Monitoring remote smart devices with protected health information with integrated hardware and software, and systems and methods therefor
Disclosed are Internet-of-Things (IoT) methods, systems, and devices for determining that health monitoring automated biometric data acquisition devices, the networks to which they are connected, and other connected electrical devices are correctly powered, using normal power levels, able to communicate their results over various communications networks, and can notify people and/or systems of a failure of any of these conditions either in real time or on a deferred time basis. Communications to users regarding such failures are controlled using authorization rules, which may be HIPAA-compliant.
1. An internet-of-things device for monitoring the status of an electrical device, and communicating with a monitoring device, comprising:
a processor having a memory,
a wireless telecommunication channel coupled to said processor,
a socket for connecting to the electrical device, and
a current measuring device coupled to said socket and said processor,
wherein said processor is configured to:
receive a current sensing signal from said current measuring device, wherein said current sensing signal is an electrical device current measurement calculated from a voltage measured by said current measuring device,
determine a status of the attached electrical device based on said current sensing signal and a deviation from a specified power level for the electrical device, and
transmit a periodic signal based on said status for transmission on said wireless telecommunication channel to the monitoring device.
2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein:
said periodic signal is a status signal indicating whether said electrical device is drawing power.
3. A device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an indicator for showing that said wireless communication channel is connected to the monitoring device.
4. A device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an indicator for showing that said IoT is connected to power.
5. A device according to claim 1 , wherein:
said socket is a USB connector.
6. A device according to claim 1 , wherein:
said periodic signal is a status signal indicating whether said electrical device is deviating from normal power consumption.
7. A device according to claim 1 , wherein:
said socket is a stereo jack socket.
8. A device according to claim 1 , wherein:
said wireless communication channel is a communications network.
9. A device according to claim 1 , wherein:
said wireless communication channel is one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and cellular internet.
10. A method of securely operating an internet-of-things (IoT) device for a user to monitor the status of an electrical device for providing care to an individual under care, comprising:
providing a monitoring device having a processor, a memory, and a display,
storing, in said memory of said monitoring device, the user's access profile, one or more caseloads, and one or more roles associated with the user,
providing an IoT device having
a processor having a memory,
a wireless telecommunication channel coupled to said processor,
a socket for connecting to the attached electrical device, and
a current measuring device coupled to said socket and said processor,
connecting the electrical device to the IoT device,
detecting, by the IoT device, the connection to the electrical device,
calculating, by the IoT device's current measuring device sensor, an
electrical device current measurement calculated from a voltage measured by said current measuring device,
determining, by said processor, a status of the electrical device based on said current measurement and a deviation from a specified power level for the electrical device,
sending, by the IoT device's wireless communication channel, a periodic status signal to the monitoring device,
receiving, by said monitoring device, said periodic status signal,
determining, by said monitoring device, whether said periodic status signal has been disrupted,
determining, by said monitoring device, whether the user is authorized to access information pertaining to the individual, wherein the determination is based on at least the access profile, the one or more caseloads and the one or more roles associated with the user and the type of information pertaining to the individuals, providing an alert to the authorized user that the periodic status signal, associated with the electrical device for providing care to the individual under care, has been disrupted.
11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein:
said information is personal health information.
12. A method according to claim 10 , wherein:
said determining of user access authorization is HIPAA-compliant.
13. A method according to claim 10 , wherein:
said electrical device is a biometric data acquisition device.
14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein:
said biometric data acquisition device is one of an incontinence monitor, a blood glucose monitor, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure cuff, a temperature monitor, a sports watch, a sleep mat, a pulse oximeter, a normally-open or normally-closed relay, a weight scale, and a camera.
15. A method according to claim 10 , wherein:
said electrical device is a life support device.
16. A method according to claim 10 , wherein:
said electrical device is one of a refrigerator and an air conditioner.
17. A method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
storing the status signal in a database of said monitoring device.
18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein:
said storing of the status signal in said database is HIPAA-compliant.
19. A method of securely operating an internet-of-things (IoT) device for monitoring the status of an electrical device, comprising:
providing an IoT device having
a processor having a memory,
a wireless telecommunication channel coupled to said processor,
a socket for connecting to an electrical device, and
a current measuring device coupled to said socket and said processor,
connecting the electrical device to the IoT device,
detecting, by the IoT device, the connection to the electrical device, calculating, by the IoT device's current measuring device, an electrical device current measurement calculated from a voltage measured by said current measuring device,
determining, by said processor, a status of the electrical device based on said current measurement and a deviation from a specified power level for the electrical device,
providing an application server having a memory, providing a broker server,
sending to a first authentication topic in the broker server, via the wireless communication channel of the IoT device, a message containing the IoT device's identity,
subscribing, by the application server, to said authentication topic, verifying, by the application server, said device identity is stored within said memory of said application server,
sending, by said application server, a message to a second topic in said broker server,
sending, to said IoT device via said wireless communication channel, said message,
sending, by said IoT device via said wireless communication channel to said application server, electrical device status data.
20. A method according to claim 19 , further comprising:
Subscribing, by said IoT device, to a third topic on said broker server, providing a user interface,
uploading, via said user interface, a firmware file to said application server, saving, in said memory of said application server, said firmware file,
publishing, by said application server, a firmware notification message to said third topic on said broker server,
receiving, by said IoT device subscribed to said third topic, said firmware notification message.