SPOT CHECK MONITOR CREDIT SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A spot check credit system partitions the task of distributing sensor credits between a server functioning as a credit provider and a plurality of clients functioning as credit requesters, the server and clients communicate over a computer network, the server runs a web server program so as to serve web pages to the clients, the clients run web browsers so as to receive the web pages and access spot check credits, the spot check credit system comprising:
- a server that communicates a plurality of web pages over a computer network;
a client in communications with the server and executing a web browser so as to receive the web pages;
a spot check credit request relayed from the client to the server via one of the web pages;
the request specifying a sensor ID and a requested number of credits to purchase;
each spot check credit enables a single measurement for a group of physiological parameters; and
a credit file application that executes on the server so as to generate a credit file in response to the spot check credit request;
the credit file is downloaded from the server to the client.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spot check credit system advantageously includes various embodiments for obtaining authorization or payment for each measurement, groups of measurements, times of measurement or the like. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a server that communicates web pages over a computer network. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a digital communication device such as a photocommunicative key.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A spot check credit system partitions the task of distributing sensor credits between a server functioning as a credit provider and a plurality of clients functioning as credit requesters, the server and clients communicate over a computer network, the server runs a web server program so as to serve web pages to the clients, the clients run web browsers so as to receive the web pages and access spot check credits, the spot check credit system comprising:
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a server that communicates a plurality of web pages over a computer network; a client in communications with the server and executing a web browser so as to receive the web pages; a spot check credit request relayed from the client to the server via one of the web pages; the request specifying a sensor ID and a requested number of credits to purchase; each spot check credit enables a single measurement for a group of physiological parameters; and a credit file application that executes on the server so as to generate a credit file in response to the spot check credit request; the credit file is downloaded from the server to the client. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A spot check credit method comprising:
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specifying a sensor ID; requesting spot check credits for the specified sensor; creating a credit file with a time stamp, the sensor ID and the credits; and encrypting the credit file. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A spot check monitoring method attaches a reusable sensor to a spot check monitor so as to upload sensor credits to the sensor;
- each sensor credit represents a quantum of currency;
the monitor reads the number of sensor credits and is enabled to make a physiological measurement in conjunction with the sensor if the number of sensor credits is greater than zero;
after the measurement, the number of sensor credits are decremented, the spot check monitoring method comprising;providing a physiological monitor having a sensor port that attaches a reusable sensor; attaching an optical sensor to the sensor port; uploading at least one sensor credit from the monitor to store in sensor memory, the sensor credit representing a quantum of currency; reading the sensor memory with the monitor; the monitor determining if the number of sensor credits is at least one; the monitor performing a physiological measurement in conjunction with the sensor based upon a remaining sensor credit; and the monitor decrementing the sensor memory corresponding with the physiological measurement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- each sensor credit represents a quantum of currency;
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21. A photocommunicative key comprising:
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a detector; an emitter; a memory configured to store information for communication with a patient monitor; and a processor configured to process signals received from the detector, generate signals to be sent to the emitter, and store information in the memory, wherein the processor is also configured to generate a signal to be sent to the patient monitor, the signal capable of communicating at least some of the information stored in the memory via the emitter and wherein at least a portion of the information to be sent includes measurement credits authorizing the patient monitor to make additional patient measurements. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method of accounting for use of a medical device, the method comprising:
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generating a signal with a microprocessor, said signal including credit information authorizing said medical device to perform additional measurements; and driving a light source in a manner responsive to said signal, said light source emitting optical radiation configured to be received by a detector of an optical sensor of said medical device to authorize said device to perform some or all of that device'"'"'s functions. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of accounting for use of a medical device, the method comprising:
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receiving a signal from an electronic device other than said medical device, said signal including credit information authorizing said medical device to perform additional measurements, said reception comprising one of optical communication, wireless communication, and USB communication; and configuring said medical device to take additional measurements consistent with said signal.
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31. A digital device capable of authorizing a patient monitor to take measurements, the device comprising:
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a communication portion configured to communicate with said patient monitor to provide credits usable by said patient monitor to take measurements on a monitored patient; and a processing portion configured to receive and send information from and to said patient monitor, said information including said credits. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification