Energy consumption estimator

An energy consumption estimator includes a body motion sensor, a first calculation unit, an acquisition unit, and a second calculation unit. The body motion sensor detects body motion by a user. Based on the body motion detected by the body motion sensor, the first calculation unit calculates the user's total energy consumption. The acquisition unit acquires the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids. Based on the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids and on the total energy consumption, the second calculation unit calculates the user's total energy derived from carbohydrates.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on an application No. 2012-177261 filed in Japan on Aug. 9, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an energy consumption estimator for estimating energy consumed by a user.

BACKGROUND ART

Knowing how much energy one has consumed is crucial for personal weight control, health management, and other such areas. To this end, an activity monitor for measuring the amount of energy one has consumed has been proposed (see Patent Literature 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

For areas such as personal weight control and health management, it is important to know not only the total energy consumption, but also the amounts of energy consumption derived respectively from consumed carbohydrates, and fats and lipids. The activity monitor proposed in Patent Literature 1, however, cannot measure the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates.

Accordingly, the present invention has been conceived in light of the above problem, and it is an object thereof to provide an energy consumption estimator that calculates the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates consumed by a user.

In order to solve the above problems, an energy consumption estimator according to the present invention comprises a total energy consumption acquisition unit configured to acquire a total energy consumption for a user; a fat and lipid energy consumption acquisition unit configured to acquire an energy consumption derived from fats and lipids for the user; and a carbohydrate energy calculation unit configured to calculate an energy consumption derived from carbohydrates for the user based on the total energy consumption acquired by the total energy consumption acquisition unit and the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids acquired by the fat and lipid energy consumption acquisition unit.

The energy consumption estimator of the present invention may further comprise a first storage unit configured to store a relationship between total energy in food and energy consumption derived from carbohydrates; and a total energy calculation unit configured to calculate a total energy in food ingested by the user based on the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the carbohydrate energy calculation unit and on the relationship stored in the first storage unit.

In the energy consumption estimator of the present invention, based on the total energy consumption from an initial reference time until a measurement reference time, the carbohydrate energy calculation unit may calculate the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates ingested by the user near the initial reference time.

The energy consumption estimator of the present invention may further comprise a timer configured to measure time; a second storage unit configured to store the total energy consumption acquired by the total energy consumption acquisition unit in association with the time measured by the timer; and an input unit configured to detect input of the initial reference time and the measurement reference time, wherein the total energy consumption acquisition unit reads the total energy consumption at the initial reference time detected by the input unit from the second storage unit, acquires the total energy consumption at the measurement reference time, and calculates the total energy consumption from the initial reference time until the measurement reference time by subtracting the total energy consumption at the measurement reference time from the total energy consumption at the initial reference time.

The energy consumption estimator of the present invention may further comprise an input unit configured to detect input of a reset of the total energy consumption acquired by the total energy consumption acquisition unit, wherein the carbohydrate energy calculation unit uses the total energy consumption calculated subsequent to detection of the input of the reset as the total energy consumption from the initial reference time until the measurement reference time.

In the energy consumption estimator of the present invention, the fat and lipid energy consumption acquisition unit may include an acetone detection unit configured to detect an amount of acetone released by the user and a fat and lipid energy consumption calculation unit configured to calculate the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids for the user based on the amount of acetone detected by the acetone detection unit.

In the energy consumption estimator of the present invention, the fat and lipid energy acquisition unit may acquire the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids for the user from an acetone detector that detects an amount of acetone released by the user and that calculates the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids for the user based on the detected amount of acetone.

In the energy consumption estimator of the present invention, the fat and lipid energy acquisition unit may acquire, from an acetone detector that detects an amount of acetone released by the user, the amount of acetone of the user and calculate the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids for the user based on the acquired amount of acetone.

In the energy consumption estimator of the present invention, the total energy consumption acquisition unit may include a body motion sensor configured to detect body motion by the user and a total energy consumption calculation unit configured to calculate the total energy consumption for the user based on the body motion detected by the body motion sensor.

