Method of providing signal loss notification in blood glucose measurement system

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for providing a signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, comprising: a step in which a terminal delays a signal loss notification for a first period when a communication failure occurs between the terminal and a sensor transmitter; a step in which the terminal further determines whether a signal loss continues during a second period when the communication failure continues during the first period; a step in which the terminal generates the signal loss notification when the signal loss continues during the second period; and a step in which the terminal outputs the signal loss notification to a user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This embodiment relates to a method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, and more specifically, to a technique for providing signal loss notification when data transmission and reception between a sensor transmitter and a terminal is interrupted due to communication failure or signal loss. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, with the development of medical technology, a variety of medical devices that are attached to the user's body have been developed and marketed. These devices can be applied to the skin of patients with chronic diseases and effectively used for monitoring bio-information or treatment.

[0003] For example, chronic diseases such as diabetes require continuous management, and blood glucose levels can be monitored using medical devices that are applied to the skin to measure blood sugar. Diabetes is characterized by having almost no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, but as the disease progresses, symptoms such as excessive thirst, increased appetite, frequent urination, weight loss, general malaise, itchy skin, and slow-healing wounds on the hands and feet appear. Further progression of diabetes can lead to complications such as vision impairment, hypertension, kidney disease, stroke, periodontal disease, muscle cramps, neuralgia, and gangrene. To diagnose and manage diabetes in this way to prevent its progression to complications, systematic blood glucose monitoring and treatment are essential.

[0004] For people with diabetes and those who have not progressed to diabetes but have detected higher than normal levels of sugar in their blood, many medical device manufacturers are offering a variety of types of blood glucose meters that can measure blood sugar.

[0005] Blood glucose meters can be measured in two ways: one is by collecting blood from the user's fingertip to measure blood glucose in a single measurement, and the other is by attaching the meter to the user's abdomen or arm to measure blood glucose continuously.

[0006] For diabetic patients, the condition typically alternates between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Emergencies arise from hypoglycemia, which can be life-threatening if unconsciousness is lost or if hypoglycemia persists for an extended period without glucose supply. Therefore, immediate detection of hypoglycemia is crucial for diabetic patients. However, intermittent blood glucose meters have limitations in accurately identifying this condition.

[0007] Recently, in order to overcome this limitation, a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) has been developed and is being used, which is inserted into the human body to measure blood glucose values ​​at intervals of several minutes. In order to minimize the pain and resistance caused to users by blood collection, the continuous glucose monitoring system can insert a needle-like transdermal sensor into the abdomen and arm, where the pain is relatively mild, and then continuously measure blood glucose.

[0008] The continuous glucose measurement system comprises a sensor transmitter and a terminal. The sensor transmitter is inserted into the user's skin to measure blood glucose in the body and transmit the measured blood glucose value. The terminal outputs the received blood glucose value.

[0009] On the one hand, the terminal can send various notifications to the user when outputting blood glucose values. Notifications can be generated based on changes in blood glucose levels, the operating environment of the sensor transmitter, and other relevant conditions. Users can configure the notification sending conditions or output methods through the terminal, such as sound or vibration, notification frequency, etc., and can receive notifications according to these settings.

[0010] Essentially, the terminal can notify the user of signal loss with the sensor transmitter. Signal loss can refer to a state where the terminal is unable to receive data from the sensor transmitter. Furthermore, since notifications are used to inform users of important situations in blood glucose management, accurate and timely delivery is crucial. However, if notifications ring too frequently, the user's daily life may be disrupted; conversely, if notifications ring infrequently, the user may hardly notice them. Therefore, to provide signal loss notifications in a continuous glucose monitoring system, it is necessary to accurately detect signal loss and output appropriate notifications promptly. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Technical problems to be solved

[0012] In this context, one objective of this embodiment is to accurately determine the occurrence of signal loss and provide timely notification of signal loss.

[0013] In this context, another objective of this embodiment is to provide a signal loss notification after a certain period of time during which the notification is delayed in order to determine signal loss.

[0014] Solution to the problem

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, one embodiment provides a method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, comprising: when a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, the terminal delays the signal loss notification for a first time period; when the communication failure continues during the first time period, the terminal further determines whether the signal loss continues during a second time period; when the signal loss continues during the second time period, the terminal generates the signal loss notification; and the terminal outputs the signal loss notification to the user.

[0016] The above method may further include the step of delaying the signal loss during the second time period, and the step of generating the signal loss notification is to generate the signal loss notification based on the judgment result of whether the signal loss continues during the second time period.

[0017] In the above method, the step of determining whether the signal loss continues during the second time period can be as follows: based on the data reception from the sensor transmitter to the terminal during the second time period, the step of determining the persistence of the signal loss and generating the signal loss notification can be as follows: when the data reception from the sensor transmitter to the terminal is stopped during the second time period, the signal loss notification is generated.

[0018] The above method may also include a step of determining whether the communication failure continues during the first time period.

[0019] In the above method, the step of determining whether the communication failure continues during the first time period can be to determine the persistence of the communication failure based on the communication failure including the disconnection of the communication connection between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, or the suspension of data reception from the sensor transmitter to the terminal when the communication connection is established.

[0020] In the above method, the first time period can be shorter than the second time period.

[0021] In the above method, the step of delaying the signal loss notification during the first time period can be to output biological information even during the first time period of the signal loss notification delay.

[0022] Another embodiment provides a method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, which serves as a terminal receiving biological information from a sensor transmitter attached to the human body. The method includes: receiving an advertisement from the sensor transmitter; establishing a communication connection with the sensor transmitter; requesting the biological information from the sensor transmitter in response to the advertisement; receiving the biological information from the sensor transmitter; delaying the signal loss notification for a first time period when a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter; further determining whether signal loss persists during a second time period if the communication failure continues during the first time period; generating the signal loss notification when signal loss persists during the second time period; and outputting the signal loss notification to the user.

[0023] In the above method, the advertisement is transmitted from the sensor transmitter to the terminal at each advertisement moment in the first time period and the second time period. The first time period may include fewer advertisement moments than the second time period.

[0024] Another embodiment provides a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, comprising: receiving biological information from a sensor transmitter attached to the body; outputting the biological information; delaying the signal loss notification when a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter; outputting at least one piece of biological information during the delay of the signal loss notification; determining whether the signal loss continues for a certain period of time after outputting the at least one piece of biological information; generating the signal loss notification when the signal loss continues for the certain period of time; and outputting the signal loss notification to the user.

[0025] The effects of the invention

[0026] As described above, according to this embodiment, by determining whether signal loss has occurred while waiting during a certain period of delayed notification, the occurrence of signal loss can be accurately determined and timely notification can be provided to the user. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a diagram used to schematically illustrate a blood glucose measurement system according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an applicator for attaching a sensor transmitter to the human body according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 3This is a diagram illustrating the process of attaching a sensor transmitter to the human body using an applicator according to one embodiment.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a configuration diagram of a sensor transmitter according to one embodiment.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a configuration diagram of a terminal according to one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 This is an example diagram of a sensor transmitter generating biological information according to one embodiment.

[0033] Figure 7 This is an example diagram of a sensor transmitter generating data packets according to one embodiment.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting and receiving biological information between a sensor transmitter and a terminal according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a terminal providing a signal loss notification according to one embodiment.

[0036] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating in detail a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to another embodiment.

[0039] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to yet another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0040] In describing this invention, details of what is obvious to those skilled in the art will be omitted when it is determined that the content relating to known functions may unnecessarily obscure the spirit of the invention.

[0041] The terminology used in this application is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular expressions include plural expressions. It should be understood that in this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are used only to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, actions, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and do not preclude the presence or additional possibilities of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0042] Terms such as "first" and "second" are merely identifiers used to distinguish identical or corresponding constituent elements, which are not limited by terms such as "first" and "second".

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding constituent elements will be given the same reference numerals and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a diagram used to schematically illustrate a blood glucose measurement system according to one embodiment.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 A blood glucose measurement system 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "system") according to one embodiment may include a sensor transmitter 100 and a terminal 200.

[0046] The sensor transmitter 100 is attached to human body B. When the sensor transmitter 100 is attached to human body B, one end of the sensor of the sensor transmitter 100 is inserted into the skin, so that the body fluid can be periodically extracted to measure blood glucose.

[0047] Terminal 200 can receive biosignals including blood glucose information from sensor transmitter 100, and generate blood glucose information from the biosignals to output to the user. Terminal 200 may include various devices, such as smartphones, mobile phones, tablets, desktops, and laptops, but is not limited to these, and has a communication interface capable of communicating with sensor transmitter 100, and may include devices that can install programs or applications.

[0048] Sensor transmitter 100 can transmit periodically measured biosignals to terminal 200 according to the request of terminal 200 or at each set time point. In order to conduct data communication between sensor transmitter 100 and terminal 200, sensor transmitter 100 and terminal 200 can be connected to each other wiredly via USB cable or wirelessly via infrared communication, NFC communication, Bluetooth or other means.

[0049] Figure 2This is a diagram illustrating a patch for attaching a sensor transmitter to the human body according to one embodiment. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the process of attaching a sensor transmitter to the human body using an applicator according to one embodiment.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 According to one embodiment, the applicator 300 includes a sensor transmitter 100 inside, and the sensor transmitter 100 is ejected to the outside by the user's operation so that it is attached to a specific part of the user's body. The applicator 300 is formed with one open side, and the sensor transmitter 100 is disposed in the applicator 300 through the open side of the applicator 300.

[0051] When the sensor transmitter 100 is attached to a part of the body using the patch 300, in order to insert one end of the sensor provided by the sensor transmitter 100 into the skin, the patch 300 may include a needle (not shown) formed in such a way as to wrap the sensor end inside, a first elastic member (not shown) that pushes the needle and the sensor end together toward the skin, and a second elastic member (not shown) for withdrawing only the needle. With this structure of the patch 300, the needle and the sensor end can be simultaneously inserted into the skin by releasing the compression of the first elastic member (not shown) configured in a compressed state inside the patch 300. When the sensor end is inserted into the skin, only the needle is withdrawn by releasing the compression of the compressed second elastic member (not shown). The user can safely and easily attach the sensor transmitter 100 to the skin using the patch 300.

[0052] A detailed examination of the process of attaching the applicator 300 to the human body B reveals that, with the protective cover (not shown) removed, the open side of the applicator 300 is pressed firmly against a specific area of ​​skin S on the human body B. Thus, when the applicator 300 is pressed firmly against the skin S of the human body B, and the applicator 300 is operated, the sensor transmitter 100 is simultaneously ejected from the applicator 300 and attached to the skin S. Here, one end of the sensor 101 is exposed from the sensor transmitter 100 and positioned at the lower part of the sensor transmitter 100, and one end of the sensor 101 can be partially inserted into the skin S via a needle provided in the applicator 300. Therefore, the sensor transmitter 100 can be attached to the skin S with one end of the sensor 101 inserted into the skin S.

[0053] Here, the contact surface between the sensor transmitter 100 and the human body B may be provided with adhesive tape so that the sensor transmitter 100 can be fixedly attached to the skin S of the human body B. Therefore, when the applicator 300 is separated from the skin S of the human body B, the sensor transmitter 100 can be in a state where it is fixedly attached to the skin S of the human body B by adhesive tape.

[0054] Subsequently, when the sensor transmitter 100 is powered on, it communicates with the terminal and transmits biological signals, including blood glucose information, to the terminal. The sensor transmitter 100 can generate not only blood glucose information but also various other biological information. The following description uses blood glucose information as an example of biological information measurement.

[0055] Figure 4 This is a configuration diagram of a sensor transmitter according to one embodiment.

[0056] Reference Figure 4 According to one embodiment, the sensor transmitter 100 may include a sensor module 110, a sensor communication unit 120, a sensor control unit 130, and a sensor storage unit 140.

[0057] The sensor module 110 may include at least one sensor inserted into the human body to sense biomass. The at least one sensor can measure biomass and generate a biosignal. The biosignal, as an analog signal, may include a current value.

[0058] The sensor communication unit 120 can exchange data or information with the terminal. For example, the sensor communication unit 120 can transmit biological signals received from the sensor module 110 or data (such as biological information) stored in the sensor storage unit 140 to the terminal.

[0059] The sensor control unit 130 includes a sensor module 110, a sensor storage unit 140, and a sensor communication unit 120, thereby enabling control of the overall configuration of the sensor transmitter 100. For example, the sensor control unit 130 can receive control signals from a terminal and thereby control the configuration of the sensor transmitter 100. Furthermore, the sensor control unit 130 can process biological signals. For example, the sensor control unit 130 can convert biological signals into analog or digital forms, or perform noise removal processing as needed.

[0060] The sensor storage unit 140 can store data or information. For example, the sensor storage unit 140 can store data about biomass measured by the sensor module 110 (e.g., the current value of a biosignal or its digital form) or data received from the terminal (e.g., the command value of a control signal).

[0061] Figure 5 This is a configuration diagram of a terminal according to one embodiment.

[0062] Reference Figure 5 According to one embodiment, the terminal 200 may include an output unit 210, a communication unit 220, a control unit 230, and a storage unit 240.

[0063] The output unit 210 can output biological information (such as blood glucose information) included in the biological signal so that the user can confirm it. For example, the output unit 210 can display the blood glucose information as a numerical value or further display it as a curve generated from the numerical value.

[0064] The communication unit 220 can communicate with the sensor communication unit of the sensor transmitter and exchange data or information. For example, the communication unit 220 can receive biosignals including information about biomass (bioinformation) measured by the sensor transmitter. Here, the communication unit 220 can receive the biosignal after it has been processed once by the sensor transmitter. Preferably, the processed biosignal can include current values ​​as analog signals converted into discrete digital data (discontinuous data). Digital discrete data can be generated when the current value is sampled in each cycle. Alternatively, the communication unit 220 can transmit control signals for controlling the sensor transmitter to the sensor transmitter.

[0065] The storage unit 240 can store data or information. For example, the storage unit 240 can store data (e.g., biometric information) received from a sensor transmitter. Here, biometric information includes blood glucose information and may include digital data representing current values. Alternatively, the storage unit 240 can store data input by the user or environmental setting data used to set the operating environment of the terminal.

[0066] The control unit 230 may include at least one processor that executes a program in the blood glucose measurement system to provide a signal loss notification, and at least one memory storing the program. The memory and processor included in the control unit 230 may be integrated into a single chip or physically separated.

[0067] To store various programs, data, and / or information, memory can be implemented as a non-volatile memory device such as ROM (read-only memory), PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM), and flash memory, or a volatile memory device such as RAM (random access memory).

[0068] Furthermore, the control unit 230 can generate a blood glucose value as numerical blood glucose information from bio-information. To this end, the control unit 230 can obtain bio-information in the form of a current value from the sensor transmitter, and preprocess and / or process the current value of the bio-information. The control unit 230 can first calculate the sensitivity and generate a blood glucose value based on that sensitivity.

[0069] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a first example of generating biological information using a sensor transmitter according to one embodiment.

[0070] Reference Figure 6 Biological information can be generated in a sensor transmitter according to one embodiment. Specifically, the sensor transmitter can acquire analog (continuous) biological signals representing current values ​​at predetermined intervals, and can generate digital (discontinuous) data representing current values ​​by sampling the biological signals. The generated data is processed in the sensor transmitter to generate biological information. The generation of biological information from biological signals and the processing of digital data in the sensor transmitter will be described below, but it is not limited thereto; according to the embodiment, this processing can also be performed partially or entirely in the sensor transmitter.

[0071] For example, a sensor transmitter can acquire biosignals in analog form (e.g., current values), measure the biosignals every 10 seconds, and process the measured biosignals to generate a single first data point. Specifically, the sensor transmitter can measure (sample) the biosignals 30 times every 10 seconds and generate digital data. The sensor transmitter can remove the higher and lower-level data from the 30 data points, calculate the average value (A1) of the remaining data, and determine this average value (A1) as the single first data point. This first data point, representing the calculated average value (A1), is generated in 10-second increments, as shown in the figure. Six average values ​​(A1 to A6), or six first data points, can be generated per minute.

[0072] Furthermore, the sensor transmitter can process 30 initial data points every 300 seconds (5 minutes).

[0073] The sensor transmitter can use the six first data points (average values ​​(A1-A6)) to generate an average value (B1) again. When generating the average value (B1), the terminal can also remove the upper and lower bound data from the six average values ​​(A1-A6) and generate the average value (B1) of the remaining data. The second data point, representing the calculated average value (B1), is generated in one-minute increments, as shown in the figure. One average value (B1) can be generated per minute, which is one second data point.

[0074] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a second example of generating biological information using a sensor transmitter according to one embodiment.

[0075] Reference Figure 7 Biometric information can be generated by processing second data using a sensor transmitter according to one embodiment. In the example above, the sensor transmitter can obtain five second data points (B1) per minute from six first data points in 10-second increments. Furthermore, the sensor transmitter can generate an average value (C1) using the five second data points (average values ​​(B1 to B5)). When generating the average value (C1), the terminal can also remove upper and lower bound data from the five average values ​​(B1 to B5) to generate the average value (C1) of the remaining data. As a third data point, the calculated average value (C1) is generated in 5-minute increments, as shown in the figure; one average value (C1) can be generated every 5 minutes, i.e., one third data point.

[0076] Here, the terminal can sequentially generate second data (B1-B5) during the bioinformation generation cycle (Tp) and generate one third data (C1) during the blood glucose value bioinformation generation cycle (Ts). During the blood glucose value bioinformation generation cycle (Ts), the blood glucose value is calculated from the third data (C1) based on sensitivity. During the bioinformation generation cycle (Tp), the second data (B1-B5) can be generated as the basis for the third data (C1). In the above example, the bioinformation generation cycle (Tp) can correspond to 1 minute, and the blood glucose value bioinformation generation cycle (Ts) can correspond to 5 minutes.

[0077] As described above, the third data generated in 5-minute intervals can undergo a noise removal process using filters. The filtered third data is then adapted to sensitivity and converted into biometric information, including blood glucose levels, which can then be output to the user.

[0078] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting and receiving biological information between a sensor transmitter and a terminal according to an embodiment.

[0079] Reference Figure 8 According to one embodiment, the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 can establish a communication connection to send and receive data including biological information. After establishing the communication connection, data can be sent and received. The sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 can be connected to each other via wired or wireless communication, and the communication connection can be established via USB communication, infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, etc.

[0080] Specifically, the sensor transmitter 100 and terminal 200 can send and receive data differently depending on whether a communication interruption occurs and a new communication connection is established (establishing an initial communication connection) or whether data is only sent and received after the initial communication connection is established. First, when the sensor transmitter 100 and terminal 200 establish a new communication connection while the communication is interrupted, the sensor transmitter 100 can advertise to the terminal (step S801). The sensor transmitter 100 can generate a specific signal for advertising and send this advertising signal to the terminal. Alternatively, the sensor transmitter 100 can advertise by periodically sending advertising messages to the terminal 200. The process of sending this advertising signal or advertising message can be called advertising. The terminal 200 can receive the advertising signal or advertising message and authenticate with the sensor transmitter 100 (step S803). For example, the sensor transmitter 100 and terminal 200 can verify whether they are valid devices using a hash value. Then, the sensor transmitter 100 and terminal 200 can establish a communication connection (step S805). A communication connection is a state in which data can be sent and received immediately without authentication or other initial communication processes. Sensor transmitter 100 and terminal 200 can send and receive data at any time in response to an advertisement during the establishment of a communication connection. To obtain data including biological information (e.g., 30 initial data points), terminal 200 can send an information request signal or information request message to sensor transmitter 100 (step S807). Upon receiving the information request signal or information request message, sensor transmitter 100 can respond by sending data including biological information (e.g., 30 initial data points) to terminal 200 (step S809).

[0081] Once the initial communication connection is established, data can be sent and received without further authentication. The sensor transmitter 100 can repeatedly, periodically, or aperiodically advertise advertising information to the terminal 200 during subsequent working periods (step S811). Repeated advertising can be performed by periodically or aperiodically sending advertising signals or messages to the terminal 200. The terminal 200 can send an information request message requesting data transmission to the sensor transmitter 100 in response to the advertising (step S813). The sensor transmitter 100 can transmit data in response to the information request signal or information request message (step S815).

[0082] Here, terminal 200 receives data from sensor transmitter 100 at any time, but only when sensor transmitter 100 is advertising; in this case, terminal 200 can only receive data in response to the advertisement. Sensor transmitter 100 can periodically or non-periodically send the advertising signal or message to terminal 200, thereby allowing terminal 200 to request and receive data. Furthermore, sensor transmitter 100 does not continuously send advertising signals or messages, but only during active mode, i.e., wake-up time. Therefore, data transmission and reception between sensor transmitter 100 and terminal 200 can only be performed during this active mode period (Tact). In inactive mode, i.e., during periods when it is not active, sensor transmitter 100 may remain in a waiting state without sending any data.

[0083] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a terminal providing a signal loss notification according to one embodiment.

[0084] Reference Figure 9 An example of a terminal providing a signal loss notification according to one embodiment can be shown. The terminal can provide notifications to the user in various situations. In particular, a method for a terminal to provide a notification when a communication failure occurs and a signal loss results therein is described in this invention, and this method will be described in detail below.

[0085] Here, a communication failure can refer to a state where data cannot be received even when the communication module (e.g., a Bluetooth communication module) is turned off or turned on due to some malfunction (e.g., when the distance between the sensor transmitter and the terminal increases). The former example could correspond to a situation where the communication connection between the sensor transmitter and the terminal is broken, while the latter example could correspond to a situation where data reception from the sensor transmitter to the terminal is interrupted when the communication connection is established. On the other hand, signal loss can refer to a state where data cannot be received regardless of whether the communication module is faulty. Communication failure considers both the operating state of the communication module and the lack of data reception, while signal loss only considers the lack of data reception without considering the communication module. From this perspective, the two may be conceptually different. The terminal can determine whether a communication failure has occurred by checking the operating state of the communication module and whether data has been received, and determine whether a signal loss has occurred by checking whether data has been received.

[0086] Specifically, during communication between the sensor transmitter and the terminal, a communication failure may occur at time point X1. The terminal can detect whether a communication failure has occurred through its communication unit. Furthermore, the terminal can wait for the first time period T1 without issuing a notification of signal loss (ALM). Even if the communication module is turned off or turned on, the terminal may still fail to receive data. Therefore, even if the sensor transmitter sends a signal or message to the terminal for advertising purposes, the terminal may still fail to receive the signal or message. Alternatively, even if the signal or message reaches the terminal, the terminal may still fail to send an information request message or receive the data, including biometric information, corresponding to the information request message. As described above, at the time points when the sensor transmitter is advertising, i.e., at advertising times AD11, AD12, and AD13, the terminal may not be able to receive data from the sensor transmitter.

[0087] When no communication failure occurs, advertising moments AD11, AD12, and AD13 can, in principle, include the following characteristics: Advertising moments AD11, AD12, and AD13 can be periodic or non-periodic. When advertising moments AD11, AD12, and AD13 are periodic, they can be formed at one-minute intervals. During advertising moments AD11, AD12, and AD13, the sensor transmitter can advertise to the terminal at one-minute intervals and send signals or information for that advertisement to the terminal. In addition to advertising, the sensor transmitter can also send data including biometric information to the terminal during advertising moments AD11, AD12, and AD13. Strictly speaking, when the sensor transmitter collects data from the sensor over a certain period, it can send this collected data to the terminal at any advertising moment AD11, AD12, or AD13. As shown in the example above, the sensor transmitter can collect and process data in 300-second (5-minute) increments and send it to the terminal. The sensor transmitter can continuously collect first data in 10-second increments, generate second data in 60-second (1-minute) increments, and generate third data in 300-second (5-minute) increments from the second data. When the sensor transmitter completes 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data (the third data) at any advertising time AD11, AD12, or AD13, it can send the entire 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data to the terminal at once. For example, if the sensor transmitter has already completed 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data at advertising time AD11, it can perform the advertisement without sending data at advertising times AD12 and AD13. If the sensor transmitter needs to complete 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data at advertising time AD11 but fails to do so, it can wait until the next advertising time AD12 or AD13 to complete 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data and send it to the terminal.

[0088] Advertising times AD11, AD12, and AD13 are repeated. Subsequently, advertising times AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25 can be formed at one-minute intervals. When the sensor transmitter completes 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data transmission to the terminal during advertising time AD13, the sensor transmitter can send data to the terminal again during advertising time AD25, 300 seconds (5 minutes) later. During other advertising times AD21, AD22, AD23, and AD24, the sensor transmitter can only conduct advertising without transmitting data. Here, advertising times AD11, AD12, and AD13 included in the first time period T1 can be named the first advertising times, and advertising times AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25 included in the second time period T2 can be named the second advertising times.

[0089] When a communication failure occurs, the terminal can immediately delay the generation and provision of a Notification of Loss of Signal (ALM) and wait. During the period of data reception interruption due to the communication failure, the terminal can continue to delay the notification and wait. For example, if the terminal fails to receive advertisements and data from the sensor transmitter during the first time period T1 (i.e., the first advertising time AD11, AD12, and AD13), the terminal can delay the ALM for the entire first time period T1 and wait. Then, once the first time period T1 has passed, the terminal can use its communication unit to detect whether the signal loss continues during the second time period T2. The terminal may still fail to receive advertisements and data from the sensor transmitter during the second advertising time AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25. If the signal loss continues during the second time period T2, the terminal can further delay the ALM during the second time period T2 and maintain the waiting operation from the first time period T1. Even after the first time period T1 has passed, the terminal can further determine whether the signal loss continues during the second time period T2 instead of issuing an ALM.

[0090] The terminal can only generate a signal loss notification (ALM) if the signal loss continues even after the second time period T2 has passed. Furthermore, the terminal can provide the signal loss notification (ALM) to the user through its output unit.

[0091] Here, the first time period T1 can be preset and varies depending on the number of first advertising moments AD11, AD12, and AD13 included. The more advertising moments, the longer the first time period T1 can be. Similarly, the second time period T2 can also be preset and varies depending on the number of second advertising moments AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25 included. The more advertising moments, the longer the second time period T2 can be. Preferably, the first time period T1 can be shorter than the second time period T2, thus including fewer advertising moments. In this figure, the first time period T1 is set to 3 minutes, and the second time period T2 is set to 5 minutes, thus including the corresponding first advertising moments AD11, AD12, and AD13 and second advertising moments AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25, respectively. However, it can also be set longer. For example, the first time period T1 can be set to 15 minutes, and the second time period T2 can be set to 25 minutes. The first time period T1 includes 15 advertising moments, and the second time period T2 includes 25 advertising moments.

[0092] Furthermore, since the first time period T1 is characterized by signal loss due to a communication failure occurring at time point X1, it can also be named the "communication failure segment". On the other hand, since the second time period T2 is the area for further determining whether the signal loss continues after the first time period T1, it can be named the "signal loss segment" to distinguish it from the first time period T1.

[0093] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to an embodiment.

[0094] Reference Figure 10 A method for providing signal loss notification to a terminal according to one embodiment can be illustrated. The terminal can detect a communication failure, set multiple delay periods for signal loss notification, determine whether the signal loss continues, and then provide signal loss notification.

[0095] The terminal's control unit can detect communication faults related to the sensor transmitter through the communication unit (step S1001).

[0096] During the first time period, the terminal's control unit can determine whether the signal loss caused by the communication failure, i.e., the inability to continuously receive data, continues. If the signal loss continues during the first time period, the terminal's control unit can delay the signal loss notification (step S1003). On the other hand, even during the delay of the signal loss notification during the first time period, the terminal's control unit can control the output unit to output biometric information. Even before the communication failure occurred, the terminal's output unit could display the biometric information to the user in the form of blood glucose levels, and even during the first time period after the communication failure occurred, the terminal's output unit can maintain the output of biometric information as is.

[0097] Furthermore, after the first time period has passed, the terminal's control unit can determine whether the signal loss continues during the second time period (step S1005). If the signal loss continues during the second time period, the terminal's control unit can further delay the signal loss notification during the second time period (step S1007). When the second time period has passed and the signal loss continues during the second time period, the terminal's control unit can generate a signal loss notification (step S1009). The terminal's output unit can output the generated signal loss notification to the user (step S1011).

[0098] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating in detail a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to an embodiment.

[0099] Reference Figure 11 A method for providing a signal loss notification by a terminal according to one embodiment can be illustrated in detail. To generate and output the signal loss notification, the terminal can delay the signal loss notification for multiple delay periods. During these periods, the terminal can determine whether a signal loss notification should be provided, and these determinations can be performed during the multiple delay periods. During a first period, the terminal can perform a determination (first determination) regarding whether to further ensure a delay period in the second period. Furthermore, during the waiting period in the second period, the terminal can perform a determination (second determination) regarding whether to end the delay period and generate the signal loss notification. In this illustration, the explanation will focus on the first determination performed by the terminal in the first period and the second determination performed in the second period.

[0100] The terminal's control unit can determine whether a communication failure has occurred (step S1101). When it is determined that no communication failure has occurred, the terminal can receive biometric information from the sensor transmitter at the advertising time ("No" in step S1101 and step S1113).

[0101] When a communication failure is determined to have occurred, the terminal can perform a first step (STEP1) including a first determination during a first time period. First, the terminal's control unit can delay the signal loss notification (step S1103). Furthermore, the terminal's control unit can perform a first determination regarding whether to extend a second time period. This means that since a second determination regarding whether to generate a signal loss notification is performed during the second time period, the first determination is a prerequisite for determining whether to begin the second determination. Therefore, even during the waiting period of the first time period, the terminal's control unit can determine whether the communication failure continues (first determination, step S1105). When it is determined that the communication failure does not continue, the terminal can receive biometric information from the sensor transmitter at the advertising time ("No" in step S1105 and step S1117).

[0102] When it is determined that the communication failure continues, the terminal can perform a second step (STEP2) including a second determination during the second time period. First, the terminal's control unit can delay the signal loss notification ("Yes" in step S1105 and step S1107). Then, the terminal's control unit can perform a second determination regarding whether to generate a signal loss notification. As described above, the second determination can only be performed when it is determined by the first determination that the communication failure continues and an additional second time period is required. Therefore, the terminal's control unit can determine whether the signal loss continues during the second time period (second determination, step S1111). When it is determined that the signal loss will not continue, the terminal can receive biometric information from the sensor transmitter during the advertising time ("No" in step S1111 and step S1113).

[0103] When it is determined that the signal loss continues, the control unit of the terminal can generate a signal loss notification and output it to the user ("Yes" in step S1111 and step S1111).

[0104] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to another embodiment.

[0105] Reference Figure 12 This can be illustrated as a method for a terminal to provide signal loss notification according to another embodiment. The above embodiment is also applicable to this embodiment; the differences will be highlighted below.

[0106] In one embodiment, the communication failure occurs at any time; however, in this embodiment, the communication failure may occur because the terminal cannot receive data at any advertising time. The former includes the communication module being in a turn-off state at any point in time, while the latter can include situations where the terminal cannot receive data at any advertising time regardless of the state of the communication module. Regarding the latter, the terminal can provide a signal loss notification in the following ways.

[0107] The terminal can periodically receive advertisements (messages) from the sensor transmitter (step S1201). The terminal can request and establish a communication connection with the sensor transmitter through the advertisement, and receive biological information from the sensor transmitter based on this request for biological information (steps S1203, S1205, and S1207).

[0108] During data transmission and reception, the terminal may be unable to receive data during a certain advertising moment. The terminal can delay the signal loss notification from the start of a certain advertising moment for a first time period (step S1209). The terminal can determine whether data reception has been suspended during all advertising moments included in the first time period.

[0109] When data reception is interrupted, i.e., the signal loss persists during the first time period and the first time period has passed, the terminal further determines whether the signal loss continues during the second time period (step S1211). Simultaneously, even during the second time period, the terminal can delay the signal loss notification. The terminal will only generate a signal loss notification when the signal loss persists during the second time period and the second time period has passed (step S1213). Furthermore, the terminal can output the signal loss notification to the user (step S1215).

[0110] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to yet another embodiment.

[0111] Reference Figure 13 This can be illustrated as a method for a terminal to provide signal loss notification according to yet another embodiment. The above embodiment is also applicable to this embodiment; the differences will be highlighted below.

[0112] In this embodiment, similar to another embodiment, when the communication failure persists during the first time period and the signal loss persists during the second time period, the terminal can delay the signal loss notification. However, even during the first time period, the terminal can still output at least one piece of biometric information. The time period during which at least one piece of biometric information is output can correspond to the first time period.

[0113] The terminal can receive biological information from the sensor transmitter and output the biological information to the user (steps S1301 and S1303). If a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter during this process, the terminal may delay outputting a signal loss notification (step S1305). Even during the delayed signal loss notification period, the terminal can still output at least one piece of biological information (step S1307). Even if a communication failure occurs and continues, the terminal will still output biological information.

[0114] After outputting at least one biometric information, the terminal can determine whether the signal loss continues for a certain period of time (step S1309). When the signal loss continues for the certain period of time, the terminal can generate a signal loss notification (step S1311). Here, since the certain period of time is the first period of time assigned as the period for outputting at least one biometric information, it can be equivalent to the second period of time. Furthermore, the terminal can output the signal loss notification to the user (step S1313).

[0115] The aspects of the objects described in this specification can be described within the context of computer-executable instructions such as program modules that execute on a computer. Typically, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform specific tasks or represent specific abstract data types.

[0116] Alternatively or additionally, at least some of the functions described in this specification may be performed by more than one hardware logic component. By way of example and not limitation, exemplary types of hardware logic components that may be used include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip systems (SoCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), etc.

[0117] On one hand, the disclosed embodiments can be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable programs and / or instructions. The instructions can be stored in the form of program code, which, when executed by a processor, can generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium can be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0118] Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media that store instructions that can be interpreted by a computer. Examples include ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage, etc.

[0119] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art can modify and alter the present invention in various ways by adding, changing, or deleting constituent elements without departing from the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims. This can also be said to be included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, wherein, include: When a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, the terminal will notify the steps during the first time period of signal loss. When the communication failure continues during the first time period, the terminal further determines whether the signal loss continues during the second time period; The step of the terminal generating the signal loss notification when the signal loss continues during the second time period; and The step of the terminal outputting a signal loss notification to the user.

2. The method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes the step of delaying the signal loss during the second time period. The steps for generating the signal loss notification are as follows: The signal loss notification is generated based on the determination of whether the signal loss continues during the second time period.

3. The method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system according to claim 2, wherein, The steps for determining whether signal loss persists during the second time period are as follows: Based on the data received from the sensor transmitter to the terminal during the second time period, the duration of the signal loss is determined. The steps for generating the signal loss notification are as follows: The signal loss notification is generated when data reception from the sensor transmitter to the terminal is interrupted during the second time period.

4. The method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system according to claim 2, wherein, It also includes a step of determining whether the communication failure persists during the first time period.

5. The method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system according to claim 4, wherein, The steps to determine whether the communication failure persisted during the first time period are as follows: The persistence of the communication failure is determined based on the communication failure including the disconnection of the communication connection between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, or the interruption of data reception from the sensor transmitter to the terminal when the communication connection is established.

6. The method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system according to claim 1, wherein, The first time period is shorter than the second time period.

7. The method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system according to claim 1, wherein, The steps for delaying the signal loss notification during the first time period are as follows: Biological information is also output during the first period of the signal loss notification delay.

8. A method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, which serves as a terminal for providing signal loss notification from a sensor transmitter attached to the human body, wherein, include: The step of receiving an advertisement from the sensor transmitter; The steps for establishing a communication connection with the sensor transmitter; The step of requesting the biometric information from the sensor transmitter in response to the advertisement; The step of receiving the biological information from the sensor transmitter; When a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, the terminal will notify the steps during the first time period of signal loss. When the communication failure continues during the first time period, the terminal further determines whether the signal loss continues during the second time period; The step of the terminal generating the signal loss notification when the signal loss continues during the second time period; and The step of the terminal outputting a signal loss notification to the user.

9. The method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system according to claim 8, wherein, The advertisement is transmitted from the sensor transmitter to the terminal at each advertising moment in the first and second time periods. The first time period includes fewer advertising slots than the second time period.

10. A method for a terminal to provide signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, wherein, include: The steps from receiving biological information from sensor transmitters attached to the body; The step of outputting the biological information; When a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, the step of delaying signal loss notification is performed. During the period of the delayed signal loss notification, at least one step of outputting biological information is also included; After outputting the at least one biological information, the step of determining whether the signal loss continues for a certain period of time; The step of generating the signal loss notification when the signal loss continues during the specified time period; and The step of outputting the signal loss notification to the user.

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