US5392209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing a data interface between a plurality of test information sources and a database
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1992-12-18
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Granted: 1995-02-21
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Expires: 2012-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A data interface which is capable of receiving test information from a variety of biological fluid testing instruments employs first and second processes. The first process determines the type of data which is provided by analyzing the format of the test information using a master rules file. Once the type of the source is identified, the first process passes the data and a set of rules to use to parse the data to the second process. The second process extracts the test data from the information provided by the testing instrument using the set of rules identified by the first process. Furthermore, if the test information is received in pieces the present invention can marry the pieces to provide a complete data set to be stored in the database.
Inventors
- 👤 Reginald Eason
- 👤 Keith Forrest
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:02
CPC Classifications
G; G16; G16H; G16H10/00; G16H10/40; G16H10/60; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; G16H50/00; G16H50/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of extracting individual items of biological test data from a plurality of data files, each of the data files being received from a corresponding source and having different locations for storing individual items of biological test data therein, comprising the steps of: receiving one of the data files from the corresponding source using a specified protocol; generating at least one run file from the received data file; examining the run file to identify specific locations of individual items of biological test data within the run file; assigning a rules file to the run file which indicates the identified locations; and parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of extracting individual items of biological test data from a plurality of data files, each of the data files being received from a corresponding source and having different locations for storing individual items of biological test data therein, comprising the steps of: receiving one of the data files from the corresponding source using a specified protocol; generating at least one run file from the received data file; examining the run file to identify specific locations of individual items of biological test data within the run file; assigning a rules file to the run file which indicates the identified locations; and parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: providing a master rules file comprising a plurality of different rules, each one of the rules specifying the location of at least one item of biological test data within the run file, and a rules file which indicates locations for individual items of biological test data within a run file; and assigning a match counter to each one of the plurality of rules within the master rules file.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the examining step comprises the steps of: comparing each line of the run file with each one of the plurality of rules contained within the master rules file; and incrementing the assigned match counter for each one of the plurality of rules that matches a line within the run file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the assigning step comprises the steps of: determining which one of the plurality of rules has the greatest number of matches based upon the assigned match counters; and assigning the specified rules file from the determined one of the plurality of rules.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the received data file comprises a tray Identification, an assay number, a tray position, and a plurality of samples.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of: generating a slots table associated with the received data file, the slots table comprising tray and sample identifications for the received data file.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the parsing step comprises the steps of: parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file; and storing the extracted individual items of biological test data within an extracted file.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the storing step comprises the step of: merging the extracted individual items of biological test data with the slots table.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: storing the extracted items of biological test data within an extracted file; and storing the extracted file in a database.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the generating step comprises the step of: generating a plurality of run files from the received data file.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said examining, assigning and parsing steps are performed simultaneously.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
131 words
A system for extracting individual items of biological test data from a plurality of data files each of the data files being received from a corresponding source and having different locations for storing individual items of biological test data therein, comprising: means for receiving one of the data files from the corresponding source using a specified protocol; means for generating at least one run file from the received data file; means for examining the run file to identify specific locations of individual items of biological test data within the run file; means for assigning a rules file to the run file which indicates the identified locations; and means for parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
131 words
A system for extracting individual items of biological test data from a plurality of data files each of the data files being received from a corresponding source and having different locations for storing individual items of biological test data therein, comprising: means for receiving one of the data files from the corresponding source using a specified protocol; means for generating at least one run file from the received data file; means for examining the run file to identify specific locations of individual items of biological test data within the run file; means for assigning a rules file to the run file which indicates the identified locations; and means for parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising: means for providing a master rules file comprising a plurality of different rules, each one of the rules specifying the location of at least one item of biological test data within the run file, and a rules file which indicates locations for individual items of biological test data within a run file; and means for assigning a match counter to each one of the plurality of rules within the master rules file.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the means for examining comprises: means for comparing each line of the run file with each one of the plurality of rules contained within the master rules file; and means for incrementing the assigned match counter for each one of the plurality of rules that matches a line within the run file.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the means for assigning comprises: means for determining which one of the plurality of rules has the greatest number of matches based upon the assigned match counters; and means for assigning the specified rules file from the determined one of the plurality of rules.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the received data file comprises a tray Identification, an assay number, a tray position, and a plurality of samples.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 16 further comprising the step of: means for generating a slots table associated with the received data file, the slots table comprising tray and sample identifications for the received data file.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the means for parsing comprises: means for parsing the run file with the assigned rules file to extract the individual items of biological test data within the run file; and means for storing the extracted individual items of biological test data within an extracted file.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the means for storing comprises: means for merging the extracted individual items of biological test data with the slots table.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising: means for storing the extracted items of biological test data within an extracted file; and means for storing the extracted file in a database.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the means for generating comprises: means for generating a plurality of run files from the received data file.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said means for examining, assigning and parsing are performed simultaneously.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-02-20 | 1998-08-22 | 1999-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-20 | 2002-08-22 | 2003-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-20 | 2006-08-22 | 2007-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |