Abstract: A vehicle includes a suspension that includes a front suspension and a rear suspension, a trailer hitch configured to removably connect to a tongue of a trailer, at least one front suspension transducer configured to generate a front suspension displacement signal, at least one rear suspension transducer configured to generate a rear suspension displacement signal, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to receive the front suspension displacement signal, receive the rear suspension displacement signal, and generate an alert of an excessive tongue weight condition based on one or more of the front suspension displacement signal and the rear suspension displacement signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention pertain to kits capable of providing authenticated health information for purposes of privacy, rewards, or incentives. In an embodiment of the invention, biometric measurement devices coupled with a communications infrastructure implement a system of secure information exchange and enhanced data security. In an embodiment of the invention, a security/verification system is built into the kit, so as to be able to provide verification of a user's identity.

Abstract: A method for providing personalized recommendations to an individual, relating to monitoring his or her weight, comprising the steps of /a/ obtaining a plurality of prior weighings for the individual concerned, each weighing giving the total weight and the body fat percentage, /b/ deriving a characteristic curve (S1) for the individual by associating at least the total weight and the fat body mass, /c/ obtaining a target total weight (P2) for the user to achieve by the end of a target period, and therefore a target total weight change, /d/ deducing a target number of calories to burn, corresponding to target changes in the fat body mass and lean body mass deduced from the total weight change, /e/ providing the user with personalized instructions on exercise and/or diet.

Abstract: Eccentric loading errors of a weighing cell (1) with a parallel guiding mechanism are determined and corrected or at least reduced. The weighing cell has a test weight actuating device (14), by which at least one test weight (15) is positioned successively on at least three test weight support points (16, 17, 18, 19, 20) of the test load receiver (4) that do not lie in a straight line. A processor unit (21) uses a control signal (S1) to position the test weight on the support points. A test weighing signal (T) is generated for each support point, and from these, eccentric loading errors are ascertained. A device for correcting the eccentric loading errors uses control signals (S2) from the processor unit to make a geometrical-mechanical change in the parallel guiding mechanism, using a first and a second actuating unit.

Abstract: A scale assembly for determining a weight and converted volume of fluid and gas withdrawn from a tank. A plurality of lift cylinders and cam linkages are arranged in paired and perimeter spaced fashion about a perimeter of the tank in extending fashion through an associated support flange. The cam linkages are normally biased in a first position to restrain the tank into contact with the support surface, the linkages being actuated in a second position to release the tank for subsequent elevation by the lift cylinders. A load cell is arranged in communication between each of the lift cylinders and the pallet support surfaces and, upon being recalibrated following tank elevation, measures the weight and converted volume of the delivered fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a weighing platform and a weighing system including such a weighing platform for dynamically weighing a flow of items while being conveyed over the weighing platform. The weighing platform includes one or more load sensors used in conjunction with two or more flat weighing sections adapted to be placed on the load sensors. A first support connects the adjacent ends of the two or more flat weighing sections so as to form a continuous 2-dimensional planar surface there between. A second support maintains the distal ends of the two or more weighing sections, when connected together via the first support, at fixed height so as to create a zero weighing sensitivity at the distal ends.

Abstract: A system is provided for operating a weighing system and a bulk material handling machinery through a single remote terminal, the terminal being a handheld wireless control unit. The hand held wireless control unit includes a transmitter and receiver which use near field communications to send and receive messages to the weighing system and bulk material handling machinery through a junction box (with its own transmitter and receiver) and control relay (with its own receiver). The junction box can be used to configure the weighing system as well as return data about measured weight recorded by the weighing system. The control relay can pass commands to actuation device that engage mechanisms of the bulk material handling machinery, allowing for remote stopping and starting of the machinery. The system provides improved efficiency by allowing wireless operation of components through a single terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a load-cell measurement system having an output that is substantially independent of the system voltage source, by providing compensation for the source voltage variation using both a compensating offset voltage and a compensating reference voltage, these compensating voltages having a predetermined relationship with each other. In an illustrative example, the supply voltage may be directly connected to a load-cell, an instrumentation amplifier, and a compensation circuit. In some examples, the compensation circuit may include a chain of impedances which may generate two mutually related voltages both being scaled to the supply voltage. The first scaled voltage may, for example, substantially compensate offset of the load-cell measurement system. The second scaled voltage may, for example, substantially compensate for gain.

