WO2012032861A1

WO2012032861A1 - Body weight measuring system

Info

Publication number: WO2012032861A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/066427
Authority: WO
Inventors: 佐藤　泰雅; 芳幸辻
Original assignee: オムロンヘルスケア株式会社
Priority date: 2010-09-06
Filing date: 2011-07-20
Publication date: 2012-03-15
Also published as: JP2012057969A

Abstract

A body weight measuring system (1) for measuring the body weight of a person to be measured is provided with measurement units (20) for detecting an applied load and transmitting a load value obtained from the detected load in response to a load request, and a calculation unit (40) for wirelessly communicating with the measurement units (20). The calculation unit (40) transmits the load request and calculates a body weight using a load value received from one or more measurement units (20).

Description

Weight measurement system

The present invention relates to a system for measuring the weight of a person to be measured, and more particularly to a weight measurement system for measuring a weight while communicating with a load sensor and a weight calculation unit.

Conventional weight measuring devices are generally built with a fixed part such as a load sensor inside a box-shaped housing. There is a desire to replace the components according to the user's preference by making the built-in components detachable. An example of a configuration that enables this replacement is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2009-60950 (Patent Document 1). In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-60950 (Patent Document 1), in order to install the apparatus horizontally, the colored liquid used as a horizontal pipe is injected into and discharged from the casing of the apparatus, so that the colored liquid can be replaced. Is possible.

JP 2009-60950 A

The replacement of parts in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-60950 (Patent Document 1) is mainly for appropriately changing the appearance design, but is not a part replacement related to the appearance design. There is a desire to replace the parts involved in general measurement as appropriate. For example, since a scale is not always required, there is a demand for eliminating a special installation space for the scale.

In order to meet this demand, only when weight measurement is necessary, the user may configure the weight scale by selectively using the number of measurement units such as a plurality of load sensors. In this case, in order to accurately measure the weight, it is necessary to collect the load data from the measurement units used.

However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-60950 (Patent Document 1) shows only a configuration for changing the appearance design, and uses a weight scale using the above-mentioned appropriately selected number of measurement units. No configuration for measuring body weight is shown.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a weight measurement system capable of easily obtaining a load value from each measurement unit used for weight measurement.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the weight measurement system for measuring the weight of the person to be measured detects the applied load and transmits a load value derived from the detected load in response to the load request. A weight calculation unit that wirelessly communicates with the measurement unit, and the weight calculation unit calculates a weight using a request transmission unit that transmits a load request and a load value received from one or more measurement units. Calculating means.

A load measurement unit according to another aspect of the present invention includes a load sensor that detects a load to be applied, a measurement unit that derives a load value from the detected load, a wireless communication unit, and a power supply unit. The unit includes request receiving means for receiving a request. When the request is received by the request receiving means, the derived load value is transmitted to the request source.

According to the present invention, since the measurement unit transmits the load value when the request is received, the load value can be easily obtained from the measurement unit.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a weight measurement system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the weight scale using the measurement unit which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the measurement unit which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the hardware of the weight measurement system which concerns on embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the measurement unit which concerns on embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the calculation unit which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the weight measurement which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the weight measurement which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the weight measurement which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the weight measurement which concerns on embodiment. It is a basic block diagram of the data packet which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the data packet which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the data packet which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the data packet which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the data packet which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of a trigger detection concerning an embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the weight calculation after the trigger detection which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining the procedure of the load value calculation of the measurement unit which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts, and description thereof will not be repeated.

The weight measurement system in the present embodiment has a function of measuring a human weight. In the present embodiment, “weight” refers to the weight (mass) of a person who is a measurement target (hereinafter referred to as a person to be measured).

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a weight measurement system 1 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1A, the weight measurement system 1 includes a measurement unit 20, a calculation unit 40, and a display 511 on which a flat plate-like high-rigidity mounting surface 300 is mounted when measuring the weight of a measurement subject. The external device 50 having The external device 50 is assumed to be a device having a communication function and an information output function, such as a PDA (Portable Digital Assistant) and a mobile phone.

The calculation unit 40 and the measurement unit 20 communicate wirelessly. As a wireless communication medium, radio waves are assumed. Here, wireless communication with a relatively weak radio wave intensity is assumed, and therefore the communication area where radio waves can reach is also limited.

The measurement unit 20 detects the applied load and transmits a load value indicating the detected load to the calculation unit 40 in response to the request. At the time of weight measurement, a load applied via the mounting surface 300 to be mounted is detected and transmitted to the measurement unit 20.

The calculation unit 40 transmits a request to the measurement unit 20 during weight measurement, and calculates the body weight of the measurement subject based on the load value received in response to the request. The external device 50 communicates with the calculation unit 40 wirelessly or by wire. The external device 50 receives the weight value transmitted from the calculation unit 40 and displays the received weight value via the display 511. The output mode of the external device 50 is not limited to display, and may be output by voice or printing.

Although the calculation unit 40 and the external device 50 are provided separately, the calculation unit 40 may be integrally provided with the output function of the external device 50.

When using the weight measurement system 1 according to the present embodiment, the person to be measured uses one or more measurement units 20 to configure a weight scale when he / she wishes to measure weight. FIG. 1B schematically shows a situation where the four measurement units 20 in FIG. 1A are selected from the plurality of measurement units 20 in order to form a weight scale.

Referring to FIG. 2, the appearance of a weight scale using the measurement unit 20 will be described. Here, the measurement unit 20 has a uniform external shape. The measurement subject sets the selected four measurement units 20 to be capable of communication and load detection by turning on the power. Then, four measurement units 20 are appropriately arranged on the horizontal floor surface, and the placement surface 300 is mounted on the arranged measurement units 20. Thereby, a weight scale can be comprised.

FIG. 2A shows a case where a weight scale is configured using four measurement units 20. In FIG. 2A, the four measurement units 20 are arranged so that the placement surface 300 can be supported horizontally with the floor surface. In FIG. 2A, the mounting surface 300 has a substantially square shape, and the measurement units 20 are arranged at each of the four corners of the square. However, the arrangement mode is not limited to this. That is, even when a load is applied from the placement surface 300 in the floor direction, the placement surface 300 may be arranged in a manner that can support the placement surface 300 in parallel with the floor surface. In FIG. 2A, a case where four measurement units 20 are used is shown, but the number of measurement units 20 used is not limited to four, and may be five or more. As shown in (B) of 2, the number may be 3 or less (at least one or more).

The measurement unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the measurement unit 20 includes a load cell 21 that is a load sensor for detecting an applied load, a power supply unit 22 such as a battery for supplying power to each unit of the measurement unit 20, and a PCB. (Abbreviation of printed circuit board) 23. The PCB 23 includes a measurement circuit configured using a simple processor and a wireless module. The measurement circuit inputs a load signal that is detected and sequentially output by the load cell 21, processes the input load signal, and derives a load value. The derived load value is transmitted via the wireless module.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the measurement unit 20 includes a leg 20A for installing the measurement unit 20 on the floor and a main body 20B to which the leg 20A is integrally attached. The main body portion 20B includes each portion shown in FIG.

The surface in contact with the floor surface of the leg 20A is made of a material having good adhesion to the floor surface so that the measurement unit 20 itself can be stably supported in a horizontal state with the floor surface.

The surface of the main body 20B opposite to the surface on which the legs 20A of the housing are attached is a flat surface, and the surface is made of a material having good adhesion to the material of the mounting surface 300.

In the state of FIG. 3B, if the person to be measured gets on the mounting surface 300, each measurement unit 20 is loaded with a weight, and the measurement target is based on the load value derived from each measurement unit 20. A person's weight can be measured.

As described above, the weight scale can be easily configured by the person to be measured simply mounting the placement surface 300 on the measurement unit 20 arranged on the floor surface. Therefore, the weight scale can be configured by using the mounting surface 300 having a size, a pattern, and a material according to a preference or a use environment. Further, the failed measurement unit 20 can be easily replaced, which is excellent in convenience.

The hardware configuration of the weight measurement system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The measurement unit 20 includes an A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion unit 230 and an A / D conversion unit that convert analog output signals of the load cell 21, the sensor group 243, the load cell 21, and the sensor group 243 into digital data and output the digital data. 230 includes a measurement unit 231 that inputs and processes data output from 230, and a communication unit 232 that transmits data output from the measurement unit 231 to the calculation unit 40 and receives data from the calculation unit 40. The A / D conversion unit 230, the measurement unit 231 and the communication unit 232 correspond to the PCB 23.

The load cell 21 is composed of a strained body made of a metal member that deforms in response to an applied load, and a strain gauge stretched on the strained body. When the strain body is distorted, the strain gauge expands and contracts and the resistance value changes according to the expansion and contraction of the strain gauge, and the resistance change is derived as a load signal output. Therefore, when the measurement subject gets on the placement surface 300 and the strained body is distorted by the weight of the measurement subject applied to the load cell 21, the weight is measured as the change in the load signal output described above.

In this embodiment, the load cell 21 is used as a load sensor for detecting the load. However, if the amount of applied force (load) can be detected, for example, a spring or a piezo film is used. It may be a sensor used, an element for measuring compression, a displacement sensor, or the like.

The sensor group 243 includes a sensor that detects an aspect in which the measurement unit 20 is installed, and a sensor that detects an external environmental condition around the measurement unit 20. The sensors that detect the installation mode include an acceleration sensor that detects the direction of the measurement unit 20, a weight sensor that detects whether or not the mounting surface 300 is mounted, that is, whether or not there is a load. Sensors that detect external environmental conditions include temperature sensors that detect ambient temperature, sensors that detect ambient atmospheric pressure, and the like.

The measurement unit 231 has a simple microprocessor configuration to control the operation of the measurement unit 20. Specifically, it includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 240, a memory 242, and a timer 241 for measuring time. The timer 241 may be a counter whose counter value can be reset by the CPU 240.

The calculation unit 40 includes an operation unit 42 including buttons and switches operated by the measurement subject, a control unit 41 for controlling the operation of the calculation unit 40, a storage unit 43, and a communication unit 45. The communication unit 45 has a function for communicating with the measurement unit 20 and the external device 50.

The storage unit 43 and the memory 242 include various media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a nonvolatile storage medium, and store programs, data, and the like.

The control unit 41 includes a CPU 410, a timer 411 for measuring time, and a memory 412.

FIG. 5 shows a functional configuration of the measurement unit 20. With reference to FIG. 5, the CPU 240 of the measurement unit 20 includes a convergence detection unit 30, a zero point detection unit 31, a sensor output processing unit 32, a load acquisition unit 34, and a communication processing unit 35. These functions are realized by a program and / or a circuit. The program is stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory 242 in advance, and the function of each unit is realized by the CPU 240 reading the program instruction and executing the read instruction.

The convergence detection unit 30 detects whether or not the load variation detected by the load cell 21 converges within a predetermined range. Hereinafter, the fact that the load variation detected by the load cell 21 converges within a predetermined range is also simply referred to as convergence. The convergence detection unit 30 has no load that can be applied to the mounting surface 300 mounted on the measurement unit 20 immediately after the power is turned on. That is, the convergence of the load detected by the load cell 21 in the no-load state (hereinafter referred to as first convergence). ) And the convergence of the load detected after the person to be measured gets on the placement surface 300 (hereinafter referred to as second convergence).

The zero point detection unit 31 determines the load detected by the load cell 21 when the first convergence is detected by the convergence detection unit 30 as a zero point. The determined zero point load is stored in the memory 242 as zero point data 26. Here, the zero point refers to the output value of the load cell 21 in a no-load state. It is known that the strain gauge expansion / contraction rate of the load cell 21 changes with time or according to the ambient temperature. Therefore, at the time of measurement, so-called zero point detection is required in which the load cell 21 is not subjected to any load such as the body weight of the person to be measured, and the output value of the load cell 21 when there is no load due to the load of only the mounting surface 300 is set to zero. It is said. This means that the weight of the subject is calculated based on the difference between the output value of the load cell 21 when the weight (load) of the subject is applied to the load cell 21 and the output value of the load cell 21 when there is no load. Is measured by measuring.

The sensor output processing unit 32 processes the output from the sensor group 243 and gives it to the communication processing unit 35.

The load acquisition unit 34 acquires the load sequentially detected by the load cell 21 as a load value in time series, and stores it in the memory 242 as time series load data 252. Here, the load value refers to a value obtained by subtracting the zero point data 26 detected by the zero point detection unit 31 from the detected load. Time series refers to acquiring the load output from the load cell 21 in association with the time measurement data output from the timer 241. Therefore, by adding the time data output from the timer 241 to the load value based on the load sequentially acquired from the load cell 21, these load values are acquired in time series.

The load acquisition unit 34 includes a convergent load acquisition unit 341. The convergence load acquisition unit 341 acquires a load detected by the load cell 21 as a load value in a period in which the second convergence is detected. The load value acquired by the convergent load acquisition unit 341 is stored in the memory 242 as convergent load data 251.

The communication processing unit 35 includes a data generation unit 36 for generating data for transmission addressed to the calculation unit 40, a transmission unit 37 for transmitting the generated data, and a reception unit 38 for receiving the data. .

In the memory 242, convergent load data 251 acquired by the convergent load acquisition unit 341, time-series load data 252 acquired by the load acquisition unit 34, zero point data 26, and ID (Identification) data that is identification information of the measurement unit 20 are stored. 27 and destination data 28 indicating the destination of the data are stored. In this embodiment, the destination data 28 indicates data for identifying the calculation unit 40 (corresponding to calculation unit ID data 53 described later).

The functional configuration of the calculation unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 410 of the calculation unit 40 calculates the weight based on the received load value, the measurement unit detection unit 60 that detects identification information (ID data 27) of one or more measurement units 20 used for measuring the body weight of the measurement subject. A calculation unit 62 for receiving data, an input receiving unit 64 for receiving input information from the operation unit 42, a communication processing unit 65 for communicating with the measurement unit 20, and an external communication unit 69 for communicating with the external device 50.

The calculation unit 62 includes a convergence detection unit 63 that detects the second convergence of the received time-series load values. The measurement unit detection unit 60 includes a trigger detection unit 61 for detecting a change in load value including a trigger according to the received time-series load value. Details of trigger detection by the trigger detector 61 will be described later.

The communication processing unit 65 includes a reception unit 66 that receives data transmitted from the measurement unit 20, a transmission unit 67 that transmits data to the measurement unit 20, and a data generation unit 68 that generates transmission data.

The memory 412 includes received load data 51 indicating the load data received from the measurement unit 20, measurement unit ID data 52 indicating the identification information of the measurement unit 20 detected by the measurement unit detector 60, and identification information of the calculation unit 40. Calculation unit ID data 53, weight data 54 indicating the weight calculated by the calculation unit 62, history data 55, mode data 56, and condition data 57 are stored. The measurement unit ID data 52 includes existence unit ID data 521. The existence unit ID data 521 indicates the ID data 27 of the measurement unit 20 (however, the measurement unit 20 that can be communicated with the calculation unit 40 when the power is turned on) existing in the wireless communicable area of the calculation unit 40.

The history data 55 indicates a history in which identification information of the measurement unit 20 used in the past weight measurement is accumulated. The history data 55 is generated by storing the measurement unit ID data 52 in association with the weight measurement time every time the weight measurement ends.

The mode data 56 indicates a mode for detecting the measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement. The condition data 57 refers to data serving as a reference for detecting the measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement based on the installation mode or external environmental conditions detected by the sensor group 243. The calculated unit ID data 53 is stored at the time of factory shipment. Further, the mode data 56 and the condition data 57 are previously input by the measurement subject and stored in the memory 412 by operating the operation unit 413.

Here, a mode for detecting the measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement will be described.
The calculation unit 40 detects the measurement unit 20 according to a plurality of types of modes. A mode for detection is specified by mode data 56 stored in the memory 412.

The mode includes, for example, a “previous use” mode, an “environment / installation” mode, and a “trigger” mode. The “previous use” mode is a mode for detecting the measurement unit 20 used in the previous weight measurement based on the history data 55. The “environment / installation” mode is a mode for detecting the measurement unit 20 in the same external environment condition or installation mode. The “trigger” mode is a mode for analyzing the time series load value received from each measurement unit 20 and detecting the measurement unit 20 that has transmitted the time series load value including the trigger based on the analysis result. These modes may be set in combination. For example, by combining the “previous use” mode and the “trigger” mode, a mode in which the measurement unit 20 that transmits a time-series load value including the trigger among the measurement units 20 used in the previous weight measurement is detected. Can be set.

FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 are flowcharts showing a weight measurement processing procedure according to the present embodiment. These flowcharts are stored in advance in the memory 242 of the measurement unit 20 or the memory 412 of the calculation unit 40 as a program. The

CPU

240 or 410 reads out these programs from the

memory

242 or 412 and executes the instructions of the read programs, thereby realizing a processing flowchart.

11 to 15 show configuration examples of the data packet PA used for wireless communication between the measurement unit 20 and the calculation unit 40 in these flowcharts. Note that the data format of wireless communication in the present embodiment is not limited to a data packet, and may be a frame, for example.

FIG. 11 shows a basic configuration of the data packet PA according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, data packet PA includes a field F1 for storing type data indicating the type (kind) of data packet PA, and a field for storing destination data for identifying the destination of data packet PA. F2 includes a field F3 for storing data for identifying the transmission source of the data packet PA and a field F4 for storing data to be transmitted.

In wireless communication, different types of data packets PA1 to PA4 (FIGS. 12 to 15) are used depending on the type data of the field F1.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the data packet PA1. The data packet PA1 is an inquiry data packet that the calculation unit 40 transmits to the surrounding area in order to confirm the presence of the measurement unit 20. In the data packet PA1, the type “Q” (inquiry) is stored in the field F1, the broadcast address “BD” is stored as destination data in the field F2, and the transmission source of the data packet PA1 is stored in the field F3. Calculation unit ID data (“ID40”) 53 of the calculation unit 40 is read from the memory 412 and stored. The data in the field F4 of the data packet PA1 is indefinite data (NULL).

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the data packet PA2. The data packet PA2 is a response (reply) data packet to the inquiry of the data packet PA1. That is, it indicates a data packet transmitted as a reply to the inquiry from the measurement unit 20 that has received the data packet PA1. In the data packet PA2, the type “QA” (inquiry response) is stored in the field F1, the calculation unit ID data 53 (“ID40”) of the calculation unit 40 is stored as the destination data in the field F2, and the field F3 is stored. Stores the ID data 27 (“ID20”) read from the memory 242 of the measurement unit 20 as the transmission source data. The data in the field F4 is indefinite data (“NULL”).

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the data packet PA3. The data packet PA3 is a data packet for a load request that requests the measurement unit 20 to transmit a load value. In the data packet PA2, the type “R” (load request) is stored in the field F1, the ID data 27 (“ID20”) of the measurement unit 20 is stored as the transmission destination data in the field F2, and the field F3 is stored in the field F3. The calculated unit ID data 53 (“ID40”) read from the memory 412 is stored as the transmission source data, and the data MD indicating the mode is stored in the field F4. Data MD indicates mode data 56 read from memory 412.

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the data packet PA4. The data packet PA4 is a response (reply) data packet to the load request data packet PA3. In the data packet PA4, the type “RA” (request response) is stored in the field F1, the calculated unit ID data 53 (“ID40”) read from the memory 412 as the destination data is stored in the field F2, and the field F3 is stored. ID data 27 (“ID20”) of the measurement unit 20 is stored as transmission source data of the data packet PA4, and data EV and data WD are stored in the field F4.

The data EV in the field F4 indicates external environmental condition data acquired from the sensor group 243 or installation mode data.

The data WD indicates the convergent load data 251 or the time-series load data 252 read from the memory 242. Specifically, when the data MD of the received data packet PA3 indicates “trigger”, the time series load data 252 read from the memory 242 is stored in the field F4 of the response data packet PA4. In other modes, the convergent load data 251 is read from the memory 242 and stored.

A processing procedure for weight measurement according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the main process.

Referring to FIG. 7, measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement is detected while communicating between CPU 410 and CPU 240 of each measurement unit 20 (step S1).

When the measurement unit 20 is detected, the CPU 410 calculates the weight of the person to be measured based on the load value received from the detected one or more measurement units 20 (step S3). When the weight is calculated, the calculation result is output (step S5). Thereby, a series of weight measurement operations are completed.

Details of the detection process in step S1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that it is assumed that the measurement unit 20 used by the person to be measured for weight measurement is powered on in advance, can communicate, and can detect a load.

When a measurement start instruction is input via the operation unit 42, the detection process is started. First, in the communication processing unit 65 of the CPU 410, an inquiry data packet PA1 shown in FIG. 12 is generated by the data generation unit 68, and the generated data packet PA1 is transmitted by the transmission unit 67 (step S10). Since the broadcast address is stored in the field F2 of the data packet PA1, the data packet PA1 can be received by all the measurement units 20 existing in the wireless communicable area of the calculation unit 40.

After transmitting the data packet PA1, the receiving unit 66 receives the data packet PA2 transmitted from each measurement unit 20 in response to the data packet PA1 (step S11).

The CPU 410 stores the ID data 27 stored in the field F3 of the received data packet PA2 in the memory 412 as the existing unit ID data 521. Thereby, the ID data 27 of all the measurement units 20 (however, the measurement units 20 capable of communication and load detection when the power is turned on) existing in the wireless communicable area of the calculation unit 40 can be acquired.

Subsequently, the measurement unit detector 60 determines the current mode (step S15). Specifically, the mode is determined based on the mode data 56 stored in the memory 412 in advance. When the mode data 56 indicates the “previous use” mode, the measurement unit detection unit 60 instructs the data generation unit 68 to generate the data packet PA3 in the “previous use” mode, and sets the “environment / installation” mode. When pointing, the generation of the data packet PA3 in the “environment / installation” mode is instructed, and when indicating the “trigger” mode, the generation of the data packet PA3 in the “trigger” mode is instructed.

In each of steps S17, S19, and S21, the data generation unit 68 generates a data packet PA3 according to the instruction.

In step S17, the data packet PA3 storing the data MD instructing the “previous use” mode is generated. In the field F2 of the data packet PA3, the ID data 27 of the measurement unit 20 used for the previous weight measurement read from the history data 55 is stored.

In step S19, the data packet PA3 in which the data MD indicates the “environment / installation” mode is generated, and in step S21, the data packet PA3 in which the data MD indicates the “trigger” mode is generated.

The data packet PA3 generated in this way is transmitted by the transmission unit 67 (step S23). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S61 described later.

The data packet PA3 generated in step S17 described above is transmitted to the measurement unit 20 used for the previous weight measurement. In steps S19 and S21, the data generation unit 68 generates a data packet PA3 in which each of the ID data 27 included in the presence unit ID data 521 is stored in the field F2. Therefore, the data packet PA3 generated in steps S19 and S21 is transmitted to all the measurement units 20 existing in the communicable area of the calculation unit 40.

Referring to FIG. 9, in each measurement unit 20 in the detection process, reception unit 38 of CPU 240 determines whether or not to receive any data packet PA (step S30). While the data packet PA is not received (NO in step S30), the reception standby process in step S30 is repeated. If it is determined that any data packet PA has been received (YES in step S30), CPU 240 refers to the type of field F1 of received data packet PA and determines the type of data packet PA. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the type “Q” is instructed (YES in step S31), the CPU 240 instructs the data generation unit 36 to generate the data packet PA2. Thereby, the data generation unit 36 generates the data packet PA2. The generated data packet PA2 is transmitted by the transmission unit 37 (step S33). In step S33, the data in the field F3 of the received data packet PA2 is stored in the memory 242 as the destination data 28. Thereafter, the process returns to the reception standby process in step S30.

