JP2011024732A - Body composition measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a body composition measuring apparatus capable of automatically measuring a body composition just by a user performing a habitual behavior naturally, and measuring the body composition for the trunk of the body as well. <P>SOLUTION: The body composition measuring apparatus includes injection electrodes 1a and 2a for injecting a current to a human body and detection electrodes 1b and 2b for detecting a potential difference of a required part of the human body while the current is injected from the injection electrodes 1a and 2a. The impedance of the human body is measured using the injection electrodes 1a and 2a and the detection electrodes 1b and 2b, and the body composition is calculated from the impedance. The injection electrodes 1a and 2a and the detection electrodes 1b and 2b include a first electrode group 1 disposed on a floor surface F on one side of the opening of a building and a second electrode group 2 provided on a handle 4 of a door 3 which opens and closes the opening. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a body composition measuring apparatus for measuring a body composition of a user by an impedance method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for measuring the weight of a human body with two elements of body fat mass and lean mass has been proposed. Body fat mass may be further divided into subcutaneous fat mass and deep body fat mass (so-called visceral fat mass), and lean mass may be further divided into muscle mass and bone mass. In addition, techniques for measuring or calculating body water content and basal metabolic rate have also been proposed.

  Various techniques for measuring various quantities of this kind of body composition are known, and in particular, the impedance method is widely adopted as a technique for users to easily measure body composition. Many types of devices for measuring body composition using the impedance method are available on the market.

  By the way, in order to measure the body composition by the impedance method, it is necessary to pass a weak alternating current through the human body and measure the impedance of each path of the alternating current. The various quantities as the body composition described above are calculated by applying the measured impedance to various conversion equations.

  Many devices for measuring body composition are integrated with a scale, and a configuration is adopted that includes a boarding platform on which a user is placed and a gripping body that the user holds with both hands. On the boarding board, a load cell as a load sensor for measuring body weight is mounted, and four electrodes that are in contact with the left and right soles are provided. Further, the gripping body is provided with four electrodes that are gripped by two with the left and right hands. That is, by using a total of eight electrodes and measuring impedances in a plurality of paths passing through the left and right legs and the left and right arms, various quantities as the body composition can be calculated.

  By the way, if it is going to measure a body composition in the body composition measuring apparatus of the above-mentioned structure, a user will put on a boarding board after turning on the power of a body composition measuring apparatus, and also has a holding body in a defined posture. It is necessary. Moreover, it is necessary to maintain the posture while measuring the impedance in various paths.

  In the conventional body composition measuring apparatus, since the conscious behavior as described above is necessary to measure the body composition, if the user is not motivated to actively measure the body composition, Measurement will not be performed.

  In addition, the conversion formula for calculating various amounts of body composition from impedance varies depending on gender and age, and since the basic form of the conversion formula includes height, when the body composition measurement device is shared by multiple people In order to identify this type of information, it is necessary to identify an individual.

  As a proposal for solving this kind of problem, Patent Document 1 embeds a measuring device corresponding to a boarding platform in a floor in front of a washstand provided in a dressing room adjacent to a bathroom without any difference from the floor. A configuration in which a touch panel and a personal authentication device such as a fingerprint sensor are provided on a base mirror is described. Furthermore, a human sensor is provided for detecting the presence of a person in front of the washstand and activating the biometric device.

  The body weight and biological impedance measured by the measuring device are transmitted to the control device by wireless communication. The control device calculates the body composition (built-in fat cross-sectional area), and displays the weight and body composition on an output device (a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel is used) that also serves as a mirror of the washstand.

  In this configuration, when the human sensor detects a person in the vicinity of the measuring device, the measuring device is activated, and it becomes possible to measure the weight and body composition of an individual specified by a personal authentication device such as a fingerprint sensor. . In other words, since the measuring device is activated just by standing in front of the washstand that is used every day, there is no need to turn on the power, and the measurement device is embedded in the floor in front of the washstand. The person performs the action of measuring body weight and body composition without being particularly conscious. In addition, since the individual is specified by the fingerprint sensor, it is possible to calculate various amounts of the body composition for each individual even when shared by a plurality of persons.

JP 2008-279181 A

  By the way, although the structure described in Patent Document 1 has the above-described convenience, it has a problem that the number of electrodes for measuring the impedance of the human body is small and the measurement accuracy of the body composition is low. That is, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, since the impedance measurement for calculating the body composition is performed only by the measurement device embedded in the floor, the number of electrodes is in contact with the right and left soles two by two. Only 4 pieces.

  In this configuration, since the impedance is measured only between the left and right legs, there is a problem that current cannot flow through the trunk, and the deep body fat mass of the trunk cannot be measured.

  On the other hand, in the body composition measuring apparatus having a total of eight electrodes by providing a grip body in addition to the boarding board provided with four electrodes and providing the grip body with four electrodes, However, as described above, there is a problem that the body composition cannot be measured unless it acts consciously.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and its purpose is to automatically measure body composition by simply performing habitual behavior without the user's awareness, and also for the trunk. It is providing the body composition measuring apparatus which can measure a body composition.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an injection electrode for injecting a current into a human body, a detection electrode for detecting a potential difference at a required part of the human body while injecting a current from the injection electrode, and the injection electrode and the detection A body composition calculation unit that calculates body composition from the impedance of the human body measured using the electrodes, and the injection electrode and the detection electrode are arranged on a floor surface on one side with respect to the opening of the building. And a second electrode group disposed on a handle provided on a door that opens and closes the opening.

  Further, it is desirable that the first electrode group is provided without a step difference from the floor surface.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the opening is an opening between the dressing room and the bathroom.

  In addition, it is desirable to provide a heater for heating the first electrode group.

  A housing having a first electrode group is provided, and the housing is configured to open and close a through hole formed in the floor surface as an entrance / exit of the underfloor storage, or formed on the floor surface as an underfloor inspection port You may employ | adopt the structure arrange | positioned so that the opened through-hole may be opened and closed.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the first electrode group is disposed on the floor surface on one side of the opening, and the second electrode group is disposed on the handle of the door that opens and closes the opening. When opening and closing the door for passing, it is possible to bring the first electrode group into contact with the sole and the second electrode group into contact with the hand. That is, the body composition is automatically measured simply by performing a habitual behavior without being conscious of the user. In addition, since the first electrode group is brought into contact with the foot and the second electrode group is brought into contact with the hand, it becomes possible to energize the trunk and to measure body fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass. Of course, it is also possible to measure deep body fat mass.

  In addition, by providing the first electrode group without a step difference from the floor surface, it is possible to prevent the first electrode group from being tripped.

  Furthermore, if the opening is an opening between the dressing room and the bathroom, body composition will be measured in the daily behavior of entering the bathroom, and the time zone in which the bathroom is used is approximately daily. Since it is often decided, measurement at almost the same time every day becomes possible. Moreover, when entering the bathroom, since it is generally bare feet and bare hands, the body composition is measured without being affected by clothes.

  In the configuration including the heater for heating the first electrode group, it is possible to prevent a cold feeling when the sole comes into contact with the first electrode group. It is an opportunity to guide you to put it. Also, if the sole touches the first electrode group when leaving the bathroom, the first electrode group will get wet, but the first electrode group can be quickly dried by heating with a heater. Can do.

  In the configuration that opens and closes the entrance / exit of the underfloor storage or the underfloor inspection port by the housing provided with the first electrode group, by commonly using the housing as a lid of the underfloor storage and a cover of the underfloor inspection port, It becomes possible to arrange the first electrode group in a well-contained manner, and it is not necessary to newly provide a storage place when not in use like a general scale or a body composition measuring device, and convenience is enhanced.

It is a perspective view which shows embodiment. It is a principal part perspective view same as the above. It is a block diagram same as the above.

  In the present invention, a handle is provided on a door that opens and closes an opening provided in a building, and the first electrode group is provided on a floor surface where a person stands when the person holds the handle to open and close the door. The second electrode group is disposed at a portion that is disposed and is gripped by a person in the handle of the door. The first electrode group is arranged so as to contact the sole when a person stands in front of the door.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the opening between the washroom R1 and the bathroom R2 also used as a dressing room, a door 3 that runs along the opening surface of the opening is disposed. Is assumed. The first electrode group 1 is disposed so as to be exposed on the floor surface of the washroom R1, and the second electrode group 2 is disposed so as to be exposed on the surface of the handle 4 provided on the door 3.

  The handle 4 has a grip portion 4a that extends in the vertical direction, and is integrally provided with L-shaped attachment portions 4b at both upper and lower ends of the grip portion 4a. Each attachment portion 4 b is fixed to the door 3. Therefore, the user can open and close the door 3 by gripping the grip portion 4a.

  The first electrode group 1 and the second electrode group 2 are each formed of a metal plate, and it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the first electrode group 1 and the second electrode group 2 are in ohmic contact with the user. Therefore, the surface of the first electrode group 1 and the second electrode group 2 may be covered with a synthetic resin film that is an insulating material, or the first electrode group 1 and the second electrode group 2 may be corroded. A configuration in which an oxide film or a passive film is formed on the surface of the second electrode group 2 is employed.

  As will be described later, since the first electrode group 1 and the second electrode group 2 are electrodes for alternating current, they are energized even if an insulating layer such as a synthetic resin film, an oxide film, or a non-conductive film is formed. be able to. However, the thickness dimension of the insulating layer needs to be constant.

  Two first electrode groups 1 are arranged in association with the left and right soles so as to be in contact with the toe side and the heel side of the left and right soles, respectively. The toe side is an injection electrode 1a that injects an alternating current as described later, and the heel side is a detection electrode 1b that detects a voltage as described later.

  Two second electrode groups 2 are arranged on the handle 4 and are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction of the grip portion 4a in the handle 4 so as to come into contact with the hand regardless of the user's dominant hand. That is, when the handle 4 is gripped, it is arranged so as to abut on the palm thumb side and the little finger side. The little finger side is an injection electrode 2a for injecting an alternating current, and the thumb side is a detection electrode 2b for detecting a voltage. The injection electrodes 1a and 2a and the detection electrodes 1b and 2b may be interchanged.

  A display device 5 composed of a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display is disposed at a predetermined height position on one surface of the washroom R1 side of the front and back of the door 3. The display device 5 is arranged at a height position (for example, about 150 cm from the floor) that is easy to see when the user stands. Moreover, the half mirror 6 is arrange | positioned over substantially the whole surface in the surface which provided the display apparatus 5 among the front and back of the door 3. As shown in FIG. That is, the half mirror 6 is arranged on the screen of the display device 5 in an overlapping manner.

  With respect to the transmittance and reflectance of the half mirror 6, the display content of the screen of the display device 5 can be confirmed through the half mirror 6 during display by the display device 5, and the display by the display device 5 is not performed. It is sometimes designed so that the half mirror 6 can be used as a mirror. That is, when the display device 5 performs the display, the display content appears in the mirror.

  By the way, the first electrode group 1 is arranged on one surface side (hereinafter referred to as an upper surface) in the thickness direction of the flat housing 10 having a small height. The housing 10 is embedded in the floor surface F at a position where the user stands when opening and closing the door 3 in the washroom R1, so that no step is formed between the upper surface of the housing 10 and the floor surface F.

  As shown in FIG. 2, it is desirable that the housing 10 is detachably fitted to the floor surface F. In this case, the housing 10 is disposed so as to open and close the through hole 13 formed in the floor surface F. Thus, the housing 10 can also be used as a cover for the underfloor storage or the underfloor inspection port. That is, the through hole 13 is formed as an entrance / exit of the underfloor storage or the underfloor inspection port, and the housing 10 can be used as a lid for opening and closing the through hole 13. Further, since the housing 10 is detachably fitted to the floor surface F, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to newly provide a storage place for the housing 10.

  When the housing 10 is detachable from the floor surface F, the housing 10 is provided with a handle (not shown) that can be inserted and removed from the upper surface. Since the structure of this kind of handle is known in an underfloor storage and an underfloor inspection port, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  A heater 11 (see FIG. 3) made of a PTC heater is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 10 so that the upper surface of the housing 10 can be heated. The material and shape of the surface of the heater 11 are selected so as to have hygroscopicity, and the heater 11 can be used as a bath mat for foot wipes.

  The PTC heater used as the heater 11 is a heater using a heating element having a positive resistance characteristic in which a resistance value increases when the temperature rises due to heat generation due to energization, and reduces the amount of current as the temperature rises. If the temperature decreases, the current amount is increased to maintain the temperature within a predetermined range.

  Energization of the heater 11 is performed when the surface temperature of the housing 10 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature and when the moisture content on the surface of the housing 10 is equal to or higher than a predetermined amount. The ambient temperature can be detected by the heater 11, but may be detected by arranging a temperature sensor such as a thermistor in the housing 10. The moisture content on the surface of the housing 10 can be detected by providing a humidity sensor, but the impedance between the injection electrode 1a and the detection electrode 1b when no person is placed on the housing 10 is measured. You may detect by.

  As described above, by energizing the heater 11 when the surface temperature of the housing 10 is low, the surface of the housing 10 can be maintained in a dry state, and when used as a foot mat, there is a feeling of discomfort due to moisture. Can be reduced. Further, since the vicinity of the first electrode group 1 is heated by the heater 11 when the surface temperature of the housing 10 is lowered, it is possible to prevent a cool feeling when the housing 10 is barely placed on the first electrode group 1. . That is, it is prevented that the user avoids passing over the housing 10 due to dampness or cooling, but rather it is habitually placed on the housing 10 due to comfort.

  In the housing 10, in addition to the first electrode group 1 and the heater 11, a load sensor 12 (see FIG. 3) for measuring the load (weight) of the user is housed. A load cell is used for the load sensor 12. The housing 10 has a configuration in which a lower housing (not shown) is covered with an upper housing (not shown). The load sensor 12 is attached to the lower housing, and a load acting on the upper housing is received by the load sensor 12. Thus, an output corresponding to the load of the user who is placed on the housing 10 is obtained from the load sensor 12.

  Next, a configuration for measuring body composition will be described with reference to FIG. Injection electrodes 1a and 2a and detection electrodes 1b and 2b are connected to current supply units 22a and 22b and voltage detection units 23a and 23b via electrode selection units 21a and 21b, respectively. The electrode selection units 21a and 21b select the injection electrodes 1a and 2a for injecting the alternating current from the current supply units 22a and 22b, and the detection electrodes 1b and 2b for detecting the voltage by the voltage detection units 23a and 23b. Is provided.

  The electrode selection units 21a and 21b select the injection electrodes 1a and 2a and the detection electrodes 1b and 2b in a predetermined order, so that each part of the user (arm, right leg, left leg, trunk) ) Are sequentially injected, and the potential difference of each part of the user is sequentially detected. In the current supply units 22a and 22b, the output current is maintained at a constant current. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the impedance of each part of the user from the current value and frequency output from the current supply units 22a and 22b and the potential difference detected by the voltage detection units 23a and 23b. The impedance is calculated by the impedance calculator 24. Note that the frequency of the current supplied by the current supply units 22a and 22b is made variable, and the impedance calculation unit 24 calculates the impedance by generating a Cole-Cole plot based on the voltage when the frequency is changed. It may be.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, not only the first electrode group 1 that contacts the sole, but also the second electrode group 2 that is gripped by the hand, it is possible to flow current to the trunk, It is possible not only to measure the total body fat mass as a body composition, but also to measure the deep body fat mass (that is, the built-in fat mass) that the user is particularly interested in. Moreover, since the body weight and body composition are automatically measured during daily actions such as grasping the handle 4 when the door 3 is opened and closed, the user can measure the body weight and body composition without being conscious of it. It can be carried out.

  In addition, since the load of the user is measured by the load sensor 12 as described above, the impedance of each part of the user obtained by the impedance calculation unit 24, the load measured by the load sensor 12, and other matters related to the user The body composition of the user is calculated by using the information (height, sex, age). The conversion formula for calculating the user's body composition from the impedance, load and other information of each part of the user is empirically or statistically determined, and the body composition calculation unit 25 that performs calculations based on the conversion formula is used. By inputting the information described above, various amounts of the body composition of the user are calculated. The various amounts of the calculated body composition are displayed on the display device 5 together with the body weight. The body weight and various amounts of body composition displayed on the display device 5 are stored in the storage unit 27 together with the date and time counted by the clock unit 26. That is, the history of various amounts of body composition is stored in the storage unit 27.

  The display device 5 is provided with a touch switch type operation unit 7, and the operation unit 7 can input the height, sex, and age of the user. Since these pieces of information are necessary for the calculation of the body composition, they are stored in the storage unit 27 in association with the user. Further, since it is necessary to specify an individual in order to read out these pieces of information from the storage unit 27, a plurality of (for example, five) operation buttons for selecting individuals are provided in the operation unit 7, and the operation buttons are used. Select each individual. It is also possible to identify an individual using the body composition history registered in the storage unit 27. Alternatively, a separate authentication device for performing personal face authentication or fingerprint authentication may be provided separately.

  Among the configurations described above, the impedance calculation unit 24, the body composition calculation unit 25, the clock unit 26, and the storage unit 27 constitute a control device 8 using a microcomputer, and the control device 8 is attached to the door 3 together with the display device 5. Incorporated. The electrode selection units 21a and 21b, the current supply units 22a and 22b, and the voltage detection units 23a and 23b include a housing 10 including the first electrode group 1 and a handle 4 including the second electrode group 2. Are provided respectively. Therefore, the electrode selection unit 21a, the current supply unit 22a, and the voltage detection unit 23a are provided in the housing 10 together with the first electrode group 1, and the electrode selection unit 21b, the current supply unit 22b, and the voltage detection unit 23b It is provided on the handle 4 or the door 3 together with the two electrode groups 2.

  Thus, since each component of this embodiment is distributed and arranged on the floor surface F and the door 3, a transmission medium such as radio waves or infrared rays is used for cooperation between the components. Communication units 28a, 28b, and 28c for wireless communication are provided so that wireless communication is possible. Each component can be driven by a battery power source. The housing 10 disposed on the floor surface F is provided with a heater 11, and the electric power for energizing the heater 11 is supplied from the battery. Since it cannot be secured with a power supply, it is supplied from commercial power.

  Furthermore, the second electrode group 2 provided on the handle 4 is also used as an electrode of a touch switch (or a capacitive proximity switch). By touching or approaching the second electrode group 2, Power supply to the components is started. That is, normally, only the minimum electric power for using the second electrode group 2 as a power switch is supplied, and the user touches the second electrode group 2 by holding the handle 4 with his / her hand. When approaching, the control device 8 is notified by a wireless signal or a wired signal, and the control device 8 is activated. Further, the control device 8 transmits a radio signal to the circuit unit housed in the housing 10 to activate the circuit unit, and starts measuring the body composition.

  In this embodiment, since the history relating to various amounts of body weight and body composition is accumulated in the storage unit 27, when the operation unit 7 instructs to call the history, the history read from the storage unit 27 is displayed on the display device 5. be able to. If the display on the display device 5 is, for example, a display using a line graph, it is possible to confirm changes in body weight and body composition over time, and to be aware of body shape management. If the history and trend are displayed for a relatively long period such as one month, the user can confirm the result of the body shape management, which can be used to maintain the motivation for body shape management.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the half mirror 6 that can be used as a mirror is arranged on one surface of the door 3, the user reflects the nude on the half mirror 6 before entering the bathroom R2, and the weight In addition to confirming the numerical values of the body composition and the numerical values, the body shape is reflected on the half mirror 6 and the body shape management can be further conscious.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display device 5 is provided on one surface of the door 3, but the display device 5 is arranged in the vertical direction of the door frame surrounding the door 3 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1. It can be provided on the bag or on the side wall of the opening. In particular, if the display device 5 is provided separately from the door 3, it is possible to use a normal mirror instead of the half mirror 6, and the display device 5 can be used when the user shows his / her own appearance. There is an advantage that display contents are easy to see without overlapping with the display.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st electrode group 1a Injection electrode 1b Detection electrode 2 2nd electrode group 2a Injection electrode 2b Detection electrode 3 Door 4 Handle 5 Display apparatus 6 Half mirror 10 Housing 11 Heater 12 Load sensor 13 Through-hole 25 Body composition calculating part R1 Washroom (dressing room)
R2 bathroom

Claims (6)

  From an injection electrode for injecting current into the human body, a detection electrode for detecting a potential difference of a required part of the human body while current is injected from the injection electrode, and an impedance of the human body measured using the injection electrode and the detection electrode A body composition calculating unit for calculating a body composition, and the injection electrode and the detection electrode are a first electrode group disposed on a floor surface on one side with respect to the opening of the building, and a door for opening and closing the opening And a second electrode group arranged on a handle provided on the body composition measuring apparatus.   The body composition measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode group is provided without a step difference from the floor surface.   The body composition measuring apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening is an opening between a dressing room and a bathroom.   The body composition measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a heater for heating the first electrode group.   A housing provided with the first electrode group is provided, and the housing is arranged so as to open and close a through hole formed in the floor surface as an entrance / exit of the underfloor storage. The body composition measuring apparatus according to any one of the above.   5. The housing according to claim 1, further comprising a housing provided with the first electrode group, wherein the housing is arranged to open and close a through hole formed in the floor surface as an underfloor inspection port. The body composition measuring apparatus according to item 1.

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