Biometric Sensor Module Memory for Expiration Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional continuous blood glucose monitoring devices lack a mechanism to prevent reuse or shared use of sensor modules, leading to inaccurate measurements and potential health risks due to expired or improperly used sensors.

Innovation Solution

A continuous biometric information measuring device with a sensor module that includes a separate memory for storing sensor usage information, allowing users to determine the remaining use period and prevent reuse or shared use by storing a transmitter identifier, enabling continuous measurement without initialization when a new transmitter is connected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sensor module is designed for continuous use without expiration tracking, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to use of expired sensors and reliability worsens due to reuse or shared use risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module autonomously tracks its usage information and expiration status without requiring user intervention. The memory automatically stores transmitter identification data and usage timestamps, and the control circuit automatically compares current time against stored expiration dates, providing self-managed precision tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user about sensor expiration status through the user terminal. When the sensor approaches or reaches its expiration date, the system notifies the user, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that prevents use of expired sensors while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sensor usage information is stored in the sensor module memory, then reliability is improved by preventing reuse or shared use, but device complexity increases due to additional memory and data processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module is segmented into distinct functional components: a memory unit for storing usage information, a control circuit for processing data, and a transmitter interface. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The memory and control circuit in the sensor module serve multiple functions: storing sensor calibration data, tracking usage timestamps, identifying transmitter devices, and determining expiration status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If initialization is performed every time a new transmitter is connected, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases due to repeated initialization procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor module performs preliminary identification of the transmitter device and retrieves stored calibration information before actual measurement begins. By pre-checking transmitter identification and utilizing previously stored sensor data, the system avoids redundant initialization while ensuring measurement precision is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The initialization process is made dynamic rather than static. The control circuit evaluates whether initialization is needed based on the specific circumstances (new transmitter vs. same transmitter reconnecting). This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt the initialization procedure to actual usage scenarios, reducing unnecessary time loss while maintaining precision when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3721790B1Continuous biometric information measuring device using sensor usage information stored in memory
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 I SENS INC
  • EP3721790B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3721790B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3721790B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5(b)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of managing biometric information and, more particularly, a method of managing biometric information being capable of preventing the use of a sensor module of which an expiration date has expired, or a defective sensor module by determining the validity of a sensor module of a continuous biometric information measuring device on the basis of the generation date of sensor usage information or production lot information received from the continuous biometric information measuring device and preventing a reuse or a shared use of the sensor module on the basis of user information provided in a measurement message received from the continuous biometric information measurement device.