Multi-user remote health monitoring system

• US 6,101,478 A
• Filed: 11/21/1997
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RAYA Systems Incorporated, Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel Todd
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dixon, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US08/975,774
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/3, 705/10, 705/11
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• 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 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The invention presents a networked system for identifying an individual, communicating information to the individual, and remotely monitoring the individual. The system includes a server and a workstation for entering in the server queries to be answered by the individual. The server is preferably a web server and the workstation is preferably a personal computer or remote terminal connected to the server via the Internet. The system also includes a remotely programmable apparatus connected to the server via a communication network, preferably the Internet. The remotely programmable apparatus interacts with the individual in accordance with a script program received from the server. The server includes a script generator for generating the script program from the queries entered through the workstation. The script program is received and executed by the remotely programmable apparatus identify the individual, to communicate the queries to the individual, to receive responses to the queries, and to transmit the responses from the remotely programmable apparatus to the server. Identification of the individual can also be achieved via a data card, a remote monitoring device, or the interception of data from a separate information system. As the present invention has multi-user capabilities, it can be used in a public place, such as a pharmacy or health care clinic. The multi-user capabilities also allow collection and tracking of user data for the healthcare industry.

Claims

1. A system for remotely identifying and monitoring a plurality of individuals, said system comprising:

a) a server;

b) a workstation for entering in said server a plurality of query sets to be answered by said plurality of individuals;

c) a plurality of remotely programmable apparatuses monitoring a corresponding said plurality of individuals, said remotely programmable apparatuses being in communication with said server via a communication network;

wherein said server comprises;

i) a script generating means for generating a plurality of script programs from said plurality of query sets, said plurality of script programs being executable by said remotely programmable apparatus to communicate said plurality of query sets to said plurality of individuals, to receive said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said plurality of query sets, and to transmit said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses from said remotely programmable apparatus to said server;

ii) a database means connected to said script generating means for storing said plurality of script programs, said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said plurality of query sets, a list of said plurality of said individuals, and for each individual, a respective pointer to at least one script program assigned to said individual;

iii) a script assignment means connected to said database means for assigning to said individual said at least one script program in accordance with script assignment information that identifies said individual;

wherein said workstation means comprises;

i) means for entering said query sets and said script assignment information;

wherein each of said plurality of remotely programmable apparatuses comprises;

i) a communication means for receiving said plurality of script programs from said server and for transmitting said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said server;

ii) a user interface means for communicating said plurality of query sets to said plurality of individuals and for receiving said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said plurality of query sets;

iii) a memory means for storing said plurality of script programs and said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said plurality of query sets;

iv) a processor means, connected to said communication means, said user interface means, and said memory means for, executing said plurality of script programs and said script assignment means.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one monitoring device for producing measurements of a physiological condition of said individual and for transmitting said identification of said individual and said measurements to said remotely programmable apparatus, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus further includes device interface means connected to said processor means for receiving said individual'"'"'s identification and said measurements from said monitoring device, said memory means includes means for storing said measurements, and said communication means includes means for transmitting said measurements to said server.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said device interface means includes means for interfacing with a plurality of said monitoring devices, and said plurality of script programs specify a selected monitoring device from which to collect said measurements.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said server further comprises report means for displaying said individual'"'"'s responses and said measurements on said workstation means.

5. The system of claim 1, including a data card containing said identification of said individual, and wherein said remotely programmable apparatus further comprises a data card reader for reading said data card.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a personal identification number (PIN) to confirm said identification of said individual.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an additional server and a printer connected in series with said remotely programmable apparatus, said additional server and said printer being in communication with said remotely programmable apparatus via a communication means, allowing said identification of said individual that is sent from said additional server to said printer to be intercepted and used by said remotely programmable apparatus.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said server comprises a web server having a web page for entry of said plurality of query sets, and wherein said workstation means is connected to said web server via the Internet.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said user interface means comprises a display for displaying said plurality of query sets and user input buttons for entering said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said user interface means includes a speech synthesis means for audibly communicating said plurality of query sets to said plurality of individuals.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said user interface means includes a speech recognition means for receiving spoken responses to said plurality of query sets.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication means includes means for establishing a first communication link to said server to receive said plurality of script programs and means for establishing a subsequent communication link to said server to transmit said individuals'"'"' responses, and wherein said plurality of script programs specify a connection time at which to establish said subsequent communication link.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus fur-her includes notification means connected to said processor means for notifying said plurality of individuals that unanswered queries are stored in said remotely programmable apparatus.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said notification means comprises a visual indicator for visually notifying said plurality of individuals.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said notification means comprises a display for displaying a prompt.

16. A system for remotely identifying and monitoring a plurality of individuals, said system comprising:

a) a server;

b) a workstation for entering in said server a plurality of query sets to be answered by said plurality of individuals;

c) a plurality of remotely programmable apparatuses for monitoring said plurality of individuals, said remotely programmable apparatus being in communication with said server via a communication network;

wherein said server comprises;

i) a script generating means for generating a plurality of script programs from said plurality of query sets, said plurality of script programs being executable by said remotely programmable apparatus to communicate said plurality of query sets to said plurality of individuals, to receive said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said plurality of query sets, and to transmit said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses from said remotely programmable apparatus to said server;

ii) a database means connected to said script generating means for storing said plurality of script programs, said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said plurality of query sets, a list of said plurality of said individuals, and for each individual, a respective pointer to at least one script program assigned to said individual;

iii) a script assignment means connected to said database means for assigning to said individual said at least one script program in accordance with script assignment information that identifies said individual;

iv) a data tracking means for organizing said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses according to categories;

wherein said workstation means comprises;

i) means for entering said query sets and said script assignment information;

wherein each of said plurality of remotely programmable apparatuses comprises;

i) a communication means for receiving said plurality of script programs from said server and for transmitting said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said server;

ii) a user interface means for communicating said plurality of query sets to said plurality of individuals and for receiving said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said plurality of query sets;

iii) a memory means for storing said plurality of script programs and said plurality of individuals'"'"' responses to said plurality of query sets;

iv) a processor means connected to said communication means, said user interface means, and said memory means, executing said plurality of script programs and said script assignment means.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least one monitoring device for producing measurements of a physiological condition of said individual and for transmitting said identification of said individual and said measurements to said remotely programmable apparatus, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus further includes device interface means connected to said processor means for receiving said individual'"'"'s identification and said measurements from said monitoring device, said memory means includes means for storing said measurements, and said communication means includes means for transmitting said measurements to said server.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said device interface means includes means for interfacing with a plurality of said monitoring devices, and said plurality of script programs specify a selected monitoring device from which to collect said measurements.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said server further comprises report means for displaying said individual'"'"'s responses and said measurements on said workstation means.

20. The system of claim 16, including a data card containing said identification of said individual, and wherein said remotely programmable apparatus further comprises a data card reader for reading said data card.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a personal identification number (PIN) to confirm said identification of said individual.

22. The system of claim 16, further comprising an additional server and a printer connected in series with said remotely programmable apparatus, said additional server and said printer being in communication with said remotely programmable apparatus via a communication means, allowing said identification of said individual sent from said additional server to said printer to be intercepted and used by said remotely programmable apparatus.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein said server comprises a web server having a web page for entry of said plurality of query sets, and wherein said workstation means is connected to said web server via the Internet.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein said communication means includes means for establishing a first communication link to said server to receive said plurality of script programs and means for establishing a subsequent communication link to said server to transmit said individuals'"'"' responses, and wherein said plurality of script programs specify a connection time at which to establish said subsequent communication link.

25. The system of claim 16, allowing collection of demographic data.

26. The system of claim 16, allowing collection of epidemiological data.

27. A system for intercepting input data to trigger printing of healthcare information for an individual, said system comprising:

a) a first server for storing a first set of said input;

b) a workstation means for entering said first set of said input into said first server;

c) a second server for storing a second set of said input;

d) a printer;

e) a remotely programmable apparatus capable of accommodating a plurality of users, said remotely programmable apparatus for receiving said second set of said input from said second server and using a portion of said second set of said input to trigger printing of said information by said printer, and for sending said second set of said input to said first server in order to receive said first set of said input from said first server and using a portion of said first set of said input to trigger printing of said information by said printer, said remotely programmable apparatus being in series with said first server, said second server, and said printer via a communication network;

wherein said first server comprises;

i) a script generating means for generating a script program in response to said first set of said input, said script program being executable by said remotely programmable apparatus;

ii) a database means connected to said script generating means for storing said script program;

and wherein said remotely programmable apparatus comprises;

i) a communication means for receiving said first set of said input from said first server, for receiving said second set of said input from said second server, and for transmitting said information from said sets of inputs to said printer;

ii) a user interface means for allowing manipulation of said sets of inputs and said information;

iii) a memory means for storing said sets of inputs and said information;

iv) a processor means connected to said communication means, said user interface means, and said memory means for executing said script program.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising at least one monitoring device for producing measurements of a physiological condition of said individual and for transmitting an individual'"'"'s identification and said measurements to said remotely programmable apparatus, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus further includes device interface means connected to said processor means for receiving said individual'"'"'s identification and said measurements from said monitoring device, said memory means includes means for storing said measurements, and said communication means includes means for transmitting said measurements to said first server and said second server.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein said first server comprises a web server having a web page for entry of said input, and wherein said workstation means is connected to said web server via the Internet.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein said healthcare information is information concerning a pharmaceutical regimen and said individual is a patient.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said pharmaceutical regimen details said individual'"'"'s identification, a prescription type and direction for usage of said type of prescription.