System and method for remote and mobile patient monitoring service using heterogeneous wireless access networks

Abstract

A system and method for remote and mobile patient monitoring service is provided using heterogeneous wireless access in which each patient is equipped with a remote monitoring device with a heterogeneous wireless transceiver. This can be a value-added service provided by a Healthcare service provider (i.e., a hospital or healthcare center) for which the Healthcare service provider can pay to the wireless network service provider (i.e., a network operator). With heterogeneous wireless access, a remote/mobile patient can use different types of wireless technologies (e.g., WiMAX-based WMAN and WiFi-based WLAN technologies) to transfer monitored bio-signal data to the healthcare center. The monitoring device can buffer and then transmit the bio-signal data to the healthcare center through the heterogeneous radio access network. In this device, there can be two buffers used to store bio-signal data, each with different priority. The scheduler in this device can make an optimal decision on data transmission. Also, a method is provided to minimize the cost of network connections for remote/mobile patient monitoring.