Diabetic care overview wristwatch

• US 6,188,648 B1
• Filed: 11/03/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toni L. Olsen
• Original Assignee: Toni L. Olsen
• Inventors: Olsen, Toni L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roskoski, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US09/184,991
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 368/281, 368/282, 368/10, 368/107-113
• US Class Current: 368/281
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/50 using icons or symbolic figures, e.g. by a graphical representation symbolising the type of pathology or the organ by an image
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0418 with electronic history memory
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 45/0084 Pictures or inscriptions on the case or parts thereof, attaching complete pictures decoration and manfuacture thereof G04B45/0076; special decorative parts which are attached to the case or other parts G04B47/04
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets

Abstract

A diabetic care overview wristwatch provides a bodily attached watch which incorporates additional functions required for daily diabetes management. A raised numeric keypad encircles a watch face, and minus, equals and clear keys are provided adjacent the watch band. On the display face, a standard time display is provided. A number of additional icons signal various conditions, including low battery, the need for blood glucose testing, the need for insulin injection or oral medication, and a special “thumbs up” signifing proper calculation of carbohydrate counts in diet management. In the event the carbohydrate calculation is improper, a negative carbohydrate count will be displayed. Several alarms are programmable through a depressed key on the side of the watch, and the case is designed to be waterproof. On the back side of the case, the word “diabetic” or other similar legend is imprinted.

Claims

1. A combined wristwatch and diabetes management device comprising:

a numeric keypad including a separate key for each of the ten decimal digits;

a time keeper means for generating time and alarm signals;

a means for generating a first alarm signal responsive to said time keeper means arriving at a first predetermined time, indicating a need for blood glucose testing;

a means for generating a second alarm signal responsive to said time keeper means arriving at a second predetermined time, indicating a need for medication;

a means for generating a third alarm signal responsive to said time keeper means arriving at a third predetermined time, indicating carbohydrates that should be consumed and requesting input to said combined wristwatch and diabetes management device the carbohydrates intended to be immediately consumed;

a means for calculating a difference between said carbohydrates that should be consumed and said carbohydrates intended to be immediately consumed;

signalling means to positively signal when said carbohydrates intended to be immediately consumed equals said carbohydrates that should be consumed; and

signalling means to negatively signal when said carbohydrates intended to be immediately consumed is greater than said carbohydrates that should be consumed.

2. The combined wristwatch and diabetes management device of claim 1 further comprising a means for generating a fourth alarm signal indicating potential device malfunction.

3. The combined wristwatch and diabetes management device of claim 1 further comprising a wrist band for wrapping about a human forearm.

4. The combined wristwatch and diabetes management device of claim 1 further comprising a face plate having an alpha-numeric display means.

5. The combined wristwatch and diabetes management device of claim 4 wherein said numeric keypad is elevated from and surrounds said face plate.

6. The combined wristwatch and diabetes management device of claim 4 wherein said alphanumeric display means further comprises a liquid crystal display.

7. The combined wristwatch and diabetes management device of claim 4 further comprising icons for signalling said first, second and third alarms.

8. The combined wristwatch and diabetes management device of claim 1 further comprising a waterproof housing about said time keeper.

9. The combined wristwatch and diabetes management device of claim 1 further comprising a recessed means for setting times of said first, second and third alarms.

10. A method for managing diabetes comprising the steps of:

bodily strapping a microprocessor-controlled time keeper to a diabetic patient;

setting a first alarm of said time keeper which indicates the need for medication at a predetermined first time;

activating said first alarm at said predetermined first time;

setting a second alarm of said time keeper which indicates the need for carbohydrate consumption, including the number of carbohydrates required;

activating said second alarm at said predetermined second time;

setting a third alarm of said time keeper which indicates the need for blood glucose testing;

activating said third alarm at said predetermined third time;

entering an amount of carbohydrates consumed responsive to said second alarm;

generating a positive signal if said amount of carbohydrates entered is within a predetermined desirable range; and

generating a negative signal if said amount of carbohydrates entered is greater than said predetermined desirable range.

11. The method for managing diabetes of claim 10 wherein the step of generating said negative signal comprises flashing a light and displaying a difference between said amount of carbohydrates entered and said predetermined desirable range.

12. The method for managing diabetes of claim 10 wherein the step of generating a positive signal comprises playing an up-beat tune and displaying an icon on a display of said time keeper indicative of a positive entry.

13. The method for managing diabetes of claim 10 comprising the additional step of displaying the time of day.

14. The method for managing diabetes of claim 13 wherein the steps of entering and generating occur after a first step of displaying, and prior to returning to said displaying step.

15. A compact and unobtrusive wrist watch having calculation functions and special purpose icons for diabetes management, comprising:

a watch face having an alpha-numeric display thereon for displaying time and carbohydrate count back;

a wrist band for wrapping about a human forearm;

first and second connectors for connecting said wrist band to said watch face;

a first signal uniquely representative of a need for blood glucose testing;

a second signal uniquely representative of a need for medication;

a third signal uniquely representative of proper carbohydrate consumption;

ten decimal keys adjacent said alpha-numeric display, each representative of a unique decimal between and including zero and nine;

three keys representative of clear, minus and equal calculator functions located over at least one of said first and second connectors; and

a recessed setting button on an edge of said watch normal to said watch face.

16. The wrist watch of claim 15 further comprising a potential watch malfunction.

17. The wrist watch of claim 16 wherein said potential watch malfunction is a low battery condition.

18. The wrist watch of claim 15 wherein said ten decimal keys surround said alpha-numeric display.

19. The wrist watch of claim 15 further comprising a watch casing having a legend imprinted thereon associating a wearer with diabetes.

20. The wrist watch of claim 15 wherein said first, second and third signals are icons.