Patent Application
20180306651
Not applicable to this application.
Not applicable to this application.
Example embodiments in general relate to a detecting and monitoring system for a sample fluid. More particularly, embodiments relate to detecting and monitoring a plurality of ambient conditions of a sample of insulin. Furthermore, an apparatus and system to monitor the temperature of a sample of insulin and/or interior temperature of an insulin storage compartment (including an insulin carrying case, infusion pump case or infusion pump) are disclosed.
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. Indeed, the discussion of the prior art is intended to provide some context for the description of the embodiments of the invention.
Typically, a person having diabetes needs to monitor their blood insulin level at prescribed intervals to ensure that the level of insulin in their blood is within an acceptable range. Diabetic patients may utilize a carrying case to hold their insulin vial, trocar, hypodermic needles, test strips and other items needed to treat their blood sugar level.
In the past two decades, insulin infusion pumps have been developed for the treatment of diabetes. Many diabetics prefer to utilize an insulin infusion pump to provide insulin into their body instead of the carrying case. Some advantages to an insulin infusion pump include provision of a more regular introduction of insulin into their body; reduction of the need for daily injections of insulin; and greater mobility since the infusion pump is typically attached via a port and the user does not need to carry a pouch with insulin cartridges, hypodermic needles, test strips, trocar and other medical supplies necessary for injecting insulin. Many infusion pump devices are water-resistant and may be waterproof. Regardless of how insulin is stored, which could be in a carrying pouch, infusion pump case or infusion pump apparatus, it is important that the temperature of the sample does not become too hot or too cold. A concern for insulin users is that the temperature of a sample of insulin may exceed the prescribed temperature (either too hot or too cold) for a period of time and then return to an acceptable temperature. In this instance, the efficacy of the insulin could be compromised and the user would not be aware of the undesirable temperature profile of the insulin.
It would be desirable to have an improved monitoring system that is capable of generating a warning or alert based on sensed conditions of a sample of insulin, either in an insulin carrying case, an infusion pump case and/or an infusion pump apparatus.
An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to monitoring the temperature of insulin and/or the temperature of the interior of an insulin storage compartment. The insulin storage compartment, or case, may be, for example, an insulin carrying pouch, an infusion pump case and/or an infusion pump apparatus. As used herein, the insulin carrying pouch is a carrying case that a user typically carries an insulin vial, test strips and other paraphernalia to administer insulin. An infusion pump case is a case for holding an infusion pump. An infusion pump apparatus is an infusion pump without the infusion pump case. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a monitoring system (“the system”) for monitoring a temperature (or other parameter, such as pressure, UV exposure) of a sample stored in a case. For example, the sample may be insulin contained in an insulin storage case (e.g., a carrying pouch, infusion pump case and/or infusion pump apparatus). The monitoring system includes a case structure adapted to contain a sample of insulin, which may be stored in a vial or other insulin-containing vessel. A temperature sensor is disposed in the interior of the case. The temperature sensor senses a temperature of the interior of the case and/or the temperature of the insulin sample. A comparator is disposed in the interior of the case that receives input from the temperature sensor indicative of the temperature of the interior of the case. The comparator generates an output signal as a function of the sensed temperature of the interior of the case. An indicator is disposed on the case such that at least a portion of the indicator is visible from the exterior of the case, each indicator operatively coupled to the comparator. The indicator provides an indication of the temperature of the interior of the case based on the output signal generated by the comparator of the sample.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to the system, wherein the comparator circuit generates a profile of the sample based on one or more parameters. The profile reflects the exposure of the sample to various temperature, pressure and/or UV exposure conditions.
Yet another embodiment is the system, which includes additional sensors, sense ultra-violet radiation exposure of the sample.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is the system, wherein the sensor senses ambient pressure conditions of the sample.
Yet another embodiment is the system, that includes one or more indicator modules that are each associated with a particular sensed parameter of the sample.
Yet another embodiment is the system that also includes a bi-directional communication link adapted to transmit a representation of the profile, such as a temperature profile, of the sample.
Yet another embodiment is the system, in which the bi-directional communication link is a wireless link.
Yet another embodiment is the system, in which the sensor senses a plurality of conditions.
Yet another embodiment is the system, in which the plurality of conditions include: time, temperature, pressure, and ultra-violet radiation.
Yet another embodiment is the system, in which the comparator generates a warning indication based on the profile of the sample, and the indicator modules are adapted to provide an indication representative of the warning indication.
Yet another embodiment is a method to accomplish the detecting and monitoring of a fluid sample, such as a sample of insulin. The method may comprise a series of steps, or algorithm, or computer program code that may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The steps may be stored on non-volatile memory, SM card, thumb drive, memory stick, cache, EEPROM, RAM, ROM, DRAM or other suitable electronic memory.
Other embodiments of the present invention include the methods described above but implemented using apparatus or programmed as computer code to be executed by one or more processors operating in conjunction with one or more electronic storage media.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments of the monitoring system in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of the monitoring system that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the monitoring system in detail, it is to be understood that the monitoring system is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The monitoring system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
As used in this application, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an insulin case, which may include an infusion pump case, that has temperature sensing circuitry to sense and monitor the internal temperature of the insulin case. When the internal temperature of the case exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as 80 degrees Fahrenheit, a buzzer (or audible alert), LED (light emitting diode), or other indicator is activated. This indication provides a user, with an alert that the internal temperature of the insulin case has exceeded the predetermined threshold.
An example monitoring system generally comprises sensing circuits, a comparator circuit and indicator modules. A sample used for treating a condition, such as insulin for treating diabetes, may be susceptible to changes in ambient conditions, such as, for example, temperature, pressure and/or ultra-violet exposure. Other ambient conditions may also deleteriously affect the efficacy of a therapy. As described and claimed herein, it is contemplated that such ambient conditions can be detected and/or monitored such that a user, patient or other party will have a profile of conditions that a therapy, such as insulin, has been exposed.
Specifically, a therapy, such as insulin, may be exposed to an undesirable temperature for a short period of time. It is useful to a patient to have insight into the temperature profile of the therapy, even if the temperature of the therapy returns to a lower, “acceptable” level following an elevated temperature period. This profile technique may be used to develop a profile of any suitable parameter (i.e., temperature, pressure, UV exposure, etc.) for any suitable therapy to provide an indication of suitability of the sample based on what conditions the sample experienced.
Lower member 121 includes a surface for storing diabetes treatment components and sensing components. Insulin storage case 100 includes one or more sensors, shown as single temperature sensor 102. The insulin storage case 100 is adapted to hold a testing device, which may be, for example, a skin puncture device 158, and an insulin vial 156, which stores a sample of insulin that is to be injected into a patient.
The temperature sensor 102 is used to sense the temperature inside the insulin storage case 100 and may also be disposed to specifically sense the temperature of insulin sample vial 156. The sensor 102 is operatively coupled to comparator circuit 124.
The sensor 102 may be disposed such that it senses the temperature inside the insulin storage case 100 or the temperature of the insulin vial 156. It may be desirable to sense the temperature of the insulin sample in vial 156 since the temperature of the insulin sample in vial 156 may vary with the volume of insulin in the vial 156.
The comparator circuit 124 compares the sensed temperature sensed by the sensor 102 to a pre-determined threshold to determine whether or not the sensed temperature inside the insulin storage case 100, or of the insulin vial 156, exceeds a pre-determined threshold. Typically the threshold temperature is set to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Indicator 134 is disposed on the insulin storage case 100 such that at least a portion of the indicator 134 is visible from outside the insulin storage case 100, such that a user can see the status of the insulin. The indicator 134 may display an illuminated light, provide a buzzer alert, audible sound, provide a multi-colored illuminated alert or provide a combination of illumination of colors and/or sounds. The audible indication may be a tone that is a function of the output signal generated by the comparator 124. Compartments 152 and 154 may be used to contain test strips, hypodermic needle(s), or other items useful to test a user's blood.
Sensing circuits 402, 406, 410 are shown as a pressure sensor, thermistor and ultra-violet sensor, respectively. A pressure sensor 402 is used to sense ambient pressure. A thermistor 406 is used to sense ambient temperature. A ultra-violet (UV) radiation sensor 410 is used to sense exposure to UV radiation. The sensing circuits 402, 406 and 410 are operatively coupled to comparator circuit 416 via wires 404, 408 and 412, respectively.
Comparator circuit 416 receives input from the sensing circuits 402, 406, 410. The comparator circuit 416, as shown in
Alternatively, the system of
The sensing circuits 402, 406 and 410 are operatively coupled to comparator circuit 516 via wires 404, 408 and 412, respectively. There may be more or fewer sensing circuits than shown in
Comparator circuit 516 receives input from the sensing circuits. The comparator circuit 516, as shown in
The output from the comparator circuit 516 may include information indicative of a sensed condition over time of multiple sensed parameters. This profile generated by the comparator circuit 516 is useful to provide information of conditions that may have been previously present; but are not currently present, which have a bearing or affect on the therapy. For example, it is possible that a sample of a therapy, such as insulin, may have been exposed to elevated temperatures that exceed the permissible temperature; but, the sample was then cooled to a permissible temperature. It is important for a patient or user of the sample to be aware of the higher temperature exposure of the sample that previously occurred.
The detection unit 680 includes sensing circuit 612, comparator circuit 616, display module 640 and antenna 650. The detection unit 680 is adapted to communicate with a user device 670 (having a display screen, or other output mechanism), via wireless transmission 660.
The sensing circuit 612 performs sensing of ambient conditions such as temperature, pressure, UV exposure, acoustic wave sensing, active sensing and passive sensing. The sensing circuit 612 is operatively coupled to comparator circuit 616 via wire 614.
Comparator circuit 616 receives input from the sensing circuit 612. The comparator circuit 616 generates a signal indicative of the sensed parameters. The comparator circuit 616 produces an output signal to indicator module 640 via wire 638. The indicator module 640 may be light emitting diode (LED) that produces a color indication based on the output signal from the comparator circuit 616. The output from the comparator circuit 616 may include information indicative of a sensed condition over time of multiple sensed parameters. This profile generated by the comparator circuit 616 is useful to provide information of conditions that may have been previously present; but are not currently present, which have a bearing or affect on the therapy.
Comparator circuit 616 has a transmit antenna 650, which may communicate, via wireless communication 660, such as a wireless network, Ethernet or other suitable electronic communication technique, with a user device 670. The network 660 is, for example, any combination of linked computers, or processing devices, adapted to transfer (transmit and/or receive) and process data. The network 660 may include wireless and wired transmission capabilities. The network 660 may be a private Internet Protocol (IP) network, as well as a public IP network, such as the Internet that can utilize World Wide Web (www) browsing functionality. Alternatively, the network 660 may be an Ethernet network, or any two or more operatively coupled processing devices that can share information. User device 670 may be any suitable network enabled device with sufficient memory, processing capability and display functionality (such as a touch screen, LCD, plasma or other display) to receive and display a representation of profile data generated by comparator circuit 616. The user device 670 may be for example, a smart phone, tablet, personal computer or any other Internet enabled device. The profile information may be transmitted from the device 680 to the user device 670.
The unit 780 includes sensing circuits 712(a) . . . (n) (where “n” is any suitable number), microprocessor 716, memory 718, input/output module 720, display modules 740(a) . . . (n) (where “n” is any suitable number) and antennae 750, 752. Two antennae (750, 752) are shown; however, any number of antennae that facilitate transmission/reception to unit 780 may be used. The unit 780 is adapted to communicate with a user devices 770(a) . . . (n) (having a display screen, or other output mechanism), via wireless transmission paths 760(a) . . . (n) (where “n” is any suitable number).
The sensing circuits 712(a) . . . (n) (where “n” is any suitable number) perform sensing of ambient conditions such as pressure (712(a)), temperature (712(b)), UV exposure (712(c)), acoustic wave sensing, active sensing and passive sensing (other 712(n)). The sensing circuits 712(a) . . . (n) are operatively coupled to microprocessor 716 via associated wires 714(a) . . . (n)(where “n” is any suitable number).
Microprocessor 716 receives input from the sensing circuits (generally 712). The microprocessor 716 is operatively coupled to memory 718 and input/output (I/O) module 720. Memory module 718 may be, for example, volatile or non-volatile memory, RAM, ROM, DRAM, EEPROM or other suitable electronic memory. The I/O module 720 may be, for example, instructions encoded on electronic memory to facilitate operation of the microprocessor.
The microprocessor 716, with interaction with memory 718 and I/O module 720, generates a signal indicative of the sensed parameters or sensed conditions. The microprocessor 716 produces an output signal to one or more of indicator modules 740(a) . . . (n) (where “n” is any suitable number) via associated wires 738(a) . . . (n). Each of the indicator modules (generally 740) may be light emitting diode (LED) that produces a color indication based on the output signal from the microprocessor 716. The output from the microprocessor 716 may include information indicative of a sensed condition over time of multiple sensed parameters. This profile generated by the microprocessor 716 is useful to provide information of conditions that may have been previously present; but are not currently present, which have a bearing or affect on the therapy.
Detecting/monitoring unit 780 has transmit antennae 750, 752, which may communicate, via wireless communication 760 (a) . . . (n) (where “n” is any suitable number), such as a wireless network, Ethernet or other suitable electronic communication technique, with one or more user devices 770(a) . . . (n) (where “n” is any suitable number).
The network 760 is, for example, any combination of linked computers, or processing devices, adapted to transfer (transmit and/or receive) and process data. The network 760 may include wireless and wired transmission capabilities. The network 760 may be a private Internet Protocol (IP) network, as well as a public IP network, such as the Internet that can utilize World Wide Web (www) browsing functionality. Alternatively, the network 760 may be an Ethernet network, or any two or more operatively coupled processing devices that can share information. User device (generally 770) may be any suitable network enabled device with sufficient memory, processing capability and display functionality (such as a touch screen, LCD, plasma or other display) to receive and display a representation of profile data generated by unit 780. The user device 770 may be for example, a smart phone, tablet, personal computer or any other Internet enable device. The profile information may be transmitted from the unit 780 to the user device 770.
The fail alert may be displayed as a text, step 812, e-mail, step 814 and/or alarm, step 816. Step 840 shows that the series of steps ends.
If the determination in step 806 is that the temperature of the sample is not below 59 degrees Fahrenheit or above 86 degrees Fahrenheit, “no” line 818 shows that a determination is made whether the sample temperature is below 64 degrees Fahrenheit or above 82 degrees Fahrenheit, as shown in step 820. (These temperature ranges are based on optimum temperatures for a sample of insulin. Other temperature ranges may be used for other types of samples.)
If the result of the determination (step 820) is that the sample temperature is not below 64 degrees Fahrenheit or above 82 degrees Fahrenheit “no” line 822 shows that the process then continues to sense the sample (step 804).
If the result of the determination (step 820) is that the sample temperature is below 64 degrees Fahrenheit or above 82 degrees Fahrenheit “yes” line 824 shows that the process then continues to process the condition, as shown in step 826. This step includes identifying a time period that the temperature has been outside the acceptable range. A warning alert is generated, as shown in step 828. Line 832 shows that the alert may be a text alert (step 812), e-mail alert (step 814) and/or an alarm (step 816). Line 830 shows that once a warning alert has been generated, the temperature of the sample is continually sensed (step 804). This continual sensing enables a profile of a parameter (e.g., temperature) to be generated by accumulating sensed data over time. As discussed previously, once an alert, such as either fail (step 810) or warning (step 828) has been generated, end step 840 is reached.
The process starts, as shown in step 902. Conditions, or parameters, of a sample: pressure; temperature; UV exposure; and others (e.g., acoustic sensing, active sensing, and/or passive sensing) are sensed as shown in steps 904, 906, 908, and 910, respectively. A determination is made whether each of the sensed conditions are within an acceptable range, as shown in step 912. The conditions/parameters and acceptable ranges that are used in the determination may be programmed based on the sample under consideration. The parameters and ranges may be updated or modified by modifying associated code.
If the sensed parameters are not within an acceptable range for any one of the sensed parameters, “no” line 914 shows that a warning is generated, as shown in step 918. This warning may be provided as a text (920), e-mail (922), alarm (924) or other suitable indication (926).
If the determination, as shown in step 912, results in each of the sensed parameters being within the pre-specified ranges, “yes” line 928 shows that a determination is made whether the sample, insulin in this example, is in an infusion pump, as shown in step 930. If so, “yes” line 932 shows that a determination is made whether the sample has been open for more that 48 hours, as shown in step 934. Insulin in an infusion pump has additional conditions of not being opened for more than 48 hours and not reaching a temperature over 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The infusion pump scenario for insulin is an example of a therapy having various additional conditions that affect the efficacy of the therapy. If so, “yes” line 936 leads to warning generation step 918.
If the insulin sample in an infusion pump has not been open for more than 48 hours, “no” line 938 shows that time that the insulin sample has been open is accumulated, as shown in step 940. Line 948 shows that the accumulated open time is then compared to the 48 hour threshold, as shown in step 934.
In addition to accumulating time open, the temperature of the infusion pump insulin is compared to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, as shown in step 942. If the temperature of the sample is more than 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, “yes” line 944 leads to warning generation step 918. If the temperature of the sample is not more than 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, “no” line 946 leads to determining the duration of time that the sample has been open, as shown in step 934.
If the insulin sample is determined not to be in an infusion pump, as shown in step 930, “no” line 950 shows that a temperature sensing determination is made to determine if the non-infusion pump sample temperature is between 59 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit, as shown in step 952. If not, “no” line 954 shows that warning generation step 918 is reached.
If the non-infusion pump sample temperature is between 59 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit, as shown in step 952 “yes” line 956 shows a determination is made whether or not the sample is less than 28 days old. Typically insulin has reduced efficacy after 28 days, even if not in an infusion pump. If the sample is not less than 28 days old, “no” line 960 shows that warning generation step 918 is reached. If the sample is less than 28 days old, “yes” line 962 leads to the sensing steps 904, 906, 908, 910.
The portion of the diagram (1014) indicates that the sample is less than 28 days old and the temperature is below 59 degrees. This is a warning alert condition, since while the sample is less than 28 days old, which is an acceptable condition, the temperature is below 59 degrees, which is a less than optimum condition for insulin.
The portion of the diagram (1020) indicates that the sample is more than 28 days old and the temperature is below 59 degrees, which is an unsatisfactory alert condition. The sample is more than 28 days old, which is an unacceptable condition, and the temperature is below 59 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a less than optimum condition for insulin. Since both the temperature and “open” time of the sample are undesirable, the unsatisfactory alert is generated.
The portion of the diagram (1012) indicates that the sample is less than 28 days old and the temperature is above 59 degrees and below 86 degrees, which is a satisfactory condition. The sample is less than 28 days old, which is an acceptable condition, and the temperature is between 59 and 86 degrees, which is a satisfactory condition for insulin. Since both the temperature and “open” time of the sample are satisfactory, the satisfactory alert is generated.
The portion of the diagram (1018) indicates that the sample is more than 28 days old and the temperature is between 59 and 86 degrees. The sample being more than 28 days old is an unacceptable condition. The temperature is between 59 and 86 degrees, which is a satisfactory condition for insulin. Since the temperature is satisfactory; but the “open” time of the sample is unacceptable, an unsatisfactory alert is generated.
The portion of the diagram (1010) indicates that the sample is less than 28 days old and the temperature is above 86 degrees, which is an unsatisfactory alert condition. The sample is less than 28 days old, which is an acceptable condition. The temperature is above 86 degrees, which is a less than optimum condition for insulin. Since the temperature is less than optimum and “open” time of the sample is satisfactory, the warning alert is generated.
The portion of the diagram (1016) indicates that the sample is more than 28 days old and the temperature is above 86 degrees, which is an unsatisfactory alert condition. The sample is more than 28 days old, which is an unacceptable condition. Since both the temperature and “open” time of the sample are undesirable, the unsatisfactory alert is generated.
While
The portion of the diagram (1112) indicates that the sample is less than 28 days old and the pressure is below the efficacy threshold pressure. Since both time and pressure are in an acceptable condition, the sample is satisfactory.
The portion of the diagram (1120) indicates that the sample is more than 28 days old and the pressure is acceptable. Since the “open” time of the sample is undesirable, the unsatisfactory alert is generated.
The portion of the diagram (1110) indicates that the sample is less than 28 days old and the pressure is above the efficacy threshold pressure. Since the time condition is acceptable; but, the pressure is above the efficacy pressure, a warning alert is generated.
The portion of the diagram (1118) indicates that the sample is more than 28 days old and the pressure is above the efficacy pressure. Since both parameters (the “open” time of the sample and the efficacy pressure) are undesirable, the unsatisfactory alert is generated.
An “open” time duration of 28 days is shown by vertical line 1250. There are various areas of the diagram (1212, 1220, 1210 and 1218) that result in an associated condition of the therapy.
The portion of the diagram (1220) indicates that the sample “open” time is more than 28 days and the UV exposure intensity is acceptable. Since the “open” time of the sample is undesirable, the unsatisfactory alert is generated.
The portion of the diagram (1210) indicates that the sample “open” time is less than 28 days and the UV exposure intensity is above the efficacy threshold. Since the time condition is acceptable; but, the UV exposure condition is above the efficacy threshold, a warning alert is generated.
The portion of the diagram (1218) indicates that the sample “open” time is more than 28 days and the UV exposure is above the efficacy threshold. Since both parameters (the “open” time of the sample and the UV exposure) are undesirable, the unsatisfactory alert is generated.
The sensor 1402 may be disposed such that it senses the temperature inside the storage case 1450 or the temperature of the insulin vial 1456. It may be desirable to sense the temperature of the insulin sample in vial 1456 since the temperature of the insulin sample in vial 1456 may vary with the volume of insulin in the vial.
The comparator circuit 1424 compares the sensed temperature sensed by the sensor 1402 to a pre-determined threshold to determine whether or not the sensed temperature inside the insulin case 1450, or of the insulin vial 1456, exceeds the pre-determined threshold. Typically the threshold temperature is set to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Indicator 1434 is disposed on the case 1450 such that at least a portion of the indicator 1434 is visible from outside the case 1450. The indicator 1434 may display an illuminated light, provide a buzzer alert audible sound, provide a multi-colored illuminated alert or provide a combination of illumination of colors and/or sounds. Compartments 1452 and 1454 may be used to contain test strips, hypodermic needles, or other items useful to test a user's blood.
The infusion pump case 1550 has an insulin reservoir 1556 for storing a sample of insulin that is to be pumped into a user via pump 1570 and insertion tubing 1574. The insulin reservoir 1556 is operatively coupled to temperature sensor 1502, which can sense either the temperature inside the infusion pump case 1550 or the temperature of insulin reservoir 1556. As stated previously, sensing the temperature of insulin reservoir 1556 may reflect the temperature of the sample inside the reservoir 1556.
Microprocessor 1530 is operatively coupled to comparator 1524, indicator 1534, display module 1560 and reservoir 1556. The microprocessor 1530 controls operation of the infusion pump 1570.
The comparator 1524 compares the sensed temperature sensed by the sensor 1502 to a pre-determined threshold to determine whether or not the sensed temperature inside the insulin infusion pump case 1550, or of the insulin vial 1556, exceeds the pre-determined threshold. Typically the threshold temperature is set to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Indicator 1534 is disposed on the case 1550 such that at least a portion of the indicator 1534 is visible from outside the case 1550. The indicator 1534 may display an illuminated light, provide a buzzer alert audible sound, provide a multi-colored illuminated alert or provide a combination of illumination of colors and/or sounds.
The display module 1560 includes display screen 1562 and display buttons 1564. The display module 1560 is operatively coupled to microprocessor 1530 and is used to display information on display screen 1562. A user may modify the information displayed on screen 1562 by manipulating buttons 1564, which control the format and/or content of information displayed on display screen 1562.
As described in relation to
It will be appreciated from the above that the embodiments may be implemented as computer software, which may be supplied on a storage medium or via a transmission medium such as a local-area network or a wide-area network, such as the Internet. It is to be further understood that, because some of the constituent system components and method steps depicted in the accompanying figures can be implemented in software, the actual connections between the systems components (or the process steps) may differ depending upon the manner in which the present invention is programmed. Given the teachings provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will be able to contemplate these and similar implementations or configurations.
It is to be understood that the above-described can be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purpose processes, or a combination thereof. Some embodiments can be implemented in software as an application program tangible embodied on a computer readable program storage device. The application program can be uploaded to, and executed by, a machine comprising any suitable architecture.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, and may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit. Although illustrative embodiments have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the monitoring system, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The monitoring system may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
