WO2014007328A1

WO2014007328A1 - Portable measuring apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014007328A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/068365
Authority: WO
Inventors: 忠郎安藤; 直起江角; 笹沼　秀規
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2012-07-06
Filing date: 2013-07-04
Publication date: 2014-01-09
Also published as: JP2014016203A

Abstract

Algorithm for computing dose rate is switched between a backlight unlit state, transition from the backlight unlit state to a lighted state, and the backlight lighted state. According to the algorithm for the unlit state, the dose rate calculation period is increased compared with the lighted state. During the dose rate measurement in the unlit state, the latest dose rate is retained at all times.

Description

Portable measuring device

The present invention relates to a portable measuring apparatus that can execute a program and has a screen display function, and more particularly, to a portable terminal apparatus that has a function of detecting radiation and displaying the detection result on a screen. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable communication terminal having a function of performing radiation dose rate measurement and display capable of performing radiation measurement and measurement result display with low power consumption.

Conventionally, in radiation handling facilities such as nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel processing facilities, and radiation medical facilities, radiation levels (for example, radiation dose) at predetermined locations are continuously measured to take into account the health of each worker. To be done.

In these radiation handling facilities, the radiation level is monitored and the safety of the facility is confirmed according to the measurement results.

On the other hand, accidents at nuclear power generation facilities represented by the Fukushima nuclear power plant at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, and interest in the effects of radiation has increased among ordinary people. For this reason, not only public institutions but also ordinary people are increasingly demanding to confirm the safety of the surrounding areas of radiation handling facilities. In order to confirm safety, a system that regularly measures the radiation dose in the vicinity of radiation handling facilities such as nuclear power generation facilities is installed. Information from this system is also open to the public.

In addition, not only the person who installs such a radiation monitoring system, but also general people who live in the vicinity, there is an increasing demand for obtaining radiation dose information in the residential area and the vicinity. In order to meet these requirements, handheld radiation measuring instruments with a simple configuration have been put into practical use and are commercially available for the purpose of enabling easy radiation measurement even by ordinary people. The number of people is increasing.

As such a hand-held type or portable radiation measuring instrument, there are a simple home radiation measuring instrument using a photodiode as a radiation sensor and a relatively sensitive radiation measuring instrument using a Geiger Mueller counter as a radiation sensor. . These radiation measuring instruments are dedicated devices for radiation measurement, and the measurement results are displayed on the display screen.

On the other hand, as portable devices having a display screen, there are multi-function mobile terminals called smartphones, tablet-type terminals with large display screens, and mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones. In such a portable communication terminal, in order to improve the convenience of a browser or the like, the display screen size is very large or the number of colors for multicolor display is large compared to a radiation measuring instrument. Therefore, when a radiation measurement sensor is mounted on such a portable communication terminal, the following problems may occur.

That is, a liquid crystal screen that requires light irradiation with a backlight is used as the display screen. When the backlight is always turned on at the time of radiation measurement, the current consumption for the screen display due to the turning on of the backlight becomes large. When the backlight is lit, it is considered that the terminal is being used, and the application CPU (central processing unit) is often set not to enter the “sleep” state. This “sleep” state is a mode in which used data is stored in a memory and power supply to a non-operating device such as a CPU is stopped. Therefore, when the “sleep” state is not entered, power is supplied to the application CPU and other hard disk drives (HDDs), and the current consumption increases greatly. The portable communication terminal is powered by a battery, and it is desirable to reduce the current consumption as much as possible in order to extend the battery usage time in one charge. Therefore, in such a portable communication terminal device, it is difficult to always display the measured dose rate by turning on the backlight at all times and measuring the radiation dose. It is common to turn off the lights.

In the above-mentioned commercially available radiation measuring instrument, the measured dose is represented by a predetermined dose rate (radiation dose per unit time, for example, spatial radiation intensity (radiation dose): μSv / h). In the case of these measuring instruments, a function of generating sound or light and notifying the user when detecting a high dose rate is provided. In order to quickly notify the user that a predetermined dose rate has been exceeded during radiation measurement, it is necessary to constantly monitor the dose rate regardless of the backlight lighting state. However, when monitoring is performed in a short period, the current consumption increases. Therefore, in this case, when the measurement cycle is lengthened or when the count value of the output pulse of the radiation sensor reaches a certain count value, an interrupt notification is sent to the CPU to calculate and display the dose rate. It is possible to do it. During this time, the CPU sets the sleep state and sets the power supply to be shut off.

As with such a radiation measurement function, there is a pedometer function as a function for continuous measurement. In the pedometer function in the portable communication terminal, even if the backlight is turned off, the number of steps is always measured and the count-up operation is performed inside the sensor. For example, the CPU is periodically activated once an hour, and the count value of this counter is stored. In this pedometer function, it is not necessary to display the radiation dose for a certain time on the screen like the dose rate, and it is only necessary to know the accumulated count number. Therefore, in the pedometer function, for example, it is sufficient to acquire the sensor output in a long cycle such as once per hour, and the current consumption in the backlight extinction state is not a problem.

Also, as a function similar to the function of setting the radiation alert threshold value for notifying the dangerous dose rate, the target pedometer can be set in the pedometer function. However, since there is no urgent need for the user to know that the target value has been reached immediately after achieving the target number of steps, there is a particular problem with obtaining count values in a long measurement period such as once per hour. Does not occur.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-058390 discloses a configuration for informing when the measured dose rate reaches a predetermined level. In the configuration shown in this patent document, a mail address for information transmission is registered and set in advance in the radiation dose measuring apparatus. The radiation dose value at a specific location is constantly monitored, and when this monitoring result exceeds a predetermined dose rate, it is sent to these pre-registered email addresses via the Internet in the form of an email . However, in the configuration shown in this patent document, no consideration is given to the problem of current consumption in a system that constantly monitors the radiation dose value at a specific location.

JP 2009-058390 A

When a mobile communication terminal such as a smart phone (multifunctional mobile terminal) or mobile phone is equipped with a radiation measurement function, the general public can use radiation in a desired area such as a residential area without using a dedicated radiation measurement device. The amount can be easily measured.

However, since the display screen of such a portable communication terminal has a large size and a multicolor display with a large number of colors, a large amount of current is consumed when the backlight is lit. Therefore, in a portable communication terminal having such a radiation measurement function, it is necessary to measure the dose rate while reducing the current consumption as much as possible when the backlight is turned off. However, when the user wants to know the current dose rate (spatial radiation intensity), in order to immediately display the screen, it is necessary to continue radiation measurement regardless of whether the backlight is on or off. In addition, in order to realize the function to save the cumulative dose rate and to generate an alert (alarm) when a dose rate exceeding the set threshold is detected, in the radiation measurement mode, It is necessary to measure the dose rate.

However, when this portable communication terminal is used as a portable measurement device and radiation measurement is performed regardless of the lighting state of the backlight, the following problems occur.

In other words, even when the backlight is turned off, it is necessary to suppress current consumption as much as possible when measurement is always performed.

Also, by extending the count value acquisition cycle from the radiation sensor, it may be possible to delay the generation of an alert (alarm) when the actual environmental value exceeds a certain threshold.

Also, there may be a case where the dose rate at the time of the alert (alarm) and the dose rate on the display screen do not match due to delays in the display process when switching from the unlit state to the lit state.

Such a problem is not limited to a portable communication terminal, but also occurs in a radiation measuring instrument having a multicolor display function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable measuring apparatus capable of measuring a radiation dose (dose rate) with low current consumption and generating an alarm accurately according to an actual environmental dose rate. is there.

In one embodiment, a portable measuring device according to the present invention includes a display device having a lighting mode and a light-off mode, a radiation detection unit that generates a pulse signal for each radiation input, and counts output pulses of the detection unit. A counter that captures the count value of the counter in a first time during the lighting mode and a time that is longer than the first time during the extinguishing mode, and a dose according to the stored value of the memory circuit according to the mode instruction And a control execution unit that calculates a rate and switches a calculation algorithm used for calculating a dose rate between at least the extinguishing mode and the lighting mode.

Preferably, the control execution unit further switches the calculation algorithm used for calculating the dose rate to the transient calculation algorithm when switching from the extinguishing mode to the lighting mode. The transient calculation algorithm changes with time so that the weight of the dose rate measured in the lighting mode becomes larger than the dose rate calculated in the lighting mode as time elapses from the extinguishing mode to the lighting mode.

Preferably, the transient calculation algorithm includes a first part including the latest dose rate in the extinguishing mode and a second part for calculating the dose rate using the count value captured at the first time according to the output signal of the timer circuit. With. The weight of the second part is increased with time.

Preferably, the control execution unit stores the calculated latest dose rate in the memory circuit in the extinguishing mode.

Preferably, there is further provided a timer circuit for generating a first timing signal that defines the first time and a second timing signal that defines a second time longer than the first time.

The control execution unit takes in the count value of the counter from the timer circuit to the memory circuit according to the first timing signal and the second timing signal in the lighting mode and the extinguishing mode.

Preferably, an interrupt register that stores an interrupt count value that defines the count period of the counter, a count register that stores the count value of the counter that is the starting point of the interrupt as the starting value, and a measurement control that at least controls the register storing operation A unit is further provided.

The memory circuit includes a threshold storage area for storing a threshold dose value and a calculated value storage area for storing a calculated value indicating a measurement start time. In the extinguishing mode, the measurement control unit selectively generates an interrupt according to the count value of the counter, the difference value of the count value of the count register, and the interrupt count value of the interrupt register, and gives it to the control execution unit.

When an interrupt is given, the control execution unit calculates a dose rate from the time difference between the starting value of the memory circuit and the time of application of the interrupt and the interrupt count value of the interrupt register, and the calculated dose rate is equal to or greater than the threshold dose value. An alarm is generated when

Preferably, the interrupt count value is the number of pulses given by the count rate corresponding to the threshold dose rate.

According to the present invention, the dose rate calculation algorithm is switched according to the lighting condition of the backlight, and the dose rate can be measured even when the backlight is turned off with low current consumption. In addition, the dose rate can be displayed on the screen immediately after the backlight is turned on with low current consumption, and an alert function with low current consumption can be realized according to the actual measurement value.

It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the whole communication terminal as a portable measuring device according to this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the radiation sensor 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an application CPU shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a memory shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a timer circuit shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows typically the dose rate and measurement interval of a communication terminal according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the radiation measurement operation | movement of the communication terminal according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the radiation sensor according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of application CPU according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the memory according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the alert ringing sequence at the time of the backlight unlit state in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the dose rate screen display sequence at the time of the backlight lighting state of the communication terminal as a portable measuring device according to Embodiment 2 of this invention.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of the overall configuration of a portable communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a portable communication terminal 1 used as a portable measuring apparatus displays a radiation sensor 2 that measures radiation, an application CPU 4 that executes processing of various applications, various information, and operation contents by panel operation. Is included. The display device 6 includes a display unit 6A that displays various icons, calculation results, radiation measurement results, and the like of the application, a backlight 6B that irradiates a display screen included in the display unit 6A according to the mode, and a display unit 6A. A touch panel 6C for instructing various operations. In the present invention, the apparatus having the function of measuring radiation is not limited to a portable communication terminal having a communication function. However, in the following description, an embodiment of the portable measurement apparatus will be described simply as a communication terminal.

The display unit 6A uses a liquid crystal display screen as a display screen, and when the backlight 6B is turned on, the display screen is in a display state in which various information can be visually recognized by light from the backlight 6B. The display device 6 has a lighting mode and a light-off mode in which the display unit 6A is set to a display state and a non-display state by turning on and off the backlight, respectively.

The radiation sensor 2 is a semiconductor type radiation measuring instrument such as a photodiode as an example. The radiation sensor 2 converts a signal generated when radiation enters the sensor 2 into a pulse signal, and counts the pulse signal. Measure.

The application CPU 4 corresponds to the control execution unit, and processes and executes an application for measuring radiation by the radiation sensor 2 and displaying a measurement result, and various other applications (application programs) according to a designated mode.

The communication terminal 1 further includes a timer circuit 10 that generates a timing that defines the measurement timing in the radiation measurement mode, a memory 8 that stores measurement results during radiation measurement, and a storage medium 12 that stores various application programs. , A storage medium reading unit 14 for reading an application program stored in the storage medium 12, a transmission / reception unit 16 for transmitting / receiving data / voice and the like to / from other communication terminals via the antenna 20, and a speaker 17 for outputting sound. A main CPU 18 that controls the operation of the communication terminal, and a power supply unit 19 that supplies power to the communication terminal 1. The internal components of the communication terminal 1 are interconnected via the bus 21.

The storage medium 12 is composed of, for example, a hard disk, and stores various applications that are downloaded or preinstalled in a nonvolatile manner, and stores (saves) stored information in the memory 8 in a low power consumption mode such as in a sleep mode. .

The communication terminal 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a portable communication terminal device called a smart phone (multifunctional portable communication terminal device) or a tablet type terminal device, for example, and is displayed via a touch panel 6C arranged on the surface of the display unit 6A. A desired operation can be commanded by operating an icon or the like displayed on the part 6A. The communication terminal 1 may be a normal mobile phone that is not provided with the touch panel 6C.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the radiation sensor 2 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the radiation sensor 2 includes a radiation detection unit 22 that detects radiation, and a counter 24 that counts output pulse signals of the detection unit 22.

The radiation detection unit 22 includes, as an example, a photodiode, an amplifier that amplifies the output signal of the photodiode, and a comparator that generates a pulse signal when the output signal of the amplifier exceeds a predetermined reference value. In a photodiode, when radiation such as gamma rays (γ rays) enters, an electron / hole pair is generated inside, and the electrons and holes are separated by an internal electric field or an electric field generated by a bias voltage to generate a current. Flows. This current is amplified by an amplifier, compared with a reference value in a comparator, and a pulse is generated when the current value exceeds the reference value. Thereby, a pulse is generated when radiation is detected in the radiation detection unit 22.

Radiation includes alpha rays (α rays), beta rays (β rays), gamma rays (γ rays), and the like. The semiconductor radiation sensor can be positioned close to the position where the depletion layer and the minority carrier diffusion layer, which are radiation sensitive regions, are formed, and the maximum absorption region of the radiation. Thereby, the selectivity with respect to the radiation of measurement object can be made high, for example, the gamma ray (gamma ray) from cesium which is especially a problem in the recent general radiation measurement can be detected efficiently and correctly. The radiation detection unit 22 may be configured to detect both β rays and γ rays.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the application CPU 4 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the application CPU 4 is coupled to the bus 21 and stores an application execution control unit 26 that performs execution processing of the specified application, and an application program (software) specified under the control of the application execution control unit 26. Application storage unit 27.

The application execution control unit 26 stores an application program for dose rate measurement in the application storage unit 27 when the dose rate measurement mode is designated. As will be described in detail later, two types of algorithms, AL1 and AL2, are prepared for the radiation measurement application program according to the lighting state of the backlight, and are used at the time of transition from the off mode to the lighting mode. Algorithm AL3 is prepared.

The dose rate calculation algorithm AL1 used in this backlight lighting state (lighting mode) is expressed by the following equation.

Sm = (C [m + n] −C [m]) · K / T2,
T2 = T1 · n
Here, T1 indicates a period for measuring the radiation dose rate, n is a predetermined constant, and n count values are stored in the memory 8. C [m] is the mth count value of the counter. Sm is the dose rate. K is a conversion factor from a measurement rate of 1 CPM to a dose rate of 1 μSv / h, and is usually given as a reciprocal of the sensitivity of the radiation sensor 2. The measurement rate CPM is an average count number of pulses per unit time (1 minute).

The calculation algorithm AL2 for calculating the dose rate Rm used in the backlight off state (off mode) is expressed by the following equation.

Rm = (B [m + 1] −B [m]) · K / T3,
T3> T1,
Here, B [m] is the count value of the counter 24. T3 represents the measurement period of the count value of the counter. In the erased state, the current consumption is reduced by making the measurement cycle longer than the lighting state.

In the backlight off state, the previous count value of the counter 24 included in the radiation sensor 2 is stored, and the dose rate Rm is calculated using the newly calculated count value. At this time, after calculating the dose rate, the count value B [m] of the previous counter and the previous dose rate Rm−1 are overwritten with the new count value B [m + 1] and the new dose rate Rm.

Immediately after switching from the backlight off state to the on state, a dose rate calculation algorithm AL3 represented by the following equation is used.

Qs = R · (X−s) / X + S · s / X,
S = (C [s] −C [1]) / (T1 · s),
0 <s ≦ X.
R is the latest dose rate calculated in the backlight extinction state, and X is a constant that defines the period during which the dose rate calculation algorithm AL3 is used during the transition of the lighting state. X = n may be set. By using this calculation algorithm at the time of transition, as will be described later, it becomes possible to display the dose rate immediately after the transition from the unlit state to the lit state, and to display the dose rate according to the environmental radiation dose. It becomes possible.

In these algorithms AL1, AL2, and AL3, the dose rate is calculated using the difference value of the count value of the counter 24 of the radiation sensor 2. This reduces the influence of background noise such as environmental radiation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the memory 8 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the memory 8 includes a lighting mode data storage area 28 that stores measurement data in the lighting mode, and a light-off mode data storage area 29 that stores measurement data in the light-off mode. These

data storage areas

28 and 29 are coupled to the bus 21 and store count values given in a FIFO (first-in / first-out) manner. The count values C are always stored.

