Computer interface for diagnostic meter
View Patent ↗A smart interface assembly is provided which enables convenient, instant, and discreet communication between an analytical meter and a computer, the transfer of data from the analytical system, and/or the provision of interface software for the display or analysis of data. The smart interface assembly includes first and second couplings for interfacing with the personal computer and the analytical meter. The smart interface assembly has processing and memory capabilities facilitating displaying test results from an analytical system on a computer. The interface can also function as a storage device allowing transfer, access, or syncing of data from a diagnostic system to or by the personal computer without the need for special drivers, and also can facilitate communications between the diagnostic system and the computer using standard device drivers likely to be already present on the computer.
1. A medical diagnostic testing system for providing diagnostic data to a computer having a first port, comprising:
a diagnostic testing device having a second port; and
a computer interface assembly comprising:
a first data coupling capable of establishing data communication with the first port of the computer;
a second data coupling capable of establishing data communication with the second port of the diagnostic testing device; and
a connecting portion joining the first data coupling with the second data coupling, the connecting portion further comprising a connecting processor and a memory;
wherein the connecting processor automatically determines which protocol driver is required at the first and second ports to enable communication between the diagnostic testing device and the computer.
2. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 1 , wherein the diagnostic testing device is a blood glucose meter.
3. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second data couplings comprises a plug.
4. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 3 , wherein the plug is a USB connector.
5. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 3 , wherein the plug is a IEEE 1394 connector.
6. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 3 , wherein the plug is a serial connector.
7. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second data couplings comprises a wireless communications device.
8. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 7 , wherein the wireless communications device comprises an infrared device.
9. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 8 , wherein the infrared device operates on a wavelength in a range of about 850 nm to about 1050 nm.
10. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 7 , wherein the wireless communications device comprises an RF frequency device.
11. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 10 , wherein the RF frequency device operates in a range of about 2.4 GHz to about 2.48 GHz.
12. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 10 , wherein the RF device is enabled for spread spectrum operation.
13. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 10 , wherein the RF device is enabled frequency hopping operation.
14. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 10 , wherein the RF device is enabled for full-duplex operation.
15. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 13 , wherein the RF device is enabled for operation up to 1600 hops/sec.
16. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 13 , wherein a signal hops among 79 frequencies at 1 MHz intervals.
17. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 10 , wherein the RF device has an output of about 0 dBm (1 mW).
18. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 10 , wherein the RF device has an output in a range of −30 to +20 dBm (100 mW).
19. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 1 , wherein the memory is configured to contain machine instruction code for execution on the computer.
20. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 19 , wherein the machine instruction code comprises software to process test results from the diagnostic testing device on the computer.
21. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a cable.
22. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a housing.
23. The medical diagnostic testing system of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a circuit carrier.
24. A method for providing diagnostic data to a computer having a first port, the method comprising:
a) providing a diagnostic testing device comprising a second port;
b) providing a smart interface assembly to transmit at least one test value to the computer, the smart interface assembly comprising:
i) a first data coupling capable of establishing data communication with the first port of the computer;
ii) a second data coupling capable of establishing data communication with the second port of the diagnostic testing device; and
iii) a connecting portion joining the first data coupling with the second data coupling, the connecting portion further comprising a connecting processor and a memory,
wherein the connecting processor automatically determines which protocol driver is required at the first and second ports to enable communication between the diagnostic testing device and the computer;
c) performing a diagnostic test on the diagnostic testing device to obtain at least one test value; and
d) transmitting the at least one test value from the diagnostic testing device to the computer.
25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of hard wiring a connection between the data communication port of the meter and the second data coupling of the smart interface device.
26. The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of plugging in a connection between the data communication port of the meter and the second data coupling of the smart interface device.
27. The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of completing a wireless connection between the data communication port of the meter and the second data coupling of the smart interface device.
28. The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of hard wiring a connection between the computer and the first data coupling of the smart interface device.
29. The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of plugging in a connection between the computer and the first data coupling of the smart interface device.
30. The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of completing a wireless connection between the computer and the first data coupling of the smart interface device.
31. The method of claim 24 , wherein the step of providing the diagnostic testing device comprises providing a blood glucose meter.
32. The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of executing machine instruction code on the smart interface device on the computer.
33. The method of claim 32 , wherein the executing step further comprises processing the at least one test value from the diagnostic testing device on the computer.
34. The method of claim 24 , wherein the connecting portion in said providing step comprises a cable.
35. The method of claim 24 , wherein the connecting portion in said providing step comprises a housing.
36. The method of claim 24 , wherein the connecting portion in said providing step comprises a circuit carrier.
37. The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of transmitting identification information.