Patent ID: 8606528

Claim:
An assay result reading apparatus, for reading the result of an assay, comprising: a) first and second control thresholds; b) a data processing means for processing an analyte measurement signal indicative of the presence and/or amount of an analyte; and for processing a control signal indicative of whether the assay has been carried out satisfactorily; to: up until a time t 1 after commencement of the assay measurement, to compare the control signal with the first control threshold and determine that the assay has been carried out satisfactorily if the control signal exceeds or is equal to the first control threshold, and if the control signal is less than the first control threshold to continue the assay measurement; and at a time t>t 1 to compare the control signal with a second control threshold and provide an assay result if the control signal exceeds or is equal to the second control threshold.