Abstract: A health monitoring system includes a plurality of remote user sites, each remote user site comprising at least one health monitoring device for collection of user health monitoring data, an interactive video device, and a user interface apparatus; at least one remote computing facility configured for signal communication with, and to receive health monitoring data-related signals from, the plurality of remote user sites; and at least one computer, configured for signal communication with the remote computing facility, wherein the interactive video device is interactively coupled with the remote computing facility. Associated methods are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing phone-in prescription requests. The apparatus is in the form of a prescription processing network that includes a prescription processing system and a communication device remotely located from the prescription processing system. The communication device is used to establish a communication channel with the prescription processing system and submit a prescription request over the communication channel. A pharmacist, associated with the prescription processing system, prepares a completed prescription form based, at least in part, on the submitted prescription request. The prescription processing network also includes a pharmacy for receiving the completed prescription form, and filling the prescription request based on the completed prescription form.

Abstract: A method for providing fail-over capability in a local branch of a call center includes determining, by a local device, which of a plurality of phones are call center phones. The determination is based on a predetermined rule set. In an alternative embodiment, the method may also include determining, by the local device, which of the plurality of call center phones are available for receiving calls. This may include determining whether a “do not disturb” function of each respective call center phone is invoked, and in response, determining whether the call center phone is available. In addition, this method may involve placing, by the local device, each call center phone into a “do not disturb” mode if the call center phone does not answer a call sent to the call center phone.

Abstract: One or more of telephony functions and communication routing management are controlled by one or more of presence information, environmental information and physiological information. An analysis of the one or more of presence information, environmental information and physiological information is compared with a profile and the one or more of telephony functions and communication routing modified in accordance with a rule set associated with the profile. The environmental and physiological information can be acquired by a communications device associated with a person or through the communications device communicating with one or more dedicated environmental or physiological sensors.

Abstract: A method of determining the health status of a subject includes indirectly coupling a personal monitor to at least a portion of a body of the subject, the person monitor including at least one inertial sensor integrated with a mobile telephonic device. The method further includes obtaining data representative of at least one physiological parameter of the subject, and determining the health status based on the data.

Abstract: An indicator apparatus is configurable for use in a healthcare communication system, such as a nurse call system. The indicator apparatus includes a visual indicator. The visual indicator is operable to selectively display one or more colors in response to calls received by the healthcare communication system.

Abstract: A wireless mobile device is provided, typically in the form of a handset that is cable of providing voice and data communication using a wide-area wireless carrier system. The wireless handset has an associated bio-metric sensor, which may be integrally formed with the handset or spaced apart and connected with a wired or wireless connection. A patient uses bio-metric sensor to locally collect data, and then transmit that data to a medical server using the wireless handset. In some cases, the wireless handset may also process the data to transmit result or summary information. In other cases, the wireless handset may process the data to perform a local operation, such as signaling an alarm or displaying results to the patient, or to make an adjustment in the bio-metric sensor or other local medical device. In some cases the wireless handset may also receive commands from the medical server, and make an adaptation to the bio-metric sensor or other medical device, such as a medication pump.

Abstract: A mobile terminal capable of measuring a biological signal is provided. The terminal comprises a terminal body; an electrode for human body earth or system reference, placed on an outer surface of the terminal body so as to be contactable with the skin of a user of the mobile terminal; and differential electrodes. The measured biological signals include an electromyography signal and an electroencephalogram signal. The differential electrodes can be external to the terminal body and be connected via lead lines to the terminal body.

Abstract: An emergency call system includes an emergency call device capable of accessing at least a wireless telecommunication network by means of a communication apparatus. A server processes the emergency call coming from an emergency call device via the communication apparatus. The invention is applicable to emergency call systems in case of health accidents, assaults, accidents and the like. The emergency call device can be a smart card.

Abstract: A system for providing a patient with remote medical assistance at home a patient station (100) includes at least a remotely controllable patient video camera (101) and a patient computer (110) provided with means (111) for acquiring data from medical assistance appliances (11, 12), with relay means (112) for forwarding commands to the appliances, and with means (113) for connection to a telecommunications network (3).

Abstract: The medical condition information storage unit contains the information related to the predetermined medical condition and the symptoms of the medical condition. The contact information storage unit contains the contact information related to the level of urgency. The screen configuration data storage unit contains the information related to the patient's communication device based on the level of urgency. The symptoms of a particular medical condition and the measures to cope with the symptoms are selected based on the level of urgency of the patient's medical condition. Accordingly, the screen configuration data of the patient's communication device is generated.

Abstract: Mobile clinicians conduct in-home patient visits utilizing on-site diagnostic and treatment equipment, where service is enhanced by the use of portable computing and communications equipment. Initially, a mobile care entity provides a network of predesignated mobile clinicians, each having the use of a preprogrammed portable computer. Each computer is coupled to a wireless communications device, and includes local storage of patient data. Whenever the mobile care entity receives requests for medical service at a patient's premises, the entity selects a mobile clinician and dispatches him/her to the patient's premises. The clinician visits the patient's premises accompanied by an assortment of electronic diagnostic and treatment devices. To examine the patient, the doctor utilizes various diagnostic devices to prepare machine-readable reports of related aspects of the patient's condition.

Abstract: The present invention is for a sensing device that monitors the conditions of a remote location. The device has a detecting means which detects the conditions at the remote location; a transmitting module that reads and remotely transmits information containing the detected conditions and the power level of a power source powering the transmitting module; a base module that receives, selectively processes and conveys the information telephonically; and an identifying means that identifies the remote location of the call without incurring a telephone toll charge. The invention is also directed to a method of sensing conditions at a remote location without incurring telephone toll charges.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing phone-in prescription requests. The apparatus is in the form of a prescription processing network that includes a prescription processing system and a communication device remotely located from the prescription processing system. The communication device is used to establish a communication channel with the prescription processing system and submit a prescription request over the communication channel. A pharmacist, associated with the prescription processing system, prepares a completed prescription form based, at least in part, on the submitted prescription request. The prescription processing network also includes a pharmacy for receiving the completed prescription form, and filling the prescription request based on the completed prescription form.

Abstract: The invention provides a stethoscope device comprising a chest piece, an amplifier and a mixer compatible with a conventional voice quality telephone system. Electrical signals are generated that are representative of physiological sounds such as breath sounds, heart sounds and bowel sounds. The electrical signals can be combined with voice communications at the remote site and transmitted over the telephone system. The invention also provides a system and method for diagnosis by a trained health care professional with the patient being located at a remote site. In another embodiment, the invention also provides a system and method for training students to interpret stethoscope sounds. In addition, the system allows for simultaneous listening by the health care professional and another individual at the remote location of the stethoscope.

Abstract: A wireless headset for use with a separate communications device, such as a cellular telephone, includes automatic on/off capabilities to maximize battery life. By detecting a user's interaction, such as picking up the headset or placing it upon the user's body, the wireless headset automatically transitions from an inactive state to an active state. Techniques for automatic headset enabling include but are not limited to motion sensors, attitude or position sensors, proximity sensors, and contact sensors. These techniques may be used individually or in any combination. An internal timer allows the wireless headset to return to its inactive state a defined interval after cessation of movement or removal of the wireless headset. Including an optional sleep state further optimizes battery life. In the sleep state, only a portion of the wireless headset circuitry is enabled. Rather than transitioning from inactive to active, the headset transitions from inactive to sleep.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient care and communication system which utilizes a central processing system and a plurality of remote stations electrically connected to the central processing system to facilitate visual and data communications. Each remote station includes telephone circuitry which is connected to a private branch exchange for telephone communications between stations. In addition, the private branch exchange is connected to a telephone exchange and a plurality of telephones for facilitating telephone communication therebetween. The central processing system facilitates the visual and data communications between the plurality of remote stations, and includes a system for determining which of the plurality of remote stations are transmitting the visual and data communications and which of the plurality of remote stations are to receive the visual and data communications.

Abstract: The invention concerns a monitoring system for monitoring incoming telephone calls routed through a call transference system, the system comprising an electronic processor and an associated database, the system being adapted to detect the originating number of the caller and the called number to which the incoming call was made before being transferred, to automatically generate a return call to any incoming call the originating and called numbers of which have been identified without answering the incoming call, and to store the time and date of an incoming call the number of which has been identified and data representing the number to which the incoming call was made.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote data management system with which, by keeping the transmission of measured data from measurers from being concentrated at particular times, the measured data can be gathered efficiently and the party managing the data can suffice with a minimal equipment investment. In patient households (B, C . . . ), a personal measuring device (3) is connected to a communications device (2) via a cable or the like, and data that are measured by the personal measuring device (3) are transferred to the communications device (2) and stored. A server (1) of a medical institution (A) sends a data transmission request to the communications device (2) in each patient's household via a public communications network 10 daily, biweekly, or monthly, for example. When the communications device (2) receives the data transmission request it transmits the stored measured data to the server (1).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, components of the system, a method and components of the method for collecting, disseminating and managing information between a data/voice base network and an end user or system. The present invention comprising: (1) an end user device; (2) a device adapter; (3) management surface interface; (4) a series of programmable tools capable of carrying out a desired function; and (5) an information source. The present invention being adaptable to collect, disseminate and manage information relating to public health, financing, banking, E-government, commercial sales, commercial distribution, and others.

Abstract: A computerized system and method of operation are disclosed that correlates electronic surveillance target data obtained from law enforcement agencies (LEA) against a database system of call detail information obtained from various sources such as prisons, to determine if there has been any communications between the two entities. Subsequently additional information such as call recordings of any matched conversations may be retrieved from the sources as requested by the LEA with ready access to language translators. The database call information will be further analyzed for patterns of activities or calling profiles of certain individuals with heuristic algorithms to aid the LEA in their detection and repression of illegal activities overall.

Abstract: A transtelephonic process and storage apparatus (10) for use with a blood sugar monitor or like standalone monitoring apparatus having an output port to download acquired digital data signals is disclosed. The apparatus (10) has a memory (18), a controlling (14), a transducer (17) and an output (12), wherein the downloaded acquired digital is converted into audio transmission signals by the transducer (17), and the audio transmission signal is stored in memory (18) for delayed transmission over a telephone network.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating message status in a wireless communication system comprising a base station configured to communicate with at least one mobile unit over a wireless interface. The mobile unit includes an indicator having first and second human perceptible states, with the first state indicating a lack of message waiting condition, and the second state indicating a message waiting condition. The base station monitors communications from a messaging system. When a communication is received indicating message status or a change in message status, the base station transmits a command regarding message status to the mobile unit over the wireless interface. In response, the mobile unit maintains or changes the state of the indicator to reflect the message status as determined by the command.

Abstract: A medical image transfer and control system of the present invention preferably utilizes a medical image snap-shot formatting device. This device generally includes a digital signal processor and a signal formatting component that is operably connected to the digital signal processor. The signal formatting component is designed to receive medical image snap-shot data from a camera and, if necessary, format the data to a digital format. The signal formatting component then forwards the digital data to the digital signal processor which operates to compress the data to a format suitable for transfer over a plain old telephone system (POTS).

Abstract: An assembly and process for video telecommunication between a host site and a remote site for medical applications. The host site and remote site have computer assemblies constructed and arranged to form a computerized video telecommunications system between them. The remote site includes medical apparatus and procedures having visual and/or audio recognition systems whereby training, service, troubleshooting and instrument installation assistance can be conducted from the host site. The video telecommunication system at the host and remote sites include networking software for the communication of audio and visual signals between the sites. The communication between the host site and remote site may be direct communication or communication over the internet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a monitoring system for monitoring incoming telephone calls routed through a call transference system, the system comprising an electronic processor and an associated database, the system being adapted to detect the originating number of the caller and the called number to which the incoming call was made before being transferred, to automatically generate a return call to any incoming call the originating and called numbers of which have been identified without answering the incoming call, and to store the time and date of an incoming call the number of which has been identified and data representing the number to which the incoming call was made.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring information received from a patient-worn medical device is disclosed. A medical device, such as a portable or implantable device, collects patient and operational information, which information is transmitted to central location, such as a doctor's office or device manufacturer's location. The data collected can be analyzed to monitor both the patient health parameters as well as the operation of the device. Trend analysis can be performed in order for a physician to diagnose the patient's health and a medical device technician can insure correct functioning of the device itself. Communication between the central location and the medical device is preferably done through a modem connection, and software and other updates can be automatically transmitted to the medical device during data download from the device to the central location. Physicians and technicians can access the central location from any home or office computer via the internet.

