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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
A mobile phone with fat measuring function including a mobile phone
control module, a display device, a fat measuring control circuit,
a constant current electrode pair and a voltage measuring electrode
pair is provided. Both the display device and the fat measuring
control circuit are coupled to the mobile phone control module,
while both constant current electrode pair and voltage measuring
electrode pair are coupled to the fat measuring control circuit.
When the user touches the constant current electrode pair and the
voltage measuring electrode pair, the fat measuring control circuit
firstly applies a predetermined current to the constant current
electrode pair. The predetermined current causes the voltage measuring
electrode pair to generate a measured voltage. The user's body fat
percentage is then generated according to the measured voltage and
the user's weight data, and the body fat percentage is displayed
on the display device.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mobile phone for measuring a user's body fat percentage according
to the user's weight data, comprising: a mobile phone control module;
a display device coupled to the mobile phone control module; a fat
measuring control circuit coupled to the mobile phone control module;
a constant current electrode pair coupled to the fat measuring control
circuit; a voltage measuring electrode pair coupled to the fat measuring
control circuit; and a memory device which is coupled to the mobile
phone control module and stores a range of target body fat percentage
set by the user, wherein when the user touches the constant current
electrode pair and the voltage measuring electrode pair, the fat
measuring control circuit applies a predetermined current to the
constant current electrode pair, causing the voltage measuring electrode
pair to generate a measured voltage, the user's body fat percentage
is then generated according to the measured voltage and the user's
weight data, and the body fat percentage is displayed on the display
device, wherein the mobile phone control module selectively imposes
restrictions on the length of talk time or the number of calls the
user can make within a specific period of time if the user's body
fat percentage is outside the target range.
2. A fat measuring method performed on a mobile phone, the mobile
phone including a mobile phone control module, a display unit, a
fat measuring control circuit, a constant current electrode pair,
a voltage measuring electrode pair, and a memory device, both the
display unit and the fat measuring control circuit being coupled
to the mobile phone control module, both the constant current electrode
pair and the voltage measuring electrode pair being coupled to the
fat measuring control circuit, the memory device being coupled to
the mobile phone control module and storing a range of target body
fat percentage predetermined by a user, the method comprising the
steps of: accessing the user's personal data including at least
a weight data by the mobile phone control module; touching the constant
current electrode pair and the voltage measuring electrode pair
by the user, allowing the fat measuring control circuit to measure
a bioelectric impedance of the user; generating a body fat percentage
of the user according to the bioelectric impedance and the user's
personal data by the fat measuring control circuit, and displaying
the body fat percentage on the display device; and determining if
the user's body fat percentage is outside the range of target body
fat percentage; if yes, selectively imposing restrictions on the
length of talk time or the number of calls the user can make within
a specific period of time by the mobile phone control module.
3. A mobile phone for measuring a user's body fat percentage according
to the user's weight data, comprising: a mobile phone control module;
a display device coupled to the mobile phone control module; a fat
measuring control circuit coupled to the mobile phone control module;
a constant current electrode pair coupled to the fat measuring control
circuit; a voltage measuring electrode pair coupled to the fat measuring
control circuit; and a memory device which is coupled to the mobile
phone control module and stores an authorized body fat percentage
for the user, wherein when the user touches the constant current
electrode pair and the voltage measuring electrode pair, the fat
measuring control circuit applies a predetermined current to the
constant current electrode pair, causing the voltage measuring electrode
pair to generate a measured voltage, the user's body fat percentage
is then generated according to the measured voltage and the user's
weight data, and the body fat percentage is displayed on the display
device, wherein the mobile phone control module terminates a normal
booting procedure of the mobile phone if the user's body fat percentage
measured by the mobile phone is beyond a tolerance error of the
user's authorized body fat percentage.
