Bluetooth Relay Architecture for Secure Analyte 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' operating systems, as well as threats from unauthorized tracking and inadequate countermeasures.
Innovation Solution
The use of a handheld relay device configured with a proprietary wireless protocol to relay data between the sensor control device and reader devices, along with power latch circuitry and encrypted advertising schemes, enhances power efficiency, interoperability, and security by managing communication timing and encrypting data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication circuitry is operated frequently to ensure data transmission, then data reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic communication cycles where the sensor control device alternates between active transmission phases and low-power sleep phases. Data is transmitted at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining data reliability through systematic sampling and periodic synchronization with reader devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary between the sensor control device and reader devices. The relay device stores and forwards data, allowing the sensor control device to enter low-power states longer while the relay maintains data availability, thus reducing overall power consumption without sacrificing data reliability.
2Reliability
If communication circuitry operates frequently, then data transmission reliability is improved, but signal noise interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic communication at optimized intervals, the system reduces the frequency of transmission events, thereby reducing cumulative signal noise interference in the wireless medium while maintaining data reliability through strategic timing of transmissions during low-interference periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs preliminary actions such as pre-synchronization protocols and predictive data buffering that allow data to be prepared and staged for transmission during low-activity periods, reducing the need for frequent urgent transmissions that generate noise interference.
3Ease of operation
If standard wireless protocols are used for interoperability, then ease of operation is improved, but data security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into multiple layers: a public interface layer using standard protocols for interoperability, and a secure data layer using proprietary encrypted protocols. This segmentation allows standard protocols to handle device discovery and connection establishment (ease of operation) while proprietary protocols handle sensitive analyte data transmission (data security).
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device acts as a security intermediary that terminates standard protocol connections from multiple reader devices and establishes secure proprietary protocol connections with the sensor control device. This intermediary layer enables interoperability with various reader devices while maintaining data security through encrypted communication channels.
4Ease of operation
If device form-factor is reduced for comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but power management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device serves as an external power management intermediary, handling power-intensive functions such as data buffering, protocol conversion, and wireless transmission. This allows the sensor control device to maintain a minimal form-factor with limited power management capabilities while the relay device, worn separately or held by the user, provides robust power management support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes system functions across multiple spatial dimensions: the sensor control device (minimal form-factor) wears on the body, the relay device (enhanced power management) is carried separately or held in hand, and reader devices are used periodically. This dimensional distribution allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Data Source
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.