Method and apparatus for providing a data interface between a plurality of test information sources and a database
First Claim
1. A method of extracting individual items of biological test data from a plurality of data files, each of the data files being received from a corresponding source and having different locations for storing individual items of biological test data therein, comprising the steps of:
- receiving one of the data files from the corresponding source using a specified protocol;
generating at least one run file from the received data file;
examining the run file to identify specific locations of individual items of biological test data within the run file;
assigning a rules file to the run file which indicates the identified locations; and
parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file.
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Abstract
A data interface which is capable of receiving test information from a variety of biological fluid testing instruments employs first and second processes. The first process determines the type of data which is provided by analyzing the format of the test information using a master rules file. Once the type of the source is identified, the first process passes the data and a set of rules to use to parse the data to the second process. The second process extracts the test data from the information provided by the testing instrument using the set of rules identified by the first process. Furthermore, if the test information is received in pieces the present invention can marry the pieces to provide a complete data set to be stored in the database.
148 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of extracting individual items of biological test data from a plurality of data files, each of the data files being received from a corresponding source and having different locations for storing individual items of biological test data therein, comprising the steps of:
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receiving one of the data files from the corresponding source using a specified protocol; generating at least one run file from the received data file; examining the run file to identify specific locations of individual items of biological test data within the run file; assigning a rules file to the run file which indicates the identified locations; and parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for extracting individual items of biological test data from a plurality of data files each of the data files being received from a corresponding source and having different locations for storing individual items of biological test data therein, comprising:
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means for receiving one of the data files from the corresponding source using a specified protocol; means for generating at least one run file from the received data file; means for examining the run file to identify specific locations of individual items of biological test data within the run file; means for assigning a rules file to the run file which indicates the identified locations; and means for parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification