GB2263785A

GB2263785A - An electronic platform scale for indicating weight change

Info

Publication number: GB2263785A
Application number: GB9301745A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Stephens
Original assignee: Hanson Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Hanson Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1992-01-29
Filing date: 1993-01-29
Publication date: 1993-08-04
Also published as: GB9201849D0; GB9301745D0

Abstract

A platform scale, comprising means automatically to retain the weight of a particular user and to indicate any change in weight of that user on subsequent use. The scale may store the weights of a plurality of users, may be operated automatically or remotely (eg by an infra-red device) and may have an LED digital display.

Description

A PLATFORM SCALE The invention relates to a platform scale, such as a personal weighing scale.

Personal weighing scales whether mechanical or electronic generally provide an instantaneous weight of a user when he or she steps on the scale, but no more than that. There is generally no provision for recording a weight that is registered by the scale.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided a platform scale, comprising means automatically to retain the weight of a particular user and to indicate any change in weight of that user on subsequent use.

Suitably the means may comprise an electronic means, suitably a circuit which when a particular user uses the scale subsequent to an initial use, indicates the initial weight and any subsequent change in weight. This provides for relatively simple construction and repeatability in operation, and may be particularly useful for incorporating sensory means to indicate to a user a change in weight.

The sensory means may comprise aural means.

This provides a relatively simple way to indicate to a user any change in weight.

The electronic means may be programmable to monitor the weight of a plurality of individual users, say 45 - 50 individual users, suitably 45 users, for example in a family, in sports, recreational or health centres.

The electronic means may be adapted to memorise weights within bands of an equal number of kilograms. This provides for ready programming of the scale.

The band widths may each represent a weight of 3 kilograms. This provides for a repeatable yet meaningful weight recordal and display.

Suitably, the scale may have a weight range of 0 to 135 kilograms. This caters for most user weights. There would therefore be 45 weight bands.

The weight increments may be in steps of 100gms. This provides for a fine weight reading.

The scale may be adapted for automatic operation. This therefore obviates the need for a user physically to switch the scale on.

The scale may be in combination with a separate actuator, particularly a remote controller such as a portable infra-red device. This provides for relatively simple operation of the scale.

There may be a visual display means which may display an instantaneous weight of a user, and a change in weight from a prior use. This provides for a direct output of weight and weight change and thus provides full information to a user, particularly when the visual means may be adapted to display the weight change for a predetermined period. The user can then note the change, and can monitor changes from day to day.

The period may be 4 seconds. This is ample time for a user to note the change.

The visual display means may be a LED. This is a relatively simple construction.

The aural means may provide different sounds for different operational modes of the scale. This provides for ease of use as a user immediately knows which operational mode the scale is in, depending on the tone.

In a typical example of platform or personal weighing scale embodying the invention, a sequence of operations for a particular user would be to: (a) switch on the scale (this may be automatic); (b) the scale registers the weight of the user when the user steps onto the scale; (c) the user steps off the scale, the increase or decrease in weight then being automatically displayed by the scale for a desired period of time, say four seconds; (d) the scale records and memorises the new weight in the electronic memory automatically; and (e) the scales is switched off, suitably automatically.

These different steps may be accompanied by characteristic aural tones, such as "BEEEEP" for (a), "BEEP" for (b), "BEEP BEEP" for (c)/(d), and "BEP" for (e), thus indicating the different operating modes of the scale.

The scale and its electronic current means may include means to record weight in "hard" form, for example a printer which prints out the weight at each use so that a permanent record of weight change can be obtained and retained by a particular user.

It will be understood that a scale can identify and be programmed to so identify, a particular user, it being understood that statistically, the chances of two members of a household being virtually the same is more or less minimal and can therefore be ignored, so that a scale as described herein, embodying the invention can be used for a whole range of users, whilst being effectively unique for each individual.

Claims

1. A platform scale, comprising means automatically to retain the weight of a particular user and to indicate any change in weight of that user on subsequent use.

2. A platform scale according to Claim 1, the means comprising an electronic means.

3. A platform scale according to Claim 2, incorporating a sensory means to indicate to a user a change in weight.

4. A platform scale according to Claim 3, the sensory means comprising aural means.

5. A platform scale according to Claim 4, the electronic means being programmable to monitor the weight of a plurality of individual users.

6. A platform scale according to Claim 5, the electronic means being programmable to monitor the weight of 45 - 50 individual users.

7. A platform scale according to Claim 6, the electronic means being adapted to memorise weights within bands of an equal number of kilograms.

8. A platform scale according to Claim 7, the band widths each representing a weight of 3 kilograms.

9. A platform scale according to Claim 8, having a weight range of 0 to 135 kilograms.

10. A platform scale according to Claim 9, the weight increments being in steps of 100 gms.

11. A platform scale according to any preceding claim, which is adapted for automatic operation.

12. A platform scale according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, in combination with a separate actuator.

13. A platform scale according to Claim 12, the separate actuator being a remote controller.

14. A platform scale according to Claim 13, the remote controller being a portable infra-red device

15. A platform scale according to any of Claims 2 to 14, including a visual display means which displays an instantaneous weight of a user, and a change in weight from a prior use.

16. A platform scale according to Claim 15, the visual means being adapted to display the weight change for a predetermined period.

17. A platform scale according to Claim 16, the period being 4 seconds.

18. A platform scale according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, the visual display means being an LED.

19. A platform scale according to any of Claims 4 to 18, the aural means providing different sounds for different operational modes of the scale.

20. A platform scale, substantially as hereinbefore described.