Method and apparatus for health and disease management combining patient data monitoring with wireless internet connectivity
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for a wireless health monitoring system for interactively monitoring a disease or health condition of a patient by connecting a mobile phone to or with a digital camera and/or a medical monitoring device. The health related data or visual information from the camera is transmitted to a server using standard internet protocols and may be integrated with various operating systems for handheld or wireless devices, especially those with enhanced capabilities for handing images and visual data.
1 - 47 . (canceled)
48 . A system for monitoring heart rate of a user, comprising:
a. a heart rate monitor, the heart rate monitor having an infrared port for transmission of signals corresponding to the user's heart rate; and
b. b mobile phone, the mobile phone having an infrared port for receipt of the signals corresponding to the user's heart rate.
49 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the mobile phone has a display configured to display an indication of the signals corresponding to the user's heart rate.
50 . The system of claim 48 , further comprising a computer-readable medium, the medium containing a software application having instructions for causing a computer connected to the internet to:
a. receive the signals corresponding to the user's heart rate; and
b. display an indication of the signals corresponding to the user's heart rate.
51 . The system of claim 48 , wherein the heart rate monitor further comprises a heart sensor disposed on the patient's chest.
52 . A method of monitoring heart rate of a user, comprising:
a. measuring heart rate with a heart rate monitor;
b. transmitting the results of the heart rate measuring step to a mobile phone by transmitting the results from an infrared transmitter on the heart rate monitor to an infrared receiver on the mobile phone.
53 . The method of claim 522 , further comprising displaying the results of the heart rate measuring step on a display of the mobile phone.
54 . The method of claim 522 , further comprising receiving heart rate data from a sensor disposed on the chest of the user.