Monitoring user health as measured by multiple diverse health measurement devices at a portable computer system

• US 6,450,955 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Lawrence, Kelvin Roderick
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/560,374
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/302, 600/303, 600/304, 600/305
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4261 Evaluating exocrine secretion production A61B3/101 takes precedence

Abstract

According to the present invention, physical health indicators computed for a particular user are received in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with the particular user, wherein each of the physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among multiple diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring the physical health of the particular user. Each of the physical health indicators is analyzed at the portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for the particular user. Output of an indicator of acceptability of the physical health indicators for the particular user is controlled from the portable computer system, in response to the analysis of each of the physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from multiple physical health indicators received from multiple diverse electronic health measurement devices.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices; and

controlling output of recommended actions for said particular user, in response to results from said analysis indicating that said plurality of physical health indicators are outside of a normal range of physical health for said particular user.

3. The method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 1, said step of controlling output of an indicator of acceptability further comprising the step of:

controlling output of said indicator of acceptability to an output interface controlled by said portable computer system.

4. The method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 1, said step of controlling output of an indicator of acceptability further comprising the step of:

controlling transmission of said indicator of acceptability from said portable computer system to a warning device.

5. The method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 1, said step of controlling output of an indicator of acceptability further comprising the step of:

controlling output of an indicator that said plurality of physical health indicators are within a normal range of physical health for said particular user.

6. The method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

controlling transmission of a plurality of control signals to a plurality of health control devices that control said physical health of said particular user according to said plurality of control signals from said portable computer system.

8. The method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 1, said step of analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user further comprising the step of:

analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of normal health levels cited in a health indicator reference database stored at said portable computer system.

2. A method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of physical health indicators in an extensible mark-up data format computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices.

7. A method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of physical health indicators in an extensible mark-up data format computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of normal health levels for said particular user determined by said portable computer system from monitoring said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user over a particular period of time;

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices; and

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability, wherein controlling output of recommended actions for said particular user, in response to results from said analysis indicating that said plurality of physical health indicators are outside of a normal range of physical health for said particular user.

9. A method for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices;

designating a time period during which a particular physical health indicator is expected to be received at said portable computer system; and

prompting said user to utilize an electronic health measurement device to determine said particular physical health indicator during said designated time period.

10. A system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, said system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices; and

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability, wherein means for controlling output of recommended actions for said particular user, in response to results from said analysis indicating that said plurality of physical health indicators are outside of a normal range of physical health for said particular user.

12. The system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 10, said means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability further comprising:

means for controlling output of said indicator of acceptability to an output interface controlled by said portable computer system.

13. The system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 10, said means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability further comprising:

means for controlling transmission of said indicator of acceptability from said portable computer system to a warning device.

14. The system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 10, said means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability further comprising:

means for controlling output of an indicator that said plurality of physical health indicators are within a normal range of physical health for said particular user.

15. The system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 10, said system further comprising:

means for controlling transmission of a plurality of control signals to a plurality of health control devices that control said physical health of said particular user according to said plurality of control signals from said portable computer system.

17. The system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 10, said means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user further comprising:

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of normal health levels cited in a health indicator reference database stored at said portable computer system.

11. A system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, said system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in an extensible mark-up language data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices; and

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability, wherein means for controlling output of recommended actions for said particular user, in response to results from said analysis indicating that said plurality of physical health indicators are outside of a normal range of physical health for said particular user.

16. A system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, said system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of normal health levels for said particular user determined by said portable computer system from monitoring said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user over a particular period of time;

means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices; and

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability, wherein means for controlling output of recommended actions for said particular user, in response to results from said analysis indicating that said plurality of physical health indicators are outside of a normal range of physical health for said particular user.

