Measuring device, information terminal, and operating program for information terminal

Abstract

To provide a measuring device, an information terminal, and an information terminal actuation program that easily and safely perform paring between the information terminal and the measuring device.SOLUTION: In a management system 100, a process of paring a blood pressure meter with a smart phone includes: establishing a communication connection between a blood pressure meter 10 and a smart phone 20 by short-range wireless communication; in that state, transmitting operation information that indicates specific operation for actuating a sensor unit 16 included in the blood pressure meter 10, from the smart phone 20 to the blood pressure meter 10 and also showing information that dictates the specific operation on a display unit 25 of the smart phone 20; and sharing encrypted information between the blood pressure meter 10 and the smart phone 20 when the specific operation is performed within a prescribed time after the operation information is transmitted from the smart phone 20 to the blood pressure meter 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device, an information terminal, and an operation program for the information terminal.

Background Art

[0002] The measuring device described in this specification includes a biological information measuring device that measures biological information such as body weight, body composition, blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, body temperature, blood glucose, or blood oxygen saturation, and an activity amount measuring device that measures an activity amount such as the number of steps, walking distance, or calorie consumption. The measuring device includes a measuring sensor for measuring a measurement target amount. The measurement target amount of the measuring sensor includes biological information such as body weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure value, pulse rate, heart rate, body temperature, blood glucose value, or blood oxygen saturation, and the number of steps, Walking distance, or an activity amount such as calorie consumption, depending on the measuring device. The measurement results of such a measuring device are recorded and analyzed by an information terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, notebook computer, or desktop computer.

[0003] When recording and analyzing such measurement results, it is desirable that the information terminal can automatically acquire the measurement results by communicably connecting the measuring device and the information terminal, rather than the user inputting the measurement results into the information terminal each time. Specifically, for example, a method in which the information terminal receives the measurement results from the measuring device by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be considered.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a method for pairing a measuring instrument and an information terminal. This pairing method includes: a measurement step of determining a predetermined amount to be measured using a measuring instrument; a first display step of displaying the amount to be measured using the measuring instrument; a transmission step of transmitting measurement information, including identification information for identifying the measuring instrument and the amount to be measured, from the measuring instrument; a reception step of receiving the measurement information with an information terminal; a second display step of displaying the value of the amount to be measured included in the received measurement information with the information terminal; an input step of receiving input regarding whether the value of the amount to be measured displayed on the measuring instrument matches the value of the amount to be measured displayed on the information terminal; and, in the input step, if input indicating that the value of the amount to be measured displayed on the measuring instrument matches the value of the amount to be measured displayed on the information terminal, a storage step of storing the identification information of the measuring instrument that transmitted the measurement information including the value of the amount to be measured in the information terminal.

[0005] Patent Document 2 describes a wireless communication device that does not have an input / output interface for measuring the signal strength of radio waves received from an information processing device, and includes a request unit that requests the information processing device to present a message to the user of the wireless communication device requesting that the device perform either a first operation that causes a change in the signal strength of the received radio waves measured by the wireless communication device, or a second operation that does not cause a change in the signal strength of the received radio waves measured by the wireless communication device, and a selection unit that detects whether a change has occurred in the signal strength of the received radio waves within an arbitrary time limit after the request unit has requested the information processing device to present the message, and selects one of two logical values ​​if a change has occurred in the signal strength of the received radio waves within the time limit, and selects the other of the two logical values ​​if no change has occurred in the signal strength of the received radio waves within the time limit. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-098467 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2017-187567 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In order to perform secure short-range wireless communication between a measuring device and an information terminal, a pairing process is necessary between the measuring device and the information terminal. Pairing refers to the process of exchanging encrypted information used for short-range wireless communication between the measuring device and the information terminal and registering that information with each other. If special operations are required for this pairing, users who are not familiar with operating the equipment may not be able to complete the pairing, and thus will not be able to manage the measurement results of the measuring device using the information terminal. Furthermore, if communication between the measuring device and the information terminal is established and pairing is completed with only a simple operation on the information terminal (for example, an operation to authorize pairing), it becomes possible to pair the measuring device with an information terminal unrelated to the user, raising security concerns.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device, an information terminal, and an operating program for the information terminal that enable easy and safe pairing of an information terminal and a measuring device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above problems can be solved by the following configuration. Note that the components shown in parentheses correspond to those in the following embodiments, but the configuration is not limited to these.

[0010] (1) A measuring device (blood pressure monitor 10) having a short-range wireless communication unit (communication unit 12), a processor (processor 11), and a measuring sensor (sensor unit 16), The aforementioned processor, When a communication connection is established between the information terminal (smartphone 20) and the system via short-range wireless communication, operation information indicating a specific operation for activating the measuring sensor is received from the information terminal. A measuring device that, after receiving the aforementioned operation information, determines that the aforementioned specific operation has been performed within a predetermined time (upper limit), and then shares encrypted information for encrypted communication via short-range wireless communication with the information terminal.

[0011] (1) With this configuration, the user can establish a connection between the measuring device and the information terminal, and then complete the pairing process simply by operating the measuring device according to the operation information output from the information terminal, for example, in accordance with its normal intended use. Therefore, even users who are not comfortable operating equipment can complete the pairing process without any difficulty and begin coordinating the measuring device and the information terminal. Furthermore, since pairing will not be completed unless a specific operation is performed within a predetermined time, it is possible to prevent unintended pairing with an information terminal.

[0012] (2) (1) The measuring device described above, The aforementioned measuring device measures biological information or activity levels. The aforementioned specific operation includes an operation to measure biological information or an operation to move the measuring device.

[0013] (2) With this configuration, pairing can be completed simply by starting the measurement of biological information or moving the measuring device, allowing even users who are not comfortable operating the equipment to complete pairing without any difficulty.

[0014] (3) (1) or (2) the measuring device, A measuring device comprising a processor that receives the operation information from the information terminal at each of multiple timings, and, after receiving each operation information, determines that the specific operation has been performed within a predetermined time, shares the encrypted information with the information terminal.

[0015] When configured as in (3), pairing can be completed when a specific operation is executed multiple times. By increasing the number of operations required to complete pairing, it is possible to strongly prevent pairing from being completed with an unintended information terminal.

[0016] (4) The measuring device according to (3), wherein the plurality of operation information received at the plurality of timings includes that indicating a first operation as the specific operation and that indicating a second operation different from the first operation as the specific operation.

[0017] When configured as in (4), pairing can be completed when a plurality of types of operations are executed. By increasing the types of operations for completing pairing, it is possible to strongly prevent pairing from being completed with an unintended information terminal.

[0018] (5) The measuring device according to (4), where the measuring device measures the amount of activity, the first operation is an operation of moving the measuring device, and the second operation is an operation of stationary the measuring device.

[0019] When configured as in (5), pairing can be completed by moving and stationary the measuring device. By increasing the types of operations for completing pairing, it is possible to strongly prevent pairing from being completed with an unintended information terminal.

[0020] (6) An information terminal (smartphone 20) having a short-range wireless communication unit (communication unit 22) and a processor (processor 21), where the processor, In a state where a communication connection by short-range wireless communication is established with a measuring device (blood pressure monitor 10), operation information indicating a specific operation for operating a measuring sensor (sensor unit 16) included in the measuring device is transmitted to the measuring device, and information instructing the specific operation is output. An information terminal that shares encryption information for performing encrypted communication by short-range wireless communication with the measuring device when it is determined that the specific operation has been performed within a predetermined time (upper limit time) after the transmission of the operation information.

[0021] (7) An operation program of an information terminal (smartphone 20) having a short-range wireless communication unit (communication unit 22), In a state where a communication connection by short-range wireless communication is established with a measuring device (blood pressure monitor 10), operation information indicating a specific operation for operating a measuring sensor (sensor unit 16) included in the measuring device is transmitted to the measuring device, and information instructing the specific operation is output. An operation program of an information terminal that causes a processor (processor 21) to execute a step of sharing encryption information for performing encrypted communication by short-range wireless communication with the measuring device when it is determined that the specific operation has been performed within a predetermined time (upper limit time) after the transmission of the operation information.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, pairing between an information terminal and a measuring device can be easily and safely performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management system 100. [Figure 2] It is a sequence chart showing a procedure of processing when pairing between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 is successful. [Figure 3] It is a sequence chart showing a procedure of processing when pairing between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 fails. [Figure 4]This is a sequence chart showing the steps involved in successfully pairing an activity tracker with a smartphone 20. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] (Overview of the measuring device and information terminal in this configuration) In this configuration, the measuring device and the information terminal can communicate via short-range wireless communication. When a communication connection is established between the information terminal and the measuring device via short-range wireless communication, the information terminal transmits operation information to the measuring device indicating a specific operation to activate a sensor included in the measuring device (for example, an operation to measure a quantity to be measured), and outputs information instructing that specific operation via voice, display, etc. When the user performs the above-mentioned specific operation on the measuring device according to this output information, the measuring device and the information terminal share encryption information for encrypted communication via short-range wireless communication and complete pairing. The user can complete pairing between the measuring device and the information terminal simply by performing the task of establishing a communication connection between the measuring device and the information terminal (for example, pressing a communication button provided on the measuring device) and performing the specific operation on the measuring device. This makes pairing between the measuring device and the information terminal easy.

