Patent Publication Number: US-10331609-B2

Title: System for exchanging information between wireless peripherals and back-end systems via a peripheral hub

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/687,289 for a System for Communication via a Peripheral Hub filed Apr. 15, 2015 (and published Oct. 20, 2016 as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0306769), now U.S. Pat. No. 9,852,102. Each of the foregoing patent application, patent publication, and patent is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to communication systems and, more specifically, to a communication system for exchanging information between a worker&#39;s wireless peripherals and a back-end system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wireless enabled peripheral devices (i.e., peripherals) may help a worker perform various work functions. For example, these peripherals may be used for data-entry, data-visualization, communication, safety, and/or security. As a result, peripherals are often worn, carried, or otherwise possessed by a worker. Different workers may have different peripheral devices, and the peripheral devices used by a particular worker may change depending on the requirements of a given task and/or location. 
     It is often desirable for a remote, or not-directly-accessed (i.e., back-end), system to communicate/respond to a worker through the worker&#39;s peripherals, even as the worker moves about the work environment (e.g., moves from room-to-room). Unfortunately, direct wireless communication between the back-end system and the peripherals is often impossible. 
     Peripherals typically have short wireless ranges. In addition, a work environment may have many obstacles (e.g., walls, floors, etc.) that limit the communication range of the peripherals. Further, the nature of the communication/response from a back-end system may change as a worker&#39;s location changes (e.g., a doctor/nurse may need a particular patient record when he/she enters a particular patient&#39;s room). 
     Therefore, a need exists for a device and system to facilitate a particular communication/response from a remote back-end system based on a worker&#39;s peripherals and location. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces a peripheral hub for creating and broadcasting a peripheral manifest. The peripheral hub includes a computer readable memory for storing a hub identifier (hub-ID) to identify the peripheral hub on a network. The peripheral hub also includes a wireless receiver to receive wireless signals from peripheral devices in proximity to the peripheral hub and to decode the wireless signals in order to obtain a peripheral identification (peripheral-ID) for each peripheral device. The peripheral hub further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the computer readable memory and the wireless receiver. The processor is configured by a software program stored in the computer readable memory to (i) receive the peripheral-IDs from the wireless receiver, (ii) create a peripheral manifest including the peripheral-IDs and the hub-ID, and (iii) store the peripheral manifest in the computer readable memory. A wireless transmitter communicatively coupled to the computer readable memory is also included as part of the peripheral hub. The wireless transmitter is configured to read the peripheral manifest from the computer readable memory, and to broadcast the peripheral manifest wirelessly. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the peripheral hub and peripheral devices are worn, held, or otherwise possessed by a worker. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the peripheral devices include a voice headset. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the peripheral devices include a handheld scanner. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the peripheral devices include a display worn by a worker. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the peripheral manifest created by the peripheral hub includes information to identify a worker. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the peripheral manifest created by the peripheral hub includes information to facilitate network communication with the peripherals. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the peripheral hub&#39;s wireless transmitter is configured to broadcast the peripheral manifest repeatedly as a peripheral-manifest beacon. 
     In another aspect, the present invention embraces a communication system including a plurality of peripherals, a peripheral hub, a base station, and a back-end system. The plurality of peripherals is worn, held, or otherwise possessed by a worker. Each peripheral is configured to transmit a unique peripheral identifier (peripheral-ID) wirelessly to the peripheral hub. The peripheral hub is worn, held, or otherwise possessed by the worker, and is identified on a network by a hub identifier (hub-ID). The peripheral hub is configured to (i) receive peripheral-IDs from the peripherals, (ii) generate a peripheral manifest using the peripheral-IDs and the hub-ID, and (iii) transmit the peripheral manifest wirelessly to the base station. The base station is enabled to communicate with the peripheral hub and a network. The base station receives the peripheral manifest from the peripheral hub and transmits information from the peripheral manifest to the back-end system, which is communicatively coupled to the network. The back-end system receives and uses this information to establish a communication link between itself and at least one of the peripherals via the base station. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system&#39;s peripheral hub transmits the peripheral manifest in response to a query from the base station. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the communication system&#39;s back-end system is an electronic-health-record (EHR) database. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a peripheral&#39;s unique peripheral identifier (peripheral-ID) includes information to facilitate communication with the peripheral. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the communication system&#39;s base station is located in a room. The base station can communicate wirelessly to a peripheral hub only when the peripheral hub is in the same room. In one possible embodiment, this room is a hospital room. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the communication system&#39;s base station is capable of wireless communication with a plurality of peripheral hubs simultaneously. 
