U.S. patent application number 13/731931 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for method and system for providing a fault tolerant display unit in an electronic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher V. Reggiardo, Christopher L. Zeiger.
Application Number | 20130181889 13/731931 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38321571 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130181889 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reggiardo; Christopher V. ;
et al. |
July 18, 2013 |
Method and System for Providing a Fault Tolerant Display Unit in an
Electronic Device
Abstract
Method and apparatus for providing a fault tolerant display unit
for an electronic device such as a glucose meter, including display
unit, and a controller unit operatively coupled to the display
unit, the controller unit configured to control the display unit to
display an information, where when a failure mode of the display
unit occurs, the display unit is configured to display a modified
information, where the modified information is different from the
information for display under the control of the controller unit,
is provided.
Inventors: |
Reggiardo; Christopher V.;
(Castro Valley, CA) ; Zeiger; Christopher L.;
(Three Oaks, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.; |
Alameda |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
Alameda
CA
|
Family ID: |
38321571 |
Appl. No.: |
13/731931 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11345044 |
Jan 31, 2006 |
8344966 |
|
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13731931 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 33/48785 20130101;
G16H 40/63 20180101; G09G 3/006 20130101; A61B 5/742 20130101; G09G
2330/10 20130101; G09G 3/18 20130101; A61B 5/14532 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/34 |
International
Class: |
G09G 3/18 20060101
G09G003/18 |
Claims
1. A method of providing display fault tolerance in an electronic
device, comprising the steps of: receiving one or more commands to
display an information on a display unit; detecting a failure mode
associated with the display unit; and displaying a modified
information on the display unit associated with the detected
failure mode.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/345,044 filed Jan. 31, 2006, entitled
"Method and System for Providing a Fault Tolerant Display Unit in
an Electronic Device", the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a conventional seven segment display such as those used
on LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays), the display wiring is routed
without consideration for fault tolerance, and the icon (or pixel)
selection matrix is typically generated to match the display. Such
configuration allows for erroneous results to be displayed and
could potentially result in patient mistreatment, for example, in
the case where the seven segment display configurations are used in
medical devices such as, but not limited to, glucose meters.
[0003] By way of an example, a glucose reading from a blood glucose
meter used by diabetic patients that shows a value of 150 when in
fact the actual measured value from the test strip using the
glucose meter is 450 will inform the patient that they are in a
good (clinically acceptable) range when in fact, the patient's
condition requires immediate medical attention, for example. In
addition, a failure of a decimal point in the displayed value may
also erroneously inform the patient to take corrective actions that
are either inaccurate (and thus potentially harmful), or to provide
the patient with false positive values (those values are erroneous
readings but are good values in the context of health
treatment).
[0004] While some erroneous displayed values may be acceptable and
thus not medically significant (such as, for example a glucose
reading of 163 mg/dL which is erroneously displayed as 153 mg/dL),
those other erroneous displayed values may potentially guide the
patient to take corrective actions that are in fact therapeutically
inappropriate (or alternatively, providing a false sense of
accuracy, to guide the patient to take no action at all, when in
fact, corrective medical action is necessary, as described
above).
[0005] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to have an
approach to provide fault tolerance in the display unit of an
electronic device including medical devices such that failure modes
of the electronic device display unit will show output values to
the patient or the user of the electronic device that are either
nonsensical, or clinically insignificant. In this manner, the
failed display unit of the electronic device does not erroneously
impact the patient decision based on the output display of the
electronic device. Moreover, when a nonsensical value is displayed,
the user of the electronic device such as a medical device will be
aware that the device is malfunctioning, and will likely not
continue its use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the various
embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method
and system for fault tolerant configurations of a seven segment
display of an electronic device including medical devices such as
the LCD display of a glucose meter. For example, in certain
embodiments if an LCD failure occurs, the result displayed will not
be a number, or alternatively, the erroneous number displayed are
in the A or B region of the Clarke Error Grid (that is, in the
acceptable range of values in the case of measured glucose values)
or analogous range of another analysis protocol, e.g., Parks Error
Grid, Continuous Glucose Error Grid, MARD analysis, and the like.
Therefore, fault tolerance minimizes the chance of an incorrect
number being displayed and reduces the effect of a potential error
on patient treatment.
[0007] More specifically, in accordance with the various
embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a fault
tolerant display unit which may be configured to mitigate the
effects of a display failure. More specifically, in one embodiment,
if a display failure occurs (by, for example, a single pixel or
multiple pixel failures), the displayed results may be configured
to display an invalid number. Alternatively, in the case of glucose
meters, the display failure may be mitigated by displaying, in one
embodiment, measured glucose values that are within the A or B
region of the Clarke Error Grid or the like, and thus, the error is
not clinically significant to the patient using the glucose
meter.
[0008] In this manner, in one embodiment, the probability of an
incorrect value being displayed can be minimized, and the effect of
a potential error on the patient treatment (based on incorrect
value) may be reduced if an incorrect number is displayed.
[0009] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more fully apparent from the
following detailed description of the embodiments, the appended
claims and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a fault tolerant display unit
for an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0011] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate exemplary segmented display units
including icons of a blood glucose meter device;
[0012] FIG. 3A illustrates a single digit segment with icons in an
LCD display unit including a decimal point segment;
[0013] FIG. 3B illustrates the single digit segment with icons in
the LCD display unit including the decimal point segment of FIG. 3A
with multiple common line connectors (pads) and row
connections;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a three digit segment of an LCD display
unit with typical connections for a typical electronic device;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates the digits 0 to 9 of a seven-segment
display used for determining fault tolerance in an LCD display unit
of an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6A illustrates a three digit segment layout with icons
for an electronic device LCD display unit;
[0017] FIG. 6B illustrates the three digit segment layout of FIG.
6A with multiple row and column connections;
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a segmented display configuration for
3.times.3 mapping in a fault tolerant display system in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a segmented display configuration for
6.times.6 mapping in a fault tolerant display system in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a segmented display configuration for
6.times.4 mapping in a fault tolerant display system in accordance
with still another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a tabular illustration of the fault tolerant
display for LCD display unit in an electronic device with varying
levels of fault tolerance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a fault tolerant display unit
for an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. Referring to the figure, the fault tolerant
display unit 100 of a blood glucose meter 101 in one embodiment
includes a strip port 102 that is configured to receive a glucose
test strip. The strip port 102 is coupled to a strip interface 103
which is configured to process the analog signals received from the
strip port 102 and converts the signals to corresponding digital
values. Also, a controller unit such as a microprocessor 104 is
operatively coupled to the strip interface 103 and is configured to
process the digital data received from the strip interface 103.
[0023] A crystal 105 may be provided and operatively coupled to the
microprocessor 104, and configured to set timing for the
microprocessor 104 such that the information or data received from
the strip interface 103 has a predetermined and known timing and an
accurate glucose value may be determined Additionally, a
non-volatile memory 106 may be operatively coupled to the
microprocessor 104 and configured for storing program processes
such as algorithms, setup and/or calibration parameters as well as
glucose readings received from the strip port 102. A temporary
storage device such as SRAM 107 or the like may be provided and
operatively coupled to the microprocessor 104, for temporary data
storage and program execution.
[0024] Also shown is a display unit 108 which may include a liquid
crystal display (LCD) for output, displaying data and information.
An LCD lens 109 is also provided and includes the clear section of
the display unit housing that permits the LCD display unit 108 to
be viewed. Input devices 110 and 111 are also provided and
operatively coupled to the microprocessor 104, and configured to
allow the user of the glucose meter 101 to input information and/or
control the glucose meter 101 by operating as the user interface
providing a user menu navigation. A control button 110 and mode
button 111 may be provided to allow the user to toggle between
various operational modes for the glucose meter 101 including, for
example, calibration, data, recall, storage, and the like.
[0025] Referring still to FIG. 1, an audio output unit such as a
buzzer 112 may be provided to provide audible alert and/or alarms,
indicating a condition of the functional properties of the glucose
meter 101 or, provide an audible indication of a data received by
the glucose meter 101, for example. A communication module 113 is
operatively coupled to the microprocessor 104, and configured to
download glucose readings from a data storage log stored in the
non-volatile memory 106. Moreover, a set of test points 114 may be
made available within the blood glucose meter 101 housing for
manufacturing processes. Additionally, a power supply 115 is
provided to provide power to the blood glucose meter 101, and may
include a battery 116 for example, such as, for example CR30232
Lithium Ion Coin Cell battery or the like configured as the primary
power source for the power supply 115. In further detail, the
battery 116 may be connected to the blood glucose meter 101 ground
terminal 117, and the battery 116 may be configured to provide
power to the power supply 115 positive voltage input terminal (V+)
118.
[0026] Additional features such as an LCD backlight or test light
to illuminate the strip port may be provided to the blood glucose
meter 101. The controller unit 104 may be a microcontroller (.mu.C)
such as the MSP430FG439 that may incorporate the strip interface
103, non-volatile memory 106, memory (SRAM) 107, controller for the
LCD 108, and interface for the communications module 113. Moreover,
the controller unit 104 may be configured to control the operations
of the various components of the blood glucose meter 101 as shown
in FIG. 1, under the control of, for example, the patient using the
blood glucose meter 101 providing commands or instructions using
the input units 110 or 111. In one embodiment, the blood glucose
meter 101 may be configured to display glucose values in the range
of about 20 mg/dL to about 500 mg/dL (or about 600 mg/dL for
hospital use), or about 1.1 mmol/L to about 27.8 mmol/L (or about
33.3 mmol/L for hospital use).
[0027] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate exemplary segmented display units
including icons of a blood glucose meter device. Referring to FIG.
2A, for an electronic device, e.g., a medical device such as a
blood glucose meter as shown in FIG. 1, the minimum LCD requirement
includes the glucose value display (three 7-segment digits), a
"mmol/L" icon (with the decimal point active), a "mg/dL" icon (with
the decimal point inactive), a temperature out-of-range indicator,
a low-battery indicator, and an "apply blood to test strip" set of
symbols as respectively shown by the corresponding icons in FIG.
2A. Referring to FIG. 2B, additional features and or configurations
of a blood glucose meter LCD display unit may include the ability
to set the date and time information, and further, to display
stored memory log entries (prior glucose readings) with associated
date and time. Additional features may include the ability to set a
strip calibration code, to display a multiple day (e.g., 14-day)
average glucose reading based on log entries, set configuration
options such as alarm audible or silent, and identify a glucose log
entry as a control reading.
[0028] FIG. 3A illustrates a labeled or numbered single digit
segment with icons in an LCD display unit including a decimal point
segment, and FIG. 3B illustrates the single digit segment with
icons in the LCD display unit including the decimal point segment
of FIG. 3A with control signals in the form of multiple common line
connectors and row connections, where each common line or row
connections is known as a "pad". Referring to FIG. 3A, each of the
seven segments A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are separately provided and
none are electrically connected to any of the other segments (and
where each may be individually controlled).
[0029] In FIG. 3B, it can be seen that several segments are
connected by one of the three row connectors and/or one of the two
common (column) connectors. For example, row 1 connector as shown
in FIG. 3B is connected to segments A and B, the row 2 connector is
connected to segments F and G, and the row 3 connector is connected
to segments C and E, while row 4 is connected to segment D and the
decimal point DP. Moreover, common 1 connector as shown in FIG. 3B
are connected to segments A, D, E, and F, while common 2 connector
is connected to segments B, C, G and the decimal point DP segment.
In this manner, in FIG. 3B, if the connection (pad) for comm 1
fails, then segments A, D, E and F will not activate and, for
example, a "7" will be displayed as a "1".
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a three digit segment of an LCD display
unit with typical connections for an electronic device. Referring
to FIG. 4, there is provided a mapping of which segments of the
display are used to display each number. More specifically, it can
be seen that the row and column connections only cross other rows
or columns where pixels (segments) are formed. The row signals
(lines) are located on one plane of the display and the common
lines are located on another such that a segment (or pixel) is
formed inside the LCD at the crossing point.
[0031] There are several different types of common LCD failures. A
connector failure occurs when the connection between the printed
circuit board (PCB) and LCD connector fails to make contact. Some
examples include, but is not limited to, heat-seal failures, zebra
strip failures and pad failures. A driver failure occurs when the
LCD driver fails to operate properly. Some examples include ESD and
other types of LCD driver failures. Finally, a connector short
failure occurs when foreign material is introduced onto the
connector causing two or more signals or pads to short together.
When this type of failure occurs, most errors that result in a
number will tend towards an eight ("8"). Since the blood glucose
meter 101 does not have an eight in the first digit of its display,
this type of error, though it must be checked for each individual
design, tends to result in A or B region errors on the Clarke Error
Grid even if they occur in the second digit, or numbers that are
beyond the glucose meter range, or nonsensical numbers.
[0032] Failure modes for the blood glucose meter 101 includes (1)
failure of a row or common, (2) a first digit error, (3) missing
decimal point or first digit, or (4) other digit errors. When a row
or common line fails, all segments connected to that row or common
line fail and is commonly caused by connector failure. For example,
referring for example to FIG. 4, if common 1 connector fails, all
segments in the display fails to function as all seven segments of
all three digits are connected to the common 1 connector.
[0033] When a first digit error occurs due to a poor connection,
for example, a first digit "4" or "3" becomes a "1", such that, for
example, a "4xx" value is displayed as "1xx", and "3xx" is
displayed as "1xx", respectively. When there is a missing decimal
point or a first digit, a failure of this type generally results in
a critical error and is also commonly found with a connector
failure. This error results in the entire first digit not being
displayed or the decimal point missing, and may result in an error
as great as an entire order of magnitude. An error on this scale
may result in patient mistreatment, and tends to fall in the D or E
regions of the Clarke Error Grid.
[0034] When digit errors occur, a given digit of a seven segment
display is erroneously displayed because of a segment failure
within the seven segment display for the particular digit. Examples
of digit errors are further illustrated by the Table A shown below
which illustrates the original display (or the proper or accurate
display) in the first column, and the actual display with the digit
error in the second column, and the missing segment causing the
digit error in the third column. For example, with reference to
FIG. 3A and Table A below, when the seven segment digit is missing
the E segment, an original display of the value "6" which comprises
segments A, C, D, E, F, and G, will actually be displayed as a "5"
(comprised of segments A, C, D, F, and G). For a three digit
display, the first digit is the most critical (as it is the most
significant value), the second digit can result in A or B region
errors on the Clarke Error Grid and the third digit can only result
in the A region errors making it the least critical digit.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Original Number Displayed Display in Error
Segments Missing 6 5 E 7 1 A 8 0 G 3 7 D, G 4 1 F, G 8 2 F, C 8 5
B, E 8 9 D, E 9 7 F, G 3 1 A, D, G 9 1 A, F, G 8 7 D, E, F, G
[0035] In the manner shown above, it can be seen that even with a
single segment failure, a significant or critical error may be
displayed if the failed segment is associated with the most
significant digit in, for example, a three digit display unit. That
is, referring to the Table A above, a failed segment G will result
in the number 8" to be displayed as "0", which error may be
significant in the context of values or measurements of a patient
parameter upon which medical treatment is based (note that an value
of 180 displayed as a 100 is in the B region of the Clarke Error
Grid in the case of glucose measurements).
[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates the digits "0" to "9" and is the basis
for the method of checking for fault tolerance in an LCD display
unit of an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, for a
seven-segment digit display unit as described, it is possible to
determine or check for fault tolerance based on the connection of
the various segments on each row or column connector. That is, in
one embodiment, for each row or column connector that connects a
predetermined set of segments together, a layout similar to that
shown in FIG. 5 may be generated which illustrates, for example, a
row connector based on a single pad failure in which segments A and
F are not functioning.