4. A fat measuring method performed on a mobile phone, the mobile
phone including a mobile phone control module, a display unit, a
fat measuring control circuit, a constant current electrode pair,
a voltage measuring electrode pair, and a memory device, both the
display unit and the fat measuring control circuit being coupled
to the mobile phone control module, both the constant current electrode
pair and the voltage measuring electrode pair being coupled to the
fat measuring control circuit, the memory device being coupled to
the mobile phone control module and storing an authorized body fat
percentage of a user, the method comprising the steps of: accessing
the user's personal data including at least a weight data by the
mobile phone control module; touching the constant current electrode
pair and the voltage measuring electrode pair by the user, allowing
the fat measuring control circuit to measure a bioelectric impedance
of the user; generating a body fat percentage of the user according
to the bioelectric impedance and the user's personal data by the
fat measuring control circuit, and displaying the body fat percentage
on the display device; and determining if the body fat percentage
measured by the mobile phone is beyond a predetermined tolerance
error of the user's authorized body fat percentage; if yes, terminating
a normal booting procedure of the mobile phone by the mobile phone
control module.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial
No. 092116470, filed Jun. 17, 2003, the subject matter of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a mobile phone, and more particularly
to a mobile phone with fat measuring function and the fat measuring
method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the rapid advance in science and technology, mobile phone
is playing an important role in people's daily lives. By means of
wireless transmission, messages can be transmitted immediately allowing
people to have an instant access of the information they require.
Along with the rise of people's awareness of health issues, the
use of a fat measuring device is getting more and more popular.
Using a fat measuring device to measure body fat percentage, the
users can understand his or her body fat percentage so as to arrange
their personal health management accordingly. An individual with
a high body fat percentage is predisposed to illnesses such as hypertension,
heart disease, diabetes, cancers, etc.
However, a conventional fat measuring device can neither provide
the user with relevant exercise and diet advices according to the
body fat percentage measured nor can a conventional fat measuring
device be connected to a medical center for necessary follow-ups.
It would conduce to the maintenance of personal health a lot if
the information of body fat percentage can be wirelessly transmitted
to a medical center via a mobile phone so that the medical professionals
can provide instant advices or promptly conduct necessary follow-ups.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a mobile
phone with fat measuring function and the fat measuring method thereof.
The user can use the mobile phone with fat measuring function according
to the invention to measure his or her body fat percentage and have
the obtained body fat percentage transmitted to a medical center
via wireless transmission. By means of speedy and instant wireless
transmission, the user can receive the medical professionals' advices
and follow-ups via a mobile phone. The invention really provides
the user with timely assistance regarding the maintenance of health.
It is another object of the invention to provide a mobile phone
for measuring a user's body fat percentage according to his or her
weight data, including a mobile phone control module, a display
device, a fat measuring control circuit, a constant current electrode
pair and a voltage measuring electrode pair. Both the display device
and the fat measuring control circuit are coupled to the mobile
phone control module, while both constant current electrode pair
and voltage measuring electrode pair are coupled to the fat measuring
control circuit. When the user touches the constant current electrode
pair and the voltage measuring electrode pair, the fat measuring
control circuit applies a predetermined current to the constant
current electrode pair. The predetermined current causes the voltage
measuring electrode pair to generate a measured voltage. The user's
body fat percentage is then generated according to the measured
voltage and the user's weight data, and the body fat percentage
is displayed on the display device.
It is another object of the invention to provide a fat measuring
method performed on a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone includes
a mobile phone control module, a display unit, a fat measuring control
circuit, a constant current electrode pair and a voltage measuring
electrode pair. Both the display unit and the fat measuring control
circuit are coupled to the mobile phone control module, and both
the constant current electrode pair and the voltage measuring electrode
pair are coupled to the fat measuring control circuit. The fat measuring
method according to the invention includes the steps disclosed below.
First, the mobile phone control module accesses the user's personal
data including at least a weight data. Next, the user touches the
constant current electrode pair and the voltage measuring electrode
pair, allowing the fat measuring control circuit to measure the
bioelectric impedance of the user. Then, the fat measuring control
circuit generates a body fat percentage of the user according to
the bioelectric impedance and user's personal data and display the
body fat percentage on the display device.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred
but non-limiting embodiments. The following description is made
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the mobile phone with fat measuring
function according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2A is a front view of the mobile phone with fat measuring
function according to the invention;
FIG. 2B is a rear view of the mobile phone with fat measuring function
according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the fat measuring control
circuit illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is the flowchart of the first and the second applications
of the mobile phone according to the invention;
FIG. 5 is the flowchart of the third application of the mobile
phone according to the invention; and
FIG. 6 is the flowchart of the fourth application of the mobile
phone according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The spirit of the mobile phone with fat measuring function according
to the invention and the measuring method thereof lies in providing
the mobile phone with fat measuring function so that the user can
measure his or her body fat percentage and have the body fat percentage
wirelessly transmitted to a medical center wherever and whenever
he or she would like to. By means of a mobile phone, the user can
even instantly receive professional advices and follow-ups from
the medical center. Apart from the abovementioned function, the
fat measuring function according to the invention can communicate
with the base station to receive a suggested diet which fits the
user's needs and is available in nearby restaurants. Furthermore,
the body fat percentage obtained using the mobile phone with fat
measuring function according to the invention can be used for the
purpose of user's identification recognition.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B at the same time, FIG. 1 is a block
diagram of the mobile phone with fat measuring function according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B
respectively are the front and the rear views of the mobile phone
with fat measuring function according to the invention. Mobile phone
with fat measuring function 100 according to the invention includes
an outer casing 202, a mobile phone control module 102, a fat measuring
control circuit 104, a constant current electrode pair 106, a voltage
measuring electrode pair 108, a data key-in device 110, a memory
device 112, a display unit 114, and a speaker 116.
Mobile phone control module 102 is used to control mobile phone
100 and to receive/transmit wireless signals. Fat measuring control
circuit 104 is coupled to mobile phone control module 102. Constant
current electrode pair 106 includes constant current electrodes
204A and 204B, while voltage measuring electrode pair 108 includes
voltage measuring electrodes 206A and 206B. Constant current electrodes
204A and 204B are disposed on the front surface of outer casing
202 and are coupled to fat measuring control circuit 104, whereas
voltage measuring electrodes 206A and 206B are disposed on the rear
of outer casing 202 and are coupled to fat measuring control circuit
104. To avoid signal interference, it is better to keep constant
current electrodes 204A and 204B at a fixed distance. Constant current
electrodes 204A and 204B are respectively disposed at the top right
corner and the bottom left corner of the front surface of outer
casing 202, whereas voltage measuring electrodes 206A and 206B are
respectively disposed at the rear of outer casing 202 corresponding
to constant current electrodes 204A and 204B. According to the above
arrangement, constant current electrode 204A and voltage measuring
electrode 206A are disposed at the right hand side of the outer
casing, while constant current electrode 204B and voltage measuring
electrode 206B are disposed at the left hand side of the outer casing.
When the user touches electrodes 204A and 206A with his or her right
(left) thumb and right (left) index finger respectively and touches
electrodes 204B and 206B with his or her left (right) thumb and
left (right) index finger respectively, the pictures and texts on
the screen of the mobile phone still remain at a readable angle
to the user.
Data key-in device 110 is used for the user to input his or her
personal data including at least the gender, weight and height,
while memory device 112 is used to store these personal data. Display
device 114 is used to display inputted personal data of and the
obtained body fat percentage of the user. Apart from voicing out
caller's dialogue, speaker 116 can be used to remind the user of
inputting relevant data and remind the user that the calculation
of body fat percentage is completed and is displayed on display
device 114.
When the user touches constant current electrodes 204A and 204B
and voltage measuring electrode 206A and 206B, fat measuring control
circuit 104 generates the user's body fat percentage according to
his or her personal data. Preferably, the user should touch constant
current electrode pair 106 with his or her thumbs and touch voltage
measuring electrode pair 108 with his or her index fingers respectively.
For example, the user touches constant current electrode 204A and
voltage measuring electrode 206A with right thumb and right index
finger respectively and touches constant current electrode 204B
and voltage measuring electrode 206B with left thumb and left index
finger respectively.
Fat measuring control circuit 104 of mobile phone 100 according
to the invention has plural ways of implementation. Fat measuring
control circuit 104 mainly uses bioelectric impedance analysis to
measure user's fat mass and obtain the user's body fat percentage.
The main concept of the method, in which a very weak current, which
is safe to the user, is applied to flow through the body, is that
while the fat inside the body is almost nonconductive, and the water
inside the tissue of the body is conductive, the fat of the body
can be estimated according to the user's bioelectric impedance.
Therefore, fat measuring control circuit 104 includes at least
a voltage measuring device which is coupled to voltage measuring
electrode pair 108, wherein when the user touches constant current
electrode pair 106 and voltage measuring electrode pair 108, an
alternating current signal flows through the user's body so the
voltage measuring device detects a voltage cross voltage measuring
electrode pair 108. According to the voltage detected and the weight
data inputted, fat measuring control circuit 104 produces a body
fat percentage for the user. This is exemplified in a preferred
embodiment of fat measuring control circuit 104 disclosed below.
Referring to FIG. 3, a detailed block diagram of fat measuring
control circuit 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown. Fat measuring
control circuit 104 includes a sine wave oscillator 302, a voltage/current
converter 306, a reference resistance 308, a voltage measuring device
310, a digital/analog converter 312 and a body fat percentage generating
device 314. Sine wave oscillator 302 is used to provide an alternating
voltage signal S1; voltage/current converter 306 is used to convert
alternating voltage signal S1 into alternating current signal S2;
reference resistance 308 is coupled to voltage/current converter
306; voltage measuring device 310 is coupled to voltage measuring
electrode pair 206A and 206B. When living body to be measured 304,
a user for example, touches constant current electrode pair 204A
and 204B and voltage measuring electrode pair 206A and 206B, alternating
current signal S2 flows through reference resistance 308 and the
user's body. Meanwhile, voltage measuring device 310 detects voltage
V between the voltage measuring electrodes 206A and 206B. Digital/analog
converter 312 is used to convert voltage V into digital data S3.
Body fat percentage generating device 314 hence produces the user's
fat mass body according to the converted digital data S3 and the
inputted data of user's weight and height. The body fat percentage
is generated by dividing the fat mass by the user's weight.
The various applications of the mobile phone with fat measuring
function according to the invention are further disclosed below.
Application One: the user's body fat percentage can be wirelessly
transmitted to a medical center via the mobile phone according to
the invention. The user can even instantly receive professional
advices and follow-ups from the medical center via a mobile phone.
After a body fat percentage is obtained, the user can have this
data transmitted to a medical center. Referring to the user's medical
history, the medical center can provide the user with dietary and
exercise advices so that the user can make appropriate adjustments
conducive to personal health accordingly. Besides, according to
the body fat percentage obtained, mobile phone control module 102
can directly choose one suggested exercise quantity or one suggested
menu from these stored in memory device 112 and have the chosen
suggested exercise quantity or the chosen suggested menu displayed
on display device 114.
Application Two: the mobile phone with fat measuring function according
to the invention can also communicate with the base station to utilize
the value-added service provided by the telecommunication company
which provides the user with information of healthy diets available
in nearby restaurants. The telecommunication company stores the
information regarding healthy diets available in restaurants of
different areas beforehand, so as to be able to provide the user
with the availability of healthy diets in nearby restaurants when
requested by a user who has just measured his or her body fat percentage
using a mobile phone with fat measuring function. The user finds
it extremely convenient because he or she can have instant information
regarding where and what to eat when the user is out and wants to
dine there.
Referring to FIG. 4, the flow chart illustrating the first and
the second applications of the mobile phone according to the invention
is shown. After mobile phone 100 is turned on, proceed to step 402
to decide whether to measure the fat or not; if yes, proceed to
step 404, otherwise, terminate this process. In step 404, determine
if the user's personal data are stored in memory device 112; if
yes, proceed to step 408, otherwise, proceed to step 406 to set
up user's personal data. In step 406, the user has to input at least
his or her weight and height data. To make the data more complete,
the user can input his or her gender and age as well. The user stores
these data in memory device 112.
In step 408, mobile phone control module 102 accesses user's personal
data from memory device 112. Next, proceed to step 410 to measure
user's bioelectric impedance. After that, proceed to step 412 to
produce user's body fat percentage and have the body fat percentage
displayed on display device 114.
