Facial Recognition EHR Access via Blockchain Trust

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency medical services face challenges in quickly and securely accessing electronic health records (EHRs) of unconscious or non-communicative patients, with existing methods being slow, invasive, or insecure, and there is a need for a system that can identify patients, locate their EHRs, and transmit HIPAA-protected data securely.

Innovation Solution

The ERinfo platform uses a facial recognition module, a recognized patient broadcast module, and a blockchain trusted identification module to automatically identify patients and securely transmit their EHRs to authorized emergency medical services providers, establishing a trust pathway for secure and instantaneous access to vital information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If facial recognition is used to identify patients, then identification speed and accuracy are improved, but security and privacy protection become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient identification accuracyVSAvoidprivacy breach risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a trusted broker between facial recognition technology and EHR databases. This intermediary validates identification results, manages access permissions, and ensures HIPAA compliance before allowing data access, thus mediating between the speed/accuracy benefits of facial recognition and the security/privacy requirements of medical data protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a temporary copy of patient identification data in the form of a digital identifier or token that can be used to access EHR without storing or transmitting actual facial images or sensitive personal information. This copying approach allows rapid identification while protecting original biometric data from exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If EHR access is restricted to maintain security, then data protection is improved, but access speed for emergency treatment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidEHR access time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing trust relationships, digital signatures, and access permissions before emergency situations occur. Patient consent forms and authorized provider credentials are validated in advance, allowing immediate access during emergencies without compromising security through real-time verification delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service mechanisms where authorized providers can automatically access EHR data through pre-configured digital credentials and trust pathways without requiring manual approval or complex authentication during emergencies. The system autonomously validates permissions and grants access based on pre-established rules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If manual verification methods are used to ensure patient identity, then security is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentity verification accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with automated electronic systems. Facial recognition algorithms, digital signature verification, and automated credential validation substitute for manual ID checking and paperwork verification, maintaining high reliability while dramatically reducing verification time from minutes to seconds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If encrypted transmission protocols are implemented, then data security is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission securityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements universal encrypted communication protocols that serve multiple functions simultaneously: securing patient data transmission, validating provider credentials, establishing trust relationships, and ensuring HIPAA compliance. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating security requirements into a single standardized framework rather than implementing separate mechanisms for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10622104B2System and method utilizing facial recognition with online (social) network to access casualty health information in an emergency situation

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 FINKELSTEIN DAVID ALAN

AI summary

A system, method, and computer program product for automatically identifying a casualty and matching an electronic health record (EHR) to the casualty. A casualty identification is determined by matching a presenting image of the casualty with one of a master image or a social media profile image of the casualty. A recognized patient broadcast module (RPBM) is configured to query one or more electronic health records (EHR) service providers for the existence of an EHR corresponding the identified casualty and automatically communicate the existence of the EHR to the EMS provider. A blockchain trusted identification module (BTIM) is configured to establish a trust relationship between the EMS provider and the one or more EHR service providers to establish a trusted pathway for delivery of the casualty's EHR to the EMS provider. With the casualty's EHR emergency responders to can provide better care for the casualty in an emergency situation.