Weigh scale for an object, in particular a consumer product

• US 20030168260A1
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Internova International Innovation Company B.V.
• Original Assignee: Internova International Innovation Company B.V.
• Inventors: Muyal, Jacques
• Application Number:
  US10/276,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20030168260A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/25.15
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4144 for controlling weight of goods in commercial establishments, e.g. supermarket, P.O.S. systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3721 with particular representation of the result, e.g. graphic

Abstract

The invention concerns a weigh scale (10) for a retail consumer product, in particular a food product, comprising a weighing member (11), a computing unit (12) and two display units (13, 14). The weighing member (11) is a standard self-activated member comprising a base (15) and a weigh plate (16). The computing unit (12) is a standard computer integral with a support (18) and coupled to the weighing member (11). Said computer comprises a calculating software designed to calculate the prices of the products weighed by the weighing member and function keys (19). It is further equipped with a magnetic tape reader (20) and an optical compact disc reader (21) designed to display simultaneously efficient and attractive advertising means aimed at a buyer. The display unit (13) is designed for a seller while the display unit (14) provided with sound reproduction means (22) is oriented towards the buyer to enable, besides display of characteristics of the purchased products, commercial spots.

Claims

1. —

A scale for weighing an object, particularly a consumer food product, in particular a food product sold on retail stores by a vendor to a client, this scale having a weighing unit, at least a first and a second display unit designed to display data relating to the nature, the weight and the price of the purchased object, respectively oriented towards the vendor and the client, at least a computing unit to determine the price of this object relating to its weight and a printing unit of a label including the data corresponding to the nature, the weight and the price of the object, characterized in that the said computing unit is integrated into a standard computer (12,112) connected to the said weighing unit (11,111), the said computer comprising the said first display unit (13,113) and being further coupled to the said second display unit (14,114).

2. —

A scale according to claim 1, characterized in that the said second display unit (14,114) which is oriented towards the client is designed to allow further the broadcast of audiovisual advertising clips.

3. —

A scale according to claim 1, characterized in that the said first (13,113) and the said second display units (14,114) are two standard screens of the standard computer (12,112) which integrates the said computing unit associated with the weighing unit (11,111).

4. —

A scale according to claim 1, characterized in that the said standard computer (12) is equipped with specific softwares which allow the display of menus, called scrolling menus on the said first display unit (13).

5. —

A scale according to claim 1, characterized in that the said standard computer (12) is equipped with specific softwares which allow the display of animated advertising clips on the said second display unit (14).

6. —

A scale according to claim 5, characterized in that the said standard computer (12) comprises at least one reader of a standard data base corresponding to the said advertising clips.

7. —

A scale according to claim 6, characterized in that the said reader is a magnetic strip reader (20).

8. —

A scale according to claim 6, characterized in that the said reader is an optical reader (21) of compact disks.

9. —

A scale according to claim 1, characterized in that the said standard computer (12,112) is connected to a network with a server designed to broadcast advertising clips on the said second display unit (14,114) in a pre-determined manner.

10. —

A scale according to claim 9, characterized in that the said standard computer (12,112) comprises a reader of client'"'"'s personal card and means to broadcast an advertising clip selected from a data bank and adapted to characteristics corresponding to identified buying intentions on the basis of this personal card.