Abstract: A hemofiltration machine at a local treatment site is linked to a remote main data base server by a local transmitting/receiving device. The machine acts as a satellite of the main data base server. The machine performs specified therapy tasks while monitoring basic safety functions and providing the person at the treatment location notice of safety alarm conditions for resolution. Otherwise, the machine transmits procedure data to the main data base server. The main data base server relieves the machine from major data processing tasks and related complexity. The main data base server, remote from the machine, controls the processing and distribution of the data, including the flow of information and data to the person undergoing therapy.

Abstract: A communication system for a utility meter that has a primary power supply includes a primary communication circuit and a secondary communication circuit. The primary power supply is operable to receive a primary electrical power from a primary power source and generate a primary bias power therefrom. The primary communication circuit is operable to effectuate external communications when the primary electrical power from the primary power source is present. The secondary communication circuit is operable to effectuate external communications when the primary electrical power from the primary power source is interrupted.

Abstract: A medical monitoring system has a sensor system including a sensor associated with a patient and a remote monitoring unit. The remote monitoring unit includes a microprocessor in communication with the sensor system, and a portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system in communication with the microprocessor. The portable-monitoring-unit transceiver system has a land-line telephone transceiver and/or a cellular telephone transceiver, and a third-network transceiver such as a paging-network transceiver. A full data set is transmitted over the land-line telephone transceiver or the cellular telephone transceiver when communications links over these transceivers are available, and a reduced data set is transmitted over the third-network transceiver when communications links over the land-line telephone transceiver and the cellular telephone transceiver are not available.

Abstract: A system for providing medical services over the Internet is disclosed, having a patient system at a patient location, and a medical service provider system at a provider location. The patient system includes a monitoring system having various monitoring devices, each of which produce an electronic signal indicative of a particular physical or medical characteristic of a patient. Using these electronic signals, the monitoring system produces an output signal to an interface device which, in turn, provides input to a communication device adapted for communicating via the Internet. The medical service provider system includes apparatus for receiving the information sent by the patient system. In response, the provider system sends medical advice to the patient system, via the Internet, or, if the information received tends to indicate an emergency situation might exist, notifies emergency care givers in the vicinity of the patient location that emergency services are needed at the patient location.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote data management system with which, by keeping the transmission of measured data from measurers from being concentrated at particular times, the measured data can be gathered efficiently and the party managing the data can suffice with a minimal equipment investment. In patient households (B, C . . . ), a personal measuring device (3) is connected to a communications device (2) via a cable or the like, and data that are measured by the personal measuring device (3) are transferred to the communications device (2) and stored. A server (1) of a medical institution (A) sends a data transmission request to the communications device (2) in each patient's household via a public communications network 10 daily, biweekly, or monthly, for example. When the communications device (2) receives the data transmission request it transmits the stored measured data to the server (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a monitoring system for monitoring incoming telephone calls routed through a call transference system, the system comprising an electronic processor and an associated database, the system being adapted to detect the originating number of the caller and the called number to which the incoming call was made before being transferred, to automatically generate a return call to any incoming call the originating and called numbers of which have been identified without answering the incoming call, and to store the time and date of an incoming call the number of which has been identified and data representing the number to which the incoming call was made.

Abstract: A method of remotely updating or upgrading the operating parameters of the wearable medical device is also provided. The method will automatically update the operational software of the device during a data download sequence. During such a download sequence, after the data has been downloaded, a remote server at the remote location will query the device's current operating software version which is stored in a main memory area of the device. If a software upgrade is needed, the method will clear an alternate memory area in the device. The remote server will then begin downloading the new (upgraded) operating software to the medical device where it will be stored in an alternate memory area.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for transmitting medical and health-related data from self-monitoring diagnostic devices via an intermediate device to a central server or data repository where the intermediate device is adaptable to numerous medical and health meters. A method of transmitting metric data from a medical data collecting device to a server computer is described. A cable type is first determined once a self-monitoring diagnostic device is connected to an intermediate data trafficking device, connected to a telephone line or a PC with Internet access. A value representing the cable type is then transmitted from the intermediate device to a server computer. The intermediate device receives diagnostic device configuration information or intelligence from the server computer. Using this intelligence, components internal to the intermediate device are then configured to enable communication between the self-monitoring device and the data repository or central server.

Abstract: A method and system of monitoring information received from a patient-worn medical device is disclosed. A medical device, such as a portable or implantable device, collects patient and operational information, which information is transmitted to central location, such as a doctor's office or device manufacturer's location. The data collected can be analyzed to monitor both the patient health parameters as well as the operation of the device. Trend analysis can be performed in order for a physician to diagnose the patient's health and a medical device technician can insure correct functioning of the device itself. Communication between the central location and the medical device is preferably done through a modem connection, and software and other updates can be automatically transmitted to the medical device during data download from the device to the central location. Physicians and technicians can access the central location from any home or office computer via the internet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, components of the system, a method and components of the method for collecting, disseminating and managing information between a data/voice base network and an end user or system. The present invention comprising: (1) an end user device; (2) a device adapter; (3) management surface interface; (4) a series of programmable tools capable of carrying out a desired function; and (5) an information source. The present invention being adaptable to collect, disseminate and manage information relating to public health, financing, banking, E-government, commercial sales, commercial distribution, and others.

Abstract: A small sensor and instrument interface communication module provides the data acquisition circuitry required to gather various signals from sensors for a variety data, such as physiologic data from the human body or data from remote non-medical monitoring instrumentation, using analog, serial, and parallel digital inputs. The microprocessor and memory of the module are employed to condition those signals for interface to a variety of possible digital cellular phone or other wireless communication modules which are used to transmit these data into the digital cellular network for distribution on the Internet.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting data over a network are described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cradle to transmit data to a network server and an electronic device coupled to the cradle. The electronic device includes a sensor to trigger a data connection between the electronic device and the cradle. The electronic device also includes a transmitter to download the data to the cradle.

Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring the medical condition of a number of individual patients from a centralized location. The system includes a plurality of remote monitoring units that each include both a wireless transmission device and a conventional modem for communicating over voice telephone lines. The dual modes of transmission allow the remote monitoring unit to communicate either over a wireless communication network, if available or over conventional telephone wires. The remote monitoring unit includes a voice processing system that provides audio prompts and directions to the patient to direct the patient through the vital sign data gathering sequence. The audio prompts instruct the patient on the particular steps and timing for the vital sign data gathering sequence. Once the vital sign data has been acquired, the control unit of the remote monitoring unit determines whether a wireless transmission network is available.

Abstract: The invention concerns a monitoring system for monitoring incoming telephone calls routed through a call transference system, the system comprising an electronic processor and an associated database, the system being adapted to detect the originating number of the caller and the called number to which the incoming call was made before being transferred, to automatically generate a return call to any incoming call the originating and called numbers of which have been identified without answering the incoming call, and to store the time and date of an incoming call the number of which has been identified and data representing the number to which the incoming call was made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient care and communication system which utilizes a central processing system and a plurality of remote stations electrically connected to the central processing system to facilitate visual and data communications. Each remote station includes telephone circuitry which is connected to a private branch exchange for telephone communications between stations. In addition, the private branch exchange is connected to a telephone exchange and a plurality of telephones for facilitating telephone communication therebetween. The central processing system facilitates the visual and data communications between the plurality of remote stations, and includes a system for determining which of the plurality of remote stations are transmitting the visual and data communications and which of the plurality of remote stations are to receive the visual and data communications.

Abstract: A medical video-teleconferencing and treatment system, having a central video-conferencing station and one or more remote video-conferencing stations and a communications link establishing video-conferencing communication therebetween. A central video monitor and audio system is located at the central video-conferencing station, and a controller unit is coupled with the communications link. The remote video-conferencing stations each have a mobile emergency center cart including a remote video monitor and audio system and a video-conferencing camera controlled by the controller unit via the communications link and capable of responding to control signals of the controller unit for panning and zoom movement of said video-conferencing camera by a medical practitioner located at the central video-conferencing station.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for simultaneously transmitting biomedical signals and human voice over a telephone. The invention is also a telephone line adapted to receive communication from the receiving unit at a second end of the line while simultaneously transmitting biomedical signals and human voice from the first end. The apparatus comprises a sensor, a cable, and a transmitter device. The sensor comprises electrodes attached to a pad with a wire connected to each electrode. The cable groups the wires into a single unit and leads them to the transmitter device. The transmitter device comprises a converter and a acoustic. In operation, the sensor takes biomedical signals in the form of electronic data. The data is conveyed via the wires where it reaches the converter. The converter converts the biomedical electronic data into acoustic signal which is emitted by the acoustic in circuit with the converter. The acoustic signals are translatable back to biomedical signals by the receiving unit.