KR20100002017A - Mobile terminal and health information providing method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal monitoring a change of the waist circumference length of a user and a health information providing method using the same are provided to increase the convenience of the user provided the health information. CONSTITUTION: A local area communication module(114) periodically inputs the health base information from an external health measuring device. A health analyzing unit analyzes the health condition of a user from the health base information. According to the health analysis section is the analyzed result, the health information is created. A health management database stores necessary data in which the health analysis section analyzes the health condition of A user.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a method for providing health information using a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal and / or a belt for providing the service.

A portable terminal refers to a portable wireless communication terminal, but according to the development of technology, the portable terminal is changed into a portable device having one or more functions such as voice and video call function, input / output information, and data storage function. Doing.

In other words, as the functions are diversified, for example, the mobile terminal is equipped with complex functions such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or video file, playing a game, receiving a broadcast, and the like as a comprehensive multimedia player. Is being implemented.

In such a multimedia device, various new attempts are being applied in terms of hardware or software to implement complex functions, and attempts to integrate many additional functions in addition to the basic functions of the portable terminal are being performed.

Portable terminals have become a must-have item for modern people to carry almost everywhere. In addition, advances in device technology, such as processors and memory, have improved the computing performance of portable terminals to outperform desktop PCs in the past.

On the other hand, modern people suffering from pollution and stress are increasing their interest in their health, but considering the lifestyle of busy modern people, a means for examining and notifying their health status in real time was desired.

From the above facts, the idea of using a portable terminal which is always carried by a modern person as a personal health information providing system can naturally be derived. However, if the mobile terminal is directly applied to the personal health information providing service, the means for the mobile terminal to receive information related to the individual's health can only depend on the user's input such as a keypad, which causes serious inconvenience to the user. There was a problem.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a user's health information conveniently using a portable terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal capable of monitoring a change in a waist circumference of a user.

The inventor of the present invention conceived the waistband as a suitable means for sensing the health information of the individual while being always in close proximity to the body of the individual. Here, the inventors have proposed a health information providing service that transmits data such as waist circumference from the waistband to the mobile terminal, estimates the health state of the individual based on the data received by the mobile terminal which received the data, and notifies the user.

Health information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object may be made of a mobile terminal and a waistband.

The mobile terminal may include a short range communication module configured to receive health evidence information from an external health measurement device; A health analyzer configured to analyze a health state of the user from the health evidence information and generate health information according to the result; A health care DB that stores data necessary for the health analysis unit to analyze a health state of a user; And an output unit for notifying the user of the health information.

Here, the waistband, wearing length detection unit for generating information about the waist length of the user; And a data communication module for transmitting information about the waist circumference length to the outside.

In addition, when the belt is to be given an automatic adjustment function, the waistband, the length adjustment module for adjusting the waistband to the desired wearing length based on the measured belt pressure; And a driving module for driving the waistband according to the adjustment of the length adjusting module.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing health information using a portable terminal and a waistband, wherein the portable terminal receives information about a waist circumference of a user from the waistband. step; Calculating a waist circumferential length value from the received information and storing the calculated waist length in a DB; Preparing health information by analyzing waist circumference length values stored in the DB; And providing the health information to a user through an output unit.

When the health information providing system using the portable terminal according to the present invention is implemented, there is an advantage of increasing convenience of a user who receives the health information.

In describing the technology of the present invention, the term 'health evidence information' refers to information received by a mobile terminal as information that can be used as a basis for determining an individual's health. On the other hand, the term 'health information' is information that the mobile terminal includes the notification and / or recommendation of the current health status of the user through a predetermined calculation process based on the health evidence information, to the user through the user interface It is to inform.

The portable terminal may be wirelessly connected to a computing device constituting a wireless communication network of a company that provides a communication service, and may be connected to an Internet service providing server that provides more specialized health information via the wireless communication network.

The portable terminal described herein includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like.

Hereinafter, a portable terminal related to the present invention and a health information providing method using the same will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable terminal to which the spirit of the present invention can be applied will be described in terms of components according to functions.

The illustrated mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, an operation unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, and a storage unit 160. , An interface unit 170, a controller 180, and a power supply unit 190 may be included. It should be noted that the above components may be combined into one or more components, or one component may be subdivided into two or more components as necessary when implemented in actual application.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in turn.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, a GPS module 115, and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server (not shown) through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

Meanwhile, the broadcast related information may be provided through a mobile communication network, and in this case, may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals using various broadcasting systems, and in particular, digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), and media forward link (MediaFLO). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as only), digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 is configured to be suitable for all broadcast systems providing broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcast system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the storage 160.

In addition, the mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a radio signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access, and the wireless internet module 113 may be internal or external.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

In addition, the GPS module 115 receives navigation information from a plurality of satellites.

Meanwhile, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera module 121 and a microphone module 122. The camera module 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display module 151.

The image frame processed by the camera module 121 may be stored in the storage 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more camera modules 121 may be provided according to the configuration of the terminal.

The microphone module 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output in the call mode. The microphone module 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The operation unit 130 generates key input data input by the user for controlling the operation of the terminal. The operation unit 130 may be configured of a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. In particular, when the touch pad forms a mutual layer structure with the display module 151 described later, this may be referred to as a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a position of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, and controls the operation of the mobile terminal 100. Generate a sensing signal. For example, when the portable terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, whether the slide phone is opened or closed may be sensed. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power or whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. For example, wired / wireless headsets, external chargers, wired / wireless data ports, card sockets (e.g. memory cards, SIM / UIM cards), audio input / output (I / O) terminals, video I / O (Input / Output) terminal, earphone, etc. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or receives power and transmits the data to each component inside the mobile terminal 100 or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device.

The output unit 150 is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or an alarm signal. The output unit 150 may include a display module 151, a sound output module 152, an alarm output module 153, and the like.

The display module 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in a call mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or a GUI.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the display module 151 and the touch pad have a mutual layer structure and constitute a touch screen, the display module 151 may be used as an input device in addition to the output device. The display module 151 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, or a three-dimensional display. 3D display). In addition, two or more display modules 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the external display module (not shown) and the internal display module (not shown) may be simultaneously provided in the portable terminal 100.

The sound output module 152 outputs audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the storage unit 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. In addition, the sound output module 152 outputs a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm output module 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the portable terminal 100. Examples of the event generated in the mobile terminal 100 include a call signal reception requesting a phone call, a message reception, a key signal input, an alarm for notifying a predetermined time, and the like. The alarm output module 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, the signal may be output in the form of vibration. When a call signal is received or a message is received, the alarm output module 153 may output a vibration to notify this. Alternatively, when a key signal is input, the alarm output module 153 may output a vibration in response to the key signal input. Through the vibration output as described above, the user can recognize the occurrence of the event. Of course, the signal for notification of event occurrence may be output through the display module 151 or the sound output module 152.

The storage unit 160 may store a program for processing and control of the controller 180, and a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). You can also do

The storage unit 160 may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (eg, SD or XD memory), It may include a storage medium of at least one type of RAM and ROM. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage that performs a storage function of the storage unit 150 on the Internet.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addition, the controller 180 may include a multimedia playback module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia playback module 181 may be configured in hardware in the controller 180 or may be configured in software separately from the controller 180.

In addition, the controller 180 may identify an operation in which an object (for example, a user's finger) touches the touch screen in close proximity or directly, thereby changing the size or area of the screen displayed on the touch screen. . To this end, the controller 180 may form a scroll bar or a mini map for adjusting the size or area of the screen displayed on the touch screen. Detailed functions of the controller 180 will be described in more detail below.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

2 illustrates a configuration of a portable terminal displaying the components related to an embodiment of the present invention and a configuration of a waistband.

The illustrated mobile terminal 100 is a component for implementing the idea of the present invention, the short range communication module 114 for receiving health evidence information from an external health measurement apparatus; A health analyzer 182 for analyzing a health state of the user from the health evidence information and generating health information according to the result; A health care DB 161 storing data necessary for the health analysis unit 182 to analyze a health state of a user; And an output unit 150 for notifying the user of the health information.

The illustrated health care system applies the belt 200 as an external health measurement device, and applies the belt wearing length and / or belt pressure obtained from the belt as health evidence information.

The short range communication module 114 is for performing data communication with the data communication module 216 of the waistband, and may be provided in the wireless communication unit 110 as shown in FIG. 1. The short range communication module 114 may apply two-way communication for transmitting various control signals and receiving the health evidence information, or may apply one-way communication for receiving the health evidence information only.

As the communication method between the short range communication module 114 and the data communication module 216, most wired / wireless communication methods may be applied, but it is preferable that the wireless data communication be performed due to the convenience of the user. As a technology proposed for the purpose of the data communication means of the distance between the mobile terminal 100 and the waistband 200, the Bluetooth communication method, the Zigbee communication method, and the human body communication method using the electromagnetic surface electromagnetic field are easy. Can be applied.

