Patent Publication Number: US-2022236208-A1

Title: System for blood glucose meter coupled with mobile electronic device

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of International Application No. PCT/US2020/056007, which is entitled “SYSTEM FOR BLOOD GLUCOSE METER COUPLED WITH MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” and was filed on 16 Oct. 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application claims the further benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/916,817, which is entitled “SYSTEM FOR BLOOD GLUCOSE METER COUPLED WITH MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” and was filed on 18 Oct. 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates generally to the field of analyte detection in fluid samples and, more specifically, to devices that detect analytes in fluid samples including blood glucose meters. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Analyte test meters that are known to the art enable the analysis of a bodily fluid sample provided by a user to identify the level of one or more analytes in the body of the user using an electronic device and one or more electrochemical reactions. These analyte meters provide significant benefits for the accurate measurement of analytes in fluidic samples (i.e., biological or environmental) for individual users. An analyte meter applies electrical signals to the combination of the reagents and the fluid sample and records responses to the applied electrical signals, and a combination of electronic hardware and software in the analyte test meter implements a detection engine that detects a level of the analyte in the body of the user based on the recorded responses to the electrical signals. For example, persons with diabetes can benefit from measuring glucose by providing a fluid sample of blood or another bodily fluid to reagents that are formed on an electrochemical test strip, which is electrically connected to a blood glucose meter (BGM). The BGM provides a measurement of the blood glucose level of the user, and many BGM devices use single-use electrochemical test strips that are discarded after each blood glucose measurement. Analyte test meters can also provide benefits to users at-risk for heart disease by providing measurements of cholesterols and triglycerides, among other analytes. These are but a few examples of the benefits of measuring analytes in biological samples. Advancements in the medical sciences are identifying a growing number of analytes that can be electrochemically analyzed in a fluidic sample. 
     While analyte test meters that are known to the art can provide measurements for a wide range of analytes, existing analyte devices are often incapable of receiving software and firmware updates during the lifetime of the analyte device, which is often several years in common practice. While the analyte test meter remains functional even without updates, the inability to update the analyte test meter may result in inefficient operation. For example, as described above analyte test meters use test strips, which are typically disposable after a single use. Over the life of the meter, the structure and chemistry of the test strips cannot change in any appreciable way because any such change would likely reduce the accuracy of the existing analyte test meters. Even comparatively small manufacturing variations that can occur between different batches of test strips can negatively impact the accuracy with existing analyte test meters that cannot be dynamically updated to provide accurate measurements from different test strips even if the test strips themselves are not defective. Many analyte test meters operate as self-contained devices that cannot receive updates and in particular low-cost analyte test meters are often incapable of receiving firmware updates. While some analyte test meters that incorporate network connectivity have the technical capability to receive updated firmware data from an online update service, these meters often do not receive updates as a practical matter because the same capability that enables legitimate firmware updates also enables unauthorized firmware updates that cause the meter to operate in a manner that is not authorized by the FDA or by other health regulation authorities. 
     Another challenge that confronts existing analyte test meters is that these test meters generally operate as standalone devices with integrated microprocessors, input devices, and output devices, and in some instances network devices, which increase the complexity, price, and power consumption of the analyte test meter. Even analyte test meters that are configured to transmit results to external computing devices via, for example, a Bluetooth or other wireless data link are still configured to act as standalone devices during normal operation. While some removable analyte test meters are configured to act as dependent devices that connect to another host device, such as a personal computer (PC), smartphone, or other digital device via a universal serial bus (USB) or similar connection, these removable analyte test meters still implement the full hardware requirements to implement the analyte measurement process and cannot receive updates in the field. Furthermore, these removable analyte test meters generally interfere with the normal operation of a digital device if they remain plugged into the device, and therefore a user must connect and disconnect the removable analyte test meter to and from the host device prior for each use. Consequently, improvements to analyte test meters that address the challenges described above would be beneficial. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a hybrid analyte test meter has been developed. The hybrid analyte test meter includes a memory configured to store firmware instructions, a port configured to receive an electrochemical test strip, a measurement signal generator electrically connected to the port, a measurement signal receiver electrically connected to the port, a short range wireless transceiver, and a processor operatively connected to the memory, the measurement signal generator, the measurement signal receiver, and the short range wireless transceiver. The processor is configured to execute the firmware instructions in the memory to operate the measurement signal generator to apply a predetermined sequence of electrical signals to a sample deposited on the electrochemical test strip via the port, receive a plurality of signal measurements from the measurement signal receiver, the measurement signal receiver generating the plurality of measured signals based on a plurality of electrical signals received from the electrochemical test strip in the port in response to the predetermined sequence of electrical signals, and transmit data corresponding to the plurality of signal measurements to an external computing device using the short range wireless transceiver, wherein the data corresponding to the plurality of signal measurements enable another processor in the external computing device to identify a measurement of an analyte in the sample. 
     In another embodiment, an analyte test meter has been developed. The analyte test meter includes a hybrid analyte test meter and a mobile electronic device. The hybrid analyte test meter includes a first memory configured to store firmware instructions, a port configured to receive an electrochemical test strip, a measurement signal generator electrically connected to the port, a measurement signal receiver electrically connected to the port, a first short range wireless transceiver, and a first processor operatively connected to the first memory, the measurement signal generator, the measurement signal receiver, and the first short range wireless transceiver. The first processor is configured to execute the firmware instructions in the first memory to operate the measurement signal generator to apply a predetermined sequence of electrical signals to a sample deposited on the electrochemical test strip via the port, receive a plurality of signal measurements from the measurement signal receiver, the measurement signal receiver generating the plurality of signal measurements based on a plurality of electrical signals received from the electrochemical test strip in the port in response to the predetermined sequence of electrical signals, and transmit data corresponding to the plurality of signal measurements to the mobile electronic device using the first short range wireless transceiver. The mobile electronic device includes a second memory configured to store software instructions, a second short range wireless transceiver, an output device, and a second processor operatively connected to the second memory, the second short range wireless transceiver, and the output device. The second processor is configured to execute the software instructions in the second memory to receive the plurality of signal measurements from the hybrid analyte test meter using the second short range wireless transceiver, execute an analyte detection algorithm to identify a level of the analyte in the sample based on the plurality of signal measurements, and generate an output with the output device to present the level of the analyte in the sample to a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages, effects, features and objects other than those set forth above will become more readily apparent when consideration is given to the detailed description below. Such detailed description makes reference to the following drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a set of views of an analyte test meter that includes a hybrid analyte test meter and an external computing device that is embodied as a mobile electronic device. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the analyte test meter of  FIG. 1  in a system that provides networked communication services to the analyte test meter. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a process for operation of the analyte test meter of  FIG. 1  and the system of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a process for updating software and firmware in the analyte test meter of  FIG. 1  and the system of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     These and other advantages, effects, features and objects are better understood from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which there is shown by way of illustration, not limitation, embodiments of the inventive concept. Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     While the inventive concept is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, exemplary embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description of exemplary embodiments that follows is not intended to limit the inventive concept to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all advantages, effects, and features falling within the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the embodiments described herein and the claims below. Reference should therefore be made to the embodiments described herein and claims below for interpreting the scope of the inventive concept. As such, it should be noted that the embodiments described herein may have advantages, effects, and features useful in solving other problems. 
     The devices, systems and methods now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. Indeed, the devices, systems and methods may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. 
     Likewise, many modifications and other embodiments of the devices, systems and methods described herein will come to mind to one of skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the devices, systems and methods are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. Although any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the methods, the preferred methods and materials are described herein. 
     Moreover, reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility that more than one element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one element. The indefinite article “a” or “an” thus usually means “at least one.” Likewise, the terms “have,” “comprise” or “include” or any arbitrary grammatical variations thereof are used in a non-exclusive way. Thus, these terms may both refer to a situation in which, besides the feature introduced by these terms, no further features are present in the entity described in this context and to a situation in which one or more further features are present. For example, the expressions “A has B,” “A comprises B” and “A includes B” may refer both to a situation in which, besides B, no other element is present in A (i.e., a situation in which A solely and exclusively consists of B) or to a situation in which, besides B, one or more further elements are present in A, such as element C, elements C and D, or even further elements. 
     As used herein, the term “mobile electronic device” refers to a portable computing device that provides a user one or more of each of the following components: an output device, an input device, a memory, and a wireless communication device that are controlled by one or more processors in the mobile electronic device. Examples of output devices include, but are not limited to, liquid crystal display (LCD) displays, organic or inorganic light emitting diode (LED) displays, and other forms of graphical display device, audio speakers, and haptic feedback devices. Examples of input devices include, but are not limited to buttons, keyboards, touchscreens, and audio microphones. Examples of memory include, but are not limited to, both volatile data storage devices such as random-access memory (RAM) and non-volatile data storage devices such as magnetic disks, optical disks, and solid-state storage devices including EEPROMs, NAND flash, or other forms of solid-state data storage devices. Examples of wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, radio transceivers that operate with the Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol, the Bluetooth protocol family, including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the IEEE 802.11 protocol family (“Wi-Fi”), and cellular data transmission standards (“4G,” “5G,” or the like). Examples of the processors include digital logic devices that implement one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and any other suitable digital logic devices in an integrated device or as a combination of devices that operate together to implement the processor. Common examples of mobile electronic devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones, smart watches, and tablet computing devices. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a rear view  102 A, profile view  102 B, and front view  102 C of an analyte test meter  100 . The analyte test meter  100  is formed from a hybrid analyte test meter  104  and a mobile electronic device  140  that interoperate as described herein to provide the function of the analyte test meter  100 . As used herein, the terms “hybrid analyte test meter,” and “hybrid meter” are used interchangeably and refer to an analyte testing device that implements specific hardware and software elements to generate and apply electrical signals to a sample that includes the analyte and to record electrical responses to the electrical signals in an amperometric testing process. Unlike a conventional analyte test meter, however, the hybrid analyte test meter does not implement the hardware and software components that perform the full analyte measurement process and provide an output of the analyte measurement. Instead, the hybrid meter transmits digital data corresponding to the recorded electrical responses to the electrochemical testing sequence to an external computing device, which is embodied as the mobile electronic device  140  in  FIG. 1 . The mobile electronic device  140  is configured with hardware and software components that process the digital data received from the hybrid meter to generate a measurement of the analyte level in the sample, provide an output to a user of the measured analyte level, and to provide additional services to the user via the mobile electronic device  140  and optionally other computing devices that communicate with the mobile electronic device  140  via one or more data networks. As described below, the combination of the hybrid meter  104  with the mobile electronic device  140  or another external computing device to form the analyte measurement device  100  provides improvements to the efficiency and functionality of the hardware and software elements that form the analyte measurement device  100 . 
     As depicted in view  102 A, the hybrid analyte test meter  104  is mounted to a rear surface of the mobile electronic device  140 , which is embodied as a smartphone in  FIG. 1 . A case  126  encloses both the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140  to hold the hybrid meter  104  in a fixed position relative to the mobile electronic device  140 . The hybrid meter  104  includes a port  108  that accepts a removable electrochemical test strip  105 . The electrochemical test strip  105  includes electrical contacts  106  that form an electrical connection with the hybrid meter  104 . The electrical contacts  106  are electrically connected to electrodes in a sample region  107  that supports a chemical reagent in contact with the electrodes. As is generally known in the art, the reagent includes an enzyme and a mediator that support a reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction with an analyte in a fluid sample that is applied to the reagent, and the hybrid meter  104  applies electrical potentials to the test strip to detect electrical currents with current levels that are affected by these redox reactions. The port  108  includes a physical opening in a housing of the hybrid meter  104  to accept a portion of the electrochemical test strip  105  that includes the electrical connectors  106 . During operation, the electrical contacts  106  of the electrochemical test strip  105  are inserted in the port  108  while the sample region  107  remains outside of the hybrid meter  104  and extends beyond the housing of the mobile electronic device  140  to enable a user to apply a dose of a fluid sample, such as blood, to the reagent in the sample region  107 . The hybrid meter  104  applies a test sequence of electrical signals to the electrical contacts  106  and measures electrical signal responses, which the hybrid meter  104  converts to digital data and transmits to the mobile electronic device  140 . The electrochemical test strip  105  is representative of electrochemical test strips that are otherwise known to the art, and the test meter  100  is operable using various forms of electrochemical test strip that are known to the art without requiring modification of the electrochemical test strips. 
     The hybrid meter  104  includes an optional storage compartment  110  that stores consumable supplies that are used with the test meter  100  including, for example, a supply of one or more of the electrochemical test strips. Other consumable components include, for example, lancing needles that enable a user to produce a blood sample to dose a test strip. In some embodiments, the storage compartment  110  has a moisture-resistant door and stores a desiccant that prevents contamination of stored test strips with water prior use of the electrochemical test strips. 
     View  102 B in  FIG. 1  depicts a profile view of the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140  of the meter  100 . As depicted in the profile view  102 B, the hybrid meter  104  extends from the rear surface of the mobile electronic device  140 . The hybrid meter  104  is formed with a thickness of 10 mm or less and, in one embodiment, a thickness of approximately 5 mm to enable a user to hold and carry the combination of the mobile electronic device  140  and the hybrid meter  104  in a convenient manner. Additionally, the hybrid meter  104  is formed with the general shape of a rectangular prism with a lower base that is proximate to the mobile electronic device  140  and an upper base that engages the case  126 . The case  126  provides sloped edges with rounded corners surrounding the hybrid meter  104  to protect the hybrid meter  104 . However, those of skill in the art will recognize that alternative configurations of the hybrid analyte test meter  104  may have a different thicknesses or shapes that enable engagements with different types of mobile electronic devices. 
