Automated analyte sensor ordering methods and apparauts

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus adapted to automate ordering of test strips for use in an analyte meter device are disclosed. The method, system and apparatus includes inputting information from an indicia on a package of test strips indicative of a quantity of test strips in the package; tracking a quantity of test strips used in the analyte meter device; and generating an automatic order for additional test strips based on a signal indicating that a reorder threshold has been reached. Numerous additional features and aspects are disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of ordering test strips for use in an analyte meter device, comprising:
 inputting an indicia on a package of test strips indicative of a quantity of test strips in the package;   tracking a quantity of test strips used in the analyte meter device; and   generating an automatic order for additional test strips based on a signal indicating that a reorder threshold has been reached.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inputting comprises scanning the indicia. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inputting an indicia includes:
 using a personal communications device to capture an image of the indicia on the package; 
 decoding the indicia; and 
 communicating information decoded from the indicia to the analyte meter device. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein tracking a quantity of test strips used in the analyte meter device includes:
 storing a counter representative of the quantity of test strips initially in the package; and 
 decrementing the counter each time a test strip is used. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein generating an automatic order includes:
 determining that the reorder threshold has been reached; and 
 directing a personal communications device to transmit an order for test strips to an ordering server. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the determining that the reorder threshold has been reached includes predicting a time when the test strips will all be used and determining a period of time, before the predicted time, sufficient to allow additional test strips to be delivered before all the test strips have been used. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the determining that the reorder threshold has been reached includes determining that a predefined number of test strips have been used and wherein the predefined number is determined based upon a number of test strips in an original supply. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a personal communications device is used to track the number of test strips used in the analyte meter device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the personal communications device is used to input the indicia by scanning the indicia via capturing an image of the indicia from the package and decoding the indicia. 
     
     
         10 . An analyte meter device, comprising:
 a test strip port adapted to receive test strips for testing an analyte characteristic of a fluid;   a processor for executing an operating program adapted to control the analyte meter device; and   a communications facility adapted to allow the analyte meter device to communicate with a personal communications device to receive information input from a test strip package and to transmit test strip usage information.   
     
     
         11 . The analyte meter device of  claim 10  wherein the test strip usage information includes an indication that a reorder threshold has been reached. 
     
     
         12 . The analyte meter device of  claim 10  wherein the test strip usage information includes an indication that a test strip has been used. 
     
     
         13 . A personal communications device application, comprising:
 processor instructions adapted to be executed on a personal communications device, the executable instructions being further adapted to control the personal communications device to:
 input information from an indicia on a package of test strips indicative of a quantity of test strips in the package; 
 track a number of test strips used in an analyte meter device; and 
 generate an automatic order for additional test strips based on a determination that a reorder threshold has been reached. 
   
     
     
         14 . The personal communications device application of  claim 13  further comprising executable instructions adapted to control the personal communications device to display information regarding a test strip order placed by the application. 
     
     
         15 . The personal communications device application of  claim 13  further comprising executable instructions adapted to control the personal communications device to display information regarding a predicted date when a test strip supply will be depleted. 
     
     
         16 . The personal communications device application of  claim 13  wherein the executable instructions adapted to input information include instructions to scan the indicia. 
     
     
         17 . The personal communications device application of  claim 13  wherein the executable instructions adapted to input information include instructions to capture an image of the indicia on the package using a camera in the personal communications device; decode the indicia; and communicate information decoded from the indicia to the analyte meter device. 
     
     
         18 . The personal communications device application of  claim 13  wherein the executable instructions adapted to track a number of test strips used includes instructions to store a counter representative of the quantity of test strips initially in the package; and decrement the counter each time a test strip is used. 
     
     
         19 . The personal communications device application of  claim 18  wherein the executable instructions adapted to generate an automatic order includes instructions to determine that the reorder threshold has been reached; and direct the personal communications device to transmit an order for test strips to an ordering server. 
     
     
         20 . The personal communications device application of  claim 19  wherein the executable instructions adapted to generate an automatic order further includes instructions to predict a time when the test strips will all be used and determine a period of time, before the predicted time, sufficient to allow additional test strips to be delivered before all the test strips have been used.