Inventory control device

DESCRIPTION

Inventory control device

Countryside

The present disclosure relates to inventory control devices, and, in particular, to systems and methods for extending battery life in inventory control devices.

Background

Some electronic control devices operate on a “on demand” basis, which means that the devices are configured to perform their dedicated function (s) only when required or requested by another control system, which will be referred to here in forward as "remote control system". An example of such an electronic device on demand is an inventory control device attached to a container for storing medical supply items in medical assistance facilities such as hospitals. Said device often includes a controller (for example, a processor) to perform various functions relating to the inventory of medical supply items in the containers to which the device is attached, and also may include a transceiver to communicate in a manner wireless inventory control information, such as the number of items supplied, to a remote control system that is configured to communicate with multiple devices / containers.

Because electronic devices on demand, such as the inventory control device described above, are typically powered by a battery, it is important to minimize energy consumption by the devices as much as possible in order to avoid a battery replacement. frequent. However, it is often the case that at least a portion of the controller and / or the transceiver (especially the receiver portion) in an electronic device on demand needs to remain at least partially active in order to "listen" or detect a request. of activation or other wireless commands sent from the remote control system. A familiar example is a "sequence control" function available in some processes. Under the sequence control function, a processor is initially placed in an inactive mode (for example, idle) that includes very little or no energy consumption, and when the processor receives a signal input on a pin dedicated to the function In sequence control, the processor activates from idle mode and changes an operating mode that includes total energy consumption. Similar sequence control functions are available on some available transceivers. However, even in idle mode, the power consumption may not be trivial, especially if the receiver side of the transceiver has to remain active in order to detect a signal from the remote control system. Said non-trivial power consumption will drain the batteries faster than desirable.

PCT Publication WO 2007/006085 describes radio frequency identification networks in which the location of a radiofrequency identification tag can be determined.

US Patent 6593845 describes an active radio frequency tag that has an activation circuit to prolong the life of the battery.

US Patent Publication 2005/0057341 describes passive radiofrequency identification tags that have a deep rest function that is sensitive to the communication of a tag reset command.

Therefore, there is a need to improve a system and a method to extend the life of the battery in electronic control devices on demand such as wireless inventory control devices.

Summary

Modes of embodiment described herein provide systems and methods for extending battery life in electronic control devices on demand.

Certain embodiments provide an inventory control device. The inventory control device may comprise the characteristic of independent claim 1.

Certain embodiments provide a method to conserve battery power in an inventory control device that has a passive receiver and a functional module. The method may comprise the features of independent claim 14.

It is to be understood that both the above summary and the following detailed description are by way of example and explanation and are intended to provide a further explanation of the embodiments as claimed.

Brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide an additional understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments .

Figure 1 depicts an example inventory control system comprising a shelf containing containers that have inventory control devices and a remote control system in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 2 is a diagram of an example container that includes a container for physically storing supply items and an inventory control device attached to the container for performing one or more dedicated inventory control functions in accordance with certain embodiments.

Figure 3A is an example block circuit diagram for the inventory control device according to certain embodiments.

Figure 3B is an example circuit diagram for a signal generator that includes a passive receiver portion of the inventory control device according to certain embodiments.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process for an example operation of the inventory control device according to certain embodiments.

Figure 5 is a block circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary functional module of the inventory control device according to certain embodiments.

Figure 6 is a block circuit diagram illustrating an alternative example functional module of the inventory control device according to certain embodiments.

Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system in which certain characteristics of the systems and methods described herein can be implemented.

Detailed description

In the following detailed description, numerous details are set forth to provide a complete understanding of the disclosed and claimed embodiments. It will be evident, however, for one skilled in the art that the embodiments can be implemented without any of these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure.

The word "example" is used herein to mean "serve as an example, case or illustration." Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessary to be constituted as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.

In medical fields, medical care facilities require large and varied inventories of medical supplies. One of the challenges in the health care environment is a care facility's ability to maintain an adequate inventory of medical supplies, whose demand cannot be predicted in advance, so that supplies should be immediately available to patients who need. The rates of consumption of medical supplies can vary significantly over a period of time, and reliable inventory control of supplies is critically important.

