Abstract: A modular wireless scale system comprising microscales comprises a master scale that may be configured to be used with one or more slave scales. The master scale includes a heavy load cell and a light load cell disposed on opposite sides of a cuboid master housing. The master scale housing encloses a master computer-based microcontroller, a wireless transceiver, an accelerometer, and a power source, and may optionally include a display. The master scale may be used as a stand-alone scale for weights up to the maximum weight supported by the heavy load cell and the scale housing. Each of the slave scales includes a heavy load cell supported by a cuboid housing that encloses a slave computer-based microcontroller, a wireless transceiver, and a power source.

Abstract: An improved method of determining prosthetic alignment utilizes a system which includes multiple movable laser units and an integrated scale to measure angles and other variables of an uninjured leg of a patient based on anatomical landmarks, compare those to angles and variables of an amputated side, and make adjustments to a prosthetic device utilized for the amputated side based on the comparison to ensure proper alignment. For example, the amount of tilt to the side of the prosthetic socket, the amount of tilt to the front and back of the prosthetic socket, the amount of tilt of the prosthetic foot on the sagittal plane, the displacement of the prosthetic foot on the sagittal plane, the rotation of the prosthetic foot on the transverse plane, and the height of the prosthetic device can thereby be adjusted based on measured parameters of the uninjured leg to ensure proper alignment.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a device may test the health of race participants in order to ensure the fairness of a bet on an order of finish.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for tracking consumer interactions with products using modular sensor units. In one system, a plurality of weight and motion sensors is configured to track consumer interactions with products. The system further includes a plurality of sensor mounts for holding the sensors in place. Each sensor mount includes signal lines for transmitting power to the sensors and for conducting signals between the sensors and a signal processor. The system further includes a plurality of conductors for interconnecting sensor mounts to a signal processor. The system further includes a plurality of connectors to allow rapid addition and removal of the sensors and their mounts as needed for a particular product planogram.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus includes a first weighing device including a weighing platform and a second weighing device including a weighing platform located adjacent the first weighing platform. A small end fixture assembly is supported on the weighing platform of the first weighing device that supports a small end of a connecting rod thereon at a location spaced above the weighing platform of the first weighing device. A large end fixture assembly is supported on the weighing platform of the second weighing device that supports a large end of the connecting rod thereon at a location spaced above the weighing platform of the second weighing device.

Abstract: Electronic scale including four feet, four strain gauges, an electronic control unit and a display, where the gauges are combined in pairs in first and second Wheatstone bridge type circuits, where a first intermediate-point of the bridge is selectively connected via a switch to an intermediate voltage source and where the first and second outputs of the amplifiers are summed by the electronic control unit in order to deduce therefrom a weight for an object present on the device, with indication for the user of off-center condition on the scale. Weighing method implemented in such a scale.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transducer arrangement for converting a load variation into one or more electrical output signals. The transducer arrangement comprises at least one transducer element and an evaluation unit operatively connected to the transducer element. The transducer arrangement can be used amongst others, for healthcare applications, sport leisure activities, impact detection for safety applications in the automotive industry as well as for safety surveillance systems in the industry.

Abstract: A switching linear amplifier has a DC-DC converter to increase a low input DC voltage to a first high voltage DC. A high voltage high frequency inverter is coupled to the DC-DC converter to generate high voltage pulses. A multistage voltage multiplier is coupled to the high voltage high frequency inverter to generate a second high voltage DC. A controlled charge and discharge circuit is coupled to the multistage voltage multiplier to drive a capacitive load.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a vehicle occupant seat including at least two weight sensors coupled to the seat for generating weight signals. The system further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) including an occupant classification algorithm for generating an occupant classification signal as a function of the weight signals. The electronic control unit further includes variant signal metrics for generating an error signal as a function of comparing the weight signals.

Abstract: The present invention is a weighing scale and system of weighing scales used to weigh a group of loads and determine which load is the lightest so it can be culled from the group. The weighing scales are most useful for use in fishing tournaments to ensure an angler has possession of the maximum total weight of fish possible.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods allow the weight and relative position of an object on a weighing surface to be simultaneously determined using a circuit that does not require pre-programmed tables and that can be used in an analog or digital environment. One example system includes first, second, third, and fourth load cells having respective first, second, third, and fourth strain gauges. The strain gauges are configured to measure strain at the load cells caused by the object on the weighing surface. The system also includes circuitry configured to simultaneously determine weight and position of the object on the weighing surface, and a display that reports the weight of the object, a longitudinal position of the object, and a lateral position of the object.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a system and a method for accurately measuring the weight of a portion of a human body. [MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] This system for measuring the weight of each of six body portions of a human body comprises support base provided for six body portions and supporting the body portions, six body portion measuring units each having a weight measuring part measuring the weight of the body portion and a data transmission-reception part transmitting and receiving data including data on the weight of the body portion measured by the weight measuring part, and a data processing unit transmitting control data to the six body portion measuring units and receiving the data on the measured weights of the body portions. The data processing unit comprises a means determining whether or not the total sum of the data on the measured weights of the six body portions matches the weight of the human body within a present allowable range.

Abstract: An improved device for the measuring of weight or force is disclosed. This is an apparatus that allows for measurement of weight or force using a cantilever beam that is substantially insensitive to location of the weight or force within certain limits on the beam and is capable of correction for off-level conditions.

Abstract: A beam scale assembly for proportioning a first component in a first container and a second component in a second container including a balance beam extending between a first balancing area and a second balancing area for receiving the first and second containers respectively. A pivot extends downwardly between the first and second balancing areas along a tipping axis. The balancing areas each have a center and define a distance axis across the center in spaced and parallel relationship to the tipping axis. A connection interconnects the balancing area and the balance beam along an adjustment axis and facilitates rotation of the balancing area relative to the balance beam about the adjustment axis for adjusting the distance between the distance axis of the balancing area and the tipping axis.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for weighing at least one object (31) that can be or is moved relative to a number of weighing cells (3, 5, 7, 9) and to a device for effecting said method, wherein the weighing cells (3, 5, 7, 9) essentially are adjacently arranged transverse to the movement direction (T) and the weighing signals being generated while weighing at least one object (31) are coupled with one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring an amount of a substance depleted from a storage unit, including the steps of: supporting the storage unit on a vehicle, measuring a first weight of the storage unit and any liquid substance contained in the storage unit, allowing a quantity of the liquid substance to be discharged from the storage unit, measuring a second weight of the storage unit and any liquid substance contained in the storage unit, and determining the amount of liquid substance discharged or allowed to be discharged from the storage unit based on the first weight measurement and the second weight measurement.

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 force-measuring cell is designed for a receiving structure having multiple force-measuring cells of the same type. Each cell in the receiving structure occupies a design space whose dimensions, projected into a plane orthogonal to the load direction, is delimited by the design spaces of neighboring and/or is equal to the largest dimension of the cell in the plane. The cell has parallel-guiding diaphragms arranged on upper and lower surfaces thereof. The cell includes a calibration weight arrangement with a calibration weight which can be coupled to the cell, as well as a drive mechanism and a transfer mechanism for guidedly moving the calibration weight. An actuator works together with the transfer mechanism and a piezoelectric element that drives the actuator. The actuator has at least two interacting elements to repeatedly engage and release each other by frictional contact force which occurs during the travel movement in one direction.

Abstract: A pre-operative breast measurement device and method for use in breast reduction surgery. The breast measurement device comprises a base portion and a support post mounted thereon, the support post being height adjustable so as to accommodate differing body heights of users. First and second breast measurement scales, which are width adjustable, are positioned on the support post, the scales being substantially perpendicular in relation to the support post, whereby the first breast measurement scale measures a weight of a first breast and the second breast measurement scale measures a weight of a second breast. A support saddle on the support post receives and supports a chin of a user during the measuring of the first breast and the second breast.

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: The mass measurement system includes a linear acceleration motion unit that is a linear motion driving source, a first load cell fastened to the linear acceleration motion unit to measure an inertial force of a sample caused by linearly accelerated motion of the 10 linear acceleration motion unit, a second load cell fastened to the linear acceleration motion unit while being spaced apart from the first load cell by a predetermined distance, the second load cell measuring an inertial force of a standard sample having a known standard mass caused by the linearly accelerated motion of the linear acceleration motion unit, and a main control unit for calculating and outputting mass of the sample through an arithmetic operation based on the inertial forces, measured by the first and second load cells, and the standard mass, and controlling an entire operation of the system.

Abstract: A system for weighing a plurality of quadruped animals is for use in a pen confining the animals. The pen has at least first and second segregated spaces with a first one-way chute allowing animal passage from the second space to the first space. A weighing station is located within a passage having an entrance and an exit, and that allows animal passage from the first area to the second area. The weighing station includes a weighing platform within the passage over which an animal must pass when passing from the first to the second space. The weighing platform has inlet and exit scales that support the weighing platform adjacent to inlet and exit ends thereof, and provides inlet and exit weight signals. A controller receives the inlet and exit weight signals and uses them in an iterative process to determine the presence of a single animal on the weighing platform. Once that determination is made, the sum of the inlet and exit weight values is very likely to accurately provide the animal weight.

Abstract: A weighing scale having a display and processor for determining and identifying the optimal position coordinates for a load placed on the weighing scale includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies, each containing a load cell for receiving the weight of the load. The display includes a meter or other graphical display that identifies position coordinates along with the determined numerical weight. Individual outputs from each of the plurality (e.g. 4) of load cells are received by a processor configured to compute x,y vector coordinates associated with the weight parameters for each load cell. The determined current or actual load position relative to an optimal position is calculated and displayed along with the weight.

Abstract: A measurement device with a support plate (1) mounted on measurement cells, and with a display device for displaying a force action line (7) for a person standing on bearing surfaces (10, 10?) of the support plate (1), permits monitoring of the force action line during a correction or optimization of the position of the person standing on the support plate (1) by virtue of the fact that lifting devices (9) are arranged underneath the bearing surfaces (10, 10?) and above the support plate (1).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a weight scale having a balance control system that detects unequal load distribution to the scale's load sensors and produces an output signal that enables the user to re-distribute weight until a predetermined level of balance is achieved. Various load sensors are positioned in an array within the scale and are in communication with a controller that receives signals from the sensors indicative of relative load applied to each. The controller generates a signal that is displayed or emitted to the user indicative of the position of the user's center of gravity relative to the sensors.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for measuring the weight of an object being carried by a fork lift truck. Accurate weight is obtained by combining the measurements of the tension load(s) exerted by the chain(s) used to lift and support the fork carrying carriage with a measurement of the vertical forces imposed on the carriage by the mast through the carriage guides that are used to contain carriage movement within the mast and support the moment created by the object being weighed. The weight thusly determined can be easily calibrated for both pitch and roll mast angles. The apparatus can be integrated into the mast system of the fork truck without significantly affecting the fork truck's load carrying capacity. Specifically, the scale apparatus does not increase the overturning moment created by the weight of the object as compared with that of the standard non-instrumented carriage.

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: The present invention is directed to a weight scale having a balance control system that detects unequal load distribution to the scale's load sensors and produces an output signal that enables the user to re-distribute weight until a predetermined level of balance is achieved. Various load sensors are positioned in an array in the scale and are in communication with a controller that receives signals from the sensors indicative of relative load applied to each sensor. The controller generates a signal that is displayed or emitted to the user indicative of the position of the user's center of gravity relative to the sensors.

Abstract: A portable weighing system for a bed comprising a pair of scales placed under the legs or support members of a bed and a weight data collector unit. The scales are positioned directly below the ends of a bed and resting on the floor, and the legs or support members of the bed are then placed on the scales. Each scale is comprised of a beam shaped load cell, support bar, and support bar extensions. The load cell is shaped such that a section of the load cell rests on a horizontally disposed floor engaging base and the ends of the load cell are elevated above the base such that the ends do not rest on the base. The support bar is positioned above said load cell and attached to said load cell by a pair of threaded fasteners. The two support bar extensions are adjustably attached to each end of the support bar such that the width of said scale can be readily adjusted to accommodate beds of varying widths.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a weight scale having a balance control system that detects unequal load distribution to the scale's load sensors and produces an output signal that enables the user to re-distribute weight until a predetermined level of balance is achieved. Various load sensors are positioned in an array within the scale and are in communication with a controller that receives signals from the sensors indicative of relative load applied to each. The controller generates a signal that is displayed or emitted to the user indicative of the position of the user's center of gravity relative to the sensors.

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 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 centrifuge container transport rack designed with symmetrical opposing sides located over a central pivot. The pivot enables the rack to be utilized in the balancing of centrifuge containers.

