Computer-implemented system and method for tracking entity location

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method for tracking entity locations is provided. Pieces of medical equipment are each associated with a tracker and monitored. A plurality of reader systems are positioned within a medical facility. A request for a location of one of the pieces of medical equipment is received. The reader systems are interrogated for the tracker associated with the piece of medical equipment. The location of the piece of medical equipment is determined within the medical facility based on those reader systems that identify the tracker associated with the piece of medical equipment. The location of the piece of medical equipment is provided in response to the request.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented system for tracking entity locations, comprising:
 trackers each associated with a piece of medical equipment;   a plurality of reader systems positioned within in a medical facility;   a server comprising a central processing unit, memory, an input port to receive the location data from the database, and an output port, wherein the central processing unit is configured to:
 receive a request for a location of one of the pieces of medical equipment; 
 interrogate the reader systems for the tracker associated with the piece of medical equipment; 
 determine the location of the piece of medical equipment within the medical facility based on those reader systems that identify the tracker affixed to the piece of medical equipment; and 
 provide the location of the piece of medical equipment in response to the request. 
   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the central processing system obtains a location of the piece of medical equipment on a continuous basis or at predetermined times. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a database to store the obtained locations.   
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the central processing unit performs the following:
 selects a most recent obtained location from the database and   provides the most recent obtained location as the determined location of the piece of medical equipment when a time difference between the most recent obtained location and the request satisfies a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the central processing unit performs the following:
 determines a most recent obtained location from the database;   identifies a time at which the most recent obtained location was obtained;   determines a time of the request; and   determines a new location as the determined location of the piece of medical equipment when a time difference between the time of the most recent obtained location and the time of the request exceeds a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 3 , wherein the central processing system generates a history for the piece of medical equipment based on a plurality of the obtained locations in the database. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the central processing system receives with the request one or more of a name, identification number, make, or model for the piece of equipment. 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the reader systems comprise different signal ranges. 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the central processing system verifies an identity of the user prior to receipt of the request. 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the central processing system determines an availability of the piece of equipment based on the determined location. 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method for tracking entity locations, comprising:
 monitoring pieces of medical equipment each associated with a tracker affixed to that piece of medical equipment;   monitoring a plurality of reader systems in a medical facility;   receiving a request for a location of one of the pieces of medical equipment;   interrogating the reader systems for the tracker associated with the piece of medical equipment;   determining the location of the piece of medical equipment within the medical facility based on those reader systems that identify the tracker associated with the piece of medical equipment; and   providing the location of the piece of medical equipment in response to the request.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 obtaining a location of the piece of medical equipment on a continuous basis or at predetermined times.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 storing the obtained locations in a database.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 selecting a most recent obtained location from the database; and   providing the most recent obtained location as the determined location of the piece of medical equipment when a time difference between the most recent obtained location and the request satisfies a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 determining a most recent obtained location from the database;   identifying a time at which the most recent obtained location was obtained;   determining a time of the request; and   determining a new location as the determined location of the piece of medical equipment when a time difference between the time of the most recent obtained location and the time of the request exceeds a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 generating a history for the piece of medical equipment based on a plurality of the obtained locations in the database.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving with the request one or more of a name, identification number, make, or model for the piece of equipment.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein at least two of the reader systems comprise different signal ranges. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 verifying an identity of the user prior to receipt of the request.   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining an availability of the piece of equipment based on the determined location.