The fixed-mount scanner must be powered on to scan a box. If the scanner is not on, press the Enter key on the Contro-3 to power it up. The laser light should be visible. Position the box so that the barcode on the label is completely "sweeped" by the laser scanner. The scanner beeps and shuts off after a valid scan. The light bulb is turned on to indicate the barcode has been read. From the barcode the Contro-3 determines the following:

• Product grade code at position 13, 3 digits long.
• Weight in Lbs. at position 21, 6 digits long. It has leading zeroes and the decimal point is implied at 2 digits from the left.
• Box serial number at position 31, 8 characters long.
• Number of pieces at position 41, 3 characters long.
• Farm code at position 46, 2 digits long. Farm cage at position 48, 3 digits long.
• The Contro-3 checks to make sure both the grade code scanned and the farm code scanned are valid. If they cannot be matched to the Contro-3’s data table an error message is produced. Otherwise, the grade and farm appear on the Contro-3 display.

Now place the box on the scale. (Note that the box can be placed on the scale before scanning...it makes no difference). The weight from the scale is taken. The net weight is calculated by deducting the tare weight of the box. If the weight read from the barcode agrees with the calculated net weight to within a specified precision the box is validated. The Contro-3 display reads "Box # 1234 is Okay". If the weight falls outside the acceptable precision, the box is rejected and the light bulb is flashed 5 times.