18. A system for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, said system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices;

controlling output of an indicator of acceptability, wherein means for controlling output of recommended actions for said particular user, in response to results from said analysis indicating that said plurality of physical health indicators are outside of a normal range of physical health for said particular user;

means for designating a time period during which a particular physical health indicator is expected to be received at said portable computer system; and

means for prompting said user to utilize an electronic health measurement device to determine said particular physical health indicator during said designated time period.

19. A program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, residing on a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling reception of a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices; and

means for controlling output of recommended actions for said particular user, in response to results from said analysis indicating that said plurality of physical health indicators are outside of a normal range of physical health for said particular user.

21. The program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for controlling output of said indicator of acceptability to an output interface controlled by said portable computer system.

22. The program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for controlling transmission of said indicator of acceptability from said portable computer system to a warning device.

23. The program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for controlling output of an indicator that said plurality of physical health indicators are within a formal range of physical health for said particular user.

24. The program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for controlling transmission of a plurality of control signals to a plurality of health control devices that control said physical health of said particular user according to said plurality of control signals from said portable computer system.

26. The program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual according to claim 19, said program further comprising:

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of normal health levels cited in a health indicator reference database stored at said portable computer system.

20. A program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, residing on a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling reception of a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices;

program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, wherein means for controlling output of recommended actions for said particular user, in response to results from said analysis indicating that said plurality of physical health indicators are outside of a normal range of physical health for said particular user; and

means for enabling reception of said plurality of physical health indicators in an extensible mark-up language data format.

25. A program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, residing on a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling reception of a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices; and

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of normal health levels for said particular user determined by said portable computer system from monitoring said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user over a particular period of time.

27. A program for monitoring acceptability of the physical health of an individual, residing on a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling reception of a plurality of physical health indicators computed for a particular user in a common transmittable data format at a portable computer system associated with said particular user, wherein each of said plurality of physical health indicators is computed by an electronic health measurement device from among a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices monitoring said particular user;

means for analyzing each of said plurality of physical health indicators at said portable computer system in view of determined acceptable health levels for said particular user;

means for controlling output of an indicator of acceptability of said plurality of physical health indicators for said particular user from said portable computer system, in response to said analysis of each of said plurality of physical health indicators, such that a single portable computer system monitors the physical health of an individual from a plurality of physical health indicators received from a plurality of diverse electronic health measurement devices;

means for designating a time period during which a particular physical health indicator is expected to be received at said portable computer system; and

prompting said user to utilize an electronic health measurement device to determine said particular physical health indicator during said designated time period.

28. A method for managing the physical health of a plurality of users, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of physical health indicators for a plurality of users from a plurality of portable computer systems each respectively provided by one of said plurality of users;

analyzing said plurality of physical health indicators in view of a common setting in which said plurality of users are located; and

determining an average health profile of said plurality of users, in response to said analyzing of said plurality of physical health indicators in view of a common setting in which said plurality of users are located.

29. The method for managing the physical health of a plurality of users according to claim 28, said method further comprising the step of:

controlling output of a plurality of control signals each respectively to one of a plurality of health control devices that each control a particular parameter of said physical health of said plurality of users.

30. The method for managing the physical health of a plurality of users according to claim 28, said method further comprising the step of:

determining average physical responses from said plurality of users to a plurality of events within said common setting over a particular period of time.

31. A system for managing the physical health of a plurality of users, said system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of physical health indicators for a plurality of users from a plurality of portable computer systems each respectively provided by one of said plurality of users;

means for analyzing said plurality of physical health indicators in view of a common location in which said plurality of users are situated; and

means for determining an average health profile of said plurality of users, in response to said analyzing of said plurality of physical health indicators in view of a common location in which said plurality of users are situated.

32. The system for managing the physical health of a plurality of users according to claim 31, said system further comprising:

means for controlling output of a plurality of control signals each respectively to one of a plurality of health control devices that each control a particular parameter of said physical health of said plurality of users.

33. The system for managing the physical health of a plurality of users according to claim 31, said system further comprising the step of:

means for determining average physical responses from said plurality of users to a plurality of events within said common location over a particular period of time.