Abstract: Apparatus and methods for employing electrical properties of water to indicate the level of filtered water in a filtered water container. The container is fitted with a hopper that holds unfiltered water. The hopper is fitted at its base with a removable and replaceable filter cartridge. Water is filtered by draining through the filter medium contained in the filter cartridge into the lower portion of the container. The water level in the lower portion of the container is monitored by means of one or more water level detector strips in the lower portion of the container. The detector strips are in electrical communication with a detection circuit and a control unit. The control unit uses the detection strips to monitor water level and uses such data to track filtered water consumption and to determine when the filter cartridge should be replaced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for employing electrical properties of water to indicate the level of filtered water in a filtered water container. The container is fitted with a hopper that holds unfiltered water. The hopper is fitted at its base with a removable and replaceable filter cartridge. Water is filtered by draining through the filter medium contained in the filter cartridge into the lower portion of the container. The water level in the filtered water container is monitored by means of one or more water level detector strips in the hopper or in the lower portion of the filtered water container. The detector strips are in electrical communication with a detection circuit and a control unit. The control unit uses the detection strips to monitor water level and uses such data to track filtered water consumption and to determine when the filter cartridge should be replaced.

Abstract: A body fat analyzer having integrated measurement electrodes is disclosed. The assembly comprises a substrate; at least two conductive-film electrodes formed from a conductive material integrated on said substrate and capable of contacting a body to be measured; and a measurement circuit electrically connected to said electrodes. There is further disclosed a water-resistant body fat analyzer that comprises a substrate having top and bottom surfaces and an edge therebetween; at least two electrodes in contact with the top surface of the substrate, and capable of contacting an object having a biometric electrical characteristic to be measured; and a body fat measurement circuit mounted below the substrate and electrically connected to the electrodes such that the top surface of the substrate remains intact, whereby water present thereon is prevented from reaching the circuit. The invention is further directed to methods of manufacturing the disclosed body fat analyzers.

Abstract: A body fat analyzer having integrated measurement electrodes is disclosed. The assembly comprises a substrate; at least two conductive-film electrodes formed from a conductive material integrated on the substrate and capable of contacting a body to be measured; and a measurement circuit electrically connected to the electrodes. There is further disclosed a water-resistant body fat analyzer that comprises a substrate having top and bottom surfaces and an edge therebetween; at least two electrodes in contact with the top surface of the substrate, and capable of contacting an object having a biometric electrical characteristic to be measured; and a body fat measurement circuit mounted below the substrate and electrically connected to the electrodes such that the top surface of the substrate remains intact, whereby water present thereon is prevented from reaching the circuit. The invention is further directed to methods of manufacturing the disclosed body fat analyzers.

Abstract: A body fat analyzer having integrated measurement electrodes is disclosed. The assembly comprises a substrate; at least two conductive-film electrodes formed from a conductive material integrated on said substrate and capable of contacting a body to be measured; and a measurement circuit electrically connected to said electrodes. There is further disclosed a water-resistant body fat analyzer that comprises a substrate having top and bottom surfaces and an edge therebetween; at least two electrodes in contact with the top surface of the substrate, and capable of contacting an object having a biometric electrical characteristic to be measured; and a body fat measurement circuit mounted below the substrate and electrically connected to the electrodes such that the top surface of the substrate remains intact, whereby water present thereon is prevented from reaching the circuit. The invention is further directed to methods of manufacturing the disclosed body fat analyzers.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided for measuring body fat of a live subject. The apparatus comprises a current source connected in parallel with two or more reference resistors and with the subject's body. The connections to the body are made via an array of electrodes. The resistors and the subject's body are switched in and out of the circuit, and the various voltages across the resistors and the body are detected by a voltage drop measuring device and input to an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC). The output from the ADC is presented to a microprocessor control unit, which calculates (1) the impedance of the individual's body based upon the various voltage measurements, and (2) the percent body fat as a function of that impedance and other ariables such as height, weight, age, and sex.

Abstract: A bioelectrical-impedance-based body fat analyzer is provided that has a base unit for measuring weight and body impedance and a remote unit for inputting data and determining the body fat percent of a patient. The two units are connected via a wireless communications link formed by wireless ports on the base unit and the remote unit. There is further provided a method of operating a body fat analyzer having both base and remote units, comprising the steps of (a) measuring, at a base unit, an attribute of the patient's body; (b) inputting, at a remote unit, patient data such as gender, height, and body type; (c) calculating, based upon both the data and the measured attribute, a value representing the body composition of such patient; and (d) outputting, at the remote unit, the calculated value.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided for measuring body fat of a live subject. The apparatus comprises a current source connected in parallel with two or more reference resistors and with the subject's body. The connections to the body are made via an array of electrodes. The resistors and the subject's body are switched in and out of the circuit, and the various voltages across the resistors and the body are detected by a voltage drop measuring device and input to an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC). The output from the ADC is presented to a microprocessor control unit, which calculates (1) the impedance of the individual's body based upon the various voltage measurements, and (2) the percent body fat as a function of that impedance and other variables such as height, weight, age, and sex.