Optical Image Processing for Wireless Medical Alert Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently interoperate between medical alert items and wireless telephones to provide and deliver medical information effectively, especially in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

An image-controlled communication system where a wireless communication device optically receives and processes images from medical items, such as bracelets, to generate data that includes voice messages and communication instructions, enabling automatic transmission of critical information via wireless links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If medical alert items display medical information statically, then medical personnel can access information, but the system cannot efficiently transmit emergency messages automatically

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem interoperability complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual information delivery (mechanical interaction between medical personnel and alert items) with an automated optical recognition system. The wireless communication device uses an optical receiver to automatically scan and decode bar codes on medical alert items, converting static visual information into actionable digital data that triggers automatic emergency message transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary wireless communication device that bridges medical alert items and emergency services. This device acts as a mediator by optically receiving data from alert items, processing the information, and automatically initiating communication with medical personnel or emergency services, thereby enabling efficient interoperability without direct human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If wireless telephones manually scan bar codes, then data can be retrieved, but automatic message transmission cannot be initiated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic message transmissionVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the wireless communication device with automated protocols. When the optical receiver scans a bar code on a medical alert item, the system is pre-programmed to automatically interpret the data, format an emergency message, and initiate transmission without requiring manual user input beyond the initial scanning action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the wireless communication device to autonomously complete the entire emergency message transmission process. After optically receiving data from the medical alert item, the device independently processes the information, generates the appropriate message, and transmits it to emergency services without requiring continuous user intervention or complex operational steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If optical reception is used to receive images, then data can be captured quickly, but automatic processing and transmission require system integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata capture speedVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated wireless communication device. The device combines the optical receiver for rapid image capture, the processor for automatic data interpretation, and the communication interface for message transmission. This consolidation enables seamless integration where the captured image data flows directly through processing to automatic transmission, maintaining high speed while managing system complexity through unified architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates the efficient delivery of medical information and emergency messages by automatically processing and transmitting encoded data from medical alert items, ensuring timely and accurate communication to medical personnel or emergency services.

Implementation Method 1

A wireless communication device optically receives and processes the received image to generate image data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reception: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8254785B1Optical image processing to wirelessly transfer a voice message
Publication Date: 2012.08.28 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC
  • US8254785B1 patent drawing
  • US8254785B1 patent drawing
  • US8254785B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An image encodes a voice message and communication data for delivery of the voice message. A wireless communication device optically receives and processes the received image to generate image data. The image data represents the voice message and indicates the communication data. The wireless communication device processes the image data, and in response, wirelessly transmits the voice message for delivery based on the communication data.