IP Library Granted Patent US 9,740,822
Granted Patent B2
US 9,740,822 · App. 15/350,534 · Granted Aug 22, 2017

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

Inventor: Stephen S. Jackson (Chapel Hill, NC)
Assignee: TeleTracking Technologies, Inc.
G06F19/327G06K7/10366G06K19/0723G06K19/07749G06K19/07758G06Q10/087G06Q50/22G08B13/2434G08B13/2462
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,740,822
App. No.
15/350,534
Granted
Aug 22, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An example embodiment provides a method, including: communicating, using a plurality of receivers placed throughout a hospital, with a tag affixed to a moveable object; receiving, via one or more of the plurality of receivers, location data of the tag affixed to the movable object; identifying, using data received from the tag, the movable object; determining, based on the one or more of the plurality of receivers transmitting the location data, a location within the hospital of the movable object; associating, using location information of a database, a use state for the movable object based on the location of the movable object within the hospital, the database storing the location information associated with placements of the plurality of receivers and a use state for a movable object associated with the placements; and updating, using a processor, a use state for the movable object. Related methods and products are also described and/or claimed herein.

Claims (18)

1. A method, comprising:

communicating, using a plurality of receivers placed throughout a hospital, with a tag affixed to a moveable object;

receiving, via one or more of the plurality of receivers, location data of the tag affixed to the movable object;

identifying, using data received from the tag, the movable object;

determining, based on the one or more of the plurality of receivers transmitting the location data, a location within the hospital of the movable object;

associating, using location information of a database, a use state for the movable object based on the location of the movable object within the hospital, the database storing the location information associated with placements of the plurality of receivers and a use state for a movable object associated with the placements; and

updating, using a processor, a use state for the movable object.

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

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

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising placing the plurality of receivers throughout the hospital, wherein one or more of the plurality of receivers is/are incorporated into existing hospital infrastructure.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the existing hospital infrastructure comprises line power.

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

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receivers are configured to transmit automatically.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receivers are configured to wake the tag.

9. 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.

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

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

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the use state is a patient state.

Assignments (7)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2021
From: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELETRACKING GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC.
To: THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
Reel/Frame 056805/0431 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEYANCE TYPE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 056756 FRAME: 0549. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2021
From: THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
To: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 056784/0584 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2021
From: THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
To: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 056756/0549 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2019
From: SCHULIGER, BRIAN E; NASH, STEPHEN P; GORI, FRANK J; SHAHADE, LORETTA M
To: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 050828/0039 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2019
From: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
Reel/Frame 050809/0535 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2019
From: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: SCHULIGER, BRIAN E; NASH, STEPHEN P; GORI, FRANK J; SHAHADE, LORETTA M
Reel/Frame 050160/0794 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2016
From: JACKSON, STEPHEN S.
To: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 040310/0255 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 14843682 · Sep 2, 2015
Continuation 14292042 · May 30, 2014
Continuation 13854577 · Apr 1, 2013
Continuation 12500168 · Jul 9, 2009
Provisional Application 61079645 · Jul 10, 2008
Related Publication 20170061083A1 · Mar 2, 2017