CN114556123A - Portable test meter with backlit battery drain monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

A test meter and associated method for monitoring the condition of a backlit battery of a meter, wherein the meter includes a housing, a controller, a display having a backlight, and a battery monitoring circuit. The off time of the meter is measured and compared to a predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery. If the off time of the meter is greater than the predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery, the voltage of the backlight battery is measured at a predetermined time after the backlight is activated and compared to a first predetermined voltage that exceeds the threshold voltage of the backlight battery. If the measured voltage is less than the first predetermined voltage, the measured voltage is compared to a second predetermined voltage between the first predetermined voltage and the threshold voltage. If the measured voltage is less than the second predetermined voltage, a battery depletion warning is displayed.

Description

Translated fromChinese

带有背光电池电量耗尽监测的便携式测试仪表Portable test meter with backlit battery drain monitoring

技术领域technical field

本申请大致涉及测试仪表领域，且更具体地说，涉及用于定期监测受试者的便携式测试仪表以及用于监测便携式测试仪表中使用的电池耗尽的相关方法。The present application relates generally to the field of test meters, and more particularly, to portable test meters for regularly monitoring subjects and related methods for monitoring the depletion of batteries used in portable test meters.

背景技术Background technique

手持装置（诸如便携式测试仪表）通常需要显示器来向仪表的用户传达测试测量的结果。为了在弱光状况下的可读性，这种显示器可以包括背光。紧凑、重量轻、且寿命长而不需要频繁更换电池的便携式测试仪表是合期望的。Handheld devices, such as portable test meters, often require a display to communicate the results of the test measurements to the user of the meter. Such displays may include a backlight for readability in low light conditions. A portable test instrument that is compact, lightweight, and has a long life without requiring frequent battery changes is desirable.

一些技术，诸如薄膜晶体管（TFT）显示器技术，提供了用户期望的增强的彩色图形。然而，如果没有背光，这些显示器可能完全不可读，并且因此不适合在不更换电池的情况下操作数周或数月的便携式测试仪表中使用，因为不能为了省电而禁用背光。因此，这种需要持续背光照明的显示器通常不会被用于或考虑用于这种便携式测试仪表。Some technologies, such as thin film transistor (TFT) display technology, provide enhanced color graphics that users desire. However, without a backlight, these displays can be completely unreadable and are therefore not suitable for use in portable test meters that operate for weeks or months without battery replacement, as the backlight cannot be disabled to save power. Therefore, such displays that require constant backlighting are generally not used or considered for such portable test instruments.

另外，测试仪表中常用的显示器是无源液晶显示器（LCD），即使没有有源背光，无源液晶显示器也仍然清晰可见。因此，用于便携式测试仪表的现有架构没有解决具有TFT显示屏幕的便携式测试仪表所遇到的真正问题，这需要增强对背光子系统的监测和管理，以防止测试仪表的不可预测的功率损失。Also, a commonly used display in test meters is a passive liquid crystal display (LCD), which is still clearly visible even without an active backlight. Therefore, existing architectures for portable test meters do not address the real problems encountered by portable test meters with TFT display screens, which require enhanced monitoring and management of the backlight subsystem to prevent unpredictable power loss of the test meters .

此外，常用的电池耗尽检测算法可能只查看启动前的电池电压。在这种情况下，不考虑电池的内阻、离子迁移率和温度影响。然而，这种简单的测试只适用于经受相对较小且稳定的电流损耗的电池。Also, commonly used battery depletion detection algorithms may only look at the battery voltage before startup. In this case, the internal resistance, ion mobility and temperature effects of the battery are not considered. However, this simple test is only suitable for batteries that experience relatively small and steady current draws.

附图说明Description of drawings

为了理解本发明特征的方式，可以参考某些实施例进行详细描述，其中一些实施例在附图中示出。然而，应当注意，附图仅图示了某些实施例，并且因此不应被认为是对其范围的限制，因为所公开的主题的范围也涵盖其他实施例。附图不一定按比例绘制，重点通常放在说明某些实施例的特征上。在附图中，在各个视图中，相同的数字用于指示相同的部分。In order to understand the manner in which the invention is characterized, the detailed description can be made with reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only certain embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, since other embodiments are encompassed by the scope of the disclosed subject matter. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating features of certain embodiments. In the drawings, the same numerals are used to designate the same parts throughout the various views.

图1A描绘了根据本文阐述的方面的部分剖开的便携式测试仪表的面向后面的图；1A depicts a rear-facing view of a partially cutaway portable test meter in accordance with aspects set forth herein;

图1B描绘了根据本文阐述的方面的便携式测试仪表的面向正面的视图；1B depicts a front-facing view of a portable test meter in accordance with aspects set forth herein;

图2A是在图1A的便携式测试仪表中使用和供电的控制器的框图；2A is a block diagram of a controller used and powered in the portable test meter of FIG. 1A;

图2B是电路板的平面图，包括图1A和2A的便携式测试仪表的电气部件；Figure 2B is a plan view of a circuit board including electrical components of the portable test meter of Figures 1A and 2A;

图3描绘了连接在图1A的便携式测试仪表内的背光电池和主电池的示意图；3 depicts a schematic diagram of a backlight battery and a main battery connected within the portable test meter of FIG. 1A;

图4描绘了根据本文阐述的方面的用于测试仪表中的具有电池监测电路的背光驱动电路；4 depicts a backlight driver circuit with battery monitoring circuitry for use in a test meter in accordance with aspects set forth herein;

图5A-5B描绘了根据本文阐述的方面，打算用作用于测试仪表的背光电池的电池的电压恢复特性；以及5A-5B depict voltage recovery characteristics of a battery intended for use as a backlight battery for a test meter in accordance with aspects set forth herein; and

图6描绘了根据本文阐述的方面的用于监测背光电池的状况的方法，诸如具有图5A-5B中描绘的用于便携式测试仪表的特性的那些。6 depicts a method for monitoring the condition of a backlight battery, such as those having the characteristics depicted in FIGS. 5A-5B for a portable test meter, in accordance with aspects set forth herein.

具体实施方式Detailed ways

下面的详细描述应当参考附图来阅读，其中不同附图中的类似元素具有相同的编号。不一定按比例绘制的附图描绘了选定的实施例，并且不旨在限制本发明的范围。详细描述通过示例而非限制的方式说明了本发明的原理。该描述将清楚地使本领域技术人员能够制造和使用本发明，并且描述了本发明的几个实施例、修改、变型、替代方案和用途，包括目前被认为是实施本发明的最佳模式。The following detailed description should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements in different drawings have the same numbering. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The detailed description explains the principles of the invention by way of example and not limitation. This description will clearly enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, modifications, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode for carrying out the invention.

如本文所使用的，用于任何数值或范围的术语“大约”或“近似”指示合适的尺寸公差，其允许部分或部件的集合用于其如本文所述的预期目的。此外，如本文所用，术语“患者”、“宿主”、“用户”和“受试者”指任何人类或动物受试者，并且不旨在将系统或方法限制于人类使用，尽管在人类患者中使用受试者技术代表了优选实施例。As used herein, the terms "about" or "approximately" for any numerical value or range indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows a portion or collection of components to be used for its intended purpose as described herein. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "patient," "host," "user," and "subject" refer to any human or animal subject, and are not intended to limit the system or method to human use, although in human patients The use of subject technology in represents a preferred embodiment.

本公开部分涉及便携式测试仪表，诸如用于定期地测量受试者血糖水平的测试仪表。这些测试仪表中的某些配备有主电池或一次电池，其为测试仪表的内置控制器和显示器以及任何测量子系统（诸如用于血糖监测的电化学测试电路）供电。对于那些配备TFT或类似形式显示器的便携式测试仪表，存在为显示器的背光供电的进一步需要。因此，测试仪表可以进一步包括专用背光电池，并且允许增强的电池监测，以便于在背光电池耗尽之前更换背光电池。更具体地，主电池可以用于给控制器、显示器逻辑和测试仪表的任何测量子系统供电，而专用背光电池可以仅用于给背光供电。这种配置允许在便携式测试仪表中使用TFT显示器，尽管存在TFT显示器需要背光才可见的问题。在一个实施例中，由于使用常规的硬币电池作为专用背光电池，因此便携式测试仪表的占地空间减少，因为通常将不可用于背光的硬币电池以本文所述的非常规方式操作。This disclosure relates in part to portable test meters, such as those used to periodically measure blood glucose levels in subjects. Some of these test meters are equipped with a primary or primary battery that powers the test meter's built-in controller and display, as well as any measurement subsystems, such as electrochemical test circuits for blood glucose monitoring. For those portable test meters equipped with a TFT or similar form of display, there is a further need to power the backlight of the display. Thus, the test meter may further include a dedicated backlight battery and allow for enhanced battery monitoring to facilitate replacement of the backlight battery before the backlight battery is depleted. More specifically, the main battery may be used to power any measurement subsystems of the controller, display logic, and test instrumentation, while the dedicated backlight battery may be used to power the backlight only. This configuration allows the use of TFT displays in portable test instruments, although there are issues with TFT displays requiring a backlight to be visible. In one embodiment, by using conventional coin cells as dedicated backlight cells, the footprint of the portable test meter is reduced because coin cells that are not typically available for backlighting are operated in the unconventional manner described herein.

另外，硬币电池（诸如CR2032锂电池）已常用于便携式测试仪表，但不适合与诸如背光的高功率汲取部件一起使用。但是本文描述的技术使得能够使用这些常见电池，因为这些技术利用了便携式测试仪表的特定使用模式，诸如定期用于测量糖尿病患者血糖的那些。Additionally, coin cells (such as CR2032 lithium cells) have been commonly used in portable test meters, but are not suitable for use with high power drawing components such as backlights. But the techniques described herein enable the use of these common batteries because they take advantage of the specific usage patterns of portable test meters, such as those routinely used to measure blood sugar in diabetic patients.

总的来说且根据实施例，提供了一种便携式测试仪表。便携式测试仪表包括用于监测背光电池的装置，诸如电池监测电路。该测试仪表包括固持控制器的外壳，该控制器用于例如定期地测量受试者的血糖水平。测试仪表还包括显示器，诸如具有背光的TFT显示器和用于监测专用背光电池的电路。使用监测电路，测量仪表的关闭时间，并将其与背光电池的预定恢复时间进行比较。如果仪表的关闭时间大于背光电池的预定恢复时间，则在激励背光之后的预定时间处测量背光电池的电压，并将其与超过背光电池的阈值电压的第一预定电压进行比较。如果测量的电压小于第一预定电压，则将测量的电压与在第一预定电压和阈值电压之间的第二预定电压进行比较。如果测量的电压小于第二预定电压，则显示电池耗尽警告。In general and according to embodiments, a portable test meter is provided. Portable test meters include means for monitoring backlight batteries, such as battery monitoring circuits. The test meter includes a housing that holds a controller for periodically measuring a subject's blood glucose level, for example. The test instrument also includes a display, such as a TFT display with a backlight, and circuitry for monitoring the dedicated backlight battery. Using the monitoring circuit, the off time of the meter is measured and compared to the predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery. If the off time of the meter is greater than the predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery, the voltage of the backlight battery is measured at a predetermined time after activating the backlight and compared to a first predetermined voltage exceeding the threshold voltage of the backlight battery. If the measured voltage is less than the first predetermined voltage, the measured voltage is compared to a second predetermined voltage between the first predetermined voltage and the threshold voltage. If the measured voltage is less than the second predetermined voltage, a battery depletion warning is displayed.

在另一个实施例中，本文公开了一种用于监测用于便携式测试仪表的背光电池的状况的方法。测试仪表包括仪表外壳，该仪表外壳固持数个部件，包括控制器，并且在仪表外壳上提供显示器。显示器包括TFT屏幕和背光。背光由背光电池供电。根据该方法，测量仪表的关闭时间，并将其与背光电池的预定恢复时间进行比较。如果仪表的关闭时间大于背光电池的预定恢复时间，则在激励背光之后的预定时间处测量背光电池的电压，并将其与超过背光电池的阈值电压的第一预定电压进行比较。如果测量的电压小于第一预定电压，则将测量的电压与在第一预定电压和阈值电压之间的第二预定电压进行比较。如果测量的电压小于第二预定电压，则显示电池耗尽警告。In another embodiment, disclosed herein is a method for monitoring the condition of a backlight battery for a portable test meter. The test meter includes a meter housing that holds several components, including a controller, and provides a display on the meter housing. The display includes a TFT screen and backlight. The backlight is powered by the backlight battery. According to this method, the off time of the meter is measured and compared to the predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery. If the off time of the meter is greater than the predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery, the voltage of the backlight battery is measured at a predetermined time after activating the backlight and compared to a first predetermined voltage exceeding the threshold voltage of the backlight battery. If the measured voltage is less than the first predetermined voltage, the measured voltage is compared to a second predetermined voltage between the first predetermined voltage and the threshold voltage. If the measured voltage is less than the second predetermined voltage, a battery depletion warning is displayed.

上述实施例意图仅是示例。从下面的讨论中很容易看出，其他合适的实施例也在所公开主题的预期范围内。The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only. It will be readily apparent from the following discussion that other suitable embodiments are within the contemplation of the disclosed subject matter.

现在将描述具体的工作示例。首先，参照图1-6，将讨论便携式测试仪表和电池监测技术。A specific working example will now be described. First, with reference to Figures 1-6, portable test meters and battery monitoring techniques will be discussed.

图1A描绘了便携式测试仪表10的面向后面的视图，其由仪表外壳11限定，该仪表外壳11具有被配置成且尺寸被设置成固持多个部件的内部。这些部件包括控制器38（见图2A）、主电池50和背光电池52。如图1B所示，根据该实施例的显示器14包括薄膜晶体管（TFT）屏幕以及背光，该背光设置在类似的便携式测试仪表10’的面向前面的一侧上。在一个操作示例中，主电池50为控制器38以及TFT显示器逻辑供电。同时，背光电池52仅给显示器背光供电。1A depicts a rear-facing view of aportable test meter 10 defined by ameter housing 11 having an interior configured and dimensioned to hold various components. These components include controller 38 (see FIG. 2A ),main battery 50 andbacklight battery 52 . As shown in Figure IB, thedisplay 14 according to this embodiment includes a thin film transistor (TFT) screen and a backlight disposed on the front facing side of a similar portable test meter 10'. In one example of operation, themain battery 50 powers thecontroller 38 and the TFT display logic. Meanwhile, thebacklight battery 52 only powers the display backlight.

取决于配置，背光可以是发光二极管（LED）或LED阵列，其中阵列可以包括1至50个LED。在其他实施例中，背光可以是荧光装置、电致发光装置、有机发光二极管（OLED）或可以设置在图1A和1B的测试仪表10、10’的外壳11内的任何其他光源。Depending on the configuration, the backlight can be a light emitting diode (LED) or an LED array, where the array can include 1 to 50 LEDs. In other embodiments, the backlight may be a fluorescent device, an electroluminescent device, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), or any other light source that may be disposed within thehousing 11 of thetest meter 10, 10' of Figures 1A and 1B.

图1B图示了糖尿病管理系统，其包括便携式测试仪表10’和呈葡萄糖测试条62形式的生物传感器。尽管便携式测试仪表10、10’具有不同的物理外观，但是它们大致以相同的方式操作。注意，仪表（仪表单元）可以被称为分析物测量和管理单元、葡萄糖仪表、仪表和分析物测量装置（未示出）。在实施例中，仪表单元可以与胰岛素输送装置、附加分析物测试装置和药物输送装置相结合。仪表单元可以经由电缆或合适的无线技术（诸如，例如GSM、CDMA、蓝牙、无线网络等）连接到远程计算机或远程服务器。这种管理系统在2014年4月29日授权的且题为“分析物测量技术和系统”的美国专利号8,709,232B2中有更详细的描述，其全部内容通过引用结合于此。FIG. 1B illustrates a diabetes management system that includes a portable test meter 10' and a biosensor in the form of aglucose test strip 62. Although theportable test meters 10, 10' have different physical appearances, they operate in substantially the same manner. Note that a meter (meter unit) may be referred to as an analyte measurement and management unit, a glucose meter, a meter, and an analyte measurement device (not shown). In an embodiment, the meter unit may be combined with an insulin delivery device, additional analyte testing devices, and drug delivery devices. The meter unit may be connected to a remote computer or remote server via a cable or suitable wireless technology such as, for example, GSM, CDMA, Bluetooth, wireless network, etc. Such management systems are described in more detail in US Patent No. 8,709,232 B2, issued April 29, 2014, and entitled "Analyte Measurement Techniques and Systems," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

返回参考图1B，血糖仪或仪表单元10’由外壳11限定，外壳11具有设置在外壳11的面对表面上的多个用户界面按钮（16、18和20）。除了被配置成接收生物传感器（测试条62）的测试条端口开口22之外，还提供显示器14。用户界面按钮（16、18和20）可以被配置成允许数据输入、菜单导航和命令执行。用户界面按钮18可以呈双向拨动开关的形式。用户界面按钮的数量和取向可以呈现各种配置，其中所示的三（3）个界面按钮是示例。数据可以包括代表分析物浓度的值和/或与个人日常生活方式相关的信息。与日常生活方式相关的信息可包括食物摄入、药物使用、健康检查的发生以及个人的一般健康状况和运动水平。便携式测试仪表10、10’的电子部件可以设置在电路板34上，如图2B所示，电路板34设置在仪表外壳11、11’的内部内。Referring back to Figure IB, the blood glucose meter or meter unit 10' In addition to the teststrip port opening 22 configured to receive the biosensor (test strip 62), adisplay 14 is also provided. User interface buttons (16, 18 and 20) may be configured to allow data entry, menu navigation and command execution.User interface buttons 18 may be in the form of two-way toggle switches. The number and orientation of user interface buttons may present various configurations, with the three (3) interface buttons shown being an example. The data may include values representing analyte concentrations and/or information related to an individual's daily lifestyle. Information related to daily living patterns can include food intake, medication use, occurrence of health checks, and the general health and exercise level of the individual. The electronic components of theportable test meter 10, 10' may be disposed on acircuit board 34, which is disposed within the interior of themeter housing 11, 11' as shown in FIG. 2B.

图2A描绘了便携式测试仪表的部分框图，其示出了连接到电源220的控制器38。控制器38包括中央处理器（CPU）212、随机存取存储器（RAM）214、模数转换器（ADC）216和通用输入/输出（GPIO）218。ADC 216连接到背光电池监测电路，并且可用于测量其电压。GPIO218可以与显示器通信以打开背光60（见图3），或者可以与电池监测电路通信（见图4）。FIG. 2A depicts a partial block diagram of a portable testmeter showing controller 38 connected topower source 220 .Controller 38 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 212 , random access memory (RAM) 214 , analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 216 and general purpose input/output (GPIO) 218 .ADC 216 is connected to the backlight battery monitoring circuit and can be used to measure its voltage.GPIO 218 can communicate with the display to turn on the backlight 60 (see Figure 3), or it can communicate with the battery monitoring circuit (see Figure 4).

图2B（以简化示意图）图示了设置在电路板34的顶表面上的电子部件，电路板34设置在图1A的测试仪表10的内部内。这些电子部件包括测试条端口连接器22、运算放大器电路35、控制器38、显示器连接器14a、非易失性存储器40、时钟42和第一无线模块46。在电路板34的底表面上，电子部件可以包括电池连接器（未示出）和数据端口13。控制器38可以电连接到测试条端口连接器22、运算放大器电路35、第一无线模块46、显示器14、非易失性存储器40、时钟42、至少一个电池、数据端口13和用户界面按钮16、18、20。FIG. 2B (to simplify the schematic diagram) illustrates electronic components disposed on the top surface of acircuit board 34 disposed within the interior of thetest meter 10 of FIG. 1A . These electronic components include teststrip port connector 22 ,operational amplifier circuit 35 ,controller 38 ,display connector 14 a ,non-volatile memory 40 ,clock 42 andfirst wireless module 46 . On the bottom surface of thecircuit board 34 , the electronic components may include a battery connector (not shown) and thedata port 13 .Controller 38 may be electrically connected to teststrip port connector 22 ,operational amplifier circuit 35 ,first wireless module 46 ,display 14 ,non-volatile memory 40 ,clock 42 , at least one battery,data port 13 anduser interface buttons 16 , 18, 20.

运算放大器电路35可以包括两个或更多运算放大器，其被配置成提供恒电位仪功能和电流测量功能的一部分。恒电位仪功能可以指在与测试仪表结合使用的测试条的至少两个电极之间施加测试电压。电流函数可以指由所施加的测试电压产生的测试电流的测量。电流测量可以用电流-电压转换器来执行。控制器38可以呈混合信号微处理器（MSP）的形式，诸如，例如德州仪器MSP 430。TI-MSP 430可以被配置成还执行恒电位仪功能和电流测量功能的一部分。另外，控制器38还可以包括易失性和非易失性存储器。在另一个实施例中，许多电子部件可以以专用集成电路（ASIC）的形式与控制器集成。Theoperational amplifier circuit 35 may include two or more operational amplifiers configured to provide potentiostat functionality and part of the current measurement functionality. A potentiostat function may refer to applying a test voltage between at least two electrodes of a test strip used in conjunction with a test meter. The current function may refer to the measurement of the test current produced by the applied test voltage. Current measurements can be performed with a current-to-voltage converter.Controller 38 may be in the form of a mixed-signal microprocessor (MSP), such as, for example, Texas Instruments MSP 430 . The TI-MSP 430 can be configured to also perform part of the potentiostat function and the current measurement function. Additionally, thecontroller 38 may also include volatile and non-volatile memory. In another embodiment, many of the electronic components may be integrated with the controller in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

测试条端口连接器22可以被配置成形成到测试条（诸如测试条62）的电连接。显示器连接器14a可以被配置成附接到显示器14。显示器14可以呈液晶显示器的形式，用于报告测得的葡萄糖水平，并且便于使用界面按钮16、18、20输入生活方式相关信息。更具体地，且根据该实施例，显示器14包括背光。数据端口13可以接受附接到连接引线（未示出）的合适连接器，从而允许测试仪表10链接到外部装置，诸如个人计算机。数据端口13可以是允许数据传输的任何端口，诸如，例如串行、USB或并行端口。时钟42可以被配置成保持与用户所处的地理区域相关的当前时间，并且还用于测量时间，且如稍后更详细描述的。测试仪表可以被配置成电连接到电源，诸如，例如至少一个内置电池，如根据图3所描绘的。Teststrip port connector 22 may be configured to form an electrical connection to a test strip, such astest strip 62 .Display connector 14a may be configured to attach to display 14 .Display 14 may be in the form of a liquid crystal display for reporting measured glucose levels and for facilitating entry of lifestyle related information usinginterface buttons 16, 18, 20. More specifically, and according to this embodiment,display 14 includes a backlight.Data port 13 may accept suitable connectors attached to connecting leads (not shown), allowingtest meter 10 to be linked to an external device, such as a personal computer. Thedata port 13 may be any port that allows data transfer, such as, for example, a serial, USB or parallel port. Theclock 42 may be configured to maintain the current time relative to the geographic area in which the user is located, and also to measure time, as described in more detail later. The test meter may be configured to be electrically connected to a power source, such as, for example, at least one built-in battery, as depicted in accordance with FIG. 3 .

图3示意性地描绘了用于图1的测试仪表10的功率配置的进一步细节。在该配置中，控制器38连接到主电池50，用于向控制器38供应功率。背光电池52用于经由背光驱动电路54为显示器14的背光60供电。FIG. 3 schematically depicts further details of the power configuration for thetest meter 10 of FIG. 1 . In this configuration, thecontroller 38 is connected to themain battery 50 for supplying power to thecontroller 38 . Thebacklight battery 52 is used to power thebacklight 60 of thedisplay 14 via thebacklight driver circuit 54 .

图4描绘了如与电池监测电路420一起使用的根据实施例的背光驱动电路410。示例性背光驱动电路410采用以恒流配置操作的开关模式升压调节器。驱动电路410通过LED_A和LED_K输出到LED背光。LED电流由电阻器R32控制。在这种情况下，参考电压（例如500mV）可以保持在U10上的引脚FB处，提供近似10 mA的LED驱动电流。电池监测电路420通过模数转换器（ADC）测量电压VBAT2。例如，为了便于背光电池测量，控制器可以将信号EN_VBAT2_MEAS拉至低电位，从而导通MOSFET Q4。这允许来自BT2的电压到达由R34/R38产生的分压器。这两个电阻器的比值将BT2电压除以1.7的系数，然后再将该电压馈送到ADC。分压器确保BT2电压不会使ADC输入饱和。FIG. 4 depicts abacklight driver circuit 410 according to an embodiment as used with abattery monitoring circuit 420 . The exemplarybacklight drive circuit 410 employs a switch-mode boost regulator operating in a constant current configuration. The drivingcircuit 410 outputs to the LED backlight through LED_A and LED_K. The LED current is controlled by resistor R32. In this case, a reference voltage (eg 500mV) can be held at pin FB on U10, providing approximately 10 mA of LED drive current. Thebattery monitoring circuit 420 measures the voltage VBAT2 through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). For example, to facilitate backlight battery measurements, the controller can pull the signal EN_VBAT2_MEAS low, turning on MOSFET Q4. This allows the voltage from BT2 to reach the voltage divider created by R34/R38. The ratio of these two resistors divides the BT2 voltage by a factor of 1.7 before feeding this voltage to the ADC. The voltage divider ensures that the BT2 voltage does not saturate the ADC input.

