TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present disclosure relates to a measuring system. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to weight measuring system.
BACKGROUND
[002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] It is a general requirement to measure quantity of material, while evaluating price or quantity of the material. Further, while rationing it is a general requirement to equally distribute the material. For example, a shop-keeper while packaging pulses of 1 Kg packet each need to weigh the pulses accurately and packaged. However, this is done by manually picking pulses and then weighing on a weighing scale after weighing on the scale picking the pulses and then packing it, thereby making the process time consuming and cumbersome.
[004] Further, many existing devices can measure the value of quantity to be measured as well as display the measured value on display of the device itself. However, at supermarkets the quantity of sample measured by a consumer will again need to be measured at billing counter for generation of bill. This revaluation of the sample again at the billing counter beats the purpose of measuring of the sample by the consumer as the measured value needs to be measured again.
[005] There is therefore a need in the art to provide a system that can enable measuring the weight of material that is portable, cost effective, measure huge quantities of the material, calculate price of material as well as transmit the obtained value to a display station.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[007] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a measuring system that can enable measuring quantity of material as well as transmit to a remote station.
[008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a measuring system that can enable displaying the value measured at remote located display unit
[009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a measuring system that can enable automatic generation of bill.
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a measuring system that can reduce queue at billing station by reducing time for billing.
SUMMARY
[0011] A measuring system for measuring one or more attributes of a sample is described. An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a measuring system, the system can include: a measuring device comprising: a scoop configured to receive and hold a sample; one or more sensors, operatively coupled to the scoop, configured to sense one or more attributes of the sample and generate one or more signals based on the one or more attributes of the sample; and characterized in that, a transmitter configured to transmit the one or more generated signals; and a first display unit operatively coupled with the measuring device such that the first display unit is dissociated from the measuring device, wherein the first display unit is configured to display one or more values corresponding to the one or more transmitted signals received by a receiver operatively coupled with the first display unit.
[0012] In an embodiment, the measuring device comprises a second display associated with the measuring device, configured to display the one or values corresponding to the one or more attributes.
[0013] In an embodiment, a display station is operatively coupled with the measuring device, the display station can include: the first display; the receiver; and a control unit configured to receive the one or more signals from the receiver and generates one or more values related to the one or more measured attributes of the sample.
[0014] In an embodiment, the transmitter is configured to receive one or more second signals, wherein the one or more second signal corresponds to one or more details of the sample.
[0015] In an embodiment, the receiver can be configured such that the receiver can perform transmission of the one or more second signals.
[0016] In an embodiment, the system comprises an audio unit configured to emit audio signal based on detection of case where value of the one or more attributes is more than pre-defined limit.
[0017] In an embodiment, the system comprises an amplifier configured to amplify the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors.
[0018] In an embodiment, the system comprises a battery to provide power to the measuring device or the display station or both.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of proposed system for measuring weight of sample in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrates an exemplary representation of the weight measuring system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, firmware and/or by human operators.
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).
[0025] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0026] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0027] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[0029] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.
[0030] A measuring system for measuring one or more attributes of a sample is described. An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a measuring system, the system can include: a measuring device comprising: a scoop configured to receive and hold a sample; one or more sensors, operatively coupled to the scoop, configured to sense one or more attributes of the sample and generate one or more signals based on the one or more attributes of the sample; and characterized in that, a transmitter configured to transmit the one or more generated signals; and a first display unit operatively coupled with the measuring device such that the first display unit is dissociated from the measuring device, wherein the first display unit is configured to display one or more values corresponding to the one or more transmitted signals received by a receiver operatively coupled with the first display unit.
[0031] In an embodiment, the measuring device comprises a second display associated with the measuring device, configured to display the one or values corresponding to the one or more attributes.
[0032] In an embodiment, a display station is operatively coupled with the measuring device, the display station can include: the first display; the receiver; and a control unit configured to receive the one or more signals from the receiver and generates one or more values related to the one or more measured attributes of the sample.
[0033] In an embodiment, the transmitter is configured to receive one or more second signals, wherein the one or more second signal corresponds to one or more details of the sample.
[0034] In an embodiment, the receiver is configured to transmit the one or more second signals.
[0035] In an embodiment, the system comprises an audio unit configured to emit audio signal based on detection of case where value of the one or more attributes is more than pre-defined limit.
[0036] In an embodiment, the system comprises an amplifier configured to amplify the one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors.
[0037] In an embodiment, the system comprises a battery to provide power to the measuring device or the display station or both.
[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary block diagram representation of proposed system for measuring weight of sample in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the system 101 can include a measurement device 101 (interchangeably referred as device 101 hereinafter). The measurement device 101 can include one or more sensors 104. The one or more sensors 104 (collectively referred to as sensors 104 and individually referred as sensor 104 hereinafter) can be configured to sense one or more attributes of the sample of material. The sensors 104 can include, but not limited to load cell to measure load that can be processed using a control unit 102 of measuring device 101 to calculate weight based on load measured by the load cell. The one or more sensors generate one more signals corresponding to the one or more attributes measured by the sensors 104. The control unit 102 can be used to calculate price of the sample of material measured. The control unit 102 can calculate price of the sample of material measured based on pre defined unit price already defined.
[0040] Further, the device 101 can include a second display unit 110 that can be used to display the value of material measured as well as the price of the material measured. The second display unit 110 can be associated with the measuring device 101. In an exemplary embodiment, the proposed device 101 can be configured such that the device can be used to add successive measurements of the sample such that the device 101 can be used to measure large amount of the sample of material. For example, if a user want to measure 10 Kg of rice from a heap and the measuring device 101 is only equipped to measure 1 Kg at a time, in such a case the device can be used to measure 1 Kg of rice 10 different times and the results can be added for the successive measurements to calculate the total amount i.e. 10 Kg.
[0041] In an embodiment, the system 100 can include an audio unit 108. The audio unit 108 can be used to emit an audio signal when the measured quantity is more than the measuring limit of the device 101. The audio unit 108 can include, but not limited to a speaker, a buzzer, a horn. Further, the device 101 can include an amplifier 106. The one or more signals from the sensors 104 are weak and can be amplified using the amplifier, which can be further fed to the control unit 102. Also, the device 101 can include a battery 112. The battery 112 can be used to provide power to the components of the device 101 such as the amplifier 106, the control unit 102, the second display unit 110 and the audio unit 108.
[0042] In an embodiment, the measuring device 101 can include a transmitter 116 to transmit said one or more signals. The transmitter 116 can be further configured to send as well as receive signals. In an embodiment, the transmitter can send signals pertaining to one or more attributes sensed by the one or more sensors. In another embodiment, the transmitter 116 can be configured to receive one or more signals that can correspond to one or more details about the sample. It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that measuring device 101 can transmit the values to the remote location and receive the details about the product on the measuring device. The details can include price of material and the like. In an embodiment, the transmitter 116 can be either operatively coupled with the control unit 102 of the measuring device 100 and/or can be directly operatively coupled with the one or more sensors 104 and/or the amplifier 106.
[0043] In an embodiment, the control unit 102 can include one or more processors or controllers. Examples of controllers include, but are not limited to PIC® 16F877A microcontroller, AVR ® ATmega8 & ATmega16, Renesas® microcontroller and the like. Examples of processor can include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2 processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of processors, FortiSOC™ system on a chip processors or other future processors. In a preferred embodiment, control unit can include TI MSP430 16-bit microcontroller.
[0044] In an embodiment, the device 101 can include a printing device 114. The printing device 114 can be operatively coupled to the control unit 102. The printing device 114 can be configured to print the value measured or the price of value measured sample based on pre-defined price of unit of said sample. The memory (not displayed) can be used to store the predefined values and other attributes related data that can be used for comparison and evaluation or value calculation and the like. The printing device 114 can be used to print an itemized bill of the sample measured indicating the attributes as well as the price and total itemized price of the sample measured. The printing device 114 can include, but not limited to thermal printer, laser printer, inkjet printer, dot-matrix printer and the like.
[0045] For example, using the device, if user goes to a store and uses the device 101 to measure various pulses, he/she can accurately measure the amount of sample as well as calculate the estimated bill of the sample(s) measured. Thus, the device 101 can be used for estimating the bill amount as well as verifying the amount measured.
[0046] In an embodiment, the measuring system 100 can include a display station 118 (interchangeably referred as display terminal 118 hereinafter). The display station 118 can be located at a remote location or at certain distance from the measuring device 101. The display station 118 can include a receiver 120. The receiver 120 can be configured to receive the one or more signals from the measuring device 101 or the signals pertaining to one or more attributes associated with the sample. in an embodiment, the receiver can be configured to transmit the one or more second signals. The one or more second signals can pertain to the one or more details about the sample.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 112 can be used to provide power to the measuring device 101, the display station 118 or both. Further, the battery 112 can include a rechargeable battery or the measuring device 101, the display station 118 can be directly powered by AC or DC mains.
[0048] It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the measuring system 100 can be used to generate a bill for the quantities measured. This can assist reduce the time at the billing counter. For example, the system 100 can be configured such that the user can select the material being measured. The selection can be made on the measuring device 101. Now based on the selection the current price of the material will be checked and thus. The bill of the measured quantity can be generated at remotely located display station 118
[0049] In an embodiment, the communication between measuring device 101 and the display station 118 can be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof that can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as Intranet, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Internet, and the like. Further, the network 104 can either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network can represent an association of the different types of networks that can use variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like.
[0050] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrates an exemplary representation of the weight measuring system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the measuring system 200 can include a measuring device 201. The measuring device 201 can include a scoop 202 to receive and hold the sample of material. The scoop 202 can be configured such that it can hold the sample of material while it is being measured. The measured value of the sample of material can be displayed on the first display unit 220 and/or the second display unit 204. In an exemplary embodiment, the device 201 can include a button to turn on or turn off the device 201. The device 201 can include a button to switch modes. Various modes can include, but are not limited to single measurement mode, multiple measurement mode, price calculation mode for single measurement and price calculation of multiple measurements. The single measurement mode can allow only one measurement to be conducted at a time, while using the multiple measurement mode more than one measurements are allowed such that the successive measurements will be added to display the total measured value.
[0052] Further, price calculation mode for single measurement as well as price calculation mode for multiple measurements can measure the value of the sample of material as well as calculate the price of the quantity of the sample measured. The price of the sample can be calculated based on predefined unit price for the material that can be maintained in the memory. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more sensors 208 can include the load cell to measure the weight of the material. The one or more sensors 208 can be placed such that when the sample of the material is placed in the scoop. The one or more sensors 208 can be used to measure the load exerted on the load cell. Based on that the value corresponding to the measurement can be calculated. Thus, the calculated value can be displayed on the first display unit 218 and the second display unit 204. The battery 210 can be used to provide power to the components of the device 200. The components can include the first display unit 204, the audio unit 206. Further, the audio unit 206 can be used to emit an audio signal to signify that the measured value is more that the measuring capacity of the device 200. Though, the embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in terms of battery to provide power to the components of the device 101 it must be appreciated that the device can be powered by other power sources such as power mains, solar energy, rechargeable battery and the like.
[0053] Furthermore, the printing device 212 can be used to generate a hard copy of measured value of the sample as well as generate an estimated bill amount based on the values measured. Also, the measured values can be added to calculate estimated total bill amount that can be printed using the printing device 212. It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the present disclosure can assist a customer in estimating the total amount of bill that he/she need to pay as well as can be used by the customer to verify the amount measured.
[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the device 200 can include a button to turn on or turn off power to the device 200. The device 200 can be turned off when not in use and can be turned on when measuring of the sample is required. Further, the device 200 can include a reset button to reset/cancel current measurement of the sample. The reset button can be used to clear out any default value or erroneous value(s) measured.
[0055] In an embodiment, the measuring system 200 can include the measuring device 201 and the display station 214 (interchangeably referred as display terminal 214 hereinafter). The display station 214 can include a receiver 216 to receive one or more signals. a control unit 218 of the display station 214 to receive the signals from the receiver 216 and generate one or more values to be displayed on the first display unit 220. The first display unit 220 can be associated with the display station 214. The display station 214 can be communicably coupled with the measuring device 201 such that the display station 214 can exchange signals pertaining to details or attributes about the samples.
[0056] Although the proposed system has been elaborated as above to include all the main parts, it is completely possible that actual implementations may include only a part of the proposed modules/engines or a combination of those or a division of those in various combinations across multiple devices that can be operatively coupled with each other, including in the cloud. Further the modules/engines can be configured in any sequence to achieve objectives elaborated. Also, it can be appreciated that proposed system can be configured in a computing device or across a plurality of computing devices operatively connected with each other, wherein the computing devices can be any of a computer, a laptop, a smart phone, an Internet enabled mobile device and the like. All such modifications and embodiments are completely within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0057] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented entirely hardware, entirely software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

claims
claims
1.A measuring system comprising:
a measuring device comprising:
a scoop configured to receive and hold a sample;
one or more sensors, operatively coupled to said scoop, configured to sense one or more attributes of said sample and generate one or more signals based on said one or more attributes of said sample; and
characterized in that, a transmitter configured to transmit said one or more generated signals; and
a first display unit operatively coupled with said measuring device such that said first display unit is dissociated from said measuring device,
wherein said first display unit is configured to display one or more values corresponding to said one or more transmitted signals received by a receiver operatively coupled with said first display unit.
2. The measuring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said measuring device comprises a second display unit associated with said measuring device, configured to display said one or values corresponding to said one or more attributes.
3. The measuring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a display station is operatively coupled with said measuring device, said display station comprises:
said first display unit;
said receiver; and
a control unit configured to receive said one or more signals from said receiver and generates one or more values related to measured said one or more attributes of said sample.
4. The measuring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter is configured to receive one or more second signals, wherein said one or more second signal corresponds to one or more details of said sample.
5. The measuring system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said receiver is configured to transmit said one or more second signals.
6. The measuring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system comprises an audio unit configured to emit audio signal based on detection of case where value of said one or more attributes is more than pre-defined limit.
7. The measuring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system comprises an amplifier configured to amplify said one or more signals generated by said one or more sensors.
8. The measuring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system comprises a battery to provide power to said measuring device or said display station or both.