JP4126807B2

JP4126807B2 - Ear thermometer

Info

Publication number: JP4126807B2
Application number: JP16049099A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 桂子野田; 直史中谷; 弘文乾
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1999-06-08
Filing date: 1999-06-08
Publication date: 2008-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-08
Also published as: JP2000342542A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、鼓膜温度を非接触で測定できる耳式体温計に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
本来、耳式体温計は、体温中枢である視床下部と血流を共有していて人体の深部体温を良く反映していると言われている鼓膜の温度を、その放射される赤外線を検出することによって瞬時に測定するものである。従来の耳式体温計は、案内部と呼ばれる部分を耳孔内に差し込んでそこから放射される赤外線を赤外線センサで検出して約１秒で測定完了するもので、測定時間内での耳孔内温度のピークを検出するものもある。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
鼓膜温は、正しく測定できれば、測定の際外気に直にさらされる舌下や腋下よりもより真の体温を反映するものである。ところが、人体の外耳道は非常に個体差があり、細かったり曲がっていたりして、従来の耳式体温計の案内部を単純に耳孔内に差し込んだだけでは、鼓膜が非常に見えにくい。鼓膜が見えにくいと、本来鼓膜温度を測定すべきところが、外耳道の温度を測定してしまい鼓膜温度より低い温度をひろい正しい測定ができなかった。この場合、いくらピーク温度をとってもあくまでも外耳道内のピーク温度にすぎない。さらに、外耳道を見ている場合は、室温が低いと外気に冷やされたり、差し込んだ冷えた案内部に冷やされてしまい、その結果として室温によって測定温度が影響を受けて低かったり、測定の再現性が悪かった。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
室温を測定するための室温測定手段と、耳孔内体温を測定するための耳孔内体温測定手段と、前記室温測定手段で測定した室温に応じて１測定あたりの連続測定回数を決定する連続測定回数決定手段と、報知手段とを備え、前記連続測定回数決定手段は、決定した連続測定回数を報知するようにして、室温に応じて安定した再現性が得られるまで測定してできるだけ低温下での測定値への影響を押さえて、しかも案内部が鼓膜に向いていない場合に対する方向変えにも対応する耳式体温計としている。
【０００５】
【発明の実施の形態】
請求項１に記載した発明は、室温を測定するための室温測定手段と、耳孔内体温を測定するための耳孔内体温測定手段と、前記室温測定手段で測定した室温に応じて１測定あたりの連続測定回数を決定する連続測定回数決定手段と、報知手段とを備え、前記連続測定回数決定手段は、決定した連続測定回数を報知するようにして、できるだけ低温下での測定値への影響を押さえて、しかも案内部が鼓膜に向いていない場合に対する方向替えにも対応する耳式体温計としている。
【０００６】
請求項２に記載した発明は、記憶手段を備え、報知手段は、連続測定回数決定手段によって決定され報知した連続測定回数中の耳孔内体温値の最高値を前記記憶手段に記憶して報知するようにして、使用者が容易に信頼性の高い測定値を知ることができる耳式体温計としている。
【０００７】
請求項３に記載した発明は、計時手段を備え、連続測定回数決定手段は、耳孔内体温の測定間隔が所定時間以上空いた時、その時点の室温で連続測定回数を再決定して報知するようにして、耳孔内体温の測定間隔が所定時間空いた間の室温変化にも対応できる耳式体温計としている。
【０００８】
請求項４に記載した発明は、測定値ばらつき判定手段を備え、連続測定回数決定手段は、連続測定回数中の測定した耳孔内体温値のばらつきが所定値以上である場合に連続測定回数を延長するようにして、測定値の信頼性を向上した耳式体温計としている。
【０００９】
請求項５に記載した発明は、連続測定回数決定手段は、測定が終了する毎に報知した連続測定回数の残数を報知するようにして、使用者が信頼性の高い測定値を得るための意識付けを図ったできる耳式体温計としている。
【００１０】
請求項６に記載した発明は、連続測定回数決定手段は、報知した連続測定回数未満で１測定を終了しようとすると注意喚起報知を行うようにして、使用者が信頼性の高い測定値を得るための意識付けを図った耳式体温計としている。
【００１１】
【実施例】
（実施例１）
以下本発明の第１の実施例について説明する。図１は本実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。本実施例の耳式体温計の本体１（以下単に本体１と称する）は、耳孔内に挿入することによって人体が放射する赤外線を本体１に案内する案内部２と、案内部２によって案内された赤外線量をもとに耳孔内温度を測定する耳孔内体温測定手段３と、連続測定回数決定手段４と、報知手段５と、電源入／切スイッチ６を備えている。電源入／切スイッチ６は、押される毎に耳孔内体温測定手段３と連続測定回数決定手段４と報知手段５への電源供給の入と切を繰り返すものである。耳孔内体温測定手段３は、赤外線センサ７と、赤外線センサ７の受光窓を開閉する遮蔽板８と、遮蔽板８を駆動する遮蔽板駆動手段９と、赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段１０と、赤外線センサ７の信号と赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段１０での検出温度から耳孔内温度を演算するための耳孔内体温演算手段１１と、測定スイッチ１２から構成される。赤外線センサ７は常に赤外線を受光している状態であると出力がなくなってしまうため、周期的に遮蔽と開口を繰り返すことで出力を得るものである。赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段１０は、赤外線センサ７の素子そのものの温度を検出するもので、測定時に使用者が持った手の温度の影響を受けにくい場所に配置して室温測定手段を兼ねるものである。また、連続測定回数決定手段４には、電源入／切スイッチ６の状態が入力されるものである。報知手段６は、液晶表示部とブザー音吹鳴部によって構成されている。
【００１２】
以下、本実施例の動作について説明する。使用者が、電源入／切スイッチ６を押して本体１の電源を入れると、連続測定回数決定手段４は、まず、電源切状態で電源入／切スイッチ６が押され電源が入になったことを検知する。次に連続測定回数決定手段４は、赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段１０から検出温度を入力する。赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段１０は、測定時に使用者が持った手の温度の影響を受けにくい場所に配置してあるので、電源が入りになった直後はその検出温度がほぼ室温と等しい。連続測定回数決定手段４は、この検出温度を室温として、室温に応じて連続測定回数を決定し、報知手段６を構成する液晶表示部に表示する。例えば、室温が３０℃なら１回、室温が１０℃なら３回等と決定して液晶表示部に表示する。この連続測定回数は、各々の室温に於いて、既に実験等で多数の被験者について室温低温下の影響をキャンセルでき、しかも鼓膜の方向を変えて探れるだけの回数とするものである。使用者は、その表示を見て、測定の信頼性を得るための連続測定回数を確認した上で、案内部２を耳孔内に挿入し、測定スイッチ１２を押す。測定スイッチ１２が押されると、耳孔内体温測定手段４で耳孔内体温が測定される。即ち、測定スイッチ１２が押されると、遮蔽板駆動手段９が遮蔽板８を駆動して赤外線センサ７の受光窓を開閉する。案内部２によって案内された耳孔内より放射された赤外線量は、この遮蔽板８の開閉によって赤外線センサ７によって検出される。赤外線センサ７の出力は、赤外線センサ素子そのものの温度によって出力量が規制されるものであるため、耳孔内体温演算手段１１は、赤外線センサ７の出力量と赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段１０で検出した赤外線センサ素子温度とから耳孔内温度を演算する。耳孔内体温の測定が終了すると、遮蔽板駆動手段９は遮蔽板８を閉状態にしてから動作を停止し、報知手段６を構成するブザー音吹鳴部でピッ音を吹鳴して液晶表示部に、耳孔内体温を表示すると同時に今回が何回目の測定であるかを表示する。この各１回の測定値は、測定時間内のピークホールドした最高値を採用する。
【００１３】
使用者は、同様にして測定スイッチ１２を押して耳孔内体温の測定を連続測定回数に達するまで鼓膜の方向を探りながら案内部２の方向を変えて測定を繰り返す。連続測定回数の測定が終了した時には、連続測定回数決定手段４は、ブザー音吹鳴部でピーピー音を吹鳴する。使用者は、連続測定回数の耳孔内体温測定を終了すると、各々の測定値の内の最高値を耳孔内体温値とみなして測定を終了して電源入／切スイッチ６を押して電源を切にして測定を終了する。
【００１４】
なお本実施例では、室温を測定するための室温測定手段を赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段と兼用したが、別途設けてもかまわない。また、連続測定回数の報知を液晶表示部での表示としたが、音声で回数を報知してもかまわない。
【００１５】
以上のように本実施例によれば、室温に応じて安定した再現性が得られるまで測定してできるだけ低温下での測定値への影響を押さえて、しかも案内部が鼓膜に向いていない場合に対する方向変えにも対応する耳耳式体温計を実現するものである。
【００１６】
（実施例２）
次に本発明の第２の実施例について説明する。図２は本実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。本実施例では、実施例１の構成に加えて、記憶手段１３を有しているものである。
【００１７】
以下、本実施例の動作について説明する。使用者が、電源入／切スイッチ６を押して本体１の電源を入れ、連続測定回数決定手段４が決定した連続測定回数の表示を確認した上で、案内部２を耳孔内に挿入し、測定スイッチ１２を押して１回の測定が終了するまでは実施例１と同様である。その後、記憶手段１３は、この各回の測定値を記憶し、連続測定回数中の最高値を各回の測定値と同時に液晶表示部で報知する。使用者は、同様にして測定スイッチ１２を押して耳孔内体温の測定を連続測定回数に達するまで鼓膜の方向を探りながら案内部２の方向を変えて測定を繰り返す。使用者は、連続測定回数の耳孔内体温測定を終了すると、液晶表示部に表示されている連続測定回数中の最高測定値を耳孔内体温値として測定を終了して電源入／切スイッチ６を押して電源を切にして測定を終了する。
【００１８】
なお、使用者が、報知した連続測定回数以上の回数の測定を行った場合には、測定回数中の最高測定値を報知する。即ち、報知した連続測定回数が３回であるのに使用者が５回測定した場合は、５回中の最高測定値を報知する。
【００１９】
なお本実施例では、電源入の状態では常時、連続測定回数中の最高測定値を報知するようにしたが、各測定が終了する毎に音声等で報知するようにしても良いものである。
【００２０】
以上のように本実施例によれば、使用者が連続測定回数中の各測定値を記憶して判断することなしに容易に信頼性の高い測定値を知ることができる耳式体温計を実現するものである。
【００２１】
（実施例３）
続いて本発明の第３の実施例について説明する。図３は本実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。本実施例では、実施例２の構成に加えて、計時手段１４を有しているものである。
【００２２】
以下、本実施例の動作について説明する。使用者が、電源入／切スイッチ６を押して本体１の電源を入れ、連続測定回数決定手段４が決定した連続測定回数の表示を確認した上で、案内部２を耳孔内に挿入し、測定スイッチ１２を押して１回の測定が終了し、この各回の測定値が記憶手段１３に記憶されて連続測定回数中の最高値が各回の測定値と同時に液晶表示部で報知されるのは実施例２と同様である。計時手段１４は、測定スイッチ１２が押される間隔を計時する。連続測定回数決定手段４は、計時手段１４で計時する間隔が１０分以上空いた時、その時点の室温即ち、その時点で入力した赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段１０からの検出温度に応じて連続測定回数を再決定して報知手段５を構成する液晶表示部で表示し直すものである。
【００２３】
なお本実施例では、連続測定回数決定手段が再報知する時間間隔を１０分以上としたが、任意の時間間隔としてよい。また、室温に応じて時間間隔を変えてもかまわない。
【００２４】
以上のように本実施例によれば、耳孔内体温の測定間隔が所定時間空いた間の室温変化にも対応できる耳式体温計となっている。
【００２５】
（実施例４）
続いて本発明の第４の実施例について説明する。図４は本実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。本実施例では、実施例３の構成に加えて、測定値ばらつき判定手段１５を有しているものである。
【００２６】
以下、本実施例の動作について説明する。使用者が、電源入／切スイッチ６を押して本体１の電源を入れ、連続測定回数決定手段４が決定した連続測定回数の表示を確認した上で、案内部２を耳孔内に挿入し、測定スイッチ１２を押して１回の測定が終了するまでは実施例１と同様である。その後、記憶手段１３は、この各回の測定値を記憶し、連続測定回数中の最高値及び各回の測定値のばらつき(最高値−最低値の値、例えば０．２℃）を各回の測定値と同時に液晶表示部で報知する。使用者は、同様にして測定スイッチ１２を押して耳孔内体温の測定を連続測定回数に達するまで鼓膜の方向を探りながら案内部２の方向を変えて測定を繰り返す。使用者が、連続測定回数の耳孔内体温測定を終了すると、測定値ばらつき判定手段１５は、連続測定回数中の最高値−最低値の値が、０．１℃以下かどうかを判定する。測定値ばらつき判定手段１５によって、測定値ばらつきが０．１℃より大きいと判定された場合には、連続測定回数決定手段４は、連続測定回数を１回延長する旨の報知を液晶表示部で行う。使用者は、この指示に従い、その回数分測定を行い、液晶表示部に表示されている連続測定回数中の最高測定値を耳孔内体温値として測定を終了して電源入／切スイッチ６を押して電源を切にして測定を終了する。
【００２７】
使用者が、報知した連続測定回数以上の回数の測定を行った場合には、測定回数中の高い順に並べ上位連続測定回数分でばらつきを判定する。即ち、報知した連続測定回数が３回であるのに使用者が５回測定した場合は、５回の測定値を高い順に並べ上位３位迄の最高値と最低値でばらつきを判定する。
【００２８】
なお本実施例では、測定値ばらつきを連続測定回数中の最高値−最低値としたが標準偏差等を用いても良い。また、連続測定回数の延長は、最初に報知した回数分延長してもかまわないし、延長を音声等で報知してもかまわない。
【００２９】
以上のように本実施例によれば、測定値の信頼性を向上した耳式体温計となっている。
【００３０】
（実施例５）
続いて本発明の第５の実施例について説明する。本実施例の構成は、実施例４と同様の図４である。
【００３１】
以下、本実施例の動作について説明する。使用者が、電源入／切スイッチ６を押して本体１の電源を入れ、連続測定回数決定手段４が決定した連続測定回数の表示を確認した上で、案内部２を耳孔内に挿入し、測定スイッチ１２を押して１回の測定が終了するまでは実施例４と同様である。その後、記憶手段１３は、この各回の測定値を記憶し、連続測定回数中の最高値及び各回の測定値のばらつき(最高値−最低値の値、例えば０．１℃）を各回の測定値と同時に液晶表示部で報知する。この時、さらに同時に連続測定回数の残数を表示する。使用者は、同様にして測定スイッチ１２を押して耳孔内体温の測定を連続測定回数の残数が０になるまで鼓膜の方向を探りながら案内部２の方向を変えて測定を繰り返す。使用者は、連続測定回数の残数が０と報知された時に、液晶表示部に表示されている連続測定回数中の最高測定値を耳孔内体温値として測定を終了して電源入／切スイッチ６を押して電源を切にして測定を終了する。
【００３２】
以上のように本実施例によれば、使用者が信頼性の高い測定値を得るための意識付けを図ったできる耳式体温計となっている。
【００３３】
（実施例６）
続いて本発明の第６の実施例について説明する。本実施例の構成は、実施例４と同様の図４である。図５は本実施例の動作を示すフローチャートである。
【００３４】
以下、本実施例の動作について説明する。使用者が、電源入／切スイッチ６を押して本体１の電源を入れ（ステップ１）、連続測定回数決定手段４が決定した連続測定回数の表示を確認した上で、案内部２を耳孔内に挿入し、測定スイッチ１２を押して１回の測定が終了するまでは実施例５と同様である。その後、記憶手段１３は、この各回の測定値を記憶し、連続測定回数中の最高値及び各回の測定値のばらつき(最高値−最低値の値、例えば０．１℃）を各回の測定値と同時に液晶表示部で報知する。この時、さらに同時に連続測定回数の残数を表示する。（ステップ２〜５）使用者が、連続続測定回数の残数が０にならない内に電源入／切スイッチ６を押して電源を切にしようとすると（ステップ１１〜１２）、連続測定回数決定手段４は、報知手段５を構成するブザー吹鳴部でピピピピピ音を吹鳴した後（ステップ１３）、電源を切にする（ステップ１４）。
【００３５】
以上のように本実施例によれば、、使用者が信頼性の高い測定値を得るための意識付けを図った耳式体温計となっている。
【００３６】
【発明の効果】
請求項１に記載した発明は、室温を測定するための室温測定手段と、耳孔内体温を測定するための耳孔内体温測定手段と、前記室温測定手段で測定した室温に応じて１測定あたりの連続測定回数を決定する連続測定回数決定手段と、報知手段とを備え、前記連続測定回数決定手段は、決定した連続測定回数を報知する構成として、室温に応じて安定した再現性が得られるまで測定してできるだけ低温下での測定値への影響を押さえて、しかも案内部が鼓膜に向いていない場合に対する方向変えにも対応する耳式体温計を実現するものである。
【００３７】
請求項２に記載した発明は、記憶手段を備え、報知手段は、連続測定回数決定手段によって決定され報知した連続測定回数中の耳孔内体温値の最高値を前記記憶手段に記憶して報知する構成として、使用者が容易に信頼性の高い測定値を知ることができる耳式体温計を実現するものである。
【００３８】
請求項３に記載した発明は、計時手段を備え、連続測定回数決定手段は、耳孔内体温の測定間隔が所定時間以上空いた時、その時点の室温で連続測定回数を再決定して報知する構成として、耳孔内体温の測定間隔が所定時間空いた間の室温変化にも対応できる耳式体温計を実現するものである。
【００３９】
請求項４に記載した発明は、測定値ばらつき判定手段を備え、連続測定回数決定手段は、連続測定回数中の測定した耳孔内体温値のばらつきが所定値以上である場合に連続測定回数を延長する構成として、測定値の信頼性を向上した耳式体温計を実現するものである。
【００４０】
請求項５に記載した発明は、連続測定回数決定手段は、測定が終了する毎に報知した連続測定回数の残数を報知する構成として、使用者が信頼性の高い測定値を得るための意識付けを図ったできる耳式体温計を実現するものである。
【００４１】
請求項６に記載した発明は、連続測定回数決定手段は、報知した連続測定回数未満で１測定を終了しようとすると注意喚起報知を行う構成として、使用者が信頼性の高い測定値を得るための意識付けを図った耳式体温計を実現するものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例である耳式体温計の構成を示すブロック図
【図２】同、第２の実施例である耳式体温計の構成を示すブロック図
【図３】同、第３の実施例である耳式体温計の構成を示すブロック図
【図４】同、第４、第５の、第６の実施例である耳式体温計の構成を示すブロック図
【図５】同、第６の実施例である耳式体温計の動作を示すフローチャート
【符号の説明】
１本体
２案内部
３耳孔内体温測定手段
４連続測定回数決定手段
５報知手段
６電源入／切スイッチ
７赤外線センサ
８遮蔽板
９遮蔽板駆動手段
１０赤外線センサ素子温度検出手段（室温測定手段）
１１耳孔内体温演算手段
１２測定スイッチ
１３記憶手段
１４計時手段
１５測定値ばらつき判定手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ear-type thermometer that can measure the eardrum temperature without contact.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Originally, the ear-type thermometer detects the temperature of the eardrum, which is said to share the blood flow with the hypothalamus, the body temperature center, and well reflects the deep body temperature of the human body. Is used to measure instantaneously. A conventional ear thermometer inserts a portion called a guide portion into the ear canal and detects the infrared ray emitted from it by an infrared sensor and completes the measurement in about 1 second. Some detect peaks.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
If the tympanic temperature can be measured correctly, it reflects the true body temperature more than the sublingual or armpit that is directly exposed to the outside air during measurement. However, the external auditory canal of the human body has individual differences, and is thin or bent, so that the eardrum is very difficult to see by simply inserting the guide part of a conventional ear thermometer into the ear canal. When it was difficult to see the eardrum, the eardrum temperature was originally measured, but the temperature of the ear canal was measured. In this case, the peak temperature is merely the peak temperature in the ear canal. Furthermore, when looking at the ear canal, if the room temperature is low, it will be cooled to the outside air, or it will be cooled by the inserted cold guide, and as a result, the measurement temperature will be affected by the room temperature and it may be low, or the measurement reproduction The nature was bad.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Room temperature measuring means for measuring room temperature, ear canal body temperature measuring means for measuring body temperature in the ear canal, and continuous measurement times for determining the number of continuous measurements per measurement according to the room temperature measured by the room temperature measuring means Determining means and notification means, wherein the continuous measurement number determination means notifies the determined number of continuous measurements, and measures until the stable reproducibility is obtained according to room temperature, at a temperature as low as possible. An ear-type thermometer that suppresses the influence on the measured value and also supports a change in direction when the guide portion does not face the eardrum.
[0005]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a room temperature measuring means for measuring room temperature, an ear canal body temperature measuring means for measuring the body temperature in the ear canal, and a measurement per measurement according to the room temperature measured by the room temperature measuring means. A continuous measurement number determination means for determining the number of continuous measurements; and a notification means, wherein the continuous measurement number determination means notifies the determined continuous measurement number so as to influence the measurement value at a low temperature as much as possible. In addition, the ear thermometer is also compatible with changing the direction when the guide is not facing the eardrum.
[0006]
The invention described in claim 2 includes storage means, and the notification means stores in the storage means and notifies the highest value of the body temperature value in the ear canal during the continuous measurement count determined and notified by the continuous measurement count determination means. Thus, the ear-type thermometer is configured so that the user can easily know a reliable measurement value.
[0007]
The invention described in claim 3 is provided with a time measuring means, and the continuous measurement number determining means re-determines and notifies the number of continuous measurements at room temperature when the measurement interval of the body temperature in the ear canal is more than a predetermined time. In this way, the ear-type thermometer that can cope with a change in room temperature while the measurement interval of the body temperature in the ear canal is left for a predetermined time.
