Measuring device and control program

The measuring device with a control unit and identifier management system facilitates simultaneous data transfer to multiple applications on a single terminal, addressing connection competition and ensuring efficient communication.

JP7845131B2Active Publication Date: 2026-04-14OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD
Filing Date
2022-09-16
Publication Date
2026-04-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wearable devices with short-range wireless communication modules like Bluetooth or BLE face issues when multiple applications on a single information terminal compete to connect, resulting in only the first application acquiring data, while others are left out.

Method used

A measuring device equipped with a wireless communication unit, storage for identifiers, and a control unit that alternates between different identifiers for each application, enabling simultaneous data transfer to multiple applications using a common wireless communication unit.

Benefits of technology

Ensures reliable and efficient data transfer to multiple applications on a single information terminal, preventing competition for connection and allowing seamless communication regardless of application timing, even when different protocols are used.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a measuring device and a control program capable of data transfer to and from a plurality of applications in one information terminal.SOLUTION: A data storage unit 17 of a measuring device 1 has stored a first identifier to identify the measuring device 1 in wireless communication by a wireless communication unit 14 and a second identifier to identify the measuring device 1 in wireless communication by the wireless communication unit 14. A controller 18 of the measuring device 1 performs first control to cause the wireless communication unit 14 to perform wireless communication with a first application using the first identifier. The controller 18 also performs second control to cause the wireless communication unit 14 to perform wireless communication with a second application using the second identifier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, vital data measured by a wearable device such as a wristwatch-type device is transmitted to an electronic terminal such as a smartphone or a personal computer using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the electronic terminal that has received the vital data transmits the vital data to a server via an Internet line. A data collection method is known (Patent Document 1). As a short-range wireless communication method, in addition to Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)) having a low power consumption communication mode is also known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, there has been a need to manage data measured by a measuring device such as a sphygmomanometer equipped with a short-range wireless communication module such as Bluetooth or BLE using a plurality of applications installed on one information terminal. At this time, when data cannot be shared between a plurality of applications, each of the plurality of applications needs to acquire data from the measuring device. However, when the measuring device starts advertising for short-range wireless communication, a plurality of applications start the connection operation at the same time, but only the application that can be connected first can acquire data, and other applications may not be able to acquire data.

[0005] In one respect, this invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a measuring device and a control program that enable data transfer between multiple applications on a single information terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0007] (1) A measuring device capable of wireless communication with information terminals on which the first application and the second application are installed, The wireless communication unit that performs the aforementioned wireless communication, A storage unit that stores a first identifier for identifying the measuring device in the aforementioned wireless communication, and a second identifier for identifying the measuring device in the aforementioned wireless communication, A control unit that performs a first control that causes the wireless communication unit to perform the first application and the wireless communication using the first identifier, and a second control that causes the wireless communication unit to perform the second application and the wireless communication using the second identifier, A measuring device equipped with the following features.

[0008] According to (1), data can be transferred between a first application and a second application, both of which are installed on a single information terminal and communicate using a common wireless communication unit. Therefore, measurement data obtained through measurement can be transferred to both the first application and the second application.

[0009] (2) (1) The measuring device described above, The wireless communication unit has a storage area for storing identifiers, and performs the wireless communication using the identifiers stored in the storage area. The control unit executes the first control or the second control by storing the first identifier or the second identifier in the memory area. Measuring device.

[0010] According to (2), by storing a first identifier or a second identifier in the memory area that the wireless communication unit refers to when performing wireless communication, it becomes possible to perform wireless communication with a first application using the first identifier and wireless communication with a second application using the second identifier, without having to provide multiple wireless communication units to support multiple applications.

[0011] (3) (1) or (2) the measuring device, The first identifier is an identifier of the measuring device shared by the pairing between the measuring device and the first application, The second identifier is an identifier of the measuring device shared through pairing between the measuring device and the second application. Measuring device.

[0012] According to (3), by sharing a first identifier through pairing between the measuring device and the first application, and by sharing a second identifier through pairing between the measuring device and the second application, wireless communication becomes possible between the first application and the second application, respectively, using the first identifier and the second identifier.

[0013] (4) A measuring device according to any one of (1) to (3), The control unit alternately executes the first control and the second control. Measuring device.

[0014] According to (4), communication between the measuring device and the first application, and communication between the measuring device and the second application, can be reliably performed regardless of the timing at which the first and second applications become able to communicate.

[0015] (5) A measuring device according to any one of (1) to (4), The control unit transmits the measurement data obtained by the measurement of the measurement device to the first application by the first control and transmits the measurement data to the second application by the second control. Measurement device.

[0016] (5) According to this, the measurement data obtained by the same measurement can be transferred to each of the first application and the second application.

[0017] (6) The measurement device according to (5), When the control unit completes the transmission of the measurement data to the first application by the first control, the control unit executes the transmission of the measurement data to the second application by the second control. Measurement device.

[0018] (6) According to this, by starting the second control when the transmission of the measurement data to the first application is completed, when the second application is already in a communicable state, the communication between the measurement device and the second application can be quickly started.

[0019] (7) The measurement device according to (5) or (6), In the first control, the control unit causes the wireless communication unit to transmit the measurement data to the first application by a first protocol, and in the second control, the control unit causes the wireless communication unit to transmit the measurement data to the second application by a second protocol different from the first protocol. Measurement device. <00:00099> (7) According to this, data transfer can be performed between each of the first application and the second application that perform data transfer by different protocols.

[0021] (8) A control program for a measuring device that enables wireless communication between the first application and an information terminal on which the second application is installed, The measuring device comprises a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication, and a storage unit that stores a first identifier for identifying the measuring device in the wireless communication and a second identifier for identifying the measuring device in the wireless communication. The processor of the aforementioned measuring device The following are performed: a first control that causes the wireless communication unit to perform the first application and the wireless communication using the first identifier; and a second control that causes the wireless communication unit to perform the second application and the wireless communication using the second identifier. A control program for executing a process.

[0022] According to (8), data can be transferred between the first application and the second application, which are installed on a single information terminal and communicate using a common wireless communication unit. Therefore, measurement data obtained from the measurement can be transferred to both the first application and the second application. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a measuring device and a control program that enable data transfer between multiple applications on a single information terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0024] [Figure 1] This figure shows an information management system 10 of a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the measurement state when a user measures blood pressure values, etc., using blood pressure monitor 1A, which is an example of measuring device 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of network connectivity for information terminal 5. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of measuring device 1. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of information terminal 5. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the pairing process performed by the controller 18 of the measuring device 1. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram showing the pairing operation between the measuring device 1 and the first application of the information terminal 5. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram showing the pairing operation between the measuring device 1 and the second application of the information terminal 5. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of data transfer processing by the controller 18 of the measuring device 1. [Figure 10] This is a sequence diagram showing the advertising operation of measuring device 1. [Figure 11] This is a sequence diagram showing the data transfer operation between the measuring device 1 and the information terminal 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments relating to one aspect of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0026] §1 Examples of Application <Information management system 10 to which the present invention is applied> Figure 1 shows an information management system 10 of a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The information management system 10 includes a measuring device 1 and an information terminal 5.

[0027] The measuring device 1 includes a biometric information measuring device that measures biological information such as weight, body composition, blood pressure, pulse rate, heart rate, body temperature, blood glucose level, or blood oxygen saturation, and an activity level measuring device that measures activity levels such as steps taken, walking distance, or calories burned. The measuring device includes a measuring sensor for measuring the amount to be measured. Depending on the measuring device, the amount to be measured by the measuring sensor may include biological information such as weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure, pulse rate, heart rate, body temperature, blood glucose level, or blood oxygen saturation, or activity levels such as steps taken, distance traveled, or calories burned. The measuring device 1 is, for example, a non-wearable measuring device such as a weighing scale, body composition analyzer, blood pressure monitor, thermometer, or blood glucose meter, or a wearable measuring device such as a pedometer or activity tracker. A non-wearable measuring device is a measuring device that is not wearable, for example, a measuring device used when placed on the ground or a table. A wearable measuring device is a measuring device that is carried by being attached to the user's body. The measuring device 1 transmits the measured biological information and activity levels to the information terminal 5 via wireless communication as user measurement data.

[0028] The information terminal 5 stores the measurement data received from the measuring device 1 in its internal data storage unit. The information terminal 5 is also capable of wireless communication with devices other than the measuring device 1, and stores information acquired from external devices in its internal data storage unit. The information terminal 5 is, for example, a device with a display, such as a smartphone, tablet, wearable device, laptop computer, or desktop computer. The information terminal 5 may be configured to acquire measurement data from a specific measuring device 1. The specific measuring device 1 from which to acquire measurement data may be pre-registered in the data storage unit of the information terminal 5.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the measurement state when a user measures blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor 1A, which is an example of a measuring device 1. The blood pressure monitor 1A measures the user's blood pressure, outputs the measurement result to the user as a numerical value, and transmits the measurement result to the information terminal 5 via wireless communication as the user's measurement data.

[0030] For example, blood pressure monitor 1A comprises a main unit 21, a cuff 22 that can be wrapped around the user's upper arm, and an air tube 23 connecting the main unit 21 and the cuff 22. In the example shown in Figure 2, the cuff 22 and the main unit 21 are separate components, but the cuff 22 may be integrated with the main unit 21.

[0031] The main unit 21 comprises an operation unit 21a and a display 21b. The main unit 21 measures the user's blood pressure using a cuff 22, for example, by an oscillometric method, in response to user input on the operation unit 21a. The main unit 21 then displays the measured blood pressure value and information such as pulse rate based on the measured blood pressure value as measurement data on the display 21b. The main unit 21 also transmits this measurement data to the information terminal 5 via short-range wireless communication.

[0032] Figure 3 shows an example of network connectivity for the information terminal 5. As shown in Figure 3, the information terminal 5 may be connected to the cloud server 90 via a wide-area network N such as the Internet. The information terminal 5 may transmit the measurement data received from the measuring device 1 to the cloud server 90 via the wide-area network N, and the cloud server 90 may manage the user's measurement data as a database. Alternatively, the information terminal 5 may acquire the measurement data managed by the cloud server 90 via the wide-area network N and utilize the acquired measurement data.

[0033] §2 Example Configuration <Configuration of measuring device 1> Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the measuring device 1. The measuring device 1 includes a display unit 11 for displaying various information, an operation unit 12 for user operation, a measuring unit 13 for measuring biological information, activity levels, etc., and a wireless communication unit 14 for communicating with external devices. The measuring device 1 also includes a RAM 16 for temporarily storing information, a data storage unit 17 for storing information and programs, and a controller 18 for controlling the overall operation. The controller 18 is an example of the "control unit" and "processor" of the present invention.

[0034] The display unit 11 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The operation unit 12 is a user interface that accepts user operations such as buttons and touch panels. The buttons include physical buttons provided on the measuring device 1 and virtual buttons displayed on the display unit 11. If the measuring device 1 is a blood pressure monitor 1A, the display unit 11 corresponds to, for example, a display 21b.

[0035] The measurement unit 13 measures biological information such as weight, body composition, blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, body temperature, blood glucose, and blood oxygen saturation, as well as activity levels such as steps taken, walking distance, and calories burned. What is measured varies depending on the measurement target of the measurement device 1. If the measurement device 1 is a blood pressure monitor 1A, the measurement unit 13 corresponds, for example, to the cuff 22 and air tube 23.

[0036] The wireless communication unit 14 is a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication using the antenna (not shown) provided by the measuring device 1, for example, a BLE microcontroller for performing BLE communication in accordance with the BLE standard. The BLE communication performed by the wireless communication unit 14 is, for example, communication using the 2.4GHz frequency. The wireless communication unit 14 operates, for example, as a peripheral in BLE communication.

[0037] For example, the wireless communication unit 14, acting as a peripheral, transmits an advertisement signal via broadcast communication to an unspecified number of external devices for other communication devices (e.g., information terminal 5) to perform BLE communication with the wireless communication unit 14 as a central device.

[0038] Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 14 has a BDA storage area 14a. The BDA storage area 14a stores the BDA (Bluetooth Device Address), which is an identifier used to identify the wireless communication unit 14 (measuring device 1) in BLE communication. The wireless communication unit 14 performs BLE communication using the BDA stored in the BDA storage area 14a. The BDA stored in the BDA storage area 14a can be rewritten by the controller 18.

[0039] RAM16 is composed of semiconductor devices such as DRAM or SRAM, and it temporarily stores information and also serves as the work area for the controller 18.

[0040] The data storage unit 17 is a recording medium that stores parameters, control programs, and measurement data necessary to perform a predetermined process. The data storage unit 17 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state storage device (SSD).

[0041] The controller 18 performs predetermined processing by executing a control program. In this embodiment, for example, health management application software for the measuring device is pre-installed as a control program in the data storage unit 17, and the controller 18 performs predetermined processing by executing this health management application software.

[0042] <Configuration of Information Terminal 5> Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal 5. The information terminal 5 includes a display unit 51 for displaying various information, an operation unit 52 for user operation, and a first wireless communication unit 53 and a second wireless communication unit 54 for communicating with external devices. The information terminal 5 also includes a RAM 55 for temporarily storing information, a data storage unit 56 for storing information and programs, and a controller 57 for controlling the overall operation.

[0043] The display unit 51 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The operation unit 52 is a user interface that accepts user operations such as buttons and touch panels. The buttons include physical buttons provided on the information terminal 5 and virtual buttons displayed on the display unit 51.

[0044] The first wireless communication unit 53 is a communication unit that performs cellular communication, for example, a circuit (module) for performing communication according to standards such as 4G, 5G, and LTE (Long Term Evolution: registered trademark). The first wireless communication unit 53 is also a communication unit that performs wireless LAN communication, for example, a circuit (module) for performing communication according to standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The second wireless communication unit 54 is a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication, for example, a BLE microcontroller for performing BLE communication according to the BLE standard. The wireless communication (BLE communication) performed by the second wireless communication unit 54 is, for example, communication using a 2.4GHz frequency.

