Bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus

• US 7,477,937 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tanita Corporation (Tanita)
• Original Assignee: Tanita Corporation (Tanita)
• Inventors: Iijima, Takeshi, Serizawa, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): EISEMAN, ADAM JARED
• Application Number:
  US10/632,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20040024331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,989 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/372, 600/547, 128/920, 128/921, 324/692, 177/4
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4872 Body fat
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/921 Diet management

Abstract

Disclosed is an bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus which is simplified in structure and which is easy to use. A measuring apparatus comprising a personal data input unit which is used in inputting personal data and a plurality of electrodes which are used in measuring bioelectrical impedance is improved according to the present invention in that it comprises: a memory in which the personal data are stored via said personal data input unit; and a control device which carries out a required control by using at least one selected electrode to store the personal data in said memory or to retrieve the personal data from said memory.

Claims

1. A bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes for measuring bioelectrical impedance, characterized in that it comprises a memory unit for storing personal data allotted to each of said electrodes, a control unit for controlling retrieval of personal data allotted to a touched one of said electrodes from said memory unit and a display unit for displaying a sign representing the touched electrode of said electrodes.

2. A bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes for measuring bioelectrical impedance, characterized in that it comprises a memory unit for storing personal data allotted to each of said electrodes and a control unit for controlling retrieval of personal data alloffed to a touched one of said electrodes from said memory unit, each of said electrodes having an identification.

12. A bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 2 wherein it further comprises a display unit for displaying a sign representing the touched electrode of said electrodes.

13. A bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a scroll-up button, a scroll-down button and a setting button for inputting personal data are provided.

14. A bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 2 wherein it further comprises a power switch device responsive to a touch to any of said electrodes for turning power on.

15. A bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 2 wherein it further comprises a body fat measuring circuit for measuring bioelectrical impedance between the plurality of electrodes, a touch-sensitive switch circuit which is responsive to a touch to any one of said electrodes for making a change in current and a switching unit for switching the connection of said electrodes from said body fat measuring circuit to said touch-sensitive switch circuit or inversely.

16. A bioelectrical impedance measuring apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said control unit includes an internal timer for counting the length of time for which an interruption continues in the course of entry of the personal data or in the course of measurement, and said control unit is responsive to the length of time thus measured exceeding a predetermined length of time for making said electrodes to be connected to said touch-sensitive switch via said switching unit and shutting power off.

3. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale comprising a scale body for measuring a body weight and a plurality of electrodes provided on the upper surface of said scale body for measuring bioelectrical impedance, characterized in that it comprises a memory unit for storing personal data allotted to each of said electrodes and a control unit for controlling retrieval of personal data allotted to a touched one of said electrodes from said memory unit.

4. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale comprising a scale body for measuring a body weight and a plurality of electrodes provided on the upper surface of said scale body for measuring bioelectrical impedance, characterized in that it comprises a memory unit for storing personal data allotted to each of said electrodes and a control unit for controlling allotting of personal data to a touched one of said electrodes and writing of the personal data in said memory unit.

5. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale according to claim 4 wherein it further comprises a display unit for displaying a sign representing the touched electrode of said electrodes.

6. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale according to claim 4 wherein each of said electrodes has identification.

7. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale according to claim 4 wherein a scroll-up button, a scroll-down button and a setting button for inputting personal data are provided on the upper surface of said scale body.

8. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale according to claim 4 wherein it further comprises a power switch device responsive to a touch to any of said electrodes for turning power on.

9. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale according to claim 4 wherein it further comprises a personal data input unit for inputting personal data and a display unit, said control unit being responsive to the inputting of a predetermined number in place of the height via said personal data input unit for permitting said weight scale to measure the weight alone and for permitting said display unit to show the so measured weight alone.

10. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale according to claim 4 wherein it further comprises a body fat measuring circuit for measuring bioelectrical impedance between the plurality of electrodes, a touch-sensitive switch circuit which is responsive to a touch to any one of said electrodes for making a change in current and a switching unit for switching the connection of said electrodes from said body fat measuring circuit to said touch-sensitive switch circuit or inversely.

11. A body fat meter equipped with a weight scale according to claim 10 wherein said control unit includes an internal timer for counting the length of time for which an interruption continues in the course of entry of the personal data or in the course of measurement, and said control unit is responsive to the length of time thus measured exceeding a predetermined length of time for making said electrodes to be connected to said touch-sensitive switch via said switching unit and shutting power off.