WO1988009485A1

WO1988009485A1 - Weighing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1988009485A1
Application number: PCT/GB1988/000391
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edgar Leslie Biss; Richard Daniel Slater
Original assignee: Percell Group Limited
Priority date: 1987-05-20
Filing date: 1988-05-18
Publication date: 1988-12-01
Also published as: GB8925332D0; GB2232261B; GB2232261A; GB8711874D0

Abstract

Weighing apparatus for weighing currency notes or coins has a weighing platform (4) coupled to a load cell (14) for generating a weight signal dependent upon the weight of articles on the platform. The weighing machine includes a microprocessor (26) with associated memory (32, 34) which is responsive to the weight signal. When a verify mode is selected by pushing a verify button (6) placing a standard quantity of the notes or coins on the platform (4) enables the apparatus to check the quantity and integrity of that standard pack. If the standard pack is correct its value is displayed on the display panel (12). If it is found to be incorrect a warning is displayed. The apparatus verifies the articles on the platform by comparing information derived from the weight signal successively with stored information relating to standard packs of predetermined denominations.

Description

WEIGHING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to weighing apparatus and has particular but not exclusive application to machines for weighing coins and currency notes.

Banks and other commercial operations which handle large quantities of coins and notes do so to a large degree in pre-wrapped standard packs for each denomination. Thus, coins are generally provided in quantities of 10, 20, 25, 40, 50, or 100 coins rolled together in paper or bagged in plastic bags, and notes are banded in similar quantities.

There is a need for quickly establishing that such a wrapped quantity of coins or notes is correct as to the quantity and integrity of its contents. If they are correct there is a need to register the value and often to add this value to the value of previously registered standard packs. Standard packs which do not contain the required quantity or contain items of incorrect value should not be registered but should have attention drawn to them. It is also useful to be able to count loose, unwrapped coins and notes and to register their value and to add that value to a previously registered total.

There are coin weighing machines at present which can verify that a bag or roll of coins is complete, but the user has to know or key into the machine the denomination of the coins and possibly the number in a complete bag or roll or alternatively place on the scale a reference weight for the particular denomination.

05 The present invention seeks to overcome the inconvenience of the present machines.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided weighing apparatus l comprising means for producing a weight signal, processor means responsive to said weight signal to determine whether within a respective preset tolerance there is correspondence between said weight signal and any one of a plurality of preset weights, and output

-*-5 means for signalling appropriately according to the weight signal that the weight signal does not so correspond or to which preset weight the weight signal corresponds within said preset tolerance.

20 Preferably, said means for producing the weight signal comprises weighing means for producing an actual measured weight.

In an embodiment storage means are provided in which a list of denominations of articles is stored together with a respective preset weight and a respective preset tolerance for each denomination in said list, and wherein means are provided for determining if there is correspondence between said

30 weight signal and each preset weight. The apparatus may also comprise means for deducting a tare value from said actual measured weight to derive said weight signal .

The apparatus may also comprise storage means in which a respective tare value for each denomination of article in said list is stored, means for deducting the tare value associated with a selected denomination from said actual measured weight to derive said weight signal, and means for determining if there is correspondence between said weight signal and the preset weight associated with the selected denomination. Preferably, the preset weight stored in said storage means for each denomination in said list is representative of the weight of a respective predetermined number of the articles of that denomination. For example, the preset weight stored in said .storage means for each denomination is representative of the weight of an individual one of the articles of that denomination. In addition, for each denomination of article in the list, the number of articles in a standard pack will be stored.

The apparatus may further comprise means for deriving said weight signal by dividing said actual measured weight by the stored number of articles of a selected denomination, and wherein said means for determining if there is correspondence comprises means for comparing said weight signal with the preset weight associated with said selected denomination. Preferably, said means for determining if there is correspondence between the weight signal and a preset weight comprises means for dividing the weight signal by a preset weight for a selected denomination, and means for comparing the quotient obtained with the stored number associated with the selected denomination.

An embodiment of a weighing apparatus arranged to weigh articles of different denominations, where each denomination represents a different value, may comprise storage means in which a list of denominations and the value assigned to each denomination is stored, and means for deriving from a weight signal the aggregate value of a group of articles of the same denomination being weighed.

Preferably, this apparatus further comprises means for storing said aggregate value and means for forming a cumulative total by adding to said stored aggregate value a second aggregate value derived f om the weight signal produced by weighing a second group of articles. Means are preferably also provided for recording that said cumulative total has been formed and for preventing subsequent addition of said second aggregate value.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a weighing platform for receiving articles to be weighed, said means for producing a weight signal being coupled to said weighing platform so that said weight signal is representative of the weight of articles on said platform, and input means to which said processor means is responsive to enable the selection of a weighing routine. The input means will comprise a keyboard, whereas said output means will comprise a display. The processor means is preferably a micro-processor with associated memories.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided verifying apparatus comprising processor means arranged to perform a verifying routine upon receipt of a weight signal representative of the weight of a weighed article, and storage means storing in respect of at least one denomination of an article, information as to its weight, the number of such articles in a standard pack and the weight of any packaging of the standard pack, - wherein the processor means is arranged to determine from the weight signal and the stored information if the weighed article is a standard pack of said one denomination.

The invention also extends to a method of determining the number and/or value of articles, comprising the steps of weighing the articles and producing a weight signal, determining whether said weight signal corresponds within a respective preset tolerance to any one of a plurality of preset weights, and signalling appropriately according to the weight signal that the weight signal does not so correspond or to which preset weight the weight signal corresponds within said preset tolerance, wherein when there is correspondence between the weight signal and a preset weight the appropriate signalling indicates the number and/or value of the articles.

Preferably the method includes the steps of weighing the articles to produce an actual measured weight_r and deriving said weight signal from said actual measured weight.

^Q5 in an embodiment the method steps further comprise storing a list of denominations of articles, storing for each denomination of article a respective preset weight and a respective preset tolerance, and further comprising the step of successively

10^" determining if there is correspondence between said weight signal and each preset weight, and if said weight signal is determined to correspond to a preset weight within the respective preset tolerance, displaying the denomination of the article associated l-5_ with that preset weight, and/or the value of the articles, and/or the number of the articles, or if said weight signal is determined not to correspond to any preset weight for the denominations of article in said list, displaying a warning signal.

2.0E

Generally it is proposed that weighing apparatus o£ the invention will be pre-programmed for use in counting and verifying the coin and note set of a single currency. Of course, it would be possible to -5> store in the memory information as to more than one currency. In this case, means would preferably be provided to enable the apparatus to be switched between the different currencies.

0 Additionally and/or alternatively, the machine can be programmed with information as to the value of various denominations of tokens and other articles where different denominations represent different values .

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in.which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of weighing apparatus of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a block circuit diagram of the apparatus of Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of the main weighing routine performed by a processing unit of the weighing apparatus.

Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of a verifying routine of the weighing apparatus,

Figure 5 shows a count routine of the weighing apparatus, and

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C together show a flow diagram of a key handling routine of the weighing apparatus.

The weighing apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 is a stand alone weighing machine having a housing generally referenced 2. An electronic circuit including processing means and electronic storage is contained within the housing 2. A block diagram of the circuit of the machine is illustrated in Figure 2 and will be described below.

A weighing platform 4 for receiving articles such _as coins or notes to be weighed or counted is supported 5 ^*j-jy the housing 2. The weighing platform 4 is associated in known manner with an electronic precision weighing device for the provision of electrical output signals which are proportional to the weight applied to the weighing platform 4. A number of input keys 5 to -0 11 are provided in a panel of the housing 2 for inputting information to the processing unit, furthermore, a display panel 12 for displaying appropriate messages under the control of the processing unit is also provided in a panel of the -5 housing 2. Naturally, this display panel 12 may be constituted by appropriate display means.

Figure 2 shows a block circuit diagram of the electronic circuit of the machine received within the 0 housing 2. The weighing platform 4 is associated with a load cell 14 of the electronic precision weighing device. This load cell 14 is supplied with a regulated power supply by way of a power supply regulator 16 connected across a battery 18. This load cell produces an electrical output signal whose magnitude depends upon the weight applied to the load cell by way of the weighing platform 4. This output signal is fed to an amplifier 20, and the amplified output signal is then applied to an analogue to 0 digital converter 22. It will be seen that the analogue to digital converter 22 is also fed with a regulated power supply from the regulator 16. The power supply applied directly to the converter 22 acts as a reference so that the digital output signal from the converter 22 is generally independent of any fluctuations in power supply levels and therefore is substantially proportional to the weight applied to the load cell 14. In known manner, the power supplied to the electronic precision weighing device is isolated from the power supplied to the processing means to avoid problems with noise.

