JP2016063860A - Moisture meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a moisture meter measuring a moisture content of an object based on the impedance of the object to measure the moisture content of the deep part of the object.SOLUTION: A sensor assembly for sensing of a moisture content comprises a positive voltage electrode 223 and a negative voltage electrode 224, and measures an impedance in an object by adding an appointed voltage between the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224. The sensor assembly has a first magnet which N pole contacts with the object and a second magnet which S pole contacts with the object, and magnetic line of force B from the N pole of the first magnet to the S pole of the second magnet goes through current I from the positive voltage electrode 223 to the negative voltage electrode 224 from the left. Because Lorentz force F heading for the deep part of the object works to the current thereby, the impedance of the deep part in the object becomes measurable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a moisture meter.

  There is a demand for measuring the moisture content, which is the proportion of moisture contained in a certain object. For example, if the moisture content in a human body is known, it can be determined whether or not dehydration is occurring or not. In addition, there is a demand for measuring the moisture content of food and industrial products.

Moisture meters have been developed and put to practical use for such applications.
There are various principles for measuring the moisture content of an object. For example, the moisture content is obtained based on the electric capacity of the object, the moisture content is obtained based on the degree of attenuation of the microwave irradiated to the object, the moisture content is obtained based on the impedance change of the object, etc. Known as the principle of the meter.
The applicant of the present application believes that, among various uses of the moisture meter, measuring the moisture content in a human body cannot be excluded. From such a point of view, it is essential that the moisture meter can be miniaturized to such an extent that it can be used outdoors, for example, to be portable, and that measurement does not take time.
If it does so, what measures a moisture content based on the change of the impedance of a target object will be easy to satisfy such conditions. Such a moisture meter is, for example, a positive voltage electrode that is brought into contact with an object to be measured for moisture content and is a set of two voltage electrodes that can measure impedance between the two. And measuring the moisture content of the object based on the impedance of the object between the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode, measured using the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode. Usually it is.

It can be said that the moisture meter as described above that measures the moisture content of an object based on the impedance of the object that satisfies the requirements of downsizing and shortening the measurement time is useful.
However, in principle, a moisture meter that measures the moisture content of an object based on the impedance of the object generally has a positive voltage electrode and a negative voltage electrode unless the object is inserted deeply into the object. Only the moisture content in a range very close to the surface (for example, about 1 mm) can be measured. When the human body is the object, it is impossible to insert the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode into the object. Therefore, when the human body is the object, it is based on the impedance of the object. In general, a moisture meter that measures the moisture content of an object can measure only the moisture content of a portion close to the surface of the skin.
For example, in order to determine whether or not dehydration has occurred, it is obvious that it is better to measure the moisture content in a deeper range of the human body as the object. In addition, if only the moisture content of the part close to the surface of the skin can be measured, an error may occur in the measurement result of the moisture content of the human body as an object depending on whether or not the skin surface is wet by sweat. Such a situation can also occur when the object is not a human body.
In order to solve such a situation, it is necessary to improve the moisture meter that measures the moisture content of the object based on the impedance of the object so that the moisture content of the deep part of the object can be measured. However, such a moisture meter is not known.

  This application makes it the subject to improve the moisture meter which measures the moisture content of a target object based on the impedance of a target object so that the moisture content of the deep part of a target object can be measured.

The present inventor proposes the following invention in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.
In the present invention, a positive voltage electrode and a negative voltage electrode, which are a set of two voltage electrodes that can be brought into contact with an object to be measured for moisture content and can measure the impedance between the two, are provided. And measuring the moisture content of the object based on the impedance of the object between the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode, measured using the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode. This is a moisture meter.
And this moisture meter has the magnetic field lines in such a direction that gives a force in a direction in which the current goes deeper in the object to the current flowing from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode in the object. Magnetic force generating means for generating inside the object is provided.
It is well known that when a current flows in a magnetic field, a force (Lorentz force) in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field acts on the current. The moisture meter of the present application includes the magnetic force generation means as described above. This magnetic force generating means generates a magnetic line of force in a direction that applies a Lorentz force toward the deeper direction of the target to the current flowing from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode in the target, thereby causing the current to flow from the target. Since it is possible to flow in a deep part, according to the moisture meter of the present application, the moisture content of a deeper part of the object can be measured without inserting the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode into the object. It becomes like this.

  As described above, the magnetic force generation means targets the magnetic field lines in such a direction that gives the current flowing from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode inside the object in a direction in which the current goes deeper in the object. It is generated inside the object. The magnetic force generating means has a magnetic force line in a direction perpendicular to the line from the right in the middle of the line from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode when the object is viewed in plan inside the object. It may be generated. If the magnetic field lines in such a direction are generated, a Lorentz force toward the deeper direction of the object can be applied to the current flowing from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode in the object. As long as the magnetic field lines in such a direction can be generated, the magnetic field generation means may generate magnetic field lines in other directions.

The magnetic force generating means may be a permanent magnet, for example. An electromagnet may also be used.
The magnetic force generation means may include a first magnet and a second magnet that are two permanent magnets.
In the case where the magnetic force generation means includes a first magnet and a second magnet that are two permanent magnets, the magnetic force generation means uses the N pole of the first magnet and the S pole of the second magnet as the object. The magnetic field lines from the N pole to the S pole may be generated in the object.
By arranging the first magnet and the second magnet so that their N pole and S pole are in contact with the surface of the object at a position sandwiching a straight line connecting the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode, When the object is viewed in plan, it is possible to generate magnetic force lines in a direction perpendicular to the left from the line in the middle of the line from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode.

The moisture meter of the present application is brought into contact with the object, and may be provided with a pair of current electrodes by passing an alternating current between them.
When measuring the impedance of an object, a positive voltage electrode and a negative voltage electrode for measuring impedance are required at a minimum. In addition, the presence of the current electrode enables stable impedance measurement. When only a direct current is passed through an object, polarization occurs between the voltage electrode and the object (for example, the skin), and noise is added to the measured value at the voltage electrode. It becomes possible to prevent. When there is a current electrode, the impedance of the object is measured by the so-called four-electrode method. When there is no current electrode, the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode serve as the current electrode, and the impedance of the object is measured by the so-called two-electrode method.
In general, the two current electrodes are arranged on a straight line connecting the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode so that the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode are sandwiched between the two current electrodes.
When the current electrode is present, the magnetic force generating means in the moisture meter may be a permanent magnet. In that case, the impedance of the object used to measure the moisture content of the object is such that the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes is directed in a direction from the magnetic force generating means to a deeper direction of the object. Only the impedance when receiving a force may be used. When current electrodes are present, depending on the direction of the alternating current flowing between them, a force toward the shallower direction of the object may be applied to the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes. If the moisture content is determined using the impedance measured at such time, the alternating current is only present in the shallow part of the object, and in some cases it can even exist outside the object. The above-mentioned effect due to passing alternating current between the current electrodes is lost. On the other hand, the direction of the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes is determined by using only the impedance when the alternating current flowing between the voltage electrodes receives a force in a direction toward a deeper direction of the object from the magnetic force generating means. If the rate is determined, such a problem does not occur.
The magnetic force generating means in the moisture meter when a current electrode is present may be an electromagnet. In this case, the magnetic force generating means always applies a force in a direction toward a deeper direction of the object to the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes by the alternating current synchronized with the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes. It is also possible to generate a strong magnetic force. Naturally, if the current flowing through the electromagnet is DC, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet is always constant, but if the current flowing through the electromagnet is AC, the strength and direction of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet can be changed. The magnetic force generating means is an electromagnet, and the electromagnet always applies a force in a direction toward a deeper direction of the object to the current flowing between the current electrodes by the alternating current synchronized with the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes. If the magnetic force is generated, the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes can always reach the deep part of the object. In this case, the moisture content in the deep part of the object can be measured using the impedance measured at any timing.

In the moisture meter of the present application, the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode may be integrated, and both may be brought into contact with the object at the same time. By doing so, the work burden of the user when measuring the moisture content with a moisture meter can be reduced. In particular, when one of the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode is in contact with the surface of the object, the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode are configured so that the other naturally contacts the surface of the object. The work burden on the user when measuring the moisture content with a meter can be further reduced. Therefore, for example, the surfaces of the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode that are in contact with the object can be flush with each other.
In the moisture meter of the present application including the first magnet and the second magnet, the first magnet and the second magnet are integrated, and the N pole of the first magnet and the S pole of the second magnet May be brought into contact with the object at the same time. By doing so, the work burden of the user when measuring the moisture content with a moisture meter can be reduced. In particular, when one of the first magnet and the second magnet is brought into contact with the surface of the object, the first magnet and the second magnet are configured so that the other naturally comes into contact with the surface of the object. The work burden on the user when measuring the moisture content with a meter can be further reduced. Therefore, for example, the surfaces of the first magnet and the second magnet that are in contact with the object can be flush with each other.
Not only can the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode be integrated, or the first magnet and the second magnet can be integrated, but these can all be integrated. That is, in the moisture meter of the present application, the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the first magnet, and the second magnet are integrated, and the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, The N pole of the first magnet and the S pole of the second magnet may be brought into contact with the object at the same time. It will be obvious that this reduces the work burden on the user when measuring the moisture content with a moisture meter. The surfaces of the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the N pole of the first magnet, and the S pole of the second magnet that contact the object may be flush with each other. Then, when one of the surfaces of the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the N pole of the first magnet, and the S pole of the second magnet contacting the object is brought into contact with the surface of the object. Although the premise is that the surface of the object is a flat surface, the other three surfaces also come into contact with the object surface.
In the moisture meter of the present application including a current electrode, the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, and the two current electrodes are integrated, and the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, and the two The current electrode may be brought into contact with the object at the same time. By doing so, the work burden of the user when measuring the moisture content with a moisture meter can be reduced. In particular, when a positive voltage electrode, a negative voltage electrode, and one of the two current electrodes are in contact with the surface of the object, the other three are positive voltages so that they naturally contact the surface of the object. When an electrode, a negative voltage electrode, and a current electrode are configured, the user's work burden when measuring the moisture content with a moisture meter can be further reduced. If the surfaces of the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, and the two current electrodes that are in contact with the object are flush, one of the four surfaces is placed on the surface of the object. When abutting, it is assumed that the surface of the object is a flat surface, but the other three surfaces also abut on the object surface.
The moisture meter of the present application including a first magnet, a second magnet, and two current electrodes includes the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the first magnet, the second magnet, and the two The current electrode is integrated, and the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the N pole of the first magnet, the S pole of the second magnet, and the two current electrodes are simultaneously processed. You may come to contact | abut. By doing so, the work burden of the user when measuring the moisture content with a moisture meter can be reduced. In particular, when the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the first magnet, the second magnet, and one of the two current electrodes are brought into contact with the surface of the object, the other five are naturally targeted. If these are configured so as to abut on the surface of an object, the work burden on the user when measuring the moisture content with a moisture meter can be further reduced. In order to realize this, for example, the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the N pole of the first magnet, the S pole of the second magnet, and the two current electrodes are contacted. It is sufficient that the surface to be done is the same.

