Abstract: A method for remote monitoring of operating characteristics of a load cell is provided. The method includes receiving from a plurality of sensors, at a main unit, sensed data indicative of a plurality of operating characteristics of a load cell. The method continues by analyzing at a main unit the sensed data for statistical control and sending alerts to a remote computing device when sensed data of an operating characteristic is outside of a preset threshold. A system for carrying out the method is also provided. The system includes a main unit installed near a load cell, a first sub-unit coupled to a scale of the load cell in wired communication with the main unit, and at least one remote computing device in network communication with the main unit.

Abstract: The system and method described herein enable generating digital product labels for products that are valued by weight. Product identification data of a product is received via at least one of a user interface and a network interface. Value per weight data of the product is obtained from a product data store via the network interface. A weight value is determined from at least one scale device via the network interface and a product value is calculated based on the obtained value per weight data and the determined weight value. A digital product label is generated, including at least a portion of the product identification data and product value. The disclosure provides systems and methods that use multiple modular devices, such as the scale devices, printers, and product attribute collector devices, that provide flexibility in organizing the system and reduced cost in initial setup and replacement of devices in the system.

Abstract: Shelves or other fixtures may be used to hold 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. The fixtures, such as a freezer case, may include a door that when opened or closed results in air movement with respect to the shelves. This air movement may produce weight data that is erroneously indicative of a false event, such as a pick or place, even when no actual event has taken place. Weight data from load cells in the shelves may be analyzed to determine a correlation in the data from multiple shelves. If there is a high correlation in the changes to the weight data at multiple shelves, the weight data may be disregarded as being due to air movement.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking and calculating achievement-based compensation for a print service provider. The method includes determining one or more print services associated with a print job to be completed, receiving information indicating at least one of the one or more print services has been completed by a worker, updating a job ticket associated with the job to be completed to indicate that at least one of the one or more print services has been completed, and determining a compensation level for the worker based upon a rate of compensation associated with the one or more completed print services. The system includes various computer system for implementing the method.

Abstract: Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system to verify an employment history of an applicant. The method involves obtaining data from a plurality of data sources comprising a business application, aggregating data to obtain aggregated data, where aggregated data includes employment and payroll data from the plurality of data sources, receiving a request for an employment history verification report based on a job application, where the request includes applicant identification information, searching aggregated data for data associated with applicant identification information, and providing the employment history verification report corresponding to applicant identification information, where the employment history verification report is based on the request and aggregated data. The employment history verification report may be based on employment and payroll data associated with applicant identification information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282). A second precision servo system (1260,1330) applies a constant force, via a tension arm (1320), urging the pinch roller (1316) against the capstan roller, independently of the thickness of the mail piece. Active electronic damping (1900) reduces oscillation when an inconsistency in thickness of the article is encountered during weighing. The damping force is subtracted from the capstan motor torque data for improved accuracy (FIG. 20B).

Abstract: Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.

Abstract: A method for printing indicia on mailpieces at an increased average speed. The system includes: a postal scale for determining a postage amount for a mail piece; a printer; and a postage meter responsive to the postal scale to control the printer to print an indicium representative of the postage amount. The postage meter further includes: a programmable controller; a secure mechanism for accounting for postage amounts expended; and an indicia generator.

Abstract: Errors occurring in computing clusters and other computing systems can impact system performance. Each error has an error type and each error type has a base cost estimating importance of correcting the error. Each error type also has a confidence indicating the level of agreement between those who fix the errors and those who assigned the base cost. An error type's actual cost is produced using the base cost and confidence. An error cascade map contains estimates that one error will cause another. An error type that causes other error types has a cascade cost. Upon detecting an error type, a repair order can be generated, depending on the cost involved. Repairs are then performed. Feedback mechanisms and correlations can be used to update the confidences and the error cascade map.

Abstract: A random weight item transaction system include a scale with label RIFD tag functionality, service person RFID tag functionality and customer RFID tag functionality. A slicer in proximity to the scale may include service person and bulk food product RFID functionalities. The scale may make weigh transaction data available to a computerized checkout system via a communications link or via writing the information to the label RFID tag.

Abstract: A method provides a self-learning mechanism for developing a database of information to be used in guiding selection of parts for temporary removal from a product, in order to reduce product dimensions for shipping and delivery or the like. In one embodiment a product is of a specified type, such as a specified computer product, and comprises a configuration of parts. A procedure is first carried out to select parts for removal from the product, in order to reduce one or more dimensions by pre-specified corresponding amounts. The selected parts are removed, and also listed in a Reduction History Record constructed to indicate the parts removed from successive orders of the specified product type. A work reduction unit is created that comprises the selected parts, and a routing is generated for the work unit, for use in guiding delivery and re-installation of the selected parts back into the product.

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: A method for printing indicia on mailpieces at an increased average speed. The system includes: a postal scale for determining a postage amount for a mail piece; a printer; and a postage meter responsive to the postal scale to control the printer to print an indicium representative of the postage amount. The postage meter further includes: a programmable controller; a secure mechanism for accounting for postage amounts expended; and an indicia generator.

Abstract: A system and method for weighing of items such as mailpieces in the presence of external vibration such as ground noise. The system includes a scale system having a platform connected to a load cell, which 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 as functions of the weights and outputs these postage amounts to a postage meter. The microprocessor determines the weights as the median of the peak to valley difference of the digital output signal when the digital output signal peak to valley difference is less than a predetermined value. The microprocessor identifies peaks and valleys of the digital output signal by determining when the derivative of the signal changes sign.

Abstract: A system and method for weighing of items such as mailpieces in the presence of external vibration such as ground noise. The system includes a scale system having a platform connected to a load cell, which 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 as functions of the weights and outputs these postage amounts to a postage meter. The system also includes an accelerometer and a limit detector for generating a no go signal if external vibrations exceed a predetermined limit. The microprocessor accepts a weight as valid if the external vibrations do not exceed the limit at any time while the weight is being determined and otherwise initiates an alternative weight determining method.

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: In a method for the control of a fast dynamic scale a first operating mode controls the transport device for transport of postal matter to a further processing station, a measurement with a weighing cell during the transport is made and an evaluation of the measured values with the letter format microprocessor for the weight determination given dynamic weighing, and weighed values are supplied to the further processing station. An automatic switching into a second operating mode for the semi-dynamic operation of the scale with static weighing ensues dependent on the result of a determination of the dimensions of the following piece of mail in a first processing station arranged upstream in the mail stream.

Abstract: After power supply, a CPU, serving as warm-up duration calculation clock, calculates duration for warm-up operation from temperature characteristic data of a load detection part on the basis of a power shut down duration, for notifying it's warm-up operation state by a display device on the basis of the calculated duration for warm-up operation.

Abstract: In a method an arrangement for controlling a dynamic scale is set via an input unit according to the respective requirements for processing a mixed mail stack, the setting optionally ensuing on the basis of selected shipping parameters and/or operating parameters that are displayed via a display unit. A modification of the operating parameters and data corresponding to the setting can be undertaken and stored in the non-volatile memory of the scale. Weighing of a supplied piece of mail takes place and a controller drives a conveyor of the scale such that the piece of mail is transported to a further processing station dependent on the operating parameters and data that have been set.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation system and method in the present invention comprises a navigation apparatus transmitting a current position of a vehicle and a target destination of the vehicle, and a base station receiving the current position and the target destination, searching a route information from the current position to the target destination, and transmitting the route information to the navigation apparatus. The base station includes an information storage section storing added information with regard to road features, a route searching section searching the added route information from the information storage section, a transmitting section transmitting the route information to the navigation apparatus and then transmitting the added information to the navigation apparatus. The navigation apparatus displays the route information and the added route information each of which is transmitted from the base station.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail terminal having a weight scale associated therewith includes the step of executing a security software application so as to provide security to the retail terminal during operation thereof. The method also includes the step of determining a current weight value associated with output from the weight scale. Moreover, the method includes the step of comparing the current weight value to a previous-stable-weight value and generating a weight change control signal if the current weight value is not within a predetermined tolerance range of the previous-stable-weight value. Yet further, the method includes the step of utilizing the current weight value during execution of the security software application in response to generation of the weight change control signal. A retail checkout terminal is also disclosed.