Patents by Inventor Ralph Kent

Ralph Kent 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).

  • Patent number: 10019552
    Abstract: A method according to one aspect of the present invention includes receiving patient information, analyzing the patient information to identify a condition for the patient, formatting a report based on the patient information and the patient condition, and storing at least one of the patient information, the patient condition, and the formatted report as part of a medical record for the patient. The stored information can be processed and analyzed to perform a risk assessment for the patient, as well as compared to other data. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to monitor any appropriate medical device from essentially any location from which a communications signal can be sent and received. This enables patients to enjoy an active lifestyle by not being tied to medical device monitoring equipment that is difficult or impossible to transport or having to routinely visit health care facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Alere Connect, LLC
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Thomas Crosley, Terry Bartlett
  • Patent number: 9619621
    Abstract: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device, transmitting the data to an intermediary device, formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server, and receiving a command from the medical data server. Commands from the medical data server can be used for the authentication, configuration, and control of the medical device, intermediary device or another device operating in conjunction with the present invention, as well as to achieve other purposes. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 9543920
    Abstract: A system according to an aspect of the present invention switches between the activation/deactivation of the speaker and microphone in speakerphone mode to help ensure the quality of audio communications. The system includes a processor, a microphone, a speaker, and a data relay transceiver. The microphone, speaker, and data relay transceiver are each in communication with the processor. The system further includes a memory in communication with the processor which stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a threshold based on an average amplitude of a signal provided to the speaker by the data relay transceiver; sample the amplitude of the signal; and disable the microphone and enable the speaker if the sampled is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Kent E. Dicks, Ralph Kent, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley, Robert Tripp
  • Publication number: 20130066644
    Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for personal emergency Intervention, comprising determining that an event regarding a patient has occurred, and thereupon enabling a tracking mode in a device controlled by the patient; monitoring one or more conditions to determine whether the tracking mode should be disabled, and until the tracking mode is disabled, the device: obtains a data pairing, the data pairing comprising a location of the patient and a time related to the location of the patient, and stores the data pairing within a memory in the device; and formatting a report for transmission to a medical data server, the report comprising at least a patient identifier for the patient and the data pairing. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a device controlled by a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph A. Kent, Robert M. Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley, Chuck Waterbury
  • Patent number: 8214549
    Abstract: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving a communication from a patient through an interactive voice response (IVR) system; providing a guided voice prompt from the interactive voice response system to the patient; receiving a response of the patient to the guided voice prompt through the interactive voice response system; analyzing the response of the patient to the guided voice prompt; determining, based on the response of the patient, whether a command should be transmitted; and transmitting a command to a device controlled by the patient after a determination that the command should be transmitted. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Thomas Crosley, Terry Bartlett, Robert Tripp
  • Patent number: 8209195
    Abstract: A system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a processor, a device interface, a user interface, a data relay transceiver, and a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions. The processor executes the instructions in the memory to receive data from a medical device through a wired connection using the device interface, and transmits the data to an intermediary device using the data relay transceiver. This system can be implemented in a small, portable unit that is easy for a patient to transport. The system's user interface may include a microphone and speaker to allow the communication of audible information between the system and a user. Aspects of the system can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8155982
    Abstract: In an aspect of a method of the present invention, medical data may be obtained either through a wired or wireless connection to a medical device (or both), and may be relayed to a medical data server directly or through an intermediary device (or a combination of both pathways). Accordingly, there is provided a method whereby data from a medical device can be received through one or more of a wired connection and a wireless connection, and a message including the received data for transmission may be formatted for transmission to one or more of: a medical data server and a intermediary device, wherein the intermediary device includes a software program configured to retransmit the message to the medical data server. Data received by the medical server may automatically determine a medical device type based on a medical device identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8140356
    Abstract: A system according the present invention comprises a processor, a device interface configured to receive data from one or more different medical devices through a wired or wireless connection (or both), a data relay transceiver, and a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions. The processor executes the instructions in the memory to receive data from the one or more medical devices through a wired or wireless connection (or both) using the device interface and transmits the data to an intermediary device using the data relay transceiver. Accordingly data from a medical device can be received by the system through the one or more of a wired connection and a wireless connection, and a message including the received data for transmission may be formatted to be sent to one or more of a medical data server and a intermediary device, wherein the intermediary device includes a software program configured to retransmit the message to the medical data server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8131566
    Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a processor, a device interface, a data relay transceiver, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, using the device interface, data for a plurality of patients from a medical device. The received data includes a location for at least one of the plurality of patients. The memory further stores instructions to cause the processor to transmit a message including the received data, using the data relay transceiver, to one or more of: a provided medical data server; and a provided intermediary device. The intermediary device includes a software program configured to retransmit the message to the medical data server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent E. Dicks, Ralph Kent, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley, Robert Tripp
  • Patent number: 8131564
    Abstract: An exemplary method according to various aspects of the present invention includes receiving data from a medical device and transmitting a message including at least a portion of the received data to a provided medical data server. This exemplary method further includes receiving a command from the medical data server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8131565
    Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a processor, a device interface, a data relay interface, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, using the device interface, data from a medical device. The memory further stores instructions to cause the processor to transmit a message including at least a portion of the received data, using the data relay transceiver, to a provided medical data server and to receive a command, using the data relay interface, from the medical data server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8126731
    Abstract: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes activating a first device in response to an event, receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device by the first device, transmitting the data to a second device by the first device, and transmitting the data from the second device to a medical data server. This method may be practiced automatically, either continuously or at set intervals, or may be initiated by someone utilizing the system. This method allows the first device to be activated only as necessary to communicate with the medical device in order to conserve battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8126734
    Abstract: A system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a processor, a device interface, a data relay transceiver, and a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions. The processor executes the instructions in the memory to receive data from a medical device through a wired connection using the device interface, where the data is received through an adapter coupled to the device interface and that communicates with the medical data interchange device using a first communication format and with the medical device using a second communication format. The processor further executes the instructions in the memory to transmit the data to an intermediary device using the data relay transceiver. This system can be implemented in a small, portable unit that is easy for a patient to transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8126733
    Abstract: A method according to the present invention includes receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device by a mobile computing device, where the wired connection includes an adapter that communicates with the mobile computing device using a first communication format and the medical device using a second communication format. The method further includes formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server by the mobile computing device. This method may be practiced automatically, either continuously or at set intervals, or may be initiated by someone utilizing the system (such as the patient or health care provider. The mobile computing device can be a properly-equipped cellular telephone, PDA, or other a small, portable device that is easy for a patient to transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8126732
    Abstract: A system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a processor, a plurality of device interfaces, a data relay transceiver, and a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions. The processor executes the instructions in the memory to receive data from one or more medical devices through a wired connection coupled to at least one of the device interfaces, and transmits the data to an intermediary device using the data relay transceiver. This system can be implemented in a small, portable unit that is easy for a patient to transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8126730
    Abstract: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device, storing the data, transmitting the data to an intermediary device, and formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information. This method allows the data to be stored for any desired length of time, and/or until a particular event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8126735
    Abstract: A method according to one aspect of the present invention includes receiving patient information, analyzing the patient information to identify a condition for the patient, and formatting a report based on the patient information and the patient condition. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to monitor any appropriate medical device from essentially any location from which a communications signal can be sent and received. This enables patients to enjoy an active lifestyle by not being tied to medical device monitoring equipment that is difficult or impossible to transport or having to routinely visit health care facilities. Multiple reports can be formatted to include any desired amount and type of information, and can be transmitted selectively to any number of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Thomas Crosley, Terry Bartlett
  • Patent number: 8126729
    Abstract: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving data from a plurality of medical devices through a wired connection, transmitting the data to an intermediary device, and formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information. This method also allows any number of different medical devices to be monitored, even where such devices each communicate using different wired connections and/or using different communication protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Patent number: 8126728
    Abstract: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device, transmitting the data to an intermediary device, and formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server. The intermediary device includes a software program configured to receive the data and process it into a format compatible with the medical data server. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: MedApps, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley
  • Publication number: 20110282671
    Abstract: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving a communication from a patient through an interactive voice response (IVR) system; providing a guided voice prompt from the interactive voice response system to the patient; receiving a response of the patient to the guided voice prompt through the interactive voice response system; analyzing the response of the patient to the guided voice prompt; determining, based on the response of the patient, whether a command should be transmitted; and transmitting a command to a device controlled by the patient after a determination that the command should be transmitted. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Kent Dicks, Ralph Kent, Robert Tripp, Terry Bartlett, Thomas Crosley