Abstract: A partial spherical shape of each measurement area of a sphere to be measured, which is established so as to have an area overlapping with another measurement area adjacent to each other, is measured at each rotation position, and the surface shape is measured by joining the partial spherical shapes of the measurement areas by a stitching operation based on the shape of the overlapping area. The position at which the sphere is measured is changed and re-held. A positional displacement between half parts of the sphere before and after re-holding, which is caused by an effect of an error owing to the re-holding, is separated into three rotational components. Magnitudes of the three rotational components are quantified by image correlation and the positional displacement corrected. Then, the stitching operation is performed to measure the entire part of the sphere surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of a three-dimensional (3D) shape includes a lens unit transmitting slit beams to a plurality of measurement objects, a light source unit irradiating the plurality of slit beams to the lens unit at different angles, an imaging unit obtaining images of the plurality of measurement objects formed by the slit beams irradiated on the plurality of measurement objects, and a calculation processing unit generating information regarding a 3D shape of the plurality of measurement objects from the images obtained by the imaging unit.

Abstract: Highly accurate electro-optical time of flight distance measuring device for determining a distance to a target, including a transmitter for sending out a pulse shaped optical radiation to the target as well as a receiver for an optical signal built for turning the optical signal to an electrical signal, and a filter with a transfer function for filtering the electrical signal whereby the filter is built in such a way that its transfer-function is of at least 4th order, in particular 5th or 7th or higher order, so that aliasing is suppressed. Further a waveform-sampler, as an analog-to-digital-converter, for digitalizing the pulse shape from the filtered electrical signal as time- and value-quantized digital data, and a computation means for a numerical evaluation of the distance according to the pulse shape or a pulse shape representing numerical signature from the digital data.

Abstract: An improvement in workpiece-engageable devices for accurate workpiece angular formation including a plurality of spirit vials and an engager of a workpiece which establishes an intended bending plane. The plurality of spirit vials includes formation-angle vials adjacent to one another and supported in a respective plane parallel to the intended bending plane and in an orientation corresponding to a respective one of intended angles with respect to a base plane. At least one control vial is supported in a body of the device and aligned in a plane parallel to the base plane. The formation-angle vials may include four formation-angle vials each oriented at one of angles 10°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 90° and in some embodiments 60° with respect to the base plane.

Abstract: A gyroscope having a resonant body utilizes a self-calibration mechanism that does not require physical rotation of the resonant body. Instead, interface circuitry applies a rotating electrostatic field to first and second drive electrodes simultaneously to excite both the drive and sense resonance modes of the gyroscope. When drive electrodes associated with both the drive and sense resonance modes of the gyroscope are excited by forces of equal amplitude but 90° phase difference, respectively, the phase shift in the gyroscope response, as measured by the current output of the sense electrodes for each resonance mode, is proportional to an equivalent gyroscope rotation rate.

Abstract: A vibrating element includes a vibrating arm for detection. An electrode is provided on the vibrating arm for detection. A wiring line is connected to the electrode. The wiring line is arranged on a piezoelectric body of a base portion. At least a part of the wiring line is an electrode for adjustment. The electrode for adjustment generates an electrical signal with an opposite phase to an output signal of leak vibration of the vibrating arm for detection.

Abstract: A system and method for planning missions is provided. The system includes at least one client computer coupled to a network, and a server, coupled to the network, that includes a processor coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform a method for planning missions that includes providing a graphical user interface (GUI) to the client computer, creating a mission including a plan, updating the plan and providing the updated plan to the client computer.

Abstract: A method and system for managing differences between geographic database versions is disclosed. A user registers his version of a geographic database with a map management application and thereafter enters a destination on a graphical user interface. The map management application checks to see if data representing the destination is located in the user's version of the geographic database and a more current version of the geographic database. If the data representing the destination is located in the more current version but not the user's version of the geographic database, the map management application provides the user with options, including upgrading to a more current version of the geographic database.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining a position of a vehicle relative to a travel path based on driving behavior. An estimation platform processes driving information associated with a vehicle, mapping information associated with a segment of the travel path in use by the vehicle, or a combination thereof to determine a behavior trace to associate with the vehicle. The estimation platform also determines an offset between the behavior trace of the vehicle and the behavior trace of one or more other vehicles based on a matching between the behavior trace of the vehicle and the behavior trace of the one or more other vehicles relative to the segment of the travel path.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to providing navigation instructions to a user for reaching a destination via a route planned on a map of a navigation system, said map comprising a plurality of road segments, at least a subset of said road segments comprising an assigned familiarity score. An aspect includes tracking a route taken by a user. Another aspect includes calculating an updated familiarity score of the one or more road segments of the tracked route using at least one of a user-defined updating variable and an updating variable based on at least one dynamically obtained actual travelling condition. Yet another aspect includes storing the updated familiarity score in a data storage of the navigation system.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a GPS receiver, map data including tunnel data and periodically acquires a vehicle's speed to provide guidance on the current position N acquired at the GPS receiver, and when GPS radio waves become unreceivable after the vehicle passes a tunnel entrance, calculates a travel distance according to a vehicle speed and a time T up to a branch, and continues providing guidance on the current position up to the branch. After passing the branch, the navigation device suspends guidance, calculates a distance La between the branch and a tunnel exit, which is shorter, and when GPS radio waves are not received even after a movement distance from the branch exceeds distance La, after passing the branch, determines a road whose distance is longer as the road being traveled, and provides guidance on the current position.

Abstract: A system for sharing a travel itinerary with a plurality of members of a protective detail tasked with protecting the security of an individual, includes one or more processors, one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one or more processors. The program instructions include first program instructions to receive and storing data representative of an itinerary comprising at least one destination an individual intends to travel to. The program instructions further include second program instructions to identify a landmark based on the received itinerary. The program instructions further include third program instructions to associate the identified landmark with the itinerary. The program instructions further include fourth program instructions to communicate data representative of the itinerary and the associated landmark to members of a security detail.

Abstract: A method and system for assisting users with determining a convenient location for a meeting between at least two users having dogs, the method and system including providing an initial location (via GPS) for a first user and dog, providing an initial location (via GPS) for a second user and dog, determining a meeting point between the first users and the second user, and providing directions to the meeting point to the first user and the second user, via electronic devices. Preferably the meeting point is a dog friendly point of interest. The system may also provide social profiles of users, including dogs and their owners. The system provides search, social networking, and mapping for dog owners.

Abstract: A vehicle information providing device provides route information to vehicles. The vehicle information providing device has a history information accumulation unit that sequentially acquires at least one of driving location information, power consumption information and charging location information from vehicle-mounted devices of a plurality of vehicle, and accumulates this as driving history information. The vehicle information providing device has a presentation information provision unit that provides information regarding a presentation route in which the information regarding the presentation route is presented in a form such that routes in a vicinity of the private location cannot be identified, when the presentation route is determined to include at least one private location.

Abstract: A navigation device includes: an intersection attribute determination unit 731 that determines a direction of a left/right turn at a guidance target intersection on a guidance route on the basis of route information on the guidance route; a display position decision unit 732 that decides a display position for a name of the guidance target intersection on a side opposite to the direction of the right/left turn determined by the intersection attribute determination unit 731 when viewed from an entrance link to the guidance target intersection; a drawing data generation unit 733 that generates drawing data on the name of the guidance target intersection; and an image data output unit 9 that causes a display device 10 to display the drawing data generated by the drawing data generation unit 733 at the display position decided by the display position decision unit 732.

Abstract: Intersection guide systems, methods, and programs acquire information on a vehicle path, acquire a vehicle travel direction at a guide intersection ahead of the vehicle based on the information on the path, and cause a display to transition from a first display state to a second display state when a degree of approach of the vehicle to the guide intersection becomes equal to or more than a threshold. In the first display state, the display displays a guide image that represents the travel direction superimposed on a portion of a forward scene ahead of the vehicle other than the guide intersection, and displays a connection line image superimposed on the forward scene that connects between the guide intersection in the forward scene and the guide image. In the second display state, the display displays the guide image superimposed on the guide intersection in the forward scene.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a mapping application with novel tools for examining potential destinations and routes to the potential destinations. In some embodiments, the mapping application includes a route preview page that provides a novel combination of user element tools that allow a user (1) to explore alternative routes to a selected destination, (2) to explore routes to other destinations in a list of destinations. In some embodiments, the route overview page also provides a modal zoom tool that allows the map on this page to zoom to the destination/search result or zoom out to an overview of the entire route to the destination/search result. These three tools (i.e.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and an method searches a point of interest (POI). The navigation apparatus of a mobile terminal includes a storage unit configured to store map data, a display unit configured to display the map data, and a controller configured to search a destination from the map data, display the searched destination on the display unit, and display an icon for searching points of interest near the destination.

Abstract: A method and device of sharing an event or experience by capturing a geographic location of the and at least one detail of the experience or event in the form of data such as video, text, sound, or pictures, with an electronic device, storing the geographic location plus the data on a database accessible to a plurality of users. The application further alerts a user or a plurality of users of the details of the experience when the user is near the geographic location where the at least one detail of the experience was captured and guiding the user to the geographic location where the experience was captured.

Abstract: A control system for providing electrical power to an electronic flight bag device on an aircraft. The control system including a power switching component coupled to a plurality of power sources and at least one electronic flight bag device. The power switching component is operative and configured to selectively apply electrical power from at least one of the plurality of power sources to the at least one electronic flight bag device based upon a condition of the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for operating a touch screen display for a cartographic device is described. The method includes sensing a touch on the touch screen display of the cartographic device, the cartographic device operable to display a map, causing at least one toolbar to be displayed at an edge of the touch screen display in response to the sensed touch, sensing a finger movement along one of the displayed toolbars on the touch screen display, and changing a configuration of the displayed map based on the sensed finger movement.

Abstract: A display system is provided for a vehicle. The system includes a first data source configured to provide low resolution terrain data; a second data source configured to provide high resolution terrain data; a processing unit coupled to the first data source and the second data source, the processing unit configured to receive the low resolution terrain data and high resolution terrain data, to integrate the low resolution terrain data and the high resolution terrain data into a common three-dimensional view that includes graphical elements representing both the low and the high resolution terrain data, and to supply display commands associated with the low and the high resolution terrain data; and a display device coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render the common three-dimensional view to thereby allow simultaneous viewing of the low and the high resolution terrain data.

Abstract: A display system is provided for a vehicle. The display system includes a data source configured to provide terrain data with detached objects that are detached from ground terrain and attached objects that are attached to ground terrain; a processing unit coupled to the data source configured to receive the terrain data and to distinguish the detached objects from the attached objects to generate display commands for a three-dimensional view that comprises graphical elements representing both the detached objects and the attached objects; and a display device coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render the common three-dimensional view to thereby allow viewing of the detached objects and the attached objects.

Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial systems and methods for combining image data received from two or more vision systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an image generator receives navigation data representative of at least one surface of interest (e.g., runway of intended landing) and aircraft position, retrieves navigation reference data representative of surface information, creates zone data representative of a lighting awareness zone for each surface of interest, receives first image data from a first source and second image data from a second source, identifies third image data from the first image data and the zone data, generates fourth image data from the second and third image data, and provides the fourth image data to a display system, thereby increasing situational awareness by enhancing the pilot's ability to detect or recognize the runway environment.

Abstract: A sensor used to sense the position of an attached movable object. The sensor can be mounted to a pneumatic actuator. The sensor includes a housing that has a pair of cavities or pockets separated by a wall. A magnet carrier is positioned within one of the cavities and a magnet is coupled to the magnet carrier. The magnet carrier is coupled to the moveable object. A magnetic sensor is positioned in the other of the cavities. The magnetic sensor generates an electrical signal that is indicative of a position of the movable object.

Abstract: A remote radio frequency (RF) power sensing unit including a first module and a second module. The first module may be configured to generate a digital output representative of a power level of a radio frequency (RF) signal. The second module may be configured to convert the digital output of the first module to a digital signal communicating the power level and transmit the digital signal communicating the power level over a wireless communication channel using a wireless protocol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for measuring an environmental effect, comprising a sensor material having an internal stress, which sensor material is designed to at least partially relax under the influence of the environmental effect. The sensor further comprising a detection unit for indirectly or directly detecting said relaxation. The invention also relates to a waveguide, comprising a grating in at least a portion of the waveguide, which waveguide comprises a coating, the coating comprising a polymer that contains reversible crosslinks that can be broken by the environmental effect in such a way that the polymer changes shape. The invention further relates to a sensor system comprising a waveguide, a light source, and a photo-detector.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed metal detector includes a plastic housing with an integrally formed diaphragm having a predetermined area and a thickness that enables vibration thereof by an internal acoustic transducer. An alert signal audibly drives the transducer in response to a metal detector circuit. The acoustic transducer is positioned to align the transducer output port adjacent to the interior surface of the diaphragm, which enables coupling of the acoustic signal through an air gap to vibrate the diaphragm. A cover is disposed about the diaphragm on the exterior of the housing. The cover has a vent formed therethrough for enabling passage of the acoustic energy to the exterior of the housing. Light and battery hermetic sealing are also presented.

Abstract: It is described a magnetic field differential sensor system for measuring rotational movements of a shaft. The described magnetic field sensor system (200) comprises (a) a biasing magnet (210, 510) configured for generating a biasing magnetic field; (b) a magnetic wheel (230) having a wheel axis and a circumferential surface which comprises a regular structure of teeth (231) and gaps (232) arranged in an alternating manner, wherein (i) the magnetic wheel (230) is attachable to the shaft and (ii) the magnetic wheel (230) can be magnetized by the biasing magnetic field; and (c) a magnetic sensor arrangement (220) comprising four magnetic sensor elements (221, 222, 223, 224) being connected with each other in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. Respectively two of the magnetic sensor elements (221, 222, 223, 224) are assigned to one half bridge of the Wheatstone bridge.

Abstract: Sensor with a one-layer or multi-layer sensor element operating in a contact-free manner and a housing 14 comprising an electric/electronic connection and, in given cases, electronic components, where the sensor element comprises a coil arrangement 1 whose windings 3 have a defined line width 5, line thickness 6, and line spacing 7 per layer 2 and whose layers 2 have a defined layer thickness 8b and, in given cases, a defined layer spacing 8a, characterized in that the sensor element is built up from ceramic layers in the sense of multi-layer ceramics and that with respect to traditional coil arrangements the layer thickness 8b or the layer spacing 8a is reduced and the number of windings per cross-sectional surface area is increased.

Abstract: To provide a motor driving system for an electrically powered automotive vehicle, in which the drive motor is rotationally controlled to increase the reliability, the use is made of an angle sensor for detecting the relative rotational angle between a stator and a rotor of a drive motor for driving the electric vehicle and a controller for controlling the rotation of the drive motor on the basis of the relative rotational angle detected by the angle sensor. The angle sensor is provided in a plural number. The controller includes an angle sensor switching unit operable to select and activate one of the plurality of the angle sensors and then to switch over to an activation of another one of the angle sensors in the event that the one of the angle sensors is determined abnormal.

Abstract: The scale for a vernier encoder including a sensor relatively movable with the scale in a first direction and configured to read periodic patterns provided in the scale. The scale includes first and second scale tracks each including multiple periodic patterns having mutually different periods in the first direction and being arranged parallel in a second direction. The multiple periodic patterns form, between the first and second scale tracks, multiple pairs of periodic patterns to be used for producing multiple periodic signals, each periodic signal being produced by vernier operation. In at least one of the first and second scale tracks, a first periodic pattern, which is used for producing a shortest period periodic signal among the multiple periodic signals, is provided closest to a boundary between the first and second scale tracks among the multiple periodic patterns.

Abstract: An abnormality detection system includes an optical fiber, a backscattered light detection unit, and a data processing unit. The detection unit is connected to one end and the other end of the optical fiber and configured to acquire a first intensity distribution of backscattered light by causing light to enter the optical fiber from the one end, and to acquire a second intensity distribution of backscattered light by causing light to enter the optical fiber from the other end. The processing unit is configured to calculate the product of a value obtained by applying a first FIR filter to the first intensity distribution, and a value obtained by applying a second FIR filter to the second intensity distribution, for each of locations on the optical fiber in the length direction thereof, and to determine whether or not abnormality is present based on the result of the calculation.

Abstract: A test head manipulator system comprising a base structure, a main arm unit configured to support a test head and to be moved relative to the base structure, an actuator having a range of motion of L, and an enhancement mechanism positioned between the main arm unit and the actuator and configured such that movement of the actuator a first distance causes the main arm unit to move a second distance that is greater than the first distance. Additionally, a fluid control system for controlling a test head manipulator system. The pneumatic control system includes a regulator configured to controllably provide an output pressure to the main fluid actuator, and a second fluidly controlled actuator configured to adjust the regulator to modify the output pressure provided to the main fluid actuator. The second actuator is configured to be positively positioned in at least four operating modes with each operating mode causing the regulator to provide a different output pressure to the main fluid actuator.

Abstract: An iterative method is provided, implemented by computer, of optimized design of a system for monitoring a geographical zone comprising a plurality of sensors of different types and characteristics represented by a vector S each component of which indicates the type and the characteristics of a sensor and its position in said zone, said system exhibiting a plurality of absolute technical constraints.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor having an embedded electrode, which can be manufactured at a reduced cost and applied to many different fields. The sensor comprises: a sensing stack in which a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are stacked and layered with a separation layer interposed therebetween; and an electrode terminal arranged at a side surface of the sensing stack and electrically connected to the first and second conductive layers. The first and second conductive layers are exposed on at least one side surface of the sensing stack except for the side surface on which the electrode terminal is arranged, to thereby form a sensing surface.

Abstract: A system for determining densities and proportions of phases in a multi-phase fluid flow (MFF) that can include an oil phase, a water phase, and a gas phase from a well. The system includes a first density sensor that senses the MFF at locations where the phases of the MFF are often separated, a second density sensor senses the MFF from the output of a phase mixer-homogenizer, and a third density sensor that senses, in real time, the MFF where the gas phase starts to separate or has separated from the liquid phase but where the liquid phases have not separated. The system also includes one or more processors for executing one or more programs to determine a density of the oil phase, a density of the water phase, a density of the gas phase, and proportions of phases including a water cut and a gas volume fraction based on readings from the first, second, and third density sensors.

Abstract: A flow meter system includes a first ultrasonic transducer array to be flush-mounted to a pipe. The system also includes a second ultrasonic transducer array to be flush-mounted to the pipe. The system further includes a controller coupled to the first and second ultrasonic transducer arrays and configured to cause bidirectional beam steering between the first and second ultrasonic transducer arrays.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter uses an ultrasonic sensor comprising a ring-shaped ultrasonic vibrator that is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of a conduit tube in which a minute quantity of a substance flows and that is vibrated by application of high frequency signals and generates high frequency signals by receiving the vibration; and a pair of damping members that is arranged so as to grasp and fix the ultrasonic vibrator, wherein an annular soft uniform matching member having a width along the conduit tube that is larger than a width of the ultrasonic vibrator is provided between an inner circumferential surface of the ultrasonic vibrator and the outer circumferential surface of the conduit tube, and the matching member is made of a material having a sound propagation velocity substantially equal to a sound propagation velocity of the substance flowing in the conduit tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a pulsatingly fluctuating flow rate under a general condition, without needing electrical conductivity for a fluid, and without allowing a phase lag corresponding to a calculation time or attenuation, or resulting from a relation between pressure difference and flow rate, to occur. Ultrasonic waves are repeatedly transmitted with respect to a pulsatingly fluctuating fluid, while the ultrasonic wave is being received, and a signal indicative of the transmission and receipt, and a signal indicative of a timing of the transmission and receipt are recorded. Alternatively, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received based on a preliminarily set timing signal, and the signal indicative of the transmission and receipt is recorded. These signals are used to determine flow rates and transmission and receipt timings to plot a pulsating fluctuation. In one or more implementations, the timing signal may be phase-synchronized with a pulsation reference signal.

Abstract: A dropper assembly includes a dropper mechanism that includes a locking connector, an adjusting cap, and a press button. The locking connector has at least one dosage guide unit with a plurality of dosage guide grooves having different depths. The press button has at least one alignment rib portion insertable into one of the dosage guide grooves. The press button is driven by the adjusting cap to rotate between a locked position, where the alignment rib portion abuts against a top end of the locking connector and is thereby limited from being pressed downward, and a pressable position, where the alignment rib portion is aligned with one of the dosage guide grooves to enable pressing movement of the press button.

