Jr. et al, and in the exemplary arrangement described herein, the
analog-to-digital converter requires a cycle of about 200




- 47 -

~051933
milliseconds. This cycle iq thus repeated approximately five
times a second. Near the end of each cycle of operation of the
analog-to-digital converting apparatus, this apparatus tranofers
digital signals representing the analog weight input to a set
of latches. These latches then maintain these digital signals
for a predetermined interval of time. During a portion of this
interval of time, the analog-to-digital converter also applies
an output signal to the Tl lead. This Tl signal is obtained from
device 100 of Figure 2 of the above-identified Williams, Jr. et al
patent. Thus duxing the time the output signal is applied to the
Tl conductor, output rom the latches remains constant so that
the input to the multiplex switching devices 352, 353, 354 and
355 of Fig. 3A remains constant. Consequently, the output
signals applied in sequence to the weight data conductors WT.
DATA 1, WT. DAT~ 2, WT. DATA 4 and WT. DATA 8 represent the
respective decimal digits of the output weight from the analog-
to-digital converter. The frequency or speed of the clock pulses
from source 350 are such that the equipment of Fig. 3A will
operate through a plurality of cycles during the time an output
signal is applied to the Tl conductor. In other words, each of
the binary representations of the five decimal digits representing
the weight will be applied in succession to the output weight data
conductors WT. DATA 1, WT. DATA 2, WT. DATA 4 and WT. DATA 8 a
plurality of times during the time an output signal is applied
to the Tl conductor.
Concurrently with the application of the respective
decimal digits to the weight data lines WT. DATA 1, WT~ DATA 2,
WT. DATA 4 and WT. DATA 8, corresponding signals are applied
either to none or to one of the data selecting conductors B,
C, D and E indicating the specific of the five decimal digit




- 48 -

~051933
signals applied to the weight data conductors WT. DATA 1, WT.
DATA 2, WT. DATA 4 and WT. DATA 8 at each of the instants of
time.
Assume now that power has been applied to the system
so that thP analog-to-digital converter will start to develop an
analog conversion and provide a digital output signal after an
interval of time. At the same time, the control equipment 15
will perform an initializing operation in the usual manner and
cause zeros to be stored in each and every register space in the
RAM 187. Thus, zeros will be stored in all of the register
spaces of this RAM 187 shown in Fig. 7.
After zeros are stored in all of the register spaces,
the control of the system is transferred to the main program Al
shown in Fig. 2A. Block 25 causes the memory space 718 of Fig.
7 to be tested to determine whether a one or a zero is recorded
in this space. This space, which is designated "MOT~F",
represents a motion flag and under the assumed conditions, a
zero will be recorded in this space with the result that the
program is now transferred to El of Fig. 2E. As a result, the
system then tests the storage space TlF 717 to determine whether
a one or zero is stored in this space. Under the assumed con-
ditions, a zero will be stored in this storage spot. This
storage space is designated a Tl flag. Since a zero is stored
in this storage space, the program proceeds from box 81 to box 82
where the condition of the Tl clock lead (see the bottom of Fig.
4B) is tested to determine whether one signal or a zero signal is
present on this lead.
Under the assumed conditions, a zero will be present
on this lead so that the program proceeds to block 83. With
the zero present on this lead, the analog-to-digital converter




- 49 -

lOS1933
indicates that a satisfactory output signal is not present on the
output leads from the analog-to-digital converter.
In block 83 the computer is directed to change the
information stored in the storage bit space 717 to a one,
indicating that the analog-to-digital converter is in the
process of providing a valid output digital signal, but that
such signal is not present at this time on the output leads from
the analog-to-digital converter.
From block 83 the control then goes to block 84 where
the zero expand switch is tested. A flag or bit stored in a
status register bit space 719 indicates the setting of the zero
expand switch. Since this switch is assumed to be off, the
zero expand is not true and the control is thus transferred to
AlS of Fig. 2A at which time the control equipment successively
reads all of the various external inputs and stores their con-
dition in the third one of the storage registers having an
address 0010 of Fig. 7. After all of these switches have been
tested and their condition recorded in the corresponding regis-
ter spaces assigned to them, the control then proceeds to block
20 40 where the price by count mode switch is tested. Under `
assumed conditions, this switch will be conditioned so that
price by count is not the mode of operation. Consequently, con-
trol is then transferred to block 41.
Again, assuming this system is not operating in the
auto price mode, a zero will be stored in the auto price bit
storage location in the status register 0001 and, as a result,
the control of the program is transferred to block 48 of Fig. 2B
via transfer B2. As a result, block 48 tests the status register
storage space 738 designated auto price in the status register
0001. Assuming that the last cycle was not auto price and that




- 50 -

1051~33
a zero bit is stored in this register indicating that the last
cycle was also a manual price entry, the control is transferred
from block 48 to block 47. Block 47 determines whether or not
the price input has changed.
Thus, block 47 compares the information just recorded
in the storage spaces SW-.OP through SW-.PO with the previous
price output registered in the output price register 739 in the
register 0011. Under the assumed conditions, the prices may or
may not be the same. If the manual switches are all set on zero,
then these prices will be the same and the price will not have
changed so far as the control equipment is concerned. As a
result, the control goes to block 49 of Fig. 2B where a safety
switch on the printer door is checked, since this will be closed,
control then goes to block 50 where the condition of an auto
zero inhib~t switch is tested. If this switch is operated, it
is desirable to disable to the auto zero correction operations
as described herein.
Assuming that the auto zero inhibiting switch is off,
then the control is transferred to block 53 over the transfer
B8. Block 53 tests the auto tare switch.
Under the assumed conditions, the information stored in
the storage space SW-.T in the storage register 0010 indicates
that the AUTO-TARE switch is not pushed with the result that
the program now transfers to block 144 via transfer Il of Fig. 2I.
Block 144 causes the computer to test the storage
areas SW-.T and SW-.OT and if none of the tare switches has been
operated, the program is transferred to block 145 which causes
the tare register area 720 of Fig. 7 to be all returned to zero,
or zeros again recorded in area under the assumed conditions.
In addition, a one is recorded in the I~TF status register space
736 of the status register 0010. Then the control is trans-
ferred to block 55 via B10 of Fig. 2B.




. . .

~051933
Bloc~ 55 cause~ the computer to compare the printer
mode recorded in space 722 of register 0010 with the recordings
in the status register bits 723 and 724. Since it is as~umed
herein that the printer mode will be the manual mode, these
registers will not have changed so the operation will be trans-
ferred to block 57 via transfer B12. In block 57, the condition
of the interlocked flag in the status bit register 736 is inter-
rogated and as pointed out above, this flag has been set to a
one so that control then goes to block 58 where the interlock
flag is changed from one to zero and the initialized flag I~ITF
stored in space 727 is set to a one. Next, the set bit in space
737 of the status register 0011 is set and the control transfer-
red to block 66 via C5. Since this cycle of operations started
from block 25, block 66 causes the computer to transfer control
back to block 25 via transfer Al.
Since the motion flag is not set, that is, since a
zero is still stored in the status register storage space 718,
the control will be transferred to block 81 via transfer El.
At this time, the block 81 causes the computer to again test the
TlF flag, that is, the TlF storage space 717. During the previous
cycle, as described above, a one was stored in this block
indicating that TlF is set. Consequently, at this time the con-
trol will be transferred to block 86, instead of 82, as described
in the previous cycle. However, under the assumed conditions,
the qignal on the Tl clock lead is still zero so that control
will be now transferred to block 84 via the transfer E4. There-
after, block 84 tests the zero expand switch which, as assumed
to be unoperated, so that control will then be transferred to
block 39 via transfer A15. Thereafter the remainder of the
second cycle is substantially the same as described above
assuming that none of the various keys or switches have been
actuated.

- 52 -

1051933
At the end of the second cycle, control will be txans-
ferred to the block 25 via Al transfer in the manner described
above and each succeeding cycle of the main program will be
repeated in accordance with the above description of the second
cycle so long as the signal from the analog-to-digital converter
on the Tl clock lead remains zero. During each of these cycles,
the TlF or Tl flag signal is set in a one state by a one being
stored in the storage space 717 and a zero signal remains on the
Tl clock lead from the analog-to-digital converter.
NO MOTION DETECTION
Assume now that during some one of the above-described
cycles of the main program, the analog-to-digital converter 14
completes a conversion and supplies digital output signals to the
control equipment 15. Consequently, the analog-to-digital con-

verter 14 will also apply a one signal to the Tl clock lead. Asa result, when a control is transferred to the block 86 during
the next main program cycle, as described above, the Tl lead will
test one or true so that the control is now transferred to block
87 where the TlF or Tl flag is cleared. In other words, a zero
is now stored in the TlF status register space 717 instead of a one.
Thereafter, the control goes to block 88 where the
weight output signals from the analog converter 14 are read into
the raw weight register 710 of Fig. 7.
Fig. 2J shows a~-flow chart of an exemplary sub-routine
for entering weight signals from the analog-to-digital converter
in thè raw weight register 710 of Fig. 7.
As described above when the analog-to-digital converter
is in condition for transferring digital signals to the raw
weight register 710, an output signal is applied by the analog-

to-digital converter to the Tl lead. As a result the control
sequence proceeds from block 86 through block 87 to block 88 as

described above. Within block 88 the control is transferred to
a block 370. This block indicates that the RO register within
- 53 -



1051933
the CPU unit is set to eleven. The P1 regi~ter iq qet to zero
and the R3 register also set to zero. These register3 being
located within the CPU unit.
The R0 register is employed to indicate when all of
the digits of the weight are transferred to the raw weight
register 710. The Pl register is employed to direct the digits
to the proper register spaces within the raw weight register.
The R3 register is employed to select the desired decimal digit
to be transferred from the analog-to-digital converter to the
raw weight register 710. Thus initially with these registers
set as described above, the block 371 to which the control is
transferred from block 370 first reads the R3 register and finds
a zero recorded therein. Block 370 then translates this zero to
indicate that the zero should be read from each one of the leads
DIG SEL B, DIG SEL C, DIG SEL D and DIG SEL E. The translation
order or sequence is designated KBP which translates the binary
digit in the R3 register into a one-out-of-four code. Next
bloc3c 372 tests the digit select leads B, C, D and E and if any
signal condition on these leads other than zero on all of them
is found, the control is transferred back to transfer point J2
and the above cycle repeated. me small loop including bloc3cs
371 and 372 are than repeated until zero is found on all four
of the digit selec~t leads DIG SEL B, DIG SEL C, DIG SEL D and
DIG SEL E.
When a zero is found on all of these leads, the control
is then transferred to the block 373 where the value of this
digit is read into the raw weight register area selected by the
Pl ragister in the CPU unit. This will be the first digit space
in the raw weight register 710 since a zero was previously set
in the Pl register in the CPU unit.



-- 54 --

1051~33

~ fter the first digit is thus transferred to the raw
weight register 710, the zero in the R3 register in the CPU unit
is again translated by the KBP operations into a one-out-of-four
code and the signals on the digit select conductorQ DIG SEL 8,
5 DIG SEL C, DIG SEL D and DIG SEL E compared with this code. If
under the assumed conditions zeros are found on all of these
leads, thus corresponding to the zero in register R3 after be ng
translated to the one-out-of-four code, the control is advanced
to block 376.
If on the other hand the signals on the weight data
conductors WT. DATA 1, w~r. DATA 2, WT. DATA 4 and WT. DATA 8
change during the time the weight is being read into the raw
weight register 710, then when the signals on the digit select
leads DIG SEL B, DIG SEL C, DIG SEL D and DIG SEL E are again
15 compared with the setting of the R3 register by block 375 these
signals will have changed so that the control is then trans-
ferred back to transfer point Jl and thus to block 370 instead
of block 376. Under these assumed conditions wherein the signals
on the B, C, D and E digit select conductors change during the
20 reading in of a digit, it is assumed that the digit transferred
to the raw weight register will be in error. Consequently, the
transfer operations are started over again and proceed as
described above. ~amely, the control will be first transferred
to block 370 where the registers R0, Pl and R3 are set as
25 described above. Then the contxol is advanced to block 371 and
the setting of the R3 register translated to a one-out-of-four
code and again compared with the B, C, D and E select conductors.
This cycle is then repeated until the signals on these conductors
are the same as the translated setting of the R3 register at which
3û time the digit on the weight data S~onductors l, 2, 4 and 8 is
again transferred to the raw weight register.

Assume that the signals on these digit select conductors
do not change so that when they are again tested by the block 375
-- 55 --


~051933

they will again correspond to the translated setting of the R3
register. Consequently, the control is advanced to block 376
where the setting of these three registers Pl, R3 and R0 are all
incremented by one. The control then advances to block 377 where
the number stored in the R0 register is tested. Under the assumed
conditions this nun~er is now twelve (eleven plus one). Since
this number is not zero, the control is transferred to the J2
transfer point and thus to block 371 where the above cycles of
operation are repeated until the second of the decimal digits of
the raw weight are transferred from the analog-to-digital converter
to the raw weight register. The control is then again trans-
ferred to block 376. Assuming that the signals on the B, C, D
and E digit select conductors have not been changed during the
recording of the value of the second digit in accordance with
L5 block 376, the registers Pl, R3 and R0 are again incremented so
that the next or number three digit will be transmitted from the
interface equipment of Fig. 3A to the raw weight register 710.
After the fifth digit has been thus selected and trans-
ferred to the raw weight register 710, the R0 register in the CPU
unit will have recorded in it fifteen. This is incremented by
the sub-routine of block 376. As a re~ult, the setting of this
R0 register will now be zero. Since this is a four digit binary
register when the register is incremented with fifteen stored in
it, it is rest~ed to zero. With the result that the control is
now transferred from reading the weight to the block 89 of Fig. 2E.
From block 88 the control sequence advances through
blocks 96 and 97 and at times through block 97A which blocks are
employed to advance the tare timer in a well-known marmer.
Briefly, the block 96 causes the count stored in the tare timer
space 728 to be read out. Then block 97 determines if the
count read out is zero. If it is zero the control sequence
advances to block 89. If the count read out is not zero then the

1051933

control sequence advances to block 97A where one is subtracted
from the count read out and the new count restored in the tare
timer storage spaces 728.
Next, in block 90, the computer determines whether or
not there has been motion or a change in weight on the scale
platform. The arrangement, in accordance with the exemplary
embodiment of this invention, is arranged so that if the weight
changes or is less than a predetermined amount, that is within a
prdetermined band, it is assumed that there is no motion of the
platform scale. If, on the other hand, a weight change exceeds
the predetermined band, then it is assumed that there is motion
of a scale platform. In accordance with the present invention,
the bandwidth may be predetermined to any desired value, which
value is stored in the pre-assigned storage spaces in one of the
ROM's.
Under the assumed conditions, zeros will be stored in
the motion target weight register 735. Assume now that the band
is .003 pound, plus or minus, and that a weight of .004 pound is
read into the raw weight register 710 from the analog-to-digital
converter 14 during this cycle of the control equipment 15. Then
in accordance with block 9Q, the zero weight from the motion
target weight register 735 is subtracted fr~om the weight in the
raw weight register 710 and then the band .003 subtracted from
the difference which leaves +.001. Since the final difference is
positive, it indicates that motion is present. Next, the weight
in the target weight register is subtracted from the weight in the
raw weight register and the band of .003 pound added to the dif-
ference, and since this sum is not negative, it does not indicate
motion. However, motion was indicated by the first calculation.
Thereafter, in response to the motion indication from block 90,
block 91 causes the program to transfer to block 98 via the Fl
transfer. Block 98 first clears the no motion or hit counter 726
(i.e. causes all zeros to be stored in this counter space) and
- 57 -


~ os3~933sets the motion flag MOT~F. That i~, it causes a one to be
stored in the status register 718. Then block 99 causes the
weight in the motion target weight register 735 to be changed
to the .004 pound recorded in the raw weight register. The
weight of .004 pound remains recorded in the raw weight regi~ter
710 at this time. ~ext, an initial weight of 8 pounds representing
the weight of the scale platter on the load cell is subtracted.
The program then proceeds through blocks 100 where
zero expand switch is tested and found not to be operated. At
block 103 the zero range expand switch is tested and found not
to be operated, so the program then jumps to block 105 via trans-
fer F6 where the weight recorded in the raw weight register 710
is corrected by the auto zero weight stored in the zero correc-
tion register 11, which is zero at this time under the assumed
condition. The program then proceeds to block 107 where the
control equipment determines that the weight on the platter is
not greater than 30 pounds. Consequently, the control then
advances to block 109 where a zero is recorded in the over
capacity status register space 725.
~ext, the control equipment 15 is advanced to the
block 110 where the motion flag is tested. That is, the status
register space 718 is read out and since a one is recorded in
this space, the program then advances to block 111 where the
one recorded in the set status register space 737 is tested.
Since a one is assumed to be stored in this space, the program
is then transferred to G7 so that the block 123 subtracts the
tare weight in the register 720 from the weight in the raw weight
register 710, causes round off operation to be performed and
restores the thus corrected weight in the raw weight register
and moves the four most significant digits from the raw weight
register 710 to the weight out register 712.


- 58 -

~OSlg33
Next, the program advances through blocks 124 transfer
G12, blocks 128 and 129, 130 and 131 and transfer C5 to block 66.
Since this cycle of operation of the control equipment
15 started from block 25, as described above, the block 66 n~w
causes the program to be transferred back over transfer A1 to
block 25 and another cycle of the control equipment 15 is
initiated.
At this time the motion flag MOTNF is set, i.e. the
status register space 718 has a one stored in it as described
above, so the control sequence advances to block 26 instead of
being transferred to block 81 via transfer E1.
In bloc~ 26, the status of the MOT~F status register
space 718 is again tested and since a "1" is recorded in this
space, this flag is not clear; consequently, the program is
transferred by transfer El to block 81.
At this time the TlF flag is not set. In other words,
a zero was recorded in the status register space 717 on the last
cycle of the control equipment 15. Consequently the program now
proceeds to block 82 where the condition o~ the Tl clock lead
from the analog-to-digital converter is tested. At this time
it is assumed that a "1" signal is on this lead with the result
that the program now transfers over the E4 transfer to block 84.
Since the zero expand switch is not operated, this zero expand
is not true with the result that the program is transferred over
transfer A15 to block 39. The remainder of this cycle of the
control equipment 15 then is as described above through bloc~s
40, 41 transfer B2 to blocks 48, 47, 49, SO, 52, 53 transfer Il
to block 144, then block 146 and transfer B10 to block 55. From
block 55, control is transferred to block 57 over transfer B12
and then through block 57 transfer Cl to block 62, transfer C5
to block 66.


- 59 - :

1051933
Since this cycle was initiated through block 26,
block 66 now returns the control to block 26 over transfer A2
and the above cycle of operations then repeated. This cycle of
operation is then continuously repeated so long as a "1" signal
is applied to the Tl clock lead by the analog-to-digital con-
verter.
Next, when the analog-to-digital converter removes the
"1" signal from the Tl clock lead, the program during the next
cycle of the control equipment 15 is subsequently transferred
L0 to blocks 81 and 82 in the manner described above, the T1 clock
lead will not be true, in other words it will test "0" so the
program is then advanced to block 83 where the Tl flag is again
set; that is, the "1" is recorded in the TlF storage space 717
in the status registers. Thereafter, the above cycles of opera-
tion of the control equipment will continue as described aboveinitially except that the block 66 of Fig. 2C will return the
control to block 26 over the A2 transfer since the cycle started
from this block instead of block 25 as described initially.
By the use of the TlF flag and the testing of the Tl
2Q clock control lead as described above, the output from the
analog-to-digital converter is transferred to the control equip-
ment only once during each of the 200 millisecond cycles of the
analog-to-digital converter 14. This transfer occurs in the
next succeeding cycle of the control equipment after the "1"
signal is applied to the Tl clock control lead. Thereafter the
"1" signal has to be removed from this lead and re-applied by the
analog-to-digital converter 14 before a subsequent weight will
be transferred from the analog-to-digital converter to the control
equipment 15.
Since the control equipment 15 operates in the above-
described manner for the various cycles, when weight information
is not transferred from the analog-to-digital converter, the
operation of the control equipment 15 during such cycles will
- 60 -

1051933
not be repeated. Instead the operation during only tho3e cycles
during which weight information is transmitted from the analog-
to-digital converter to the control equipment 15 will be des-
cribed. However, it is to be understood that control equipment
15 advances through numerous of these cycles in the manner des-
cribed above between each of these cycles during which weight
information is read out from the analog-to-digital converter and
stored in the raw weight register 710.
Assume now on the next weighing cycle, that is the
next time a weight is received from the analog-to-digital con-
verter and stored in the raw weight register 710, the weight
stored in this register will not have changed but will be .004
pound. Consequently when the calculations at block 90 have
performed in the sequence as described above, the calculations
will indicate that no motion is present. ~o motion would also
be present if the weight received from the analog-to-digital
converter does not vary more than .003 pound from the .004 pound
previously received from the register.
Under these assumed conditions with the calculations
performed in accordance wit~ block 90 indicating no motion, block
91 will then cause the control to be advanced to block 92 when
the motion flag MOT~F is read out and checked. This time the
motion flag will not be zero since a "1" was previously stored
in the status register space 718 and has not been changed. As a
result, control is advanced to block 93 where the no motion
counter or hit counter 726 of Fig. 7 is incremented by one.
Under the assumed condition, "0" has been previously stored in
this counter so the counter will now indicate a count of "1".
Control is then advanced to block 94 where the count in this
counter 726 is read out and since it is less than some predeter-
mined value, the count will not be greater than this value with
the result that the control is transferred via F2 to block 99 and
the remaining portion of the cycle repeated as described above.
- 61 -


~OSlg33
On the next cycle during which weight indication isagain received from the analog-to-digital converter in the manner
described abo~e, if no motion is still determined by block 90,
then the hit counter 726 will again be incremented and have a
count of 2. Thus each cycle during which no motion is present,
this counter is incremented by "1". If, however, during any of
these cycles the calculations of block 90 indicate that motion
is present, then block 91 will transfer the control to block 98
via transfer Fl at which time the hit counter 726 is cleared,
i.e. zeros are stored in the counter spaces, ~and the motion flag
718 is again set to 1; in other words, a "1" is written over the
"1" already in this storage register space.
After the predetermined number of no motion indications
have been obtained from calculations of block 90 and the control
advanced through blocks 91, 92, 93 to 94, it will be determined
that the counter is in excess of the required number of counts.
Thus, to obtain a no motion indication, it is not only
necessary that the scale remain within a fixed band indication
of weights, but also that it remain in this band for a predeter-
mined interval of time. This interval of time can be predeter-
mined within increments of .200 of a second, the cycle period of
an analog-to-digital converter. Assuming that five such incre-
ments are required thus requiring that the weight indication
remain within .003 pound for one second when the control is
transferred to block 94 and a count of five stored in the
counter 726, block 94 will advance control to block 95 where the
motion flag MOT~F is cleared. In other words, a "0" is now
recorded in status register space 718.
Thereafter the control is transferred to block 99 via
transfer F2 and then advanced through the blocks 99, 100, 103,
transfer F6 to block 105, block 107, block 109 and to block 110.


- 62 -

1051g33

In block 110, the motion flag is again tested and
since a "0" is now stored in the status register 718, the con-
trol is transferred to block 115 over the transfer Gl and
thereafter the control is transferred as described hereinafter
under the heading of "Automatic zero Correction". On the next
cycle of the control equipment 15, after the no motion flag is
cleared as described, control is returned to the block 26. In
accordance with this block, motion flag is read out and tested
and since it is clear, control is advanced to block 27 where it
is determined whether the scale is arranged to operate in the
demand mode or continuous mode. Under the assumed conditions,
the scale is arranged to operate in the manual mode and not in
the demand or continuous mode so that the control continues to
a block 28. At the block 28, a check is made to see if a
"motion detector inhibit" switch is closed to disable the motion
detector portion of the apparatus 15. It is assumed that the
switch is not closed and the control continues to block 29.
Block 29 determines that a reweigh is not necessary at this time
so control is transferred to block 30. In accordance with block
30, the control equipment under the assumed conditions will
determine that print data is not stored so the control sequence
advances to block 31. Block 31 determines that the no tare key
is not pressed so that control is advanced to block 34. If the
weight is greater than 0.1 pound then the control is advanced to
block 35 where the set status register space 737 is tested. This
space 737 is assumed to be true so that the control is then
transferred back to block 25 via transfer Al. If the weight as
assumed is not greater than 0.1 pound then block 34 causes the
control to be transferred back to block 25 via transfer Al. In
either case the above-described cycle then repeats starting with
block 25 for each of the various cycles described so long as the
motion flag is not set; that is so long as zero remains recorded
in the status register 718.
- 63 -

,
.

1051933
If the weight is greater than 0.1 pound, the set is
not true, the weight is not minus, and is not over the capacity
of the scale, then the control sequence advances through blocks
34, 35, ~6 and 37 to block 38. Block 38 causes an output print
pulse which causes the weight to be printed. Then the sequence
returns to bloc~ 25 via transfer Al. m ereafter, the above-
described sequences are repeated.

AUTOMATIC ZERO CORRECTION
Assume now that either when the scale is first turned
on or that after the previous object has been weighed and
removed from the scale, the scale has not returned accurately
to zero. Assume, for example, that the scale has returned to
00.0004. Also assume that zeros are entered in the zero correc-
tion register 711 and after the various operations referred to
above, have been completed, 00.004 pound is entered in the raw
weight register 710. A "1" will be registered in the weight
sign register 715 and "1" in the zero correction sign register
714.
The one in the sign registers indicate that the sign
of the weight or zero correction is plus and zeros entered in
these registers represent a negative sign or weight indication.
The manner in which the various signs are determined and entered
into the respective registers will be apparent from the following
description.
Thus, on the first cycle of the control equipment 15
after the previous weight has been removed from the scale and
the scale returned to idle condition or the power turned on,
00.004 will be entered into the raw weight register 710 and a
"1" indicating a plus will be entered in the weight sign register
space 715. Next during this same cycle of operation of the
control unit 15, the weight in the zero correction register 711
is subtracted (block 105 Fig. 2F) from the weight in the raw
- 64 _

1051933
weight register and the difference i8 then re-entered in the raw
weight register 710. Under these assumed conditions, zero will
be subtracted from the 00.004 recorded in the raw weight regi~ter
and the difference 00.004 rerecorded in the raw weight register
710.
~ ext the automatic zero correction limit of 00.005
pound is subtracted (block 115 Fig. 2G) from the 00.004 pound
in the raw weight register and since the 00.004 pound is less,
the weight indication of the scale is within the automatic zero
correcting range so the control equipment will then follow addi-
tional steps required to automatically correct the 00.004 pound.
~ext the 00.004 pound in the raw weight register is compared with
the zero or 1/4 graduation range of 00.002 pound (block 117
Fig. 2G).
Both this comparison and the previous comparison may
be made in any desired manner such as, for example, by means of
threshold circuits of any well known and suitable type. However,
in accordance with the present invention, this comparison is made
by the central processor unit CPU 186 of the microcomputer or
control unit 15.
Briefly, a series o~ orders or instructions direct the
central processing unit 186 to predetermined locations in the
ROM units where the limits of 00.005 and 00.002 are stored.
These instructions direct the central processing unit 186 to
2S obtain these limits and then subtract them from the weight in the
raw weight register. As a result, the central processing unit
186 causes the limit 00.002 obtained from the predetermined
address in the ROM to be subtracted from the 00.004 stored in the
raw weight register 710. The result of this subtraction is
00.002 which is a positive number thus indicating that the
magnitude of the weight in the raw weight register is not equal
to or less than .002 pound. As a result, 12 will be entered in

the zero count register 713 (block 118, Fig. 2G).
- 65 -

105~933
Next, the reading of 12 in the zero coun~ register 713
is read out ~y the control equipment (block 120) and aince this
reading is less than 16, the zero count register 713 does not
return to zero, the count in this register is incremented by one
so that a 13 is now stored in the zero count register 713 (blocks
119 and 114, Fig. 2G).
~ ext, since the weight stored in the raw weight regis-
ter is not 00.000 (block 132, Fig. 2G) the weight recorded in
the zero correction register 711 is compared with the 0.6 pound
limit for the operation of the zero correction (block 121, Fig.
2G). In performing this comparison, as above, any suitable
type of comparing or threshold circuits may be employed, however,
in the specific arrangement described herein, the central
processing unit CPU 186 will obtain, under control of orders or
instructions stored in the ROM's 188-192, the .6 of a pound from
a predetermined location in the read only memory and then sub-
tract the weight in the zero correction register 711 from this
value. If the value in the zero correction register 711 is less
than the 0.6 of a pound the zero correcting operation will con-
tinue. This limit of 0.6 pound and also the other limits of
00.005 and 00.002 pound may be changed or determined by the value
stored in the read only storage devices ROM's at the predetermined
locations empl~yed for storing these ~alues.
Since under the assumed conditions the 00.000 stored
in the zero correction register is less than 0.6 pound the
weight stored in the zero correction re~ister 711 is augmented
or changed by 00.001 pound (block 122, Fig. 2G) and the sign in
the zero correction sign register 714 is changed to a plus.
~ext a round-off operation is performed by adding
00.005 to the weight now recorded in the raw weight register 710.
As a result, the weight of 00.009 is rerecorded in the raw weight
register 710 (block 123, Fig. 2G).

- 66 -

~OS1933
Next the four most significant digits recorded in
the raw weight register 710 which are all zeros is transferred
to the output weight register 712 so that they will be available
for controlling the output indication of 00.00.
During a subsequent portion of this first cycle, the
13 stored in the zero count register 713 is again read out and
since this number is not 16, i.e. not 0, the 1/4 graduation lamp
is turned off if it was on or maintained off if it was already
off. Thereafter, during the remaining portion of this firRt
cycle of the control unit 15, other operations may be performed.
However, the values stored in the various registers described
above will remain until the next operating cycle of this control
unit 15.
During the next cycle of operation of the control unit
15, the 00.004 weight will be registered again in a raw weight
register 710 in the same manner as during the first cycle. Then
the value in the zero correction register 711 which is now
00.001 pound will be subtracted from the weight in the raw weight
register 710 and the difference is rerecorded in the raw weight
register 710. Thus .003 pound is now stored or recorded in the
raw weight register 710.
Next the 00.003 pound stored in the raw weight register
710 is compared with the 00.005 pound operating limit of the
automatic zero correcting operation which is obtained from the
read only storage units of the system. Since the result of
subtracting the 00.003 pound from the 00.005 pound is positive,
the plus sign remains stored in the zero correction sign register
and the system continues to perform additional operations required
for the automatic zero correction in accordance with the present
invention.



- 67 -

1~51933
Next the 00.003 pound stored in the raw weight regi~-
ter 710 is compared with the zero or 1/4 graduation range in the
manner described above. Thu~ the 00.002 pound, obtained from
the read only memory at the predetermined location assigned to
this limit, is subtracted from the .003 pound in the raw weight
register 710. The result of this subtraction i8 a positive
number, namely 00.001 pound.
Since the weight in the raw weight register is not
less than 00.002 pound the control unit causes 12 to be ~ain
entered in the zero count regi~ter 713 and then thi3 register
read out as described above. Since the count i~ not 16, i.e.
not 0, the count in the zero count ~gister 713 is incremented
by one so that 13 is now recorded in the zero count register 713.
In addition, since the weight in the raw weight register 710 is
not 00.000 the weight stored in the zero correction register 711
of 00.001 pound, is compared with the limits of 0.6 pound of the
zero correction range by subtracting the 00.001 from the 0.6
pound. The result is positive so the weight in the zero correc-
tion register 711 is augmented by 00.001 pound.
As a result 00.002 pound is now recorded in the zero
correction register 711. Next, a roundoff operation is per-
formed by adding 00.005 pound to the 00.003 pound in the raw
weight register 710 and the result 00.008 pound recorded in the
raw weight register 710.
~ext the four most significant digits in the raw weight
register, namely 0000, are transferred to the output weight
register so they will be available for controlling the display of
0000 .
Also during this second cycle, the 13 recorded in the
zero count register is again read out as before and since the
count is not 16, i.e. not 0, the 1/4 graduation lamp is maintained
off.

