System and method for generating and transferring data
First Claim
1. A system for generating and transferring medical data, comprising:
- a sensor used by a human user to sense a function or condition of the user'"'"'s body;
a personal computer located with the sensor and having a microphone connector and analog to digital conversion means communicated with the sensor such that a digital processing circuit of the personal computer receives from the analog to digital conversion means a digital electrical signal derived from an analog electric signal received through the microphone connector in response to the user'"'"'s body function or condition sensed by the sensor, wherein the personal computer is programmed to transfer data representative of the received digital electric signal over a computer communication network contemporaneously with the sensor sensing the user'"'"'s body function or condition; and
a recipient computer located at a data communication service provider facility and connected to communicate with the computer communication network, wherein the recipient computer is programmed to receive the data transferred over the computer communication network and to transmit in response thereto another signal to an end user.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer site includes a data generating source. In one implementation, the source includes a device that can be manipulated by a patient to sense some function or condition of the patient. One example is a heart monitor that a patient can hold against his or her chest. The device outputs an audible signal responsive to the function or condition, such as the beating of the heart. A computer that can be operated by the patient or other initial user at the site runs a program that processes an electric signal generated in response to the audible signal as received through a microphone connected to the computer. The program is downloaded or otherwise accessed through a computer communication network, such as the Internet. The computer sends resulting data signals over the computer communication network. Using a plurality of the foregoing components, any number of patients (or other users) that can access the computer communication network can provide real-time information about their personal medical condition (or other generated data) to their personal medical care providers (or other remote end users).
219 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for generating and transferring medical data, comprising:
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a sensor used by a human user to sense a function or condition of the user'"'"'s body;
a personal computer located with the sensor and having a microphone connector and analog to digital conversion means communicated with the sensor such that a digital processing circuit of the personal computer receives from the analog to digital conversion means a digital electrical signal derived from an analog electric signal received through the microphone connector in response to the user'"'"'s body function or condition sensed by the sensor, wherein the personal computer is programmed to transfer data representative of the received digital electric signal over a computer communication network contemporaneously with the sensor sensing the user'"'"'s body function or condition; and
a recipient computer located at a data communication service provider facility and connected to communicate with the computer communication network, wherein the recipient computer is programmed to receive the data transferred over the computer communication network and to transmit in response thereto another signal to an end user.
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2. A system for generating and transferring data, comprising:
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a plurality of initial user sites, each of the initial user sites having a data generating source and a computer connected to receive signals from the data generating source and to access the Internet; and
an Internet site addressable from each of the plurality of initial user sites such that each initial user site can access a data acquisition and transmission program through the Internet site to enable the respective computer to process received signals from the respective data generating source and transmit responsive signals over the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of generating and transferring data, comprising:
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accessing an Internet site from a computer where a data generating source is located;
downloading to the computer from the accessed Internet site a data acquisition and transmission program; and
operating the computer with the downloaded data acquisition and transmission program such that the computer receives signals from the data generating source, processes the received signals, and transmits data signals onto the Internet in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of generating and transferring medical data, comprising:
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transducing directly from a patient a human body function or condition into a first signal;
converting at the site of the patient the first signal into a second signal adapted for transmission over the Internet; and
transmitting the second signal over the Internet to a recipient, wherein transducing includes the patient manipulating a portable sensor adjacent the patient'"'"'s body such that the sensor senses the human body function or condition and generates the first signal in response thereto.
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13. A method of generating and transferring medical data, comprising:
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transducing directly from a patient a human body function or condition into a first signal;
converting at the site of the patient the first signal into a second signal adapted for transmission over the Internet; and
transmitting the second signal over the Internet to a recipient, wherein converting the first signal into the second signal includes downloading into a computer, from an Internet site different from the recipient, a medical data acquisition and transmission program.
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14. A method of generating and transferring medical data, comprising:
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transducing directly from a patient a human body function or condition into a first signal;
converting at the site of the patient the first signal into a second signal adapted for transmission over the Internet;
transmitting the second signal over the Internet to a recipient; and
transmitting a medical data signal from the recipient to a second recipient in response to the first-mentioned recipient receiving the transmitted second signal.
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15. A method of monitoring biological functions and conditions of a plurality of patients, comprising:
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distributing to each patient at least one sensor to detect at least one biological function or condition of the patient; and
maintaining a medical data acquisition and transmission program at an Internet site accessible by the patients such that the patients can use, from computer at the locations of the patients, the medical data acquisition and transmission program to control their respective computers to receive and process signals from the patients'"'"' respective sensors and to transmit medical data onto the Internet in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification