Abstract: Methods, apparatus and other embodiments associated with a portable monitor are presented. The portable monitor includes a monitor base with a rear support brace on the bottom of the monitor base. The portable monitor includes a monitor device with a video screen. The video screen can display video data received from a device external to the portable monitor. A universal hinge connects the monitor base to the monitor device. The universal hinge can position the monitor base and the monitor device in a closed position, an open position and a tablet position. In the tablet computer position the monitor device is folded against the monitor base with the video screen facing away from the monitor base. The rear support brace can be extracted from the monitor base to support the portable display in substantially vertical position when the portable display is in the tablet computer position.

Abstract: A apparatus for sensing a surface of material in a storage container is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing, a motor assembly, a swing arm assembly, an optical assembly, a material surface detector, and an electronic control circuit. The motor assembly has a motor and a reel carrying a cable. The swing arm assembly has a swing arm with a magnet and a sensor circuit. The sensor circuit monitors a magnetic flux to determine a surface detector position. The optical assembly has a measuring wheel, a code wheel, and an optical encoder circuit. The optical encoder circuit monitors rotation of the code wheel. When the surface detector is moved between first and second positions based upon input from the sensor circuit, the control circuit receives input from the optical encoder circuit based on the rotation of the code wheel. As such, the surface of the material is sensed.

Abstract: A rotary paddle bin monitor for indicating a level of dry bulk material in a bin. In normal operation, a rotary motor rotates a shaft and paddle. A spring mechanism keeps the motor in a first angular position when the paddle is rotating freely. However, when the paddle engages the dry bulk material, the created torque overcomes the spring mechanism and causes the rotary motor to rotate. A first magnetic detector (e.g. a hall effect detector) mounted inside the housing senses a first magnet marker fixed to the rotary motor via the motor support plate to provide an indication when the rotary motor has rotated due to the sufficient presence of dry bulk material. A second magnetic detector mounted inside the housing senses a second magnet marker fixed to the shaft to provide an indication that the shaft is rotating at a proper speed (and indicate the direction of the rotation as well).

Abstract: A rotary paddle bin monitor for indicating a level of dry bulk material in a bin. In normal operation, a rotary motor rotates a shaft and paddle. A spring mechanism keeps the motor in a first angular position when the paddle is rotating freely. However, when the paddle engages the dry bulk material, the created torque overcomes the spring mechanism and causes the rotary motor to rotate. A first magnetic detector (e.g. a hall effect detector) mounted inside the housing senses a first magnet marker fixed to the rotary motor via the motor support plate to provide an indication when the rotary motor has rotated due to the sufficient presence of dry bulk material. A second magnetic detector mounted inside the housing senses a second magnet marker fixed to the shaft to provide an indication that the shaft is rotating at a proper speed (and indicate the direction of the rotation as well).