Self-calibrating apparatus for article input and removal monitoring system
First Claim
1. Self-calibrating apparatus for monitoring article input and removal from article storage apparatus, said monitoring apparatus comprising:
- weight sensing means for producing an output signal corresponding to the weight of the article storage apparatus when loaded with articles to be input or removed from the article storage apparatus during use thereof;
means for measuring the stability of weight measurements obtained from said weight sensing means output signal and for producing a first limit value indicative of the noise in said weight sensing means output signal;
test weight measurement means responsive to said weight sensing means for obtaining a first test measurement, for signaling an operator to remove a test article from the article storage apparatus, for obtaining a second test measurement during predetermined time period following a signaling of said operator, and for comparing said first and second test measurements to obtain a calibration weight value; and
means for comparing said calibration weight value with a predetermined multiple of said first limit value and for producing a signal indicative of an invalid calibration if said calibration weight value is less than said predetermined multiple of said first limit value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Two embodiments of a low profile weight sensor for a weight sensing system for monitoring article input and removal from article storage apparatus comprises a plate or I-shaped bar support member having first and second sections, an integrally formed linkage system for connecting the first and second sections such that the sections are substantially coplanar in an unloaded state, and are relatively displaceable with respect to each other in response to a weight load applied to one of the sections; and a magnetic transducer mounted on surfaces extending in the thickness direction of the plate/bar member for producing an electrical output signal responsive to relative displacement of the first and second sections. The article input and removal monitoring system also comprises self calibrating apparatus comprising circuitry for measuring the stability of weight measurements obtained from the weight sensors and producing a limit value, circuitry responsive to the weight sensing circuitry for signalling an operator and automatically taking first and second test measurements to obtain a calibration weight value, and circuitry for comparing the calibration weight value with a predetermined multiple of the limit value and signalling an invalid calibration if the calibration weight value is less than the predetermined multiple of the limit value.
71 Citations
4 Claims
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1. Self-calibrating apparatus for monitoring article input and removal from article storage apparatus, said monitoring apparatus comprising:
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weight sensing means for producing an output signal corresponding to the weight of the article storage apparatus when loaded with articles to be input or removed from the article storage apparatus during use thereof; means for measuring the stability of weight measurements obtained from said weight sensing means output signal and for producing a first limit value indicative of the noise in said weight sensing means output signal; test weight measurement means responsive to said weight sensing means for obtaining a first test measurement, for signaling an operator to remove a test article from the article storage apparatus, for obtaining a second test measurement during predetermined time period following a signaling of said operator, and for comparing said first and second test measurements to obtain a calibration weight value; and means for comparing said calibration weight value with a predetermined multiple of said first limit value and for producing a signal indicative of an invalid calibration if said calibration weight value is less than said predetermined multiple of said first limit value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification