Patent ID: 8033462

Claim:
A method for real-time location monitoring of a sterilizable object within an indoor facility, the method comprising: tracking a real-time location of a sterilizable object within the indoor facility utilizing a mesh network formed of a plurality of sensors and at least one access bridge positioned within the indoor facility, the sterilizable object associated with a tag that transmits a continuous periodic radiofrequency signal; receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a tracking signal from the tag that the sterilizable object is located in a sterilization area; receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a first status signal from the tag that a sterilization threshold value for a sterilization event is present, the sterilization threshold value detected by a sensor of the tag; transmitting the first status signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors through the mesh network to a remote server; receiving at least one of the plurality of sensors a second status signal from the tag that the sterilization threshold value for a sterilization event is absent; transmitting the second status signal from the at least one of the plurality of sensors to a remote server; determining a sterilization status for the sterilizable object at the remote server based on at least the first status signal and the second status signal; and communicating the sterilization status for the sterilizable object to an operator; wherein the sterilization event is one of ultrasonic energy sterilization, steam sterilization, heat sterilization, pressure sterilization, chemical sterilization and hot water sterilization, and wherein an ultrasonic energy sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a pre-established amount of ultrasonic energy, a steam sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of water vapor at a temperature of at least 100° C., a heat sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a temperature of at least 150° C., a pressure sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of a pressure of at least 1.036 Bar above atmospheric pressure, a chemical sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of hydrogen peroxide in a concentration amount of at least 6%, and a hot water sterilization has a sterilization threshold value of a detection of liquid water at a temperature of at least 70° C.