Wireless Tracking System And Method For Analyzing An Interaction Between Objects

Abstract

The present invention provides a solution to determining an interaction between objects through wireless tracking. The present invention utilizes communication devices attached to objects that transmit signals for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility which forward the signals to an information engine for analysis.

I claim as my invention: 
     
         1 . A system for analyzing an interaction between objects bearing wireless communication devices within a facility, the system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors located within the facility;   an information engine in communication with the plurality of sensors;   a plurality of first objects, each of the plurality of first objects comprising a first wireless communication device; and   a plurality of second objects, each of the plurality of second objects comprising a second wireless communication device;   wherein the plurality of plug-in sensors are utilized for infrastructure-based real-time location tracking of the plurality of first objects and the plurality of second objects in the facility;   wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors communicates with other sensors of the plurality of sensors utilizing a wireless communication format;   wherein the plurality of sensors receives a wireless signal from the first wireless communication device of each of the plurality of first objects;   wherein the plurality of sensors receives a wireless signal from the second wireless communication device of each of the plurality of second objects;   wherein the information engine is configured to analyze an interaction between a first object and a second object having an interaction based on a plurality of factors comprising at least a position location of the interaction, an identification of the first object, an identification of the second object, and a duration of the interaction.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first object is fixed or mobile and the second object is mobile. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first object is a group of objects and the second object is a group of objects. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  the first object is fixed and the second object is a group of objects. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first object is mobile and the second object is a group of objects. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first object is a group of mobile objects and the second object is a group of mobile objects. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first object is a first person and the second object is a second person and the plurality of factors further comprises a position designation of the first person and a position designation of the second person. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the first object is a first person and the second object is a second person and the plurality of factors further comprises a number of previous interactions between the first person and the second person within a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein each of the first plurality of wireless communication devices is mounted on a corresponding identification card or is an identification card. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of factors further comprises a previous location of the first object, a previous location of the second object and the number of other objects located near the interaction. 
     
     
         11 . A method for analyzing an interaction between objects bearing wireless communication devices within a facility, the method comprising:
 transmitting a first wireless signal from a first wireless communication device associated with a first person;   transmitting a second wireless signal from a second wireless communication device associated with a second person;   receiving the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal at a plurality of sensors located within the facility and utilized for infrastructure-based real-time location tracking of objects and individuals in the facility, each sensor of the plurality of sensors communicating with other sensors of the plurality of sensors utilizing a wireless communication format;   determining that an interaction is occurring between the first person and the second person based on the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal;   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.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  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. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the plurality of factors further comprises a previous location of the first object, a previous location of the second object and the number of other objects located near the interaction. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising receiving the first wireless signal from the first wireless communication device at the second wireless communication device. 
     
     
         15 . A system for analyzing an interaction between objects bearing wireless communication devices within a facility, the system comprising:
 a plurality of peer-to-peer communication devices, each of the plurality of peer-to-peer wireless communication devices associated with an individual person, each of the plurality of peer-to-peer wireless communication devices transmitting a wireless signal;   a plurality of sensors located within the facility;   an information engine in communication with the plurality of sensors;   wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors communicates with other sensors of the plurality of sensors utilizing a wireless communication format;   wherein the plurality of sensors receives the wireless signal from the plurality of peer-to-peer wireless communication devices;   wherein the information engine is configured to analyze an interaction between plurality of peer-to-peer wireless communication devices based on a plurality of factors comprising at least a position location of the interaction, an identification of the first object, an identification of the second object, and a duration of the interaction.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein the information engine analyzes the interaction to determine a billing charge for services of the first person. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein the facility is a hospital and the information engine analyzes the interaction to determine medical services provided to a patient.