JP2016003868A - Biological information measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biological information measurement device capable of preventing an operation input part from being erroneously operated when a user puts feet on a foot rest.SOLUTION: A biological information measurement device includes a foot rest 10 and a base 20. The foot rest 10 is formed on an upper surface 21 of the base 20. An upper surface 11 of the foot rest 10 is a mounting area with which sole as a part of a user's body comes into contact during measurement of the biological information. An operation area 23 is formed in the vicinity of the end of the upper surface 21, and an operation input part 31 is installed at the operation area 23. The operation area 23 is formed at a lower position than the upper surface 11 of the foot rest 10 in the height direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a biological information measuring device applicable to, for example, a body composition meter or a weight scale that measures biological information.

  Biological information measuring devices that measure biological information such as body weight and body fat are widely used. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a biological measuring device with a weight scale. The living body measuring device with a weight scale described in Patent Document 1 includes an outer platform and an inner platform, and electrodes and switches that are in contact with the user's soles are formed on the surface of the outer platform. It is a thing.

JP 2001-228013 A

  When the area | region where the back surface (foot sole) of a user contacts, and switches are formed in the same surface like the biometric device described in patent document 1, when a user puts a foot There is a problem that the switches are accidentally pushed on the sole of the foot, and this problem or the like may reduce the convenience, operability, and the like of the apparatus.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a biological information measuring device with improved convenience, operability, and the like.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a placement area provided in the platform, and an operation area formed at a position lower than the placement area via the step portion and provided with the operation input unit. It is a biological information measuring device.
A configuration in which the operation area and the placement area are sequentially formed along the user entry direction may be employed.
The operation input unit may be configured by a touch switch.
The placement area and the operation area may be configured to be visually distinguishable.

  According to the present invention, convenience, operability, and the like of the biological information measuring device can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biological information measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the biological information measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the biological information measuring apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description will be given in the following order.
<1. One Embodiment>
<2. Modification>
The embodiments described below are suitable specific examples of the present invention, and the contents of the present invention are not limited to these embodiments.

<1. One Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, an example in which the present invention is applied to a body composition meter having a function of measuring biological information will be described. As biological information, height, weight, fat percentage, visceral fat level, body water content, muscle mass, basal metabolism, bone mass, lean mass, somatic cell volume, blood pressure, visceral fat area, BMI, obesity, intracellular Examples of the liquid amount and the amount of extracellular fluid can be given.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body composition meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a body composition meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the body composition meter according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the body composition meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the body composition monitor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

"Appearance of body composition meter"
First, an example of the external shape of a body composition meter (body composition meter 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body composition meter 1 includes a platform 10 (also referred to as a platform) and a base 20, and the platform 10 is formed on an upper surface 21 of the base 20. The platform 10 is a substantially thin plate member formed by molding colorless and transparent tempered glass, for example, and the upper surface 11 has a substantially rectangular shape. The thickness of the platform 10 is set to, for example, about 5 mm (millimeter) to 6 mm.

  The upper surface 11 of the mounting table 10 is substantially flat for the user of the body composition meter 1 to place (stand). The upper surface 11 of the mounting base 10 is a mounting area where a sole which is a part of the user's body comes into contact when measuring biological information, and the current supply electrode 15R formed of, for example, a metal plate is formed on the upper surface 11. The current supply electrode 15L, the voltage measurement electrode 16R, and the voltage measurement electrode 16L are formed apart from each other. Each electrode is not limited to a metal plate, but may be tin oxide or an indium oxide-based transparent conductive film (ITO (Indium Tin Oxide)). A transparent conductive film may be formed on the upper surface 11 by vapor deposition or the like. The transparent conductive film may be a colorless transparent conductive film or a colored transparent conductive film. Each electrode may be an electrode obtained by plating resin. Thus, although each electrode is not limited to a specific thing, as above-mentioned, a user can recognize easily the position which mounts a leg by forming each electrode with a metal plate.

  The current supply electrode 15R and the current supply electrode 15L are electrodes for supplying a current to the user's body from a part of the body that the user contacts (for example, the sole on the toe side). On the other hand, the voltage measuring electrode 16R and the voltage measuring electrode 16L detect a voltage generated between parts of the body that the user contacts (for example, between the right heel side sole and the left heel side body). Electrode. Based on the value of the supplied current and the detected voltage, the bioimpedance of the user can be obtained. In one embodiment, the sole on the toe side of the user's right foot is in contact with the current supply electrode 15R, and the sole on the heel side of the user's right foot is in contact with the voltage measurement electrode 16R. In addition, the sole on the toe side of the user's left foot is in contact with the current supply electrode 15L, and the sole on the heel side of the user's left foot is in contact with the voltage measurement electrode 16L.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the base 20 includes, for example, a cover member 20a having a substantially thin plate shape and a bottom plate member 20b attached to the cover member 20a. The cover member 20a and the bottom plate member 20b are made of, for example, a colored resin member (for example, ABS resin (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer)). The cover member 20a and the bottom plate member 20b are not limited to resin, and may be metal or the like.

  The upper surface 21 of the cover member 20 a has a substantially rectangular shape, like the upper surface 11 of the mounting table 10. An operation region 23 is formed near the end of the upper surface 21 of the cover member 20a, and an operation input unit 31 is disposed in the operation region 23. Although details of the operation area 23 will be described later, the operation area 23 is formed at a position lower in the height direction than the upper surface 11 of the platform 10. The operation input unit 31 is, for example, a touch switch (also referred to as a touch panel or the like) that can be operated by approaching or touching a finger. Although the touch switch method is not limited to a specific method, an example is a capacitance method that detects a change in capacitance caused by bringing a finger close to or in contact with the finger.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, four touch switches (touch switch 31a, touch switch 31b, touch switch 31c, and touch switch 31d) are illustrated as the operation input unit 31. The number of touch switches is not limited to four and can be arbitrarily set. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, four touch switches are arranged and arranged, but the arrangement of the touch switches can be changed as appropriate. The operation input unit 31 is not limited to a touch switch, and may be a mechanical switch (for example, a push switch pressed by a user).

  An example of a function assigned to each touch switch will be described. The touch switch 31a is a switch for turning on / off the power of the body composition monitor 1, for example. The touch switch 31b and the touch switch 31c are an up key and a down key for increasing or decreasing a numerical value, respectively. The touch switch 31d is a SET key for confirming various instructions. The user of the body composition meter 1 operates at least one of the touch switch 31b and the touch switch 31c according to the display guidance on the display unit 17 to increase or decrease the numerical value, and inputs his / her age, height, registration number, and the like. The input content is determined by operating the touch switch 31d after the input.

  A space is formed inside the cover member 20a and the bottom plate member 20b, and the display unit 17, the load cell, the control board, and the like are accommodated in the space. The cover member 20a is formed with an opening corresponding to the shape of the display unit 17, for example, a substantially rectangular opening. The display unit 17 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and is provided in the approximate center of the base 20. When the mounting base 10 is configured by a transparent member, the user can visually recognize the display on the display unit 17 through the openings formed in the mounting base 10 and the cover member 20a. For example, the weight of the user after measurement, body fat, and the like are displayed on the display unit 17. The display content of the display unit 17 is not limited to the measurement result such as the weight, and the setting content such as the user's age can be displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, four leg portions (a leg portion 25a, a leg portion 25b, a leg portion 25c, and a leg portion 25d) are provided on the bottom surface 22 of the bottom plate member 20b. When there is no need to distinguish individual legs, they are simply referred to as legs 25. The four leg portions 25 are formed at positions corresponding to directly below the four corners of the mounting base 10. In FIG. 4, the position corresponding to the platform 10 is virtually indicated by a dotted line. The body composition meter 1 is stably placed on the floor surface by grounding the other end of the leg 25 to the floor surface or the like. In addition, the number of leg portions 25, the formation position, and the like can be changed as appropriate.

  A weight sensor (not shown) is provided at a position corresponding to the leg portion 25 in the base 20. As the weight sensor, for example, a load cell composed of a strain body and a strain gauge can be used. One end of the strain body is supported by the base 20, and the other end of the strain body is supported by the leg portion 25. When the strain generating body bends due to a load when the user is placed on the upper surface 11 of the platform 10, the strain gauge expands and contracts and the resistance value (output value) changes according to the expansion and contraction of the strain gauge. The body weight can be measured by using this resistance change as a change in the load signal output.

  Heretofore, an example of the appearance of the body composition meter 1 has been described. The user lifts one foot and places the foot on a pair of electrodes (for example, the current supply electrode 15R and the voltage measurement electrode 16R) formed on the upper surface 11. Subsequently, the user lifts the other leg and places the foot on another pair of electrodes (for example, the current supply electrode 15 </ b> L and the voltage measurement electrode 16 </ b> L) formed on the upper surface 11. And measurement of a user's living body information is started. In accordance with the position where the foot is placed on the platform 10, the display on the display unit 17, and the like, the direction in which the user rests on the platform 10 (the user's entry direction) is usually defined as a predetermined direction. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an example of the entry direction of the user is indicated by an arrow. For example, a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the pair of electrodes are formed can be defined as the user entry direction.

"Operation area of body composition meter"
Next, the operation area | region which the body composition meter 1 has is demonstrated. As described above, the upper surface 11 of the platform 10 is a placement area where the sole of the user contacts. Here, by making the size of the platform 10 smaller than the size of the cover member 20a, a step portion 28 is formed by the end surface (side surface) of the platform 10, and the vicinity of the periphery of the upper surface 21 of the cover member 20a is exposed. be able to. This exposed area is an area where the user's sole does not come into contact when the user places his / her foot on the placement area because the height is lower than the upper surface 11 of the platform 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, when the user places his / her foot on the placement area, the user's sole does not come into contact with the operation area 23 near the end of the upper surface 21 on the user entry side. Form.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the operation input unit 31 is disposed in the operation area 23. Thereby, when the user places his / her foot on the platform 10, it is possible to prevent the operation input unit 31 from being erroneously operated with the sole of the foot and performing an unintended operation input. Further, the platform 10 and the operation area 23 can be visually distinguished by using different colors or the like, so that the user can accurately place his / her feet on the placement area. Further, by forming the operation area 23 and the display unit 17 along the user's approach direction, the user performs an operation input to the operation input unit 31 while confirming the display of the display unit 17, and the user's age and the like Settings can be made. Note that the size of the operation area 23 is set to an appropriate size in consideration of the size of the operation input unit 31 and the mode of operation input (for example, operation with a finger of a hand or operation with a toe). Is done. For example, the width (length in the short direction) of the operation area 23 is set to about 25 mm to 30 mm.

  As described above, the body composition meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the operation region 23 in which the operation input unit 31 is disposed and the upper surface of the platform 10 along the direction in which the user of the body composition meter 1 enters. 11 are sequentially formed through the step portion 28.

"Electric configuration of body composition meter"
With reference to FIG. 5, the electrical configuration of the body composition monitor 1 will be described. The body composition meter 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100, the display unit 17 and the operation input unit 31, the bioimpedance measurement unit 70, the weight measurement unit 80, and the storage unit 90 described above. Since the details of the display unit 17 and the operation input unit 31 have already been described, redundant description will be omitted.

  The CPU 100 controls each part of the body composition meter 1. The CPU 100 is supplied with an operation signal corresponding to an operation input to the operation input unit 31. The CPU 100 executes display control according to the operation signal. Further, the CPU 100 obtains the bioimpedance using the signal input from the bioimpedance measurement unit 70. Further, the CPU 100 obtains user biometric information based on a predetermined arithmetic expression stored in the storage unit 90. Further, the CPU 100 obtains the body weight, which is one of the user's biological information, based on the signal input from the weight measuring unit 80. In addition to this, the CPU 100 can execute known control.

  The bioelectrical impedance measurement unit 70 includes a current supply unit 71 and a voltage detection unit 72, and the above-described current supply electrodes (15R, 15L) and voltage measurement electrodes (16R, 16L). When the user gets on the platform 10, the current supply unit 71 has a weak high frequency on the sole of the user via the current supply electrode 15 </ b> R and the current supply electrode 15 </ b> L formed on the upper surface 11 of the platform. Apply current. The voltage detection unit 72 detects a potential difference via the voltage measurement electrode 16R and the voltage measurement electrode 16L, converts it to a digital value, and outputs it to the CPU 100.

  The weight measurement unit 80 includes, for example, a weight sensor 81 and an A / D conversion unit 82. The load cell described above can be applied as the weight sensor 81. The weight data output from the weight sensor 81 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 82 and output to the CPU 100.

