Patent Publication Number: US-2007118037-A1

Title: Electronic blood pressure monitor capable of storing measurement data

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to an electronic blood pressure monitor, and particularly to an electronic blood pressure monitor that can be used at home.  
      2. Description of the Background Art  
      In recent years, as self-medication has become prevalent, a blood pressure monitor capable of measuring blood pressure at home has rapidly achieved widespread use. Such a home blood pressure monitor has a function of informing a user by a buzzer or a display device when a measurement value exceeds a certain value, and a function of recording and displaying blood pressure values measured at different times.  
      Blood pressure is one of the indicators for analyzing a circulatory disease. Risk analysis based on blood pressure is effective for preventing cardiovascular system diseases such as cerebral strokes, cardiac failure, and cardiac infarction. Particularly, morning hypertension, which causes blood pressure rise in the early morning, relates to a cardiac disease, cerebral strokes, and the like. Furthermore, a symptom in the morning hypertension that causes blood pressure surge approximately one hour to one and a half hour after waking up, which symptom is referred to as morning surge, is proven to have a causal relationship with cerebral strokes. This is described in “On Morning Hypertension and Risk for Cerebrovascular Accident”, Kazuomi Kario, Journal of Blood Pressure, November Issue, sentan igaku-sha Ltd., Nov. 1, 2002, vol. 9, no. 11, p. 94-47. Accordingly, it can be said that the grasping of the correlation between time (lifestyle habit) and changes in blood pressure is useful for risk analysis of cardiovascular system diseases.  
      Thus, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-261452 proposes a blood pressure monitor capable of risk analysis of cardiovascular system diseases based on the correlation between time (lifestyle habit) and changes in blood pressure. According to this document, a measured blood pressure value is associated with time point information and condition information at measurement and stored. It is disclosed that an average value of the blood pressure values measured at each of particular time slots such as, for example, a morning time slot and an evening time slot is calculated, so that a risk value is calculated based on the calculation result and displayed.  
      In Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-261452, however, the time point information associated with the blood pressure values and stored is a time point obtained from a clock function incorporated in the blood pressure monitor, and the measured blood pressure values are automatically sorted based on the time point and stored. Accordingly, a condition such as after waking up or before sleeping, which condition is applied to the measurement values, may become meaningless particularly for a subject (patient) such as a shift worker whose living cycle is different from that of ordinary people.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is made to overcome the problem described above. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic blood pressure monitor capable of determining a measurement condition of a patient at blood pressure measurement. Another object is to thereby provide capability of calculating an evaluated amount (risk value) having high reliability.  
      In order to achieve the above-described objects, an electronic blood pressure monitor according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a cuff attachable to a blood pressure measurement site; a pressurizing and depressurizing unit for adjusting pressure applied to the cuff, a pressure detecting unit for detecting pressure in the cuff; a blood pressure calculating unit for calculating blood pressure from a signal obtained at the pressure detecting unit; a storing unit for storing data of the calculated blood pressure; and a determining unit for, based on measurement condition specifying information for specifying a measurement condition at blood pressure measurement, determining at least one corresponding measurement condition among a plurality of types of blood pressure measurement conditions at blood pressure measurement.  
      Here, the “measurement condition” refers to a condition indicating a body state of a patient at blood pressure measurement, and refers to, for example, after waking up, before sleeping, before exercising, after exercising, before meal, after meal, before taking medicine, after taking medicine, a normal state, and others.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes a timer unit for recording a time point, and a receiving unit for receiving from a subject (patient) an input of time information as the measurement condition specifying information. The received time information and information on the measurement condition are associated and further stored in the storing unit. The determining unit determines the measurement condition at blood pressure measurement, based on time point data output from the timer unit and the time information stored in the storing unit. At each blood pressure measurement, the measurement condition determined by the determining unit is related to the data of the blood pressure calculated by the blood pressure calculating unit, and stored in the storing unit.  
      Preferably, the determining unit retrieves the information on the measurement condition stored in the storing unit, based on the time point data and the time information, and thereby determines the measurement condition.  
      Preferably, in the storing unit, a storage region is provided for each of the measurement conditions. The data of the blood pressure is stored in the storage region corresponding to the information on the measurement condition.  
      Preferably, the plurality of types of measurement conditions include a measurement condition indicating any of blood pressure measurement after waking up and blood pressure measurement before sleeping.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes a timer unit for recording a time point, and a receiving unit for receiving from a subject (patient) an input of time information as the measurement condition specifying information. At each blood pressure measurement, the electric blood pressure monitor relates time point data output from the timer unit to the data of the blood pressure calculated by the blood pressure calculating unit, for storage in the storing unit. The determining unit determines the measurement condition at blood pressure measurement based on the received time information and the time point data related to the data of the blood pressure in the storing unit.  
      Preferably, the plurality of types of measurement conditions correspond to a “period”, the period including time, a day of a week, a day, the week, a month, a season, and a year. The time information is information on the period.  
      Preferably, the plurality of types of measurement conditions correspond to a “time period”. The time information is information on commencement of the time period and information on termination of the time period.  
      Furthermore, the plurality of types of measurement conditions may correspond to a “time period”. The time information may be information on any of commencement and termination of the time period, and information on a time period duration.  
      Furthermore, the plurality of types of measurement conditions may correspond to a “time period”. A time period duration of the time period may be predetermined. The time information may be information on any of commencement and termination of the time period.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes a receiving unit for receiving an input of voice information as the measurement condition specifying information. The determining unit performs a process of recognizing the received voice information, retrieves information on the measurement condition corresponding to the recognized voice information, and thereby determines the measurement condition at the blood pressure measurement. At each blood pressure measurement, the electronic blood pressure monitor relates the measurement condition determined by the determining unit to the data of the blood pressure calculated by the blood pressure calculating unit, for storage in the storing unit.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes a receiving unit for additionally serving as at least one manipulation unit manipulated for receiving an external instruction, and for receiving, as the measurement condition specifying information, an input of at least one piece of manipulation information from information on a manipulation sequence of the manipulation unit, information on a number of manipulations of the manipulation unit, and information on a manipulation interval of the manipulation unit. The determining unit retrieves information on the measurement condition associated in advance with the received manipulation information, and thereby determines the measurement condition at blood pressure measurement. At each pressure measurement, the measurement condition determined by the determining unit is related to the data of the blood pressure calculated by the blood pressure calculating unit, and stored in the storing unit.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes a detecting unit for detecting any of a light quantity and a pressure amount, and a receiving unit for receiving, from the detecting unit, an input of a detected amount as the measurement condition specifying information. The determining unit compares the received detected amount and a predetermined threshold value, and determines the measurement condition at blood pressure measurement. At each blood pressure measurement, the measurement condition determined by the determining unit is related to the data of the blood pressure calculated by the blood pressure calculating unit, and stored in the storing unit.  
      Preferably, an input of the measurement condition specifying information is received from the receiving unit before blood pressure measurement. The “before blood pressure measurement” refers to time at least before calculation of blood pressure.  
      Preferably, an input of the measurement condition specifying information is received from the receiving unit after blood pressure measurement. The “after blood pressure measurement” refers to time at least after calculation of blood pressure.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes a selecting unit for making a selection as to whether or not inputting is performed after blood pressure measurement. If the selecting unit selects to perform inputting, an input of the measurement condition specifying information is received from the receiving unit.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes an evaluated amount calculating unit for calculating an evaluated amount based on the correlation between a first blood pressure data group including at least one item of blood pressure data corresponding to the single measurement condition, and a second blood pressure data group including at least one item of blood pressure data corresponding to a measurement condition different from the single measurement condition, in the blood pressure data stored in the storing unit.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes an evaluated amount calculating unit for calculating an evaluated amount for a blood pressure data group including at least one item of blood pressure data corresponding to the single measurement condition in the blood pressure data stored in the storing unit.  
      Preferably, the electronic blood pressure monitor further includes a display unit for displaying a result of blood pressure calculation performed by the blood pressure calculating unit and/or a result of evaluated amount calculation performed by the evaluated amount calculating unit.  
      According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the measurement condition of the subject (patient) at blood pressure measurement. It is thereby possible to apply an appropriate condition to the data on the measured blood pressure.  
      The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an electronic blood pressure monitor according to a first embodiment and its first to fifth modifications of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an internal configuration diagram of the electronic blood pressure monitor according to the first embodiment and its first to fifth modifications of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are diagrams each showing an example of stored contents of a measurement result in a memory in the first embodiment and its first to fifth modifications of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by a CPU in the electronic blood pressure monitor in the first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 5A-5C  are diagrams each showing an example of a screen display when measurement time information is input as determination criterion information.  
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagrams each showing an example of contents of a time correlation table.  
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the CPU in the electronic blood pressure monitor in the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the CPU in the electronic blood pressure monitor in the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the CPU in the electronic blood pressure monitor in the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the CPU in the electronic blood pressure monitor in the fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing an interrupt process in the fourth modification of the first embodiment.  
       FIG. 12  is a diagram showing an example of stored contents of a measurement result in a memory in the fourth modification of the first embodiment.  
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the CPU in the electronic blood pressure monitor in the fifth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 14  is a diagram showing an example of a screen display when a specific state is input as a measurement result.  
       FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of an electronic blood pressure monitor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 16  is an internal configuration diagram of the electronic blood pressure monitor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 17  is a diagram showing a correlation table of character data and measurement conditions.  
       FIG. 18  is a first diagram showing an example of a system configuration according to a third embodiment.  
       FIG. 19  is a second diagram showing an example of the system configuration according to the third embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same characters are attached to the same or corresponding portions in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.  
     First Embodiment  
      (Configuration)  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an electronic blood pressure monitor  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , electronic blood pressure monitor  100  according to the present embodiment is provided with a blood pressure monitor main body  1 A, a cuff  2  attached to a blood pressure measurement site of a subject (patient) for pneumatic pressurization, and an air pipe  3  connecting blood pressure monitor main body  1 A to cuff  2 .  
      Blood pressure monitor main body  1 A has a display unit  4  allowing the patient to confirm the contents of display, and a power switch  5 , a measurement switch  6 , and a memory switch  7  that are provided to allow the patient to manipulate the blood pressure monitor externally.  
      Power switch  5  is manipulated to turn on/off the power supply of blood pressure monitor main body  1 A. Measurement switch  6  is manipulated to instruct the start of blood pressure measurement. Memory switch  7  is manipulated to invoke stored blood pressure data.  
       FIG. 2  shows an internal configuration of blood pressure monitor main body  1 A. Referring to  FIG. 2 , blood pressure monitor main body  1 A includes a pressure sensor  14 , the capacitance of which varies depending on pressure in a bladder  21  embedded in cuff  2  (hereinafter referred to as “cuff pressure”), an oscillation circuit  15  outputting to a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  20 A a signal having a oscillation frequency corresponding to a capacitance value of pressure sensor  14 , a pump  16  and a valve  18  which are provided for adjusting a level of the cuff pressure, a pump driving circuit  17  driving pump  16 , a valve driving circuit  19  for adjusting opening and closing positions of valve  18 , and CPU  20 A for intensively controlling and monitoring each unit. Furthermore, blood pressure monitor main body  1 A includes display unit  4 , a memory  12  where various types of data and programs are stored, a manipulation unit  210 , a timer  13  performing a timer operation to output timing data, a buzzer  24 , and a power unit  25  for supplying electric power. Bladder  21  is connected to pressure sensor  14 , pump  16 , and valve  18  via air pipe  3 . CPU  20 A converts the signal obtained from oscillation circuit  15  into a pressure signal and senses pressure. CPU  20 A has a blood pressure calculating unit  201 A, a determining unit  202 A, and a time receiving unit  203 A.  
      Manipulation unit  210  includes power switch  5 , measurement switch  6 , and memory switch  7  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      When blood pressure is measured in the above-described configuration, CPU  20 A uses blood pressure calculating unit  201 A and applies a prescribed algorithm to the pressure data sensed based on the signal from oscillation circuit  15 , so as to calculate blood pressure values, namely, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, as well as a pulse rate. For such a measurement procedure, a well-known procedure conventionally provided can be applied, and hence the detailed description thereof will not be provided here.  
      In the present embodiment, CPU  20 A uses determining unit  202 A to determine a measurement condition at blood pressure measurement based on measurement condition specifying information. Furthermore, CPU  20 A desirably has a function of calculating a blood pressure-related, evaluated amount for each of the determined measurement conditions, or a blood pressure-related, evaluated amount corresponding to more than one prescribed measurement conditions. A method of calculating an evaluated amount will be described later.  
      The “measurement condition specifying information” refers to information for specifying a measurement condition at blood pressure measurement, and includes an attribute at blood pressure measurement and determination criterion information. The “attribute” refers to information obtained as blood pressure is measured, such as, for example, time point data to be recorded, externally-input voice data, or a detected amount from a sensor or the like. The “determination criterion information” refers to information serving as a criterion for determining a measurement condition at blood pressure measurement, namely, information for defining the correlation between the attribute and the measurement condition. The determination criterion information may be input by the patient at blood pressure measurement, or predetermined before shipment as non-rewritable data in memory  12 , for example, or subsequently set by the patient and stored.  
      In the first embodiment, the determination criterion information is, for example, time information such as a “period” or a “time period” for specifying the measurement condition. The “period” here refers to time, a day of the week, a day, a week, a month, a season, a year and the like. The “time period” refers to a span from a certain period to a certain period, such as a time slot (e.g. 7-9 o&#39;clock).  
      In the first embodiment, there are three measurement conditions including a time slot after waking up, a time slot before sleeping, and a normal time slot. An input of time information for specifying these measurement conditions (hereinafter referred to as “measurement time information”) is received as the determination criterion information. A concrete example of contents of memory  12  in this case is shown in each of  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  
      Referring to  FIG. 3A , memory  12  is provided in advance with storage regions  26 ,  27  and  28  intended for the measurement conditions, namely, the time slot before sleeping, the time slot after waking up, and the normal time slot, respectively. Measurement results are respectively stored in regions  26 ,  27  and  28  in the unit record R. Record R includes a systolic blood pressure data SBP indicating systolic blood pressure, a diastolic blood pressure data DBP indicating diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate data PLS indicating a pulse rate. These items of data may be associated with the measurement conditions and stored in the regions, respectively, at each measurement, and the storage scheme is not limited to the one using record R. In addition, data of measurement time point (time point when measurement is started or completed) may further be stored in record R.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3B , a measurement result and measurement condition information are paired and stored in memory  12 . In  FIG. 3B , a record Ri (i=1, 2, 3, . . . , n) in which a blood pressure value is associated with a measurement condition information is stored at each blood pressure measurement. In record Ri, systolic blood pressure data SBPi, diastolic blood pressure data DBPi, pulse rate data PLSi, and any of measurement condition data C 1 , C 2  and C 3  are stored. Measurement condition data C 1 , C 2  and C 3  correspond to the measurement conditions, namely, the time slot before sleeping, the time slot after waking up, and the normal time slot, respectively. In addition, data on a measurement time point (time point when measurement is started or completed) may further be stored in record Ri.  
      In the following description, items of blood pressure data are grouped per measurement condition, and stored in each of the memory regions, as shown in  FIG. 3A .  
      (Calculation of Evaluated Amount)  
      In the first embodiment of the present invention, an evaluated amount calculating unit in CPU  20 A calculates, for example, a cardiovascular risk value as the above-described evaluated amount. The cardiovascular risk value is thought to be useful for preventing cardiovascular accidents such as cerebral strokes, cardiac failure, cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, transient cerebral ischemic attack, fall, syncope, dizziness, stagger, cardiac infarction, angina pectoris, asymptomatic cardiac ischemia, arrhythmia, sudden death, dissecting aortic aneurysm, and ruptured aortic aneurysm. The evaluated amount calculated is displayed on display unit  4 . A function of the evaluated amount calculating unit is implemented by a program corresponding thereto being read from memory  12  and executed by CPU  20 A.  