[0045] The second wireless communication unit 54 operates, for example, as a central unit in BLE communication. For example, the second wireless communication unit 54 receives an advertisement signal from the measuring device 1 by performing a scan as a central unit, and receives measurement data such as biometric information and activity levels from the measuring device 1 by performing BLE communication with the measuring device 1 based on the received advertisement signal.

[0046] RAM 55 is composed of semiconductor devices such as DRAM or SRAM, and it temporarily stores information and also serves as the work area for the controller 57.

[0047] The data storage unit 56 is a recording medium that stores parameters, control programs, and measurement data acquired from the measuring device 1 necessary to realize a predetermined process. The data storage unit 56 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor storage device (SSD). The controller 57 realizes the predetermined process by executing the control program stored in the data storage unit 56.

[0048] The information terminal 5 has at least a first application and a second application different from the first application installed. Specifically, the data storage unit 56 stores the program for the first application and the program for the second application, and the controller 57 is in a state where it can execute both the first and second applications.

[0049] Both the first and second applications are health management applications that perform wireless communication with the measuring device 1 via the second wireless communication unit 54 and include the process of acquiring measurement data from the measuring device 1. For example, the first application is an application that acquires measurement data from the measuring device 1 using a standardized data transfer protocol (standard protocol), and the second application is an application that acquires measurement data from the measuring device 1 using a data transfer protocol different from the standard protocol (for example, a proprietary protocol of the manufacturer of the measuring device 1). However, the first and second applications may be applications that acquire measurement data from the measuring device 1 using the same data transfer protocol.

[0050] §3 Example of Operation <Pairing process by controller 18 of measuring device 1> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the pairing process performed by the controller 18 of the measuring device 1. The controller 18 of the measuring device 1 performs the process shown in Figure 6 as the pairing process. Here, it is assumed that the data storage unit 17 of the measuring device 1 stores BDA#1 and BDA#2 as BDAs that can be (set) written to the BDA storage area 14a.

[0051] First, the controller 18 determines whether or not it has received a 2-second press of the communication button on the measuring device 1 (step S11). The communication button on the measuring device 1 is, for example, included in the operation unit 12 of the measuring device 1, and is included in the operation unit 21a if the measuring device 1 is, for example, a blood pressure monitor 1A. A 2-second press of the communication button is, for example, an operation in which the communication button is pressed for a time of 2 seconds or more but less than 4 seconds. That is, a 2-second press of the communication button is, for example, an operation in which the communication button is pressed for 2 seconds or more and released before 4 seconds have elapsed from the start of pressing. If the controller 18 receives a 2-second press of the communication button (step S11: Yes), it sets BDA#1, which is stored in the data storage unit 17, to the BDA storage area 14a of the wireless communication unit 14 (step S12), and proceeds to step S15.

[0052] In step S11, if the 2-second press of the communication button has not been detected, the controller 18 determines whether or not the 4-second press of the communication button on the measuring device 1 has been detected (step S13). A 4-second press of the communication button is, for example, an operation in which the communication button is pressed for 4 seconds or longer. If the 4-second press of the communication button is detected (step S13: Yes), the controller 18 sets BDA#2 stored in the data storage unit 17 to the BDA storage area 14a of the wireless communication unit 14 (step S14), and proceeds to step S15.

[0053] In step S15, the controller 18 controls the wireless communication unit 14 to start transmitting an advertisement signal that includes the BDA set in the BDA storage area 14a (step S15).

[0054] Next, the controller 18 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the start of transmission of the advertisement signal in step S15 (step S16). If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S16: Yes), the controller 18 stops the transmission of the advertisement signal started in step S15 (step S17) and terminates the series of processes.

[0055] In step S16, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S16: No), the controller 18 determines whether or not it has received a request for BLE communication connection and pairing from another communication device (e.g., information terminal 5) (step S18).

[0056] In step S18, if a request for BLE communication connection and pairing is received (step S18: Yes), the controller 18 performs BLE communication connection and pairing in response to the request (step S19) and proceeds to step S17. The pairing in step S19 is performed based on the BDA set in the BDA storage area 14a by step S12 or step S14. This allows the communication device to be paired (e.g., information terminal 5) to store the BDA set in the BDA storage area 14a by step S12 or step S14 as the BDA of the measuring device 1.

[0057] <Pairing operation> Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing the pairing operation between the measuring device 1 and the first application of the information terminal 5. Here, the first application is referred to as the first application A1, and the second application is referred to as the second application A2.

[0058] First, assume that the user initiates device registration for the first application A1 on the information terminal 5. In response, the first application A1 controls the display unit 51 to display the device registration screen (step S21). The device registration screen displays a message prompting the user to press the communication button on the measuring device 1 for 2 seconds or 4 seconds. The first application A1 also controls the second wireless communication unit 54 to start scanning for advertised signals from peripherals (step S22).

[0059] Next, suppose the user presses the communication button on the measuring device 1 for 2 seconds. In response, the controller 18 of the measuring device 1 displays "P1" on the display unit 11 of the measuring device 1 (step S23). This "P1" indicates that the first BDA#1 among BDA#1 and BDA#2 stored in the data storage unit 17 will be used as the BDA for BLE communication. The controller 18 also sets BDA#1 in the BDA storage area 14a of the wireless communication unit 14 (step S24).

[0060] Next, the controller 18 makes an advertisement request to the wireless communication unit 14 (step S25). Next, the wireless communication unit 14 starts transmitting an advertisement signal in response to the advertisement request from the controller 18 (step S26). The advertisement signal that is started to be transmitted in step S26 includes BDA#1 as the BDA, which was set in the BDA storage area 14a in step S24.

[0061] Next, the first application A1 detects the advertised signal that was started to be transmitted in step S26 by the scan initiated in step S22 (step S27). Then, the first application A1 controls the second wireless communication unit 54 and uses the BDA#1 contained in the advertised signal detected in step S27 to establish a BLE communication connection and pairing with the measuring device 1 (step S28). In step S28, the measuring device 1 and the information terminal 5 exchange identification information (including the BDA#1 of the measuring device 1), and they become mutually recognized (communication possible).

[0062] Next, the first application A1 controls the second wireless communication unit 54 to send a disconnection request to the measuring device 1 (step S29). As a result, the BLE communication connection between the measuring device 1 and the information terminal 5 is temporarily disconnected, and the series of pairing operations ends.

[0063] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing the pairing operation between the measuring device 1 and the second application of the information terminal 5.

[0064] First, let's assume that the user initiates device registration for the second application A2 on the information terminal 5. In response, the second application A2 executes the processes in steps S31 and S32. The processes in steps S31 and S32 are the same as the processes in steps S21 and S22 by the first application A1 shown in Figure 7.

[0065] Next, suppose the user presses the communication button on the measuring device 1 for 4 seconds. In response, the controller 18 of the measuring device 1 displays "P2" on the display unit 11 of the measuring device 1 (step S33). This "P2" indicates that the second BDA#2, out of BDA#1 and BDA#2 stored in the data storage unit 17, will be used as the BDA for BLE communication. The controller 18 also sets BDA#2 in the BDA storage area 14a of the wireless communication unit 14 (step S34).

[0066] Next, the controller 18 makes an advertisement request to the wireless communication unit 14 (step S35). Next, the wireless communication unit 14 starts transmitting an advertisement signal in response to the advertisement request from the controller 18 (step S36). The advertisement signal that is started to be transmitted in step S36 includes BDA#2, which was set in the BDA storage area 14a in step S34, as the BDA.

[0067] Next, the second application A2 detects the advertised signal that was started to be transmitted in step S36 by the scan initiated in step S32 (step S37). Next, the second application A2 controls the second wireless communication unit 54 and uses the BDA#2 contained in the advertised signal detected in step S37 to establish a BLE communication connection and pairing with the measuring device 1 (step S38). In step S38, the measuring device 1 and the information terminal 5 exchange identification information (including the BDA#2 of the measuring device 1), and they become mutually recognized (communication possible).

[0068] Next, the second application A2 controls the second wireless communication unit 54 to send a disconnection request to the measuring device 1 (step S39). As a result, the BLE communication connection between the measuring device 1 and the information terminal 5 is temporarily disconnected, and the series of pairing operations ends.

[0069] As a result of the pairing operations shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 being performed, pairing is performed between the measurement device 1 and the first application A1 using the BDA#1 of the measurement device 1, and pairing is performed between the measurement device 1 and the second application A2 using the BDA#2 of the measurement device 1. This enables the first application A1 to communicate with the measurement device 1 using the BDA#1 of the measurement device 1, and enables the second application A2 to communicate with the measurement device 1 using the BDA#2 of the measurement device 1.

[0070] <Data transfer processing by the controller 18 of the measuring device 1> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of data transfer processing by the controller 18 of the measuring device 1. The controller 18 of the measuring device 1 performs the processing shown in Figure 9, for example, when the measuring unit 13 performs measurement, as part of the data transfer processing.

[0071] First, the controller 18 determines whether the measurement by the measurement unit 13 is complete (step S41), and waits until the measurement by the measurement unit 13 is complete (loop of step S41: No). Once the measurement by the measurement unit 13 is complete (step S41: Yes), the controller 18 sets one of the BDAs stored in the data storage unit 17 (for example, BDA#1) into the BDA storage area 14a of the wireless communication unit 14 (step S42).

[0072] Next, the controller 18 controls the wireless communication unit 14 to start transmitting an advertisement signal that includes the BDA set in the BDA storage area 14a (step S43). Next, the controller 18 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the start of transmission of the advertisement signal in step S43 (step S44). If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S44: Yes), the controller 18 stops transmitting the advertisement signal that was started in step S43 (step S45).

[0073] Next, the controller 18 determines whether the termination conditions for the data transfer process have been met (step S46). The termination conditions for the data transfer process are, for example, that an advertisement signal has been sent N times for all of the BDAs stored in the data storage unit 17, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1. Alternatively, the termination conditions for the data transfer process may be that data transfer has been completed for all of the BDAs stored in the data storage unit 17.

[0074] In step S46, if the termination condition is not met (step S46: No), the controller 18 changes the BDA to be set in the BDA storage area 14a to another BDA stored in the data storage unit 17 (step S47), and returns to step S43. As a result, transmission of the advertisement signal with the changed BDA begins.

[0075] In step S44, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S44: No), the controller 18 determines whether or not it has received a request for BLE communication connection and data transfer from another communication device (e.g., information terminal 5) (step S48). If it has not received a request for BLE communication connection and data transfer (step S48: No), the controller 18 returns to step S44.

[0076] In step S48, if a request for BLE communication connection and data transfer is received (step S48: Yes), the controller 18 performs BLE communication connection and data transfer in response to the request (step S49) and proceeds to step S45. In step S49, the controller 18 transfers the measurement data based on the measurement in step S41 to the destination (e.g., information terminal 5).

[0077] In step S46, if the termination condition is met (step S46: Yes), the controller 18 terminates the series of processes.

[0078] <Advertising behavior> Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the advertising operation of the measuring device 1. First, the controller 18 controls the measuring unit 13 to perform a measurement in response to user input to the operation unit 12 (step S51).

[0079] Next, the controller 18 sets the BDA#1 stored in the data storage unit 17 into the BDA storage area 14a of the wireless communication unit 14 (step S52). Next, the controller 18 sends an advertisement request to the wireless communication unit 14 (step S53). Next, the wireless communication unit 14 starts transmitting an advertisement signal in response to the advertisement request from the controller 18 (step S54). The advertisement signal that is started to be transmitted in step S54 includes the BDA#1 set in step S52 as the BDA.

[0080] Next, when the controller 18 has been transmitting the advertised signal for a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds) since it started transmitting the advertised signal in steps S53 and S54, it requests the wireless communication unit 14 to stop transmitting the advertised signal (step S55). In response to this request from the controller 18, the wireless communication unit 14 stops transmitting the advertised signal that it started in step S54.

[0081] Next, the BDA#2 stored in the data storage unit 17 is set in the BDA storage area 14a of the wireless communication unit 14 (step S56). Next, the controller 18 makes an advertisement request to the wireless communication unit 14 (step S57). Next, the wireless communication unit 14 starts transmitting an advertisement signal in response to the advertisement request from the controller 18 (step S58). The advertisement signal that is started to be transmitted in step S58 includes the BDA#2 set in step S56 as the BDA.

[0082] Next, when the controller 18 has been transmitting the advertised signal for a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds) since it started transmitting the advertised signal in steps S57 and S58, it requests the wireless communication unit 14 to stop transmitting the advertised signal (step S59). In response to this request from the controller 18, the wireless communication unit 14 stops transmitting the advertised signal that it started in step S58.

[0083] Subsequently, the controller 18 repeats the same process as in steps S52 to S59 N times. For example, steps S60 to S63 are the same process as in steps S52 to S55.

[0084] <Data transfer operation> Figure 11 is a sequence diagram showing the data transfer operation between the measuring device 1 and the information terminal 5. The first application A1 and the second application A2 control the second wireless communication unit 54 in response to user operations or through background processing to perform a scan for receiving an advertised signal. At this time, the first application A1 detects the advertised signal including BDA#1 of the measuring device 1 acquired by the pairing operation shown in Figure 7. The second application A2 detects the advertised signal including BDA#2 of the measuring device 1 acquired by the pairing operation shown in Figure 8.

[0085] In this case, when the measurement device 1 is performed, the process shown in Figure 11 is executed, for example. Steps S71 to S74 shown in Figure 11 are the same as steps S51 to S54 shown in Figure 10. In the example of Figure 11, it is assumed that the first application A1 of the information terminal 5 detects an advertisement signal including BDA#1, which the wireless communication unit 14 has started transmitting in step S74 (step S75).

[0086] Next, the first application A1 controls the second wireless communication unit 54 and uses the BDA#1 included in the advertised signal detected in step S75 to establish a BLE communication connection and transfer data with the measuring device 1 (step S76). In step S76, the first application A1 receives the measurement data obtained in step S71 from the measuring device 1. The first application A1 then stores the received measurement data in an area of ​​the data storage unit 56 that is accessible to the first application A1.

[0087] Next, the first application A1 controls the second wireless communication unit 54 to send a disconnection request to the measuring device 1 (step S77). This disconnects the BLE communication connection between the measuring device 1 and the information terminal 5. At this time, the wireless communication unit 14 of the measuring device 1 may notify the controller 18 that the BLE communication connection with the first application A1 has been disconnected.

[0088] Next, the controller 18 proceeds to step S79 when a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since it started transmitting the advertised signal in steps S73 and S74. Alternatively, the controller 18 may proceed to step S79 when the data transfer with the first application A1 is completed.

[0089] Steps S79 to S81 shown in Figure 11 are the same as steps S56 to S58 shown in Figure 10. In the example in Figure 11, assume that the second application A2 of the information terminal 5 detects the advertisement signal including BDA#2 that the wireless communication unit 14 started transmitting in step S81 (step S82).

[0090] Next, the second application A2 controls the second wireless communication unit 54 and uses the BDA#2 included in the advertised signal detected in step S82 to establish a BLE communication connection and transfer data with the measuring device 1 (step S83). In step S83, the second application A2 receives the measurement data obtained in step S71 from the measuring device 1. The second application A2 then stores the received measurement data in an area of ​​the data storage unit 56 that is accessible to the second application A2.

[0091] Next, the second application A2 controls the second wireless communication unit 54 to send a disconnection request to the measuring device 1 (step S84). This disconnects the BLE communication connection between the measuring device 1 and the information terminal 5. At this time, the wireless communication unit 14 may notify the controller 18 that the BLE communication connection with the second application A2 has been disconnected.

[0092] Steps S72 to S77 shown in Figure 11 are an example of the first control of the present invention. Steps S79 to S84 shown in Figure 11 are an example of the second control of the present invention.

[0093] As described above, the measuring device 1 can perform a first control that causes the wireless communication unit 14 to perform wireless communication with the first application A1 using BDA#1 (first identifier), and a second control that causes the wireless communication unit 14 to perform wireless communication with the second application A2 using BDA#2 (second identifier). As a result, the measuring device 1 can transfer data between the first application A1 and the second application A2, which are installed on a single information terminal 5 and communicate using a common second wireless communication unit 54. Therefore, the measuring device 1 can transfer the measurement data obtained by the measuring unit 13 to both the first application A1 and the second application A2.

[0094] For example, measuring device 1 can communicate only with the first application A1, which has previously shared BDA#1, by transmitting an advertisement signal using BDA#1. Similarly, measuring device 1 can communicate only with the second application A2, which has previously shared BDA#2, by transmitting an advertisement signal using BDA#2.

[0095] This prevents a situation where, for example, when measurement is complete, both the first application A1 and the second application A2 simultaneously begin connecting to the advertisement signal transmitted by the measuring device 1, and only the application that connects to the measuring device 1 first can acquire measurement data, while the other application cannot.

[0096] Furthermore, by storing BDA#1 or BDA#2 in the BDA storage area 14a that the wireless communication unit 14 refers to when performing wireless communication, the measuring device 1 can perform wireless communication with the first application A1 using BDA#1 and wireless communication with the second application A2 using BDA#2, without requiring multiple wireless communication units 14 to be provided for the first application A1 and the second application A2.

[0097] Furthermore, by sharing BDA#1 through pairing between the measuring device 1 and the first application A1, and by sharing BDA#2 through pairing between the measuring device 1 and the second application A2, wireless communication becomes possible between the first application A1 and the second application A2 using BDA#1 and BDA#2, respectively.

[0098] Furthermore, the measuring device 1 alternately executes a first control using BDA#1 (for example, steps S72 to S77 shown in Figure 11) and a second control using BDA#2 (for example, steps S79 to S84 shown in Figure 11). This ensures reliable communication between the measuring device 1 and the first application A1, and between the measuring device 1 and the second application A2, regardless of when the first application A1 and the second application A2 become able to communicate.

[0099] Furthermore, the measuring device 1 transmits the measurement data obtained by the measuring unit 13 to the first application A1 via first control, and similarly transmits the measurement data obtained by the measuring unit 13 to the second application A2 via second control. This allows the measurement data obtained by the same measurement to be transferred to both the first application A1 and the second application A2.

