JP2009042009A - Digital temperature reading arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital temperature reading arrangement for an electronic thermometer which is inexpensive and having high versatility. <P>SOLUTION: When the electronic thermometer is inserted into an inner case and the amount of insertion thereof is detected serially by an encoder 30, indication of a temperature indicating part is read by a linear sensor 22, every time the detected amount of insertion reaches a predetermined value, and thereby temperature data are acquired. The linear sensor 22 has a constitution, wherein photosensitive elements are arranged along directions inclined to the longitudinal direction of the electronic thermometer, and by reading for each prescribed amount of insertion, accordingly, a voltage signal corresponding to a numerical value indicated in the temperature indicating part is obtained. Based on the voltage signal, and thus, the indicated numerical value, i. e. the temperature data, can be acquired. Hence, the temperature data can be read at high accuracy, by using the linear sensor 22 that is inexpensive, in comparison with an area image sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically reading a body temperature digitally displayed on an electronic thermometer.

  When monitoring the condition of a patient in a hospital or home, the temperature of the patient is regularly measured and recorded. Such regular temperature measurement and recording are performed, for example, by visually checking the body temperature displayed on the thermometer and writing the body temperature together with the date, time, and other special notes in a record book prepared for each patient. . In the measurement of the basal body temperature of a woman at home, the body temperature is regularly measured and recorded in the same manner. In recent years, a rod-shaped electronic thermometer that digitally displays the measured body temperature on a liquid crystal display unit has been used in both hospitals and homes, but a general electronic thermometer is measured on the temperature display unit. It does not have any recording means.

  By the way, the above-described temperature measurement / recording method is complicated because the measured body temperature must be read and written, and erroneous reading and writing of the body temperature are likely to occur. In order to easily grasp changes in body temperature, it is possible to display a graph, but this also requires a separate effort.

  An electronic thermometer with a memory function is also used for the purpose of saving the above trouble and recording with certainty. An electronic thermometer with a storage function includes, for example, a storage device body and a measurement probe connected to the cord by a cord, and the measured body temperature is automatically or semi-automatically recorded (for example, Patent Literature See 1). For this reason, there is no complication as in the case of handwriting and no mistakes are made, but the code becomes an obstacle during use and it is troublesome to secure a place for placing a relatively large body.

  Therefore, various body temperature automatic recording devices in which a measuring device and a recording device are separated have been proposed. For example, a data output terminal is provided in a part of the thermometer and a data input terminal corresponding to the data output terminal is provided in the automatic recording apparatus. After the body temperature measurement, the thermometer is connected to the automatic recording apparatus so that the data output terminal and the data input terminal are in contact with each other. The body temperature is read by wearing (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3), the temperature display unit of the thermometer is provided with LCD dots, and the management device is provided with a reader that optically detects the blinking state. After the measurement, a thermometer is attached to the management device to read the body temperature from the blinking pattern of the LCD dots (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 and 5), and transmitted as a radio wave from a measurement unit equipped with a temperature sensor or a temperature measurement unit. Examples thereof include a biological information processing system that receives body temperature data with a reading device and a body temperature measuring device (see, for example, Patent Documents 6 to 8).

According to the body temperature automatic recording apparatus as described above, the measuring apparatus is separated from the recording apparatus, and there is no cord connecting them. Therefore, although there is an advantage that it is excellent in handleability, a dedicated thermometer having a data output terminal, a body temperature data transmission circuit, and the like is required. That is, there is a disadvantage that a general-purpose thermometer that is currently used in hospitals and homes cannot be used as it is.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-113856 JP 05-142057 A JP 05-142058 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-296851 JP 09-266890 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-010232 JP 2007-135865 A JP 2007-135866 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-102100

  On the other hand, an electronic thermometer is housed in the housing hole, the body temperature digitally displayed on the temperature display section of the electronic thermometer is optically read and stored using an image sensor, and output to a printer or the like Has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 9). According to this display reading apparatus, temperature measurement and recording are facilitated while using a general-purpose electronic thermometer that is not provided with any data output terminal or transmission circuit.

  However, in the display reading device described above, the display of the temperature display unit is read in a state where the electronic thermometer is completely stored in the storage hole (see, for example, 0017 to 0019 of Patent Document 9). For this reason, reading of the temperature display unit needs to be performed by an area image sensor in which photosensitive elements are two-dimensionally arranged, which causes a problem that the display reading device becomes relatively expensive. Further, since reading is performed in a state where the position of the electronic thermometer is fixed, a temperature display unit needs to be provided at a specific position corresponding to the reading device, and versatility is still insufficient.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and is to provide a digital temperature reading device for an electronic thermometer that is inexpensive and highly versatile.

