Intelligent location estimation for assets in clinical environments

US11363419B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hill-Rom Services, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Brandon M. Ayers · Carrboro, US
• Frederick Collin Davidson · Apex, US
• Stephen R. Embree · Chapel Hill, US
• Matthew Morgan · Tremont, US
• Kenzi L. Mudge · Skaneateles, US
• Britten J. Pipher · Fuquay-Varina, US
• Eugene Urrutia · Apex, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 3, 2020
• Grant date: Jun 14, 2022
• Expiry date: Dec 3, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L67/535
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system identifies a first position of a tag in a clinical environment based on first times at which first receivers received a first wireless signal from the tag. The system estimates a second position of the tag in the clinical environment based on second times at which second receivers received a second wireless signal from the tag. The system determines that a boundary is located between the first position and the second position, defines a path range around the first position of the tag based on an expected movement of the tag during a time interval between the first and second wireless signals, determines that the boundary lacks a door within the path range, adjusts the second position of the tag based on the boundary map, and transmits a message indicating that the tag is located at the adjusted position at the second time.