Diagnostic meter

Abstract

A system for diagnostic testing, including a meter assembly that communicates with a partner device, such as a PC. The device can be made compact, convenient to carry, and easily connectable to a variety of electronics devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of an integrated remote diagnostic meter assembly consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a remote diagnostic meter with an integrated data connecter consistent with the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a second illustrative embodiment of an integrated remote diagnostic meter assembly consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a meter interfacing with a computer.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a data connector portion of a meter consistent with the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an illustrative integrated remote diagnostic meter assembly wirelessly communicating with a computer.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are perspective views of a remote diagnostic meter pre-paired with a docking transceiver.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of an electronic diagnostic meter consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a further illustrative embodiment of an integrated remote diagnostic system consistent with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary block diagram of a prior art, general purpose computer usable with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method of storing and auto-executing program files from a remote diagnostic meter to a personal computer.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an illustrative integrated remote diagnostic meter assembly shaped to close an opening of a container.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views of a remote diagnostic meter pre-paired with a cradle.

Claims

1. A system for diagnostic testing, the system comprising: a meter device for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to test media, the meter device having a housing, the housing containing a test media interface, a mass storage device, and a data interface device.

2. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 1, wherein the meter housing further contains a display configured to display results of the diagnostic test.

3. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 1, wherein the meter housing is configured to be connected to a sampling device.

4. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 3, wherein the sampling device is a lancet.

5. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 1, wherein the meter housing is configured to be attached to a side portion of a test media container.

6. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 1, wherein the data interface device comprises a USB connector.

7. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 1, wherein the data interface device comprises a wireless communications device.

8. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 7, wherein the wireless communications device comprises an infrared device.

9. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 7, wherein the wireless communications device comprises an RF frequency device.

10. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 1, wherein the data interface device is configured to establish data communication with a partner device.

11. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 10, wherein the partner device is selected from the group consisting of: a cell phone, a PDA, a general purpose computer, a digital media player, a digital camera, and wireless information device.

12. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 10, wherein a transceiver dock is hardwired to the partner device.

13. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 12, wherein the transceiver dock and the meter housing are wirelessly connected.

14. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 10, wherein a cradle is plugged into a socket of the meter housing to establish wireless data communication with the partner device.

15. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 14, wherein the cradle and the partner device are BlueTooth® compatible.

16. A method for providing diagnostic data to a computer, the method comprising: a) providing a diagnostic meter having a housing containing a test media port for receiving test media, a mass storage device, and a data interface device;b) providing a partner device comprising a data communication port, the data communication port capable of establishing data communication with the data interface device;c) performing a diagnostic test on test media in the test media port to obtain at least one test value;d) establishing data communication between the diagnostic meter and the data communication port of the partner device and the data interface device of the diagnostic meter;e) transmitting the at least one test value from the diagnostic meter to the partner device; andf) displaying the at least one test value on the partner device.

17. The method of claim 16, the method further comprising the step of physically plugging the diagnostic meter into a port on the partner device.

18. The method of claim 16, the method further comprising the step of establishing a wireless connection between the diagnostic meter and the partner device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the mass storage device further comprises software, wherein the method further comprises executing the software on the partner device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of executing the software further comprises processing the at least one test value.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of transmitting identification information from the diagnostic meter to the computer with the at least one test value.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of transmitting identification information comprises transmitting time and data information for the at least one test value.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of transmitting identification information comprises transmitting user information for the at least one test value.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing the at least one test value in the mass storage device before transmitting the at least one test value to the partner device.

25. A system for diagnostic testing, the system comprising: a meter device for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to test media, the meter device having a housing, the housing containing a test media interface, and a data interface device; andwherein the housing is characterized by a lack of a display.

26. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 25, wherein the data interface device is configured to establish data communication with a partner device.

27. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 26, wherein the partner device is selected from the group consisting of: a cell phone, a PDA, a general purpose computer, a digital media player, a digital camera, and wireless information device.

28. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 27, wherein the partner device contains a mass storage device and a display configured to display results of the diagnostic test.

29. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 25, wherein the data interface device comprises a wireless communications device.

30. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 29, wherein the wireless communications device comprises an infrared device.

31. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 29, wherein the wireless communications device comprises an RF frequency device.

32. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 26, wherein a transceiver dock is hardwired to the partner device.

33. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 32, wherein the transceiver dock and the meter housing are wirelessly connected.

34. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 26, wherein a cradle is plugged into a socket of the meter housing to establish wireless data communication with the partner device.

35. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 34, wherein the cradle and the partner device are BlueTooth® compatible.

36. The system for diagnostic testing of claim 1, wherein the meter housing is configured to selectively close an opening of a test media container.