      A method of calculating such an evaluated amount will be described.  
      First Example of Calculation  
      In a first example of calculation, the evaluated amount is calculated based on the correlation between a first blood pressure data group including at least one item of blood pressure data corresponding to the single measurement condition and a second blood pressure data group including at least one item of blood pressure data corresponding to another measurement condition, in the blood pressure data stored in memory  12 . For example, an in-group average value of the blood pressure data included in the first blood pressure data group and an in-group average value of the blood pressure data included in the second blood pressure data group, are initially calculated. An average value of the calculated in-group average values and a difference value between the calculated in-group average values are then calculated. A difference between the calculated average value and a threshold value predetermined therefor, and a difference between the calculated difference value and a threshold value predetermined therefor, may further be calculated.  
      More specifically, the evaluated amount, namely, the risk value is calculated as follows. CPU  20 A calculates the risk value based on a program for calculating a cardiovascular risk value, which program is stored in advance in an internal memory or memory  12 . In order to calculated the risk value, CPU  20 A initially reads the blood pressure data stored in memory  12 , and performs a process of calculating an average of the blood pressure data for each of regions  26  and  27  shown in  FIG. 3A . In other words, an in-group average of a blood pressure data group including blood pressure data measured under the same measurement condition is calculated for each blood pressure data group. The calculated average blood pressure values for the blood pressure data groups are then used to calculate the risk value. An average value of the blood pressure values in region  28  may concurrently be calculated.  
      Calculation of the average blood pressure value is carried out using the following equations. 
 
average of  SBP  measured after waking up=(result of  SBP 1 measured after waking up+result of  SBP 2 measured after waking up+ . . . +result of  SBPn  measured after waking up)/ N (where  n= 1, 2, 3, . . . ) 
 
average of  SBP  measured before sleeping=(result of  SBP 1 measured before sleeping+result of  SBP 2 measured before sleeping+ . . . +result of  SPBm  measured before sleeping)/ m (where  m= 1, 2, 3, . . . ) 
 
      In addition, for calculation of the risk value, an average value (ME average value) of the average of the blood pressure values measured in the time slot before sleeping and the average of the blood pressure values measured in the time slot after waking up, and a difference between the two (ME difference), which are calculated in accordance with the following equations, are used. 
 
 ME  difference=average of SBP measured after waking up−average of  SBP  measured before sleeping 
 
 ME  average=(average of  SBP  measured after waking up+average of  SBP  measured before sleeping)/2 
 
      In electronic blood pressure monitor  100  according to the present invention, a process of risk analysis is carried out in accordance with the calculated risk value. Thereby, the blood pressure data group including at least one blood pressure value measured at the time slot before sleeping and the blood pressure data group including at least one blood pressure value measured at the time slot after waking up (data included in before sleeping region  26  and after waking up region  27 ) are obtained, and averages of the blood pressure values included in the groups are respectively calculated, and then an average value (ME average value) and a difference (ME difference) between the groups, which are two risk values of cardiovascular system diseases, are calculated, so that the risk values are presented (displayed) as a result. In addition to presenting the ME average value and ME difference as such, a difference value between the ME average value and a predetermined threshold value (e.g. 135 mmHg) and a difference value between the ME difference and a predetermined threshold value (e.g. 20 mmHg) may be calculated, and each of the calculated difference values may be presented as a risk value. The risk value may be output by the method as disclosed in FIG. 4 of Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-261452.  
      Second Example of Calculation  
      In a second example of calculation, an evaluated amount is calculated based on a blood pressure data group corresponding to a prescribed (single) measurement condition. In this case, an in-group average value of blood pressure data included in the blood pressure data group corresponding to the prescribed measurement condition is calculated as an evaluated amount. Furthermore, an evaluated amount may be calculated based on the calculated in-group average value and any of a predetermined threshold value and a predetermined computational expression.  
      More specifically, the evaluated amount, namely, the risk value is calculated as follows. As in the case above, CPU  20 A calculates a risk value based on a program for calculating a cardiovascular risk value, which program is stored in advance in an internal memory or memory  12 . In order to calculate the risk value, CPU  20 A initially reads the blood pressure data stored in memory  12 , and performs a process of calculating averages of the blood pressure data in region  27  shown in  FIG. 3A . In other words, in-group averages of the blood pressure data group including blood pressure data measured under the same measurement condition are calculated for a prescribed measurement condition (the time slot after waking up). The calculated averages of the blood pressure values in the blood data group are then used to calculate the risk value. 
 
average of  SBP  measured after waking up=(result of  SBP 1 measured after waking up+result of  SBP 2 measured after waking up+ . . . +result of  SBPn  measured after waking up)/ n (where  n= 1, 2, 3, . . . ) 
 
average of  DBP  measured after waking up=(result of  DBP 1 measured after waking up+result of  DBP 2 measured after waking up+ . . . +result of  DPBn  measured after waking up)/ n (where n=1, 2, 3, . . . ) 
 
      In the second example of calculation, the calculated average of SBP measured after waking up and the calculated average of DBP measured after waking up are calculated as risk values and presented. A difference value between each of the calculated average values and a threshold value predetermined for each of the average values may be calculated, and each of the calculated difference values may be presented as a risk value. As to the threshold value herein, the threshold value for the average of SBP measured after waking up may be set to 135 mmHg, and the threshold value for the average of DBP measured after waking up may be set to 85 mmHg, based on, for example, a criterion defined by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, or a hypertension criterion of home blood pressure defined by the Japanese Society of Hypertension.  
      As such, blood pressure is affected by various factors and varies, and hence by calculating an average value for each measurement condition or for a prescribed measurement condition, accuracy of risk estimation is improved.  
      In the following description, blood pressure monitor  100  in the first embodiment of the present invention calculates a risk value according to the above-described first example of calculation.  
      (Operation of Electronic Blood Pressure Monitor in the First Embodiment)  
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by CPU  20 A in electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart in  FIG. 4  is stored in advance as a program in memory  12 , and read by CPU  20 A for execution. Processes shown in  FIG. 4  are the ones initiated when, for example, power switch  5  is manipulated so that CPU  20 A is supplied with electric power via power unit  25 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , as an initialization process for electronic blood pressure monitor  100 , CPU  20 A initially controls each unit, exhausts air from bladder  21 , and corrects pressure sensor  14  to 0 mmHg (step S (hereinafter abbreviated as “S”)  1 ). Next, CPU  20 A determines whether or not measurement time information has already been stored in, for example, time correlation table  121  which will be described below, in memory  12  (S 2 ). If the measurement time information has already been stored (YES in S 2 ), it is then determined whether or not there is an instruction for modification from a patient (S 3 ). If the instruction for modification is sensed (YES in S 3 ), the process proceeds to S 4 A. If the instruction for modification is not sensed (NO in S 3 ), the process proceeds to S 6 A.  
      In contrast, if the measurement time information has not yet been stored in S 2  (NO in S 2 ), the process proceeds to S 4 A.  
      In S 3 , measurement time information in a current state may be displayed on display unit  4  so as to allow the patient to determine whether or not a modification is required. In addition, a default value may be stored in time correlation table  121  so that the determination process in S 2  is eliminated. By doing so, an evaluated amount having high reliability is calculated for the patient who has an ordinary life pattern, even if measurement time information is not input.  
      In S 4 A, CPU  20 A uses time receiving unit  203 A to receive an input of determination criterion information included in measurement condition specifying information, namely, an input of measurement time information. Time receiving unit  203 A records the received measurement time information in time correlation table  121  in memory  12 , and updates the contents of the table (S 5 ).  
      In S 4 A, a screen for inputting the measurement time information, for example, is displayed on display unit  4 . Concrete examples of the screen to be displayed are shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B  and  5 C.  
