ELECTRONIC WEIGHING SYSTEM

• US 20110240379A1
• Filed: 09/28/2010
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OVS Incorporated
• Original Assignee: OVS Incorporated
• Inventors: Lawrence, Kenneth G., Fabbro, James R., Forshaw, Michael E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,704,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/50 having additional measuring devices, e.g. for height
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network

Abstract

An electronic weighing device is provided. The electronic weighing device comprises an elongate frame; a head unit, wherein the head unit is supported by the frame. The electronic weighing device further includes a scale platform coupled to a base of the frame, and a load-cell module residing in the scale platform, wherein the load-cell module is configured to convert a force on the scale platform when a user stands on the scale platform, into a measurable electrical output signal. The electronic weighing device further includes an electronic display device in the head unit, an electronics module coupled to the load-cell module and to the electronic display device, wherein the electronics module is configured for interacting with a user via the electronic display device and determining the weight of the user based on an electrical output signal from the load-cell. The electronic weighing device further comprises a communication module configured for communicating with a remote device via a communication link.

Claims

1. An electronic weighing device, comprising:

an elongate frame;

a head unit, wherein the head unit is supported by the frame;

a scale platform coupled to a base of the frame;

a load-cell module residing in the scale platform, wherein the load-cell module is configured to convert a force on the scale platform when a user stands on the scale platform, into a measurable electrical output signal;

an electronic display device in the head unit;

an electronics module coupled to the load-cell module and to the electronic display device, wherein the electronics module is configured for interacting with a user via the electronic display device and determining the weight of the user based on an electrical output signal from the load-cell; and

a communication module configured for communicating with another device via a communication link.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronics module is configured for communication with a remote device via a communication link.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein:

the head unit further comprises a rectilinear housing having a front face plate and a back cover; and

the head unit is angled on the frame for optimal viewing of the electronic display device.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein:

the electronic display device comprises a touch-screen display configure for receiving input data from, and displaying output data to, a user.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the electronics module further comprises:

a user interface module configured for interacting with a user, wherein the user interface module is configured for controlling an input module for receiving user input, and controlling the electronic display device for displaying information using a graphical user interface (GUI); and

a processing module configured for controlling the user interface module for user interaction, the processing module further configured for generating output data based on input data, wherein the input data includes an electrical output signal from the load-cell and user input data received from a user via the user interface, and wherein the output data includes the determined weight of a user standing on the platform.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a power module configured for providing electrical power to the electronics module.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein:

the communication module is further configured for communicating with a user electronic device utilizing a communication link.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein:

the communication module is further configured for communicating with a user electronic device utilizing a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) protocol via a communication link; and

the processing module is further configured for communicating with a remote server via a communication link using the communication module.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein:

the processing module is configured for transmitting user input data and output data, to a remote server.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein:

the processing module is further configured for receiving information from the remote server to display via the GUI.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein the processing module is further configured to request user input data comprising one or more of:

a gender of the user;

a height of the user;

a date of birth of the user;

a body shape of the user; and

an activity level of the user.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the processing module is further configured to generate output data based on user input data and the load-cell output signal, the output data comprising one or more of:

a calculated weight of the user;

an ideal weight of the user;

a body mass index (BMI) of the user;

a suggested daily caloric intake of the user; and

biorhythm cycle values of the user.

13. The device of claim 5, wherein:

the processing is module is further configured to display customized advertising to the user based on the user input.

14. The device of claim 5, further comprising:

a currency module configured for receiving a user payment before generating output data for the user.

15. The device of claim 5, further comprising:

a data storage module configured for storing information including user input data and the output data.

16. The device of claim 5, wherein:

the processing module is further configured to receive user selection via the GUI indicating a destination for the output data, wherein the destination includes one or more of;

electronic mail address, text message address and phone number; and

the processing module is further configured to transmit the output data to one or more destinations indicated by the user.

17. The device of claim 5, further comprising an application module configured for controlling the processing module in generating the output data.

18. A weighing system, comprising:

one or more electronic weighting devices, each electronic weighing device comprising;

an elongate frame;

a head unit, wherein the head unit is supported by the frame;

a scale platform coupled to a base of the frame;

a load-cell module residing in the scale platform, wherein the load-cell module is configured to convert a force on the scale platform when a user stands on the scale platform, into a measurable electrical output signal;

an electronic display in the head unit;

an electronics module coupled to the load-cell module and to the electronic display device, wherein the electronics module is configured for interacting with a user via the electronic display and determining the weight of the user based on an electrical output signal from the load-cell;

a communication module configured for communicating with another device via a communication link; and

a remote server device configured for interaction with at least one of the electronic weighting devices via the communication link.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein:

the remote server device comprises a controller module configured for;

receiving information from at least one of the electronic weighing devices, the received information including one or more of;

user input data and output data generated for the user by the electronics module; and

transmitting information to at least one of the electronic weighing devices based on the received information.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein:

controller module is configured for transmitting advertisements to at least one of the electronic weighing devices via the communication link for display to the user on the electronic display, based on the received information.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein:

the controller module is further configured for providing functional updates to at least one of the electronic weighing systems via the communication link.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the electronics module in each electronic weighing device further comprises:

a user interface module configured for interacting with a user, wherein the user interface module is configured for controlling an input module for receiving user input, and controlling the electronic display device for displaying information using a graphical user interface (GUI); and

a processing module configured for controlling the user interface module for user interaction, the processing module further configured for generating output data based on input data, wherein the input data includes an electrical output signal from the load-cell and user input data received from a user via the user interface, and wherein the output data includes the determined weight of a user standing on the platform.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the processing module is further configured to request user input data comprising one or more of:

a gender of the user;

a height of the user;

a date of birth of the user;

a body shape of the user; and

an activity level of the user.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the processing module is further configured to generate output data based on user input data and the load-cell output signal, the output data comprising one or more of:

a calculated weight of the user;

an ideal weight of the user;

a body mass index (BMI) of the user;

a suggested daily caloric intake of the user; and

biorhythm cycle values of the user.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein:

the processing module in each electronic weighing device is further configured to receive user selection via the GUI indicating a destination for the output data, wherein the destination includes one or more of;

electronic mail address, text message address and phone number; and

the remote server is further configured to transmit the output data to one or more destinations indicated by the user.

26. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

multiple electronic weighing devices; and

multiple remote server devices.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication module comprises a wireless communication module.

28. A method for electronically weighing a user, comprising:

when a user stands on a scale platform of the electronic weighing device, generating output data including the weight of the user based on an electrical output signal from a load-cell in the scale platform, wherein the load-cell converts a force on the scale platform into a measurable electrical output signal; and

transmitting the output data to a remote device via a communication link.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication link.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein transmitting the output data to a remote device via a communication link comprises transmitting the output data to a remote user device.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving input data from a user of the electronic weighing device, and

generating output data including the weight of the user based on the user input data and the electrical output signal from a load-cell in the scale platform.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the input data includes one or more of:

a gender of the user;

a height of the user;

a date of birth of the user;

a body shape of the user; and

an activity level of the user.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the output data includes one or more of:

a calculated weight of the user;

an ideal weight of the user;

a body mass index (BMI) of the user;

a suggested daily caloric intake of the user; and

biorhythm cycle values of the user.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving user selection indicating a destination for the output data, wherein the destination includes one or more of;

electronic mail address, text message address and phone number; and

transmitting the output data from the electronic weighing device to one or more destinations indicated by the user.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein transmitting the output data to a remote device via a communication link comprises transmitting the output data to a remote server device.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

receiving user selection indicating a destination for the output data, wherein the destination includes one or more of;

electronic mail address, text message address and phone number; and

transmitting the output data from the remote server device to one or more destinations indicated by the user.

37. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

prior to generating the output data, receiving a payment from the user.

38. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

providing the electronic weighing device, the electronic weighing device comprising;

an elongate frame;

a head unit, wherein the head unit is supported by the frame;

a scale platform coupled to a base of the frame;

a load-cell module residing in the scale platform, wherein the load-cell module is configured to convert a force on the scale platform when a user stands on the scale platform, into a measurable electrical output signal;

an electronic display in the head unit;

an electronics module coupled to the load-cell module and to the electronic display device, wherein the electronics module is configured for interacting with a user via the electronic display and calculating the weight of the user based on an electrical output signal from the load-cell; and

a communication module configured for communicating with another device via a communication link.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the head unit further comprises:

a rectilinear housing having a front face plate and a back cover; and

a touch-screen LCD capable of receiving the input data from and displaying the output data to a user;

wherein the head unit is angled on the frame for optimal reading and interaction.

40. The method of claim 28, wherein the communication link comprises the Internet.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein:

transmitting the output data to a remote device via a communication link communication module comprises transmitting to an SMTP server a message addressed to the user, the message comprising the output data; and

the method further comprising transmitting the user input data and the output data to a remote server device.