Patent ID: 7441436

Claim:
A method for automatically re-calibrating a weighing apparatus as needed, said weighing apparatus having a predetermined total weighing capacity and being electronically connected to a terminal having a display, a keyboard, a calibration management module, a calibration test module and a calibration module, said method comprising the steps of: using said calibration management module to monitor one or more various limits associated with said weighing apparatus; producing an event when said one or more limits has been exceeded; performing a calibration test using said calibration test module upon the occurrence of said event; as determined by said calibration test, producing a second event indicating that re-calibration of said weighing apparatus is necessary; employing said calibration module to re-calibrate said weighing apparatus using a step calibration method comprising the steps of: (a) placing a test mass having a known weight and a material having substantially the same weight as said test mass on said weighing apparatus, (b) calculating a total weight on said weighing apparatus with said terminal, (c) calibrating said weighing apparatus to said total weight with said terminal, (d) comparing said total weight to said predetermined total weighing capacity of said weighing apparatus with said terminal, and (e) removing said test mass from said weighing apparatus.