- 68 -

1051933
During the remaining portion of this second cycle of
the control unit 15 the information recorded in the above
registers employed in the automatic zero correction operation
remains su~stantially the same as described.
~ear the beginning of the third cycle of the operation
of the control unit 15, the raw weight 00.004 pound will again
be registered in the raw weight register 710. Next the 00.002
pound stored in the zero correction register 711 will be sub-
tracted from the raw weight 00.004 and the difference 00.002
pound restored in the raw weight register 710.
~ ext the 00.002 pound weight in the raw weight register
710 is compared with the zero correcting limit of 00.005 pound.
The 00.002 pound in the raw weight register 710 is subtracted
from the 00.005 pound and since the result of this subtraction
lS is 00.003 pound the plus sign remains stored in the zero correc-
tion sign register 714 and the zero correcting operation continues.
~ext, the zero or 1/4 graduation range of 00.002 is
subtracted from the 00.002 pound in the raw weight register 710.
The resulting difference of 0 indicates that the weight in the
raw weight register is equal to or less than the 00.002 pound
recorded in the raw weight register 710. Consequently, the
contents of the zero count register 713 is read out which is 13
as described above. Since this is less than 16 the zero count
register is incremented by l which causes 14 to be stored in this
register at this time (blocks 117, 120, 119 and 114 in Fig. 2G).
Since the weight recorded in the raw weight register 710 is not
00.000, the weight of 00.002 stored in the zero correction
register is compared with the 0.6 pound limit of the automatic
correction range. The 00.002 is subtracted from the .6 pound
and since the result is positive, 00.001 is added to the 00.002
pound stored in the zero correction register 711 and the sum
00.003 pound is now restored in the zero correction register 711.

- 69 -

1051933
~ext the roundoff operation is performed by adding 00.005 to the
00.002 in the raw weight regi~ter and the sum 00.007 now stored
in the raw weight register 710. ~ext the four most ~ignificant
digits of the weight recorded in the raw weight register is
s transferred to the output weight register 712 where it is av~
able for later controlling the digital output indicator of the
scale.
During this third cycle of operation the 14 now
recorded in the zero count register will again be read out and
since it is less than 16, the 1/4 graduation lamp will remain
turned off. Thereafter during the remainder of the third cycle
of operation of the control unit 15 after the scale has returned
to zero or normal, the information recorded in the various
regist~rs described above remains unchanged.
During the fourth cycle of operation of the control
equipment 15 the raw weight of 00.004 is again stored in the
raw weight register 710 and the 00.003 now stored in the zero
correction register 711 is subtracted from this 00.004 and the
resulting difference 00.001 pound is now stored in the raw weight
register 710. This 00.001 pound is then compared with the 00.005
limit of the automatic zero correction and also with the 00.002
limit. As a result of both of these comparisons, the system
works as described above since the 00.001 stored in the raw
weight register is less than 00.005 limit and also less than
00.002 limit.
Since the 00.001 weight stored in the raw weight
register is less than the 00.002 limit, the number stored in
the zero count register 713 will be augmented by 1 so that 15
will now be stored in this register. Later, when this register
is again read out, the 15 will be less than 16 so the 1/4
graduation lamp will be maintained turned off.


- 70 -

1051933
Simllarly, the 00.003 now ~tored in the zero correc-
tion register 711 is compared with 0.6 limit of the zero
correction range and as a result 00.001 is added to the 00.003
in the zero correction register 711 and the resulting 00.004
now store~ in this register. ~ext the roundoff operation is
performed by adding 00.005 to the 00.001 in the raw weight
register and the resulting 00.006 sum now stored in the raw
weight register 710. Thereafter the four most significant digits
00.00 of the raw weight register 710 are moved to the weight
output register 712 where they are available for controlling
the output display of the scale.
As before, during the remainder of this fourth cycle
of operation of the control unit 15 the information stored in
the various registers employed in the zero correcting arrange-
ment remain unchanged.
During the fifth cycle of operation of the control
equipment 15 the raw weight of 00.004 pound is again stored in
the raw weight register 710 and the 00.004 now stored in the
zero correction register 711 subtracted from this 00.004.
Resulting difference 00.000 is now stored in the raw weight
register.
This weight is then compared with the 00.005 limit of
the automatic zero correction range and also with the 00.002
limit.
As a result of both of these comparisons the system
works substantially as described above. Briefly as a result of
the comparison of the 00.000 with the 00.002 limit, the 14 now
stored in the zero count register 713 is read out. Since this
count is less than 16, the count is incremented by one so that
thereafter 15 is stored in the zero count register 713. At
this time, since the weight in the raw weight register 710 is
00.000 the weight stored in the zero correction register is not
augmented but remains 00.004.
- 71 -

~051933

Thereafter, during the remaining portions of this fifth
cycle of operation of the control unit 15, the system works
substantially as described. When the 15 stored in the zero count
register 713 i~ read out it will cause the 1/4 graduation lamp
to remain off because the count is less than 16.
During the next or sixth cycle of operation of the
control unit 15 the system works substantially as described
above except that when the zero count register is incremented
it will have stored in it a count of 16. Since this regiqter
stores four binary digits, the count of 16 will cause the
register to return to zero. Later when this register is again
read out during this cycle of operation the 16, or zeros,
recorded in the register will cause the 1/4 graduation lamp to
be turned on which indicates that the automatic zero correction
has been made and that the scale is within 1/4 graduation of
the least significant display digit. This time, as pointed out
above, weight displayed on the scale will be 00.00.
Thereafter during the succeeding cycles of operation
of the control equipment neither the zero correction register
711 nor the zero count register 713 will be augmented; instead
the contents of these registers will be maintained substantially
as described above until either a weight is placed on the qcale
or the zero drifts or wanders. If the zero indication should
drift or wander then it will be corrected in the manner des-
cribed above.
Assume now that an object weighing one pound is placed
on the scale platter or pan. As a result, the load cell to-
gether with its sensor and the analog-to-digital converter will
cause a new raw weight including the zero error to be entered
in the raw weight register 710.



- 72 -

~051933
This new raw weight will be corrected by the weight of
the pan or platter as described above and a3 a result a weight
of 01.004 will be entered in the raw weight register.
At this time, under the conditions assumed above,
S 00.004 is still registered in the zero correction register so
this 00.004 is subtracted from the 01.004 in the raw weight
register 710 and the difference 01.000 is then stored in the
raw weight register 710. Next the one pound weight, namely
01.000, stored in the raw weight register 710 is compared with
the 00.005 pound limit of the automatic zero correcting range
by subtracting the 00.005 from the 01.000 pound. The result of
this subtraction is positive with the result that 13 is entered
in the zero count register 713, which later causes the 1/4
graduation lamp to be turned off. In addition, since the one
pound is greater than the 00.005 there is no point in comparing
the one pound with 00.002 limit so that the control unit lS will
immediately cause the roundoff operation by adding .005 to the
weight recorded in the raw weight register and thus cause OO.OOS
to be added to the 01.000 weight and cause the sum 01.005 to be
stored in the raw weight register 710.
~ ext the four most significant digits, that is the
01.00 will be transferred to the output weight register 712
where they will control the output weight indication of the
scale and thus accurately indicate the one pound weight or
object placed on the scale platter or pan. So long as the
01.00 weight remains on the scale the above cycles of operation
of the control unit 15 will be repeated. 00.004 remains stored
in the zero correction register. 13 is repeatedly stored in
the zero count register with the result that the 1/4 graduation
lamp remains turned off and 01.00 is displayed. The raw weight
of 01.004 obtained from the scale is corrected by the 00.004
in the zero correction register so the correct weight 01.00 of
the object on the scale is correctly displayed.
- 73 -


1051933
Assume now that after the object weighed above i5removed from the scale, the scale now returns to -00.001 instead
of to G0.004 pound. Thi~ weight -00.001 pound is entered in the
raw weight register 710 after the scale has come to re3t and
the initial 8 pounds subtracted from the digital output of the
analog-to-digital converter as described herein and a 0, indi-
cating the minus sign, stored in the weight sign register 715.
Next, the plus 00.004 in the zero correction register
711 is algebraically subtracted from -00.001 in the raw weight
register, the resulting difference is -00.005 which is stored
in the raw weight register 710 and a minus sign or zero is
stored in the weight sign register 715.
Next, the minus 00.005 recorded in the raw weight
register 710 is compared with the 00.005 automatic zero correc-
tion limits. At this time the magnitude or absolute value of the
weight in the raw weight register is compared with the limits
00.005. Since it is equal to the lower limit, the automatic
zero correcting sequence of operations will be performed.
~ext, the weight of -00.005 recorded in the raw weight
register 710 is compared with the 00.002 pound limit. Since this
weight is greater in magnitude than the limit, a 12 is now
recorded in the zero count register 713 and then this register
read out. Since the count is less than 16, the count is incre-
mented by 1 so that 13 is now recorded in this register. As
described above, the 13 in this register later causes the zero
or 1/4 graduation lamp to be turned off or maintained off if it
is already off. Since the weight in the raw weight register 710
is not zero, the weight recorded in the zero correction register
711 is subtracted from the 0.6 pound limit and since the weight
is less than the limit, 00.001 is subtracted from the weight in
the zero correction register 711 so that 00.003 is now recorded
in the zero correction register 711.

- 74 -

1051933
Next, the roundoff operation i~ performed by adding
00.005 to the weight -00.005 recorded in the raw weight register
710 and the sum 00.000 rerecorded in the raw weight register.
~ext the four most significant digits of this weight are trans-
S ferred to the output register where the output indication will
then be 0000 when the other operations required to display this
number have been performed during the remaining p æ t of this
first cycle of control unit 15 after the scale has become
stabilized when the previous weight was removed from the pan or
platter.
During the next cycle of the control unit 15, the
-00.001 pound again will be entered in the raw weight register
710 and a zero indicating minus sign of the raw weight will be
entered in the weight sign register 715.
~ext, the weight of 00.003 positive now recorded in
the zero correction register is algebraically subtracted from
the weight -00.0~1 in the raw weight register 710 and the
resulting difference -00.004 is recorded in the raw weight
register 710.
~ext, this weight in the raw weight register is com-
pared with the 00.005 pound which is the limit of the automatic
zero correcting arrangement and since the absolute value of this
weight is less than the limit, the sequence of operations of
the automatic zero correction æ e continued.
Xext, the weight of -00.004 pound is compared with
the limit 00.002 pound and since it is more than the limit, the
12 is again recorded in the zero count register 713. The 12 is
then read out o~ the register and since it is less than 16, one
is added to the 12, so 13 is now stored in the register. Later
the 13 causes the zero or 1/4 graduation lamp to be turned off
or maintained off if it is already off, as under the assumed
conditions.

1051933
The weight of 00.003 pound in the zero correction
register is now compared with the .6 pound limit o the zero
correcting arrangement and since it is less, 00.001 i~ 8ub-
tracted from the 00.003 weight recorded in the zero correcting
register and the difference 00.002 rerecorded in the zero
correcting register.
Next, the roundoff operation is performed and oo.005
added to the weight -00.004 in the raw weight register and the
~um -00.001 rerecorded in the raw weight register. Then the
four most significant digits 00.00 recorded in the output weight
register so that they are available for controlling the output
weight indication. At this time the minus sign is not displayed.
During the next cycle of operation of the control unit
15 substantially the same operations are repeated except that
1~ when zero correcting register 711 contents 00.002 is subtracted
from the raw weight register of -00.001, the resulting differ-
ence of -00.003 is recorded in the raw weight register 710
instead of -00.004. In addition 00.001 weight is subtracted
from the 00.002 in the zero correction register so the weight
of 00.001 will ~e recorded in the zero correction register 711
inqtead of 00.002 as in the previous cycle of operation of the
control unit 15.
During the next cycle of the control unit 15, the raw
weight of -00.001 pound again is entered in the raw weight
register 710. Next the weight of .001 pound in the zero correc-
ting register is algebraically subtracted from the -00.001 pound
in the raw weight register 710 with the result that -00.002
pound is restored in the raw weight register. The magnitude
of this weight is first compared with the 00.005 limit of the
automatic correcting range. Since its magnitude is less, the
various steps of the automatic correction range are repeated.
The magnitude of the weight of -00.002 pound in the raw weight
register 710 is then compared with the limit of 00.002 pound
- 76 -
' '

.

105~933
and since it is equal to this value, the 13 now ~tored in thezero count register 713 is read out and since this count is
less than 16 it is increased by one leaving a 14 n~w stored in
this zero count register 713. This 14 is again later read out
and employed to ~aintain the l/4 graduation lamp off. There-
after weight of 00.001 in the zero correcting register is com-
pared with the .6 pound of the zero correcting range and since
it is less, 00.001 pound is subtracted from the 00.001 pound in
the zero correcting range register and a difference 00.000
recorded in this same register. Thereafter the roundoff and
transfer operations are performed as described above.
During the next cycle of operation of the control
unit 15, substantially the same operations as described above
are performed except that the zero correcting register 711 now
lS has all zeros recorded in it so that the -00.001 remains
recorded in the raw weight register. During this cycle of
operation, the zero count register 713 is read out and since
the 14 recorded in this register is less than 16, one is added
to the contents of the register and the lS again will be recorded
in this register 713. This 15 is later road out and employed
to maintain the 1/4 graduation lamp turned off. In addition,
00.001 is subtracted from the zero correcting register leaving
-00.001 stored in this register and a minus or zero stored in
the zero sign correcting register.
During the next cycle of operation of the control unit
15, the 00.001 minus stored in the zero correcting register will
be algebraically subtracted from the -00.001 pound recorded in
the raw weight register 710 leaving all zeros recorded in the
` raw weight register. Consequently, no subtraction is made from
the -00.001 pound recorded in the zero correc~ion register.
However, one is added to the zero count register. One is then
added to the zero count register during each succeeding cycle
of the control unit 15 until the predetermined number, which
- 77 -

1051933
is 16, i.e. all zeros, in an exemplary embodiment, is stored in
this register. When the 16, or all zeros is later read out of
the zero count register, the control unit 15 will turn on the
1/4 graduation lamp. Thereafter the contents of the various
registers remains substantially as described until another
article is weighed on the scale. During this time the display
will correctly indicate 00.00. In addition, when the next object
is weighed the zero wander of -00.001 will be corrected so the
correct weight of the object will be displayed.
Assume now that for some reason after a given weighing
operation the output from the scale, load cell, sensor and
analog-to-digital converter returns to 00.100 pound after the
weight of 8 pounds has been subtracted as described above.
Consequently, the weight of 00.100 pound will be entered in
the raw weight register 710. In addition, a "1" representing a
plus weight on the scale will be entered in the weight sign
register 715.
~ ext, the weight in the zero correction register 711,
assuming this weight to be 00.003 pound, will be subtracted from
the weight in the raw weight register 710 and the difference
00.097 pound restored in the raw weight register. ~ext, the
weight of 00.097 pound now recorded in the raw weight register
710 is compared with the automatic zero correction limit of
00.005 pound. Since the weight in the raw weight register 710
is greater than 00.005 pound, the automatic zero correcting
operations are not performed and 13 is recorded in the zero
count register, which later causes the 1/4 graduation lamp to
be turned off, or maintained off if it had previously been
turned off.
Next, the weight in the raw weight register 710 is
rounded off by adding 00.005 pound to the 00.097 pound recorded
in this register. The sum of 00.102 pound is then rerecorded
in the raw weight register and the four most significant digits
- 78 -

105~93~
00.10 are entered in the output regi~ter 712 where it i8 avail-
able for actuating the output indication of the scale.
The information recorded in the various register3 then
remains substantially as described for the remainder of this
cycle of operation of the control unit 15.
During each of the succeeding cycles of the control
unit 15, the operations of the e~uipment relative to the raw
weight register 710, the weight sign register 715, the zero
correction register 711, the zero correction sign register 714
and the zero count register 7~3 and the weight output register
712 are substantially as described above.
However, the attendant or operator of the scale upon
noting the 00.10 weight indicated on the output of the scale
will be informed that the scale is not in condition for another
weighing operation. At this time the operator may operate the
zero expand range switch 176 to cause the scale to be corrected
so that it will be in condition to accurately weigh the next
object placed upon the pan or platter.
on the next cycle of operation of the control unit 15,
after the zero capture range expand switch 176 or button has
been operated, the weight of 00.100 pound will be entered in
the raw weight register 710. In addition, a "1" representing
a plus sign is entered in the weight sign register 715. Also
at this time 00.003 is stored in the zero correction register
711 and a "1" indicating a plus sign is stored in the zero
correction sign register 714.
With the zero capture range expand switch operated and
the 00.100 pound entered in the raw weight register 710, the
central processing unit 186 will cause the weight entered in the
raw weight register to be compared with 0.6 pound which is the
assumed limit of the zero correction range.


