Electronic test device data communication

• US 9,807,543 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2015
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integrated Digital Technologies, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Integrated Digital Technologies, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zin, Benedict L., Sturman, Andy, Nazareth, Albert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wallenhorst, Maureen
• Application Number:
  US14/690,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20150301031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 436 63, 436 65, 436164, 436165, 436169, 422400, 422420, 422430, 422 8205, 702 19, 4352877, 4352887
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/77 by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0221 Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/02 by investigating impedance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48792 Data management, e.g. communication with processing unit for in vivo diagnostics A61B5/0002; transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Electronic test devices and methods include data transfer capabilities. In one implementation, an assay device includes wireless communication capabilities to send assay result decisions and/or values to a separate processing and display device such as a smartphone. In another implementation, light sources are modulated both for performing an assay and encoding and transmitting a result of an assay.

Claims

1. A test device comprising:

assay electronics configured for conducting an assay to generate an assay result indicating the presence, absence, amount, degree, or severity of a chemical, physical, biological, medical, or environmental condition from a sample of material provided to the test device;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the assay electronics;

wherein the assay electronics is configured to detect a test initiation event;

wherein the assay electronics is configured to send a start signal to the wireless transmitter which wirelessly transmits the start signal to an external processing and display device separate from the test device in response to detecting the test initiation event;

wherein the assay electronics is configured to generate assay measurement data and process that assay measurement data into a single assay result; and

wherein the assay electronics is configured to send the single assay result to the wireless transmitter which wirelessly transmits the single assay result to the external processing and display device separate from the test device.

2. The test device of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit IEEE 802.15 compliant communications.

3. The test device of claim 1, wherein the assay electronics is further configured to transmit at least one of:

a test procedural control value, a test device battery level, an indication of proper sample application, a type of test device, or a test device identifier to the external processing and display device.

4. The test device of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to the assay electronics, and wherein the assay electronics is configured to both display the single assay result on the display and wirelessly transmit the single assay result to the external processing and display device.

5. A method of testing, the method comprising:

establishing a wireless communication channel between a test device in a first housing and a display device in a physically separate second housing;

receiving a sample for testing at the test device;

detecting, at the test device, a test timer initiation event;

transmitting a test initiation message from the test device to the display device;

in response to receiving the test initiation message, initiating and displaying a timer on the display device configured to identify an end time for the testing;

upon the end time for the testing, obtaining a result of the testing at the display device from the test device; and

displaying the received result on the display device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the test timer initiation event comprises detecting a fluid front during the testing.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein obtaining the test result comprises receiving the result in a result message at the display device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the result message is received in response to a result request transmitted from the display device to the test device.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising displaying a visual representation of the timer on the display device.

10. A testing system comprising:

a test device including;

a processor;

means for receiving a test stick;

means for conducting an assay configured to;

detect a test timer initiation event; and

generate a result indicating the presence or absence of a substance contained in a sample provided via a test stick received via the means for receiving a test stick;

a first wireless transceiver configured to;

transmit a test initiation message using the test timer initiation event via a communication channel; and

transmit the test result via the communication channel;

an external display device separate from the test device including;

a second wireless transceiver configured to;

establish the communication channel with the test device;

receive the test initiation message from the test device via the communication channel; and

receive the test result from the test device; and

a timer, wherein the timer is started in response to receiving the test initiation message;

a display configured to;

in response to establishing the communication channel, display a connection status message; and

display a value of the timer.

11. A handheld, single use, disposable chemical assay device comprising:

a housing;

assay electronics contained within the housing configured to detect a test initiation event and to generate a result for an assay performed during a period of time after the test initiation event;

a display coupled to the housing and the assay electronics configured to display the result of the assay received from the assay electronics;

a wireless transmitter contained within the housing;

wherein the assay electronics and the wireless transmitter are configured to transmit both a start signal in response to the detection of the test initiation event and the result of the assay performed after the test initiation event to an external processing and display device.