BLE Beacon Device Dynamic Mode Transition for Healthcare Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing real-time location systems (RTLS) for tracking assets in healthcare environments are costly and require extensive infrastructure, with RFID and IR-based systems suffering from accuracy issues and susceptibility to interference, making them inefficient for precise location tracking and interaction monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A low-power, short-range radio frequency wireless beacon system that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to transmit beacon messages, allowing for minimal infrastructure requirements and improved accuracy through dynamic mode transitions and robust housing designs suitable for harsh cleaning protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID or IR reader infrastructures are installed into buildings to capture position information, then location tracking capability is provided, but system cost and infrastructure complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical infrastructure of RFID and IR reader systems with wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon technology. Instead of installing physical reader infrastructures throughout buildings, the system uses portable or attachable beacon devices that transmit location data wirelessly, eliminating the need for complex wired infrastructure while maintaining location tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (BLE technology) between the tracked object and the location monitoring system. Rather than direct physical connection or line-of-sight requirements, beacons act as intermediaries that transmit location information wirelessly to receivers, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing infrastructure demands.
2Productivity
If RFID sensors are used for location tracking, then asset distribution monitoring is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates with tolerance of approximately plus-or-minus ten feet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the technical parameters of the location system by switching from RFID technology with ten-foot tolerance to BLE beacon technology that provides sub-meter or even centimeter-level accuracy. This parameter change in measurement precision is achieved through different wireless communication protocols and signal processing methods inherent to BLE technology.
3Reliability
If RFID and IR-based sensors are deployed, then location tracking is achieved, but reliability worsens due to susceptibility to drift from environmental interference and cross talk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple low-cost BLE beacon devices that can be easily deployed and replaced throughout the environment. Rather than relying on a few high-performance sensors vulnerable to interference, the system uses numerous simple beacons that are inherently more resistant to environmental factors, allowing the system to maintain reliability even if individual beacons experience interference.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient proximity detection and location tracking with reduced infrastructure needs, enhanced accuracy, and durability to withstand frequent cleaning, improving patient workflow and asset management in healthcare settings.
Implementation Method 1
An example low-power, short-range radio frequency wireless beacon device includes a processor to execute the instructions with respect to the configuration information to control a communication interface and operation of the processor based on a mode in which the beacon device is set to operate
Data Source
AI summary
Beacon devices and associated components, methods, etc., are disclosed. An example beacon device includes a memory, a communication interface, and a processor to execute instructions with respect to configuration information to control the communication interface and operation of the processor based on a mode in which the beacon device is set to operate, the processor to dynamically transition among a plurality of modes based on an operating condition of the beacon device and a communication received from at least one of the receiver or the controller. In certain examples, the plurality of modes includes a configuration mode and a broadcast mode. When in the configuration mode, the operation of the processor is to process the communication received from the controller to adjust the configuration information. When in the broadcast mode, the operation of the processor is to generate a beacon signal to transmit to at least one of the receiver or the controller via the communication interface.