JP2012211850A - Blood-sugar level measuring device and function selection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a blood-sugar level measuring device in which desired functions can be used without providing a new operation button in the device.SOLUTION: A blood-sugar level measuring device 1 includes: a blood-sugar level measuring section 33 that performs a blood-sugar level measuring function to measure a blood-sugar level in blood absorbed in test paper by receiving a first light reception signal; a mode switching section 32 that performs a mode switching function to switch a mode to a specific mode instructed by a specific pattern by receiving a second light reception signal; and a function selecting section 31 that selects either the blood-sugar level measuring function or the mode switching function by determining whether a chip is mounted in a holder depending on the first or second light reception signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a blood glucose level measuring apparatus and function selection method used for measuring a blood glucose level.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for the diagnosis, treatment, and medical guidance of diabetes and the like, self blood glucose measurement is performed in which a patient himself / herself measures the glucose level in blood using a portable blood glucose level measuring device. The blood glucose level measuring device used for this is, for example, optically measuring (colorimetric) the degree of color development of a test paper that develops color according to the glucose level in the collected blood, and quantifying the glucose level by quantifying the glucose level Is measuring.

  In Patent Document 1, light is emitted from a light emitting element of a photometry unit to a light transmitting member, received by a light receiving element, and contamination of the light transmitting member is detected based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element. A technique for determining that a light-transmitting member is dirty when the amount of light received by the element is larger than a preset threshold value is disclosed. According to Patent Document 1, it is shown that the blood glucose level is calculated by measuring the intensity of reflected light obtained by irradiating light onto the reagent paper to which blood is adhered.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-40267

  By the way, functions (for example, time setting, date setting, device calibration, etc.) that are not frequently used in such a blood glucose level measuring device are mainly used by medical workers (doctors, nurses, diabetes medical instructors). In many cases, a dedicated operation button is not provided so that the patient does not make a mistake. Therefore, in order to use these functions that are not normally used, it is difficult to use buttons provided for other purposes (for example, a power button or a history call button), such as a combination of a time when the buttons are pressed and a pressing order. The function is selected by operation. For this reason, when using the above function, the user may make a mistake in operation or feel inconvenience.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to use a desired function without providing a new operation button on the blood glucose level measuring device main body.

  In the present invention, a light emitting unit of a blood glucose level measuring device that is used by attaching a chip on which a coloring reagent is previously supported and a test paper that is colored by blood infiltration is fixed, emits light of a predetermined wavelength toward the test paper. When the chip is attached to the holder of the blood sugar level measuring device, the light receiving unit generates a first light reception signal based on the amount of light received by the test paper. On the other hand, when the chip is not attached to the holder, the light receiving unit generates a second light receiving signal based on the amount of light received by the reflecting surface that is separately provided on the surface of the article and on which the specific pattern is represented. To do. Then, based on the first or second light reception signal, it is determined whether or not the chip is mounted on the holder, and one of the blood glucose level measurement function and the mode switching function is selected. The blood glucose level measurement function of measuring the blood glucose level of the blood infiltrated into the test paper with the first light reception signal and storing the measured blood glucose level in the storage unit is executed. A change in received light amount due to the specific pattern is detected by the second light reception signal, and a mode switching function for switching to a specific mode indicated by the specific pattern is executed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a desired setting can be easily performed by reading a specific pattern using the light emission part and light-receiving part which are used for a blood glucose level measurement. Further, there is an effect that it is not necessary to separately provide a special reader for reading a specific pattern in the blood glucose level measuring apparatus.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the blood glucose level measuring device and storage case which concern on one embodiment of this invention. 1 is an external perspective view showing a chip according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows a part of cross section along the AA 'line of FIG. 1 of the blood glucose level measuring apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the blood glucose level measuring apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the control part which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the process at the time of setting the measurement of a blood glucose level, or the present date, etc. in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which represented the specific pattern in one embodiment of this invention with the change of a density | concentration. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which represented the specific pattern in one embodiment of this invention by the continuous black-and-white change. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change pattern of the light reception amount for shifting to the blood glucose level measurement mode in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change pattern of the light reception amount for shifting to the time setting mode in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change pattern of the light reception amount for shifting to the date setting mode in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change pattern of the light reception amount for recognizing a numerical value at the time of the numerical value setting mode in one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change pattern of received light amount when the blood glucose level measuring apparatus is slid on a specific pattern in the modification of one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which notifies a user that the blood glucose level measuring apparatus read the specific pattern reliably in the modification of one embodiment of this invention.

1. Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “this example”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, an optical blood glucose level measuring device 1 that switches blood glucose level measurement and various settings according to the difference in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 16 described later will be exemplified. The blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 is applied with a function selection method for selecting one of a blood glucose level measuring function and a mode switching function described later.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a blood sugar level measuring device 1 and a storage case 9 for storing the blood sugar level measuring device 1. FIG. 1A shows an external perspective view of the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1. FIG. 1B shows an external perspective view of the storage case 9 in which the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 is stored.

  The blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 includes a display unit 2 for displaying various information, a power button 3 for switching on / off of power, and a past history of blood glucose levels stored in a data storage unit 24 (see FIG. 4 described later). Are displayed on the display unit 2 and a history call button 4 is provided. The blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 of this example is an optical blood sugar level measuring apparatus that irradiates light on a test paper 13 (see FIG. 2 described later) and measures a blood sugar level based on the amount of reflected light received.

  In addition, the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 protects the holder 7 to which the tip 10 is attached and the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 (see FIG. 3 described later) provided in the holder 7 from dust, dirt, and the like. For this purpose, a transparent protective part 8 made of glass, an ejector 6 for removing the chip 10 attached to the holder 7, and a housing 5 in which each part is arranged are provided. A printed circuit board (not shown) is disposed inside the housing 5 and performs predetermined calculation processing and blood glucose level measurement processing.

  The chip 10 is covered with the case 11 and kept in a hygienic and dry state without touching the outside air until the blood sugar level is measured. Inside the chip 10, a coloring reagent is previously supported, and a test paper 13 that develops color due to blood infiltration is fixed.

  The test paper 13 is obtained by immersing a reagent (in this example, a coloring reagent) in a carrier capable of absorbing blood. This carrier is preferably composed of a porous membrane (sheet-like porous substrate). In this case, the porous membrane preferably has a pore size that can filter out red blood cells in blood. When blood adheres to the test paper 13, a chemical reaction described later occurs and the test paper 13 develops color. The blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 measures the blood sugar level by irradiating light to the part where the test paper 13 develops color and measuring the amount of light reflected by this part.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the blood glucose level measuring device 1 and the chip 10 are stored and stored in a storage case 9 and carried. On the surface of the storage case 9, a specific pattern with various colors is printed in a plurality of continuous rectangular frames, and the surface on which the specific pattern is expressed functions as a reflective surface. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 is reflected by the reflecting surface, and the reflected light is detected by the light receiving unit 16. As the specific pattern, for example, a change pattern of luminance / density (color) or a monochrome pattern is used. In this example, a change pattern of brightness / density (color) shown in FIG. 7 to be described later is printed. When switching the mode of the blood glucose level measuring device 1 or setting the date of the built-in timer, the user sets the blood glucose level measuring device 1 in a specific pattern printed on the storage case 9. This specific pattern is read by the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 and the value is set and the mode is switched.

  Since the protective portion 8 is fitted in the holder 7, dust and dust do not enter the light emitting portion 15 and the light receiving portion 16 from the tip of the holder 7. Thereby, stable measurement can be performed. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 inside the holder 7 is reflected by a specific pattern, and the light receiving unit 16 receives the reflected light, whereby the specific pattern can be recognized.

  Note that a color scale (not shown) may be attached to the storage case 9 of the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1, and this color scale may be read. In addition, the specific pattern is not only provided on the surface of the storage case 9 which is an article different from the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1, but also a dedicated sheet (for example, a card) for instructing various functions is provided. A specific pattern attached to this dedicated sheet may be read in advance.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an external perspective view of the chip 10.
The chip 10 includes a test paper 13 and four protrusions 14 a to 14 d formed around the test paper 13. The protrusions 14 a to 14 d are fitted into the holder 7 to fix the chip 10 to the holder 7. When the chip 10 is fitted into the holder 7, a flange provided on the periphery is brought into close contact with the tip of the holder 7, and light is prevented from entering the holder 7 from the outside.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration in the vicinity of the holder 7 in a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG.
The blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 includes a light emitting unit 15 that emits light of a predetermined wavelength to the test paper 13 and a light receiving unit 16 that receives reflected light and generates a light reception signal. For the light emitting unit 15, for example, a light emitting diode that emits light having a wavelength of 630 nm is used. For the light receiving unit 16, for example, a photodiode or a phototransistor is used.

  The light receiving unit 16 receives the light reflected by the test paper 13 when the chip 10 storing the test paper 13 that develops color when blood infiltrates is attached to the holder 7, and based on the received light amount, 1 light reception signal is generated. When the chip 10 is not attached to the holder 7, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 is not received by the light receiving unit 16. However, when the holder 7 from which the chip 10 has been removed is brought close to a specific pattern, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 is reflected by the specific pattern and is received by the light receiving unit 16. Generate a light reception signal.

The chip 10 includes a capillary tube 12 that sucks blood adhering to the tip thereof by capillary action, and a test paper 13 into which the blood sucked through the capillary tube 12 penetrates.
The tip 10 and the thin tube 12 are made of a rigid material having a predetermined rigidity. Examples of such a rigid material include various resin materials. In particular, a highly hydrophilic material such as an acrylic resin or a material that has been subjected to a hydrophilic treatment is preferable as a material suitable for rapidly sucking blood (specimen).

Furthermore, examples of the carrier of the test paper 13 include, in addition to the porous film, a sheet-like porous substrate such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, and a stretched sheet.
Examples of the constituent material of the carrier such as the porous membrane include polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, polysulfones, and celluloses. Further, in order to quickly absorb and develop blood when collecting blood, it is assumed that a hydrophilic material is used, an aqueous solution in which a reagent is dissolved is immersed in the test paper 13, or a test paper 13 is used. You may use what hydrophilized.

  Examples of the reagent (coloring reagent) soaked in the carrier include glucose oxidase (GOD), peroxidase (POD), 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA), N-ethyl-N- (2-hydroxy-). And color formers such as 3-sulfopropyl) -m-toluidine (TOOS). Furthermore, a buffering agent such as a phosphate buffer may be included. Needless to say, the types and components of the reagents are not limited to these.

  Next, an example of the internal configuration of the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the internal configuration of the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1.
In addition to the display unit 2, the light emitting unit 15, and the light receiving unit 16, the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 includes an A / D conversion unit 17 that converts a light reception signal generated by the light receiving unit 16 into digital data, and a control unit that controls each unit. 21, a control oscillation unit 22, a timer 23, a data storage unit 24, an external output unit 25, a power supply 26, a power supply voltage detection unit 27, an operation unit 28, and a buzzer output unit 29.

  A printed circuit board provided inside the housing 5 is equipped with a control unit 21 configured by a microcomputer (MPU: Micro Processing Unit), and controls various operations of the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1. The control unit 21 includes a calculation unit (not shown) that calculates a target blood component (glucose) based on the first light reception signal received from the light receiving unit 16. This computing unit also performs, for example, hematocrit value correction calculation as necessary.

  The light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are housed and held in the holder 7. The light emitting unit 15 is electrically connected to the control unit 21, and the light receiving unit 16 is electrically connected to the control unit 21 via an amplifier (not shown) and the A / D conversion unit 17.

  The light emitting unit 15 is activated by a signal from the control unit 21 and emits pulsed light at a predetermined time interval. For example, the period of the pulsed light is about 0.5 to 3.0 milliseconds, and the emission time of one pulse is about 0.05 to 0.3 milliseconds. Moreover, it is preferable to use visible light for the pulsed light, and the wavelength of the pulsed light is about 400 to 780 nm, preferably about 580 to 650 nm. In particular, it is preferable to apply a wavelength used for blood glucose level measurement.

  A chip 10 is detachably attached to the tip of the holder 7. When the chip 10 is mounted on the holder 7, the translucent protective portion 8 provided in the holder 7 faces the test paper 13. In this state, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 is applied to the test paper 13, and the reflected light reflected by the test paper 13 is received by the light receiving unit 16 and photoelectrically converted into a first light reception signal. The light receiving unit 16 outputs an analog first light reception signal corresponding to the amount of light received, and the amplifier amplifies the signal to a desired value. Thereafter, the analog first light reception signal is converted into a digital first light reception signal by the A / D conversion unit 17 and input to the control unit 21 as digital data.

The control oscillation unit 22 oscillates clock pulses at regular time intervals and supplies a reference signal used for the operation of the microcomputer of the control unit 21.
The timer 23 has a clock function for specifying a reference time, and a reference signal used for the operation of the clock control circuit built in the control unit 21 based on clock pulses at regular time intervals oscillated by the control oscillation unit 22. Supply. The blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 of this example reads a specific pattern (see FIGS. 7 and 8) described later, thereby setting a reference time such as a date and time managed by the clock function of the timer 23 in standard time (for example, Japan Standard Time). Can be adapted to

The data storage unit 24 includes a first memory (for example, RAM) (not shown), a second memory (for example, ROM), and a third memory (for example, a nonvolatile RAM) that is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. ing.
In the first memory, digital data of the amount of received light input from the light receiving unit 16 is stored according to a predetermined format.
In the second memory, a program for controlling the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 is stored.
In the third memory, a relationship (calibration curve) between the absorbance obtained from the photometric value and the target blood glucose level, and a calibration value unique to each individual blood glucose level measuring device 1 are stored in advance. Specific calibration values referred to here include, for example, a prescribed value for the amount of received light, a correction coefficient for absorbance calculation, and the like. In the third memory, blood glucose levels for several days measured in the past are stored in association with the measurement date and time.

  The external output unit 25 outputs the obtained blood glucose level digital data to an external device such as a personal computer. For this reason, the external output unit 25 includes a communication connector and a communication driver that can output digital data to a communication cable of a standard such as RS-232C, for example. When performing infrared communication, the external output unit 25 includes an infrared light emitting element and its drive circuit.

  The power supply 26 supplies power to each block provided in the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1. As the power source 26, a battery (not shown) is loaded inside the housing 5. The battery may be a primary battery or a secondary battery. The power supply voltage detector 27 detects the voltage of the battery and outputs the detected voltage value to the controller 21. Thereby, the remaining amount of the battery can be checked.

The operation unit 28 includes the power button 3 and the history call button 4 described above, and functions as various switches. The operation unit 28 detects that various buttons and the like are operated, generates an operation signal, and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 21. Examples of the switch include a power switch, a history call switch, a reset switch, a buzzer operation / non-operation selection switch, and a 50 Hz / 60 Hz commercial power frequency selection switch. For example, the power switch switches on or off the power supplied from the power supply 26 when the power button 3 is pressed.
The buzzer output unit 29 activates the buzzer based on the signal from the control unit 21 and emits a sound that alerts the user.

FIG. 5 shows an internal configuration example of the control unit 21.
The control unit 21 includes a function selection unit 31 that determines whether or not the chip 10 is attached to the holder 7 and selects one of the blood glucose level measurement function and the mode switching function. Further, when the chip 10 is mounted on the holder 7, the control unit 21 measures the blood glucose level of the blood adhering to the test paper 13 by the first light reception signal, and the measured blood glucose level is stored in the data storage unit 24. Is provided with a blood sugar level measuring unit 33 for executing a blood sugar level measuring function stored in the memory. In addition, when the mode switching function is selected, a mode in which a change in the amount of received light by a specific pattern is acquired from the digital data indicating the amount of received light of the light receiving unit 16 by the second received light signal, and is indicated by the specific pattern A mode switching unit 32 that executes a mode switching function for switching to is provided.

  First, the function selection unit 31 measures the amount of received light based on the light reception signal supplied from the light receiving unit 16 via the A / D conversion unit 17. Next, the function selection unit 31 identifies whether or not the chip 10 is mounted based on a predetermined threshold of received light amount. When the chip 10 is not mounted, the process is transferred to the mode switching unit 32 and a specific pattern is read. The second received light signal changes due to an increase or decrease in the amount of received light that varies depending on the specific pattern, and an instruction is given to switch to a predetermined mode according to the pattern of change, and the mode is switched. In this example, it is possible to switch to the date setting mode for setting the date or the time setting mode for setting the time.

  Then, when the chip 10 is mounted on the holder 7, the blood sugar level measuring unit 33 measures the blood sugar level of the blood adhering to the test paper 13 based on the amount of received light reflected by the test paper 13.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of processing in which the user measures the blood glucose level using the blood glucose level measuring device 1 or sets the current date and time.

  First, the user holds the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 and turns on the power supply 26 to cause the light emitting unit 15 to emit light (step S1). Next, the function selection unit 31 detects a change in the amount of received light from the digital data received via the A / D conversion unit 17 (step S2), thereby determining a function determined by the mounting of the chip 10 or a specific pattern. select.

  When the chip 10 is mounted on the holder 7, the light receiving unit 16 generates a first light reception signal corresponding to the amount of reflected light received from the test paper 13, and the function selection unit 31 selects a blood glucose level measurement function ( Step S3). And the blood glucose level measurement part 33 will start the measurement of a blood glucose level, when blood begins to infiltrate into the test paper 13 of the chip | tip 10, and the amount of received light changes (step S5). Then, the light receiving unit 16 receives the light reflected by the test paper 13 infiltrated with the user's blood, and the blood glucose level measuring unit 33 measures the blood glucose level from the digital data output via the A / D conversion unit 17. Thereafter, the blood glucose level measurement unit 33 stores the measured blood glucose level in the third memory. When the blood glucose level measurement is completed, the user removes the chip 10 from the holder 7 and ends the measurement operation.

  On the other hand, when the chip 10 is not mounted on the holder 7 and the amount of received light changes due to a specific pattern, the light receiving unit 16 generates a second light reception signal, and the function selection unit 31 selects the mode switching function. (Step 4). Then, the mode switching unit 32 sets the current date according to the amount of received light and the light reception time (seconds) reflected by the reflecting surface on which the specific pattern is represented, or the number of pattern images included in the specific pattern. Switch between the date setting mode for setting the current time or the time setting mode for setting the current time.

  For example, when the specific pattern indicates the time setting mode shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described later, the function selection unit 31 moves the process to the mode switching unit 32, and the mode switching unit 32 switches to the time setting mode. Processing for setting the time in the timer 23 is performed (step S6). When setting the time, the user switches to a numerical value setting mode in step S8, which will be described later, in order to input a value. When the time setting is completed, the time setting mode ends.

  Similarly, when the function selection unit 31 selects the mode switching function and the specific pattern indicates a date setting mode shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described later, the function selection unit 31 selects the mode switching unit 32. Then, the mode switching unit 32 switches to the date setting mode, and performs processing for setting the date in the timer 23 (step S7). When setting the date, the mode is switched to a numerical value setting mode in step S8 described later. When the date setting is completed, the date setting mode ends.

  Further, when the function selection unit 31 selects the mode switching function and the specific pattern indicates a numerical setting mode shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described later, the function selection unit 31 sets the mode switching unit 32. The processing is shifted, and the mode switching unit 32 switches to the numerical processing mode and performs processing for setting numerical values (step S8). Then, when the setting of numerical values is completed, the date setting mode ends.

7 and 8 show display examples of specific patterns.
The function selection unit 31 generates a second light generated by the light receiving unit 16 based on the amount of light received and the change in the light receiving time reflected by the reflecting surface on which the specific pattern attached to the storage case 9 or the card is represented. A specific pattern is recognized by the received light signal. For this reason, as described below, a luminance / density (color) change pattern and a monochrome pattern are used as described below. Then, when the specific pattern is a change in two or more types of density or color, the mode switching unit 32 sets the date setting mode or current time for setting the current date based on the second received light signal. The time setting mode for setting is switched, and further, the mode is switched to a numerical value setting mode for setting the numerical value of the current date or the current time.

(1) Change Pattern of Luminance / Density (Color) FIG. 7 shows an example in which a specific pattern is represented by a change in color density.
In this example, the specific pattern indicating the time setting mode is a combination of red and pink, and the date setting mode is a combination of red and white. The numerical values in the numerical value setting mode are represented by gray colors having different densities.

  For example, the mode switching unit 32 switches to the time setting mode by causing the blood glucose level measuring device 1 to read red for 1 second and then causing pink to read for 1 second within 2 seconds. In addition, after the red color is read for 1 second, the mode switching unit 32 switches to the date setting mode by reading the white color for 1 second within 2 seconds. In the following description, reading a certain color included in a specific pattern using the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 for at least n seconds is expressed as “color name (n seconds)”.

  Then, after the mode switching unit 32 is switched to the time setting mode or the date setting mode, the mode switching unit 32 switches to a numerical value setting mode in which numbers are input depending on the color density difference. For example, black (1 second) is set to “0”, gray (1 second) lighter than black is set to “1”, and lighter gray (1 second) is set to “2”. A value of “9” is assigned. In this way, a numerical value is set.

(2) Black and White Pattern FIG. 8 shows an example in which a specific pattern is represented by continuous black and white changes.
In this example, the specific pattern indicating the time setting mode is black, white, white,..., And the specific pattern indicating the date setting mode is black, white, black, white,. And the numerical value represented by the specific pattern which shows numerical value setting mode is represented by the number of repetition corresponding to black and white.

  When a specific pattern is represented by a black and white width, in order to accurately identify each setting mode, the blood glucose level measuring device 1 must be read while moving at a constant speed on the specific pattern. For this reason, the operation of recognizing the white and black widths is difficult only by using the single light receiving unit 16. However, by changing the number of black and white patterns, it is possible to set regardless of the length of the color width.

  For example, after “black (1 second)” is set, “white (1 second)” is set within a predetermined time (2 seconds), thereby shifting to the time setting mode. On the other hand, after “black (1 second)”, “white (1 second)” within a predetermined time (2 seconds) and “black (1 second)” within a predetermined time (2 seconds). To enter date setting mode. If black or white is not read within a predetermined time (2 seconds), the operation is reset or the mode is determined depending on the situation at that time.

Then, after shifting to the time setting mode or the date setting mode, the mode shifts to a numerical value setting mode in which numbers are input depending on the number of black and white patterns.
For example, after “black (0.3 seconds)” is set, “white (0.3 seconds)” is set within a predetermined time (1 second), and “0” is detected when black is not detected even after the predetermined time has elapsed. ".
Similarly, after “black (0.3 seconds)”, “white (0.3 seconds)” is set, and when “black (0.3 seconds)” is set, “1” is set.
Or, “Black (0.3 seconds)”, then “White (0.3 seconds)”, “Black (0.3 seconds)”, then “White (0.3 seconds)” “2”. Hereinafter, numbers from “3” to “9” are similarly set.

<Blood glucose measurement function>
FIG. 9 shows an example of a change pattern of the amount of received light for shifting to the blood glucose level measurement mode.
9 to 11, vertical broken lines appearing in the graphs indicate that measurement is performed at a constant sampling interval (for example, every second). In addition, since the function switches to various functions and modes according to the change in the amount of received light read by the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1, the pattern of the amount of received light that changes with time is referred to as a “transition pattern”.

  When the chip 10 is not attached to the holder 7, the light emitted from the holder 7 hardly returns, so the level of the amount of received light is small. When the chip 10 is mounted on the holder 7 and the light emitting unit 15 irradiates the test paper 13 with light, the test paper 13 reflects the light. When blood does not adhere to the test paper 13, the level of the amount of received light is large. This is because, for example, when the test paper 13 to which no blood is attached is white, the light reflectance is high.

  Thus, the level of the amount of received light changes between when the chip 10 is not mounted and when the chip 10 is mounted. Moreover, the blood sugar level measuring unit 33 does not measure the blood sugar level only by mounting the chip 10. However, when blood begins to infiltrate the test paper 13, the test paper 13 is colored in the color of blood, and a part of the light irradiated by the light emitting unit 15 is absorbed by the test paper 13. Further, when blood infiltrates into the test paper 13 and the coloring reagent starts to react, the test paper 13 is colored, so that a transition pattern that changes so that the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 16 gradually decreases appears.

  At this time, the coloring reagent preliminarily soaked in the test paper 13 is dissolved in the blood soaked in the test paper 13 and reacts with glucose in the blood, so that a dye corresponding to the amount of glucose is generated in the test paper 13. . The blood glucose level measurement unit 33 recognizes a change in the amount of received light over a certain period as a blood glucose level measurement pattern. After a predetermined time (for example, 9 seconds) after detecting blood infiltration, the blood glucose level measurement unit 33 measures the blood glucose level based on the amount of light received by irradiating the test paper 13 with light. And the blood glucose level measurement part 33 memorize | stores the measured blood glucose level in a 3rd memory with the information regarding the measurement date and time of a blood glucose level, and the timing which measured the blood glucose level.

<Time setting mode>
FIG. 10 shows an example of a change pattern of the received light amount for shifting to the time setting mode.
FIG. 10A shows an example of a change in the amount of received light for shifting to the time setting mode.
FIG. 10B shows an example of a specific pattern read operation.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the amount of light received when the red pattern is read is different from the amount of light received when the pink pattern is read. For this reason, the user holds the blood glucose level measuring device 1 in his / her hand and sets it to “red (1 second)”, then “pink (1 second)” within a predetermined time (2 seconds). Let me read the changes. At this time, the function selection unit 31 selects the mode switching function, and the mode switching unit 32 recognizes that the time setting is instructed by the change in the amount of received light and shifts to the time setting mode.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, the user presses the opening of the holder 7 of the blood glucose level measuring device 1 against the red pattern and rests it for 1 second or more, then lifts it once within 2 seconds. Press against the pattern and let it stand for at least 1 second. By such an operation, the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 can be surely read the transition pattern to the time setting mode.

<Date setting mode>
FIG. 11 shows an example of a received light amount change pattern for shifting to the date setting mode.
FIG. 11A shows an example of a change in the amount of received light for shifting to the date setting mode.
FIG. 11B shows an example of a read operation of a specific pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the amount of light received when the red pattern is read is significantly different from the amount of light received when the white pattern is read. For this reason, the user holds the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 in his / her hand and sets “red (1 second)” to “white (1 second)” within a predetermined time (2 seconds). Let me read the changes. At this time, the function selection unit 31 selects the mode switching function, and the mode switching unit 32 recognizes that it is a date setting pattern due to a change in the amount of received light, and shifts to the date setting mode.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11B, the user presses the opening of the holder 7 of the blood glucose level measuring device 1 against the red pattern and rests it for 1 second or more, then lifts it once within 2 seconds. Press against the pattern and let it stand for at least 1 second. By such an operation, the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 can be surely read the transition pattern to the date setting mode.

<Numeric value setting mode>
FIG. 12 shows an example of a change pattern of received light amount for recognizing a numerical value in the numerical value setting mode.
Here, an example of setting the time when the current time is “2: 7” will be described. When the time setting mode is entered, the hour and minute are represented as “hh: mm” and the mode is shifted to the numerical value setting mode. First, since the hh portion blinks, the user recognizes “2 o'clock” by setting “02”. Next, since the mm portion blinks, the user recognizes “7 minutes” by setting “07”. When the time setting is thus completed, the time setting mode is canceled.

  The specific operation is performed as follows. First, when switching to the time setting mode or the date setting mode, the mode automatically shifts to the numerical value setting mode. The user holds the blood glucose level measuring device 1 and first reads a pattern represented by “0” for 1 second or more, and then reads a pattern represented by “2” for 1 second or more. "Hour" can be set. Since the received light amount varies depending on “0” to “9”, the mode switching unit 32 can recognize a numerical value from the magnitude of the received light amount.

  According to the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above, the date and time can be set by reading a specific pattern using the light emitting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 used for blood sugar level measurement. It can be carried out. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 with a special reader for reading a specific pattern.

  Further, since the housing 5 of the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 is large enough to fit in the user's hand, if a button or the like is newly added and arranged, the arrangement interval is narrowed and erroneous operation is likely to occur. For this reason, in an existing product, when a specific button (for example, a history call button) is pressed and another button (for example, a power button) is pressed, a specific mode (for example, a date setting mode) is entered. However, in the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 of this example, after the user turns on the power, the control unit 21 reads the specific pattern according to the change in the amount of received light, and only moves the holder 7 against the specific pattern. To the specified mode. In this way, by adding an algorithm for recognizing a specific luminance / concentration pattern as an operation instruction to the recognition algorithm for blood glucose measurement of the optical blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1, blood glucose that can be arranged with only a small number of buttons. The operability of the value measuring device can be improved.

2. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which reading is performed for a certain period of time (1 second or more) has been described. However, the blood glucose level measurement device 1 does not necessarily have to be stationary on a specific pattern. As shown in FIG. 13, when the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 is slid, the amount of received light changes while straddling a specific pattern. Therefore, it is also possible to recognize this change in the amount of received light as a transition pattern.

FIG. 13 shows a change pattern of the amount of received light that changes when the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 is slid on a specific pattern. FIG. 13A shows an example of a transition pattern to the time setting mode.
In this example, since the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 is slid on a specific pattern, the level of the amount of received light gradually changes. In other words, the light reception level is large when it is not on a specific pattern, but when it reaches the red pattern, the light reception level gradually decreases. Thereafter, the level of the amount of received light increases when the pink pattern is reached, and returns to the original level of the amount of received light when the pattern deviates from the pink pattern.

FIG. 13B shows an example of a specific pattern read operation.
In order to gain time for the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 to stay on the specific pattern, the width of the specific pattern is set wider than the width of the portion where the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 receives light. Then, the user can read the specific pattern by sliding the blood glucose level measuring device 1 on the specific pattern, and can switch to the date setting mode or the time setting mode.

FIG. 14 shows an example of informing the user that the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 has surely read a specific pattern.
If the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 can inform the user that the specific pattern has been read reliably, the process proceeds to the next pattern before reading the specific pattern, and setting an incorrect value can be avoided. In this example, when the blood glucose level measuring device 1 is stationary on a specific pattern for 1 second or longer, the display unit 2 blinks or the buzzer output unit 29 sounds a buzzer sound, thereby the blood glucose level measuring device. The user is informed that 1 has reliably read the specific pattern. With these cues, the user can move the blood glucose level measuring apparatus 1 to the next pattern and reliably read the pattern.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other application examples and modifications can of course be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example for shifting to the time setting mode, the date setting mode, and the numerical value setting mode has been described as the specific pattern, but the specific pattern is also used when shifting to another setting mode. It can be used as appropriate. For example, there is an inspection mode in which the normal operation of the blood sugar level measuring apparatus 1 is confirmed by measuring a control liquid. The specific pattern may include information including character codes representing other characters such as alphabets in addition to numbers. In addition, as an example of a specific pattern, a case where various colors are given in a plurality of continuous rectangular frames has been described, but the information is not limited to a rectangular frame, but information on mode transitions, numerical values, etc., such as a circle, a polygon, a pattern, etc. May be included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Blood glucose level measuring apparatus, 2 ... Display part, 3 ... Power button, 4 ... History call button, 5 ... Housing, 6 ... Ejector, 7 ... Holder, 9 ... Storage case, 10 ... Chip, 11 ... Case, 12 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Thin tube, 13 ... Test paper, 14a-14d ... Projection part, 15 ... Light emission part, 16 ... Light reception part, 17 ... A / D conversion part, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Control oscillation part, 23 ... Clock oscillation part, 24 ... Data storage unit, 25 ... External output unit, 26 ... Power supply, 27 ... Power supply voltage detection unit, 28 ... Operation unit, 31 ... Function selection unit, 32 ... Mode switching unit, 33 ... Blood glucose level measurement unit

Claims (5)

A blood glucose level measuring device that is used by attaching a chip on which a test paper that is preliminarily supported by a coloring reagent and is colored by blood infiltration is fixed,
A holder to which the chip is mounted;
A light emitting unit that emits light of a predetermined wavelength;
When the chip is mounted on the holder, a first light reception signal is generated based on the amount of received light reflected by the test paper, and when the chip is not mounted on the holder, A light receiving unit that generates a second light reception signal based on the amount of light received by the reflection surface provided on the surface of the article and having a specific pattern represented thereon;
A blood sugar level measuring unit that executes a blood sugar level measuring function for measuring a blood sugar level of blood infiltrated into the test paper by the first light receiving signal;
A mode switching unit that detects a change in the amount of light received by the specific pattern by the second light reception signal and executes a mode switching function for switching to a specific mode indicated by the specific pattern;
A function selection unit that determines whether the chip is mounted on the holder based on the first or second light reception signal and selects one of the blood glucose level measurement function and the mode switching function And a blood glucose level measuring device. When the specific pattern has two or more kinds of density or color changes,
The mode switching unit switches to a date setting mode for setting the current date or a time setting mode for setting the current time based on the second received light signal, and further, the current date or the current time is set. The blood sugar level measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blood sugar level measuring apparatus is switched to a numerical value setting mode for setting a numerical value. The mode switching unit is configured to set a current date according to the amount of light received and the time of light reflected by the reflecting surface of the specific pattern, or the number of pattern images included in the specific pattern. The blood glucose level measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a time setting mode for setting a mode or a current time is switched. The blood glucose level measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specific pattern includes information including a character code representing a numeral or other characters. A function selection method for a blood glucose level measuring device that is loaded with a chip on which a test paper that is preliminarily supported by a color developing reagent and is colored by blood infiltration is fixed,
A light emitting unit emitting light of a predetermined wavelength toward the test paper;
When the chip is attached to the holder of the blood glucose level measuring device, the light receiving unit generates a first light reception signal based on the amount of received light reflected by the test paper, and the chip When not mounted on the holder, generating a second received light signal based on the amount of received light reflected by the reflecting surface separately provided on the surface of the article and representing a specific pattern;
Determining whether the chip is mounted on the holder from the first or second light reception signal, and selecting one of a blood glucose level measurement function and a mode switching function;
Executing the blood sugar level measuring function for measuring the blood sugar level of blood infiltrated into the test paper by the first light receiving signal;
Detecting a change in the amount of received light due to the specific pattern by the second received light signal and executing the mode switching function for switching to a specific mode indicated by the specific pattern. .