- 79 -

lOS1933
Since under the assumed conditions the weight of
00.100 pound is les~ than 0.6 pound, the central processing unit
186 will cause a weight of 00.100 pound in the raw weight
register 710 to be transferred to the zero correction register
711. As a result, 00.100 will now be stored in the zero correc-
tion register 711 and then this weight is subtracted from the
weight of th~e raw weight register 710 with the result that
00.000 will now be stored in the raw weight register 710.
Next, the weight 00.000 in the raw weight register 710
is compared with the automatic zero correcting range of .005
pound and since it is less than this limit, the zero correcting
operation will be performed in the manner described above and the
oO.00 indication transferred to the output weight register.
Also, the 1/4 graduation lamp will be turned on as described
above.
So long as the e~pand button or switch 176 is operated,
the above cycles of operation are repeated. When this button or
switch is released, the weight stored in the zero correcting
register 711 will correct the weight in the raw weight register
710 so that the corrected weight will be within the 00.005
pound correcting limits. Consequently, the above-described
zero correcting operations are performed and the correct weight
of an object, within the capacity of the scale, is correctly
displayed.
Again, so long as the various factors affecting the
zero indication of the scale do not vary more than 00.005 pound,
the control arrangement 15 operates as described above and
maintains the scale zero indication accurately at zero so that
the scale will accurately weigh various objects or commodities
placed on its platter or pan. If the zero wander effects exceed
the 00.005 pound but do not exceed the 0.6 pound, then these
effects can be corrected by the operator or attendant operating

- 80 -

1051933
the zero capture range expand switch 176 and the scale is
corrected as described above.
The zero capture range expand switch 176 together with
the zero correcting operation of the scale may be employed as a
self-correcting tare arrangement so long as the weight of the
container is less than .6 pound and so long as variations from
container to container, plus zero wander effects of the scale
described above, do not exceed 00.005 pound.
Thus, assume that an empty container weighing 00.15
pound is placed on the scale. The scale will indicate this
weight of 00.15 pound accurately providing, of course, the
automatic zero correcting arrangement was operating satisfac-
torily and the 1/4 graduation lamp turned on prior to placing
the container on the platter or pan of the scale. The operator
or attenda~t will now operate the zero capture range expand
switch 176 which will correct for the weight of the empty
container and cause the scale to indicate a zero output. The
attendant may ~en fill the container with a commodity and the
scale will indicate accurately the correct weight of the
commodity only and compute its cost if it is so desired. Upon
removing the filled container from the scale, the scale will
now indicate -00.15 pound, assuming no zero wander effects. If
the attendant or operator now places another similar container
on the scale of the same weight as the previous container, then
the scale indication will return to zero and the automatic zero
correcting operations performed providing, of course, that the
variation in weight of the containers plus the variation in any
zero wander effects are less than .005 pound. If, however, the
variations are greater than 00.005 pound, the 1/4 graduation lamp
will not light and the indication on the scale will not return to
zero. The attendant can then re-operate the zero expand range
switch and cause the scale to automatically correct thereafter for
automatic zero variations in the manner described herein.
- 81 -


lOS1933
If, of course, the weight of the container or varia-
tions in the weight of the container and the zero wander exceed
the predetermined operating limits described above, then the
operator or attendant can use the usual tare buttons or keys
5~ and operate the scale in accordance with prior art arrangements
without employing the automatic zero correcting arrangement in
accordance with the present invention.
As indicated above, the various limits of 00.002,
00.005 and 00.600 have been selected to illustrate the invention
and may be changed as desired for various applications or uses
of the scale.

ZERO EXPA~D
It is desirable to frequently check the operation of
the automatic zero and the amount of correction that is being
introduced by the automatic zero in the manner described above.
To enable the amount of automatic zero correction being applied
to be readily det~rmined, a zero expand switch 178 (Fig. 3) is
provided. When this switch is operated, it prevents the opera-
tion of the automatic zero correction. In addition, on thenext cycle of the control equipment 15, if this cycle is not
one in which weight is read out of the analog-to-digital converter
and entered into the raw weight register 710, then when the
program advances to block 84, it will test this zero expand
switch and, finding it operated or true, control is then advanced
to block 85 which sets the interlock flag I~TF. In other words,
it causes a "1" to be stored in the status register space 736.
~ater in this same cycle of operation of the control equipment
15, the control is advanced to block 57 as described above with
the result that the interlock flag is tested. That is, the "1"
stored in the register space 736 is read out and since it is a
"1", the control is then advanced to block 58 which clears the

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105~933

interlock flag INTF by entering a zero in the register Rpace 736
and, in addition, sets or enters a "1" in the initialize register
space 727.
Thereafter, the control advances to block 59 at which
a "1" is entered in the storage space 737. The control then advances
to block 66 over the transfer C5. With these changes the above
cycles of operation of the control equipment 15 are then repeated
until a cycle in which the raw weight is read out of the analog-
to-digital converter and stored in the raw weight register 710.
During this cycle the control is advanced to block 100 in the
manner described herein and since the zero expand switch is now
pressed or turned on, control is then advanced to block 101 where
the four least significant digits in the raw weight register 710
are read out and moved to the weight out register 712 where they
later are caused to actuate the readout or display of the system
which will then indicate the four least significant digits of the
raw weight read into the raw weight register and thus indicate
the amount of correction being applied to the system by the
automatic zero correction arrangement.
When the zero expand switch 178 is restored to normal,
it is then necessary to initialize the system and to check the
price per pound, the tare and finally to operate the lock switch
179 indicating that all the necessary information is available
for the next weighing operation.
TIMED TARE E~ITRY
Each time the program is transferred to block 144 the
control apparatus tests the "no tare" switch 171 (Fig. 3) to
determine whether or not this switch is operated. If the
switch 171 is operated, then the program sets the interlock flag
I~TF and transfers to block 145 which causes the tare register
720 to be cleared or restored to zero and then the program

~, -- 83

1051933
advances to block 55 via transfer B10 and the cycle of opera*ion
is completed as described above.
If the "no tare" switch 171 is not pushed or operated
as previously assumed, then the control is advanced to block 146
S where all of the other tare keys are tested to determine if any
of them are operated. If none are operated the se~uence trans-
fers to block 55 and the cycle completed as described above.
If some one o these keys is operated, for example the tare key
0.1 pound, then the control is advanced to block 147 instead of
to block 55 via transfer B10 as described above. Block 147
determines whether or not 2.6 seconds has elapsed since another
tare button was pushed. It is assumed that this is the first
tare button to be pushed, then 2.6 seconds will have elapsed
since a previous tare button is pushed. Consequently, the tare
lS timer spaces 728 will have all zeros stored in them so the program
is advanced to block 148 where tare register 720 is cleared or
returned to zero. Thereafter the control is advanced to block
149 where the 0.1 pound is entered in the tare register 720 and
the interlock flag is set by entering one in storage space 736.
20 Thereafter the program is advanced to block 55 via transfer BlO
and the cycle of operation continued in the manner described above.
In addition to entering the tare weight in the tare
register space 720, the tare timer is set into operation as
stated in block 149. This is accomplished by entering 13 in
25 this tare timer space 728. Then on each of the cycles during
which a weight is transferred from the analog-to-digital con-
verter to the raw weight register 710, one is subtracted from
the number stored in the tare timer 728 as indicated in blocks
96, 97 and 97A as described above. After 13 of such cycles,
30 2.6 seconds have elapsed.



-- 84 _

1051933
If another one of the tare keys is operated in this
2.6 second period, then the control i8 transferred from block
147 directly to block 149 where the value of the second operated
tare key is entered in the tare stDrage spaces 720. Also, the
tare timer i5 reset or recycled by again entering 13 in the
tare timer storage spaces 728. Thus for example if the tare key
.05 is actuated, then this figure will be entered in the tare
register 720 with the result that the register now has entered
in it a tare weight of .15 pound. Thereafter the interlock and
initializing conditions must be checked and the lock switch 179
must be operated in order to condition the system for weighing
operations involving subtracting tare weights as described
herein.
If, however, the second key is operated 2.6 seconds
after the previous key then the next time the control sequence
advances to block 147 in the manner described above, the sequence
transfers to block 148 which clears the tare storage areas and
then to block 149 so that the weight represented by only the
last tare key operated is stored in the tare storage areas 720.

OUTPUT CONTROL
When a package has been placed on the scale platter
and weighed, and the weight corrected after a no motion condition
has been established as described herein, control will be trans-
ferred to block 26 via transfer C5 to block 66 and then to
block 26. The "MOT~F" f ag is cleared at this time so block 26
will transfer control to block 27. Block 27 interrogates the
printer mode switch 172 (Fig. 3) and branches around block 28
to block 29 if the system is in either the demand or the
continuous mode. Since we are assuming single mode, block 27
transfers control to block 28.




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~051933
Block 28 interrogates the status storage ~pace 729
status register 0001. This signal is true if, during the input
operations a motion detector inhibit ~witch in the printer is
on. This switch is provided so that systems which are in
vibratory installations (heavy machinery causing floor vibra-
tions or overhead fans, for example) can have the ~witch turned
on to guarantee only one label per weight application. If the
switch is "on", control is transferred to block 29.
Block 29 examines the status of a reweigh storage
space 740 of status register 0001. A one or true of this
reweigh signal is an indication that the previous printer opera-
tion was aborted due to a set-up malfunction~ If there was a
malfunction, block 29 transfers control to block 31 via A7 (this
allows another print to be initiated for the same package to
allow the printer to rectify the error). If there is no reweigh,
block 29 transfers control to block 30. Block 30 interrogates
the status of storage space 730 of status register 0001. A true
or one in this location indicates that a print has occurred and
the printed label has not been removed. If this condition
exists, block 30 transfers control to block 25 via connector Al.
Thus no print occurs during this motion - no motion sequence.
(Motion Detector Inhibit)
If a zero is stored in the print storage space in
the status register 0001, block 30 transfers data to block 31
and, providing other conditions are fulfilled, a label is printed.
Blocks 28 through 30 comprise a system whereby only
one label per weight application is allowed, unless the printer
malfunctions, in which case a subsequent motion - no motion
cycle will be recognized.
If the motion detector inhibit switch is not on, block
28 transfers control to block 31 directly; thus allowing a new
printer cycle for each motion - no motion detected.

1051933
Blocks 31 through 33 allow the printing of a label
with the applied weight being below a preselected minimum value
(in this example, .10 pound). The need of the minimum value
inhibit is that if none were present, the system would be
printing labels with zero weight on the platter, an undesirable
condition. The ability to print labels with applied weights
below the predetermined value is necessary for tests.
If the unit price is set to zero and the no tare key
is depressed, an output print signal is generated when a motion
- no motion cycle occurs, regardless of the applied weight.
Block 31 interrogates the "no tare" switch 171 for a no tare
signal. If this condition exists, control is transferred to
block 32 which interrogates SW-.OP through SW-.P0 (Fig. 7).
If the price is zero as indicated by SW-.OP through SW-.P0,
all being zero, control is transferred to block 33 which causes
a "1" to be stored in the status storage space 731 of status
register 0011 and the printer will generate a label. Block 33
then transfers control to block 25 via Al.
If either block 31 or block 32 are not true, control
is transferred to block 34. Block 34 interrogates the output
weight register 712 (Fig. 7). If the weight is less than 0.1
pound, control is returned to block 25 via Al. If the net
weight is greater than 0.1 pound, control is transferred to
block 35.
Block 35 interrogates set bit space 737 in status
register 0011. If set is true (an indication that ~nterlocks
are not satisfied) control is returned to block 25 via Al.
~f set is false, control is transferred to block 36.
In the weight processing description, the method of
processing the raw weight information into net weight output
information was described. At that time, it was shown that the
value in the output weight register is the magnitude only of

the weight. Thus the weight could be greater than 0.1 pound but
- 87 -



~ 051933be negative, in which case no print ~hould occur. Block 36
interrogates the weight sign storage space 715 in status
register 0011 of Fig. 7. If the signal is false (indicating a
minus weight) control is returned to block 25. If the signal
is true, the system control transfers to block 37.
slock 37 interrogates the level of the signal in
storage space 725 in status register 0011 (Fig. 7). If this
signal is true (an indication that the applied weight exceeds
the capacity of the weight converter) system control returns to
block 25 via Al. If the scale weighing capacity is not exceeded,
control transfers to block 38.
Block 38 generates an output pulse similar to block 33.
Control is then transferred to block 25 via transfer Al.
As previously described, block 134 is activated by
transfer from block 130 via transfer Hl. Block 134 interrogates
the blank price signal from the printer into the input of ROM
191 (see Fig. 4A). If this signal is off, block 134 bypasses
block 135 and transfers control to block 136 via transfer H3.
If the signal is on, block 134 advances control to block 135.
20 Block 135 causes all bits of all words in the output price
register 739 (Fig. 7) to be changed to "l's" (binary 15 causes
blanks in the printer). Control is then transferred to block
136.
Block 136 interrogates the blank weigh~ signal from
the printer into the input of ROM 191 (see Fig. 4A). When
this signal is off, control is transferred to block 139. When
on, control is transferred to block 137. When the system is
operated in the price by count mode, the normal function is to
blank the weight field on the printed ticket. m us, a blank
weight off signal must cause the weight to be blanked and vice
versa. The purpose of blocks 137 and 139 is to invert the
sense of the blank weight switch when operating in price by
count.
- 88 -

1(~51933
Thus, if block 136 enables block 137 and the system
is in price by count, block 138 is bypassed. If block 139 is
activated instead, block 138 is not bypassed. However, since
this discussion is limited to by weight operation, a true in
block 136 ultimately transfers control to block 138. Block 138
causes all data in the output weight register 712 to be forced
to a 15 (blank) level. Control is then transferred to block
140. A false in block 136 bypasses block 138 and transfers
control to block 140 through block 139 via connector H6.
Blocks 140 and 141 perform the same blanking function
on the output value register 741 (Fig. 7) based on the level
of the blank value signal into the ROM 191 (Fig. 4A) and then
transfers control to block 69 via transfer Dl.
Note that the blanking switches are located in the
printer but this is for convenience only; any location is
acceptable.
Referring to Fig. 2D, the description of the service
switch function follows. With a system as complex as this,
it is desirable to provide some trouble isolation capabilities
to improve the serviceability.

APPAR~TUS FOR ISOLATING ERRORS I~ PRI~TED RECORDS
Since the most probable failure will be incorrect
price, weight or value data on the printed label, a series of
serviceman controlled inputs are provided. The most basic ones
allow the serviceman to select which of these three fields
tprice, weight or total value) he wishes to have displayed in
the weight display area. In this manner, he can determine if
the fault i9 in the scale, as indicated by faulty output infor-
mation, or if the fault is in the printer, as indicated bycorrect output information but a faulty printed ticket.