       FIG. 5A  is a diagram showing an example in which an input of commencement or termination of a time period (measurement time slot) of at least one measurement condition is received as the measurement time information. For example, a “determination criterion input screen” is displayed on display unit  4 , so that display for allowing the patient to input wake-up time (e.g. 7:00) and bedtime (e.g. 21:00) is provided. Here, wake-up time is commencement of the measurement condition: time slot after waking up, while bedtime is termination of the measurement condition: time slot before sleeping. Note that any of wake-up time and bedtime may be commencement or termination. In this case, a time duration is determined in advance for each of wake-up time and bedtime, or common time duration is determined for wake-up time and bedtime. For example, an input of commencement or termination of the measurement condition: normal time slot may be received.  
       FIG. 5B  is a diagram showing an example in which an input of commencement and termination of a time period of at least one measurement condition is received as the measurement time information. The “determination criterion input screen” is similarly displayed on display unit  4 , and display for allowing the patient to input commencement (e.g. 5:30) and termination (e.g. 7:00) of the time slot after waking up, and commencement (e.g. 21:00) and termination (e.g. 22:00) of the time slot before sleeping is provided.  
       FIG. 5C  is a diagram showing an example in which an input of commencement or termination and time duration (time period duration) of a time period of at least one measurement condition is received as the measurement time information. The “determination criterion input screen” is similarly displayed on display unit  4 , and display for allowing the patient to input wake-up time (e.g. 7:00) and bedtime (e.g. 21:00), and time durations thereof (e.g. 1:30, 1:00) is provided. In this case, wake-up time is also commencement of the measurement condition: time slot after waking up, while bedtime is termination of the measurement condition: time slot before sleeping. Note that any of wake-up time and bedtime may be commencement or termination.  
      In the present embodiment, one switch or more than two switches included in manipulation unit  210  is/are used for the input of each of the times. For example, whenever memory switch  7  is pressed, time may be incremented or decremented by one minute, and the time displayed when power switch  5  is pressed may be determined as input time. A switch for setting time point, not shown, may be provided to input each of the times. Furthermore, a screen displayed when the measurement time information is input is not limited to the forms shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C .  
      Next, each of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  shows an example of the contents of time correlation table  121  where the measurement time information is stored by the process in S 5 .  FIG. 6A  is a first example of the contents of time correlation table  121 . In the first example, each of the measurement condition: time slot after waking up and the measurement condition: time slot before sleeping is associated with time data  91  and time duration data  92  and stored in time correlation table  121  in memory  12 . Time duration data  92  may be time duration data input by the patient, or data on predetermined time duration. Similar data may be calculated and stored for the measurement condition: normal time slot.  
       FIG. 6B  is a second example of the contents of time correlation table  121 . In the second example, each of the measurement condition: time slot after waking up and the measurement condition: time slot before sleeping is paired with time slot data  93  and stored in time correlation table  121  in memory  12 . For the measurement condition: normal time slot, data on the time slot other than the time slot after waking up and the time slot before sleeping may similarly be stored.  
      In the present embodiment, the measurement condition is associated with the measurement time information in time correlation table  121 . However, the storage scheme is not limited to such a table form.  
      If an evaluated amount (risk value) is calculated by the above-described second example of calculation, what is only required is that the time slot after waking up can be distinguished from other time slots. Accordingly, for example, only the input of commencement of the time slot after waking up (wake-up time) or only the input of commencement (wake-up time) and time duration of the time slot after waking up may be received, and stored and updated in memory  12 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 4  again, CPU  20 A uses determining unit  202 A in S 6 A to obtain timing data output from timer  13 , so as to determine the measurement condition at this time. In other words, CPU  20 A retrieves time correlation table  121  and determines which measurement condition, namely, which measurement time slot section the current time point belongs to.  
      Next, CPU  20 A determines whether or not measurement switch (referred to as “SW” in  FIG. 4 )  6  is manipulated (S 8 ). Determination in S 8  is repeated until measurement switch  6  is manipulated. If it is sensed that measurement switch  6  is manipulated, the process proceeds to S 10 . The processes in S 2 -S 6 A and the process in S 8  may be performed in an inverse order.  
      In S 10 , CPU  20 A controls each unit and applies pressure of up to approximately the systolic blood pressure of the patient +40 mmHg. Pressure in bladder  21  is then gradually reduced (S 12 ). In this depressurizing process, pressure in bladder  21  is detected by pressure sensor  14 , and based on the detected pressure, CPU  20 A calculates blood pressure (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) values and a pulse rate (S 14 ). The calculated blood pressure values and pulse rate are displayed on display unit  4  (S 16 ). The processes in S 10 -S 14  for blood pressure measurement are similar to those in the conventional electronic blood pressure monitor. Although blood pressure is measured during a depressurizing process, it may be measured during a pressurizing process.  
      When calculation and display of blood pressure is terminated, CPU  20 A registers new record R, where a measurement result (blood pressure values and a pulse rate) is stored, in a region of memory  12  corresponding to the measurement condition determined in S 6 A (S 18 ).  
      Subsequently, CPU  20 A determines whether or not sufficient number of items of data, namely, at least one item of data, for example, is/are recorded in specific regions in memory  12 , namely, regions  26  and  27 , to allow risk value calculation (S 20 ). If CPU  20 A determines that the sufficient number of items of data are not recorded (NO in S 20 ), it terminates a series of processes. In contrast, if CPU  20 A determines that the sufficient number of items of data are recorded in specific regions to allow risk value calculation (YES in S 20 ), it calculates an average value for a prescribed measurement condition, namely, an average value of a data group in each of regions  26  and  27  in accordance with the above-described procedure (S 22 ). Then CPU  20 A calculates an ME average value and an ME difference as the risk values of cardiovascular system diseases (S 24 ), and displays the calculated risk values at display unit  4  (S 26 ). As such, a series of processes is terminated.  
      As described above, in the present embodiment, a measurement condition at blood pressure measurement is determined based on an attribute at blood pressure measurement, namely, time point data from timer  13 , and measurement time information recorded in advance or input in time correlation table  121  in memory  12 . Instead of the attribute at blood pressure measurement, the determined measurement condition is then associated with a measurement result and stored. By doing so, it is possible to calculate an evaluated amount having high accuracy in accordance with the patient&#39;s living cycle.  
      When the patient once sets measurement time information, he/she is not required to input the measurement time information for the second time or more. It is therefore possible to remove the burden of manipulation from the patient whose living cycle is constant. When measurement is carried out for the second time or more, or there is no need of modification, time required for a series of processes in relation to blood pressure measurement can be reduced.  
      In the present embodiment, when memory switch  7  is manipulated between the prescribed steps, an interrupt process is performed. In the interrupt process, measurement results stored in memory  12 , for example, are sequentially read and displayed on display unit  4 . In the interrupt process, the above-described processes in S 20 -S 26  may also be performed to display the risk value.  
      In the present embodiment, the processes in S 20 -S 26  are performed whenever blood pressure is measured. However, the main routine may be terminated in the process in S 118 , and the processes in S 20 -S 26  may be performed only in the interrupt process. In addition, the processes in S 20 -S 26  may be performed only when, for example, the patient presses a prescribed switch.  
      An alarming function may be added to electronic blood pressure monitor  100  according to the present embodiment so that buzzer  24  can generate sound at the set wake-up time. In other words, when the time point obtained from timer  13  reaches the wake-up time set by the patient, CPU  20 A may transmit a control signal to buzzer  24  so that an alarm is generated.  
     First Modification of First Embodiment  
      A first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. A configuration of an electronic blood pressure monitor according to the first modification of the first embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, and hence the electronic blood pressure monitor denoted by a character  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is also used here for the description.  
      In the first embodiment, when the determination criterion information (measurement time information) included in the measurement condition specifying information is once input, an input of the relevant information is not received until the instruction for modification is received. In the first modification, however, an input of determination criterion information is received from the patient whenever measurement is performed. In the first modification, measurement time information is similarly input as the determination criterion information.  
