JP2007312877A - Body measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a body measuring apparatus capable of measuring the static posture balance, body twist, distortion and dynamic posture balance, etc., of the body of a subject. <P>SOLUTION: The body measuring apparatus comprises: a posture measuring part (10) provided with a digital camera (12) for measuring reflected light from a plurality of reflection markers (11) stuck to the prescribed parts of the body of the subject; a balance measuring part (20) provided with a scale having steps (21a-21h) divided into plural respectively on the left and right and load sensors provided corresponding to the respective steps; a signal processing part (30) for processing signals from the posture measuring part and the balance measuring part; and an output part (40) for outputting a measured result processed by the signal processing part. The posture measuring part and the balance measuring part are operated synchronously and measurement data for judging the posture of the subject are obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a body measuring apparatus capable of measuring a physical feature of a subject, particularly posture and balance.

  In recent years, the causal relationship between body imbalance and poor posture and illness has been pointed out, and along with that, there is a device that can accurately measure posture, body twist, distortion, etc. It is desired. Conventionally, examinations such as subject's posture, body torsion, and distortion have been performed by direct visual inspection and palpation by specialists such as physical therapists, depending on human experience and skill However, it was a large test that was difficult to measure quantitatively.

As an apparatus for measuring the posture of a subject, for example, an invention relating to a weight scale having a function of measuring a posture balance of a body disclosed in Patent Document 1 or a video camera disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used. There is an invention related to a measuring apparatus that inputs image data of an index affixed to an examiner's back and measures body sway from the motion locus of the index.
JP 2003-339671 A JP 2004-261376 A

  The body measurement apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a step on which the left foot is placed, a support base on which the right foot is placed, and a load sensor, and the relative weight of the left foot and the right foot is determined from a part of the weight distributed on the left foot. It measures the posture balance of the left and right sides of the body by grasping it. Such a measured value has a problem that even if the right and left posture balance can be measured quantitatively and objectively, not only the front and rear balance but also the torsion and distortion of the body cannot be measured.

  Further, the body measuring device described in Patent Document 2 cannot measure static posture balance, body twist, distortion, etc., even though it can measure dynamic posture balance such as body shaking. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and its purpose is to measure the static posture balance of the subject's body, the torsion, distortion and dynamic posture balance of the body. An object of the present invention is to provide an anthropometric device that can do this.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a body measuring apparatus that can measure the left / right and front / rear posture balance of the body of a subject that is difficult to understand from the outside.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a body measuring device according to the present invention includes a first measuring unit including a digital camera that measures reflected light from a plurality of reflective markers affixed to a predetermined part of a subject's body ( Posture measuring unit), a second measuring unit (balance measuring unit) having a weight scale having a plurality of steps each divided into left and right and a load sensor provided corresponding to each step, the posture measuring unit, A signal processing unit that processes a signal from the balance measurement unit and an output unit that outputs a measurement result processed by the signal processing unit are provided, and the posture measurement unit and the balance measurement unit are operated in synchronization with each other. Measurement data for determining the examiner's posture is obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to quantitatively and objectively measure not only the right / left posture balance but also the front / rear balance, the torsion of the body, the distortion, etc., without using a complicated and expensive measuring device.

  Here, preferably, the posture measurement unit includes a first digital camera that captures an image from the front of the body, a second digital camera that captures an image from the side of the body, and an image from the top of the body. And a third digital camera for taking images, and the first to third digital cameras are controlled to take images simultaneously. Thereby, accurate posture determination is possible.

  Preferably, the posture measuring unit includes a level for correctly setting the mounting posture of the digital camera. This eliminates the need for correction of image data captured by the digital camera.

  Further, preferably, the signal processing unit has a function of binarizing the image data from the posture measuring unit, a function of calculating the coordinates of the reflection marker based on the binarized data, and each reflection A function for calculating the displacement from the center line of each part of the body from the coordinates of the marker, a function for calculating the inclination of a predetermined part of the body from the coordinates of a plurality of corresponding reflective markers, and the calculated center line of each part of the body And a function of outputting the displacement from the body and the inclination of a predetermined part of the body from the output unit. Thereby, it becomes easy to grasp the determination result of the posture of the subject.

  Preferably, the signal processing unit displays the load value for each step calculated based on the output from the balance measurement unit in a graphic corresponding to the step and outputs the load value from the output unit. To do. Thereby, it becomes easy to grasp the right / left and front / rear posture balance of the subject's body, which is difficult to understand from the outside.

  Further, the weight scale includes 2n steps (n is a positive integer) and 2n load sensors, and the signal processing unit adds outputs of predetermined sensors among the 2n load sensors. Then, it is preferable that 2 (n-1) or less load values are calculated and output from the output unit. Thereby, a plurality of output patterns can be provided, and the visibility of the measurement result can be improved.

  The signal processing unit may be configured to take in an output of the load sensor of the balance measuring unit in synchronization with a predetermined signal input from the outside, calculate a load value, and store the load value in a memory. Thereby, measurement data when the posture of the subject is stabilized can be obtained.

  Further, the signal processing unit calculates the load value by taking in the output of the load sensor a plurality of times in synchronization with a predetermined signal input from the outside within a predetermined time arbitrarily set from outside. Are stored in time series, and the load values stored in time series in the memory are sequentially output from the output unit after the measurement is completed. As a result, time-series measurement data can be output, and the temporal change in posture balance can be easily grasped.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a body measuring apparatus that can measure a static posture balance of a subject's body, body twist, distortion, dynamic posture balance, and the like. In addition, it is possible to realize a body measuring device that can measure the posture balance of the subject's body that is difficult to understand from the outside.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a body measuring apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an anthropometric device that is effective when the present invention is applied. The body measuring apparatus of this embodiment includes a posture measuring unit 10 using a digital camera as a sensor, a balance measuring unit 20 using a weight scale as a sensor, a signal processing unit 30 common to these, and an output unit that outputs measurement results. 40. The signal processing unit 30 can be configured by a personal computer and a program for signal processing.

  The posture measurement unit 10 is a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera) having a plurality of reflective markers 11 attached to a part representing physical characteristics such as a subject's shoulder, and a communication function such as a flash lamp and a wireless LAN. 12 and a level 13 for adjusting the mounting posture of the digital camera 12 and the like. When using a digital camera that does not have a communication function such as a wireless LAN, image data captured by the digital camera 12 at a desired timing is acquired and transmitted by a shutter driving unit that operates the shutter of the camera or an external command. It is also possible to provide a camera peripheral device having communication means.

  The reflective marker 11 has a configuration in which a sphere having a diameter of several centimeters is covered with a highly reflective film or layer, and is attached to any part of the body with a double-sided adhesive tape or the like. Examples of suitable body parts to which the reflective marker 11 is attached include, for example, the ear shell, the shoulder ridge, the elbow head, the iliac crest, the greater trochanter, the femur, the talus head (ankle), and the metatarsal bone. Conceivable. The reason why the reflective marker 11 is a sphere is that reflected light can be obtained without changing the marker when the subject's body is photographed from a plurality of directions such as the front, side, and top.

  For the convenience of illustration, FIG. 1 shows only a digital camera 12 that captures a front image of the body and its level 13, but a digital camera that captures a side image of the body, its level, and a top image of the body. A digital camera to shoot and its level are provided. However, in order to reduce cost, a set of digital cameras may be used to obtain captured images from a plurality of directions.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the balance measuring unit 20 is divided into eight divided into a total of eight divided into four on the left and right and two on the front and rear, and eight load sensors S1 provided inside corresponding to the respective steps. The weight scale 22 is connected to a personal computer as the signal processing unit 30 by a transmission cable 23. In this embodiment, the output of each sensor is amplified by an amplification circuit 31 provided in the signal processing unit 30, converted into a digital signal by an A / D conversion circuit 32, and passed to a CPU (central processing unit) 33. And is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 34 and stored in the memory 35.

  Although not particularly limited, the amplifier circuit 31 is configured to sample and amplify the output of each sensor in response to a synchronization signal input from the event switch 51 or the synchronization input / output terminal 52. As the synchronization signal input, for example, a photographing start signal sent from the signal processing unit 30 to the digital camera 12 of the posture measuring unit 10 can be considered.

  A circuit for detecting the output (load value) of each of the load sensors S1 to S8 and a communication means (not shown) for transmitting the detection result are provided in the scale 22, and the output of each sensor is acquired at a desired timing by an external command. The obtained load value may be transmitted to the personal computer by communication means. Further, the amplifier circuit 31 always amplifies the output of each sensor so that the CPU 33 stores the load value at that time in the memory 35 in response to the synchronization signal input from the event switch 51 or the synchronization input / output terminal 52. It may be configured.

  In this embodiment, the load sensor is composed of a strain gauge type load cell. However, the load sensor may have any structure as long as it can detect a load, such as one using a piezoelectric element or one using a compression spring. It may be. The output unit 40 is configured by a printer. When the signal processing unit 30 is configured by a personal computer, the display device such as a liquid crystal display panel is also regarded as an output unit.

  Next, the function of the signal processing unit 30 will be described separately for posture measurement and balance measurement.

  The main functions of the signal processing unit 30 in posture measurement are a function of giving a shooting start command to the posture measurement unit 10, a binarization processing function of binarizing the image data sent from the posture measurement unit 10, and A labeling processing function for acquiring the position of the reflected light from the reflection markers 11 on the image as an address coordinate value, a posture analysis function for analyzing the posture of the subject from the obtained position data of each reflection marker, There are a data processing function for processing the analysis result into graphic data that is easy to understand, and a data output function for outputting the processed data by a monitor or a printer. These functions can be executed as a continuous series of processes by command input from a keyboard or the like, and can be processed step by step.

  An imaging start command from the signal processing unit 30 to the posture measurement unit 10 is given via a wireless LAN. When the imaging start command is given, the shutter of the digital camera 12 is operated and the flash lamp is turned on in synchronization with this, and the body image of the subject including the reflected light from each reflective marker 11 is captured. Image data obtained by shooting is transmitted to the signal processing unit 30 via a wireless LAN in a format such as JPEG.

  The signal processing unit 30 that has acquired the image data executes a binarization process. In this binarization processing, as shown in FIG. 3A, a threshold value is used such that only the reflected light from the reflective marker is displayed in white and the others are displayed in black. For convenience of illustration, FIG. 3 shows black and white reversed from the actual display screen. That is, the black dots in FIG. 3 represent the reflected light from each marker.

  In the next labeling process, the position of each reflective marker is acquired from the binarized image data as an address coordinate value, and the number of each reflective marker is added to the image as shown in FIG. The coordinate value of the marker is displayed in a table format, for example. Here, XY coordinates with the X-axis in the horizontal direction and the Y-axis in the vertical direction with the midpoint of the pair of markers (No17, No18) affixed to the lowermost foot among the plurality of reflective markers as the origin are shown. The coordinate value of each reflection marker is calculated using this.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of how to output the static analysis result of posture analysis obtained by performing a predetermined calculation based on the coordinate value of each reflection marker obtained as described above, and FIG. An example of how to output a dynamic analysis result of posture analysis is shown.

  Here, as a result of static inspection, based on the front image data, the distance from the center line of the body to each marker as shown in FIG. 4A and the center line of the body as shown in FIG. A figure and a numerical value representing the left-right position balance are output according to the area ratio (%) of each region surrounded by a line connecting each marker. Further, based on the surface measurement image data, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the anteroposterior tilt angle is determined by the angle formed by the acromial marker and the iliac crest marker, and the body is partially determined by the angle formed by each marker. A figure and numerical value representing the inclination are output. Further, based on the front image data, the deviation of the center of gravity axis and the inclination angle of each part from the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 4 (d), and the head as shown in FIG. 4 (e) based on the top image data. Figures and numerical values representing the body position and trunk torsion angle are output.

  As a result of the dynamic inspection, the maximum range of movement of the body center line to the left and right as shown in FIG. 5A based on the front image data, and to the right and left of the body center line as shown in FIG. Figures and numerical values representing the left-right position balance are output according to the maximum inclination range. Further, based on the surface measurement image data, the maximum range of movement forward and backward of the central axis of the body as shown in FIG. 5C, and the maximum inclination forward and backward of the central axis of the body as shown in FIG. 5D. Figures and numerical values representing the range are output. The output may be an image display on the liquid crystal monitor 34 or a printout on paper by the printer 41.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 34 at the time of measurement using the balance measuring unit 20. A display area A1 for inputting and displaying measurement conditions is provided in the upper part of the screen, and load values calculated based on signals from the eight load sensors S1 to S8 are displayed at the center of the screen. A load display area A2 for displaying for each sensor is provided.

  Since the measured load is displayed in real time in the measurement mode in the load display area A2, the display varies as the subject's center of gravity moves. An indicator display area A3 indicating the passage of time is provided below the load display area A2, and an icon of an input button for instructing a work procedure is displayed in a flowchart format on the right part of the load display area A2. A region A4 is provided.

  Furthermore, on the upper part of the display area A4, there are input buttons for input related to events such as condition setting input, information (ID) input corresponding to display items in the display area A1, and addition or deletion of measurement timing. Icons B1, B2, and B3 are displayed. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show examples of pull-down menus that are displayed when the condition setting input button B1, the ID input button B2, and the event input button B3 are clicked.

  When the mouse pointer is placed on the condition setting input button B1 and clicked, a pull-down menu such as M1 in FIG. 7A is displayed. For example, when the measurement time selection of “2.” is selected and the mouse is clicked, Furthermore, a pull-down menu such as M1-2 is displayed. Here, after selecting one of the measurement times from the menu and clicking to confirm, the mouse pointer is clicked on the start command button B11 of the flowchart and the measurement is started, and each load sensor S1 to S8 is measured. The detected value is displayed in the corresponding display frame of the area A2, the cursor C starts moving in the indicator display area A3 at the bottom of the screen, and the elapsed time is displayed numerically in the right frame of the indicator.

  When the event switch 51 is turned on at an appropriate timing or a synchronization signal is input from the synchronization input / output terminal 52, the detection values of the load sensors S1 to S8 at that time are sampled and CSV (Comma Separated Values) is stored in the memory. In addition to being stored as a file, an event mark indicated by a triangle is displayed in the indicator display area A3 according to the cursor position at that time. The measurement ends when the cursor C reaches the right end, but the measurement can also be ended by clicking the end command button B12 in the flowchart. When the reproduction command button B13 in the flowchart is clicked, the measurement values of the load sensors sampled at the timing when the event mark is attached can be sequentially displayed in the display frames of the area A2.

  The measured load value is displayed in color in each display frame in the area A2 at the center of the screen, and a reference scale RS that is long in the vertical direction is displayed in the center of the area A2. The reference scale is a reference scale that is light and dark as it goes down and becomes darker as it goes up. For example, the minimum value of the scale is 0 kg, the maximum value is 20 kg, and the measured load value is 10 kg. If so, the load value is displayed in the same color as the central part of the scale.

  By comparing the numerical values in the display frames of the load display area A2, it is possible to know the displacement of the center of gravity in the left-right direction and the displacement in the front-rear direction. Further, in this embodiment, since the measurement value is displayed in color, the approximate center-of-gravity balance can be grasped sensuously by comparing the color of the numerical value in each display frame. The reference scale is configured so that the full load range can be changed using the pull-down menu that appears when this is clicked. By setting the load full range small, the color change with respect to the load variation can be increased.

  In this embodiment, when the mouse pointer is clicked with the condition setting input button B1, a pull-down menu such as M1 in FIG. 7A is displayed, and the measurement pattern selection of “1.” is selected. When the mouse is clicked, a pull-down menu such as M1-1 is further displayed. Here, if 6 divisions are selected from the menu and clicked, instead of the 8-division display as shown in FIG. 6 displayed in the load display area A2 at the center of the screen, the 6-division as shown in FIG. Display is made.

  When the left and right 4 divisions are selected from the pull-down menu M1-1 and clicked, the 4-division display as shown in FIG. 8B is made in the load display area A2 at the center of the screen, and the front and rear 4 divisions are selected from the pull-down menu M1-1. When clicked, a quadrant display as shown in FIG. 8C is made. Further, when the left and right two divisions are selected and clicked on the pull-down menu M1-1, a left and right two division display (not shown) is made in the load display area A2 in the center of the screen. A two-divided display such as D) is performed. Furthermore, all displays in which all divided displays are displayed simultaneously are possible.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the examples, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be variously changed. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the load value is displayed in each frame of the load display area A2 at the center of the screen in FIG. 6, but the ratio to the total value, that is, the load ratio may be displayed. Further, in the load display area A2, a bar graph may be displayed instead of a numerical value display, or a graph representing a load time variation with the load value on the vertical axis and the time on the horizontal axis as shown in FIG. May be displayed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the platform of the weight scale 22 is divided into 4 parts on the left and right sides, and 8 parts on the whole. However, as shown in FIG. Such a division may be used. In the embodiment, a digital still camera is used as the digital camera 12, but a digital movie camera may be used.

  Furthermore, although it has been described that the digital camera 12 having a wireless communication function is used or the camera peripheral device has a wireless communication function, image data stored in a removable memory such as an SD memory included in the digital camera is removed. The memory may be connected to a personal computer and read, and binarization or the like may be performed and output. In the embodiment, the level 13 is provided in order to correctly set the posture of the digital camera 12, but the level is not essential and can be omitted.

  In the embodiment, the posture of the subject is measured and determined based on image data photographed from three directions by three digital cameras or from three directions by one digital camera. It is also possible to measure and determine the posture of the subject based on image data taken from one direction by the digital camera.

1 is an overall perspective view showing an embodiment of a body measuring apparatus effective by applying the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a balance measurement part and a signal processing part. FIG. 3A shows an image obtained by binarizing digital camera image data, and FIG. 3B shows a result of labeling processing. It is a figure which shows the example of the output of the static test result of the attitude | position analysis obtained by performing a predetermined calculation based on the coordinate value of each reflective marker. It is a figure which shows the example of the output of the dynamic test result of the attitude | position analysis obtained by performing a predetermined calculation based on the coordinate value of each reflective marker. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on a liquid crystal monitor in the case of the measurement using a balance measurement part. It is a figure which shows the example of the pull-down menu displayed when condition setting input button B1, ID input button B2, and event input button B3 of FIG. 6 are clicked. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the load display frame displayed on load display area | region A2 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of a load display displayed on load display area | region A2 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Posture measuring means 11 Reflective marker 12 Digital camera 13 Level 20 Balance measuring part 21a-21h Footrest 22 Scale 23 Cable S1-S8 Load sensor 30 Signal processing part 31 Amplifying circuit 32 A / D conversion circuit 33 CPU (Central processing unit) )
34 LCD monitor 35 Memory 51 Event switch 52 Synchronous input / output terminal

Claims (10)

A first measurement unit including a digital camera that captures reflected light from a plurality of reflective markers affixed to a predetermined part of the subject's body;
A second measuring unit including a scale having a step platform divided into a plurality of left and right and front and rear and a plurality of load sensors provided corresponding to each step;
A signal processing unit for processing signals from the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit;
An output unit for outputting a measurement result processed by the signal processing unit,
A body measuring apparatus for obtaining measurement data for determining a posture of a subject by operating the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit in synchronization.   The first measurement unit shoots a first digital camera that captures an image from the front side of the body, a second digital camera that captures an image from the side of the body, and an image from above the body. The body measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third digital camera, wherein the first to third digital cameras are controlled to capture images simultaneously.   The body measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first measuring unit includes a level for correctly setting the mounting posture of the digital camera.   The signal processing unit includes a function of binarizing the image data from the first measurement unit, a function of calculating the coordinates of the reflection marker based on the binarized data, and the coordinates of each reflection marker. A function of calculating the displacement from the center line of each part of the body, a function of calculating the inclination of a predetermined part of the body from the coordinates of the corresponding plurality of reflection markers, the calculated displacement from the center line of each part of the body, and The body measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a function of outputting a tilt of a predetermined part of the body from the output unit.   The signal processing unit displays the load value for each step calculated based on the output from the second measurement unit in a graphic having an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of steps and outputs the load value from the output unit. The body measuring device according to claim 1, wherein   The scale includes 2n steps (n is a positive integer) and 2n load sensors, and the signal processing unit adds the outputs of some of the 2n load sensors. The body measuring device according to claim 1, wherein 2 (n−1) or less load values can be calculated and output from the output unit.   The signal processing unit is configured to take in an output of a load sensor of the second measurement unit in synchronization with a predetermined signal input from the outside, calculate a load value, and store the load value in a memory. The body measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The signal processing unit takes in the output of the load sensor a plurality of times in synchronization with a predetermined signal input from the outside, calculates a load value and stores it in the memory in time series, and stores the load in the memory after the measurement is completed. The body measuring apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a function of sequentially outputting the load values stored in time series from the output unit. A measurement unit including a digital camera that captures reflected light from a plurality of reflective markers affixed to a predetermined part of the subject's body;
A signal processing unit for processing a signal from the measurement unit;
An output unit for outputting a measurement result processed by the signal processing unit,
The measurement unit includes a first digital camera that captures an image from the front of the body, a second digital camera that captures an image from the side of the body, and a third that captures an image from above the body. With a digital camera
The signal processing unit has a function of binarizing image data from the first to third digital cameras, a function of calculating the coordinates of the reflection marker based on the binarized data, and each reflection A function for calculating the displacement from the center line of each part of the body from the coordinates of the marker, a function for calculating the inclination of a predetermined part of the body from the coordinates of a plurality of corresponding reflective markers, and the calculated center line of each part of the body And a function for outputting the displacement from the body and the inclination of a predetermined part of the body from the output unit. A measuring unit including a weight scale having a plurality of steps and a plurality of load sensors provided corresponding to each step;
A signal processing unit for processing a signal from the measurement unit;
An output unit for outputting a measurement result processed by the signal processing unit,
The signal processing unit displays the load value for each step calculated based on the output from the measurement unit in a graphic having an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of steps and outputs the load value from the output unit. An anthropometric device.

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