- 89 -

1051933

In Fig. 5, it has been shown how the weight inormation
is selected from the series of information being transmitted.
By supplying service switches whereby price or value
information is placed in the weight output register 712, the
digital display can be made to indicate price, weight or value
as computed by the system and thus simplify fault isolation.
Referring to Fig. 2D, block 69 interrogates statuq
register space 733 in status register 0001. During the input
cycle, the condition of the price input to input 4 of data
selector 199 (Fig. 4B ) has been stored in this location. If
block 69 determines that the display price signal is true,
i~e. a one is stored in 733, control transfers to block 70 and
the signal contents of the output price register 739 are trans-
ferred to the output weight register 712 (Fig. 7). Thus the
lS digital display will indicate price and if there is a discrepancy
between the setting of the price entry equipment and the dis-
played value, the serviceman can observe this and proceed to
determine the cause of the fault, having localized it. Block
70 transfers control to block 73.
If block 69 determines that the display price signal
is false, i.e. a zero is stored in 733, control is transferred
to block 71. Block 71 interrogates status register space 734
of status register 0001 which has been set up to coincide with
the value input to input 4 of data selector 200 in Fig. 4B.
If the display value is true, block 71 transfers control to
block 72. Block 72 transfers the contents of the output value
register 741 into the output weight register 712 (Fig. 7) and
then transfers control to block 73. Thus the digital display
indicates the computed value for fault isolation testing.
If block 71 senses that the display value signal is
false, block 72 is bypassed and control is transferred to block
73 via transfer D3.

-- 90 --

105~933
slock 73 transfers a signal to wire 273 of Fig~. 4A,
4B and 4C based on the signal~ in word 0 of ~tatu~ register~
0000 to either illuminate or extinguish the zero limit indicator
(Fig. 4C). Control is then transferred to block 74. Block 74
updates the signals in the 4 x 16 bit RAM 228 of Fig. 4B (price,
weight, value data and printer control) and also updates the
signals out of quad bistable latches 248 of Fig. 4c. Control
then transfers to block 75.
Block 75 checks the multiplied result register 742
of Fig. 7 and transfers control to block 76 if the answer
obtained by multiplying the output price by the output weight
is equal to or greater than $100.00. Block 76 trues space 732
in status register 0011. This signal is used elsewhere to
indicate an out of range condition by causing the output value
lS register 741 to be set to zero by means not shown. Other uses
of this overvalue signal could be to illuminate a warning light
and to prevent a print pulse. Block 76 transfers control to
block 77.
If the computed value is less than $100.00, block 75
transfers control directly to block 77 via transfer D7, by-
passing block 76.
Block 77 determines if the capacity of the analog-
to-digital weight converter 14 h~s been exceeded. If so, control
is trxnsferred to block 78 which stores a one in status register
space 725 in status register 0011. This signal will be trans-
ferred to the guad bistable latch 248 (Fig. 4C) to set output D
to illuminate the out of range indicator during the next per-
formance of block 74.
Block 78 then transfers control to block 66 via
transfer C5. If the weight converter capacity is not exceeded,
block 77 transfers control to block 66 via connector C5. The
system continues with the performance of block 66 and subsequent -
blocks as described previously.
-- 91 --

1051933

Turning now to Fig. 5, the digital weight display 22
is shown in det il. The weigh~ display 22 include~ ~our seven-
segment indicators 301-304. The indicators are arranged in a
row on a front panel on the apparatus 10 with the indicator 301
displaying the hundredths or 0.0W pound weight digit, the
indicator 302 displaying the tenths or O.W0 pound weight digit,
the indicator 303 displaying the units or W.00 pound weight digit
and the indicator 304 displaying the tens or wO.OO pounds weight
digit. The indicators 301-304 may be of any conventional seven-
SQgment design, such as of a type using incandescent lamps oro a type using light emitting diodes. Of course, other types
of digital indicators may also be used. A multiplexing tech-
nique is used for sequentially supplying data to the four
indicators 301-304. Onl~ one of the four indicators is actually
energized at any given instance. However, the indicators 301-
304 are energized at a sufficiently fast rate as to appear to
be continuously energized.
The printer data on the buses 232 from the RAM 228 is
supplied through a BCD-to-seven-segment decoder 305 and seven
buffer amplifiers 306 in parallel to each of the four indicators
301-304. The printer address buses 231 are used for supplying
address data for scanning the four weight display indicators
301-304. The address buses 231 are connected to a 2-line to
4-line decoder 307. Two of the address buses 231 determine which
of the our indicators 301-304 is to be energized as weight data
is received on the buses 232, while a third bus provides a
strobe signal and a fourth of the buses provides an inhibit
signal. The decoder 307 has four outputs which pass through four
buffer amplifiers 308 to enable inputs on the four weight
indicators 301-304. The output from the decoder 307 for
energizing the units weight display 303 also applies a signal
for energizing a decimal point on the units weight display 303.

- 92 -

1051933
This output is applied through an inverter 309 to a buf~er ampli-
fier comprising a transistor 310 and a bias resistor 311. The
output from the transistor 310 is connected through a resistor
312 to the decimal point input on the indicator 303. Thus,
whenever the units indicator 303 is enabled, a decimal point i~
illuminated.
The apparatus 10 is designed for indicating weights
ranging from -2 pounds up to +30 pounds. In the event that the
measured weight goes below zero, a minus sign is formed by
illuminating the center element in the tens indicator 304. This
is accomplished by connecting the output from the decoder 307
which enables the indicator 304 to a ~A~D gate 313. The minus
sign signal on the line 254 from the logic unit 15 is applied to
a second input on the gate 313. The output of the ~AN~ gate is
connected through a ~OR gate 314 and an inverter 315 to the input
on the buffer amplifiers 306 which energizes the segment in the
indicator 304 used to form the minus sign. The output from the
BCD-to-seven-segment decoder 305 which normally energizes this
segment of the weight indicators 301-304 is also connected through
the ~OR gate 314 to the buffer amplifiers 306. Thus, the middle
segment in the other indicators 301-303 and in the indicator 304
when a positive weight is read is energized by the output of the
decoder 305 passing through the gate 314 and the inverter 315 to
the buffer amplifiers 306.
Although it is not normally exposed to an operator of
the apparatus 10, a service switch 316 is shown with the weight
display 22. The service switch 316 is a normally open switch
having a momentary price contact 317 and a momentary value con-
tact 318. Nhen the service switch 316 is moved to a position
wherein the price contact 317 is grounded, the line four input
to the eight-line to one-line decoder 199 (Fig. 4B) is grounded.


- 93 -

1051933
When this occurs, the ~trobe signal on the readout address buses
231 is changed to st~obe the weight indicators 301-304 while
price data is present on the printer data buses 232. Similarly,
when the service switch 316 is moved to ground the value contact
318, the line four input of the eight-line to one-line decoder
200 (Fig. 4B) is grounded. When this occurs, the strobe signal
to the decoder 307 is synchronized with the computed value data
on the printer data buses 232 causing the indicators 301-304 to
display the computed value. As previously indicated, this permits
maintenance personnel to isolate an error in a printed label
between the printer 21 and the logic unit 15. If the weight
indicators 301-304 display a correct price per unit weight or a
correct value for an article, then an error in the printed label
will be isolated to the printer 21. However, if the indicators
301-304 display the same error present on the printed label,
then the error is isolated to either the logic unit 15 or to one
of the data inputs to the logic ùnit 15.
The printer 21 may be of any conventional design
suitable for use with weighing and price computing apparatus.
One typical printer design is shown in United States Patent
3,163,247 which issued on December 29, 1964 to R. E. Bell et al.
~owever, a preferred arrangement for the printer 21 is shown
diagrammatically in the block diagram of Fig. 6. As previously
indicated, the printer 21 includes apparatus for automatically
entering price data into the logic unit 15. The auto-price
apparatus includes a~ auto-price reader 325 which includes an
optical reader for reading three digits of price data from a
commodity plate. The commodity plate also includes raised type
for printing on the labels the name of the commodity. The three
binary coded decimal price digits from the auto-price reader 325
are applied through a data selector 326 to the four auto-price
data lines 210-213 which are connected to the line one inputs of
the 8-line to l-line decoders 198-201 of Fig. 4B. The data
- 94 -


lOS1933
selector 326 may also include apparatus such as exclusive ORgates connected for generating an auto-price parity bit on an
output 224 connected to the line ~ix input to the decoder 200.
An alternate and preferred method for producing an auto-price
parity bit is to store the parity information directly on the
commodity plate for reading by the auto-price reader 325. The
actual auto-price digit supplied from the reader 325 through the
data selector 326 to the lines 210-213 is determined by signals
on two auto-price address selection lines 327 and 328 (from Fig.
4C). Signals on the address selection lines 327 and 328 are
received from the address buses 206 from the ROM 190 in the
control unit 15. Thus, when a commodity plate is inserted within
the auto-price reader 325, the address selector 326 applies one
digit at a time of the price per pound data on the lines 210-213
depending upon an address selection signal received on the lines
327 and 328.
The three digits of the price per unit weight for an
article being labeled, the four weight digits and the four value
digits are printed on the label by means of print wheels 329.
Each of the print wheels 329 is connected through a solenoid
actuated clutch 330 to a common drive shaft. Outputs 240' from
the printer data address amplifiers 240 (Fig. 4B) are applied to
a 4-line to 16-line decoder 331. Eleven of the output lines from
the decoder 331 are used for selecting the eleven clutch solenoids
330 which selectively engage the eleven print wheels 329 with
the drive shaft. The outputs from the decoder 331 are connected
through solenoid driver amplifiers 332 which power the clutch
solenoids 330. Thus, when address data is received on the lines
240', one of the solenoid clutches 330 is addressed for engaging
the associated print wheel 329 with the drive shaft.




- 95 -

1051933
Each print wheeL 329 i5 provided with a commutator 333
which rotates with and indicates the position of the print wheel.
The commutators 333 are connected to four 16-line to l-line
decoders 334. The decoders 334 have a scD output corre~ponding
to the digit to which an addressed print wheel is positioned.
Address information is supplied to the decoders 334 from the
data address lines 240'. The BCD output from the decoder~ 334
is applied to one input of a four bit comparator or coincidence
circuit 335. The printer data on the buses 232 from the RAM 228
(Fig. 4B) in th~ control unit 15 is applied to a second input of
the comparators 335. When an addressed print wheel 329 is
driven to a desired number, the output of the decoders 334 will
correspond to the printer data on the buses 232 and the compara-
tors 335 will apply a coincidence signal to control logic 336.
When coincidence occurs, power is removed from the energized
clutch solenoid 330.
The printer data on the buses 232 is also applied to
a parity generator 337 which generates a parity bit in a conven-
tional manner, such as with three exclusive OR gates. The parity
bit from the generator 337 is applied to a comparator 338, which
may also be an exclusive OR gate, ~where it is compared with the
printer data parity bit from the printer data parity generator
comprising the exclusive OR gates 233-235 (Fig. 4B) in the
control unit 15. If there is no parity check, the control logic
336 applies a REWEIGH signal on the line 265 for recycling the
control unit 15. The control logic 336 also includes various
switches and mechanical sensors as well as inputs from and
outputs to the control unit 15. The printer clock input is
obtained from the inverter 244 and the SET input on line 263
from an inverter 262. Outputs from the control logic 336 include
the REWEIGH line 265, the take label line 267, the print stored
line 260, the add labels line 269, a motion detector inhibit line
connected to the line five input to the decoder 198 in the ~o~rol
- 96 -

1051933
unit 15, the door open interlock connected to the line four input
to the decoder 201, a printer readout on/off output connected to
the ~AND gate ~50 (Fig. 4C~ and the blank weight, blank value
and blank price signals to the ROM 191. The manner in which
these outputs are generated is known in the art and will not be
covered in further detail.
The above-described features of the exemplary embodi-
ment permit the apparatus 10 to weigh articles, compute an
article value and print an article label with a speed and
accuracy heretofore not possible. Furthermore, the accuracy
of the apparatus 10 is maintained over a long period of time,
despite changes in component parameters caused by ageing and
changes in temperature.
In the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 10 des-

cribed above, weight measurements were in pounds and value wascomputed in dollars. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary
skill in the art that the apparatus 10 may be readily adapted
for other weight units, such as kilograms, and to other monetary
units. The number of weight, price per unit weight and computed
value digits also may be changed to meet any re~uirements for
the apparatus 10. Also, changes may be readily made in the
degree or band of motion to which the motion detector is respon-
sive and in the operating range and increments of the automatic
zeroing circuit.
The apparatus 10 has been described as generating a
predetermined number of significant weight digits, e.g., for
significant weight digits for weights of from 0.01 pound up to
30.00 pounds. ~owever, any other number of digits may be
generated and employed and any other weight and price limits
employed as may be necessary or desirable. These weight digits
are displayed, printed on labels and used in computing values.
In addition, at least one more least significant digit is
generated for use in automatically and manually zeroing the
- 97 -



1051933

apparatus 10 and in motiGn detection. Although such additionalleast significant digit has been described as a decimal, it will
be apparent that it may be of other fractional units such as
one-third or one-fifth of the least significant one of the
predetermined number of significant weight digits. If an odd
fractional increment, such as one-third, is generated, then the
scale zero will be centered and the automatic zero correction
factor will generally not change except for compensating for
any slow drift in the zero.
In describing the zero expansion circuitry, it has
been stated that the additional least significant weight digit
is stored in the weight output memory during actuation of the
zero expand switch 178 so that this digit will appear on the
weight display 22. In an alternative embodiment, a separate
indicator may be provided for displaying the additional least
significant weight digit. This indicator will normally be
blanked and will be energized only when the zero expand switch
178 is actuated. It will be appreciated that various other
changes may also be made in the above-described inventions
without departing from the spirit and the scope of the following
claims.




- 98 -

10~1933
A P P E ~ D I X

SYMBOL TABLE
ACLRl 001201 B4 001123 MoV5 000404
ADD 000485 CALC 000514 Ml 000964
ARICL 001196 CLATF 001182 M2 000969
Al 000527 Cl 000074 M3 000979
A10 000765 C10 000188 M4 000981
All 000780 C12 000229 M6 000993
A12 000858 C13 000191 M7 000999
A12LK 000512 C14 000214 NMCHK 000014
A13 000927 C15 000215 NOTAR G01151
A14 000915 C2 000114 OUTA 000268
A15 000947 C20 000252 OUTB 000273
A16 000930 C21 000223 OUTC 000275
A17 000938 C22 000250 OUTPT 000256
A18 000953 C3 000129 OUTl 000298
Al9 001045 C4 000133 OUT2 000308
A2 000537 C5 000186 PCHK 000037
A20 001059 C6 000150 PCHXl 000030
A21 001067 C7 000156 PCHK2 000063
A24 001032 C8 000171 PCHK3 001214
A25 001034 C9 000174 PCHK4 001248
A27 000894 DGSCH 001069 PCHK5 001238
A28 001053 ENTAT 001156 RDINP 001206
A3 000547 EWSG~ 000422 RET~ 000390
A4 001072 I~TCK 000067 R~DOF 000362
A5 000543 I~TLK 000535 ROFFl 000366
A6 001080 LATCH 000345 SDONE 000498
A7 000798 LDTAR 001081 SUB 000448
A7A 000813 LTCHl 000353 SUBAZ 000375
A7B 000808 MCHK 000000 SUBDI 000669
A8 000705 MCHKl 000008 SUBTR 000432
A8A 000739 MI~MI 000482 SUBl 000453
A9 000762 MOTCK 000569 SWSG~ 000391
BL~NK 001187 MOT~ 000656 TARl 001088
BL~Kl 001190 MOVA 000406 TAR2 `001098
Bl 000637 MOVB 000413 TrMCK 001138
B2 000643 MOV4 000418 UDTGT 000663
B3 000644




_ gg _

1051933
PROGRAM
0000 00040 MCHK, FIM P4 11000B /I~IT CONSTANT POINTERS
00024
0002 00042 FIM P5 110011B
00051
0004 00044 FIM P6 10
00010
0006 00046 FIM P7 101001B
00041
0008 00082 MCHKl, JMS CALC
00002
0010 00043 SRC P5
0011 00239 RD3 /READ MOTIO~F
0012 00020 JCN AZMCHKl /LOOP UNTIL MOTI0N
00008
0014 00082 ~MCHK, JMSCALC
00002
0016 00043 SRC P5
0017 00239 RD3 /READ MOTION F
0018 00028 JCN AN~MCHK /LOOP U~TIL NO MOTION
00014
0020 00047 SRC P7
0021 00233 RDM /READ PRI~T MODE
0022 00246 RAR /C SET IF MODE 2
0023 00041 SRC P4
0024 00018 JCN C~PCHKl /JMP IF DEM OR CONT
00030
0026 00237 RDl
0027 00246 RAR /PUT MOT DET INH IN C
0028 00026 JCN CZPCHK /JMP IF NOT TRUE
00037
0030 00238 PCHKl, RD2
0031 00246 RAR /PUT REWEIGH IN C
0032 00018 JCN CN PCHK /JMP IF HAVE REWEIGH
00037
0034 00246 RAR /PUT PRINT STORED IN C
0035 00018 JCN CN MCHK /DO NOT PRINT IF TRUE
00000
0037 00068 PCHK, JUN PCHK3 /CHK FOR NO TARE BUTTON
00190
0039 00034 FIM Pl 11101B /SELECT DIGIT FOR
00029
0041 00035 SRC Pl /.1 LB CHK
0042 00209 LDM
0043 00224 WRM
0044 00034 FIM Pl 11011B
00027
0046 00036 FIM P2 0
00000
0048 00081 JMS EWSGN /SUB .1 LB FROM WGT
00166
0050 00028 JC~ AN MCHK /JMP IF WGT LT .1 LB
00000
0052 00043 SRC P5
0053 00236 RD0 /RD SET, MINUS, OVERCAP
0054 00028 JCN AN MCHK /JMP IF A~Y TRUE
00000
0056 00238 RD2
0057 00246 RAR




-- 100 --

l~S1933
0058 00250 STC /SET PRINT
0059 00245 RAL
0060 00230 WR2
0061 00081 JMS OUTPT /OUTPUT TO BUFFER
00000
0063 00043 ECHK2, SRC P5
0064 00240 CLB /CLR PRI~T
0065 00230 WR2
0066 00061 JIN P6
0067 00034 I~TCK, FIM Pl 100000B
00032
0069 00032 FIM P0 1100100B /R0=10 C~TR, Rl=4
00100
0071 00045 SRC P6
0072 00240 CLB /LOAD A 0000
0073 00225 WMP /0000SELECTS ROTARY SW INP
0074 00163 Cl, LD R3 /LOAD SWITCH POI~TER
0075 00047 SRC P7
0076 00226 WRR /SELECT SWITCH
0077 00045 SRC P6
0078 00234 RDR
0079 00035 SRC Pl /WRITE SW I~P TO MEM REG 2
0080 00224 WRM
0081 00099 I~C R3 /I~C POI~TER
0082 00112 ISZ R0 Cl /LOOP 10 TIMES
00074
0084 00084 JMS RDI~P /READ DISCRETE I~PUTS
00182
0086 00239 RD3 /READ STARTS AT ADD. 4
0087 00228 WR0
0088 00084 JMS RDI~P
00182
0090 00239 RD3
0091 00229 WRl
0092 00084 JMS: RDINP
00182
0094 00239 RD3
0095 00230 WR2
0096 00084 JMS RDI~P
00182
0098 00237 RDl
0099 00245 RAL
0100 00245 RAL /PUT PRICE RITE/MAW I~ C
0101 00047 SRC P7
0102 00237 RDl /READ BY CNT
0103 00028 JCN A~ C6+2 /JMP IF I~ BY C~T
00152
0105 00236 RD0 /READ PRICE RITEF
0106 00026 JC~ CZ C6 /JMP IF I~ MAN
00150
0108 00020 ~C~ AZ C5 /JMP IF MODE CHA~GED
00186
0110 00032 FIM PO 11000000B
00192
0112 00034 FIM Pl lOOOOOB
00032
0114 00045 C2, SRC P6
0115 00209 LDM 1 /LOAD A 0001
0116 00225 WMP /0001 SELECTS P/R DATA I~P
0117 00036 FIM P2 12 /R4=1 BITS C~TR, R5G4 CWTR
00012



-- 101 --

105~933

O119 00161 LD Rl /LOAD PIR DI~ ADD. POINTER
0120 00047 SRC P7
0121 00226 WRR /SELECT P/R DIGIT
0122 00045 SRC P6
0123 00234 RDR
0124 00244 CMA
0125 00035 SRC Pl /SELECT MEM CHAR
0126 00224 WRM /WRITE P/R DIG
0127 00097 I~C Rl /I~C DIG ADD. PNTR
0128 00099 I~C R3 /INC MEM CHAR PNTR
0129 00246 C3, RAR /ROTATE BITS TO CNT O~ES
0130 00026 JC~ CZ C4 /SKIP INC INST IF BIT 0
00133
0132 00100 I~C R4
0133 00117 C4, ISæ R5 C3 /DO 4 TIMES
00129
013S 00214 LDM 6 /LOAD A 0110
0136 00045 SRC P6
0137 00225 WMP /0110 SELECTS P/R PARITY
0138 00234 RDR
0139 00245 RAL
0140 00245 RAL /PUT P/R PARITY IN C
0141 00247 TCC /PUT PARITY BIT IN ACC
0142 00132 ADD R4 /ADD O~ES CNT TO PARITY
0143 00246 RAR /RESULT SHOULD BE EVEN
0144 00018 JC~ CN C10 /JMP IF NOT
00188
0146 00112 ISZ R0 C2 /LOOP 4 TIMES
00114
0148 00064 JU~ C9
00174
0150 00028 C6, JCN AN C5 /JMP IF MODE HAS C~ANGED
00186
0152 00034 FIM Pl 100000B /Pl POINTS TO NEW P/P
00032
0154 00036 FIM P2 111100B /P2 POINTS TO OLD P/P
00060
0156 00241 C7, CLC /C MUST BE CLR
0157 00035 SRC Pl
0158 00233 RDM /READ ~EW CHAR
0159 00037 ` SRC P2
0160 00232 SBM /SUB OLD CHAR
0161 00020 JCN AZ C8 /JMP IF ~O CHANGE
00171
0163 00034 FIM Pl 100000B /CHA~GED, RESET
00032
0165 00036 FIM P2 111100B /POINTERS
00C60
0167 00081 JMS MOV4 /MOVE ~EW TO OLD
00162
0169 00064 JU~ C10
00188
0171 00099 C8, INC R3 /I~C DIG POI~TER
0172 00117 ISZ R5 C7 /LOOP 4 TIMES
00156
0174 00041 C9, SRC P4 /SELECT OLD TARE ADD.
0175 00236 RDO
0176 00245 RAL /PUT DOOR OPEN IN C
0177 00018 JCN CN C10 /JMP IF DOOR OPE~
- 00188



- 102 -

1~51933

0179 00043 SRC P5
0180 00234 RDR
0181 00245 RAL /PUT A-Z INH IN C
0182 00026 JCN CZ C10 /JMP IF TRUE
00188
0184 00064 JUN C13
00191
0186 00247 C5, TCC
0187 00228 WR0 /UPDATE P/R FLAG
0188 00047 C10, SRC P7
0189 00216 LDM 8
0190 00230 WR2 /SET INTF
0191 00084 C13, JMS TAR2
00074
0193 00047 SRC P7 /SELECT PRI~T MODE SW
0194 00241 CLC
0195 00233 RDM /READ PRI~T MODE
0196 00020 JC~ AZ C15+1
00216
0198 00246 RAR
0199 00241 CLC
0200 00246 RAR /NOW ACC=0 IF BY WGT
0201 00229 WRl /WRITE TO BY CNT
0202 00233 RDM /READ AGAIN
0203 00246 RAR /C=l MEANS MODE 2
0204 00043 SRC P5
0205 00026 JC~ CZ C14 ~ PIF MODE 1
00214
0207 00246 RAR /C=l IF CONT
0208 00212 LDM 4 /WILL SET CONT
0209 00018 JCN CN C15 /JMP IF CONT
00215
0211 00246 RAR /RAR IF DEM TO SET DEM
0212 00064 JUN C15
00215
0214 00240 C14, CL3
0215 00230 C15, WR2 /UPDATE PRINT MODE OUT
0216 00047 SRC P7
0217 00238 RD2
0218 00245 RAL /PUT I~TF IN C
0219 00026 JCN CZ C12 /JMP IF I~TF ~OT SET
00229
0221 00209 LDM
0222 00230 WR2 /CLR INTF, SET INITF
0223 00043 C21, SRC P5
0224 00236 RD0
0225 00246 RAR
0226 00250 STC /TRUE SET
0227 00064 JU~ C22
00250
0229 00238 C12, RD2
0230 00246 RAR /PUT I~ITF IN C
0231 00026 JCN CZ C20 /JMP IF NOT SET
00252
0233 00047 SRC P7 /SELECT PRI~TER MODE
0234 00233 RDM
0235 00246 RAR /C=l IF MODE 2
0236 00018 JCN CN C20 /JMP IF MODE 2
00252
0238 00041 SRC P4



- 103 -

10519~3

0239 00236 RD0
0240 00246 RAR /PUT L0CK SW IN C
0241 00026 JCN CZ C20 /JMP IF NOT PRESSED
00252
0243 00047 SRC P7
0244 00240 CLB
0245 00230 WR2 /CLR INITF
0246 00043 SRC P5
0247 00236 RD0
0248 00246 RAR
0249 00241 CLC
0250 00245 C22, RAL
0251 00228 WR0
0252 00192 C20,BBL 0
0256 00041 OUTPT, SRC P4
0257 00036 FIM P2 110100B /DEST WILL BE WGT OUT
00052
0259 00236 RD0
0260 00246 RAR
0261 00246 RAR /PUT DISPLY PRICE I~ C
0262 00026 JC~ CZ OUTA /JMP IF NOT SET
00012
0264 00034 FIM Pl 110000B /SOURCE IS PRICE
00048
0266 00065 JU~ OUTB
00017
0268 00246 OUTA, RAR /PUT DISPLY VALUE I~ C
0269 00026 JC~ CZ OUTC /JMP IF ~OT SET
00019
0271 00034 FIM Pl 111000B /SOURCE IS VALUE
00056
0273 00081 OUTB, JMS MOV4 /MOVE SOURCE TO DEST
00162
0275 00045 OUTC, SRC P6
0276 00237 RDl /RD 1/4 GRAD LAMP
0277 00034 FIM Pl 1000000B
00064
0279 00035 SRC Pl
0280 00252 KBP
0281 00244 CMA
0282 00226 WRR /WRITE TO ROM4
0283 00043 SRC P5 /OUTPUT ALL DATA TO BUFFER
0284 00034 FIM Pl 110000B /MEM A~D LATCH
00048
0286 00236 RD0
0287 00246 RAR
0288 00246 RAR
Q289 00250 STC /SET MEM UPDATE REQ
0290 00245 RAL
0291 00245 RAL
0292 00228 WR0
0293 00081 JMS LATCH
00089
0295 00045 SRC P6 /SELECT RAM0, ROM0
02g6 00213 LDM 5 /LOAD A 0101
0297 00225 WMP /0101 SELECTS MUE I~PUT
0298 00234 OUTl, RDR
0299 00246 RAR
0300 00246 RAR /PUT MUE I~ C
0301 00026 JCN CZ OUTl
00042



- 104 -

105~933

0303 00041 SRC P4 /SELECT ROMl
0304 00209 LDM 1 /LOAD A 0001
0305 00226 WRR /0001 TKES CONTROL F BUF
0306 00212 LDM 4
0307 00176 XCH RO /RO IS 12 C~TR
0308 00047 OUT2, SRC P7 /SELECT ROM2
0309 00163 LD R3 /LOAD BUF ADD.
0310 00226 WRR
0311 00035 SRC Pl /SELECT OUTPUT CHAR
0312 00233 RDM
0313 00045 SRC P6 /SELECT RAMO
0314 00225 WMP /OUTPUT BUFFER DATA
0315 00041 SRC P4 /SELECT ROMl
0316 00211 LDM 3 /LOAD A 0011
0317 00226 WRR /0011 STROBES WE
0318 00209 LDM 1 /LOAD A 0001
0319 00226 WRR /0001 TURNS OFF WE
0320 00099 rNC R3 /INC CHAR POINTER
0321 00112 ISZ R0 OUT2 /LOOP 12 TIMES
00052
0323 00047 SRC P7
0324 00163 LD R3 /POINT BUF ADD. 13
0325 00226 WRR
0326 00043 SRC P5
0327 00238 RD2 /READ PRINT CONTROL WRD
0328 00045 SRC P6
0329 00225 WMP
0330 00041 SRC P4
0331 00211 LDM 3 /STROBE WE
0332 00226 WRR
0333 00209 LDM
0334 00226 WRR
0335 00208 LDM O
0336 00226 WRR /RELEASE BUFFER CONTROL
0337 00043 SRC P5
0338 00236 RD0
0339 00246 RAR
0340 00246 RAR
0341 00241 CLC /CLR MEM. UPDATE REQ
0342 00245 RAL
0343 00245 RAL
0344 00228 WR0
0345 00236 LATCH, RD0 /SRC P5 LAST GIVEN
0346 00245 RAL /PUT OVER Q P IN C
0347 00018 JCN C~ LTcHl/IF SET FORGET
00097
0349 00176 XCH R0
0350 00237 RDl
0351 00246 RAR /PUT OVERVALUE I~ C
0352 00176 XCH R0
0353 00246 LTCHl, RAR /SET OVERCAP IF
0354 00045 SRC P6 /EIGHER WAS SET
0355 00225 WMP
0356 00041 SRC P4
0357 00212 LDM 4 /LOAD A 0100
0358 00226 WRR /0100 STROBES 7475
0359 00208 LDM 0
0360 00226 WRR /REMOVE STROBE
0361 00192 BBL 0
0362 00039 RNDOF, SRC P3 /SUBROUTINE FOR WGT ROU~DOFF



- 105 -

lOS1933

0363 00219 LDM 11 /LOAD AN 11
0364 00235 ADM /C WILL SET IF LSD GE 5
0365 00103 INC R7
0366 00039 ROFFl, SRC P3
0367 00247 TCC /PUT C IN ACC
0368 00235 ADM /ADD NEXT DIG
0369 00251 DAA
0370 00224 WRM /UPDATE DIG
0371 00103 INC R7
0372 00018 JCN CN ROFFl /ÆEP GOI~G UNTIL C O
00110
0374 00192 BBL 0
0375 00034 SUBAZ, FIM Pl 11 /ROUTI~E TO SUB AUTO ZERO
00011
0377 00036 FIM P2 0 /FROM WGT
00000
0379 00037 SRC P2
0380 00239 RD3 /READ AZ SIG~
0381 00246 RAR /SAVE ~ C
0382 00236 RD0
0383 00245 RAL
0384 00228 WR0 /PUT AZ SIG~ IN
00166 JMS EWSG~ /E~TER WGT SIGN
0387 00020 JCN AZ RET~ /IF POS LOAD 0
00134
0389 00193 BBL 1 /IF ~EG LOAD 1
0390 00192 RETN, BBL 0
0391 00176 SWSGN, XCH R0 /ROUTI~E TO SET WGT SIGN
0392 00043 SRC P5 /AFTER SUB
0393 00236 RD0 /READ STATUS WORD
0394 00245 RAL
0395 00245 RAL /PUT WGT SIG~ I~ C
0396 00176 XCH R0 /PUT SUB SIGN BACK I~
0397 00246 RAR /PUT SUB SIGN IN C
0398 00176 XCH R0 /RECOVER STATUS WORD
0399 00246 RAR
0400 00246 RAR ~PUT UPDATED SIG~ I~ PLACE
0401 00228 WR0
0402 00036 FIM P2 0
00000
0404 00032 MOV5, FIM P0 10111011B /R0=5C~TR, Rl=5CNTR
00187
0406 00035 MOVA, SRC Pl
0407 00233 RDM /READ CHAR
0408 00037 SRC P2
0409 00224 WRM /WRITE TO DEST
0410 00028 JCN AN MOVB /JMP IF CHAR A 0
00157
0412 00097 I~C Rl /INC ZEROES CNTR
0413 00099 MOVB, INC R3
0414 00101 r~c R5
0415 00112 ISZ R0 MOVA
00150
0417 00192 BBL 0
0418 00032 MOV4, FIM P0 11001100B /R0=4 C~TR, Rl=4 C~TR
00204
0420 00065 JUN MO~A
00150
Q422 00036 EWSGN, FIM P2 0 /ROUTINE TO E~TER WGT



- 106 -

1051933

0424 00043 SRC P5 /SIGN AND THEN SUB
0425 00236 RD0
0426 00245 RAL
0427 00245 RAL /PUT WGT SIGN IN C
0428 00045 SRC P6
0429 00236 RD0
0430 00245 RAL
0431 00228 WR0 /ENTER SIGN TO MI~UEND
/ROUTINE TO SUB ~UM AT Pl FROM NUM AT P2
/A~D LACE RESULT AT P3. ALL REGS ARE USED
0432 00038 SUBTR, FIM P3 10000B /DEST POINTER
00016
0434 00045 SRC P6
0435 00163 LD R3 /LOAD SUBTRAHEND PNTR
0436 00184 XCH R8 ,/SAVE IN R8
0437 00165 LD R5 /LOAD MINUEND PNTR
0438 00185 XCH R9 /SAVE IN R9
0439 00219 LDM 11 /LOAD 5 CNTR
0440 00187 XCH Rll /PUT rN Rll
0441 00236 RD0 /READ SIGNS
0442 00246 RAR /PUT MINUEND SIGNIN C
0443 00018 JCN CN MINMI /IFIC SET MINUE~D MINUS
00226
0445 00246 RAR /C=0. PUT SUBTRAHEND I~ C
0446 00018 JCN CN ADD /IF MINUS WANT TO ADD
00229
0448 00038 SUB, FIM P3 10000B /REPEAT 3 INSTS IN
00016
0450 00219 LDM 11 /CASE NEED TO RE-DO
0451 00187 XCH Rll /SUB
0452 00250 STC /SET C TO START SUB
0453 00249 SUBl, TCS /IF C=0 A=1001,C=1 A=1010
0454 00035 SRC Pl
0455 00232 SBM /SUB SUBTR
0456 00241 CLC
0457 00037 SRC P2
0458 00235 ADM /ADD MINUE~D
0459 00251 DAA, /DECIM~L ADJUST
0460 00039 SRC P3
0461 00224 WRM /WRITE RESULT TO DEST
0462 00099 INC R3 /INC ALL POINTERS
0463 00101 INC R5
0464 00103 INC R7
0465 00123 ISZ Rll SUBl /LOOP 5 TIMES
00197
0467 00018 JCN CN SDONE /IF NO BORROW THEN DONE
00242
0469 00162 LD R2 /IF BORROW MUST RE-DO
0470 00180 XCH R4 /XCH MI~UEND AND SUBTRAHEND
0471 00178 XC~ R2
0472 00168 LD R8
0473 00181 XCH R5
0474 00169 LD R9
0475 00179 XCH R3
0476 00045 SRC P6
0477 00236 RD0 /READ SIGN STATUS
0478 00244 CMA /COM IT ~.
0479 00228 WR0 /REWRITE IT
0480 00065 JUN SUB /RE-DO SUBTRACTION
00192




- 107 -

': ,
- :

- 1051933

0482 00246 MINMI, RAR /PUT SUBTRAHEND SIGN IN C
0483 00018 JC~ CN SU8 /IF C=l WANT TO SUB
0019~
0485 00241 ADD, CLC
0486 00035 SRC P1
0487 00233 RDM /LOAD FIRST NUM
0488 00037 SRC P2
0489 00235 ADM /ADD S~COND
0490 00251 DAA /DECIMAL ADJUST
0491 00039 SRC P3
0492 00224 WRM /WRITE RESULT TO DEST
0493 00099 INC R3
0494 00101 INC R5
0495 00103 INC R7
0496 00123 ISZ Rll ADD+1 /LOOP S TIMES
00230
0498 00040 SDONE, FIM P4 11000B /RESTORE MAINTAI~ED
00024
0500 00042 FIM P5 110011B /POINTERS
00051
0502 00034 FIM Pl 10000B /POINT Pl TO DEST
00016
0504 00045 SRC P6
0505 00236 RD0 /READ SIGN
0506 00246 RAR /PUT SIGN IN C
0507 00026 JCN CZ RETN /JMP IF POS
00134
0509 00193 BBL 1 /NEG SIGN
0512 00067 A12LK, JUN A12
00090
0514 00047 CALC, SRC P7
0515 00239 RD3
0516 00246 RAR /PUT TlF IN C
0517 00041 SRC P4
0518 00238 RD2 /READ Tl INPUT
0519 00018 JCN CN A2 /JMP IF TlF SET
00025
0521 00245 RAL /PUT Tl IN C
0522 00018 JCN C~ Al /JMP IF Tl TRUE
00015
0524 00047 SRC P7
0525 00209 LDM
0526 00231 WR3 /SET TlF
0527 00041 Al, SRC P4
0528 00237 R~l
0529 00245 RAL /PUT EXPA~D IN C
0530 00026 JCN CZ INTLK~hMP IF EXPAND NOT TRUE
00023
0532 00047 SRC P7
0533 00216 LDM 8
0534 00230 WR2 /SET INTF
0535 00064 INTLK, JU~ INTCK
00067
0537 00245 A2, RAL /PUT Tl IN C
0538 00026 JC~ CZ Al /JMP IF Tl FALSE
00015
0540 00047 SRC P7
0541 00208 LDM 0
0542 00231 WR3 /CLR TlF
0543 D0032 A5, FIM P0 10110000B
00176



- 108 -

1051933

0545 00034 FIM Pl 0
00000
0547 00084 A3, JMS DGSCH /SEE IF DIG WANTED THERE
00045
0549 00028 JCN AN A3 /TRY AGAIN IF NOT
00035
0551 00211 LDM 3 /LOAD A 0011
0552 00225 WMP /0011 SELECT WGT DIGIT
0553 00234 RDR /READ WGT DIGIT
0554 00244 CMA
0555 00224 WRM
0556 00084 JMS DGSCH /MAKE SURE DIGIT srl
00045
0558 00028 JC~ AN A5 /ABORT THIS READ IF NOT
00031
0560 00099 INC R3 /INC WGT CHAR POI~TER
0561 00112 ISZ R0 A3
0003S
0563 00041 SRC P4
0564 00233 RDM /RD TARE TIMER
0565 00020 JCN AZ MOTCK/JMP IF NOT RUNNING
00057
0567 00248 DAC
0568 00224 WRM /RUN TIMER TOWARD 0
0569 00084 MOTCK, JMS ARICL
00172
0571 00045 SRC P6
0572 00210 LDM 2 /RIG SIG~S SO SUBTRACT
0573 00228 WR0 /ROUTINE WILL ADD
0574 00034 FIM Pl 11100B
00028
0576 00035 SRC Pl
0577 00209 LDM
0578 00224 WRM /E~TER BAND IN ARI
0579 00034 FIM Pl 11011B /BAND
00027
0581 00036 FIM P2 5 /TARGET
00005
0583 00081 JMS SUBTR /ADD BA~D TO TARGET
00176
0585 00036 FIM P2 11011B
00027
0587 00081 JMS MOV5 /MOVE RESULT BACK TO ARI
00148
0589 00034 FIM Pl 11011B /TARGET+BAND
00027
0591 00036 FIM P2 0 /WGT
00000
0593 00045 SRC P6
0594 00208 LDM 0
0595 00228 WR0 /BOTH SIGNS ARE +
0596 00081 JMS SUBTR /WGT-(TARGET+BAND)
00176
0598 00020 JC~ AZ MOT~ /HAVE MOTIO~ IF +
00144
0600 00084 JMS ARICL
00172
0602 00034 FIM Pl 11100B
00028
Q604 00209 LDM 1 /LD BA~D OF 1 ~:




-- 109 --

1051g33

0605 00035 SRC Pl
0606 00224 WRM /PUT IN ARI
0607 00034 FIM Pl 11011B /BAND
00027
0609 00036 FIM P2 5 /TARGET
00005
0611 00081 JMS SUBTR /TARGET-BAND
00176
0613 00036 FIM P2 11011B
00027
0615 00081 JMS MOV5
00148
0617 00034 FIM Pl 11011B /TARGET-BAND
00027
0619 00036 FIM P2 o /WGT
00000
0621 00081 JMS SUBTR /WGT-(TARGET-BAND)
00176
0623 00028 JCN AN MOTN /HAVE MOTION IF -
00144
0625 00043 SRC P5
0626 00239 RD3 /READ MOTIONF
0627 00020 JCN AZ UDTGT/JMP IF ALREADY NO MOTN
00151
0629 00041 SRC P4
0630 00239 RD3
0631 00246 RAR /PUT CNT BIT O I~ C
0632 00026 JCN CZ Bl /JMP IF NOT SET
00125
0634 00210 LDM 2 /CNT = 2
0635 00066 JUN B3
00132
0637 00246 Bl, RAR /PUT CNT BIT 1 IN C
0638 00026 JCN CZ B2 JMP IF NOT SET
00131
0640 00211 LDM 3 /CNT = 3
0641 00066 JUN B3
00132
0643 00209 B2, LDM 1 /CNT = 1
0644 00176 B3, XCH R0 /SAVE IN R0
0645 00045 SRC P6
0646 00233 RDM /READ CURRE~T HIT CNT
0647 00242 IAC /INC CUR HIT CNT
0648 00224 WRM
0649 00144 SUB RO /SUB REQ CNT
0650 00Q28 JCN AN SUBDI/NOT ENOUGH HITS YET
00157
0652 00043 SRC P5
0653 00231 WR3 /CLR MOTIONF
0654 00066 JUN UDTGT
00151
0656 00045 MOTN, SRC P6
0657 00240 CLB
0658 00224 WRM /CLR CUR HIT C~T
0659 00221 LDM 13
0660 00229 WRl /TUR~ OFF 1/4 GRAD LAMP
0661 00043 SRC P5
0662 00231 WR3 /SET MOTION FLAG
0663 00034 UDTGT, FIM Pl 0
00000




-- 110 --

1051933

0665 000 36 FIM P2 5
00005
0667 00081 JMS MOV5
00148
0669 00084 SUBDI, JM~ LDTAR /SCAN TARE KEYS
00057
0671 00084 JMS ARICL
0017 2
0673 00034 FIM Pl 11110B
00030
0675 00035 SRC Pl
0676 00216 LDM 8 /DIGITAL I~ITIAL OF 8LB.
0677 00224 WRM
0678 00034 FIM Pl 11011B
00027
0680 00036 FIM P2 0
00000
0682 00081 JMS SUBTR /SUB DIGITAL INITIAL
00176
0684 00081 JMS SWSGN /SET SIG~,MOVE RESULT~oW6T
00135
0686 00041 SRC P4
0687 00237 RDl /READ EXPAND INPUT
0688 00245 RAL /PUT EXPA~D I~ C
0689 00026 JC~ CZ A8 /JMP IF NO EXPAND
00193
0691 00034 FIM Pl O
00000
0693 00036 FIM P2 110100B
00052
0695 00081 JMS MOV4
00162
0697 00034 FIM Pl 11 /CLR AUTO-ZERO AREA
00011
0699 00084 JMS ARICL~2
00174
0701 00221 LDM 13
0702 00229 WR~ /TUR~ OFF 1/4 GRAD LAMP
0703 00065 JUN OUTPT /JMP TO OuTpuT~w;ll R~T
00000
/DIRECTLY TO MOT~ CHK ROUTI~E
0705 00041 A8, SRC P4
0706 00239 RD3
0707 00245 RAL /PUT A-Z CORR EXP IN C
0708 00026 JCN CZ A8A /JMP IF NOT SET
00227
0710 00084 JMS ARICL
00172
0712 00034 FIM Pl 11101B
00029 ~ :
0714 00035 SRC Pl ~ -
0715 00214 LDM 6
0716 00224 WRM /PUT .6 IN ARI
0717 00034 FIM Pl llOllB
00027
0719 00036 FIM P2 0
00000
0721 00081 JMS SUBTR /SUB .6 FROM WGT
00176
0723 00020 JC~ AZ A12LK /JMP IF WGT GE .-6
00000



-- 111 --

1051933

0725 00043 S~C P5
0726 00236 RD0
0727 00245 RAL
0728 00245 RAL /PUT WGT SGN IN C
0729 00045 SRC P6
0730 00208 LDM 0
0731 00245 RAL /PUT WGT SGN IN ACC
0732 00231 WR3 /WRITE TO A-Z SGN
0733 00034 FIM Pl 0
00000
0735 00036 FIM P2 11
00011
0737 00081 JMS MOV5 /MOVE WGT TO A-Z
00148
0739 00081 A8A, JMS SUBAZ /SUB AUTO-ZERO FROM WGT
00119
0741 00081 JMS SWSGN /SET SIGN. MOVE RESULT TO WGT
00135
0743 00084 JMS ARICL
00172
0745 00034 FIM Pl lllllB
00031
0747 00035 SRC Pl
0748 00211 LDM 3 /LOAD OVERCAP OF 30 L B
0749 00224 WRM
0750 00034 FIM Pl 11011B
00027
0752 00081 JMS EWSG~ /SUB OVERCAP FROM WGT
00166
0754 00043 SRC P5
0755 00028 . JC~ AN A9
00250
0757 00236 RD0
0758 00245 RAL
0759 00250 STC /SET OVERCAP
0760 00066 JUN A10
00253
0762 00236 A9, RD0
0763 00245 RAL
0764 00241 CLC /CLR OVERCAP
0765 00246 A10, RAR
0766 00228 WR0
0767 00239 RD3 /READ MOTIONF
0768 00020 JCN AZ All /JMP IF NO MOTIO~
00012
0770 00236 RD0
0771 00246 RAR /PUT SET IN C
0772 00018 JCN CN A12 /JMP IF SET TRUE
00090
0774 00034 FIM Pl 110100B
00052
0776 00084 JMS BLANK /BLANK WGT
00163
0778 00065 JUN OUTPT
00000
0780 00084 All, JMS ARICL
00172
0782 00034 FIM Pl 11011B
00027
0784 00035 SRC Pl



- 112 -

10519:~3

0785 00213 LDM 5
0786 00224 WRM /WANT .005 I~ ARI
0787 00036 FIM P2 0
00000
0789 00081 JMS SUBTR /MAG WGT - .005
00176
0791 00045 SRC P6
0792 00028 JCN AN A7 /JMP IF LT .005
00030
0794 00221 LDM 13
0795 00229 WRl /SET 1/4 GRAD LAMP
0796 00067 JUN A12
00090
0798 00240 A7, CLB
0799 00034 FIM Pl 0
00000
0801 00035 SRC Pl
0802 00210 LDM 2 /LD A 2 FOR 1/4 G LMP TST
0803 00232 SBM /SUB WGT LSD
0804 00018 JC~ C~ A7B /JMP IF WGT LE .002
00040
0806 00220 LDM 12 /LD A 12 TO 1/4 G LMP
0807 00229 WRI /A~D LET IT I~C ONCE
0808 00237 A7B, RDl /RD 1/4 GRAD LAMP
0809 00020 JC~ AZ A7A /JMP IF LAMP ALREADY ON
00045
0811 00242 IAC /I~C TOWARD 0
0812 00229 WRl /UPDATE 1/4 GRAD LAMP
,0813 00161 A7A, LD Rl /LOAD ZERO CNTR
0814 00020 JCN AZ A12 /JMP IF WGT MOVED WAS 0
00090
0816 00043 SRC P5
0817 00234 RDR
0818 00245 RAL /PUT A-Z I~H I~ C
0819 00026 JCN CZ A12 /JMP IF TRUE
00090
0821 00084 JMS ARICL
00172
0823 00043 SRC P5
0824 00236 RD0 /READ WGT SIG~
0825 00246 RAR
0826 00246 RAR /PUT WGT SGN IN LOW ORDER BIT
0827 00244 CNA /COM ACC FOR A-Z CORRECTION
0828 00045 SRC P6
0829 00228 WRO /STORE I~ SIG~ STATUS
0830 00239 RD3 /READ A-Z SIG~
0831 00246 RAR
0832 00236 RD0
0833 00245 RAL
0834 00228 WR0 /E~TER TO SIG~ STATUS
0835 00034 FIM Pl 11011B
00027
0837 00035 SRC Pl
0838 00209 LDM
0839 00224 WRM
0840 00036 FrM P2 11
00011
0842 00081 JMS SUBTR /CORRECT A-Z BY .001
00176
0844 00045 SRC P6 /E~TER RESULTI~G SIG~



- 113 -

1051933
0845 00231 WR3 /TO A-Z SIGN
084~ 00036 FIM P2 10010B
00018
0848 00241 CLC
0849 00214 LDM 6
0850 00037 SRC P2
0851 00232 SBM /SUB A-Z .XXX FROM .6
0852 00020 JC~ AZ A12 /JMP IF A-Z OUT OF RANGE
00090
0854 00036 FIM P2 11
00011
0856 00081 JMS MOV5 /MOVE RESULT TO A-Z
00148
0858 00034 A12, FIM Pl 11001B
00025
0860 00035 SRC Pl
0861 00209 LDM
0862 00224 WRM /SET WGT RDY FLG
0863 00084 JMS LDTAR /GO TO CHK A~D LD TARE
00057
0865 00084 JM:S ARICL
00172
0867 00034 FIM Pl 101011B
~00043
0869 00081 JMS EWSGN /SUB TARE FROM WGT
00166
0871 00081 JMS SWSGN
00135
0873 00241 CLC
0874 00038 FIM P3 0 /SELECT WGT
00000
0876 00081 JMS R~DOF /ROU~D OFF FI~AL ~ETr,WGT
00106
0878 00034 FIM Pl
00001
0880 00036 FIM P2 110100B /MOVE HIGH 4 DIG OF
00052
0882 00081 JMS MOV4 /WGT TO WGT OUTPUT
Q0162
0884 00161 LD Rl /LD ZERO C~TR
0885 00028 JCN AN A27
00126
0887 00236 RD0
0888 00245 RAL
0889 00245 RAL
0890 00241 CLC /CLR MI~US
08~1 00246 RAR
0892 00246 RAR
0893 00228 WR0
0894 00047 A27, SRC P7 /SELECT PRINT MODE SWITCH
0895 00237 RDl /READ BY CNT
0896 00020 JCN AZ A17 /JMP IF BY WGT
00170
0898 00034 FIM Pl 100000B
00032
0900 00036 FIM P2 110000B
00048
0902 00081 JMS MoV4 /PUT P/LB SW I~ P/LB OUT
00162
~0904 00038 FIM P3 100100B



- 114 -

1051933
00036
0906 00039 SRC P3 /SELECT P/CNT SW DECK 1
0907 00233 RDM
0908 00028 JCN AN A14 /IF NON-ZERO PUT IT IN
00147
0910 00103 INC R7
0911 00039 SRC P3
0912 00241 CLC
0913 00216 LDM 8 /MUST ADD 8 TO DECK 2
0914 00235 ADM
0915 00043 A14, SRC P5
0916 00224 WRM /E~CODE CNT I~ P/LB OUT
0917 00034 FIM Pl 101010B
00042
0919 00035 SRC Pl /SELECT OLD CNT VALUE
0920 00241 CLC /NEW C~T VALUE I~ ACC
0921 00232 SBM /SUB OLD CNT VALUE
0922 00020 JC~ AZ A16 /JMP IF SAME
00162
0924 00043 SRC P5
0925 00233 RDM /READ ~EW C~T
0926 00035 SRC Pl
0927 00224 A13, WRM /UPDATE OLD CNT
0928 00066 JUN INTLK-3 /GO TO SET INTF
00020
0930 00034 A16, FIM Pl 100000B
00032
0932 00036 FIM P2 111000B
00056
0934 00081 JMS MOV4 /PUT P/LB SW I~ VALUE OUT
00162
0936 00068 JUN A25
00010
0938 00034 A17, FIM Pl 101010B
00042
0940 00035 SRC Pl /SELECT OLD C~T VALUE
0941 00233 RDM
0942 00020 JC~ AZ A15 /JMP IF WAS BY WGT
00179
0944 00240 CLB /C~T VALUE=0 FOR BY WGT
0945 00067 JUN A13
00159
0947 00034 A15, FIM Pl 100000B
00032
0949 00036 FIMP2 llOOOOB
00048
0951 00081 JMS MOV4 /MOVE PRICE TO PRICE OUT
00162
0953 00034 A18, FIM Pl 110000B /P/LB OUT IS MULTIPLIER
00048
0955 00036 FIMP2 110100B /WGT OUT IS MULTIPLICAND
00052
0957 00240 CLB /E~TER MULTIPLY ROUTINE
0958 00185 XCH R9 /CLR SHIFT CNTR
0959 00038 FIMP3 10000B /SET DEST POI~TER
00016
0961 00032 FIM PO 10001100B /LOAD 8 CNTR A~D 4 C~TR
00140
0963 00240 CLB
~0964 00039 Ml, SRC P3 /POINT TO DEST DIG




-- 115 --

1051933

0965 00224 WRM /CLR IT
0966 00103 INC R7
0967 00112 ISZ R0 Ml /LOOP 8 TIMES
00196
0969 00241 M2, CLC
0970 00169 LD R9 /LOAD SHIFT CNT
0971 00183 XCH R7 /SHIFT DEST P~TR BY IT
0972 00035 SRC Pl /SELECT MULTIPLIER DIG
0973 00233 RDM
0974 00244 CMA /FORM (DIG NOT)+l FOR CNTR
0975 00242 IAC
0976 00020 JCN AZ M7 /SKIP IF DIG=0
00231
0978 00184 XCH R8 /R8 IS DIG ADD CNTR
0979 00220 M3, LDM 12 /SET ~ULTIPLICAND CNTR = 4
0980 00176 XCH R0 /PUT IN R0
0981 00037 M4, SRC P2 /SELECT MULTIPLICA~D DIG
0982 00233 RDM
0983 00039 SRC P3 /SELECT DEST DIG
0984 00235 ADM /ADD IT
0985 00251 DAA
0986 00224 WRM /UPDATE DEST DIG
0987 00103 I~C R7 /I~C DEST POI~TER
0988 00101 I~C R5
0989 00112 ISZ R0 M4 /LOOP 4 TIMES
00213
0991 00081 JMS ROFFl /ADD POSSIBLE CARRY
00110
0993 00169 M6, LD R9
0994 00183 ~CH R7 /DEST PNTR = S~IFT CNTR
0995 00212 LDM 4 /RESTORE MULPLC~D P~TR
0996 00181 ~C~ R5
0997 00120 ISZ R8 M3 /LOOP UNTIL ADDS DO~E
00211
0999 00105 M7, INC R9 /INC SHIFT CNT
1000 00099 I~C R3 /INC MULTIPLIER P~TR
1001 00113 ISZ Rl M2 /LOOP UNTIL JOB DO~E
00201
1003 00038 FIM P3 10001B /SET ROU~DOFF P~TR
00017
1005 00241 CLC
1006 00081 JMS R~DOF
00106
1008 00040 FIM P4 11000B /RESTORE P4
00024
1010 00034 FIM Pl 10010B
00018
1012 00036 FIM P2 111000B
00056
1014 00081 JMS MOV4 /MOVE RESULT TO VALUEo~r
00162
1016 00034 FIM Pl 10110B
00022
1018 00035 SRC Pl
1019 00233 RDM /V00.=0 IF NOT OVERVAL
1020 00068 JUN 1024
00000

1024 00020 JC~ AZ A24 /JMP IF ~OT OVERVAL




- 116 -

. .. : . . - .

iO5~933
00008
1026 00034 FIM Pl 111000B
00056
1028 00208 LDM O
1029 00084 JMS BLANK+l /ZERO VALUE OUT
00164
1031 00209 LDM
1032 00043 A24, SRC P5
1033 00229 WRl /UPDATE OVERVAL FLG
1034 00043 A25, SRC P5
1035 00234 RDR /READ SELECTIVE BLNK I~P
1036 00246 RAR /PUT P/LB BL~K IN C
1037 00180 XCH R4
1038 00018 JCN CN Al9 /JMP IF ~O BL~K
00021
1040 00034 FIM Pl 110000B
00048
1042 00084 JMS BLA~K /BLANK P/LB
00163
1044 00224 WRM /PUT ZERO I~ HIGH ORDER P/LB
1045 00180 Al9, XCH R4
1046 00246 RAR /PUT WGT BLWK I~ C
1047 00180 XCH R4
1048 00047 SRC P7
1049 00237 RDl /RD BY C~T
1050 00020 JC~ AZ A28 /JMP IF BY WGT
00029
1052 00243 CMC /INVERT BLANK LOGIC
1053 00018 A28, JCN C~ A20
00035
1055 00034 FIM Pl 110100B
00052
1057 00084 JMS BLANK /BLANK WGT
00163
1059 00180 A20, XCH R4
1060 00246 RAR /PUT VALUE BL~K rw C
1061 00018 JC~ CN A21
00043
1063 00034 FIM Pl 111000B
00056
1065 00084 JMS BLANK /BLANK VALUE
00163
1067 00065 A21, JUN OUTPT
00000
1069 00035 DGSCH, SRC Pl /SUBROUTI~E TO CHK FOR
1070 00210 LDM 2 /PROPER DIG FROM A/D CO~V
1071 00225 WMP /0010 SELECTS DIGS~cT I~P
1072 00234 A4, RDR
1073 00244 CMA
1074 00241 CLC
1075 00252 KBP /CONVERT 1 OF 4 CODETD Bi~
1076 00147 SUB R3 /SUB DESIRED WGT DIG ADD.
1077 00028 JC~ AN A6 /JMP IF WRING
00056
1079 00192 BBL 0
1080 00193 A6, BBL
1081 00032 LDTAR. FIM P0 11100000B /R0-2 CNTR
00224
1083 00034 FIM Pl 100111B
00039



- 117 -

l~S19;~3
1085 00045 SRC P6
1086 00240 CLB
1087 00225 WMP /SLCT SW INPUTS
1088 00163 TARl, LD R3 /LD SW POINTER
1089 00047 SRC P7
1090 00226 WRR /SLCT TARE SW I~PUT
1091 00045 SRC P6
1092 00234 RDR /RD TARE SW
1093 00035 SRC Pl
1094 00224 WRM /ENTER TARE DIG
1095 00099 I~C R3
1096 00112 ISZ R0 TARl /LOOP 2 TIMES
00064
1098 00045 TAR2, SRC P6
1099 00238 RD2 /RD AUTO TARE FLG
1100 00028 JCN AN E~TAT /JMP IF SET
00132
1102 00036 FIM P2 101000B
00040
1104 00038 FIM P3 101101B
00045
1106 00037 SRC P2
1107 00233 RDM /RD .T
1108 00020 JCN AZ B4 /JMP IF NOT PRESSED
00099
1110 00084 JMS TIMCK
00114
1112 00037 SRC P2
1113 00233 RDM /RD .T
1114 00246 RAR
1115 00026 JC~ CZ ~OTAR /JMP IF NO TARE WANTED
00127
1117 00246 RAR
1118 00018 JCN CN ENTAT /JMP IF AUTO TARE
00132
1120 00233 RDM /RD .T
1121 00039 SRC P3
1122 00224 WRM /WRITE TO TARE OUT
1123 00036 B4, FIM P2 100111B
00039
1125 00038 FIM P3 101100B
00044
1127 00037 SRC P2
1128 00233 RDM /RD .0T
1129 00020 JCN Az`TIMcK-l /JMP IF ~OT PRESSED
00113
1131 00084 JMS TIMCK
00114
1133 00037 SRC P2
1134 00233 RDM /RD .0T
1135 00039 SRC P3
1136 00224 WRM /WRITE TO TARE REG
1137 00192 BBL 0
1138 00216 TIMCK, LDM 8
1139 00047 SRC P7
1140 00230 WR2 /SET I~TF
1141 00041 SRC P4
1142 00233 RDM /RD TARE TIMER
1143 00028 JC~ AN TIMCK-l /J~IP IF RU~NI~G
00113



- 118 -

1051933
1145 00221 LDM 13
1146 00224 WRM /START TIMER
1147 00034 FIM Pl 101011B
00043
1149 00068 JUN ARICL+2 /CLR TARE
00174
1151 00084 NOTAR, JMS NOTAR-4 /MAKE SURE TARE CLEARED
00123
1153 00041 SRC P4
1154 00224 WRM /STOP TARE TIMER
1155 00192 BBL 0
1156 00045 ENTAT, SRC P6
1157 00209 LDM
1158 00230 WR2 /SET AUTO TARE FLG
1159 00034 FIM Pl 11001B
00025
1161 00035 SRC Pl
1162 00233 RDM /RD WGT RDY FLG
1163 00020 JCNAZ ENTAT-l /JMP IF NOT RDY
00131
1165 00240 CLB
1166 00224 WRM/CLR WGT RDY FLG
1167 00043 SRCP5
1168 00236 RD0
1169 0024S RAL
1170 00245 RAL/PUT WGT SGN I~ C
1171 00018 JCN CN CLATF /JMP IF MINUS
00158
1173 00239 RD3 /RD MOTION FLG
1174 00028 JCN AN ENTAT-l /JMP IF MOT~
00131
1176 00034 FIM Pl 0
00000
1178 00036 FIM P2 101011B
00043
1180 00081 JMS MOV5 /E~TER WGT AS TARE
00148
1182 00045 CLATF, SRC P6
1183 00240 CLB
1184 00230 WR2 /CLR AUTO TARE FLG
1185 00068 JU~ NOTAR+2
00129
/ROUTINE TO BLANK 4 CHARS
1187 00223 BLANK, LDM 15 /LD A BLA~K
1188 00032 FIM P0 11000000B /LD A 4 CNTR TO R0
00192
1190 0003S BL~Kl, SRC Pl /Pl HOLDS ADDRESS
1191 00224 WRM /WRITE BLA~K
1192 00099 I~C R3
1193 00112 ISZ R0 BL~Kl /LOOP 4 TIMES
00166
ll9S 00192 BBL 0
/ARITHMETIC AREA CLR ROUTI~E
/CLRS 5 DIGITS. USED BEFORE SUBTRACT
1196 00034 ARICL, FIM Pl 11011B /MEM REG 1, CHAR 11
00027
1198 00240 CLB
1199 00045 SRC P6
1200 00228 WR0 /CLR SIGN STATUS
1201 0003S ACLRl, SRC Pl




-- 119 --

1051933

1202 00224 WRM /WRITE A 0
1203 00115 ISZ R3 ACLRl /LOOP 5 TIMES
00177
1205 00192 BBL 0
/ROUTINE TO READ 1 WRD OF DISCRETE INP
1206 001~1 RDINP, LD Rl /Rl HOLDS MLPX ADD.
1207 00045 SRC P6 /SELECT RAM0
1208 00225 WMP
1209 00234 RDR
1210 00041 SRC P4
1211 00231 WR3 /WRITE INPUT TO STATUS 3
1212 00097 I~C Rl/I~C MLPX ADD.
1213 00192 BBL 0
1214 00034 PCHK3, FIM Pl 101000B
00040
1216 00035 SRC Pl
1217 00241 CLC
1218 00210 LDM 2
1219 00232 SBM /SUB .T FROM 2
1220 00Q28 JCN AN PCHK4 /JM`P IF NO TARE NOT PRESSED
00224
1222 00034 FIM Pl 110000B
00048
1224 00036 FIM P2 110000B
00048
1226 00081 JMS MOV4 /SEE IF P/P 0
00162
1228 00161 LD Rl
1229 00028 JC~ A~ PCHK4 /JMP IF NOT 0
00224
1231 00228 WR0 /CLR SET, MI~US, OVERCAP
1232 00209 LDM
1233 00230 WR2 /SET PRI~T
1234 00081 JMS OUTPT
00000
1236 00034 FIM Pl 6
`00006
1238 00112 PCHK5, ISZ R0 PCHK5
00214
1240 00113 ISZ Rl PCHK5
00214
1242 00114 ISZ R2 PCHK5
00214
1244 00115 ISZ R3 PCHK5 /1.1 SEC DELAY
00214
1246 00064 JUN PCHK2
00063
1248 00084 PCHK4, JMS ARICL
00172
1250 00064 JUN PCHK+2
00039




- 120 -

Representative Drawing

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Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 1979-04-03
(45) Issued 1979-04-03
Expired 1996-04-03

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
RELIANCE ELECTRIC COMPANY
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Drawings 1994-04-18 17 467
Claims 1994-04-18 4 183
Abstract 1994-04-18 1 25
Cover Page 1994-04-18 1 16
Description 1994-04-18 121 5,463