      In the following, an operation of electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the first modification will be described.  
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by CPU  20 A in electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart in  FIG. 7  is stored in advance as a program in memory  12 , and read by CPU  20 A for execution. Processes similar to those shown in the flowchart in  FIG. 4  are denoted by the same characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated here.  
      Referring to  FIG. 7 , when the initialization process in S 1  is terminated, CPU  20 A receives an input of determination criterion information, namely, measurement time information (S 4 A). In the first modification, CPU  20 A temporarily records the received measurement time information in an internal memory in S 4 A. When the process in S 4 A is terminated, the above-described processes in S 6 A-S 26  are sequentially performed so that a series of processes is terminated. In the first modification, the measurement condition at this time is determined in S 6 A, based on time point data output from timer  13  and measurement time information input in S 4 A.  
      As such, electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the first modification of the first embodiment receives an input of determination criterion information whenever blood pressure is measured. It is therefore possible to present an evaluated amount (risk value) having high reliability even to the patient who has an irregular living cycle.  
     Second Modification of First Embodiment  
      A second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. A configuration of an electronic blood pressure monitor according to the second modification of the first embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, and hence the electronic blood pressure monitor denoted by a character  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is also used here for the description.  
      In the first embodiment and its first modification, an input of determination criterion information is received before blood pressure measurement. In the second modification, however, the input of determination criterion information is received after blood pressure measurement. The second modification is described on the understanding that an input of determination criterion condition is received whenever blood pressure is measured, as in the first modification. However, as in the first embodiment, the input of determination criterion information may be received only when blood pressure is measured for the first time, and when an instruction for modification to the measurement condition is received from the patient. In the second modification, measurement time information is similarly input as determination criterion information.  
      In the following, an operation of electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the second modification will be described.  
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by CPU  20 A in electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart in  FIG. 8  is stored in advance as a program in memory  12 , and read by CPU  20 A for execution. Processes similar to those shown in the flowchart in  FIG. 4  are denoted by the same characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated here.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8 , when the initialization process in S 1  is terminated, the process proceeds to S 8  so that it is determined whether or not measurement switch  6  is manipulated. Subsequently, the processes in S 10 -S 16  relating to blood pressure measurement are performed as in the first embodiment.  
      In S 16 , after blood pressure values and a pulse rate are displayed on display unit  4 , CPU  20 A receives an input of determination criterion information (S 302 ). In the second modification, CPU  20 A similarly records the received measurement time information temporarily in the internal memory in S 4 A. The measurement condition at this time is then determined (S 304 ). The processes in S 302  and S 304  correspond to the processes in S 4 A and S 6 A in  FIG. 4 , respectively, and hence the description thereof will not be repeated.  
      When the process in S 304  is terminated, the processes in S 18 -S 26  are performed as in the first embodiment, and a series of processes is terminated.  
     Third Modification of First Embodiment  
      A third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. A configuration of an electronic blood pressure monitor according to the third modification of the first embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, and hence the electronic blood pressure monitor denoted by a character  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is also used for the description.  
      In the first embodiment and its first and second modifications, the measurement result and the measurement condition are automatically associated with each other and recorded in memory  12  whenever blood pressure is measured. In the third modification, however, these are associated with each other and recorded in memory  12  only when the patient inputs determination criterion information. In the third modification, measurement time information is similarly input as determination criterion information.  
      In the following, an operation of electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the third modification will be described.  
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by CPU  20 A in electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart in  FIG. 9  is stored in advance as a program in memory  12 , and read by CPU  20 A for execution. Processes similar to those shown in the flowchart in  FIG. 8  used for the second modification of the first embodiment are denoted by the same characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated here.  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , when the initialization process in S 1  is terminated, the process proceeds to S 8  as in the second modification. When it is sensed that measurement switch  6  is manipulated in S 8  (YES in S 8 ), the processes in S 10 -S 16  relating to blood pressure measurement are performed.  
      After blood pressure values and a pulse rate are displayed on display unit  4  in S 16 , CPU  20 A determines whether or not inputting of determination criterion information is selected (S 402 ). At that time, information that allows the patient to select whether or not he/she inputs the determination criterion information may be displayed on display unit  4 . For example, a message “Do you intend to input determination criterion information?” and buttons “YES” and “NO” may be displayed. In this case, CPU  20 A senses which button is selected, based on, for example, a manipulate signal from manipulation unit  210 . Alternatively, it may be predetermined that, when a prescribed switch such as measurement switch  6  is once manipulated, it is determined that inputting of the condition is selected.  
      In S 402 , when CPU  20 A determines that inputting of determination criterion information is selected (YES in S 402 ), it receives an input of the determination criterion information (S 302 ). Successively, the measurement condition determining process (S 304 ) is performed, so that the measurement result and the determined measurement condition are associated and stored in memory  12  (S 18 ). When the process in S 18  is terminated, the above-described processes in S 20 -S 26  are performed, and a series of processes is terminated.  
      In contrast, if CPU  20 A determines that inputting of the condition is not selected in S 402  (NO in S 402 ), a series of processes is terminated. In other words, if the patient does not select to input the condition, the processes after S 302 , namely, the measurement condition determining process (S 304 ), the data storing process (S 18 ), and the risk calculating process (S 24 ), for example, are not performed.  
      In the flowchart in  FIG. 9 , if inputting of the determination criterion information is not selected (NO in S 402 ), all the processes after S 302  are not performed and a series of processes is terminated. However, the processes in S 20 -S 26  relating to risk value calculation may be performed based on the previous measurement value.  
      As in the first embodiment and its first modification, an input of determination criterion information may be received before measurement. For example, the processes in S 402 , S 302 , and S 304  may be performed between S 1  and S 8 , so that the processes after S 18  may be performed if YES in S 402 , or a series of processes may be terminated if NO in S 402 .  
      As such, in the third modification, the measurement result and the measurement condition are associated and stored in memory  12  only when the patient selects to input determination criterion information. Accordingly, in the case where the reliability of the measurement result is low owing to extremely insufficient sleep even if the measurement condition corresponds to the time slot after waking up, for example, the measurement result and the measurement condition can be prevented from being associated and stored in memory  12 . By doing so, the measurement condition can exactly be associated with the measurement result, and reliability of the risk value to be calculated can be improved.  
     Fourth Modification of First Embodiment  
      A fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. A configuration of an electronic blood pressure monitor according to the fourth modification of the first embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, and hence the electronic blood pressure monitor denoted by a character  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is also used here for the description.  
      In the first embodiment and its first to third modifications, blood pressure measurement and inputting of determination criterion information included in measurement condition specifying information are performed in a series of processes (main routine). In the fourth modification, however, they are performed separately. In the fourth modification, measurement time information is similarly input as determination criterion information.  
      In the following, an operation of electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the fourth modification will be described.  
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by CPU  20 A in electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart in  FIG. 10  is stored in advance as a program in memory  12 , and read by CPU  20 A for execution. Processes similar to those shown in the flowchart in  FIG. 8  used for the second modification of the first embodiment are denoted by the same characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated here.  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 , as in the second modification, the process proceeds to S 8  when the initialization process in S 1  is terminated. When it is sensed that measurement switch  6  is manipulated in S 8  (YES in S 8 ), the processes in S 10 -S 16  relating to blood pressure measurement are performed.  
      After blood pressure values and a pulse rate are displayed on display unit  4  in S 16 , CPU  20 A obtains time point data from timer  13 , and associates the blood pressure values and the pulse rate calculated in S 14  with the time point and records the same in memory  12  (S 181 ). As such, in the fourth modification, the measurement result is associated with the actual time point and stored. The example of how the measurement result in this case is stored is shown in  FIG. 12 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 12 , a record RRi (i=1, 2, 3, . . . , n) is stored at each blood pressure measurement. In record RRi, measurement time point data Ti, systolic blood pressure data SBPi, diastolic blood pressure data DBPi, and pulse rate data PLSi are stored. As such, in the fourth modification, the measurement time point itself, which is an attribute at blood pressure measurement, is associated with the measurement result and stored.  
