KR19980035155A - Global emergency medical and telecommunications systems and methods for delivering health information via credit card transaction terminals located in emergency rooms, ambulances and other remote locations worldwide - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wide area emergency medical information communication system and a method for delivering medical information through an emergency room, an ambulance, and other credit card transaction terminals at remote locations all over the world. Various embodiments described herein include a medical information database capable of delivering medical information to a transaction terminal. The system and method use existing public switched telephone networks, existing credit networks, and other networks to communicate medical information.

In accordance with the present invention, a subscriber of the present system may swipe (i.e., scratch) a subscriber card, a registered credit card, or any other registered access card at a credit card transaction terminal. The request is then sent to the central medical information database via the public switched telephone network or the existing credit network. The database then verifies the card and delivers the relevant subscriber medical information to be printed at the transaction terminal and / or the designated facsimile device through each network.

Description

Global emergency medical and telecommunications systems and methods for delivering health information via credit card transaction terminals located in emergency rooms, ambulances and other remote locations worldwide

The present invention relates to a medical information communication system for distributing individual personal medical information to emergency rooms, ambulances, and other remote locations scattered all over the world through a globally standardized credit card transaction terminal connected to a new or existing global information network inexpensively System and method.

Recognizing that rapid access to individual personal medical files and / or medical histories is crucial in order to provide timely and effective treatment to the victim or person in the global community through the global medical community. Due to personal mobility and global movement, this approach is quite difficult using existing technologies. The current proposed system for providing medical information is a costly communication system that can be connected to a central database for reading and updating records of portable patients (see, for example, Prichard US Pat. Nos. 4,491, 725 and Barber (US Pat. No. 4,858,121 to Barber et al.), Or for the creation of special purpose computer systems (smart cards, microchip cards, etc.) Other systems for delivering emergency medical information include a telephone response or a fax However, none of these systems can be used in a cost-effective and efficient way, using existing global systems and cheap, comprehensively available standardized credit card transaction terminals and printers, It is important to send medical information immediately to an ambulance or other remote location, The international credit card transaction network is now available, which can immediately send a credit approval authorization code to any location with a credit card transaction terminal globally, The transaction network only sends a credit approval authorization code and does not provide delivery of medical or other information.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting information around the world using a credit card transaction terminal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transmitting information to the world using an existing credit card transaction network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for sending medical information worldwide to emergency rooms, ambulances and other remote locations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for sending medical information worldwide to a credit card transaction terminal using an on-demand or conventional credit card, magnetic strip card, integrated circuit card, bar code card or other form of access card (collectively an access card) System and method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for sending medical information and image files to any designated fax machine using a credit card transaction terminal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for transferring medical information and image files using existing unmodified credit card transaction terminals.

The present invention (now known as MEDBANK) has a centralized medical information system capable of delivering emergency medical information and image files to credit card transaction terminals and fax machines located in emergency rooms, ambulances and other remote locations, And is provided to one person. The present invention can be constructed using new or existing information networks and / or new or existing transaction terminals, thus enabling global configuration and distribution of simple and flexible medical information.

Preferably, a person interested in medical information delivered to a remote location subscribes to a service that utilizes the medical information system used. The subscriber's medical and image files are stored in a central medical information database accessible from the central medical information system. Medical information includes emergency contact name and telephone number, doctor's name and telephone number, drug response, allergy, medication, and additional relevant information, including EKG, MRI, X-ray film image files and other medical image records can do.

Each subscriber is also issued an access card (MEDBANK card), a card number, and a personal I.D number (PIN) to access the medical information database through the central system. Alternatively or additionally, the subscriber may register his or her existing credit card, health service card, driver's license or other access card with the medical information system. Thereafter, the person can retrieve the medical information at the remote location using the issued access card or the registered access card.

In a first embodiment, a person scratches his MEDBANK card against an on-demand card transaction terminal (MEDBANK terminal) that is located in an emergency room, ambulance, or other remote location. In this embodiment, the MEDBANK terminal is a dedicated medical history terminal that can not process credit card transactions. The MEDBANK terminal dials the central medical information system to identify the cardholder and requests the medical information stored in the database to be delivered to the terminal. The central database verifies the subscription card and sends the person's medical information to the desired location to be printed on the installed or combined terminal printer after the person enters the PIN. The printout format is similar to credit card receipt, although it is longer in time so that a person's complete medical record can be printed. Alternatively or additionally, information according to the image file may be forwarded to the designated fax machine.

