Information provision system and information provision program

Abstract

We provide an information provision system that delivers the necessary information to each user based on body composition measurements. [Solution] The body composition measurement system 100 includes a purpose setting unit 211 for setting the purpose of body composition measurement, a body composition analyzer 30 for measuring body composition, and an information providing unit 221 that provides information according to the purpose set by the purpose setting unit 211 based on the body composition measurement by the body composition analyzer 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing system and an information providing program that provide information based on body composition measurement.

Background Art

[0002] A body composition meter is known that measures bioelectrical impedance by contacting electrodes with a plurality of body parts such as the feet and hands to pass a weak current, and combines it with information such as weight and height to measure body fat percentage, body fat mass, muscle mass, abdominal muscle / back muscle ratio, body water volume, bone mass, visceral fat area, basal metabolic rate, etc. By measuring with a body composition meter, a user can know various body composition measurement values of their own body, and by continuously measuring body composition, they can know the changes.

[0003] As described above, by using a body composition meter, various body composition items such as body fat percentage, body fat mass, muscle mass, abdominal muscle / back muscle ratio, body water volume, bone mass, visceral fat area, basal metabolic rate, etc. can be measured. However, among users, there are some who do not know how to interpret those values. A body composition meter has been proposed that presents standard or ideal values for each item, or shows the difference between such standard or ideal values and the measured values (see, for example, paragraph 0087 and FIG. 9 of Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, even if a user has thoughts such as "wanting to have a nice body shape" or "wanting to build a body that is not easy to gain weight", they may not be able to figure out which body composition measurement item to focus on and to what extent the body composition measurement value should be.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an information provision system that provides necessary information to each user based on body composition measurement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information provision system according to one aspect of the present invention has a configuration comprising a purpose setting unit for setting the purpose of body composition measurement, and an information provision unit that provides information according to the purpose based on the body composition measurement.

[0008] This configuration allows for the provision of information tailored to the purpose of body composition measurement, rather than simply displaying all measured body composition values ​​for multiple items. Therefore, users are motivated to measure their body composition, promoting improvement or maintenance of their health. The information provided by the information provision unit may be through display, audio, or other formats. Furthermore, the purpose setting unit and the information provision unit may be housed in a single device such as a tablet or smartphone, and the purpose setting unit and the information provision unit may each consist of a terminal device such as a tablet or smartphone and a server device capable of communicating with the terminal device. For example, a smartphone may have a function to receive instructions for setting a purpose, and by transmitting these instructions to the server device, the purpose may be set in the server device.

[0009] The above information provision system may further include a body composition measurement unit, and the information provision unit may provide the information based on the body composition measurement performed by the body composition measurement unit. With this configuration, the user can receive information based on the body composition measurement performed by the body composition measurement unit. The body composition measurement unit may measure body composition by measuring bioelectrical impedance.

[0010] In the information provision system described above, the objective setting unit may set an objective as the objective selected by the user from among a plurality of pre-prepared objective candidates. With this configuration, the user can set an objective by selecting from among a plurality of objective candidates.

[0011] The above-described information provision system may further include a goal-setting unit that sets targets for the specified purpose, and the information provision unit may further provide information corresponding to the target based on the body composition measurement. With this configuration, it is possible to receive information corresponding to the set target.

[0012] In the information provision system described above, the information provision unit may provide information relating to body composition measurement values ​​according to the purpose. With this configuration, even when multiple body composition measurement values ​​are obtained through body composition measurement, information relating to the body composition measurement values ​​according to the set purpose can be provided.

[0013] In the information provision system described above, the information provision unit may provide information based on the difference between the target and the body composition measurement value obtained by the body composition measurement. With this configuration, the user can know the difference between the target and their actual body.

[0014] In the information provision system described above, the information provision unit may provide the information based on a combination of multiple body composition measurement values ​​obtained by the body composition measurement. This configuration allows for the provision of information tailored to a specific purpose by combining body composition measurement values.

[0015] In the above-described information provision system, the information provision unit may be provided in the same device as the body composition measurement unit. This configuration allows the information provision unit to provide the user with information tailored to their purpose while the user is having their body composition measured by the body composition measurement unit.

[0016] The information providing program according to one aspect of the present invention has a configuration that causes a computer to function as a target setting unit that sets a target for body composition measurement and an information providing unit that provides information according to the target based on the body composition measurement.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a target selection screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an information providing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of generation of provided information by an information providing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an information providing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an information providing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a target setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an information providing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an information providing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an information providing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below show examples of implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations described below. In implementing the present invention, specific configurations according to the embodiments may be appropriately adopted.

[0019] Figure 1 is an external view of the information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information providing system according to this embodiment is configured as a body composition measurement system 100. The body composition measurement system 100 includes a platform 32 on which the measured person (user) U stands at the bottom, and a touch display 10 provided at the upper end of a support column 51 rising from the platform 32. Further, a right hand grip 33R and a left hand grip 33L are respectively connected to the main body 52 via a cable 53. As shown in Figure 1, the measured person U stands barefoot on the flat plate 32, holds the right hand grip 33R with the right hand, and holds the left hand grip 33L with the left hand to measure the body composition. The measurement result is displayed on the touch display 10.

[0020] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the body composition measurement system 100 as an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 2, only the configurations related to this embodiment are shown. The body composition measurement system 100 includes a touch display 10, an information providing device 20, and a body composition meter 30. The touch display 10 includes a display panel 11 such as a liquid crystal display panel, and an input device 12 such as a touch sensor that integrally receives touch input with the display panel 11. Note that, as the input device 12, an input device such as a button or a switch independent of the display panel 11 may be used.

[0021] The body composition analyzer 30 has a configuration similar to existing body composition analyzers. The body composition analyzer 30 comprises a body composition measurement unit 31, a platform 32, a right hand grip 33R, a left hand grip 33L, and a weight measurement unit 34. The platform 32 is equipped with a right foot electrical electrode 321R, a right foot measuring electrode 322R, a left foot electrical electrode 321L, and a left foot measuring electrode 322L. The right hand grip 33R is equipped with a right hand electrical electrode 331R and a right hand measuring electrode 332R, and the left hand grip 33L is equipped with a left hand electrical electrode 331L and a left hand measuring electrode 332L.

[0022] The weight measurement unit 34 is equipped with a load cell for measuring weight. The load cell consists of a metal strain element that deforms in response to a load, and a strain gauge attached to the strain element. When a user stands on the platform 32, the user's weight causes the strain element of the load cell to bend and the strain gauge to expand and contract. The resistance value (output value) of the strain gauge changes according to this expansion and contraction. The body composition measurement unit 31 calculates weight from the difference between the output value (zero point) of the load cell when no load is applied and the output value when a load is applied. The configuration for measuring weight using a load cell can be the same as that of a general weighing scale.

[0023] The body composition measurement unit 31 receives the subject U's biological information, including age, sex, and height. The subject U's biological information is input to the body composition measurement unit 31 via the touch display 10.

[0024] The body composition measurement unit 31 includes a current supply function that supplies a weak current of a predetermined frequency to predetermined parts of the body of the person being measured U from each conductive electrode, a potential difference measurement function that measures the potential difference generated in the current path, and a bioimpedance calculation function that calculates the bioimpedance of the user's whole body and each body part based on these current and potential difference values.

[0025] The measurement of bioelectrical impedance of the entire body and individual body parts of the subject U by the body composition measurement unit 31 is performed, for example, as follows. (1) In measuring the bioimpedance of the whole body, current is supplied using the left hand electrode 331L and the left foot electrode 321L, and the potential difference between the left hand measuring electrode 332L in contact with the left hand and the left foot measuring electrode 322L in contact with the left foot is measured in the current path flowing through the left hand, left arm, chest, abdomen, left leg, and left foot. (2) In measuring the bioimpedance of the right leg, current is supplied using the right hand electrode 331R and the right foot electrode 321R, and the potential difference between the left foot measuring electrode 322L, which is in contact with the left foot, and the right foot measuring electrode 322R, which is in contact with the right foot, is measured in the current path flowing through the right hand, right arm, chest, abdomen, right leg, and right foot. (3) In measuring the bioimpedance of the left leg, current is supplied using the left hand electrode 331L and the left foot electrode 321L, and the potential difference between the left foot measuring electrode 322L, which is in contact with the left foot, and the right foot measuring electrode 322R, which is in contact with the right foot, is measured in the current path flowing through the left hand, left arm, chest, abdomen, left leg, and left foot. (4) In measuring the bioimpedance of the right arm, current is supplied using the right hand electrode 331R and the right foot electrode 321R, and the potential difference between the left hand measuring electrode 332L, which is in contact with the left hand, and the right hand measuring electrode 332R, which is in contact with the right hand, is measured in the current path flowing through the right hand, right arm, chest, abdomen, right leg, and right foot. (5) In measuring the bioimpedance of the left arm, current is supplied using the left hand electrode 331L and the left foot electrode 321L, and the potential difference between the left hand measuring electrode 332L, which is in contact with the left hand, and the right hand measuring electrode 332R, which is in contact with the right hand, is measured in the current path flowing through the left hand, left arm, chest, abdomen, left leg, and left foot.

