Abstract: A powerline data transmission system for smart shelves provides AC power and network data propagated over a single cable. In disclosed embodiments, a starter unit encodes an ethernet signal onto an alternating current power source with a driver unit decoding the ethernet signal from the power source to provide separate power and data at a location such as a shelving unit bay. The separated power and data signals are provided to a technology box which communicates power and data to sensors positioned on the shelves of the unit. A support structure for the smart shelf system provided mounting of the driver unit and technology box along the top of the shelving unit or in a lower tray of the unit.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques configured to compensate for noise in output of weight sensors which may determine the weight of an item. In one implementation, a mobile cart may be configured with a first weight sensor and a second weight sensor. A noise component and a signal component in the output of the first and second weight sensors are determined. The signal component may be processed to determine the weight of the item.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis machine has a machine housing and a drain pan for receiving one or more solution bags for storing consumed dialysate. The drain pan is connected to a weighing cell such that the weight of the drain pan can be detected by the weighing cell. A damping system prevents the occurrence of undue force introduction into the weighing cell. The damping system has a damper to which the drain pan is directly or indirectly fastened, and the damper is connected to the weighing cell such that the weight of the drain pan acting thereon is transmitted to the weighing cell.

Abstract: Shelves or other fixtures may be used to support items at a facility. Load cells at the fixtures may be used to acquire weight data indicative of changes to the fixture as items are added or removed from the fixture. Vibration of the fixtures may introduce noise into the weight data, resulting in inaccurate weight data. Described are techniques for utilizing a vibration sensor on the fixture to determine the presence of vibration. In one implementation, weight data obtained during vibration may be disregarded. In another implementation, data from the vibration sensor may be used to adaptively adjust values of the weight data. By utilizing the information from the vibration sensor, more accurate weight data is obtained. The weight data may then be used to determine a count of items at the fixture, determine a quantity of items picked or placed, and so forth.

Abstract: A method for compensating for wind effects on measured weights includes receiving initialization sensor values from a seed tender. An estimated discharge is generated based on the initialization sensor values. A weight sensor value from the seed tender is received after the initialization sensor values. The weight sensor value is compared to a threshold value corresponding to a value of the estimated discharge at a corresponding time. Based on the comparison, it is determined whether to transmit the weight sensor value or the threshold value to the seed tender controller.

Abstract: The invention is adapted to properly suppress noises of various frequency bands. An input unit (10) includes an acquiring element (11) for periodically acquiring signals from a load cell, so as to obtain time series signals; a plurality of frequency filters (121-123) for filtering the time series signals according to frequencies; and a transfer element (13) for transferring the signal filtered by at least one of the frequency filters (121-123) according to the frequency to a control device (90). The suppressed frequency bands of the frequency filters (121-123) are not repeated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a moving average filter, which is capable of optimizing the ability to cope with a surge noise through reasonable control of a tracking speed with respect to a change in an input value. The method includes: (a) a step of setting a stability reference value and a corresponding sampling interval; (b) a step of inputting measurement data; (c) a step of calculating a first moving average using the measurement data input in the step (b) by applying a basic sampling interval; and (d) a step of calculating a second moving average for the measurement data by applying the sampling interval corresponding to the stability reference value set in the step (a) if the first moving average is equal to or larger than the stability reference value.

Abstract: A device includes circuitry configured to detect one or more properties of an image signal based on outputs from one or more (analog-to-digital converter) ADC configurations of a transceiver, determine a VCO frequency corresponding to an ADC sampling frequency independently from a carrier frequency, and control the VCO frequency of at least one of a transmitter or receiver based on the one or more properties of the image signal.

Abstract: A digital filter for a digital weigher reduces a calculation time in an adapted filter while maintaining weighing accuracy, a digital weigher includes the filter for the weigher, and a wave filtering process method uses the digital filter for the digital weigher. A fixation section of a FIR filter removes an oscillating component in a predetermined frequency range, from a digital weighing signal. A determination device determines whether an amplitude of an oscillating component contained in a digital weighing signal derived by performing a wave filtering process falls within a predetermined damping range. A control device changes a frequency range of an oscillating component to be removed by an adaptive section of the filter based on a result of the determination. The adaptive section of the filter performs the wave filtering process with respect to the oscillating component in the frequency range changed by the control device.

Abstract: A coal dropping impact energy buffer monitoring device and method for a coal mine belt conveying system. The device comprises a buffer belt roller group, a buffer bracket, buffer springs, impact energy collecting dampers, a signal converting and sending device, and an installation bottom board, the buffer belt roller group being fixed to the buffer bracket, the upper ends and the lower ends of the buffer springs and the impact energy collecting dampers being respectively connected to the buffer bracket and the installation bottom board, and the impact energy collecting dampers being connected to the signal converting and sending device fixed to the installation bottom board through guide lines.

Abstract: A digital filter for a digital weigher reduces a calculation time in an adapted filter while maintaining weighing accuracy, a digital weigher includes the filter for the weigher, and a wave filtering process method uses the digital filter for the digital weigher. A fixation section of a FIR filter removes an oscillating component in a predetermined frequency range, from a digital weighing signal. A determination device determines whether an amplitude of an oscillating component contained in a digital weighing signal derived by performing a wave filtering process falls within a predetermined damping range. A control device changes a frequency range of an oscillating component to be removed by an adaptive section of the filter based on a result of the determination. The adaptive section of the filter performs the wave filtering process with respect to the oscillating component in the frequency range changed by the control device.

Abstract: A power supply converter unit is disclosed, in particular for an electrostatic precipitator, converting the frequency of alternating input supply (1) to high frequency alternating output (Ua, Ub) by rectifying the alternating input supply (1) in a rectifier (12) to a direct current (Udc), which is converted to alternating-current in a full bridge inverter (13) in a H-bridge circuit with switches (48) controlled by a control unit (23). According to the invention on the input side of the rectifier (12) and/or in the direct current (Udc) section there is provided at least one overvoltage protection circuitry (34, 35, 37-39, 45). Furthermore the invention discloses a method of operation of such a power supply converter unit as well as uses of such a power supply converter unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a line filter and a power supply apparatus including the line filter. The line filter includes a first inductor having a first coil wound around a first bobbin; and a second inductor having a second coil wound around a second bobbin, the second inductor being induced by the first inductor to flow current, wherein the first bobbin and the second bobbin are physically separated from each other. The power supply apparatus includes such a line filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting nominally identical articles employs weighing apparatus, which comprises a load hod (102) for holding a number of articles to be weighed and a load transducer (20) responsive to loading of the hod (102) to produce a derived electrical signal indicative of the apparent weight of articles in the hod (102). The signal is susceptible to fluctuation as a result of local air currents acting on the hod (102) or on the articles contained therein. The transducer derived signal is filtered to extract a component signal representative of such fluctuation. After further processing, the filtered component signal is used to correct the original transducer signal thereby to indicate the true weight of articles in the hod (102). The number of articles in the hod (102) is then determined by dividing the true weight indication by an expected average weight of an article.

Abstract: A method, and a device that is operable according to the method, for monitoring the condition of a force-measuring device, particularly a weighing device having a movable force-transmitting portion through which a force that is acting on the force-measuring device is transmitted to a measurement transducer that generates a measurement signal corresponding to the applied force, whereupon the signal is brought into the form of a display indication or passed along for further processing. In the method and device of the invention, at least one parameter is determined, which parameter characterizes the free mobility of the force-transmitting portion, or a change in the free mobility of the force-transmitting portion over time. The parameter is then compared to at least one threshold value, and based on the result of the comparison an action of the force-measuring device may be triggered.

