Abstract: A weigh-on-the-fly WOF module for weighing a mail piece as it is being sorted by a mail sort machine. The piece is delivered to entry pinch rollers in the WOF module which, in turn, deliver the piece into pinch at an acceleration roller. The thickness of the piece is measured the pinch at the acceleration roller is adjusted to reduce drag on the mail piece during acceleration. The acceleration roller is driven by a constant torque motor at a first known or measured velocity V1 which is increased to second known or measured velocity V2 when the mail piece arrives. The time of acceleration from V1 to V2 is measured. Once the velocities and the time of acceleration are known, the weigh of that particular mail piece can be calculated using the formula: F=ma wherein F=force or torque m=mass or weight; and a=acceleration or (V2?V1)/time.

Abstract: An inventory monitoring system measures changes in weight of an inventory stored on one or more scales. The inventory items are divided into classes by weight, and the system determines the maximum number of items that can be in a combination while maintaining a distinct combined weight. Items are then removed or added, and the change in weight on the scales is correlated to a change in the number of inventory items to track the number of items removed or added over time. In a combined system, scanners are employed to track inventory received or sold, and data from the scanners relating to the items in the inventory is filtered out for comparison to the inventory changes indicated by changes in weight. The system has particular utility for monitoring inventories of cigarettes.

Abstract: When a kinetic kill vehicle is launched against an incoming ballistic object and the two objects collide, by measuring the deflection angle of the trajectory of the merged object and comparing the deflection angle against a threshold value, a determination is made as to the relative weight of the incoming ballistic object and whether or not the incoming ballistic object is a decoy and not the warhead.

Abstract: A method and system (10, 23) for determining vehicle weight to a precision of <0.1%, uses a plurality of weight sensing elements (23), a computer (10) for reading in weighing data for a vehicle (25) and produces a dataset representing the total weight of a vehicle via programming (40-53) that is executable by the computer (10) for (a) providing a plurality of mode parameters that characterize each oscillatory mode in the data due to movement of the vehicle during weighing, (b) by determining the oscillatory mode at which there is a minimum error in the weighing data; (c) processing the weighing data to remove that dynamical oscillation from the weighing data; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) until the error in the set of weighing data is <0.1% in the vehicle weight.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed, and for checking that the correct amount of postage has been paid for delivery of the article. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision closed-loop servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282) to determine weight. Correct postage is determined in a processor (1212), and the postage actually paid is checked either by image analysis (1204, 1214, 1280) or by accessing a stored mailer manifest (1280).

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the weight of items on a conveyor includes a scale that generates a first signal corresponding to the weight of the items. A movable platform transports the items to the scale and generates a second signal corresponding to position of the items in relation to the scale. A dimensioner examines the items and generates a third signal representative of whether the items are singulated or nonsingulated. A processor receives the second and third signals and determines whether to associate the first signal with information stored in memory about a particular item based upon whether the particular item is singulated or nonsingulated.

Abstract: A method (51) for measuring the mass of an object such as a letter (10) in motion. An apparatus (12) for carrying out the present invention includes a pair of rollers (16, 18) through which a letter passes. One of the rollers (16) is driven by a motor (20) which has an associated encoder (22) to give motor positional information to a controller (24). In a method of the present invention the controller generates a ramping torque signal (44) which is provided to the motor. A friction correction curve (40) is generated and applied to the torque signal, and an average torque value (C) is determined. From the positional information provided by the encoder, acceleration (50) is derived and an inertia value is obtained by dividing the average torque (C) by the acceleration. Prior to obtaining an inertia value with a letter, an initial inertia value is obtained without a letter to get a base inertia. The base inertia is subtracted from the measured inertia with a letter to get a difference ?l.

Abstract: A method and system (10, 23) for determining vehicle weight to a precision of <0.1%, uses a plurality of weight sensing elements (23), a computer (10) for reading in weighing data for a vehicle (25) and produces a dataset representing the total weight of a vehicle via programming (40-53) that is executable by the computer (10) for (a) providing a plurality of mode parameters that characterize each oscillatory mode in the data due to movement of the vehicle during weighing, (b) by determining the oscillatory mode at which there is a minimum error in the weighing data; (c) processing the weighing data to remove that dynamical oscillation from the weighing data; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) until the error in the set of weighing data is <0.1% in the vehicle weight.