The inventor of the present application also proposes the following method that produces the same effect as the moisture meter of the present application as one aspect of the present invention.
An example of the invention is a positive voltage electrode and a negative voltage that are brought into contact with an object to be measured for moisture content and are a set of two voltage electrodes that can measure the impedance between the two. An electrode, and the moisture content of the object is measured based on the impedance of the object between the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode, measured using the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode. A method of measuring, wherein a magnetic field line is applied in such a direction that gives a current flowing in the object from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode in a direction in which the current goes deeper in the object. In the method, the moisture content of the object is measured in a state where the object is generated inside the object.

The perspective view which shows roughly the whole structure of the moisture meter of this invention. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional blocks formed inside the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The figure which shows schematically the internal structure of the sensor part shown in FIG. The top view of the sensor part shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows schematically the magnetic force line at the time of making the sensor part shown in FIG. 1 contact | abut to a target object. Sectional drawing which shows roughly the electric current which flows between a positive voltage electrode and a negative voltage electrode, when the sensor part shown in FIG. 1 is made to contact | abut to a target object. The top view of the sensor part of the moisture meter by a modification. Sectional drawing which shows roughly the electric current which flows between a positive voltage electrode and a negative voltage electrode, when the sensor part of the moisture meter by a modification is made to contact | abut to a target object.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Although not limited to this, the moisture meter of this embodiment is configured by combining the information processing apparatus 100 and the sensor apparatus 200 as shown in FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 100 is a computer, and although not limited to this, the information processing apparatus 100 is portable. The information processing apparatus 100 is, for example, a music player such as iPod Touch (trademark) manufactured and sold by Apple Japan LLC, or may be a mobile phone or a smartphone. The information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a smartphone, but is not limited to this. As an example of a smartphone, iPhone 5 (trademark) manufactured and sold by Apple Japan LLC can be cited.

Although not limited to this, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a casing 101 having a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is configured to have a size that can be held with one hand. A display 102 is provided on one surface of the housing 101. The display 102 can be constituted by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, but may be a known one.
Although not limited to this, the audio input terminal 103 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 101 in this embodiment. As will be described later, a conversion signal, which is data related to the moisture content of an object to be measured for moisture content, generated by the sensor device 200 is input from the audio input terminal 103 to the information processing apparatus 100. ing. Note that the information processing apparatus 100 is not necessarily required to receive data on the moisture content from the audio input terminal 103. It is of course possible for the information processing apparatus 100 to receive data related to the moisture content from the sensor device 200 through a USB terminal or wireless connection such as Bluetooth.
The audio input terminal 103 has a hole shape, is a plug-in power type having a power supply terminal for supplying power, and adopts the same structure as that which is extremely popular. Since the configuration of the power supply terminal is also a standardized standard, it is omitted from the illustration and description. The audio input terminal 103 can receive an input of a signal in a predetermined frequency band. Although not limited to this, the frequency band of the signal that can be received by the audio input terminal 103 in this embodiment substantially matches the frequency of the human audible range in terms of hardware configuration, and is approximately 20 Hz to 20000 Hz. It is.
An operation button 104 for inputting information for operating the information processing apparatus 100 is provided on the surface of the housing 101 on which the display 102 is provided. As long as information can be input, the operation button 104 may employ another configuration such as a numeric keypad. In the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the operation button 104 has a simple configuration because the display 102 is a touch panel and input from the touch panel is possible.

In the casing 101, hardware having a configuration as shown in FIG. The hardware built in the housing 101 is a CPU 110A, a ROM 110B, a RAM 110C, an interface 110D, and a bus 110E that connects these components to each other.
The CPU 110A is an arithmetic device that performs arithmetic operations. CPU110A performs the process mentioned later, for example by executing the program recorded on ROM110B. The information processing apparatus 100 may execute various functions that can be normally performed by a smartphone, such as a call function and an e-mail function, and the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is also such. The program referred to here is a program for causing the information processing apparatus 100 to function as a part of the moisture meter of the present invention. Of course, other programs are installed in the information processing apparatus 100 in order to execute various functions, but here, the discussion is focused on a program for causing the information processing apparatus 100 to function as a part of the moisture meter. do. This program may be preinstalled in the information processing apparatus 100, or may be installed afterwards. The installation of the program into the information processing apparatus 100 may be performed via a predetermined recording medium such as a memory card, or may be performed via a communication line such as a LAN or the Internet.
The ROM 110B records programs and data necessary for the CPU 110A to execute processing to be described later. The RAM 110C provides a work area necessary for the CPU 110A to perform processing. The RAM 110C can record data generated as a result of processing performed by the CPU 110A.
The interface 110D exchanges data between the CPU 110A, the RAM 110C, and the like connected via the bus 110E and the outside. The above-described audio input terminal 103 is connected to the interface 110D, and the display 102 and the operation button 104 are connected. The interface 110D receives a conversion signal described later from the audio input terminal 103, sends image data described later to the display 102, and receives an operation signal described later from the display 102 and the operation button 104.

When the CPU 110A executes the program, a function block as shown in FIG. 3 is generated in the information processing apparatus 100. Note that the following functional blocks may be generated by the functions of the above-described program alone, or may be generated by the cooperation of the above-described programs and the OS and other programs installed in the information processing apparatus 100. .
Functional blocks generated in the information processing apparatus 100 are an operation signal analysis unit 112A, a control unit 112B, a conversion signal analysis unit 112C, and a display control unit 112D.

The operation signal analysis unit 112A has a function of analyzing operation signals input from the display 102 and the operation buttons 104 as a touch panel. The content of the analyzed operation signal is sent to the control unit 112B.
The control unit 112B has a function of controlling the information processing apparatus 100 when the information processing apparatus 100 functions as part of the moisture meter. The control performed by the control unit 112B is executed according to the content of the operation signal sent from the operation signal analysis unit 112A.
The control unit 112B generates a control signal and sends it to the conversion signal analysis unit 112C and the display control unit 112D. The conversion signal analysis unit 112C and the display control unit 112D perform the following processing based on the received control signal.

The conversion signal analysis unit 112C analyzes the content of a conversion signal described later received from the interface 110D. The conversion signal analysis unit 112C starts the processing when an instruction is given from the control unit 112B. The conversion signal analysis unit 112C can uniquely determine the moisture content of the object from the conversion signal. For example, if the sensing target is the moisture content of the user's body, the converted signal analysis unit 112C uniquely determines that the moisture content is OO% according to the converted signal. Such a determination may be performed using a look-up table in which the converted signal and the property of the target object are associated one-to-one, or may be performed by calculation using some algorithm. As described later, the converted signal is obtained by performing conversion such as increasing the frequency band, decreasing the frequency band, or modulating the output signal. The converted signal analysis unit 112C converts the output signal before conversion. The unique determination described above may be made after returning to the output signal. In any case, the converted signal analysis unit 112C can analyze the converted signal sent from the sensor device 200 paired with the information processing apparatus 100 including the converted signal analysis unit 112C and perform the above-described unique determination. It is like that. Data that uniquely identifies the moisture content of the object analyzed by the conversion signal analysis unit 112C is sent to the display control unit 112D.
The display control unit 112D generates image data regarding an image to be displayed on the display 102 in response to an instruction by a control signal sent from the control unit 112B. The image displayed on the display 102 by the image data may be a moving image or a still image. The control signal sent from the control unit 112B is instructed to display information on the display 102 based on the data specifying the moisture content of the object analyzed by the conversion signal analysis unit 112C or to stop the display. In some cases, it may also be required to switch between moving images and still images. For example, if the data on the moisture content of the object analyzed by the conversion signal analysis unit 112C changes every moment, the control unit 112B determines the moisture content of the object indicated by the data on the moisture content of the object. In some cases, the display control unit 112D may be instructed to display a moving image on the display 102 so that an image (for example, a numerical value) is changed, or the moisture of the object at a predetermined timing instructed by the operation signal. In some cases, the display control unit 112D may be instructed to display the rate as a still image on the display 102. In any case, the display control unit 112D generates an image signal for an image to be displayed on the display 102 and sends it to the display 102 via the interface 110D. The display 102 that has received the image signal displays an image based on the image signal.

  Next, the configuration of the sensor device 200 that forms a moisture meter in combination with the information processing apparatus 100 described above will be described.

The sensor device 200 is configured by connecting a phone plug 210 and a sensor unit 220 with a cable 230.
The phone plug 210 is a general one, and includes a sleeve 211 that can be inserted into the audio input terminal 103 and a cylindrical plug body 212. The sleeve 211 is connected to the audio input terminal 103 by being inserted into the audio input terminal 103. A conversion signal (to be described later) can be input to the audio input terminal 103 from the sleeve 211. The sleeve 211 can be supplied with power from the audio input terminal 103.
The cable 230 is not limited to this, and is formed by inserting several conducting wires into a rubber tube 231, for example. In this embodiment, the tube 231 includes, but is not limited to, a conductor 232 for sending a conversion signal from the sensor unit 220 to the phone plug 210, and for sending power from the phone plug 210 to the sensor unit 220. The lead wire 233 is inserted (FIG. 4).

4 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor unit 220, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the sensor unit 220.
Although not necessarily limited to this, the sensor unit 220 includes a thin main body case 221 having a cylindrical shape, more specifically, a cylindrical shape in this embodiment. A hole 221 </ b> A is formed in the bottom surface of the case 221, and the case 221 is connected to the cable 230 there.
A positive voltage electrode 223 and a negative voltage electrode 224 are provided on the upper surface of the case 221. The positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 are both circular, although not limited thereto. In use, the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 are used in a state where the upper surface in FIGS. 1 and 4 is in contact with the object. In this embodiment, the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 are integrated via a case 221. Although not limited thereto, the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 of this embodiment are flush with each other in contact with the object.
The positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 are a pair of voltage electrodes to which a predetermined voltage can be applied between them, and more precisely for measuring the impedance of an object existing between them. Electrode. Since the impedance of the object changes in accordance with the moisture content of the object, the moisture content of the object can be obtained by measuring the impedance of the object.

Inside the case 221, a power supply circuit 225, an impedance detection unit 226, and a conversion circuit 227 are provided.
The power supply circuit 225 is connected to the conducting wire 233 and is supplied with power from the information processing apparatus 100 via the conducting wire 233, the phone plug 210, and the audio input terminal 103. The power supply circuit 225 has a function of supplying the power while distributing the power to a target that requires the power. In this embodiment, although not limited to this, the power supply circuit 225 supplies power to the impedance detection unit 226 and the conversion circuit 227 via the conductor 225A and the conductor 225B, respectively.
The impedance detection unit 226 is connected to the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 via conductors 226A and 226B, respectively. The impedance detection unit 226 applies a voltage having a predetermined potential difference to the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 via the conductive wires 226A and 226B, and detects the impedance between them. The impedance detection unit 226 generates an output signal that is a signal related to the impedance of the object (that is, a signal related to the moisture content of the object) based on the detected impedance. The impedance detection unit 226 sends the output signal to the conversion circuit 227 connected by the conducting wire 226C via the conducting wire 226C.

The conversion circuit 227 basically has a function of converting the frequency band of the output signal generated by the impedance detection unit 216 so that the frequency band can be received by the audio input terminal 103. As described above, the frequency band of the signal that the audio input terminal 103 can accept is limited. In other words, the converted signal obtained by converting the output signal by the conversion circuit 227 can be received by the audio input terminal 103 via the conductor 232 and the phone plug 210.
The conversion circuit 227 may include a circuit that reduces the frequency of the output signal, for example, a frequency divider. The conversion circuit 227 may also include a circuit that increases the frequency of the output signal, for example, a multiplier circuit. When the conversion circuit 227 includes these circuits, the output signal is simply converted into a converted signal by decreasing the frequency or increasing the frequency.
Further, the conversion circuit 227 may include a circuit that causes modulation of the output signal. In that case, the conversion circuit 227 converts the output signal into a modulation signal, performs conversion using a carrier wave having an appropriate frequency within the frequency band that can be received by the audio input terminal 103, and converts the signal into a modulated signal. The conversion signal is obtained. The modulation performed by the conversion circuit 227 may be any of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, and phase modulation. That is, the conversion circuit 227 is an amplitude modulation circuit (for example, known as an AM modulation circuit) that generates amplitude modulation in an output signal, and a frequency modulation circuit (for example, an FM modulation circuit) that generates frequency modulation in an output signal. And may include at least one of phase modulation circuits (for example, known as PM modulation circuits) that cause phase modulation in the output signal.
A conversion circuit 227 for reducing the frequency of the output signal, such as a frequency divider, a circuit for increasing the frequency of the output signal, such as a multiplication circuit, an amplitude modulation circuit for causing amplitude modulation in the output signal of the AM modulation circuit, FM The frequency of the output signal output from the impedance detection unit 226 includes whether the frequency modulation circuit that causes frequency modulation in the output signal of the modulation circuit or the like, or the phase modulation circuit that causes phase modulation in the output signal of the PM modulation circuit or the like is included. Depending on circumstances such as the size of the band, whether the output signal is a modulation signal in the first place, how much good response performance is required for sensing using a moisture meter, how much accuracy of sensing is required, etc. What is necessary is just to select suitably. Two or more types of the three types of modulation circuits may be combined.
For example, if the frequency band of the output signal is relatively higher than the frequency band in which the audio input terminal 103 is received, a circuit that reduces the frequency of the output signal, such as a frequency divider, can be used to lower the frequency band. good. Conversely, when the frequency band of the output signal from the impedance detection unit 226 is relatively lower than the frequency band in which the audio input terminal 103 is received, a circuit that increases the frequency of the output signal such as a multiplier circuit is used. What is necessary is just to raise the frequency band.
In general, if an amplitude modulation circuit is used, the sensing accuracy or resolution is lowered, but the occupied bandwidth can be reduced. If a frequency modulation circuit is used, the responsiveness deteriorates, but the sensing accuracy or resolution increases. If there is a situation where it is desired to reduce the occupied bandwidth of the conversion signal, it is preferable to use a phase modulation circuit. In consideration of such a situation, it is possible to determine which of the three modulation circuits described above is used. However, if the output signal is a modulation signal, the reason for using the modulation circuit may not be great.
Although the modulation described above mainly relates to analog modulation, the modulation is not limited to analog modulation, and may be digital modulation or pulse modulation. Digital modulation includes phase shift keying (eg, known as PSK), frequency shift keying (eg, known as FSK), amplitude shift keying (eg, known as ASK), quadrature amplitude. Modulation (eg, known as QAM) can be used. As pulse modulation, for example, pulse code modulation (PCM), pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), pulse position modulation (PPM), and pulse density modulation (PDM) can be used.
Of course, an analog-digital converter or a digital-analog converter may be provided in the conversion circuit as needed. The conversion signal may be an analog signal or a digital signal.
Since all the circuits described above are publicly known or well known, detailed description of each circuit is omitted.

A first magnet 228 and a second magnet 229 are attached to the upper surface of the case 221 in FIGS. 1 and 4. The first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 are both permanent magnets in this embodiment, and both pass through the object from the positive voltage electrode 223 in a state where the surfaces thereof are in contact with the object toward the negative voltage electrode 224. This is for generating a magnetic field line in a direction that gives a flowing current a force (Lorentz force) in a direction toward a deeper direction in the object.
In this embodiment, the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 are both disk-shaped, although not limited to this. Both the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 are not limited to this, but are fixed to the case 221 in a state where the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 are fitted in the holes 221B and 221C formed in the upper side of the case 221 in FIGS. . Therefore, in this embodiment, the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 are integrated via the case 221.
One surface of the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 is exposed on the surface of the case 221. The first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 have the same surface on one side. Although not limited to this, one surface of the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 of this embodiment is flush with the surfaces of the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 that are brought into contact with the object. It has become.
One surface of the first magnet 228 is an N pole, and the other surface which is the back surface thereof is an S pole. One surface of the second magnet 229 is an S pole, and the other surface that is the back surface thereof is an N pole. When the N pole of the first magnet 228 and the S pole of the second magnet 229 are brought into contact with the object, lines of magnetic force from the N pole to the S pole are generated in the object. The magnetic lines of force generated at this time are in the middle of the line from the positive voltage electrode 223 to the negative voltage electrode 224 in the object, and are perpendicular to the line from the right when the object is viewed in plan, as will be described later.

Next, a usage method and operation of a moisture meter constituted by a combination of the information processing device 100 and the sensor device 200 will be described.
In order to configure the moisture meter, the user inserts the sleeve 211 of the phone plug 210 of the sensor device 200 into the voice input terminal 103 of the information processing device 100 as shown in FIG. Then, the audio input terminal 103 and the sleeve 211 are conducted, and the power supply terminal of the audio input terminal 103 and the power receiving terminal of the sleeve 211 are conducted.
The power obtained from the power receiving terminal by the power receiving terminal is supplied from the power supply circuit 225 to the impedance detection unit 226 and the conversion circuit 227. Thus, the impedance detection unit 226 and the conversion circuit 227 can be driven. When the impedance detection unit 226 is driven, the moisture meter is in a state where the moisture content of the object can be detected.

  Next, the user launches a program in the information processing apparatus 100 for causing the information processing apparatus 100 to function as a part of the moisture meter, for example, by touching the display 102 of the information processing apparatus 100. Thereby, the functional block shown in FIG. 3 is generated in the information processing apparatus 100.

Next, for example, the user has the sensor unit 220 of the sensor device 200 connected to the information processing apparatus 100 and presses the upper surface in FIGS. 1 and 4 against the object. The object in this case is not particularly limited as long as it is an object for measuring moisture content, but in this embodiment, it is assumed to be a human body for the time being.
The user presses the sensor unit 220 against himself or another person's arm, for example.
Then, the surfaces of the first magnet 228, the second magnet 229, the positive voltage electrode 223, and the negative voltage electrode 224 in the sensor unit 220 are all in contact with the arm of the user or the like. In order to easily bring them into contact with the surface of the user's body, the area such as the user's upper arm's elbow and the inside of the tip, the user's thigh, belly, back, etc. has a wide area to some extent and is flat. The sensor unit 220 may be brought into contact with the portion.

First, when the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 are in contact with the user's body, as shown in FIG. 6, the second magnet from the N pole of the first magnet 228 is placed in the user's body. Magnetic field lines B directed to the S pole of 229 are generated. However, between the 1st magnet 228 and the 2nd magnet 229, what goes to the south pole of the 1st magnet 228 from the N pole of the 1st magnet 228, and the 2nd magnet 229 from the N pole of the 2nd magnet 229 Although there are some heading toward the south pole or the south pole of the first magnet, these are omitted in FIG.
Further, between the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224, a current I flows between the former and the latter as shown in FIG. This current does not flow so deeply, for example, it flows through the depth shown by the broken line, but around the current I, particularly in the vicinity of the middle portion between the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224. , As indicated by the symbol B, it is perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 7 and from the front to the back of the paper surface (in the direction other than the center of the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224, the direction has at least a component in that direction). Magnetic field lines exist. Therefore, a downward Lorentz force F in FIG. 7 acts on the current I, and the current I flows through a deeper portion of the object, for example, a portion indicated by a solid line.

Based on the current, the impedance detector 226 detects the impedance of the human body that is the object, and generates an output signal. The output signal is sent to the conversion circuit 227. The output signal sent to the conversion circuit 227 is converted by the conversion circuit 227 into a converted signal. The converted signal reaches the sleeve 211 of the phone plug 210 via the conducting wire 232, and is received by the converted signal analysis unit 112 </ b> C in the information processing apparatus 100 via the sleeve 211 and the voice input terminal 103.
The conversion signal analysis unit 112C analyzes the content of the received conversion signal, and uniquely determines the moisture content of the skin indicated by the conversion signal. The conversion signal analysis unit 112C sends the contents to the display control unit 112D.
The display control unit 112D generates image data for causing the display 102 to display an image corresponding to the content, and sends the image data to the display 102. For example, the content may be only a numerical value indicating the moisture content of the body, but in addition to the numerical value indicating the moisture content of the skin, comments about the possibility of dehydration, illustrations and symbols indicating such content, etc. Or, it may be those including numerical values.

  In the above example, the impedance is detected by the impedance detection unit 226 in the sensor device 200, that is, the impedance is detected not in the information processing device 100 but in the sensor device 200. . However, this is not limited to this, and impedance detection may be performed on the information processing apparatus 100 side. In that case, the data about the potential difference between the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 is converted by the conversion circuit 227, and then the information processing apparatus 100 performs the same as in the above-described embodiment. Send it. The same applies to the following modified examples.

Next, a modification of the moisture meter of the above embodiment will be described.
<Modification 1>
The moisture meter of Modification 1 is almost the same as the moisture meter of the above-described embodiment. The only difference is that the sensor unit 220 is provided with a current electrode to be described later.
As shown in FIG. 8, there are two current electrodes 250. The current electrode 250 is disposed outside the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 on a line connecting the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224. The distance from the positive voltage electrode 223 to the outer current electrode 250 and the distance from the negative voltage electrode 224 to the outer current electrode 250 are the same, although not limited thereto. Although not limited to this, the shape of both current electrodes 250 is circular, and although not limited to this, the size of both current electrodes 250 is positive voltage electrode 223, negative voltage electrode 224, It is the same.
The current electrode 250 of this embodiment is fixed to the case 221 of the sensor unit 220 and integrated with the case 221. The surfaces exposed from the case 221 of both current electrodes 250 are all flush with the surfaces of the first magnet 228, the second magnet 229, the positive voltage electrode 223, and the negative voltage electrode 224. It has become.

When the sensor unit 220 is brought into contact with a human body other than the user or the user, an alternating current I˜ flows between the current electrodes 250 as shown in FIG. 9. An AC current generating circuit that receives power from the power supply circuit 225 to generate AC current and supplies AC current to the current electrode 250 is arranged in the case 221 of this modification so that it can be achieved. ing.
Since the current electrode 250 sandwiches the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224, the current flowing between the positive voltage electrode 223 and the negative voltage electrode 224 is in a state where the alternating currents I to I are flowing. The impedance detection unit 226 measures the impedance of the object while the alternating current I is flowing.
Such a method of detecting impedance using four electrodes is called a four-electrode method, and the measurement accuracy is high as is widely known.
When the current electrode 250 is present, the impedance detection unit 226 uses the alternating current flowing between the two current electrodes 250 as the impedance of the object used to measure the moisture content of the human body corresponding to the object referred to in the present application. Only the impedance when the current receives a force in a direction from the magnetic field toward a deeper direction of the human body may be used.
As a first method of achieving this, for example, time division can be increased. Since the direction of the alternating current flowing between the two current electrodes 250 changes alternately, the human body is separated from a fixed magnetic field created between the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 which are permanent magnets. The force toward the deeper direction and the force toward the shallower direction of the human body are alternately received. The impedance detection unit 262 uses the timing signal synchronized with the conversion of the direction of the alternating current, and the alternating current flowing between the two current electrodes 250 receives a force from the magnetic field toward the deeper direction of the human body. Impedance can be detected only at that timing.
In addition, as a second method for achieving this, the limitation by the frequency band can be raised. The alternating current flowing between the two current electrodes 250 alternates in the direction of the current at a constant frequency. The impedance detection unit 262 can detect impedance based only on a potential difference that changes at the same frequency as the frequency of the alternating current flowing between the two current electrodes 250 by using, for example, a bandpass filter as hardware. it can. As a result, it is possible to remove noise based on a potential difference or the like that naturally occurs in the human body that changes at a timing different from the frequency of the alternating current.
<Modification 2>
The moisture meter of Modification 2 is almost the same as the moisture meter of Modification 1 described above. The moisture meter of Modification 2 also includes two current electrodes 250 similar to those of Modification 1.
On the other hand, the moisture meter of Modification 2 does not include the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229 that the moisture meter of Modification 1 had. Instead, the moisture meter of Modification 2 includes an electromagnet that the moisture meter of Modification 1 did not. Unlike the moisture meter according to the first modification, the moisture meter according to the second modification creates a magnetic field within the human body using the first magnet 228 and the second magnet 229, unlike the moisture meter according to the first modification. It is like that. An alternating current flows through the electromagnet. The frequency of the alternating current that flows through the electromagnet is the same frequency as the alternating current that flows between the two current electrodes 250, and both are synchronized with each other. When an alternating current is passed through the electromagnet, the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet changes its direction alternately by 180 ° in synchronization with the alternating current. The magnetic field generated by the electromagnet always gives a force in a direction toward a deeper direction of the human body corresponding to the object in the present application to the alternating current flowing between the two current electrodes 250. It has come to be. Thereby, no matter what timing the impedance detection unit 262 detects the impedance, the detected impedance has less noise.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus 101 Case 102 Display 103 Voice input terminal 110A CPU
110B ROM
110C RAM
110D interface 110E bus 112A operation signal analysis unit 112B control unit 112C conversion signal analysis unit 112D display control unit 210 phone plug 211 sleeve 212 plug body 220 sensor unit 221 case 223 positive voltage electrode 224 negative voltage electrode 225 power supply circuit 226 impedance detection unit 227 Conversion circuit 230 Cable 250 Current electrode

Claims (15)

Each of the objects to be measured for moisture content is brought into contact with each other, and includes a positive voltage electrode and a negative voltage electrode, which are a pair of voltage electrodes that can measure impedance between the two, The moisture content of the object is measured based on the impedance of the object between the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode, measured using the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode. A moisture meter,
Magnetic field lines are generated inside the object in such a direction that gives a current flowing in the object from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode in a direction in which the current goes deeper in the object. Including magnetic force generating means
Moisture meter. The magnetic force generating means has a magnetic force line in a direction perpendicular to the line from the right in the middle of the line from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode when the object is viewed in plan inside the object. Is supposed to generate,
The moisture meter according to claim 1. The magnetic force generating means is composed of a first magnet and a second magnet, which are two permanent magnets, by bringing the N pole of the first magnet and the S pole of the second magnet into contact with the object, Magnetic field lines from the north pole to the south pole are generated in the object.
The moisture meter according to claim 1 or 2. It is brought into contact with the object, and includes a set of two current electrodes that allow an alternating current to flow between them.
The moisture meter according to claim 1. The magnetic force generating means is a permanent magnet,
The impedance of the object used for measuring the moisture content of the object is that the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes receives a force in a direction toward the deeper direction of the object from the magnetic force generating means. It is supposed to be only the impedance when
The moisture meter according to claim 4. The magnetic force generating means generates a magnetic force that always gives a force in a direction toward a deeper direction of the object to an alternating current flowing between the current electrodes by an alternating current synchronized with the alternating current flowing between the current electrodes. An electromagnet that is designed to generate,
The moisture meter according to claim 4. The positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode are integrated, and both can be brought into contact with the object at the same time.
The moisture meter according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The first magnet and the second magnet are integrated, and the N pole of the first magnet and the S pole of the second magnet can be brought into contact with the object at the same time.
The moisture meter according to claim 3. The positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, and the two current electrodes are integrated, and the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, and the two current electrodes are simultaneously brought into contact with an object. Is supposed to be
The moisture meter according to claim 4. The positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the first magnet, and the second magnet are integrated, and the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, and the N pole of the first magnet The S pole of the second magnet can be brought into contact with the object at the same time.
The moisture meter according to claim 3. The surfaces of the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, and the two current electrodes that contact the object are flush with each other.
The moisture meter according to claim 9. The surfaces of the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the N pole of the first magnet, and the S pole of the second magnet that are in contact with objects are flush with each other.
The moisture meter according to claim 10. It is brought into contact with the object, and includes a pair of current electrodes with two alternating currents flowing between them,
The positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the first magnet, the second magnet, and the two current electrodes are integrated, the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, The N pole of the first magnet, the S pole of the second magnet, and the two current electrodes can be brought into contact with the object at the same time.
The moisture meter according to claim 3. The surfaces of the positive voltage electrode, the negative voltage electrode, the N pole of the first magnet, the S pole of the second magnet, and the two current electrodes that are in contact with the object are flush with each other. Yes,
The moisture meter according to claim 12. Each of the objects to be measured for moisture content is brought into contact with each other, and includes a positive voltage electrode and a negative voltage electrode, which are a pair of voltage electrodes that can measure impedance between the two, A method of measuring the moisture content of the object based on the impedance of the object between the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode, measured using the positive voltage electrode and the negative voltage electrode. ,
Magnetic field lines are generated inside the object in such a direction that gives a current flowing in the object from the positive voltage electrode to the negative voltage electrode in a direction in which the current goes deeper in the object. In a state where it is allowed to measure the moisture content of the object,
Method.

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