Method of providing notification of signal loss in glucose monitoring system

Abstract

To accurately determine the occurrence of signal loss.SOLUTION: An embodiment may provide a method of providing a notification of signal loss in a glucose monitoring system, the method including: when a communication failure occurs between a terminal and a sensor transmitter, delaying a signal loss notification for a first period of time by the terminal; when the communication failure persists for the first period of time, further determining whether signal loss persists for a second period of time by the terminal; when the signal loss persists for the second period of time, generating the signal loss notification by the terminal; and outputting, by the terminal, the signal loss notification to a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present embodiment provides notification of signal loss in a blood glucose measurement system, and more particularly, relates to a technology for providing notification of signal loss when data transmission and reception between a sensor transmitter and a terminal is interrupted due to a communication failure or signal loss. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, advances in medical technology have led to the development and sale of various medical devices that can be attached to the user's body. Medical devices that can be attached to the skin of a patient with a chronic disease can be useful for monitoring biological information and providing treatment.

[0003] For example, chronic diseases such as diabetes require continuous management, and medical devices attached to the skin to measure blood glucose can be used to monitor the blood glucose levels of diabetic patients. Diabetes is characterized by the absence of noticeable symptoms in the early stages, but as the disease progresses, specific symptoms of diabetes appear, such as excessive drinking, excessive eating, excessive urination, weight loss, general fatigue, itchy skin, and slow healing of wounds on the hands and feet. As diabetes progresses, complications such as vision impairment, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, periodontal disease, muscle spasms, neuralgia, and gangrene appear. Diagnosing diabetes and managing it to prevent complications requires systematic blood glucose monitoring and treatment.

[0004] Various medical device manufacturers offer a variety of blood glucose monitors for people with diabetes and those who do not have diabetes but have higher than normal levels of sugar in their blood.

[0005] There are two types of blood glucose monitors: one in which the user draws blood from the tip of a finger and measures blood glucose one time, and one in which the monitor is attached to the user's abdomen or arm and measures blood glucose continuously.

[0006] Diabetic patients generally experience alternating periods of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and emergency situations occur during hypoglycemia, which can lead to loss of consciousness or even death if the hypoglycemic state continues for a long period without a sugar supply. Therefore, it is extremely important for diabetics to detect hypoglycemia immediately, but blood glucose meters that measure blood glucose intermittently have limitations in their ability to accurately detect this.

[0007] Recently, to overcome these limitations, a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) has been developed and is being used, which is inserted into the body and measures blood glucose levels every few minutes.To minimize the pain and discomfort felt by users when drawing blood, a continuous glucose monitoring system measures blood glucose continuously by inserting a needle-shaped transcutaneous sensor into areas such as the abdomen or arm where pain is relatively less.

[0008] The continuous blood glucose monitoring system comprises a sensor transmitter that is inserted into the user's skin to measure blood glucose levels inside the body and transmit the measured blood glucose levels, and a terminal that outputs the transmitted blood glucose levels.

[0009] Meanwhile, the device can send various notifications to the user regarding the blood glucose level output. Notifications can occur depending on conditions related to changes in blood glucose levels, the environment in which the sensor transmitter is used, etc. The user can set the conditions for notifications and the notification output method (e.g., sound, vibration, notification cycle, etc.) through the device, and can receive notifications according to those settings.

[0010] Basically, the terminal can provide a notification to the user when a signal loss with the sensor transmitter occurs. Signal loss can mean that the terminal is unable to receive data from the sensor transmitter. Furthermore, since notifications inform the user of important situations in blood glucose management, it is important that they are provided in a timely and accurate manner. However, if notifications sound too frequently, the user may be distracted by the notification. Conversely, if notifications sound too infrequently, the user may not notice the notification. Therefore, in order to provide a signal loss notification in a continuous blood glucose monitoring system, it is necessary to accurately detect the occurrence of signal loss and output the resulting notification in a timely manner. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] In this context, one objective of the present embodiment is to accurately determine the occurrence of a signal loss and provide a timely notification of the signal loss.

[0012] In this context, another object of the present embodiment is to provide notification of signal loss after a period of time during which the notification is deferred to determine signal loss. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above object, one embodiment may provide a method for providing a signal loss notification in a blood glucose measurement system, including: when a communication failure occurs between a terminal and a sensor transmitter, the terminal delays a signal loss notification for a first period of time; when the communication failure continues for the first period of time, the terminal determines whether the signal loss continues for a second period of time; when the signal loss continues for the second period of time, the terminal generates the signal loss notification; and the terminal outputs the signal loss notification to a user.

[0014] In the above method, the method may further include a step of delaying the signal loss notification for the second period of time, and the step of generating the signal loss notification may generate the signal loss notification depending on the result of determining whether the signal loss continues for the second period of time.

[0015] In the above method, the step of determining whether signal loss continues during the second period may determine the continuity of the signal loss based on data reception of the terminal from the sensor transmitter during the second period, and the step of generating the signal loss notification may generate the signal loss notification when data reception of the terminal from the sensor transmitter is interrupted during the second period.

[0016] The above method may further include the step of determining whether the communication failure continues for the first period of time.

[0017] In the above method, the step of determining whether the communication failure continues during the first period can determine the continuity of the communication failure based on the communication failure, including when the communication connection between the terminal and the sensor transmitter is disconnected, or when the terminal's reception of data from the sensor transmitter is interrupted while the communication connection is established.

[0018] In the above method, the first period may be shorter than the second period.

[0019] In the above method, the step of delaying the signal loss notification for the first period of time can include outputting biological information during the first period of time during which the signal loss notification is delayed.

[0020] Another embodiment may provide a method for a terminal receiving biological information from a sensor transmitter attached to a body to provide a notification of a signal loss, the method including: 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; if a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, the terminal delaying a signal loss notification for a first period of time; if the communication failure continues for the first period of time, the terminal determining whether the signal loss continues for a second period of time; if the signal loss continues for the second period of time, the terminal generating the signal loss notification; and the terminal outputting the signal loss notification to a user.

[0021] In the above method, the advertisements may be transmitted from the sensor transmitter to the terminal for each advertisement timing over the first period and the second period, and the first period may include a smaller number of advertisement timings than the advertisement timings included in the second period.

[0022] Yet another embodiment can provide a method for a terminal to provide a notification of signal loss in a blood glucose measurement system, the method including the steps of receiving biological information from a sensor transmitter attached to a body, outputting the biological information, delaying a signal loss notification when a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, outputting at least one piece of biological information while delaying the signal loss notification, determining whether 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 signal loss continues for the certain period of time, and outputting the signal loss notification to a user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by waiting for a certain period of time to postpone notification and simultaneously determining whether or not a signal loss has occurred, it is possible to accurately determine the occurrence of a signal loss and provide a timely notification to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for schematically illustrating a blood glucose measurement system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an applicator for attaching a sensor transmitter to a human body according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating a process of attaching a sensor transmitter to a human body using an applicator according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a sensor transmitter according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating biometric information generated by a sensor transmitter according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a data packet being generated in a sensor transmitter according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting and receiving biological information between a sensor transmitter and a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example in which a terminal provides a notification of signal loss according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a terminal to provide notification of signal loss according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a signal loss notification by a terminal according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a notification of signal loss according to another embodiment. [Figure 13]10 is a diagram illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a notification of signal loss according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] When describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related publicly known functions will be omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would be obvious to a person skilled in the art and would unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0026] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be understood that in this application, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, and do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0027] The terms "first," "second," etc. are merely identifiers for distinguishing between identical or corresponding components, and the identical or corresponding components are not limited by the terms "first," "second," etc.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components will be given the same drawing numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram for schematically explaining a blood glucose measurement system according to one embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a blood glucose measuring system (hereinafter referred to as the “system”) 10 according to one embodiment may include a sensor transmitter 100 and a terminal 200.

[0031] The sensor transmitter 100 is attached to the human body B, and when the sensor transmitter 100 is attached to the human body B, one end of the sensor of the sensor transmitter 100 is inserted into the skin and can periodically extract body fluids from the human body to measure blood glucose.

[0032] The terminal 200 can receive a biological signal including blood glucose information from the sensor transmitter 100, generate blood glucose information from the biological signal, and output the information to a user. The terminal 200 may include various devices such as, but is not limited to, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a desktop, or a laptop, and may include a device that has a communication interface capable of communicating with the sensor transmitter 100 and on which programs and applications can be installed.

[0033] The sensor transmitter 100 can transmit the measured biosignal to the terminal 200 at the request of the terminal 200 or periodically at set time intervals. To perform data communication between the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200, the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 may be connected to each other by a wired connection such as a USB cable, or may be connected wirelessly by infrared communication, NFC communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an applicator for attaching a sensor transmitter to a human body according to one embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the process of attaching a sensor transmitter to a human body using an applicator according to one embodiment.

[0035] 2 and 3, an applicator 300 according to one embodiment includes a sensor transmitter 100 therein, and is operated by a user to eject the sensor transmitter 100 to the outside and attach it to a specific part of the user's body. The applicator 300 is formed in a shape with one open side, and the sensor transmitter 100 is attached to the applicator 300 via the open side of the applicator 300.

[0036] When attaching the sensor transmitter 100 to a part of the body using the applicator 300, in order to insert one end of the sensor provided in the sensor transmitter 100 into the skin, the applicator 300 may include a needle (not shown) formed to surround one end of the sensor inside, a first elastic member (not shown) that pushes both the needle and one end of the sensor into the skin, and a second elastic member (not shown) that withdraws only the needle. With this configuration of the applicator 300, the needle and one end of the sensor can be inserted into the skin simultaneously by releasing the compression of the first elastic member (not shown) that is arranged in a compressed state inside the applicator 300. Once the one end of the sensor is inserted into the skin, the compressed second elastic member (not shown) is released, thereby withdrawing only the needle. A user can safely and easily attach the sensor transmitter 100 to the skin using the applicator 300.

[0037] Considering the process of attaching the applicator 300 to the human body B in detail, with the protective cap (not shown) removed, the open side of the applicator 300 is brought into close contact with the skin S of the human body B at a specific location. When the applicator 300 is operated with the applicator 300 in close contact with the skin S of the human body B in this manner, the sensor transmitter 100 is discharged from the applicator 300 and attached to the skin S. Here, one end of the sensor 101 is disposed at the bottom of the sensor transmitter 100 so as to be exposed from the sensor transmitter 100, and a portion of the one end of the sensor 101 is inserted into the skin S via a needle provided on the applicator 300. In this way, the sensor transmitter 100 can be attached to the skin S with one end of the sensor 101 inserted into the skin S.

[0038] Here, the surface of the sensor transmitter 100 that comes into contact with 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. In this way, when the applicator 300 is separated from the skin S of the human body B, the sensor transmitter 100 is fixedly attached to the skin S of the human body B by the adhesive tape.

[0039] Thereafter, when power is applied to the sensor transmitter 100, the sensor transmitter 100 communicates with the terminal and can transmit a biological signal including blood glucose information to the terminal. The sensor transmitter 100 can generate various types of biological information in addition to blood glucose information, and the following description will be given assuming that blood glucose information is measured as an example of biological information.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a sensor transmitter according to an embodiment.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, a sensor transmitter 100 according to an embodiment may include a sensor module 110, a sensor communication unit 120, a sensor control unit 130, and a sensor storage unit 140.

[0042] The sensor module 110 may include at least one sensor that is inserted into the human body to sense a bio-quantity. The at least one sensor can measure the bio-quantity and generate a bio-signal. The bio-signal may include a current value as an analog signal.

[0043] The sensor communication unit 120 can transmit and receive data or information to and from the terminal. For example, the sensor communication unit 120 can transmit a biological signal transmitted from the sensor module 110 or data (e.g., biological information) stored in the sensor storage unit 140 to the terminal.

[0044] The sensor control unit 130 can control the overall configuration of the sensor transmitter 100, including the sensor module 110, the sensor storage unit 140, and the sensor communication unit 120. For example, the sensor control unit 130 can receive a control signal from a terminal and control the configuration of the sensor transmitter 100 in response to the control signal. The sensor control unit 130 can also process the biosignal. For example, the sensor control unit 130 can convert the biosignal into an analog or digital form, or perform processing to remove noise as necessary.

[0045] The sensor storage unit 140 can store data or information. For example, the sensor storage unit 140 can store data on a biological quantity measured by the sensor module 110 (e.g., a current value of a biological signal or its digital data) or data received from a terminal (e.g., a command value of a control signal).

[0046] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 5, a terminal 200 according to an embodiment may include an output unit 210, a communication unit 220, a control unit 230, and a storage unit 240.

[0048] The output unit 210 can output the biological information (e.g., blood glucose information) included in the biological signal so that the user can check it. For example, the output unit 210 can display the blood glucose information as numerical values ​​(values) or even as a graph processed from the numerical values.

[0049] The communication unit 220 can communicate with the sensor communication unit of the sensor transmitter to transmit and receive data or information. For example, the communication unit 220 can receive a biosignal including information (biometric information) on a biometric quantity measured by the sensor transmitter. Here, the communication unit 220 can receive a biosignal that has been primarily processed from the sensor transmitter. Preferably, the processed biosignal may include discrete data (discontinuous data) in which a current value, which is an analog signal, is digitally converted. When the current value is sampled every cycle, digital discrete data can be generated. Alternatively, the communication unit 220 can transmit a control signal for controlling the sensor transmitter to the sensor transmitter.

[0050] The storage unit 240 can store data or information. For example, the storage unit 240 can store data (e.g., biological information) received from a sensor transmitter. Here, the biological information includes blood glucose information and may also include digital data communication indicating a current value. Alternatively, the storage unit 240 can store data input by a user or environment setting data for setting the operating environment of the terminal.

[0051] The control unit 230 may include at least one processor that executes a program for providing notification of signal loss in the blood glucose measurement system, and at least one memory that stores the program. The memory and processor included in the control unit 230 may be integrated on a single chip or may be physically separated.

[0052] The memory may be implemented as a non-volatile memory element such as a ROM (read only memory), a PROM (programmable ROM), an EPROM (erasable programmable ROM), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM) or a flash memory, or a volatile memory element such as a RAM (random access memory) to store various programs, data and / or information.

[0053] The control unit 230 can also generate a blood glucose level, which is blood glucose information digitized from the biological information. To this end, the control unit 230 can acquire biological information in the form of a current value from the sensor transmitter and preprocess and / or process the current value of the biological information. The control unit 230 may first calculate a sensitivity and generate a blood glucose level according to this sensitivity.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of biometric information generated by a sensor transmitter according to an embodiment.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, a sensor transmitter according to an embodiment can generate biological information. Specifically, the sensor transmitter can acquire an analog (continuous) biological signal indicating a current value at predetermined intervals and generate digital (discontinuous) data indicating the current value by sampling the biological signal. The generated data can be processed by the sensor transmitter to generate biological information. Hereinafter, the description will be given assuming that the sensor transmitter generates and processes digital data from the biological signal to generate biological information, but this is not limited thereto, and the processing may be performed in part or in whole by the sensor transmitter depending on the embodiment.

[0056] For example, the sensor transmitter may acquire an analog biosignal (e.g., a current value), measure the biosignal every 10 seconds, and process the measured biosignal to generate a single piece of first data. Specifically, the sensor transmitter may measure (sample) the biosignal 30 times every 10 seconds to generate digital data. The sensor transmitter may remove the highest and lowest data from the 30 pieces of data, calculate an average value A1 of the remaining data, and determine this average value A1 as the single piece of first data. The first data, which is data of the average value A1 calculated in this way, is generated every 10 seconds, and as shown in the figure, six average values ​​A1 to A6, i.e., six pieces of first data, may be generated per minute.

[0057] Furthermore, the sensor transmitter can process 30 pieces of first data for 300 seconds (5 minutes).

[0058] The sensor transmitter can again generate an average value B1 using the six first data (average values ​​A1 to A6). When generating the average value B1, the terminal can also remove the higher and lower data from the six average values ​​A1 to A6 and generate an average value B1 of the remaining data. The second data, which is the data of the average value B1 calculated in this way, is generated in one-minute increments, and as shown in the figure, one average value B1, i.e., one second data, can be generated per minute.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second example in which biological information is generated by a sensor transmitter according to an embodiment.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 7, in a sensor transmitter according to one embodiment, second data can be processed to generate biometric information. In the example described above, the sensor transmitter can obtain five second data B1 in one-minute increments from six first data in ten-second increments. The sensor transmitter can also generate an average value C1 using the five second data (average values ​​B1 to B5). When generating the average value C1, the terminal can also remove the higher and lower data from the five average values ​​B1 to B5 and generate an average value C1 of the remaining data. The third data, which is data of the average value C1 calculated in this way, is generated in five-minute increments, and one average value C1, i.e., one piece of third data, can be generated every five minutes as shown in the figure.

[0061] Here, the terminal generates second data B1 to B5 in order during the blood glucose level biological information generation cycle Tp, and can generate one piece of third data C1 during the blood glucose level biological information generation cycle Ts. During the blood glucose level biological information generation cycle Ts, the blood glucose level is calculated from the third data C1 through sensitivity, and during the biological information generation cycle Tp, the terminal can generate second data B1 to B5 that form the basis of the third data C1. In the above example, the biological information generation cycle Tp corresponds to 1 minute, and the blood glucose level biological information generation cycle Ts corresponds to 5 minutes.

[0062] The third data generated every 5 minutes can be filtered to remove noise, and the filtered third data can be converted into biometric information including blood glucose levels by applying sensitivity, and the biometric information can be output to the user.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting and receiving biological information between a sensor transmitter and a terminal according to an embodiment.

[0064] 8, the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 according to an embodiment may be connected to each other for communication to transmit and receive data including biometric information. After the communication connection is established, data can be transmitted and received. The sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 may be connected to each other via wired or wireless communication, and may be connected to each other via USB communication, infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, or the like.

[0065] Specifically, the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 may transmit and receive data differently depending on whether a new communication connection is established after communication is interrupted (initial communication connection) or whether only data is transmitted and received after the initial communication connection. First, when the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 establish a new communication connection in a communication interrupted state, the sensor transmitter 100 may advertise to the terminal (step S801). The sensor transmitter 100 may generate a certain signal for advertising and transmit such advertising signal to the terminal. Alternatively, the sensor transmitter 100 may advertise by periodically transmitting an advertising message to the terminal 200. The process of transmitting such advertising signal or advertising message may be called advertisement. The terminal 200 may receive the advertising signal or advertising message and perform authentication with the sensor transmitter 100 (step S803). For example, the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 may authenticate that they are valid devices through a hash value. Furthermore, the sensor transmitter 100 and the 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 going through an initial communication process such as authentication, and the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 can send and receive data at any time in response to an advertisement while the communication connection is established. The terminal 200 can send an information request signal or an information request message to the sensor transmitter 100 to obtain data including biometric information (e.g., 30 first data items) (step S807). In response to receiving the information request signal or the information request message, the sensor transmitter 100 can send data including biometric information (e.g., 30 first data items) to the terminal 200 (step S809).

[0066] Once the initial communication is established, data can be transmitted and received in the established communication connection state without a separate authentication process. The sensor transmitter 100 can repeatedly advertise an advertisement message to the terminal 200 periodically or aperiodically in the next operation period (step S811). The repeated advertisement can be performed by periodically or aperiodically transmitting an advertisement signal or an advertisement message to the terminal 200. The terminal 200 can transmit an information request message to the sensor transmitter 100 in response to the advertisement, requesting data transmission (step S813). The sensor transmitter 100 can transmit data in response to the information request signal or information request message (step S815).

[0067] Here, the terminal 200 may receive data from the sensor transmitter 100 at any time, and may receive data in response to the advertisement only if the sensor transmitter 100 advertises. The sensor transmitter 100 may transmit this advertisement signal or advertisement message to the terminal 200 periodically or aperiodically, allowing the terminal 200 to request and receive data accordingly. Furthermore, the sensor transmitter 100 may transmit the advertisement signal or advertisement message only in an active mode, i.e., while awake, rather than continuously. Therefore, data transmission and reception between the sensor transmitter 100 and the terminal 200 may also be performed only during this active mode period Tact. The sensor transmitter 100 may wait without transmitting any data during an inactive mode, i.e., a period when not in an active mode.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a terminal according to an embodiment provides a notification of a signal loss.

[0069] 9 illustrates an example in which a terminal according to an embodiment provides a notification of a signal loss. The terminal may provide a notification to a user under various conditions. In particular, the present invention describes a method in which a terminal provides a notification when a communication failure and a resulting signal loss occur, and the method will be described in detail below.

[0070] Here, a communication failure may refer to a state in which data cannot be received due to some kind of failure (e.g., when the distance between the sensor transmitter and the terminal increases) even if the communication module (e.g., a Bluetooth communication module) is turned off or on. The former example corresponds to a case in which the communication connection between the sensor transmitter and the terminal is disconnected, and the latter example corresponds to a case in which data reception from the sensor transmitter to the terminal is interrupted even when the communication connection is established. On the other hand, a signal loss may refer to a state in which data cannot be received regardless of a communication module failure. The two are conceptually different in that a communication failure takes into account both the operating status of the communication module and the absence of data reception, while a signal loss takes into account only the absence of data reception without taking the communication module into account. The terminal can determine the presence or absence of a communication failure based on the operating status of the communication module and whether or not data is received, and can determine the presence or absence of a signal loss based on whether or not data is received.

[0071] Specifically, a communication failure may occur at time X1 during communication between the sensor transmitter and the terminal. The terminal may detect whether the communication failure has occurred through the communication unit. In addition, the terminal may wait for a first period T1 without issuing a notification for signal loss (signal loss notification (ALM)). Even if the communication module is turned off or on, the terminal may not be able to receive data. Therefore, even if the sensor transmitter transmits a signal or message for advertising to the terminal, the terminal may not be able to receive the signal or message. Alternatively, even if the signal or message reaches the terminal, the terminal may not be able to transmit an information request message or receive data containing biometric information corresponding to the information request message. As described above, the terminal may not be able to receive data from the sensor transmitter at the time when the sensor transmitter performs advertising, i.e., at advertising timings AD11, AD12, and AD13.

[0072] In principle, if no communication failure occurs, the advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13 may have the following characteristics. The advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13 may be periodic or aperiodic. If the advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13 are periodic, they may be formed at one-minute intervals. At the advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13, i.e., at one-minute intervals, the sensor transmitter may advertise to the terminal and transmit a signal or message for this advertisement to the terminal. In addition to the advertisement, the sensor transmitter may transmit data containing biometric information to the terminal at the advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13. Strictly speaking, if the sensor transmitter collects data from the sensor for a certain period of time, it may transmit the collected data to the terminal at any of the advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13. As in the above example, the sensor transmitter may collect and process data for 300 seconds (5 minutes) and transmit it to the terminal. The sensor transmitter continuously collects first data in 10-second increments, generates second data in 60-second (1-minute) increments from the first data, and generates third data in 300-second (5-minute) increments from the second data. When 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data (third data) is completed at any of the advertising timings AD11, AD12, and AD13, the sensor transmitter can transmit the 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data to the terminal all at once. For example, if the sensor transmitter has already completed 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data at advertising timing AD11, it can only perform advertising without transmitting data at advertising timings AD12 and AD13. If the sensor transmitter was required to complete 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data at advertising timing AD11 but was unable to do so, it can complete the 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data by the next advertising timing AD12 or AD13 and transmit it to the terminal.

[0073] Advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13 are repeated, and thereafter, advertisement timings AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25 may also be formed at 1-minute intervals. If the sensor transmitter completes and transmits 300 seconds (5 minutes) of data to the terminal at advertisement timing AD13, the sensor transmitter can transmit data to the terminal again at advertisement timing AD25, 300 seconds (5 minutes) later. At other advertisement timings AD21, AD22, AD23, and AD24, the sensor transmitter can only advertise without transmitting data. Here, advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13 included in the first period T1 may be referred to as first advertisement timings, and advertisement timings AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25 included in the second period T2 may be referred to as second advertisement timings.

[0074] When a communication failure occurs, the terminal may immediately delay generating and providing a signal loss notification (ALM) and wait. The terminal may continue to wait while delaying the notification while data reception is interrupted due to the communication failure. For example, if the terminal is unable to receive advertisements and data from the sensor transmitter during the first period T1, i.e., the first advertising timings AD11, AD12, and AD13, the terminal may wait while delaying the signal loss notification (ALM) during the first period T1. After the first period T1 has elapsed, the terminal may detect whether signal loss continues during the second period T2 via the communication unit. The terminal may still be unable to receive advertisements and data from the sensor transmitter during the second advertising timings AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25. If signal loss continues during the second period T2, the terminal may further delay the signal loss notification (ALM) during the second period T2 and maintain the standby operation of the first period T1. Rather than sounding a loss of signal notification (ALM) because the first time period T1 has elapsed, the terminal may determine whether the loss of signal continues for a second time period T2.

[0075] Only if the signal loss persists after the second period T2 has elapsed, the terminal may generate an ALM and may provide the ALM to the user via an output unit.

[0076] Here, the first period T1 can be preset and may vary depending on how many first advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13 are included. The more advertisement timings there are, the longer the first period T1 can be. The second period T2 can also be preset and may vary depending on how many second advertisement timings AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25 are included. The more advertisement timings there are, the longer the second period T2 can be. Preferably, the first period T1 may be shorter than the second period T2, thereby allowing for fewer advertisement timings to be included. Also, in this drawing, the first period T1 is set to 3 minutes and the second period T2 is set to 5 minutes, respectively, and includes the corresponding first advertisement timings AD11, AD12, and AD13 and the corresponding second advertisement timings AD21, AD22, AD23, AD24, and AD25, respectively, but they may be set longer. For example, the first period T1 may be set to 15 minutes, and the second period T2 may be set to 25 minutes. The first period T1 includes 15 advertisement timings, and the second period T2 includes 25 advertisement timings.

[0077] The first period T1 is also sometimes called the "communication failure period" because signal loss occurred due to a communication failure that occurred at time X1. Meanwhile, the second period T2 is a period in which it is determined whether signal loss continues following the first period T1, so it is sometimes called the "signal loss period" to distinguish it independently from the first period T1.

[0078] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a terminal to provide notification of a signal loss according to an embodiment.

[0079] 10 illustrates a method for providing a signal loss notification by a terminal according to an embodiment. The terminal may detect a communication failure, provide multiple grace periods for the signal loss notification, and determine whether the signal loss continues, and then provide the signal loss notification.

[0080] The control unit of the terminal can detect a communication failure in relation to the sensor transmitter via the communication unit (step S1001).

[0081] During the first period, the control unit of the terminal can determine whether signal loss due to communication failure, i.e., a state in which data cannot be continuously received, continues. If signal loss continues during the first period, the control unit of the terminal can delay signal loss notification (step S1003). Meanwhile, even while the signal loss notification is delayed during the first period, the control unit of the terminal can control the output unit to output biological information. Even before the communication failure occurs, the output unit of the terminal can display the biological information to the user in the form of a blood glucose level, and even during the first period after the communication failure occurs, the output unit of the terminal can continue to output the biological information.

[0082] Furthermore, after the first period has elapsed, the terminal control unit may determine whether signal loss continues for a second period (step S1005). If signal loss continues for the second period, the terminal control unit may delay the signal loss notification for an additional second period (step S1007). If signal loss continues for the second period after the second period has elapsed, the terminal control unit may generate a signal loss notification (step S1009). The terminal output unit may output the generated signal loss notification to the user (step S1011).

[0083] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to an embodiment.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 11, a method for providing a signal loss notification by a terminal according to one embodiment is shown in detail. The terminal may delay the signal loss notification for a plurality of grace periods in order to generate and output the signal loss notification. During this period, the terminal may determine whether to provide the signal loss notification, and may make this determination during a plurality of grace periods. During the first period, the terminal may make a first determination as to whether to secure an additional grace period for a second period. Also, while waiting for the second period, the terminal may make a second determination as to whether to terminate the grace period and generate a signal loss notification. In this drawing, the first determination made by the terminal during the first period and the second determination made during the second period will be mainly described.

[0085] The control unit of the terminal can determine whether a communication failure has occurred (step S1101). If it is determined that a communication failure has not occurred, the terminal can receive biological information from the sensor transmitter at the advertisement timing (NO in step S1101 and step S1113).

[0086] If it is determined that a communication failure has occurred, the terminal may perform a first step (STEP 1) including a first determination during the first period. First, the control unit of the terminal may delay the signal loss notification (step S1103). In addition, the control unit of the terminal may perform a first determination of whether to add a second period. This may mean that the first determination is a prerequisite for determining whether to start the second determination, since a second determination is made during the second period regarding whether to generate a signal loss notification. Therefore, the control unit of the terminal may determine whether the communication failure continues even while waiting during the first period (first determination, step S1105). If it is determined that the communication failure does not continue, the terminal may receive biological information from the sensor transmitter at the advertisement timing (NO in step S1105 and step S1117).

[0087] If it is determined that the communication failure continues, the terminal may perform a second step (STEP 2) including a second determination during the second period. First, the terminal control unit may delay the signal loss notification (YES in step S1105 and step S1107). Also, the terminal control unit may perform a second determination regarding whether to generate a signal loss notification. As described above, the second determination may be performed only if it is determined through the first determination that the communication failure will continue into the second period. Therefore, the terminal control unit may determine whether the signal loss continues during the second period (second determination, step S1111). If it is determined that the signal loss does not continue, the terminal may receive biometric information from the sensor transmitter at the advertisement timing (NO in step S1111 and step S1113).

[0088] If it is determined that the signal loss continues, the control unit of the terminal can generate and output a signal loss notification to the user (YES in step S1111 and step S1111).

[0089] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a notification of a signal loss according to another embodiment.

[0090] 12, a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to another embodiment is shown. The above-described embodiment is also commonly applied to this embodiment, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0091] In one embodiment, a communication failure occurs at any time, but in this embodiment, a communication failure may occur because the terminal is unable to receive data at any advertised timing. The former means that the communication module is turned off at any time, while the latter means that the terminal is unable to receive data at the advertised timing regardless of the state of the communication module. In the latter case, the terminal provides a signal loss notification in the following manner.

[0092] 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 can request and receive biometric information from the sensor transmitter based on the request (steps S1203, S1205, and S1207).

[0093] During data transmission and reception, the terminal may be unable to receive data at one advertisement timing. The terminal may delay a signal loss notification for a first period from one advertisement timing (step S1209). The terminal may determine whether data reception is interrupted at all advertisement timings included in the first period.

[0094] If the interruption of data reception, i.e., signal loss, continues for a first period and the first period has elapsed, the terminal may determine whether the signal loss continues for a second period (step S1211). At the same time, the terminal may delay the signal loss notification during the second period. Only if the signal loss continues for the second period and the second period has elapsed may the terminal generate a signal loss notification (step S1213). Also, the terminal may output the signal loss notification to the user (step S1215).

[0095] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method for a terminal to provide a notification of a signal loss according to yet another embodiment.