  In order to achieve such an object, the gist of the present invention is a digital body temperature reading device for reading the displayed body temperature from a rod-shaped electronic thermometer that digitally displays the measured body temperature on the temperature display unit, (a) a thermometer insertion portion in which the electronic thermometer is inserted along a longitudinal direction thereof in a predetermined posture; and (b) a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction are the temperature display portion. A linear image sensor provided in the thermometer insertion portion so as to face, (c) an insertion amount detection device for sequentially detecting the insertion amount of the electronic thermometer into the thermometer insertion portion, and (d) the sequential detection Body temperature acquisition means for acquiring body temperature data by reading the display of the temperature display unit with the linear image sensor every time the inserted amount becomes a predetermined value.

  In this way, when the electronic thermometer is inserted into the thermometer insertion section, and the insertion amount is sequentially detected by the insertion amount detection device, the body temperature acquisition means has the detected insertion amount at a predetermined value. Body temperature data is acquired by reading the display of the temperature display unit with a linear image sensor each time. At this time, since the photosensitive elements of the linear image sensor are arranged along the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the electronic thermometer, reading according to a certain amount of insertion corresponds to the numerical value displayed on the temperature display unit. Since an output signal is obtained, the displayed numerical value, that is, body temperature data can be acquired based on the output signal. Therefore, body temperature data can be read with high accuracy while using a linear image sensor that is less expensive than an area image sensor. In addition, since the reading is performed in the insertion process, the position of the temperature display unit is not limited as long as it can be read by the completion of the insertion. Therefore, the temperature display unit can be applied to various electronic thermometers having different positions. Is possible. Accordingly, an inexpensive and highly versatile digital body temperature reading device for an electronic thermometer can be obtained.

  In addition, acquisition of the said body temperature data is performed by performing character recognition based on an output signal and converting the recognition result into numerical data, for example. Character recognition can be performed by a known appropriate method such as a pattern matching method, a sonde method, or a stroke analysis method. Moreover, although the said electronic thermometer is inserted in the said thermometer insertion part, for example from the temperature measuring part with which the one end was equipped, a digital thermometer reading apparatus can also be comprised so that it may insert in the opposite direction.

  Here, preferably, the digital thermometer reading device includes a driving device for sending the electronic thermometer in the inserting direction at a predetermined speed in the thermometer inserting portion. In this way, the display of the temperature display unit is read in the process in which the electronic thermometer is sent at a constant speed. Therefore, the body temperature can be read with higher accuracy without the insertion speed being too fast or too slow as compared with reading in the manual insertion process. In addition, the said drive apparatus should just hold | maintain the feed rate of an electronic thermometer to the fixed speed during the reading by the said linear image sensor, and the speed before and behind the reading can be determined suitably.

  Preferably, the digital body temperature reading device reads a sample pattern provided on the front side in the insertion direction adjacent to the temperature display unit of the electronic thermometer, thereby enabling digital display of the temperature display unit. Character size determining means for determining the size is provided. In this way, since the size of the character for displaying the body temperature is known before the reading in the temperature display unit, erroneous recognition due to other displays or dirt existing in the vicinity is suitably suppressed.

  The sample pattern can be of any appropriate shape as long as it is suitable for the determination of the character size, but those having all the lines or points used for display in the temperature display unit may cause erroneous recognition of the character size. For example, the number “8” shape is preferable. Further, since the sample pattern is for determining the character size in the temperature display portion, it is most preferable that it is the same size as this, but it is slightly larger or slightly smaller than the recognized character size. However, there is no particular problem if the judgment is made in consideration of the difference.

  Preferably, the digital body temperature reading device includes communication means for sending body temperature data read from the temperature display unit to an external processing device. In this way, not only can the read body temperature data be displayed, printed, stored, etc., but also sent to an appropriate external processing device for processing. Convenience in hospitals where monitoring of biological information is necessary is enhanced. The external processing device is a biological information monitor for monitoring various biological information such as body temperature, blood pressure, respiration, and pulse wave.

  Preferably, the digital body temperature reading device also serves as a storage case for the digital body thermometer. The digital body temperature reading device of the present invention is a highly versatile device that can be used for various existing electronic thermometers. For example, it can be shared for temperature measurement of a large number of patients in a hospital or the like. However, when one electronic thermometer is used at home, it can be stored as it is after use as long as it also serves as a storage case as described above, so that convenience is improved compared to the case of storing separately. It is done.

  Further, the insertion amount detection device detects the insertion amount of the electronic thermometer by a mechanical, optical, or magnetic method. For example, a rotary encoder that rotates with the insertion of an electronic thermometer, particularly one that optically detects the rotation angle is preferably used.

  In addition, the arrangement direction of the photosensitive elements of the linear image sensor is a direction inclined with respect to the orthogonal direction even if it is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the electronic thermometer. May be. Further, in relation to the inclination angle of the number displayed on the temperature display unit of the electronic thermometer, for example, the direction can be along the inclination, but the direction may intersect with the inclination direction. . In any case, the predetermined insertion amount, that is, the interval for reading the display of the temperature display unit is sufficiently large so that the presence or absence of dots or lines constituting the numbers displayed on the temperature display unit can be detected without omission. It is determined small. For example, when the photosensitive elements are arranged in a direction along the slope of the number, the reading interval is set to a value smaller than the line width constituting the number.

  Preferably, the digital body temperature reading device reads a sample pattern reading start mark provided immediately before the sample pattern of the electronic thermometer in the insertion direction. Sample position judging means for judging the reading start position of the sample pattern is provided. In this way, since the reading start position of the sample pattern becomes clear, the character size determination is performed more reliably.

  Preferably, the digital body temperature reading device determines a reading start position of a temperature displayed by reading a temperature display reading start mark provided immediately after the insertion direction of the sample pattern of the electronic thermometer. And a reading start position determining means. In this way, since the reading start position of the temperature display unit becomes clear, reading of the temperature display is performed more reliably.

  Note that the sample pattern and the reading start mark as described above can be provided, for example, by attaching a seal on which these patterns are printed to an electronic thermometer.

  Preferably, the digital temperature reading device includes a thermometer detection switch for detecting that a thermometer is inserted. If it does in this way, if an electronic thermometer is inserted, an automatic feed by a measurement and a drive device can be started automatically. Further, if the digital thermometer reader is activated when the electronic thermometer is detected, battery consumption can be suppressed. For example, such a detection switch may be provided in the vicinity of the entrance of the thermometer insertion portion, for example, that is connected by being pushed by the inserted electronic thermometer.

  Preferably, the digital body temperature reading device includes a display device for displaying the body temperature read from the electronic thermometer. In this way, there is an advantage that the body temperature can be displayed by various display methods according to the purpose. For example, if the display is enlarged to be larger than the display of the temperature display section of the electronic thermometer, it becomes easier to read and erroneous reading is suppressed, so that it is possible to respond more quickly to changes in body temperature. Also, when the body temperature record is recorded by handwriting, the burden on the thermometer such as a nurse who confirms the measured body temperature is reduced. In addition, if an LED or a backlit LCD is used for light emission display, it becomes easy to read even when the surrounding light quantity is insufficient, so that, for example, the burden on the temperature detector at night is reduced and reading errors are also suppressed. The For example, when taking a temperature during a round-trip at night in a hospital, it is burdensome to read the small LCD display of an electronic thermometer with the light in the hospital room, but the burden on the thermometer such as a nurse in this case is reduced. .

  Preferably, the digital body temperature reading device includes storage means for storing the sequentially read body temperature, and a display device for displaying the stored body temperature in time order. In this way, it is possible to easily grasp the change tendency of the body temperature without preparing a biological information monitor or the like. That is, the display device described above is also useful for displaying body temperature in such time order. In addition, although the said display apparatus may display a body temperature numerically together with the measurement date and time, if it displays in a graph, grasping | ascertainment of a change tendency will become easier. The storage means more preferably stores the body temperature in association with the identification information for each person to be measured. In this way, the temperature of a plurality of patients can be read and displayed with a single digital body temperature reading device, so that it can also be used when monitoring the temperature of a large number of patients, such as a hospital.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or modified, and the dimensional ratios, shapes, and the like of the respective parts are not necessarily drawn accurately.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a digital body temperature reading device 10 to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a front view. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, only the portions necessary for explanation are drawn, and details are omitted. The digital body temperature reading device 10 includes an outer case 12 and an inner case 14 provided on the inner side. The outer case 14 has a box shape as a whole, and the inner case 14 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It has a bottomed cylindrical shape with the right end open. In the inner case 14, the electronic thermometer 16 is inserted from the open end side of the thermometer 16 first, and the cross-sectional dimension of the wide part of the electronic thermometer 16 (the part opposite to the thermometer) is Has a slightly larger opening dimension and a depth dimension shorter than the length dimension of the electronic thermometer 16, and constitutes a thermometer insertion portion.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the inner case 14 is provided with a sensor window 18 made of, for example, a transparent resin, and the light transmitted through the sensor window 18 is collected above the sensor window 18. Lens 20, a linear sensor 22 on which the condensed light is incident, and an LED 46 that functions as a light source of the linear sensor 22. The linear sensor 22 is, for example, a CCD sensor having a light receiving portion in which 64 photosensitive elements are arranged in a line at a constant center interval. The light receiving portion faces the sensor window 18 and the arrangement direction thereof is the same. It is attached to the outer case 12 so as to be slightly inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the inner case 14, that is, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electronic thermometer 16. Each of the photosensitive elements has a vertical dimension of about 120 (μm), a width dimension of about 70 (μm) along the arrangement direction, and a center interval of about 125 (μm).

