Systems, devices, products, apparatus, and methods 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

[0005] ,

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

Background Art

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 986,943, titled "System, Device, Product, Apparatus, and Method for Reading Syringe Information", filed on 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 a 2D barcode on a syringe. The 2D barcode reader may use a complex optical system that is 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 fitting of various components of the injection system for the syringe. In addition, the optical system for the 2D barcode reader may use an expensive barrel lens in the light transmission path, making factory calibration relatively difficult and the yield rate relatively low. Therefore, there is a need to improve the reading of syringe information.

[0004] Therefore, an improved system, device, product, apparatus, and / or method for reading syringe information is provided.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] [[ID=�0]] According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a reader is provided comprising: a first antenna; a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, the first antenna being connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a first signal from a first RFID tag; the second antenna being 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 a first signal; control the RFID reader circuit to determine a second value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on a second signal; receive the first value and the second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag from the RFID reader circuit; and determine, based on the first and second values, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

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

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

[0008] Further non-limiting embodiments or aspects are shown in the following numbered clauses.

[0009] Clause 1. A reader comprising: a first antenna; a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, the first antenna being connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a first signal from a first RFID tag; the second antenna being 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 a first signal; control the RFID reader circuit to determine a second value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on a second signal; receive the first value and the second value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag from the RFID reader circuit; and determine, based on the first and second values, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0010] Clause 2. The signal parameters associated with the first RFID tag include the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) as described in Clause 1 for the reader.

[0011] Clause 3. The first signal and the second signal include ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals, as described in either Clause 1 or 2 of the reader.

[0012] Clause 4. A reader according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3, further comprising one or more processors, which are programmed and / or configured to determine the difference between a first value and a second value, and in response to a difference that satisfies a threshold difference, determine that the RFID tag is positioned between the first antenna and the second antenna.

[0013] Clause 5. The RFID reader according to any one of Clauses 1 to 4, wherein the RFID reader circuit includes a switching circuit, a first antenna is connected to the switching circuit, a second antenna is connected to the switching circuit, and the switching circuit is configured to selectively couple the first antenna and the second antenna to the RFID reader circuit.

[0014] Clause 6. A reader according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to use switching circuits to selectively read a first signal from a 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 connect to a syringe, the connector is located between a first antenna and a second antenna, and the first antenna and the second antenna are located at the same distance from the connector.

[0016] Clause 8. A reader according to any one of Clauses 1 to 7, further comprising a switch configured to act in response to the connection of a first syringe to a connector, wherein one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to control an RFID reader circuit to determine a first value and a second value in response to the actuation of the switch.

[0017] Clause 9. The first RFID tag is a reader as described in any of Clauses 1 to 8, including the first label applied to the first syringe.

[0018] Clause 10. A reader according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, comprising at least one third antenna, the at least one third antenna located at the same distance from the first antenna and the second antenna and the connector, the at least one third antenna configured to receive at least one third signal from the first RFID tag, and one or more processors 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 at least one third value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag from the RFID reader circuit, and determine whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna and the at least one third value based on the first value, the second value and at least one third value.

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

[0020] Clause 12. A leader according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11, further comprising a first shielding material enclosing a portion of a first antenna and a second shielding material enclosing a portion of a second antenna.

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

[0022] Clause 14. The signal parameters associated with the first RFID tag are as described in Clause 13, including the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI).

[0023] Clause 15. The first signal and the second signal are the methods described in any of Clauses 13 and 14, including ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.

[0024] Clause 16. The method according to any one of Clauses 13 to 15, further comprising: a step of determining the difference between a first value and a second value in at least one processor; and a step of determining, in response to a difference that satisfies a threshold difference, that an RFID tag is positioned between a first antenna and a second antenna.

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

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

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

[0028] Step 20. A step of receiving at least one third signal from the first RFID tag with at least one third antenna, wherein the at least one third antenna is located at the same distance from the connector as the first antenna and the second antenna; a step of determining at least one third value of signal parameters associated with the first RFID tag based on the at least one third signal with the RFID reader circuit; a step of receiving at least one third value of signal parameters associated with the first RFID tag with at least one processor; and a step of determining 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 with at least one processor. The method according to any one of clauses 13 to 19 further includes these steps.

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

[0030] Clause 22. A first syringe, a first label including a first RFID tag applied to the first syringe, and an RFID reader circuit comprising a first antenna, a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna, the first antenna being connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a first signal from the first RFID tag, the second antenna being connected to the RFID reader circuit and configured to receive a second signal from the first RFID tag, and determining a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal. A reader system including one or more processors programmed and / or configured to control an RFID reader circuit in such a way that it controls the RFID reader circuit to determine a second value of a signal parameter associated with a first RFID tag based on a second signal, receive a first value and a second value of a signal parameter associated with a first RFID tag from the RFID reader circuit, and determine whether the first RFID tag is located between a first antenna and a second antenna based on the first and second values.

[0031] Clause 23. A flow sensor system comprising a disposable flow sensor and a reusable base, wherein the reusable base further comprises a flow sensor system comprising a reader, as described in Clause 22.

[0032] These and other features and characteristics of this disclosure, as well as the operation and function of the relevant elements of the structure, the combination of parts, and the economics of manufacture, will become more apparent when considering the following description and the appended claims with reference to the appended drawings, all of which constitute part of this specification, and similar reference figures indicate corresponding parts in various figures. However, it should be clearly understood that the drawings are for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and are not intended as definitions of the limitations of the invention. Where used herein and in the claims, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] Additional advantages and details are described in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments or aspects shown in the attached schematic diagrams.

[0034] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of non-limiting embodiments or aspects of environments in which the systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods described herein may be implemented. [Figure 2A] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the implementation of one or more systems and / or one or more devices. [Figure 2B] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the implementation of one or more systems and / or one or more devices. [Figure 2C] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the implementation of one or more systems and / or one or more devices. [Figure 3] Figures 1 and 2A to 2C illustrate non-limiting embodiments or aspects of one or more devices and / or components of one or more systems. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of a process for reading syringe information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] It should be understood that this disclosure allows for various alternative modifications and step sequences unless explicitly specified otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely illustrative and non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical features relating to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0036] Any aspects, components, elements, structures, actions, steps, functions, instructions, and / or similar as used herein should not be construed as important or essential unless expressly described otherwise. Furthermore, 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.” Additionally, 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.” When only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar word is used. Furthermore, as used herein, terms such as “has,” “have,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended terms. Additionally, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based” unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0037] As used herein, the terms “communicate” and “communicate” refer to the reception or transmission of one or more signals, messages, commands, or other types of data. When one unit (e.g., any device, system, or component thereof) communicates with another unit, it means that one unit can receive data from and / or transmit data to the other unit, directly or indirectly. This can mean direct or indirect connections that are essentially wired and / or wireless. Furthermore, two units can communicate with each other even if the transmitted data is modified, processed, relayed, and / or routed between the first and second units. For example, the first unit can communicate with the second unit even if it passively receives data and does not actively transmit data to the second unit. As another example, if an intermediate unit processes data from one unit and transmits the processed data to the second unit, the first unit can communicate with 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 combinations of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting to the implementation. Therefore, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, and it is understood that software and hardware may be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the descriptions herein.

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

[0040] For the purposes of the following description, the terms “end,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and their derivatives refer to non-limiting embodiments or aspects as they are oriented in the drawings. However, it should be understood that non-limiting embodiments or aspects may envision a variety of alternative variations and step sequences unless expressly specified otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely illustrative embodiments or aspects. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to embodiments or aspects of the 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 mean 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 mean any computing device that includes the components necessary to receive, process, and output data, and typically includes a display, processor, memory, input devices, and network interfaces. “Application” or “Application Programming Interface” (API) means 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. “Interface” means 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” means or may include one or more processors or computers, storage devices, or similar computer configurations that are operated by or facilitate communication and processing to or from multiple parties within a network environment such as the Internet, but it will be understood that communication may be facilitated through one or more public or private network environments and may enable a variety of other configurations. Furthermore, multiple computers, such as servers, or other computerized devices such as POS devices, communicating directly or indirectly within a network environment may constitute a “system,” such as a retail store owner’s POS system.

[0043] 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. The RFID tags may be passive tags, which have no power source and are powered by energy received wirelessly from the RFID reader, or active tags, which are powered by a local or internal power source (e.g., a battery). The RFID tags include antennas and devices for electronically storing information and / or data to be read from the RFID tag by an RFID reader (e.g., a memory chip).

[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 very high frequency (UHF) (e.g., approximately 865–868 MHz in Europe and 902–928 MHz in the US). The LF and HF frequency ranges use magnetically coupled systems where 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 when 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 even if the field orientation of the RFID tag 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 in 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 make the area smaller or larger. However, UHF RFID does not have a mechanism for selecting a specific or single tag at a particular 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 this disclosure relate to a system, reader, and method for the same, comprising a first antenna, a second antenna spaced apart from the first antenna, an RFID reader circuit, and a processor. The first and second antennas 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 an 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 a signal parameter associated with the RFID tag based on the second signal, receives the first and second values ​​from the RFID reader circuit, and determines, based on the first and second values, whether the RFID tag is located between the first and second antennas. In this way, a syringe containing 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] Referring here to Figure 1, Figure 1 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 Figure 1, the 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 capable of receiving information and / or data from the first RFID tag 106, at least one second RFID tag 110, and / or a remote computing system 114 (e.g., via a communication network 112, etc.), and / or communicating information and / or data to the first RFID tag 106, at least one second RFID tag 110, and / or a remote computing system 114 (e.g., via a communication 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 reader device 102 is capable of receiving information (e.g., from a 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 reader device 102 includes a reusable base for a BD Intelliport® flow sensor and a base system included as part of a BD Intelliport® drug management system. Further details regarding non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the reader device 102 are provided below with respect to Figures 2A to 2C.

[0050] The first RFID tag 106 may be attached to the first syringe 104 (for example, it may be attached detachably or it may be integrally formed). For example, the first RFID tag 106 may include a first label applied to the first syringe 104. For example, the first RFID tag 106 may be attached to the body of the first syringe 104.

[0051] At least one second RFID tag 110 may be attached to at least one second syringe 108 (for example, it may be attached detachably or integrally formed). For example, at least one second RFID tag 110 may include a second label applied to at least one second syringe 108. For example, at least one second RFID tag 110 may be attached to the body of 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 cellular networks (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks, 3G networks, 4G networks, 5G networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, etc.), public land mobile networks (PLMN), local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), telephone networks (e.g., public switched telephone networks (PSTNs)), private networks, ad hoc networks, intranets, the Internet, fiber optic-based networks, cloud computing networks, and / or similar, and / or combinations 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 a communication network 112, etc.) and / or communicating information and / or data to the reading device 102 (e.g., via a communication 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 information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

[0054] Referring here to Figures 2A and 2B, Figures 2A and 2B illustrate non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the implementation 200 of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of Figure 1. As shown in Figures 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), 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 a first antenna 202, a second antenna 204, a connector 206, a switch 207, an RFID reader circuit 208, a processor 210, an indicator 212, a first antenna shielding material 214, and / or a second antenna shielding material 216.

[0055] The first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 may be connected to the RFID reader circuit 208. The first antenna 202 may be configured to receive a first signal from an RFID tag (e.g., a 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) from an RFID tag (e.g., a 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., a 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 at the same distance from the connector 206 (e.g., the same distance from the longitudinal axis of the connector 206). For example, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the distance D1 between the first antenna 202 and the central axis or longitudinal axis of the connector 206 may be equal to the distance D2 between the second antenna 205 and the central axis or longitudinal axis of the connector 206.

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

[0058] The switch 207 may be configured to operate in response to a connection of a syringe (e.g., a first syringe 104) to the connector 206. For example, the processor 210 may be in telecommunications with the switch 207, and the processor 210 may be programmed and / or configured to control the RFID reader circuit 208 to determine a first value and a second value in response to the operation of the 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. For example, a first antenna 202 and a second antenna 204 may be connected to a 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. The first signal from an RFID tag received by the first antenna 202 and the second signal from the same RFID tag received by the second antenna 204 may each contain a unique identifier associated with the RFID tag, and the RFID reader circuit 208 (and / or processor 210) may distinguish the first and second signals from the same RFID tag (e.g., from the first RFID tag 106, etc.) from the first 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 contained in the received signals. However, non-limiting embodiments or aspects are not limited thereto, 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 the same RFID tag with the second antenna 204, respectively.

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

[0061] The indicator 212 may be configured to provide a display associated with information contained in and / or associated with the signal received from the RFID tag (e.g., information contained in a first signal received from the RFID tag by the first antenna 202, information contained in a second signal received from the same RFID tag by the second antenna 204, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the display may include at least one of the following: a unique identifier associated with the RFID tag, a display indicating that a syringe associated with the RFID tag is connected to the connector 206, a display indicating that a syringe associated with the RFID tag is not connected to the connector 206, information associated with the drug contained in the syringe associated with the RFID tag, or any combination thereof. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reader device 102 may communicate the display and / or associated information to the 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 (for example, in a two-dimensional direction toward the top of Figure 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 (for example, in a direction toward the top of Figure 2A).

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

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

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

[0066] The processor 210 receives at least one third value of a signal parameter associated with an RFID tag from the RFID reader circuit 208 and may determine, based on the first value, the second value, and at least one third value, whether the RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and at least one third antenna (for example, whether the syringe containing the RFID tag is connected to the connector 206). For example, the processor 210 may determine whether the first value, the second value, and the third value (for example, the RSSI value of the first signal received by the first antenna 202, the RSSI value of the second signal received by the second antenna 204, and the RSSI value of at least one third signal received by at least one third antenna 218) are substantially equal to each other (for example, within an acceptable threshold). For example, the processor 210 may determine one or more differences between a first value, a second value, and a third value, and in response to the determined difference(s) that satisfy one or more threshold differences, it determines that an RFID tag associated with the same unique identifier contained in these corresponding first, second, and third signals is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and at least one third antenna (for example, that a syringe containing an RFID tag is connected to the connector 206).

[0067] The number and arrangement of systems and devices shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2C are provided as examples. Additional systems and / or devices, fewer systems and / or devices, different systems and / or devices, or systems and / or devices in different arrangements than those shown in Figures 1A and 2A-2C may exist. Furthermore, two or more systems or devices shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2C may be implemented within a single system or single device, or a single system or single 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 in Environment 100, Implementation 200, and / or Implementation 250 (e.g., one or more systems, one or more devices) may perform one or more functions that are described as being performed by another set of systems or another set of devices in Environment 100, Implementation 200, and / or Implementation 250.

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

[0069] Bus 302 may include components that enable communication between components of 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 processors (e.g., central processing units (CPU), graphics processing units (GPU), accelerator processing units (APU), etc.), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and / or any processing components (e.g., field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), microcontrollers (MCUs), etc.) that can be programmed to perform functions. Memory 306 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and / or other types of dynamic or static storage devices (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, etc.) that store 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 device 300. For example, the storage component 308 may include a hard disk (e.g., magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, solid-state disk, etc.), a compact disk (CD), a digital multipurpose disk (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of computer-readable media, along with a corresponding drive.

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

[0072] The communication interface 314 may include transceiver-like components (e.g., transceivers, separate receivers and transmitters, etc.) that enable 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 device 300 to receive information from and / or provide information to other devices. 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 similar.

[0073] Device 300 may perform one or more processes described herein. Device 300 may perform these processes based on a processor 304 that executes software instructions stored in a computer-readable medium such as memory 306 and / or storage component 308. Computer-readable medium (e.g., non-temporary computer-readable medium) is defined herein as a non-temporary memory device. A non-temporary 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 via communication interface 314 from another computer-readable medium or another device. When executed, the software instructions stored in memory 306 and / or storage component 308 may cause processor 304 to execute one or more processes described herein. Additionally or alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to execute one or more processes described herein. Thus, the embodiments or aspects described herein are not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuitry and software.

[0075] The memory 306 and / or storage component 308 may include data storage, or one or more data structures (e.g., a database). Device 300 may be able to receive information from the data storage, or one or more data structures within the memory 306 and / or storage component 308, store information therein, transmit information therein, or retrieve information stored therein. 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 components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged differently compared to those shown in Figure 3. Additionally or alternatively, a set of components of device 300 (e.g., one or more components) may perform one or more functions that are described as being performed by another set of components of device 300.

[0077] Referring now to Figure 4, Figure 4 is a flowchart of a non-limiting embodiment or aspect of process 400 for reading syringe information. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more steps of process 400 are performed by the reading device 102 (e.g., one or more devices in the system of reading device 102) (e.g., entirely, partially, etc.). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more steps of process 400 are performed by another device or group of devices that are separated from or include the reading device 102, such as a remote computing system 114 (e.g., one or more devices in the remote computing system 114) (e.g., entirely, partially, etc.).

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

[0079] As shown in Figure 4, in step 404, process 400 includes the step of receiving a second signal (e.g., a UHF RFID signal) from the first RFID tag 106 at the reading device 102 (e.g., 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 (for example, with the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 and at least one third antenna 218 positioned at the same distance from the connector 206, etc.).

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

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

[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 (e.g., the RSSI value of at least one third signal) based on at least one third signal (e.g., in an RFID reader circuit 208).

[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, the step of connecting a first syringe 104 (for example, 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, wherein the first and second antennas are located at the same distance from the connector, the connecting step 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 Figure 4, in step 410, process 400 includes receiving a first value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 and a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 at the reading device 102 (for example, the processor 210, etc.).

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

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

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

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

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

[0092] While embodiments or aspects have been described in detail for illustrative and explanatory purposes, it should be understood that such details are for that purpose only, and that embodiments or aspects are not limited to those disclosed, but rather are intended to encompass modifications and equivalent configurations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that, to the extent possible, this disclosure intends that one or more features of any embodiment or aspect may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically enumerated in the claims and / or in ways disclosed herein. Each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, but the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim combined with all other claims in the set of claims.

Claims

1. Multiple antennas configured to receive multiple signals from an RFID tag on a fluid container, wherein the multiple antennas are spaced apart from each other, An RFID reader circuit, wherein the plurality of antennas are connected to the RFID reader circuit, and the RFID reader circuit is configured to determine a plurality of values ​​of signal parameters associated with the RFID tag based on the plurality of signals, A connector configured to be coupled to the fluid container, wherein the connector is located between the plurality of antennas, The RFID reader circuit receives the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameters associated with the RFID tag, One or more processors programmed and / or configured to determine whether the fluid container containing the RFID tag is connected to the connector based on the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameters associated with the RFID tag, A leader characterized by including [this].

2. The reader according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal parameters associated with the RFID tag include a received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

3. The reader according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of signals include ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.

4. The one or more processors described above are Determine the difference between the multiple values ​​of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag. The reader according to claim 1, further programmed and / or configured to determine that the fluid container including the RFID tag is connected to the connector in response to a difference that satisfies a threshold difference.

5. The reader according to claim 1, wherein the RFID reader circuit includes a switching circuit, the plurality of antennas are connected to the switching circuit, and the switching circuit is configured to selectively couple the plurality of antennas to the RFID reader circuit.

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

7. The leader according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of antennas is located at the same distance from the connector.

8. The reader according to claim 1, further comprising a switch configured to be operated in response to the connection of the fluid container with the connector, wherein one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to control the RFID reader circuit to determine the plurality of values ​​in response to the operation of the switch.

9. The reader according to claim 1, characterized in that the RFID tag includes a label applied to the fluid container.

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

11. The leader according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of shielding materials surrounding the plurality of antennas.

12. A process for receiving multiple signals from an RFID tag on a fluid container using multiple antennas, wherein the multiple antennas are spaced apart from each other, and a connector configured to be coupled to the fluid container is located between the multiple antennas. The RFID reader circuit includes the steps of determining multiple values ​​of signal parameters associated with the RFID tag based on the multiple signals, A step of receiving the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameters associated with the RFID tag using at least one processor, The steps include: determining whether the fluid container containing the RFID tag is connected to the connector based on the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameters associated with the RFID tag using at least one processor; A method characterized by including the following.

13. The method according to 12, characterized in that the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag includes a received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

14. The method according to 12, characterized in that the plurality of signals include ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.

15. A process in which at least one processor determines the difference between the plurality of values ​​of the signal parameter, A step of determining, in response to a difference that satisfies a threshold difference, that the fluid container including the RFID tag is coupled to the connector, The method according to 12, further comprising:

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

17. The method according to 12, characterized in that each of the plurality of antennas is located at the same distance from the connector.

18. Connecting the fluid container to the connector activates the switch, and the method is The method according to 12, further comprising the step of controlling the RFID reader circuit with at least one processor to determine the plurality of values ​​in response to the operation of the switch.

19. The method according to 12, characterized in that the RFID tag includes a label applied to the fluid container.

20. The method according to 12, further comprising the step of providing an indicator that provides a display associated with information contained in at least one of the plurality of signals.

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