图5A-5B描绘了根据本文阐述的方面的锂硬币背光电池的电化学电压恢复特性。例如，如果背光电池被加载到0.8 V，当移除负载时，图5A显示电压在近似60秒后开始恢复到2 V以上。然而，恢复到例如3 V的标称电池电压的99%可能花费近似3小时，如图5B所示。5A-5B depict electrochemical voltage recovery characteristics of lithium coin backlight cells in accordance with aspects set forth herein. For example, if the backlight battery is loaded to 0.8 V, when the load is removed, Figure 5A shows that the voltage begins to recover above 2 V after approximately 60 seconds. However, it may take approximately 3 hours to recover to 99% of the nominal battery voltage, eg, 3 V, as shown in Figure 5B.

例如，可以选择特定的电池型号在便携式测试仪表中用作背光电池。这种电池可以通过工厂测试来表征，以确定电池在被汲取一段时间（便携式测试仪表的典型使用时间）之后恢复到电化学平衡将要花费的时间。在便携式葡萄糖测试仪表的情况下，通常每天使用3-4次，每次大约2-5分钟，电池循环的特征可以是全汲取5分钟，并确定恢复所需的时间。For example, a specific battery model can be selected for use as a backlight battery in a portable test meter. Such batteries can be characterized by factory testing to determine how long it will take for the battery to return to electrochemical equilibrium after being drawn for a period of time (typical of portable test meters). In the case of a portable glucose test meter, typically used 3-4 times a day for about 2-5 minutes each time, the battery cycle can be characterized by a full draw of 5 minutes and determine the time required for recovery.

值得注意的是，显示图5A-5B的特性的锂硬币电池对于为持续操作并在相对长时间段内操作的装置的背光电池供电并不理想。然而，因为在测试过程期间，诸如葡萄糖仪表的测试仪表通常仅在相对短的时间段内每天使用几次，所以通过采用如本文所述的监测技术，可以将锂硬币电池用作这种仪表中的背光电池。这些监测技术使得能够检测耗尽的电池，以便及时更换。Notably, lithium coin cells exhibiting the characteristics of Figures 5A-5B are not ideal for powering backlight batteries for devices that operate continuously and over relatively long periods of time. However, because test meters, such as glucose meters, are typically only used a few times a day for a relatively short period of time during the testing process, by employing monitoring techniques as described herein, lithium coin cells can be used in such meters backlight battery. These monitoring technologies enable the detection of depleted batteries for timely replacement.

除了恢复时间特性之外，当电池存储在其正常操作范围之外的温度时，其可能表现出电压降低。在这种情况下，其中电池远低于标称操作温度，本文描述的技术可以通过抑制这种循环期间的电池耗尽消息来说明温度超出操作范围。In addition to the recovery time characteristics, the battery may exhibit a drop in voltage when stored at temperatures outside its normal operating range. In such situations, where the battery is well below the nominal operating temperature, the techniques described herein can account for the temperature being out of range by suppressing battery depletion messages during such cycling.

图6描绘了当使用具有类似于图5A和5B的特性的特性的背光电池时，用于监测图1A或1B的便携式测试仪表10、10’的背光电池52的状况的方法600。如上所述，诸如血糖仪的测试仪表包括基于膳食和其他事件（锻炼、睡眠等）在24小时时段的过程内进行的定期测量。因此，在给定的24小时时段内，测试仪表将不会一直通电，在该时段内可以多次获得葡萄糖测量结果，在给定的24小时时段内，测量可能经常花费不到一分钟。出于本发明和确定背光电池耗尽的目的，已经确定测试仪表的关闭时间是可以用于确定背光电池是否耗尽的重要因素。在描述方法600时，将仅出于说明的目的给出具体的工作示例。6 depicts amethod 600 for monitoring the condition of thebacklight battery 52 of theportable test meter 10, 10' of FIGS. 1A or 1B when a backlight battery having characteristics similar to those of FIGS. 5A and 5B is used. As mentioned above, test meters, such as blood glucose meters, include periodic measurements over the course of a 24-hour period based on meals and other events (exercise, sleep, etc.). Therefore, the test meter will not be powered all the time during a given 24-hour period during which glucose measurements can be obtained multiple times, and measurements may often take less than a minute during a given 24-hour period. For the purposes of the present invention and to determine whether the backlight battery is depleted, it has been determined that the off time of the test meter is an important factor that can be used to determine whether the backlight battery is depleted. In describingmethod 600, a specific working example will be given for illustrative purposes only.

在一个实施例中，方法600在框610处测量仪表的关闭时间，并将所测量的仪表的关闭时间与背光电池的预定恢复时间进行比较。例如，控制器38可以将背光使用记录存储到非易失性存储器。在这里将参考图6遵循的用于说明目的的特定工作示例中，记录可以指示背光最后一次被激励是在第X天下午1：08。然后，当仪表下一次被打开时，仪表可以从控制器的机载时钟获得当前系统时间。在具体的工作示例中，当前系统时间可以是第X天下午5：28。然后，控制器可以从当前系统时间减去先前激励时间，以确定关闭时间，在该特定的工作示例中，关闭时间将是4小时20分钟。In one embodiment, themethod 600 measures the off time of the meter atblock 610 and compares the measured off time of the meter to a predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery. For example,controller 38 may store a record of backlight usage to non-volatile memory. In a specific working example for illustration purposes, which will be followed here with reference to FIG. 6, a record may indicate that the last time the backlight was energized was at 1:08 PM on day X. Then, the next time the meter is turned on, the meter can obtain the current system time from the controller's onboard clock. In a specific working example, the current system time may be 5:28 PM on day X. The controller can then subtract the previous activation time from the current system time to determine the shutdown time, which in this particular working example would be 4 hours and 20 minutes.

为了精确计量测试仪表的内置电池是否耗尽，当电池已经被允许从定期循环中恢复时，测量最为精确。在这种情况下，方法600在框620处确定仪表的关闭时间是否大于背光电池的预定恢复时间。在特定的工作示例中，锂硬币电池可能需要4小时的时间来恢复，并且因此，在该特定示例中，控制器可以将实际关闭时间与4小时恢复时间进行比较，并且前进到框620的“是”分支。相反，如果电池还没有被允许充分恢复整整四个小时，则方法600在框620处前进到框690，并且将不显示警告消息。在这种情况下，仪表可以进行主仪表例程，并允许执行测试，诸如血糖测试。To accurately gauge whether the test meter's built-in battery is depleted, the measurement is most accurate when the battery has been allowed to recover from periodic cycles. In this case, themethod 600 determines atblock 620 whether the off time of the meter is greater than the predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery. In a particular working example, a lithium coin cell battery may take 4 hours to recover, and therefore, in this particular example, the controller may compare the actual shutdown time to the 4 hour recovery time, and proceed to "" atblock 620 is" branch. Conversely, if the battery has not been allowed to recover sufficiently for four full hours,method 600 proceeds to block 690 atblock 620 and the warning message will not be displayed. In this case, the meter can go through the main meter routine and allow tests, such as blood glucose tests, to be performed.

在其他示例中，电池可能需要从10分钟到12小时的任何时间来进行恢复。可以表征在特定测试仪表中使用的特定电池型号的恢复时间，并且因此可以预定用于恢复时间的适当值。如参照图5A-5B所述，电池恢复时间的表征可以通过使用N个电池复制品的受控测试以及使用电压表测量电池的内部电压来进行。In other examples, the battery may take anywhere from 10 minutes to 12 hours to recover. The recovery time for a particular battery model used in a particular test meter can be characterized, and thus an appropriate value for the recovery time can be predetermined. As described with reference to Figures 5A-5B, the characterization of battery recovery time can be performed by controlled testing using N battery replicas and measuring the internal voltage of the battery using a voltmeter.

继续，方法600在框630处开启（激励）测试仪表的背光，并且在激励背光之后的预定时间处测量背光电池的电压。可以选择预定时间以允许背光在进行测量之前完全激励。在具体的工作示例中，电池监测电路410可以在预定时间之后读取电压，并且控制器可以将电压存储在非易失性存储器中。预定时间可以通过受控测试来选择，在受控测试中，在受控环境中使用高速电压测试器来监测背光操作的前几秒期间的背光电池电压，以确定电压降到稳定必须经过多长时间。Continuing,method 600 turns on (energizes) the backlight of the test meter atblock 630 and measures the voltage of the backlight battery at a predetermined time after energizing the backlight. The predetermined time can be chosen to allow the backlight to fully energize before taking measurements. In a specific working example, thebattery monitoring circuit 410 may read the voltage after a predetermined time, and the controller may store the voltage in non-volatile memory. The predetermined time can be selected by a controlled test in which a high-speed voltage tester is used in a controlled environment to monitor the backlight battery voltage during the first few seconds of backlight operation to determine how long it must take for the voltage to drop to stabilize time.

接下来，方法600在框640处将测量的电压与超过背光电池的阈值电压的第一预定电压进行比较。第一预定电压可以被选择为足够高的电压，使得几乎不存在或不存在背光电池接近耗尽的可能性。相反，阈值电压可以被选择为激励背光所需的最小可能电压。在一个具体示例中，阈值电压可以是0.8 V，并且第一预定电压可以是2.5 V（新电池的电压）。Next,method 600 compares the measured voltage to a first predetermined voltage that exceeds the threshold voltage of the backlight battery atblock 640 . The first predetermined voltage may be selected to be a sufficiently high voltage that there is little or no possibility that the backlight battery is near exhaustion. Instead, the threshold voltage can be chosen to be the smallest possible voltage required to activate the backlight. In a specific example, the threshold voltage may be 0.8 V, and the first predetermined voltage may be 2.5 V (the voltage of a new battery).

方法600在框650处确定所测量的电压是否小于第一预定电压。在所测量的电压大于或等于第一预定电压的情况下，方法600前进到框690，并且不显示警告，因为背光电池没有接近于被耗尽。在一个示例中，第一预定电压可以被设置成等于新安装的电池的全电压。Themethod 600 determines whether the measured voltage is less than a first predetermined voltage atblock 650 . In the event that the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the first predetermined voltage,method 600 proceeds to block 690 and no warning is displayed because the backlight battery is not close to being depleted. In one example, the first predetermined voltage may be set equal to the full voltage of the newly installed battery.

如果方法600在框650处确定测量的电压小于第一阈值电压，则方法600继续到框660，并将测量的电压与第二预定电压进行比较，第二预定电压在第一预定电压和阈值电压之间。第二预定电压可以通过测试仪表和电池的N个复制品的受控测试来选择（例如，N=100）。第二预定电压代表电池足够接近耗尽而需要用户干预的电压。例如，第二预定电压可以通过受控测试来确定，直到在电池完全耗尽之前可以进行特定的少量典型仪表测试，诸如一次到五次之间的测试。在一个示例中，第二预定电压可以在1.0 V和1.2 V之间。Ifmethod 600 determines atblock 650 that the measured voltage is less than the first threshold voltage,method 600 continues to block 660 and compares the measured voltage to a second predetermined voltage between the first predetermined voltage and the threshold voltage between. The second predetermined voltage may be selected by controlled testing of N replicas of the test meter and battery (eg, N=100). The second predetermined voltage represents a voltage at which the battery is sufficiently close to depletion to require user intervention. For example, the second predetermined voltage may be determined by controlled testing until a certain small number of typical meter tests, such as between one and five tests, may be performed before the battery is fully depleted. In one example, the second predetermined voltage may be between 1.0 V and 1.2 V.

方法600在框670处确定测量的电压是否小于第二预定电压。如果测量的电压不小于第二预定电压，则该方法进行到框690，并且不显示警告。Themethod 600 determines whether the measured voltage is less than a second predetermined voltage atblock 670 . If the measured voltage is not less than the second predetermined voltage, the method proceeds to block 690 and no warning is displayed.

相反，如果测量的电压小于第二预定电压，则该方法进行到框690，并且电池耗尽警告或消息显示在仪表上。在一个示例中，电池耗尽消息可以作为低电池图标持续显示在仪表上。在另一个示例中，在允许执行测试之前，仪表可能需要确认电池耗尽警告。在另一个示例中，电池耗尽警告可以指示仪表的剩余测试周期数。在又一示例中，电池耗尽警告可以基于剩余的典型测试可以被执行的次数来升级或重复。Conversely, if the measured voltage is less than the second predetermined voltage, the method proceeds to block 690 and a depleted battery warning or message is displayed on the meter. In one example, a depleted battery message may be continuously displayed on the meter as a low battery icon. In another example, the meter may need to acknowledge a depleted battery warning before allowing a test to be performed. In another example, a depleted battery warning may indicate the number of test cycles remaining for the meter. In yet another example, the battery depletion warning can be escalated or repeated based on the remaining number of times the typical test can be performed.

在另一个实施例中，该方法可以在第二预定时间处测量背光电池的第二电压。例如，第二测量电压可以在第一测量电压之后的1到1000秒之间获得。第二测量电压可用于确定自激励背光以来的预定时间期间发生的电池电压降。随着背光电池的耗尽，在每个使用周期，该电压降将变得更大。在使用低容量电池为背光供电的示例中，这种电池可能仅能够在需要关闭以进行恢复循环之前为背光供电特定的持续时间。因此，如果背光已经被供电长于特定时间间隔而不被允许恢复，则仪表可以确定电池只是暂时耗尽，而不是永久耗尽。同样，这种电池的可接受的接通时间可以通过用电池受控测试N个复制品仪表来表征，并且。In another embodiment, the method may measure the second voltage of the backlight battery at a second predetermined time. For example, the second measurement voltage may be obtained between 1 and 1000 seconds after the first measurement voltage. The second measured voltage may be used to determine the battery voltage drop that occurs during a predetermined period of time since the backlight was energized. This voltage drop will become larger with each cycle of use as the backlight battery is depleted. In the example where a low-capacity battery is used to power the backlight, such a battery may only be able to power the backlight for a certain duration before it needs to be shut down for a recovery cycle. Thus, if the backlight has been powered for longer than a certain time interval without being allowed to recover, the meter can determine that the battery is only drained temporarily, not permanently. Again, the acceptable on-time of such a battery can be characterized by controlled testing of N replica meters with the battery, and .

值得注意的是，上文关于框610至框680描述的方法600通常发生在仪表用户用仪表进行测试之前。因此，用户可能接收到背光电池警告，并可以在那时决定放弃进行测试，诸如自我监测血糖测试，并立即更换背光电池。在另一个示例中，用户可以选择首先进行测试，并且然后随后更换背光电池。在又一个实施例中，基于背光已经被激励之后电池的电压水平，控制器可以估计在电池将完全不能点亮屏幕之前可能剩余的典型测试循环的数量，并且提供指示在电池完全耗尽之前有多少剩余测试是可能的警告。Notably, themethod 600 described above with respect toblocks 610 to 680 generally occurs before the meter user performs testing with the meter. Thus, the user may receive a backlight battery warning and may decide at that point to forgo a test, such as a self-monitoring blood glucose test, and replace the backlight battery immediately. In another example, the user may choose to test first, and then replace the backlight battery later. In yet another embodiment, based on the voltage level of the battery after the backlight has been activated, the controller can estimate the number of typical test cycles that may remain before the battery will be completely unable to light the screen, and provide an indication that there is a How many remaining tests are possible warnings.

在另一个实施例中，除了上述电池耗尽检查之外，或者代替上述电池耗尽检查，可以采用所谓的气体计量技术，其中通过测量从当系统中安装新电池时开始使用仪表的每个历史时间间隔内的电压和电流来跟踪电池在其寿命期间使用的累积能量。单独使用这种技术可能容易出错，因为测试仪表中可能安装了部分充电的电池。然而，结合上述其他监测，这种技术可以消除假阳性或假阴性。例如，如果安装了已知的新电池（例如，具有特定识别码以指示制造商的智能电池），则仪表可以使用累积的使用数据来覆盖电池耗尽警告。In another embodiment, in addition to, or in place of, the battery depletion check described above, a so-called gas metering technique may be employed, in which each history of meter usage from when a new battery is installed in the system is measured by measuring Voltage and current over time intervals to track the cumulative energy used by the battery over its lifetime. Using this technique alone can be error-prone because a partially charged battery may be installed in the test meter. However, combined with the other monitoring described above, this technique can eliminate false positives or false negatives. For example, if a known new battery is installed (eg, a smart battery with a specific identification code to indicate the manufacturer), the meter can use accumulated usage data to override the battery depletion warning.

虽然已经依照特定的变型和说明性附图描述了本发明，但是本领域普通技术人员将认识到，本发明不限于所描述的变型或附图。另外，当上述方法和步骤指示以特定顺序发生的特定事件时，本领域普通技术人员将认识到，可以修改特定步骤的顺序，并且这种修改符合本发明的变型。另外，当可能时，某些步骤可以在并行过程中同时执行，也可以如上所述顺序执行。因此，就本发明的变型而言，这些变型在本公开的精神之内或者等同于权利要求中发现的发明，本专利的意图是也将覆盖这些变型。While the invention has been described in terms of the specific variations and illustrative drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the described variations or drawings. Additionally, when the methods and steps described above indicate specific events occurring in a specific order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the order of the specific steps may be modified and such modifications are consistent with variations of the present invention. Additionally, where possible, certain steps may be performed concurrently in parallel processes, or may be performed sequentially as described above. Accordingly, to the extent that variations of the invention are within the spirit of this disclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it is intended that this patent will also cover such variations.

就权利要求引用多个元素叙述短语“至少一个”来说，这旨在意味着列出的元素中的至少一个或多个，并且不限于每个元素中的至少一个。例如，“元素A、元素B和元素C中的至少一者”旨在指示单独的元素A，或者单独的元素B，或者单独的元素C，或者它们的任何组合。“元素A、元素B和元素C中的至少一者”不旨在限于元素A、元素B和元素C中的至少一者。To the extent a claim recites the phrase "at least one" of a plurality of elements, this is intended to mean at least one or more of the listed elements and not limited to at least one of each element. For example, "at least one of element A, element B, and element C" is intended to mean element A alone, or element B alone, or element C alone, or any combination thereof. "At least one of element A, element B, and element C" is not intended to be limited to at least one of element A, element B, and element C.

该书面描述使用示例来公开本发明，包括最佳模式，并且还使得本领域的任何技术人员能够实践本发明，包括制造和使用任何装置或系统以及执行任何结合的方法。本发明的可专利范围由权利要求限定，并且可以包括本领域技术人员想到的其他示例。如果这些其他示例具有与权利要求的字面语言没有不同的结构元素，或者如果这些其他示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有实质差异的等同结构元素，则这些其他示例意图在权利要求的范围内。This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

本文使用的术语仅仅是为了描述特定的实施例，且不是旨在进行限制。如本文所使用的，单数形式“一个”、“一”和“该”旨在也包括复数形式，除非上下文清楚地另外指示。将进一步理解，术语“包括（comprise）”（以及任何形式的包括，例如“包括（comprises）”和“包括（comprising）”）、“具有”（以及任何形式的具有，例如“具有（has）”和“具有（having）”）、“包含”（以及任何形式的包含，例如“包含（includes）”和“包含（including）”）和“含有”（以及任何形式的含有，诸如“含有（contains）”和“含有（containing）”）是开放式链接动词。因此，“包括”、“具有”、“包含”或“含有”一个或多个步骤或元素的方法或装置拥有那些一个或多个步骤或元素，但不限于仅拥有那些一个或多个步骤或元素。同样，“包括”、“具有”、“包含”或“含有”一个或多个特征的方法的步骤或装置的元素拥有那些一个或多个特征，但不限于仅拥有那些一个或多个特征。此外，以某种方式配置的装置或结构至少以该方式配置，但是也可以以未列出的方式配置。The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise" (and any form of including, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of having, such as "has" " and "having"), "including" (and any form of inclusion, such as "includes" and "including"), and "containing" (and any form of inclusion, such as "containing ( contains)" and "containing") are open link verbs. Thus, a method or apparatus that "comprises," "has," "comprises," or "contains" one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps or element. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that "comprises," "has," "comprises," or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

以下权利要求中的所有装置或步骤加上功能元素的对应结构、材料、动作和等同物，如果有的话，旨在包括用于结合具体要求保护的其他要求保护的元素来执行功能的任何结构、材料或动作。这里阐述的描述是为了说明和描述的目的而给出的，但并不旨在穷举或限制于所公开的形式。在不脱离本公开的范围和精神的情况下，许多修改和变型对于本领域普通技术人员来说是显而易见的。选择和描述该实施例是为了最好地解释本文阐述的一个或多个方面的原理和实际应用，并且使得本领域的其他普通技术人员能够理解本文针对具有适合于预期的特定用途的各种修改的各种实施例描述的一个或多个方面。The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed , material or action. The description set forth herein has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the form disclosed. Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application of one or more aspects set forth herein, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand various modifications herein as are suited to the particular use contemplated One or more aspects of the various embodiments described.

Claims (20)

1. A portable test meter comprising:

a meter housing;

a controller;

a display on the meter housing, the display including a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) screen and a backlight;

a backlight battery operatively connected to the backlight; and

a battery monitoring circuit operably connected to the controller and the backlight battery, wherein the monitoring circuit:

measuring a turn-off time of the meter and comparing the measured turn-off time of the meter with a predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery;

if the off time of the meter is greater than the predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery, measuring a voltage of the backlight battery at a predetermined time after energizing the backlight and comparing the measured voltage to a first predetermined voltage, the first predetermined voltage exceeding a threshold voltage of the backlight battery;

comparing the measured voltage to a second predetermined voltage if the measured voltage is less than the first predetermined voltage, the second predetermined voltage being between the first predetermined voltage and the threshold voltage; and

displaying a battery-out warning if the measured voltage of the backlight battery is less than the second predetermined voltage.

2. The portable test meter of claim 1, wherein the backlight battery is configured to be periodically loaded for a power-on time followed by a predetermined recovery time, wherein loading of the backlight battery longer than the power-on time reduces the battery internal voltage below the threshold voltage of the backlight battery.

3. The portable test meter of claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit is further configured to measure a second voltage of the backlight battery at a second predetermined time prior to energizing the backlight, and to display the battery-out warning on a screen of the test meter depending on a comparison of the voltages of the backlight battery at the predetermined time and the second predetermined time.

4. The portable test meter of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is between 1 and 1000 milliseconds.

5. The portable test meter of claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit measures a cumulative power draw of the backlight battery during a power-on operation of the backlight and displays the battery-out warning when the measured cumulative power draw is below a predetermined power rating of the backlight battery.

6. The portable test meter of claim 1, wherein the monitoring circuit measures a temperature of the backlight battery and displays a battery-out warning when the temperature is within a predetermined operating temperature range of the backlight battery.

7. The portable test meter of claim 1, wherein the backlight battery is a lithium primary battery.

8. The portable test meter of claim 1, further comprising a main battery operatively connected to the controller and the TFT screen, wherein the main battery and the backlight battery are the same battery type.

9. A method for monitoring backlight battery condition for a portable test meter, the test meter comprising a meter case, a controller, and a display on the meter case, the display comprising a TFT screen and a backlight, the backlight being powered by a backlight battery, wherein the method comprises:

measuring a turn-off time of the test meter and determining whether the turn-off time is greater than a predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery;

energizing the backlight;

measuring a voltage of the backlight battery at a predetermined time after energizing the backlight if an off time of the meter is greater than a predetermined recovery time of the backlight battery;

comparing the measured voltage to a first predetermined voltage, the first predetermined voltage exceeding a threshold voltage of the backlight battery;

comparing the measured voltage to a second predetermined voltage if the measured voltage is less than the first predetermined voltage, the second predetermined voltage being between the first predetermined voltage and the threshold voltage; and

displaying a battery-out warning on a TFT screen of the test meter if the measured voltage of the backlight battery is less than the second predetermined voltage.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising periodically loading the backlight battery for a power-on time followed by a predetermined recovery time, wherein loading the backlight battery longer than the power-on time reduces an internal voltage of the backlight battery below a threshold voltage.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising measuring a third voltage of a backlight battery before energizing the backlight.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a battery depletion warning on a TFT screen of the test meter.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the predetermined time is between 1 and 1000 milliseconds.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising measuring an accumulated power consumption of a backlight battery during a power-on operation of the backlight.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising displaying a battery-out warning when the measured cumulative power draw is below a predetermined rated power of the backlight battery.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising measuring a temperature of the backlight battery.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying a battery-out warning when the temperature is within a predetermined operating temperature range of the backlight battery.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the backlight battery is a lithium primary battery.

19. The method of claim 9, further comprising a main battery operatively connected to the controller and the TFT screen, wherein the main battery and the backlight battery are the same battery type.

20. The blood glucose meter of claim 1, wherein the blood glucose meter is configured to periodically measure a blood glucose level of a subject.

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