Wireless Tracking System And Method Utilizing Near-Field Communication Devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for determining a near-field communication interaction in a wireless tracking mesh network. The present invention preferably utilizes near-field communication devices in conjunction with tracking tags to transmit signals for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility which form a mesh network and forward the signals to an information engine for analysis. Bearers of the near-field communication devices preferably include individuals, objects, assets and rooms of the facility.

1 . A system utilizing near-field communications, the system comprising:
 a mesh network comprising a plurality of sensors located in a facility for infrastructure-based real-time location tracking of objects and users in the facility, each of the plurality of sensors communicating with other sensors of the plurality of sensors utilizing a medium range wireless communication format, wherein each of the plurality of sensors operates in a geo-spatially fixed physical location in the facility;   a plurality of near-field communication devices, each of the plurality of near-field communication devices operating on a low power short-range wireless communication format and a medium range wireless communication format which is different than the low-power short-range wireless communication format, each of the plurality of near-field communication devices comprising a transceiver for transferring interaction data from one near-field communication device to another near-field communication device when the near-field communication devices are within a predetermined distance of each other, and a transceiver for transmitting a signal to at least one of the plurality of plug-in sensors, the signal comprising the interaction data and positioning data; and   an information engine in communication with the mesh network, the information engine processing the interaction data and positioning data.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the near-field communication data comprises a number of previous interactions between the near-field communication devices within a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein a bearer of a near-field communication device is at least one of a medical professional, a patient, an asset, an object, an area of the facility, or a host for a tag. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the interaction data is used to authenticate a user for access to at least one of or a combination of a computer, a medical equipment, a protected area of the facility, a medication drawer, or a patient's room. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the interaction data comprises at least one of or a combination of a previous location of the first bearer, a previous location of the second bearer, a current location of the first bearer, a current location of the second bearer, and a number of other objects located near the interaction. 
     
     
         6 . A system for determining a business relationship between individuals within a facility, the system comprising:
 a plurality of first near-field communication devices, each of the plurality of first near-field communication devices having bearer of the near-field communication device, each of the plurality of first near-field communication devices operating on a low power short-range wireless communication format and a medium range wireless communication format which is different than the low-power short-range wireless communication format;   a plurality of second near-field communication devices, each of the plurality of second near-field communication devices representing an object, each of the plurality of second near-field communication devices operating on a low power short-range wireless communication format and a medium range wireless communication format which is different than the low-power short-range wireless communication format;   a mesh network comprising a plurality of sensors located in a facility for infrastructure-based real-time location tracking of objects and users in the facility, each of the plurality of sensors communicating with other sensors of the plurality of sensors utilizing a medium range wireless communication format, wherein each of the plurality of sensors operates in a geo-spatially fixed physical location in the facility; and   an information engine in communication with the mesh network, the information engine obtaining data on a near-field communication interaction between either plurality of first near-field communication devices or at least one first near-field communication devices and a second object, the near-field communication interaction comprising a position location of the interaction and a duration of the interaction.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the second object is fixed or mobile. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the near-field communication data comprises a number of previous interactions between the near-field communication devices within a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein a bearer of a near-field communication device is at least one of a medical professional, a patient, an asset, an object, an area of the facility, or a host for a tag. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein a near-field communication interaction occurs when the near-field communication devices are within a predetermined distance of each other. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the near-field communication interaction data further comprises a number of previous interactions between the first person and the second person within a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein each of the first plurality of near-field communication devices is mounted on a corresponding identification card or is an identification card. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the near-field communication interaction data further comprises at least one of or a combination of a previous location of the first object, a current location of the first object, a previous location of the second object, a current location of the second object, and the number of other objects located near the interaction. 
     
     
         14 . A method for determining a business relationship between individuals within a facility, the method comprising:
 transmitting a signal from a first near-field communication device associated with a first person, the first near-field communication device operating on a low power short-range wireless communication format and a medium range wireless communication format which is different than the low-power short-range wireless communication format;   receiving the signal from first near-field communication device at a second near-field communication device associated with a second person, the signal sent on a low power short-range wireless communication format, the second near-field communication device operating on a low power short-range wireless communication format and a medium range wireless communication format which is different than the low-power short-range wireless communication format;   determining that a near-field communication interaction is occurring between the first person and the second person based on the signal;   transmitting a signal using the medium range wireless communication format to a mesh network for transmission to an information engine;   determining a business relationship between the first person and the second person based on at least one of a plurality of factors comprising a position location of the interaction, a duration of the interaction, a previous location of the first person prior to the interaction, a previous location of the second person prior to the interaction and the number of other persons at the interaction.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the plurality of factors further comprises a position designation of the first person, a number of previous interactions between the first person and the second person within a predetermined time period, and a position designation of the second person. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising receiving a signal from the first near-field communication device at a mesh network established within the facility. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein a near-field communication interaction occurs when the near-field communication devices are within ten centimeters of each other.