Protocol translation device

A protocol translation device for use with a first apparatus having a battery compartment and communicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol. The protocol translation device can include a battery casing sized to fit within the battery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator having a first antenna operable to communicate with the first apparatus, a second antenna operable to communicate with the second apparatus, and a translator circuit operably connected between the first antenna and the second antenna; and a battery operably connected to power the translator. The translator circuit is operable to translate between the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol. The translator and the battery are disposed within the interior volume.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of this disclosure is wireless communication devices, particularly, protocol translation devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advances in electronics and telemetry have resulted in the miniaturization of personal electronic devices such that electronic devices which previously required large stationary equipment can now be worn about the person. Such electronic devices are often powered by batteries stored in a battery compartment and are able to communicate with other electronic devices in their vicinity.

Communication protocols for communication between electronic devices evolve over time with hardware and software improvements to provide faster, more reliable communication. Unfortunately, existing electronic devices are stuck with the communication protocol with which they were built. Newer communication protocols required to interact with newer external devices are often different than the original communication protocol available in an older, as-built electronic device. Although the older electronic device remains capable of performing its original function, it is unable to interact with the newer devices and to take advantage of their improvements and additional features.

It would be desirable to have a protocol translation device that would overcome the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides a protocol translation device for use with a first apparatus having a battery compartment and communicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol, the protocol translation device including: a battery casing sized to fit within the battery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator including a first antenna operable to communicate with the first apparatus, a second antenna operable to communicate with the second apparatus, and a translator circuit operably connected between the first antenna and the second antenna, the translator circuit being operable to translate between the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol, being operable to communicate with the first antenna on the first wireless protocol, and being operable to communicate with the second antenna on the second wireless protocol; and a battery operably connected to power the translator; wherein the translator and the battery are disposed within the interior volume.

Another aspect of the invention provides a protocol translation device for use with a first apparatus having a battery compartment and communicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol, the protocol translation device including: a battery casing sized to fit within the battery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator including a first antenna operable to receive a first-in signal from the first apparatus, the first-in signal conforming to the first wireless protocol, a translator circuit operable to receive the first-in signal from the first antenna and operable to translate the first-in signal to a second-out signal conforming to the second wireless protocol, and a second antenna operable to receive the second-out signal from the translator circuit and operable to transmit the second-out signal to the second apparatus; and a battery operably connected to power the translator; wherein the translator and the battery are disposed within the interior volume.

Another aspect of the invention provides a protocol translation device for use with an insulin pump having a battery compartment sized to fit a AAA battery and communicating over a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol, and for use with a smart phone communicating over a Bluetooth protocol, the protocol translation device including: a battery casing sized to a AAA battery form factor, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator including a first antenna operable to communicate with the insulin pump, a second antenna operable to communicate with the smart phone, and a translator circuit operably connected between the first antenna and the second antenna, the translator circuit being operable to translate between the 916.5 MHz OOK protocol and the Bluetooth protocol, being operable to communicate with the first antenna on the 916.5 MHz OOK protocol, and being operable to communicate with the second antenna on the Bluetooth protocol; and a rechargeable battery operably connected to power the translator and the insulin pump; wherein the translator and the rechargeable battery are disposed within the interior volume.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of a protocol translation device made in accordance with the invention. The protocol translation device fits within the battery compartment of an apparatus and translates a first wireless protocol used by the apparatus to another second wireless protocol, so the apparatus can communicate with another apparatus over the second wireless protocol.

The protocol translation device100is for use with a first apparatus150having a battery compartment152and communicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus170communicating over a second wireless protocol. In this embodiment, the protocol translation device100includes a battery casing110sized to fit within the battery compartment152, the battery casing110defining an interior volume112; a translator120having a first antenna122operable to communicate with the first apparatus150, a second antenna124operable to communicate with the second apparatus170, and a translator circuit130operably connected between the first antenna122and the second antenna124; and a battery140operably connected to power the translator. The translator circuit130is operable to translate between the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol, is operable to communicate with the first antenna122on the first wireless protocol, and is operable to communicate with the second antenna124on the second wireless protocol. The translator120and the battery140are disposed within the interior volume112. In this example, the battery140is further operably connected to power the first apparatus150in addition to the protocol translation device100.

In this example, the first apparatus150further includes a memory154operable to store programming code, a processor156operably connected to the memory154, and a communication interface158operably connected to the processor156. The processor156is responsive to the programming code stored in the memory154to send and receive wireless signals conforming to the first wireless protocol from the communication interface158. The processor156of the first apparatus150can be any processor desired for a particular application. Exemplary processors include a central processing unit and a microprocessor. The processor can include or be attached to auxiliary equipment, such as memory, data storage, additional processors, input/output devices, antennas, and the like, as required to perform various functions.

The communications between the first apparatus150and the second apparatus170can be described in terms of the signals between the first apparatus150and the second apparatus170. In this embodiment, the communication interface158of the first apparatus150generates a first-in signal121which the first antenna122receives and passes to the translator circuit130. The first-in signal121conforms to the first wireless protocol. The translator circuit130receives the first-in signal121and translates the first-in signal121to a second-out signal123which the second antenna124receives and passes to the second apparatus170. The second-out signal123conforms to the second wireless protocol. In this embodiment, the second apparatus170generates a second-in signal125which the second antenna124receives and passes to the translator circuit130. The second-in signal125conforms to the second wireless protocol. The translator circuit130receives the second-in signal125and translates the second-in signal125to a first-out signal127which the first antenna122receives and passes to the communication interface158of the first apparatus150. The first-out signal127conforms to the first wireless protocol.

The first apparatus150and the second apparatus170can be any apparatus which the user desires to put in communication. For example, the first apparatus150can be an older apparatus designed to communicate on a first wireless protocol incompatible with the second apparatus170, which is newer and uses a more recently developed second wireless protocol. The protocol translation device100translates the first wireless protocol to the second wireless protocol to allow the first apparatus150and the second apparatus170to communicate.

The first apparatus150can be any apparatus communicating over the first wireless protocol and having a battery compartment as desired for a particular application. In one example, the first apparatus150is an insulin pump communicating on a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol with a battery compartment sized to fit a AA or AAA battery. In other examples, the first apparatus150can be a medical monitoring device, such as a portable heart rate monitor, another drug infusion pump, or the like.

The second apparatus170can be any apparatus communicating over the second wireless protocol. In one example, the second apparatus170is a smart phone communicating on a Bluetooth protocol and/or 802.11 (WiFi). In other examples, the second apparatus170can be a Bluetooth enabled desktop or laptop computer, a tablet device, a smart watch/wearable device, a Bluetooth enabled vehicle information system, a Bluetooth enabled stationary medical monitoring station, or the like.

The first wireless protocol of the first apparatus150and the second wireless protocol of the second apparatus170can be any wireless protocols for which translation is desired to allow communication between the first apparatus150and the second apparatus170. In one example, the first wireless protocol is a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol and the second wireless protocol is a Bluetooth protocol. In other embodiments, the first wireless protocol can be a protocol following a modulation scheme, such as OOK, 2-FSK, ASK, GFSK, MSK, or the like, on a broadcast band, such as 916.5 MHz, ISM, SRD, MICS (400 MHz), or the like. In other embodiments, the second wireless protocol can be Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, 802.11 (WiFi), HiperLAN (High Performance Radio LAN), other commercially available protocols and frequencies, or the like.

The protocol translation device100includes the battery casing110; the translator120including the first antenna122, the translator circuit130, and the second antenna124.

The battery casing110as defined and used herein can be any casing sized to fit within the battery compartment of the first apparatus150. In one embodiment, the battery casing110is same size as a AA battery, a AAA battery, or the like, which is used with the first apparatus150during as-designed operation, i.e., for operation with the battery which the first apparatus150was originally designed to use. The interior volume112of the battery casing110receives the translator120and the battery140, and can also receive other components as desired for a particular application. In one embodiment, the protocol translation device100is sealed to meet the IPX-8 liquid ingress protection standard.

The first antenna122of the translator120can be any antenna operable to communicate with the first apparatus150on the first wireless protocol. In one embodiment, the first antenna122is a 900 MHz antenna. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional components can be employed with the first antenna, such as a balun inserted between the first antenna122and the translator circuit130to balance the transmission line circuit. In one embodiment, the first antenna122is incorporated as a trace on the printed circuit board supporting the translator circuit130.

The second antenna124of the translator120can be any antenna operable to communicate with the second apparatus170on the second wireless protocol. In one embodiment, the second antenna124is a Bluetooth antenna. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional components can be employed with the second antenna, such as a balun inserted between the second antenna124and the translator circuit130to balance the transmission line circuit.

The translator circuit130can be any circuit operable to translate between the first wireless protocol of the first apparatus150and the second wireless protocol of the second apparatus170. The translator circuit130is operable to translate between the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol, is operable to communicate with the first antenna122on the first wireless protocol, and is operable to communicate with the second antenna124on the second wireless protocol. In one embodiment, the main component of the translator circuit130is a Programmable Radio-on-Chip with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), such as the CYBL10X6X manufactured by Cypress Semiconductor of San Jose, Calif., USA, which incorporates an ARM-core processor. The Programmable Radio-on-Chip with BLE is configurable to communicate with the first apparatus150over a number of wireless protocols in the frequency range of 300-900 MHz and to communicate with the second apparatus170over a Bluetooth protocol.

The battery140is operably connected to power translator circuit130of the protocol translation device100. The battery140can be any battery with sufficient voltage and capacity desired for a particular application. Exemplary battery types include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium polymer, alkaline, and the like. In one embodiment, the battery140can be rechargeable. In one embodiment, the battery140can operably connected to power the first apparatus150, such as an insulin pump or the like, so that the protocol translation device100replaces the as-designed battery used by the first apparatus150, i.e., the battery which the first apparatus150was originally designed to use. In one embodiment, the battery140can have a capacity of 250-300 mAhr. When the battery casing110is same size as a AAA battery, the battery140can be configured as a stack of button-cell batteries, a half AAA soft cell, or the like.

FIGS. 2A & 2B, in which like elements share like reference numbers, are an external diagram and a cross-section diagram, respectively, of a protocol translation device made in accordance with the invention. In this example, the protocol translation device200is configured with the battery casing110being the same size and configuration as a AAA battery, i.e., having the same form factor. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the form factor of the battery casing110can be the same form factor as that of the original battery designed to be used with the first apparatus.

The protocol translation device200includes a battery casing210defining an interior volume212and having a positive end cap202and a negative end cap204. The translator220and the battery240are disposed within the interior volume212. The interior volume212can include spacers and/or adapters to receive the protocol translation device components, such as the translator220and the battery240. The translator220includes the first antenna222, the translator circuit230, and the second antenna224. In this embodiment, the first antenna222is part of the printed circuit board to which the other components of the translator220are attached. In this embodiment, the translator circuit230also includes a power management chip229, which governs regulation of the voltage rails VCC powering the components of the translator220.

The protocol translation device200in this example is rechargeable and powers the first apparatus in which it is installed. The power management chip229also governs recharging the battery240through the positive end cap202and a negative end cap204to which the terminals of the battery240are operably connected. The battery240can be recharged by placing the protocol translation device200in a standard AAA charger compatible with the chosen chemistry of the battery240.

FIGS. 3A & 3B, in which like elements share like reference numbers, are a depiction and an exploded diagram, respectively, of an insulin pump for use with a protocol translation device made in accordance with the invention. The insulin pump is one example of a first apparatus having a battery compartment with which a protocol translation device can be used.

FIG. 3Ais a depiction of an insulin pump for use with a protocol translation device made in accordance with the invention. The insulin pump300in this example is a Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm Revel™ Insulin Pump. The insulin pump300includes a battery compartment326for receiving the protocol translation device.

FIG. 3Bis an exploded diagram of an insulin pump for use with a protocol translation device made in accordance with the invention. The insulin pump300is an example of an apparatus that can be used with the protocol translation device described in conjunction withFIGS. 1, 2A, and 2Babove. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the protocol translation device can be used with any apparatus with a battery compartment.

Referring toFIG. 3B, the insulin pump300includes an insulin pump casing310with face trim312and end cap314. The insulin pump casing310has an insulin pump interior volume operable to receive the insulin pump components, including therapeutic agent receiver322, insulin pump drive320, insulin pump electronics324operable to control the insulin pump drive320, and battery compartment326. A protocol translation device can be placed in the battery compartment326of the insulin pump300.

FIG. 4is another schematic diagram of a protocol translation device made in accordance with the invention. The protocol translation device400includes a translator420and a battery440disposed within an interior volume of a battery casing. In this embodiment, the translator420includes a first antenna (RF antenna)422, a translator circuit430, and a second antenna (BLE antenna)424. The translator circuit430includes an RF transceiver (reconfigurable RF module MCU)428operably connected to the first antenna422, a programmable radio-on-chip (BLE ARM MCU)426operably connected to the second antenna424, and a data bus427operably connected for communication between the RF transceiver428and the programmable radio-on-chip426. The first antenna422can be printed on the printed circuit board to which the other components of the translator420are attached.

The translator circuit430also includes a power management chip (battery charge/power delivery management module)429operably connected to the RF transceiver428, the programmable radio-on-chip426, the battery440, and power terminals402. The power management chip429regulates power to the components of the translator420and governs charging of the battery440through the power terminals402with a removable charger450, such as a standard AAA charger compatible with the chosen chemistry of the battery440. Through the power terminals402, the battery440can power an apparatus (external system power)452in which the protocol translation device400is installed. The removable charger450and the apparatus452are external to the battery casing of the protocol translation device400.

Some exemplary components for use in the protocol translation device400are as follows: the second antenna424—W3008 Ceramic 2.4 GHz BT/WLAN/WiFi Antenna manufactured by Pulse Electronics of San Diego, Calif., USA; the programmable radio-on-chip426—CYBL10563 chip in the CYBL10X6X Programmable Radio-on-Chip With Bluetooth Low Energy (PRoC BLE) family manufactured by Cypress Semiconductor of San Jose, Calif., USA; the RF transceiver428—CC1101 Low-Power Sub-1 GHz RF Transceiver manufactured by Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex., USA; and the power management chip429—MAX8971 1.55A 1-Cell Li+DC-DC Charger manufactured by Maxim Integrated of San Jose, Calif., USA. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these particular components are for illustration only and that other components can be selected as desired for a particular application.

It is important to note thatFIGS. 1-4illustrate specific applications and embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure or claims to that which is presented therein. Upon reading the specification and reviewing the drawings hereof, it will become immediately obvious to those skilled in the art that myriad other embodiments of the invention are possible, and that such embodiments are contemplated and fall within the scope of the presently claimed invention.