Wireless Tracking System And Method Utilizing Near-Field Communication Devices
The present invention provides a solution to determining a near-field communication interaction in a wireless tracking mesh network. The present invention utilizes near-field communication devices in conjunction with tracking tags to transmit signals for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility which form a mesh network and forward the signals to an information engine for analysis.
1 . A system for monitoring interaction data for multiple users and objects utilizing near-field communication devices in an indoor healthcare environment through a medium range wireless communication format and a short range wireless communication format, the system comprising:
a plurality of communication sensors located in a facility;
a plurality of near-field communication devices, each of the plurality of near-field communication devices transmitting a beacon signal using a short range communication format receivable by another near-field communication device when each of the near-field communication devices is within a predetermined distance of each other, and each of the plurality of near-field communication devices configured to transmit interaction data using a medium range communication format to at least one of the plurality of communication sensors; and
an information engine in communication with at least one of the plurality of communication sensors, the information engine configured to process the interaction data, wherein the interaction data comprises at least one of a location of the interaction, an identification of each of the plurality of near-field communication devices, and a duration of the interaction.
2 . The system according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of near-field communication devices transfers interaction information to another of the plurality of near-field communication devices using the medium range communication format.
3 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the medium range communication format comprises ZIGBEE, Bluetooth, Low-Power BlueTooth, WiFi or Low-Power WiFi, Ultra Wide Band (“UWB”), Ultrasound or Infrared communication system, and the short range communication format comprises magnetic induction, 9 kHz, <125 kHz, 125 kHz RFID, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 433 MHz RFID, or 900 MHz RFID.
4 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined distance is less than ten centimeters.
5 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the interaction data further comprises a previous location of a first bearer of a first near field communication device, a previous location of a second bearer of a second near field communication device, and a number of other objects located near the interaction.
6 . A method for monitoring interaction data for multiple users and objects utilizing near-field communication devices in an indoor healthcare environment through a medium range wireless communication format and a short range wireless communication format, the method comprising:
sensing for a near-field communication interaction;
verifying a near-field communication interaction;
recording data concerning the near-field communication interaction at at least one of an interacting near-field communication device; and
transmitting the data concerning the near-field communication interaction to an information engine from a near-field communication device via a plurality of communication sensors using a medium range communication format;
wherein near-field communication is transmitted using a short range communication format comprising magnetic induction, 9 kHz, <125 kHz, 125 kHz RFID, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 433 MHz RFID, or 900 MHz RFID.
7 . The method according to claim 6 wherein the interaction data comprises at least one of a location of the interaction, an identification of each of the plurality of near-field communication devices, and a duration of the interaction.
8 . The method according to claim 6 wherein the near-field communication interaction comprises a previous location of a first bearer of a first near field communication device, a previous location of a second bearer of a second near field communication device, and a number of other objects located near the interaction.
9 . The method according to claim 6 wherein the near-field communication data is transmitted using a medium range communication format comprises ZIGBEE, Bluetooth, Low-Power BlueTooth, WiFi or Low-Power WiFi, Ultra Wide Band (“UWB”), Ultrasound or Infrared communication system.
10 . A system for determining a business relationship between individuals within a facility utilizing near-field communication devices, the system comprising:
a plurality of near-field communication devices, each of the plurality of near-field communication devices associated with an individual person;
a plurality of tags, each of the plurality of tags representing a first object;
a plurality of sensors located within the facility; and
an information engine in communication with the plurality of sensors, the information engine analyzing a near-field communication interaction based on at least one of a plurality of factors comprising a position location of the interaction, a duration of the interaction, a previous location of the first person prior to the interaction, and information for a mobile object within a predetermined distance of the location of the interaction;
wherein each of the plurality of near-field communication devices transmits a beacon signal using a short range communication format receivable by another near-field communication device when the near-field communication devices are within a predetermined distance of each other, and each of the plurality of near-field communication devices transmits interaction data using a medium range communication format to at least one of the plurality of sensors.
11 . The system according to claim 10 wherein the information engine analyzes the near-field communication interaction to determine a billing charge for services of the first person.
12 . The system according to claim 10 wherein the facility is a hospital and the information engine analyzes the near-field communication interaction to determine medical services provided to a patient.
13 . The system according to claim 13 wherein the medium range communication format comprises ZIGBEE, Bluetooth, Low-Power BlueTooth, WiFi or Low-Power WiFi, Ultra Wide Band (“UWB”), Ultrasound or Infrared communication system, and the short range communication format comprises magnetic induction, 9 kHz, <125 kHz, 125 kHz RFID, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 433 MHz RFID, or 900 MHz RFID.