A further power output 24 of the regulator 16 is connected in known manner to provide power to a processing unit -26 and units associated therewith.

in the embodiment shown, the processing unit is a micro-processor 26 whose associated keyboard 28 is constituted by the keys 5 to 11. A display 30 of the micro-processor 26 is constituted by the display panel 12 together with appropriate display drivers and interface means (not shown). In the embodiment illustrated, the micro-processor 26 is connected both to a pre-programmed memory 32 which may be a read only memory (ROM) or a programmable read only memory (PROM) , and to a memory 34 which is a random access memory (RAM). The pre-programmed memory 32 includes the programs for the micro-processor 26 as well as data relating to the articles which the weighing machine is arranged to weigh.

The machine illustrated is particularly intended for weighing bank notes and/or coins and/or tokens or other counters representative of monetary value. The machine may be programmed to weigh the notes and coins of a single currency, or of several currencies. For simplicity, in the following description, we will consider the case where the machine is programmed to 5 be responsive to the notes and coins of a single currency.

The information held in the memory 32 includes a list of the denominations of the notes and coins of 0 the currency of interest. In addition, the memory 32 includes the monetary value of each denomination and the weight for each denomination. The memory 32 also holds for each denomination the number of items which would be packaged in a standard pack together with the ⁵ weight of the packaging of that standard pack. For each said standard pack the memory 32 is also provided with a preset tolerance given, for example, as the limits of the acceptable deviation from the standard number of items in each pack. 0?

Preferably, there is also stored within the memory 32 the limits for the deviation between a calculated quantity and the nearest integer quantity,- weight limits below which the weighing platform is -^: deemed to be empty, and weight limits below which the weighing platform is deemed to be empty and zero tracking will occur.

The use of all of the information pre-programmed 0 into the memory 32 will become apparent from a consideration of the program routines illustrated by the flow diagrams of Figures 3 to 6 which are described below.

It will be appreciated that the information in the memory 32 is generally programmed in the factory. However, the programming of the memory 32 is not within the scope of this invention and will not therefore be further described.

When the machine of Figure 2 is switched on, the micro-processor 26 is programmed to initiate any initialisation routines. On first switch on, this involves the transfer of certain information from the memory 32 to the RAM 34. It will be seen that the RAM 34 is permanently supplied with standby power by way of the regulator 16 so that the RAM is not volatile. Generally, it is the information in the RAM 34 which is utilised by the micro-processor 26 in the performance of the programs. This enables the information stored in the RAM 34 to be updated as necessary. In addition, full calibration and partial recalibration programs, which are not described herein, may be provided to modify the information stored in the RAM 34.

When the machine of Figure 2 is on, the micro-processor 26 runs its main program continuously. This program is the weighing routine shown in Figure 3. In addition, the weighing device is arranged by way of micro-processor timing means to periodically supply a weight signal to the micro-processor 26. For example, a new weight reading can be supplied ten times a second.

The micro-processor 26 is also programmed to continuously run a keyboard read routine causing the state of the keys 5 to 11 of the keyboard 28 to be read periodically. This information as to key states is stored in appropriate locations of the RAM 34. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the keyboard is read once every four milliseconds and the keyboard map showing which keys are currently pressed is stored in ram 34. In known manner, the keyboard read routine is provided with anti-bounce checks.

The provision of a suitable keyboard read routine and of a timing means for periodically supplying weight signals will be within the competence of anyone skilled in the art and so are not further described herein.

Figure 3 shows the flow chart for the main weighing routine and it will be seen that the first action taken is the running of a key handling routine Fl. This routine, which is described more fully below with reference to Figure 6, looks at the keyboard map stored in RAM showing the state of the keys 5 - 11 and selects appropriate modes in accordance with the keys which have been pressed. Let us assume that initially no keys are pressed.

The exits of the key handling routine Fl return to the main routine of Figure 3 which proceeds to determine if a new weight reading has been received from the weighing device by way of the converter 22. In this respect, it will be recalled that weight readings are applied to the micro-processor 26 ten times a second. It will be clear from Figure 3 that if the decision at block Dl is made when no new weight reading has arrived, the program will loop back to decision Dl. If a weight reading has just been received that new weight reading will be stored in RAM 34 and the program will then move on to function F2. Thus, at the decision block Dl the program effectively waits for a new weight reading Wr to be received.

Stored in RAM 34 is a pan empty reading Wz which .is representative of the weight signal received when the weighing platform 4 is empty. At block F2 the gross weight Wg on the platform 4 is determined by subtracting the pan empty weight Wz from the current weight reading Wr that is, Wg = Wr - Wz. This determined gross weight Wg is stored in RAM.

The routine then moves on to the decision block D2 where it determines if tare has been selected by pressing the appropriate key 5, marked ^,,Tⁿ . This information will already have been stored in RAM by the key handling routine Fl. If tare has been selected function block F3 subtracts from the gross weight Wg the tare weight Wt stored in RAM to form the nett weight Wn, that is

Wn = Wg - Wt. In this case, the key handling routine Fl will have already determined that none of the keys 5 to 11 has been pressed and accordingly the answer at the decision block D2 is "No". This leads the routine to

05 block F4 in. which the nett weight Wn is accorded the value of the gross weight Wg.

The nett weight Wn formed by either function F3 or F4, as appropriate, is then applied to decision ⁰- block D3 where it is compared with zero track limits from the memory 32. These zero track limits give the readings below which the weighing platform is deemed to be empty. These zero track limits also set the readings below which adjustment of the stored pan ^l-* empty reading occurs.

By way of example, let us assume that the stored pamempty- reading Wz is 200. Let us also assume that the? weighing platform 4 is empty and that the weight

²⁰ readiπgj tøir received by the micro-processor 26 is 203. It; wiliϊ. be- apparent that the gross weight Wg computed- by function F2 will be 3 and this will be assigned^'- to the nett weight Wn by block F4. If the zero track limits are set say at 8, the nett weight Wn

25 will be found by block D3 to be less than the limit. The "YES" answer at decision block D3 will therefore cause zer tracking to be performed by the function block F5.

30 In function block F5 a new pan empty reading Wz is computed from the original Wz reading and from the new weight reading Wr. The formula used is New Wz = Old Wz x 0 . 9 + Wr x 0 . 1 .

It will be appreciated that this formula causes a gentle adjustment to the original value of Wz to be made because the new value of Wz is strongly based on the old value with only a 10% adjustment for the new weight reading Wr. In the example given the adjusted value which is assigned to Wz in RAM will be 200.3 as compared to the 200 originally assigned thereto. By this means it is ensured that the value of Wz only undergoes considerable alteration in response to a trend, and that it is not adversely effected by spurious readings.

The pan empty reading Wz having been adjusted by block F5, the program moves on to decision block D4 in which the nett weight Wn is compared with pan empty limits stored in ROM 32. These are the weight limits below which the weighing platform is deemed to be - empty. In the example given, these limits might be set, say, at 15. In the example given, the nett weight Wn has been accorded the value 3 and therefore is well below the pan empty limits so that D4 gives a "YES" output. The routine has therefore correctly identified that the pan is empty and function block F6 thereby causes an appropriate pan empty message to be displayed by way of the display 30. Block F6A now sets an "OKTOADD" flag which is used later in the key handling routine at block D20. At this point, as will be appreciated, the routine loops back to its start and thus can respond at Fl to any keys which have been pressed and at Dl to the receipt of a new weight reading.

If on running through the weighing routine of Figure 3 it is found that a weight has been placed on the platform 4, it will be appreciated that the nett weight Wn computed at either F3 or F4 will be more than the zero track limits of D3 and the pan empty limits of D4. In this case then, instead of looping back to the start, the routine will continue to decision block D5 in which the program looks to see which mode has been selected. If the key 6 marked "V" has been pressed the verify mode will have been selected and the verify program of Figure 4 will be run_* Alternatively, if either of the keys 10 or 11, marked respectively "NOTES" and "COINS", have been pressed, the program will proceed to its count routine illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 4 illustrates the verifying routine which enables automatic verifying of standard packs of notes or coins. Initiation of this routine is by pressing the key 6. With this key pressed, and the weighing platform 4 empty, the verify mode is selected by the key handling routine Fl, and the function block F6 of the main program will cause the message "VERIFY" to be displayed by the display 12. Thereafter, the placing of a weight on the platform 4 will cause the machine automatically either to confirm the contents of the pack or to display a warning message "CHECK IT".

To perform the verify routine of Figure 4, additional information is stored by the memory 32. This additional information comprises a list of the denominations of coins and notes which can be verified by the machine. For each of- these denominations there is also stored a calibration weight Wc for that denomination, the number Nv of items of that denomination in a standard pack, and the tare weight Wt, that is, the weight of the packaging for that standard pack. If the coins or notes of any denomination are often packaged in more than one standard pack, that denomination may appear more than once in the list of denominations. Each entry for each denomination will, in this case be associated with data (Nv and Wt) relating to a respective standard pack.

with the verify mode selected, it is only necessary for a user to place a standard pack of coins or notes on the weighing platform 4 to initiate the verifying routine. First of all, the main weighing • routine will establish, at F4, the nett weight Wn for the pack and then the decision block D5 will route the program to the verify routine.

