Device, system, and method for effecting communication between a sensor and a host system

A sensor system configured to be connected to a host system for monitoring patient data, comprising:

• a sensor;
• a sensor interface for operatively coupling the sensor to a patient;
• and
• a patient data acquisition device comprising:
• a patient data interface connecting the sensor to the patient data acquisition device;
• a communications interface for connecting the patient data acquisition device to the host system, the communications interface including a cable interface;
• and
• a control unit comprising:
• a processing resource;
• and
• a memory storing a plurality of communication protocols, the memory communicating with the processing resource and storing instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, cause the processing resource to:
• perform a protocol discovery operation to determine a communication protocol utilized by the host system, including identifying a hardware characteristic of a cable coupled with the cable interface over which the host system and the patient data acquisition device communicate, the hardware characteristic including an EEPROM embedded in the cable;
• activate one of the plurality of communication protocols, the one of the plurality of communication protocols being the first communication protocol upon a determination that the first communication protocol is included in the plurality of communication protocols, wherein the plurality of communication protocols includes a default communication protocol, the default communication protocol being a wired communication protocol;
• and
• communicate the patient data to the host system using the first communication protocol.

A method for activating a communication protocol for communication between a patient data acquisition device for a sensor and a host system, comprising:

• operatively coupling the patient data acquisition device and the host system via a communications interface, the communications interface including a cable interface;
• performing a protocol discovery operation to determine a communication protocol utilized by the host system, including identifying a hardware characteristic of a cable coupled with the cable interface over which the host system and the patient data acquisition device communicate, the hardware characteristic including an EEPROM embedded in the cable;
• activating one of a plurality of communication protocols, the plurality of communication protocols including a default communication protocol and the default communication protocol being a wired communication protocol, stored in the memory for communication with the host system upon a determination that the communication protocol is utilized by the host system, the one of the plurality of communication protocols being the communication protocol implemented by the host system;
• and
• communicating patient data via the patient data acquisition device to the host system using the one of the plurality of communication protocols.