Abstract: A scale includes a stationary bracket, a movable bracket, a linear displacement sensor and a plurality of the resilient mechanisms. The movable bracket is disposed opposite to the stationary bracket. The linear displacement sensor is disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. The resilient mechanisms are disposed between the stationary bracket and the movable bracket. Each resilient mechanism includes a limiting shaft, a sleeve movably sleeved on the limiting shaft and a resilient member received in the sleeve. The limiting shaft is fixed to one of the stationary bracket or the movable bracket, and the sleeve is fixed to the other. The resilient member is elastically deformed by resisting a free end of the limiting shaft. The linear displacement sensor registers a displacement of the movable bracket.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for dynamically checking the weight of objects (18a-c) which are guided across a weight-sensitive zone (14) of a weighing device (12) at an adjustable conveying rate by a conveying mechanism (20a-c). At regular intervals, the weight-sensitive zone (14) supplies individual measured weight values (E1, . . . , En) from which resultant weight values are derived in a digital evaluation unit (16) by averaging. The evaluation unit (16) includes a plurality of cascaded averaging filters (24a-e) which have different filter lengths that are varied by a common scaling factor depending on the conveying rate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for dynamically check weighing objects (18a-c) that are guided across a weight-sensitive zone (14) of a weighing device (12) by a conveying mechanism (20a-c). At regular intervals, the weight-sensitive zone (14) supplies individual measured weight values (E1, . . . , En) from which resulting weight values are derived in a digital evaluation unit (16) by calculating mean values. The evaluation unit (16) includes a plurality of cascading mean value filters (24a-e) that have different filter lengths which are varied by a common scaling value in accordance with a spatial dimension of the objects (18a-c).

Abstract: An electronic scale having a measuring sensor (1 . . . 16), a digital signal processing unit (18), a digital display (19), a bubble level (20), which includes a container (21) that is partially filled with a liquid (22) while forming a gas bubble (23), and circuit component or program routine in the digital signal processing unit (18) for detecting a displacement of the gas bubble (23). An additional circuit component or program routine detects the diameter of the gas bubble (23). The diameter of the gas bubble changes due to vertical vibrations of the scale. The signal from the measuring sensor (1 . . . 16) falsified by vibrations can thus be corrected by the digital signal processing unit (18) by calculation, making use of the diameter signal.

Abstract: A weighing device with several weighing cells which are rigidly interconnected, and which have a load sensor with a predetermined load insertion direction, with at least one acceleration sensor and with at least one evaluating unit to which the weight signals generated by the weighing cells and the disturbance signals generated by the acceleration sensors can be transmitted. The evaluating unit uses a predetermined rule for each weighing cell to determine a correcting quantity from the disturbance signal of the acceleration sensor(s) as a function of the weighing cell geometric location relative to the geometric location of the acceleration sensor(s), and in that the weight signal, which is affected by the acceleration disturbance(s), of the relevant weighing cell is combined, with the correcting quantity in such a way that the influence of the acceleration disturbance(s) on the weight signal is substantially compensated.

Abstract: A method serves to process output signal of a measuring transducer in a force-measuring device, in particular in a balance, wherein the measuring transducer produces a measuring signal representative of a load acting on the device and the measuring signal is filtered in a variable analog filter and/or, after processing in an analog/digital converter, the measuring signal is filtered in a variable digital filter, in order to remove unwanted signal components that are caused by disturbances affecting the force-measuring device, in particular by changes in the weighing load.

Abstract: A weighing device for a combination scale includes a force-sensing unit for converting a weight acting on a load sensor of the force-sensing unit into an analog electrical signal and an analog/digital converter to which the analog electrical signal is fed and which converts the analog electrical signal into a digital electrical signal. the weighing device further includes a controller for controlling the analog/digital converter and for additional digital processing of the digital values of the digital electrical signal fed to it.

Abstract: A passenger detecting device includes a plurality of weight sensors, a weight-fluctuation monitoring means and a passenger judging and data updating means. The weight sensors are arranged at different positions of a seat for respectively detecting weights acting on the seat of a motor vehicle. The weight-fluctuation monitoring means monitors weight-fluctuation amounts of the plurality of the weight sensors and sum-weight fluctuation amount. The passenger judging and data updating means judges a passenger on the seat to be a large physical-size person or a small physical-size person to update information on the passenger on the seat when the sum-weight fluctuation amount is not less than each of the weight fluctuation amounts, and prevents the information to be updated when at least one of the weight fluctuation amounts is larger than the sum-weight fluctuation amount.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring and dispensing material in a container is disclosed. The system may comprise a container, a feeder, a frame, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The container is configured to contain the material. The feeder receives and conveys material from the container. The frame is pivotal about a pivot and supports at least the container. The first sensor produces a signal representative of at least a weight of a portion of the material in the container. The second sensor produces a signal representative of the weight being applied to the pivot or fulcrum, which may be a portion of the weight within the container. A device sums the weights detected by the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A weight scale including: a measuring electronic circuit including a filter; a load cell attachable to a support housing and generating a load signal processed by the filter of the electronic circuit; a spring coupled to the load cell to apply a force to the load cell, wherein the load signal is indicative of the force, and a scale beam connected to the spring and to the support housing, wherein a weight to be measured is attached to the scale beam and the force applied by the spring is indicative of the weight, and wherein natural frequencies of the weight and spring is higher than a cut-off frequency of the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital measurement apparatus including data capture means operable to continuously capture digital data about a target measurement item, validity determination means operable to compare the captured data with a reference value so as to determine whether all of the captured data are valid, and measurement-value calculation means operable, when all of the captured data are determined to be valid, to calculate a measurement value in accordance with the valid data, which is characterized by further comprising reference-value change means operable to change the reference value. The digital measurement apparatus of the present invention makes it possible to perform a speedy measurement.

