Infrared communicating device

• US 5,621,384 A
• Filed: 10/06/1995
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS LLC
• Original Assignee: K and M Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Crimmins, James W., Saulnier, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US08/540,417
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/825.49, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 340/539, 340/572, 340/825.44, 340/825.54
• US Class Current: 340/539.3
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1083 Pager locating systems

Abstract

An infrared communicating badge is provided for transmitting an infrared coded signal, such as a patient identification number. The badge includes a sealed housing having an infrared transparent segment. The badge housing contains a power source, a microprocessor, an infrared transmitter, and an infrared receiver. The badge receiver is desensitized such that it does not respond to ambient light from the surroundings and, preferably, only detects signals from a programmer. This programmer transmits a coded infrared signal, which represents the patient identification number, to the badge. After the coded infrared signal is transmitted and stored in the badge, the infrared signal is transmitted periodically to another infrared receiver, located in a remote location. The remote receiver relays the information to a base unit at which the location of a person may be monitored.

Claims

1. A monitoring device comprising:

a badge comprising a sealed housing having an infrared transparent portion, the badge housing being sized and shaped so as to be worn on a user'"'"'s wrist;

a battery inside the badge housing;

infrared receiving means, inside the badge housing and electrically powered by the battery, for receiving a first infrared, coded signal and communicating the first infrared, coded signal to a processing means;

processing means, inside the badge housing and electrically powered by the battery and responsive to the first infrared, coded signal, for producing and repeatedly applying a first electrical coded signal to an infrared transmitting means;

infrared transmitting means, inside the badge housing and electrically powered by the battery and responsive to the first electrical, coded signal, for generating and repeatedly transmitting a second infrared, coded signal, the transmitting means mounted within the badge housing to transmit the second infrared, coded signal through the infrared transparent portion; and

a programmer having a programmer housing and transmitting means inside the programmer housing for transmitting the first, infrared coded signal to the badge, the programmer comprising means, in the programmer housing, for determining the estimated lifetime of the battery inside the badge housing, the determining means comprising;

means, in the programmer housing and operatively connected to the programmer transmitting means, for transmitting a test signal to the badge;

wherein the processing means, in the badge housing, generates a responsive signal indicative of the estimated lifetime of the battery;

means in the programmer housing for detecting the responsive signal; and

means operatively connected to the programmer for displaying the battery lifetime from the responsive signal.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1, the badge further comprising desensitizing means, the desensitizing means comprising infrared attenuating material positioned between the badge housing and the infrared receiving means.

3. The monitoring device of claim 1, the badge further comprising desensitizing means, the desensitizing means comprising a back biased infrared diode coupled in an infrared detecting mode, the diode having an anode and a cathode, the anode being electrically connected to ground, and the cathode being electrically connected through a resistor to the processing means.

4. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the infrared transmitting means comprises an amplitude-shift-keyed infrared transmitter.

5. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the displaying means includes:

means for detecting a peak value of the responsive signal;

means, operatively connected to the detecting means, for determining the peak value; and

means, operatively connected to the determining means, for displaying the peak value to a user, who can then assess the estimated lifetime of the battery.

6. An infrared communication system comprising:

a moisture resistant, sealed housing;

a battery sealed inside the housing;

first infrared receiving means, sealed inside the housing and electrically connected to the battery for receiving a first infrared, coded signal;

processor means, sealed inside the housing and electrically connected to the battery and the first infrared receiving means for producing a first electrical coded signal responsive to the first infrared, coded signal; and

first infrared transmitting means, sealed inside the housing and electrically connected to the processor means and the battery, for repeatedly transmitting a second infrared, coded signal indicative of the first electrical coded signal; and

a programmer having a programmer housing and transmitting means inside the programmer housing for transmitting the first infrared, coded signal to the sealed housing, the programmer comprising means in the programmer housing, for determining the estimated lifetime, of the battery inside the sealed housing, the determining means comprising;

means, in the programmer housing and operatively connected to the programmer transmitting means, for transmitting a test signal to the sealed housing;

wherein the processor means, in the sealed housing, generates a responsive signal indicative of the estimated lifetime of the battery;

means in the programmer housing for detecting the responsive signal; and

means operatively connected to the programmer for displaying the battery lifetime from the responsive signal.

7. The infrared communications system of claim 6, further comprising means for desensitizing the first infrared receiving means to ambient infrared energy while enabling the first infrared receiving means to receive the first infrared, coded signal which is at an intensity level substantially above the intensity of ambient infrared energy.

8. The infrared communication system of claim 7, wherein the first infrared, coded signal is of sufficient intensity to be detected by the first infrared receiving means.

9. The infrared communication system of claim 8, wherein the programmer further comprises second means for receiving the second infrared, coded signal transmitted by the first infrared transmitting means, so as to verify the accuracy of the second infrared, coded signal.

10. The infrared communication system of claim 9, wherein the programmer further comprises a support member for supporting the second receiving means and the second transmitting means, and at least one shield fixed to the support member of the programmer, the shield being located between the second transmitting means and the second receiving means for preventing infrared coupling between the second transmitting means and the second receiving means.

