Information processing programs, management programs, and systems

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing program, a management program, and a system that enable accurate temperature measurement with minimal memory usage. [Solution] A system comprising a temperature measuring device including a temperature sensor, an information terminal capable of wireless communication with the temperature measuring device, and a management device connectable from the information terminal via a network, wherein the information terminal acquires measurement data measured by the temperature sensor and a first identification information of the temperature measuring device from the temperature measuring device, requests the management device to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information, acquires the calibration data transmitted from the management device in response to the request, calibrates the measurement data based on the calibration data to derive temperature information of the object being measured by the temperature measuring device, and when the management device receives a request from the information terminal to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information, reads the calibration data from its storage unit and transmits it to the information terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing program, a management program, and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an assembly including an electronic temperature sensor and a mobile device. In the assembly, the temperature sensor and the mobile device are connected by a one-way data link, and the raw initial temperature value of the temperature sensor is transmitted to the mobile device. The mobile device determines a calibration parameter and corrects the raw initial temperature value received from the temperature sensor using the calibration parameter.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a system including a contact and a main body device, which can be connected by wire or wirelessly. When the main body device receives a "temperature detection signal" from two temperature sensors provided on the contact, it calculates the detected temperatures of each temperature sensor as the first detected temperature and the second detected temperature by an internal temperature calculation program, and calculates the internal temperature (deep temperature) of the object to be measured using both of these and a heat balance correlation coefficient determined in advance by an initial calibration process, and displays it on a display unit.

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes a thermometer including a thermometer, a thermometer holding part, and a temperature sensor, where the thermometer holding part and the temperature sensor are disposable. The thermometer and a terminal are configured to be communicable, and the terminal stores a plurality of types of resistance-temperature conversion tables showing the relationship between the original resistance value and the actual temperature created in advance according to the individual differences of the temperature sensors. When the terminal receives information specifying the resistance-temperature conversion table corresponding to the original resistance value of the temperature sensor from the thermometer, it calculates the actual temperature based on the resistance-temperature conversion table.

[0005] Patent Document 4 describes a body temperature measurement system comprising a thermometer, a smartphone, and a cloud server. When the smartphone receives measurement data including the thermometer ID from the thermometer, it determines whether the thermometer ID is correct or incorrect. If it is incorrect, it warns the person being measured that the correct thermometer is not being used. If it receives measurement data including the correct thermometer ID, it generates measurement result data by adding time data indicating the measurement time to the measurement data received from the thermometer and sends it to the cloud server. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-173753 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-061232 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-177341 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-153502 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In a system where the temperature sensor and the device that calibrates the temperature sensor's measurements are separate, there are countless combinations of temperature sensors and devices. Since individual temperature sensors can have variations, calibration data must be prepared for each temperature sensor. Storing such a vast amount of data in the device puts a strain on its memory capacity. Furthermore, if temperature sensors are designed for single use, the calibration data for used sensors remains in the device, further straining its memory capacity. Creating calibration data as described in Patent Document 1 places a significant burden on the user.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an information processing program, a management program, and a system that can perform accurate temperature measurement with minimal memory usage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This specification contains at least the following information. The components and other details described in parentheses in the embodiments described later are, but are not limited thereto.

[0010] (1) The processor (controller 134) of an information terminal (information terminal 120) that is capable of wireless communication with a temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device 110) including a temperature sensor (temperature sensor 111), and is also capable of connecting to a management device (management device 140) via a network (network 150), The measurement data measured by the above temperature sensor and the first identification information (device IDx) of the above temperature measuring device are obtained from the above temperature measuring device (step S13a). Step S14 requests the management device to transmit calibration data corresponding to the above first identification information, and acquires the calibration data transmitted from the management device in response to the request (Step S17a). An information processing program (body temperature measurement application software) that performs the process of calibrating the above measurement data based on the above calibration data to derive the temperature information of the object being measured by the above temperature measuring device (step S18).

[0011] (2) (1) The information processing program described above, The processor of the above-mentioned information terminal is instructed to perform a process (step S14) to transmit the second identification information (terminal ID or user ID) of the information terminal or the user of the information terminal to the above-mentioned management device. The above management device has an information processing program that stores the calibration data transmitted in response to the above request and the second identification information received from the information terminal that made the above request in association with each other (step S16).

[0012] (3) (2) The information processing program described above, The processor of the above information terminal, An information processing program that, when a request for transmission of calibration data is made to the management device from the information terminal (information terminal B) identified by a different identification information (terminal IDb) than the second identification information (terminal IDa) stored in association with the calibration data, causes the management device to execute a process (steps S32a, S33) to obtain information regarding the availability of the temperature measuring device, identified by the first identification information corresponding to the calibration data, transmitted from the management device, and output that information.

