Title of Invention	ELECTRONIC BALANCE WITH AN INTEGRATED COMPUTER
Abstract	The invention relates to electronic scales comprising an integrated computer comprising an input unit for inputting selection data, a memory for memorising a plurality of parameter values which can be assigned to function-specific parameters in accordance with input selection data, a data processing unit for carrying out weighing applications in accordance with a partial amount of the function-specific parameter, at least one interface for interacting with mechanical and/or electronic components in accordance with a partial amount of function-specific parameters. A plurality of different profiles (24; 24') can be memorised as individual value sets for adapting to user and/or application-specific tasks and by selecting a specific profile (24; 24'), a common allocation of the values contained therein to the corresponding parameters takes place. The invention is zharacterised in that the parameters are allocated a plurality of non-overlapping parameter groups (26, 26, 30), each individual profile (24') only containing said value which can be allocated to the parameters precisely for a parameter group (26, 28, 30), and the parameter values of at least one profile (24) can be allocated to each parameter group.

Title of Invention

ELECTRONIC BALANCE WITH AN INTEGRATED COMPUTER

Abstract

The invention relates to electronic scales comprising an integrated computer comprising an input unit for inputting selection data, a memory for memorising a plurality of parameter values which can be assigned to function-specific parameters in accordance with input selection data, a data processing unit for carrying out weighing applications in accordance with a partial amount of the function-specific parameter, at least one interface for interacting with mechanical and/or electronic components in accordance with a partial amount of function-specific parameters. A plurality of different profiles (24; 24') can be memorised as individual value sets for adapting to user and/or application-specific tasks and by selecting a specific profile (24; 24'), a common allocation of the values contained therein to the corresponding parameters takes place. The invention is zharacterised in that the parameters are allocated a plurality of non-overlapping parameter groups (26, 26, 30), each individual profile (24') only containing said value which can be allocated to the parameters precisely for a parameter group (26, 28, 30), and the parameter values of at least one profile (24) can be allocated to each parameter group.

Full Text	FORM 2 THE PATENT ACT 1970 (39 of 1970) The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10, and rule 13) TITLE OF INVENTION ELECTRONIC BALANCE APPLICANT(S) a) Name b) Nationality c) Address SARTORIUS AG GERMAN Company WEENDER LANDSTRASSE 94-108, 3 70 75 GOETTINGEN, GERMANY PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : - UBC TRANSLATION SERVICES (Signature of Translator) . UBC TRANSLATION SERVICES Description The invention relates an electronic balance with an integrated computer, comprising: - an input device, for entering the selected data, - a memory for storing multiple parameter values, which are assigned to the function-specific parameters depending upon the selected data entered, - a data processing unit for executing weighing applications depending upon a subset of the function-specific parameters, - at least one interface for an interaction with mechanical and/or electronic components depending upon a subset of the function-specific parameters, whereby for adopting to the user- and/or application-specific requirements a number of different profiles can be stored as parameter value sets, whereby by selecting a specific profile the values contained in the profile can be assigned together to the corresponding parameters. Such balances are known from the DE 91 07 757 Ul. Electronic balances possess an integrated computer, which executes different tasks when the balance is operated. On the one hand, it carries out calculations, which are necessary for determining the weighing result. These can be, for instance, the application of specific rules to the captured measured values and/or compensation calculations, which are necessary for taking into account the influences of the environment, such as the temperature. Another task of the integrated computer is to specify a workflow plan in accordance with the desired application. Modern balances are able to carry out different applications, such as back weighing, counting, animal weighing, etc. To do this, it is often necessary to capture and store a number of measured values in a specified sequence and to process these according to certain rules. After the determination of the task that has to be executed, the specification of such a workflow plan is done by the operating person by means of the integrated computer. Finally, another task of the integrated computer, in 2 interaction with the hardware components, is the adaptation of the mechanics and/or electronics of the balance to special conditions. This relates mainly to ergonomic settings, such as the direction of opening of the draft shield or the interfacing with external hardware, such as printers, smartcard readers, barcode scanners or transponder-readers, keyboards or similar devices. The special way, in which the computer should act thereby depends on the application to be executed, the preferences of the respective user, the special conditions at the site of installation, and the configuration of the peripheral devices of the balance. These dependencies can be defined by means of various parameters, to which concrete parameter values have to be assigned in individual cases. In order to simplify this assignment of concrete parameter values, a generally known method is to create and store different profiles for the different applications and/ or different users. Profile here stands for a set of parameter values or a list of concrete parameter values, all of which can be activated together by calling an individual profile identification i.e. all the parameter values stored in the profile are assigned to the corresponding parameters. Thereby, each profile stored contains one value for each parameter that can be set. Accordingly, the memory requirements for storing several profiles is high. This problem increases, when not only a profile is stored for each individual user of the balance, but also each user stores a separate profile for each application that he or she executes on the balance. However, this is necessary for a comfortable use of the balance. Along with the problem of high memory requirements, there is also the problem of time-consuming and error-prone creation of these large profiles. In fact, it is known to copy a profile, to modify it at a suitable place and to store it under a new identification. However, this procedure can easily lead to a carry-over and multiplication of errors in the subsequent copies of the profile. In view of the design of the profile, similar devices are known from DE 100 39 668 Al as well as from DE 100 40 744 Al. However, these publications do not provide any support for solving the problems mentioned above. 3 The task of the present invention is to develop a balance of the generic kind in such a way that an adaptation of the balance to the different requirements can be done in a much simpler way, which is less memory intensive and also less prone to errors. Together with the features of the preamble of the claim 1, this task is resolved in a way that the parameters are assigned to a number of non-overlapping parameter groups, each individual profile contains only such values, which can be assigned to the parameters of exactly one parameter group, and the parameter values of at least one profile can be assigned to each parameter group. This means that the complete set of parameter values is grouped at first in subsets, whereby the selection of the group is done preferably according to the scope of the parameters contained. A favorable classification in groups is, for instance, a classification in an application profile, a user profile and a general device-setting profile. The parameters assigned to the application profile, for instance, can be those that define the workflow, the display and the calculation rules of specific applications, such as counting, back weighing, animal weighing, etc. Parameters assigned to the user profile, for instance, can be those that concern the ergonomic settings of the weighing scale, such as direction of opening of a door, the keyboard layout or the button functions, graphical design of a display, etc. Parameters assigned to the general device-setting profile, for instance, can be those that relate to the interaction of the weighing scale with an attached peripheral device. An essential element of the invention is that the different parameter groups do not overlap with one another i.e. each parameter is assigned uniquely to a group. This makes it possible to define smaller profiles that are specific to each group. Such a profile, as per the invention, then contains only those values, which can be assigned only to one parameter group. On the other hand, the storage of at least one profile is intended for each parameter group as per the invention. 4 The result of this is that small, function-specific profiles with an individual identification can be stored. Profiles assigned to different parameter groups can be activated independently of one another, whereby "activation" of a profile implies the assignment of the parameter values contained in it to the corresponding parameters. In addition to reducing the memory requirement, the present invention also reduces the frequency of error occurrence while creating the profiles. While creating or modifying a profile the user has to deal with only those parameters, which are relevant for the task he currently has at hand. He does not run the risk of modifying the currently non-relevant parameters. The present invention also simplifies to a large extent the correction of a detected error. Contrary to the prior art, a single error does not need to be corrected in all the stored profiles, but only in those that correspond to the concerned parameter group. For a proper operation of the balance, it is typically necessary to actually assign the values of exactly one profile to each parameter group i.e. one profile has to be activated for each parameter group. However, cases are possible, in which the distribution of the parameter groups is done in such a way that certain parameters, which are grouped together in a separate group, are not relevant for certain applications. In such a case a proper operation of the balance would be possible, without activating a profile assigned to this parameter group. As already mentioned, it is especially beneficial, if the parameters defining the weighing applications are grouped together in a so-called application parameter group. These