Dynamic Touch Interface for Electronic Weighing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic weighing devices face limitations due to computing capacity constraints and the fragility of portable terminals in kitchen environments, leading to unsatisfactory user experiences with complex interactions and potential damage or soiling.
Innovation Solution
An electronic weighing device with a dynamic touch interface that utilizes weight sensors to recognize tactile commands, allowing the weighing platform to function as both a load measurement and control interface, reducing the need for separate recognition means and enhancing user interaction with improved precision and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable terminal is used to control the weighing device, then remote control capability is improved, but the terminal is vulnerable to damage or soiling in kitchen environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent protective cover as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the portable terminal screen. This cover transmits touch inputs while protecting the terminal from direct contact with food, water, and other kitchen contaminants, thus maintaining remote control functionality while improving terminal durability in harsh environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the weighing device has embedded processing means for complex interactions, then control functionality is improved, but computing capability constraints limit performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing capabilities of the weighing device with those of the portable terminal. The weighing device handles basic weight measurement and data collection, while complex processing, display, and control functions are offloaded to the portable terminal's more powerful processor, thus achieving advanced control functionality without overburdening the weighing device's limited computing resources.
3Ease of operation
If a touch interface is added to the weighing device, then user interaction is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the weighing platform multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a weight measurement surface and as a touch-sensitive control interface. The same physical platform detects both load weight and user touch inputs, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated touch interface and thereby reducing device complexity and cost while improving user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the weight sensing function and touch interface function into a single integrated system. The weight sensors on the platform detect both the force of placed objects and the pressure of finger touches, merging two functions into one component to reduce overall device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If weight sensors are used solely for load measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but additional recognition means are needed for control functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables weight sensors to perform dual functions: accurately measuring load weight and detecting touch commands for device control. By analyzing the position, duration, and pressure characteristics of touches on the platform, the system derives control instructions without requiring separate recognition means, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a robust, ergonomic, and efficient user interface that combines weight measurement with tactile command recognition, reducing production costs and complexity, while protecting the portable terminal from environmental damage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one weight sensor intended to emit at least one signal representative of the load applied to the receiving platform
Implementation Method 2
the means for recognizing touch commands are capable of determining at least the displacement of the contact between the two points on the surface of the touch interface as a function of the data provided by said at least one weight sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3A
AI summary
The device (1) has a reception plate (3) receiving a load to be weighed, and a weight sensor emitting a signal representative of the load applied on the plate and an application position of the load on the plate. A user control interface (25) receives instructions from a user. The user control interface has a dynamic touch interface (29) including a touch control recognition unit arranged to determine displacement of a contact between two points on a surface of the touch interface in order to control a device function. An independent claim is also included for a method for checking and/or controlling an electronic weighing device.