Apparatus for recording reagent test strip data by comparison to color lights on a reference panel
First Claim
1. Apparatus for recording the analysis of a reagent strip having a plurality of color blocks for testing a plurality of different parameters, said apparatus comprisinga panel member including a color chart area comprising a plurality of color groups corresponding to different color blocks of a developed reagent strip, and including two or more set of a plurality of visually distinguishable color spots, each set for testing one of said plurality of different parameters;
- a plurality of first lights each for signaling the testing of one of said plurality of different parameters;
a plurality of second lights each located adjacent a different one of said color spots; and
a space adjacent each group of said color spots for positioning said reagent strip and detection means cooperating therewith for detecting said reagent strip in said space;
a microcomputer having means for recording test results for each of said plurality of different parameters, means for directing sequential testing of said plurality of different parameters, and light energizing means for turning said lights on and off during said sequential testing; and
means for recording and storing selected color spots.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for recording analysis of a reagent test strip having a plurality of color blocks for testing different constituents of a fluid, comprises a reference panel having a plurality of visually distinguishable and calibrated color areas or spots, a plurality of first lights for designating the testing of a different constituent or parameter, a plurality of second lights each located adjacent a different color spot, a cavity or space adjacent groups of color spots, detection optical detector for detecting the presence of the reagent strip positioned in the space, and a microcomputer for recording and storing test results and having means for directing sequential testing of the different parameters and for turning the lights on and off during the sequential testing. The apparatus includes switches for signaling the microcomputer to record and store the test data and for turning the apparatus on and off. The invention includes a process for operating the apparatus.
477 Citations
44 Claims
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1. Apparatus for recording the analysis of a reagent strip having a plurality of color blocks for testing a plurality of different parameters, said apparatus comprising
a panel member including a color chart area comprising a plurality of color groups corresponding to different color blocks of a developed reagent strip, and including two or more set of a plurality of visually distinguishable color spots, each set for testing one of said plurality of different parameters; - a plurality of first lights each for signaling the testing of one of said plurality of different parameters;
a plurality of second lights each located adjacent a different one of said color spots; and
a space adjacent each group of said color spots for positioning said reagent strip and detection means cooperating therewith for detecting said reagent strip in said space;a microcomputer having means for recording test results for each of said plurality of different parameters, means for directing sequential testing of said plurality of different parameters, and light energizing means for turning said lights on and off during said sequential testing; and means for recording and storing selected color spots. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
- a plurality of first lights each for signaling the testing of one of said plurality of different parameters;
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35. Apparatus for testing and recording test results of a reagent test strip having a set of color blocks thereon, each color block for designating a different test parameter, said apparatus comprising:
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a reference panel having two or more groups of color spots, each group corresponding to the set of color blocks on said test strip; a plurality of first signaling means each for designating a different test parameter; a plurality of second signaling means, each for designating a different color spot; microcomputer means for sequentially testing said different test parameters and operating said first signaling means sequentially during said testing; and switching means cooperating with said microcomputer means for recording test results for each of said different test parameters. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. Process for operating an apparatus, for testing and recording test results of a reagent test strip having a set of color blocks thereon, each color block for designating a different test parameter, and having a reference panel having two or more groups of color spots, each group corresponding to the set of color blocks on said test strip;
- a plurality of first signaling means each for designating a different test parameter;
a plurality of second signaling means, each for designating a different color spot;
microcomputer means for sequentially testing said different test parameters and operating said first signaling means sequentially during said testing; and
switching means cooperating with said microcomputer means for recording test results for each of said different test parameters,said process comprising exposing said reagent test strip to a composition to be tested, visually comparing the color of color blocks thereon with the color spots on said reference panel, and sequentially actuating said switching means for recording the test results for each of said different parameters.
- a plurality of first signaling means each for designating a different test parameter;
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40. A process for testing and recording the test results of a reagent strip having a plurality color blocks thereon, each color block for testing a different parameter of a material, utilizing an apparatus for recording the analysis of a reagent strip having a plurality of color blocks for testing a plurality of different parameters, said apparatus having a panel member including a color chart area comprising a plurality of color groups corresponding to different color blocks of a developed reagent strip, and including two or more sets of a plurality of visually distinguishable color spots, each set for testing one of said plurality of different parameters;
- a plurality of first lights each for signaling the testing of one or said plurality of different parameters;
a plurality of second lights each located adjacent a different one of said color spots; and
a space adjacent each group of said color spots for positioning said reagent strip and detection means cooperating therewith for detecting said reagent strip in said space;
a microcomputer having means for recording test results for each of said plurality of different parameters, means for directing sequential testing of said plurality of different parameters, light energizing means for turning said lights on and off during said sequential testing; and
switching means for turning said apparatus on and for enabling said microcomputer to start said testing;
said process comprising;exposing said testing strip to said material, and actuating said switching means; visually comparing a first color block with said color spots and positioning said test strip in a space adjacent the color spot having a color intensity visually closest to said first color block color and actuating said switching means; visually comparing a second color block with said color spots and positioning said test strip in a space adjacent the color spot having a color intensity visually closest to said second color block and actuating said switching means; and sequentially comparing the color of any remaining color blocks with said color spots, respectively, positioning said test strip in a space adjacent the color spot having a color intensity visually closest to a compared remaining color block, and actuating said switching means, respectively.
- a plurality of first lights each for signaling the testing of one or said plurality of different parameters;
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41. A reagent strip comparator apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of visual discriminators arranged in a matrix wherein each column of said discriminators defines a parameter and each row of said discriminators defines a condition dependent upon a selected parameter, optical detection means for detecting said reagent strip adjacent to a row of said discriminators, and feedback means responsive to said optical detecting means for signalling the parameter to test.
- 42. A reagent strip recording apparatus for sequentially testing and recording selected color areas of said reagent strip having an arrangement of visually detectable color areas on said reagent strip, said apparatus comprising a reference panel having a plurality of color spots corresponding to said color areas signalling means for designating sequential testing of said color areas, and switching means and microcomputer means cooperating therewith for recording selected color spots.
Specification