Systems and methods for controlling a scale

A method for controlling a scale, the method comprising:

• receiving, by an electronic processor from a first touchless button configured to perform a first function of the scale, a first signal indicative of a first specific gesture for performing the first function of the scale, wherein the first specific gesture is a physical motion performed within a predetermined period of time by a user in proximity to the first touchless button;
• in response to receiving the first signal, switching, with the electronic processor, a second touchless button configured to perform a second function of the scale from a dormant mode to an active mode and activating a visual indicator;
• receiving, from the second touchless button, a second signal indicative of a second specific gesture by the user;
• only in response to receiving the second signal, executing the second function associated with the second touchless button;
• and
• responsive to completing execution of the second function, deactivating the visual indicator and switching the second touchless button from the active mode to the dormant mode such that the second touchless button cannot sense further gestures until activated in response to the electronic processor receiving another first signal from the first touchless button.

A control head for a scale, the control head comprising:

• a housing;
• a first touchless button disposed on the housing, configured to perform a first function of the scale and operable to sense a first specific gesture;
• a first visual indicator associated with the first touchless button;
• a second touchless button disposed on the housing, configured to perform a second function of the scale and operable to sense a second specific gesture;
• a second visual indicator associated with the second touchless button;
• a material covering the first touchless button, the second touchless button, the first visual indicator, and the second visual indicator, the first touchless button and the second touchless button being operable to sense respective gestures through the material, the first visual indicator and the second visual indicator being visible through the material, the material being resistant to disinfectant;
• and
• an electronic processor, coupled to the first touchless button, the second touchless button, the first visual indicator, and the second visual indicator, and configured to
• receive, from the first touchless button, a first signal indicative of the first specific gesture for performing the first function of the scale, wherein the first specific gesture is a physical motion performed within a predetermined period of time by a user in proximity to the first touchless button;
• in response to receiving the first signal, switch the second touchless button from a dormant mode to an active mode and activate the visual indicator;
• receive, from the second touchless button, a second signal indicative of the second gesture;
• only in response to receiving the second signal, execute the second function of the scale associated with the second touchless button and activate the second visual indicator;
• and
• responsive to completing execution of the second function, switch the second touchless button from the active mode to the dormant mode and deactivate the second visual indicator such that the second touchless button cannot sense further gestures until activated in response to the electronic processor receiving another first signal from the first touchless button.