Method And Apparatus For Implementing Automatic Display Of Help Information With Detection Of Error Condition For Meter Connection

• US 20080129535A1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Trzybinski, Robert, Thompson, Brian C.
• Application Number:
  US11/792,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20080129535A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for implementing automatic display of assistance information in a data collection computer system. A predefined port is monitored to detect the connection of a meter. When a meter connection is identified and the meter is not communicating properly, assistance information is automatically displayed for the user. A switch is provided for electromechanically detecting when an attempt is being made to connect a meter of a user selected type to a serial port of the data collection computer system. Then help information is automatically displayed when an error is detected.

Claims

1. A method for implementing automatic display of assistance information in a data collection computer system, the method comprising the acts of:

monitoring a predefined port to detect the connection of a meter;

identifying an error when the meter is not communicating properly; and

responsive to a meter connection being identified and an error being identified, automatically displaying assistance information by the data collection computer system.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the act of monitoring a predefined port to detect the connection of a meter includes the acts of monitoring a predefined serial port of the data collection computer system for detecting the connection of a meter.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein the act of monitoring a predefined port to detect the connection of a meter includes the acts of sending a communication initiation packet to the predefined port, and checking for a valid data acknowledgement response from a meter.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein the act of monitoring a predefined port to detect the connection of a meter includes the acts of monitoring a predefined serial port of the data collection computer system for detecting the connection of a meter;

and providing a pressure switch together with a meter connector, the pressure switch being depressed by the connection of a meter to the meter connector.

5. A method of claim 4, further including the act of providing a predefined serial port signal responsive to said pressure switch being depressed.

6. A method of claim 5, further including the acts of sending a communication initiation packet to the predefined serial port, and checking for a valid data acknowledgement response from a meter.

7. A method of claim 5, wherein the acts of providing a predefined serial port signal responsive to said pressure switch being depressed includes the act of providing a data set ready (DSR) signal responsive to the pressure switch being depressed.

8. A method of claim 1, wherein the act of automatically displaying assistance information includes the acts of displaying predefined instructions for a user when the meter fails to provide a valid data acknowledgement response.

9. A method of claim 8, includes the act of displaying instructions for a user to turn on the meter.

10. A method of claim 8, includes the act of displaying instructions for connecting the meter to one cable of a plurality of cables.

11. Apparatus for implementing automatic display of assistance information in a data collection computer system comprising:

a processor for monitoring a predefined port to detect the connection of a meter;

said processor for sending a communication initiation packet to the predefined port;

said processor for identifying an error when the meter is not communicating properly; and

said processor responsive to a meter connection being identified and an error being identified, for automatically displaying of assistance information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a memory coupled to said processor device, the memory for storing a meter communications control and intelligent diabetes data interpretation (IDDI) system program.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a display screen coupled to said processor device for displaying of said assistance information.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a meter connector and a pressure switch provided together with the meter connector, the pressure switch being depressed by the connection of a meter to the meter connector.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the predefined port includes a predefined serial port;

and wherein a predefined serial port signal is provided responsive to the pressure switch being depressed by the connection of a meter to the meter connector.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the predefined serial port signal includes a data set ready (DSR) signal being provided responsive to the pressure switch being depressed.