Loading patent…
AssigneeMiles Inc.
InventorsWillis E. Howard, III, Dijia Huang, Robert W. Rogers, Gerald H. Shaffer, Mark A. Yoder
Estimating the term…
A video test strip reader uses a video imager or camera for viewing a viewing field containing reagent test strips each having test pads reacted with a specimen containing constituents of interest. The video imager produces an analog signal representing an image of the viewing field. An image handler coupled to the video imager converts or digitizes the analog signal into a digital signal representing the image and stores the image in the form of an array of pixels representing the image. Each pixel contains color information broken down into red, green or blue (RGB). A processor coupled to the image handler analyzes the array of pixels, determines the location and orientation of a test strip, identifies the test areas on the test strip, measures the corresponding test areas on the strip at the proper times and calculates the test results, such as the concentration of the constituents of interest in the specimen or other measurable properties of the specimen such as color or specific gravity, etc. Accordingly, the video test strip reader can simultaneously locate, color analyze and time track multiple test strips on the viewing field.
A video test strip reader for reading reagent test strips, said test strips each having test pads, each of said test pads reacting with a sample when contacting said sample and changing color according to one or more read times for each of said test pads and an amount of a constituent or property in said sample, comprising:
A video test strip reader for reading reagent test strips, said test strips each having test pads, each of said test pads reacting with a sample when contacting said sample and changing color in proportion with one or more read times for each of said test pads and an amount of a constituent or property in said sample, comprising:
A video test strip analyzer for analyzing an image represented by a digital signal, said image being of a viewing field with reagent test strips, said test strips each having test pads, each of said test pads reacting with a sample when contacting said sample and changing color according to one or more read times for each of said test pads and an amount of a constituent or property in said sample, comprising a processor analyzing said image to determine a location and orientation for a test strip placed at any location on said viewing area, said processor identifying a test pad for said test strip, said processor including a timing mechanism for tracking an elapsed time from said placement of said test strip, said processor analyzing a portion of said image representing a test pad of said test strip after said read times for said test pad, said processor calculating said amount of said constituent or property in said sample from said analysis of said portion of said image.
A method for reading reagent test strips each having test pads, each of said test pads reacting with a sample when contacting said sample and changing color in proportion to one or more read times for each of said test pads and an amount of a constituent or property in said sample, comprising the steps of:
A method for reading reagent test strips each having test pads, each of said test pads reacting with a sample when contacting said sample and changing color according to one or more read times for each of said test pads and an amount of a constituent or property in said sample, comprising the steps of:
A method for analyzing an image represented by a digital signal, said image being of a viewing field with reagent test strips each having test pads, each of said test pads reacting with a sample when contacting said sample and changing color according to one or more read times for each of said test pads and an amount of a constituent or property in said sample, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.