Abstract:
A measuring system according to the present invention includes a biosensor  2 , and a measuring device  1  capable of assaying a specified component in a biological sample applied to the sensor  2 . An announcement device  22  indicates a measuring procedure or a measurement result in the measuring device  1  by voice or the like by being combined with the measuring device  1.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to a measuring system which comprises a biosensor measuring device suitable for a biosensor that can accurately, speedily, and easily assay a specific component in various biological samples, and an optional device that can be combined with the measuring device and complementarily announces a measuring procedure and a measurement result in the measuring device by voice. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   An example of a biosensor measuring device employing a biosensor will be illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . A measuring device  1  is provided with a sensor insertion slot  3  in which a biosensor  2  is inserted, an operation button  4  for performing various operations, and a display means  5  for displaying various kinds of information such as a measurement result and time. A storage part  7  for a battery  6  is provided on the reverse face, and the battery  6  is fixed in a state in which the battery  6  is pushed to a contact point  9  by a back cover  8 . Inside the measuring device  1 , a measuring part comprising a converting means for converting an electrical resistance value of the liquid to be examined (sample) obtained by the biosensor  2  to a characteristic value (such as a blood sugar level) of the liquid to be examined, a storage means for the characteristic value, and a calculating means for performing various arithmetical operations such as an average value calculation based on a value stored in the storage means or the characteristic value obtained by measurement, a control means of the display means  5 , and the like are provided by being formed on a printed board (not shown). 
   The biosensor  2  is provided with a counter electrode  11  and a measuring electrode  12 , leads  13  and  14  connected thereto, and an insulating layer  15  on the surface of a substrate  10  as shown in  FIG. 8 . A reactive layer (not shown) including enzyme and a mediator (electron acceptor) is formed so as to cover the counter electrode  11  and the measuring electrode  12 . The surface of the substrate  10  is sequentially covered with a spacer  17  which has a U-shaped notch part  16  at a section corresponding to the measuring electrode  12 , and a cover  19  has an air vent  18  communicating with the notch part  16  of the spacer  17 . The substrate  10 , the spacer  17 , and the cover  19  are attached to one another, thereby constructing the biosensor  2 . Numeral  20  denotes an attaching end to be attached to the measuring device  1 , and numeral  20   a  denotes a projection part for preventing an inverse insertion of the biosensor  2  to the measuring device  1 . Therefore, in a state in which the attaching end  20  of the biosensor  2  is attached to the measuring device  1 , when liquid to be examined (sample) drops to the end of the biosensor  2 , the liquid to be examined is led onto the counter electrode  11  and the measuring electrode  12  through the notch part  16  by capillary action, and the air on the counter electrode  11  and the measuring electrode  12  is discharged from the air vent  18 . 
   After measurement, the characteristic value obtained by the converting means of the measuring device  1  is displayed on the display means  5 . 
   The output of the measurement result is performed only by a display by the display means  5  in the biosensor measuring device  1  of the above-described construction. However, when a user is a weak-sighted person, for example, it is difficult to confirm the display. 
   A measuring device as shown in  FIG. 9  is invented as a countermeasure for the problem. In  FIG. 9 , the same reference numerals as those shown in  FIG. 6  denote the same components. A voice output part  21  is provided on the surface of the measuring device  1  in addition to the display means  5 , and a voice output means for announcing a characteristic value or various kinds of information by voice is provided inside the measuring device  1 , besides the measuring part (both of them not shown). 
   However, in the above-described construction, the measuring device becomes expensive because all the parts from measurement to voice output are built in the measuring device. When plural users require the voice output, for example, each person is required to have the expensive device. Further, when the voice output part has a breakdown, the whole device has to be repaired and exchanged, resulting in inconvenience for a user. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problem. Its object is to provide a measuring system which comprises a measuring device capable of receiving a substance to be measured, analyzing components of the substance to be measured, and displaying a measured value and an optional (announcement) device having a voice output part. The system can complementarily announce a measurement result and a measuring procedure in the measuring device by voice from the announcement device to a user by combining the measuring device with the announcement device. 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention, a measuring system includes a measuring device which receives a substance to be measured, analyzes a component of the substance to be measured, and displays its measurement result. An optional device (announcement device) has a voice output means for generating a voice or the like by being combined with the measuring device, and the announcement device complementarily announces a measuring procedure or a measurement result in the measuring device by voice. Therefore, even a weak-sighted person or those unfamiliar with handling of the device can perform measurements accurately and be informed of the measurement results. Further, the measuring device and the announcement device can be constructed to be integrated and separated, so that it is possible to deal with weak-sighted people and others respectively. Thus, even when plural users require a voice function, only the measuring device which manages measurement data has to be held by each person and the announcement device can be shared, resulting in reduction of the user&#39;s burden. Further, when a voice output part has a breakdown, only the announcement device has to be repaired and exchanged, and the measuring device can be used continuously, thereby enhancing convenience for a user. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the measuring device has a means for establishing communication of information about measurement with the announcement device. Therefore, it is possible to transfer data such as a measurement results from the measuring device to the announcement device. 
   According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the announcement device has a means for establishing communication of information about measurement with the measuring device. Therefore, the announcement device can receive data such as a measurement result transferred from the measuring device. 
   According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, an operating part for operating the voice output means is arranged on the side of the announcement device. Therefore, when an operator holds the system, the operation is easily performed, and operates well. 
   According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the announcement device has a function for switching the language of the voice. Therefore, it is possible to cope with a wide range of languages according to a user. 
   According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, an operating lever for switching a language of a voice is arranged so as to be covered up with an exterior case of the announcement device. Therefore, a user can be prevented from accidentally switching a voice language. 
   According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, a slope with a tapered shape is provided in the neighborhood of an opening for the measuring device to be inserted. The opening is provided in the announcement device, and the tapered shape slopes in the direction where the measuring device is inserted. Therefore, the slope provided in the announcement device serves as a guide, thereby enabling a reliable integration of the measuring device and the announcement device. 
   According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the measuring device and the announcement device have mechanisms for engaging each other when being combined. Therefore, it is possible to realize a simple integration and a strong fixation of the measuring device and the announcement device. 
   According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, an operating part for releasing a combination of the measuring device and the announcement device is provided on the base side of the announcement device. Therefore, the operating part can be prevented from unexpectedly operating to release a combination of the measuring device and the announcement device. 
   According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, on the base side of the measuring device, there is provided a concave portion which is locked with a locking means on the announcement device side when combined with the announcement device. Therefore, a combination of the measuring device and the announcement device can be released by a simple operation. 
   According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the measuring device can be inserted into the announcement device only from one direction of the measuring device when the measuring device and the announcement device are combined with each other. Therefore, the measuring device can be prevented from wrongly being inserted into the announcement device, thereby preventing breakage of both devices. 
   According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the measuring device and the announcement device are provided with mechanisms for preventing a wrong insertion of the measuring device into the announcement device. Therefore, the measuring device can be prevented from being wrongly inserted into the announcement device, thereby preventing breakage of both devices. 
   According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, a rib for regulating the distance to the measuring device is provided on the inner wall of the announcement device. Therefore, the measuring device can be prevented from being excessively inserted in the announcement device, thereby preventing breakage of both devices. 
   According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the measuring device and the announcement device are driven by a battery provided on the announcement device side when the measuring device and the announcement device are combined. Therefore, a battery on the measuring device side is not required when the measuring device and the announcement device are combined. 
   According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the fourteenth aspect, the measuring device is combined with the announcement device with its cover for a battery storage part and a battery removed. Therefore, the presence or absence of the battery of the measuring device can be detected when the measuring device and the announcement device are combined, the battery will not be forgotten to be removed from the measuring device. 
   According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the fifteenth aspect, the cover for the battery storage part, which cover is provided in the measuring device, is shared as a cover for a battery storage part for storing a battery for the announcement device. Therefore, the cover for the battery storage part, which cover is removed from the measuring device, will not be lost when the measuring device and the announcement device are combined. 
   According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the fifteenth aspect, the cover for the battery storage part of the measuring device is provided with a combining means for combining the cover with the measuring device and a combination releasing means for removing the cover for the battery storage part from the measuring device. Therefore, the cover for the battery storage part will not be accidentally removed from the measuring device. 
   According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the fifteenth aspect, the announcement device is provided with a storage part for the battery removed from the measuring device. Therefore, loss of the battery of the measuring device and an accident due to its scatter can be prevented. 
   According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the sixteenth aspect, a tip shape of a rib provided on the inner wall of the cover for the battery storage part has a flat part and a circular part for pressing plural kinds of accessories. Therefore, even when batteries of different shapes are used between the measuring device and the announcement device, batteries of respective shapes can be held reliably. 
   According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, pattern lengths in a connector part for communication between the measuring device and the announcement device provided in the measuring device are different in a sliding direction of the measuring device when the measuring device is combined with the announcement device. Therefore, electrodes of the connector part can be connected in a desired order. 
   According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, a terminal on the measuring device side for battery contact between the measuring device and the announcement device is formed at a portion of a main printed board of the measuring device. Therefore, easier assembly can be realized due to reduction in parts count and assembly man-hour of the measuring device. 
   According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, a terminal on the measuring device side for electrically connecting the measuring device to the announcement device is provided in a battery storage part on the measuring device side. Therefore, a user can be prevented from improperly touching a terminal part when only the measuring device is used. 
   According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, when measurement is not started while the measuring device is on standby for measurement, the announcement device promotes measurement start by voice or the like. Therefore, a measurement operator can be prevented from interrupting the operation halfway through the measurement procedure. 
   According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the remaining time is indicated by voice or the like by the announcement device during measurement by the measuring device. Therefore, a measurement operator can be easily informed of the elapsed time of the operation. 
   According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, cutoff of power is informed by voice or the like by the announcement device when measurement by the measuring device is finished. Therefore, a measurement operator can be easily informed that power of the measuring device is cut off. 
   According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, the initial setting of the measuring device such as a clock setting can be performed by an operating part on the announcement device side. Therefore, it is easy for an operator who needs the announcement device to perform time setting of the measuring device. 
   According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the measuring system of the first aspect, when the initial setting of the measuring device such as a clock setting is not performed when the announcement device and the measuring device are connected, the need for the initial setting is indicated by voice or the like by the announcement device. Therefore, an operator who needs the announcement device can be prevented from improperly performing measurement without performing time setting. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a measuring device and an announcement device constituting a measuring system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the measuring system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the measuring device and the announcement device constituting the measuring system according to the present invention, as seen from the base direction. 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the announcement device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a battery storage part of the measuring device or the announcement device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a conventional measuring device. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the reverse face of the conventional measuring device. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a biosensor. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a conventional measuring device provided with a voice output function. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Hereinafter, a measuring system according to the present invention will be specifically described based on figures. 
     FIGS. 1 to 3  illustrate a measuring system according to the present invention. In the figures, the same reference numerals as those shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  denote the same or corresponding parts. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a measuring device  1  is provided with a function of enabling measurement by itself, and a biosensor  2  (see  FIG. 8 ) is inserted in a sensor insertion slot  3  and a prescribed operation is performed. Thus, information such as a measurement result is displayed on a display member  5 . An optional device (announcement device)  22  can be combined with the measuring device  1 , and can receive information such as a measurement result from the measuring device  1  or perform guidance of a measuring operation in a state of being combined with the measuring device  1  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   An opening  23  in which the measuring device  1  is inserted is provided in the front of the announcement device  22 , and the opening  23  has a sloped part (guide)  24  which is formed so that the height H at the rear part is higher than the height h at the front part. An electronic circuit (communication unit) which generates a result obtained by communication with a communication unit (both of them not shown) of the measuring device  1  or provides guidance of a measuring operation with a voice is provided inside the announcement device  22 , and the output is performed through a voice output part  21  on the top surface of the announcement device  22 . The top surface of the announcement device  22  is shaped (recessed) so that the display member  5  of the measuring device  1  can be seen even after integration, and an operating part  25  is provided on the side of the announcement device  22 . 
   A concave portion  26 , a battery storage part  7 , and a connector  27  for making electrical contact with the announcement device  22  are provided on the reverse (second) face of the measuring device  1  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   Inside the measuring device  1 , is a measuring part comprising a converting means for converting an electrical resistance value of liquid to be examined (which liquid is obtained by the biosensor  2 ) to a characteristic value of the liquid to be examined, a storage means for storing the characteristic value, and a calculating means for performing various arithmetical operations such as an average value calculation based on a value stored in the storage means or the characteristic value obtained by measurement. A controller is provided for controlling the display member  5 , and a main printed board (not shown) is provided with an electronic circuit such as a communicating means for communicating with the announcement device  22 , and an electrode part (not shown). The connector  27  is formed at a portion of the main printed board in a united manner, and a pattern  28   a  for a ground connection is constructed to be longer than the other patterns. 
