OFFICE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• US 20100240305A1
• Filed: 05/21/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Davis Medical Communications LLC
• Original Assignee: Andrew P. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Andrew P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,035,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

An office communication system provides intra-office communication within a medical or dental office, for example. The system includes a door or wall unit, a table or desk unit, and a wearable or portable unit. The door and desk units are configured to transmit and receive both infrared and radio frequency type wireless signals. The portable unit may include an infrared light transmitter configured to transmit infrared light encoded with a unique address or identifier. The system operates to non-obtrusively notify office personnel whether a practitioner has entered or is presently within a particular exam room of the office, even if a door of the exam room is closed.

Claims

1. An office communication unit comprising:

a housing;

a wireless transceiver located within the housing to communicate with at least one other office communication unit;

a microprocessor operable to receive a signal from the wireless transceiver; and

a sensory device in communication with the microprocessor and actuatable by the microprocessor to provide an output signal detectable by a human sensory system, wherein the output signal corresponds to a particular operation for an office.

2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to be supportable on a substantially horizontal surface.

3. The unit of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the housing to an apparel item.

4. The unit of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to be attachable to a substantially vertical surface.

5. An office communication system for an office comprising:

a wearable communication unit having a wireless transceiver in cooperation with a microprocessor operable to send a wireless signal, wherein the wireless signal encodes a unique identifier associated with the wearable communication unit;

a first communication unit having a wireless transceiver in cooperation with a microprocessor operable to receive the wireless signal from the wearable communication unit such that when a particular wearable communication unit is within a predetermined vicinity from the first communication unit, the first communication unit is configured to transmit a wireless signal indicative of the particular wearable communication unit being located within the predetermined vicinity; and

a second communication unit having a receiving module to receive the wireless signal from the first communication unit, the receiving module electronically coupled to an indicator detectable by a human sensory system, wherein upon receipt of the wireless signal a microprocessor in the second communication unit activates the indicator to notify others that the particular wearable communication unit is located within the predetermined vicinity.

6. A method of communication information within an office, the method comprising:

transmitting a first wireless signal from a wearable communication unit, the first wireless signal comprising information indicating proximity of the wearable communication unit to a first communication unit positioned within a particular region of the office and a unique identifier associated with the particular wearable communication unit;

receiving the first wireless signal at the first communication unit;

transmitting a second wireless signal from the first communication unit, the second wireless signal indicative of the particular wearable communication unit being located within the particular region of the office associated with the first communication unit when a microprocessor of the first communication unit determines if the wearable communication unit is within a predetermined vicinity from the first communication unit based on the received proximity information;

receiving the second wireless signal at a second communication unit; and

activating an indicator coupled to the second communication unit to notify office personnel outside of the particular region of the office that the wearable communication unit is located within the particular region of the office associated with the first communication unit.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein transmitting the first wireless signal from the wearable communication unit includes transmitting a wireless signal from an infrared light source.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein transmitting the second wireless signal from the first communication unit includes transmitting a radio frequency.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein activating the indicator coupled to the second communication unit includes energizing a light emitting diode.

10. A method of communication information within an office, the method comprising:

transmitting a first wireless signal from a wearable communication unit, the first wireless signal comprising information indicating proximity of the wearable communication unit to a communication unit positioned within a particular region of the office and a unique identifier associated with the particular wearable communication unit;

receiving the first wireless signal at the communication unit; and

activating an indicator coupled to the communication unit to notify office personnel that the wearable communication unit is located within the particular region of the office associated with the communication unit when a microprocessor of the communication unit determines if the wearable communication unit is within a predetermined vicinity from the communication unit based on the received proximity information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting the first wireless signal from the wearable communication unit includes transmitting a wireless signal from an infrared light source.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the indicator coupled to the communication unit includes energizing a light emitting diode.