      In the fourth modification, when the storing process in S 181  is terminated, a series of processes is terminated.  
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing an interrupt process in the fourth modification of the first embodiment. The flowchart in  FIG. 11  is also stored in advance as a program in memory  12 , and read by CPU  20 A for execution. The interrupt process is initiated by memory switch  7  being manipulated.  
      Referring to  FIG. 11 , CPU  20 A initially determines whether or not there is an instruction for risk value calculation, based on, for example, a manipulate signal from manipulation unit  210  (S 502 ). If there is no instruction for risk value calculation (NO in S 502 ), a prescribed process (S 514 ) such as a process of sequentially reading the measurement results based on measurement time point data Ti and displaying the same is performed, and the interrupt process is terminated.  
      In contrast, if it is determined that there is an instruction for risk value calculation in S 502  (YES in S 502 ), CPU  20 A receives an input of determination criterion information, namely, measurement time information (S 504 ). The process in S 504  corresponds to the above-described process in S 4 A, and hence the description thereof will not be repeated here. When the process in S 504  is terminated, records RRi corresponding to the measurement conditions: time slot after waking up and time slot before sleeping are retrieved, based on the input time information and time point data Ti (S 505 ).  
      Next, it is determined whether or not the risk can be calculated (S 506 ). In S 506 , CPU  20 A determines whether or not at least one record RRi exists for each of the prescribed measurement conditions, namely, the time slot after waking up and the time slot before sleeping. If it is determined that the risk can be calculated (YES in S 506 ), an average value for each of the prescribed measurement conditions is calculated (S 508 ), and a risk value is calculated (S 510 ). The calculated risk value is then displayed on display unit  4  (S 512 ). The processes in S 508 , S 510 , and S 512  are similar to those in S 22 , S 24 , and S 26  described in the first embodiment, respectively, and hence the description thereof will not be repeated. In contrast, if it is determined that the risk cannot be calculated (NO in S 506 ), the interrupt process is terminated.  
      In the fourth modification, the risk value is calculated and displayed when there is an instruction for risk value calculation in S 502  after the interrupt process is initiated. However, the process in S 502  may be eliminated and the processes in S 504 -S 512  may be performed.  
      As described above, when the evaluated amount (risk value) is calculated in the fourth modification of the first embodiment, an attribute at blood pressure measurement, which attribute is based on an actual measurement time point, is replaced with the measurement condition. By doing so, it is possible to calculate a risk value having high reliability, as in the first embodiment and its first to third modifications.  
     Fifth Modification of First Embodiment  
      A fifth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. A configuration of an electronic blood pressure monitor according to the fifth modification of the first embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, and hence the electronic blood pressure monitor denoted by a character  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is also used here for the description.  
      In the first embodiment, an input of measurement time information is received as determination criterion information included in measurement condition specifying information. In the fifth modification, however, an input of at least one item of manipulation information from information on a manipulation sequence of manipulation unit  210 , information on the number of manipulations of manipulation unit  210 , and information on a manipulation interval of manipulation unit  210 , is received as determination criterion information. In other words, an input of information on a manipulation sequence of a plurality of switches included in manipulation unit  210  and/or information on the number of manipulations of at least one switch and/or information on a manipulation interval of at least one switch is received.  
      In the following, an operation of electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the first modification will be described.  
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a main routine executed by CPU  20 A in electronic blood pressure monitor  100  in the fifth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart in  FIG. 13  is stored in advance as a program in memory  12 , and read by CPU  20 A for execution. Processes similar to those shown in the flowchart in  FIG. 7  used for the first modification of the first embodiment are denoted by the same characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated here.  
      Referring to  FIG. 13 , when the initialization process in S 1  is terminated, CPU  20 A receives an input of determination criterion information (S 4 B), and determines whether or not a predetermined time (e.g. 5 seconds) has passed (S 102 ). CPU  20 A receives the input of determination criterion information until the predetermined time has passed (NO in S 102 ). When it is determined that the prescribed time has passed (YES in S 102 ), determining unit  202 A is used to determine the measurement condition at this time (S 6 B). When the process in S 6 B is terminated, the processes in S 8 -S 26  are performed as in the first embodiment and its first modification.  
      (Manipulation Sequence)  
      Initially, an example in which an input of information on a manipulation sequence of a plurality of switches is received as determination criterion information in S 4 B, will be described. In this example, a correlation table  122  of information on a manipulation sequence and measurement condition information is stored in advance in, for example, memory  12 . For example, if the manipulation sequence refers to the order of power switch  5 , memory switch  7 , and measurement switch  6 , the measurement condition is associated with the condition after waking up, and the like. Note that the storage scheme is not limited to correlation table  122  with which information on a manipulation sequence and measurement condition information are associated, as long as these pieces of information are associated.  
      In this example, CPU  20 A senses in S 4 B which switch among the plurality of switches is manipulated, based on a signal from manipulation unit  210 . For example, control switch identifying information and the like is temporarily recorded in the internal memory according to a sensed order.  
      When the prescribed time has passed, CPU  20 A uses determining unit  202 A and refers to correlation table  122  as described above, so as to determine the measurement condition in S 6 B. In other words, correlation table  122  is retrieved based on the identifying information in the sensed order, which identifying information is recorded in the internal memory in S 4 B, so that information on a corresponding measurement condition is read (determined).  
      (Number of Manipulations)  
      Next, an example in which an input of information on the number of manipulations of one switch is received as determination criterion information in S 4 B, will be described. In this example, a correlation table  123  of information on the number of manipulations and measurement condition information is stored in advance in, for example, memory  12 . For example, the measurement condition is associated with the condition after waking up if the number of manipulations of the measurement switch  6  is three. The measurement condition is associated with the condition before sleeping if the number is two. The measurement condition is associated with the normal condition if the number is zero. The storage scheme is not limited to correlation table  123  with which information on the number of manipulations and measurement condition information are associated, as long as these pieces of information are associated.  
      In this example, CPU  20 A sensed in S 4 B whether or not measurement switch  6 , for example, is manipulated based on the manipulate signal from manipulation unit  210 . CPU  20 A temporarily counts the number of sensed manipulate signals in the internal memory.  
      When the prescribed time has passed, CPU  20 A uses determining unit  202 A and refers to correlation table  123  as described above, so as to determine the measurement condition in S 6 B. In other words, correlation table  123  is retrieved based on the number of manipulations recorded in the internal memory in S 4 B, so that a corresponding measurement condition is read (determined).  
      (Manipulation Sequence and Number of Manipulations)  
      Next, an example in which an input of information on a manipulation sequence of the plurality of switches and information on the number of manipulations of the switches is received as determination criterion information in S 4 B, will be described. In this example, a correlation table  124  of information on a manipulation sequence and information on the number of manipulations, and measurement condition information, is stored in advance in, for example, memory  12 . For example, the measurement condition is associated with the condition after waking up if power switch  5  is manipulated twice and memory switch  7  is subsequently manipulated once. The measurement condition is associated with the condition before sleeping if power switch  5  is manipulated once and memory switch  7  is subsequently manipulated twice. The measurement condition is associated with the normal condition if power switch  5  is manipulated once and memory switch  7  is subsequently manipulated once. The storage scheme is not limited to correlation table  124  with which information on a manipulation sequence and measurement condition information are associated, as long as these pieces of information are associated.  
      In this example, CPU  20 A senses in S 4 B which switch among the plurality of switches is manipulated, based on a signal from manipulation unit  210 . Control switch identifying information and the like is temporarily recorded in the internal memory in, for example, the sensed order.  
      When the prescribed time has passed, CPU  20 A uses determining unit  202 A and refers to correlation table  124  as described above, so as to determine the measurement condition in S 6 B. In other words, a correlation table  124  is retrieved based on the identifying information in a sensed order, which identifying information is stored in the internal memory in S 4 A, so that a corresponding measurement condition is read (determined).  
