Balance control system for weight scales

• US 7,100,439 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conair LLC (Conair Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Conair Corporation
• Inventors: Carlucci, Vito James
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W.
• Application Number:
  US10/308,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20040118617A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,373 Days
• Field of Search: 178/18.05, 177199-200, 600/587, 600/592, 731/72
• US Class Current: 73/172
• 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;

three 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 three 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 three or more load detection sensors;

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

an electronic visual indicator adapted to display said signal indicative of said relative position in the form of an array of lights arranged symmetrically,

wherein said electronic visual indicator further comprises a central light within said array of lights.

2. A system according to claim 1, 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 three or more load detection sensors.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said output signal generator generates an audible signal indicative of said relative position.

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

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

three 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 three 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 three or more load detection sensors, and one or more signals indicative of the weight of said object;

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

an electronic visual indicator adapted to display said signal indicative of said relative position of said object in the form of an array of lights arranged symmetrically and a central light within said array of lights.