Weight Patents (Class 702/173)
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Patent number: 8315823Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a force measurement system includes a force measurement assembly, a motion base configured to displace the force measurement assembly, and an inertial compensation system configured to determine the inertial forces and/or moments resulting from the displacement of the force measurement assembly by the motion base. According to another aspect of the invention, a method for accurately determining the forces and/or moments applied to a surface of a force measurement device by a subject disposed thereon is disclosed, which includes the step of determining, by using an inertial compensation system, the inertial forces and/or moments resulting from the displacement of a force measurement assembly by a motion base. According to still another aspect of the invention, a force and/or motion measurement system having inertial compensation includes a motion acquisition system having a plurality of motion sensing devices configured to capture a subject's movement.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Bertec CorporationInventors: Necip Berme, Hasan Cenk Guler
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Patent number: 8315822Abstract: A force measurement system having inertial compensation includes a force measurement assembly with at least one accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration thereof. According to one aspect of the invention, the force measurement system additionally includes at least one angular velocity sensor configured to measure the angular velocity of the force measurement assembly. According to another aspect of the invention, the force measurement system additionally includes a data processing device with a computer-readable medium loaded thereon that is configured to execute a calibration procedure for determining the inertial parameters of the force measurement assembly by utilizing the measured acceleration of the force measurement assembly while the force measurement assembly is subjected to a plurality of applied linear and/or rotational motion profiles. According to still another aspect of the invention, the at least one accelerometer is disposed on the force transducer.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Bertec CorporationInventors: Necip Berme, Hasan Cenk Guler
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Patent number: 8304668Abstract: A food product scale is adapted to interface with an electronic product ordering system, such as a kiosk ordering system, enabling store personnel to more readily identify, process and complete such orders.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.Inventors: Harry W. Collins, Debra L. Dyer
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Publication number: 20120278037Abstract: Provided is a technique for using an optical microscope image of an area on a sample to collect area-specific information characterizing each kind of biological tissue from imaging mass analysis data. On an optical image of a two-dimensional target area on a sample, a difference is examined in the kind of tissue or other features and areas are specified, each regarded as the same kind of tissue. When data processing is initiated, peak information is extracted, for each specified area, from mass spectrum data of all the measurement points. A peak method is applied to each area to extract peak information. Then, when a command to compare a set of areas is given, the peak information of those areas is collected. By comparing the peak information of different areas by a machine learning algorithm or similar judging technique, area-specific peak information is obtained, and this information is stored in memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicants: JAPANESE FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH, SHIMADZU CORPORATION, National University Corporation Hamamatsu University School Of Medicine, KEIO UNIVERSITYInventors: Masaaki MATSUURA, Masaru USHIJIMA, Masatoshi WAKUI, Mitsutoshi SETOU, Shigeki KAJIHARA, Kiyoshi OGAWA
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Patent number: 8301410Abstract: A method for determining a corrected weight of a mixed volume, by gravimetrically measuring a total weight of the mixed volume, creating an image of the mixed volume, detecting at least one selected component within the image of the mixed volume, estimating a component weight of the at least one selected component from the image of the mixed volume, and subtracting the component weight from the total weight to yield the corrected weight.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Uster Technologies AGInventors: Youe-Tsyr Chu, Preston S. Baxter, Michael E. Galyon, Hossein M. Ghorashi
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Publication number: 20120271592Abstract: System, methods, and computer-readable media. A method includes transporting a mail piece, and during transport, determining physical dimensions of the mail piece. The method includes, during transport, determining a density profile of the mail piece using an x-ray scanner and determining a weight for the mail piece according to the physical characteristics and the density profile. The method includes selectively separating the mail piece during transport based on the determined weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Luiz Carlos Harres, Michael David Carpenter
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Patent number: 8296099Abstract: A vehicle tilt detecting apparatus includes a load sensor provided for detecting a load acts on a supporting portion, a load detecting portion detecting a partial load value of the load placed on the seat on the basis of an output from the load sensor and outputting a detected load value, first interrelating portion indicates a relation between a detected load value of no-load and a front-rear tilt angle of the vehicle, unoccupied seat determining portion determining an unoccupied state, where no-load is placed on the seat, when the detected load value outputted from the load detecting portion is less than an unoccupied seat determining value and front-rear tilt angle calculating portion calculating the front-rear tilt angle corresponding to the detected load value outputted from the load detecting portion, on the basis of the first interrelating portion, when the unoccupied seat determining portion determines the unoccupied state.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Ito, Muneto Inayoshi, Akira Enomoto, Hiroyuki Fujii
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Patent number: 8290749Abstract: A method, an arrangement and a program process a measurement signal generated in a measurement transducer of an electronic force-measuring device, particularly a balance. The generated measurement signal corresponds to the force acting on the transducer. The measurement signal is entered directly or by way of a pre-processing stage into a display function which assigns corresponding output values to the values of the measurement signal. The output values are subsequently presented in a display or passed on for further processing. The input range of the display function contains a capture range, so that the values of the measurement signal that lie within the capture range are assigned a common output value by the display function, and the position of the capture range within the input range is controlled dependent on the generated measurement signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventor: Daniel Reber
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Publication number: 20120259582Abstract: The invention relates to a device for identifying instruments comprising at least one weight sensor, a data processing system, which has an interface, at least one database and an processing unit, and a visualization unit. Weight distribution data of instruments can be determined and compared by the device. This allows identifying individual instruments. The invention further relates to according methods for detecting a weight distribution of an individual instrument and for identifying an individual instrument, as well as to a method for assembling instrument sets.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventor: Oliver Gloger
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Patent number: 8280681Abstract: A system of monitoring weight of a person includes a plurality of pressure sensors integrated with a shoe, for generating wireless signals responsive to weight of a person wearing the shoe when walking or running over ground. A processor processes the signals to determine an improper walking or running event, and a transmitter transmits a signal indicative of the improper walking or running event. A remote receiver receives the signal and generates an indication of the improper walking or running event.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: PhatRat Technology, LLCInventors: Curtis A. Vock, Adrian F. Larkin, Robert Muir Holme, Burl W. Amsbury, Eric R. Edstrom, Perry Youngs, Paul Jonjak
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Patent number: 8275665Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for estimating, refining, and using the tare mass for an item to determine and monitor item depletion. In response to detecting an initial presence of an item in the storage unit, a controller collects data about the item. The controller then searches a database for a recorded item containing the same item identification. The tare mass of the item is set equal to the refined tare mass of the recorded item retrieved from the database. The tare mass is then used to calculate a depletion threshold for the item.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William K. Bodin, Michael L. Masterson, Stephen J. Watt
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Patent number: 8265901Abstract: A device for measuring and displaying body parameters includes a sensor that generates a signal representing a detected body parameter, such as body fat, body water and weight, of an individual; a transmitter to wirelessly transmit the signal; a receiver to receiver and display the sensed measurements as well as a user's name, time, date and temperature. The invention also pertains a method for determining fitness comprising the steps of: inputting, data pertaining to one of date, time, an individual's name, and fitness statistics, sensing parameters of one or more of an a body fat, a body a water and a weight; recording sensed parameters and said data; and transmitting the sensed parameters and said data; receiving said sensed parameters and said data and a signal proportional to a temperature and displaying one or more of said sensed parameters, data and temperature on a portable display unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Measurement Ltd.Inventor: Steven Petrucelli
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Publication number: 20120226473Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the weight of an object, including at least one elongate object holder (5), arranged on at least a first and second hearing, and a processing means suitable for calculating the weight of the object, regardless of the position of the object on the object holder (5) between a first straight measurement section (?) located on the side of the first bearing and a second straight measurement section (?) located on the side of the second bearing, characterised in that the processing means is suitable for determining the weight of the object by adding or subtracting two values of a physical parameter selected among the heading moment and the shearing strain, said values being added together if the physical parameter is the bending moment and subtracted if the physical parameter is the shearing strain, the distance between the first measurement section (?) and the first bearing being equal to the distance between the second measurement section (?) and the second bearinType: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2010Publication date: September 6, 2012Inventors: Gérard Claverie, Jean-Pierre Fortin, Bernard Gutfrind
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Publication number: 20120215486Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a resistive touch panel, a gravity sensing module, an obtaining module, a calculating module, and a value displaying module. The gravity sensing module is used to detect a gravity direction of an object and calculate an angle between the resistive touch panel and the gravity direction. The obtaining module obtains a touch resistance when the object is placed on the resistive touch panel. The calculating module calculates a weight of the object according to the touch resistance and the angle. The value display module displays the weight on the resistive touch panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: TAY-YANG LIN, CHIN-FENG CHEN, SHU-MING LIU, CHI-TSE SHIH, NI-CHUN HOU, HSIN-CHIH HSU, CHENG-HSIU DU
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Patent number: 8229701Abstract: A system and method are provided for measuring an object's center of gravity. The system includes a bed for supporting the object in an immovable position. The bed is tiltably attached to a frame that is supported near at least a first and a second edge by at least one force measuring device per edge. The bed is tiltable about one of the edges. A processor is connected to each force measuring devices and is configured to process force measurement data collected therefrom. The processor is configured to calculate the object's center of gravity along a z-axis based on a ratio of a cosine of the bed's angle of tilt multiplied by the center of gravity of the object along a y-axis in a flat configuration minus the center of gravity of the object along the y-axis in a tilted configuration to the sine of the angle of tilt.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kevin F. Holz, Aaron Burmeister
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Patent number: 8229702Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a stent includes a buffer for storing a stent support with a stent mounted thereon, a stent mounting and dismounting assembly that mounts and dismounts the stent from the stent support, a robotic arm for moving the stent support with the stent between the buffer and the stent mounting and dismounting assembly, and a scale assembly for weighing the stent. The stent mounting and dismounting assembly moves the stent into the scale assembly after the stent has been dismount from the stent support.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignees: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Bryan Russell Hemphill, Andrew James McKay, Sang joon Park, Aaron Meyer Waese, Anthony S. Andreacchi, Yung-Ming Chen, Arnoldo M. Currlin, Antonio Garcia, Jason Van Sciver
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Publication number: 20120169501Abstract: A method and system for determining the weight of an infant when the infant is either placed upon a support platform or removed from the support platform, where the support platform may be configured as a bed. A sensor is positioned beneath the support platform that provides a weight measurement to a control unit. The control unit determines a baseline weight for the bed and any object placed on the bed. The control unit calculate a recent weight estimate and determines whether the recent weight estimate is different from the baseline weight by more than a weight threshold. If the difference is greater than the weight threshold, the system generates a weight estimate to a user. Once the weight estimate has been generated, the system adjusts the weight threshold such that the adjusted weight threshold is used in additional processing and calculations of the infant weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: James P. Cipriano
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Patent number: 8200453Abstract: A method of, and a system for, controlling, managing and maintaining a client's weight are performed by placing a weight sensor device in a location that is convenient to the client, periodically generating weight signals at the sensor device, providing a computer system remote from the location of the sensor device, storing information associated with the client at the computer system, using a wired or wireless connection to connect the sensor device to the computer system, receiving and processing the weight signals in accordance with weight maintenance algorithms at the computer system, and reviewing the processed data by a professional manager to monitor the client's progress. The weight sensor device is provided with no indicator of the client's weight. The client is prompted to step on and off the sensor device. There is no visual display or other indication at the sensor device to indicate the client's weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Permanens LLCInventors: Dennis Gage, Alex M Adelson
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Patent number: 8195406Abstract: One or more alcohol inputs are received at the interactive system. Each of the alcohol inputs corresponds to an alcoholic beverage to be consumed by a consumer. The system calculates an estimated blood-alcohol level of the consumer based on the alcohol inputs. The estimated blood-alcohol level is compared with one or more alcohol impairment limits retrieved from an electronic data store. If the comparison reveals that the consumer might be impaired, an alert is automatically signaled.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Lydia Mai Do, Pamela Ann Nesbitt, Lisa Anne Seacat
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Publication number: 20120130677Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for generating section weights for blow-molded containers on-line. An inspection device may take a plurality of measurements of one or more container characteristics across a profile of a container while the container is on-line. A programmable processor may be programmed to receive the plurality of measurements and derive a material distribution of the container based on the plurality of measurements. The programmable processor may additionally be programmed to derive a relationship between the measured material distribution and section weights of a plurality of sections of the container and apply the relationship to determine section weights for the plurality of sections of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: Georg V. Wolfe, William E. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8185345Abstract: Described is a consumption monitoring device for monitoring the amount of consumables consumed by an animal during a monitoring period. More specifically, the consumption monitoring device measures the weight of the consumables, which are contained within a receptacle, and detects any change in the weight, such as when additional consumables are placed within the receptacle or when the animal consumes all or some of the consumables. The device calculates various values based on these changes in weight, at least one of which indicates the amount of consumables consumed by the animal. The device displays this calculated value such that the user is informed of the amount of consumables consumed by the animal within the monitoring period. This information assists the user in maintaining the animal on a desired feeding program.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Radio Systems CorporationInventor: Christopher E. Mainini
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Publication number: 20120109564Abstract: A method is provided for determining the weight of an agricultural bale that compensates for un-level terrain such as hillsides. The method uses an empty baler tare weight and a full baler weight to determine a raw bale weight. The cosine of the slope upon which the baler sits is then calculated based upon the empty baler weight as it sits and the empty baler tare weight. The cosine of the angle of slope and raw bale weight are then used to determine an actual bale weight. Further steps are provided for compensating in the tare weight of the baler for the weight of wrapping material consumed in the formation of each bale.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventor: Timothy J. Kraus
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Patent number: 8170825Abstract: A calibration device for calibrating a metering system that dispenses a product to a seeder towed by a farm vehicle is provided for obtaining and maintaining a desired rate of delivery of the product from the seeder. The calibration device includes a first console port positioned at or near the farm vehicle and a second console port at or near the metering system, each operative to receive at least one a calibration console for calibrating the rate of product delivery and adjust the metering system accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: One Pass Implements Inc.Inventors: Patrick M. Beaujot, Brian F. Dean, David R. Duke, Bruce W. Wilton
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Publication number: 20120095727Abstract: A weighing apparatus 1 comprising a load cell 4, a processing unit 3 external of the load cell 4 and data means 7, 8, 9, 10 for operating the weighing apparatus wherein a portion of the data means 7, 9, 10 is distributed between the processing unit 3 and the load cell 4 with secured communication means 6 operative between the load cell 4 and the processing unit 3. Preferably the data means 7, 9, 10 distributed between the processing unit 3 and the load cell 4 is subject to legal control or legally relevant software.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Balraj Singh Brrang
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Publication number: 20120078573Abstract: The bed device has load measurement means for generating a load signal; first computation means for computing a center-of-gravity variation or load variation on the basis of the load signal; first determination means for determining whether the computation result for the center-of-gravity variation or load variation is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; totaling means for totaling the number of times that the computation result is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold value; second computation means for multiplying the totaling results by coefficients for each time period and adding the results; and second determination means for determining a waking or sleeping state or determining a body movement or rest state of a user on the basis of whether a computation result of the second computation means is equal to or greater than a second threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Hiroki Kazuno, Jun Kawaguchi
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Publication number: 20120059626Abstract: A weighing control device for an electronic belt scale comprises four weighing sensors (1), a suspended weighing loader (6), a displacement sensor (5) and an accumulator (4). The four weighing sensors(1) are respectively connected with the accumulator (4) which obtains a group of main accumulation values and two groups of auxiliary accumulation values based on the outputs of the four weighing sensors (1). The two groups of auxiliary accumulation values are compared with each other. If the difference between the two groups of auxiliary accumulation values is within the setting range, the main accumulation value is displayed. If the difference between the two groups of auxiliary accumulation values is beyond the setting range, the weighing sensor (1) in which a fault occurs is identified and the normal auxiliary accumulation value is displayed. A weighing control method for an electronic belt scale is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: SAIMO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Da Li, Fusheng He, Xingguo Zhang
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Publication number: 20120053891Abstract: Methods and apparatus (100,200) for estimating the gravity-free shape of a flexible object (140) such as a thin sheet of glass are provided. In certain embodiments, an estimate of the gravity-free shape is produced using a bed-of-nails (BON) gauge (100) and then the shape is measured at a higher spatial resolution using a second gauge (200), with the theoretical sag between the pins (110) of the BON gauge being subtracted from the shape measured by the second gauge. In other embodiments, shape measurements are performed on both sides of the object (140) and used to estimate the reliability of the gravity-free shape estimate. In further embodiments, the bed-of-nails gauge (100) uses a least squares minimization procedure in adjusting the heights of the pins (110).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Inventors: John Steele Abbott, III, Daniel R. Harvey, Correy Robert Ustanik
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Publication number: 20120037547Abstract: A method for analyzing performance of a sorting system is provided. The method includes recording downtime experienced by the sorting system, recording runtime experienced by the sorting system, and recording an optimal characterization of a product stream to be sorted by the sorting system. The optimal characterization includes at least an optimal weight of a first commodity of the product stream. An actual characterization of the product stream as sorted by the sorting system is recorded. The actual characterization includes at least an actual weight of the first commodity sorted from the product stream. The method further includes determining the performance of the sorting system based on at least two of the downtime, the runtime, the optimal characterization, and the actual characterization.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Inventors: Stephen B. McClain, James J. Schuster, Ricky G. Byers, Gerald L. Adams