[0100] Furthermore, the measuring device 1 may, upon completion of the transmission of measurement data to the first application A1 by the first control, execute the transmission of measurement data to the second application A2 by the second control. By starting the second control as soon as the measurement data to the first application A1 is completed, communication between the measuring device 1 and the second application A2 can be quickly initiated if the second application A2 is already in a state where communication is possible.

[0101] Furthermore, in the first control, the measuring device 1 causes the wireless communication unit 14 to transmit measurement data to the first application A1 using a first protocol (e.g., a standard protocol), and in the second control, it causes the wireless communication unit 14 to transmit measurement data to the second application A2 using a second protocol different from the first protocol (e.g., a manufacturer's proprietary protocol). This enables data transfer between the first application A1 and the second application A2, which use different protocols for data transfer.

[0102] §4 Program The control method for the measuring device 1 described in the above-mentioned embodiment can be realized by executing a pre-prepared control program on a computer. This control program is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium and executed when read from the storage medium. This control 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. The computer that executes this control program may be included in the measuring device 1, or it may be included in an electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or personal computer that can communicate with the measuring device 1, or it may be included in a server device that can communicate with these measuring devices 1 and electronic devices.

[0103] §5 Variant <Variations of switching between the first and second control> Although a configuration in which the first control and the second control are switched based on the passage of time or the transfer of data has been described, the first control and the second control may be switched based on other triggers. For example, the operating unit 12 of the measuring device 1 (for example, the operating unit 21a of the blood pressure monitor 1A) is provided with an application switching operation unit for switching the application of the communication destination, and the measuring device 1 may switch between the first control and the second control based on the operation of the application switching operation unit.

[0104] <Examples of identifiers> We have described a configuration in which data transfer is performed between two applications (first application A1 and second application A2) using two identifiers (BDA#1 and BDA#2), but a configuration in which data transfer is performed between three or more applications using three or more identifiers is also possible.

[0105] 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]

[0106] 1. Measuring device 1A Blood pressure monitor 5. Information terminals 10 Information Management Systems 11,51 Display section 12,21a,52 Operation section 13 Measuring part 14. Wireless Communication Section 14a BDA storage area 16.55 RAM 17,56 Data Storage Unit 18.57 controllers 21 Main unit 21b Display 22 Cuff 23 Air tube 53. First Radio Communication Section 54. Second Radio Communication Section 90 Cloud Servers A1 First Application A2 Second Application

Claims

1. A measuring device capable of wireless communication with information terminals on which the first application and the second application are installed, The wireless communication unit that performs the aforementioned wireless communication, A storage unit that stores a first identifier for identifying the measuring device in the aforementioned wireless communication, and a second identifier for identifying the measuring device in the aforementioned wireless communication, A control unit that performs a first control that causes the wireless communication unit to execute the first application and the wireless communication using the first identifier, and a second control that causes the wireless communication unit to execute the second application and the wireless communication using the second identifier, A measuring device equipped with the following features.

2. A measuring device according to claim 1, The wireless communication unit has a storage area for storing identifiers, and performs the wireless communication using the identifiers stored in the storage area. The control unit executes the first control or the second control by storing the first identifier or the second identifier in the memory area. Measuring device.

3. A measuring device according to claim 1, The first identifier is an identifier of the measuring device shared by the pairing between the measuring device and the first application, The second identifier is an identifier of the measuring device shared through pairing between the measuring device and the second application. Measuring device.

4. A measuring device according to claim 1, The control unit alternately executes the first control and the second control. Measuring device.

5. A measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit transmits the measurement data obtained by the measurement device to the first application by the first control, and transmits the measurement data to the second application by the second control. Measuring device.

6. A measuring device according to claim 5, The control unit, upon completion of the transmission of the measurement data to the first application by the first control, executes the transmission of the measurement data to the second application by the second control. Measuring device.

7. A measuring device according to claim 5, In the first control, the control unit causes the wireless communication unit to transmit the measurement data to the first application using a first protocol, and in the second control, it causes the wireless communication unit to transmit the measurement data to the second application using a second protocol different from the first protocol. Measuring device.

8. A control program for a measuring device that enables wireless communication between the first application and an information terminal on which the second application is installed, The measuring device comprises a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication, and a storage unit that stores a first identifier for identifying the measuring device in the wireless communication and a second identifier for identifying the measuring device in the wireless communication. The processor of the aforementioned measuring device The following are performed: a first control that causes the wireless communication unit to perform the first application and the wireless communication using the first identifier; and a second control that causes the wireless communication unit to perform the second application and the wireless communication using the second identifier. A control program for executing a process.

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