Wireless Tracking System And Method For Backhaul Of Information

Abstract

The present invention provides a solution to backhauling health information. The present invention utilizes a mesh network to backhaul the health information. The system includes a plurality of first tags, a mesh network, and an information engine. Each of the tags represents a first object. The mesh network preferably includes a plurality of plug-in sensors located within the facility. At least one node in the mesh network operates as healthcare device. The information engine is in communication with the mesh network and determines a position location of the healthcare device and an operation of the healthcare device.

1 . A system for backhauling health information over a network, the system comprising:
 a plurality of first tags, each of the plurality of first tags representing a first object;   a network comprising a plurality of sensors located within the facility;   a healthcare device, wherein the healthcare device is an end point in the network; and   an information engine in communication with the network;   wherein information from the healthcare device is backhauled over the network to the information;   wherein the information engine is configured to determine a position location of the healthcare device and an operation of the healthcare device based on the information.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first object is fixed or mobile. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the healthcare device is at least one of a fluid pump, heart monitor, ventilation pump and electrocardiogram. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the network routes information from the healthcare device to a predetermined destination. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the information comprises an identity of the person to last accessed the healthcare device. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the information comprises how much time remains before the healthcare device needs to be serviced. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the information comprises the type of chemicals in the healthcare device. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the information comprises the status of the healthcare device. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein each of a plurality of firmware upgrades is transmitted over the network to the healthcare device. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the healthcare device operates as a RTLS device using one of an ultrasound, an infrared and a radiofrequency communication format. 
     
     
         11 . An Enhanced-Accuracy Enterprise-Wide RTLS System, the system comprising:
 a plurality of first tags, each of the plurality of first tags representing a first object;   a network comprising a plurality of sensors located within the facility; and   a plurality of RTLS devices, each of the plurality of RTLS device configured to operate as an end point in the network using one of ultrasound, infrared, and a radiofrequency medium, wherein each of the plurality of RTLS devices transmit to at least one of a plurality of sensors in the network;   wherein the network backhauls RTLS information from each of the plurality of RTLS devices to a predetermined destination.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the network operates as an RTLS system. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the network operates as a secondary RTLS system and a backhaul for information from each of the plurality of RTLS devices. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11  wherein the each of the plurality of RTLS devices operates as a healthcare device. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the healthcare device is at least one of a fluid pump, heart monitor, ventilation pump and electrocardiogram. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the network routes information from the healthcare device to a predetermined destination. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the network transmits data related to who accessed the healthcare device last. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the network transmits data related to how much time is left before the device needs to be serviced. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the network transmits data related to the status of the device. 
     
     
         20 . A system for backhauling health information over a network, the system comprising:
 a plurality of first tags, each of the plurality of first tags representing a first object;   a network comprising a plurality of sensors located within the facility, the plurality of sensors communicating over the network using a medium range wireless communication format;   a healthcare device, wherein the healthcare device is an end point in the network, the healthcare device utilizing an ultrasound, an infrared or a radiofrequency communication format; and   an information engine in communication with the network;   wherein information from the healthcare device is backhauled over the network to the information;   wherein the information engine is configured to determine a position location of the healthcare device and an operation of the healthcare device based on the information.