# US 9,882,610 B1 · Near field communication sensor system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,882,610 B1 - Document ID: US9882610B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/346,361 - Filed: 2016-11-08 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-08 - Assignees: Welch Allyn, Inc. - Applicants: Welch Allyn, Inc. - Inventors: Steven D. Baker; Michael Scott Hood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882610B1 ## CPC - H04B 5/73: for taking measurements, e.g. using sensing coils - A61B 5/002: {Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building (A61B5/0017 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/0205: Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition - A61G 7/0524: {characterised by integrated accessories, e.g. bed control means, nurse call or reading lights} - H04B 5/79: for data transfer in combination with power transfer - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04W 76/14: Direct-mode setup - A61B 5/1117: {Fall detection} - A61B 2560/0214: of power generation or supply - H04B: TRANSMISSION - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A sensor system includes a person-supporting device with an antenna and a near-field communication (NFC) interrogation device. A first sensor is configured to measure a physiological parameter of a patient associated with the person-supporting device, and the NFC interrogation device and the antenna are configured to establish wireless communication with the first sensor and receive data from the first sensor from a distance of at least 10 inches. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor system, comprising: a person-supporting device including an antenna and a near-field communication (NFC) interrogation device; a first sensor configured to measure a physiological parameter of a person associated with the person-supporting device; wherein the NFC interrogation device and the antenna are configured to establish wireless communication with the first sensor and receive data from the first sensor from a distance of at least 10 inches; and wherein: the first sensor includes a contact sensor configured to measure a first physiological parameter of the patient while contacting the patient; the person-supporting device includes a substrate having the antenna mounted thereon; and the sensor system further comprises a second sensor mounted on the substrate, wherein the second sensor includes a contactless sensor configured to measure a second physiological parameter of the patient without contacting the patient. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the person-supporting device includes at least one of a bed, a patient lift, and a wheel chair. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the person-supporting device includes a bed having a plurality of bedrails spaced apart from one another and extending from the bed, and wherein the antenna includes a plurality of coils wound about respective bedrails. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sensor system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of coils includes first and second coils driven at a controlled phase of the first coil with respect to the second coil. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the antenna includes a conductive coil defining a semi-major axis of at least one-tenth wavelength. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the antenna is integrated into the person-supporting device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the person-supporting device provides power to the NFC interrogation device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes a contact sensor configured to measure the physiological parameter of the patient while contacting the patient. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the NFC interrogation device is mounted on the substrate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a conductive plate. ### Claim 11 A person-supporting system, comprising: a plurality of person-supporting elements; at least one antenna attached to at least one of the person-supporting elements; and an amplifier connected to the at least one antenna; and the person-supporting system, further comprising: a near-field communication (NFC) interrogation device, wherein the NFC interrogation device and the antenna are configured to establish communication with and receive data from a first sensor configured to measure a physiological parameter of a patient. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The person-supporting system of claim 11, further comprising a bed, wherein the plurality of person-supporting elements includes first and second bedrails, and wherein the at least one antenna includes first and second coils wound about the bedrails. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The person-supporting system of claim 12, wherein the first and second coils are driven with a specific phase one to another. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The person-supporting system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of coils are wound to be tuned to a predetermined frequency. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The person-supporting system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of coils are arranged to achieve a Helmholtz configuration. ### Claim 16 An interrogation device for receiving data from a patient sensor, comprising: a person-supporting device; a near-field communication (NFC) reader device mounted to the person-supporting device and configured to establish wireless communication with a first sensor and receive data from the first sensor; wherein the person-supporting device provides data backhaul; and wherein the person-supporting device includes a substrate having a contact sensor configured to measure a first physiological parameter of the patient while contacting the patient and a contactless sensor configured to measure a second physiological parameter of the patient without contacting the patient. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The interrogation device of claim 16, wherein the person-supporting device includes a bed having a plurality of person-support structures spaced apart from one another and extending from the bed, and wherein the person-support structures include at least one antenna.