Blood glucose meter/modem interface arrangement
First Claim
1. An apparatus for enabling information stored in a portable, battery-powered information collection device, having a data port receptacle that is adapted to receive an electrical connector through which data stored in said information collection device may be extracted, to be automatically extracted for transmission to a data reception site, comprising:
- a support cradle that is configured to support said information collection device;
an electrical connector support device, that is configured to support said electrical connector;
a mechanical translation unit which is operative to cause relative motion between said information collection device as supported by said support cradle and said electrical connector support device, so as to cause said electrical connector to be mechanically and electrically coupled with said data port receptacle of said information collection device; and
a data extraction unit, coupled to said electrical connector and being operative, subsequent to said mechanical translation unit causing said electrical connector to be mechanically and electrically coupled with said data port receptacle of said information collection device, to automatically extract data stored in said information collection device for transmission to said data reception site.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interface between a communication modem and a hand-held, battery-operated information collection device, such as a blood glucose meter comprises a support cradle into which blood glucose meter is placed. A mechanical translation unit within the cradle then automatically rotates a cam-driven, pivotable swing arm on which an electrical connector to modem memory is mounted. The swing arm follows a spiral groove in the cam, so as to fully insert the electrical connector into the data port receptacle of the meter. After data has been downloaded from the meter into modem memory, the mechanical translation unit causes reverse rotation of the cam, so as to retract the electrical connector out of the data port receptacle, whereupon the meter may be removed by the user.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for enabling information stored in a portable, battery-powered information collection device, having a data port receptacle that is adapted to receive an electrical connector through which data stored in said information collection device may be extracted, to be automatically extracted for transmission to a data reception site, comprising:
-
a support cradle that is configured to support said information collection device;
an electrical connector support device, that is configured to support said electrical connector;
a mechanical translation unit which is operative to cause relative motion between said information collection device as supported by said support cradle and said electrical connector support device, so as to cause said electrical connector to be mechanically and electrically coupled with said data port receptacle of said information collection device; and
a data extraction unit, coupled to said electrical connector and being operative, subsequent to said mechanical translation unit causing said electrical connector to be mechanically and electrically coupled with said data port receptacle of said information collection device, to automatically extract data stored in said information collection device for transmission to said data reception site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21)
-
-
14. An apparatus for automatically extracting information stored in a battery-powered portable information collection device, said information collection device having a data port receptacle that is adapted to receive an electrical connector through which data stored in said information collection device may be read out from said information collection device, comprising:
-
a support cradle that is configured to receive and support said portable information collection device;
an electrical connector support device, that is configured to support said electrical connector in a manner that provides for displacement of said electrical connector relative to said data port receptacle;
a mechanical displacement control unit which is operative, in response to placement of said information collection device in said support cradle, to controllably displace said electrical connector support device, so as to bring said electrical connector into mechanical and electrical engagement with said data port receptacle of said information collection device; and
a data extraction unit, coupled to said electrical connector and being operative, subsequent to said mechanical translation unit causing said electrical connector to be mechanically and electrically engaged coupled with said data port receptacle of said information collection device, to automatically download data stored in said information collection device into a communication device for transmission to a data reception site. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
22. A method for automatically extracting information stored in a battery-powered portable information collection device, said information collection device having a data port receptacle that is adapted to receive an electrical connector through which data stored in said information collection device may be read out from said information collection device, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) inserting said portable information collection device into a support cradle therefor;
(b) in response to placement of said portable information collection device into said support cradle in step (a), automatically rotating an electrical connector support device for said electrical connector, so as to bring said electrical connector into electrical and mechanical engagement with said data port receptacle of said information collection device; and
(c) in response to said electrical connector being brought into electrical and mechanical engagement with said data port receptacle of said information collection device in step (c), automatically downloading data stored in said information collection device to a communication device for transmission to a data reception site. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification