Memory option card having predetermined number of activation/deactivation codes for selectively activating and deactivating option functions for a medical device

• US 7,444,436 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical PM Inc (ICU Medical Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wille, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Peyton; Tammara R
• Application Number:
  US11/472,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20070073872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/10, 710/14, 710/16, 710100-102, 713/1, 713/100, 713/2
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A device such as for example a electronic medical device has a memory that has prestored therein a number of programs or routines for performing various functions. Some of those functions are optional functions that were not enabled when the equipment was put into service. If the user of the equipment desires thereafter to activate any one of those optional functions, an options card that has a number of memory blocks each specifically configured to enable one of the prestored optional functions is sent to the user. The user can then insert the options card into a receptacle integrated into the device and, upon power up of the device, elect a menu for enabling the desired optional function(s) prestored in the device. The options card may be configured to have a count number that indicates the number of devices the card may be used for enabling a particular optional function. The options card may further be configured to include data that may be used to enable or disable multiple optional functions prestored in the device. When returned to the manufacturer, given that the serial numbers of the machines to which the options card was inserted are recorded therein, the manufacturer can easily keep tab of the status of those machines in the field that had had optional functions enabled/disabled.

Claims

1. An electronic device adapted to perform a plurality of functions, comprising a first memory for storing a number of programs each enabling said device to perform one of said functions, at least one of said functions being operable when said device is powered up to provide functionality for said device, each of said programs adapted to be enabled and disabled, an option token matable with said device to change the functionality of said device by enabling a user to interact and selectively enable a program not previously enabled in said device to thereby activate a given function not previously functional in said device.

2. Device of claim 1, further comprising an input for accepting said token, said token having a memory for storing at least one code adapted to enable one of said programs stored in said first memory to be selectively enabled and disabled.

3. Device of claim 1, wherein said device is a medical multi-function monitor.

4. Device of claim 1, wherein said token comprises a memory card.

5. Device of claim 1, wherein said user interacts with said device via an options menu displayed by said device when said token is mated to said device, said display enabling said user to selectively control the operational status of at least one of the functions performable by said device.

6. Device of claim 4, wherein said memory card includes at least one predetermined count number for said given function, said predetermined count number being decremented by one when said given function is activated in said device, said memory card usable with other devices to enable said given function in said other devices so long as said predetermined count number remains greater than zero.

7. Device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of functions adapted to be performed by said device include at least ECG, RSP, NIBP and 5-lead ECG.

8. Device of claim 1, wherein said device comprises a monitor that has at least one sensor connectable to a patient for collecting at least one physiological parameter from said patient in accordance to at least said one function.