Code Reader Automates Data Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data management systems for measuring devices, such as blood glucose meters, lack the ability to easily associate additional information like date, time, and patient identification with measured data, making data management inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A code reading device that connects to a data holding device, reads code information, and stores it with the measured data in a memory, allowing easy association and transmission to a data processing device, including information like control solution concentration and expiration dates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a data management system connects measuring devices to obtain measured data, then data collection capability is improved, but the ability to easily associate additional information (date, time, patient ID) with the data deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidease of associating additional information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A code reading device is introduced as an intermediary between the measuring device and the data management system. This intermediary automatically reads code information (such as patient ID, date, time) from codes attached to samples or patient records and associates it with the measured data during the data transfer process, eliminating the need for manual association operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service data association by automatically reading code information through the code reader and linking it with measured data without requiring operator intervention. The code reading device autonomously performs the association task that would otherwise require manual input, improving operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual association of additional information with measured data is implemented, then data management accuracy is improved, but operational effort and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata management accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption for data management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical process of associating additional information with measured data is replaced by an automated optical/electronic system. The code reader uses optical scanning to read codes and the data processing control portion automatically links the code information with measured data, substituting manual operations with automated technology to reduce time and labor while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If code information reading functionality is added to the data reading device, then the ability to collect and associate code information with measured data is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to collect and associate code informationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data reading device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a measuring device connector and a code information reader. By integrating the code reading capability into the existing data collection device, the system achieves versatility without requiring completely separate systems, thereby managing complexity while expanding functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2107367B1Code readout device and data-gathering system using the same
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2107367B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2107367B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2107367B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a code reading device capable of associating various kinds of information with obtained data with ease simply by connecting the code reading device to a data holding device. A code reading device (1) includes a code reader (15) for reading code information, a memory (31), and a data processing control portion (32). The data processing control portion (32) stores code information read by the code reader in a code information storage area (311) of the memory (31), reads data from a data holding device when the data holding device is connected to the code reading device and stores the data in a data storage area (312) of the memory (31), and sends to a personal computer the data in the data storage area (312) in a state of being associated with the code information in the code information storage area (311) when the personal computer is connected to the code reading device.