[0013] (4) An information processing program described in any one of (1) to (3), The processor of the above information terminal, The system determines whether the number of uses of the temperature measuring device has reached its upper limit, and if it determines that the number of uses has reached its upper limit, it executes a process (steps S41 and S42) to transmit information including the first identification information of the temperature measuring device to the management device. The above-mentioned management device is an information processing program that performs a process (step S44) to disable the calibration data corresponding to the first identification information included in the above-mentioned information.

[0014] (5) An information processing program described in any one of (1) to (4), The above-mentioned temperature measuring device detects a physical quantity (electrical resistance or magnetism) correlated with the temperature of the object being measured, with at least the temperature sensor attached to the object being measured, and the information processing program is limited to one use.

[0015] (6) A program (management application software) that causes a processor (controller 141) of a management device (management device 140) connectable via a network (network 150) to an information terminal (information terminal 120) capable of wireless communication with a temperature measurement device (temperature measurement device 110) including a temperature sensor (temperature sensor 111) to execute a process. The information terminal acquires measurement data measured by the temperature sensor and first identification information of the temperature measurement device from the temperature measurement device, requests the management device to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information, acquires the calibration data transmitted from the management device in response to the request, calibrates the measurement data based on the calibration data, and derives temperature information of a measurement target of the temperature measurement device. The process is a management program including a process (steps S15 and S17) of reading calibration data corresponding to the first identification information from a storage unit (data storage unit 143) and transmitting it to the information terminal when receiving a request for transmission of the calibration data corresponding to the first identification information from the information terminal.

[0016] (7) The management program according to (6), A management program that causes a processor of the management device to execute a process (step S16) of associating and storing the calibration data transmitted in response to the request, and second identification information (terminal ID or user ID) of the information terminal or a user of the information terminal acquired from the information terminal that made the request.

[0017] (8) [[ID=十七]] The management program according to (7), A management program that causes a processor of the management device to transmit information regarding the availability of use of the temperature measurement device specified by the first identification information corresponding to the calibration data to the information terminal (information terminal B) when receiving a request for transmission of the calibration data from the information terminal (information terminal B) specified by identification information (terminal IDb) different from the second identification information (terminal IDa) stored in association with the calibration data.

[0018] (9) A management program described in any one of (6) to (8), A management program that, when it is determined that the number of uses of the temperature measuring device has reached its upper limit, receives information from the information terminal that includes the first identification information of the temperature measuring device, and causes the processor of the management device to execute a process (step S44) that disables the calibration data corresponding to the first identification information.

[0019] (10) A management program described in any one of (6) to (9), The above-mentioned temperature measuring device detects a physical quantity (electrical resistance or magnetism) correlated with the temperature of the object being measured, with at least the temperature sensor attached to the object being measured, and the management program has a set limit of one use.

[0020] (11) (10) The management program described above, A management program that causes the processor of the above-mentioned management device to execute a process (step S53) to disable the calibration data corresponding to the first identification information of the temperature measuring device if it has not received a request to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information of the temperature measuring device within a predetermined time from the time of manufacture of the temperature measuring device.

[0021] (12) A temperature measuring device (temperature measuring device 110) including a temperature sensor (temperature sensor 111), An information terminal (information terminal 120) capable of wireless communication with the above temperature measuring device, The system includes a management device (management device 140) that can be connected to from the above information terminal via a network (network 150), The above information terminal is The measurement data measured by the above temperature sensor and the first identification information of the above temperature measuring device are obtained from the above temperature measuring device (step S13a), Step S14 requests the management device to transmit calibration data corresponding to the above first identification information, and acquires the calibration data transmitted from the management device in response to the request (Step S17a). The above measurement data is calibrated based on the above calibration data to derive the temperature information of the object being measured by the temperature measuring device (step S18). The above-mentioned management device, upon receiving a request from the information terminal to transmit calibration data corresponding to the above-mentioned first identification information, reads the calibration data from the storage unit (data storage unit 143) and transmits it to the information terminal (steps S15, S17) (measurement system 100). [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, accurate temperature measurement can be performed with minimal memory usage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the measurement system 100. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the measurement system 100. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information terminal 120. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 140. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the measurement system 100 when information terminal A is used as information terminal 120 and temperature measuring device X is used as temperature measuring device 110. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the measurement system 100 when the temperature measuring device X is used for the second time. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing a modified example of the operation of the measurement system 100. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation of the control device 140. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments relating to one aspect of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0025] <Overview of the measurement system> The measurement system comprises a temperature measuring device including a temperature sensor, an information terminal capable of wireless communication with the temperature measuring device, and a management device that can be connected to from the information terminal via a network. The information terminal acquires measurement data measured by the temperature sensor of the temperature measuring device and a first identification information of the temperature measuring device from the temperature measuring device, and requests the management device to transmit calibration data corresponding to the acquired first identification information. In response to this request, the management device reads the calibration data corresponding to the first identification information from its storage unit and transmits it to the information terminal. The information terminal acquires the calibration data transmitted from the management device and calibrates the measurement data acquired from the temperature measuring device based on this calibration data, thereby determining the temperature of the object to be measured by the temperature measuring device.