   A battery  33  is stored in a battery storage part  32  on the reverse (base-side) face of the announcement device  22 . A change-over switch  43  for switching a language of a voice to be outputted is provided at a part which is covered with a back cover  30 . 
     FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the announcement device  22  as seen from the opening  23  side. Inside the announcement device  22 , a lock lever  36  is held with a supporting point  36   a  as a center, and a lock part  36   b  is usually energized in the ‘D’ direction due to an action of a spring  37 . A flat part  36   c  of lever  36  is provided on the opposite end of lever  36  with respect to the lock part  36   b , with the supporting point  36   a  therebetween, and the flat part  36   c  is located inside a recessed portion  38  at the bottom of the announcement device  22 . A reception part  40  for receiving the connector  27  of the measuring device  1  is provided in the inner part of the opening  23 . A communicating means (not shown) for communicating with the measuring device  1  is provided inside the announcement device  22 , and communication is performed through the connector  27  and the reception part  40 . A distance regulation rib  45  for regulating the distance between the measuring device  1  and the reception part  40  side is provided on the internal top surface of the opening  23 . 
   When the back cover  30  is attached to the measuring device  1 , it is fixed to the measuring device  1  due to the action of a lock claw (engaging claw)  30   a  as shown in  FIG. 5 . While the battery  6  is pressed against the contact point  9  by a linear (straight) part  42   a  of a rib  42  at this time, contact pressure between the contact point  9  and the battery  6  is appropriately kept by a projection part  29  provided at the lower part of the contact point  9  so as to make contact with the contact point  9 . 
   An operation of the measuring system having the above-described construction according to the present invention will be described. 
   When the measuring device  1  is integrated with the announcement device  22 , a flat part (releasing part)  30   b  of the back cover  30  is pressed through an opening  31  in the measuring device  1  so that the lock claw  30   a  is released. The back cover  30  and the battery  6  are removed from the measuring device  1 , and the measuring device  1  is inserted into the opening  23  of the announcement device  22 . At this time, the measuring device  1  is guided into the inside of the announcement device  22  by the sloped part  24  of the announcement device  22 . When the measuring device  1  is pushed further, grooves  44  spaced apart a groove width W in the measuring device  1  and guide ribs  39  spaced apart width W′ equal to the above-mentioned width W in the announcement device  22  are engaged, so that the connector part  27  of the measuring device  1  is guided to the reception part  40  of the announcement device  22 , the pattern  28   a  first makes contact with an electrode of the reception part  40  to establish a ground connection, and thereafter the rest patterns  28  are connected with the electrode. 
   After the connection between the connector  27  and the reception part  40  is completed, a lock part  36   b  of the lock lever  36  of the announcement device  22  and the concave (recessed) portion  26  on the base side of the measuring device  1  engage each other, thereby fixing the measuring device  1  to the announcement device  22 . 
   In a state in which the measuring device  1  is locked in the announcement device  22 , the flat part  36   c  of the lock lever  36  does not protrude from the base side of the announcement device  22  in the concave (recessed) portion  38  on the base of the announcement device  22 , so that the lock lever  36  is not pressed and released improperly. 
   The back cover  30  removed from the measuring device  1  is attached to the announcement device  22  as a cover for the battery storage compartment  32  of the announcement device  22 . At this time, the battery  33  is held by a curved part  42   b  of the rib  42  on the back cover  30 . The battery  6  removed from the measuring device  1  is stored in a storage compartment  35  provided in the announcement device  22  at the same time, and enclosed with lid  34 . 
   When being integrated, the measuring device  1  and the announcement device  22  are driven by the battery  33  in the announcement device  22 . 
   In a state in which the measuring device  1  and the announcement device  22  are combined, the biosensor  2  is inserted in the sensor insertion slot  3  of the measuring device  1  to measure a sample. At this time, voice guidance for a measuring operation or a measurement result is outputted by voice from the voice output part  21 . When measurement is not started while the measuring device  1  is on standby for measurement, the announcement device  22  promotes measurement start by voice or the like. The remaining time until a measurement result is outputted is indicated by voice or the like from the voice output means  21  of the announcement device  22  during measurement, whereby a measurement operator can be easily informed of the elapsed time of the operation. Cutoff of power is indicated when measurement is finished, whereby the elapsed time since a start of the measurement or the like is also indicated from the voice output part  21  of the announcement device  22 . 
