Methods of Improving Auto-Coding Capabilities for Biosensors and Devices for Same

• US 20130122532A1
• Filed: 11/14/2011
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyson Bioresearch Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tyson Bioresearch Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, Keng-Hao, Hsiao, Tsung-Sung, Chen, Wen-Huang, Tsai, Han-Ching
• Granted Patent: US 9,279,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48771 Coding of information, e.g. calibration data, lot number
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/144444 Glucose

Abstract

The present invention discloses a biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities may include a test strip associated with a code pattern; and a code reader electrically coupled to the test strip to read the code pattern, wherein the code reader is configured to read an output from the code pattern consisted of a first logical value, a second logical value, and a third logical value.

Claims

1. A biological measuring device with auto coding capabilities, said device comprising:

a test strip associated with a code pattern; and

a code reader electrically coupled to said test strip to read said code pattern,

wherein said code reader is configured to read an output from said code pattern consisted of a first logical value, a second logical value, and a third logical value.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said code pattern is formed by a plurality of contact pads on said test strip with varying electrical conductivities between any two of said plurality of contact pads.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein a first pin constantly set at a low voltage level is pre-defined to one of said plurality of contact pads.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein a second pin constantly set at a high voltage level is pre-defined to another one of said plurality of contact pads.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said code reader reads out said first logical value from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is conductive to said first pre-defined pin.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein said code reader reads out said second logical value from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is conductive to said second pre-defined pin.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein said code reader reads out said third logical value from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is electrically isolated from any other one of said plurality of contact pads.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein when a weaker strength of a first voltage level is first applied to one of said plurality of contact pads and then changed to a weaker strength of a second voltage level at said contact pad in a predetermined time frame, said code reader reads out said first logical value and then said second logical value from said contact pad during said time frame.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said third logical value occurs in a high impedance state.

10. A biological measuring device adapted for use with a test strip, wherein said test strip is associated with a code pattern formed by a plurality of contact pads on said test strip with varying electrical conductivities between any one of said plurality of contact pads and a first or second pin pre-defined to a respective one of said plurality of contact pads, wherein said first pin is constantly set at a low voltage level, and wherein said second pin is constantly set at a high voltage level, said device comprising:

a code reader electrically coupled to said test strip to read said code pattern,

wherein said code reader is configured to read an output from said code pattern consisted of a first logical value, a second logical value, and a third logical value.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said code reader reads out said first logical value from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is conductive to said first pre-defined pin.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said code reader reads out said second logical value from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is conductive to said second pre-defined pin.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said third logical value occurs in a high impedance state.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein said code reader reads out said third logical value from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is electrically isolated from any other one of said plurality of contact pads.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein when a weaker strength of a first voltage level is first applied to one of said plurality of contact pads and then changed to a weaker strength of a second voltage level at said contact pad in a predetermined time frame, said code reader reads out said first logical value and then said second logical value from said contact pad during said time frame.

16. A test strip adapted for use with a biological measuring device, said biological measuring device having a code reader, said test strip comprising:

a substrate;

a reaction region formed by a working electrode and a reference electrode provided on said substrate at one end, said reaction region is applied with an enzyme so that an electrical response is generated when said enzyme and a test sample form a chemical reaction, and

a plurality of contact pads provided on said substrate at the one end, said plurality of contact pads forming a code pattern to be read by said code reader,

wherein a first pin constantly set at a high voltage level is pre-defined to one of said plurality of contact pads,

wherein a second pin constantly set at a low voltage level is pre-defined to another one of said plurality of contact pads, and

wherein said code pattern is formed by having varying electrical conductivities between any one of said plurality of contact pads and said first or second pin.

17. The test strip of claim 16, wherein an output of said code pattern is consisted of a first logical value, a second logical value, and a third logical value.

18. The test strip of claim 17, wherein said third logical value occurs in a high impedance state.

19. The test strip of claim 17, wherein said first logical value is outputted from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is conductive to said first pre-defined pin.

20. The test strip of claim 17, wherein said second logical value is outputted from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is conductive to said second pre-defined pin.

21. The test strip of claim 17, wherein said third logical value is outputted from one of said plurality of contact pads when said contact pad is electrically isolated from any other one of said plurality of contact pads.

22. The test strip of claim 21, wherein when a weaker strength of a first voltage level is first applied to one of said plurality of contact pads and then changed to a weaker strength of a second voltage level at said contact pad in a predetermined time frame, said first logical value and then said second logical value are outputted from said contact pad during said time frame.

23. A method of reading a code pattern associated with a test strip adapted for use with a biological measuring device, said code pattern formed by a plurality of contact pads provided on said test strip, said biological measuring device having a code reader provided therein, said method comprising:

inserting said test strip into said code reader;

reading a first logical value outputted from one of said plurality of contact pads at a first voltage level with a first strength;

reading a second logical value outputted from said one of said plurality of contact pads at a second voltage level with a second strength, wherein said second voltage level is different from said first voltage level;

outputting a third logical value if said first logical value is different from said second logical value;

repeating the above steps for a predetermined number of contact pads from said plurality of contact pads; and

obtaining a combined output for said code pattern associated with said test strip.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising outputting said first logical value if said first logical value is the same as said second logical value.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising storing said first logical value and said second logical value in a memory provided in said biological measuring device.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising pre-defining a first pin to be constantly set at said first voltage level with a strength stronger than said first strength at one of said plurality of contact pads so that any other one of said plurality of contact pads conductive to said first pin is driven to said first voltage level.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising pre-defining a second pin to be constantly set at said second voltage level with a strength stronger than said second strength at another one of said plurality of contact pads so that any other one of said plurality of contact pads conductive to said second pin is driven to said second voltage level.