While the solution to the problem by the present invention has been described above in terms of devices, the present invention may also be achieved by a method or a program substantially equivalent to the above devices, or by a storage medium having such a program recorded thereon. These aspects are also to be understood as included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the energy consumption estimator having the above structure can calculate the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates consumed by the user.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, the following describes embodiments of a notification system in which the present invention has been adopted.FIG. 1is an external perspective view of an energy consumption estimator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The energy consumption estimator10is, for example, an activity monitor that calculates the total energy consumed by a user, as described below. A display11and a plurality of buttons12are provided on the front of the energy consumption estimator10. An acetone measurement unit13(acetone detection circuitry) is provided on the side of the energy consumption estimator10.

The display11can display a variety of images.

The plurality of buttons12allow for detection of input to switch power to the energy consumption estimator10on/off, input to switch the operation mode, and a variety of input on a setting screen.

The acetone measurement unit13detects the amount of acetone included in the user's breath. Note that in the present embodiment, the acetone measurement unit13detects the amount of acetone included in breath, but alternatively the acetone measurement unit13may detect the amount of acetone that transpires through the skin.

Next, the internal structure of the energy consumption estimator10is described with reference to the functional block diagram inFIG. 2. The energy consumption estimator10includes a first storage unit14(first storage circuitry), a second storage unit15(second storage circuitry), an input unit16(input circuitry), a body motion sensor17, a first calculation unit18(total energy consumption calculation circuitry), a second calculation unit19(carbohydrate energy calculation circuitry), a third calculation unit20(total energy calculation circuitry), a fourth calculation unit21(fat energy consumption calculation circuitry), the display11, a timer22, and a control unit23(comparison circuitry). The body motion sensor17and the first calculation unit18correspond to claimed total energy consumption acquisition circuitry. The acetone measurement unit13and the fourth calculation unit21correspond to claimed fat energy consumption acquisition circuitry.

The first storage unit14is, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) storing predetermined information necessary for execution of a variety of functions by the energy consumption estimator10. For example, the first storage unit14stores the relationship between total energy and carbohydrate energy in advance. Note that the relationship between total energy and carbohydrate energy is the relationship, such as the ratio, between the total energy and the carbohydrate energy in food that is ingested in a typical meal. This relationship is statistically determined in advance by gender and age group.

The second storage unit15is, for example, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) and stores the user's personal information detected by the input unit16, the total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit18, and the total energy derived from fats and lipids detected by the fourth calculation unit21as the total energy derived from fats and lipids before a meal, as described below. These values are overwritten or deleted as necessary, as also described below.

The input unit16includes the plurality of buttons12. As described below, the energy consumption estimator10includes a plurality of operation modes. The input unit16detects input in response to user operation in each operation mode.

As described below, the input unit16detects input of the user's personal information, such as the user's age, gender, height, weight, and body fat percentage. As also described below, the input unit16detects input to reset the total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit18. The input unit16also detects an instruction to switch the operation mode. Furthermore, the input unit16detects input indicating fat and lipid consumption measurement. The input unit16also detects input selecting whether detection of the amount of acetone is before a meal or not before a meal. Finally, the input unit16detects input indicating calculation of the total energy in food.

The body motion sensor17is, for example, a tri-axis acceleration sensor module and detects acceleration of the energy consumption estimator10in three orthogonal directions. Note that the user wears the energy consumption estimator10, and therefore the acceleration in three directions of the energy consumption estimator10is detected as body motion of the user in three directions.

The first calculation unit18calculates the user's total energy consumption based on the user's personal information read from the second storage unit15and on the acceleration in three directions detected by the body motion sensor17. Note that an instantaneous value of the total energy consumption is calculated using a well-known calculation method based on acceleration in three directions and on the user's personal information. The first calculation unit18calculates the instantaneous value every minute, for example, and adds up the calculated instantaneous values to calculate the total energy consumption.

When the input unit16detects input of a reset, the first calculation unit18resets the total energy consumption to zero and again starts calculating the total energy consumption from the reset. In other words, the total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit18represents the user's total energy consumption from the time of reset (initial reference time) until the present (measurement reference time).

The second calculation unit19calculates the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates by subtracting the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids, calculated by the fourth calculation unit21, described below, from the total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit18. Note that, as described below, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates is calculated by the second calculation unit19based on a specific usage method of the energy consumption estimator10, and thus the energy consumption is equivalent to the carbohydrate energy in food ingested by the user near the reset time. In other words, the second calculation unit19estimates the carbohydrate energy in food ingested by the user near the reset time.

The third calculation unit20reads the user's personal information from the second storage unit15. Furthermore, from the first storage unit14, the third calculation unit20reads the relationship between total energy and carbohydrate energy corresponding to the personal information. The third calculation unit20also calculates the total energy in ingested food based on the carbohydrate energy calculated by the second calculation unit19and the relationship between total energy and carbohydrate energy read from the first storage unit14.

Based on the amount of breath acetone detected by the acetone measurement unit13, the fourth calculation unit21calculates the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids. Note that the amount of acetone released from within the body varies depending on the amount of energy consumption derived from fats and lipids. In other words, the amount of acetone varies depending on the amount of energy from fats and lipids that is burned between when fats and lipids begins to be burned and when the amount of acetone is detected. Based on this principle, the fourth calculation unit21calculates the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids.

The display11is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor and can display a wide variety of images, as described above.

The control unit23controls the exchange of information between, and the transmission of instructions to, the first storage unit14, the second storage unit15, the input unit16, the body motion sensor17, the first calculation unit18, the second calculation unit19, the third calculation unit20, the fourth calculation unit21, the display11, and the timer22, as well as operations by these components.

Next, the functions executed in each of the operation modes of the energy consumption estimator10are described in detail. The operation modes of the energy consumption estimator10are a setting mode and a measurement mode.

In the setting mode of the energy consumption estimator10, the user can enter his or her own personal information. When the operation mode is the setting mode, a personal information input image is displayed on the display11. The input unit16detects input during display of the personal information input image as the user's personal information and stores the personal information in the second storage unit15.

In the measurement mode of the energy consumption estimator10, calculation of the user's total energy consumption, estimation of the carbohydrate energy in ingested food, and estimation of the total energy in ingested food can be performed. When the operation mode is the measurement mode, the user's total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit18is stored at each point in time in the second storage unit15. Note that the points in time are identified based on measurement by the timer22. The stored total energy consumption can be displayed as a bar graph over these points in time or as a numerical value.

When the input unit16detects a reset of the total energy consumption during operation in the measurement mode, the first calculation unit18resets the calculated total energy consumption to zero. After resetting the value to zero, the first calculation unit18again begins to calculate the total energy consumption.

When the input unit16detects input indicating fat and lipid consumption measurement during operation in the measurement mode, the acetone measurement unit13and the fourth calculation unit21cooperate to acquire the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids.

Upon acquisition of the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids, an image requesting selection of whether detection is before a meal or not before a meal is displayed on the display11.

Upon detection of input selecting detection before a meal, the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids calculated by the fourth calculation unit21is stored in the second storage unit15as the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids before a meal. As described next, the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids stored in the second storage unit15is used for determining whether the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19is equivalent to the carbohydrate energy in food ingested near the reset time.

Upon detection of input selecting detection that is not before a meal, the second calculation unit19calculates the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates by subtracting the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids calculated by the fourth calculation unit21from the total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit18. Furthermore, upon detection of input selecting detection that is not before a meal, the second calculation unit19compares the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids calculated by the fourth calculation unit21with the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids stored in the second storage unit15. Based on the comparison, it is determined whether the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19is equivalent to the carbohydrate energy in food ingested near the reset time.

When it is determined that the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19is not equivalent to the carbohydrate energy in food ingested near the reset time, the message “You are still consuming carbohydrate energy in the food you ate” is displayed on the display11. The total energy consumption and the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids after the most recent meal, respectively calculated by the first calculation unit18and the fourth calculation unit21, are also displayed on the display11. Furthermore, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19is displayed on the display11as energy consumption derived from carbohydrates for a user who is currently burning carbohydrates.

When it is determined that the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19is equivalent to the carbohydrate energy in food ingested near the reset time, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19is displayed on the display11as the carbohydrate energy in recently ingested food, for example as illustrated inFIG. 3.

