Electronic Scale Post-Weighing Calibration Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic scales with automatic tare calibration require users to follow cumbersome procedures, leading to human error and incorrect weight readings, especially when the scale is not used in its upright position, as they do not provide intuitive calibration processes that align with user preferences and fail to confirm successful calibration.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a post-weighing calibration method where the scale automatically determines an estimated weight, displays it with an orange ellipsis, and then recalculates to verify the weight with a green checkmark and audible tone if necessary, ensuring accurate tare weight deduction and user feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pre-weighing calibration is performed, then calibration accuracy is improved, but user convenience deteriorates because users must wait for calibration before weighing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoiduser waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The scale performs calibration in advance during the previous weighing cycle, storing the calibration data for future use. This allows the scale to be ready for immediate weighing without requiring users to wait for calibration each time they use it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scale automatically performs calibration without requiring user intervention or waiting. The system self-calibrates during the weighing process itself, eliminating the need for separate calibration steps that would delay user access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If post-weighing calibration is performed, then user convenience is improved, but calibration accuracy deteriorates when scale is stored in non-upright positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcalibration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The scale provides visual feedback through icons (orange ellipse for estimated weight, green checkmark for verified weight) and audible feedback through tones to indicate calibration status and weight verification, allowing users to understand when calibration is complete or problematic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The scale dynamically adjusts its calibration approach by first providing an estimated weight using stored calibration data, then performing verification calibration when the user steps off. This dynamic process adapts to different usage scenarios including when the scale may be in non-ideal positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If automatic calibration is implemented, then calibration speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to human error in following procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration speedVSAvoidcalibration reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The scale performs automatic calibration without requiring user intervention or adherence to complex procedures. The system self-calibrates by weighing the user, then re-calibrating when the user steps off, eliminating human error while maintaining speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The scale provides continuous feedback through display icons and audible tones to confirm calibration progress and success, ensuring users understand when calibration is complete and their weight is verified, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring user knowledge of calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of information

If weight verification with icons and tones is implemented, then user feedback is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser feedback clarityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scale uses color-coded icons (orange ellipse for estimated weight, green checkmark for verified weight) to provide intuitive visual feedback about calibration status and weight verification, making the system state immediately understandable to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The scale implements multiple feedback channels including visual display icons and audible tones to confirm calibration completion and weight verification, ensuring users receive clear confirmation without requiring complex interfaces or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11796381B1Weight verification and tare process for scale

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 GREATER GOODS LLC

AI summary

An electronic scale performs a post-weighing calibration in which the user steps on the scale, and the scale provides an estimated weight based on the scale's stored tare weight determined after the previous weighing performed by the scale. The person steps off of the scale while the estimated weight is displayed, and the scale automatically performs the calibration process to determine the scale's tare weight and verifies the weight. The estimated weight is shown with an orange ellipsis, and the verified weight is shown with a green checkmark. The scale compares the stored tare weight with the new tare weight, and if the difference between the stored tare weight and the new tare weight is within a variation threshold, the scale identifies the weight as being verified. If the difference exceeds the variation threshold, the scale recalculates the weight, displays the corrected weight, and produces a tone as an alert.