WO2007053885A1 - Method and apparatus for handling personal information - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to maintaining personal information for use by medical service providers. The user may display information (6) for use by medical service providers; allow another user to edit information (7) stored on the device (4); exit (8) an auto-run application and allow disengagement of the device (4) from processor means; or, enter into a memory device (9) not necessarily subjected to restricted access. The device when used in conjunction with a data processing system for displaying personal information carried thereon may use an AUTORUN feature. In editing ' stored information on device (4), a security password is required. Using layered security, a second user being a service provider might have digital signature based access to a part of the data without using the user password. The patient may authorize the practitioner to edit/view the information for the first time giving the particular practitioner permanent access to selected features of the patients device.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PERSONAL

INFORMATION FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the handling of personal information. In one form the present invention relates to a system for maintaining relevant personal information of a patient for use by medical service providers and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to the use of a portable memory device for wear by a patient that is capable of communicating with data processing means utilised by medical service providers. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention is not limited to that use, only. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Throughout this specification the use of the word "inventor" in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) or all (plural) inventors of the present invention, The inventor has identified the following related art.

In a medical emergency, a person that has been injured or suffered a critical medical event may not be able to provide either medical information, a medical profile or, even basic personal information to either a physician or emergency service provider. This may be the result of the person (hereinafter referred to as "patient") becoming unconscious, disoriented or otherwise disabled and unable to communicate effectively to other persons. Ambulance services spend a significant amount of time to diagnose a patient's situation when they are called to pick-up a patient in an emergency case for transport to the hospital. According to the ambulance services it is extremely important to know the patients past medical history while they are delivering the patient to the hospital.

There are many solutions that have been provided for this problem and include such systems as medical information cards that a patient may carry with them in a wallet or purse, or place in a known position in the home such as, for example, on display attached to the front of a refrigerator. One such system is the MedicAlert™ Emergency Medical Information Book in which the patient may record personal medical information such as known illnesses, allergies and also current medications. However, this information recorded in paper format may soon become outdated and in the absence of other persons such as the patient's own doctor or next of kin it becomes difficult to confirm highly relevant information for the treatment of the patient. Ambulance services have provided its members with similar booklets in which the patient's medical history is recorded. As above, the booklet is designed to be attached to the fridge by a simple magnet. This booklet cannot always be carried with the patient outside the home, which greatly limits its functionality and usage. This drawback is equally relevant to circumstances where a patient may be transferred from one treatment centre to another or from one practitioner to another or when the patient may require medical treatment or assistance when travelling. A high proportion of government medical care costs are spent on the older fraction of the population and medical costs along with care and treatment are of high financial load to the elderly community due to the inherent medical conditions that may come with age. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide access to relevant personal and/or medical information of a patient to avoid delays in treatment which may compound certain ailments and /or to improve the efficiency of providing relevant information relating to the patient to medical service providers in all circumstances for the patient.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. _ It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art on or before the priority date of the invention disclosed herein or, any claims defined herein. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus, which alleviates at least one disadvantage of prior art arrangements.

In one aspect, there is provided a method of handling personal information comprising the steps of: storing personal information of a first user on a user borne information storage device adapted for storage and retrieval of personal information in a first memory area; establishing a communication between the user borne device and a data processing means adapted to cooperate with the user borne information storage device; providing at least a portion of the personal information for use by a second user upon establishing the communication.

In another aspect there is provided a personal article adapted for wear by a first user comprising: engagement means for engaging at least one of: an article adorned by the first user, and; the user; wherein the engagement means is adapted to accommodate a personal information storage device comprising a first memory area configured to enable a second user to retrieve personal information of the first user.

In a further aspect there is provided a data format for use in communicating personal information of a first user residing in a memory device to a second user comprising: one or more of personal and medical information of the first user; auto executable processor instructions for enabling a control menu for a user; predefined forms for storing the information of the first user; user prompts to facilitate storage and retrieval of the personal information to and from the memory device. Preferably, the data format facilitates multiiayered access of data (with permissions, security, encryption etc) by way of partitioning the information of the first user in the memory device. One form of partitioning may comprise establishing permissions for users within the predefined forms. Another form of partitioning may. comprise encrypted security features (as would be recognised by the person skilled in the art) within one or more of the auto executable processor instructions or predefined. forms.

In yet another aspect there is provided a personal information storage device comprising, in combination: an. auto executable processing means adapted to execute upon peripheral engagement of the storage device with a data processing means adapted for accessing the storage device and; a data format comprising at least one predefined form configured for one or more of storing and editing personal information of a first user wherein the auto executable processing means is operabiy adapted to navigate a second user through the data format for one or more of: retrieving and editing the personal information of the first user. In this respect, a generic storage format may be provided with facility of transforming the user interface with customisable 'template based' formats for use by different user-groups/applications for given points of use. For the purposes of this description a "point of use" may be taken to refer to an application or environment of application or use of devices and systems of preferred embodiments. For example, one point of use may be in an emergency environment and another point of use may be in a consultation with a general medicaf practitioner.

Other aspects, preferred aspect and features are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realisation that providing a patient with a useful means of electronic storage of personal information with ease of access for the patient or other users may substantially increase the. efficiency of medical -treatment or access to relevant personal information of a patient or user to others such as service providers when required.

Embodiments of the present invention have been found to result in a number of advantages, such as

Providing an effective link between patient and medical services in critical or non-critical situations hence, Improving the chances of getting better service in non-critical situations and improving the chances of saving the life of the patient in critical situations.

Generally, persons are able to carry their information from doctor-to-doctor or doctor-to-pharmacy etc. While keeping his/her data record up-to date, the application of a device and its functions as herein described will be not only advantageous to persons in emergency situations but will also be useful in day to day life for the provision of medical services. Improving doctor's quality of interaction time with the patient and hence saving significant time of the doctor him/herseff. Many countries including

Australia are currently going through a period of shortage of doctors and hence the device and system of the present invention will help the doctors to see more patients in their current duty time and hence alleviate the doctor shortage.

Providing people with the decision making power over what personal information they wish to offer for use on a portable and readily useable device.

Hospitals will significantly improve their customer interaction time at the front desk and hence will be able to process patients more efficiently. A device in accordance with embodiments herein provides an electronic format of a user's personal and medical information. It can be used at multiple points depending on user needs. Hospitals, Pharmacy, Ambulance, General Practitioners, Specialist Doctors and Patients themselves can store and retrieve data to and from the device. A patient's consent can be optionally required before anyone else can retrieve or change the information present on the memory device pre-stored by the user.

Where embodiments described herein may be useful in the nursing home setting, besides giving peace of mind for the individual user and their family, is during frequent patient transfers and/or medical alert calls or incidents. enabling rapid access to information increasing efficiencies and cost savings for patients and care providers.

The storage, mobility and security of embodiments herein may reduce the chance of medical information loss during patient transfers and be a convenient point of access for identification and medical information, such as the complex combinations of medications that the elderly acquire.

Up to date persona! information may be carried with a user in times of travel and movement that can be easily accessed by relevant service providers during and after movement of the user.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limiting to the scope of the present invention, and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a personal article for wear by a patient or user that is in a closed or engaged position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a personal article for wear by a patient or user that is in an open or disengaged position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a menu display of options for a user to access the personal information handling system of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a display of personal information that may be. stored . and edited in accordance with the personal information handling system of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a further display of personal information that may stored and edited in accordance with the personal information handling system of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an article and associated system developed to store the medical and/or personal details of a first user (patient) for easy access of important medical/personal information, for example in times of emergency, for a second user, namely, medical service providers, as weli as in general routine use for access to either the first user or a second user in the form of a doctor, pharmacist or other practitioner or service provider that may require access to the information for treatment and service of the patient. With reference to figures 1 and 2, according to a preferred embodiment, USB technology has been adopted into a form of a user borne article 10 to store the personal and medical details of a patient in electronic format and allow easy retrieval by a second user in conjunction with a ^' data processing means capable of accessing the memory storage of the article 10. The article 10 shown in figures 1 and 2 comprises a housing 1 for a memory device such as a USB flash drive device or an equivalent data storage and retrieval device. The housing 1 is made of a durable material for protecting the storage device. A means for engaging and attaching the article 10 to a user is provided in the form of a band 2, which may take several other forms, equally. A flap lock 3 to hold and protect the device within the housing 1 may be provided. In the preferred form best shown in figure 2, a generic use synthetic (preferably PVC) band of 196x18 mm is provided. Of course differing lengths may be provided to suit a number of users. A USB device 4 is shown in figure 2. It is useful to provide the article 10 with a multi color coding system to be adopted for better user identification. With regard to easy identification of medical and/or personal information for medical treatment of the user, a LOGO identifying the article 10 as a medical first aid device may be printed at the memory device end of the band 2 and an emergency alert statement for example "YAK™ ALERT" may be printed or written on the mid portion of the band 2 for quick identification by emergency service providers. Preferably the article 10 is designed with an appearance that is fashionable or inconspicuous enough to allow for adoption by members of the public as an acceptable article to carry on the person. This may be in the form of one or more of a bag, a purse, a wallet Other articles may form part of an umbrella, a walking stick or even a wheelchair.

The information storage and retrieval device preferably comprises one of a 2 GB/1 GB/512 MB/128 MB/32 MB memory^" flash disks 4 molded inside the PVC band 2 shown in figure 2 beneath the LOGO shown. A USB hub Male connecter presents itself outside the molded strap or band 2 at the LOGO end of the band 2. The other end has a Female mold for releasabiy engaging the USB male connecter. Male-Female may combine together to make a wristband, bracelet or anklet for the user to wear. The device 4, shown in figure 2, comprises an auto run feature, so that a program file automatically executes and provides a display of a user menu providing options to choose what optional dialog program is to be executed by the accessing user (e.g. edit data, transfer to patient management system at front desk, import, upload additional report e.g. an ultrasound scan image file, access to patient's prescription by a pharmacist, or print medical information by a paramedic). A display of useful information to the user may be provided on a display device when the device establishes communication contact and is therefore associated or In communication with a data processor. The "Auto Run" feature means the device pops-up the contents within the storage and retrieval device on a suitable display of a processor means (not shown) that is in communication with the USB device 4 such as a computer, mobile device, PDA, tablet device or the equivalent for displaying the personal information in situ with treatment of the patient. A particularly suitable data processing means that may act as a cooperating "host" is the Victorian ambulance system that uses a tablet device in a paramedic care system known as VACCIS. The "auto run" may be in the form of an automatically executing application in non-volatile storage of the memory device that is preferably supported by computer operating systems that are prevalent. This eliminates the need for specialized readers. An initial menu may be shown to the user on a display device of the data processing means as shown in Figure 3. As shown in figure 3 the user may choose to; simply display information 6 for use by medical and emergency service providers; allow a user to edit information 7 stored on the device 4; exit 8 the auto-run application and allow disengagement of the device 4 from the processor means; or additionally, enter into standard USB memory device 9 that is not necessarily subjected to restricted access by the patient or service providers. The device when used in conjunction with a data processing system for displaying the personal information carried thereon may use a "Clickless data read" using the AUTORUN feature of the USB memory device, which requires minima! input from a second user to access the data and information stored in the device 4 for display only. In the event of editing the personal medical information on the device 4, the user's (patient's) security password may be required. In one form using layered security a second user in the form of a service provider (such as for example, paramedic/doctor/specialist) might have a digital signature based access to a small part of the data without using the user password, or a specialist may be able to store the image of a scan on the memory. The patient may authorize the practitioner to edit/view the information for the first time giving the particular practitioner permanent access to selected features of the patients alert band. This is also applicable to a transitions project, however, in this instance where for example pediatric data is to be transitioned to medical facilities and systems for adult treatment, the only difference is the parents of minor children will give authorization to a practitioner to handle the data instead of the patient. This may be implemented as follows: When a patient/guardian authorizes a practitioner to access a selectable range of information the patient is prompted to use his password to confirm the authorization. Upon successful authorization the doctor's identification and authentication key may be stored on the patient's memory device which will then be used in following sessions to access/update the patient's information without the patient having to enter his password every time. The updated/accessed information may be logged (by the device at least) during each session, In this application, separate keys for each user may be provided for encrypting data that is to be accessed for each respective user and the keys may be used in a recursive fashion to provide the above mentioned security hierarchy.

For emergency display only, there is no need for a password. The information that is displayed or provided for access of a second user may be tracked continuously and removed from the "host" data processing means as soon as the "auto run" application is closed or the device is disengaged with the data processing means. This would prevent leaving unintentional copies of personal information on the data processing means. As also described below, it is preferable that prompts be used with the initial menu of figure 3 to guide users through use of the device and it information storage and retrieval capabilities. Voice prompts are most preferred but other audible and/or visual prompts may be used. The memory device when connected to the relevant processor means preferably does not affect the memory storage capabilities of the processor means. The user's device remains a partitioned device from the processor means utilized by a second user to access the personal information of the patient A first memory area may hold persona! information as noted above. The first memory area may comprise a protected portion for holding the persona! information that comprises medical history and other personal details that may be useful for emergency service provision and other, services. Preferably, the personal information that may be of a sensitive nature may be subject to restricted access in the first memory area's protected portion by way of, for example, hidden files in accord with compatible operating systems on the relevant data processing means (for example MS Windows) or alternatively the personal information may be encrypted for secure and restricted storage. An unprotected portion of the first memory area may be useful as an ordinary data storage area for a user's personal data files in much the same manner as a USB memory stick. The "auto run" application may reside in a second memory area that provides non-volatile storage for the auto run program and this is preferably unaltered for the life of the device. In order to provide a. useful display of the stored personal and medical information, the USB flash disk 4 communicates with a support of USB 2.0 (or equivalent) controller drivers present in the processor means to which it will be connected.

The article 10 and device 4 combination are preferably shockproof and /or waterproof and/or fireoroof bv virtue of the fabrication olthe article 10. The. user borne article 10 of figures 1 and 2, given its function as either a bracelet or anklet and being waterproof may be carried almost anywhere the user goes. It is also envisaged that the article 10 may be utilized as a brooch, necklace or similar apparel that is attached to the user by engaging the user's clothing. The USB technology is generic and available on any modern day computer or a mobile device, By connecting it to any computer or mobile device, which has USB hub controller available, the information stored in the memory device can be retrieved. There are other forms of data storage, retrieval and communication technology that may be used to provide the function of the present invention. Examples comprise, Infra-Red, optical line of sight, RFID, Bluetooth™, ultra wide band and similar smart card technology. In the case of RFID technology and other smart card devices it may be feasible to provide not only information to be processed on the device for personal information but also location data to be processed. For example, a GPS system may be coupled with the article 10 to provide the location of an elderly citizen patient as well as carry and provide personal information for the elderly patient when needed. This may be particularly useful when the medical information is critical and needed when a patient is away from home or traveling. In the case of traveling it is preferred to enable the device 4 to embody a number of languages for display in more than one country. In addition to prompts to activate other forms of communication/interface, an additional help button may appear in the language set as a default locale of the host system - and may describe what this product is and how to use it, which is also useful in application to tourists. The device 4 also comprises interactive forms with a predefined configuration for holding personal information of the first user (patient). An example of these interactive forms is shown in figures 4 and 5. The predefined configuration may comprise a template prompting users to input information on identification and medicaf history. There may be customised templates provided for access to read/write at different points of use, for example, at hospital, age care, child care, paramedic, specialist, general practitioner and so on. Each step may be optional with the user choosing what level of information they want to have available upon accessing the device 4. The predefined forms may then be saved and easilv converted to read only files, so that the information may be read by anybody but changed or edited only by the user or another user authorised by the first user.

The device may be provided with detailed instruction for use that is, information for how the user may access the forms information, fill out medical history forms and save the information to be read only. The instructions may also outline guidelines of appropriate use of the device and support details. In a preferred form the instructions may be provided as part of the "Auto Run" program embedded on the device 4 and may comprise audible or most preferably voice instructions for the user. As with the predefined forms the voice instructions may be provided in one of a number of languages to cater to users from different countries.

The personal borne memory device 4 and article 10 may function as a basic medical record. The individual user has the option to store their medical information such as next of kin contacts, doctor contacts, history of major or minor medical ailments and conditions, immunisations, prescriptions, allergies and recent operations on predefined medical forms contained within the device. This personal information may be used in any medical setting where it may be possible to communicate between the storage and retrieval device 4 and a data processing means operable to retrieve the information on the device 4, for example, through the use of a USB port of a portable data processing means such as a personal computing device. The medical settings may be visiting a new doctor, to provide assistance for a paramedical officer for identifying a patient as well as expedient and efficient patient care or in the above mentioned transitions project where a chiid transfers from paediatric care to adult care. The combination article 10 and information storage and retrieval device 4 in one form has a role to play in saving time filling out necessary forms, or saving valuable life saving minutes for the individual first user (patient) and second users (service providers). The article 10 may be a valuable tool for individuals suffering from specific life threatening conditions in which the rapid availability of such personal information gives peace of mind to the individual user or patient, their family members and friends, as well as providing medical alert information that may be quickly acted upon bv service providers and is immediately „ available. Additionally, it is of use to registered societies to detail medical alert protocols. As such, the device may be used by particular societies dedicated to the treatment and management of particular ailments or illnesses to provide recommended procedures or protocols for a second user in the event of an incident peculiar to the particular ailment There may be provided a facility to add an eye catching alert button on the main auto run popup screen and can be used by patients suffering from a pre known condition, for example, an asthma patient can have a button on popup screen saying "I am an asthma patient" - click me to read my doctors advice for incident involving my condition. These protocols may aiso be provided in a preferred embodiment by way of a predefined form stored on the device and it may also be further personalised to an individual suffering from a given condition. For example, an asthma society may wish to provide a ^■pro-forma asthma plan for a first user to fill out in the storage of their persona! information in a first protected/restricted memory area of the storage device. In the event of an asthma attack a second user will have access to the first users needs in that event.

The system of the present invention herein is of little privacy concern as it is maintained and updated primarily by the first individual user and no exchange of information to third parties is required unless permission from the individual user is granted to another. Examples of the personal information that may be stored comprise ECG data, X-ray and other medical image data, last Will and

Testament information of a user, preloaded lists of preferred or local practitioners of the first user, common medicines etc, voice messages of the user or of a service provider for future reference.

1. Hospital-Patient Environment:

In one point of use a patient utilizing an article of a preferred embodiment may visit a hospital for a medical check-up and present the device to the hospital authority to retrieve his/her past medical details. The patient provides consent to the Hospital authority for the same. The Hospital authority, in the interest of the patient with his/her consent, may add any further medical details for future reference. This is useful in saving a significant amount of time during any future visit of the patfent to the hospital. Doctors may or may not have pre-stored data about patients' past medical history and hence will save time in knowing the same from the patient. Whatever is accessed or edited may be logged in a data log as part of the information residing on the device.

2. Emergency Environment:

In another point of use a patient may carry the article comprising the USB memory Bracelet/Anklets anywhere at anytime. This gives mobility to the important medical information needed by ambulance services and facilitates the ambulance services to have medical history of the patient regardless of him/her being in his/her home or away or traveling. This significantly improves the chances of providing life saving drugs or treatment to the patient by the ambulance service and hence greatly improves the possibility of saving the life of the patient. The ambulance services, in turn, may now easily pass on the information about a patient's medical history to the hospital, in electronic format, which is readily usable. It is often extremely important to correctly identify the patient at the hospital in order to inform family/friends who can come and give their consent about important medical decisions to be taken by the hospital to ensure safety of life of patient in a critical situation. The information handling of the system and method described herein effectively facilitates correct identification of patient in this important aspect of medical emergency environment. In a particular scenario, it is envisioned that if a modem is present on the "host" data processing means, the "auto run" application may automatically dial any or all emergency numbers preloaded and play a stored pre-recorded message to save time. 3. Routine Environment: In another point of use the information handling of the system and method described herein may be useful when the patient wants to purchase any medications from a pharmacy. After getting consent from the patient, the pharmacy may store that purchase and other relevant medical information on the memory device of the patient's article 10 for future reference. On first purchase of an article 10 the patient may be provided with an article 10 comprising^' a device 4 with a pre-formatted information storage structure as well as templates of custom forms for different points of use to save time. The user may input his/her information easily as prompted by the auto run program that is booted uoon connecting the device 4 to a processor device in the .user's - home, for example. The information is designed to be useful in General and Emergency situations. The information may be partitioned according to the points of use in, for example, the three different stated environment applications above.

The Software pre-loaded on the preferred USB Bracelet provides the following features: 1. Data encryption for security purposes: User's data is stored on the memory device in encrypted format so that no other software code may read or modify the data stored on the memory device.

2. Password Protection: Any modification required in the pre-loaded data by the patient will require user's consent and his/her password. On use of the device for the first time, the user may be prompted to change the default password. Security level is improved by storing a user's password in encrypted format on the memory device. A further security improvement is provided by the facility to add identification information & security key(s), for example, digital certificate , password etc, of authorized persons (namely doctor, pharmacist etc) along with the level of access granted by the owner or first user.

3. Protection against data loss due to improper usage in the case of a USB device 4: Ordinarily a USB device must not be unplugged when the software program is still running. This has been identified as a potential cause of data loss in USB memory devices. In a preferred embodiment, if such a situation occurs then the user is alerted about this improper usage and advised to avoid such practice in the future by way of a voice prompt in the auto run program. The software code may take care of DATA stored in such an event and secures the user's important medical data.

4. HELP features: Voice prompts help the user through the complete software making it "HELP on the fly". Voice help guides the user in case of improper data format added. For example, Data formats, using the MENU, maintaining the flow of data storing process, guide for proper entry of important, critical data and so on.

5. Display features during Data entry: During the data entry process users with eyesight problems may use the accessibility features such as highlighting of the active field of data entry form and bigger or larger font size and bold font style in the active field of data entry form. 6. Direct access to memory area: With a single click users may explore the memory area of the device 4. Devices 4 with higher memory sizes allow the user to use the same article 10 as a transportable medical data storage device as well as general purpose USB memory device for electronic documents and other user information, In one preferred embodiment, a USB memory provides memory capability for storage of files, and may further comprise a microprocessor for directly downloading to printers for example, which may be kept with the individual user in a bracelet format. The device may be generic when fabricated accordingly and be able to connect to any given CPU or microprocessor allowing the contents to be directly viewed and/or printed.

Exemplary application of the method system and device as herein disclosed is directed at a group of individual users that may have a high frequency of medical episodes such as those with chronic illnesses with acute episodes that may be potentially fatal if not treated quickly and appropriately. Examples are diabetes, which require medical alerting information for service providers. Exemplary use may also be found with groups with high rates of ambulance call outs and hospital transfers, such as the elderly. These may include those already in nursing homes or dependent on some form of care or those that are pre-nursing home age that are active adding to the load of innate illnesses that come with age. The later group and their families and loved ones are more likely to perceive the need for a device as herein described due to being independent of carers and are more likely to have a greater frequency of episodes requiring use of such a device. Equally, a need for a device as herein described can be attributed to users in transitions projects (patients transferring from children's hospitals to aduft hospitals) as mentioned above.

While this invention has . been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents m that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a heiical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures. In this respect, the data format as described herein may also be used to provide template based data reporting where the information that is for example printed out in a report is based on the user level access that has been established: Furthermore, the present invention in particular embodiments having universal data interfaces may be used for data communication with patient management systems being used in hospitals.

"Comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof."

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of handling personal information comprising the steps of: storing personal information of a first user on a user borne information storage device adapted for storage and retrieval of personal information in a first memory area; establishing a communication between the user borne device and a data processing means adapted to cooperate with the user borne information storage device; providing at least a portion of the personal information for use by a second user upon establishing the communication.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of providing comprises: automatically executing processing instructions communicated between the user borne device and the data processing means.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of automatically executing processing instructions further comprises providing a menu of user options for one or more of: displaying personal information stored on the user borne device; editing personal information for storage on the user borne device; printing personal information stored on the user borne device, authorising access to the personal information by medical practitioners or other service providers; login by medical practitioners or other authorised persons; import/export .with a patient management system; accessing a stored patient photo; activation of a selectable eye catching alert button for patient having at least one pre known medical condition; activating a Help facility automatically in a language based on default locale of the host system; access to a selection menu which invokes a customised template based interface for different points of use.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein one or more of the steps of storing and providing further comprises: restricting access to a protected portion of the first memory area adapted to store the personal information to authorised access by the first and/or second user.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the step of restricting access comprises one or more of: providing hidden and/or protected files for storing the personal information in accordance with an operating system of the data processing means; encrypting the personal information stored in the protected portion of the first memory area; providing layered security for compartmental access of user data wherein a first user authorises at least one second user thereby granting the at least one second user a selectable level of access.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the personal information comprises one or more of: personal medical history information of the first user for facilitating hospital- patient and doctor-patient service; personal details and/or personal medical history information of the first user for facilitating emergency service provider-patient service; and; pharmacy information of the first user for facilitating pharmacy-patient service.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 6 wherein the personal information comprises one or more of:

ECG data; OCR data; last Will and Testament information of a user; at least one user voice message; a list of user preferred professional service practitioners; medical image data.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first user and the second user are one and the same,

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first user is an individual patient.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the second user is one or more of: an emergency service provider; a medical practitioner; a medical product and/or pharmaceutical provider.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the automatically executed processing instructions are stored in a second memory area of the user borne information storage device.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein_, the second memory area is adapted for non-volatile storage.

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 12 wherein the step of providing a menu of user options further comprises: providing access to an unprotected portion of the first memory area on the user borne device for storage of electronic data.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electronic data is nonmedical information of the first user.

15. A personal article adapted for wear by a first user comprising: engagement means for engaging at least one of: an article adorned by the first user, and; the user; wherein the engagement means is adapted to accommodate a personal information storage device comprising a first memory area configured to enable a second user to retrieve personal information of the first user.

16. An article as claimed in claim 15 wherein the engagement means comprises a band for engaging a limb of the first user for wearing the article.

17. An article as claimed in claim 15 wherein the engagement means comprises a fastener for engaging one of: an article of clothing of the first user, and ; a hand and/or travel article of the first user.

18. An article as claimed in claim 17 wherein the hand and/or travel article comprises one of: a bag; a purse; an umbrella; a walking stick.

19. An article as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the first memory area comprises: a protected portion adapted for storage of the personal information; an unprotected portion adapted for storage of electronic data.

20. A data format for use in communicating personal information of a first user residing in a memory device to a second user comprising: one or more of personal and medical information of the first user; auto executable processor instructions for enabling a control menu for a user; predefined forms for storing the information of the first user; user prompts to facilitate storage and retrieval of the personal information o and from the memory device.

21. A data format as claimed in claim 20 wherein the predefined forms are adapted to provide a treatment protocol corresponding to a medical ailment.

22. A data format as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein the user prompts are adapted to facilitate further user input for storage of personal information based on previously stored information of the user.

23. A personal information storage device comprising, in combination: an auto executable processing means adapted to execute upon peripheral engagement of the storage device with a data processing means adapted for accessing the storage device and; a data format comprising at least one predefined form configured for one or more of storing and editing personal information of a first user wherein the auto executable, processing means is operably adapted to navigate a second user through the data format for one or more of: retrieving and editing the personal information of the first user.

24 A personal information storage device as claimed in claim 23 wherein, the at least one predefined form comprises interactive processing means for operably cooperating with a user to enhance a user experience with the form.

25. A personal information storage device as claimed in claim 23 or 24 wherein the auto executable processing means comprises interactive processing means for operably cooperating with a user to enhance a user experience with navigating through the data format.

26. A personal information storage device as claimed in 24 or 25 wherein the interactive processing means is adapted for operating in conjunction with data processing means and further comprises one or more of: display means for displaying a menu of options for accessing personal information of the first user; display means for displaying a predefined form to a user; printing means for printing a predefined form; visual highlighting means for visually highlighting a portion of displayed personal information; audible prompting means for audibly prompting a user of the information storage device.

27. A personal information storage device as claimed in claim 26 wherein the audible prompt comprises at least one voice instruction.

28. A persona! information storage device as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27 wherein the data format comprises a data format as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22.

29. A personal information storage device as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 28 wherein the storage device is adapted for peripheral engagement with the data processing means through an interface comprising one of: a USB flash drive; an RFlD tag/reader; an optical interface; an Infra-Red interface; a Bluetooth interface; an ultra wide band communication interface.

30. Apparatus adapted to handle personal information, said apparatus comprising: processor means adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined instruction set, said apparatus, in conjunction with said instruction set, being adapted to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

31. A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code and computer readable system code embodied on said medium for handling personal information within a data processing system, said computer program product comprising: computer readable code within said computer usable medium for performing the method steps of any one of claims 1 to 14.

32. A kit of parts comprising, in combination: a personal article as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19; a storage device as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 29; a data processing means adapted for communication with one of the personal article and the storage device.

33. A method or protocol as herein defined.

34. An apparatus, device or system as herein defined.

35. A data format or information layout as herein defined.