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Publication number: 20120016631Abstract: A computer based system is disclosed for providing emergency medical personnel with a means for rapidly ascertaining an accurate estimated weight for a non-responsive and potentially critically ill patient. The system acquires the gross weight of the patient, the support upon which the patient is lying and all life support equipment that may be on that support. From data stored in a data base, and from information input into the system by the personnel on hand, the weights of everything except the patient are deducted by the system to arrive at the patient's weight. That weight is then resident in the system and serves to allow the system to accurately calculate the correct dosages of medications to be administered to the patient while warning the personnel if dangerous interactions are possible. The system includes protocols for treating a wide variety of emergency medical conditions in both hospital and military environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventor: Scott Anthony Coradi
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Publication number: 20120010851Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for detecting concealed cargo and/or concealed passengers in a vehicle includes obtaining weight distribution data for the vehicle; obtaining vehicle loading data; measuring a center of mass of the vehicle to obtain an actual center of mass position of the vehicle; and executing one or more computer program modules configured to determined a predicted center of mass position of the vehicle using the obtained vehicle loading data and the obtained weight distribution data of the vehicle; compare the actual center of mass position of the vehicle with the predicted center of mass position of the vehicle; and provide a signal if the actual center of mass position of the vehicle departs from the predicted center of mass position of the vehicle by at least a predetermined threshold, the signal being representative of concealed cargo and/or concealed passengers in the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: Nathan M. MINTZ, Michael K. HOLZ, Brandon W. PILLANS, Gregory V. BURNETT, Anthony ROSS
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Patent number: 8076595Abstract: A method and associated apparatus transmits measurement values in a multi-module force-measuring device, in particular a multi-module weighing device, with at least two force-measuring modules. Each of the force-measuring modules includes a force-measuring cell and a signal-processing unit. The signal-processing unit transmits the measurement values generated by the force-measuring cell by way of a signal line to a signal-evaluating unit. Under the method, each measurement value is converted into a bit sequence by the respective signal-processing unit. The first force-measuring module's bit sequence is transmitted to the signal-evaluating unit, and the bit sequences of the signal-processing unit of the further force-measuring modules are transmitted by way of the signal-processing unit of the first force-measuring module to the signal-evaluating unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventor: Markus Uster
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Publication number: 20110301916Abstract: A weight management device enabling the user to check the daily target indicating to what extent the weight fluctuation in the current day is to be maintained, so that the user can carry out the management of the daily weight fluctuation according to the plan, and the satisfaction level of the user can be enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: OMRON HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshitake OSHIMA, Ryosuke DOI
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Patent number: 8054175Abstract: A portable type information transmitting apparatus has a bionic information measuring section that outputs bionic information in accordance with a detected bionic signal. A standard radio wave receiving section receives a standard radio wave including current time information. A time counting section counts time. A time correcting section corrects the time counted by the time counting section based on the standard radio wave received by the standard radio wave section. A transmission data generating section generates transmission data including first time information corresponding to the time counted by the time counting section and the bionic information from the bionic information measuring section. A data transmission section transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generating section.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Kazuo Kato, Akira Takakuka
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Patent number: 8055053Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of automated process control operation wherein a physical object is directed into a read zone, information stored on an ID Container attached to the physical object is retrieved, physimetric property of the physical object is captured, the retrieved information is processed to provide recorded physimetric property specific to the physical object, the recorded physimetric property and captured physimetric property are passed to an analysis algorithm for comparison, and the results of the comparison are delivered to a controlling device. The results of the comparison will determine whether the physical property will continue to pass through the read zone or require to be rotated by the operator.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityInventors: Siu Keung Kwok, Chi Fai Cheung, Hing Choi Tsang, Wing Bun Lee, Burly K. Tan, Pui Him Ng
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Patent number: 8055456Abstract: An interior space of the at least one housing of a force-measuring device is filled with a gas composition that is distinguishable in at least one parameter from the ambient atmosphere. A sensor that is arranged in the interior space, or on the housing, measures this distinguishable parameter. A processing unit of the force-measuring device compares signals obtained from the sensor to monitor and determine the condition of the force-measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventors: Urs Loher, Kurt Jensen, Volker Ziebart
