Self-contained examination guide and information storage and retrieval apparatus

• US 4,991,091 A
• Filed: 08/23/1988
• Issued: 02/05/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory Allen
• Original Assignee: Gregory Allen
• Inventors: Allen, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Michael R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hayes, Gail O.
• Application Number:
  US07/235,154
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 364/413.02, 364/200, 364/900
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/961 Operator interface with visual structure or function dictated by intended use

Abstract

Self-contained examination guide and information storage apparatus comprising a flat rectangular enclosure having a front panel with first display arrays along side edges of the front panel associated with a plurality of general patient examination categories, and an LCD centrally positioned on the front panel and configured to comprise a plurality of individually controllable display segments. A microprocessor-based controller includes a light pen for reading bar codes on the enclosure front panel and thereby selecting among the general examination categories. A microcontroller memory has prestored sets of specific examination indicia associated with each of the general examination categories, and is responsive to the category-selection process for retrieving from memory a specific set of examination indicia associated with selected general examination category. The light pen is then employed to scan bar code arrays adjacent to the specific examination indicia at each LCD segment for identifying specific indicia of interest and loading corresponding indicia information into microcontroller memory. Information so stored may be selectively downloaded to a central computer for processing and generation of records for the patient files.

Claims

1. Self-contained examination guide and information storage apparatus comprising:

a flat rectangular enclosure having a flat front panel with parallel side edges,

first display means on said front panel disposed along at least one side edge of said panel bearing fixed indicia associated with a plurality of general examination categories,

a plurality of means individually disposed on said panel adjacent to associated ones of said first display means and individually permanently associated with said general examination categories for selecting among said general examination categories,

second display means position on said front panel between said side edges, said second display means being distinct from said first display means and including a plurality of individually alterable display segments,

means within said enclosure responsive to said category-selecting means for displaying a plurality of specific examination indicia at said display segments, said plurality of specific examination indicia being coordinated with each said general examination category,

a plurality of means individually disposed on asid panel adjacent to an associated display segment for selectively identifying specific examination indicia of interest, and

means within said enclosure responsive to said selectively-identifying means for storing specific examination indicia associated with each said general examination category.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said category selecting means comprises microprocessor-based control means including memory having prestored therein sets of said specific examination indicia, and means responsive to said category-selecting means for retrieving from said memory a specific set of examination indicia associated with a selected general examination category and displaying said set at said second display means.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said microprocessor-based control means further includes means for selectively altering said specific examination indicia associated with each said set.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for selectively retrieving information stored in said indicia-storing means.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said selectively-retrieving means comprises central information storage and processing means separate from said indicia-storing means, and a dataport coupled to said central means and including means for selective connection to said indicia-storing means.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said category-selecting means and said indicia-storing means comprise microprocessor-based control means.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said microprocessor-based control means includes means for selectively retrieving information stored in said indicia-storing means.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said selectively-retrieving means comprises central information storage and processing means, and a dataport coupled to said central means and including means for selective connection to said indicia-storing means.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said selectively-retrieving means comprises connectors on said dataport and said enclosure adapted for mating engagement for selectively directly connecting said microprocessor-based control means to said central means.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 9 further comprising battery means contained within said enclosure for supplying electrical power to said apparatus, and a battery charger contained within said dataport and adapted for connection to said battery means through said connectors.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said second display means comprises a multiple-segment LCD.

12. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 further comprising means associated with and adjacent to each said display segment, and responsive to said selectively-identifying means, for indicating selection of examination indicia in that segment by said selectively-identifying means.

13. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said category-selecting means and said selectively-identifying means comprise a light pen and a multiplicity of bar code indicia associated with individual said general and specific examination indicia.

14. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said general examination indicia includes indicia associated with a plurality of medical examination categories, and wherein said specific examination indicia comprises signs associated with each said medical examination category.

15. Self-contained examination guide and information storage apparatus comprising:

a flat rectangular enclosure having a front panel,

first display means on said panel bearing fixed indicia associated with a plurality of general examination categories,

second display means on said front panel and including a plurality of individually alterable display segments, and

microprocessor-based control means including means on said panel in fixed position adjacent to said first display means for selecting among said general examination categories, memory means having prestored therein sets of specific examination indicia associated with each said general examination category, means responsive to said category-selecting means for retrieving from said memory means a set of said specific examination indicia associated with the selected general examination category, means for displaying said set at associated predetermined individual segments of said second display means, means on said panel in fixed position adjacent to individual segments of said second display means for selectively identifying specific examination indicia of interest at said second display means, and means responsive to said selectively-identifying means for storing information associated with selectively-identified specific examination indicia.

16. The apparatus set forth in claim 15 wherein said first display means comprises a plurality of indicia permanently affixed along side edges of said panel and individually associated with said plurality of examination categories, said category-selecting means comprising a plurality of category-selecting means individually disposed adjacent to associated said category indicia, and wherein said second display means comprises a multiple-segment LCD positioned on said panel between said side edges.

17. The apparatus set forth in claim 16 wherein said category-selecting means and said selectively-identifying means comprise a light pen and a multiplicity of bar code indicia associated with individual said general and specific examination indicia.

18. The apparatus set forth in claim 15 further comprising means associated with and adjacent to each said display segment, and responsive to said selectively-identifying means, for indicating selection of examination indicia in that segment by said selectively-identifying means.

19. The apparatus set forth in claim 18 wherein said indicia-indicating means comprises a plurality of LEDs, one associated with each said general and specific examination indicia.

20. The apparatus set forth in claim 15 further comprising central information storage and processing means, a dataport coupled to said central means and adapted for selective connection to said microprocessor-based control means, and means for selectively transmitting information stored in said storing means to said control means.

21. The apparatus set forth in claim 20 wherein said dataport comprises a generally rectangular housing having an open end adapted to receive said enclosure, and connectors positioned on said enclosure and said housing for mating engagement when said enclosure is inserted into said housing.

22. Self-contained examination guide and information storage apparatus comprising:

a generally rectangular enclosure having a flat front panel,

first display means on said front panel bearing indicia associated with a plurality of general examination categories,

means on said front panel for selecting among said general examination categories,

second display means on said front panel including a plurality of display segments,

means on said front panel associated with each said display segment for selectively identifying specific examination indicia of interest,

microprocessor-based control means housed within said enclosure and including means responsive to said category-selecting means for displaying a plurality of specific examination indicia at said display segments, said plurality of specific examination indicia being coordinated with each said general examination category, and means responsive to said selectively-identifying means for storing specific examination indicia associated with each said general examination category,

means for selectively retrieving information stored in said indicia-storing means including central information storage and processing means, a dataport coupled to said central means, connectors on said dataport and said enclosure adapted for mating engagement for selectively directly connecting said indicia-storing means in said microprocessor-based control means to said central means,

battery means within said enclosure for supplying electrical power to said apparatus, and

a battery charger contained within said dataport and adapted for connection to said battery means through said connectors.

23. The apparatus set forth in claim 22 wherein said dataport comprises a generally rectangular housing having an open end adapted to receive said enclosure, said connectors being positioned on said enclosure and said housing for mating engagement when said enclosure is inserted into said housing.

24. The apparatus set forth in claim 23 further comprising a slot in a sidewall of said housing and a connector positioned in said housing adjacent to said slot for connecting said microprocessor-based control means to said central means without inserting said enclosure into said housing.

25. Self-contained examination guide and information storage apparatus comprising:

a flat rectangular enclosure having a front panel,

first display means permanently affixed along side edges of said panel bearing indicia associated with a plurality of general examination categories,

second display means including a multiple-segment LCD positioned on said panel between said side edges,

microprocessor-based control means including means on said panel for selecting among said general examination categories, memory means having prestored therein sets of specific examination indicia associated with each said general examination category, means responsive to said category-selecting means for retrieving from said memory means a set of said specific examination indicia associated with the selected general examination category, means for displaying said set at said second display means, means on said panel for selectively identifying specific examination indicia of interest, and means responsive to said selectively-identifying means for storing information associated with selectively-identified specific examination indicia,

central information storage and processing means,

a dataport coupled to said central means and adapted for selective connection to said microprocessor-based control means, said dataport comprising a generally rectangular housing having an open end adapted to receive said enclosure, and connectors positioned on said enclosure and said housing for mating engagement when said enclosure is inserted into said housing, and

means for selectively transmitting information stored in said storing means to said control means.

26. The apparatus set forth in claim 25 further comprising battery means contained within said enclosure for supplying electrical power to said apparatus, and a battery charger contained within said dataport and adapted for connection to said battery means through said connectors.

27. The apparatus set forth in claim 26 wherein said general examination indicia includes indicia associated with a plurality of medical examination categories, and wherein said specific examination indicia comprises signs associated with each said medical examination category.

28. The apparatus set forth in claim 27 wherein said central means including means for preparing hard copies of information transmitted from said microprocessor-based control means for inclusion in patient files.

29. A method of collecting examination data and entering said data in a computer including a central computer, at least one dataport coupled with said central computer, the central computer including a memory, the dataport being separate from the central computer but coupled with the memory of the central computer, and at least one portable data entry means including a memory having stored therein a plurality of examination categories and for each category a set of examination indicia, a panel having display means thereon identifying code means adjacent said categories and said indicia, and input means connected to said memory of said data entry means, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) entering in said memory of said portable data entry means an identification of a subject of examination;

(b) selecting an examination category from said plurality and entering said selected category in said memory of said data entry means;

(c) entering examination indicia of said set for said selected category in said memory of said data entry means;

(d) displaying said examination categories and said examination indicia in asid display means,

(e) entering said selected category and said examination indicia by moving said input means adjacent said code means, and

(f) coupling said data entry means with said dataport and downloading stored data from said memory of said data entry means to said memory of said central computer.

30. The method set forth in claim 29 further including the step of adding or modifying examination indicia in said memory of said data entry means by entering additions or modifications in said central computer while said data entry means is coupled with said dataport.

31. The method set forth in claim 30, further including the step of operating said central computer to print said examination data.

32. A method of conducting an examination of a subject with the aid of a portable data entry means having a memory therein, a panel having display means and, identifying code means thereon, and input means connected to said memory of said data entry means, comprising:

(a) providing said memory with a database including a plurality of examination categories and for each category a set of examination indicia said identifying code means on said panel being adjacent to said categories and said indicia;

(b) reviewing a subject of examination, selecting an examination category, entering said selection in said memory, retrieving from said memory the set of examination indicia associated with said selected category and displaying on said portable data entry means the set of examination indicia;

(c) reviewing the subject of examination, selecting indicia from said set, and entering said selected indicia in said;

(d) displaying said examination categories and said examination indicia in said display means,

(e) entering said selected category and said examination indicia by moving said input means adjacent said code means,

(f) downloading data from said memory into a central computer.

33. The method set forth in claim 32, and further including the step of operating said central computer to print said examination data.

34. A computerized examination system comprising:

(a) a central computer including a memory and printer means;

(b) at least one dataport separate from said central computer, said dataport including first connector means coupled to said central computer; and

(c) a portable data entry means separate from said central computer and said dataport and comprising;

(1) a portable enclosure;

(2) a memory in said enclosure having stored therein a plurality of examination categories and for each category a set of examination indicia;

(3) second connector means on said enclosure and connectable with said first connector means for transferring data between said memories of said central computer and said data entry means; and

(4) display and input means on said enclosure for displaying said categories and said indicia and for selectively entering said categories and said indicia in said memory in said portable enclosure,

(5) said display and input means comprising a printed display of said categories and a changeable display of said indicia, identifying code means adjacent said printed and changeable displays, and input means connected to said memory in said portable enclosure and responsive to said code means.

35. Apparatus for use in a computerized examination system having a central computer including a memory and printer means, at least one dataport separate from said central computer, said dataport including first connector means coupled to said central computer, said apparatus being separate from said central computer and said dataport and comprising:

(1) a portable enclosure;

(2) a memory in said enclosure having stored therein a plurality of examination categories and for each category a set of examination indicia;

(3) second connector means on said enclosure and connectable with said first connector means for transferring data between said memories of said central computer and said apparatus; and

(4) display and input means on said enclosure for displaying said categories and said indicia and for selectively entering said categories and said indicia in said memory in said portable enclosure,

(5) said display and input means comprising a printed display of said categories and changeable display of said indicia, identifying code means adjacent said printed and changeable displays, and input means connected to said memory in said portable enclosure and responsive to said code means.

36. Apparatus for use in a computerized examination system, comprising:

(a) a portable enclosure;

(b) a memory mounted on said enclosure;

(c) a list of examination categories on said enclosure;

(d) first input means connected to said memory for entering therein a selection of one of said categories;

(e) display panel means on said enclosure and connected to said memory;

(f) said memory having stored therein a set of examination indicia associated with each of said categories, and selection of said one of said categories causing said set of indicia associated therewith to be shown in said display panel means;

(g) second input means connected to said memory for entering therein data relating to said indicia; and

(h) port means on said enclosure and connected to said memory for transferring data between said memory and said central computer;

(i) said first input means comprising first code means on said enclosure and pen means responsive to said first code means, and said second input means comprising second code means on said enclosure and said pen means.

37. Apparatus as set forth in claim 36 further including a dataport adapted to be electronically connected to the central computer, said port means being engagable with said dataport for said transfer of said data.