Following the above steps, proceed to step 414 which allows the
user to choose either function (1), i.e. to provide a suggested
menu or a suggested exercise quantity, or function (2), i.e. to
provide information regarding the availability of suggested menu
in nearby restaurants. Proceed to step 416 if function (1) is selected
or proceed to step 418 if function (2) is selected.
In step 416, the user has to decide if he or she wants a medical
center to provide suggested menu or suggested exercise quantity
or not; if yes, proceed to step 422, otherwise, proceed to step
420. In step 422, mobile phone control module 102 transmits user's
body fat percentage to the medical center. Then proceeds to step
424 where mobile phone control module 102 receives from the medical
center a suggested menu or a suggested exercise quantity corresponding
to his or her body fat percentage sent to the medical center earlier.
After step 424, the process is terminated. In step 420, according
to user's body fat percentage measured, mobile phone control module
102 directly chooses one suggested exercise quantity or one suggested
menu from these stored in memory device 112 and have the chosen
suggested exercise quantity or the chosen suggested menu displayed
on display device 114. The process is then terminated.
In step 418, mobile phone control module 102 transmits user's body
fat percentage to the base station. Next, proceed to step 428 where
mobile phone control module 102 receives a menu corresponding to
user's body fat percentage from the base station. The suggested
menu contains the menu of diets available in nearby restaurants.
Application Three: the mobile phone according to the invention
is able to recognize user's identification. Memory device 112 of
the mobile phone according to the invention can pre-store user's
latest body fat percentage and define this body fat percentage as
authorized user's body fat percentage. User's body fat percentage
will be measured first before the normal booting procedure when
the mobile phone is turned on next time. If the newly measured body
fat percentage is very close to the last body fat percentage, say,
within 3% tolerance error, the new user is identified as the original
user and the mobile phone perform the normal booting procedure.
The flowchart of the process is illustrated in FIG. 5.
Steps 502 to 510 are performed immediately after the mobile phone
is turned on. Steps 502 to 510 are identical to steps 404 to 412
and are not to be repeated here. Next, perform step 512 to determine
if the body fat percentage of the new user is close to that of the
authorized user's. If not, proceed to step 514: the mobile phone
terminates the normal booting procedure unless the unlocking passwords
are inputted; if yes, proceed to step 516: the mobile phone performs
the normal booting procedure of the mobile phone.
Application Four. The mobile phone according to the invention can
serve as a good reminder for the user to watch out for his or her
dietary habit sand exercise quantities, as shown in FIG. 6. Memory
device 112 according to the invention can store a predetermined
range of target body fat percentage, e.g. the range considered to
be normal for a healthy person. Every time when the user turns on
the mobile phone, the mobile phone measures the user's body fat
percentage again in step 602. After that, determination is made
in step 604 if the body fat percentage is within the range of target
body fat percentage. If the newly measured body fat percentage is
within the range of target body fat percentage, mobile phone control
module 102 directs the mobile phone to "normal mode",
as shown in step 606.
If the newly measured body fat percentage is outside the range
of target body fat percentage, although the mobile phone still can
perform booting procedure successfully, the mobile phone control
module 102 directs the mobile phone to "body fat percentage
adjusting mode" exemplified below, as shown in step 608. (1)
Mobile phone display device 114 displays some warning words or pictures
to remind the user of dietary habits and exercise quantities, or
the display device initiates a screen saver reminding the user of
watching out for health. (2) The mobile phone imposes a restriction
on the length of talk time allowed per day. (3) The mobile phone
imposes a restriction on the number of calls the user can make per
day.
The mobile phone continue to operate under "body fat percentage
adjusting mode" and does not change to "normal mode"
until the body fat percentage measured when turning on the mobile
phone turns out to be within the target range. The screen pictures
and restriction imposed on the user serve as a good reminder of
watching out for personal health.
The mobile phone according to the invention can have only one or
have all of the above applications at the same time.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in
terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended
to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures,
and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded
the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and similar arrangements and procedures.
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