Device Pairing Range Control and Interference Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for secure pairing between medical devices and intended controllers to prevent unintended operations or malicious interference, especially in environments where multiple devices can potentially pair within the same signal range.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first device transmitting signals at specific intervals and a selected radio frequency range, with a second device scanning for signals and determining signal strength criteria to ensure pairing only with the intended device, while alerting the user to move if multiple devices are detected and ignoring signals below a minimum strength criterion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first device transmits signals in a selected radio frequency range without range control, then the pairing operation can be performed, but unintended devices within the same area may also detect and pair with the first device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the transmission power parameter of the first device during the pairing process. Initially, the device transmits at a reduced power level to limit signal range and prevent unintended device detection. Once pairing is confirmed with the intended device, the transmission power is increased to normal operating levels. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by temporarily restricting signal range to ensure pairing security while maintaining normal operational range when needed.
2Reliability
If the second device scans for signals continuously to detect multiple devices, then unintended device coexistence can be detected, but the pairing process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary scanning phase before the actual pairing process. During this preliminary phase, the second device performs a quick scan to detect the presence of multiple transmitting devices. If multiple devices are detected, the system alerts the user and aborts the pairing process before committing resources. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by performing essential detection work in advance, ensuring accurate device identification while minimizing the time consumed during the main pairing operation.
3Reliability
If the first device reduces transmit power to limit communication range, then pairing with unintended devices is prevented, but the signal strength may become insufficient for reliable communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic transmission power adjustment rather than a fixed power level. The first device transmits at reduced power during the pairing establishment phase to ensure security, but the system continuously monitors signal strength and communication quality. Once pairing is successfully established, the transmission power is dynamically increased to ensure reliable communication. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by adapting the transmit power to the specific operational phase, maintaining both pairing security and communication reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods are provided to improve pairing between first and second devices to mitigate risk that either device pairs with an unintended device by reducing transmit power to limit communication range between devices to be paired, using minimum and maximum received signal strength thresholds to reject unintended devices, and instructing user to move to another location when multiple devices are detected for pairing. The second device scanning time for detecting advertising signals from the first device is adjusted to detect multiple device co-existence. Pairing is controlled to occur when the second device is the only device that the first device detects.