Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating test strips that may be identified based on differences in electrical conduction or resistance between contact point on the test strip. This is achieved by creating a base test strip with contact points that may be connected to other contact points by an electrical connection. These base test strips may be modified to create a difference in electrical conductivity between contact points, or a contact point may be eliminated. This modification can be used to distinguish different types of test strips based on electrical signature. Additionally, the base test strip may be created such that multiple modifications are possible to distinguish numerous characteristics of test strips.

Abstract: A test meter for receiving a test strip comprises: (a) a housing; (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip. The strip port connector contains a pair of top and bottom contacts, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion, the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another; and the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separated or separable from one another by insertion of a test strip between the opposed contacts. The contacts and the meter are adapted to permit detection of faulty contacts and/or coding associated with an inserted test strip.

Abstract: A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.

Abstract: A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.

Abstract: A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating test strips that may be identified based on differences in electrical conduction or resistance between contact point on the test strip. This is achieved by creating a base test strip with contact points that may be connected to other contact points by an electrical connection. These base test strips may be modified to create a difference in electrical conductivity between contact points, or a contact point may be eliminated. This modification can be used to distinguish different types of test strips based on electrical signature. Additionally, the base test strip may be created such that multiple modifications are possible to distinguish numerous characteristics of test strips.

Abstract: A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.

Abstract: A test meter for receiving a test strip comprises: (a) a housing; (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip. The strip port connector contains a pair of top and bottom contacts, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion, the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another; and the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separated or separable from one another by insertion of a test strip between the opposed contacts. The contacts and the meter are adapted to permit detection of faulty contacts and/or coding associated with an inserted test strip.

Abstract: A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.

Abstract: A test meter for receiving a test strip comprises: (a) a housing; (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip. The strip port connector contains a pair of top and bottom contacts, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion, the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another; and the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separated or separable from one another by insertion of a test strip between the opposed contacts. The contacts and the meter are adapted to permit detection of faulty contacts and/or coding associated with an inserted test strip.

Abstract: A test meter for receiving a test strip comprises: (a) a housing; (b) electronic circuitry disposed within the housing and (c) a strip port connector connected to the electronic circuitry and extending to an opening in the housing, said strip port connector connecting the electronic circuitry with a received test strip. The strip port connector contains a pair of top and bottom contacts, said top and bottom contacts having a proximal end and a distal end and a central contact portion, the top and bottom contacts of the pair are transversely aligned with one another; and the distal ends of the top and bottom contacts are separated or separable from one another by insertion of a test strip between the opposed contacts. The contacts and the meter are adapted to permit detection of faulty contacts and/or coding associated with an inserted test strip.

Abstract: A test strip with an incorporated optical waveguide and deflectors punched through the optical waveguide allows light to exit through a layer of the test strip and be detected by a photo detector. Using light and a photodetector, these uniquely coded strips are identified. The waveguide can be constructed by sandwiching two layers of the test strip around a light transmissible layer. This configuration allows light to be transmitted through the test strip and out the other end, as well as allowing some light to escape the deflector. This light is detected by a photodetector mounted in the analyte test meter. The deflectors may be placed in patterns such that detection of this light indicates certain characteristics of the strip, such as non-counterfeit, regional identification, type of analyte tested, and coding information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating test strips that may be identified based on differences in electrical conduction or resistance between contact point on the test strip. This is achieved by creating a base test strip with contact points that may be connected to other contact points by an electrical connection. These base test strips may be modified to create a difference in electrical conductivity between contact points, or a contact point may be eliminated. This modification can be used to distinguish different types of test strips based on electrical signature. Additionally, the base test strip may be created such that multiple modifications are possible to distinguish numerous characteristics of test strips.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for anchoring the side edges of a roll-up awning to prevent wrinkles in the awning. The awning includes a hem which is positioned in a groove of a roll-up bar. The locking device comprises a body portion which is sized to be slidably received in the groove for longitudinal sliding movement therein and a radially enlarged portion for clamping the awning against the wall of the groove. A screw on the body portion is screwed into engagement with the wall of the groove to anchor the locking device against longitudinal movement.