JP2008109955A - Recording paper and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of biological information recorded on recording paper.
A recording sheet is used in a recording apparatus that records biological information by a thermal method while conveying the recording sheet. The paper base 110 records biometric information from the recording device by developing color in response to heat applied from the recording device. The sensor marker 120 is printed on the paper base 110 with a color having a density lower than the color density of the paper base 110, preferably an invisible color, at regular intervals in the conveyance direction of the recording apparatus. Thereby, even if it is a case where biometric information is overlapped and recorded on the sensor marker 120, the fall of the visibility of biometric information can be suppressed. In particular, when the sensor marker 120 is printed in an invisible color, the sensor marker 120 appears not to be printed, so that there is no deterioration in the visibility of the recorded biological information.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording paper and a recording apparatus for recording biological information of a subject.

  In general, thermal paper is used as a recording paper for recording a subject's biological information such as an electrocardiogram waveform. The thermal paper is a paper on which information can be recorded on the surface by heat applied from a thermal pen or a thermal head of a biological information recording device, for example, an electrocardiogram waveform recording device. As the types of thermal paper, there are roll paper and folding paper, which are properly used according to the application.

Some types of thermal paper are pre-printed with the same black pattern called a sensor marker at regular intervals in the transport direction of the recording apparatus. At the time of measuring biological information, the thermal paper is recorded on the surface of the thermal paper while being conveyed in the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus includes a detection unit that detects a sensor marker from the thermal paper being transported. By this detection unit, it is possible to appropriately perform page feed and alignment at the start of recording and at the end of recording. In this way, wasteful use of thermal paper due to conveyance during non-recording is suppressed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-205090 A

  However, in the conventional recording paper, there is a problem that the visibility of the recorded biological information of the subject decreases due to the black sensor marker being in the way. For example, when the jumping portion of the subject's electrocardiogram waveform overlaps the sensor marker, the jumping portion becomes invisible. This problem is likely to occur when a plurality of pieces of biological information are recorded simultaneously on a plurality of channels.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a recording sheet and a recording apparatus that can improve the visibility of recorded biological information.

  The recording paper of the present invention is a recording paper used in a recording apparatus for recording biological information by a thermal method while conveying the recording paper, and is colored by reacting with heat applied from the recording apparatus, Printed in a color having a density lower than the color density of the paper base material on the paper base material at a predetermined interval in the transport direction of the recording device and the paper base material for recording biological information from the recording device. And a plurality of sensor markers.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention includes a transport unit that transports the recording paper, a recording unit that records biological information on the recording paper by applying heat to the transported recording paper, and the recording paper, A detection unit that detects a plurality of sensor markers that are printed at a constant interval in the conveyance direction of the conveyance unit, and a color density of the recording paper that is higher than a color density of the detected plurality of sensor markers, And a control unit that controls the amount of heat applied to the recording paper by the recording unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the visibility of biological information recorded on recording paper.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C are diagrams showing a recording paper 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the recording paper 100 is composed of a plurality of pages divided by perforations P. 1A and 1B are enlarged views of the recording paper 100 around one of the plurality of pages. As shown in FIG. 1C, the recording paper 100 can be folded using the perforation P as a fold. The size of each page is, for example, A4 size (210 mm long × 297 mm wide) that can be sandwiched between medical records.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the recording paper 100 includes a paper base 110 and a sensor marker 120 printed on the paper base 110.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the paper base 110 includes a paper layer 111, a heat-sensitive layer 112 formed on the paper layer 111, and a coating layer 113 formed on the heat-sensitive layer 112. . The paper layer 111 is, for example, a high-quality paper layer having a whiteness of 90% or more. The heat-sensitive layer 112 is a layer in which a color former having an electron donating property and a developer having an electron accepting property are dispersed in a binder. The coating layer 113 is, for example, an electron beam curable resin layer for protecting the thermosensitive layer 112. On the paper base 110, grid lines and the product name and manufacturer name of the recording paper 100 may be printed in advance.

  Thus, the paper base 110 is thermal paper on which biological information is recorded by heat from the recording device. That is, in the portion of the paper substrate 110 to which heat is applied, the color information of the heat-sensitive layer 112 and the developer cause a chemical reaction to develop a black color, thereby recording biological information. Therefore, as a recording apparatus that records biometric information on the recording paper 100, for example, a thermal pen type recording apparatus that records a waveform by bringing a heated pen tip into contact with the recording paper 100, or the recording paper 100 A thermal head type recording apparatus that records a waveform by generating heat by heating any one of a plurality of minute heating elements arranged in a straight line can be used. An example of a usable recording apparatus will be described later.

