Office communication system
DCFirst Claim
1. An office communication system for use in an office having a plurality of examination rooms, the office comprising:
- a first communication unit associated with at least one of the plurality of examination rooms, the first communication unit comprising;
a wireless transceiver; and
a microprocessor in signal communication with the wireless transceiver;
a second communication unit located at a nursing station of the office, the second communication unit comprising;
a receiving module configured to receive the wireless signal from the first communication unit;
an indicator; and
a microprocessor in signal communication with the receiving module and the indicator,a wearable communication unit comprising;
a housing configured to be attachable to a clothing item of a person associated with the business operating in the office, the housing comprising;
a wireless transceiver configured to receive a signal initiated by user interaction with the first communication unit; and
a microprocessor operable to receive the signal from the wireless transceiver and generate an output signal based on the received signal; and
a sensory output device in communication with the microprocessor and actuatable by the microprocessor to provide a user detectable action;
wherein the first communication unit receives a wireless signal from the wearable communication unit, the wireless signal comprises information indicating proximity to the first communication unit and identification information of the user of the wearable communication unit, the first communication unit transmits a wireless signal indicative of the wearable communication unit being located within one of the plurality of examination rooms associated with the first communication unit when the microprocessor determines if the wearable communication unit is within a predetermined vicinity from the first communication unit based on the received proximity information,wherein when the second communication unit receives the wireless signal transmitted by the first communication unit, the microprocessor of the second communication unit activates the indicator to notify others within the office that the wearable communication unit is located within the office associated with the first communication unit.
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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.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An office communication system for use in an office having a plurality of examination rooms, the office comprising:
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a first communication unit associated with at least one of the plurality of examination rooms, the first communication unit comprising; a wireless transceiver; and a microprocessor in signal communication with the wireless transceiver; a second communication unit located at a nursing station of the office, the second communication unit comprising; a receiving module configured to receive the wireless signal from the first communication unit; an indicator; and a microprocessor in signal communication with the receiving module and the indicator, a wearable communication unit comprising; a housing configured to be attachable to a clothing item of a person associated with the business operating in the office, the housing comprising; a wireless transceiver configured to receive a signal initiated by user interaction with the first communication unit; and a microprocessor operable to receive the signal from the wireless transceiver and generate an output signal based on the received signal; and a sensory output device in communication with the microprocessor and actuatable by the microprocessor to provide a user detectable action; wherein the first communication unit receives a wireless signal from the wearable communication unit, the wireless signal comprises information indicating proximity to the first communication unit and identification information of the user of the wearable communication unit, the first communication unit transmits a wireless signal indicative of the wearable communication unit being located within one of the plurality of examination rooms associated with the first communication unit when the microprocessor determines if the wearable communication unit is within a predetermined vicinity from the first communication unit based on the received proximity information, wherein when the second communication unit receives the wireless signal transmitted by the first communication unit, the microprocessor of the second communication unit activates the indicator to notify others within the office that the wearable communication unit is located within the office associated with the first communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An office communication system for use in an office having a plurality of examination rooms, the office comprising:
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a communication unit associated with at least one of the plurality of examination rooms, the communication unit comprising; a wireless transceiver; a microprocessor in signal communication with the wireless transceiver; and an indicator coupled to the communication unit to provide a user detectible action to notify office personnel; and a wearable communication unit comprising; a housing configured to be attachable to a clothing item of a person associated with the business operating in the office, the housing comprising; a wireless transceiver configured to receive a signal initiated by interaction with the communication unit; and a microprocessor operable to receive the signal from the wireless transceiver and generate an output signal based on the received signal; and a sensory output device in communication with the microprocessor and actuatable by the microprocessor to provide a user detectable action; wherein the communication unit receives a wireless signal from the wearable communication unit, the wireless signal comprises information indicating proximity to the communication unit and identification information of the user of the wearable communication unit, wherein the microprocessor of the communication unit activates the indicator to notify others within the office when the wearable communication unit is located within one of the plurality of examination rooms of the office associated with the communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification