SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MEASURE FORCE OR LOCATION ON AN L-BEAM

• US 20160187187A1
• Filed: 12/31/2014
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael E. Long, Nate J. Coleman
• Original Assignee: Michael E. Long
• Inventors: LONG, Michael E., Coleman, Nate J.
• Application Number:
  US14/588,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20160187187A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/083 lift truck scale

Abstract

Force and location sensing systems and methods are disclosed. A method comprises bending a L-beam at an initially unknown location on a force-supporting portion of the L-beam, the L-beam substantially having a tension side and a compression side, measuring a first local stress at a first location on the tension side, measuring a second local stress at a second location on the tension side, measuring a third local stress at a third location on the compression side, and measuring a fourth local stress at a fourth location on the compression side. A weight-sensing storage system capable of tracking removed items is disclosed with a product image captured via a camera, a plurality of sensors on an L-beam, a first signal from the plurality of sensors indicating a first state prior to change of the product image, and a second signal indicating lower strain on the L-beam than the first signal.

Claims

1. A weight-sensing storage system capable of tracking removed items, comprising:

an at least one product image captured via an at least one camera;

a plurality of sensors on an L-beam;

a first signal from the plurality of sensors indicating a first state prior to change of the at least one product image; and

a second signal indicating a lower strain on the L-beam than the first signal.

2. the system of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a wireless message including a product identifier selected from one of the following;

product SKU, product ID, product name, product description, product location, a product-order ID, a product-inventory ID, or any combination thereof.

3. the system of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a record with the product image taken via a camera.

4. the system of claim 3, where the record comprises:

a product identifier corresponding to the product removed from a shelf; and

a first timestamp corresponding to when the product was removed from the shelf.

5. the system of claim 1, further comprising:

a video recording is initiated at the time of weight change of a monitored area.

6. the system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless communication which comprises;

a product image and an indication of a loss, actual or prospective.

7. the system of claim 1, further comprising:

a difference in weight between the removed product and a known product weight is measured.

8. the system of claim 1, further comprising:

a notification is generated upon expiration of an expected time to checkout.

9. the system of claim 1, further comprising:

a notification comprises;

a product identifier; and

an at least one selected from;

an image, a video, or a text message.