Patents Examined by Randy Gibson
  • Patent number: 10045715
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes detectors and a controller operable to automatically update a tare weight for use in determining a true patient weight. The detectors are configured to produce signals indicating a presence or absence of a corresponding removable component. The controller is configured to determine weights of each and every removable component on the patient support apparatus and store each weight in a memory. The controller is further configured to receive the signals produced by the detectors and detect any addition or removal of removable components of the patient support apparatus, update the tare weight, and determine a weight of a patient being supported on the patient support apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J Hoffman, Mike J Viltro, Chris L Hildenbrand, James L Walke, Aziz A Bhai, Eric R Meyer, David C Newkirk, Frank Sauser, Nicole Johannigman, Brandon P Fisk
  • Patent number: 10048111
    Abstract: A method of measuring body weight includes receiving a first weight of a user wearing at least one personal item, reading a tag information for indicating a weight corresponding to the at least one personal item, and comparing a difference between the first weight and the weight corresponding to the at least one personal item to compute a second weight, wherein the second weight is a body weight of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: EBM TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: William Pan
  • Patent number: 10039362
    Abstract: A self-weighing luggage device comprises a housing with a towing handle at one end and four wheel units mounted at the other end. Four weight determining sensors are incorporated into the wheel units, respectively. Each weight determining sensor is wired to a central circuit board, which is mounted on the inner surface of other end at position. The central circuit board is connected to a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) mounted in a recess in the handle end of the housing, which recess is adapted to receive the handle in a stowed position, such that the LCD is protected by the handle. In use, the self-weighing luggage device is stood on the ground on the four wheel units and the weight readings from each weight determining sensor are combined to give the total weight of the self-weighing luggage device, which total weight is displayed on the LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: SELFWEIGHING SUITCASE COMPANY
    Inventor: John O'Hare
  • Patent number: 10041827
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of devices, methods, and software for image guided scale calibration. One embodiment, in the form of a method, includes outputting an instruction to place a first weight on a scale being calibrated at a particular location and capturing at least one image of the weight when placed on the scale. The method then processes a captured image of a weight when placed on the scale to determine whether the weight is the first weight and whether the weight is at the particular location. When the weight placed on the scale is not the first weight or the weight is not at the particular location, the method performs a remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Peter R. Charpentier, Jason Rambler
  • Patent number: 10041842
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining in-situ a temperature of a substrate with a thermal sensor in a vacuum chamber are described herein. In one embodiment a thermal sensor has a transmitter configured to transmit electromagnetic waves, a receiver configured to receive electromagnetic waves, and a controller configured to control the transmitter and receiver, wherein the controller determines a temperature from a difference between the transmitted electromagnetic wave and the received electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Gangadhar Sheelavant
  • Patent number: 10036664
    Abstract: The system and method combine a large population of varying density pieces into sets that meet a specified target weight range. This is accomplished by creating a sample size of a pre-weighed payload of varying density pieces (“pieces”) for an automated system to determine optimal combinations sets based on piece weight data. The system combines pieces into the sets within a fixed weight tolerance. Significant hurdles overcome with this approach include avoiding damage to the fragile pieces, accurate measuring very low weights. All of this is achieved at extremely high speed and precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: BOT LLC
    Inventors: Steven T. Chandler, William Tennant
  • Patent number: 10036720
    Abstract: A sensor element for detecting a physical property of a gas includes: a first end region and a second end region opposing one another; a functional element in the first end region interior that is electroconductively connected to a contact area disposed in the second end region exterior; the electrically conductive connection between the functional element and the contact area having a conductor in the interior of the sensor element essentially extending in the longitudinal direction, and having a leadthrough that essentially extends orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the sensor element. The ratio between an electrical resistance of the conductor and an electrical resistance of the leadthrough is between 3 and 1/3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Rottmann, Frank Buse, Jens Schneider, Thomas Juestel
  • Patent number: 10035647
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring waste collected by a service vehicle. The system may include a receptacle having an opening configured to receive waste, and an indicator associated with the receptacle and configured to visually indicate an amount of waste inside the receptacle. The system may also include a sensor configured to capture an image of the visual indicator and to generate a signal corresponding to the image, a display, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the display. The controller may be configured to cause a representation of the amount of waste in the receptacle to be shown on the display based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Rubicon Global Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Rodoni
  • Patent number: 10030804
    Abstract: An inner detecting device for subsea oil and gas pipeline includes a support shaft defining a sealed chamber therein; a packer cup coupled to the support shaft; a hinge assembly coupled to the support shaft, swinging with respect to the support shaft in a radial direction and sliding with respect to the support shaft in an axial direction; a magnetic detector connected to the hinge assembly to move with respect to the support shaft in the radial and axial directions, and the magnetic detector tending to move away from the support shaft in the radial direction; a battery pack; an electric recorder electrically connected to the battery pack; and a mileage recorder recording a travel distance of the inner detecting device within the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Songling Huang, Wei Zhao, Shen Wang, Xinjie Yu, Junjie Chen, Zheng Wei
  • Patent number: 10031097
    Abstract: A device produces an electrical signal in response to a stimulus. The device is formed of a flexible substrate including a layer of fibers, for example, paper, and a solution of dispersed carbon nanotubes coated onto and within the fibers, the solution evaporated to leave carbon nanotubes intertwined within the layer of fibers. The carbon nanotubes are functionalized to be optimized for producing an electrical signal for a particular stimulus, where the stimulus includes exposure of the device to a particular gas or vapor. A number of such devices, some or all of which can be different, are housed together, for producing a complex electronic signal, or for sensing any of a wide variety of stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Han, Meyya Meyyappan
  • Patent number: 10031019
    Abstract: A strip scale suitable for use in connection with high speed, in motion weighing applications. The scale has a base, a load cell, a compliant member, and a platform. Also disclosed are load cells for use with the scale, and systems and methods for using the scales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Intercomp Company
    Inventors: William P. Kroll, Karl Kroll, Kai Kroll, Matt Young
  • Patent number: 10024432
    Abstract: A sensor system, for sensing at least one property of a measured gas in a measured-gas space, includes a probe for sensing the property of the measured gas. The probe has at least one sensor element and at least one housing surrounding the sensor element. The housing is configured so that the sensor element in the housing is capable of being impinged upon with the measured gas. The sensor system also includes a receiving element connectable to a wall of the measured-gas space. The probe is introducible along an insertion axis into the receiving element and securable in the receiving element. The probe is capable of being sealed off from the measured-gas space by at least one seal. The seal encompasses at least one linear seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Linck-Lescanne, Juergen Wilde, Bastian Buchholz, Narendiran Doraisamy
  • Patent number: 10021859
    Abstract: A fish weight capture system accurately captures and records the number and weight of each fish caught by fishermen through a geographic area. The system uses a series of dispersed kiosks such that each kiosk weighs each fish processed by the kiosk and captures and image and other information about the fish. The data about each fish is recorded within the kiosk and is transmitted to a central computer and stored within a database. The data received from each kiosk allow a regulatory agency to determine the number and weight of each fish type taken and set appropriate rules and regulations based on this data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Adam Miller
  • Patent number: 10018499
    Abstract: A balance has a draft shield provided therefor. The shield has a base with upper and lower base covers (5, 6). The upper cover has a central hole in the middle thereof. A windproof ring is placed above the upper cover around a weighing pan of the balance. A shield (7) that is placed between the upper cover and the lower cover receives a weighing sensor (8) of the balance. A wind shield is placed above the base and a weighing compartment for receiving the weighing pan is placed between the wind shield and the upper cover. The windproof structure also has an isolation baffle (2) that is placed between the weighing pan and the upper cover. The high-accuracy balance of the present invention may effectively prevent air flow disturbances inside the balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: OHAUS INSTRUMENTS (CHANGZHOU) CO., LTD., OHAUS INSTRUMENTS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fangyuan Zhao
  • Patent number: 10018497
    Abstract: A trolley case capable of displaying weight in a static state allows the bracket fixing shaft not to offset in a radial direction through the configurations of a directional bearing and shaft liner, and allows a weighing transducer to sense the weight of a case body accurately by installing the weighing transducer on the directional bearing and fixing the weighing transducer to the upper end face of the bracket fixing shaft, thereby not causing a weight displaying value to change, realizing a static display, and thus giving users the convenience of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: DONGGUAN MEIERMEI TRAVELING APPLIANCE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhiyong Lu
  • Patent number: 10018537
    Abstract: A portable device for collecting particles and microorganisms is provided. The device includes a cyclone enclosure for centrifuging air, external air inlet for admitting air into the enclosure, and air outlet connected by a coupling to an air inlet filter of an individual motorized respiratory protection appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Bertin Technologies
    Inventors: Amandine Verdier, Daniel Trouchet, Julien Charpentier, Bruno Vallayer
  • Patent number: 10018498
    Abstract: A set of scales having a rack on which at least one, preferably a plurality of weighing tables is/are provided which has/have in each case one frame. The frame of at least one weighing table is provided so as to be at least partially pivotable and/or rotatable in relation to the rack such that the frame is convertible from a use position to a cleaning position and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GEA FOOD SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Gahler
  • Patent number: 10018496
    Abstract: A hopper has a gate pivotable to open and close the lower opening of a hopper body, wherein opposing side parts more spaced apart than a width of the body are extending from the gate, and the opposing side parts of the gate are externally fitted pivotably to fulcrum shafts protruding from outer side surfaces of the hopper body. The hopper further includes regulating members interposed between the outer side surfaces of the body and the opposing side parts of the gate. The regulating members are configured to regulate movements of the gate in pivotal directions thereof and are detachably engaged with the fulcrum shafts circumferentially around the fulcrum shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Morimoto, Ryo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10018500
    Abstract: A balance (30) is a single unit with a weighing pan (21) enclosed in a weighing compartment (22). A housing (23) adjoins the weighing compartment. The balance housing contains a weighing cell compartment (24) enclosing a weighing cell, an electronics compartment (25) containing electrical and electronic circuit elements, a thermoelectric heat pump module (27) and a heat flow controller (28). The balance is equipped to determine a net heat flow (Pnet) inside the housing in the direction from the weighing cell compartment to the electronics compartment. The heat flow controller uses the net heat flow as a control input to regulate the the thermoelectric heat pump module, arranged inside the housing. The control input is used to generate an active heat flow (PA) with magnitude and direction for holding the net heat flow at a level equal to the rate of heat dissipation produced inside the weighing cell compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: METTLER-TOLEDO GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Bühler, Daniel Mock, Michael Geiser
  • Patent number: 10017078
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for providing an accurate and convenient weighing of a vehicle occupant using a relocatable/replaceable multi-purpose on-board vehicle occupant weighing (REMBOW) methodology including a REMBOW pad mounted on a REMBOW seat frame in a vehicle to improve safe engagement of an air bag as well as raising and monitoring possible health related issues of the vehicle occupant(s). The occupant weighing can be performed, using, as a non-limiting example, a kemoder elimination of a separate occupant's feet weighing (KEF) technology, where kemoder is a key element for moderating of an accuracy and convenience of an occupant weighing (i.e., a weighing moderator) and for starting a measuring process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Yefim G Kriger