Measurement systems, measuring instruments, ring devices, information terminals and programs

Abstract

This invention provides a measurement system that can improve the power efficiency of a system including ring equipment and measuring equipment that share common functions. [Solution] The measurement system includes a ring device having a predetermined measurement function, an electronic clock having a measurement function common to the ring device, and at least one CPU, wherein the CPU selects a device to be used for measurement based on the measurement status of the ring device and the electronic clock, and the selected device performs the measurement and outputs measurement stop information to the other device to stop the measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement system, a measuring device, a ring device, an information terminal, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A single user may wear a wristwatch-type smartwatch and a ring-type smart ring on the body. These devices may be equipped with common functions such as a heart rate measurement function. Patent Document 1 describes a biological information measurement system that stops the measurement of a second biological sensor worn at a location different from the first biological sensor when the first biological data output from the first biological sensor worn on the subject's body is valid.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, in two devices having common functions, only the state of one device is considered, and the state of the other device is not considered. Therefore, there is a problem that the power efficiency of both devices cannot be improved.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a measurement system, a measuring device, a ring device, an information terminal, and a program that can improve the power efficiency of a system including a ring device and a measuring device having common functions in order to solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a ring device having a predetermined measurement function, a measuring device having the same measurement function as the ring device, and at least one processor, wherein the processor selects the device to be used for the measurement based on the measurement status of the ring device and the measuring device, the selected device performs the measurement, and outputs measurement stop information to the other device to stop the measurement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the power efficiency of a system including ring equipment and measuring equipment having common functions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the measurement system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the ring device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of an electronic clock according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the CPU of an electronic clock when performing switching control to switch to a device used for measuring pulse rate according to the remaining power of the ring device and electronic clock according to the first embodiment, and the measurement status including attachment and detachment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the measurement system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram of an information terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the CPU of an information terminal when performing switching control to switch to the device used for measuring pulse rate according to the remaining power of the ring device and electronic watch according to the second embodiment, and the measurement status including attachment and detachment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A measurement system and the like according to a preferred embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] <First Embodiment> First, the schematic configuration of the measurement system 1A according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the measurement system 1A includes a ring device 10, which corresponds to an example of a ring device, and an electronic clock 20, which corresponds to an example of a measuring instrument. The ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 are connected to each other by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi.

[0011] The ring device 10 is a ring-shaped wearable device called a smart ring, which is worn on the user's finger, such as the index finger. The ring device 10 can measure the user's pulse (heart rate), heart rate variability (HRV), SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation), body surface temperature, respiratory rate, and other biometric information. The electronic watch 20 is a wristwatch-type wearable device called a smartwatch, which is worn on the user's wrist (arm), for example. In addition to its function as a clock, the electronic watch 20 can measure the user's heart rate, heart rate variability, SpO2, body surface temperature, respiratory rate, and other biometric information, as well as the user's location information.

[0012] In this embodiment, heart rate refers to the pulsations of the heart as it pumps blood, while pulse rate refers to the pulsations that indicate changes in arterial pressure caused by the heartbeat. Heart rate is the number of beats per minute, and pulse rate, which is similarly the number of pulses per minute, is approximately the same value. Therefore, in sections where the biological information measured by the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 is described as pulse rate, the same effect can be obtained by substituting pulse rate with heart rate.

[0013] Next, an example of the block configuration of the ring device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the ring device 10 includes a microcontroller 11, an operation reception unit 12, a communication unit 13, a power supply unit 14, a pulse sensor 15, and an attachment / detachment detection sensor 17. The microcontroller 11 and the operation reception unit 12, and other components are connected by wiring such as a bus (not shown).

[0014] The microcontroller 11 is a computer for controlling each part of the ring device 10. The microcontroller 11 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a as a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c. The CPU 11a reads a specified program P1 from the system programs and various programs stored in the ROM 11b, loads it into the RAM 11c, and, in cooperation with the loaded program P1, executes algorithms such as measuring biological information and switching devices according to the measurement status of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20. Specifically, when the ring device 10 is selected as the device to be used for measuring biological information, the CPU 11a performs a measurement using its own pulse sensor 15 and controls it to output a measurement stop signal (measurement stop information) to the electronic clock 20 to stop measuring biological information.

