Analyte Monitor Relay Communication for Low-Power Secure Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vivo analyte monitoring systems face challenges with power management, signal noise interference, interoperability, data security, and privacy due to the frequent operation of communication circuitry and lack of control over reader devices, particularly smartphones, which can lead to rapid power consumption and unauthorized tracking.

Innovation Solution

The use of a handheld relay device configured to communicate with the sensor control device using a proprietary wireless protocol, relaying data to reader devices and managing communication timing, along with encryption and anti-tracking measures, enhances power efficiency, interoperability, and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor control device communicates frequently with reader devices using standard wireless protocols, then data transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption increases rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor control device uses periodic advertising intervals to transmit analyte data at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously or on-demand. This periodic transmission approach maintains data availability for monitoring while significantly reducing the duty cycle of the wireless transceiver, thereby lowering power consumption while ensuring reliable data transmission at clinically relevant intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a relay device that acts as an intermediary between the sensor control device and reader devices. The relay device receives advertising data from the sensor control device and forwards it to reader devices, allowing the sensor control device to maintain a low-power state while still enabling data access through the relay intermediary

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the communication circuitry operates at frequent intervals to ensure data availability, then data access reliability is improved, but signal noise interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access reliabilityVSAvoidsignal noise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication circuitry operates in periodic advertising intervals rather than continuously or at high frequency. This periodic operation reduces the total transmission time and allows sufficient intervals between transmissions for signal settling and noise reduction, thereby maintaining data access reliability while minimizing signal noise interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor control device performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring advertising intervals and data buffers before actual data transmission. This allows the device to prepare data for transmission in advance during low-power periods, then transmit efficiently during designated advertising windows, reducing the need for frequent communication operations that would generate noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard wireless communication protocols are used for interoperability, then compatibility with various reader devices is improved, but data security and privacy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidunauthorized tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device serves as a trusted intermediary that establishes secure communication channels. It receives advertising data from the sensor control device and manages forwarding to reader devices, implementing security policies and encryption. This intermediary approach enables interoperability with standard reader devices while the relay device enforces security measures to prevent unauthorized tracking and protect patient data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements security by changing communication parameters - using encrypted advertising data formats and authenticated connection protocols. The relay device modifies standard wireless protocol parameters to include security layers, such as encryption keys and authentication handshakes, which maintain interoperability while protecting against unauthorized access and tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4716273A2Systems, devices and methods for wireless communications in analyte monitoring devices

Publication Date: 2026.03.25 ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC

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AI summary

Systems, devices and methods are provided that allow for enhanced performance, power efficiency, interoperability, data security and user privacy for in vivo analyte monitoring systems that utilize wireless communications. The in vivo analyte monitoring systems can include a Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy enabled handheld relay device for wirelessly relaying analyte data between a sensor unit device and one or more reader devices. The in vivo analyte monitoring systems can employ advertisement and encryption schemes for wirelessly transmitting data in a manner that allows for improved security, efficiency and privacy.