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US 10,593,187 B2Granted
Apparatus comprising a bed proximity-determining system
AssigneeCenTrak, Inc.
InventorIsrael Amir
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bed proximity-determining system includes communications functionality and an ability to determine the proximity of a caregiver to a bed. Based on that proximity, the system transmits commands to the bed or a local system.
Claims27
An apparatus comprising a bed proximity-determining system, the bed proximity-determining system comprising:
- a first infrared transmitter for transmitting an infrared signal, wherein the first infrared transmitter is associated with and is physically coupled to a surface of a room;
- one or more ultrasound transmitters that transmit ultrasound;
- a tag, the tag having an IR receiver for receiving the infrared signal, an ultrasound receiver for receiving ultrasound from the one or more ultrasound transmitters, and a transmitter that transmits first proximity-related information based on the received ultrasound;
- a first transceiver that receives the first proximity-related information and either:
- (a) transmits the first proximity-related information, or
- (b) generates and transmits second proximity-related information that is based on the first proximity-related information;
- and
- a bed controller, wherein the bed controller receives the first proximity-related information or second proximity-related information, and performs at least one of the following actions:
- (a) generates a control signal based on the first or second proximity-related information;
- (b) generates a command based on the first or second proximity-related information;
- or
- (c) transmits the first or second proximity-related information.
9 more elements
An apparatus comprising a bed proximity-determining system, the bed proximity-determining system comprising:
- a first infrared transmitter for transmitting an infrared signal, wherein the first infrared transmitter is associated with and is physically coupled to a surface of a room;
- a first ultrasound transmitter that transmits ultrasound;
- an LF exciter, wherein the LF exciter emits an LF field;
- a tag, the tag having an IR receiver, an ultrasound receiver, a processor for determining a distance between the tag and the first ultrasound transmitter, an LF receiver that detects the LF field, and a transmitter that transmits at least one of:
- (a) the distance,
- (b) an indication that the LF field is detected,
- (c) a command based on the determined distance or the LF field detection.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- transmitting, at a first time, an IR signal from an IR transmitter that is physically coupled to a first wall of a room;
- transmitting ultrasound, at a known time relative to the first time, from a US transmitter that is physically coupled to a second wall of the room;
- receiving, at a mobile tag, the IR signal and the ultrasound;
- determining a distance based on a time the IR signal is received and a time the ultrasound is received;
- and
- Issuing a command, wherein the command is based on the distance and results in at least one of the following:
- (a) actuation of a mechanism in a bed;
- (b) canceling a call;
- (c) activation of an alert pertaining to hand hygiene;
- and
- (d) none of (a) through (c).
8 more elements
A method comprising:
- transmitting ultrasound from at least a first ultrasound transmitter and a second ultrasound transmitter, wherein the first and second ultrasound transmitters are either both located on a headboard of a bed within the room or both located on a footboard of the bed;
- determining a distance based on a time an IR signal is received and a time the ultrasound is received;
- and
- issuing a command, wherein the command is based on the distance and results in at least one of the following:
- (a) actuation of a mechanism in a bed;
- (b) canceling a call;
- (c) activation of an alert pertaining to hand hygiene;
- and
- (d) none of (a) through (c).
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.