Application unlock using a connected physical device and transfer of data therebetween

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a system includes a medical device configured to provide a function to a user, communicate via a wireless communication channel with one or more other devices, and send a signal to shift a medical device application from a locked state to an unlocked state. The system also includes a computing device having wireless communication channels and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the computing device to communicate with the medical device, execute the medical device application, and shift from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to receiving the signal from the medical device. Core functionality of the medical device application is disabled when the medical device application is in the locked state, and some functionality applicable to the medical device is enabled when the medical device application is in the unlocked state.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a capsule-based inhaler comprising a housing adapted to receive a capsule containing a medicament, the capsule-based inhaler configured to:
 provide the medicament to a user of the capsule-based inhaler; 
 sense movement of the capsule within the housing; 
 communicate via a wireless communication channel with one or more other devices; and 
 send a signal indicative of the movement of the capsule within the housing to shift a medical device application from a locked state to an unlocked state; and 
   a computing device comprising one or more wireless communication channels and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to cause the computing device to:
 communicate with the capsule-based inhaler; 
 execute the medical device application; and 
 shift from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to receiving the signal from the capsule-based inhaler, 
   wherein a functionality of the medical device application is disabled when the medical device application is in the locked state, and   wherein a functionality applicable to the medical device is enabled when the medical device application is in the unlocked state.   
     
     
         22 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is an impact sensor. 
     
     
         23 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the function comprises providing an aerosolized medicament for user inhalation. 
     
     
         24 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the computing device is selected from a group consisting of: a personal computer, a smart phone, a smart watch, a wearable device, a tablet computer, and a laptop computer. 
     
     
         25 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the wireless communication channel of the capsule-based inhaler is configured to communicate with the wireless communication channel of the computing device via one or more radio frequencies. 
     
     
         26 . The system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the wireless communication channel of the capsule-based inhaler is configured to communicate with the wireless communication channel of the computing device using near field communication technology. 
     
     
         27 . A method, comprising:
 providing, using a capsule-based inhaler, a function to a user of the medical device;   communicating via a wireless communication channel with a computing device, the computing device executing a medical device application;   sending a signal from the medical device to the computing device, the signal relating to a sensed movement of a capsule within the capsule-based inhaler; and   shifting the medical device application from a first state to a second state in response to the signal from the capsule-based inhaler.   
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the sensed movement is based on sensed impacts of the capsule within the capsule-based inhaler. 
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the function comprises providing an aerosolized medicament for user inhalation. 
     
     
         30 . A system, comprising:
 a medical device configured to:
 provide a function to a user of the medical device; 
 communicate via near field communication technology with one or more other devices; and 
 send a signal to shift a medical device application from a locked state to an unlocked state; and 
   a computing device comprising near field communication technology and a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to cause the computing device to:
 communicate with the medical device; 
 execute the medical device application; and 
 shift from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to receiving the signal from the medical device, 
   wherein a functionality of the medical device application is disabled when the medical device application is in the locked state, and   wherein a functionality applicable to the medical device is enabled when the medical device application is in the unlocked state.   
     
     
         31 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the medical device is a unit-dose inhaler. 
     
     
         32 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein a functionality of the medical device is disabled when it is not in communication with the medical device application on the computing device. 
     
     
         33 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the function comprises one or more of: providing an aerosolized medicament for user inhalation, providing a liquid medicament for user injection, and sensing a physiological condition of the user. 
     
     
         34 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the computing device is selected from a group consisting of: a personal computer, a smart phone, a smart watch, a wearable device, a tablet computer, and a laptop computer. 
     
     
         35 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the wireless communication channel of the medical device is configured to communicate with the wireless communication channel of the computing device via one or more radio frequencies. 
     
     
         36 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the computing device is further configured to:
 attempt to connect with the medical device in response to the user providing a trigger;   pair the medical device with the medical device application; and   send one or more messages to the medical device indicating parameters for operation of the medical device.   
     
     
         37 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the medical device is further configured to:
 send a message to the medical device application on the computing device in response to a triggering event;   pair with the medical device application on the computing device; and   send one or more messages to the medical device application indicating status and/or parameters for operation of the medical device.   
     
     
         38 . The system as recited in  claim 37 , wherein the triggering event is selected from a group consisting of: the user depressing a button on the medical device, the medical device being brought within a wireless communication range of the computing device, and an attempt to utilize the medical device. 
     
     
         39 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein only functionality of the medical device application that is appropriate for a particular medical device is enabled while the medical device application is in the unlocked state, appropriate functionality being consistent with and possible when using the medical device. 
     
     
         40 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the medical device is further configured to send a predefined series of messages to the medical device application on the computing device after sending the signal to shift the medical device application from the locked state to the unlocked state, and wherein the medical device application is further configured to:
 listen for the predefined series of messages from the medical device; and   disable a core functionality of the medical device application in response to a determination that a predetermined number of messages have not been received by the medical device application as anticipated.