System, device, product, apparatus and method for reading syringe information

Abstract

To provide a reader and method for reading syringe information.SOLUTION: A reader includes: a plurality of antennas configured to receive a plurality of signals from an RFID tag on a fluid container, where the plurality of antennas are spaced apart from each other; an RFID reader circuit, where the plurality of antennas are connected thereto, and where the RFID reader circuit determines a plurality of values of a signal parameter associated with the RFID tag on the basis of the plurality of signals; a connector configured to be coupled with the fluid container and located between the plurality of antennas; and one or more processors programmed and / or configured to receive, from the RFID reader circuit, the plurality of values of the signal parameter, and determine, on the basis of the plurality of values thereof, whether or not the fluid container including the RFID tag is connected to the connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] 1.Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to RFID communications, and in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, to systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods for reading syringe information using RFID communications. [Background technology]

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 986,943, entitled "System, Device, Product, Apparatus, and Method for Reading Syringe Information," filed March 9, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] 2.Technical considerations A 2D barcode reader may be used to decode the 2D barcode on the syringe. The 2D barcode reader may use complex optics that are manually triggered when the syringe is attached to the 2D barcode reader. This electromechanical trigger may be unreliable due to the relatively tight tolerance control associated with the fitment of various components of the injection system for the syringe. In addition, the optics for the 2D barcode reader may use expensive barrel lenses in the light transmission path, which makes factory calibration relatively difficult and the yield rate relatively low. Therefore, there is a need for an improved reading of syringe information.

[0004] Thus, improved systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods for reading syringe information are provided. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to certain non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a reader is provided that includes: a first antenna; a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a first signal from a first RFID tag, and the second antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a second signal from the first RFID tag; and one or more processors that are programmed and / or configured to: control the RFID reader circuit to determine, based on the first signal, a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; control the RFID reader circuit to determine, based on the second signal, a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; receive from the RFID reader circuit the first value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag and the second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0006] Systems and methods are provided that include receiving, at a first antenna, a first signal from a first RFID tag; receiving, at a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna, a second signal from the first RFID tag; determining, at an RFID reader circuit, a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal; determining, at the RFID reader circuit, a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the second signal; receiving, at at least one processor, the first value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag and the second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determining, at the at least one processor, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0007] According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a first syringe, a first label including a first RFID tag applied to the first syringe, and a first antenna, a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna, an RFID reader circuit, the first antenna connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a first signal from the first RFID tag, the second antenna connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a second signal from the first RFID tag, and a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal. and one or more processors programmed and / or configured to: control the RFID reader circuit to determine a first value; control the RFID reader circuit to determine, based on the second signal, a second value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; receive from the RFID reader circuit the first value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag and the second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0008] Further non-limiting embodiments or aspects are set forth in the following numbered clauses:

[0009] Clause 1. A reader including: a first antenna; a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a first signal from a first RFID tag; a second antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a second signal from the first RFID tag; and one or more processors programmed and / or configured to: control the RFID reader circuit to determine a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal; control the RFID reader circuit to determine a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the second signal; receive from the RFID reader circuit the first value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag and the second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determine whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna based on the first value and the second value.

[0010] Clause 2. The reader of clause 1, wherein the signal parameters associated with the first RFID tag include a received signal strength indication (RSSI).

[0011] Clause 3. The reader of any of clauses 1 and 2, wherein the first signal and the second signal comprise ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.

[0012] Clause 4. The reader of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to determine a difference between the first value and the second value, and in response to the difference satisfying a threshold difference, determine that the RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0013] Clause 5. A reader as described in any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the RFID reader circuit includes a switching circuit, a first antenna connected to the switching circuit, a second antenna connected to the switching circuit, and the switching circuit configured to selectively couple the first antenna and the second antenna to the RFID reader circuit.

[0014] Clause 6. The reader of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to control, using switching circuitry, to selectively read a first signal from the first RFID tag with a first antenna and a second signal from the first RFID tag with a second antenna.

[0015] Clause 7. A reader according to any of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the connector is configured to be connected to the syringe, the connector is located between the first antenna and the second antenna, and the first antenna and the second antenna are located at the same distance from the connector.

[0016] Clause 8. The reader of any of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising a switch configured to be actuated in response to connection of the first syringe to the connector, wherein the one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to control the RFID reader circuitry to determine the first value and the second value in response to actuation of the switch.

[0017] Clause 9. The reader of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the first RFID tag comprises a first label applied to the first syringe.

