JPH1119059A - Body fat meter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (With correction) [Problem] To provide a small body fat meter capable of measuring a body fat percentage of an arbitrary part of a human body. SOLUTION: A first electrode pair 1 is provided on a back surface 11b on an upper part of a card body 11, and a second electrode pair 2 is provided on a front surface 11a. The first electrode pair 1 includes a first measurement electrode 1a and a first current path forming electrode (abbreviated as an electrode) 1b provided on the left and right sides of the back surface 11b of the card body 11. The second electrode pair 2 is composed of a second measurement electrode 2a and a second electrode 2b provided on the left and right of the surface 11a of the card body 11. The middle finger of the right hand is brought into contact with the second measurement electrode 2a, and the index finger of the right hand is brought into contact with the second electrode 2b. In addition, the back surface 11b of the body fat meter 10 is brought into contact with the left foot, the first measurement electrode 1a and the first electrode 1b are kept in close contact with the skin, and the first electrode 1b and the second electrode 1b of the first electrode pair 1 are held. A current path is formed between the first electrode pair 2 and the second electrode 2b, and the impedance between two points on the current path is measured by the measurement electrode 1a and the measurement electrode 2a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body fat meter, and more particularly, to a body fat meter capable of measuring a body fat percentage between one hand and a predetermined part of a human body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, attention has been paid to the fat percentage in the body from the viewpoint of maintaining health. An increase in the body fat percentage causes an adult disease or the like, so that by measuring this, adult disease can be prevented. As a body fat percentage measuring device, two electrodes forming a current path at a position where a foot of a base of a weight scale is placed, and a voltage measuring device for measuring impedance between two points between the current paths. Electrodes are provided. The use of such a body fat percentage measuring device is convenient because it is possible to simultaneously measure weight data required for obtaining the body fat percentage.

[0003] Also, by holding the handle with both hands,
Devices for measuring body fat percentage have also been developed. This body fat meter has an advantage that the body fat percentage can be measured relatively easily, unlike the one attached to the above-mentioned weight scale.

[0004]

It is known that among body fats, the fat that has the most adverse effect on health is fat accumulated in the internal organs. However, when the conventional body fat scale attached to the weight scale is used as described above, the current path is formed so as to pass through both feet and the lower part of the torso, and is not formed so as to pass through the internal organs. Therefore, even if a conventional body fat meter attached to a weight scale is used, the body fat accumulated in the internal organs cannot be known.

[0005] Also, in the body fat meter of the type of gripping the handle, the current path is formed so as to pass through both arms and the chest, and the current path is not formed so as to pass through the internal organs. Therefore, also in this case, the body fat accumulated in the internal organs cannot be known.

Further, the conventional body fat scale attached to the weight scale as described above is suitable for use in a bathroom, etc. You cannot measure your body fat percentage. On the other hand, the body fat meter of the type that grasps the handle does not cause trouble such as taking off the socks, so that the body fat percentage can be measured relatively easily. However, since the handle-type body fat meter is not portable, the body fat percentage cannot be easily measured, and therefore, there is a problem that only a family member who purchased it can use it.

The present invention solves such a problem of the conventional body fat meter, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a body fat percentage between one hand and a predetermined part of a human body. It is to provide a body fat meter that can do it. Another object of the present invention is to provide a small body fat meter that can easily measure the body fat percentage.

[0008]

The body fat meter according to the present invention comprises:
It measures the body fat percentage between two fingers of one hand of the subject and a predetermined part of the human body. That is, a current path is formed in a human body between a finger of one hand, for example, an index finger, and a predetermined part of the body of the subject, and the other finger in the middle of the current path and the predetermined This is to measure the impedance with the part. Thus, by using the body fat meter of the present invention, it is possible to know the body fat percentage in the current path passing through the internal organs of the human body, where the accumulation of fat has the most adverse effect on health, and to be more closely related to health. Related information can be obtained.

The body fat meter according to the present invention comprises a switch,
By adding switching means such as a reversing member, the body fat percentage can be measured using the fingers of both hands. That is, by switching the first measurement electrode and the second current path forming electrode or the first current path forming electrode and the second measurement electrode by the switching means, the first and second current path forming electrodes and the first and second measurement electrodes are formed on one surface of the substrate. The second measurement electrode is located, and the first and second current path forming electrodes are located on the other surface of the substrate. Thus, a current path is formed in the human body between one finger, for example, the index finger of one hand and another finger other than the one finger of the other hand, and the fingers of both hands in the middle of the current path are formed. , The impedance can be measured. Since the body fat meter can be measured by the finger of the hand in this manner, the position where the fingertip comes into contact is almost constant at each measurement, so that the length of the current path formed is constant. The variation in the value of the impedance obtained for each measurement is reduced. In addition, there is an advantage that the body fat percentage can be easily measured, and the body fat percentage can be measured by a simple and natural operation of holding with both hands.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The in-vivo fat meter according to the present invention has two pairs of electrodes formed on each side of the substrate, each of which is composed of a current path forming electrode and a measurement electrode. That is, the first electrode pair is formed on one surface of the substrate, and has a first current path forming electrode and a first measurement electrode. The second electrode pair is formed on the other surface of the substrate, and has a second current path forming electrode and a second measurement electrode.

At the time of measurement, a person to be measured holds the substrate in one hand, and one finger of the one hand electrically contacts a first measurement electrode provided on one surface of the substrate, The substrate is held so that a finger other than the one finger of the one hand of the subject is electrically in contact with the first current path forming electrode. Then, the person to be measured contacts the substrate with a part other than the one hand, and holds the substrate so that the second measurement electrode and the second current path forming electrode are in close contact with the skin. In this state, current flows between the first current path forming electrode of the first electrode pair and the second current path forming electrode of the second electrode pair, thereby forming a current path in the human body. You.

Next, the impedance between the two points on the current path formed as described above is determined by the first measurement electrode of the first electrode pair and the second measurement electrode of the second electrode pair. Is measured. The measurement of the impedance is performed by impedance measuring means. The reason why the four electrodes are provided in this way is that a current path is formed between the two current path forming electrodes, and the impedance is measured between two points in the middle of the current path, so that the contact portion between the electrode and the skin of the human body is formed. In order to exclude the influence of impedance on

In the body fat meter of the present invention, the first measuring electrode and the second current path forming electrode or the first
By switching between the current path forming electrode and the second measurement electrode, a function as a body fat meter that can measure the body fat percentage with both hands can also be achieved. Here, the switching means may be constituted by, for example, a switch, and a first measuring electrode and a second current path forming electrode, or a first current path forming electrode and a second measuring electrode are formed. May be constituted by a reversing member in which the front and back surfaces of a part of the substrate are reversed. By the function of the switching means, the first and second measurement electrodes are located on one surface of the substrate, and the first and second current path forming electrodes are located on the other surface of the substrate. Become.

In this state, one finger of each of both hands of the person to be measured is in electrical contact with the first and second measurement electrodes, respectively, and the fingers other than the one finger of each of both hands of the person to be measured. The first and second current path forming electrodes and the first and second measurement electrodes are positioned so that another finger can electrically contact the first and second current path forming electrodes, respectively. Becomes By providing these electrodes at such positions, a current path through both arms and the body is formed between the other fingers of each of both hands of the subject, and two points in the current path, that is, two points, The impedance in the current path through both arms and the torso between the one finger of both hands is measured. The measurement of the impedance is performed by impedance measuring means.

Data on the subject required for calculating the body fat percentage, such as weight, height, age, etc., is input from the data input means. Further, based on the impedance obtained by the impedance measuring means and the data on the subject input from the data input means,
The calculating means calculates the body fat percentage.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a body fat meter according to the present invention. The body fat meter according to the present embodiment is obtained by adding a function of measuring a body fat percentage to a card-type calculator. As shown in the figure, the body fat meter 10 of the present embodiment has a first electrode pair 1 provided on a back surface 11b of a card body 11 as a substrate, and a second electrode pair provided on a front surface 11a of the card body 11. Are provided. The first electrode pair 1 includes a first measurement electrode 1a and a first current path forming electrode 1b provided on the left and right sides of the back surface 11b of the card body 11. Similarly, the second electrode pair 2 is connected to the card body 11
Measurement electrodes 2a provided on the left and right of the surface 11a
And the second current path forming electrode 2b. The impedance between the first measurement electrode 1a and the second measurement electrode 2a is measured by impedance measuring means (not shown) provided in the card body 11. The impedance measuring means can be realized by a known instrument for impedance measurement.

The body fat meter 10 of this embodiment has a large number of keys 3. These keys 3 realize the functions of a calculator, and provide data such as the weight, height, and age of the subject. Also serves as a data input means for inputting the data. Further, in the card body 11, there is provided a calculating means for calculating a body fat percentage based on the impedance obtained by the impedance measuring means and the data on the subject input using the key 3. This calculation means can be realized by a CPU and a memory for realizing a function as a calculator. Further, in the present embodiment, the display unit 4 for confirming the input numerical value and displaying the finally obtained body fat percentage is provided. The display unit 4 is also used to show a calculation value and a calculation result when used as a calculator.

The body fat percentage is measured using the body fat meter 10 of the present embodiment, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The right hand 14 is attached to the second measurement electrode 2a provided on the surface 11a of the
Of the second current path forming electrode 2
The measurement is performed by holding the body fat scale 10 so that the forefinger 18 of the right hand of the person to be measured electrically contacts the subject b. Then, as shown in the figure, the subject makes the back surface 11b of the body fat meter 10 contact the left foot 15 so that the first measurement electrode 1a and the first current path forming electrode 1b adhere to the skin. To hold. In this state, the first current path forming electrode 1 b of the first electrode pair 1 and the second current path forming electrode 2
A current flows between the current path forming electrode 2b and the current path forming electrode 2b, thereby forming a current path in the human body. Next, the first electrode pair 1
The first measurement electrode 1a and the second measurement electrode 2a of the second electrode pair 2 measure the impedance between two points on the current path formed as described above. The measurement of the impedance is performed by impedance measuring means.

Next, the weight, height,
Age and the like are input using the key 3. When the input of these data is completed, the calculating means calculates the body fat percentage based on the impedance obtained by the impedance measuring means and the data on the subject input using the key 3. In this case, various known formulas can be used. This formula is set in advance in the card
1 can be stored in a storage means such as a ROM. When the body fat percentage is finally obtained, the result is displayed on the display unit 4.

As described above, when the body fat meter 10 of the present embodiment is used, the current path is formed through the visceral organ, so that the body fat percentage of the subject can be measured at the site including the visceral organ. it can. In addition, the body fat percentage can be easily obtained, and the body fat percentage can be known at any time by carrying it. Therefore, a secondary effect that the subject can always be conscious of the fat in the body and that the subject can always wear a posture paying attention to health maintenance can be obtained.

The body fat meter 10 of the present embodiment can measure the body fat percentage by using the fingers of both hands by adding the switching means. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the switch 5 functions as a switching unit. By this switch 5, the first measuring electrode 1b and the second current path forming electrode 2
a can be switched. Thus, the first and second measurement electrodes 1a and 2a are located on the back surface 11b of the body fat meter 10, and the first and second current path forming electrodes 1b and 2b are located on the front surface 11a of the body fat meter 10. Will be done.

According to this configuration of the present embodiment, the subject can hold the body fat scale 10 with the thumbs of both hands and, for example, the index finger, so that the body fat percentage can be measured. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the body fat meter 10 is set so that the left thumb presses the second measurement electrode 2b and the left index finger presses the first current path forming electrode 1a. Is held. Similarly, the body fat meter 10 is held such that the right thumb presses the first measurement electrode 1b and the right index finger presses the second current path forming electrode 2a. Thus, the body fat meter 10 with both hands
, A current path is formed between the forefinger of both hands via the arms and the body, and the impedance of the measurer is measured at the thumbs of both hands located in the middle of this current path.

Next, the weight input by the subject,
The calculating means calculates the body fat percentage based on data such as height and age and the impedance obtained by the impedance measuring means. In this case, various known formulas can be used. This calculation formula can be stored in advance in storage means such as a ROM of the card body 11. When the body fat percentage is finally obtained, the result is displayed on the display unit 4.

If the body fat meter 10 of this embodiment is used, the body fat percentage can be measured by switching the switch 5 and bringing the fingertip into contact with the electrodes with both hands. The position becomes constant for each measurement, the length of the formed current path becomes constant,
As a result, the dispersion of the measured values can be reduced.
In addition, since the body fat percentage can be measured by a natural operation of bringing the fingertip into contact with the electrode, the body fat percentage can be easily obtained. In addition, since the body fat percentage can be known at any time by carrying, the body fat percentage can be measured without being limited to a specific place such as a bathroom as in a conventional body fat meter. Therefore, the subject can always be conscious of the body fat,
As a result, the secondary effect that the subject can always wear a posture that takes care of maintaining health can be obtained.

The switching means is, for example, a reversing member 6 shown in FIG.
Can also be realized. As shown in FIG. 2, the reversing member 6 has a second current path forming electrode 2a formed on a front surface 6a thereof, and a first measurement electrode 1b formed on a rear surface 6b thereof. By reversing this reversing member, the first measuring electrode 1b and the second
Can be replaced with the current path forming electrode 2a.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the case where the switching means switches between the second current path forming electrode 2a and the first measurement electrode 1b has been described. A configuration in which 1a and the second measurement electrode 2b are switched is also possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the data on the subject is input after the measurement of the impedance. On the contrary, the impedance may be measured after the data on the subject is input. Good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the function as a body fat meter is added to the calculator has been described. However, the body fat meter of the present invention is applicable to other devices such as a clock, a pedometer, a pager, and a portable body weight. It can be attached to various portable items such as a scale, and can also be configured to have only the function of a body fat meter.

[0029]

As described above, by using the body fat meter of the present invention, the body fat percentage can be measured between any hand and a predetermined part of the human body. A current path is formed so as to pass through the internal organs, which are said to be the most harmful to health due to the accumulation of fat, and information on the percentage of body fat at that site can be obtained.

Further, by using the switching means, the body fat percentage can be measured by the operation of holding the finger with both hands and touching the electrode, so that the length of the current path formed is kept constant. As a result, the dispersion of the measured values can be reduced. In addition, since the body fat percentage can be easily measured by a natural operation of holding the fingers with both hands and touching the electrodes, the body fat percentage can be measured at any time while carrying the device. Therefore, unlike the body fat meter that was used in a specific place such as a bathroom in the past, the body fat percentage can be measured at any place, and the awareness of always paying attention to the body fat The subject can be born and, thus, always take a posture to pay attention to health maintenance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a body fat meter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a body fat meter according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method of using the body fat meter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing another method of using the body fat meter of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 electrode pairs 1a first measuring electrode 2a second measuring electrode 1b first first current path forming electrode 2b second first current path forming electrode 3 key 4 display unit 5 switch 6 inversion Member 10 Body fat meter 11 Card body

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first electrode having a first current path forming electrode formed on one surface of a substrate and a first measurement electrode formed near the first current path forming electrode. A pair, a second current path forming electrode formed on the other surface of the substrate and forming a current path between the first current path forming electrode, and the first measurement electrode. A second electrode pair having a second measurement electrode formed near the second current path forming electrode for measuring impedance, the first measurement electrode and the second measurement Impedance measurement means for measuring the impedance between the electrodes for data, data input means for inputting data on the subject required for calculating the body fat percentage, and the impedance obtained by the impedance measurement means, To the subject entered in the data input means Calculating means for calculating a body fat percentage based on the data to be measured, and electrically contacting one finger of one hand of the subject with the first measurement electrode, A finger other than said one finger of said hand is electrically contacted with said first current path forming electrode;
A body fat meter, wherein the measuring electrode and the second current path forming electrode are used in contact with each other. 2. The body fat meter according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for switching between the first measurement electrode and the second current path forming electrode. 3. The body fat meter according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for switching between the first current path forming electrode and the second measurement electrode. 4. The body fat meter according to claim 2, wherein the switching means is a switch. 5. The switching means according to claim 2, wherein said switching means is a reversing member for reversing a portion of said substrate on which said first measuring electrode and said second current path forming electrode are formed. Body fat meter as described. 6. The switching means according to claim 3, wherein said switching means is a reversing member for reversing a portion of said substrate on which said first current path forming electrode and said second measurement electrode are formed. Body fat meter as described.