Digital Patents (Class 177/25.13)
  • Patent number: 8927883
    Abstract: An infant-nursing platform includes a cushion adapted for supporting a baby while nursing. The cushion has a support surface. Weighing means are disposed within the cushion and operably coupled to the support surface to weigh the baby on the support surface of the cushion. A user interface device is operably coupled to the weighing means to obtain measurement information therefrom. The user interface device and produces an output in response to the measurement information obtained from the weighing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel Lawrence Roth
  • Patent number: 8921716
    Abstract: The present invention is a weighing scale and system of weighing scales used to weigh a group of loads and determine which load is the lightest so it can be culled from the group. The weighing scales are most useful for use in fishing tournaments to ensure an angler has possession of the maximum total weight of fish possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Scott W. Saulters, John Maxfield, Todd Collins
  • Patent number: 8916783
    Abstract: A POS system includes: input means for receiving an input of an order; memory means for storing item information containing an individual theoretical weight of each item; calculating means for calculating, based on input information containing item types and item quantities of ordered items and on the item information, a theoretical total weight of the ordered items; weight measuring means for measuring an actual total weight of the ordered items, which are put in a bag; judging means for comparing the theoretical total weight and the actual total weight, and when there is a weight difference therebetween, identifying a side item and/or included item close in weight to the weight difference from among the ordered items; and output means for outputting the identified side item and/or included item as an item candidate corresponding to the weight difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Tazawa
  • Publication number: 20140364971
    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: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Eugenio Minvielle
  • Publication number: 20140356492
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to determine masses, weights, and/or other quantities of individual ingredients added to a food dish during preparation. At least some of the components of the system may be configured to be used in a food preparation area. The system may include a scale, a client computing device, external resources, and/or other components. The system may be configured to weigh and/or determine the mass of individual ingredients of the dish as the ingredients are added to the dish. The system may be configured to determine the individual mass and/or weight of each ingredient based on the masses and/or weights of individual ingredients previously added to the dish and/or a current mass and/or weight of the dish as a given ingredient is added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: The Orange Chef Company
    Inventor: Santiago Merea
  • Publication number: 20140353049
    Abstract: A digital scale to measure a weight of a user who stands on the digital scale; and to calculate and convey or display to the user dosage information of a medicament which is appropriate for the user based on the measured user weight. The digital scale determines the suitable medicament dosage internally, by performing a local query or an internal query to a locally-stored medicament database which is stored locally within the digital scale; and/or by performing a remote query to a remotely-stored medicament database which is stored externally to the digital scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Monique S. Vidal, Joel Vidal, Yael Vidal
  • Publication number: 20140351073
    Abstract: An apparatus for enrolling a package is disclosed including: a receiving surface for receiving the package; at least one weight sensor in communication with the receiving surface which generates a weight signal indicative of the weight of the package; at least one RGB video camera which generates a first video signal indicative of an image of the package on the receiving surface; at least one infrared three-dimensional camera which generates a second video signal indicative of an the dimensions of the package; and a processor in communication with the at least one weight sensor and the at least one video camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Mike Murphy, Paul Yarin, Eric Metois, Will Crosby, Wilson Pearce, Mark Durbin
  • Publication number: 20140345954
    Abstract: A scale includes a load detection unit detecting a load to a placing unit, a storage unit storing a zero point in advance, a calculation/control unit calculating a load calculation value using a load signal corresponding to the load to the placing unit, based on an output of the load detection unit, and a display unit displaying the load calculation value. When a load is applied to the placing unit, the calculation/control unit calculates a loading state load calculation value based on the load signal in a loading state and the zero point of the storage unit. Subsequently, when the load is removed from the placing unit in a non-loading state, the calculation/control unit calculates a non-loading state load calculation value based on load signals in the loading and non-loading states, and displays the non-loading state load calculation value on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: TANITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosei Fukada, Masayuki Kenmochi, Kazuyasu Koyama
  • Publication number: 20140332289
    Abstract: The food and beverage ingredient mixing system and that utilizes a platform for placing a container, a Bluetooth module for receiving an electronic recipe wirelessly from a mobile device, a processor to process the electronic recipe, a display to communicate which ingredients to add to the container, when to start adding said ingredients, and when to stop, along with any special text instructions in the recipe, and one or a plurality of weight sensors for measuring the mass of ingredients added to the container on the platform
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: EBC SERVICES LLC
    Inventor: John Michael Gallagher, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140326517
    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: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: University of Houston
    Inventor: Hector Manuel Garzon Gomez
  • Publication number: 20140318874
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods for a configurable kitchen scale accessory are disclosed. The scale may include a detachable transparent measurement panel detachably secured to a frame. The frame may include a plurality of force sensors. The scale may be configured to determine a weight of a measured ingredient placed on the measurement panel and display the weight or an equivalent volume of the measured ingredient by utilizing conversion tables stored within an electronic memory of the scale. The scale may be further configured to connect to an interactive display to transmit weights and volumes and receive a list of ingredients for a selected recipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel Moses, Pouyan Farasati, Tia Manning Cassett, Candice Ruth Mudrick, Milivoje Aleksic
  • Patent number: 8841564
    Abstract: A weigh scaled vehicle calibration system includes a weigh scaled vehicle comprising a field scale unit and an electronic computing device comprising a processor and memory electrically coupled to one another. The memory stores a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor cause the processor to: receive data from the field scale unit corresponding to a first weighing event of a first test weight, receive an identification tag corresponding to the first test weight, and compare the data corresponding to the first weighing event to a first reference weight of the first test weight to calculate a first calibration value. The processor further stores the first calibration value in the memory, compares the first calibration value to prior calibration values stored in the memory, and generates a feedback report of the field scale unit based at least in part on the comparison of the calibration values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Roberts, Sr., Chris Deck
  • Publication number: 20140272026
    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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip T. Odom, Brian Richardson, Darin Barri
  • Patent number: 8835779
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Tippanna Talikoti, Sudheer Beligere, Ramesh Venkanna
  • Publication number: 20140257053
    Abstract: A system comprising a biometric monitoring device including a housing including a platform to receive at least one foot of the user, a body weight sensor to generate body weight data, processing circuitry to calculate user weight data which corresponds to the user's weight, using the body weight data, and communication circuitry to: (a) receive user identification data which identifies the user or a portable activity monitoring device, and (b) transmit the user weight data to data storage associated with the user identification data. The system further includes the portable activity monitoring device including a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body, a sensor to generate sensor data, and communication circuitry to receive physiologic data which is based on the user weight data, and processing circuitry to calculate activity data using the sensor data and physiologic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelten Gee Jao Yuen, Eric Nathan Friedman, James Park
  • Patent number: 8829365
    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: June 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Pure Imagination, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wallace, Philip T. Odom, Brian Richardson, Darin Barri
  • Patent number: 8822847
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention include a digital scale to measure a weight of a user who stands on the digital scale; and to calculate and convey to the user a dosage of a medicament which is appropriate for the user based on the measured user weight. The digital scale may determine the medicament dosage by performing a local query to a locally-stored medicament database which may be stored locally within the digital scale, and/or by performing a remote query to a remotely-stored medicament database which may be stored externally to the digital scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventors: Monique S. Vidal, Joel Vidal, Yael Vidal
  • Patent number: 8816223
    Abstract: A food portion preparation station has an integral portion weight sensing system configured for portion control. A fry ribbon with integral portion weight sensing includes a weight sensor and software to weigh individual orders of comestibles such as french fries in selected portion sizes and as the operator is adding comestibles to the container, an instant indication is provided on a display showing the operator that a full order or portion is delivered while avoiding unnecessary loss in excessive portions, thereby preserving the restaurant owner's profit margin. Comestibles are taken from a holding area and placed into a container having a selected portion size corresponding to an assigned weight. The fry ribbon structure incorporates the weight sensor and each weighed portion is moved laterally along the queue defined by ribbon area for retrieval and service to a customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Restaurant Accuracy Systems, LLC
    Inventors: R. Earl Taylor, William Bruce
  • Publication number: 20140231153
    Abstract: A loading system that includes a transporter and a loader or a transporter is provided. It includes a load-amount measuring unit installed on the transporter that measures a load amount of an object loaded on the transporter; a difference computing unit computing a difference between the load amount measured by the load-amount measuring unit when the object is loaded, and a load amount measured by the load-amount measuring unit after a measurement when the object is loaded and at a time of traveling; a storage unit storing a difference value data indicating the difference computed by the difference computing unit; a correcting unit correcting the load amount measured by the load-amount measuring unit when the object is loaded, based on a correction rule calculated based on the difference value data stored in the storage unit; and a display unit displaying a corrected load amount obtained by correcting the load amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hisataka Fukasu, Tadashi Taninaga, Takashi Itoi, Takahiro Ueda
  • Publication number: 20140224552
    Abstract: A body weight management device includes a body weight obtainment configured to obtain body weight data that includes a measurement subject's body weight measurement value at a predetermined intra-day timing between waking up and sleeping and a measurement date/time of the body weight measurement value, a body weight storage unit configured to store the body weight data obtained by the body weight obtainment unit in a memory, a representative body weight calculation unit configured to calculate a representative body weight value based on the body weight measurement values in the body weight data in a predetermined period, which are stored in the memory, and a target calculation unit configured to calculate a target value to be a target when a body weight value is measured at the predetermined timing, based on the calculated representative body weight value, an intra-day target weight-loss value, and a measurement value to be a weight variation factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: OMRON HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoe Shimizu, Wataru Date, Teppei Sumino
  • Publication number: 20140224551
    Abstract: A weighing assembly (100,500,600) includes a portable computing device (“PCC”) (112) such as a smart phone, pad computer, laptop computer, or the like. The weighing assembly utilizes one or more features of the portable computing device in order to weigh an item, under control of a scale application program or “app” executable in the portable computing device. Some embodiments may utilize an internal barometric pressure sensor of the PCC. Other embodiments may utilize orientation or position sensors of the PCC for weighing an item. Other embodiments may utilize a compressible foot element (1004), all for weighing an item. Preferably, a user interface (114) of the PCC, such as a touch screen, may be used to interact with the scale application program for calibration and other functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: RAF TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Bryan Turner
  • Patent number: 8804215
    Abstract: A scanner apparatus comprises a transparent platen having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, and an optical sensor unit positioned adjacent the bottom side of the transparent platen. The optical sensor unit scans an image of at least one item placed on the top side of the platen to produce an electronic scanned image of the item. Further, a weight sensor unit is connected to the transparent platen. The weight sensor unit senses the weight of the item placed on the top side of the platen to produce an item weight. A processor is operatively connected to the optical sensor unit and to the weight sensor unit. The processor combines the electronic scanned image of the item and the item weight to produce image and weight data, and the processor outputs the image and weight data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Vinuprasad Rajendraprasad
  • Patent number: 8796564
    Abstract: A produce transaction system and method which is located in a produce section of a store. The produce transaction system includes a scale below a container in a produce section of a store, the container storing a single type of produce item, and a computer coupled to the scale for receiving a weight decrease signal from the scale when a customer removes an amount of the single type of produce item from the scale and for storing produce purchase information associated with the single type of produce item for later retrieval by a checkout computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Orson Ting
  • Publication number: 20140190754
    Abstract: A multiple force-measuring device, especially a multiple weighing device has at least two force-measuring modules. Each force-measuring module includes a force-measuring cell and a power delivery means. The power delivery means of at least one of the force-measuring modules in this arrangement is connected, directly or through a junction element, to a control cable that is connected to a power supply unit. The force-measuring modules are connected directly to each other through a module-connection cable that transfers electrical power therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Cyrill Bucher, Aaron Skidmore, Douglas Bliss, Markus Uster
  • Publication number: 20140182953
    Abstract: A scale for measuring one or more golf club objects that may include a processor and a memory. The scale may also include first and second sensors in communication with the processor that are configured to generate respectively a first signal corresponding to a first load and a second signal corresponding to a second load, each load imparted from an object being measured. The scale may also include a set of computer instructions stored in the memory, wherein during operation the processor executes the instructions to calculate, based on the first and second signals, readings corresponding to a total weight, a center of gravity location, and a swing weight of the object being measured, the readings being output to a screen for substantially simultaneous display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIKURA COMPOSITE AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Tan DEE, Zhichen XI, Toni Marie Albano PIPES
  • Publication number: 20140182951
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel approach of utilizing a collection bin for a side loading waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes a weighing system with a processor for measuring the weight of material collected from each waste container and associating this weight with appropriate data, such as the owner of the waste container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: The Curotto-Can, LLC
    Inventor: John Michael Curotto
  • Publication number: 20140182952
    Abstract: A system comprising a biometric monitoring device including a housing including a platform to receive at least one foot of the user, a body weight sensor to generate body weight data, processing circuitry to calculate user weight data which corresponds to the user's weight, using the body weight data, and communication circuitry to: (a) receive user identification data which identifies the user or a portable activity monitoring device, and (b) transmit the user weight data to data storage associated with the user identification data. The system further includes the portable activity monitoring device including a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body, a sensor to generate sensor data, and communication circuitry to receive physiologic data which is based on the user weight data, and processing circuitry to calculate activity data using the sensor data and physiologic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelten Gee Jao Yuen, Eric Nathan Friedman, James Park
  • Patent number: 8747312
    Abstract: A system comprising a biometric monitoring device including a housing including a platform to receive at least one foot of the user, a body weight sensor to generate body weight data, processing circuitry to calculate user weight data which corresponds to the user's weight, using the body weight data, and communication circuitry to: (a) receive user identification data which identifies the user or a portable activity monitoring device, and (b) transmit the user weight data to data storage associated with the user identification data. The system further includes the portable activity monitoring device including a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body, a sensor to generate sensor data, and communication circuitry to receive physiologic data which is based on the user weight data, and processing circuitry to calculate activity data using the sensor data and physiologic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelten Gee Jao Yuen, Eric Nathan Friedman, James Park
  • Publication number: 20140138164
    Abstract: According to certain inventive techniques, a body weight measuring device measures a weight of a load over a period of time to generate a reading. The body weight measuring device includes a plurality of load sensors, a radio, at least one processor, and a display. The plurality of load sensors is configured to generate load information during the reading. The load information includes a plurality of measurements from each of the plurality of load sensors received over the period of time. The radio is configured to wirelessly transmit reading information. The at least one processor is configured to receive the load information from the plurality of load sensors, analyze the load information to determine weight information, analyze at least one of the load information or the weight information to determine stability information, communicate the reading information to the radio. The reading information comprises the load information and the stability information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Carematix, Inc.
    Inventor: Sukhwant Singh Khanuja
  • Publication number: 20140131120
    Abstract: A foot pad device includes a foot pad, force sensors that provide force data, sensor electronics coupled to the force sensors, and a processor. The foot pad includes a ball region configured to be located under a ball of the foot of the user or a heel region configured to be located under a heel of the foot of the user. At least a portion of the force sensors is located in the ball region or the heel region of the foot pad. The sensor electronics include a flexible circuit with force sensor connection paths adapted to transmit force data from the force sensors and are configured to condition the force data to be within a conditioned force data range. The processor is configured to calculate a weight value based on the conditioned force data, a gain value, and an offset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. HORST, Robert L. JARDINE, Jonathan SMITH, Edith ARNOLD
  • Patent number: 8704110
    Abstract: An electronic weighing device is provided. The electronic weighing device comprises an elongate frame; a head unit, wherein the head unit is supported by the frame. The electronic weighing device further includes a scale platform coupled to a base of the frame, and a load-cell module residing in the scale platform, wherein the load-cell module is configured to convert a force on the scale platform when a user stands on the scale platform, into a measurable electrical output signal. The electronic weighing device further includes an electronic display device in the head unit, an electronics module coupled to the load-cell module and to the electronic display device, wherein the electronics module is configured for interacting with a user via the electronic display device and determining the weight of the user based on an electrical output signal from the load-cell. The electronic weighing device further comprises a communication module configured for communicating with a remote device via a communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: OVS, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Forshaw, Kenneth G. Lawrence, James R. Fabbro
  • Publication number: 20140102812
    Abstract: Removable luggage scale devices are disclosed herein that include: at least one measuring device, at least one gripping member coupled to the measuring device, at least one coupling unit, wherein the coupling unit couples the at least one measuring device to at least one piece of luggage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: JERRY MOON
  • Patent number: 8696569
    Abstract: A system comprising a biometric monitoring device including a housing including a platform to receive at least one foot of the user, a body weight sensor to generate body weight data, processing circuitry to calculate user weight data which corresponds to the user's weight, using the body weight data, and communication circuitry to: (a) receive user identification data which identifies the user or a portable activity monitoring device, and (b) transmit the user weight data to data storage associated with the user identification data. The system further includes the portable activity monitoring device including a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body, a sensor to generate sensor data, and communication circuitry to receive physiologic data which is based on the user weight data, and processing circuitry to calculate activity data using the sensor data and physiologic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Shelten Gee Jao Yuen, Eric Nathan Friedman, James Park
  • Patent number: 8692140
    Abstract: A surgical sponge and fluid monitoring system and method are provided. The system includes a support ring for securely supporting a container with at least one port opening for placing sponges into the container through the port opening with the aid of gravity. The support ring includes IR emitters and sensors that blanket IR beams across the port opening. The support ring is mechanically linked to a load cell in the system. The processor, with novel methods, reliably detects when sponges are placed into the container through the port opening, 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 in the monitoring system keeps the medical professionals in the OR fully informed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Surgitrac Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Pollock, Mahmood S. Kassam, Thomas D. Cox
  • Patent number: 8680408
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: NL Giken Incorporated
    Inventor: Masahide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8674241
    Abstract: A weighing device having a plurality of digital weighing cells (164), each including a sensor connected to a force transmission unit (163), each generating a digital measurement value corresponding to a transmitted force at a measurement time point, and including a data processing device that converts the digital measurement values to transmission units configured to be transmitted over a data communications line (20) to a central control unit (18) connected to all weighing cells for analysis of the transmission units. The central control unit (18) calculates a digital combination value based on the transmission units originating from the various weighing cells (164), the combination value representing a weight force with which the weighing device (16) is loaded at a weighing time point. The conversion of the measurement values to transmission units involves a pairing of each converted measurement value with a time value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Weighing Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Klauer, Christian Oldendorf, Thomas Schink, Erich Bettwieser
  • Publication number: 20140060940
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scale that includes a main body having a display screen, a user interface, and at least one strap for attaching to a wrist of a wearer. The scale further includes a beam that is attached to the main body and retractable from the main body. The beam extends parallel with the arm of a wearer when the main body is strapped to the wrist of a user. The main body is configured to display the weight of an object that is hanging from the beam on the display screen. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of scales that are attachable to mobile communicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Selvin G. Barrett, Camay S. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20140060939
    Abstract: There is provided a system for monitoring payload for a load-lifting vehicle. The vehicle has a lifting arm and a hydraulic actuator operatively connected to the lifting arm. The system has a means for correlating actuator pressure within the actuator at a set position of the lifting arm with weight for generating a calculated weight of a payload. The system has a means for generating a payload pattern relating actuator pressure to time as the lifting arm moves the payload through a load cycle. The system has a means for comparing the payload pattern with a set pattern relating pressure to time corresponding to said calculated weight of the payload and storing the calculated weight of the payload into memory if the deviation between the patterns is equal to or less than a certain amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: David Aaron Eppert
  • Patent number: 8648266
    Abstract: A multiple force-measuring device, especially a multiple weighing device has at least two force-measuring modules. Each force-measuring module includes a force-measuring cell and a power delivery means. The power delivery means of at least one of the force-measuring modules in this arrangement is connected, directly or through a junction element, to a control cable that is connected to a power supply unit. The force-measuring modules are connected directly to each other through a module-connection cable that transfers electrical power therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Cyrill Bucher, Aaron Skidmore, Douglas Bliss, Markus Uster
  • Patent number: 8636516
    Abstract: An apparatus and a system comprise a plate device comprising a support structure and a plurality of compartments being configured to retain items. The compartments are supported by the support structure. A plurality of weighing devices is configured to weigh the compartments. A scale support structure is configured to support the plate device and the weighing devices. A processing device is in communication with the weighing devices and is operable to at least process weight information. A presentation device is in communication with the processing device. The presentation device is operable to at least display processed weight information of items in each of the compartments and to display a sum total of processed weight information of items retained in the plate device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Nicolaos Batsikouras
  • Patent number: 8610007
    Abstract: An object is weighed using a portable electronic device. Placement of an object on a touch panel of the portable electronic device provides measurement of the weight of the object. In the measurement, the portable electronic device sends information to the touch panel to request a user to input a unit price of the object. The portable electronic device then detects a weight of the object placed on the touch panel. The portable electronic device calculates a total price of the object by multiplication of the input unit price and the detected weight of the object. The total price of the object can be then output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jian-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 8604939
    Abstract: An electronic balance for clearly indicating the degree of precision to a target weight value is provided. A signal converter (2) converts an electronic signal outputted from a weight detecting circuit (1) into a digital signal. A computing section (3) converts the digital signal into a measured weight value Wx, reads a target weight value Wd (=W0±?W) determined by a target center value W0 and a tolerance ±?W inputted from a weight setting unit (5) through an interface (4), compares the measured weight value Wx and the target weight value Wd to obtain a difference, and transmits a signal for flashing or turning on the character display corresponding to the difference and the measured weight value Wx to a display unit (6) and transmits a sound signal to a buzzer (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Satoh, Hiroshi Hamamoto, Koji Hattori
  • Publication number: 20130320084
    Abstract: A checkout device including a multi-touch surface display which can also weigh items. An example checkout device includes a surface element for displaying transaction screens and for receiving touch inputs during a transaction, and a load cell below the surface element for producing a weight signal corresponding to a weight of an item of the transaction on the surface element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Janry C. Amada, Donald A. Collins, JR.
  • Patent number: 8597228
    Abstract: Surgical fluid management systems and methods of operating surgical fluid management systems which may provide one or more functions associated with suction, irrigation, distention, deficit monitoring, infusion, fluid warming, and the like. Some example embodiments may include infra-red lamps arranged to heat fluid flowing through a disposable cartridge. Some example embodiments may provide a three-dimensional fluid path through the cartridge and/or multi-stage heating capabilities. Some example fluid management systems may be selectable between pressure control and flow control modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Thermedx, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Pyles, Jeffrey B. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130284806
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automated purchasing system that utilizes wireless purchaser identifier weight sensing shelves that wirelessly communicate with a store server. Purchasers can utilize a wireless identifier that may comprise an RFID or NFC device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer, which is placed in front of the weight sensing shelf and identifies the purchaser. The purchaser can then remove products from the shelves and the store server keeps track of the items removed. The automated purchasing system eliminates the costly and time consuming checkout process in various stores, such as grocery stores, department stores, hardware stores and other similar stores. Locked compartments and access portals can also be accessed. Also disclosed is a weight measuring hanger that comprises a hanger rod. The hanger rod employs a weight sensor that is sufficiently sensitive to detect the removal or addition of a product from the hanger rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Ran Margalit
  • Publication number: 20130256040
    Abstract: Techniques for self-learning an item's weight range are provided. Weights for items during transactions with an enterprise are recorded and plotted in a data store. A graph is used to plot weights for the items over time. During a particular transaction, when an item is identified and its weight is captured, the graph is consulted to detect any deviance in the captured weight to the graph. When a deviance falls beyond a threshold real-time alerts are raised within the enterprise to manually inspect the item and recorded weight before a transaction with a customer concludes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Kaj Svante Nybom, David Newton Scott
  • Publication number: 20130256041
    Abstract: An integrated scanner, scale and touchscreen display (“integrated touchscreen scanner”) is addressed. In one alternative, the integrated touchscreen scanner further includes a printer for printing receipts, coupons and the like. The integrated touchscreen scanner is designed for flush mounting in a checkout or self-checkout stand. Keystrokes, icon selection and the like may be suitably sensed employing weigh cells in the scale of the integrated touchscreen scanner. Additionally, the display may be partitioned into a customer portion and a checker portion. This partitioning may be fixed or dynamically adjusted in response to the state of the transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald A. Collins, JR., Peter B. Barron, Graeme Smith
  • Patent number: 8541700
    Abstract: A weight scale includes weight measurement means, storage means for storing a weight measurement value along with a measurement day and time, determination means for determining whether a fluctuation range of the weight measurement value in the same day is within a predetermined reference range, and display means for displaying a percentage of days determined that the daily weight fluctuation is within the reference range. In this manner, a trend in weight change can be grasped even with the measurement of a relatively short period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sato, Feilang Tseng, Tadashi Koike
  • Patent number: 8540649
    Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a system and a method for accurately measuring the weight of a portion of a human body. [MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] This system for measuring the weight of each of six body portions of a human body comprises support base provided for six body portions and supporting the body portions, six body portion measuring units each having a weight measuring part measuring the weight of the body portion and a data transmission-reception part transmitting and receiving data including data on the weight of the body portion measured by the weight measuring part, and a data processing unit transmitting control data to the six body portion measuring units and receiving the data on the measured weights of the body portions. The data processing unit comprises a means determining whether or not the total sum of the data on the measured weights of the six body portions matches the weight of the human body within a present allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Tadao Kurata, Sumiko Kurata
  • Patent number: 8536469
    Abstract: A body composition monitor of the present invention includes means for inputting a reference value of a body composition component, means for inputting a measurement value of the body composition component, body composition comparison means for comparing the reference value and the measurement value so as to determine a body composition component change amount of the measurement value relative to the reference value, display means provided with a plurality of stages for displaying one of the stages corresponding to the body composition component change amount, and stage determination means provided with a plurality of determination widths respectively corresponding to the plurality of stages for determining one of the stages corresponding to the body composition component change amount with using the plurality of determination widths, wherein the plurality of determination widths are not identical to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sato, Yumi Kitamura, Shinya Tanaka