Automatic Medical Device Pairing via Optical Line-of-Sight Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for pairing medical devices and control devices require user intervention, which can be inconvenient and prone to errors, as they often rely on manual selection or placement in a discoverable state, leading to potential unintended activation of incorrect devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses a line-of-sight optical link for automatic pairing between medical devices and control devices via dual communication channels, such as infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF), allowing devices to automatically match identifiers and pair without user intervention, ensuring correct device pairing and preventing activation of adjacent devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual selection or discoverable state methods are used for device pairing, then user control and device compatibility are maintained, but user convenience deteriorates and pairing accuracy decreases due to potential selection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic pairing by having devices self-identify and self-select each other through identifier matching across communication channels, eliminating the need for manual user intervention in the pairing process while ensuring accurate device association
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical communication as a feedback mechanism to verify device presence and line-of-sight conditions, providing real-time information that confirms correct device pairing before establishing the wireless connection
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless links are made discoverable and pairable across multiple rooms, then device accessibility is improved, but unintended activation of adjacent devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wireless communication space by using optical line-of-sight requirements to define distinct pairing zones, allowing devices to be accessible in different rooms while preventing cross-room interference through physical separation of communication channels
Solution Approach 2:
The optical communication channel acts as an intermediary that must be satisfied for pairing to occur, serving as a mediator that confirms proper device alignment and location before allowing wireless connection establishment
3Productivity
If automatic pairing is implemented without user intervention, then pairing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple communication channels and identifier matching
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal identifier format that can be transmitted across multiple communication channels (optical and wireless), allowing the same identification mechanism to serve both line-of-sight verification and device pairing functions simultaneously
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient, automatic, and accurate pairing of medical and control devices, reducing the risk of incorrect device activation and maintaining user focus on the primary task, while ensuring that control inputs are directed only to the intended device within the line-of-sight.
Implementation Method 1
receive an identifier associated with a control device within a line-of-sight of the medical device over the first communication channel
Implementation Method 2
receive at least one identifier associated with at least one control device over the second communication channel
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include a medical device that matches an identifier received over its optical channel and associated with a control device within a line-of-sight of the medical device with an identifier received over its wireless channel and that automatically pairs with the control device associated with the matching identifier over its wireless channel, as well as, a control device that matches an identifier received over its optical channel and associated with a medical device within a line-of-sight of the control device with an identifier received over its wireless channel and that automatically pairs with the medical device associated with the matching identifier over its wireless channel, as well as, a first device and a second device that automatically pair over a wireless channel based on a location identifier received over an optical channel from a transmitter within a line-of-sight of the first device and the second device.