U.S. patent application number 10/687757 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-29 for check chip for sensor measuring device.
Invention is credited to Kawamata, Yasuhito, Koike, Masufumi, Sato, Yoshiharu, Tokuno, Yoshinobu.
Application Number | 20040079135 10/687757 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18564907 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040079135 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sato, Yoshiharu ; et
al. |
April 29, 2004 |
Check chip for sensor measuring device
Abstract
A check chip of a sensor measuring device is provided with a
structural characterizing portion of a convex shape, concave shape
or a penetration hole at a location where a user is considered to
pick the check chip up. The state of the structural characterizing
portion is made to be different from that of a structural
characterizing portion provided on a correction chip which is
similar to the check chip, in size, the number of the structural
characterizing portions, or placement location. Therefore, the
difference from the correction chip can be easily identified even
by a visually handicapped person or a weak-sighted person,
according to the difference in the structural characterizing
portion, from feel, thereby preventing the person from using the
check chip and the correction chip with confusion.
Inventors: |
Sato, Yoshiharu; (Kyoto,
JP) ; Koike, Masufumi; (Kyoto, JP) ; Kawamata,
Yasuhito; (Ehime, JP) ; Tokuno, Yoshinobu;
(Ehime, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
18564907 |
Appl. No.: |
10/687757 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10687757 |
Oct 20, 2003 |
|
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09958886 |
Dec 12, 2001 |
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09958886 |
Dec 12, 2001 |
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PCT/JP01/01152 |
Feb 19, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/1.01 ;
73/1.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 2035/00108
20130101; G01N 33/48 20130101; G01N 35/00693 20130101; G01N
35/00732 20130101; G01N 35/00594 20130101; G01N 2035/00772
20130101; G01D 18/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
073/001.01 ;
073/001.02 |
International
Class: |
G01M 019/00; G01N
027/26; G01N 033/49 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 18, 2000 |
JP |
2000-41716 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A check chip having a similar shape to a measuring sensor, to be
mounted on a measuring device to check operations of the measuring
device for measuring a specified component in a sample using the
measuring sensor, said check chip comprising a sensor body with at
least one structural characterizing portion provided thereon, said
at least one structural characterizing portion allowing a user of
the measuring device to recognize a difference from a correction
chip having a similar shape to a measuring sensor and at least one
structural characterizing portion thereon, said correction chip
being for correcting errors in the measuring device, and said at
least one structural characterizing portion of the check chip has a
shape which can be recognized by the user from the touch, and said
at least one structural characterizing portion is provided in a
location where the user is considered to pick said check chip up,
said user loads in the measuring device touching the at least one
structural characterizing portion of the check chip.
2. The check chip of claim 1, wherein the difference between said
check chip and the correction chip resides in a size of the at
least one structural characterizing portion provided on each
chips.
3. The check chip of claim 2, wherein the size of the structural
characterizing portions provided on said check chip is larger than
the size of the structural characterizing portions provided on the
correction chip.
4. The check chip of claim 2, wherein the size of the structural
characterizing portions provided on said check chip is smaller than
the size of the structural characterizing portions provided on the
correction chip.
5. A check chip of claim 1, wherein the difference between said
check chip and the correction chip resides in a number of the at
least one structural characterizing portion of said check chip.
6. A check chip of claim 5, wherein the number of the structural
characterizing portions provided on said check chip is larger than
the number of the structural characterizing portions provided on
the correction chip.
7. A check chip of claim 5, wherein the number of the structural
characterizing portions provided on said check chip is smaller than
the number of structural characterizing portions provided on the
correction chip.
8. A check chip of claim 1, wherein the difference between said
check chip and the correction chip resides in a shape of the at
least one structural characterizing portion of said check chip.
9. The check chip of claim 1, wherein the at least one structural
characterizing portion of said check chip has a convex shape
comprising epoxy resin containing silica powder and has a resistor
indicating a constant resistance value buried therein.
10. The check chip of claim 1, wherein the at least one structural
characterizing portion of said check chip and the at least one
structural characterizing portion of the correction chip are
located at handle ends of said check chip and the correction chip,
respectively.
