Patents by Inventor Jodelle D. Sparks

Jodelle D. Sparks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10527486
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to weighing scale diagnostic methods employing a comparison of like component operating parameters. In certain embodiments, weighing scale component output signals may be analyzed to calculate the difference between any two current weighing scale component operating parameter values, and the calculated difference may be compared against a maximum allowable difference for determining if a problem exists. Alternatively, a statistical analysis may be performed that considers the output signal of a given weighing scale component relative to the output signal of another weighing scale component or to the collective output signals of all of the other weighing scale components, and the comparison may be used to determine if a problem exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, LLC
    Inventors: Eric V. Wechselberger, Jodelle D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20170176242
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to weighing scale diagnostic methods employing a comparison of like component operating parameters. In certain embodiments, weighing scale component output signals may be analyzed to calculate the difference between any two current weighing scale component operating parameter values, and the calculated difference may be compared against a maximum allowable difference for determining if a problem exists. Alternatively, a statistical analysis may be performed that considers the output signal of a given weighing scale component relative to the output signal of another weighing scale component or to the collective output signals of all of the other weighing scale components, and the comparison may be used to determine if a problem exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Eric V. Wechselberger, Jodelle D. Sparks
  • Patent number: 9587974
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to weighing scale diagnostic methods employing a comparison of like component operating parameters. In certain embodiments, the difference between any two current operating parameter values may be compared against a maximum allowable difference, and/or the deviation of current operating parameters from a calculated measure of central tendency may be determined and compared against a maximum allowable deviation. Alternatively or additionally, a standard statistical test for outliers may be employed. An outlying difference or deviation may be indicative of a problem with the associated component. In other embodiments, the current operating parameters of like components may be compared against calibrated parameters and any deviation of the current parameter for a given component may be compared against the total deviation to determine the percentage of deviation attributable to that component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, LLC
    Inventors: Eric V. Wechselberger, Jodelle D. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20160018254
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to weighing scale diagnostic methods employing a comparison of like component operating parameters. In certain embodiments, the difference between any two current operating parameter values may be compared against a maximum allowable difference, and/or the deviation of current operating parameters from a calculated measure of central tendency may be determined and compared against a maximum allowable deviation. Alternatively or additionally, a standard statistical test for outliers may be employed. An outlying difference or deviation may be indicative of a problem with the associated component. In other embodiments, the current operating parameters of like components may be compared against calibrated parameters and any deviation of the current parameter for a given component may be compared against the total deviation to determine the percentage of deviation attributable to that component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Eric V. Wechselberger, Jodelle D. Sparks