A method for monitoring a packaging process of at least one article. In the method, a sort of an article is acquired before it is placed in a transport container. At least one image and at least one depth measurement of the article are recorded after it is placed in the transport container. The three-dimensional dimensions of the article are calculated and are compared with a specification for the acquired sort of the article. If the dimensions of the article do not agree with the specification, a warning is issued.

A recycling method includes the steps of compacting recyclable material into a fixed bale, and weighing the recyclable material, using load cells, independently of the compacting forces. Compacting equipment for performing the method includes balers with load cells and anchors, with the load cells weighing the baler and the recyclable material in the baler, and with the anchors anchoring the baler in place without interfering with the weighing.

A recycling method includes the steps of compacting recyclable material into a fixed bale, and weighing the recyclable material, using load cells, independently of the compacting forces. Compacting equipment for performing the method includes balers with load cells and anchors, with the load cells weighing the baler and the recyclable material in the baler, and with the anchors anchoring the baler in place without interfering with the weighing.

A medicine container configured to hold one or more different medications. The container may include an orientation sensor to determine the orientation of the container. The container may also include one or more additional sensors to detect other physical characteristics about the container and/or medicine. The orientation of the container in combination with the information from the one or more additional sensors is used to determine an accurate indication of an amount of the medicine within the container and thus usage information. The container also includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the information regarding the medicine to a remote location.

A medicine container configured to hold one or more different medications. The container may include an orientation sensor to determine the orientation of the container. The container may also include one or more additional sensors to detect other physical characteristics about the container and/or medicine. The orientation of the container in combination with the information from the one or more additional sensors is used to determine an accurate indication of an amount of the medicine within the container and thus usage information. The container also includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the information regarding the medicine to a remote location.

In a dynamic scale and a weighing method therefor, an object to be weighed is received on a weighing unit of the dynamic scale and weight information of the object on the weighing unit is detected by the weighing unit. The weight information includes a number of items of weight information, which are supplied to a processor, and a derived weight value is determined in the processor by evaluation of a predetermined number of the items of weight information, and a quality value for the derived weight value is also determined in the processor by evaluation of the predetermined number of items of weight information. Depending on the quality value, it is established, in the processor, that the derived weight value is a valid weight value and, when it is established that the derived weight value is a valid weight value, the weighing unit is then fed with a new object.

Automatic parcel sizing device (10) comprising: a trihedral parcel support (12) having three panels (12A, 12B, 12C) for receiving a parcel (18) to be sized, each panel of which being disposed orthogonal to the other two panels and defining a vertex (20) at an intersection point of said three panels, an optical sensor (14) for obtaining an image of the parcel, and a processor unit (16) in signal communication with said optical sensor for determining from said image of the parcel the respective dimensions of three parcel edges (18A, 18B, 18C) which have a common vertex (18D), wherein said vertex of the trihedral parcel support is disposed upside down such that, thanks to the gravity, the parcel is always correctly placed regarding the trihedral parcel support and said optical sensor is placed below and at a fixed distance from said vertex.

Smart luggage systems are disclosed. A smart luggage system includes a luggage bag including one or more wheels, one or more processors, one or more memory modules, one or more wheel actuators, one or more GPS units, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the smart luggage system to determine a location of a user, determine a location of the luggage bag based on an output signal from the one or more GPS units, and actuate the one or more wheel actuators to move the luggage bag based on the location of the user and the location of the luggage bag.

Smart luggage systems are disclosed. A smart luggage system includes a luggage bag including one or more wheels, one or more processors, one or more memory modules, one or more wheel actuators, one or more GPS units, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. When executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the smart luggage system to determine a location of a user, determine a location of the luggage bag based on an output signal from the one or more GPS units, and actuate the one or more wheel actuators to move the luggage bag based on the location of the user and the location of the luggage bag.

A CPU-controlled parking space management system including a parking space guide body with light emitting diodes, a pair of weight sensors, a LCD monitor, and a strip printer in each parking space, and a parking lot guide body at a parking garage entrance and on each level indicating open parking spaces or a full level. Each of a first, a second, and a third light of the light emitting diodes on each parking space guide body bears the word “OPEN” and blinks green when both weight sensors are deactivated, bears the word “RE-PARK” and flashes amber when only one weight sensor is activated indicating incorrect parking, and has a red color when both weight sensors are activated, respectively. A bottom light emitting diode light on the parking space guide body bears the word, “RESERVED”, and is illuminated blue to indicate a handicap parking space or illuminated amber for other reservations.