Method and apparatus for improving usability and accuracy for physiological measurement on mobile device

Abstract

An accessory is provided for a mobile device to measure characteristics of a test strip. The accessory includes a test strip adapter and a phone adapter. The test strip adapter includes a sheath and a first interlock. The phone adapter inclues a second interlock, wherein the first interlock is configured to frictionally lock to the second interlock.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A phone adapter in an accessory to a mobile device for measuring characteristics of a test strip, the phone adapter comprising:
 a faceplate defining a camera opening to a camera of the mobile device;   a phone attachment for a mobile device model; and   a guide to a test strip carrier, a test strip adapter, or a coupler to the test strip adapter.   
     
     
         2 . The phone adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the phone adapter is a portion of a mobile device case, the portion defining the camera opening. 
     
     
         3 . The phone adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the phone adapter is a removable clip comprising spring clips extending from three sides of the faceplate. 
     
     
         4 . The phone adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the phone adapter is a cap or a portion of a case that fits a top end of the mobile device. 
     
     
         5 . The phone adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate has an adhesive on the backside of the faceplate. 
     
     
         6 . The phone adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises a frame on the faceplate that matches a shape of the test strip carrier or adapter. 
     
     
         7 . The phone adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises an interlock shared with other phone adapters for other mobile device models. 
     
     
         8 . The phone adapter of  claim 7 , wherein the test strip adapter or the coupler comprises another interlock that forms a mating pair with the interlock of the phone adapter. 
     
     
         9 . The phone adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the camera opening is configured to receive light transmitted from a portion of a screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . A test strip adapter for a test strip, comprising:
 a cap defining a cavity that is dimensioned to frictionally retain the test strip; and   a sheath comprising an interlock and defining (1) an open end to receive the cap and (2) a bottom opening to view the test strip.   
     
     
         11 . A test strip adapter for a test strip, comprising:
 a test strip cover to fit onto and retain the test strip; and   a cap to fit onto and retain the test strip cover, the cap comprising an interlock.   
     
     
         12 . An accessory for a mobile device to measure characteristics of a test strip, the accessory comprising:
 a test strip adapter comprising a sheath and a first interlock; and   a phone adapter comprising a second interlock, wherein the first interlock is configured to frictionally lock to the second interlock.   
     
     
         13 . The accessory of  claim 12 , wherein the sheath comprises an upper part and a lower part and is configured to receive a test strip in any of the upper part and the lower part. 
     
     
         14 . The accessory of  claim 13 , wherein one of the upper part and the lower part defines an opening to expose a portion of the test strip under a light transmitted from a portion of a screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         15 . The accessory of  claim 12 , wherein the first interlock is an insert. 
     
     
         16 . The accessory of  claim 12 , wherein the phone adapter comprises:
 a base;   a lid; and   a light guide disposed between the base and the lid.   
     
     
         17 . The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the base defines a light port located over a portion of a screen of the mobile device and a camera hole over a camera of the mobile device. 
     
     
         18 . The accessory of  claim 17 , wherein the light port, the light guide, and the camera hole define a light path for a light transmitted from the mobile device through a light filter. 
     
     
         19 . The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the base comprises a fastener that dimensionally fits over the mobile device to secure the phone adapter on the mobile device. 
     
     
         20 . The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the lid defines a port, and the port is the second interlock. 
     
     
         21 . The accessory of  claim 12 , wherein the test strip adapter includes a cover, the cover defining a slot to receive the test strip.