A load detector for detecting a load of a subject on a bed (BD) having a caster (CT) includes: a plate portion (1) which is one-fold and which is to be supported above an installation surface (F), on which the load detector is installed, separately from the installation surface; and a slope portion (SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4) which is provided around the plate portion and which is inclined relative to a surface of the plate portion so as to extend between the surface of the plate portion and the installation surface. The plate portion includes: a peripheral part (13); a placing part (11) on which the caster is to be placed, and which is provided inside relative to the peripheral part separately from the peripheral part; and a linking part (12) which links the placing part and the peripheral part. The load detector further includes a strain sensor (G) attached to the linking part, and the slope portion includes at least two pairs of slopes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4) each including a pair of slopes opposed to each other such that the placing part is interposed between the pair of slopes.

Devices and methods for determining item-specific information for single or multiple items on one or multiple substrates are described. The method includes generating multiple sensor multiple dimensions array (MSMDA) data from multiple sensors, where each of the multiple sensors capture sensor data for one or more items in relation to a substrate. For each item, the method includes determining relationships between the multiple sensors based on characteristics of the MSMDA data, determining a location of the item on the substrate based on at least the determined relationships between the multiple sensors, determining an angular orientation of the item on the substrate based on at least the determined relationships between the multiple sensors, and determining a body position of the subject on the substrate based at least the determined relationships between the multiple sensors, the location of the subject, and the angular orientation of the item.

An infant sleep device may include a platform for supporting an infant, a base upon which the platform is supported, and one or more weight sensors positioned to measure weight of an infant positioned on the platform.

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.

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.

A support platform supports a mattress. The support platform includes legs. Force sensors are coupled to the legs or to the support platform. The force sensors are configured to sense a force applied to each leg or support platform. A controller is configured to receive at least one force stream from at least one of the force sensors. The at least one force stream represents a force sensed by the force sensor. The controller is configured to, in responses to receiving the at least one force stream, determine a sleep parameter from the following group of sleep parameters: bed presence, weight, heart rate, respiration rate, and motions. The controller is configured to output at least one or more of those parameters to an end user.

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.

A changing table, which is placed on a ground or a table and capable of weighting a child, includes a frame, a weighting module and a fabric component. The frame includes a lower frame including a supporting portion for supporting the changing table on a surface of the ground or the table, and an upper frame movably installed on the lower frame. The weighting module includes four load sensors disposed on four corners of the frame and between the lower frame and the upper frame. The fabric component covers the upper frame to form a supporting area for supporting the child. The changing table can measure a first weight of the child before feeding the child and further measure a second weight of the child after feeding the child, so as to determine a difference of the second weight and the first weight of the child as the feeding intake.

A person support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, recliner, cot, or the like, includes a frame, a plurality of load cells, a support surface supported by the load cells, a detection circuit, and a controller. The controller determines if any of the load cells are in an error state based upon information from the detection circuit. If the load cells include memory having calibration data stored therein, the controller communicates with the memory and uses the calibration data to determine an amount of weight supported on the surface. The detection circuit may include one or more Wheatstone bridges wherein the controller monitors voltages between midpoints of the Wheatstone bridges. The load cells may include an activation lead that is monitored by the detection circuit and a sensor lead that is used by the controller to determine an amount of weight supported on the patient support apparatus.