Methods and apparatus for authenticating informed consent

United States Patent [w]

Clark et al.

US006149440A [ii] Patent Number: 6,149,440 [45] Date of Patent: *Nov. 21,2000

[54] METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR

AUTHENTICATING INFORMED CONSENT

[75] Inventors: Robert L. Clark, Bellevue; Glen A.

Morgan, Kent, both of Wash.

[73] Assignee: Wyngate, Inc., Bellevue, Wash.

[ * ] Notice: This patent issued on a continued prosecution application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C. 154(a)(2).

[21] Appl. No.: 09/156,460

[22] Filed: Sep. 18, 1998

[51] Int. C I. G09B 7 00

[52] U.S. CI 434/322; 434/350; 705/2

[58] Field of Search 434/322, 362,

434/350, 323, 354, 321, 310, 315; 705/2,

3

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Primary Examiner—Jessica J. Harrison
Assistant Examiner—Chanda Harris

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich &
Rosati

The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for presenting selected information to one or more individuals, and authenticating both the individual's receipt and the individual's comprehension of the information presented. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the methods and apparatus relating to the authenticating operation include methods and apparatus for visually and, optionally, otherwise recording the individual's responses to the information presented simultaneously with the presentation thereof. Preferably the authenticating operation further includes methods and apparatus for archiving, retrieving and observing in a correlated fashion both the information presented and the recorded individual's responses thereto. The present invention is particularly wellsuited to providing an individual with information apprising the individual of risks associated with a particular activity and authenticating the individual's receipt and comprehension of the information presented and informed consent to assume such risks when participating in such activity.

31 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

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