Smart phone scale that uses the built-in barometric pressure sensor or orientation sensors to calculate weight

• US 9,091,585 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2013
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Velox Robotics LLC
• Original Assignee: RAF Technology, Incorporated (Constellation Software Incorporated)
• Inventors: Turner, Bryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US13/862,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20140224551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/06 Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 1/18 Balances involving the use of a pivoted beam, i.e. beam balances
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/52 Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture with walking sticks A45B3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/22 Weigh pans or other weighing receptacles; Weighing platforms
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/28 Frames, Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/002 Means for correcting for obliquity of mounting for pendulum-weight apparatus G01G1/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/14 Devices for determining tare weight or for cancelling out the tare by zeroising, e.g. mechanically operated in connection with automatic loading G01G13/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 3/00 Weighing apparatus characterised by the use of elastically-deformable members, e.g. spring balances
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 5/006 with pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 5/04 with means for measuring the pressure imposed by the load on a liquid pressure gauges per se G01L
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 9/00 Methods of, or apparatus for, the determination of weight, not provided for in groups G01G1/00 - G01G7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3894 Waterproofing of transmission device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

A weighing assembly (100,500,600) includes a portable computing device (“PCC”) (112) such as a smart phone, pad computer, laptop computer, or the like. The weighing assembly utilizes one or more features of the portable computing device in order to weigh an item, under control of a scale application program or “app” executable in the portable computing device. Some embodiments may utilize an internal barometric pressure sensor of the PCC. Other embodiments may utilize orientation or position sensors of the PCC for weighing an item. Other embodiments may utilize a compressible foot element (1004), all for weighing an item. Preferably, a user interface (114) of the PCC, such as a touch screen, may be used to interact with the scale application program for calibration and other functions.

Claims

1. A portable weighing assembly comprising:

a smart phone having a built-in barometer;

a substantially airtight enclosure sized to enclose the smart phone;

wherein the enclosure is arranged to receive an item placed on the enclosure for weighing, and to transfer a weight of the placed item so as to increase a barometric pressure inside the enclosure, for sensing by the smart phone barometer; and

a weighing application program stored in machine-readable memory in the smart phone, the weighing application program including code executable by a processor in the smart phone to cause the processor to interface with the barometer, and to translate a barometer reading to a weight.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is formed of a flexible material.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure includes a substantially transparent window portion to enable viewing a display screen of the smart phone.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the weighing application program includes code for calibrating the weighing function.

5. A method for weighing an item, comprising:

disposing inside a substantially airtight enclosure, a two-way mobile communications device capable of person to person communication;

sealing the enclosure;

wherein the enclosure is arranged to receive an item placed on the enclosure for weighing, and to transfer a weight of the placed item so as to increase a barometric pressure inside the enclosure;

receiving, in the mobile communication device, an initial sensor reading from a barometric pressure sensor integral with the mobile communications device;

receiving, in the mobile communications device, a subsequent sensor reading from the barometric pressure sensor, wherein the subsequent sensor reading is responsive to the weight of the item placed on the enclosure;

comparing, by the mobile communications device, the initial sensor reading and the subsequent sensor reading; and

determining, by the mobile communications device, a weight of the placed item based on the comparison.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining is further based on identifying, by the mobile communications device, a plurality of barometric pressure sensor readings based on known item weights.

7. A portable weighing assembly comprising:

a smart phone having a built-in orientation sensor;

a compressible elastic foot extending from an underside of the smart phone and arranged for changing an orientation of the smart phone as the foot is compressed responsive a weight of an item placed on top of the smart phone for weighing; and

a weighing application program stored in machine-readable memory in the smart phone, the weighing application program including code executable by a processor in the smart phone to cause the processor to interface with the orientation sensor in the phone, and to translate a change in orientation in the orientation of the smart phone to a weight of the item placed on top of the smart phone for weighing.