CN101112310A - Waist circumference calculation device and body composition determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

An abdomen width determiner determines an abdomen width value of a human subject. A memory stores a correlation between abdomen width values and waist circumferences of human beings. A waist circumference calculator calculates a waist circumference of the human subject on the basis of the abdomen width value determined by the abdomen width determiner and the correlation stored in the memory. The correlation stored in the memory may be expressed by the following regression formula: Y = aX + b where ''Y'' is a waist circumference of a human being, ''X'' is an abdomen width value of a human being, and ''a'' and ''b'' are constants.

Description

Waist circumference calculation device and body composition determination device

technical field

The present invention relates to a waist circumference calculation device for calculating the waist circumference of a human body, and also relates to a body composition determination device including the waist circumference calculation device.

Background technique

In the fields of medical treatment, beauty and health care, waist circumference has been widely used as one of indicators related to a person's physique or body shape. As lifestyle-related diseases such as those caused by obesity are currently gaining more attention, the waist circumference is attracting attention because it is considered as an index reflecting the amount of visceral fat, so it is used as data for diagnosing metabolic syndrome.

Waist circumference is usually measured with a tape measure. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-113870 (published in 1999) discloses a belt-shaped measuring device that can be wrapped around the abdomen of a human body in a manner similar to a tape measure to measure waist circumference and abdominal impedance.

However, it is difficult to precisely position a tape measure or belt-like device at the proper location on the abdomen. For example, placing a tape measure at a desired height is a very difficult and cumbersome operation because the tape measure may move, especially when the person is standing.

In addition, it is difficult to maintain the position of the tape measure without tightening the area to be measured. Even with the tape measure in place, tightening the part to be measured can deform the part, causing measurement errors.

Contents of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a waist calculation device capable of calculating the waist circumference of a human body in a highly reproducible manner, and a body composition determination device including the waist calculation device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a waist circumference calculation device is provided, the waist circumference calculation device includes: an abdomen width determiner, used to determine the abdomen width value of a human body; a correlation formula; and a waist calculator that calculates the waist circumference of the human body based on the abdominal width value determined by the abdominal width determiner and the correlation formula stored in the memory. With this structure, the waist circumference of a human body can be calculated with high reproducibility.

Preferably, the correlation formula is represented by the following regression formula:

Y=aX+b

Wherein, "Y" is a person's waist circumference, "X" is a person's abdominal width value, and "a" and "b" are constants.

The waist calculation device may further include a measurement unit including at least one non-contact ranging sensor that emits light, receives light reflected from something in front of the sensor, and generates A signal corresponding to a distance of something, wherein the belly width determiner determines the belly width value based on the signal generated by the sensor. In this embodiment, the abdominal width value can be measured in a non-contact manner (for example, without deforming the abdomen of the human body).

The waist calculation device may further include a support that can be arranged near the human body, wherein the measurement unit includes at least one pair of the non-contact ranging sensors supported on the support, and the pair of non-contact The distance measuring sensor includes a first sensor and a second sensor arranged on opposite sides of the human body in the support, and the first sensor measures a first object on a first measurement line with the human body. The first distance between the position, the second sensor measures the second distance between it and the second object position on the human body on the second measurement line, the second measurement line and the first measurement line The lines are parallel or identical, the measuring unit measures a plurality of first distances from a plurality of first object positions on a plurality of parallel first measurement lines, and measures distances from a plurality of first object positions on a plurality of parallel second measurement lines. a plurality of second intervals of a second object position, the plurality of second measurement lines are on the same plane as the plurality of first measurement lines, and the abdomen width determiner further includes: distance calculation an implementer that calculates a plurality of object width candidates based on the plurality of first spacings and the plurality of second spacings, each object width candidate being one of the plurality of first object positions and the plurality of second spacings a distance between one of the object positions; and a maximum value selector for selecting a maximum object width from among the plurality of object width candidates as the belly width value.

The waist calculation device may further include a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism is respectively used to move the first sensor and the second sensor relative to the support member, wherein the measurement distance of the first sensor is within a plurality of first a plurality of first distances of a plurality of first object positions on parallel measurement lines, each first distance between a sensor position of the first sensor and a first object position on the human body, and the second The sensor measures a plurality of second distances from a plurality of second object positions on a plurality of second parallel measurement lines, each second distance between a sensor position of the second sensor and a second object position on the human body between. In this embodiment, each sensor can measure multiple pitches.

In one embodiment, the measuring unit comprises a plurality of pairs of non-contact ranging sensors, each pair comprising a first sensor and a second sensor fixedly supported on the support, wherein each first sensor measures a corresponding The first distance between the first sensor and the first object position on the human body on the first measurement line, and each second sensor measures the corresponding second sensor and the human body on the second measurement line The second spacing between the second object positions of , the second measurement line is parallel to or the same as the first measurement line. In this embodiment, since the sensor is fixed to the support, the device can be easily manufactured.

The waist calculation device may further include a support that may be arranged near the human body, wherein the at least one non-contact ranging sensor is supported on the support, and the measurement unit measures the relationship between the sensor and the human body. A plurality of intervals between a plurality of measurement positions on a plurality of measurement lines parallel to the anteroposterior direction, and the abdomen width determiner may further include: an end detector, which is based on each of the plurality of intervals measuring the first end and the second end of the human body; and a distance calculator for calculating the distance between the first end and the second end as the abdominal width value.

The waist measurement device may further include a drive mechanism for moving the sensor relative to the support, wherein the sensor measures a plurality of distances from a plurality of measurement locations on a plurality of parallel measurement lines . In this embodiment, a single sensor can measure multiple pitches.

In one embodiment, the measurement unit includes a plurality of sensors fixedly supported on the support, and the plurality of sensors are used to respectively measure distances from a plurality of measurement positions on a plurality of parallel measurement lines. spacing. In this embodiment, since the sensor is fixed to the support, the device can be easily manufactured.

In one embodiment, the supporting member has a concave portion having a curved shape fit on the front surface of the abdomen of the human body. In this embodiment, deformation of the abdomen of the human body can be reduced.

The waist calculation device may further include a navel position indicator arranged on the supporting member for indicating a reference position where the navel of the human body should be. In this embodiment, deployment, ie positioning, of the device may be assisted.

In one embodiment, said support is in the shape of a frame open on one side, and the support may be arranged around said human body. Because one side of the support is open, the device can be easily positioned around the human body. This feature is especially beneficial when measuring elderly bedridden or physically disabled persons.

The waist calculation device may further include a rod supporting the support in such a manner that the support is slidable along a centerline of a human body. In this embodiment, the position of the device along the midline of the body can be easily adjusted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body composition determination device, the body composition determination device includes: the waist circumference calculation device according to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention; a bioelectrical impedance measurement unit for measuring the biological an electrical impedance; and a body composition calculator that calculates an index of the body composition of the human body based on the waist circumference calculated by the waist calculation means and the bioelectrical impedance measured by the bioelectrical impedance measurement unit. Since the waist calculation device of the above-described embodiment can accurately calculate the waist circumference, the body composition determination device can also determine an accurate body composition index based on the waist circumference.

Description of drawings

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the attached picture:

1 is a perspective view of a body composition determining device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the body composition determining device of Figure 1 positioned relative to a human body;

Figure 3 is a front view of the body composition determining device of Figure 1 being measured for a distance;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating components of the body composition determining apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a statistical correlation between abdominal width values and waist circumference of a person;

Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating the use and operation of the body composition determining device of Figure 1;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the body composition determining device in step S9 of FIG. 6;

8 is a perspective view of a waist calculation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the waist calculation device in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front view of the waist calculation device in Fig. 8 placed relative to the human body;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the waist calculation device in FIG. 8 in a different situation from that of FIG. 10;

12 is a block diagram showing components of the waist calculation device in FIG. 8;

13A and 13B form a flowchart showing the use and operation of the waist calculation device in FIG. 8;

14 is a front view of a waist calculation device according to a modification of the second embodiment placed relative to a human body;

15 is a perspective view of a waist circumference calculation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

16 is a perspective view of a support of the waist calculation device in FIG. 15;

Figure 17 is a top view of the support of Figure 16 with a human body inside;

18 is a block diagram illustrating components of the waist calculation device in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the use and operation of the waist calculation device in FIG. 15; and

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a waist calculation device according to a modification of the third embodiment.

Detailed ways

first embodiment

A body composition determination device according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a waist circumference calculation device. The waist calculation means measures the abdominal width value of a lying human body, and calculates the subject's waist circumference based on a previously stored correlation between the human abdominal width value and waist circumference. The correlation is represented by a formula determined based on the statistics of the relationship between the waist circumference of a person and the abdominal width value of a person measured using CT (Computerized Axial Tomography). The body composition determining device further includes an abdominal bioelectrical impedance measuring unit for measuring the bioelectrical impedance (bioimpedance) of the abdomen of the human body, and determines the body composition based on the calculated waist circumference and the measured bioelectrical impedance. Composition indicators.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the body composition determination device according to the present embodiment includes a portable support 14 . The support 14 is a substantially rectangular frame with one side open. More specifically, the support member 14 has a pair of parallel legs 3a and 3b standing vertically on a floor or bed 30, and a connecting portion 2 at both ends of which the legs 3a and 3b meet. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the body composition determination device 1 is arranged such that the connection portion 2 is opposed to the front surface of the abdomen of a human body 20 lying on a bed 30 with its back facing down. By virtue of the open sides of the support 14, the device 1 can be easily placed around the body. This feature is particularly advantageous when the human body 20 is an elderly bedridden person or a physically disabled person.

The console of the body composition determination device 1 is provided on the connection part 2 . The console includes: a display 4 for displaying operating instructions, measurement results, or other information to the operator; and a manual interface 5, which includes at least one button and switch, through which the operator can provide the device with, for example, Command to power up or start a measurement. Inside the connection part 2, there is provided a circuit for controlling the body composition determination device 1, which will be described later.

The body composition determination device 1 includes a bioelectrical impedance measurement unit for measuring the bioelectrical impedance of the abdomen of the human body 20 . As shown in Figure 1, the bioelectrical impedance measurement unit includes: an electrode 15 for measuring the bioelectrical impedance of a human body 20; touch. The electrodes 15 are arranged on an electrode support 16 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the electrodes 15 include a pair of voltage measurement electrodes 15 a and a pair of current supply electrodes 15 b arranged between the pair of voltage measurement electrodes 15 a. The electrodes 15 are electrically connected to the electric circuit in the connection part 2 . The bioelectrical impedance is determined based on the current flowing through the human body 20 between the current supply electrodes 15b and the potential difference between the voltage measurement electrodes 15a. More specifically, the bioelectrical impedance is the ratio of the potential difference between the voltage measuring electrodes 15a to the current passing between the current supply electrodes 15b.

The electrode support portion 16 has a through hole 17 at its center. Before measuring the bioelectrical impedance, as shown in FIG. 2 , the electrode support 16 is arranged on the front surface of the abdomen so that the navel N of the human body 20 can be seen through the through hole 17 . In this way, by using the navel N as a reference position, the electrode 15 can be positioned at a predetermined portion of the abdomen of the human body 20 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the body composition determination device 1 includes a navel position indicator 18 (not shown in FIG. 1 ) for indicating the reference position of the navel N for positioning the human body 20 . A navel position indicator 18 is arranged on the connecting portion 2 at the center between the legs 3a and 3b. In this embodiment, navel position indicator 18 is, but is not limited to, a light emitter (eg, a laser pointer that emits a narrow beam) for directing reference light onto human body 20 . The supporting member 14 is arranged above the human body 20 in such a manner that the navel N of the human body 20 is positioned at the reference position indicated by the navel position indicator 18 (the reference light is irradiated onto the navel N). The electrode support 16 is arranged on the human body 20 so that the reference light emitted from the navel position indicator 18 passes through the through hole 17. Positioning the support 14 relative to the human body 20 in this manner enables accurate measurement of the abdominal width value without errors caused by mispositioning.

The body composition determining device 1 further includes a measuring unit for measuring multiple widths W of the abdomen of the human body 20 , as shown in FIG. 2 . The measuring unit comprises a pair of non-contact distance measuring sensors, namely a first sensor 6a and a second sensor 6b supported on legs 3a and 3b of the support 14, respectively. The first sensor 6 a and the second sensor 6 b are arranged on opposite sides of the human body 20 inside the support 14 . Each sensor is an optical distance sensor having: an emitter for emitting a beam of light horizontally (such as, but not limited to, an infrared beam); and used to generate a signal corresponding to the distance from the corresponding sensor to something in front of the sensor. In this way, each sensor measures the distance between the corresponding sensor and something in front of that sensor.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, arrows LA and LB indicate beams emitted horizontally from sensors 6a and 6b. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor 6a measures the first distance DA between it and the first object position on the human body 20 intersecting with the first horizontal measuring line (the path of the light beam from the sensor 6a), and The second sensor 6b measures a second distance DB between it and a second object position on the human body 20 intersecting the second horizontal measuring line (the path of the light beam from the sensor 6b). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first measurement line and the second measurement line are identical.

The drive mechanisms 7a and 7b are respectively located at the legs 3a and 3b for vertically moving the first non-contact distance measuring sensor 6a and the second non-contact distance measuring sensor 6b relative to the frame 14 within a range. For example, each drive mechanism comprises an endless belt drawn on pulleys driven by rotating means (eg a stepper motor), and the corresponding sensor 6a or 6b is attached to the endless belt. Other suitable drive mechanisms known to those skilled in the art may also be used. By means of the driving mechanisms 7a and 7b, the first sensor 6a and the second sensor 6b are synchronously raised and lowered along the legs 3a and 3b in the same vertical plane, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3 .

During the vertical movement of the first sensor 6a, the first sensor 6a measures a plurality of first distances DA1 to DA4 from a plurality of first (left) object positions on a plurality of first parallel horizontal measuring lines on the same vertical plane, Each first distance is between the sensor position of the first sensor 6 a and the first (left) object position on the human body 20 . While the second sensor 6b is moving vertically, the second sensor 6b measures distances from a plurality of second parallel horizontal measurement lines (which are on the same vertical plane as the first measurement line). A plurality of second distances DB1 to DB4 of (right) object positions, each second distance being located between the sensor position of the second sensor 6 b and a second (right) object position on the human body 20 . Thus, although the measuring unit has only two sensors, each single sensor is capable of measuring multiple distances from multiple object positions on the human body 20 on multiple parallel horizontal lines. In FIG. 3 , the first distances DA1 to DA4 and the second distances DB1 to DB4 are shown as examples; however, it should be understood that the number of distances is not limited to that in the illustrated embodiment.

Although the sensors 6a and 6b are moved, since the support legs 3a and 3b are parallel, the horizontal distance interval INT between the sensors 6a and 6b in the horizontal direction parallel to the first and second measurement lines remains constant. Change. In this way, a plurality of subject width candidates W that are candidates for the belly width value Wsbj (ie, the maximum value among subject width candidates W) can be estimated based on the plurality of first and second intervals DA and DB and the constant interval INT. For example, when the distances DA1 and DB1 are at the same height, the object width candidate is equal to INT minus DA1 minus DB1. Similarly, another object width candidate equals INT minus DA2 minus DB2. The third object width candidate is equal to INT minus DA3 minus DB3, and the fourth object width candidate is equal to INT minus DA4 minus DB4. As can be understood from FIG. 3 , each object width candidate W is the distance between one of the first (left) object positions and one of the second (right) object positions.

The true abdomen width value is approximately equal to the maximum value among the plurality of object width candidates W described above. The estimation accuracy of the belly width value Wsbj improves when the vertical distance interval of the horizontal measurement line is reduced and the number of intervals measured is increased.

Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 4 , the electrical structure of the body composition determination device 1 will be described. The circuit in the above-mentioned connection part 2 includes a microcomputer 8, which is connected to the following components: display 4, manual interface 5, sensors 6a and 6b, drive mechanisms 7a and 7b, electrodes 15, and navel position indicator 18 . The microcomputer 8 is driven by a power supply 13 and includes a memory 12 and a processor including a controller 9 , a calculator 10 , and a determiner 11 . The functions of the controller 9, the calculator 10 and the determiner 11 are realized by software.

The controller 9 (ie, control means) performs overall control of the body composition determination means 1 . The overall control includes: controlling the sensors 6a and 6b to measure the distances DA and DB; and controlling the drive mechanisms 7a and 7b to move the sensors 6a and 6b.

The calculator 10 functions as a distance calculator, ie, distance calculating means for calculating a plurality of object width candidates W based on a plurality of first distances DA and a plurality of second distances DB measured by the sensors 6a and 6b.

The determiner 11 functions as a maximum value selector, that is, a maximum value selection means for selecting a maximum value among a plurality of object width candidates W as the abdomen width value of the human body 20 . In this way, the distance calculator (calculator 10 ) and the maximum value selector (determinator 11 ) cooperate to serve as the abdomen width determiner for determining the abdomen width value Wsbj of the human body 20 .

The determiner 11 also functions as a limit detector, ie limit detection means, for determining whether at least one of the first sensor 6a and the second sensor 6b has reached the movement limit of the corresponding sensor. In the present embodiment, the determiner 11 performs such limit detection for each of the sensors 6a and 6b. If the determiner 11 detects that a sensor has reached the movement limit, the controller 9 functions as a measurement terminator, ie, measurement termination means, for terminating the measurement of the corresponding distance by the corresponding sensor.

The memory 12 prestores various data such as default values, system settings, and arithmetic expressions. The abdomen width value Wsbj determined by the determiner 11 is also stored in the memory 12 .

In addition, the memory 12 stores the above-mentioned correlation expression between the abdominal width value and the waist circumference of a person. The calculator 10 is used not only as a distance calculator but also as a waist calculator, i.e., a waist calculation means for calculating the body weight of the human body 20 corresponding to the determined abdominal width Wsbj based on the correlation formula stored in the memory 12. waistline.

This correlation expression is statistically estimated in advance based on the measured data of a plurality of human bodies. The correlation formula is expressed, for example, by a regression formula determined based on the measurement results of abdominal width values and waist circumferences by CT (which are shown in FIG. 5 ) of multiple people, but is not limited thereto. The following is an exemplary regression formula representing the straight line shown in FIG. 5 .

Y=aX+b

Where, "Y" is the waist circumference of the person, "X" is the width of the abdomen of the person, and "a" and "b" are constants. The constants "a" and "b" are preferably 3.01 and -10.2, respectively, but they are not limited thereto. Preferably, the constant "a" is greater than 2.3 and less than 3.14, and the constant "b" is selected based on the constant "a". For example, the constant "a" could be 2.49 and the constant "b" could be 10.5.

In addition, the memory 12 stores body composition index formulas for calculating various body composition indexes of a human body based on bioelectrical impedance and waist circumference. The calculator 10 is also used as a body composition calculator, that is, a body composition calculation device for calculating the body composition index formula of the human body 20 corresponding to the bioelectrical impedance measured with the electrodes 15 and the waist circumference calculated by the waist circumference calculator. body composition indicators. The body composition index formula may be, for example, a formula known in the art for calculating a visceral fat index as a body composition index.

The controller 9, the calculator 10, and the determiner 11 may be physically realized by a plurality of central processing units. Alternatively, they may be functionally realized by a computer program executed by a single central processing unit.

Referring to the flowchart shown in Fig. 6, the use and operation of the body composition determination device 1 will be described in more detail. The memory 12 permanently stores a computer program for controlling the body composition determination device 1 . The microcomputer 8 operates according to this computer program. Steps executed by the microcomputer 8 in the operation of the flowchart correspond to the computer program or elements of the computer program. In the present embodiment, the memory 12 is used as a storage medium for storing computer programs or program elements, but another memory or storage device may be used as such a storage medium. Semiconductor memories, hard disks, optical disks, digital versatile disks, floppy disks or other suitable storage media can be used for this purpose.

After turning on the power by manipulating the power switch of the manual interface 5 , the operator places the body composition determination device 1 on the bed 30 so that the frame 14 is positioned above the human body 20 in step S1 . The following operations are steps performed by the microcomputer 8 according to the program.

In step S2, the microcomputer 8 determines whether the measurement start switch of the manual interface 5 has been pressed. If pressed, the process proceeds to step S3 where the microcomputer 8 initializes the entire system. For example, the microcomputer 8 initializes the positions of the sensors 6 a and 6 b and the data in the memory 12 .

After the system initialization, in step S4, the microcomputer 8 is used as the controller 9 to control the drive mechanisms 7a and 7b to move the sensors 6a and 6b synchronously, and to start the sensors 6a and 6b to measure (sample) the first distance DA and A pair of second spacing DB.

It can be understood from this flowchart that whenever the process returns to step S4, the sensors 6a and 6b are moved synchronously and activated to measure the next pair of the first distance and the second distance, thereby scanning the human body at a certain sampling time interval 20. The respective drive mechanisms 7a and 7b move the sensors 6a and 6b at the same speed under the control of the controller 9 so that the sensors 6a and 6b remain at the same height during this movement and measurement. The sampling period interval is multiplied by the moving speed of the sensors 6a and 6b to obtain the sampling distance interval (the distance interval of the horizontal measurement line). For example, when the sampling distance interval is 1 micron and the sampling period interval is 50 milliseconds, the velocity will be 0.02 m/s.

In step S5, the microcomputer 8 is used as a calculator 10 for calculating the latest object width candidate W based on the pair of the above-mentioned horizontal distance interval INT and the first distance DA and the second distance DB measured last time by the sensors 6a and 6b .

In step S6, the microcomputer 8 functions as a determiner 11 for determining whether or not the latest object width candidate W is the current maximum value in the measured section. In the present embodiment, the value of the current maximum object width is stored in the memory 12 , and the determiner 11 determines whether the latest object width candidate W is larger than the current maximum object width already stored in the memory 12 . The default value for the maximum object width in memory 12 is zero.

If the latest object width candidate W is larger, then the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the determiner 11 erases the maximum object width previously stored in the memory 12, and stores the latest object width candidate W in the memory 12. W is stored as the new maximum object width. That is, the determiner 11 updates the maximum object width in the memory 12 . Then, the process proceeds to step S8. Conversely, if the latest object width candidate W is not larger, the process proceeds directly to step S8 without updating the maximum object width in the memory 12 .

In step S8, the microcomputer 8 functions as a determiner 11 for determining whether the first sensor 6a and the second sensor 6b have reached their movement limits 6L (see FIG. 3). For example, the time required for the sensors 6 a and 6 b to reach the movement limit 6L is calculated based on the traveling speed of the sensors 6 a and 6 b and the length from the start position to the movement limit 6L. This necessary duration is stored in the memory 12, and the microcomputer 8 has a timer for counting the time elapsed since the sensors 6a and 6b started traveling. When the elapsed time reaches the necessary duration, the determiner 11 determines that the sensor has reached the limit 6L.

If the sensor has not reached the limit 6L, the process returns to step S4 where the next first distance and the next second distance are measured. If the sensor reaches the limit 6L, the process proceeds to step S9. The maximum object width finally stored in the memory 12 is determined as the abdomen width value Wsbj. At step S9, the microcomputer 8 executes a subroutine for calculating the waist circumference and body composition index of the human body 20. Then, at step S10, the microcomputer 8 functions as a display controller for causing the display 4 to display the value of the waist circumference and the body composition index calculated at step S9. The microcomputer 8 controls the display 4 so that the display keeps the displayed waist circumference and body composition indicators for a period of time. Since the display retains the displayed value at least temporarily, the operator can easily confirm the displayed value after the measurement is completed and avoid changing the displayed image even if the sensor is accidentally moved after the measurement is completed. After step S10, the process ends.

Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 , the operation of the body composition determination device 1 in step S9 shown in FIG. 6 will be described in more detail. In step S11 , the microcomputer 8 reads from the memory 12 a regression formula representing a correlation between the abdominal width value and the waist circumference.

In step S12, the microcomputer 8 functions as a calculator 10 (waist circumference calculator) for calculating the waist circumference Y of the human body 20 based on the regression formula and the determined abdominal width.

In step S13, the microcomputer 8 measures bioelectrical impedance based on the signal supplied from the electrode 15 in a manner known in the art. Then, in step S14, the microcomputer 8 reads the body composition index formula for calculating the body composition index. In step S15, the microcomputer 8 is used as a calculator 10 for calculating a body composition index (for example, about visceral fat) of the human body 20 corresponding to the measured bioelectrical impedance and the calculated waist circumference based on the body composition index formula. index of). The body composition index can be calculated in the manner disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-288735 (published in 2006). The entire disclosure thereof is hereby incorporated by reference. Body composition indicators include, but are not limited to, subcutaneous fat area, subcutaneous fat thickness, total fat area of the abdomen, visceral fat area, fat ratio of the trunk portion, fat ratio of the whole body, and abdominal muscle thickness, for example, without limitation. After the body composition index is calculated, the process proceeds to step S10 in the main routine shown in FIG. 6 .

The above-described body composition determination device 1 calculates a body composition index based on the waist circumference of the human body 20 . However, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-288023 (published in 2005), the body composition index can be calculated based on the abdominal width value of the human body 20 measured by the measurement units (sensors 6a and 6b). The entire disclosure thereof is hereby incorporated by reference.

In the first embodiment described above, the drive mechanisms 7a and 7b are synchronously driven to move the sensors 6a and 6b simultaneously. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the controller 9 may drive the drive mechanisms 7a and 7b separately to move the sensors 6a and 6b at different times, but the sampling distance interval and the sampling start height of the sensor 6a should be the same as the sampling distance of the sensor 6b. The distance interval and sampling start height are the same so that the first parallel horizontal measurement line of sensor 6a coincides with the second parallel horizontal measurement line of sensor 6b. The microcomputer 8 may continuously store all measured first distances DA and second distances DB in the memory 12 . In this alternative embodiment, the calculator 10 may continuously calculate all object width candidates W based on the first distance DA and the second distance DB stored in the memory 12, wherein each object width candidate W is based on the above-mentioned The horizontal distance interval INT and the first interval DA and the second interval DB at the same height are calculated, and the determiner 11 may select the maximum value among all the calculated candidates as the abdominal width value Wsbj.

second embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 14 , a waist calculation device 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unlike the body composition determining device 1 according to the first embodiment, the device 101 does not measure bioelectrical impedance or calculate a body composition index.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 , the waist measurement device 101 includes a portable support 114 instead of the support 14 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the support 114 is placed horizontally on the front surface of the human body 20 . The support 114 is provided with a leveling assistance unit 119 (eg, a spirit level or an angle sensor) for assisting an operator in adjusting the support 114 to be horizontal (ie, parallel to the floor or the surface of the bed 30 ).

The support 114 has a contact portion 120 . The contact portion 120 is a concave portion of a curved shape that can be fitted on the front surface of the abdomen of the human body 20 . The contact portion 120 enables the support 114 (the waist calculation device 101 ) to be stably positioned on the front surface. Furthermore, by virtue of the contact portion 120, changes in the relative positions of the support 114 and the human body 20 are reduced. Although placement of the support 114 deforms the front surface, in the inventor's experience, this abdominal deformation has less of an effect on the waist circumference than breathing would cause. Thus, even with support 114 placed directly on the abdomen, accurate measurements of waist circumference can be made with a high degree of reproducibility.

In addition, the support 114 has a navel position indicator 118 for indicating the reference position where the navel N of the human body 20 is located. Navel position indicator 118 is, but is not limited to, a through hole formed at the center of support 114 . The support 114 is positioned relative to the human body 20 in such a way that the navel N is visible through the navel position indicator 118 . Positioning the support 114 in this way enables accurate measurement of the belly width value Wsbj without errors caused by mispositioning. In this way, the navel position indicator 118, the level adjustment assisting unit 119, and the contact portion 120 assist the operator in precisely positioning the waist calculation device 101 at a position where the waist circumference can be measured with high reproducibility, which is at the outer periphery where the navel N is located. superior.

The waist calculation device 101 also includes a measurement unit for measuring the abdominal width value Wsbj shown in FIG. 10 . The measuring unit of the present embodiment includes a single non-contact distance measuring sensor 6 c movably supported on a support 114 . The sensors employed are of the same type as in the first embodiment. Thus, the sensor 6c has: an emitter for emitting a beam of light (such as, but not limited to, an infrared beam) downward in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the floor or bed 30; and a light receiver for receiving light from something ( For example, light reflected by a human body 20 or a bed 30) and used to generate a signal corresponding to the distance from the sensor 6c to something in front of the sensor 6c. The sensor 6c thus measures its distance from the measuring position on the vertically extending measuring line. In Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, arrow LC indicates the light beam emitted downward from the sensor 6c.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the driving mechanism 7c is arranged on the supporting member 114 for moving the sensor 6c relative to the supporting member 114 within a range. The drive mechanism employed is of the same type as in the first embodiment. By means of the drive mechanism 7c, the sensor 6c is moved horizontally along the support 114 (ie in a direction parallel to the floor or bed 30), as shown by the dotted lines in FIGS. 10 and 11 .

During the horizontal movement of the sensor 6c, a single sensor 6c measures a plurality of distances DC from a plurality of measurement positions on a plurality of parallel vertical measurement lines in the same vertical plane, each distance between the sensor position of the sensor 6c and the bed 30 or between measurement locations on the human body 20 .

In the state shown in Fig. 10, the sensor 6c measures the distance DC between it and the bed 30 intersecting the vertical measuring line (the path of the light beam from the sensor 6c). The distance DC in this state is almost equal to the reference height ELE of the sensor 6c, which is the vertical distance between the sensor 6c and the bottoms of the legs 3a and 3b. On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 11, the sensor 6c measures another distance DC between its object position and the human body 20 intersecting another vertical measurement line (the path of the light beam from the sensor 6c).

It can be understood from FIG. 10 that when the sensor 6c is not above the human body 20, the measured distance DC is very large. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 11 , when the sensor 6 c is located above the human body 20 , the measured distance DC is smaller. Therefore, the two ends SE and TE of the human body 20 can be detected based on the comparison of the size of the distance DC with at least one threshold, and the abdominal width of the human body 20 located between the two ends SE and TE of the human body 20 can be estimated. Value Wsbj. This is the general principle for the device 101 to achieve abdominal width measurement. When the horizontal distance interval of the vertical measurement line is reduced and the number of measured intervals is increased, the estimation accuracy of the belly width value Wsbj is improved.

Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 12 , the electrical structure of the waist calculation device 101 will be described. The block diagram in FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, but in FIG. 12, instead of the sensors 6a and 6b and the driving mechanisms 7a and 7b, the microcomputer 8 is electrically connected to the sensor 6c and the driving mechanism 7c. Furthermore, electrodes 15 and navel position indicator 18 are not used.

Instead of controlling the sensors 6a and 6b for distance measurement and the drive mechanisms 7a and 7b for moving the sensors 6a and 6b, the controller 9 controls the sensor 6c for measuring the distance DC and the drive mechanism 7c for moving the sensor 6c.

The calculator 10 functions as a distance calculator, ie, distance calculating means, for calculating the abdominal width value Wsbj between two ends (ie, the first end and the second end of the human body 20 ).

The determiner 11 functions as an end detector, ie, end detection means for detecting the first end and the second end of the human body 20 based on the magnitude of each of the plurality of distances DC.

The memory 12 stores various data in advance, such as default values, system settings, and arithmetic expressions. For example, the memory 12 of the present embodiment stores in advance threshold values for specifying the first end SE and the second end TE of the human body 20 . In addition, the memory 12 prestores the correlation formula between the abdominal width value and the waist circumference described above in connection with FIG. 5 . As described in the first embodiment, this correlation expression is expressed by the following regression formula.

Y=aX+b

Referring to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B , the use and operation of the waist calculation device 101 will be described in more detail. The steps performed by the microcomputer 8 in the operations of this flowchart correspond to the computer program or elements of the computer program stored in the memory 12 or another memory or storage device. Steps S51 , S52 , and S53 after power-on are the same as steps S1 , S2 , and S3 in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and thus will not be described in detail. However, in step S53, the microcomputer 8 initializes the position of the sensor 6c instead of the positions of the sensors 6a and 6b. Furthermore, a counter is functionally or physically provided in the microcomputer 8 for counting the number of times the distance DC is sampled when the sensor 6c is located above the human body 20 . In step S53, for system initialization, the counter value "i" is reset to zero (default value).

At step S54, the microcomputer 8 functions as the controller 9 to activate the sensor 6c so that the sensor 6c measures the initial vertical distance between it and the bed 30. The microcomputer 8 thus obtains this initial vertical distance and stores it in the memory 12 as a reference initial height ELE of the sensor 6c.

In step S55, the microcomputer 8 functions as the controller 9 to control the driving mechanism 7c to move the sensor 6c at a constant speed. As a result, the sensor 6c measures (samples) one of the distances DC. It can be understood from the flow chart that whenever the process returns to step S55, the sensor 6c is moved and activated to measure the next distance DC, so as to scan the human body 20 at a certain sampling time interval.

In step S56, the calculator 10 calculates the difference between the last measured distance and the reference initial height ELE. In step S57, the microcomputer 8 functions as the determiner 11 for determining whether the vertical measurement line of the sensor 6c is located above the human body 20 or not. This determination is carried out by determining whether or not the above-mentioned counter value "i" is equal to or greater than 1.

If "i" is less than 1 (the sensor 6c is not above the human body 20), the process proceeds to step S58, and in step S58, the determiner 11 is used as an end detector for determining whether the measuring line of the sensor 6c reaches the first end of the human body 20. One end (starting end) SE. This determination is achieved by comparing the difference calculated in step S56 with the threshold value P stored in the memory 12 . If the difference is greater than P, the measuring line of the sensor 6c has reached the start end SE. This determination is the same as the determination that the determiner 11 determines that the sensor 6c has reached the start end SE of the human body 20 when the sensor 6c measures the distance DC smaller than another threshold value.

If the determination in step S58 is negative (the difference is not greater than P), processing returns to step S55 where the next interval DC is sampled. If the determination in step S58 is affirmative (the difference is larger than P), the process proceeds to step S59 where the microcomputer 8 increments the counter value "i" by one.

If the counter value "i" is equal to or greater than 1, the determination in step S57 is affirmative, and the process proceeds directly to step S59 (without step S58) because the system already knows that the sensor 6c is traveling above the human body 20.

In step S60, the determiner 11 functions as an end detector for determining whether the measurement line of the sensor 6c reaches the second end (termination end) TE of the human body 20 or not. This determination is achieved by comparing the difference calculated in step S56 with the threshold value Q stored in the memory 12 . Threshold Q may be the same as or different from threshold P described above. If the difference is equal to or smaller than Q, the measuring line of the sensor 6c has reached the terminal end TE. This determination is the same as the determination that the determiner 11 determines that the sensor 6c has reached the terminal end TE of the human body 20 when the sensor 6c measures the distance DC greater than another threshold value.

If the determination in step S60 is negative (the difference is greater than Q), processing returns to step S55 where the next distance DC is sampled since sensor 6c is still traveling over human body 20 .

If the determination in step S60 is affirmative (the difference is not greater than Q), the process proceeds to step S61, where the controller 9 acts as a measurement terminator (i.e., measurement termination means) and terminates the sensor 6c from measuring the distance And the end drive mechanism 7c moves the sensor 6c. In addition, the microcomputer 8 holds the current value "i" of the sampling counter, and then based on this value, the calculator 10 functions as a distance calculator and calculates the position of the sensor that detected the first end SE and the position of the sensor that detected the second end TE. The interval length Lint between positions (in Fig. 11). This interval length Lint is equal to the value of the belly width Wsbj between the first end SE and the second end TE. Calculation of the interval length Lint is accomplished by multiplying the sampling distance interval, which is the product of the sampling period interval and the travel speed of the sensor 6c, by the counter value "i". Calculator 10 stores abdomen width value Wsbj(Lint) in memory 12 .

