Bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus

Details Bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus Bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus

2001-06-29

2003-09-09

Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)

Surgery

Diagnostic testing

Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of body portion

C600S300000, C600S506000, C324S692000, C128S921000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06618616

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus equipped with a personal data input unit.
2. Prior Art
FIG. 8
shows a conventional body fat meter
200
equipped with a weight scale
200
a
(hereinafter, referred to as “body fat meter”). The body fat meter
200
includes a bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus as one component. At the outset it is necessary that user's personal data such as adult or child, sex or height be inputted and stored in a memory preliminary to required measurements in the body fat meter
200
. Entry of such personal data can be effected by using individual keys
201
to
204
, which are allotted to individual users for their exclusive use. In measuring his weight and body fat percentage, the user depresses the selected individual key
201
,
202
,
204
or
204
by finger or tiptoe to retrieve the personal data from the memory, and then the user stands on the body fat meter
200
with his feet on electrodes A, B, C and D, which are arranged on the body fat meter
200
, thus starting the required measurement.
Individual keys
201
,
202
,
203
or
204
to be depressed in inputting the personal data or in retrieving the same from the memory are mechanical devices which require application of significant strength of force for operation. This bothers the user more or less.
Such extra individual keys
201
to
204
are arranged on the body fat meter
200
. Use of such extra parts increases the manufacturing cost accordingly, and the probability of malfunction in the body fat meter
200
caused by the frequent use of such mechanical devices.
When the body fat meter
200
is stood on the floor with its individual keys down after use, it is likely that the individual keys are pressed by the weight of the body fat meter
200
, thereby vainly wasting the electric power from the battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above a bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus comprising a personal data input unit which is used in inputting personal data and a plurality of electrodes which are used in measuring bioelectrical impedance is improved according to the present invention in that it comprises: a memory in which the personal data are stored via said personal data input unit; and a control device which carries out a required control by using at least one selected electrode to store the personal data in said memory or to retrieve the personal data from said memory. The electrodes take the role of said individual keys, thus eliminating the necessity of providing the apparatus with individual keys in the form of mechanical devices as in the conventional structure.
The bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus may comprise further a power switch device responsive to a touch to any one of said electrodes for turning power on. This facilitates the operation of the apparatus.
The bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus may comprise further a weight scale and a display, said control device being responsive to the inputting of a predetermined number in place of the height via said personal data input unit for permitting said weight scale to measure the weight alone and for permitting said display to show the so measured weight alone.
The bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus may comprise: a bioelectrical impedance measuring circuit which measures the bioelectrical impedance appearing between selected points of a living body, on which points said electrodes are attached; a touch-sensitive switch circuit which is responsive to a touch to any one of said electrodes for making weak current flow through the touched electrode; and a mode switching device which switches the connection of said electrodes from said bioelectrical impedance measuring circuit to said touch-sensitive switch circuit or inversely.
The control device may include an internal timer for counting the length of time for which an interruption continues in the course of entry of the personal data or in the course of measurement; and the control device may be responsive to the length of time thus measured exceeding a predetermined length of time for making said electrodes to be connected to said touch-sensitive switch circuit via said mode switching device, and shutting power off.


REFERENCES:
patent: 6256532 (2001-07-01), Cha
patent: 6327495 (2001-12-01), Iwabuchi et al.
patent: 6354996 (2002-03-01), Drinan et al.
patent: 6360124 (2002-03-01), Iwabuchi
patent: 6370425 (2002-04-01), Oguma
patent: 6456873 (2002-09-01), Inoue et al.
patent: 6472888 (2002-10-01), Oguma et al.
patent: 6473641 (2002-10-01), Kodama et al.
patent: 1 031 317 (2000-08-01), None
patent: 62169023 (1987-07-01), None
patent: 10-174680 (1998-06-01), None
patent: 2000-135204 (2000-05-01), None
patent: 2000166890 (2000-06-01), None
patent: 99/20175 (1999-04-01), None
patent: 99/52425 (1999-10-01), None
Related U.S. application No. 09/510,231, filed Feb. 22, 2000; Our Ref.: 58647-017.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3078602