Low-Power Sensing Device OTA Programming with Segmented Memory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-power sensing devices, such as analyte sensors, lack the ability to be updated or reprogrammed without direct physical access, leading to fixed functionality and potential security risks, and existing reprogramming methods can introduce errors or require inconvenient access.

Innovation Solution

Implement over-the-air (OTA) programming to securely update sensors without direct physical connection, using a sensor control device with programmable and non-programmable memory blocks, encryption, and integrity checks to manage memory updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If direct physical access is used to reprogram low-power sensing devices, then memory can be rewritten, but security risks increase and physical access becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereprogrammabilityVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A communication module serves as an intermediary between the external programming device and the sensing device. The communication module receives programming commands wirelessly and transfers them to the memory, eliminating the need for direct physical access while maintaining security through authenticated communication channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical direct-connection approach with a wireless communication-based system. Programming commands are transmitted through electromagnetic waves via the communication module, substituting physical contact with wireless signal transmission to enable remote programming without compromising security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If direct physical access is used to reprogram low-power sensing devices, then memory can be rewritten, but physical access becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereprogrammabilityVSAvoidphysical access convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module acts as a wireless intermediary that enables programming operations to be performed remotely. Users can program the sensing device through the communication module via wireless signals, eliminating the inconvenience of physical access while maintaining full programming capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the inconvenient mechanical direct-connection method with wireless communication. The communication module enables programming operations to be performed at a distance through electromagnetic signals, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining reprogrammability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If memory is made non-programmable to reduce complexity, then device simplicity is improved, but ability to update features and correct errors is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory architecture complexityVSAvoidupdate capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The memory is segmented into multiple blocks with different programming characteristics. Some blocks are designed for non-programmable storage to maintain simplicity and security, while other blocks are designed for programmable updates to enable feature enhancements and error corrections. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both simplicity and adaptability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the memory are assigned different properties: some regions are non-programmable for security and simplicity, while other regions are programmable for updates. This local differentiation of memory qualities enables the system to maintain overall simplicity while providing localized update capability where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If OTA programming is implemented, then physical access requirements are reduced, but memory management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical access convenienceVSAvoidmemory management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of OTA programming operations. It manages the wireless communication, authentication, and data transfer processes, shielding the memory management system from the complexity of OTA operations while providing convenient remote access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing secure communication channels and validating programming commands before actually writing to memory. The communication module pre-authenticates and pre-processes programming data, reducing the complexity burden on the memory management system during actual programming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250306779A1Over-the-Air Programming of Sensing Devices

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

A method includes receiving first instructions transmitted by a first external device that instruct one or more processors to enter into a programming mode to write program data to a second storage block of the second set of storage blocks, entering into the programming mode, receiving the program data transmitted by a second external device, and causing the program data to be written into the second storage block of the second set of storage blocks.