[0037] Referring again to FIG. 5, with the segments A and F in
failure mode, the only number or value whose displayed accuracy is
maintained is value "1", while the value for the original number
"7" is erroneously shown as a "1". All other remaining values are
provided as nonsensical number. For example, the original number
"2" is now displayed with the top A segment disabled which has no
representative value. In this manner, it is possible to determine
the impact of row or common connector failures on a seven segment
display.
[0038] FIG. 6A illustrates a three digit segment layout with icons
for an electronic device LCD display unit, and FIG. 6B illustrates
the three digit segment layout of FIG. 6A with multiple row and
column connectors. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, each of
the three row connectors (row 1, row 2 and row 3) and each of the
six common connectors (comm 1, comm 2, comm 3, comm 4, comm 5, and
comm 6), are respectively connected to a corresponding segment(s)
in one or more of the three 7-digit display. For example, it can be
seen from FIG. 6B that row 1 connector or pad is connected to
segments 1A and 1B of the most significant digit, segments 2A and
2B of the less significant digit, and to segments 3A and 3B of the
least significant digit (to the right of the decimal point DP).
[0039] A common failure in a seven-segment LCD display unit is
having a pad or connector loose contact, resulting in a loss of the
respective segment(s). This failure generally occurs near the outer
edges of the LCD connector for heat seal connectors. To reduce the
impact of this type of failure, in one embodiment, with reference
to FIG. 6B, the critical segments of the display (for example,
segments whose failures have substantial impact upon the displayed
readout) may be located near the middle of the connector. When this
type of failure occurs, often there are two adjacent pads that fail
simultaneously. In order to avoid losing two critical segments at
the same time, a pad or connector that is not as critical, such as
that connected to a non critical icon, may be positioned between
the two critical segments.
[0040] Moreover, this approach in one embodiment may be applied to
the display unit configuration as shown in FIG. 4 that includes a
single common connector (comm1) with multiple pad connectors.
Furthermore, the decimal point for such displays as shown in FIG. 4
may be controlled by a pad such that it is between the pads
controlling segments C and D of a relevant digit. This approach in
one embodiment may not prevent all errors from occurring, but will
mitigate the effect and frequency of these errors as either
segments C or D are used in each number displayed.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates a segmented display configuration for
3.times.3 mapping in a fault tolerant display system in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7,
the seven segments and the decimal point DP are each
correspondingly connected to a plurality of the row or common pad
connectors (row 1, row 2, row 3, and comm 1, comm 2, and comm 3),
and arranged as shown in Table B below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Comm 1 Comm 2 Comm 3 Row 1 F B DP Row 2 D A
C Row 3 ** G E
[0042] The row 3/comm 1 location indicated with "**" may be used
for another icon or other symbols on the display but which is not
needed for the primary display segments.
[0043] In this manner, it can be seen that the possibility of an
erroneous number or value displayed is substantially minimized.
More specifically, for example as shown in the embodiment of FIG.
7, when one of the pad connectors (row 1, row 2, row 3, and comm 1,
comm 2, and comm 3) fails, then the resulting display will not be a
number, but rather, a nonsensical display output. Moreover, the
configuration shown in FIG. 7 in one embodiment provides for the
decimal point DP to be missing (when the corresponding pad fails)
concurrent with a substantially noticeably error in the output
value of one of the digits.
[0044] For example, if row 2 connector fails, then segments A, C
and D fail, resulting in a display of nonsensical number. Moreover,
if comm 3 connector fails, then the decimal point DP fails in
addition to segments C and E, again, rendering the output display
to be nonsensical, and with the disabled decimal point DP. In this
manner, in one embodiment of the present invention, a substantially
fault tolerant seven segment LCD display configuration is provided
which substantially minimizes the possibility of erroneously
displaying a value to the patient and which may be the basis of
inaccurate and/or inappropriate patient treatment.
[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a segmented display configuration for
6.times.6 mapping in a fault tolerant display system in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
8, it can be seen that the output display for the 6.times.6 mapping
provides a three digit seven-segment display suitable for a blood
glucose meter 101 (FIG. 1) for example, for displaying a range of
measured glucose values. More specifically, compared with the
embodiment shown in FIG. 7 for a single digit 3.times.3 mapping of
the three row connectors and three common connectors, in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 8, there are provided six row connectors
(row 1, row 2, row 3, row 4, row 5, and row 6) and six common
connectors (comm 1, comm 2, comm 3, comm 4, comm 5, and comm 6)
using similar mapping configuration as the single digit
configuration of FIG. 7. This configuration provides additional or
further fault tolerance against a missing first digit as compared
to three 3.times.3 mapping in sequence.
[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates a segmented display configuration for
6.times.4 mapping in a fault tolerant display system in accordance
with still another embodiment of the present invention. Referring
to FIG. 9, provided with four row connectors (row 1, row 2, row 3,
and row 4) and six common pads or connectors (comm 1, comm 2, comm
3, comm 4, comm 5, and comm 6), the layout shown in Table C may be
used.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE C Row 4 Row 3 Row 2 Row 1 Comm 1 3C ** 1D 1F
Comm 2 3B 1G 1A 1B Comm 3 3D 1E 1C * Comm 4 3G 3E 2D 2F Comm 5 3F
2G 2A 2B Comm 6 3A 2E 2C DP
[0047] The location indicated with a "*" may be used for a second
decimal point (DP) if needed or alternatively, for an icon
displayed on the display unit, and the location indicated with a
"**" may be used for icons or other symbols on the display but is
not needed for the segments.
[0048] In one embodiment, the layout shown in FIG. 9 is configured
to prevent the first and second digits, including the decimal
point, from resulting in a numerical error. The third digit,
however, may result in a missing digit or a numerical error. In
glucose meters, the errors that result from the third digit will be
are sufficiently insignificant (clinically) that they are contained
in the A or B region of the Clarke Error Grid, and thus erroneous
reading or display will likely not result in substantial
misdiagnosis or significant improper treatment of the patient.
[0049] FIG. 10 is a tabular illustration of the fault tolerant
display for LCD display unit in an electronic device with varying
levels of fault tolerance for illustrating the various embodiments
of the present invention described herein. For example, a correct
reading of a glucose meter at 140 shown by the first entry in the
first column in Table C, will result in a bad reading if the most
significant digit "1" is missing. Accordingly, in one embodiment,
the display unit may be configured such that the bad reading of
"40" is instead configured to be output as a good reading as shown
in the corresponding row of Table C in the third column. Indeed,
the good reading is displayed as a nonsensical value which is not
likely to mislead the patient that the measured glucose level is 40
rather than 140 which is the actual accurate value.
[0050] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a fault tolerant three digit LCD display unit which does
not display any cross point pixels (pixels that are always
displayed caused by a row connector and a common connector
crossing). In this case, a 4.times.12 mapping may be used in
accordance with the layout shown in Table D below which includes
twelve row connectors and four common connectors.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE D Comm 1 Comm 2 Comm 3 Comm 4 Row 1 -- -- --
1D Row 2 -- -- 1E 1C Row 3 1A 1F -- -- Row 4 -- 1B 1G -- Row 5 --
-- 2E 2C Row 6 2A 2F -- -- Row 7 -- 2B 2G DP Row 8 3A 3F -- -- Row
9 -- 3B 3G -- Row 10 -- -- 3E 3C Row 11 -- -- -- 3D Row 12 -- -- --
2D
[0051] In this manner, inadvertent display errors may be mitigated
while also minimizing the number of cross point pixels on an LCD.
The third digit for this method can also be located in other
locations in the truth table without sacrificing fault tolerance as
it is not a critical digit. The open spaces in Table E shown with
the "-" may be used for icons or other symbols, provided that they
do not create cross points between the rows and commons (columns).
This approach in one embodiment eliminates critical errors, such as
missing decimal point and missing first digit, but may not
eliminate all errors. However, the errors that occur will fall into
either the A or B region of the Clarke Error Grid, that is, within
the acceptable tolerance range, and thus prove to be clinically
acceptable.
[0052] In this manner, in accordance with the various embodiments
of the present invention, there is provided a method and system for
fault tolerant configuration of a seven segment display of an
electronic device including medical devices such as the LCD display
of a glucose meter. That is, if an LCD failure occurs, the result
displayed will not be a number, or alternatively, the erroneous
number displayed are in the A or B region of the Clarke Error Grid
(that is, in the acceptable/tolerance range of values in the case
of measured glucose values). Therefore, the fault tolerance
approach in accordance with the present invention minimizes the
chance of an incorrect number being displayed and reduces the
effect of a potential error on patient treatment.
[0053] In accordance with the various embodiments of the present
invention, there is provided a fault tolerant display unit which
may be configured to mitigate the effects of display failure. More
specifically, in one embodiment, if a display failure occurs (by,
for example, a single pixel or multiple pixels failures and/or pad
or connector failures), the displayed results may be configured to
display an invalid number. Alternatively, in the case of glucose
meters, the display failure may be mitigated by displaying, in one
embodiment, measured glucose values that are within the A or B
region of the Clarke Error Grid.
[0054] In this manner, in one embodiment, the probability of an
incorrect value being displayed can be minimized, and the effect of
a potential error on the patient treatment (based on incorrect
value) may be reduced if an incorrect number is displayed.
[0055] Indeed, an apparatus including a fault tolerant display unit
for an electronic device in one embodiment of the present invention
includes a display unit, a controller unit operatively coupled to
the display unit, the controller unit configured to control the
display unit to display information, where when a failure mode of
the display unit occurs, the display unit is configured to display
modified information, where the modified information is different
from the information for display under the control of the
controller unit.
[0056] The display unit in one embodiment may include a seven
segment Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit with one or more
digits.
[0057] Additionally, the display unit may be configured to display
one or more health related values, where the one or more health
related values may include one or more of a measured glucose value,
a cholesterol level, and a blood alcohol level.
[0058] The failure mode of the display unit in one embodiment
includes one or more of a connector failure, a display unit driver
failure, or a connector short.
[0059] Moreover, one of an RF receiver unit, wherein the display
unit may be coupled to a housing of the RF receiver unit.
[0060] In an another embodiment, an infusion device may also be
provided, where the display unit may be coupled to a housing of the
infusion device. The infusion device may include an external
insulin pump, an implantable insulin pump, or an on-body patch
pump.
[0061] Moreover, in a further embodiment, a glucose meter may be
provided, where the display unit is coupled to a housing of the
glucose meter.
[0062] The displayed modified information associated with the
detected failure mode in one embodiment is non-informative.
[0063] A method of providing display fault tolerance in an
electronic device in another embodiment includes the steps of
receiving one or more commands to display information on a display
unit, detecting a failure mode associated with the display unit,
and displaying modified information on the display unit associated
with the detected failure mode.
[0064] In one embodiment, the step of displaying may include the
step of disabling a predetermined segment of the information for
display such that the displayed information is a subset of the
information for display, and further, where the subset of the
information for display may be non-informative.
[0065] A display unit of an electronic device in yet another
embodiment of the present invention includes a display portion, and
a controller coupled to the display portion, the display portion
configured to display a predetermined information based on one or
more commands received from the controller, where, when a failure
mode is detected in the display portion, the one or more commands
received from the controller to display the predetermined
information does not change.
[0066] Various other modifications and alterations in the structure
and method of operation of this invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention. Although the invention has been described in
connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be
understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly
limited to such specific embodiments. It is intended that the
following claims define the scope of the present invention and that
structures and methods within the scope of these claims and their
equivalents be covered thereby.
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