Guardian-Dependent Correlation for Automated Check-in
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated registration and check-in systems in healthcare and other facilities often cannot accommodate families with children, as they lack identification methods beyond credit cards, and do not verify user identities, posing challenges in accurately identifying and processing registrations, especially for sick children.
Innovation Solution
A system that correlates dependent records with a guardian's personal identifier, allowing guardians to check in dependents, schedule appointments, and access health care services using a credit card, driver's license, or other identification methods, and optionally biometric identifiers, through a kiosk connected to a healthcare database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated check-in systems use credit card identification only, then system simplicity and ease of operation are improved, but adaptability to accommodate families with children deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows a guardian's credit card to serve multiple functions: identifying the guardian themselves and simultaneously identifying multiple dependent children associated with that card. This multi-functionality enables the system to accommodate families while maintaining the simplicity of credit card-based operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the identification function by separating the guardian's identification (via credit card) from the dependents' identification (via association in database). The credit card reader identifies the guardian, and the system then retrieves associated dependent information from the database, allowing children to be checked in without individual cards.
2Productivity
If automated systems process registrations quickly, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision of user identity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guardian's dependent children are pre-associated with the guardian's credit card information in the database before the check-in process. When the guardian presents their card, the system immediately retrieves the pre-associated dependent list, enabling quick processing without compromising identity verification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The database serves as an intermediary that stores and verifies the relationship between the guardian's credit card and their dependents. This intermediary layer ensures accurate identity matching while allowing rapid processing, as the verification logic is pre-established in the database rather than computed in real-time at the point of check-in.
3Loss of time
If automated check-in systems are implemented, then loss of time in registration is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables guardians to check in their own children without requiring manual intervention from staff. The credit card reader automatically identifies the guardian, retrieves associated dependents from the database, and completes the check-in process autonomously, reducing both time loss and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the guardian check-in function with the dependent check-in function into a single transaction. When the guardian's credit card is read, the system simultaneously processes the guardian's identification and retrieves the list of associated dependents, allowing multiple children to be checked in with a single card swipe rather than requiring separate processing for each individual.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for identifying patients using common forms of identification, and specifically readable personal identifiers such as credit cards, and for identifying dependents through a guardian's personal identification. The guardian registers the account with a health care database, and associates the dependent patients with the account. Thereafter, the guardian can process healthcare services for the guardian by providing a readable identifier identifying the account. As a result, the guardian can register the dependent patient for an appointment through a kiosk or other publicly accessible terminal, and can also access scheduling or other services.