Abstract:
A system for monitoring tagged objects within a predefined area provides a user-friendly interactive interface for monitoring tagged objects in a predetermined area. The method of providing the user interface includes the steps of entering security information permitting users access to the interface, generating a first menu tool bar on a screen for initiating a plurality of functions and initiating a function selected from the first menu toolbar. The plurality of functions able to be initiated from he toolbar include at least two of monitoring a status of alarms on tags, associating a uniquely identified tag with an individual object, updating tag information, updating object identification information, and disabling tag monitoring system for a selected tag. The toolbar includes a plurality of icons, each of said icons representing a respective one of the plurality of functions. Selection of any one of the icons generates an display screen specific to the function selected.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to tag monitoring systems and, more specifically, to a user friendly interactive remotely controlled computer system for monitoring a tag attached to a patient or object and generating an alarm when the tag is carried outside a predetermined unauthorized area or the tag has been cut for removal from the person or object. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous other tracking and monitoring systems used for locating items within a designated area and generating an alarm signal when the items leave or are carried out of the designated area are provided in the prior art. Such systems include tag alarms placed on merchandise which must be disabled at the retail store registers. 
     Security access systems installed in doorways which require a user to key-in a combination code or pass an ID badge through a card reader are also provided in the prior art for monitoring the location of an item. Additionally, security and surveillance systems using a processor to generate a signal that is transmitted to perform task specific functions such as locking down of a site have also been developed for similar purposes. 
     While these systems may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, none provide all the unique features of the present invention. Therefore, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to tag monitoring systems and, more specifically, to a user friendly interactive remotely controlled computer system for monitoring a tag attached to a patient or object and generating an alarm when the tag is carried outside a predetermined unauthorized area or the tag has been cut for removal from the person or object. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system which is able to assign a tag to a patient upon admission to a health care facility and monitor the location of the patient while within the facility and until such time as the patient is discharged from the facility. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system able to protect patients from abduction by signaling authorized personnel upon detecting the patient is being taken from a designated area. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system able to prevent the substitution of identification from one patient to another, as in the case of swapping the tags of newborns. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system which is able to alert authorized personnel when an attempt is being made to disable or remove the tag from a patient. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system which is able to passively monitor a patient using strategically located sensors which will report movement of tagged patients authorized personnel. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system having a plurality of remote sensors able to transmit radio frequency signals to a central processing station, the central processing station recording and reporting the movement of a tagged patient within a health care facility to authorized personnel. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system including one or more user-friendly interactive central stations each having a monitor, a keyboard, a card reader, a transmitter, a receiver and a printer for reporting, displaying and editing data through the use of graphical user interfaces and capable of displaying a location of an alarm condition on a floor plan or floor plans of the facility. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system whereby a tag can be assigned to a patient for monitoring purposes. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system able to generate real time alarms and reports to thereby prevent unauthorized tampering or removal of a tag from the patient. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system wherein a plurality of sensors are positioned throughout a health care facility acting in concert with the tag of a patient to generate a record and, upon detection of certain predetermined conditions, causing an alarm signal to be generated. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system wherein staff and/or security personnel are able to disengage the system for a predetermined period of time in order to adjust the tag without causing the alarm signal to be generated. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system able to allow movement of a tagged patient from one location to another outside of a predetermined range of motion for a predetermined period of time whereby a return time for the patient is monitored and an alarm signal is generated upon expiration of the predetermined period of time or if the patient deviates from a path to be followed to a predetermined destination. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system including security access functions whereby a user must have an ID badge and/or password to access the system. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system which will deter individuals from criminal acts by its very presence and provide a comfort factor to the staff and patrons of the facility. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a patient monitoring and alarm system that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     A system for monitoring tagged objects within a predefined area provides a user-friendly interactive interface for monitoring tagged objects in a predetermined area is disclosed by the present invention. The method of providing the user interface includes the steps of entering security information permitting users access to the interface, generating a first menu tool bar on a screen for initiating a plurality of functions and initiating a function selected from the first menu toolbar. The plurality of functions able to be initiated from the toolbar include at least two of monitoring a status of alarms on tags, associating a uniquely identified tag with an individual object, updating tag information, updating object identification information, and disabling tag monitoring system for a selected tag. The toolbar includes a plurality of icons, each of said icons representing a respective one of the plurality of functions. Selection of any one of the icons generates an display screen specific to the function selected. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the inside of a health care facility including the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1A is a block diagram of one of the plurality of tags for use with the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B is a block diagram of one of the plurality of sensors for use with the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the central monitoring station of the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the functions of the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the graphical user interface used to enter a patient into the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention for assigning a tag to the patient; 
     FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the graphical user interface for the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention used to discharge a patient; 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the “transport” function initiated through an electronic form displayed on a monitor for the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention to request authorization from personnel in order to move a patient from one location to another within a specified period of time; 
     FIG. 5A illustrates a display provided by the computer of the patient monitoring and alarm system providing an alert that transport of a patient is overdue; 
     FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of the graphical user interface used by the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention to discharge a patient; 
     FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the “discharge” function initiated through an electronic form displayed on a monitor of the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention for requesting authorization from personnel in order to discharge a patient from the monitoring system; 
     FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of the graphical user interface of the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention used to adjust the band; 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the “adjust band” function initiated through an electronic form displayed on a monitor of the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention for requesting authorization from personnel in order to disable the alarm function of the tag for adjustment; 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a typical floor plan displayed by the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention, displaying an alarm condition caused by a patient entering within sensor range of an egress door; and 
     FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of another typical floor plan of the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention which can be selectively displayed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention 
       12  facility in which patient monitoring and alarm system is installed 
       14  central monitoring station 
       16  plurality of sensors 
       18  tag 
       20  person or object 
       22  central processor 
       24  monitor 
       26  transmitter/receiver 
       28  tag/barcode reader 
       30  keyboard 
       32  mouse 
       34  printer 
       36  processor of tag 
       37  power source of tag 
       38  memory of tag 
       39  receiver of tag 
       40  transmitter of tag 
       41  audible and visual indicators of tag 
       42  memory of sensor 
       44  processor of sensor 
       45  power source of sensor 
       46  receiver of sensor 
       48  transmitter of sensor 
       50  alarm map 
       52  audible alert generated by processor 
       54  admit function 
       56  data edit function 
       58  transport of a patient function 
       60  discharge function 
       62  band adjust function 
       64  data entry screen for admit function 
       66  patients last name entry box 
       68  patients first name entry box 
       70  patients room entry box 
       72  patient sex entry box 
       74  patient remarks entry box 
       76  tag identification number entry box 
       77  data entry screen for transport function 
       78  transport start time entry box 
       80  transport origin entry box 
       82  transport destination entry box 
       84  return time data entry box 
       85  screen indicating detection of an alarm situation 
       86  an alarm icon 
       88  box indicating the tag number causing generation of the alarm 
       90  box including description of event occurring when alarm situation determined 
       92  box including a description of the reason for generation of the alarm signal 
       94  box including the name of the patient 
       96  box including the room number of the patient 
       98  discharge icon on main menu screen 
       100  up/down arrows on side of screen 
       102  scroll bar on side of screen 
       103  discharge screen 
       104  box including information on date and time of last data entry 
       106  date and time the information was entered 
       108  tag icon 
       110  tag change screen 
       112  up/down arrows on side of screen 
       114  scroll bar on side of screen 
       116  enable box on tag change screen 
       118  change band box on tag change screen 
       120  floor plan of facility 
       122  alarm indication of infant at door on floor plan 
       124  alarm indication of tag cut on floor plan 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     The patient monitoring and alarm system  10  is installed within a desired facility  12  and includes a central monitoring station  14 , a plurality of sensors  16  strategically positioned around the facility and a plurality of tags  18  releasably connected to persons or objects  20  desired to be monitored. The sensors  16  monitor movement of the tags  18  as the persons or objects  20  to which the tags are attached move throughout the facility  12 . The sensors  16  receive signals from each tag  18  positioned within a predetermined distance therefrom. The tags  18  repeatedly transmit the identification signals so they may be constantly monitored by the sensors  16  positioned around the facility  12 . The sensors  16  transmit signals to the central monitoring station  14  indicating which tags  18  are within a predetermined distance therefrom. 
     Each tag  18 , as can be seen from FIG. 1A, includes a processor  34 , a memory  36 , an internal power source  37  and a transmitter  38 . The memory  36  is connected to the processor  34  and stores an identification code associated with its respective tag  18 . The processor  34  causes the transmitter  38  to repeatedly transmit a signal including the identification code at regularly timed intervals. The transmitted signal is preferably a radio frequency signal at a predetermined frequency which is able to be received by each of the plurality of sensors  16 . A power source  37  is also provided and connected to the processor  36  for supplying the elements of the tag  18  with an operating power. The tag  18  is hypo-allergenic, small, lightweight, water-resistant, and easily sterilized for reuse. The tag  18  also includes a selective locking latch for releasably securing the tag  18  to a person or object to be monitored. In addition, the tags  18  can have a receiver  39  and additional components such as audio and visual indicators  41  which can interact with the strategically placed sensors  16  to instantly alert the tagged patient, care taker, or security personnel positioned in the vicinity of a tag  18  that a patient to which the tag  18  is attached is leaving a predetermined permissible area. If the tag is cut or unlocked without prior authorization, the transmitter  40  will transmit a signal to the central monitoring station  14  indicating the tag has been cut or removed. Receipt of this signal by the central monitoring station  14  will cause an alarm signal to be generated. 
     Each of the plurality of sensors  16 , as illustrated in FIG. 1B, includes a memory  42  for storing an identification code associated therewith, a processor  44 , a power source  45 , a receiver  46  and a transmitter  48 . The memory  42  stores an identification code for the sensor  16  thereby allowing the central monitoring station  12  to identify the particular sensor  16  when a signal is received therefrom. The power source  45  is connected to the processor  44  of the sensor  16  for supplying operating power thereto. The power source  45  may be an internal battery or a connection to an external power supply. The receiver  46  is tuned to receive the signals transmitted by the tags  18 . As the tag signals are preferably radio frequency signals, the receiver  46  is preferably adapted for receiving radio frequency signals. However, any type of receiver may be used as long as it is able to receive the signals transmitted by the transmitter  40  of the tags  18 . The memory  42  is connected to the processor  40 . The processor  40  acts to retrieve the identification code from the memory  42  at regular predetermined timed intervals and causes the transmitter  48  to transmit a signal including the identification code of the sensor  16  and the identification code of each tag  18  for which a signal has been received to the central monitoring station  14 . The strategically placed sensors  16  communicate with the central monitoring station  14  by either hardwire or wireless transmission methods. The identification code of each sensor  16  is transmitted along with the received identifying code of the tags  18  within a predefined area from the sensor  16  thereby enabling the central monitoring station  14  to ascertain the location of any tag  18  at regular predetermined intervals of time. Further the strategically placed sensors  16  can be selectively repositioned to conform to special needs. Such special needs allows for adjustment of the positioning of the sensors  16  to allow a patient access to a designated area without the need to reprogram the central monitoring station  14  or triggering an alarm by the central monitoring station  14 . 
     The central monitoring station  14  is illustrated in FIG.  1 C and is able to receive the signals transmitted by each of the plurality of sensors  16  via the transmitter/receiver  26 . The central monitoring station  14  includes a central processor  22  and monitor  24 . The processor  22  is connected to a transmitter/receiver  26  which receives signals from and transmits signals to the plurality of sensors  16  and tags  18 . The transmitter/receiver  26  receives the identification signals from each sensor  16  and passes the signals to the processor  22  of the central monitoring station  14 . The processor  22  analyzes the received signals to determine which sensor  16  transmitted the signal, the location of the sensor  16  and the tags  18  positioned near the sensor  16 . Based upon this information the processor  22  is able to determine if a tag  18  is positioned within its predetermined allowed area or has wandered into a restricted area. 
