Patent ID: 12216000

COMPONENT INDEX

10—wall20—luggage30—straps100—device110—housing120—front wall130—weighing member132—hinge134—rear surface136—front surface138—fastener140—side walls150—rear wall160—front surface162—display164—indicia166—rear surface170—fastener180—handle190—battery192—USB port200—button300—strain gauge load cell310—strain gauge320—load cell sensor330—converter340—microchip400—scale402—housing404—arm404a—upper arm structure404b—middle arm structure404c—lower arm structure406—display408—luggage500—top portion (of housing)502—bottom portion (of housing)600—rear wall602—first end (of arm)604—second end (of arm)606—weighing portion608—battery compartment cover700—front surface (of rear wall)702—button704—toggle switch706—battery compartment800—plate802—attaching mechanism804—attaching mechanism1100—hinge1200—load cell sensor1300—basket1302—basket handles1400—rope1402—hook1500—tray1600—tray1602—tray handles1700—bag1702—bag handles2200—scale2202—housing2204—rear wall2206—front surface2208—arm2210—first button2212—second button2214—display2216—battery compartment2218—battery compartment cover

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents a user from arriving at an airport with overweight luggage. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a luggage scale device that can be used to weigh luggage.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a luggage scale device. The device is primarily comprised of a housing with at least one weighing member, at least one display, and at least one strain gauge load cell. In the preferred embodiment, the housing has a front wall, a plurality of side walls, and a rear wall that form a generally rectangular housing. The front wall is comprised of a weighing member that extends outward from the front wall via at least one hinge such that the weighing member is perpendicular to the front wall. The rear surface of the weighing member is further comprised of at least one strain gauge load cell. The cell is comprised of at least one strain gauge, at least one load cell sensor (i.e., force transducer), at least one converter, and at least one microchip.

To use the device, a user first secures the rear wall of the housing to a wall via at least one fastener that allows the rear surface to fasten to the wall. The user can then position the weighing member perpendicular to the front wall. Then, the strap or straps of a piece of luggage, bag, or other item can be placed on the weighing member such that the strap contacts the strain gauge load cell and is suspended off the ground via the weighing member.

The load cell sensor has an electric charge such that as the sensor is pressed downward and once the strap is placed on the sensor, the electrical resistance of the sensor will change. The strain gauge then converts this change into an electric signal that runs through at least one analog to digital converter which is in electrical communication with at least one microchip. The microchip is in electrical communication with at least one display such that the weight of the luggage is displayed in numerical form via at least one indicia. The load cell and display are powered by and in electrical communication with at least one battery. The battery may be recharged by at least one USB port of any USB type known in the art.

Accordingly, the luggage scale device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that prevents a user from arriving at an airport with overweight luggage by allowing a user to conveniently weigh their luggage. In addition, the device is easily transportable and can be used anywhere, which is extremely advantageous for travelers. In this manner, the luggage scale device provides a novel solution to on-the-go luggage weighing.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a luggage scale device100of the present invention while attached to a wall and in a closed position in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device100is primarily comprised of a housing110with at least one weighing member130, at least one display162, and at least one strain gauge load cell300. The device100and all components are preferably made from a rigid plastic such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc., and/or a durable metal such as, but not limited to, aluminum or stainless steel. In the preferred embodiment, the housing110has a front wall120, a plurality of side walls140, and a rear wall150that form a generally rectangular housing110. However, the housing110may be any shape known in the art such as, but not limited to, square, circular, polygonal, etc.

The front wall120of the housing110is comprised of a weighing member130. The weighing member130extends outward from the front wall120via at least one hinge132(as seen inFIG.2) such that the weighing member130is perpendicular to the front wall120. In various embodiments, the hinge132may be any hinge type known in the art such as, but not limited to, an offset blind hinge, a knuckle hinge, a butt hinge, a rising butt hinge, a gravity pivot hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a barrel hinge, a concealed hinge, a knife hinge, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a pivot hinge, a gas-piston hinge, an injection molded hinge, a locking hinge, etc.