[0008]
The invention described in claim 4 includes measurement value variation determination means, and the continuous measurement number determination means extends the number of continuous measurements when the measured variation in body temperature value in the ear canal during the number of continuous measurements is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In this way, the ear thermometer is improved in the reliability of the measured value.
[0009]
In the invention described in claim 5, the continuous measurement number determination means notifies the remaining number of the continuous measurement number notified every time measurement is completed, so that the user can obtain a reliable measurement value. It is an ear-type thermometer that can be conscious.
[0010]
In the invention described in claim 6, the continuous measurement number determination means performs a warning notification when the user tries to end one measurement in less than the notified continuous measurement number, and the user obtains a reliable measurement value. This is an ear thermometer designed for awareness.
[0011]
【Example】
(Example 1)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. The main body 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the main body 1) of the ear-type thermometer of the present embodiment was guided by the guide section 2 for guiding the infrared rays radiated from the human body to the main body 1 by being inserted into the ear canal, and the guide section 2. An ear canal body temperature measuring means 3 for measuring the temperature in the ear canal based on the amount of infrared rays, a continuous measurement number determining means 4, a notifying means 5, and a power on / off switch 6 are provided. Each time the power on / off switch 6 is pressed, the power supply to the ear canal body temperature measuring means 3, the continuous measurement number determining means 4, and the notifying means 5 is repeatedly turned on and off. The ear canal body temperature measuring means 3 includes an infrared sensor 7, a shielding plate 8 for opening and closing a light receiving window of the infrared sensor 7, a shielding plate driving means 9 for driving the shielding plate 8, an infrared sensor element temperature detecting means 10, and an infrared ray. It comprises an ear canal temperature calculation means 11 for calculating the temperature in the ear canal from the signal of the sensor 7 and the temperature detected by the infrared sensor element temperature detection means 10 and a measurement switch 12. Since the output of the infrared sensor 7 is always lost when receiving infrared rays, the output is obtained by periodically repeating shielding and opening. The infrared sensor element temperature detecting means 10 detects the temperature of the element itself of the infrared sensor 7, and is also arranged at a place where it is difficult to be influenced by the temperature of the hand held by the user at the time of measurement and also serves as a room temperature measuring means. is there. Further, the state of the power on / off switch 6 is input to the continuous measurement number determination means 4. The notification means 6 is constituted by a liquid crystal display unit and a buzzer sound blowing unit.
[0012]
Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the user presses the power on / off switch 6 to turn on the main body 1, the continuous measurement number determination means 4 first turns on when the power on / off switch 6 is pressed in the power off state. Is detected. Next, the continuous measurement number determining means 4 inputs the detected temperature from the infrared sensor element temperature detecting means 10. Since the infrared sensor element temperature detecting means 10 is disposed in a place that is not easily affected by the temperature of the hand held by the user at the time of measurement, the detected temperature is substantially equal to room temperature immediately after the power is turned on. The continuous measurement number determining means 4 sets the detected temperature as room temperature, determines the continuous measurement number according to the room temperature, and displays it on the liquid crystal display section constituting the notification means 6. For example, it is determined once when the room temperature is 30 ° C., three times when the room temperature is 10 ° C., and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. The number of continuous measurements is the number of times that the influence of room temperature and low temperature can be canceled for a large number of subjects already in experiments at each room temperature, and the probe can be searched by changing the direction of the eardrum. The user sees the display and confirms the number of continuous measurements for obtaining measurement reliability, and then inserts the guide portion 2 into the ear canal and presses the measurement switch 12. When the measurement switch 12 is pressed, the ear canal body temperature is measured by the ear canal body temperature measuring means 4. That is, when the measurement switch 12 is pressed, the shielding plate driving means 9 drives the shielding plate 8 to open and close the light receiving window of the infrared sensor 7. The amount of infrared rays radiated from the ear canal guided by the guide unit 2 is detected by the infrared sensor 7 by opening and closing the shielding plate 8. Since the output amount of the infrared sensor 7 is regulated by the temperature of the infrared sensor element itself, the ear canal body temperature calculating means 11 detects the output amount of the infrared sensor 7 and the infrared sensor element temperature detecting means 10. The temperature in the ear canal is calculated from the infrared sensor element temperature. When the measurement of the body temperature in the ear canal is completed, the shielding plate driving means 9 stops the operation after the shielding plate 8 is closed, and the buzzer sounding portion constituting the notification means 6 emits a beeping sound on the liquid crystal display portion. The body temperature in the ear canal is displayed and at the same time the number of measurements this time is displayed. For each measurement value, the highest peak-held value within the measurement time is adopted.
[0013]
Similarly, the user presses the measurement switch 12 and repeats the measurement by changing the direction of the guide unit 2 while searching the direction of the eardrum until the body temperature in the ear canal is measured continuously. When the measurement of the number of times of continuous measurement is completed, the number of times of continuous measurement determination unit 4 sounds a beep sound at the buzzer sound blowing unit. When the user finishes the body temperature measurement in the ear canal after the number of continuous measurements, the user regards the highest value among the measured values as the body temperature value in the ear canal, ends the measurement, and presses the power on / off switch 6 to turn off the power. To complete the measurement.
[0014]
In this embodiment, the room temperature measuring means for measuring the room temperature is also used as the infrared sensor element temperature detecting means, but may be provided separately. In addition, although the notification of the number of continuous measurements is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit, the number of times may be notified by voice.
[0015]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the stable reproducibility is obtained according to the room temperature and the influence on the measurement value at a low temperature is suppressed as much as possible, and the guide portion is not suitable for the eardrum This is to realize an ear-and-ear thermometer that can respond to changes in the direction of the head.
[0016]
(Example 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a storage means 13 is provided.
[0017]
Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The user presses the power on / off switch 6 to turn on the main body 1 and confirms the display of the number of continuous measurements determined by the continuous measurement number determination means 4, and then inserts the guide unit 2 into the ear canal for measurement. The process is the same as in Example 1 until one measurement is completed after the switch 12 is pressed. Then, the memory | storage means 13 memorize | stores this measured value of each time, and alert | reports the highest value in the frequency | count of a continuous measurement with a liquid crystal display part simultaneously with each measured value. Similarly, the user presses the measurement switch 12 and repeats the measurement by changing the direction of the guide unit 2 while searching the direction of the eardrum until the body temperature in the ear canal is measured continuously. When the user finishes the body temperature measurement in the ear canal after the number of continuous measurements, the measurement is finished with the highest measured value in the number of continuous measurements displayed on the liquid crystal display as the body temperature value in the ear canal, and the power on / off switch 6 is turned on. Press to turn off the power and end the measurement.
[0018]
In addition, when the user performs the number of measurements equal to or greater than the notified number of continuous measurements, the highest measured value in the number of measurements is notified. That is, when the user has measured 5 times even though the notified number of continuous measurements is 3, the highest measured value in 5 times is notified.