  Note that additional information related to the biological information is recorded on the paper base 110 simultaneously with the biological information. Here, “biological information” means, for example, various waveforms such as an electrocardiogram waveform, a blood pressure waveform, a brain waveform, an electromyogram waveform, an nystagmus waveform, a respiratory waveform, and a pulse waveform, and particularly temporal changes of these waveforms. Means. “Additional information” means various information such as personal information and measurement conditions of the subject. For example, the age and sex of the subject, height, weight, measurement date and time of biometric information, and recording paper Including the transport speed. The “additional information” includes information such as the blood pressure of the subject and the heart rate HR (Heart Rate).

  The sensor markers 120 are pre-printed on the paper substrate 110 at regular intervals in the transport direction of the recording apparatus (arrow X in the figure). That is, the sensor marker 120 is printed at the same position on each page divided by the perforation P.

  The sensor marker 120 is used to appropriately perform conveyance control such as page feed and alignment of the recording paper 100 at the initial processing, at the start of recording, and at the end of recording. That is, the sensor marker 120 serves as a reference for recording or running control of the recording paper 100. The conveyance control using the sensor marker 120 will be described in detail later in the operation description.

  The sensor marker 120 is printed in a color having a density lower than the color density of the biological information recorded on the recording paper 100, that is, the color density of the paper substrate 110. Thereby, even if it is a case where biometric information is overlapped and recorded on the sensor marker 120, biometric information is not hidden by the sensor marker 120, and the fall of the visibility of biometric information can be suppressed.

  Preferably, the sensor marker 120 is printed with an invisible color. For example, the sensor marker 120 is printed using invisible ink that is invisible to humans under visible light. This invisible ink absorbs light energy in a wavelength region that is invisible to the human eye (for example, ultraviolet light of 400 nm or less), and when it is irradiated with UV (Ultra Violet) light, it emits a blue-violet fluorescent color. Note that the sensor marker 120 may be printed with ink that absorbs light energy in the near-infrared wavelength region of, for example, 700 nm or more.

  As described above, when the sensor marker 120 is printed in an invisible color, the sensor marker 120 is transparent for a human being, although it is shown for convenience of explanation, that is, it seems that no printing is performed. Therefore, even when biometric information is recorded on the sensor marker 120 when biometric information is recorded, the visibility of the biometric information is not deteriorated at all. Moreover, there is no deterioration in the visibility of biological information regardless of the shape, number and position of the sensor marker 120 to be printed. Thus, no matter how the sensor marker is printed, the appearance of the recording paper 100 is not impaired.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor marker 120 is described as being printed on the base paper material 110, but the printing position of the sensor marker 120 is not limited to this. For example, the sensor marker 120 may be printed on the back surface of the recording paper 100, that is, the surface of the paper layer 111 opposite to the surface on which the heat-sensitive layer 112 and the coating layer 113 are formed.

  Next, a recording apparatus 200 that records biological information on the recording paper 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the recording apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The recording apparatus 200 is a thermal head type recording apparatus.

  In FIG. 2, the recording apparatus 200 includes a paper magazine 210, a paper magazine slot upper surface 220, a shaft 230, a photo reflector 240, a receiving plate 250, a platen roller 260, a thermal head 270, and a control unit 280. Have.

  The paper magazine 210 accommodates the recording paper 100 in a folded state as shown in FIG. When the paper magazine 210 is correctly attached to the recording apparatus 200, the paper magazine 210 presses the micro switch 211, and the pressed micro switch 211 sends a signal to the control unit 280 that the paper magazine 210 is correctly attached. Output.

  The paper magazine slot upper surface 220 and the shaft 230 form a transport path for the recording paper 100 accommodated in the paper magazine 210. At the time of recording biometric information, the recording paper 100 accommodated in the paper magazine 210 is sequentially conveyed through the conveyance path into the gap between the photo reflector 240 and the receiving plate 250.

  A photo reflector 240 as a detection unit detects the sensor marker 120 printed on the recording paper 100. More specifically, the photo reflector 240 includes a light emitting LED (Light Emitting Diode) 241 and a phototransistor 242. The light emitting LED 241 irradiates the region where the sensor marker 120 printed on the recording paper 100 passes during conveyance with UV light or near infrared light, and the phototransistor 242 detects the reflected light. The phototransistor 242 detects the sensor marker 120 using the difference in reflectance between the reflected light from the portion where the sensor marker 120 is not printed and the reflected light from the portion where the sensor marker 120 is printed. To do. The photo reflector 240 outputs the detection result of the sensor marker 120 to the control unit 280.

  The receiving plate 250 reflects the UV light or near-infrared light emitted from the light emitting LED 241 of the photo reflector 240 and irradiates the phototransistor 242 of the photo reflector 240 with the reflected light.

  A platen roller 260 as a conveyance unit conveys the recording paper 100 by rotating. By the rotation of the platen roller 260, page feed and position alignment are executed at the time of initial processing, at the start of recording, and at the end of recording. The rotation or stop of the platen roller 260, switching of the rotation speed, and the like are controlled by an instruction signal from the control unit 280.

  A thermal head 270 as a recording unit records biological information on the paper base 110 by applying heat to the paper base 110 of the recording paper 100 being conveyed to cause color development. More specifically, the thermal head 270 is composed of a plurality of minute heating elements arranged in a straight line, and heat is applied to the paper base 110 when any one of the plurality of minute heating elements generates heat. As a result, the heated portion of the paper base 110 is colored and the biological information is recorded. The amount of heat given to the paper base 110 by the thermal head 270 is controlled by an instruction signal from the control unit 280.

  The control unit 280 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and comprehensively controls each component of the recording apparatus 200.

  When a signal indicating that the paper magazine 210 has been correctly loaded is input from the micro switch 211, the control unit 280 outputs a signal indicating the page feed and alignment of the recording paper 100 during the initial processing to the platen roller 260. Output to. In addition, when a recording start switch (not shown) is pressed, the control unit 280 outputs an instruction signal for conveying the recording paper 100 to the platen roller 260 so that the paper base 110 of the recording paper 100 is heated. Is output to the thermal head 270. Further, when a recording end switch (not shown) is pressed, the control unit 280 outputs an instruction signal to the platen roller 260 to perform page feed and alignment of the recording paper 100 at the end of recording. An instruction signal indicating that the heat applied to the paper base 110 of the paper 100 is zero is output to the thermal head 270.

  The control unit 280 is a signal that indicates the amount of heat that the thermal head 270 gives to the paper base 110 so that the color density of the paper base 110 becomes higher than the color density of the sensor marker 120 detected by the photo reflector 240. Is output to the thermal head 270. More specifically, the control unit 280 provides an instruction signal for giving a certain amount of heat to the paper base 110 such that the color density of the paper base 110 is always higher than the color density of the sensor marker 120, Output to the thermal head 270.

  The configuration of the recording paper 100 and the recording apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment has been described above.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the recording apparatus 200 using the recording paper 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a biometric information recording process performed by the recording paper 100 and the recording apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, an initial process after the recording paper 100 is set in the recording apparatus 200, a biometric information recording process, and a process after biometric information recording ends will be described. Note that the biometric information recording process described here is an example, and the steps included in this procedure and the order thereof can be variously changed.

  First, the recording paper 100 is accommodated in the paper magazine 210 so that the leading edge of the recording paper 100 is engaged with the platen roller 260 (S1). Next, the platen roller 260 starts to convey the recording paper 100 by rotating according to the instruction signal from the control unit 280 (S2). The platen roller 260 conveys the recording paper 100 until the photo reflector 240 detects the sensor marker 120 (S3). When the sensor marker 120 is detected (S3: YES), the platen roller 260 stops the conveyance after conveying the recording paper 100 by a predetermined distance in the forward direction or the reverse direction from the detection point (S4). Thus, the initial process is executed, and the recording paper 100 is adjusted to the recording start position with the sensor marker 120 as a reference.

  Next, when the start of biometric information recording is instructed (S5: YES), the platen roller 260 starts transporting the recording paper 100 at the transport speed instructed by the control unit 280, while the thermal head 270 transports. Recording of biometric information on the paper base 110 is started by applying heat to the paper base 110 of the recording paper 100 to be colored (S6). Note that the start of recording of biometric information is performed, for example, by pressing a recording start switch (not shown).

  Next, when the end of recording of biometric information is instructed (S7: YES), the thermal head 270 sets the heat applied to the paper base 110 being transported to zero and records biometric information on the paper base 110. The process ends (S8). The biometric information recording is ended by pressing a recording end switch (not shown).

  Then, when the photo reflector 240 detects the sensor marker 120 (S9: YES), the platen roller 260 stops the conveyance after conveying the recording paper 100 by a predetermined distance in the forward direction or the reverse direction from the detection point (S10). . In this way, page feed and position alignment after the end of biometric information recording are executed, and the recording paper 100 is aligned with the recording start position with the sensor marker 120 as a reference. At this time, the conveyance of the recording paper 100 across the sensor markers 120 can be prevented during non-recording, and wasteful use of the recording paper 100 is suppressed.

  Here, the recording paper 100 on which the biometric information is recorded from step S6 to step S8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of the recording paper 100 on which biological information is recorded.

In FIG. 4A, the paper base 110 of the recording paper 100 records a waveform indicating a temporal change in biological information by developing color in response to heat applied from the thermal head 270. Further, using the same principle, the paper base 110 is provided with additional information related to biological information, here, the measurement date and time of the biological information, the subject's ID, age, gender and blood pressure, and the conveyance speed of the recording paper. Is recorded.

  The color density of the paper base material 110 on which the biological information is recorded is higher than the color density of the sensor marker 120 printed on the paper base material 110. Therefore, compared with the sensor marker printed in the conventional black, the fall of the visibility of the biometric information recorded can be suppressed.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 4B, even when a part of the biological information jumps up and is recorded on the sensor marker 120 (region Q), the biological information may be hidden by the sensor marker 120. In addition, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the visibility of biological information. Furthermore, when the sensor marker 120 is printed in an invisible color, the sensor marker 120 appears not to be printed, and thus there is no deterioration in the visibility of biological information. On the other hand, since the sensor marker 120 is actually printed on the paper base 110, it can be detected by the photoreflector 240 as in the prior art.

  The effect of suppressing the decrease in visibility is exhibited not only for biological information but also for additional information. For example, as shown in FIG. 4C, even when the additional information is recorded so as to overlap the sensor marker 120 (region R), the additional information is not hidden by the sensor marker 120. A reduction in visibility can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the sensor marker 120 is printed in an invisible color, the sensor marker 120 appears not to be printed, and thus the visibility of the additional information is not deteriorated at all.

  The biometric information recording process by the recording paper 100 and the recording apparatus 200 has been described above.

  By the way, the shape, the number, and the position of the sensor marker 120 printed on the paper base 110 are not limited to those described above, and can be variously changed. Below, the recording paper in which the shape, number, or position of the sensor marker is changed will be described with reference to FIGS.

  5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of a recording sheet in which the shape, number, or position of the sensor marker is changed.

  In FIG. 5A, a sensor marker 130 is printed instead of the sensor marker 120. Since the sensor marker 130 has a shape extended in the transport direction, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy by the photo reflector 240 even when the transport speed of the recording paper 100 is high. Further, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the recording apparatus due to detection of dust on the recording paper or punch holes formed in the recording paper as sensor markers.

  In FIG. 5B, in addition to the sensor marker 120, a sensor marker 140 is printed. If the sensor marker 120 can be detected by a certain recording device and the sensor marker 140 can be detected by another recording device, one recording paper 100 can simultaneously correspond to two different recording devices. As described above, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the visibility of the biological information and to print a plurality of sensor markers that can simultaneously support a plurality of recording devices on the paper base 110.

  In FIG. 5C, a sensor marker 150 is printed instead of the sensor marker 120. Since the sensor marker 150 is printed in an area within a grid line where biological information is recorded, the sensor marker can be printed while avoiding punch holes formed in the recording paper. Thereby, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the recording apparatus due to the punch hole being detected as the sensor marker.

  Thus, if the invisibility of the sensor marker is used, variations in the shape, number, and position of the sensor marker can be dramatically expanded as compared with the conventional black sensor marker.

  Here, when the recording apparatus is applied to a recording sheet in which the shape, number, and position of the sensor marker are changed, the recording apparatus needs to detect the changed sensor marker. In the present embodiment, the recording apparatus can be easily made to correspond to the recording paper simply by providing an attachment for detecting the sensor marker in the existing recording apparatus.

  Next, modified examples of the recording paper according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  6A and 6B are diagrams showing a modification of the recording paper 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the recording paper 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a code 310 is printed on the paper base 110 of the recording paper 300.

  The codes 310 are printed in advance on the paper base 110 at a constant interval in the conveyance direction (arrow X in the drawing) of the recording apparatus. That is, the code 310 is printed at the same position on each page divided by the perforation P.

  Similar to the sensor marker 120, the code 310 is printed in a color having a density lower than the color density of the paper substrate 110, preferably an invisible color. Thereby, even if it is a case where biometric information is recorded on the code | cord | chord 310, the fall of the visibility of biometric information can be suppressed.

  The code 310 includes a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a QR code, a data matrix (Data Matrix), PDF417, Maxi Code, Veri Code, and the like. The code 310 includes various information related to the recording of biological information, and the information can be read by a reading unit (not shown) provided in the recording device.

  For example, the code 310 can include additional information related to the biological information to be recorded, for example, identification information of each page of the recording paper 100. Thereby, the identification information read by the reading unit can be easily associated with the subject information, and the convenience of managing the biological information on the side in charge of the inspection can be improved.

  The code 310 can include information indicating the remaining amount of recordable recording paper. A warning unit (not shown) of the recording apparatus that has read this information can warn that the remaining amount of recording paper is low.

  Further, depending on the detection accuracy of the photo reflector 240 (detection unit) of the recording apparatus 200, the code 310 itself can be used as the sensor marker 120. In this case, the amount of printing on the paper substrate 110 can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the paper base 110 is thermal paper, and biometric information is recorded by a thermal method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, biometric information may be recorded by another recording method such as an ink method or a laser method using the paper base 110 as a general high-quality paper.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the recording paper used for the recording apparatus that records the biological information by the thermal method while transporting the recording paper is colored in response to the applied heat, thereby generating the biological information. On the paper substrate to be recorded, a plurality of sensor markers were printed in a color having a density lower than the color density of the paper substrate, preferably an invisible color, at regular intervals in the transport direction of the recording apparatus. Thereby, even if it is a case where biometric information is overlapped and recorded on a sensor marker, biometric information is not hidden by a sensor marker and the fall of the visibility of biometric information can be controlled. In particular, when the sensor marker is printed in an invisible color, the sensor marker does not appear to be printed, and thus there is no degradation in the visibility of biological information.

(A) A cross-sectional view showing a recording paper according to an embodiment of the present invention, (B) a top view showing a recording paper according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (C) a recording paper in a folded state. Perspective view Sectional drawing which shows the principal part structure of the recording device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention 7 is a flowchart showing a recording operation by the recording paper and the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. (A) The figure which shows an example of the recording paper on which biometric information was recorded, (B) The figure which shows the other example of the recording paper on which biometric information was recorded, (C) Still other of the recording paper on which biometric information was recorded Figure showing an example (A) The figure which shows an example of the recording paper which changed the shape or position of the sensor marker, (B) The figure which shows the other example of the recording paper which changed the shape or position of the sensor marker, (C) The shape or The figure which shows the further another example of the recording paper which changed the position (A) Sectional view showing a modification of the recording paper according to one embodiment of the present invention, (B) Top view showing a modification of the recording paper according to one embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

100, 300 Recording paper 110 Paper base material 111 Paper layer 112 Thermal layer 113 Coating layer 120, 130, 140, 150 Sensor marker 200 Recording device 210 Paper magazine 220 Paper magazine slot upper surface 230 Axis 240 Photo reflector 241 Light emitting LED
242 Phototransistor 250 Base plate 260 Platen roller 270 Thermal head 280 Control unit 310 Code P Perforation

Claims (9)

A recording paper used in a recording apparatus for recording biological information by a thermal method while conveying the recording paper,
A paper base material for recording biological information from the recording device by coloring in response to heat applied from the recording device;
A plurality of sensor markers that are printed on the paper base material in a color having a density lower than the color density of the paper base material at regular intervals in the transport direction of the recording device;
A recording paper comprising: The plurality of sensor markers are printed in an invisible color,
The recording paper according to claim 1. Further comprising a code printed on the paper base material in a color having a density lower than the color density of the paper base material;
The recording paper according to claim 1. The code is printed in an invisible color,
The recording paper according to claim 3. The code includes additional information related to the biological information.
The recording paper according to claim 3. The code includes information indicating the remaining amount of recordable recording paper,
The recording paper according to claim 3. Each of the plurality of sensor markers has an elongated shape,
The recording paper according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Each of the plurality of sensor markers extends in the transport direction of the recording apparatus.
The recording paper according to claim 7. A transport unit for transporting recording paper;
A recording unit for recording biological information on the recording paper by applying heat to the recording paper being conveyed to cause color development;
A detection unit that detects a plurality of sensor markers printed on the recording paper at regular intervals in the conveyance direction of the conveyance unit;
A control unit that controls the amount of heat applied to the recording paper by the recording unit such that the color density of the recording paper is higher than the color density of the detected sensor markers;
A recording apparatus comprising:

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