     As can be seen from FIG. 1C, the central monitoring station  14  includes the central processor  22 , a monitor  24 , the transmitter/receiver  26 , a tag/barcode reader  28 , a keyboard  30 , a mouse  32  and a printer  34 . The central processor  22  is provided with a memory for storing information which is input thereto. The memory of the processor  22  of the central monitoring station  14  stores all data concerning each tag  18  to be monitored by the patient monitoring and alarm system  10  and each sensor  16 . This data includes identification information for each tag  18  and sensor  16  and a predetermined area defining the limits of travel permitted for each tag  18 . Also stored in the memory of the processor  22  of the central monitoring system  14  are any particular conditions for individual tags  18  and sensors  16  which need to be taken into account when processing the received signals as will be discussed hereinafter. 
     The identification number of each tag  18  may be read into the processor  22  for storage in the memory by the tag/barcode reader  28  by scanning a code, e.g. a bar code, placed on each tag  18 . The patient monitoring and alarm system  10  also processes data signals received by the transmitter/receiver  26  from each of the plurality of sensors  16  and tags  18  in the central processor  22 . The signals include information regarding the location of each tag  18  to determine if each tag  18  and thus person or object  20  to which each tag  18  is connected is located in a permissible area or has wandered outside the permitted area. The keyboard  30  and mouse  32  are used to manually input data to the processor  22  as will be discussed hereinafter. The monitor  24  displays information concerning the location of the sensors  16  within the facility and displays data entry screens for aiding the user in inputting data to the central processor  22  and editing data stored in the central processor  22 . Software stored in the memory creates data input screens to be displayed by the monitor  24  to thereby create a user friendly system in which a person monitoring the tag locations can readily input and edit information in the system and monitor activities within the facility  12 . A printer  34  is connected to the central processor  22  for providing a hard copy of information processed by the central processor  22  regarding the locations of each of the tags  18  and whether any of the tags  18  have entered an area without authorization or traveled outside a predetermined path. In addition, the central monitoring system  14  has security access measures whereby the tag/barcode reader  28  reads ID badges issued to authorized personnel and/or a password needs to be entered by the authorized personnel in order to gain access to certain patient information and tag related functions. 
     The processor  22  is preprogrammed with a patient monitoring software program which is able to process the information received from the sensors  16  regarding sensor location and information concerning which tags  18  are positioned within an area monitored by each individual sensor  16 . The flow chart illustrated in FIG. 2 shows the operation of the central processing station  14  for monitoring the location of the tags  18  within the facility. The central monitoring station  14  monitors the location of the tags  18  in accordance with a stored interactive software program wherein information and data concerning each tag  18  is entered by a user and the software program monitors each tag  18  in accordance with the input information and data received from the plurality of sensors  16 . The software also provides the central processor  22  with a collection of graphical user interface screens to be displayed on the monitor  24  thereby providing user friendly means for assigning tags to patients, displaying data entered, querying data entered, modifying data entered, archiving data entered and reporting data entered. 
     Further the central monitoring station  14  includes the transmitter/receiver  26  for receiving sensor transmissions which are selectively displayed on the monitor  24  in an illustrative floor plan or floor plans. The floor plan displays the plurality of sensor devices which perform the reporting function of the central monitoring system and the position of the tags relative to the sensors. In addition the central monitoring system  14  may include a plurality of remote keypads whereupon authorized personnel can key in their authorization code while transporting a patient having a tag attached thereto from one location to another. 
     Each tag  18  is programmed with a specific identification number and assigned to a particular person or object  20 . The software controlling the operation of the central processor  22  includes an alarm map  50  depicting a floor plan or floor plans of the facility in which the patient monitoring system  10  is installed and displays the position of the plurality of sensors within the floor plan and inserts information received from the plurality of sensors concerning the location of each of the tags  18 . The alarm map  50  will automatically be displayed by the monitor  24  when the processor  22  determines that a tag has moved outside of a predetermined permissible area for the tag  18  or that a tag has been cut or damaged in some manner based upon analysis of the signals received from the sensors  16 . The processor  22  will generate an audible alert  52  and display the position of the tag causing the audible alert  52  on the floor plan. An illustration of the alarm map  50  upon detection of an audible alert by the processor  22  is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. 
     Information concerning the identification number and person or object  20  to which the tag  18  is associated is entered into the central processor  22  using the admit function  54  shown in the figure. Upon accessing the admit function  54  using the interactive display screen on the monitor  24 , the tag identification number is read by the barcode reader  28  for storage in the central processor  22  and pertinent information regarding the person or object  20  is entered for storage in the central processor  22  via the keyboard  30 . Accessing the admit function  54  causes the central processor  22  to generate an electronic form which is displayed on the monitor  24  providing means for entering patients into the monitoring system, the form displayed upon accessing the admit function is shown in FIG.  3  and will be described hereinafter. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the electronic form  64  generated upon entering the admit function  60 . The form  64  includes designated points of entry for the patients last name  66 , patients first name  68 , patients room number  70 , patients sex  72 , patient remarks  74  and patients assigned tag number  76 . The information is entered via the keyboard  30  and electronically recorded and stored in the memory of the central processor  22  for future reference by the various functions of the monitoring system. Entry of this data is performed by moving a cursor around the screen to the desired box and typing in the requisite information. Movement from box to box can be performed by moving a cursor arrow with the mouse  32  or using the tab key on the keyboard  30  as in most conventional data entry systems. Upon entry of information into the form  64 , the information will be added to a list of admitted patients shown below the data entry portion of the form  64 . 
     When it is desired to move a patient or infant to which a tag is connected, the permissible area in which the tag may be located must be edited. Editing of the permissible area for transport of a tag is performed by entering a transport function  58  from the main menu generated by the central processor  22 . Entering of the transport function  58  causes the central processor  22  to generate an electronic form  77  to be displayed on the monitor  24 . This form  77  allows authorized personnel to enter a route along which the patient or infant will be moved and thereby allow movement of the patient from one location to another within a specified period of time. An illustration of the electronic form  77  used to edit the allowable location for a tag to be transported and sets forth a route which the tag must follow is shown in FIG. 4. A flow chart of the operation of transporting a patient or infant to which a tag  18  is attached is illustrated in FIG.  5 . When the tag  18  deviates from the course set forth when editing the information on the display associated with the transport function or takes more than the allotted time period to be transported to a desired area, an alarm screen is generated by the microprocessor, an exemplary alarm screen generated due to this condition is illustrated in FIG.  5 A. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the form  77  generated when it is desired to edit the information regarding a tag  18  in order to transport a patient or infant to a different location within the facility  12 . This form provides data input sections for time at which transport will start  76 , the transport zone from which the patient will be leaving  78 , the location to which the patient will be transported  80  and the time required for transport  82  (when the patient will be returned to the original location). Upon entering this information, the patient will be allowed to exit the original permissible area at the start time and for a period of time ending upon passage of the return time without triggering generation of an audible alert signal  52  by the central processor  22 . A path for transport will be set up by the monitoring system and will be monitored to determine if the patient has deviated from the path. Should the central processor  22  determine that the patient has deviated from the path, the processor  22  will generate an audible alert signal  52  indicating such. 
     A flow chart illustrating the procedure for editing the information within the system to allow for transport of a patient is illustrated in FIG.  5 . The personnel making the request or transporting the patient must enter identification information to the system. This identification information will be verified against an authorized personnel database to determine that the transporter has authorization to transport the patient. The identification information may be entered by passing an identification card through the card reader  28  or entering the information on the keyboard  30 . Upon receiving authorization, the transporter will select the transport function  58  from the main menu screen and enter the transport information on the transport data entry screen  77 . The monitoring system will then monitor the movement of the patient to which the tag is attached through signals received from the plurality of sensors  16  and by verifying and logging all sensor data. The processor  22  will record the progress of the patient through the facility between the beginning and ending destination points of the transport. The logged information will be provided to the printer for producing a hard copy log of the transport of the patient. Should the attendant and or patient deviate from their predetermined location or path of egress or the allocated time has elapsed, an alarm warning function will be initiated. 
     A display screen as illustrated in FIG. 5A will be generated when the allocated time for transport has elapsed. As can be seen from this figure, an alarm icon  86  is generated on the screen along with a box  88  indicating the tag number causing generation of the alarm, a box  90  including a description of the event occurring when the alarm situation was determined, a box  92  including a description of the reason for generation of the alarm signal, a box  94  including the name of the patient and a box  96  including the room number of the patient. An audible alarm is also generated at the central monitoring station  14  to alert any personnel in the vicinity as to the alarm situation. A signal may also be transmitted to the tag  18  causing the generation of the alarm signal in order to trigger any audible and visual alarm thereon. 
     When it is desired to discharge a patient or infant to which a tag  18  is connected, the information regarding the tag  18  must be removed from the system. Removing of this information from the system is performed by entering a discharge function  60  from the main menu generated by the central processor  22 . Entering the discharge function  60  generates an electronic form allowing authorized personnel to remove a patient from the monitoring system. An exemplary form generated by the central processor  22  upon entering the discharge function  60  is illustrated in FIG. 6. A flow chart illustrating the operation of removing the information from the monitoring system is illustrated in FIG.  7 . 
     In order to enter the discharge function  60  as illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 7, any authorized user will move a pointer on the main menu screen using the mouse  32  to the discharge icon  98  and select the icon by pressing a button on the mouse  32 . The authorized personnel is then instructed to enter identification information by either passing an ID card through the card reader  28  or entering a password using the keyboard  30 . Once the system has verified the identification information, the previously entered data comprising the patients last name  66 , patients first name  68 , patients room number  70 , patients sex  72 , patient remarks  74  and patients assigned tag number  76  will be displayed along with the date and time the information was entered  104  will be displayed on the discharge screen  103  shown in FIG.  6 . The user will then move the arrow icon with the mouse  32  to the arrows  100  located on the left side bar  102  of the screen  103  and press the button on the mouse to scroll the data until the desired patient information has been located. The authorized personnel will select the information for the desired patient by moving the arrow to point to the information and pressing the button on the mouse to select the information. The user will then move the pointing device to the accept icon and press the button on the mouse thereby selecting the desired patient information. This information will then be inserted at a top portion of the screen wherein any authorized personnel can edit the information by simply moving the icon into the desired box and typing in new information. 
     When it is desired to adjust the tag  18  on a patient or infant to which the tag  18  is connected, the information concerning the tag  18  must be edited to prevent the processor  22  from generating an audible alert thereby allowing the tag to be unlocked and adjusted. Temporary removal of a tag  18  without generation of an audible alarm signal being generated is performed by entering a band adjust function  62  from the main menu generated by the central processor  22 . Entering the band adjust function  62  will cause a pause in the monitoring of the tag  18  for a predetermined period of time. The authorized user will enter the band adjust function  62  by moving the arrow on the monitor screen over to the tag icon  108  and press the key on the mouse  32 . Selection of the tag icon  108  causes the central processor  22  to generate an electronic form  110  allowing authorized personnel to delay monitoring of the desired tag  18  for a predetermined period of time by the monitoring system. An exemplary form  110  generated by the central processor  22  upon entering the band adjust function  62  is illustrated in FIG. 8. A flow chart illustrating the operation of removing or adjusting a tag  18  is illustrated in FIG.  9  and is described below with reference to the band adjust screen form  110  shown in FIG.  8 . 
     When it is desired to adjust or remove a tag  18  from its connection to a patient, an authorized user of the system must enter the band adjust function  62 . The authorized user making the request is instructed to pass their ID badge through the card reader or enter a password on the keyboard  32  which will log and verify the request for future reporting needs while checking the validity of the identification information. Upon verification of the identification information, the tag adjust screen form  110  will be generated by the central processor  22  and displayed on the monitor  24 . The user will then move the arrow icon with the mouse  32  to the arrows  112  located on the left side bar  114  of the screen  110  and press the button on the mouse to scroll the data until the desired patient information has been located. The authorized personnel will move the pointing device to point to the desired information and press the button on the mouse  32  to select the desired patient information. This information will then be inserted at a top portion of the screen. Upon moving the arrow to point to the enable section  116  of the change band box  118  the button on the mouse  32  is pressed to enable the change band function. The selected patient information will be moved to historical data files and the tag  18  will be inhibited from initiating an alarm function for a predetermined period of time providing means for the attendant to remove the tag from the patient. This allows for removing or adjusting the tag  18  on a patient for a predetermined period of time before an audible alert signal will be generated by the central processor  22 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a floor plan  120  of the facility  12 . In FIG. 10, an instance where an alarm situation has been detected is shown. When the alarm situation is detected by the central processor  22 , the alarm icon is displayed on the screen  120  and the event box  90  indicates that an infant has moved too close to a doorway. The sensor  16  adjacent the doorway had sent a signal indicating a tag bad moved into the area therearound causing the alarm situation. The alarm is further indicated by displaying the location  122  of the alarm situation in the floor plan  120 . An audible alarm can also be generated at the central monitoring station  14  and the transmitter  26  can also transmit a signal to the tag  18  which has been detected by the sensor  16  as being too close to the doorway causing audible and visual alarms to be generated by the tag  18 . This will alert anyone in the vicinity of the tag  18  that the tag  18  has moved outside its predetermined allowed area. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates an alarm situation in which the microprocessor has detected a signal from a tag  18  indicating the tag  18  has been cut. When the alarm situation is detected by the central processor  22 , the alarm icon is displayed on the screen  120  and the event box  90  indicates that a tag has been cut. The alarm situation is further indicated by displaying the location  124  of the alarm situation in the floor plan  120 . An audible alarm can also be generated at the central monitoring station  14  and the transmitter  26  can also transmit a signal to the tag  18  which sent the tag cut signal to the processor  22  causing audible and visual alarms to be generated by the tag  18 . This will alert anyone in the vicinity of the tag  18  that the tag  18  has moved outside its predetermined allowed area, All of the aforementioned function requests are subjected to a security check of the individual making the request. The individual having an ID badge passes the badge through a card reader  28  which verifies the users request against a database of authorized personnel and logs the request for future reporting requirements. The transport discharge and band adjust functions inhibit the tag or monitoring system from engaging the alarm for a predetermined period of time. The discharge and band adjust functions terminate the alarm function once the tag is unlocked for a predetermined period of time. The transport function disables the alarm function as long as the allocated time before returning to the designated area has not been exceeded and the patient passes through those sensor area designated by the authorized attendant prior to removal from the patient&#39;s designated area. Should the attendant deviate from the predetermined destination or the allocated time has been exceeded then an alarm warning function will be initiated and warning display on the monitor screen. 
     The operation of the patient monitoring and alarm system  10  will now be described with reference to the figures. In operation, the patient monitoring and alarm system  10  is installed in a facility by strategically positioning the sensors  16  at different positions throughout the facility and the central monitoring station is set up at a desired location. The transmitter/receiver  26  is connected to the central processor  22  for transmitting signals in response to a command from the processor  22  and receiving signals from the sensors  16  and tags  18 . The keyboard  30 , mouse  32  and card reader  28  are connected to the processor  22  for inputting data thereto. The printer  34  is connected to the processor  22  for printing a hard copy of logs recorded by the processor concerning movement of the tags  18 . Once the central monitoring station is set up, the monitor  24  will show a main menu screen which provides access to any function for entering and editing data within the processor  22 . The patient monitoring and alarm system  10  is now ready to begin monitoring the facility  12 . 
