Blood Glucose Meter Low Cost User Interface Graphic Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood glucose meters with low-cost user interfaces often struggle to effectively display user-specific blood glucose target ranges, leading to user difficulty in entering and interpreting glucose measurement information, which can result in inaccurate management of diabetes.
Innovation Solution
A blood glucose meter with a color glucose scale indexed by indicators programmed according to the user's target range, allowing for a low-cost user interface that includes a static color glucose scale with designated areas for target, above, and below target ranges, along with a monochrome segmented display for numerical measurements, and a method for programming these indicators using a separate computing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If low-cost user interface components are used in blood glucose meters, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but user ability to enter information and view graphic information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple functional areas: a static color glucose scale for visual reference, a monochrome segmented display for numerical measurements, and programmed graphic indicators for range identification. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the static color scale can be a simple printed element (low cost) while the monochrome display provides sufficient information density (ease of operation).
Solution Approach 2:
The meter is pre-programmed with standard target ranges and graphic indicators during manufacturing. Users can optionally personalize their target ranges through communication with external devices. This preliminary programming eliminates the need for complex user interface elements during setup, reducing both manufacturing complexity and user burden.
2Ease of operation
If graphic displays with indicators corresponding to preset blood glucose ranges are used, then ease of viewing graphic information is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphic display system is divided into static elements (color glucose scale printed on the housing) and dynamic elements (monochrome segmented display and LED indicators). This segmentation reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for a complex full-color dynamic display, while still providing intuitive graphic information viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the display system have different functional qualities: the static color scale provides continuous visual reference, the monochrome segmented display provides precise numerical information, and the graphic indicators provide range-specific alerts. Each local element is optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of viewing.
3Ease of manufacture
If a static color glucose scale with programmed indicators is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but measurement precision interpretation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement information is segmented across multiple display elements: the static color scale provides visual range context, the monochrome segmented display provides exact numerical values, and graphic indicators highlight deviations from target ranges. This multi-element segmentation ensures that measurement precision is maintained through numerical display while interpretation is enhanced through visual cues.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmed graphic indicators and color-coded scale serve as intermediaries between the raw numerical measurement and the user's understanding. These visual elements translate precise numerical data into intuitive graphical representations, improving interpretation without compromising the underlying measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A blood glucose meter with a low cost user interface has a color glucose scale that is indexed by indicators programmed according to the user's blood glucose target range through a separating computing device due to the limited meter user interface. The color glucose scale is static and placed adjacent to the indicator such as by being molded into the housing, printed on the housing, or attached to the display. The low cost user interface has a monochrome segmented display with certain segments serving as a plurality of indicators. An indicator scaling module uses the target blood glucose range of the person with diabetes to calculate the blood glucose ranges for each indictor to index the color glucose measurement scale. The indicator scaling module can also assign attributes to the indicator such as flashing. The graphic representation of the user's blood glucose measurement aids in user interpretation.