[0025] The following describes an example configuration of the management system 100, which includes the measuring device and information terminal of this embodiment.

[0026] (System Configuration) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the management system 100. The management system 100 comprises a blood pressure monitor 10, which is an example of a measuring device, and a smartphone 20, which is an example of an information terminal, and is a system for managing measurement data and programs from the blood pressure monitor 10 on the smartphone 20. The blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 are configured to communicate via short-range wireless communication. The method of short-range wireless communication is not particularly limited, but for example, methods such as Wi-Fi, ANT, Bluetooth®, or infrared communication can be used. In the following, the method of short-range wireless communication will be described as Bluetooth®. In the following, the owner who owns both the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 will be referred to as the user.

[0027] (Measuring device) The blood pressure monitor 10 comprises a processor 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, and a sensor unit 16.

[0028] The sensor unit 16 is equipped with a pressure sensor located on the cuff portion of the blood pressure monitor 10 as a measuring sensor. This pressure sensor detects pulse waves from the user's blood vessels under appropriate cuff pressure. Based on the pulse waves detected by the sensor unit 16, the blood pressure monitor 10 can calculate blood pressure information, including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate.

[0029] The communication unit 12 is a communication interface for short-range wireless communication and includes a communication antenna and various circuits.

[0030] The memory unit 13 includes work memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), as well as a non-temporary storage medium such as flash memory. Various types of information, such as measured blood pressure information, are stored in this storage medium.

[0031] The operation unit 14 is an input means such as buttons or a touch panel that accepts input from the user, and accepts various operations from the user, such as turning the power ON / OFF, starting blood pressure information measurement, and selecting items. The operation unit 14 includes a measurement start button 14A for instructing the start of blood pressure information measurement, and a communication button 14B for activating the communication unit 12 (enabling short-range wireless communication). The measurement start button 14A and the communication button 14B may be hardware buttons or software buttons displayed on the display unit 15 equipped with a touch panel.

[0032] The display unit 15 is composed of, for example, an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display or a liquid crystal display, and displays measured blood pressure information, etc.

[0033] The processor 11 provides overall control over all parts of the blood pressure monitor 10. The processor 11 is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) to perform various functions, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a programmable logic device (PLD) such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, or a dedicated electrical circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) which has a circuit configuration specifically designed to perform a particular process. The processor 11 may consist of a single processor, or it may consist of a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). For example, the processor 11 may include a processor that controls communication using the communication unit 12 and a processor that performs various controls other than this communication. More specifically, the hardware structure of the processor 11 is an electrical circuit (circuitry) that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0034] When the processor 11 detects that the measurement start button 14A included in the operation unit 14 is pressed, it accepts the instruction to start measurement, pressurizes the cuff, and calculates blood pressure information based on the pulse wave detected by the sensor unit 16 under appropriate cuff pressure. The processor 11 then displays the calculated blood pressure information on the display unit 15. The processor 11 controls each component of the blood pressure monitor 10 to execute processing in response to user operations performed via the operation unit 14.

[0035] When the processor 11 detects that the communication button 14B included in the operation unit 14 has been pressed, it activates the communication unit 12. The operation of pressing the communication button 14B required to activate the communication unit 12 is preferably a simple operation so that even users who are not familiar with operating the device can perform it. Specifically, it is preferable that the communication unit 12 is activated by pressing the communication button 14B once for a short period of time (a so-called short press operation) rather than pressing and holding the communication button 14B for a predetermined period of time (a so-called long press operation).

