Electronic test device data communication

Abstract

Electronic test devices and methods include data transfer capabilities. In one implementation, an assay device includes wireless communication capabilities to send assay result decisions and/or values to a separate processing and display device such as a smartphone. In another implementation, light sources are modulated both for performing an assay and encoding and transmitting a result of an assay.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable processing and display device programmed with application software configured for communication with a lateral flow assay device, the programmed portable processing and display device comprising:
 a wireless communication receiver configured to interface with the lateral flow assay device;   a memory with a set of stored content;   a user interface configured to receive content selection inputs from the user;   stored configuration parameters for selecting stored content to display; and   a processing unit configured to:
 interface with the test device through the wireless communication receiver, 
 receive data from the test device upon initiation of a testing event on the lateral flow assay device, and 
 selectively display content from the set of stored content during the testing event in accordance with the content selection inputs and stored configuration parameters. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein wireless receiver communicates using a Bluetooth compliant communication channel. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication receiver is configured to connect to a lateral flow assay device through a password-protected wireless connection. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor unit is further configured to cause display of an indication of connection status with the lateral flow assay device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to display a graphical representation of a timer during the testing event. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to receive a selection of a content element stored in the memory for display during the testing event via the user interface during the testing event. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to receive an error indication during the testing event and cause display of a notification indicating the error. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the notification includes a cause of the error and information for troubleshooting the error. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stored content comprises a game. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the processing unit is configured to interrupt the game when a test result is received from the lateral flow assay device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stored configuration parameters define the content of the display during display of the test result. 
     
     
         12 . A method of interfacing with a lateral flow assay device, the method comprising:
 wirelessly coupling a portable processing and display device to the lateral flow assay device;   receiving an indication of a test initiation at the portable processing and display device from the lateral flow assay device;   displaying on the portable processing and display device a user interface that allows the user to select content for display during the test duration;   displaying on the portable processing and display device the content selected by the user, if any;   receiving a test result at the portable processing and display device from the lateral flow assay device at the conclusion of the test event; and   displaying on the portable processing and display device the test result.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising displaying a game on the portable processing and display device during the test duration. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising interrupting the game when the test result is received. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising displaying a timer on the portable processing and display device during the test duration. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising displaying instructions for using the lateral flow assay device on the portable processing and display device before receiving an indication of test initiation.