HYGIENE MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20140333433A1
• Filed: 07/22/2014
• Published: 11/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diversey Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: Diversey Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Inventors: Li, Anderson Chun Kong, Bhagyanji, Anup
• Granted Patent: US 9,377,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/06 using intensity measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/466 by Trilateration, i.e. two antennas or two sensors determine separately the distance to a target, whereby with the knowledge of the baseline length, i.e. the distance between the antennas or sensors, the position data of the target is determined
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0011 associated with a remote control arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0033 by having the operator tracking the vehicle either by direct line of sight or via one or more cameras located remotely from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/245 Reminder of hygiene compliance policies, e.g. of washing hands
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A Real Time Locating System (RTLS) hygiene management and monitoring system for individuals and companies to manage and monitor the hygiene of their surroundings. In some embodiments of the invention, RTLS is used to monitor and manage cleanliness of rooms and surfaces and the location of cleaning supplies and cleaning personnel. The invention provides improved efficiency and quality of hygiene services. For instance, the invention can enable prioritization of cleaning, improve efficient use of cleaning supplies and cleaning personnel, track short and long term cleaning operations, and provide insight into ineffective cleaning.

Claims

1. A method of hygiene monitoring and management comprising:

transmitting wireless signals between a wireless tag and at least two access points;

determining a distance between the wireless tag and each of the at least two access points;

determining a location of the wireless tag with respect to the at least two access points based at least in part upon the distance between the wireless tag and each of the at least two access points;

repeatedly determining the location of the wireless tag based on the tag distances to track movement of the wireless tag;

determining a cleanliness level of an area based on tracking the movement of the wireless tag;

graphically displaying

a floor plan with a plurality of areas including the area,

a cleanliness level of each of the plurality of areas, and

at least one of a group including a current location of the wireless tag on the floor plan and a path indicating the tracked movement of the wireless tag on the floor plan.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a location is based at least in part upon the strength of signals transmitted between the wireless tag and the at least two access points.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the location of the wireless tag is performed by a locating module, the method further comprising moving the locating module with the tag.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising graphically displaying different colors on the floor plan based at least in part upon cleanliness level of the area.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the floor plan and the cleanliness level are graphically displayed on a display, the method further comprising moving the display with the tag.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting wireless signals occurs between a wireless tag and at least three access points.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically changing dispense of chemicals in the area based at least in part upon the location of the wireless tag.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a user of a cleaning action to take when the wireless tag reaches a predetermined location relative to the access points.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the cleanliness level is based in part upon at least one of a group selected of a fixed call actuator output, a total duration of the wireless tag being present in the area, and a total quantity of trips into the area by the wireless tag.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the area comprises a floor surface.

11. A hygiene monitoring and management system comprising:

a wireless tag;

at least two access points operable to communicate wirelessly with the wireless tag;

a locating module operable to

repeatedly determine a location of the wireless tag; and

track movement of the wireless tag based at least in part upon repeated determinations of location of the wireless tag;

a management module operable to receive data regarding the tracked movement of the wireless tag and to generate a graphical representation of a cleanliness level of an area based at least in part upon the tracked movement.

12. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, wherein the locating module determines the location of the wireless tag based at least in part upon the strength of signals transmitted between the wireless tag and the at least two access points.

13. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, wherein the locating module moves with the wireless tag.

14. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, wherein the graphical representation of the cleanliness level comprises different colors corresponding to cleanliness levels of the area.

15. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, further comprising a display upon which the graphical representation is displayed, wherein the display is movable with the tag.

16. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, wherein the locating module repeatedly determines the location of the wireless tag with three access points.

17. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, wherein the management module also automatically changes dispense of chemicals in the area based at least in part upon the location of the wireless tag.

18. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, wherein the management module generates a notification to a user of a cleaning action to take when the wireless tag reaches a predetermined location relative to the access points.

19. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, wherein the management module is also adapted to determine the cleanliness level based at least in part upon at least one of a group selected of a fixed call actuator output, a total duration of the wireless tag being present in the area, and a total quantity of trips into the area by the wireless tag.

20. The hygiene monitoring and management system of claim 11, wherein the area comprises a floor surface.