Weighing device and method

0001The present invention relates to weighing methods and devices.

0002More particularly, the invention relates to the field of electronic bathroom scales. These devices have become more and more sophisticated: for example, certain models, equipped with impedance measurement functions, make it possible to measure not only the mass of the user, but also other parameters such as the rate fat, lean, hydration, body mass index, etc. This sophistication leads to a complexity of the display and the control buttons of the scale, which is impractical given the fact that the scale is placed on the floor.

0003To make the scales more ergonomic, we can use weighing devices comprising a scale communicating with a wireless link with a remote user interface, and it is this type of scale, like that described in the document <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1239268A"><text>EP 1239268</text></patcit>, which relates more particularly to the invention.

0004The document <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US6781067B"><text>US-B-6,781,067</text></patcit> describes an example of such a scale, in which the interface device is a specific device fixed to the wall, which communicates with the scale by a dedicated one-way link.

0005The object of the present invention is in particular to improve bathroom scales of this type, in particular to improve their ergonomics.

0006To this end, the invention proposes in particular a weighing method using an electronic scale comprising a screen and communicating with a mobile telecommunication terminal provided with a display screen, the scale and the mobile terminal both communicating over the air with a telecommunication network, said telecommunication network being adapted to communicate at least the mobile terminal with at least one additional telecommunication device, the telecommunications network comprising at least one local wireless network to which the scale belongs and a platform which communicates at least with the scale, the method comprising the following steps:<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>(a0) a preliminary association step during which a code is displayed on the scale screen, the user enters said code on an input interface belonging to the mobile terminal, then sends said code by the scale to the server via the platform and the code entered on the input interface by the mobile terminal is sent to said server, after which the server checks whether there is a correspondence between the code received from the scale (1) and the code received from the mobile terminal, and if there is a match, the server has the scale associated with the mobile terminal in the wireless local area network,<ol id="ol0001" compact="compact" ol-style=""><li>(a) at least one weighing step during which the scale performs at least one measurement representative at least of the mass of the user,</li><li>(b) at least one step of two-way communication during which:<ul id="ul0002" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a user enters data in the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal transmits said information to the scale via the telecommunications network,</li><li>the scale transmits weighing data according to said measurement to the mobile terminal, via said wireless local area network,</li></ul></li><li>(c) and at least one display step during which the mobile terminal displays on the screen information depending on the weighing data transmitted in the communication step.</li></ol></li></ul>

0007Thanks to these provisions, the functionality of the user interface of the mobile terminal, which are preexisting and very rich, is used, and the preexisting communication capacities of the mobile terminal are also used. A weighing process is thus obtained which is particularly ergonomic for the user, at a lower cost. Note that the communication of data to the scale is not necessary for each use of the scale by the same user; on the contrary, this communication can possibly be limited to an initial configuration step that the same user performs only once when the scale is first used, or once from time to time.

0008In addition, given the communication possibilities offered by the telecommunications network, the method according to the invention makes it possible to access external resources, in particular to enrich the functionalities offered to the user or to enrich the weighing data presented. to the user during weighing or later.

0009In embodiments of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to have recourse to one and / or the other of the following arrangements:<ul id="ul0003" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>during the weighing step (a), an impedance measurement is also performed on the user, and during the communication step, the data entered by the user in the mobile terminal include a user profile and the weighing data transmitted by the scale to the mobile terminal include a mass and impedance data according to the user profile;</li><li>during the communication step, the scale transmits to the mobile terminal, in real time, said weighing data as a function of said measurement, by the telecommunications network, and during the display step (d) , the mobile terminal displays in real time on the screen, while the user is on the scale, said information function of the weighing data transmitted in the uplink communication step;</li></ul><ul id="ul0004" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>the mobile terminal used is a mobile telephone;</li><li>the mobile terminal also belongs to the wireless local area network and during the communication step, the scale transmits said weighing data to the mobile terminal only via said wireless local area network;</li><li>said telecommunication network further comprises a remote network distinct from the wireless local area network, the platform communicates with at least one server via said remote network, the mobile terminal also communicating with said server via the remote network, and during the communication step, the scale transmits said weighing data to the mobile terminal via said server, through said remote network;</li><li>during the communication step, the server transmits additional information to the mobile terminal in addition to said weighing data, by said remote network;</li><li>during the communication step, the server communicates with the mobile terminal via the platform;</li><li>during the communication step, the server communicates with the mobile terminal directly by the remote network without going through the platform;</li><li>the communication step comprises bidirectional communication between the scale and the mobile terminal;</li><li>during the weighing step, the scale seeks to automatically match the user with at least one predetermined user profile to determine said weighing data using at least one predetermined law depending on the user profile, and during the communication step, if the user is not a regular user of the scale, said user identifies himself as a guest on the mobile terminal and the scale then ceases to seek to automatically match the user with a predetermined user profile;</li><li>if said user identifies himself as a guest on the mobile terminal, then the mobile terminal offers him to select a user profile from a preexisting list, and after choosing a user profile, this profile is transmitted to the scale to determine said weighing data using at least one predetermined law dependent on the selected user profile;</li><li>at least one update step during which the server updates software in the scale;</li><li>the weighing data comprises the mass of the user, calculated using at least one parameter for calculating the mass of the user from said measurement representative of the mass of the user during the measurement step, and during said updating step, the server geographically locates the scale using geolocation functionalities of the remote network, and updates said user mass calculation parameter based on said geographic location;</li><li>the weighing data comprises the mass of the user, calculated using at least one parameter for calculating the mass of the user from said measurement representative of the mass of the user during the measurement step, said measurement representative of the mass of the user being carried out by at least one strain gauge belonging to the scale, and during said updating step, the server updates said parameter for calculating the mass of the user as a function of statistical data relating to scales in service;</li><li>the weighing data includes impedance data calculated from impedance measurements made by the scale, using at least one predetermined calculation law, and during said updating step, the server updates said law of calculation;</li><li>the weighing data obtained during the measurement step are time-stamped, and the method comprises a time setting step during which an internal clock belonging to the scale is updated using setting functionalities at the time available in said telecommunications network;</li><li>during the measurement step, the scale has n number of measurements per n strain gauges belonging to said scale, and the weighing data includes the mass of the user, calculated according to a predetermined relationship in as a function of the n measurements of the strain gauges, the method comprising a calibration step during which a known mass is successively placed at least n times on the scale, respectively in n different places and each time the n measurements of the strain gauges are stored, then said predetermined relationship is determined from the measurements thus carried out.</li></ul>

0010Furthermore, the invention also relates to a weighing device comprising:<ul id="ul0005" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>an electronic bathroom scale comprising a screen and adapted to carry out at least one measurement representative of at least the mass of a user placed on said bathroom scale,</li><li>a mobile telecommunication terminal with a display screen and an input interface, the scale and the mobile terminal both communicating by radio with a telecommunication network suitable for communicating at least the mobile terminal with at least one additional telecommunication device, the scale being adapted to transmit to the mobile terminal, weighing data as a function of said measurement, by the telecommunication network, the telecommunication network comprising at least one local wireless network to which the scale belongs and a platform which communicates at least with the scale, the scale being adapted to display a code on its screen and send said code by the scale to the server via the platform, the mobile terminal being adapted to receive said code by entering on its input interface and sending the code entered on the input interface to said server, the server being adapted to check whether there is a correspondence between the code received from the scale and the code received from the mobile terminal, and if there is a match, have the scale associated with the mobile terminal in the local network without wire, and the mobile terminal being adapted for:<ul id="ul0006" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>transmit data entered into the mobile terminal by the user to the scale, via the telecommunications network,</li><li>and display in real time on the screen, information according to the weighing data transmitted by the scale.</li></ul></li></ul>

0011In embodiments of the device according to the invention, it is also possible to have recourse to one and / or the other of the following arrangements:<ul id="ul0007" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>the scale is suitable for carrying out an impedance measurement on the user, the weighing data comprising a mass of the user and impedance data, the mobile terminal being adapted:</li><li>for the user to enter a user profile</li><li>and to send this user profile to the scale, the scale being adapted to determine said impedance data as a function of said user profile;</li><li>the user profile includes the age, size and gender of the user;</li><li>said telecommunications network comprises a remote network and the scale is adapted to transmit said weighing data to a server by said remote network;</li><li>the mobile terminal used is a mobile telephone;</li><li>the telecommunication network comprises at least one local wireless network to which the scale belongs, the scale being adapted to transmit said weighing data to the mobile terminal via said wireless local network;</li><li>said wireless local area network operates according to a communication protocol chosen from WIFI and BLUETOOTH protocols;</li><li>the mobile terminal also belongs to the wireless local area network and the scale is suitable for transmitting said weighing data to the mobile terminal only via said wireless local area network;</li><li>the local network further comprises a platform which communicates at least with the scale, and said telecommunications network further comprises a remote network distinct from the wireless local area network, the platform communicating with at least one server via said network remote (5), the mobile terminal also communicating with said server via the remote network.</li></ul>

0012Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0013In the drawings:<ul id="ul0008" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>the <figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref> is a perspective view showing an example of a weighing device according to an embodiment, comprising a scale and a mobile terminal,</li><li>the <figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating certain components of the devices belonging to the weighing device of the <figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>,</li><li>the <figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref> shows an example of a screen page that can be displayed by the mobile terminal of the device for weighing <figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, during an initial step of association between the scale and the mobile terminal,</li><li>the <figref idref="f0003">figure 4</figref> shows an example of a screen page that can be displayed by the mobile terminal of the device for weighing <figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, when weighing a user,</li><li>and the <figref idref="f0003">figure 5</figref> shows an example of a screen page that can be displayed by the mobile terminal of the device for weighing <figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, when entering the user profile of a guest user.</li></ul>

0014In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

0015The <figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref> shows an example of a weighing device according to an embodiment of the invention.

0016This weighing device comprises, in all cases, an electronic scale 1 on which a user U can be placed to measure in particular his weight, and a mobile telecommunication terminal 2, provided with a screen 3.

0017The mobile terminal 2 in question can conventionally be a mobile telephone, but could also be constituted by any other portable mobile device of the personal organizer ("PDA") or other type, endowed with radio communication capacities.

0018The scale 1 can be for example an impedance scale, suitable for measuring not only the weight of the user U, but also for performing impedance masures by the soles of the user to determine parameters such as fat, lean, hydration, body mass index, etc. The scale 1 is provided with radio communication means.

0019The mobile terminal 2 can thus communicate with the bathroom scale 1 bidirectionally during the weighing of the user U, by communicating the bathroom scale 1 and the mobile terminal 2 over the same homogeneous telecommunications network. or heterogeneous.

0020In the particular example of the <figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>, the above-mentioned telecommunications network is a heterogeneous network comprising:<ul id="ul0009" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>on the one hand, a wireless local area network operating for example according to the WIFI protocol (IEEE 802.11x standard) or according to the BLUETOOTH protocol, or other,</li><li>and, on the other hand, a remote network, in this case the Internet network 5, which is connected to the aforementioned local network by a platform 4 (POA) itself belonging to the wireless local area network. The platform 4 can be constituted by any known gateway operating in a wireless local area network and forming an Internet access point.</li></ul>

0021The scale 1 and the mobile terminal 2 can thus communicate with at least one remote server 6 via the Internet 5.

0022It will be noted that the mobile terminal 2 can be provided with functionalities giving it direct access to the Internet network, by using for example a third generation radio telephone link (for example a UMTS link) or higher, so that the mobile terminal 2 can possibly access the server 6 without going through the platform 4.

0023As shown in more detail on the <figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref>, the mobile telephone 2 (TEL) may for example include a central unit 9 (UC) such as a microprocessor or the like, controlling:<ul id="ul0010" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>screen 3,</li><li>at least one modem 10 connected to at least one radiocommunication antenna 11 to communicate either with the local wireless network (for example in WIFI mode), or directly with the Internet network 5 (for example in UMTS mode).</li></ul>

0024The screen 3 can be a touch screen serving as an input interface, or the mobile terminal can have a separate input terminal such as a keyboard (not shown), also connected to the central unit 9 .

0025The scale 1 (SC) comprises, meanwhile, an electronic central unit 12 (UC) such as a microprocessor or the like, which is connected to:<ul id="ul0011" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>at least one weight sensor 13, for example to a number n of weight sensors S1-S4 such as strain gauges, n can for example be equal to 4,</li><li>one or more impedance sensors 14 (S5-S8) capable of carrying out impedance measurements from the soles of the feet of the user U,</li><li>a modem 15 connected to at least one radiocommunication antenna 16 capable of communicating with the above-mentioned wireless local area network,</li><li>where appropriate, a display screen 1a,</li><li>and if necessary, an association button 1b whose usefulness will be seen later.</li></ul>

0026The platform 4, for its part, comprises an electronic central unit 17 (UC) such as a microprocessor or the like, which is connected:<ul id="ul0012" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a modem 18 adapted to communicate with the wireless local area network by means of an antenna 19,</li><li>and to an additional modem 20, for example an ADSL modem, provided with a connection socket 21 which can be connected to the connector 22 of a cable 23 connected to the telephone network to access the Internet network 5.</li></ul>

0027The device which has just been described can operate as follows.

Initial calibration of the scale

0028Before putting scale 1 into operation, it is possible to carry out a calibration step on this scale, either at the factory or at the user's place.

0029By way of example, the central unit 12 of the scale can determine the mass M of the user U during a weighing, as a linear combination of the n measurements R1-Rn (n = 4 in the example considered here) performed simultaneously by the n strain gauges 13, multiplied respectively by n calculation parameters α1αn: <maths id="math0001" num=""><math display="block"><mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">M</mi><mo>=</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">α</mi><mn mathvariant="normal">1.</mn><mi mathvariant="normal">R</mi><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn><mo>+</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">α</mi><mn mathvariant="normal">2.</mn><mi mathvariant="normal">R</mi><mn mathvariant="normal">2</mn><mo>+</mo><mo>…</mo><mo>+</mo><mi mathvariant="normal">αn</mi><mn mathvariant="normal">.</mn><mi mathvariant="normal">Rn</mi><mn>.</mn></mrow></math><img file="EP2422170B1_D0001.tif" /></maths>

0030In this case, the n calculation parameters α1-αn can be determined by successively positioning a known mass M0 at least n times on the scale 1, respectively in n different places, and by storing each time the n measurements of the gauges of constraint. The mass M0 being known, we thus obtain at least n equations with n unknowns (the calculation parameters α1-αn). The resolution of this system of linear equations allows the central unit 12 of the scale to calculate the n calculation parameters α1-αn.

0031If this calibration step is carried out by the user, said user can be guided in this process by indications given for example by the screen 1a of the scale.

0032It will be noted that, when the calibration step comprises more than n weighings of the predetermined mass M0, this calibration step can also make it possible to verify that the strain gauges 13 of the scale can be considered as thin gauges whose the resistance measurement Ri varies linearly with the force undergone Fi.

0033It will be noted that this calibration mode can be used when the mass M of the user is calculated by any law (including non-linear) as a function of the measurements of the strain gauges 13.

Initial stages of association

0034Before using the scale 1, it is necessary to integrate it into the wireless local area network, and also to integrate the wireless terminal 2 into this wireless local area network, at least when the scale 1 and the terminal mobile 2 communicate using only the wireless LAN.

0035The integration of the scale 1 into the wireless local area network can be carried out by association with the platform 4, either purely automatically, or by imposing on the user manipulations on the scale 1 by means of the button 1b and / or other buttons (not shown) belonging to this scale, so that the scale 1 communicates by WIFI with the platform 4.

0036At the end of this first association step, the scale 1 communicates by the wireless local area network with the platform 4, which communicates itself with the server 6 via the Internet network 5.

0037In the same way, the mobile terminal 2 can enter the local wireless network by association with the platform 4, in a conventional manner, which thus allows the mobile terminal to dialogue with the platform 4, in WIFI mode in the example considered. here.

0038In addition or as a variant, the scale 1 can be associated directly with the mobile terminal 2, so that they interact directly with each other. To this end, it is advantageously possible to proceed as follows:<ul id="ul0013" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>the user presses the association button 1b on the scale;</li><li>in response to the actuation of this button 1b, the central unit 12 of the scale displays on its screen 1a a code, for example a random code, and advantageously a code comprising few characters (for example 4 digits);</li><li>simultaneously the user U launches on his mobile terminal a “scale” application and chooses from a menu, an “association” option which allows him, for example, to display a screen page such as that represented on the <figref idref="f0003">figure 3</figref>, allowing the user to enter the code displayed on the screen 1a of the scale in a field 3a of the screen page, the entry of this code can be carried out for example by means of virtual keys 3b displayed by l 'touch screen 3;</li><li>the code entered by the user is transmitted by the mobile terminal 2 to the server 6, directly by the Internet network 5, using the UMTS or similar link of the mobile terminal;</li><li>the code displayed by the screen 1a of the scale 1 is transmitted to the same server 6 by the scale, via the platform 4 and the Internet 5;</li><li>the server 6 compares the two codes and, in the event of a match, gives instructions to the mobile terminal 2 and to the bathroom scale 1 to associate to dialogue together in the WIFI wireless local area network.</li></ul>

0039We can thus obtain a direct two-way communication in WIFI mode between the scale 1 and the mobile terminal 2.

0040It will be noted that the bidirectional communication between the scale 1 and the mobile terminal 2 could be obtained in various other ways in the context of the present invention, for example:<ul id="ul0014" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>by communicating the bathroom scale 1 and the mobile terminal 2 inside the wireless local area network, but via the platform 4,</li><li>by making the scale communicate with the server 6 via the platform 4 and the Internet network 5, and by making the mobile terminal 2 communicate with the server 6 by the remote radio link (UMTS in the example considered) of the mobile terminal.</li></ul>

Weighing

0041Each time a user U wants to use the scale 1, he launches the application "scale" on his mobile terminal 2, so as to activate the two-way communication between the scale 1 and the mobile terminal 2 .

0042The user U then climbs onto the scale 1, as shown in solid lines on the <figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>, after which the bathroom scale 1 records the measurements R1-R4 from the strain gauges 13 (in practice, resistance measurements) and body impedance measurements from the impedance sensors 14. From these various measurements , the central unit 12 of the scale determines the mass M of the user by the aforementioned formula M-α1R1 + α2R2 + α3R3 + α4R4 (in the case considered here where the scale 1 comprises four strain gauges).

0043Furthermore, to process the impedance measurements coming from the impedance sensors 14, the central unit 12 of the scale uses predetermined calculation laws making it possible to obtain parameters such as the rate of fat, the rate of material lean, hydration rate, body mass index, etc. These predetermined laws are generally empirical laws depending on the profile of the user, and in particular on his sex, his age and his size.

0044The central unit 12 can have in memory a certain number of usual users of the bathroom scale 1 with their user profile and the last mass measurements carried out. The central scale unit 12 can thus automatically recognize the user U in the process of using the scale, as a function of the mass measured.

0045As a variant, the profiles of usual users can be stored on the platform 4 or on the server 6 in which case, the scale 1 will search on one of its devices for the user profile closest to the user U using the scale 1.

0046Once the user profile which corresponds to the user U currently using the scale 1 has been determined, the central unit 12 of the scale can use the law of impedance measurement calculation which corresponds to the profile of user, and display for example a screen page such as that of the <figref idref="f0003">figure 4</figref>, on the screen 3 of the mobile terminal 2.

0047In this example, screen 3 of the mobile terminal displays the name corresponding to the user profile (here "Jean Dupont"), the measured mass (here 68 kg), at least one impedance measurement parameter calculated during weighing, for example the fat content (here 18%), and the date and time of the measurement (here March 19, 2009 at 7:29).

0048The screen page displayed on the screen 3 also includes virtual keys 3c of the touch screen, for example a MENU key allowing access for example to various display options (in particular for displaying other impedance measurement data ), and a STATISTICS key allowing access for example to statistical data stored for example on the server 6.

0049The time-stamped weighing data (mass and impedance data) are transferred to server 6:<ul id="ul0015" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>either by the bathroom scale 1 through the platform 4,</li><li>either by the mobile terminal 2, via the platform 4 or directly by its remote radio link (here the UMTS link).</li></ul>

0050Advantageously, when the “bathroom scale” application is launched on the mobile terminal 2, the touch screen 3 of the mobile terminal can display a virtual “INVITE” button which, when activated by the user U, stops the automatic search for a preexisting user profile and displays a screen page like the one shown on the <figref idref="f0003">figure 5</figref>, where the user can enter information on their gender, age and size in three 3D fields, using virtual keys 3e displayed on the touch screen 3 of the mobile terminal 2.

0051Once the guest user profile has been entered, the impedance data can then be calculated and displayed with the mass of the user on the screen 3 of the mobile terminal, as already explained previously and as shown in the <figref idref="f0003">figure 4</figref>.

0052It will be noted that the weighing data can be consulted by the user U on the terminal 2 not only when he is on the scale 1, but also when he is away from it, as shown in dashed lines on the <figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>. Optionally, the user U could use the scale 1 without his mobile terminal 2, by simply reading the screen 1a of the scale, then could later consult, on the terminal 2, the weighing data transmitted by the scale - person 1.

Updating the scale

0053When the scale 1 is in operation and communicates with the platform 4, the server 6 can update the software operating the scale. Likewise, the server 6 can update the “scale” application operating on the mobile terminal 2.

0054These updates can relate either to the code of the software in question, or to certain parameters for calculating the mass of the user or impedance data calculated from the impedance measurements.

0055Thus, the parameters αi for calculating the mass of the user, can be updated from time to time as a function of the age of the scale 1, from statistical data relating to scales in service, originating for example data from the after-sales service and making it possible to model the aging of the strain gauges of the scale 1.

0056Likewise, the server 6 can update in the memory of the central unit 12 of the scale 1, the calculation laws making it possible to determine the impedance data as a function of the impedance measurements as a function of the profile of user, these updates being able to intervene for example on the occasion of scientific advances allowing progress in said laws of calculation.

0057Furthermore, when the initial step of calibrating the balance is carried out in the factory, at a site corresponding to a value g0 of gravity acceleration, it is possible to update the calculation parameters αi of the mass of the user according to the geographical location of the scale 1.

0058To this end, the server 6 can for example geographically locate the scale 1 by using geolocation functionalities of the Internet network 5, for example simply as a function of the IP address of the scale 1. Alternatively, this geolocation can intervene by using geolocation functionalities of the remote radio link used by the mobile terminal 2, for example if this link is a UMTS link.

0059Depending on the geographic location of scale 1, the server 6 can send scale 1 a correcting parameter g / g0 or g is the acceleration value of gravity at the location where the scale is located 1, in which case the scale 1 corrects the initial parameters αi0 for mass calculation by corrected calculation parameters αi = αi0 * g / g0. We can thus obtain more precise measurements of the mass of the user U using these corrected parameters, in the aforementioned formula M = α1.R1 + α2.R2 + α3.R3 + α4.R4).

0060Finally, the internal clock of the central unit 12 of the scale can be updated automatically, for example each time the scale is put into service or at a regular time interval, for example by using updating functionalities. the time available on the communication network with which the scale communicates, i.e. the wireless local area network and / or the Internet 5.