Showing papers on "Test card published in 1998"

Smart card reader with microcontroller and security component

Abstract: The invention concerns smart card readers dedicated to a particular application and using both a microcontroller (MC) whereof the read-only memory determines the operation of the application, and a security component (CS) executing, under the microcontroller control, sub-programmes related to the application security (authentication, confidential programmes and the like) In order that the application manager may access certain zones of the security component memory, it is provided that the microcontroller can automatically shift into a so-called 'transparent' mode, when a specific access code transmitted by the test card is recognised In this mode, the reading or writing instructions of a memory zone of the security component, transmitted by the test card, are interpreted by the microcontroller as being reading or writing instructions of a memory zone of the security component and not of the microcontroller The invention is applicable to portable readers

Measuring device for determining the concentration of a substance in a liquid

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring the concentration of a substance in a liquid, especially a body liquid, is designed for use with a test card having test sections with test fields located next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the card. The device has a housing for receiving one or more test cards and has an exposed test card support surface providing a measuring station with a measuring opening through which optical or electrical sensors sense the test field of a test section of a test card. A hand actuatable transport mechanism, which may be an actuating lever, a transport roll or a transport belt is engageable with a test card in the housing to advance it forwardly to bring a test section to the measuring station. The housing for the device is made of upper and lower portions which may be movable relative to one another with that movement used to drive the transport mechanism. The device also includes a hand operable apparatus for cutting a used test section from the test card and various means are provided for inhibiting the test fields of the cards contained in the housing from coming into contact with ambient air in order to prevent the moisture and/or other factors in the ambient air from negatively influencing the usefulness of the test sections.

Identification system for test sample cards in an analytical instrument

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles. The test sample positioning system moves the tray to a cutting and sealing station and then to an incubation station and loads the cards one at a time into a carousel within the incubation station. A test card transport station transports the test cards from the incubation station to an optical reading station, where optical measurements (e.g., transmittance and/or fluorescence optical testing) is conducted on the wells of the card. When the card has been read, it is either moved back to the incubation station for additional incubation and reading or transferred to a card disposal system when the reading is complete.

Vacuum loading of test sample cards in an analytical instrument

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles. The test sample positioning system moves the tray to a cutting and sealing station and then to an incubation station and loads the cards one at a time into a carousel within the incubation station. A test card transport station transports the test cards from the incubation station to an optical reading station, where optical measurements (e.g., transmittance and/or fluorescence optical testing) is conducted on the wells of the card. When the card has been read, it is either moved back to the incubation station for additional incubation and reading or transferred to a card disposal system when the reading is complete.

Cutting and sealing station for test sample cards in an automated analytical system

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles. The test sample positioning system moves the tray to a cutting and sealing station and then to an incubation station and loads the cards one at a time into a carousel within the incubation station. A test card transport station transports the test cards from the incubation station to an optical reading station, where optical measurements (e.g., transmittance and/or fluorescence optical testing) is conducted on the wells of the card. When the card has been read, it is either moved back to the incubation station for additional incubation and reading or transferred to a card disposal system when the reading is complete.

Method and apparatus for performing transactions

Abstract: A machine for use in carrying out transactions, such as a vending machine, accepts payments by reducing the value of credit data stored on a card. The accumulated total of payment received is stored in an internal memory, for example on another card. This value is transferred only to authorised downloading cards. A stop card can be used to prevent future downloading. A test card can be used to enable the machine to perform services or dispense products without a resultant loss in the credit stored on the card.