Secure pairing of electronic devices using dual means of communication

A medical unit, comprising:

• a first wireless communication link configured to transmit a first group of data types between the unit and a further unit, the first group of data types including pairing information for pairing the unit and a further unit, the unit having a unit identification number and the further unit being assigned a sequential further unit identification number, the further unit identification number being assigned by the unit, and
• a second wireless communication link configured to transmit a second group of data types between the unit and the further unit after the first unit and further unit are paired, the second group of data types including other information, the first wireless communication link having a shorter range of communication than the second wireless communication link,
• the unit having a first processor configured to transmit the pairing information via the first communication link and to transmit or receive the other information via the second communication link, the pairing information including the unit identification number and the further unit identification number,
• the further unit having a second processor configured to receive the pairing information via the first communication link and send an acknowledgment via the second communication link, the acknowledgment including the unit identification number and the further unit identification number, the unit and further unit then being configured to exchange communications via the second communication link only when the received further unit identification number matches the assigned further unit identification number.

A method of operating a medical system comprising first and second units, the method comprising:

• providing a medical system having first and second units, the first unit having a first unit identification number and the second unit a sequential second unit identification number, the second identification number being assigned by the first unit,
• transmitting a first group of data types from the first unit to the second unit using a first wireless communication link, the first group of data types including pairing information for pairing the first unit and second unit, the pairing information including the first unit identification number and the second unit identification number, and
• transmitting a second group of data types between the first unit and the second unit using a second wireless communication link after the first unit and second unit are paired, the second group of data types including other information, the first communication link having a shorter range of communication than the second communication link, and
• providing a first processor in the first unit, the first processor being configured to transmit the pairing information via the first communication link and to transmit or receive the other information via the second communication link,
• providing a second processor in the second unit, the second processor being configured receive the pairing information via the first communication link and send an acknowledgment via the second communication link, the acknowledgment including the first unit identification number and the second unit identification number, the first and second units then being configured to exchange communications via the second communication link only when the received second unit identification number matches the assigned second unit identification number.

A medical drug delivery system comprising:

• a remote controller and a process unit, the remote controller having a remote controller identification number and the process unit being assigned a sequential process unit identification number, the process unit identification number being assigned by the remote controller;
• the remote controller being configured with a near field communication (NFC) wireless transmitter and a second wireless receiver, the NFC wireless transmitter being configured to transmit pairing information or a bolus command from the remote controller to the process unit, the pairing information including a pairing start code, the controller unit identification number and the process unit identification number;
• and
• the process unit being configured with a NFC wireless receiver and a second wireless transmitter, the NFC wireless receiver being configured to receive the pairing information or bolus command from the remote controller and send an acknowledgment via a second wireless transmitter, the acknowledgment including the remote controller identification number and the process unit identification number, the remote controller being configured to receive communications via the second wireless receiver only when the received process unit identification number matches the assigned process unit identification number, the NFC wireless communication transmitter having a shorter range of communication than the second wireless transmitter.