JPH08145800A - Infrared thermometer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide an infrared thermometer capable of easily and accurately measuring the temperature of the eardrum. An infrared sensor 1 for detecting infrared rays L from an ear canal 70, a temperature sensor 2 for measuring the temperature of the infrared sensor 1 itself, a probe 3 inserted in the ear canal 70, and an output of the infrared sensor 1 CPU8 for calculating body temperature
A maximum value memory 9 that stores the maximum value among the measured values obtained by the CPU 8, a beeper 10 that sounds each time the measured value exceeds the maximum value, and the maximum value stored in the maximum value memory 9 as a power source. A battery backup memory 11 for storing and holding regardless of on / off, and an LCD 12 for displaying both the maximum value and the measured value are provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared thermometer which measures the temperature of the surface of a living body by means of infrared rays emitted from the surface of the living body, and more particularly to an infrared thermometer which detects the infrared rays from the ear canal of the human body to measure the body temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an infrared thermometer of this type includes an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays emitted from an ear canal of a human body,
A probe that guides infrared rays from the ear canal to the infrared sensor and a temperature calculation unit that calculates the temperature (body temperature) based on the output of the infrared sensor are provided. The probe that captures infrared rays
It has a certain viewing angle defined by its optical structure. Although it is necessary to narrow the viewing angle in order to measure only the eardrum temperature, there is a problem such as a decrease in sensitivity, and there is a practical limit to narrowing the viewing angle. for that reason,
Infrared thermometers that have been put into practical use at present include not only the eardrum but also the peripheral area of the eardrum. By the way, it is known that the temperature closer to the body temperature is the temperature of the eardrum, and the temperature of the peripheral portion of the eardrum is lower than the temperature of the eardrum.

Therefore, a practical infrared thermometer has a problem that the measured temperature changes depending on the orientation of the probe with respect to the eardrum. As a solution to this problem, there is a method in which a peak hold circuit is provided so that the operator rotates the probe within a certain period of time and records the maximum value of the body temperature within that period.

[0004]

However, in the infrared thermometer having the above-described peak hold circuit, the temperature around the eardrum has a great influence, and the operator cannot know whether or not the probe is really suitable for the eardrum. There is a point. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an infrared thermometer capable of easily and accurately measuring the temperature of the eardrum.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an infrared thermometer according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays emitted from a living body part and a living body inserted in the living body part. A probe that guides infrared rays from a body part to an infrared sensor, and a temperature calculation means that calculates the temperature of a living body part based on the output of the infrared sensor, in which the maximum value among the measured values obtained by the temperature calculation means is set. It is characterized by comprising maximum value storage means for storing and display means for selectively displaying both or one of the maximum value and the measured value.

An infrared thermometer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays emitted from a living body part,
A probe which is inserted into a living body part and guides infrared rays from the living body part to an infrared sensor, and a temperature calculation means for calculating the temperature of the living body part based on the output of the infrared sensor, wherein the temperature of the infrared sensor itself is measured. Temperature sensor and the temperature of the infrared sensor obtained by this temperature sensor is outside the preset temperature range, and / or the time change of the temperature of the infrared sensor exceeds the preset upper limit value or the lower limit value. When the temperature is below the range, a notifying unit for notifying that the temperature of the living body part cannot be measured is provided.

[0007]

The thermometer according to claim 1 is a further development of the type having the peak hold circuit based on the fact that the temperature of the eardrum is higher than the temperature of the peripheral portion of the eardrum, and is obtained by the temperature calculation means. The maximum value among the measured values is stored in the maximum value storage means, and either or both of the measured value and the maximum value are selectively displayed on the display means, so that the maximum value can be known during the measurement or after the measurement. Thereby, the operator can find the place with the highest temperature, that is, the place where the probe faces the eardrum, by consciously changing the direction of the probe during the measurement. Therefore, the operator can accurately orient the probe toward the eardrum, and the problem that the probe really does not face the eardrum is solved. Moreover, the operator can gradually understand what kind of probe insertion method is good during use, and can perform efficient measurement in a short time as he / she becomes accustomed to use.

Further, each time the measured value obtained by the temperature calculating means becomes equal to or higher than the maximum value (peak value), the notifying means is provided to notify that effect (claim 2), so that the measured value becomes the peak value. Even if the display means displays both the measured value and the peak value, only the orientation of the probe can be checked without paying attention to the display. It is possible to measure by paying attention to, and it becomes easier to get used to it in a shorter time.

Further, another storage means for holding the stored contents regardless of power ON / OFF, and a first memory switch means for storing the maximum value stored in the maximum value storage means in the other storage means. A second memory switch means for recalling the maximum value stored in another storage means (claim 3), so that the stored content (maximum value) is stored in another memory by the first memory switch means. If stored in the means, the stored contents can be retained regardless of whether the thermometer is powered on or off, and the stored maximum value can be recalled by the second memory switch means as needed.

By the way, in this type of thermometer, the temperature of the object to be measured (ear hole) is obtained from the output from the infrared sensor and the temperature of the infrared sensor itself. In order to make the temperature measurement accurate, the infrared sensor itself It is necessary that the temperature of is constant. In addition, even if the room temperature is too low or conversely too high and the temperature of the infrared sensor itself deviates from the range that can be processed by the internal circuit (usually the specified temperature range of the thermometer), accurate measurement can be performed. Can not. In such a case, it is preferable to stop the measurement and give a warning to that effect so that a measurement value with poor accuracy is not displayed.

[0011] Therefore, what has been taken such measures,
The infrared thermometer according to claim 6. With this thermometer,
When the temperature of the infrared sensor itself measured by the temperature sensor is outside the preset temperature range, and / or the time change of the temperature exceeds the preset upper limit value or falls below the preset lower limit value, The notification means notifies that the temperature cannot be measured.

[0012]

EXAMPLES The infrared thermometer of the present invention will be described below based on examples. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a thermometer according to the embodiment. The thermometer includes an infrared sensor 1 that detects an infrared ray L emitted from a living body part (ear hole) 70, and a temperature sensor 2 that measures the temperature of the infrared sensor 1 itself.
And a probe 3 which is inserted into the ear canal 70 and guides the infrared rays L from the eardrum 71 and its peripheral portion to the infrared sensor 1. The infrared sensor 1 and the temperature sensor 2 are arranged behind the probe 3, and the temperature sensor 2 is in contact with the infrared sensor 1. The output from the infrared sensor 1 is input to the preamplifier 4 and the output of the temperature sensor 2 is input to the preamplifier 5, and amplified. The analog outputs of the preamplifiers 4 and 5 are converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 7 via the changeover switch 6 and are taken into the CPU 8.

The CPU 8 has a function of calculating the body temperature based on the output of the infrared sensor 1, a function of calculating the temperature of the infrared sensor 1 based on the output of the temperature sensor 2, and the like. C
The PU8 has the maximum value (peak value) among the calculated measured values.
A maximum value memory (maximum value storage means) 9 in which is stored, and a beeper (notification means) 10 such as an electronic buzzer for notifying by sounding each time the measured value exceeds the maximum value.
And a battery backup memory or a non-volatile memory (another storage means) 11 that stores and holds the maximum value stored in the maximum value memory 9 regardless of whether the power is turned on or off. Further, an LCD (display means) 12 for displaying both the measured value and the maximum value is provided, and a battery 13 as a power source is built in. Note that the beeper 10 sounds when the measured value exceeds the maximum value, but may sound only when the measured value updates the maximum value.

Further, a power ON / OFF switch 15, a peak hold start switch 16 for starting to store the maximum value among the measured values in the maximum value memory 9, and a maximum value stored in the maximum value memory 9 are stored in a battery. A peak memory switch (first memory switch means) 17 for storing the backup memory 11 and a peak recall switch (second memory switch means) 18 for recalling the maximum value stored in the memory 11 are provided. There is. Instead of the peak memory switch 17 and the peak recall switch 18, a power ON / OFF switch 1
5 may also have those functions. in this case,
Since the maximum value memory 9 and the backup memory 11 cannot be cleared while the power is on, the two memories 9 and 11 are cleared when the peak hold start switch 16 is pressed after the power is turned on.

An example of the appearance of the thermometer having the above-mentioned structure is shown in FIG. 2 (side view) and FIG. 3 (side view seen from another angle). In the thermometer shown here, in the LCD 12 provided on the side surface of the main body case 20, the upper portion 12a displays the measured value (currently measured value), and the lower portion 12b displays the maximum value obtained during the measuring. It is a part that displays both the measured value and the maximum value. Further, the main body case 20 is provided with a power ON / OFF switch 15 and a peak hold start switch 16.

In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, instead of the beeper 10 as the notification means, for example, the peak value display symbol “PEAK” 12 ₋₁ is turned on or blinked, or the peak value 12 ₋₂ is displayed. It is designed to blink. When the beeper 10 is incorporated, for example, as shown in FIG.
The beeper 10 is arranged at a proper position in the main body case 20, and the slit portion 21 is provided at a portion of the main body case 20 facing the beeper 10.
To make the beeper sound easy to make. Also, the peak memory switch 17 and the peak recall switch 18
5 and 6 show an example of the external appearance in the case of providing.

On the other hand, when the temperature of the infrared sensor 1 itself measured by the temperature sensor 2 is outside the preset temperature range, and / or when the time change of the temperature exceeds a preset value, the living body FIG. 7 shows an example including a notifying unit for notifying that the temperature of the part cannot be measured. Here, the notification symbol "WAIT" 12 _-3 is displayed on the upper part 12a of the LCD 12 which displays the measured value. Therefore, the display of "WAIT" 12 _-3 indicates that the temperature cannot be measured accurately. However, the display is not limited to this display. For example, "WAI
"RE"
"ADY" is displayed and "RE
The display of "ADY" may be erased. Alternatively, as an example of more direct notification, the temperature value may not be displayed when accurate measurement cannot be performed.

Next, the overall operation of the thermometer constructed as described above will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 8 and 9 and the timing chart of FIG. However, in the thermometer shown in the flowchart, the power ON / OFF switch 15 has both the peak memory switch 17 and the peak recall switch 18. First, when the power ON / OFF switch 15 is turned on [step (hereinafter abbreviated as ST) 1], it is determined whether or not data (peak value) of the previous measurement is stored in the nonvolatile memory 11 (ST2), If YES, the data of the previous measurement stored in the memory 11 is displayed (ST3), and if NO, the process of ST3 is skipped. Subsequently, the output value of the infrared sensor 1 that detects the infrared ray L guided by the probe 3 inserted into the ear canal 70 is read (ST4), and the output value of the temperature sensor 2 that measures the temperature of the infrared sensor 1 itself is read. Read (ST
5). Then, based on the output value of the temperature sensor 2, the temperature Ts of the infrared sensor 1 itself and its temperature change Dts are calculated (ST5, ST6), and at the same time, based on the output value of the infrared sensor 1, the target object (eardrum 71). And the temperature Tbody of its peripheral portion) are calculated (ST8).

After the calculation process, whether or not the temperature Ts is higher than a preset upper limit value Thigh of the temperature range (Ts> T)
high) is determined (ST9), and this determination is NO (that is, T
If s ≦ Thigh), then whether the temperature Ts is smaller than the lower limit value Tlow of the preset temperature range (Ts <T
low) is determined (ST10), and if this determination is also NO (that is, Ts ≧ Tlow), it is further determined whether the temperature change Dts is larger than a preset value Dfast (Dts> Dfas).
t) is determined (ST11). If the determination in ST11 is NO (that is, Dts ≦ Dfast), the temperature of the infrared sensor 1 is within the set temperature range, and the time change of the temperature is below the set value, so that the temperature measurement can be accurately performed. The temperature display prohibition flag is set to 0 (ST13).
On the other hand, if any of the determinations in ST9, ST10, and ST11 is YES, the temperature of the infrared sensor 1 is outside the set temperature range, or the time change of the temperature exceeds the set value, and the temperature measurement is accurate. Because I ca n’t do well,
The temperature display prohibition flag is set to 1 (ST12).

Next, in ST14, it is determined whether or not the P / H flag = 1, and if NO, it is determined whether or not the peak hold start switch 16 is pressed (ST1
5) If it is pressed, the P / H flag is set to 1 (ST1
6). If YES in ST14, the processes of ST15 and ST16 are skipped, and the process proceeds to next ST17. In ST17, it is determined whether the measured temperature Tbody is equal to or higher than the peak value Tpeak (Tbody ≧ Tpeak), and if YES, it is notified that the measured value is equal to the peak value or the peak value is updated (ST18). NO in ST17 and ST15
If so, skip to ST19.

In ST19, it is determined whether or not the temperature display prohibition flag = 1, and if YES, the repeated value (measured value) and the peak value are not displayed, and the notification symbol "WAIT" is displayed (ST20). If NO, the notification symbol "WAI
"T" is not displayed, but the measured temperature Tbody and the peak value Tpeak are displayed (ST21). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the power ON / OFF switch 15 has been pressed (ST22), and if pressed, the peak value Tpeak is stored in the nonvolatile memory 11 (ST23), and then the power is automatically turned off (ST24). ). In the case of NO in ST22, the process returns to ST4 and the measurement by the infrared sensor 1 and the temperature sensor 2 is continued.

In the above embodiment, both the measured value and the maximum value are displayed on the LCD 12, but either the measured value or the maximum value may be selectively displayed. Absent. In that case, for example, a changeover switch may be provided on the main body case 20 so that either the measured value or the maximum value can be arbitrarily displayed. Of course, since the maximum value among the measured values is stored in the maximum value memory 9, the effect of finding the optimum orientation of the probe 3 with respect to the eardrum 71 is almost the same as that of the above embodiment.

[0023]

Since the infrared thermometer of the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. (1) With the thermometer according to claim 1, since the operator can always confirm which direction of the probe has the highest temperature during measurement, that is, the probe can be found facing the eardrum. The operator can accurately point the probe toward the eardrum, and can solve one of the problems with this type of thermometer, "I don't know if the probe really faces the eardrum". Only the temperature of the chisel can be accurately measured. (2) With the thermometer according to claim 1, the operator self-learns what kind of probe insertion method is optimal during use, so that the measurement can be performed gradually in a short time and efficiently. , Finally, it will be possible to measure with the probe accurately pointed toward the eardrum. (3) With the thermometer according to the second aspect, it is possible to know by the notification means each time the measured value exceeds the maximum value, and be careful of the display even when both the measured value and the peak value are displayed on the display means. Even if you don't have to, you can measure only by observing the orientation of the probe, and you will get used to it faster. (4) In the thermometer according to claim 3, if the stored content (maximum value) is stored in another storage means by the first memory switch means, the stored content is retained regardless of whether the thermometer is powered on or off. Not only that, but also the stored maximum value can be recalled by the second memory switch means as required. (5) In the thermometer according to claim 6, when the temperature of the infrared sensor itself measured by the temperature sensor is out of a preset temperature range, and / or whether the time change of the temperature exceeds a preset upper limit value. Alternatively, when the temperature falls below the lower limit value, the notification means notifies that the temperature of the living body part cannot be measured, so that accurate temperature measurement can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an infrared thermometer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the appearance of an infrared thermometer.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the thermometer shown in FIG. 2 seen from another angle.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing another example of the external appearance of the infrared thermometer.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing still another example of the external appearance of the infrared thermometer.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the thermometer shown in FIG. 5 seen from another angle.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing still another example of the external appearance of the infrared thermometer.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall operation of the infrared thermometer.

9 is a flowchart following FIG. 8. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the infrared thermometer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Infrared Sensor 2 Temperature Sensor 3 Probe 8 CPU 9 Maximum Value Memory (Maximum Value Storage Means) 10 Beeper (Notification Means) 11 Battery Backup Memory (Other Storage Means) 12 LCD (Display Means) 17 Peak Memory Switch (First Memory switch means) 18 Peak recall switch (second memory switch means)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays emitted from a body part, a probe inserted into the body part to guide the infrared ray from the body part to the infrared sensor, and a temperature of the body part based on the output of the infrared sensor. In an infrared thermometer comprising a temperature calculating means for calculating, a maximum value storage means for storing the maximum value among the measured values obtained by the temperature calculating means, and either or both of the maximum value and the measured value are selectively An infrared thermometer, comprising: 2. The infrared thermometer according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that a measured value obtained by the temperature calculating unit becomes greater than or equal to a maximum value. 3. Another storage means for holding the stored contents regardless of power ON / OFF, and a first memory switch means for storing the maximum value stored in the maximum value storage means in another storage means. The infrared thermometer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: and a second memory switch means for recalling the maximum value stored in another storage means. 4. The infrared thermometer according to claim 3, wherein the first memory switch means also serves as a power-off switch. 5. The infrared thermometer according to claim 3, wherein the second memory switch means also serves as a power-on switch. 6. An infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays emitted from a living body part, a probe inserted into the living body part to guide infrared rays from the living body part to the infrared sensor, and a temperature of the living body part based on an output of the infrared sensor. In an infrared thermometer comprising a temperature calculating means for calculating, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the infrared sensor itself,
If the temperature of the infrared sensor obtained by this temperature sensor is outside the preset temperature range, and / or if the time change of the temperature of the infrared sensor exceeds the preset upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value, the living body An infrared thermometer, comprising: a notification unit that notifies that the temperature of the part cannot be measured.