METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND IDENTIFYING DEVICE UTILIZATION

• US 20100123560A1
• Filed: 11/17/2009
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proventix Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Proventix Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: COOPER, LLOYD GUYTON BOWERS, EIGHMY, EUGENE ARNOLD, WALKER, DON BYRON II, THOMSON, ANDREW JOSEPH, NIX, HARVEY A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,558,660 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.400
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A system and method for detecting the presence of a device user, managing a detection system in a predominantly low power state, ensuring data integrity and limiting the amount of user interaction required to identify users and detect device utilization includes a distinct user tag or badge including an active or passive RFID transceiver and one or more readers and routers in a network.

Claims

1. A system for detecting the use of a monitored device, comprising:

an exit/entry detector for detecting an individual entering a room, the exit/entry detector incorporating a transmitter for transmitting a range limited signal over a limited area upon detecting the individual entering the room;

a wearable tag operable in a low power sleep mode and in an active mode, the tag including a receiver configured to receive the range limited signal in a sleep mode and switch to an active mode in response thereto to transmit a signal with a transmitter wherein the signal includes at least a unique identification code associated with the tag;

a control unit including a sensor for detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored device, the control unit incorporating a transmitter for transmitting a range limited signal upon detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored device whereby the wearable tag is activated by the transmitted signal from the control unit to transmit a signal with its associated transmitter wherein the signal includes at least a unique identification code associated with the tag;

a feedback device in proximity to the monitored device, the feedback device providing selected content to a user of the monitored device upon detection of a parameter indicating use of the monitored device; and

a network including a server, the operable to receive information from at least the wearable tag.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the content provided by the feedback device is based upon the identification code of the tag.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the exit/entry detector comprises one of a reflective infrared detector, an overhead infrared detector, a vibration sensor or a contact switch;

and

wherein the wearable tag includes one of an active RFID transceiver or passive RFID transceiver.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the wearable tag is operable in an active mode to transmit a signal identifying the tag, an identity of the exit/entry detector and a time stamp.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the monitored device comprises a hand cleansing station and wherein the sensor for detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored device comprises a sensor for detecting a user'"'"'s hand within a predetermined area adjacent the station.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the network is configured to translate information received from the tag to TCP/IP format.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor for detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored device comprises one of a capacitive-sensing sensor, an infrared detector, a vibration sensor, an electro-mechanical contact switch, or a pressure sensor, the sensor detecting a user'"'"'s hand at or within a predetermined area adjacent the monitored device.

8. A system for detecting the use of a monitored device comprising:

a wearable tag operable in a low power mode to receive an illumination signal and operable in an active mode upon receiving the illumination signal to transmit an identification signal identifying the tag and wherein the signal includes a unique identification code associated with the tag;

a control unit associated with the monitored device, the control unit including a transmitter for transmitting a signal, wherein the control unit is connected to a sensor operable to detect a parameter indicating use of the monitored device, the control unit transmitting an illumination signal over a limited, predetermined area upon detection of a parameter indicating use of the monitored device whereby the wearable tag is activated to transmit the identification signal;

a network operable to receive information from one or more of an exit/entry detector, a control unit or the wearable tag, the network configured to translate information received from the wearable tag to TCP/IP format, the network further including a server configured to receive and store the translated information; and

a feedback device in proximity to the monitored device, the feedback device presenting selected content to a user of the monitored device based upon the tag identification number upon detection of a parameter indicating use of the device.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the monitored device comprises one of a hand washing or cleansing station in a health care facility.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the sensor for detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored device comprises one of a capacitive-sensing sensor, an infrared detector, a vibration sensor, an electro-mechanical contact switch, or a pressure sensor, the sensor detecting a user'"'"'s hand at or within a predetermined area adjacent the a hand washing or cleansing station.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the feedback device is one of a visual display, an audiovisual display or an audio device.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein wearable tag is operable to transmit a radio signal including a data packet identifying the tag and one of an exit/entry detector identity or control unit identity.

13. A method for detecting the use of a monitored device comprising:

sensing an illumination signal transmitted from an entry/exit unit associated with a room or area where the monitored device is located with a wearable tag operable in a low power mode to receive the illumination signal, the wearable tag incorporating a transmitter for transmitting a unique identification code;

transmitting an identification signal from the wearable tag, wherein the wearable tag is operable in an active mode upon receiving the illumination signal to transmit the identification signal identifying the tag and wherein the identification signal includes the unique code associated with the tag;

detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored device with a control unit including a sensor for detecting the parameter and an associated transmitter for transmitting a range limited signal;

transmitting an illumination signal over a limited, predetermined area with the control unit upon detecting a parameter indicating use of the monitored device whereby the wearable tag is activated to transmit an identification signal including a unique code associated with the tag;

receiving identification signals transmitted from wearable tag with a network and storing the information with a server connected to the network; and

presenting selected content via a feedback device to a user of the monitored device based upon the wearable tag identification number after detection of the parameter indicating use of the monitored device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the feedback device is one of a visual display device, an audio/visual device or an audio device.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the parameter indicating use of the monitored device is one of proximity of a user, vibration of the monitored device or movement of a component of the monitored device.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of transmitting the signals received from one or more of the exit/entry detector, the control unit or the wearable tag to a server configured to receive and store the transmissions via a network bridge further comprises translating the signals to a TCP/IP format.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the signals received from one or more of the exit/entry detector, the control unit or the wearable tag are transmitted to a server via one of a wired Ethernet data connection, a wireless Ethernet data connection or a cellular connection.