System and method for providing certified weighing services at remotely attended scales

• US 20060052980A1
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cat Scale Company
• Original Assignee: Cat Scale Company
• Inventors: Smith, John, Roberts, Douglas, Vaughn, Phyllis J., Ruud, Eric J., Howard, Carey W., Havers, James, Luke, Thomas, LaFollette, Gary D., Desrochers, Richard, Ketelsen, Jon R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,432,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/173
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/02 for weighing wheeled or rolling bodies, e.g. vehicles

Abstract

A remotely attended scale system for providing certified weighing services for a vehicle. The system having a plurality of weigh sites located remotely from one another and a weighmaster located at a central location. The weighmaster verifies proper placement of the vehicle upon the scale, may facilitate a normal weighing process, and may interact with the driver before issuing a certificate of weight. The method of the present invention includes steps of initiating a weigh cycle, delegating a weighmaster located at a central location for the weigh cycle, establishing communication between a driver and the weighmaster, weighing the vehicle, downloading weight information to the central location, and dispensing a certificate of weight at the weigh site.

Claims

1. A remotely attended scale system for providing certified weighing services for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of weigh sites located remotely from one another, each weigh site having a scale capable of weighing the vehicle and at least one sensor to indicate the location of the vehicle relative to the scale;

at least one weighmaster located at a central location associated with the plurality of weight sites for verifying proper vehicle placement and facilitating a normal weighing process;

a certificate of weight capable of being issued by the weighmaster at the weigh site;

a driver interface for communication between a driver at the weigh site and the weighmaster at the central location.

2. The remotely attended scale system of claim 1 further comprising a control center capable of distributing one of the weigh sites weighing the vehicle to the weighmaster.

3. The remotely attended scale system of claim 2 wherein the control center distributes one of the weigh sites to one of a plurality of weighmasters.

4. The remotely attended scale of claim 1 wherein the scale may be for a weighment type from the group consisting of standard, reweigh, split axle, and double trailer.

5. The remotely attended scale system of claim 1 wherein the sensor monitors a front vehicle location, a rear vehicle location, and a central vehicle location.

6. The remotely attended scale system of claim 5 wherein the sensor includes a first camera forward and on a first side of the scale, a second camera rear and on a second side of the scale, and a third camera upon one of the sides.

7. The remotely attended scale system of claim 6 wherein the weighmaster utilizes the cameras for verifying proper vehicle placement.

8. The remotely attended scale system of claim 6 wherein the weighmaster utilizes one of the cameras to receive a visual image of a driver of the vehicle.

9. The remotely attended scale system of claim 1 wherein the driver interface includes a camera for video communication from a driver to the weighmaster.

10. The remotely attended scale system of claim 1 wherein the driver interface includes a microphone for verbal communication from a driver at the weigh site to the weighmaster.

11. The remotely attended scale system of claim 1 wherein the driver interface includes a speaker for verbal communication from the weighmaster to a driver at the weigh site.

12. The remotely attended scale system of claim 1 wherein the driver interface includes a video display to facilitate the verification of information.

13. The remotely attended scale system of claim 1 wherein the driver interface includes a payment interface.

14. The remotely attended scale system of claim 13 wherein the payment interface is a magnetic strip reader.

15. The remotely attended scale system of claim 13 wherein the payment interface is a currency acceptor.

16. The remotely attended scale system of claim 1 wherein the driver interface includes a printer for issuing a certificate of weight.

17. A remotely attended scale system for providing certified weighing services for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of weigh sites located remotely from one another, each weigh site activated by the vehicle and the weigh site having a scale capable of weighing the vehicle and at least one sensor to indicate the location of the vehicle relative to the scale;

a control center located at a central location in communication with the plurality of sites and capable of distributing weight and vehicle location from each activated weigh site to one of a plurality of weighmasters;

the weighmasters provided for verifying proper vehicle placement using the at least one sensor and for facilitating a normal weighing process;

a certificate of weight capable of being issued and dispensed at the weigh site.

18. The remotely attended scale system of claim 17 further comprising a driver interface for communication between a driver at the weigh site and the weighmaster.

19. The remotely attended scale system of claim 18 wherein the driver interface includes a microphone for verbal communication from a driver at the weigh site to the weighmaster.

20. The remotely attended scale system of claim 18 wherein the driver interface includes a speaker for verbal communication from the weighmaster to a driver at the weigh site.

21. The remotely attended scale system of claim 18 wherein the driver interface includes a video display to facilitate the verification of information and view questions from the weighmaster.

22. The remotely attended scale system of claim 18 wherein the driver interface includes an alpha numeric keypad to communicate between the weigh site and weighmaster.

23. The remotely attended scale system of claim 18 wherein the driver interface includes a payment interface.

24. The remotely attended scale system of claim 18 wherein the payment interface is a magnetic strip reader.

25. The remotely attended scale system of claim 24 wherein the payment interface is a currency acceptor.

26. The remotely attended scale system of claim 18 wherein the driver interface includes a printer for issuing a certificate of weight.

27. A method for providing certified weighing services at remotely attended scales, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of weigh sites located remotely from one another for weighing a vehicle;

initiating a weigh cycle at one of the weigh sites;

delegating a weighmaster located at a central location for the weigh cycle;

establishing communication between a driver and the weighmaster;

verifying proper vehicle placement using at least one sensor;

weighing the vehicle;

downloading weight information to the central location;

dispensing a certificate of weight at the weigh site.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the step delegating a weighmaster includes selecting from a plurality of weighmasters one available for a customer.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the step establishing communication includes video and audio communication of the scale.

30. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step accepting payment for weighing services.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising approving a payment.

32. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step zeroing the scale.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step initializing zeroing the scale using a loop detector.

34. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step confirming from the driver the correct weighment type.