Abstract:
The “RFID Paging Infrastructure” uses RFID technology to provide a low-cost localized message paging system. When a stationary RFID transceiver detects a programmable RFID tag, the transceiver reads an identifier from the RFID tag. The RFID transceiver causes a computer to determine whether a message stored in a database is intended for the RFID tag, and responsive to a determination that a message is intended for the RFID tag, the RFID transceiver transmits the message to the RFID tag. The message is saved in a memory on the programmable RFID tag. The message in the memory on the RFID tag can be read with a hand-held display device or the RFID tag can be coupled with an integrated display device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to telecommunications and relates specifically to identifying a RFID tag and transmitting a message intended for the RFID tag to the RFID tag and displaying the message with a RFID tag reader. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Message paging is an essential communication tool for the healthcare industry, particularly large medical facilities such as hospitals with multiple wings, buildings, and separate campuses. Message paging enables hospital staff to notify doctors and other personnel of emergencies, patient status, room availability, equipment failures, and other issues that may arise. 
         [0003]    Another technology used by the healthcare industry is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for inventory and asset tracking. RFID tags are small electronic devices with an antenna that responds to queries from RFID transceivers. Every RFID tag has a unique identifier, and can contain other data related to the tag or to the item on which the tag is affixed. RFID tags are applied to assets and equipment such as beds, gurneys, carts, medical monitors, and computers for asset tracking. RFID tags are used with patient wrist bands for verifying identity and staff identification cards for granting access to restricted areas of the medical facility. Stationary RFID tag readers and transceivers can identify RFID tags in the vicinity of the stationary RFID tag reader, assisting hospital personnel in locating assets or people or for granting access to a restricted area. Portable RFID tag readers are used for taking inventory, or verifying a patient&#39;s identity before performing a procedure or administering medicines. Active, programmable RFID tags have a memory that can be repeatedly reprogrammed with new information. Programmable RFID tags are used, for example, with patient identification wrist bands to store and update medical information and prescribed medicine dosages. 
         [0004]    Maintaining comprehensive cellular phone and pager coverage across a healthcare facility is essential. But the costs to support coverage by multiple telecommunication systems can be prohibitive. Programmable RFID tags are already in use, but are not presently available for message paging. Thus, a need exists for a message paging system using pre-existing RFID infrastructure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The “RFID Paging Infrastructure” uses RFID technology to provide a low-cost localized message paging system. When a stationary RFID transceiver detects a programmable RFID tag, the transceiver reads an identifier from the RFID tag. The RFID transceiver causes a computer to determine whether a message is intended for the RFID tag, and responsive to a determination that a message is intended for the RFID tag, the RFID transceiver transmits the message to the RFID tag. The message is saved in a memory on the programmable RFID tag. The message in the memory on the RFID tag can be read with a display device. 
         [0006]    A message can be entered into a database on a general purpose computer that stores the message with the RFID tag identifier associated with the intended recipient RFID tag. If a RFID tag is associated with a piece of equipment, a corresponding message could relate to the piece of equipment&#39;s assigned location, the equipment&#39;s status and maintenance schedule. If the RFID tag is associated with a staff member, corresponding messages could be official or personal communications intended for the staff member. If the RFID tag is associated with a patient, corresponding messages could include updates to the patient&#39;s medical records or prescribed medicine dosages. 
         [0007]    The display device can have multiple embodiments. In a first embodiment, the display device is a hand-held RFID symbol reader. Hand-held RFID symbol readers are known in the art, and generally employ a small liquid crystal display (LCD) screen to show information stored on a RFID tag. Hand-held RFID symbol readers generally resemble a scanner gun or personal digital assistant (PDA). In a second embodiment, the display device is integrated directly with a RFID tag, in a manner similar to an ordinary alpha-numeric pager, having a LCD display coupled to the RFID tag, operable to display alpha-numeric text stored in the RFID tag&#39;s memory. The RFID tag with integrated display device can be used in place of an ordinary alpha-numeric pager for sending messages to people. A simplified version of the integrated display device has a indicator, such as a light emitting diode (LED), that turns on to indicate that a message has been received by the RFID tag, and that the message needs to be read using another display device. In the simplified integrated display, different colored LEDs can be used to indicate the importance of the message. For example, red may be used for a critical message, and green may be used for a message of normal importance. Similarly, a flashing LED can indicate a critical message, and a solid LED can indicate a message of normal importance. Other display devices could also be used, such as a RFID reader coupled directly to a general purpose computer or PDA that displays on a screen the information stored on a RFID tag. 
         [0008]    One feature of the RFID Paging Infrastructure is that the apparatus is aware of the location of detected RFID tags. Because RFID transceivers only detect RFID tags within a localized vicinity, the location of the object to which the RFID tag is affixed is known based on which RFID transceiver detects the affixed RFID tag. With location awareness, the message intended for a RFID tag can change with the RFID tag&#39;s location. For example, a RFID tag on a piece of equipment assigned to one section of a hospital normally contains a message related to the piece of equipment&#39;s functional status. But if the piece of equipment is moved to another part of the hospital, the message can be changed to indicate that the piece of equipment is in the wrong place and needs to be returned. As another example, the location awareness of the RFID Paging Infrastructure enables personal messages to a surgeon to be blocked while the surgeon is in an operating room. 
         [0009]    An additional embodiment of the RFID Paging Infrastructure routes messages intended for a first RFID tag to a second RFID tag when the first RFID tag can not be located. Thus, important messages can be sent to a RFID tag that an intended recipient is likely to scan with a hand-held display device, or to a RFID tag at a nearby location that has a LED indicator that the intended recipient is likely to see. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be understood best by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary computer network and RFID infrastructure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  describes programs and files in a memory on a computer; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a message input component; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a paging component; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a reading component; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows the functional components of a RFID transceiver; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows the functional components of a RFID tag; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows the functional components of a RFID tag with an integrated display device; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows the functional components of a hand-held RFID reader embodiment of a display device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    The principles of the present invention are applicable to a variety of computer hardware and software configurations. The term “computer hardware” or “hardware,” as used herein, refers to any machine or apparatus that is capable of accepting, performing logic operations on, storing, or displaying data, and includes without limitation processors and memory; the term “computer software” or “software,” refers to any set of instructions operable to cause computer hardware to perform an operation. A “computer,” as that term is used herein, includes without limitation any useful combination of hardware and software, and a “computer program” or “program” includes without limitation any software operable to cause computer hardware to accept, perform logic operations on, store, or display data. A computer program may, and often is, comprised of a plurality of smaller programming units, including without limitation subroutines, modules, functions, methods, and procedures. Thus, the functions of the present invention may be distributed among a plurality of computers and computer programs. The invention is described best, though, as a single computer program that configures and enables one or more general-purpose computers to implement the novel aspects of the invention. For illustrative purposes, the inventive computer program will be referred to as the “RFID Paging Infrastructure.” 
         [0021]    Additionally, the RFID Paging Infrastructure is described below with reference to an exemplary network of hardware devices, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . A “network” comprises any number of hardware devices coupled to and in communication with each other through a communication medium, such as the Internet. A “communications medium” includes without limitation any physical, optical, electromagnetic, or other medium through which hardware or software can transmit data. For descriptive purposes, exemplary network  100  has only a limited number of nodes, including workstation computer  105 , persistent storage  110 , server computer  115 , first RFID transceiver  130 , and second RFID transceiver  131 . Network connection  125  comprises all hardware, software, and communications media necessary to enable communication between network nodes  105 - 131 . Unless otherwise indicated in context below, all network nodes use publicly available protocols or messaging services to communicate with each other through network connection  125 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  also shows the RFID Paging Infrastructure with reference to hospital room  180  and nurse station  195  located in hallway  190 . First RFID transceiver  130  is located in hospital room  180 , and second RFID transceiver  131  in located in hallway  190 . Physician  140  is carrying first RFID tag  150  and RFID reader  160 . Hospital room  180  has second RFID tag  151  affixed to bed  141 , third RFID tag  151  affixed to medical monitor  142 . Fourth RFID tag  153  is affixed to first door  143  in hallway  190 . Fifth RFID tag  154  is affixed to second door  144  in Hallway  190 . Nurse station  195  has telephone  145  with sixth RFID tag  155  and computer terminal  146  with seventh RFID tag  156 . RFID tags  150 - 156  are active and programmable RFID tags. 
