Volatile Memory Segmentation for Drug Delivery Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in efficiently storing data related to medication use, particularly when equipped with primary batteries, as they require significant energy for data erasure and storage in non-volatile memory.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronic system in drug delivery devices that distinguishes between data types, storing non-changing data in non-volatile memory and changing data in volatile memory, which is continuously powered to avoid energy-intensive erasure operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is stored in non-volatile memory, then data persistence is improved, but energy consumption increases due to erasure operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides data storage into two separate memory systems: non-volatile memory for persistent storage of medication event data, and volatile memory for temporary storage of changing data such as communication parameters and encryption keys. This segmentation allows the system to avoid frequent erasure operations in non-volatile memory, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining data persistence where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The volatile memory acts as an intermediary between the processor and non-volatile memory. Changing data is first stored in volatile memory, which is continuously powered, avoiding the need to erase and rewrite in non-volatile memory. This intermediary approach reduces the energy-intensive erasure operations required in non-volatile memory while still maintaining persistence for critical data.
2Reliability
If all data is stored in non-volatile memory, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases due to full memory capacity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data storage by type: non-volatile memory stores permanent medication event data requiring integrity, while volatile memory stores changing data like communication parameters. This segmentation allows each memory type to be optimized for its specific purpose, reducing the overall capacity requirements for non-volatile memory and simplifying the device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses volatile memory as a disposable temporary storage for changing data, accepting that this data will be lost when power is removed. This approach is simpler and more energy-efficient than maintaining all data in non-volatile memory, as volatile memory requires no erasure operations and can be quickly repurposed.
3Ease of operation
If volatile memory is continuously powered, then data accessibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory system into two parts with different power requirements: volatile memory that remains continuously powered for fast access to changing data, and non-volatile memory that can be powered down or operates intermittently for persistent storage. This segmentation allows the system to maintain data accessibility for critical data while reducing overall energy consumption by not continuously powering the entire memory system.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic system configured for application in a drug delivery device or drug delivery add-on device to implement a data storage is disclosed. The electronic system includes at least a processor provided for processing data, a non-volatile memory provided for storing data, and an electronic component with a volatile memory, in which the electronic component is configured to be continuously supplied with electric power to maintain data stored in the volatile memory, and the processor is configured to store at least part of the processed data in the volatile memory of the electronic component.