[0036] Figure 1 shows a blood pressure monitor 10 as an example of a measuring device, but the blood pressure monitor 10 can be replaced with a weighing scale, body composition analyzer, pulse meter, heart rate monitor, thermometer, blood glucose meter, pulse oximeter, or activity tracker, etc. In any of these measuring devices, the sensor unit 16 includes various measuring sensors (pressure sensor, pulse wave sensor, blood glucose sensor, photoelectric sensor, temperature sensor, or acceleration sensor, etc.) for measuring the physical quantity of the object to be measured. If the measuring device is a biological information measuring device, when the processor 11 detects the pressing of the measurement start button 14A included in the operation unit 14, it activates the measuring sensors (pressure sensor, pulse wave sensor, blood glucose sensor, photoelectric sensor, or temperature sensor, etc.) included in the sensor unit 16 to measure biological information. If the measuring device is an activity level measuring device, when the activity level measuring device is moved, the measuring sensors (accelerometer or angular velocity sensor, etc.) included in the sensor unit 16 output information corresponding to that movement.

[0037] In a biological information measuring device, pressing the measurement start button 14A (in other words, an operation to measure biological information) constitutes a specific operation to activate the measuring sensor included in the biological information measuring device. In an activity level measuring device, moving the activity level measuring device constitutes a specific operation to activate the measuring sensor included in the activity level measuring device. Activating a measuring sensor means starting measurement if the measuring sensor has not started measuring, or changing its output if the measuring sensor is already measuring.

[0038] (Information terminal) The smartphone 20 comprises a processor 21, a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a display unit 25.

[0039] The communication unit 22 is a communication interface for short-range wireless communication and includes a communication antenna and various circuits.

[0040] The memory unit 23 is configured to include work memory such as RAM, as well as non-temporary storage media such as flash memory. Various types of information, including application programs (operating programs for the information terminal), are stored in these storage media.

[0041] The operation unit 24 is an input means such as a button or touch panel that accepts input from the user and accepts various operations from the user.

[0042] The display unit 25 is composed of, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display.

[0043] The processor 21 provides overall control over all parts of the smartphone 20. Like the processor 11, the processor 21 is composed of one or more processors. The processor 21 performs functions corresponding to various programs stored in the memory unit 23 by executing these programs.

[0044] (How to pair a blood pressure monitor with a smartphone) Next, we will explain how to pair the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20. Figure 2 is a sequence chart showing the steps involved when the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 are successfully paired. The far right of Figure 2 shows an example of a message displayed on the display unit 25 of the smartphone 20. It is assumed that a management application for managing blood pressure information is pre-installed and stored in the memory unit 23 of the smartphone 20.

[0045] The user operates the smartphone 20 to launch the management app. When the management app is launched, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 displays the device registration screen on the display unit 25 (step S11). The processor 21 also starts scanning by the communication unit 22 (step S12). Scanning means that the communication unit 22 enters a receiving state and acquires information about surrounding devices.

[0046] The device registration screen displayed in step S11 includes a message such as "Press the communication button on the blood pressure monitor," as shown in Figure 2. Upon seeing this message, the user prepares the blood pressure monitor 10 that they wish to pair with their smartphone 20, turns on the power of the blood pressure monitor 10, and then presses the communication button 14B located on the control panel 14 of the blood pressure monitor 10.

[0047] When the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 detects the press of the communication button 14B (step S1), it activates the communication unit 12 and starts advertising by the communication unit 12 (step S2). Advertising refers to periodically sending packets on the advertising channel.

[0048] When the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 receives a packet transmitted from the blood pressure monitor 10 via the advertisement channel, it sends a connection request to the blood pressure monitor 10 via the communication unit 22 (step S13). When the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 responds to this connection request via the communication unit 12, a short-range wireless communication connection is established between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20.

[0049] When a communication connection is established with the blood pressure monitor 10, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 transmits operation information to the blood pressure monitor 10 via the communication unit 22, indicating a specific operation of the blood pressure monitor 10 (the operation of measuring blood pressure information, in other words, pressing the measurement start button 14A) (step S14). This operation information specifies that the execution of a specific operation is a condition for authentication to start pairing, and specifically includes the content of the specific operation and the maximum waiting time until that specific operation is executed (in the following example, 5 minutes). The processor 21 of the smartphone 20 also displays information instructing the specific operation included in this operation information (for example, a message instructing the execution of the specific operation) on the display unit 25 (step S15). This message may be output as voice from the speaker, for example, instead of being displayed on the display unit 25. In step S15, for example, a message such as "Please start measuring your blood pressure within 5 minutes (=maximum time) from now" is displayed on the display unit 25. Note that the execution order of steps S14 and S15 may be reversed, or steps S14 and S15 may be performed in parallel.

[0050] When the blood pressure monitor 10's processor 11 receives operation information transmitted from the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 through the processing in step S14, it starts timing to determine whether the specific operation included in the operation information has been performed within the time limit (5 minutes) included in the operation information (step S3). Note that the operation information does not necessarily have to include a time limit. In this case, the blood pressure monitor 10's memory unit 13 can store the time limit in advance, and the blood pressure monitor 10's processor 11 can be configured to start timing when it receives operation information.

[0051] In step S15, the user follows the message displayed on the display unit 25 of the smartphone 20, attaches the cuff of the blood pressure monitor 10 to their arm or wrist, and then presses the measurement start button 14A to begin measuring blood pressure information.

[0052] After step S3, the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 detects that the measurement start button 14A has been pressed before the upper limit time (5 minutes) included in the operation information (or stored in the memory unit 13) has elapsed (step S4), and sends a notification to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 indicating that blood pressure measurement has started (step S5). Upon receiving this notification, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 displays a message such as "Blood pressure measurement has started" on the display unit 25. Note that the process of displaying this message is not mandatory and can be omitted. Displaying such a message makes it easier for the user to recognize that the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 are working together properly, allowing the user to proceed with the operation with confidence.

[0053] After step S5, the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 calculates blood pressure information based on the output of the sensor unit 16, displays the blood pressure information on the display unit 15, and ends the measurement of blood pressure information. Then, the processor 11 sends a notification to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 indicating that the measurement of blood pressure information is complete (step S6), and further sends a security request to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 requesting the start of pairing (step S7). Upon receiving the notification in step S6, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 displays a message indicating that pairing is in progress, such as "Registering blood pressure monitor" on the display unit 25. Note that the process of displaying this message is not mandatory and can be omitted. Displaying such a message can give the user a sense of security.

[0054] Upon receiving the notification in step S6, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 determines that mutual authentication between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 is complete, and in accordance with the security request in step S7, shares encrypted information with the blood pressure monitor 10 for encrypted communication via short-range wireless communication (step S20). After step S7, the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 waits for a response from the smartphone 20, and upon receiving that response, shares encrypted information with the smartphone 20 (step S20). Sharing encrypted information means that the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 generates encrypted information and stores that encrypted information in the storage unit 13, and smartphone Send to 20, smartphone 20 means that the encrypted information is stored in the storage unit 23. Alternatively, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 may generate the encrypted information, store it in the storage unit 23 and transmit it to the blood pressure monitor 10, and the blood pressure monitor 10 stores the encrypted information in the storage unit 13, thereby sharing the encrypted information.

[0055] As a result of the processing in step S20, once the encrypted information is shared between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 causes the display unit 25 to display a message indicating that pairing is complete, such as "Blood pressure monitor registration complete."

[0056] The processor 21 of the smartphone 20 then disconnects the communication connection with the blood pressure monitor 10 (step S17). From this point onward, secure communication using encrypted information becomes possible between the smartphone 20 and the blood pressure monitor 10.

[0057] The processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 may omit the notification in step S6 and make the security request in step S7 along with the notification in step S5. In this case, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20, upon receiving the notification in step S5, will consider mutual authentication to be complete and will start processing in step S20 in accordance with the security request in step S7.

[0058] Furthermore, the specific operation included in the operation information transmitted in step S14 is not limited to "measuring blood pressure information," but may also be "pressing the measurement start button 14A." In this case, as described above, the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 may omit the notification in step S6 and make the security request in step S7 along with the notification in step S5.

[0059] Figure 3 is a sequence chart showing the procedure for handling cases where pairing between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 fails. In the sequence chart shown in Figure 3, the process up to step S3 for the blood pressure monitor 10 is the same as in Figure 2, and the process up to step S15 for the smartphone 20 is the same as in Figure 2.

[0060] After the blood pressure monitor 10 starts timing in step S3, if the upper limit of time included in the operation information received from the smartphone 20 elapses (step S9) without detecting the pressing of the measurement start button 14A, the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 sends a notification to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 indicating that a specific operation was not performed (step S10). Upon receiving this notification, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 recognizes that mutual authentication between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 has failed, and displays a message indicating that pairing has failed, such as "Blood pressure monitor registration failed," on the display unit 25. Subsequently, the processor 21 disconnects the communication connection with the blood pressure monitor 10 (step S17).

[0061] Thus, in the management system 100, after receiving operation information from the smartphone 20, if the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 determines that a specific operation included in the operation information has been performed within the upper limit time included in the operation information (for example, if the pressure of the measurement start button 14A is detected in step S4), the system communicates with the smartphone 20 and betweenPairing is initiated. In addition, after the smartphone 20's processor 21 transmits operation information to the blood pressure monitor 10 in step S14, if it receives notifications from the blood pressure monitor 10 in step S5 or step S6 before the upper limit time included in the operation information has elapsed, and determines that a specific operation has been performed, it starts pairing with the blood pressure monitor 10.

[0062] As described above, according to the management system 100, the user can establish a connection between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 by pressing the communication button 14B on the blood pressure monitor 10. In this state, the user can complete the pairing of the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 simply by operating the blood pressure monitor 10 in accordance with its normal use, following the message output from the familiar smartphone 20 (a message instructing the user to perform blood pressure measurement). In this way, even if the user is unfamiliar with the blood pressure monitor 10, they can complete the pairing with the smartphone 20 without any difficulty. Furthermore, pairing will not be completed unless the specific operation is performed within a predetermined time (the upper limit of the operation information) after a message instructing the user to perform a specific operation is displayed on the smartphone 20. This prevents pairing from being completed with an unintended combination of blood pressure monitor 10 and smartphone 20. In this way, the pairing procedure is made simple and easy for the user to understand, while ensuring the security of short-range wireless communication.

[0063] Furthermore, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 can determine whether a specific operation has been performed within the time limit after sending operation information, without waiting for notification from the blood pressure monitor 10. For example, after step S14, the processor 21 may turn on the microphone installed in the smartphone 20 and determine that a specific operation has been performed if the operating sound of the blood pressure monitor 10 (the operating sound of the pump generated when pressurizing the cuff) is detected by the microphone within the time limit. In this case, the processor 21 recognizes that mutual authentication between the blood pressure monitor 10 and the smartphone 20 has been completed upon detection of the operating sound and starts processing in step S20. In the blood pressure monitor 10, when the processor 11 detects that the measurement start button 14A has been pressed, it moves to step S20 and starts pairing with the smartphone 20.

[0064] Furthermore, the management system 100 may perform the process enclosed by the dashed frame G1 in Figure 2 multiple times in succession, and if the notification of step S6 is issued each of those multiple times (i.e., if a specific operation is performed multiple times), then the process of step S20 may be executed. In this way, it is possible to firmly prevent pairing from being completed with an unintended combination of blood pressure monitor 10 and smartphone 20.

[0065] To enhance security, the following additional processing may be performed in step S20. The processor 21 of the smartphone 20 displays a message on the display unit 25 such as "Please enter the measured blood pressure information" or "Please take a picture of the measurement result displayed on the blood pressure monitor 10 with the smartphone 20." The user enters the blood pressure information measured by the blood pressure monitor 10 into the smartphone 20 or takes a picture of it with the smartphone 20, in accordance with this message. The processor 21 of the smartphone 20 acquires the blood pressure information recognized from the blood pressure information entered by the user or from the captured image, generates a hash value from this blood pressure information, and transmits this hash value to the blood pressure monitor 10 via the communication unit 22. The processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 shares encrypted information in step S20 if the hash value transmitted from the smartphone 20 matches the hash value it generated from the blood pressure information it measured.

[0066] In the process shown in Figure 2, the processor 11 of the blood pressure monitor 10 may, after step S5, disconnect the connection with the smartphone 20, activate the sensor unit 16, calculate blood pressure information based on the output of the sensor unit 16, display the blood pressure information on the display unit 15, and then end the measurement of blood pressure information. This way, interference from short-range wireless communication radio waves with blood pressure measurement can be avoided. In this case, after ending the measurement of blood pressure information, the processor 11 starts advertising and, in response to a connection request from the smartphone 20 that received the advertisement, establishes a connection with that smartphone 20. If the smartphone 20 with which the connection has been established matches the smartphone 20 that sent the operation information in step S14, the processor 11 may perform steps S6 and S7 on that smartphone 20.

[0067] (How to pair an activity tracker with a smartphone) Next, we will explain how to pair the activity tracker with the smartphone 20 when the blood pressure monitor 10 is replaced with the activity tracker in the management system 100. Since the block configuration of the activity tracker is the same as that of the blood pressure monitor 10, the same reference numerals will be used in the following explanation.

[0068] Figure 4 is a sequence chart showing the steps involved when the activity tracker and smartphone 20 are successfully paired. The rightmost part of Figure 4 shows an example of a message displayed on the display unit 25 of the smartphone 20. It is assumed that the storage unit 23 of the smartphone 20 has a management application pre-installed and stored for managing the user's activity level measured by the activity tracker.

[0069] The user operates the smartphone 20 to launch the management app. When the management app is launched, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 displays the device registration screen on the display unit 25 (step S11a). The processor 21 also starts scanning by the communication unit 22 (step S12a).

[0070] The device registration screen displayed in step S11a includes a message such as "Press the communication button on the activity tracker," as shown in Figure 4. Upon seeing this message, the user prepares the activity tracker they wish to pair with their smartphone 20, turns on the activity tracker's power, and then presses the communication button 14B located on the activity tracker's control panel 14. The activity tracker's communication button 14B may also be used for other commands.

[0071] When the activity tracker's processor 11 detects that the communication button 14B is pressed (step S1a), it activates the communication unit 12 and starts advertising via the communication unit 12 (step S2a).

[0072] When the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 receives a packet transmitted from the activity tracker via the advertisement channel, it sends a connection request to the activity tracker via the communication unit 22 (step S13a). When the processor 11 of the activity tracker responds to this connection request via the communication unit 12, a short-range wireless communication connection is established between the activity tracker and the smartphone 20.

[0073] When a communication connection is established with the activity tracker, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 transmits operation information indicating a specific operation of the activity tracker (an operation to move the activity tracker) to the activity tracker via the communication unit 22 (step S14a). Specifically, this operation information includes the content of the specific operation and the maximum waiting time until that specific operation is performed (in the following example, 1 minute). The processor 21 of the smartphone 20 also displays information instructing the specific operation included in this operation information (for example, a message instructing the execution of the specific operation) on the display unit 25 (step S15a). In step S15a, for example, a message such as "Please shake the activity tracker up and down (or left and right) within the next 1 minute (= upper limit)" is displayed on the display unit 25. Note that the execution order of steps S14a and S15a may be reversed, or steps S14a and S15a may be performed in parallel.

[0074] When the activity tracker's processor 11 receives operation information transmitted from the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 through the processing in step S14a, it starts timing to determine whether the specific operation included in the operation information has been performed within the time limit (1 minute) included in the operation information (step S3a).

[0075] In step S15a, the user, following the message displayed on the display unit 25 of the smartphone 20, holds the activity tracker in their hand and moves the activity tracker by shaking their hand.

[0076] After step S3a, the activity tracker's processor 11 detects movement of the activity tracker (up / down or left / right movement) from the output of the accelerometer in the sensor unit 16 before the upper limit time (1 minute) included in the operation information has elapsed (step S4a), and sends a notification to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 indicating that a specific operation has been performed (step S6a). The activity tracker's processor 11 further sends a security request to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 requesting the start of pairing (step S7a). Upon receiving the notification in step S6a, the smartphone 20's processor 21 displays a message indicating that pairing is in progress, such as "Registering activity tracker," on the display unit 25. Note that the process of displaying this message is not mandatory and may be omitted.

[0077] Upon receiving the notification in step S6a, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 determines that mutual authentication between the activity tracker and the smartphone 20 is complete and shares encrypted information with the activity tracker in accordance with the security request in step S7a (step S20a). After step S7a, the processor 11 of the activity tracker waits for a response from the smartphone 20 and shares encrypted information with the smartphone 20 upon receiving that response (step S20a).

[0078] After processing in step S20a, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 causes the display unit 25 to display a message indicating that pairing is complete, such as "Activity tracker registration complete."

[0079] The processor 21 of the smartphone 20 then disconnects the communication connection with the activity tracker (step S17a). From this point onward, secure communication using encrypted information becomes possible between the smartphone 20 and the activity tracker.

[0080] Furthermore, after the activity tracker's processor 11 starts timing in step S3a, if the upper limit time included in the operation information received from the smartphone 20 has elapsed without detecting movement of the activity tracker, it sends a notification to the smartphone 20 via the communication unit 12 indicating that a specific operation was not performed. Upon receiving this notification, the smartphone 20's processor 21 recognizes that mutual authentication between the activity tracker and the smartphone 20 has failed, and displays a message indicating that pairing has failed, such as "Activity tracker registration failed," on the display unit 25. Subsequently, the processor 21 disconnects the communication connection with the activity tracker.