         [0023]    RFID Paging Infrastructure  200  typically is stored in a memory, represented schematically as memory  220  in  FIG. 2 . The term “memory,” as used herein, includes without limitation any volatile or persistent medium, such as an electrical circuit, magnetic disk, or optical disk, in which a computer can store data or software for any duration. A single memory may encompass and be distributed across a plurality of media. Further RFID Paging Infrastructure  200  may reside in more than one memory distributed across different computers, servers, logical partitions, or other hardware devices. The elements depicted in memory  220  may be located in, or distributed across, separate memories in any combination, and RFID Paging Infrastructure  200  may be adapted to identify, locate, and access any of the elements and coordinate actions, if any, by the distributed elements. Thus,  FIG. 2  is included merely as a descriptive expedient and does not necessarily reflect any particular physical embodiment of memory  220 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , though, memory  220  may include additional data and programs. Of particular import to RFID Paging Infrastructure  200 , memory  220  may include message  250  stored in RFID tag database  230 , with which RFID Paging Infrastructure  200  interacts. RFID tag memory  260  is a rewritable persistent memory located on a RFID tag. RFID Paging Infrastructure  200  has three components: message input component  300 , paging component  400 , and reading component  500 . Message input component  300  and Paging component  400  reside on a computer in direct communication with a RFID transceiver. Reading component  400  resides on a display device such as a hand-held RFID reader or an integrated RFID tag with a display. 
         [0024]    Message  250  is an alphanumeric text message created by a person or a computer program. In the process of creating message  250 , an intended RFID tag must be specified, using the intended RFID tag&#39;s identifier. Message  250 , or a pointer indicating the location of message  250 , is added to RFID tag database  230 . RFID tag database  230  catalogs every known RFID tag identifier in use by the hospital, and all messages associated with each RFID tag, including message  250 . Additionally, RFID tag database can be adapted to use an alias corresponding to a RFID tag identifier. For example, a room number, object description or asset ID number can be used as an alias for corresponding RFID tag identifiers. Likewise, a RFID tag carried by a physician can have a the physician&#39;s name or a phone number as an alias to identify the intended recipient of message  250 . Message  250  can be created by directly typing text into a computer on network  100 , or can be created by other methods of creating text messages known in the art. For example, message  250  can be created on a cell phone, a PDA, by an operator at an answering service or with a voice recognition software transcription of a telephonic voice message. 
         [0025]    A flowchart of message input component  300  is shown by  FIG. 3 . Message input component  300  starts whenever alpha-numeric text message  250  is received by message input component  300  ( 310 ). Message input component  300  reads message  250  ( 312 ) and identifies the intended RFID tag to receive message  250  ( 314 ). Message input component  300  identifies any other constraints placed on message  250  ( 316 ), such as a restriction placed on a delivery location or a restriction based on a message priority. Message input component  300  saves message  250  with constraints, if any, to a table with the intended RFID tag identifier in RFID tag database  230  ( 318 ) and stops ( 320 ). 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows paging component  400  start whenever a RFID transceiver is on ( 410 ). Paging component  400  causes the RFID transceiver to poll for RFID tags in range of the transceiver ( 412 ). If the transceiver finds a RFID tag ( 414 ), the transceiver reads the RFID tag&#39;s identifier ( 416 ). Paging component  400  queries RFID tag database  230  to determine if messages  250  is pending for the identified RFID tag ( 418 ). If message  250  is pending for the identified tag ( 420 ) paging component  400  causes the RFID transceiver to transmit message  250  to the identified RFID tag ( 422 ). For as long as the RFID transceiver is on ( 424 ), paging component  400  repeats steps  412 - 424 . Whenever the RFID transceiver is off, paging component  400  stops ( 426 ). 
         [0027]    A flowchart of reading component  500  is shown in  FIG. 5 . Reading component  500  starts whenever manually or automatically activated in the presence of a RFID tag ( 510 ). Reading component  500  queries the RFID tag ( 512 ) and displays the contents of any alpha-numeric text message, such as message  250  ( 514 ) then stops ( 516 ). For a RFID tag with an integrated display device, as shown in  FIG. 8 , reading component  500  will start automatically in response to message  250  being received by the RFID tag. For a hand-held RFID reader a display device (see  FIG. 9 ), reading component  500  starts in response to a user pulling a trigger or otherwise activating the display device in the presence of a RFID tag containing message  250 . 
         [0028]    Because each RFID transceiver can only communicate with RFID tags in each RFID transceiver&#39;s local proximity, RFID paging infrastructure  200  has location awareness for each RFID tag. Location awareness allows RFID paging infrastructure  200  to intelligently change the contents and delivery method of message  250  based on the intended RFID tag&#39;s location. In one embodiment of RFID Paging Infrastructure  200  can change delivery of message  250  based on the priority of message  250  and the intended RFID tag&#39;s location. For example, if message  250  can&#39;t be sent to the intended RFID tag, message  250  is sent to related RFID tags. If an attempt to send an emergency page to Dr. Smith fails, the message can be sent to RFID tags on other devices or doctors near to Dr. Smith. In another example, both the contents and delivery location of message  250  change depending on the intended RFID tag&#39;s location. If Dr. Smith&#39;s patient needs immediate assistance, but Dr. Smith is in another wing of the hospital, RFID paging infrastructure  200  can page Dr. Jones who is just down the hall from the patient in addition to paging Dr. Smith. Message  250  can notify Dr. Jones to go to the patient immediately, while notifying Dr. Smith that Dr. Jones needs his help. In another example, the contents of message  250  change depending on the intended RFID tag&#39;s location in relation to other RFID tags. If RFID paging infrastructure  200  is aware that the medical equipment Dr. Smith needs for a patent is located in the treatment room next door, message  250  can provide information to Dr. Smith regarding the location of the equipment needed to treat the patent. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows the functional components of RFID transceiver  600 . Logic component  610  is an integrated circuit performing and controlling the communication functions of transceiver  600 . First connection  605  connects logic component  610  with a computer to facilitate communication with message input component  300  and paging component  400  of RFID Paging Infrastructure  200 . Second connection  615  connects logic component  610  to power source  620  which can be a local power source, such as a rechargeable battery, or an external power source, such as a standard  110  volt electrical outlet. Antenna  630  enables logic component  610  to communicate with RFID tags in the vicinity of RFID transceiver  600 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows the functional components of RFID tag  700 . Logic component  710  is an integrated circuit performing and controlling the communication functions of RFID tag  700  and includes a portion of persistent memory for storing message  250 . First connection  715  connects logic component  710  to power source  720  which can be a local power source, such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, or an external power source, such as a powered port on a computer, or a powered port on some other type of hardware to which RFID tag  700  may be affixed. In another embodiment of RFID tag  700 , power source  720  is a large antenna that receives power induced by radio waves from RFID transceiver  600 . Antenna  730  enables logic component  710  to communicate with RFID transceiver  600  and with an external display device, such as hand-held RFID reader  900  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  shows the functional components of RFID tag  800  with an integrated display device. Logic component  810  is an integrated circuit performing and controlling the communication functions of RFID tag  800  and includes a portion of persistent memory for storing message  250 . Logic component  810  is capable of performing the functions of reading component  500  and controlling display panel  840 . First connection  815  connects logic component  810  to power source  820  which can be a local power source, such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, or an external power source, as described above. Antenna  830  enables logic component  810  to communicate with RFID transceiver  600 . Second connection  825  connects logic component  810  to display panel  840 . Display panel  840  can be a LCD that displays message  250 , or display panel  840  can be any other known method of display alpha-numeric text. In a simplified embodiment of RFID tag  800 , display panel  840  comprises an indicator that message  250  has been received and stored by RFID tag  800 . In the simplified embodiment, display panel  840  may be one or more solid or blinking LEDs of one or more colors that can indicate priority of received message  250 . An external display device is required to actually read the contents of message  250  when using the simplified embodiment of RFID tag  800 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  shows the functional components of display device  900 . Display device  900  is shown here as a hand-held RFID reader, which is known in the art. Logic component  910  is an integrated circuit performing and controlling the communication functions of display device  900  and is capable of performing the functions of reading component  500  to control display panel  940 . First connection  915  connects logic component  910  to power source  920  which can be a local power source, such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, or an external power source, as described above. Antenna  930  enables logic component  910  to communicate with RFID tag  700 . Second connection  925  connects logic component  910  to display panel  940 . Display panel  840  can be a LCD that displays message  250 , or display panel  840  can be any other known method of displaying alpha-numeric text. Third connection  935  connects logic component  910  to trigger  950 . Trigger  950  is used to activate display device  900  and start reading component  500 . 
         [0033]    A preferred form of the invention has been shown in the drawings and described above, but variations in the preferred form will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is for illustration purposes only, and the invention should not be construed as limited to the specific form shown and described. The scope of the invention should be limited only by the language of the following claims.