The C-Leg's special software uses algorithms that are based on thousands of gait cycles, Ms. Lundquist said.
By analyzing the leg profile, the software automatically indicates some anatomic landmarks, such as the smallest circumference at the ankle level (B-measure), the largest circumference of the lower leg (C-measure), the calf circumference right below the knee bend (D-measure) or the mid-thigh circumference (F-measure).
For the analysis of front outlines, we also considered the angles of arms and legs (measured using imageJ software) as covariates so that variation in body shape caused by posture differences did not impede analysis.
Fat mass of whole body, trunk (including thorax, abdomen and pelvis) and leg (sum of left leg and right leg) regions were analyzed with software provided by the manufacturer.
As usual, iPhone users have a leg up, because mobile software developers have built far more useful apps for the platform than for, say, Android or BlackBerry.
"'If they get into the boxes, they have a huge leg up in selling software to cable networks and television production houses that want to optimize how their programming appears on that set-top box system," says Arlen. "There's no question that this opportunity would mean tens of billions of dollars over the years".
It's a decided leg up for the software giant that has struggled to make a lasting imprint on the mobile space, and for Lenovo, which has made a name for itself with business-focused lines like the ThinkPad, it means a strong push in the world of work-oriented smartphones.
The resistance to this current was measured at a contact placed on the opposite leg, and the proprietary software then estimates total body water, FFM, FM, and %BF.
However, since the utilization of the Perometer® device is very easy and straight forward with an automatically calculated leg volume by a software program, interobserver variability is likely to be remote.
OS X was likely seen as a good test bed to see if this approach to software development had legs, before it was trialled with the much larger group that makes up the global iOS user community.
