Apparatus for automating routine communication in a facility

Apparatus for automating routine communication and location determination, comprising:

• a plurality of badges, each having:
• a database memory for storing information about a user associated with the badge;
• a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a portion of said information;
• a badge switch for activating said badge;
• and a processor for controlling said transmitter and coordinating retrieval and transmission of said portion of said information;
• a plurality of transceivers each being connected to a network server and each being disposed at preassigned locations to cover a predetermined range for receiving wireless transmissions from said badges within said range and for transmitting to said network server messages about said received wireless transmissions;
• and
• a central processor being connected to said network server having:
• means for receiving information about badges which have been activated and their respective users and said messages from said transceivers through said network server;
• means for processing said messages for updating said information about said badges and their associated users;
• and a display for displaying said updated information;
• said badge switch is connected to said processor whereby when said badge switch is depressed said processor causes said transmitter to transmit signals indicating a preassigned condition;
• wherein said processor includes means for causing said transmitter to transmit signals indicating different preassigned conditions depending upon the sequence of said switch depressions.

Apparatus for automating routine communication and location determination, comprising:

• a plurality of badges, each being removably coupled to an individual and each having:
• a database memory, removably coupled to said badge, for storing information including identity information about the respective individual;
• a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a portion of said information stored in said memory including said identity information;
• and a processor having associated stored programs for coordinating the transfer and transmission of said portion of said information;
• a plurality of transceivers, each being spatially disposed to cover a respective area, each having:
• a receiver for receiving said portion of said information transmitted from a badge within said respective area;
• an interface for interfacing said transceiver to a central processing unit;
• a transmitter for transmitting messages including said information received from said badges to said central processing unit through said interface;
• and a processor for coordinating said reception of said portion of said information and for coordinating said interface between said receiver and said central processing unit;
• said central processing unit includes a processor for receiving and processing data received from said plurality of transceivers for determining the location of each of said individuals;
• and
• wherein each of said plurality of badges includes means for transmitting said identity information at a substantially periodic time interval.

Apparatus for automating routine communication and location determination, comprising:

• a plurality of portable communicator means, each having:
• database memory means, removably coupled to said portable communicator means, for storing information including information specific to one of a plurality of users;
• transmitter means for wirelessly transmitting a portion of said information including said specific information;
• switch means for activating said badge;
• and processor means for controlling said transmitter means and coordinating retrieval and transmission of said portion of said information;
• a plurality of transceiver means, each being disposed at preassigned locations to cover a predetermined range for receiving wireless transmissions from said portable communicator means within said range and for forwarding to a central processor messages about said received wireless transmissions;
• and
• said central processor having means for receiving information about portable communicator means which have been activated and their respective users and said messages from said plurality of transceiver means;
• means for processing said messages for updating said information about said portable communicator means and their associated users;
• and a display for displaying said updated information.