Module for a computer interface

Abstract

The present invention provides a module for a computer interface including a transducer wherein the transducer receives a measurement value and makes this measurement value available for monitoring an individual's health by means of the computer interface, for example, for monitoring an individual's blood glucose level, wherein the measurement value is obtained by means of a sensor.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A plug-in module which provides a measurement value of a body fluid of a person that is sensed by a sensor, comprising:
 an energy source;   memory;   a processor connected to the energy source and which has access to the memory;   a transducer which receives a measurement signal from the sensor which senses the body fluid and provides the measurement signal to the processor,   wherein the processor processes the received measurement signal to obtain the measurement value, and stores the measurement value in memory; and   an interface such that plug-in module is physically and directly connectable to a computer such that the measurement value can be indicated on a display of the computer.   
     
     
         2 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface is physically and directly connectable to an external port of the computer used to connect peripheral devices. 
     
     
         3 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface is physically and directly connectable to a slot provided inside a housing of the computer. 
     
     
         4 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the transducer receives the measurement signal from the sensor wirelessly. 
     
     
         5 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the transducer is configured such that the sensor can be inserted into the transducer in order to receive the signal. 
     
     
         6 . The plug-in module according to  claim 5 , wherein the sensor is in the form of a strip, having a sample region for applying a sample of the body fluid and a contact region for insertion into the transducer so as to be in contact therewith in order to receive the signal. 
     
     
         7 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed in an application-specific manner to perform the processing of the measurement signal to obtain the measurement value. 
     
     
         8 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , further comprising a visual display, wherein the processor controls the visual display and displays the measurement value on the visual display. 
     
     
         9 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor determines health characteristics of the person based on the measurement value. 
     
     
         10 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the measurement value indicates a glucose concentration. 
     
     
         11 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug-in module is provided with computer software that is compatible with the programs provided on the computer. 
     
     
         12 . The plug-in module according to  claim 11 , wherein the programs comprise graphic, text and spread sheet programs. 
     
     
         13 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug-in module comprises corresponding installation software. 
     
     
         14 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug-in module comprises application software required for monitoring a state of health of the person. 
     
     
         15 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , further comprising a communications terminal provided with a wireless communication interface. 
     
     
         16 . The plug-in module according to  claim 15 , wherein wireless communications occur between an administration device and the communications terminal via the wireless communication interface. 
     
     
         17 . The plug-in module according to  claim 16 , wherein the wireless communications is selected from radio, ultrasonic and infrared communications. 
     
     
         18 . The plug-in module according to  claim 16 , further comprising a visual display, wherein the visual display displays at least one operating parameter of the administration device. 
     
     
         19 . The plug-in module according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of keys, a touch screen and an integrated microphone. 
     
     
         20 . A system for monitoring a state of health of a person, comprising:
 a sensor; and   a plug-in module according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the sensor is of the type which is provided on the person to detect a state of health of the person. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the sensor is of the type which is provided in the person to detect a state of health of the person. 
     
     
         23 . A method of monitoring a state of health of a person comprising utilizing the plug-in module according to  claim 1 .