Body Composition Positioning by Selected Population Category

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing body composition analyzers only provide general evaluations of body composition compared to standard values without clear information on the user's position within a specific population, and the basis for these evaluations is unclear.

Innovation Solution

A body composition measurement system and program that determines positioning information of measured values using a positioning calculation formula or table, allowing users to understand their body composition in relation to a selected population, which can be updated and generated by a server based on collected data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If general evaluation standards are used to compare body composition, then the evaluation process is simple, but the user cannot obtain detailed positioning information about their body composition within a specific population

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning informationVSAvoidevaluation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation system is segmented into multiple population categories (e.g., by age, gender, occupation) and the user can select the relevant category. This allows detailed positioning information to be provided for specific populations without requiring the system to process all possible population combinations simultaneously, thus reducing computational complexity while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Positioning information for various population categories is pre-calculated and stored in the system. When a user performs a body composition measurement, the system retrieves pre-computed positioning data for the selected population category rather than calculating it in real-time. This preliminary action significantly reduces the complexity of the evaluation process while providing detailed positioning information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If standard value comparison is provided, then the measurement process is simple, but the basis for evaluation is unclear and users cannot identify which population measurements were used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation basis informationVSAvoidmeasurement operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a population selection interface as an intermediary between the user and the evaluation process. Users can select their relevant population category (e.g., age group, gender, occupation), and the system uses this selection to identify the appropriate reference population. This intermediary mechanism provides clear evaluation basis information while maintaining simple operation, as users only need to make straightforward selections rather than providing complex demographic data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If detailed positioning information for specific populations is provided, then users can obtain comprehensive evaluation data, but the system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody composition positioning precisionVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the level of detail in positioning information based on the user's selected population category. For commonly selected categories (e.g., general adult population), the system provides detailed positioning data. For less common categories, it provides appropriately detailed data without over-engineering the system for rare combinations. This dynamic approach maintains measurement precision for relevant populations while avoiding unnecessary system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to obtain detailed positioning information, such as deviation values, indicating their body composition's position within a specific population, facilitating personalized and dynamic evaluations.

Implementation Method 1

an impedance measuring unit measures a bioelectrical impedance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBioelectrical impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3974787B1Body composition measurement system, body composition measurement program, and computer-readable non-transitory storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 TANITA CORP
  • EP3974787B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974787B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974787B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A body composition measurement system (10) comprises: a body composition measurement section (363) that obtains measured values of body composition of a user; and a positioning information determination section (364) that obtains positioning information, which is information indicating a position of the measured value of the user in a population. The body composition measurement section (363) obtains the measured values by measuring the body composition of the user. The positioning information determination section (364) determines the positioning information using a positioning calculation formula or a positioning table stored in the memory unit (35). The positioning calculation formula or positioning table is prepared for each category such as age, gender, race, sport type, company, etc. The positioning information determination section (364) selects any category to determine the positioning information.