Multi-Protocol Communication Architecture for Patient Care Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient care devices face difficulties in redesigning and modifying communication systems due to their reliance on a single communication medium and protocol, limiting flexibility and adaptability to different communication needs among nodes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of embedded communication systems that allow for the use of various communication protocols and media, enabling nodes to communicate using protocols and media better suited to their specific needs, such as Ethernet, CAN, RS-485, and I2C, and allowing for message conversion between different formats and protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single communication medium and protocol are used in patient care devices, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but the flexibility and adaptability for redesigns and modifications are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication architecture where a single communication bus can carry multiple communication protocols simultaneously. The system allows different nodes to communicate using different protocols (Ethernet, CAN, RS-485, I2C) over the same physical medium, enabling the communication system to serve multiple functions and adapt to various communication needs without requiring separate dedicated buses for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing the selection and activation of different communication protocols based on the specific needs of each node and communication task. The system can adaptively switch between protocols and reconfigure communication paths, providing flexibility for redesigns and modifications while maintaining a relatively simple underlying hardware structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different communication protocols are used between different nodes, then the communication needs of each node are better met, but the complexity of message conversion and protocol translation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message router or gateway node that acts as an intermediary between nodes using different communication protocols. This intermediary receives messages from nodes using various protocols, performs necessary protocol translation and conversion, and forwards the converted messages to the appropriate destination nodes. This mediator approach enables multi-protocol communication while centralizing the conversion complexity in a single component rather than requiring every node to handle multiple protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into distinct functional layers: protocol-specific node layers and a common transport layer. Each node can be designed with a simple protocol-specific interface, while the complex protocol conversion and routing functions are handled by dedicated router nodes. This segmentation allows individual nodes to remain simple while the overall system achieves multi-protocol capability through the coordinated work of specialized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication media are implemented, then the system can accommodate different communication requirements, but the ease of manufacture and assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal communication bus design that can carry multiple communication protocols over a single physical medium. Instead of implementing separate physical buses for Ethernet, CAN, RS-485, and I2C protocols, the system uses a single multi-functional communication infrastructure that can dynamically support different protocols, significantly simplifying the physical assembly and manufacturing process while maintaining protocol diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system utilizes parameter changes in the electrical characteristics of a single communication medium to support different protocols. By dynamically adjusting voltage levels, signal timing, and electrical impedance parameters of the same physical bus, the system can accommodate different communication protocols without requiring physical hardware changes, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving communication flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include multiple internal network nodes. A controller is associated with each node and at least one of the controllers is adapted to process a message received from another node, convert the message from a first communication protocol to a different communication protocol, and forward the message to yet another node using the different communication protocol. One or more of the controllers may also or alternatively reformulate a packet received in a first format from a first node and forward the reformulated packet to another node. One or more controllers may also send messages over a common data link layer wherein some of the messages are formatted according to different message protocols. Some controllers may utilize real time operating systems while others may not.