1. A multi-participant conference system comprising:
a public switched telephone network (PSTN) client that communicates audio data;
at least one remote client connected to the Internet that receives audio-video data;
a first participant client that receives audio-video data, wherein the first participant client includes,
a voice over IP encoder that compresses audio data transported to the PSTN client,
a voice over IP decoder that decodes audio data from the PSTN client,
a first audio mixer that mixes the decoded audio data from the PSTN client with the audio-video data from the first participant into a first mixed audio-video data stream, wherein the first mixed audio-video data stream is transmitted to the at least one remote client communicatively coupled to the Internet;
a second audio mixer that mixes the audio-video data stream from the first participant with the audio-video data stream from the at least one remote client communicatively coupled to the Internet into a second mixed audio, wherein the second mixed audio is compressed by the voice over IP encoder, which is then transmitted to the PSTN client.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a third audio mixer that mixes the audio data from the PSTN client with the audio-video data stream from the at least one remote client into a third mixed audio, wherein the third mixed audio stream and audio-video data stream is transmitted to the first participant.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein data between the first participant and the PSTN client is transported through a virtual private network tunnel.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein data between the moderator and the remote client is transported through a virtual private network tunnel.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a first message communicated to each of a plurality of multicast appliances over the Internet, wherein the first message comprises a group address which identifies participants.
6. The system of claim 5 further comprising each of the multicast appliances that receives the first message.
7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of virtual private networks across the Internet that are established between the multicast appliances.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the PSTN client communicates with a PSTN gateway that communicates with a VoIP server, which is communicatively coupled to the plurality of virtual private networks.
9. A system for supporting a multi-participant conference call comprising:
a first mixer that mixes a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) client audio data stream with a moderator audio-video data stream into a first mixed data stream;
a first transport output that transmits the first mixed data stream to at least one remote client that receives the first mixed data stream, the at least one remote client communicatively coupled to the Internet, which generates a remote client audio-video data stream;
a second mixer that mixes the moderator audio-video data stream with the remote client audio-video data stream into a second mixed data stream; and
a second transport output that transmits a mixed audio data stream, corresponding to the second mixed data stream, to the PSTN client.
10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a third mixer that mixes the audio data from the PSTN client with the audio-video data stream from the remote client into a third mixed data stream and communicates the third mixed data stream to the moderator.
11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a VoIP decoder that receives IP packets including the audio data stream generated by the PSTN client, the VoIP decodes decodes the IP packets including the audio data from the PSTN client.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising encoding the second mixed data stream and encoding the second mixed voice data before transmitting the second mixed data stream to the PSTN client.
13. The system of claim 9 further comprising at least one audio decompressor that decodes IP packets including the audio-video data stream generated by the remote client.
14. The system of claim 9 wherein the PSTN client audio data stream and the moderator audio-video data stream are transported across a virtual private network tunnel.
15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a VoIP encoder that encodes the second mixed data stream and encode the second mixed voice data before transmitting the second mixed data stream to the PSTN client.
16. The system of claim 9 wherein the moderator audio-video data stream and the remote client audio-video data stream are transported across a virtual private network tunnel.
17. The system of claim 16 further comprising an encoder that receives the first mixed data stream and encodes the first mixed voice data before transmitting the first mixed data stream to the remote client.
18. A method for supporting a multi-participant conference call, the method comprising:
receiving a PSTN audio data stream from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) client;
receiving a moderator audio-video data stream from a moderator;
receiving a remote client audio-video data stream from at least one remote client connected to the Internet;
mixing the PSTN audio data stream with the moderator audio-video data stream into a first mixed data stream;
transmitting the first mixed data stream to the remote client;
mixing the moderator audio-video data stream with the remote client audio-video data stream into a second mixed data stream;
transmitting a mixed audio data stream, corresponding to the second mixed data stream, to the PSTN client.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising mixing the PSTN audio data stream with the remote client audio-video data stream into a third mixed data stream.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein receiving the PSTN audio data stream from the PSTN client at a moderator client includes receiving IP packets and decoding the IP packets including the PSTN audio data stream.
21. The method of claim 18 wherein receiving the remote client audio-video data at a moderator computer client includes decoding the IP packets including the audio-video data generated by the remote client.
22. The method of claim 18 further comprising transporting through a virtual private network the PSTN client audio stream and the moderator audio-video data stream.
23. The method of claim 18 further comprising transporting the moderator audio-video data stream and the remote client audio-video data stream through a virtual private network.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving the first mixed data stream and encoding the first mixed voice data before transmitting the first mixed data stream to the remote client.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. Device for receiving a body fluid for analytical purposes comprising a container and at least one sample receiving unit preferably for a single-use test that can be pushed out of a guide chamber of the container by means of a drive unit and to which the body fluid can be applied at a receiving site, characterized by a container that is designed as a magazine for storing a plurality of sample receiving units and a coupling device to couple the sample receiving unit to the drive unit for a forwards and backwards movement between the guide chamber and the receiving site.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device preferably has automatically operating form-fitting means to make and disengage a form-fitting connection between the drive unit and sample receiving unit.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit and the sample receiving unit are separated from one another in an initial position.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device has at least one engaging means to couple the drive unit and sample receiving unit in a form-fitting manner.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the engaging means can be moved in a distance-dependent manner between a release position and an engaging position during the forwards and backwards movement.
6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the coupling device has a sliding guide block and in particular one that is formed by an inclined bevel that can be tracked by the engaging means.
7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the engaging means is located at a proximal end of the sample receiving unit.
8. Device according claim 4, characterized in that the engaging means is formed by at least one holding claw that can be shifted into an engaging position under its own tension.
9. Device according claim 4, characterized in that the drive unit has a plunger and that the engaging means automatically engages the head member of the plunger when the plunger is advanced axially.
10. Device according claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device comprises a hooked plunger that can be hooked onto the sample receiving unit.
11. Device for receiving a body fluid for analytical purposes comprising a container and at least one sample receiving unit preferably in the form of a test strip or test tube for a single-use test that can be pushed out of a guide chamber of the container by means of a drive unit and to which the body fluid can be applied at a receiving site, characterized by a container that is designed as a magazine for storing a plurality of sample receiving units and a hooked plunger that can be hooked onto the sample receiving unit to couple the sample receiving unit to the drive unit for a forwards and backwards movement between the guide chamber and the receiving site.
12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that that the hooked plunger has a thrusting flank that butts against the sample receiving unit during the forwards movement.
13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the hooked plunger has a pulling flank that can engage with the sample receiving unit for the return movement.
14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the pulling flank andor pushing flank are sloped towards their free lateral edge in the direction of the forwards movement.
15. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the hooked plunger has a cranked hook head such that the hook head protrudes laterally when it is coupled to the sample receiving unit.
16. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the hooked plunger can be pivoted relative to the sample receiving unit by means of a bevelled part of the plunger that moves against a guide contour during the forwards and backwards movement.
17. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the hooked plunger is guided in a tapered guide sleeve which tapers in the direction of the forwards movement where the tapered guide sleeve is eccentrically offset relative to the central axis of the guide chamber.
18. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the hooked plunger has a spike-like prolongation formed on its front end pointing towards the guide chamber.
19. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the sample receiving unit is held in a detachable manner by a clamping structure in the guide chamber.
20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the sample receiving unit has a proximal end section engaging with the clamping structure that can be elastically deformed to keep open an engagement cross-section of the guide chamber for the hooked plunger.
21. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the clamping structure has two guide ribs which run parallel to one another along the guide chamber.
22. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that and the clamping structure has two projecting clamping cams located in a clamping area of the guide chamber facing the drive unit that are preferably laterally displaced relative to the guide ribs.
23. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the sample receiving unit has a recess to hook the hooked plunger.
24. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a lancing unit preferably constructed as a lancet is integrated in the sample receiving unit to carry out a lancing movement towards a body part of a test person.
25. Device for receiving a body fluid for analytical purposes comprising a container and at least one sample receiving unit preferably for a single-use test that can be pushed out of a guide chamber of the container by means of a drive unit and to which the body fluid can be applied at a receiving site, characterized in that a lancing unit is integrated into the sample receiving unit to carry out a lancing movement towards a body part containing the body fluid.
26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the lancing unit can be displaced in a guide of the sample receiving unit in its direction of movement.
27. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the lancing unit can puncture the body part at a predetermined distance to a free front area of the sample receiving unit.
28. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the lancing unit can be coupled in a form-fitting manner to the drive unit by means of an associated engaging member of the coupling device for a reciprocating lancing movement.
29. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the drive unit has a double plunger formed by an outer plunger and an inner plunger that can be longitudinally moved therein to separately drive the sample receiving unit and lancing unit.
30. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the drive unit has a control device to control the sequence of movements of the sample receiving unit andor lancing unit.
31. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the sample receiving unit has limit stops for the lancing unit preferably formed by projecting edges of the body.
32. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the lancing unit can be displaced to a limited extent relative to the sample receiving unit against the restoring force of a spring member.
33. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample receiving unit can be moved in a sliding guide of the guide chamber.
34. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample receiving unit is held, preferably by means of a detent connection, on a carriage that can be moved backwards and forwards in the guide chamber by means of the drive unit.
35. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample receiving unit has an analytical test element to examine the body fluid.
36. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample receiving unit has a preferably capillary active transport channel for the body fluid.
37. Device according to claim 36, characterized in that the transport channel is formed by a ring gap between a lancet and a wall area of the sample receiving unit surrounding the lancet.
38. Device according to claim 37, characterized in that the ring-shaped transport channel has a widened cross-section in a transport area that faces away from the bearing side of the lancet that is loaded by gravity.
39. Device according to claim 36, characterized in that the transport channel ends on an analytical test field via a lateral outlet preferably in the transport area.
40. Device according to claim 36, characterized in that the transport channel ends at an analytical test sleeve via an axial outlet opening pointing in the direction of the channel.
41. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide chamber is closed by a sealing foil at least in the area of an ejection opening and that the sample receiving unit has a free end area facing the direction of advance to pierce the sealing foil.
42. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample receiving unit is constructed as a test strip or preferably as an injection molded test body in particular for examining blood.
43. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sample receiving unit is formed by a hollow needle to suck in the sample fluid which is preferably at the same time designed as a guide for the lancing unit.
44. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container as a drum magazine has a plurality of guide chambers running axially each for one sample receiving unit that are distributed in the circumferential direction.
45. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container as a disk magazine has a plurality of radial guide chambers each for one sample receiving unit that are arranged radially.
46. Analytical instrument and in particular transportable hand device for medical diagnostics, characterized by a device for receiving a body fluid according to claim 1.
47. Sample receiving unit for a body fluid in particular a test strip or test tube having coupling means for a preferably form-fitting drive coupling in order to push it out of and return it into a guide chamber for use in a device according to claim 1.
48. Method for receiving a body fluid for analytical purposes in which a sample receiving unit that is preferably intended for a single-use test is pushed out of a guide chamber of a container by means of a drive unit and is charged with body fluid at a receiving site, characterized in that the sample receiving unit is coupled to the drive unit and is retracted into the guide chamber after sample collection.
49. Method according to claim 48, characterized in that the body fluid is collected by a puncturing movement of a lancing unit that can be moved in the sample receiving unit in the area of the receiving site.