CA1177460A - Scale controller - Google Patents

Abstract

SCALE CONTROLLER

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A controller is described which interfaces with a scale and a label printer for computing prices of weighed commodities, for displaying a human readable description of the commodity being weighed and other characteristics of the commodity, and for activating the label printer to print the displayed information on a label. The controller includes a keyboard for selecting and changing the information to be displayed and printed, and a cathode ray tube for displaying the information.

Description

- ~ li 77d~6(~

SCALE CONTROLLER

BACKGROUND OF T~ INVENTION

This invention is directed to an improved controller of the type which interfaces with a scale and a label printer so that the weight and price of commodities weighed on the sca]e, and other identi-ying indicia, are printed on a label which is sub-sequently applied to the commodity.
Controllers of the type referred to above typically include a keyboard for enterin~ an index number which identifies a commodity to be weighed~
In response to a keyboard entry, LEDs (light emltting diodes) are energized to indicate the entered index number, the price per pound of the commodit~, and possibly other commodity characteristics which are stored in the controller's memory. Usually, only ~ numerical, as opposed to an alpha, read out is pro-vided by the ccntroller to indicate the type of com-modity to be weighed. If any error is made during keyboard entry, the operator rnay not be aware of it because the controller only displays numbers which the operator may not recognize as identifying a commodity other than the commodity to be weighed.
To select the proper commodity index number for keyboard entry, a look-up table is usually pro-vided. The operator refers to the look-up table to find "roast beef", for example, and its accompanying index number. However, should the data in the look--up table be inaccurate, (due to data changes previously made but not recorded), the information entered into and displayed by the controller will be inaccurate. Because the operator is given only a numerical read out by the controller, he may not be aware that the index number ~ ! 7 ~ 4 6 () displayed by the controller does not correspond to the commodity to be weighed. In addition, there is always the possibility of human error in reading or manually (digitally) entering an index number ~address).
These and other such human interface problems render conventional controllers somewhat difficult and time consuming to use and resuIt in errors being made which may go undetected.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide an improved controller for interfacing with a scale and a label printer.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide such a controller which displays data in a format which is easier to read, relatively easy to modify, which does not require the use of an external lookup table and which provides convenient and positive means for the selection of items from an internal index.
Broadly, the invention contemplates an improved controller for a weighing and label printing system which has a scale, a label printer, and a controller for responding to the weight of a commodity on the scale, for computing the price of the commodity, and for causing the label printer to print the commodity's price, weight and other commodity characteristics. The improved controller comprises a memory means for storing at least a list of commodities to be priced, an alpha description of each commodity, and a price per pound of each commodity, a keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, a cathode ray tube and a circuit means coupled to the scale, the label printer, the memory, the cathode ray tube and the keyboard, with the circuit means being responsive to operator actuation of a selected ~ ~77~6(~
-2a-keyboard key for causing the eathode ray -tube to display the list of eommodities from memory, being also responsive to operator actuation of a keyboard key for eausing -the eathode ray tube to extinguish the displayed eommodity list and to display the alpha deseription and the price per pound of a commodity seleeted from the list. This eontroller provide~ for computing and displaying the eomputed priee of the commodity, and for aetivating the label printer to print a label bearing at least the dis-played alpha deseription, priee per pound, and eomputedpriee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGllRES

The objects stated above and other objeets of the invention are set forth more particularly in the following detailed deseription of the aceompanying draw-ings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a scale controller accord-ing to the invention in combination with a scale and a label printer, and the manner in which commodities may be ~ed to the scale;
Figure 2 illustrates a type of la~el printed by the label printer in response to actuation by the eontroller;
Figure 3 depicts the keyboard for the controller ~5 of Figure 1, appearin~ with Figure l;
Figure 4 illustrates the CRT faeeplate and the type of eommodity list displayed thereon;

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Figure 5 illustrates the type of commodity description displ~yed on the faceplate o~ the con-troller's CRT;
Figure 6 shows the type of grade list dis-played on the faceplate of the controllerls CRT, Figure 7 is a block diagram of the electronics in the controller and illustrates how it interfaces with the label printer and a conventional scale;
Figures 8, 9 and 10 show the EP~OM commodity storage board of Figure 7 in greater detail;
Figure 11 shows the CMOS RAM price storaye board of Figure 7 in greater detail;
Figure 12 shows the I-O board of Figure 7 in greater detail; and Figure 13 is a flow chart which illustrates generally how the microprocessor shown in Figure 12 may be programmed.

DESCRIPTION OF T~ PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figure 1, a controller 10 embodying the invention is shown in combination with a scale 12, a label printer 14 and apparatus designated generally at 16 for applying a printed label to a packaged commodity which has been weighed. This illustrated arrangement is particularly useful for the rapid weighing and label application of a large number of commodities as is frequently required in a supermarket, for example. ;
As described in more detail below, the con~
troller 10 includes a memory which may be pre--programmed with a list of commodities, an alpha description of each commodity on the list, the price per pound of each commodity to be weighed ana priced, tare weight, and various other characteristics of the commodities to be processed. All this pre--programmed information ' ~77~6~

may be displayed on the screen of a CRT (cathode ray tube) 18 by operator actua-tion of selected keys on a keyboard 20. By manipulation of the keyboard 20 as described below, an operator can cause the CRT 18 to display the alpha description of the comrnodities which are to be weighed to insure that the controller 10 is conditioned to compute the price of the exact commodity which is to be weighed and priced. Corrections or modi-fications may be made to the displayed alpha description of the commodity, data not pre-programmed may be added, and the corrected or au~mented description may be printed on a label 21 as shown in Figure 2.
To explain the operation of the controller 10, reference will be made to Figure 3 which shows the lS keyboard 20 in greater detail, and to Figures 4, 5 and 6 which illustrate the type of CRT display which is pre-ferably called up by operator actuation of the keyboard.
As shown in Figure 3, the keyboard may include a power key 22 for turning the controller on, and a zero track key 24 to place the controller in a zero track mode in which any debris accumulated on the scale will be compensated for in determining the weight of a commodity on the scale. A print key 26 is included for instructing the controller to activate the label printer for printing a label, even though no package is on the scale. The print key 26 may be used, for example, when it is desired to print a test label or when manually labeling pre-weighed commodities.
The keyboard ma~ also include a net weight lamp 28 to indicate that a commodity's net weight (as opposed to its gross weight) is being used by the con-troller to compute the commodity's price. A zero ref-erence lamp 30 may also be included to indicate, when on, that the scale is at absolute or reference zero.

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The remaining illustrated keyboard keys e~ercise the more slgnificant aspects of the con-troller 10. Among these keys are four cursor posi-tioning keys 32, 34, 36 and 38. As described below, the controller's CRT displays a movable cursor along with its display of commodity information. The cursor key 32 may be actuated to move the cursor to the right horizontally, the key 34 may be used to move -the cursor to the leEt horizontally, the key 36 may be used to move the cursor upwardly, and the key 38 may be used to move the cursor downwardly. The controller' 9 response to actuation of any of these cursor position-ing keys is described in more detail ~elow.
Also included in the keyboard is a group of numbered keys bearing the numbers 0 through 9. These numbered keys are used by an operator to enter a commodity index number into the controller to cause the controller to display an alpha description of the commodity associated with the entered index number.
On each of the numbered keys, additional indicia is included to designate another function of that key.
For example, the number 9 key includes the notation "price" to indicate that actuation of this key will enable an operator to manually enter a commodity price into the controller. The functions of the other illustrated keys are described below concurrently with a description of the operation of the controller 10 .
Referring again to Figure 1, packaged commodities 40, 42 and 44 are shown at various stages of being processed. The packaged commodity 40 is shown as disposed on rollers 46 comprising part of an input feed path to the scale 12, the packaged commodity 42 is shown as resting on the scale 12, and ' ~ 7746() the commodity 44 (which had been previously weighedj is now disposed at a label application station. Transport of the packages from the rollers 46 to the label appli-cation station is effected by a motor driven cam assembly (not shown) and occurs as follows. After -the package 42 has been weighed and is ready to be moved -to an inter-mediate package positioning station, a pair of guide arms 48 and 50 move upwardly, then move to the left and down so as to abutt the package 42, and then move to the right again to transport the package 42 to the package positioning station and, thereafter, to the label appli-cation station. As that occurs, the arm 50 sweeps the preceding package 44 off the label application sta-tion.
Concurrently with each cycle, the rollers 46 are raised to feed the commodity 40 to a set of motor driven rollers 52 for projecting the package 40 onto the scale 12. As each commodity arrives at the scale 12, it is weighed and its price is computed by the controller 10. The CRT
18 displays an alpha description of the product being weighed, its price, and other information. The con--troller 10 then activates the label printer 14 for printing a label such as that shown in Figure 2. It should be noted that this label includes a UPC code 54 which identifies the commodity, an alpha description 56 which describes the commodity in human readable form, as well as the other information illustrated in Figure 2.
After the label has been printed, it is siezed by a vacuum assistèd transfer arm 58 which rotates to transfer the label to another arm 60. The arm 60 then descends to apply the label to the commodity. A compactor 62 may be included which descends to press the label onto the commodity package securely.
The manner in which an operator sets up the controller 10 to provide the type o~ high speed commodity ~ ~77~6() processing referred to above will now be described. It shou]d be understood first, however, that each c~mrnodi-ty to be processed may be associated wi-th a unique commo-dity index number which the controller 10 may use to carry out its functions. Conventionally, these index numbers, along with their associated commodity descrip-tions, are included in a printed look-up table which the operator refers to. The present con-troller is designed to do away with the need for such a look up table. If the operator does not remember the index number ror the commodity to be processed, or prefers not to use this number, he or she actuates a commodity index key 64 (Figure 3) on the keyboard. In response, the CRT 18 displays one page of a commodity index along, if desired, with the index number of each commodity. For example, Figure 4 illustrates one such page of a commodity index as displayed by the CRT 18. The illustrated page in-cludes, in its upper right hand corner, a notation that the commodities on this page are all "beef". On the left side of the commodity index are the index numbers, next to which is an alpha or human readable description of the various beef commodities. In addition, the CRT
displays a movable cursor 66 which may be used by the operator to select a particular commodity of those displayed, as in Figure 4. The cursor 66 is moved ad-jacent the commodity to be processed by actuation of the cursor up position key 36 and the cursor down posi-tion key 38. Thus, if the operator wishes to move the cursor 66 downwardly from its position shown in Figure 4, the cursor down key 38 would be actuated; to move the cursor 66 upwardly, the cursor up key 36 would be ac-tuated.
If the particular commodity to be processed is not shown on the displayed commodity list page, the cursor down key 38 may be actuated to move the cursor all the way to the bottom of the displayed page. When I I7746~) - the cursor reaches the bottom of the page (item No. 0112 in Figure 43, the controller 10 automatically flips to the next commodity list page -to display another list of commodities with the cursor at the bottom of the page. Continually actuating the cursor down key 38 causes yet further pages to be flipped au-tomatically.
When the desired commodity list page is reached, the key 38 may be deactuated and then the cursor up key 36 may be actuated to move the cursor 66 adjacent to the commodity description which is desired.
Commodity list pages are flipped in an oppo-site direction by continued actuation of the cursor up key 36. Whichever cursor positioning key is used, the result is that one page after another of the commodity list is displayed on the CRT without the need for moving the cursor completely through every commodity description shown on successive pages. The entire list of commodities including beef, fish, poultry, etc., may be rapidly displayed to the operator in thi~ manner.
When the operator has positioned the cursor 66 adjacent the description of the commodity which is to be processed, the commodity index key 64 is actuated again. This causes the controller 10 to extinguish the previously displayed commodity list and to display in-stead, a complete description of the commodity and any other preprogrammed data which was previously identified by use of the cursor. For example, if the cursor is left in the position shown in Figure 4, and the commodity index key 64 is then actuated, the CRT extinguishes the display shown in Figure 4 and substitutes -Eor it the display shown in Figure 5.
Referring to Figure 5, the CRT includes the commodity index number 72, the alpha description of the selected commodity at 74, the grade of the selected commodity at 76, and the tare of the commodity at 78.

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g The display also indicates the weight of the commodity on the scale at 80, the price per pound of the commodity at 82, and the -total price of the commodity as computed by the controller at 84. As shown, the lower lef-t hand corner of the dlsplay may include the date, a number designating the operator, and another number designating the particular store in which the processing takes place.
At the lower right hand corner of the display, the CRT
indicates the mode in which the controller is operating.
As indicated, the controller may operate in a zero track mode, a repeat mode, and a price by count mode. All the information shown on the display illustrated in Figure 5 is printed on the label, with the exception Of some of the information relating to the mode in which the controller is operating and the grade index number, if any.
During this set up procedure, the operator may wish to change some of the information appearing on the display shown in Figure 5 before weighing the selected commodity. For example, the operator may want to change the alpha description at 74 to more accurately reflect the type of commodity to be processed. The grade appearing at 76 may require changing, or any of the other information shown therein may require change~ The way in which such changes may be made is described immediately below.
If the operator desires to change the price per pound which ls indicated at 82, or if the price per pound had not been previously entered into the controller, the operator actuates the price key shown in Fi~ure 3.
This price key also functions as the number 9 key for entering numerical data, but -the first actuation of any of the keys which has b~th a numeral identification there-on and a function shown thereon instructs the controller to execute the function the first time the key is pressed.

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The second time the key is pressed, the key enters numerical data to the controller 10.
With the price key actuated, the controller is instructed that a price change is about to be entered. In response, the controller moves the cursor 66 to the area 82 at which the price per pound is shown.
The cursor remains there for a time out period during which the operator may manually enter a new price per pound by actuating various numbered keys shown on the keyboard of Figure 3. As this numerical data is being entered, the new price appears on the CRT, with the cursor following each new entry.
The controller is now programmed to use the newly entered price per pound in computing the price of commodities to be weighed, and that newly entered price per pound will be printed on a label in the same manner as itjis shown on the CRT display. It should be noted, however, that the steps taken above to change the price per pound do not permanently change the old price per pound which had been previously entered in the con-troller's memory. However, the newly entered price per pound will be used to compute and print labels as long as the same commodity is being processedO When the computer is instructed to display a different commodity, the newly entered price per pound data will be lost.
To permanently store in memory a newly entered price per pound, the operator places a key into an index entry key slot 84 (Figure 3) and turns the key.
This permanently stores the newly entered price per pound in memory as a substi-tute for the previously stored price per pound of this particular commodity.
The grade designation at 76 and the tare weight at 78, may also be changed in the same general manner as described above. Thus, to change the grade designation, the operator actuates the grade key (key ~ ~7~6() number 8) and then actuates the number key associa-ted with the new grade number to be en~-ered. Likewise, -the tare key (number 0 key) is actuated preparatory to changing the tare. To enter a grade designation, tare or unit price perrnanently in the controller's memory, the index entry key is used as described previously.
The date, the operator number and the store number are not permanently stored in memory. They are merely displayed by ihe CRT until next changed by the operator or until the controller is powered down. All may be changed by actuation of the correspondingly desiynated keys followed hy entry of the appropriate numerical data vi~ the keyboard.
In some instances, the operator may wish to change a grade designation but may not recall each available grade designation. There~ore, the controller's memory stores a list o~ the available grade designations for selection by the operator. To determine which grade designations are available, the operator actuates a grade index key 86 and the controller responds by ex-tinguishing whatever had been previously displayed on the CR~ and by displaying a grade index such as that shown in Figure 6. To select which of these grades are to be dis-played at the location 76 in Figure 5, the operator em-ploys the cursor positioning keys 36 and 38 -to move the cursor 66 adjacent the desired grade. The grade index key 86 is then actuated again and the display reverts to that shown in Figure 5 with the newly selected grade in-dication shown at the location 76~
The keyboard also includes an item(s) key (key number 4) which may be actuated to price the commodities on a per item or items (by count) basis as opposed to a per pound basis. In this mode, each commodity pac~age is given the same price regardless o~ its weight. When the ! ~ 7746n item(s) key is pressed, the CRT display indicates that the controller is operating in the price by itcm(s) mode as shown in the lower right hand corner of Figure 5.
In situations where it is desired to print a plurality of identical labels regardless of mode, the operator presses the repeat key in Figure 3(key numher 6). The controller then causes the CRT to display the repeat notation shown in Figure 5 and a succession of labels are printed, all of which carry the same informa-tion as displayed ~y the C~T and regardless of ac-tual commodity weight or any other commodity characteristic.
The zero track mode of operation described previously is entered by actuation of the zero track key 24. When this key is pressed, the controller causes the CRT to display the zero track indication which is also shown in Figure 5.
As indicated previously, the operator may also modify the alpha description of the commodity to be processed. ~or example, if the word "round" in the alpha description at 74 in Figure 5 is to be changed, the operator actuates the right and lPft cursor position-ing controls 32 and 34 (Figure 3~ until the cursor is located over the letter r in the word "round". The operator then actuates the cursor up position key ~8.
This causes letters of the alphabet to appear at the position of the cursor in alphabetical sequence, one after the other. ~hen the proper letter is dlsplayed, the operator releases the cursor key 36. Alternately, the cursor positioning key 30 may be actuated to cause letters of the alphabet to appear sequentiall~ in the reverse order. When either of the keys 36 and 38 are deactuated, the character then appearing on the CRT is held in display. The next successive character may be inserted by actuation of the cursor positioning control 32 to move the cursor to the next letter and then either ' ~ 774~(1 of the keys 36 and 38 are ac-tuated to again cause a~
sequence of alpha characters to appear on the CRT. As be~ore, deactuation of either of these keys causes the letter which last appeared on the CRT to be held in display. ~hen the operator has finished modi~ying the te~t, those modifications may be permanently stored in memory by employing the key to the index entry ~4.
Not only can existing words be changed as described above, but additional words may be added to the alpha description using the same procedure. It is possible, ~s well, to compose an entirely new and addi-tional commodity èntry and, by key entry, to add it to the index.
After the foregoing set up procedure has been completed, the CRT displays all the information shown in Figure 5 as modified by the operator. Commodities may then be fed to the scale 12, their weight and price calculated and displayed on the CRT, and a label printed which shows all the information displayed in Figure 5 with the exception of the mode indicia.
The previous discussion relating to the display of the commodity index (Figure 4) assumed that the operator did not remember the index number of the commodity pro-cessed or did not wish to use a number address. In the case where she does know the commodity number and does not wish to use the commodity index list, the operator merely actuates the commodity key (key number 7) in Figure 3 to condition the controller to receive a manu-ually entered commodity index number. That number is manually entered by actuating the various numbered keys on the keyboard which correspond to -the commodity lndex number. In response, the controller displays the commodity information shown at Figure 5 for the index number which has been manually entered. The procedure then continues as described previously. It should be -14- ~l 77460 noted at this point, however, that, should the operator ; enter an incorrect index number, he or she will be immediately aware of that ~act upon reading the alpha description shown at 74 in Figure'5.
The controller 10 may also include a total and/or subtotal, demand key switch 92 (Figure 3). sy insertion and turning of a totaling key, the controller will cause the printer to print out a subtotal or total for all transactions since last totals were taken. All this information, thus automatically printed on a label, provides a record of the co~nodity processing which has taken place since the totaling key was last used.
Re~erring now to Figure 7, a block diagram is shown to indicate the components of a weigh mod~le associated with the scale, a control module which in-cludes the components in the control 10, and the connec-tions between the control module and the label printer and the CRT. As shown, the weigh module may include an optical encoder 94, a counter-A/D converter 96 and a local scale processor 98. These componen~s of the weigh module operate conventionally to provide a serial digital representation of the averaged weight of a commodity on the scale. This information is sent to the control module via a lead 100.
Included in the control module is a numeric key pad 102, an I-O board and central processor 104, a CMOS
RAM storage board 106, a CRT controller 108, and an EPROM (or EEPROM) commodity storage board 110. The latter device may be a 32K x 8 memory for storing the alpha descriptions of commodities.
The CRT controller 108 is a conventional device which supplies video, vertical sync and horizontal sync ,to the CRT 18. It may be of -the type designated as -15- ~ 7 7 ~6 ~
Model No. VBlC, manufactured by SSM Microcomputer Products, of San Jose, California.
The price storage board 106 may be a lK x 8 Static memory ~hich stores the commodity prices, tare and grade entries. A backup battery may be included in the storage board 106 to ensure that the memory therein remains non-volati]e in case a power failure occurs.
The central processor in the block 104 may be a conventional microprocessor such as Model No.
SBC-lOO manufactured by S.D. Systems of Dallas, Texas.
The output of the processor 104 is applied to the label printer 14 for actuating the latter device to print the information previously aescribed.
Referring now to Figure 8, a portion of the EPROM commodity storage board is shown in more detail.
In this figure and the other figures which illustrate details of the components shown in Figure 7, some of the integrated circuits are illustrated with their commercial identifying numbers and their pin numbers.
Hence, a detailed description of how such integrated circuits are connected to each other is unnecessary.
Included on this board is a data buffer 112 which receives data inputs via lines D~-D7 (buss 118)

2~ from the EPROMS (Figure lO) for application to the microprocessor on the board 104 ~Figure 7) via output lines DiO-Di7. The data output at these leads corres-ponds to the commodity descriptions. A gate 114 receives a control input via lead 116 from the micro-processor to enable data in the buffer 112.
Commodity information is received from themicroprocessor via data input lines DO0 through D07 which are coupled to a data buffer 120. Also coupled -16- I.i 77~
to the buffer 120 is a buss 122 which is connected to a data latch 124, to a high address latch 126, and a low address latch 128. A control latch 130 in Figure 9 receives the same data on a lead 122' from the ]ead 122. The leads D0-D7 of.the latch 124 are coupled to the buss 118 for application to the EPROMS which are shown in Figure 10. The same EPROMS receive address signals A0 through A10 from the latches 126 and 128.
Additional control signals from the micro- .
processor for latching data through the storage board 110 are input to a device 132 via leads 134, 136 and 138. Pin 1 of this device is coupled via a gate 140 to the gate 114. Pins 5, 6, 7 and 9 of this device are coupled.to pin 11 of the latches 124, 126, 128 and 130.
Chip addresses are received from the micro-processor via address inputs A2 through A7 which couple to four exclusive OR gates 140,142, 144, 146 and another -gate 148. The output of the gate 148 is applied to pin 12 of the device 132.
Chip enable signals CEO through CE15 are pro-vided for the EPROMS of Figure 10 by a 4 to 16 line decoder 150. Inputs to this decoder are the illus-trated outputs of the latch 126, a CE signal received~
from the circuitry shown in Figure 9 via a lead 152, and a polarity signal from that same circuitry via line 154.
Referring now to Figure 9, this illustrated portion of the EPROM storage board ll0 includes the previously mentioned control latch 130 which is coupled via the buss 122' to the buss 122 i.n Figure 8. Also pro-vided are a 50 milisecond one shot 156, gates 158, 160 -17~ 7~6~

and 162, inverters 164 and 166, and the other illustrated components. The output of the gate 158 provides the CE
signal to the decoder 150 in Figure 8 via the lead 152', the output of the inverter 164 couples to lead 154 in Figure 8 via the lead 154', and the inverter 166 couples to pin 1 of the latch 124 ;n Figure 8 via a lead 16~'.
The output of the gate 162 drives a transistor 169 ~hose collector drives another transistor 171. The collector of the latter transis-tor receives a switched +35 volt signal when data in the EPROMS is to be changed.
The manner in which this switched signal is developed is described later. Suffice it to say that the illu-strated circuitry provides an output VPP which corre-sponds to +35 volts when the EPROMS are being programmed and ~5 volts at other times.
Referring now to Figure 10, 4 EPROMS 170, 172, 174 and 176 are shown. In practice, 1~ such devices are used, all of which are connected in the manner shown in Figure 10. That is, the address inputs from Figure 8 are applied to the address input pins as shown, the data output leads D0 through D7 are received from the various EPROMS in the manner indicated, and the chip select signals are applied to pin 18 of each of the EPROM~
from the decoder 150 of Figure 8. In addition, the signals OE and VPP ~from Figure 8) are applied to pins 20 and 21, respectively, of each of the EPROMS.
Referring now to Figure 11, some of the details included on the CMOS RAM board 106 are shown. Power supply and backup battery circuitry has been eliminated from this figure for simplicity. Inputs to the illustra-ted circuitry include address lines A0 through A7 which are applied to a buffer 178 from the central processor board 104. Address inputs A8 through A10 from the board 104 are applied to a decoder 180, and address inputs All through A15 from the board 104 are applied to a gate -18- l~ 774 6 ~
182. Additional inputs include a control signal w]lich is coupled via a lead 187 from the central processor ~oard 104 to a buffer 184 and to a gate 186. A ~ri~e enable signal from the board 104 is coupled via a lead 188 to another gate 190, the output of which is coupled to pin 20 of each of the CMOS R~MS 192, 194, 196 and 198. Although only four such RAMs are shown in practice, sixteen of them are included, and all are provided with address inputs and data outpu-ts as shown for the RAMS
192 through 198.
Price, tare and grade data is coupled rom the RAMS through a buffer 200 to the data output lines DiO
through Di7 for application to the I-O and central pro-cessor board 104. Data from processor board 104 is coupled to buffer 184 via input leads D00-D07 for appli-cation to the RAMs. A board select signal is derived from the output of the gate 182 for application to an inverter 204 and the decoder 180. With these inputs and the address inputs A8 through A10, the decoder 180 develops chip select signals at its pins 1 through 9 for application to the RAMs.
Referring to Figure 12, the I-O board is shown as including terminals 204 through 238 for connection to a microprocessor 240. Signals from the ~eyboard are 25 coupled to the microprocessor via terminals 228, 230, 232 and 234. Signals from the microprocessor to the keyboard are coupl d thereto via terminals 212, 214, 216 and 218. Leads coupled to the remaining terminals carry signals whose character is identified in the drawing.
As shown, a conventional optical isolator 242 couples serial data from terminal 204 to the label printer. A second optical isolator 244 couples a cam switch signal to terminal 226 and to the microprocessor 240. A third optical isolator 246 couples data from the weigh module to the microprocessor via the terminal 206.

1 9 . ! 7 7 ~ 6 () Control of.the total, print and zero track func-tions is achievea by coupling signals identified with those functions to the keyboard via terminals 238, 222 and 220 respectively.
It will be recalled that it is possible to per-manently store in memory the changed or modified data input by the operator by using the index entry 84 (Figure

3). For this purpose, the index.entry 84 is coupled to terminals 248 and 250 for sending a price encode signal to the microprocessor via a transistor 252 and the ter-minal 224. The encode signal is also applied to tran-s.istors 254 and 256. The transistor 254 now conducts to initiate a current path for a relay Kl and to establish a write enable signal at terminal 258. The transistor 15 256 and another transistor 260 conduct to switch a +35 volt program power signal from terminal 264 to terminal 262. This signal at terminal 262 is coupled to the col-lector of transistor 171 (Figure 9) for application to the VPP inputs of the EPROMS in Figure 10.
Referring again to the transistor 252, its on condition sends an encode signal to the microprocessor which responds by sending a high level memory write con-trol signal (Xey switch latch) to a transistor 261 via the terminal 208. The transistor 261 now conducts to couple current through the relay Kl from the current path initiated by the conduction of transistor 254.
Actuation of the relay Kl causes a switch Sl (across terminals 248 and 250) to close so as to latch the price encode signal. Thus, the switched 35 volt signal is maintained at terminal 262 as long as the microprocessor holds transistor 261 on, irrespective oE the condition of the index entry 84.
The significance of the arrangement described above is that two conditions must be met be-Eore pro-gramming of an EPROM occurs: the key must be turned in 20 l3 77~6~
the index entry and the microprocessor rnust develop its output to terminal 208. Hence, any inadvertnet out-put of the microprocessor is ineffec-tive for programming an EPROM.
The central processor in block 104 may be pro-grammed according to a sof~ware package shown in Figure 13, to which reference is now made. Blocks 266 and 268 of this package together initialize the presentat;on of data on the CRT and initialize all status registers of the central processor. These blocks are executed only on power-up.
Blocks 270 through 280 are continuously ex-ecuted in a loop. Basically, they respond to any changes in external conditions such as new scale data, closure of keyboard switches, and closure of a "print" cam switch used to index the commodities on their way to the label application station.
Block 270 issues a print request to the printer.
To provide the print request, the "print" cam switch must close and data must previously have been sent to the printer.
See the description of blocks 276 and 278 below.
Blocks 272 and 274 service all keyboard activity.
When a key is pressed, this software decides which "key"
mode to enter, what to do with further keyboard closure, and when to end servicing of the present "key" mode.
One of twelve modes may be entered:
l. Tare: If the scale is at zero, digital tare may be entered. If the scale is non-zero but less than one pound, the present weight is entered as tare, e~fec-tively re-zoning the scale.
2. Commodity: A commodity number is entered by the opera-tor. The controller than looks up the corresponding commodity description, price, and tare and displays them on the CRT.

-21- ~3 7746 ~

3. Price: When pressed, further entry of keyboard dat~
changes the displayed price.

4. Date~ en pressed, new date informatiQlis enteredO

5~ Operator: ~en pressed, a new "operator" code is entered.

6. Cursor When pressed, the cursor moves along the commodity description area. The commodity description may then be changed by pressing the keys 36 and 38.

7. Grade: ~en pressed, a new grade code may be entered.
The controller then looks up the corresponding new grade description and displays it on the CRT screen.

8. Store code: When pressed, a new store code ma~ be entered.

9. Commodity Index: When pressed, a full page of com-modity descriptions is displayed. A cursor is posi-tioned to indicate the present commodity. The cursor may be moved up or down to point to a different description. When the cursor is at the bottom or top of the page, the next or previous page is then dis-played. This "paging" system allows hundreds ofcommodities to be viewed in a few seconds. Upon completion of this mode, the commodity description corresponding to the present cursor position is dis-played on the screen.
25 10. Grade index: When pressed, a single page of grade descriptions is displayed. A cursor is positioned over the present grade number. As in mode 9, the cursor may be moved up or down to point to a new description. On completion of the mode, the grade description corresponding to the present cursor posi-tion is displayed Modes nine and ten considerably simplify the entering and changing of information. The operator need not know the description or grade number as in mode two or seven. Further, no external lists of information -22~ 7746~
need be kept as all the information becomes almost instantly available on the screen.
- 11. Item: When pressed, the controller enters a "price by item" mode where the pricing is fixed for an item, rather than bein~ variable depending on weight.
12. Items (Count): When entered, the con-troller enters a "price by count" mode where the pricin~ is fixed for a multipie of items. The ticket printed will present "2 for $4.99", for example.
Additionally, blocks 272 and 274 allow permanent storage of modified description, price, or tare. When the index entry switch 84 is actuated, a compare is made between the data on the screen and the data present in the price storage and commodity storage boards. If tare or price has changed, the new tare and price is simply re-stored in the price storage board, which is physically a CMOS
RAM. If the con~odity description has changed, the re-writing procedure is more complex. Since the commodity descriptions are physically contained on an "EPROM"
memory board, the old description cannot be simply over-written. Instead, new description is written into an unused portion of the EPROM memory, the old commodity description address pointer is zeroed out to indicate the description has changed, and a new address is entered in a "secondary lookupl' table. Using this system technique, the EPROM memory retains all the non-volatility advantages of EPROM while taking on the versatile alter able characteristics of RAM memory.
- Blocks 276 and 287, update scale and service modes, update information from the weigh module, multiply weight by price per pound to produce total amount, and decide whether or not to send data to the printer. Data -23- ~ 7 7 4 6 ~

is sent to the printer i~ the scale is stable and non--zero. ~ending data to the printer sets a flag which block 2~0 uses to determine if a print request is to be issued.
The scale contains its own separate micro-computer to pre-process scale da-ta. Data is gathered, averaged, and flags are set to determine scale status:
- zero, stable, and overrange. The data from the scale is sent to the central controller through a single serial channel, considerably simplifying the inter-cabling from scale to controller. Thus, two ad-vantages come from placing a microcmputer at the scale:
;First, the central controller is freed from the complex task of acquiring scale data; second, the scale to controller wiring is considerably simplified.
- Block ~80 functions to refresh CRT data only during the blanked vertical interval of the C~T. This eliminates contention between the central controller and CRT controller which would otherwise cause random and annoying data to flicker across the screen. Addi-tionally, block 280 provides the main time base of 1/120th of a second (the vertical sweep rate) on which all other software timing is based.
As described, the present arrangement provides a distributed processing system where three separate micromputers in the scale, control module and printer are linked by simple single wire communication lines. This ailows: (1) the use of a sep~rate processor in the scale to simplify central controller software and cabling requirements; (2) -the use of a CRT index library of descriptions to eliminate any external lookup charts; and (3) the use of EPROM and alterable table pointers along with unused EPROM to maintain a non-volatile yet alterable library of commodity descriptions.

--24- 3~ 77 ~ ~ ~

The general description given above of the software package is believed to be sufficient. The appendix which is included herewith illustrates the ins~ructions which may be used in programming the more significant aspec~s of the logic. Also included in the appendix is a compu-ter language listlng setting forth the software package in detail. The contents of the appendix are included in this specification by reference.
Although the invention has been described in terms of ~ preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and alterations may be made. Accordingly, all such modifi-cations and ~lterations are intended to be considexed as within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

~ ~77~
SYSTEM FLOWCH~RT

lA Start of print function 2A Print switch: Yes - to to 3A, No - go to llA
3A Scale OK: Yes - go to 4A, No - go to llA
4A Wait 1/8 second 5A Go to lB (send print data) 6A Wait 1/8 second 7A Send print command 8A Reset scale communication flags. Clear totals if total flag on. Clear total flat 9A Reset ready to print flay: go to 17A
10A Total switch on: Yes - to to llA, no - go to 12A
llA Set "Total Flag": Go to 6A
12A Cam switch on: yes - go to 13A, No - go to 16A
13A Cam flag on: Yes - go to 17A, No - got to 14A
14A Set Cam Flat 15A Ready to print flag on? Yes - go to 7A, no - go to 17A
16A Clear Cam Flag 17A Go to ID

J ~ 77~L6() lB Start of send short message 2B Send start character 3B Send pic spacing ) . . Send p.ic data ~B Send plC num~er 5B Go to lC (send UPC Data) 6B Send Item?: Yes-go to 7B, No -- go to 8B
7B Send item spacing: Go to 15B
8B Send count?: Yes - go to 9B, No - go to lOB
9B Send count data: Go to 15B
lOB 5end Total?: Yes - go to llB,-No - go to 12B
llB Send Total: Go to 15B
12B Totalize weight 13B Send Weight l~B Send price 15B Set printer to large character 16B Total?: Yes - go to 17B, No - go to 18B
17B Send Total amount 18B Send amount l9B Total~: Yes-- go to 20B, No - go to 21B
20B Send total message: Go to 22B
21B Send.grade ~2B Send operator ) Send line 3 data 23B Send store code ) 24B Send data 25B Send commodity 26B Send end character 27B Go to 6A

a~ ~

~ 177~

lC Start send UPC data 2C Send line 1 command 3C Send 6 initial UPC digits 4C Calculate price check digit 5C Send price check digit 6C Send 4 digit price 7C Calculate UPC checX digit 8C Send UPC check digit 9C Go to 6B

1 17'7~6(~

lD Start Button pushed test 2D Reset button service flag 3D Button pushed?: Yes - go to 5D, No - go to 4D
4D Reset button pushed flag: Go to 15D
5D Previously pushed?: Yes - go to 6D, No - go to llD
6D Alpha change or move cursor?: Yes - go to 7D, No - go to 15D
7D Increment Repeat delay timer 8D Repeat delay - timeout?: Yes - go to 9D, No - go to 15D
9D Set repeat delay, increment timer lOD Repeat timeout?: Yes - go to 13D, No - go to 15D
llD Set button pushed flag 12D Set repeat delay timer 13D Set repeat timer 14D Set button service flag 15D Go to lE

~g ~ ~ 77~6() IE Start service button pushed 2E Cursor home?: ~'es - go to 3E, No - go to 8E
3E Encode switch on?: Yes - go to 4E, No - go to 7E
4E Previously on?: Yes - go to 8E, No - go to SE
SE Set encode button storage 6E Go `to lF (record price) 7E Go to lG (record commodity) ~E Button mode equal 0?: Yes - go to 9E, No - go to llE
9E Button service flag on?: Yes - go to lOE, No - go to 17E
lOE Go to lI ~Initiate button service) ..
llE Button service flag on?: Yes - go to 12E, No - go to 14E
.12E Set service time-out 13E Go to lK (service button) ~E Increment service time-out 15E Time out?: Yes - go to 16E, No - go to 17E
16E Go to lL (end service button modes) 17E Go to lM

.
~q ~ ~774~() lF Start of price storage 2F Calculate address from commodity number 3F Convert screen price to ram form 4F Calculate check sum 5F ~50ve price to memory 6F Move tare to memory 7F ~love grade to memory 8F Go to 7E

~ 1 7 7~

lG Start write new comlnodity 2G Look up start address of present commodity 3G Zero?: Yes- Go to 4G, No - Go to 5G
4G Look up entry in secondary table, set secondary flag, save pointer Go to 6G
5G Clear secondary flag, save table pointer & entry 6G Find first open secondary table entry, save table pointer 7G Get start address associated wi-th tabl.e entry & save 8G Look up old commodity 9G Go to lH (Convert new commodity to Rom form & save) lOG Compare old commodity to new commodity llG Same?: Yes - go to 15G, No - go to 12G
12G Put new commodity into Rom 13G Put new start address into address table 14G Clear old commodity start adaress 15G Go to 8E `

~i ?~ 7746(, lH Start convert commodi-ty to Rom form 2H Set line counter to 0, point to start of buffer, point to start of line 3H Clear space count 4H Fetch character from line 5H ~ Space?: Yes - Go to 6H, No - go to 8H
6H Increment space counter 7H End of line?: Yes - Go to 15H, No - go to 4H
8H Space> l? ; Yes - go to lOH, No - go to 9H
9H P~t a space into b~ffer: Go to llH
lOH Add Hex 58 to # spaces, put into buffer llH Point to end of line 12H Compare character to space 13H Space: Yes - go to ~2H, No - go to 14H
14H Move non-space characters to buffer l5H ~Sove C~.F into buffer 16H 2 Lines? : Yes - Go to 18H, No - go to 17H
17H Point to next line: Go to 2H
18H lOG

~ .! 77~6() lI Start initiate button ser~ice 2I Go to: 3I, or llI, 15I, 20I, 22I, 24I, 29I, 33I, dependent on button pushed.
3I Initiate tare 4I Tare non-zero?: Yes - go to 9I, No - go to 5I
5I Weight zero?: Yes - go to lOI, No - go to 6I
6I Weight in range?: Yes - go to 37I, No - go to 7I
7I Display tare message 8I Move tare register to display: Go to 37I
9I Clear tare & tare message: Goto37I
lOI Display tare message: Go to 23I
llI Initiate Item mode 12I Item previously on: Yes - go to 13I,No- go to 14I
13I Clear item message, restore CRT message: Go to 37I
14I Display item message, clear price/lb & wt: Go to 23I
lSI Initiate count 16I Count previously on: Yes - go to 17I,No- go to 18I
17I Clear count flag & messages; restore CRT messages: Go to 37I
18I Item flag on: Yes - go to l9I, no - go to 37I
19I Clear item flag, set count flag: Go to 23I
20I Initiate price mode 21I Item or count mode?: Yes - go to 33I,No- go to 23I
22I Initiate cursor, date, oper. code, commod, grade 23I Move cursor to appropriate position, clear data areas if needed, display, initial message if needed: Go to 37I
24I Initiate comm. index 25I Clear CRT & initiate to displa~ 64 - character lines 26I Go to lJ (move commodities to CRT) 27I Point cursor to present comm. number ~8I Set button mode to 9: Go to 37I
29I Initiate repeat mode 30I Repeat previously on?: Yes - go to 31I,No-~o to 32I
31I Clear repeat message: Go to 37I
32I Display repeat message: Go to 37I
33I Initiate Grade Index 34I Move index to CRT; Set cursor to present grade 35I Set button mode to 10 36I Go to 37I
37I Go to llE

. .

~ ' 77~6(~

lJ Start move initial commodities to CRT
2J Point to start of present page 3J Start display comm~dity page 4J Point to top left of screen 5J ~love commodity number to screen buffer 6J Start look up commodity description 7J Get commodity number, use as a pointer to find commodity address 8J Get character of commodity description, if space ignore and get another character 9J Character a CRLF: Yes - go to lOJ, No - go to llJ
lOJ Number o CRLFs= 2?: Yes - go to 14J - No - go to 12J
llJ Move character to buffer 12J Increment line buffer pointer 13J End of line buffer: Yes - go to 14J, No - go to 8J
14J Start heading subroutine 15J Commodity equal to or greater than table entry:
Yes - go to 16G, No - go to 17J
16J Set heading flag, increment table pointer: Go to 15J
17J Heading flag on: Yes - go to 18J, No - go to l9J
18J Move heading to CRT
l9J Move line buffer to CRT, increment comm. number, increment sc'reen pointer.
20J End of screen: Yes - go to 21J, No - go to 5J
21J Go to 27I or 33K dependent on calling location .. . . , ............... . _ . . . ..
3~

I .! 77~6(~

lK Start service button 2K Go to 31C, 13K, 17K, 21K dependent on service mode 3K Start service cursor mode 4X Move cursor?: Yes - go to llK, No - go to SK
SK Alpha change?: Yes - go to lOK, No - go to 6K
6K 'less than' key?: Yes - go to 9K, No - go to 7K
7K Alpha bac}c?: Yes - go to 8K, No - go to 34K
8K Decremert area where cnrsor is: If overflow set to new value: Go to 1 2K
9K Decrement cursor: Go to 12K
lOK Increment display area where cursor is: if overflow set to new value: Go to 12K
llK Increment cursor: Go to 1 2K
12X Set CRT Foreground pointer: Go to 34K
13K Start~service grade index 14K Alpha forward - move cursor up one line, Alpha reverse - move cursor down one line~ Go to 34K
15K Grade Index?: Yes - Go to 16K, No - go to 34K
16K Move grade line to CRT buffer, cursor home, clear button mode: Go to 34K
liK Start service tare, comm. number, PPW, operator, date, grade, code, count, item 18K Numeral?: Yes - go to l9K, No - go to 34K
l9K Rotate field of digits let one place 20K Move button data to CRT: Go to 34K
21K Start service comm. index mode 22K Alpha reverse?: Yes - go to 31K, ~o - go to 23K
23K Alpha forward?: Yes - go to 27K, No - go to 24K
24K Commodity index?: Yes go to 25X, No - go to 34K
25K Move commodity corresponding to cl1rsor to CRT, 26K Move Tare, price, and grade corresponding to comln. number to CRT: Go to 34K
27K Cursor at first line?: Yes - go to 28K, No - go to 30K.
28K ~'oint to previous page 29K Go to 3J
30K Move cursor up one line: Go to 34K
31K Cursor at last line?: Yes - go to 32K, No - go to 33~C
32K Go to 3J
33K Move cursor down one line 34K Go to 14E

~-1 77~6~
lL Start end service button modes 2L Go to 3L or 12L dependent on mode 3L Start end service for commodity nurrlber mode 4L Look up commodity address from table 5L Zero?: Yes go -to 6I., No - go to 7L
6L Look up commodity address from secondary table 7L. Set pointer to start of CRT commodity area 8L Clear CRT commodity area 9L Commodity nurnber=O? Yes - go to16L,No - go to lOL
lOL Copy commodity from Rom to CRT
llL Get price, grade, tare corresponding to commodity number: Go to 16L
12L Start end grade 13L Move grade to CRT buffer 14L Go to 16L
15L Start end service for cursor, oper. date, price, code, item, count, or tare 16L Move cursor home 17L Go to 17E

~L

lM Star~ update scale ~.~ 7746~
2M Data valid flag on?: Yes - go to 3M, No - go to 5M
3M ~5~ve scale data & status from temporary buffer to working area.
4M 1~50ve to display area 5M Increment fail - safe-timer 6M Overflow?: Yes - go to 7M, No - go to 8M
7M Display error 8M Go to lN

.

3q .~ 774~() lN Start service item, repeat, verify, count zero track modes 2N Valid date? Yes - go to 3N, No - go to 17N
3N Clear valid data flag 4N Go to lP
SN Item, repeat or count: Yes -- go to 9N, No - go to 6N
6N Calculate Net weight from gross weight & tare move to display.
7N Scale stable, non-zero, positive, & not overrange?:
Yes - go to 8N, No - go to 15N
8N Get PPW from display, multiply weight by price per weight & move to display: Go to lON
9N Scale stable, non zero, positive, & not overrange?:
Yes - go to lON, No - go to 16N
lON Went unstable flag on?: Yes - go to llN, No - go to 17N
llN Clear went unstable flag 12N Ready to print flag on: Yes - go to 13N, No - go to 17N
13N Sent data to printer 14N Set ready to print flag: Go to 17N
15N Blank amount display 16N Set went unstable flag 17N Go to lR

3g J ~77~6() lP Start ~ service zero tracX moae ~P ~ero track mode?: Yes go to 3P, No - go to 9P
3P Display zero track message 4p Compare track weight to gross weight SP Difference greater than .004 lb? Yes - go to lOP, No - go to 6P
6P Turn on zero span LED, Move gross weight to track weight 7P Track weight greater than .99 lb: Yes - go to 8D, No -go to llP
8P Display error. Go to llP
9P Turn on zero span LED if at zero else-turn off Clear zero track mode: Go to llP
lOP Turn off zero s.pan led llP Go to 5N

.. . .

~ ~ 77~6() lR Start refresh CRT
2R Attempt scale communication 3R Button mode 9 or 10?: Yes - go to 13R, No - go to 4R
4R Attempt scale communication 5R Vertical retrace?: Yes - go to 4R, No - go to 6R
6R Attempt scale communication 7R Vertical retrace?: Yes - go to 8R, No - go to 6R
8R CRT foreground pointer active?: Yes - go to lOR, No - go to 9R
9R Increment background pointer: Go to llR
lOR Use foreground pointer as CRT pointer & clear llR Move 64 characters from display buffer to display l~R Attempt scale communication 13R Go to lA

t, 774B().

0000 3E BE ~3 7D 3E.FA D3 7D D3 7D 3E 37 D3 7D 3E 05 0010 D3 78 3E 02 D3 78 3E ~7 D3 7E DB 7E E6 01 CA 3D
0020 FO C3 ~F Dg 49 4E 44 45 58 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 OOCO 20 20 20 ~) 47 52 41 44 45 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 00~'0 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 0120 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 `20 20 20 20 20 20 20 0160`20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 40 20 24 20 0170 30 2E 30 30 20 2F 4C 42 20 3D 20 2û 24 20 20 2E

OlAO 54 41 4C 2D 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 OlBO 20 20 20 20 20 4D 4F 44 45 2D 20 20 20 20 20 20 OlCO 20 20 20 ~0 44 41 54 45 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 OlDO 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 OlEO 20 20 20 20 4F SO 45 52 41 54 4F 52 20 20 20 20 OlFO 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 0220 20 20 20 20 3E 00 21 20 EA 77 2C 20 ~C C9 21 24 0250 EA 7E ~6 20 77 D3 7E C9 21 21 EA 7E E6 DF 77 D3 0280 EA C9 2A 42 EA CB BE C9 2A 42 EA CB FE C9 34 ~0 0290 23 34 2B C9 23 13 lA ~E 2B lB C0 lA BE C9 A7 lA
02A0 86 27 12 23 13 18 01 A7 lA 8E 27 12 13 23 lA 8E

02C0 30 12 79 E6 OF C6 30 13 12 lB Cl Fl C9 7E CB 27 02D0 CB 27 CB 27 CB 27 4F 23 7E E6 OF Bl 12 2B C9 A7 02E0 lA 9E 27 DD 77 00 23 13 DD 23 10 F4 C9 06 OE 7E
02F`0 32 74 EA 23 7E 32 75 EA 3E 01 32 76 EA AF 32 77 0300 EA 12 13 12 lB 3A 75 EA lF 32 75 EA 3A 74 F,A 1 0310 32 74 EA 30 12 3A 76 EA 4F lA 81 27 12 3A 77 EA
0320 4F 13 lA 89 27 12 lB 3A 76 EA 87 27 32 76 EA 3A
0330 77 EA 8F 27 32 77 EA 10 CC 6B ~2 13 13 CD B3 D2 0340 lB lB 23 CD B3 D2 C9 21 00 00 3A 06 E8 E6 OF 28 0360 64 00 47 19 10 FD 3A 08 E8 E6 OF 28 07 Il OA 00 .

9 F.7746n, 0390 CD 97 D3 23 ~E OD C9 3E 00 D3 C3 CD An D3 3E OA
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03F0 17 D3 C3 CD FC D3 3E 15 D3 C3 Fl C9 C5 OE 25 06 0400 00 10 FE OD 20 FB Cl C9 3E 28 C3 26 D4 3E 29 C3 0450 26 D~ CD 82 D2 21 42 EA CD 8E D2 7E FE 80 20 03 04cn 7F D4 18 05 11 89 D4 18 00 7E E6 OF 83 5F 30 01 04D0 14 lA C9 06 03 7E CD lE D4 23 23 10 F8 C9 OE 00 ` 0500 FF EB CD 24 D2 CD 2E D2 CD 3D D2 CD 43 DE CD 6E
0510 D5 CD 04 D6 CD 12 DC CD 35 DC CD AC El 18 EC DB

0570 32 2F EA CD RB`D5 38 06 3E 00 32 30 EA C9 3A 30 05AO OB`FE OD 28 07 FE OC 28 03 FE OA CO 21 32 EA 34 05BO CO 3E FF 77 21 31 EA 34 CO 18 D3 06 04 lE F7 21 05DO CB OB 10 EE 37 3F C9 lE FF lC CB OF 30 FB 7B 05 0610 2D 21 78 EA DB `7E CB 6F 28 04 36 00 18 20 7E B7 0620 20 lC 36 FF 3A 21 EA F6 40 D3 7E 32 Zl EA CD ~S

0690 35 EA B7 20 06 3A 36 EA B7 28 lA 21 EO E8 3E 20 06BO FF 32 22 EA C9 3A 4E EA B7 20 11.3A 4F EA B7 20 ~a ~ ~7746(~
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0760 11 F2 E9 01 OE 00 ED BO CD Cl D7 C3 A4 D8 AF 18 0790 32 3D EA 21 D7 D7 11 FB E9 01 05 00 ED BO CD Cl . 07CO C9 3E 20 21 20 E9 06 36 C3 68 D2 21 44 Dl 11 20 0800 Dl EB 22 89 EA CD 5~ E3 C9 21 00 OC 22 74 EA 21 0820 00 EB CD 97 D3 12 23 13 10 F8 22 74 EA CD Ol E2 0840 22 SS EA 3A 57 EA 3D`32 57 EA 20 CE 3A A7 E8 FE

0890 D2 3E OA 32 33 EA C9 3A 41 EA a7 CO 3A 3D EA B7 08E0 28 lC FE 03 28 lC FE 06 28 14 2A 44 EA 36 20 23 08~0 3A 46 EA BD 20 01 23 3A 42 EA 3C BD 20 EF CD 88 Og40 06 00 00 09 E7 E8 06 E8 4B E9 A5 E9 CB E9 00 00 0960 ~D E9 A7 E9 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0970 5B E9 00 00 É8 E8 09 E8 4F E9 AC E9 CC E9 40 E8 O9E0 22 55 EA ED 5B 55 EA lA 02 21. 55 EA 11 42 EA CD

OA60 D2 C9`3A 2E EA FE OA 20 14 11 40 00 2A 89 EA 7D
OA70 FE C4 20 21 7C FE FB 20 lC CD 86 E3 C9 FE OE 20 OA80 24 11 CO FF 2A 8g EA 7D FE 04 20 09 7C FE F8 20 OA90 04 CD 69 E3 C9 E5 D5 CD 01 E2 Dl El 36 20 19 22 ~3 ~ ~ ~7~
OA~O 5F 7C 07 07 E6 OC ~3 SF 16 00 2A 72 EA ]9 :ll Fo ` OACO ~`F 19 22 74 EA 21 74 EA 11 06 EB CD ED D2 CD 8B
1~DO E2 CD 14 E2 CD 4E D2 3E 00 32 33 F,A C9 CD 01 E2 OAEO 3A 2E ~A FE 0~ 20 lB CD 82 D2 2A 42 EA 7C FE F8 OAFO 20 05 7D FE 08 28 07 11 CO FF 19 22 42 F,A CD B3 OBOO D2 C9 FE OA 20 19 CD ~2 D2 2A 42 EA 7C FE Y8 20 OB10 05 7D FE C8 28 E8 11 40 00 19 22 42 EA l8 DF FE
OB20 OB CO CD 82 D2 2A 42 EA 2D 2D 11 A6 E8 01 lA 00 OB90 Bl E8 CD 68 D2 C3 EO DB 21 31 OD 06 OF 11 Bl E8 OBBO 79 E6 01 C6 OC 67 06 OF 11 Bl E8 3A A6 E8 E6 OE

OC20 CD CD D2 23 23 lB 10 F8 2A 49 EA 2C 20 03 23 3E

OC40 20 El 3A 41 EA B7 C2 22 DE 3A 38 EA B7 C2 22 DE

OC80 90 20 lE 3E 00 11 55 EA 12 13 12 13 12 11 55 EA

OCFO 7E B7 20 lB 23 7E B7 20 16 3E 20 21 F4 E8 06 OC

OD90 47 21 55 EA 11 SO EA CD 9E D2 10 F5 3A 4C EA F,6 OE30 57 C8 3A 4E EA B7 20 05 3A 4F EA B7 C8 3A 66 F.A
OE40 2F B7 C9 DB 7E CB 77 20 lA CD 29 DE 28 15 CD S9 OE50 DE CD B3 DE CD 59 DE 18 2D 06 10 C5 CD 01 E2 Cl ~'f ~ ~ 77~6~) (`
.OE70 DB 7E CB 67 C2 AE DE 3A 2~ ~A B7 CO 3E: EF 32 2A
~E80 EA 3A 88 EA B7 C8 CD 12 D4 CD 45 D2 3A ~C EA 1~7 OEBO 2A EA C9 CD 08 D4 CD 16 DF CD 43 DF' CD 26 DF CD -OECO 59 DF CD 29 EO CD CF DE CD El EO CD OD D4 C9 3E
OEDO OD CD 26 D4 21 02 DF 3A 9C EA ~37 20 03 21 Bl E8 OF`OO E:O C9 20 20 20 20 20 54 4F 54 41 4C 20 20 20 20 OF~O SO E2 C9 3E 26 CD 26 D4 3E 2B CD 26 D4 21 06 E8 OF'SO 06 04 CD 3B D4 CD 11 DF C9 3E OD CD 26 V4 3A 41 OF~O 9C EA B7 28 32 3E 30 06 04 CD 26 D4 10 FB 21 9A