If it is determined in step S31 that it is not the data packet PA1 (NO in step S31), it is determined whether or not it is the data packet PA addressed to itself (step S35). Specifically, the transmission destination data in the field F2 of the data packet PA is compared with the ID data 27 in the memory 242, and it is determined whether or not it is addressed to itself based on the comparison result (step S35). If the two data do not match, it is determined that the data is not addressed to itself, and the received data packet PA is ignored (discarded). Thereafter, the process returns to the reception standby process in step S30.

If the comparison result shows that both data match, it is determined to be addressed to itself (YES in step S35). At this time, the data packet PA determined to be addressed to itself is the data packet PA3 transmitted in step S23.

If it is determined that it is addressed to itself, the CPU 240 determines the mode. That is, the mode specified by the data MD in the field F4 of the received data packet PA3 is determined. When determining that the data MD indicates “previous use”, the data generation unit 36 generates a data packet PA4 in which the convergent load data 251 in the memory 242 is stored as the data WD (steps S39 and S41).

When it is determined that the data MD indicates “environment / installation”, the CPU 240 instructs the sensor output processing unit 32 to acquire the output from the sensor group 243. Thereby, the sensor output processing unit 32 acquires the data EV based on the output from the sensor group 243 (step S43). In response to an instruction from the CPU 240, the data generation unit 36 reads the convergence load data 251 in the memory 242, and generates a data packet PA4 storing the read data WD as the convergence load data 251 and the acquired data EV (step). S45, S47).

When it is determined that the data MD indicates “trigger”, the data generation unit 36 generates a data packet PA4 in which the time-series load data 252 in the memory 242 is stored as the data WD (steps S49 and S51).

In the data packet PA4 generated in step S41, step S47 or step S51, the data in the field F3 of the received data packet PA3 is stored in the field F2. The generated data packet PA4 is transmitted to the calculation unit 40 by the transmission unit 37.

Referring to FIG. 10, in calculation unit 40, in step S61, reception unit 38 determines whether or not to receive any data packet PA (step S61). While any data packet PA is not received, the process of step S61 is repeated to enter a reception standby state. The data packet PA detected in the reception standby state is the data packet PA4 transmitted in step S53.

When reception of the data packet PA4 is detected in this reception standby state (YES in step S61), the calculation unit 62 determines the mode based on the mode data 56 of the memory 412 (step S63). When determining that the mode data 56 indicates “previous use”, the calculation unit 62 reads the data WD (corresponding to the convergence load data 251) stored in the field F4 of all the data packets PA4 received in step S61, The body weight is calculated by integrating (calculating the total sum) all the read data WD (step S67).

Accordingly, in view of the fact that the person to be measured can easily infer that the same measurement unit 20 tends to be repeatedly used for weight measurement, the data WD to be used for integration is determined from the measurement unit 20 detected in the “previous use” mode. By selectively using the data WD, the weight can be calculated using the data WD of the measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement.

If it is determined that the mode data 56 indicates “environment / installation”, the data EV stored in the field F4 of each received data packet PA4 and the condition data 57 of the memory 412 are compared and collated, and the mismatched data packet PA Is ignored (discarded) (step S69). In step S73, the body weight is calculated by integrating (summing up) the data WD (corresponding to the convergent load data 251) of the data packet PA4 in which the data EV and the condition data 57 match (step S73).

Thereby, since it is clear that the measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement is used in the same environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) or in the same installation mode (direction, etc.), as data WD to be used for integration, By selectively using the data WD from the measurement unit 20 that matches the external environment or installation mode using the data EV and the condition data 57, the measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement is detected, and the The weight can be calculated using the data WD.

If it is determined as “trigger” in step S63, the trigger detection unit 61 detects the trigger of the time series load data based on the data WD corresponding to the time series load data 252 of each received data packet PA4 ( Step S75). The weight is calculated by the calculation unit 62 using only the data WD in which the trigger is detected (step S79).

As a result, the load values detected in time series of the measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement exhibit almost the same change, that is, there is a slight time lag, but there is a trigger, so the data to be used for integration By selectively using the data WD from the measurement unit 20 depending on the presence or absence of a trigger as the WD, the measurement unit 20 used for weight measurement can be detected and the weight can be calculated using the data WD. .

After step S67, step S73 or step S79, the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG. 8, and the weight calculated in the external device 50 is output.

In the above-described processing, only the measurement unit 20 that responds by returning the data packet PA2 to the data packet PA1, that is, only the measurement unit 20 in which the existence of the calculation unit 40 in the communicable area is detected is addressed. The data packet PA3 of the load value transmission request is transmitted to the. As a result, the data packet PA3 can be transmitted only when the measurement unit 20 exists in the communicable area, and the communication load and power consumption of the calculation unit 40 can be reduced.

An example of trigger detection in step S75 will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, assume that a data packet PA4 is received from each of the four measurement units 20. In this case, the trigger detection unit 61 can acquire data WD indicating the time-series load data 252 from each of the four measurement units 20.

The horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 16 indicates the passage of time (T), and the vertical axis indicates the load value detected with the passage of time. After the measurement unit 20 is turned on, a load due to weight is not applied to the load cell 21 in a state where the measurement subject is not yet on the placement surface 300, so the load value detected by the measurement unit 20 does not change. Thereafter, when the measurement subject starts to ride on the placement surface 300, the load value starts to increase rapidly. In FIG. 16, the steep rise of the graph is shown around time “1 second”. In the present embodiment, the point at which the load value starts to increase rapidly (the sharp rise of the graph) when the measurement subject starts to ride on the placement surface 300 is referred to as a trigger.

According to FIG. 16, among the load values of the four measurement units 20, a change in the load value including the trigger is detected for the two measurement units 20, but the trigger is detected for the other two measurement units 20. Since the change of the load value including it is not detected, it turns out that the other two measurement units 20 are not used for weight measurement.

Therefore, when the trigger detection unit 61 analyzes the time-series load value data indicated by the data WD of the data packet PA4 and detects a trigger based on the analysis result, the measurement unit 20 that is the transmission source of the data packet PA4 It can be determined that the measurement unit 20 is used for weight measurement.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the procedure of weight calculation (step S79) by the calculation unit 62 after trigger detection will be described. The horizontal axis of the graph in FIG. 17 indicates the passage of time (T), and the vertical axis indicates the load value detected with the passage of time. FIG. 17 shows graphs L1 and L2 corresponding to the data WD from the two measurement units 20 that detected the trigger in FIG.

In order to calculate the weight accurately, it is necessary to synchronize the data WD from the two measurement units 20 that detected the trigger in FIG. That is, when the measurement subject starts to ride on the mounting surface 300, a load starts to be applied to each measurement unit 20. However, the timing at which the load starts to be applied varies depending on how to ride or how the measurement unit 20 is arranged. Due to this, the detection times TR1 and TR2 of the triggers in the graphs L1 and L2 do not coincide with each other, and a slight shift occurs (see FIG. 17A). Therefore, when calculating the weight, it is necessary to match the time axes of the graphs L1 and L2 so as to eliminate this shift.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17B, the convergence detection unit 63 translates the graph L1 or L2 in the time axis direction so that the times TR1 and TR2 coincide with the common time TR. Here, only the graph L2 is translated in the time axis direction so that the time TR1 coincides with the time TR1.

According to the graph of FIG. 17B after the parallel movement, the convergence detection unit 63 is powered on and then the person to be measured gets on the placement surface 300 and the movement of the subject on the placement surface 300 stops. Then, it is possible to detect a stable period, that is, a period CV in which the graphs L1 and L2 are both shifted to the second convergence state.

When the calculation unit 62 detects the period CV shown in FIG. 17B, the calculation unit 62 can calculate the weight by integrating the load values indicated by the graphs L1 and L2 in the period CV. The calculated weight is a value from which an error due to the body movement of the measurement subject is excluded.

The same processing procedure as that on the calculation unit 40 side described in FIG. 17 is also executed in step S39 and step S45 of each measurement unit 20. The processing procedure on the measurement unit 20 side will be described with reference to FIG.

18, the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time (T), and the vertical axis indicates the load value detected with the passage of time. In the graph of FIG. 18, a trigger is detected at time TR1. The convergence detection unit 30 detects the first convergence in a period from when the power is turned on to the time TR1, and the zero point detection unit 31 detects the zero point during the first convergence period. After detecting the trigger at time TR1, the convergence detection unit 30 detects the second convergence period CV. The convergent load acquisition unit 341 acquires the load value detected in the period CV (more specifically, the average value of the load values in the period CV). Thus, in step S39 and step S45 of each measurement unit 20, the load value is acquired in the period CV.

Thereby, the convergent load acquisition unit 341 of each measurement unit 20 acquires a load value from which an error caused by the body movement of the measurement subject riding on the placement surface 300 is eliminated. Since the acquired load value can be transmitted to the calculation unit 40, the calculation unit 62 of the calculation unit 40 can calculate a weight value that does not include the error.

According to the present embodiment, the calculation unit 40 is used for weight measurement by transmitting the data packet PA3 requesting the load value and receiving the data packet PA4 of the response from the measurement unit 20 to the data packet PA3. The load value from the measurement unit 20 can be acquired. Further, since the measurement unit 20 can use the request reception of the load value as the load value transmission timing, the measurement unit 20 does not need to adjust the transmission timing by itself and can simplify the function.

(Modification)
In the above-described processing, the load unit transmission request data packet PA3 is transmitted to the measurement unit 20 in which the presence of the calculation unit 40 in the communicable area is detected. You may make it transmit data packet PA3 which stored the broadcast address in the field F2.

