Patent Application Titled “Information Management System, And Pairing Method For Measurement Device And Information Terminal” Published Online (USPTO 20210298602): Patent Application

2021 OCT 18 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- According to news reporting originating from Washington, D.C., by NewsRx journalists, a patent application by the inventor HIRATA, Hideie (Kyoto, JP), filed on June 11, 2021, was made available online on September 30, 2021.

No assignee for this patent application has been made.

Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “In recent years, it has become widespread to perform health management by measuring personal health-related information (also referred to as “health information” hereinafter), such as weight, blood pressure value, and activity level, by a measuring device and recording and analyzing the measurement results by an information terminal, such as a smart phone.

“When such health management is performed, preferably the measuring device and the information terminal are connected to each other and the result of measurement by the measuring device can be automatically acquired by the information terminal without a user having to input the result to the information terminal each time. Specifically, for example, a method can be considered in which an information terminal receives measurement information from a measuring device by near-field wireless communication, but under circumstances in which a plurality of measuring devices of the same type are used, it is necessary to prevent erroneous reception of information from measuring devices other than the device that has actually performed the measurement.

“In order to solve such problems, it is sufficient to pair a predetermined measuring device and a predetermined information terminal (register a device) and acquire only information from the device with which pairing is established. Pairing is performed by, for example, registering identification characters identifying an individual measuring device in an information terminal, and conventionally a method of manually inputting identification information printed on a case of a device, a seal adhering to the same, or the like into an information terminal has been adopted.

“With such a method, the task is complex for the user and may result in erroneous input. In contrast, Patent Document 1 proposes performing pairing by acquiring serial information stated on a measuring device by taking a photo or scanning a bar code of the information using a receiving device.”

In addition to obtaining background information on this patent application, NewsRx editors also obtained the inventor’s summary information for this patent application: “SUMMARY:

“Technical Problem

“Nevertheless, even in the technology set forth in Patent Document 1 described above, the user must capture an image (or scan) the identification information and thus, in this regard, a complex task arises similarly to the related art. Further, the identification information optically discernible needs to be provided on the measuring device, and optical means for capturing an image needs to be provided on the receiving device, resulting in the problem of requiring a cost accordingly.

“In light of the related art such as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that reduces a work burden of a user when pairing a measuring device and an information terminal.

“Solution to Problem

“To solve the problems described above, an information management system according to the present invention includes one or more measuring devices, and one or more information terminals. Each of the one or more measuring devices includes a sensor configured to measure a predetermined physical quantity, a first display unit configured to display a measured quantity that is a value of the physical quantity measured by the sensor and/or a predetermined value calculated from the physical quantity measured by the sensor, and a first communication unit configured to transmit measurement information including identification information identifying the measuring device, and the measured quantity. Each of the one or more information terminals includes a second communication unit configured to receive the measurement information, a second display unit configured to display a value of the measured quantity included in the measurement information of one of the measuring devices, the measurement information being received by the second communication unit, an input unit configured to receive an input indicating whether or not a value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit match each other, a storage unit configured to store the identification information included in the measurement information received by the second communication unit, and a control unit configured to control the second communication unit, the second display unit, the input unit, and the storage unit. When there is an input, via the input unit, indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit match each other, or there is not an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit do not match each other within a predetermined time, the control unit stores, in the storage unit, the identification information of the measuring device that has transmitted the measurement information including the value of the measured quantity.

“Here, the measuring device described above includes various measuring devices such as body information measuring devices, activity measuring devices, and environmental information measuring devices. Examples of the body information measuring devices include a scale, a body composition meter, a blood pressure monitor, a heart rate monitor, and a thermometer. Examples of the activity measuring devices include a pedometer and an activity meter provided in various fitness devices. Examples of the environmental information measuring devices include a temperature and humidity meter, a noise meter, and an illuminometer. Further, depending on the measuring device, the measured quantity includes values of various quantities such as body information, activity levels, and environmental information. Examples of the body information include weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure, heart rate (pulse), and body temperature. Examples of the activity levels include the number of steps, travel distance, and calorie consumption. Examples of the environmental information include room temperature, humidity, noise level, and illuminance.

“Further, the information terminal described above includes mobile information terminals such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, and a laptop computer as well as a stationary information terminals. Further, the “first communication unit” described above may be a transmission means that performs transmission only, or may be a transmission and reception means capable of reception as well. Further, the “second communication unit” described above may be a reception means that performs reception only, or may be a transmission and reception means capable of transmission as well.

“According to the configuration of a system such as described above, a task performed by a user to pair a measuring device and an information terminal is simple confirmation that a value displayed on a display unit of a measuring device and a value displayed on a display unit of an information terminal match each other, and thus the user burden for pairing can be markedly reduced.

“Further, in the information management system described above, in a case in which the second communication unit receives the measurement information transmitted from a plurality of the measuring devices, when there is not an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit match each other within a predetermined time, or there is an input, via the input unit, indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit do not match each other, the control unit displays, on the second display unit, a value of the measured quantity included in the measurement information related to another of the plurality of the measuring devices, the measurement information being received by the second communication unit.

“Further, the measuring device may be any one of a scale, a body composition meter, a blood pressure monitor, a pulse meter, a thermometer, or a pedometer. Further, the information terminal may be a smart phone.

“Further, a communication unit of the measuring device may be a speaker, and a receiving unit of the information terminal may be a microphone. Such a configuration makes it possible to transmit information by ultrasonic and sonic waves.

“Further, to solve the above-described problems, a pairing method according to the present invention is a method for pairing a measuring device and an information terminal. The pairing method includes obtaining, by the measuring device, a predetermined measured quantity, displaying the measured quantity on the measuring device, transmitting, from the measuring device, measurement information including identification information identifying the measuring device, and the measured quantity, receiving the measurement information by the information terminal, displaying, on the information terminal, a value of the measured quantity included in the measurement information being received, receiving an input indicating whether or not a value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal match each other, and when, in the receiving of the input, there is an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal match each other, or there is not an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal do not match each other within a predetermined time, storing, in the information terminal, the identification information of the measuring device that has transmitted the measurement information including the value of the measured quantity.

“Further, the pairing method may further include, in a case in which the information terminal receives the measurement information transmitted from a plurality of the measuring devices, when, in the receiving of the input, there is not an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal match each other within a predetermined time, or there is an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal do not match each other, displaying, on the information terminal, a value of the measured quantity included in the measurement information different from the measurement information including the value of the measured quantity.

“Advantageous Effects of Invention

“According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce a work burden of a user when pairing a measuring device and an information terminal.”

The claims supplied by the inventors are:

“1. An information management system comprising: one or more measuring devices; and one or more information terminals, each of the one or more measuring devices including a sensor configured to measure a predetermined physical quantity, a first display unit configured to display a measured quantity that is a value of the physical quantity measured by the sensor and/or a predetermined value calculated from the physical quantity measured by the sensor, and a first communication unit configured to transmit measurement information including identification information identifying the measuring device, and the measured quantity, each of the one or more information terminals including a second communication unit configured to receive the measurement information, a second display unit configured to display a value of the measured quantity included in the measurement information of one of the measuring devices, the measurement information being received by the second communication unit, an input unit configured to receive an input indicating whether or not a value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit match each other, a storage unit configured to store the identification information included in the measurement information received by the second communication unit, and a control unit configured to control the second communication unit, the second display unit, the input unit, and the storage unit, and when there is an input, via the input unit, indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit match each other, or there is not an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit do not match each other within a predetermined time, the control unit stores, in the storage unit, the identification information of the measuring device that has transmitted the measurement information including the value of the measured quantity.

“2. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein in a case in which the second communication unit receives the measurement information transmitted from a plurality of the measuring devices, when there is not an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit match each other within a predetermined time, or there is an input, via the input unit, indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the first display unit and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the second display unit do not match each other, the control unit displays, on the second display unit, a value of the measured quantity included in the measurement information related to another of the plurality of the measuring devices, the measurement information being received by the second communication unit.

“3. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device is any one of a scale, a body composition meter, a blood pressure monitor, a pulse meter, a thermometer, or a pedometer.

“4. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein a communication unit of the measuring device is a speaker and a receiving unit of the information terminal is a microphone.

“5. The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal is a smart phone.

“6. A pairing method for pairing a measuring device and an information terminal, the pairing method comprising: obtaining, by the measuring device, a predetermined measured quantity; displaying the measured quantity on the measuring device; transmitting, from the measuring device, measurement information including identification information identifying the measuring device, and the measured quantity; receiving the measurement information by the information terminal; displaying, on the information terminal, a value of the measured quantity included in the measurement information being received; receiving an input indicating whether or not a value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal match each other; and when, in the receiving of the input, there is an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal match each other, or there is not an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal do not match each other within a predetermined time, storing, in the information terminal, the identification information of the measuring device that has transmitted the measurement information including the value of the measured quantity.

“7. The pairing method according to claim 6, further comprising: in a case in which the information terminal receives the measurement information transmitted from a plurality of the measuring devices, when, in the receiving of the input, there is not an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal match each other within a predetermined time, or there is an input indicating that the value of the measured quantity displayed on the measuring device and the value of the measured quantity displayed on the information terminal do not match each other, displaying, on the information terminal, a value of the measured quantity included in the measurement information different from the measurement information including the value of the measured quantity.

“8. The pairing method according to claim 6, wherein the measuring device is any one of a scale, a body composition meter, a blood pressure monitor, a pulse meter, a thermometer, or a pedometer.

“9. The pairing method according to claim 6, wherein the information terminal is a smart phone.”

For more information, see this patent application: HIRATA, Hideie. Information Management System, And Pairing Method For Measurement Device And Information Terminal. Filed June 11, 2021 and posted September 30, 2021. Patent URL: https://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220210298602%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20210298602&RS=DN/20210298602

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