1779results about "Weighing auxillary devices" patented technology

Portable computing apparatus for aiding a user in the monitoring of the consumption of consumable items, such as food items or prescribed medicaments, and reordering such items includes a common database for use in monitoring the items as consumed, and for preparing the reorder list at the proper time. The apparatus preferably includes an imaging device for recording the image of the item to be consumed, and recognition circuitry for utilizing the recorded image to identify the item and also to provide information concerning its nutritional content in a weight management program. The consumable item may also be identified in other manners, such as by a barcode reader, or a voice-recognition circuit.

Methods are disclosed for determining speed or distance traveled of moving persons by utilizing sensors in shoes. Methods and systems are disclosed to determine and report weight of a person wearing a shoe via a sensor with the shoe. Shoe based systems employing sensors (e.g., accelerometers) are disclosed to determine and report (e.g., via a watch) speed and/or distance traveled.

Marking devices for dispensing a marking substance on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use one or more detection mechanisms to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance. In some embodiments, the detection mechanism may be, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a weight sensor, a switch device, and any combination thereof. The one or more detection mechanisms may provide, for example, the capability to: (1) determine the type of marking substance that is installed in the marking device; (2) determine in advance of or during a marking operation the amount of marking substance within the marking dispenser; and (3) determine when the marking dispenser is becoming empty.

The present invention relates to a patient monitoring system for automatically monitoring patient parameters over time while the patient occupies a bed. The patient monitoring system may include a sensing system positioned underneath a patient and separated from the patient by at least one layer of material, the sensing system comprising a plurality of sensor cells, the sensor cells automatically collecting sensor data related to the patient parameters. The patient monitoring system may further include an interface for receiving the collected sensor data from the sensing system and a monitoring engine receiving the collected sensor data from the interface. Calculation components may be provided for determining the patient parameters from the collected sensor data.

Systems and methods for monitoring equilibrium of a user are presented. A stability monitoring device in a shoe insole area utilizes pressure sensors to measure pressure information in real-time. The pressure information is transmitted over an RF network to a device for analyzing the pressure information and calculating postural state information including the current postural state, next postural state, and/or a range of postural stability. The person or a third party may be notified if the postural state information indicates an unstable state. Additionally, the postural state information may be analyzed to determine activity level of the user, diagnostic information, or performance information. Metrics may be displayed by the system for assisting physical therapy or training regimens.

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.

A Cashierless unattended point of sale, shopping store procurement payment means, with storeroom reordering system using a layered wireless linked monitoring and cataloguing system; includes an interfacing electronic configured self-owned reusable three-wheel fold-up shopping trolley with suspended color-coded bins; into which merchandise maybe placed and registered by a passive reading sensor array. A ‘load-cell’ integral to the trolley precisely quantifies and approves trolley bin contents for exit payment through a TCP/IP means. An evaluation wireless communication link repeatedly reviews “polled' trolley content data, this integrated communication link, is networked to the store Operations Center, wherein purchased inventory data is recorded and verified; upon shopping completion the contents are again finally substantiated for final electronic settlement. This self-contained cashierless enclosed shopping method provides retail loss prevention, real-time progressive inventory management and reorder, eliminates space to sales; being convenient for shoppers and store owners; making all egress points electronically restricted.

An autonomous dispatch system links positioning-system units mounted on mining and haulage equipment to a computerized mine development plan for ascertaining the origin of mined material and directing its disposition according to a predetermined downstream-processing plan. A destination signal is automatically communicated to the haulage vehicle, which is then autonomously guided to the correct destination and tracked until the load is released after arrival. If the haulage vehicle is manually operated, the destination signal and the vehicle's progress toward it are preferably also displayed on a monitor for the operator's information and use. The system may further include hardware for blocking the release of a load from the haulage vehicle until and unless the vehicle has reached the prescribed destination.

A method and system for self-checkout of items from a retail or non-retail establishment is disclosed. The system verifies security by comparing a measured physical characteristic of an item with the stored security characteristic for that item and determining if the measured physical characteristic is within an operator-modifiable tolerance range. The operator-modifiable tolerance range is different for different of items in the store. Moreover, a stored security characteristic of an item can be updated automatically. In addition, the system includes a dynamic-weight scale that reports a measured weight before the scale settles.

Systems and methods are provided for reducing erroneous weighing of items by detecting items extending beyond a peripheral edge of a weigh platter associated with a data reader. For example, in response to a weigh request a scale guard module acquires data indicative of whether an item extends between the weigh platter and another surface, compares the acquired data to reference data, and based on the comparison, determines whether an item extends off the weigh platter and thus on to another surface. The scale guard module may utilize non-electromagnetic compression waves, radio waves, a portion of a data reader's scan field to scan a set of patterns extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, an imaging based scanner to capture an image of at least one edge of the weigh platter, light beams extending along at least one edge of the weigh platter, or any combination thereof.

A dietetic scale and method for calculating and tracking nutritional content information. The scale includes a bar code reader for identifying a food product from its package, with food content data per unit weight of the product being retrieved from a database. The database is a compilation of standardized nutrition facts promulgated by the FDA or other authority for the food products, with the bar code being correlated with the food products by means of their individual UPC numbers. The scale cumulatively sends the nutritional content data for servings of food products consumed over a predetermined interval of time, and then compares the summed values with a predetermined goal that includes minimums and maximums for selected contents. The information may be outputted to a digital flashcard or other electronic storage media for subsequent retrieval and analysis.

A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of disposable containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations, each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container.

System, methods, and computer program products are provided for enhanced freight tracking and monitoring. The system may track the location of a freight shipment within a carrier's transportation network from the time it is picked up by a carrier from a consignor until it is delivered to a consignee, provide for weight determinations and shipping re-classifications of the freight shipment during transport, and provide real-time status information and reports to the carrier, consignor, and/or consignee.

A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of disposable containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations, each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container.

A handheld apparatus for measuring fish, game, and the like is provided and includes a scale, a camera, and a length measuring device. The scale includes a support member that extends outwardly from the apparatus housing, and a display that is visible through the housing. The support member is configured to suspend an object therefrom for weighing via the scale, and the display is configured to display the weight of an object suspended from the support member. The length measurement device is configured to measure the length of an object and the display is configured to display the length of an object measured by the length measurement device. The camera includes a lens, an image sensor configured to capture images obtained via the lens, and a camera display. The camera display displays an image of an object taken by the camera with weight and/or length information for the object.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) inventory device attached to a container for tracking quantities of objects stored in the container having an antenna supporting wireless interrogation by an external RFID reader, a RFID chip coupled to the antenna having an embedded unique identifier and a memory element, where the RFID chip is adapted to store in the memory element at least one quantity value and to allow an external reader to wirelessly collect the identifier and at least one quantity value in response to said wireless interrogation, and one or more sensors coupled to the RFID chip, where the sensors are configured to send at least one signal to the RFID chip in response to a change in quantities of objects in the container and where the RFID chip is configured to update at least one quantity value stored in response to a signal from the sensors.

A carrying case having an integrated electronic system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the carrying case resembles a conventional wheeled suitcase such as is commonly used by airline travelers. One or more load/force sensors are disposed on or near a bottom surface of the suitcase enclosure. Some means of force transfer is provided for ensuring that when the suitcase is resting on a substantially flat surface, the force from the weight of the suitcase itself and all of its contents are exerted on the sensor(s). An electronic system is disposed within the enclosure and is in electrical communication with the sensor(s). A user actuable input such as a pushbutton is mounted on the exterior of the enclosure. The electronic system is responsive to actuation of the input to perform a weighing operation whereby the output(s) from the sensor(s) are interpreted and supplied to an indicator for providing an indication of the weight of the carrying case and its contents. The indicator may be a visual indicator such as a digital display, and/or an audible indicator, such as a voice synthesizer circuit for reading an audible indication of the weight.

A wireless electronic scale essentially comprises a pair of wirelessly connected modules, a weight sensor pad and a display that would function like a bathroom scale. The weight sensor pad is placed on the floor and measures the user's weight and the display is wall mounted to display the information.

Disclosed herein are contact sensors having a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. The composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. Also disclosed herein are novel force/pressure sensors that include conductive polymer elements.

A patient hydration system with a first infusion subsystem for infusing a patient with fluid from a first source and a second infusion subsystem for infusing a patient with fluid from a second source. A urine output measurement subsystem determines the amount of urine output by the patient. A controller is responsive to the first infusion subsystem, the second infusion subsystem, and the urine output measurement subsystem and is configured to control the first infusion subsystem based on the amount of urine output by the patient and/or the amount of infused fluid measured by the second infusion subsystem.