Digital Patents (Class 177/25.13)
  • Patent number: 11790190
    Abstract: A system includes a structure configured to hold items, at least one capacitive touch sensor, and an item scanner configured to move the capacitive touch sensor relative to the structure and to identification elements disposed on the items held by the structure. Each identification element represents a multi-digit code. The capacitive touch sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal comprising sequences of waveforms in response to movement of the capacitive touch sensor relative to the identification elements. Each sequence of waveforms includes the multi-digit code that identifies one of the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ping Mei, Janos Veres, Robert Street
  • Patent number: 11663748
    Abstract: A captured image acquisition unit of a display control device according to the present invention acquires an image captured by an imaging device mounted on a loading vehicle. A loaded weight acquisition unit acquires a loaded weight measured by a weight scale mounted on a transport vehicle. A display image generation unit generates a display image obtained by disposing an image showing the loaded weight on the captured image. A display control unit outputs a display signal for displaying the display image to a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Qi Ding, Yasuhiro Ibusuki, Jun Morinaga, Masanori Minagawa
  • Patent number: 11561123
    Abstract: A method for determining a normalized weight of a non-static item is disclosed. Weight data associated with the non-static item is received from a plurality of load cells. A load cell weight for the non-static item is determined based at least in part on the weight data. The load cell weight for the non-static item is received as an input for a machine learning algorithm. The normalized weight for the non-static item is generated as an output for the machine learning algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MATEO
    Inventors: Thomas Serval, Gauthier de Rouzé
  • Patent number: 11524408
    Abstract: Provided is a method of providing food to a user, the method including determining to provide first food among the food to the user; moving a first gripper to a container that contains the first food, determining whether the first gripper reciprocates in the container, calculating a weight difference value indicating an amount of change in a total weight of the food before and after the reciprocating in response to a determination that the first gripper reciprocates in the container, and determining that the first food is provided to the user based on the weight difference value. In addition, an apparatus for providing food to a user to perform the food providing method is provided. Also, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing programs to perform the food providing method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Byeongrok Kim
  • Patent number: 11438221
    Abstract: A computerized method is shown and includes receiving one or more lists of identifiers, generating a batch query from the one or more lists of identifiers, querying one or more data stores using the batch query, generating one or more response packets including results from querying using the batch query, and transmitting a first response packet to a first edge device. Generating the batch query may be performed by merging a plurality of lists of identifiers to form a merged list, and removing duplicate identifiers from the merged list. Further, the first response packet may be generated for the first edge device and includes enrichment data corresponding to identifiers transmitted by the first edge device. Additionally, may be the first response packet is generated for a plurality of edge devices including the first edge device and includes enrichment data corresponding to identifiers transmitted by the plurality of edge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SPLUNK Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander William Cruise, Daniel Ferstay
  • Patent number: 11433548
    Abstract: According to embodiments, a robot system configured to determine a recipe from an ingredient list obtained by detecting a type and an amount of an ingredient includes: a storage table configured to detect a weight change by a scale installed under each of cells that store ingredients according to types of the ingredients, detect the cell of which a weight is changed according to an ingredient selection of a user to identify the type of the ingredient, and identify the amount of the ingredient based on a degree of the weight change of the cell; and a robot configured to receive the ingredient list obtained from the type and the amount of the ingredient identified by the storage table from the storage table, retrieve menus to be cooked with the ingredient list, and perform cooking by determining the recipe according to a menu selected from the menus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Dongeun Lee
  • Patent number: 11428589
    Abstract: A load cell to measure displacements transferred by a fifth wheel to the load cell includes an elongated mounting base portion configured to attach to a support structure of a tractor, a coupling portion configured to pivotally support a fifth wheel, a middle portion disposed above the elongated mounting base portion and below the coupling portion, the middle portion including a hollow interior section with an opening into the hollow interior section, and a post extending from the elongated mounting base portion and protruding into the hollow interior section of the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy L. Schutt
  • Patent number: 11361673
    Abstract: A diet management apparatus. The apparatus includes a weighing unit including weighing scales and food trays which includes one or more slots to receive corresponding food substances. The weighing scales are configured to calculate weight of food substances corresponding to each slot. The apparatus includes an image acquisition device to capture images of the one or more food substances the one or more slots. The apparatus includes a control unit configured to analyse the captured images to identify a category of each of the one or more food substances, comparing the calculated weight corresponding to identified category of each food substances with a predefined weight and determine calorie count GI/GL count of each food substances based on a compared result. The apparatus includes audio alerts based on food caloric values; GI/GL recommended by health care provider. The apparatus is configured to communicate with the end user computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Rajesh Vangara
  • Patent number: 11346706
    Abstract: Items may be stored on a fixture of a facility using one or more accessories, such as trays or bins. Weighing modules that include one or more load cells may be mounted to a crossbar of the fixture. The accessories of the fixture may then be mounted to the crossbar via the weighing modules. The load cells within each weighing module can collect weight data associated with items stowed in the accessories that are coupled to the weighing module. When a weight change is detected at the fixture, a particular load cell is identified as the source of the weight change. Once a load cell is identified, the accessory coupled to the load cell is identified, as well as the types of items stowed therein. Interaction data can then be determined to indicate a type of item that was added to or removed from the accessory of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Nathan Danenberg, Jeffrey Kevin Feiereisen, Jacob Alex Siegel, Brett Allen Skaloud, Thomas Duester, James Merton Tidman, Dawn Marie Pfund, Jeremy Samuel De Bonet
  • Patent number: 11062620
    Abstract: A system and method directed to the dynamic processing of simple ingredients in recipes is described. Simple ingredients are defined and precision measurement of simple ingredients based on a smart scale is provided. The use of the measurement as feedback to count individual measurement units of simple ingredients and to associate a weight with the simple ingredients supports an improved level of accuracy in assessing macro and micro nutrient data for recipes and ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Perfect Company
    Inventor: Michael Wayne Wallace
  • Patent number: 11027864
    Abstract: A layered food packaging system including a conveyor that conveys a first layered food and a second layered food, a lamination device that laminates the first layered food onto the second layered food on the conveyor such that a layered food laminate is made, a carrier device that holds the layered food laminate and carries the layered food laminate from the conveyor, and a package device that prepares a bag for the layered food laminate carried by the carrier device and places the layered food laminate into the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Tomoya Hyodo, Haruhiko Koike, Teruhisa Kitagawa, Koichi Kirihara, Motohiro Hamazawa
  • Patent number: 10970018
    Abstract: A method for printing certain information on labels using a smart device. Product-related information, expiration information, and batch information is stored on a server and provided to a smart device. One of the products or batches is selected using the smart device. Labels incorporating certain product-related information are generated and sent to a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Bruce Platts
  • Patent number: 10945893
    Abstract: A surgical sponge locator system for locating sponges after surgery for removal includes a base having a sponge portion and a housing portion. A plurality of surgical sponges is coupled within the base. Each surgical sponge has a signal receiver and a sound emitter in operational communication with the signal receiver. An antenna is coupled to the base and is in wireless communication with the signal receiver of each surgical sponge. A plurality of batteries is coupled within the base. A battery activator is coupled within the base. The battery activator selectively interrupts or allows operational communication between the plurality of batteries and the antenna. A sound activation lever is coupled to the housing portion and is in operational communication with the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Peter Piro
  • Patent number: 10852178
    Abstract: A Point-Of-Sale (POS) device detects vibrations produced from equipment in its operational environment. The vibrations are identified and one or more filters produced to remove the vibrations when the POS device is used to improve the accuracy of the POS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore Heske, III
  • Patent number: 10803320
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and system for facilitating tray management by determining at least one missing tool from the plurality of tools placed in tray. The tray management system (TMS) is connected to a weighing system to measure combined weight of tools before and after usage of tools. The combined weight of the tools is measured after at least one tool is removed for usage from the tray or placed back in the tray and a weight discrepancy is determined dynamically. Using the weight discrepancy, image sensor captures plurality of video segments. The TMS identifies occurrences of removing at least one tool from the tray and the corresponding occurrence of placing the tool in the tray in video segments and determines missing tool in the tray. The TMS alerts the user about the missing of tools in real time and enables effective tray management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: City of Eden, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Calmus
  • Patent number: 10782183
    Abstract: A Point-Of-Sale (POS) device detects vibrations produced from equipment in its operational environment. The vibrations are identified and one or more filters produced to remove the vibrations when the POS device is used to improve the accuracy of the POS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore Heske, III
  • Patent number: 10782181
    Abstract: A radiograph stand allowing weight placed on an injured leg/foot be measured and recorded while taking a weight-bearing radiograph. A method for taking weight bearing radiograph of a patient's foot, ankle, leg, knee, thigh, hip, pelvis, and spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Grant Cochran
  • Patent number: 10736579
    Abstract: The invention provides a system (100a) for tracking infant development, the system comprising: —a portable device (101) including a camera and a processing unit, and —a weighing scale (102), preferably comprising a wireless transceiver; wherein the weighing scale is configured to measure the weight of an infant and to transmit the measured weight information to the portable device; and wherein the portable device is configured to —capture (401) an image of the infant; —combine the received weight information and information derived from the image of the infant to obtain (404) infant development statistics; and —store (403) the image and the obtained infant development statistics in a storage; wherein the information derived from the image includes at least one of the height of the infant and the head circumference of the infant. The invention further provides a portable device, a weighing scale, and a computer readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: N.V. NUTRICIA
    Inventor: Elzemiek Beatrix Maria Van Berkel-Wijnen
  • Patent number: 10620035
    Abstract: A system for weighing ingredients of food and drink for a recipe application, which comprises a weighing device for use with blenders and food processors that can wirelessly communicate weight measurements and other data to the recipe application on a mobile device or computer. The weighing device can be removably attached to or integrated with the blender or food processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Capbran Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Finnance, Lenny Sands
  • Patent number: 10591917
    Abstract: A work machine management apparatus includes: a switchback point setting unit configured to set a plurality of switchback points of a work machine in a work place of a mine; a work point setting unit configured to set at least one work point of the work machine in the work place; a travel track generating unit configured to generate a plurality of target travel tracks along which the work machine travels in the work place based on a position of the at least one work point and a position of each of the plurality of switchback points; and a travel track selecting unit configured to select, among the plurality of target travel tracks, a target travel track along which the work machine travels in the work place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kadono, Takashi Hiranaka, Isao Toku, Kenta Osagawa, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10591348
    Abstract: Shelves or other fixtures may be used to hold items at a facility. Load cells at the fixtures may be used to acquire weight data indicative of changes to the fixture as items are added or removed from the fixture. The fixtures, such as a freezer case, may include a door that when opened or closed produces air movement with respect to the shelves. This air movement may produce weight data that could be interpreted as a false event, such as a pick or place, even when none has taken place. A door sensor provides data that is used to determine when the door has been opened or closed. Weight data occurring for some time after the opening of the door or before the closing of the door may be disregarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Qicai Shi, Nathan Pius O'Neill
  • Patent number: 10579315
    Abstract: A method for printing certain information on labels using a smart device. Product-related information, expiration information, and batch information is stored on a server and provided to a smart device. One of the products or batches is selected using the smart device. Labels incorporating certain product-related information are generated and sent to a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Bruce Platts
  • Patent number: 10303947
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first-information acquirer, a second-information acquirer, a judger, and a presentation controller. The first-information acquirer acquires first information indicating a type of an ingredient provided for preparation and an amount of the ingredient. The second-information acquirer acquires second information indicating an amount that is needed for an ingredient of the type in a recipe. The judger judges a magnitude relationship between the amount indicated by the first information and the amount indicated by the second information. The presentation controller causes a presenter to present third information indicating, in accordance with the judged magnitude relationship, the amount indicated by the second information versus the amount indicated by the first information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kubotani, Mitsuhiro Aso
  • Patent number: 10188349
    Abstract: A stand-on physiological sensor (e.g. floormat) measures vital signs and various hemodynamic parameters, including blood pressure and ECG waveforms. The sensor is similar in configuration to a common bathroom scale and includes electrodes that take electrical measurements from a patient's feet to generate bioimpedance waveforms, which are analyzed digitally to extract various other parameters, as well as a cuff-type blood pressure system that takes physical blood pressure measurements at one of the patient's feet. Blood pressure can also be calculated/derived from the bioimpedance waveforms. Measured parameters are transmitted wirelessly to facilitate remote monitoring of the patient for heart failure, chronic heart failure, end-stage renal disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and other degenerative diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TOSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Banet, Marshal Singh Dhillon, Susan Meeks Pede, Lauren Nicole Miller Hayward, Arthur Deptala, Jonas Dean Cochran
  • Patent number: 10175970
    Abstract: A method for updating a configuration of software is disclosed. The method is performed at a terminal device having one or more processors and memory for storing programs to be executed by the one or more processors. The method includes sending, to a server device, a request for updating the software configuration. The request includes a version number of a software configuration parameter group, which includes a group of parameters associated with the software configuration. The method also includes receiving, from the server device and in response to the request, data of the software configuration parameter group and a latest version number of the software configuration parameter group when that latest version number is different than the version number included in the request. The method further includes updating the software configuration based on the received data, and updating the version number based on the received latest version number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Deyuan Li, Wenrui Zhang, Wei Mao, Qiang Lu
  • Patent number: 9766117
    Abstract: An interactive scale may provide a display, load cells, proximity sensor, light sensor, microcontroller, wireless transceiver, audio indicator(s) and/or visual indicator(s). The interactive scale may provide a variety of features, including proximity detection, detection of lighting conditions, wireless data communication, data tracking, and visual/audio indicator(s) that aid in utilizing the scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
    Inventor: Hector Manuel Garzon Gomez
  • Patent number: 9645007
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting a user in assembling a culinary combination according to a recipe. The system comprises a scale and a computing device configured to communicate with the scale. The system displays information regarding ingredients of the recipe and displays a progress of assembling the culinary combination based on the information from the scale. In some embodiments, a bar graph is displayed with a bar proportional to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient. In some embodiments, the system displays a build column of one or more recipe blocks, representing actions or ingredients of the recipe. An active recipe block is displayed with a portion of the recipe block displayed in a different manner in proportion to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Perfect Company
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip T. Odom, Brian Richardson, Darin Barri
  • Patent number: 9569054
    Abstract: A transform is used to transform raw sensor data from the time domain to the frequency or sequency domain. The transformed data falls into several signal bins. The transformed data in at least one of the signal bins is analyzed to determine whether a touch event or release event has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: James W. Citta
  • Patent number: 9566017
    Abstract: A method for identifying a user of an electronic device is presented. In the method, for each of a plurality of users, a bioelectrical impedance of the user is measured, a value based on the measurement is generated, and the value is associated with information corresponding to the user. A bioelectrical impedance of a current user of the electronic device is also measured, and a value based on this measurement is generated. The value associated with the current user is compared with at least one of the values associated with the plurality of users. In response to the comparison, the electronic device is operated based on the information corresponding to one of the plurality of users in response to the current user interacting with the electronic device if the value associated with the current user indicates the current user is the one of the plurality of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: David A. Kummer
  • Patent number: 9562806
    Abstract: A scale includes a weigh station for receiving items to be weighed, an operator interface configured to display information associated with scale operations and a controller operably coupled to the operator interface to effect display of information. The operator interface may be in the form of a touch-screen display that is used to facilitate ease of use and scale adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, Jr., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, Jr., John A. Dusing
  • Patent number: 9518862
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely monitoring the rezero status of a weighing apparatus, such as a checkweigher. Remotely located interested parties may sign up for notifications related to the weighing apparatus rezero status, and the interested parties may be automatically electronically notified when certain status conditions occur. A hierarchy of notifications may be established such that not all interested parties will receive every notification. System and method embodiments may also operate to identify certain trends in rezero data and to resultantly predict future rezero faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Toohey
  • Patent number: 9377345
    Abstract: A scale includes a weigh station for receiving items to be weighed, an operator interface configured to display information associated with scale operations and a controller operably coupled to the operator interface to effect display of information. The operator interface may be in the form of a touch-screen display that is used to facilitate ease of use and scale adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, Jr., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, Jr., John A. Dusing
  • Patent number: 9377346
    Abstract: A scale includes a weigh station for receiving items to be weighed, an operator interface configured to display information associated with scale operations and a controller operably coupled to the operator interface to effect display of information. The operator interface may be in the form of a touch-screen display that is used to facilitate ease of use and scale adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, Jr., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, Jr., John A. Dusing
  • Patent number: 9355096
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to electronically store dish information on tags coupled with storage containers. The system may include near field communication components that facilitate an improved meal preparation and/or meal storage experience for users. Containers (e.g., cups, bowls, plates, etc.) may be coupled with an individual tag that is configured to electronically store information about the container, the contents of the container, and/or other information. By including such components in the system a given container coupled with a corresponding tag may become “smart.” For example, a sensor included in a scale may recognize a tag and/or determine information related to the contents of the container when the container is placed on and/or near the scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: THE ORANGE CHEF COMPANY
    Inventors: Ankit Brahmbhatt, Santiago Merea
  • Patent number: 9174758
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include a pre-shipment package preparation module that receives packaged units, and performs various post-packaging operations to facilitate shipment. Some embodiments may include an alignment section configured to orient received packaged units, a package verification section configured to verify one or more physical parameters of the packaged units, a labeling section configured to automatically apply shipping labels to each packaged unit while the packaged units travel at a constant velocity from the packaging verification section and through the labeling section, thereby applying labeling without need to stop or slow travel of the packaged units through the system. Some embodiments include a routing section that is configured to route each packaged unit to a corresponding shipping path that is selected based on information (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Rowley, Jonathan S. Battles
  • Patent number: 9134830
    Abstract: A touch screen on a user device is used to measure the weight of one or more objects on a measurement device that is placed on the touch screen. The measurement device may include a plurality of styluses. The user device receives pressure data indicating the amount of pressure or force caused by the measurement device and one or more objects and calculates a weight based on the pressure data. The pressure data may be received from one or more of the measurement device or from the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Martin Lee, Gabriel Isaiah Rowe
  • Publication number: 20150083805
    Abstract: The present invention provides an item registration apparatus and a measuring device cooperating with a mobile terminal to allow smooth registration of sold-by-weight items being purchased by a customer. The item registration apparatus comprises: a measuring device having a weighing tray on which an item is put; and a mobile terminal which can be connected to the measuring device via communication channel (access point or the like). When the item is put on said weighing tray of the measuring device and the measurement of the item is thus completed, the measuring device transmits transaction information of the measured item to the mobile terminal via the communication channel so that the transaction information is stored. This eliminates printing of code information on a label issued from the measuring device and operation of scanning the printed code information by using the mobile terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: TERAOKA SEIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naokazu Sato, Fumikatu Saitoh, Kenichi Nishino
  • Patent number: 8987613
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed, and for checking that the correct amount of postage has been paid for delivery of the article. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision closed-loop servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282) to determine weight. Correct postage is determined in a processor (1212), and the postage actually paid is checked either by image analysis (1204, 1214, 1280) or by accessing a stored mailer manifest (1280).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Raf Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Turner
  • Publication number: 20150075879
    Abstract: A weighing apparatus for weighing a mass of an object is provided with: a body; a load receiving device, a load detection device, an acting force detection device, and a data processing device configured to data-process an output of the load detection device as a weighed value in a mass unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: TANITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio SAKAI, Kazuma INOUE, Atsuo KUMEKAWA
  • Publication number: 20150068820
    Abstract: A scale includes a weigh station for receiving items to be weighed, an operator interface configured to display information associated with scale operations and a controller operably coupled to the operator interface to effect display of information. The operator interface may be in the form of a touch-screen display that is used to facilitate ease of use and scale adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, JR., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, JR., John A. Dusing
  • Publication number: 20150068818
    Abstract: A scale includes a weigh station for receiving items to be weighed, an operator interface configured to display information associated with scale operations and a controller operably coupled to the operator interface to effect display of information. The operator interface may be in the form of a touch-screen display that is used to facilitate ease of use and scale adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, JR., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, JR., John A. Dusing
  • Publication number: 20150068819
    Abstract: A scale includes a weigh station for receiving items to be weighed, an operator interface configured to display information associated with scale operations and a controller operably coupled to the operator interface to effect display of information. The operator interface may be in the form of a touch-screen display that is used to facilitate ease of use and scale adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, JR., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, JR., John A. Dusing
  • Publication number: 20150053487
    Abstract: A vehicle weight sensor is based on wheel-rim stress measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael F. Cash
  • Patent number: 8963025
    Abstract: A surgical sponge and fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system (100) includes a support ring (104) for securely supporting a container (101) with at least one port opening (206) for placing sponges (204) into the container through the at least one port opening. The support ring includes RFID communication circuitries (305, 307) that interrogate an RFID device (205) in the sponge (204) and an RFID device in the container. The support ring is mechanically linked to a load cell (706, 1329) in the system. The processor (1302) reliably detects when a sponge is placed into the container through the at least one port opening, identifies the type of sponge placed into the container, counts the number of sponges in the container, sorts the types of sponges, and calculates fluid loss for a patient in a surgical procedure. A user interface (1308, 114) keeps the medical professionals informed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Surgitrac Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Pollock, Mahmood S. Kassam
  • Publication number: 20150034398
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the accurate detection of cash tokens being added and/or removed from a cash register or other cash holding device; that uses pre-knowledge of cash tokens to be added and/or removed from the device; a modified cash tray suspended via a lever mechanism, held in equilibrium against a force transducer; and a processing element to analyse the signal received from the transducer, comparing it against that pre-knowledge, for the purpose of generating or verifying a set of expected cash tokens being added and/or removed from the cash holding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Peter G. Charij
  • Publication number: 20150034396
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for estimating a mass of an object by a mobile device are presented. The mobile device, which may be a smartphone, vibrates the mobile device both unloaded (without an object) and loaded (with an object) while measuring the unloaded and loaded vibrations. Next, the mobile device compares the unloaded and loaded vibrations and determines the mass of the object from the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Igor TCHERTKOV, Siddika PARLAK POLATKAN
  • Publication number: 20150027790
    Abstract: A dual capacitor load cell is presented that includes two coupled capacitors with a common plate between them where the common plate is responsive to a force applied to the load cell. The capacitance of the two capacitors varies inversely and changes in response to the applied force. The combined capacitance of each capacitor is used to determine the magnitude of the force being applied to the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Albertus Maria Geradus Claessen
  • Publication number: 20150021102
    Abstract: A hand-held electronic luggage scale includes a handle designed to be held generally horizontally, and a hook supported by the handle, which extends generally vertically below the handle. The handle houses an electronic scale, the electronic scale connected to the hook for calculating a weight of an object suspended from the hook. The hook may be metal and have a rubber and/or plastic exterior. A touch screen display may be provided in a top surface of the handle that displays the calculated weight from the electronic scale component. The touch screen display may include an icon representing a virtual control button that controls a user-selectable setting, and provides haptic feedback when the user-selectable setting changes due to a user pressing the virtual control button for a predetermined period of time. The touch screen display may include icons that control power, illumination, units of measurement, and/or other functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Haroon Sheikh
  • Publication number: 20150012122
    Abstract: Nutritional substance systems and methods are disclosed enabling the tracking and communication of changes in nutritional, organoleptic, and aesthetic values of nutritional substances, and further enabling the adaptive storage and adaptive conditioning of nutritional substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Eugenio Minvielle
  • Patent number: 8927882
    Abstract: A commodity search device includes a storage unit, a measuring unit, a number input unit, a unit average weighing value calculator, and a first commodity search unit. The storage unit stores commodity information including a reference unit weight determined for each commodity. The measuring unit measures a total weight of commodities placed at a predetermined weighing position. The number input unit allows inputting the number of the weighed commodities. The unit average weighing value calculator divides the total weight of the commodities weighed by the measuring unit by the number input by the number input unit to calculate a unit average weighing value per one commodity. The first commodity search unit searches for commodities falling within a weight deviation from the storage unit using the unit average weighing value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Teraoka Seiko Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuharu Teraoka