Single-Button Remote Control Pairing for Ambulatory Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote controls for ambulatory medical devices are overly complex, making it difficult for users to associate a specific remote control with a medical device for sending commands, particularly when a remote is lost or misplaced.
Innovation Solution
A remote control with a single user-operated control that generates a sequence of user inputs to establish a communication link with the ambulatory medical device, allowing the device to respond only to operational commands from the remote control, simplifying the pairing process and preventing inadvertent reassignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote control with multiple buttons and complex procedures is used to marry a remote control device to an ambulatory medical device, then the device can respond only to operational commands from the paired remote control, but the user interface complexity increases and the pairing process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of remote control operation by removing unnecessary buttons and complexity, retaining only a single user-input mechanism. This single mechanism generates distinct user inputs based on actuation patterns (single press, double press, prolonged press) to perform different functions including marrying the remote to the medical device, thereby achieving the pairing function with minimal interface elements
Solution Approach 2:
The single user-input mechanism serves multiple functions through different actuation patterns. The same physical button can generate different user inputs (first user input for marrying, second user input for bolus command, third user input for diagnostic signal) based on how it is actuated, allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated buttons
2Adaptability or versatility
If a remote control with multiple buttons is used to provide different commands (marrying, bolus, diagnostic), then all command functions can be provided, but the number of user operated controls increases making the device more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single user-input mechanism that can generate multiple types of user inputs depending on the actuation pattern. A single press generates a first user input for marrying, a double press generates a second user input for bolus commands, and a prolonged press generates a third user input for diagnostic signals. This universal mechanism replaces what would traditionally require three separate buttons
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the single user-input mechanism's operation to create different functions. By varying parameters such as the number of presses (single vs. double) and the duration of press (brief vs. prolonged), the same physical mechanism generates distinct user inputs that trigger different commands at the ambulatory medical device
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assigning a remote control to an ambulatory medical device includes generating and transmitting user inputs from a remote control to an ambulatory medical device, and receiving and processing the user inputs to determine whether the user inputs represent a sequence authorizing an assignment of the remote control to the ambulatory medical device.