Portable Body Fat Measurement Using Side-View Light Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body fat measurement devices are inaccurate and cumbersome due to large light sources, making it difficult to create a portable device that can accurately measure body fat without complex equipment.
Innovation Solution
A portable body fat measurement device using side-view light sources and a light guiding efficiency optical element, such as a prism sheet and diffusion plate, to minimize measurement errors caused by hemoglobin absorption, allowing for accurate body fat calculation with a compact optical sensor module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional light source is used for body fat measurement, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the device size becomes too large for portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional forward-scattering light measurement to side-view light measurement geometry. By changing the dimensional arrangement of light sources and detectors to a side-view configuration, the system achieves accurate body fat measurement with a compact form factor suitable for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using side-view light measurement geometry instead of traditional forward scattering. This parameter change allows for reduced device size while maintaining measurement accuracy, enabling portability without sacrificing measurement precision.
2Volume of moving object
If the device is miniaturized for portability, then device size is reduced, but measurement accuracy cannot be guaranteed due to insufficient optical volume
Solution Approach 1:
By adopting side-view light measurement geometry, the patent optimizes the optical path within a compact volume. This dimensional change allows sufficient optical interaction length for accurate measurement while keeping the device miniaturized and portable.
3Device complexity
If hemoglobin absorption is not compensated, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by measuring light absorption at multiple wavelengths and using the detected hemoglobin absorption characteristics to compensate for measurement errors. The system detects the presence of blood vessels and adjusts the body fat calculation accordingly, improving accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes measurement parameters by using multi-wavelength light detection to identify and compensate for hemoglobin absorption effects. This parameter approach allows accurate body fat measurement even when blood vessels are present at the measurement site.
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
The device provides accurate body fat measurements by minimizing errors from hemoglobin absorption and can be installed in portable devices, offering a slim and efficient solution for body fat analysis.
Implementation Method 1
calculate body fat information by using a light scattered at the measurement point
Implementation Method 2
minimize measurement errors caused by hemoglobin absorption
Implementation Method 3
detect a scattered optical signal, generated by a scattering of the optical signal irradiated to the measuring point, and to transform the scattered optical signal into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A portable body fat measurement device, method and medium that can accurately measure body fat by using a small optical sensor having a comparatively small cross-section. The device includes a light source unit having at least two side-view light sources and a light guiding efficiency optical element to guide an optical signal generated from the at least two side-view light sources to a measuring point, an optical detection unit to detect a scattered optical signal, generated by a scattering of the optical signal irradiated to the measuring point, and to transform the scattered optical signal into an electrical signal; and an electrical signal calculation unit to calculate body fat information based on the electrical signal.