  A roller 24 penetrating the inner case 14 is provided at a position on the opposite side of the inner case 14 with respect to the linear sensor 22 and on the opening end side of the inner case 14. The roller 24 is provided at a position where the electronic thermometer 16 is pressed against the roller 24. One end of the roller 24 is connected to the rotating shaft 28 of the motor 26 and the other end is connected to the rotating disk 32 of the encoder 30. ing. The outer peripheral surface of the roller 24 is subjected to a non-slip treatment with a rubber film or the like. When the rotating shaft 28 of the motor 26 is rotated forward, the electronic thermometer 16 is sent in the insertion direction, and when rotated reversely, the electronic thermometer 16 is rotated. Is sent in the direction of being discharged from the inner case 14. Further, the rotating disk 32 of the encoder 30 is rotated in the same direction as the rotating shaft 28. The encoder 30 is, for example, an incremental rotary encoder, and the rotating disk 32 is provided with a number of slits for detecting the amount of rotation. The amount of rotation of the rotating disk 32 corresponds to the amount of insertion of the electronic thermometer 16 into the inner case 14 (that is, the amount of feed in the insertion direction) and the amount of discharge from the inner case 14, so that the pulse signal output from the encoder 30 Depends on the amount of insertion and the amount of discharge. In this embodiment, the motor 26 corresponds to a drive device, and the encoder 30 corresponds to an insertion amount detection device.

  In FIG. 2, a thermometer detection switch 36 in which a push button 34 protrudes to the inner peripheral side of the inner case 14 on the path of the electronic thermometer 16 is attached to the opening end side of the inner case 14 with respect to the encoder 30. ing. For example, when the electronic thermometer 16 is inserted, the thermometer detection switch 36 is turned on by pushing the push button 34 thereof. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the electronic thermometer 16 is inserted and the push button 34 is pushed.

  The electronic thermometer 16 using the digital body temperature reading device 10 includes a temperature display unit 38 for displaying the measured body temperature as shown in FIG. It is inserted into the inner case 14 in a direction located on the sensor window 18 side. For example, three numbers representing the predicted or measured body temperature, a decimal point, “° C.”, and “−” representing the predicted value are displayed on the temperature display unit 38. The above three numbers are those in which 7 segments are arranged in a “day” shape generally adopted in the electronic thermometer 16.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the digital body temperature reading device 10. In FIG. 3, the linear sensor 22 reads the temperature display unit 38 in accordance with a control signal supplied from the electronic control device 40, and outputs the obtained voltage signal to the electronic control device 40. When the thermometer detection switch 36 is turned on, the electronic control device 40 is activated by receiving power supply from the power source 42, and when it is turned off, the power supply is cut off and stopped. The power source 42 is constituted by a battery or an external power source.

  Further, the motor 26 is rotated forward or reversely when a drive signal is supplied from the electronic control unit 40. The encoder 30 supplies the electronic control device 40 with a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the rotating disk 32 that is rotated in accordance with the rotation drive of the motor 26. The data transmitter 44 is connected to a biological information monitor (not shown) via an external I / F (not shown) in a wired or wireless manner. The data transmitter 44 receives the body temperature data signal supplied from the electronic control unit 40 as its biological information. Send to monitor. When monitoring the temperature data of a plurality of patients with the biological information monitor, patient identification information is transmitted to the biological information monitor together with the body temperature data, or patient identification information corresponding to the transmitted body temperature data is provided. Input in the biological information monitor. This identification information can be input by reading a well-known identification card or inputting a keyboard.

  Further, the LED 46 is a light source of the linear sensor 22 as described above, and the buzzer 48 is for indicating an operation state of the digital body temperature reading device 10, and is turned on or off according to a control signal supplied from the electronic control device 40, respectively. It is made to ring. For example, the LED 46 is turned on when the electronic control device 40 is activated, and is turned off when the reading of the temperature display unit 38 is completed. Further, the buzzer 48 is sounded, for example, temporarily when the electronic control device 40 is started, at the start and end of measurement, or continuously when an abnormality occurs. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the data transmitter 44, the buzzer 48, and the like are omitted.

  The electronic control unit 40 is constituted by a so-called microcomputer having a CPU 50, a ROM 52, a RAM 54, an I / O port (not shown), and the like. The CPU 50 executes signal processing using the temporary storage function of the RAM 54 in accordance with a program stored in advance in the ROM 52, and outputs a drive signal from the I / O port, whereby the linear sensor 22, the motor 26, the LED 46, and the buzzer 48 are output. To control. In addition, the CPU 50 executes a calculation process based on a signal supplied to the electronic control device 40, thereby acquiring a body temperature value displayed on the temperature display unit 38 and supplies the body temperature value to the data transmitter 44.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the main part of the control function of the electronic control unit 40. In FIG. 4, the insertion amount calculation unit 60 calculates the insertion amount of the electronic thermometer 16 based on the pulse signal supplied from the encoder 30, and supplies the calculated insertion amount signal to the line reading unit 62. The line reading unit 62 performs reading by the linear sensor 22 every time the insertion amount signal supplied from the insertion amount calculation unit 60 becomes a predetermined constant value, and outputs a voltage signal formed according to the read contents as an image. Sequentially supplied to the forming means 64. Alternatively, reading by the linear sensor 22 is continuously performed, and a voltage signal is supplied to the image forming unit 64 every time the insertion amount signal becomes a constant value. The image forming unit 64 forms a two-dimensional image from the voltage signal sequentially supplied from the line reading unit 62. The line reading unit 62 acquires a one-dimensional image along the photosensitive element arrangement direction of the linear sensor 22. However, since reading is performed for every fixed insertion amount, the primary expressed by the supplied voltage signal is used. A two-dimensional image can be formed by arranging the original images at regular intervals in the order of acquisition.

  The character size determining unit 66 determines the size of the two-dimensional image by comparing the two-dimensional image formed by the image forming unit 64 with, for example, a pre-stored sample template. A character size of 38 is determined. Sample templates are stored in a plurality of types of 7-segment “8” -shape generally used for digital display or “Japanese” -shape connected between the segments. Among them, the size closest to the formed two-dimensional image is determined as the character size of the temperature display unit 38.

  The character recognition unit 68 executes character recognition by comparing the two-dimensional image formed by the image forming unit 64 with, for example, a template stored in advance, and replaces the two-dimensional image with a character code. As the character recognition method, a known appropriate method can be used.

  The start position determination means 70 determines whether the character code generated by the character recognition means 68 corresponds to the start position patterns 96 and 98 (see FIG. 6 to be described later) stored in advance. 94 (see FIG. 6 described later) and the start position of the temperature display unit 38 is determined. For example, the start position pattern 96 that appears first after reading is determined to be the start position of the sample pattern 94, and the start position pattern 98 that appears next to the sample pattern 94 is the start position of the temperature display unit 38. Is determined. When it is determined that the start position patterns are 96 and 98, the formed image and the character recognition result are discarded, and the reading by the line reading unit 62 is continued. The character size determination process by the character size determination unit 66 is performed on an image that is read and formed after the start position determination unit 70 determines the start position of the sample pattern 94. The character recognition by the character recognizing means 68 is judged for an image read and formed after the character size is judged by the character size judging means 66 and the start position of the temperature display unit 38 is judged. This is done using a character-size template.

  The body temperature data generation means 72 stores the character code supplied from the character recognition means 68 every time when the character recognition means 68 recognizes one character after reading of the temperature display unit 38 is started. A character code string corresponding to the body temperature data is generated. Then, after the supply of a new character code is interrupted, a certain amount of insertion is counted, or a character code corresponding to “° C.”, “°”, “C”, etc. is supplied, etc. When it is determined that the reading of the character code is completed, the stored character code string signal is supplied to the body temperature data output means 74. At the same time, a signal indicating the end of reading is supplied to the operation state determination means 76. In the present embodiment, the body temperature acquisition unit is constituted by the body temperature data generation unit 72, the line reading unit 62, the image forming unit 64, and the character recognition unit 68.

  The operation state determination unit 76 determines the operation state of the digital body temperature reading device 10 based on the reading end signal and the ON signal of the thermometer detection switch 36, and sends them to the drive control unit 78, the lighting control unit 80, and the ringing control unit 82. A signal corresponding to the operation state of the signal is supplied. The drive control unit 78 supplies a drive control signal for causing the motor 26 to rotate forward, stop, or reverse based on the operation state signal. Moreover, the lighting control means 80 supplies the lighting control signal for changing the lighting state to LED46 based on said operation state signal. Further, the sounding control means 82 supplies a sounding control signal for changing the sounding state to the buzzer 48 based on the operation state signal. Also, the linear sensor 22 and the encoder 30 start or end reading depending on the operation state determined by the operation state determination unit 76.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the body temperature displayed on the temperature display unit 38 of the electronic thermometer 16 is read using the digital body temperature reading device 10 and output to a biological information monitor or the like. This flowchart is started when the thermometer detection switch 36 is turned on, for example, when the tip of the electronic thermometer 16 is inserted into the inner case 14.

  When the power is turned on by inserting the electronic thermometer 16, the activation is determined by the operation state determination means 76 in step S1, and the LED 46 is turned on. Thereby, light is irradiated into the inner case 14 through the lens 20 and the sensor window 18, and the temperature display unit 38 can be read.

  Next, in step S2, reading by the linear sensor 22 and the encoder 30 is started. At this stage, since the insertion amount calculated by the insertion amount calculation unit 60 remains zero, the voltage signal generated from the linear sensor 22 is not supplied to the image forming unit 64. Next, in step S3, the forward drive signal is supplied to the drive control means 78, whereby the drive of the motor 26 is started. As a result, the electronic thermometer 16 with the tip inserted into the inner case 14 is sent in the insertion direction at a constant speed as the roller 24 rotates.

  When the insertion of the electronic thermometer 16 is started as described above, the insertion amount calculated by the insertion amount calculation means 60 increases, so that the voltage signal generated from the linear sensor 22 every time the insertion amount reaches a certain value. Is supplied to the image forming means 64.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for enlarging the temperature display unit 38 of the electronic thermometer 16 to explain the reading by the linear sensor 22, and there are a large number of slanted lines 90 that are overlaid on the temperature display unit 38. The reading line by the linear sensor 22 is represented. In this example, the inclination angle of the reading line 90 is substantially the same as the numerical inclination angle displayed on the temperature display unit 38. If the feeding direction of the electronic thermometer 16 is the arrow direction shown on the upper side of FIG. 6, the reading order by the linear sensor 22 is the arrow direction shown on the lower side. The mutual interval of the reading lines 90 corresponds to a constant value of the insertion amount, and the mutual interval is sufficiently smaller than the width dimension of each segment constituting the numerical value displayed on the temperature display unit 38. Therefore, each segment is reliably read by the reading line 90 that sequentially moves in the right direction. The constant value of the insertion amount is determined in this way.

  A sample pattern seal 92 is attached to the left side of the temperature display unit 38 of the electronic thermometer 16. The sample pattern seal 92 is provided with a “day” -shaped sample pattern 94 and two vertical bar-shaped start position patterns 96 and 98 located on both sides thereof, for example, by printing. Adjacent to each other. The sample pattern 94 has substantially the same character height as the number displayed on the temperature display unit 38, and the lower end is located at substantially the same height position. Further, the sample pattern 94 has an inclination angle similar to the number of the temperature display unit 38. The start position patterns 96 and 98 are located slightly away from the sample pattern 94 in the lateral direction, that is, in the thermometer feed direction, and the height dimension is the same as or slightly larger than the sample pattern 94. . These start position patterns 96 and 98 are provided in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electronic thermometer 16, that is, the feeding direction. Further, the line widths of the sample pattern 94 and the start position patterns 96 and 98 are approximately the same as the numerical line width (segment width) of the temperature display unit 38.

  The sample pattern 94 is used to determine the size of the number on the temperature display unit 38 before the reading. For example, the temperature of the sample pattern 94 can be selected from a plurality of sample pattern stickers 92 prepared in advance. A sample pattern 94 having a size closest to the number on the display unit 38 is selected and pasted on the electronic thermometer 16 in advance. The sample pattern 94 is not limited to the “day” character shape as shown in the figure, for example, as long as it can determine the character height, and can be of any shape by appropriately determining the character size determination criteria. Can be used.

  The start position patterns 96 and 98 are for reading the start position of the sample pattern 94 and the start position of the temperature display unit 38, respectively. These start position patterns 96 and 98 have the same size and shape, for example, but after starting reading, the first appearing pattern is the reading start position of the sample pattern 94 and appears after reading the sample pattern 94. By programming to determine that something is the starting position of the temperature display 38, the two starting positions can be easily distinguished. The start position patterns 96 and 98 can be discriminated from the display of the temperature display unit 38 and the display of the sample pattern 94, and can have the shape and size that can be read by the linear sensor 22, as shown in the bar shape shown in the figure. An appropriate shape can be used instead of the above. Also, the start position patterns 96 and 98 can be provided in different shapes and sizes.

  FIG. 6 shows a state after the reading of the temperature display unit 38 is started. When the sample pattern seal 92 as described above is provided, the reading of the temperature display unit 38 is performed. The reading of the start position patterns 96 and 98 and the sample pattern 94 is executed. That is, first, when the reading line 90 hits the start position pattern 96, the start position pattern 96 is sequentially read for each insertion amount, and a rod-like image is formed by the image forming means 64. Next, when the character recognition means 68 recognizes that the character is a stick-like character, it is determined as the start position of the sample pattern 94 because it is the start position pattern that appears first after the reading is started. Therefore, when the reading line 90 is next applied to the sample pattern 94, an image of “day” shape is similarly formed by the image forming means 64, the character height of the image is judged by the character size judging means 66, and the temperature display is performed. The character size of part 38 is determined.

  After the character size is determined in this way, when the reading line 90 is applied to the start position pattern 98, a bar-like image is similarly formed by the image forming unit 64, and the character recognition unit 68 is a bar-like character. Is recognized, it is the start position pattern that appears after the sample pattern 94, and is thus determined to be the start position of the temperature display unit 38. Reading of the temperature display unit 38 is started after the character size is determined in this way and the start position is detected.

  When reading of the temperature display unit 38 is started, the displayed numbers are sequentially read by the reading line 90, and when reading of one character is completed by the image forming means 64, the character read by the character recognition means 68 is recognized. The In this embodiment, the linear sensor 22 is used for reading. However, the reading is performed for every fixed insertion amount detected by the encoder 30, and the read data is arranged at fixed intervals by the image forming means 64. Since the two-dimensional image is formed, the display of the temperature display unit 38 can be read with high accuracy without using an expensive area image sensor. In the example of FIG. 6, first, “3” in the first digit from the left is read and stored in the body temperature data generation unit 72. Similarly, the second digit “7”, followed by “.”, “0” are sequentially read and stored in the body temperature data generating means 72, whereby the numeric string “ 37.0 "is generated. As described above, in this embodiment, the body temperature data is read in the insertion process of the electronic thermometer 16, and the reading is started after the start position of the temperature display unit 38 is determined by the start position pattern 98. Therefore, the position of the temperature display unit 38 is not particularly limited as long as it can be read during insertion.

  Even after “0” is read as described above, the reading is continuously executed. For example, “°”, “C”, and the like following “0” are read by the body temperature data generation unit 72. The end of reading of the temperature display unit 38 is determined. Note that the end of reading can be determined by, for example, the fact that the electronic thermometer 16 has been inserted to the bottom of the inner case 14 and the insertion amount has not changed.

  When the end of reading is determined, a signal indicating the end of reading is supplied to the operation state determining means 76, and reading by the linear sensor 22 and the encoder 30 is ended in step S4. Subsequently, the motor 26 is stopped in step S5, and the LED 46 is turned off in step S6.

  In step S7, the body temperature data signal generated by the body temperature data generation means 72 is supplied to the body temperature data output means 74 and transmitted from the data transmitter 44 to a biological information monitor or the like. That is, the body temperature displayed on the electronic thermometer 16 is automatically read and stored in the biological information monitor.

  When the data transmission is finished, in step S8, the reverse drive of the motor 26 is started. Thereby, the electronic thermometer 16 is taken out from the inner case 14. In step S9, when the electronic thermometer 16 is completely discharged from the inner case 14, that is, when returning to the initial insertion state in which only the tip portion is inserted, the motor 26 is stopped. Thereafter, when the electronic thermometer 16 is taken out from the inner case 14, the thermometer detection switch 36 is turned off and the power is turned off.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the electronic thermometer 16 is inserted into the inner case 14 and the insertion amount is sequentially detected by the encoder 30, the detected insertion amount becomes a predetermined value. Body temperature data is acquired by reading the display of the temperature display unit 38 with the linear sensor 22 every time. Since the linear sensors 22 are arranged along the direction in which the photosensitive elements are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the electronic thermometer 16, the voltage corresponding to the numerical value displayed on the temperature display unit 38 is read by reading every certain amount of insertion. Since the signal is obtained, the displayed numerical value, that is, the body temperature data can be acquired based on the voltage signal. Therefore, body temperature data can be read with high accuracy while using a linear sensor 22 that is less expensive than an area image sensor.

  In addition, since the reading of the body temperature data is performed in the insertion process, the position of the temperature display unit 38 is not limited as long as the temperature display unit 38 can be read until the insertion is completed. The present invention can also be applied to various electronic thermometers 16. Therefore, a digital body temperature reading device 10 for an electronic thermometer that is inexpensive and highly versatile can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, the motor 26 is provided, and the electronic thermometer 16 inserted into the inner case 14 is displayed on the temperature display 38 in the process of being sent in the insertion direction at a constant speed by the motor 26. Read. Therefore, it is possible to read the body temperature with higher accuracy than in the case of manual insertion.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the character size determination means 66 determines the character size of the temperature display unit 38 from the sample pattern 94 provided adjacent to the temperature display unit 38 of the electronic thermometer 16. Misrecognition caused by other displays or dirt existing in the vicinity is preferably suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the digital body temperature reading device 10 is provided with the body temperature data output means 74 and the data transmitter 44, the read body temperature data can be transmitted to an external processing device such as a biological information monitor. Therefore, it can be suitably used in hospitals and the like that need to manage monitoring data for a large number of patients and monitor various types of biological information.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the digital thermometer reading device 10 includes the thermometer detection switch 36 that detects that the electronic thermometer 16 has been inserted. In this way, measurement and automatic feeding by the motor 26 can be started.

  Incidentally, in the above-described embodiment, the body temperature data read from the electronic thermometer 16 is transmitted to an external biological information monitor or the like via the data transmitter 44. However, the body temperature data processing method is not limited to this. . FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display unit 100 that can be provided in the digital body temperature reading device 10. In FIG. 7, the display unit 100 is composed of, for example, an LCD, and is provided with two-dimensional coordinates in which the horizontal axis indicates the date and the vertical axis indicates the body temperature, and the read body temperature data is displayed in time order. Has been. In this way, after measuring the body temperature with the electronic thermometer 16 and reading the measured value with the digital body temperature reading device 10, fluctuations in the body temperature are visualized and displayed. There is an advantage that changes in body temperature can be easily grasped.

  In the case where the display unit 100 as described above is provided, for example, as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 4, the storage means 102 for storing the read body temperature together with the read date and time is necessary. The storage means 102 may store data in the RAM 54 or a magnetic disk device (not shown), for example, and read and display it as necessary. Note that when the display unit 100 is provided for the purpose of, for example, displaying an enlarged display of the read body temperature or light emission display using an LED or the like, the storage unit 102 may not be provided.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail based on drawing, this is an embodiment to the last, and this invention is applied also in another aspect.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the electronic thermometer 16 is sent in the insertion direction by the motor 26 and the roller 24, but may be configured to be manually inserted. Also in this case, since the insertion amount of the electronic thermometer 16 is detected by the encoder 30, it is possible to form a two-dimensional image by executing reading for every fixed insertion amount.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electronic thermometer 16 is provided with the sample pattern 94, and the character size determining means 66 determines the character size of the temperature display unit 38 before reading it. 94 is not essential, and even when it is not provided, the start position of the temperature display section 38 can be determined when the first number is read, and the character size is also the number read first. Can be determined by comparing with a plurality of types of templates. Further, the arrangement method of the sample pattern 94 and the start position patterns 96 and 98 is appropriately changed such that the sample pattern 94 and the start position patterns 96 and 98 are directly written or stamped on the electronic thermometer 16 instead of sticking the seal as described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation state is indicated by the sounding state of the buzzer 48. However, since the operation state can be determined from the read body temperature data or the like, the buzzer 48 is not necessarily provided. Not necessary. In addition, the display of the operation state can be performed when the display unit 100 is provided, or other display means such as an LED may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the insertion amount of the electronic thermometer 16 is optically detected by the encoder 30. However, the insertion amount may be detected, for example, by detecting the rotational speed of the rotary shaft 28. Alternatively, the rotational speed or the tip position of the electronic thermometer 16 may be detected mechanically and magnetically.

  In the above-described embodiment, the push button 34 is mechanically pushed by the thermometer detection switch 36 to detect the insertion of the electronic thermometer 16 and the power is turned on or the measurement is automatically started. However, the thermometer detection switch 36 may be one that detects the electronic thermometer 16 optically in a non-contact manner, for example. Alternatively, the thermometer detection switch 36 may not be provided, and after insertion, the measurement may be started manually by turning on the switch.

  In the embodiment, the reading line 90 of the linear sensor 22 is provided so as to have an inclination angle similar to that of the characters on the temperature display unit 38. Can be changed as appropriate. For example, the direction may be perpendicular to the insertion direction, and may be inclined at a larger angle than the characters.

  In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one LED 46 is provided as a light source of the linear sensor 22, but the number of LEDs 46 is appropriately determined according to the light amount, the reading range of the linear sensor 22, and the like. A plurality are provided as necessary.

  In the embodiment, the linear sensor 22 is a CCD sensor, but other types such as a CMOS sensor may be used.

It is a top view which abbreviate | omits the detail and shows the digital body temperature reading apparatus of this invention. It is a front view which abbreviate | omits the detail and shows the digital body temperature reading apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the digital body temperature reading apparatus of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part of the control function of the digital body temperature reading apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the reading method of the body temperature by the digital body temperature reader of FIG. It is a figure explaining the reading method of the body temperature by enlarging the temperature display part of an electronic thermometer by the digital body temperature reader of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part with which the digital body temperature reading apparatus of the other Example of this invention is equipped.

Explanation of symbols

10: Digital temperature reading device, 14: Inner case, 16: Electronic thermometer, 18: Sensor window, 22: Linear sensor, 24: Roller, 26: Motor, 28: Rotating shaft, 30: Encoder, 32: Rotating disc, 34: Push button, 36: Thermometer detection switch, 38: Temperature display unit, 40: Electronic control unit, 44: Data transmitter, 60: Insertion amount calculation means, 62: Line reading means, 64: Image forming means, 66: Character size determination means, 68: Character recognition means, 70: Start position determination means, 72: Body temperature data generation means, 74: Body temperature data output means, 78: Drive control means, 90: Reading line, 94: Sample pattern, 96, 98: Start position pattern

Claims (4)

A digital body temperature reading device for reading the displayed body temperature from a rod-shaped electronic thermometer that digitally displays the measured body temperature on a temperature display unit,
A thermometer insertion portion into which the electronic thermometer is inserted along its longitudinal direction in a predetermined posture;
A linear image sensor provided in the thermometer insertion section so that a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged along the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction are directed to the temperature display section;
An insertion amount detection device for sequentially detecting the insertion amount of the electronic thermometer into the thermometer insertion portion;
Body temperature acquisition means for acquiring body temperature data by reading the display of the temperature display unit with the linear image sensor each time the sequentially detected insertion amount becomes a predetermined value. Body temperature reading device.   2. The digital body temperature reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a driving device for sending the electronic thermometer in the insertion direction at a predetermined speed in the thermometer insertion portion.   Character size determining means for determining the size of the digital display of the temperature display unit by reading a sample pattern provided on the front side in the insertion direction adjacent to the temperature display unit of the electronic thermometer. The digital body temperature reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The digital body temperature reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising communication means for sending body temperature data read from the temperature display unit to an external processing device.

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