Balance with antenna for querying weighed objects having transponders

• US 20030010541A1
• Filed: 07/12/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KG (Sartorius AG)
• Original Assignee: Sartorius AG
• Inventors: Oldendorf, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 6,777,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/25.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/28 Frames, Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/00 Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus

Abstract

A balance including a weighing pan (2; 32), a weigh sensor (8; 38) with a housing (1; 31) enclosing the weigh sensor, and an antenna (7; 37) configured to communicate with a transponder (4) that is, e.g., associated with or attached to an object being weighed (3). The antenna (7; 37) is arranged in a horizontal plane in or below the weighing pan (2; 32) and the weighing pan is preferably made of an electrically poorly conductive material. As a result, the antenna is almost invisibly integrated in the balance and does not interfere with the placement of the objects being weighed on the balance.

Claims

1. Balance comprising:

a weighing pan;

a weigh sensor;

a housing enclosing said weigh sensor; and

an antenna for identifying an object being weighed that is equipped with a transponder, wherein said antenna is arranged in a horizontal plane in or below said weighing pan, and wherein said weighing pan is made of an electrically poorly conductive material.

2. Balance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna is arranged on the underside of said weighing pan.

3. Balance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna is arranged on the upper side of said housing below said weighing pan.

4. Balance as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a mechanical connection;

wherein said antenna comprises a connector with a plurality of contacts;

wherein said housing comprises counter-contacts on a housing opening, said counter-contacts corresponding to and establishing electrical connection with said plurality of contacts;

wherein said connector has a vertical hole;

wherein said weigh sensor comprises a load sensor; and

wherein said mechanical connection extends between said weighing pan and said load sensor and extends through the vertical hole without contacting said connector.

5. Balance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weighing pan comprises a bottom pan;

and wherein said antenna is fixed to said bottom pan.

6. Weighing system, comprising:

a balance comprising a weigh sensor;

a housing that houses said weigh sensor; and

a weighing pan having no more than low electrical conductivity; and

an object comprising a transponder;

wherein said balance further comprises an antenna having high electrical conductivity and configured to communicate with said transponder, and wherein at least an upper surface of said weighing pan is interposed between said antenna and said object.

7. Weighing system according to claim 6, wherein said antenna is interposed between said weighing pan and said housing.

8. Weighing system according to claim 6, wherein said antenna is incorporated within said weighing pan.

9. Weighing system according to claim 6, wherein said balance further comprises a processor communicating with said antenna;

and wherein said transponder, antenna and processor are configured to download data from said transponder to said processor.

10. Weighing system according to claim 9, wherein said processor comprises a configuration menu;

and wherein the data includes data that controls said processor to change a configuration parameter in the configuration menu of the balance.