The health analyzer 182 may be implemented as a separate hardware module. However, the health analyzer 182 may be implemented as a software module that is executed by a controller including a central processing unit (CPU) and a main memory of the portable terminal. That is, the controller 180 of FIG. 1 may be implemented as an internal module.

According to the implementation, the waistband wearing length of the user as the health evidence information is transmitted to the health analysis unit 182 through the short range communication module 114, or the waistband wearing length of the user and the belt pressure of the waistband as the health evidence information. Can be transmitted.

In the latter case, it is preferable that the health analyzer 182 estimates the actual waist circumference length of the user from the information about the belt wearing length and the belt pressure.

The health care DB 161 may be stored in an area allocated to the storage unit 160 of the portable terminal of FIG. 1 and may include a table having a field for a measurement time.

The output unit 150 is for notifying the user of all or part of the health information prepared by the health analyzer 182, and may include user interface means provided in a general portable terminal. That is, it may be a display screen for notifying the health information in the form of image data, an audio output module for notifying the health information in the form of voice / sound, or a vibration generating module for notifying the health information in the form of mechanical vibration.

The waistband 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes a wearing length detector 212 for measuring data for determining a waist size of a user; Belt pressure sensing unit 214 for measuring the tensile pressure of the belt in a worn state; And a data communication module 216 for transmitting data and / or tensile pressure for determining the waist size to the outside. The term 'wearer' is more appropriate for the waistband, but we will call it 'user' for the unification of the term. Therefore, in the following description, the expression 'user' for the waistband refers to a person who wears a waistband.

In general, the waistband is provided with a buckle 210 at one end, and when worn, a portion 220 of the other end of the belt enters the inside of the buckle and overlaps with each other to form a ring shape. The length of the waistband when worn (abbreviated as waistband wearing length) is defined as the annular circumferential length. The belt wearing length can be obtained in various ways, for example, it can be calculated according to how many overlapping portions of the belt. In other words, by measuring the degree of entering the portion of the belt in the buckle, it is possible to easily calculate the wearing length of the waistband.

When a simpler structure is required for cost reduction, the belt pressure detecting unit 214 may be omitted. In this case, the waistband 200 transmits only the waistband wearing length to the mobile terminal 100.

According to the implementation, the wearing length detecting unit 212 may transmit the output value of the sensor element to the mobile terminal as it is, or when the computing device is provided therein, a result of performing a certain level of data processing by the computing device to the mobile terminal. You can also send. If the internal computing device performs a relatively simple level of data processing, it is preferable to implement the internal computing device in the data communication module 216.

By using the wearing length detecting unit 212 and the belt pressure detecting unit 214 of FIG. 2 together, the user can detect the instantaneous increase in the belt pressure due to the meal, and irrespective of the user's belt tightening tendency. The abdominal circumference can be estimated more accurately.

Various methods may be applied as a method of estimating the circumference of the abdomen of the user by using the wearing length of the belt obtained using the wearing length detecting unit 212 and the belt pressure obtained from the belt pressure detecting unit.

For example, at the waist circumference length that is comfortable for the average user in advance, the increased pressure values when the belt circumference length is reduced by sequentially tightening the belts are obtained, respectively, and the obtained relationship is reversed to estimate the tightened belt length at the belt pressure. Can be implemented.

The above process is not limited to the average user, but may be implemented specifically for the user.

The illustrated belt pressure detector 214 and the wear length detector 212 may be implemented in various forms, which will be described later.

The data communication module 216 is for performing data communication with the short-range communication module 114 of the portable terminal. The data communication module 216 may apply two-way communication for transmitting various control signals and receiving the health evidence information. One-way communication that only transmits health evidence information may be applied.

Although the data communication module 216 may apply most wired / wireless communication devices, it is preferable that the data communication module 216 be a wireless data communication device due to user convenience. For example, a Bluetooth, a Zigbee communication device, or a human body communication device using a human body electromagnetic field may be easily applied.

Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a waistband for implementing the spirit of the present invention.

The surface of the belt 2100 of the illustrated belt is provided with a resistance line 2180 having a resistive property in which the electrical resistance value is proportional to the length. When the belt is fastened, the buckle 1100 of the belt shown is electrically connected to the resistance line 2180 at two contacts (points Y and Z in the figure).

Since the Y point is a part where the band 2100 and the buckle 1100 are physically strongly coupled, there is no great force in the electrical contact, but the Z point is a region where a part of the band moving to the inside of the buckle is temporarily located so that it is stable. Means are needed to ensure contact. In order to secure stable electrical contact at the Z point, the buckle 1100 may further include a conductive connection surface 1180 at an inner surface that may contact the resistance line 2180 of the band 2100 passing through the buckle 1100. Can be. The conductive connection surface 1180 contacts the resistance line 2180 at the Z point at the fastening of the belt, thereby minimizing the variation of the contact resistance at the Z point.

The waistband may include a resistance measuring unit for measuring an electrical resistance between the Y point and the Z point. The resistance measuring unit may be located in a band, but preferably located in the buckle.

As the method of specifying the resistance by the resistance measuring unit, various methods may be applied. For example, in a circuit in which a resistance between the fixed resistor inside the resistance measuring unit and the Y-Z is connected in series, the voltage is measured at a point where the resistance between the fixed resistance and the Y-Z is connected, thereby distributing the voltage in the series resistance. The principle can be used to calculate the resistance. Alternatively, it can be simply implemented as a resistance measurement circuit.

Since the resistance value and the waistband wearing length obtained by the above process have properties proportional to each other, the waistband wearing length can be calculated from the resistance value.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the waistband of the present invention for detecting the wearing length of the waistband using a position marker and a light sensor for detecting the location mark indicated on the band.

In this case, the wearing length detector is installed on a path through which the part of the belt passes through the buckle of the belt, and detects that the part of the belt of the belt passes. The wearing length detecting unit may be implemented as an optical sensor for detecting a position mark displayed on a portion of the belt of the waistband.

That is, as shown in the figure, a bar code pattern 2030 or a periodic puncture pattern is formed on the band portion, and the user's waist fastening or length adjusting operation is performed with the optical output element and the optical sensor provided inside the buckle. Accordingly, as the illustrated band moves into the buckle, the moving length of the band part may be calculated by the number of transitions of the detected value in the optical sensor by the barcode / puncture pattern 2030.

In addition, in order to give a reference point for calculating the moving length, the initial time point at which the transition is generated may be regarded as a reference point, or a separate mark indicating the reference point may be formed on the band portion. The separate marker may be applied to the bar code / puncture pattern 2040 having a different interval as shown.

It is possible to obtain the wearing length of the waistband from the detection value of the optical sensor included in the wearing length detecting unit 212 by the following simple calculation.

Once the band portion 220 of the distal end enters the buckle and the optical sensor passes the reference point 2040, the number of transitions of the detection value of the optical sensor by the barcode / perforation pattern 2030 is counted. Next, the current wearing length may be obtained by subtracting a value obtained by multiplying the number of transitions by the interval length of the barcode / puncture pattern 2030 from the wearing length (preset) at the reference point.

The belt pressure detecting unit 214 is for detecting the tensile pressure applied to the belt according to the user's wear, any sensor that can measure the tensile pressure can be applied.

5 illustrates an embodiment of the belt pressure detecting unit. In the implementation of FIG. 5, a deformation occurs at a portion bent by an 'N' due to the tensile pressure of the belt, and the belt pressure is estimated from the resistance measurement value by using the characteristic that the resistance changes between the A and B points due to the deformation. It is using the principle.

6 shows another embodiment of the belt pressure detecting unit. The illustrated belt pressure detecting unit has a structure for converting a tensile pressure into a compressive pressure between the buckle 210-2 and the belt portion 220-2 and a form using the compressive pressure sensor element 270. A tensile pressure may be obtained between the buckle 210-2 and the band portion 220-2 from the detected value of the compression pressure sensor element 270.

7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of the belt pressure sensing unit. Between the buckle 1200 and the belt in the case shown in the figure, the spring element 1210 whose length changes in accordance with the belt pressure is located. On the other hand, the contact portion 1220 may be provided between the buckle 1200 and the belt between the buckle 1200 and the belt in accordance with the interval between the buckle 1200 and the belt.

While the two contact terminals constituting the contact portion 1220 are normally kept in contact with each other as shown in FIG. 7A, the spring element 1210 is elongated according to the belt pressure, which is a tensile pressure, so that the spacing between the buckle 1200 and the belt is maintained. As shown in FIG. 7B, the two contact terminals forming the contact portion 1220 are spaced apart from each other.

The contact / separation of the contact part 1220 may be detected by an electrical on / off signal. Using this, the buckle 1200 may detect the belt pressure in a state of more than or less than a predetermined tensile pressure. The belt pressure detection value having a bit value as described above may be implemented to be transmitted to the health analyzer 182 of FIG. 2, and only when the bit value has a specific value, the detection value of the wearing length detection unit of FIG. 2 (that is, Waist belt wearing length) to the mobile terminal (in this case, the bit value is not transmitted to the mobile terminal). In the latter case, only when the user wears the belt to have a value equal to or greater than a predetermined belt pressure (that is, when the contacts are spaced apart from each other), the belt wearing length is transmitted to the mobile terminal, or only when the contacts are separated from each other. It can be implemented to measure the wearing length of the waistband.

In another implementation using the contact portion 1220, when the user over tightens the belt and has a value above a predetermined belt pressure (i.e., when the contacts are spaced apart from each other), the user transmits it to the portable terminal, thereby causing the portable terminal to transmit. Excessive belt pressure can be alerted to the user.

8 shows another embodiment of the belt pressure detecting unit. The illustrated structure of the belt pressure detector is similar to that of FIGS. 7A and 7B except that the variable contact resistors 1320 and 1330 are provided instead of the contacts.

Between the buckle 1300 and the band in the case shown in the figure, the spring element 1310 whose length changes in accordance with the belt pressure is located. On the other hand, the contact protrusion 1330 is located on one side between the buckle 1300 and the belt, and the variable resistance portion 1320 is located on the opposite side. When the spacing between the buckle 1300 and the band changes as the length of the spring element 1310 changes, the point on the variable resistor portion 1320 in contact with the contact protrusion 1330 changes, and as a result, the contact protrusion ( The series connection resistance of the 1330 and the variable resistor unit 1320 is changed. The belt pressure may be calculated as the tensile pressure between the buckle 1300 and the belt from the series connection resistance.

9A and 9B show a detailed structure of one embodiment of the waistband of FIG. 2A.

Compared to the structure shown in FIG. 2A, the buckle 1000 of the illustrated belt has a length adjusting module (not shown) for adjusting the belt to a desired wearing length based on the measured belt pressure; And a driving module 1010 for driving the waistband according to the adjustment of the length adjusting module.

The driving module 1010 may include an electric motor device, and the wearable length of the waistband may be adjusted by moving the belt 2000 to the guide in the buckle 1000 by the driving force of the motor. In this case, the frictional force required to move the belt may use a frictional force of a belt itself or a material for imparting a separate frictional force, and as illustrated, the shape of the cog wheel of the driving module 1010 and the belt portion 2000 are shown. ) Can be secured using the slot thermal pattern 2010 that meshes with the cogwheel.

The drive module 1010 may be provided with only one device driven by the motor device on the central axis of the waist belt, as shown in the figure, so as to be engaged with both sides of the belt to prevent twisting during movement of the belt. Two may be provided.

The motor must be small enough to fit inside the buckle of the waistband and be capable of generating sufficient torque to tighten the belt against the abdominal pressure of the user. The motor may be implemented in various driving methods such as a stepping driving method and a DC driving method.

The length adjusting module controls the driving module so that the belt pressure sensing value is maintained at an appropriate value, and automatically adjusts the wearing length of the belt so that the user feels comfortable. The length adjusting module may include a logic circuit or a computing device that feedback-controls the belt pressure detection value, and may be integrally implemented in hardware with the data communication module for cost reduction.

According to the implementation, in a computing device included in the data communication module or the length adjusting module or a separate computing device, values obtained by performing a simple level of data processing on the detected values of the wearing length detecting unit and the belt pressure detecting unit are carried. It can also be sent to the terminal. For example, after performing an operation of estimating the wearing length of the waistband, the result may be transmitted to the mobile terminal.

As described above, the waistband according to the exemplary embodiment includes components that consume power, such as a sensor element or a data communication module. In order to supply power to the component, the waistband may have a separate battery and / or a small power generation device. As the small power generation device, a photovoltaic module positioned on the outer surface of the belt when worn, or a mechanical generator that is developed by a movement applied when the user wears the belt or exercises after wearing the belt, may be applied. In the latter case, the generator may be driven by driving the generator by displacement due to the belt pressure, or by driving the generator by vibrating motion according to a user's action such as walking.

Hereinafter, the components of the portable terminal side of FIG. 2 related to the health information providing method according to the spirit of the present invention will be described.

The health analyzer 180 periodically obtains abdominal circumferential length values obtained by the above process and records the result in the health care DB 161.

In addition, the health analyzer 180 calculates useful health information for the user by applying abdominal circumferential length values accumulated in the health care DB 161 as follows.

Abdominal circumference values can change momentarily due to user hops or sudden movements. Therefore, the health analyzer 180 uses an average abdominal circumferential length value obtained by averaging the abdominal circumferential length values measured during a predetermined time interval. As the average abdominal circumferential length value, a time window of a predetermined time interval may be moved on the time axis, and more dense values may be applied on the time axis.

In the short term, if a significant change occurs in the average abdominal circumference length value after about 1 hour, the health analyzer 180 determines that the user has eaten, and increases the average abdominal circumference length value. You can estimate the amount of meal using. Of course, on the contrary, it may be assumed that the user is on an empty stomach, but there will not be much benefit to notify the user of the information about the empty state.

Various methods are applicable for estimating the amount of meals of the user. As an example, depending on how much the average waist circumference of the user is, it is possible to apply differently the increase length estimated by the excess meal amount. For example, the over-eating situation can be determined as the ratio of the increased length to the average waist circumference of the user.

As another example, the average waist circumference of the user is monitored for a long time, the portion that is temporarily increased over a period of several hours is estimated to be increased by a meal, and the average value of the increased length is obtained for a period of several days or more. For each meal, if the rate of increase of the average value is out of a predetermined value, it may be determined that the meal situation is excessive.

As another example, the user may designate a reference waist length to be determined to be an excessive meal in advance, and if the measured waist length is out of the value, it may be determined as an excessive meal situation.

On the other hand, waist circumference is a key parameter for estimating the obesity of the person. Accordingly, the health analyzer 182 may notify / alert the abdominal obesity degree of the user from the waist circumference length information received from the waistband 200.

There are two methods for estimating abdominal obesity from the waist circumference: absolute and relative.

Absolute method is about the waist circumference, the absolute value is more than 90 ~ 94 cm in men, 78 ~ 80 cm in women is determined to be abdominal obesity. This is a reflection of the deterioration of clothing styles for women 28 inches and men 33 inches.

Relative method is to measure the degree of obesity in the same manner as in Equation 1 using the ratio of the waist and hips. This method requires the user to enter the user's assortment dimensions into the mobile terminal in advance, but can notify the user with a continuous value of obesity.

R = W (waist circumference) / H (hip circumference)

Males: abdominal obesity over r 0.9

Female: Abdominal obesity above 0.85

In the long run, if a significant change in the mean abdominal girth length occurs after one week or several months, it is determined that a significant increase or decrease in the abdominal obesity of the user has occurred, and the increased mean abdominal girth length is increased. The value can be used to estimate the change in obesity.

In the case of the long-term change observation, it is preferable that the average abdominal circumferential length value is an average value in a longer time interval than in the case of the short-term change observation. For example, an average value of abdominal circumferential length for 5 minutes can be used for the observation of short-term changes, and an average value of abdominal circumference for 24 hours can be used for the observation of long-term changes.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a health information providing method performed in the health information providing system of FIG. 2.

The illustrated health information providing method includes: receiving, by the portable terminal, health evidence information (S120); Calculating a waist circumference length value from the health evidence information (S140) and storing the calculated waist length in a health care DB (S160); Creating health information by analyzing waist circumference length values stored in the health care DB (S180); And providing the health information to a user through an output unit (S190).

The steps are defined based on the operation performed in the mobile terminal, and further comprising the step (S114) of detecting the belt wearing length (S112) and the belt pressure as the health evidence information from the belt worn by the user before the step S120. It may include. Steps S112 and S114 may be performed periodically.

In addition, in the case of the implementation of Figure 9a and 9b, it may further comprise the step (S118) of adjusting the belt wearing length to the belt pressure value obtained in the step S114. The step S118 can be implemented by some kind of feedback control. That is, if the belt pressure value detected in the step S114 is maintained within a predetermined range, the drive module 1010 of FIG. 4A is operated in a direction in which the belt is loosened when the belt pressure value is exceeded within the predetermined range, and within the predetermined range. If not, the driving module 1010 may be operated in the direction of tightening the belt.

In the case of the implementation of Figure 3, in step S112, by measuring the electrical resistance to the loop formed by the waistband in the state in which the waistband is fastened, it is possible to calculate the wearing length of the waistband.

In the case of the implementation of Figure 4, in the step S112, according to the fastening or adjustment operation of the belt can be calculated by wearing the belt by counting the number of movement of the plurality of position markers displayed on the belt.

7A and 7B, in step S112, when the belt pressure generated in the belt is less than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the belt wearing length may be measured.

5 and 8, in step S114, the belt pressure may be calculated by measuring the resistance of the variable resistor that changes in response to the belt pressure generated in the belt.

( Example  2)

The present embodiment relates to a mobile terminal that provides health information by accumulating data on the waist circumference length when a user measures their waist circumference using a tape measure module built in the mobile terminal without a separate waistband. will be. In the case of the present embodiment, there is a disadvantage that the user is somewhat more cumbersome than the first embodiment, there is an advantage that can not reduce the implementation and / or manufacturing cost because no separate belt.

11 illustrates a portable terminal having a tape measure module as the length measuring means implemented according to the present embodiment.

The illustrated mobile terminal includes a tape measure module 5190 for measuring a length; A length storage unit 5160 for storing a length value measured by the length measuring unit; And a storage control unit 5262 for receiving the length value from the tape measure module and storing the length value in the length storage unit.

Tape measure module 5190 having a shape in which a tape measure made of a strip-shaped thin line is wound, it is preferable to implement the tape measure to be rewound by the user's manual operation or elasticity after measuring the length by pulling the tape measure. The tape measure module 5190 may be embedded in a portable terminal or implemented as an external accessory. Although the scale is preferably drawn on the tape measure so that the user can check the length, the scale is not essential when the length is automatically measured by the storage controller 5522.

The storage unit 5160 may be implemented as the storage unit 160 of FIG. 1 and stores length values previously measured using the tape measure module for a specific measurement item.

The storage control unit 5262 may be implemented as an internal module of the control unit 180 of FIG. 1. When the length measurement is performed with the tape measure on which the scale of the tape measure module is released, the scale on which the scale is displayed is loosened. As much as gin is recognized as the length value for the measurement item. According to the implementation, when the user presses a predetermined button, it is possible to recognize as the length value for the measurement item how much the tape measure indicated by the scale is released. This is to give an instruction to measure the target item with the predetermined button. The predetermined button may be implemented as one of the input elements constituting the operation unit 130 of FIG.

12A and 12B illustrate a method of specifying the unrolled length of the scaled tape measure.

The illustrated light emitting devices 3140 and 3240 and the light receiving devices 3150 and 3250 are positioned in a guide in which a tape measure moves inside the portable terminal. In the case of Figure 11a is provided with a black and white pattern that can be detected by an optical sensor or the like on the surface of the tape measure, Figure 11b is provided with perforations at predetermined intervals as a scale on the surface of the tape measure.

In the case of FIG. 12A, the light emitted from the light emitting element 3140 reflects the tape measure surface and then enters the light receiving element 3150. In FIG. 12B, the light emitted from the light emitting element 3240 is used to puncture the tape measure surface. After passing through, it is incident on the light receiving element 3250.

When the tape measure moves inside the portable terminal, the output values of the light receiving elements 3150 and 3250 have a clock shape by a black and white pattern or a perforation pattern of the tape measure. The length of the moved tape measure is determined by counting the number of clocks. Able to know.

The storage control unit 5222 of the portable terminal holds the current length of the tape measure and reflects the current length of the tape measure every time the clock is generated, thereby calculating the length of the tape measure.

Hereinafter, a process of managing a waist size of a user using a portable terminal having the tape measure module will be described.

The user carries a mobile terminal and measures the length of his waist using a tape measure module built in at a desired time. The length storage unit of the portable terminal records the measured waist circumference length along with the measurement time in the storage unit.

If a user's waist circumference is repeated many times over a relatively long period of weeks to years, the storage unit accumulates enough data to observe a change in waist circumference length over time.

The storage control unit may analyze the data accumulated in the storage unit and generate information to notify the user about the change in the waist circumference of the user.

For example, by analyzing the increase and decrease of the waist circumference over time, if it is determined that weight gain or weight loss is in progress, the user may be notified of this through the display of the portable terminal.

Alternatively, by analyzing the increase in the waist circumference of the meal time, it is possible to notify the user through the display of the portable terminal whether the amount of meal is excessive.

Since the notification of the weight gain or the amount of meals has been described in detail in the first embodiment, redundant descriptions will be omitted.

It should be noted that the above embodiment is for the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limitation. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that various embodiments are possible within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of a portable terminal to which the idea of the present invention can be applied.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a mobile terminal and a waistband according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a waistband for implementing the spirit of the present invention.

4 is a view showing another embodiment of the belt for implementing the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a view showing an embodiment of a belt pressure sensing unit for implementing the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a view showing another embodiment of the belt pressure sensing unit for implementing the spirit of the present invention.

7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of the belt pressure sensing unit for implementing the spirit of the present invention.

8 is a view showing another embodiment of the belt pressure sensing unit for implementing the spirit of the present invention.

9A and 9B illustrate another embodiment of a waistband for implementing the spirit of the present invention.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a health information providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a block diagram showing the structure of a portable terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

12A and 12B illustrate embodiments of the tape measure of FIG. 10.

Claims (26)

A short-range communication module that periodically receives health evidence information from an external health measurement device; A health analyzer configured to analyze a health state of the user from the health evidence information and generate health information according to the result; A health care DB that stores data necessary for the health analysis unit to analyze a health state of a user; And An output unit for notifying the user of the health information A portable terminal comprising a. The method of claim 1, The external health measurement device is a waistband, The health evidence information is a portable terminal, characterized in that the user's waistband wearing length. The method of claim 2, The health evidence information, The mobile terminal further comprises information on the belt pressure of the belt. The method of claim 3, The health analysis unit, And a waist circumference of the user from the information on the belt wearing length and the belt pressure. The method of claim 1, The health analyzer is a mobile terminal, characterized in that implemented as a software module executed in the central processing unit of the mobile terminal. The method of claim 1, The short range communication module, A portable terminal, characterized in that one of a communication module using a Bluetooth communication module, a Zigbee communication module and the human body electromagnetic field. As a method of providing health information using a mobile terminal and a waistband that perform short-range communication with each other, (b) receiving, by the portable terminal, information on a waist circumference length of the user from the waistband; (c) calculating a waist circumferential length value from the received information and storing it in a DB; (d) analyzing the waist circumference length values stored in the DB to create health information; And (e) providing the health information to a user through an output unit; Health information providing method comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein Before the step (b), in the waistband, (A) the health information providing method further comprising the step of detecting the wearing length of the belt. The method of claim 8, In the step (a), the method for providing health information, characterized in that for measuring the electrical resistance with respect to the loop formed by the waistband in the state in which the waistband is fastened. The method of claim 8, In the step (a), the number of position markers displayed on the waistband according to the fastening or adjustment operation of the belt, counting the number of movement of the health information providing method. The method of claim 8, In the step (a), when the belt pressure generated from the waistband is less than a predetermined reference value, the waistband wearing length is measured, characterized in that for measuring. The method of claim 7, wherein Before the step (b), in the waistband, (A) a health information providing method further comprising the step of detecting the belt wearing length and the belt pressure. The method of claim 12, In the step (a), the health information providing method characterized in that for measuring the resistance of the variable resistance corresponding to the belt pressure generated in the belt. The method of claim 7, wherein In the step (d), And estimating a user's meal amount from the waist circumferential length values accumulated for a predetermined time. The method of claim 14, In the step (e), Health information providing method characterized in that for outputting a warning message for the amount of meals to the user. The method of claim 7, wherein In the step (d), And estimating a degree of obesity of the user from the waist circumferential length values accumulated for a predetermined time. The method of claim 16, In the step (e), Health information providing method characterized in that for outputting a warning message about the obesity degree to the user. A wear length detector for generating information about a waist circumference of the user; And Data communication module for transmitting the information about the waist circumference to the outside Waistband comprising a. The method of claim 18, Further comprising a belt pressure sensing unit for measuring the tensile pressure of the belt in a worn state, And the data communication module transmits the tensile pressure together with information about the waist circumference length. The method of claim 18, The wearing length detecting unit is a waist belt, characterized in that for measuring the electrical resistance with respect to the loop formed by the waist belt in the state in which the belt is fastened. The method of claim 18, The wearing length detection unit, A plurality of position markers marked on the band portion of the waistband; And An optical sensor for detecting the position markers Waistband comprising a. The method of claim 18, The belt pressure detection unit, A belt characterized by having a variable resistance that changes in accordance with the displacement of the spring generated by the belt pressure. The method of claim 18, The belt pressure detection unit, A waistband comprising a contact point at which contact is switched by belt pressure. The method of claim 18, A waistband, characterized in that it further comprises a power generation unit for producing a driving power for the wearing length detection unit and the data communication module. A tape measure module for measuring length; A length storage unit for storing a length value measured by the length measuring unit; And A storage control unit for receiving a length value from the tape measure module and storing the length in the length storage unit; Mobile terminal comprising a. The method of claim 25, The tape measure module, A plurality of location markers indicating a location in length; And An optical sensor for detecting the position markers A portable terminal comprising a.

Images