Abstract: A washing machine is provided that includes measuring a load in a washer with a motor, the method comprising: a) accelerating a load in the washer b) providing a first input voltage and running the motor until a first speed of the motor is stable; c) providing a second input voltage, d) starting a timer, upon providing the second input voltage, and obtaining a first time measurement; e) operating the motor until the load speed responds to the second input voltage to the motor and is stable; f) stopping the timer and obtaining a second time measurement; g) calculating a time differential between the first time measurement and the second time measurement; and h) determining the load size using a load size equation and the time differential.

Abstract: Relative center of gravity height in a motor vehicle changes from a nominal value to an actual value depending upon vehicle loading. Method and apparatus for determining actual relative center of gravity height are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of estimating a mass of a vehicle. If a yaw rate is smaller than a reference value, a straight direction model algorithm is applied to obtain an estimated mass. If a measured speed and a measured steering angle are larger than reference values, a lateral direction model algorithm is applied to obtain another estimated mass. If a measured vertical acceleration is larger than a reference value, a vertical direction model algorithm is applied to obtain yet another estimated mass. If each of the estimated masses is in an allowable range, and is constant for a given time period, the masses are applied to a recursive least square method, thereby estimating the mass of the vehicle.

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

Abstract: Tracking a motion of a body by obtaining two types of measurements associated with the motion of the body, one of the types including acoustic measurement. An estimate of either an orientation or a position of the body is updated based on one of the two types of measurement, for example based on inertial measurement. The estimate is then updated based on the other of the two types of measurements, for example based on acoustic ranging. The invention also features determining range measurement to selected reference devices that are fixed in the environment of the body.

Abstract: A method of estimating a mass of a vehicle. If a yaw rate is smaller than a reference value, a straight direction model algorithm is applied. If a measured speed and a measured steering angle are larger than reference values, a lateral direction model algorithm is applied. If a measured vertical acceleration is larger than a reference value, a vertical direction model algorithm is applied. If each of the estimated masses is in an allowable range, and is constant for a given time period, the masses are applied to a recursive least square method, thereby estimating the mass of the vehicle.

Abstract: A weigh-in-motion device and method having at least one transducer pad, each transducer pad having at least one transducer group with transducers positioned essentially perpendicular to the direction of travel. At least one pad microcomputer is provided on each transducer pad having a means for calculating first output signal indicative of weight, second output signal indicative of time, and third output signal indicative of speed. At least one host microcomputer is in electronic communication with each pad microcomputer, and having a means for calculating at least one unknown selected from the group consisting of individual tire weight, individual axle weight, axle spacing, speed profile, longitudinal center of balance, and transverse center of balance.

Abstract: A system and method of calculating chemical usage during a refilling of a supply tank, which includes the steps of providing a chemical system having a first supply tank of known capacity, wherein the tank is mounted upon an electronic scale. The scale is capable of generating a series of signals related to the weight of the tank when empty and at various levels of fill. A system controller receives a series of signals from the scale relating to the weight of the tank when empty and at various levels of fill. The first supply tank is filled from a source of chemical feed and the fill time for the filling of the first supply tank is obtained. The system controller inputs the series of signals from the scale relating to the weight of the tank when empty and at various levels of fill and calculates a usage during refilling based on a feed rate times the fill time.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the weight of items on a conveyor includes a scale that generates a first signal corresponding to the weight of the items. A movable platform transports the items to the scale and generates a second signal corresponding to position of the items in relation to the scale. A dimensioner examines the items and generates a third signal representative of whether the items are singulated or nonsingulated. A processor receives the second and third signals and determines whether to associate the first signal with information stored in memory about a particular item based upon whether the particular item is singulated or nonsingulated.

Abstract: In certain example embodiments there is provided a method and/or system for operating an aircraft, including (a) before an aircraft is loaded with passengers and luggage, performing a first measuring to measure a load on front landing gear strut(s) and rear landing gear strut(s) in order to obtain first weight data; and (b) after the aircraft has been loaded with passengers and luggage, performing a second measuring to measure a load on front landing gear strut(s) and rear landing gear strut(s) in order to obtain second weight data. Then, the first weight data is subtracted from the second weight data, while optionally compensating for fuel added to the aircraft between the times of the first and second measuring steps, in order to determine a total weight of the passengers and luggage on the aircraft. This total weight can be used in determining whether or not the plane is overloaded.

