Flexible Smart Mat with Embedded Strain Gauges for Automatic Weight Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for monitoring body weight require conscious user interaction and are heavy, making them impractical for routine, daily use as household mats.
Innovation Solution
A smart mat-scale that uses flexible, lightweight materials with embedded strain gauge circuitry to automatically detect and transmit body weight data wirelessly, allowing for inconspicuous and continuous monitoring, even during daily activities, and includes features like BMI and heart rate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bathroom scales are used for body weight monitoring, then measurement reliability is maintained, but device weight becomes excessive and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The scale is divided into multiple independent pressure sensor tiles arranged in a grid pattern. Each tile contains its own strain gauge circuitry and can independently measure pressure. This segmentation allows the use of lighter individual components while maintaining overall measurement accuracy through data aggregation from multiple tiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using multiple smaller pressure sensors distributed across the platform rather than relying on a single heavy load cell. The system measures pressure at multiple points and calculates total weight through software processing, enabling the use of lighter materials for the platform.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated biomedical pressure sensing devices are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensing platform multi-functional by integrating not only weight measurement but also BMI calculation, heart rate monitoring, and gait analysis capabilities. The same pressure sensor tiles serve multiple purposes: measuring vertical force for weight, detecting pressure distribution for gait analysis, and serving as contact points for bioelectrical impedance measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single integrated platform. The pressure sensor tiles serve dual purposes for both weight measurement and gait analysis. Additionally, the platform integrates bioelectrical impedance sensors, wireless communication, and data processing in one unified device, eliminating the need for separate biomedical equipment.
3Measurement precision
If conventional scales requiring conscious user action are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but user convenience and routine usage decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The scale automatically detects when a user steps onto the platform and initiates measurement without requiring any conscious action from the user. The system self-activates based on pressure detection, automatically calculates weight and BMI, and triggers wireless data transmission. This eliminates the need for users to press buttons or consciously initiate the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The scale performs preliminary calibration and zeroing operations automatically when placed on a flat surface, before any user interaction is needed. The system prepares the measurement circuitry and wireless communication channels in advance, so that when the user simply steps on the platform, the measurement is immediately captured and transmitted.
4Strength
If heavy glass platforms are used for load bearing, then structural strength is ensured, but ease of handling and adoption as household mat decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rigid glass platform with a flexible or semi-rigid mat structure that can be easily rolled up, moved, and stored. The mat incorporates flexible printed circuit boards and flexible pressure sensor elements that maintain functionality while enabling portability. This allows the scale to be handled like a regular household mat rather than a heavy piece of equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining flexible substrates with embedded sensing elements. The platform may use materials like flexible polymers, fabric composites, or thin rigid layers with flexible circuitry, creating a structure that provides sufficient load-bearing capacity while remaining lightweight and easy to handle. The composite construction integrates structural support, sensing, and flexibility in a single material system.
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
Enables reliable, continuous, and automatic body weight monitoring without the need for conscious user action, providing lighter and more practical solutions for household use, with data transmission to smartphones or hubs for tracking and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
embedded strain gauge circuitry to automatically detect
Data Source
AI summary
A smart mat and scale to detect and communicate body weight of a user and other related data and a smart mat weight detection, calculation, and communication system configured to wirelessly communicate with nearby devices and over a network to a cloud application service and cloud database are disclosed smart mat (bathroom mat, shower mat, kitchen mat, work area mat, or other household mat or commonly used mat), that has circuitry to inconspicuously sense body weight and related data, transmit wirelessly to a phone or hub is disclosed. The smart mat presented herein incorporates technology to well-known household product and enables gathering of body weight data subconsciously and hence allowing gathering consistent data over period of time. It is also preferred to be flexible, light weight and withstand conventional cleaning practices.