      (Manipulation Interval)  
      Finally, an example in which an input of information on a manipulation interval, namely, time between manipulations, is received as determination criterion information in S 4 B, will be described. In this example, a correlation table  125  of information on a manipulation interval and measurement condition information is stored in advance in, for example, memory  12 . For example, the measurement condition is associated with the condition after waking up if a time interval at which any one switch or two switches is/are manipulated is 0-2 seconds. The measurement condition is associated with the condition before sleeping if the time interval is 3-5 seconds. The measurement condition is associated with the normal condition if the time interval is 5-10 seconds. The storage scheme is not limited to correlation table  125  with which information on a manipulation interval and measurement condition information are associated, as long as these pieces of information are associated.  
      In this example, CPU  20 A senses in S 4 B the time between the first and second manipulations, based on the manipulate signal from manipulation unit  210  and the time point data output from timer  13 . CPU  20 A then temporarily records the sensed time (manipulation interval) in the internal memory.  
      When the prescribed time has passed, CPU  20 A uses determining unit  202 A and refers to correlation table  125  as described above, so as to determine the measurement condition in S 6 B. In other words, correlation table  125  is retrieved based on the time (manipulation interval) recorded in the internal memory in S 4 B, so that the corresponding measurement condition is read (determined).  
      Such information on the manipulation interval may be combined with any of the information described above. For example, when a combination of the information on the manipulation interval and information on the number of manipulations is taken as an example, time between manipulations of a prescribed switch is further recorded in S 4 B. In this case, a correlation table of information on the number of manipulations and the manipulation interval, and the measurement condition, and the like is stored in memory  12 . For example, the measurement condition is associated with the condition after waking up if measurement switch  6  is successively manipulated twice, and after a certain time (e.g. 2 second) has passed, measurement switch  6  is again manipulated once.  
      In the fifth modification, an input of at least one item of manipulation information from information on a manipulation sequence of manipulation unit  210 , information on the number of manipulations of manipulation unit  210 , and information on a manipulation interval of manipulation unit  210 , is received as determination criterion information in S 4 B, and the measurement condition at this time is determined in S 6 B. However, information on a specific state, namely, a measurement condition itself may be input. An example of display in this case is shown in  FIG. 14 . In other words, the “specific state” corresponds to the measurement conditions including after waking up, before sleeping, before exercising, after exercising, before meal, after meal, before taking medicine, after taking medicine, and normal.  
       FIG. 14  is a diagram showing an example in which an input of information on at least one specific state is received as information on a measurement condition itself As in  FIGS. 5A-5C , a “measurement condition input screen” is displayed on display unit  4 , and a button  61  for selecting the measurement condition: time slot after waking up, a button  62  for selecting the measurement condition: time slot before sleeping, and a button  63  for selecting the measurement condition: normal time slot (the measurement condition other than the time slot after waking up and the time slot before sleeping described above) are displayed. One switch or more than two switches included in manipulation unit  210  is/are used, for example, to select these buttons  61 - 63 . As such, it is possible to simplify the process in S 6 B by inputting the information on a specific state. Two or more states (measurement conditions) such as after waking up and before meal may be selected as measurement condition information.  
      The fifth modification is described on the understanding that determination criterion information is input before blood pressure measurement. However, as in the second modification, determination criterion information may be input after blood pressure measurement. Alternatively, as in the third modification, the measurement result and the measurement condition may be associated and stored only when determination criterion information is input.  
     Second Embodiment  
      A second embodiment will now be described. In the first embodiment, the time point data output from timer  13  is used as an attribute for the measurement condition specifying information, while the measurement time information input by the patient is used as the determination criterion information. In the second embodiment, however, voice data externally input, information on a detected amount from a sensor, and the like are used for the measurement condition specifying information.  
      For example, such voice data and detected amount can be used as an attribute at blood pressure measurement in the second embodiment.  
       FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of an electronic blood pressure monitor  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 15 , electronic blood pressure monitor  200  according to the present embodiment includes a blood pressure monitor main body  1 B, cuff 2  attached to a blood pressure measurement site of the patient for pneumatic pressurization, and air pipe  3  connecting blood pressure monitor main body  1 B and cuff  2 .  
      Blood pressure monitor main body  1 B has an voice receiving unit  29  for receiving an input of voice externally, a sensor  30  for detecting a light quantity, for example, a recording medium attached unit  41  for detachably attaching a recording medium to blood pressure monitor main body  1 B externally, and a communication connector unit  42  for detachably attaching a cable (not shown) for providing communication between blood pressure monitor main body  1 B and an external device, in addition to display unit  4 , power switch  5 , measurement switch  6 , and memory switch  7 .  
       FIG. 16  shows an internal configuration of blood pressure monitor main body  1 B. Referring to  FIG. 16 , blood pressure monitor main body  1 B includes a recording medium access unit  22 , a communication I/F (abbreviation of interface)  23 , voice receiving unit  29 , and sensor  30 , in addition to the configuration included in blood pressure monitor main body  1 A in the first embodiment. A CPU  20 B includes a blood pressure calculating unit  201 B having a function similar to that of blood pressure calculating unit  201 A, and further includes a determining unit  202  B and a detection receiving unit  203 B.  
      As to a recording medium attached to recording medium attached unit  41 , recording medium access unit  22  reads or writes data under the control of CPU  20 B. Communication I/F  23  communicates with an external device via a cable connected to communication connector unit  42 , under the control of CPU  20 B.  
      Voice receiving unit  29  provides the obtained voice data to CPU  20 B. CPU  20 B uses determining unit  202 B to perform a process of recognizing the voice data input from voice receiving unit  29  as an attribute at blood pressure measurement. In the present embodiment, voice is described as a word produced by a person (patient). Accordingly, CPU  20 B uses determining unit  202 B to, for example, convert the voice data into character data. A correlation table  126  stored in advance as determination criterion information in memory  12 , for example, is then retrieved so that the measurement condition is determined. The input voice may be sound or vibration other than a word.  
      An example of correlation table  126  stored in advance in memory  12  will be described.  FIG. 17  shows correlation table  126  of character data and the measurement condition. Referring to  FIG. 17 , for example, character data “Good Morning” is associated with the measurement condition data “after waking up”, while character data “Good Night” is associated with the measurement condition data “before sleeping” in correlation table  126 . Furthermore, character data “Hello” is associated with the measurement condition data “normal”.  
      In the second embodiment, such correlation table  126  is stored in advance in electronic blood pressure monitor  200 . However, such correlation may be set by the patient or the like. For example, a setting screen may be displayed when blood pressure is measured for the first time, for example, and words for each of the measurement conditions may be registered. Alternatively, if anything other than the word is used, an alarm of an alarm clock, for example, may be associated with the measurement condition: time slot after waking up and registered.  
      Sensor  30  detects a light quantity of sunlight or the like. Here, a table  127 , where each measurement condition and a threshold value of the light quantity are associated and stored, is stored in advance in memory  12 . Sensor  30  provides a signal of the detected light quantity to CPU  20 B. CPU  20 B uses detection receiving unit  203 B to receive an input of the detected amount from sensor  30 , namely, the light quantity, as an attribute at blood pressure measurement. CPU  20 B then uses determining unit  202 B to compare the input detected amount and each of the threshold values in table  127  in memory  12 , and determines the measurement condition based on the comparison result. For example, if it is determined that the detected amount from sensor  30  exceeds a certain threshold value in table  127 , based on the comparison result, the measurement condition corresponding to the certain threshold value is read from table  127 , so that the read measurement condition refers to the determined measurement condition. For example, the measurement condition can be determined as the “time slot after waking up”.  
      Alternatively, instead of sensor  30 , a pressure-sensitive sensor  301  provided under a mat of the bed, for example, and CPU  20 B may be connected so that the detected amount from pressure-sensitive sensor  301  may be input to CPU  20 B.  
      In electronic blood pressure monitor  200  in the second embodiment, a program having a procedure similar to that of the flowchart in  FIG. 7  used for the first modification of the first embodiment, for example, is stored in advance in memory  12 . CPU  20 B reads the program, and thereby performs the processes of determining the measurement condition, measuring blood pressure, calculating the risk value, displaying the risk value, and the like by following a procedure similar to that of the first modification of the first embodiment. In this case, CPU  20 B obtains the detected amount from voice receiving unit  29  or sensor  30  (or pressure-sensitive sensor  301 ) as an attribute in S 4 A. In S 6 A, CPU  20 B determines the measurement condition based on the voice data or the detected amount, and the predetermined determination criterion information. By doing so, the measurement condition and the measurement result are associated and stored in memory  12  in S 18 .  
      As such, also in the second embodiment, the measurement condition is substituted for the attribute at blood pressure measurement, which attribute is externally input. The substituted measurement condition is associated with the measurement result. It is therefore possible to calculate an evaluated amount having high reliability.  
      The time point data recorded by timer  13  may be used as the attribute at blood pressure measurement, and an input of the voice data or the detected amount may externally be received as the determination criterion information, as in the first embodiment.  
      In other words, in the first embodiment, the measurement time information such as commencement or termination of the time slot corresponding to the measurement condition is input by the patient as the determination criterion information. However, the commencement or termination of the time slot may be determined based on the detected amount from sensor  30  or voice receiving unit  29 .  
      For example, when the voice data from voice receiving unit  29  is used as the determination criterion information, a time point at which an alarm of an alarm clock is input may be stored in memory  12  as the commencement of the time slot after waking up. In this case, the time duration of the time slot after waking up is predetermined. By doing so, CPU  20 B determines the measurement condition at blood pressure measurement, based on such information stored in advance and the time point data obtained from timer  13 .  
      When the detected amount (light quantity) from sensor  30  is used as the determination criterion information, a threshold value and a time duration for each of the time slot after waking up and the time slot before sleeping are preset in memory  12  in order to specify commencement of the time slot after waking up and commencement of the time slot before sleeping. CPU  20 B always obtains the detected amount from sensor  30  and compares the same with these preset threshold values. Based on the comparison result, CPU  20 B registers in memory  12  the time point data output from timer  13  as the commencement of the time slot corresponding to the measurement condition. For example, when the detected amount exceeds the threshold value associated with the time slot after waking up, the time point data output from timer  13  is obtained, and the time point data is registered in a prescribed region of memory  12  as the commencement of the time slot after waking up. By doing so, the measurement condition is determined at blood pressure measurement based on such information stored in advance and the time point data obtained from timer  13 .  
      Alternatively, instead of sensor  30 , pressure-sensitive sensor  301  provided under a mat of the bed, for example, and CPU  20 B may be connected, and commencement and termination of the time slot corresponding to the measurement condition may similarly be determined. In this case, for example, a threshold value and time duration for each of the time slot after waking up and the time slot before sleeping are preset in memory  12  in order to specify the commencement of the time slot after waking up and the termination of the time slot before sleeping. CPU  20 B then uses determining unit  202 B and always obtains the detected amount (pressure value) from the pressure-sensitive sensor, so as to compare the amount of change in pressure value and these predetermined threshold values. Based on the comparison result, CPU  20 B registers in memory  12  the time point data output from timer  13  as the commencement or the termination of the time slot corresponding to the measurement condition. For example, when the amount of change in pressure value exceeds the threshold value associated with the time slot after waking up, the time point data output from timer  13  is obtained, and the time point data is stored in a prescribed region of memory  12  as the commencement of the time slot after waking up. By doing so, the measurement condition is determined as in the case of sensor  30 .  
     Third Embodiment  
      As a third embodiment, a blood pressure measurement system provided with electronic blood pressure monitor  200  shown in the above-described second embodiment and a information-processing device is provided.  
      In this system, determination criterion information included in measurement condition specifying information can be input, not by electronic blood pressure monitor  200 , but by, for example, a personal computer serving as an external information-processing device. For example, as shown in  FIG. 18 , an external personal computer  40  is provided with a function of receiving an input of the measurement time information, for example, as the determination criterion information. Electronic blood pressure monitor  200  and personal computer  40  are connected via a communication line  26 . Personal computer  40  transfers the input determination criterion information to electronic blood pressure monitor  200  via communication line  26 . Electronic blood pressure monitor  200  records in memory  12  the determination criterion information input by communication I/F  23 , and performs the processes similar to those of, for example, the first embodiment and its first to fourth modifications. Here, a dedicated line such as a local area network, and a public network such as a telephone line, may be applied to communication line  26 .  
      Furthermore, the function of calculating an average value of each data group and calculating and displaying the risk value may be performed, not by electronic blood pressure monitor  200 , but by personal computer  40  or the like. Personal computer  40  is provided with a function of calculating an average value of each data group read from memory  12  and calculating and displaying the risk value. Electronic blood pressure monitor  200  brings itself into a communication enable state by using communication I/F  23  and communication connector unit  42 . In this state, when the patient manipulates a communication switch not shown, CPU  20 B reads data stored in regions  26 - 28  of memory  12  and transfers the data to personal computer  40  via communication I/F  23  and communication line  26 . Alternatively, only the data required for calculation of the evaluated amount, namely, data in regions  26  and  27 , for example, may be read and transferred.  
      Instead of the data transfer via communication line  26  shown in  FIG. 18 , a recording medium  270  such as a memory card may be used to receive and transfer determination criterion information and measurement data, as in  FIG. 19 .  
      Specifically, the patient inputs determination criterion information to personal computer  40  and records the same in recording medium  270 . When recording medium  270  is attached to recording medium attached unit  22  in electronic blood pressure monitor  200 , CPU  20 B reads the determination criterion information from recording medium  270  and records the same in memory  12 . Electronic blood pressure monitor  200  then performs the processes similar to those, for example, of the first embodiment and its first to fourth modifications. Alternatively, when recording medium  270  is attached to recording medium access unit  22 , the measurement condition may be determined based on the determination criterion information recorded in recording medium  270  instead of memory  12 .  
      When the measurement data is received and transferred, recording medium  270  is attached to recording medium access unit  22 , so that CPU  20 B reads data in regions  26 - 28  of memory  12  and writes the data into recording medium  270  attached to recording medium access unit  22 . After the writing, recording medium  270  is removed and attached to personal computer  40 , so that the data is read and transferred. When recording medium  270  is attached to recording medium access unit  22 , an area where the measurement result is to be stored in S 18  in  FIG. 4  may be recording medium  270 , instead of memory  12 .  
      In the above-described system, the following operations may also be possible. In electronic blood pressure monitor  200 , as shown in  FIG. 12  of the fourth modification of the first embodiment, the measurement result and the time point data are associated and stored in record RRi, and all the measurement data (the measurement result and the time point data) is transferred to personal computer  40 . Personal computer  40  obtains the measurement data transferred by electronic blood pressure monitor  200 . In addition, personal computer  40  receives an input of the measurement time information by the patient or the like, and calculates and displays the risk value as described above.  
      As to the embodiments of the present invention described above, the description has been made taking as an example an upper arm blood pressure monitor, for which an upper arm is supposed as a measurement site. However, the embodiments can be applied to any blood pressure monitor, as long as it is attached to extremities such as a wrist. In addition, as to the types of the measurement condition in the embodiments of the present invention, the time slot before sleeping, the time slot after waking up, and the normal time slot, which are associated with the rhythm of life, are provided. However, the types and numbers thereof are not limited thereto. For example, the measurement conditions such as before exercising, after exercising, and the like may be provided, and these measurement conditions may be associated with the measurement result. In addition, an evaluated amount may be calculated based on such measurement conditions. Furthermore, a plurality of measurement conditions such as the time slot after waking up and before exercising may be associated with the measurement result.  
      Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.