SYSTEM, DEVICE, PRODUCT, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR READING SYRINGE INFORMATION
Patent Information
- Application Number
- MX2022011282
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-03-09
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-03-04
Smart Images

Figure MX431483B0
Abstract
Description
SYSTEM, DEVICE, PRODUCT, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR READING SYRINGE INFORMATION CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to the United States Provisional Application serial no. 62 / 986.943 filed on March 9, 2020, entitled System, Device, Product, Apparatus, and Method for Reading Syringe Information, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND 1. Field This disclosure relates generally to RFID communications and, in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, to a system, device, product, apparatus and / or method for reading information from syringes using RFID communications. 2. Technical considerations 2D barcode readers can be used to decode 2D barcodes on syringes. These readers may employ a complex optical system that is manually activated when a syringe is connected. This electromechanical activation can be unreliable due to the relatively tight tolerance control required to couple the various components of an injection system to the syringe. Furthermore, the optical system for a 2D barcode reader may use an expensive cylindrical lens in a light transmission path, for which factory calibration is relatively difficult and throughput rates are relatively low. Consequently, there is a need to improve the reading of information from the syringe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Consequently, improved systems, devices, products, apparatus and / or methods are provided for reading syringe information. According to some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, a reader is provided comprising a first antenna; a second antenna separate from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, the first antenna being connected to the RFID reader circuit, the first antenna being configured to receive a first signal from a first RFID tag, the second antenna being connected to the RFID reader circuit, and the second antenna being 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;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 to determine, based on the first and second values, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna. According to some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, a system and method are provided that include: receiving, with a first antenna, a first signal from a first RFID tag; receiving, with a second antenna separate from the first antenna, a second signal from the first RFID tag; determining, with an RFID reader circuit, a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal; determining, with the RFID reader circuit, a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the second signal; receiving, with 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, with at least one processor, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna. According to some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, a system is provided that includes: a first syringe; a first seal including a first RFID tag applied to the first syringe; and a reader including: a first antenna; a second antenna separate from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, the first antenna being connected to the RFID reader circuit, the first antenna being configured to receive a first signal from the first RFID tag, the second antenna being connected to the RFID reader circuit, and the second antenna being 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, based on the first and second values, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna. Additional non-limiting aspects or realizations are set out in the following numbered clauses: Clause 1. A reader, comprising: a first antenna; a second antenna separate from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is configured to receive a first signal from a first RFID tag, wherein the second antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit, and wherein the second antenna is 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;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 to determine, based on the first and second values, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna. Clause 2. The reader of clause 1, wherein the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag includes a received signal strength indication (RSSI). Clause 3. The reader of any of clauses 1 and 2, wherein the first signal and the second signal include ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID signals. Clause 4. The reader of any of clauses 1-3, 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 determine that the RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna in response to the difference satisfying a threshold difference. Clause 5. The reader of any of clauses 1-4, wherein the RFID reader circuit includes a switching circuit, wherein the first antenna is connected to the switching circuit, wherein the second antenna is connected to the switching circuit, and wherein the switching circuit is configured to selectively couple the first antenna and the second antenna to the RFID reader circuit. Clause 6. The reader of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to: control, using the switching circuit, the RFID reader circuit to selectively read the first signal of the first RFID tag with the first antenna and the second signal of the first RFID tag with the second antenna. Clause 7. The reader of any of clauses 1-6, a connector configured to connect to a syringe, wherein the connector is located between the first antenna and the second antenna, and wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are located at the same distance from the connector. Clause 8. The reader of any of clauses 1-7, further comprising: a switch configured to be actuated in response to a connection of a first syringe to the connector, wherein one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to control the RFID reader circuit to determine the first value and the second value in response to an actuation of the switch. Clause 9. The reader of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the first RFID tag includes a first seal applied to the first syringe. Clause 10. The reader of any of clauses 1-9, further comprising: 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, wherein the at least one third antenna is configured to receive at least one third signal from the first RFID tag, and wherein one or more processors are further programmed and / or configured to: control the RFID reader circuit to determine at least one third value of the 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, based on the first value, the second value and the at least one third value, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna and the at least one third antenna. Clause 11. The reader of any of clauses 1-10, further comprising: an indicator configured to provide an indication associated with the 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. Clause 12. The reader of any of clauses 1-11, which further comprises: a first protective material surrounding a portion of the first antenna; and a second protective material surrounding a portion of the second antenna. Clause 13. A method comprising: receiving, with a first antenna, a first signal from a first RFID tag; receiving, with a second antenna separate from the first MA / í í fO t antenna, a second signal from the first RFID tag; determine, with an RFID reader circuit, a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal; determine, with the RFID reader circuit, a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the second signal; receive, with 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 determine, with at least one processor, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna. Clause 14. The method of clause 13, wherein the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag includes a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). Clause 15. The method of any of clauses 13 and 14, wherein the first signal and the second signal include ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals. Clause 16. The method of any of clauses 13-15, further comprising: determining, with at least one processor, a difference between the first value and the second value; and determining, with at least one processor, that the RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna in response to the difference that satisfies a threshold difference. Clause 17. The method of any of clauses 13-16, further comprising: controlling, by means of a switching circuit, the RFID reader circuit to selectively read the first signal of the first RFID tag with the first antenna and the second signal of the first RFID tag with the second antenna. Clause 18. The method of any of clauses 13-17, further comprising: connecting a first syringe to a connector located between the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are located equidistant from the connector, wherein connecting the first syringe to the connector actuates a switch; and controlling, with at least one processor, the RFID reader circuit to determine the first value and the second value in response to the actuation of the switch. Clause 19. The method of any of clauses 13-18, wherein the first RFID tag includes a first seal applied to the first syringe. Clause 20. The method of any of clauses 13-19, further comprising: receiving, with at least a third antenna, at least a third signal from the first RFID tag, wherein the at least a third antenna is located at the same distance from the connector as the first antenna and the second antenna; determining, with the RFID reader circuit, at least a third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the ML / í í fO t less a third signal; receive, with at least one processor, the at least a third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determine, with at least one processor, based on the first value, the second value and the at least a third value, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna and the at least a third antenna. Clause 21. The method of any of clauses 13-20, further comprising: providing, with an indicator, 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. Clause 22. A system comprising: a first syringe; a first seal including a first RFID tag applied to the first syringe; and a reader including: a first antenna; a second antenna separate from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is configured to receive a first signal from the first RFID tag, wherein the second antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit, and wherein the second antenna is 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;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 to determine, based on the first and second values, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna. Clause 23. The system of clause 22, further comprising: a flow sensor system including a disposable flow sensor and a reusable base, wherein the reusable base includes the reader. These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related structural elements and the combination of parts and manufacturing economies, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the accompanying claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, where similar reference numbers designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of boundaries. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and additional details are explained in more detail below with reference to the illustrative embodiments or aspects illustrated in the accompanying schematic figures, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of realizations or non-limiting aspects of an environment in which systems, devices, products, apparatus and / or methods, described in this document, can be implemented; Figures 2A and 2B are diagrams of realizations or non-limiting aspects of an implementation of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of Figure 1; Figure 2C is a diagram of realizations or non-limiting aspects of an implementation of one or more systems and / or one or more devices from Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagram of realizations or non-limiting aspects of components of one or more devices and / or one or more systems of Figures 1 and 2A-2C; Figure 4 is a flowchart of realizations or non-limiting aspects of a process for reading information from syringes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION It should be understood that this disclosure may involve various alternative variations and sequences of steps, except where expressly stated otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely illustrative embodiments or aspects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein should not be considered limiting. No aspect, component, element, structure, act, stage, function, instruction, and / or the like used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the terms "a" and "a" are intended to include one or more elements 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 elements (by MA / t / ZUZZ / U í í fO / example, related items, unrelated items, a combination 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 language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms and expressions has, have, that has, or similar terms and expressions are intended to be open terms or expressions. In addition, the phrase based on is intended to mean based at least partly on unless explicitly stated otherwise. As used herein, the terms communication and communicate refer to the reception or transfer of one or more signals, messages, commands, or other data. For a unit (e.g., any device, system, or component thereof) to be in communication with another unit means that the unit can receive data directly or indirectly and / or transmit data to the other unit. This may refer to a direct or indirect connection of a wired and / or wireless nature. Additionally, two units may be in communication with each other even if the transmitted data may be modified, processed, retransmitted, and / or routed between the first and second units. For example, a first unit may be in communication 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 can be in communication with a second unit if an intermediary unit processes data from the first unit and transmits the processed data to the second unit. It will be appreciated that numerous other arrangements are possible. It will be evident that the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, or a combination of both. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting. Therefore, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code, it being understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description provided herein. This document describes some non-limiting realizations or aspects related to thresholds. As used herein, satisfying a threshold may refer to a value that is greater than the threshold, more than the threshold, above the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, below the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, etc. ML / t / ZUZZ / U / l IO t For the purposes of the following description, the terms extreme, top, bottom, right, left, vertical, horizontal, upper, lower, lateral, longitudinal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to embodiments or non-limiting aspects as oriented in the drawings. However, it is to be understood that embodiments or non-limiting aspects may assume various alternative variations and sequences of steps, except where expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely illustrative embodiments or aspects. Therefore, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting unless otherwise indicated.As used herein, the term computing device or computing device may refer to one or more electronic devices configured to communicate directly or indirectly with or through one or more networks. The computing device may be a mobile device, a desktop computer, or similar equipment. Additionally, 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, an input device, and a network interface.An application or application programming interface (API) refers to computer code, a set of rules, or other data arranged in a machine-readable format that can be executed by a processor to facilitate interaction between software components, such as a client-side front end and / or a server-side back end for receiving data from the client. An interface refers to a generated display, such as one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with which a user can interact, either directly or indirectly (for example, via a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.). As used herein, the term server may refer to or include one or more processors or computers, storage devices, or similar computing arrangements that are operated by multiple parties or facilitate communication and processing in a network environment, such as the Internet, although it will be appreciated that communication may be facilitated through one or more public or private network environments and that other arrangements are possible. Furthermore, multiple computers, e.g., servers or other computerized devices, such as POS devices, that communicate directly or indirectly in the network environment may constitute a system, such as a merchant's POS system. Improved systems, devices, products, apparatus and / or methods are provided for reading syringe information. 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 can be passive tags, which have no external power source and are powered wirelessly by the RFID reader, or active tags, which are powered by a local or internal power source (e.g., a battery). RFID tags include an antenna and a device for electronically storing information and / or data to be read from the RFID reader (e.g., a memory chip). RFID typically operates in three main frequency ranges: Low Frequency (LF) (e.g., around 120–150 kHz), High Frequency (HF) (e.g., around 13.56 MHz), and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) (e.g., around 865–868 MHz in Europe and 902–928 MHz in the United States). The LF and HF frequency ranges utilize magnetically coupled systems where the fields of the RFID reader's antenna and the fields of the RFID tag must be aligned for the reader to read the tag. The LF and HF frequency ranges work well if the orientation of the RFID tags relative to the reader can be controlled. In contrast, in the UHF frequency range, RFID tags can still be read even if their field orientation is not directly aligned with the reader's antenna.Consequently, UHF RFID tags may perform better in situations where the orientation of the RFID tags with respect to the RFID reader cannot be easily controlled and / or known. The area in which an RFID reader can read UHF RFID tags can be controlled by changing the system's transmit power and / or receive signal gain to make the area smaller or larger. However, UHF RFID lacks a mechanism to select a single or specific tag in a particular location. For example, a UHF RFID reader designed to read syringe information from RFID tags on syringes may not be able to identify or differentiate a syringe intended for scanning and / or connection to an injection system from other syringes in the surrounding area. ivia / t / zuzz / uzz zo z The embodiments or non-limiting aspects of this disclosure relate to a system, a reader, and a method thereof, comprising a first antenna, a second antenna separate 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. It 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 that includes the RFID tag that is intended to be scanned and / or connected to an injection system can be identified or differentiated from other syringes in a surrounding area that are not intended to be scanned and / or connected to an injection system. With reference to Figure 1, Figure 1 is a diagram of an example environment 100 in which the systems, devices, products, apparatus, and / or methods described herein can be implemented. As shown in Figure 1, environment 100 includes the reader device 102, the first syringe 104, the first RFID tag 106, at least one second syringe 108, at least one second RFID tag 110, the communication network 112, and / or the remote computer system 114. The systems and / or devices in environment 100 can be interconnected via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The reader device 102 includes one or more devices that can receive information and / or data from the first RFID tag 106, at least one second RFID tag 110, and / or the remote computer system 114 (for example, via the communication network 112, etc.) and / or communicate information and / or data to the first RFID tag 106, at least one second RFID tag 110, and / or the remote computer system 114 (for example, via the communication network 112, etc.). For example, the reader device 102 may include one or more computer systems that include one or more processors (for example, one or more computer devices, one or more mobile computer devices, etc.). In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 may receive information (for example, from the first RFID tag 106, from at least one second RFID tag 110, etc.) via a ML / t / ZUZZ / U í í fO t RFID communication connection (e.g., via a UHF RFID communication connection, etc.), and / or communicate information (e.g., to the first RFID tag 106, to at least a second RFID tag 110, etc.) via an RFID communication connection. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 includes a reusable BD Intelliport™ flow sensor base and base system included as part of the BD Intelliport™ Drug Management System. Further details regarding embodiments or non-limiting aspects of the reader device 102 are provided below with respect to Figures 2A-2C. The first RFID tag 106 can be attached to (e.g., removably attached, integrally formed with, etc.) the first syringe 104. For example, the first RFID tag 106 can include a first tag applied to the first syringe 104. As an example, the first RFID tag 106 can be attached to the body of the first syringe 104. At least one second RFID tag 110 may be attached to (e.g., removably attached, integrally formed with, etc.) at least one second syringe 108. For example, at least one second RFID tag 110 may include a second seal 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. The 112 communication network may include one or more wired and / or wireless networks. For example, the 112 communication network 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., the 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 similar networks, and / or any combination of these or other types of networks. The remote computing system 114 may include one or more devices that can receive information and / or data from the reading device 102 (e.g., via the communication network 112, etc.) and / or communicate information and / or data to the reading device 102 (e.g., via the communication network 112, etc.). For example, the remote computing system 114 may include one or more computing systems that include one or more processors (e.g., one or more computing devices, one or more mobile computing devices, one or more servers, etc.). In some embodiments or aspects, this may not be the case. MA. tZUZZU / ( (O / limiting, the remote computer system 114 includes a nursing station in a hospital. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the remote computer 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 by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). With reference now to Figures 2A and 2B, Figures 2A and 2B are diagrams of embodiments or non-limiting aspects of an implementation 200 of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of Figure 1. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the reader device 102 may include the first antenna 202, the second antenna 204 separate from the first antenna 202, the connector 206, the switch 207, the RFID reader circuit 208, the processor 210 (for example, a microcontroller, etc.), the indicator 212 (for example, a display, one or more LEDs, a speaker, etc.), first antenna shielding material 214 and / or second antenna shielding material 216.In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader 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 circuit 208, the processor 210, the indicator 212, the first antenna protection material 214, and / or the second antenna protection material 216. The first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 can be connected to the RFID reader circuit 208. The first antenna 202 can be configured to receive a first signal from an RFID tag (e.g., the first RFID tag 106, at least a second RFID tag 110, etc.). The second antenna 204 can 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 a second RFID tag 110, the same RFID tag from which the first antenna 202 received the first signal, etc.). Connector 206 can be configured to connect to a syringe (e.g., the first syringe 104, at least one second syringe 108, etc.). Connector 206 can be located between the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204. The first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 can be located at the same distance from connector 206 (e.g., the same distance from the longitudinal axis of connector 206, etc.). For example, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, a distance D1 between the first antenna 202 and a center or longitudinal axis of connector 206 can be equal to a distance D2 between the second antenna 205 and a center or longitudinal axis of connector 206. ivia / t / zuzz / uzz zo z The RFID reader circuit 208 can be configured to determine a signal parameter value (e.g., a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), etc.) associated with an RFID tag based on a signal (e.g., a UHF RFID signal, etc.) received from that RFID tag. For example, the RFID reader circuit 208 (e.g., under the control of processor 210, etc.) can determine a first signal parameter value associated with the RFID tag based on the first signal received by the first antenna 202 and a second signal parameter value based on the second signal received by the second antenna 204. Similarly, the RFID reader circuit 208 (e.g., under the control of processor 210, etc.) can determine an RSSI value from the first signal received by the first antenna 202 and an RSSI value from the second signal received by the second antenna 204. Switch 207 can be configured to be actuated in response to a syringe being connected (e.g., the first syringe 104, etc.) to connector 206. For example, processor 210 can be in electrical communication with switch 207, and processor 210 can be programmed and / or configured to control RFID reader circuit 208 to determine the first and second values in response to an actuation of switch 207. In some embodiments or non-limiting 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. As an example, the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 may be connected to the switching circuit, and the switching circuit 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, using the switching circuit, 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 that same RFID tag with the second antenna 204.The first RFID tag signal received with the first antenna 202 and the second signal from the same RFID tag received with the second antenna 204 can each include a unique identifier associated with the RFID tag and the RFID reader circuit 208 (and / or the processor 210) can 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 with the first antenna 202 and / or the second antenna 204 from one or more RFID tags (e.g., the at least one second RFID tag 110 on the at least one second syringe 108, etc.) based on the unique identifiers. MA / í í fO t included in the received signals. However, the embodiments or non-limiting aspects are not limited to the same, 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 respectively read the first signal of the RFID tag with the first antenna 202 and the second signal of that same RFID tag with the second antenna 204. The processor 210 can be connected (e.g., electrically) to the RFID reader circuit 208. The processor 210 can 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 same signal parameter, and determine, based on the first and second values, whether the RFID tag is located between the first and second antennas (e.g., whether a syringe containing the RFID tag is connected to connector 206). For example, the processor 210 can determine whether the first and second values (e.g., 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 (e.g., within a tolerance threshold).As an example, processor 210 can determine a difference between the first and second signals and, in response to that difference satisfying a threshold, determine that the RFID tag associated with the same unique identifier included in those corresponding first and second signals is located between the first and second antennas (e.g., that a syringe containing the RFID tag is connected to connector 206, etc.). In such an example, a syringe containing the RFID tag that is connected to connector 206 might have substantially equal RSSI values for the first and second signals.As an example, processor 210 might determine a difference between the first and second signal values and, in response to the difference not meeting the threshold, determine that the RFID tag is not located between the first and second antennas (e.g., that the RFID tag is outside the first and second antennas, that a syringe containing the RFID tag is not connected to connector 206, etc.). In such an example, a syringe containing the RFID tag that is not connected to connector 206 might have substantially different RSSI values (e.g., outside a tolerance threshold, etc.) for the first and second signals. The 212 indicator can be configured to provide an indication associated with the information included and / or associated with a signal received from an RFID tag (e.g., MA / t / ZUZZ / U í í ló t information included in a first signal received from an RFID tag with the first antenna 202, information included in a second signal received from that same RFID tag with the second antenna 204, etc.). In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, an indication may include at least one of the following: a unique identifier associated with the RFID tag, an indication that a syringe associated with the RFID tag is connected upon connecting 206, an indication that the syringe associated with the RFID tag is not connected upon connecting 206, information associated with a medicinal product contained in the syringe associated with the RFID tag, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 may communicate the indication and / or the information associated with it to the remote computer system 114. The first shielding material 214 can surround a portion of the first antenna 202. For example, the first shielding material 214 can be configured so that the first antenna 202 forms a directional beamforming antenna (e.g., in a two-dimensional direction toward the top of Figure 2A, etc.). The second shielding material 216 can surround a portion of the second antenna 204. For example, the second shielding material 216 can be configured so that the second antenna 204 forms a directional beamforming antenna (e.g., in a direction toward the top of Figure 2A, etc.). Referring now to Figure 2C, Figure 2C is a diagram of embodiments or non-limiting aspects of an implementation 250 of one or more systems and / or one or more devices of Figure 1. A structure and function of the first antenna 202, the second antenna 204 separate from the first antenna 202, the connector 206, the switch 207, the RFID reader circuit 208, the processor 210 (for example, a microcontroller, etc.), the indicator 212 (for example, a display, one or more LEDs, a speaker, etc.), the first antenna shielding material 214 and / or the second antenna shielding material 216 may be the same as or similar to those described with respect to Figures 2A and 2B, and therefore a further description of them is omitted for the sake of brevity. As shown in Figure 2C, the reader device 102 may further include at least a third antenna 218 and at least a third protective material 219. The at least third antenna 218 may be located at the same distance from the connector 206 as the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204. For example, as shown in Figure 2C, a distance D1 between the first antenna 202 and a center or longitudinal axis of the connector 206, a distance D2 between the second antenna 205 and the center or longitudinal axis of the connector 206, and a distance D3 (and / or D4) between at least a third antenna 218 and the center or longitudinal axis of the connector 206 may be the same distance. At least one third antenna 218 can 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, at least one second RFID tag 110, the same RFID tag from which the first antenna 202 received the first signal and from which the second antenna 204 received the second signal, etc.). For example, the RFID reader circuit 208 (e.g., under the control of the processor 210, etc.) can determine at least one third value of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag based on at least one third signal received by at least one third antenna 218. As an example, the RFID reader circuit 208 (e.g., under the control of the processor 210, etc.)) can determine an RSSI value of the first signal received by the first antenna 202, determine an RSSI value of the second signal received by the second antenna 204 and determine an RSSI value of at least a third signal received by the at least a third antenna 218. The processor 210 can receive, from the RFID reader circuit 208, at least a third value of the signal parameter associated with the RFID tag and determine, based on the first, second, and at least a third value, whether the RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and at least a third antenna (e.g., whether a syringe containing the RFID tag is connected to connector 206, etc.). For example, the processor 210 can determine whether the first, second, and third values (e.g., 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 the at least a third signal received by the at least a third antenna 218, etc.) are substantially equal to each other (e.g., within a tolerance threshold, etc.).As an example, the processor 210 can determine one or more differences between the first value, the second value, and the third value and, in response to the determined difference or differences that satisfy one or more threshold differences, determine that the RFID tag associated with the same unique identifier included in those corresponding first, second, and third signals is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and at least one third antenna (e.g., that a syringe including the RFID tag is connected to connector 206, etc.). The number and arrangement of systems and devices shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2C are provided as an example. There may be additional systems and / or devices, fewer systems and / or devices, different systems and / or devices, or systems and / or devices arranged differently from those shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2C. 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 a set of devices (e.g., one or more systems, one or more devices, etc.) may be used.) of environment 100, implementation 200 and / or implementation 250 can 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. Referring now to Figure 3, Figure 3 is an example component diagram of a device 300. Device 300 may correspond to one or more devices of the reader device 102 and / or one or more devices of the remote computing system 114. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, one or more devices of the reader 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 the communication interface 314. The 302 bus may include a component that enables communication between the components of device 300. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the 304 processor may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. For example, the 304 processor 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 may be programmed to perform a function.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. The 308 storage component can store information and / or software MA. tZUZZU / ( (O / related to the operation and use of the device 300. For example, the storage component 308 may include a hard disk (for example, 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 other computer-readable media, together with a corresponding drive. Input component 310 may include a component that allows device 300 to receive information, such as through user input (e.g., a touchscreen, keyboard, numeric keypad, mouse, button, switch, microphone, camera, electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor, patient monitoring system, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, input component 310 may include a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, accelerometer, gyroscope, actuator, etc.). Output component 312 may include a component that provides output information from device 300 (e.g., a display, speaker, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and / or the like). The 314 communication interface may include a transceiver-like component (e.g., a separate transceiver, receiver, and transmitter) that enables the 300 device to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The 314 communication interface may allow the 300 device to receive information from another device and / or provide information to another device. For example, the 314 communication interface 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 interfaces. Device 300 can perform one or more of the processes described herein. Device 300 can perform these processes by relying on processor 304, which executes software instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as memory 306 and / or storage component 308. A computer-readable medium (for example, a non-transient computer-readable medium) is defined herein as a non-transient memory device. A non-transient memory device includes memory space located within a single physical storage device or memory space across multiple physical storage devices. Software instructions can be read from memory 306 and / or storage component 308, from other computer-readable media, or from another device via communication interface 314. When executed, software instructions stored in memory 306 and / or storage component 308 can cause processor 304 to perform one or more of the processes described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, permanent circuitry may be used instead of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more of the processes described herein. Therefore, the embodiments or aspects described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software circuitry. Memory 306 and / or storage component 308 may include data storage or one or more data structures (for example, a database, etc.). Device 300 may receive information from, store information in, communicate information to, or retrieve information stored in data storage or one or more data structures in memory 306 and / or storage component 308. For example, the information may include input data, output data, medical data, or any combination thereof. The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 3 are provided as an example. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, Device 300 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged differently 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. With reference to Figure 4, Figure 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment or non-limiting aspect of process 400 for reading information from the syringe. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, one or more of the steps of process 400 are performed (for example, completely, partially, etc.) by the reading device 102 (for example, one or more devices of a reading device 102 system, etc.). In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, one or more of the steps of process 400 are performed (for example, completely, partially, etc.) by another device or group of devices separate from or including the reading device 102, such as the remote computer system 114 (for example, one or more devices of the remote computer system 114, etc.). As shown in Figure 4, in stage 402, process 400 includes receiving, with the reading device 102 (for example, with the first antenna 202, etc.), a first signal (by IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UZ 11OI example, a UHF RFID signal, etc.) of the first RFID tag 106. As shown in Figure 4, in step 404, process 400 includes receiving, with the reader device 102 (e.g., with the second antenna 204 separated from the first antenna 202, etc.), a second signal (e.g., a UHF RFID signal, etc.) from the first RFID Tag 106. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 receives (for example, with at least a third antenna 218 located at the same distance from the connector 206 as the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204, etc.) at least a third signal from the first RFID tag 106. As shown in Figure 4, in step 406, process 400 includes determining, with the reader device 102 (e.g., with the RFID reader circuit 208, etc.), a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 (e.g., an RSSI value of the first signal, etc.) based on the first signal. As shown in Figure 4, in step 408, process 400 includes determining, with the reader device 102 (e.g., with the RFID reader circuit 208, etc.), a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 (e.g., an RSSI value of the second signal, etc.) based on the second signal. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 determines (for example, with the RFID reader circuit 208, etc.) at least a third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106 (for example, an RSSI value of the at least a third signal, etc.) based on the at least a third signal In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 selectively reads the first signal of the first RFID tag 106 with the first antenna 202 and the second signal of the first RFID tag 106 with the second antenna 204 (and / or at least a third signal of the first RFID tag 106 with at least a third antenna 218). In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, connecting the first syringe 104 (for example, the first syringe 104 including the first RFID tag 106 applied as a seal to the first syringe 104, etc.) to the connector 206 located between the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are located at the same distance from the connector, actuates the switch 207 and, in response to the actuation of the switch 207, the reader device 102 determines the first value and the second value. As shown in Figure 4, in stage 410, process 400 includes receiving, with the reader device 102 (for example, with the processor 210, etc.), the first value of the parameter IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UZ 11OI of signal associated with the first RFID tag 106 and the second signal parameter value associated with the first RFID 106. In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 receives at least a third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag 106. As shown in Figure 4, in step 412, process 400 includes determining, with the reader device 102 (e.g., with the processor 210, etc.), 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 that includes the first RFID tag 106 is connected to the connector 206, etc.). In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader devices determine, based on the first value, the 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 (e.g., whether the first syringe 104 that includes the first RFID tag 106 is connected to connector 206, etc.). In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 determines a difference between the first value and the second value and, in response to the difference satisfying a threshold value, determines that the first RFID tag 106 is located between the first antenna 202 and the second antenna 204 (e.g., that the first syringe 104 that includes the first RFID tag 106 is connected to connector 106, etc.). In some embodiments or non-limiting aspects, the reader device 102 provides an indication (for example, via indicator 212, etc.) associated with the information included 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. Although the embodiments or aspects have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration and description, it should be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the embodiments or aspects are not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but are intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, 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 disclosed in the specification. Although each claim MA / t / ZUZZ / U í í fO t dependent that is listed below may depend directly on a single claim, disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with all other claims in the set of claims.
Claims
1. A reader comprising: a first antenna; a second antenna separate from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is configured to receive a first signal from a first RFID tag, wherein the second antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit, and wherein the second antenna is configured to receive a second signal from the first RFID tag; and one or more processors 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;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 to determine, based on the first and second values, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.
2. The reader of claim 1, wherein the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag includes a received signal strength indication (RSSI).
3. The reader of any of claims 1-2, wherein the first signal and the second signal include ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.
4. The reader of any of claims 1-3, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine a difference between the first value and the second value; and determine that the RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna in response to the difference satisfying a threshold difference.
5. The reader of any of claims 1-4, wherein the RFID reader circuit includes a switching circuit, wherein the first antenna is connected to the switching circuit, wherein the second antenna is connected to the switching circuit, and wherein the switching circuit is configured to selectively couple the first antenna and the second antenna to the RFID reader circuit.
6. The reader of any of claims 1-5, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: control, using the switching circuit, the RFID reader circuit to selectively read the first signal from the first RFID tag with the first antenna and the second signal from the first RFID tag with the second antenna.
7. The reader of any of claims 1-6, a connector configured to connect to a syringe, wherein the connector is located between the first antenna and the second antenna, and wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are located at the same distance from the connector.
8. The reader of any of claims 1-7, further comprising: a switch configured to be actuated in response to a connection of a first syringe to the connector, wherein one or more processors are further configured to control the RFID reader circuit to determine the first value and the second value in response to an actuation of the switch.
9. The reader of any of claims 1-8, wherein the first RFID tag includes a first seal applied to the first syringe.
10. The reader of any of claims 1-9, further comprising: 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, wherein the at least one third antenna is configured to receive at least one third signal from the first RFID tag, and wherein one or more processors are further configured to: control the RFID reader circuit to determine at least one third value of the 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, based on the first value, the second value, and the at least one third value, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and the at least one third antenna.
11. The reader of any of claims 1-10, further comprising: an indicator configured to provide an indication associated with the 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.
12. The reader of any of claims 1-11, further comprising: a first protective material surrounding a portion of the first antenna; and a second protective material surrounding a portion of the second antenna.
13. A method comprising: receiving, with a first antenna, a first signal from a first RFID tag; receiving, with a second antenna separate from the first antenna, a second signal from the first RFID tag; determining, with an RFID reader circuit, a first value of a signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the first signal; determining, with the RFID reader circuit, a second value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the second signal; receiving, with 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, with at least one processor, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag includes a received signal strength indication (RSSI).
15. The method of any of claims 13-14, wherein the first signal and the second signal include ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID signals.
16. The method of any of claims 13-15, further comprising: determining, with at least one processor, a difference between the first value and the second value; and determining, with at least one processor, that the RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna in response to the difference that satisfies a threshold difference.
17. The method of any of claims 13-16, further comprising: controlling, by means of a switching circuit, the RFID reader circuit to selectively read the first signal of the first RFID tag with the first antenna and the second signal of the first RFID tag with the second antenna.
18. The method of any of claims 13-17, further comprising: connecting a first syringe to a connector located between the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are located equidistant from the connector, wherein connecting the first syringe to the connector actuates a switch; and controlling, with at least one processor, the RFID reader circuit to determine the first value and the second value in response to the actuation of the switch.
19. The method of any of claims 13-18, wherein the first RFID tag includes a first seal applied to the first syringe.
20. The method of any of claims 13-19, further comprising: receiving, with at least a third antenna, at least a third signal from the first RFID tag, wherein the at least a third antenna is located at the same distance from the connector as the first antenna and the second antenna; determining, with the RFID reader circuit, at least a third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag based on the at least a third signal; receiving, with at least one processor, the at least a third value of the signal parameter associated with the first RFID tag; and determining, with at least one processor, based on the first value, the second value, and the at least a third value, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna, the second antenna, and the at least a third antenna.
21. The method of any of claims 13-20, further comprising: providing, with an indicator, an indication associated with the 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.
22. A system comprising: a first syringe; a first seal including a first RFID tag applied to the first syringe; and a reader including: a first antenna; a second antenna separate from the first antenna; an RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit, wherein the first antenna is configured to receive a first signal from the first RFID tag, wherein the second antenna is connected to the RFID reader circuit, and wherein the second antenna is configured to receive a second signal from the first RFID tag; and one or more processors configured to: IVIA / t / ZUZZ / UZ 11OI 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;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 to determine, based on the first and second values, whether the first RFID tag is located between the first antenna and the second antenna.
23. The system of claim 22, further comprising: a flow sensor system including a disposable flow sensor and a reusable base, wherein the reusable base includes the reader.