Patents by Inventor Andrew B. Bullington
Andrew B. Bullington has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11574732Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a virtual waiting room. According to various examples, the system includes a medical schedule processor that logs when a medical professional enters an examination room to conduct an examination of a patient and compares this time with scheduling information to predict whether future appointments on that day will be delayed. The scheduling information is cryptographically separated from Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) information. The system also includes a notification interface that sends data including current appointment status of the medical professional, predicted delays, and modified appointment times for each appointment for the day to a medical scheduling management app that is viewable by patients of the medical professional. The predicted delays and modified appointment times are updated periodically.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Patent number: 11322247Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for medical appointment progress tracking. According to various examples, the system includes a location sensor that tracks when a medical professional begins an examination of a patient by detecting when the medical professional logs into a computer to access the first patient's medical file. The system also includes a medical schedule processor that logs this time and compares this time with scheduling information to predict whether future appointments on that day will be delayed. The scheduling information is cryptographically separated from Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) information. The system further includes a notification interface that notifies upcoming patients if their appointments will be substantially delayed.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Patent number: 11107575Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a lighting system for medical schedule management. According to various examples, an apparatus is provided which comprises a lighting interface configured to connect to a lighting element for illuminating a medical examination room. The apparatus further comprises a power interface coupled to a power source. The apparatus further comprises a transceiver configured to connect to a device corresponding to a physician. The duration of the connection is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room. The transceiver is tuned to transmit a signal strength corresponding to the size and characteristics of the medical examination room. The apparatus is located in a lighting fixture in the medical examination room. The lighting fixture may be centrally located in the medical examination room.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Inventors: Deborah T Bullington, Andrew B Bullington
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Patent number: 10930388Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a physician efficiency management system. According to various examples, the system includes a location sensor that gathers logged medical examination times and logged examination duration times for appointments within a selected time frame. The system also includes a medical schedule processor that compares the logged medical examination times and logged examination duration times to corresponding scheduled appointment times and allotted examination times to determine which of the appointments were behind schedule or overran their allotted duration. The medical schedule processor then generates an efficiency report that includes statistics reflecting the number of appointments that were behind schedule or overran their allotted durations for the selected time frame, and amounts that late appointments ran behind schedule and amounts that appointments overran their allotted times.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Patent number: 10878956Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for directional signal fencing for medical schedule management. According to various examples, a system is provided which comprises a first sensor module, which includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a first wireless signal directed toward a location within a medical examination room such that the location is within a first coverage area. A second sensor module includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a second wireless signal directed toward the location such that the location is within a second coverage area. The first and second coverage areas overlap at a signal overlap area, which surrounds the location. The first and second sensor modules connect to a device corresponding to a physician within the signal overlap area. The duration of the connection between the device and the sensor modules is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Patent number: 10854330Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a medical appointment delay management system. According to various examples, the system includes a location sensor that detects when a medical professional wearing a personal beacon enters an examination room to conduct an examination of a particular patient. The system also includes a medical schedule processor that logs a time associated with when the medical professional enters the examination room and compares this time with scheduling information to predict whether future appointments in the schedule will be delayed. A notification interface, included in the system, is designed to notify an upcoming patient if their scheduled appointment will be substantially delayed. Scheduling information is cryptographically separated from HIPAA information.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Inventors: Deborah T Bullington, Andrew B Bullington
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Patent number: 10796795Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a virtual waiting room. According to various examples, the system includes a medical schedule processor that logs when a medical professional enters an examination room to conduct an examination of a patient and compares this time with scheduling information to predict whether future appointments on that day will be delayed. The scheduling information is cryptographically separated from Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) information. The system also includes a notification interface that sends data including current appointment status of the medical professional, predicted delays, and modified appointment times for each appointment for the day to a medical scheduling management app that is viewable by patients of the medical professional. The predicted delays and modified appointment times are updated periodically.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Publication number: 20200258620Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for directional signal fencing for medical schedule management. According to various examples, a system is provided which comprises a first sensor module, which includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a first wireless signal directed toward a location within a medical examination room such that the location is within a first coverage area. A second sensor module includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a second wireless signal directed toward the location such that the location is within a second coverage area. The first and second coverage areas overlap at a signal overlap area, which surrounds the location. The first and second sensor modules connect to a device corresponding to a physician within the signal overlap area. The duration of the connection between the device and the sensor modules is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Patent number: 10741279Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a medical appointment delay management system. According to various examples, the system includes a location sensor that detects when a medical professional enters an examination room to conduct an examination of a particular patient. The system also includes a medical schedule processor that logs a time associated with when the medical professional enters the examination room and compares this time with scheduling information to predict whether future appointments in the schedule will be delayed. A notification interface, included in the system, is designed to notify an upcoming patient if their scheduled appointment will be substantially delayed. Scheduling information is cryptographically separated from HIPAA information.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Inventors: Deborah T Bullington, Andrew B Bullington
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Publication number: 20200251208Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a medical appointment delay management system. According to various examples, the system includes a location sensor that detects when a medical professional enters an examination room to conduct an examination of a particular patient. The system also includes a medical schedule processor that logs a time associated with when the medical professional enters the examination room and compares this time with scheduling information to predict whether future appointments in the schedule will be delayed. A notification interface, included in the system, is designed to notify an upcoming patient if their scheduled appointment will be substantially delayed. Scheduling information is cryptographically separated from HIPAA information.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Deborah T. BULLINGTON, Andrew B. BULLINGTON
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Patent number: 10679744Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for directional signal fencing for medical schedule management. According to various examples, a system is provided which comprises a first sensor module, which includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a first wireless signal directed toward a location within a medical examination room such that the location is within a first coverage area. A second sensor module includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a second wireless signal directed toward the location such that the location is within a second coverage area. The first and second coverage areas overlap at a signal overlap area, which surrounds the location. The first and second sensor modules connect to a device corresponding to a physician within the signal overlap area. The duration of the connection between the device and the sensor modules is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Publication number: 20200168323Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for directional signal fencing for medical schedule management. According to various examples, a system is provided which comprises a first sensor module, which includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a first wireless signal directed toward a location within a medical examination room such that the location is within a first coverage area. A second sensor module includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a second wireless signal directed toward the location such that the location is within a second coverage area. The first and second coverage areas overlap at a signal overlap area, which surrounds the location. The first and second sensor modules connect to a device corresponding to a physician within the signal overlap area. The duration of the connection between the device and the sensor modules is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2019Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Deborah T. BULLINGTON, Andrew B. BULLINGTON
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Patent number: 10497472Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for directional signal fencing for medical schedule management. According to various examples, a system is provided which comprises a first sensor module, which includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a first wireless signal directed toward a location within a medical examination room such that the location is within a first coverage area. A second sensor module includes a directional transceiver configured to transmit a second wireless signal directed toward the location such that the location is within a second coverage area. The first and second coverage areas overlap at a signal overlap area, which surrounds the location. The first and second sensor modules connect to a device corresponding to a physician within the signal overlap area. The duration of the connection between the device and the sensor modules is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Patent number: 10306569Abstract: Provided are systems and processes for adjusting signal strength for medical appointment progress tracking. According to various examples, a method is provided which comprises transmitting, via an antenna of a transceiver, a wireless signal within a medical examination room such that a location within the medical examination room is within a coverage area of the wireless signal. A plurality of checkpoints are identified within the medical examination room, and the strength of the wireless signal is measured at each checkpoint. An amount to adjust the gain of an amplifier coupled to the antenna is determined. The amount may be determined based on the strength of the wireless signal measured at each checkpoint. The strength of the wireless signal is adjusted based on the determined amount such that the coverage area includes a desired wireless signal strength.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Inventors: Deborah T Bullington, Andrew B Bullington