The verify routine, at function F7, first of all points to the first denomination in the stored list of denominations of notes and coins. In this respect, conveniently, the currency is listed with notes first in decending order of value followed by coins, also in decending order of value. For example, for pounds sterling, the listed notes might be £50, £20, £10 and £5, followed by the listed coins £1, 50p, 20p, lOp, 5p, 2p and lp. Each selected denomination in the list in its turn points to the calibrated weight Wc of that denomination, the number Nv of items of that denomination in a standard pack, and the tare -weight Wt 5 of that standard pack. This enables the verify routine at function F8 to subtract the tare weight Wt associated with the selected denomination from the gross weight Wg which was formed by function F2 of the main program. A nett weight Wn thereby is formed. At *0 function F9 the calibrated weight Wc pointed at by the selected denomination is selected so that the next block F10 can calculate the quotient N of nett weight by calibrated weight, that is N = Wn -γ Wc. The quotient N is then compared with the stored standard *5 number Nv of items for the selected denomination. This operation is performed at Fll.

A decision block D6 then considers if the quotient N which has been determined is the same as 0 the stored number Nv for the selected denomination within a preset tolerance. If it is not, a "NO" output from the block D6, indicating that the items on the weighing platform 4 are not of the selected denomination, causes the routine to proceed to 5 decision block D7 which considers if the selected denomination was the last on the list. If it was not the last denomination, function block FI2 selects the next denomination in the list and the routine loops round again to block F8. It will be appreciated that - 0 by this means the routine successively compares the item on the platform 4 with the values for the listed denominations to see if it can find a successful match. If no such match is found the decision block D7 causes the routine to proceed to a function block

F13 which causes a warning "CHECK IT" to be displayed.

if. as the verifying routine steps through the list of denominations, a quotient N is found which agrees within the preset limits with the associated stored number Nv, the decision block D6 will signal a match, by the output "YES", and this causes function F14 to calculate the value of the items on the platform 4. This calculated value is the selected denomination multiplied by the stored number Nv of items in the standard pack, that is, the value = Nv x denomination. The following function block F15 causes the display 12 to display both the computed value together with the denomination of the items identified. For example, if a roll of twenty 50p pieces has been placed on the weighing platform 4, and has been verified, the display 12 will show "50p 10.00".

Before the routine returns to the start of the main program, a function F16 modifies the calibrated weight Wc stored in RAM for an individual item of the identified denomination. In this respect, Wc is adjusted, such that:

Wc = old Wc x 0.95 + (Wn-r v) x 0.05

As previously, this calibration enables the machine to track any consistent trends which might be caused, for example, by changes in humidity, temperature and the like. This continuous calibration has been found to be particularly important to the continued accurate performance of the automatic verifying routine.

The machine enables an operator to successively place standard packs of notes and coins, in any order, on the weighing platform for verification of their contents.. If the packs are correct, the machine will display the value of the pack and of the identified denominations. If no match can be found, the machine will display "CHECK IT". Any packs which fail the verification routine can be put on one side to be opened and counted or otherwise checked once the rest of the standard packs have been verified.

It is important to note that the machine, and the verifying routine described, enable an operator quickly to. establish that a wrapped quantity of notes or coins is correct. Furthermore, the operator does _not have to key in any information, whether about the expected value of the pack, or the denomination, or the number of notes or coins. Having selected the verify mode, the operator only needs to place a pack on the - platform 4, view the display, and then remove the pack having noted whether it has been verified or not. Because the weight signal is produced ten times a second, and the keyboard map is read once 'every 4 milliseconds, it will be appreciated that there is no appreciable hiatus between the operator placing a pack o the weighing platform 4 and a display being indicated on the panel 12. The machine is particularly useful in that the standard packs placed on the platform 4 for their verification, can simultaneously have their values added. Thus, at the end of a verification run, the . operator will not only have checked the accuracy and integrity of the contents of a series of standard packs, but will also have an accurate total of their value. This addition is performed by the key handling routine of Figures 6A, 6B and 6C which will now be described.

