Abstract: An approach for using multiple plans in a database management system to access current data and history data is provided. The approach provides a first access plan for a query, stores the first plan as a first section in an application package. The first access plan is capable of accessing the current data. The approach determines whether a bind option for the query is detected. In response to determining that the bind option is detected, the approach provides a second access plan for the query and stores the second access plan as a second section in the application package. The second access plan is capable of accessing the current data and the history data.

Abstract: An approach for using multiple plans in a database management system to access current data and history data is provided. The approach provides a first access plan for a query, stores the first plan as a first section in an application package. The first access plan is capable of accessing the current data. The approach determines whether a bind option for the query is detected. In response to determining that the bind option is detected, the approach provides a second access plan for the query and stores the second access plan as a second section in the application package. The second access plan is capable of accessing the current data and the history data.

Abstract: A communication method for execution at a customer premises device, comprising detecting receipt of a command indicative of an intent of a management entity to initiate a management session, the command being a management session initiation command. Responsive to detecting receipt of the management session initiation command, an identifier for participating in a management session with the management entity is obtained. Also, a method for execution at a management entity, comprising obtaining a management address for a customer device and determining whether the management address is indicative of a an address capable of supporting a management session or an address incapable of supporting a management session. If the management address is indicative of an address incapable of supporting a management session, a command is sent to the customer device, causing it to obtain a management address capable of supporting a management session.

Abstract: A biosensor container comprising a housing defining an internal glucose test strip compartment. The housing has an engagement portion for retaining a detachable means for storing data, and the means for storing data has data stored thereon specific to a batch of glucose test strips. At least one of the housing and the means for storing data includes at least one data reading element that is externally accessible when the means for storing data is retained by the engagement portion of the housing. The container includes various fail safe features to prevent mishandling and insure the user obtains the correct results. The housing includes means for connecting to the bG meter only when the means for storing data is retained by the housing. The housing further includes means for dispensing glucose test strips only when the housing is in either of an attached-to meter mode or a stand-alone mode.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip device includes a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test strip coupled to the lancet for analyzing body fluid. A retention mechanism acts as a detent to hold the lancet in a static position relative to the test strip before forming the incision. The retention mechanism is configured to release the lancet for retracting the lancet relative to the test strip to reduce smearing of body fluid by the lancet during collection of the fluid with the test strip. In one form, the retention mechanism includes breakable tabs that are broken to release the lancet, and the lancet is retracted via translational movement. The retention mechanism in another form includes one or more dimples that release the lancet when the lancet is retracted via rotational motion. In a further form, the entire integrated device is rotated to collect fluid.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip device includes a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test strip coupled to the lancet for analyzing body fluid. A retention mechanism acts as a detent to hold the lancet in a static position relative to the test strip before forming the incision. The retention mechanism is configured to release the lancet for retracting the lancet relative to the test strip to reduce smearing of body fluid by the lancet during collection of the fluid with the test strip. In one form, the retention mechanism includes breakable tabs that are broken to release the lancet, and the lancet is retracted via translational movement. The retention mechanism in another form includes one or more dimples that release the lancet when the lancet is retracted via rotational motion. In a further form, the entire integrated device is rotated to collect fluid.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip device includes a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test strip coupled to the lancet for analyzing body fluid. A retention mechanism acts as a detent to hold the lancet in a static position relative to the test strip before forming the incision. The retention mechanism is configured to release the lancet for retracting the lancet relative to the test strip to reduce smearing of body fluid by the lancet during collection of the fluid with the test strip. In one form, the retention mechanism includes breakable tabs that are broken to release the lancet, and the lancet is retracted via translational movement. The retention mechanism in another form includes one or more dimples that release the lancet when the lancet is retracted via rotational motion. In a further form, the entire integrated device is rotated to collect fluid.

Abstract: A test strip container with a pop-up design which provides easy removal of test strips, and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof are disclosed. The test strip container comprises a base, a lid, and an elevating platform which translates in a vertical direction upon opening of the test strip container. The test strips are arranged within the base such that they face radially inward and rest upon the elevating platform. Translation of the elevating platform causes the test strips resting upon the platform to translate upward in a perpendicular manner, such that they may be easily removed by test strip users.

Abstract: A communication method for execution at a customer premises device, comprising detecting receipt of a command indicative of an intent of a management entity to initiate a management session, the command being a management session initiation command. Responsive to detecting receipt of the management session initiation command, an identifier for participating in a management session with the management entity is obtained. Also, a method for execution at a management entity, comprising obtaining a management address for a customer device and determining whether the management address is indicative of a an address capable of supporting a management session or an address incapable of supporting a management session. If the management address is indicative of an address incapable of supporting a management session, a command is sent to the customer device, causing it to obtain a management address capable of supporting a management session.

Abstract: Scale that can measure volume of many foods and ingredients based on density calculations and input of mass from scale. User able to input desired quantity, unit of measurement, and food item by both keypad on unit and or voice recognition. User is then guided to the addition of specified ingredient to targeted amount by visual and auditory indication. The food scale compiles the nutritional information of all used ingredients from programmed nutritional data for the user's knowledge. The food scale is capable of listing ingredient substitutions and storing recipes as well as prompting for additional ingredients in a preprogrammed recipe.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip device includes a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test strip coupled to the lancet for analyzing body fluid. A retention mechanism acts as a detent to hold the lancet in a static position relative to the test strip before forming the incision. The retention mechanism is configured to release the lancet for retracting the lancet relative to the test strip to reduce smearing of body fluid by the lancet during collection of the fluid with the test strip. In one form, the retention mechanism includes breakable tabs that are broken to release the lancet, and the lancet is retracted via translational movement. The retention mechanism in another form includes one or more dimples that release the lancet when the lancet is retracted via rotational motion. In a further form, the entire integrated device is rotated to collect fluid.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip device includes a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test strip coupled to the lancet for analyzing body fluid. A retention mechanism acts as a detent to hold the lancet in a static position relative to the test strip before forming the incision. The retention mechanism is configured to release the lancet for retracting the lancet relative to the test strip to reduce smearing of body fluid by the lancet during collection of the fluid with the test strip. In one form, the retention mechanism includes breakable tabs that are broken to release the lancet, and the lancet is retracted via translational movement. The retention mechanism in another form includes one or more dimples that release the lancet when the lancet is retracted via rotational motion. In a further form, the entire integrated device is rotated to collect fluid.

Abstract: A biosensor container comprising a housing defining an internal glucose test strip compartment. The housing has an engagement portion for retaining a detachable means for storing data, and the means for storing data has data stored thereon specific to a batch of glucose test strips. At least one of the housing and the means for storing data includes at least one data reading element that is externally accessible when the means for storing data is retained by the engagement portion of the housing. The container includes various fail safe features to prevent mishandling and insure the user obtains the correct results. The housing includes means for connecting to the bG meter only when the means for storing data is retained by the housing. The housing further includes means for dispensing glucose test strips only when the housing is in either of an attached-to meter mode or a stand-alone mode.

Abstract: A lancet integrated test element tape includes a plurality of lancet integrated test elements. The lancet integrated test elements each include a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test element configured to analyze body fluid from the incision in the tissue. A cartridge includes a supply compartment configured to store an unused section of the tape. The tape is folded within the supply compartment to limit damage to the lancet integrated test elements. The cartridge can further include a waste compartment in which a used section of the tape is stored. An indexing mechanism moves the tape between the supply and waste compartments.

Abstract: A meter system for analyzing body fluids includes a supply magazine for storing a stack of test elements, a meter for analyzing fluid samples, and a transport system for transporting test elements from the supply magazine to the meter. The test element in one embodiment includes a lancet integrated test element that has a lancet coupled to a test strip. The transport system is configured to minimize damage to the test element. In one form, the transport system includes a shuttle that slides the top-most test element from the stack onto a connection portion of the meter. In another form, the transport system includes a drum that rotates to transport test elements from the supply magazine to a testing position and, once used, to a waste magazine for disposal. In a further form, the transport system includes a disc that rotates to transport the test elements.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling device includes an expression member placed around an incision in the skin of a user, a compression member to contact and traverse the expression member, and a housing configured to contact the skin near the incision. The expression member is configured to repeatedly move from a relaxed position over the incision to a contracted position over the incision. The expression member is at least partially resilient in order to repeatedly squeeze and/or compress the skin around the incision.

Abstract: An integrated lancing test strip device includes a lancet configured to form an incision in tissue and a test strip coupled to the lancet for analyzing body fluid. A retention mechanism acts as a detent to hold the lancet in a static position relative to the test strip before forming the incision. The retention mechanism is configured to release the lancet for retracting the lancet relative to the test strip to reduce smearing of body fluid by the lancet during collection of the fluid with the test strip. In one form, the retention mechanism includes breakable tabs that are broken to release the lancet, and the lancet is retracted via translational movement. The retention mechanism in another form includes one or more dimples that release the lancet when the lancet is retracted via rotational motion. In a further form, the entire integrated device is rotated to collect fluid.

Abstract: A unique technique for maintaining the sterility and integrity of a lancet tip. One or more lancet tips are sandwiched between a first web and a second web of material to protect the sterility of the lancet tips. The first and second webs are heat fused together to form a structure that covers and encapsulates the lancet tips to protect the integrity of the lancet tips. The structure is cut to form individual protective caps to detachably cover each of the lancet tips.

Abstract: Apparatus for establishing a packet-based connection between a video display equipment (such as a set-top box) having an analog modem and a remote computer. The translation apparatus receives a connection initiation request from the video display apparatus and responsive to the connection initiation request establishes a modem connection with the video display apparatus. The translation apparatus further receives communication data from the video display apparatus via the modem connection and transmits the communication data to the remote computing apparatus via a packet-based network. The translation apparatus can also receive communication data from the remote computer and relay the same to the video display apparatus. The connection can be established upon powering up of the video display apparatus, upon loading of an Interactive TV application or upon other pre-determined event. The connection can be maintained “always-on” or substantially “always-on”.

Abstract: A communication method for execution at a customer premises device, comprising detecting receipt of a command indicative of an intent of a management entity to initiate a management session, the command being a management session initiation command. Responsive to detecting receipt of the management session initiation command, an identifier for participating in a management session with the management entity is obtained. Also, a method for execution at a management entity, comprising obtaining a management address for a customer device and determining whether the management address is indicative of a an address capable of supporting a management session or an address incapable of supporting a management session. If the management address is indicative of an address incapable of supporting a management session, a command is sent to the customer device, causing it to obtain a management address capable of supporting a management session.