Method and circuit for storing and providing historical physiological data
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to pulse oximetry. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter sensor comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to detect the light a memory storing data, and a changeable encryption key to facilitate scrambling the data to make the data inaccessible to devices that are without an appropriate decryption mechanism.
1. An oximeter system, comprising:
an oximeter sensor, comprising:
a light emitting element configured to emit light;
a light detector configured to detect the light; and
a memory storing data encrypted by a changeable encryption key to make the data inaccessible to devices that are without an appropriate decryption mechanism; and
an oximeter monitor, comprising:
a drive circuit configured to provide signals to circuitry of the oximeter sensor;
a receiving circuit configured to receive the encrypted data from the oximeter sensor; and
a decryption mechanism corresponding to the changeable encryption key, the decryption mechanism capable of decrypting the encrypted data, wherein the decryption mechanism comprises a communication device configured to network with an external system and to access a public key stored on the external system, the public key corresponding to the changeable encryption key.
2. The oximeter system of claim 1 , wherein the memory of the oximeter sensor stores an ambient light measurement.
3. The oximeter system of claim 1 , wherein the encrypted data includes a change to the changeable encryption key.
4. An oximeter monitor, comprising:
a drive circuit configured to provide signals to circuitry of an oximeter sensor;
a receiving circuit configured to receive data from a memory of the oximeter sensor; and
a decryption mechanism corresponding to a changeable encryption key of the oximeter sensor, the decryption mechanism facilitating communication of the data between the oximeter sensor and the oximeter monitor and wherein the decryption mechanism comprises a communication device configured to network with an external system and to access a public key stored on the external system, the public key corresponding to the changeable encryption key.
5. A method of monitor operation, comprising:
providing signals to circuitry of an oximeter sensor;
receiving data from a memory of the oximeter sensor; and
facilitating communication of the data between the oximeter sensor and the oximeter monitor by decrypting the data with a decryption mechanism corresponding to a changeable encryption key of the oximeter sensor and wherein facilitating communication includes networking with an external system and accessing a public key stored on the external system, the public key corresponding to the changeable encryption key of the oximeter sensor.
6. A method of manufacturing an oximeter sensor, comprising:
providing a light emitting element;
providing a light detector;
providing sensor operational data;
scrambling the sensor operational data with a changeable encryption key to make the data inaccessible to devices that are without an appropriate decryption mechanism;
storing the scrambled data on a sensor memory;
manipulating the changeable encryption key to make the data inaccessible to a device that previously had the appropriate decryption mechanism; and
assembling the light emitting element, the light detector, the sensor memory and the sensor operational data as the oximeter sensor.