Optical Test Strip Mobile Camera Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Analytical measurements using mobile devices face challenges in ensuring reliability and accuracy due to varying environmental conditions, such as lighting and positioning, especially when multiple images of optical test strips are required for color formation reactions.

Innovation Solution

A method for capturing images of an optical test strip before and after sample application, using a mobile device camera, where the second image is taken at a similar local position relative to an environmental feature, with augmented reality guidance to ensure consistent positioning, and determining the measurement result by comparing these images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple images are captured for analytical measurement, then measurement completeness is improved, but positioning consistency deteriorates due to environmental variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an environmental feature (such as a reference object or marker in the background) as an intermediary reference point. This mediator allows the system to establish a stable coordinate system that remains consistent across multiple image captures, enabling accurate positioning even when the device or test strip moves slightly. The environmental feature serves as a common reference frame that ties together multiple images taken at different times and positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If augmented reality guidance is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses augmented reality to create a virtual copy or overlay of the desired positioning information directly on the mobile device's display. Instead of requiring complex physical alignment tools or specialized equipment, the system projects guidance cues (such as virtual frames, markers, or directional indicators) onto the real-world view through the camera, allowing users to align the test strip with the displayed guidance. This approach leverages the existing display and camera of the mobile device, avoiding the need for additional complex hardware.

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

Enhances the reliability and accuracy of analytical measurements by minimizing the impact of environmental variations and improving consistency in image capture, thereby stabilizing measurement results.

Implementation Method 1

capturing, by using the camera, at least one first image of at least part of the test field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

one or more test chemicals, which, in presence of the analyte to be detected, are capable of performing one or more detectable detection reactions, such as optically detectable detection reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor formation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4065965B1Method of performing an analytical measurement
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG
  • EP4065965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4065965B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4065965B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method of performing an analytical measurement based on a color formation reaction in an optical test strip (114) by using a mobile device (112) having a camera (118) is disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing an optical test strip (114) having a test field (128) without having a sample (130) of bodily fluid applied thereto; b) capturing, by using the camera (118), at least one first image (214) of at least part of the test field (128) of the optical test strip (114) without having a sample (130) of bodily fluid applied thereto; c) applying a sample (130) of bodily fluid to the test field (128) of the optical test strip (114); d) capturing, by using the camera (118), at least one second image (222) of at least part of the test field (128) of the optical test strip (114) having the sample (130) applied thereto; and e) determining an analytical measurement result value by using the first image (214) and the second image (222) of the optical test field (128) of the optical test strip (114), f) wherein indication is provided by the mobile device (112) where to take the second image (222), so that the first and second images (214, 222) are taken at similar local positions with respect to at least one environmental feature (132), wherein the environmental feature (132) is a feature which, between capturing the first (214) and second (222) images, has a fixed and/or unchanged position. Further, a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium, a mobile device (112) and a kit (110) for performing an analytical measurement are disclosed.