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Patent number: 8022316Abstract: A force measuring device, especially a weighing device, has at least one force-measuring module that includes a force-measuring cell, a communication means, a terminal and at least one communication line, through which communication signals are transmitted between the terminal and the communication means. In a method for determining the condition of such a device, at least one voltage present at the communication line or at the communication means is measured. The measured value, or a processed result therefrom, are transmitted through the communication line to the terminal. A parameter representing the condition of the force-measuring device is determined from the measurement value, or the processed result, in an accurate and simple manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AGInventors: Christoph Trautweiler, Douglas Bliss
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Publication number: 20110202311Abstract: A system and method for classifying a vehicle occupant is disclosed. A base is installed in each of leg frames of a seat of a vehicle. A cover is installed above the base to be spaced apart from the base. Two weight sensors are installed between the base and the cover to support the cover, and configured to measure a load transmitted to the cover by the weight of a vehicle occupant sitting in the seat. A control unit receives load values measured by the weight sensors, and determines whether the vehicle occupant sitting in the seat is an adult or a child based on the received load values. A shock absorption member is interposed between the weight sensors and the base. A stopper is interposed between the base and the cover in order to limit a downward movement range of the cover in a case of overload.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Young Nam Cho, Yong Sun Kim
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Patent number: 7996107Abstract: The invention relates to a device that comprises a tool holder that can be adjusted in an x-axis, a y-axis which is perpendicular thereto, and a z-axis that is perpendicular both to the x-axis and the y-axis and that can be pivoted about the z-axis. A dispense head for solid material is mounted on the tool holder as the tool. Two scales are disposed on the dispense head for solid material, said scales weighing the material which is or is to be delivered by the dispense head for solid material. The inventive design with two scales directly mounted on the dispense head for solid material allows for weighing of the material without the dispense head for solid material or the material having to be placed on separate scales.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Chemspeed Technologies AGInventors: Rolf Gueller, Josef Schröer, Paul Frank, Franz Metzger, Christoph Bachmann, Gerhard Klokow, Benard Zahnd
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Patent number: 7991504Abstract: A method for determining the extent of cure of binder in a product comprising heating a sample of the product to vaporize free moisture in the sample and expel vaporized free moisture from the sample, measuring cure moisture content of the product, measuring binder content of the product, calculating a product ratio of cure moisture content to binder content, and comparing the product ratio of cure moisture content to binder content to a predetermined desirable ratio of cure moisture content to binder content.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Johns ManvilleInventors: Ames Kulprathipanja, ChangQing Shen, Richard Thomas Packard, Kurt A. Lintelmann
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Publication number: 20110184697Abstract: A thickness/material sensor samples an output signal output from a self-oscillating circuit at a specific sampling interval; acquires sampling data sampled in a specific sampling time period; reduces, among the acquired sampling data, a weight on the sampling data sampled near both ends of the specific sampling time period than a weight on other sampling data and outputs weighted sampling data; and calculates effective values of an output signal in the specific sampling time period from the weighted sampling data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventor: Kazuya Tada
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Patent number: 7979185Abstract: A method for determining a motor vehicle mass which is implemented in conjunction with shifting an automated shift transmission from a current gear to a desired gear. In determining the mass, a value force and movement parameters are determined partly before or after the shift operation and partly during it. For the more rapid and accurate determination of mass, the drive-wheel-related traction force of the drive engine before and after the shift F_zug_vor, F_zug_nach, the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle before and after the shift, a_zug_vor, a_zug_nach, and the acceleration a_roll determined in the traction-force-free phase during the shift are determined, and from these and in accordance with the equation m=F_zug/(a_zug?a_roll), a first mass value m_vor=F_zug_vor/(a_zug_vor?a_roll) is calculated for the beginning of the shift and a second mass value m_nach=F_zug_nach/(a_zug_nach?a_roll) is calculated for the end of the shift.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Werner Wolfgang, Maik Würthner, Ingo Sauter
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Patent number: 7979116Abstract: A body composition measuring instrument includes a body composition calculating unit for calculating the body composition of a user by using a plurality of electrodes, a reference value storage region for storing information of a reference value related to the past body composition of the user, a display control unit for performing a control to display a position of the body composition during the time calculated by the body composition calculating unit in reference to a line showing the reference value on a predetermined graph, and a display section for providing a display corresponding to the output from the display control unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.Inventors: Feilang Tseng, Tetsuya Sato
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Publication number: 20110166820Abstract: A balanced drumstick system and method permanently reposition the longitudinal center of gravity of a plurality of wood drumsticks to common new specified location to create custom sets of balanced wood drumsticks. The system and method automate the repositioning of the longitudinal center of gravity of wood drumsticks to increase accuracy and to decrease time to create sets of custom wood drumsticks.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventor: David James Hughlett
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Publication number: 20110137611Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for measuring grain being channeled through a grain harvesting device. The system includes employing a grain test weight measuring apparatus with a weigh bucket for obtaining a test weight measurement of the grain being harvested. The grain test weight measurement apparatus includes a sample cup for weighing grain therein with various sub-assemblies and/or sub-systems to obtain quick and accurate measurements of the grain in-stream on a dynamic platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Ronald H. Campbell, Charles A. Olson, Jule Carl Albretsen, II, Christopher Alan Hundley
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Publication number: 20110119028Abstract: The present invention provides a weighing apparatus comprising a load cell and an inclinometer and a method of weighing with and calibrating the weighing apparatus that tilt compensates for component parts of load cell readings that vary according to different relationships with load cell inclination. The present invention further provides a weighing apparatus and method of weighing with and calibrating the weighing apparatus that compensates for residual errors in a measured weight that has been pre-compensated for load cell inclination.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventor: Kelvin Dennis Bishop
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Patent number: 7945422Abstract: A weight and balance system for accurately determining gross weight of an aircraft. The present invention integrates tire pressure measurements with strut pressure measurements to overcome the problem associated with the friction in the strut seals, and simultaneously overcome the problem with the large number of variables associated with using tire pressure measurement to determine load (weight on wheels). An example system includes a plurality of strut pressure sensors that generate strut pressure data for landing gear struts of the aircraft and a plurality of tire pressure sensors that generate tire pressure data for tires of the aircraft. A processing device that is in data communication with the strut and tire pressure sensors determines gross weight and center of gravity of the aircraft based on the received strut and tire pressure data.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: LeRoy E. Vetsch
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Patent number: 7941238Abstract: A machine consumes a consumable material during operation, which consumable material can be provided in material units, wherein the machine can be operated in at least one first operating mode, in which the consumable material is consumed. A material unit comprises an identification unit with at least identification data, wherein the identification data is read and is checked to determine whether the identification data can be associated with a predeterminable release data set. The machine is operated in a first operating mode when the identification data can be associated with the release data set.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Packtron GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Störig, Elmar Sella
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Patent number: 7937289Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for estimating, refining, and using the tare mass for an item to determine and monitor item depletion. In response to detecting an initial presence of an item in the storage unit, a controller collects data about the item. The controller then searches a database for a recorded item containing the same item identification. The tare mass of the item is set equal to the refined tare mass of the recorded item retrieved from the database. The tare mass is then used to calculate a depletion threshold for the item.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William Kress Bodin, Michael Lee Masterson, Stephen James Watt
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Patent number: 7937242Abstract: A method for classifying an occupant weight of a vehicle is disclosed. When an occupant gets in to or gets off a vehicle, an occupant weight is quickly classified by relatively shortening time for classifying the occupant weight into a certain weight class, and when the weight is changed according to vibration of the vehicle or a movement of the occupant in a state that a vehicle seat is occupied by the occupant, time for re-classifying the weight class is lengthened to thereby prevent frequent re-classification of the occupant weight, and accordingly, the reliability of an occupant weight classification system can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventor: Doh Yoon Kim
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Publication number: 20110098157Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for calibrating differential air pressure systems are described. The methods, apparatus, and systems may be adapted for physical training of an individual, e.g. as a training tool to improve performance or as a physical therapy tool for rehabilitation or strengthening. The differential air pressure systems comprise a chamber for receiving at least a portion of a user's body. In one embodiment, a method for calibrating a differential air pressure system for predicting effective body weight of a user versus system pressure is described. In certain variations, the methods, apparatus and systems may comprise adjusting pressure in the system until one or more force values are reached. The methods described herein may comprise determining a relationship between body weight force and pressure, allowing the user to set a pressure or a parameter correlated with pressure to achieve a desired effective body weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: AlterG, Inc.Inventors: Sean Tremaine Whalen, Mark A. Shughart, Douglas Frank Schwandt, Robert Tremaine Whalen, Edward Liou, Fritz Moore