     View  102 C in  FIG. 1  depicts a front view of the mobile electronic device  140  in the meter  100 . The case  126  surrounds the housing of the mobile electronic device  140  and enables full access to a display  158  and to mechanical interface buttons  159 . The display  158  provides a graphical user interface to functions of the mobile electronic device  140 , which include a software application that provides an interface for the user to operate the meter  100  in addition to standard functions that are implemented by the mobile electronic device  140 . As depicted above the case  126  and the hybrid meter  104  do not interfere with user access to the display  158  or to a wired cable connection, such as a USB connection or other wired connection, in the mobile electronic device  140 . More generally, the hybrid meter  104  provides minimal interference with the operation of the mobile electronic device  140  for uses outside of performing analyte measurement operations for the user while the entire meter device  100  also integrates the hybrid meter  104  so that the hybrid meter  104  remains attached to the mobile electronic device  140  during normal use and is available for use at any time the user accesses the mobile electronic device  140 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the case  126  secures the hybrid analyte test meter  104  to the mobile electronic device  140 . The case  126  encloses at least a portion of the hybrid meter  104  and at least a portion of the mobile electronic device  140 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the case  126  includes a first cavity that contains the hybrid analyte test meter  104  and a second cavity that contains the mobile electronic device  140 . In this embodiment, the case  126  is formed from rubber, plastic, or another flexible material that holds the hybrid meter  104  in place proximate to a rear surface of the mobile electronic device  140  and wraps around the edges of the mobile electronic device  140  while providing openings for the display  158  and interface buttons  159 . While not shown in greater detail, the case  126  can provide additional openings for camera lenses, receptacles for wired connections such as USB ports, or other components in the mobile electronic device  140 . The case  126  also provides an opening for the electrochemical test strip port  108  in the hybrid meter  104  and, if needed, an opening to provide access to the storage compartment  110 . The case  126  holds the hybrid meter  104  in a fixed position with the mobile electronic device  140  to enable a user to hold and operate both devices as a single unit. Of course, since different mobile electronic devices have a variety of shapes and sizes, different case designs can be used to hold the hybrid meter  104  with a wide range of mobile electronic devices without modification to the hybrid meter  104 . The hybrid meter  104  is transferrable to a different case if, for example, a user obtains a different smartphone or other mobile electronic device for use with the hybrid meter  104 . The case  126  also provides some degree of damage protection to both the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140 , such as providing some damage protection against drops. In other embodiments, the hybrid meter  104  is attached to an exterior of a mobile electronic device using an adhesive coupling, a magnetic coupling, or a mechanical connection. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a system  200  that includes the analyte test meter  100  that utilizes a data network  280  to communicate with networked servers that provide software and firmware update services  284  and healthcare services  288 . As described above, the analyte test meter  100  combines the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140 . In the system  200 , the software and firmware update services are commercially available services such as so-called “app stores” or other online services that provide mechanisms to update the software in the mobile electronic device  140  and, in the specific configuration of  FIG. 2 , the firmware of the hybrid meter  104  via the mobile electronic device  140 . The healthcare services  288  represents an online system that receives analyte measurements and other user data from the analyte test meter  100 . The healthcare services  288  optionally provides health information and treatment advice to the user of the analyte test meter  100 , and in some embodiments the healthcare services  288  also enables healthcare providers (HCPs) to access a history of analyte levels for the user as part of providing healthcare services to the user.  FIG. 2  further depicts the internal components and configuration of the analyte test meter  100  in more detail. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the hybrid meter  104  includes a first processor  112  that is operatively connected to a first memory  116 , a first short range wireless transceiver  128 , and to the port  108  via a measurement signal generator  120 , and a measurement signal receiver  124 . A battery or capacitor  132  provides electrical power to operate these components in the hybrid meter  104 . The mobile electronic device  140  includes a second processor  144  that is operatively connected to a second memory  148 , a second short range wireless transceiver  152 , input/output ( 1 / 0 ) devices  156 , and a wireless network transceiver  160 . During operation, the processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  executes application software  168  to provide an interface to a user of the analyte test meter  100 , to control the hybrid meter  104 , and to analyze measurement data that are received from the hybrid meter  104  to identify a level of one or more analytes in a sample on an electrochemical test strip that is provided to the hybrid meter  104 . A battery  164  provides electrical power to operate these components in the mobile electronic device  140 . 
     Referring to the hybrid analyte test meter  104  in more detail, the memory  116  includes a non-volatile memory device such as an EEPROM, NAND, or other suitable data storage device that holds firmware data  118  and a firmware authentication key  119  in long-term storage. The memory  116  further includes a volatile RAM that stores data such as recorded signal measurement data and any other data that are generated and stored in the memory  116  during operation of the hybrid meter  104 . The firmware  118  is embodied as binary data that include both operating instructions to control the operation of the processor  112  and parameter data that the processor  112  uses to control the operation of the measurement signal generator  120  and the measurement signal receiver  124 . For example, the processor  112  executes instructions in the firmware  118  to operate the measurement signal generator  120 , and the processor  112  uses parameters in the firmware  118  specify operating voltage levels and durations for AC and DC signals that the measurement signal generator  120  applies to the electrodes of a test strip via the port  108 . Similarly, the processor  112  executes instructions in the firmware  118  to process and record analog or digitized signal measurement data that the measurement signal receiver  124  receives from the test strip in the port  108 . The processor  112  also executes firmware instructions to perform communication with the mobile electronic device  140  using the short range wireless transceiver  128 . As described in further detail below, the hybrid meter  104  receives updated firmware that the mobile electronic device  140  receives as part of a software update. The processor  112  uses the authentication key  119 , which in one embodiment is a cryptographic public key of a trusted publisher, to verify the authenticity of an updated firmware image prior to using the updated firmware. 
     The measurement signal generator  120  includes modulators, amplifiers, smoothing filters, and other circuits to implement a waveform generator that is configurable to generate both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) signals within a predetermined operational range for voltages, power, and frequency. For example, in one configuration the measurement signal generator  120  can produce AC and DC voltages with a relative potential difference of up to 1.0 V (e.g. +0.5 V to −0.5 V) between the counter electrode and the reference electrode in a test strip at frequencies of 0 Hz (DC) up to 100 kHz AC with varying waveforms including sinusoidal and triangular AC waveforms and square or trapezoidal pulsed DC waveforms. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that is integrated in the processor  112  or in the measurement signal generator enables the processor  112  to generate a digital data output that produces various analog voltage measurement signals from the measurement signal generator  120 . The measurement signal receiver  124  includes one or more signal amplifiers and filters that enable the detection of electrical current signals that are generated between the counter and reference electrodes in the test strip  105  in response to the measurement signals from the measurement signal generator  120 . An analog-to-digital signal converter that is integrated in the processor  112  or in the measurement signal generator  120  enables the hybrid analyte test meter  104  to generate discrete digital sampling values of the measured current for further processing by digital logic devices in the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140 . In some embodiments, either or both of the measurement signal generator  120  and the measurement signal receiver  124  are either wholly or partially integrated with the processor  112 . For example, the processor  112  optionally integrates components such as the DACs and ADCs, modulators, amplifiers, and filter circuits. In other embodiments, the measurement signal generator  120  and the measurement signal receiver  124  are implemented using external components in which the processor  112  generates control signals to operate the signal generator  120  and the processor  112  receives signal measurement data from the measurement signal receiver  124 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the short range wireless transceiver  128  includes at least one antenna and at least one device that provides short range wireless communication with the mobile electronic device  140 . In some embodiments, the short range wireless transceiver  128  further includes circuits that enable the mobile electronic device  140  to provide electrical power to the hybrid meter  104  via inductive coupling without requiring a wired electrical connection between the two devices. In one embodiment, the short range wireless transceiver  128  includes a near field communication (NFC) wireless transceiver that is connected to a coil antenna formed in the hybrid analyte test meter  104  and configured to receive digital data from the processor  112  for transmission to the mobile electronic device  140  and to receive and decode transmissions from the mobile electronic device  140  to provide digital data representation of the received signals to the processor  112 . The hybrid meter  104  incorporates the coil antenna as a conductive trace that is formed in a printed circuit board or employs other electrically conductive coil in the hybrid analyte test meter  104 . The antenna receives data from the mobile electronic device  140  that are encoded in electromagnetic signals that the corresponding short range wireless transceiver  152  in the mobile electronic device  140  emits and the receiver in the short range wireless transceiver  128  decodes the data for use by the processor  112 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the short range wireless transceiver  128  incorporates an NFC transceiver that provides an energy efficient wireless communication channel with a corresponding NFC transceiver in the short range wireless transceiver  152  of the mobile electronic device  140 . The NFC transceivers operate over short distances (typically on the order of 5 cm or less) and the physical configuration of the analyte test meter  100  that places the hybrid analyte test meter  104  in close proximity to the mobile electronic device  140  enables effective use of the NFC transceivers to provide communications. Additionally, many mobile electronic devices also include other wireless transceivers such as IEEE 802.11 “Wi-Fi”, Bluetooth, and cellular data (e.g. 4G, 5G, etc.), which are not substantially affected by the use of the short range wireless transceiver, such as the NFC transceivers, which enables the mobile electronic device  140  to operate for general use outside of communication with the hybrid meter without interference from the hybrid meter  104 . The short range wireless transceivers  128  and  152  typically operate with lower electrical power levels than other wireless network standards such as Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 (“Wi-Fi”). Furthermore, because the case  126  holds the hybrid analyte test meter  104  in close proximity to the mobile electronic communication device  140  to enable inductive coupling between the coil antennas in both devices, the short range wireless transceivers  128  and  152  can communicate with each other with minimal interference from external radio transmitters, which avoids connectivity issues that are known to affect longer-range wireless transmission protocols in an environment with a large number of transmitting devices. Other embodiments of the short range wireless transceiver use radio frequency identification (RFID) transceivers or similar short range wireless technologies that do not interfere with the operation of additional wireless network transceivers in the mobile electronic device  140 . 
     As described above, the short range wireless transceivers  128  and  152  provide wireless data communication between the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140 . Additionally, some embodiments of the hybrid meter  104  use the short range wireless transceiver  128  to receive electrical power from the mobile electronic device  140  that charges a capacitor  132  or recharges a battery  132  to provide electrical power to components in the hybrid meter  104 . In one embodiment that incorporates NFC transceivers, the mobile electronic device  140  transmits a power signal that provides electrical power to the NFC transceiver in the short range wireless transceiver  128 , which then provides the electrical power to charge a capacitor  132  or to recharge a battery  132 . As known in the art, the NFC power signal is transmitted as an alternating current (AC) signal at a predetermined frequency (e.g. 13.56 MHz), and the coil antennas in both the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140  enable inductive coupling to generate electrical power in the hybrid meter  104 . The hybrid meter  104  includes a rectifier that converts the AC power signal to a direct current (DC) charging current to provide electrical power to a capacitor or a rechargeable battery  132 . While some NFC transceiver configurations can implement the power transfer operations described above, other embodiments employ different charging circuits that provide inductive coupling between the coil antennas of the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140  that may use a different AC power signal frequency (e.g. 50 Hz or 60 Hz). As described above, the embodiments that provide a wireless power transfer from the mobile electronic device  140  to the hybrid meter  104  are optional, and other embodiments of the hybrid meter  104  employ a commercially-available non-rechargeable battery, such as a coin cell or other suitable battery, to provide electrical power. 
     The battery or capacitor  132  stores electrical energy that provides electrical power to operate the hybrid analyte test meter  104  including, more specifically, the processor  112 , the memory  116 , the measurement signal generator  120 , the measurement signal receiver  124 , and the short range wireless transceiver  128 . In an embodiment that uses a battery  132 , the hybrid analyte test meter  104  can be activated at any time. For example, the hybrid analyte test meter  104  can be activated via an electrical switch, such as a switch that is closed when the port  108  receives a test strip, or via a wireless activation signal that is received from the mobile electronic device  140 . In an embodiment that uses a capacitor  132 , the capacitor  132  only holds charge for a comparatively short time period (e.g. on the order of several minutes) and the hybrid analyte test meter  104  is activated in response to an external charging signal that the mobile electronic device  140  generates to charge the capacitor  132  via an inductive coupling through the short range wireless transceiver. Once the capacitor  132  reaches a predetermined charge level, the capacitor  132  provides the electrical power that is required to activate the components in the hybrid analyte test meter. In this embodiment, a user activates the hybrid analyte test meter  104  via a user interface such a graphical icon or other input that the mobile electronic device  140  presents to the user as part of the user interface  172  in the application software  168 . In one configuration, the mobile electronic device  140  continues to transmit electrical power to the hybrid meter  104  during operation of the hybrid meter  104 , while in another embodiment the capacitor  132  receives sufficient charge prior to the operation of the hybrid meter  104  to analyze a single fluid sample that is applied to the test strip. The charging process typically enables the hybrid meter  104  to generate signal measurement data for a single fluid sample, and the mobile electronic device  140  provides additional electrical energy for each testing operation. 
     Referring to the mobile electronic device  140  in more detail,  FIG. 2  depicts a second processor  144  that is operatively connected to a second memory  148 , a short range wireless transceiver  152 , input and output devices  156 , and a wireless network transceiver  160 . A battery  164 , such as a lithium-ion battery or other suitable battery, provides electrical power to operate the processor  144 , memory  148 , a second short range wireless transceiver  152 , input and output devices  156 , wireless network transceiver  160 , and, as described above, in some embodiments the battery  164  provides electrical power to the hybrid meter  104  via the second short range wireless transceiver  152 . Since the mobile electronic device  140  is typically a general-purpose digital electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet, or wearable device, the mobile electronic device  140  includes commercially-available hardware components and the precise configuration of the mobile electronic device  140  vary based on manufacture. In general, the processor  144  is a system on a chip (SoC) that includes a CPU with one or more cores and a GPU that provides graphical output via the display device  158  of  FIG. 1  or other graphical display devices. The processor  144  optionally includes digital signal processors for audio input and output and other specialized compute units including, for example, image processors and neural network accelerators. Other components in the mobile electronic device  140  including sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and the like are either integrated with the processor  144  or are operatively connected to the processor  144  and are described as being part of the processor  144  herein. 
     In the mobile electronic device  140 , the memory  148  includes one or more non-volatile and volatile data storage devices. In the configuration of  FIG. 2 , the memory  148  stores application software  168  and operating system software  188  that both contain instructions for execution by the mobile electronic device processor  144 . 
     The application software  168  further includes executable program code, configuration data, stored records of user preferences and a log of user data, and other digital assets such as graphical user interface (GUI) elements, for a user interface  172 , analyte detection algorithm  176 , communication stack  180 , stored user data  184 , and measurement signal data  186 . In  FIG. 1 , the application software  168  is also depicted as including a copy of the firmware  118  that is used by the hybrid analyte test meter  104 , since the mobile electronic device  140  receives the firmware  118  as part of a software update process that is described in further detail below. The user interface  172  includes software instructions and other graphical assets that enable the application software  168  to receive input from the user to control the analyte test meter  100  and to display the results of analyte tests along with other health related information for the user. The analyte detection algorithm  176  includes software instructions and profile and parameter data that enable the processor  144  to process the measurement signal data  186  that are received from the hybrid meter  104  to generate a measurement of the analyte level in a fluid sample. In some embodiments, analyte detection algorithm  176  also enables the processor  144  to execute failsafe protocols that detect contamination in the fluid sample or faults in the test strip. The communication software  180  interfaces with services provided by the operating system software  188  to send and receive data using both the short range wireless transceiver  152  that provides communication to the hybrid meter  104  and the wireless network transceiver  160  that enables the mobile electronic device  140  to send measurements of analyte levels to the healthcare services  288  for additional analysis. The stored user data  184  includes user-specific preference and configuration data as well as a history of one or more analyte measurements and optionally other information about the activities of the user include mealtime and activity data. 
     The operating system (OS) software  188  includes the software kernel, drivers, libraries, and other system software that are associated with a standard commercially-available operating system. The OS software  188  provides standardized services such as network and graphics stacks, filesystems for data storage and management, software access to the I/O devices  156 , and the like. For explanatory purposes, the OS software  188  is also described herein as including other software applications beyond the application software  168  and, in particular, software update services that enable the mobile electronic device  140  to receive updates to the software  168  and the firmware  118  for the hybrid meter  104  from the software and firmware update services  284 , even if these software programs are not strictly considered to be part of an “operating system” in an academic sense. 
     As described above, the processor  112  in the hybrid analyte test meter  104  executes stored program instructions in the firmware  118  and the processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  executes stored software instructions that implement the operating system software  188  and the application software  168 . Of course, those of skill in the art recognize that the terms “firmware” and “software” both refer to stored program instructions and other data such as parameter data that are held in a non-transitory memory and that control the operation of a processor that executes the stored instructions. Both firmware and software may implement the functions described herein and both firmware and software may be updated during the operation of the hybrid analyte test meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140 . In the context of this disclosure, the terms “firmware” and “software” are used to provide a clear distinction between the operations of the hybrid analyte test meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140 , and these terms do not otherwise limit the scope of this disclosure. 
     In the mobile electronic device  140 , the I/O devices  156  include, for example, input devices such as a touch-sensitive input in a display screen  158 , mechanical buttons  159  or other mechanical control devices, voice input, haptic input, and the like. Output devices include, for example, graphical outputs such as the display screen  158 , indicator lights, audio output via speakers or a headphone output, and the like. 
     In the mobile electronic device  140 , the short range wireless transceiver  152  includes components that are compatible for communication with the short range wireless transceiver  128  in the hybrid meter  104 , such as the aforementioned NFC transceiver or other short range wireless transceivers and antennas, such as a second coil antenna that enables wireless data communication and optionally electrical power transmission via inductive coupling between the mobile electronic device  140  and the hybrid meter  104 . The wireless network transceiver  160  is a separate wireless device that communicates at longer ranges, such as on the order of several meters for Bluetooth or an IEEE 802.11 “Wi-Fi” connections and up to several kilometers for a cellular data transceiver, for communication with the software and firmware update services  284 , the healthcare services  288 , or other external computing systems via a network  280 . Additionally the wireless network transceiver  160  is generally capable of communication with multiple devices including remote computing systems using an intermediary data network, such as the network  280  of  FIG. 2 , while the short range wireless transceivers  128  and  152  of  FIG. 2  are generally configured for direct point-to-point communications between two devices, such as the hybrid analyte meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a process  300  for measurement of an analyte in a test sample using an analyte test meter that includes a hybrid analyte test meter and a mobile electronic device. In the description below, a reference to the process  300  performing a function or action refers to the operation of one or more processors in at least one of a hybrid analyte test meter or a mobile electronic device to execute stored program instructions to perform the function or action in conjunction with other components in an analyte test meter. The process  300  is described in conjunction with the analyte test meter  100  and the system  200  of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  that implement an amperometric process to measure the level of a glucose analyte in a blood sample of a user who is a person with diabetes for illustrative purposes. 
     The process  300  begins with the activation of the hybrid meter  104  (block  304 ). In one configuration, a user executes the application software  168  by using a touchscreen, voice input, or other suitable input device  156  in the mobile electronic device  140 . The processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  activates the short range wireless transceiver  152  to transmit an activation or “wakeup” signal to the corresponding short range wireless transceiver  128  in the hybrid meter  104 . The processor  112  in the hybrid meter  104  activates from a deactivated or low-power standby operating mode in response to the activation signal. In an embodiment in which the hybrid meter  104  stores electrical energy in a capacitor  132  without using a battery, the activation signal from the mobile electronic device  140  charges the capacitor  132  to provide sufficient power to activate the hybrid analyte test meter  104 . Additionally, if the user has not inserted a test strip into the port  108  the mobile electronic device  140  generates a graphical or audible output to instruct the user to insert the test strip as part of the activation process. In another configuration, the hybrid analyte test meter  104  activates upon insertion of a test strip into the port  108 . The electrodes in the test strip close an electrical circuit to enable activation of the meter processor  112 , which receives electrical power from a battery  132  or a previously charged capacitor  132 . In this configuration, the meter processor  112  optionally transmits an activation signal to the mobile electronic device  140  using the short range wireless transceiver  128 . The mobile electronic device processor  144  executes the application software  168  in response to receiving the activation signal without requiring additional input from the user beyond the insertion of the test strip. Alternatively, the user manually operates the mobile electronic device  140  to execute the application software  168 . 
     The process  300  continues as the hybrid meter  104  applies an electrical signal test sequence to the test strip that has been dosed with a fluid sample (block  308 ). In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the electrical signal test sequence enables detection of a glucose level in a blood sample that is applied to the test strip. In one embodiment, the test sequence is a predetermined sequence of electrical signals including a plurality of alternating current (AC) signals followed by a plurality of direct current (DC) signals that the measurement signal generator  120  applies to the sample deposited on the electrochemical test strip via the port  108 . For the detection of blood glucose in a blood sample, the measurement signal generator  120  generates an AC waveform followed by a series of pulsed DC signals that are applied to at least one circuit formed from a working electrode that is connected to a counter electrode via the chemical reagent that has received the dose of the fluid sample. While not described in further detail herein, the hybrid meter  104  optionally performs a dose sufficiency process that detects the application of the fluid sample, such as a blood sample, to the test strip by measuring levels of electrical impedance between one or more pairs of electrodes to ensure that the test strip has received a fluid sample prior to applying the electrical test signal sequence to the test strip. 
     In one configuration of predetermined sequence of AC and DC electrical signals, the measurement signal generator  120  generates AC signals with sinusoidal waveforms over a period of approximately 1.5 seconds with either a single frequency in a range of approximately 1 kHz to 100 kHz or a range of frequencies in various time segments, such as a series of time segments in which the measurement signal generator  120  generates AC signals with 10 kHz [in a first segment], 20 kHz, 10 kHz [in a second segment], 2 kHz, and 1 kHz frequencies, although other frequency progressions may be used as well. The measurement signal generator  120  generates the AC signal with a voltage amplitude of approximately ±0.05 V (0.1 V peak-to-peak amplitude), where this voltage level and other voltage levels in this example refer to a relative difference in potential between a working electrode and counter electrode in a test strip, such as the test strip  105 , because this test strip does not include a separate reference electrode. The measurement signal generator  120  subsequently generates a series of pulsed DC signals with square or trapezoidal waveforms over a period of approximately 1.5 seconds. In one configuration, each DC pulse has a duration of approximately 100 milliseconds with a corresponding 100 millisecond relaxation period between pulse corresponding to a 50% duty cycle over a 200 millisecond period before commencing the next pulse, although the duration of each pulse may vary between, for example, 50 milliseconds to 500 milliseconds and the duty cycle may be greater than or less than 50%. The measurement signal generator  120  generates each DC pulse with a voltage of approximately 0.45 V, which is greater than the 0.1 V peak-to-peak amplitude of the AC signals. In this test sequence, the predetermined sequence of electrical signals including the AC and DC signals has a duration of approximately 3 seconds, and more generally the test sequences typically have a duration in a range of 1 to 10 seconds. The measurement signal generator  120  operates a switch to produce a short-circuit (0 V potential) between the electrodes in the test strip during each relaxation period and opens the switch during each DC pulse to ensure the DC pulse is applied in a circuit path that includes the reagent with the fluid sample. 
     The foregoing example is a non-limiting example of a predetermined sequence of electrical signals that are effective for the measurement of blood glucose values, and the frequencies, amplitudes, durations, and generation orders of the signals may be adjusted in alternative configurations. Additionally, alternative configurations can use a different sequence of AC and DC signals, or only use AC or DC signals to measure blood glucose or other analytes. For example, one alternative embodiment uses a DC pre-conditioning signal at the beginning of the predetermined sequence of electrical signals followed by the sequence described above or by only a pulsed-DC electrical signal sequence. Another alternative configuration generates a series of AC signals with triangular waveforms and higher voltage amplitudes (e.g. 0.45 V) after the series of pulsed DC signals, and the responses to these AC signals provide input data to one or more failsafe algorithms that detect potential faults in the test strip or contamination of the fluid sample that could prevent the accurate measurement of blood glucose. 
     During the process  300 , the hybrid meter  104  records a plurality of signal measurements that are received from the test strip in response to the plurality of signals in the electrical test sequence (block  312 ) and generates digital data that correspond to the recorded signal measurements (block  316 ) for further processing using one or more digital logic devices. In the embodiments described herein, the analyte test meter  100  performs an amperometric analyte detection process to detect a glucose analyte in a blood sample. The measurement signal receiver  124  records signal measurements of electrical currents that are produced in the test strip in response to the predetermined sequence of electrical signals that the measurement signal generator  120  produces during the processing of block  308  that is described above. While the signal generator  120  generally operates with a predetermined voltage profile to generate the predetermined sequence of electrical signals in the test sequence, the measurement signal receiver  124  generally records the levels of electrical current that flow through the circuit formed by the electrodes and the dosed reagent in the test strip. These levels of electrical current are affected by the redox reaction between chemicals in the fluid sample, including the analyte, and the reagent that is formed on the test strip. Additionally, the electrical currents change over time based on changes in the electrical signals of the test sequence and the progression over time of the chemical reactions between the fluid sample and the reagent. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the measurement signal receiver  124  records signal measurements in response to the predetermined sequence of electrical signals both during and after the generate of signals by the measurement signal generator  120 . For example, the measurement signal receiver  124  records electrical current measurements in response to the AC signals during the application of the AC signals, during the application of the pulsed DC signals, and during the relaxation period after each DC pulse during which the electrical current decays and, in some embodiments, temporarily reverses direction to produce a small negative current measurement through the circuit in the test strip for at least a portion of each relaxation period. 
     During the process  300 , the measurement signal receiver  124  generates signal measurements by sampling the electrical current over time at the Nyquist rate of two or more times the highest frequency component of the signals in the test sequence, which is at least 40 kHz in the example described above, although the sampling rate may be higher or lower to maintain a sampling rate of at least two times the maximum frequency component of the test signals. Each signal measurement provides an analog measurement value of the current in a predetermined measurement range (e.g. a range of ±50 μA in one embodiment), and an analog to digital converter in the measurement signal receiver  124  or the hybrid meter processor  112  converts each analog signal measurement value to a digital data representation for further processing in the mobile electronic device  140 . The hybrid meter processor  112  optionally buffers the digital data corresponding to the plurality of signal measurements in the meter memory  116  prior to transmission to the mobile electronic device  140 , which is described in further detail below. 
     In addition to the digital value of each signal measurement, the hybrid meter processor  112  optionally generates a series of timestamp values and associates both the measurement signal data corresponding to the measured current responses and voltage level values corresponding to the voltages generated by the measurement signal generator  120  with the timestamp values. The timestamps and associated signal measurement and voltage value data enable the processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  to identify the temporal relationship between each signal measurement and the corresponding voltage signals that the measurement signal generator  124  applies to the test strip during the process  300 . For example, these data enable detection of a phase difference between the electrical signals in the test sequence and the resulting measurement signals of the electrical current values that occur during at least the AC signal generation sequence that is described above. In another configuration, the hybrid meter  104  only transmits the data corresponding to the measurement signals to the mobile electronic device  140 . In this configuration, the mobile electronic device  140  stores a time and voltage profile of the predetermined sequence of electrical signals in the test sequence as part of the analyte detection algorithm data  176 . The processor  144  in the mobile electronic device associates the profile data with the corresponding signal measurement values based on the order in which the hybrid meter  104  generates the data corresponding to the signal measurement samples during the test sequence. 
     The process  300  continues as the hybrid meter  104  transmits the digital data corresponding to the plurality of signal measurements and optionally the timestamp and voltage values of the electrical signals in the test sequence to the mobile electronic device  140  (block  320 ). In the analyte test meter  100 , the hybrid meter processor  112  operates the short range wireless transceiver  128  to transmit the data to the corresponding short range wireless transceiver  152  in the mobile electronic device. In one configuration, the hybrid analyte test meter  104  temporarily stores the digital data corresponding to the signal measurements in the meter memory  116  and transmits the stored digital data upon completion of recording digital representations of all the signal measurement data during the process  300 . In another configuration, the hybrid analyte test meter  104  commences transmission of the digital representations of all the signal measurement data after at least one digital datum has been generated but prior to the completion of recording the digital data for the entire test sequence. The processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  temporarily stores the digital measurement signal data  186  in the memory  148  for additional processing to detect the level of the analyte in the fluid sample. The mobile electronic device  140  also stores timestamp and signal voltage data with the digital measurement signal data  186  in an embodiment in which the hybrid meter  104  transmits these data to the mobile electronic device  140 . 