In the lighting mode data storage area 28, n count values C are stored, and the dose rate is calculated using the count values of the measurement data separated by n periods (n · T1).

The latest count value B given from the radiation sensor 2 is stored in the extinguishing mode data storage area 29, and this latest count value is constantly updated with a new count value. Further, the latest calculated dose rate R is stored in the extinguishing mode data storage area 29.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of the timer circuit 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the timer 10 includes a first timer 30 that defines the measurement cycle in the lighting mode and a second timer 31 that defines the radiation measurement period in the extinguishing mode. The first timer 30 and the second timer 31 are coupled to the radiation sensor 2 via the bus 21, generate an activation signal (count-up signal) for each set period, and perform an application via the bus 21. This is transmitted to the execution control unit 26.

In the configuration of the timer circuit 10 shown in FIG. 5, timers are provided separately for each of the cycles T1 and T3. However, the timer circuit 10 is composed of one timer, and a signal (a count-up signal) for starting the measurement operation is generated according to the measurement mode (the measurement mode in the unlit state and the measurement mode in the lit state) ( The activated periods T1 and T3 may be switched.

Regarding the period T2 used for calculating the dose rate under the backlight lighting state (lighting mode), since the period T1 and the count number n are both constants, the period T2 is a constant and is fixedly set. (For example, when the cycle T1 is defined by the number N of clock signals (not shown), the cycle T2 is set to the number n · N of clock signals).

FIG. 6 schematically shows a sequence of radiation sensor measurement and dose rate calculation in the communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the weights of the dose rates S and R in the algorithm AL3 together with the sampling period (measurement period) of the sensor output. In this dose rate weight, the vertical axis indicates dose rates S and R, and the horizontal axis indicates time. In this dose rate distribution, the weight of the dose rate S increases as it goes upward, and the weight of the dose rate R increases as it goes down. Hereinafter, a radiation dose (dose rate) measurement / calculation sequence of the communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

Before time t5, the count value of the counter 24 of the radiation sensor 2 is taken in and the dose rate is calculated with the backlight off. That is, the count value from the radiation sensor 2 is taken (sampled) at the period T3. In this case, the dose rate Rm is calculated using two adjacent count values B [(m + 1)] and B [m]. The weight of the dose rate S is 0, and the weight of the dose rate R is 100%. The latest dose rate and count value are stored in the storage area 29 of the memory 8.

At time t5, the backlight lighting mode is entered. Although the backlight is turned on, the calculation algorithm AL3 at the time of transition is used at the time of transition from the backlight off state to the backlight on state. In this calculation algorithm AL3, the count value of the counter of the radiation sensor is taken in and the dose rate is calculated and displayed in a cycle T1.

At the time of transition to the lighting state in the transient state, the latest dose rate R calculated in the extinguishing state is multiplied by the weight (X−s) / X. On the other hand, (C [s] −C [1]) / T1 · s is first obtained as an additional transient dose rate S using the count value C from the radiation sensor measured at the period T1, and this transient dose rate is calculated as The weight s / X is multiplied.

Therefore, as time elapses from time t5, the parameter s increases and the dose rate R weight decreases, while the transient dose rate S weight increases. Therefore, the dose rate can be displayed on the display device immediately after the backlight is turned on, and the specific gravity of the latest radiation measurement result increases with time. In the calculation algorithm AL3, when s = X, the weight of the transient dose rate S is 100%, while the weight of the dose rate R in the erased state is zero.

Therefore, it is possible to calculate the dose rate using actual measurement data without waiting for n measurement data to be obtained immediately after the lighting state transition, and the displayed dose rate suddenly rises and falls due to indefinite data. Thus, it is possible to shift to the calculation algorithm AL1 when the backlight is lit without causing a sense of incongruity.

In particular, by setting X = n, after a predetermined period X (= n) has elapsed, the calculation algorithm AL3 at the time of transition can be transferred to the calculation algorithm AL1 as it is. That is, after calculating the dose rate by C [n] -C [1] according to the calculation algorithm AL3, it is then possible to calculate the dose rate based on C [n + 1] -C [2] according to the calculation algorithm AL1. The continuity of dose rate is uninterrupted.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically showing a dose rate measurement sequence of the communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the dose rate calculation and display operation of the communication terminal shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

The main CPU 18 waits for an input of a command for specifying a dose rate measurement process via the touch panel 6C included in the display device 6 (step SP1).

When the dose rate measurement process is designated via the touch panel 6C, the main CPU 18 activates the application CPU 4 and loads a corresponding radiation dose rate measurement application program from the activation storage medium 12 via the storage medium reading unit 14. Read and give to application CPU4. When receiving a dose rate measurement command from the main CPU 18, the application CPU 4 first activates the radiation sensor 2 (step SP2). As a result, the radiation detection unit 22 shown in FIG. 2 is activated and enters a state of measuring radiation.

Next, the application CPU 4 determines whether the dose rate measurement is to be executed in the lighting state or in the extinguishing state (SP3). This processing content is specified by an icon operation using the touch panel 6C. In this state, the backlight is still on.

When the dose rate measurement in the off state is designated, the application CPU 4 reads the calculation algorithm AL2 stored in the application storage unit 27 (see FIG. 3), enters the execution state of the calculation algorithm, and is shown in FIG. The second timer 31 is started (step FF1).

At the time of processing execution in the light-off state (light-off mode), the main CPU 18 may be configured to enter the sleeve state when the application CPU 4 enters the processing execution state (the power supply from the power supply unit 19 is cut off). )

The application CPU 4 sets the backlight 6B (see FIG. 1) to the off state and activates the counter 24 of the radiation sensor 2 to start the counting operation, and monitors the count value. Under the control of the application execution control unit 26 shown in FIG. 3, the counter 24 included in the radiation sensor 2 receives the count-up signal of the period T3 output from the second timer 31 via the bus 21. The count value (see FIG. 2) is taken in. The dose rate R is calculated according to the calculation algorithm AL2 from the previous count value stored in the extinction mode data storage area 29 included in the memory 8 and the count value acquired this time, and the extinction mode data is stored at the calculated latest dose rate. The previous dose rate stored in the area 29 is updated (overwritten).

Further, the application execution control unit 26 overwrites the previous count value stored in the turn-off mode data storage area 29 (see FIG. 4) with the acquired count value. Accordingly, the erase mode data storage area 29 holds the latest count value B and dose rate R at that time.

Thereafter, the process of taking the count value of the counter 24 in accordance with the count-up signal of the period T3 from the second timer 31 and measuring the dose rate R is repeatedly executed (step FF2).

Next, it is determined whether an instruction to end the dose rate calculation sequence in the unlit state has been given (step FF3). When this end process is designated, the process proceeds to step FF4, and the necessary end process is executed. As the necessary end processing in step FF4, the backlight is set in a lighting state, and a message such as “Current dose rate measurement is in progress but will be ended” is displayed on the display unit 6A shown in FIG. Is done. When an end instruction is specified via the touch panel 6C, the application CPU 4 deactivates the radiation sensor 2, stops the dose and count measurement processing, and stops the timing operation of the second timer 31 of the timer circuit 10. . In this process, the latest measured values (dose rate and count value) stored in the memory 8 in the unlit state may be saved in the storage medium 12. Alternatively, if the memory 8 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, the stored contents may be retained without being erased. Further, the latest dose rate may be temporarily displayed at the end of processing.

On the other hand, if the end is not instructed yet in step FF3, it is then determined whether the transition from the dose rate measurement in the unlit state to the measurement in the lit state is designated (step FF5). In this process, as an example, an icon is displayed on the display unit 6A by, for example, a touch operation on the touch panel 6C shown in FIG. 1 (in this case, the backlight 6B is turned on), and the displayed icon is used. The dose rate measurement in the lighting state is input by operating the touch panel 6C.

If the measurement in the lighting state is not designated in step FF5, the processing from step FF2 is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, when the dose rate measurement process in the lighting state is designated in step FF5, the application CPU 4 turns on the backlight 6B shown in FIG. 1 and puts the second timer 31 shown in FIG. 5 into the inactive state. At the same time, the first timer 30 is activated. At the time of this timer switching, for example, the first timer 30 can start counting immediately if the power is always turned on and in an operation standby state (counting a clock signal from a clock generator (not shown)). The count-up signal is generated every period T1).

The application CPU 4 also reads AL3 from the storage area 29 instead of AL2 as a calculation algorithm, takes in the count value of the counter 24 by the count-up signal from the first timer 30 of the timer circuit 10 every cycle T1, and sequentially stores the memory. 8 is stored. The application CPU 4 measures and calculates the dose rate using the transient calculation algorithm AL3 read from the application storage unit 27. The count values from the radiation sensor 2 captured at the cycle T1 are sequentially stored in the lighting mode data storage area 28, and the dose rate Q in the transient state is calculated according to the algorithm AL3 and displayed on the display unit 6A. Accordingly, the application execution control unit 26 of the application CPU calculates the dose rate Q using the calculation algorithm AL3 in the transient state, and calculates the dose rate Q on the display unit 6A at the cycle T1 of the count-up signal given from the first timer 30. Displays the dose rate. Accordingly, during the transition, the screen of the display unit 6A is updated at the cycle T1 (step FF6).

Next, the application CPU 4 determines whether or not the count-up signal from the first timer 30 has been given X times during the transitional state when shifting from the unlit state to the lit state (step FF7). This is executed by counting up the time-up signal from the first timer 30 using a counter (not shown) in the application execution control unit 26 of the application CPU 4. In the transient state, the count value from the counter 24 of the radiation sensor 2 is sequentially stored in the lighting mode data storage area 28. In this case, in the lighting mode data storage area 28 (see FIG. 4), X count values (CP; Counted Pulses) are sequentially stored in the transient state.

On the other hand, when the dose rate measurement / measurement process in the transient state is executed X times (step FF7), the application execution control unit 26 of the application CPU 4 accesses the application storage unit 27 to change the calculation algorithm to the transient state. The calculation algorithm AL3 at the time is switched to the calculation algorithm AL1 at the lighting state (step FF8), and the dose rate measurement and calculation processing are executed according to the calculation algorithm AL1 at the lighting state (the process proceeds to step NN2 described later).

As described above, the dose rate measurement sequence is performed in the light-off state and in the transition state from the light-off state to the light-on state.

On the other hand, when the dose rate measurement in the lighting state is designated in step SP3 at the time of inputting the dose rate measurement command, the application CPU 4 uses the calculation algorithm AL1 in the lighting state included in the

application storage unit

27 and 1 Timer 30 is started (step NN1). The backlight is kept on. The application execution control unit 26 included in the application CPU 4 takes the count value from the counter 24 of the radiation sensor 2 in accordance with the count up signal given from the first timer 30 every cycle T1, and the dose rate S according to the taken count value. And the calculated dose rate is displayed on the screen of the display unit 6A. As a result, the screen is updated every cycle T1 (step NN2). When this process is executed, n count values are always stored in the FIFO mode in the lighting mode data storage area 28 shown in FIG. 4 under the control of the application execution control unit 26.

Next, it is determined whether an end command for the radiation dose rate measurement process has been given (step NN3). When the end of the dose rate measurement is instructed, for example, by operating the touch panel 6C shown in FIG. 1, the application CPU 4 executes necessary end processing (step NN4). In this termination process, the dose rate displayed on the display unit 6A may be simply deleted, and a process for shifting to the initial screen may be performed, or the backlight 6B may be turned off.

