Does anyone have diabetes?

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mattrix3

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#318797 21-Feb-2025 23:30

Hello.

Like everyone I have a Caresens BG meter. (Caresens N).

I used to have windows and used the Caresens software to get my data off of the meter.

That computer died and the replacement came preinstalled with Linux (Ubuntu).

So I am looking for Linux software to retrieve the data from my meter onto the new computer.

What software do people use to do this?

Any advice appreciated.

d3Xt3r

687 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#3345513 22-Feb-2025 04:22

Is the app called SmartLog? If so, I managed to get it working under Wine with no issues - just launched the installer with Wine, then launched the SmartLog program.

However, I don't have the actual meter, so not sure if it'd be able to actually connect.

In saying that, seems like the meter uses the FTDI USB->Serial adapter which should work in Wine, but it may require some additional configuration on your end - such as adding your user account to the dialout group (sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER) in order to read the serial port.

Also see:

https://www.scivision.dev/wine-serial-port-links/

https://gitlab.winehq.org/wine/wine/-/wikis/Wine-User%27s-Guide#serial-and-parallel-ports

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#3345550 22-Feb-2025 13:53

I now use a CGM, but back when I was finger pricking ten times a day I would upload my data to Tidepool (a web based app)

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13765 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

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Lifetime subscriber

#3345584 22-Feb-2025 17:20

I just logged my levels daily on an Android app. Meant I had my readings everywhere I went.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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mattrix3

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3345697 22-Feb-2025 19:39

Thank you everyone,

@farcus

I've heard of Tidepool, but they say they are only Win & Mac. How did you get it running under Linux? Could you get your raw data back off of the website?

@d3Xt3r

I did try wine but couldn't get it to work. I have also installed a VM but couldn't get the meter to connect.

This is probably my inexperience. I couldn't work out the com/USB ports. Linux installs its own USB->com driver, so I shouldn't need the FTDI CDM driver (?) but I couldn't work out how to tell SmartLog to use a com port.

d3Xt3r

687 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#3345915 23-Feb-2025 13:59

mattrix3:

I did try wine but couldn't get it to work. I have also installed a VM but couldn't get the meter to connect.

This is probably my inexperience. I couldn't work out the com/USB ports. Linux installs its own USB->com driver, so I shouldn't need the FTDI CDM driver (?) but I couldn't work out how to tell SmartLog to use a com port.

Have you tried adding yourself dialout user group as I mentioned in my earlier post? You'll need to log off and log back on for the change to take effect.

Also, before plugging in the device, run "dmesg -w" (you might need to run it with sudo, depending on your distro), and then plug in your device and watch the output - it should show something like /dev/ttyUSB0" being connected, and any error messages if there's any issues.

If it still doesn't work, you may need to modify your UDEV rules to give your account read/write access to the device, see: https://askubuntu.com/a/680328 and also refer to the two links in my previous post.

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#3345917 23-Feb-2025 14:07

mattrix3:

Thank you everyone,

@farcus

I've heard of Tidepool, but they say they are only Win & Mac. How did you get it running under Linux? Could you get your raw data back off of the website?

It's been a ling time since I used it - but believe I used this . . .
https://github.com/tidepool-org/uploader#docker-for-linux

mattrix3

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3346055 23-Feb-2025 19:23

Hi @d3Xt3r,

On the Linux side,

I am in the dial out group, and when my meter cable is plugged in linux uses ti_usb_3410_5052 to attach it to /dev/ttyUSB0. With no errors. The cable has a hardware serial<>USB chip in it. I guess because serial ports are not so common as USB these days.

On the virtual box side,

VB doesn't see any available USB ports, but I am able to attach /dev/ttyUSB0 to com1.

When I install SmartLog it doesn't see any USB ports and the windows FTDI CDM driver fails to load properly. I don't know how to tell SmartLog to use a VB com port instead of the virtual FTDI com port.

I hope that makes sense.

I haven't tried wine again because I had a lot of difficulty trying to get it to work the first time, and I think it will have the same problem(?).

SmartLog is not listed in the winehq database.

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d3Xt3r

687 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#3346057 23-Feb-2025 19:30

mattrix3:

VB doesn't see any available USB ports, but I am able to attach /dev/ttyUSB0 to com1.

When I install SmartLog it doesn't see any USB ports and the windows FTDI CDM driver fails to load properly. I don't know how to tell SmartLog to use a VB com port instead of the virtual FTDI com port.

I hope that makes sense.

I haven't tried wine again because I had a lot of difficulty trying to get it to work the first time, and I think it will have the same problem(?).

SmartLog is not listed in the winehq database.

I found this link for VirtualBox which might help: https://askubuntu.com/a/1204682

mattrix3

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3346716 25-Feb-2025 15:29

@d3Xt3r

I am pulling my hair out here.

I have now got the USB available in the VM guest.

As you said SmartLog comes with an FTDI CDM driver, VID_0403&PID_60XX; XX is some number. However on the linux host (Ubuntu 20.04): the chip in the cable is found as VID=0451, PID=3410, which is then passed on to VirtualBox. And the meter is not seen by the software.

Has Linux mis-identified the chip in the cable? The FTDI chip is programmable, I wonder if Linux has reprogrammed it to have a different VID & PID.

If the cable really has a TI chip (VID=0451), how did it ever work on windows?

I did try installing a TI driver, which windows installed OK but the software doesn't use it & still can't see the meter. I'm not sure SmartLog is using the COM port part of the FTDI driver as the FTDI driver also provides an API to access the USB directly.

d3Xt3r

687 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#3346721 25-Feb-2025 15:47

That is indeed a mystery. Linux can't misidentify the hw IDs, it's provided by the device. And even if the chip is reprogrammable, Linux can't change the IDs randomly unless you use a special tool such as fwupd or some other firmware writing tool.

I'm out of ideas sorry, maybe reach out to the SmartLog folks and see if they have any insights?

mattrix3

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3346756 25-Feb-2025 20:04

@d3Xt3r said "I'm out of ideas sorry, ..."

Yeah, I'm lost. Looks like VB is a dead end.

So, I am back to my original question,

"What software do Linux users use to get data off of their Caresense N meters?"

The Caresens meters are ubiquitous in NZ. Someone must have solved it.

see OP.