The following briefly describes how the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19can be considered equivalent to the carbohydrate energy in food ingested near the reset time. Carbohydrates, and fats and lipids are known to be the sources of energy for activity by the human body. In other words, the total energy consumption by the human body is the sum of energy consumption derived from carbohydrates and energy consumption derived from fats and lipids.

Food typically includes carbohydrates, and fats and lipids. In a regular activity cycle, consumption derived from fats and lipids rapidly decreases after a meal, with consumption of carbohydrates taking priority. When the ingested carbohydrates are almost completely consumed, with only a trace amount thereof remaining stored in the body, consumption of ingested fats and lipids and of fats and lipids stored in the body begins.

Subsequently, the consumption of fats and lipids takes priority until the next time food is ingested, except for special circumstances in which carbohydrates in the body are used, such as during vigorous anaerobic exercise. Accordingly, the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids calculated by the fourth calculation unit21based on the amount of acetone is the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids that has been consumed by the body between the end of the most recent meal and the time of detection.

If the total energy consumption was reset near the most recent meal, the total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit18is the total energy consumption by the body between the end of the most recent meal and the time of detection. Therefore, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates that have been consumed by the body from after the most recent meal until the time of detection is calculated by subtracting the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids calculated by the fourth calculation unit21from the total energy consumption by the body between the end of the most recent meal and the time of detection.

As described above, when the body ingests food, consumption of carbohydrates included in the food takes priority until the carbohydrates have been nearly consumed. Therefore, when carbohydrates other than those for storage in the body have been completely consumed, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates that the body has consumed between the end of the most recent meal and the time of detection is substantially equal to the carbohydrate energy included in recently ingested food.

Based on the above-described principal, when the energy consumption estimator10determines that carbohydrates other than those for storage in the body have been completely consumed, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by second calculation unit19is displayed as the carbohydrate energy included in recently ingested food. On the other hand, when the energy consumption estimator10determines that carbohydrates other than those for storage in the body have not been completely consumed, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by second calculation unit19is displayed as energy consumption derived from carbohydrates.

Note that the energy consumption estimator10determines that carbohydrates other than those for storage in the body have been completely consumed when the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids newly calculated by the fourth calculation unit21exceeds the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids before a meal stored in the second storage unit15.

Note also that after determining that carbohydrates other than those for storage in the body have been completely consumed, upon detection of input indicating calculation of the total energy in ingested food, the third calculation unit20calculates the total energy in recently ingested food based on the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19. The calculated total energy is displayed on the display11.

Next, in Embodiment 1, information input processing performed by the control unit23in the setting mode is described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 4. The information input processing begins when the input unit16detects user input to switch to the setting mode.

In step S100, the control unit23displays the personal information input image on the display11. Upon display of the personal information input image, processing proceeds to step S101.

In step S101, the control unit23determines whether the input unit16has detected input of personal information by the user. When input of personal information has not been detected, processing returns to step S100, and steps S100and S101are repeated until detection of personal information. When input of personal information is detected, processing proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the control unit23records the user's personal information detected by the input unit16in the second storage unit15. After recording of personal information in the second storage unit15, information input processing terminates.

Next, in Embodiment 1, total energy consumption calculation processing performed by the control unit23in the measurement mode is described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 5. The total energy consumption calculation processing begins when the input unit16detects user input to switch to the measurement mode and terminates when power to the energy consumption estimator10is turned off after the start of measurement mode.

In step S200, the control unit23transmits the acceleration detected by the body motion sensor17to the first calculation unit18. Next, the control unit23transmits the user's personal information stored in the second storage unit15to the first calculation unit18. Furthermore, the control unit23causes the first calculation unit18to calculate the user's total energy consumption. The control unit23stores the calculated total energy consumption in the second storage unit15in association with the point in time measured by the timer22. After calculation of the total energy consumption, processing proceeds to step S201.

In step S201, the control unit23displays the total energy consumption calculated in step S200on the display11. After display of the total energy consumption, processing proceeds to step S202.

In step S203, the control unit23resets the total energy consumption detected by the first calculation unit18to zero. After the total energy consumption is reset, processing proceeds to step S200.

