Patent Publication Number: US-2007100252-A1

Title: Portable electronic device with measuring fat function and measuring fat method thereof

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 94136726, filed Oct. 20, 2005, 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 portable electronic device, and more particularly to a portable electronic device with fat measuring function and fat measuring method thereof.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) is a technology for measuring the composition of the body. Different parts of the body have different conductivities. When a micro-current (approximately ranges from 200 μA to 800 μA) whose frequency is over 50 KHz is applied to a tissue of the body, the current will flow through the liquid outside the cells. Part of the current will be impeded by the cell membranes and generate a resistance R, and part of the current will reduce its speed due to the charge of the cell membranes and generate a reactance I. The sum of the resistance R and the reactance I is the biological impedance Z, and normally the resistance R amounts to more than 90% of the biological impedance Z.  
      The body fat is not conductive but the water inside the body is conductive. Therefore, the body fat can be estimated according to the measure of the user&#39;s biological impedance.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mobile phone with fat measuring function disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,495 is shown. The conventional mobile phone includes an sensing electrode A, an sensing electrode B, an sensing electrode C, an sensing electrode D, a function key  9 , a display key  10  and a screen  3 .  
      When the user presses the function key  9 , the mobile phone shifts to a fat measuring mode from a communication mode. Under the fat measuring mode, the user needs to touch the sensing electrode A, the sensing electrode B, the sensing electrode C and the sensing electrode D at the same time. The sensing electrode A, the sensing electrode B, the sensing electrode C and the sensing electrode D are respectively disposed at the four corners of the mobile phone. When the user touches the abovementioned sensing electrodes, the mobile phone provides a certain volume of current, which flows through the user&#39;s body through the abovementioned sensing electrodes to generate a biological impedance Z. The user&#39;s body fat can be calculated according to the abovementioned biological impedance Z. Lastly when the user presses the display key  10 , the screen  3  displays the measuring results.  
      The sensing electrode A, the sensing electrode B, the sensing electrode C and the sensing electrode D are respectively disposed at the four corners of the mobile phone. When the user would like to measure the body fat, the user has to touch the sensing electrodes disposed at the four corners of the mobile phone at the same time. Such design is user unfriendly and having too many buttons not only adds more difficulties to the user but also incurs more costs. Moreover, the conventional mobile phone can measure the body fat only when the mobile phone is turned on and can not measure the body fat when the mobile phone is turned off.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a portable electronic device with fat measuring function. The portable electronic device is incorporated with the sensing electrode for measuring body fat rate, hence enabling modern people who are busy with their work to conveniently measure their body fat for health management.  
      The invention achieves a first object by providing a portable electronic device with fat measuring function. The portable electronic device includes a first button, a second button and a fat-measuring controlling circuit. The first button and the second button are made from a conductive material. The fat-measuring controlling circuit is coupled with the first button and the second button respectively. When the user touches the first button and the second button, the fat-measuring controlling circuit measures an electrical signal between the first button and the second button to generate the user&#39;s body fat rate.  
      The invention achieves a second object by providing a fat measuring method of a portable electronic device. The fat measuring method includes the following steps. Firstly, a function key of the portable electronic device is activated. Next, a first button and a second button of the portable electronic device are set as a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode respectively. The first button and the second button are made from a conductive material. Then, when the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode are touched by the user, an electrical signal between the first button and the second button is measured. Lastly, the user&#39;s body fat rate is generated according to the electrical signal.  
      The invention further achieves a third object by providing a portable electronic device with fat measuring function. The portable electronic device includes a first sensing electrode, a second sensing electrode, a flip cover, an electronic device body and a fat-measuring controlling circuit. The flip cover is pivotally connected to one end of the electronic device body. The first sensing electrode is disposed on the surface of the flip cover. The second sensing electrode is disposed on the surface of the electronic device body. The fat-measuring controlling circuit is coupled with the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode respectively. When the user flips the flip cover and touches both the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode, the fat-measuring controlling circuit measures an electrical signal between the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode to generate the user&#39;s body fat rate.  
      The invention further achieves a fourth object by providing a portable electronic device with fat measuring function. The portable electronic device includes an electronic device body, a first sensing electrode, a second sensing electrode, a magnetism-electricity converter and a fat-measuring controlling circuit. The first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode are removably disposed on the electronic device body, The magnetism-electricity converter is electrically connected to the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode. When the user enables the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode to move relatively to the electronic device body, the magnetism-electricity converter correspondingly outputs a first current. The fat-measuring controlling circuit receives the first current and outputs a second current to the first sensing electrode, and then measures an electrical signal between the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode to generate the user&#39;s body fat rate.  
      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 mobile phone with fat measuring function disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,495;  
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to a first embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a partial block diagram of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart for a fat measuring method of a portable electronic device;  
       FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are two side views of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to a second embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a front view of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to a third embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a partial block diagram of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to the third embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a detailed circuit diagram of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 10  is a 3-dimensional diagram of a rotation mechanism; and  
       FIG. 11  is a top view of the rotation mechanism. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     First Embodiment  
      Referring to both  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 2  is a front view of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to a first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a partial block diagram of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to the first embodiment of the invention. The portable electronic device  20  includes a alpha-numeric key pad  210 , a fat-measuring controlling circuit  230 , an electronic device control module  240 , a function key  250 , a display key  260 , a memory unit  270  and a display device  280 .  
      The alpha-numeric key pad  210  of the portable electronic device  20  is made from a highly conductive resin material. The highly conductive resin material comprises acetal resin, carbon black composites, epoxide composites and polyester copolymer The fat-measuring controlling circuit  230  is coupled with the key pad  210 . The key pad  210 , the fat-measuring controlling circuit  230 , the memory unit  270  and the display device  280  are respectively coupled with the electronic device control module  240 .  
      The function key  250  of the portable electronic device  20  is for changing the operation mode of the key pad  210 . For example, if the portable electronic device is a mobile phone, before the function key  250  is activated, the key pad  210  can be used for dialing a phone number or writing a text message. When function key  250  is activated, the user can set any two buttons of the key pad  210  as the first sensing electrode  212  and the second sensing electrode  214  for measuring the body fat rate.  
      Afterwards, when the first sensing electrode  212  and the second sensing electrode  214  are touched by the user, the fat-measuring controlling circuit  230  measures an electrical signal between the first sensing electrode  212  and the second sensing electrode  214 . Examples of the electrical signal include a voltage difference. The portable electronic device  20  generates a body fat rate for the user according to the electrical signal. The portable electronic device  20  stores the user&#39;s body fat rate in the memory unit  270 , and when the user activates the display key  260 , the user&#39;s body fat rate is displayed on the display device  280 .  
      Furthermore, the fat measuring controlling circuit  230  includes a current generating device  232 , an impedance sensing circuit  234 , an analog-digital converter  236  and a body fat circuit module  238 . The current generating device  232  provides a current I. Example of the current I is a micro current ranging from 200 μA to 800 μA whose frequency is over 50 KHz. The current I flows through the user&#39;s body via the first sensing electrode  212  and the second sensing electrode  214  and forms a voltage difference V between the first sensing electrode  212  and the second sensing electrode  214 . The impedance sensing circuit  234  detects the voltage difference V and then generates a biological impedance Z according to the voltage difference V. The analog-digital converter  236  generates a digital data D according to the level of the biological impedance Z. The body fat circuit module  238  generates the user&#39;s body fat rate according to the digital data D.  
      Besides, whether the body fat rate is normal depends on the user&#39;s age, height, weight and gender. The data of the user&#39;s age, height, weight and gender is stored in the memory unit  270  for the portable electronic device  20  to perform further analysis, determine the state of the user&#39;s health, and provide relevant messages or suggestions to the user via the display device  280 . For example, the user may receive an over-weight warning, a recommended diet or time schedule.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , a flowchart for a fat measuring method of a portable electronic device is shown. The fat measuring method of the portable electronic device  20  includes the following steps. Firstly, the method begins at step  41 , the function key  250  of the portable electronic device  20  is activated. Next, proceed to step  42 , any two buttons of the portable electronic device  20  are set as the first sensing electrode  212  and the second sensing electrode  214  respectively. Then, proceed to step  43 , when the first sensing electrode  212  and the second sensing electrode  214  are touched by the user, an electrical signal between the two buttons is measured. Lastly, proceed to step  44 , a body fat rate is generated according to the electrical signal.  
      According to the first embodiment, the sensing electrode for measuring the body fat rate is incorporated into the existing buttons of the portable electronic device, hence making the measuring of body fat more convenient.  
     Second Embodiment  
      The first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode can be designed to dispose at a part of the portable electronic device most often touched by the user. Referring to both  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , two side views of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to a second embodiment of the invention are shown. The portable electronic device  50  includes a first sensing electrode  510 , a second sensing electrode  520 , a flip cover  530 , an electronic device body  540  and a fat-measuring controlling circuit.  
      The flip cover  530  of the portable electronic device  50  is pivotally connected to one end of the electronic device body  540 . The flip cover  530  has a top surface  532  and a bottom surface  536 , and the top surface  532  is opposite to the bottom surface  536 . Similarly, the electronic device body  540  has a top surface  546  and a bottom surface  542 , and the top surface  546  is opposite to the bottom surface  542 . When the flip cover  530  is not flipped, the bottom surface  536  of the flip cover  530  touches the top surface  546  of the electronic device body  540 .  
      The first sensing electrode  510  is disposed on the top surface  532  of the flip cover  530 . The second sensing electrode  520  is disposed on the bottom surface  542  of the electronic device body  540 . The first sensing electrode  510  and the second sending electrode  520  are preferably disposed at a part of the portable electronic device  50  most often touched by the user when flipping the flip cover  530 . For example the first sensing electrode  510  and the second sensing electrode  520  may be disposed at the front end of the flip cover  530  and the bottom end of the electronic device body  540  respectively.  
      The fat-measuring controlling circuit used in the present embodiment of the invention is similar to the fat-measuring controlling circuit  230  of  FIG. 3  and is not repeated here. The fat-measuring controlling circuit is disposed in the electronic device body  540  and is coupled with the first sensing electrode  510  and the second sensing electrode  520  respectively.  
      When the user flips the flip cover  530  and touches the first sensing electrode  510  and the second sensing electrode  520  at the same time, the fat-measuring controlling circuit measures an electrical signal between the first sensing electrode  510  and the second sensing electrode  520 . Example of the electrical signal is a voltage difference. Then, the portable electronic device  50  generates a body fat rate for the user according to electrical signal.  
      Besides, the disposition of the first sensing electrode  510  and the disposition of the second sensing electrode  520  are not limited to the top surface  532  of the flip cover  530  and the bottom surface  542  of the electronic device body  540 . For example, the first sensing electrode  510  and the second sensing electrode  520  can be respectively disposed on a lateral surface  534  of the flip cover  530  and a lateral surface  544  of the electronic device body  540  to measure the user&#39;s body fat rate.  
      In the second embodiment of the invention, the sensing electrode for measuring the body fat rate is disposed at a part most often touched by the user, such that the user is enabled to measure their body fat rate for health management when operating a portable electronic device.  
     Third Embodiment  
      The first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode can be designed as removable sensing electrodes. When the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode are removed from the portable electronic device, the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode generate the needed power for measuring the body fat rate without consuming the power of the batteries of the portable electronic device. Therefore, the portable electronic device can measure the user&#39;s body fat rate even at a turn-off mode.  
      Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 7  is a front view of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to a third embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 8  is a partial block diagram of a portable electronic device with fat measuring function according to the third embodiment of the invention. The portable electronic device  60  includes an electronic device body  610 , a first sensing electrode  620 , a second sensing electrode  630 , a magnetism-electricity converter  640  and a fat-measuring controlling circuit  650 .  
      In the portable electronic device  60 , the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630  are removably disposed on the electronic device body  610 . The magnetism-electricity converter  640  is coupled with the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630 . When the user enables the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630  to generate relative movement with respect to the electronic device body  610 , for example, the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630  are removed outwardly, the magnetism-electricity converter  640  correspondingly outputs a current I 1 .  
