Local Body Fat Mapping for Precise Anatomical Thickness Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable body fat measurement devices cannot accurately measure and display body fat thickness for specific anatomical areas, making it difficult for users to assess localized obesity, such as abdominal obesity, which is a growing concern due to sedentary lifestyles.
Innovation Solution
A local body fat measurement device and method that uses near-infrared sensors to measure body fat thickness at multiple points on a selected anatomical area, displaying the results on a graphical interface showing the contour of body fat thickness, allowing users to visualize their obesity levels more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional portable body fat measurement devices measure overall body fat, then the device can provide general obesity information, but it cannot accurately measure and display body fat thickness for specific anatomical areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the body into multiple anatomical areas (abdomen, waist, hip, thigh, calf) and further segments each area into multiple measurement points. This segmentation allows the device to measure body fat thickness at specific locations rather than providing only overall body fat information, thereby improving measurement precision for localized obesity assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional overall body fat measurement to two-dimensional spatial mapping by displaying measurement results on graphical images showing the contour of body fat thickness. This dimensional change enables users to visualize body fat distribution across different anatomical areas, enhancing the precision and utility of the measurement system.
2Loss of information
If the device provides only overall body fat measurement, then the device is simple to operate, but users cannot assess localized obesity such as abdominal obesity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses graphical images as visual copies or representations of the actual anatomical areas. These images display the contour of body fat thickness and indicate measurement points, providing users with a visual map of their body fat distribution without requiring complex manual measurement procedures. This copying approach preserves anatomical area information while maintaining ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If the device measures multiple measurement points on anatomical areas, then it can provide detailed body fat distribution information, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated device that can measure body fat thickness at multiple anatomical areas and measurement points. By combining these functions and using a unified display system that shows all measurements on graphical images, the device reduces operational complexity despite measuring multiple parameters, thereby preserving complete body fat distribution information.
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 conveniently measure and visualize their body fat thickness at specific anatomical areas, enhancing the effectiveness of dieting efforts by providing clear insights into obesity levels.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a body fat thickness of the at least one predetermined measurement point of the predetermined anatomical area
Implementation Method 2
uses near-infrared sensors to measure body fat thickness at multiple points on a selected anatomical area
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a local body fat measurement device including: measuring a body fat thickness of the at least one predetermined measurement point of the predetermined anatomical area; displaying a measured body fat thickness at each measurement point on a output device; and maintaining a memory device storing a local body fat measurement table storing the at least one measurement point. The local body fat measurement table comprises an anatomical area image portraying a shape of the predetermined anatomical area, and the at least one measurement point is displayed in the anatomical area image.