Abstract: An adjustable volumetric measuring utensil has an adjustable inner member including a repositionable dam member and an outer member including a fixed wall having an incurvate interior surface forming a non-horizontally oriented channel, such that the interior surface of the channel mates with the dam member at a plurality of locations to form a measuring chamber of variable volume, the channel having a full measure indicator defining a horizontal upper boundary plane delimiting from above the measuring chamber of variable volume and defining the correct positioning of the horizontal upper surface of a measured material, whereby the dam member can be positioned partly above and partly below the horizontal upper boundary plane and whereby a variable portion of the upstream face of the dam member is in contact with the measured material, depending on its positioning, the utensil including a series of volumetric measuring indicia or recipe conversion indicia.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided to control a probe moving towards fluid held in a container. The probe is moved towards the fluid to take a sample of the fluid in the container. To take a sample, probe is actuated to hit the fluid surface and to pass the fluid surface by a predetermined distance. Capacitive sensing which incorporates the probe itself is used to support an approach engine for controlling the motion of the probe. The approach engine determines the speed of the probe based on capacitance measurements, and in some cases based on position information of the probe. The approach engine ensures the probe hits the surface of the fluid in the container in order to take a sample while ensuring the probe does not hit the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A liquid consuming apparatus includes a photosensor 80 having a light-emitting portion 82 and a light-receiving portion 84, a holder 21 capable of attachably and detachably holding a liquid container in which a prism 320 having a face that faces the photosensor 80 is arranged, and a determination unit (a failure determination unit 120) that determines status of the photosensor 80 based on the output of the photosensor 80. When the liquid container is installed in the holder 21, the determination unit detects a failure of the photosensor 80 based on a detection signal of the photosensor 80 in the case of causing the light-emitting portion 82 to emit light, and a detection signal of the photosensor 80 in the case of causing the light-emitting portion 82 to turn off the light.

Abstract: Methods and devices relating to measuring a landing position and mass of an analyte adsorbed to a nanomechanical resonator by resolving adsorbate-induced frequency shifts in at least two modes of a resonator resonance frequency, where during the resolving of the frequency shifts in the at least two modes analysis is so that the transformation (G) from the fractional-frequency shift pair to the analyte mass-position pair is one-to-one. Complex protein mixtures can be analyzed at high sensitivity and resolution.

Abstract: A hollow profile sensor for installation in roads or a road surface for the purpose of sensing the weight of vehicles and/or driving dynamics reactions of vehicles or vehicle wheels to the road includes a tube part having a hollow interior profile. A counterpart is connected to the tube part. A measuring arrangement is held in the hollow interior profile between the tube part and the counterpart. A force introduction flange is connected to the tube part in such a manner that force application lines are concentrated on the measuring arrangement.

Abstract: A surgical sponge and comprehensive fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system includes a support ring for securely supporting a container with at least one port opening for receiving surgical sponges placed into the container. A hollow spine structure includes a channel and a rod that can move in the channel. The rod transfers weight force from the support ring to a weight force sensing device. A flexure maintains the rod vertically aligned in the channel with a gap separating the length of the rod from the channel walls. A processor receives an information signal indicative of at least one of urine outflow, suction fluid outflow, irrigation fluid intake; and intravenous fluid intake, of a surgical patient. The processor accumulates a total amount of estimated net fluid volume loss for the patient from the surgical sponge, and from other measured fluid outflow and intake.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel approach of utilizing a collection bin for a side loading waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes a weighing system with a processor for measuring the weight of material collected from each waste container and associating this weight with appropriate data, such as the owner of the waste container.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: According to certain inventive techniques, a body weight measuring device measures a weight of a load over a period of time to generate a reading. The body weight measuring device includes a plurality of load sensors, a radio, at least one processor, and a display. The plurality of load sensors is configured to generate load information during the reading. The load information includes a plurality of measurements from each of the plurality of load sensors received over the period of time. The radio is configured to wirelessly transmit reading information. The at least one processor is configured to receive the load information from the plurality of load sensors, analyze the load information to determine weight information, analyze at least one of the load information or the weight information to determine stability information, communicate the reading information to the radio. The reading information comprises the load information and the stability information.