Next, energy consumption calculation processing performed by the control unit23in the measurement mode in Embodiment 1 is described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 6. The energy consumption calculation processing in Embodiment 1 begins when the input unit16detects user input indicating fat and lipid consumption measurement during operation in the measurement mode.

In step S300, the control unit23determines whether the acetone measurement unit13detects breath. Detection of breath is, for example, based on variation in pressure or the like. When breath is not detected, processing enters a standby state while repeating step S300. When breath is detected, processing proceeds to step S301.

In step S301, the control unit23causes the acetone measurement unit13to detect the amount of acetone. Furthermore, the control unit23transmits the detected amount of acetone to the fourth calculation unit21. After transmission of the amount of acetone, processing proceeds to step S302.

In step S302, the control unit23calculates the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids based on the amount of acetone transmitted in step S301. After calculation of the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids, processing proceeds to step S303.

In step S303, the control unit23determines whether input detected by the input unit16designates that measurement is before a meal or not before a meal. If measurement is before a meal, processing proceeds to step S304. If measurement is not before a meal, processing proceeds to step S305.

In step S304, the control unit23stores the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids measured in step S302in the second storage unit15, after which energy consumption calculation processing terminates.

In step S305, the control unit23transmits the total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit18and the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids calculated by the fourth calculation unit21in step S302to the second calculation unit19. Furthermore, the control unit23causes the second calculation unit19to calculate the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates by subtracting the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids from the total energy consumption. After calculation of the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates, processing proceeds to step S306.

In step S306, the control unit23calculates the difference in energy consumption derived from fats and lipids before a meal and not before a meal by subtracting the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids stored in the second storage unit15from the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids measured in step S302. After calculation of this difference, processing proceeds to step S307.

In step S307, the control unit23determines whether the difference in energy consumption derived from fats and lipids before a meal and not before a meal calculated in step S306is greater than zero. When the difference is greater than zero, processing proceeds to step S309. When the difference is equal to or less than zero, processing proceeds to step S308.

In step S308, the control unit23displays the message “You are still consuming carbohydrate energy in the food you ate”, the total energy consumption, and the current energy consumption derived from fats and lipids on the display11, together with the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated in step S305as the current energy consumption derived from carbohydrates. After display, energy consumption calculation processing terminates.

In step S309, the control unit23displays the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19in step S305on the display11as the carbohydrate energy in recently ingested food. After display of the carbohydrate energy, processing proceeds to step S310.

In step S310, the control unit23determines whether the input unit16has detected input indicating calculation of the total energy in food. When input has not been detected, energy consumption calculation processing terminates. When input has been detected, processing proceeds to step S311.

In step S311, the control unit23transmits the carbohydrate energy calculated by the second calculation unit19in step S308and the relationship stored in the first storage unit14to the third calculation unit20. Furthermore, the control unit23causes the third calculation unit20to calculate the total energy in recently ingested food. After calculation of the total energy, processing proceeds to step S312.

In step S312, the control unit23displays the total energy in food calculated by the third calculation unit20in step S311on the display11. After display of the total energy in food, energy consumption calculation processing terminates.

With the above structure, the energy consumption estimator of Embodiment 1 can calculate the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates consumed by the user.

The energy consumption estimator of Embodiment 1 can also display the calculated energy consumption derived from carbohydrates as the carbohydrate energy in ingested food.

Furthermore, the energy consumption estimator of Embodiment 1 can calculate the total energy in food ingested during a meal based on the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates which was displayed as carbohydrate energy. This allows for extremely easy comprehension of the estimated value of the total energy in ingested food.

Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention is described. In Embodiment 2, the method of acquiring the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids differs from Embodiment 1. The following describes Embodiment 2, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1. Note that the same reference signs are used for components having the same structure and functions as in Embodiment 1.

As shown inFIG. 7, an energy consumption estimator100according to Embodiment 2 is provided with a display11and a plurality of buttons12as in Embodiment 1. Unlike Embodiment 1, however, an acquisition unit240( claimed fat energy consumption acquisition circuitry) is provided on the side of the energy consumption estimator100. The structure and functions of the display11and the plurality of buttons12are the same as in Embodiment 1.

The acquisition unit240is, for example, a wired or wireless data receiver and receives a variety of data from an external device. For example, from a fat and lipid consumption detector (acetone detector) that detects the amount of acetone included in a user's breath and calculates the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids based on the detected amount of acetone, the acquisition unit240acquires the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids along with the time of detection of the amount of acetone.

Next, the internal structure of the energy consumption estimator100is described with reference to the functional block diagram inFIG. 8. The energy consumption estimator100includes a first storage unit14, a second storage unit15, an input unit16, a body motion sensor17, a first calculation unit180, a second calculation unit19, a third calculation unit20, the display11, a timer22, a control unit230, and the acquisition unit240. The structure and functions of the first storage unit14, the second storage unit15, the input unit16, the body motion sensor17, the second calculation unit19, the third calculation unit20, the display11, and the timer22are the same as in Embodiment 1.

As in Embodiment 1, the first calculation unit180calculates the user's total energy consumption based on the user's personal information read from the second storage unit15and on acceleration in three directions detected by the body motion sensor17.

Unlike Embodiment 1, the first calculation unit180calculates the user's total energy consumption during a specified time period, as described below.

From the fat and lipid consumption detector, the acquisition unit240acquires the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids along with the time of detection of the amount of acetone, as described above.

The control unit230controls the exchange of information between, and the transmission of instructions to, the first storage unit14, the second storage unit15, the input unit16, the body motion sensor17, the first calculation unit180, the second calculation unit19, the third calculation unit20, the display11, the timer22, and the acquisition unit240, as well as operations by these components.

Next, the functions executed in each of the operation modes of the energy consumption estimator100are described in detail. As in Embodiment 1, the operation modes of the energy consumption estimator100are a setting mode and a measurement mode.

Input of the user's personal information in the setting mode of the energy consumption estimator100is the same as in Embodiment 1.

Calculation of the user's total energy consumption in the measurement mode of the energy consumption estimator100is also the same as in Embodiment 1.

In the measurement mode, the energy consumption estimator100can acquire the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids from the fat and lipid consumption detector. Upon detecting input indicating acquisition of energy consumption derived from fats and lipids during operation in the measurement mode, the energy consumption estimator100acquires the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids along with the time of detection of the amount of acetone from the fat and lipid consumption detector.

As in Embodiment 1, upon acquisition of the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids, an image requesting selection of whether detection is before a meal or not before a meal is displayed on the display11. Also as in Embodiment 1, upon detection of input selecting detection before a meal, the acquired energy consumption derived from fats and lipids is stored in the second storage unit15as the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids before a meal.

Unlike Embodiment 1, upon detection of input selecting detection not before a meal, a message requesting input of the time of the most recent meal is displayed on the display11. When the input unit16detects input of the time of the most recent meal, the first calculation unit180reads, from the second storage unit15, the total energy consumption calculated at the point in time closest to the input time (hereinafter referred to as the “initial reference time”). The first calculation unit180also reads, from the second storage unit15, the total energy consumption calculated at the point in time closest to the time of detection of the amount of acetone acquired from the fat and lipid consumption detector (hereinafter referred to as the “measurement reference time”). By calculating the difference between these times, the first calculation unit180calculates the user's total energy consumption from the initial reference time until the measurement reference time. Once the total energy consumption from the initial reference time until the measurement reference time is calculated, the second calculation unit19calculates the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates as in Embodiment 1 by subtracting the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids acquired by the acquisition unit240from the total energy consumption calculated by the first calculation unit180.

Furthermore, as in Embodiment 1, upon detection of input selecting detection that is not before a meal, it is determined whether the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19is equivalent to the carbohydrate energy in food ingested near the time, input into the input unit16, of the most recent meal. Subsequently, as in Embodiment 1, the total energy derived from carbohydrates calculated by the second calculation unit19is displayed on the display11as energy consumption derived from carbohydrates for a user who is currently burning carbohydrates, or as the carbohydrate energy in recently ingested food,

Furthermore, as in Embodiment 1, the energy consumption estimator100calculates the total energy in recently ingested food and displays this value on the display11.

Next, processes executed by the control unit230are described. Note that since the information input processing executed by the control unit230in the setting mode is the same as in Embodiment 1, an explanation thereof is omitted. Furthermore, since the total energy consumption calculation processing executed by the control unit230in the measurement mode is the same as in Embodiment 1, an explanation thereof is omitted.

