A method for operating a balance includes: (a) introducing an ion cloud into a weighing chamber to bring an electrostatic charge state of a weighing sample towards an electrostatic neutral state, (b) detecting the neutral state, and (c) acquiring measured values of a weighing sensor, calculating therefrom a final weighing value representing the electrostatic neutral state, and outputting the final weighing value. When the ionizer is activated, the measured values of the weighing sensor are acquired, preliminary weighing values are calculated from the measured values and the final weighing value is calculated and output after a number of preliminary weighing values have been recognized as stable. During a recognition phase, positive and negative ion clouds are alternatingly generated, and during a neutralization phase, only ion clouds of that sign are generated that, in the recognition phase, had led to the larger changes within the preliminary weighing values.

The inventive apparatus comprises a mat member. The mat includes a scale physically secured to the mat member. The scale has an electrical output strives an electronic circuit. A display displays a weight measured by the scale. A switch is distributed over an area roughly commensurate with the area needed to trot in place. The switch is secured to the mat and underlies a top surface of the mat. The switch is coupled to the electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is programmed to count the number of times that the switch is closed, whereby trotting in place results in closing the switch in response to trotting paces. The above transducers are used to monitor and crosscheck activity and dietary information input into the system by the user and make recommendations.

Sensors at an inventory location can be used to detect the occurrence of an event at the inventory location. For example, capacitive sensors can gather capacitance values, which can then be analyzed for changes that indicate an event has occurred at the inventory location. When an event has been detected, event data is generated and used as a possible trigger to collect additional sensor data. As an example, if an event involving items at an inventory location is detected, such an action can trigger the collection and analysis of additional sensor data, such as weight sensor data, to determine a quantity of the items added or removed from the inventory location.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to detect and/or classify a vehicle occupant, such as a passenger seated within the cockpit of a vehicle. An occupant classification system includes an occupant weight sensor, an occupant presence sensor, and a logic device configured to communicate with the occupant weight sensor and the occupant presence sensor. The logic device is configured to receive occupant weight sensor signals from the occupant weight sensor and occupant presence sensor signals from the occupant presence sensor, determine an estimated occupant weight and an occupant presence response based, at least in part, on the occupant weight sensor signals and the occupant presence sensor signals, and determine an occupant classification status corresponding to the passenger seat based, at least in part, on the estimated occupant weight and/or the occupant presence response.

Systems and methods of detecting, identifying, and classifying objects positioned on a shelf are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a sensor pad comprises a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in the pad as a matrix of rows and columns of electrical contacts. Further, each contact corresponds to a different surface area of the pad and has a first electrical conductor positioned on a first layer and a second electrical conductor positioned opposite to the first conductor on a second layer. Also, at least one of the first and second conductors is operable to vary in resistance or capacitance based on an amount of pressure applied to that conductor. In addition, each contact is configured to enable an electrical connection between the first and second conductors with a resistance or capacitance that varies based on an amount of pressure applied to a corresponding area of the pad when an object is positioned on that pad.

Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for measuring moving vehicle information. Moving vehicle information may be measured by a sensor configured to respond to one or more wheels of the moving vehicle, where one or more of the wheels change the characteristic impedance of the sensor at the wheel's contact location. An electrical time domain reflectometry signal processing system which is capable of measuring the change in the impedance of the sensor and converting the impedance change to a signal may be connected operatively to the sensor. A data-processing system receives the signal and extracts the moving vehicle information therefrom.

Systems, apparatus and methods are provided for measuring moving vehicle information. Moving vehicle information may be measured by a sensor configured to respond to one or more wheels of the moving vehicle, where one or more of the wheels change the characteristic impedance of the sensor at the wheel's contact location. An electrical time domain reflectometry signal processing system which is capable of measuring the change in the impedance of the sensor and converting the impedance change to a signal may be connected operatively to the sensor. A data-processing system receives the signal and extracts the moving vehicle information therefrom.

A pressure detecting sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first electrode layer including a plurality of signal electrodes arranged in a first region and a plurality of wiring electrodes arranged in a second region and connected to the plurality of signal electrodes, the first electrode layer being made of a conductive fiber; an elastic dielectric layer arranged in the first region; and a second electrode layer arranged in the elastic dielectric layer, the second electrode layer being made of a conductive fiber.

A pressure detecting sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first electrode layer including a plurality of signal electrodes arranged in a first region and a plurality of wiring electrodes arranged in a second region and connected to the plurality of signal electrodes, the first electrode layer being made of a conductive fiber; an elastic dielectric layer arranged in the first region; and a second electrode layer arranged in the elastic dielectric layer, the second electrode layer being made of a conductive fiber.

A weighing device includes a weighing module, a processor, and an output device. The weighing module includes a suspension component, a deformation component, and a sensor. The deformation component includes an elastic piece, a connecting portion, and a fixing portion. The elastic piece is coupled between the connecting portion and the fixing portion. The suspension component includes a hook and a lanyard. One end of the lanyard is fixed to the connecting portion, and a second end of the lanyard is passed through the fixing portion and coupled to the hook. When the hook suspends an object to be weighed, the hook moves the connecting portion toward the fixing portion and deforms the elastic piece. The sensor detects a deformation amount of the elastic piece. The processor calculates a weight of the object according to the deformation amount and an elastic coefficient of the elastic piece.