Wireless Tracking System And Method Utilizing Near-Field Communication Devices

• US 20110070833A1
• Filed: 09/19/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Centrak Incorporated (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Awarepoint Corporation
• Inventors: Perkins, Matthew R., Truscott, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,941,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• 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: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 with access to wired networks

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for determining a near-field communication interaction in a wireless tracking mesh network. The present invention preferably utilizes near-field communication devices in conjunction with tracking tags to transmit signals for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility which form a mesh network and forward the signals to an information engine for analysis. Bearers of the near-field communication devices preferably include individuals, objects, assets and rooms of the facility.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring interaction data for multiple users and objects utilizing near-field communication devices in an indoor healthcare environment through a medium range wireless communication format and a short range wireless communication format, the system comprising:

a mesh network comprising a plurality of sensors utilized for location determination of objects and users in the indoor healthcare environment, each sensor of the plurality of sensors communicating with other sensors of the plurality of sensors utilizing a medium range wireless communication format;

a plurality of near-field communication devices, each of the plurality of near-field communication devices transmitting a beacon signal using a short range wireless communication format receivable by another near-field communication device when the near-field communication devices are within physical proximity of each other, and at least one of the plurality of near-field communication devices transmitting interaction data to the mesh network using the medium range wireless communication format of the mesh network; and

an information engine in communication with the mesh network, the information engine processing the interaction data, wherein the interaction data comprises location of the interaction, identification of each of the plurality of near-field communication devices, duration of the interaction and if mobile a previous location of each of the plurality of near-field communication devices.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the medium range wireless communication format comprises ZIGBEE communication format, Bluetooth communication format, Low-Power BlueTooth communication format, WiFi communication format, Low-Power WiFi communication format, Ultra Wide Band communication format, Ultrasound communication format or Infrared communication format.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the short range wireless communication format comprises a near-field communication format, low frequency communication format or a magnetic field communication format.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the short range wireless communication format comprises a magnetic induction communication format, 9 kHz communication format, <

125 kHz communication format, 125 kHz RFID communication format, 13.56 MHz communication format, 433 MHz communication format, 433 MHz RFID communication format, or 900 MHz RFID communication format.