Location system using retransmission of identifying information

• US 6,970,097 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2001
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies Incorporated (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies Incorporated (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Welles, Kenneth Brakeley II, Hershey, John E., Hoctor, Ralph T., Davenport, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/681,621
• Publication Number:
  US 20020167417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,664 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.49, 340/10.1, 340/10.4, 340/539.13, 340/573.4, 340/572.1, 340/568, 340/538, 600/300
• US Class Current: 340/8.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/725 Marker, boundary, call-sign or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/30 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• 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: G08B 13/2488 Timing issues, e.g. synchronising measures to avoid signal collision, with multiple emitters or a single emitter and receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/1083 Pager locating systems

Abstract

A location system and method for determining the location of a tagged item in a facility. In one embodiment, the location system includes a plurality of room transmitters designed to be located throughout the facility. Each room transmitter has a unique signature. The system also includes at least one item or location tag affixed or otherwise associated with an item. Each tag is operable to send a signal having information related to the signature of a room transmitter within the reception range of the tag and information related to the identity of the tag. Signals from the tags are received by one or more locating receivers. Each locating receiver is operable to determine the identity of an item tag and the likely location of the item tag within the facility based upon the signal from that tag. The invention also provides a method of locating an item in a facility. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning room transmitters in multiple areas within a facility; configuring each room transmitter to generate a unique signature; fitting items with a tag; configuring each tag to generate a signal having a location portion and a signature portion; positioning a locating receiver within the facility; and determining the likely location and identity of that tag based on the tag'"'"'s signal.

Claims

1. A method of locating an item in a facility, the method comprising:

positioning a number of room transmitters in multiple areas within a facility;

configuring each room transmitter to generate a unique, modulated signature;

wherein configuring each room transmitter includes configuring a first room transmitter to send a time varying signal that varies between a first frequency and a second frequency and configuring a second room transmitter to send a time varying signal that varies between a third frequency and a fourth frequency during the same time that the first transmitter sends its time varying signal;

wherein configuring each room transmitter includes synchronizing the room transmitters within a room so that each room transmitter sends a unique, time dependent signal;

fitting one or more items with a location tag, at least one of the items operable to acquire physiologic data from a patient associated with the item;

configuring each location tag to regularly generate a signal having information regarding the identity of the location tag, the physiologic data, and the signature of any room transmitter within a reception range of the respective tag;

positioning at least one locating receiver within the facility;

determining the likely location and identity of the location tag based on the signal of the location tag; and

wherein determining the likely location includes determining the location of the location tag based on the offset of the time varying signals from the first and second room transmitters.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising coupling a control computer to the at least one locating receiver and generating an output indicative of the location and identity of the location tag.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising configuring each room transmitter with a secondary receiver.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising sending a signal from at least one locating receiver to each room transmitter.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising

sending a synchronization code to each room transmitter that causes each room transmitter to transmit its respective signature signal at a known time;

and

determining the location of a location tag based on the time that the location tag receives signature signals from the room transmitters.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising configuring each room transmitter with a PLC circuit.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising positioning a reference tag in a location within the facility.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising configuring the reference tag to transmit a reference signal on a periodic basis.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising configuring each room transmitter to listen for signals from other room transmitters.

10. A method of locating an item in a facility, the method comprising:

positioning a number of room transmitters in multiple areas within a facility;

configuring each room transmitter to generate a unique, modulated signature;

wherein configuring each room transmitter includes configuring a first room transmitter to send a time varying signal that varies between a first frequency and a second frequency and configuring a second room transmitter to send a time varying signal that varies between a third frequency and a fourth frequency during the same time that the first transmitter sends its time varying signal;

fitting one or more items with a location tag, at least one of the items operable to acquire physiologic data;

distributing the tagged items throughout the facility;

configuring each location tag to have an identity, to regularly transmit its identity and the physiologic data, and to regularly retransmit the signature or a representation of the signature of any room transmitter within a reception range of the respective tag;

positioning at least one locating receiver within the facility;

determining the likely location and identity of at least one of the location tags based on transmissions from that location tag received by the locating receiver; and

wherein determining the likely location includes determining the location of one of the location tags based on the offset of the time varying signal from the first and second room transmitters.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising generating an output indicative of the location and identity of the location tag.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising synchronizing the room transmitters within an area within the facility so that each room transmitter sends a unique, time dependent signal.

13. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising configuring each room transmitter with a secondary receiver.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising sending a signal from at least one locating receiver to each room transmitter.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising

sending a synchronization code to each room transmitter that causes each room transmitter to transmit its respective signature signal at a known time;

and

determining the location of a location tag based on the time that the location tag receives the signature signals from the room transmitters.

16. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising configuring each room transmitter with a PLC circuit.

17. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising positioning a reference tag in a location within the facility.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising configuring the reference tag to transmit a reference signal on a periodic basis.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising configuring each room transmitter to listen for signals from other room transmitters.

20. A method of locating an item in a facility, the method comprising:

positioning a number of room transmitters within a facility;

synchronizing the room transmitters within an area of the facility so that each room transmitter generates a unique, time dependent signal wherein a first room transmitter is configured to send its unique, time dependent signal which varies between a first frequency and a second frequency and wherein a second room transmitter is configured to send its unique, time dependent signal which varies between a third frequency and a fourth frequency during the same time that the first transmitter sends its time dependent signal;

fitting one or more items with a location tag;

distributing the tagged items throughout the facility;

configuring each location tag to have an identity, to transmit its identity, and to retransmit the unique, time dependent signal of any room transmitter within a reception range of the respective location tag;

positioning at least one location receiver within the facility, the location receiver operable to receive the unique, time dependent signals from the location tag; and

determining the location and identity of at least one of the location tags based on the offset of the time dependent signals from the first and second room transmitters.

21. A location system for determining the location of a telemetry device in a facility, the location system comprising:

a plurality of room transmitters capable of being located throughout the facility, each room transmitter having a unique, modulated signature;

at least one location receiver;

at least one telemetry device operable to acquire physiologic data, the telemetry device including

an identification module operable to store an identity of the telemetry device,

a receiver operable to receive the signatures of the room transmitters,

a switch operable to link the physiologic data to the receiver and the identification module,

a processor operable to combine the physiologic data, the identity, and the signature into a signal, and

a transmitter to regularly send the signal directly to the location receiver wherein the location receiver is operable to determine the identity of the telemetry device and the likely location of the telemetry device within the facility.

22. A system as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a control computer coupled to the at least one location receiver and operable to generate an output indicative of the location of the at least one telemetry device.

23. A system as claimed in claim 21, further comprising at least two telemetry devices.

24. A system as claimed in claim 21, further comprising at least two location receivers.

25. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of room transmitters includes a power supply, a control circuit, a tone generator, and a transducer.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the at least one telemetry device includes a transducer, an identification module, a power supply, and a control circuit coupled to the transmitter.

27. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of room transmitters includes a power supply, a control circuit, a pulse generator, and an infrared device.

28. A system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the at least one telemetry device includes an infrared sensor, an identification module, a power supply, and a control circuit coupled to the transmitter.

29. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the location receiver includes a signal receiver, an identity decoder, and a signature analyzer, the identity decoder and signature analyzer each coupled to the signal receiver.

30. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein one or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a housing with a grill and electrical connectors configured to fit in an electrical outlet.

31. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein one or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a face plate with a grill and is designed to fit within the recess of an electrical outlet.

32. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein one or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a housing with a window and electrical connectors configured to fit in an electrical outlet.

33. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein one or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a face plate with a window and is designed to fit within the recess of an electrical outlet.

34. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of room transmitters includes a PLC circuit.

35. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein two or more of the plurality of room transmitters include a secondary receiver.

