Tags for automated location and monitoring of moveable objects and related systems
View Patent ↗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.
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.