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US 6,525,330 B2Granted
Method of strip insertion detection
AssigneeHome Diagnostics, Inc.
InventorsGregory P. Paolini, G. Thomas Roth, Brent E. Modzelewski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for strip insertion detection in an analytical meter system. The invention allows for individual meter calibration, adaptive thresholding and ambient light correction. Increased performance is economically realized, while providing enhanced meter accuracy in varying light conditions.
Claims13
A method for calibrating a strip sensor in an analytical meter device, the strip sensor having a photodectector and a light source, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. measuring the voltage output difference of said photodetector between when said light source is on and off using a standard having relatively high reflectance;
- b. measuring the voltage output difference of said photodetector between when said light source is on and off using a standard having relatively low reflectance;
- c. calculating a voltage threshold VTH produced by the strip sensor to be used by said analytical meter device to indicate when a test element has been inserted therein according to the formula:
- VTH=KTH[(VHigh−VHigh—Off)−(VLow−VLow—Off)]+(VLow−VLow—Off)
- where KTH is a constant, VHigh is the voltage returned by a high-reflectance field with an LED on, VHigh—Off is the voltage returned after switching the LED off;
- and VLOW is the voltage returned by a low-reflectance field with an LED on, and VLOW—Off is the voltage returned after switching the LED off;
- d. evaluating the value of VTH calculated in step (c) for acceptability according to predetermined criteria;
- e. permanently storing VTH in said analytical meter device if evaluated as acceptable in step (d).
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.