[0096] 13, a method for a terminal to provide a signal loss notification according to another embodiment is shown. The above-described embodiment is also commonly applied to this embodiment, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0097] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, if a communication failure continues for a first period and a signal loss continues for a second period, the terminal may delay a signal loss notification. However, the terminal here may output at least one piece of biometric information even during the first period. Even during the first period in which a communication failure occurs, the terminal may output at least one piece of biometric information. The period in which at least one piece of biometric information is output corresponds to the first period.

[0098] The terminal can receive biometric information from the sensor transmitter and output this biometric information to the user (steps S1301 and S1303). If a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter at that time, the terminal can delay outputting a signal loss notification (step S1305). The terminal can output at least one piece of biometric information even while delaying the signal loss notification (step S1307). Even if a communication failure occurs and continues, the terminal outputs biometric information.

[0099] After outputting at least one piece of biometric information, the terminal may determine whether signal loss continues for a certain period of time (step S1309). If signal loss continues for the certain period of time, the terminal may generate a signal loss notification (step S1311). Here, the certain period of time is a period added to the first period during which at least one piece of biometric information is output, and therefore may correspond to the second period of time. In addition, the terminal may output the signal loss notification to the user (step S1313).

[0100] Aspects of the subject matter described herein may be described in the context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or perform particular abstract data types.

[0101] Alternatively or additionally, the functionality described herein may be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. By way of example and not limitation, exemplary types of hardware logic components that may be used include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), etc.

[0102] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing a program and / or instructions executable by a computer. The instructions are stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, they may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0103] The computer-readable recording medium includes any type of recording medium that stores computer-readable instructions, such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0104] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, a person having ordinary skill in the art may modify and change the present invention in various ways by adding, changing, or deleting components within the scope of the concept of the present invention as set forth in the claims, and this also falls within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. When a communication failure occurs between the terminal and a sensor transmitter, the terminal delays a signal loss notification for a first period of time; If the communication failure continues for the first time period, the terminal determines whether a signal loss continues for a second time period; generating the signal loss notification by the terminal if the signal loss continues for the second period of time; the terminal outputting the loss of signal notification to a user; 12. A method for providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system comprising:

2. delaying the loss of signal notification for the second period of time; The step of generating a loss of signal notification comprises: generating the loss of signal notification in response to determining whether a loss of signal has persisted for the second period of time; 10. The method of providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system of claim 1.

3. The step of determining whether the loss of signal continues for the second period of time includes: determining the continuity of the loss of signal based on data received by the terminal from the sensor transmitter during the second time period; The step of generating a loss of signal notification comprises: generating the signal loss notification when the terminal's reception of data from the sensor transmitter is interrupted during the second period of time; 3. The method of providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system of claim 2.

4. further comprising determining whether the communication failure continues for the first period of time.

3. The method of providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system of claim 2.

5. The step of determining whether a communication failure continues for the first period of time includes: determining the continuity of the communication failure based on the communication failure, including when a communication connection between the terminal and the sensor transmitter is disconnected or when data reception from the terminal from the sensor transmitter is interrupted while the communication connection is established; 5. The method of providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system of claim 4.

6. The first period is shorter than the second period.

10. The method of providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system of claim 1.

7. The step of delaying the loss of signal notification for a first period of time comprises: outputting biological information during the first period in which the signal loss notification is delayed; 10. The method of providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system of claim 1.

8. 1. A method for providing notification of signal loss in a terminal receiving biometric information from a body-mounted sensor transmitter, comprising: receiving an advertisement from the sensor transmitter; establishing a communication connection with the sensor transmitter; requesting the biometric information from the sensor transmitter in response to the advertisement; receiving the biometric information from the sensor transmitter; When a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter, the terminal delays a signal loss notification for a first period of time; If the communication failure continues for the first time period, the terminal determines whether a signal loss continues for a second time period; generating the signal loss notification by the terminal if the signal loss continues for the second period of time; and outputting the signal loss notification by the terminal to a user. A method for providing signal loss notification in a blood glucose monitoring system.

9. The advertisement is transmitted from the sensor transmitter to the terminal at each advertisement timing over the first period and the second period; the first period includes fewer advertisement timings than the second period includes; 10. The method of providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system of claim 8.

10. 1. A method for providing notification of signal loss by a terminal in a blood glucose monitoring system, comprising: receiving biometric information from a body-attached sensor transmitter; outputting the biometric information; delaying a signal loss notification when a communication failure occurs between the terminal and the sensor transmitter; outputting at least one biometric signal during the delay of the signal loss notification; determining whether a signal loss continues for a certain period of time after outputting the at least one biological information; generating said loss of signal notification if the loss of signal continues for said period of time; outputting said loss of signal notification to a user; 12. A method for providing notification of signal loss in a blood glucose monitoring system comprising:

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