      The fat-measuring controlling circuit  650  receives and converts the current I 1  into a current I 2  and then outputs the current I 2  to the first sensing electrode  620 . When the user removes the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630 , the user touches the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630  respectively. Therefore, the current I 2  flows through the user&#39;s body via the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630  and forms a voltage difference between the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630 . The fat-measuring controlling circuit  650  measures the voltage difference to generate a user&#39;s body fat rate.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  at the same time.  FIG. 9  is a detailed circuit diagram of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a 3-dimensional diagram of a rotation mechanism.  FIG. 11  is a top view of the rotation mechanism. Furthermore, the magnetism-electricity converter  640  includes a magnetic field generator  642 , an inductance coil  644 , a rotation mechanism  646 , an electrical connection portion  628  and an electrical connection portion  638 . The magnetic field generator  642  provides a magnetic field, such magnetic field is induced by an N-polarity end of magnet and an S-polarity end of magnet as shown in  FIG. 9 . The inductance coil  644  is disposed in the magnetic field.  
      The rotation mechanism  646  includes a spring  660 , an electrical connection portion  628 , an electrical connection portion  638 , a housing  672 , a fixing pivot  676  and a rotating portion  674 . The spring  660  is coupled with the fixing pivot  676  and the rotating portion  674  respectively. The spring  660 , the fixing pivot  676  and the rotating portion  674  are disposed in the housing  672 .  
      The electrical connection portion  628  and the electrical connection portion  638  are disposed on the rotating portion  674 . One end of the conducting wire  624  is coupled with the first sensing electrode  620 , and the other end is fixed on the electrical connection portion  628 . One end of the conducting wire  634  is coupled with the second sensing electrode  630 , while the other end is fixed on the electrical connection portion  638 . Besides, one end of the conducting wire  626  is fixed on the electrical connection portion  628 , while the other end is electrically connected to the fat-measuring controlling circuit  650 . One end of the conducting wire  636  is fixed on the electrical connection portion  638 , while the other end is electrically connected to the fat-measuring controlling circuit  650 .  
      The conducting wire  624  and the conducting wire  634  are coiled around the rotating portion  674 . When the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630  are pulled, the conducting wire  624  and the conducting wire  634  drive the rotating portion  674  to rotate between the housing  672  and the fixing pivot  676 . The rotating portion  674  drives the inductance coil  644  to rotate, and further cuts the magnetic field to correspondingly output the current I 1 .  
      The current I 1  is inputted to the fat-measuring controlling circuit  650  so that the fat-measuring controlling circuit  650  is provided with necessary power for normal operation. When measuring the body fat rate, the fat-measuring controlling circuit  650  outputs a current I 2 . The current I 2  is inputted to the electrical connection portion  628  via the conducting wire  626  and flows to the user via the conducting wire  624  and the first sensing electrode  620 . After the current I 2  flows through the user, the current I 2  flows back to the fat-measuring controlling circuit  650  via the second sensing electrode  630 , the conducting wire  634 , the electrical connection portion  638  and the conducting wire  636 . After the current I 2  flows through the user, a voltage difference is formed between the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630 . The fat-measuring controlling circuit  650  estimates a body fat rate for the user according to the voltage difference.  
      The spring  660  is coupled with the rotating portion  674  and the fixing pivot  676  respectively. Therefore, when the measuring is finished and the user releases the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630 , the spring  660  generates an elasticity for enabling the rotating portion  674  to rotate with respect to the fixing pivot  676 , so that the first sensing electrode  620  and the second sensing electrode  630  are pushed back to their original position.  
      In the third embodiment, the sensing electrodes for measuring body fat rate are designed as removable sensing electrodes. When the user is ready to measure the body fat rate, the needed power is generated when the sensing electrode is removed, so that the portable electronic device can generate the needed current for measuring the body fat rate without consuming the power of the batteries. Therefore, the portable electronic device still can measure the body fat rate even at a turn-off mode.  
      Examples of the portable electronic device disclosed in the first embodiment, the second embodiment and the third embodiment include a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, an MP3 player, a game station, a watch, a walkman, a digital camera or a handy drive. The sensing electrode is skillfully incorporated in the portable electronic device to make the measurement of body fat rate much more convenient.  
      According to the portable electronic device with fat measuring function disclosed in the above embodiments of the invention, the sensing electrode for measuring body fat rate is incorporated in a portable electronic device, hence enabling the user to conveniently measure their body fat for health management.  
      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.