TWI652470B - Test strip module, screen protector, protective case, and method for measuring test strip of test strip module with mobile devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A test strip module includes a housing; a test strip in the housing; and a positioning anchor extending downwardly through a mating surface to one side of the mobile computing carrier. The locating anchor has a shape that matches a feature on the face of the mobile computing carrier.

Description

Test strip module, screen protector, protective housing and measuring for mobile computing vehicles Method of testing a test strip in a strip module

The present disclosure is generally directed to methods and systems for photometric analysis of analytes on test strips.

The sample test strip has a reaction zone containing reagents that will react with the analyte in the sample sample, such as cholesterol or glucose in a blood sample. The reaction zone will change color depending on the nature of the analyte, such as cholesterol or blood glucose levels in the blood. The test strip is inserted into a meter that optically measures the characteristics of the analyte.

In an example of the present invention, a test strip module includes a housing; a test strip in the housing; and a positioning anchor extending downwardly through a mating surface to one of the mobile computing carriers . The locating anchor has a shape that matches a feature on the face of the mobile computing carrier.

100, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1302 (1302-1, 1302-2, 1302-3, 1302-4, 1302-5), 1404, 1504, 2500‧ ‧ test strip module

102‧‧‧Mobile computing vehicles; mobile phones; portable computing vehicles

104‧‧‧ camera

106‧‧‧ ear speaker; ear speaker aperture

108‧‧‧ screen

110‧‧‧ face

112‧‧‧ processor

114‧‧‧Non-volatile memory

116‧‧‧ volatile memory

117‧‧‧Photometric test strip analyzer

118‧‧‧Light source area

202, 602, 702, 1002, 1201, 2502‧‧‧ housing

204, 708, 1202‧‧‧ test strips

206‧‧‧ bottom cover

207, 208‧‧‧ bottom surface; mating surface

210‧‧‧Positioning features; positioning anchors

212‧‧‧ optical connection埠

214‧‧‧ Camera connection埠

400, 500, 2500‧‧‧ variations

410, 920‧‧ ‧ positioning anchor

510‧‧‧ positioning features; positioning holes

604‧‧ ‧ inner compartment

606‧‧‧outer compartment

610, 710, 1118, 1120‧‧‧ Ambient light

611, 711‧‧‧ interface

612, 712, 1012‧‧‧ perimeter wall

704, 904‧‧ ‧ skirt

922‧‧‧ matching holes

924‧‧‧ face

926‧‧‧Portable computing vehicle

1024‧‧‧ bottom interface

1104‧‧‧Sampling channel

1106‧‧‧shell top

1108‧‧‧ ceiling

1112‧‧‧High end

1113‧‧‧ second end

1114‧‧‧Low end

1115‧‧‧ first end

1204‧‧‧ tip

1206, 1902‧‧‧Reaction zone

1208‧‧‧storage tank

1210‧‧‧ observation window

1300‧‧‧Test strip packaging

1400‧‧‧ screen protectors

1402, 1502‧‧ slits or slits

1500‧‧‧protective housing

1600, 1800, 2000‧‧‧ method

1702‧‧‧ banner

1904‧‧‧Color Correction Area

1906 (1906-1, 1906-2, 1906-3) ‧ ‧ sub-area

1908‧‧‧ profile

2100‧‧‧ combination chart; chart

2202‧‧‧Hand

2302‧‧‧ box top

2400‧‧‧ Chart

2504‧‧‧Finger guides

2506‧‧‧sample collector

2508‧‧‧ Fluid transport film

2510‧‧‧Lancet cap

2602‧‧‧ bottom

2604‧‧‧Hydrophilic layer; hydrophilic coating

2606‧‧‧ channel

T1, T2, T3‧‧‧ time points

C1, C2, C3‧‧‧ colors

(C1, T1) ‧ ‧ first point

(C2, T2) ‧ ‧ second point

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in the claims The drawings depict only a few specific embodiments in accordance with the disclosure, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope. The disclosure will be described in detail with the use of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: the first figure illustrates a top isometric view of a test strip module to be shared with a mobile computing carrier in an example of the present invention; the second figure illustrates a first figure in an example of the present invention. The test strip module Looking up at an isometric view; the third figure illustrates a cross-sectional view of the test strip module of the first diagram on the mobile computing carrier of the first figure in the example of the present invention; the fourth figure is illustrated in the example of the present invention A variation of the test strip module of the first diagram; a fifth diagram illustrating a variation of the test strip module of the first diagram in the example of the present invention; and a sixth diagram having internal and external examples in the example of the present invention A cross-sectional view of the test strip module of the compartment; a seventh view is a cross-sectional view of the test strip module having a skirt in the example of the present invention; and an eighth illustration is a test strip mold having a skirt in the example of the present invention. A sectional view of the set; a ninth view is a cross-sectional view of a test strip module having a positioning anchor on the skirt in the example of the present invention; and a tenth view showing one of the operational computing vehicles in the example of the present invention A cross-sectional view of a test strip module having a fine or tortuous bottom interface; an eleventh view is a cross-sectional view of a test strip module having a tilted sampling channel in an example of the present invention; and a twelfth view is an example of the present invention Sectional view of test strip module with sample observation window; tenth The figure is a top view of the test strip package in the example of the present invention; the fourteenth view is a top view of the screen protector having the slot to receive the test strip module in the example of the present invention; the fifteenth figure is in the present invention A top isometric view of a protective housing having a slot to receive a test strip module in an example; and a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention for processing in the mobile computing carrier of the first embodiment a photometric test strip analyzer executed by the device, a flow chart of a method for determining the properties of an analyte from a test strip in a test strip module; Figure 17 illustrates that in the example of the present invention, the notification is limited to a particular edge of the mobile computing carrier of the first figure; the eighteenth figure is one of the examples of the present invention for use in the sixteenth A flowchart of a method of performing a measurement pre-test in a method; a nineteenth diagram showing a test strip in an example of the present invention; and a twentieth diagram showing one of the examples of the present invention for use in the sixteenth diagram A flowchart of a method for performing correction and measurement in the method; a twenty-first diagram illustrating a combination chart of light intensity and camera response in the calibration phase and the measurement phase in the example of the present invention; The twenty-third figure shows how the test strip module may be shielded in the example of the present invention; the twenty-fourth figure shows the color value relative to the ambient illumination level for different values of the analyte properties in the example of the present invention. Figure 25 is an isometric view of a variation of the test strip module of the first diagram in the example of the present invention; and a twenty-sixth diagram is the twentieth of the example of the present invention The test strip module of the five figures An enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG.

As used in this specification, the term "comprising" means including but not limited to, the term "comprising" means including but not limited to. The term "a" is intended to mean at least one of the specified elements. The term "based on" means at least in part based on. The term "or", unless otherwise indicated, means non-exclusive, such that "A or B" includes "is A not B", "is B non-A" and "is A and B".

The first figure illustrates a top isometric view of a test strip module 100 that will be shared with the mobile computing carrier 102 in an example of the present invention. The mobile computing carrier 102 has a camera 104; an ear speaker 106; and a screen 108 positioned on one side 110 (e.g., the front side) of the mobile computing carrier 102. On face 110, camera 104 can be located above ear speaker 106. The ear speaker 106 can have the form of a hole (as shown) or a protrusion (not shown) above the face 110. The mobile computing carrier 102 includes a processor 112, a non-volatile memory 114, and a volatile memory 116. The non-volatile memory 114 stores a code suitable for the photometric strip analyzer 117. Action computing The carrier 102 can be a mobile phone, a tablet, or a laptop. The following "mobile phone 102" is used to indicate a variation of the mobile computing vehicle 102.

The second figure illustrates a bottom isometric view of the test strip module 100 in an example of the present invention. The test strip module 100 has a housing 202 having an open bottom, a test strip 204 (shown in phantom) that rests within the housing 202, and a bottom cover 206 that closes the open bottom of the housing 202. The housing 202 has a bottom surface 207, and the bottom cover 206 has a bottom surface 208 that can be flush with the bottom surface 207 of the housing 202. The bottom cover 206 also has a locating feature 210 that can be a locating anchor that extends downwardly through the mating face of the test strip module 100 to the face 110 of the mobile phone 102. The mating surface can be a bottom surface 207 or 208. The positioning anchor 210 has a shape that matches a corresponding feature on the face 110 of the mobile phone 102 (first figure), such as the ear speaker aperture 106 (first figure). The positioning anchor 210 can have a rectangular or oblong shape.

The bottom cover 206 defines an optical port 212 and a camera port 214. The optical port 212 allows light from the source region 118 (first image) of the screen 108 to enter the test strip module 100 and illuminate the interior of the test strip module 100, including a reaction zone on the test strip 204. The camera port 214 allows the camera 104 (first image) of the mobile phone 102 to take an image of the interior of the test strip module 100, including the reaction zone on the test strip 204. A camera port 214 can be positioned over the positioning anchor 210 to match the structure of the camera 104 and features corresponding to the positioning anchor 210 on the mobile phone 102, such as the ear speaker aperture 106. The optical port 212 and the camera port 214 can be apertures or windows.

The third figure illustrates a cross-sectional view of test strip module 100 on mobile phone 102 in an example of the present invention. In use, the user places the mobile phone 102 flat on a horizontal surface and places the test strip module 100 on the face 110 of the mobile phone 102. The user then slides the test strip module 100 around the face 110 until the corresponding feature of the positioning anchor 210 engages on the face 110, such as in the ear speaker aperture 106. When the positioning anchor 210 is folded into the ear speaker aperture 106, the mating surface 207 or 208 can be in close contact with the surface 110, and the camera port 214 and the optical port 212 become completely opposite to the camera 104 and the light source region 118, respectively. quasi. Note that the exact shape and position of the positioning anchor 210 depends on the structure of the camera 104 and the ear speaker 106 of the mobile phone 102.

The fourth figure illustrates the test strip module 100 in the example of the present invention (first figure) Variation 400. The test strip module 400 is similar to the test strip module 100 except that the positioning anchor 210 has been replaced with a positioning anchor 410 at a different location to match the position of the corresponding feature, such as the ear speaker on the face of another mobile phone hole.

The fifth figure illustrates a variation 500 of the test strip module 100 (first map) in an example of the present invention. The test strip module 500 is similar to the test strip module 100 except that the positioning anchor 210 has been replaced with a locating feature 510, which may be a locating aperture defined by the bottom cover 206. The locating aperture 510 matches the structure of the corresponding feature, such as a protruding ear speaker on the face of another mobile phone. In use, the user slides the test strip module 500 around the face of the mobile phone until the locating hole 510 engages the corresponding feature on the face of the mobile phone, such as the ear speaker protrusion. When the positioning hole 510 receives the ear speaker protrusion, the mating surface 207 or 208 can be in close contact with the surface of the mobile phone, and the camera port 214 and the optical port 212 become respectively on the face of the mobile phone. The camera and the light source area are fully aligned.

The sixth figure is a cross-sectional view of the test strip module 600 in an example of the present invention. The test strip module 600 can be a variation of another test strip module in the disclosure of the present invention, so the test strip module 600 can share components with other test strip modules. The test strip module 600 has a housing 602 with an open bottom, an inner compartment 604, and an outer compartment 606 surrounding at least a portion of the inner compartment 604. The test strip 204 is located in the inner compartment 604, and the outer compartment 606 shields the test strip 204 from ambient light 610, which is permeable to the interface 611 between the peripheral wall 612 of the housing 602 and the face 110 of the mobile phone 102. Leaks to the interface where the test strip module 600 is placed. The outer compartment 606 captures and absorbs ambient light 610 such that ambient light 610 does not illuminate the test strip 204 in the inner compartment 604. The outer compartment 606 can be textured or constructed of a light absorbing material. Without the outer compartment 606, the ambient light 610 can interfere with the intended illumination from the light source zone 118 (third map) of the screen 108 on the face 110.

The seventh figure is a cross-sectional view of the test strip module 700 in an example of the present invention. The test strip module 700 can be a variation of another test strip module in the disclosure of the present invention, so the test strip module 700 can share components with other test strip modules. The test strip module 700 has a housing 702 having a perimeter wall 712 and a skirt 704 surrounding at least a portion of the perimeter wall 712. The test strip 204 is located in the housing 702, and the skirt 704 shields the test strip 204 from ambient light 710, which can leak through the interface 711 between the peripheral wall surface 712 and the surface 110 of the mobile phone 102 to the test strip module. 700 placed on the interface. The skirt 704 can be placed against the face 110 of the mobile phone 102 Lay flat. The skirt 704 captures and absorbs ambient light 710 such that the ambient light 710 does not illuminate the test strip 708. The skirt 704 can be textured or constructed of a light absorbing material. Without skirt 704, ambient light 710 can interfere with the intended illumination from light source region 118 (third map) of screen 108 on face 110.

In some examples of the invention, the skirt 704 is slidably coupled to the housing 702. The skirt 704 initially can be stored in a retracted position inside the housing 702 (shown in phantom). In use, the skirt 704 can slide out of the retracted position to an extended position external to the housing 702.

The eighth figure is a cross-sectional view of the test strip module 800 in an example of the present invention. The test strip module 800 is similar to the test strip module 700 except that the skirt 704 is now hinged to the peripheral wall surface 712 of the housing 702. The skirt 704 can initially be stored in an upright position against the peripheral wall surface 712 of the housing 702 (illustrated by dashed lines). In use, the skirt 704 can be rotated from the upright position to a horizontal position against the face 110 of the mobile phone 102 on which the test strip module 800 is placed.

The ninth view is a cross-sectional view of the test strip module 900 in an example of the present invention. The test strip module 900 can be a variation of another test strip module in the disclosure of the present invention, so the test strip module 900 can share components with other test strip modules. The test strip module 900 has a skirt 904 that surrounds at least a portion of the perimeter wall surface 712 of the housing 702. The skirt 904 can be similar to the skirt 704 (seventh or eighth). The skirt 904 has a positioning anchor 920 that extends downwardly from the skirt 904 and fits into a mating hole 922 on the face 924 of the portable computing carrier 926, rather than a bottom cover having a positioning anchor or locating hole . Alternatively, the skirt 904 defines a locating aperture (not shown) that receives a matching protrusion (not shown) on the face 924.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the test strip module 1000 in an example of the present invention. The test strip module 1000 can be a variation of another test strip module in the disclosure of the present invention, so the test strip module 1000 can share components with other test strip modules. The test strip module 1000 includes a housing 1002 having a peripheral wall surface 1012. The perimeter wall 1012 has a bottom interface 1024 that is in intimate contact with the face 110 of the portable computing carrier 102 to prevent ambient light from entering through any gaps between the bottom interface 1024 and the face 110. In some examples, the bottom interface 1024 is sanded or otherwise processed to be smooth to have a roughness of 100 microns. In other examples, the bottom interface 1024 can be a tortuous material, such as a polyurethane soft touch coating that is secured to the body of the perimeter wall 1012.

Figure 11 is a cross section of the test strip module 1100 in an example of the present invention. Figure. The test strip module 1100 can be a variation of another test strip module in the disclosure of the present invention, so the test strip module 1100 can share components with other test strip modules. The test strip module 1100 includes a housing 202 having the open bottom, a test strip 204 that seats inside the housing 202, and a bottom cover 206 that closes the open bottom of the housing 202. The housing 202 defines a sampling (e.g., blood) passage 1104 from the exterior to the interior of the housing 202, such as from the housing top 1106 to the ceiling 1108. The sampling channel 1104 is tilted relative to the mating face 207 or 208. The sampling channel 1104 has a high end 1112 with an inlet and a low end 1114 with an outlet. The sample enters the inlet at the high end 1112, passes through the sampling channel 1104, exits through the outlet at the lower end 1114, and enters the reaction zone 1116 on the test strip 204.

The sampling channel 1104 is oriented such that the low end 1114 is located in or immediately adjacent to the first end 1115 of the test strip module 1100 having the test strip 204 and the camera port 214, and the high end 1112 is located in the test strip module 1100 having the camera port 214 In or immediately adjacent to the second end 1113. The first end 1115 can be the end remote from the user, and the second end 1113 can be proximate to the user. When the ambient light 1118 is from the front (or side) of the user during use, the ambient light 1118 is not aligned with the sampling channel 1104 and therefore cannot enter the test strip module 1100 through the sampling channel 1104. When the ambient light 1120 is from the back of the user, the ambient light 1120 is blocked by the user, so the test strip module 1100 cannot be accessed through the sampling channel 1104.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the test strip module 1200 in an example of the present invention. The test strip module 1200 can be a variation of another test strip module in the disclosure of the present invention, so the test strip module 1200 can share components with other test strip modules. The test strip module 1200 includes a housing 1201 having an open bottom, a test strip 1202 located both inside and outside the housing 1201, and a bottom cover 206 closing the open bottom of the housing 1201. The test strip 1202 has a tip end 1204 that is external to the housing 1201 to receive the sample, and a reaction zone 1206 and a sump 1208 that are located inside the housing 1201. The sample travels to reaction zone 1206 and a portion of the sample travels further down to sump 1208. The housing 1201 includes a viewing window 1210 that can be accessed to the sump 1208. When the user sees the sample in the viewing window 1210, the user knows that the test strip 1202 has taken a sufficient sample size.

A thirteenth view is a top plan view of a test strip package 1300 in an example of the present invention. The test strip package 1300 includes a plurality of test strip modules, such as a test strip module 1302-1, 1302-2, 1302-3, 1302-4, and 1302-5 (collectively referred to as "test strip module 1302" or individually referred to as universal test strip module "1302"). Each test strip module 1302 can be similar to any of the test strip modules described in the present disclosure. The test strip module 1302 can share a common housing and a common bottom cover. The housing can have multiple compartments, each of which holds the test strip. The housing slidably engages the bottom cover. The bottom cover defines a camera port and an optical port. The bottom cover has locating features, such as locating anchors or apertures that engage mating features on the face 110 of the mobile phone 102, such as ear speaker apertures or protrusions, to connect the camera to the bottom cover The optical port is aligned with the camera 104 (first image) and the light source region 118 (first image) on the screen 108 (first image) of the mobile phone 102.

As shown in Fig. 13, the housing is slidable over the bottom cover to place a compartment once above the camera port and the optical port. The position of the compartment above the camera port and the optical port can be defined by latching mechanisms on the housing and the bottom cover, such as fastener projections and recesses. When a compartment is in place, the adjacent one or more compartments may shield the compartment from ambient light.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of a screen protector 1400 for a mobile phone 102 in an example of the present invention. The screen protector 1400 defines a slot or slit 1402 for receiving and positioning the test strip module 1404 above the camera 104 (first image) and the light source region 118 (first image) on the screen 108 of the mobile phone 102. Test strip module 1404 can be any of the test strip modules described in the present disclosure.

The fifteenth view is a top isometric view of a protective housing 1500 for a mobile phone 102 in an example of the present invention. The protective housing 1500 defines a slot or slit 1502 for receiving and positioning the test strip module 1504 over the camera 104 (first image) and the light source region 118 (first image) on the screen 108 of the mobile phone 102. Test strip module 1504 can be any of the test strip modules described in the present disclosure.

Figure 16 is a photometric test strip analyzer 117 (first image) for execution on the mobile phone 102 by the processor 112 (first image) from the example of the application of the present invention. A flow chart of a method 1600 for determining analyte properties (e.g., cholesterol or glucose concentration) in a test strip in a set (e.g., test strip 204 in test strip module 100 of the first panel). Method 1600 can include one or more operations, functions, or actions, which are illustrated by one or more steps. although The steps of method 1600 and other methods described herein are exemplified in a sequential order, but these steps can also be performed in parallel or in a different order than those described herein. Moreover, the various steps can be combined into fewer steps, divided into additional steps, or removed steps based on the desired implementation. Method 1600 begins at step 1602.

At step 1602, processor 112 receives user input to run photometric strip analyzer 117. In response, processor 112 executes the code suitable for photometric test strip analyzer 117. Step 1602 follows step 1604.

At step 1604, the processor 112 limits the notification (e.g., banner) on the mobile phone 102 to a location away from the light source zone 118 (first map) on the screen 108 (first map).

The seventeenth figure illustrates a banner 1702 that would typically appear at the short top edge of the mobile phone 102 in the example of the present invention. It can be seen that the banner 1702 replaces the light source region 118 that is also located on the short top edge of the screen 108. To avoid this, even if the photometric strip analyzer 117 is actually running in the machine direction, the processor 112 will lock the mobile phone 102 in the landscape, so the banner 1702 appears at the long side of the screen 108. In other examples, processor 112 may change banner 1702 to an alert that appears in the middle of screen 108 rather than the short top edge of screen 108. In other examples, when the operating system (OS) of the mobile phone 102 allows, the processor 112 may temporarily turn off or delay notifications for other applications.

Please refer back to the sixteenth figure again, and step 1604 follows step 1606.

At step 1606, the processor 112 performs a measurement pre-test to determine if the mobile phone 102 has the appropriate settings to determine the analyte properties. Step 1606 is followed by step 1608.

At step 1608, the processor 112 determines if the mobile phone 102 has passed the measurement pre-test. If not, step 1608 continues with step 1610. Otherwise step 1608 continues with step 1612.

At step 1610, the processor 112 suggests changing the setting of the mobile phone 102 by displaying a message on the screen 108.

Figure 18 is a flow diagram of a method 1800 for implementing steps 1606, 1608, and 1610 of method 1600 in an example of the present invention. The method 1800 begins at step 1802, which continues at step 1604 of method 1600.

At step 1802, the processor 112 determines whether to fly the mobile phone 102. Flight mode. In the flight mode, the wireless connection and service are off, so the mobile phone 102 does not receive the light that would otherwise interrupt the photometric test strip analyzer 117 (first image) and change the light provided by the light source region 118 (first image). Color call. If the mobile phone 102 is not in the flight mode, then step 1802 continues with step 1804. Otherwise, step 1802 continues with step 1806.

At step 1804, processor 112 suggests that the flight mode be turned on by displaying a message on screen 108. Processor 112 may exit photometric strip analyzer 117 or loop back to step 1802 to determine if the user has turned on the flight mode. Alternatively, processor 112 may automatically turn on the flight mode and proceed to step 1806.

At step 1806, processor 112 determines if the battery capacity of mobile phone 102 is greater than a threshold. This threshold ensures that the mobile phone 102 has sufficient energy to determine the analyte properties. If the battery capacity of the mobile phone 102 is not greater than the threshold, then step 1806 continues with step 1808. Otherwise step 1806 continues with step 1810.

At step 1808, the processor 112 suggests charging the mobile phone 102 by displaying a message on the screen 108. Processor 112 may exit photometric strip analyzer 117 or loop back to step 1806 to determine if the battery capacity is now greater than the threshold.

At step 1810, the processor 112 determines if the mobile phone 102 is operating on an internal battery. When the mobile computing carrier 102 is plugged into a wall outlet, power fluctuations in the main power source can change the light source area 118 (first image) of the screen 108 (first image) and the photosensitive element response of the camera 104 (first image). Light. If the mobile phone 102 is not operating on the internal battery, then step 1810 continues with step 1812. Otherwise, step 1810 continues with step 1814.

At step 1812, the processor 112 suggests unplugging the mobile phone 102 from the wall outlet by displaying a message on the screen 108. Processor 112 may exit photometric strip analyzer 117 or loop back to step 1810 to determine if mobile phone 102 is now operating with an internal battery.

At step 1814, processor 112 determines if the ambient illumination level is less than a threshold. When the ambient illumination is high, it can leak into the test strip module 100 and interfere with the light provided by the light source region 118 of the screen 108. The processor 112 can sense the ambient illumination using the camera 104, which is not covered by any test strip module at this point and is recorded as needed for further use in the measurement phase. If the ambient illumination is not less than the threshold, then step 1814 continues with step 1816. Otherwise step 1814 continues with step 1612 of method 1600.

At step 1816, the processor 112 suggests moving or blocking the mobile phone 102 by displaying a message on the screen 108. Processor 112 may exit photometric strip analyzer 117 or loop back to step 1814 to determine if the ambient illumination is now less than the threshold.

Referring back to FIG. 16 again, in step 1612, the processor 112 detects the test strip 204 in the test strip module 100 after the test strip module 100 is placed on the mobile phone 102. The processor 112 detects the test strip 204 by using the camera 104 to capture the internal image of the test strip module 100 and illuminate the light source area 118 inside the test strip module 100, and is in the image based on shape, color or color intensity. Find candidates similar to test strip 204.

A nineteenth diagram shows a test strip 204 in an example of the present invention. Test strip 204 includes a reaction zone 1902 and a color correction zone 1904. Reaction zone 1902 can include sub-regions 1906-1, 1906-2, and 1906-3 (collectively referred to as "subarea 1906") for different ranges of values for one or more analyte properties of different analytes. Sub-region 1906 can have the same color or a different color prior to introduction of the sample. Color correction zone 1904 can have a known color or color intensity, or a sub-region that includes a known color or color intensity.

Once processor 112 (first map) finds a candidate in the image that is similar to test strip 204, processor 112 takes a profile 1908 of the region where reaction zone 1902 should be located on the candidate and determines if the profile includes Different colors match the portions of the different colors of sub-regions 1906-1, 1906-2, and 1906-3.

Referring again to the sixteenth diagram, at step 1614, the processor 112 determines if the test strip 204 has been properly positioned. Test strip 204 is aligned with camera 104 and light source region 118 when section 1908 includes the different color portions of the different colors of matching sub-region 1906. If not, step 1614 continues with step 1616. Otherwise step 1614 continues with step 1618.

At step 1616, the processor 112 suggests moving the test strip module 100 by displaying a message on the screen 108. Processor 112 may loop back to step 1612 to determine if test strip 204 is now properly positioned.

At step 1618, processor 112 locks the white balance setting of camera 104 to a known value. When the OS of the mobile phone 102 does not allow the processor 112 to set the white balance setting, the processor 112 can take the first image by causing the camera 104 to be in low light (eg, the light source area 118 is off), and then immediately under normal illumination. (If the light source area 118 is on), the second image is taken, and the The white balance setting is locked to this known value. The white balance setting will remain at the known value for a short period of time immediately after the camera 104 is capturing the first image in low light, so the second image is also captured at the known white balance setting. For example, the white balance setting in low light provides a 1:1:1 red, green, and blue (RGB) ratio. Step 1618 continues with step 1620.

At step 1620, processor 112 performs illumination condition corrections within test strip module 100. Step 1620 continues with step 1622.

At step 1622, the processor 112 determines if the illumination condition within the test strip module 100 has passed the correction. If not, then step 1622 continues with step 1624. Otherwise, step 1622 continues with step 1626.

At step 1624, the processor 112 suggests moving the mobile phone 102 or masking the test strip module 100 by displaying a message on the screen 108. Processor 112 may loop back to step 1620 to determine if the illumination condition within test strip module 100 has now passed the correction.

At step 1626, processor 112 performs a measurement of test strip 204. In this measurement, the processor 112 uses the camera 104 to capture an image of the reaction zone on the test strip 204, determine one or more color characteristics of the reaction zone, correct the one or more color characteristics, and correct the one or more color characteristics. One or more color characteristics are associated to the analyte property. Step 1626 continues with step 1628.

At step 1628, processor 112 displays the result on screen 108.

Figure 20 is a flow diagram of a method 2000 for implementing steps 1620, 1622, 1624, and 1626 of method 1600 in an example of the present invention. Method 2000 can begin at step 2001, which continues with step 1618 of method 1600.

At step 2001, processor 112 enters a correction phase and uses camera 104 to take a series of images at the intensity of the particular pattern and the incremental intensity provided by source region 118. Light source region 118 is incremented from off to fully on. In some examples, the light intensities include 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 0.9. In other examples, the incremental light intensities include only 0 and 0.9. The light pattern may be a square, triangle or another shape that uniformly illuminates the test strip 204 (as in the nineteenth image) due to the internal geometry of the test strip module 100. Step 2001 continues with step 2002.

At step 2002, processor 112 linearizes the response of the camera for all color channels based on the images captured in step 2001. The image sensing elements of camera 104 may be non-linear at such extremes as their range. Linearize the response of the camera to correct the nonlinearity to For the actual color channel value. Step 2002 continues with step 2004.

At step 2004, the processor 112 is based on the first image captured in the image series when the light source region 118 is turned off (eg, light intensity = 0) and the second image taken when the light source region 118 is turned on (eg, light intensity = 0.9). The color correction area 1904 (as in the nineteenth image) of the test strip 204 taken on the image determines the ambient light effect. Color correction area 1904 has actual color channel values known to processor 112.

The twenty-first figure illustrates a combination chart 2100 having an upper graph that plots light intensity over time in the correction phase and the measurement phase and a lower graph that plots the camera response for the color channel at the same time in the example of the present invention. These values in chart 2100 are provided for illustrative purposes. The camera response may be an average of the color channel values for the regions in the first and second images corresponding to color correction regions 1904 having known color channel values.

In the example correction phase, the camera responds with a C- _closed color channel value when the light source region 118 is turned off (eg, light intensity = 0) due to ambient light leaking into the test strip module 100. The camera responds with a value of C _on when the light source region 118 is on (e.g., light intensity is 0.9). The following formula can be used to determine the corrected color channel value without this ambient light effect: or

Where _Coff is the detected color channel value of the color correction area 1904 when the light source region 118 is turned off during the correction phase, and Con is the detected color correction region 1904 when the light source region 118 is turned _on during the correction phase. The color channel value, C _actual is the actual color channel value of the color correction zone 1904, and C _detected is the area required for turning on the light source zone 118 during the measurement phase (such as the reaction zone 1902 of FIG. 19). The measured color channel value, and C _corrected is the _corrected color channel value for the desired region during the measurement phase.

Please refer back to the twentieth map, and step 2004 continues with step 2006.

At step 2006, processor 112 determines if the ambient light effect is greater than a threshold. The ambient light effect is represented by the color channel value C _{detected detected} when the light source region 118 is turned off during the correction phase. High ambient light effects can result in detected color channel values that cannot be corrected. When the ambient light effect is greater than the threshold, step 2006 continues with step 2008, otherwise step 2006 continues with step 2010.

At step 2008, the processor 112 suggests moving the mobile phone 102 or masking the test strip module 100 by displaying a message on the screen 108.

The twenty-second and twenty-third figures show how the test strip module 100 can be shielded in the example of the present invention. In the twenty-second figure, the user places the hand 2202 over the test strip module 100 to shield it from ambient light. In the twenty-third figure, the user places the top 2302 of the box above the test strip module 100. The box top 2302 can be packaged for a portion of the test strip module 100.

Referring back to the twentieth diagram, the processor 112 may loop back to step 2001 to recalibrate the camera 104.

At step 2010, the processor 112 enters the measurement phase and causes the mobile phone 102 to vibrate after the sample is introduced into the sample entry on the test strip module 100. This vibration assists in moving the sample to the test strip 204 through the sampling channel 1104 (Fig. 11). Step 2010 continues with step 2012.

At step 2012, the processor 112 captures at least one image of the reaction zone 1902 on the test strip 204 when the light source zone 118 is turned on, and detects at least one color characteristic of the reaction zone. In some examples of the invention, as shown in FIG. 21, processor 112 captures two images of reaction zone 1902 at time points T1, T2 and detects two colors C1, C2 of reaction zone 1902. Step 2012 continues with step 2014. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 21, processor 112 captures an image of the reaction zone 1902 at T3 and detects color C3 of reaction zone 1902.

At step 2014, processor 112 corrects the detected one or more colors to remove the ambient light effect in its value. Step 2014 continues with step 2016.

At step 2016, processor 112 associates the corrected one or more colors to the analyte properties. In these examples with two corrected colors, processor 112 determines the slope of the line between the first point (C1, T1) and the second point (C2, T2) and maps the slope from A graph of analyte property values correlates the slope to the analyte properties.

In some examples of the invention, processor 112 does not correct the color of the reaction zone by removing the ambient light effect. Instead, the processor 112 uses the color correction area 1904 One or more colors of the known one or more colors and the correction area 1904 are detected to re-adjust the detected color of the reaction zone 1902. The re-adjusted color of reaction zone 1902 will include the ambient light effect. The processor 112 then maps the re-adjusted color and the ambient illuminance to the analyte properties using the re-adjusted color and the ambient illumination detected in step 1814 (Fig. 18). Degree is associated to the analyte properties. The twenty-fourth figure illustrates one such chart 2400 in the example of the present invention. In chart 2400, multiple lines representing different analyte properties, such as blood glucose concentration, plot color values relative to the ambient illumination levels. This chart can be experimentally determined for different mobile phones and stored with the photometric strip analyzer 117 or downloaded as needed.

Referring back to the twentieth diagram, step 2016 continues with step 1628 of method 1600.

The twenty-fifth diagram shows a variation 2500 of the test strip module 100 (first map) in an example of the present invention. The twenty-sixth drawing shows a partial cross section of the test strip module 100 in the example of the present invention. The test strip module 2500 has a housing 2502. The top of the housing 2502 defines a finger guide 2504 and the same collector 2506. A fluid delivery membrane 2508 is secured to the top of the housing 2502 adjacent the sample collector 2506. A lancet cap 2510 can be retracted to the housing 2502 to seal the lancet that protects the interior of the housing 2502.

The sample collector 2506 can have the shape of a half funnel. The finger guide 2504 can be a V-shaped bevel having a side wall that is tapered toward the rounded edge of the sample collector 2506, and the bevel slopes downward toward the rounded edge of the sample collector 2506. The fluid transport membrane 2508 abuts against the open half of the funnel-shaped sample collector 2506. In use, the user slides the finger along the finger guide 2504 toward the sample collector 2506 and then leaves the sample in the sample collector 2506. Referring now to Figure 26, the sample will be collected at the bottom 2602 of the sample collector 2506. The hydrophilic layer 2604 on the back side of the fluid transport membrane 2508 is positioned adjacent the bottom 2602 of the sample collector 2506 and laterally transports the sample from the bottom 2602 to the channel 2606 in the housing 2502. Channel 2606 is defined by a housing 2502 between hydrophilic layer 2604 and test strip 204. The sample passes from the hydrophilic layer 2604 down the channel 2606 to the test strip 204. The fluid transport film 2508 can be a polyester film (Mylar) having a hydrophilic coating 2604 on one side.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that various specific embodiments of the invention are in the description The description is for the purpose of illustration, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the various specific embodiments disclosed in the specification are not intended to be

Claims (15)

A method for an operational computing vehicle to measure a test strip in a test strip module having a camera and a screen on one side of the mobile computing vehicle, the method comprising: introducing a sample to the test strip In a correction phase before a reaction zone, when the test strip module is mounted on the surface of the mobile computing carrier, the camera is used to detect an ambient light leaking into the test strip module. An ambient light effect; in a measurement phase after the sample is directed to the reaction zone on the test strip: illuminating the test strip with a light provided by a light source region on the screen; detecting the reaction with the camera One or more colors of the zone; correcting the detected one or more colors of the ambient light effect; associating the corrected one or more colors to an analyte property; and displaying the same on the screen One of the properties of the analyte. The method of claim 1, wherein the correcting the detected one or more colors for the ambient light effect comprises subtracting the ambient light effect from the detected color. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting an ambient light effect with the camera comprises: taking a series of images at increasing light intensity; based on the series to linearize the response of the camera; and based on the light source region A first image captured in the series when closed and a second image captured in the series when the light source region is turned on, a formula for determining a corrected color, including: ,or Where C _off is the color detected by one of the color correction areas in the first image, and C _on is the color detected by one of the color correction areas in the second image, C _{actual is} the color The actual color of one of the correction areas, C _detected is a _detected color in a third image taken when the light source area is turned on in the measurement phase, and C _{corrected is} the corrected color value. The method of claim 1, wherein the associating the corrected one or more colors to an analyte property comprises: determining a slope of a line between the first and second points, the first The point includes a first detected color of one of the desired areas; and a first time, which is the time at which the first detected color is captured in a first image during the measurement phase, Second package a second detected color; and a second time, wherein the second detected color is taken in a second image during the measuring phase; and the slope is based on a graph This value is associated to the nature of the analyte. The method of claim 1, wherein the associating the corrected one or more colors to an analyte property comprises: determining an ambient illumination; determining a shot taken in an image during the measurement phase a color detected by one of the desired areas; using one or more known colors of a color correction area on the image to determine a re-adjusted color from the detected color; and based on a chart Ambient illumination and the re-adjusted color are associated to this value of the analyte property. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a pre-test by determining whether a flight mode of one of the mobile computing carriers is turned on, wherein the method continues the correction when the flight mode is turned on and And determining a battery capacity is greater than a first threshold, wherein the method continues the calibration and the measurement phase when the battery capacity is greater than the first threshold; determining whether the mobile computing carrier is utilizing a Internal battery operation, wherein the method continues the calibration and the measurement phase while the mobile computing carrier is operating with the internal battery; or determines whether an ambient illumination level is below a second threshold, wherein the method is When the ambient illumination is below the second threshold, the process continues to the calibration and the measurement phases. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the correcting phase, determining whether the test strip has been correctly positioned, wherein the method continues the calibration and the measuring phase when the test strip is properly positioned. The method of claim 7, wherein determining whether the test strip has been properly positioned comprises identifying the test strip in an image based on a shape, a color, or a light intensity. The method of claim 8, wherein determining whether the test strip is correctly positioned further comprises obtaining a cross section of a reaction zone on the test strip in the image, and determining whether each part of the section has a corresponding The color of the actual color of the reaction zone. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, in the calibration phase, whether the ambient light effect is greater than a threshold; and displaying the action on the screen when the ambient light effect is greater than the threshold A proposal to calculate the carrier or to block the test strip module. The method of claim 10, wherein the suggesting comprises shielding the test strip module with a hand or a box top portion of a portion of the test strip module packaged. The method of claim 1, further comprising limiting any notification to a location away from the light source region on the screen prior to performing the calibration phase and the measuring phase. The method of claim 12, wherein restricting any of the notifications comprises locking one of the mobile computing carriers such that the notification occurs along an edge of the screen, rather than including another edge of the light source region on the screen. The method of claim 1, further comprising: immediately capturing an image with low brightness to lock a white balance of the camera before capturing a second image with a brightness provided by the light source area on the screen. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in the measuring phase, causing the mobile computing carrier to vibrate.