Glucose Meter Data Transfer via Wireless Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with diabetes face challenges in seamlessly transferring blood glucose measurements from handheld glucose meters to portable communication devices for data analysis and management.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for automatically transferring glucose measurements from a handheld glucose meter to a diabetes management application on a portable computing device via a wireless data link, using a unique sequence number and time synchronization, with optional deferred transmission based on user navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual transfer methods are used, then user control is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The glucose meter automatically transfers data to the portable device without requiring user intervention in the transfer process itself. The system performs the transfer autonomously based on pre-established pairing, eliminating manual steps while maintaining simplicity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The devices establish pairing and communication protocols in advance before actual data transfer is needed. This preliminary setup allows subsequent transfers to occur automatically without requiring complex user actions during the critical measurement moment.
2Productivity
If automatic transfer is implemented, then productivity is improved through seamless data collection, but reliability deteriorates due to potential data loss or synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements confirmation mechanisms where the portable device acknowledges receipt of glucose data, and the meter receives feedback on transfer status. This feedback loop ensures data integrity and allows for error detection and correction, maintaining reliability during automatic transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system buffers or queues data transfers to ensure no data is lost during communication interruptions. By preparing transfer queues and implementing retry logic beforehand, the system cushions against potential failures while maintaining automatic operation.
3Loss of information
If all glucose measures are transmitted immediately, then completeness of data is improved, but loss of time increases due to continuous transmission overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system uses periodic or event-triggered transfers. Data is transmitted at regular intervals or when specific conditions are met (e.g., user navigates away from result screen), reducing communication overhead while ensuring data completeness over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The data transfer process is segmented into discrete events rather than continuous transmission. Each glucose measurement is packaged and transmitted as a separate, manageable unit, allowing efficient batch processing and reducing overall transmission time while maintaining data completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
Persons with diabetes often carry a handheld glucose meter as well as a portable computing device, such as a mobile phone. Given the close proximity of these two devices, the portable computing device can serve as a data collector for the glucose measures taken by the glucose meter. Improved techniques are set forth for transferring glucose measures automatically and seamlessly to the patient's portable computing device, including transmitting a single glucose measure automatically in response to navigating away from an interface which displays to the glucose measure.