JP2017055968A - Temperature measurement device and temperature measurement method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a temperature measurement device and a temperature measurement method capable of further improving the measurement accuracy in simplified body temperature measurement.SOLUTION: A temperature measurement device (100) comprises: a first temperature sensor (11) for measuring the temperature of a first site of a forearm; a second temperature sensor (12) for measuring the temperature of a second site of the forearm; and body temperature detection means for detecting a body temperature from the measured temperature at the first site and at the second site. The distance between one of the first and second sites and a position of a vein in the forearm is larger than the distance between the other site and the position of the vein.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature measuring device and a temperature measuring method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a temperature measurement device that is worn by a user and measures body temperature (internal body temperature) at predetermined intervals. Such a temperature measuring device is preferably small and lightweight so as not to increase the burden of wearing on the user, and is preferably a place that is easy for the user to wear and does not hinder the user's activities. For this reason, what is worn on a user's arm and measures skin temperature (body surface temperature) is widely known.

  However, there is a problem that the skin temperature is easily measured at a temperature different from the body temperature due to the influence of the outside air temperature. Therefore, conventionally, the surface temperature and the outside air temperature (environment temperature) are measured and the body temperature is calculated using a predetermined relational expression (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2) and the body temperatures measured at different timings are compared. A technique (Patent Document 3) for calculating a heat flow rate and calculating a body temperature is known.

Special Table 2002-507904 JP 2012-237670 A JP 2002-372464 A

  However, the relationship between the surface temperature and the outside air temperature and the parameters related to the heat conduction are different depending on the person, and because the influence of the outside air temperature, the presence or type of clothing, and the external environment changes greatly, There was a problem that the accuracy could not be increased.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature measurement device and a temperature measurement method that can further improve the measurement accuracy in simple body temperature measurement.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
First measuring means for measuring the temperature of the first part of the forearm;
Second measuring means for measuring the temperature of the second part of the forearm;
Body temperature detecting means for detecting body temperature from the measured temperature of the first part and the temperature of the second part,
The temperature measurement device characterized in that the distance between the first part and the second part is different from the vein position of the other part with respect to the vein position of the other part of the forearm. It is.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that the measurement accuracy in simple body temperature measurement can be further improved.

1 is an overall view showing a temperature measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state with which the temperature measurement apparatus was mounted | worn by the user. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a temperature measuring device. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the body temperature measurement process performed with a temperature measuring device. It is the figure which plotted the correspondence of the difference of the body temperature and outer surface side skin temperature which were obtained from the test result of the test subject, and the difference of inner skin temperature and outer surface side skin temperature.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall view of a temperature measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The temperature measuring apparatus 100 includes a wristband 10 (wrist wearing tool), a first temperature sensor 11 (first measuring means), a second temperature sensor 12 (second measuring means), a processing unit 13, An operation display unit 14 and the like are provided.

  The wristband 10 has a thickness that can be worn on the forearm from the wrist to the elbow of the user, in particular, the wrist, and has an annular shape. The wristband 10 may be belt-shaped that can be opened at both ends and can be closed annularly when worn. Further, the thickness can be made variable according to the thickness of the mounting position by the user. The width of the wristband 10 can be set as appropriate.

  The first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 are provided on the inner side of the wristband 10, that is, on the side facing the forearm so as to be able to measure the surface temperature of the measurement target at a position symmetrical to the forearm. At least one of the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 may be capable of finely adjusting the position in the annular circumferential direction according to the thickness of the forearm or the mounting position.

The processing unit 13 acquires measurement temperature data of the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 and performs processing and the like. An operation display unit 14 is provided on the outside of the wristband 10, that is, on the side that does not contact the user's forearm. The operation display unit 14 performs a simple display such as the calculated body temperature and accepts an operation by a touch panel or the like.
The processing unit 13 operates with a power supply unit (not shown) and supplies power to the first temperature sensor 11, the second temperature sensor 12, and the operation display unit 14. The calorific value related to the power consumption is set so as not to affect the measurement of the body temperature.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the temperature measurement device 100 is mounted on the user's forearm.
Here, the first temperature sensor 11 is arranged on the palm side of the wrist, and the second temperature sensor 12 is arranged on the back side of the wrist of the wrist. It is possible to determine whether is the palm side.
At this time, the measurement position (first part) by the first temperature sensor 11 is determined close to the vein position, and the measurement position (second part) by the second temperature sensor 12 is as far as possible from the vein position. It is desirable to be defined. Specifically, the measurement position by the first temperature sensor 11 is matched with the position of the radial vein on the palm side, particularly the thumb side, and the measurement position by the second temperature sensor 12 is set to the first temperature sensor with respect to the wrist. It is desirable that the position be symmetrical to the measurement position according to 11.
Here, the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 are provided on the inner surface of the wristband 10 so as not to cause an uncomfortable appearance, but are embedded in a hole provided in the wristband 10. May be exposed to the outside.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the temperature measuring apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.
The temperature measurement apparatus 100 includes a first temperature sensor 11, a second temperature sensor 12, a CPU 131 (Central Processing Unit) (body temperature detection means, ambient temperature detection means), a RAM 132 (Random Access Memory), and a storage unit 133. , A communication unit 134, an antenna AN, a built-in clock 135, an operation unit 141, a display unit 142, and the like.

  The first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 measure the temperature within a temperature range that includes a normal human body temperature. The measurement characteristics of the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 are desirably close to the same. As these first temperature sensor 11 and second temperature sensor 12, for example, an infrared radiation temperature sensor that detects the black body radiation from the object surface and measures the surface temperature of the object is used. There may be. However, in the case of a contact temperature sensor, it is necessary to reach thermal equilibrium between the skin and the temperature sensor, so be careful when using it, such as when the environment changes and the temperature sensor is affected by the amount of heat. is necessary.

The CPU 131, the RAM 132, the storage unit 133, the communication unit 134, and the built-in clock 135 are provided in the processing unit 13.
The CPU 131 controls the operation of each unit such as the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12, performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on these measured temperatures, calculates the body temperature, and stores the history in the storage unit 133. Or displayed on the operation display unit 14 by the display unit 142. The CPU 131 may acquire date and time information from the built-in clock 135 and manage body temperature measurement timing, or may store the measured body temperature and measurement date and time in the storage unit 133 in association with each other.

  The RAM 132 provides a working memory space to the CPU 131 and stores temporary data. As the RAM 132, a DRAM or SRAM that is normally used for data reading and writing at low speed and high speed is used.

  The storage unit 133 is a non-volatile memory that holds data in a state where power is not supplied, and holds a control program related to a body temperature measurement operation by the CPU 131, setting data, calculated history information of the body temperature, and the like. As the storage unit 133, it is preferable that the storage unit 133 is small and light and does not have a large problem in durability. For example, a flash memory, an SD card, a miniSD card, or the like is used. Recording media used for these storage units 133 can be attached to and detached from slots provided in the wristband 10, and may be used to transfer history data and the like to other external electronic devices.

  The communication unit 134 communicates with an external electronic communication device by wireless LAN or near field communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 134 transmits measurement data and history data to the electronic communication device based on the control of the CPU 131 and acquires operation setting information from the electronic communication device. In addition, when the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 are not directly connected to the CPU 131 by a cable or the like, the communication unit 134 acquires measurement data in a predetermined format and outputs the measurement data to the CPU 131. Are output to the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12.

  The built-in clock 135 counts the current date and time. When the CPU 131 stores the measured temperature in the storage unit 133, the date / time information is acquired from the built-in clock 135 and stored in association with the measured value. In addition, when body temperature is measured at a predetermined time interval or at a predetermined time, the measurement timing is set based on the date and time counted by the built-in clock 135.

  The operation unit 141 receives a user operation. The operation unit 141 may include, for example, a push button switch or a slide switch in addition to the touch panel described above, and a user operation on these is output to the CPU 131 as an electrical signal. The operation unit 141 is used to switch on / off of the power supply and on / off of the temperature measurement operation and to perform various settings related to body temperature measurement.

  The display unit 142 includes a display screen, a display driver, and the like, and can display the measurement result of the body temperature based on the control of the CPU 131, and can display settings and status related to the measurement of the body temperature. When the operation unit 141 includes a touch sensor and is provided so as to overlap the display screen, the display screen of the display unit 142 may be used for displaying various selection menus corresponding to the touch sensor. Moreover, the temperature measuring device 100 having a function as a wristwatch capable of displaying date / time information based on the date / time counted by the built-in clock 135 may be used.

Next, the body temperature measuring operation in the temperature measuring apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.
Usually, the skin temperature is a temperature at which deviation from the deep body temperature (hereinafter simply referred to as body temperature) occurs due to the influence of the external environment. Examples of the external environment include external air temperature, wind, heat insulation of clothes, and contact operation with water by cooking, hand washing, and the like.

  On the other hand, the skin temperature tends to be close to the body temperature in the vicinity of the main blood vessels so that the body temperature is usually measured with a sputum or the like. In the wrist, the radial vein B close to the thumb side on the palm side can be cited as a main blood vessel, but is not limited thereto. On the other hand, since there are no main blood vessels on the back side of the hand and it is easy to touch outside air, temperature fluctuations affected by the external environment are more likely to occur.

  In the temperature measuring apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, paying attention to the relative degree of this influence, the inner skin temperature Ti (venous side skin temperature) at the inner measurement position near the palmar venous blood vessel in the vicinity of the forearm, particularly the wrist, Consider the measurement difference value Td = Ti−To with the outer skin temperature To at the outer measurement position on the back side of the hand and away from the blood vessel. The inner skin temperature Ti and the outer skin temperature To are respectively the environmental temperature difference between the body temperature Tb and the outer skin temperature To that is close to the external environment, that is, both the influence of the outside air temperature and the influence of clothing, hand washing, etc. The body temperature is calculated based on the correlation, assuming that it decreases at an equivalent rate according to Te = Tb-To. That is, here, the body temperature is calculated by a relational expression using the inner skin temperature Ti and the outer skin temperature To as variables.

Although the relational expression and coefficient relating to the correlation are not particularly limited, here, for simple processing, processing is performed as a primary correlation. That is, the approximation is made according to the relationship of the following formula (1).
Ti−To = A × (Tb−To) + B (1)
By transforming Equation (1), body temperature Tb is calculated by Equation (2).
Tb = (1 / A) × (Ti−To) + (To−B / A)
= (1 / A) * Ti + (1- (1 / A)) * To- (B / A) (2)

Thus, the body temperature is obtained by adding a value corresponding to the measurement difference value Td to the outer skin temperature To and applying a predetermined offset.
The standard values of the coefficients A and B can be used by storing them in advance in the storage unit 133 as setting data or as a part of a calculation program, which can be used for fat mass, body hair and sweating. Since it may change depending on the user's constitution, such as the amount, it is preferable that the correction is appropriately made according to the temperature measurement target.

  In the body temperature measurement range, the inner skin temperature Ti is usually higher than the outer skin temperature To, and therefore, the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 are attached oppositely (symmetrical positions) with respect to the forearm. Even if it is, the body temperature can be calculated by always acquiring the higher one of the measured temperatures of the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 as the inner skin temperature Ti.

From the same relational expression, the temperature around the measurement position by the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12, that is, the temperature Ta around the user's wrist can be obtained. The relational expression is expressed by the following mathematical expression (3), which is modified to obtain the ambient temperature Ta by the mathematical expression (4).
Ti = C × (To−Ta) + D (3)
Ta = − (1 / C) × Ti + To + (D / C) (4)

  The ambient temperature Ta calculated here is the ambient temperature of the wrist with the wristband 10 attached, and is not necessarily the same as the outside air temperature. In addition, when the user's clothing or the like further covers the wristband 10, the temperature inside the clothing can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the CPU 131 of the body temperature measurement process executed by the temperature measurement device of the present embodiment.
This body temperature measurement process is started based on a predetermined input operation of the user to the operation unit 141 here.

  CPU131 acquires a measured value from the 1st temperature sensor 11 and the 2nd temperature sensor 12 (Step S101). The CPU 131 calculates the body temperature Tb using the above equation (2) and calculates the ambient temperature Ta using the equation (4) (step S102). The CPU 131 stores the calculated body temperature Tb and the ambient temperature Ta in the storage unit 133 in association with the date and time information and displays them on the display unit 142. When the communication connection with the external electronic communication device is made, The measurement data is transmitted and output to the electronic communication device via the communication unit 134 (step S103).

  The CPU 131 determines whether an end operation has been detected (step S104). When it is determined that the input of the end operation to the operation unit 141 is detected (“YES” in step S104), the CPU 131 ends the body temperature measurement process. When it is determined that the input of the end operation has not been detected (“NO” in step S104), the CPU 131 determines whether or not it is the next measurement timing (step S105). If it is determined that it is not the next measurement timing (“NO” in step S105), the processing of the CPU 131 returns to step S104. If it is determined that it is the next measurement timing (“YES” in step S105), the processing of the CPU 131 returns to step S101.

As described above, the temperature measuring apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the first temperature sensor 11 that measures the temperature of the first part of the forearm, and the second temperature sensor 12 that measures the temperature of the second part of the forearm. A CPU 131 as body temperature detecting means for detecting body temperature from the measured temperature of the first part and temperature of the second part. At this time, the first part and the second part are determined such that the distance from the vein position of the other part is separated from the distance from the vein position of the forearm of one part.
Thereby, the measurement accuracy of body temperature can be further improved by the simple measurement of the skin temperature of the forearm at two points. In particular, since the temperature of the same object is measured in all cases, the influence of different offset factors hardly occurs in the same measurement situation. In addition, measurement can be performed without time difference at two points, and measurement in a plurality of hours as in the case of considering heat conduction is unnecessary, so that measurement can be performed without being affected by changes in time. Further, since the skin temperature is simply measured, the influence on the normal operation and activity of the user can be reduced. In addition, since the measurement is performed at the forearm, the measurement is easy, and it is difficult to disturb the measurement subject's action.

  Further, the first part is the skin on the palm side of the wrist, and the second part is the skin on the back side of the hand of the wrist. Thereby, an appropriate temperature difference based on the difference between the body temperature and the external temperature is generated using the palm side temperature close to the radial vein B and the far back hand side temperature, and the body temperature can be calculated more accurately. .

  Further, the CPU 131 calculates the body temperature based on a difference value between the vein-side skin temperature and the outer-side skin temperature, with the palm-side skin temperature as the venous-side skin temperature and the back-side skin temperature as the outer-side skin temperature. Therefore, the temperature can be measured with higher accuracy by appropriately using the difference in the influence of external influences.

  In addition, the wristband provided with the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 so that the measurement site of the first temperature sensor 11 and the measurement site of the second temperature sensor 12 can be set at symmetrical positions on the user's wrist. 10 is provided, it is possible to accurately measure the body temperature by reliably arranging the two temperature sensors at appropriate positions with an easy configuration. Further, by using the wristband 10, it is possible to fix these temperature sensors even during user activities and continuously measure body temperature. In addition, it does not occupy a large area or cause a significant increase in weight, and it is easy to use for body temperature measurement because there is little discomfort due to wearing.

  Further, the CPU 131 determines, as the ambient temperature detection means, the ambient temperature Ta around the measurement position based on the inner skin temperature Ti measured by the first temperature sensor 11 and the outer skin temperature To measured by the second temperature sensor 12. To detect. Thereby, for example, data effective for managing the physical condition of the user can be easily obtained by checking the temperature in the clothing together.

  In addition, an infrared radiation temperature sensor is used for each of the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12. Thereby, temperature can be measured promptly. In addition, it is not necessary to consider heat flow, heat conduction, thermal equilibrium, etc. in a contact-type thermometer, and it is particularly difficult to be affected by changes in the external environment during measurement or immediately before the measurement.

Further, the temperature measurement method of the present embodiment using the temperature sensor is measured by a first measurement step for measuring the temperature of the first part of the forearm, a second measurement step for measuring the temperature of the second part of the forearm. A body temperature detecting step for detecting a body temperature from the temperature of the first part and the temperature of the second part. At this time, the first part and the second part have a vein position in the forearm of one part. It is determined that the distance from the vein position of the other part is separated from the distance.
By such a measuring method, it is possible to measure body temperature with higher accuracy corresponding to fluctuations in the ambient temperature by a simple measuring operation for an easily measurable location.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that it is preferable to match the measurement position on the palm side with the position of the radial vein B. However, even if there is a slight shift, a large shift does not occur. For example, the measurement position of the inner skin temperature Ti may be slightly shifted from the palm side and close to the lateral side of the wrist.

    In the above embodiment, two temperature sensors are arranged in the wristband 10, but three or more temperature sensors are arranged, and among these measured values, the one having the highest temperature is the first. The inner skin temperature Ti at the site may be the lowest temperature or the farthest from the first site as the outer skin temperature To at the second site. Thereby, even if the user wears the wristband 10 without being aware of the direction, the body temperature can be appropriately measured.

  In the above embodiment, by attaching the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12 to the wristband 10 including a belt or the like, it is possible to easily determine two measurement positions. Although it is easy to maintain, it is not necessarily required to be attached to the wristband 10, and the user may place two temperature sensors directly on both sides of the wrist to measure the temperature, or a support base or the like in advance. The temperature may be measured by inserting a wrist between two temperature sensors fixed to the head.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the body temperature and the ambient temperature are calculated by the CPU 131 of the processing unit directly connected to the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 12, but the external electronic device uses two temperature sensors. Measurement data may be acquired and calculation processing may be performed by the electronic device.

  Further, the wristband 10 may be provided with other measurement sensors such as a pulse sensor as long as the measurement temperature is not affected. In this case, each of these sensors may need to be appropriately corrected according to the mounting position, but depending on the position of each sensor and the positional relationship between the first part and the second part. A correction value may be set.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, body temperature was calculated using the predetermined formula from the skin temperature of 2 places measured with the 1st temperature sensor 11 and the 2nd temperature sensor 12, For example, skin temperature of 2 places was calculated by this predetermined formula It is also possible to prepare a table or the like in which the body temperature is calculated in advance, and the storage unit 133 includes the table data and is referred to by the CPU 131 to detect the body temperature.
In addition, the specific configuration, operation content, procedure, and the like shown in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Experimental example]
A temperature sensor was placed on the palm side of the wrist and back of the hand every hour except for sleeping for two days in the indoor and outdoor environment in winter. The body temperature was measured by the conventional method.

  FIG. 5 is a graph plotting the correspondence between the difference between the body temperature Tb and the outer skin temperature To obtained from the measurement results, and the difference between the inner skin temperature Ti and the outer skin temperature To. The straight line is a regression line calculated from these data points, and each point is distributed with a correlation coefficient r = 0.914.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. .
The invention described in the scope of claims attached to the application of this application will be added below. The item numbers of the claims described in the appendix are as set forth in the claims attached to the application of this application.

[Appendix]
<Claim 1>
First measuring means for measuring the temperature of the first part of the forearm;
Second measuring means for measuring the temperature of the second part of the forearm;
Body temperature detecting means for detecting body temperature from the measured temperature of the first part and the temperature of the second part,
The temperature measurement device characterized in that the distance between the first part and the second part is different from the vein position of the other part with respect to the vein position of the other part of the forearm. .
<Claim 2>
The temperature measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first part is skin on the palm side of the wrist, and the second part is skin on the back side of the hand of the wrist.
<Claim 3>
The body temperature detecting means uses the palm side skin temperature as the venous skin temperature, the back side skin temperature as the outer skin temperature, and based on the difference value between the venous skin temperature and the outer skin temperature. The temperature measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the temperature is detected.
<Claim 4>
The wrist provided with the first measurement means and the second measurement means so that the measurement site of the first measurement means and the measurement site of the second measurement means can be set symmetrically on the wrist of the user. The temperature measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting tool.
<Claim 5>
2. An ambient temperature detecting means for detecting an ambient temperature around a measurement position based on the temperature measured by the first measuring means and the temperature measured by the second measuring means. The temperature measuring apparatus as described in any one of -4.
<Claim 6>
6. The temperature measuring device according to claim 1, wherein an infrared radiation temperature sensor is used for each of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit.
<Claim 7>
A temperature measuring method using a measuring means for measuring the surface temperature,
A first measuring step for measuring the temperature of the first part of the forearm;
A second measuring step for measuring the temperature of the second part of the forearm;
A body temperature detecting step of detecting a body temperature from the measured temperature of the first part and the temperature of the second part,
The temperature measurement method characterized in that the distance between the first part and the second part is different from the vein position of the other part with respect to the vein position of the other part of the forearm. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wristband 11 1st temperature sensor 12 2nd temperature sensor 13 Processing part 14 Operation display part 100 Temperature measuring device 131 CPU
132 RAM
133 Storage unit 134 Communication unit 135 Built-in clock 141 Operation unit 142 Display unit AN Antenna B Radial vein

Claims (7)

First measuring means for measuring the temperature of the first part of the forearm;
Second measuring means for measuring the temperature of the second part of the forearm;
Body temperature detecting means for detecting body temperature from the measured temperature of the first part and the temperature of the second part,
The temperature measurement device characterized in that the distance between the first part and the second part is different from the vein position of the other part with respect to the vein position of the other part of the forearm. .   The temperature measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first part is skin on the palm side of the wrist, and the second part is skin on the back side of the hand of the wrist.   The body temperature detecting means uses the palm side skin temperature as the venous skin temperature, the back side skin temperature as the outer skin temperature, and based on the difference value between the venous skin temperature and the outer skin temperature. The temperature measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the temperature is detected.   The wrist provided with the first measurement means and the second measurement means so that the measurement site of the first measurement means and the measurement site of the second measurement means can be set symmetrically on the wrist of the user. The temperature measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting tool.   2. An ambient temperature detecting means for detecting an ambient temperature around a measurement position based on the temperature measured by the first measuring means and the temperature measured by the second measuring means. The temperature measuring apparatus as described in any one of -4.   6. The temperature measuring device according to claim 1, wherein an infrared radiation temperature sensor is used for each of the first measuring unit and the second measuring unit. A temperature measuring method using a measuring means for measuring the surface temperature,
A first measuring step for measuring the temperature of the first part of the forearm;
A second measuring step for measuring the temperature of the second part of the forearm;
A body temperature detecting step of detecting a body temperature from the measured temperature of the first part and the temperature of the second part,
The temperature measurement method characterized in that the distance between the first part and the second part is different from the vein position of the other part with respect to the vein position of the other part of the forearm. .

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