Method for providing visualization of a data age

• US 8,878,691 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Gross, Brian, Johnson, Soren S., Raber, Gregory H., Johnson, Erik E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hai
• Assistant Examiner(s): BALSECA, FRANKLIN D
• Application Number:
  US13/058,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20110140912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,911 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.01, 340/870.07, 600/300, 600/301, 600/316, 600/365, 600/508, 600/522, 600/523
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Medical monitor readings (150) are displayed along with an indication of along with the age of the reading. The reading display is changed by altering the intensity of the reading value (210-240), color of the reading value (310-330), a subscript next to the reading (400), a shape of the background (600-700), or icon (FIGS. 6-11) to indicate the age of a presented reading.

Claims

1. A method of displaying medical information, the method comprising:

displaying a medical data value, the medical data value including;

an icon image including an alphanumeric symbol quantifying the medical data value and at least one of a label thereof and;

a subscript or superscript displayed adjacent to the alphanumeric symbol; and

altering the icon image with time, such that the altered icon image is indicative of the medical data value and the medical data value'"'"'s age;

wherein the subscript or superscript is a medical data value'"'"'s age indicator.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein altering the icon image includes:

changing a luminous intensity of at least a portion of the alphanumeric symbol and at least one of the subscript, a displayed background region to the medical data value, or the label.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein altering the icon image further includes:

changing a color of at least a portion of the one alphanumeric symbol and the at least one of the label thereof or the subscript.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medical data value display further includes:

displaying the image icon on a background; and

changing at least one of size, shape, or color of the background with time.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the background emulates a clock as it changes with time by displaying one of:

a circle or box divided into wedges that change color progressively analogous to a hand of a clock; and

a circle with a clock hand that moves with time.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subscript or superscript includes:

one of clock or hourglass icon adjacent to the alphanumeric symbol.

8. The method according to claim 1, further including:

modifying the subscript or superscript with time to indicate an age threshold.

9. The method according to claim 1, further including:

terminating displaying the medical data value in response to reaching an age threshold.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medical data value is a non-continuously measured physiological parameter of patients which is displayed on a medical monitor.

11. A display apparatus which is controlled to perform the method according to claim 1.

12. A computer readable medium programmed with software which when implemented by a processor controls a monitor to perform the method of claim 1.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the label thereof includes a medical data value progress countdown bar.

6. A method of displaying medical information, the method comprising:

displaying a medical data value;

altering the displayed medical data value with time, such that the displayed medical data value is indicative of the medical data value and the medical data value'"'"'s age;

displaying the medical data value or a label thereof on a background; and

changing at least one of size, shape, or color of the background with time;

wherein the background emulates a clock as it changes with time;

wherein the background emulates the clock by displaying one of;

a circle or box divided into wedges that change color progressively analogous to a hand of a clock;

or

a circle with a clock hand that advances with time.

13. An apparatus for displaying a medical data value and a label thereof, the apparatus comprising:

a human readable display device;

a processor programmed to control the display device to;

display at least one alphanumeric symbol quantifying the medical data value obtained from an electric device and the label;

alter an icon image displayed with the at least one alphanumeric symbol with time;

change a luminous intensity or color of the displayed alphanumeric symbol and the label and;

display a subscript or superscript adjacent to the alphanumeric symbol and the label to indicate an age threshold,

such that the displayed alphanumeric symbol or the label is indicative of the medical data value and medical data value'"'"'s age.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the medical data value represents a physiological parameter of a patient and further including:

at least one of physiological parameter sensor for sensing a physiological parameter of the patient.

15. A display for displaying medical information, the system comprising:

a computer operable video display terminal;

a processor programmed to control the computer operable video display terminal to display;

at least one alphanumeric symbol quantifying a medical data value, the medical data value representing a physiological parameter of a patient sensed by at least one physiological parameter sensor; and

at least one graphical element conveying an age of the medical data value;

wherein the at least one graphical element is at least one subscript or superscript adjacent to the at least one alphanumeric symbol.

16. The display according to claim 15, wherein the age of the medical data value is conveyed through change in color of at least a portion of the at least one alphanumeric symbol.

17. The display according to claim 15, wherein the age of the medical data value is conveyed through change in intensity of at least a portion of the at least one alphanumeric symbol.

19. The display according to claim 15, wherein the at least graphical element includes a label indicating the age of the medical data value.