Blood pressure measurement system

Abstract

The blood pressure measurement system of the present invention includes: a sphygmomanometer (100) having a nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode that automatically starts blood pressure measurement according to a predetermined schedule; and an information terminal (200) capable of communicating with the sphygmomanometer. The sphygmomanometer has a mode operation unit (42B) for setting the sphygmomanometer to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode. At least one of the sphygmomanometer and the information terminal has a storage unit (112, 242) for storing the measurement time of blood pressure measurement performed in the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode. The information terminal has: a reminder time calculation unit (240) that calculates a reminder time for notifying the subject (400) of the situation where the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode based on the measurement time stored in the storage unit; and a notification unit (220) that notifies the subject of the situation where the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blood pressure measurement system, and more particularly to a blood pressure measurement system including a sphygmomanometer having a blood pressure measurement mode at night (during sleep). Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-19803) discloses the following technique: a time at which blood pressure measurement should be performed is preset, and when that time arrives, the subject is notified of the arrival of that time by display, vibration, sound, etc. Thus, it is possible to prevent the subject from forgetting blood pressure measurement.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-198030 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The applicant previously proposed a sphygmomanometer (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-149007, Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-195246), which performs blood pressure measurement at night and has a mode in which blood pressure measurement is automatically started according to a predetermined schedule (referred to as the "night blood pressure measurement mode"). In this sphygmomanometer, once the night blood pressure measurement mode is entered, the subject will not forget to perform blood pressure measurement.

[0008] On the other hand, in this sphygmomanometer, when the subject falls asleep, it is predetermined that the subject enters the night blood pressure measurement mode by operating. Therefore, when the subject forgets to operate, it may happen that blood pressure measurement at night is not performed at all. Here, the time when the subject falls asleep may be different every day due to various living habits of the subject, and thus is not designated as a certain time. Therefore, the technique of notifying the subject that a certain time has arrived disclosed in Patent Document 1 is insufficient.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a blood pressure measurement system including a sphygmomanometer having a night blood pressure measurement mode, which can notify the subject of a situation in which the sphygmomanometer should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode.

[0010] Technical Solution for Solving the Problem

[0011] To achieve this object, the blood pressure measurement system of the present invention includes: a sphygmomanometer having a night blood pressure measurement mode in which blood pressure measurement is automatically started according to a predetermined schedule; and an information terminal capable of communicating with the sphygmomanometer, and the blood pressure measurement system is characterized in that

[0012] The sphygmomanometer has a mode operation unit that inputs an instruction for setting the sphygmomanometer to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode.

[0013] At least one of the sphygmomanometer and the information terminal has:

[0014] a storage unit that stores the measurement time of blood pressure measurement performed through the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode; and

[0015] a reminder time calculation unit that calculates a reminder time for notifying the subject of the situation where the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode based on the measurement time stored in the storage unit.

[0016] The information terminal has a notification unit that notifies the subject of the situation where the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time.

[0017] In this specification, the sphygmomanometer and the information terminal can generally communicate with each other in a state of being far apart.

[0018] In addition, the "mode operation unit" can be, for example, a switch provided on the main body of the above-mentioned sphygmomanometer, or a component that receives the instruction by turning on the user's switch, or a communication unit that receives the instruction via wireless communication from a smartphone or the like existing outside the above-mentioned sphygmomanometer.

[0019] Depending on the schedule, the next "reminder time" may be set in a time period several hours earlier than the "measurement time" of blood pressure measurement. Here, the "measurement time" and "reminder time" do not include the date and only specify the time.

[0020] In the blood pressure measurement system of the present invention, for example, the subject inputs an instruction through the mode operation unit to set the sphygmomanometer to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode in which blood pressure measurement automatically starts according to a predetermined schedule. The sphygmomanometer set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode automatically performs blood pressure measurement according to the above schedule. At this time, the measurement time of blood pressure measurement performed in the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode is stored in a storage unit provided in at least one of the sphygmomanometer and the information terminal. In addition, a reminder time calculation unit is provided in at least one of the sphygmomanometer and the information terminal, and calculates a reminder time for notifying the subject that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode based on the measurement time stored in the storage unit. On the other hand, the information terminal capable of communicating with the sphygmomanometer notifies the subject that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time for the next nocturnal blood pressure measurement through the notification unit. Upon receiving this notification, the subject operates the mode operation unit to input an instruction for setting the above sphygmomanometer to the above nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode. Therefore, according to this blood pressure measurement system, it is not easy for the subject to forget to operate.

[0021] In a blood pressure measurement system according to an embodiment, it is characterized in that

[0022] the schedule is a type of schedule in which blood pressure measurement starts at a predetermined time interval from the instruction time when an instruction for setting to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode is input through the mode operation unit.

[0023] The reminder time calculation unit calculates the instruction time by subtracting the time interval from the measurement time, performs statistical processing on the instruction time to calculate the average instruction time, and calculates the reminder time by subtracting a margin time from the average instruction time.

[0024] Here, the "predetermined time interval" is, for example, 4 hours.

[0025] In addition, the "margin time" refers to, for example, 3 times the standard deviation (3σ) of the above average instruction time or a certain time including it (for example, 30 minutes), etc.

[0026] In the blood pressure measurement system of this one embodiment, the above schedule is a schedule of the type that starts blood pressure measurement at a predetermined time interval (for example, 4 hours) from the indication time when an indication for setting to the above nighttime blood pressure measurement mode is input through the above mode operation unit. Therefore, the reminder time should be set to a time period that is the above time interval backtracked from the measurement time of the above blood pressure measurement. Thus, in the blood pressure measurement system of this one embodiment, the reminder time calculation unit subtracts the above time interval from the above measurement time to calculate the above indication time, performs statistical processing on the above indication time to calculate the average indication time, and subtracts a margin time from the above average indication time, thereby calculating the above reminder time. Therefore, the reminder time is set to an appropriate time period. In addition, in actual past nighttime blood pressure measurements, the reminder time is statistically processed based on the measurement time of the blood pressure measurement performed on the subject, so the reminder time reflects the subject's living habits.

[0027] In a blood pressure measurement system according to one embodiment, it is characterized in that

[0028] The notification unit notifies, at the reminder time, the situation that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode, and then repeatedly notifies the situation that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode until the sphygmomanometer is set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode.

[0029] Due to various reasons such as the information terminal being temporarily out of reach, etc., the subject cannot receive the notification that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode at the above reminder time. Therefore, in the blood pressure measurement system of this one embodiment, the notification unit notifies, at the above reminder time, the situation that the above sphygmomanometer should be set to the above nighttime blood pressure measurement mode, and then repeatedly notifies the situation that the above sphygmomanometer should be set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode until the sphygmomanometer is set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode. Thus, even if the subject does not receive the first notification that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode at the above reminder time, the subject can receive subsequent notifications.

[0030] In a blood pressure measurement system according to one embodiment, it is characterized in that

[0031] The sphygmomanometer has a sphygmomanometer communication unit capable of communicating with the information terminal, and the storage unit,

[0032] The information terminal has an information terminal communication unit capable of communicating with the sphygmomanometer, and the reminder time calculation unit,

[0033] The measurement time is sent from the sphygmomanometer communication unit of the sphygmomanometer to the information terminal communication unit of the information terminal.

[0034] In the blood pressure measurement system according to one embodiment, the sphygmomanometer has a sphygmomanometer communication unit capable of communicating with an information terminal. In addition, the information terminal has an information terminal communication unit capable of communicating with the sphygmomanometer. In this blood pressure measurement system, the measurement time is sent from the sphygmomanometer communication unit to the information terminal communication unit. Thus, the information terminal can receive the measurement time from the sphygmomanometer and can calculate the reminder time based on the measurement time by a reminder time calculation unit.

[0035] In a blood pressure measurement system according to one embodiment, it is characterized in that

[0036] The reminder time calculation unit uses the measurement times of a predetermined number of the latest ones to calculate the reminder time.

[0037] In the blood pressure measurement system according to one embodiment, the reminder time calculation unit uses the measurement times of a predetermined number of the latest ones stored in a storage unit to calculate the reminder time. Therefore, the reminder time is based on the measurement time of the blood pressure measurement performed on the subject in the latest nighttime blood pressure measurement. Thus, an appropriate time that conforms to the current living habits of the subject can be set.

[0038] In a blood pressure measurement system according to one embodiment, it is characterized in that

[0039] The information terminal is a portable information terminal.

[0040] In a blood pressure measurement system according to one embodiment, the information terminal is a portable information terminal (for example, a smart phone). Since the portable information terminal is an information terminal near the subject, the subject can reliably receive a notification that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode. Thus, the subject can reliably grasp the situation where the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode, and thus will not forget to set the sphygmomanometer to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode.

[0041] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0042] As described above, according to the invention of the present application, a blood pressure measurement system can be provided, which includes a sphygmomanometer having a nighttime blood pressure measurement mode and can notify the subject of the situation where the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a blood pressure measurement system including a wrist-type sphygmomanometer and a smart phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing Figure 1 the state in which the wrist-type sphygmomanometer shown is wound around the left wrist.

[0045] Figure 3 is Figure 1 the block diagram of the wrist-type sphygmomanometer shown

[0046] Figure 4 is Figure 1 the block diagram of the smartphone shown

[0047] Figure 5 is the flowchart of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement implemented using Figure 1 the wrist-type sphygmomanometer shown

[0048] Figure 6 is Figure 1 the first flowchart of the blood pressure measurement system shown

[0049] Figure 7 is Figure 1 the second flowchart of the blood pressure measurement system shown

[0050] Figure 8 is Figure 1 the third flowchart of the blood pressure measurement system shown DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] Hereinafter, embodiments of the blood pressure measurement system of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] (Blood Pressure Measurement System)

[0053] Figure 1 FIG. shows a schematic structure of a blood pressure measurement system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The blood pressure measurement system 300 includes a wrist-type sphygmomanometer (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "sphygmomanometer".) 100 and a smartphone (information terminal) 200. As will be described later, the sphygmomanometer 100 has a normal blood pressure measurement mode in which blood pressure measurement starts immediately after the blood pressure measurement switch is turned on, and a nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode in which blood pressure measurement starts according to a predetermined schedule. In addition, the sphygmomanometer 100 and the smartphone 200 are provided separately from each other and are configured to be able to communicate with each other via BLE (Bluetooth low energy) communication.

[0054] (Structure of Sphygmomanometer)

[0055] As Figure 1 shown, the sphygmomanometer 100 has: a cuff 10 for blood pressure measurement wound around a measurement site of a subject, and a sphygmomanometer main body 20 integrally attached to the cuff 10.

[0056] As Figure 2As shown, the sphygmomanometer 100 of the embodiment is a wrist-type sphygmomanometer. Therefore, the cuff 10 has an elongated strip shape so as to be wound around, for example, the left wrist 410 of the subject 400. An air bag 12 for pressing the left wrist 410 (refer to Figure 3 ) is included in the cuff 10. In addition, in order to always keep the cuff 10 in a ring shape, a collar (not shown) having appropriate flexibility may be provided in the cuff 10.

[0057] The sphygmomanometer main body 20 is integrally attached to a position approximately in the center in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped cuff 10. In the embodiment, it is predetermined that the position where the sphygmomanometer main body 20 is attached corresponds to the palm side surface (palm side face) 410a of the left wrist 410.

[0058] The sphygmomanometer main body 20 has a flat approximate rectangular parallelepiped shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cuff 10, and is formed small and thin so as not to interfere with the sleep of the subject 400. The Figure 1 corners connecting the upper surface of the shown sphygmomanometer main body 20 and the side surfaces surrounding it are chamfered in a curved surface shape.

[0059] As Figure 1 shown, a sphygmomanometer display unit 30 constituting a display screen is provided on the upper surface of the sphygmomanometer main body 20 on the side farthest from the left wrist 410 among the outer surfaces. In addition, a sphygmomanometer operation unit 40 for inputting an instruction from the subject 400 is provided on this upper surface and the front side surface in the drawing.

[0060] In the embodiment, the sphygmomanometer display unit 30 includes an LCD (liquid crystal display), and is configured to display prescribed information, such as the maximum blood pressure (unit: mmHg), the minimum blood pressure (unit: mmHg), and the pulse (unit: beats / minute), according to a control signal from a later-described sphygmomanometer CPU (central processing unit) 110. In addition, the sphygmomanometer display unit 30 may be either an organic EL display or an LED (light emitting diode).

[0061] The sphygmomanometer operation unit 40 has a plurality of buttons or switches operated by the subject 400. In the embodiment, the sphygmomanometer operation unit 40 includes: a blood pressure measurement start switch 42A for the subject 400 to input a blood pressure measurement instruction in the normal blood pressure measurement mode; a night measurement switch (mode operation unit) 42B for the subject 400 to input a blood pressure measurement instruction in the night blood pressure measurement mode; and a communication switch 42C for the subject 400 to input a communication instruction between the sphygmomanometer 100 and the smart phone 200. The blood pressure measurement start switch 42A functions as a switch for stopping the ongoing blood pressure measurement when the switch is pressed during the blood pressure measurement.

[0062] In the following description, "normal blood pressure measurement" refers to the blood pressure measurement that starts immediately after the blood pressure measurement start switch 42A is turned on. Additionally, in the following description, "nighttime blood pressure measurement" refers to the blood pressure measurement that is automatically performed according to a predetermined schedule during the sleep of the subject 400, for example, based on the indication input through the nighttime measurement switch 42B. The predetermined schedule is a type of schedule that starts blood pressure measurement at predetermined time intervals such as 2 hours or 4 hours from the moment (indication moment) when the nighttime measurement switch 42B is pressed, for example.

[0063] In the embodiment, both the blood pressure measurement switch 42A and the nighttime measurement switch 42B are momentary (auto - reset type) switches, which are in the on state only during the period when they are pressed and return to the off state when released.

[0064] Figure 3 The block structure of the sphygmomanometer 100 is shown.

[0065] The air bag 12 included in the cuff 10 described above is connected to various fluid control devices (described below) included in the sphygmomanometer main body 20 through the air pipe 50 in a manner that allows fluid to flow.

[0066] In addition to the above - mentioned sphygmomanometer display unit 30 and sphygmomanometer operation unit 40, the sphygmomanometer main body 20 further includes: a sphygmomanometer CPU 110 as a control unit; a sphygmomanometer memory 112 as a storage unit; a sphygmomanometer power supply unit 114; a sphygmomanometer communication unit 116 that performs BLE communication with the smartphone 200; a pressure sensor 62; a pump 72; and a valve 82. Additionally, the sphygmomanometer main body 20 has: an A / D conversion circuit 64 that converts the output of the pressure sensor 62 from an analog signal to a digital signal; a pump drive circuit 74 that drives the pump 72; and a valve drive circuit 84 that drives the valve 82. The pressure sensor 62, the pump 72, and the valve 82 are connected to the air bag 12 through the air pipe 50 in a manner that allows fluid to flow.

[0067] The sphygmomanometer memory (storage unit) 112 stores programs for controlling the sphygmomanometer 100, data for controlling the sphygmomanometer 100, setting data for setting various functions of the sphygmomanometer 100, and nighttime blood pressure measurement data sets including the date, day of the week, measurement time, and its blood pressure values (including maximum blood pressure, minimum blood pressure, and pulse) described later, etc. The sphygmomanometer memory 112 also serves as a working memory for temporarily storing various information during program execution. In particular, the sphygmomanometer memory 112 in the embodiment is configured as a program storage unit and stores the normal blood pressure measurement program and nighttime blood pressure measurement program for blood pressure calculation by the oscillometric method described later, and a transmission program for sending the nighttime blood pressure measurement data set to the smartphone 200 described later.

[0068] The sphygmomanometer CPU 110 is configured to control the overall operation of the sphygmomanometer 100. Specifically, the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 is configured to: drive the pressure control unit of the pump 72 or the valve 82 according to the program for controlling the sphygmomanometer 100 stored in the sphygmomanometer memory 112; and implement the measurement implementation unit for blood pressure measurement using the normal blood pressure measurement program or the night blood pressure measurement program described later. The sphygmomanometer CPU 110 also displays the blood pressure value obtained by implementing blood pressure measurement on the sphygmomanometer display unit 30. In particular, the date, day of the week, measurement time, and its blood pressure value (including the highest blood pressure, the lowest blood pressure, and the pulse) of the night blood pressure measurement are integrated and stored as a set of night blood pressure measurement data sets in the sphygmomanometer memory 112.

[0069] In the embodiment, the sphygmomanometer power supply unit 114 is composed of a secondary battery and is configured to supply power to each unit of the sphygmomanometer CPU 110, the pressure sensor 62, the pump 72, the valve 82, the sphygmomanometer display unit 30, the sphygmomanometer memory 112, the sphygmomanometer communication unit 116, the A / D conversion circuit 64, the pump drive circuit 74, and the valve drive circuit 84. The sphygmomanometer power supply unit 114 is also configured to be able to switch the on / off state. In the off state, if the blood pressure measurement switch 42A is continuously pressed for, for example, 3 seconds or more, it becomes the on state.

[0070] The sphygmomanometer communication unit 116 performs BLE communication with the smartphone 200. For example, it sends the night blood pressure measurement data set to the smartphone 200.

[0071] In order to increase the pressure in the air bag 12 built into the cuff 10, the pump 72 is configured to supply air as a fluid to the air bag 12 through the air pipe 50. In order to control the cuff pressure, the valve 82 is configured to open to discharge the air in the air bag 12 through the air pipe 50 or to close to maintain the cuff pressure. The pump drive circuit 74 is configured to drive the pump 72 based on the control signal given from the sphygmomanometer CPU 110. The valve drive circuit 84 is configured to open and close the valve 82 based on the control signal given from the sphygmomanometer CPU 110.

[0072] The pressure sensor 62 and the A / D conversion circuit 64 are configured to detect the cuff pressure. The pressure sensor 62 in the embodiment is a piezoresistive pressure sensor, which detects and outputs the cuff pressure of the air bag 12 as the resistance generated by the piezoresistive effect. The A / D conversion circuit 64 converts the output (resistance) of the pressure sensor 62 from an analog signal to a digital signal and outputs it to the sphygmomanometer CPU 110. In the embodiment, the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 obtains the cuff pressure according to the resistance output from the pressure sensor 62.

[0073] (Blood Pressure Measurement Program)

[0074] The blood pressure measurement program is used to calculate the blood pressure of the subject 400 with the blood pressure monitor main body 20 attached to the left wrist 410. The blood pressure measurement program includes a normal blood pressure measurement program and a nocturnal blood pressure measurement program. The normal blood pressure measurement program is envisioned for the case where the subject 400 is sitting on a chair or the like and the left wrist 410 with the blood pressure monitor main body 20 attached is held at the same height as the heart of the subject 400. The nocturnal blood pressure measurement program is envisioned for the case where the subject 400 is lying in bed or the like and the left wrist 410 with the blood pressure monitor main body 20 attached is placed at a position lower than the heart of the subject 400. It is well known that different blood pressure values will be calculated due to the difference in the relationship between the height of the blood pressure monitor main body 20 and the height of the heart of the subject 400. Therefore, the normal blood pressure measurement program and the nocturnal blood pressure measurement program respectively pre-adjust the parameters for blood pressure calculation in consideration of the relationship between the height of the blood pressure monitor main body 20 and the height of the heart of the subject 400 envisioned for each. In particular, the nocturnal blood pressure measurement program integrates the date, day of the week, measurement time, and calculated blood pressure values (including maximum blood pressure, minimum blood pressure, and pulse) of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement and stores them as a set of nocturnal blood pressure measurement data sets in the blood pressure monitor memory 112.

[0075] In the embodiment, in the schedule of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement, after the nocturnal measurement switch 42B is pressed and the blood pressure monitor 100 is set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode, the nocturnal blood pressure measurement program is implemented every 2 hours (time interval). In the method of calculating the measurement time based on the time point when the nocturnal measurement switch 42B is pressed, the nocturnal blood pressure measurement program has a program (not shown) for determining the measurement time, and determines the measurement time based on this time determination program.

[0076] In the embodiment, the measurement time of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement is set to the time every 2 hours from the time (indicated time) when the blood pressure monitor 100 is set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode, but it is not limited to this. For example, it can also be set to every 1 hour or to the time after only 4 hours.

[0077] When implementing the normal blood pressure measurement program or the nocturnal blood pressure measurement program, the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 obtains a pulse wave signal from the fluctuation component of the pulse wave included in the cuff pressure obtained by the pressure sensor 62, and calculates blood pressure values (maximum blood pressure and minimum blood pressure) based on the respective programs stored in the blood pressure monitor memory 112.

[0078] (Transmission program)

[0079] In addition to the date, day of the week, measurement time, and its blood pressure values (including maximum blood pressure, minimum blood pressure, and pulse) of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement, the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set stored in the blood pressure monitor memory 112 also adds a sent flag that differentiates between "sent" and "not sent". The term "sent" means the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set that has been sent using the sending program. The term "not sent" means the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set that has not been sent yet.

[0080] When the sending program sends the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set to the smartphone 200, it confirms the sent flag of each nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set and uses the blood pressure monitor communication unit 116 to send the not-sent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data sets. Thus, the sent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data sets will not be sent repeatedly, and therefore, the size of the sent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data sets will not become too large. Within 1 hour from the start of sending, the sending program also continuously sends the not-sent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data sets to the smartphone 200 repeatedly. Thus, for example, even if the smartphone 200 is temporarily unable to communicate, the not-sent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data sets are reliably sent. After 1 hour from the start of sending the not-sent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data sets, the sending program stops the sending using the blood pressure monitor communication unit 116 and changes the sent flag of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set from "not sent" to "sent".

[0081] When the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 receives a communication instruction between the blood pressure monitor 100 and the smartphone 200, it executes the sending program and continuously sends the not-sent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data sets to the smartphone 200 using the blood pressure monitor communication unit 116 within 1 hour from the start of sending.

[0082] (Structure of the information terminal)

[0083] As Figure 1 shown, the smartphone 200 has a smartphone main body 210, a smartphone display unit (notification unit) 220 provided on the upper surface of the illustrated smartphone main body 210, and a smartphone operation unit 230. The smartphone 200 is also installed with an application software that displays information on the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set sent from the blood pressure monitor 100. The application software includes: a receiving program described later that receives information related to the measurement time from the blood pressure monitor 100; a reminder time setting program described later that sets a reminder time at which the blood pressure monitor 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode; and a reminder program described later that notifies the examinee 400 of the situation where the blood pressure monitor 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time.

[0084] In an embodiment, the smartphone display unit 220 includes an LCD (liquid crystal display), and is configured to display, according to a control signal from a smartphone CPU (central processing unit) 240 described later, the date of blood pressure measurement, day of the week, measurement time, blood pressure values (including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse) included in the night blood pressure measurement data set transmitted from, for example, the sphygmomanometer 100, and a reminder time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the night blood pressure measurement mode described later. In addition, the smartphone display unit 220 may be either an organic EL display or an LED (light emitting diode).

[0085] In an embodiment, the smartphone operation unit 230 is constituted by a touch panel provided on the smartphone display unit 220. In addition, the smartphone operation unit 230 may be a hardware operation device such as a keyboard.

[0086] Figure 4 Shows the block structure of the smartphone 200.

[0087] In addition to the above-described smartphone display unit 220 and smartphone operation unit 230, the smartphone main body 210 includes: a smartphone CPU 240 as a control unit; a smartphone memory 242 as a storage unit; a smartphone power supply unit 244; and a smartphone communication unit (information terminal communication unit) 246 that performs BLE communication with the sphygmomanometer 100.

[0088] The smartphone memory (storage unit) 242 stores programs for controlling the smartphone 200, data for controlling the smartphone 200, setting data for setting various functions of the smartphone 200, and a night blood pressure measurement data set (including the date of blood pressure measurement, day of the week, measurement time, blood pressure values) transmitted from the sphygmomanometer 100, etc. The smartphone memory 242 also serves as a working memory for temporarily storing various information during program execution. In particular, the smartphone memory 242 in the embodiment is configured as a program storage unit and stores a reception program, a reminder time setting program, and a reminder program described later included in the above application software. In addition, for example, a semiconductor memory (memory card, SSD (Solid State Drive)) may be used as the storage medium of an auxiliary storage device for assisting the storage area of the smartphone memory 242.

[0089] The smartphone CPU 240 is configured to control the overall operation of the smartphone 200. Specifically, the smartphone CPU 240 is configured to control each part of the smartphone 200 as a smartphone control unit according to a program for controlling the smartphone 200 stored in the smartphone memory 242, a smartphone program execution unit that executes the program stored in the smartphone memory 242, and a reminder time calculation unit that calculates a reminder time at which the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode using a reminder time setting program described later. The smartphone CPU 240 also displays the situation that the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode on the smartphone display unit 220 when the reminder time set by calculating the reminder time is reached.

[0090] In the embodiment, the smartphone power supply unit 244 is composed of a secondary battery and is configured to supply power to each of the smartphone CPU 240, the smartphone display unit 220, the smartphone operation unit 230, the smartphone memory 242, and the smartphone communication unit 246. The smartphone power supply unit 244 is also configured to be able to switch the on / off state.

[0091] BLE communication is performed between the smartphone communication unit 246 and the sphygmomanometer 100, and for example, a night blood pressure measurement data set is received from the sphygmomanometer 100.

[0092] (Receiving program)

[0093] If the smartphone power supply unit 244 is turned on, the receiving program is automatically executed in the background by the smartphone CPU 240, and the smartphone communication unit 246 attempts to receive the night blood pressure measurement data set sent from the sphygmomanometer 100 every minute. Thus, if the smartphone power supply unit 244 is turned on, the subject 400 can reliably receive the night blood pressure measurement data set sent from the sphygmomanometer 100 without performing a special operation through the smartphone operation unit 230. The receiving program also stores the received night blood pressure measurement data set in the smartphone memory 242.

[0094] If the smartphone power supply unit 244 is turned on, the smartphone CPU 240 automatically executes the receiving program in the background, and the smartphone communication unit 246 attempts to receive the night blood pressure measurement data set sent from the sphygmomanometer 100 every minute.

[0095] (Reminder time setting program)

[0096] In an embodiment, when receiving a program to receive a nocturnal blood pressure measurement dataset while the above-mentioned application software installed in the smartphone 200 is started, a reminder time setting program is implemented. This reminder time setting program extracts, from multiple groups of nocturnal blood pressure measurement datasets stored in the smartphone memory 242, the nocturnal blood pressure measurement dataset with the earliest measurement time according to the date of blood pressure measurement. Using the above-mentioned nocturnal blood pressure measurement program, the measurement time of nocturnal blood pressure measurement is set to every 2 hours starting from the moment when the sphygmomanometer 100 is set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode, that is, the moment when the nocturnal measurement switch 42B is pressed. Therefore, the reminder time setting program calculates the indication time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode by subtracting 2 hours from the earliest measurement time according to the date of nocturnal blood pressure measurement. In addition, the time subtracted from the earliest measurement time is not limited to 2 hours, and when determining the measurement time based on the moment when the sphygmomanometer 100 is set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode, it corresponds to the time interval set between the moment when the sphygmomanometer 100 is set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode and the measurement time.

[0097] Next, the reminder time setting program classifies the calculated indication times according to the day of the week of blood pressure measurement, extracts the latest predetermined number of times (for example, the latest 5 times) of indication times according to the day of the week of blood pressure measurement, and performs statistical processing, thereby obtaining the average indication time. The reminder time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode is calculated using this average indication time.

[0098] In an embodiment, the reminder time is calculated using the following mathematical formula 1. However, this mathematical formula is only an example, and other mathematical formulas can also be defined.

[0099] (Reminder time) = (Average indication time) - 3 × (Standard deviation of the extracted indication times) … (Mathematical formula 1)

[0100] The reminder time setting program extracts the latest 5 times of indication times according to mathematical formula 1 and calculates the average of the indication times (average indication time), and subtracts 3 times the standard deviation of the extracted indication times (margin time) from the calculated average indication time to calculate the reminder time. Thus, the reminder time is set to an appropriate time period. In addition, the reminder time is statistically processed based on the measurement time of blood pressure measurement on the subject 400 in actual past nocturnal blood pressure measurements, especially in the latest nocturnal blood pressure measurement. Therefore, the reminder time reflects the current living habits of the subject 400.

[0101] (Reminder program)

[0102] In an embodiment, when the calculated reminder time is reached, a reminder program is executed. This reminder program displays the text "Please set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode" on the smartphone display unit 220.

[0103] When receiving a program to receive a nighttime blood pressure measurement data set while the above application software installed in the smartphone 200 is started, the smartphone CPU 240 executes a reminder time setting program to calculate the instruction time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode. Next, the smartphone CPU 240 classifies the calculated instruction times according to the day of the week of the blood pressure measurement based on the reminder time setting program, extracts the latest predetermined number of times (for example, the latest 5 times) of instruction times according to the day of the week of the blood pressure measurement and performs statistical processing, and calculates the reminder time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode according to Mathematical Formula 1. After that, when the calculated reminder time is reached according to the reminder program, the smartphone CPU 240 displays the text "Please set to the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode" on the smartphone display unit 220. Therefore, according to this blood pressure measurement system 300, the subject 400 is less likely to forget the operation.

[0104] (Nighttime blood pressure measurement mode)

[0105] Explain nighttime blood pressure measurement. When the subject 400 who is not asleep presses the nighttime measurement switch 42B on the sphygmomanometer main body 20 once while the cuff 10 of the sphygmomanometer 100 is wound around the left wrist 410 of the subject 400, a blood pressure measurement instruction for the nighttime blood pressure measurement mode is output to the sphygmomanometer CPU 110.

[0106] After that, the measurement time is set from the moment when the nighttime measurement switch 42B is pressed, and the nighttime blood pressure measurement program is executed according to the set measurement time. However, when the nighttime measurement switch 42B is pressed again within the time before the blood pressure measurement of the subject 400 who is asleep at night in the sphygmomanometer 100 (for example, within the standby time before the time for executing the specified nighttime blood pressure measurement program), it is instructed to stop the nighttime blood pressure measurement, and the nighttime blood pressure measurement program is not executed.

[0107] Figure 5 Shows the operation flow when the subject 400 performs nighttime blood pressure measurement using the sphygmomanometer 100. During this nighttime blood pressure measurement, the subject 400 wearing the sphygmomanometer 100 on the left wrist 410 remains lying on a bed or the like.

[0108] As Figure 5As shown in step S1, in this state, when the subject 400 inputs a blood pressure measurement instruction for the night blood pressure measurement mode by pressing the night measurement switch 42B provided on the blood pressure monitor main body 20, the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 sets the measurement time, and then determines whether it is the measurement time (step S2). If it is not the measurement time (when branching to "No" in step S2), it waits until the measurement time arrives.

[0109] When the above measurement time arrives (when branching to "Yes" in step S2), the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 initializes the pressure sensor 62 (step S3). Specifically, the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 initializes the processing memory area, stops the pump 72, and opens the valve 82, and performs 0 mmHg adjustment of the pressure sensor 62 (sets the atmospheric pressure to 0 mmHg) in this state.

[0110] Next, the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 closes the valve 82 via the valve drive circuit 84 (step S4). Then, it drives the pump 72 via the pump drive circuit 74 and starts pressurizing the cuff 10 (air bag 12) (step S5). At this time, the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 supplies air from the pump 72 to the air bag 12 through the air pipe 50, and at the same time controls the pressurization speed of the pressure in the air bag 12, that is, the cuff pressure, based on the output of the pressure sensor 62.

[0111] Next, in step S6, the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 calculates the blood pressure values (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) using the above-mentioned night blood pressure measurement program stored in the blood pressure monitor memory 112 based on the pulse wave signal acquired at this time point.

[0112] At this time point, when the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 still cannot calculate the blood pressure value due to insufficient data (when branching to "No" in step S7), as long as the cuff pressure does not reach the upper limit pressure (for safety, for example, preset to 300 mmHg), the processes of steps S5 and S6 are repeated.

[0113] When the blood pressure value is calculated (when branching to "Yes" in step S7), the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 controls to stop the pump 72 (step S8), and opens the valve 82 (step S9) to exhaust the air in the cuff 10 (air bag 12).

[0114] Then, the blood pressure monitor CPU 110 controls to display the calculated blood pressure value on the blood pressure monitor display unit 30, and saves the date, day of the week, measurement time, and its blood pressure value when the night blood pressure measurement program is implemented as a night blood pressure measurement data set in the blood pressure monitor memory 112 (step S10).

[0115] Next, the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 uses the above-mentioned sending program to confirm the sent flag of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set stored in the sphygmomanometer memory 112, and uses the sphygmomanometer communication unit 116 to send the unsent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set, such as the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set saved in step S10, to the smart phone 200 (step S11). The sphygmomanometer CPU 110 continuously and repeatedly sends the unsent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set to the smart phone 200 from the start of sending until 1 hour has passed. After 1 hour has passed since the start of sending, the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 stops the sending using the sphygmomanometer communication unit 116 and changes the sent flag of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set from "unsent" to "sent".

[0116] When the blood pressure measurement for one time specified in the above schedule is completed, the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 determines whether the blood pressure measurements at all the set measurement times have been completed (step S12). When the blood pressure measurement at this measurement time is still pending (when branching to "incomplete" in step S12), the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 returns to step S2 to determine whether it is the next set measurement time. If it is not this measurement time (when branching to "no" in step S2), it waits until this measurement time arrives.

[0117] When the next set measurement time arrives (when branching to "yes" in step S2), the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 repeats the processing of steps S3 to S11, and in step S12, it again determines whether the blood pressure measurements at all the set measurement times have been completed.

[0118] When the blood pressure measurements at all the set measurement times have been completed (when branching to "end" in step S12), the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 ends the nocturnal blood pressure measurement.

[0119] (First reminder method)

[0120] The first reminder method for notifying the subject 400 that the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time when the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode is described. When the subject 400 turns on the smart phone 200 in a state where an application software including a reception program, a reminder time setting program, and a reminder program is installed in the smart phone 200, the reception program is executed in the background. In addition, when the subject 400 starts the above application software using the smart phone operation unit 230, the initial value of the reminder time is set, for example, to 22:00 PM.

[0121] Then, when the sphygmomanometer 100 is set to the night blood pressure measurement mode and the night blood pressure measurement program is executed while the application software is in the startup state, the smartphone 200 receives the night blood pressure measurement data set from the sphygmomanometer 100 and executes the reminder time setting program. As described above, the reminder time setting program extracts the night blood pressure measurement data set with the earliest measurement time according to the date of blood pressure measurement from multiple groups of night blood pressure measurement data sets stored in the smartphone memory 242, and calculates the indication time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the night blood pressure measurement mode. Next, the reminder time setting program classifies the calculated indication time according to the day of the week of blood pressure measurement, extracts the latest 5 indication times according to the day of the week of blood pressure measurement and performs statistical processing, and calculates the reminder time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the night blood pressure measurement mode according to Mathematical Formula 1.

[0122] Then, when the calculated reminder time is reached, the text "Please set to the night blood pressure measurement mode" is displayed on the smartphone display unit 220.

[0123] Figure 6 Shows the operation flow of the first reminder method using the blood pressure measurement system 300. In particular, the left side of the figure shows the operation flow when executing the reminder time setting program and the reminder program included in the application software installed in the smartphone 200. On the other hand, the right side of the figure shows a part of the operation flow when the subject 400 performs night blood pressure measurement using the sphygmomanometer 100 as described in Figure 5 During this first reminder method, the smartphone 200 remains in the on state.

[0124] In this state, as shown in step S101 of Figure 6 When the application software installed in the smartphone 200 is started, the initial value of the reminder time is set to, for example, 22:00 PM (step S102).

[0125] Then, in the state where the subject 400 has started the application software of the smartphone 200, the sphygmomanometer 100 is set to the above-mentioned night blood pressure measurement mode, and after falling asleep, night blood pressure measurement is performed at the set measurement time. As described above, in step S11, the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 uses the sending program to confirm the sent flag of the night blood pressure measurement data set stored in the sphygmomanometer memory 112, and uses the sphygmomanometer communication unit 116 to send the unsent night blood pressure measurement data set, such as the night blood pressure measurement data set saved in step S10, to the smartphone 200.

[0126] At this time, the above-mentioned reception program is implemented in the background of the smart phone 200. Therefore, the smart phone CPU 240 uses the smart phone communication unit 246 to receive the night blood pressure measurement data set sent from the sphygmomanometer 100 (step S103). Thus, the smart phone 200 can receive the night blood pressure measurement data set including the measurement time from the sphygmomanometer 100, and the smart phone CPU 240 that implements the reminder time setting program calculates the reminder time based on the measurement time.

[0127] Then, the smart phone CPU 240 controls to save the received night blood pressure measurement data set in the smart phone memory 242 (step S104).

[0128] Next, the smart phone CPU 240 implements the above-mentioned reminder time setting program, and calculates the indication time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the night blood pressure measurement mode according to the date of the blood pressure measurement in the night blood pressure measurement data set saved in the smart phone memory 242 (step S105).

[0129] Then, according to the above-mentioned reminder time setting program, the smart phone CPU 240 classifies the calculated indication time according to the day of the week of the blood pressure measurement, extracts the latest 5 indication times according to the day of the week of the blood pressure measurement and performs statistical processing (step S106), and calculates and sets the reminder time for setting the sphygmomanometer 100 to the night blood pressure measurement mode according to Mathematical Formula 1 (step S107). Thus, the reminder time is statistically processed based on the measurement time of the blood pressure measurement of the subject 400 in the actual past night blood pressure measurement, especially the latest night blood pressure measurement. Therefore, it is set to an average and appropriate time that conforms to the current living habits of the subject 400.

[0130] The smart phone CPU 240 sets the reminder time, and then uses the reminder program to determine whether it is the reminder time set according to the day of the week (step S108). If it is not the reminder time (when branching to "No" in step S108), it waits until the reminder time arrives.

[0131] When the above reminder time arrives (when branching to "Yes" in step S108), the smart phone CPU 240 outputs the text "Please set to the night blood pressure measurement mode" to the smart phone display unit 220 according to the above reminder program (step S109).

[0132] Then, the smart phone CPU 240 ends the notification to the subject 400 that the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode, but in the background, it performs the operation processes of steps S108 and S109 for the reminder time of the next day.

[0133] Using the above first reminder method, the blood pressure measurement system 300 appropriately sets the reminder time based on the measurement time of the blood pressure measurement of the subject 400 in the actual past nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode to conform to the living habits of the subject 400 and notifies the subject 400. In addition, the subject 400 can reliably receive a notification from the smartphone 200 near the subject 400 to "set the sphygmomanometer 100 to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode". Therefore, according to this blood pressure measurement system 300, it is not easy for the subject 400 to forget the operation.

[0134] In addition, in the above first reminder method, since the smartphone 200 is an information terminal near the subject 400, the subject 400 can reliably receive a notification that the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode. Therefore, the subject 400 can reliably grasp the situation where the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode, and thus it is not easy to forget to set the sphygmomanometer 100 to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode.

[0135] (Second reminder method)

[0136] A second reminder method for notifying the subject 400 of the situation where the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time when the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode is described. In the first reminder method, when the sphygmomanometer 100 is set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode and the nocturnal blood pressure measurement procedure is implemented, the smartphone 200 receives the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set from the sphygmomanometer 100. In the second reminder method, the subject 400 presses the communication switch 42C provided on the sphygmomanometer operation unit 40 to input a communication instruction between the sphygmomanometer 100 and the smartphone 200 to implement the transmission procedure, so that the smartphone 200 receives the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set from the sphygmomanometer 100. Then, the operations performed by the smartphone 200 are the same as those in the first reminder method.

[0137] Figure 7 The operation flow of the second reminder method performed using the blood pressure measurement system 300 is shown. Similar to Figure 6 Similarly, the left side of the figure shows the operation flow when implementing the reminder time setting program and the reminder program included in the application software installed on the smartphone 200. On the other hand, the right side of the figure shows the operation flow in which the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 implements the transmission program by the subject 400 pressing the communication switch 42C to input a communication instruction between the sphygmomanometer 100 and the smartphone 200, and sends the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set to the smartphone 200. During this second reminder method, the smartphone 200 remains in the on state.

[0138] In this state, as Figure 7As shown in step S101, when the application software installed in the smart phone 200 is started, the initial value of the reminder time is set, for example, to 22:00 PM (step S102).

[0139] Then, in a state where the subject 400 has started the application software of the smart phone 200, the communication switch 42C provided in the sphygmomanometer operation unit 40 is pressed to input a communication instruction between the sphygmomanometer 100 and the smart phone 200 (step S201). Thereby, the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 uses the sending program to confirm the sent flag of the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set stored in the sphygmomanometer memory 112, and uses the sphygmomanometer communication unit 116 to send the unsent nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set to the smart phone 200 (step S202).

[0140] At this time, since the above-mentioned receiving program is implemented in the background of the smart phone 200, the smart phone CPU 240 uses the smart phone communication unit 246 to receive the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set sent from the sphygmomanometer 100 (step S103). The operation flow after step S103 is the same as that of the first reminder method.

[0141] With the above-mentioned second reminder method, the subject 400 can manually send the nocturnal blood pressure measurement data set stored in the sphygmomanometer memory 112 to the smart phone 200.

[0142] (Third reminder method)

[0143] A third reminder method for notifying the subject 400 that the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time when the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode is described. In the first reminder method, when a reminder program is executed once at the reminder time, the notification to the subject 400 that the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode is ended. However, in the third reminder method, multiple reminder times are set, and a reminder program is executed at each reminder time.

[0144] Figure 8 The operation flow of the third reminder method performed by the blood pressure measurement system 300 is shown. Similar to Figure 6 Similarly, the left side of the figure shows the operation flow when the reminder time setting program and the reminder program included in the application software installed in the smart phone 200 are executed. On the other hand, similar to Figure 6 Similarly, the right side of the figure shows a part of the operation flow when the subject 400 performs nocturnal blood pressure measurement using the sphygmomanometer 100.

[0145] Steps S101 to S106 are executed in the same manner as the Figure 6 shown operation flow.

[0146] Then, the smartphone CPU 240 resets the calculated reminder time (step S107), and sets, as the times at which notifications should be repeated (additional reminder times), for example, a predetermined number of times (e.g., 3 times) at intervals of, for example, 5 minutes based on this reminder time.

[0147] Next, steps S108 and S109 are carried out in the same manner as the Figure 6 action flow shown.

[0148] On the other hand, when the sphygmomanometer 100 is set to the night blood pressure measurement mode, differently from the Figure 5 action flow shown, in step S1, the subject 400 presses the night measurement switch 42B provided on the sphygmomanometer main body 20 to input a blood pressure measurement instruction for the night blood pressure measurement mode, and then the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 uses the sphygmomanometer communication unit 116 to send the fact that it has been set to the night blood pressure measurement mode to the smartphone 200 (step S13).

[0149] In step S109, after the smartphone CPU 240 outputs the text "Please set to the night blood pressure measurement mode" to the smartphone display unit 220 or while waiting until the reminder time arrives, it receives from the sphygmomanometer 100 the fact that the sphygmomanometer 100 has been set to the night blood pressure measurement mode (step S110).

[0150] Then, the smartphone CPU 240 determines whether the sphygmomanometer 100 has been set to the night blood pressure measurement mode (step S111). In step S110, when it receives from the sphygmomanometer 100 the fact that the sphygmomanometer 100 has been set to the night blood pressure measurement mode, the smartphone CPU 240 determines that the sphygmomanometer 100 has been set to the night blood pressure measurement mode (branches to "Yes" in step S111), and invalidates the situation of notifying the subject 400 that the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode at the subsequent reminder time. On the other hand, when it does not receive from the sphygmomanometer 100 the fact that the sphygmomanometer 100 has been set to the night blood pressure measurement mode, the smartphone CPU 240 determines that the sphygmomanometer 100 has not been set to the night blood pressure measurement mode (branches to "No" in step S111), returns to step S108, and determines whether it is the next reminder time (additional reminder time) set. If it is not this reminder time (when branching to "No" in step S108), it waits until this reminder time arrives.

[0151] When the next set reminder time arrives (when branching to "Yes" in step S108), the smartphone CPU 240 repeats the processing of steps S109 to S110, and in step S111, determines again whether the sphygmomanometer 100 has been set to the night blood pressure measurement mode.

[0152] When the sphygmomanometer 100 is set to the night blood pressure measurement mode or after all the reminder times have passed, the smartphone CPU 240 ends notifying the subject 400 of the situation where the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode, but performs the operation flow of steps S108 to S111 for the reminder time of the next day in the background.

[0153] Using the above third reminder method, even if the subject 400 does not receive the first notification that the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode, the subject can receive the next and subsequent notifications.

[0154] (Other embodiments)

[0155] In the above embodiment, the blood pressure measurement system 300 includes the smartphone 200 as an information terminal capable of communicating with the sphygmomanometer 100, but may also include other PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) or wearable computers.

[0156] In the above embodiment, the smartphone 200 displays the text "Please set to the night blood pressure measurement mode" on the smartphone display unit 220, thereby notifying the subject 400 of the situation where the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode, but may also have a notification sound generation unit and a vibration generation unit, and use notification sounds and vibrations for notification.

[0157] In the above embodiment, the smartphone 200 notifies the subject 400 of the situation where the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode by displaying the text "Please set to the night blood pressure measurement mode" on the smartphone display unit 220. However, the sphygmomanometer 100 may also notify the subject 400 of the situation where the sphygmomanometer 100 should be set to the night blood pressure measurement mode by displaying the text "Please set to the night blood pressure measurement mode" on the sphygmomanometer display unit 30. In this case, preferably, the sphygmomanometer 100 can receive the reminder time set by the smartphone CPU 240 using the reminder time setting program.

[0158] In the above embodiment, the sphygmomanometer CPU 110 calculates the blood pressure during the pressurization process of the cuff 10 (air bag 12), but may also calculate the blood pressure during the decompression process of the cuff.

[0159] In the above embodiment, the sphygmomanometer 100 has a blood pressure measurement switch 42A for inputting a blood pressure measurement instruction in the normal blood pressure measurement mode and a night measurement switch 42B for inputting a blood pressure measurement instruction in the night blood pressure measurement mode. However, for example, the signal receiving unit of the sphygmomanometer may receive an instruction via wireless communication from a smartphone or the like existing outside the sphygmomanometer, and replace the signal received by the signal receiving unit with the signal output from the normal blood pressure measurement switch or the night measurement switch to the sphygmomanometer CPU.

[0160] In the above-described embodiment, the sphygmomanometer 100 is configured such that the blood pressure measurement switch 42A outputs a signal indicating blood pressure measurement in the normal blood pressure measurement mode to the sphygmomanometer CPU 110, and the night measurement switch 42B outputs a signal indicating blood pressure measurement in the night blood pressure measurement mode to the sphygmomanometer CPU 110. However, it may also be configured such that, for example, by pressing the blood pressure measurement switch once, a signal indicating blood pressure measurement in the normal blood pressure measurement mode is output to the sphygmomanometer CPU, and by pressing the blood pressure measurement switch twice within a certain time, a signal indicating blood pressure measurement in the night blood pressure measurement mode is output to the sphygmomanometer CPU.

[0161] In the above-described embodiment, the sphygmomanometer main body 20 is integrally attached to the cuff 10, but it may also be provided separately from the cuff and connected to the cuff 10 (air bag 12) via a flexible air tube in such a manner that fluid can flow therethrough.

[0162] In the above-described embodiment, the night blood pressure measurement program, the transmission program, and these processes are stored as software in the sphygmomanometer memory 112, but they may also be stored in a non-transitory medium such as a CD (compact disc), a DVD (digital versatile disc), or a flash memory. By installing the software stored in the above medium into a physical computer device such as a personal computer, a PDA (personal digital assistant), or a smartphone, these computer devices can execute the above programs and processes.

[0163] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0164] 100: Sphygmomanometer, 42B: Mode operation unit (night measurement switch), 112: Storage unit (sphygmomanometer memory), 200: Information terminal (smartphone), 220: Notification unit (smartphone display unit), 240: Reminder time calculation unit (smartphone CPU), 242: Storage unit (smartphone memory), 300: Blood pressure measurement system, 400: Subject.

Claims

1. A blood pressure measurement system, comprising: A sphygmomanometer having a nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode that automatically starts blood pressure measurement according to a predetermined schedule; and an information terminal capable of communicating with the sphygmomanometer, wherein the blood pressure measurement system is characterized in that, The sphygmomanometer has a mode operation unit that inputs an instruction for setting the sphygmomanometer to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode. The schedule is a type of schedule in which multiple blood pressure measurements start at night at a predetermined time interval from the instruction time when an instruction for setting to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode is input through the mode operation unit. At least one of the sphygmomanometer and the information terminal has: A storage unit that stores multiple measurement times at night when blood pressure measurements are performed through the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode; and A reminder time calculation unit that calculates the instruction time by subtracting the time interval from the earliest measurement time among the multiple measurement times at night stored in the storage unit, and calculates a reminder time for notifying the subject that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode based on the instruction time. The information terminal has a notification unit that notifies the subject that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time, and does not perform the above notification at times other than the above reminder time.

2. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1, wherein The storage unit stores the multiple measurement times at night according to the date. The reminder time calculation unit subtracts the time interval from the earliest measurement time among the multiple measurement times at night for each date stored in the storage unit to calculate the instruction time according to the date, classifies the calculated instruction times according to the day of the week, performs statistical processing on the instruction times for each day of the week, calculates the average instruction time according to the day of the week, and subtracts a margin time from the average instruction time for each day of the week to calculate the reminder time according to the day of the week. The notification unit notifies the subject that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode at the reminder time for each day of the week, and does not perform the above notification at times other than the above reminder time.

3. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The reminder time calculation unit sets a predetermined number of the reminder times. Whenever each reminder time arrives, the notification unit repeatedly notifies the situation that the sphygmomanometer should be set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode until the sphygmomanometer is set to the nocturnal blood pressure measurement mode.

4. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The sphygmomanometer has a sphygmomanometer communication unit capable of communicating with the information terminal and the storage unit. The information terminal has an information terminal communication unit capable of communicating with the sphygmomanometer and the reminder time calculation unit. The measurement time is sent from the sphygmomanometer communication unit of the sphygmomanometer to the information terminal communication unit of the information terminal.

5. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 2, wherein the reminder time calculation unit uses a plurality of the latest predetermined indication times for performing the statistical processing.

6. The blood pressure measurement system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information terminal is a portable information terminal.

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