Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a weight scale having a control system that prompts users for their identity and then displays any one or more of: present weight, past weights, target weights and/or the differences therebetween, as well as a graphical representation of weight vs. time. Another feature of the present invention is the use of a viscoelastic foam pad on the surface of the scale for comfort and sanitary benefits.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to weight scales. More particularly, the present invention relates to bathroom-type scales having a variety of control sequences designed to enable one or more users to track and record weight history.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Various known weight scales generally provide an upper platform for the user to stand on, having load detection cells positioned beneath. The load from the weight of the user is transmitted from the platform to the load detection cells, which are mounted to a base. The load on the cells is measured by the cells and communicated to a controller, which causes an output display of the user&#39;s weight.  
           [0005]    It is desirable for users to record their weights to analyze the progression of weight loss or gain patterns. This may be true for one or more users of the same scale. Known scales do not provide these characteristics.  
           [0006]    It is further desirable to provide a comfortable, supportive and sanitary surface for barefoot users. Most scales are used while a user is barefoot. As a result, most scales are provided with hard, easily wiped surfaces. These surfaces tend to be cold and uncomfortable. A soft, supportive surface provides comfort and warmth for users. It is important that the surface be easily cleaned and disinfected to prevent spread of germs, odor and fungus.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a weight scale that overcomes the above-identified shortcomings of known scales.  
           [0008]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a weight scale having automated control functions that store prior weight readings and compare them to successive weight readings for one or more users, displaying the results of the comparisons. The weight scale is also provided with a pad made of viscoelastic foam to provide comfort, support and sanitary benefits to the users. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a weight scale control system according to the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a viscoelastic pad positioned over a scale according to the present invention; and  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is an operation flow chart in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]    Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1, a weight scale system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally represented by reference numeral  1 . Weight scale system  1 , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is operatively incorporated into a scale  10  such as shown in FIG. 2. The weight scale system  1  according to the present invention has a controller  12 , a power source  14 , one or more data memories  16 , an input interface  18 , a power control  20 , a display screen  22 , and an output indicator  24 .  
         [0013]    Controller  12  may preferably be any appropriate microprocessor capable of receiving input information, via input interface  18 , for example, interpreting and/or otherwise manipulating input information, via data memories  16 , for example, and providing informative and appropriate output information, via output indicator  24 , for example.  
         [0014]    Power source  14  may preferably be either an AC source such as is provided by a typical electrical socket in a home, or a DC source such as is provided by a typical battery, or some combination of both. Power source  14  may be integral with scale  10  and/or separately connected thereto as appropriate for a particular application.  
         [0015]    Each data memory  16  may preferably be suitable to store data relevant to a particular individual for any of a variety of predefined time periods. For example, data memories  16  may retain certain information for a set period of time, such as, for example, a day, week, or month. Additionally, or alternatively, data memories  16  may retain certain other information for an indefinite period of time or until an operator intentionally deletes the information.  
         [0016]    Input interface  18  can preferably have any of a variety of configurations. Input interface  18  may be a tactile interface such as a touch-pad, a touch-screen, or a keyboard, for example. Additionally, or alternatively, input interface  18  can be an audible input, such as, for example, a voice recognition system. Preferably, input interface  18  is user friendly, easy to access, and durably configured to withstand the wear and tear associated with use.  
         [0017]    Power control  20  can preferably have any of a variety of configurations. For example, power control  20  can be an automatic switch that automatically activates system  1  and/or scale  10  when a user steps onto the scale. Alternatively, power control  20  may be a manual control switch that requires a user action, in addition to stepping on the scale, in order to activate system  1  and/or scale  10 .  
         [0018]    Display screen  22  may preferably be any of a variety of shape, sizes and/or configurations. For example, display screen  22  may be an LCD display or an LED display. Display screen  22  may preferably cooperate with controller  12 , power source  14 , data memories  16  and/or output indicators  24 , to provide a user with appropriate comparative weight information.  
         [0019]    Output indicators  24 , as with each of the other elements of system  1 , may preferably be of any of a variety of configurations. For example, in a preferred embodiment or aspect of the present invention, one or more of the output indicators  24  may be audible signal generators. In addition, or alternatively, one or more of the output indicators  24  may be tactile signal generators, such as, for example, a vibrating mechanism (not shown).  
         [0020]    Referring now to FIG. 2, scale  10  is shown in association with a top pad  26 . Scale  10  may have a housing  28  preferably be ergonomically formed and can have any shape, size and/or configuration suitable for any of a variety of purposes, functional and/or aesthetic. Housing  28  may be provided with a scale display window  29 . Scale display window  29  may preferably be suitable to protectively cover display  22 . Scale display window  29  may, in one aspect of the present invention, have input interface  18  and/or output indicator  24  operatively connected thereto. In this aspect of the invention, scale display window  29  may allow only limited user interaction to prevent against any inadvertent or unwanted interference in the operation of scale  1  and/or system  10 .  
         [0021]    As shown, in a preferred aspect or embodiment of the present invention, pad  26  can be removably connected to scale  10  for easy, efficient cleaning and/or replacement. However, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, pad  26  may be securely connected to scale  10  in a permanent manner. Pad  26  may preferably be ergonomically formed and can be appropriately shaped, sized and/or configured to complement scale  10 . For example, pad  26  may preferably have a pad display window  27  that may be aligned with scale display window  29  of scale  10 .  
         [0022]    Pad  26  may preferably be formed of any of a variety of materials having elastic recovery characteristics. For example, in another preferred aspect or embodiment of the present invention, pad  26  can be formed of a viscoelastic material, which is an open-cell foam known in the industry as “memory foam”, and which preferably has a high resiliency and longevity. Pad  26  preferably also has hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and/or antifungal properties. In one aspect of the present invention, pad  26  can preferably be easily washed or cleaned.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 3, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention scale system  1  and/or scale  10  may be operated in any of a variety ways. For example, as reflected in box  100 , an operator may activate system  1  and/or scale  10  by tapping on scale  10  activating power switch  20  to provide power from power source  14 . After tapping scale  10 , the operator may be required to wait for a predefined period of time (e.g. 3 seconds), during which time an initiating image (e.g., “88·8.8 8 ”) appears on display  22 . After the predefined time period, a ready image (e.g., “0.0”) appears on display  22  indicating to the operator that system  1  and/or scale  10  is ready for operation.  
         [0024]    Once system  1  and/or scale  10  are ready for operation, as indicated by boxes  102  and  103 , system  1  and/or scale  10  may be operated more in an automatic mode, for example, to measure weight only. In this aspect or embodiment of the present invention, the operator can step onto scale  10  and one or more positioning sensors  30 , which are preferably optimally distributed throughout scale  10  to detect at least a portion of the operator&#39;s weight, may cooperate with one or more positioning indicators  31  to advise the operator to move on scale  10  in order to center his/her weight on the scale. More detail relating to positioning indicators  31  is provided in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/308,993, filed Dec. 12, 2002 incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0025]    For illustrative purposes of the present invention, sensors  30  may be positioned at roughly each corner of scale  10 , assuming housing  28  has a square shape and indicators  31  may be displayed on display  22 . Preferably, each sensor  30  may detect at least a portion of the operator&#39;s total weight. The sum of the weight detected by all of the sensors is preferably equal to the total load on the scale or the operator&#39;s total weight. Sensors  30  may be of any suitable type known in the art. For example, sensors  30  can be a conventional strain gauge.  
         [0026]    In another aspect or embodiment of the present invention, housing  28  may be provided with one or more feet or supports  32  that are preferably movable with respect to housing  28 . The relative movement of supports  32  relative to housing  28  is preferably in direct response to loading of scale  10 . In this embodiment one or more sensors  30  may preferably be positioned at least approximately directly above each support  32  and can be operatively connected thereto so that any relative movement of supports  32  may be detected or measured by sensors  30 . Thus, sensors  30  and supports  32  preferably cooperate to obtain a more accurate weight measurement.  
         [0027]    Once the operator is properly positioned on scale  10 , an indicator, such as, for example, a flashing image on display  22  or an audible beep, is provided for a predefined period of time (e.g., 2 seconds), after which time system  1  and/or scale  10  preferably locks to enable consistent accurate measuring. After a weight measurement is taken, the measurement reading may preferably remain displayed for a predefined period of time (e.g., 8 to 10 seconds) and absent any further action by the operator scale  10  will preferably automatically power off to conserve energy.  
         [0028]    It is noted that the measured weight of the operator may be indicated in any of a variety of ways. For example, by displaying the measurement on display  22  for a predefined period of time (e.g., 2 seconds) and/or by flashing the measurement for a predefined pattern (e.g., 3 times). The measurement may be displayed for only a limited period of time to conserve energy, with or without weight on scale  10 . The weight measurement may be displayed in any of a variety of measuring units (e.g., pounds, kilograms, grams, etc.). In one aspect of the present invention, system  1  and/or scale  10  may have an indicator for indicating to the operator that a predefined maximum weight capacity has been exceeded. In another aspect of the present invention, system  1  and/or scale  10  can automatically zero itself after each operator steps of scale  10  or, alternatively, prior to each new operator standing on scale  10 .  
         [0029]    As reflected in boxes  104  through  110 , in operation system  1  and/or scale  10 , in a preferred aspect of the present invention, may also be operated in an interactive mode to set and/or store measurement information. For example, as reflected in box  105 , one or more personal identifiers may be programmed or set via user interface  18 . That is, interface  18  may be activated and an operator may thereby be prompted, visually and/or audibly, to enter identifying information. For instance, display screen  22  may display “USER?” and the operator can enter letters or numbers using interface  18 , which is operatively connected to system  1  and/or scale  10  or, alternatively, to a remote control unit. A voice command system may be used as well or in place a display indicator.  
         [0030]    In one aspect of the present invention, any number of operators may have various stored information associated with their personal identifier. For example, as reflected by box  106 , any one or more operators can set an initial weight by activating system  1  and/or scale  10 , as outlined above with respect to operating in automatic mode, for instance, and after taking a weight measurement, actuating a set key  33  of interface  18  to store or save the taken weight measurement in memory  16 . Display screen  22  may then display, at any time, a current weight measurement and/or the last or last stored measured weight for any one or more particular operators. Display  22  may also display the date of any of the stored weight measurements.  
         [0031]    In another aspect of the present invention, as reflected by box  107 , while the operator is standing on scale  10  the present or current weight may be displayed and/or the difference between the last weight measurement and the current weight measurement, which may be computed, as reflected by box  108 , by controller  12 . Thus, preferably the current weight measurement and any number of prior weight measurements or readings may be stored in memory  16 .  
         [0032]    In still another aspect of the present invention, as reflected by box  109 , a target weight or a goal may be set manually by an operator for comparison with present and/or past weight measurements, with the differences preferably being displayed on display screen  22 . Also, as reflected by box  110 , the target weight may be automatically calculated using other variables (e.g., body type, age, gender, etc.). Display screen  22  and/or any other output indicator  24  may be used to prompt or signal the operator for the various operations. Additionally, or alternatively, measurement results and comparisons of successive weighings may be provided using line or bar graphs or similar indicators on display screen  22 , preferably showing weight measurements on various dates and over different time periods. Further, display screen  22  may be a scrolling display and/or suitable to show multiple pieces of information at the same time. For example, display screen  22  may simultaneously display, in any of a variety of combinations, actual or current weights, last or stored weights, target or goal weights, and/or differences between actual and goal weights.  
         [0033]    It is noted that the various operating features identified above may be performed in any of a variety of orders or patterns as desired and that any such variation falls within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0034]    Thus, system  1  and/or scale  10  preferably may be easily initiated and operate either automatically in a conventional weighing mode and/or manually in a user interactive mode wherein any of a number of different operators may selectively store and/or retain weight measurement data or information to compare, track, or otherwise use the information.  
         [0035]    Having identified and discussed some of the preferred aspects or embodiments of the present invention, system  1  and/or scale  10  may be provided with any of a variety of other options, such as, for example, for those sensitive about weight, codes may be used to limit access to information as desired. Also, indicators may be used to warn an operator when they fall below and/or above their optimal weight for their particular body time (e.g., petite, small, medium, or large). Other like functions, obvious to those skilled in the art, may also be provided and fall within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0036]    The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined herein.