Body fat analyzer with integral analog measurement electrodes

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.

1 - 11 . Cancelled.  
     
     
         12 . A method of producing a biometric data acquisition assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 a. forming two or more conductive-film electrodes on a substrate, each having an impedance;    b. electrically connecting a biometric data acquisition circuit to the electrodes;    c. forming at least one reference conductive film electrode; and    d. electrically connecting the biometric data acquisition circuit to the reference electrode to correct for the conductive-film electrode impedance.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the two or more electrodes are formed by one of adhesion, vapor deposition, cathodic arc deposition, sputtering, photolithography, spin-coating, and screen-printing.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of forming comprises the steps of: 
 a. creating a uniform layer of conductive material on the substrate; and    b. selectively removing predetermined portions of the conductive material, such that the two or more electrodes are produced.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said removing step is performed by one of chemically etching, sand-blasting, laser patterning, and grinding predetermined portions of the conductive material.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of forming comprises the step of: 
 a. applying a mask layer to portions of the substrate;    b. applying conductive material to the portions of the substrate not covered by the mask layer; and    c. removing the mask layer.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of additionally integrating, on the substrate, at least one of: 
 a. a thin-panel display,    b. a touch-switch keypad,    c. a heater element, and    d. an electromagnetic shield.    
     
     
         18 - 20 . Cancelled.  
     
     
         21 . A method of producing a biometric data acquisition assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 a. affixing at least two electrodes on the top surface of a substrate having top and bottom surfaces and an edge therebetween; and    b. electrically connecting to the electrodes a biometric data acquisition circuit mounted below the substrate, while leaving the top surface of the substrate intact, whereby water present thereon is prevented from reaching the circuit.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said step of connecting comprises the step of providing, for each electrode, a conductive path from the substrate's top surface to its bottom surface via its edge.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of providing, near the edge of the substrate, a gasket that tends to keep water present on the top surface of said substrate from reaching the bottom surface of said substrate.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reference electrode is an internal calibration impedance.