11. A kit for a measuring device, said kit comprising: a correction
chip adapted to be mounted on the measuring device for measuring a
specified component in a sample using the measuring sensor to
correct errors in the measuring device, said correction chip having
a similar shape to a measuring sensor and at least one structural
characterizing portion of a chip; and a check chip to be mounted on
the measuring device to check operations of the measuring device,
said check chip comprising a sensor body with a similar shape to a
measuring sensor and at least one structural characterizing portion
provided thereon, said at least one structural characterizing
portion allowing a user of the measuring device to recognize a
difference from said correction chip.
12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the at least one structural
characterizing portion of said check chip and the at least one
structural characterizing portion of the correction chip are
located at handle ends of said check chip and the correction chip,
respectively.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/958,886,
filed Dec. 12, 2001, which is a National Stage Application of
International Application Serial No. PCT/JP01/01152, filed Feb. 19,
2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a check chip for performing
an operative validation of a sensor measuring device for assaying a
specified component in a liquid sample, and more particularly, to a
check chip which can be easily distinguished from a sensor having a
similar shape, which is employed in the sensor measuring device, by
a visually handicapped user or a weak-sighted person.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In recent years, a low-priced sensor for assaying a
specified component in a liquid and a measuring device exclusively
employed for reading a quantitative change in the specified
component within the sensor have been developed and adopted in the
clinical field.
[0004] For example, when it is cited as an example that the
measuring object is glucose, there are proposed a disposable sensor
for detecting an electrochemical potential difference, which
comprises a specific catalysis of an enzyme and an electrode, and a
measuring device exclusively employed for reading a quantitative
change within the sensor, so that diabetic patients can measure and
control blood sugar levels by themselves. Further, in a case where
the measuring object is potassium ion or sodium ion, there are
proposed a disposable ion selective electrode sensor for assaying
ions in a liquid, which comprises an ion selecting film and a
reference electrode, and a measuring device exclusively employed
for reading a quantitative change within the sensor. As a principle
applied to these disposable sensors, there is optical measurement
besides the above-described electrochemical reaction.
[0005] Further, there is a measuring device which announces the
measurement result of blood sugar level or ion concentration which
is measured as described above, by voice or the like, whereby a
visually handicapped user or a weak-sighted person can use the
device with no difficulties.
[0006] As a disposable sensor which comprises a specific catalysis
of an enzyme and an electrode, there is a sensor disclosed in
Japanese Published Patent Application No. Sho. 61-294351. This
sensor is constituted by forming electrode circuitry on an
insulating plate with a printing method, and covering the electrode
circuitry with madreporic body containing an oxidation-reduction
enzyme and an election acceptor, thereby to integrate the whole
with a cover. Therefore, the component in the biological sample can
be measured as a substrate by appropriately selecting the type of
the oxidation-reduction enzyme contained in the madreporic body.
When a sample is applied to the sensor, the electron acceptor is
deoxidized by the enzyme reaction. At this time, a predetermined
voltage is applied to the electrode circuitry, whereby the
deoxidized electron acceptor is oxidized electrochemically by the
voltage, oxidation current flows between electrodes, and the
substrate component concentration in the sample can be measured
from the oxidation current value.
[0007] Further, an ion selective electrode sensor generally
comprising a reference electrode, an electrolyte layer, and an ion
selective film is disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Application
No. 58-4981. The disclosed ion selective electrode is constituted
by depositing a metal layer on a plastic film, and coating or
laying the electrolyte layer and the ion selective film
thereon.
[0008] Further, a sensor and a sensor measuring device employing
optical detection as a principle are disclosed in Japanese
Published Patent Application No. Hei. 4-188065. This sensor, which
employs optical detection as a principle, has a capillary tube
shape, a part of which has optical penetrability. A dry reagent is
applied in the capillary tube, and the sensor measuring device
optically measures a change in color tone which is generated when
the liquid sample and the reagent, which are introduced into the
capillary tube, react to each other, through the optical
penetrability portion, to calculate the concentration of a specific
component contained in the liquid according to the color tone.
[0009] Further, when a diabetic patient measures sugar level by
himself using the above-described sensor and measuring device for
the sensor, a device and a method by which the patient can easily
perform calibration or certification of the measuring device are
disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Application No. Hei. 8-20412.
