JP2008170264A - Measuring instrument and measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a measuring instrument and a measuring method wherein the measuring instrument is operated by a user alone even if both his/her hands are occupied. <P>SOLUTION: This measuring instrument for measuring the physical properties of a measuring object is equipped with a body, a probe for notifying a signal representing the physical properties of the measuring object to the body while being supported by both the hands of the user in measurement, and a foot switch for inputting a signal into the body according to an operation of the user. The foot switch is provided with a ball operation part formed into a ball shape and rotatable. The foot switch transmits, to the body, a signal corresponding to the rotation of the operation part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus and a measuring method, and more particularly, to a measuring apparatus and a measuring method in which a user's hands may be blocked during measurement.

  2. Description of the Related Art Measuring apparatuses that measure physical properties of an object to be measured are known. Some measuring devices block the user's hands during measurement.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of such a measuring apparatus using an oscilloscope as an example. As shown in FIG. 1, this measuring apparatus has a main body (oscilloscope) 101 and two probes 103 and 104. The main body 101 is provided with a button (record button) 102 for the user to operate the main body. Reference numeral 105 is a measurement target.

  In recent years, the need for measuring a plurality of signals at the same time using an oscilloscope has increased due to the complexity of equipment. In order to measure a plurality of signals at the same time, the user holds two probes, contacts the measurement target 105, and measures the waveforms of the two measured signals. At this time, even if it is desired to record the waveform data measured at a desired timing, it is difficult to press the recording button 102 by hand because both hands of the user are blocked by the probe.

  A technique using a foot switch is known to enable operation even when both hands are blocked. As such a technique, specifically, an image measuring machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, a digital camera controller disclosed in Patent Document 2, a dental medical device disclosed in Patent Document 3, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 4, and a monitoring photographing disclosed in Patent Document 5. Apparatus, and the digital oscilloscope of Patent Document 6.

  Patent Document 7 discloses a trigger signal for a measuring instrument that is effective for saving a measuring probe by assisting a measuring instrument that has only a single trigger input or a measuring instrument that cannot be set under an OR condition. A generator is described.

  If a foot switch is used as described above, a simple process such as recording measurement data can be executed during measurement even if both hands are occupied. However, if the operation is complicated, such as moving the cursor displayed on the display screen or adjusting the trigger level, the operation cannot be performed with the stepping or not switching, that is, the on / off switch. After all, one of the hands will be used for the operation, and the measurement operation must be interrupted once.

  However, in measurement where the measurement position is important, once the probe is removed from the hand, it is difficult to perform measurement in the same state. Therefore, there is a case where the measurement work cannot be temporarily interrupted. For example, in the case of an oscilloscope, if the trigger condition is set so as to match the waveforms of two signals under measurement, it is desirable to change the setting while the probe is in contact with the object under measurement. However, changing the trigger condition setting is not as simple as being able to be operated with an on / off switch. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to attach an assistant and have the assistant perform operations such as changing the setting of the measuring machine.

JP 2000-74630 A JP 2002-223385 A JP 2005-103048 A JP-A-5-293102 JP-A-7-239500 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-230992 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-122376

  An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring apparatus and a measuring method that allow a user to operate the measuring apparatus alone even when both hands are occupied.

  [Means for Solving the Problems] will be described below using the numbers and symbols used in [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. These numbers and symbols are added in parentheses in order to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. However, these numbers and symbols should not be used for the interpretation of the technical scope of the invention described in [Claims].

  A measuring device (10) according to the present invention is a measuring device for measuring physical properties of a measurement target (5). The measuring device (10) notifies the main body (1) and signals representing the physical properties of the measurement target (5) to the main body (1), and probes (3, 4) supported by both hands of the user at the time of measurement. And a foot switch (7) for inputting a signal to the main body (1) in accordance with a user operation. The foot switch (7) is provided with a ball operation part (73) formed in a rotatable ball shape. The foot switch (7) transmits a signal corresponding to the rotation of the ball operation unit (73) to the main body (1).

  According to such a configuration, the user can give an instruction to the main body (1) by operating the ball operation unit (73) provided in the foot switch. Here, by transmitting a signal according to the rotation of the ball operation unit (73) to the main body (1), even when both hands are closed, it is possible to perform a complicated operation that is difficult to handle with the on / off switch. It becomes like.

  In the measuring device (10), the main body (1) is preferably an oscilloscope.

  Further, the measuring device (10) further controls the content displayed on the display screen (9) based on the display screen (9) and the signal transmitted in response to the rotation of the ball operation unit (73). And a display control unit (8). Here, the display control unit (8) displays a cursor on the display screen (9), and controls the operation of the cursor based on the signal transmitted according to the rotation of the ball operation unit (73). Is preferred.

  Thus, by reflecting the operation of the ball operation unit (73) on the movement of the cursor on the display screen (9), the user can visually grasp the operation being performed. Therefore, a more complicated operation can be easily performed in a state where both hands are blocked.

  Moreover, in this measuring apparatus (10), the foot switch (7) is provided with a button part (71) that can be pressed by the user, and the foot switch (7) responds to the pressing of the button part (71). Thus, it is preferable to transmit the signal to the main body (1). At this time, it is preferable that the main body (1) records the measurement result based on the signal transmitted in response to pressing of the button part (71).

  Thus, by providing the button part (71), a simple operation (such as recording of measurement data) that can be performed only by switching on and off can be easily executed.

  In the measuring device (10), the foot switch (7) is preferably provided with a slope (74), and the button part (71) is preferably attached to the slope (74). By providing the button part (71) on the slope (74), the user can step on the button part (71) in an easy posture.

  Moreover, in this measuring apparatus (10), it is preferable that a non-slip (72) is provided on the bottom surface of the foot switch (7). If the anti-slip (72) is provided, even if the user operates the foot switch (7), the position of the foot switch (7) does not shift and the operation can be performed comfortably.

  The measurement method according to the present invention includes a step of preparing the measurement device (10) as described above, a step of measuring the physical properties of the measurement target (5) by supporting the probe (3, 4) with both hands, And operating the foot switch (7) with a foot to transmit a signal to the main body (1).

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if both hands are occupied, the measuring device and measuring method which a user can operate a measuring device alone are provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of the measurement apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The measurement apparatus 10 includes a measurement apparatus main body 1, probes 3 and 4, a foot switch 7, a display control unit 8, and a display screen 9. In the present embodiment, a case where the main body 1 is an oscilloscope will be described. Moreover, in FIG. 1, the code | symbol 6 is a work desk and the code | symbol 5 is a measuring object. The measurement target 5 is, for example, a board on which electronic components are mounted, and is placed on the work desk 6.

  The main body 1 is provided with a recording button (trigger button) 2. When the recording button 2 is pressed, the main body 1 starts measurement and records the measurement data in a recording unit (not shown) such as a memory.

  The main body 1 is provided with a display screen 9 and a display control unit 8 that controls the contents displayed on the display screen 9. The display screen 9 is for displaying the measured waveform and notifying the measurer. On the display screen 9, a cursor for reading measured waveform values and the like is also displayed.

  The display control unit 8 is for controlling the contents displayed on the display screen 9. Specifically, a function of moving the cursor displayed on the display screen 9 is realized in response to an operation of a ball operation unit 73 described later. The display control unit 8 can be configured by, for example, a CPU, a memory, and an installed program.

  As described above, the measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured such that the user operation is reflected on the display screen 9 by the display control unit 8 or the ball operation unit 8, and a so-called GUI (Graphical User Interface) is provided. It can be said that it has. Note that the display control unit 8 and the display screen 8 do not necessarily have to be provided in the main body 1. If the signal from the ball operation unit 73 is also notified to the display control unit 8, the main body 1 can be used. It may be provided separately. In addition to the ball operation unit 73, an operation unit (such as a knob) for moving the cursor may be provided in the main body 1.

  The probes 3 and 4 are connected to the main body 1 so that signals can be transmitted. At the time of measurement, the probe is supported by both hands of the measurer and brought into contact with a predetermined position of the measurement target 5. Then, the signal under measurement of the object under measurement 5 is detected and transmitted to the main body 1.

  The foot switch 7 is placed on the floor below the work desk 6. The foot switch 7 is connected via a cable so that signals can communicate with the main body 1.

  The configuration of the foot switch 7 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a top view of the foot switch 7, and FIG. 4 is a side view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the foot switch 7 is provided with a button portion 71, a non-slip 72, and a ball operation portion 73.

  The button part 71 is a large button that is formed in a protruding shape and can be easily stepped on with a foot. The button unit 71 is connected to the recording button 2 inside the main body 1 via a cable. As a result, when the measurer presses (steps on) the button unit 71 with his / her foot, the main body 1 performs the same operation as when the recording button 2 is pressed, that is, measurement start and measurement data recording. ing.

  In addition, it is preferable that this button part 71 is arrange | positioned on the slope 74 provided in the foot switch 7, as FIG. 4 shows. Thus, by arranging the button part 71 on the slope 74, the user can step on the button part 71 in an easy posture.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the anti-slip 72 is provided on the bottom surface of the foot switch 7. As described above, by providing the anti-slip 72, it is possible to prevent the position of the foot switch 7 from being displaced when the measurer operates the foot switch 7 with his / her foot.

  The ball operation unit 73 has a trackball shape and is provided so as to be freely rotatable in a 360-degree direction by an operation of a measurer. The ball operation unit 73 is configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the rotation distance and direction to the main body 1. The main body 1 performs a predetermined operation based on a signal from the ball operation unit 73, and the position of the cursor displayed on the display screen 8 by the display control unit 8 is made to correspond to the signal from the ball operation unit 73. Move. That is, the measurer can move the position of the cursor on the display screen 8 by operating the ball operation unit 73 with his / her foot.

  When performing measurement using the measuring apparatus 10 configured as described above, the measurer holds the probes 3 and 4 with both hands and brings the probes 3 and 4 into contact with a predetermined position of the measurement target 5. A signal under measurement is transmitted to the main body 1 via the probes 3 and 4, and an oscilloscope waveform is displayed on the display screen 9. Here, when recording data, the measurer presses the button unit 71 with his / her foot. Thereby, the main body 1 performs measurement via the probes 3 and 4 and records the result. On the other hand, when it is desired to measure the amplitude of the waveform displayed on the display screen 9, the measurer may operate the ball operating unit 73 with his / her foot. By this operation, the cursor on the display screen 9 can be moved to a position desired by the measurer, and the waveform amplitude and the like can be measured. Since the depression of the button unit 71 and the operation of the ball operation unit 73 can be performed with feet, the measurer does not need to take the probes 3 and 4 away from the hand.

  According to the present embodiment, the oscilloscope can be operated by one person by operating the foot switch 7 with his / her foot even in the state where both hands of the measurer are occupied, such as when measuring a plurality of signals simultaneously. In particular, by providing the ball operation unit 73, it is possible to cope with complicated operations that cannot be handled by turning the switch on and off. In addition, the operation of moving the cursor displayed on the display screen using such a trackball does not require complicated setting and familiarity by the measurer, and can be operated intuitively. Furthermore, this measuring device 10 does not require an expensive mechanism and can be realized at low cost.

  In the present embodiment, the operation of the ball operation unit 73 is described as corresponding to the movement of the cursor. However, the operation of the ball operation unit 73 may be assigned to an operation other than the movement of the cursor. For example, if the ball operation unit 73 is assigned to oscilloscope settings such as trigger level adjustment, the oscilloscope settings can be changed even when both hands are blocked.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the main body 1 is an oscilloscope has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when using an oscilloscope with a foot switch equipped with a ball control unit, such as logic analyzers, multimeters, and testers, where both hands may be blocked during measurement, The same effect can be achieved.

It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional measuring apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the measuring apparatus concerning this invention. It is a top view of a foot switch. It is a side view of a foot switch.

Explanation of symbols

1 Body 2 Record button (on the body side)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Probe 4 Probe 5 Object to be measured 6 Work desk 7 Foot switch 71 Button part 72 Non-slip 73 Button operation part 74 Slope 8 Display control part 9 Display screen

Claims (9)

The body,
A signal indicating the physical properties of the object to be measured is notified to the main body, and a probe supported by both hands of the user at the time of measurement,
In response to a user operation, a foot switch for inputting a signal to the main body,
Comprising
The foot switch is provided with a ball operation portion formed in a rotatable ball shape,
The foot switch transmits a signal corresponding to the rotation of the ball operation unit to the main body,
The main body is a measuring device that operates based on a signal received from the foot switch. A measuring device according to claim 1,
The measuring device is an oscilloscope. The measuring device according to claim 1 or 2,
Furthermore,
A display screen;
A display control unit for controlling the content displayed on the display screen based on a signal transmitted according to the rotation of the ball operation unit;
A measuring apparatus comprising: A measuring device according to claim 3,
The display control unit displays a cursor on the display screen,
A measuring apparatus for controlling the movement of the cursor based on a signal transmitted in accordance with the rotation of the ball operation unit. A measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The foot switch is provided with a button part that can be pressed by the user,
The foot switch is a measuring device that transmits a signal to the main body in response to pressing of the button unit. A measuring device according to claim 5, wherein
The main body is a measuring device that records a measurement result based on a signal transmitted in response to pressing of the button unit. A measuring device according to claim 5 or 6,
The foot switch is provided with a slope,
The button unit is a measuring device attached to the slope. A measuring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A measuring device provided with a non-slip on the bottom surface of the foot switch. Preparing a measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A measurement step for measuring the physical properties of the object to be measured by supporting the probe with both hands,
Operating the foot switch with a foot during the measurement step;
A measuring method comprising:

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