[0018] Clause 10. The reader of any of clauses 1 to 9, further programmed and / or configured to: control the RFID reader circuit to determine at least one third value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the at least one third signal; receive from the RFID reader circuit the at least one third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determine whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and the at least one third antenna based on the first value, the second value, and the at least one third value.

[0019] Clause 11. A reader as described in any of clauses 1 to 10, further comprising an indicator configured to provide an indication associated with information contained in at least one of the first signal received from the first RFID tag and the second signal received from the first RFID tag.

[0020] Clause 12. A reader according to any of clauses 1 to 11, further comprising a first shielding material surrounding a portion of the first antenna and a second shielding material surrounding a portion of the second antenna.

[0021] Clause 13. A method comprising: receiving, at a first antenna, a first signal from a first RFID tag; receiving, at a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna, a second signal from the first RFID tag; determining, at an RFID reader circuit, a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal; determining, at the RFID reader circuit, a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the second signal; receiving, at least one processor, the first value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag and the second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determining, at the at least one processor, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0022] Clause 14. The method of clause 13, wherein the signal parameters associated with the first RFID tag include a received signal strength indication (RSSI).

[0023] Clause 15. The method of any of clauses 13 and 14, wherein the first signal and the second signal comprise ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.

[0024] Clause 16. The method of any of clauses 13 to 15, further comprising: determining, with at least one processor, a difference between the first value and the second value; and determining, with the at least one processor, in response to the difference satisfying a threshold difference, that the RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0025] Clause 17. The method of any of clauses 13 to 16, further comprising using a switching circuit to control the RFID reader circuit to selectively read a first signal from the first RFID tag with a first antenna and a second signal from the first RFID tag with a second antenna.

[0026] Clause 18. The method of any of clauses 13 to 17, further comprising: connecting a first syringe to a connector located between a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are located the same distance from the connector, and wherein connecting the first syringe to the connector activates a switch; and controlling, with at least one processor, an RFID reader circuit to determine a first value and a second value in response to activation of the switch.

[0027] Clause 19. The reader of any of clauses 13 to 18, wherein the first RFID tag includes a first label applied to the first syringe.

[0028] Clause 20. The method of any of clauses 13 to 19, further comprising: receiving, with at least one third antenna, at least one third signal from the first RFID tag, the at least one third antenna being located the same distance from the connector as the first antenna and the second antenna; determining, with an RFID reader circuit, at least one third value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the at least one third signal; receiving, with the at least one processor, the at least one third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determining, with the at least one processor, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and the at least one third antenna based on the first value, the second value, and the at least one third value.

[0029] Clause 21. The method of any of clauses 13 to 20, further comprising providing, with an indicator, an indication associated with information contained in at least one of the first signal received from the first RFID tag and the second signal received from the first RFID tag.

[0030] Clause 22. A first syringe, a first label including a first RFID tag applied to the first syringe, and a first antenna, a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna, and an RFID reader circuit, the first antenna connected to the RFID reader circuit, the first antenna configured to receive a first signal from the first RFID tag, the second antenna connected to the RFID reader circuit, and the second antenna configured to receive a second signal from the first RFID tag, and the RFID reader circuit determines a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal. and one or more processors programmed and / or configured to: control the RFID reader circuit to determine, based on the second signal, a second value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; control the RFID reader circuit to receive from the RFID reader circuit the first value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag and the second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determine, based on the first value and the second value, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0031] Clause 23. The system of clause 22, further comprising a flow sensor system including a disposable flow sensor and a reusable base, the reusable base including a reader.

[0032] These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the method of operation and function of the associated elements of structure, combination of parts, and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent from a consideration of the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part hereof, and in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the various views. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] Additional advantages and details are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments or aspects illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings.

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of an environment in which the systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods described herein may be implemented. [Figure 2A] 2 is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of an implementation of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] 2 is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of an implementation of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of FIG. 1. [Figure 2C] 2 is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of an implementation of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 and 2A-2C are diagrams of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of one or more devices and / or components of one or more systems of FIGS. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a process for reading syringe information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] It should be understood that the present disclosure may contemplate various alternative modifications and step sequences unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and described in the following specification, are merely exemplary and non-limiting embodiments or aspects. As such, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting.

[0036] As used herein, aspects, components, elements, structures, acts, steps, functions, instructions, and / or the like should not be construed as critical or essential unless expressly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more" and "at least one." Furthermore, as used herein, the term "set" is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, combinations of related and unrelated items, etc.) and may be used interchangeably with "one or more" or "at least one." Where only one item is intended, the term "one" or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms "has," "have," "having," etc. are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0037] As used herein, the terms "communication" and "communicating" refer to the receipt or transfer of one or more signals, messages, commands, or other types of data. One unit (e.g., any device, system, or component thereof) communicating with another unit means that the one unit can receive data from and / or transmit data to the other unit, directly or indirectly. This may refer to a direct or indirect connection that is wired and / or wireless in nature. Furthermore, two units may communicate with each other even if the transmitted data is modified, processed, relayed, and / or routed between the first and second units. For example, a first unit may communicate with a second unit even if the first unit passively receives data and does not actively transmit data to the second unit. As another example, a first unit may communicate with a second unit if an intermediate unit processes data from one unit and transmits the processed data to the second unit. It will be understood that many other arrangements are possible.

[0038] It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting of the implementation. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, and it will be understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

[0039] Some non-limiting embodiments or aspects are described herein in relation to a threshold value. As used herein, meeting a threshold value can mean that a value is greater than the threshold value, more than the threshold value, higher than the threshold value, equal to or greater than the threshold value, less than the threshold value, less than the threshold value, lower than the threshold value, less than the threshold value, or equal to or less than the threshold value, etc.

[0040] For purposes of the following description, the terms "end," "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "lateral," "longitudinal," and derivatives thereof, refer to non-limiting embodiments or aspects as they are oriented in the drawings. However, it is to be understood that non-limiting embodiments or aspects may assume various alternative variations and step sequences unless expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments or aspects. Accordingly, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to embodiments or aspects disclosed herein should not be considered limiting unless otherwise indicated.

[0041] As used herein, the terms "computing device" or "computer device" may refer to one or more electronic devices configured to communicate directly or indirectly with one or more networks. A computing device may be a mobile device, a desktop computer, etc. Furthermore, the term "computer" may refer to any computing device that includes the components necessary to receive, process, and output data and typically includes a display, a processor, memory, input devices, and a network interface. An "application" or "application program interface" (API) refers to computer code or other data sorted on a computer-readable medium that can be executed by a processor to facilitate interaction between software components for receiving data from a client, such as a client-side front-end and / or a server-side back-end. An "interface" refers to a generated display, such as one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs), with which a user can interact directly or indirectly (e.g., via a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.).

[0042] As used herein, the term "server" may mean or include one or more processors or computers, storage devices, or similar computer configurations operated by or facilitating communication and processing for multiple parties in a network environment such as the Internet, although it will be understood that communication may be facilitated through one or more public or private network environments and various other configurations may be possible. Furthermore, multiple computers, e.g., servers, or other computerized devices, such as POS devices, communicating directly or indirectly within a network environment may constitute a "system," such as a retailer's POS system.

[0043] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Improved systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods for reading syringe information are provided.

[0044] Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system typically includes an RFID reader and multiple RFID tags. The RFID reader communicates wirelessly with the RFID tags. RFID tags may be passive tags that have no power source and are powered by energy received wirelessly from the RFID reader, or active tags that are powered by a local or internal power source (e.g., a battery, etc.). RFID tags include an antenna and a device for electronically storing information and / or data to be read from the RFID tag by an RFID reader (e.g., a memory chip, etc.).

[0045] RFID typically operates in three main frequency ranges: low frequency (LF) (e.g., approximately 120-150 kHz), high frequency (HF) (e.g., approximately 13.56 MHz), and ultra-high frequency (UHF) (e.g., approximately 865-868 MHz in Europe and 902-928 MHz in the United States). The LF and HF frequency ranges use magnetically coupled systems in which the field of the RFID reader antenna and the field of the RFID tag must be aligned for the RFID reader to read the RFID tag. The LF and HF frequency ranges work well if the orientation of the RFID tag relative to the reader can be controlled. In contrast, in the UHF frequency range, the RFID tag can still be read if its field orientation is not directly aligned with the RFID reader antenna. Therefore, UHF RFID tags may perform better in situations where the orientation of the RFID tag relative to the RFID reader is not easily controlled and / or known.

[0046] The area within which a UHF RFID tag can be read by an RFID reader may be controlled by changing the system's transmit power and / or receive signal gain to reduce or increase the area. However, UHF RFID does not have a mechanism for selecting a specific or single tag in a specific location. For example, a UHF RFID reader for reading syringe information from an RFID tag on a syringe may not be able to identify or differentiate the syringe intended to be scanned and / or connected to an injection system from other syringes in the surrounding area.

[0047] Non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a system, reader, and method therefor, including a first antenna, a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna, an RFID reader circuit, and a processor. The first antenna and the second antenna are connected to the RFID reader circuit. The first antenna is configured to receive a first signal from an RFID tag. The second antenna is configured to receive a second signal from the RFID tag. The processor controls the RFID reader circuit to determine a first value of a signal parameter associated with the RFID tag based on the first signal and a second value of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag based on the second signal, receives the first value and the second value from the RFID reader circuit, and determines whether the RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna based on the first value and the second value. In this manner, a syringe including an RFID tag intended to be scanned and / or connected to an injection system can be identified or differentiated from other syringes in the surrounding area that are not intended to be scanned and / or connected to an injection system.

[0048] 1, which is a diagram of an exemplary environment 100 in which the systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods described herein may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, environment 100 includes a reading device 102, a first syringe 104, a first RFID tag 106, at least one second syringe 108, at least one second RFID tag 110, a communication network 112, and / or a remote computing system 114. The systems and / or devices of environment 100 may be interconnected via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

[0049] The reading device 102 includes one or more devices that can receive information and / or data from and / or communicate information and / or data to the first RFID tag 106, the at least one second RFID tag 110, and / or the remote computing system 114 (e.g., via the communications network 112, etc.). For example, the reading device 102 may include one or more computing systems including one or more processors (e.g., one or more computing devices, one or more mobile computing devices, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 is capable of receiving information (e.g., from the first RFID tag 106, from at least one second RFID tag 110, etc.) via an RFID communication connection (e.g., via a UHF RFID communication connection, etc.) and / or communicating information (e.g., to the first RFID tag 106, to at least one second RFID tag 110, etc.) via an RFID communication connection. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 includes a reusable base for a BD Intelliport™ flow sensor and a base system included as part of a BD Intelliport™ medication management system. Further details regarding non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the reading device 102 are provided below with respect to Figures 2A-2C.

[0050] The first RFID tag 106 may be attached to (e.g., removably attached to or integrally formed with) the first syringe 104. For example, the first RFID tag 106 may include a first label that is applied to the first syringe 104. By way of example, the first RFID tag 106 may be attached to the body of the first syringe 104.

[0051] The at least one second RFID tag 110 may be attached to (e.g., removably attached to or integrally formed with) the at least one second syringe 108. For example, the at least one second RFID tag 110 may include a second label applied to the at least one second syringe 108. For example, the at least one second RFID tag 110 may be attached to the body of the at least one second syringe 108.

[0052] The communication network 112 may include one or more wired and / or wireless networks. For example, the communication network 112 may include a cellular network (e.g., a long-term evolution (LTE) network, a third-generation (3G) network, a fourth-generation (4G) network, a fifth-generation (5G) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, etc.), a public land mobile network (PLMN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a telephone network (e.g., a public switched telephone network (PSTN)), a private network, an ad hoc network, an intranet, the Internet, a fiber-optic-based network, a cloud computing network, and / or the like, and / or a combination of these or other types of networks.

[0053] The remote computing system 114 may include one or more devices capable of receiving information and / or data from the reading device 102 (e.g., via the communications network 112, etc.) and / or communicating information and / or data to the reading device 102 (e.g., via the communications network 112, etc.). For example, the remote computing system 114 may include one or more computing systems including one or more processors (e.g., one or more computing devices, one or more mobile computing devices, one or more servers, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the remote computing system 114 includes a nursing station within a hospital. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the remote computing system 114 includes a secure hospital server and / or one or more secure hospital databases that store personally identifiable information (PII) and / or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protected information.

[0054] 2A and 2B, which are diagrams of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of an implementation 200 of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2A and 2B, the reading device 102 may include a first antenna 202, a second antenna 204 spaced apart from the first antenna 202, a connector 206, a switch 207, an RFID reader circuit 208, a processor 210 (e.g., a microcontroller, etc.), an indicator 212 (e.g., a display, one or more LED lights, a speaker, etc.), a first antenna shielding material 214, and / or a second antenna shielding material 216. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 may include a housing 220 that houses the first antenna 202, the second antenna 204, the connector 206, the switch 207, the RFID reader circuitry 208, the processor 210, the indicator 212, the first antenna shielding material 214, and / or the second antenna shielding material 216.

[0055] The first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 may be connected to an RFID reader circuit 208. The first antenna 202 may be configured to receive a first signal from an RFID tag (e.g., the first RFID tag 106, at least one second RFID tag 110, etc.). The second antenna 204 may be configured to receive a second signal (e.g., a second signal different from the first signal received by the first antenna 202, etc.) from an RFID tag (e.g., the first RFID tag 106, at least one second RFID tag 110, the same RFID tag from which the first antenna 202 received the first signal, etc.).

[0056] The connector 206 may be configured to connect to a syringe (e.g., the first syringe 104, at least one second syringe 108, etc.). The connector 206 may be located between the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204. The first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 may be located the same distance from the connector 206 (e.g., the same distance from the longitudinal axis of the connector 206, etc.). For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a distance D1 between the first antenna 202 and the central or longitudinal axis of the connector 206 may be equal to a distance D2 between the second antenna 205 and the central or longitudinal axis of the connector 206.

[0057] The RFID reader circuit 208 may be configured to determine a value of a signal parameter (e.g., a received signal strength indication (RSSI) or the like) associated with the RFID tag based on a signal (e.g., a UHF RFID signal or the like) received from the RFID tag. For example, the RFID reader circuit 208 (e.g., under the control of the processor 210) may determine a first value of a signal parameter associated with the RFID tag based on a first signal received by the first antenna 202 and determine a second value of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag based on a second signal received by the second antenna 204. As an example, the RFID reader circuit 208 (e.g., under the control of the processor 210) may determine an RSSI value of a first signal received by the first antenna 202 and determine an RSSI value of a second signal received by the second antenna 204.

[0058] Switch 207 may be configured to be actuated in response to connection of a syringe (e.g., first syringe 104) to connector 206. For example, processor 210 may be in electrical communication with switch 207, and processor 210 may be programmed and / or configured to control RFID reader circuit 208 to determine the first value and the second value in response to actuation of switch 207.

[0059] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the RFID reader circuit 208 includes a switching circuit (e.g., an RFID switch, a multiplexer, etc.). For example, the RFID reader circuit 208 may include an ST25RU3993 module. By way of example, the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 may be connected to the switching circuit, which may be configured to selectively couple the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 to the RFID reader circuit 208. In such an example, the processor 210 may use the switching circuit to control the RFID reader circuit 208 to selectively read a first signal from an RFID tag with the first antenna 202 and a second signal from the same RFID tag with the second antenna 204. A first signal from an RFID tag received by the first antenna 202 and a second signal from that same RFID tag received by the second antenna 204 may each include a unique identifier associated with the RFID tag, and the RFID reader circuit 208 (and / or processor 210) may distinguish the first signal and the second signal from the same RFID tag (e.g., from the first RFID tag 106, etc.) from first signals and / or second signals received by the first antenna 202 and / or the second antenna 204 from one or more other RFID tags (e.g., at least one second RFID tag 110 on at least one second syringe 108, etc.) based on the unique identifier included in the received signals. However, non-limiting embodiments or aspects are not so limited, and the RFID reader circuit 208 may include separate RFID reader modules (e.g., separate ST25RU3993 modules, etc.) for each of the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 to read a first signal from an RFID tag with the first antenna 202 and a second signal from that same RFID tag with the second antenna 204, respectively.

[0060] The processor 210 may be connected (e.g., via telecommunications) to the RFID reader circuit 208. The processor 210 may receive from the RFID reader circuit 208 a first value of a signal parameter associated with an RFID tag and a second value of the signal parameter associated with the same RFID tag, and may determine whether an RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna (e.g., whether a syringe including an RFID tag is connected to the connector 206, etc.) based on the first value and the second value. For example, the processor 210 may determine whether the first value and the second value (e.g., an RSSI value of a first signal received by the first antenna 202 and an RSSI value of a second signal received by the second antenna 204, etc.) are substantially equal to each other (e.g., within a tolerance threshold, etc.). As an example, processor 210 may determine a difference between a first value and a second value, and, in response to the determined difference satisfying a threshold difference, may determine that an RFID tag associated with the same unique identifier included in the corresponding first and second signals is located between the first and second antennas (e.g., a syringe including the RFID tag is connected to connector 206, etc.). In such an example, a syringe including an RFID tag connected to connector 206 may have substantially equal RSSI values ​​for the first and second signals. As an example, processor 210 may determine a difference between the first and second values, and, in response to a difference that fails to satisfy a threshold difference, determine that the RFID tag is not located between the first and second antennas (e.g., the RFID tag is located outside the first and second antennas, the syringe including the RFID tag is not connected to connector 206, etc.). In such an example, a syringe including an RFID tag that is not connected to connector 206 may have substantially different RSSI values ​​(eg, outside of tolerance thresholds) for the first and second signals.

[0061] Indicator 212 may be configured to provide an indication associated with information contained in and / or associated with a signal received from an RFID tag (e.g., information contained in a first signal received from the RFID tag by first antenna 202, information contained in a second signal received from that same RFID tag by second antenna 204, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the indication may include at least one of a unique identifier associated with the RFID tag, an indication indicating that a syringe associated with the RFID tag is connected to connector 206, an indication indicating that a syringe associated with the RFID tag is not connected to connector 206, information associated with a medication contained in a syringe associated with the RFID tag, or any combination thereof. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, reading device 102 may communicate the indication and / or information associated therewith to remote computing system 114.

[0062] The first shielding material 214 may surround a portion of the first antenna 202. For example, the first shielding material 214 may be configured so that the first antenna 202 forms a directive beamforming antenna (e.g., in a two-dimensional direction toward the top of FIG. 2A ). The second shielding material 216 may surround a portion of the second antenna 204. For example, the second shielding material 216 may be configured so that the second antenna 204 forms a directive beamforming antenna (e.g., in a direction toward the top of FIG. 2A ).

[0063] 2C, which is a diagram of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of an implementation 250 of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of FIG. 1. The structure and function of first antenna 202, second antenna 204 spaced apart from first antenna 202, connector 206, switch 207, RFID reader circuitry 208, processor 210 (e.g., a microcontroller, etc.), indicator 212 (e.g., a display, one or more LED lights, a speaker, etc.), first antenna shielding material 214, and / or second antenna shielding material 216 may be the same as or similar to those described with respect to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, and therefore, further description thereof will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 2C, the reading device 102 may further include at least one third antenna 218 and at least one third shielding material 219 . The at least one third antenna 218 may be located the same distance from the connector 206 as the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C , the distance D1 between the first antenna 202 and the central or longitudinal axis of the connector 206, the distance D2 between the second antenna 205 and the central or longitudinal axis of the connector 206, and the distance D3 (and / or D4) between the central or longitudinal axis of the connector 206 and the at least one third antenna 218 may be the same distance.

[0065] The at least one third antenna 218 may be configured to receive at least one third signal (e.g., at least one third signal different from the first signal received by the first antenna 202 and the second signal received by the second antenna 204, etc.) from an RFID tag (e.g., the first RFID tag 106, the at least one second RFID tag 110, the same RFID tag from which the first antenna 202 received a first signal and the second antenna 204 received a second signal, etc.). For example, the RFID reader circuit 208 (e.g., under the control of the processor 210, etc.) may determine at least one third value of a signal parameter associated with the RFID tag based on the at least one third signal received by the at least one third antenna 218. As an example, the RFID reader circuit 208 (e.g., under the control of the processor 210) may determine an RSSI value of a first signal received by the first antenna 202, determine an RSSI value of a second signal received by the second antenna 204, and determine an RSSI value of at least one third signal received by at least one third antenna 218.

[0066] The processor 210 may receive from the RFID reader circuit 208 at least one third value of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag and, based on the first value, the second value, and the at least one third value, determine whether the RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and the at least one third antenna (e.g., whether a syringe including an RFID tag is connected to the connector 206, etc.). For example, the processor 210 may determine whether the first value, the second value, and the third value (e.g., an RSSI value of a first signal received by the first antenna 202, an RSSI value of a second signal received by the second antenna 204, and an RSSI value of at least one third signal received by the at least one third antenna 218, etc.) are substantially equal to one another (e.g., within a tolerance threshold, etc.). As an example, the processor 210 may determine one or more differences between the first value, the second value, and the third value, and, in response to the determined difference(s) satisfying one or more threshold differences, determine that an RFID tag associated with the same unique identifier included in these corresponding first, second, and third signals is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and at least one third antenna (e.g., a syringe including an RFID tag is connected to the connector 206, etc.).

[0067] The number and arrangement of systems and devices shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2C are provided as examples. Additional, fewer, different, or differently arranged systems and / or devices may be present. Furthermore, two or more systems or devices shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2C may be implemented within a single system or device, or a single system or device shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2C may be implemented as multiple distributed systems or devices. Additionally or alternatively, a set of systems or devices (e.g., one or more systems, one or more devices, etc.) of environment 100, implementation 200, and / or implementation 250 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of systems or another set of devices of environment 100, implementation 200, and / or implementation 250.

[0068] 3, which is a diagram of exemplary components of a device 300. The device 300 may correspond to one or more of the reading devices 102 and / or one or more of the remote computing systems 114. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more of the reading devices 102 and / or one or more of the remote computing systems 114 may include at least one of the devices 300 and / or at least one component of the device 300. As shown in FIG. 3, the device 300 may include a bus 302, a processor 304, a memory 306, a storage component 308, an input component 310, an output component 312, and a communication interface 314.

[0069] The bus 302 may include components that enable communication between the components of the device 300. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor 304 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. For example, the processor 304 may include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), etc.), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and / or any processing component (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microcontroller (MCU), etc.) that can be programmed to perform functions. The memory 306 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, etc.) that stores information and / or instructions for use by the processor 304.

[0070] The storage component 308 may store information and / or software related to the operation and use of the device 300. For example, the storage component 308 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a solid-state disk, etc.), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.

[0071] Input components 310 may include components that enable device 300 to receive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touchscreen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, buttons, switches, a microphone, a camera, an electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor, a patient monitoring system, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, input components 310 may include sensors for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, etc.). Output components 312 may include components that provide output information from device 300 (e.g., a display, a speaker, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.).

[0072] The communication interface 314 may include transceiver-like components (e.g., a walkie-talkie, a separate receiver and transmitter, etc.) that enable the device 300 to communicate with other devices, for example, via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The communication interface 314 may enable the device 300 to receive information from another device and / or provide information to another device. For example, the communication interface 314 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular network interface, and / or the like.

[0073] The device 300 may perform one or more of the processes described herein. The device 300 may perform these processes based on the processor 304 executing software instructions stored by a computer-readable medium, such as the memory 306 and / or the storage component 308. A computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is defined herein as a non-transitory memory device. A non-transitory memory device includes a memory space located within a single physical storage device or a memory space spanning multiple physical storage devices.

[0074] Software instructions may be read into memory 306 and / or storage component 308 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface 314. When executed, the software instructions stored in memory 306 and / or storage component 308 may cause processor 304 to perform one or more processes described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, the embodiments or aspects described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0075] The memory 306 and / or the storage component 308 may include a data storage or one or more data structures (e.g., a database, etc.). The device 300 may be capable of receiving, storing, transmitting, or retrieving information from the data storage or one or more data structures in the memory 306 and / or the storage component 308. For example, the information may be input data, output data, medical data, or any combination thereof.

[0076] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 3 are provided as an example. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, device 300 may include additional, fewer, different, or differently arranged components than those shown in Figure 3. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 300 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 300.

[0077] 4, which is a flowchart of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a process 400 for reading syringe information. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more of the steps of process 400 are performed (e.g., completely, partially, etc.) by reading device 102 (e.g., one or more devices of a system of reading device 102, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more of the steps of process 400 are performed (e.g., completely, partially, etc.) by another device or group of devices separate from or including reading device 102, such as remote computing system 114 (e.g., one or more devices of remote computing system 114, etc.).

[0078] As shown in FIG. 4, in step 402, the process 400 includes receiving a first signal (e.g., a UHF RFID signal, etc.) from the first RFID tag 106 using the reading device 102 (e.g., the first antenna 202, etc.).

[0079] As shown in FIG. 4, in step 404, the process 400 includes receiving a second signal (e.g., a UHF RFID signal) from the first RFID tag 106 at the reading device 102 (e.g., at a second antenna 204 spaced apart from the first antenna 202).

[0080] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 receives at least one third signal from the first RFID tag 106 (e.g., with at least one third antenna 218 positioned the same distance from the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 as the connector 206, etc.).

[0081] As shown in FIG. 4, in step 406, the process 400 includes determining, at the reading device 102 (e.g., by the RFID reader circuit 208), a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 based on the first signal (e.g., an RSSI value of the first signal).

[0082] As shown in FIG. 4, in step 408, the process 400 includes determining, at the reading device 102 (e.g., RFID reader circuit 208, etc.), a second value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 based on the second signal (e.g., an RSSI value of the second signal, etc.).

[0083] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 determines at least one third value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 based on the at least one third signal (e.g., via the RFID reader circuitry 208, etc.)

[0084] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 selectively reads a first signal from the first RFID tag 106 with the first antenna 202 and a second signal from the first RFID tag 106 with the second antenna 204 (and / or at least one third signal from the first RFID tag 106 with at least one third antenna 218).

[0085] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, connecting a first syringe 104 (e.g., a first syringe 104 including a first RFID tag 106 applied as a label to the first syringe 104) to a connector 206 located between a first antenna 202 and a second antenna 204, where the first antenna and the second antenna are located the same distance from the connector, activates a switch 207, and in response to the activation of the switch 207, the reading device 102 determines a first value and a second value.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 4, in step 410, the process 400 includes receiving, at the reading device 102 (e.g., by the processor 210), a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 and a second value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106.

[0087] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 receives at least one third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 .

[0088] As shown in FIG. 4 , in step 412, the process 400 includes determining, by the reading device 102 (e.g., by the processor 210), whether the first RFID tag 106 is located between the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 (e.g., whether the first syringe 104 including the first RFID tag 106 is connected to the connector 206).

[0089] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device determines whether the first RFID tag 106 is located between the first antenna 202, the second antenna 204, and the at least one third antenna 218 (e.g., whether the first syringe 104 including the first RFID tag 106 is connected to the connector 206, etc.) based on the first value, the second value, and the at least one third value.

[0090] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 determines a difference between the first value and the second value, and in response to a difference that meets a threshold, determines that the first RFID tag 106 is located between the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 (e.g., the first syringe 104 including the first RFID tag 106 is connected to the connector 206, etc.).

[0091] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reading device 102 provides an indication (e.g., via indicator 212, etc.) associated with information contained in at least one of the first signal received from the first RFID tag 106 and the second signal received from the first RFID tag 106.

[0092] While embodiments or aspects have been described in detail for purposes of illustration and description, it should be understood that such detail is for that purpose only, and that the embodiments or aspects are not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but rather are intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates, to the extent possible, that one or more features of any embodiment or aspect may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect. Indeed, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein. While each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with all other claims in the claim set.

Claims

1. a plurality of antennas configured to receive signals from an RFID tag on the fluid container, the plurality of antennas being spaced apart from one another; an RFID reader circuit, the plurality of antennas connected to the RFID reader circuit, the RFID reader circuit configured to determine a plurality of values ​​of a signal parameter associated with the RFID tag based on the plurality of signals; a connector configured to be coupled to the fluid container, the connector being located between the plurality of antennas; and receiving from the RFID reader circuitry the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag; one or more processors programmed and / or configured to determine whether the fluid container including the RFID tag is connected to the connector based on the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag; A reader comprising:

2. The reader of claim 1 , wherein the signal parameters associated with the RFID tag include a received signal strength indication (RSSI).

3. 10. The reader of claim 1, wherein the plurality of signals includes ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.

4. the one or more processors: determining a difference between the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag; 10. The reader of claim 1, further programmed and / or configured to determine, in response to the difference satisfying a threshold difference, that the fluid container containing the RFID tag is connected to the connector.

5. 10. The reader of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader circuitry includes a switching circuit, the plurality of antennas connected to the switching circuitry, the switching circuitry configured to selectively couple the plurality of antennas to the RFID reader circuitry.

6. 6. The reader of claim 5, wherein the one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to control the RFID reader circuitry to selectively read the plurality of signals from the RFID tag with the plurality of antennas using the switching circuitry.

7. 2. The reader of claim 1, wherein each antenna of the plurality of antennas is located the same distance from the connector.

8. 10. The reader of claim 1, further comprising a switch configured to be actuated in response to connection of the fluid container with the connector, the one or more processors being further programmed and / or configured to control the RFID reader circuitry to determine the plurality of values ​​in response to actuation of the switch.

9. The reader of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag comprises a label applied to the fluid container.

10. 10. The reader of claim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to provide an indication associated with information contained in at least one of the plurality of signals received from the RFID tag.

11. The reader of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of shielding materials surrounding the plurality of antennas.

12. receiving a plurality of signals from an RFID tag on a fluid container with a plurality of antennas, the plurality of antennas being spaced apart from one another, and a connector configured to be coupled to the fluid container being located between the plurality of antennas; determining, with an RFID reader circuit, a plurality of values ​​of signal parameters associated with the RFID tag based on the plurality of signals; receiving, with at least one processor, the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag; determining, with the at least one processor, whether the fluid container including the RFID tag is connected to the connector based on the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag; A method comprising:

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the signal parameters associated with the RFID tag include a received signal strength indication (RSSI).

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of signals comprises ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.

15. determining, with at least one processor, differences between the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameter; determining, with at least one processor, in response to the difference satisfying a threshold difference, that the fluid container including the RFID tag is coupled to the connector; The method of claim 12 further comprising:

16. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising controlling, with a switching circuit, the RFID reader circuit to selectively read the plurality of signals from the RFID tag with the plurality of antennas.

17. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein each antenna of the plurality of antennas is located the same distance from the connector.

18. connecting the fluid container to the connector activates a switch, the method comprising:

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising controlling, with the at least one processor, the RFID reader circuitry to determine the plurality of values ​​in response to actuation of the switch.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the RFID tag comprises a label applied to the fluid container.

20. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing, with an indicator, a display associated with information contained in at least one of the plurality of signals.

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