Method and apparatus for interfacing an electronic scale system with a storage medium

An interface apparatus and method are described with which an electronic scale system is connected to a storage medium such as a disk or memory of a data processor and whereby scale transaction data related to the mailing of an article with an electronic scale can be automatically preserved as a unified record along with subsequently appended test information such as an invoice number or customer number. The interface has a programmable memory with which a normal operating mode is provided to enable an operator to conveniently and rapidly store scale transaction data and in response to displayed prompts enter data such as the number of an invoice accompanying the article being mailed. The test data is appended to the scale transaction data so that all of this data can be transmitted as a unified record to a storage medium. The interface is further provided with a supervisory mode with which special examination and service operations can be performed as these are needed for monitoring or corrective steps in case of errors. The interface displays plain language prompts to guide an operator through a normal RUN mode as well as facilitate supervisory and service technician monitoring and control. With an interface of the invention the unified record enables a rapid update of a customer account and shipping information.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a postage system generally and more specifically 
to a method and apparatus for communicating transaction data obtained from 
an electronic mail weighing and postage metering system with related 
account or customer data to a storage medium such as a data processor or 
diskette or the like. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Electronic scale systems have been developed in which an article such as a 
parcel or letter is weighed and the correct postage computed in the light 
of the zip or zone destination, class, weight and other postage 
determining factors. In the case of the mailing of parcels, parcel 
identification numbers are employed and a shipping record is kept of the 
parcel with respect to that number to trace the parcel if it appears lost 
or fails to arrive at its intended destination. 
In the mailing of parcels in response to customer orders, it is 
particularly desirable to link the final act of mailing with the customer 
such as its order, an invoice directed to the customer or similar customer 
related data and preserve postage and customer related information for 
purposes of billing or verification or other account keeping purposes as 
may appear desirable. One could, of course, keep a written record of the 
postage information, but this tends to be laborious, particularly when the 
information often needs to be entered subsequently with related customer 
or other record keeping activities in a data processor. 
Techniques are known and have, therefore, been proposed to automatically 
interface with an electronic scale system so that scale transaction data 
can be preserved within the memory of a data processor. In one such known 
proposed system the electronic scale system is connectable through an 
interface equipment to a computer. The interface equipment has a 
microprocessor with a central processor unit, a programmable read only 
memory (PROM), a random access memory (RAM), a data bus and a peripheral 
input/output capability. The normally available scale transaction may then 
be entered into the computer. The known proposed interface equipment is 
adapted to communicate with a separate display/printer terminal or a 
computer to provide an immediate record of the postage transaction for the 
operator and has the ability to establish data communication through a 
standard format with a remotely located computer to store scale 
transaction data. 
In another known proposed technique for processing scale transaction data 
from an electronic scale, the data is recorded on a floppy disc via an 
interface device. As part of such technique, it has been proposed to have 
a computer poll the interface to extract the recorded scale transaction 
data. In addition, it has been proposed to employ a special shipping label 
printer so that labels can be read by an electronic wand. The wand would 
then automatically read the order number and zip code from the label for 
automatic input to the interface without manual keyboard entry. 
Still another known device proposes a postage accounting system with which 
scale transaction data from an electronic scale is stored by customer 
account number and accumulated in an interface. The interface can print 
out account numbers, total postal charges per account, and with the 
addition of special devices provide keyboard entry to add or subtract 
amounts from accounts as well as enable the transmission of data to a 
computer. 
Although these known techniques for assembling and processing of scale 
transaction and keyboard data are useful in the processing and mailing of 
parcels, the normal mail room environment often requires more versatile 
and adaptable electronic scale information processing equipment to improve 
the processing of parcels and enable electronic verification of the 
shipment of goods to a customer when this is requested. In addition, for 
high speed processing and mailing, the personnel involved in the weighing 
of parcels, postage metering and record keeping must be aided with precise 
but simple and clear instructions from electronic support systems. If 
difficulties arise such as from erroneous scale transaction data, or 
improper customer data, corrections must be easily implemented. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In an article processing system in accordance with the invention, an 
interface is provided to accept scale transaction data and merge this with 
other related data such as from a keyboard or wand or other input devices 
to provide a unified record of the information generated during mailing of 
the article and related to a customer or client or such other account as 
may be kept. This data is automatically stored on a storage medium which 
may be the memory in a data processor or a separate memory such as a 
diskette. 
In accordance with one form for an interface in accordance with the 
invention, the interface includes a programmable memory, a data memory, a 
central processor, and an alphanumeric display keyboard. The interface has 
signal ports enabling the interface to accept scale transaction data from 
an electronic scale as well as the keyboard and transmit a unified record 
to a remote storage medium. The interface is programmed to accept a 
predetermined maximum number of scale transactions so that, in case of 
data or power loss, little information is irretrievably lost. For example, 
as described for a preferred embodiment for an interface, data from a 
single scale transaction is processed at any one time by storing it in the 
interface and then disabling the scale port through which the data was 
entered until the stored data is successfully transferred to a storage 
medium. 
With a scale to storage medium interface in accordance with the invention, 
an operator is guided through a normal running mode with appropriate 
displayed prompts on the interface display. For example, following receipt 
of scale transaction data in the interface an alphanumeric display 
automatically presents a prompt representative of a request for text 
information to be appended to the scale transaction data. The requested 
text information data may be, for example, a customer, client or account 
identification or invoice number. If such text information is required, 
the operator responds with an appropriate actuation of the keyboard and 
this is accumulated by the interface to be subsequently transmitted 
together with scale transaction data as a unified record to a storage 
medium. 
As described herein, an interface is provided which may function at several 
modes representative of different levels of complexity. In a normal run 
mode, the operator is provided with plain, easily understood display 
instructions. When a difficulty is encountered, such as an error, a 
supervisor mode is entered by activating a special function key on the 
keyboard. This higher level supervisory mode permits a selection of 
various complex procedures by which appropriate corrective steps can be 
taken. For example, in case of an error in the transfer of scale 
transaction and text data to the remote storage medium, the supervisor 
mode permits a manual extraction of the data by causing the data to be 
sequentially displayed under control of the keyboard. Until such 
supervisory mode causes a return by the interface to its normal operation, 
new scale transaction data is prevented from entering the interface. 
A more complex level of operation is provided with a diagnostic service 
mode. This is entered through the supervisory mode and requires a more 
highly trained technician to check the interface operations. Such 
diagnostic service mode provides display plain language prompts which tell 
the servicing technician the status of certain selectable parameters such 
as the band rate set for transmission to the remote storage medium, the 
status of certain routines and parts available as optional features and 
such other prompts as will facilitate conveying a clear overview of the 
interface to the service technician. 
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved method 
and apparatus for processing scale transaction data and text data related 
to a customer or account for use in the mailing of an article to produce a 
retrievable unified record related to the article and customer or account 
and provide shipping information. It is a further object of the invention 
to provide a method and apparatus with which, in the mailing of articles 
such as parcels, a prompt, convenient and efficiently generated unified 
record of the mailing and related account data can be formed by the mail 
operator while facilitating troubleshooting by a supervisor when 
difficulties arise. 
These and other objects and advantages of the invention can be understood 
from the following description of one form of the invention in conjunction 
with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
With reference to FIG. 1, an interface equipment 10 is shown coupled to an 
electronic scale and postage printing system 12 and a remote storage 
medium 14 such as a disk storage device. The storage medium 14, may be at 
a remote location or be a memory of a remotely located data processor. 
Both the storage of data on diskettes or in a memory of a remote data 
processor involve well known techniques. The scale and printer functions 
in system 12 may be provided by different devices, but for purposes of 
clarity are shown together. Both functions and devices are well known. 
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the interface 10 includes a microprocessor such 
as the Rockwell AIM-65 microcomputer board 18, carrying a programmable 
memory (PROM), a random access memory (RAM), an alphanumeric display 20 
and alphanumeric keyboard 22. The keyboard 22 as shown in FIG. 1 is 
provided with special function keys 24.1-24.7. The location of the keys 
are shown grouped together for clarity, though different locations on 
keyboard 22 may be used. The display 20 and keyboard 22 are addressed 
through appropriate signal inputs and ports as are well known in the art. 
In addition, interface 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3 includes devices on 
circuit boards 26 as are well known in the art for providing data 
communication through a port with an electronic scale and postage printing 
system such as 12 (see FIG. 1) along a plurality of parallel lines or 
along several serial data communication (RS232) channels which communicate 
with remote devices employing a known protocol and signal format. These 
channels are used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 to communicate through a 
storage medium port with remote storage medium 14. Cover 28 and a base 30 
connect to retain the various electrical devices in interface 10. 
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A, an article 32 which may be a parcel 
supplied from a conveyor belt (not shown) is placed on scale 12. This 
generates in a known manner scale transaction data such as weight, postage 
charges, parcel identification number, zip, zone and date. The scale 
transaction data may be produced in part through a numerical keyboard 34 
associated with the scale system 12 or from internal devices in system 12 
such as a zip to zone converter or date reader and the like, all of which 
are known devices. 
When the interface 10 is in the normal operating RUN mode, the first prompt 
on display 20 is an instruction such as "PROCESS CEL" at 27 in FIG. 1A 
and means the weighing and postage metering with scale system 12 of an 
article 32 and automatic entry of scale transaction data into interface 
10. This is automatically followed by an instruction at 29 with a display 
prompt such as "ENTER TEXT" or "ENTER INVOICE" or such other visually 
readable instruction which clearly depicts what type of information the 
operator must enter through the interface keyboard 22 to be appended to 
the previously entered scale transaction data. The interface 10 then 
automatically transfers all of the data related to the previously entered 
scale transaction data to a remote storage medium and while doing so, at 
31, displays a prompt such as "SENDING DATA" or "SAVING DATA". The 
interface then automatically returns to the start of the operational RUN 
mode by displaying the prompt instruction "PROCESS CEL" at 27. 
As shown in further detail in FIG. 4, the interface 10 is placed in a 
normal operating RUN mode by actuating at step 33 in FIG. 4 the RUN key 
24.4 on keyboard 22. This enables interface 10 at 35 to cause a display of 
a prompt for the operator such as "PROCESS CEL" at 37 and thereupon 
activate the line or lines from scale system 12. When the operator, at 36, 
depresses the print key 38 of scale system 12 (see FIG. 1), data can pass 
through a scale port 40 into data memory storage at 42 of interface 10 
while a postage tape is promptly generated at 44 in system 12 for 
attachment to parcel-article 32 (see FIG. 1) at 46. 
Subsequent to storage of scale transaction data in the memory of interface 
10, the latter is locked out at 48 (see FIG. 4) from receiving further 
data by deactivating the scale port 40 and a new prompt is automatically 
presented on display 20. As illustrated at 41, this may be the prompt 
"ENTER INVOICE" in response to which additional transaction related text 
information is to be entered through the keyboard 22. 
The appendage of keyboard generated data to electronic scale transaction 
data conveniently permits a proper tagging of the latter data and upon 
storage in a signal processor memory maintain accounts current, permits 
prompt billing of customers and enables confirmation of the mailing of an 
article. 
Accordingly, interface 10, in addition to its acceptance of scale 
transaction data in response to an instruction at the scale system 12, 
automatically generates at 50 a display instruction by which the prompt 
"ENTER INVOICE" is displayed at 41. The operator responds at 52 with a 
keyboard actuation, which is automatically displayed at 54 through a 
keyboard scan function at 55. For example, the invoice number A10234 is 
shown displayed at 54. 
If the displayed invoice number is correct, the operator causes its storage 
at 56 by actuating a function keyboard key 24.3 (RETURN) at 58. Following 
the storage of this additional text data, it is concatenated with 
previously stored scale transaction data at 60 and transferred to a remote 
storage medium such as 14 at 62 using an appropriate well known 
communication protocol at 64. A verification of the transferred data is 
made at 66. During transfer of data to medium 14 a BUSY prompt is 
displayed at 57. 
A check for error in the various interface operations is made at 68 and if 
no error was made, the interface is automatically returned to the 
operation step at 35. 
In case of an error, the display 20 is activated at 69 and the prompt ERROR 
displayed. A supervisor may then make a more complex investigation of the 
reasons for the error by depressing a (MENU) function keyboard key 24.5 at 
70. This results in a display of various interface functions and 
operations at 72 as will be further explained. 
FIG. 5 illustrates an executive routine 90 for operating interface 10. The 
steps outlined in the routine 90 may be fixed into memory in the form of 
firm ware or variable as may be done with programmable microprocessors. 
At step 92, such as at turn-on, a reset is carried out and followed by an 
initialization routine at 94 to establish values for various logic steps 
and display information such as prompts to enable normal operation. At 
step 96 a test is made for whether there is an error stored during one of 
the processing steps. Recognition of an error is made by storing along 
with the error an indication of the subroutine during which such error was 
made. Hence, the error test 96, if an error is found to be present, 
enables one to determine where the error occurred, such as in the 
interface 10, scale system 12, or disk storage medium 14. Also, the type 
of error, such as failure, not ready, communication problem, no response 
or invalid response is determined and stored. Visual and supervisory 
examination of these errors can be obtained by actuating the MENU key 24.8 
at 98. 
In the absence of an error, a test is made at 100 whether the output data 
such as scale transaction and text data is available from a previous 
electronic scale operation for transmission to a storage medium. If so, 
the data is transferred at 102 and the transfer verified at 104. In case 
of an incorrect transfer, the supervisor can trouble-shoot by actuating 
the MENU key 24.5 at 106. 
The transfer of data is done by transmitting output data to a diskette in 
storage medium 14 with appropriate protocols and format as are currently 
known in the art. The techniques for verification of such data transfer 
also are known. 
If the transfer of data was not successful as determined by the test at 
step 104, the output data may be manually extracted at step 106 by a 
supervisor with the aid of display 30 and a particular DISPLAY DATA 
function routine called up with the MENU key. 
Once the data has either been transmitted to a storage medium or has been 
manually extracted, the executive routine 90 is prepared to accept new 
scale transaction data by enabling the scale port 40 at 108 and then 
entering a scale scanning routine 110. A first step 112 determines whether 
scale transaction data is available. A positive answer results in 
processing the data at step 114. However, if no scale data is available, 
control is returned to step 112 after scanning the keyboard at 116 for 
actuation of a function key 24. 
When the test 112 is positive and scale data has entered interface 10, an 
error check of the scale data is carried out at 118 and if an error is 
found, the scale transaction data may be manually entered at 120 into 
interface 10 through keyboard 22 by actuating the supervisor mode with 
MENU key 24.8. The control is then returned to the start of the program at 
96. 
If scale transaction data has been stored, without error, in interface 10, 
an inquiry is made at 122 whether text data is needed. This test normally 
is positive so that text data can be entered from the keyboard and 
appended. However, if so desired, the test 120 can be set by the 
supervisor so as to bypass the entry of text data. 
Normally text data is desired and a text data routine 124 is employed with 
the aid of keyboard 22, to enter appropriate information. Keyboard entries 
are displayed as they are entered. If the entered text data is in error as 
determined at step 126, return is made to step 124 with the display of a 
prompt such as ENTER TEXT or ENTER INVOICE. 
With correct text data in memory in interface 10, the data is appended to 
scale transaction data at step 130 in a manner to form a concatenated 
string of data for transmission to a remote storage medium using the 
output routine commencing at step 96. 
The executive routine 90 processes a single scale transaction at any one 
time thus preventing a loss of data from several transactions. If desired, 
a different number of scale transactions can be processed, though a single 
one is preferred. 
FIG. 6 illustrates the scale routine 110 in greater detail. An electronic 
scale system 14 as shown in FIG. 1 produces an enabling signal for example 
when print key 32 (see FIG. 1) is actuated as an indication that scale 
transaction data is available. At 140 the display 30 provides an 
indication that an article is being processed, such as "PROCESS CEL". 
At 142 the scale port 40 is enabled to allow scale transaction data to be 
stored in interface 10. 
After displaying "PROCESS CEL", the scale routine 110 alternately checks 
in a scan routine 144 whether the scale port has scale transaction data 
and if not, whether the special function MENU key 24.5 was actuated. Thus, 
if the test at 112 indicates that no scale transaction data is available, 
a test is made at 146 whether the MENU key 24.5 (see FIG. 2) has been 
actuated in keyboard 22. If not, a return is made to test 112 to continue 
the scanning cycle. 
When the MENU key 24.5 is actuated, the scale port 40 is disabled at 150 
and a return is made at 152 to the executive routine 90 in FIG. 3 and a 
supervisory mode at 153 is entered. 
When scale data has been found available by test 112, the scale port 40 is 
disabled at 160 by generating an appropriate busy signal (not shown) to 
the electronic scale system 12. The scale transaction data is processed in 
routine 114 in which the data is stored in memory at 162 and transferred 
at 164 to a desired format. This transformation is selected such that 
scale transaction data can be transmitted and stored in a remote storage 
medium such as diskette 14 or data processor 22 using standardized well 
known character codes. At 166 the transformed scale transaction data is 
checked for errors. A return is then made to the executive routine 90 in 
FIG. 3 at 122 for the entry of text data. 
FIGS. 7A and 7B show details of a subroutine 124 to enter text data such as 
an invoice number from the keyboard 22. The test 122 is first made whether 
this routine should be bypassed depending upon an initial input value. If 
the test is negative, control is passed to an advanced step in the routine 
as shown by line 176 after setting of appropriate zero text values at 178. 
When text data is desired, a display prompt is presented in plane language 
at 180 such as "ENTER INVOICE NUMBER". The keyboard 22 is actuated at 182. 
The keyboard actuation at 182 in FIG. 7A may represent an escape command, 
such as the actuation of the MENU function key 24.5 (see FIG. 2). This 
results in termination of the text routine 124 at 184 and a return to the 
MENU supervisory mode at 185. 
When, in response to a request for text data, an affirmative keyboard entry 
is made at 182 by activating the RETURN function key 24.3 (see FIG. 2), a 
display of the previously entered text or invoice is made at 186 and a 
test is made at 188 whether the previous text or invoice number is to be 
appended to scale transaction data. Such repeat is likely to arise when 
several parcels are to be shipped to the same customer or must be charged 
to the same account. In such case the keyboard is affirmatively actuated 
with the RETURN function key 24.3 and further steps in routine 124 are 
executed starting at line 190 in FIGS. 7A and 7B. 
When new text data is to be entered, the keyboard is actuated at 192 by 
depressing the appropriate keys in keyboard 22. The keyboard entries are 
displayed and if an error is made the operator can delete the last 
displayed character by depressing DEL or delete function key 24.6 (see 
FIG. 2). If the entire line needs to be deleted, the operator depresses 
both the CNTL function key 24.7 and the X letter key at the same time. 
Once the full text or invoice data is displayed, it is entered into memory 
by depressing the RETURN function key 24.3 (see FIG. 2). 
The keyboard entry made at step 192 in FIG. 7A is checked at 194 for errors 
by employing a character check routine employing a conventional character 
algorithm check. If improper, such as too many characters, a return is 
made at A in routine 124 to repeat the text entry mode. After entry of 
valid text data, control is advanced to 196 in FIG. 7B where text data is 
padded out with appropriate nulls to a fixed character length in data 
memory. 
At step 198 a test is made whether an extension of text data is required. 
Such extension may be found useful to add additional customer related 
information such as account number, address or the like. The extension 
text data is of similar length as the first text data. If extension data 
is required, an entry routine 200 which is similar to the previously 
described text routine is employed to form an extension character string. 
In the event no extension text data is needed, a return is made at 202 
with the portion in data memory allocated for the extension data being 
padded out with predetermined characters such as all zeroes. 
A particular advantage of interface 10 is its inclusion of a monitoring 
routine by which prompt corrective measures can be taken if trouble or 
errors occur and supervisory modes can be conveniently implemented. FIG. 8 
shows the various supervisory routines which can be called up by 
depressing the MENU function key 24.5 in FIG. 2. The monitoring routine 
210 is FIG. 8 is formed of distinct subroutines whose availabilities are 
first offered with display prompts in the form of questions and 
implemented or rejected depending upon whether the YES or NO function keys 
24.1, 24.2 are then depressed. Hence, actuation of the YES function key 
24.1 invokes the MENU display function, and the NO function key 24.2 
causes a display of the next item or routine on the MENU monitor mode. 
Actuation of the MENU function key 24.5 causes a return to the top of the 
MENU mode, while actuation of the RUN function key 24.4 causes a return to 
the normal operating mode at the place where it was originally interrupted 
to commence the menu monitor mode. 
Thus, commencing at 212.1, the first prompt displayed is "CONVERT DISKS", 
which represents a subroutine employed to transform data stored on a disk 
in disk storage medium 14 to a different format. A keyboard scan routine 
214.1 is thereupon entered to determine whether and which function key 24 
is activated. At 216.1 a test is made whether the RUN function key 24.4 or 
MENU function key 24.5 was depressed. In case of the former key, the MENU 
monitoring routine is aborted and control returned to the executive 
routine portion used to scan the scale system 12. 
With a MENU function key actuation, a test is made at 218.1 whether the 
"CONVERT DISKS" routine is to be entered depending upon whether the YES or 
NO function keys 24 were depressed. A positive answer causes a storage of 
a flag or indication at 220.1 as to where in the monitor routine 210 a 
return is to be made after the CONVERT DISKS subroutine 222.1 has been 
executed. 
For purposes of the invention the particulars of the CONVERT DISKS routine 
222.1 need not be disclosed. Suffice it to explain that the conversion of 
data on a disk provides a desired compatibility of the data format with a 
particular disk storage and playback device. Upon completion of this 
subroutine, a return is made to the next step 212.2 in the monitor routine 
210. 
Also, when the test 218.1 yields a negative output via actuation of the NO 
function key 24.2, the subroutine 222.1 is bypassed and the monitor 
program automatically advances to display the next prompt BUILD DISKS at 
212.2 which serves to inquire whether the supervisor wishes to execute 
this subroutine. This routine serves to process data on a disk in a 
predetermined manner to erase and format disk data. The details of this 
routine need not be further disclosed. 
The subsequent steps and tests in the monitoring program follow a similar 
pattern and for that reason have been given like numbers, but with 
different decimal notations. Hence, a supervisor may rapidly scan through 
the array of subroutines 222.1-7 by depressing the NO function key 24.2 
and actuating the YES function key 24.1 when the desired monitoring 
subroutine 222 is reached for execution. Note that an escape from the 
monitoring routine 210 can be made at any time by depressing the RUN 
function key 24.4. 
The program subroutine 222.3 is employed to enable a supervisor to examine 
and/or change the date, or prompts employed to request text data during 
the normal RUN mode operation of interface 10. Thus, with reference to 
FIG. 9 the subroutine 222.3 is shown commencing with a subroutine with 
which the date stored in data memory can be updated from the keyboard 22. 
At 236 the display 20 shows the prompt "ENTER DATE MMDDYY". Various 
keyboard responses may then be executed at 238. Actuation of the RETURN 
function key 24. causes an escape and exit with test 240.1. Depressing the 
MENU key causes a return to the top of the MENU monitor made at step 212.1 
in FIG. 8A. When the keyboard is actuated at 238 to enter data characters 
followed by actuation of the RETURN function key 24.3, the test 242.1 
causes an advance along line 244 to examine the validity of the new date 
at 246 and its storage at 248, if valid. An erroneous date entry causes a 
return to the start of the routine at 236. 
When the keyboard at 238 is actuated only with the RETURN function key 
24.3, the test 242 is positive and at 250 the currently stored date is 
displayed. At this time, if the operator wishes to change the displayed 
date, the keyboard is actuated at 252 followed by actuation of the RETURN 
function key 24.3, whereby the new date is stored at 248. 
Alterations of prompts such as ENTER INVOICE or EXTENSION TEXT are made in 
a similar manner at 254. One may step through the various prompt 
alteration routines by solely actuating the RETURN function key 24.3 until 
the routine segment pertinent to the specific routine is encountered. 
When at times scale transaction and appended text data was not delivered to 
or stored in the remote storage medium or some other error with the 
transfer data has been detected the MENU supervisory routine 210, as shown 
in FIGS. 8A and 8B, permits manual copying of data with a subroutine 
invoked at 218.4. In this routine, all scale transactions and text data 
that were last entered are sequentially displayed under manual control of 
the keyboard RETURN function key 24.3. FIG. 10 shows the subroutine 222.4 
in further detail and commences at 260 with a string routine by which each 
segment of data received from the scale system 12 is sequentially 
displayed under control at 262 by the RETURN function key 24.3 on keyboard 
22 (see FIG. 2). A test is made at 264 whether an escape to normal RUN or 
MENU operation should be made or the next data segment displayed as 
requested by actuating the RETURN function key 24.3. 
The view subroutine 222.5 of FIG. 8B serves to enable a supervisor or 
service technician to display messages received by interface 10 from the 
remote storage medium 140. The routine 222.5 enables trouble-shooting and 
system setup. 
The service routine 222.6 includes various diagnostic tests for the 
interface 10. This routine permits testing of the output channel, memory 
and initial system setup with the scale system 12. 
In the terminal routine at 222.7 on FIG. 8B, the interface 10 is 
transformed into a display terminal with which the supervisor or service 
technician can directly control the disk storage medium 14 or communicate 
with the remote computer. 
Having thus described an interface in accordance with the invention for 
coupling an electronic scale system to a remotely located storage medium 
such as a diskette or the memory in a data processor, the advantages of 
the invention can be appreciated. The automatic features of the interface 
10 may be conveniently expanded by incorporating an optical label reader. 
This may be a wand-type reader capable of detecting optical codes used on 
a parcel and thus providing interface 10 with specific addressee 
information to enable confirmation of parcel shipment and proper 
addressing.