GB2350435A

GB2350435A - Electronic scales including a memory

Info

Publication number: GB2350435A
Application number: GB0012897A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pauline Ann Holmes; Patricia Mary Holmes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-27
Filing date: 2000-05-27
Publication date: 2000-11-29
Also published as: GB0012897D0; GB9912226D0

Abstract

Weighing apparatus indicated generally at 10 includes a weighing device 12 which provides data at outputs 14, representing the result of a weight measurement. Data stores 16a,16b are provided to store data representing a weight measurement from at least one previous weighing operation, and to store data representing at least one target weight measurement. A comparison circuit 18 may make comparisons of weight measurement data received from the weighing machine 12, with the data stored within the stores 16a,16b. This allows a user to be encouraged when significant weight loss has been achieved in comparison with a previous weighing, and when a target weight is being approached.

Description

2350435 Weiffing _Apparatus The present invention relates to weighing

apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, to apparatus for measuring personal weight.

Various types of weighing apparatus for measuring the personal weight of a user are well known. They may be used as part of a programme seeking to achieve weight loss or weight gain for the user. A user will therefo, e conventionally keep a written record of current weight on each occasion that the weighing apparatus is used, to allow the user to calculate the weight change which has been achieved since the last weighing operation.

The present invention provides weighing apparatus comprising weighing means operable to perform a weighing operation to provide data representing a weight measurement, storage means operable to store data representing a weight measurement and comparison means operable to compare stored weight measurement data with weight measurement data from a current weighing operation.

The storage means may be operable to store data representing a weight measurement from at least one previous weighing operation. The apparatus may be operable to compare weight measurement data of a current weighing operation and a previous weighing operation, to provide data representing a weight change. The storage means may be operable to store data representing at least one target weight measurement. The apparatus may be operable to compare weight measurement data of a current weighing operation and a target weight measurement to assess if a weight target has been achieved.

Preferably the storage means are operable to store data for a plurality of users, for selective retrieval by the corresponding user.

The apparatus may further comprise display means operable to display 2 weight measurements in accordance with weight measurement data. The display means may be operable, in use, to display stored data and/or data of a current weighing operation and/or data representing the result of a comparison. The display means may be an electronic display, such as an LCD or LED display.

The apparatus may further comprise audio reproduction means operable to provide an audible announcement of a current, previous or target weight measurement and/or the result of a comparison. The audio reproduction means may comprise voice synthesis means.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a block schematic diagram of apparatus according to the present invention.

The weighing apparatus indicated generally at 10 comprises weighing means 12 operable to perform a weighing operation to provide data at outputs 14, representing the result of the weight measurement. Storage means in the form of data stores 16a, l6b are provided to store data representing a weight measurement from at least one previous weighing operation, and to store data representing at least one target weight measurement. The apparatus further comprises a comparison circuit 18 operable to make comparisons of weight measurement data received from the weighing machines 12 and data stores 16a, 16b.

in more detail, the weighing means 12 may be of any form capable of providing outputs 14 for use elsewhere within the apparatus 10, and is preferably an electronic weighing platform based on conventional sensor technology, such as strain gauges and the like. The electrical or electronic nature of the weighing means 12 (hereafter referred to as "scales") requires a power supply indicated schematically at 20 and which is also used to provide power to other components of the apparatus 10, by means of connections which 3 are not shown in the drawing, in the interest of clarity.

The outputs 14 provide other components of the apparatus 10 with data representing a weight measurement made by the scales 12. The data of the outputs 14 may be in digital or analogue form, but is preferably digital. T'Lle drawing schematically indicates three separate outputs 14 conveying data to corresponding other components, but it will be readily apparent that a single output could be divided to provide data simultaneously to several recipients, or one or more outputs could be used to supply more than one recipient, such as by means of multiplexing or other data transmission techniques which are conventional in themselves.

A first output 14a provides weight measurement data to a display 22 to allow the display 22 to display the result of the current weighing operation, i.e. the current weight of the user. A wide range of conventional display technologies could be used, but LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or LED (Lig,.-It Emitting Diode) technologies are preferred.

A second output 14b provides weight measurement data to the data store 16a which acts as a buffer to allow the current weight to be stored for future reference, while data from a previous weighing operation is provided as an output 24 of the store 16a.

The output 24 is applied to the comparison circuit 18 which also receives the weight measurement data of the current weighing operation, direct from output 14c of the scales 12. The comparison circuit 18 is therefore provided with data to allow a simple comparison to be made between the result of t.1le current weighing operation and the previous weighing operation. This may be a simple comparison achieved by subtraction. Alternatively, the store 16a may provide data from more than one previous weighing operation, in which case the comparison circuit 18 may operate in a more sophisticated manner, not only to make a simple comparison by subtraction, but also, or alternatively, to assess the trend of data, such as whether the rate of weight change is increasing 4 or decreasing.

The result of the comparison made by the circuit 18 is provided at 26 to the display 22 for display in an appropriate manner in conjunction with the display of the current weight measurement.

The comparison circuit 18 is provided with a third input at 28 from the data store 16b. The store 16b is used to record data representing at least one target weight measurement for a user, and preferably to record target weight measurements for several users. The store 16b will incorporate manual controls to allow target data to be input to the store 16b and the target data may be stored in electronic form, or in manual form such as by the positioning of a knob, switch or dial. In the event that the store 16b is capable of storing data corresponding with more than one user, a contrc)l will be provided in association with the store 16b, to allow the current user to identify themselves, in order that the appropriate data is supplied to the comparison circuit 18.

Accordingly, the comparison circuit 18 is able to perform additional comparison operations, in particular between the target weight represented by data received from the store 16b, and the current weight measured by the scales 12, allowing the display 22 to be provided through the output 24 with data representing the difference between the weight measured in the current weighing operation, and the target weight. This difference is preferably displayed with other data on the display 22.

Data from the store 16b is also supplied directly to the display 22 from the store 16b, at 30, so that the display 22 may also display the current user's target weight.

In addition to the display 22, which may be in alphanumeric or graphical form or a combination thereof, the apparatus 10 has the ability to provide audible output by means of a control circuit 32 driving a voice synthesiser and loud speaker unit 34. in this example, the control circuit 32 receives data from the display 22, but could receive data direct from the sources 12, 16a, 16b, 18. The synthesiser 34 could be used to announce all of the data displayed on the display 22, or some data could be displayed, with other data being announced. in a further alternative, some data could be displayed only or announced only, with other data being displayed and also announced. For instance, it is envisaged that the result of the current weighing operation would be displayed, with the difference between the current weight and the target weight being announced.

A user will make use of the apparatus 10 in the following manner. On the first occasion of using the apparatus 10, the user will mount the scales 12, to provide data representing the first weight measurement to the store 16a. The result of this first weight measurement will be displayed at 22. Comparisons with previous weight measurements will not be available on this first occasion. It may be desirable to allow the user to see the result of the first weighing operation before entering target weight measurement data into the store 16b.

After this first weighing operation, which serves to initialise the apparatus 10, a user can mount the scales 12 to perform a subsequent weighing operation, having first identified themselves to the data store 16b, if necessary. The scales 12 would then carry out a weighing operation. The data store 16a will provide the result of the first weighing to the comparison circuit 18, and will store the result of the current weighing to serve subsequently as the result of a previous weighing operation. The comparison circuit 18 will form comparisons, as described above. This results in the user being provided, by means of the display 22 and synthesiser 34, with data representing their current weight as measured by the scales 12, the weight lost or gained since the previous weighing operation (as determined by the comparison circuit 18 with reference to the outputs of the scales 12 and data store 16a), and the difference between the current weight and the target weight (as determined by the comparison circuit 18 with reference to the outputs from the scales 12 and the store 16b). The target weight may also be displayed, supplied from the store 6 16b. Some or all of this data may also be announced by the synthesiser 34. The user is thus provided with the basic information of their current weight, but also with information allowing them to assess the success of their weight control programme (by comparison with previous weighings) and also to provide incentives (by comparison with target weights).

Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, having understood the above description of the function of each component of the apparatus 10, the skilled man will realise that each could be implemented in a wide range of techniques and technologies without changing the underlying principles of operation of the apparatus 10. It is envisaged that a number of the functions shown and described as discrete functions and circuits could be provided by means of an appropriately programmed microprocessor arrangement. It is desirable for comparisons to be made with previous weighings and also with a target weight, as described above, but it is to be understood that the apparatus could be operated to make comparisons with only one or the other, but not both. The apparatus is preferably formed as an integrated assembly in a pedestal or other floor-standing form, or alternatively, the various components could be formed as discrete modules interconnected by appropriate data connections.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

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Claims

Weighing apparatus comprising weighing means operable to perform a weighing operation to provide data representing a weight measurement, storage means operable to store data representing a weight measurement and comparison means operable to compare stored weight measurement data with weight measurement data from a current weighing operation.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is operable to store data representing a weight measurement from at least one previous weighing operation.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus is operable to compare weight measurement data of a current weighing operation and a previous weighing operation, to provide data representing a weight change.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage means is operable to store data representing at least one target weight measurement.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus is operable to compare weight measurement data of a current weighing operation and a target weight measurement to assess if a weight target has been achieved.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage means are operable to store data for a plurality of users, for selective retrieval by the corresponding user.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprise display means operable to display weight measurements in accordance with weight measurement data.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display means are operable, in use, to display stored data.
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9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the display means are operable, in use, to display data of a current weighing operation.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the display means are operable, in use, to display data representing the result of a comparison.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the display means is an electronic display.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display is an LCD or LED display.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising audio reproduction means operable to provide an audible announcement of a current, previous or target weight measurement and/or the result of a comparison.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the audio reproduction means comprise voice synthesis means.
15. Weighing apparatus substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.