Processes Patents (Class 177/1)
  • Patent number: 12214791
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for monitoring vehicle overload based on gravity anomaly, which includes the following steps of: setting a plurality of measuring positions on a single lane, arranging a gravimeter to acquire gravity anomaly values caused by a vehicle when the middle position along the length direction of the vehicle reaching each measuring position, using a monitoring camera to judge the category of the vehicle, acquire three geometric dimensions of the vehicle, and determine the position of the vehicle. The vehicle is simplified as a cuboid, and the mass density distribution is simplified as a piecewise constant function along the length direction of the vehicle. Calculating values of the piecewise constant function according to the gravity anomaly values, calculating a total weight of the vehicle according to the mass density distribution, comparing the total weight with the weight limit of the vehicle to judge whether the vehicle is overloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chaofeng Lv, Yinnan Zhang, He Zhang
  • Patent number: 12209900
    Abstract: An example transporter includes: a chassis with a locomotive assembly; a shelf supported on the chassis to receives items; a weight sensing system associated with the shelf, the weight sensing system configured to measure an item weight for an item received on the shelf; a processor interconnected with the weight sensing system, the processor configured to: obtain, from the weight sensing system, the item weight; identify an item identifier for the item based on the item weight; and determine, based on the item identifier, whether the item complies with an expected item to be received at the transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Thomas Fountain
  • Patent number: 12158370
    Abstract: The number of articles in a weighing pan of a multihead weigher is to be determined. A set of weight distributions including a first weight distribution and a second weight distribution are defined. The first weight distribution representing a weight distribution of a first integer number of articles, and the second weight distribution representing a weight distribution of a second integer number of articles. The weight of the articles in the weighing pan is compared to the first weight distribution, and the second weight distribution respectively—the number of articles corresponding to the first integer number when the weight being inside said first weight distribution, and to the second integer number when the weight being inside said second weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Cabinplant A/S
    Inventor: Henning Ingemann Hansen
  • Patent number: 12140483
    Abstract: A calibration method of a temperature sensor is provided. The temperature sensor having a current source and a ring oscillator generating a square pulse signal with a temperature-dependent square pulse frequency. The acquisition of a first square pulse frequency measurement at a first temperature from the square pulse signal forms a first measurement point. A second square pulse frequency measurement at a second temperature from the second square pulse signal forms a second measurement point. The determination of the relation data being representative of an affine relation between square pulse frequency measurements and temperatures. The affine relation being defined by a used proportionality coefficient modified with respect to a measured proportionality coefficient of a measured affine relation linking the first measurement point and the second measurement point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Vincent Binet, Bruno Gailhard
  • Patent number: 12138883
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a system and method for baling recyclable materials and managing the baling of recyclable materials. The apparatus for baling includes a baler for compressing and baling recyclable materials, a scale, label printer, and a processor. Certain embodiments further comprise at least one digital camera, RFID dispenser, and an internet connection that allows the processor to transmit collected data to a remote database for further analysis. The disclosed method for baling recyclable materials comprising the steps of baling materials; weighing the bale automatically using a digital scale operably connected to the processor; recording the weight of the bale automatically; and printing a label which displays the recorded weight of the bale. Additionally, the method may comprise inputting information and/or automatically recording data, and/or automatically transmitting the data associated with a bale to a remote database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Chung Wah Chan, Ricardo J. Perez
  • Patent number: 12129159
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a modular carriage system that includes one or more modular pieces to expand one or more dimensions of a base carriage plate. The modular pieces and/or the base carriage plate may include, and/or be configured to receive, mounting hardware to secure the modular pieces to the base carriage plate. In some examples, multiple modular pieces can be stacked together to incrementally increase the one or more dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew Sukalski, Thomas H. Johnson, Kevin Detert, Cory Hainy
  • Patent number: 12130171
    Abstract: A monolithic weighing system (100) includes a plurality of levers (120), which are joined together by thin-section joints (110). The levers, on the one hand, and the thin-section joints, on the other hand, are made of different materials or material combinations; and the levers, adjoining one of the thin-section joints on both sides thereof, have a first material (21), and the thin-section joint has a second material (22) which is different from the first material. An associated method includes (i) an additive manufacturing process, in which different materials, including the first and second material (21, 22), are applied in layers and are joined to form a single-piece weighing system blank (10), wherein the weighing system blank (10) has prospective lever regions (12) and prospective thin-section joint regions (11), and (ii) subsequent subtractive finishing of the weighing system blank at least on the prospective thin-section joint regions to obtain the weighing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: SARTORIUS LAB INSTRUMENTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jonas Bode, Matthias Geisler
  • Patent number: 12123761
    Abstract: A device for weighing filled capsules has a weighing unit with weighing receptacle for the capsules supplied via a feed channel to the weighing unit in a movement direction. The weighing receptacle has a stop holding a capsule with form fit in movement direction in a receptacle section of the weighing receptacle. The receptacle section relative to the horizontal is slanted such that a leading end of the receptacle section relative to the movement direction is lower than a rearward end. In the method for weighing, the capsule is held with form fit in movement direction in the receptacle section by the stop device such that the capsule is at a slant with a leading end in relation to the movement direction being lower than a rearward end of the capsule. Weighing of the capsule is done in the weighing unit while the capsule is held at the slant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Florian Huhnen, Steffen Gall, Jonathan Cocks, Reiner Wurst
  • Patent number: 12111202
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the running properties of a rotating belt of a weighing belt conveyor includes, for at least one rotation of the belt, determining a unique reference position on the belt. A force signal is determined in dependence on the movement of the belt with respect to the reference position during the at least one rotation. From this force signal, the course of a deviation of the force signal from a set value as a consequence of a disruptive force is determined. At least in correspondence with the direction of the determined deviation, the mass of the belt is increased or reduced at locations in dependence on the position of the belt with respect to the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Wipotec GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Gottfriedsen
  • Patent number: 12104944
    Abstract: A combination weighing apparatus includes a dispersion table configured to convey an article from a received center to an outer side, the article being supplied from an outside, a plurality of conveying feeders disposed outside the dispersion table, the plurality of conveying feeders being configured to further convey the article conveyed from the dispersion table, a detector configured to detect a loading status information of the article in each of the plurality of conveying feeders, and a controller configured to receive a detection result of the detector. The controller is configured to generate a vector information based on the loading status information detected by the detector and a position information of the plurality of conveying feeders with respect to a center of the dispersion table, and generate a biased center of the article on the dispersion table obtained based on the vector information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiharu Kageyama
  • Patent number: 12076471
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of loading a medical device, in particular to a dialysis device, and preferably a peritoneal dialysis device, which comprises a device control and a user interface, wherein at least one fluid-filled container is connected to a corresponding interface of the device, wherein at least one property of the container is checked by the device before or during its connection and the measured value is compared with least one desired value stored in the device control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Erik Griessmann, Klaus Wolf, Peter Wabel, Bernd Mohr
  • Patent number: 12073550
    Abstract: An Overhang detection method for a battery electrode sheet includes acquiring an image of a battery electrode sheet; determining the locations of a plurality of electrode sheet edges in the image, wherein the plurality of electrode sheet edges are electrode sheet edges related to an Overhang measurement value corresponding to the image, the location of each electrode sheet edge is determined on the basis of an area where each electrode sheet edge is located, and the area where each electrode sheet edge is located is a dynamically determined area; and determining, according to the locations of the plurality of electrode sheet edges, the Overhang measurement value corresponding to the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: ONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Pengfei Duan, Qi Chen, Jianlei Wang, Ya Dai, Yang Lei
  • Patent number: 12063732
    Abstract: A modular cooking apparatus is disclosed. The modular cooking apparatus includes a first interchangeable cooking module containing an impingement oven and a second interchangeable cooking module containing a microwave oven. The microwave oven includes a magnetron and a cooking chamber, an oven door for covering the cooking chamber, wherein the oven door includes an external cover and an internal cover, a motor located outside the cooking chamber, a food holding surface located inside the cooking chamber, and a crank-and-cam mechanism connected to the food holding surface via a rod. The crank-and-cam mechanism moves the food holding surface to and fro within the cooking chamber during cooking for promoting food cooking evenness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Automation Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Philip R. McKee, Lee Vanlanen, Anthony Sayas, Danny McCauley
  • Patent number: 12001745
    Abstract: An electronic cutting board which includes a power receiver configured to receive power from a wireless power transmission apparatus, a communication circuitry configured to communicate with the wireless power transmission apparatus, a plate including a display and a protective cover provided to protect the display, a weight sensor configured to measure a weight of an object while the object is placed on the plate, and a controller configured to control the display to display a cutting guide based on the measured weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunghyun Song, Hyeongseong Kim, Nooree Na, Taehyoung Cho
  • Patent number: 11983662
    Abstract: A process for verifying an item deposit via a smart drop box. The process includes an item receptacle, a processor in communication with the item receptacle, a scanning device, and a database. The item receptacle is configured to receive an item from a user, scan the item, and generate item information. The processor is configured to compare the item information generated with identified item information from the database. If the information generated matches the information from the database, the item is accepted. In some embodiments, the deposit verification includes a printed receipt and/or an electronic verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: William Albert Tartal, Gabriel Michael Yessin, Dominique Danielle Strothers, Joram Shenhar, Joel Locknauth Dewnandan, Terry Martin Gingell, James Edmund Matthews
  • Patent number: 11971292
    Abstract: The vibration strength of a linear feeder is changeable depending on whether an article is currently present at a downstream end of a trough of the linear feeder. When articles continue to be vibrationally transported, arriving continuously at the downstream end of the trough of the linear feeder, the vibration strength is set to a vibration strength suitable for discharge of the articles from the downstream end. When there is currently no article at the downstream end of the trough of the linear feeder, the vibration strength is set to a vibration strength suitable for transport of the articles to allow the articles that follow to swiftly arrive at the downstream end of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11959795
    Abstract: A combined weighing system 1 includes a first X-ray inspection device 20, a combined weighing device 40, a bag making and packaging device 50, a weight inspection device 60, a second X-ray inspection device 70, and a management device 90 that manages each device. The management device 90 revises a weight conversion table of the first X-ray inspection device 20 and a correction value of the combined weighing device 40 based on an average value of weights of products B, which is calculated from a result of inspection over a certain time period in the weight inspection device 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: NICHIREI FOODS INC.
    Inventors: Kenji Fukumoto, Takao Eto, Kazuro Ishiyama, Shinya Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11940320
    Abstract: A load sensor compares generated values of load signals to predicted values of the load signals. Where an error between a generated value and a predicted value is less than a threshold, a value of zero is transmitted by the load sensor to an external systems, in an encoded stream of bits, and the error are used to calculate a predicated value of a next load signal, such that insubstantial changes in loading resulting in small errors are not transmitted to the external system. Where an error between the generated value and the predicted value exceeds the threshold, however, a value representative of the error is transmitted to the external system, in an encoded stream of bits. The external system processes the stream of bits to calculate the error, to determine that an item has been placed on a storage system or removed therefrom, or to identify the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarang Sandeep Bhadsavle, Alexander Eugene Choi, Graham Cyril Jordan, Paul Eugene Munger, Robert M. Riggs, Benjamin Hong Yee, Matthew Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11879770
    Abstract: A weighing method has an automatic micro-calibration function. In the method, an automatic adjustment is performed by a self-calibration weighing module. When the result of the adjustment does not meet a requirement, an automatic calibration is performed by the self-calibration weighing module, followed by weighing fine formulation materials. In the weighing method, the self-calibration module is used to perform the automatic calibration function to weigh the fine formulation materials. This provides a high degree of automation, and greatly reduced cost in equipment and labor for a formulating process, saving on time and labor, and with no risk of cross-contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Precision Instruments Ltd, Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Measurement Technology Ltd., Mettler-Toledo International Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Zhengwei Ji, Chunhui Li, ZhiHe Chao
  • Patent number: 11850818
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a system and method for baling recyclable materials and managing the baling of recyclable materials. The apparatus for baling includes a baler for compressing and baling recyclable materials, a scale, label printer, and a processor. Certain embodiments further comprise at least one digital camera, RFID dispenser, and an internet connection that allows the processor to transmit collected data to a remote database for further analysis. The disclosed method for baling recyclable materials comprising the steps of baling materials; weighing the bale automatically using a digital scale operably connected to the processor; recording the weight of the bale automatically; and printing a label which displays the recorded weight of the bale. Additionally, the method may comprise inputting information and/or automatically recording data, and/or automatically transmitting the data associated with a bale to a remote database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: WM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Chung Wah Chan, Ricardo J. Perez
  • Patent number: 11796379
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to plant propagation weight measurement apparatus and methods. Load cells are utilized to measure one or more of seedling trays, flood tables, support systems, and combinations thereof. The load cells are integrated in weight measurement systems and configured to enable weight detection of various system components. In certain embodiments, load cells are utilized to measure stationary system components. In other embodiments, load cells are utilized to measure conveyed system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Damon Smith, Kevin Grauberger, Aunders Hallsten
  • Patent number: 11780190
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a system and method for baling recyclable materials and managing the baling of recyclable materials. The apparatus for baling includes a baler for compressing and baling recyclable materials, a scale, label printer, and a processor. Certain embodiments further comprise at least one digital camera, RFID dispenser, and an internet connection that allows the processor to transmit collected data to a remote database for further analysis. The disclosed method for baling recyclable materials comprising the steps of baling materials; weighing the bale automatically using a digital scale operably connected to the processor; recording the weight of the bale automatically; and printing a label which displays the recorded weight of the bale. Additionally, the method may comprise inputting information and/or automatically recording data, and/or automatically transmitting the data associated with a bale to a remote database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: WM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Chung Wah Chan, Ricardo J. Perez
  • Patent number: 11773524
    Abstract: A laundry washing machine and method automate the selection of various operational settings for a wash cycle based in part on color composition data collected from a load of articles using a color detection sensor. In some instances, the capture of color composition data is triggered by detected weight changes sensed by a weight sensor as the load of articles is added to a wash tub, and is based in part on the detection of a stable weight in the wash tub for at least a predetermined duration. In addition, in some instances, color compensation data may be used to characterize a load of articles based in part on a color decision algorithm that assigns pixels in the color compensation data to different color categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Phillip C. Hombroek, Abubakar Abukar, Andrew Perry
  • Patent number: 11719567
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic scale in disclosed in this disclosure, which is applied to measure and indicate a state of an external force, comprises the following steps. A weight sensor detects the external force, and a controller drives a prompting device to emit a first light with a first optical characteristic when the external force detected by the weight sensor reaches a first weight. The controller drives the prompting device to emit a second light with a second optical characteristic when the prompting device emits the first light for a predetermined period, wherein the prompting device continuously emits the second light until the external force reaches a second weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Kang Chen, Yu Tao Kao, Jiun Lin Wu, Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 11697581
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for increasing the efficiency of a process of providing a resource by a resource provider are disclosed. In one example, a method detects a presence of a vehicle at a fuel dispenser, transmits an authorization request message automatically in response to detecting the presence of the vehicle, and automatically allows the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION
    Inventors: Jagdeep Sahota, Weiyi Zhou, Lance Weber, Kiran Zaveri, Shiv Bhatt
  • Patent number: 11574352
    Abstract: An autonomous robotic vehicle includes a conveyance system, a securable compartment configured to autonomously lock and unlock, a customer identification reader, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the autonomous robotic vehicle to, autonomously: travel to a destination location of a customer; capture, by the customer identification reader at the destination location, a customer identification object; determine that the captured customer identification object matches an identity of the customer; unlock the securable compartment based on the determination; capture, by the product identification reader, a product identifier; and accept a product to be returned by locking the securable compartment. The securable compartment contains a product identification reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: NURO, INC.