To be specific, the sensor and the measuring device utilize the
fact that the resistance value of the sensor decreases sharply when
the liquid sample is supplied to the sensor, and the sensor
measuring device detects the change in the resistance value in the
sensor to automatically start the measurement, whereby variations
in the measurement results due to variations in the measurement
start operations by users are avoided. Further, an adjustment chip
having a constant resistance value, which chip is similar in shape
to the above-described sensor, is formed, and when a measuring
sensor and an adjustment sensor (adjustment chip) are loaded to the
measuring device, the measuring device automatically distinguishes
the measuring sensor from the adjustment sensor according to a
difference in resistance values between these two sensors, thereby
automatically adjusting, calibrating or examining the measuring
device.
[0010] Among the adjustment chips, there are, for example, two
types of chips as adjustment chips to be used by a patient himself
as follows.
[0011] 1. A correction chip for adjusting errors in analytical
curves or the like, which occur due a lot change of materials,
every time a patient buys sensors by a box.
[0012] 2. A check chip for performing an operative validation of a
measuring device itself, which is employed only when a patient buys
a new device.
[0013] The above-mentioned materials denote components which may
vary due to a lot change. For example, when the employed sensor
comprises an enzyme electrode, there may be lot-to-lot variations
in an enzyme or an electrode material, when the sensor comprises an
ion selective electrode, there may be lot-to-lot variations in an
ion selective film material or a metal foil used for the electrode,
and when the sensor adopts optical detection, there may be
lot-to-lot variations in a reagent ingredient or an optical
element. Therefore, all sensor measuring devices employing sensors
require adjustment chips suitable to the respective detection
principles although the detection principles are different from
each other.
[0014] However, both of the two adjustment chips, i.e., the
correction chip and the check chip, are usually similar in shape to
the measuring sensor used for the measurement. FIGS. 7(a) and (b)
show plan views and side views illustrating a check chip and a
correction chip according to prior art. For example, when taking,
as an example, a correction chip 100 using a resistance value as a
target of correction, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and (b), this
correction chip is generally constituted by a sensor body 10, an
incorrect insertion preventing projection 102 to be a protrusion
for preventing the sensor from being inserted into a measuring
device while mistaking the inside of the sensor for the outside,
and a convex-shaped structural characterizing portion 103 which is
swelled because a resistor is buried therein. As shown in FIGS.
7(a) and (b), since the correction chip 100 and the check chip 110
are especially similar to each other in shape, these chips are
easily confused with each other due to the similarity in the shape.
Accordingly, when a visually handicapped person or a weak-sighted
person uses the correction chip 100 or the check chip 110, the
possibility that the two chips are erroneously used is very
high.
[0015] The present invention is made to solve the problems and has
an object to provide a check chip for performing an operative
validation of a sensor measuring device, which can be easily
distinguished from a correction chip for adjusting errors even by a
visually handicapped user.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0016] According to the present invention, there is provided a
check chip which is installed on a measuring device employing an
exclusively used sensor and checks operations of the measuring
device itself, wherein the check chip is provided thereon with at
least one structural characterizing portion which makes a user of
the measuring device recognize a difference from a correction chip
for correcting errors that occur with lot changes in the
exclusively used sensor.
[0017] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip, in which
a difference from the correction chip can be easily detected, so
that it is possible to prevent confusion when using the check chip
and the correction chip.
[0018] According to the present invention, in the check chip, the
structural characterizing portion has a shape, such as a convex
shape, which can be recognized by the user from touch, and is
provided in a location where the user is considered to pick up the
check chip.
[0019] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip, in which
a difference from the correction chip can be detected with touch,
so that even a visually handicapped person or a weak-sighted person
can detect a difference from the correction chip.
[0020] According to the present invention, in the check chip, a
difference between the check chip and the correction chip resides
in a size of the structural characterizing portion, when the
correction chip has the structural characterizing portion.
[0021] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip in which a
difference between the check chip and the correction chip can be
detected in the size of the structural characterizing portion with
touch, and even a visually handicapped person or a weak-sighted
person can easily detect the difference from the correction
chip.
[0022] According to the present invention, in the check chip, the
size of the structural characterizing portion provided on the check
chip is larger than that of the structural characterizing portion
provided on the correction chip.
[0023] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip in which a
person can detect, with touch, that the structural characterizing
portion of the check chip is larger than that of the correction
chip, so as to detect the difference from the correction chip,
whereby even a visually handicapped person or a weak-sighted person
can be prevented from using the two chips with confusion. Further,
the structural characterizing portion of the check chip, the usage
frequency of which is lower than that of the correction chip, is
enlarged, and therefore, manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0024] According to the present invention, in the check chip, the
size of the structural characterizing portion provided on the check
chip is smaller than that of the structural characterizing portion
provided on the correction chip.
[0025] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip in which a
person can detect, with touch, that the structural characterizing
portion of the check chip is smaller than that of the correction
chip, so as to easily distinguish the difference from the
correction chip, whereby it is possible to prevent a visually
handicapped person or a weak-sighted person from using the two
chips with confusion.
[0026] According to the present invention, the check chip is
provided with the structural characterizing portion on the both
sides of the check chip.
[0027] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip in which
the difference between the check chip and the correction chip can
be detected with touch, according to the mounted place of the
structural characterizing portion, whereby the difference from the
correction chip can be detected easily even by a visually
handicapped person or a weak-sighted person.
[0028] According to the present invention, in the check chip, a
difference between the check chip and the correction chip resides
in a number of the structural characterizing portions.
[0029] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip in which
the difference between the check chip and the correction chip can
be detected with touch, according to the number of the structural
characterizing portions, whereby the difference from the correction
chip can be detected easily even by a visually handicapped person
or a weak-sighted person.
[0030] According to the present invention, in the check chip, the
number of the structural characterizing portions provided on the
check chip is larger than that of the structural characterizing
portions provided on the correction chip.
[0031] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip in which a
person can detect, with touch, that the number of the structural
characterizing portions of the check chip is larger than that of
the structural characterizing portions of the correction chip, so
as to easily detect the difference from the correction chip,
whereby it is possible to prevent a visually handicapped person or
a weak-sighted person from using the two chips with confusion.
Further, the number of the structural characterizing portions of
the check chip, the usage frequency of which is lower than that of
the correction chip, is enlarged, and therefore, manufacturing cost
can be reduced.
[0032] According to the present invention, in the check chip, the
number of the structural characterizing portions provided on the
check chip is smaller than that of the structural characterizing
portions provided on the correction chip.
[0033] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip in which a
person can detect, with touch, that the number of the structural
characterizing portions of the check chip is smaller than that of
the structural characterizing portions of the correction chip, so
as to easily detect the difference from the correction chip,
whereby it is possible to prevent a visually handicapped person or
a weak-sighted person from using the two chips with confusion.
[0034] According to the present invention, in the check chip, a
structural characterizing portion on an attention attracting
character printed on an upside of the check chip, among plural
structural characterizing portions provided on the check chip, has
optical penetrability.
[0035] Therefore, it is possible to make the attention attracting
character readable, even when the attention attracting character
printed on the chip which indicates a type of the chip is hidden
under the structural characterizing portion on the ground that the
number of the structural characterizing portions is large, whereby
even a person having a good sight who does not know a detection
method according to the structural characterizing portions of the
both chips can easily distinguish the two chips from each
other.
[0036] According to the present invention, in the check chip, a
difference between the check chip and the correction chip resides
in the shape of the structural characterizing portion.
[0037] Therefore, it is possible to provide a check chip, in which
a person can detect, with touch, the difference between the check
chip and the correction chip according to the shape of the
structural characterizing portions, whereby even a visually
handicapped person or a weak-sighted person can easily distinguish
the difference from the correction chip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] FIG. 1 is a plan view and a side view illustrating a shape
of a general correction chip employed in a sensor measuring device
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows a plan view and a side view illustrating a
check chip having a structural characterizing portion of a large
diameter according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0040] FIGS. 3(a) and (b) show plan views and side views
illustrating a check chip having structural characterizing portions
which are provided on both sides thereof according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIGS. 4(a) and (b) show plan views and side views
illustrating a check chip having plural pieces of structural
characterizing portions according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows a plan view and an elevation view illustrating
a check chip in which a portion of plural structural characterizing
portions has optical penetrability according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIGS. 6(a) and (b) show plan views and side views
illustrating check chips having different shapes from a correction
chip according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0044] FIGS. 7(a) and (b) show plan views and side views
illustrating a check chip and a correction chip according to prior
art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0045] Hereinafter, a description will be given of a check chip for
checking operations of a measuring device in which a difference
from a correction chip for correcting is clarified by a structural
characterizing portion 3, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, according
to a first embodiment of the present invention. The correction chip
and the check chip are executed in contrast to resistance value in
a resistor buried in a sensor body 1 that has an incorrect
insertion preventing projection 2 to prevent the chip from being
incorrectly inserted into a measuring device.
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a plan view and a side view illustrating a
correction chip having a circular convex shaped structural
characterizing portions on an upside of a sensor body according to
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] In this first embodiment, a description will be given with
citing as an example, a type, in which the structural
characterizing portion 3 both of the correction chip and the check
chip is convex shaped. Though, the shape of the structural
characterizing portion 3 might be concave shaped or penetrations in
the sensor body 1, which can be recognized by a user with the
touch. When the structural characterizing portion 3 has a convex
shaped, it is ideal for the operation, since a resistor can be
buried in this convex portion.
[0048] Initially, a description will be given in a case where the
difference between the check chip and the correction chip resides
in a size of the structural characterizing portion 3.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a plan view and a side view illustrating a
check chip, in which a diameter of the structural characterizing
portion 3 having a circular convex shaped is equal to the sensor
body 1, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals and characters as those in
FIG. 1 designate the same or corresponding parts. So, the
descriptions will be omitted.
[0050] The structural characterizing portion 3 of the correction
chip shown in FIG. 1 has a diameter which is smaller than a width
of the sensor body 1. In contrast thereto, the circular convex
shaped structural characterizing portion 3 of the check chip
according to this embodiment has a diameter which is equal to width
of the sensor body 1, as shown in FIG. 2. As described above, a
size of the structural characterizing portion 3 of the check chip
is made to differ from that of the structural characterizing
portion 3 of the correction chip, thereby to distinguish the both
chips from each other not only from their appearances but also from
their touch.
[0051] As for the size of the structural characterizing portion 3,
the check chip may have larger one than that of the correction chip
as described above, or, on the contrary, the correction chip may
have larger one than that of the check chip (not shown). However,
when considering that the correction chip, which is required
whenever measuring sensors are bought by a box, is used more
frequently than the check chip, which is required only when a
measuring device is newly bought, and that the number of the
correction chips is larger than that of the check chip, it is more
desirable that the structural characterizing portion 3 of the check
chip is larger than that of the correction chip in view of a large
number of the manufactured correction chips.
[0052] Further, the difference between the check chip and the
correction chip may reside in the placement location of the
structural characterizing portion 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 to
3(b).
[0053] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are plan views and side views
illustrating check chips having circular convex shaped structural
characterizing portions on both surfaces of the sensor body
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
3(a) illustrates that placement locations of the respective
structural characterizing portions on both surfaces correspond to
each other, and FIG. 3(b) illustrates that the placement locations
of the respective structural characterizing portions do not
correspond to each other. In FIGS. 3(a) and (b), reference numeral
3a designates a structural characterizing portion placed on the
upside of the sensor body 1, and reference numeral 3b designates a
structural characterizing portion placed on the downside of the
sensor body 1. Further, the same reference numerals and characters
as those in FIG. 1 designate the same or corresponding parts. So,
the descriptions will be omitted.
[0054] Here, the structural characterizing portion 3 of the
correction chip shown in FIG. 1 is provided only on the upside of
the sensor body 1. In contrast thereto, according to the check chip
of the first embodiment, the circular convex shaped structural
characterizing portions 3a and 3b of are provided on both sides of
the sensor body 1, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and (b). As described
above, placement location of the structural characterizing portion
3 of the check chip is made to be different from the placement
location of the structural characterizing portion 3 of the
correction chip, thereby both chips can be distinguished from each
other not only from their appearances but also their feel.
[0055] Further, in the check chip, the respective locations of the
structural characterizing portions 3a and 3b which are provided on
both sides of the sensor body 1 may correspond to each other as
shown in FIG. 3(a), or the respective locations are different from
each other as shown in FIG. 3(b).
[0056] As for the placement location of the structural
characterizing portion 3, the check chip may have the structural
characterizing portions 3 on both sides of the sensor body 1 and
the correction chip may have the same only on an upside of the
sensor body 1 as described above, or the contrary case (not shown)
may be accepted. However, in view of the above-described difference
in the number of chips that are, it is more desirable in the
manufacturing that the check chip have the structural
characterizing portions 3a and 3b on both sides of the sensor body
1.
[0057] Further, the difference between the check chip and the
correction chip may resides in the number of the structural
characterizing portions 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4(b).
[0058] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are plan views and side views
illustrating check chips having plural circular convex shaped
structural characterizing portions according to the first
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4(a) illustrates a check
chip having two structural characterizing portions on the upside of
the sensor body 1, and FIG. 4(b) illustrates a check chip having
three structural characterizing portions. In FIGS. 4(a) and (b),
reference numerals 3a, 3b and 3c designate structural
characterizing portions which are provided adjacent to each other
on the upside of the sensor body 1, and the same reference numerals
and characters as those in FIG. 1 designate the same or
corresponding parts. So, the descriptions will be omitted.
[0059] Here, only one structural characterizing portion 3 of the
correction chip shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the upside of the
sensor body 1. In contrast thereto, according to the check chip of
the first embodiment, the circular convex shaped structural
characterizing portions 3a and 3b are provided adjacent to each
other on the upside of the sensor body 1, as shown in FIG. 4(a). As
described above, the number of the structural characterizing
portions 3a and 3b are made to be different from the number of the
structural characterizing portion 3 of the correction chip, whereby
both chips can be distinguished from each other not only from their
appearances, but also from their feel.
[0060] Further, according to the check chip, the number of the
structural characterizing portions provided may be either two as
shown in FIG. 4(a) or three as shown in FIG. 4(b), if the
structural characterizing portions can be constituted on the sensor
body 1.
[0061] Further, the number of the structural characterizing
portions 3 of the check chip may be larger than that of the
structural characterizing portion 3 of the correction chip, as
described above, or the contrary case (not shown) can be accepted.
However, in view of a difference in the number of the manufactured
products of both chips, it is more desirable in the manufacturing
that the number of the structural characterizing portions of the
check chips is larger than that of the structural characterizing
portion of the correction chip.
[0062] Further, the respective sizes of the plural structural
characterizing portions 3 of the check chip may be all the same, or
there may be some differences between the structural characterizing
portions 3a, 3b and 3c as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). However,
when three or more structural characterizing portions are provided
on the upside of the sensor body 1, it is desirable, in view of
limited area of the sensor body 1, that only the structural
characterizing portion 3a containing a resistor is enlarged and
other structural characterizing portions 3b and 3c are diminished,
as shown in FIG. 4(b).
[0063] Further, a part of the plural circular convex shaped
structural characterizing portions 3 described with reference to
FIGS. 4(a) and (b) may be optical penetrability, as shown in FIG.
5.
[0064] FIG. 5 is a plane view and a side illustrating a check chip,
in which a part of the plural circular convex shaped structural
characterizing portions is optical penetrability, according to the
first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference
numeral 3d designates a circular convex shaped structural
characterizing portion having optical penetrability. The same
reference numerals and characters as those in FIGS. 4(a) and (b)
designate the same or corresponding parts. So, the descriptions
will be omitted.
[0065] The sensor and measuring device employed in this first
embodiment are often used by a person having good sight, and a
person having good sight frequently assists a visually handicapped
person in using a sensor measuring device. Therefore, many chips
are printed on their surfaces with attention attracting characters
indicating what the chip is used for, such as "for checking" or
"CHECK", so as to indicate that the chips are check chips. In this
case, when the check chip is provided with a structural
characterizing portion 3 which is different from that of the
correction chip, reading of the attention attracting character
might be interrupted, especially in a case where the number of the
structural characterizing portion 3 is large. Therefore, in order
to enable a person having a good sight, who does not know a
distinction means using the structural characterizing portions 3 of
the both chips, to distinguish them from each other, one structural
characterizing portion 3d out of the structural characterizing
portions 3a and 3d is constituted to have optical penetrability as
shown in FIG. 5, whereby the attention attracting character can be
read out even if the attention attracting character printed on the
sensor body 1 is hidden under the structural characterizing portion
3.
[0066] Further, difference between the check chip and the
correction chip may reside in the shape of the structural
characterizing portion 3, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6(a) and (b).
[0067] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are plane views and side views of check
chips in which the shape of convex shaped structural characterizing
portions is different from that of the structural characterizing
portion of the correction chip, according to the first embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 6(a) is a view illustrating that the
shape of a structural characterizing portion is rectangular convex
shaped, and FIG. 6(b) is a view illustrating that the shape of a
structural characterizing portion is circular convex shaped with an
acute projection. In FIGS. 6(a) and (b), the same reference
numerals and characters as those in FIG. 1 designate the same or
corresponding parts. So, the descriptions will be omitted.
[0068] Here, the structural characterizing portion 3 of the
correction chip shown in FIG. 1 has a circular convex shaped and
gentle dome liked shape. In contrast thereto, the structural
characterizing portion 3 of the check chip according to this first
embodiment, for example, has circular convex shape with the acute
projection, as shown in FIG. 6(b). Therefore, the shape of the
structural characterizing portion 3 of the check chip is made to be
different from that of the structural characterizing portion 3 of
the correction chip, and the user can distinguish the check chip
from the correction chip not only by their appearances, but also by
their feel.
[0069] Further, the check chip of the first embodiment may a
structural characterizing portion 3 which is constituted by
combining the shapes of the structural characterizing portions 3
described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. For example, a desirable
combination can be obtained such that plural structural
characterizing portions 3 provided on the upside of the sensor body
1 are triangular or rectangular shaped, the structural
characterizing portions 3 provided on both sides of the sensor body
1 are triangular or square shaped, or a correction chip has a
convex shaped portion, in contrast to a check chip having a concave
shaped portion.
[0070] Next, material for composing the structural characterizing
portion 3 and methods for forming the same will be described.
[0071] Since a resistor which indicates constant value is contained
in the structural characterizing portion 3 both in the check chip
and in the correction chip, resin is employed for insulation in the
structural characterizing portion 3. As a type of resin, the epoxy
type resin is desirable. Further, it might be necessary to provide
viscosity to the resin in order to form the desirable shape for the
structural characterizing portion 3, and as thickener addictive for
adjusting the viscosity, silica powder is desirable.
[0072] Further, when assuming that the structural characterizing
portions 3 both of the check chip and the correction chip are
approximate circular shaped, it is desirable that their diameters
have a size which is not larger than a width of the sensor body 1.
Since the both chips are made to correspond to the measuring sensor
in shape, in the case of a chip having approximately a 6 mm width,
for example, it is desirable that a diameter of the approximate
circular shaped structural characterizing portion 3 is smaller than
6 mm in its maximum. Further, the minimum value of the diameter is
not especially limited, though, it is desirable that the diameter
is 1 mm or more because a resistor is to be buried in the
structural characterizing portion 3. When a smaller resistor is
employed, the structural characterizing portion 3 can be further
decreased in size. However, a size, with which a visually
handicapped user can distinguish whether a sensor is a correction
sensor or a check sensor from touch, is required.
[0073] A general forming method for the structural characterizing
portion 3 containing a resistor employs conventional printing
technique. More particularly, the structural characterizing portion
3 is piled up on the resistor by adjusting the thickness of a
masking base material and the viscosity of the resin, via the
masking material, with a penetration hole of a desirable
diameter.
[0074] On the other hand, according to a forming method for the
check chip having one structural characterizing portion 3a
containing a resistor therein and plural structural characterizing
portions 3b containing no resistor therein as shown in FIG. 4(a),
since the structural characterizing portions 3b having no resistors
therein do not require insulation, the insulation material is not
necessary to be employed in the portions 3b. However, in view of
convenience in the manufacturing, it is desirable that the
structural characterizing portions 3b are produced with the same
material as used in the structural characterizing portion 3a
containing a resistor therein, employing the applied printing
technique. In view of the low-frequency of the check chip, a check
chip which is similar to the correction chip in shape is
manufactured by employing the applied printing technique, and then
the structural characterizing portions 3b containing no resistor
are manually formed, using a syringe full of the resin and an
injection needle, thereby producing the check chip shown in FIG.
4(a).
[0075] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, the structural characterizing portion 3 of the
correction sensor is different from that of the check sensor in
shape, and further, the difference in the shape of the structural
characterizing portion 3 is formed so as to be identified by a user
from touch, and therefore, even a visually handicapped user can
easily distinguish the correction chip from the check chip, so as
to prevent the user from using the two chips with confusion.
INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY
[0076] The check chip for a sensor device of the present invention
is extremely useful as one which can be easily distinguished even
by a visually handicapped user from a correction chip having
similar shape to the check chip, the correction chip being used for
correcting at the time of lot change of a sensor.
* * * * *