JP3244724U - interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an interface device that can connect a plurality of inspection devices at the same time and output inspection results to a computer. [Solution] The interface device of the present invention is an interface device that connects a plurality of inspection devices each having an inspection side connection terminal for outputting inspection results to a computer having a computer side connection terminal for receiving the inspection results. a plurality of first connection terminals each having a connection structure according to a standard of the inspection side connection terminal of each of the plurality of inspection devices, and for receiving the inspection results; and a plurality of the first connection terminals. a second connection terminal that is electrically connected to each of the computer-side connection terminals, has a connection structure according to the standard of the computer-side connection terminal, and outputs the inspection results of each of the plurality of inspection devices to the computer; Equipped with [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an interface device connected to an inspection device and a computer.

In recent years, troubles caused by fatigue and stress among corporate employees have been increasing. For this reason, companies are required to give consideration to the health condition of each employee. In order to manage the health status of each employee, for example, an organization-side computer operated by the organization and a health status index representing the level of health of the employees belonging to the organization to be tested are derived. , a testing device capable of outputting the health condition index, and the organization side computer includes a test information receiving unit that receives the health condition index of the member output from the testing device; and an instruction correspondence table storage unit that stores an instruction correspondence table that associates the information with the instructions to the staff member, and the instruction correspondence table that stores the instructions for the health condition index received by the examination information receiving unit. An inspection system has been proposed that includes a determination unit that makes a determination and an instruction output unit that outputs the instruction determined by the determination unit (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 7248233

In general, the connection terminal for outputting the test results of the test device as described in Patent Document 1 often has a different structure depending on the standard. In addition, the organization's computer, which is assumed to be composed of a general personal computer, has a general-purpose connection terminal such as a USB connection terminal, but it has a connection terminal that can be connected to a connection terminal of a special standard inspection device. Often does not have terminals. When exchanging data between connection terminals of different standards, it is common to use a conversion cable or the like. However, when connecting the testing device to the organization's computer, it is complicated to use a different conversion cable for each testing device.

In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an interface device that can connect a plurality of inspection devices at the same time so that inspection results can be output to a computer.

The interface device of the present invention is an interface device for connecting a plurality of inspection devices each having a test-side connection terminal for outputting test results to a computer having a computer-side connection terminal for receiving the test results. Each of the inspection devices has a connection structure according to the standard of the inspection side connection terminal, and has a plurality of first connection terminals for receiving the inspection results, and an electrical connection with each of the plurality of first connection terminals. a second connection terminal that is connected to the computer side, has a connection structure according to the standard of the computer side connection terminal, and outputs the inspection results of each of the plurality of inspection devices to the computer. Features.

The interface device of the present invention further includes a controller that is electrically connected to both the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals, and that controls output of the test results to the computer. do.

The interface device of the present invention is further electrically connected to both the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, and transmits a signal of a standard compliant with the inspection device connected to the first connection terminal to the computer. The device is characterized by comprising a conversion circuit that converts the side connection terminal into a signal of a standard compliant with.

In the interface device of the present invention, the second connection terminal and the computer side connection terminal are USB standard connection terminals.

According to the interface device of the present invention, an excellent effect can be achieved in that a plurality of inspection devices can be connected simultaneously so that inspection results can be output to a computer.

1 is a schematic diagram of an inspection system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer which constitutes the inspection device of the inspection system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of an inspection device in an embodiment of the present invention. (A) to (C) are diagrams showing an example of the first connection terminal of the interface device in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer of the inspection system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of a computer of the inspection system in an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The inspection system in the embodiment of the present invention includes inspection devices 1A to 1C, an interface device 2, and a computer 3.

<Inspection equipment>
Inspection devices 1A to 1C will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The testing devices 1A to 1C acquire biological information of a person to be tested and derive a health condition index representing the degree of health of the person to be tested. The testing devices 1A to 1C then output the health condition index to the computer 3 via the interface device 2, as shown in FIG. Calculator 3 receives health condition indicators output from testing devices 1A to 1C.