[0026] The body composition measurement unit 31 calculates body composition measurements for the whole body and for each body part by applying the input biometric information of the subject U, the weight measured by the weight measurement unit 34, and the calculated bioelectrical impedances to a predetermined regression equation. The body composition measurement unit 31 calculates body composition measurements such as fat percentage, fat mass, lean body mass, muscle mass, visceral fat mass, visceral fat level, visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat mass, basal metabolic rate, bone mass, body water percentage, BMI, intracellular fluid volume, and extracellular fluid volume. The configuration for calculating body composition measurements can also be the same as that of a general body composition analyzer.

[0027] The information processing device 20 is connected to the touch display 10 and the body composition analyzer 30. The information providing device 20 includes a setting unit 21, an information processing unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The setting unit 21 and the information processing unit 22 of the information processing device 20 are implemented by a general-purpose computer executing the information providing program of this embodiment. Alternatively, the setting unit 21 and the information processing unit 22 may be implemented by individual hardware such as an ASIC.

[0028] The setting unit 21 includes a purpose setting unit 211, a target setting unit 212, and a personal registration unit 213. The information processing unit 22 includes an information provision unit 221 and a control unit 222. The storage unit 23 includes a provision information storage unit 231, a body composition storage unit 232, and a personal information storage unit 233.

[0029] The personal registration unit 213 registers personal information, including information to identify the user (user identification information) such as user ID and password, and biometric information such as the user's height, age, and gender. The personal registration unit 213 displays a registration screen for registering personal information on the display panel 11 and acquires personal information based on input made to the input device 12 in relation to the registration screen. The personal registration unit 213 stores the acquired personal information for each user in the personal information storage unit 233.

[0030] The objective setting unit 211 sets the objective for body composition measurement for each user. The objective setting unit 211 may set the objective according to user input, automatically set the objective based on user information, or set the objective randomly. When setting the objective according to user input, the objective setting unit 211 may prepare several objective candidates in advance, present them to the user, and set the objective by accepting the user's selection from among the objective candidates.

[0031] Figure 3 shows an example of the objective selection screen in an embodiment of the present invention. The objective setting unit 211 provides candidate objectives for body composition measurement, including increasing or decreasing specific items of body composition (in this case, body fat percentage), such as "I want to reduce fat"; general body-building policies, such as "I want to build a body that doesn't gain weight easily," "I want to aim for beautiful muscles," "I want to aim for competitions," and "I want to prevent lifestyle-related diseases"; increasing or decreasing the size of a specific body part or the entire body, such as "I want to flatten my stomach"; and aiming to maintain the current body, such as "I want to maintain my current body." When a user specifies any objective on the objective selection screen, that objective is selected and set in the objective setting unit 211. The set objective is stored in the provided information storage unit 231 along with user identification information that identifies the individual user, which was specified in personal registration.

[0032] When a purpose is set in the purpose setting unit 211, the information provision unit 221 is triggered by the body composition analyzer 30 performing a body composition measurement and outputs information corresponding to the set purpose to the touch display 10 based on the body composition measurement performed by the body composition analyzer 30. The information corresponding to the purpose may be one or more body composition measurement values ​​from among the multiple body composition measurement values ​​obtained by the body composition analyzer 30 that correspond to the purpose, or it may be a frequency, coefficient, or evaluation value (hereinafter simply referred to as "frequency") related to the purpose calculated from a combination of such one or more body composition measurement values, or it may be a message (e.g., advice, comments, advertisements) based on those values. The frequency related to the purpose may be, for example, the frequency of resistance to weight gain in relation to the purpose of "I want to build a body that doesn't gain weight easily."

[0033] For example, if the objective is set as "I want to build a body that doesn't gain weight easily," the information provision unit 221 may output body fat percentage and muscle mass, which are body composition items related to that objective from the body composition measurements obtained by the body composition analyzer 30, as information corresponding to the set objective. To this end, the information provision storage unit 231 stores a table that defines the relationship between each objective and the body composition measurement items related to that objective, and the information provision unit 221 identifies the body composition measurement items corresponding to the objective by referring to this table.

[0034] Alternatively, the information provision unit 221 may calculate a degree of resistance to weight gain from the body fat percentage and muscle mass relevant to the purpose, and output this degree as information corresponding to the set purpose. In this case, the information provision storage unit 231 stores a formula for calculating the degree corresponding to each purpose. This formula is an expression in which the body composition measurement values ​​related to the purpose are variables, and the information provision unit 221 obtains the degree corresponding to the purpose by inputting the relevant body composition measurement values ​​from the body composition measurement values ​​measured by the body composition analyzer 30 into the formula corresponding to the set purpose.

[0035] Furthermore, as described above, the information provision unit 221 may output messages related to the purpose as information appropriate to the purpose. For example, the information provision unit 221 may output comments explaining the relationship between the set purpose and the body composition measurement values ​​presented as information appropriate to the purpose, that is, the reasons why some body composition measurement values ​​are presented for the set purpose.

[0036] Furthermore, for example, the information provision unit 221 may output advertisements for products related to body composition measurements that should be increased or decreased according to the purpose, as information appropriate to the purpose. For example, when the purpose is "I want to reduce fat," the information provision unit 221 may output advertisements for supplements that help burn fat. For this purpose, the information provision storage unit 231 stores an advertisement table that associates purposes with advertisements for products related to that purpose. When a purpose is set, the information provision unit 221 refers to the advertisement table and outputs the corresponding advertisement.

[0037] The information provision unit 221 may randomly select and output some of the following information that should be output according to the purpose, such as comments, advice, and advertisements, if there are multiple options that should be output according to the purpose. This can mitigate the situation in which users become bored because the same comments, etc., are output every day.

[0038] Furthermore, when the information provision unit 221 outputs some body composition measurement values ​​selected according to the purpose, the number of items (types) of body composition measurement values ​​to be output may be variable. The number of items of body composition measurement values ​​to be output may be variable according to the user's instructions. Alternatively, the information provision unit 221 may increase the number of items according to the elapsed time since the purpose was set. This allows the user to understand the relationship between the set purpose and the body composition measurement values ​​by presenting fewer body composition measurement values ​​at the beginning of the purpose setting, and then gradually deepen their understanding of more body composition measurement values ​​by gradually increasing the number of items. In addition, the number of body composition measurement values ​​presented may be increased in accordance with the increase in the number or frequency of body composition measurements. In particular, when the measurement frequency is increasing, it can be considered that the user's awareness of health management is improving, and therefore it can be considered a good time to deepen their understanding of body composition measurement.

[0039] Figure 4 shows an example of an information provision screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. This information provision screen is output by the information provision unit 221 and displayed on the touch display 10. In the example in Figure 5, the objective is set as "I want to build a body that doesn't gain weight easily," and body composition measurements related to this objective, such as body fat percentage and muscle mass, are shown. In addition, messages related to the objective are shown, offering advice on how to improve the body composition measurements related to this objective. Furthermore, advertisements related to the objective are also displayed.

[0040] Figure 5 illustrates an example of information generation by the information providing unit in an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, for instance, the objective is set as "I want to aim for beautiful muscles." To this end, the information providing unit 221 generates information using the body composition measurements taken by the body composition analyzer 30, specifically the values ​​for body fat percentage (FAT), muscle mass, visceral fat mass, and subcutaneous fat mass. Specifically, the information providing unit 221 calculates a three-stage skeletal muscle mass index by dividing the muscle mass (lean limb weight) by the square of the height, and determines nine body types from Type I to Type IX by combining this skeletal muscle mass index with the three-stage body fat percentage. The information providing unit 221 also determines 15 different abdominal cross-sectional models from the three-stage visceral fat mass and the five-stage subcutaneous fat mass.

[0041] Figures 6 and 7 show examples of information provision screens according to embodiments of the present invention. The information provision unit 221 generates an information provision screen that includes an illustration combining a body type and an abdominal cross-section model, along with explanatory text or advice. The example in Figure 6 shows an example where the body type is V and the abdominal cross-section model is 9, and the example in Figure 7 shows an example where the body type is VIII and the abdominal cross-section model is 4.

[0042] In the above example, the information provision unit 221 generates information using body composition measurements from the body composition analyzer 30 that are appropriate for the purpose. In the examples shown in Figures 5-7, the information provision unit 221 generates information by combining multiple body composition measurements from those generated by the body composition analyzer 30.

[0043] In the above embodiment, information was provided by displaying it on a screen, but the method of providing information is not limited to this, and some or all of the information may be provided to the user by voice or other means.

[0044] The goal setting unit 212 sets goals for the set objective. Setting goals by the goal setting unit 212 is optional, and goal setting is not required. The goal setting unit 212 sets target values ​​for the information provided by the information provision unit 221 (body composition measurement values ​​related to the objective, or frequencies related to the objective) and a deadline for achieving those target values ​​as goals. The goal setting unit 212 may set only target values ​​and not set a deadline for achievement.

[0045] For example, if the objective setting unit 211 sets the objective "I want to build a body that doesn't gain weight easily," and the information provision unit 221 outputs body composition measurements related to that objective, namely body fat percentage and muscle mass, as provided information, the target setting unit 212 sets target values ​​for body fat percentage and muscle mass, and a deadline for achieving them, as targets. Also, for example, if the objective setting unit 211 sets the objective "I want to build a body that doesn't gain weight easily," and the information provision unit 221 outputs frequencies related to that objective as provided information, the target setting unit 212 sets target values ​​for the frequency of resistance to weight gain, and a deadline for achieving it, as targets.

[0046] The goal setting unit 212 may set the goal automatically, or it may set the goal based on user input. The goal setting unit 212 may set the target value based on the actual body composition measurements of the user at the time the goal is set. For example, the goal setting unit 211 may set the target value as a value that is an improvement of the user's body composition measurements related to the objective by a predetermined percentage (e.g., 10%).

[0047] Furthermore, the goal setting unit 212 may set an ideal value for body composition measurement values ​​related to the set objective as the target. In this case, the information storage unit 231 has a table showing the relationship between the type of body composition measurement value and its ideal value for each objective, and the goal setting unit 212 may determine the target value by referring to this table. This ideal value may be, for example, a value that is fixed in advance as an ideal value, or it may be calculated using a predetermined calculation formula from the user's weight, height, age, gender, etc. Alternatively, the ideal value may be a value obtained by statistically processing the body composition measurement values ​​of multiple users (for example, the average value of multiple users).

[0048] Alternatively, the goal setting unit 212 may determine the target value based on user input. For example, when setting a target value that is an improvement of the user's body composition measurement by a predetermined percentage, as described above, the percentage may be determined based on user input. Furthermore, if the information provision unit 221 provides information on frequencies related to the objective, the goal setting unit 212 may set the target value by presenting the frequencies at the time of setting the goal to the user and having the user input the target frequency.

[0049] The goal setting unit 212 may present the user with target candidates using subjective expressions such as "very," "moderately," and "a little," and after receiving the user's selection, set a target value according to the selected subjective expression. In this case, for example, if "very" is selected, the target value 212 may be a value that improves the user's body composition measurement by 15%; if "moderately" is selected, the target value may be a value that improves the user's body composition measurement by 10%; and if "a little" is selected, the target value may be a value that improves the user's body composition measurement by 5%.

[0050] Furthermore, the goal setting unit 212 sets an achievement deadline for the set target value. The achievement deadline may be set as a time from the time of setting, or as a specific date. The goal setting unit 212 may set the achievement deadline automatically, or it may set the achievement deadline according to user input. The goal setting unit 212 may present the user with several possible achievement deadlines, such as "within 3 months," "within 6 months," and "within 1 year," and after receiving the user's selection, set the selected deadline as the achievement deadline. Alternatively, the goal setting unit 212 may set the achievement deadline after receiving input from the user in predetermined units such as daily, weekly, or monthly.

[0051] Figure 8 shows an example of a goal setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. On this goal setting screen, candidate target values ​​are displayed, including "greatly" (improving body composition measurements or frequencies related to the objective by 15%), "moderately" (improving by 10%), and "slightly" (improving by 5%). The user specifies the target value by selecting one of these options. In addition, the goal setting screen in Figure 8 displays options for the deadline for achieving the goal, including "within 3 months," "within 6 months," and "within 1 year." The user specifies the deadline by selecting one of these options.

[0052] This goal setting screen is displayed on the display panel 11 by the goal setting unit 212. The goal setting unit 212 sets the target value and the deadline for achievement according to the input made to the input device 12 in relation to this goal setting screen.

[0053] As described above, the information provided by the information provision unit 221 is information corresponding to the purpose set in the purpose setting unit 211, but if a goal is set in the goal setting unit 212, this information may also correspond to that goal. Specifically, the information provision unit 221 may output information based on the difference between the target value and the measured body composition value. This allows the user to know the difference between the goal and their actual body. For example, when the information provision unit 221 outputs body fat percentage as information provided, if the difference from the target body fat percentage is 3%, it may output the measured body fat percentage along with a comment corresponding to the goal, such as "Let's reduce it by another 3% to reach the target body fat percentage."

[0054] To this end, the control unit 222 stores the body composition measurement value in the body composition storage unit 232, associating it with user identification information, each time the body composition analyzer 30 performs a body composition measurement. The provided information storage unit 231 also stores a difference calculation formula for calculating the difference, and the information providing unit 221 uses this difference calculation formula to calculate the difference. Furthermore, the provided information storage unit 231 stores the format of the comment to be output as provided information (in the above example, "Let's reduce (difference in body fat percentage)% further to reach the target body fat percentage"). The information providing unit 221 generates the comment by substituting the value calculated by the difference calculation formula into this format.

[0055] The information provision unit 221 may refer to the body composition memory unit 232 to obtain the transition (change) of body composition measurements over a predetermined period in the past (for example, 3 days, 1 week, etc.), calculate the time when the target will be achieved if the body composition changes according to this transition, compare that time with the achievement deadline set by the target setting unit 212, and output information showing the difference as information appropriate to the target. For example, if the target achievement time calculated based on the transition of body composition measurements is one week before the achievement deadline, the information provision unit 221 may output the comment "You can achieve the target one week earlier than the achievement deadline" as provided information.

[0056] For this purpose, the information provision unit 231 stores a timing calculation formula for calculating the time when the target will be achieved, and a difference calculation formula for calculating the difference from the target value. The information provision unit 221 uses the timing calculation formula and difference calculation formula stored in the information provision unit 231 to calculate the time when the target will be achieved and the difference from the target value. The information provision unit 231 also stores the format of the comments to be output as provided information (in the above example, for example, "You can achieve it (by buffer period) earlier than the achievement deadline," or "You will not make the achievement deadline. You can achieve it (after the achievement deadline)"). The information provision unit 221 creates the comments by substituting the buffer period and overtime period based on the target achievement time calculated by the initial calculation formula and difference calculation formula into this format.

[0057] The information provision unit 221 may output information corresponding to the target based on the difference between the amount of change per unit period in the fluctuation of body composition measurements over a predetermined period in the past and the amount of change per unit period required by the achievement deadline. For example, if the amount of change per unit period in the past exceeds the required amount of change, the information provision unit 221 may output a comment equivalent to the amount of food equivalent to the excess energy. For example, the information provision unit 221 may output a comment such as, "The calories you burned more are equivalent to 1.5 bowls of rice." Also, if the amount of change per unit period in the past is less than the required amount of change, the information provision unit 221 may output an advice equivalent to the amount of food equivalent to the excess energy. For example, the information provision unit 221 may output an advice such as, "Let's limit your calorie intake by the amount of 1.5 bowls of rice every day."

[0058] For this purpose, the information storage unit 231 stores an energy calculation formula that calculates the amount of energy to be increased or decreased per day based on the difference between the set target value and the current body composition measurement value or frequency, the fluctuation in body composition measurement values ​​over a predetermined period in the past, and the grace period until the achievement deadline, as well as a conversion formula that converts energy into food quantity. The information providing unit 221 uses these energy calculation formula and conversion formula to calculate the amount of food from the difference between the set target value and the current body composition measurement value or frequency, the fluctuation in body composition measurement values ​​over a predetermined period in the past, and the grace period until the achievement deadline. For the conversion between energy and food quantity, the average value of each food can be used.

[0059] Furthermore, the information storage unit 231 stores the format of the comments to be output as information (in the example above, "The calories you consumed in excess are equivalent to (food) (amount)" and "Let's limit our daily calorie intake by (food) (amount)"). The information provision unit 221 generates the comments by substituting the amount of food calculated using the conversion formula into this format.

[0060] Figure 9 shows an example of an information display screen in an embodiment of the present invention. In the example information display screen in Figure 9, it is shown that, when comparing calories consumed with calories burned over the past three days, calories burned are 670 kcal more, which is equivalent to three bowls of rice or 1.5 cakes.

[0061] The information provision unit 2221 may output a comment that converts the energy equivalent to the change in body composition measurements per unit period for a predetermined period in the past into food quantity or calories, regardless of whether a target has been set. For example, the information provision unit 221 may output a comment that says, "Your daily energy expenditure is equivalent to 10 hamburgers."

[0062] The information provision unit 221 may predict how body composition measurements will change in the future if body composition changes according to the transition of body composition measurements over a predetermined period in the past, regardless of whether a target has been set, and output the predicted value as information appropriate to the purpose. For example, if body fat percentage increased by 3% in the most recent month, the information provision unit 221 may predict that body fat percentage will increase by 9% in three months and output the comment "If this continues, body fat percentage will increase by 9% in three months" as information provided.

[0063] The information provision unit 221 may output advice to bring the body composition measurement value closer to the target value, based on the target and the measured body composition measurement value, as information appropriate to the purpose. For example, the information provision unit 221 may calculate the amount of exercise the user needs per day to reach the target body fat percentage by the deadline, based on the target body fat percentage, the deadline for achieving the target or the grace period until the deadline, the body fat percentage as a body composition measurement, and the basal metabolic rate as a body composition measurement, and output the calculated amount of exercise as advice.

[0064] For example, the information provision unit 221 may output the advice, "To achieve your goal, run for 30 minutes a day." Also, even if the body fat percentage to be reduced is the same as above, if the grace period until the deadline for achieving the goal is shorter, the information provision unit 221 will output stricter advice, such as, "To achieve your goal, run for 45 minutes a day."

[0065] For this purpose, the information provision unit 221 stores the above-mentioned energy calculation formula and a conversion table for converting energy into momentum. Using these energy calculation formula and conversion formula, the information provision unit 221 calculates the amount of momentum from the difference between the set target value and the current body composition measurement value or frequency, the fluctuation in body composition measurement values ​​over a predetermined period in the past, and the grace period until the achievement deadline.

[0066] Furthermore, the information storage unit 231 stores the format of the comment to be output as information (in the example above, "To achieve your goal, do (amount) (exercise) per day"). The information provision unit 221 generates the comment by substituting the amount of exercise calculated using the conversion formula into this format.

[0067] Furthermore, if no deadline is set, the information provision unit 221 may refer to the body composition memory unit 232 to obtain the transition (change) of body composition measurements over a predetermined period in the past (for example, 3 days, 1 week, etc.), and calculate and output the time when the target will be achieved if the body composition changes according to this transition.

[0068] Figure 10 shows an example of an information display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the example information display screen in Figure 10, it is shown that, when comparing calories consumed with calories burned over the past three days, the calories consumed are 670 kcal more (overeating), and the amount of exercise required to burn off these excess calories is shown.

[0069] Figure 11 shows an example of an information provision screen in an embodiment of the present invention. The information provision screen in the example of Figure 11 shows the target achievement time when the body fat percentage changes according to the past body fat percentage transitions. In the information provision screen in the example of Figure 11, the target value of body fat percentage is set at 24.0%, and according to the past body fat percentage transitions, it is predicted that it will be 27.5% after one week, 26.1% after one month, and will fall below the target value of 24.0% after six months.

[0070] As described above, in the body composition measurement system 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, the purpose of body composition measurement can be set, and information corresponding to the set purpose is displayed on the touch display 10 based on the measurement by the body composition analyzer 30. Furthermore, by setting a target for the purpose, information based on the target value and the measured body composition values ​​can also be provided. This allows the user to measure their body composition with a purpose in mind.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the touch display 10, the information processing device 20, and the body composition analyzer 30 were integrated to constitute the body composition measurement system 100 shown in Figure 1. However, the touch display 10, the information processing device 20, and the body composition analyzer 30 may each be composed of separate devices capable of communicating with one another.

[0072] For example, the touch display 10 may be configured as a device such as a smartphone or tablet that can communicate wirelessly with the body composition analyzer 30, and the information processing device 20 may be configured as a server device that can communicate with a device equivalent to the touch display 10 via a communication network. In this case, the body composition analyzer 30 may be a four-electrode type body composition analyzer having only four electrodes on the platform 32 and no hand grips, or it may be a four-electrode type body composition analyzer having a total of four electrodes on the left and right hand grips.

[0073] Furthermore, the touch display 10 and the information processing device 20 may be configured as a device such as a smartphone. In this case, the data stored in the storage unit 23 may be updated when the smartphone connects to an update server via a communication network.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the body composition measurement system 100 measures body composition with the body composition analyzer 30 and provides information corresponding to that body composition measurement. However, the information provision unit 221 may also determine the information to be provided based on measurements from other devices such as blood pressure monitors, exercise trackers, urine glucose meters, and pedometers.

[0075] The above embodiments also disclose the following inventions. (1) A body composition measurement unit that measures multiple body composition measurements, An information providing unit selects some body composition measurements from multiple measured body composition measurements and provides information about the selected body composition measurements. An information provision system equipped with this system.

[0076] (2) In the information provision system in (1), Furthermore, it includes a purpose setting unit for setting objectives, The aforementioned information provision unit is an information provision system that selects body composition measurement values ​​according to the set purpose.

[0077] (3) In the information provision system of (1) or (2), The aforementioned information provision unit is an information provision system that variably selects the body composition measurement values.

[0078] (4) An information provision system of any of (1) to (3), The information provision unit is an information provision system that increases the number of body composition measurement values ​​selected according to the elapsed time from a predetermined reference time, the number of body composition measurements, or the frequency of body composition measurements.

[0079] (5) An information provision system of any of (1) to (4), The aforementioned information provision unit is an information provision system that provides a message as information corresponding to the selected body composition measurement value.

[0080] (6)(5) Information provision system, The information provision unit is an information provision system that provides a message corresponding to the difference between a selected body composition measurement value and a predetermined reference value. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 10...Touch display, 11...Display panel, 12...Input device, 20...Information providing device ,21...Setting section, 211...Purpose setting section, 212...Target setting section, 213...Personal registration section, 22 ...Information processing unit, 221...Information provision unit, 222...Control unit, 23...Storage unit, 231...Provided information Storage section, 232...Body composition storage section, 233...Personal information storage section, 30...Body composition meter, 31...Body composition Measurement unit, 32... platform, 33R... right hand grip, 33L... left hand grip, 34... Weight measurement section

Claims

1. A purpose setting unit for setting the purpose of body composition measurement, An information provision unit that provides information according to the above purpose based on body composition measurement, An information provision system equipped with the necessary features.

2. It is further equipped with a body composition measurement unit that measures body composition, The information provision system according to claim 1, wherein the information provision unit provides the information based on the body composition measurement performed by the body composition measurement unit.

3. The information provision system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the objective setting unit sets an objective selected by the user from among a plurality of pre-prepared objective candidates as the objective.

4. The unit further comprises a goal setting unit that sets targets for the aforementioned objectives, The information provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information provision unit further provides information corresponding to the target as information based on the body composition measurement.

5. The information provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information provision unit provides, as the information, information relating to body composition measurement values ​​according to the purpose.

6. The information provision system according to claim 4, wherein the information provision unit provides information based on the difference between the target and the body composition measurement value obtained by the body composition measurement.

7. The information providing unit provides the information based on a combination of multiple body composition measurement values ​​obtained by the body composition measurement, according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The information providing system according to claim 2, wherein the information providing unit is provided in the same apparatus as the body composition measurement unit.

9. Computers, A purpose setting unit for setting the purpose of body composition measurement, and An information provision unit that provides information according to the above purpose based on body composition measurement. An information provision program that functions as such.

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