Devices, systems and methods to determine area sensor

• US 9,366,588 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Lifescan Incorporated (Duv Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US14/108,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20150168205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/414 using electronic computing means only
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/52 Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture with walking sticks A45B3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/28 Frames, Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/00 Auxiliary devices for weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/26 Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with the measurement of force, e.g. for preventing influence of transverse components of force, for preventing overload
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

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).

Claims

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;

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; and

c) a computing device having the area sensor and a communications interface coupled to the processor, wherein the platform removably retains the computing device.

2. The scale according to claim 1, further including a communications link, the processor further configured to transmit an indication of the determined location via the communications link.

3. The scale according to claim 1, the processor further configured to monitor the force signals over time to detect a change in the weight of the load on the platform.

4. The scale according to claim 1, the computing device further including a display screen associated with the area sensor and the processor further adapted to operate the computing device via the communications interface to present on the display screen a visual indication corresponding to the load.

5. The scale according to claim 1, the force transducers and the area sensor being arranged in respective, laterally-spaced regions.

6. The scale according to claim 5, the respective regions being spaced apart vertically.

7. The scale according to claim 6, the platform including respective portions corresponding to the laterally-spaced regions and a transverse portion connecting the respective portions.