     In order to input information concerning a patient and assign a tag to the patient, the admit function is selected from the main menu. The user of the system will then scan a tag to be assigned tot he patient using the card reader  28  and the user will then input information concerning the patient into the spaces provided including the room number. This process may be repeated for each patient to be entered into the system. Preferably the patient will remain within their room and thus the processor will determine when the patient approaches the sensor located in the doorway of their room. Upon determining such, the processor  22  will generate an audible alarm at the central monitoring station  14  and at the tag  18 . 
     If it is desired to edit user information, the user will select the edit function on the main menu and then a screen containing information on each patient is displayed on the edit screen. The user will scroll through this information to find the information on the patient whose information needs to be edited and select that information. Using the keyboard  30 , the user will then edit the information on the screen concerning that patient. 
     If it is desired to transport a patient from their room, the transport function will be selected from the main menu. The transport menu screen will then be displayed containing information on each patient. The user will scroll through this information to find the information on the patient who is to be transported and select that information. Using the keyboard  30 , the user will then indicate the transport destination and the time period for the transport. The processor will then monitor the path taken by the patient and generate an alarm signal if the patient deviates from the path or if the patient is not returned to their room upon expiration of the entered transport time. 
     If it is desired to adjust or temporarily remove a tag from a patient then the tag function will be selected from the main menu. The adjust menu screen will then be displayed containing information on each patient. The user will scroll through this information to find the information on the patient whose tag  18  is to be adjusted or temporarily removed and select that information. Using the mouse  32 , the user will move the arrow on the screen to the change band enable box and press the mouse button to select the change band enable option. This will cause the processor  22  to stop monitoring the selected tag for a predetermined period of time so the tag may be adjusted. Upon expiration of the time period the processor will generate an alarm signal if the tag is not reattached. 
     If it is desired to discharge a patient the discharge function is selected from the main menu. The discharge menu screen will then be displayed containing information on each patient. The user will scroll through this information to find the information on the patient who is to be discharged and select that information. Using the keyboard  30  the user will then delete this information from the screen and thus the processor will discontinue monitoring the tag assigned to that patient. 
     From the above description it can be seen that the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices by providing a patient monitoring and alarm system which is able to assign a tag to a patient upon admission to a health care facility and monitor the location of the patient while within the facility and until such time as the patient is discharged from the facility. The patient monitoring and alarm system is thus able to protect patients from abduction by signaling authorized personnel upon detecting the patient is being taken from a designated area, prevent the substitution of identification from one patient to another, as in the case of swapping the tags of newborns and alert authorized personnel when an attempt is being made to disable or remove the tag from a patient. The patient monitoring and alarm system passively monitors a patient using strategically located sensors which will report movement of tagged patients authorized personnel using a plurality of remote sensors which are able to transmit radio frequency signals to a central processing station, the central processing station recording and reporting the movement of a tagged patient within a health care facility to authorized personnel. The patient monitoring and alarm system also includes one or more user-friendly interactive central stations each having a monitor, a keyboard, a card reader, a transmitter, a receiver and a printer for reporting, displaying and editing data through the use of graphical user interfaces and capable of displaying a location of an alarm condition on a floor plan or floor plans of the facility. The patient monitoring and alarm system assigns as tag to a patient for monitoring purposes and generates real time alarms and reports to thereby prevent unauthorized tampering or removal of a tag from the patient. The patient monitoring and alarm system is able to be disengages for a predetermined period of time in order to adjust the tag without causing the alarm signal to be generated and allows movement of a tagged patient from one location to another outside of a predetermined range of motion for a predetermined period of time whereby a return time for the patient is monitored and an alarm signal is generated upon expiration of the predetermined period of time or if the patient deviates from a path to be followed to a predetermined destination. Furthermore, the patient monitoring and alarm system of the present invention is simple and easy to use and economical in cost to manufacture. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.