OFDO C9 3A 4B E9 F`E 20 20 OB CD 11 DF 3E 24 CD 26 D4 1010 D4 21 4E E9 06 02 CD 3B D4 06 01 CD 33 D4. 3E 7C

1030 EA B7 28 44 21 97 EA 11 55 EA CD Bs3 D2 3E 24 CD
1040 26 D4 CD 11 DF 3E 30 06 04 CD 26 D4 10 FE~ 3A 55 1070 D4 3A 56 EA CD 26 D4 C9 21 Sl EA 11 96 EA CD 9E

lOAO CD 26 D4 CD 11 DF 3A SA E9 CD 26 D4 3E 2E CD 26 lOBO D4 CD 11 DF 3A SC E9 CD 26 D4 CD 11 DF 3A 5D E9 lOCO CD 26 D4 C9 21 EA E9 06 09 CD 3B D4 C9 21 A5 E9 lODO CD DE D4 06 03 CD 3B D4 21 A7 E9 06 06 CD 3B D4 1 OEO C9 3E OD CD 26 D4 21 60 E8 06 20 CD 3B D~ 3E OD
lOF:`O CD 26 D4 21 40 E8 06 20 CD 3B D4 C9 3E 02 32 8D

1110 04 CD 43 D4 21 06 E8 11 8F EA 01 04 00 F,D BO C9 1120 DB 7E CB 7F 20 5F 21 A2 El 11 B2 E9 01 OA 00 ED

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Claims (14)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. In a weighing and label printing system having a scale, a label printer, and a controller for responding to the weight of a commodity on the scale, for computing the price of the commodity, and for causing the label printer to print the commodity's price, weight and other commodity characteristics, an improved controller comprising:
memory means for storing at least a list of commodities to be priced, an alpha description of each commodity, and a price per pound of each commodity;
a keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon;
a cathode ray tube; and circuit means coupled to the scale, the label printer, the memory, the cathode ray tube and the keyboard, the circuit means being responsive to operator actuation of a selected keyboard key for causing the cathode ray tube to display the list of commodities from memory, responsive to operator actuation of a keyboard key for causing the cathode ray tube to extinguish the displayed commodity list and to display the alpha descrip-tion and the price per pound of a commodity selected from the list, for computing and displaying the computed price of the commodity, and for activating the label printer to print a label bearing at least the displayed alpha description, price per pound, and computed price.

2. A controller as set forth in claim 1 wherein the controller assumes an automatic mode in response to actuation of said selected keyboard key for displaying the commodity list, wherein said circuit means causes a cursor to be displayed with the com-modity list, wherein the keybord includes at least one cursor positioning key for positioning the cursor adjacent a selected commodity on the displayed list, and wherein said circuit means causes the cathode ray tube to display the alpha description and the price per pound of the commodity adjacent the cursor in response to actuation of a keyboard key.

3. A controller as set forth in claim 2 wherein said circuit means responds to the cursor being at an end of the displayed commodity list and the cursor positioning key being actuated for causing the cathode ray tube to display an additional list of commodities.

4. A controller as set forth in claim 3 wherein cursor positioning is effected by a cursor up key and a cursor down key, wherein the circuit means positions the cursor at the top of the commodity list in response to continued actuation of the cursor up key and positions the cursor at the bottom of the commodity list in response to continued actuation of the cursor down key, and wherein the circuit means causes the cursor to appear at the top of an additional list of commodities when said additional list is displayed in response to the cursor reaching the top of a previously displayed commodity list so that continued actuation of the cursor up key causes additional commodity lists to be displayed without moving the cursor through each commodity list.

5. A controller as set forth in claim 2 wherein the keyboard includes a manual entry key and a plurality of index number entry keys, wherein said circuit means is responsive to actuation of the manual entry key for operating in a manual mode and, when in the manual mode, responsive to actuation of the number entry keys for causing the cathode ray tube to display at least the alpha description and the price per pound of a commodity corresponding to the number entered.

6. A controller as set forth in claim 1 wherein said memory means also stores a grade list for identify-ing various commodity grades, wherein the keyboard includes a grade index key, and wherein said circuit means responds to said grade index key for causing the cathode ray tube to display the grade list.

7. A controller as set forth in claim 6 wherein a cursor is displayed with the grade list, wherein the keyboard includes at least one cursor positioning key, wherein said circuit means responds to actuation of the cursor positioning key for moving the cursor adjacent a selected grade and responds to another actuation of the grade index key for displaying the selected grade as part of the alpha description of a selected commodity.

8. A controller as set forth in claim 7 includ-ing a key operated switch for causing the selected grade to be stored in memory in association with an alpha descrip-tion of a selected commodity.

9. A controller as set forth in claim 6 wherein the keyboard includes a manual grade entry key and a plurality of numbered keys for entering a number indica-tive of a selected grade included on the grade list, and wherein said circuit means is responsive to actuation of the grade entry key followed by actuation of said numbered keys for causing the grade identified by the entered number to be displayed on the cathode ray tube in association with the alpha description of a selected commodity.

10. A controller as set forth in claim 1 wherein the keyboard includes a price key and a plurality of numbered keys, and wherein said circuit means is responsive to actuation of the price key followed by actuation of selected numbered keys for changing the displayed price per pound without changing the corres-ponding price per pound stored in the memory means.

11. A controller as set forth in claim 10 further including a key operated switch for storing the changed price per pound in said memory means.

12. A controller as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cathode ray tube displays a cursor along with the alpha description, wherein the keyboard includes at least one horizontal positioning cursor key and at least one vertical positioning cursor key, wherein said circuit means responds to actuation of said cursor keys for positioning the cursor at a portion of the alpha description to be changed and then responds to actuation of the vertical positioning cursor key for displaying a sequence of alpha characters at the position of the cursor and for holding in display the alpha character displayed upon deactuation of the vertical positioning cursor key, thereby enabling an operator to change the alpha description.

13. A controller as set forth in claim 11 wherein said memory means includes an erasable memory, wherein said circuit means includes:
a microprocessor;
first transistor means responsive to the key operated switch for initiating a current path, for sending an encode signal to the microprocessor so that the microprocessor outputs a memory write control signal, and for out-putting a programming signal for alter-ing the data in the erasable memory;
a relay having one end thereof coupled to the current path;
second transistor means coupled between the microprocessor and the other end of the relay and responsive to the memory write control signal for coupling current from the current path through the relay to actuate the relay; and means respnsive to actuation of the relay for holding the current path on during alteration of data, whereby the erasable memory is inhibited from receiving the programming signal except when the microprocessor outputs a memory write control signal in response to the key operated switch.

14. In a weighing and label printing system having a scale, a label printer, and a controller for responding to the weight of a commodity on the scale, for computing the price of the commodity, and for causing the label printer to print the commodity's price, weight and other commodity characteristics, an improved con-troller comprising:
memory means for storing a list of com-modities to be priced, an alpha description of each commodity, a price per pound of each commodity, and a grade list identifying various commodity grades;
a keyboard having a plurality of numbered keys for entering numbers, a commodity list key, a commodity index key, a grade index key, a cursor horizontal posi-tioning key, a cursor vertical posi-tioning key, and a price key, a cathode ray tube; and circuit means coupled to the scale, the label printer, the memory, the cathode ray tube and the keyboard, and res-ponsive to operator actuation of the commodity index key for causing the cathode ray tube to display the list of commodities and a cursor, responsive to actuation of the cursor vertical positioning key for moving the cursor adjacent a selected displayed commodity, responsive to further actuation of the commodity index key for displaying a commodity list for the selected commodity and the alpha description and the price per pound of the commodities in the displayed list;

said circuit means being responsive to actuation of the grade index key for causing the cathode ray tube to dis-play the grade list and a cursor, res-ponsive to actuation of a cursor positioning key for moving the cursor to a selected grade, and responsive to further actuation of the grade index key for displaying the selected grade as a part of the alpha descrip-tion of the selected commodity;
said circuit means being responsive to actuation of the price key followed by actuation of selected numbered keys for changing the displayed price per pound;
said circuit means being also responsive to a cursor positioning key while the alpha description is displayed for moving the cursor to a portion of the alpha description to be changed, and responsive to actuation of another cur-sor positioning key for sequentially displaying different alpha characters at the position of the cursor until the last mentioned cursor positioning control is deactuated so as to modify the alpha content of the description, said circuit means being adapted to activate the label printer to print a label bearing at least the displayed alpha description and price per pound.