Balance control system for weight scales

• US 20040118617A1
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conair LLC (Conair Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Conair Corporation
• Inventors: Carlucci, Vito James
• Granted Patent: US 7,100,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/25.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 for weighing persons

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a weight scale having a balance control system that detects unequal load distribution to the scale'"'"'s load sensors and produces an output signal that enables the user to re-distribute weight until a predetermined level of balance is achieved. Various load sensors are positioned in an array within the scale and are in communication with a controller that receives signals from the sensors indicative of relative load applied to each. The controller generates a signal that is displayed or emitted to the user indicative of the position of the user'"'"'s center of gravity relative to the sensors.

Claims

1. ) A weight position sensor system for use with a scale for measuring the weight of an object, said scale comprising

a weight supporting surface for supporting an object to be weighed;

one or more load detection sensors adapted to detect the presence of said object on said supporting surface;

a controller adapted to receive a signal from said one or more load detection sensors indicative of the relative position of the center of gravity of said object with respect to the location of said one or more load detection sensors; and

an output signal generator adapted to generate a signal indicative of said relative position.

2. ) A system according to claim 1, wherein

said output signal generator includes a signal display screen for displaying a visual signal indicative of said relative position.

3. ) A system according to claim 2, wherein

said output signal generator generates signals and displays corresponding visual signals in response to successive re-positioning of said object'"'"'s center of gravity relative to said one or more load detection sensors.

4. ) A system according to claim 1, wherein

said output signal generator generates an audible signal indicative of said relative position.

5. ) A scale for measuring the weight of an object, said scale comprising

a weight supporting surface for supporting an object to be weighed;

one or more load detection sensors adapted to detect the presence and weight of said object on said supporting surface;

a controller adapted to receive a signal from said one or more load detection sensors indicative of the relative position of the center of gravity of said object with respect to the location of said one or more load detection sensors, and one or more signals indicative of the weight of said object; and

an output signal generator adapted to generate a signal indicative of said relative position and to generate a signal indicative of the weight of said object.