Further, in step S5, the calculation unit 40 may transmit the ID data 27 of the measurement unit 20 that is a transmission source of the load value used for weight calculation to the external device 50 for output. As a result, the measurement subject can check the measurement unit 20 in the failure state in which the load value cannot be transmitted from the measurement units 20 on which the placement surface 300 is mounted.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the number of weight scales communicating with the calculation unit 40 is one, but it may be communicated with a plurality of weight scales. In this case, a group identifier is added to the ID data 27 of the measurement unit 20. This group identifier indicates a group of the measurement units 20 that constitutes the weight scale in which the measurement unit 20 is used. Thereby, the calculation unit 40 can acquire the load value and calculate the weight while identifying the measurement unit 20 in units of groups based on the ID data 27 to which the group identifier is added, that is, in units of scales. Thereby, the calculation unit 40 can calculate the weight of the person to be measured for each weight scale.

The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 Weight measurement system, 20 measurement units, 21 load cell, 22 power supply unit, 23 PCB, 34 load acquisition unit, 35, 65 communication processing unit, 36, 68 data generation unit, 37, 67 transmission unit, 38, 66 reception unit, 40 calculation units, 50 external devices, 55 history data, 56 mode data, 57 condition data, 60 measurement unit detection unit, 61 trigger detection unit, 62 calculation unit, 243 sensor group, 251 convergence load data, 252 time series load data, 300 surface, 511 display, PA, PA1 to PA4 data packets.

Claims

A weight measurement system (1) for measuring the weight of a measurement subject,
A measurement unit (20) for detecting an applied load and transmitting a load value derived from the detected load in response to a load request;
A weight calculation unit (40) in wireless communication with the measurement unit;
The weight calculation unit (40)
Request transmitting means for transmitting the load request;
A weight measurement system comprising: calculation means for calculating a weight using the load value received from one or more of the measurement units.
The measurement unit is
2. A load sensor that detects an applied load, a measurement unit that processes the detected load and derives a load value, a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the weight calculation unit, and a power supply unit. Weight measurement system.
The weight calculation unit includes:
The apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not a load value received from the measurement unit is used for calculation of weight by the calculation unit based on predetermined data received from each of the one or more measurement units. 2. The weight measurement system according to 2.
The measurement unit is pre-assigned identification data,
The weight measurement system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined data includes the identification data of the measurement unit.
The weight calculation unit includes:
A history storage unit that stores a history of the identification data of the measurement unit that is a transmission source of the load value used for calculating the weight;
The determination means includes
The identification data received from each of the one or more measurement units is compared with the history in the history storage unit, and based on the comparison result, the weight value received from the measurement unit is calculated by the calculation means. The weight measurement system according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether or not to use.
The measurement unit is
It further includes installation detection means for detecting the installation mode of the measurement unit,
The predetermined data includes the installation mode detected by the installation detection means,
The determination means includes
Whether the installation mode received from each of the one or more measurement units is compared with a predetermined mode, and based on the comparison result, whether or not the load value received from the measurement unit is used for calculating the weight by the calculation means The weight measurement system according to claim 4, wherein:
The measurement unit is
An environmental detection means for detecting external environmental conditions around the measurement unit;
The predetermined data includes the external environmental condition detected by the environment detection means,
The determination means includes
Whether the external environmental condition received from each of the one or more measurement units is compared with a predetermined environmental condition, and based on the comparison result, the load value received from the measurement unit is used for calculating the weight by the calculation means. The weight measurement system according to claim 4, which determines whether or not.
The load sensor detects the load in time series from the start of weight measurement,
The measurement unit derives the detected load as a time-series load value,
The predetermined data includes data of the time-series load value,
The determination means includes
Determining whether to use the load value received from the measurement unit for calculating the weight based on the presence or absence of a change in the time-series load value received from each of the one or more measurement units; The weight measurement system according to claim 4.
The measurement unit is pre-assigned identification data,
The weight calculation unit includes:
Existence inquiry means for transmitting an existence inquiry for confirming the existence of the measurement unit to the surrounding area,
Presence response receiving means for receiving a response to the presence query,
The response received by the presence response receiving means includes the identification data of the measurement unit that transmitted the response,
The weight measurement system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined data includes the identification data included in a response received by the presence response receiving unit.
The surrounding area is
The weight measurement system according to claim 9, wherein the weight calculation unit indicates an area where wireless communication is possible.
An output unit that communicates with the weight calculating unit;
The weight measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit receives the weight calculated from the weight calculation unit and outputs the received weight.
A load sensor for detecting an applied load;
A measurement unit for deriving a load value from the detected load;
A wireless communication unit;
A power supply unit,
The wireless communication unit includes request receiving means for receiving a request,
A load measuring unit that transmits the derived load value to a request source when a request is received by the request receiving means.