Function updatable device and an options card therefor

• US 20070073872A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical PM Inc (ICU Medical Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wille, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A device such as for example a electronic medical device has a memory that has prestored therein a number of programs or routines for performing various functions. Some of those functions are optional functions that were not enabled when the equipment was put into service. If the user of the equipment desires thereafter to activate any one of those optional functions, an options card that has a number of memory blocks each specifically configured to enable one of the prestored optional functions is sent to the user. The user can then insert the options card into a receptacle integrated into the device and, upon power up of the device, elect a menu for enabling the desired optional function(s) prestored in the device. The options card may be configured to have a count number that indicates the number of devices the card may be used for enabling a particular optional function. The options card may further be configured to include data that may be used to enable or disable multiple optional functions prestored in the device. When returned to the manufacturer, given that the serial numbers of the machines to which the options card was inserted are recorded therein, the manufacturer can easily keep tab of the status of those machines in the field that had had optional functions enabled/disabled.

Claims

1-35. -35. (canceled)

36. An electronic device adapted to perform a plurality of functions, comprising a first memory for storing a number of programs each enabling said device to perform one of said functions, at least one of said functions being operable when said device is powered up to provide functionality for said device, each of said programs adapted to be enabled and disabled, an option token matable with said device to change the functionality of said device by enabling a user to interact and selectively enable a program not previously enabled in said device to thereby activate a given function not previously functional in said device.

37. Device of claim 36, further comprising an input for accepting said token, said token having a memory for storing at least one code adapted to enable one of said programs stored in said first memory to be selectively enabled and disabled.

38. Device of claim 36, wherein said device is a medical multi-function monitor.

39. Device of claim 36, wherein said token comprises a memory card.

40. Device of claim 36, wherein said user interacts with said device via an options menu displayed by said device when said token is mated to said device, said display enabling said user to selectively control the operational status of at least one of the functions performable by said device.

41. Device of claim 39, wherein said memory card includes at least one predetermined count number for said given function, said predetermined count number being decremented by one when said given function is activated in said device, said memory card usable with other devices to enable said given function in said other devices so long as said predetermined count number remains greater than zero.

42. Device of claim 36, wherein said plurality of functions adapted to be performed by said device include at least ECG, RSP, NIBP and 5-lead ECG.

43. Device of claim 36, wherein said device comprises a monitor that has at least one sensor connectable to a patient for collecting at least one physiological parameter from said patient in accordance to at least said one function.

44. An upgradable medical system adapted to perform a plurality of functions, comprising a first memory for storing a number of programmable functions, each of said functions adapted to be enabled and disabled, a function upgrade device that when electrically mated to said system changes the functionality of said system by selectively controlling the operational status of at least one particular function with a code directed to said particular function when said system powers up.

45. System of claim 44, wherein said system comprises a multi-functional monitor for monitoring at least one physiological parameter of a patient.

46. System of claim 44, wherein said function upgrade device comprises an option memory card that is matable to an input of said system, said memory card including at least one code adapted to selectively activate and deactivate at least one of said functions stored in said first memory.

47. System of claim 44, wherein said system comprises a monitor that displays to a user an options screen when said function upgrade device is mated to said system, said user interfacing with said options screen to selectively control the operational status of at least one of said functions.

48. System of claim 44, wherein said plurality of functions comprise at least ECG, RSP, NIBP and 5-lead ECG.

49. System of claim 44, wherein said system comprises a plurality of sensing means connectable to a patient for collecting at least one physiological parameter from said patient.

50. In combination, a plurality of upgradable electronic devices, one of said upgradable electronic devices comprising:

a memory for storing a plurality of programs each when activated is adapted to enable said device to perform a particular function, at least one of said programs being activated when said one device is first put into operation;

an input for accepting a token having stored therein at least one command code to selectively activate at least another one of said programs to thereby upgrade the functionality of said one device;

wherein said token is removable from said one device and inputtable to an other of said electronic devices that has at least the same program as said one program activated by said token in said one device so that said other device can be configured to have the same functionality as said one device.

51. Combination of claim 50, wherein said token comprises a memory card having a predetermined count number, said predetermined count number being decremented by one each time said memory card is used with any one of said electronic devices to enable said particular function in said any one device so long as said predetermined count number remains greater than zero, and said predetermined count number being incremented by one each time said memory card is used with said any one device to disable said particular function in said any one device.

52. Combination of claim 50, wherein said functions stored in each of said devices comprise at least ECG, RSP, NIBP and 5-lead ECG.

53. Combination of claim 50, wherein said one device comprises a plurality of sensing means connectable to a patient for collecting at least one physiological parameter from said patient.

54. In a medical device having at least one prestored operationally changeable function, a method of upgrading the functionality of the medical device, comprising the steps of:

mating a token to said device, said token having a code to selectively activate and deactivate said one function prestored in said device;

interfacing with an options menu displayed by said device to change the functionality of said device by selectively changing the operational status of said one function prestored in said device; and

withdrawing said token from said device;

wherein a predetermined count number for said one function in said token is either decremented or incremented in response to the changed operational status of said one function.

55. Method of claim 54, further comprising the steps of:

mating said token to an other medical device having at least the same said one prestored operationally changeable function; and

interfacing with an options menu displayed by said other device to change the functionality of said other device by selectively changing the operational status of said one function prestored in said other device.