Measuring apparatus with user profile

• US 6,844,506 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2003
• Issued: 01/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mettler Toledo GmbH
• Original Assignee: Mettler Toledo GmbH
• Inventors: Nüesch, Reto, Gietenbruch, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US10/361,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20030141116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.52, 340/5.53, 340 582- 584, 340/5.61, 702/174, 702/122, 702/123, 705/416, 177 2511- 2517, 177/25.19, 700/305
• US Class Current: 177/25.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/00 Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/01 Testing or calibrating of weighing apparatus

Abstract

A measuring apparatus, for instance an analytical balance, can set parameter values for performing specific measuring tasks and/or for effecting communication with an operating person. Sets of such parameter values are stored as profiles. The measuring apparatus is equipped with a recognition device, for recognizing an operating person and activating a stored profile assigned to that person.

Claims

1. Measuring apparatus comprising:

means of setting values of parameters for performing specific measurement tasks, and/or for effecting communication with an operating person;

means for storing sets of parameter values as profiles. said stored profiles, being determinative for the specific measurement tasks and/or a way the operating person communicates with the apparatus; and

a recognition device for recognizing an operating person and activating a stored profile assigned to that person, wherein said operating person being one who commands and controls the measuring apparatus to perform the specific measurement tasks.

2. Measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recognition device contains:

means for processing and weighting personally affected signals according to prescribed criteria; and

means for assigning combinations of weighted criteria to certain persons.

3. Measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for processing and weighting personally affected signals contains:

a receiver, which responds to specific transmitted signals.

4. Measuring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transmitted signals originate from a transmitter borne by, and identifying, the operating person.

5. Measuring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transmitted signals are biometric signals involuntarily emanated by the operating person.

6. Measuring apparatus according to claim 3, comprising:

a transmitter, wherein the receiver responds to specific, person-dependent changes which occur in transmitted signals from the transmitter.

7. Measuring apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the receiver is configured to identify the operating person in response to a signal from a transponder which identifies the operating person.

8. Measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein irrespective of the operating person, the transmitter activates an application-specific profile which is selected in dependence on the transmitter.

9. Measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recognition device comprises:

a means of confirming the operating person.

10. Measuring apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

an input and output device, via which the operating person, after activating a profile, can set and store parameter values, and thereby change the profile.

11. Measuring apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the profile comprises several sub-profiles, which are successively activated and deactivated by the recognition device, taking into account inputs.

15. Measuring apparatus according to claim 1, for use as an analytical balance.

16. Measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein irrespective of the operating person, an application-specific profile is selected in dependence on a transponder.

12. Method of setting a measuring apparatus to certain parameter values for performing specific measuring tasks, and/or effecting communication with an operating person, comprising:

recognizing an operating person, said operating person being one who commands and controls the measuring apparatus to perform measurement tasks; and

activating a set of parameter values assigned to the operating person in response to the step of recognizing;

wherein said activated set of parameter values are determinative for the specific measurement tasks and/or a way the operating person communicates with the measuring apparatus.

13. Method according to claim 12, comprising:

analyzing operating person dependent signals using a recognition device assigned to the measuring apparatus;

classifying the operating person-dependent signals according to given criteria;

comparing the operating person-dependent signals with stored values;

on sufficient match, undertaking assignment of the analyzed operating person-dependent signals to a certain operating person; and

activating a set of parameter values assigned to the operating person.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein activation of the set of parameter values takes place in steps, information is output to the operating person, and each next step is dependent on an input.