Tracking Non-Networked Wireless Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-infrastructure based tracking systems in medical facilities are limited to tracking wireless devices compatible with specific wireless technologies, such as IEEE 802.11, and cannot locate devices using local wireless technologies like Bluetooth or ZigBee, which are commonly used for short-range communication and are not network-compatible.
Innovation Solution
A tracking method that detects and estimates the location of local wireless devices not connected to the medical facility network by utilizing local wireless communication with nearby network devices connected to the network, using protocols like Bluetooth or ZigBee, and integrating this information to determine the device's location within the facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing network-infrastructure based tracking systems are used, then tracking of network-compatible wireless devices (IEEE 802.11) is achieved, but tracking of local wireless devices (Bluetooth, ZigBee) is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where local wireless devices communicate with nearby network devices through local wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, ZigBee), and the network devices act as mediators to report the location of local devices to the tracking system. This enables the tracking system to indirectly track local wireless devices that cannot directly communicate with the central tracking server.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional communication hardware is deployed to track non-networked devices, then tracking capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing network devices multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their primary network communication function and an additional function of detecting and reporting local wireless devices. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated tracking hardware and achieves comprehensive tracking using existing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing network devices to perform tracking functions for themselves and for local wireless devices in their vicinity. The network devices use their own communication capabilities and local sensing abilities to contribute to the overall tracking system, rather than requiring separate dedicated tracking infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If local wireless communication is used for short-range tracking, then tracking of non-networked devices is enabled, but location accuracy estimation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from multiple network devices detecting the same local wireless device to improve location accuracy. By collecting location reports from multiple network devices that detect the local device through local wireless communication, the system can triangulate or otherwise estimate the position more accurately than relying on a single detection point.
Data Source
AI summary
In a tracking method for tracking a local wireless device in a medical facility having a medical facility network (10), the local wireless device (50, 51, 52), which is not connected with the medical facility network (10), is detected based on local wireless communication. (54, 55, 56, 58) between the local wireless device and at least one nearby network device (12, 14, 16) that is connected with the medical facility network. A location of the local wireless device within the medical facility is estimated based on the local wireless communication and information indicative of a location of the at least one nearby network device.