    Inventors: David Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Cosimo Leipold, Pichayut Jirapinyo
  • Patent number: 11566933
    Abstract: A combination weighing device includes a conveying unit configured to convey articles, a controller configured to perform combination weighing of the articles, and an interface configured to receive an input of information from an operator. The controller has a first operation mode including a first control parameter that defines a conveying operation of the conveying unit and is automatically set in the device, and a second operation mode including a second control parameter that defines the conveying operation of the conveying unit and is set based on the information input from the interface, and when the interface receives an input of the information during an operation of the conveying unit in the first operation mode, the controller makes a transition from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, and controls the operation of the conveying unit using the second control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Kageyama, Satoru Kamigaito
  • Patent number: 11488400
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and data structures for context-aided machine vision item differentiation. For example, one method embodiment includes identifying a customer in a shopping area, receiving an image of the customer holding an item, and performing item identification processing on the image to identify the item the customer is holding. The item identification processing, in some embodiments, includes generating a multidimensional feature vector with a data representation of each feature extracted from the image forming each dimension of the multidimensional feature vector. The item identification processing further includes matching the multidimensional feature vector to a stored multidimensional feature vector of a plurality of stored multidimensional feature vectors that are each associated with a respective product and passing a representation of the identified item for use by another process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Vance Zucker, Adam Justin Lieberman
  • Patent number: 11467022
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic scale in disclosed in this disclosure, which is applied to measure and indicate a state of an external force, comprises the following steps. A weight sensor detects the external force, and a controller drives a prompting device to emit a first light with a first optical characteristic when the external force detected by the weight sensor reaches a first weight. The controller drives the prompting device to emit a second light with a second optical characteristic when the prompting device emits the first light for a predetermined period, wherein the prompting device continuously emits the second light until the external force reaches a second weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Kang Chen, Yu Tao Kao, Jiun Lin Wu, Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 11435251
    Abstract: A control apparatus controls an array-type sensor. The control apparatus includes: a first selector/driver that is configured to select and drive one of a plurality of first lines; a second selector/driver that is configured to select and drive at least one of a plurality of second lines; a read/arithmetic circuit that is configured to read outputs of respective unit cells and perform a correction operation on the outputs; and a nonvolatile storage device that is configured to store reference data. The sensor outputs of the respective unit cells with respect to two or more reference inputs are stored as reference data in the nonvolatile storage device in a calibration mode, and a correction operation is performed on the sensor outputs of the respective unit cells using the stored reference data and results of the correction operation are output in a measurement mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Numata, Hiroyuki Endoh
  • Patent number: 11402257
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a platform that is supported by a first set of load cells. Output from these load cells may be adversely influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, aging, and so forth. The device includes a second set of load cells that are unloaded, that is they do not support the platform. Output from the first set of load cells is digitized to produce first digital data while output from the second set of load cells is digitized to produce second digital data. The first digital data and the second digital data are processed to produce compensated data. For example, values of the second digital data may be subtracted from values of the first digital data to produce the compensated data. In other implementations, other processing may be used. The resulting compensated data may be used to provide highly accurate weight data about the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Behrad Aria, David Buuck
  • Patent number: 11378441
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a weighing and measuring system, comprising a weighing sensor network constituted by networking a plurality of weighing sensors, wherein in the weighing sensor network, each of subtasks into which a weighing task is split is assigned to each of weighing sensors in the weighing sensor network; and each of the weighing sensors respectively and independently executes the assigned subtask and exchanges task data through the weighing sensor network. The weighing sensors collaboratively process a weighing task, which no longer depends on an instrument or a computer, thereby reducing the cost of the whole system, and improving the tolerance level to environment. The collaborative processing mode also avoids the bottleneck of data communication information summarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Precision instruments Co., Ltd., Mettler-Toledo (Changzhou) Measurement Technology Co., Ltd., Mettler-Toledo International Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Feng Dai, Jianqiang Yang, GuoJun Xie, Jinquan Yu, Wenming Mao, Dake Tan
  • Patent number: 11341346
    Abstract: This disclosure includes a parcel terminal that may include a shelving unit comprising a plurality of shelves that are separated by respective predetermined distances along a dimension of the unit. In an embodiment, the plurality of shelves may be evenly spaced. The parcel terminal may further include a receptacle for receiving a parcel from a user, a loader configured to transfer the parcel from the receptacle to a shelf on the shelving unit, and an electronic controller in electronic communication with the loader. The electronic controller may be configured to determine a number of open shelves required to accommodate the parcel based on a size of the parcel and on the respective predetermined distances, to select a set of shelves having at least the required number of open shelves, and to initiate a movement of the loader so as to place the parcel within the selected set of shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Cleveron AS
    Inventors: Remi Lõssov, Lauri Hirvesaar, Mikk Noorkõiv, Mart Roht
  • Patent number: 11333547
    Abstract: A method at a computing device, the method including obtaining sensor data for a vehicle providing vibration frequency and magnitude; calculating an energy for each of a low frequency passband and a high frequency passband of a bandpass filter pair; finding an energy ratio based on the energy for the low frequency passband and the energy for the high frequency passband; applying weighting constants to each of the energy for the low frequency passband, the energy for the high frequency passband and the energy ratio to calculate a decision variable; and finding that the vehicle is unloaded if the decision variable is below a threshold and finding that the vehicle is loaded if the decision variable is above a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Shouxing Qu, Gaëlle Christine Martin-Cocher, Suresh Periyalwar, Yu Gao, Sameh Ayoub
  • Patent number: 11272667
    Abstract: A scale controller system and method of using the system is disclosed. The scale controller is adapted for use with a grain cart or similar implement that includes a discharge opening and conveyor. The system includes a scale and a plurality of sensors that work together to automate numerous functions that are typically performed manually. For example, the present invention discloses a system that automatically records the amount of material loaded or unloaded by continuously monitoring the load on a scale and the RPMs of a power take-off shaft that drives a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Digi-Star, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Bump, Steven L. Johansen, Ronald J. Schlimgen, Michael D. Van Mill, Shawn W. Gerdeman
  • Patent number: 11248949
    Abstract: In aspects of a wireless hand sensory apparatus for weight monitoring, a wearable article is worn by a user who moves items. A tracking system is implemented in the wearable article, and the tracking system includes a force sensor, or force sensors, in the wearable article to register a force on an item. The tracking system includes tracking logic that determines a weight of the item based on the force on the item. The tracking system may also include a motion sensor to sense motion of the wearable article, and the tracking logic determines how the item is moved based on the motion of the wearable article. The tracking logic can also determine the weight of the item based on the force on the item in combination with a speed of the motion of the wearable article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. DeBates, Douglas Alfred Lautner, Jagatkumar V. Shah, Mary Khun Hor-Lao
  • Patent number: 11247855
    Abstract: <Problem> It is an object of the present invention to provide a timing hopper that inhibits the occurrence of the problem that articles end up getting stuck inside the timing hopper and are not normally discharged. <Solution> A timing hopper 9 includes a first member 91, a second member 92, and a gate 9a. The first member 91 has a first opening 91a to which articles A are input. The second member 92 has a second opening 92a from which the articles A are discharged. The gate 9a opens and closes the second opening 92a. The first member 91 has a first side wall 91b and a second side wall 91c. The second side wall 91c opposes the first side wall 91b. The second member 92 has a third side wall 92b and a fourth side wall 92c. The third side wall 92b is continuously connected to the first side wall 91b. The fourth side wall 92c opposes the third side wall 92b and is continuously connected to the second side wall 91c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 11245875
    Abstract: A camera system is configured to automatically monitor an area. Depth image(s) of the area are acquired based on active IR light emitted by the camera system and reflected from the area to a sensor array of the camera system. The depth image(s) are computer analyzed to identify a human subject. For each spectral illuminator of the camera system, spectral light image(s) of the area are acquired based on active spectral light in the spectral light sub-band of the spectral illuminator reflected from the area to the sensor array. The spectral light image(s) for the spectral illuminators are computer analyzed to identify an interaction between the human subject and an object in the area. In response to identifying the interaction between the human subject and the object in the area, an action to be performed for the object in the area is computer issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sergio Ortiz Egea, Riaz Imdad Ali, Michael Scott Fenton, Onur Can Akkaya
  • Patent number: 11237037
    Abstract: A hydraulic mass-determining unit arranged for determining the mass of a load held by a hydraulic fluid system, the mass-determining unit is adapted to be connected to a hydraulic pump at a first fluid connection and a hydraulic actuator of a lifting device at a second fluid connection, the mass-determining unit comprises a first pipe arranged for connecting the first fluid connection and the second fluid connection, and at least one pressure sensor arranged to measure the pressure in the first pipe, wherein the mass-determining unit further comprises a flow regulator with a pressure compensator, where the flow regulator is serially connected to the first pipe to regulate the flow in the first pipe, and one of a pressure switch arranged for measuring the pressure difference over the flow regulator, and for sending a signal to the pressure sensor to measure the pressure in the first pipe when the pressure difference is above a preset value, or a magnetic field switch that comprises a magnet attached to the pre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: GRIPTECH B.V.