In the second embodiment, a person can scratch the MEDBANK terminal using an access card different from the existing credit card registered in the central medical information system. The MEDBANK terminal dials the central system to identify the card number and requests medical information to be delivered to the MEDBANK terminal. The central database then compares the card number against the index table to determine whether the number is equal to the subscriber registration card number. If a match is found, the central database delivers the applicable medical information to the desired location, for example a terminal printer or a designated fax machine.

In a third embodiment, a person scratches his MEDBANK to a networked credit card transaction terminal preprogrammed to accept the MEDBANK card. In this embodiment, instead of dialing the merchant bank, the credit card transaction terminal normally processes the credit card transaction, and the transaction terminal directly dials the MEDBANK medical information system. That is, it is a split dial. The database then verifies the card number and sends the applicable medical information directly to the existing transaction terminal print and / or designated fax machine.

Alternatively, in the fourth embodiment, instead of the above-mentioned split dialing, the MEDBANK central database system becomes a member bank in the credit distance network. In this embodiment, the credit card transaction terminal calls the merchant bank computer system connected to the terminal to provide the card in such a manner that the transaction terminal processes the credit card transaction. Thereafter, the Merchant Bank system also provides a centralized credit system, for example Master Card , VISA , Or American Express , It sends an information request to the central credit computer system. The central credit computer system then sends the request to the MEDBANK central data system in the same manner that the central credit computer system sends the credit approval request to the customer bank computer system. Thereafter, the database prints on the transaction terminal that verifies the card and resends the requested medical information over the existing credit card network and initializes. The requested medical information may also be communicated directly from the database (again, not via the credit card network) by dialing again through the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to the terminal or designated fax machine.

In the fifth embodiment, a person scratches a MEDBANK card or an existing registration card to an existing credit card transaction terminal pre-programmed to accept a request for medical information. In this embodiment, the programmable key on the transaction terminal is pressed to indicate that the next request to the transaction terminal is a medical information request that is not a credit card transaction. The transaction terminal can either call the medical database system directly by split dialing as described above or send a request to the credit card network system to route the next MEDBANK card number or credit card number to the central medical database system as described above Display. The medical database system then verifies the card and sends the requested medical information back through the existing credit network to the initial transaction terminal or the designated pass device. As in other embodiments, the requested medical information may also be communicated directly from the central database to the terminal or designated fax machine via the public switched telephone network.

In the sixth embodiment, a central medical information system is registered in an existing transaction terminal. In particular, the transaction terminal ID. And a telephone number corresponding to the fax machine closest to the transaction terminal are registered in the medical information system. When a person scrapes MEDBANK on a registered transaction terminal, the terminal dials into the corresponding merchant bank, which sends a request to the central credit computer system, which in turn sends a request to the medical information system. The medical information system then checks the transaction identification number with an index to determine the corresponding designated fax machine associated with the transaction terminal. The medical information system then dials the fax machine and sends the corresponding medical information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram of two embodiments of the present invention using a MEDBANK terminal in handling a request for medical information using the MEDBANK.

2 is a block diagram of two alternative embodiments of the present invention in which a network card transaction terminal is preprogrammed to receive MEDBANK cards to receive medical information.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention in which a preprogrammed network credit card transaction terminal includes a medical information request function for sending a request for medical information to a central medical information system.

4 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention using an existing transaction terminal to request medical information received by a designated fax machine;

5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a central medical information system;

6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the MEDBANK transaction terminal;

7 is a flow chart showing the operation of a preprogrammed transaction terminal;

8 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a preprogrammed transaction terminal including a medical request key of the terminal.

9 shows a transaction terminal printout of medical information;

Description of the Related Art [0002]

1: Terminal 3: Central medical information system

5: computer system 9: medical database

11: Public telephone network 13: MEDBANK terminal

15: MEDBANK subscriber card 17: credit card

19: Facsimile

1 to 4, a central medical information system 3 (see FIG. 1) including a computer system 5 having a plurality of terminals 1 and an associated medical information database P in common to various embodiments of the present invention ) Or host is used. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the central medical information system may be a mainframe computer system, a minicomputer system, a personal computer system, or preferably a network of various computer systems.

In view of cost efficiency, currently preferred hardware is at least two Acer / Altos P7000 multiprocessor computers connected by a pre-line. The current preferred operating system is the SCO open server Enterprise UNIX, which is designed to meet the C2 level of trust specified by the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, hardware and operating systems are not unique, and various types of systems may be used to construct a medical information system in accordance with the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the system containing its associated medical information database is equipped with a commercial database engine, such as Sculptor, and the programs that access and maintain the database are written in Sculptor 4th Generation Language and the C programming language. Without compromising the current preferred database engine and programming language, the system can be tailored to the size of the system. Preferably, the system is implemented with an asynchronous symmetric responsive database configuration using N (any number two or more) system network servers. In addition, servers are installed at various geographical locations to reduce exposure to faults, and high-speed digital communications circuits are used when interconnecting.

The database 9 contains relevant records for all medical information, including medical image files associated with each MEDBANK subscriber. Multiple indexes are maintained for each record providing a rapid combination of medical history and long-term history or snapshot (s) summarized for any given time series. The long-term history provides a collection of events that have been maintained over time in relation to medical records. For example, the long-term history of the blood pressure includes an entry for each hour in which the blood pressure of the subscriber is recorded by age. The new blood pressure reading is recorded after the previous recording as an additional record rather than as a final reading. This enables reconfiguration of the state at any point in time and provides a record of the created report of all the entries.

The data is input to any terminal 1 on any node of the central system network and then asynchronously replicated to all other nodes by use of the attached logging file. Each entry to the database simultaneously generates log entries on the node. Log entries are replicated to all other nodes and combined with the database of that node. If the node is unavailable for some reason, the log entries are scaled until the node is normalized again.

Modifications to entries in the database are not allowed to ensure that data is completely and completely managed. The change of information is accomplished by an entry in the additional record linked to the long-term chain for that MEDBANK subscriber. For example, when an address is changed, a new address record remains, and this is collected as a record of the current state. The previous address can be used permanently without change.

The present invention relates to delivering medical information stored in a medical information database to a credit card transaction terminal located in emergency rooms, ambulances and other remote locations worldwide. The present invention also relates to delivering medical information or image files to designated fax machines. Further, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, information once delivered to a transaction terminal may be captured and used in other information systems within, for example, a central hospital patient record information system.

1 is a block diagram illustrating two embodiments of a delivery system of the present invention. The first embodiment uses the MEDBANK subscriber card 15 and the second embodiment uses any current credit card or, for example, American Express , Discover , MasterCard , Or VISA Another access card such as a credit card 17 is used. As shown in Fig. 1, the central medical information system 3 is connected to the public switched telephone network 1 in a known manner. In addition, a series of customer MEDBANK terminals 13 are connected to the telephone network 11. The MEDBANK terminal is equipped with a Verifone Tranz 460 transaction terminal programmed to operate as a MEDBANK terminal. Any other current commercial credit card transaction terminal can be used if the terminal is equipped with 32K bytes of programmable memory, a modem, a card swipe, a keyboard and a printer. Also, the optional fax machine 19 can be used for delivery of medical information, specifically medical image files.

In the first embodiment, the MEDBANK subscriber card 15 is used. Preferably, the MEDBANK card is any known commercial credit card, for example VISA Size and design are the same as credit card. In addition, the position and size of the magnetic strip are standardized and the format of the data on the strip is in accordance with the American Banking Association Track II Standard listed in the following table.

Table 1

Start mark 1 character (02H)

Account number Up to 19 numeric characters (0 to 9)

Field separator 1 character (1CH)

Expiration date 4 characters (MMYY)

Discretionary Date Account number, expiration date, and

If the sum exceeds 36 characters

Can not be done.

End marker 1 character (03H)

Redundancy check 1 character (LRC)

Preferably, the first four through six numbers indicate the system and the issuer, the next group number is the actual member identification number, i.e. the subscriber access number, and the last number is the check number obtained with the LUNN base ten algorithm.

In the first embodiment, a subscriber to the MEDBANK service, or another person, scratches the MEDBANK card against the MEDBANK transaction terminal 13 located in the emergency room, ambulance, and other remote locations. As in many embodiments, a person has the option of using the terminal keyboard to communicate information bound to the access card. In this embodiment, the MEDBANK terminal modem dials to establish a connection with the medical information system, identifies the card holder, and requests the medical information stored in the database to be transmitted to the MEDBANK terminal. Then, the central database is verified with the subscription card, and the medical information of the person is transmitted to the transaction terminal to be printed upon entry of the PIN of the person. A sample of the transaction terminal printout is shown in FIG. Alternatively, the transaction terminal operator may send the medical information to be delivered to the designated fax machine 19. The Central Medical Information System (3) then dials individually to the designated or other selected fax machine and sends the medical information and / or image file in a known manner using existing wire, sled, radio, or other telephone system.

5 is a high level flow diagram of a program used to operate the central medical information system of the multiple embodiments. The system is initiated by receipt of an incoming call. The central system and the terminal modem exchange handshaking signals and establish a communication link between the terminal and the host using an appropriate CCITT or Bell standard method to synchronize their transmission rates and protocols. The host then sends a Request to Send character. The terminal responds to a request packet consisting of a terminal and an identification code of a number and a secret code. The host first checks the checksum of the packet to see if the data is complete, and checks the request packet against the checksum transmitted from the terminal.

The host then justifies the terminal identification and safety information in the host database with this data. Finally, the host reviews number identification and safety information for validity. If an error occurs during transmission, multiple attempts are made to retransmit the data. If the communication error is dominant or if any of the safety criteria are violated, the host will abort the continuation and report that the attempt to gain access was unsuccessful.

When a request packet is received, the host collects the requested subscriber's data from the database, formats it for the specified terminal print, and sends the data to the terminal, one at a time, in the form of a data packet. Each data packet includes checksum examined by the terminal to ensure successful data transmission. If the checksum is valid, the terminal sends an acknowledgment signal, otherwise it sends an acknowledgment signal. The host sends the data packet again upon receipt of the disapproval signal.

After the terminal confirms the transmission of the last data packet, the host transmits the End of Transmission character and terminates the continuation.

6 is a high level flow chart of a program used to operate a MEDBANK transaction terminal. The operation of the terminal is initiated by inserting and scratching the card into the Card Swipe Slot. The terminal then reviews the validity of the basic member identification number according to the criteria set for the number range and structure. Subsequently, the terminal user inputs the PIN of the subscriber for confidentiality assurance. The terminal then dials or otherwise initiates a connection with the host. The terminal and the host modem exchange the initial access signal and establish a communication link between the terminal and the host using the appropriate CCITT or Bell standard method to synchronize their transmission rates and protocols. The host then sends a Request to Send character.

The terminal constructs a data packet including secret data including its identification information and number, and the encoded PIN. The terminal then transmits this data packet to the host. The host responds with approval or disapproval. Upon receiving the disapproval, the terminal retransmits the data packet.

The host then sends a data packet containing the medical history to be printed at the terminal. Each data packet includes a checksum that the terminal checks to ensure that the correct data is received. If the checksum is not valid, the terminal sends an acknowledgment. The host retransmits the data packet upon receipt of the disapproval.

Upon receipt of the data packet, the terminal computes whether it has enough space to store the data packet in the print buffer. If space is available, the terminal stores the data packet and sends an acknowledgment signal to the host. If there is not enough room in the printer buffer for the data packet, the terminal prints the data until sufficient space is available to store the new data packet. The terminal then stores the packet and sends an acknowledgment signal. When the terminal receives the End of Transmission character from the host, it terminates the communication path and finishes printing or printing the received data.

In another embodiment, the registered credit card 17 or similar access card is scratched through the MEDBANK terminal 13. Subsequently, the MEDBANK terminal dials the central medical information system 3, identifies the card number, and requests the medical information to be transmitted to the MEDBANK terminal. Thereafter, the central system 3 inquires the corresponding card number in the index table to determine whether the corresponding number matches the credit card number registered by the subscriber. If they match, the central system sends the applicable medical information to a predetermined location, i. E., To the transaction terminal or fax machine as described above.

2 is a block diagram of two alternative embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, a person scratches the MEDBANK card to a prepaid network credit card transaction terminal 33 to accept a MEDBANK, a registered credit card, or a similar access card and perform a normal credit transaction. In this embodiment, the transaction terminal directly dials the MEDBANK medical information system via the public switched telephone network 11 because the credit card transaction terminal normally handles the credit card transaction instead of diverting to the merge bank. That is, it is a split dial. The database then verifies the card number and sends directly applicable medical information to the existing transaction terminal printer and / or designated fax machine 19.

7 is a high-level flow chart of a program used to operate the transaction terminal 33. Fig. The operation of the terminal is initiated by scratching the card through the card swipe slot. The terminal considers the validity of the basic member identification number according to the established numerical range and structure criteria. If the account number read from the card is within a predetermined range for the credit card, the terminal processes the standard credit card transaction using one of the well-known protocols in use.

If the accounting number read from the card is within the range specified for the medical input identification card, the terminal user immediately enters the security identification number (PIN). The terminal then dials or otherwise imitates the direct connection to the host or connection to the intermediate merchant bank or processor. If the connection is through the intermediary, all data packets are received and transmitted through the existing credit card processing infrastructure. Both the terminal and the host communicate through the intermediary even though they are directly connected.

The terminal modem and the host modem establish a communication line between the terminal and the host by exchanging handshaking signals using an appropriate CCITT or Bell standard to synchronize the transmission rate and the protocol. The host then sends a Request To Send character.

The terminal establishes a data packet containing security data including the identification information about itself and the member and the encoded PIN. The terminal then sends this data packet to the host. The host responds with an acknowledgment or negative acknowledgment. In the negative confirmation receiver, the terminal retransmits the data packet.

The host sends data packets containing the medical history to be printed at the terminal. Each data packet contains a checksum that the terminal checks to ensure that uncontaminated data has been received. If the checksum is not valid, the terminal transmits a negative acknowledgment. The host retransmits the data packet upon receiving a negative acknowledgment.

Once the data packet is received, the terminal computes whether there is enough space to store the packet in the printer buffer. If there is room, the terminal stores the data packet and sends a confirmation to the host. If there is not enough space in the printer buffer to store the data packet, the terminal prints the data until there is enough room to store the new data packet. The terminal then stores this new packet and sends an acknowledgment.

When the terminal receives the End of Transmission character from the host, the terminal terminates the communication path and prints the received data or ends the print job.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, a medical information request is sent to the central medical information system 3 via a credit transaction network instead of a split dialing. This medical information system (3) is registered as a member of the customer bank of the credit network. In this embodiment, the credit card transaction terminal 33 is programmed to call the merchant bank computer system 35 associated with the terminal, and stores the card information in the same manner as the transaction terminal 33 normally processes the credit card transaction . Thereafter, the merchant bank or credit clearing house 35, in the same manner as a normal credit card transaction, ), VISA , Or American Express ) Sends the information request to a centralized credit trading system 37, such as a centralized credit computer system. The central credit computer system 37 then sends the request to the medical information system 3 in the same manner that the central credit computer system again transmits the credit approval request to the customer bank computer system. The database then sends the requested medical information to the initiating transaction terminal, which is programmed to verify the card and print all of the downloaded medical information, over the existing credit network.

Further, when the transaction terminal is connected to the credit clerking house 35, the credit card system 37 can be alternatively sent directly to the medical information system 3 via the direct line 39 You can bypass.

Currently, existing credit card transaction networks have limited print back functionality. That is, only about 25 bytes of information can be printed again from the customer bank to the terminal without reprogramming the terminal. Such information typically includes a credit inquiry code and other information. In this alternative embodiment, the existing credit card transaction network may be changed and / or reprogrammed so that the complete medical history can be printed at the transaction terminal. Alternatively, by allowing the medical information system 3 to redial the terminal 33 via the public switched telephone network 11, the requested medical information can be redirected to the medical information system (not necessarily via a credit card network) 3 to the terminal or the designated facsimile machine via the public switched telephone network 11.

In another embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the MEDBANK card 15 or an existing registered credit card 17 is scratched from an existing credit card transaction terminal 43 preprogrammed to accept a medical information request (swipe). In this embodiment, the user presses the programmable key 44 of the transaction terminal to display on the transaction terminal that the subsequent request is not a credit card transaction but a medical information request. The transaction terminal displays a request for a credit transaction network system to call the database system directly by split dialing as described above, or to send a subsequent credit card number to the medical database system as described above. The medical database system 3 then verifies the card and transmits the requested medical information over the existing credit network for printing on the initiating transaction terminal or the designated facsimile machine. In other embodiments, the requested medical information may be communicated directly to the terminal or the designated facsimile device via the public switched telephone network 11. If the medical request key 44 is not pressed, the transaction operating terminal processes the credit transaction and transmits it to the cardholder bank 40 over the network.

FIG. 8 is a high-level block diagram of the operation of the transaction terminal 43. FIG. The operation of the terminal is started by passing the card through the card passage slot or by pressing the keyboard key (s) to indicate that the subsequent card passage is a medical history request. The terminal verifies the member identification number according to the criteria set for the numerical range and structure. If the accounting number read from the card is within a predetermined range for the credit card, and the keyboard request for medical history has not been pressed, the terminal processes the standard credit card transaction using one of the well-known protocols in use.

If the accounting number read from the card is within a predetermined range for the medical history identification card or if there is a keyboard request for the medical history, the terminal user immediately inputs a personal identification number (PIN) for security. The terminal then dials or otherwise initiates a connection to the host directly or to the intermediate merchant bank or processor. If the connection is through the intermediary, all data packets are received and transmitted through the existing credit network infrastructure. Both the terminal and the host communicate through the intermediary as if they were directly connected.

The terminal and the host modem establish a communication line between the terminal and the host by exchanging the initial access signal using the appropriate CCITT or Bell standard to synchronize the transmission rate and the protocol. The host then sends the send request character.

The terminal constructs a data packet containing security data including a flag (single character) that recognizes the identification information about itself and the member and the encoded PIN and the transaction as a medical record request. This flag is the same as that used to distinguish between manually entered credit card numbers and swiped credit transactions. In this application, this will be set to a unique state that specifies the medical history request.

The terminal then sends the data packet to the host. The host responds with confirmation or negative acknowledgment. Upon receipt of the negative acknowledgment, the terminal retransmits the data packet.

The host sends a data packet containing the medical history to be printed at the terminal. Each data packet contains a checksum that the terminal checks to ensure that uncontaminated data has been received. If the checksum is not valid, the terminal transmits a negative acknowledgment. The host retransmits the data packet upon receiving a negative acknowledgment.

When a data packet is received, the terminal computes whether there is enough space to store the packet in the printer buffer. If there is room, the terminal stores the data packet and sends a confirmation to the host. If there is not enough space in the printer buffer to store the data packet, the terminal prints the terminal until there is enough room to store the new data packet. The terminal then stores this new packet and sends a confirmation.

When the terminal receives the end-of-transfer character from the host, the terminal terminates the communication path and prints the received data or ends the print job.

In another embodiment, a registered transaction terminal system may be used to counter the need to reprogram an existing transaction terminal. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, if the person possesses the existing transaction terminal 53, the telephone number corresponding to the fax machine 55 closest to the terminal identification number (TID) in the medical information system 3 Can be registered. If the MEDBANK card 15, the registered credit card 17, or any other registered access card is passed at the transaction terminal, then the request is sent to the merchant bank or credit clearing house 35, the central credit system 37, And sent to the system 3 sequentially. Next, the medical information system first determines whether a particular transaction terminal is registered, and then, if registered, sets a TID for the TID table to determine how many times the designated designated fax machine telephone number is registered Check. Thereafter, the medical information system 3 dials the fax machine 55 to transmit the medical information to this apparatus.

Once an embodiment of the medical information system according to the present invention is in place, the usual requirement for medical information would be as follows (all times appoximate) is merely exemplary, It may vary depending on the installed system specification.

Time (minutes: seconds) case

00:00 Med Bank subscribers appeal for chest pain at restaurants.

00:30 The restaurant manager calls 911 and the Emergency Medical Service

(Energency Medical Services).

01:00 Subscribers can contact their manager with their MEDBANK card and access

Give the code.

01:30 Manager puts the card through the restaurant's credit card terminal

Scratches.

01:31 Terminal is a series of accounting numbers encoded on magnetic strips

To recognize this card as a MEDBANK card.

01:33 Then the terminal is assigned to the assigned computer access port

And sends the request to the credit card transaction network.

01:45 The credit card transaction network has its digital data network

And sends the request to MEDBANK.

01: 50MEDBANK's computer receives the request and sends it to the database

Retrieves the member data from the card, verifies the access card,

Format the response containing the emergency medical history of the subscriber.

01: 55MEDBANK Computers in restaurants credit card terminals

And sends the data to the addressed credit card transaction network.

02:00 The terminal informs the receiving printer of the emergency medical history of the subscriber

.

02:45 Printed

03: 00EMS has arrived and has become a drug allergy

Begin treatment immediately with knowledge of particle medical history

can do.

In the above example, if there was no credit card transaction terminal in the restaurant, the customer's card could be scratched from the wireless MEDBANK terminal in the ambulance, the MEDBANK terminal in the emergency room, or any other existing transaction terminal.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the present invention may be used to convey other information besides medical information through existing or new credit transaction networks. For example, the subscriber can print sports data, stock quotes, lottery tickets, personal messages, e-mail messages, etc. on the transaction terminal and / or the designated FAX device by scraping the access card in the transaction terminal.

While the present invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (24)

A method for transferring medical information from a central information system to a transaction terminal, a) operating the transaction terminal; b) establishing a connection between the transaction terminal and the central information system; And c) delivering the medical information from the central information system via the established connection to the transaction terminal And transmitting the medical information. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering medical information from the central information system to a facsimile machine assigned to the transaction terminal. The medical information delivery method according to claim 2, wherein the medical information includes an image file. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating step comprises swiping an access card at the transaction terminal. The medical information delivery method according to claim 2, wherein the access card is a credit card already registered in the central information system. The medical information delivery method according to claim 2, wherein the access card is a subscriber card already registered in the central information system. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection establishment step comprises using a modem of the transaction terminal to access a modem of the central information system. [8] The method of claim 7, wherein a connection from the modem of the transaction terminal to the modem of the central information system is performed through a public switched telephone network. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transaction terminal is capable of processing credit transactions. The method according to claim 1, wherein the central information system is a member of a credit transaction network, I) accessing the credit network; Ii) sending an information request over the network; And And iii) receiving and accepting the information request in the central information system. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transaction terminal can be used to process requests for both medical information and credit. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of connecting to the credit network step comprises activating a key of the transaction terminal. CLAIMS 1. A method for delivering medical information from a central information system registered as a member of a credit network to a location with a transaction terminal having an identification number registered in the central information system, an associated facsimile telephone number, and a facsimile machine, a) operating the transaction terminal; b) establishing a connection to the credit network; c) transmitting the transaction terminal identification number to the central information system via the credit network; d) determining a facsimile telephone number assigned to the transaction terminal identification number; e) using said assigned facsimile number to connect to said facsimile machine via a public switched telephone network; And f) delivering medical information to the facsimile device And transmitting the medical information. A system for delivering medical information, a) subscribers; b) a central medical information database for storing and retrieving subscriber medical information for said subscribers, said system being indexable and retrievable by said subscriber access number; And c) means for accessing the central medical information database, means for transmitting a subscriber access number to the central medical information database, and means for receiving and printing the subscriber's medical information indexed by the transmitted subscriber access number A transaction terminal having means And transmitting the medical information. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the connecting means uses an existing public switched telephone network to directly connect the transaction terminal to the central medical information database. 10. The terminal according to claim 9, wherein the connection means is interfaced to a credit transaction network to transmit the subscriber access number to the central medical information database via the network, and the receiving means is interfaced to the network, And receiving and printing the medical information. A card having an access card associated with the medical information database and a magnetic strip for storing and retrieving the access card at the transaction terminal. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the card is a credit card. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the card is a driver's license. keyboard; Program memory; Magnetic card swipe; modem; Related printers; And A processor for controlling the keyboard, the card swipe, the modem, and the printer in response to a program stored in the memory, Wherein the program controls the processor to activate the modem to access the medical information database and requests medical information corresponding to the access code retrieved from the card swipe or the keyboard, And is designed to print the requested information. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the program is also designed to use the keyboard, the printer, the modem, and the card swipe to process a credit transaction. Medical Information Database; A first network interface connecting the database to a network; And A transaction terminal having a second network interface for connecting a transaction terminal to the network, and means for requesting medical information from the database delivered to the printer via the network, And a medical information delivery system. 24. The medical information delivery system according to claim 22, wherein the network is a public switched telephone network. 24. The information delivery system according to claim 22, wherein the network is a credit transaction network.