Adaptive Weighing System with Dynamic Measurement Sequences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of advanced body scales that provide comprehensive health scans may find the duration of these scans too long, leading to reduced frequency of use or disabling of measurements, which compromises health monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A weighing system that uses a sensor device to generate configuration data during a configuration period, allowing control circuitry to select a measurement sequence from multiple available sequences based on identified patterns, such as load or impedance distributions, enabling users to choose the level of health insights desired.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complete health scan with multiple physiological measurements is performed, then health monitoring effectiveness is improved, but measurement duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealth monitoring effectivenessVSAvoidmeasurement duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the measurement sequence based on detected load patterns. When a user steps on the scale with a specific pattern (e.g., alternating feet), the system automatically selects a corresponding measurement sequence from multiple predefined sequences, transitioning between different measurement depths without user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by making the measurement duration adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of measurement sequence selection based on detected load patterns. By identifying patterns in the configuration data (such as which foot touches first), the system selects different measurement sequences that vary in duration and depth of physiological measurements performed. This allows the same device to provide both quick weight-only measurements and comprehensive health scans depending on the detected pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If measurement duration is reduced for user convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but health monitoring effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidhealth monitoring effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the user's load pattern and selecting the appropriate measurement sequence without requiring the user to manually choose between different measurement modes. The scale itself determines whether to perform a quick weight measurement or a comprehensive health scan based on the detected pattern, eliminating the need for user intervention while maintaining both convenience and monitoring effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement protocol dynamically adapts to user behavior patterns. The system monitors how the user steps on the scale and automatically adjusts the measurement sequence accordingly, providing short measurements when users indicate they want quick results and comprehensive measurements when the pattern suggests willingness to wait for full health analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple measurement sequences are made available, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement sequence selectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is segmented into multiple predefined sequences, each corresponding to a specific load pattern. Instead of having a single complex adaptive system that decides in real-time what measurements to perform, the complexity is segmented into discrete, pre-configured measurement sequences that are triggered by specific detected patterns. This segmentation makes the system more manageable and easier to implement while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4549888A1A weighing system with a plurality of measurement sequences
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 WITHINGS SAS
  • EP4549888A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4549888A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4549888A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A measurement system comprises a sensor device configured to generate configuration data during a configuration period and measurement data during a measurement period, the measurement data being representative of a physiological state of the user, and control circuitry configured to select a measurement sequence among a plurality of available measurement sequences, wherein each measurement sequence includes at least one physiological measurement of the user to generate measurement data, the selection being based at least on the configuration data. The selection is based at least on an identification in the configuration data of a pattern amongst a plurality of predetermined patterns associated to the plurality of available measurement sequences. The sensor device is further configured to generate the measurement data according to the selected measurement sequence.