Tags for automated location and monitoring of moveable objects and related systems

• US 9,881,130 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2017
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleTracking Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TeleTracking Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Jackson, Stephen S.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US15/681,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20170344708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 162 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• 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: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

An example embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at a tag affixed to a moveable object, a signal to wake the tag affixed to a moveable object; receiving, at the tag affixed to a moveable object, a request from at least one receiver for presence information associated with the moveable object; providing, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, identification information associated with the moveable object; transmitting, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, location data to the at least one receiver; transmitting, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, use state information associated with the moveable object; and returning the tag affixed to a moveable object to a sleep state. Related systems are also provided herein.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a tag affixed to a moveable object, a signal to wake the tag affixed to a moveable object;

receiving, at the tag affixed to a moveable object, a request from at least one receiver for presence information associated with the moveable object;

providing, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, identification information associated with the moveable object;

transmitting, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, location data to the at least one receiver;

transmitting, from the tag affixed to a moveable object, use state information associated with the moveable object; and

returning the tag affixed to a moveable object to a sleep state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a signal comprises receiving a signal from a timer included within the tag affixed to a moveable object.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a time period associated with the timer is variable.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the time period is based upon a distance of the tag affixed to a moveable object from a receiver.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the time period is based upon a time of last receipt of a request.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the time period is varied randomly.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a signal comprises receiving a signal from a receiver.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the use state comprises available for use, in use, needs cleaning and/or needs service.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the movable object is an infusion pump.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tag is intrinsically safe such that it can be used in an oxygen rich environment.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the tag includes at least one sensor and wherein the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the tag is configured to transmit and/or receive information.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the movable object is selected from the group consisting of a hospital asset and a patient.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the use state is a patient state.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one receiver comprises a receiver located in a hospital.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the tag affixed to a moveable object comprises a rotatable tag.