In addition, although the number of inspection devices in this embodiment is three, inspection devices 1A to 1C, it is not limited to this, and may be two or four or more. . In other words, it is sufficient to have a plurality of inspection devices. Examples of the test device in this embodiment include, but are not limited to, a test device that analyzes body fluids, exhaled breath, etc., a test device that makes contact with the body, and a test device that analyzes image and video information. This includes all other inspection equipment.

Testing devices for analyzing body fluids and exhaled breath include, for example, blood sampling/evaluation equipment, saliva measurement/evaluation equipment, nasal mucosa measurement/evaluation equipment, tear measurement/evaluation equipment, exhaled breath measurement/evaluation equipment, and urine measurement/evaluation equipment. Examples include equipment for measuring and evaluating the amount of inhaled substances, equipment for measuring and evaluating hair, and equipment for measuring and evaluating the amount of inhaled substances. Test devices that come into contact with the body include, for example, temperature measurement/evaluation equipment, acceleration measurement/evaluation equipment, electrocardiogram measurement/evaluation equipment, electromyography measurement/evaluation equipment, edema state measurement/evaluation equipment, sleep state measurement/evaluation equipment, Examples include equipment for measuring and evaluating exposure radiation doses and equipment for measuring and evaluating inhaled substances. Inspection devices that analyze image/video information include, for example, temperature measurement/evaluation equipment, facial expression (stress) measurement/evaluation equipment, gait state measurement/evaluation equipment, breathing state measurement/evaluation equipment, and eye movement measurement/evaluation equipment. Examples include ultrasonic image measurement/evaluation equipment, X-ray image measurement/evaluation equipment, exposure radiation dose measurement/evaluation equipment, and sleep state measurement/evaluation equipment.

<Hardware configuration of inspection device>
An example of the hardware configuration of the inspection device 1A will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Note that the hardware configurations of the inspection devices 1B and 1C are basically the same as the hardware configuration of the inspection device 1A, but may have different configurations. As shown in FIG. 2, the inspection device 1A includes, for example, a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a storage medium 104, a wireless communication interface 105, an antenna 106, a wired communication interface 107, an inspection side connection terminal 108, and an operation input interface. 109, an operation input device 110, a display control section 111, a display device 112, a sensor interface 113, a sensor 114, a power supply device 115, a bus 116, and a photographing section 120. Ru. Note that in FIG. 2, the notation I/F is an abbreviation for interface.

The CPU 101 is in charge of overall processing within the computer 100, and uses the RAM 102 as a work area. For example, a program for starting the computer 100, an operating system (OS) for realizing the basic operations of the computer 100, and a program for deriving a health condition index are written in the ROM 103. The storage medium 104 is composed of, for example, a flash memory. The storage medium 104 stores, for example, test results such as derived health condition indicators.

The wireless communication interface 105 performs conversion processing (modulation/demodulation) of data transmitted and received by wireless communication with an external device, and is connected to the antenna 106 . Antenna 106 receives data transmitted from the outside and sends it to wireless communication interface 105. Furthermore, the antenna 106 transmits data supplied from the wireless communication interface 105 to the outside.

The wired communication interface 107 performs, for example, conversion processing of data transmitted and received by wired communication with an external device, and is connected to the inspection side connection terminal 108 . An example of the wired communication interface 107 and the inspection side connection terminal 108 is one using a serial bus standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), but is not limited to this, and a serial bus such as IEEE1394 etc. It may be any system that employs a parallel bus system such as SCSI. Further, the wired communication interface 107 may include one that can be connected to an external network. An example of a standard for such a wired communication interface 107 is Ethernet (registered trademark).

The inspection side connection terminals 108 (108A to 108C) may be provided in an exposed state outside the inspection device 1A, or may be extended to the outside of the inspection device 1A with a cable, for example, as shown in FIG. .

The operation input interface 109 transmits operation signals from the operation input device 110 to the CPU 101 via the bus 116. The display control unit 111 causes the display device 112 to perform display according to instructions from the CPU 101. Commands from the CPU 101 are transmitted to the display control unit 111 via the bus 116. The operation input device 110 may be, for example, a touch panel type device in which input is performed by touching the display portion of the display device 112, a type in which input is performed by pressing a button, or a device configured with a mouse. It's okay. The display device 112 may be a liquid crystal display device embedded in the main body of the inspection device 1A, or may be an external liquid crystal monitor connected to the main body of the inspection device 1A.

The sensor interface 113 transmits biological information acquired by the sensor 114 to the CPU 101 via the bus 116. The sensor 114 is for acquiring human biological information. As the sensor 114, for example, a sensor such as a temperature sensor that detects biological information such as a person's body temperature by contacting the body (corresponding to an inspection device that comes into contact with the body), a sensor that acquires the biological information of a person from body fluids, exhaled breath, etc. (corresponding to a testing device that analyzes body fluids, exhaled breath, etc.), but is not limited thereto, and other sensors may be used. Note that the photographing unit 120 photographs images or videos of the inside of a person's body or body movements through a lens, and is configured by, for example, a camera device. Photographing information in the photographing unit 120 is transmitted to the CPU 101 via the bus 116. The images or videos taken by the photographing unit 120 are stored in the storage medium 104 via the bus 116. Note that the imaging unit 120 is preferably included in an inspection device that analyzes image/video information.

The power supply device 115 supplies power to each part within the computer 100. The power supply device 115 may be configured with a rechargeable storage battery, for example, or may be configured with a circuit that converts power supplied from an external power source into power usable by the computer 100.

Note that since the health condition index can be outputted to the outside through either the wired communication interface 107 or the wireless communication interface 105, the testing device 1A may be configured to include only either one.

<Functional block configuration of inspection device>
With reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of functional blocks of the inspection device 1A will be described. The testing device 1A includes, for example, a biological information acquisition section 10, a health condition index deriving section 11, a testing side input section 12, a testing side storage section 13, and a testing side output section 14.

The biological information acquisition unit 10 acquires biological information of a person to be examined. When the testing device 1A is a thermometer (temperature measurement/evaluation device), the biological information acquisition unit 10 includes, for example, a temperature sensor. The biological information acquisition section 10 is mainly realized by the sensor interface 113, the sensor 114, the photographing section 120, etc. in the computer 100.

The health condition index deriving section 11 derives a health condition index based on the biological information acquired by the biological information acquisition section 10. The health condition index derivation unit 11 is mainly realized by the CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103, etc. in which a program for deriving the health condition index is written in the computer 100.

The inspection-side input section 12 receives input from the outside. Specifically, the inspection-side input unit 12 receives, for example, input of identification information of the person to be inspected. The identification information of the person to be tested includes a unique number assigned to the person to be tested, the name, age, gender, etc. of the person to be tested. The inspection-side input unit 12 is mainly realized by an operation input interface 109, an operation input device 110, etc. in the computer 100.

The inspection side storage unit 13 stores predetermined information. Examples of the predetermined information include test results including health condition indicators, and identification information of the test subject input by the test-side input unit 12. In the inspection side storage unit 13, the stored information may be temporarily stored and discarded after the information is output from the inspection side output unit 14, or may be continuously stored. The inspection side storage unit 13 is mainly realized by the storage medium 104 in the computer 100 and the like.

The inspection-side output unit 14 outputs the inspection results to the outside. The output of the inspection-side output unit 14 may be realized by wireless communication or wired communication. The test results include health status indicators of the person being tested. The test-side output unit 14 is mainly realized by the wireless communication interface 105 and antenna 106 in the computer 100, or the wire communication interface 107 and the test-side connection terminal 108 in the computer 100, and the like.

<Interface device>
The interface device 2 connects each of the inspection devices 1A to 1C (a plurality of inspection devices) to the computer 3. The interface device 2 includes first connection terminals 20A to 20C (a plurality of first connection terminals), a second connection terminal 22, an electrical connection section 23, and a housing 24 that accommodates each of the above sections.

Each of the first connection terminals 20A to 20C has a connection structure that conforms to the respective standards of the inspection side connection terminals 108A to 108C of the inspection devices 1A to 1C. Specifically, the first connection terminal 20A has a connection structure that conforms to the standard of the inspection side connection terminal 108A of the inspection device 1A. When the test-side connection terminal 108A is connected to the first connection terminal 20A, the test result (health condition index) of the test device 1A can be accepted by the interface device 2 through the first connection terminal 20A.

Similarly, the first connection terminal 20B has a connection structure that conforms to the standard of the inspection side connection terminal 108B of the inspection device 1B. When the test side connection terminal 108B is connected to the first connection terminal 20B, the test result (health condition index) of the test device 1B can be accepted by the interface device 2 through the first connection terminal 20B. Further, the first connection terminal 20C has a connection structure that conforms to the standard of the inspection side connection terminal 108C of the inspection device 1C. When the test side connection terminal 108C is connected to the first connection terminal 20C, the test result (health condition index) of the test device 1C can be accepted by the interface device 2 through the first connection terminal 20C.

For example, when the inspection side connection terminal 108A is a socket having 14 pins, the first connection terminal 20A has a shape that can accept 14 pins, as shown in FIG. It has 14 holes with the same layout. For example, when the inspection side connection terminal 108B is a socket having 11 pins, the first connection terminal 20B has a shape that can accept 11 pins, as shown in FIG. It has 11 holes with the same arrangement. For example, if the inspection side connection terminal 108C is a socket having a total of nine pins with two types of shapes, the first connection terminal 20C has a total of nine pins with two types of shapes, as shown in FIG. 4(C). It has a shape that can accept pins, and has nine holes arranged in the same way as each pin. As described above, each of the first connection terminals 20A to 20C is assumed to be of a different standard and shape, but is not limited to this, and may include terminals of the same standard and shape. It's okay.

Further, each of the first connection terminals 20A to 20C may be provided in a exposed state outside the casing 24 of the interface device 2, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be extended outside the interface device 2 with a cable. It's okay. Further, it is preferable that each of the first connection terminals 20A to 20C is configured to engage or fit so that when a corresponding one of the inspection side connection terminals 108A to 108C is inserted, the connected state can be maintained.

The second connection terminal 22 has a connection structure that conforms to the standard (eg, USB standard) of the computer side connection terminal 119 of the computer 3, which will be described later. When the second connection terminal 22 is connected to the computer side connection terminal 119, the test results (health condition index) of each of the test devices 1A to 1C can be output to the computer 3 through the second connection terminal 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the second connection terminal 22 may be extended to the outside of the interface device 2 by a cable, or may be provided in a exposed state to the outside of the casing 24 of the interface device 2. Further, it is preferable that the second connection terminal 22 is configured to engage or fit into the computer side connection terminal 119 so that the connection state can be maintained when the second connection terminal 22 is inserted into the computer side connection terminal 119.

The electrical connection portion 23 electrically connects each of the first connection terminals 20A to 20C and the second connection terminal 22. The electrical connection section 23 includes, for example, wiring 232 mounted on a printed circuit board, and electrically connects each of the first connection terminals 20A to 20C and the second connection terminal 22.

The electrical connection unit 23 is provided with conversion circuits 230A to 230C that convert signals of standards compliant with each of the inspection devices 1A to 1C to signals of standards compliant with the computer side connection terminal of the computer 3, as necessary. is preferably included. Specifically, the first connection terminal 20A is connected to the conversion circuit 230A via the wiring 232. First connection terminal 20B is connected to conversion circuit 230B via wiring 232. The first connection terminal 20C is connected to the conversion circuit 230C via the wiring 232. When the standard to which the computer-side connection terminal of the computer 3 complies is the USB standard, the conversion circuits 230A to 230C convert signals of the standard to which each of the inspection devices 1A to 1C complies to signals to the USB standard. Note that if the signals of the standards to which each of the inspection devices 1A to 1C conforms and the standards to which the computer side connection terminal of the computer 3 conforms are compatible and signal conversion is unnecessary, no conversion circuit is necessary.

The electrical connection section 23 preferably includes a controller (controller circuit) 231 that is electrically connected to both the first connection terminals 20A to 20C and the second connection terminal 22 via wiring 232. The controller 231 controls processing between each of the inspection devices 1A to 1C and the computer 3. Specifically, the controller 231 detects that any of the inspection devices 1A to 1C (inspection side connection terminals 108A to 108C) is connected to the interface device 2 (first connection terminals 20A to 20C), and Let 3 know. Further, the controller 231 controls, for example, the output of test results sent from each of the test devices 1A to 1C.

Each of the conversion circuits 230A to 230C and the controller 231 is configured by, for example, an IC chip (integrated circuit). The IC chips (integrated circuits) corresponding to the conversion circuits 230A to 230C have a function of converting the signals of the standards compliant with each of the inspection devices 1A to 1C to the standards compliant with the computer side connection terminal of the computer 3. The IC chip (integrated circuit) corresponding to the controller 231 has a function capable of controlling processing between each of the inspection devices 1A to 1C and the computer 3. The IC chip (integrated circuit) is connected to each of the first connection terminals 20A to 20C and the second connection terminal 22 through wiring 232 of the printed circuit board.

Note that in this embodiment, the number of first connection terminals is three, first connection terminals 20A to 20C, but the number is not limited to this, and the number of first connection terminals may vary according to the number of inspection devices to be connected. The number of is determined. That is, as long as there is a plurality of first connection terminals, there may be two, four or more.

<Calculator>
The computer 3 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The computer 3 receives the test results (health condition index) output from the test devices 1A to 1C, judges the test results, and creates and outputs the judgment results including instructions to the person to be tested.

<Computer hardware configuration>
An example of the hardware configuration of the computer 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The computer 3 includes, for example, a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a storage medium 104, a wireless communication interface 105, an antenna 106, a wired communication interface 107, a computer side connection terminal 119, an operation input interface 109, and an operation input device 110. , a display control section 111, a display device 112, a power supply device 115, a bus 116, an audio control section 117, and a speaker 118. The description in <Hardware configuration of inspection device> can be applied to those having the same reference numerals as the computer 100 described in <Hardware configuration of inspection device>.

A determination processing program is written in the ROM 103 and/or the storage medium 104 that can determine the test results output from the test devices 1A to 1C and create a determination result including instructions to the person to be tested. The audio control unit 117 outputs audio through the speaker 118 according to instructions from the CPU 101. Commands from the CPU 101 are transmitted to the audio control unit 117 via the bus 116.

The computer side connection terminal 119 can be explained in the same way as the inspection side connection terminal 108. The computer-side connection terminal 119 may be, for example, a USB standard connection terminal, but is not limited thereto, and may be a connection terminal of other standards. Further, the computer-side connection terminal 119 may be provided in an exposed state on the outside of the casing of the computer 3, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be extended to the outside of the computer 3 with a cable. Moreover, it is preferable that the computer side connection terminal 119 is configured to engage or fit so that when the second connection terminal 22 is inserted, the connection state can be maintained.

Specifically, it is assumed that the computer 3 is configured by, for example, a tower-type personal computer or a notebook computer.

<Computer functional blocks>
The functional blocks of the computer 3 will be explained with reference to FIG. The computer 3 includes, for example, an instruction correspondence table storage section 31, a receiving section 32, a determining section 33, and an output section 34.

The instruction correspondence table storage unit 31 stores an instruction correspondence table that associates a health condition index with an evaluation of the health condition index. The evaluation of the health condition index includes, for example, a doctor's instructions for medical treatment according to the health condition index. The instruction correspondence table storage unit 30 is mainly realized by the storage medium 104 or the like in the computer 3 in which the instruction correspondence table is stored.