[0015] The operation reception unit 12 has, for example, a touch-operable button provided on the circumferential surface of the annular ring body. The operation reception unit 12 receives instructions from the user, such as operations to pair with the electronic watch 20, or operations to start and stop the measurement of various biological information, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the received instruction to the CPU 11a of the microcontroller 11. Alternatively, the ring device 10 may be remotely operated from an information terminal such as a smartphone by installing an application for the ring device 10 on the information terminal and touching the GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the screen of the information terminal's display unit.

[0016] The communication unit 13 wirelessly communicates biometric information such as a heartbeat and various signals with the electronic clock 20 via a communication network such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or the Internet.

[0017] The power supply unit 14 includes a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, for example. The power supply unit 14 supplies power to each part of the ring device 10 at a preset voltage. The power supply unit 14 can be charged by external power supply. The power supply unit 14 may be charged, for example, by connecting to a commercial power supply using various terminals of USB (Universal Serial Bus), a non-contact wireless device, or by directly connecting to a commercial power supply. Further, the power supply unit 14 may be solar charging using a solar panel.

[0018] The pulse sensor 15 is, for example, a PPG sensor (photoplethysmography), that is, an optical sensor, and measures the pulse of the user. The pulse sensor 15 measures the heartbeat of the user by utilizing the property that hemoglobin in arterial blood absorbs light. Specifically, the pulse sensor 15 irradiates light on the user's finger, measures the change in blood flow volume in the body from the light reflected inside the arm, acquires pulse data, and outputs it to the CPU 11a of the microcomputer 11.

[0019] The attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 is an infrared sensor or a capacitance-type sensor, etc. The attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 detects whether the ring device 10 is attached to the body such as the user's finger, and outputs attachment / detachment information based on the detection result to the CPU 11a of the microcomputer 11.

[0020] Next, an example of the block configuration of the electronic clock 20 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic clock 20 includes a microcomputer 21, an operation reception unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24, a power supply unit 25, a pulse sensor 26, and an attachment / detachment detection sensor 28.

[0021] The microcontroller 21 is a computer for controlling various parts of the electronic clock 20. The microcontroller 21 has a CPU 21a as a processor, a ROM 21b, and a RAM 21c. The CPU 21a reads a specified program P2 from the system programs and various programs stored in the ROM 21b, loads it into the RAM 22c, and, in cooperation with the loaded program P2, executes an algorithm that functions as a control unit that measures biological information and switches devices according to the measurement status of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20. Specifically, when the electronic clock 20 is selected as the device to be used for measuring biological information, the CPU 21a measures the pulse rate using its own pulse sensor 26 and controls the ring device 10 to output a measurement stop signal to stop measuring the pulse rate.

[0022] The operation reception unit 22 has a plurality of buttons, switches, etc., provided on the periphery of the case. The operation reception unit 22 receives instructions corresponding to operations such as setting various clock settings, as well as operations to start and stop the measurement of various biological information, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the received instruction to the CPU 21a of the microcontroller 21. The operation reception unit 22 may include a touch panel integrated with the display unit 23.

[0023] The display unit 23 has a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 23 has, for example, a digitally displayable screen that displays the time in hours, minutes, and seconds, as well as biological information such as measured pulse rate, SpO2, body surface temperature, and respiratory rate.

[0024] The communication unit 24 wirelessly transmits biometric information such as heart rate, various signals, etc., to the ring device 10 via a communication network such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, or the Internet.

[0025] The power supply unit 25 includes, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. The power supply unit 25 supplies power to each part of the electronic clock 20 at a preset voltage. The power supply unit 25 can be charged by an external power supply. The power supply unit 25 may be charged by solar charging using a solar panel, by connecting to a commercial power source using various USB terminals, or by connecting directly to a commercial power source.

[0026] The pulse sensor 26 is, for example, a PPG sensor that measures the user's pulse. The pulse sensor 26 measures the user's heart rate by utilizing the property that hemoglobin in arterial blood absorbs light. Specifically, the pulse sensor 26 shines light onto the user's wrist and measures the change in blood flow in the body from the light reflected inside the wrist to acquire heart rate data, which is then output to the CPU 21a of the microcontroller 21.

[0027] The attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 is an infrared sensor or a capacitive sensor, etc. The attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 detects whether the electronic watch 20 is attached to the user's body, such as their wrist, and outputs attachment / detachment information to the CPU 21a according to the detection result.

[0028] Next, an example of the operation of the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 when switching to the device used for measuring pulse rate according to the remaining power of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 according to the first embodiment, and the measurement status including attachment and detachment, will be described. The CPU 21a executes the program P2 stored in the ROM 21 to realize the processing including each step shown in Figure 4. In the following, the ring device 10 will continuously measure pulse rate, and the electronic clock 20 will measure pulse rate, for example, at regular intervals.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determines whether both the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 are attached to the user's body (step S100). The CPU 21a determines whether both the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 are attached to the user's body based on the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 of the ring device 10 and the detection result of the attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 of the electronic clock 20. For example, if the detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 of the ring device 10 exceeds a preset threshold, and the detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 of the electronic clock 20 also exceeds a preset threshold, the CPU 21a determines that both the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 are attached to the user's body and proceeds to step S101.

[0030] The CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determines whether the remaining power of the power supply unit 25 of the electronic clock 20 is equal to or greater than the remaining power of the power supply unit 14 of the ring device 10 (step S101). In other words, the CPU 21a selects the device with the greater remaining power among the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20. In this embodiment, the case where the remaining power of the ring device 10 and the remaining power of the electronic clock 20 are the same is also included. For example, the CPU 21a obtains remaining power information from the power supply unit 25 of the electronic clock 20 and also obtains remaining power information from the power supply unit 14 of the ring device 10.

[0031] Next, the CPU 21a compares the acquired power remaining information of the electronic clock 20 with the power remaining information of the ring device 10 and, if it determines that the power remaining of the electronic clock 20 is greater than or equal to the power remaining of the ring device 10, it proceeds to step S102. In this case, the CPU 21a controls the electronic clock 20, which has more power remaining, to continue measuring the pulse rate using the pulse sensor 26 (step S102). The CPU 21a acquires the user's pulse rate data measured by the pulse sensor 26 and displays the pulse rate based on the acquired pulse rate data on the screen of the display unit 23.

[0032] Next, the CPU 21a transmits a measurement stop signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 24 to stop measuring the pulse rate on the ring device 10 side (step S103). The CPU 11a of the ring device 10 controls the pulse sensor 15 to stop measuring the pulse rate based on the measurement stop signal received from the communication unit 13. Specifically, the CPU 11a stops the emission of light from the light-emitting part that constitutes the pulse sensor 15.

[0033] On the other hand, in step S101, if the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determines that the remaining power of the electronic clock 20 is less than the remaining power of the ring device 10, the process proceeds to step S104. In this case, the CPU 21a controls the ring device 10, which has more remaining power, to continue measuring the pulse using its pulse sensor 15 (step S104). For example, the CPU 21a may send a signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 24 instructing the ring device 10 to take the lead in measuring the pulse. The CPU 11a of the ring device 10 acquires the user's pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 15 and transmits the acquired pulse data to the electronic clock 20 via the communication unit 13. The CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 displays the pulse rate corresponding to the pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 15 of the ring device 10 on the screen of the display unit 23.

[0034] Furthermore, the CPU 11a of the ring device 10 transmits a measurement stop signal to the electronic clock 20 via the communication unit 13 to stop the measurement of pulse rate on the electronic clock 20 side (step S105). Based on the measurement stop signal received by the communication unit 24, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 controls the measurement of pulse rate by the pulse sensor 26 to stop. Specifically, the CPU 21a stops the irradiation of light from the light-emitting part that constitutes the pulse sensor 26.

[0035] In step S100 described above, if the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determines that neither the ring device 10 nor the electronic clock 20 is attached to the user's body, the process proceeds to step S106. In this case, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determines which of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 is attached to the user's body, or whether neither the ring device 10 nor the electronic clock 20 is attached to the user's body. First, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determines whether the electronic clock 20 is attached to the user's wrist (step S106). If the detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 is above a threshold, the CPU 21a determines that the electronic clock 20 is attached to the user's body and proceeds to step S107.

[0036] When the electronic watch 20 is worn on the user's wrist, the CPU 21a of the electronic watch 20 controls the electronic watch 20 to continue measuring the pulse rate using its own pulse sensor 26 (step S107). The CPU 21a acquires the user's pulse rate data measured by the pulse sensor 26 and displays the pulse rate based on the acquired pulse rate data on the screen of the display unit 23. The CPU 21a also sends a measurement stop signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 24 to stop measuring the pulse rate on the ring device 10. The CPU 11a of the ring device 10 controls the pulse sensor 15 to stop measuring the pulse rate based on the measurement stop signal received by the communication unit 13. The CPU 11a of the ring device 10 may also automatically stop measuring the pulse rate using the pulse sensor 15 if the attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 detects that the ring device 10 has been removed from the finger.

[0037] On the other hand, in step S106, if the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determines that the electronic clock 20 is not attached to the user's body, the process proceeds to step S108. In this case, the CPU 21a determines whether or not the ring device 10 is attached to the user's finger (step S108). For example, the CPU 21a determines whether or not the ring device 10 is attached to the user's finger based on attachment / detachment information transmitted from the ring device 10. The attachment / detachment information includes a detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 17. If the detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 of the ring device 10 is greater than or equal to a threshold, the CPU 21a determines that the ring device 10 is attached to the user's finger and proceeds to step S109.

[0038] When the ring device 10 is worn on the user's finger, the CPU 21a of the electronic watch 20 controls the ring device 10 to continue measuring the pulse using the pulse sensor 15 (step S109). For example, the CPU 21a may send a signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 24 instructing the ring device 10 to take the lead in measuring the pulse. The CPU 11a of the ring device 10 acquires the user's pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 15 and transmits the acquired pulse data to the electronic watch 20 via the communication unit 13. The CPU 21a of the electronic watch 20 displays the pulse rate corresponding to the pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 15 of the ring device 10 on the screen of the display unit 23.

[0039] Furthermore, the CPU 11a of the ring device 10 transmits a measurement stop signal to the electronic clock 20 via the communication unit 13 to stop the measurement of pulse rate by the electronic clock 20. The CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 controls the measurement of pulse rate by the pulse sensor 26 to stop based on the measurement stop signal received by the communication unit 24. In addition, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 may automatically stop the measurement of pulse rate by the pulse sensor 26 when the attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 detects that the electronic clock 20 has been removed from the wrist.

[0040] In response, if the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determines that the ring device 10 is not attached to the user's finger, the process proceeds to step S110. Specifically, this occurs when the CPU 21a determines that neither the ring device 10 nor the electronic clock 20 is attached to the user's body. In this case, the CPU 21a stops measuring the pulse rate with its own pulse sensor 26 and sends a measurement stop signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 24 to stop measuring the pulse rate on the ring device 10 side. When the CPU 11a of the ring device 10 receives the measurement stop signal from the electronic clock 20 via the communication unit 13, it stops measuring the pulse rate with the pulse sensor 15 based on the received measurement stop signal. In this way, if both the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 are removed from the user's body, pulse rate measurement is stopped for both the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20.

[0041] In the embodiment described above, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 determined the remaining power and attachment / detachment status of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20, and controlled the switching of the device used for measuring pulse rate, etc. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, instead of the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20, the CPU 11a of the ring device 10 may control the switching of the device used for measuring pulse rate, etc., according to the measurement status of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20.

[0042] According to the first embodiment, the device used to measure pulse rate, etc., can be switched based on the remaining power and measurement status, including attachment / detachment, of the ring device 10 and electronic clock 20, which have common measurement functions. This allows for pulse rate measurement to be performed on one device while pulse rate measurement is stopped on the other device, thus avoiding the same pulse rate measurement being performed on both devices. As a result, for example, measurement can be performed on one device with sufficient remaining power, and power consumption of the other device can be reduced. In other words, unnecessary power consumption can be prevented. Therefore, the power efficiency of both the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 can be improved.

[0043] Furthermore, generally, during bathing or sleep, the electronic watch 20 is removed from the wrist, while the ring device 10 is worn on the finger. Also, when charging the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20, it is rare to charge both devices simultaneously; more often, one device is charged while the other is worn on the body. According to the first embodiment, based on the attachment / detachment status of the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20, the device worn on the body measures pulse rate, etc., and the device removed from the body stops measuring pulse rate, etc. This allows pulse rate, etc., to continue measuring even if one device is charging, eliminating data loss that occurs when the devices are not worn. As a result, by linking the biometric information (logs) acquired from both the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20, biometric information for a certain period can be managed. Furthermore, since biometric information can be centrally managed on, for example, the electronic watch 20, a smartphone, or a server built on the cloud, the efficiency of data management can also be improved.

[0044] <Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, the information terminal 30 is the main component responsible for managing biometric information such as pulse rate data measured by the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20. In the following description, the differences from the first embodiment will be explained in detail, and components that are substantially common to both the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, while common descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0045] First, an example of the schematic configuration of the measurement system 1B according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the measurement system 1B comprises a ring device 10 (ring), an electronic clock 20, and an information terminal 30. The ring device 10, the electronic clock 20, and the information terminal 30 are connected to each other by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi.

[0046] The information terminal 30 is an information processing device such as a smartphone or a personal computer. The information terminal 30 centrally manages biometric information such as the user's pulse rate data transmitted from the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20. The information terminal 30 also controls the switching of the device used to measure vital signs such as pulse rate based on the remaining power level and measurement status (attachment / detachment, etc.) of the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20.

[0047] Next, an example of the block configuration of the information terminal 30 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 6, the information terminal 30 includes a microcontroller 31, an operation reception unit 32, a display unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a power supply unit 35.

[0048] The microcontroller 31 is a computer that controls various parts of the information terminal 30. The microcontroller 31 has a CPU 31a as a processor, a ROM 31b, and a RAM 31c. The CPU 31a reads a specified program P3 from the system programs and various programs stored in the ROM 31b, loads it into the RAM 32c, and, in cooperation with the loaded program P3, executes algorithms that perform various processes such as centralized management of biological information and switching between devices according to the measurement status of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20. Specifically, the CPU 31a selects the device to be used for measuring biological information according to the measurement status of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20. Furthermore, when the CPU 31a selects one device to be used for measuring biological information, it controls the other device to output a measurement stop signal to stop pulse measurement.

[0049] The operation reception unit 32 has switches, buttons, a touch panel combined with the display unit 33, etc. If the information terminal 30 is a personal computer, the operation reception unit 32 may also have a keyboard and a mouse. The operation reception unit 32 receives instructions in response to user input and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the received instruction to the microcontroller 31.

[0050] The display unit 33 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 33 displays, for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for accepting various input operations from the user, and biological information such as pulse rate, SpO2, body surface temperature, and respiratory rate measured by the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 on the screen.

[0051] The communication unit 34 wirelessly transmits data, signals, etc., such as measurements of various vital signs, to the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 via a wireless LAN such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®, or the Internet.

[0052] The power supply unit 35 includes, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. The power supply unit 35 supplies power to each part of the information terminal 30 at a preset voltage. The power supply unit 35 can be charged by an external power supply. The power supply unit 35 may be charged using, for example, various USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminals via a commercial power supply, or by being directly connected to a commercial power supply. Furthermore, the power supply unit 35 may be capable of contactless wireless charging.

[0053] Next, an example of the operation of the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 when switching to the device used for measuring pulse rate according to the remaining power of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 according to the second embodiment, and the measurement status including attachment and detachment, will be described. The CPU 31a executes the program P3 stored in the ROM 31 to realize the process including each step shown in Figure 7. In the following, the ring device 10 will continuously measure pulse rate, and the electronic clock 20 will measure pulse rate, for example, at regular intervals.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 determines whether both the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20 are attached to the user's body (step S200). For example, if the detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 of the ring device 10 exceeds a preset threshold, and the detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 of the electronic watch 20 also exceeds a preset threshold, the CPU 31a determines that both the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20 are attached to the user's body, and proceeds to step S201.

[0055] The CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 determines whether the remaining power of the power supply unit 25 of the electronic clock 20 is equal to or greater than the remaining power of the power supply unit 14 of the ring device 10 (step S201). If the CPU 31a determines that the remaining power of the electronic clock 20 is equal to or greater than the remaining power of the ring device 10, the process proceeds to step S202. In this case, the CPU 31a controls the electronic clock 20, which has more remaining power, to continue measuring the pulse using the pulse sensor 26 (step S202). For example, the CPU 31a may send a signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 34 instructing the electronic clock 20 to take the lead in measuring the pulse. The CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 continuously acquires the user's pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 26 and transmits the acquired pulse data to the information terminal 30 via the communication unit 24. The CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 displays the pulse rate on the screen of the display unit 33, corresponding to the pulse rate data measured by the pulse rate sensor 26 of the electronic clock 20.

[0056] Next, the CPU 31a sends a measurement stop signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 34 to stop measuring the pulse on the ring device 10 side (step S203). Based on the measurement stop signal received by the communication unit 13, the CPU 11a of the ring device 10 performs control to stop measuring the pulse by the pulse sensor 15.

[0057] On the other hand, in step S201, if the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 determines that the remaining power of the electronic clock 20 is less than the remaining power of the ring device 10, the process proceeds to step S204. In this case, the CPU 31a controls the ring device 10, which has more remaining power, to continue measuring the pulse using the pulse sensor 15 (step S204). For example, the CPU 31a may send a signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 34 instructing the ring device 10 to take the lead in measuring the pulse. The CPU 11a of the ring device 10 continuously acquires the user's pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 15 and transmits the acquired pulse data to the information terminal 30 via the communication unit 13. The CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 displays the pulse rate corresponding to the pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 15 of the ring device 10 on the screen of the display unit 33.

[0058] Next, the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 transmits a measurement stop signal to the electronic clock 20 via the communication unit 13 to stop measuring the pulse rate on the electronic clock 20 side (step S205). Based on the measurement stop signal received by the communication unit 24, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 performs control to stop measuring the pulse rate by the pulse sensor 26.

[0059] In step S200 described above, if the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 determines that neither the ring device 10 nor the electronic watch 20 is attached to the user's body, the process proceeds to step S206. In this case, the CPU 31a determines which of the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20 is attached to the user's body, or whether neither the ring device 10 nor the electronic watch 20 is attached to the user's body. First, the CPU 31a determines whether the electronic watch 20 is attached to the user's wrist based on the attachment / detachment information transmitted from the electronic watch 20 (step S206). If the detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 is above a threshold, the CPU 31a determines that the electronic watch 20 is attached to the user's body and proceeds to step S207.

[0060] When the electronic watch 20 is worn on the user's wrist, the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 controls the electronic watch 20 to continue measuring the pulse rate using the pulse sensor 26 (step S207). For example, the CPU 31a may send a signal to the electronic watch 20 via the communication unit 34 instructing the electronic watch 20 to take the lead in measuring the pulse rate. The CPU 21a of the electronic watch 20 continuously acquires the user's pulse rate data measured by the pulse sensor 26 and transmits the acquired pulse rate data to the information terminal 30 via the communication unit 24. The CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 displays the pulse rate corresponding to the pulse rate data measured by the pulse sensor 15 of the ring device 10 on the screen of the display unit 33.

[0061] Furthermore, the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 transmits a measurement stop signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 34 to stop the measurement of pulse rate on the ring device 10 side. The CPU 11a of the ring device 10 controls the measurement of pulse rate by the pulse sensor 15 to stop based on the measurement stop signal received by the communication unit 13. In addition, the CPU 11a of the ring device 10 may automatically stop the measurement of pulse rate by the pulse sensor 15 when the attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 detects that the ring device 10 has been removed from the finger.

[0062] On the other hand, in step S206, if the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 determines that the electronic watch 20 is not attached to the user's body, the process proceeds to step S208. In this case, the CPU 31a determines whether or not the ring device 10 is attached to the user's finger (step S208). For example, the CPU 31a determines whether or not the ring device 10 is attached to the user's finger based on the attachment / detachment information transmitted from the ring device 10. If the detection value detected by the attachment / detachment detection sensor 17 of the ring device 10 is above a threshold, the CPU 31a determines that the ring device 10 is attached to the user's finger and proceeds to step S209.

[0063] When the ring device 10 is worn on the user's finger, the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 controls the ring device 10 to continue measuring the pulse using the pulse sensor 15 (step S209). For example, the CPU 31a may send a signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 34 instructing the ring device 10 to take the lead in measuring the pulse. The CPU 11a of the ring device 10 acquires the user's pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 15 and transmits the acquired pulse data to the information terminal 30 via the communication unit 13. The CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 displays the pulse rate corresponding to the pulse data measured by the pulse sensor 15 of the ring device 10 on the screen of the display unit 33.

[0064] Furthermore, the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 transmits a measurement stop signal to the electronic clock 20 via the communication unit 13 to stop measuring the pulse rate in the electronic clock 20. Based on the measurement stop signal received by the communication unit 24, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 controls the measurement of the pulse rate by the pulse sensor 26 to stop. In addition, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 may automatically stop measuring the pulse rate by the pulse sensor 26 if the attachment / detachment detection sensor 28 detects that the electronic clock 20 has been removed from the wrist.

[0065] In response to this, in step S208, the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30 determines that the ring device 10 is not attached to the user's finger and proceeds to step S210. In this case, the CPU 31a sends a measurement stop signal to the electronic clock 20 via the communication unit 34 to stop the measurement of the pulse by the pulse sensor 26 in the electronic clock 20, and also sends a measurement stop signal to the ring device 10 via the communication unit 34 to stop the measurement of the pulse in the ring device 10 (step S210). When the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 receives the measurement stop signal from the information terminal 30 via the communication unit 24, it stops the measurement of the pulse by the pulse sensor 26 based on the received measurement stop signal. Also, when the CPU 11a of the ring device 10 receives the measurement stop signal from the information terminal 30 via the communication unit 13, it stops the measurement of the pulse by the pulse sensor 15 based on the received measurement stop signal. In this way, if both the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 are removed from the user's body, the measurement of the pulse in both the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 is stopped.

[0066] The second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Specifically, the information terminal 30 can measure pulse rate, etc., on one device and stop measuring pulse rate, etc., on the other device based on the remaining power and measurement status, including attachment / detachment, of the ring device 10 and electronic watch 20, which have common measurement functions. This avoids the same pulse rate, etc., being measured on both devices. As a result, the power efficiency of both the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20 can be improved. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, based on the attachment / detachment status of the ring device 10 and the electronic watch 20, pulse rate, etc., is measured on the device attached to the body, and measurement of pulse rate, etc., is stopped on the device removed from the body. This allows pulse rate, etc., to be measured using the other device even if one device is charging, thus eliminating data loss that occurs when the device is not attached, and enabling the management of biometric information for a certain period of time.

[0067] Although preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to these examples. Furthermore, various modifications and improvements naturally fall within the technical scope of this disclosure, within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims for those skilled in the art.

[0068] In the embodiment described above, the switching control of the device used to measure pulse rate, etc., was performed based on the remaining power supply as the measurement state of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20, but it is not limited to this. For example, the switching control of the device used to measure pulse rate, etc., may be performed based on the power capacity of the power supply unit 14 of the ring device 10 and the power supply unit 25 of the electronic clock 20 as the measurement state of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20. In this case, the CPU 21a of the electronic clock 20 obtains the power capacity value from the power supply unit 14 of the ring device 10 and the power capacity value from its own power supply unit 25. Subsequently, the CPU 21a determines whether its own power capacity value is equal to or greater than the power capacity value of the ring device 10, selects the device with the larger power capacity value as the device to measure pulse rate, etc., and controls the other device to stop measuring pulse rate, etc. Note that the above-described device switching control may be performed by the CPU 11a of the ring device 10 or by the CPU 31a of the information terminal 30. Furthermore, in the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 and 7 above, the processing based on the power capacity values ​​of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 may be combined with the processing of the remaining power of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20.

[0069] In the embodiments described above, the measurement function for measuring pulse rate was described as a common measurement function of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20, but it is not limited to this. For example, the common measurement function of the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20 may be a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, a step counting function, etc. Also, in the embodiments described above, device switching control according to the measurement state was performed between the ring device 10 and the electronic clock 20, but it is not limited to this. For example, if an information terminal 30 such as a smartphone has a pulse rate measurement function, a GPS function, and a step counting function, device switching control according to the measurement state may be performed between the information terminal 30 and the electronic clock 20, or between the information terminal 30 and the ring device 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1A, 1B Measurement system, 10 Ring device (ring equipment), 11a, 21a, 31a CPU (processor), 14 Power supply unit (first power supply unit), 20 Electronic clock (measuring instrument), 25 Power supply unit (second power supply unit), 30 Information terminal

Claims

1. A ring device having a predetermined measurement function, A measuring device having the same measuring function as the aforementioned ring device, A measurement system including at least one processor, The processor selects the instrument to be used for the measurement based on the measurement status of the ring instrument and the measuring instrument. The selected device performs the measurement and outputs measurement stop information to the other device to stop the measurement. Measurement system.

2. The processor selects one of the devices to be used for the measurement based on attachment / detachment information indicating whether the ring device and the measuring device are attached to the body, as the measurement state. The measurement system according to claim 1.

3. The ring device includes a first power supply unit, The measuring instrument includes a second power supply unit, The processor selects one of the devices to be used for the measurement based on the remaining power of the first power supply unit of the ring device and the remaining power of the second power supply unit of the measuring device, as the measurement state. The measurement system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The ring device includes a first power supply unit, The measuring instrument includes a second power supply unit, The processor selects one of the devices to be used for the measurement based on the power capacity of the first power supply unit of the ring device and the power capacity of the second power supply unit of the measuring device, as the measurement state. The measurement system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A measuring device that can wirelessly communicate with a ring device having a predetermined measuring function, A sensor having the same measurement function as the ring device, A processor that selects one of the devices to be used for the measurement based on the measurement status of the ring device and the measuring device, The processor, when it selects the measuring instrument as the instrument to be used for the measurement, performs the measurement using its own sensor and outputs measurement stop information to the ring instrument to stop the measurement. Measuring equipment.

6. A ring device that can wirelessly communicate with a measuring instrument having a predetermined measurement function, A sensor having the same measurement function as the aforementioned measuring instrument, The system includes, when the ring device is selected as the device used for the measurement, a processor that performs the measurement using its own sensor and outputs measurement stop information to the measuring device to stop the measurement, Ring equipment.

7. A ring device and a measuring device having common measurement functions, comprising a processor and a communication unit, and an information terminal that can wirelessly communicate with the measuring device via the communication unit, The aforementioned processor, Based on the measurement status of the ring device and the measuring device, one of the devices to be used for the measurement is selected, and the measurement is controlled to be performed using the selected device. The communication unit transmits measurement stop information to the other, unselected device to stop the measurement. Information terminal.

8. A ring device having a predetermined measurement function is capable of wireless communication with the computer of the measuring device having the same measurement function as the ring device, Based on the measurement status of the ring device and the measuring device, the device to be used for the measurement is selected. When the measuring instrument is selected as the instrument used for the measurement, the ring instrument is instructed to output measurement stop information to stop the measurement. program.

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