Abstract: A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. One or more of the appliances serves as a system controller and may include a further communications interface for coupling to an external communications network, such as the telephone network. The system can thus be accessed and controlled remotely. The system can also communicate with and obtain information from remote sources such as Internet-based facilities.

Abstract: A body weigh scale that is formed of a fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material that is sufficiently rigid so that it may house strain-gauge load cells therein, and yet not significantly deflect under load. The fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material provides an attractive surface after molding. The fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material has extremely low shrinkage rates so that the outer pattern and shape of the scale is not affected by the forming of very thin cross sections adjacent to thick cross-sections. In addition, the fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material is sufficiently rigid to permit a body weigh scale to be constructed having a low profile with integral load-receiving platform and strain-gauge load cell receptacles. The rigidity of the fiber-filled, polyester thermosetting polymer material provides sufficient structural support for operation of the strain-gauge load cells without deflection of material at the receptacles.

Abstract: A food mixer 10 having a turntable 22 that receives a bowl 23. Projecting into a bowl 23 are beaters 24 that are driven by means of a motor 13. The turntable 22 is driven by means of a motor 25. A common speed control member in the form of a dial 29 operates a pair of potentiometers 31 that control the motors 13 and 25 so that there is a correlation between the speeds thereof.

Abstract: A circuit for providing feedback regarding the torque on an AC electric motor. A sample and hold circuit provides DC voltage information regarding the voltage drop across a resistor wired in series with the windings of the motor. Reference voltage from the sample and hold circuit may be supplied to a comparator, such as an operational amplifier, along with a voltage reading from a fixed rate charging circuit. A pulse is provided to a microcontroller each time the voltage of the fixed rate charging circuit equals the reference voltage, and the fixed rate charging circuit is discharged. The microcontroller uses the frequency of the pulses to determine the load on the motor.

Abstract: A heating blanket reduces the possibility of electrical arcing by providing a series of individual heating elements each carrying a low current.

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: A warming blanket having a temperature sensing element for sensing the temperature of the warming blanket. The temperature sensor may be a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element that is threaded throughout the blanket. In one embodiment, the temperature sensing element runs perpendicular or transverse to the heating wires in the warming blanket, permitting the temperature sensing element to measure an average blanket temperature. In another embodiment, the heating element is supplied as a pair of buss wires extending along opposite sides of the warming blanket and having a number of heating wires extending therebetween. In this embodiment, the temperature sensing elements may run either parallel to or transverse to the heating elements. Temperature changes/signals in the temperature sensing element are sent to a microprocessor, which in turn changes the wattage of the heating elements to prevent overheating of the warming blanket.

Abstract: A blender base that may be used with a food processor container, a blender container, and a single use beverage container. The blender container includes a novel blade unit having a food processor-style blade and blender type blades. The container has a first interface at its top that mates with a second interface on the blender base and which may also interface with a drinking cap such that the container may also function as a drinking container.

Abstract: A platform scale cover is reinforced with one or more scale mats formed of a fiber filled polyester thermoset plastic material (FFP). The mats can be securely and rigidly fixed to scale covers using conventional mechanical fasteners. The FFP can be molded with textures, colors and grain patterns which closely simulate natural materials such as marble, granite and other stone and brick type materials. Sturdy mountings can be molded on the mats to facilitate mounting the mat to a scale platform.

Abstract: A quick assembly grill that may be assembled in a few minutes by a user, without the use of tools. The grill includes a leg assembly that snaps onto a base for the grill and side posts that attach to the leg assembly for supporting side tables for the grill. The side posts may attach by bolts and wing nuts, and thus do not require tools for assembly. In addition, the leg assembly snaps onto the base, and the side tables snap onto the side posts, and also do not require tools for assembly. A quick connect gas control for a burner is included on one of the side tables. The quick connect controller inserts into a hole in the side table, and is rotated to lock the control into place.

Abstract: One or more current sensors are mounted externally of a heating member so as to simplify construction of the heating member. The sensors are particularly useful in safety control circuits for heating members using PTC wire as resistance heating elements.