In many healthcare facilities, numerous container shelves are used to store medical supplies, such as medications and disposable parts for medical equipment; and the container shelves are contained in a central supply room or rooms, or they can be extended throughout the entire medical assistance facility. Each container can contain one or more types of medical supply items, and multiple containers can be used to contain the same type of medical supply item. To manually inspect each container and count the amount of supply items remaining in each container periodically, substantial amounts of time may be required by staff.

Instead, an electronic inventory control device can be attached to each container and used to store data representing the amount of medical supply items remaining in the container. In one application, the electronic inventory control device attached to the container can provide a visual or auditory indication to alert a user, such as a nurse or other health provider, of its location so that the user quickly finds the container that It contains certain supplies of interest. This can be achieved, for example, by a remote control system that wirelessly sends an ID signal indicative of a particular container, and, an inventory control device attached to the particular container that provides a visual or auditory indication after receive the ID signal. Alternatively or additionally, the inventory control device may have wireless communication capabilities such that it wirelessly transmits the inventory control information, such as the quantity of supply item, to the remote inventory control system. The inventory control devices mentioned above work in a base "on demand" because said devices are normally in an inactive mode and switch to an active mode when required or requested by the remote inventory control system. The following description describes the extension of the battery life in said inventory control devices attached to medical supply containers and configured to communicate with remote inventory control systems. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that the description of inventory control devices is for purposes of illustration only, and the systems and methods disclosed herein may be applied to other electronic devices on demand without departing from scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 depicts an example inventory control system 100 comprising a shelf 101 containing multiple containers 110, 110A and a remote control system 102 configured to wirelessly interact with the containers 110, 110A. As illustrated in greater detail in Figure 2, container 110A includes a container 112 for physically storing delivery items 114, and an electronic inventory control device 200 for storing, processing, and / or communicating wirelessly the inventory control information (for example, the quantity of supply items 114). The remote control system 102 includes a computer system 120 that executes an application program that provides inventory control functions such as maintaining a database of different types of medical supply items, their respective respective remaining quantities and states of order. The additional remote control system 112 includes a remote wireless communication device 130 that includes a first antenna 132 and a second antenna 134, and a transceiver 136 for processing wireless signals to be transmitted and / or received by the first and second antennas 134, 136. The remote wireless communication device 130 is in data communication with a translator 140. The translator 140 is in data communication with the computer system 120. The translator 140 consolidates multiple copies of a message transmitted from the inventory control device 200 into a single message to a computer system 120. In certain embodiments, each copy is labeled by an identifier (for example, a unique number) that is common to all copies of the message. The translator 140 may, for example, pass the first copy of each message to the computer system 120 and then discard all subsequent copies that have the same identification number. The computer system 120 controls various transmission and reception functions of the remote wireless communication device 130 and receives an inventory control or any information of the inventory control device 200.

In certain embodiments, the inventory control device 200 keeps track of the amount of remaining supply items 114. For example, when one of the items 114 is removed from the container 110A, a "withdraw" button 210 is pressed on the inventory control device 200 by the user to remove the item. The inventory control device 200 then decreases the count of the quantity of the items 114. When one of the items is added to the container 110A, a "add" button 220 on the inventory device 200 is pressed by the user adding the item. The inventory control device 200 then increases the count of the number of items 114. When multiple items 114 are removed or added, the respective button 210, 220 is pressed the number of times corresponding to the number of items 114 either removed or added. In other embodiments, the computer system 120 keeps track of the inventory of the remaining supply items in a container (eg, containers 110, 110A) based on a message received from the inventory control device 200. For example, the inventory control device 200 associated with a container sends a message to computer system 200, either directly or through translator 140, for each press of either button 210 or button 220. The computer system 120 then decreases or increase your inventory record of that container.

In the illustrated example, the device 200 also includes visual indicators 230, 240 (eg, LED) to alert a user after receiving an ID signal indicative of the device 200 of the remote control system 102 or simply providing a device status such as a low battery condition. In alternative embodiments, auditory indicators such as a buzzer are used to provide the alert function (s). In some embodiments, the device 200 also includes a screen, such as an LCD screen or a collection of numeric alpha LED screens, to indicate the quantity of supplies 114 and / or the status of the device.

As indicated above, in certain embodiments, the inventory control device 200 has wireless communication capabilities such that the remote control system 102 can wirelessly query the device 200 for certain inventory control information (for example , the quantity of supply items 114 remaining), and the device 200 can wirelessly send the information consulted to the remote control system 102.

Fig. 3A is an example block circuit diagram 300 for the inventory control device 200 of Fig. 2 in accordance with certain embodiments. The circuit diagram 300 shows a passive receiver 310, a functional module 330 connected to the passive receiver 310, and a self-contained energy source 350, connected to the functional module 330. As used herein, the term "self-contained energy source" refers to a power source included in or otherwise associated with the inventory control device 200 and configured to provide electrical energy (for example, DC voltage and current) to functional module 330 of device 200 without receiving power from an AC power source (for example, a wall outlet) and includes at least one energy storage device such as a rechargeable or disposable battery and may optionally include a voltage regulator to provide a regulated DC power to module 330 functional. In the illustrated example, the self-contained power source (hereinafter referred to as the "power source") includes a battery 352 and a voltage regulator 354.

The passive receiver 310 includes a receiver antenna 311 configured to receive an initiation signal 152 from the remote control system 102 (Figure 1). The passive receiver 310 also includes a rectification circuit 314 connected to the receiver antenna 311 and configured to rectify at least a portion of the initiation signal 152 received to produce a DC current. The rectification circuit 314 may include one or more fast diodes arranged in a full or medium wave bridge configuration. The passive receiver 310 also includes a capacitor 315 connected to the rectification circuit 314 and configured to be charged from the DC current produced by the rectification circuit 314. The capacitor 315 can be any capacitor capable of storing DC power that includes, but is not limited to, tandem and electrolyte capacitors, which have a capacitance.

The receiver antenna 311 receives the magnetic or electric field of the initiation signal 152. When the output voltage of the receiver antenna 311 induced by the field is above the conduction threshold of a diode within the rectification circuit 314, a charging current flows through the diode and stores a charge in the capacitor 315 a a charge rate

In the illustrated example, the passive receiver 310 also includes a signal generator 316 connected to the capacitor 315 to therefore be fed and configured to generate a mode change signal 301 when the capacitor 315 is sufficiently charged (e.g., above of a threshold voltage). Fig. 3B is an example circuit diagram for signal generator 316 configured to generate signal 301 in accordance with certain embodiments. In the illustrated example, the generator signal 316 includes a first resistor (R1) 321, a second resistor (R2) 322, a third resistor (R3) 323, a diode (D) 326, and an operational amplifier 328. In certain embodiments R2322, and R3323 have substantially the same value (for example, approximately 10 megaohms). R1 321 can have the same value or a value greater than the value for R2322 and R3323. The charge stored in capacitor 315 is discharged through R2-R3322-323 over time, but the charge rate is much higher than the discharge rate for capacitor 315 while the field associated with signal 152 of initiation. When the voltage at the capacitor 315 is high enough, the voltage feeds the operational amplifier 328.

In the illustrated example, D 326 is a Zener diode with a breaking voltage of approximately 1 volt, for example. The voltage between R2322 and R3323 is substantially around half of the voltage at the capacitor 315 and at the input of the positive terminal of the operational amplifier 328. The voltage between R1 321 and D 326, which is the negative input of the operational amplifier 328, rises to the breaking voltage of D 326 and then remains at that level. Therefore, as the voltage of the capacitor 315 rises from zero to 1 volt, for example, the positive input rises to 0.5 volts while the negative input rises to 1 volt, and the output of the operational amplifier is zero. When the voltage at the capacitor 315 exceeds 2 volts, for example, the negative input is still 1 volt and the positive input exceeds 1 volt causing the output of the operational amplifier 328 to change to the designated output voltage (a control circuit for setting this tension is omitted from this figure).

Returning now to Figure 3A, the functional module 330 is configured to perform one or more dedicated functions, such as keeping track of the inventory of the remaining supply items 114 (Figure 2) and communicating data signals 154 to and from the system. 102 of remote inventory control (Figure 1) in the illustrated example, the functional module 330 includes a controller 332 (for example, a processor and / or a logic circuit), a transceiver antenna 331 that is capable of receiving and transmitting data signals 154 from and to the remote control system 102 through the second antenna 134, and a transceiver 334 associated with the transceiver antenna 331 and configured to perform functions of signal processing associated with signals 154 of data such as an RF generation, modulation and / or demodulation. The transceiver antenna 331 may be a single antenna, such as a dipole antenna, that is capable of both receiving and transmitting data signals 154, or may include separate receiver and transmitter antennas, or even antenna sets. Various arrangements of connections between controller 332, transceiver 334 and power source 350 are possible, two examples of which will be illustrated and described below with respect to Figures 5 and 6. Although the functional module 320 is powered by the power source 350 at least in the active mode, the passive receiver module 310 is not powered by, and therefore does not conduct any energy from, the power source 350.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process 400 for an example operation of the inventory control device 200 (Figure 2) in accordance with certain embodiments. For the purpose of illustration clearly without intent to limit, process 400 will be described with specific reference to Figures 1 and 3. Also for the purpose of illustration, it is assumed that the remote control system 102 (Figure 1) wishes to connect in data communication with the inventory control device 200 associated with the container 110A to acquire certain information, such as the number of items of supply in a low battery condition, from device 200. Initially, the functional module 330 is placed in an inactive mode in which the functional module 330 conducts little or no energy from the power source 350. This can be achieved, for example, either by completely turning off transceiver 334 (both the receiver and transmitter portions) or by placing the transceiver in a low energy mode, for example, by turning off the transmitter portion but leaving the receiver portion in a low power mode or another partially active mode. Accordingly, the receiver 334 in the active mode conducts considerably less energy from the power source 350 than in conventional configurations in which at least one portion of the transceiver receiver is in an active mode in order to detect a query signal. Similarly, controller 332 is either completely turned off or placed in a low energy mode.

The process 400 begins in a state 410, in which the passive receiver 310 receives the initiation signal 152 which has an energy field from the wireless communication device 130 through the receiver antenna 311. The initiation signal 152 is preferably a signal having a low carrier frequency (for example, 13.56 MHz) that has a relatively long wavelength and a wide beam width to cover the containers 110, 110A (Figure 1) with substantially the same intensity of energy field. The process 400 goes to a state 420, in which the passive receiver 310 generates a DC energy from the energy field associated with the initiation signal 154 received. This can be achieved, for example, by the rectification circuit 314 that rectifies the initiation signal 152 to produce a DC current and the capacitor 315 that is sufficiently charged by the DC current. Sufficient charge of the capacitor 315 may include the passive receiver 310 that receives one or more initiation signals of varying lengths depending on the intensity of the energy field, the conversion efficiency of the rectification circuit 314 and / or the capacitance of the capacitor 315. The process 400 goes to a state 430, in which the passive receiver 310 sends the mode change signal 310 to the functional module 330 once the capacitor 315 is sufficiently charged with the DC current, for example, above a threshold tension. The mode change signal 301 may remain on (for example, high logic) while the voltage at the capacitor 315 remains above the threshold voltage, for example. Alternatively, the mode change signal 301 may be a single short pulse that lasts, for example, only several microseconds.

The process 400 goes to a state 440, in which the functional module 330 changes from the initial idle mode to an active mode in response to the mode change signal 301 received from the passive receiver 310. As used herein the term "active mode" as applied to the function module 330 is defined or characterized with respect to the "inactive mode" in which the functional module 330 conducts or uses more energy from the source 350 of energy in active mode than in inactive mode. For example, controller 332 changes from an off state or a low energy mode to an operating mode in response to the mode change signal. The transceiver 334 can also change from an off state or a low energy mode to an operating mode. Details corresponding to the functional module 330 that makes the change from the inactive mode to the active mode will be described in more detail below with respect to Figures 4 and 5.

The process 400 goes to a state 450, in which the functional module 330, now in the active state, is connected in data communication with the remote control system 102 from where the initiation signal 152 comes receiving and / or transmitting the signal 154 of data. The data signal 154 may be any RF or microwave signal. In certain embodiments, the data signal 154 emitted by the second antenna 134 of the remote wireless communication device 130 associated with the remote control system 102 is substantially omnidirectional to cover all containers 110, 110A. In other embodiments, the data signal 154 emitted by the second antenna 134 (for example, a phase set antenna) is directional, which means that it is directed to a particular container (for example container 110A) in a known relative location.

As in the case of data communication between the functional module 330 and the remote control system 102, the functional module 330 receives an ID signal from the remote control system 102, where the ID signal comprises ID data indicative of at least one inventory control device between a plurality of inventory control devices 110, 110A. The controller 332 receives and extracts (for example, decodes) the ID data and compares it to stored data indicative of a unique ID of the inventory control device 200 or the container 110A to which the device 200 is attached. If the controller 332 determines that the ID data and the stored data match, indicating that the remote control system 102 wishes to connect in data communication with the particular device 200, the functional module 330 performs or waits for a data communication additional with the remote control system 102 or performs other dedicated functions such as providing a visual or auditory indication to alert a user of its location, for example.

As another example of data communication, the functional module 330 listens to a query signal from the remote control system 102 that requires certain information from the remote control system 102. Once the query signal is received by the functional module 330, the controller 332 decrypts what information has been consulted or required, prepares data representative of the required information, and sends the data to the transceiver 334 where a data signal is generated that Understand the data. The data signal is transmitted to the remote control system 102 through the transceiver antenna 331.

The process 400 goes to a state 460, in which the functional module 330 returns to the inactive mode from the active mode if one or more preset conditions are satisfied. For example, in certain embodiments, the functional module 330 returns to the idle mode if the functional module 330 does not receive an ID signal indicative of the wireless communication device 200 from the remote control system 102 within a preset time after of receiving the mode change signal. The functional module 330 can also return to the idle mode if the functional module 330 does not receive a data signal 154 (for example, a query signal) from the remote control system 102 within a preset time after receiving the signal. ID indicative of the wireless communication device 200. Functional module 330 can also return to idle mode if the Functional module 330 does not receive a new data signal from the remote control system 102 within a predetermined length of time after a last data communication such as a reception of a query or a transmission of information consulted from and to the system 102 remote control.

It will be appreciated that several embodiments illustrated if described with respect to Figures 1-4 have purposes of illustration only, and several modifications to the illustrated embodiments or completely different embodiments may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. . For example, in certain embodiments, the inventory control device 200 is not physically attached to the container 112. Instead, the device 200 may be fixed or otherwise coupled to the shelf 101 near the container 112. Alternatively, the device 200 may be mounted on the outside of a cabinet or refrigerator containing multiple containers. In said alternative embodiments, the association of the inventory control device 200 with the container 112 can then be achieved by common labeling of the device and the container. The device 200, instead of being fixed to the front part of the container 112, can be fixed to the side or to the rear or the bottom or inside the container 112. Different containers 110 may have different container sizes. The remote wireless communication device 130 may have only one antenna instead of two antennas 132, 134 as shown in Figure 1. The only antenna of the wireless communication device 130 may be capable of transmitting both the initiation signal 152 and the data signals 154. The initiation signal 152 and the data signals 154 may have the same carrier frequency. Similarly, the inventory control device 200 may include only one antenna instead of two antennas 311, 331 as shown in Figure 3A. The only antenna of the inventory control device 200 can receive the initiation signal and transmit and receive signals 154 of data. The antenna (s) associated with the inventory control device 200 is located outside the device 200. Although the power source 350 is shown separate from the functional module 330 in the illustrated examples of Figures 3, 5 and 6, the power source 350 may be included with the functional module 330. Passive receiver 310, 310A, B may not have separate dedicated signal generator 316 to generate mode change signal 301. Instead, the voltage at the capacitor 315 that exceeds a threshold voltage (for example, 3 volts) can act as the mode change signal to trigger the change (s) as described in the module. 330, 330A, functional B. In certain embodiments, all or some of the functions of the passive receiver 310 and the functional module 330 may be implemented in a single integrated circuit (IC) comprising a processor and other components of logic or analog circuits.

Figure 5 is a block circuit diagram 300A illustrating an example functional module 330A in accordance with certain embodiments. Circuit diagram 300A shows the passive receiver 310, a functional module 330A connected to the passive receiver 310, and the power source 350 connected to the functional module 330A. In the illustrated example, the passive receiver 310 has the same configuration as the passive receiver 310 shown in Figure 3A, and the description of the passive receiver 310 provided above with respect to Figure 3A is not repeated in this case. The following description will instead focus on how the various components of the functional module 330A are arranged and how the components (in particular the controller 332 and the transceiver 334) are energized from the power source 350.

