JPH09152358A - Measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a user of recording completion date according to the data remaining quantity and let him/her know the maintenance timing by calculating the recording completion date of a storage means by a micro computer on the basis of the remaining quantity of data memory in the storage capacity of the storage means and the date obtained through its time measuring function and indicating the recording completion date by an indicating means. SOLUTION: The analog measured data obtained by a sensor 1 is converted by an A/D converting part 2, and it is inputted into a main CPU 10. The measured data is sent to a sub CPU 11 for computation, and the result is indicated by an indicating device on the basis of such a unit that is designated by operating an operating part 4. The CPU includes a time measuring function to control a date, etc., of the inputted measured data. The measured data is controlled by the CPU 11 and is stored in a storage medium 14. The indications such as date and time control, alarm setting data, remaining recordable time of the medium 14, estimated date of writing completion date, battery information, etc., can be indicated by an indicating device 3 through the specified operation of the part 4 by a user. A clock 17 is included to calculate the remaining recordable time of the medium 14 by the CPU 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a measuring instrument capable of storing measurable measurement data such as temperature and room temperature in a storage medium and acquiring the measurement data as needed. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large number of measuring instruments equipped with storage means such as cards and recording papers for storing temperature, humidity and the like and an indicator for displaying measurement data are commercially available. However, in addition to displaying the measurement data at the time of measurement with these measuring instruments, it only displays the number of measured data, the number of bytes, and the number of days remaining in the storage means, and displays the specific end date of use of the card etc. I couldn't do it either.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional measuring device, even if the display unit is provided, it is possible to simply display the measurement data or to display the remaining amount of the storage capacity of the storage means. I could only do it. Therefore, it was not possible to obtain specific information such as when to perform the maintenance of the measuring instrument. Therefore, the maintenance period was lost. An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring instrument which allows the user to grasp the maintenance time when necessary without the user having to calculate the end date of recording by himself / herself from the remaining storage capacity of the storage means.

[0004]

The above object of the measuring instrument of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution. The configuration is such that measuring means for measuring a phenomenon that changes over time as data, storage means for storing the data measured by this measuring means as digital data, display means for displaying the data measured by the measuring means, and this display It is provided with an operating means for determining the display mode and various setting conditions displayed on the means, a main power supply for operating these means, and a timing function controlled by a microcomputer which is operated by the internal power supply even when the main power is cut off. In the measuring instrument, the microcomputer ends the recording end date of the storage means based on the data storage remaining capacity of the storage means and the date by the timekeeping function, and operates the operation means as necessary. This recording end date can be displayed on the display means.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The measuring device of the present invention calculates the storage capacity and consumption amount of a storage medium, calculates the remaining recordable amount of the storage medium, the number of recordable days, the end date of recording, and the like for measurement. It is possible to calculate a recording end date of a storage medium, which is a storage means of data, from a microcomputer having a built-in free space of the storage medium, a current date, a measurement recording interval, a data area requirement per data, and the like. You can
It has a function of operating the operating means as necessary to set the display mode of the display means and outputting the expected recording end date to the display. As a result, the user can easily be notified by displaying on the display when to perform maintenance of the storage medium, for example, data extraction and initialization of the storage medium.

Further, in addition to the display device, the measurement data that changes sequentially can be recorded in a recording means such as a recording paper so that the change in the measurement data can be visually recognized and the measurement status can be confirmed later by the recording paper. Further, the measuring device of the present invention can issue a warning that the storage means will be terminated by installing a warning means, and the storage medium can be replaced with a usable storage medium early.

A measuring device of the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of a measuring device, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calculating a recording end date. FIG. 3 is a memory map of a storage medium of one embodiment used in the measuring instrument of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a format diagram of a header portion of the storage medium of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a data format diagram of the date area of the storage medium. FIG. 6 is a data format diagram of the recording area of the storage medium.

The measuring instrument of the present invention digitally records and stores measured data, and its circuit configuration is shown in FIG.
The internal configuration will be described with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. A measurement target of a measurement device of measurement data used for measuring various conditions such as room temperature and relative humidity is measured and input by the sensor 1 of the measuring means, and this measurement data is input to the main CPU 10 as a digital amount. To do. As means, the analog measurement data obtained from the sensor 1 is converted by the A / D converter 2 and input to the main CPU 10.

Reference numeral 3 is a display unit provided in the main body of the measuring device, which is usually composed of a liquid crystal plate and displays as a digital or analog quantity. For example, the temperature and the relative humidity are displayed at the same time, or the current date and time is displayed. An operation unit 4 is an operation unit for setting a mode to be displayed on the display device 3 and selecting a standard setting of measurement data. Reference numeral 5 is a main power supply having a circuit configuration, which is connected to a power supply circuit 7 connecting a backup power supply 8 via a switch 6. The power supply circuit 7 can switch the operation mode of the main CPU 10 and is connected to the sub CPU 11 and the like. The input measurement data of the digital amount is taken into the main CPU 10, the input measurement data is transmitted and calculated in the sub CPU 11, and the display unit 3 which is a display unit based on the unit designated by the operation of the operation unit 4. Can be displayed on. The main CPU 10 has a built-in clock function and controls the date and time when the measurement data is input.

Reference numeral 12 is a communication unit for transferring the measurement data or the like input to the sub CPU 11 to a host computer or the like as necessary. This input measurement data is the sub CPU
It is controlled by 11 and is digitally stored in the storage medium 14 which is a storage means. The storage medium 14 is an IC-embedded card, which is commonly called a memory card or a PC card, and can be inserted into and removed from a predetermined portion of the measuring instrument body.
As an option, the alarm transmission unit 13 is provided with the sub CPU 11
It is configured to be connected to the user, and an alarm is output according to the state of the measurement data to notify the user or the like.

A recording section 16 is optionally connected to the main CPU 10 via a recording control CPU 15. The recording unit 16 records the successive changes of the measurement data at predetermined intervals. For example, recording is continuously performed on a recording sheet with a recording pen. Reference numeral 17 is a clock having a timekeeping function, which is built in the main CPU 10 together with the backup data 18. When the main power supply 5 is turned on, the main CPU 10 sends the calibration data to the E2PROM 9
It can be read out and transferred to the sub CPU 11.

Next, in the user interface part, the display 3 and the operating section 4 which is an operating means are both the main CPU 1
Since it is connected to 0, it is possible to perform a predetermined operation of the operation unit 4 according to a user's request, for example, date and time operation (date when measuring measurement data), alarm setting data, and recording on the storage medium 14. The operation unit 4 displays the remaining time, the scheduled writing end date of the recording medium, and the capacity information of the power supply battery.
By the operation of, each data value can be displayed on the display device 3 and the contents of each information data can be known. Further, information such as data and calibration data which are used only when the product is shipped from the factory and are not used by the user can be displayed on the display unit 3. The operation unit 4 can switch these displays, perform an operation when changing settings, and turn ON / OFF the recording to the storage medium and the recording unit.

In the main CPU 10 and its surroundings,
The main CPU 10 has a RAM, a ROM, and various I / Os. The input measurement data is calculated, and data suitable for the display mode of the operation unit 4 is output to the display device 3 or the sub CPU 11. This main CPU1
0 and the sub CPU 11 may be integrated. The main CPU 10 operates the clock 17 having a timekeeping function and holds the backup data 18. Clock 1
The memory for turning on the power supply 7 and the backup power supply 18 may be a separate part from the main CPU 10. Main power supply 5
The clock 17 continues to operate by the backup power source 8 even when the power is cut off. This main power source 5 and backup power source 8
Is switched by the power supply circuit 7, and ON / OFF of the main power supply 5 is notified from the power supply circuit 7 to the main CPU 10. As a result, the main CPU 10 can control the operation mode and the standby mode. The clock 17 is performed by the main CPU 10 using software. It also has a calendar function at the same time.
Accurately process leap years until December 31, 1994. Furthermore, by having an E2PROM 9 externally and storing important calibration data during operation, the backup power source 8
Even if the backup contents are lost due to the battery exhaustion or the main CPU 10 running out of control, the damage can be minimized.

When a recording unit 16 is additionally provided, the measurement data is transferred to the recording control CPU 15 via the main CPU 10 and the recording unit 1
6 is stored. In addition, by comparing the preset measurement value of the measurement data with the alarm data, the presence / absence of an alarm is displayed on the display unit 3.
Can be displayed on the storage medium 14, or can be reflected in the storage medium 14, the communication unit 12, or the alarm transmission unit 13. Finally the main CP
When there is a sub CPU 11 and a recording unit as an option from U10, the recording control CPU 15 is connected, and a command is transmitted from the main CPU 10 to send each CPU.
In addition to controlling, receive data such as various statuses and calculation results.

The sub CPU 11 calculates the digital input data and converts it into data of a specified unit, obtains this alarm status, controls the alarm relay when the alarm transmission section 13 is present, and records it in the storage medium 14. When the capacity is within the range, the measurement data is written in the storage medium 14, and the communication unit 12 performs the communication process with the host to process the command, measure the measurement data, and extract the record data stored in the storage medium to the host. Performs operations such as outputting.

In the measuring instrument of the present invention, the remaining amount of the storage medium 14 is calculated in the sub CPU 11. However,
In order to realize the measuring instrument of the present invention, since the calendar function is indispensable, it is necessary to obtain date data from the main CPU 10 equipped with the clock 17. But the main CPU
Since the burden of sending the date data from 10 to the sub CPU 11 is imposed, the date data is sent only when the power is turned on.
The PU 11 performs a timing operation. Power supply to the sub CPU 11 is stopped when the main power is turned off. In addition to the main CPU 10, the recording control CPU 15 can be arranged as an accessory in the measuring instrument of the present invention.
The recording control CPU 15 controls the recording unit 16 according to an instruction from the main CPU 10. As with the sub CPU 11, when the main power supply 5 is turned off, the power supply is stopped.

[0017]

[Embodiment] The measuring device of the present invention having the above-described configuration is a calculation method for calculating the last recording date. First, "the number of remaining days in the date area" is the number of remaining days in the date area = date area free space / Calculated by the amount of daily space used per day,
Next, “the number of days that can be recorded in the measurement data area” is calculated based on the number of days that can be recorded in the measurement data area = the available capacity of the measurement data area / the usage amount of the measurement data area per day, and the number of days can be displayed on the display unit 3. it can. This "amount of measured data area used per day" is 60.60.24 / recording period.1
Calculated using the amount of measurement data area used per data + the amount of measurement data area used to write the alarm settings.

Therefore, a method of displaying the final date of the storage medium 14 or the total date until the final date by date data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. With the calculation of the last recording date, first, how many days of data can be written from the empty areas of the date data area and the measurement data area is obtained. The calculation of the end date of the last day of the storage capacity in the storage medium 14 is based on the "remaining days of the date area" and the "recordable days of the measurement data area" calculated as described above as shown in the flowchart of FIG. If the number of remaining days in the date area is large and the number of remaining days in the date area is large, the number of remaining days in the date area is calculated (= the number of days that can be recorded in the measured data). (= The number of remaining days in the date area) can be calculated to calculate the “last day”. This "last day" and "the current date is the total date (this total date is January 1, 1993)
The total day of the final day is calculated by "adding the value obtained by converting the day to 0 and the day on which the current day corresponds". It is possible to display on the display device 3 by converting the total date of the last day into date data.

In the measuring instrument of the present invention, the date data area and the measurement data area are independent areas as shown in FIG. 3, so that the consumption amount is larger in the measurement data area when the recording cycle is shorter. , When the recording cycle is long or 1
When the daily usage time is short, the date data area consumes more. The date data does not change by one per day, and since the fixed length is set as shown in FIG. 5, the remaining days can be easily calculated. But,
As for the measurement data, the amount of measurement data per day changes when the recording cycle changes, and even one measurement data changes the data length when an alarm set value is added as shown in FIG. However, the data length is fixed unless an alarm is set because the measurement target itself is predetermined.
(Although the alarm setting of the data to be measured can be added to the initial data, its length is also fixed.) Therefore, the remaining days of the storage medium 14 can be calculated relatively easily.

To select the smaller one of the areas, there is no space in the date data area, but when the date data area is not written, the date data area is written into the measurement data area and the data is damaged. This is to avoid a situation where an attempt is made to write the data even if there is no data, but the data is lost by writing to an unexpected address to destroy the data or writing to an area without a storage medium. Out of the remaining days and date calculations, data less than a day is truncated. If you calculate to a unit of less than a day and the result is midnight just after the next day, there is no time to replace it and it is necessary to promptly replace it in order to eliminate the trouble that data will be dropped. is there.

When calculating the final date, in order to facilitate the processing by the CPU, the total day (in this embodiment, 199
January 1st, 3rd year is the 0th day. ) Is converted to and calculated. (The leap year is taken into consideration when converting to the total day and date.)

[0022]

The measuring device for displaying the recordable area of the measured data according to the present invention can clearly notify the user of the maintenance time of the measuring device using the recording medium, so that the remaining amount of recordable data and It is possible to reduce the burden on the user by eliminating the need to calculate when to finish from the remaining days, and to prevent data from being missed due to calculation errors or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment adopted in a measuring instrument of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calculating a recording end date according to the embodiment of the measuring instrument of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a memory medium memory map diagram of an embodiment used in the measuring instrument of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a format diagram of a header portion of the storage medium of FIG.

5 is a data format diagram of a date area of the storage medium of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a data format diagram of a recording area of the storage medium of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sensor 2 ... A / D conversion part 3 ... Indicator 4 ... Operation part 5 ... Main power supply 6 ... Switch 7 ... Power supply circuit 8 ... Backup power supply 9 ... E2PROM 10 ... Main CPU 11 ... Sub CPU 12 ... Communication part 13 ... Alarm transmission unit 14 ... Storage medium 15 ... Recording control CPU 16 Recording unit

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 19, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Added

[Correction contents]

FIG. 4

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 5

[Correction method] Added

[Correction contents]

[Figure 5]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 6

[Correction method] Added

[Correction contents]

FIG. 6

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A measuring means for measuring a phenomenon which changes with time as data, a storing means for storing the data measured by the measuring means as digital data, and a display means for displaying the data measured by the measuring means. Operation means for determining the display mode and various setting conditions to be displayed on the display means, main power supply for operating these means, and a timekeeping function controlled by a microcomputer operated by an internal power supply even when the main power supply is cut off In the provided measuring device, a recording end date of the storage means is calculated by a microcomputer based on the data storage remaining amount of the storage capacity of the storage means and the date by the timekeeping function, and the operation means is operated as necessary. A measuring instrument characterized in that the display end date and the like of the lever can be displayed on the display means. 2. The measuring instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a recording means for continuously recording the measurement data which is measured by the measuring means and which changes successively. 3. The measuring instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a warning means for giving advance notice of a limit of storage capacity or writing capacity of the storage means or the recording means or periodic maintenance.