Analyte meter digital sample detection
First Claim
1. An analyte meter comprising:
- an strip port opening configured for receiving a test strip, the strip port opening extending to a strip port connector configured to electrically connect to electrodes disposed on the test strip when the test strip is inserted into the strip port opening, said strip port connector comprising;
a first contact for detecting a digital strip-detect signal when the test strip is inserted into the strip port opening; and
a second contact for detecting a digital sample-detect signal when a sample is applied to the inserted test strip; and
a control circuit electrically connected to the first and second contacts, the control circuit being configured to maintain the analyte meter in a low power mode in the absence of detecting both the digital strip-detect signal and the digital sample-detect signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An analyte meter is configured to digitally test for the presence of a test strip in the meter and for the presence of a sample in the test strip prior to activating an analog current measurement circuit of the meter. A test strip port connector having a plurality of contacts receives an inserted test strip in which the contacts electrically connect to electrodes on the test strip for digitally detecting both the presence of a test strip and a sample added to the test strip. A control circuit monitoring the contacts maintains the analyte meter in a low power mode until detecting both the test strip and the sample, whereupon the control circuit activates the meter and enables an analog analyte measurement circuit.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An analyte meter comprising:
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an strip port opening configured for receiving a test strip, the strip port opening extending to a strip port connector configured to electrically connect to electrodes disposed on the test strip when the test strip is inserted into the strip port opening, said strip port connector comprising; a first contact for detecting a digital strip-detect signal when the test strip is inserted into the strip port opening; and a second contact for detecting a digital sample-detect signal when a sample is applied to the inserted test strip; and a control circuit electrically connected to the first and second contacts, the control circuit being configured to maintain the analyte meter in a low power mode in the absence of detecting both the digital strip-detect signal and the digital sample-detect signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating an analyte meter having a strip port opening configured for receiving a test strip inserted therein, the method comprising:
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maintaining the analyte meter in a low power inactive mode in the absence of a test strip being inserted in the strip port opening; detecting a digital strip-detect signal at a first interrupt contact of the analyte meter indicating that a test strip is inserted into the strip port opening; monitoring a second interrupt contact of the analyte meter to detect a digital sample-detect signal indicating that a blood sample is applied to the inserted test strip; and placing the analyte meter in an active mode, thereby activating an analyte current measuring circuit in the analyte meter in response to detecting the sample-detect signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A digital circuit connected to a strip port opening for generating digital signals indicating both the presence of a test strip in the strip port opening and the presence of a blood sample in the test strip, the digital circuit comprising:
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a first contact electrically connected to a first pull up resistor and to a strip detect input of a control circuit; a second contact electrically connected to a second pull up resistor and to a sample detect input of the control circuit; and a third contact electrically connected to a ground, wherein the test strip is configured to electrically connect the first contact to the third contact when the test strip is inserted into the strip port opening and to electrically connect the second contact to the third contact when the blood sample is applied to the test strip. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification