Remote Bale Entry Utility

This utility was designed to attach a computer via serial connection to bale and/or seed scales in the gin to capture weights automatically.  The gin crew via the “enter bales” menu indicates the date, time and shift to be stamped on each bale ginned.  Once this data is entered an input screen allows for keyboard entry or scanning of a load number (module or trailer), bale number(s) and the capture of bale weights – seed then bale or bale only. (Seed weight calculated by factor)  The input screen tracks dynamically the estimated bales per hour, the absolute time between bale weights giving the ginner very useful information.  The computer can be networked on an office server, which affords on screen viewing in the gin of load data by opening gin system records.  This load data contains producer name, farm ID, field ID, remarks codes from load file and offers potential calculations of bales from load based on producers historical average turnout for the year.  The bale estimation process is dynamic when a load is first entered.  The total number of bales estimated with weights of bales is displayed.  As additional bales for the load are entered, the bale estimation process indicates remaining bales for load with weights for bales. This process is potentially beneficial in reducing or eliminating remnant bales.  Records generated in this utility are read directly into the Cotton Gin System if on line.  If not on line, a diskette is created at the computer in the gin and carried into the office to be read by the Cotton Gin System.