DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO DETERMINE AREA SENSOR
First Claim
1. A weighing scale comprising:
- a) a platform that supports a load to be weighed by the scale;
b) one or more force transducers arranged beneath the platform, each configured to output a transducer force signal of the load thereupon;
c) an area sensor arranged above the platform and configured to output a plurality of area force signals representative of forces applied to respective spatial areas of the platform by the load; and
d) a processor configured to determine a weight of the load placed on the platform and a location of the load with respect to the platform based on the transducer force signals and the area force signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A weighing scale includes a platform supporting a load. Force transducers beneath the platform output respective transducer force signals of the load. An area sensor above the platform outputs area force signals of load forces applied to respective spatial areas of the platform. A processor is configured to determine the load'"'"'s weight and location on the platform based on the transducer force signals and the area force signals. A method of weighing the load is also described. A method of monitoring the load includes measuring first transducer force signal(s) and first area force signal(s) of the load, and then repeatedly measuring second force signal(s) of the load using the transducer(s) or area sensor until the first and second signal(s) indicate a change in a weight or location of the load. A changed weight or changed location of the load is then determined using the measured second force signal(s).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A weighing scale comprising:
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a) a platform that supports a load to be weighed by the scale; b) one or more force transducers arranged beneath the platform, each configured to output a transducer force signal of the load thereupon; c) an area sensor arranged above the platform and configured to output a plurality of area force signals representative of forces applied to respective spatial areas of the platform by the load; and d) a processor configured to determine a weight of the load placed on the platform and a location of the load with respect to the platform based on the transducer force signals and the area force signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of determining the weight of a load on a scale, the method comprising:
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receiving the load on an area sensor of the scale; measuring the location of the load on the area sensor; measuring a plurality of forces on respective force transducers supporting the area sensor; automatically determining the weight of the load using a processor responsive to the measured location and the measured forces; and automatically determining a center of mass of the load using the measured forces. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of monitoring characteristics of a load placed on a platform of a scale, comprising:
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receiving the load on an area sensor of the scale; measuring one or more first transducer force signal(s) of the load using at least one force transducer, and measuring one or more first area force signal(s) of the load using an area sensor; using a processor, measuring one or more second force signal(s) of the load using the at least one force transducer or the area sensor; comparing the measured second force signal(s) to the first transducer force signal(s) or the first area force signal(s); repeating the measuring-second-force-signal(s) and comparing steps until the comparison indicates a change in a weight or location of the load; and in response to the indication of a change, determining one of a changed weight or changed location of the load using the measured second force signal(s). - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification