Wireless Bridge for Active RFID Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID systems in healthcare and retail environments face challenges in efficiently tracking assets and monitoring interactions, leading to adverse events and inefficiencies due to non-adherence to protocols and lack of real-time location data.
Innovation Solution
A wireless bridge system integrating Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon tags and mobile badges that transmit and receive proximity information via a Wi-Fi infrastructure, enabling real-time location services (RTLS) to track assets and monitor interactions within environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID systems are implemented for asset tracking, then location monitoring capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to integration requirements with existing information systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless bridge as an intermediary device that connects RFID readers to existing hospital information systems. This bridge handles the complex integration tasks centrally, allowing individual RFID readers to remain simple while still achieving comprehensive system integration with HIS, RIS, CIS, and other healthcare information systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless bridge is designed as a universal interface that can connect to multiple different information systems (HIS, RIS, CIS, PACS, LIS, CVIS) through standardized protocols. This multi-functional design allows a single bridge device to integrate with various existing systems without requiring system-specific custom integration for each connection.
2Reliability
If real-time tracking is implemented to monitor protocol adherence, then patient safety is improved, but energy consumption increases due to continuous signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous real-time tracking, the system uses periodic beacon signals transmitted at predetermined intervals. The mobile device and fixed readers exchange location data at these periodic intervals rather than continuously, maintaining protocol adherence monitoring while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts tracking based on movement detection. When a mobile device is detected to be stationary, the system reduces or pauses active tracking to conserve energy. When movement is detected, tracking becomes more active. This dynamic adaptation maintains safety monitoring effectiveness while optimizing energy consumption based on actual operational needs.
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
Improves asset tracking and workflow efficiency in healthcare by locating missing equipment and monitoring adherence to protocols, and enhances retail operations by optimizing inventory placement based on customer traffic patterns.
Implementation Method 1
RFID is the wireless use of electromagnetic fields to transfer data
Implementation Method 2
Some tags are powered by electromagnetic induction from magnetic fields produced near the reader
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for facilitating proximity detection and location tracking using a hub or bridge are disclosed. An example apparatus is to receive a message from a beacon at a second location within a proximity area of the apparatus, the message indicative of the second location and identifying the beacon; and relay the message to a location server to determine asset location.