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: In one embodiment, this invention utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with nutrition information for each kind of food in a restaurant, institutional cafeteria, in food delivery to hospital patients, in hospice, in old age home residents or elsewhere. The food plate is placed on a coaster with an RFID reader and miniature built-in scale. The scale is used to measure the weight of a particular food placed on the plate. In addition, the RFID reader reads the nutritional information from an RFID tag in the serving bin of the cafeteria or the food distribution point. With the nutritional information of each food and the amount of the food that is added to the plate, the nutritional intake of a customer or patient can be calculated. With this the nutrition information now available, the nutritional information, including the amount of vitamins, calories, sugars, carbohydrates, and grams (g) of fat, can be obtained and tracked.

Abstract: A weight measuring device comprises a load detecting section for constantly detecting a load value (W) of a sample placed on a measuring pan; a moving average processing section for calculating a moving average (Wa) of the detected load value (W); a load changing rate calculating section for calculating a load changing rate per unit time (Wb) of the detected load value (W); a storage section for storing a first load change threshold (Wr1), a second load change threshold (Wr2) which is smaller than the first load change threshold (Wr1) and a load changing rate threshold per unit time (Wt); a determining section for determining whether a moving average processing should be executed; and a weight conversion processing section for calculating a weight of the sample from the load (W) or the moving average (Wa).

Abstract: A nutrition balance for health control, especially for diabetics, to measure a weight and a caloric value of an edible substance, comprising a main body; a scale unit generating a weight signal while receiving the weight of the edible substance; a control unit comprising at least one input unit inputting a predetermined reference data and providing a reference data signal; a control system comprising a memory unit storing a predetermined balance database information and a controller, communicating with the memory unit, communicated with the scale unit to receive the weight signal and communicate with the input unit for receiving and storing the reference data signal to generating an output signal in response to the weight signal according to the reference data and the balance database information; and a display arrangement communicating with the control system to provide an output. The nutrition balance is for monitoring health and diet.

Abstract: A method of encouraging weight loss via a talking electronic scale. The talking electronic scale determines the weight of a particular person in response to a specific user input. The talking electronic scale utilizes a data storage unit to store and conceal an initial weight for the particular person. The talking electronic scale compares a subsequent weight of the particular person to the concealed initial weight in response to a specific user input and utilizes a speech synthesis unit to announce a difference between the concealed initial weight and the subsequent weight for the particular person without ever displaying or announcing the numerical value of the initial weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved scale that only shows a user how much weight he or she has gained or lost. The scale includes a weight sensing apparatus and a numerical display. A computer stores a user's initial pre-diet weight, and then compares that weight to the user's weight from time to time as the user progresses through his or her diet. The only information displayed is the current date and the magnitude of the weight differential (e.g. “+5” lbs or kg). In this way, the user can avoid learning, and possibly fixating, on his or her actual weight.

Abstract: A digital scale includes a display screen and a buttonless top platform. A controller is operatively associated with the display screen and the platform. Contact with the scale platform alone allows a user of the scale to power the scale, determine a mode of operation of the scale, and identify a user of the scale. Additionally the scale has a first mode of operation providing a reading of the user's weight and a second mode of operation providing an attribute that is dependent upon a weight of an identified user.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising of a segmented instrument tray, precision scale, image processing system, photoelectric sensors and a Personal Computer (PC) is disclosed. Said apparatus provides an automated and accurate tracking of surgical instruments used during surgical operating procedure by counting and identifying a specific quantity and instrument type, which are removed from a sterilized instrument tray to be used during the procedure and subsequently returned to the tray upon procedure completion, thus preventing an accidental leaving of an instrument inside of a patient and significantly reducing time spent by the operation staff for the instrument accounting.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for measuring a biological parameter of an individual comprising measuring means, means for storing and/or for computing values of said parameter connected to a display (3) for graphic representation of the measured parameter relative to a representation axis. The invention is characterized in that said display (3) is designed to adjust the measured parameter relative to a reference zone delimited on either side on said axis by a fixed mark combined with at least an adjacent digital indication.

Abstract: A system tracks items in the checkout area of a self-checkout terminal to reduce the likelihood of fraud in item substitution. The system includes a plurality of weight sensors operatively coupled to a checkout area for sensing a distributed weight of an item placed in a checkout area; and an item locator coupled to the plurality of weight sensors for determining a location for the item from the distributed weight as sensed by the sensors. The item locator identifies a location for an item from the weight differentials sensed at the weight sensors in response to movement of an item within the checkout area. The weight distribution and location data may be correlated to the item identifier for a scanned item so the items in the checkout area may be tracked. A security application program associated with the self-checkout terminal may be coupled to the system of the present invention to identify items placed on the checkout area by location as well as weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device to be used for the sale of goods in a store. Said device comprises a unit for generating goods-related signals, a unit for generating identification signals, which represent the type of the goods to be sold, and comprises a display unit for generating a visual representation of information contents that are determined on the basis of the goods-related signals and/or identification signals. For generating a visual representation, the invention provides that the sales device is operated by quantity information that represents the present quantity of the goods of the type indicated by the identification signals.

Abstract: A surgical sponge detection system includes a plurality of surgical sponges (2) having radio frequency identification tags (1) securely attached thereto and a non-optical hand-held reader (40) for detecting the sponges by detecting the tags (1). Also disclosed is a device (30) for automatically counting, weighing, and calculating blood loss contained within, soiled surgical sponges (2) which includes a cabinet with an opening (3) at the top through which sponges (2) are deposited, a reader (6) which scans each sponge (2) entered and determines sponge type from a tag (1) affixed to each sponge (2), and a disposable bag (8) into which the sponges (2) are deposited.

Abstract: A device for monitoring an operating condition is incorporated in a balance with a weighing cell, an electronic weighing circuit arrangement (15), an output unit (21, 22, 44), and at least one electronic inclination sensor (13). The circuit arrangement (15) includes a signal-processing device (17), a memory device (19) as well as a time clock (20). Based on a sensor signal received from the electronic inclination sensor (13), the signal-processing device (17) determines a quantity that is indicative of the operating condition of the balance. The signal-processing device (17) also determines the current time and assigns a time value to the quantity that represents the operating condition. The resultant vector-like sets of time and operating condition data are transmitted to and stored in the memory device (19), so that the data are at all times available for transmission to an output unit (21, 22, 44).

Abstract: A scale equipped with a memory display section comprises, separately from a regular display section 19 for indicating a current measured value, additionally a memory display section 20 for indicating the current measured value as a previously measured value in a series of consecutive measurements, wherein a transfer unit 22 executes such a transfer operation that the current measured value indicated in the regular display section 19 can be indicated in the memory display section 20 as the previously measured value in a series of consecutive measurements. A person in charge of measurement no more needs to take the trouble of remembering in the brain or taking notes of the previously measured values in a series of consecutive measurements, such as an incremental measurement, but the current measuring work can be carried out simply by a visual recognition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a body weight managing apparatus comprising: a body weight measuring unit; a bioelectric impedance measuring unit; a body water content evaluation unit; and a health condition evaluation unit. According to the present invention, said body weight measuring unit measures a body weight of a person to be measured, said bioelectric impedance measuring unit applies an alternating current to a body of the person and measures a bioelectric impedance value, said body water content evaluation unit evaluates a body water content based on the bioelectric impedance value measured by said bioelectric impedance measuring unit, and said health condition evaluation unit evaluates a health condition of the person based on the measured body weight and the evaluation result from said body water content evaluation unit.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the weight of patients in a wheelchair are disclosed, including two portable weight measurement devices, wherein the devices measure the weight imposed on two wheels of a four wheel wheelchair, and a receiver that accepts weight measurement data from the portable weight measurement devices. The weight data exchanged between the two portable weight measurement devices and/or with the receiver may be transported over wireless connections.

Abstract: A living body data management system graphically displays reference growth range data obtained as average growth ranges of body weights and heights of infants during a period spanning from birth to under the age of seven, based on body weight data and height data collected from a number of infants. The system displays the reference data as growth curve graphs (H, W) on a graph display means, and further displays a subject's acquired data over the growth curve graphs (H, W), thereby enabling a user to visually comprehend the growth status represented by the acquired data by contrasting the acquired data with the growth curve graphs (H, W) at a glance.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus, for instance an analytical balance, can set parameter values for performing specific measuring tasks and/or for effecting communication with an operating person. Sets of such parameter values are stored as profiles. The measuring apparatus is equipped with a recognition device, for recognizing an operating person and activating a stored profile assigned to that person.

Abstract: A scale system that measures the weight of an individual, displays an individual's weight on the scale, automatically records the individual's weight and date and time of the measuring, and displays an individual's weight history on a remote computer. The system can display an individual's weight history on a remote computer system independent of measuring an individual's weight. The system includes the accumulation over time of an individual's weight data, either storing it locally for later transmission or transmitting it immediately to the remote computer. The system also includes automated weight data correction, and manual weight data correction that can be performed by a user. The system is not limited to one individual and can be used by more than one individual.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus by which a past record of measured weight values can be known later is provided. Weight measured by a weight sensor is inputted to a MPU via an I/O (input-output) unit. The MPU stores the inputted weight data in a memory together with the date and time which a timepiece circuit indicates, either when the MPU determines that the weight is being measured (for example, when the weight equals or exceeds a predetermined value) or when a command to record the weight data is given by an external unit such as a personal computer (PC) via an I/O unit. The stored weight data and date-time data are read from the memory by the MPU when a readout command is given by the external unit, and are outputted to the external unit via the I/O unit.

Abstract: A body weigh scale that mounts into a floor of a room, for example in the floor of a bathroom, and that is designed to receive tiles or other floor covering materials thereon. A weighing mechanism of the body weigh scale generates weight information and transmits that weight information to a remote countertop or wall mounted display. The display may normally show a clock or another displayed item, and may convert its view to show weight units when a user steps on a platform. The display may also be configured to receive medical information from other medical devices, such as blood glucose monitors, heart rate monitors, or blood pressure monitors. The medical information may be shown by the display, may be received by the display and transmitted to another computer (e.g., at a hospital), or may be stored in the display for later transmission or evaluation.

Abstract: The apparatus and method is provided that employs a “radiopaque” object to count and account for surgical sponges in an operating room. A radiopaque object is embedded in surgical sponges so that a scanning device can detect and count a large number of the sponges within a container. The container is designed to minimize contact with the sponges by humans. In addition, a surgical team can insure that no surgical sponge is left in a patient without performing the messy and time-consuming job of individually counting sponges as they are entered and disposed of from the surgical site.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a weight scale having a control system that prompts users for their identity and then displays any one or more of: present weight, past weights, target weights and/or the differences therebetween, as well as a graphical representation of weight vs. time. Another feature of the present invention is the use of a viscoelastic foam pad on the surface of the scale for comfort and sanitary benefits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a body weight managing apparatus comprising: a body weight measuring unit; a bioelectric impedance measuring unit; a body water content evaluation unit; and a health condition evaluation unit. According to the present invention, said body weight measuring unit measures a body weight of a person to be measured, said bioelectric impedance measuring unit applies an alternating current to a body of the person and measures a bioelectric impedance value, said body water content evaluation unit evaluates a body water content based on the bioelectric impedance value measured by said bioelectric impedance measuring unit, and said health condition evaluation unit evaluates a health condition of the person based on the measured body weight and the evaluation result from said body water content evaluation unit.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a weight control system utilizing the on-board weighing of the driver and one or more passengers. The display and input are effected through a touch screen and/or voice commands and the individuals's identification is registered in memory as are previous weighing states so that with control progress can be monitored. To compensate for different clothing and footwear which might contribute to false reading, the system dialogues with the individual with respect to clothing and footwear.

Abstract: A method and device for electronically controlling inventory utilizing multiple modularized integrated load cell weight indicating devices. An inventory monitoring system is provided having a central system controller and one or more modules. Each module includes a master integrated load cell weight indicating device having a microprocessor based controller, a communications controller, a A/D converter, and a weight indicating device. Connected to each master integrated load cell is one or more slave integrated load cell weight indicating devices not utilizing any separate communications controller or microprocessor-based controller. In practice, communications are implemented utilizing a data structure indicating a module address, a individual weight indicating device subaddress and a command and passed between the central system controller and the module. Both the integrated master and slave load cell include only a top platter and a load cell, with no base structure supporting the load cell.

Abstract: A control for a weigh scale associated with a continuously moving conveyor which is capable of mathematically positioning the sample period on each product weight waveform. The control first triggers on a predetermined sensed weight. The control determines a first inflection point on the weight waveform defined as the “maximum positive slope.” Once the maximum positive slope is found, the control begins recording weight samples at a sampling rate. The control checks the weight waveform of sampled weights for a slope which is a first pre-selected percentage of the maximum slope but negative in slope value. This point is determined as the “weight-off-scale” point. When the weight-off-scale point is reached, then the control looks backward through the recorded data of weight samples to find another point which has a slope which is a second preselected negative percentage of the maximum positive slope. This point is defined as the “end sample position.

Abstract: The apparatus and method is provided that employs a “radiopaque” object to count and account for surgical sponges in an operating room. A radiopaque object is embedded in surgical sponges so that a scanning device can detect and count a large number of the sponges within a container. The container is designed to minimize contact with the sponges by humans. In addition, a surgical team can insure that no surgical sponge is left in a patient without performing the messy and time-consuming job of individually counting sponges as they are entered and disposed of from the surgical site.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a living body measuring device which, once the personal information having been set therein, executes an arithmetic operation simply by making a measurement without requiring a user to remember his/her personal memory number. The living body measuring device of the present invention stores the measured body weight value and/or bioelectrical impedance value as well as the personal body information set in the initial stage, compares the measured values with those stored values, and determines a current subject who is being measured by considering the most proximal values to be the data associated with the measured subject, thereby calculating a body-related index automatically. Especially, if both of the bioelectrical impedance and the body weight are used, then the determination may be more accurate.

Abstract: A scale with use reminder and weight change messages including a scale portion capable of accurately determining a weight of a person standing thereon. The scale portion includes a display for registering the weight of the person standing thereon. A central processing unit is disposed interiorly of the scale portion. The central processing unit is capable of storing the weight of the person standing on the scale portion on a first day and comparing it with the weight of the person standing on the scale portion on a next day and illustrating both on the display along with a difference between the two. The central processing unit includes programmed messages.

Abstract: The invention disclosed consists of weighing apparatus and process that includes a new Calibration management utility to automate compliance testing to ISO 9000 requirements and has the “load cell symmetry”, “empty platform” and “test load” readings for each load stored on the weighing apparatus. This weighing apparatus makes periodic tests to determine the health of the load cells in the system, producing a log file to record events such as any detected failure, any suspicious reading, overload condition, or any user defined parameter, and is network enabled to be connected through a LAN via an Ethernet to the Internet.

Abstract: A mechanism which can sense the weight of food as well as perhaps time in order to provide auditory cues to a person who is eating. The cues are calculated to modify eating behavior so that it better conforms to a pre-decided ideal. This would be accomplished through classical conditioning by reward and punishment in that the mechanism would chide the user for engaging in undesirable behaviors such as eating too much. It would encourage the user who was engaging in ideal behavior such as eating enough without eating too much. It could instruct the user in techniques useful in achieving behavior patterns closer to the ideal. The mechanism can also use movement of itself or of the food either alone or in combination with the auditory cues to reinforce the training it provides in appropriate eating habits.

Abstract: A programmable microprocessor-controlled digital scale capable of storing profiles of multiple users and respective user-specific weight management information includes a software program executed by the microprocessor to create and store a user profile for each user. The software program also allows the generation user-specific weight control information based on the user's profile and weight, and displays the information to the user. The generated user-specific weight control information can include, for example: current weight; absolute as well as percentage change in weight; graph of the minimum and maximum weight for the average person matching the user's profile; a thirty day rolling graph of the user's weight history; information about the number of calories that should be consumed in order to either maintain weight, or lose one pound per week; and body fat measurements.

Abstract: A peanut combine towed and powered by a tractor during harvesting includes a collection basket having a basket support frame mounted on the top of the combine by four load cells. A respective load cell is located beneath each lower bottom corner of the base of the collection basket between the support frame and a support member, such as a steel support channel, fastened on the top of the combine. The load cells produce analog data signals representative of weight of the collection basket at any given instance as the crop is harvested. The load cells transmit data analog signals to a data acquisition system (DAS) via a summing device and anti-aliasing filter. The DAS includes a CPU and an analog to digital converter to convert the analog load cell data to digital signals and digitally filters the digital signal to reduce signal noise resulting from harmonic vibrations of the combine straw walker mechanism for further processing.

Abstract: A programmable microprocessor-controlled digital scale capable of storing profiles of multiple users and respective user-specific weight management information includes a software program executed by the microprocessor to create and store a user profile for each user. The software program also allows the generation user-specific weight control information based on the user's profile and weight, and displays the information to the user. The generated user-specific weight control information can include, for example: current weight; absolute as well as percentage change in weight; graph of the minimum and maximum weight for the average person matching the user's profile; a thirty day rolling graph of the user's weight history; information about the number of calories that should be consumed in order to either maintain weight, or lose one pound per week; and body fat measurements.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus by which a past record of measured weight values can be known later is provided. Weight measured by a weight sensor is inputted to a MPU via an I/O (input-output) unit. The MPU stores the inputted weight data in a memory together with the date and time which a timepiece circuit indicates, either when the MPU determines that the weight is being measured (for example, when the weight equals or exceeds a predetermined value) or when a command to record the weight data is given by an external unit such as a personal computer (PC) via an I/O unit. The stored weight data and date-time data are read from the memory by the MPU when a readout command is given by the external unit, and are outputted to the external unit via the I/O unit.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a horseshoe-shaped table 12 having a computer 14 and a dual-purpose chair 16 associated therewith. The chair 16 adjusts to variously sized users 11 by using a piston 78 and piston support mechanism disposed internally of the chair. The chair also serves as a weight scale or sensor 18 which is disposed in the seat thereof and has data input means, including a headset 27 with microphone 28 and chewing sensor 24 disposed thereon. The arm 36 of the chair has a blood pressure sensor 26 disposed thereon. Data gathered from the sensor input devices is transmitted to a computer 14 disposed internally of the table 12 having a monitor 40 and keypad 42 disposed on the tabletop. Also shown are a pair of scales 20, 22 which measure both the individual meal food and the daily food allowance which data is also input into the computer 14. The scales are equipped with segmented platters 90 and non-segmented platters 104, having various food compartments for receiving different types of food.

Abstract: An inventory control apparatus includes a support and a pressure sensitive device underlying the support, whereby a gross value is provided for the pressure exerted collectively by all inventory positioned on the support. A microprocessor is preprogrammed with an individual value that represents a single unit inventory unit. The microprocessor divides gross value as indicated by the pressure sensitive device by the individual value to determine the number of units of inventory remaining on the support.

Abstract: The information of sales items is transmitted from a cash register 1 to a sensing device 2 and stored in a sales items memory 26. In the sensing device 2, a commodities information memory 25 stores the information relating to a nominal weight of each commodity as well as a nominal weight of a package. A weight sensor 24 measures an actual overall weight of all of the sales items including the package. A controller 23 compares the measured overall weight with a sum of their nominal weight values, to detect any error in the packing operation.

Abstract: There is provided an abnormal device determining means (CPU 51) which reads a tendency of displacement between the combination calculated weight Wc of the contents M and the post-discharge Ws measured value of the same contents M measured after such contents M have been bagged and which, based on the tendency of displacement so read, determines which one of the combination calculated value Wc and the post-discharge measured value Ws is abnormal, and a display device (54) for displaying a result of the determination. Thus, since based on the displacement tendency of the combination calculated value Wc and the post-discharge measured value Ws, which one of the combination calculated value Wc and the post-discharge measured value Ws is abnormal is determined, it can readily and easily grasped which one of the combination weighing apparatus (1) and the weight checker (300) suffers from a trouble.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved weighing scale for determining a most appropriate antenatal weight of a pregnant woman for each number of the weeks since conception on the basis of the “antenatal weight-to-week” relationship identified in terms of the BMI of the pregnant woman, which index is determined from the height and progestational weight of the pregnant woman, and for making a comparison between the so determined most appropriate antenatal weight and the weight of the pregnant woman measured each week.

Abstract: A cutting board suitable for commercial or non-commercial purposes in which food can be cut on a cutting surface of the cutting board surface and slid quickly and simply to a separate scale weighing surface of the cutting board surface to be weighed. The weighing surface on which the food is weighed is separately supported by a scale and move upwardly and downwardly independent of the cutting area. The cutting board also includes a visual display that displays information representative of the food, such as, for example, the weight of the food resting on the scale surface. A control panel includes one or more selector switches that allow the user to customize information displayed on the visual display and input information representative of the food. The cutting surface, weighing surface, visual display and control panel are sealed as to prevent food, liquid, washing solution, or the like, from entering the cutting board.

Abstract: In an electronic balance for loading having a balance scale (3) weighing system, display (19), control keyboard (21 to 26) and a digital processing electronic circuitry in which circuitry at least one memory is present for the weighed value shown in the display (19). A first additional key (25) is present in the control keyboard (21 to 26) upon the actuation of the key the weighed value shown in the display (19) and stored in the digital signal processing electronics is decreased and upon the first actuation of the key the weighed value displayed immediately previously is taken in addition into a first additional memory. Furthermore, a second additional key (24) is present in the control keyboard (21 to 26) upon whose actuation the weighed value displayed in the display (19) is taken into a second additional memory. By means of the decreasing key the balance operator can decreased the display from the too large actual value step-by-step to the correct theoretical value.