are the parameters, which are relevant for application-specific information. These can be the selection of specific algorithms, the sequence of process steps of a certain weighing method and/or the display specifications for t displaying a measuring result. Furthermore, it has proved to be of advantage, if the settings of the parameters defining the mechanical and/or the electronic components are grouped together 5 preferably additionally in a so-called settings parameter group. Such a parameter group can contain all the parameters affecting the interaction with the hardware components. If, as planned in a further advancement of the invention, at least one interface is designed as an internal interface for interaction with the internal mechanical and/or electronic components of the balance and further, as planned preferably alternatively or in addition, at least one interface is designed as external interface for an interaction with the external peripheral devices, a classification of the settings parameter group can be done. In case of such an, especially favorable advancement of the invention, the settings of the parameters defining the internal mechanical and/or electronic components of the balance are grouped together in a so-called internal settings parameter group, and the settings of the parameters defining the external peripheral devices are grouped together in a so-called external settings parameter group. This corresponds to a classification of the settings parameter group into an internal and an external settings parameter group. The benefit of this is, for instance, that a user, who wishes to adapt the balance as per the invention ergonomically according to his own special requirements, does not run the risk of influencing the interaction of the balance with the external peripheral devices, which may be installed because of documentation reasons. As another advantage, parameter group specific access permissions can be assigned for modifying and/or storing the profiles. This can be implemented in a simple way based on the doctrine of this invention, because the access permissions to be assigned can be linked to the parameter groups. When assigning rights in systems according to the prior art, the rights have to be linked respectively with the individual parameters, which leads to considerable effort and a higher error proneness. In order to further reduce the error-proneness while creating the profiles, it is intended in a favorable advancement of the invention that a dialog-based menu guide is included for creating and/or modifying the profiles, which offers the user the option for entering several parameter values one by one. With a suitable 6 specification of the menu guide, it can be prevented in this way that the user forgets to enter the essential parameters. This can be achieved especially when the created or the modified profile is saved only after the complete run of the menu navigation. Another improvement of this invention is, when the offered input option depends on a parameter value entered earlier. In this way, the entry of contradictory parameter values can be avoided effectively by means of a suitable specification of the menu navigation. Like this, the input possibilities are restricted for the user in a way that reduces the chances of contradictions. It is especially favorable, if after entering a parameter value one or more other parameter values, that can be derived from the entered parameter value according to specified rules, are set automatically. An example of this would be the entry of a parameter value that defines the application of "counting", which could lead to an automatic setting of a specified algorithm (e.g. calculation of measured values) and to the setting of a number-display instead of a weight-display. Further features and benefits of the invention result from the special description given below as well as from the drawings, in which Figure 1 shows an exemplary user interface of the balance as per the invention; Figure 2 shows schematically the data structure of the balance as per the invention; Figure 3 shows the data structure of a balance according to the prior art; Figure 1 shows examplary an user interface of a balance according to the invention. A screen display 10 is present in the center of the user interface, which is preferably designed as a so-called touch-screen, whereby the display areas are filled in a known 7 way as switch-function areas depending upon the context. The touching of such a button is captured with the help of suitable and known sensors and is interpreted as the selection of the corresponding function. In the design form shown, several hardware buttons are present outside of the screen display 10. In the present case, these are an on/off-switch 12, two tare-keys 14, with the help of which the taring function used frequently in balances can be activated immediately, and a print key 16, with the help of which a printing function of a printer that might be connected to the balance can be activated. Additionally, a user menu-key 18 and an application menu-key 20 are also provided. Upon pressing the user menu-key 18 the identifications of the stored parameter value sets, designated as user profile, are displayed on the screen display. These parameter value sets contain the values for the user-specific e.g. ergonomic parameters, which can be selected and activated by using the touch screen respectively. Analogously, when pressing the application menu-key 20 the identifications of the several executable tasks, are shown on the screen display 10 which can be selected and activated, for example, by using the touch-screen respectively. The essence of the present invention can be seen clearly by comparing the figures 2 and 3. While figure 2 shows schematically the data structure of a balance as per the invention, figure 3 shows the conventional data structure in case of balances according to the prior art. The common feature in both the structures is the parameter area 22, which includes all the parameters of the balance that can be set. Each parameter defines a function that can be varied or a feature of the balance. In order to activate the function or feature defined by a parameter, a concrete parameter value must be assigned to the parameter. An example of an ergonomic parameter would be the feature of the balance to open a motor-driven draft shield to the left or to the right according to the preferences of the user. In order to activate the feature "right" or "left", a concrete value from two possible values must be assigned to this parameter. An example of an application-specific parameter would be, for instance, the display of the physical unit of a weighing result. Depending upon the 8 actual application, the display of mass (e.g. mg in case of normal weighing), number of pieces (in case of counting applications) or the specification of density (e.g. g/cm3 in case of density measurements) may be necessary. The activation of the actual option is done by allocating a concrete parameter value to the display parameters. The parameter area 22 contains a large number of such and similar parameters. In order to simplify the configuration of the balance i.e. the assignment of concrete parameter values to all the parameters that can be set, profiles can be stored. The differences between the data structure as per the invention and the conventional data structure are explained below with the help of the examples of Figure 2 and Figure 3. It is assumed here that the balance is used by three different users A, B, and C having different preferences and/or requirements. For instance, A is a right-handed person with normal vision, B is a left-handed person with normal vision, and C is a left-handed person and suffers from Daltonism. This can mean that A wants a draft shield opening to the right and a monochrome screen display. It is further assumed that the balance is set up in a laboratory, in which routinely three different weighing applications a, b, and c are practiced, for instance, animal weighing, back weighing and counting. Finally, it is assumed that the back weighing process can be done under two different protocol conditions a and p. For instance, either only a written back weighing protocol is printed or else additionally a storage is done on an attached mass-storage device and the samples are identified by means of an attached transponder-reading unit. This results in 18 different setting possibilities (sum of users) x (sum of applications) x (sum of protocol variants) = 18. In order to be able to capture each of these variants, 18 respectively modified copies of the profile 24' of a total parameter value list would have to be stored under individual identifications, for a data structure according to the prior art. Practically, however, this proves to be difficult, because it is long-winding, prone to errors and consumes a lot of memory. 9 In practice, therefore, one would reduce the creation of profiles 24' to the normally used variants. In the example given in Figure 3 it is assumed that experience has shown that A only executes the tasks a and b, the latter in both the variants a and p, B executes all the tasks a, b (in both the variants (a and P)) and C executes only the task b in both the variants a and β Therefore, it is necessary to store nine profiles i.e. profiles, which contain the values for each parameter that can be set. However, in case of the data structure as per the invention, as shown in Figure 2, it is provided that the parameter area 22 is sub-divided into three different parameter groups 26, 28 and 30. Each of these groups includes the parameters related to the functions and do not overlap one another. For instance, the parameter group 26 contains all the user-specific i.e. ergonomic parameters, the parameter group 28 all the application-specific parameters and the parameter group 30 all the hardware-specific parameters. Corresponding to this grouping, topic-specific profiles can be stored, which, compared to the prior art, must contain much fewer entries than there are parameters in the parameter area 22 that can be set. Rather, the user profiles 24A, 24B and 24C must only contain values for the parameters of the user parameter group 26. The application profiles 24a, 24b and 24c only contain values for the parameters put together in the application parameter group. The hardware setting profiles 24a and 24p contain only the values for the parameters for hardware settings put together in the parameter group 30. (The affixes at the reference numeral 24 for the profile correspond in their meaning to the users (A, B, C), tasks (a, b, c) and the protocol variants (a,p). In case of the selected example, it is necessary to store eight profiles. In the example given in Figure 3, which technically realizes the same scenario, the storage of nine profiles is necessary. Moreover, each profile 24 is much smaller than a profile 24' in according to Figure 3. Further, all the 18 theoretically possible variants can be implemented without creating a new profile. For instance, through a simultaneous activation of the profile 24C and 24a, a situation can be recorded, in which the user C 10 can execute the application a by using his personally preferred user settings. According to the prio art, the new creation of a further profile 24' would be necessary for this. It is, therefore, apparent that the data structure as per the invention leads to a clear reduction of memory requirement and, at the same time, increases the flexibility. The error-proneness during profile creation is also reduced, because only clear profiles related to a particular theme need to be created or modified. The creation of a new profile is done preferably via the user interface depicted in Figure 1. To do this, different input options are made available to the user one by one on the screen display 10, whereby the input of a parameter value sensibly restricts the selection in a subsequent input step in a specified way. Settings of other parameters resulting from an input already made can be done automatically, without the user having to make a new, explicit input for this. Naturally the design forms shown in the figures and explained in the special description depict only illustrative design examples of the present invention. In particular, subdividing the parameter area 22 in exactly three parameter groups 26, 28, and 30 is not relevant for the invention. It is possible to implement more or less parameter groups, whereby the positive effects of the concept of the invention increase with the rise in the number of selected parameter groups. On the other hand, a too big selection of parameter groups can lead to high complexity, which then has a negative impact on the efficiency of use. It is also possible to assign different access restrictions to the different parameter groups. Thus, for instance, the creation of a user profile i.e. a parameter value set for the parameters of the user parameter group 26 can be possible for every user, whereas the creation of a hardware settings profile i.e. a parameter value set for the parameters of the hardware setting group 30 can be reserved only for specially trained persons. The management of rights can be done in the known way based on the identification — manual or automatic — of the different users. 11 WE CLAIM: 1. Electronic balance with an integrated computer, comprising; an input device for entering the selected data, - a memory for storing multiple parameter values, which are assigned to the function-specific parameters depending upon the selected data entered, - a data processing unit for executing weighing applications depending upon a subset of the function-specific parameters, - at least one interface for an interaction with the mechanical and/or electronic components depending upon a subset of the function-specific parameters, whereby for adapting to the user- and/or application specific requirements a number of different profiles (24; 24') are stored as individual parameter value sets, whereby by selecting a specific profile (24; 24') the values contained in this profile are assigned together to the corresponding parameters, characterized by the fact that the parameters are assigned to a majority of non-overlapping parameter groups (26, 28, 30), each individual profile (24') contains only those values, which are assigned to the parameters of exactly one parameter group (26, 28, 30), and the parameter values of at least one profile (24) are assigned to each parameter group (26,28,30). 2. Balance as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that for a proper operation of the balance the parameter values of exactly one profile must be assigned to each parameter group. 3. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that parameters defining weighing applications are grouped together in „an application parameter group (28). 12 4. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that parameters defining the settings of the mechanical and/or electronic components are grouped together in a settings parameter group (30). 5. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that at least one interface is an external interface for the interaction with the external peripheral devices. 6. Balance as per claim 5, characterized by the fact that settings of the parameters defining the external peripheral devices are grouped together in an external settings parameter group (30). 7. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that at least one interface is an internal interface for the interaction with mechanical and/or electronic components inside the balance. 8. Balance as per claim 7, characterized by the fact that settings of the parameters defining the internal mechanical and/or electronic components of the balance are grouped together in an internal settings parameter group (26). 9. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that access permissions specific to the parameter groups for modifying and/or storing the profiles (24) can be assigned. 10. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that a dialog-based menu navigation is provided for creating and/or modifying the profiles (24), which offers the user several input possibilities for the parameter values one after the other. 13 11. Balance as per claim 10, characterized by the fact that an offered input possibility depends upon a parameter value entered earlier. 12. Balance as per one of the claims 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that after entering a parameter value, one or more other parameter values, which can be derived from the entered parameter values according to specified rules, are set automatically. Dated this 18th day of June 2008. HIRAI CHANDRAKANT JOSHI AGENT FOR SARTORIUS AG

