Abstract:
A verification method including the steps of displaying a visual output in a first region of a user interface and displaying at least a portion of said visual output in at least a second region of said user interface, said at least a second region being different than said first region, wherein said first and said at least a second region are disposed on a single surface of a device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/827582, which was filed on Apr. 19, 2004, and which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/463809, filed Apr. 18, 2003, and 60/563579, filed on Apr. 19, 2004, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to user interfaces and more particularly, relates to method and apparatus for verifying the visual output of a user interface.  
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       [0003]     Numerous devices include a user interface having a display device. Such devices visually display information to a user or operator. While there are a variety of different display devices, one of the most common display devices includes a screen such as a liquid crystal displays (LCDs). LCDs offer many advantages over traditional cathode ray tubes (CRTs) such as reduced size, reduced weight, and reduced power consumption. Most display devices, such as a LCDs and the like, use a plurality of segments or pixels that are manipulated to display the desired image. As used herein, segments and pixels are generally interchangeable.  
         [0004]     For example, a simple and common LCD display segment arrangement  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . By selectively manipulating the different segments or pixels  12 , numerals can be displayed, for example the number “29”. A problem with such display arrangements  10 , however, is that one or more segments or pixels  12  can malfunction resulting in the incorrect information being communicated to the user. This is particularly problematic with various medical apparatus where the display device  10  is used to display and input critical information.  
         [0005]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a user interface  14  for a medical device  16  is shown. For illustrative purposes only, and not a limitation of the present invention, the medical device  16  will be described as a remote controller  18  and an infusion pump  20  such as the remote controller  18  and infusion pump  20  described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,740,059 and 6,551,276, both of which are fully incorporated herein by reference as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/827582, which is also fully incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0006]     The remote controller  18  includes a user interface  14  consisting of a display  22  having of a plurality of segments or pixels  12  and one or more input devices  24 , such as one or more buttons or the like. Using the buttons  24 , a user can enter data (such as input bolus amounts, delivery times, and the like) that is represented by the segments  12  and displayed on the display device  22 .  
         [0007]     If one or more segments or pixels  12  malfunctions, the incorrect information might be communicated. Referring specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , should segment  26  malfunction, for example, the display may show “23” as shown in  FIG. 3  and the user may incorrectly believe that he/she is administering a bolus amount of “23” when in fact they entered “29”. It goes without need of further explanation that this situation is obviously undesirable, particularly with respect to medical devices.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, there exists a need for a method and apparatus to verify the correct operation of user interface display device. The method and apparatus should preferably quickly and easily alert a user to the malfunctioning of one or more segments or pixels of the display device. The method and apparatus should also preferably be inexpensive and not require extensive modification to implement.  
         [0009]     It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0010]     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a verification method includes the acts of displaying a visual output in a first region of a user interface and displaying at least a portion of the visual output in at least a second region of the user interface. The second region is different than the first region, yet both the first and the second region are disposed on a single surface of a device. The device preferably includes a medical device such as an insulin infusion system including a remote control with the user interface disposed within the remote control.  
         [0011]     The method optionally displays the visual output in the first region of the user interface while simultaneously displaying a portion of the visual output in the second region of the user interface. Alternatively, the visual output is displayed in the second region only while the data is being confirmed.  
         [0012]     The method preferably includes the act of receiving data, wherein at least a portion of the data includes the visual output displayed in the first and the second region. The data may be received from a second, remote device or may be entered using one or more input devices disposed on the device. In response to the act of receiving data, the method preferably includes displaying the visual output in the first region of the user interface and verifying the visual output.  
         [0013]     The act of verifying the visual output includes displaying in the second region at least a portion of the visual output displayed in the first region and receiving an acknowledgment of the visual output. The method preferably includes prompting a user to input an acknowledgment, preferably by displaying or communicating a verification message using the user interface.  
         [0014]     The user interface optionally includes a first and at least a second separate display. The first region is disposed within the first display and the second region is disposed within the second display. Alternatively, the first and the second regions are disposed within a single display.  
         [0015]     In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention features a verification system. The verification system includes a device having a housing and a user interface coupled to the housing. The user interface preferably includes at least one display having a first region and at least a second separate region both disposed on a first surface of the housing. The first and the second region are adapted to display a first and at least a second visual output, respectively. The second visual output includes at least a portion of the first visual output.  
         [0016]     The user interface optionally includes at least one input device adapted to receive data, wherein the first and the second visual output each include at least a portion of the data. The input device preferably includes at least one button and/or one touch sensitive screen.  
         [0017]     The display may include a first and at least a second separate display corresponding to the first and the second region, respectively. Alternatively, the display includes a single display including the first and the second region.  
         [0018]     In accordance with yet a further embodiment, the present invention features a verification method comprising the acts of receiving data, displaying a first visual output in a first region of a user interface, displaying at least a second visual output in at least a second region of the user interface, and confirming that the first and the second visual output correspond. The first and the second visual output include at least a portion of the received data. The first and the second region are both disposed within a single device and the second region is different than the first region. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of one embodiment of a plurality of segments forming a display of a user interface;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the user interface shown in  FIG. 1  in combination with a device;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of another embodiment of a plurality of segments forming a display of a user interface;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention in combination with an infusion system;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of one embodiment of the verification method according to the present invention; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of another embodiment of the verification method according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]     The present invention features a verification method and apparatus for verifying the correct operation of a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus preferably includes a medical device, though one skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to medical devices. While not an exhaustive list, in the exemplary embodiment the medical device includes an infusion system (either internal or external), a cardiac defibrillator, a neurostimulator, an x-ray machine, an EKG machine, a diagnostic device, a glucometer, a blood analyzer, an electrocautery device, an operating room table, a monitor, a laparoscopic controller, or the like, or a remote controller for use with one or more of the above-described medical devices. Additionally, the remote controller includes a dedicated remote controller as well as any other device capable of communicating with one or more medical devices such as, but not limited to, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a computer (either a portable or desktop), a watch, and the like.  
         [0027]     For illustrative purposes only, and not a limitation of the present invention unless otherwise specifically claimed, the present invention will be described with respect to an insulin delivery system as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,740,059 and 6,551,276, both of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0028]     The insulin delivery system  40 ,  FIG. 4 , preferably includes a remote controller  42  operatively communicating (preferably wirelessly using RF signals  44 ) with an infusion pump  46  (either an internal or an external infusion pump  46 ). The remote controller  42  preferably includes a housing  48  made from a suitable plastic material and preferably includes a transceiver  50  that can transmit and/or receive signals  44  to/from a transceiver  52  of the infusion device  46  (or other device  71 ).  
         [0029]     The remote controller  42  and/or the infusion device  46  includes a user interface  54  coupled to the housing  48 . The user interface  54  includes one or more display devices  56  and optionally includes one or more inputs  58 . The display  56  may include any display known to those skilled in the art, but preferably includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like.  
         [0030]     As used herein, the term “input” is intended to broadly include any device known to those skilled in the art for receiving data such as, but not limited to, one or more buttons, keys, mouse, trackballs, touch screens, voice communication software, data from another device (such as data received from either the remote controller  42 , the infusion pump  46 , or a remote database such as a server or the like).  
         [0031]     According to one embodiment, the present invention features a method  500 ,  FIG. 5 , and apparatus  40 ,  FIG. 4 , wherein data is received, act  510 , by either the remote controller  42  ( FIG. 4 ) and/or the infusion pump  46  ( FIG. 4 ). In the preferred embodiment, a user inputs the data using the input device  58 ,  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the data may be received from a remote device (such as the remote controller  42 , infusion device  46 , or a remote database  71 , for example a server or the like) using the transceivers  50 ,  52 ,  73 .  
         [0032]     As used herein, the term “data” is intended to broadly include any information of significance to the user or device(s) or  42 ,  46 ,  71  including, but not limited to, input commands, amounts, times, instructions, and verification of commands, instructions, or the like.  
         [0033]     Upon receipt/entry of the data, at least a portion of the data is displayed in a first region  75  of the display  56 , act  520  ( FIG. 5 ). In the preferred embodiment, act  520  occurs simultaneously with the receipt of the data, though there may be a slight delay. For illustrative purposes only, the act of receiving the data  510  includes a user entering a bolus amount of “29” via inputs  58 .  
         [0034]     Upon displaying the data in the first region  75  (act  520 ), at least a portion of the data displayed in the first region  75  is also simultaneously displayed in a second region  77  of the display  56 , act  530 . The first and the second region  75 ,  77  are preferably part of a single display  56  but are disposed within different areas of the display  56  such that the first and the second regions  75 ,  77  do not overlap. For example, the first the second regions  75 ,  77  may be offset to each other with respect to a longitudinal axis. Alternatively, or in addition to, the first and the second region  75 ,  77  may be offset with respect to a transverse axis.  
         [0035]     Alternatively, the first and the second region  75 ,  77  may be disposed within a first and a separate, second display  56 ′,  56 ″ wherein both the first and the second display  56 ′,  56 ″ are both coupled to the same device  42 ,  46  and are both disposed within the same housing. The second display  56 ″ may be entirely separate from the first display  56 ′. Alternatively, the housing may include a divider or the like  69  that separates the display  56  into two distinct regions. In any event, it is important to note that the first and the second regions  75 ,  77  do not share any segments or pixels used to display critical data.  
         [0036]     The user is asked to confirm or verify at least a portion of the data displayed in the first region  75  with at least a portion of the data displayed in the second region  77 , act  540 . For illustrative purposes only, the user is asked to confirm that the bolus amount “29” displayed within the first region  75  is the same as the bolus amount “29” displayed in the second region  77 .  
         [0037]     In the preferred embodiment, the act of confirming the data,  540 , preferably includes presenting a verification message  79  to the user. The verification message  79  may include an audible tone, vibration, button, text message, or like. The act of confirming the data,  540 , helps prevent incorrect data from being processed.  
         [0038]     In the event of a malfunctioning segment/pixel or the like, the visual output of the first and the second display regions  75 ,  77  will not correspond. As a result, the present invention allows a user to verify the correct operation of the display  56  and alerts the user if a segment or pixel is malfunctioning in either region.  
         [0039]     In the preferred embodiment, the user must then activate one or more input devices  58  to verify that the data is correct. Alternatively, if no action is taken to cancel or a like change the data within a predetermined amount of time, the data may be assumed to be accurate. In the event that the user does not confirm the data or takes some action to otherwise indicate that the data is incorrect, the process preferably starts over again and the data is not processed. Upon the data being confirmed, however, the data is then ready to processed, act  550  (for example, transmitting the bolus amount from the remote controller  42  to the infusion pump  46 ).  
         [0040]     According to another embodiment, the present invention features a method  600 ,  FIG. 6 , and apparatus  40 ,  FIG. 4 , wherein data is received, act  610 , displayed in the first region  75 , act  620 , as described above. Upon completion of the entering of the data, act  630 , a confirmation message  79  is communicated, act  630 . The confirmation message  79  includes any method or apparatus described herein, but must include displaying at least a portion of the data displayed in the first region  75  within the second region  77 .  
         [0041]     The user must then confirm the data, act  650 , as described herein. In the event that the data is not confirmed, the process preferably starts over again. If the data is confirmed, the data is then processed, act  660 .  
         [0042]     Accordingly, the present invention includes a method and apparatus for verifying the correct operation of a visual output component of a user interface by displaying at least a portion of the visual output in at least two different regions of a display. As a result, the user can detect errors or malfunctions in one area of the display. Consequently, display failures or the like that could result in confusion or an incorrect data or command being enter can be avoided.  
         [0043]     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is applicable to other types of devices (either medical or otherwise) having a user interface with a display. While not an exhaustive list, the present invention may also be used with a user interface of an external infusion pump, a cardiac defibrillator, a neurostimulator, an x-ray machine, an EKG machine, a diagnostic device, a glucometer, a blood analyzer, an electrocautery device, an operating room table, a monitor, a laparoscopic controller, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a computer (either a portable or desktop), and the like.  
         [0044]     As mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied object or feature of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the claims when interpreted in accordance with breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.