11. The infrared communication system of claim 10, wherein the shield extends around the second transmitting means.

12. The infrared communication system of claim 10, wherein the shield extends around the second receiving means.

13. The infrared communication system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of local receiver-transmitters having means for receiving the second infrared, coded signal transmitted by the first infrared transmitting means and having means for converting the received second infrared, coded signal to a second electrical, coded signal, and further comprising a base unit operatively connected to each of the local receiver-transmitters, the base unit having means for receiving the second electrical, coded signal relayed from the local receiver-transmitters.

14. The infrared communication system of claim 6, wherein the displaying means includes:

means for detecting a peak value of the responsive signal;

means, operatively connected to the detecting means, for determining the peak value; and

means, operatively connected to the determining means, for displaying the peak value to a user, who can then assess the estimated lifetime of the battery.

15. An infrared communication system for use in a hospital, the hospital having a patient, comprising:

a sealed housing of a size and of a shape so as to fit on the patient'"'"'s body, the sealed housing having an infrared transparent portion;

a battery sealed inside the housing;

a first infrared receiving means, sealed inside the housing and electrically powered by the battery, for generating an output signal in response to a first infrared, coded signal entering the sealed housing;

means for desensitizing the first infrared receiving means to ambient infrared energy;

processing means, sealed inside the housing and electrically powered by the battery, for repeatedly producing a first electrical, coded signal in response to the output signal from the first infrared receiving means;

a first infrared transmitting means, sealed inside the housing and electrically powered by the battery and responsive to the first electrical, coded signal, for repeatedly transmitting a second infrared, coded signal, the first transmitting means mounted within the sealed housing to transmit the second infrared, coded signal through the infrared transparent portion;

a remote programmer, the programmer having a housing, a second transmitting means inside the programmer housing for transmitting the first infrared, coded signal of sufficient intensity to be detected by the desensitized first receiving means; and

means, in the programmer housing, for determining the estimated lifetime of the battery in the sealed housing, the determining means comprising;

means, in the programmer housing and operatively connected to the second transmitting means, for transmitting a test signal to the sealed housing;

wherein the processing means, in the sealed housing, generates a responsive signal indicative of the estimated lifetime of the battery;

means in the programmer housing for detecting the responsive signal; and

means operatively connected to the programmer for displaying the battery lifetime from the responsive signal.

16. The infrared communication system of claim 15, wherein the desensitizing means includes infrared attenuating material positioned between the second housing and the first infrared receiving means, wherein the material attenuation is selected to substantially prevent the penetration of ambient light.

17. The infrared communication system of claim 15, wherein the programmer further comprises:

energizing means for electrically powering the second transmitting means; and

second receiving means, electrically powered by the energizing means, for receiving the second infrared, coded signal from the first infrared transmitting means and for generating an electrical signal responsive thereto, which is transmitted by the second transmitting means.

18. The infrared communication system of claim 17, wherein the programmer further comprises a support member inside the programmer housing for supporting the second receiving means and the second transmitting means, and at least one shield fixed to the support member of the programmer, the shield being located between the receiving means and the second transmitting means for preventing infrared coupling between the second receiving means and the second transmitting means.

19. The infrared communication system of claim 18, wherein the shield extends around the second transmitting means.

20. The infrared communication system of claim 18, wherein the shield extends around the second receiving means.

21. The infrared communication system of claim 20, wherein the shield extends around the second transmitting means.

22. The infrared communication system of claim 15, wherein the displaying means includes:

means for detecting a peak value of the responsive signal;

means, operatively connected to the detecting means, for determining the peak value; and

means, operatively connected to the determining means, for displaying the peak value to a user, who can then assess the estimated lifetime of the power source.

24. The communicating system of claim 22, wherein the displaying means includes:

means for detecting a peak value of the responsive signal;

means, operatively connected to the detecting means, for determining the peak value; and

means, operatively connected to the determining means, for displaying the peak value to a user, who can then assess the estimated lifetime of the power source.

23. A communicating system, comprising:

a remote programmer, having a housing and means, inside the housing, for generating a first infrared, coded signal and means, inside the housing, for transmitting the first infrared, coded signal;

a badge having a sealed housing, a power source, and means, inside the housing and electrically connected to the power source, for receiving the first infrared, coded signal transmitted from the programmer;

processing means, inside the badge housing and electrically connected to the power source, for responding to the first infrared, coded signal and for producing a first electrical, coded signal indicative thereof; and

infrared transmitting means, inside the badge housing and electrically connected to the processing means and the power source, for repeatedly transmitting a second infrared, coded signal indicative of the first electrical, coded signal;

means, in the programmer housing, for determining the estimated lifetime of the power source in the badge, the determining means comprising;

means, in the programmer housing and operatively connected to the programmer transmitting means, for transmitting a test signal to the badge;

wherein the processing means in the badge housing generates a responsive signal indicative of the estimated lifetime of the power source;

means in the programmer housing for detecting the responsive signal; and

means operatively connected to the programmer for displaying the power source lifetime from the responsive signal.