Medical Device Optical Data Transfer via Display Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices, such as drug delivery devices and test meters, lack efficient methods for encoding and transferring measurement data to external devices without the need for manual re-typing or dedicated communication means, limiting their functionality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical machine-readable signal encoded by a matrix of independently controllable display elements, allowing data from sensors to be decoded by an optical reader device, enabling data transfer without hardware modifications or increased costs, and supporting error correction for reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is transferred using wireless communication modules, then data exchange capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic/wireless communication systems with an optical signaling system. The medical device uses a display element that can be controlled to represent binary data states (first state for binary 1, second state for binary 0), and an optical sensor detects these optical states to retrieve data. This substitution of electronic communication with optical mechanical representation simplifies the device architecture while maintaining data transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of data by representing binary data through optical states of display elements. Instead of transmitting electronic signals, the system encodes data into visual/optical patterns that can be captured by an external optical reader. This copying approach enables data transfer without complex wireless communication hardware.
2Reliability
If dedicated communication hardware is added, then data transfer reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the display element serve multiple functions: it continues to display information to users while simultaneously encoding binary data for optical retrieval. The same display hardware that shows measurement results or device status is also used for data transmission by controlling its optical states. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated communication hardware, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable data transfer.
3Device complexity
If manual data entry is required, then device functionality is maintained, but user time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the device to automatically provide data in a machine-readable optical format that can be directly captured and stored by external devices. Instead of requiring users to manually transcribe data, the system self-services by presenting data in a format ready for optical retrieval. This automation eliminates manual data entry time while maintaining full device functionality.
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 solution enhances data processing and storage capabilities, allowing for more informative feedback to patients and improved therapeutic outcomes by encoding measurement values as optical machine-readable signals, which can be decoded by external devices, thus improving user interaction and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the display element is controlled to present an optical pattern representing binary data
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor for detecting the optical pattern presented by the display element
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical device (1) in combination with an optical reading device (2) comprising at least one sensor (1.4), a meter display (1.2) for displaying a matrix of pixels (1.2.2) and a meter control unit (1.1) adapted for controlling the meter display (1.2) so that at least one measurement value measured by the sensor (1.4) and/or a value derived thereof is encoded in an optical machine-readable signal (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein the optical reading device (2) is adapted to read the optical machine-readable signal (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) from the medical device (1), to decode the optical machine-readable signal (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) and to generate a message corresponding to the decoded optical machine-readable signal (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).