# US 7,438,223 B2 · Rechargeable smart card blood pressure recording method and apparatus

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- Number: US 7,438,223 B2
- Document ID: US7438223B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/502,738
- Filed: 2006-08-11
- Published: 2007-03-15
- Granted: 2008-10-21
- Earliest claimed: 2005-08-12
- Assignees: Pharma-Smart, LLC
- Inventors: Fred Sarkis; Joseph O. Sarkis; Lisa Goodwin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7438223B2

## CPC

- G07F 7/025: {by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered}
- A61B 5/14546: {for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes}
- A61B 5/411: {Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance}
- G06Q 20/342: {Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities}
- G07F 17/04: for anthropometrical measurements, such as weight, height, strength
- G16H 10/40: for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
- G16H 10/65: stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
- G16H 40/40: for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
- A61B 5/021: Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels
- A61B 2560/0475: Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

Enabling the providers of automated blood pressure readings, such as pharmacies, corporate work sites, health clubs and other customers, to charge a fee for the long-term use of a memory card to record non-invasive physiological test data and make the data available for health consultations. In an automated blood pressure system with one or more memory-card interface devices, a custom-formatted end-user memory card keeps track of the user's non-invasive physiological test data, and a recharge memory card controls the provider's recharging of the end-user memory card after the end-user memory card expires. The contents of the recharge memory card are updated in order to track its use by the provider of the readings.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for recording and tracking non-invasive physiological test data comprising:
a machine for automatically detecting non-invasive physiological test data of an individual;
means for recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data on a first transportable device adapted to receive and hold non-invasive physiological test data;
means for recording the date of each recording of non-invasive physiological test data on the first transportable device;
means for deactivating the first transportable device after a first predetermined number of readings, after a first predetermined duration, or both; and
means for reactivating the first transportable device to store a second predetermined number of readings, a second predetermined duration, or both.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
means for preventing access to or alteration of any component of the records of non-invasive physiological test data.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for preventing access to or alteration of any component of the records of non-invasive physiological test data further comprises a means for encryption of the records of non-invasive physiological test data.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for preventing access to or alteration of any component of the records of non-invasive physiological test data further comprises a means for decryption of the records of non-invasive physiological test data.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for preventing access to or alteration of any component of the records of non-invasive physiological test data further comprises a means for destroying the records of non-invasive physiological test data.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
means for accessing and printing a hard copy of the data contained on the first transportable device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for accessing and printing a hard copy of the data contained on the first transportable device further comprises:
a means for accessing data entries contained on the first transportable device alongside the dates the data entries were recorded;
means for selecting a set of data entries, taking an average of the set of data entries, and displaying or printing the set of data entries including the date the entries were made and their average.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the selected data entries comprise the last ten entries.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the selected data entries comprise all the data entries on the card.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:
a means for uploading the data entries onto a computer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data and the date of each recording on a first transportable device further comprises a first reading and writing device.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first reading and writing device further comprises a first electronic smart card reading and writing device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first reading and writing device further comprises a first flash memory reading and writing device.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first reading and writing device further comprises a first optical memory reading and writing device.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first reading and writing device further comprises a first magneto-optical memory reading and writing device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detected non-invasive physiological test data further comprise one or more of the group consisting of:
the systolic blood pressure of the individual;
the diastolic blood pressure of the individual;
the pulse rate of the individual;
the respiration rate of the individual;
the blood oxygen level of the individual;
the blood glucose level of the individual;
the blood cholesterol level of the individual;
one or more blood enzyme levels of the individual;
indications and a log of one or more classes of cardiac arrythmias of the individual;
the weight of the individual;
the percent body fat of the individual; and
the bone density of the individual.

### Claim 17

An apparatus for recording and tracking non-invasive physiological test data comprising:
a machine for automatically detecting non-invasive physiological test data of an individual;
means for recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data on a first transportable device adapted to receive and hold non-invasive physiological test data;
means for recording the date of each recording of non-invasive physiological test data on the first transportable device;
means for deactivating the first transportable device after a first predetermined number of readings, after a first predetermined duration, or both; and
means for reactivating the first transportable device to store a second predetermined number of readings, a second predetermined duration, or both;
wherein the means for deactivating the first transportable device after a first predetermined number of readings, after a first predetermined duration, or both further comprises:
a machine-readable and machine-writable recording of expiration date information, stored on the first transportable device;
a source of current date information not stored on the first transportable device;
a software program for comparing the current date information with the expiration date information; and
the results of a comparison between the expiration date information and the current date information.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first transportable device comprises an electronic smart card.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first transportable device comprises a flash memory card.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first transportable device comprises an optical memory device.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first transportable device comprises a magneto-optical memory device.

### Claim 22

An apparatus for recording and tracking non-invasive physiological test data comprising:
a machine for automatically detecting non-invasive physiological test data of an individual;
means for recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data on a first transportable device adapted to receive and hold non-invasive physiological test data;
means for recording the date of each recording of non-invasive physiological test data on the first transportable device;
means for deactivating the first transportable device after a first predetermined number of readings, after a first predetermined duration, or both; and
means for reactivating the first transportable device to store a second predetermined number of readings, a second predetermined duration, or both;
wherein the means for reactivating the first transportable device further comprises:
a second transportable device for limiting the number of reactivating operations performed on one or more first transportable devices;
a machine-readable and machine-writable recording of the number of reactivating operations, stored on the second transportable device and specifying the number of reactivating operations remaining to be performed;
a software program for decrementing the number of reactivating operations remaining to be performed;
the results of a comparison between the number of reactivating operations remaining to be performed and zero; and
a software program for resetting the expiration date information stored on the first transportable device.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the second transportable device comprises an electronic smart card.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the second transportable device comprises a flash memory card.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the second transportable device comprises an optical memory device.

### Claim 26 (depends on 22)

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the second transportable device comprises a magneto-optical memory device.

### Claim 27 (depends on 22)

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the means for reactivating the first transportable device further comprises a second reading and writing device.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first reading and writing device further comprises a second electronic smart card reading and writing device.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first reading and writing device further comprises a second flash memory reading and writing device.

### Claim 30 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first reading and writing device further comprises a second optical memory reading and writing device.

### Claim 31 (depends on 27)

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first reading and writing device further comprises a magneto-optical memory reading and writing device.

### Claim 32

A process for recording and tracking non-invasive physiological test data comprising the steps of:
detecting the non-invasive physiological test data of an individual;
recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data on a first transportable device adapted to receive and hold non-invasive physiological test data;
recording the date of each recording of non-invasive physiological test data on the first transportable device;
limiting the duration, number of recordings made, or both on the first transportable device to a first period of time;
deactivating the first transportable device after the first period of time; and
reactivating the first transportable device to store a second period of time comprising a duration, number of recordings made, or both.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The process of claim 32, wherein the step of detecting the non-invasive physiological test data of an individual further comprises the steps of:
the systolic blood pressure of the individual;
the diastolic blood pressure of the individual;
the pulse rate of the individual;
the respiration rate of the individual;
the blood oxygen level of the individual;
the blood glucose level of the individual;
the blood cholesterol level of the individual;
one or more blood enzyme levels of the individual;
indications and a log of one or more classes of cardiac arrythmias of the individual;
the weight of the individual;
the percent body fat of the individual; and
the bone density of the individual.

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The process of claim 32, wherein the step of limiting the duration and number of recordings made on the first transportable device to a first period of time further comprises the steps of:
at the time of reactivating of the first transportable device, writing an expiration date of the first period of time onto the first transportable device;
at the time of routine use by a user, reading the expiration date of the first period of time stored on the first transportable device;
at the time of routine use by a user, comparing the expiration date to the current date;
when the expiration date has been passed at the time of routine use by a user, notifying the user of the first transportable device that said device requires reactivating.

### Claim 35

A process for recording and tracking non-invasive physiological test data comprising the steps of:
detecting the non-invasive physiological test data of an individual;
recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data on a first transportable device adapted to receive and hold non-invasive physiological test data;
recording the date of each recording of non-invasive physiological test data on the first transportable device;
deactivating the first transportable device after a first predetermined number of readings, after a first predetermined duration, or both; and
reactivating the first transportable device to store a second predetermined number of readings, a second predetermined duration, or both;
wherein the step of recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data on a first transportable device further comprises the steps of:
at the time of routine use by a user, reading the expiration date on the first transportable device;
at the time of routine use by a user, comparing the expiration date to the current date; and
when the expiration date has not been passed at the time of routine use by a user, recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data on the first transportable device.

### Claim 36

A process for recording and tracking non-invasive physiological test data comprising the steps of:
detecting the non-invasive physiological test data of an individual;
recording the detected non-invasive physiological test data on a first transportable device adapted to receive and hold non-invasive physiological test data;
recording the date of each recording of non-invasive physiological test data on the first transportable device;
deactivating the first transportable device after a first predetermined number of readings, after a first predetermined duration, or both; and
reactivating the first transportable device to store a second predetermined number of readings, a second predetermined duration, or both;
wherein the step of reactivating the first transportable device further comprises the steps of:
at the time of authorization of additional reactivation operations for one or more first transportable devices, writing a count of reactivation operations available onto a second transportable device;
at the time of reactivation of the first transportable device, reading a count of reactivation operations available from the second transportable device;
at the time of reactivation of the first transportable device, decrementing the count of reactivation operations available;
when the count of reactivation operations available has reached zero, notifying the operator that the second transportable device requires authorization of further reactivation operations; and
when the count of reactivation operations available has not reached zero, writing the expiration date of the second period of time onto the first transportable device.

### Claim 37

An apparatus for recording and tracking usage information comprising:
a machine for automatically detecting parameters of usage of a service, resource or object;
means for recording parameters of the detected usage on a first transportable device adapted to receive and hold usage data;
means for limiting the duration, number of recordings made, or both on the first transportable device to a first period of time, wherein the first transportable device ceases to record non-invasive physiological test data once a predetermined limit for the first period of time is exceeded;
means for reactivating the first transportable device to extend the first period of time to a second period of time;
means for limiting the duration, number of recordings made on the first transportable device, or combination thereof to a second period of time;
means for preventing access to or alteration of any component of the records of usage information;
wherein reactivating the first transportable device to extend the first period of time to a second period of time permits continued recording of non-invasive physiological test data until a predetermined limit for the second period of time is reached.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the parameters of usage comprise the time, date, and location of the usage.

### Claim 39 (depends on 37)

The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the service, resource, or object is selected from the list consisting of:
passage on a transit conveyance;
borrowing of a book, recording, or other document; and
rental of a piece of equipment.

### Claim 40 (depends on 37)

The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the means for preventing access to or alteration of any component of the records of non-invasive physiological test data further comprises a means for encryption of the records of usage information.

### Claim 41 (depends on 37)

The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the means for preventing access to or alteration of any component of the records of non-invasive physiological test data further comprises a means for decryption of the records of usage information.

### Claim 42 (depends on 37)

The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the means for preventing access to or alteration of any component of the records of non-invasive physiological test data further comprises a means for destroying the records of usage information.