An inclination of a weighing apparatus is automatically detected by the apparatus itself while preventing an increase in the number of components. In order to achieve the object described above, a weighing apparatus includes a weight sensor, a built-in weight to be loaded on the weight sensor, an adding/removing unit for adding/removing the built-in weight, a memory storing a theoretical value of the built-in weight, and an arithmetic processing unit, wherein the arithmetic processing unit includes an inclination angle computing unit configured to obtain an apparatus inclination angle from an arc-cosine of a weighing value of the built-in weight and the theoretical value of the built-in weight.

An inclination of a weighing apparatus is automatically detected by the apparatus itself while preventing an increase in the number of components. In order to achieve the object described above, a weighing apparatus includes a weight sensor, a built-in weight to be loaded on the weight sensor, an adding/removing unit for adding/removing the built-in weight, a memory storing a theoretical value of the built-in weight, and an arithmetic processing unit, wherein the arithmetic processing unit includes an inclination angle computing unit configured to obtain an apparatus inclination angle from an arc-cosine of a weighing value of the built-in weight and the theoretical value of the built-in weight.

A smart base for use with an automated weight scale nutrient and caloric monitoring system is provided. The smart base includes an enclosure and one or more load cells positioned proximate the enclosure and configured to weigh consumable items. A microprocessor is positioned proximate the enclosure and has a processor, an analog-to-digital converter and an input/output interface. A wireless interface, a display interface and a power source are positioned proximate the enclosure. The power source is configured to power the one or more load cells, the microprocessor, the wireless interface and the display interface. The one or more load sensors are configured to measure weight data of consumable items. The microprocessor and the wireless interface are configured to generate an output signal indicative of the measured weight data and transmit the output signal to an electronic device in real-time while the consumable item is being weighed.

A smart base for use with an automated weight scale nutrient and caloric monitoring system is provided. The smart base includes an enclosure and one or more load cells positioned proximate the enclosure and configured to weigh consumable items. A microprocessor is positioned proximate the enclosure and has a processor, an analog-to-digital converter and an input/output interface. A wireless interface, a display interface and a power source are positioned proximate the enclosure. The power source is configured to power the one or more load cells, the microprocessor, the wireless interface and the display interface. The one or more load sensors are configured to measure weight data of consumable items. The microprocessor and the wireless interface are configured to generate an output signal indicative of the measured weight data and transmit the output signal to an electronic device in real-time while the consumable item is being weighed.

An apparatus or method for weighing and/or measuring the flow rate of quantity of a particulate flowing out of a hopper wherein the hopper is isolated from the other components of the apparatus. The apparatus and method are adapted to generate a decoupling point boundary that demarcates the total amount of particulate in the hopper into portions that are not fully supported and portions that are fully supported by the hopper. The particulate is in continuous contact with itself from the inlet to the outlet, with the particulate contained between the isolated hopper and the rest of the components of the system by a flexible coupling or some other method of containment. The invention has the advantages of higher accuracy, decreased cost and complexity, and greater reliability than other solid particulate weighing systems of the prior art, particularly when dealing with low density particulates.

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.

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.

A machine vision camera combined to one of the first storage carrier and the second storage carrier for detecting an offloading event. A sensor for measuring the weight of the material offloaded from the first storage carrier to the second storage carrier. A scale controller in communication with the machine vision camera and the sensor. The scale controller enters a tear mode in response to the beginning of offloading event and records and stores the weight of material offloaded from the first storage carrier to the second storage carrier as measured by the sensor.

A machine vision camera combined to one of the first storage carrier and the second storage carrier for detecting an offloading event. A sensor for measuring the weight of the material offloaded from the first storage carrier to the second storage carrier. A scale controller in communication with the machine vision camera and the sensor. The scale controller enters a tear mode in response to the beginning of offloading event and records and stores the weight of material offloaded from the first storage carrier to the second storage carrier as measured by the sensor.

A product sales data processing system includes: a sensor attached to a bulk food container of a product; and a weighing apparatus. The sensor includes: a sensor module that detects displacement of the sensor; a memory that stores a sensor ID that identifies the sensor; and a transmitter that transmits the sensor ID stored in the memory when the sensor module detects a predetermined displacement value. The weighing apparatus includes: a receiver that receives the sensor ID transmitted from the sensor; and a display that displays product information associated with the sensor ID.