Inhalation Device Passive Detection Circuit Standby Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inhalation devices cannot enter energy-saving standby mode when a substance storage is connected, leading to constant battery drainage, and may fail to detect the attachment of the substance storage when in standby mode, resulting in failed authentication procedures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a passive detection circuit between the electronic interface and processor to detect the substance storage's attachment, allowing the processor to switch from standby to operation mode, reducing power consumption by using a pull-up or pull-down resistor and a comparator to generate an interrupt signal for mode switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inhalation device constantly polls for substance storage attachment, then the device can detect attachment reliably, but the battery is constantly drained and requires frequent recharging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment detection reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from continuous periodic polling to event-driven periodic action. The passive detection circuit remains in standby mode (low power) and only activates periodically or upon event trigger when attachment is detected, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining reliable detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The active electronic polling mechanism is replaced with a passive detection circuit that uses electrical properties (pull-up/pull-down resistors, voltage level detection) to sense attachment. This substitution enables the system to detect attachment events without requiring the main processor to remain active, significantly reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the inhalation device enters standby mode to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the device may fail to detect when the substance storage is attached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidattachment detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is segmented from the main processor and implemented as a separate passive detection circuit. This circuit operates independently in standby mode with minimal power consumption and can autonomously detect attachment events, allowing the main processor to remain in low-power state while maintaining reliable detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The passive detection circuit acts as an intermediary between the substance storage attachment event and the main processor. It monitors the electrical connection status and triggers the processor only when attachment is detected, enabling the processor to sleep during non-operational periods while ensuring reliable event detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a passive detection circuit with pull-up or pull-down resistor is used, then power consumption is reduced, but the circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoiddetection circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The passive detection circuit uses simple, inexpensive components (pull-up or pull-down resistors, voltage dividers) that can be easily integrated into the existing circuit board. These passive components add minimal complexity while providing effective detection functionality, and can be replaced or modified without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11793954B2Inhalation device, substance storage, inhalation system, and method of operating an inhalation device

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

An inhalation device including at least one processor configured to control an inhalation process including vaporing a substance received from a substance storage when coupled to the inhalation device, wherein the at least one processor is configured to be operated in an operation mode or in a standby mode, an electronic interface configured to be coupled to a substance storage interface, a passive detection circuit coupled between the electronic interface and the at least one processor and configured to detect whether the substance storage is coupled to the inhalation device, and, in case it is detected that the substance storage is coupled to the inhalation device, cause the at least one processor to switch from the standby mode to the operation mode.