     The process  300  continues as the processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  executes stored program instructions of the analyte detection algorithms  176  in the application software  168  to generate a measurement of the analyte level based on the digital measurement signal data that the mobile electronic device  140  has received from the hybrid meter  104  (block  324 ). The measurement of the analyte level includes a general measurement based on the current measured during one or more of the DC pulses, identification and correction of confounding factors such as temperature and hematocrit levels in the blood sample that are corrected to improve the accuracy of the analyte measurement, and potentially the triggering of a failsafe if the processor  144  detects contamination of the fluid sample or a fault in the test strip. While algorithms that perform the analyte measurement process are known to the art and these algorithms are not described in full detail herein, in general the measured electrical current levels of the signal measurement data in response to the pulsed DC signals are positively correlated with the level of glucose in the sample, which enables the analyte detection algorithm to generate a measurement of the glucose level using a predetermined profile that maps the digital value of one or more of the signal measurements to a glucose level. While the level of glucose in the blood sample affects the current level in the signal measurements, other factors including temperature and the level of hematocrit in the blood sample also affect the current level in the signal measurements, and these variables are referred to as “confounding factors.” The meter processor  144  identifies characteristics of the signal measurement data, such as the phase differences between the generation of the AC voltage signals in the predetermined signal sequence and the corresponding current responses, to serve as inputs to correction functions in the analyte detection algorithm  176  that reduce or eliminate the spurious effects of the temperature and hematocrit variables, which increases the accuracy of the final blood glucose measurement. 
     During the process  300 , the mobile electronic device processor  144  also performs failsafe detection as part of the analyte detection algorithm  176 . While the analyte detection algorithm  176  corrects the confounding factors to improve the accuracy of the glucose level measurement, the failsafe functions of the analyte detection algorithm  176  detects certain external factors that preclude accurate detection of the glucose level. One example of the failsafe is the detection of the presence of elevated antioxidant levels in the blood sample, where ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is one example of an antioxidant that may contaminate the blood sample, which produces inaccurate glucose measurement results. Another failsafe occurs if one or more of the electrodes in the test strip have been damaged, which can result in either the detection of no current or interruptions in the flow of current in situations where the damaged electrodes only have intermittent electrical continuity. In the event of the triggering of a failsafe (block  328 ), the meter processor  144  does not generate a final glucose measurement. Instead, the meter processor  144  operates the user interface  172  in the application software  168  to generate a visual or audible output using the output devices  156  to alert the user to a failed test and to request a new measurement (block  332 ). In one embodiment, the output instructs the user to wash his or hands to reduce the likelihood of contamination and to replace the test strip prior to repeating the process  300  with a new test strip. 
     If the analyte measurement process completes without triggering a failsafe (block  328 ) then the process  300  continues as the processor  144  in the mobile device  140  generates an output with the output device to present the level of the analyte in the sample to a user and optionally stores a record of the measurement with the stored user data  184  for long-term analysis (block  336 ). In one embodiment, the meter processor  144  operates the user interface  172  in the application software  168  to generate an visual or audible output of a numeric measurement of the measured glucose level (e.g. in units of milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood such as 100 mg/dL) via the display device  158 . In addition to the numeric output, the mobile electronic device  140  optionally generates an additional output with a history of blood glucose measurements or advice for managing blood glucose levels if the measured glucose level lies above or below a suggested range. 
     In the system  200 , the analyte test meter  100  stores the measured blood glucose level for the user in association with the stored user data  184  in the mobile electronic device memory  148 . The memory  148  stores the blood glucose measurement in association with the date and time at which the measurement was generated. In addition to storage in the memory  148 , the mobile electronic device  140  optionally executes the communication software  180  to transmit the glucose measurement and associated user data to the healthcare services system  288  using the wireless network transceiver  160  for long-term storage and additional analysis. The associated user data can include other information from the user, such as a manual input that indicates the most recent time that the user consumed food prior to the blood glucose measurement, and automated data such as the location of the mobile electronic device  140  at the time of the blood glucose measurement, and accelerometer data that may indicate the level of activity of the user prior to taking the blood glucose measurement. As described above, the healthcare services system  288  performs additional analysis of long-term trends in the blood glucose levels and other health parameters of the user and each blood glucose measurement provides additional input data to the healthcare services  288 . The transmission of the blood glucose level to the healthcare services  288  occurs without requiring manual input on the part of the user, which enables efficient automated tracking of the blood glucose levels of the user over time for review by both the user and authorized healthcare providers. Upon completion of the process  300 , the user removes and disposes of the test strip  105 , and the hybrid analyte test meter  104  optionally includes a mechanical ejection mechanism to facilitate removal of the test strip  105 . The hybrid analyte test meter  104  deactivates until the user commences the process  300  again, and the processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  can execute other software applications in the operating system software  188  without requiring disconnection of the hybrid analyte test meter  104 . The hybrid analyte test meter  104  remains affixed to the mobile electronic device  140  in the case  126  and does not interfere with the operation of the mobile electronic device  140  for general-purpose use when the hybrid analyte test meter  104  is deactivated. 
     As described above, the analyte test meter  100  incorporates the hybrid meter  104  and a specifically reconfigured mobile electronic device  140  to enable the measurement of an analyte in a fluid sample, such as the measurement of glucose in a blood sample. In addition to the advantages over prior art analyte measurement devices that are described above, the analyte test meter  100  further enables dynamic software and firmware updates that enable dynamic modification and improvement to the operation of the analyte test meter  100  without requiring the replacement of the hybrid meter  104  or the mobile electronic device  140 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a process  400  for the operation of the analyte meter  100  to update either or both of the application software  168  in the mobile electronic device  140  and the firmware  118  in the hybrid meter  104 . In the description below, a reference to the process  400  performing a function or action refers to the operation of one or more processors in at least one of a hybrid analyte test meter or a mobile electronic device to execute stored program instructions to perform the function or action in conjunction with other components in an analyte test meter. The process  400  is described in conjunction with the analyte test meter  100  and the system  200  of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  for illustrative purposes. 
     The process  400  begins as the mobile electronic device  140  receives an updated software package from the online software and update services  284  (block  404 ). In the system  200 , the processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  executes a software update program in the operating system software  188  that uses the wireless network transceiver  160  to retrieve the software package from the online software and update services  284  via the network  280 . The mobile electronic device  140  optionally uses a software update service that is also referred to as an “app store” that provides software updates for mobile electronic devices. In one configuration, the software package includes an updated replacement for the executable software instruction code for the analysis software  168 , configuration file data including parameter data that the application software uses during the analyte detection process, various graphical assets that are used to generate the user interface, and additional firmware code that the mobile electronic device  140  receives for subsequent transfer to the hybrid meter  104 . The processor  144  in the mobile electronic device  140  extracts the files and other data structures from the software package and stores them in the memory  148  as part of the process  400 , although a copy of a previously installed version of the application software  168  remains in the memory in case the update process fails during a firmware update operation that is described in more detail below. 
     In another configuration in which the mobile electronic device  140  and the hybrid meter  104  are already configured with a prior version of the application software  168  and the firmware  118 , the software package only includes a set of files that include changes to the existing software  168  and firmware  118  while other portions of the software remain unchanged. For example, one type of update includes changes to the parameters used in the glucose detection algorithm or in the failsafe detection process, but does not affect the executable instructions in either the application software  168  or the firmware  118 , and the software package only contains the relevant changes to the parameter data without requiring a full replacement of the entire software and firmware. 
     The process  400  continues as the mobile electronic device  140  transmits updated firmware data to the hybrid analyte test meter  104  (block  408 ). The software package includes a copy of the firmware  118 , and the processor  144  operates the short range wireless transceiver  152  to transmit the firmware  118  to the hybrid meter  104 , where the processor  112  in the hybrid meter  104  stores the firmware data in the meter memory  116 . The meter memory  116  include sufficient capacity to store at least two copies of the firmware data  118 , which enables the hybrid meter  104  to retain use of the existing firmware  118  until the updated firmware has been fully verified prior to using the updated firmware. As described above, in some configurations a software update may not include updates to the firmware for the hybrid analyte test meter  104 , so the firmware update process may not occur during every software update, but the analyte test meter  100  is configured to perform the firmware update when an update is included as part of the software update. 
     The process  400  continues as the hybrid meter  104  authenticates the firmware data that have been received from the mobile electronic device  140  (block  412 ). In the authentication process, the meter processor  112  uses the authentication key  119 , which is stored in the meter memory  116  at the time of manufacture and is separate from the firmware data  118 , to verify the authenticity of the firmware data that are received from the mobile electronic device  140  based on a cryptographic signature that the mobile electronic device  140  receives from the software and firmware update services  284  either as part of the updated firmware data or in conjunction with the updated firmware data, and the hybrid analyte test meter  104  also stores the cryptographic signature in the meter memory  116 . 
     In one embodiment, the authentication key  119  is a public key that is associated with a private key that is known only to an authorized party, such as the device manufacturer of the hybrid analyte test meter  104  that has received regulatory approval to distribute an version of the firmware. A computing system of the authorized performs a signing operation that generates a cryptographic hash value of the updated firmware data using, for example, the SHA-3 or other suitable cryptographically-secure hash algorithm, and then produces the cryptographic signature by using a private key to encrypt the hash value using an asymmetric cryptographic algorithm for later decryption using the public authentication key  119 . The private key is not disclosed to the analyte test device  100  or to any other computing systems in the system  200 , although the authentication key  119  in the memory  116  of the hybrid meter  104  need not be a secret and can be made publicly known. Those of skill in the art will of course recognize that the encryption described in the context of a cryptographic signature and authentication process does not make the SHA-3 value in the signature a secret because the publicly-available authentication key  119  can decrypt this value. Instead, the meter processor  112  uses the authentication key  119  to decrypt the cryptographic hash value that can only be generated using the corresponding private signing key and cannot be forged in a practical manner. The meter processor  112  also uses the same cryptographically-secure hash algorithm that was used to generate the decrypted cryptographic hash value (e.g. SHA-3) to generate another cryptographic hash value of the updated firmware data. The meter processor  112  compares the calculated cryptographic hash value of the updated firmware data to the decrypted cryptographic hash value from the signature. If the processor  112  verifies that the two values match, then the meter processor  112  successfully authenticates the digital signature and the firmware data because only the party with the private key can practically generate the signature that matches the cryptographic hash value for the firmware data. If, however, the processor  112  verifies that the cryptographic hash value does not match the cryptographic hash value that is decrypted from the cryptographic signature, then the authentication process fails because the hybrid meter  104  has confirmed that either or both of the received firmware data and the cryptographic signature are not authentic. 
     During the process  400 , even if the software and firmware update services  284  are not under the direct control of the device manufacturer, and this is expected to be the case in most practical embodiments of the system  200 , the operators of the software and firmware update services  284  or a malicious third-party cannot effectively modify the firmware  118  in a manner that avoids detection by the hybrid analyte test meter  104 , which prevents an unauthorized party from loading non-approved firmware in the hybrid meter  104 . In some embodiments, each firmware image includes a version number, which is part of the signed firmware data and cannot be altered without detection, and the meter processor  112  also confirms that the version of the updated firmware is newer (e.g. a larger version number) than the currently installed firmware. This prevents an unauthorized third-party from successfully loading an otherwise valid but outdated firmware even if the outdated firmware has a valid signature. Furthermore, the authorization process also ensures that the firmware received from the mobile electronic device  140  has not been corrupted due to data transmission or other hardware errors. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , if the authentication of the firmware succeeds (block  416 ), then the hybrid meter  104  and the mobile electronic device  140  complete the software update process (block  420 ). In one embodiment, the meter processor  112  either deactivates the hybrid meter  104  to await a future activation during the process  300  or reboots immediately and uses the newly updated firmware data that are stored in the hybrid meter memory  116  as the new meter firmware  118 . The meter processor  112  optionally deletes the old firmware data from the memory  116  after a successful update. The meter processor  112  also transmits a message to the mobile electronic device  140  using the short range wireless transceiver to indicate that the authentication was successful either prior-to or subsequently-to the completion of the firmware updated process. In the mobile electronic device  140 , the processor  144  completes the update of the application software data to a new version in response to receiving the message from the hybrid meter  104  indicating that the firmware has been successfully updated. The mobile electronic device processor  144  typically restarts the application software program  168  to use the updated version and optionally deletes the older version of the application data  168  from the mobile electronic device memory  148 . While not described in further detail herein, the mobile electronic device  140  optionally authenticates the validity of components in the application software  168  using additional cryptographic signatures in a similar manner to the firmware authentication that is described above, although the mobile electronic device  140  optionally uses a more complex process involving chained-certificates that are authenticated based on trusted public keys from certificate authorities in a manner that is otherwise known to the art in systems such as the transaction-layer security (TLS) protocol. Upon completion of the updates to the application software  168  and the firmware  118 , the analyte test meter  100  can perform the process  300  and other functions using newly updated software. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , during the process  400 , if the authentication of the firmware does not succeed (block  416 ), then the software and firmware update process is cancelled (block  424 ). In the hybrid meter  104 , the meter processor  112  uses the short range wireless transceiver  128  to transmit a message to the mobile electronic device  140  indicating failure of the authentication process. The meter processor  112  continues to use the previous version of the firmware  118 , and optionally deletes the firmware data and cryptographic signature that failed the authentication process from the meter memory  116 . The mobile electronic device processor  144  also continues to use the prior version of the application software  168  and does not execute the updated version of the application software data. The mobile electronic device processor  144  optionally deletes the updated application software data from the memory  148  in response to a failure in the authentication process. The mobile electronic device processor  144  optionally generates an error output message to inform the user of the reason for the failure in the software update due to the authentication failure via the user interface  172  and the I/O devices  156  (block  428 ). 
     As described above, the process  400  enables dynamic updates to both the application software  168  in the mobile electronic device  140  and the firmware  118  in the hybrid analyte test meter  104 . A non-limiting list of technical advantages provided over the prior art that are provided by the embodiments described herein include the capability to change the parameters used for analyte detection and for the detection of failsafe conditions, to change the predetermined sequence of electrical signals that the hybrid meter  104  applies to the test strip during the test sequence, and to change the analyte detection and failsafe algorithms that the mobile electronic device  140  uses to detect the analyte levels and trigger failsafes if necessary. 
     This disclosure is described in connection with what are considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. However, these embodiments are presented by way of illustration and are not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, one of skill in the art will realize that this disclosure encompasses all modifications and alternative arrangements within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and as set forth in the following claims.