The following describes energy consumption calculation processing performed by the control unit230in the measurement mode in Embodiment 2 with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 9. The energy consumption calculation processing in Embodiment 2 also begins when the input unit16detects user input indicating fat and lipid consumption measurement during operation in the measurement mode.

In step S400, the control unit230acquires the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids along with the time of detection of the amount of acetone from the fat and lipid consumption detector. After this acquisition, processing proceeds to step S401.

In steps S401and S402, the control unit230executes the same control as in steps S303and S304of the energy consumption calculation processing in Embodiment 1.

In step S403, the control unit230displays an image on the display11requesting input of the time of the most recent meal. When input has been requested, processing proceeds to step S404.

In step S404, the control unit230determines whether the input unit16has detected input of the time of the most recent meal. When input has not been detected, processing returns to step S404and enters a standby state. When input is detected, processing proceeds to step S405.

In step S405, the control unit230reads, from the second storage unit15, the total energy consumption at the point in time closest to the time input in step S407, i.e. at the initial reference time, and transmits this value to the first calculation unit180. The control unit230also reads, from the second storage unit15, the total energy consumption at the point in time closest to the time of detection of the amount of acetone acquired in step S400, i.e. at the measurement reference time, and transmits this value to the first calculation unit180. Upon reading of the total energy consumption from the second storage unit15, processing proceeds to step S406.

In step S406, the control unit230causes the first calculation unit180to calculate the total energy consumption from the initial reference time to the measurement reference time. After calculation of the total energy consumption, processing proceeds to step S407.

In steps S407through S414, the control unit230executes the same control as in steps S305through S312of the energy consumption calculation processing in Embodiment 1.

With the above structure, the energy consumption estimator of Embodiment 2 as well can calculate the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates consumed by the user. Furthermore, the energy consumption estimator of Embodiment 2 as well can display the calculated energy consumption derived from carbohydrates as the carbohydrate energy in ingested food. Moreover, the energy consumption estimator of Embodiment 2 as well can calculate the total energy in food ingested during a meal based on the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates which was displayed as carbohydrate energy.

Although the present invention has been described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in Embodiments 1 and 2, the first calculation units18and180calculate the total energy consumption based on acceleration in three directions detected by the body motion sensor17. Alternatively, however, the total energy consumption may be acquired from a measurement device having a body motion sensor and a first calculation unit. Furthermore, a history of acceleration in three directions may be acquired from a measurement device having a body motion sensor, and the total energy consumption may be calculated based on the acquired acceleration in three directions.

In Embodiments 1 and 2, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates is calculated each time the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids is calculated, even after carbohydrates have been completely consumed. Alternatively, however, it is possible to perform this calculation only once. When carbohydrates have been completely consumed, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates is considered to be constant, regardless of the time at which the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids is calculated. Therefore, when it is determined that carbohydrates have been completely consumed, the energy consumption derived from carbohydrates may be stored in memory, such as the second storage unit15, and upon subsequent calculation of the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids, the stored energy consumption derived from carbohydrates may be read and displayed.

In Embodiment 1, the energy consumption estimator10includes the first calculation unit18through the fourth calculation unit21as separate units, yet the calculations performed by these units may all be performed by a single calculation unit. Similarly, in Embodiment 2, the energy consumption estimator100includes the first calculation unit180through the third calculation unit20as separate units, yet the calculations performed by these units may all be performed by a single calculation unit.

In Embodiment 2, the acquisition unit240acquires the user's energy consumption derived from fats and lipids from the fat and lipid consumption detector, but instead the acquisition unit240may acquire an amount of acetone. As in Embodiment 1, the energy consumption estimator100can calculate the energy consumption derived from fats and lipids based on the acquired amount of acetone.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10,100: Energy consumption estimator

13: Acetone measurement unit

14: First storage unit

15: Second storage unit

16: Input unit

17: Body motion sensor

18,180: First calculation unit

19: Second calculation unit

20: Third calculation unit

21: Fourth calculation unit

23: Control unit

240: Acquisition unit