[0081] In this way, the user can establish a connection between the activity tracker and the smartphone 20 by pressing the communication button 14B on the activity tracker, and then complete the pairing of the activity tracker and the smartphone 20 simply by moving the activity tracker according to the messages output from the familiar smartphone 20. In this way, even if the user is unfamiliar with the activity tracker, they can complete the pairing with the smartphone 20 without any difficulty.

[0082] The specific operation included in the operation information transmitted to the activity tracker in step S14a of Figure 4 may not be simply an operation to move the activity tracker, but rather an operation to move the activity tracker in a specific direction. For example, the specific operation may be an operation to move the activity tracker up and down, or an operation to move the activity tracker left and right. In this case, after step S3a, the activity tracker's processor 11 will perform the processing from step S6a onward if it detects that the activity tracker is moving according to the specific operation. By doing so, mutual authentication between the activity tracker and the smartphone 20 can be performed more accurately, and pairing can be firmly prevented from being completed with an unintended combination of activity tracker and smartphone.

[0083] In step S15a, the processor 21 of the smartphone 20 may, instead of instructing the activity tracker to move, instruct the activity tracker to be placed on the smartphone 20. After issuing this instruction, the processor 21 activates the vibration motor installed in the smartphone 20. When the vibration motor of the smartphone 20 is activated, the activity tracker placed on the smartphone 20 also vibrates, so the processor 11 of the activity tracker detects the movement of the activity tracker in step S4a. As a result, the processes in steps S6a and S7a are performed, and pairing is completed in step S20a.

[0084] In the sequence chart of Figure 4, the process enclosed by the dashed frame G2 may be performed multiple times in succession, and if the notification of step S6a is given each of those multiple times (i.e., if a specific operation is performed multiple times), the process of step S20a may be performed. This makes it possible to firmly prevent pairing from being completed with an unintended combination of activity tracker and smartphone. Furthermore, while these multiple specific operations may all be the same operation, it is preferable to use different operations (two types, such as moving up and down and moving left and right, or two types, such as moving and stopping). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] G1, G2 dashed line frame 10. Blood pressure monitor 11,21 processors 12,22 Communications Department 13,23 Storage section 14A Measurement Start Button 14B Communication button 14,24 Operation section 15,25 Display section 16 Sensor section 20 Smartphones 100 Management Systems

Claims

1. A measuring device having a short-range wireless communication unit, a processor, and a measuring sensor, The aforementioned processor, When a communication connection is established between the information terminal and the system via short-range wireless communication, operation information indicating a specific operation for activating the measuring sensor is received from the information terminal. A measuring device that, after receiving the aforementioned operation information, determines that the aforementioned specific operation has been performed within a predetermined time, and then shares encrypted information for encrypted communication via short-range wireless communication with the information terminal.

2. A measuring device according to claim 1, The aforementioned measuring device measures biological information or activity levels. The aforementioned specific operation includes an operation to measure biological information or an operation to move the measuring device.

3. A measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, A measuring device comprising a processor that receives the operation information from the information terminal at each of several timings, and, after receiving each operation information, if it determines that the specific operation has been performed within a predetermined time, shares the encrypted information with the information terminal.

4. The measuring device according to claim 3, A measuring device in which the plurality of operation information received at the plurality of timings includes information indicating a first operation as the specific operation and information indicating a second operation different from the first operation as the specific operation.

5. A measuring device according to claim 4, The aforementioned measuring device measures activity levels, The first operation is the operation of moving the measuring device, The second operation is the operation of stopping the measuring device, the measuring device.

6. An information terminal having a short-range wireless communication unit and a processor, The aforementioned processor, When a communication connection is established between the measuring device and the measuring device via short-range wireless communication, operation information indicating a specific operation for activating a measuring sensor included in the measuring device is transmitted to the measuring device, and information instructing the specific operation is output. An information terminal that, if it is determined that the specific operation has been performed within a predetermined time after the transmission of the operation information, shares encrypted information for encrypted communication via short-range wireless communication with the measuring device.

7. An operating program for an information terminal having a short-range wireless communication unit, When a communication connection is established between the measuring device and the measuring device via short-range wireless communication, operation information indicating a specific operation for activating a measuring sensor included in the measuring device is transmitted to the measuring device, and information instructing the specific operation is output. An information terminal operating program that, when it is determined that the specific operation has been performed within a predetermined time after the transmission of the operation information, causes the processor to execute a step of sharing encrypted information for encrypted communication via short-range wireless communication with the measuring device.

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