Autonomous Patient Transport Communication Control at Target Arrival
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients in hospitals face prolonged stay times due to inefficient movement systems between examination and treatment rooms, which can be exacerbated by disorders that complicate navigation.
Innovation Solution
A management device and control system that includes a controller for communication between terminal devices with varying moving ranges, detectors for target point arrival, and receivers for stop and restart instructions, allowing vehicles to automatically travel along designated paths and adapt movement based on passenger needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If automatic patient transportation vehicles are introduced to reduce waiting time and stay time, then patient mobility and examination efficiency are improved, but system complexity and communication management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The management device monitors communication status between terminal devices and automatic vehicles in real-time, detecting when vehicles arrive at target points or exceed communication ranges. This feedback mechanism enables automatic termination of communication sessions and dynamic adjustment of communication parameters, reducing system complexity while maintaining efficient patient transportation
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages communication sessions between terminal devices and vehicles without manual intervention. The management device autonomously establishes, monitors, and terminates communication based on vehicle position and target point arrival detection, allowing the system to self-regulate communication resources and reduce operational complexity
2Reliability
If communication is maintained throughout the entire journey for patient safety and monitoring, then patient care quality is improved, but communication resources are wasted during stationary periods
Solution Approach 1:
Communication between terminal devices and automatic vehicles is activated periodically based on vehicle movement status and proximity to target points. The management device terminates communication when vehicles arrive at destinations or exceed communication ranges, and re-establishes communication when vehicles are dispatched for new tasks. This periodic communication approach maintains patient monitoring reliability during active transportation while conserving communication resources during stationary periods
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system dynamically adjusts its state based on real-time vehicle position and task status. Communication parameters such as session establishment, duration, and termination are dynamically controlled by the management device according to vehicle movement and target point arrival, optimizing the balance between monitoring reliability and resource consumption
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle stops immediately upon receiving a stop instruction to respond quickly to patient needs, then patient service responsiveness is improved, but unnecessary stops increase travel time
Solution Approach 1:
The management device predicts potential stop requirements by monitoring vehicle position relative to target points and communication range. When a vehicle approaches a target point or communication range boundary, the system proactively prepares for potential stop instructions by pre-positioning the vehicle optimally and pre-establishing communication parameters. This preliminary preparation enables rapid response to patient needs while minimizing actual stop duration and unnecessary travel time
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements expedited stop procedures where vehicles receive prioritized stop instructions for urgent patient needs. The management device fast-tracks communication session establishment and vehicle positioning for critical stops, allowing the vehicle to skip non-essential intermediate steps and proceed directly to the stop location, thereby improving responsiveness while minimizing overall travel time impact
Data Source
AI summary
A management device, comprising a controller that controls communication between a movable first terminal device and a second terminal device in which a moving range is narrower than the first terminal device, and a detector that detects that the first terminal device arrives at a target point by movement, wherein in a case where the detector detects the arrival at the target point, the controller ends the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.