   By operating the operating part  25  of the announcement device  22 , various setting operations such as volume setting of a voice to be outputted or setting of output repetition can be performed. Further, by operating the change-over switch  43 , the language of the voice to be outputted can be switched. 
   The initial setting of the measuring device  1  such as clock setting can be performed arbitrarily by rotation and push operations of the operating part  25  on the announcement device  22 , thereby correctly storing an acquisition date of a measurement value of measurement data or the like. When the initial setting of the measuring device  1  such as clock setting is not performed when the announcement device  22  and the measuring device  1  are connected with each other, the need for the initial setting is indicated from the voice output means  21 , thereby preventing an operator who needs the announcement device  22  from improperly performing measurement without performing the time setting. 
   When an integration of the announcement device  22  and the measuring device  1  is released, the flat part  36   c  of the lock lever  36  in the announcement device  22  is pressed, so that the lock lever  36  is rotated (pivoted) in the direction of an arrow E with the supporting point  36   a  as a pivot, whereby the lock part  36   b  and the recessed portion  26  of the measuring device  1  are disengaged, and the measuring device  1  can be removed. 
   As described above, the measuring system according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a measuring device  1  which takes a substance to be measured and analyzes components of the substance to be measured, and an announcement device  22  which can generate voice or the like by being combined with the measuring device. The system is able to announce a measuring procedure or a measurement result in the measuring device  1  by voice by the announcement device  22 , whereby even a weak-sighted person or those unfamiliar with handling of the device can measure accurately and recognize a measurement result. 
   The measuring device  1  and the announcement device  22  having a voice function can be integrated and separated, whereby, even when plural users require the voice function, only the measuring device  1  which manages measurement data has to be held by each person, and the announcement device  22  can be shared, resulting in reduction of the user&#39;s burden. Further, when the voice output part  21  has a breakdown, only the announcement device  22  has to be repaired and exchanged, and the measuring device  1  can be used continuously, thereby reducing inconvenience for a user. 
   The grooves  44  is provided in the measuring device  1 , and the guide ribs  39  is provided on the announcement device  22  side. Thus, when a conventional measuring device or other models, for example, are to be combined with the announcement device  22 , the guide ribs  39  serve as a stopper. Thus, a wrong insertion of the measuring device  1  can be prevented. 
   When the back cover  30  is not removed from the measuring device  1  at the integration of the measuring device  1  and the announcement device  22 , the guide ribs  39  abut against the back cover  30 , thereby preventing an irregular insertion of the measuring device  1 . The same effect can be obtained also when the battery  6  is not removed from the measuring device  1 , when the direction of the measuring device  1  is irregular, or when a measuring device which is not provided with the grooves  44  is to be inserted. 
   The back cover  30  of the measuring device  1  is removed to be attached to the battery storage compartment  32  of the announcement device  22  when the measuring device  1  and the announcement device  22  are integrated, thereby preventing loss of the back cover  30 . At this time, the battery  6  removed from the measuring device  1  is stored in the battery storage compartment  35  of the announcement device  22 , thereby preventing loss of the battery and an accident due to its scatter. 
   The flat part  30   b  of the back cover  30  is pressed from the opening  31  of the measuring device  1  so that a lock is released when the back cover  30  is removed from the measuring device. Thus, the back cover is not accidentally removed, resulting in prevention of an accident due to scatter of the battery. 
   The pattern for a ground connection is constructed to be longer than the other patterns in the connector  27  of the measuring device  1 . Thus, when the measuring device  1  and the announcement device  22  are combined, the ground connection is initially established and connections of the rest of the patterns are completed thereafter, resulting in an electrically stable and reliable connection. 
   The connector  27  is formed at a portion of a main substrate of the measuring device  1  in a united manner (i.e., integrated), thereby realizing simplification of assembly processes due to reduction in parts count, assembly man-hour, and the like. 
   APPLICABILITY IN INDUSTRY 
   As described above, according to a measuring system of the present invention, even when plural users require a voice function, only a measuring device which manages measurement data has to be held by each person, and an announcement device can be shared, thereby reducing user&#39;s economical burden. Further, when a voice output part has a breakdown, only the announcement device has to be repaired and exchanged, and the measuring device can be used continuously, thereby enhancing convenience for a user.