Remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus and combination weighing system

• US 6,970,094 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2001
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yamato Scale Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Yamato Scale Company Limited
• Inventors: Takimoto, Masafumi, Yamashita, Kazuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/031,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20030016660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,740 Days
• Field of Search: 340/666, 340/665, 340/667, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/539.1, 340/531, 700/305, 701/117, 701/124, 702/101, 702/173, 702/174, 702/187, 702/188, 705414-416, 200/85.R, 200/86.R, 200/DIG.35, 200/75.R, 177/25.18, 177/145, 177/25.13, 177/25.19, 180/290
• US Class Current: 340/666
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/393 using two or more weighing units

Abstract

In a combination weighing system, a connection is established by Internet between a combination weighing apparatus comprising a weighing machine control portion for setting an operating condition of a weighing machine and logging an operating state of the weighing machine; and a network connecting device for receiving setting information of the operating condition and transmitting log information of the operating state, and a server computer that includes a network connecting device and manages the setting information of the operating condition and the log information of the operating state. With this combination weighing system, it is possible to set the operating condition of the combination weighing apparatus without a need for a person in charge to go to a place where the combination weighing apparatus is installed and to stop an operation of the combination weighing apparatus.

Claims

1. A remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus comprising:

a weighing machine constituting the combination weighing apparatus;

a weighing machine control portion for setting an operating condition of the weighing machine and logging an operating state of the weighing machine; and

a communication device for transmitting and receiving electronic information including setting information of the operating condition and/or log information of the operating state via a communication medium,

wherein the electronic information has a format of an electronic mail.

2. The remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication medium is selected from the group consisting of a local area network, a wide area network, a public line, Internet, a value added network, a commercial network, and combinations thereof.

3. The remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is selected from the group consisting of a modem, a terminal adapter, and a router.

4. The remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for storing the setting information of the operating condition and the log information of the operating state.

5. The remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log information of the operating state is selected from the group consisting of a control set value, an input key history, inter-process communication information, operation error information, and image information.

6. The remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information of the operating condition includes a control set value.

7. The remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising electronic information analyzing means for analyzing the electronic information incorporating the setting information of the operating condition in a predetermined format to extract the setting information of the operating condition.

8. The remotely accessible combination weighing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising electronic information creating means for incorporating the log information of the operating state into the electronic information in a predetermined format.

9. A combination weighing system comprising:

a combination weighing apparatus having;

a weighing machine constituting the combination weighing apparatus;

a weighing machine control portion for setting an operating condition of the weighing machine and logging an operating state of the weighing machine; and

a communication device for transmitting and receiving electronic information including setting information of the operating condition and log information of the operating state; and

a server computer that includes a central communication device for performing communication with the communication device and manages the setting information of the operating condition and the log information of the operating state in the electronic information; and

a communication medium via which communication is performed between the communication device and the central communication device,

wherein the electronic information has a format of an electronic mail.

10. The combination weighing system according to claim 9, wherein the communication medium is selected from the group consisting of a local area network, a wide network, a public line, Internet, a value added network, a commercial network, and combinations thereof.

11. The combination weighing system according to claim 9, wherein the communication device of the combination weighing apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a modem, a terminal adapter, and a router.

12. The combination weighing system according to claim 9, further comprising means for storing the setting information of the operating condition and the log information of the operating state.

13. The combination weighing system according to claim 9, wherein the log information of the operating state is selected from the group consisting of a control set value, an input key history, inter-process communication information, operation error information, and image information.

14. The combination weighing system according to claim 9, wherein the setting information of the operating condition includes a control set value.

15. The combination weighing system according to claim 9, wherein the server computer further comprises electronic information creating means for incorporating the setting information of the operating condition into the electronic information in a predetermined format, and the combination weighing apparatus further comprises electronic information analyzing means for analyzing the electronic information incorporating the setting information of the operating condition in the predetermined format to extract the setting information of the operating condition.

16. The combination weighing system according to claim 9, wherein the combination weighing apparatus further comprises electronic information creating means for incorporating the log information of the operating state into the electronic information in a predetermined format, and the server computer further comprises electronic information analyzing means for analyzing the electronic information incorporating the log information of the operating state in the predetermined format to extract the log information of the operating state.