Abstract: Heartbeat data is measured and converted into a series of electrical output pulses, the frequency of which is related to the heartbeat pulse rate. The output pulses trigger "on" and "off" a timing device, and the average time of a heartbeat cycle is then converted into a heartbeat pulse rate and displayed. The timing device includes a means for delaying a first specified number of output pulses before beginning the sampling period and registering a count of clock pulses which represents the time period of a second specified number of the output pulses occurring subsequently to the first specified number of output pulses.

Abstract: Respiration data is measured and converted into a series of electrical output pulses, the frequency of which is related to the respiration rate. The output pulses trigger "on" and "off" a timing device, and the average time of a respiration cycle is then converted into a respiration rate and displayed. The timing device includes a means for delaying a first specified number of output pulses before beginning the sampling period and registering a count of clock pulses which represents the time period of a second specified number of the output pulses occurring subsequently to the first specified number of output pulses.

Abstract: Medical data including temperature, respiration rate and pulse rate are measured and stored in an acquisition unit incorporating a circulating register for storing data covering many patients. An analog temperature signal is converted into binary coded decimal for visual presentation on a display of the acquisition unit. The display data is then stored in the acquisition unit memory by actuating a RECORD switch. An analog respiration rate signal and an analog pulse rate signal are also converted into binary coded decimal for sequential display and storage in the acquisition unit memory. Medical data from external sources may similarly be stored in the acquisition unit memory. This recording procedure is repeated for any number of patients desired up to the storage limit of the acquisition memory. Data stored in the acquisition unit is then transferred into a printer unit that accesses each memory location and prints the data on a separate label for each individual patient.