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter incorporates at least one measuring tube, at least one oscillator for the excitation of the measuring tube and at least one oscillation detector for registering the oscillations of the measuring tube, with an activator serving to energize the oscillator, at least one evaluation unit serving to analyze the oscillations registered by the oscillation detector, an excitation signal path including excitation signal-path devices provided between the activator and the oscillator for transmitting an excitation signal, and a measuring signal path with measuring signal-path devices provided between the oscillation detector and the evaluation unit for transmitting the measuring signal.

Abstract: The vehicle weight determination device includes a microcomputer for achieving the vehicle weight determination by obtaining a driving force after filtering based on the speed ratio of the torque converter and obtaining an integrated driving force with the absolute value of the driving force after filtering by using an area method. Similarly, acceleration after filtering is obtained by filtering process of the acceleration and an integrated to obtain an integrated acceleration. The vehicle weight is determined by the integrated driving force divided by the integrated acceleration.

Abstract: A system for real-time signal processing for vehicle monitoring, including a first device disposed in a tire of a vehicle and producing a signal that is a function of a tire contact time period, during which a point at the tire circumference stays in contact with the ground, and a second device operative to repetitively perform a first task of processing the signal to calculate the tire contact time period at a first predetermined rate, and to repetitively perform a second task of calculating a tire load based at least in part upon the calculated tire contact time period at a second predetermined rate, wherein said second predetermined rate is less than said first predetermined rate.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for fine tuning the control of a manufacturing process. A material adjusting device is in communication with a PID controller and PID control loop, and is used to alter a flow of material used in the manufacturing process, so as to maintain a target physical property of the material at a setpoint. A measurement device captures measurements of the flow relevant to the physical property of interest. A change is introduced to the material adjusting device while the PID controller and PID control loop are disabled, and appropriate measurements of the flow are continually captured; a process that may be repeated several times. Once sufficient physical property measurement data has been captured, the data is loaded into an optimization program that outputs optimized controlled parameters that may be used by the PID controller and control loop to better control the physical property of the material.

Abstract: Dynamic aircraft/vehicle specific load planning and weight balancing systems and methods are used to automate the process of weighing passengers and their baggage, including carry-on baggage, to accurately and quickly determine the passenger and passenger baggage location on a specific aircraft/vehicle to generate an efficient and precise aircraft load plan and provide data to determine loaded aircraft weight and balance. Digital scale(s) and passenger ticket/boarding pass scanner(s) are used to acquire the weight and location data, which can be fed to a processor to process the data to determine appropriate weight and balance for each flight and/or transmit data to other systems to be included in their determination of vehicle weight and weight distribution/balance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method capable of measuring a weight load of an inflamed leg of a lab animal or a human being objectively and precisely while the lab animal or the human being is walking freely in a non-binding state. A pathway sized depending on a size and a stride of the lab animal or the human being is provided in a weight load measuring apparatus, and a weight sensor is attached to a bottom of the pathway. Thus, artificial operations to be applied to the lab animal or human being walking the pathway can be minimized such that the weight load exerted in the inflamed leg can be measured objectively and precisely with time periods.

Abstract: An automated weighing station is provided which is advantageous for automatically weighing samples generally disposed in containers in an array of racks. The weighing station comprises a sample handling assembly which is operably connected to a balance, allowing a moveable sample carrier to bring samples into position beneath the balance and sample handling assembly, thereby minimizing the movement of individual samples in order to accomplish weighing. A weighing system that provides flexibility and convenience in generating and transforming a variety of data sets associated with measurements accomplished using the weighing apparatus is also provided. Also disclosed is an automated liquid dispensing system for dispensing liquid into sample containers. The liquid dispensing system may operate independently or in conjunction with the weighing system in a synchronized fashion.

Abstract: A method is provided for weighing a series of mail pieces such as letters, flats or a mixture thereof, that are being conveyed through a weighing module. Each mail piece has a length which falls within a range bounded by a maximum length and a minimum length. The mail pieces are conveyed through the weighing module at a substantially constant speed while maintaining a minimum gap between successive mail pieces as the mail pieces pass through the weighing module. The weight of each mail piece is measured during a measurement time when that mail piece is the only mail piece moving on the scale. The scale is sized so that measurement times for mail pieces between the maximum and minimum lengths will vary.

Abstract: A system and method for weighing of items such as mailpieces in the presence of external vibration such as ground noise. The system includes a scale system having a platform connected to a load cell, which provides an output signal to an analog-to-digital converter. The resulting digital output signal is processed by a low pass filter and analyzed by a microprocessor to determine weights of items on the platform. The microprocessor also determines postage amounts as functions of the weights and outputs these postage amounts to a postage meter. The microprocessor determines the weights as the median of the peak to valley difference of the digital output signal when the digital output signal peak to valley difference is less than a predetermined value. The microprocessor identifies peaks and valleys of the digital output signal by determining when the derivative of the signal changes sign.

Abstract: A weighing system and a postage metering system including such a weighing system. The weighing system includes a transport assembly having a transport for receiving and outputting mail pieces to be weighed and for supporting mail pieces while they are weighed, and a feeder for successively feeding the mail pieces to the transport. A transducer supports the transport and generates and output representative of the load presented by pairs of mail pieces on the transport. After a current item and a previous item are weighed together on the transport, the transport is energized to output the previous item and replace the previous item with the current item, and the feeder is energized to input a next item to the transport as a new current item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system (10), or a process for the automatic control of a moveable bucket wheel device (1) for the reducing of a stockpile and/or for the piling up of bulk goods, whereby the bucket wheel device (1) has at least one bucket wheel (6) for the takeup of bulk goods, at least one measurement device (11) for the measurement of the stockpile (9) and the bucket wheel device (1) is automatically moved to the desired removal and/or piling up position in dependence of the measured and/or processed measurement data.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for fine tuning the process of controlling the weight of a flow of material, such as a rod of material in a production facility. A control actuator in communication with a PID controller and PID control loop is used to change the unit volume of the flow so as to maintain a target unit weight. A measurement device captures unit weight measurements of the flow at intervals over the length of the flow. A change is introduced to a control actuator while the PID controller and PID control loop are disabled, and appropriate weight measurements of the flow are continually captured along with the control actuator's “feed back” position; a process that may be repeated several times. Once sufficient weight measurement data has been captured, the data is loaded into an optimization program that outputs optimized controlled parameters that may be used by the PID controller and control loop to better control the weight of the flow of material.

Abstract: A foreign-matter detector for detecting foreign matter contained in an article P transported between a transmitter (17) and a receiver (18). The detector (1) includes a signal extractor (2) for extracting a signal (e) having a predetermined phase difference relative to a transmitted signal (a) from the transmitter (17), based on a phase of the transmitted signal (a) from the transmitter (17) and the received signal (b) from the receiver (18), a specific value setting unit (25) for setting, through an external input operation, a specific value for the level of the extracted signal (e) which is outputted from the signal extractor (2) and which is attributable to the article (P) free from foreign matter to be detected, and a level adjusting circuit (24) for adjusting the signal extractor (2) or the receiver (18) to cause the level of the extracted signal (e) attributable to the article itself to assume the specific value inputted.

Abstract: A control for a weigh scale associated with a continuously moving conveyor which is capable of mathematically positioning the sample period on each product weight waveform. The control first triggers on a predetermined sensed weight. The control determines a first inflection point on the weight waveform defined as the “maximum positive slope.” Once the maximum positive slope is found, the control begins recording weight samples at a sampling rate. The control checks the weight waveform of sampled weights for a slope which is a first pre-selected percentage of the maximum slope but negative in slope value. This point is determined as the “weight-off-scale” point. When the weight-off-scale point is reached, then the control looks backward through the recorded data of weight samples to find another point which has a slope which is a second preselected negative percentage of the maximum positive slope. This point is defined as the “end sample position.

Abstract: The method for determining the mass of a vehicle comprises at least two measurements (6, 8) offset in time within a measuring period by which are determined respectively at least one traction variable (2) and at least one movement variable (4) of the vehicle, one of the two measurements (8) being effected during a traction-free phase and the other of the two measurements (6) during a traction phase. According to the invention, it is proposed that each of the two measurements comprises one data collection period (6, 8) the duration of which is longer than a minimum duration, that the traction variable corresponds to the timed integral of the traction and the movement variable to the change of speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method capable of measuring a weight load of an inflamed foot of a lab animal objectively and precisely while the lab animal is walking freely in a non-binding state is provided. A pathway sized depending on a size and a stride of the lab animal is provided in a weight load measuring apparatus, and a weight sensor is attached to a bottom of the pathway. Thus, artificial operations to be applied to the lab animal walking the pathway can be minimized such that the weight load exerted in the inflamed foot can be measured objectively and precisely with time periods.

Abstract: The present invention is configured to determine the weight of a payload of a mobile machine. When the machine is in motion, a force characteristic of the machine is compared with a force characteristic threshold, or range. The payload determination is based upon the force characteristic comparison, and the pressures sensed in at least one of the struts.

Abstract: Data processing systems and methods for recommending vehicles for transporting defined sets of items such as furniture or other property. A user interface allows a user to define characteristics of a transport load. Characteristics include, for example, volume, weight, and quantity of items to be loaded. Defined load characteristics are used in conjunction with additional factors such as, for example, local vehicle availability and/or predicted user packing efficiency, by the data processing system to determine a recommended vehicle or vehicle capacity, and to designate a preferred vehicle from an available inventory. Optionally items may be designated as constituting part of a vehicle load through user selection of system-defined or user-defined graphical representations of the items through using a computer interface controller, and “dragging and dropping” into a load designation field on a graphical interface.

Abstract: A sensing device for detecting and identifying vehicles or other events which apply force to a roadway or other structure. The force applied by a vehicle is interpreted to produce a force signature which is unique to a vehicle, and thus can be used to identify individual vehicles. Other force events which can detected and identified include pedestrians, motorcycles, avalanches, roadway deterioration, structural failure of bridges or other structures, avalanches, bicycles, and railroad trains.

Abstract: A weight checking apparatus is provided to prevent items that have not been properly checked from slipping through the weight checker. A weight checker includes a weight conveyor, a loading sensor, a weighing portion, a weighing conveyor weight change monitoring means, an item weight calculation means, and a controller. The loading sensor detects the loading of an item on the weighing conveyor. The weighing portion detects the weight of the weighing conveyor. The controller switches between the weighing conveyor weight change monitoring process and the item weight calculation process based on a detection signal from the loading sensor. The weighing conveyor weight change monitoring process monitors a change in the weight value of the weighing conveyor. The item weight calculation process calculates the weight of the item from the weight value detected by the weighing portion.

Abstract: An animal feeder has a hopper for storing pieces of food. The bottom of the hopper has an opening accessible by an animal. The opening is smaller than a piece of food, but large enough for the animal to gnaw the food through the opening. The hopper has a surface adjacent the opening, to receive fallen gnawed food and hold the fallen gnawed food in a position accessible by the animal for eating. The hopper engages a mounting bracket. The bracket is directly attachable to the animal's cage. The bracket has a lip which partially covers the receiving surface of the hopper to physically limit the animal from leaning on the hopper and to prevent the hopper from tipping back so far that it falls off the conical mount. A conical bottom surface is attached to the hopper. The conical bottom surface seats on a conical mount. The conical mount transmits a downward force from the conical bottom surface to a sensor, but does not transmit an upward force or moment to the sensor.

Abstract: An automated weighing station is provided which is advantageous for automatically weighing samples generally disposed in containers in an array of racks. The weighing station comprises a sample handling assembly which is operably connected to a balance, allowing a moveable sample carrier to bring samples into position beneath the balance and sample handling assembly, thereby minimizing the movement of individual samples in order to accomplish weighing. A weighing system that provides flexibility and convenience in generating and transforming a variety of data sets associated with measurements accomplished using the weighing apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A system for estimating vehicle mass includes a control circuit determining an instantaneous vehicle acceleration signal (VA) and an instantaneous vehicle drive force (FDW). As long as a number of preconditions are met, such as vehicle speed within speed range, fueling command above a fueling threshold, gear ratio within a predefined range and VA above an acceleration threshold, the control circuit computes a number of instantaneous vehicle mass estimates (VM) as a function of the VA and FDW values. When any one of the preconditions is no longer met, the control circuit computes a vehicle speed change during the next gear shift and disregards the number of vehicle mass estimates if this vehicle speed change is outside predefined boundaries. Otherwise, the control computer processes the number of vehicle mass estimates to form an updated vehicle mass estimate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the mass simulation of vehicle masses on a stationary roller test stand, wherein the simulation mass (msim) is determined from the test stand mass (mP) and from the mass (mRad h?) of the non-driven rotatable vehicle parts that are determined by measuring techniques, as well as from the mass (mRad h?) of the driven rotatable vehicle parts that are determined by measuring techniques, and with the aid of the translatory vehicle mass (mF), in an evaluating device (10) of the test stand.

Abstract: A vehicle seat weight classification system includes a recalibration strategy to ensure sensor accuracy over time. A controller preferably is programmed to periodically sample outputs of the sensors when a seat is unoccupied. Average sensor output information is compared to a currently stored calibration value. If the newly determined average value meets selected criteria, then the sensor is recalibrated using the new information. The system and method of this invention compensates for changes in sensor performance over time caused by changes in system characteristics, such as material offset drift.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting in-ground static weighing scales for vehicles to weigh-in-motion systems. The apparatus upon conversion includes the existing in-ground static scale, peripheral switches and an electronic module for automatic computation of the weight. By monitoring the velocity, tire position, axle spacing, and real time output from existing static scales as a vehicle drives over the scales, the system determines when an axle of a vehicle is on the scale at a given time, monitors the combined weight output from any given axle combination on the scale(s) at any given time, and from these measurements automatically computes the weight of each individual axle and gross vehicle weight by an integration, integration approximation, and/or signal averaging technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recursively estimating vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient of a moving vehicle. The vehicle speed and push force data are collected and a segment of qualified data is then selected from the collected data. Newton's second law is integrated to express vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient in terms of vehicle push force and vehicle speed. This expression is then used in a recursive analysis of the qualified data segment to determine an estimated vehicle mass and/or aerodynamic coefficient.

Abstract: The present invention is configured to determine the weight of a payload of a mobile machine. When the machine is in motion, a force characteristic of the machine is compared with a force characteristic threshold, or range. The payload determination is based upon the force characteristic comparison, and the pressures sensed in at least one of the struts.

Abstract: A method and mobile unit facility is provided for testing the packaging of material during the transport of the material from one location to another location. The method includes instrumenting a unit of packaged material for measuring deflection and acceleration of the packaged material during the transport, loading the unit of packaged material into a bed of the mobile unit facility and filling the remainder of the bed with weighted material which is weighted and sized to simulate other units of the actual packaged material, and then driving the mobile unit facility from the one known location to the other location while recording deflection and acceleration data of the unit of packaged material.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the weight distribution on a vehicle includes measuring characteristic values of axles, comparing the measured values with expected values, and when the measured values differ from the expected values, sending warning signals that the vehicle may be experiencing a problem. The method of monitoring the weight distribution on a vehicle is used to determine the weight shift of cargo on the vehicle. The present invention allows the driver to check the weight distribution on the vehicle while operating the vehicle. Characteristic values include any value of the axles that are indicative an effect of weight on the vehicle. Such characteristic values may include acceleration, deceleration, stress, strain, and, of course, weight. Detectors measure the characteristic values on axles of a vehicle and send value signals to a control which receives the value signals, performs computations based on the measured values, and compares the computations with expected values of the axles.

Abstract: A weight checking apparatus is provided to prevent items that have not been properly checked from slipping through the weight checker. A weight checker 1 includes a weight conveyor 3, a loading sensor 6, a weighing portion 5, a weighing conveyor weight change monitoring means 9a, an item weight calculation means 9b, and a controller 9. The loading sensor 6 detects the loading of an item on the weighing conveyor 3. The weighing portion 4 detects the weight of the weighing conveyor 3. The controller 9 switches between the weighing conveyor weight change monitoring process and the item weight calculation process based on a detection signal from the loading sensor 6. The weighing conveyor weight change monitoring process monitors a change in the weight value of the weighing conveyor 3. The item weight calculation process calculates the weight of the item from the weight value detected by the weighing portion 5.

Abstract: To calculate a vehicle mass based on a driving force caused by an engine, running resistance, and vehicle acceleration, influence of gradient resistance is removed. A gross driving force calculating section calculates a gross driving force F of a vehicle by deducting running resistance from a driving force of a vehicle caused by an engine. An acceleration sensor calculates a longitudinal acceleration &agr; of the vehicle. Relationship among a gross driving force F, a longitudinal acceleration &agr;, a vehicle mass M, and road gradient &THgr; can be expressed as (&agr;=F/M−g sin &THgr;). Because the change of gradient contains only a low frequency component, by processing a gross driving force F and an acceleration &agr;, using a high-pass filter with a predetermined cut-off frequency, the influence of the gradient &THgr; can be removed.