It will be recalled that the key handling routine illustrated in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C is initiated by function Fl of the main program. Its first step is to look at the map of pressed keys stored in RAM. The first decision block D8 then determines if the key 10,

_*- labelled "NOTES" is the only key pressed. If the key 10 has not been pressed, or has been pressed but in conjunction with other the keys, the key handling routine continues along the route marked "NO" to consider the status of the other keys. If the output of block D8 is "YES" the program proceeds to block D9 which determines if the platform 4 is empty, this information being available from the function block F6 of the main program. If the platform is not empty, for example because a previous count or verifying routine is being completed, the routine exits through "EXIT 1", clearing the map of pressed keys stored in RAM before returning to the start of the main program of Figure 3. If the key 10 is pressed with the platform 4 empty, the key handling routine by way of blocks D8, D9 and D10 will select the count mode and enter that selection in RAM. It will be seen that the block F17 also selects the first denomination of notes in the list of denominations stored in RAM. The denomination so selected will be displayed on the 05 panel 12. This routine then exits by way of "EXIT 1" and a function block F20, which clears the stored key map, to the main program.

If the denomination selected by the block F17 is 10 the denomination in which it is required to count, a count routine can then be initiated simply by placing the notes to be counted on the platform 4. However, if the block F17 has selected a denomination which is not required, the "NOTES" key 10 is repeatedly pressed

15 and released until the denomination required has been selected and is displayed. It will be appreciated that every time the key 10 is pressed with the count mode already selected, the decision block D10 of the key handling routine will cause by way of a decision

20 block Dll and function blocks F18 and F19 the selection of a different denomination in the list. Each selected denomination is displayed and so the operator continues to press and release the key 10 until the appropriate denomination is displayed. The

25 count routine can then be commenced by placing the notes on the platform 4.

The key handling routine includes an exactly analogous routine for selecting the count mode and the ^■-^•0 denomination when coins are to be counted. This routine is accessed by pressing only the key 11, labelled "COINS", as is indicated by the decision block D8c. The remaining decisions and functions of the coin count routine have been given references the same as those of the note count routine with the addition "C". Each decision or function block of the coin count routine performs exactly the same function or makes exactly the same decision as the corresponding block in the notes count routine.

If both the "NOTES" key 10 and the key 5 marked ^**χ" _are pressed together a decision block D12 leads to a function block F21 which selects a full calibration mode. This mode, which enables the information stored in RAM to be calibrated will not be described herein.

Similarly, pressing both the "COINS" key 11 and the key 5 causes a decision block D13 to proceed to a function block F22 which selects a recalibration mode.

This mode enables calibration of selected information in RAM and again will not be further described herein.

If the key 5 marked "T" is pressed alone decision block D14 (Figure 6C) leads into a tare select mode. In this mode, if block D15 finds that the platform 4 is empty, it causes function F23 to select stored tare mode. It has already been seen that in the main program, this causes the tare weight Wt to be subtracted from the gross weight Wg. A manual tare routine can also be initiated by decision block D14 to enable the weight of a container or wrapper to be measured and recorded before the weighing routine is commenced. In this manual mode, the container is placed on the platform 4 before the key 5 "T" is pressed. Because the platform is not empty decision block D15 leads to a set manual tare sub-routine in which the contents of the platform are weighed, F24, this weight is stored in RAM, F25, and then tare mode

05 is selected_r F26. When a weighing routine is subsequently performed by the main program a tare weight Wt will be subtracted from the gross weight Wg but this will be the tare weight established by functions F24 and F25.

10

It will be seen that at the end of either routine to select the tare mode the routine exits by an "EXIT 2"^* to the main program without clearing the stored key map.

15.

The verify mode which has already been described in detail above is selected by pressing the key 6^* marked "V". If the key 6 has been pressed alone and the platform 4 is empty, decision blocks D16 and D17

2.03 (Figure 6B) lead to function F27 which selects the verify mode. Thereafter the verify select sub-routine returns-to the main program, resetting the keys by way of "^'EXIT 1" and function F20.

5- Pressing a key 9 which is labelled "+" enables the machine to add the value displayed for each count or verify routine into memory so that a total value can be obtained. This add routine is entered by D18 which is responsive to the key 9 being pressed. This

30 routine adds the value of the articles on the platform 4 into memory to be totalled with any previous values already entered. Accordingly, if the platform 4 is empty the block D19 causes F28 to display the total of the last denomination counted or verified.

If the platform 4 has contents on it, a decision block D20 looks to see if the addition requested has been made previously. If no such addition has been made, this is signalled by an "OKTOADD" flag in RAM and which is set whenever the weighing platform is found to be empty at decision block D4. If the "OKTOADD" flag is set, function F29 adds the determined value of the items on the platform 4 into a denomination total store in RAM and also adds the value of the items into a grand total stoire. Thereafter the flag in memory is cleared, F30. The value which has been entered into the denomination total store_, is then displayed, F28 and the routine exits to the main program by "EXIT 2" and without resetting any keys. It will be appreciated that if one tries a second time to add the value of the same items to the grand total by pressing key 9 again, D20 will find that the "OKTOADD" flag has been cleared and will simply cause F28 to display the value of the last items counted or verified.

At the end of such an addition routine the grand total stored in memory can be determined by pressing key 8 which is marked "-=". Pressing this key causes the grand total stored to be displayed by way of D21 and F31. If it is then required to clear all the totals the keys 7 and 8 marked "C" and "=" are pressed together and D22 and F32 clear the stores. At the same time the cleared grand total is caused to be displayed by F33. As will be apparent from the descriptions given above, the machine has a normal count routine by which it is able to determine the number of notes or coins of a selected denomination which have been placed on the platform 4. This count routine, which is illustrated in Figure 5, enables the value of the items on the platform 4 to be determined whether the items are packaged or not. The first block D24 of the count routine determines if tare has been selected or not. It will be recalled that the tare mode is selected by pressing the key 5, "T". Tare is not selected if the notes or coins are loose and in this case at block F34 the nett weight Wn is assigned the gross weight value Wg from the weighing mechanism. If tare is selected the appropriate tare weight Wt is subtracted from the gross weight by F35. F36 selects the weight Wc in RAM calibrated for the particular denomination which is being counted and then at block F36 the number of items 37 on the platform 4 is determined by dividing the nett weight by the calibration weight, that is

N = Wn Wc.

The routine then proceeds to block D25 in which the calculated quantity is compared with appropriate limits. If the quantity falls outside those limits block F38 causes the message "TRY LESS" to be displayed by display panel 12. Assuming that the calculated quantity is within the appropriate limits F39 calculates the value of the notes or coins on the platform 4 by multiplying the calculated quantity N by the selected denomination. F40 then causes a suitable display of selected denomination and value on the display panel 12. For example, if.50p pieces were being counted the display might read "50p £27.50". At D26 the routine asks if the denomination selected were notes. If the counted denomination were coins the routine goes to the end. If the counted items were notes F41 performs an updating of the calibrated weight Wc, and as previously, the new value for Wc is stored in RAM in place of the old value. In this respect, it will be appreciated that it is important to continuously update the stored weight Wc for notes because notes can vary significantly in their weight depending upon whether they are old or new, if they have been damaged, or subject to humidity and the like. It would be possible to recalibrate the weight reading stored for the coins, but this is not generally necessary.

The limits with which the calculated quantity N are compared by block D25 are chosen to enable an accurate determination of the value being weighed irrespective of circumstances. A routine for determining if the calculated quantity is acceptable and which could be incorporated in the count routine at block D25 is described in U.S. patent No. 4,447,885.

It will be appreciated that modifications to and variations of the invention as illustrated by the embodiment particularly described above may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Weighing apparatus comprising means for producing a weight signal, processor means responsive to said weight signal to determine whether within a respective preset tolerance there is correspondence between said weight signal and any one of a plurality of preset weights, and output means for signalling appropriately according to the weight signal that the weight signal does not so correspond or to which preset weight the weight signal corresponds within said preset tolerance.

2. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means for producing the weight signal comprises weighing means for producing an actual measured weight. -

3. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising storage means in which a list of denominations of articles is stored together with a respe.ctive preset weight and a respective preset tolerance for each denomination in said list, and wherein means are provided for determining if there is correspondence between said weight signal and each said preset weight.

4. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, further comprising means for deducting a tare value from said actual measured weight to derive said weight signal.

5. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, comprising storage means in which a respective tare value for each denomination of article in said list is stored, means for deducting the tare value associated with a selected denomination from said actual measured weight to derive said weight signal, and means for determining if there is correspondence between said weight signal and the preset weight associated with the selected denomination.

6. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or 5, wherein the preset weight stored in said storage means for each denomination in said list is representative of the weight of a respective predetermined number of the articles of that denomination.

7. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the preset weight stored in said storage means for each denomination is representative of the weight of an individual one of the articles of that denomination.

8. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, comprising storage means in which, for each denomination of article in said list, the number of said articles in a standard pack is stored.

9. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, further comprising means for deriving said weight signal by - -dividing said actual measured weight by the stored number of articles of a selected denomination, and wherein said means for determining if there is correspondence comprises means for comparing said weight signal with the preset weight associated with said selected denomination..

10. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said means for determining if there is correspondence between the weight signal and a preset weight comprises means for dividing the weight signal by a preset weight for a selected denomination, and means for comparing the quotient obtained with the stored number associated with the selected denomination.

11. Weighing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising storage means for storing said preset weights, and calibration means for adjusting said stored preset weights.

12. Weighing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising storage means for storing an empty weight signal for representing that no articles are being weighed, and calibration means for adjusting said stored empty weight signal.

13. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein said calibration means is arranged to adjust a stored weight or signal in dependence upon the weight signal.

14. Weighing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged to weigh articles of different denominations, each denomination representing a different value, said weighing apparatus comprising storage means in which a list of denominations and the value assigned to each denomination is stored, and means for deriving from a weight signal the aggregate value of a group of articles of the same denomination being weighed.

15. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, further comprising means for storing said aggregate value and means for forming a cumulative total by adding to said stored aggregate value a second aggregate value derived from the weight signal produced by weighing a second group of articles.

16. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, further comprising means for recording that said cumulative total has been formed and for preventing subsequent addition of said second aggregate value.

- 17. Weighing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a weighing platform for receiving articles to be weighed, said means for producing a weight signal being coupled to said weighing platform so that said weight signal is representative of the weight of articles on said platform, and input means to which said processor means is responsive to enable the selection of a weighing routine.

18. Weighing apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said input means comprises a keyboard, and wherein said output means comprises a display.

19. Weighing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said processor means comprises a microprocessor and storage means constituted by at least one memory.

20. Verifying apparatus comprising processor means arranged to perform a verifying routine upon receipt of a weight signal representative of the weight of a weighed article, and storage means storing in respect of at least one denomination of an article, information as to its weight, the number of such articles in a standard pack and the weight of any packaging of the standard pack, wherein the processor means is arranged to determine from the weight signal and the stored information if the weighed article is a standard pack of said one denomimation.

21. A method of determining the number and/or value of articles, comprising the steps of

weighing the articles and producing a weight signal,

determining whether said weight signal corresponds within a respective preset tolerance to any one of a plurality of preset weights, and

signalling appropriately according to the weight signal that the weight signal does not so correspond _or to which preset weight the weight signal corresponds within said preset tolerance. wherein when there is correspondence between the weight signal and a preset weight the appropriate signalling indicates the number and/or value of the articles.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 21, further comprising

weighing the articles to produce an actual measured weight, and

deriving said weight signal from said actual measured weight.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 22, further comprising

storing a list of denominations of articles.

storing for each denomination of article a respective preset weight and a respective preset tolerance.

and further comprising the step of successively determining if there is correspondence between said weight signal and each preset weight, and

if said weight signal is determined to correspond to a preset weight within the respective preset tolerance, displaying the denomination of the article associated with that preset weight, and/or the value of the articles, and/or the number of the articles, or if said weight signal is determined not to correspond to any preset weight for the denominations of article in said list, displaying a warning signal.

05 24. A method as claimed in Claim 23, further comprising

storing a respective tare value for each denomination of article in said list, iσ deducting the tare value associated with a selected denomination from said actual measured weight to derive said weight signal, and determining if there is correspondence between said weight signal and the 1-5 preset weight associated with the selected denomination.

25. A method as claimed in Claim 23 or 24, wherein said preset weight for each denomination in said list

20 is representative of the weight of a respective predetermined number of the articles of that denomination.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 25, wherein said 25 preset weight for each denomination in said list is representative of the weight of an individual one of the articles of that denomination.

27. A method as claimed in Claim 26, further 30 comprising storing for each denomination of article in said list the number of articles in a standard pack of said articles.

28. A method as claimed in Claim 27, wherein it is determined if there is correspondence between the weight signal and a preset weight by dividing, said actual measured weight by the stored number of a selected denomination to derive the weight signal, and then comparing said weight signal with preset weight associated with said selected denomination.

29. A method as claimed in Claim 27, wherein it is determined if there is correspondence between the weight signal and a preset weight by dividing the weight signal by the preset weight for a selected denomination, and comparing the quotient obtained with the stored number associated with the selected denomination.

30. A method as claimed in any of Claims 23 to 29, further comprising the step of adjusting the preset weight stored in respect of the denomination of article displayed.

31. A method as claimed in Claim 30, wherein the preset weight stored for the displayed denomination corresponds to the weight of an individual one of the articles of that denomination, and wherein the stored preset weight is adjusted in dependence upon said weight signal.

32. Weighing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A method of determining the number and/or value of articles substantially as hereinbefore described with, reference to the accompanying drawings.