Communications system and protocol for medical environment
US7737827B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jun 15, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B5/222
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A communications system and protocol are described for wirelessly interconnecting a pair of bed and wall units that communicate the patient information, including bed exit alerts, from the patient supporting equipment to the hospital nurse call system. A linking procedure is provided for establishing a communications link to interconnect the pair of units, wherein the communications link fails upon detection of a third communications device simultaneously undergoing the link attempt mode. In one embodiment, the system provides for advanced collision detection by monitoring corruption of the end-of-packet byte within the periodic check-in message sequences between the linked units to prevent data corruption and future collisions. To ensure prompt interconnection of units, embodiments of the invention provide for a link reminder to alert the health care provider to initiate the steps for linking the bed and wall units whenever two or more unlinked units are in proximity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.