Networked system for interactive communication and remote monitoring of individuals

• US 6,368,273 B1
• Filed: 04/28/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASTORINO, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US09/300,856
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300-301, 600/529-538, 600/500-509, 600/481-486, 128/897-898, 128/904, 128/905, 128/920-925, 128/903
• US Class Current: 600/300
• 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: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

The invention presents a networked system for communicating information to an individual and for remotely monitoring the individual. The system includes a server and a remote interface for entering in the server a set of queries to be answered by the individual. The server is preferably a web server and the remote interface 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 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 set of queries entered through the remote interface. The script program is received and executed by the apparatus to communicate the queries to the individual, to receive responses to the queries, and to transmit the responses from the apparatus to the server.

Claims

1. A system of communicating information to an individual, comprising:

a) remote computer workstation configured for specifying information to be communicated to the individual;

b) a server connected to said remote computer workstation via a first communication network, said server including a script program generator for generating a script program according to the specified information;

c) a remotely programmable apparatus networked to said server via a second communication network, said remotely programmable apparatus including;

i) communication devices for receiving said script program from said server;

ii) user interface; and

iii) processor device for executing said script program, wherein said executing script program conveys the information to the individual using the user interface and receives input from the individual in response to the conveyed information through the user interface, said processor device being connected to said communication device and to said user interface; and

d) at least one monitoring device in communication with said remotely programmable apparatus, said at least one monitoring device for providing at least one measurement of a physiological parameter of the individual.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said communications device comprises a modem.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said measurement is transmitted to said remote computer workstation via said server.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one monitoring device is connected to said remotely programmable apparatus via a cable.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one monitoring device is selected from the group consisting of a blood glucose meter, a respiratory flow meter, a blood pressure cuff, an electronic weight scale, and a pulse monitor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the information to be communicated is a message.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the information to be communicated is a set of queries to be answered by the individual.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus comprises at least one monitoring device jack for operably linking at least one monitoring device to said remotely programmable apparatus.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said remotely programmable apparatus is located at the residence of an individual to be monitored, and said remote computer workstation is located at a location remote from the residence of the individual to be monitored.

10. The system of claim 1, where the first and second communication networks are the same network.