Abstract: A voice-activated instrument performs a measurement and displays the measured value when commanded by voice. The system also resets under voice control. The measurement trigger is any single-syllable command such as “Count” or “Go”. The reset trigger is any two-syllable command such as “Reset”. Any type of momentary measurement device may be controlled in this way, including time interval measurements, event counting, length measuring, weighing, and electronic metering measurements, and many others.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes load cells and a controller operable to automatically update a weight offset for use in determining a true patient weight. The controller is configured to receive signals produced by the load cells, determine whether a patient is being supported by a patient support surface of the patient support apparatus, detect movement on the patient support surface, determine a weight of the patient being supported on the patient support surface, determine whether a patient is no longer being supported by the patient support surface, and update a weight offset.

Abstract: A biometric monitoring device comprising a platform to support the body weight of the user; a body weight sensor to generate data which is representative of the user's weight, processing circuitry to calculate the user's weight, a user interface (e.g., a visual display, coupled to the processing circuitry, to display the weight of the user); and communication circuitry (implementing, e.g., wired, wireless and/or optical techniques) to: (1) receive user identification data (is any data that identifies a particular user, a particular device and/or from which a particular user or device may be determined) from an external portable activity monitoring device, (2) receive activity data from the external portable activity monitoring device, and (3) transmit the activity data to a data storage which is (i) external to the biometric monitoring device and (ii) associated with the user identification data.

Abstract: A POS-based checkout/scale system having (i) a bar code symbol reading subsystem for reading bar code symbols on products being purchased at a retail POS station, and (ii) a produce weigh scale having a weigh scale assembly for weighing one or more produce items on a weigh platter during produce weighing operations carried out at the time of checkout at said retail POS station. The system also includes an automatic produce weighing interference detection subsystem, supporting an IR-based light curtain about the weigh platter, automatically detects when any object is overhanging the weigh platter during produce weighing operations, and generates an alert signal when such conditions are automatically detected.

Abstract: A weighing device is provided that suppresses air convection currents generated in a weighing chamber in the opening/closing of a door of the chamber with a relatively simple configuration. A weighing space is partitioned into two spaces with a partition plate to form a lower small-capacity weighing chamber, which enables to settle down the convection in a short time if convection is generated in the chamber. Suspended walls adjacent to the doors are attached to the partition plate edge sides along the door opening/closing directions. Even when a door is opened, warm air stagnant in the upper space in the chamber is restricted or blocked to flow out to the outside by the suspended walls, which generates no convection or slight convection, which settles down in a short time, without adverse effect on a weighing operation. The upper space may be utilized for another purpose such as a neutralization chamber.

Abstract: A POS-based checkout/scale system including system housing having a vertical housing section with a vertical scanning window, and a horizontal housing section. An electronic weigh scale subsystem is integrated with the system housing, and has a weigh platter supported above the horizontal housing section by a pair of cantilever-type weigh scale arms operably connected to an electronic load cell module. During a first mode of operation a powered support mechanism allows the cantilever-type weigh scale arms to bear the full weight of the weigh platter and any items supported thereon so that the electronic load cell module can accurately measure the weight of items on the weigh platter, and generate weigh data for transmission to the host computer system. During a second mode of operation, the powered support mechanism automatically prevents the electronic load cell module from experiencing the weight of items placed on the weigh platter.

Abstract: An instrument having components that are relevant as well as components that are not relevant to regulatory compliance, and a housing serving to accommodate the components, wherein the components that are relevant to regulatory compliance are arranged in the housing under a verification cap, so that they can only be accessed by removing the verification cap, and wherein the verification cap is secured with a verification mark in such a way that removing the verification cap will cause the verification mark to be destroyed. In this arrangement, the verification cap is fastened with at least one locking element, the components that are relevant to regulatory compliance are accessible only after the locking element has been removed, and at least one locking element is designed so that it can be removed while the housing remains closed.

Abstract: A weighing scale (10) has a display/operating unit (20), a scale platform (30), an electronic system (60) for the control of the scale (10), and a pedestal (40) that connects the display/operating unit to the scale platform. The pedestal contains a pedestal chamber (41). The pedestal also has a pedestal opening (42). A carrier element (70) is arranged in or at the pedestal chamber. At least parts of the electronic system are arranged on the carrier element, and the parts of the electronic system which are arranged on the carrier element can be at least partially taken out of the pedestal opening for servicing.

Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a mailpiece by means of a portable measuring device having a housing provided with an opening having a side reference surface along which the mailpiece is guided under a position sensor in a first pass along a first dimension of the mailpiece, after which pass a value for the first dimension of the mailpiece is determined by a processing unit and is communicated to a franking system to which the portable measuring device is connected, and in a second pass along a second dimension of the mailpiece, after which pass a value for the second dimension of the mailpiece is determined by the processing unit and is communicated to the franking system.

Abstract: A body composition measuring instrument includes a body composition calculating unit for calculating the body composition of a user by using a plurality of electrodes, a reference value storage region for storing information of a reference value related to the past body composition of the user, a display control unit for performing a control to display a position of the body composition during the time calculated by the body composition calculating unit in reference to a line showing the reference value on a predetermined graph, and a display section for providing a display corresponding to the output from the display control unit.

Abstract: An electronic ordering system for restaurants comprises an electronic menu (1) with a display device (3) for representing units that can be ordered, input means (4) for allowing a person placing an order to select a menu configuration, and a data transmitter (5) for transmitting data representing the menu configuration. The electronic ordering system further comprises a service point (7) where the person placing the order would like to receive his or her ordered menu configuration and which is equipped with an RFID reading device (9), and a data processing device (2) for receiving the data representing the menu configuration. The electronic menu (1) has an RFID tag (6) for identifying the same. The ordering system is configured such that the identification of the RFID tag (6) of the electronic menu (1) is linked to the service point (7) once the person placing the order has configured the menu, and the linked data is transmitted to the data processing device (2).

Abstract: An information processing apparatus processes an input signal from a load controller including an input surface and a load detecting means for detecting a load value applied to the input surface. The information processing apparatus detects a center-of-gravity position of a load applied to the input surface of the load controller based on the input signal from the load detecting means. The information processing apparatus determines whether or not the load value applied to the load controller is smaller than a predetermined value, based on the load value detected by the load detecting means, and when the result of determination is positive, executes a menu operation process based on the center-of-gravity position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scale having a base plate (1), a bed plate (2) located at a distance above the base plate (1) for supporting an object to be weighed, and elastic spacing elements (3) located between the base plate (1) and the bed plate (2). Said scale further comprises a weighing means for determining the weight of the object, said weighing means being at least one inductive proximity sensor (10, 20, 4). Said scale is robustly constructed and allows great flexibility in the external design of the scale.

Abstract: A housing for a scale or load cell controller suitable for use in harsh environments. The housing includes a moisture-resistant front display unit coupled to a rear interface and mounting unit. The front display unit includes a front housing, a back housing, and a frame overlying a boundary or seal region between the front and back housings to provide a double moisture-resistant seal between the front and back housings. The front display unit defines an interior region including a display and a plurality of user input keys and controller circuitry. The front display unit is removably attachable to the rear interface unit. A moisture-resistant seal is also provided between the front display unit and the rear interface and mounting unit. The rear interface and mounting unit defines a recessed area supporting a battery pack, a power supply and an interface circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic scale functions in a normal and a high sensitivity measurement regions. The weights of mother alone and mother plus infant are measured in the high sensitivity region. The difference between the two measurements is the weight of infant alone, which is displayed with a finer scale interval than the normal one. The high sensitivity region is automatically shifted for covering the two measurements. The degree of shift is stored to correct the absolute mother weight. The infant weight is transmitted to a mobile phone, which displays growth curve of infant in comparison with a statistics growth curves provided by a server through the internet. The infant weight is uploaded to the server for incorporation into the statistics. The statistics is based on data gathered form a plurality of mobile phones, which are each authenticated to increase reliability of the statistics against false weight data upload.

Abstract: Arrangement and method for classifying an occupying item in a seat includes at least one force sensor arranged to measure the force applied to the seat at time intervals, and a processor coupled to the force sensor(s) for receiving the force measurements therefrom. The processor analyzes the force measurements from each force sensor over time to discern patterns in the force measurements and analyzes any discerned pattern to determine if it approximates a known pattern indicative of an animate object or an inanimate object. The processor may be trained to discern patterns providing information about the occupying item by conducting tests in which different occupying items are placed in the seat and measurements of the force applied to the seat are obtained by the force sensor, before, during and after placement of the occupying item in the seat.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electronics, mechanics, and software, and more specifically, to systems and methods for wirelessly monitoring a brochure box. In one embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus that provides for remote content monitoring, the apparatus including a receptacle, the receptacle configurable to storing content; and a sensor node, the sensor node disposed proximate to the receptacle, the sensor node associated with a unique identifier, the sensor node configurable to monitor the existence of any stored content, the sensor node configurable to transmit a signal containing the unique identifier to a remote device, the signal being any of a cellular, satellite, and wireless network signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided in order to verify the calibration on the fluid handling system. A magnet coupled to the scale is used to attach a precalibrated weight so that a controller in the system can determine if the scale needs to be calibrated. This way a storage tank does not need to be removed in order to check the calibration of the scale. The system can be locked down if the calibration is not within the predetermined calibration tolerance.

Abstract: An electronic weighing scale that includes an inner housing and an outer housing surrounding the inner housing. In one embodiment, the inner and outer housings are not secured to one another and are spaced apart by shock-absorbing spacers designed to absorb shock of impact loads such as may be caused by the scale being dropped. The inner housing includes a chassis defining a load cell cavity that contains a load cell. The inner housing also includes an electronics compartment closure that together with the chassis define an electronics compartment that contains electronics of the scale, including display electronics and user-controls electronics. In one embodiment, the electronics compartment is hermetically sealed to protect the electronics from moisture.

Abstract: A scale including a housing having a weight sensor wherein the weight sensor is adapted to determine a weight of an item placed on the weight sensor. The housing also defines an internal compartment having a guide wall and a guide post. Additionally, the scale includes a display that communicates with the weight sensor and is removably attached to the housing, and a cord connecting the display and the housing. The guide wall and the guide post control the movement of the cord in and out of the housing when the display is moved between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus adapted to facilitate process management and methods associated therewith are described. The weighing apparatus may include a process control interface for including process data onto a label for managing a process.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating weight of a trailer (10) being towed by a tractor (22) along a generally horizontal underlying surface. A portion of the trailer weight is borne on the tractor fifth wheel (26) and the remainder by rear wheels (18) rolling on the underlying surface. The tractor accelerates the trailer from an initial velocity to a final velocity over a time interval that is measured by a timer. The force that the tractor needed to exert on the trailer in order to change the velocity is also measured. Various data, including that force, are processed according to an algorithm to calculate the weight of the trailer by itself. Other data processed includes data (N0) representing the portion of the weight of the trailer borne through the tractor, data representing the change in velocity of propulsion (?v), data representing length of the interval of time (t), and data (?k) representing coefficient of friction of the wheels (18) with the underlying surface.

Abstract: A system for indicating the state of load of a vehicle having suspension components comprising: at least one transducer mountable on a single suspension component such that a signal relating to the angular deflection of the suspension component can be generated; and a controller configured to receive the signal and generate an output representative of the state of load of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for checking capsules comprises in sequence the phases of weighing each empty capsule and associating the related empty weight value with said capsule by applying a related identification code to the capsule; filling the capsules with doses of filling material, preferably pharmaceutical material; weighing each capsule filled with said material to obtain a related weight value of the filled closed capsule and interpreting the identification code carried by said capsule and relating to its empty weight value; and comparing the weight value of the filled capsule with the empty weight value carried by the aforementioned code in order to detect and check the correctness of the dosage of the material inside each capsule.

Abstract: A scale has a base with strain gages to sense the weight of a user positioned on the base. A battery-powered processing system receives signals from the base and, through a wireless transmitter, sends the signals to a wall-mounted display that displays the user's weight.

Abstract: A system and method for weighing of items such as mailpieces in the presence of external vibration such as ground noise. The system includes a scale system having a platform connected to a load cell, which provides an output signal to an analog-to-digital converter. The resulting digital output signal is processed by a low pass filter and analyzed by a microprocessor to determine weights of items on the platform. The microprocessor also determines postage amounts as functions of the weights and outputs these postage amounts to a postage meter. The system also includes an accelerometer and a limit detector for generating a no go signal if external vibrations exceed a predetermined limit. The microprocessor accepts a weight as valid if the external vibrations do not exceed the limit at any time while the weight is being determined and otherwise initiates an alternative weight determining method.