In step S62, the microcomputer 8 reads the above-mentioned regression formula (ie, the correlation formula between the abdominal width value and the waist circumference) from the memory 12 .

In step S63, the microcomputer 8 functions as the calculator 10 (waist calculator) for calculating the waist Y of the human body 20 based on the regression formula and the calculated abdominal width value Wsbj of the human body 20 (X in the regression formula). The calculator 10 stores the waist circumference Y in the memory 12 . At step S64 , the microcomputer 8 functions as a display controller for causing the display 4 to display the waist circumference stored in the memory 12 . After step S64, the process for calculating the waist circumference ends.

In the second embodiment described above, the rod-shaped support 114 is shown. However, the shape of the support 114 is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the support 114 in the second embodiment, a substantially rectangular frame with one side open, similar to the support 14 in the first embodiment, may be used.

In the second embodiment described above, the interval length Lint is calculated based on the sampling counter value "i". However, it is not intended to limit the present invention to this embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, a distance encoder (not shown) may be incorporated in the drive mechanism 7c to measure the interval length Lint. When the determiner 11 informs the distance encoder that the sensor 6c has reached the first end SE, the encoder starts measuring the length. When the determiner 11 informs the distance encoder that the sensor 6c has reached the second end TE, the encoder terminates the measurement of the length Lint.

Since the reference initial height ELE is the vertical distance between the sensor 6c and the bottom of the legs 3a and 3b, in practice it is not necessary to measure the above initial vertical distance. Therefore, the reference initial height ELE may be stored in the memory 12 in advance.

In the second embodiment described above, the first end portion and the second end portion are determined based on the measured distance DC. However, in an alternative embodiment, the determiner 11 (end detector) may determine that the sensor 6c has reached the first end SE when the sensor 6c outputs an error signal, and determine that the sensor 6c has reached the first end SE when the sensor 6c outputs an error signal again. The second end TE has been reached. This alternative embodiment is advantageous if there is no suitable reference level on either side of the body 20 within the movable range of the sensor 6c from which the initial vertical distance from the sensor can be measured. According to this alternative embodiment, the reference initial height ELE and said threshold may not be used.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the operator may manually move the sensor 6c relative to the frame 14 while the sensor 6c is sampling the distance DC at certain sampling distance intervals.

In another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 14 , the measurement unit of the waist circumference calculation device 101A includes a plurality of non-contact distance measuring sensors 6 c fixedly supported on the support member 114 . The sensors 6c are equidistantly spaced from each other, and respectively measure a plurality of distances DC from a plurality of measurement positions on a plurality of perpendicular parallel measurement lines. In this embodiment, since the sensor 6c is fixed to the support 114 so that the above-mentioned drive mechanism 7c is unnecessary, the device can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, use of the device is simplified since no automatic or manual movement of the sensor 6c is required. When the number of sensors increases, the estimation accuracy of the abdomen width value Wsbj improves.

third embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 19 , a waist calculation device 201 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unlike the first embodiment, the waist circumference calculation device 201 calculates the waist circumference of a standing human body 20, and does not measure bioelectrical impedance or calculate body composition indexes.

As shown in FIG. 15 , the waist calculation device 201 includes: a base plate 190 on which the human body 20 stands; a rod (ie, column) 192 vertically erected on the base plate 190 ; A reference line 196 is drawn on the upper surface of the base plate 190 , and the toes of the human body 20 should be aligned on the reference line 196 .

The support member 214 has a pair of horizontally extending parallel arms 203a and 203b, and a connection portion 202 with both ends connected to the arms 203a and 203b. Because the support 214 is a generally rectangular frame with one side open, the support 214 can be easily arranged around the human body 20 (ie, the human body 20 can easily enter the interior area defined by the support 214). Therefore, the support 214 in this embodiment can be easily and quickly measured.

The support 214 also includes an attachment portion 194 disposed about the rod 192 for attaching the support 214 to the rod 192 . Inside the attachment portion 194 is arranged a drive unit (ie drive means) 238 for vertically moving the support 214 relative to the rod 192 . For example, the driving unit 238 includes a moving part (eg, a ball screw or an endless belt) and a driving mechanism (eg, a motor) for driving the moving part. Thus, the supporting member 214 can automatically slide along the midline of the standing human body 20 .

As shown in FIG. 15 , a console 220 is arranged on the top end of the rod 192 . The console 220 includes a manual interface 22 as an input device on its upper surface. The human body 20 or another operator may provide commands to the waist calculation device 201 by manipulating the manual interface 22 . The manual interface 22 includes an on/off key 221 , a fixed key 222 , an up key 223 and a down key 224 . Additionally, the console 220 includes a display 204 for displaying operating instructions, measurement results, or other information to an operator.

Waist calculation device 201 includes a measurement unit for measuring abdominal width value Wsbj in FIG. 17 . As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , the measurement unit of the present embodiment includes a plurality of pairs (four pairs) of non-contact distance measuring sensors 26 arranged in the same horizontal plane. Each pair includes a first sensor 26a and a second sensor 26b. The sensors employed are of the same type as in the first embodiment. The number of pairs of sensors is not limited to the number in the illustrated embodiment.

The first sensors 26a ( 26a1 to 26a4 ) are fixedly supported on the arm 203a and arranged at intervals along the front-rear direction of the human body 20 . Similarly, the second sensors 26b (26b1 to 26b4) are fixedly supported on the arm 203b and arranged at intervals along the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 17 , the first sensor 26 a and the second sensor 26 b are arranged on opposite sides of the abdomen of the human body 20 inside the support member 214 . Thus, the first sensor 26a and the second sensor 26b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the front-back line of the human body. That is, the first sensor 26 a and the second sensor 26 b of the same pair are located on the same horizontal line parallel to the lateral direction of the human body 20 . The distance between the first sensor 26a and the second sensor 26b is INT in FIG. 17 .

Each of the first sensors 26a1 to 26a4 measures a first distance DA (DA1 to DA4) between the corresponding first sensor and a first object position on the human body 20 that intersects the first horizontal measurement line (the path of the light beam from the sensor 26a). one of the). The first sensors 26a1 to 26a4 generate and output signals corresponding to the first distances DA1 to DA4, respectively. Each of the second sensors 26b1 to 26b4 measures a second distance DB (DB1 to DB4) between the corresponding second sensor and a second object position on the human body 20 that intersects the second horizontal measurement line (the path of the light beam from the sensor 26b). one of the). The second sensors 26b1 to 26b4 generate and output signals corresponding to the second distances DB1 to DB4, respectively. The second measurement line and the first measurement line are parallel to the lateral direction of the human body 20 standing on the base plate 190 .

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , the waist circumference calculating device 201 includes a navel position indicator (ie, navel position indicating means) 218 . The navel position indicator 218 is arranged on the connecting portion 202 at the center between the arms 203a and 203b in the horizontal plane where the sensor 26 (26a, 26b) is located. Similar to the navel position indicator 18 of the first embodiment, the navel position indicator 218 is, for example but not limited to, a light emitter (eg, a laser pointer emitting a narrow beam) that emits reference light onto the human body 20 . The height of the support member 214 relative to the human body 20 is adjusted so that the navel N of the human body 20 is located at the reference position indicated by the navel position indicator 218 (the reference light is incident on the navel N). Positioning the support 214 relative to the human body 20 in this manner enables accurate measurement of the abdominal width value without errors caused by mispositioning.

Inside the console 220, a circuit for controlling the waist calculation device 201 is provided. As shown in FIG. 18 , the circuit includes: a selector 230 , an A/D (Analog to Digital) converter 232 , a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 234 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 227 and a memory 228 . The selector 230 outputs the signals from the sensor 26 to the A/D converter 232 one by one in order. The A/D converter 232 converts the signal supplied from the selector 230 into a digital signal. This digital signal is provided to CPU 234. Thus, a digital signal corresponding to the output signal from the sensor 26 is supplied to the CPU 234. Each digital signal represents the distance (DA or DB) between the corresponding sensor 26 and the object position on the body 20 . The CPU 234 stores the distance data represented by the digital signal in the memory 228. The memory 228 is, for example, but not limited to, a volatile storage device, and is used by the CPU 234 as a work area.

The CPU 234 functions as a controller (ie, control means) for controlling the drive unit 238, the navel position indicator 218, and the display 204 by executing the computer program or elements of the computer program stored in the ROM 227. In addition, the CPU 234 performs operations corresponding to signals supplied from the manual interface 205 including the above-described on/off key 221, fixed key 222, up key 223, and down key 224.

The CPU 234 functions as a belly width determiner (i.e., belly width determining means) for determining the belly width value Wsbj in FIG. 17 based on the distance data temporarily stored in the memory 228. The ROM (ie, storage device) 227 stores the correlation formula between the abdominal width value and the waist circumference described above in connection with FIG. 5 . The CPU 234 also functions as a waist calculator (i.e., waist calculation means) for calculating the waist of the human body 20 based on the abdominal width value Wsbj and the correlation formula stored in the ROM 227.

Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 19, the operation of the waist calculation device 201 will be described in more detail. The ROM 227 stores computer programs or program elements corresponding to this flowchart. In the present embodiment, the ROM 227 is used as a storage medium for storing computer programs or program elements, but another memory or storage device may be employed as such a storage medium. Semiconductor memories, hard disks, optical disks, digital versatile disks, floppy disks or other suitable storage media can be used for this purpose.

When the ON/OFF key 221 is pressed, the operation shown in FIG. 19 starts. In step S71, the CPU 234 causes the display 204 to display a guidance message (for example, "stand on the base plate and align your toes on the reference line.") to prompt the human body 20 to align the toes on the reference line in FIG. 15 196 on.

In step S72, the CPU 234 causes the navel position indicator 218 to emit reference light. In step S73, the CPU 234 performs height adjustment processing (acceptance). During the height adjustment process, the CPU 234 causes the display 204 to display a guidance message (for example, "operate the up key or the down key so that the light shines on your navel") to prompt the human body 20 to adjust the position of the support 214 . According to the guidance message, the human body 20 (or other operator) operates the up key 223 or the down key 224 to irradiate the reference light from the navel position indicator 218 onto the navel N. More specifically, the CPU 234 causes the drive unit 238 to raise the support member 214 during the operation of the up key 223, and causes the drive unit 238 to lower the support member 214 during the operation of the down key 224.

When the fixed key 222 is pressed (step S74), the height adjustment process ends. After the height adjustment process, the CPU 234 causes the navel position indicator 218 to stop emitting and causes the display 204 to display a guidance message (e.g., "measurement in progress") to indicate that the measurement of the waist circumference is in progress. In addition, the CPU 234 stops the control of the driving unit 238 regardless of whether the up key 223 or the down key 224 is manipulated.

In step S75, the CPU 234 drives the sensors 26 (26a and 26b) by supplying a drive command signal. In response to the command signal, each sensor 26 outputs a signal corresponding to the distance between the corresponding sensor 26 and the human body 20 . The respective signals from the sensors 26 are successively selected by the selector 230 and converted into digital signals by the A/D converter 232 . The CPU 234 stores distance data corresponding to the digital signal supplied from the A/D converter 232 in the memory 228. Thus, the CPU 234 determines the distance between the sensor 26 and the human body 20.

In steps S76 and S77, the CPU 234 functions as a belly width determiner for determining a belly width value Wsbj based on the distance data stored in the memory 228. More specifically, in step S76, the CPU 234 functions as a distance calculator for calculating the four object width candidates W1 to W4 in step S76 based on the following expressions (1) to (4):

W1=INT-(DA1+DB1)...(1)

W2=INT-(DA2+DB2)...(2)

W3=INT-(DA3+DB3)...(3)

W4=INT-(DA4+DB4)...(4)

In step S77, the CPU 234 functions as a maximum value selector for selecting the maximum width from the subject width candidates W1 to W4 as the abdomen width value Wsbj. It can be understood from the above description that when the number of sensors 26 increases, the determination accuracy of the abdomen width value Wsbj will be improved.

In step S78, the CPU 234 reads from the ROM 227 a regression formula (Y=aX+b) representing a correlation between the abdominal width value and the waist circumference. Then, in step S79, the CPU 234 functions as a waist calculator for calculating the waist Y of the human body 20 based on the regression formula and the abdominal width value Wsbj (X in the regression formula) determined in step S77. In step S80, the CPU 234 causes the display 204 to display the waist circumference calculated in step S79, and ends the processing shown in FIG. 19 .

FIG. 20 shows a modified example of the third embodiment described above. The waist calculation device 201A according to this modification includes an altimeter 250 for measuring the height of the human body 20 in addition to the third embodiment. The altimeter 250 includes a stick 251 standing vertically on the bottom plate 190 , and a cursor 252 attached to the stick 251 to slide along the stick 251 . The cursor 252 can move up and down in response to commands provided from the CPU 234. The height of the cursor 252 is sent to the CPU 234 and displayed by the display 204. According to this modification, the height of the human body 20 standing on the bottom plate 190 can be measured before or after the waist circumference is measured.

Variation

In the first embodiment described above, the sensors 6 a and 6 b are actuated automatically by the drive mechanisms 7 a and 7 b controlled by the controller 9 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), sensors 6a and 6b may be manually moved by an operator (eg, human body 20 ) while each sensor is sampling the corresponding pitch at certain distance intervals. Similarly, in the modification of the second embodiment described above, the sensor 6c may be manually moved by the operator.

In the second and third embodiments described above, the measurement of the bioelectrical impedance and the calculation of the body composition index are not performed. However, in these embodiments, the body composition index can be calculated in a similar manner to the first embodiment using the electrode 15 and the electrode support 16 shown in the first embodiment. Thus, a bioelectrical impedance measurement unit (for example, the electrode 15 ) and a body composition calculator (for example, the calculator 10 ) can be added to the second and third embodiments.

Although the display (4 or 204) is used as an output device for outputting measurement results in the above embodiments, the device may output measurement results in any other suitable manner. For example, the device may include a printer for printing out the measurement results. The device may transmit or store or both a measurement result signal representing the measurement result to an external device.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the abdominal width value Wsbj of the human body 20 is determined based on the signal from at least one non-contact ranging sensor. However, the means for determining the abdomen width value Wsbj is not limited thereto. For example, a measuring tool (for example, a caliper) applied to the abdomen of the human body 20 may be used as a measurement unit for measuring the value of the abdomen width. In an alternative embodiment, the abdominal width value Wsbj measured by another device may be manually input into the waist calculation device, for example through a manual interface (5 or 205). The microcomputer 8 in the first and second embodiments or the CPU 234 in the third embodiment determines the abdomen width value Wsbj based on the input value. Thus, the term "determining a belly width value" in this specification and the appended claims includes obtaining an input belly width value and determining the belly width value based on the signal from the measurement unit.

The contact portion 120 shown in FIG. 8 in the second embodiment may be arranged on the support 14 of the first embodiment or the support 214 of the third embodiment in the same manner as the second embodiment.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. of various changes. Such variations, changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. A waist circumference calculation device (1, 101, 101A, 201), the waist circumference calculation device comprising: Abdominal width determiner (10, 11, 234), for determining the abdominal width value (Wsbj) of human body (20); Memory (12, 227), used for storing the correlation between people's abdominal width value and waist circumference; and A waist calculator (10, 234) that calculates the waist circumference of the human body based on the abdominal width value determined by the abdominal width determiner and the correlation formula stored in the memory. 2. The waist circumference calculation device (1, 101, 101A, 201) according to claim 1, wherein the correlation formula is represented by the following regression formula: Y=aX+b Among them, "Y" is the waist circumference of the person, "X" is the width of the abdomen of the person, and "a" and "b" are constants. 3. The waist circumference calculation device (1, 101, 101A, 201) according to claim 1, the waist circumference calculation device further comprising a measuring unit comprising at least one non-contact distance measuring sensor (6a, 6b, 6c, 26a, 26b), the sensor emits light, receives light reflected from something in front of the sensor, and produces a signal corresponding to the distance from the sensor to something in front of the sensor, Wherein said belly width determiner (10, 11, 234) determines said belly width value (Wsbj) based on a signal generated by said sensor. 4. The waist circumference calculation device (1, 201) according to claim 3, which further comprises a support (14, 214) that can be arranged near the human body (20), Wherein, the measuring unit includes at least one pair of non-contact ranging sensors (6a, 6b, 26a, 26b) supported at the support, and the at least one pair of non-contact ranging sensors include first and second sensors within the support on opposite sides of the body, the first sensor (6a, 26a) measuring its distance from a first object position on the body on a first measurement line The first distance (DA) between them, the second sensor (6b, 26b) measures the second distance (DB) between it and the second object position on the second measurement line on the human body, the first Two measurement lines are parallel to or the same as the first measurement line, the measurement unit measures a plurality of first distances from a plurality of first object positions on the plurality of parallel first measurement lines, and the measurement distance is in the plurality of first object positions a plurality of second spacings of a plurality of second object positions on parallel second measurement lines, the plurality of second measurement lines being in the same plane as the plane of the plurality of first measurement lines, and Wherein, the abdomen width determiner (10, 11, 234) also includes: a distance calculator (10, 234) that calculates a plurality of object width candidates (W) based on the plurality of first spacings and the plurality of second spacings, each object width candidate being the plurality of first object widths a distance between one of the locations and one of the plurality of second object locations; and A maximum value selector (11, 234), configured to select a maximum object width from among the plurality of object width candidates as the abdomen width value (Wsbj). 5. The waist circumference calculation device (1) according to claim 4, further comprising a driving mechanism (7a, 7b), which is respectively used to make the first sensor (6a) and the second sensor (6a) the sensor (6b) moves relative to said support (14), Wherein, the first sensor (6a) measures a plurality of first distances (DA) from a plurality of first object positions on a plurality of parallel first measurement lines, and each first distance is within the range of the first sensor between the sensor position and the first object position on the human body (20), and wherein the second sensor (6b) measures the distance from a plurality of second object positions on a plurality of parallel second measurement lines A plurality of second distances (DB), each second distance between a sensor location of the second sensor and a second object location on the human body. 6. the waist circumference calculating device (201) according to claim 4, Wherein, the measuring unit includes multiple pairs of the non-contact distance measuring sensors (26a, 26b), each pair includes a first sensor and a second sensor fixedly supported at the support (214), Wherein, each of the first sensors (26a) measures a first distance (DA) between the corresponding first sensor and a first object position on the first measurement line on the human body (20), and Wherein, each of the second sensors (26b) measures the second distance (DB) between the corresponding second sensor and the second object position on the human body on the second measurement line, the second measurement line and The first measurement lines are parallel or identical. 7. The waist calculation device (101, 101A) according to claim 3, further comprising a support (114) that can be arranged near the human body (20), Wherein, the at least one non-contact ranging sensor (6c) is supported at the support, and the measuring unit measures the distance between the sensor and a plurality of measuring lines parallel to the front-back direction of the human body. Multiple spacings (DC) between measurement locations, and Wherein, described abdominal width determiner (10,11) also comprises: an end detector (11) that detects a first end (SE) and a second end (TE) of the human body based on the amount of each of the plurality of intervals; and A distance calculator (10), configured to calculate the distance between the first end portion and the second end portion as the abdomen width value (Wsbj). 8. The waist circumference calculation device (101) according to claim 7, further comprising a drive mechanism (7c), which is used to move the sensor (6c) relative to the support (114) , Wherein the sensor measures a plurality of distances (DC) from a plurality of measurement positions on a plurality of parallel measurement lines. 9. The waist circumference calculating device (101A) according to claim 7, Wherein, the measuring unit includes a plurality of sensors (6c) fixedly supported on the support (114), and a plurality of the sensors are used to respectively measure the distance from a plurality of measurement positions on a plurality of parallel measurement lines. Multiple spacing (DC) of . 10. The waist calculation device (1, 101, 101A, 201) according to claim 4 or 7, Wherein, the supporting member (14, 114, 214) has a concave portion (120) having a curved shape that can be fitted on the front surface of the abdomen of the human body (20). 11. The waist calculation device (1, 101, 101A, 201) according to claim 1, further comprising a navel position indicator (18, 118, 218), the navel position indicator is used to indicate the reference position of the navel (N) of the human body (20). 12. The waist circumference calculation device (1, 101, 101A, 201) according to claim 4 or 7, Wherein said support (14, 114, 214) is a frame shaped as an open side, the support may be arranged to surround said human body (20). 13. The waist circumference calculation device (1, 101, 101A, 201) according to claim 4 or 7, the waist circumference calculation device further comprising a rod (192), the rod according to which the support member (14, 114, 214 ) supports the support in a manner that is slidable along the midline of the human body (20). 14. A body composition determination device (1) comprising: The waist calculation device (10, 11) according to claim 1; a bioelectrical impedance measuring unit (15) for measuring the bioelectrical impedance of the abdomen of the human body (20); and a body composition calculator (10) for calculating an index of the body composition of the human body based on the waist circumference calculated by the waist calculation means and the bioelectrical impedance measured by the bioelectrical impedance measurement unit .

Images