  The storage unit 90 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 91, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 92, and a rewritable memory 93. The ROM 91 is a nonvolatile memory, and stores a program for causing the CPU 100 to execute various processes. The ROM 91 stores arithmetic expressions for obtaining each of body fat percentage, lean body mass, body fat mass, basal metabolic rate, visceral fat area, and body weight. Note that these programs can use programs stored in a storage device different from the ROM 91, for example, an optical storage medium such as a hard disk or a compact disk.

  The RAM 92 functions as a work area for the CPU 100. In the rewritable memory 93, personal data such as height, age, and sex is stored in association with identification information for identifying an individual.

  Note that a configuration different from the illustrated configuration may be added to the body composition meter 1. For example, a communication module that performs close proximity wireless communication with a mobile device such as a smartphone or a communication module that connects to a network such as the Internet may be added to the body composition meter 1.

  The body composition meter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The body composition meter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides, for example, the following effects.

An operation area is formed at a position lower than the placement area on the platform where the user's sole contacts, that is, an area where the user's sole does not contact, and an operation input unit is provided in the operation area. For this reason, when the user puts the sole on the placement area, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation by touching the operation input unit, and the convenience and operability of the body composition meter can be improved.
An operation area with a low height and a placement area with a high height are sequentially formed along the direction in which the user enters the body composition meter. By lowering the height at the time of entry, the psychological resistance when the user places his / her foot on the platform can be alleviated, and the user can place his / her foot smoothly on the platform. Thereby, the convenience, operability, etc. of the body composition meter can be improved.
-If the platform is a transparent member such as glass, and if a touch switch is provided in the placement area of the platform, the surface of the platform is soiled by fingerprints or the like due to an operation on the touch switch. In the body composition meter according to the above-described embodiment, the operation input unit is disposed in an operation region different from the placement region, so that it is possible to prevent the surface of the platform from becoming dirty due to the operation input. Thereby, the beauty of the body composition meter can be maintained.
-By making the operation area and the placement area formed along the user's traveling direction visually distinguishable, the user can place his / her feet accurately on the placement area. Further, the clearance formed by the width of the operation area allows the user to place his / her foot on the placement area with a smooth approach angle. For this reason, even if the platform is a strong member such as glass, it is possible to prevent the user from hitting the feet with the platform, and the convenience and operability of the body composition meter can be improved.

<2. Modification>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Hereinafter, modified examples will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, the platform 10 and the base 20 are described as substantially plate-shaped members, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the platform 10 and the base 20 may be disk-shaped members.

  In embodiment mentioned above, although the mounting base 10 was demonstrated as transparent members, such as glass, it is not limited to this. The platform 10 may be made of resin, for example.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a body composition meter has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to another device, for example, a weight meter that measures only body weight. In this case, the bioelectrical impedance measuring unit 70 is excluded.

  A configuration different from the operation input unit may be provided in the operation area. For example, a communication module for performing close proximity wireless communication with a smartphone that the user has may be arranged in the operation area. As described above, since the operation area is configured such that the user's sole does not come into contact with the operation area, it is possible to prevent the destruction of the communication module and the occurrence of communication failure caused by stepping on the sole. Further, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like for guiding the foot to the placement area may be provided in the operation area. Moreover, you may affix the label which shows the precautions on the use of the body composition meter to the operation area.

  Chamfering may be performed at the joint between the upper surface 11 and the side surface of the mounting base 10. Thereby, when a user puts the foot | leg of the mounting base 10, it can prevent hitting | fitting a foot | leg on the joint of the upper surface 11 and a side surface.

  The operation area is not limited to being flat, and may be inclined so as to rise along the user's traveling direction, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body composition meter 10 Mounting base 11 Upper surface of mounting base 20 Base 20a Cover member 21 Upper surface of cover member 23 Operation area 28 Step part

Claims (4)

A placement area provided on the platform;
A biological information measuring device comprising: an operation region formed at a position lower than the placement region via the step portion and provided with an operation input unit. The biological information measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation area and the placement area are sequentially formed along the user's entry direction. The biological information measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the operation input unit includes a touch switch. The biological information measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the placement area and the operation area are configured to be visually distinguishable.

Images