36. A system as claimed in claim 35, wherein each secondary receiver is an RF receiver.

37. A system as claimed in claim 35, wherein each secondary receiver is an ultrasonic receiver.

38. A location system for determining the location of a portable device in a facility, the location system comprising:

a plurality of room transmitters capable of being located throughout the facility, each room transmitter having a power supply, a control circuit, a transmitter driver, and a transmitter, the control circuit and transmitter driver operable to generate a unique, modulated signature for each room transmitter;

a portable device operable to acquire physiologic data, the portable device including

an identification module operable to store an identity of the portable device,

a receiver operable to receive the signatures of the room transmitters,

a switch operable to link the physiologic data to the receiver and the identification module,

a power supply,

a transmitter operable to send a signal having information related to the signature of a room transmitter within the reception range of the portable device, the physiologic data, and information related to the identity of the portable device, and

a control circuit coupled to the transmitter; and

at least one locating receiver operable to receive the signal of the portable device, the at least one locating receiver having an identity decoder, and a signature analyzer, the at least one locating receiver operable to determine the identity of the portable device and the likely location of the portable device within the facility.

39. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein one or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a housing with a grill and electrical connectors configured to fit in an electrical outlet.

40. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein one or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a face plate with a grill and is designed to fit within the recess of an electrical outlet.

41. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein one or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a housing with a window and electrical connectors configured to fit in an electrical outlet.

42. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein one or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a face plate with a window and is designed to fit within the recess of an electrical outlet.

43. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein each of the plurality of room transmitters includes a PLC circuit.

44. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein two or more of the plurality of room transmitters includes a secondary receiver.

45. A system as claimed in claim 44, wherein each secondary receiver is an RF receiver.

46. A system as claimed in claim 44, wherein each secondary receiver is an ultrasonic receiver.

47. A method of locating an item in a facility, the method comprising:

positioning a number of room transmitters in multiple areas within a facility;

positioning at least one location receiver within the facility;

configuring each room transmitter to generate a unique, modulated signature;

fitting one or more items with a location tag, at least one of the items operable to acquire physiologic data from a patient associated with the item, the location tag having an identity;

linking the physiologic data, the signature, and the identity to a switch;

combining the physiologic data, the signature, and the identity to generate a signal;

configuring each location tag to transmit the signal to the location receiver; and

determining the likely location and identity of the location tag based on the signal from the location tag.

48. A method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising coupling a control computer to the at least one location receiver and generating an output indicative of the location and identity of the location tag.

49. A method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising synchronizing the room transmitters within a room so that each room transmitter sends a unique, time dependent signal.

50. A method as claimed in claim 49, further comprising configuring a first room transmitter to send a time varying signal that varies between a first frequency and a second frequency and configuring a second room transmitter to send a time varying signal that varies between a third frequency and a fourth frequency during the same time that the first transmitter sends its time varying signal.

51. A method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising configuring each room transmitter with a secondary receiver.

52. A method as claimed in claim 51, further comprising sending a signal from at least one locating receiver to each room transmitter.

53. A method as claimed in claim 52, further comprising

sending a synchronization code to each room transmitter that causes each room transmitter to transmit its respective signature signal at a known time;

and

determining the location of a location tag based on the time that the location tag receives signature signals from the room transmitters.

54. A method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising configuring each room transmitter with a PLC circuit.

55. A method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising positioning a reference tag in a location within the facility.

56. A method as claimed in claim 55, further comprising configuring the reference tag to transmit a reference signal on a periodic basis.

57. A method as claimed in claim 47, further comprising configuring each room transmitter to listen for signals from other room transmitters.

58. A location system for determining the location of a patient in a facility, the location system comprising:

a plurality of room transmitters capable of being located throughout the facility, each room transmitter having a unique, modulated signature;

at least one tag operable to be associated with an item, the item operable to acquire patient data, the at least one tag including

an identification module operable to store an identity of the tag,

a receiver operable to receive the signatures of the room transmitters,

a switch operable to link the patient data to the receiver and the identification module, and

a transmitter to send a signal having information related to the signature of a room transmitter within the reception range of the tag, the patient data, and information related to the identity of the tag; and

at least one location receiver operable to receive the signal of the at least one tag and to determine the identity of the tag and the likely location of the patient within the facility.

59. A system as claimed in claim 58, wherein the at least one tag is incorporated in a telemetry device.

60. A system as claimed in claim 59, wherein the telemetry device includes

at least one signal conditioner to condition a telemetry input;

a filter and mixer coupled to the receiver of the tag; and

a multi-channel combiner coupled to the transmitter of the tag.