Functional module 330A includes a controller 332A that has an input connected to the output of passive receiver 310 and configured to receive mode change signal 301, a transceiver 334 in data communication with controller 332, and a transceiver antenna 331 connected to transceiver 334 to receive and transmit data signals to and from the remote control system 102 (figure 1). The example functional module 330B also includes a memory 336 for storing information such as the ID data for the device 200 and the number of supply items remaining in the container 112 (Figure 2). Memory 336 may be powered by power source 350 or a separate battery (not shown). Functional module 330A also includes "withdraw" button 210 and "add" button 220 both connected to inputs of controller 332A and configured to be pressed by the user when the item (s) is removed or added. delivery to and from container 112, respectively, as described above with respect to Figure 2. The example functional module 330B also includes indicators 230, 240 (for example, LED or a buzzer) connected to the output of controller 332A and configured to provide an alert to a user, in the manner also described above with respect to Figure 2 More significantly, both controller 332A and transceiver 334A are directly connected there are configured to be powered from power source 350.

Functional module 330A is initially placed in an inactive mode. In certain embodiments, in the idle mode, one or both of, the controller 332A and the transceiver 334A are placed in a low energy mode in which a minimum (but not zero) amount of energy is conducted from the source 350 of energy In other embodiments, the one or both of, the controller 332A and the transceiver 334A are placed in an off state in which power is not conducted from the power source 350. Then, the remote control system 102, or more particularly, the first antenna 132 of the remote wireless control device 130 (Figure 1) transmits an initiation signal 152 to the containers 110, 110A. The passive receiver 310 of the inventory control device 200 associated with the container 110A receives the initiation signal 152 through the receiver antenna 311 and generates the mode change signal 301 in the manner described above with respect to Figure 3A. The controller 332A receives the mode change signal 301 from the passive receiver 310 and switches from the low energy mode to an operating mode in which the controller 332A begins to conduct a greater amount of energy from the energy source 350 in response to signal 301 mode change. Also in response to the mode change signal 301, the controller 332A provides an output indicative of the reception of the change signal 301 mode to transceiver 334A, and transceiver 334A changes from a low energy mode to an operating mode in response to the output. In this phase, the inventory control device 200 has changed from an inactive mode to an active mode in which the controller 332A and / or the transceiver 334A are ready to connect in data communication with the remote control system 102 or to perform another dedicated function (s). An example data communication operation of a remote control system is provided above with respect to the functional module 330 of Figure 3A and is not repeated in this case.

Fig. 6 is a block circuit diagram 300B illustrating another exemplary functional mode 330B according to certain embodiments. The circuit diagram 300B shows the passive receiver 310, a functional module 330B connected to the passive receiver 310, and a power source 350 connected to the functional module 330B. In the illustrated example, the passive receiver 310 has the same configuration as the receiver 310 shown in Figures 3 and 4. Therefore, the description of the passive receiver 310 is not repeated in this case. In addition, the functional module 330B and the functional module 330A (Figure 5) share some components such as the buttons 210, 220 to remove and add, the memory 336, and the indicators 230, 240 and their descriptions will not be repeated in this case. Instead, the following description will however focus on how an controller 332B, a transceiver 334B and a switch 610 of the mode 330B functional to the passive receiver 310 and to the power source 350 are electrically and operationally connected.

Functional module 330B includes controller 332B and transceiver 334B in data communication with controller 332B and a transceiver antenna 331 connected to transceiver 334B to receive and transmit data signals to and from the remote control system 102 (Figure 1) . The functional module 330B also includes the switch 610 which has an energy input 612, an energy output 614, and a control input 616. Examples of switch 610 include, but are not limited to, a semiconductor switch such as a FET or bipolar transistor switch, and an electromechanical relay, and a magnetic switch such as a reed relay. The power input 612 of the switch 610 is connected to the power source 350, and the power output 614 of the switch 610 is connected to power inputs (eg, voltage) of the controller 332B and the transceiver 334B. The switch control input 616 is connected to the output of the passive receiver 310 and configured to receive the mode change signal 301.

The switch 616 is initially in a normally open position so that in the absence of the mode change signal 301, the controller 332B and the transceiver 334B are disconnected from the power source 350. Then, the remote control system 102, or more particularly, the first antenna 132 of the remote wireless control device 130 (Figures 1 and 2) transmits the initiation signal 152 to the containers 110, 110A. The passive receiver 310 of the inventory control device 200 associated with the container 110A receives the initiation signal 152 through the receiver antenna 311 and generates the mode change signal 301 in the manner described above with respect to the Figure 3A. The switch 610 receives the mode change signal 301 from the passive receiver 310 and changes from the normally open position to the closed position so that the controller 332B and the transceiver 334B are now connected to the power source 350. Once the power is received, the controller 332B and the transceiver 334B are configured to change from the states without power to modes of operation, thereby causing the functional module 330B to change from the inactive mode an active mode in which the controller 332B and / or transceiver 334B are ready to connect in data communication with the remote control system 102 or to perform another dedicated function (s). An example data communication operation of a remote control system was provided above with respect to the functional module 330 of Figure 3A and is not repeated in this case.

It will be appreciated for those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure that various modifications can be made to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functional module 330A of Figure 5 can be modified such that the mode change signal 301 of the passive receiver 310 is connected to inputs (for example, activation inputs) of both controller 332A and transceiver 334A . With the modification, both controller 332A and transceiver 334A both receive mode switching signal 301 at the same time and can change from their respective low energy modes to operating modes at the same time. Some characteristics of the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6 can be mixed. For example, in an alternative embodiment, one of the controller and the transceiver is powered directly by the power source 350 while the other of the controller and the transceiver is powered through the switch 610. Memory 336 may be part of controller 332. Controller 332 may be part of transceiver 334. The power source 350 may be part of the functional module 330A, B. Some embodiments may not have separate controller 332A, B.

In accordance with certain embodiments, certain aspects of the systems and methods described herein are performed by a computer system 700 in response to processor 704 that executes one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in memory 706. For example, computer system 120 executes an application program that provides inventory control functions such as maintaining a database of different types of medical supplies, their respective quantities currently remaining and their order status, as described above with respect to figure 1 can be implemented with the computer system 700 shown in figure 7 with the processor 704 which executes instructions for the application program. Additionally, some of the functions of the functional module 330, 330A, 330B of Figures 3, 5 and 6 can be implemented with the computer system 700, with the processor 704 performing the described functions of the controller 332, and memory 706 performing the described functions of memory 336. The processor 704 may be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, and a digital signal processor (DSP) capable of executing computer instructions. Said instructions may be read in memory 706 from another machine-readable medium, such as a data storage device 710. The execution of the sequence of instructions contained in the main memory 706 causes the processor 704 to perform the process steps described herein. One or more processors can also be used in a multiprocessing arrangement to execute the sequences of instructions contained in memory 706. In alternative embodiments, a wired circuitry may be used instead of or in combination with software instructions to implement various embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software circuitry.

The term "machine-readable medium" as used herein refers to any means that participates in providing instructions to processor 704 for the execution or storage of results of or parameters (eg, variables or constants) for computations. such as the determination of fluid pressure inside the cassette based on a measured measurement variable. Such media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic discs, such as the data storage device 710. Volatile means include dynamic memory, such as memory 706. The transmission means include coaxial cables, copper cable, or optical fiber, which include cables comprising a bus 702. Transmission means can also take the form of acoustic or light waves such as those generated during radio frequency and infrared communications. Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or any other magnetic media, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or any other optical media, punch cards, paper tape, or other physical media with hole patterns, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EPROM, or any other memory chip or cartridge or wave carrier, or any other means that a computer can read.

The foregoing description is intended to allow any person skilled in the art to implement the various embodiments described herein. Although the above embodiments have been described in particular with reference to the various figures and embodiments, it should be understood that these have illustrative purposes only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

There may be other ways to implement the invention. Several functions and elements described herein may be divided differently from those shown without departing from the appended claims. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments.

A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically indicated, but rather "one or more." The term "some" refers to one or more. Underlined and / or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the invention, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the invention.

All elements, parts and stages described herein are preferably included. It is to be understood that any of these elements, parts and stages can be replaced by other elements, parts and stages all together as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Broadly, this description discloses systems and methods for extending battery life in inventory control devices. A passive receiver is provided configured to wirelessly receive an initiation signal that has an associated energy field from a remote control system and to send a mode change signal. The passive receiver is configured to be powered by an energy field associated with the initiation signal. A functional module is provided connected to the passive receiver and configured to be powered by a self contained energy source when the functional module is in an active state. The functional module is also configured to receive the mode change signal from the passive receiver and to switch from an inactive mode to the active mode. The functional module conducts more energy from the energy source in the active mode than in the inactive mode.