Network media access control system for encouraging patient compliance with a treatment plan

• US 20070016447A1
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,636,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0871 Peak expiratory flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4833 Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A system and method for controlling patient access to an entertainment program to encourage a patient to comply with a treatment plan. The method includes the step of collecting compliance data from the patient. In one embodiment, the compliance data includes measurements of a physiological condition of the patient as well as patient answers to compliance questions. The method further includes the step of comparing the compliance data to evaluation criteria selected by a healthcare provider to determine if the patient is in compliance with the treatment plan. If the patient is in compliance, access is granted to the entertainment program. If the patient is not in compliance, access to the entertainment program is restricted. In the preferred embodiment, the method includes the additional steps of transmitting and displaying the patient'"'"'s compliance data and compliance status to the healthcare provider.

Claims

1. A system for interactively communicating with an individual, comprising:

a data card containing a first information;

a microprocessor based unit including a data card reader/writer, said microprocessor based unit being suitable for receipt of said first information by reading said data card by said data card reader/writer;

an input device in communication with said microprocessor based unit;

said input device being suitable for receiving a response from a user of said input device to said first information and communicating said response to said microprocessor based unit; and

a display unit coupled to said microprocessor based unit, wherein said display unit displays said first information to said user, wherein said microprocessor based unit evaluates said response from said user and provides a second information to said user for display on said display unit.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first information is a set of questions.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first information is a set of instructions.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second information is feedback to said response of said user.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input device is a remote control.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display unit is a television.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor based unit, said display unit and said input device are integrated within a single housing.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a monitoring device in communication with said microprocessor based unit.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said monitoring device measures a health condition of said user.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said monitoring device measures vital signs of said user.

11. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said monitoring device communicates with said microprocessor based unit through a radio frequency link.

12. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said monitoring device communicates with said microprocessor based unit through a modem.

13. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said monitoring device communicates with said microprocessor based unit through a telephone line.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microprocessor based unit includes a web browser and a modem.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data card is a smart card.

16. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data card is a computer disk.

17. A method, executable by a microprocessor based unit, for interactively communicating with an individual, comprising:

reading a first information stored on a data card;

transferring said first information to a display unit for display of said information request to a user;

receiving a response from said user regarding said first information through an input device;

evaluating said response and generating a second information; and

transferring said second information to said display unit for display of said second information to said user, wherein said first information, said response and said second information are stored on said data card.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first information is a set of questions.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first information is a set of instructions.

20. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second information is feedback to said response of said user.

21. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said input device is a remote control.

22. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said display unit is a television.

23. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said microprocessor based unit, said display unit and said input device are integrated within a single housing.

24. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising receiving data regarding a health condition of said user.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said health condition includes vital signs of said user.

26. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said data regarding a health condition is received through a radio frequency link.

27. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said data regarding a health condition is received through a modem.

28. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said data regarding a health condition is received through a telephone line.

29. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said data card is a smart card.

30. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said data card is a computer disk.

31. A system for interactively communicating with an individual, comprising:

a data card containing a first information;

a set-top box microprocessor based unit including a data card reader/writer, said set-top box microprocessor based unit being suitable for receipt of said first information by reading said data card by said data card reader/writer;

a remote control device in communication with said set-top box microprocessor based unit;

said input device being suitable for receiving a response from a user of said remote control device to said first information and communicating said response to said set-top box microprocessor based unit; and

a television coupled to said set-top box microprocessor based unit, wherein said television displays said first information to said user, wherein said set-top box microprocessor based unit evaluates said response from said user and provides a second information to said user for display on said television.

32. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said first information is a set of questions.

33. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said first information is a set of instructions.

34. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said second information is feedback to said response of said user.

35. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said set-top box microprocessor based unit and said television are integrated within a single housing.

36. The system as claimed in claim 31, further comprising a monitoring device in communication with said set-top box microprocessor based unit.

37. The system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said monitoring device measures a health condition of said user.

38. The system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said monitoring device measures vital signs of said user.

39. The system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said monitoring device communicates with said set-top box microprocessor based unit through a radio frequency link.

40. The system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said monitoring device communicates with said set-top box microprocessor based unit through a modem.

41. The system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said monitoring device communicates with said set-top box microprocessor based unit through a telephone line.

42. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said set-top box microprocessor based unit includes a web browser and a modem.

43. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said data card is a smart card.

44. The system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said data card is a computer disk.