The receiving unit 32 receives test results output from each of the test devices 1A to 1C via the interface device 2. The receiving unit 32 is mainly realized by the wireless communication interface 105 and antenna 106 in the computer 3, or the wired communication interface 107 and the computer-side connection terminal 119 in the computer 3.

The determining unit 33 determines the evaluation of the health condition index received by the receiving unit 32 by referring to the instruction correspondence table. The determination unit 33 is mainly realized by the CPU 101, the RAM 102, the ROM 103 in which a determination processing program for determining the evaluation of the health condition index is written, the storage medium 104 in the computer 3 in which the instruction correspondence table is stored, and the like.

The output unit 34 outputs data to the outside. The output unit 34 is mainly realized by a wireless communication interface 105 and an antenna 106 in the computer 3, or a wired communication interface 107 and a computer-side connection terminal 119 in the computer 3.

<Operation of interface device>
An example of the operation of the inspection system in this embodiment will be explained mainly with reference to FIG. For example, when the inspection side connection terminal 108A of the inspection device 1A is connected to the first connection terminal 20A, the controller 231 detects the connection of the inspection device 1A and notifies the CPU 101 of the computer 3. Thereby, the computer 3 recognizes that the inspection device 1A is connected to the interface device 2.

Next, when the computer 3 is operated through the operation input device 110 and an instruction to import the detection results of the inspection device 1A is sent to the controller 231, the controller 231 outputs a signal representing the detection results of the inspection device 1A. Instruct the inspection device 1A. A signal representing the detection result is received by the computer 3 through the inspection side connection terminal 108A, the first connection terminal 20A, the controller 231, the second connection terminal 22, and the computer side connection terminal 119 in this order.

According to the determination processing program written in the ROM 103 and/or the storage medium 104, a signal representing the detection result is processed by the CPU 101 of the computer 3, etc., and a determination result including instructions to the person to be tested is created, and the determination result is transmitted externally. Output.

It should be noted that the inspection system and interface device of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1A to 1C Inspection device 2 Interface device 3 Computer 10 Biological information acquisition unit 11 Health condition index derivation unit 12 Inspection side input unit 13 Inspection side storage unit 14 Inspection side output unit 20A to 20C First connection terminal 22 Second connection terminal 23 Electricity connection part 100 computer 101 CPU
102 RAM
103 ROM
104 Storage medium 105 Wireless communication interface 106 Antenna 107 Wired communication interface 108, 108A to 108C Inspection side connection terminal 109 Operation input interface 110 Operation input device 111 Display control section 112 Display device 113 Sensor interface 114 Sensor 115 Power supply device 116 Bus 117 Audio control Part 118 Speaker 119 Computer side connection terminal 230 Controller 231 Wiring

Claims (4)

An interface device for connecting a plurality of inspection devices each having an inspection side connection terminal for outputting inspection results to a computer having a computer side connection terminal for accepting the inspection results, the interface device comprising:
a plurality of first connection terminals each having a connection structure according to a standard of the inspection side connection terminal of each of the plurality of inspection devices, and for receiving the inspection results;
electrically connected to each of the plurality of first connection terminals, having a connection structure according to the standard of the computer side connection terminal, and outputting the inspection results of each of the plurality of inspection devices to the computer; a second connection terminal of
characterized by comprising;
Interface device. characterized by comprising a controller that is electrically connected to both the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of second connection terminals and controls the output of the test results to the computer;
An interface device according to claim 1. The computer-side connection terminal is electrically connected to both the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, and receives a signal of a standard that the inspection device that is connected to the first connection terminal conforms to, and a signal of a standard that the computer side connection terminal conforms to. characterized by comprising a conversion circuit for converting into
An interface device according to claim 1. The second connection terminal and the computer side connection terminal are USB standard connection terminals,
An interface device according to claim 1.

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