Digital Patents (Class 177/25.13)
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Patent number: 12193413Abstract: A reader comprising: a panel; two antennae each associated with a respective race to transmit and/or receive information to/from an electronic animal tag in that respective race; and an electromagnetic shield to impede an antenna from transmitting and/or receiving information to/from an electronic animal tag not located in the respective race of that antenna; a system for reading electronic animal tags comprising: a plurality of readers each located at or near a wall of a respective plurality of races, wherein each reader is at least partially shielded by an electromagnetic shield; each reader being longitudinally offset with respect to at least one other reader in the plurality of readers; and methods of constructing and using a reader.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2019Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: ALLFLEX AUSTRALIA PTY LTDInventors: Benjamin Thomas John Wilkinson, Aaron John Woodland, Brian Antony Clayton
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Patent number: 12124988Abstract: An average weight calculation and shipment management system of edible poultry includes: a weight measurement device that is installed in a poultry house and measures in real time a weight of edible poultry by using a load cell; a weight and shipment prediction server that receives weight data measured in real time from the weight measurement device, derives an average weight of the edible poultry, and predicts a shipping date by using the derived average weight; and a monitoring unit that is provided with the average weight and the predicted shipping date derived from the weight and shipment prediction server. The weight and shipment prediction server collects a large number of the weight data and densifies the large number of collected weight data to derive an average weight of the edible poultry, and predicts the shipping date by using the derived average weight.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: E-MOTION CO., LTD.Inventor: Hocheol Kim
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Patent number: 12078560Abstract: A load sensor having a centrally disposed aperture element through which a fastening element of a vehicle air suspension assembly passes to affix the load sensor between the vehicle air suspension assembly and the vehicle suspension, wherein the load sensor has a force measurement sensor disposed proximate an elongate slot to generate a load signal which varies based on an amount of strain in the load sensor, wherein the load signal received by a load calculator allows calculation of the load exerted from the vehicle frame to the vehicle suspension.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2023Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Driving Innovations, LLCInventor: Timothy James Scott
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Patent number: 12061110Abstract: A displacement and weight association apparatus includes a setting unit, a detecting unit, a measuring unit, and an associating unit. The setting unit sets a processing target period. The detecting unit detects weights of a plurality of vehicles having passed a structure during the processing target period. The measuring unit measures a plurality of peak values of displacement of the structure during the processing target period. The associating unit associates the peak values with the weights of the vehicles based on a magnitude relation of the measured peak values and a magnitude relation of the detected weights of the vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: NEC CORPORATIONInventor: Jun Takada
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Patent number: 11790190Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Ping Mei, Janos Veres, Robert Street
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Patent number: 11663748Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Qi Ding, Yasuhiro Ibusuki, Jun Morinaga, Masanori Minagawa
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Patent number: 11561123Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: MATEOInventors: Thomas Serval, Gauthier de Rouzé
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Patent number: 11524408Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Byeongrok Kim
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Patent number: 11438221Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: SPLUNK Inc.Inventors: Alexander William Cruise, Daniel Ferstay
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Patent number: 11433548Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Dongeun Lee
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Patent number: 11428589Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: SAF-Holland, Inc.Inventor: Randy L. Schutt
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Patent number: 11361673Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Inventor: Rajesh Vangara
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Patent number: 11346706Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11062620Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Perfect CompanyInventor: Michael Wayne Wallace
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Patent number: 11027864Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKIInventors: Tomoya Hyodo, Haruhiko Koike, Teruhisa Kitagawa, Koichi Kirihara, Motohiro Hamazawa
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Patent number: 10970018Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventor: Matthew Bruce Platts
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Patent number: 10945893Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Inventor: Peter Piro
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Patent number: 10852178Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Theodore Heske, III
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Patent number: 10803320Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: City of Eden, LLCInventor: Jonathan Calmus
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Patent number: 10782181Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the secretary of the NavyInventor: Grant Cochran
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Patent number: 10782183Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Theodore Heske, III
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Patent number: 10736579Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: N.V. NUTRICIAInventor: Elzemiek Beatrix Maria Van Berkel-Wijnen
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Patent number: 10620035Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Capbran Holdings, LLCInventors: Robert Finnance, Lenny Sands
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Patent number: 10591348Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Qicai Shi, Nathan Pius O'Neill
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Patent number: 10591917Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Yosuke Kadono, Takashi Hiranaka, Isao Toku, Kenta Osagawa, Takashi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 10579315Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventor: Matthew Bruce Platts
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Patent number: 10303947Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroyuki Kubotani, Mitsuhiro Aso
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Patent number: 10188349Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: TOSENSE, INC.Inventors: Matthew Banet, Marshal Singh Dhillon, Susan Meeks Pede, Lauren Nicole Miller Hayward, Arthur Deptala, Jonas Dean Cochran
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Patent number: 10175970Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Deyuan Li, Wenrui Zhang, Wei Mao, Qiang Lu
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Patent number: 9766117Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONInventor: Hector Manuel Garzon Gomez
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System and method for maintaining recipe ratios when measuring ingredients for culinary combinations
Patent number: 9645007Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Perfect CompanyInventors: Michael Wallace, Philip T. Odom, Brian Richardson, Darin Barri -
Patent number: 9566017Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: David A. Kummer
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Patent number: 9569054Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: James W. Citta
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Patent number: 9562806Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9518862Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, LLCInventor: Patrick Toohey
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Patent number: 9377346Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9377345Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9355096Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: THE ORANGE CHEF COMPANYInventors: Ankit Brahmbhatt, Santiago Merea
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Patent number: 9174758Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter D. Rowley, Jonathan S. Battles
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Patent number: 9134830Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Martin Lee, Gabriel Isaiah Rowe
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Publication number: 20150083805Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: TERAOKA SEIKO CO., LTD.Inventors: Naokazu Sato, Fumikatu Saitoh, Kenichi Nishino
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Patent number: 8987613Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Raf Technology, Inc.Inventor: Bryan Turner
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Publication number: 20150075879Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: TANITA CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshio SAKAI, Kazuma INOUE, Atsuo KUMEKAWA
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Publication number: 20150068818Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, JR., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, JR., John A. Dusing
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Publication number: 20150068820Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, JR., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, JR., John A. Dusing
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Publication number: 20150068819Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Debra L. Dyer, Robert S. Davis, James E. Highley, JR., Jill M. Broering, Fredrick D. Knoop, Randy L. Blankley, JR., John A. Dusing
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Publication number: 20150053487Abstract: A vehicle weight sensor is based on wheel-rim stress measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITEDInventor: Michael F. Cash
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Patent number: 8963025Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Surgitrac CorporationInventors: Richard A. Pollock, Mahmood S. Kassam
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Publication number: 20150034398Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventor: Peter G. Charij
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Publication number: 20150034396Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Igor TCHERTKOV, Siddika PARLAK POLATKAN