[0026] According to this measurement system, even if the number of temperature measuring devices becomes enormous, calibration data corresponding to each temperature measuring device is acquired from the management device at the information terminal, and the measurement data measured by each temperature measuring device is calibrated using this calibration data. Therefore, it is not necessary to store calibration data corresponding to all temperature measuring devices in the information terminal, and the memory usage of the information terminal can be reduced. In addition, since the measurement data is calibrated using calibration data specific to each temperature measuring device, the temperature of the target can be measured with high accuracy. One embodiment of the measurement system will be described below.

[0027] <Embodiment of the measurement system> Figure 1 shows an example of a measurement system 100. As shown in Figure 1, the measurement system 100 includes a temperature measuring device 110, an information terminal 120, and a management device 140. The information terminal 120 and the management device 140 are connected to communicate via a network 150 such as the Internet. The temperature measuring device 110 and the information terminal 120 are configured to enable wireless communication.

[0028] The temperature measuring device 110 is an instrument that measures the temperature of an object to be measured while it is attached to that object. The temperature measuring device 110 is a device that can communicate wirelessly with the information terminal 120. The "object to be measured" is, for example, a human being. "Attached to the object to be measured" means that at least the temperature sensor provided on the temperature measuring device 110 is attached to the measurement area of ​​the object to be measured. The "measurement area" is, for example, the armpit.

[0029] The temperature measuring device 110 is configured, for example, as a tag. The temperature measuring device 110 may be formed in the shape of a disc, for example, with an adhesive applied to its surface, so that it can be attached to the area where the temperature is to be measured. The temperature measuring device 110 is configured to transmit measurement result information, which indicates the result of measuring the temperature of the object to be measured, to the information terminal 120 via wireless communication.

[0030] The temperature measuring device 110 is preferably thin and adhesive. From the viewpoint of guaranteeing the accuracy of temperature measurement, it is preferable that such a thin and adhesive temperature measuring device 110 is not attached to a measurement target and reused after being used once. This is because frequent replacement may cause changes in the performance of the communication antenna or the temperature sensor.

[0031] In the following description, the temperature measuring device 110 is assumed to have a maximum usage limit of one time. Limiting the usage limit of the temperature measuring device 110 to one time reduces manufacturing costs compared to manufacturing a device intended for repeated use with different measurement targets. The number of uses of the temperature measuring device 110 is counted as one time when the temperature measuring device 110 is attached to the measurement target, the temperature of the measurement target is measured at least once, and then the temperature measuring device 110 is removed from the measurement target.

[0032] The temperature measuring device 110 may be equipped with a battery, but considering that it is a single-use device, it is preferable from a manufacturing cost standpoint to be battery-less. "Battery-less" means that the temperature measuring device 110 does not have a battery and can operate using radio waves received from an external source (for example, an information terminal 120) as its power source. In the following explanation, the temperature measuring device 110 will be described as being battery-less.

[0033] The information terminal 120 is a terminal capable of wireless communication with the temperature measuring device 110. For example, the information terminal 120 may be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or wearable device.

[0034] "Wireless communication" could, for example, be RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), which uses radio waves to read and write information from the temperature measuring device 110 without contact. Alternatively, NFC (Near Field Communication), which is specialized for short-range communication and operates in a high-frequency band (13.56 MHz), could be used.

[0035] The information terminal 120 transmits a measurement instruction signal to the temperature measuring device 110 via wireless communication to initiate temperature measurement. The information terminal 120, for example, magnetically couples with the temperature measuring device 110 and supplies power to the temperature measuring device 110 by generating an induced electromotive force using radio waves. If the temperature measuring device 110 is equipped with a battery, the function of supplying power from the information terminal 120 to the temperature measuring device 110 is not essential. The information terminal 120 receives measurement result information obtained by the temperature measuring device 110 via wireless communication.

[0036] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the measurement system 100. As shown in Figure 2, the temperature measuring device 110 in the measurement system 100 includes a temperature sensor 111, an antenna 112, and a processing circuit 113. The temperature sensor 111, the antenna 112, and the processing circuit 113 are housed within a disc-shaped housing of the temperature measuring device 110.

[0037] The temperature sensor 111 can be any device capable of detecting a physical quantity correlated with temperature (e.g., electrical resistance or magnetism), and may consist of a thermistor or thermocouple, for example.

[0038] If the temperature sensor 111 is such that its electrical resistance changes with temperature, when the temperature measuring device 110 is attached, for example, to the armpit of the person being measured, heat is transferred from the surface of the housing, and the electrical resistance of the temperature sensor 111 changes in response to that heat. The temperature sensor 111 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to this electrical resistance to the processing circuit 113 as measurement data of the person being measured.

[0039] Antenna 112 is capable of wireless communication with antenna 121 of information terminal 120. Antenna 112 also functions as a power supply unit that supplies a predetermined voltage to the temperature sensor 111 and processing circuit 113 based on the power supplied from information terminal 120. Antenna 112 converts the AC voltage based on the radio waves received from information terminal 120 into a predetermined DC voltage and supplies it to the temperature sensor 111 and processing circuit 113.

[0040] The processing circuit 113 includes, for example, a communication circuit and a processor, and controls the overall operation of the temperature measuring device 110 and performs various processes. The processor of the processing circuit 113 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor, and its operation is defined by the built-in firmware.

[0041] The processor of the processing circuit 113 initiates temperature measurement at the measurement site using the temperature sensor 111, triggered by the reception of a measurement instruction signal via communication with the information terminal 120. The processor of the processing circuit 113 uses the electrical signal (analog signal) that correlates with the temperature of the measurement site output from the temperature sensor 111 as measurement data, and stores this measurement data in the memory unit provided in the processing circuit 113.

[0042] This memory unit stores the device ID (which constitutes the first identification information), which is the identification information of the temperature measuring device 110. The processor of the processing circuit 113 stores the measurement data in the memory unit in association with the device ID. The processor of the processing circuit 113 transmits the measurement data and device ID stored in the memory unit to the information terminal 120 via the antenna 112 as measurement result information indicating the result of the temperature measurement.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the information terminal 120 in the measurement system 100 includes an antenna 121 and a processing circuit 122.

[0044] Antenna 121 is capable of wireless communication with antenna 112 of temperature measuring device 110. Antenna 121 generates radio waves at a predetermined frequency (e.g., 13.56 MHz) and supplies power to antenna 112 of temperature measuring device 110 by magnetic coupling with it. Antenna 121 also transmits measurement instruction signals output from processing circuit 122 to temperature measuring device 110. Antenna 121 also receives measurement result information transmitted from temperature measuring device 110.

[0045] The processing circuit 122 derives the temperature information (so-called body temperature) of the person being measured based on the measurement result information received from the temperature measuring device 110, and outputs that temperature information. Outputting temperature information means confirming that temperature information as a measurement result, for example, by displaying the temperature information on the display unit of the information terminal 120, transmitting the temperature information to another device, or recording the temperature information in non-volatile memory.

[0046] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information terminal 120. In addition to the antenna 121 and processing circuit 122 described in Figure 2, the information terminal 120 includes an antenna 123, a display unit 124, an operation unit 125, and a data storage unit 126. The processing circuit 122 includes a second wireless communication circuit 131, a first wireless communication circuit 132, a RAM 133, and a controller 134.

[0047] The display unit 124 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays various information related to the measurement system 100. The operation unit 125 is a user interface that accepts user operations such as buttons and touch panels. The buttons include physical buttons provided on the information terminal 120 and virtual buttons displayed on the display unit 124.

[0048] The data storage unit 126 is a recording medium that stores parameters necessary to perform a predetermined process, information processing programs, and measurement result information received from the temperature measuring device 110. The data storage unit 126 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor storage device (SSD).

[0049] The second wireless communication circuit 131 of the processing circuit 122 is a communication circuit (module) for short-range wireless communication, such as a circuit for communication in accordance with the RFID standard. The second wireless communication circuit 131 transmits a measurement instruction signal to the temperature measuring device 110 and receives measurement result information from the temperature measuring device 110 by performing RFID communication with the temperature measuring device 110. In addition, when performing RFID communication with the temperature measuring device 110, the second wireless communication circuit 131 transmits radio waves to the temperature measuring device 110 to supply power. The second wireless communication circuit 131 continues to send radio waves to supply power to the temperature measuring device 110 from the time it transmits the measurement instruction signal until it receives the measurement result information.

[0050] The first wireless communication circuit 132 is a communication circuit that performs cellular communication, such as a circuit (module) for performing communication according to standards such as 4G, 5G, and LTE (Long Term Evolution: registered trademark). The first wireless communication circuit 132 is also a communication circuit that performs wireless LAN communication, such as a circuit (module) for performing communication according to standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0051] Antenna 121 is an antenna for RFID communication using the second wireless communication circuit 131. Antenna 123 is an antenna for cellular communication and wireless LAN communication using the first wireless communication circuit 132. The first wireless communication circuit 132 is connectable to the network 150, and the information terminal 120 can communicate with the management device 140 via the first wireless communication circuit 132.

[0052] RAM133 is composed of semiconductor devices such as DRAM or SRAM, and it temporarily stores information and also serves as the work area for controller 134.

[0053] The controller 134 is composed of a processor and performs predetermined processing by executing an information processing program. In this embodiment, for example, a body temperature measurement application software for the information terminal 120 is pre-installed as an information processing program in the data storage unit 126, and the controller 134 performs predetermined processing by executing this body temperature measurement application software.

[0054] For example, when the body temperature measurement application software is launched and the operation to start body temperature measurement is performed, the controller 134 controls the second wireless communication circuit 131 to send a measurement instruction signal to the temperature measuring device 110.

[0055] Furthermore, the controller 134 controls the second wireless communication circuit 131 to receive measurement result information transmitted from the temperature measuring device 110. Based on the received measurement result information, the controller 134 generates temperature information of the person being measured. The controller 134 stores the generated temperature information in the data storage unit 126. The controller 134 may also transmit the generated temperature information of the person being measured to another device (for example, an external server) via the first wireless communication circuit 132.

[0056] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the management device 140. The management device 140 includes a controller 141 that provides overall control, a communication circuit 142 which is a communication interface for connecting to the network 150, and a data storage unit 143.

[0057] The controller 141 is composed of a processor and performs predetermined processing by executing a management program. In this embodiment, a management application software for the management device 140 is pre-installed as a management program in the data storage unit 143, and the controller 141 performs predetermined processing by executing this management application software.

[0058] The data storage unit 143 is a recording medium that stores parameters, management programs, and various information received from the information terminal 120 necessary to perform a predetermined process. The data storage unit 143 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state storage device (SSD).

[0059] The data storage unit 143 stores the device ID and calibration data associated with each temperature measuring device 110 that can be manufactured. The calibration data corresponding to the device ID of any temperature measuring device 110 is experimentally generated using the temperature measuring device 110 identified by that device ID, and is data that shows the correlation between measurement data (e.g., electrical resistance value) when an object of known temperature is measured by the temperature measuring device 110 and that known temperature. By converting the electrical resistance value detected by the temperature sensor 111 of the temperature measuring device 110 into a temperature based on the calibration data generated for that temperature measuring device 110, it is possible to accurately derive temperature information of the measurement target area to which the temperature sensor 111 is attached.

[0060] <Operation of measurement system 100> Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the measurement system 100 when information terminal A is used as information terminal 120 and temperature measuring device X is used as temperature measuring device 110. Hereafter, the identification information of information terminal A (which constitutes the second identification information) will be referred to as terminal IDa, and the identification information of temperature measuring device X will be referred to as device IDx.

[0061] Each process of the information terminal 120 shown in Figure 5 is performed by the controller 134 executing the body temperature measurement application software. Each process of the management device 140 shown in Figure 5 is performed by the controller 141 executing the management application software.

[0062] First, in order to measure the body temperature of a person being measured using the measurement system 100, the temperature measuring device X is prepared by, for example, attaching it to the person's armpit. The person taking the measurement launches the body temperature measurement application software on the information terminal A at a location where RFID communication is possible with the temperature measuring device X on the person being measured, and performs the operation to start the body temperature measurement.

[0063] Based on the operation to initiate body temperature measurement, information terminal A transmits a measurement instruction signal to the temperature measuring device X to start temperature measurement (step S11). In addition, information terminal A transmits radio waves capable of supplying power to the temperature measuring device X in order to operate the temperature measuring device X.

[0064] The temperature measuring device X is activated by the supplied power and, based on the measurement instruction signal received from the information terminal A, measures a physical quantity (such as electrical resistance or magnetism) correlated with the body temperature of the person being measured and acquires measurement data (step S12). The temperature measuring device X transmits the measurement data acquired in step S12 and the identification information of the temperature measuring device X (device IDx) stored in the memory unit of the processing circuit 113 to the information terminal A as measurement result information (step S13).

[0065] When information terminal A acquires measurement result information from the temperature measuring device 110 (step S13a), it requests the management device 140 to transmit calibration data corresponding to the device IDx included in this measurement result information (step S14).

[0066] In step S14, information terminal A transmits, for example, a request command including device IDx and its identification information (terminal IDa) to the management device 140. Note that the request command and the identification information (terminal IDa) of information terminal A may be transmitted to the management device 140 at different times.

[0067] When the management device 140 receives the request in step S14, it reads calibration data corresponding to the device IDx from the data storage unit 143 (step S15) and transmits the calibration data to the information terminal A (step S17). The management device 140 also associates the identification information of the information terminal 120 (terminal IDa) transmitted from the information terminal A in step S14 with the calibration data corresponding to the device IDx stored in the data storage unit 143 and stores it (step S16).

[0068] In step S17, information terminal A acquires calibration data transmitted from the management device 140 (step S17a), associates it with device IDx, and stores it in the data storage unit 126. Then, in step S13, information terminal A calibrates the measurement data acquired from the temperature measuring device X based on this calibration data to derive temperature information (step S18), outputs the temperature information (step S19), and completes the measurement process for the person being measured.

[0069] The temperature information output in step S19 is obtained by calibrating the measurement data based on calibration data generated for the temperature measuring device X attached to the person being measured. Therefore, accurate temperature information can be obtained regardless of individual differences in the temperature measuring device 110.

[0070] After the above process, if the person wishing to measure the subject's body temperature again using the temperature measuring device X, the person performing the measurement should launch the body temperature measurement application software on information terminal A at a location where RFID communication is possible with the subject's temperature measuring device X, and perform the body temperature measurement start operation again.

[0071] Based on this operation to initiate body temperature measurement, information terminal A transmits a measurement instruction signal to the temperature measuring device X to start temperature measurement (step S20). In addition, information terminal A transmits radio waves capable of supplying power to the temperature measuring device X in order to operate the temperature measuring device X.

[0072] The temperature measuring device X is activated by the supplied power and, based on the measurement instruction signal received from the information terminal A, measures a physical quantity correlated with the body temperature of the person being measured and acquires measurement data (step S21). The temperature measuring device X transmits the measurement data acquired in step S21 and the identification information of the temperature measuring device X (device IDx) stored in the memory unit of the processing circuit 113 to the information terminal A as measurement result information (step S22).

[0073] The data storage unit 126 of information terminal A already stores calibration data corresponding to the device IDx included in the measurement result information received from the temperature measuring device 110. In this case, after step S22, without accessing the management device 140, information terminal A calibrates the measurement data acquired in step S22 based on the calibration data corresponding to the device IDx stored in the data storage unit 126 to derive temperature information (step S23), outputs that temperature information (step S24), and completes the measurement operation.

[0074] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the measurement system 100 when the temperature measuring device X is used for the second time. Here, we will explain an example in which, after the process shown in Figure 5 is performed, the temperature measuring device X is attached to another person being measured, and a different information terminal B is used as the information terminal 120 to measure the body temperature of that other person using the temperature measuring device X.

[0075] The process from step S11 to step S14 is the same as in Figure 5. That is, in step S11, when information terminal B transmits a measurement instruction signal to temperature measuring device X, temperature measuring device X acquires measurement data in step S12 and transmits device IDx and its measurement data to information terminal B in step S13. Information terminal B has not yet acquired the calibration data corresponding to device IDx received from temperature measuring device X. Therefore, in step S14, information terminal B requests the management device 140 to transmit the calibration data corresponding to device IDx. Also in step S14, information terminal B transmits its identification information (let's call it terminal IDb) to the management device 140.

[0076] Upon receiving the request in step S14, the management device 140 determines whether the identification information of another information terminal 120 is associated with the device IDx received from information terminal B. Here, as explained in Figure 5, terminal IDa is associated with and stored for device IDx by the process in step S16. In this case, if terminal IDa of an information terminal A different from information terminal B that made the request to transmit calibration data corresponding to device IDx is associated with and stored for device IDx, it can be determined that the request to transmit calibration data was made from an information terminal B different from the information terminal A used when the temperature measuring device X was used for the first time. In such a case, the management device 140 determines that the number of times the temperature measuring device X has been used has exceeded one, that is, the upper limit of the number of uses has been exceeded (step S31).

[0077] The management device 140 then transmits information regarding the availability of the temperature measuring device X, identified by device IDx (hereinafter referred to as availability information), to the information terminal B (step S32). The availability information for the temperature measuring device X is, for example, information to notify that the device is unusable because the number of uses has exceeded the limit.

[0078] Information terminal B acquires this availability information (step S32a) and outputs this availability information (step S33). The availability information is output, for example, by displaying an image or text based on the availability information on the display unit 124, or by outputting the text as sound from the speaker.

[0079] For example, consider a scenario where a parent with a child uses information terminal A and temperature measuring device X. In this case, the parent attaches the temperature measuring device X to their child and performs the operation to measure the child's body temperature. Since calibration data corresponding to the temperature measuring device X is available for this measurement operation, the child's body temperature can be measured accurately. Now, consider a scenario where that parent then transfers the temperature measuring device X to another parent. In this case, it is assumed that the other parent attaches the temperature measuring device X to their own child and performs the operation to measure the body temperature using their own information terminal B. However, in this case, the calibration data corresponding to the temperature measuring device X is not transmitted to information terminal B, and that calibration data becomes unusable. Therefore, the temperature of the other parent's child cannot be measured. In this way, by fixing the combination of the temperature measuring device 110 and the information terminal 120 used with it to a single combination, it is possible to prevent the temperature measuring device 110 from being reused.

[0080] In step S14 of Figures 5 and 6, the information terminal 120 transmits its identification information (terminal ID) to the management device 140. However, instead of this identification information, the user identification information of the information terminal 120 may be transmitted. The user identification information of the information terminal 120 is, for example, the user ID (login ID) registered by the user if the body temperature measurement application software requires prior user registration (login). In this case, even if the parent of a child to whom the temperature measuring device X is attached uses an information terminal C separate from information terminal A to measure the child's body temperature, calibration data corresponding to the temperature measuring device X is transmitted from the management device 140 to information terminal C. Therefore, even if the same user uses multiple information terminals 120, it is possible to measure body temperature using the temperature measuring device X using each information terminal 120.

[0081] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing a modified operation of the measurement system 100. In Figure 7, the processes from step S11 to step S19 are the same as in Figure 5. After step S19, the information terminal A determines whether the number of uses of the temperature measuring device X has reached its upper limit.

