U.S. patent application number 16/378561 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-22 for specialized keyboard for dental examinations.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fadi Ibsies. Invention is credited to Fadi Ibsies.
Application Number | 20190258324 16/378561 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49777595 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-22 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190258324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ibsies; Fadi |
August 22, 2019 |
Specialized Keyboard for Dental Examinations
Abstract
The present invention includes a device, system and method of
use consisting of a specialized dental keyboard wherein the
specialized keyboard resides as virtual keys on a touch screen
panel on a device such as a tablet computer including such devices
as an Apple iPad. The invention includes a software component that
enables customer configurable keyboard layouts including a
plurality of specialized keys that provide short-cut macros to
streamline data entry during a dental exam.
Inventors: |
Ibsies; Fadi; (Tigard,
OR) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ibsies; Fadi |
Tigard |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49777595 |
Appl. No.: |
16/378561 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13629463 |
Sep 27, 2012 |
10254852 |
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16378561 |
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12544074 |
Aug 19, 2009 |
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13629463 |
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13441637 |
Apr 6, 2012 |
10251735 |
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12544074 |
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12544074 |
Aug 19, 2009 |
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13441637 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 10/60 20180101;
G06F 1/1664 20130101; A61C 19/00 20130101; G16H 50/20 20180101;
G16H 40/63 20180101; G06F 3/0219 20130101; G06Q 50/24 20130101;
G06F 19/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/02 20060101
G06F003/02; G16H 40/63 20060101 G16H040/63; A61C 19/00 20060101
A61C019/00 |
Claims
1. A dental examination system for use with a dental examination
software tool, the dental examination software tool being able to
record conditions of a patient's teeth and store the records in an
associated patient's computer chart of the dental examination
software tool, the system comprising: (a) a host computer having a
central processor, at least one output screen or monitor device,
and at least one input device, the dental examination software tool
resident on the host computer; (b) a specialized dental
keyboard/input-output device having a plurality of input keys, said
specialized dental keyboard/input-output device physically distinct
from said host computer; (c) each input key having an associated
data string recognizable by the dental examination software tool;
and (d) groupings of input keys specific to dental procedures,
wherein each grouping includes a plurality of said input keys, the
distance between adjacent input keys of the grouping being smaller
than the distance between the input keys of the grouping and input
keys not associated with the grouping, comprising: (i) a tooth
surface grouping of input keys comprising: an I/O (Incisal or
Occlusal, the top side of the tooth or the chewing surface of the
tooth--in the anterior teeth case that is called incisal) input
key; an M (Mesial, the front side of the tooth) input key; a D
(Distal, the back side of the tooth) input key; an L (Lingual or
Palatal, that is palate side or tongue side) input key; and an F
(Facial or Buccal) input key; wherein the I/O input key is
centrally positioned, the M input key is positioned above the I/O
input key, the D input key is positioned below the I/O input key,
the L input key is positioned to the left of the I/O input key, and
the F input key is positioned to the right of the I/O input key,
such that the I/O input key, the M input key, the D input key, the
L input key, and the F input key are arranged in a cross pattern;
and (ii) a tooth grouping of tooth input keys, each tooth input key
designating a specific tooth, comprising: a first set of at least
16 tooth input keys, the first set including consecutively numbered
from 1 to 16 representing the correspondingly numbered teeth of the
upper arch of a mouth; and a second set of at least 16 tooth input
keys, the second set including reverse consecutively numbered from
32 to 17 representing the correspondingly numbered teeth of the
lower arch of a mouth.
2. The system of claim 1, the specialized dental
keyboard/input-output device further comprising an image capture
button, the image capture button for activating a camera to create
an image, the image being stored in the associated patient's
computer chart of the dental examination software tool, the camera
being an intra-oral camera.
3. The system of claim 1, the specialized dental
keyboard/input-output device further comprising an image capture
button, the image capture button for activating a camera to provide
input images of human gestures, a pre-determined set of command or
data instructions being associated with particular individual
gestures or particular sequences of gestures, recognized input
images of human gestures activating the command or data
instructions to implement commands or input data.
4. A method for using an automated supply ordering and inventory
control system in conjunction with a dental examination system, the
dental examination system comprising a computer and at least one
input device, the dental examination system having an associated
dental examination software tool, the method comprising the steps
of: (a) storing pre-determined supply lists associated with
procedures or treatments in memory accessible by the automated
supply ordering and inventory control system, the pre-determined
supply lists associated with procedures or treatments to be
performed on a patient; (b) storing a virtual inventory in memory
accessible by the automated supply ordering and inventory control
system, the virtual inventory detailing a stock of supplies; (c)
the dental examination software tool accepting input from a dental
practitioner via the at least one input device, the input from the
dental practitioner pertaining to a particular procedure or
treatment to be performed on the patient; (d) the automated supply
ordering and inventory control system accessing a particular
pre-determined supply list associated with the particular procedure
or treatment to be performed on the patient; (e) the automated
supply ordering and inventory control system accessing the virtual
inventory to verify supplies listed on the particular
pre-determined supply list are in stock; and (f) the automated
supply ordering and inventory control system automatically
re-orders supplies if the removal of supplies listed on the
particular pre-determined supply list reduces the stock of those
supplies to a set threshold point; (g) wherein automated supply
ordering and inventory control is based on a procedure or treatment
inputted by the dentist.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of presenting
steps associated with the particular procedure or treatment to a
dental practitioner on a screen, and allowing the dental
practitioner via the at least one input device to customize the
steps of the particular procedure or treatment.
6. A specialized dental keyboard/input-output device adapted for
recording conditions of teeth in a patient during a dental exam
using a dental examination software tool, the specialized dental
keyboard/input-output device comprising: (a) a display area; (b)
groupings of input keys specific to dental procedures, wherein each
grouping includes a plurality of said input keys, the distance
between adjacent input keys of the grouping being smaller than the
distance between the input keys of the grouping and input keys not
associated with the grouping, comprising: (i) a tooth surface
grouping of input keys comprising: an I/O (Incisal or Occlusal, the
top side of the tooth or the chewing surface of the tooth--in the
anterior teeth case that is called incisal) input key; an M
(Mesial, the front side of the tooth) input key; a D (Distal, the
back side of the tooth) input key; an L (Lingual or Palatal, that
is palate side or tongue side) input key; and an F (Facial or
Buccal) input key; wherein the I/O input key is centrally
positioned, the M input key is positioned above the I/O input key,
the D input key is positioned below the I/O input key, the L input
key is positioned to the left of the I/O input key, and the F input
key is positioned to the right of the I/O input key, such that the
I/O input key, the M input key, the D input key, the L input key,
and the F input key are arranged in a cross pattern; and (ii) a
tooth grouping of tooth input keys, each tooth input key
designating a specific tooth, comprising: a first set of at least
16 tooth input keys, the first set including consecutively numbered
from 1 to 16 representing the correspondingly numbered teeth of the
upper arch of a mouth; and a second set of at least 16 tooth input
keys, the second set including reverse consecutively numbered from
32 to 17 representing the correspondingly numbered teeth of the
lower arch of a mouth.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/629,463, filed Sep. 27, 2012. U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/629,463 is an application claiming the
benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/544,074, filed Aug.
9, 2009. The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/441,637, filed Apr. 6, 2012. U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/441,637 is an application claiming
the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/544,074, filed
Aug. 9, 2009. The present application is based on and claims
priority from these applications, the disclosures of which are
hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to specialized input devices,
specifically a keyboard and method of use, and software related to
periodontal examinations.
[0003] A periodontal examination, an important procedure performed
frequently in dental and periodontal offices, includes an
examination of the bones holding the teeth in place and the
conditions of the teeth and gums. The examination includes probing
the teeth and the gums around each of the patient's teeth in
succession, and recording the results. Because the examination
requires several measurements for each of the (normally) 32-teeth
32 teeth, a large amount of data is generated and must be
recorded.
[0004] The data output from the examination of a patient is
recorded on a chart. Today, the dental chart--no longer a paper
record hand-written by the dentist--is computerized system
including user interface, input device and database. Accordingly,
today's dentist electronically inputs a patient's dental
examination into a computerized record associated with the patient.
This record requires the dentist or assistant to input the patient
exam. Preferably, this input occurs real-time to avoid errors and
reduce inefficient duplication of effort.
[0005] However, real-time data entry, while entry, while also
maintaining a safe and clean environment free of risk of
contamination of infectious disease, requires disease, requires a
time intensive operation requiring two persons (examiner and
data-entry person). In some instances, specialized tools are used
to facilitate the exam and real-time data recording, but most often
a standard keyboard and/or touch screen touch-screen and/or mouse,
or mouse, or other point-and-click input device is used by the
assistant while the dentist probes and examines each tooth and
audibly notes the condition. In turn, the turn, the assistant keys
in the audible notes via a standard keyboard or touch screen
touch-screen into the electronic chart for the dental patient.
[0006] This dental chart often includes notations and records of
the locations of carious, broken, and missing teeth. The dental
chart also includes notations and records of along with work
previously performed by another dentist, including restorations,
crowns, and crowns, and bridges. To improve efficiencies, various
prior art methods and devices have been introduced to record and
retain patient records on a varied form of the dental chart.
[0007] One such improvement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,343,305
granted to Benn et al. on Mar. 11, 2008. Benn et al. teach a method
and system for charting tooth decay and disclose a conventional
input device and computer for entering tooth conditions during an
examination. Particularly, this reference discloses a method and
system for advanced caries management that provides more
descriptive representations of tooth decay, including site
severity, activity (demineralization or remineralization), and
cavitation state (non-cavitated or cavitated) of decay. Benn et al.
teach a need in the art for a simple graphical user interface (GUI)
to make entering and viewing data relative to caries management
easier. A conventional GUI display includes a desktop metaphor upon
which one or more icons, application windows, or other graphical
objects are displayed. Typically, a user interacts with a GUI
display utilizing a graphical pointer, which the user controls with
a graphical pointing device, such as a mouse, touch pen, trackball,
or joystick. The user selects icons or other graphical objects
within the GUI display by positioning the graphical pointer over
the graphical object and depressing a button associated with the
graphical pointing device. In addition, the user can typically
relocate icons, application windows, and other graphical objects on
the desktop utilizing the well-known drag-and-drop techniques. By
manipulating the graphical objects within the GUI display, the user
can control the underlying hardware devices and software objects
represented by the graphical objects in a graphical and intuitive
manner.
[0008] Other known methods and devices relating particularly to
input devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,827 issued on
May 19, 1998 to Baron et al. Baron et al. teach a specialized input
keyboard specifically adapted for inputting tooth conditions during
a dental examination. FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Baron et al.
reference show a generally rectilinear, thin, portable, input
keyboard with standard alpha-numeric keys arranged in a
conventional row/column layout. Baron et al. further teach a method
of special codes representing combinations of a tooth and a
condition.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,402 issued on Apr. 8, 2008 to Hoarau et
al. Hoarau et al. teach an intra-oral data input tool including a
discoid head and handle. The discoid head includes a data input
device responsive to force applied by a stylus and may be used
directly by contacting a tooth during a dental examination.
[0010] Yet other methods and devices, relating particularly to
output or display improvement, include U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,531
issued on Aug. 31, 1999 to Foley et al., which teaches an
instructional display of a human mouth; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,986
issued on Dec. 16, 2003 to Kopelman et al., which teaches a
graphical user interface and display of a representation of a human
mouth in simulated 3-D.
[0011] One improved input device for periodontal examinations
includes the teaching of Baron et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,827
issued on May 19, 1998. Baron et al. teach an automated periodontal
examination data recording and recall apparatus having at least one
pre-programmed mode of operation. Periodontal examination data is
entered in a predetermined sequence into the Baron et al.
apparatus. The periodontal examination must be performed in a
predetermined sequence. The periodontal examination apparatus
includes a keypad input device, an LCD, a main controller, and an
attachment device for securing the apparatus to the examiner's
arm.
[0012] Despite the attempts at improving the methods and devices to
improve efficiency of data collection during a dental examination,
there remains a need for an easy-to-use, customized or specialized
keyboard that enables rapid data entry in any sequence tailored to
the needs of a periodontal examination. Such a keyboard must adapt
to existing computer hardware and software systems commonly used in
dental offices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention, in various preferred embodiments,
includes an input device for use with a computerized system and a
method of use of the keyboard can be implemented in numerous ways,
including as a component of a computer or database system, a method
of data input, an apparatus, an apparatus connected to a computer
readable medium, a computer program product, or a data structure
tangibly fixed in a computer readable memory. Several embodiments
of the invention are discussed below.
[0014] As a computer system, an embodiment of the invention
includes a memory unit containing data, a display, and a processor
unit. The system may be, for example, in the form of a desktop,
laptop, handheld, or palm-sized device, a personal data assistant
(PDA), or integrated with other devices. The display has at least
one display area (window). The processor unit operates to receive
input from the user (via, e.g. a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice,
touch-screen, or any other means by which a human can input data
into a computer, including through other programs such as
application programs or devices such as a probe), store the input
as data, and output the data to the screen or printer. The data may
also be transmitted to another device, such as a computer, or
transferred via electronic means (including Internet
communications). The memory unit may store the protocol for the
method of recording carious lesions. The display device may include
icons representative of the method of the present invention. The
computer system further includes a graphical user interface (GUI)
for the display screen for searching, inputting, and displaying
data. A variety of formats for searching, inputting, and displaying
data are contemplated.
[0015] In one preferred embodiment, a graphical representation of
all of the teeth of a patient is displayed on a device (such as a
computer screen) from which a specific tooth is selected via the
specialized keyboard of the present invention. That tooth is then
displayed with individual anatomical graphical regions delineated.
The region on the display that corresponds to the region on the
actual tooth being examined is selected (or the regions can be
automatically activated in a predetermined order). If using a
digital probe, the reading on the probe is recorded (directly or
manually) for the selected region on the screen. If manual probing
is conducted, the operator enters the appropriate data for that
region. Voice recognition and voice output may be used in
conjunction with the method. Readings are recorded for each region
as necessary. The process is repeated for each tooth as necessary.
A printout of the chart can be provided from the device or from a
central system with which the device communicates (e.g. PDA
synchronized with desktop).
[0016] As a computer readable media containing program
instructions, an embodiment of the invention includes: computer
readable code devices for the specific operations of the invention,
including graphical display of the teeth, unique display of regions
for systematic examination, input of data (manually or directly
from another instrument), recording of data, display of data, and
output of data. The methods of the present invention may be
implemented as a computer program product with a computer-readable
medium having code thereon. The program product includes a program
and a signal bearing media bearing the program.
[0017] As an apparatus, the present invention may include at least
one specialized keyboard coupled to a processor, a memory coupled
to the processor, and a program residing in the memory which
implements the methods of the present invention.
[0018] One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes
an apparatus comprising a specialized dental keyboard. This
keyboard will revolutionize the way data is entered in all dental
offices and schools and reducing error due to misdiagnosis and
increase the accuracy of data entry of patient's existing
conditions prior to rendering treatment. This data entry device
seamlessly integrates with existing patient management software via
key macros and direct software bridging. The keyboard includes keys
(separate keys or combinations of keys) representing all teeth
numbers, including primary teeth, based on the Universal/National
System primarily used in the United States.
[0019] The Universal/National System for permanent (adult)
dentition (1-32) includes: (1) is the patient's upper right molar
and follows around the upper arch to the upper left third molar
(16), descending to the lower left third molar (17) and follows
around the lower arch to the lower right third molar (32). The
Universal/National System order for the primary (baby) dentition is
the same as described for the permanent dentition, however, the
primary teeth are designated by upper case letters A through T,
with A being the patient's upper right second primary molar and T
being the lower right second primary molar.
[0020] Accordingly, the present invention utilizes this
Universal/National System and functions as an improved dental
pathosis and treatment plan entry device. The present invention
enables the operator (such as a dental assistant, dental hygienist,
or a dentist, for example) to enter data into pre-determined
software, linked via a software bridge. And, key-macros make the
entry of data more accurate, providing protection for both the
dentist and the patient as far as the data entry is concerned. This
data provides the existing conditions present in the patient's
mouth and the treatment plan needed to correct these conditions.
The patient will be able to have a complete diagnosis and have a
better understanding of the conditions that exist in his mouth.
This device enables connection to certain educational videos that
the patient will be able to benefit from and get a better
understanding of the need for the recommended treatment. This
device improves the data-entry operation for a tooth and includes
short cuts (keys and/or macros) for existing conditions, a link
with intraoral images of the tooth, a link with the periodontal
assessment of the tooth, and is able to select any combination of
several different treatment options including placement of the
correct fees for each procedure and American Dental Association
(ADA) codes for each procedure.
[0021] The keyboard of the present invention, therefore, better
enables a doctor or dentist to efficiently create a record of past
work ("what was done" or "existing"), what needs to be done, why it
needs to be done, and the long term prognosis of the procedure
based on the periodontal health of the tooth--all the essential
data the a board of dentistry requires to protect both the patient
and the doctor. This device can become the educational tool of the
future if schools were to carry this device and make incoming
dental students use it as the standard of care in data entry.
[0022] This keyboard works with existing dental software tools that
are available on the market and it will be made compatible via
software bridges or patches, or in the future--software can be
specifically developed for it. One example of existing software for
which the present invention is well suited includes the
DENTRIX.RTM.-brand software tool available from
http://www.dentrix.com, which is a readily available dental
software tool and is well known in this art. Other examples of
compatible software include the EAGLESOFT.RTM.-brand (available
from http://patterson.eaglesoft.net/index.htm), DAISY DENTAL.TM.
Software (available from
http://www.daisydental.com/software/index.shtml), and
KODAK.RTM.-brand dental software (available from
http://www.kodakdental.com/for-dentists/practice-management-systems/softd-
ent.aspx).
[0023] The present invention includes a keyboard with specific
buttons (tooth identifying keys). Each button represents a tooth on
the two rows of keys including a shift-like key on the right side
that toggles between primary and permanent teeth. On the left side
is the dental diagnosis and treatment section. The following
symbols and abbreviations are used: EX=existing condition, whether
it is a filling (type of filling), broken half of tooth, or decay
on a certain spot on the tooth; DX=what is wrong with the tooth,
and why it needs treatment, for example a failing alloy filling,
open margins, or recurrent decay on mesial; and TX=recommended
treatment; for example, the proposed treatment, such as a crown,
gold inlay, porcelain inlay, or composite filling. There will be a
toggle to choose different options of treatment, such as a root
canal on tooth #30 or a removal of tooth #30, and treatment
plan--for example, an implant.
[0024] When a user presses the probing chart key, the computer will
automatically pull up the patient's periodontal chart. On the right
side of the device is the periodontal health of the tooth. It is
represented with the most common buttons for millimeter readings of
the periodontal pockets, for example from 1 mm to 6 mm and the less
common measurements are represented with smaller buttons, for
example from 7 mm to 12 mm for each tooth. A bleeding point button
can be pressed for the mesial, middle reading, and distal reading.
As an example, tooth #2 has a facial reading of 3-5-4, bleeding
points on both mesial and middle readings, and class I mobility.
The sequence of buttons that will be pressed include the #2 button
on the upper left (to select tooth #2), followed the bleeding point
button, the numbers 3-5-4 of the probing buttons, the mobility
button, and the class I button. This will give a very accurate
reading of the existing periodontal condition of tooth #2.
[0025] Pressing the image capture button causes the computer to
pull up the intra-oral camera.
[0026] One contemplated method includes using the keyboard to
assist with dental photographs (pictures). Accordingly, the way
pictures will be taken is the assistant, for example, will press
the #4 key and the camera will be activated to point to tooth #4
and the image will be stored in the patient's computer chart as
tooth #4. Thus, when data is pulled for tooth #4, there will be an
existing condition of what the patient's tooth looked like when he
first joined the practice, along with an image of the tooth, the
periodontal health of the tooth, what the proposed treatment was at
the time, and the treatment that was rendered on the tooth.
[0027] An assistant, doctor or hygienist can enter a full treatment
plan on this keyboard without having to use a mouse because using a
mouse in the dental operatory is awkward at best and tends to
really slow down the data entry which causes the assistant to skip
over pertinent data.
[0028] The LCD display displays the data entered and has a 2 second
time lapse so that data can be reviewed prior to having it sent to
the software. This way the person entering the data can intercept
it and change it if he/she sees that they made a mistake in the
data entry.
[0029] One embodiment of the present invention contemplates a
specialized dental keyboard/input-output device adapted for use
with a host computer to record conditions of teeth in a patient
during a dental exam using a dental examination software tool
resident on the host computer. The device includes a wired or
wireless connection coupled to the host computer for sending
inputted data representing a plurality of keystrokes; a set of
programming sequences resident on the host computer adapted to
convert the inputted keystrokes to a data string recognizable by
the dental examination software tool; a plurality of input keys
arranged on a keyboard, each key communicating to the wired or
wireless connection; and a liquid-crystal display screen mounted on
the keyboard and adapted to display a sequence of keystrokes.
[0030] This embodiment further contemplates that the plurality of
input keys consists of at least 32 keys wherein each key is
consecutively numbered beginning with digit "1" and ending with the
combination digits "32" indicating each one of the thirty-two
teeth.
[0031] This embodiment further contemplates a first-condition key
on the keyboard and a second condition key wherein the first
condition key represents the patient's current condition and a
second condition key represents the patient's prescribed
treatment.
[0032] This embodiment further contemplates a second
multidirectional input element having at least five unique input
directions, the five input directions disposed generally in a
common input plane; and wherein the plurality of input keys
comprises a first set of keys numbered from 1 to 32, the first set
of keys being adapted to input the current condition of the
patient's teeth; and a second set of keys numbered from 1 to 32,
the second set of keys being adapted to input the treatment or
proscribed treatment of the patient's teeth.
[0033] This embodiment further contemplates that the keys also
include an RCT (Root Canal Therapy) key; a PFM (Porcelain Fused to
Metal crown) key; an FGC (Full Gold Crown) key; an A.Prophy (Adult
Prophy) key; a C.Prophy (Child Prophy) key; an SRP (Scaling and
Root Planing) key; a Pontic (middle fake tooth on a bridge) key; a
Part Denture (partial denture) key and a Full Denture (complete
denture, no teeth on upper or lower arch).
[0034] This embodiment further contemplates that the keys also
include an F (Facial or Buccal) key; an L (Lingual or Palatal, that
is palate side or tongue side) key; a D (Distal, the back side of
the tooth) key; an M (Mesial, the front side of the tooth) key; and
an I/O (Incisal or Occlusal, the top side of the tooth or the
chewing surface of the tooth--in the anterior teeth case that is
called incisal) key. This embodiment further contemplates a method
for examining a patient's teeth during a dental exam. The method
includes providing a specialized dental keyboard having a plurality
of keys, the plurality of keys including at least 32 keys wherein
each key is consecutively numbered beginning with digit "1" and
ending with the combination digits "32" indicating each one of the
thirty-two teeth and at least one additional key from the following
group: an RCT (Root Canal Therapy) key; a PFM (Porcelain Fused to
Metal crown) key; an FGC (Full Gold Crown) key; an A.Prophy (Adult
Prophy) key; a C.Prophy (Child Prophy) key; an SRP (Scaling and
Root Planing) key; a Pontic (middle fake tooth on a bridge) key; a
Part Denture (partial denture) key and a Full Denture (complete
denture, no teeth on upper or lower arch); providing a host
computer with a dental examination software tool resident in
memory; providing a software macro installed on the host computer,
the software macro adapted to translate keystrokes of the
specialized dental keyboard to data strings for inputting into the
dental examination software tool; and inputting a sequence of
keystrokes on the dental keyboard, the sequence of keystrokes
representing a condition observed during the dental exam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a system overview of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 2 is one possible keyboard layout or virtual key layout
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a system overview of a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a virtual keyboard and graphical user interface
combination of the present invention and shows an opening
screen.
[0039] FIG. 5 is screen shot of a patient record on the
touch-screen tablet as contemplated by the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a patient disclosure form on the
touch-screen tablet as contemplated by the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0041] FIG. 7 is logic diagram of the virtual keyboard and software
program of the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a possible virtual keyboard layout according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 9 is another screen shot of a virtual keyboard and
graphical user interface on the touch-screen tablet as contemplated
by the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 10 is another screen shot of a virtual keyboard and
graphical user interface on the touch-screen tablet as contemplated
by the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 11 is another screen shot of a virtual keyboard and
graphical user interface on the touch-screen tablet as contemplated
by the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 12 is another screen shot of a virtual keyboard and
graphical user interface on the touch-screen tablet as contemplated
by the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a computer system
utilizing the device and system and method according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] Possible embodiments will now be described with reference to
the drawings and those skilled in the art will understand that
alternative configurations and combinations of components may be
substituted without subtracting from the invention. Also, in some
figures certain components are omitted to more clearly illustrate
the invention.
[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates a system utilizing a keyboard 10
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The specialized keyboard 10 or virtual keyboard 100 (see, for
example, FIG. 3) on a touch-screen communicates bi-directionally
with a central processor on a computer 15. The communication
between the specialized keyboard 10 or virtual keyboard 100 on a
touch-screen and computer 15 may be facilitated by a communication
means 12, such as a wireless sending/receiving unit integrated
(physically coupled to or physically integrated with) the
specialized keyboard, such as a BLUETOOTH.RTM. enabled wireless
transmitter/receiver. The traditional computer 15 includes a normal
output device 11, such as a flat-panel display screen, CRT monitor,
printer, and the like. And further, the computer 15 includes
traditional input devices such as a keyboard 13 and mouse 17. An
example of a suitable conventional computer system includes a
desktop PC having an Intel Pentium-brand IV 2.4 GHz processing chip
with 512 MB RAM--1 GB RAM, at least 2 GB available disk space a
CD-ROM Drive, an Ethernet 10/100/1000 network card, a standard
CRT/LCD monitor with a minimum of 1024.times.768 screen resolution,
3D capable DirectX 9 compatible graphics card with 128 MB video
memory (needed for 3D Modeling), a USB Chipset with two or more
powered USB 2.0 ports, additional PCI Express, AGP, PCI or USB 2.0
expansion slots may be required, and a WINDOWS.RTM.-brand XP
Professional operating system, for example.
[0050] FIG. 1 shows the specialized keyboard 10 (or virtual
keyboard 100 shown in FIG. 3) on a touch-screen as a separate
physical entity from the communication means 12. It should be
understood that the communication means includes, in one
embodiment, a separate, "black box" device that has wired
connection to the computer 15 and keyboard 10 and includes software
and hardware to convert signals from the keyboard 10 to standard
code sequences for the computer and resident software to use
conventionally as if keyed from the traditional associated keyboard
13.
[0051] In use, the present invention keyboard will be used instead
of conventional input devices (for example, a conventional
keyboard, touch-screen, mouse, pointer or a combination of these).
Built-in software macros pre-loaded on the host computer will
interpret keystrokes from the keyboard of the present invention.
The macros will then automatically feed the string of commands
required by the specific software platform the dentist uses to
manage patient care.
[0052] It should also be understood that the communication means
12, in an alternative embodiment, includes a wired or wireless link
between the specialized keyboard 10 or virtual keyboard 100 on a
touch-screen and the processor on a conventional computer 15.
[0053] Other examples of conventional computer systems include
DELL.RTM. standard dental PC computers running either WINDOWS
XP.RTM. or VISTA.RTM.. These systems commonly run dental software,
such as DENTRIX.RTM., EAGLESOFT.RTM., DAISY DENTAL.TM., AND
KODAK.RTM. dental software including support for specialty dental
software such as DOLPHIN IMAGING.RTM. dental software.
[0054] One contemplated layout for a specialized dental keyboard 10
according to the present invention, as FIG. 2 illustrates, includes
an integrated display panel 200 (also referred to herein as a
display area or window) and a plurality of specialized keys. One
suitable display panel includes a device made by Samsung
Electronics Co., Ltd. of Seoul, Korea and includes a design
optimized for mobile applications consisting of a 7 inch diagonal
viewing screen with a Si-TFT LCD Model that uses transparent
plastic substrate that maintains constant thickness and will not
break, even when bent. A full-color display delivers
640.times.480.times.RBG (114 ppi) resolution with aperture ratio of
40%, brightness rating of 100 nit, and color saturation of 60% of
NTSC, for example. The display panel 200 is used to flash the
buttons pressed on the LCD screen for a couple of seconds to verify
the data being sent to the computer, giving the operator a chance
to verify that the correct data is sent to the computer or to
cancel and reenter the data by pressing a cancel button.
[0055] The specialized keyboard 10 or virtual keyboard 100 on a
touch-screen includes a plurality of tooth identifying keys
(reference number 210). This plurality of tooth identifying keys
210 consist of a first row of 17 keys and a second row of 17 keys,
the first row being consecutively numbered from 1 to 16
representing the correspondingly numbered teeth in a human mouth,
plus one additional key to denote permanent teeth (reference number
212). The second row is reverse consecutively numbered from 32 to
17 representing the remaining teeth, plus one additional key to
denote primary (baby) teeth (reference number 214). The sequence of
keys in the plurality of tooth identifying keys 210 is visually
arranged as commonly displayed in graphical representations of
teeth, which is quite familiar to dentists.
[0056] Additional individual keys are provided on the keyboard 10
including an "EX" key 216 for indicating the current condition of
the tooth, a "DX" key 218 for indicating the diagnosis of the
tooth, and a "TX" key 220 for indicating the prescribed treatment
of the tooth. As set forth in the Summary, EX stands for existing
condition, DX stands for diagnosis, and TX stands for treatment.
The existing condition (EX) may be a filling 280 (type of filling
290, 292, 294, 296), broken 284 half of tooth, or decay 282 on a
certain spot on the tooth. The diagnosis (DX) may be, for example,
a failing alloy 290 filling 280, open margins, or recurrent decay
282 on mesial 266. The recommended treatment (TX) may be, for
example, a crown 298, gold 296 inlay 297, porcelain 294 inlay 297,
or composite 292 filling 280. There will be the ability to choose
different options of treatment (such as a root canal 234 on tooth
#30 or a removal 252 of tooth #30) and treatment plan (for example,
an implant 254).
[0057] When a user presses the probing chart key 221, the computer
will automatically pull up the patient's periodontal chart.
[0058] On the right side of the device are the buttons 222, 224,
226, 228, 230 used for inputting information regarding the
periodontal health of the tooth. The most common measurements are
represented with buttons 222 representing millimeter readings of
the periodontal pockets from 1 mm to 6 mm. The less common
measurements are represented with smaller buttons 224 from 7 mm to
12 mm for each tooth. A bleeding point button 226 can be pressed
for the mesial, middle reading, and distal readings. As an example,
tooth #2 has a facial reading of 3-5-4, bleeding points on both
mesial and middle readings, and class I mobility. The sequence of
buttons that will be pressed will be #2 on the upper left of the
device (to select tooth #2), the bleeding point button 226, probing
buttons 3-5-4 (from buttons 222 and buttons 224), the mobility
button 228, and one of the class buttons 230 designating mobility
class I. This will give a very accurate reading of the existing
periodontal condition of tooth #2.
[0059] Pressing the image capture button 232 and the computer pulls
up the intraoral camera. The way pictures will be taken is that
when the assistant, for example, presses #4 and the camera will be
active and then points camera to tooth #4, the image will be stored
in the patient's computer chart as tooth #4. That way, when data is
pulled for tooth #4 there will be an existing condition of what the
patient's tooth looked like when they first joined the practice,
along with an image of the tooth, the periodontal health of the
tooth, the proposed treatment was at the time, and the treatment
that was rendered on the tooth.
[0060] An assistant, doctor, or hygienist can enter a full
treatment plan on this keyboard 10 without having to use a mouse.
Because using a mouse in the dental operatory is awkward, at best,
and tends to really slow down the data entry, which causes the
assistant to skip over pertinent data, this keyboard 10 improves
the efficiency of the examination and also reduces data-entry
errors.
[0061] The keyboard 10 includes specialized keys for typical
examination procedures. Activating (or depressing) one of the
specialized keys sends a data packet encoded to the computer 15,
the data packet or string of information from the keyboard 10 is
converted into conventional data as if entered via a mouse and
graphical user interface or a conventional keyboard. The
specialized key is essentially a "short-cut" or "hot key" that
enables one keystroke to replace an entire sequence of keystrokes
or mouse clicks.
[0062] Common treatments and the corresponding specialized keys
include: RCT (Root Canal Therapy) key 234; PFM (Porcelain Fused to
Metal crown) key 236; FGC (Full Gold Crown) key 238; A.Prophy
(Adult Prophy) key 240; C.Prophy (Child Prophy) key 242; SRP
(Scaling and Root Planing) key 244; Pontic (middle fake tooth on a
bridge) key 246; Part Denture key 248; and Full Denture (complete
denture, no teeth on upper or lower arch) key 250, for example.
[0063] Additional specialized operations and corresponding keys on
the specialized keyboard 10 or virtual keyboard 100 on a
touch-screen include: an F (Facial or Buccal) key 260; an L
(Lingual or Palatal, that is palate side or tongue side) key 262; a
D (Distal, the back side of the tooth) key 264; an M (Mesial, the
front side of the tooth) key 266; and an I/O (Incisal or Occlusal,
the top side of the tooth or the chewing surface of the tooth--in
the anterior teeth case that is called incisal) key 268. These five
keys arrange in a cross pattern and are offset from other groupings
of keys. The key layout is the standard layout of the shape of a
tooth as depicted on the various dental software tools and this
makes it effortless for the operator of the keyboard to enter the
data on each tooth accurately and in a fast manner. Although the
preferred embodiment, as illustrated in the appended drawing,
describes a particular layout of keys thought to be advantageous in
their layout for rapid data entry, other contemplated embodiments
include additional keys, reduction of the number of keys, or
rearrangement of the physical layout of keys to provide alternate
layouts as ergonomics or other criteria may dictate.
[0064] Other specialized operations and corresponding keys on the
specialized keyboard 10 or virtual keyboard 100 on a touch-screen
include: FMX (Full Mouth Series of X-rays) key; BW (Bitewing X-ray)
key 272; PA (Periapical X-ray) key 274; PANO (Panoramic X-ray) key
276; and Class V (filling a filling on the gum line of the tooth
whether it is lingual or facial) key 280, for example.
[0065] The FMX, full mouth series of X-rays corresponds to a full
series of radiographs to be taken on a new patient's first visit.
The BW key 272 for taking Bitewing X-rays, is used to see in
between teeth.
[0066] The LCD display 200 displays the data entered and has a 2
second time lapse so that data can be reviewed prior to having it
sent to the software, this way the person entering the data can
intercept it and change it if he/she sees that they made a mistake
in the data entry.
[0067] Using the keyboard of the present invention overcomes
limitations in the existing art. Currently, a dentist must use a
combination of a conventional keyboard and a mouse to select and
input treatments, observed conditions, and current tooth condition
(for example). The present invention, however, replaces the
combination of screen, mouse, and conventional keyboard. Instead,
the dentist rapidly uses the specialized keyboard of the present
invention to capture a string of observations or treatment plans
and observes the input on the small LCD screen 200 prior to
"entering" the sequence into the host computer.
[0068] Other contemplated physical structures of the specialized
keyboard are contemplated including a laser keyboard, such as an
I-Tech Virtual Laser Keyboard available from Power Positioning Ltd.
of Grawn, Mich., or a flat panel, or touch screen-type input device
with reconfigurable keys based on a graphical user interface, or a
membrane keyboard. Examples of membrane and touch screen input
devices that could be adapted for use by the present invention
include the devices manufactured by CSI Keyboards, Inc. of Peabody,
Mass., USA, for example.
[0069] As mentioned above, one embodiment of the contemplated
present invention includes adapting a keyboard for use on a
touch-screen device and is shown in FIGS. 3-12. The above buttons
and keys can be directly translated to virtual buttons and keys
rendered on a touch-screen device, such as an IPAD.RTM. and the
like, by means well known and understood in the art. The reader is
encouraged to contemplate the aforementioned physical, mechanical
keys and buttons as virtual keys on the display of common touch
screen devices. Accordingly, a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention contemplates use of the IPAD.RTM. (registered
trademark of Apple, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., USA) or other similar
tablet computers that include a touch-screen input/output
device.
[0070] One particularly well-suited embodiment of the present
invention contemplates a software application ("app") adapted for
use on a tablet computer including the Apple IPAD.RTM. (available
from www.apple.com) and other similar touch-screen interface tablet
devices. In one preferred embodiment, the invention is ported for
use on an IPAD.RTM. and details of this embodiment are described
hereinafter, but should not be deemed limiting in scope because of
the reference to a particular piece of hardware, but exemplary or
representational of the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0071] Digital X-ray images of a patient's teeth, jaw, and other
related bone structure are common-place in today's dental office.
Transferring the image from the digital X-ray recording device to a
display associated with a personal computer is well-understood.
Accordingly, transferring such an image to a touch screen device is
readily feasible by those of ordinary skill in this art. The
present invention contemplates using this image on the touch-screen
and overlaying a graphical representation of a single tooth so that
details of observed conditions may be displayed for use by the
dentist and patient. Further, recommended treatment, past treatment
and future conditions may also be graphically superimposed over the
digital X-ray. Additionally, all the patient's teeth may be
digitally X-rayed and a composite map of the patient's mouth using
multiple X-ray images can be assembled so that all the teeth can be
viewed simultaneously on the touch screen display. This also
includes multiple views of each tooth and allows for graphical
manipulation of each and every tooth in each and every view to
demonstrate currently observed conditions of the teeth and/or to
graphically display the proposed treatment options for any of the
teeth.
[0072] In yet another contemplated embodiment, the present
invention utilizes the camera resident on a handheld device (such
as an IPAD.RTM., IPHONE.RTM., other smart phones, and other tablet
computing devices, for example) to recognize gestures by the
dentist. The gestures correspond to a pre-determined set of
instructions associated with a particular gesture or sequence of
gestures, which can be hand gestures, or whole body gestures, to
input commands or data in lieu of touching a keyboard or touch
screen interface. Similarly, voice recognition input transferred to
the smart appliance by the on-board microphone is also
contemplated.
[0073] Additionally, the resident camera can be used to image the
existing dental work inside a patient's mouth, and using imaging
software, the type of dental work (bridge, crown, silver filing,
ceramic filing, etc.) can be determined by the present invention
and stored in a database and visually superimposed on an image on
the screen of the device. For example, a "Cerac" machine that
recognizes fillings, gold crowns, and silver filings can be
integrated into the devices of the present invention.
[0074] Further, another embodiment of the present invention
contemplates incorporating automated supply ordering and inventory
control based on the procedure or treatment inputted by the
dentist. This inventory control module/app, whereby the type of
procedure selected launches a pre-determined supply list and pulls
the virtual inventory to verify if there is sufficient stock and
automatically re-orders stock at set threshold points, and includes
a payment set up similar to an "ITUNES.RTM." online store, is
automated in various embodiments of the present invention. Thus,
when a dentist schedules a particular procedure for a given
patient, the present invention then enables the dentist to view on
a screen all the steps of that procedure and to customize the
procedure for the patient by various on-screen pull down menus
and/or by selecting or deselecting tick-boxes. Once the dentist is
satisfied with the exact sequence and elections of a particular
procedure (a unique procedure for that patient), the system will
provide a list of needed supplies, which can be printed or
otherwise delivered to the assistant for physical pulling of the
supplies from their physical storage location. Simultaneously, the
system of the present invention can pull virtual supplies from an
inventory database and, if a predetermined re-order point is
triggered, automatically send a re-order request to the vendors
associated with those supplies. Billing and invoicing of the
patient, and payment to vendors for supplies, can also be automated
by well understood practices and devices known in the relevant
arts.
[0075] The disclosure of the present invention herein includes
selected terms, and the following shall serve as a partial
definition of the meaning of these terms. The definitions include
various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the
scope of a particular term and can be used to implement the
disclosed methods. The examples are not intended to be limiting and
both singular and plural forms of terms may be within the
definitions.
[0076] As used in this application, the term "computing unit"
refers to a computer-related entity, hardware, firmware, software,
a combination thereof, or software in execution. For example, a
computing unit can be, but is not limited to being, a process
running on a processor unit, a processor, an object, an executable,
a thread of execution, a program, and a computer. By way of
illustration, both an application running on a server and the
server can be computing units. One or more computing units can
reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a computing
unit can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between
two or more computers.
[0077] The term "system memory," as used herein, refers to a medium
that participates directly or indirectly to provide signals,
instructions and/or data. A system memory may take forms,
including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, and volatile
media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or
magnetic disks and so on. Volatile media may include, for example,
optical or magnetic disks, dynamic memory and the like. Common
forms of a system memory include computer-readable medium such as,
but are not limited to, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard
disk, a magnetic tape, other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, other
optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, other physical medium with
patterns of holes, a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, or other
memory chip or card, a memory stick, and other media from which a
computer, a processor or other electronic device can read.
[0078] The term "shared data storage," as used herein, refers to a
physical and/or logical entity that can store data. Data storage
may be, for example, a database, a table, a file, a list, a queue,
a heap, a memory, a register, a file directory, a storage location,
and so on. Data storage may reside in one logical and/or physical
entity and/or may be distributed between two or more logical and/or
physical entities.
[0079] The term "logic," as used herein, includes, but is not
limited to, hardware, firmware, software and/or combinations of
each to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause and
execute a function or action from another logic, method, and/or
system. For example, based on a desired application or needs, logic
may include a software controlled microprocessor, discrete logic
like an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
programmed logic device like a field programmable gate array
(FPGA), a memory device containing instructions, combinations of
logic devices, or the like. Logic may include one or more gates,
combinations of gates, or other circuit components. Logic may also
be fully embodied as software, or may be a computing unit as
defined herein. Where multiple logical logics are described, it may
be possible to incorporate the multiple logical logics into one
physical logic. Similarly, where a single logical logic is
described, it may be possible to distribute that single logical
logic between multiple physical logics.
[0080] The term "software," as used herein, includes, but is not
limited to, one or more computer or processor instructions that can
be read, interpreted, compiled, and/or executed, and that cause a
computer, processor, or other electronic device to perform
functions, actions, and/or behave in a desired manner. The
instructions may be embodied in various forms like routines,
algorithms, modules, methods, threads, and/or programs including
separate applications or code from dynamically linked libraries.
Software may also be implemented in a variety of executable and/or
loadable forms including, but not limited to, a stand-alone
program, a function call (local and/or remote), a servelet, an
applet, instructions stored in a memory, part of an operating
system, or other types of executable instructions. It will be
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the form of
software may be dependent on, for example, requirements of a
desired application, the environment in which it runs, and/or the
desires of a designer/programmer or the like. It will also be
appreciated that computer-readable and/or executable instructions
can be located in one logic and/or distributed between two or more
communicating, co-operating, and/or parallel processing logics, and
thus can be loaded and/or executed in serial, parallel, massively
parallel, and other manners.
[0081] Suitable software for implementing the various components of
the example systems and methods described herein include
programming languages and tools like JAVA.RTM., Pascal, C#, C++, C,
CGI, PERL.RTM., PHP, SQL, APis, SDKs, assembly, firmware,
microcode, and/or other languages and tools. Software, whether an
entire system or a component of a system, may be embodied as an
article of manufacture and maintained or provided as part of a
computer-readable memory as indicated previously. Another form of
the software may include signals that transmit program code of the
software to a recipient over a network or other communication
medium. Thus, in one example, a computer-readable medium has a form
of signals that represent the software/firmware as it is downloaded
from a web server to a user. In another example, the
computer-readable medium has a form of the software/firmware as it
is maintained on the web server. Other forms may also be used.
[0082] The term "user," as used herein, includes, but is not
limited to, one or more persons, software, computers, or other
devices, or combinations of these.
[0083] The vendor may complete a sale in response to an acquisition
or to a request after product demonstration. It will be appreciated
by one of ordinary skill in the art that a vendor may take the form
of a buyer, for example, in a supply chain, but a vendor is not
limited to being a supplier. For all intents and purposes, a
"vendor," as used herein, is a seller.
[0084] The term "buyer," as used herein, includes any person who
contracts to acquire product in return for some form of
consideration. The buyer may initiate a sale through a request for
a particular product. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary
skill in the art that a buyer may take the form of a customer.
[0085] "Consumer," as used herein, includes any person or entity
that is capable of using the product sold. It will be appreciated
by one of ordinary skill in the art that a consumer can be both a
seller and a buyer depending on the type of sale.
[0086] Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are
presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of
operations on data bits within a memory. These algorithmic
descriptions and representations are the means used by those
skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others.
An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a sequence of
operations that produce a result. The operations may include
physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, the physical quantities take the form of electrical,
audio or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred,
combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a logic and the
like.
[0087] It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons
of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values,
elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It
should be borne in mind, however, that these and similar terms are
to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are
merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless
specifically stated otherwise, it is appreciated that throughout
the description, terms like defining, recording, importing,
exporting, receiving, connecting, displaying, playing, or the like,
refer to actions and processes of a computer system, logic,
processor, or similar electronic device that manipulates and
transforms data represented as physical (electronic)
quantities.
[0088] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, FIG.
13 shows a schematic view of a programmable computing device
15.
[0089] Various examples of the present invention may be implemented
using electronic circuitry (not shown) configured to perform one or
more functions. For example, with some embodiments of the
invention, the online method may be implemented using one or more
ASICs. More typically, however, components of various examples of
the invention will be implemented using a programmable computing
device or computer 15 executing firmware or software instructions,
or by some combination of purpose-specific electronic circuitry and
firmware or software instructions executing on a programmable
computing device or computer 15.
[0090] Accordingly, FIG. 1 and FIG. 13 show one illustrative
example of a computer 15 that can be used to implement various
embodiments of the invention. The computer 15 may be incorporated
within a variety of consumer electronic devices, such as personal
media players, cellular phones, smart phones, personal data
assistants, global positioning system devices, and the like.
[0091] As seen in FIG. 13, computer 15 has a computing unit 110.
Computing unit 110 typically includes a processor or processing
unit 112 and a system memory 114. Processing unit 112 may be any
type of processing device for executing software instructions, but
will conventionally be a microprocessor device. System memory 114
may include both a read-only memory (ROM) 116 and a random access
memory (RAM) 118. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art, both read-only memory (ROM) 116 and random access
memory (RAM) 118 may store software instructions to be executed by
processing unit 112.
[0092] Processing unit 112 and system memory 114 are connected,
either directly or indirectly, through a bus 120 or alternate
communication structure to one or more peripheral devices. For
example, processing unit 112 or system memory 114 may be directly
or indirectly connected to additional memory storage, such as a
removable magnetic disk drive 140, a hard disk drive 150, a flash
memory card 160, and a removable optical disk drive 170. Processing
unit 112 and system memory 114 also may be directly or indirectly
connected to one or more input devices 180 and one or more output
devices 190. Input devices 180 may include, for example, a
keyboard, touch-screen, a remote control pad, a pointing device
(such as a mouse, touchpad, stylus, trackball, or joystick), a
scanner, a camera, or a microphone. Output devices 190 may include,
for example, a monitor display, an integrated display, television,
printer, stereo, or speakers.
[0093] Still further, computing unit 110 will be directly or
indirectly connected to one or more network interfaces 130 for
communicating with a network. This type of network interface 130,
also sometimes referred to as a network adapter or network
interface card (NIC), translates data and control signals from
computing unit 110 into network messages according to one or more
communication protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol
(TCP), the Internet Protocol (IP), and the User Datagram Protocol
(UDP). These protocols are well known in the art, and thus will not
be discussed here in more detail. An interface 130 may employ any
suitable connection agent for connecting to a network, including,
for example, a wireless transceiver, a power line adapter, a modem,
or an Ethernet connection.
[0094] It should be appreciated that, in addition to the input,
output and storage peripheral devices specifically listed above,
the computing device 15 may be connected to a variety of other
peripheral devices, including some that may perform input, output,
and storage functions, or some combination thereof. For example,
the computer 15 may be connected to handheld devices including an
IPAD.RTM., tablet computers, or other similar portable devices.
[0095] The computer 15 may be connected to or otherwise include one
or more other peripheral devices, such as a telephone (not shown).
The telephone may be, for example, a wireless "smart phone," such
as PHONE.RTM. or DROID.RTM.-brand smart phones. As known in the
art, this type of telephone communicates through a wireless network
using radio frequency transmissions. In addition to simple
communication functionality, a "smart phone" may also provide a
user with one or more data management functions, such as sending,
receiving, and viewing electronic messages (e.g. electronic mail
messages, SMS text messages, etc.), recording or playing back sound
files, recording or playing back image files (e.g. still picture or
moving video image files), viewing and editing files with text
(e.g. MICROSOFT.RTM. Word or EXCEL.RTM. files, or ADOBE.RTM.
ACROBAT.RTM. files), etc. Because of the data management capability
of this type of telephone, a user may connect the telephone with
computer 15 so that their data maintained may be synchronized.
[0096] Of course, still other peripheral devices may be included
with or otherwise connected to a computer 15 of the type
illustrated in FIG. 13, as is well known in the art. In some cases,
a peripheral device may be permanently or semi-permanently
connected to computing unit 110. For example, with many computers,
a computing unit 110, a hard disk drive 150, a removable optical
disk drive 170, and a display (not shown) are semi-permanently
encased in a single housing.
[0097] Still other peripheral devices may be operably communicating
with, and removably connected to the computer 100. Computer 15 may
include, for example, one or more communication ports (not shown)
through which a peripheral device can be connected to computing
unit 110 (either directly or indirectly through bus 120). These
communication ports may thus include a parallel bus port or a
serial bus port, such as a serial bus port using the Universal
Serial Bus (USB) standard or the IEEE 1394 High Speed Serial Bus
standard (e.g. a FIREWIRE.RTM. port). Alternately or additionally,
computer 15 may include a wireless data "port," such as a
BLUETOOTH.RTM. interface, a WI-FI.RTM. interface, an infrared data
port, or the like.
[0098] It should be appreciated that a computing device 15 may
include more components than computer 15 illustrated in FIG. 13,
fewer components than computer 15, or a different combination of
components than computer 15. Some implementations of the invention,
for example, may employ one or more computing devices 15 that are
intended to have a very specific functionality, such as a smart
phone or server computer. These computing devices may thus omit
unnecessary peripherals, such as the network interface 130,
removable optical disk drive 140, printers, scanners, external hard
drives, etc. Some implementations of the invention may alternately
or additionally employ computing devices 15 that are intended to be
capable of a wide variety of functions, such as a desktop or laptop
personal computer. These computing devices 15 may have any
combination of peripheral devices or additional components as
desired.
[0099] In the flow diagrams, blocks denote "processing blocks" that
may be implemented with logic. In the case where the logic may be
software, a flow diagram does not depict syntax for any particular
programming language, methodology, or style (e.g. procedural,
object-oriented). Rather, a flow diagram illustrates functional
information one skilled in the art may employ to develop logic to
perform the illustrated processing. It will be appreciated that in
some examples, program elements like temporary variables, routine
loops, and so on are not shown. It will be further appreciated that
electronic and software logic may involve dynamic and flexible
processes so that the illustrated blocks can be performed in other
sequences that are different from those shown and/or that blocks
may be combined or separated into multiple components. It will be
appreciated that the processes may be implemented using various
programming approaches like machine language, procedural, object
oriented, and/or artificial intelligence techniques. The foregoing
applies to all methodologies herein.
[0100] Although the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *
References