Electronic Weighing Scale with Configurable Check Weight Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic weighing scales with check weigh functionality lack user configurability and clear visual indicators for target weight deviations, making it difficult to ensure precise portion control in food services, where different ingredients require varying levels of accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An electronic weighing scale with a user interface featuring programmable check weigh memory buttons and a visual indicator that emits different colors or light patterns to signify whether the measured weight is above, below, or within a target weight range, allowing users to set specific tolerances for each ingredient, enabling precise and efficient measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If check weigh functionality is provided with fixed target weights, then the scale can perform basic portion control, but it lacks adaptability for different ingredients requiring varying accuracy levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different ingredient requirementsVSAvoiduser configurability of target weights

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scale transitions from static fixed target weights to dynamic user-configurable target weights. Users can program different target weights and tolerances into memory buttons according to specific ingredient requirements, allowing the device to adapt dynamically to various portion control needs while maintaining ease of operation through simple button programming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing of critical parameters (target weight and tolerance) that define check weigh operations. By enabling users to program specific target weights and tolerance values for different ingredients, the scale can optimize measurement parameters according to ingredient value and recipe precision requirements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a single tolerance level is used for all ingredients, then the operation is simple, but it cannot provide precise control for expensive ingredients versus loose control for less expensive ones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportion control precisionVSAvoidtolerance configuration simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different tolerance levels are assigned to different ingredients based on their specific requirements. High-value ingredients receive tighter tolerances for precise control, while lower-value ingredients use looser tolerances. Each memory button can be configured with ingredient-specific tolerances, allowing localized optimization of measurement precision without complicating overall operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Tolerance levels and target weights are programmed in advance into memory buttons during setup. This preliminary configuration allows users to simply select pre-configured settings during operation, maintaining ease of use while achieving precise control for different ingredient types without requiring complex real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If visual indicators clearly show weight deviations, then users can quickly identify portion accuracy, but the device complexity increases with multiple indicator configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual feedback clarityVSAvoidvisual indicator system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scale uses color-coded visual indicators to communicate weight deviation status. Different colors represent different tolerance breach conditions (e.g., green for within tolerance, yellow for approaching limits, red for exceeding tolerances). This color-based feedback system provides immediate, intuitive visual information about portion accuracy without requiring complex display interfaces or multiple indicator types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS11408762B2Electronic weighing scales with user-configurable check weigh function and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 EDLUND CO LLC

AI summary

Electronic weighing scales with check weigh functionality that include user interfaces and programming capability that are designed for both ease of use and configurability. In some examples, electronic weighing scales include check weigh memory buttons configured for one-touch programming that can be used for quickly and easily storing and recalling a target weight. In some examples, electronic weighing scales include check weigh visual indicators designed and configured to conspicuously display a result of a check weigh function weight comparison.