On the other hand, if the end command is not given in step NN3, it is next determined whether or not a command from the lighting state to the extinguishing state is given (step NN5). While the dose rate measurement in the lighting state is given, the application execution control unit 26 of the application CPU 4 repeatedly executes the processing from step NN2.

In step NN5, when the dose rate measurement sequence in the unlit state is commanded (by the operation of the touch panel 6C), the application execution control unit 26 of the application CPU 4 switches the calculation algorithm from AL1 to AL2 and sends it to the timer circuit 10. The first timer 30 included is deactivated and the second timer 31 is started. Thereafter, the measurement sequence in the off state from Step FF2 is executed.

As described above, the dose rate measurement is performed by switching the dose rate calculation algorithm in each of the backlight off state, the transition from the off state to the on state, and the backlight on state. Thereby, the frequency | count that the application CPU at the time of a light extinction state measures a dose rate can be reduced, and current consumption can be reduced. In addition, the latest dose rate is held together with the count value when the light is off. When transitioning from the unlit state to the lit state, the calculation algorithm for the transient state is used, the dose rate is calculated using the latest dose rate in the unlit state and the measured count value in the lit state. The weight is given to increase the specific gravity of the radiation measurement result. As a result, the dose rate can be immediately displayed on the screen at the time of transition from the unlit state to the lit state, and the uncomfortable feeling that the dose rate changes rapidly does not occur. In addition, it is possible to smoothly shift to the calculation algorithm AL1 in the lighting state.

In the above description, the application CPU 4 is always in an operating state when the light is off and when the light is on. However, the processing of the application execution control unit 26 in the application CPU 4 is only when a count-up instruction is given from the timer, and is normally in a standby state where no processing operation is performed (power is supplied). , Current consumption is suppressed.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 8 schematically shows a configuration of radiation sensor 2 of the communication terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The overall configuration of the communication terminal used in the second embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

8, the radiation sensor 2 includes a radiation detection unit 22, a counter 24, a register circuit 42 for storing an interrupt count value and a count period value, and a measurement control unit 40.

The radiation detection unit 22 and the counter 24 generate a pulse signal and count the pulse signal at the time of radiation detection, respectively, as in the first embodiment. A count value (CP) from the counter 24 is sent to the measurement control unit 40.

The register circuit 42 includes an interrupt generation register 44 that stores a count number for generating an interrupt to the application CPU 4 and a count register 46 that stores a count value that is a starting point for generating an interrupt of the counter 24.

The interrupt generation register 44 stores a threshold value that is a reference for comparing the count value of the counter 24, and this threshold value can be set and changed by the measurement control unit 40. The count register 46 stores the count value of the counter 46 when the interrupt count number is set for the interrupt generation register 44.

The measurement control unit 40 selectively interrupts the application CPU (4) based on the magnitude relationship between the count value of the counter 24 and the interrupt count value stored in the interrupt generation register 44 and Operation control and setting of each data of the register circuit 42 are performed.

The measurement control unit 40 sends the count value of the counter 24 to the application CPU (4) at the time of transition from the unlit state to the lit state and when measuring the radiation dose rate in the lit state.

The measurement control unit 40 causes the radiation sensor 2 to perform radiation measurement by leaving the control of the application CPU 4 when measuring the radiation dose in the extinguished state. Thereby, the application CPU 4 can be set to a low power consumption mode such as a sleep state or a low-speed operation clock supply state during the count value measurement, and the application CPU 4 can be maintained in a low current consumption state.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of the application CPU 4 used in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, in the radiation measurement mode, the application CPU 4 includes an application execution control unit 50 that executes application software for radiation measurement, a radiation application storage unit 52 that stores an application program for radiation measurement, an alert ringing, and the like. It includes a threshold value calculation unit 54 that generates a threshold value of a dose value at the time of alarm generation and an interrupt threshold value stored in the interrupt generation register 44, and a timer 55 that measures an interrupt generation interval.

Application execution control unit 50 and radiation application storage unit 52 correspond to application execution control unit 26 and application storage unit 27 used in the first embodiment, respectively. However, the application execution control unit 50 is set to a low power consumption state such as a sleep mode as described above during the radiation measurement operation in the extinguished state.

The timer 55 is used to obtain a time difference when calculating the count per unit time of the count number CP from the radiation sensor 2, that is, a count rate (CPM). The time difference is the time required from the occurrence of an interrupt request given by the radiation sensor 2 or from the next interrupt to the next interrupt.

In the threshold calculation unit 54, a value obtained by converting the threshold dose rate Zth (unit μSv / h) at the time of alarm occurrence such as alert ringing into an average count number per minute (threshold count rate CPMth) is an alert. Calculated as a threshold value. A threshold count value corresponding to the alert threshold value is stored in the interrupt register 44 shown in FIG.

In the radiation measurement application program stored in the radiation application storage unit 52, as a calculation algorithm, a calculation algorithm AL1 in a lighting state and a calculation algorithm AL3 used in a transition from a non-lighting state to a lighting state are prepared. .

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the memory 8 used in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the memory 8 shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the lighting mode data storage area 28 and the extinguishing mode data storage area 29, a threshold value storage area 56 and a starting point storage area 58 are provided.

The lighting mode data storage area 28 and the extinguishing mode data storage area 29 are respectively the same as the storage areas shown in FIG. 4, and store the latest n count values and the latest count values and doses during measurement in the extinguished state, respectively. Stores the rate.

The threshold storage area 56 stores a threshold dose rate Zth at the time of alarm occurrence or a threshold measurement rate CPMth corresponding to this threshold dose rate. The starting point storage area 58 stores a count value (time information) of the timer 55 that is a pulse counting start point in the extinguishing mode.

The other configuration of the communication terminal used in the second embodiment is the same as that of the communication terminal shown in FIG. 1, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 11 shows a radiation measurement sequence when the communication terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention is turned off. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11, a radiation measurement processing sequence when the communication terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention is turned off will be described.

As in the first embodiment, when the power supply unit 19 (see FIG. 1) is activated and the communication terminal 1 is in an operating state, icons indicating various operations are displayed on the display unit 6A. The touch panel 6 (shown in FIG. 1) and the radiation detection application are activated from various icons included in the display unit 6A. At this time, the backlight 6B is still in a lighting state.

The application CPU 4 is activated under the control of the main CPU, reads the radiation application program stored in the storage medium 12 (see FIG. 1) via the storage medium reading unit 14, and stores it in the radiation application storage unit 52 shown in FIG. Store. Next, in this operation, when radiation measurement in an extinguished state is designated, the application execution control unit 50 of the application CPU 4 causes the threshold value calculation unit 54 to generate an alert threshold value (threshold measurement rate CPMth or threshold value). Dose rate Zth) is calculated. At least one of the calculated alert threshold CPMth and alert threshold dose rate Zth is stored in a threshold storage area 56 included in the memory 8 (P1).

Next, the application execution control unit 50 stores the threshold count rate CPMth generated using the threshold calculation unit 54 as an interrupt generation count value in the interrupt generation register 44 of the radiation sensor 2 via the measurement control unit 40. (P2). When this initial processing is completed, the application CPU 4 completes necessary initial processing, sets the backlight 6B to the off state, and stops the display of the display unit 6A.

When this application execution control unit 50 completes the necessary initial processing, the application execution control unit 50 instructs the measurement processing in the unlit state via the measurement control unit 40. In response to this command, the count value at that time of the counter 24 is stored in the count register 46 under the control of the measurement control unit 40 (P4). In addition, the timer 55 in the application CPU 4 is activated and performs a time measuring operation. In this state, the application CPU 4 is set to the low power consumption mode except for the timer 55. The time information (count value) of the timer 55 is stored in the counting point storage area 58 as interrupt starting point information (P3).

In the radiation sensor 2, the measurement control unit 40 determines whether the measurement time has reached the count number stored in the interrupt generation register 44 from the count value of the counter 24 and the count number stored in the count register 46. Due to the influence of natural radiation existing in the natural world, the count value of the counter 24 increases with time.

When the measurement control unit 40 determines that the difference value between the count value of the counter 24 and the count value stored in the count register 46 has reached the interrupt count number stored in the interrupt generation register 44, the measurement control unit 40 determines that the interrupt is applied to the application CPU 4 Notify In the application CPU 4, the application execution control unit 50 returns from the low power consumption mode to the normal operation state, and the difference value between the measurement time of the timer 55 and the interrupt count number set time stored in the starting point storage area 58 of the memory 8 is calculated. The dose rate is calculated from the number of interrupt counts and the time until the occurrence of the interrupt obtained by the time counting operation of the timer 55 (P6). By comparing the dose rate R calculated based on the ratio CPMth / Twr between the measurement rate CPMth and the time Twr required until interruption, and the threshold dose rate Zth, the measured dose rate is determined as the alert threshold dose rate Zth. Can be identified. At this time, it may be determined whether the measured environmental dose rate exceeds the threshold dose rate based on the magnitude of CPMth / Twr and CPMth.

When the calculated dose rate is lower than the alert threshold dose rate Zth, the latest calculated dose rate R is stored in the extinguishing mode data storage area 29. If the measured dose rate at the time of occurrence of the interrupt does not reach the threshold value, the application CPU 4 notifies the measurement control unit 40 to that effect. At this time, the application CPU 4 also stores the time of the timer 55 shown in FIG. 9 in the starting point storage area 58 (see FIG. 10), and stores the count value of the counter 24 in the count register 46 via the measurement control unit 40. Is stored and the count value is updated. After this process, the application CPU 4 enters the low power consumption state again except for the timer 55. Within the radiation sensor 2, under the control of the measurement control unit 40, the count value of the counter 24 is monitored and the necessity / non-necessity of interrupt generation is determined.

On the other hand, when the interrupt instruction from the radiation sensor 2 is generated, the application CPU 4 measures the dose rate and determines that the measured dose rate exceeds the alert threshold dose rate Zth, the application CPU 4 The speaker 17 is sounded and an alert is generated (P9). Moreover, the measured dose rate at the time of actual alert ringing at this time is preserve | saved (P7). In FIG. 11, it is shown that the measured dose rate at the time of alert ringing is stored in the storage area 56, but this may be stored in the extinguishing mode data storage area 29.

By the sounding of the speaker 17, the user instructs the application CPU 4 to execute necessary processes such as lighting of the backlight 6B and display of the measurement threshold value on the display unit 6A.

Note that the count value of the count register 46 is cleared when the alert is sounded. This is because it is possible to see the environmental dose rate by measuring the dose rate while the backlight is on, and it is not particularly necessary to sound an alert. However, the count value of the count register 46 does not have to be cleared when the alert is sounded. Thereby, the alert ringing processing sequence in the off state is completed.

Through these series of processing, when the measurement in the period T3 is long, it is possible to prevent the detection from being delayed when the actual environmental dose rate reaches the threshold dose rate. During measurement, it is possible to reduce the delay of alarm generation such as alert sounding. In addition, it is possible to reduce the error of the actual environmental dose rate when an alarm such as an alert is generated.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a dose rate screen display sequence in the backlight lighting state of the communication terminal in the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 12, the dose rate measurement process when the communication terminal in the backlight lighting state according to the second embodiment of the present invention is described.

When the radiation dose rate measurement command in the lighting state is given, the application CPU 4 turns on the backlight 6B or maintains the lighting state, and sets information necessary for the display unit 6A to be visible. In the timer circuit 10, as in the first embodiment, the first timer is activated, and generates a count-up signal that defines the measurement timing in the cycle T1 (P1). On the other hand, in the radiation sensor 2, the application CPU 4 notifies the measurement control unit 40 of the radiation measurement process in the lighting state. Accordingly, the measurement control unit 40 maintains the register circuit 42 in the non-operating state when the backlight is lit, and sequentially sends the count value of the counter 24 to the application CPU 4 at the cycle T1. That is, the application CPU 4 fetches the count value of the counter 24 in accordance with the count-up signal from the timer circuit 10 in the cycle T1 (P2) and sequentially stores it in the storage area 28 of the memory 8 (P3). As in the first embodiment, the dose rate Sm is calculated using the count values C [m] and C [m + n] stored in the storage area 28, and the calculated dose rate Sm is displayed on the display unit 6A. To do.

Also in the second embodiment, when the radiation measurement mode is switched from the unlit state to the lit state, the latest measurement dose rate in the backlight unlit state is stored in the unlit mode data storage area 29. The measured radiation dose rate R can be used to measure the radiation dose rate during the transition.

In the second embodiment, the dose rate is displayed on the display unit 6A in the lighting state. However, when the calculated dose rate exceeds the threshold dose rate, an alert with light information such as ringing the speaker 17 or changing the display color of the display unit 6A as in the off state. Notification may be performed.

When the dose rate R is calculated in a long cycle of the cycle T3 when the light is off, an alert ringing may occur after the calculated dose rate exceeds the alarm threshold dose rate Zth and a sufficient time has elapsed. Occurrence may be delayed. However, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, alarm generation processing is performed separately from the dose rate calculation algorithm for screen display during radiation measurement in the backlight off state. In other words, alarm generation such as alerting is realized separately from the screen display, and radiation measurement is performed with low current consumption, and alarm generation can be performed without delay according to the environmental dose rate during measurement in the erased state. it can.

In addition, the latest dose rate calculated when the backlight is off is stored in the storage area 29, and when an alarm is generated such as when an alert is sounding, the dose rate is calculated during transition with a small error. It is possible to reduce the discrepancy between the screen display content and the alarm occurrence.

In the above description, a communication terminal having a liquid crystal display screen using a backlight is described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a communication terminal that uses an organic EL (electroluminescence) that does not use a backlight as a display screen. The backlight off and lighting state may be associated with the display screen off and lighting state, respectively.

In addition, although a portable communication terminal having a communication function is used, the present invention can be applied even to an apparatus having only a function such as radiation measurement that does not have a communication function.

1 communication terminal, 2 radiation sensor, 4 application CPU, 6 display device, 6A display unit, 6B backlight, 6C touch panel, 8 memory, 10 timer circuit, 12 storage medium, 14 storage medium reading unit, 16 transmission / reception unit, 17 speaker , 18 main CPU, 19 power supply unit, 22 radiation detection unit, 24 counter, 26 application execution control unit, 27 application storage unit, 29 extinguishing mode data storage area, 28 lighting mode storage data storage area, 30 first timer, 31st timer 2 timer, 40 measurement control unit, 42 register circuit, 44 interrupt generation register, 46 count register, 50 application execution control unit, 52 radiation application storage unit, 54 threshold calculation unit 55 timer, 56 threshold storage area, 58 starting point storage region.

Claims

A display device having a lighting mode and a light-off mode,
A radiation detection unit that generates a pulse signal for each radiation input;
A counter for counting output pulses of the detection unit;
A memory circuit that captures the count value of the counter in a first time during the lighting mode and that takes a longer time than the first time in the extinguishing mode;
A portable measurement apparatus comprising a control execution unit that calculates a dose rate according to a stored value of the memory circuit according to a mode instruction and switches a calculation algorithm used for calculating the dose rate between at least the extinguishing mode and the lighting mode.
The control execution unit further switches a calculation algorithm used for calculating the dose rate to a transient calculation algorithm when switching from the extinguishing mode to the lighting mode, and the transient calculation algorithm is changed from the extinguishing mode to the lighting mode. The portable measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the time-dependent change of the dose rate measured in the lighting mode is greater than the dose rate calculated in the lighting mode with the passage of time.
The transient calculation algorithm includes a first part including the latest dose rate in the extinguishing mode and a second part for calculating a dose rate with a count value acquired at a first time according to an output signal of the timer circuit. The portable measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the weight of the second portion is increased with time.
The portable measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control execution unit stores the calculated latest dose rate in the memory circuit in the extinguishing mode.
A timer circuit for generating a first timing signal defining the first time and a second timing signal defining a second time longer than the first time;
2. The control execution unit fetches the count value of the counter from the timer circuit into the memory circuit according to the first timing signal and the second timing signal during the lighting mode and the extinguishing mode. Portable measuring device.
An interrupt register that stores an interrupt count value that defines a count period of the counter;
A count register that stores a count value of the counter that is a starting point of the interrupt as a starting value;
A measurement control unit for controlling at least a storing operation of the register;
The memory circuit includes a threshold storage area for storing a threshold dose value, and a calculated value storage area for storing a calculated value indicating a measurement start time point.
In the extinguishing mode, the measurement control unit selectively generates an interrupt according to the count value of the counter, the difference value of the count value of the count register, and the interrupt count value of the interrupt register, and supplies the interrupt to the control execution unit. ,
When the interrupt is given, the control execution unit calculates a dose rate from a time difference between the calculated value of the memory circuit and the time of application of the interrupt and an interrupt count value of the interrupt register, and the calculated dose rate is calculated as follows. The portable measuring device according to claim 1, wherein an alarm is generated when the threshold dose value is exceeded.
The portable measurement device according to claim 6, wherein the interrupt count value is a pulse number given at a count rate corresponding to the threshold dose rate.