MXPA96003457A - Global system of emergency medical information communications and method for supplying medical information, through credit card transaction terminals located in emergency rooms, emergency vehicles and ot - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a global system for emergency medical information communications and a method for supplying medical information by credit card transaction terminals located in emergency rooms, emergency vehicles and other remote sites around the world. The various modalities described incorporate a database of medical information capable of supplying medical information to transaction terminals. The system and method incorporates the use of existing public switched telephone networks, existing credit transaction networks or other networks to effect the provision of medical information. According to the invention, a subscriber to the system inserts a subscriber card, registered credit card or other access card registered in a terminal for credit card transaction. The request is then communicated either by the public switched telephone network or existing credit transaction network to the central medical information database. The database then verifies the cards and provides the associated subscriber's medical information, back through either the network to be printed in the transaction terminal and / or in a fax machine designates

Description

, GLOBAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING MEDICAL INFORMATION, THROUGH CREDIT CARD TRANSACTION TERMINALS LOCATED IN EMERGENCY ROOMS, EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND OTHER REMOTE LOCATIONS AROUND THE WORLD FIELD DB LAJVBNCIQN The present invention is directed to a medical information communication system and method for distributing personal medical information of an individual, to emergency rooms, emergency vehicles and other remote sites around the world, using card transaction terminals. standardized, low-cost credit, connected to new or existing global information networks. AN ECEDE TES I I I It is recognized by the entire global medical community that rapid access to an individual's personal medical record and / or history is crucial to providing timely and effective treatment for a sick or injured person in an emergency. . Individual mobility and global travel make this access extremely difficult when using existing technologies. Current and proposed systems for providing medical information are based either on the creation of expensive communication infrastructures to connect to a central database (see for example U.S. Patent No. 4,491,725 issued to Pritchard and the < US No. 4,858,121 issued to Barber et al.) or on special purpose computer systems (smart cards, integrated microchip cards or microcircuits, and the like) to read and update a patient record, portable (see for example the patent of US No. 5,291,399 granted to Chaco). Other systems for providing emergency medical information that rely on living telephone operators who answer on the telephone or transmit a fax. However, none of these systems solves the difficult problems associated with providing medical information instantaneously to emergency rooms, emergency vehicles or other remote locations throug the world, in a cost-effective way using existing global infrastructures and printers and terminals for standardized credit card transaction, universally available and low cost. There are now international credit card transaction networks, which allow the instant supply worldwide of authorization codes for credit approval to any site that has a credit card transaction terminal. However, international credit transaction networks only provide authorization codes for credit approval and do not provide the provision of medical or other information.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for supplying information throug the world using credit card transaction terminals. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system and method for supplying information around the world, using networks for existing credit card transactions. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system and method for supplying medical information around the world to emergency rooms, emergency vehicles and other remote locations. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for supplying medical information around the world, to credit card transaction terminals, using existing or custom-made credit cards, magnetic tape cards, integrated circuit cards , bar code cards or other forms of access cards (collectively "access cards"). Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for supplying medical information and image files to any designated fax machine, using credit card transaction terminals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for supplying medical information and image files using existing, unmodified credit card transaction terminals. COMPENDIUM AND IA NVE IÓ The present invention (now known as "MEDBANK") fulfills the above objectives and others by providing a centralized medical information system that can supply emergency medical information and image files to credit card transaction terminals and fax machines located in emergency rooms, emergency vehicles and other remote locations to people who charge registered credit cards. The present invention is implemented using new or existing information networks and / or new or existing transaction terminals, thus allowing for the implementation and distribution of worldwide medical information, cost effective, simple and flexible. Preferably, persons interested in having the ability to have their medical information provided to remote sites subscribe to a service utilizing a medical information system employing the present invention. Medical information and subscriber image files are stored in a central medical information database accessible from a central medical information system. Medical information may include names of emergency contacts and telephone numbers, names of doctors and telephone numbers, reactions to drugs, allergies, medications and additional relevant information, including EKG, MRl, X-ray film and image files. other records of medical images. Each subscriber is also granted an access card (a "MEDBANK card"), card number, and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access the medical information database through the central system. Alternatively or additionally, a subscriber can register their existing credit cards, health service cards, driver's license or other access cards with the medical information system. Subsequently, the person can obtain medical information at a remote site by using the issued access card or a registered access card. In a first modality, the