摘要:
A heating pad controller is provided which varies the duty cycle during which power is applied to a heating pad heating element. In one embodiment according to the present invention, an oscillator circuit is used to vary the off-time of the duty cycle, with the on-time portion being fixed. User control of the off-time is provided by way of a rotary control knob connected to a potentiometer. The potentiometer is part of the oscillator circuit and is used to vary the resistance through which a capacitor in the oscillator circuit charges up. The output of the oscillator circuit is used to control the gate of a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR), which acts as a power switch through which power is applied to the heating element. During power up, the oscillator circuit is overridden and a continuous control signal is applied to the SCR to provide constant power to the heating element to thereby achieve rapid heating. In an alternative embodiment according to the present invention, a digital heating pad controller is provided to vary the duty cycle during which power is applied to a heating pad heating element. User control is provided by way of a number of switches which are used to select one of a number of operating temperatures. Additionally, when the heating pad is first turned on or when the desired temperature setting is increased, continuous power, i.e., 100% duty cycle operation, is initiated in order to rapidly heat the heating pad to the desired temperature. Similarly, when the desired temperature setting is decreased, no power is applied to the heating element, i.e., 0% duty cycle operation.
摘要:
A programmable microprocessor-controlled digital scale capable of storing profiles of multiple users and respective user-specific weight management information includes a software program executed by the microprocessor to create and store a user profile for each user. The software program also allows the generation user-specific weight control information based on the user's profile and weight, and displays the information to the user. The generated user-specific weight control information can include, for example: current weight; absolute as well as percentage change in weight; graph of the minimum and maximum weight for the average person matching the user's profile; a thirty day rolling graph of the user's weight history; information about the number of calories that should be consumed in order to either maintain weight, or lose one pound per week; and body fat measurements.
摘要:
A blood pressure cuff which, when the cuff is being applied to the patient, automatically indicates when the proper amount of tension in the cuff has been reached. The blood pressure cuff includes a tension sensor disposed on an end which the user grips, constructed of elastomeric or elastic material, including accordion-like ridges. The ridges include a graphic which is partially or substantially hidden when less then the proper amount of tension is applied to the blood pressure cuff, and which is substantially viewable when the proper amount of tension is applied to the blood pressure cuff. The tension sensor may include an indicator area which is substantially hidden by a set of folds until a pre-set amount of tension is applied.