PORTABLE URINATION WEIGHT MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A portable urination weight measurement device comprising: a holding unit for releasably holding a container, and a handle comprising a weight measurement unit coupled to the holding unit so as to allow the measure of a weight exerted on the holding unit; and a toilet flushable container having: a rim having a fold at a front side of the opening and a fold at a back side of the opening, each fold forming at rest an angle of less than 20, and a collar secured to the rim and comprising at least one fold at the front side of the opening forming at rest an angle of less than 20, the collar being of a rigidity such that increasing the angle of the collar fold to 180 increases the angle of the rim fold at the back of the opening to from 50 to 90.

Claims

1. A portable urination weight measurement device comprising: a holding unit comprising a jaw comprising two flat plates that close for releasably holding a container, and a handle comprising a weight measurement unit coupled to the holding unit in such a way as to allow the measure of a weight exerted on the holding unit, the weight measurement unit comprising: a strain gauge, and an electronic circuit suitable for converting a strain measurement into a weight signal and further adapted for determining a tilt angle of the portable urination weight measurement device so as to compensate for said tilt during conversion of the strain measurement into the weight signal and/or so as to inform a user of the tilt or of an information derived therefrom, wherein the strain gauge is coupled to the holding unit in such a way as to allow the measurement of a strain caused by a weight exerted on the holding unit and is coupled to the electronic circuit in such a way as to allow converting the strain measurement into a weight signal.

2. The portable urination weight measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises a release mechanism coupled to the holding unit in such a way as to allow the release of the container.

3. The portable urination weight measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a first surface for resting on a toilet seat and wherein the holding unit is suitable for extending downward when the surface for resting on a toilet seat is resting on a toilet seat.

4. The portable urination weight measurement device according to claim 3, wherein the surface for resting on a toilet seat comprises means for hindering movements of the surface when in contact with the toilet seat.

5. The portable urination weight measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit is rotatably attached to the handle in such a way that the portable device can be folded by covering a second surface of the handle with a surface of the holding unit.

6. The portable urination weight measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is further suitable for measuring the time at which the weight signal is measured.

7. The portable urination weight measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is suitable for sending: a. the measured weight signal or data derived therefrom, and optionally b. the time at which the weight signal is measured and the duration of the measurement, to a remote receiver.

8. A toilet flushable container having: a rim delimiting its opening and having a fold at a front side of the opening and a fold at a back side of the opening, opposite to the fold at the front side, each fold forming at rest an angle of less than 20, and a collar secured to the rim, the collar comprising at least one fold at the front side of the opening forming at rest an angle of less than 20, the collar being of a rigidity such that increasing the angle of the at least one fold to 180 increases the angle of the rim fold at the back of the opening to from 50 to 90.

9. The toilet flushable container according to claim 8, being water-soluble and suitable for containing fresh human urine for 40 seconds without leaking.

10. The toilet flushable container according to claim 8, wherein the container has a capacity of from 600 ml to 1000 ml, preferably from 600 ml to 700 ml.

11. The toilet flushable container according to claim 8, comprising means for attaching to a holding unit without penetration of the holding unit in the container.

12. The toilet flushable container according to claim 8 comprising a guard for protecting a holding unit from urine projections.

13. A kit of parts comprising: a. A portable urination weight measurement device comprising a holding unit comprising a jaw comprising two flat plates that close for releasably holding a container, and a handle comprising a weight measurement unit coupled to the holding unit in such a way as to allow the measure of a weight exerted on the holding unit, the weight measurement unit comprising: a strain gauge, and an electronic circuit suitable for converting a strain measurement into a weight signal and further adapted for determining a tilt angle of the portable urination weight measurement device so as to compensate for said tilt during conversion of the strain measurement into the weight signal and/or so as to inform a user of the tilt or of an information derived therefrom, wherein the strain gauge is coupled to the holding unit in such a way as to allow the measurement of a strain caused by a weight exerted on the holding unit and is coupled to the electronic circuit in such a way as to allow converting the strain measurement into a weight signal, the kit of parts further comprising b. the toilet flushable container according to claim 8, wherein the portable urination weight measurement device and the toilet flushable container are configured such that the jaw can be closed on the fold of the collar thereby pinching it and opening the toilet flushable container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0153] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a highly simplified form of an electronic circuit usable in the invention.

[0154] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a top, side and bottom view of a portable urination weight measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0155] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing parts of a portable urination weight measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0156] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing more detail of the hinge of the device of FIG. 3.

[0157] FIG. 5 are various schematic representations of a toilet flushable container in its open and closed state.

[0158] FIGS. 6 and 7 show schematically sequences implementing a way embodiments of the present invention can be used.

[0159] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a side view of a portable urination weight measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0160] In the different figures, the same reference signs refer to the same or analogous elements.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0161] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0162] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0163] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0164] It is to be noticed that the term comprising, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression a device comprising means A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0165] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, also used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. The terms coupled and connected, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. Coupled may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[0166] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0167] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0168] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0169] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[0170] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0171] The following terms are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention.

[0172] The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0173] In FIG. 1, a diagram is shown summarizing the major parts of an electronic circuit (122) suitable for use in the first and the third aspect of the present invention. Double arrows indicate connections between parts with communication being able to go both ways. Single arrows indicated connections between parts with communication going one way. Central to the electronic circuit (122) is the central processing unit (CPU) (1220) which is connected so as to allow a two-way communication with a measurement storage memory (1221), a power management unit (1222), a real-time clock (1223), an analog to digital converter (1224), a three-axis accelerometer (1225), a Bluetooth wireless interface (1226), a USB interface (1227), and a LCD display (1228). The two-way communication between the CPU 1220 and, on one hand, the weight sensor (12213) via the analog to digital convertor (1224) and, on the other hand, the three-axis accelerometer (1225) permits the CPU (1220) to determine the tilt angle of the portable urination weight measurement device (1) so as to compensate for said tilt during conversion of the strain measurement into the weight signal and/or so as to inform a user of the tilt or of an information derived thereof. The two-way connection between the real time clock (1223) and the CPU (1220) permits to measure the time at which the weight signal is measured and the duration of the measurement. The Bluetooth wireless interface (1226) is an emitter (1226) connected to the CPU (1220) in such a way as to allow for sending the measured weight signal or data derived therefrom, the time at which the weight signal is measured and, optionally, the duration of the measurement, to a remote receiver. The central processing unit (CPU) is further connected so as to receive inputs from switches (1229) and so as to send outputs to one or more light sources (12210) (e.g. LEDs). The real-time clock (12211) is connected to a backup coin cell holder (12212) in such a way as to be able to be powered by a backup coin cell. The analog to digital converter is connected so as to allow a two-ways communication with a weight sensor (12213) (e.g. a strain gauge bridge). The USB interface can for instance be connectable so as to allow a two-ways communication with a micro-USB connector (12216). The power management unit (1222) is connected so as to allow a two-way communication with a wireless charging interface (12214). The power management unit (1222) is further connected so as to allow a two-way communication with a main battery holder (12215) (or directly with a main battery (13) if the battery is directly integrated without holder).

[0174] FIG. 2 shows a top view (at the top of the figure), a side view (in the middle of the figure), and a bottom view (at the bottom of the figure) of an embodiment of the portable urination weight measurement device (1) of the first aspect. In the top, side and bottom views, a holding unit (11) and a handle (12) are visible. The handle (12) comprises a protective case (125) of which an upper part (125a) is visible in the top and side views, and a bottom part (125b) is visible in the side and bottom views. In the top view, the upper part (125a) of the protective case (125) is visible as having an opening exposing a display (1228) and as having a button (1251) covering switches (1229) (visible in FIG. 3). The depicted button (1251) is a spring button comprising an elastomeric material. In the top and side views, a switch (1261) for releasing a container is visible. This switch (1261) is at the back of the handle (12), i.e. at the extremity away from the holding unit (11). The depicted switch (1261) is a pressure button (1261). In the side view, the holding unit (11) is depicted as extending downward when the surface (123) for resting on a toilet seat is horizontal, as it would be if resting on a toilet seat. The part of the holding unit (11) extending downward is a jaw (111) comprising two opposing parts (1111, 1112) depicted at rest in a closed position. Each opposing part (1111, 1112) comprises a flat plate. The holding unit (11) is rotatably attached to the handle (12) in such a way that the portable device (1) can be folded by covering a second surface (124) of the handle (12) with a surface (112) of the holding unit. This is achieved via a hinge (113), belonging to the holding unit (11), and holding the handle (12) and the holding unit (11) together. In the embodiment depicted, the hinge (113) has a diameter of 25 mm. Details of the hinge (113) are given in FIG. 3. The height of the handle (12) from the bottom of the second part (125b) to the top of the first part (125a) is in the depicted embodiment 60 cm. The height of the device (1) when the jaw (111) is deployed so as to extend downward at 90 with respect to the surface (123) is 130 mm in the depicted embodiment. In the side and bottom views, the handle is shown to comprise a first surface (123) for resting on a toilet seat. In the bottom view, the surface (123) for resting on a toilet seat is depicted as comprising means (1231) for hindering movements of the surface (123) when in contact with the toilet seat. The depicted means (1231) are means (1231) for causing friction between the surface (123) and the toilet seat. The depicted means (1231) is a piece of elastomeric polyurethane having an arc shape which end points are oriented toward the front of the handle (12), i.e. toward the holding unit (11). The length of the device (1) in folded position corresponds to the length of the handle (11) added to the diameter of the hinge (113) totalling 170 mm in the present embodiment.

[0175] FIG. 8 is again a side view of a portable urination weight measurement device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, but this time an angle larger than 90 is depicted preventing the container (2), once attached to the holding unit (11), from touching the toilet bowl.

[0176] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Visible are elements (121, 122, 1228, 12291, 12292, 12293, 1231, 125a, 125b, 1252, 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264, 1265, and 1266) forming part of the handle (12), elements (1111, 1112, 1131, 1132, 1133, and 1b134) forming part of the holding unit (11), and a battery (13). The handle (12) comprises of a protective case (125) formed of an upper part (125a) and a bottom part (125b).

[0177] The bottom part (125b) encloses a battery holder. A battery (13) may be included in the battery holder. Also depicted is a piece of elastomeric polyurethane (1231) having an arc shape which end points are oriented toward the front of the handle (12), i.e. toward the holding unit (11).

[0178] The bottom part (125b) has an opening at an extremity thereof for permitting the holding unit (11) to penetrate the case (125) in which it is attached to the weight measurement unit (121, 122), e.g. via a strain gauge (121). The part of the holding unit (11) which penetrates the case (125) is the arm of the weighting control ring (1133). The opening is provided with a gasket (1252) allowing the case (125) to remain water-tight while allowing the holding unit (11) to displace itself vertically as a result of the weight exerted thereon. The height of the opening serves as a stop to restrain excessive movement of the holding unit (11) and to thereby prevent damaging the weight measurement unit (121, 122).

[0179] The weight measurement unit may comprise a strain gauge (121) and an electronic circuit (122) suitable for converting a strain measurement into a weight signal. The strain gauge is coupled to the holding unit (11) in such a way as to allow the measurement of a strain caused by a weight exerted on the holding unit (11). The strain gauge (121) is fixed to the bottom part (125b) of the handle case (125). The strain gauge (121) is coupled to the electronic circuit (122) in such a way as to allow converting the strain measurement into a weight signal.

[0180] The handle (12) further comprises a release mechanism (126) coupled to the holding unit (11) in such a way as to allow the release of the container (2). The release mechanism (126) comprises a pressure button (1261) for releasing the container (2). The pressure button (1261) is at the back of the handle (125), i.e. at the extremity away from the holding unit (11), and is accessible by a user. The pressure button (1261) acts via a spring (1265). The pressure button (1261) is connected to a rod (1262) so that a pressure on the pressure button (1261) translates into a movement of the rod (1262) along its length. The release mechanism further comprises a rocker mechanism (1263, 1265, 1266) and a fork (1264). The rocker mechanism (1263, 1265, 1266) is coupled to the rod (1262) and to the fork (1264) in such a way that a forward motion of the rod (1262) translates into a backward motion of the fork (1264). The rocker mechanism comprises a rocker lever axis (1263), a self-pressure spring (1265) and a rocker control lever (1266). The self-pressure spring (1265) and the rocker control lever (1266) are engaged on the rocker lever axis (1263). The rocker control lever (1266) is engaged with the rod (1262) and with fork (1264). The fork (1264) is coupled to the holding unit (11) in such a way as to control its opening.

[0181] Also visible in FIG. 3 are various parts composing the holding unit (11). The two opposing parts (1111 and 1112) of the jaw (111) that close for holding the container (2) are visible. Each opposing part (1111 and 1112) comprises a flat plate and a ring. The first opposing part (1111) comprises a concave entity extending perpendicularly to a surface thereof facing the second opposing part (1112), and the second opposing part (1112) comprises a hole facing the first opposing part (1111), the hole fitting with the concave entity. The combination of the hole and the concave entity forms a locking system for preventing the container (2) from falling. The release mechanism releases the container by opening the jaw by a few degrees.

[0182] Visible in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are parts of a hinge holding the handle (12) and the holding unit (11) together. The hinge belongs to the holding unit (11) and comprises a male fastener (1132); a female fastener (1134) for mating with the male fastener (1132); a ring (43) belonging to the first part (1111) of the jaw, the ring (43) having at least one protrusion (431) on its inner side, the protrusion (431) having a first width w1, the first width w1 being measured along the curvature of the ring (43); a ring (44) belonging to a second part (1112) of the jaw, the ring having at least one protrusion (441) on its inner side, the protrusion (441) having the first width w1; a central control ring (1131) comprising two ends (45, 46) and at least one indentation (451, 461) at each end (45, 46), the indentation having a second width w2, slightly larger than the first width w1, measured along the curvature of the central control ring (1131), the central control ring (1131) being of a diameter such that it can engage in both rings (43, 44) attached to the parts (1111, 1112) of the jaw in such a way that the indentations (451, 461) are penetrated by the protrusions (431, 441), a weighting control ring (1133) bearing an arm (47) projecting outward, the weighting control ring (1133) having a diameter such that it can be penetrated by the central control ring (1131),

[0183] The male fastener (1132) and the female fastener (1134), once mated, form an axis of rotation around which the ring (43) belonging to the first part (1111) of the jaw, the central control ring (1131), and the ring (44) belonging to the second part (1112) of the jaw can rotate. The arm (47) is attached to the weight measurement unit via attachment to the strain gauge (121).

[0184] We now refer back to FIG. 3 only. The electronic circuit (122) is shown to comprise a display (1228) and switches (1229). The display (1228) is coupled to the weight measurement unit in such a way as to allow displaying the measured weight. Three switches (1229) are shown. Switch (12291) is an upper scroll control (12291), switch (12293) is a lower scroll control (12293), and switch (12293) is a power and mode validation switch (12292). Switches (12291) and (12293) are mode selection switches. Acting on these switches permits to scroll up and down in a menu, thereby highlighting and therefore selecting modes. The power and mode validation switch (12292) is coupled to the weight measurement unit and the display (1228) for validating a selection between a weight measurement mode and one or more other modes. It can work as a power switch or a mode validation switch depending on the length of a pression on the switch (12292). The three switches (12291, 12292, and 12293) are accessible by pression on different zones of the button (1229).

[0185] FIG. 5 shows five different views of a toilet flushable container (2). It has a rim (21) delimiting its opening and it has a fold (212) at a front side (f) of the opening and a fold (211) at a back side (b) of the opening, opposite to the fold (212) at the front side (f), each fold (211, 212) forming at rest an angle of less than 20. It has a collar (22) secured to the rim (21), the collar (22) comprises at least one fold (221) at the front side of the opening forming at rest an angle of less than 20 (see view of the folded container at the top right of the figure), the collar (22) is of a rigidity such that increasing the angle of the at least one fold (221) to 180 increases the angle of the rim fold (211) at the back (b) of the opening from less than 20 to from 50 to 90 (see view of the open container (2) at the bottom left of the figure where the open container (2) is seen from above.

[0186] The collar (22) is a strip (22) formed of a first and a second piece preferably formed of a same material. The first piece is longer than the second piece. The long piece is folded in two equal parts by a fold at the front of the collar (22). The two extremities of the long piece are glued to the short piece which forms the back of the collar (2). At rest, the collar (22) is flat. The collar (22) is secured to the outside of a sidewall of the container (2) and in particular to the rim (21) thereof, via at least two attachment points and the distance along the strip between two of the at least two attachment points is larger than a corresponding distance along the sidewall (or rim thereof) of the container (2) along said two of the at least two attachment points, thereby forming a gap (23) between the strip (22) and the sidewall of the container (2). The gap (23) is at the front side (f) of the container (2) and serves as a means (23) for attaching to a holding unit (11) without penetration of the holding unit (11) in the container (2). The toilet flushable container (2) comprises a guard (24) for protecting a holding unit (11) from urine projections.

[0187] The depicted container (2) has a capacity of 650 ml.

[0188] FIGS. 6 and 7 show how the portable urination weight measurement device (1) and the toilet flushable container (2) can be used in combination. In the first representation from the left of FIG. 6, the portable urination measurement device (1) and the container (2) are both folded close. In the second representation of FIG. 6, the portable urination measurement device (1) is unfolded open as indicated by the curled arrow. The arrow pointing to the button (1261) indicates that pressure thereon open the jaw of the holding unit (11). In the third representation from the left of FIG. 6, one of the opposite parts (1111) of the jaw is depicted penetrating the gap (23). The arrow indicates that the jaw is closed on the fold (221) of the collar (22), thereby pinching it and opening the container (2). When the jaw is closed on the fold (221) of the collar (22), the collar takes the form of a drop. This shape is particularly well suited for collecting urine. Also, when the jaw is closed on the fold (221), the opening of the collar causes the guard, which was up to that point folded inside the folded container, to pop up outside of the unfolded container. Once the container is open, the device is ready to collect and weight urine. In the last representation of FIG. 6, the arrow indicates that the button (1261) is depressed, thereby opening the jaw and releasing the container and the urine it contains. The container can be directly released in the toilet bowl because the container is flushable.

[0189] FIG. 7 shows on the left the opened device (1) and an open container (2). The container is shown open so that its constituting parts are more clearly visible but the container (2) does normally not open before the jaw pinches a fold in the collar thereof. At the center of FIG. 7, the device (1) and the container (2) are shown ready to collect urine. The container is depicted as transparent to facilitate the visualisation of how the device (1) grips the container (2). At the right of FIG. 7, the container (2) is released.

[0190] Hereafter is an example of procedure the device may follow making use of the user interface:

[0191] After the device is powered on using the power switch: [0192] 1 Ask the user if it wants to make a new urination or if he wants to access historical data [0193] The default option, ready to be selected by pression on the validation switch, could be the new urination. [0194] 2 Ask the user to fix the container and to press the selection validation switch to confirm the container is ready; [0195] 3 Ask the user to press a button when the device is almost horizontal (e.g. by asking the user to place the surface for resting with the toilet seat on the toilet seat) in order to measure the tare of the device before urinating;

[0196] During tare measurement, the device may start to make acquisitions of the weight (A/D conversion of the weight sensor) and, at the same time, make acquisitions of the 3-axis acceleration. Using these data, the CPU (e.g. via its embedded software) can for instance: [0197] a. Compute an average weight value (moving average); [0198] b. Compute the noise on the weight (e.g. standard deviation) in order to have a metric about the stability of the measure (e.g. if the user is moving too much); [0199] c. Wait for this noise to be small enough, meaning the position is stable; [0200] d. Compute an average angular position of the gravity vector using the 3-axis accelerometer; [0201] e. Compute the noise on the angular position of the gravity vector (e.g. standard deviation) in order to have a metric about the stability of the measure (e.g. if the user is moving too much); [0202] f. If the weight is stable enough AND if the angular position is stable enough AND if the angular position of the gravity vector is close enough from zero (meaning the sensor is horizontalless than 15 degrees), the computed average weight can be selected as the reference tare with a trigonometric compensation on the horizontality using the computed average angular position of the gravity vector; [0203] g. If not, a message may be shown to the user telling that either he's moving too much or that the horizontality is not good enough. In this latter case, a level logo may be displayed in real-time showing a bubble not in the center of a circle. The tare measurement process may be repeated until a good value is obtained or the user cancels the diuresis action; [0204] h. When the tare is measured, the user may be asked to validate that the urination will start by activating a switch; [0205] i. If the measured tare is not in a specified range (known weight of the clip and disposable part), an alert message can be displayed telling the user that something is wrong with its device (strain gage damaged, bad usage of the device during tare measurement, . . . )

[0206] Tell the user the tilt angle is too high if it applies;

[0207] Tell the user the movements are too high if it applies;

[0208] Tell the user he/she can start urinating;

[0209] During the urination, the CPU doesn't have to make any specific computation or acquisition for a simple measurement, but in embodiments, it may record continuously the weight and the angular position for further analysis. A simple logo tells the user to urinate and to press a button when urination is over.

[0210] When the diuresis is over and the user validates it with the button, the measurement process of the total weight (tare +diuresis) can start similarly to the tare measurement with the combined data from the weight sensor and 3-axis accelerometer. A difference is that since urine is present in the disposable part, liquid waves can occur because of the movements of the user's hand. These waves would then be present in the measured signals and a proper adaptive filtering may be done by the CPU in order to have a good balance between the precision of the measure and the necessary quite time of the liquid. The CPU may therefore be adapted for perform this filtering.

[0211] Once the final weight has been measured (user is quite enough and with reasonable angle form the horizontal), the CPU may compute the weight difference between after and before urination and store in non-volatile memory the weight with the time and date of the measurement. Optionally, the CPU may store the whole curve for further analysis by the person who will analyse the data.

[0212] Once the weight difference between the after and before urination has been computed, it may be transformed by the CPU into a volume and the urinated volume (or weight) may be confirmed and displayed.

[0213] The user can now shut the system down and release the disposable part.

[0214] It is to be understood that although preferred embodiments, specific constructions and configurations, as well as materials, have been discussed herein for devices according to the present invention, various changes or modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of this invention. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.