    Inventors: Knud-Erik Larsen, Robert Servaas Matti
  • Patent number: 11226225
    Abstract: A work vehicle, a method of determining a weight of a payload supported by a work tool mounted to an upper structure of a work vehicle, and a method of calibrating a weight of a payload supported by a work tool mounted to an upper structure of a work vehicle are provided. The work vehicle includes an undercarriage having a plurality of ground engaging members supporting the work vehicle, an upper structure rotatable relative to the undercarriage about a vertical axis, a rotation sensor configured to determine a rotation angle of the upper structure relative to the undercarriage, a work tool mounted to the upper structure and configured to support a payload, and a controller configured to determine a weight of the payload based at least partially on the rotation angle of the upper structure relative to the undercarriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Lance R. Sherlock
  • Patent number: 11156495
    Abstract: Method for controlling a weighing device (DP) via a terminal (TER), comprising the following steps: using the terminal (TER) to generate and/or acquire a piece of control information (Cde) comprising at least one refresh (Ins_ra) or update instruction (Ins_ac) relating to a refresh or update cyclic period and/or duty cycle of a function of at least one functional element (F) of the weighing device (DP), and sending said piece of control information (Cde) to the control entity (C), and controlling method internal to a weighing device (DP) comprising the following steps: receiving a piece of control information (Cde) originating from a terminal (TER), and adapting the refresh or update cyclic period and/or duty cycle of said function of the at least one functional element (F) depending on the at least one received refresh (Ins_ra) or update (Ins_ac) instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Stéphane Daniel Paul Caregnato, Sébastien Drode, Stéphane Suchet, Philippe Masson
  • Patent number: 11131576
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a working device which is configured to excavate and unload soil, a load meter which is configured to measure weight of the soil loaded by the working device, a transport vehicle specifier which is configured to specify a transport vehicle to be loaded with the soil, a vehicle weight acquirer which is configured to acquire vehicle weight information on loadable weight of the transport vehicle, a load weight calculator which calculates load weight of the soil loaded on the transport vehicle, according to the weight measured by the load meter, and an output unit which is configured to output information on a remaining loading capacity of the transport vehicle obtained from the vehicle weight information and the load weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Chikashi Shike
  • Patent number: 11113483
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification system comprising: a measuring assembly configured to measure a physical quantity of an object to output a first data associated with the object, a loop antenna configured to be attached to the object, wherein the loop antenna has an IC chip storing a second data associated with the object, a radiation pattern disposed at the measuring assembly and a transreceiver in signal-transmittable connection to the measuring assembly, with the transreceiver configured to perform at least one of sending the first data and receiving the second data when the loop antenna and the radiation pattern are electromagnetically coupled to each other, wherein the IC chip stores the first data when the transreceiver sends the first data, and the measuring assembly receives the second data and outputs a message having the first data and the second data when the transreceiver receives the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CYMMETRIK ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shan-Jen Kuo, Frank Shang-Teng Chan, Yosephine Yulia Margaretha, Jen-Chieh Wei, Shao-Ming Kao
  • Patent number: 11110911
    Abstract: There is provided a measurement device including a data acquisition unit that acquires pieces of first to third data output from first to third sensors provided on a structure, an abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not each of the sensors is abnormal, a moving object detection unit that detects a moving object based on at least one of the first data and the second data, and a displacement amount calculation unit that calculates a displacement amount of the structure based on the third data, in which, when the first sensor provided on a main girder closest to an i-th lane of the structure or a main girder second closest to the i-th lane is not abnormal, the moving object detection unit detects the moving object moving on the i-th lane based on the first data output from the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Keishi Omori
  • Patent number: 11100194
    Abstract: A method at a computing device, the method including obtaining a cargo load signal measurement; and applying an estimator to the cargo load signal measurement, the estimator being in the form of {circumflex over (x)}=ay+bZ, where {circumflex over (x)} is an estimate of a true signal vector, y is the cargo load signal measurement, Z is a calculated or pre-determined reference vector, and a and b are weighting factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Yu Gao, Sandeep Chennakeshu, Jesse William Bennett, Scott Leonard Dill
  • Patent number: 11092476
    Abstract: Provided is a scaling and monitoring system for remotely weighing, monitoring, and measuring volumes of rubber buffings (also referred to in text as “shavings” or “dust”) produced by commercial tire retreading plants and other materials. The method utilizes a custom scale system installed underneath a shipping container or a semi van trailer, container, or other collection and storage unit or area. The custom scale system feeds weight data to a PLC and VPN/gateway-based control panel which processes and relays information to the Internet, thus allowing all accessible and recorded data to be remotely collected and viewed for the purpose of optimizing rubber dust collection and processing and minimizing overhead costs associated with such processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Spartan Enterrises, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Little, Andy Little, Allen Rider
  • Patent number: 11085810
    Abstract: A hydraulic mass-determining unit arranged for determining the mass of a load held by a hydraulic fluid system, the mass-determining unit is adapted to be connected to a hydraulic pump at a first fluid connection and a hydraulic actuator of a lifting device at a second fluid connection, the mass-determining unit comprises a first pipe arranged for connecting the first fluid connection and the second fluid connection, and at least one pressure sensor arranged to measure the pressure in the first pipe, wherein the mass-determining unit further comprises a flow regulator with a pressure compensator, where the flow regulator is serially connected to the first pipe to regulate the flow in the first pipe, and one of a pressure switch arranged for measuring the pressure difference over the flow regulator, and for sending a signal to the pressure sensor to measure the pressure in the first pipe when the pressure difference is above a preset value, or a magnetic field switch that comprises a magnet attached to the pre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: GRIPTECH B.V.
    Inventors: Knud-Erik Larsen, Robert Servaas Matti
  • Patent number: 11041589
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, apparatus and method for safety control, the system comprising: a first device, which provides information capable of being used to determine whether a single staff member is present in a target area; a second device, which may be arranged at an entrance of a designated area, and used for controlling the entry of staff into the designated area; at least one sensing device, for detecting whether an activated transmitting unit, required to be carried by a staff member entering the designated area, is present in the target area; and a control device, for causing the second device to allow a staff member located in the target area to enter the designated area, when it is determined that a single staff member is present in the target area on the basis of the information from the first device and it is determined using the at least one sensing device that the activated transmitting unit is present in the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Huajun Yu, Patrick Poa, Mingliang Zhang, Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 11033143
    Abstract: A weigh scale unit may be used in conjunction with a beverage preparation machine to prepare beverages efficiently. The weigh scale unit may provide the status of ingredient addition to a beverage receptacle. The weigh scale unit may send instructions and/or data to the beverage preparation machine. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation machine sends instructions and/or data to the weigh scale unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John Michael Herbert, Bryan Hotaling, John Macneill, Scott Leclerc, Matthew Naples, Patrick Devine
  • Patent number: 11015404
    Abstract: A system for measuring drill cuttings may comprise a conveyor belt disposed below a shaker, wherein the shaker disposes the drill cuttings on to the conveyor belt, and an imaging system connected to the conveyor belt by a frame, wherein the frame positions the imaging system to form a field of view on the conveyor belt with the imaging system. The system may further include an information handling system configured to operate the shaker and the conveyor belt. A method for identifying a size of drill cuttings may comprise dropping drill cuttings on a conveyor belt from a shaker, operating the conveyor belt to move the drill cuttings through a field of view, viewing the drill cuttings in the field of view with an imaging system, and sizing the drill cuttings based at least in part on one or more calibration blocks attached to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Abhijit Kulkarni