person moves his MEDBANK card in a terminal for custom card transaction (a "MEDBANK terminal") located in an emergency room, emergency vehicle or other remote location. In this mode, the MEDBANK terminal is a dedicated medical history terminal that does not process credit card transactions. The MEDBANK terminal marks the central medical information system, identifies the cardholder, and requests the medical information stored in the database to be supplied to the terminal. The central database then verifies the subscription card and when supplying the person's PIN, provides the person's medical information to the desired site to print on an associated or attached terminal printer. The printing format is similar to a longer single credit card receipt to allow the person's complete medical record to be printed. Alternatively or in addition, the information, along with image files, can be supplied to a designated fax machine. In a second modality, the person uses an existing credit card, or another access card, which has been registered with the central medical information number and travels through it, in the MEDBANK terminal. The MEDBANK terminal then marks the central system, identifies the card number and requests that medical information be provided to the MEDBANK terminal. The central database then compares the card number against an index table to determine whether the number corresponds to a subscriber's registered card number. If there is a correspondence, the central database provides the medical information applicable to the desired site, for example the designated terminal printer or fax machine. In a third modality, the person inserts his MEDBANK card in a terminal for credit card transaction in network, which is preprogrammed to accept MEDBANK cards. In this modality, instead of marking a business card as the terminal would for credit card transaction normally to process a credit card transaction, the transaction terminal marks the MEDBANK medical information system directly, ie "separates marked" . The database then verifies the card number and supplies the applicable medical information directly to the existing transaction terminal printer and / or to a designated fax machine. Alternatively, in a fourth modality, instead of marked divided or separated as before, the central database system MEDBANK becomes a "member bank" within the credit transaction network. In this mode, the terminal for credit card transaction calls the computer system of the commercial bank associated with the terminal and presents the card in the same way that the transaction terminal processes credit card transactions. Subsequently, the commercial banking system sends the request for information to a central credit system, for example MasterCard ™, VISAMR or American Express "*, central credit computer system, also in the same way as a normal credit card transaction. The central credit computer system then sends the request to the central database system MEDBANK, again in the same manner as a central credit computer system sending a request for credit approval to a customer banking computer system. The database then verifies the card and sends the requested medical information back through the existing credit card network to print at the start transaction terminal.The requested medical information can also be supplied directly from the database ( without going back through the credit card network) by dialing again the terminal or a designated fax machine using the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In a fifth mode, a person moves their MEDBANK card or an existing registered credit card into an existing credit card transaction terminal, pre-programmed to accept requests for medical information. In this embodiment, a program function key is pressed in the transaction terminal to indicate to the transaction terminal that the next request is not a credit card transaction without a request for medical information. The transaction terminal can already divide the dialing and call the medical database system directly and as described above or indicate an application to the credit card network system to address the following MEDBANK card number or card number. Credit to the central medical database system as described above. The medical database system then verifies the card and sends the requested medical information back through the existing credit network to print at the home transaction terminal or a designated fax machine. As with other modaliades, the requested medical information can also be supplied from the central database directly to the terminal or a designated fax machine via the public switched telephone network. In a sixth mode, existing transaction terminals are registered with the central medical information system. Specifically, the transaction terminal identification number and the telephone number corresponding to the fax machine closest to the transaction terminal are registered with the medical information system. When a person inserts a MEDBANK card into a registered transaction terminal, the terminal marks the corresponding commercial bank, which sends the request to the central credit computer system, which in turn sends the request to the medical information system. The medical information system then verifies the transaction identification number with an index thereof, to determine the corresponding designated fax machine associated with the transaction terminal. The medical information system then marks the fax machine and sends the corresponding medical information to it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram diagram of embodiments of the present invention, wherein a MEDBANK terminal is used to process requests for medical information using a MEDBANK card. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustration of two other embodiments of the present invention, wherein a terminal for a credit card network transaction is pre-programmed to accept a MEDBANK card to receive medical information. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustration of another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a terminal for preprogrammed network credit card transaction includes a function key for requesting medical information to direct requests for medical information to the health care system. central medical information. Figure 4 is a block diagram illustration of another embodiment of the present invention, wherein an existing transaction terminal is used to request medical information that is received by a designated fax machine. Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing the operation of a central medical information system. Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of a MEDBANK transaction terminal.

Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing the operation of a preprogrammed transaction terminal. Figure 8 is a flow diagram showing the operation of a preprogrammed transaction terminal, wherein the terminal includes a medical request key. Figure 9 is an illustration of a medical information transaction terminal print. DECRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES As illustrated in Figures 1-4, common to the various embodiments of the present invention, is the use of a central medical information system 3 or "guest", which comprises a computer system 5 having various terminals 1 and a correlating medical information database 9. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the central medical information system may be a mainframe macro system, a minicomputer system, a system of personal computer or preferably a network of different computer systems. To maintain cost efficiencies, the currently preferred hardware comprises at least two Acer / Altos P7000 multi-processor computers linked by private lines. The currently preferred operating system is an SCO Open Server Enterprise UNIX, which is designed to comply with the "confidence" class C2 as defined by the Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the hardware and operating system are not unique and numerous systems can be employed to construct a medical information system in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the system including its correlative medical information database is constructed in a commercial database engine, for example Sculptor, and the programs for accessing and maintaining the database are written in the 4th Generation Language. Sculptor and programming language C. The currently preferred database engine and programming languages are not exclusive and the system can be built on a multitude of systems. Preferably, the system is implemented in a symmetrically replicated asynchronous database configuration, using N (any number 2 or greater) of system network servers. In addition, servers are located at geographically different sites to reduce exposure to failure and are interconnected using high-speed digital communication circuits. Database 9 contains related records for all medical information include medical image files associated with each MEDBANK subscriber. Multiple indexes are maintained for each record allowing a rapid assembly of a complete abridged medical history, and a longitudinal or "instantaneous" story for any given chronological time. The longitudinal history allows an orderly collection in time of events related to the medical record that is going to be maintained. For example, a longitudinal history of blood pressure will include an entry for each time the blood pressure of a subscriber was recorded, in chronological order. A new blood pressure reading will not replace the last reading but rather will create an additional record, placed after the previous record. This allows the reconstruction of the state at any point in time and provides a follow-up to complete audit of all the supplied values. Data is provided on any terminal 1 at any node of the central system network and then asynchronously replicated to all other nodes by use of linked log files. Each supply or access to the database simultaneously creates a registry access in the node. The registry accesses are then replicated to all other nodes, where they are gathered in the database on that node. In case a node is not available for some reason, the registry accesses are accumulated until the node is available again. To maintain data integrity, modifications to the data accessed in the database are not allowed. Changes in information are implemented by providing an additional record that is linked to the longitudinal string for the MEDBANK subscriber. For example, a change of address results in a new address record, which is flagged as the current record. The previous address is not changed and is available in perpetuity. The present invention is directed to supplying the medical information stored in the medical information database to credit card transaction terminals located in emergency rooms, emergency vehicles and other remote sites around the world. It also aims to provide medical information and image files to designated fax machines. In addition, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, information once provided to a transaction terminal can also be captured and used in other information systems, for example within an information system for central hospital patient records. . Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating two embodiments of the delivery system of the present invention. The first mode uses a MEDBANK 15 subscriber card. The second mode uses any currently available credit card or other access card, for example an American Express * 4 * credit card, DiscoverMR, MasterCard * "1 or VISA" * 17 , which was previously registered with the central medical information system. As illustrated in Figure 1, the central medical information system 3 is connected to the public switched telephone network 11 in a known manner. Also connected to the telephone network 11 is a series of custom MEDBANK terminals 13. The MEDBANK terminal is preferably constructed using a Verifone Tranz 460 transaction terminal programmed to operate as a MEDBANK terminal. Any other terminals for commercial credit card transaction currently available may be employed, provided that the terminal preferably has 32k bytes of programmable memory, a modem, a slot for card reading, a keyboard and an attached or associated printer. Also illustrated is an optional fax machine 19, which may also be used for the provision of medical information and more particularly, medical image files. In the first embodiment, a MEDBANK subscriber card 15 is used. Preferably, the MEDBANK card is identical in size and distribution to any known commercial credit card, for example a VISAM? Credit card. In addition, the location and size of the magnetic strip is standardized and the format of the data on the strip is in accordance with the American Banking Association Track II standard, as it is listed in the following table: TABLE 1 Start Sentinel 1 Character (02H) Account Number Up to 19 Numeric Characters (0 to 9) Field Separator 1 Character (1CH) Expiration Date 4 Characters (MMYY) Discretion Date Total number of account numbers, expiration date and discretion data do not exceed 36 characters (0 to 9) End Sentinel 1 Character (03H) Redundancy Check 1 Character (LRC) Preferably, the first 4 to 6 digits indicate the system and spinner, the next groups of digits are the number of current membership identification, ie a subscriber access number, the last digit is a verification digit derived from the base ten algorithm LUNN. In a first mode, a subscriber to the MEDBANK service, or another person, runs or moves the MEDBANK card in the transaction terminal MEDBANK 13, located in an emergency room, emergency vehicle or other remote location. As with many modalities, a person has the option of using the terminal keyboard to transmit information associated with the credit card. In this mode, the MEDBANK terminal modem dials and establishes a connection with the medical information system, identifies the cardholder, and requests that the medical information stored in the database be provided to the MEDBANK terminal. The central database then verifies the subscription card and by supplying the person's PIN, it provides the person's medical information to the transaction terminal that will be printed. A sample of a transaction terminal impression is illustrated in Figure 9. Alternatively, the transaction term operator may direct medical information to be supplied to a designated fax machine 19. The central medical information system 3 then separately marks the designated or other selected fax machine and provide the medical information and / or image files in a known manner using existing telephone, cable, radio or other telephone systems. Figure 5 is a hlevel flow chart of the program used to operate the central medical information system of various modalities. The system starts receiving an incoming call. The central system and the terminal modems exchange identification signals using the appropriate Bell or CCITT standards to synchronize their transmission speeds and protocols and establish a communication link between the terminal and the host. The guest then sends a "Request to Send" character. The terminal responds with an application package consisting of identification data of the terminal and the security and member codes. The guest examines the application package, first for data integrity when calculating a checksum on the package and comparing it with the checksum sent by the terminal. The host then validates the terminal identification and security information with the host database of this data. Finally, the guest examines member identification and security information for its validity. In case a transmission error occurs, several attempts are made to retransmit the data. If any of a communication error persists or any of the security criteria is violated, the guest ends the session and reports that an unsuccessful attempt was made to gain access. By accepting the request package, the host assembles the data for the requested subscriber of his or her databases, formats them for the designated terminal printer and sends the data in the form of data packets to the terminal, one at a time . Each data packet contains a checksum that is examined by the terminal to ensure uncorrupted data transmission. If the verification sum is valid, the terminal transmits an acknowledgment, otherwise it transmits a negative acknowledgment. The guest will retransmit the data packet upon receiving a negative acknowledgment.

After the terminal recognizes the transmission of the last data packet, the guest sends a character "End of Transmission" and ends the session. Figure 6 is a high-level flowchart of the program used to operate the MEDBANK transaction terminal. The operation of the terminal begins by moving a card through the slot to insert the card. The terminal then performs basic validation of the member identification number according to established criteria for numerical range and structure. The terminal user then provides their Subscriber Personal Identification Number (PIN), for security. The terminal then marks or otherwise initiates connection to the guest. The terminal and host modems exchange identification signals, using the appropriate CCITT or Bell standards to synchronize their transmission and protocol speeds and establish a communication link between the terminal and the guest. The guest then sends a "Request to Send" character. The terminal constructs a data packet containing identification information for itself and the member, and security data including an encrypted PIN. The terminal then transmits this data packet to the host. The guest responds with either recognition or negative recognition. Upon receiving a negative acknowledgment, the terminal retransmits the data packet.

The host then sends data packets containing the medical history to be printed in the terminal. Each data packet contains a checksum that the terminal examines to ensure that non-corrupt data has been received. If the verification sum is not valid, the terminal transmits a negative acknowledgment. The host retransmits the data packet upon receipt of a negative acknowledgment. When accepting the data package, the terminal calculates if it has enough space to store them in the buffer of your printer. If there is space, the terminal stores the data packet and sends an acknowledgment to the guest. If there is not enough space in the print buffer for the data packet, the terminal prints data until enough space is produced to store the new data packet. The terminal then stores the packet and sends an acknowledgment. When the terminal receives a "End of Transmission" character from the guest, the communication path ends and prints or completes the printing of the received data. In an alternate modality, a registered credit card 17 or similar access card is moved through the MEDBANK terminal 13. The MEDBANK terminal then marks the central medical information system 3, identifies the card number, and requests that it be provide medical information to the MEDBANK terminal. The central system 3 then compares the card number against an index table to determine whether the number corresponds to a registered credit card number of the subscriber. If there is correspondence, the central system provides the medical information applicable to the desired site, either to the transaction terminal or to a fax machine, as described above. Figure 2 is a block diagram of two other embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the person moves a MEDBANK card in a terminal for network credit card transaction 33, which is pre-programmed to accept MEDBANK, registered credit cards or similar access cards and to process normal credit transactions. In this modality, instead of marking a commercial bank as the terminal would normally do for a credit card transaction to process a credit card transaction, the transaction terminal marks the MEDBANK medical information system, directly over the telephone network public switched 11, that is to say "mark in divided form". The database then verifies the card number and supplies the applicable medical information directly to the existing transaction terminal printer and / or to a designated fax machine 19.

Figure 7 is a high-level flowchart of the program used to operate the transaction terminal 33. The operation of the terminal begins by moving a card through the card-moving slot. The terminal performs basic validation of the member identification number according to the criteria established for numerical range and structure. If the account number that is read from the card is within the range defined for credit cards, the terminal processes a standard credit card transaction, employing one of the well-known protocols in use. When the account number read from the card falls within the range defined by medical history identification cards, the user of the terminal is advised to provide a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for security. The terminal then marks or otherwise initiates the connection to the guest directly or to a processor or intermediate commercial bank. When the connection is through an intermediary, all data packets are received and sent through the infrastructure for existing credit card processing. Both the terminal and the guest communicate through the intermediary as if they were directly connected. The terminal and host modems exchange identification signals using the appropriate CCITT or Bell standards to synchronize their transmission speeds and protocols and establish a communication link between the terminal and the guest. The guest then sends a "Request to Send" character. The terminal constructs a data packet containing identification information for itself and the member, and security data including an encrypted PIN. The terminal then transmits this data packet to the host. The guest responds with either a recognition or negative acknowledgment. Upon receiving a negative acknowledgment, the terminal retransmits the data packet. The guest sends data packets containing medical history to be printed in the terminal. Each data packet contains a checksum that the terminal examines to ensure that uncorrupted data has been received. If the verification sum is not valid, the terminal transmits a negative acknowledgment. The host retransmits the data packet upon receiving a negative acknowledgment. When accepting the data packet, the terminal calculates whether it has enough space to store them in the printer's buffer. If there is space, the terminal stores the data packet and sends an acknowledgment to the guest. If there is not enough space in the printer buffer for the data packet, the terminal prints data until enough space is created to store the new data packet. The terminal then stores the packet and sends an acknowledgment. When the terminal receives a "End of Transmission" character from the host, the communications link ends and prints or completes the printing of the received data. Alternatively, in another modality, instead of split marking, the request for medical information is sent through a credit transaction network to the central medical information system 3, the medical information system 3 is registered as a member of customer bank of the credit transaction network. In this mode, the credit card transaction terminal 33 is programmed to call the commercial bank computer system 35 associated with the terminal and presents the card information in the same way that the transaction terminal 33 would normally process card transactions. of credit. Subsequently, the commercial bank or home for credit release 35 sends the request for information to a central credit transaction system 37, for example a computer system for central credit transaction MasterCard "8, VISA ™ * or American Express ™, also in the same way as a normal credit card transaction.The central credit computer system 37 then sends the request to the medical information system 3, again in the same way as a central credit computer system send a request for credit approval to a customer's bank computer system. The database then verifies the card and sends the requested medical information back through the network for existing credit transaction, to print on the start transaction terminal, which has been preprogrammed to print all the medical information downloaded. In addition, when the transaction terminal is connected to a house for credit release 35, the request for information can be directed alternately directly to the medical information system 3 through a direct line 39 thus deriving or surpassing the credit card system. credit 37. Currently, the existing credit card transaction network has a limited printing capacity, ie only approximately 25 bytes of information can be printed from a customer bank back to a transaction terminal, without having to reprogram the terminal. This information typically includes a credit authorization code and other information. In this alternative mode, the existing credit card transaction network is modified and / or reprogrammed to allow a complete medical history to be printed in the transaction terminal. Alternatively, the requested medical information may also be provided directly from the medical information system 3 to the terminal or a designated fax machine via the public switched telephone network 11 (without returning through the credit card network) to allow system 3 to dial back to terminal 33 through public telephony network 11. Still in another mode, as illustrated in Figure 3, a person inserts a MEDBANK 15 card or an existing registered credit card 17 into an existing credit card transaction terminal 43 pre-programmed to accept requests for medical information. In this embodiment, a program function key 44 is pressed in the transaction terminal to indicate to the transaction terminal that the next request is not a credit card transaction but a request for medical information. The transaction terminal can already split dial and call the database system of medical data directly as described above, or indicate an application to the credit transaction network system to direct the next credit card number to the database system doctors as described above. The medical database system 3 then verifies the card and sends the requested medical information back through the existing credit network to print at the home transaction terminal or a designated fax machine. As with other embodiments, the requested medical information may also be provided directly to the terminal or a designated fax machine via the public switched telephone network 11. When the medical request key 44 is not pressed, the transaction terminal processes credit transactions through the network to a card holding bank 40. Figure 8 is a high-level block diagram of the operation of a transaction terminal 43. The operation of the terminal begins by inserting a card through a slot for card, or by pressing one or more keys on the keyboard to indicate that the next insertion of the card is a request for medical history. The terminal performs basic validation of the member identification number according to the criteria established for rank and numerical structure. If the account number that is read from the card is within the range defined for credit cards, and the keyboard request for medical history is not pressed, the terminal processes a standard credit card transaction using one of the well-known protocols. In use. When the account number read from the card falls within the defined range for medical history identification cards, or a keypad request is made for medical history, the terminal user is then advised to provide a Personal Identification Number for security. (PIN). The terminal then marks or otherwise initiates connection to the host directly or to a processor or intermediate commercial bank. When the connection is through an intermediary, all data packets are received and sent through the infrastructure for existing credit transaction network. Both the terminal and the guest communicate through the intermediary as if they were directly connected. Terminal and guest modems exchange identification signals using the appropriate CCITT or Bell standards to synchronize their speeds and transmission protocols and establish a communication link between the terminal and the guest. The guest then sends a "Request to Send" character. The terminal constructs a data packet containing identification information for itself and the member and security data including an encrypted PIN and a flag (simple character) to identify the transaction, a request for medical records. This flag is the same one used to differentiate between manually supplied credit card numbers and inserted credit transactions. In this application, you will be set to a single state to designate a medical history request. The terminal then transmits this data packet to the host. The guest responds with either recognition or negative acknowledgment. Upon receiving a negative acknowledgment, the terminal retransmits the data packet.

The guest sends data packets containing medical history to be printed in the terminal. Each data packet contains a checksum that examines the terminal to ensure that non-corrupt data has been received. If the verification amount is valid, the terminal transmits a negative acknowledgment. The host retransmits the data packet upon receiving a negative acknowledgment. When accepting the data packet, the terminal calculates whether it has enough space to store it in the printer's buffer. If there is space, the terminal stores the data packet and sends an acknowledgment to the guest. If there is not enough space in the printer's buffer for the data packet, the terminal prints the data until enough space is produced to store the new data packet. The terminal then stores the packet and sends an acknowledgment. When the terminal receives a "End of Transmission" character from the guest, the communications path ends and the printout of the received data is printed or completed. In yet another embodiment, to avoid the need to reprogram an existing transaction terminal, a system of registered transaction terminals can be employed.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4, anyone having an existing transaction terminal 53 can register the terminal identification number ("TID") and the telephone number corresponding to the nearest fax machine 55 with the medical information system 3. When a MEDBANK 15 card, a registered credit card 17 or other registered access card is moved in the transaction terminal, the request is sent to the credit release house or commercial bank 35, then to the central credit system 37 and then to the medical information system 3. The medical information system then verifies the TID against a TID table, to first determine if the particular transaction terminal is registered and if it is the telephone number for registered designated fax machine. Subsequently, the medical information system 3 marks the fax machine 55 and supplies the medical information thereto. Once a modality of a medical information form in accordance with the present invention is in place, a typical request for medical information would be as follows (all approximate times are for illustrative purposes only and may vary with modalities and with the specifications of the inetalado sevenma).

TIME (min: sec) EVENT 00:00 A MEDBANK subscriber has been attacked by chest pain in a restaurant. 00:30 The reetaurant manager calls Emergency Medical Services by dialing 911. 01:00 The subscriber gives the manager his MEDBANK card and access code. 01:30 The manager pads the card through the credit card terminal to the reetaurant. 01:31 The terminal recognizes the card as a card MEDBANK by the sequence of account numbers coded in the magnetic strip. 01:33 The terminal then marks the assigned computer access port and transmits an application to the credit card transaction network. 01:45 The credit card transaction network directs the request through its digital data network to MEDBANK. 01:50 The MEDBANK computer receives the request, retrieves the member's data from the database, verifies the access code and formats the reply containing the subscriber's emergency medical history. 01:55 The MEDBANK computer sends the data to the credit card tracing network directed to the credit card terminal of the restaurant. 02:00 The terminal begins printing the emergency medical history of the subscriber on his receiving printer. 02:45 The printing is complete. 03:00 EMS arrives and is able to immediately start the treatment, with the knowledge that they are aware of the medical history of the subector, allergies, drugs and the like. In the previous example, if a terminal for a credit card transaction was not available in the restaurant, the subscriber's card may have been inserted in a MEDBANK wireless terminal located in the ambulance, in a MEDBANK terminal located in an Emergency Room, or in any other extenuating tranection terminal. In addition, as will be readily apparent to those with skill in the art, the present invention may be employed to provide other information apart from medical information through existing or new credit transaction networks. For example, a subscriber can move an access card in a transaction terminal and obtain sports data, securities reports, lottery numbers, personalee messages, e-mail messages, and the like printed in the transaction terminal and / or on a designated fax machine. Although the invention has been described in connection with various preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. WHAT OUE IS CLAIMED IS:

Claims (24)

1. CLAIMS 1. Method for supplying medical information from a central information system to a transaction terminal, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) activating the transaction terminal; b) establish a connection between the transaction terminal and the central information system; c) provide medical information from the central information system about the connection established to the transaction terminal.
2. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the step of supplying medical information from the central system to a fax machine assigned to the transaction terminal.
3. 3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the medical information includes image files.
4. 4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation step includes the step of inserting an access card into the transaction terminal.
5. 5. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the access card is a credit card previously registered with the central information system.
6. 6. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the access card is a subscriber card previously registered with the central information seven.
7. 7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that establishing a connection stage includes the step of using a modem in the transaction terminal to connect to a modem in the central information system.
8. 8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the terminal modem connection to the central information system modem is performed over a public switched telephone network.
9. 9. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the transaction terminal can process credit transactions.
10. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the central information system is a member of a credit transaction network and wherein establishing a connection stage includes the steps of: i) connecting to the transaction network of credit; ii) send a request for information about the network; and iii) receive and accept the request for information in the central information system.
11. 11. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the transaction terminal can employ to process both medical information requests and credit transactions.
12. 12. A method in accordance with the claim 10, characterized in that the connection to the credit transaction network stage includes the step of activating a key in the transaction terminal.
13. 13. A method for supplying medical information from a central information system registered as a member of a credit transaction network to a site having a transaction terminal, the transaction terminal having an identification number registered with the information system central, an associated facsimile telephone number and a fax machine, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) activating the transaction terminal; b) establish a connection to the credit transaction network; c) transmitting the transaction terminal identification number on the credit transaction network to the central information seventh; d) determine the fax telephone number assigned to the transaction terminal identification number; e) use the assigned fax number to connect to the fax machine over a public switched telephone network; and f) provide medical information to the fax machine.
14. 14. A system for supplying medical information, characterized in that it comprises: a) subscribers; b) a central medical information database for storing and retrieving medical subscriber information for subscribers to the system, the information is indexed and retrievable by subscriber access numbers; and c) a transaction terminal having connection means, for connecting to the central medical information database; transmission means for sending a subscriber access number to the central medical information database; reception means, to receive and print subscriber's medical information indexed to the subscriber access number transmitted.
15. A system according to claim 9, characterized in that the connection means employ an existing public switched telephone network to connect the transaction terminal directly to the central medical information database.
16. 16. A system according to claim 9, characterized in that the connection means are interconnected with a credit transaction network for transmitting the access number of the subscriber over the network with the central medical information database and the means of Reception is interconnected with the network to receive and print the medical information in the transaction terminal.
17. 17. A device for retrieving medical information comprising a card having an access code associated with a medical information database and a magnetic strip for storing and retrieving the access code in a transaction terminal.
18. 18. A device according to claim 17, characterized in that the card is a credit card.
19. 19. A device according to claim 17, characterized in that the card is a driver's license.
20. 20. A transaction terminal for retrieving medical information, characterized in that it comprises: a keyboard; a program memory; a slot for inserting a magnetic card; a modem; an associated printer; a processor to control the keyboard, the card insertion slot, the modem and the printer in response to a program stored in memory, the program is designed to control the process to activate the modem to connect to a database of medical information, to request medical information that corresponds to an access code that is retrieved from the card insert slot or the keyboard, and to print the information requested in the printer.
21. 21. A transaction terminal according to claim 15, characterized in that the program is also designed to use the keyboard, printer, modem, and slot to insert card to process credit transactions.
22. 22. A seventh to provide medical information, characterized in that it comprises: a database of medical information; a first network interface to connect the database to a network; a transaction terminal having associated a printer, a facsimile machine, a second network interface for connecting the terminal to the network, and means for supplying medical information from the database to be delivered over the network to the terminal printer of transaction.
23. 23. A transaction terminal according to claim 22, characterized in that the network is a public switched telephone network.
24. 24. A transaction terminal according to claim 22, characterized in that the network is a network for credit transaction.