Apparatus and method for communicating electrocardiographic data to a facsimile machine
First Claim
1. A remotely programmable apparatus for transmitting electrocardiographic (ECG) data to a remote facsimile machine, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving ECG data from a recording unit;
filter means for removing undesired signals from the ECG data;
processing means coupled to the receiving means for converting the filtered ECG data into a graphical representation in the form of image data, the processing means being programmable by DTMF signals generated by a remote touch-tone telephone; and
,converter means associated with the processing means for converting the image data generated by the processing means into a format prescribed by international communication standards and suitable for transmission over standard telephone lines to a facsimile machine, the converter means including a transmitter electrically coupled to a telephone line for communicating the converted image data to a selected remote facsimile machine and for receiving the DTMF signals from the remote touch-tone telephone, the converter means further including a DTMF decoder electrically connected to the transmitter for decoding the DTMF signals received from the transmitter and for forwarding the decoded DTMF signals to the processing means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for receiving digitized electrocardiographic (ECG) data, converting that data into a form suitable for reception by a facsimile device, and transmitting the data over a standard telephone line to a remote facsimile device. The apparatus includes an encased unit having modular connectors facilitating ready hookup to a telephone, a wall-type phone jack, a power source and a recording unit. The unit remains interconnected between the telephone and phone line, but is transparent to the operator and outside callers during normal telephone use. To facilitate easy use by the operator, a remote programmability feature is provided so that various user parameters stored in the apparatus may be accessed and reprogrammed from a remote touch-tone telephone.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A remotely programmable apparatus for transmitting electrocardiographic (ECG) data to a remote facsimile machine, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving ECG data from a recording unit; filter means for removing undesired signals from the ECG data; processing means coupled to the receiving means for converting the filtered ECG data into a graphical representation in the form of image data, the processing means being programmable by DTMF signals generated by a remote touch-tone telephone; and
,converter means associated with the processing means for converting the image data generated by the processing means into a format prescribed by international communication standards and suitable for transmission over standard telephone lines to a facsimile machine, the converter means including a transmitter electrically coupled to a telephone line for communicating the converted image data to a selected remote facsimile machine and for receiving the DTMF signals from the remote touch-tone telephone, the converter means further including a DTMF decoder electrically connected to the transmitter for decoding the DTMF signals received from the transmitter and for forwarding the decoded DTMF signals to the processing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for transmitting electrocardiographic (ECG) data to a remote facsimile machine, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving ECG data from a recording unit; filter means for removing undesired signals from the ECG data; processing means coupled to the receiving means for converting the filtered ECG data into a graphical representation in the form of image data; converter means associated with the processing means for converting the image data generated by the processing means into a format prescribed by international communication standards and suitable for transmission over standard telephone lines to a facsimile machine, the converter means including a transmitter electrically coupled to a telephone line for communicating the converted image data to a selected remote facsimile machine; and
,a switching network electrically connected to a local telephone, to the phone line, to the converter means and to the processing means, the switching network being configured to connect the local telephone to the phone line in response to a first control signal from the processing means to thereby render the apparatus transparent to the local telephone and to connect the converter means to the phone line in response to a second control signal from the processing means. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification