System and method for monitoring communication

• US 20060160491A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Eberhart, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 7,650,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/67.110
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/73 for taking measurements, e.g. using sensing coils

Abstract

A system including at least two distally separated devices that are in wireless communication with each other, wherein at least one of the two devices is provided with a warning mechanism configured to indicate an existing or imminent interruption or disturbance of communication. The inventive system may include a base unit and at least one mobile medical or pharmaceutical device in unidirectional communication or bidirectional communication with the base unit. A method for monitoring wireless communication between at least two devices is encompassed, wherein at least one of the two devices indicates an existing or imminent interruption or disturbance of the wireless communication by changing a type of the communication signal transmission.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising at least two devices that are in wireless communication with each other, at least one of the two devices having a warning device, wherein the warning device indicates an existing or imminent interruption or disturbance of the wireless communication.

2. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the two devices has a transmitting unit and the other of the two devices has a receiving unit, and wherein the two devices are in wireless communication with each other through a communication signal emitted by the transmitting unit and received by the receiving unit.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wireless communication between the two devices is unidirectional.

4. The communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transmitting unit is a transmitting and receiving unit, and wherein the receiving unit is a transmitting and receiving unit.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wireless communication between the devices is bidirectional.

6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of the two devices receives a defined response signal, wherein the defined response signal is responsive to receipt of the communication signal.

7. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the communication signal is formed by periodically emitted signal sequences.

8. The communication system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the signal sequences are emitted at a predetermined interval.

9. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the communication signal includes encrypted information.

10. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the communication signal is an inductive signal.

11. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the communication signal is a radio-frequency signal.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the two devices is a base device including a first transmitting and receiving unit, and wherein the other of the two devices is a medical or pharmaceutical device including a second transmitting and receiving unit.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the medical or pharmaceutical device is an infusion device, an injection device, or an inhalation device.

14. A method for monitoring wireless communication over a predetermined distance between at least two devices, wherein the at least two devices are in wireless communication through a communication signal and at least one of the two devices indicates an existing or imminent interruption or disturbance of the wireless communication by changing a type of the communication signal transmission.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the interruption or disturbance is indicated if the predetermined distance between two devices is exceeded.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the interruption or disturbance is indicated if one of the two devices registers a change, attenuation, interruption, or disturbance of the communication signal.

17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the communication signal is formed by periodically emitted signal sequences.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the signal sequences are emitted at a predetermined interval.

19. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein one of the two devices is a base device including a first transmitting and receiving unit, and wherein the other of the two devices is a medical or pharmaceutical device including a second transmitting and receiving unit.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the medical or pharmaceutical device is an infusion device, an injection device, or an inhalation device.

21. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least two of the medical or pharmaceutical devices are in wireless communication connection with each other through a second communication signal.