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Patent number: 10291276Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a lighting system for medical schedule management. According to various examples, an apparatus is provided which comprises a lighting interface configured to connect to a lighting element for illuminating a medical examination room. The apparatus further comprises a power interface coupled to a power source. The apparatus further comprises a Wi-Fi transceiver configured to transmit a wireless signal to connect to a device corresponding to a physician. The wireless signal corresponds to a local area network. The duration of the connection is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room. The Wi-Fi transceiver is tuned to transmit a signal strength corresponding to the size and characteristics of the medical examination room. The apparatus is located in a lighting fixture in the medical examination room. The lighting fixture may be centrally located in the medical examination room.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Inventors: Deborah T Bullington, Andrew B Bullington
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Publication number: 20190051406Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a medical appointment delay management system. According to various examples, the system includes a location sensor that detects when a medical professional enters an examination room to conduct an examination of a particular patient. The system also includes a medical schedule processor that logs a time associated with when the medical professional enters the examination room and compares this time with scheduling information to predict whether future appointments in the schedule will be delayed. A notification interface, included in the system, is designed to notify an upcoming patient if their scheduled appointment will be substantially delayed. Scheduling information is cryptographically separated from HIPAA information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Publication number: 20180367179Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a lighting system for medical schedule management. According to various examples, an apparatus is provided which comprises a lighting interface configured to connect to a lighting element for illuminating a medical examination room. The apparatus further comprises a power interface coupled to a power source. The apparatus further comprises a Wi-Fi transceiver configured to transmit a wireless signal to connect to a device corresponding to a physician. The wireless signal corresponds to a local area network. The duration of the connection is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room. The Wi-Fi transceiver is tuned to transmit a signal strength corresponding to the size and characteristics of the medical examination room. The apparatus is located in a lighting fixture in the medical examination room. The lighting fixture may be centrally located in the medical examination room.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Publication number: 20180343625Abstract: Provided are systems and processes for adjusting signal strength for medical appointment progress tracking. According to various examples, a method is provided which comprises transmitting, via an antenna of a transceiver, a wireless signal within a medical examination room such that a location within the medical examination room is within a coverage area of the wireless signal. A plurality of checkpoints are identified within the medical examination room, and the strength of the wireless signal is measured at each checkpoint. An amount to adjust the gain of an amplifier coupled to the antenna is determined. The amount may be determined based on the strength of the wireless signal measured at each checkpoint. The strength of the wireless signal is adjusted based on the determined amount such that the coverage area includes a desired wireless signal strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Deborah T Bullington, Andrew B Bullington
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Patent number: 10134488Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a medical appointment delay management system. According to various examples, the system includes a location sensor that detects when a medical professional enters an examination room to conduct an examination of a particular patient. The system also includes a medical schedule processor that logs a time associated with when the medical professional enters the examination room and compares this time with scheduling information to predict whether future appointments in the schedule will be delayed. A notification interface, included in the system, is designed to notify an upcoming patient if their scheduled appointment will be substantially delayed. Scheduling information is cryptographically separated from HIPAA information.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Inventors: Deborah T. Bullington, Andrew B. Bullington
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Patent number: 10103762Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a lighting system for medical schedule management. According to various examples, an apparatus is provided which comprises a lighting interface configured to connect to a lighting element for illuminating a medical examination room. The apparatus further comprises a power interface coupled to a power source. The apparatus further comprises a Wi-Fi transceiver configured to transmit a wireless signal to connect to a device corresponding to a physician. The wireless signal corresponds to a local area network. The duration of the connection is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room. The Wi-Fi transceiver is tuned to transmit a signal strength corresponding to the size and characteristics of the medical examination room. The apparatus is located in a lighting fixture in the medical examination room. The lighting fixture may be centrally located in the medical examination room.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Inventors: Deborah T Bullington, Andrew B Bullington