Entity Tracking System with Time-Threshold Absence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for tracking individuals and objects are unreliable, often resulting in lost data during transitions, which can lead to misdiagnoses and inadequate care in medical settings, and inefficient and costly tracking in other industries.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system and method that utilizes real-time tracking and authentication of interactions by associating tracking devices with individuals and trackers with entities, allowing for continuous monitoring and data transfer during entity transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual tracking methods are used where caretakers physically monitor and handoff patients, then the system is simple to operate, but data is frequently lost during transitions and reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of patient information that travels with the patient across different caretakers and facilities. The portable storage device contains complete patient records that can be accessed by any authorized provider, ensuring data is never lost during transitions. This copying approach eliminates the need for repeated manual data entry and verification while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable storage device acts as an intermediary between different healthcare providers and systems. Instead of direct communication between multiple caretakers which prone to errors, the standardized portable device serves as a reliable mediator that ensures consistent data transfer. The device includes standardized data structures and communication protocols that facilitate accurate information exchange.
2Ease of operation
If conventional monitoring devices like Fitbit or Apple Watch are used to track patient information, then automated tracking is achieved, but data access is limited to the patient and difficult to transfer to medical professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The portable storage device is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple purposes: storing patient monitoring data, maintaining medical records, facilitating communication between providers, and providing patient access. The device uses standardized protocols that are compatible with various healthcare systems and can be accessed by different types of professionals, making it truly multi-functional and universally applicable.
3Productivity
If bar codes are used to track mail items, then object tracking is implemented, but individually scanning each item is extremely time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tracking functions into a single integrated system. The portable storage device combines patient identification, location tracking, interaction recording, and data storage in one unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate scanning operations for different types of information, dramatically improving tracking speed and efficiency while maintaining complete information about the patient's journey.
4Loss of information
If bar code scanning is used for mail tracking, then tracking infrastructure is simple, but no information is provided about individuals responsible for the item to assist in locating missing items
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously record and update information about who has custody of the patient and where they are located. Each interaction with the patient is logged with timestamp and provider identification. This feedback loop ensures that complete accountability information is maintained throughout the patient's journey, enabling quick identification of responsible parties if the patient is lost or misplaced.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented system and method for entity tracking and identification is provided. A tracker associated with an entity is tracked. Communication is continuously attempted between the tracker and a tracking device associated with an individual in custody of the entity. During one of the attempted communications, an absence of the tracker is determined by identifying a time of the attempted communication and applying a time threshold to the time for the attempted communication. The absence of the tracker is identified when no communication has been established with the tracking device within the time threshold. The entity is classified as missing when the absence of the tracker is determined.