     In another aspect, the present invention embraces a communication system. The communication system includes a plurality of peripherals, a peripheral hub, a base station, and a back-end system. The plurality of peripherals is worn, held, or otherwise possessed by a worker, and each peripheral is configured to transmit a unique peripheral identifier (peripheral-ID) wirelessly. The peripheral hub is worn, held, or otherwise possessed by the worker and is identified on a network by a hub identifier (hub-ID). The peripheral hub is configured to receive peripheral-IDs from the peripherals. Using the peripheral-IDs and the hub-ID, the peripheral hub generates a peripheral manifest, which is transmitted wirelessly to the base station. The base station is capable of wireless communication with the peripheral hub and is communicatively coupled to a network. The base station receives the peripheral manifest, obtains information from the peripheral manifest, and transmits this information to the network. The back-end system is communicatively coupled to the network and is configured to respond to a particular set of peripheral-IDs. The back-end system receives the peripheral manifest, and if the particular set of peripheral-IDs is represented in the peripheral manifest, the back-end system transmits a response to the base station. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the communication system&#39;s base station includes a door lock and the back-end system&#39;s transmitted response is a signal to open the door lock. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the communication system&#39;s plurality of peripherals includes a piece of equipment with wireless module attached for communication with the peripheral hub. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the communication system&#39;s base station wirelessly communicates with the peripheral hub only when the peripheral hub is brought within a predetermined distance from the base station. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the communication system&#39;s base station is in a fixed location and the back-end system is in a remote location with respect to the peripheral hub. 
     The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 a    graphically depicts a communication system including a peripheral hub transmitting a peripheral manifest to a back-end system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1 b    graphically depicts a communication system including a back-end system&#39;s response to a received peripheral manifest according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  graphically depicts a communication system and work environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  graphically depicts an object having a wireless module attached for communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  graphically depicts a communication system with an electronically controlled door lock communicatively coupled to a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention embraces a communication system to allow a worker to interact with a back-end system. There are three primary subsystems in the communication system. These subsystems include a back-end system, a peripheral hub, and a peripheral. 
     Back-end systems are typically computing systems configured for some function related to the workplace. For example, a back-end inventory management system can direct the picking/stocking of items in a warehouse. In another example, a back-end security system can control access to certain areas by electronically controlling door locks. In still another embodiment, a back-end electronic health record (EHR) system can provide doctors with patient information. Back-end systems are typically located remotely, and physical access is not available. Instead, access to back-end systems may be provided by base stations. 
     Base stations function like bridges, that communicatively couple wireless enabled devices (e.g., peripherals) to back-end systems. Base stations are typically located in fixed positions in the worker&#39;s environment. A base station may be identified by an electronic address (e.g., a base-station ID). Base stations are typically located in places where information must be accessed or recorded (e.g., a hospital room). 
     Base stations may be configured to communicate with a peripheral hub only when the peripheral hub is brought within a predetermined distance from the base station (e.g., within 10 meters). In this way, a plurality of base stations may be distributed throughout a work place without interfering with one another. Also in this way, one base station may handoff communication with a peripheral hub to another base station. Thus, a worker may remain in contact with a back-end system by moving from base station to base station. In addition, the base station&#39;s fixed location and limited range may help the back-end system locate a particular worker/peripheral. 
     Base stations are typically communicatively coupled to back-end systems via a wired network. In addition, base stations may be communicatively coupled to one another to improve the transition (i.e., handoff) between base stations as a worker moves from one to another. 
     Peripherals are wireless enabled devices and may be used for data entry/display (e.g., handheld scanner, voice headset, wrist-worn display, etc.), communication (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.), or safety/security (e.g., hardhat, respirator, flashlight, radio, etc.). A peripheral may be wirelessly enabled by design (e.g., a smartphone) and capable of communication over a variety of networks using different communication protocols (e.g., WIFI, BLUETOOTH, CDMA, GSM, etc.). Alternatively, a peripheral may be an object (e.g., hardhat) that was not originally designed for wireless communication, but that has been enabled to communicate wirelessly via a wireless module (e.g., affixed to the object). 
     Workers may use different peripherals depending on their role and/or function. A particular worker may possess a collection of peripherals, and this collection of peripherals may change with time and/or location. It may be difficult for a base station to quickly connect and communicate with the collection of peripherals on an ad-hoc basis. In addition, the worker&#39;s identity may not be associated with the collection of peripherals, making locating the worker difficult. As a result, it may be difficult for a back-end system to communicate a particular worker efficiently. By knowing the worker&#39;s identity, location, and/or peripherals, a back-end system may configure its response to best suit the worker, the worker&#39;s peripherals, and/or the worker&#39;s location. Gathering and transmitting information about a worker and his peripherals is performed by a peripheral hub. 
     A peripheral hub is a wireless enabled device that is typically assigned to, and worn by, a particular worker (e.g., as a badge). Each peripheral hub is identified on a network by a hub identifier (hub-ID), which also may be used to identify the worker. The peripheral hub is configured to create and broadcast a message containing information about the worker and/or the worker&#39;s peripherals. This message is known as a peripheral manifest. To accomplish this, the peripheral hub includes a computer readable memory for storing the hub-ID. 
     The computer readable memory (i.e., memory) used by the peripheral hub is typically non-volatile memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include ROM, PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM memory. 
     The peripheral hub also includes a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is configured to receive wireless signals from peripheral devices in proximity with the peripheral hub. The wireless signals may use a variety of wireless protocols (e.g., BLUETOOTH™, 802.11, ZIGBEE™, NFC™, etc.). 
     The peripheral hub&#39;s wireless receiver includes antenna(s), front-end circuitry, and digitization circuits necessary to convert wireless signals into digital signals. The wireless receiver may also include the necessary processing to decode the wireless signals and obtain a peripheral identification (peripheral-ID) for each peripheral device. The peripheral-IDs the peripherals may be stored in the peripheral hub&#39;s computer readable memory or sent directly to the processor. 
     The peripheral hub also includes a processor communicatively coupled to the computer readable memory and the wireless receiver. The processor may be a microprocessor designed to execute software instructions. Examples of microprocessors include application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) or digital signal processors (DSP), or field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). 
     The peripheral hub&#39;s processor is configured by a software program stored in the hub&#39;s computer readable memory to generate or update a peripheral manifest. When run, the software configures the processor to retrieve or receive the peripheral-IDs. Then, using the latest peripheral-IDs and the hub-ID, the software creates or updates the peripheral manifest. The processor may then store the latest peripheral manifest in the computer readable memory or may transmit the latest peripheral manifest to a wireless transmitter. 
     The peripheral hub&#39;s wireless transmitter is communicatively coupled to the computer readable memory and/or the processor. The wireless transmitter is configured to receive the peripheral manifest (either from the computer readable memory or from the processor directly) and broadcast the peripheral manifest. 
     The peripheral manifest is a digital message that includes (i) a list of the peripherals currently used by a worker and (ii) a peripheral identification (i.e., hub-ID) that identifiers the worker. Peripherals may communicate their presence to the peripheral hub via a variety of protocols (e.g., BLUETOOTH, BTLE, 802.11, ZIGBEE, NFC, etc.). The peripheral hub may then form a communication link with the peripherals. Once linked, information regarding each peripheral is transmitted to the peripheral hub. This information may include (i) information describing the type of peripheral and (ii) information necessary to communicate with the peripheral (e.g., protocol, data type, routing, etc.). The peripheral hub may update the peripheral manifest in a variety of ways, such as (i) in response to user input, (ii) automatically on a schedule, or (iii) automatically, as peripherals are added/removed from the worker&#39;s immediate environment. 
     The peripheral hub may broadcast the peripheral manifest repeatedly (e.g., as a beacon) or may transmit the peripheral manifest in response to a query from a base station. 
     A communication system including a peripheral hub transmitting a peripheral manifest to a back-end system via a base station according is shown in  FIG. 1 a   . Here, a collection of peripherals  6  is associated with a worker  1 . One peripheral is a voice headset  2  configured to receive and transmit voice commands. Another peripheral is a mobile computing device  3 . 
     The peripherals are linked to a peripheral hub  4  embodied as a badge worn by the worker  1 . The peripheral hub  4  generates a peripheral manifest  5 , including information regarding the collection (i.e., set) of peripherals  6 . The peripheral hub  4  transmits the latest peripheral manifest  5  to a base station  7 . 
     After receiving the peripheral manifest  5 , the base station  7  may relay the peripheral manifest  5  (or some subset of peripheral manifest information) to the back-end system  9  via a network  8 . Alternatively, the base station  7  may use the peripheral manifest  5  and only signal the back-end system when a certain set of peripherals is detected. 
     A back-end system  9  may respond to peripheral manifest  5  information in a variety of ways. One possible response is shown in  FIG. 1 b   . Here, the back-end system  9 , after receiving the peripheral manifest  5 , has adjusted its response to communicate with the voice headset peripheral  2 . The back-end system  9  may have responded to the voice headset  2  because this is the only peripheral for which it is has been configured. Alternatively, the back-end system  9  may have had the option of communicating with a plurality of peripherals and selected the voice headset  2  as the preferred means of interacting with the worker  1 . In either case, the back-end system  9  forms a communication link  10  with the voice headset  2  via the base station  7  and transmits/receives voice messages to/from the worker  1 . 
     The communication system described offers enhanced mobility for a worker  1  using a set of peripherals  6 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a worker  1  using a plurality of peripherals  6  and moving along a path  11  through a workplace. The worker&#39;s path encounters various rooms  12  each room providing access to a back-end system  9  via a base station  7 . 
     The base stations  7  in each room may be identically configured or differently configured, however each is communicatively coupled (e.g., wireless or wired) to a backend system  9  (or systems). The base stations may be directly connected to a back-end system (or systems), or the base stations may be connected to the back-end system (or systems) indirectly via a network  8 . 
     Base stations  7  are typically configured to communicate with multiple peripheral hubs  4  simultaneously. For example, multiple workers in a room  12  with one base station may each interface a back-end system  9  through the same base station  7 . 
     Base stations  7  may have additional functionality provided by communicatively coupled subsystems and/or devices, and a back-end system&#39;s response to a peripheral manifest may be intended for one or more of these subsystems and/or devices. For example, a television connected to a base station  7  may be used present information intended for a particular worker  1  when the particular worker  1  enters the room. 
     A workplace may have a plurality of back-end systems, each configured for a different purpose (e.g., security, communication, etc.). The back-end systems  9  may be communicatively coupled to each other in order to exchange peripheral manifest information. 
     A Back-end system may adjust the type of data sent to a worker based on the peripheral manifest information. For example, a back-end system may page a worker using an email, text message, or phone call depending on the worker&#39;s peripherals and/or location. 
     A Back-end system may use the peripheral manifest information to adjust the way data is sent to a worker. For example, a back-end system may use the peripheral manifest information to adjust data routing, data prioritization, and/or data aggregation so that the data is delivered in the most effective, time-efficient, and/or inexpensive way. 
     Workers may be required to carry certain peripherals in certain areas. For example, a worker may be required to wear a particular piece of safety equipment (e.g., hardhat, respirator, safety glasses, etc.) in a particular area. By knowing the worker&#39;s location and the worker&#39;s peripherals, a back-end system may generate a particular response (e.g., open a door lock) when the worker has a particular peripheral (or a particular set of peripherals). 
     As previously described, peripherals may be active devices, originally designed for digital communication. Alternatively, peripherals may be objects (e.g., tools, safety equipment, etc.) not originally designed for communication but enabled to communicate via some affixed module.  FIG. 3  graphically displays a hardhat  15  configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals  14  using an added wireless module  13 . This module is (at a minimum) configured communicate with both the peripheral hub and with the base station. 
     A back-end system configured to respond a particular set of peripherals is shown in  FIG. 4 . Here, the back-end system is part of a security/safety system and is configured to control a door lock  16  communicatively coupled to the base station  7 . Here the back-end system is configured to send a signal to open the door lock only when a particular worker is using (or has possession of) a particular piece of safety equipment  15 . When the worker, wearing a peripheral hub  4  and a hardhat  15  (enabled for communication through a wireless module  13 ), comes within range of a base station  7 , the peripheral manifest  5  is transmitted to the base station. The base station relays (all or part of) the peripheral manifest  5  to the back-end system  9 . The back-end system processes the peripheral manifest and depending on the results or the processing may (or may not) transmit a signal to open the door lock. For example, the back-end system may compare the worker (i.e., worker name, worker ID number, etc.) with an approved worker list. Next, the back-end system may compare the peripherals used by the worker to a list of peripherals required for access into the closed area. If the worker is on this list and possesses all of the proper peripherals (as a minimum), then the back-end system may transmit a signal to open the door lock via the network and the base station. 
     To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:
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     In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.