Video monitoring system

Abstract

A asset tracking system includes a camera adapted to capture images and output signals representative of the images. The camera may include one or more depth sensors that detect distances between the depth sensor and objects positioned within the field of view of the one or more cameras. A computer device processes the image signals and or depth signals from cameras and determines any one or more of the following: (a) whether a patient care protocol has been properly followed; (b) what condition a patient is in; (c) whether an infection control protocol has been properly followed; and (d) whether steps have been taken to reduce the risk of a patient from falling. Alerts may be issued if any conditions of importance are detected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An asset tracking system for a healthcare facility comprising:
 a camera adapted to capture images and output signals representative of the images;   a database containing visual data regarding a visual appearance of a medical device; and   a computer device in communication with the camera and the database, the computer device adapted to process the signals to determine an identity of the medical device by comparing the signals with the visual data stored in the database.   
     
     
         2 . The asset tracking system of  claim 1  wherein the computer device forwards the identity of the medical device to an asset tracking system. 
     
     
         3 . The asset tracking system of  claim 1  wherein the computer device determines a location of the medical device. 
     
     
         4 . The asset tracking system of  claim 1  wherein the visual data includes data regarding at least one of the following: a size of the medical device, a shape of the medical device, and a color of the medical device. 
     
     
         5 . The asset tracking system of  claim 1  wherein the medical device is a patient support apparatus adapted to support a patient thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The asset tracking system of  claim 5  wherein the computer device is further adapted to determine a type of the patient support apparatus based upon the visual data. 
     
     
         7 . The asset tracking system of  claim 5  wherein the computer device is further adapted to process the signals to determine an absence or presence of the patient on the patient support apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The asset tracking system of  claim 1  wherein the camera includes a depth sensing device adapted to detect the distance between the depth sensing device and the medical device. 
     
     
         9 . The asset tracking system of  claim 8  wherein the depth sensing device is adapted to emit infrared light and detect reflections of the infrared light from the medical device. 
     
     
         10 . The asset tracking system of  claim 1  wherein the database contains visual data regarding visual appearances of a plurality of other medical devices, the plurality of other medical devices being of a different type than the medical device. 
     
     
         11 . The asset tracking system of  claim 5  wherein the camera includes a depth sensing device adapted to detect the distance between the depth sensing device and the patient positioned on the patient support apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The asset tracking system of  claim 11  wherein the computer device is further adapted to process the signals to estimate a likelihood of the patient exiting the patient support apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . A method of tracking assets within a healthcare facility comprising:
 capturing images with a camera positioned within a room;   storing in a database visual data regarding visual appearances of a plurality of medical devices; and   processing signals output from the camera and using the processed signals and the stored visual data to identify a particular medical device positioned within the room, the particular medical device being one of the plurality of medical devices.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further including associating a location of the camera with a location of the identified medical device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the storing of visual data in the database includes storing data regarding at least one of the following: a size of the medical device, a shape of the medical device, and a color of the medical device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the medical device is a patient support apparatus adapted to support a patient thereon. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further including identifying a type of the patient support apparatus based upon the visual data. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further including emitting an infrared signal toward the medical device, detecting reflections of the infrared signal from the medical device, and determining a distance to the medical device based upon the reflections. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the storing of visual data in the database includes storing data regarding visual appearances of a plurality of other medical devices, the plurality of other medical devices being of a different type than the medical device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further including processing the signals from the camera to estimate a likelihood of the patient exiting the patient support apparatus.