Communications protocol for an electronic system
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11032714-B2
Publication Date
2021-06-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention proposes assigning a common system identification code to each of a control unit and a plurality of controllable slave units, storing that system identification code in a user-inaccessible memory of those units, and allowing pairing between the control unit and each of the slave units only if the system identification code of the control unit matches that of the respective slave unit. Thus a slave unit can only act upon a control signal if the control signal comes from the control master unit which shares the system identification code, i.e. is verifiably from the same family. This ensures that a slave unit only acts on instructions which come from a specified control unit, so providing security to the user. It is therefore impossible for a slave unit to act on instructions from any device other than the control master unit with which it shares a system identification code, which may be alternatively referred to as a family identification code or family ID.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a medical system with a control master unit and a plurality of slave units where each slave unit is a delivery device having a pump for delivering therapy to a patient. Both the control master unit and each slave unit include a communication node for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a user-inaccessible memory storing a system identification code.
The control master unit is configured to transmit a control signal and a control message to initiate pairing and establish a communications link with the respective slave unit. The control signal comprises the system identification code, and each slave unit pairs and establishes the communications link only in the event that the system identification code in the control signal matches the system identification code stored in the memory of the respective slave unit.
After a communications link is established, each slave unit controls operation of the pump upon receiving the control message from the control master unit. The described arrangement supports secure wireless communications for an infusion pump system, including an insulin wearable infusion system, by constraining pairing and subsequent pump control to communications where the received system identification code matches a stored code in user-inaccessible non-volatile memory.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims. Both independent claims share the core inventive concept of pairing and establishing a wireless communications link only when a transmitted system identification code matches a user-inaccessible system identification code stored in the respective slave unit, followed by pump operation control based on control messages.
Code-based wireless pairing and communications link establishment
The control master unit transmits a control signal comprising a system identification code configured to initiate pairing and establish a communications link between the control master unit and the respective slave unit, and each slave unit pairs and establishes the communications link only in the event that the system identification code in the control signal matches the system identification code stored in the memory of the respective slave unit.
Pump operation control based on control message
Each slave unit controls operation of the pump upon receiving the control message from the control master unit.
User-inaccessible memory storing the system identification code in master and slaves
The control master unit and each slave unit include a user-inaccessible memory storing a system identification code, and the wireless pairing decision depends on the system identification code stored in the respective slave unit memory.
Across both independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on secure wireless pairing by matching a system identification code transmitted by the control master unit to a user-inaccessible system identification code stored in each slave unit, and on subsequent control of each slave unit’s pump operation in response to a control message.
Stated Advantages
Enables secure wireless communications by restricting pairing and subsequent pump control to cases where the received system identification code matches the stored system identification code.
Documented Applications
An infusion pump system and a wearable insulin infusion system with subcutaneous infusion.
Interested in licensing this patent?