CN114076645A

CN114076645A - Electronic thermometer and information processing method

Info

Publication number: CN114076645A
Application number: CN202110871269.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 香川和明; 园田有纪; 德永裕香
Original assignee: Terumo Corp
Current assignee: Terumo Corp
Priority date: 2020-08-14
Filing date: 2021-07-30
Publication date: 2022-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2041-07-30
Also published as: JP7446942B2; JP2022032845A; CN114076645B

Abstract

The electronic thermometer and the information processing method provided by the invention can present more accurate temperature measurement results to a measured person and the like. The electronic thermometer is provided with: a temperature measuring section; a control unit that performs a process of measuring the temperature of the measurement subject based on the temperature detected by the temperature measurement unit; and a display unit that displays information based on control performed by the control unit, wherein the control unit does not cause the display unit to display temperature information until measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed, and causes the display unit to display information on the body temperature of the measurement subject when measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed.

Description

Electronic thermometer and information processing method

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic thermometer and an information processing method.

Background

Conventionally, an electronic thermometer for measuring a body temperature of a subject is known (for example, see patent document 1).

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2012-181213

The subject usually takes a temperature measurement with the electronic thermometer held in the armpit. In a conventional electronic thermometer, temperature information detected by the electronic thermometer is displayed on a display unit provided in the electronic thermometer during a temperature measurement. At this time, the subject who is measuring the temperature may be concerned about the measured temperature or the progress of the temperature measurement, and may observe the display of the display portion of the electronic thermometer while holding the electronic thermometer in the armpit during the temperature measurement.

However, the contact state of the electronic thermometer with the body of the subject may change due to the gaze display. When the contact state of the electronic thermometer with the body changes in this way, the measurement accuracy of the body temperature of the subject may be degraded.

In addition, when the subject observes the temperature displayed on the display unit and hardly changes the displayed temperature, for example, the subject may stop the measurement by his own judgment even though the measurement by the electronic thermometer is not completed. In this case, the measurement subject or the like cannot obtain the final accurate measurement result because the measurement subject does not measure the temperature.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic thermometer and an information processing method that can present a more accurate temperature measurement result to a subject or the like.

An electronic thermometer according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a temperature measuring section; a control unit that performs a process of measuring the temperature of the measurement subject based on the temperature detected by the temperature measurement unit; and a display unit that displays information based on control performed by the control unit, wherein the control unit does not cause the display unit to display temperature information until measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed, and causes the display unit to display information on the body temperature of the measurement subject when measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed.

As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit causes the display unit to display information on the body temperature of the measurement subject when it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature measurement unit has decreased after the measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed.

As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit causes the display unit to display information on the body temperature of the measurement subject when the measurement of the measurement subject is completed.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating a progress status of temperature measurement from the start of temperature measurement of the measurement subject to the end of the temperature measurement of the measurement subject.

As one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information indicating the progress of the temperature measurement is displayed in such a manner that a display field in which the information indicating the progress of the temperature measurement is displayed on the display unit monotonically increases or monotonically decreases.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display unit includes a 7-segment display, and the control unit displays information indicating a progress status of the temperature measurement by monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing the number of segments lit on the display unit.

An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method executed by an electronic thermometer including a display unit for displaying information, the method including: a step of measuring the temperature of the subject without displaying temperature information; and displaying information on the body temperature of the measurement subject on the display unit when the measurement of the measurement subject is completed.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electronic thermometer and an information processing method that can present a more accurate temperature measurement result to a subject or the like.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic thermometer according to an embodiment, as viewed from a side opposite to a display portion.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the electronic thermometer illustrated in fig. 1 as viewed from the display unit side.

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic structure of the electronic thermometer illustrated in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the temperature measurement process executed by the control unit in fig. 3.

Fig. 6A is a diagram showing an example of information display showing the predicted progress of temperature measurement on the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 6B is a diagram showing an example of information display indicating the predicted progress of temperature measurement on the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 6C is a diagram showing an example of information display showing the predicted progress of temperature measurement on the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of display of error information in the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of display of the predicted temperature measurement result on the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 9A is a diagram showing an example of information display showing the progress of measured temperature measurement on the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 9B is a diagram showing an example of information display showing the progress of measured temperature measurement on the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 9C is a diagram showing an example of information display showing the progress of measured temperature measurement on the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of display of measured temperature measurement results on the display unit of fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a display mode of information indicating the progress of temperature measurement.

Description of reference numerals: 1: an electronic thermometer; 2: a main body case; 3: a tail housing; 4: an end cap; 6: a display window; 7: a measurement section; 8: an internal construction; 11: a control unit; 12: a storage unit; 13: a temperature measuring section; 14: a motion sensor; 15: a reporting section; 16: a display unit; 20: a 7-segment display; 20 a: a first 7-segment display; 20 b: a second 7-segment display; 20 c: a third 7-segment display; 21: marking the battery; 22: a predictive flag; 23: marking at the temperature; 24a, 24b, 24 c: a segment; 30: a progress status display bar; 31: and (4) a region.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the electronic thermometer and the information processing method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the common components.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, an electronic thermometer 1 according to one embodiment includes a main body case 2, a tail case 3, an end cap 4, and an internal structure 8. The main body case 2, the tail case 3, and the end cap 4 are collectively referred to as a case. The housing houses an internal structure 8.

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the electronic thermometer 1 illustrated in fig. 1, and shows functional blocks included in the internal structure 8. As shown in fig. 3, the electronic thermometer 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a temperature measurement unit 13, a motion sensor 14, a notification unit 15, and a display unit 16. Power is supplied to each functional block provided in the electronic thermometer 1 from a battery, not shown, provided in the case.

In the present specification, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the long axis direction of the electronic thermometer 1 is referred to as the Z axis direction. The positive direction of the Z axis is the front end direction of the electronic thermometer 1 (i.e., the direction toward the end cap 4), and the negative direction of the Z axis is the direction toward the rear case 3. In the present specification, the thickness direction of the electronic thermometer 1 is defined as the Y-axis direction. The positive direction of the Y axis is a direction having a display area 6 described later. In the present specification, a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) and the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the electronic thermometer 1 is referred to as an X-axis direction. The X-axis direction is the width direction of the main body case 2.

The main body casing 2 may be made of a thermoplastic resin having impact resistance, such as a butylene-styrene resin. The tail housing 3 may be made of an impact-resistant thermoplastic resin such as a high impact-resistant styrene resin. The main body case 2 has an opening portion on the side opposite to the end cap 4, and is closed by the tail case 3. The tail housing 3 is attached to the main body housing 2 by ultrasonic welding, an adhesive, or the like. The tail housing 3 may be attached to the main body housing 2 by a fastening member. In this case, the fastening member may be a screw member such as a bolt or a screw. But the main body case 2 is not limited to this structure. For example, the main body casing 2 may be divided into two parts in the Z direction (i.e., a display area 6 side and a bottom surface side opposite to the display area 6 side, which will be described later), and the parts may be welded to each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the tail housing 3 is molded at the same time when the main body housing 2 is formed.

The end cap 4 protects the temperature measuring unit 13 disposed inside the end cap 4. One end of the electronic thermometer 1 on the end cap 4 side is referred to as a measurement portion 7. The temperature measuring unit 13 detects the temperature of the end cap 4. The end cap 4 is configured to be covered with a metal member such as stainless steel, for example, in order to facilitate conduction of the body temperature of the measurement subject to the temperature measurement unit 13. The end cap 4 is a member that comes into contact with the armpit of the subject when the subject measures the body temperature by holding the electronic thermometer 1 therebetween.

The main body casing 2 has a display area 6, and the display area 6 is used for viewing a display portion 16 included in the internal structure 8 from outside the casing. The display region 6 may be made of a thermoplastic resin that transmits light at a predetermined transmittance. The predetermined transmittance can be determined as appropriate so that the display unit 16 can be seen from the outside of the case. The display area 6 may be formed in two colors with the main body casing 2 in such a manner as to have a high liquid-tightness. The display area 6 may be formed separately from the main body casing 2 and attached to the main body casing 2 by bonding, welding, or the like.

The electronic thermometer 1 measures the temperature of the subject based on the temperature detected by the temperature measuring unit 13. Specifically, the electronic thermometer 1 calculates the body temperature of the subject based on the temperature detected by the temperature measuring unit 13. When the calculation of the body temperature of the subject is completed, the electronic thermometer 1 reports the completion of the calculation of the body temperature to the subject or the like by the reporting unit 15. The electronic thermometer 1 displays the calculation result of the body temperature (i.e., the result of the temperature measurement) on the display unit 16.

In the present specification, the measurement subject is a subject to be measured for the body temperature using the electronic thermometer 1, and the measurement subject and the like include a subject who assists the measurement subject in measuring the body temperature, in addition to the measurement subject. For example, the measurement subject includes family members, medical staff, and the like of the measurement subject.

Referring again to fig. 3, the control unit 11 controls and manages the whole electronic thermometer 1, including the functional units of the electronic thermometer 1. The control unit 11 includes at least one processor. The control Unit 11 is configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program defining a control procedure, or a dedicated processor dedicated to Processing of each function. Such a program is stored in the storage unit 12 or a storage medium external to the electronic thermometer 1.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 performs a process of measuring the temperature of the subject based on the movement of the electronic thermometer 1 detected by the movement sensor 14 and the temperature detected by the temperature measuring unit 13. The temperature measurement of the subject is to measure the body temperature of the subject. The details of the temperature measurement process performed by the control unit 11 will be described later.

The storage unit 12 may be formed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or the like. The storage unit 12 stores various information, programs for operating the electronic thermometer 1, and the like, for example. The storage unit 12 may also function as a work memory.

The temperature measuring unit 13 detects the temperature of the end cap 4. The temperature measuring unit 13 includes a temperature sensor for detecting temperature. The temperature measuring unit 13 may have the same configuration as that of a known electronic thermometer. The temperature measuring unit 13 is configured to be able to output information of the detected temperature to the control unit 11.

The motion sensor 14 detects the motion (movement) of the housing of the electronic thermometer 1. The motion sensor 14 may be any sensor capable of detecting the motion of the electronic thermometer 1. For example, the motion sensor 14 may be constituted by an acceleration sensor capable of detecting the acceleration of the electronic thermometer 1. Alternatively, the motion sensor 14 may be constituted by, for example, an angular velocity sensor capable of detecting the angular velocity of the electronic thermometer 1. The motion sensor 14 may be configured to include both an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor. The acceleration sensor or the angular velocity sensor may have any number of detection axes from 1 axis to 3 axes. However, if the number of axes is 3, the movement of the electronic thermometer 1 can be detected more accurately. In the present embodiment, the motion sensor 14 is a 3-axis acceleration sensor, and the following description is given.

The motion sensor 14 detects the motion of the electronic thermometer 1 regardless of whether the power of the electronic thermometer 1 is on or off. The motion sensor 14 is configured to be able to output information of the detected motion to the control unit 11.

The reporting unit 15 reports information to the measurement subject or the like. The reporting unit 15 can report information by sound, vibration, image, or the like. The reporting unit 15 may be configured to include a speaker, for example, and report information by voice. The reporting unit 15 may be configured to include an oscillator, for example, and report information by vibration. The display unit 16 may function as the notification unit 15 and may notify information by displaying an image or emitting light. The reporting unit 15 reports, for example, the current state of the electronic thermometer 1, the result of temperature measurement, and the like. The state of the electronic thermometer 1 indicates the state of the electronic thermometer 1 during the process of measuring temperature, and includes, for example, power-off, waiting for measuring temperature (standby state), in-process measuring temperature, and end of measuring temperature. The power-off state is a state in which the power of the electronic thermometer 1 is not turned on. The standby state (i.e., the state in which temperature measurement is waiting) is a state in which the power of the electronic thermometer 1 is turned on and temperature measurement of the subject can be started. The temperature measurement is performed by the measurement subject. The end of temperature measurement is a state in which the measurement of the subject is completed, and for example, a state in which the result of temperature measurement is displayed.

The display unit 16 displays various information based on the control performed by the control unit 11. The display unit 16 includes a display device capable of displaying information. The display device may be a device which performs display by absorbing or reflecting external light, or may be a device which is self-luminous. The Display device can be, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic EL Display (OELD), an Inorganic EL Display (IELD), or the like.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the display unit 16. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 4 as an example, the display unit 16 includes a 7-segment display. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the display unit 16 includes three 7-

segment displays

20a, 20b, and 20 c.

The first 7-segment display 20a displays the second value of the body temperature of the subject when displaying the result of the temperature measurement. The second 7-segment display 20b displays the first value of the body temperature of the subject when displaying the result of temperature measurement. The third 7-stage display 20c displays the value of the 1 st digit after the decimal point of the body temperature of the subject when displaying the temperature measurement result. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the first 7-segment display 20a, the second 7-segment display 20b, and the third 7-segment display 20c are collectively referred to as "7-segment display 20" without distinguishing them.

A battery mark 21 indicating the state of the battery of the electronic thermometer 1 is displayed on the display unit 16. The battery mark 21 can display the remaining amount of the battery of the electronic thermometer 1, whether the battery is being charged, whether the charging is completed, and other battery states by lighting, turning off, blinking, and the like.

The display unit 16 displays a prediction mark 22 indicating whether or not the temperature measurement result displayed on the 7-stage display 20 is the predicted temperature measurement result. Specifically, for example, when the temperature measurement result displayed on the 7-segment display 20 is the predicted temperature measurement result, the prediction flag 22 is turned on. On the other hand, when the temperature measurement result displayed on the 7-segment display 20 is the actually measured temperature measurement result, the prediction mark 22 is turned off without being turned on. Therefore, the measurement subject or the like can know whether the displayed temperature measurement result is the predicted temperature measurement result or the actually measured temperature measurement result, based on whether the prediction flag 22 is on or off.

The predicted temperature measurement is a temperature measurement method for calculating a predicted value of the body temperature of the measurement subject from a predetermined calculation formula based on the rate of change, and the like of the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit 13 for a certain period of time (for example, several tens of seconds) from the start of the temperature measurement. In the predicted temperature measurement, a predicted value calculated from a temperature change measured for a period of several seconds to 30 seconds, for example, becomes a predicted temperature measurement result. The measured temperature measurement is a temperature measurement method in which the temperature at which the measurement site of the measurement subject and the temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit 13 (measurement unit 7) are in equilibrium is set as the body temperature of the measurement subject, or the maximum temperature observed during a predetermined time after the predetermined time has elapsed since the predicted temperature measurement is completed is set as the body temperature of the measurement subject. The measured temperature measurement result requires a measurement time, for example, about 4 to 10 minutes, compared with the predicted temperature measurement.

Further, a temperature mark 23 indicating a unit of the temperature measurement result displayed on the 7-stage display 20 is displayed on the display unit 16.

Next, the details of the temperature measurement process performed by the control unit 11 of the electronic thermometer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the temperature measurement process executed by the control unit 11. At the start time of fig. 5, the power supply of the electronic thermometer 1 is turned off.

First, the subject or the like performs a predetermined input operation on an operation button, not shown, of the electronic thermometer 1 in order to put the electronic thermometer 1 into the on state. When detecting a predetermined input operation, the control unit 11 turns on the power of the electronic thermometer 1 (step S1). Thereby, the electronic thermometer 1 is in a state of waiting for temperature measurement.

Specifically, the electronic thermometer 1 includes an operation button for receiving an input operation by the subject or the like, and the control unit 11 turns on the power of the electronic thermometer 1 when a predetermined operation input to the operation button is detected. When the power of the electronic thermometer 1 is turned on or when the electronic thermometer 1 is in a state of waiting for measurement of temperature, the control unit 11 may turn on the display of the display unit 16. That is, at this time, the control unit 11 may turn on the display unit 16. At this time, the display shown in fig. 4, for example, is output on the display unit 16. The control unit 11 may set the power supply to the on state by another method. For example, the power of the electronic thermometer 1 may be turned on by providing a reed switch, a non-contact switch, or the like without providing an operation button in the electronic thermometer 1. In addition, the control unit 11 can turn on the power of the electronic thermometer 1 by other known methods.

When the electronic thermometer 1 is in a state of waiting for temperature measurement, temperature measurement is started when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined conditions for starting the temperature measurement and the method of measuring the temperature may be the same as those of the conventionally known electronic thermometer 1.

For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a temperature increase of the end cap 4 is detected (step S2). Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the temperature obtained by the temperature measuring unit 13 has increased. The control unit 11 can determine that a temperature increase is detected, for example, when the temperature obtained by the temperature measuring unit 13 increases by a predetermined temperature or more.

If it is determined that the temperature increase of the end cap 4 is not detected (no at step S2), the controller 11 repeats step S2 until it is determined that the temperature increase of the end cap 4 is detected. In step S2, the control unit 11 may turn off the power of the electronic thermometer 1 when the temperature rise is not detected for a certain period of time (for example, 1 minute). This is because, when the temperature rise is not detected for a certain period of time, it is considered that the measurement subject or the like has not measured the temperature.

When determining that the temperature increase in measuring unit 7 is detected in step S2 (yes in step S2), control unit 11 starts the predicted temperature measurement (step S3). This is because, when the temperature obtained by the temperature measuring unit 13 increases, it is estimated that the subject starts measuring the temperature by holding the electronic thermometer 1 under the armpit. When the temperature measurement is started in step S3, the electronic thermometer 1 is in the temperature measurement state.

The control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display information indicating the progress of temperature measurement after the start of temperature measurement of the measurement subject and before the end of the temperature measurement of the measurement subject. Specifically, when the predicted temperature measurement is started in step S3, the control unit 11 displays information indicating the progress of the predicted temperature measurement on the display unit 16 (step S4). As will be described in detail later, until the control unit 11 determines that the predicted temperature measurement is completed in step S5, information indicating the progress of the predicted temperature measurement is displayed on the display unit 16.

Here, a specific example of the information showing the progress of temperature measurement displayed on the display unit 16 will be described. The information indicating the progress of temperature measurement can be displayed in the display unit 16 in such a manner that the display field indicating the progress of temperature measurement is monotonously increased or monotonously decreased. Monotonically increasing means that the display field does not change or increase with the passage of time. Monotonically decreasing means that the display field does not change or decreases with the passage of time. For example, the display unit 16 can display the length of the entire display field and the number of bars so as to be monotonously increased or monotonously decreased, based on the ratio of the elapsed time from the start of measurement or the remaining time until the end of measurement to the entire time required for temperature measurement.

As in the present embodiment, when the display unit 16 includes the 7-segment display 20, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display information indicating the progress of temperature measurement by monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing the number of segments that are lit or blinking. For example, the control unit 11 can display information indicating the progress of temperature measurement using the

central segments

24a, 24b, and 24c of the three 7-

segment displays

20a, 20b, and 20 c.

Fig. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing an example of information display showing the predicted progress of temperature measurement on the display unit 16. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 indicates the predicted progress of temperature measurement by monotonically increasing the

central segments

24a, 24b, and 24c that are lit or blinking, as a display field for displaying information indicating the progress of temperature measurement.

Specifically, when the predicted temperature measurement is started in step S3, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to light up or blink the segment 24a at the center of the first 7-segment display 20a, as shown as an example in fig. 6A. By lighting or blinking the central segment 24a, the subject or the like can recognize that temperature measurement has started. In the present embodiment, when displaying information indicating the progress of temperature measurement, the control unit 11 blinks the center segment 24 a. When displaying information indicating the predicted progress of temperature measurement, the control unit 11 turns on the prediction mark 22. By lighting the prediction mark 22, the measurement subject or the like can recognize the temperature measurement being predicted. Further, the control unit 11 turns on the temperature mark 23.

When the predicted temperature measurement is started in step S3 and the display unit 16 displays that the center segment 24a is blinking as shown in fig. 6A, the control unit 11 predicts the predicted time required for temperature measurement. The prediction of the predicted time required for temperature measurement is the time taken from the start to the end of the predicted temperature measurement, and may be calculated based on, for example, the rate of change, the speed of change, and the like of the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit 13 after the start of the predicted temperature measurement. The control unit 11 divides the calculated predicted time required for temperature measurement into three segments as time passes. That is, the control unit 11 divides the calculated predicted time required for temperature measurement into a first time zone, a second time zone, and a third time zone. The first time period, the second time period and the third time period are sequentially continuous in time. That is, the second time period starts at the end of the first time period, and the third time period starts at the end of the second time period. The control unit 11 preferably divides the calculated predicted time required for temperature measurement into the first time zone, the second time zone, and the third time zone by 3 minutes, but 3 minutes may not be necessary. In addition, the first period of time may begin when the predicted thermometry is started in step S3. That is, the control unit 11 may display the time required to calculate the predicted temperature measurement so that the central segment 24a is blinked on the display unit 16 as shown in fig. 6A, and the time required to calculate the predicted temperature measurement is also included in the first time segment.

As shown in fig. 6A, the control unit 11 blinks the center segment 24a during the first period. At this time, the second 7-segment display 20b and the third 7-segment display 20c are turned off.

When the first time zone ends and the second time zone starts, the control unit 11 lights or blinks the center segment 24B of the second 7-segment display 20B in addition to the center segment 24a of the first 7-segment display 20a, as shown in fig. 6B. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 blinks the center segment 24 b.

When the second time zone ends and the third time zone starts, the control unit 11 lights or blinks the center segment 24C of the third 7-segment display 20C in addition to the center segment 24a of the first 7-segment display 20a and the center segment 24b of the second 7-segment display 20b, as shown in fig. 6C. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 blinks the center segment 24 c.

In this way, the control unit 11 can indicate the predicted progress of temperature measurement by increasing the number of blinking segments as time passes, i.e., as the time passes from the first time segment to the third time segment. The examinee or the like can recognize the predicted progress of thermometry by seeing the blinking segment.

Further, the control unit 11 may calculate the predicted time required for temperature measurement again as appropriate during the predicted temperature measurement. When the predicted time required for temperature measurement is recalculated and the predicted time required for temperature measurement changes from the first calculated time, the lengths of the first time zone, the second time zone, and the third time zone may be changed as appropriate.

Referring again to fig. 5, the control unit 11 determines whether the predicted temperature measurement is completed (step S5). The control unit 11 can determine that the temperature measurement is completed when the prediction of the body temperature of the measurement subject is established. The case where the prediction of the body temperature of the measurement subject is established is: it is determined that the body temperature of the subject has been predicted with an accuracy equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and specifically, a conventionally known method of predicting temperature measurement can be used.

If it is determined that the predicted temperature measurement has not been completed (no in step S5), the controller 11 proceeds to step S4. In step S5, the control unit 11 continues to display information indicating the progress of the predicted temperature measurement by the above-described method until it is determined that the predicted temperature measurement is completed.

When determining that the predicted temperature measurement is completed (yes at step S5), the control unit 11 completes the predicted temperature measurement and reports the completion of the predicted temperature measurement to the reporting unit 15 (step S6). When the predicted temperature measurement is completed, the control unit 11 may end the display of the information indicating the progress of the predicted temperature measurement and display the information indicating the predicted end of the temperature measurement. The information indicating the predicted end of temperature measurement can be displayed in an arbitrary manner recognizable by the subject or the like, and for example, the information indicating the progress of the predicted temperature measurement can be displayed by lighting the

segments

24a, 24b, and 24c at the center of the blinking state.

In addition, the control unit 11 may determine whether or not an error is detected during temperature measurement. The error is a state in which the temperature measurement cannot be appropriately performed. Specifically, the error may be, for example, a temperature drop of the end cover 4. In this case, the control unit 11 determines that an error is detected. This is because, when the temperature drops, it is estimated that the subject does not properly hold the electronic thermometer 1 in the armpit and cannot properly measure the temperature.

When it is determined that an error is detected during temperature measurement, the control unit 11 may terminate (suspend) the temperature measurement and report the detection of the error by the reporting unit 15. At this time, the control unit 11 may display information (error information) indicating that the temperature measurement cannot be appropriately performed on the display unit 16. For example, as shown as an example in fig. 7, the control section 11 may display error information by displaying a character of the letter E on the first 7-segment display 20 a.

When the predicted temperature measurement is appropriately ended and the report is made in step S6, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the subject has taken the electronic thermometer 1 out of the armpit. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature measuring unit 13 has decreased (step S7).

When determining that the temperature detected by the temperature measuring unit 13 is decreased (yes at step S7), the control unit 11 can determine that the subject has taken the electronic thermometer 1 out of the armpit. This is because it is estimated that the subject is not properly positioned under the armpit when the temperature is lowered. In this case, the control unit 11 displays the predicted temperature measurement result on the display unit 16 (step S8). For example, as shown in fig. 8, the control unit 11 numerically indicates the body temperature of the subject as the result of the predicted temperature measurement, and turns on the prediction mark 22. This enables the measurement subject or the like to recognize the temperature measurement result and the temperature measurement result is a predicted value.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature measuring unit 13 has not decreased (no in step S7), the control unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the predicted end of temperature measurement (step S9). The fixed time is a time until the measured temperature measurement is started, and can be set as appropriate. The predetermined time may be, for example, 4 minutes.

If the control unit 11 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the predicted end of temperature measurement (no in step S9), the process proceeds to step S7.

When determining that a predetermined time has elapsed since the predicted temperature measurement (yes at step S9), the control unit 11 starts the actually measured temperature measurement (step S10).

Similarly to the case of performing the predicted temperature measurement, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display information indicating the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement from the start of the actually measured temperature measurement to the end of the actually measured temperature measurement. That is, when the actually measured temperature measurement is started in step S10, the control unit 11 displays information indicating the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement on the display unit 16 (step S11). As will be described in detail later, the control unit 11 displays information indicating the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement on the display unit 16 before determining that the temperature measurement time has continued for the predetermined time in step S12.

The information indicating the actually measured progress of temperature measurement may be displayed in the same manner as the information indicating the predicted progress of temperature measurement. For example, the information indicating the progress of the measured temperature measurement may be displayed on the display unit 16 in a monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing manner in a display field indicating the progress of the temperature measurement. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 may display information indicating the progress of temperature measurement by monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing the number of segments that are lit or blinking on the display unit 16. Specifically, the number of segment display units can be increased or decreased in the direction from the end cap 4 of the electronic thermometer 1 toward the tail housing 3, or the segment display units can be increased or decreased in the vertical direction of the display area 6 of the electronic thermometer 1.

Fig. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing an example of information display showing the progress of measured temperature measurement on the display unit 16. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 displays the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement by monotonically increasing the number of the segment display units, that is, by increasing the number of the

segments

24a, 24b, and 24c at the center of lighting or blinking, as a display field for displaying information indicating the progress of the temperature measurement. It is preferable that the number of segment displays increases in a direction from the end cap 4 of the electronic thermometer 1 toward the rear case 3.

Specifically, when the measured temperature measurement is started in step S10, the control unit 11 lights or blinks the segment 24a at the center of the first 7-segment display 20a on the display unit 16, as shown as an example in fig. 9A. The central segment 24a is lit or blinked, whereby the subject or the like can recognize that temperature measurement has started. In the present embodiment, when displaying information indicating the progress of temperature measurement, the control unit 11 blinks the center segment 24 a. When displaying information indicating the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement, the control unit 11 turns off the prediction flag 22. By turning off the prediction mark 22, the measurement subject or the like can recognize that the temperature measurement is actually performed. Further, the control unit 11 turns on the temperature mark 23.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 divides the time from the start of the actually measured temperature measurement to the end of the actually measured temperature measurement in step S10 into the first time zone, the second time zone, and the third time zone, as in the case described above with respect to the display of the information indicating the predicted progress of the temperature measurement. The control unit may calculate a time from the start of the actually measured temperature measurement to the end of the actually measured temperature measurement by prediction. Alternatively, in the actual measurement, the time from the start of the actual measurement to the end of the actual measurement may be determined in advance.

As shown in fig. 9A, the control unit 11 blinks the center segment 24a during the first period. At this time, the second 7-segment display 20b and the third 7-segment display 20c are turned off.

When the first time zone ends and the second time zone starts, the control unit 11 lights or blinks the center segment 24B of the second 7-segment display 20B in addition to the center segment 24a of the first 7-segment display 20a, as shown in fig. 9B. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 blinks the center segment 24 b.

When the second time zone ends and the third time zone starts, the control unit 11 lights or blinks the center segment 24C of the third 7-segment display 20C in addition to the center segment 24a of the first 7-segment display 20a and the center segment 24b of the second 7-segment display 20b, as shown in fig. 9C. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 blinks the center segment 24 c.

In this way, the control unit 11 can indicate the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement by increasing the number of blinking segments as time passes, i.e., as the time passes from the first time segment to the third time segment. The examinee or the like can recognize the progress of the actually measured thermometry by seeing the blinking segment.

Referring again to fig. 5, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the measured temperature measurement time has continued for a predetermined time (step S12). At this time, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 4 minutes to 10 minutes) has elapsed from the start of temperature measurement, for example. Alternatively, when it is determined that the temperature obtained from the temperature measuring unit 13 has not changed for a certain period of time and has reached equilibrium, in addition to the lapse of the predetermined time from the start of temperature measurement, it is determined that the actually measured temperature measurement time has continued for the predetermined time.

If it is determined that the temperature measurement time has not elapsed within the predetermined time (no in step S12), the controller 11 proceeds to step S11. In step S12, the control unit 11 continues to display information indicating the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement by the above-described method until it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the temperature measurement.

When determining that the temperature measurement time has continued for the predetermined time (yes at step S12), the control unit 11 reports that the measured temperature measurement is completed by the reporting unit 15 (step S13). When the actually measured temperature measurement is completed, the control unit 11 may end the display of the information indicating the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement and display the information indicating the completion of the actually measured temperature measurement. The information indicating the end of the actually measured temperature measurement can be displayed in an arbitrary form that can be recognized by the subject or the like, and for example, the information indicating the progress of the actually measured temperature measurement can be displayed by lighting up the

central segments

24a, 24b, and 24c in a blinking state.

In addition, the control unit 11 may determine whether or not an error is detected in the actually measured temperature measurement, as in the case described in the predicted temperature measurement. When it is determined that an error is detected during the actually measured temperature measurement, the control unit 11 may terminate (suspend) the temperature measurement and report the detected error from the reporting unit 15. At this time, the control unit 11 may display information (error information) indicating that the temperature measurement cannot be appropriately performed on the display unit 16. For example, as shown as an example in fig. 7, the control section 11 may display error information by displaying a character of the letter E on the first 7-segment display 20 a.

When the report is made in step S13, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the subject has removed the electronic thermometer 1 from the armpit. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature measuring unit 13 has decreased (step S14).

If it is determined that the temperature detected by temperature measuring unit 13 is not decreased (no at step S14), controller 11 repeats step S14 until it is determined that the temperature detected by temperature measuring unit 13 is decreased.

When determining that the temperature detected by the temperature measuring unit 13 is low (yes at step S14), the control unit 11 can determine that the subject has taken the electronic thermometer 1 out of the armpit. This is because it is estimated that the subject is not properly positioned under the armpit when the temperature is lowered. In this case, the control unit 11 displays the measured temperature measurement result on the display unit 16 (step S15). For example, as shown in fig. 10, the control unit 11 numerically represents the body temperature of the subject as a result of the measured temperature measurement. At this time, control unit 11 turns off prediction flag 22. This enables the measurement subject or the like to recognize the measurement result and the measurement result is an actual measurement value. The control unit 11 may use the obtained equilibrium temperature as a result of the temperature measurement. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may set the maximum temperature of the temperature observed by the control unit 11 within a predetermined time as the result of temperature measurement. In step S15, the measured temperature measurement result may be displayed on the display unit 16 and reported from the reporting unit 15.

As described above, according to the electronic thermometer 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 11 does not cause the display unit 16 to display the temperature information until the measurement of the subject is completed, and causes the display unit 16 to display the information on the body temperature of the subject when the measurement of the subject is completed. Therefore, for example, since the information on the temperature of the subject is not displayed during the measurement, only the final measurement result measured by the electronic thermometer 1 can be displayed. This can present a more accurate temperature measurement result to the measurement subject or the like.