Full Text

FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970 (39 of 1970)
The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10, and rule 13)
TITLE OF INVENTION ELECTRONIC BALANCE

APPLICANT(S)
a) Name
b) Nationality
c) Address

SARTORIUS AG
GERMAN Company
WEENDER LANDSTRASSE 94-108,
3 70 75 GOETTINGEN,
GERMANY

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : -

UBC TRANSLATION SERVICES

(Signature of Translator) .
UBC TRANSLATION SERVICES

Description
The invention relates an electronic balance with an integrated computer, comprising:
- an input device, for entering the selected data,
- a memory for storing multiple parameter values, which are assigned to the function-specific parameters depending upon the selected data entered,
- a data processing unit for executing weighing applications depending upon a subset of the function-specific parameters,
- at least one interface for an interaction with mechanical and/or electronic components depending upon a subset of the function-specific parameters,
whereby for adopting to the user- and/or application-specific requirements a number of different profiles can be stored as parameter value sets, whereby by selecting a specific profile the values contained in the profile can be assigned together to the corresponding parameters.
Such balances are known from the DE 91 07 757 Ul.
Electronic balances possess an integrated computer, which executes different tasks when the balance is operated. On the one hand, it carries out calculations, which are necessary for determining the weighing result. These can be, for instance, the application of specific rules to the captured measured values and/or compensation calculations, which are necessary for taking into account the influences of the environment, such as the temperature. Another task of the integrated computer is to specify a workflow plan in accordance with the desired application. Modern balances are able to carry out different applications, such as back weighing, counting, animal weighing, etc. To do this, it is often necessary to capture and store a number of measured values in a specified sequence and to process these according to certain rules. After the determination of the task that has to be executed, the specification of such a workflow plan is done by the operating person by means of the integrated computer. Finally, another task of the integrated computer, in
2

interaction with the hardware components, is the adaptation of the mechanics and/or electronics of the balance to special conditions. This relates mainly to ergonomic settings, such as the direction of opening of the draft shield or the interfacing with external hardware, such as printers, smartcard readers, barcode scanners or transponder-readers, keyboards or similar devices. The special way, in which the computer should act thereby depends on the application to be executed, the preferences of the respective user, the special conditions at the site of installation, and the configuration of the peripheral devices of the balance. These dependencies can be defined by means of various parameters, to which concrete parameter values have to be assigned in individual cases.
In order to simplify this assignment of concrete parameter values, a generally known method is to create and store different profiles for the different applications and/ or different users. Profile here stands for a set of parameter values or a list of concrete parameter values, all of which can be activated together by calling an individual profile identification i.e. all the parameter values stored in the profile are assigned to the corresponding parameters. Thereby, each profile stored contains one value for each parameter that can be set. Accordingly, the memory requirements for storing several profiles is high. This problem increases, when not only a profile is stored for each individual user of the balance, but also each user stores a separate profile for each application that he or she executes on the balance. However, this is necessary for a comfortable use of the balance.
Along with the problem of high memory requirements, there is also the problem of time-consuming and error-prone creation of these large profiles. In fact, it is known to copy a profile, to modify it at a suitable place and to store it under a new identification. However, this procedure can easily lead to a carry-over and multiplication of errors in the subsequent copies of the profile. In view of the design of the profile, similar devices are known from DE 100 39 668 Al as well as from DE 100 40 744 Al. However, these publications do not provide any support for solving the problems mentioned above.
3

The task of the present invention is to develop a balance of the generic kind in such a way that an adaptation of the balance to the different requirements can be done in a much simpler way, which is less memory intensive and also less prone to errors.
Together with the features of the preamble of the claim 1, this task is resolved in a way that the parameters are assigned to a number of non-overlapping parameter groups, each individual profile contains only such values, which can be assigned to the parameters of exactly one parameter group, and the parameter values of at least one profile can be assigned to each parameter group.
This means that the complete set of parameter values is grouped at first in subsets, whereby the selection of the group is done preferably according to the scope of the parameters contained. A favorable classification in groups is, for instance, a classification in an application profile, a user profile and a general device-setting profile.
The parameters assigned to the application profile, for instance, can be those that define the workflow, the display and the calculation rules of specific applications, such as counting, back weighing, animal weighing, etc. Parameters assigned to the user profile, for instance, can be those that concern the ergonomic settings of the weighing scale, such as direction of opening of a door, the keyboard layout or the button functions, graphical design of a display, etc. Parameters assigned to the general device-setting profile, for instance, can be those that relate to the interaction of the weighing scale with an attached peripheral device.
An essential element of the invention is that the different parameter groups do not overlap with one another i.e. each parameter is assigned uniquely to a group. This makes it possible to define smaller profiles that are specific to each group. Such a profile, as per the invention, then contains only those values, which can be assigned only to one parameter group. On the other hand, the storage of at least one profile is intended for each parameter group as per the invention.
4

The result of this is that small, function-specific profiles with an individual identification can be stored. Profiles assigned to different parameter groups can be activated independently of one another, whereby "activation" of a profile implies the assignment of the parameter values contained in it to the corresponding parameters.
In addition to reducing the memory requirement, the present invention also reduces the frequency of error occurrence while creating the profiles. While creating or modifying a profile the user has to deal with only those parameters, which are relevant for the task he currently has at hand. He does not run the risk of modifying the currently non-relevant parameters. The present invention also simplifies to a large extent the correction of a detected error. Contrary to the prior art, a single error does not need to be corrected in all the stored profiles, but only in those that correspond to the concerned parameter group.
For a proper operation of the balance, it is typically necessary to actually assign the values of exactly one profile to each parameter group i.e. one profile has to be activated for each parameter group. However, cases are possible, in which the distribution of the parameter groups is done in such a way that certain parameters, which are grouped together in a separate group, are not relevant for certain applications. In such a case a proper operation of the balance would be possible, without activating a profile assigned to this parameter group.
As already mentioned, it is especially beneficial, if the parameters defining the weighing applications are grouped together in a so-called application parameter group. These are the parameters, which are relevant for application-specific information. These can be the selection of specific algorithms, the sequence of process steps of a certain weighing method and/or the display specifications for
t
displaying a measuring result.
Furthermore, it has proved to be of advantage, if the settings of the parameters defining the mechanical and/or the electronic components are grouped together
5

preferably additionally in a so-called settings parameter group. Such a parameter group can contain all the parameters affecting the interaction with the hardware components. If, as planned in a further advancement of the invention, at least one interface is designed as an internal interface for interaction with the internal mechanical and/or electronic components of the balance and further, as planned preferably alternatively or in addition, at least one interface is designed as external interface for an interaction with the external peripheral devices, a classification of the settings parameter group can be done. In case of such an, especially favorable advancement of the invention, the settings of the parameters defining the internal mechanical and/or electronic components of the balance are grouped together in a so-called internal settings parameter group, and the settings of the parameters defining the external peripheral devices are grouped together in a so-called external settings parameter group. This corresponds to a classification of the settings parameter group into an internal and an external settings parameter group. The benefit of this is, for instance, that a user, who wishes to adapt the balance as per the invention ergonomically according to his own special requirements, does not run the risk of influencing the interaction of the balance with the external peripheral devices, which may be installed because of documentation reasons.
As another advantage, parameter group specific access permissions can be assigned for modifying and/or storing the profiles. This can be implemented in a simple way based on the doctrine of this invention, because the access permissions to be assigned can be linked to the parameter groups. When assigning rights in systems according to the prior art, the rights have to be linked respectively with the individual parameters, which leads to considerable effort and a higher error proneness.
In order to further reduce the error-proneness while creating the profiles, it is intended in a favorable advancement of the invention that a dialog-based menu guide is included for creating and/or modifying the profiles, which offers the user the option for entering several parameter values one by one. With a suitable
6

specification of the menu guide, it can be prevented in this way that the user forgets to enter the essential parameters. This can be achieved especially when the created or the modified profile is saved only after the complete run of the menu navigation. Another improvement of this invention is, when the offered input option depends on a parameter value entered earlier. In this way, the entry of contradictory parameter values can be avoided effectively by means of a suitable specification of the menu navigation.
Like this, the input possibilities are restricted for the user in a way that reduces the chances of contradictions.
It is especially favorable, if after entering a parameter value one or more other parameter values, that can be derived from the entered parameter value according to specified rules, are set automatically. An example of this would be the entry of a parameter value that defines the application of "counting", which could lead to an automatic setting of a specified algorithm (e.g. calculation of measured values) and to the setting of a number-display instead of a weight-display.
Further features and benefits of the invention result from the special description given below as well as from the drawings, in which
Figure 1 shows an exemplary user interface of the balance as per the invention;
Figure 2 shows schematically the data structure of the balance as per the
invention;
Figure 3 shows the data structure of a balance according to the prior art;
Figure 1 shows examplary an user interface of a balance according to the invention. A screen display 10 is present in the center of the user interface, which is preferably designed as a so-called touch-screen, whereby the display areas are filled in a known
7

way as switch-function areas depending upon the context. The touching of such a button is captured with the help of suitable and known sensors and is interpreted as the selection of the corresponding function.
In the design form shown, several hardware buttons are present outside of the screen display 10. In the present case, these are an on/off-switch 12, two tare-keys 14, with the help of which the taring function used frequently in balances can be activated immediately, and a print key 16, with the help of which a printing function of a printer that might be connected to the balance can be activated. Additionally, a user menu-key 18 and an application menu-key 20 are also provided. Upon pressing the user menu-key 18 the identifications of the stored parameter value sets, designated as user profile, are displayed on the screen display. These parameter value sets contain the values for the user-specific e.g. ergonomic parameters, which can be selected and activated by using the touch screen respectively. Analogously, when pressing the application menu-key 20 the identifications of the several executable tasks, are shown on the screen display 10 which can be selected and activated, for example, by using the touch-screen respectively.
The essence of the present invention can be seen clearly by comparing the figures 2 and 3. While figure 2 shows schematically the data structure of a balance as per the invention, figure 3 shows the conventional data structure in case of balances according to the prior art. The common feature in both the structures is the parameter area 22, which includes all the parameters of the balance that can be set. Each parameter defines a function that can be varied or a feature of the balance. In order to activate the function or feature defined by a parameter, a concrete parameter value must be assigned to the parameter. An example of an ergonomic parameter would be the feature of the balance to open a motor-driven draft shield to the left or to the right according to the preferences of the user. In order to activate the feature "right" or "left", a concrete value from two possible values must be assigned to this parameter. An example of an application-specific parameter would be, for instance, the display of the physical unit of a weighing result. Depending upon the
8

actual application, the display of mass (e.g. mg in case of normal weighing), number of pieces (in case of counting applications) or the specification of density (e.g. g/cm3 in case of density measurements) may be necessary. The activation of the actual option is done by allocating a concrete parameter value to the display parameters.
The parameter area 22 contains a large number of such and similar parameters. In order to simplify the configuration of the balance i.e. the assignment of concrete parameter values to all the parameters that can be set, profiles can be stored.
The differences between the data structure as per the invention and the conventional data structure are explained below with the help of the examples of Figure 2 and Figure 3.
It is assumed here that the balance is used by three different users A, B, and C having different preferences and/or requirements. For instance, A is a right-handed person with normal vision, B is a left-handed person with normal vision, and C is a left-handed person and suffers from Daltonism. This can mean that A wants a draft shield opening to the right and a monochrome screen display. It is further assumed that the balance is set up in a laboratory, in which routinely three different weighing applications a, b, and c are practiced, for instance, animal weighing, back weighing and counting. Finally, it is assumed that the back weighing process can be done under two different protocol conditions a and p. For instance, either only a written back weighing protocol is printed or else additionally a storage is done on an attached mass-storage device and the samples are identified by means of an attached transponder-reading unit. This results in 18 different setting possibilities (sum of users) x (sum of applications) x (sum of protocol variants) = 18. In order to be able to capture each of these variants, 18 respectively modified copies of the profile 24' of a total parameter value list would have to be stored under individual identifications, for a data structure according to the prior art. Practically, however, this proves to be difficult, because it is long-winding, prone to errors and consumes a lot of memory.
9

In practice, therefore, one would reduce the creation of profiles 24' to the normally used variants. In the example given in Figure 3 it is assumed that experience has shown that A only executes the tasks a and b, the latter in both the variants a and p, B executes all the tasks a, b (in both the variants (a and P)) and C executes only the task b in both the variants a and β Therefore, it is necessary to store nine profiles i.e. profiles, which contain the values for each parameter that can be set.
However, in case of the data structure as per the invention, as shown in Figure 2, it is provided that the parameter area 22 is sub-divided into three different parameter groups 26, 28 and 30. Each of these groups includes the parameters related to the functions and do not overlap one another. For instance, the parameter group 26 contains all the user-specific i.e. ergonomic parameters, the parameter group 28 all the application-specific parameters and the parameter group 30 all the hardware-specific parameters. Corresponding to this grouping, topic-specific profiles can be stored, which, compared to the prior art, must contain much fewer entries than there are parameters in the parameter area 22 that can be set. Rather, the user profiles 24A, 24B and 24C must only contain values for the parameters of the user parameter group 26. The application profiles 24a, 24b and 24c only contain values for the parameters put together in the application parameter group. The hardware setting profiles 24a and 24p contain only the values for the parameters for hardware settings put together in the parameter group 30.
(The affixes at the reference numeral 24 for the profile correspond in their meaning to the users (A, B, C), tasks (a, b, c) and the protocol variants (a,p).
In case of the selected example, it is necessary to store eight profiles. In the example given in Figure 3, which technically realizes the same scenario, the storage of nine profiles is necessary. Moreover, each profile 24 is much smaller than a profile 24' in according to Figure 3. Further, all the 18 theoretically possible variants can be implemented without creating a new profile. For instance, through a simultaneous activation of the profile 24C and 24a, a situation can be recorded, in which the user C
10

can execute the application a by using his personally preferred user settings. According to the prio art, the new creation of a further profile 24' would be necessary for this.
It is, therefore, apparent that the data structure as per the invention leads to a clear reduction of memory requirement and, at the same time, increases the flexibility. The error-proneness during profile creation is also reduced, because only clear profiles related to a particular theme need to be created or modified.
The creation of a new profile is done preferably via the user interface depicted in Figure 1. To do this, different input options are made available to the user one by one on the screen display 10, whereby the input of a parameter value sensibly restricts the selection in a subsequent input step in a specified way. Settings of other parameters resulting from an input already made can be done automatically, without the user having to make a new, explicit input for this.
Naturally the design forms shown in the figures and explained in the special description depict only illustrative design examples of the present invention. In particular, subdividing the parameter area 22 in exactly three parameter groups 26, 28, and 30 is not relevant for the invention. It is possible to implement more or less parameter groups, whereby the positive effects of the concept of the invention increase with the rise in the number of selected parameter groups. On the other hand, a too big selection of parameter groups can lead to high complexity, which then has a negative impact on the efficiency of use. It is also possible to assign different access restrictions to the different parameter groups. Thus, for instance, the creation of a user profile i.e. a parameter value set for the parameters of the user parameter group 26 can be possible for every user, whereas the creation of a hardware settings profile i.e. a parameter value set for the parameters of the hardware setting group 30 can be reserved only for specially trained persons. The management of rights can be done in the known way based on the identification — manual or automatic — of the different users.
11

WE CLAIM:
1. Electronic balance with an integrated computer, comprising;
an input device for entering the selected data,
- a memory for storing multiple parameter values, which are assigned to the function-specific parameters depending upon the selected data entered,
- a data processing unit for executing weighing applications depending upon a subset of the function-specific parameters,
- at least one interface for an interaction with the mechanical and/or electronic components depending upon a subset of the function-specific parameters,
whereby for adapting to the user- and/or application specific requirements a number of different profiles (24; 24') are stored as individual parameter value sets, whereby by selecting a specific profile (24; 24') the values contained in this profile are assigned together to the corresponding parameters, characterized by the fact that the parameters are assigned to a majority of non-overlapping parameter groups (26, 28, 30), each individual profile (24') contains only those values, which are assigned to the parameters of exactly one parameter group (26, 28, 30), and the parameter values of at least one profile (24) are assigned to each parameter group (26,28,30).
2. Balance as per claim 1, characterized by the fact that for a proper operation of the balance the parameter values of exactly one profile must be assigned to each parameter group.
3. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that parameters defining weighing applications are grouped together in „an application parameter group (28).
12

4. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that parameters defining the settings of the mechanical and/or electronic components are grouped together in a settings parameter group (30).
5. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that at least one interface is an external interface for the interaction with the external peripheral devices.
6. Balance as per claim 5, characterized by the fact that settings of the parameters defining the external peripheral devices are grouped together in an external settings parameter group (30).
7. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that at least one interface is an internal interface for the interaction with mechanical and/or electronic components inside the balance.
8. Balance as per claim 7, characterized by the fact that settings of the parameters defining the internal mechanical and/or electronic components of the balance are grouped together in an internal settings parameter group (26).
9. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that access permissions specific to the parameter groups for modifying and/or storing the profiles (24) can be assigned.
10. Balance as per one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that a dialog-based menu navigation is provided for creating and/or modifying the profiles (24), which offers the user several input possibilities for the parameter values one after the other.
13

11. Balance as per claim 10, characterized by the fact that an offered input possibility depends upon a parameter value entered earlier.
12. Balance as per one of the claims 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that after entering a parameter value, one or more other parameter values, which can be derived from the entered parameter values according to specified rules, are set automatically.
Dated this 18th day of June 2008.

HIRAI CHANDRAKANT JOSHI
AGENT FOR
SARTORIUS AG

ELECTRONIC BALANCE WITH AN INTEGRATED COMPUTER

Documents:

Inventors:

PCT Conventions: