Tags for automated location and monitoring of moveable objects and related systems

• US 10,186,331 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2018
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleTracking Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TeleTracking Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Jackson, Stephen S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunnings, Travis R
• Application Number:
  US16/054,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20180350462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 172 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

An example embodiment provides a method, including: transmitting, to a rotatable tag affixed to a moveable object and after the rotatable tag wakes from a sleep mode, a request for presence information from at least one receiver, wherein the presence information comprises a request to determine if the rotatable tag is within a perimeter with respect to the at least one receiver; the rotatable tag comprising a tag having more than one indicator associated with a use state of the moveable object and the rotatable tag providing a visual signal representing a current use state of the moveable object; receiving, at the at least one receiver from the rotatable tag, identification information associated with the moveable object, wherein the identification information comprises information identifying the moveable object and the requested presence information; and receiving, from the rotatable tag, information identifying the current use state at the at least one receiver.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting, to a rotatable tag affixed to a moveable object and after the rotatable tag wakes from a sleep mode, a request for presence information from at least one receiver, wherein the presence information comprises a request to determine if the rotatable tag is within a perimeter with respect to the at least one receiver;

the rotatable tag comprising a tag having more than one indicator associated with a use state of the moveable object and the rotatable tag providing a visual signal representing a current use state of the moveable object;

receiving, at the at least one receiver from the rotatable tag, identification information associated with the moveable object, wherein the identification information comprises information identifying the moveable object and the requested presence information; and

receiving, from the rotatable tag, information identifying the current use state at the at least one receiver.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotatable tag wakes from a sleep mode upon receipt of a wake signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the receipt of a wake signal comprises receiving a signal from a timer included within the rotatable tag affixed to a moveable object.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a time period associated with the timer is variable.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the time period is based upon a distance of the rotatable tag affixed to a moveable object from a receiver.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the time period is based upon a time of last receipt of a request.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the time period is varied randomly.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the rotatable tag, information related to environmental conditions regarding an environment of the moveable object.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the information related to environmental conditions comprises at least one condition selected from the group consisting of:

temperature, motion of the rotatable tag, humidity, gas levels, and carbon monoxide levels.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the use state comprises available for use, in use, needs cleaning and/or needs service.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the movable object is an infusion pump.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotatable tag is intrinsically safe such that it can be used in an oxygen rich environment.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotatable tag includes at least one sensor and wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotatable tag is configured to transmit and/or receive information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the movable object is selected from the group consisting of a hospital asset and a patient.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the use state is a patient state.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver comprises a receiver located in a hospital.