Infant and parent matching and security system and method of matching infant and parent
First Claim
1. A parent and infant matching and security system comprising:
- a first transmitter adapted to be secured to a newborn infant, the first transmitter including a first radiant energy transmitter and a second radiant energy transmitter, each of the first radiant energy transmitter and the second radiant energy transmitter being operable to transmit an infant identification signal;
a second transmitter adapted to be secured to a parent of the newborn infant, the second transmitter including at least one radiant energy transmitter, the at least one radiant energy transmitter being operable to transmit a parent identification signal;
a plurality of receivers distributed at least within a maternity ward of a hospital, at least one of the plurality of receivers being operable to receive the infant identification signal and the parent identification signal, the at least one of the plurality of receivers being further operable to determine from the infant identification signal and the parent identification signal that the newborn infant is correctly matched with its parent; and
wherein the plurality of receivers are arranged within the hospital to determine a continued presence of the infant within the maternity ward.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect of the invention, a dual-mode infrared/radio frequency (IR/RF) transmitter is secured within a wristband worn by the mother and within an ankle and/or wristband worn by the infant. In a matching mode of operation, IR signals are received by infrared receivers located within the various rooms of the hospital to precisely and automatically determine by proximity that mother and infant are correctly united. In a presence detecting mode, RF signals from the infant'"'"'s badge are detected by RF receivers located throughout the maternity ward of the hospital or throughout the hospital generally. In a security mode, RF receivers located proximate exits of either of the maternity ward and/or the hospital detect RF signals from the ankle and provide a signal to generate an alarm.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1. A parent and infant matching and security system comprising:
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a first transmitter adapted to be secured to a newborn infant, the first transmitter including a first radiant energy transmitter and a second radiant energy transmitter, each of the first radiant energy transmitter and the second radiant energy transmitter being operable to transmit an infant identification signal;
a second transmitter adapted to be secured to a parent of the newborn infant, the second transmitter including at least one radiant energy transmitter, the at least one radiant energy transmitter being operable to transmit a parent identification signal;
a plurality of receivers distributed at least within a maternity ward of a hospital, at least one of the plurality of receivers being operable to receive the infant identification signal and the parent identification signal, the at least one of the plurality of receivers being further operable to determine from the infant identification signal and the parent identification signal that the newborn infant is correctly matched with its parent; and
wherein the plurality of receivers are arranged within the hospital to determine a continued presence of the infant within the maternity ward. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A dual mode badge comprising:
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a housing;
an adjustable strap secured to the housing;
a dual mode transmitter disposed within the housing, the dual mode transmitter operable to transmit a signal using a first radiant energy transmission and to transmit the signal using a second radiant energy transmission, wherein the signal comprises a coded identification data; and
wherein the housing is separable from the strap and reusable. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. An entity matching system comprising:
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a first transmitter adapted to be secured to a first entity, the first transmitter including a first radiant energy transmitter and a second radiant energy transmitter, each of the first radiant energy transmitter and the second radiant energy transmitter being operable to transmit a first identification signal;
a second transmitter adapted to be secured to a second entity to be matched with the first entity, the second transmitter including at least one radiant energy transmitter, the at least one radiant energy transmitter being operable to transmit a second identification signal; and
a plurality of receivers distributed at least within a matching area, each of the plurality of receivers operable to receive the first identification signal and the second identification signal, the plurality of receivers being further operable to determine from the first identification signal and the second identification signal that the first entity is correctly matched with the second entity. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. An entity matching system comprising:
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a first transmitter adapted to be secured to a first entity, the first transmitter including a first radiant energy transmitter, a second radiant energy transmitter and a first radiant energy receiver, each of the first radiant energy transmitter and the second radiant energy transmitter being operable to transmit a first identification signal and the first radiant energy receiver being operable to receive an acknowledgment signal;
a second transmitter adapted to be secured to a second entity to be matched with the first entity, the second transmitter including at least one radiant energy transmitter, the at least one radiant energy transmitter being operable to transmit a second identification signal;
a plurality of receivers distributed at least within a matching area, each of the plurality of receivers operable to receive the first identification signal and the second identification signal, the plurality of receivers being further operable to determine from the first identification signal and the second identification signal that the first entity is correctly matched with the second entity; and
at least one of the plurality of receivers comprising a transmitter, the at least one of the plurality of receivers adapted to transmit the acknowledgment signal responsive to receipt of one of the first identification signal. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62)
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Specification