Bodily worn device for digital storage and retrieval of medical records and personal identification

• US 6,747,561 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2000
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Med-Datanet LLC
• Original Assignee: Med-Datanet LLC
• Inventors: Reeves, William Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/597,107
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.7, 340/691.1, 340/573.5, 340/573.6, 340/573.4, 128/903, 600/300, 600/459, 600/437
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD

Abstract

The invention is a novel bodily worn device, preferably in the form of jewelry, a medallion or watch, which provides for the digital storage and retrieval of a user'"'"'s medical records, drug prescriptions, medical history, organ donor instructions, and personal identification for use in an emergency or routine medical situation. Additional embodiments include an electronic dog-tag for military and law enforcement applications. The device includes: an outer safety shell, in the form of a medallion, or watch with markings which identify it as a medical device, and a digital storage media such as a computer chip or high density silicon media, and non-contact wireless electrical power to the device and non-contact wireless retrieval of records. Security features include encrypted software and user password for medical records confidentially. The invention includes features for retrieving and displaying stored records on computer screens via a wireless interface wand or by providing access to a central website via the Internet with use of a user serial number password.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing and retrieving digital records and data from a device carried or worn on a body of an individual comprising

a protective outer shell which is fire proof, shock proof, and water resistant for protecting the electronics and inner mechanisms of the device, and

an optical eye capable of writing, erasing and re-writing digital data to the bodily worn device in a wireless, non-contact fashion, and

digital storage media enclosed in the device for storing the digital data, and

a means of supplying electrical powering to the device using wireless, non contact means, and

an electronic transponder which emits a radio or other high frequency signal for tracking and locating the wearer of the device, and

an RF antenna, RF computer chip, and RF transmitter and receiver hardware for wireless transmission of data and power signals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer shell is fire proof, water proof, explosion and bullet proof for the purposes of withstanding military or law enforcement combat, train and aircraft accidents, while protecting the inner workings of the device and allowing the device to continue to operate normally and uninterrupted.

3. The apparatus to claim 2 wherein the protective outer shell is designed to incorporate a ring seal so as to make the device able to be opened for servicing and also make the device waterproof.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein protective outer shell is color coded to designate the severity of the wearers medical condition, the wearers military rank or law enforcement rank to allow a care giver to rapidly assess and provide rapid treatment options for the wearer which are tailored to the emergency.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the protective outer shell contains an alpha numerical marking which designates the wearer'"'"'s medical condition, personal identification number, military serial number, law enforcement serial or badge number for rapid identification and assessment of the wearer.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the protective outer shell contains a bar code strip or other markings so as to contain an alpha numerical identification number which can be accessed in a rapid manner by a care given or emergency medical worker, and which provides a unique serial number to the wearer of the device.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 where in the outer protective shell contains grooves or slots for providing a positive mechanical alignment of the device to a mating unit to align the optical eyes for receiving and transmitting data, and to align the power contacts or pads for transmitting electrical power to the device and recharging of the battery, and updating digital data stored within the device, or erasing data from the device.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outer protective shell can be of a electrically conductive material so as to act as an antenna for the transmission of radio waves from the transponder device so as to aid in locating the wearer of the device.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outer protective shell is coated on its interior with a Radio Frequency coating shield so that the device will be able to transmit transponder signals while at the same time not interfering with the electronics and logic within the device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the digital storage media is large enough and of the appropriate density to store large amounts of medical information such as x-rays, CAT scans, blood records, EKG record, dental records, allergic reaction information, living will instructions, photo ID or family contact information, and other medical information, emergency information, or personal identification information useful in an emergency.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless sending and receiving of digital records and information to and from the device is done by a non-contact laser optical eye capable of writing, erasing and re-writing digital data to the bodily worn device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a long life battery is mounted within the device for powering the electronics of the device and said battery can either be rechargeable or non-rechargeable.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is capable of receiving electrical power to the device by non-contact means, which may include mounting the secondary coils of a transformer within the device and providing electrical pads to mate in a non-contact manner with electrical pads connected to the primary coils of said transformer so as to lessen or eliminate the need for a battery within the device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the secondary coils of the transformer are within the RFID chip capacitor and RF antenna mounted on the transformer receives the power signal and routes power to the RF storage chip for operation.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transponder within the device is capable of emitting a high frequency signal which can be used to track and locate the wearer of the device in the event the wearer is lost, injured or deceased.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer protective shell can be opened to perform routine maintenance on the device, replace batteries, and perform service functions.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer protective shell can be filled with a shock absorbent polymer, rubber or other appropriate non-conductive material to mechanically stabilize and cushion the electronics and inner components of the device to further make the device shock resistant, explosion resistant and to ensure the device continues to operate during and after a disaster, catastrophic event or other high impact.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exterior of the device contains either a watch, jewelry, watchband, and or other cosmetic features so as to mask or hide the true nature of the device for cosmetic reasons of the wearer or due to law enforcement or military secrecy.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the watchband, necklace or other cosmetic feature contains an RF antenna to aid the device in receiving and transmitting RF data signals.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device contains a printer circuit board or miniature circuit for mounting electronic components within the device and electrically connecting said components so that all the components function as integrated electronic device.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device contains an electronic logic computer chip which is capable of providing software logic for the device to organize the digital records into pages and usable information, monitor the battery charge life, and monitor the flow of digital data to and from the device.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device contains an input-output jack, mounted to the inner printed circuit board, and protruding through the outer protective shell, which allows an emergency medical worker or other person to plug a mating jack into the device to transmit data to the device and receive data from the device in a rapid fashion.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless means of sending and receiving stored medical records data is a radio frequency data carrier signal and data transfer occurs via a radio frequency field which is emitted by the reader/write unit and which creates a radio frequency data signal carrier path.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the RF carrier signal is a combination RF power carrier signal and RF data carrier signal for simultaneously sending electrical power to the passive RF chip and sending and receiving digital data.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic transponder is capable of sending and receiving a radio frequency data carrier signal capable of transmitting digital medical records data and other digital data as described herein.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the digital storage media is a passive RFID—

Radio Frequency Information Device type chip which is capable of storing digital information and transmitting it in a wireless fashion using a radio frequency carrier signal and said chip does not require any on-board battery to perform its data storage functions.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the RFID passive chip contains a charging capacitor for storing the transmitted electrical power to operate the device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the charging capacitor contains a RF antenna for receiving power signals from the reader/writer RF field.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the RFID passive storage chip contains ferroelectric memory cells which operate within a specific voltage range.

30. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means of supplying power to the passive RF—

Radio Frequency chip digital storage media is a combination power RF carrier signal and data carrier RF signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protective outer shell of the device contains and RF antenna which allows the device to receive both RF power carrier signals and RF data carrier signals and to transmit RF data back to the read/write device.

32. A method for storing and retrieving digital records and data from a device carried or worn on a body of a user

providing a digital storage apparatus comprising an outer shell or frame for mounting and protecting electronics stored within the shell, and

providing a high capacity digital storage media which has write, erase and re-write data capabilities, and

providing one half of a transformer coil with a contact for receiving and distributes electrical power to the device through a printed circuit which is mounted on a printed circuit board, and

transferring and receiving data from interface wand to the data storage device via a laser optical eye arrangement, and

erasing and re-writing and/or updating new digital data to the device digital storage device via the laser optical device, and

transmitting and receiving digital data to and from the bodily worn device via a wireless Radio Frequency carrier signal, and

providing a transponder unit which emits a high frequency carrier signal to allow the user of the device to be tracked and located.

33. The method of claim 32 further including a laser optical eye wand for transmitting and receiving digital data to and from the bodily worn device and said laser wand is capable of writing, erasing and re-writing digital data to the device.

34. The method of claim 33 further including mounting the device to or within a watch and watch band, or mounting the device within jewelry or mounting the device within a necklace pendant to conceal the nature of the device for the wearer.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the watchband, necklace or other cosmetic feature contains an RF antenna to allow the device to receive and transmit RF data and power signals.

36. The method of claim 32 further including a printer circuit board with an electronic circuit grid for transmitting digital information, logic signals and electrical power to and from the electronic components mounted to the device.

37. The method of claim 32 further including a long life battery capable of being recharged so as to supply electric power to the logic device, and optical laser eye, and digital storage device and other device components on an as needed basis so the device may conserve electrical power.

38. The method of claim 32 further including a transponder device which emits radio frequencies of sufficient power which are capable of being received by long distance devices for the purpose of tracking and locating the wearer of the bodily worn device.

39. The method of claim 32 further including a logic chip which regulates the flow of digital data to and from optical jack input-output devices, data transmission contacts, and storage device to ensure that the digital data is not corrupted, and is routed to the proper component.

40. The method of claim 39 further including introducing a molding component into the outer protective shell and/or molding the electronic components in place to ensure mechanical stability so as to make the device shock proof and explosion proof and fire proof and water proof.

41. The method of claim 32 further including a digital storage device which receives, stores and transmits digital data based on logic signals from the device computer logic chip.

42. The method of claim 32 further including a data input-data output jack which allows new or updated digital data to be transmitted to the device via an external wire and jack assembly, and allows data to be transmitted from the device via an external wire and jack assembly.

43. The method of claim 32 further including a bar code strip mounted to the exterior of the device which would contain and alpha numerical identification serial number unique to the wearer of the device to identify the wearer of the device.

44. The method of claim 32 further including alpha numerical markings on the exterior of the device which would form a unique serial number to identify the wearer of the device and designate the medical condition or the wearer of the device and designate the military or law enforcement rank of the wearer of the device.

45. The method of claim 32 further including a means of color coding the exterior of the device to designate the medical severity of the wearer of the device and to designate the military or law enforcement rank of the wearer of the device.

46. The method of claim 32 further including electrical contacts mounted to the exterior of the device that would connect to the secondary coils of a transformer mounted within the device and said electrical contacts are capable receiving electrical power in a non-contact manner when placed in proximity to the mating primary coils of said transformer, which completes the transformer circuit.

47. The method of claim 46 further including mechanical alignment slots or tabs on the device which would mate with mechanical alignment slots or tabs on the interface wand to ensure proper mechanical alignment of the optical laser eye and electrical contacts.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein the secondary coils of said transformer are mounted within the RFID chip capacitor and an RF antenna mounted on said secondary transformer receives the RF power signal.

49. The method of claim 32 further comprising a system for transferring said digital data from the bodily worn device via a non-contact interface wand and displaying said digital data on a portable computer device screen in order of medical priority for rapid and effective medical treatment of said user and transmitting said data via wireless means to a base unit located in a hospital or clinical or other emergency medical treatment centers.

50. The method of claim 32 further including physically separating the electrical power and data files into two electrical circuit grids to avoid electrical interference and corruption of the data files.

51. The method of claim 32 whereby the computer logic chip regulates the flow of electrical power and digital data to avoid data corruption and interference.

52. The method of claim 32 whereby said computer logic chip is capable of recognizing an unique user serial number embedded in the device for user security and if said serial number is not matched during data write, erase, re-write, and access sequences, then said data commands are not performed.

53. The method of claim 32 wherein wireless data transfer occurs between the bodily worn device and the interface wand via an RF field which is emitted by the reader/write unit creating a bi-directional RF data signal carrier path.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the RF carrier signal is capable of simultaneously transmitting an asynchronous RF power signal and RF data signal via the RF carrier field.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the RFID passive chip contains a charging capacitor for storing electrical power received from the RF power carrier signal.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the charging capacitor contains a RF antenna for receiving RF power signals from said RF field.

57. The method of claim 32 wherein the electronic transponder is capable of sending and receiving user medical records via the RF-radio frequency data carrier signal.

58. The method of claim 32 wherein the digital storage media is a passive RFID—

Radio Frequency Information Device chip which is capable of storing digital information and transmitting it in a wireless fashion using said RF carrier signal and said chip does not require an on-board battery or power source to perform its data storage functions.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the RFID passive storage chip contains ferroelectric memory cells which operate within a specific voltage range.

60. The method of claim 32 wherein the means of supplying power and data to the passive RF chip digital storage media is an asynchronous RF power carrier signal and RF data carrier signal which are alternately transmitted in discrete pulsed signals.

61. The method of claim 32 wherein the protective outer shell of the device contains and RF antenna which allows the device to receive both RF power carrier signals and RF data carrier signals in a pulsed and asynchronous fashion and to transmit RF data back to the read/write wand device.