Systems and methods for determining force exerted by and/or weight of an object
OwnerRichard L. Corwininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of sensors and related methods for measuring force and/or detecting acceleration or vibration are disclosed. A system may include a hollow enclosure and a rigid base attached to a lower end of the hollow enclosure. The rigid base may allow for the passage of light therethrough. A piston may be disposed within an interior space defined by the hollow enclosure and rigid base. The piston may be moveably secured to the hollow enclosure, such as by a plurality of springs. A flexible bladder may be disposed between a lower surface of the piston and an upper surface of the rigid base. A camera may be disposed beneath the rigid base and aimed upwardly toward the rigid base. A computer may be connected to the camera. Various other details are provided.
Claims19
A system comprising:
- a hollow enclosure having side walls and an enclosed upper surface;
- a rigid base attached to a lower end of the hollow enclosure, the rigid base allowing for the passage of light therethrough, the rigid base and hollow enclosure defining an interior space, wherein the rigid base is one of a clear plate, a sheet of glass, a sheet of plexiglass, a grate, and a screen;
- a piston disposed within the interior space and moveably secured to the hollow enclosure;
- and
- a flexible bladder disposed between a lower surface of the piston and an upper surface of the rigid base.
A system comprising:
- a hollow enclosure having side walls and an enclosed upper surface;
- a rigid base attached to a lower end of the hollow enclosure, the rigid base allowing for the passage of light therethrough, the rigid base and hollow enclosure defining an interior space;
- a piston disposed within the interior space and moveably secured to the hollow enclosure by a plurality of springs;
- a flexible bladder disposed between a lower surface of the piston and an upper surface of the rigid base;
- and
- a camera disposed beneath the rigid base and including a camera lens aimed upwardly toward the rigid base to view the bladder through the rigid base.
A system comprising:
- a hollow enclosure having side walls and an enclosed upper surface;
- a rigid base attached to a lower end of the hollow enclosure, the rigid base allowing for the passage of light therethrough, the rigid base and hollow enclosure defining an interior space;
- a piston moveably disposed within the interior space;
- a plurality of side springs, each of which is connected between the piston and the side walls of the hollow enclosure;
- an upper spring connected between an upper surface of the piston and the enclosed upper surface of the hollow enclosure;
- a flexible bladder disposed between a lower surface of the piston and an upper surface of the rigid base;
- and
- a camera disposed beneath the rigid base and including a camera lens aimed upwardly toward the rigid base to view the bladder through the rigid base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.