Secure Activation Circuit Using Counted Signals and Hold Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device control systems lack a robust and reliable mechanism for ensuring safe actuation and control, particularly in scenarios where energy input can lead to malfunctions or disturbances, necessitating a solution that differentiates between software and hardware components based on energy requirements and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a processor-controlled processing unit, a counting element, a comparison element, and an activation element, where the elements interact through specific instructions and signals to ensure that only when all conditions are met can the control be activated and maintained, with a relay and capacitor configuration enhancing security by requiring significant energy for state changes and malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a processor-controlled processing unit is used to execute control programs, then control functionality and automation are improved, but susceptibility to malfunctions from energy input increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional blocks: processing unit (automation), counting element (verification), comparison element (validation), and activation element (control). This segmentation isolates the vulnerable processing unit from direct control authority, requiring multiple independent components to validate operation before activation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The counting element and comparison element act as intermediaries between the processing unit and the activation element. These intermediary components verify that the processing unit has correctly executed required instructions before permitting control activation, thereby protecting against malfunctioning control signals.
2Reliability
If simpler hardware elements like counter and comparator are used, then resistance to energy-induced malfunctions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges software verification (processing unit executing instructions) with hardware verification (counting and comparison elements) into a unified control architecture. This combination leverages the strengths of both approaches: software flexibility and hardware robustness, while distributing complexity across multiple specialized components rather than concentrating it in one element.
3Reliability
If multiple verification steps are implemented, then control security is improved, but response time and operational speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The counting element continuously counts instructions as they are executed by the processing unit, and the comparison element continuously compares the counted instructions against the expected number. This preliminary verification occurs in parallel with program execution, so that when the activation condition is met, the verification is already complete and control can be activated immediately without delay.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (10) for the safe execution of a control operation, the device (10) comprising a processor-controlled processing unit (12) configured to execute a program (14), a counter element (16) that counts a number of count signals (18) and outputs this number as a count value (20), a comparison element (22) that compares the count value (20) with a setpoint (24) output by the processing unit (12) and outputs an equality signal (26) if there is a match, and an activation element (28) that outputs a holding voltage (30) as long as the activation element (28) receives the equality signal (26) and repeatedly a trigger signal (32) from the processing unit (12), wherein the program (14) comprises a plurality of first instructions (38), each configured to send one or more of the count signals (18) to the counter element (16). to issue, has a second instruction (40) which is trained to do so,to output the setpoint (24), which corresponds to an expected sum of the pulses output by the first instructions (38), and includes a third instruction (42) configured to output the trigger signal (32). Furthermore, a corresponding system (90) is disclosed.