[0019]
In the present embodiment, the highest measured value during the number of continuous measurements is always notified when the power is turned on, but may be notified by voice or the like every time each measurement is completed.
[0020]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, an ear-type thermometer that allows a user to easily know a reliable measurement value without storing and determining each measurement value in the number of continuous measurements is realized. Is.
[0021]
(Example 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, a timing means 14 is provided.
[0022]
Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The user presses the power on / off switch 6 to turn on the main body 1 and confirms the display of the number of continuous measurements determined by the continuous measurement number determination means 4, and then inserts the guide unit 2 into the ear canal for measurement. In the embodiment, the switch 12 is pressed to complete one measurement, and the measured value of each time is stored in the storage means 13 so that the maximum value in the number of continuous measurements is notified simultaneously with the measured value on the liquid crystal display unit. Same as 2. The time measuring means 14 measures the interval at which the measurement switch 12 is pressed. The continuous measurement number determination means 4 performs continuous measurement according to the room temperature at that time, that is, the detected temperature from the infrared sensor element temperature detection means 10 inputted at that time, when the time measured by the time measuring means 14 is more than 10 minutes. The number of times is re-determined and displayed again on the liquid crystal display unit constituting the notification means 5.
[0023]
In this embodiment, the time interval for re-notification by the continuous measurement number determination means is 10 minutes or more, but may be any time interval. The time interval may be changed according to the room temperature.
[0024]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ear thermometer can cope with a change in room temperature while the measurement interval of the body temperature in the ear canal is open for a predetermined time.
[0025]
Example 4
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the third embodiment, a measurement value variation determining unit 15 is provided.
[0026]
Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The user presses the power on / off switch 6 to turn on the main body 1 and confirms the display of the number of continuous measurements determined by the continuous measurement number determination means 4, and then inserts the guide unit 2 into the ear canal for measurement. The process is the same as in Example 1 until one measurement is completed after the switch 12 is pressed. Thereafter, the storage means 13 stores the measurement value of each time, and the maximum value in the number of continuous measurements and the variation of the measurement value of each time (maximum value-minimum value, for example, 0.2 ° C.) are measured values of each time. At the same time, notification is given on the liquid crystal display. Similarly, the user presses the measurement switch 12 and repeats the measurement by changing the direction of the guide unit 2 while searching the direction of the eardrum until the body temperature in the ear canal is measured continuously. When the user finishes the body temperature measurement in the ear canal for the number of continuous measurements, the measurement value variation determination means 15 determines whether the maximum value-the minimum value in the number of continuous measurements is 0.1 ° C. or less. When the measured value variation determining unit 15 determines that the measured value variation is greater than 0.1 ° C., the continuous measurement number determining unit 4 notifies the liquid crystal display unit that the continuous measurement number is extended by one. Do. In accordance with this instruction, the user performs the measurement for the number of times, finishes the measurement with the highest measured value in the number of continuous measurements displayed on the liquid crystal display as the body temperature value in the ear canal, and presses the power on / off switch 6 Turn off the power and end the measurement.
[0027]
When the user performs measurement more than the notified number of continuous measurements, variations are determined by the number of higher consecutive measurements arranged in descending order of the number of measurements. That is, when the user has measured 5 times even though the reported number of continuous measurements is 3, the measurement values of 5 times are arranged in descending order, and the variation is determined by the highest value and the lowest value up to the top three.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the measurement value variation is the maximum value-the minimum value in the number of continuous measurements, but a standard deviation or the like may be used. Further, the extension of the number of continuous measurements may be extended by the number of times notified first, or the extension may be notified by voice or the like.
[0029]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the ear thermometer is improved in the reliability of the measurement value.
[0030]
(Example 5)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the present embodiment is FIG. 4 similar to that of the fourth embodiment.
[0031]
Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The user presses the power on / off switch 6 to turn on the main body 1 and confirms the display of the number of continuous measurements determined by the continuous measurement number determination means 4, and then inserts the guide unit 2 into the ear canal for measurement. The process is the same as in Example 4 until one measurement is completed after the switch 12 is pressed. Thereafter, the storage means 13 stores the measurement value of each time, and the maximum value in the number of consecutive measurements and the variation of the measurement value of each time (maximum value-minimum value, for example, 0.1 ° C.) At the same time, notification is given on the liquid crystal display. At this time, the remaining number of continuous measurements is displayed at the same time. Similarly, the user presses the measurement switch 12 and repeats the measurement by changing the direction of the guide unit 2 while searching the direction of the eardrum until the remaining number of times of continuous measurement of the temperature of the ear canal is 0. When the user is informed that the remaining number of continuous measurements is zero, the measurement is terminated with the highest measured value of the continuous measurements displayed on the liquid crystal display as the body temperature value in the ear canal, and the power on / off switch Press 6 to turn off the power and finish the measurement.
[0032]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ear thermometer can be used to make the user aware of how to obtain a highly reliable measurement value.
[0033]
(Example 6)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the present embodiment is FIG. 4 similar to that of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment.
[0034]
Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The user presses the power on / off switch 6 to turn on the main body 1 (step 1), and after confirming the display of the continuous measurement number determined by the continuous measurement number determination means 4, the guide unit 2 is placed in the ear canal. This is the same as in Example 5 until the measurement switch 12 is inserted and one measurement is completed. Thereafter, the storage means 13 stores the measurement value of each time, and the maximum value in the number of consecutive measurements and the variation of the measurement value of each time (maximum value-minimum value, for example, 0.1 ° C.) At the same time, notification is given on the liquid crystal display. At this time, the remaining number of continuous measurements is displayed at the same time. (Steps 2 to 5) If the user attempts to turn off the power by pressing the power on / off switch 6 while the remaining number of continuous measurement times is not zero (steps 11 to 12), the continuous measurement number determination means 4. Buzzer sounds at the buzzer sounding part constituting the notification means 5 (step 13), and then turn off the power (step 14).
[0035]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ear thermometer is designed to be conscious for the user to obtain a highly reliable measurement value.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a room temperature measuring means for measuring room temperature, an ear canal body temperature measuring means for measuring the body temperature in the ear canal, and a measurement per measurement according to the room temperature measured by the room temperature measuring means. A continuous measurement number determining means for determining the continuous measurement number; and a notification means, wherein the continuous measurement number determination means is configured to notify the determined continuous measurement number until stable reproducibility is obtained according to room temperature. An ear-type thermometer that can measure and suppress the influence on the measured value at a low temperature as much as possible, and can also change the direction when the guide portion is not directed to the eardrum is realized.
[0037]
The invention described in claim 2 includes storage means, and the notification means stores in the storage means and notifies the highest value of the body temperature value in the ear canal during the continuous measurement count determined and notified by the continuous measurement count determination means. As a configuration, an ear thermometer that allows a user to easily know a reliable measurement value is realized.
[0038]
The invention described in claim 3 is provided with a time measuring means, and the continuous measurement number determining means re-determines and notifies the number of continuous measurements at room temperature when the measurement interval of the body temperature in the ear canal is more than a predetermined time. As a configuration, an ear-type thermometer that can cope with a change in room temperature while the measurement interval of the body temperature in the ear canal is left for a predetermined time is realized.
[0039]
The invention described in claim 4 includes measurement value variation determination means, and the continuous measurement number determination means extends the number of continuous measurements when the measured variation in body temperature value in the ear canal during the number of continuous measurements is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. As an arrangement to achieve this, an ear thermometer with improved reliability of measurement values is realized.
[0040]
The invention described in claim 5 is a configuration in which the continuous measurement number determination means notifies the remaining number of the continuous measurement number notified every time the measurement is completed, so that the user can obtain a reliable measurement value. An ear-type thermometer that can be attached is realized.
[0041]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the continuous measurement number determination means is configured to issue a warning notification when the user tries to end one measurement less than the notified continuous measurement number, so that the user can obtain a highly reliable measurement value. This is an ear-type thermometer designed to raise awareness.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ear thermometer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ear thermometer according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ear thermometer according to a third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ear thermometer according to the fourth, fifth, and sixth embodiments. The flowchart showing the operation of the ear-type thermometer according to the sixth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Guide part 3 Ear hole body temperature measuring means 4 Continuous measurement frequency determination means 5 Notification means 6 Power on / off switch 7 Infrared sensor 8 Shield plate 9 Shield plate driving means 10 Infrared sensor element temperature detecting means (room temperature measuring means)
11 Intraocular temperature calculation means 12 Measurement switch 13 Storage means 14 Timekeeping means 15 Measurement value variation determination means

Claims

A room temperature measuring means for measuring room temperature, an ear canal body temperature measuring means for measuring body temperature in the ear canal, and a continuous measurement count for determining the number of continuous measurements per measurement according to the room temperature measured by the room temperature measuring means. An ear-type thermometer comprising a determining means and a notifying means, wherein the continuous measurement number determining means notifies the determined number of continuous measurements.

The ear-type thermometer according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit, wherein the notification unit reports a maximum value of the body temperature value in the ear canal during the number of continuous measurements determined and notified by the continuous measurement number determination unit.

3. The ear according to claim 1, further comprising a time measuring unit, wherein the continuous measurement number determination unit re-determines and reports the number of continuous measurement at room temperature when the measurement interval of the body temperature in the ear canal is more than a predetermined time. Expression thermometer.

4. The measurement value variation determination means is provided, and the continuous measurement number determination means extends the number of continuous measurements when the variation in the measured body temperature value in the ear canal during the number of continuous measurements is a predetermined value or more. The ear-type thermometer described in item 1.

The ear-type thermometer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the continuous measurement number determining means notifies the remaining number of continuous measurement numbers notified every time measurement is completed.

The ear-type thermometer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the continuous measurement number determination means issues a warning notification when one measurement is to be ended when the number of continuous measurement is less than the notified number.