In one embodiment, a sensor unit includes an outer housing including a top plate and a base member that together define an interior space, the top plate being configured to directly receive and support the leg of the piece of furniture, a load cell provided within the interior space configured to measure forces imposed by the leg on the top plate, the load cell including a planar metal plate having a deformable element to which the top plate is mounted and a sensor element mounted to the planar metal plate at a location at which the deformable element extends from the remainder of the planar metal plate, and an internal platform provided within the interior space and associated with the base member that supports the planar metal plate of the load cell in a manner in which the deformable element of the planar metal plate is free to deform when a force is imposed by the leg on the top plate.

In one embodiment, a sensor unit includes an outer housing including a top plate and a base member that together define an interior space, the top plate being configured to directly receive and support the leg of the piece of furniture, a load cell provided within the interior space configured to measure forces imposed by the leg on the top plate, the load cell including a planar metal plate having a deformable element to which the top plate is mounted and a sensor element mounted to the planar metal plate at a location at which the deformable element extends from the remainder of the planar metal plate, and an internal platform provided within the interior space and associated with the base member that supports the planar metal plate of the load cell in a manner in which the deformable element of the planar metal plate is free to deform when a force is imposed by the leg on the top plate.

A transducer assembly includes an engagement plate, a mounting plate, a support structure, and first and second Hall effect sensor assemblies. The mounting plate defines an S-shaped cutout extending through the mounting plate to define first and second finger regions and a perimeter region. The first finger region includes a first distal end spaced from the perimeter region by a first gap defined by the S-shaped cutout. The second finger region includes a second distal end spaced from the perimeter region by a second gap defined by the S-shaped cutout. The support structure includes a base and first and second tabs. The base is sandwiched between the engagement plate and the mounting plate. The first and second tabs extend from the base and into the first and second gaps, respectively. The first and second Hall effect sensor assemblies are configured to detect movement of the first and second tabs, respectively.

A weight scale system is for measuring the weight of an object, which includes a bed section, a vertical separator actuator and a controller. The bed section includes a lower-platform, an upper-platform and weight sensor assemblies located on the lower-platform, each includes at least one weight sensor. The bed section further includes at least one vertical-separator. The vertical-separator actuator is coupled with the vertical-separator and with the controller. The controller is coupled with the weight sensors. The controller directs the vertical-separator actuator to operate the bed section in at least two modes, a referencing mode in which the vertical-separator detaches the upper-platform from the weight sensor assemblies, thereby enabling referencing the weight sensors, and a weighing mode, in which the vertical separator re-attaches the upper-platform with the weight sensor assemblies, such that the weight associated with the upper-platform is fully applied on the weight sensors.

A patient support apparatus includes a load cell, disposed between a base and a litter, that is configured to generate an output representative of a load acting on the patient support surface. The load cell is associated with a calibration reference symbol assigned to the load cell to define a calibration value for a parameter of the load cell. A user interface is configured to receive user input of a virtual symbol corresponding to the calibration reference symbol. A controller is configured to store a plurality of calibration reference symbols and a plurality of representative calibration values each associated with one of the plurality of calibration reference symbols, initiate a calibration procedure, determine a representative calibration value for each calibration reference symbol, calibrate the parameter of the load cell based on the representative calibration value determined based on the virtual symbol, and determine weight acting on the litter.

The present invention relates generally to the field of home decor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bathroom mat, carpet, or flooring accessory. The device has a body, a top surface, a bottom surface, and side edges forming a perimeter. The bottom surface has at least one grip area or fastener. In differing embodiments, the device may have a multitude of elements such as a heating element, a speaker, a light source, and/or at least one battery. In another embodiment, the device may further function as a scale and have at least one pressure sensor, at least one processor, a digital display, and at least one transmitter. The user's body weight may further be electrically communicated with a mobile application and allow a user to track their body weight via their smart device.

Systems and methods of wheelchair systems enabling fine manual motion control are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wheelchair system includes a wheelchair. The wheelchair includes one or more wheels, at least one actuator coupled to the one or more wheels, a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium includes one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to determine a wheel torque on the one or more wheels, determine a compensation value, and actuate the at least one actuator applying the compensation value to the one or more wheels to remove at least a portion of the wheel torque such that less external force is required to physically move the powered wheelchair than when the compensation value is not applied.

Systems and methods of wheelchair systems enabling fine manual motion control are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wheelchair system includes a wheelchair. The wheelchair includes one or more wheels, at least one actuator coupled to the one or more wheels, a processing device, and a non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium in communication with the processing device. The non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium includes one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to determine a wheel torque on the one or more wheels, determine a compensation value, and actuate the at least one actuator applying the compensation value to the one or more wheels to remove at least a portion of the wheel torque such that less external force is required to physically move the powered wheelchair than when the compensation value is not applied.

Systems and methods for a load sensing system that determines a mass on a bed. The systems generally are in the form of a castor base, particularly one that can be used as part of an adjustable hospital bed. The load sensing system serves to determine the mass of any object or objects (typically a human or animal patient) which is placed on the bed by having the mass create a force on lever arms of a plurality of load cells in the castor base. The load sensing systems are designed to work without hindering the adjustable functionality of the bed and can accurately determine mass (weight) at any position of the bed, and potentially even while the bed is adjusting between positions.

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.