[0082] For example, when a user of information terminal A finishes using the temperature measuring device X and removes it from the person being measured, the body temperature measurement application software will perform a "used" operation, and information indicating that the device has been used once will be entered into information terminal A. Information terminal A can then determine the number of times the temperature measuring device X has been used based on whether or not this information has been entered.

[0083] Alternatively, information terminal A may determine that the temperature measuring device X has been used once when the elapsed time since the first receipt of measurement result information including device IDx reaches a predetermined value (for example, one week or one month).

[0084] Alternatively, information terminal A may determine that the temperature measuring device X has been used only once if the measurement data included in the measurement result information, including device IDx, differs significantly from the measurement data included in the measurement result information initially obtained from the temperature measuring device X (for example, if the data corresponds to a temperature far removed from body temperature).

[0085] If information terminal A determines, by these methods, that the number of uses of temperature measuring device X has reached its limit (step S41), it transmits information indicating that the number of uses of temperature measuring device X has reached its limit (for example, including the device IDx of temperature measuring device X) to the management device 140 (step S42). In addition, information terminal A deletes the calibration data corresponding to the device IDx that was stored in the data storage unit 126 from the data storage unit 126 (step S43).

[0086] Upon receiving the information transmitted in step S42, the management device 140 executes a process to disable the calibration data corresponding to the device IDx contained in this information (step S44). The process to disable the calibration data includes, for example, assigning a discard flag to the calibration data to be processed stored in the data storage unit 143 and storing it, or deleting the data itself.

[0087] Subsequently, for calibration data associated with a discard flag, or calibration data that has been deleted, the management device 140 sends availability information to the information terminal 120 that sent the request, indicating that the calibration data is unavailable. This prevents the reuse of the temperature measuring device X, as temperature information will no longer be generated at the information terminal 120 when the temperature measuring device X is to be used again after being used once.

[0088] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a modified operation of the management device 140. In this modified example, it is assumed that the data storage unit 143 stores information about the manufacturing date (e.g., manufacturing date and time) of each temperature measuring device 110 in association with the device ID of each temperature measuring device 110 that may be manufactured. While the management application software is running, the management device 140 periodically performs the processes from steps S51 to S53 shown in Figure 8.

[0089] First, the management device 140 determines in the data storage unit 143 whether there are any device IDs whose elapsed time from the corresponding manufacturing date and time exceeds a predetermined time (step S51). The predetermined time is set to, for example, the upper limit period (e.g., one year) that allows for stable attachment of the temperature measuring device 110 to the object to be measured.

[0090] If the management device 140 determines in the data storage unit 143 that there is a device ID whose elapsed time from the corresponding manufacturing date and time exceeds a predetermined time (step S51: YES), it determines whether a request for transmission of calibration data corresponding to that device ID has been made at least once (step S52).

[0091] If the temperature measuring device 110 identified by this device ID has never been used, the determination in step S52 is YES. On the other hand, if the temperature measuring device 110 identified by this device ID has been used at least once, the determination in step S52 is NO.

[0092] If the determination in step S52 is NO, the process is terminated. If the determination in step S52 is YES, the management device 140 executes a process to disable the calibration data corresponding to the device ID (step S53). This process is the same as the process described in step S44 of Figure 7.

[0093] After performing the process in step S53, the management device 140, in the case of calibration data that has been made unavailable, sends availability information to the information terminal 120 that sent the request, indicating that the calibration data is unavailable, if a request for transmission of the calibration data is made from the information terminal 120.

[0094] This prevents temperature measurements from being taken by a temperature measuring device 110 that has not been used for a long period of time and may not have been properly attached to the object being measured, thereby ensuring the accuracy of temperature measurements by the temperature measuring device 110.

[0095] The management device 140 may also send information to the information terminal 120 that requested the calibration data and made it unusable in step S53, informing it that the temperature measuring device 110 has exceeded its expiration date and is therefore unusable. This allows the user of the information terminal 120 to understand why the temperature measuring device 110 has become unusable and to take the necessary action.

[0096] The management device 140 may disable calibration data if a user of the information terminal 120 requests that the calibration data be disabled.

[0097] For example, if the information terminal 120 has not acquired the device ID (e.g., device IDx) from the temperature measuring device 110 for a certain period of time, it will notify the user whether or not to disable the calibration data corresponding to device IDx. If the user agrees to disable the data in response to this notification, the information terminal 120 will send a request to the management device 140 to disable the calibration data corresponding to device IDx. The management device 140 will then process the data to disable the calibration data in response to this request.

[0098] Furthermore, if the information terminal 120 obtains a device ID (e.g., device IDx) from another temperature measuring device 110 within the aforementioned period after first obtaining the device ID from the temperature measuring device 110, it notifies the user whether or not to disable the calibration data corresponding to device IDx. If the user agrees to disable the data in response to this notification, the information terminal 120 requests the management device 140 to disable the calibration data corresponding to device IDx. The management device 140 then processes the data to disable the calibration data in response to this request.

[0099] In each example, the information terminal 120 should also notify the user that disabling the calibration data will render the temperature measuring device 110, which corresponds to that calibration data, unusable.

[0100] The processing of the information terminal 120 and the management device 140 described in the above-mentioned embodiment can be realized by executing a pre-prepared program on a computer. This program is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium and executed when read from the storage medium. This program may also be provided in the form of a non-transient storage medium such as flash memory, or it may be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0101] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative in all respects of the present invention. Various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 100 Measurement Systems 110 Temperature measuring device 111 Temperature sensor 112,121,123 Antennas 113,122 Processing Circuits 120 Information Terminals 124 Display section 125 Operation section 126,143 Data storage unit 140 Management device 131 Second Wireless Communication Circuit 132 First Wireless Communication Circuit 133 RAM 134,141 controllers 142 Communication Circuit 150 Networks

Claims

1. A processor in an information terminal that can communicate wirelessly with a temperature measuring device including a temperature sensor, and can connect to a management device via a network, The measurement data measured by the temperature sensor and the first identification information of the temperature measuring device are obtained from the temperature measuring device. The system requests the management device to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information, and acquires the calibration data transmitted from the management device in response to the request. An information processing program that performs a process to calibrate the measurement data based on the calibration data and derive temperature information of the object being measured by the temperature measuring device.

2. An information processing program according to claim 1, The processor of the information terminal is instructed to perform a process to transmit the second identification information of the information terminal or the user of the information terminal to the management device. The management device has an information processing program that stores the calibration data transmitted in response to the request and the second identification information received from the information terminal that made the request, in association with each other.

3. An information processing program according to claim 2, The processor of the aforementioned information terminal, An information processing program that, when a request for transmission of calibration data is made to the management device from the information terminal identified by identification information different from the second identification information stored in association with the calibration data, retrieves information regarding the availability of the temperature measuring device, identified by the first identification information corresponding to the calibration data, transmitted from the management device, and performs a process to output said information.

4. An information processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The processor of the aforementioned information terminal, The system determines whether the number of uses of the temperature measuring device has reached its upper limit, and if it determines that the number of uses has reached its upper limit, it executes a process to transmit information including the first identification information of the temperature measuring device to the management device. The management device includes an information processing program that performs a process to disable calibration data corresponding to the first identification information contained in the information.

5. An information processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The temperature measuring device detects a physical quantity correlated with the temperature of the object being measured, with at least the temperature sensor attached to the object being measured, and the information processing program has a set upper limit of one use.

6. This program causes a processor in a management device, which can be connected via a network to an information terminal capable of wireless communication with a temperature measuring device including a temperature sensor, to execute processing. The information terminal acquires measurement data measured by the temperature sensor and a first identification information of the temperature measuring device from the temperature measuring device, requests the management device to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information, acquires the calibration data transmitted from the management device in response to the request, calibrates the measurement data based on the calibration data, and derives the temperature information of the object being measured by the temperature measuring device. The process described above is a management program that, upon receiving a request from the information terminal to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information, reads the calibration data from the storage unit and transmits it to the information terminal.

7. The control L according to claim 6, A management program that causes the processor of the management device to perform a process of associating and storing the calibration data transmitted in response to the request with the second identification information of the information terminal or the user of the information terminal obtained from the information terminal that made the request.

8. A management program according to claim 7, A management program that causes the processor of the management device to execute a process to transmit to the information terminal, when it receives a request for transmission of the calibration data from the information terminal identified by identification information different from the second identification information stored in association with the calibration data, information regarding whether the temperature measuring device can be used, identified by the first identification information corresponding to the calibration data.

9. A management program according to any one of claims 6 to 8, A management program that causes the processor of the management device to execute a process to disable the calibration data corresponding to the first identification information when it receives information including the first identification information of the temperature measuring device, which is transmitted from the information terminal when it is determined that the number of uses of the temperature measuring device has reached its upper limit.

10. A management program according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The temperature measuring device detects a physical quantity correlated with the temperature of the object being measured, with at least the temperature sensor attached to the object being measured, and the management program has a set upper limit of one use.

11. A management program according to claim 10, A management program that causes the processor of the management device to execute a process to disable the calibration data corresponding to the first identification information of the temperature measuring device if it has not received a request to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information of the temperature measuring device within a predetermined time from the time of manufacture of the temperature measuring device.

12. A temperature measuring device including a temperature sensor, An information terminal capable of wireless communication with the temperature measuring device, The system includes a management device that can be connected to from the aforementioned information terminal via a network, The aforementioned information terminal is The measurement data measured by the temperature sensor and the first identification information of the temperature measuring device are obtained from the temperature measuring device. The system requests the management device to transmit calibration data corresponding to the first identification information, and acquires the calibration data transmitted from the management device in response to the request. The measurement data is calibrated based on the calibration data to derive the temperature information of the object being measured by the temperature measuring device. The management device is a system that, upon receiving a request from the information terminal for the transmission of calibration data corresponding to the first identification information, reads the calibration data from the storage unit and transmits it to the information terminal.

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