Abstract: The multiple load sensing multi-load cell scale is described that provides improved utility to scales with multiple decks that share load cells near supports so that more than one load may be determined at the same time on a single scale. In more detail, the scale uses the sectional sensitivities to load movement on the scale decks, load position and individual normalized load cell outputs to provide separate load magnitude measurements on these individual decks. According to the present invention, more than two load cells associated to form a single scale provide outputs that are converted to individual digital representations of the relative force magnitude on each. These magnitudes are related to the effective location of each load cell to provide the load centroid location on the scale when the sum of the products of the effective location and magnitude of each is divided by the sum of the magnitudes.

Abstract: The multiple load sensing multi-load cell scale is described that provides improved utility to scales with multiple decks that share load cells near supports so that more than one load may be determined at the same time on a single scale. In more detail, the scale uses the sectional sensitivities to load movement on the scale decks, load position and individual normalized load cell outputs to provide separate load magnitude measurements on these individual decks. According to the present invention, more than two load cells associated to form a single scale provide outputs that are converted to individual digital representations of the relative force magnitude on each. These magnitudes are related to the effective location of each load cell to provide the load centroid location on the scale when the sum of the products of the effective location and magnitude of each is divided by the sum of the magnitudes.

Abstract: A weighing machine useful for chiropractic and other medical treatment by accurately grasping the bias of the right and left, and front and rear weights of the person, and by recording momently changing center of the weight rested on right and left feet each, and center of the weight of the whole body. The weighing machine comprises two weighing device arranged right and left with a predetermined distance between them, and each weighing device is provided with a case body with a bottom plate, four weighing mechanisms arranged right and left, and back and forth on the bottom plate, means for positioning a person to be measured on the four weighing devices.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus for weighing currency notes or coins has a weighing platform (4) coupled to a load cell (14) for generating a weight signal dependent upon the weight of items on the platform. The weighing machine includes a microprocessor (26) with associated memory (32, 34) which determines the number and/or value of the weighed items by dividing the weight signal by an appropriate weight factor. Where the quotient obtained is not an exact integer it is rounded. The quotient is compared with tolerance limits and a warning is given if the quotient falls outside these limits. To increase the accuracy of the machine while maintaining or reducing the number of warnings, means are provided to vary said tolerance limits in accordance with said weight signal or with said quotient.

Abstract: For obtaining accurate product weighing results in ships it is not sufficient to effect a correction of the weighing results by an accelerometer, which will only roughly compensate for the weighing errors due to the general movements in the sea. Thus correction are also effected for errors from other marked sources of error, so that it is possible to stake on a large-scale rearrangement of the fish industry from land-based to ship-based plants. Thus, corrections are made for errors due to tiltings of the ship and due to the mechanical noise produced by the engine of the ship or by operative implements on the ship. A calibration of the weighing system is carried out regularly by a calibration system which is effective even during movements in the sea.

Abstract: In the weighing apparatus, a plurality of weighing sections are connected to a main unit having a display section, and weight data from one of the weighing sections are indicated by the display section. Each weighing section has an instability detection section for detecting the instability of a weight signal. The main unit has a section by which the weight data from the weighing section whose weight signal is instable are selected on the basis of a signal from the instability detection section.

Abstract: An electronic scale for weighing an article includes a weighing channel for providing an output indicative of the instantaneous weight of the article and a reference channel for providing an output indicative of instantaneous vibrations affecting the output of the weighing channel. The scale also has a mechanism for providing a signal indicative of a long term average of the reference channel's output. Another mechanism of the scale compares the average signal with the reference channel's output and provides a validation signal when the reference channel's output does not differ by more than a threshold amount from the average signal.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for weighing customers entering and leaving a store, or a user entering and leaving a particular institution or a worker entering and leaving the workplace and ascertaining automatically that the equivalence of the said two weight values do not indicate that any goods have been fraudulently removed by the person in question and where said equivalence does not occur, initiates an alarm protocol. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the customer is weighed upon entering the retail store and is given a bar coded printed token indicative of his/her weight. At the checkout stand, with the customer's purchased products still resting typically in the shopping cart or on the checkout stand, the customer is weighed again and scans in the bar coded printed token previously obtained. The customer's weight should remain significantly unchanged if no products have been fraudulently obtained.

Abstract: A balance, which is virtually insensitive to angular deviation and to the presence of additional accelerations of the base, has two dynamometers (2, 3) each having a parallel guide (26). The parallel guides are mutually parallel and their degree of freedom coincides with the direction of gravitational acceleration when the balance is horizontal. The dynamometer (2) measures the weight (M) of the object to be weighed, and the dynamometer (3) measures that of a reference mass (8, 22,24). The balance also has a computer (4) which, from the signals emitted by the two dynamometers (2,3), accurately determines the mass of the object to be weighed independently of the angular deviation of the instantaneous total acceleration. During calibration, which can be carried out only by the manufacturer, the dynamometer (3) determines the weight R.sub.1, R.sub.2 of the reference mass (8, 22, 24) at two different inclinations of the balance and the dynamometer (2) determines the weight (N.sub.1, N.sub.

Abstract: Wherein the length of a flexible web or string material, such as a textile material, forming a wound body or roll (10) may be determined by determining a first measure of the weight of the web or string material, determining a second measure of the weight of a predetermined length (1) of the material, and calculating the total length of the flexible web or string material on the basis of said predetermined length (1) and said first and second weight measures. Thus, a roll (10) of a textile material may be placed on a table (12) divided into sections, of which a first section (11) supports the roll while a second section (14) supports the predetermined length (1) of the material. The second section and the web material arranged thereon may be supported by a weighing cell and the whole table (12) and the web material or textile material arranged thereon may be supported be another weighting cell.

Abstract: A movable plate (6) which rests through springs (5) on a base (1) which itself bears on the ground by means of height adjustable supports (2,3) is provided with a spherical bubble level (8), with marks AA', BB', CC', DD', which define the positioning of the feet on said plate and with a removable setting system (18) with respect to the transversal line AA'. Application to the correction of equilibrium anomalies.

Abstract: A proportionate balance is provided with which an arbitrary amount of one component can be proportioned with a precise weight of another component. A rocker member supports the balance and eliminates the need for knife edges or other typically fragile pivot points.

Abstract: Cancellation of noise in the weighing channel output of an electronic scale due to external vibrations is achieved by use of a reference, non-weighing channel in the scale. The reference channel is exposed to the vibrations affecting the weighing channel. The average output, Aavg, of the reference channel is divided by the instantaneous output, A.sub.t, thereof, and the result is multiplied by the instantaneous output, W.sub.t, of the weighing channel to obtain a corrected output, Wavg, indicative of the weight of an article plus tare. Method and Apparatus are disclosed. Analog and Digital embodiments of the apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention indicates a balance with counting scale in which the resolution of the balance with counting scale can be increased in the determination of the reference weight of light pieces without an additional switching key operated from the outside. To this end, a comparator (14) is present in the built-in electronic circuitry which is actuated when the transfer key (8) is pressed and which frees the transfer of the weight into the memory (16) and the determination of the average individual weight when a set threshold is exceeded, while, when this threshold is dropped below, it does not free the transfer of the weight into the memory and increases the resolution of the balance by a given factor.

Abstract: A scale under microprocessor control weighs each batch of currency. The weight measurement is compared against predetermined stored weight values to determine if the currency being weighed is strap currency or unstrapped currency and to determine the range of the currency count. Dependent upon the result of these comparisons, the proper routine is selected during which the last currency measurement is compared against the measurement criteria of the selected routine to either confirm the accuracy of the count or indicate an error. An average strap value is created from a table of stored values for at least one of the strap quantities and is updated each time a strap of that quantity is weighed. The averaging technique employed creates an average from the weights of the last ten straps of that quantity measured, and which are stored in the table. The averaging is performed after the table is updated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coin counter, and more particularly to a coin counter using a weighing scale to count and display the total sum of coins and to print out the sum at need, the counter also being capable of checking whether or not the total sum of coins placed on the weighing scale is included within a range between preset upper and lower limits.

Abstract: Apparatus for quickly comparing the weights of fish and quickly determining whether fish have sufficient length, comprising an elongated balance beam having fish stop means, fish attachment means and fish length indication means at each end of the beam, a handle rotatably secured to the beam at its longitudinal center of gravity and a bubble level indicator secured to the face of the beam.