Patent Publication Number: US-2009231137-A1

Title: Biological sensing meter and data communicating method thereof

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a biological sensing meter and data communicating method, and more particularly, to a biological sensing meter and data communicating method. The biological sensing meter is implemented by RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technique for managing the shelf expired date and the amount of strips. The data communicating method is capable of regulating parameters from the biological sensing meter automatically. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A biological sensing meter is one kind of combinative transducer for immobilized biomolecules, which is utilized for sensing environmental chemical matters inside or outside of vivo. The biological sensing meter is also a device conducting specific interactions with the environmental chemical matters. In consideration of techniques of IVDD (In Vitro Diagnostic Device) at present, the biological sensing meter for outside vivo sensing should be operated with a biological sensing strip when it activates its metering functions. Due to the reasons of manufacturing process techniques in the field of biological sensing strips, there are characteristic differences among different lots of biological sensing strips lot-by-lot. For reducing the differences reflecting in metering results from the characteristic differences among different lots, each package of the biological sensing strips is given a group of calibration code to conduct corresponding calculation or compensation according to characteristic of the strip so as to obtain consistent results precisely. 
     Conventional data configuration processes could be distinguished into two types. One is to select a corresponding calibration code built in a memory of the biological sensing meter according to a calibration code registered on the package of a lot of strips by a user. Attaching a code card containing calibration codes with each lot when each lot leaves the manufactory by a manufacturer is the other one. A memory unit, such as an EEPROM, stores the calibration codes. When a user inserts the code card into the biological sensing meter before metering, the biological sensing meter receives the calibration codes in the memory unit of the code card so as to get the calibration codes corresponding to this lot of strip. Since each of the two types must conduct an operation for giving calibration codes to the biological sensing meter by the user, the biological sensing meter may receives incorrect calibration codes from the negligence or operating mistakes of the user so as to cause incorrect metering results. Moreover, the operating for giving calibration codes may increases operating time as well as causes inconveniences for the user. Therefore, it is quite unpractical. 
     In addition, since the strips used for metering have its specific expired dates, the user must manage the strips carefully to avoid incorrect metering results because of using expired strips. In general, expired date include a shelf expired date and an opening expired date, wherein the shelf expired date is indicated in a package, an instruction or a specification in common, such as a manufacturing date and a shelf expired date, and the opening expired date means a date after the user seals off the package. Although environment factors (such as temperature or humidity) may influence quality of sealed off strips and further influence accuracy of test, the user still ignores controls of strips quality because of temporarily conveniences or negligence usually so as to influence results of the test. 
     As described above, it is to an improved solution that is capable of adjusting parameters automatically without users so as to cause the biological sensing meter to not only have precise metering functions but also manage expired dates of strips effectively. Moreover, it is also an improved solution that the user may test different test items and the number of tests in different test items and further record test results of different test items. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a biological sensing meter and data communicating method are provided for configuring and testing configuration by tag information implemented by RFID technique. More particularly, in the operation of sending the tag information into the sensing meter, the sensing meter may manages a expired date and an opening expired date respectively in accordance with information content and the time of the sending operation, wherein the opening expired date is obtained by referring to the time of the sending operation and the predetermined opening expired date. When the expired date or the opening expired date is expired, the biological sensing meter informs a user about this situation or just further limits the sensing function to warn the user about needs for replacing new strips so as to achieve the function about managing the expired date the strips. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a communicating method capable of replacing conventional data adjusting method is provided. The communicating method is capable of storing information in a wireless data storage unit of the present invention. The wireless data storage unit could be designed to configure with package can or package storing the strips. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a biological sensing meter at least comprises: a wireless transmitting/receiving unit for receiving a tag information or further sending specific information back to a wireless storage unit, a control unit, a strip tank, a sensing unit and a memory unit. The control unit is capable of conducting all signal processes in the biological sensing meter and controlling operations of all of the units inside the biological sensing meter. Furthermore, the control unit configures test configuration according to the tag information and calculates test results from responding signals. When the test configuration is in an abnormal state, the control unit informs a user about this situation or just further exterminates the sensing function. The strip tank is for inserting the strip. The sensing unit limits sensing functions in accordance with the test configuration provided by the control unit so as to sense the strip to generate a response signal and send the response signal back to the control unit. The memory unit is capable of storing all information and record inside the biological sensing meter. 
     The present invention discloses a data communicating method for the biological sensing meter at least comprising below steps: 
     At first, pre-storing a tag information in a wireless storage unit, then receiving the tag information through a wireless transmit/receive unit, then configuring a test configuration of the tag information through a control unit and inserting a strip into a strip tank, then determining if a sensing function is capable of operating continuously or not according to the test configuration, in the end, collating response signals on the strip and output test results. 
     One or part or all of these and other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of embodiments of the claimed subject matter will become apparent as the following Detailed Description proceeds, and upon reference to the Drawings, wherein like numerals depict like parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is the biological sensing meter in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is the biological sensing meter in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2  A and  2 B are the flow charts of the communicating method of the biological sensing meter of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is the operating flow chart of operating strips test implemented via the biological sensing meter of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
     The present invention relates to a biological sensing meter and data communicating method. Before the method according to one embodiment of present invention is provided, the structure according to one embodiment of present invention is disclosed firstly. Please referring to  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1A  illustrates a block diagram of a biological sensing meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , a biological meter  10  of the present invention mainly comprises at least one strip tank  11 , a sensing unit  12 , a control unit  13 , an output unit  14 , a counting unit  15 , a wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16  and a memory unit  17 . A strip is inserted into the strip tank  11  for sensing process. If the biological sensing meter  10  is capable of sensing a plurality of physiological parameter, such as concentrations of blood sugar and urine protein, the biological sensing meter  10  could utilize the strip tank  11  to place various specific test strips. If sizes and specs among the test strips are quite different, a plurality of strips tank could be configured in the biological sensing meter  10  to fit acquirement for inserting the test strips with different sizes and specs. The sensing unit  12  limits sensing functions according to a test configuration provided by the control unit so as to collate the strips for generating a response signal and send the response signal back to the control unit  13 . The test configuration at least comprises a test item (different biological parameter between creatures), an expired date, a sensing predetermined value (numbers of predetermined test strips), an opening expired date and a number of test times. However, the control unit  13  is capable of conducting all signal processes in the biological sensing meter and controlling operations of all of the units inside the biological sensing meter. Furthermore, the control unit  13  configures a test configuration according to the tag information and calculates a test result from a responding signal. When the test configuration is in an abnormal state, the control unit  13  forbids (limits) the sensing unit  12  to process signals. A display unit  14  is capable of displaying the test results and displaying information of the test results through media such as audios, videos and symbols. The test results, the test configuration and hints indicative of success or failed messages could be designed inside or outside the biological sensing meter  10 . Moreover, information such as time, a test number of present test item, interval of test results or hints about how to execute further processes could be provided for increasing user&#39;s understandings for relating information. The counting unit  15  is capable of counting the number of the test item through a predetermined value and adjusting the predetermined value after each test by the way of increasing or decreasing the predetermined value. When the number of the test item equals to the predetermined value, the counting unit  15  through the biological sensing meter  10  informs the user or further limits operations of the control unit. The counting unit  15  could be designed inside or outside the biological sensing meter  10 . The wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16  is capable of receiving a tag information stored in a wireless data storage unit  20  and sending the tag information to the control unit  13 . In the first embodiment, the wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16  is further capable of sending a specific information back to the wireless data storage unit  20 . The tag information is stored in the wireless data storage unit  20  by applying RFID technique and the wireless data storage unit  20  could be configured on a container of the strip, such as a bottle top or a label, so as to access the wireless data storage unit  20  to the wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16 . Thus, the tag information is sent to the biological sensing meter  10  for the configuration of the test configuration. The memory unit stores the information and records of the biological sensing meter  10 . 
     The test configuration, which is configured through the tag information received by the wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16 , is controlled by the control unit  13 . The tag information at least comprises a test item, an expired date, a predetermined sensing value, an opening expired date and a number of test times or a combination selected from above parameters. The expired date is a first predetermined period or equals to the manufacturing date plus the first predetermined period or just a date indicating invalidation of the strip. The opening expired date means a date after the opening date pulsing a second predetermined period (such as 90 day or 3 months). The predetermined sensing value is a predetermined value having predetermined specs with different test times about each test item or the package of the strip. 
     Next, please referring to the  FIG. 1B , a block diagram of a sensing biological meter of the second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the feature different from the first embodiment of present invention is that the wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16  is replaced by a wireless data receiving unit  161 . The wireless data receiving unit  161  is used for receiving the tag information without changing the data in the tag and sends the tag information to a control unit  13 . Rest parts illustrated in  FIG. 1B  are similar with those with same symbols of  FIG. 1A . For clarity, those are not redescribed hereafter. 
     Please referring to the  FIG. 2A  and the  FIG. 2B . The  FIG. 2A  and the  FIG. 2B  illustrate a flow chart of a data communicating method for the biological sensing unit of the present invention. The data communicating method comprises below step as illustrated in  FIG. 2A : at first, in S 10 , a tag information is stored in a wireless data storage unit and the tag information is information stored by applying RFID technique, wherein the tag information at least comprises a test item, an expired date, a sensing predetermined value, an opening expired date and a number of test times. Next, in S 11 , the biological sensing meter  10  determines that if the tag information is received through the wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16 . The wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16  reads RFID signals of the tag information via RFID technique. In S 12 , if the tag information is received in S 11 , the control unit configures a test configuration according to the tag information or the time the tag information is received. Because a RFID sensing process is operated only in the situation that strips of one lot is christened or strips are confirmed by a user, S 13  would be conducted directly if the tag information is not received in S 11 . In S 13 , the user inserts a strip in a strip tank  11  for processing the test of the strip. Then, in S 14 , the control unit  13  determines if an operation of sensing function is conducted continuously according to the test configuration. In S 14 , a detail flow chart A is disclosed. Corresponding to  FIG. 2A , the detail flow chart A comprises: determining if the strip matches a test item (S 141 ), determining if the strip is not over the expired date (S 142 ), determining if the strip is not over a opening expired date (S 143 ) and determining if a test number of the test item is over a predetermined value (S 144 ). In above flow chart, if one of results of S 141 , S 142 , S 143  or S 144  is negative (No), the test for the strip is limited. However, if all results of S 141 , S 142 , S 143  or S 144  are positive, the user is informed to re-access the tag information and executes S 15 . In S 15 , the strip is examined according to the configuration of the test configuration. Then in S 17 , a test result is outputted and recorded. In the end, the flow chart of the communicating method is terminated. Above test configuration at least comprises a test item, an expired date, a sensing predetermined value, an opening expired date and a number of test times. Detail steps for operating the test of the biological sensing meter is disclosed herein with reference FIGs. Please referring to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates an operating flow chart for applying the test of the strip of present invention. When the user uses the biological sensing meter  10  of the present invention to test, in S 20 , determining if a wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16  senses a tag information of a wireless data storage unit  20 . If the tag information is not received by the wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16 , it&#39;s directed to S 23 . If the tag information is received by the wireless transmitting/receiving unit  16 , a control unit  13  determines if the strip is activated for the first time in S 21 . If in S 21  it is not activated for the first time, then check if the tag information needs to be updated. If update is not needed, then it&#39;s directed to S 23 . If update is needed, similar to the first time determination in S 21 , the tag information is received to configure a test configuration in S 22 . Next, determining if the strip is inserted in the strip tank  11  of the biological sensing meter  10  in S 23 . In S 24 , a count unit  15  determines if a number of the test is smaller than a predetermined value. If the result of determination in S 24  is negative, in S 29 , it&#39;s hinted that test is not available through an output unit  14  so as to the user about relating information or other possible operations. If the count unit  15  determines the number of the test is smaller than a predetermined value, in S 25 , the control unit  13  determines if the opening expired date of the tag information is still inside the available period. If the result of determination in S 25  is negative, it&#39;s hinted by the output unit  14  to pursue in order to inform the user about relating information or other possible operations. If the opening expired date of the tag information is still inside the available period, the strip is tested through a sensing unit  12 . Then, in S 27 , the test result is stored and presented through the output unit  14 . In the end, the number of the test item by the counting unit  15  in S 28  and the operating process of the biological sensing meter  10  of the present invention is completed. 
     In conclusion, the present invention relates to a biological sensing meter and data communicating method. Foregoing descriptions and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the principles of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of form, structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, elements, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not limited to the foregoing description.