SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VERIFICATION OF A VERIFIABLE DEVICE

• US 20080103716A1
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Incorporated (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Incorporated (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.)
• Inventors: Churan, John Scott, Metzler, Philip Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,640,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/101
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/26 Counterweights; Poise-weights; Sets of weights; Holders for the reception of weights
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/017 Securing calibration against fraud
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3742 using a mobile telephone network

Abstract

Systems and methods for effectuating verification and certification of verifiable devices. Preferably, but not necessarily, such certification occurs or is communicated remotely. A verifiable device may be directly or indirectly connected to an appropriate regulatory agency through a communication mechanism. One or more tests may be performed on the verifiable device to verify that the device is functioning properly. The test results are directly or indirectly transmitted to the regulatory agency. If the tests were passed then the verifiable device may be approved for use. When self-certification or remote certification is provided for, the need for in-person verification and certification procedures by agency personnel may be eliminated.

Claims

1. A system for certifying a verifiable device, comprising:

a verifiable device adapted to run one or more tests operative to verify the proper operation thereof;

a communication mechanism connected to said verifiable device for enabling the direct or indirect transmission of results of said tests to a regulatory agency authorized to certify said verifiable device; and

a certification mechanism for certifying said verifiable device upon verification of the proper operation thereof.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said verifiable device is a legal for trade device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said legal for trade device is a weighing apparatus.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication mechanism is selected from the group consisting of mail, fax, telephone, email, LAN, WAN, WLAN and Internet.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display device associated with said verifiable device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication mechanism also enables said verifiable device to communicate with a manufacturer or third party.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a database associated with one or both of said regulatory agency and said manufacturer or third party, said database operative to store information relating to a verifiable device from which said regulatory agency and/or said manufacturer or third party has received a communication.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database associated with an owner or operator of said verifiable device, said database operative to store information relating to said verifiable device.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a manufacturer or third party in the transmission path between said verifiable device and said regulatory agency.

10. A method for certifying a verifiable device, comprising:

providing a verifiable device capable of running one or more tests operative to verify the proper operation thereof;

associating a communication mechanism with said verifiable device for enabling the direct or indirect transmission of the results of said tests to a regulatory agency authorized to certify said verifiable device; and

certifying said verifiable device upon verification of the proper operation thereof.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said verifiable device is a legal for trade device.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising using said communication mechanism to enable communications between said verifiable device and a manufacturer or third party.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein certification of said verifiable device occurs upon successful completion of said tests and transmission of said results thereof directly or indirectly to said regulatory agency.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein certification of said verifiable device occurs upon receipt at said verifiable device of a verification signal transmitted by said regulatory agency in response to receipt by said regulatory agency of successful test results from said verifiable device.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a database at said regulatory agency for storing information relating to said verifiable device.

16. A method for certifying a verifiable device, comprising:

providing a verifiable device adapted to run one or more tests operative to verify the proper operation thereof;

running said tests;

transmitting the results of said tests directly or indirectly to a regulatory agency authorized to certify said verifiable device via a communication mechanism associated with said verifiable device; and

receiving at said verifiable device via said communication mechanism, a signal transmitted by said regulatory agency in response to receipt of said test results, said signal operative to certify said verifiable device for use; and

storing information relating to said verifiable device in a database.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said verifiable device is a legal for trade device.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said verifiable device interacts with a user of said verifiable device while running said tests.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said verifiable device runs said tests autonomously.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting the results of said tests to a manufacturer or third party.

21. A method for certifying a verifiable device, comprising:

providing a verifiable device capable of running one or more self-verification tests operative to verify the proper operation thereof and of performing a self-certification operation upon the successful completion of said tests;

causing said verifiable device to run said tests;

upon the successful completion of said tests, directly or indirectly transmitting the results thereof to a regulatory agency authorized to certify said verifiable device via a communication mechanism associated with said verifiable device;

storing information relating to said verifiable device in a database; and

performing said self-certification operation to certify said verifiable device for use.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said verifiable device is a legal for trade device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said verifiable device interacts with a user of said verifiable device while running said tests.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said verifiable device runs said tests autonomously.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting the results of said tests to a manufacturer or third party.