Patent Application
20140172309
This application generally relates to the field of blood glucose measurement systems and more specifically to portable analyte meters that are configured for performing various functions based on user surroundings.
Hand held blood glucose measurement systems are used for testing an individual's blood in a variety of surroundings at any time of day. These systems typically comprise an analyte meter that is configured to receive a biosensor, usually in the form of a test strip. Because these systems are portable, and testing can be completed in a short amount of time, patients are able to use such devices in the normal course of their daily lives without significant interruption to their personal routines. Therefore, a person with diabetes may measure their blood glucose levels several times a day as a part of a self management process to ensure glycemic control of their blood glucose within a target range. In the course of conducting typical day to day activities, the individual may perform a blood glucose test, for example, in a congested location such as an airport, subway or train station, while seated in a movie theater or while dining at a restaurant. With a bit of discretion, the individual can discreetly complete a blood glucose test so as not to bring unwanted attention to themselves.
A failure to maintain target glycemic control can result in serious diabetes-related complications including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, nerve damage and blindness. The easier and more comfortable it is for an individual to perform blood glucose testing, the more likely that the person will be able to maintain target blood glucose levels. There currently exist a number of available portable electronic devices that can measure glucose levels in an individual based on a small sample of blood. One such analyte meter is the OneTouch® Verio™ glucose measurement system, a product which is manufactured by LifeScan, Inc.
Therefore and according to a first aspect, there is provided a blood glucose measurement system that includes but is not limited to an analyte meter and a biosensor, which is configured to detect a wireless communication channel in proximity to the analyte meter. An electronic data management unit disposed within the analyte meter automatically identifies a source of the detected wireless communication channel and uses that information to automatically adjust at least one feature relating to the analyte meter for enabling use thereof based on the identity of the source. One advantage that may be realized in the practice of some aspects disclosed herein of the blood glucose measurement system is that a user need not manually adjust output settings of the analyte meter in response to traveling to a new location before use because the meter automatically adjusts its output settings.
According to another aspect, an automated method of operating a wireless blood glucose measurement system which includes an analyte meter is disclosed. According to the method, a data management unit of the measurement system detects a wireless communication channel in proximity to the analyte meter and automatically identifies a source of the detected wireless communication channel. The data management unit automatically adjusts at least one feature relating to the measurement system for enabling use of the analyte meter based on the identity of the source.
In accordance with yet another aspect, an analyte meter may include a wireless communication circuit for receiving wireless communication transmitted from a nearby wireless communication source. The wireless communication includes a character string identifying a source of the wireless communication. A preloaded electronic table that includes but is not limited to a plurality of character strings is stored in association with information describing an identity of a corresponding wireless communication source. A data management unit may include a circuit for adjusting at least one of a visual or audio output level of the analyte meter based on the identity of the communication source.
In another aspect, a method of operating a portable wireless blood glucose measurement system may include detecting a wireless communication channel, determining parameters of a location of the measurement system based on the detected wireless communication channel, and adjusting a data output level of the measurement system based on the parameters of the location.
These and other embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art when taken with reference to the following more detailed modes of carrying out the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are first briefly described.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain features of the invention (wherein like numerals represent like elements).
The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are identically numbered. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.
As used herein, the terms “patient” or “user” refer to any human or animal subject and are not intended to limit the systems or methods to human use, although use of the subject invention in a human patient represents a preferred embodiment.
As used herein, the term “wireless access point” refers to a source of available wireless network access by a wireless device.
Unless indicated otherwise in the text, the term “location” refers to a type, context, or physical characteristics of a location, and not to absolute geographic location such as is identifiable by global positioning coordinates.
The electronic components of the glucose measurement system 100 can be disposed on, for example, a printed circuit board situated within the housing 11 and forming the data management unit 140 of the herein described system.
A display module 119, which may include a display processor and display buffer, is electrically connected to the processing unit 122 over the communication line 123 for receiving and displaying output data, and for displaying user interface input options under control of processing unit 122. The structure of the user interface, such as menu options, is stored in user interface module 103 and is accessible by processing unit 122 for presenting menu options to a user of the blood glucose measurement system 100. An audio module 120 includes a speaker 121 for outputting audio data received or stored by the DMU 140. Audio outputs can include, for example, notifications, reminders, and alarms, or may include audio data to be replayed in conjunction with display data presented on the display 14. For example, stored audio data may include voice data which, when replayed over speaker 121, can be heard by the user to state “Insert test strip now” or “Remove test strip now”, and similar helpful instructions, or other information. Such stored audio data can be accessed by processing unit 122 and executed as playback data at appropriate times. A volume of the audio output is controlled by the processing unit 122, and the volume setting can be stored in settings module 105, as determined by the processor or as adjusted by the user. Although not shown, the audio module 120 may be connected to a vibration motor for outputting a reminder in the form of a vibration or to otherwise notify the user when the audio is turned off. User input module 102 receives inputs via user interface buttons 16, 18, and 20 which are processed and transmitted to the processing unit 122 over the communication line 123. Although not shown in
The display 14 can alternatively include a backlight and, as mentioned above, the strip port may include an illumination panel 12. The brightness of the display backlight and the illumination panel may be controlled by the processing unit 122 via a light source control module 115. The illumination panel 12 may be made of clear plastic and illuminated from within housing 11 by, for example, an LED light source. Similarly, the user interface buttons 16, 18, 20 may also be illuminated using LED light sources electrically connected to processing unit 122 for controlling a light output of the buttons. The light source module 115 is electrically connected to the display backlight, the illumination panel 12 and processing unit 122. Default brightness settings of all light sources, as well as settings adjusted by the user, are stored in a settings module 105, which is accessible and adjustable by the processing unit 122.
A memory module 101, that includes but are not limited to volatile random access memory (“RAM”) 112, a non-volatile memory 113, which may comprise read only memory (“ROM”) or flash memory, and a circuit 114 for connecting to an external portable memory device via a data port 13, is electrically connected to the processing unit 122 over a communication line 123. External memory devices may include flash memory devices housed in thumb drives, portable hard disk drives, data cards, or any other form of electronic storage devices. The on-board memory can include various embedded applications executed by the processing unit 122 for operation of the analyte meter 10, as will be explained below. On board memory can also be used to store a history of a user's blood glucose measurements including dates and times associated therewith. Using the wireless transmission capability of the analyte meter 10 or the data port 13, as described below, such measurement data can be transferred via wired or wireless transmission to connected computers or other processing devices.
A wireless module 106 may include transceiver circuits for wireless digital data transmission and reception via one or more internal digital antennas 107, and is electrically connected to the processing unit 122 over communication line 123. The wireless transceiver circuits may be in the form of integrated circuit chips, chipsets, programmable functions operable via processing unit 122, or a combination thereof. Each of the wireless transceiver circuits is compatible with a different wireless transmission standard. For example, a wireless transceiver circuit 108 may be compatible with the Wireless Local Area Network IEEE 802.11 standard known as WiFi. Transceiver circuit 108 is configured to detect a WiFi access point in proximity to the analyte meter 10 and to transmit and receive data from such a detected WiFi access point. A wireless transceiver circuit 109 may be compatible with the Bluetooth protocol and is configured to detect and process data transmitted from a Bluetooth “beacon” in proximity to the analyte meter 10. A wireless transceiver circuit 110 may be compatible with the near field communication (“NFC”) standard and is configured to establish radio communication with, for example, an NFC compliant point of sale terminal at a retail merchant in proximity to the analyte meter 10. A wireless transceiver circuit 111 may comprise a circuit for cellular communication with cellular networks and is configured to detect and link to available cellular communication towers.
A power supply module 116 is electrically connected to all modules in the housing 11 and to the processing unit 122 to supply electric power thereto. The power supply module 116 may comprise standard or rechargeable batteries 118 or an AC power supply 117 may be activated when the analyte meter 10 is connected to a source of AC power. The power supply module 116 is also electrically connected to processing unit 122 over the communication line 123 such that processing unit 122 can monitor a power level remaining in a battery power mode of the power supply module 116.
In addition to connecting external storage for use by the analyte meter 10, the data port 13 can be used to accept a suitable connector attached to a connecting lead, thereby allowing the analyte meter 10 to be wired to an external device such as a personal computer. Data port 13 can be any port that allows for transmission of data such as, example, a serial, USB, or a parallel port.
In terms of operation, one aspect of the analyte meter 10 may include a capability for automatically adjusting features of the blood glucose measurement system 100 based on its surroundings. For example, a user of the analyte meter 10 may be in a location that is typically noisy, such as an airport terminal, a bus or train station or a shopping mall. Previously, the user may have performed a blood glucose test in a quiet meeting room at work, and so had turned off the audio reminder so as not to draw attention to himself or herself during a meeting. In the exemplary embodiment, the audio will remain off until the WiFi module detects, for example, a “JFK terminal 1” or other WiFi network that is associated by way of a stored rule set or table. Upon association, the DMU 140 is configured to automatically set the audio output of the analyte meter 10 to the loudest level.
Another situation may take place, for example, in a poorly lit restaurant. The user enters the restaurant to eat a meal, and so performs a blood glucose test. As soon as the user approaches the restaurant, its Bluetooth network transmits a beacon frame to advertise offers to passers by having mobile smart phones. The beacon is detected by the analyte meter 10, which continues detecting the Bluetooth beacon after some time has passed and determines that the user is not merely passing by but has remained in range of the restaurant for several minutes, therefore is probably intending to eat and therefore will probably want to perform a blood glucose test. The analyte meter 10 recognizes the restaurant name after detecting and processing the Bluetooth beacon frame data and sets the display backlight brightness high and the audio off. The user is then able to perform a blood test discreetly. Similarly, a user may be in a similarly and poorly lit movie theater while the analyte meter 10 has already detected the “Cinema” WiFi beacon and sets the audio off and the display backlight brightness and strip port illumination to low so as not to draw attention in the darkened theater when performing a blood glucose test. The analyte meter 10 can be similarly configured for other locales, such as the user's own home when it detects the user's home WiFi network, for example. The time-of-day clock can be accessed by the processing unit 122 to adjust audio and light output levels in response to particular times of day, thereby providing further control refinements over the operation of the blood glucose measurement system 100.
The automatically adjusted settings just described are accomplished by the analyte meter 10, and more particularly the DMU 140, as follows. With reference to
Wireless access points, such as 201, are increasingly deployed in various public locations such as coffee shops, restaurants, movie theaters, shopping malls, hotels, parks, museums, airports, and the like. Standard WiFi transmissions from access point 201 include broadcast of identification data commonly known as a service set identifier (“SSID”) which identifies the particular wireless access point. The identifier includes an alphanumeric character string, i.e. text or, that is commonly used by wireless communication devices to notify a user that a wireless access point is in proximity to the user and is available for two way communication, which typically includes network access to the internet, for example. The character string typically identifies a commercial establishment that is providing the wireless access point by a trade name recognizable to most users if the establishment is well known. The name of the establishment typically appears in a prompt presented to the user on a display screen of the wireless communication device asking the user if he or she wishes to establish network communication using the wireless access point. In order to display the prompt, the wireless transmission device extracts the alphanumeric character string from the broadcast identification data to be presented to the user.
DMU 140 makes use of such identifiers extracted from WiFi access points, such as access point 201, in order to automatically adjust settings of various features provided by the glucose measurement system 100 during use based on a rules set. In one aspect, the contained DMU 140 stores a table of retail establishments by trade name, such as names of coffee shops, restaurants, movie theaters, shopping malls, hotels, parks, museums, airports, and the like. The table may be stored in the memory module 101 or in a memory of settings module 105. Associated with each such table entry according to the exemplary embodiment is settings information that may be accessed by the processing unit 122 and stored in settings module 105 whereby various features of the analyte meter 10 can be adjusted according to the settings information. Various other information may be stored in the table in association with each table entry, such as descriptions of the type of merchandise available in the establishments that provide the wireless access point. The device settings information can include one or more adjustments, for example, a brightness of the display 14 backlight, a brightness of the LED that illuminates illumination panel 12 or the LEDs that illuminate buttons 16, 18, 20, a volume level of alarms, reminders, and notifications played on speaker 121, or a combination thereof. The information describing the type of establishment might identify the wireless access point provider as a restaurant, a grocer, a drugstore, or the like. Such a table can be preloaded during manufacture of the analyte meter 10 or it can be populated by accessing a web site of a company such as iPass, which is a commercial internet company that provides downloadable current information regarding a large number of WiFi access point providers.
An exemplary table that is accessed by processing unit 122 is shown below. The first column lists alphanumeric character strings that are typically embedded in the SSID as transmitted by a wireless access point provider, such as by wireless access point 201. Settings and descriptions are associated with each particular named wireless access provider by storing relevant information in succeeding columns of the same row as the named provider. Thus, the processing unit 122 can retrieve settings information associated with an identified provider, such as by reading a Backlight brightness level from column 2 and an Audio volume level from column 3, and storing those numerical level data in settings module 105, whereby, in response to the setting information stored therein, various features of the analyte meter are adjusted.
Similar to the WiFi access point communication method just described, a Bluetooth transmission also includes data for identifying a source of the transmitted Bluetooth beacon frames and can be similarly detected and used by DMU 140 to access stored settings and adjust features of the glucose measurement system 100 corresponding thereto. Similar to both the WiFi access point and Bluetooth communication methods just described, an NFC transmission also includes data for identifying a source of the NFC signals and can be detected and used by DMU 140 to access stored settings and adjust features corresponding thereto.
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As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “circuitry,” “module,” and/or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible, non-transitory medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
Program code and/or executable instructions embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RE, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
Furthermore, the various methods described herein can be used to generate software codes using off-the-shelf software development tools such as, for example, Visual Studio 6.0, C or C++ (and its variants), Windows 2000 Server, and SQL Server 2000. The methods, however, may be transformed into other software languages depending on the requirements and the availability of new software languages for coding the methods.
While the invention has been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. Therefore, to the extent there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well.