Abstract: A peak weight detecting system and method which analyzes signals generated by a load cell indicating a load within a container. The signal indicates a weight which is compared with a stored peak weight. If the new weight exceeds the stored weight, the new weight is verified by comparison to a weight indicated by a second signal from the load cell. If the weights indicated by the first and second signals are within a specified percentage of each other, the weight indicated by the first signal may displace the stored peak weight and may be stored as a new peak weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to control scales whereon the weight of products (14) is determined in a dynamic manner during the transport thereof on a weighing strip (4) by means of filtering weight values detected during said transportation. According to the invention, said scales comprise an optimisation device which automatically determines the optimum length of filtering.

Abstract: A method (60) for adjusting a sensed load W(s) of a vehicle seat weight sensing system (10) includes the step (64) of determining a rate of change {dot over (W)}(t),{dot over (W)}avg in the sensed load. The method (60) also includes the step (66) of determining the likelihood of drift in the sensed load W(s) in response to the determined rate of change {dot over (W)}(t),{dot over (W)}avg.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for weighing items and in particular to a method of filtering signals representing the weight of an item. The invention is applicable in all measuring instruments which indicate an average value calculated from a signal which also has unwanted components of one or more unknown frequencies. This is, for example, the case in volumeters, ampere meters and weighing-scales. Normally, the indicated result is the average value of the signal measured for a much longer time than the expected period of the slowest frequency component. This method is well known and reliable, but has the drawback of being very slow in situations where measuring speed is of importance.

Abstract: The weight detecting apparatus includes a weight detecting load cell having a fixed end fixed to a fixed base arranged on a floor and a free end bearing a weight of an object, a first vibration detecting load cell arranged on the fixed end side of the weight detecting load cell for detecting a vibration component on the fixed end side, i.e., a floor vibration component, and a second vibration detecting load cell arranged on the free end side of the weight detecting load cell for detecting a motor vibration component on the free end side, i.e., the motor vibration component. The weight detecting apparatus precisely detects the weight of the object by removing the vibration component from the detection signal of the weight detecting load cell based on the detection signals of the respective load cells.

Abstract: The static or dynamic weighing apparatus for weighing an object or item, comprising a weighing assembly that includes a base with four (4) load cells attached to it, two (2) active load cells and two (2) passive load cells. Each active load cell has a mounting side and a weighing side. They are mounted to the base and to each other via a rigid weighing platform and are rotated 180° with respect to each other in the horizontal plane, thereby generating respective inverse error signals when an object or item is placed on or passes over the weighing platform. The two (2) passive load cells are mounted in the same manner. A combination of the voltage outputs from each of the respective two (2) load cells pairs negates all horizontally and vertically induced errors thus yielding a highly accurate two (2) times normal weight signal of the object or item being weighed.

Abstract: A scale including an event data discrimination and collection system for continuously monitoring a weight of an infant placed on the scale platen, which may be configured as a bed. Load cells are used to continuously monitor infant weight from time placed on the scale platen, so that sudden apparent weight spikes sensed by the load cells but attributable to events involved in patient care may be discarded as artifact, while gradual weight changes reflective of infant physiology are accumulated by the scale controller and used to provide a current weight for the infant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising an electronic sensor (6) designed to deliver a compression signal and a shearing signal, and a comparator for comparing the shearing signal to a threshold value, so as to validate, or invalidate, the compression signal. The invention is useful for weighing aircraft.

Abstract: A dynamic scale has a conveyor, a weighing pan, a weighing cell, sensors and an electronic control unit that, in addition to controlling the conveyor means (4), implements an evaluation of a number measured weight values that are obtained from the weighing cell and performs a measured value correction on the basis of specific parameters, and supplies a corrected weight value to a postage meter machine via an interface. A method for a control of the conveyor, evaluation of the measured values from the weighing cell, and formulation of a valid output weight value includes an overload check that is made by comparing a measured weight value lying in the middle of the number of measured values to at least one overload limit value, and formation of a decision parameter from the measured values, in a validity check, for comparison to at least one shutoff criterion. If the validity check determines that the measured values from the weighing cell are valid, they are used to form the output weight value.

Abstract: Vehicle on-board measurement of axle load and gross combined vehicle weight is improved for an air bladder suspended vehicle by allowing for suspension hysteresis. Suspension hysteresis results in at least two distinct air pressures being possible in an air bladder for a single load. The system also reduces the disruptive effect of vehicle acceleration and deceleration on load determination. Vehicle drive train management is enhanced using the load information to effect transmission gear selection.

Abstract: A system provides a more robust measurement of scanned items at a self-checkout station. The system comprises an item verifier for verifying placement of an item on a scale of a self-checkout station and a measurement adjuster operatively coupled to the item verifier for adjusting the item verifier operation in response to an error signal from the item verifier. In one embodiment, the measurement adjuster increases the number of samples for determining the weight of an item. By increasing the number of samples collected before determining item weight, the probability that temporary vibrations will not disturb weight measurement is increased. An exemplary method to implement the system includes verifying placement of an item on a scale and adjusting the weighing of the item in response to a failure to sense a weight that corresponds to the item placed on the scale. The adjustment may include increasing the number of samples collected or the time between samples.

Abstract: A seat-load measuring device for measuring a weight of a passenger and an object sitting on a car seat includes a load sensor disposed under the seat for electrically sending load data, a first data processing unit having a predetermined response time, a second data processing unit having a slower response time than that of the first data processing unit, a detecting device for detecting a change in the load data, and a switching device electrically connected to the detecting device. The first and the second data processing unit switch between the first and the second data processing unit to process the load data from the load sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining the oil and grease concentration of aqueous solutions on offshore facilities without having to ship the aqueous solutions to shore-based laboratories for analysis. The method generally involves a liquid-liquid extraction procedure, where a concentration of oil and grease extracted from a known volume of aqueous solution is determined using a pair of weighing devices, which are connected to a common computer which is capable of processing synchronized data points received from the two weighing devices. The first weighing device is a control scale upon which a reference mass having a known weight is placed. The second weighing device is a sample scale upon which the extracted oil and grease will be placed.

Abstract: A method and method for fast weighing of items such as mailpieces with variable accuracy. The method includes a scale method having a platform connected to a load cell that provides an output signal to an analog-to-digital converter. The resulting digital output signal is processed by a low pass filter and analyzed by a microprocessor to determine weights of items on the platform. The microprocessor also determines postage amounts of items on the platform. The microprocessor also determines postage amounts as functions of the weights and outputs these postage amounts to a postage meter. The microprocessor determines the weights as the average of a sequence of digital output signal values if the average id not closer than D to any weight break, where D is the difference between a maximum output value and a minimum output value.

Abstract: A seat load measuring apparatus that can provide an accurate load output even when one or more sensors are exerted with a load in excess of its measurable load is provided. In a first instance, the output of each load sensor is read at Step S11. Subsequently, at step S12, whether or not there is any sensor whereof the output is in excess of the predetermined value is determined. If no output of these sensors is in excess of the predetermined value, it is regarded as normal, and the seat weight is obtained by summation of the outputs of the sensors at Step S13. When the output of any sensor exceeds the predetermined value, it is determined that an offset load is exerted thereon and thus the output of the sensor in question cannot be trusted. Therefore, the seat weight obtained immediately before the output of any of the sensors exceeds the predetermined value is regarded as the seat weight.

Abstract: A vehicle weight classification system recognizes the various factors that influence system performance. Some of the factors are compensated for using analog signal processing circuitry or techniques. Other factors are compensated for using digital signal processing techniques. The unique combination of analog and digital approaches, rather than pure analog or pure digital, provides an effective solution at addressing the various factors that influence signals and system performance in a vehicle weight classification system while keeping the cost and complexity of the system within acceptable limits.

Abstract: An electronic weighing sensor (10) having a digital signal processing unit (19), which includes at least one filter (12) with low-pass characteristic. By means of the filter (12), the direct-current component (m) is determined from the output signal of the weighing sensor and the weighing result is derived therefrom. A signal, which is dependent on the amplitude of the vibrations, is determined by the digital signal processing unit (19) and electronic components (18) change the direct-current component (m) as a function of the magnitude of the vibration-dependent signal. This significantly improves the performance of the weighing sensor (10) with respect to shocks and vibrations in the installation site of the weighing sensor (10).

Abstract: A device for weighing fluid includes a scale from which a fluid receptacle is suspended. Oscillations in the weight reading due to the pendulous motion of the receptacle are suppressed by a digital filter selected to have rejection notches at the frequencies of weight oscillation.

Abstract: A seat-load measuring device for measuring a weight of a passenger and an object sitting on a car seat includes a load sensor disposed under the seat for electrically sending a load data, a first data processing unit having a predetermined response time, a second data processing unit having a slower response time than that of the first data processing unit, a detecting device for detecting a change in the load data, and a switching device electrically connected to the detecting means, the first and the second data processing unit for switching between the first and the second data processing unit to process the load data from the load sensor.

Abstract: A device for weighing fluid includes a scale from which a fluid receptacle is suspended. Oscillations in the weight reading due to the pendulous motion of the receptacle are suppressed by a digital filter selected to have rejection notches at the frequencies of weight oscillation.

Abstract: A lever system is provided for a weighing scale includes a transducer arrangement associated with an integral monolithic block for producing a weight signal corresponding with the weight of a load that is applied to the block. The lever system is operable to receive a calibration weight and to transmit to the load-receiving portion of the block a calibration force that is magnified by the lever system.

Abstract: A weighing material on a moving platform by compensating for acceleration of the material and a variable slope of the platform. The system includes at least one weighing load cell and a reference load cell. The weighing load cell generates an output signal associated with a force applied to the weighing load cell by the material. The reference load cell is coupled with a reference mass, and provides the data from which a compensation multiplier can be calculated. The compensation multiplier is a value that is used to adjust the output of the weighing load cells to compensate for acceleration and variable slope, thereby generating the actual weight of the material. In order to calculate the compensation multiplier, an zero offset value of the reference load cell is determined prior to taking weight measurements of the material. The weighing systems can be used with substantially any moving vehicle that carries a material.

Abstract: A combination weighing and counting apparatus includes a plurality of vibrating feeders (1) arranged and mounted on a support frame and adapted to be electrically powered from an alternating current source to transport articles, a plurality of weighing hoppers (28) for measuring respective weights of the articles (M) supplied from the vibrating feeders (1), and a combination selecting device for combining weights or numbers of the articles supplied to the weighing hoppers and for selecting a combination of the articles (M) which falls within a tolerance range. To minimize vibration of the support frame so that any undesirable reduction in weighing accuracy can be suppressed, there is provided a feeder drive control device (42) for driving the neighboring vibrating feeders (1) at a driving phase opposite to each other.

Abstract: In order to provide a combination weighing apparatus having an automatic filter adjusting capability which is effective to secure a weighing accuracy and also to adjust a filter characteristic of a digital filter having a short response time, the filter characteristic is automatically adjusted, based on a result of comparison of respective vibration components U of filtered weight signals FW1 to FWn with a permissible level US of the vibration components, so that the respective vibration components U of the filtered weight signals FW1 to FWn can attain a value approximating to the permissible level US, but not exceeding the permissible level US. In this way, by damping the vibration components U down to a value within the permissible level US, the weighing accuracy can be secured and, on the other hand, by damping the vibration components U down to a value approximating to the permissible level US, the filter characteristic can be obtained quickly in a short time.