In the electronic thermometer 1 according to the present embodiment, when the temperature measured by the measurement subject is determined to be decreased by the temperature measuring unit 13 after the measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display the information on the body temperature of the measurement subject. Therefore, the control unit 11 does not display the temperature information when the measurement of the subject is not completed, and does not display the information of the body temperature of the subject when it is not determined that the temperature detected by the temperature measurement unit 13 is decreased even when the measurement of the subject is completed. Thus, when the measurement of the temperature is completed and the subject takes out the electronic thermometer 1 from the armpit, the subject or the like can confirm the body temperature. Therefore, the measurement subject or the like can be prompted to perform appropriate temperature measurement reliably before the end of temperature measurement, and the body temperature can be displayed at an appropriate timing when the measurement subject or the like wants to confirm the body temperature.

In addition, according to the electronic thermometer 1 of the present embodiment, information indicating the progress of temperature measurement is displayed on the display unit 16 from the start of temperature measurement of the subject to the end of temperature measurement of the subject. This makes it possible to notify the measurement subject or the like of the criterion until the measurement is completed.

In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the control unit 11 displays the information of the body temperature of the measurement subject on the display unit 16 when determining that the temperature detected by the temperature measurement unit 13 is decreased after the measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed. However, the timing at which the display unit 16 displays the body temperature information of the measurement subject is not limited to this. The control unit 11 may display information on the body temperature of the measurement subject on the display unit 16 at an arbitrary timing after the measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed. The control unit 11 may display information on the body temperature of the subject on the display unit 16 when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the measurement of the temperature of the subject is completed. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may display the information on the body temperature of the subject on the display unit 16 when the measurement of the subject is completed. In this case, even after the measurement of the temperature is completed, the measurement subject or the like can immediately know the result of the temperature measurement without taking out the electronic thermometer 1 from the armpit.

In the above embodiment, the display unit 16 includes the 7-segment display 20. However, the display unit 16 does not necessarily have to include the 7-segment display 20. The display unit 16 may include another display. For example, the display unit 16 may include a dot matrix display.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the display unit 16 includes the 7-segment display 20, and the information indicating the progress of the temperature measurement is displayed by monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing the number of segments lit on the display unit 16. However, the display mode of the information indicating the progress of temperature measurement by the display unit 16 is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in fig. 11, the progress status display bar 30 may be displayed on the display unit 16, and the progress status of temperature measurement may be indicated by monotonously increasing or monotonously decreasing the black area 31 in the progress status display bar 30. Alternatively, for example, the progress of temperature measurement may be indicated on the display unit 16 using a numerical value. The direction of the monotonic increase or monotonic decrease may be a direction along the long axis of the electronic thermometer 1.

The electronic thermometer 1 of the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration defined in the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims. For example, each of the components can be rearranged so that functions and the like included in each step are not logically contradictory, and a plurality of components, steps, and the like can be combined into one or divided. In the present specification, the structure in which the subject measures the body temperature by holding the electronic thermometer 1 under the armpit has been described, but the electronic thermometer of the present disclosure may be configured as an electronic thermometer that measures the temperature in the oral cavity or the rectal cavity of the subject.

Industrial applicability of the invention

The present invention relates to an electronic thermometer and an information processing method.

Claims

1. An electronic thermometer is characterized by comprising:

a temperature measuring section;

a control unit that performs a process of measuring the temperature of the measurement subject based on the temperature detected by the temperature measurement unit; and

a display unit that displays information based on control performed by the control unit,

the control unit does not cause the display unit to display temperature information until the measurement of the measurement subject is completed, and causes the display unit to display information on the body temperature of the measurement subject when the measurement of the measurement subject is completed.

2. The electronic thermometer of claim 1,

the control unit causes the display unit to display information on the body temperature of the measurement subject when it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature measurement unit has decreased after the measurement of the temperature of the measurement subject is completed.

3. The electronic thermometer of claim 1,

the control unit causes the display unit to display information on the body temperature of the measurement subject when the measurement of the measurement subject is completed.

4. The electronic thermometer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating a progress of temperature measurement from the start of temperature measurement of the subject to the end of the temperature measurement of the subject.

5. The electronic thermometer according to claim 4,

the information indicating the progress of the temperature measurement is displayed in a monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing display field in which the information indicating the progress of the temperature measurement is displayed on the display unit.

6. Electronic thermometer according to claim 4 or 5,

the display part is composed of a 7-segment display,

the control unit displays information indicating the progress of the temperature measurement by monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing the number of lit segments on the display unit.

7. An information processing method executed by an electronic thermometer having a display unit for displaying information, comprising the steps of:

a step of measuring the temperature of the subject without displaying temperature information; and

and displaying information on the body temperature of the measurement subject on the display unit when the measurement of the measurement subject is completed.