Color Expectation Ranges for Mobile Reaction-Time Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analytical measurements based on color formation reactions are prone to inaccuracies due to user-dependent handling errors, such as wrongful handling habits and incorrect time specifications, leading to undetected color changes and subsequent inaccuracies in analyte concentration determination.

Innovation Solution

A determination method that derives a color expectation range by using a training set of optical test strips and bodily fluid samples to assess the plausibility of an assumed reaction time value, employing a mobile device with a camera and processor to capture and analyze images at different capture times, establishing color expectation ranges for in-time and tolerably delayed capture times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile devices with cameras are used for color-based analytical measurements, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to uncontrollable influences like lighting conditions, positioning, and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images at different time points (in-time and delayed capture times) before final analysis. This allows the system to establish expected color formation ranges in advance and compare actual measurements against these pre-established ranges, thereby compensating for the imprecision introduced by mobile device measurements under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by comparing the color formation values from actual measurements against the pre-determined color expectation ranges. If the measured color values fall outside the expected ranges, the system can identify and correct for measurement errors, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite the use of mobile devices with uncontrollable environmental influences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If user-provided reaction time values are used in analytical measurements, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to user-dependent handling errors and incorrect time specifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by comparing the assumed reaction time values provided by users against the actual capture times recorded from the images. The system determines color expectation ranges based on expected reaction times and compares these against the actual measurement timing. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and correct for user errors in time specification, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical/time-based reliance on user-provided reaction time values with an automated temporal verification system. By capturing images at specific time points and comparing these against expected color formation ranges, the system substitutes manual time reporting with automated temporal measurement and verification, thereby eliminating user-dependent handling errors.

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

3Measurement precision

If color reference for photometric measurements is used to compensate for lighting conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by creating a virtual color reference model through the determination of color expectation ranges from training data. Instead of requiring physical color reference cards or complex hardware calibration systems, the system copies the expected color formation characteristics into a data structure that can be compared against actual measurements, thereby achieving precision compensation without increasing physical device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method improves the accuracy of analyte concentration determination by assessing the plausibility of user-provided reaction times, reducing the impact of user-dependent handling errors and enhancing the reliability of color-based analytical measurements.

Implementation Method 1

analytical measurement based on a color formation reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor formation reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP4476525B1Method of determining a color expectation range for assessing the plausibility of an assumed reaction time value used in an analytical measurement based on a color formation reaction, system and mobile device
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG
  • EP4476525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4476525B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4476525B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A determination method of determining at least one color expectation range (128) for assessing the plausibility of an assumed reaction time value used in an analytical measurement based on a color formation reaction and a measurement method of performing an analytical measurement based on a color formation reaction by using a mobile device (112) having a camera (114) and a processor (126) are disclosed. Further disclosed are a determination system (110) for determining at least one color expectation range (128) for assessing the plausibility of an assumed reaction time value used in an analytical measurement based on a color formation reaction, a mobile device (112) having at least one camera (114) and at least one processor (130), a kit (134) for determining the concentration of at least one analyte in a sample of a bodily fluid (128) comprising said mobile device (112) as well as computer programs and computer-readable storage media comprising instructions which, when performed on the respective device cause the device to perform the determination method and/or the measurement method.