Measurement Device Unidirectional Messaging Mode Power Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Measurement devices, such as glucose meters and heart rate monitors, face challenges in reducing power consumption due to idle listening times caused by bidirectional communication protocols, which require devices to constantly listen for incoming messages from monitoring units, limiting battery life in small form factor devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a unidirectional messaging mode in measurement devices that allows them to transmit data without listening for responses, eliminating the need for a radio receiver and reducing power consumption while maintaining interoperability with bidirectional communication protocols like ISO/IEEE 11073-20601.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional communication protocol is used, then interoperability with monitoring unit is maintained, but power consumption increases due to idle listening

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication protocol is segmented into two independent modes: unidirectional transmit-only mode and bidirectional mode. The measurement device can select unidirectional mode to eliminate receiver operations and idle listening, while monitoring units continue to use bidirectional mode for full interoperability. This segmentation allows each device to operate in the mode most suitable for its power constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver component and its associated idle listening functionality are extracted from the measurement device when operating in unidirectional mode. By removing the requirement for bidirectional communication at the measurement device side, the power-consuming receiver and idle listening periods are eliminated, leaving only the transmitter operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of information

If bidirectional communication protocol is used, then data exchange capability is maintained, but idle listening time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata exchange capabilityVSAvoididle listening time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the measurement device actively listen for incoming messages (traditional bidirectional approach), the invention inverts the communication pattern by having the measurement device transmit data proactively without listening for responses. The monitoring unit receives data and can send requests, but the measurement device operates in transmit-only mode, eliminating idle listening time entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If receiver is activated to listen for requests and responses, then communication completeness is ensured, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver component is extracted from the measurement device in unidirectional mode. By removing the receiver, the device cannot receive requests or responses, but this also eliminates the power consumption associated with activating and operating the receiver. The communication completeness is maintained at the system level through the monitoring unit's bidirectional capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2856767B2Measurement device

Publication Date: 2020.09.30 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

A measurement device and communication method for the same is disclosed. The measurement device is adapted to communicate with a monitor device employing a bi- directional communication protocol. The measurement device is adapted to operate in a uni- directional communication mode such that it transmits messages irrespective of response messages transmitted to the measurement device.