Digital weight apparatus having a biometrics based security feature

Abstract

A programmable microprocessor-controlled weight device capable of storing a plurality of user profiles, each individual user profile comprising, a biometric identifier used for secured access to said individual user profile, measured information and, optionally, custom data The biometric identifier is preferably placed such that identification of the user is conveniently performed while the user is positioned for measurement on the weight device. The biometric identification data is used to scan the plurality of user profiles, determine whether the current user has a profile, or whether one must be created, and allows access to the user profile associated with the current user. Measured information and, optionally, custom data can then be loaded to and from the current user's profile. The information in a user's profile is, therefore, easily accessible by the proper user, and is securely maintained to prevent unauthorized access by others.

1 . A weight device, comprising: 
 a. a housing;    b. a biometric input device;    c. an electronics component; and    d. a communication device.    
   
   
       2 . The weight device of  claim 1 , wherein said housing is configured such that both the measurement information and the biometric input are obtained when said weight device is in use.  
   
   
       3 . The weight device of  claim 1 , wherein said housing is configured to further comprise a platform for obtaining measurement information from a user and to obtain a biometric input from said user when said user is in a position to deliver said measurement information.  
   
   
       4 . The weight device of  claim 3 , wherein said housing is configured to form a bathroom scale further comprising a platform to accept said user's feet for obtaining measured information and wherein said biometric input is a toe print obtained from the user when said user's feet are positioned on said scale for measuring.  
   
   
       5 . The weight device of  claim 1  wherein said biometric input device further comprises a scanner component and wherein said scanner component is located to obtain biometric input from a user of said weight device.  
   
   
       6 . The weight device of  claim 1  wherein said biometric input device is located on the weight device such that when a user is using said weight device both the measured information and the biometric input are obtained while the user is in a single position.  
   
   
       7 . The weight device of  claim 6 , wherein said biometric input device is located on the platform of said weight device allowing said biometric input device to obtain biometric input from the same user position as said weight device will obtain measured information.  
   
   
       8 . The weight device of  claim 1 , wherein said biometric input device obtains biometric input and communicates said biometric input to the electronics component for screening against a plurality of user profiles stored on said electronics component.  
   
   
       9 . The weight device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of user profiles are identified and secured using biometric input received from said biometric input device.  
   
   
       10 . The weight device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics component further comprises means for creating, accessing and editing a plurality of user profiles further comprising measurement information.  
   
   
       11 . The weight device of  claim 10 , wherein said means for creating, accessing and editing said plurality of user profiles includes biometric input means.  
   
   
       12 . The weight device of  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is a visual indicator.  
   
   
       13 . The weight device of  claim 12 , wherein said communication device is an LCD.  
   
   
       14 . A method of managing a plurality of user profiles in a weight device wherein said plurality of user profiles comprise individual user profiles identified and secured by the biometric input of an associated individual user and measurement information relating to said associated individual user, and comprising the steps of: 
 a. receiving biometric input from a current user;    b. comparing said biometric input to the biometric input belonging to said associated individual user of said individual user profile of said plurality of user profiles;    c. determining based on said comparison of biometric input received and biometric input belonging to said associated individual user of said individual user, whether said current user is an existing user; and    d. updating said current user's individual user profile with measured information.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said step of comparing biometric input received to the biometric input belonging to said associated individual user of said individual user profile of said plurality of user profiles results in determining that said current user is a new user.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a new individual user profile is created comprising, a biometric identifier for security and measured information for the current user, and wherein said new and updated individual user profile is included in said plurality of user profiles.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said step of updating, further comprises updating using a data entry module.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said measured information is communicated to said current user.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said measured information is calculated along with custom data, and the combination thereof is communicated to said current user.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said individual user profile can be transferred to a data entry module.