IP Library Granted Patent US 10,971,265
Granted Patent B2
US 10,971,265 · App. 16/799,376 · Granted Apr 6, 2021

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

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,971,265
App. No.
16/799,376
Granted
Apr 6, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An example embodiment provides a method, including: transmitting, from a hub, a request for information stored by at least one receiver, the request for information requesting information related to at least one tag affixed to a moveable object; receiving, at the hub from the at least one receiver, (i) presence information from the at least one tag affixed to a moveable object and (ii) identifying information of the at least one tag identifying the at least one tag and the moveable object corresponding to the at least one tag, wherein the presence information is received by the at least one receiver when the at least one tag is within a defined perimeter of the at least one receiver; receiving, at the hub from at least one receiver, use state information identifying a current use state of the moveable object received from the at least one tag; and storing, within a database associated with the hub, the presence information, identifying information, and use state information for the at least one tag and the moveable object, wherein the storing comprises updating a status of the at least one tag and the moveable object within the database with the presence information, identifying information, and use state information.

Claims (28)

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting, from a hub, a request for information stored by at least one receiver, the request for information requesting information related to at least one tag affixed to a moveable object;

receiving, at the hub from the at least one receiver, (i) presence information from the at least one tag affixed to a moveable object and (ii) identifying information of the at least one tag identifying the at least one tag and the moveable object corresponding to the at least one tag, wherein the presence information is received by the at least one receiver when the at least one tag is within a defined perimeter of the at least one receiver;

receiving, at the hub from at least one receiver, use state information identifying a current use state of the moveable object received from the at least one tag; and

storing, within a database associated with the hub, the presence information, identifying information, and use state information for the at least one tag and the moveable object, wherein the storing comprises updating a status of the at least one tag and the moveable object within the database with the presence information, identifying information, and use state information.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the presence information comprises timestamp information.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tag comprises a local clock synchronized to additional devices within a system.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tag comprises a timer configured to indicate an awake time for the at least one tag.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the timer of the at least one tag is set to a different time period with respect to timers of at least a subset of additional tags within a system.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least a subset of additional tags comprise tags similarly located with the at least one tag.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, from the at least one receiver, information, from the at least one tag, related to environmental conditions regarding an environment of the moveable object.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information related to environmental conditions comprises at least one condition selected from the group consisting of: temperature, motion of the at least one tag, humidity, gas levels, and carbon monoxide levels.

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

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

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

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one 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.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tag is configured to transmit and/or receive information.

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

15. A method, comprising:

transmitting, from a hub, a request for information stored by at least one receiver, the request for information requesting information related to at least one tag affixed to a moveable object, wherein the at least one tag comprises a timer configured to indicate an awake time for the at least one tag, wherein the timer of the at least one tag is set to a different time period with respect to timers of at least a subset of additional tags within a system, the at least a subset of additional tags comprising tags similarly located with the at least one tag;

receiving, at the hub from the at least one receiver, (i) presence information from the at least one tag affixed to a moveable object and (ii) identifying information of the at least one tag identifying the at least one tag and the moveable object corresponding to the at least one tag, wherein the presence information is received by the at least one receiver when the at least one tag is within a defined perimeter of the at least one receiver;

receiving, at the hub from at least one receiver, use state information identifying a current use state of the moveable object received from the at least one tag; and

storing, within a database associated with the hub, the presence information, identifying information, and use state information for the at least one tag and the moveable object, wherein the storing comprises updating a status of the at least one tag and the moveable object within the database with the presence information, identifying information, and use state information.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the presence information comprises timestamp information.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the at least one tag comprises a local clock synchronized to additional devices within a system.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising receiving, from the at least one receiver, information, from the at least one tag, related to environmental conditions regarding an environment of the moveable object.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the information related to environmental conditions comprises at least one condition selected from the group consisting of: temperature, motion of the at least one tag, humidity, gas levels, and carbon monoxide levels.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the use state comprises available for use, in use, needs cleaning and/or needs service.

Assignments (5)
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2020
From: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK
Reel/Frame 053753/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2020
From: JACKSON, STEPHEN S.
To: TELETRACKING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 051907/0349 →