Portable Inhaler Sync Station Wireless Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable recharging stations for electronic cigarettes do not provide a means to monitor the system status of the inhaler, lacking the ability to determine technical conditions such as battery life, usage cycles, and operational parameters.

Innovation Solution

A portable synchronization station with a wireless interface that automatically connects to a remote base station to transmit data, including system reliability parameters, for evaluation, and includes a data storage system to manage and timestamp inhaler data, allowing for remote monitoring and software updates without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a portable base station with energy storage is used to power the e-cigarette, then the duration of action is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent parts: a portable base station with energy storage and a wireless interface module. The base station handles power supply while the wireless interface module handles data transmission, allowing each component to be optimized independently and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable base station serves multiple functions: it acts as both a power source for the e-cigarette and a data transmission station. By integrating these functions into a single device, the need for separate charging devices and monitoring systems is eliminated, reducing device complexity.

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

2Reliability

If automatic connection attempts are implemented to transmit data to the base station, then the reliability of system status monitoring is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem status monitoringVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless interface module performs connection attempts and data transmission at periodic intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation ensures reliable system status monitoring while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages its own monitoring and data transmission without requiring user intervention. The wireless interface module autonomously connects to the base station, transmits status data, and manages power consumption, enabling reliable monitoring with minimal energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If system status data is transmitted regularly to the base station, then the measurement precision of system reliability parameters is improved, but the loss of time for data transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliability parametersVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Only the essential system status parameters and reliability data are extracted and transmitted to the base station, rather than transmitting all possible data. This selective data transmission maintains measurement precision for critical parameters while minimizing data transmission time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits a partial set of data - specifically the most critical system status and reliability parameters - rather than complete system information. This partial transmission approach provides sufficient measurement precision for safety monitoring while reducing transmission time and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4171299B1Portable synchronisation station for an inhaler, sychronisation system, and method for detecting the system state of a synchronisation system
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 KORBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP4171299B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4171299B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4171299B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a portable synchronisation station (1) for an inhaler (2), preferably for an electronic cigarette product, comprising the following components: - a first stored energy source (4), - a first data memory (5), - a first processor (6), - a receptacle (3) for inserting the inhaler (2), and - an inhaler interface (8) which is designed to establish a data connection to the inhaler (2) when the inhaler (2) is inserted into the receptacle (3), wherein - a wireless interface (7) which is designed to transmit data to a remote base station (11) is provided as a further component, wherein - the synchronisation station is designed to control the wireless interface (7) such that regular automatic attempts are made to connect to the base station (11), and a defined dataset of the data stored in the first data memory (5) is transmitted to the base station (11) as soon as there is a connection to the base station (11).