Removable handheld unit

Abstract

A measuring device including a sensor that generates data representing a detected body parameter, such as body fat, body water and weight of an individual. A portable device removably connected to the measuring device for receiving, displaying and storing the data representing the detected body parameter. The portable device may correlate the stored data with an individual user. The portable device is responsive to a personal computer for uploading the stored information thereto. The portable device includes a calibration unit for calibrating the measuring device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring and recording fitness characteristics, said system comprising:
 a first measuring device for generating first data indicative of at least a first fitness parameter;   a second measuring device for generating second data indicative of at least a second fitness parameter; and   a portable monitoring device configured to be connected to and disconnected from either the first measuring device or the second measuring device, the portable monitoring device comprising a processor and memory and configured to receive and store the first data generated by the first measuring device and the second data generated by the second measuring device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first measuring device comprises one of a scale, a treadmill, a weight machine, a blood pressure monitor, and a heart rate monitor; and
 wherein the second measuring device comprises a different one of the scale, the treadmill, the weight machine, the blood pressure monitor, and the heart rate monitor.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable monitoring device is configured to be either physically connected or wirelessly connected to at least one of the first measuring device and the second measuring device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first measuring device comprises a scale including a recess sized to receive the portable monitoring device for physical connection to the scale; and
 wherein the portable monitoring device is adapted to be attachable and detachable from said scale and adapted to be housed in the recess defined in said scale.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first measuring device comprises a scale configured to measure and output data indicative of at least one of body weight, body fat, and body water composition. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the scale includes:
 a scale processor configured to communicate with at least a personal computing device,   a scale memory coupled to the scale processor and configured to store the first data indicative of at least the first fitness parameter; and   a scale display for displaying the first data indicative of at least the first fitness parameter;   wherein the scale is operable independent of the portable monitoring device.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the scale is only operable when the portable monitoring device is connected to the scale. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the portable monitoring device further includes a viewing screen;
 wherein the processor is operative to display the first data indicative of the at least first fitness parameter and the second data indicative of the at least second fitness parameter on the viewing screen.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable monitoring device is configured to receive and store information including multiple user identifiers, user-specific information and the first data and the second data associated with each multiple user identifier; and
 wherein the portable monitoring device is configured to, responsive to selection of one of the multiple user identifiers, provide access only to the first data and the second data associated with the selected one of the multiple user identifiers.   
     
     
         10 . A portable fitness monitoring device comprising:
 a processor configured to communicate with at least a first external measuring device, a second external measuring device, and a personal computing device, and   a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store first data indicative of at least a first fitness parameter received from the first external measuring device and second data indicative of at least a second fitness parameter received from the second external measuring device.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the portable fitness monitoring device is configured to be either physically connected or wirelessly connected to at least one of the first external measuring device and the second external measuring device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first external measuring device comprises a scale including a recess sized to receive the portable fitness monitoring device for physical connection to the scale; and
 wherein the portable fitness monitoring device is adapted to be attachable and detachable from said scale and adapted to be housed in the recess defined in said scale.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the portable fitness monitoring device further includes a viewing screen; and
 wherein the processor is operative to display the first data and the second data on the viewing screen.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is operative to control a function of at least one of the first external measuring device and the second external measuring device. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 receive and store multiple user identifiers and user-specific information; and   wherein the processor is configured to, responsive to selection of one of the multiple user identifiers, provide access only to the first data and the second data associated with the selected one of the multiple user identifiers.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising an accelerometer, the accelerometer operative to generate an output signal indicative of strides of a user. 
     
     
         17 . A method for measuring and storing a plurality of fitness parameters from a plurality of measuring devices, said method comprising the steps of:
 connecting a portable monitoring device to at least a first measuring device;   providing, by a processor, a first control signal from the portable monitoring device to the first measuring device, the first control signal operative to cause the first measuring device to generate first output signals indicative of at least a first fitness parameter;   storing the first output signals in a data storage unit of the portable monitoring device;   connecting the portable monitoring device to at least a second measuring device;   providing, by the processor, a second control signal from the portable monitoring device to the second measuring device, the second control signal operative to cause the second measuring device to generate second output signals indicative of at least a second fitness parameter;   storing the second output signals in a data storage unit of the portable monitoring device;   uploading the first output signals and the second output signals from the portable monitoring device to a personal computer.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the portable monitoring device stores multiple user identifiers and user-specific information;   and further comprising:
 receiving user-input identifying one of the multiple user identifiers that corresponds to an individual using the portable monitoring device; 
 associating the uploaded first output signals and the uploaded second output signals with the one of the multiple user identifiers corresponding to the individual; and 
 providing the individual using the portable monitoring device access only to the uploaded first output signals and the uploaded second output signals for the one of the multiple user identifiers corresponding to the individual. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 ,
 wherein at least one of the first measuring device and the second measuring device comprises a scale, and the first fitness parameter measured and output by the scale is at least one of body weight, body fat, and body water composition.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the first measuring device comprises one of a scale, a treadmill, a weight machine, a blood pressure monitor, and a heart rate monitor; and   wherein connecting the portable monitoring device to the first measuring device comprises connecting the portable monitoring device to the first measuring device by one of a wired and a wireless connection.