RTLS Health Processor for Healthcare Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing real-time location systems (RTLS) in healthcare environments are expensive and time-consuming to set up, with limited accuracy and susceptibility to interference, making them inefficient for tracking people and assets.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing low-energy Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons and mobile reader badges to track location and interactions in healthcare environments, with a cloud-based server for data analysis and minimal infrastructure requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID or infrared reader infrastructures are installed to track location, then location tracking capability is provided, but system cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile computing devices (smartphones, tablets) as intermediary carriers that already contain RFID readers and location capabilities. Instead of installing fixed reader infrastructure throughout the facility, the system uses these portable devices as mobile readers that can be moved to different locations, thereby tracking assets without requiring extensive fixed infrastructure installation
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing location capabilities and hardware already present in mobile computing devices. These devices self-serve as RFID readers and location trackers without requiring additional specialized infrastructure, utilizing their built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and RFID reading capabilities to perform tracking functions
2Measurement precision
If RFID sensors are deployed for location tracking, then tracking coverage is achieved, but measurement accuracy is limited to approximately plus-or-minus ten feet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location determination methods including RFID tag detection, Wi-Fi triangulation, GPS data, and accelerometer-based positioning. By merging these different technologies, the system achieves both wide tracking coverage and improved location accuracy, overcoming the limitations of any single method
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite approach by integrating multiple sensing technologies (RFID, Wi-Fi, GPS, accelerometers) into a unified location tracking solution. This composite methodology allows the system to achieve both broad coverage and precise measurement by leveraging the strengths of each individual technology
3Measurement precision
If RFID and IR-based sensors are used for location tracking, then position detection is enabled, but system reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to environmental interference and cross talk
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors location data from multiple sources and uses feedback mechanisms to filter out erroneous readings caused by environmental interference. By comparing data from RFID, Wi-Fi, GPS, and accelerometer sensors, the system can identify and correct readings that are affected by interference or cross-talk, thereby maintaining reliable position detection
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile computing devices perform multiple functions including RFID reading, Wi-Fi triangulation, GPS positioning, and accelerometer-based motion tracking. This multi-functionality allows the system to cross-validate location data from different sources, reducing susceptibility to environmental interference that may affect any single sensing modality
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate proximity detection and location tracking. An example apparatus includes a real time location system (RTLS) health processor. The example RTLS health processor includes an event processor to process an event included in a message from an RTLS device to identify event information related to the RTLS device, the event relating to a health of the RTLS device and the event information including an event type and an event detail. The example RTLS health processor includes a health analyzer to compare the event detail to a prescribed bound for the event type, the event relating to a health of the device. The example RTLS health processor includes an output generator to, when the event information is outside the prescribed bound, trigger a response to address the event with respect to the RTLS device.