In one embodiment, the rear surface134and/or front surface136of the weighing member130may have at least one fastener138. The fastener138allows the weighing member130to remain secure (i.e., locked) to the front wall120and/or the front surface160of the rear wall150when the device100is not in use. There may also be a reciprocating fastener138of the same type located on the front wall120and/or the front surface160of the rear wall150. The fastener138may be any fastener type known in the art such as, but not limited to, hook and loop, adhesive, magnetic, snap-button, tongue and groove, latch, etc.

The weighing member130is preferably rectangular in shape but may be any shape known in the art such as, but not limited to, a hook-like shape in various embodiments. The rear surface134of the weighing member130is further comprised of at least one strain gauge load cell300. The cell300is comprised of at least one strain gauge310, at least one load cell sensor320(i.e., force transducer), at least one converter330, and at least one microchip340.

FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a luggage scale device100of the present invention while attached to a wall and in an opened position while weighing luggage in accordance with the disclosed architecture. To use the device100, a user first secures the rear wall150of the housing110to a wall10. The rear surface166of the rear wall150has at least one fastener138that allows rear surface166to fasten to the wall10. The fastener138may be any fastener known in the art such as, but not limited to, adhesive, magnetic, suction cup, etc. The user can then position the weighing member130perpendicular to the front wall120. The weighing member130may further be comprised of at least one handle180to aid in the repositioning of the weighing member130during use. Then, the strap30or straps30of a piece of luggage20, bag, or other item can be placed on the weighing member130such that the strap30contacts the strain gauge load cell300and is suspended off the ground via the weighing member130. The device100may be used to weigh luggage20but may also be used to weigh various items that can be placed within a bag or other hanging object. At least one button200on the housing110may allow a user to tare the strain gauge310to account for the extra weight of a bag which various items may be placed in.

The load cell sensor320has an electric charge. As the sensor320is pressed downward and once the strap30is placed on the sensor320, the electrical resistance of the sensor320will change. The strain gauge310then converts this change into an electric signal. The electric signal runs through at least one analog to digital converter330which is in electrical communication with at least one microchip340. The microchip340is in electrical communication with at least one display162such that the weight of the luggage20is displayed in numerical form via at least one indicia164. The display162may be positioned anywhere on the housing110but is preferably positioned on the front surface160of the rear wall150. In various embodiments, the display162may display the weight of the luggage20in a plurality of weight units such as, but not limited to, pounds, ounces, grams, kilograms, etc., that can be selected via the button200. It is preferred that the device100have a minimum weight of 1 gram (or equivalent other unit). The display162may be any display screen known in the art such as, but not limited to, a touch screen, an LCD screen, an OLED screen, an ELD screen, an LED backlit LCD screen, an LED screen, a PDP screen, etc.

The load cell300and display162are powered by and in electrical communication with at least one battery190. The battery190may be a disposable battery190or a rechargeable battery190in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery190, etc., such as any 3V-12 volts DC battery190or other conventional battery190such as A, AA, AAA, etc., that supplies power to the device100. Throughout this specification the terms “battery” and “batteries” may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more wet or dry cells or batteries190of cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of DC power. References to recharging or replacing batteries190may refer to recharging or replacing individual cells, individual batteries190of cells, or a package of multiple battery cells as is appropriate for any given battery190technology that may be used. Additionally, the battery190may be recharged by at least one USB port192of any USB type known in the art.

Referring now toFIG.4, a perspective view of a scale400is shown. Any device and scale embodiments (100,400, and2200) disclosed herein may incorporate any of the features and components described with respect to each other. For example, scale400may include any of the features described with respect to device100and scale2200, and vice versa.

In some embodiments, the scale400includes a housing402, an arm404, and a display406. As demonstrated inFIG.4, the arm404may be configured to receive at least a portion of an item to be weighed, such as a handle of a piece of luggage408. The display406may be configured to show the weight of the item. In some embodiments, the arm404is hingedly coupled to the housing402and is configured to fold up into the housing402when not in use, as illustrated inFIG.5. In addition,FIG.4shows the scale400mounted to a wall10, similar to the device100shown inFIGS.1and3.

FIG.5shows a perspective view of the scale400mounted on the wall10and in a closed position, with the arm404folded substantially flush with the housing402. In some embodiments, at least one of the arm404and the housing402comprises a fastening mechanism to keep the arm404engaged with the housing402in the closed position. For example, the arm404and/or the housing402may include a clip or similar fastener that engages when the arm404is folded into the housing402. The arm404and the housing402may also fit together via a friction fit. It should be noted that the arm404may be configured to be “put away” in a manner other than folding against the housing402. For example, the arm404may comprise a telescoping arm, such that the arm404can collapse into itself when not in use. Alternatively, the arm404may be configured to fold onto itself, such as in half or thirds, before folding against the housing402. These examples are included as non-limiting possibilities, and it is understood that a person having ordinary skill in the art may conceive of numerous ways to store and secure the arm404.

In some embodiments, the housing402comprises a top portion500and a bottom portion502. As previously mentioned, the arm404may be hingedly coupled to the housing402. In some embodiments, the arm404is hingedly coupled to the housing402closer to the bottom portion502than the top portion500. The arm404may be hingedly coupled to the housing402adjacent the bottom portion502. In some embodiments, in the closed position, the arm404folds into the housing402and is secured adjacent the top portion500. The arm404may be secured to the housing402closer to the top portion500than the bottom portion502. As shown inFIG.5, the display406may be located on the top portion500. It should be noted that the display406may be located anywhere on the housing402, including, but not limited to, the top portion500, the bottom portion502, and a side wall anywhere along the perimeter of the housing402.

FIG.6shows a perspective view of the scale400in an open position, again mounted to the wall10. With the scale400in an open position with the arm404folded down, rather than folded up, as shown inFIG.5, a rear wall600is visible. In some embodiments, the housing402comprises a rear wall600extending between the top portion500and the bottom portion502. When the arm404folds into the housing402in the closed position, at least a portion of the arm404may be configured to contact the rear wall600.

In some embodiments, the arm404comprises a first end602and a second end604located opposite the first end602. The second end604may be hingedly coupled to the housing402, and the first end602may extend outward from the housing402. In some embodiments, the second end604is coupled to the rear wall600. The second end604may be coupled to the rear wall600closer to the bottom portion502of the housing402than the top portion500. In some embodiments, when the arm404folds up into the closed position, the first end602couples to the housing402closer to the top portion500than the bottom portion502.

The scale400may include a weighing portion606located on the arm404, as illustrated inFIG.6. In some embodiments, the weighing portion606is configured to receive at least a portion of the item to be weighed, such as the handle of a suitcase. The weighing portion606may be located closer to the first end602of the arm404than the second end604. The weighing portion606may be located closer to the second end604than the first end602. The weighing portion606may be located substantially in the middle of the arm404equidistant from the first end602and the second end604. In some embodiments, the weighing portion606comprises a different proportion than shown inFIG.6. For example, the weighing portion606may cover about half of the arm404. In some embodiments, the weighing portion606covers less of the arm404than shown inFIG.6. The weighing portion606may cover substantially all of the arm404, such that an item may be placed anywhere on the arm404to be weighed. In some embodiments, the weighing portion606defines a recessed portion of the arm404. The weighing portion606may be thought of as similar to a cradle designed to hold a handle of an item to be weighed. The arm404and the weighing portion606will be discussed further with reference toFIG.12.FIG.6also shows a battery compartment cover608.

FIG.7is similar toFIG.6and shows a perspective view of the scale400in the open position and mounted on the wall10. As illustrated, in some embodiments, the rear wall600of the housing402comprises a front surface700. The front surface700may be thought of as the part of the rear wall600that is visible to a user when the scale400is mounted on the wall10and in the open position with the arm404folded down.

In some embodiments, the scale400includes a button702located on the front surface700of the rear wall600. The button702may be configured to tare the scale400. It should be noted that in this context, to “tare” the scale400means removing or disregarding a weight measurement, such as that of a container, before adding the item to be weighed. For example, if a user wanted to use the scale400to determine the weight of a pair of shoes, the user could hang a bag from the weighing portion606and press the button702to tare the scale400, thereby disregarding the weight of the bag (for example, 0.2 pounds). The user could then place the shoes in the bag so that the scale400would measure, and the display406would show, only the weight of the shoes, not the combined weight of the shoes and the bag.

The button702may also be configured to zero the scale400. In this context, to “zero” the scale400means resetting the weight value, and the display406, to zero. To continue with the previous example, consider that the user now wants to know the combined weight of the shoes and the bag. If the user removed the bag and the shoes from the weighing portion606, the display406would read “−0.2,” or possibly even display an error message because the scale400was previously tared with the bag, so the weight of the bag was considered 0.0 rather than 0.2. To fix this issue, the user could remove any items from the weighing portion606and thereby press the button702to reset the scale400back to a true zero. Then, the user could simply hang the bag containing the shoes back on the weighing portion606, and the display406would show the combined weight of the shoes and the bag.

In some embodiments, the scale400also includes a toggle switch704located on the front surface700of the rear wall600. The toggle switch704may be configured to select a unit of measure for the weight shown on the display406. For example,FIG.7shows the toggle switch704as able to select either pounds (“lb”) or kilograms (“kg”), and specifically illustrates kilograms as the selected unit of measure. It should be noted that the unit of measure may be selected by a mechanism other than a toggle switch, such as a button, multiple buttons, a touchscreen, or any number of other possibilities. It should also be noted that units of measurement other than pounds and kilograms may be selected, including, but not limited to: grams, milligrams, and ounces.

UnlikeFIG.6,FIG.7shows the battery compartment cover608removed, thereby revealing the battery compartment706. In some embodiments, the scale400is powered by at least one battery within the battery compartment706. The scale400may be configured to turn on when the arm404is lowered and/or when weight is sensed on the weighing portion606. In some embodiments, the scale400includes a power button configured to turn on/off the scale400. The scale400may be powered by at least one rechargeable battery. The scale400may be powered by any number of battery types, including, but not limited to, traditional alkaline batteries (e.g., A, AA, AAA, C, D), coin or button cell batteries, and lithium-ion batteries, among others. To preserve battery life, the scale400may be configured to turn off after a predetermined amount of time without detecting weight. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time is 10 seconds. The predetermined amount of time may be about 2 minutes. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time is 5 minutes. The predetermined amount of time may be an amount of time other than those specifically stated in this disclosure. In some embodiments, the scale400is connected to a power supply of a building (i.e., hardwired to the building), and is thereby powered by the building.

FIG.8shows an exploded view of the scale400. In some embodiments, the scale400includes a plate800removably coupled to a back surface of the rear wall600. The plate800may be coupled to the rear wall600via at least one attaching mechanism802. In some embodiments, the at least one attaching mechanism802comprises at least one screw, as illustrated inFIG.8. The at least one attaching mechanism802may comprise any suitable type of fastener. In some embodiments, the at least one attaching mechanism802couples to the plate800through the battery compartment706. The at least one attaching mechanism802may couple to the plate800through the front surface700of the rear wall600. The plate800may couple to the rear wall600by a method other than the at least one attaching mechanism802. For example, at least one clip of the plate800may be received by, or otherwise couple to, the housing402. In some embodiments, the plate800couples to the rear wall600with a combination of the at least one attaching mechanism802and another method.

FIG.8also shows another attaching mechanism804. In some embodiments, the plate800is configured to couple to a wall of a building via the at least one attaching mechanism804, thereby coupling the scale400to the wall of the building. The attaching mechanism804may comprise a threaded fastener, such as a bolt, screw, or similar fastener. The attaching mechanism804may comprise a different type of fastener, such as hook and loop fastener or adhesive. In some embodiments, a user first couples the plate800, via the at least one attaching mechanism804, to the wall of the building, then couples the housing402to the plate800via the at least one attaching mechanism802.

FIG.9illustrates a side view of the scale400, including the attaching mechanism804protruding from the plate800. In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.8and9, the plate800is configured to receive two attaching mechanisms804in order to couple to a wall (or other suitable surface). The plate800may be configured to use a single attaching mechanism804to couple to another surface. In some embodiments, the plate800uses more than two attaching mechanisms804to couple to another surface.

FIG.10shows a top view of the scale400, including the display406on the top portion500of the housing402.FIG.10also shows one attaching mechanism804. In some embodiments, the display406includes three digits. The display406may include fewer than three digits. The display406may include more than three digits, as will be discussed with reference toFIGS.21and22.

FIG.11shows another exploded view of the scale400, including the housing402, the arm404, and the plate800. As previously mentioned, the arm404may be hingedly coupled to the housing402.FIG.11shows the hinge1100, which may be received by the arm404and configured to couple to the housing402. In some embodiments, the arm404is hingedly coupled to the rear wall600. The arm404may be hingedly coupled to the housing402below the rear wall600. In some embodiments, the housing402includes a portion, such as a track or channel, configured to receive at least a portion of the arm404. The channel may be configured to receive the hinge1100. It should be noted that the arm404may be coupled to the housing402by a mechanism other than the hinge1100.

FIG.12illustrates an exploded view of the arm404. In some embodiments, the arm404comprises an upper arm structure404a, a middle arm structure404b, and a lower arm structure404c. The upper arm structure404aand the lower arm structure404cmay be configured to couple together with the middle arm structure404blocated between, and inside of, the upper arm structure404aand the lower arm structure404c. Accordingly, the upper arm structure404aand the lower arm structure404cmay be considered exterior structures, while the middle arm structure404bmay be considered an interior structure.

FIG.12also shows the weighing portion606and illustrates its recessed nature, as compared to the rest of the arm404. Also included inFIG.12is the load cell sensor1200. In some embodiments, the load cell sensor1200is one of the components involved in measuring the weight of an item received by the weighing portion606. The load cell sensor1200may operate similarly to the load cell sensor320, discussed earlier in this disclosure with reference to the device100.

In some embodiments, the weighing portion606of the scale400is configured to receive a secondary device configured to hold an item to be weighed. As illustrated inFIG.13, the secondary device may comprise a basket1300. The basket1300may be configured to hold any number of items, depending on the use context of the scale400. For example, if the scale400is installed in a grocery store, the basket1300may be configured to hold produce to allow shoppers to determine the weight of the produce prior to purchasing it.FIG.13also illustrates a use case where the button702would be used to tare the scale400—by taring the scale400to disregard the weight of the basket1300, shoppers can be sure that the weight displayed by the scale400is that of the produce only, not that basket and the produce. The basket1300can be used to weigh items by hanging the basket1300, via the basket handles1302, from the weighing portion606of the scale400. In some embodiments, the weighing portion606includes some kind of bracket or similar holder to secure the basket handles1302in one spot and prevent the basket handles1302from slipping—and the basket1300from tipping—if weight is not distributed evenly across the surface of the basket1300.

FIG.14illustrates another embodiment of a secondary device configured to hang from the scale400. As shown, a rope1400with a hook1402on the end may be configured to hang from the weighing portion606, and an item to be weighed may, in turn, hang from the hook1402to be weighed by the scale400. In some embodiments, the hook1402comprises a barbless hook to prevent damage to the item to be weighed. For example, the scale400may be mounted on a wall10of a restaurant, fish market, or fishing boat, and the hook1402may hook into the mouth or gills of a fish so that the scale400can weigh the fish. The rope1400and the hook1402may also be used in farming or food processing facilities to weigh other small animals, such as poultry.

FIG.15shows the scale400with a tray1500mounted on top. In some embodiments, the tray1500comprises another secondary device configured to couple to the scale400to receive an item to be weighed. For example, the tray1500may be configured to hold cosmetics, produce, or other bulk goods (e.g., bagged nuts or candy) when the scale400is used in a retail context. The scale400may also be used in homes, bakeries, or restaurants, and the tray1500can be configured to hold ingredients, like flour or sugar, that are best measured by weight. In some embodiments, the tray1500is coupled to a mounting device, which, in turn, is coupled to the weighing portion606of the scale400, in order to direct the weight on the tray1500to the weighing portion606, rather than across the arm404.

FIG.16is similar toFIG.15but shows a tray1600hanging from the weighing portion606rather than mounted on top, like the tray1500. Similar to the basket1300, the tray1600may include tray handles1602configured to hang from the weighing portion606. In some embodiments, the weighing portion606includes some kind of bracket or similar holder to secure the tray handles1602in one spot and prevent the tray handles1602from slipping—and the tray1600from tipping—if weight is not distributed evenly across the surface of the tray1600. As discussed with reference toFIG.15, the tray1600may be used in both residential and commercial contexts to weigh a variety of items that can be placed on the tray1600. It should be noted that the tray1500and/or the tray1600may define a size other than what is shown in the figures. In addition, the tray1500and/or the tray1600may be comprised of food-safe materials and may be washable to ensure sanitary handling of food, such as when using the tray1500and/or the tray1600to weigh ingredients for cooking or baking.

FIG.17illustrates another example of a secondary device—the bag1700. In some embodiments, the bag handles1702are configured to hang from the weighing portion606so that item(s) can be placed in the bag1700to be weighed by the scale400. In some embodiments, the weighing portion606includes some kind of bracket or similar holder to secure the bag handles1702in one spot and prevent the bag handles1702from slipping—and the bag1700from tipping—if weight is not distributed evenly within the bag1700. The bag1700may be comprised of a number of suitable materials and may define a number of sizes.

FIG.18shows a front view of the scale400coupled to a wall10.FIG.18is similar to previous figures, includingFIG.6, and shows the rear wall600, as well as the button702and the toggle switch704coupled to the front surface700.FIG.18also includes the arm404extending straight out the front of the housing402, along the Z axis of the page, as shown by the directional indicator inFIG.18.

FIGS.19,20, and21each illustrate a top view of the scale400, with different numbers shown on the display406. It should be noted that, in order to focus on the display406, the arm404is not shown inFIGS.19-21. As demonstrated inFIG.19, where the display406shows the number 39.2, the display406may comprise three digits and be configured to show one decimal place. In some embodiments, as demonstrated inFIG.20, where the display406shows the number 5.07, the display406comprises three digits and is configured to show two decimal places. The display406may comprise four digits, as shown inFIG.21, where the display406shows the number 22.54. In an embodiment where the display406comprises four digits, the display406may be configured to show zero, one, two, or three decimal places.

FIG.22shows a scale2200. The scale2200may be similar to the scale400in that it comprises similar features, such as a housing2202, a rear wall2204, a display2214, and an arm2208, illustrated coming straight out of the housing2202, along the Z axis of the page, as shown by the directional indicator inFIG.22. The scale2200may also include a first button2210on the front surface2206configured to tare/zero the scale2200, similar to the button702. Rather than the toggle switch704, the scale2200may include a second button2212on the front surface2206configured to select the units of measurement.

In some embodiments, the scale2200is configured to measure and display weight in at least one of four possible measurements: pounds, kilograms, ounces, and grams. As shown inFIG.22, the possible units of measurement may be written around the display2214. In some embodiments, the selected unit of measurement is indicated by the illumination of one of the terms. For example, when the second button2212is pressed, the labels around the display2214may take turns glowing to indicate which unit is selected. Alternatively, the display2214may include a dot or other symbol configured to illuminate in each corner of the display2214corresponding to each possible unit. It should be noted that rather than a button, the units of measurement may be selected by multiple buttons, one or more toggle switches, a touchscreen, or the like. In some embodiments, the scale2200includes a display2214having four digits, like the display406shown inFIG.21.

FIG.22also includes a battery compartment2216and a battery compartment cover2218. Like the scale400, the scale2200may be powered by at least one battery within the battery compartment2216. The scale2200may be configured to turn on when the arm2208is lowered and/or when weight is sensed on the weighing portion of the arm2208. In some embodiments, the scale2200includes a power button configured to turn on/off the scale2200. The scale2200may be powered by at least one rechargeable battery. The scale2200may be powered by any number of battery types, including, but not limited to, traditional alkaline batteries (e.g., A, AA, AAA, C, D), coin or button cell batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. To preserve battery life, the scale2200may be configured to turn off after a predetermined amount of time without detecting weight. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time is 10 seconds. The predetermined amount of time may be about 2 minutes. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time is 5 minutes. The predetermined amount of time may be an amount of time other than those specifically stated in this disclosure. In some embodiments, the scale2200is connected to a power supply of a building (i.e., hardwired to the building), and is thereby powered by the building.

In some embodiments, the scale2200has a maximum weight capacity of about 25 pounds. The scale400may have a maximum weight capacity of about 100 pounds. In some embodiments, the scale2200defines smaller dimensions than the scale400. In addition to the use cases described above, the scale400and/or the scale2200may be located in hotels, resorts, airports, and on cruise ships, as well as in short-term rental vacation homes. The scale400and/or the scale2200may be used to weigh sporting goods such as bicycles (by balancing the bike seat on the weighing portion), backpacks, and hunting equipment.

FIGS.23A and23Bshow block diagrams of a scale. It should be noted thatFIGS.23A and23Bapply to both the scale400and the scale2200. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.23A, the scale includes a load cell sensor, a strain gauge, a converter, and a microchip. As shown inFIG.23B, the arm of the scale may comprise the load cell sensor and the strain gauge, while the converter and the microchip may be located elsewhere on the scale.

FIG.24shows a flowchart of operation of a scale. LikeFIGS.23A and23B,FIG.24may be considered as referring to both the scale400and the scale2200. In some embodiments, operation begins with the scale receiving power from at least one battery, at Step2400. Upon the scale receiving power, the load cell sensor may receive an electric charge. Then, the weighing portion receives an item, at Step2402. The electric charge from the load cell sensor may change due to the force from the item being placed on the weighing portion, at Step2404. In some embodiments, the strain gauge converts the change in the electric charge to an analog electric signal, at Step2406. The converter may convert the analog electric signal to a digital signal, at Step2408. In some embodiments, the microchip receives the digital signal and communicates the signal to the display, at Step2410. Finally, the display shows the digital signal as the weight of the item, at Step2412.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “luggage scale device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the luggage scale device100of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the luggage scale device100of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the luggage scale device100as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the luggage scale device100are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the luggage scale device100are important design parameters for user convenience, the luggage scale device100may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Some of the components listed herein use the same number from figure to figure. It should be appreciated these components use the same numbers solely for ease of reference and to facilitate comprehension for the reader. While these components may use the same numbers, differences may be present in these components as illustrated in the various figures in which they appear and as described in the specification herein.

None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any of the steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or example in this specification can be combined or used with or instead of any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other.

The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting. The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic1” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic1and embodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the “Topic1” section.

The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method, event, state, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example, described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments can include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.

Also define any other terms used in the application (i.e., “about,” “substantially,” “adjacent,” etc.)

The foregoing may be accomplished through software code running in one or more processors on a communication device in conjunction with a processor in a server running complementary software code.

Some of the devices, systems, embodiments, and processes use computers. Each of the routines, processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automated by, code modules executed by one or more computers, computer processors, or machines configured to execute computer instructions. The code modules may be stored on any type of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or tangible computer storage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, flash memory, optical disc, and/or the like. The processes and algorithms may be implemented partially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results of the disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently or otherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g., volatile or non-volatile storage.

It is appreciated that in order to practice the method of the foregoing as described above, it is not necessary that the processors and/or the memories of the processing machine be physically located in the same geographical place. That is, each of the processors and the memory (or memories) used by the processing machine may be located in geographically distinct locations and connected so as to communicate in any suitable manner. Additionally, it is appreciated that each of the processor and/or the memory may be composed of different physical pieces of equipment. Accordingly, it is not necessary that the processor be one single piece of equipment in one location and that the memory be another single piece of equipment in another location. That is, it is contemplated that the processor may be two pieces of equipment in two different physical locations. The two distinct pieces of equipment may be connected in any suitable manner. Additionally, the memory may include two or more portions of memory in two or more physical locations.

To explain further, processing, as described above, is performed by various components and various memories. However, it is appreciated that the processing performed by two distinct components as described above may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the foregoing, be performed by a single component. Further, the processing performed by one distinct component as described above may be performed by two distinct components. In a similar manner, the memory storage performed by two distinct memory portions, as described above, may, in accordance with a further embodiment of the foregoing, be performed by a single memory portion. Further, the memory storage, performed by one distinct memory portion, as described above, may be performed by two memory portions.

Further, various technologies may be used to provide communication between the various processors and/or memories, as well as to allow the processors and/or the memories of the foregoing to communicate with any other entity, i.e., so as to obtain further instructions or to access and use remote memory stores, for example. Such technologies used to provide such communication might include a network, the Internet, Intranet, Extranet, LAN, an Ethernet, wireless communication via cell tower or satellite, or any client server system that provides communication, for example. Such communications technologies may use any suitable protocol such as TCP/IP, UDP, or OSI, for example.

As described above, a set of instructions may be used in the processing of the foregoing. The set of instructions may be in the form of a program or software. The software may be in the form of system software or application software, for example. The software might also be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module within a larger program, or a portion of a program module, for example. The software used might also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming. The software may instruct the processing machine what to do with the data being processed.

Further, it is appreciated that the instructions or set of instructions used in the implementation and operation of the foregoing may be in a suitable form such that the processing machine may read the instructions. For example, the instructions that form a program may be in the form of a suitable programming language, which is converted to machine language or object code to allow the processor or processors to read the instructions. That is, written lines of programming code or source code, in a particular programming language, are converted to machine language using a compiler, assembler or interpreter. The machine language is binary coded machine instructions that are specific to a particular type of processing machine, i.e., to a particular type of computer, for example. The computer understands the machine language.

Any suitable programming language may be used in accordance with the various embodiments of the foregoing. Illustratively, the programming language used may include assembly language, Ada, APL, Basic, C, C++, COBOL, dBase, Forth, Fortran, Java, Modula-2, Pascal, Prolog, Python, REXX, Visual Basic, and/or JavaScript, for example. Further, it is not necessary that a single type of instruction or single programming language be utilized in conjunction with the operation of the system and method of the foregoing. Rather, any number of different programming languages may be utilized as is necessary and/or desirable.

Also, the instructions and/or data used in the practice of the foregoing may utilize any compression or encryption technique or algorithm, as may be desired. An encryption module might be used to encrypt data. Further, files or other data may be decrypted using a suitable decryption module, for example.

As described above, the foregoing may illustratively be embodied in the form of a processing machine, including a computer or computer system, for example, that includes at least one memory. It is to be appreciated that the set of instructions, i.e., the software for example, that enables the computer operating system to perform the operations described above may be contained on any of a wide variety of media or medium, as desired. Further, the data that is processed by the set of instructions might also be contained on any of a wide variety of media or medium. That is, the particular medium, i.e., the memory in the processing machine, utilized to hold the set of instructions and/or the data used in the foregoing may take on any of a variety of physical forms or transmissions, for example. Illustratively, the medium may be in the form of paper, paper transparencies, a compact disk, a DVD, an integrated circuit, a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a magnetic tape, a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, a wire, a cable, a fiber, a communications channel, a satellite transmission, a memory card, a SIM card, or other remote transmission, as well as any other medium or source of data that may be read by the processors of the foregoing.

Further, the memory or memories used in the processing machine that implements the foregoing may be in any of a wide variety of forms to allow the memory to hold instructions, data, or other information, as is desired. Thus, the memory might be in the form of a database to hold data. The database might use any desired arrangement of files such as a flat file arrangement or a relational database arrangement, for example.

In the system and method of the foregoing, a variety of “user interfaces” may be utilized to allow a user to interface with the processing machine or machines that are used to implement the foregoing. As used herein, a user interface includes any hardware, software, or combination of hardware and software used by the processing machine that allows a user to interact with the processing machine. A user interface may be in the form of a dialogue screen for example. A user interface may also include any of a mouse, touch screen, keyboard, keypad, voice reader, voice recognizer, dialogue screen, menu box, list, checkbox, toggle switch, a pushbutton or any other device that allows a user to receive information regarding the operation of the processing machine as it processes a set of instructions and/or provides the processing machine with information. Accordingly, the user interface is any device that provides communication between a user and a processing machine. The information provided by the user to the processing machine through the user interface may be in the form of a command, a selection of data, or some other input, for example.

As discussed above, a user interface is utilized by the processing machine that performs a set of instructions such that the processing machine processes data for a user. The user interface is typically used by the processing machine for interacting with a user either to convey information or receive information from the user. However, it should be appreciated that in accordance with some embodiments of the system and method of the foregoing, it is not necessary that a human user actually interact with a user interface used by the processing machine of the foregoing. Rather, it is also contemplated that the user interface of the foregoing might interact, i.e., convey and receive information, with another processing machine, rather than a human user. Accordingly, the other processing machine might be characterized as a user. Further, it is contemplated that a user interface utilized in the system and method of the foregoing may interact partially with another processing machine or processing machines, while also interacting partially with a human user.

While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein.