Weigh scaled vehicle calibration systems and methods

• US 8,841,564 B1
• Filed: 04/29/2013
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
• Original Assignee: R+L Carriers, Inc.
• Inventors: Roberts, Ralph L. Sr., Deck, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Assistant Examiner(s): HULS, NATALIE F
• Application Number:
  US13/872,403
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 177/1, 177/25.12, 177/25.13, 177/25.19, 177136-141, 177145-149, 702/101, 702/102, 702173-175
• US Class Current: 177/25.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/083 lift truck scale

Abstract

A weigh scaled vehicle calibration system includes a weigh scaled vehicle comprising a field scale unit and an electronic computing device comprising a processor and memory electrically coupled to one another. The memory stores a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor cause the processor to: receive data from the field scale unit corresponding to a first weighing event of a first test weight, receive an identification tag corresponding to the first test weight, and compare the data corresponding to the first weighing event to a first reference weight of the first test weight to calculate a first calibration value. The processor further stores the first calibration value in the memory, compares the first calibration value to prior calibration values stored in the memory, and generates a feedback report of the field scale unit based at least in part on the comparison of the calibration values.

Claims

1. A weigh scaled vehicle calibration system comprising:

a weigh scaled vehicle comprising a field scale unit;

an electronic computing device comprising a processor and memory electrically coupled to one another, the memory storing a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor cause the processor to;

receive data from the field scale unit corresponding to a first weighing event of a first test weight;

receive an identification tag corresponding to the first test weight;

compare the data corresponding to the first weighing event to a first reference weight of the first test weight to calculate a first calibration value;

store the first calibration value in the memory;

compare the first calibration value to prior calibration values stored in the memory to predict a calibration trend; and

generate a feedback report of the field scale unit based at least in part on the comparison of the calibration values, wherein the feedback report comprises the predicted calibration trend based on the first calibration value, the prior calibration values stored in the memory, and an amount of time between each of the prior calibration values and the first calibration value.

2. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the electronic computing device is attached to the field scale unit.

3. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 2, wherein the weigh scaled vehicle is a forklift.

4. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the field scale unit comprises a transceiver and receiver for transmitting and receiving information electronically.

5. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 4, wherein the electronic computing device is a remote computing device.

6. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 4, wherein the set of computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to transmit the feedback report to another computer using electronic communication.

7. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 6, wherein the feedback report is transmitted at a predetermined time interval.

8. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the set of computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to perform an initial calibration check to determine if the first calibration value exceeds a predetermined permissible calibration range.

9. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 8, wherein the permissible calibration range is a regulatory range.

10. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 8, wherein a user, a manager, a maintenance employee, or a third party is alerted with a notification if the first calibration value exceeds the permissible calibration range.

11. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 10, wherein the notification is one of an email message, a text message, an audible alarm, or a computer error message delivered to the weigh scaled vehicle, a maintenance office, a testing station, or a mobile electronic device.

12. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the set of computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to calculate an estimated service interval of the field scale unit based on the first calibration value and the prior calibration values, and the time between the first calibration value and the prior calibration values.

13. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the set of computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to receive a field scale unit identifier by user input, image capture, or RFID.

14. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the reference weight is stored in a look-up table in the memory.

15. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the feedback report includes at least one of a date, a time, an operator, an estimated service interval, an action item, a notification, the first calibration value, or the prior calibration values.

16. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 15, wherein the action item comprises one of no service required, immediate service required, or service due within a certain amount of time.

17. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the feedback report further comprises at least one prevention maintenance recommendation for the field scale unit.

18. The weigh scaled vehicle calibration system of claim 1, wherein the set of computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to automatically schedule maintenance for the field scale unit.

19. A method for predicting weigh scaled vehicle calibration trends comprising:

receiving, by a computer comprising a processor and memory, a first identification tag associated with a first test weight and a field scale identifier from a field scale unit;

determining a first reference weight associated with the first identification tag from a computer-readable look-up table;

receiving data from the field scale unit corresponding to a first weighing event;

comparing the data corresponding to the first weighing event to the first reference weight to calculate a first calibration value;

storing the first calibration value;

comparing the first calibration value to prior calibration values;

predicting, using the computer, a calibration trend based on the first calibration value, the prior calibration values, and an amount of time between each of the prior calibration values and the first calibration value; and

generating a feedback report of the field scale unit, wherein the feedback report comprises the predicted calibration trend.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the computer is mounted on a weigh scaled vehicle.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the weigh scaled vehicle is a forklift.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the computer is a remote computer in the proximity of the weigh scaled vehicle.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising a communication link between the remote computer and the weigh scaled vehicle.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting the feedback report to another computer through electronic communication.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising performing a compliance calibration check to determine if the first calibration value exceeds a predetermined permissible calibration range.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein a user, a manager, a maintenance employee, or a third party is alerted with a notification if the first calibration value exceeds the permissible calibration range.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the notification is one of an email message, a text message, an audible alarm, or a computer error message delivered to the weigh scaled vehicle, a maintenance office, a testing station, or a mobile electronic device.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the first identification tag is one of a computer readable barcode, an RFID tag, or a QR code.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the feedback report includes at least one of a date, a time, an operator, an estimated service interval, an action item, a notification, the first calibration value, or the prior calibration values.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the action item comprises one of no service required, immediate service required, or service due within a certain amount of time.